Lysaer slashes the prone "priest" and Auric fills the party's hearts with hope.
The undead forcibly presents it's pendant once more.
Zinkyudo's second arrow destroys the undead priest.
From behind the sarcophagi, four additional dread ghouls slink out and attack.
|
Sparky will take a 5ft step NE and then begin the fireworks.
Attacks include Good Hope (overrides Heroism), Haste, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot. Selecting out all allies.
Including blue in splash 14 fire DC 21 for half.
Including Red in splash 14 fire DC 21 for half.
Includes Yellow in splash 14 fire DC 21 for half.
reroll
Including blue in splash 14 fire DC 21 for half.
"Who needs light when you have burning corpses around?"
|
Momentarily taken aback by the sudden appearance of more foes, Lysaer still manages to parry a single claw whilst his darkened armour turns another, with a horrific screech of claws on metal. Finding himself disadvantaged, the Hellknight takes a step to the South-west, allowing Rogar to step in for tactical advantage.
"Well, things got interesting..." he growls through his helm as he calls upon the Godclaw's Judgement, filling his body with righteous fury.
for
for
for
Sparky roasts two dread ghouls, but his third bomb misses its target, landing at Lysaer's feet instead. The blast envelops Rogar, Lysaer and both ghouls, but one of them evades the blast.
In the aftermath of the fireworks, Lysaer cuts down a ghoul with the single attack that manages to connect.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Zinkyudo's first arrow flies so true, that it destroys the otherwise unscathed dread ghoul outright.
After you take stock of the room a booming voice emenates from the lionlike statue.
“Welcome, mortals, to the Land of the Dead and Domain of the Divs. By the mighty Ahriman, I welcome you. Know that you have violated the tomb of the Immolated Mirza, the august lord genie Verdizaam Charad. You seek that which the grave robbers took and will meet the same fate as them unless you turn back now and depart forever these holy chambers.”
|
|
Sparky will use 4 charges from his CLW want to heal 22.
He'll also burn a charge from his detect magic want to examine the scroll, wand, and pearl. Assuming the DC 32 is actually a 22 he auto succeeds on the spellcraft checks.
"Pearl of Power level 1, Scroll of Shield, and a wand of Resist Energy with 12 charges."
|
Zinkyudo nods his head once in satisfaction as his arrow ends the threat from the undead. "Whether it's sewers under Cassomir or the catacombs here, I've rarely found things improve when I go underground," he observes before the booming voice rings out.
He heals himself with his wand, then says quietly to his companions, "We're just here to help out some wayward pathfinders, right? I'm guessing those are the grave robbers referred to by our new statue friend."
.
The statue's immobile mouth bellows once more.
“You mortals be brave, and the Immolated Mirza acknowledges your courage, foolish though it may be. Therefore, I offer you not certain death but a chance to succeed in your quest. Two ages have passed since I last walked the earth and two puzzles shall you pass before you do so again. If you win through, the goal of your quest shall be your salvation as well. Should you fail, your bones shall adorn my tent.
So let us begin. I have ensured that you will be unable to leave until our little game is through. Remember this, my little mice, for it may serve you again in the end. ‘Half past the new moon and twice the tides break, the sphinx feeds at the noon, and reclines in its wake.’”
|
"So you killed Agosa, right? He was a friend so rest assured we are going to play your little game and then you'll answer for his death" states Rogar in a determined tone, for once devoid of any mirth. Then he asks to one of his "spiritually enanched" companions to help him with his wand of cure light wounds.
The statue does not answer Rogar's question.
|
|
Rolling his eyes at the theatrics employed by the voice behind the statue, Lysaer draws forth a wand from his wrist and uses it's magic to restore the colour to his skin from the vitality draining unholy power of Agosa.
"Hmm, Divs and Ahriman? One of the so called 'deities' worshipped by such base creatures no doubt. Be careful for they are tricketers and fierce foes." Lysaer growls after the statue falls into silence.
Hefting his Greatsword, he tries to remember what he knows of Divs and their specific weaknesses. He then takes point with eyes focused and ears open.
Deciding to humor the mysterious voice, you forge on and discover a chamber lined with a variety of statues and showcases of all shapes and sizes. The sculptures are constructed of various kinds of stone or rusting iron, and the cases are covered in dust. A marble walkway leads a meandering path through the room and ends at a stone table at the far end upon which rest two items: the severed head of your old companion Agosa Agion—mouth and eyes agape in a rictus of surprise or confusion—and a silver chalice bearing the symbol of his deity, Sarenrae.
|
|
As Rogar steps into the room ahead, Zinkyudo jokes, "Remember, Rogar, surprises in this place only pop up when Sparky and I go into the room first."
Taking a few steps into the room, Zink sees the head of Agosa and the smile slips from his face as he says, "I feared as much, it was just a matter of when we would find him." Studying the room a moment longer, he adds, "I wonder if this room is safer if one follows the path, or if one avoids it? Auric, do you have any insights into this?"
As you enter the room, the bellowing voice taunts you once more, this time from the vicinity of the macabre display.
"“Well met again, mortals. Your courage exceeds your wisdom. And the next riddle will address that deficit.
In a nation of godless folly, who is the greater fool? The follower of the empty god, unable even to protect its own, or the follower of an empty man, filled only with the knowledge of his own inadequacy?
Choose wisely, and we shall drink together to your choice: you the cup of your choosing, and I the other. For when we finally meet, one will make the drinker a lion and the other a craven jackal before him.
Is it the accomplishment of man that emboldens his steps through his mortal journey or his faith in the unseen? Choose, and choose well, or choose not at all and face the stinging venom of your own folly.”
The voice holds its tongue yet again.
Scanning the room, Sparky skims a few of the plaques describing the trophies in Ancient Osiriani.
“Hehmket II. As the rodents gnaw your still-living bones, I dance in the entrails of your houris. VC I”
“Sayit, Eater of Dung. Betrayal is a sharpened blade, coated in acid. Yet betraying the betrayer is sweeter than new honey. Roast in the Inferno, old friend. VC I”
“Larasesh the Languid, Star of My Sky and Delight of My Nights. I used to love her, but I had to kill her. VC I”
Agosa's head is dried and stiff with its brain cavity scooped out and the inside of its skull polished. The chalice is recognizable as one of Agosa’s liturgical items. Both are filled with a single draught of some thick, dark red liquid with a spicy, seared aroma. Sparky identifies it from a safe distance as some kind of blood spiced with thick wine and unknown substances.
Apart from the spices and hints of wine, the draughts both bear a faint taint of undeath.
|
|
Zinkyudo spends a moment thinking on the riddle they've heard, and shares his thoughts, "The voice clearly wants us to choose one cup and drink from it - and to guess which is the right cup based on its riddle. Do we drink from the god cup or the man cup? I would opt for the cup of the divine being - at least in part to avoid drinking from the skull of someone we knew. But the divine is despised here in Rahadoum, so that may not be what this voice considers the right choice. Anyone else have any thoughts on this riddle?"
Recollecting what else they've heard, he adds, "The voice also said 'Half past the new moon and twice the tides break, the sphinx feeds at the noon, and reclines in its wake.' But I don't see how that applies here, perhaps it's to be used on the next riddle."
|
|
"That we could, Rogar," Zink acknowledges, "but I don't believe you're taking into account all the terms of this deal. While I am all in favor of collecting on debts, we need to solve the puzzles in order to get out of this place, and I suspect that will be true whether we make this fellow pay for his actions or not."
Deaglan's Shining Wayfinder points firmly to the northeast corner of the chamber.
Deaglan's spell reveals a ghoulish creature with taut, decayed skin over bony limbs and an oversized lower jaw lined with rows of razor sharp teeth. Black claws tip his hands, and his legs end in donkey hooves rather than feet.
Sparky catches the ghul very much unaware and glues it to the wall and floor.
|
|
Eyes narrowing as the shape in the dark is revealed to be a corrupt creature of the vilest kind, Lyaer moves deeper into the room, drawing his Dark Iron blade as he does so. Calling upon the Judgement of his Lawbringing Pantheon, the Hellknight prepares his body to heal any damage inflicted upon him.
With an utterance, White flame erupts around his drawn Sword, ready to sear the creatures flesh.
The ghul's body flashes with extreme heat, and it rips itself from the wall.