|
Ren looks up at Lackspell for a moment then says:
Yes... Yes you are right. We are safer together.
She reluctantly lets him go and wipes her eyes before letting herself be led back into the room.
When she sees the thing laying dead, she shutters, but reluctly starts searching the room avioding the creature until last as she builds up her courage.
As she works one thought keeps echoing.
He came after me.. why?
Arkon; on the body of the demon, you find a tiara worth 50 GP, a black silk gown worth 25 GP, an obsidian holy symbol of Lamashtu worth 10 GP, and a +1 cold iron returning dagger.
Also, you noticed that the pool that the sinspawn emerged from is still glowing, though it is noticeably less bright than before it disgorged the sinspawn.
There are also areas of this dungeon that you have yet to explore.
|
|
Arkon shows all the items found, does anyone want to deal with this obscenity? and he points to the obsidian holy symbol of Lamashtu he has dropped on the ground.
This dagger appears to be made of cold iron and enchanted with returning, does anyone want it? I'm a bit to fumble fingered at throwing for it.
With his wits more returned to him, Varak would slowly shake his head at the offer of the tiny dagger. Instead, his eyes would be focused on the nefarious pool, wondering if more of the foul creatures hid waiting to come forth. He would take the time to cast detect magic, searching for a means to destroy or disenchant the pool around them before studying the pool itself for a way to properly destroy it.
Lackspell watches Ren go about her searching, concern on his face.
She is still shaken... this has been hard on her. But then, remember how it was on the island. Even with her help you weren't really right again until after we had left the island. She will be fine, she is strong.
Slowly, his attention is drawn away by the thing that is tugging at him the whole time he is in the room. The Pool. He will go a bit closer and examine it. Trying to determine more of its nature. Does it create the sinspawn, or is it a portal? And why is it's light dimming?
Lackspell and Varak, here's what you get between the two of your rolls;
You're not exactly certain what this pool is. It is clearly a magical construct of some type, but you don't recall anything specifically quite like this. With your knowledge of spell-work and magical theory, though, it's function is quite clear.
Apparently, this pool can disgorge Sinspawn. It seems as though it requires a sacrifice to do so; in game terms, someone must "bleed" one Hit Point worth of damage into the pool. That will summon a Sinspawn.
The dimming light suggests to you that the pool can only summon a certain number of sinspawn before it loses it's potency and ceases to function.
You get the sense that, in the distant past, the pool may have been connected to ley lines or other potent sources of magic to maintain it's power, but you can tell that is no longer the case.
Lackspell continues to stare at the pool as he speaks.
So... somehow, this pool is the source of the Sinspawn. I don't know where they come from, but somehow the blood that the little demon shed into the pool is what called the creature here. I really don't think it's a good idea to leave this thing here still functioning. Someone could come along and accidentally summon one of these. Varak, can you do some sort of holy ritual to cleanse this and stop it from bringing any more in? The only other option I can think of is that it seemed to dim somewhat when the demon did her thing. Perhaps we could summon the sinspawn through, one at a time until it is drained?
Varak, the last bit of that sounds like probably the most workable plan. You also know that a holy ritual wouldn't do much; this is arcane magic at work, not divine.
Well yes, I suppose it is a bit like a wand. But it is a wand that we can't take away and keep safe. If someone comes down here after we leave it will be right there to be used.
"Despite it's horrid nature, there are no holy spells or rituals that can cleanse this evil. At least sadly none I am capable of casting," he began with a slow shake of his head. A fire would stir behind his eyes though as despite not having the means to destroy the pool itself, there was still a way to do good. "Your other option would work though. If we spawn and slay the creatures, the pool will be dispelled and no one will be able to trigger it for any wicked purpose."
Lackspell nods ...
We should be able to do it relatively safely. We've seen where the Sinspawn appears, so everyone can be ready for it. We can even be ready with bows and suchlike so that we don't even need to get close to it. Doing it at least once should prove or disprove the theory that the glow shows how much power is left in the pool
|
"Safely? They're spawned by someone bleeding into it, that doesn't sound safe to me.. I'm rather.. uncomfortable with summoning demons as well. Let's just spill it over or break the basin and get on."
The thought of summoning an evil creature takes Chrona back to her days locked up with Karl... dark, evil things would step forth after his sacrifices. She has never wanted to take part in something like that again.
"I agree, Miss Chrona, I am not pleased at the idea either. But it is the pool itself, not the water. This must be done to forever deny any from ever using it again. We can not risk some poor soul activating it as well to die at the hands of these creatures," he'd respond to his companion. He truly agreed with the fiery beauty, but could not allow such a portal to continue existing as a festering wound on this land.
If you guys wish to proceed you can ready attack actions for when each creature is summoned, though the person doing the summoning cannot have a readied action.
You know it will appear from the pool, Ren. You can absolutely set up opposite from, say, Praetor and have readied attacks.
Varak would grant Ren another Blessing of Holy Strikes, patting her shoulder and giving the best smile a lizardfolk could without lips, which really only looked like baring his teeth. He figured she'd understand though and made his way up the stairs to the alter. Ones there, he would bring his hand to his jaws, biting at the side just enough to draw a little blood before holding it out and squeezing, letting his allies strike down what would appear.
I'm not going to make you guys roll. Varak, you bite yourself once, twice, thrice. Your group summons one creature and creams it, then another, and then another. Mark 3 HP off, Varak, but you have successfully drained the pool of it's magic.
What now?
There seems to be nothing. As far as you can all ascertain this is now a normal pool.
You have one route you haven't explored; north past the statue.
As you near the statue, make Perception checks.
Arkon and Ren, you notice, as you pass by the statue, that the ranseur is not stone and is not attached; you could pull it free.
North of the statue is a closed door. You may make a Perception check to listen through the door if you wish.
Ren, you clearly hear several voices on the other side of the door. You can't make out what they're saying, but it doesn't sound as though they're speaking any language you recognize. They aren't right on the other side, you can tell, but farther into whatever room is on the other side.
What do you do?
Lackspell brings up the rear somewhat nervously, still holding up the sunrod to provide light.
With no more spells, Varak would only nod and prepare for their entry. He was only able to stick close to his allies and be ready for whatever might have been lurking just on the other side of that door.
Praetor kicks open the door! You are standing on a wooden platform above a room. In the northeast corner of the room, four Sinspawn are gathered, and they seem to have been discussing something. They were not prepared for you group.
You have a surprise round. You may each take one move or one standard action. Since you are on a platform, charging is not possible. They are thirty feet away but you have to move down stairs to get to them. They are all within five feet of one another. What do you do?
Varak will apply his last blessing to Ren once more, granting her the holy power to strike once more before the battle would begin.