Mr. Madison casts detect magic and takes a look in Jing’s direction. Curious to see if perhaps there is a tinge of necromancy about him. Indicative perhaps of a curse.
You also happen to catch the magic rod on the left statue, and can deduce that is a wand with some kind of movement-based transmutation spell stored in it; you could narrow it down further if you were closer.
Finally, as you cast your spell you began to feel a deep chill creep through your body. It became very intense, but somehow you managed to keep it at bay long enough before it faded to prevent it from sapping any of your strength away.
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Cor, Jing, you look awful. Barnaby says as the Tien man pales further. Step back for now. that heal scroll may be able to help you. Unless...frell what if scribed magic is affected too...
Just, just hold off on casting - anything. Until we know more, not unless absolutely necessary. The half-elf says as he pulls out his adamantine mace. He looks fairly pale himself.
Is that OK to sumbit as an SOP going forward?
Radek crosses the bridge slowly (half movement), keeping an eye on the statues as he does so. If he reaches the other side without getting dumped into either pit, he moves cautiously around the statues and examines the far doors.
Radek does not encounter any problems crossing, nor does any other individual as long as they move at either half speed or jump across the trigger zone at the end of the bridge. Those inspecting the area on the north end do not note anything further, merely the two wands held by the statues. Tahonikepsu follows without comment, appearing lost in thought at the moment.
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When the others seem ready, Radek cracks open the door, taking a look at what lies beyond.
a large chamber lined with sarcophagi; each one appearing to be sealed with straps and bindings. Arcane glyphs periodically flare into existence on the sarcophagi and the walls of the room as well. A large sarcophagus lies directly to the north down a short flight of stairs, while four smaller (yet identical) sarcophagi rest in the corners of the main chamber. Side chambers to this room exit to the west and east, though their contents remain out of sight from the door's vantage point.
If the others wish to investigate the chamber, the dwarf moves forward stealthily, heading down the stairs to where he can peek down each of the side chambers, if possible. Then he investigates each of the sarcophagi, though he doesn't open them up just yet.
(+2 involving stonework)
Despite his bulk and armor, Radek moves remarkably quietly.
If the others wish to investigate the chamber, the dwarf moves forward stealthily, heading down the stairs to where he can peek down each of the side chambers, if possible. Then he investigates each of the sarcophagi, though he doesn't open them up just yet.
As Radek moves forward into the room, he gets a better glimpse into the side chambers, which each appears to house more sarcophagi. The only notable difference is that the eastern chamber has one sarcophagus with the lid askew, though it is currently empty. In all, there does not look to be anything else in the room beyond the sealed coffins. They do not have any particular markings on them differentiating them, except the large coffin in the main chamber by virtue of its size.
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So...anyone want to pry open an 'incubation chamber' to see what's inside? Barnaby asks after a moment of silence. He nods towards the 'open' sarcophoghus. Assuming something's not already up and about
Despite his comments, Barnaby will follow Radek cautiously in, weapon drawn. He whispers back to Tahonikepsu as he does so. Can you breath in that form? I've got a bad feeling about this.
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Radek grunts softly to the others as he spots the opened sarcophagus in the eastern room. "That one's open. Stay alert." The dwarf moves closer, looking for tracks that might indicate whether something inside might have decided to step out for a time. If he sees anything, he will try and determine how long ago it might have happened. He will also take a look into the tomb itself, utilizing his darkvision and still moving stealthily.
to search for tracks
Both skill checks include +4 bonus for favored terrain
Despite his comments, Barnaby will follow Radek cautiously in, weapon drawn. He whispers back to Tahonikepsu as he does so. Can you breath in that form? I've got a bad feeling about this.
Tahonikepsu shakes her head. "I can not. Your human bodies do not have the appropriate organs to do so," she says as she looks out into the large central chamber. "It might be a squeeze, but there may be room for my natural form if needed," she says hesitantly.
As the group looks around the central chamber, there does not appear to be any particular iconography (religious or decorative) that provides any insights to the sarcophagi's contents. There are 5 coffins in each chamber (west, central, east)
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Radek growls. "No sign of anythin' movin' around in 'ere fer centuries, most like. But there be a catch under th' edge o' this coffin. Looks like there be a 'idden wall behin' this 'ere tomb. I be thinkin' it'll open the secret door." The dwarf moves his free hand to the hidden catch and glances at the others. "Ye ready? Let's see what's 'idden here."
If nobody objects, Radek triggers the catch to hopefully open the secret door.
Giving a nod, Mr Madison signals to his porter to stay back and keep out of any danger.
Spellcraft or knowledge to try and predict what happens if we open a sarcophagus?
If nobody objects, Radek triggers the catch to hopefully open the secret door.
With a loud grinding noise, a well-hidden secret door opens behind the coffin, revealing a short tunnel through the wall. Beyond, the tunnel opens into a vast library holding stacks of books filling every shelf. The room’s design draws the eye toward a central ritual area, inscribed with arcane markings as complex and nuanced as a living mind. Tahonikepsu comes up behind Radek, her sage jewel flashing rapidly with white light.
"I am sensing that this...this area was an important place of power and focus for Tahari," she says with look of great interest as the Sage gazes upon the vast collection of knowledge. "I believe this would be the location that our ritual will take place. I can call the other Sages here now, but it may be wise to explore the rest of the complex first. There are many unknowns still unaccounted for down here, we may not get another opportunity to explore the other rooms after the ritual."
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Radek grunts in agreement. "Not te mention that if there be dangers lurkin' in this tomb, yer ritual might get interrupted. Let's check out these other coffins, then." The dwarf begins investigating the other coffins, starting with shoving the lid off the nearest to see what's inside. If something is going to pop out and try to eat his face, Radek intends to be the one that provokes them. He starts with the closest and works his way around both rooms, coming to the large ornate one last.
Let's crack one open, then! Whichever one Radek happens to be standing next to works for me, and then go clockwise in the east wing, and then again in the larger chamber.
After some slicing of the bindings and prying off the lid, Radek looks into the nearest sarcophagus. Inside is a humanoid skeleton in ancient rags, with nothing of value. A brief hesitant moment passes, as the dwarf tenses to attack should the skeleton leap up to attack, but nothing happens. Continuing through the remainder of the sarcophagi in the eastern chamber reveals similar results.
Radek encounters many coffins with various types of humanoid skeletons within throughout all of the chambers. Only two sarcophagi bear notable exceptions. Opening the middle coffin in the western chamber reveals, along with a stench of decay, a humanoid corpse that seems slightly more preserved than the others wearing a suit of golden scaled armor that gleams brightly in the gloom of the chamber. Ensconced with this armored body is another metal canister, seeming to contain more of the crystalline aether substance.
The only other sarcophagus to contain a corpse of interest is, of course, the large central one in the main chamber. Prying it open reveals a rather cramped, and odorous, corpse of a large blue dragon. Its lifeless eyes dully reflect the light from the group's ioun torch. Tahonikepsu sees this from a distance behind Radek, her mouth slightly agape. "Oh...this is...not a good sign.," she says with an almost horrified fascination in her voice.
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Radek has little interest in the armor or the canister, but points both items out to the others in case someone else wants to investigate further. "Seems a little... moist, compared te the others." The dwarf grunts in a tone of disgust, motioning toward the semi-preserved body within. After revealing the blue dragon, Radek takes a step back, his eyes narrowed as he makes certain the thing isn't going to jump out of the sarcophagus. He turns back to the shocked Tahonikepsu. "Eh? Ye know somethin' o' this creature, then? I did nae expect te find a dragon in one o' these tombs."
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As Radek opens coffins, Cassandra will take a moment to study the armored figure both magically and mundanely
Does Psycho know something about that dragon
In response to Radek and Mr. Madison, Tahonikepsu looks at the dragon corpse grimly. "Look at the dragon's neck area. See those swollen glands under the scaled area? And there, near the joint by the claws," she points to the areas with clinical precision (keeping her distance). "This dragon did not die from battle wounds or torture. It died from some kind of disease that wears down vital organs. It is a very bad sign, because our kind do not become sick easily. There are very few diseases we are susceptible to. It is quite possible that Tahari was researching strains to target creatures with strong resistances or possibly even immunities. The implications are...well..." The Sage trails off as she continues to look at the dragon corpse.
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Possibly disappointed that nothing had jumped out of their tombs, the dwarf grunts. "Tha' sort o' disease is nae somethin' I want te mess wit'." Once Cassandara is finished looking over the armored corpse, Radek turns to the others. "Ready te move on? The lass says we should keep explorin' this place, an' I be thinkin' she's right."
As there were no doors or hallways leading from this area, Radek leads the others back past the statues and the bridge, reminding them again to move slowly across the span, and then to the rotunda at the entrance. Turning right, the ranger investigates the cramped area that his dwarvish senses determined must be a small room or the like.
Cassandra would like to grab the armor and holy symbol. Assuming nothing happens she'll take her chances and put the armor on.
Beyond bearing an incredible scent of decaying flesh, Casssandra does not notice anything unusual when she puts it on.
Once we're done in here, back to the main circular chamber and take that north passage leading into that little area blacked out. Does that work for everyone?
The jaunt back across the bridge and to the entry chamber is uneventful, taking only about five minutes or so if the group maintains their current level of caution. Taking a trip down the northern hallway from the chamber leads to a small room, perfectly square in dimension. What appears to be a table sits opposite of the entry into this room, with what appears to be a medium sized circular object covered entirely by a concealing silk cloth. This room bears no plaque identifying its purpose.
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Barnaby silently concurs with Radek, but as Cassandra goes forwards and begins stripping the body he adds you're doing that, take the canister too. But leave the 'aether' in it: if Tahari was trying to make this stuff it shouldn't just be left lying around, but that doesn't mean we should let it loose before we know more.
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The half-elf walks with the party back to the ruin's entrance. He sighs a bit as Radek turns not towards the Lab or Memory room but north, but follows the dwarf nonetheless.
As they reach the almost-bare room, Barnaby gazes warily at the covered object. He steps towards it, advising the others. Stay back. If there's a mimic under there, well come up with something better to tell them I died from.
The detective then slowly creeps forwards and examines the object, eventually trying to lift the cloth (with his hand pressed through his cloak to avoid directly touching it) if he can't determine the object's nature otherwise.[/b]
Mr Madison twirls his fingers in a brief spasm of movement as Cassandra moves past. As he does so, most of the grime and dried bodily fluids sloughs off the armor she picked up. With another couple flicks the armor looks decently clean. Not polished or anything, but presentable.
The detective then slowly creeps forwards and examines the object, eventually trying to lift the cloth (with his hand pressed through his cloak to avoid directly touching it) if he can't determine the object's nature otherwise.
It is hard to determine what is under the cover, just that a tall vaguely circular or ovoid object lies beneath it. The object does not seem to squirm or exhibit any particularly extreme sensation (e.g. hot, cold, painful, etc.), so Barnaby lifts the silk cloth away with a cloak-covered hand. This reveals a rather expensive looking obsidian mirror beneath it. Tall enough to enable one to see themselves in the mirror in its entirety, the view in the mirror appears almost like a slightly moving inky black void. Sitting next to the mirror on the table is what appears to be an onyx key, bearing a silver and black eclipse on the bow of the key.
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Cor! Barnaby quickly knocks the key away and drops the cloth back down. He takes a few deep breathes to calm himself, then turns to the others. It's a mirror. And it might be a two-way. In the 'it gazes also' sense.
Giving the mirror another glance to make sure its fully covered up once more, he bends to examine the key. I've been in the Gloomspires. Three times. But this place... He shudders. Cor.
Any knowledge that could ID the eclipse symbol on the key? Or for all I know just a cool design the necromancer liked?
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No spel... Barnaby says just as Mr. Madison's hand brushes against his. Still, the half-elf does not resist and a flood of images rush the the well-dressed man: a deep void simultaneous black and prismatic, countless staring eyes and an overwhelming aura of intent
As the recollections transfer over, Barnaby looks at Mr. Madison. Well. Still worth the curiosity?
Mr. Madison seemed to be contemplating something. At Barnaby’s exclaimation his head snaps up and he looks directly at Barnaby. Care to show me what you saw? With an arcane whisper he extends his hand to Barnaby. Cast share memory
While your reflection is present in this scene, it almost seems to slowly become swallowed in this blackness. A multitude of eyes seem to open out of nowhere in this void, of a myriad of shapes and colors. You abruptly find yourself the cynosure of their gazes, bringing with it an incredible sense of something ominous. You struggle against the intensity of their focus.
The replay of the memory halts for a moment, and an intense static starts to ripple through the scene as it begins to rewind and fast-forward uncontrollably. Mr. Madison finds himself unable to tear away from the memory, as the eyes swirl and merge into one single, terrible eye. It widens with amusement at Mr. Madison's presence in the memory and seems to look at him directly beyond the boundaries of the memory. Mr. Madison gets jolted out of his trance forcefully, clutching a hand to his head as he experiences a pounding headache and a terrible sense of foreboding.
As the recollections transfer over, Barnaby looks at Mr. Madison. Well. Still worth the curiosity?
The western hallway out of the main entrance chamber leads to a T-junction, with no plaques indicating location identity for either path. The southern path leads to a closed metal door with a closed sliding hatch about eye height (for a human).
The northern path leads to a chamber without a door; with soupy, viscous fluid covering the entire floor. Arcane runes form three distinct horizontal bands on each of the four pillars in this room; the first third glowing green, the second blue, and the top third red. Tattered, dusty remnants of clothing fill niches in the walls. A hallway can been seen exiting the opposite of this moist room to the west.