Breathing hard, Tolvan goes to see to Kimberly. That was unpleasant. he says as he gently shakes the girl. Kimberly, snap out of it.
Once Kimberly is ok and peoples wounds are sean to Tolvan will cast Detect Magic and again search the room.
He notes the value of the sarcophagus, but does not comment to the group, as it seem impractical to move, even if it were his to sell. But he does find the ring. Holding it up he says What have we here?
Kimberly just lay there for a minute or so her eyes closed. almost expecting death. Soon her eyes open as Tolvan shakes her.
Tolvan!she yells out as she starts to cry.
I...I've failed Pharasma, I wasn't strong enough. That creature, that face, I saw death in its face, my death. I ... feel so ashamed, so weak.
She can't look anyone in the face. her failure against the undead creature, surely Pharasma would never accept her.
She falls to her knees to pray Please, Pharasma, bringer of death and rebirth, I need your strength, I need you blessings she closes her eyes tightly. and there is a sudden glow and a wave of Pharasma's energy bursts from Kimberly's whole body.
Anna stands up from her crouched, combat position after the strange tentacled creature finally collapses. The fear that had seized her was slowly unclenching her heart. She takes several ragged gasps before finally moving towards Kimberly and giving her a big hug.
It's okay. Stop it, stop beating yourself up. Pharasma's not judging you yet, she comforts. Her own trembling hands strokes the young girl's hair as she pulls her in tightly. Then she slowly releases her as she attempts to follow her own advice.
She lets the young oracle go as she retrieves her dropped crossbow and reloads it. What'jya find? she asks Tolvan.
Tolvan can tell he's found a powerful magic item, but is unable to determine it's actual properties.
Danica suddenly gasps at the defeat of the mimic. Her sword drops to the floor and the clang of metal alerts the others that all is not right.
The inquisitor clenches her fists and then she drops down on her knees. She open up her tunic to reveal that the skin on her chest is starting to decay. "Aarrggggg" The area where she was hit by the mummy has affected her being. The rot that affected the mummy is now starting to consume the young Aasimar. The rot starts to spread making the veins in her neck a dark grey.
She closes her eyes and holds up her hands, meaning to keep the others at bay. Unknown to others there is an internal struggle going on within the young Aasimar. The decay begins to slowly fade as it begins to recede back to the initial area. The strength within her, or her Aasimar heritage, or her monk training or basically pure stubbornness pushes the mummy's rot away and within minutes, which feels more like a lifetime of pain and suffering, she begins to rise and stand on her own two feet.
Danica puts her hand on her forehead to remove the sweat and says "I hate the undead. Ghosts, skeletons, wraiths and now mummies.... Can't wait to see what come next."
Anna looks on, helpless and wide-eyed at Danica's internal struggle to throw off the undead's curse. When she finally prevails, Anna breathes a huge sigh of relief. She steps back out to the rope bridge and breathes the high, fresh air as her trembling fades. She had been worn raw these last few moments from old fears, ancient terrors, and concern for new friends.
When she steps back inside, she looks less pale. Upstairs or down? The upstairs was behind a secret door, so maybe that first?
While deciding their next move, Anna asks,
Does anyone want to stop and ask why this Caromarc guy had an actual mummy in his collection? Do we want to rethink our opinion of him?
Kimberly stands, still a little shaken by the horrible vision she saw. hoping to never see it again, and if she does, Pharasma will give her the strength to overcome it.
Looking toward now Dancia's struggle. Kimberly rushes to her side hoping she can aid her and trying to determine if she has trully conquered the affliction or just subdued it temporarily.
Taking Kimberly by the shoulders, Tolvan reassures her. Kimberly, I think Pharasma would have been proud of you in the last fight. Even though the mummy's evil presence overcame you for a moment, you still managed to act as a conduit to strike at it and harm it with Pharasma's holy power. You did well.
He watches in horror for a moment as Danica fights off the curse, recalling the details of its impact should she be unsuccessful. Well done Danica. You have faced the foe and proven you are the stronger. You are a bastion of good against evil of the world and I am pleased to fight beside you.
At Anna recommendation to continue Tolvan pales slightly. I have expended much of my arcane energies. In good conscience I must recommend we rest before continuing much farther. I fear I will be of little further use in a touch fight such as this last one.
And responding to Anna's question about Caromarc, Tolvan shrugs. He is a collector of things rare. I can appreciate that. It appears that he had the creature secured with lock and chain. Tolvan indicates the broken lock and discarded chain. I suspect that the ones who came before us left it unchanged as a challenge for us to face.
Worrying her shoulder, where the mimic had slammed into her... I'm glad to see you shirk off the mummy rot, Danica.
I'd engaged the thing hoping to spare the rest of you, as my training and anointment have made me immune to all disease, both mundane and magical.
She looks around. House of madness.
Anna nods in agreement, then she blanches as she realizes what Tolvan said. You think they're expecting us? That's crazy. How would they--? Anna cuts herself off.
Her demeanor changes, and she makes a big show of coming to a realization. Oh, wait, I get it. Not us specifically, just anyone who might come looting. Actually, it makes a lot of sense. Your dirty work gets covered up by the messes of those that come after. Could be a lot of fun, just lay some traps and see what happens.
I've been worried about this. Something's not right, and watch what you say. I think we're being played, and someone is watching.
Anna changes the subject quickly. You think we should rest? What about that upstairs room? And is that another door in the corner?
I have a little magical reserve remaining to me, but my power wains. Let us explore the stair and door and see what we find. Tolvan sheaths his sword and readies his bow. Lead on.
Anna detects nothing on the other side of the door.
Tolvan, thank you for the kind words. It is I who is please by to be fighting by your side."
"Pharamsa has not abandoned you my little oracle. Your healing is much appreciated." Danica closes up her tunic as the signs of injury and curse subside with Kimberly's positive energy.
Danica composes herself further as she head to the stairway. "Let's clear this area, making sure we are safe to rest."
Anna will flip up the hood of her cloak, and move quietly up the stairs. She'll keep her crossbow at the ready.
Tolvan will follow, knowing that we must eventually search the entire area but adds The area the golem came from may now be unguarded…
The secret stairway ends in this room. Three dissected, preserved harpies sit in huge bell jars in this room, along with jars containing four stuffed bats, the skeletal front legs and head of a griffon, and the preserved wing of a roc which is slowly losing its feathers. A ladder leads up to a trapdoor in the ceiling. A single door rests on the north wall of the room as well.
Danica casts Detect Evil and Detect Magic on all the displays in the room. Once done with the displays she will cast the same 2 spells through the trapdoor in the ceiling.
Tolvan examines the exhibits, curious as always, but careful not to touch. Me maintains Detect Magic as he searches. All these creatures fly. he observes.
Not anymore, Anna couldn't help saying. She snickers.
Indeed. Lets hope not Anna. Tolvan says a bit ominously. The door, or the stairs next?
Andjela protectively brings up the rear... Danica, would you stay close to Anna?
None of the displays register as magical, but the trapdoor leaving above does have a small magical aura. After focusing on it for a bit you determine it is of conjuration magic.
If that aura is pointed out, Anna will check it out.
Tolvan certainly points it out. Ware the trapdoor Anna. I am picking some sort of conjuration magic upon it, not unlike the rope bridge outside.
Danica places her hand on Anna's shoulder saying "May the Bright Lady show you the way."
As everyone focuses forward, Andjela drinks a potion.
Anna notices a the tell-tale signs of a magic acid fog trap affixed to the trapdoor, sure to go off as soon as the door is pushed open.
This could be nasty. Might want to pull back a bit.
Anna flexes her fingers and pulls out the tricks of her trade. Acid, cold, shock or fire, it's all undone by a small lead wire, she hums to herself as she tries to disrupt the spell.
Kimberly just watches Anna hum her ditty. trying to remember the tune. she cannot hear the words but the tune sounded fun.
at least I don't have to climb a rope this time she comments on her dislike of climbing.
Moving delicately but surely, Anna disrupts several components to the trap, rendering it inert after a short time.
The top room is bare, the trap merely a hazard for the curious and brave.
Well done Anna. You are good at your craft. Shall we try the door?
Anna smiles demurely at the compliment. She then turns to the door and inspects it for traps of the non-magical kind.
If she sees nothing, she'll deftly open the door a crack and peek into the next room.
Finding no traps Anna heads through the north door to discover a large attic-type storage area. This large room is crammed with crates, boxes, and several chests.
Danica does her thing.
Casting Detect Magic on the crates and chests.
Anna will look for traps on the chests, and peruse the items.
Anna doesn't detect any traps, and neither does Danica -nor magic. None of the crates are actually open and no items are simply lying about. To find out if the crates or boxes hold anything of interest, they'll have to be opened.
Tolvan looks around. Maybe there is a manifest or log or something around here.
How about I start on this corner, Tolvan, you take that row. Danica, those over there while Andjela, you take the far corner. Kimberly, you can check out crates these in the center.
Anna starts opening chests and crates and checking out the supplies.
Kimberly nods a little worried. she isn't a very good searcher, no where near as good as Anna is..
what if there are giant spiders in there, or what if some big cloud of gas flies out at me? Anna, are these crates safe to open? Kimberly asks as she walks toward them.
waiting for a nod from Anna or even someone else, she then flips open a crate (unless it is nailed shut or something) flinching away quickly in case there are spiders or gas, or spears, or a troll.
I don't know. But we've fought spiders before. And if we're going to rest before moving on, I figure we'll get this time-consuming stuff out of the way now. I mean, it's not even dinner time. I usually don't bed down until after midnight.
Danica will take her crates and start to open one, making sure that nothing happens. Carefully, she will look inside before proceeding to the next crate.
The cases all contain curios like animal bones, stuffed birds, and more mundane preserved creatures. One of the crates Kimberly opens contains a plethora of ornate birds of a variety of precious materials and metals, the whole crate clearly worth quite a bit.
However, on the other side of the room Anna opens a crate and two shrieking, disembodied heads fly up to hover in the air.
Anna
Tolvan
Andjela
Kimberly
Danica
Medusa
- Anna
- Tolvan
- Andjela
- Danica
- Kimberly
- Medusa Heads
Aaah! I was promised spiders! What are these!?
Still, Anna moves quickly, drawing and slashing upward with her dagger.