"Now things begin to make sense. Some charlatan hides in these spy holes using his magical power to bamboozle gullible worshippers. We will root him out. And we will take his idol..."
Since Trig did not find any doorway into the secret passage, Odo heads for the room's exit. "The route to the spy hole may through the other door on this level. We should go check it out."
Male Human (Keleshite) Druid (Saurian Shaman) 4 [ HP 31/31 | AC 21/T12/FF19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +4 | Perception +9 ]
Let's stick to the one from this room.
Darvan shrugs dismissively. "It's possible, I suppose. I don't subscribe to that form of magic, personally." He gives a short whistle to Sahba and makes his way to the door at the rear of this chamber.
Against the east wall sits an ornate brass throne, sculpted to resemble an enormous hand of flame. Wood painted to resemble tendrils of smoke rising from behind the throne merge into a detailed mural of Moloch’s idol on the wall.
Beautiful tapestries line the other walls, depicting a grand battle between soldiers of flame and the dervishes of Sarenrae.
Knowledge(History) DC 10:
This does not depict an actual historical battle.
As you enter the room, you hear the sound of a large squadron of soldiers approaching along the path that you did not take, clanking and clattering as they move, and stopping just outside the other door to the room, where they loudly discuss the readiness of a horde of fire creatures that have assembled in the Inferno Heart.
Darvan, sees the tapestries and hears the soldiers, but can't help but feel confused. "There are no fire creatures here, and we did not see any sign that there might be a squadron of soldiers in here at all. However, this might have been the scene at the time the battle depicted on these tapestries was fought. This must be an illusion, or some sort of phantasm."
Triccio continues to hear what sounds like at least 5-6 individuals talking about a force of fire elementals and salamanders that have been gathered to continue the 'Great Work'.
"Since we know some wizard or other spellcaster is here, it is possible there are soldiers as well. Yet it is also possible this is another magic trick to fool us. I say, if they are coming this way, let us ambush them. And if nobody comes through that door, then I think we will have evidence of it being a magic trick."
Odo then moves up to one side of the door, prepared to attack any enemy who walks through.
Male Human(Varisian) Bard 2 Percept +6, Sense Motive +6, Init +2 15 of 15 hp
"They were talking nonsense about fire elementals, salamanders, and a great work. It must be some kind of ghostly echo from Sarenrae dervishes who broke into the temple, " Trig says seriously, but he smiles quickly, " Or a magic trick. A pretty good one. That level of control is hard to master. In either case, let's see what we have here."
Trig crosses the room to examine the throne and mural.
Male Human(Varisian) Bard 2 Percept +6, Sense Motive +6, Init +2 15 of 15 hp
Trig tugs experimentally on the door and looks glumly at the lock. "Is anyone here mechanically inclined? This door is ideally placed to enter an inner sanctum, or maybe just a robing room."
"I think we should stay here and open this door, forcing it if necessary. We seem to have been attacked by a spellcaster using secret passages to spy on us and strike without fear of retribution. I say we put that fear into him."
"It may also give us the side benefit of being able to use the secret passages and spyholes to our own advantage" Odo adds.
I am waiting for someone to declare that they are opening a door / unlocking a door / breaking down a door / doing something else entirely. So far, we have people waiting for a door to open, but no-one opening one.
Male Human (Keleshite) Druid (Saurian Shaman) 4 [ HP 31/31 | AC 21/T12/FF19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +4 | Perception +9 ]
Sorry, the unlocked non-secret door - figured we'd end up making a bit of a ruckus with the locked secret door, since it looks like we'll be bashing it in.
The walls of this room are lined with weapons: crossed halberds, spears, and longswords, all decorated with flame motifs. Two shields with portraits of Moloch towering over the Citadel of Flame sit near the ceiling.
DC 10 Craft (weaponsmithing or armorsmithing) or DC 20 Perception:
These are all newly crafted items.
A plain obsidian bench sits on the floor, with a skeleton splayed across it. The skeleton’s armor is bedecked in stylized flames, and its scimitar’s hilt is shaped like an idol of Moloch.
As soon as Darvan steps into the room, the skeleton jerkily stands to it feet, picking up its scimitar...
Male Human(Varisian) Bard 2 Percept +6, Sense Motive +6, Init +2 15 of 15 hp
Sweet timing.
Looking over Darvan's shoulder Trig notices the skeleton stand. He quickly digs into his belt pouch and his hand comes out with a small paper wrapper. He squishes the package while pronouncing a few syncopated syllables. Blue-splotches yellow goo oozes from between his fingers and he throws it forward. A similarly colored ooze blossoms on the floor beneath the skelton's feet.
Cast grease, Refl save DC 14:
Grease
School conjuration (creation); Level bard 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (butter)
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one object or 10-ft. square
Duration 1 min./level (D)
Save see text; SR no
A grease spell covers a solid surface with a layer of slippery grease. Any creature in the area when the spell is cast must make a successful Reflex save or fall. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details). Creatures that do not move on their turn do not need to make this check and are not considered flat-footed.
The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature requires its bearer to make a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item. A creature wearing greased armor or clothing gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks and combat maneuver checks made to escape a grapple, and to their CMD to avoid being grappled.
Position the grease so that the party can enter the room and surround the skeleton. Secondary goal is to have the skeleton have to walk through a second square to reach the party.
Please roll a Will save, and do it inside a spoiler.
The blow from Darvan's club crushes the skeleton's skull. It stands upright for a few seconds, before the bones dis-articulate, and scatter across the floor... but rather them falling still, the fragments skitter across the floor to the skeleton's original position (before the party entered the room), and reform into the 'complete' skeleton, but going senescent.
Taking a cue from Trig, Odo tries to figure out a way into the gap from the other end (E5). He searches about the wall and ornamentation for any sign of a secret panel or door. He is content to take his time at it...
Male Human (Keleshite) Druid (Saurian Shaman) 4 [ HP 31/31 | AC 21/T12/FF19 | Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +6 | Init +4 | Perception +9 ]
Darvan seems confused for a moment. "It seems that this skeleton is some sort of illusion, as we suggested the voices were earlier." He then casts a quick spell to detect any other magical auras in the area.
