Philonous Phaenogamous |
Philonous follows behind, lingering only momentarily to look at the statue.
"The novelty of being soaking wet has worn off. Most tragically, I was unable to appreciate that the experience was more bearable for its novelty until it was no longer new. Like the persistent chirp of cicada in the night, this boon of my inexperience wasn't noticeable until it was gone, but unlike those persistent cries of over-vocal little creatures, I lament the passing of my ignorance. Let's get inside."
Philonous Phaenogamous |
Philonous walks up to the tomb entrance and examines it.
perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
profession (undertaker): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
What do I know about local customs regarding access to the dead, common practices regarding management of these kinds of properties, and what can I detect about the door and tomb generally (traps, history of vandalism or unlawful entry, current security, etc.)?
GM Lamplighter |
Philonous: You know that normally only family members would be allowed inside the crypt itself to pay their respects. In a neighborhood like Eastgate, there is usually a warden on the property at all times, both to aid mourners and to protect the sanctity of the tombs.
Looking around, there doesn't seem to be anyone within sight, although the rain doubtless has something to do with this.
This tomb does not seem to have any traps, and the entrance has not been opened in many years. A crowbar would be sufficient to pry the door enough to allow you to open it.
GM Lamplighter |
After a few moments of calling out, a figure emerges from the rain and heads towards you. Wearing the black and red robes of a priest of Asmodeus, the hulking man carries a shield inscribed with pentacles in one hand and wears a heavy mace at his belt.
"What are you lot doing out 'ere, in the rain? Sneaking about my grounds, are ye? Up to no good?" His belligerent tone indicates he is less than pleased with being drawn out into the wet.
GM Lamplighter |
Diplomacy, circumstance bonus, same religion bonus: 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 1 + 2 + 5 = 17
"Pathfinders, eh?" the priest retorts. "And by "visit", you mean "loot", do you? Be warned, the Prince of Law has empowered me to defend my charges if need be!" His hand creeps towards a wand tucked into his belt.
Davius Pompulus |
can I use my shirt reroll on that one ?
Davius show is empty hand as a sign of good faith and added Not at all Father ! The late Arkath worked for a rogue Pathfinder. He took with him in his tomb some secret from the Society. We only need to look inside you can supervise us if you want !
He looked at his comrades to have some help. He wasn't used to diplomacy as a simple guard in Egorian.
GM Lamplighter |
Diplomacy, same modifiers, +4 GM stars: 1d20 + 2 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 5 + 4 = 21
The priest seems somewhat reassured by Davius' words, and considers for a moment before answering. "Hmm... that sounds like a violation of your Society's standard contract. Something about reporting and such? Very well. I will allow you ingress, accompanied by myself. You may look for whatever clues you may find."
The priest withdraws a long metal tube from his robes, and points it at the door of the crypt. With a muttered word, he strikes the tube with his buckler, and it rings out a clear tone that echoes over the sound of the rain. With a grinding sound, the stone doorway opens a crack, revealing darkness beyond.
With a couple of you heaving no the door, you open it fully, and the tomb of Arkath the stone mason is revealed to you.
Map updated!
____________ |
Rain dripping off his nose the tall man watches the back and forth between the priest and his companion with mild curiosity. He lends his back in opening the heavy tomb door and then follows the rest into the darkness. Once there is light (he ill use a sunrod if necessary) he will aid in looking for some sort of clue.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
GM Lamplighter |
The inside of the tomb is dominated by a stone sarcophagus in the center, and two statues of a stonemason engaged in his trade on the west wall. The statues don't appear to be of the same person, though; perhaps they are representative of other specific masons or just of the craft itself.
The sarcophagus seems relatively unadorned for a master mason, but includes Arkath's name and trade.
Philonous Phaenogamous |
"I beg your pardon," Philonous says as he slips into the tomb. He takes a moment to examine the tomb as a whole as well as the statues before scrutinizing the coffin to determine the best way to open it without causing damage.
____________ |
Why do you entomb your dead in such grand buildings? Does Your god Asmodeous? The tall man says the name slowly and pauses for a moment to make sure he has pronounced it correctly. require you to build such crypts? The question is directed at the priest watching them but is posed loud enough for everyone to hear and answer. He waits patiently for either a response or the opportunity to help further the search.
GM Lamplighter |
Philonous: it's a heavy stone lid, but brute force should allow you to lift the lid without damaging it.
The priest answers Noname's question. "Nay, it is not the Dark Prince's will, but mortal vanity that creates these buildings. Everyone wants to live forever, in memory if not in reality."
The priest watches Philonous examining the coffin, and places a hand on his shoulder. "You aren't planning to do what I think you're planning, are you?" he cautions.
Philonous Phaenogamous |
"As you yourself pointed out, much of the ceremony surrounding death is the stuff of mortal pride and mortal fear. Whether sheltered by the stone lid of the coffin, the stone roof of this mausoleum, or the beauty of the limitless firmament, the remains are equally sheltered by the reckoning of the dead. I promise we'll be respectful. I'm an undertaker by trade, and no stranger to the expectations of the living."
profession (funeral director): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
diplomacy: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
GM Lamplighter |
"I understand your need, but of course the Church will have to repair any damage, even if unintentional. And if word got out that we allowed strangers to examine the remains of those left in our care... it's out of the question!" the priest replies. "Of course, if a donation to the church were to be made to cover the expenses of such problems... say, 50 gold measures?..."
____________ |
The tall man takes out a small leather pouch and starts to look though the contents. This money system is still very strange to me, is 50gp a lot? He begins to count out some coins, ofu, abụọ, atọ... ri na itenanị, iri abụọ I have twenty of the gold to give the man but, no more. he says offering the handful of coins to the group.
Philonous Phaenogamous |
"... so, uh... that's well more than enough to insure against the cost of any repairs necessary, and of course none will be. And let us say that... when it turns out no repairs are necessary, you donate the sum, less a small fee for your personal time; enough for a nice meal and a fine drink to warm you up after the long night in this miserable storm we both of us are working through, perhaps?"
GM Lamplighter |
Diplomacy - Philonous: 1d20 + 0 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 0 + 5 = 21
"Very well, I'll take the 20gp, but you'll still be responsible for any damage." He pockets the proffered coins, then stands aside, allowing you access to the sarcophagus.
Examining the sarcophagus, you should be able to lift the lid easily with a decent Strength check.
Philonous Phaenogamous |
"Davius, would you take the lead on moving this? I'll assist to the best of my ability, and I'm sure our companions will do likewise. Direct us as you see fit, but let's take our time and do it right. We are in no hurry and we're in a comfortable, dry space. Let's not do anything to discredit ourselves."
...the very picture of taking ten, of course our aid another actions would be rolled. Is Davius ok with that plan, or would he prefer to take a different course?
GM Lamplighter |
So, on the gold, I will assume that you deal with it at the end and equally split it.
Working together, you are able to lift the heavy stone lid and set it carefully on the floor. The two statues stare silently as you uncover the bones of Arkath. With the passage of more then 300 years, there is little left beyond a relatively complete skeleton. As you examine the corpse, Davius notices a small silver coin laying next to the skeleton's upper vertebrae.
Philonous Phaenogamous |
"Dead men's coins usually come in pairs." Philonous notes. He picks the coin up and holds it to the light in order to examine it more closely. "I can also conceive of someone making some sort of gesture by tossing a coin in with the remains... but it's hard to imagine such a gesture would be generous or heartfelt."
Davius Pompulus |
Thank you father Said Davius taking the strange coin.
We will take back late Arkath to his last resting place. he added before asking his comrade to help him taking back the sarcophagus to his place.
Once outside the graveyard he said.
This cleric is not the same as the ones we have in Egorian. Greedy, and I'm sure, corrupt. I will file a complaint at the Head of the Asomdean Church here in Absalom. After his bitter comment he added
But we had what we were looking for, so I hope, Mordack, is this magical and can you know what is it ?
Mordack Dune 2 |
I haven't learned the spell detect magic just yet, I couldn't tell you, I usually find out if something is magical by experimenting with it.
Davius Pompulus |
Hmmm... It's unfortunate. said Davius who tried to remember how to know more about the strange coin.
After a few seconds he saidWe could come back to the "Wounded Wisp" where other pathfinders could be able to help us on this ?
Or we could continue our investigation by looking at other adress we had ?