Ushari sees Fin get hammered by the deadly fists of the golem. By the gods...just DIE already will ya? She raises her hand up, and a healing light engulfs the party.
Lahen ushta - ndërsa unë të marr frymë!
Lahen ushta - çelikut ime është e ndritshme!
Lahen ushta ...
Jofram shakes off the golem's blow, and strikes back with renewed fury. His war chant conveys a tone of murderous rage, as he slams his gauntleted fist into the machine's fragile glass modules.
Jayse and Jofram land blows in alternating patterns, each trying to strike the leaking and cracked central flask containing the brain. The creature guards itself well, turning at the right moment to deflect each punch. But the combined effect of two warriors attacking it from alternate sides proves too much. In deflecting Jayse's third and final blow, it twists its body too far exposing the flask to Jofram. His gauntlet glows as he puts everything he's got into one punch. Jofram's mailed fist barrels through the glass, the numbing cold of the liquid and jagged glass registering only slight as he punches into the brain. It smacks against the far side of the glass, and pulps.
The golem explodes in a spray of chemicals that burst its frame and melt it into slag. Our heroes jump clear before the alchemical mixture can eat their flesh.
Ushari calls upon her god in thanks and for a bit of healing.
Trolohain's Crypt - UPDATED MAP
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Ushari sighs in relief as the golem is vanquished. As she gazes at her companions, she sighs. My work is never done. ”Good job, everyone.” She raises her hand and allows her healing light to sooth the wounds of the combatants.
Afterwards, she scans the area for any further threats (reclaiming her rapier in the process) and motions to the rope. "It looks like Jax came through for us!"
Relief floods Jayse's mind as he sags to his knees, panting. The healing had done its trick, but the memory of that initial strike still resonated in his mind and body.
"That's gonna hurt later." He sits resting for a few breaths before looking up, "Jofram, you've got more tricks than a dock-side prostitute."
He looks about the room from where he sits, seeing if there's anything worth investigating.
Ushari heals the group, only some of Fin's wounds remain. The elf woman has to be helped up as the toxin that locked her muscles eventually releases its hold on her system.
You look around. You are in a massive domed chamber with rich 'after-life' frescoes. The curtain-like waterfall continues to pour down from the ceiling to land on the stone grate below it. To one side of it, is a discarded but high quality rapier. Lashed by the water is a strange rope. It clearly goes all the way up the waterfall and some measure of it continues down through the stone grate. You look at it more closely and it appears to not be a rope at all. Rather, it looks more like a braided spider's web.
You ponder this only briefly before examining the rest of the room. Against one wall are the remains of a horse - most likely to beast that pulled the wagon. In the middle of the northern wall, is a 15' high arched tunnel which quickly bends.
Straehan investigates the tunnel and says "Looks like we found Trolohain - or at least we found his sarcophagus."
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Ushari walks over and sees a familiar blade, etched with a familiar rune, a stylized ‘U’. She bends over and picks it up, noting the heft of the blade. Smiling, she buckles it to her belt. ”Glad to have you back.”
Once she has re-equipped herself, she turns her attention to the north tunnel. ”Well, if you are convinced it is safe, then we can take a peek.”
Straehan leans against the opposite wall and stares into the crypt. "Are you kidding? In this place I don't believe anything is safe, particularly when it appears safe... and I haven't checked it yet."
He sniffs around for traps or trigger devices, never daring to step into the room. "I'm picking up no magic auras and it seems trap-free."
"Ok then, I guess having that Chairman and his alchemical buddy hanging around was good enough for him...."
She waits for Skitter to climb back on her, and murmers in that strange clicking tone, "Did you want to help check it out?"
She slides in front of the entrance to the crypt and scans for any external threats.
Skitter gives her a jaunty salute with his claw, hops down, and moves towards the room...
The gnome comes away from the wall. "Woah! Slow it down."
Skitter pauses and watches his mistress and the gnome.
"Our host here built an underground fortress to protect his remains. He's layered this thing with guardians, traps, and non-traps. Would he leave his actual remains this open and unprotected? There isn't even a locked door."
The sorcerer strokes his beard and considers the situation. There is a nagging thread of wrongness. "I'm not detecting any magic... not even from that lantern hanging over his head. Every other lantern we've seen is magical - but not this one."
Jayse gets tiredly to his feet, following Ushari towards Trolohain's room. As he passes the 'rope', he pauses to touch it.
"Porter... does this thing belong to anyone you know?"
The 'rope' feels sticky in Jayse's hand - even soaking wet. Climbing with it should be easy.
Porter shakes his head, "I've never seen anything like it."
Jayse grunts at Porter's response before moving to stand by the gnome. "I was going to say maybe it's an illusion or something, but even that would show up as magic, right?"
"Correct. There are also several spells that can mask a magical aura." The gnome seems reticent to continue. "As a scholar, it is possible for me to identify a 'masked' item, but I'd have to examine it up close which means entering that crypt."
"Well, since this Trolohain was a powerful wizard, I would say the chances of there being a masking aura are pretty good, wouldn't you say?" Ushari gazes up at the lantern, "I wonder if I could reach it..."
"True enough... but which spell did he use and why? Does it just mask the lantern or is the whole room cloaked in something? If his rival was another wizard, you'd think he'd recognize that a clearly magical lantern not registering as magic would tip the fellow off that something isn't right. Maybe that was his intent all along."
Straehan looks at Jayse conspiratorially, ignoring his own profession. "I fv<king hate wizards."
"Could it be this whole crypt is a false one? Maybe Trolohain hid his body elsewhere in this complex?"
Straehan looks at Jayse conspiratorially, ignoring his own profession. "I fv<king hate wizards."
Jayse sighs as he rubs his head, "I'm beginning to agree with you."
"I don't have a clue here, folks. As curious as I am, I'm not sure how to crack this one. I coudl always just step in.. see what happens."
The miniscule sorcerer shakes his head at the monk. "What are you trying to do, hog all the hero worship from the locals girls with your selfless bravery? Give some other folks a chance to be stupidly heroic and get some women too, would ya?"
He looks around for takers and sets his eyes on Ushari, accompanying the look with a wink, "I bet you wanna go. I'm pretty sure you wanna try the love-that-dare-not-speak-its-name."
"Hey, you're the one with the hero drink, man. Not my fault you don't use it. Anyway, you wanna win the girls, feel free to step in. I'm just trying to expedite the process."
Straehan sobers for a moment, "So it seems like we have two choices - risk it and walk in OR leave well enough alone and get the hell out of this place. Votes?"
"Don't look at me. I got the last one, and it hurt."
The gnome chuckles, "Fair enough. I'll risk it provided you get that cute red-head mining lass over here to watch me being all brave. NOW, the question is - do we want to give it a go OR call it done and get out of here?"
"Screw that. This bastard has taken enough from us already… I say it's time to see the face of the guy who built this crazy place. I'll go. Just… ya know.. be ready to get me out."
He looks around for takers and sets his eyes on Ushari, accompanying the look with a wink, "I bet you wanna go. I'm pretty sure you wanna try the love-that-dare-not-speak-its-name."
Ushari gives the gnome a level look, "I have NO idea what you are referring to.." She glances at the crypt again, sighing in frustration. "I say we at least check it out further. I can go first."
Jayse blocks Ushari's way, "um... I'm really uncomfortable sending in our best healer."
Jofram sighs a sardonic laugh, and deploys his bow once again. "First nobody wants to go, and now you are all fighting for the chance to be killed first. I'll cover... whoever goes first."
"Good point. Ushari - you are out. Someone has to heal whoever is dumb enough to do this thing. Jayse - you wanna Roshambo for it?"
While Jayse debates his answer, the gnome slips past him and stumbles into the crypt...
Ushari gives the monk a half-smile, "Flattery will get you nowhere." She waves him on, "Go ahead then, just be careful, I will be right behind you."
As she sees Straehan enter the crypt, she murmers "Too late..."
"Jayse - you wanna Roshambo for it?"
Jayse watches the little man dodge past, shaking his head. "Only if you tell me what a Roshambo is first. Oh, hey.. if you die, I get your boots."
Straehan hunches, braced for an impact that doesn't come. He opens his eyes tentatively and gives his crew a hesitant thumb's up. "Not dead yet - that's a good sign."
He carefully studies the room, touching nothing. The vaulted ceiling is 15' high and the walls lack decoration. The only objects in the room are the sarcophagus and the lantern.
The gnome approaches these last and observes the lantern cautiously from all angles.
"The aura has been altered. This is just an everflame candle."
Finally, he looks at the figure carved into the top of the sarcophagus. "Looks pretty much like our boy in the frescoes... maybe a touch more realistic." Experimentally, Straehan lays a hand on the sarcophagus - prepared to jump away. Nothing happens.
"Oh, hey.. if you die, I get your boots."
"Ah HAH! So now the truth comes out. Mocking my boots one minute and loving them the next." Clearly, not being dead has improved the gnome's mood.
Jayse shrugs as he turns to chat amiably with Ushari, "Those boots really are quite fetching… it's the damned, stumpy, hideous little legs sprouting from them I don't like."
Ushari laughs, while keeping an eye on the gnome making sure he did not get into any trouble. "I agree with you Jayse. His boots certainly make his...calves and thighs appear slimmer, not to mention what is does for his...posterior."
Jayse turns to look at Jofram with total sincerity, "Am I speaking the same language she is?"
The gnome glares at Jayse. "I'm going to make you pay for that. I'm not sure when or how... but I'm working on it."
Jayse chuckles as he steps into the room with Straehan, "If we both live for you to take your revenge, I'll be a happy guy. Nothing in here of interest, huh? I'd worry we're grave-robbing, but I figure we owe the guy after the few days we've had."
Usahri smirks at the men, "If you want revenge on females in general, just remember we tend to hang out in groups."
Ushari says softly, "I am not sure it is a good idea to desecrate his body, and I won't help you do so." She pauses and adds, "I won't stop you either, though."
After the group makes a decision, she says "I know you all want to leave this place, but I want to be sure we have not left any clues behind. It may not be a bad idea to check out the other passages we missed."
"I don't really have any real desire to open up his sarcophagus, either. As to exploring further... I don't really see the benefit. We came to get these women back, and I don't really want to spend any more time down here. I mean, fighting acid-spewing constructs, teleporting undead, lightning-shooting lanterns, huge puss-filled hands, and crazy ice-sculptures is fun and all..."
Usahri nods in agreement. "OK, then let's get out of here."
"Jofram, Straehan, you have a vote one way or the other?"
Strae looks down at the carved face of Trolohain, "Ya got off easy, man. Next time we meet, I'm gonna jack you up." He pats the wizard on the cheek. "Let the old guy sleep. I think we got his real goodies in that secret vault."
Your band roams back along the corridor, setting off the magic mouth yet again. Porter goes to gather the women from his village while the rest of you head into the one corridor you haven't explored.
The 5' wide corridor proceeds West then Northwest. After pausing briefly in a circular room, your course turns North where you join up with the main corridor you trod before. The only thing of note in any of the frescoes is a view of the outside of a walled city with a massive red vaulted gate. Something in the shape of the gate and the size of the wall are reminiscent of Jofram's snatch of memory. Nothing else in the picture makes it identifiable.