"Hey guys, I found something. Looks like some lamp oil, some potions, and an old tablet referring to possible Whispering sites."
[dice=Know(History or Arcana)]1d20+8
Arundel recalls that Zummabu referred to the unexplored tomb as the Cairn of Whispers, which he was pretty sure wasn't the right translation.
The Oracle glanced at the vials. "Interesting. I wonder what they could be?" Looking at the vials, Amarekashu considered whether he knew anything that would be likely match the places on the tablet.
[dice=Knowledge (Local)]1d20
Amarekashu knows there are plenty of abandoned mines in the area, though the location would suggest the Lidish Mines. The entry to those collapsed about thirty years ago. There are a few dry riverbeds about which might match the description.
The fallen statue is much easier. A larger than life carving of Gilgeam was erected about ten miles away and long ago, but has been a tumbled ruin for as long as anyone remembers.
"All three potions are minor healing potions" the elf explains, as he pockets one of them. "They might come in handy, and should be spread around. Who else wants to carry one?"
As Arundel studies the tablet more, a thought occurs to him, and he gets an excited look on his face. "Zummabu referred to the tomb as Cairn of Whispers, right? But he thought it wasn't the right translation. Perhaps Whispering sites relates to that? Perhaps possible locations, or multiple entrances?"
As he contemplates the tablet more, Arundel wanders over to the now open well, and peers down it himself. He sends his own dancing lights down the well, and even though they reach no further than Trib's, he hopes that his sharp elven eyes might pick up something in the low light.
He also grabs a random rock or piece of debris, whatever happens to be handy, and drops it down the well, listening for how long it takes to hit the bottom.
As he contemplates the tablet more, Arundel wanders over to the now open well, and peers down it himself. He sends his own dancing lights down the well, and even though they reach no further than Trib's, he hopes that his sharp elven eyes might pick up something in the low light.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
He also grabs a random rock or piece of debris, whatever happens to be handy, and drops it down the well, listening for how long it takes to hit the bottom.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
Arundel's rock hit water somewhere beyond the reach of his light, though it sounded like it couldn't be very far beyond. His keen eyes noted a section of the mud brick wall shifted uniformly inward, just a bit, from the curve of the shaft. He couldn't tell for sure from the distance, but it looked a bit too uniform to be a natural shifting over the years and it was right next to the rough ladder.
The stonemason approaches and tries to push his eyes to look at the distance. He so far had been hearing the others, but he might be the one most used to move in the shadows - and definitely the one more talented with stonework.
He switches back to his Falcon aspect before analyzing.
Namtar stands watch, ready to strike any who would do harm to his master's servants.
"Dommer, check that out" the elf says, pointing at the section of wall shifted inward. He causes the four dancing lights to gather around that section.
"It almost looks unnatural, doesn't it? And right by the ladder. What do you think?"
'Well, maybe the elf and dwarf will see something I didn't.' Trib Stays near to the well, attempting to continue looking while Dommer does. "Do ya see anything interesting?"
With Arundel's lights to show him Dommer's expert gaze picked out the difference. It looked to him like the work of a deliberate hand rather than a natural shift as the shaft gave way. Specifically, it looked as though someone had made a portion of the wall to swing in to give access to a tunnel or hidden chamber.
Hmmm Company, it seems we have here a case of a secret passage. - says the Dwarf, finally, pointing at the wall - There's definitely something there, hidden by the ladder. We should peek.
He adopts once again the aspect that gives him some more "bear-ish" features, and proceeds to move towards the direction of the potential hidden tunnel.
'Well then, I will just follow Dommer.' Seeing the dwarf begin to ascend into the 'well' Trib shrugs his shoulders, and follows him. "Well, I may as well follow him." calling down to Dommer, as he keeps a keen eye out. "If'n you see anything suspicious Dommer, don't touch it an' I'll take a look at it, just in case."
Namtar nods and grimly follows. He keeps his muscles loose and his weapons at the ready. As they enter, he seems to relax, the confines of the building once more around him, blocking the open air and freedom of the open expanse from his sight.
Masters, should I be in front of those who are weakest of us? I am a warrior, to die in the service of a master honors the Father of All Victories. It is a slave's place to do so.
The elf watches those three descend, looking to see if they are successful in opening a passageway before going down after them. While watching, he examines the ladder, looking for signs of structural stability to make sure it could hold multiple people.
The elf watches those three descend, looking to see if they are successful in opening a passageway before going down after them. While watching, he examines the ladder, looking for signs of structural stability to make sure it could hold multiple people.
[dice=Perception]1d20+11
Arundel believed that, so far as he could see from the top, the ladder shouldn't fail.
Dommer, Tribim, and Namtar descended. It took some care to navigate the spots where a brick had gone missing or broken away, but descend they did. The air grew cool and had a hint of damp to it as they reached the suspicious stone.
Dommer's expert eye soon discerned what might be the catch to open the wall, a square of bricks shaped just so and cut not quite to the pattern of the rest.
'Masters... to die in the service... slaves place' Trib shakes his head as he looks up at his friend. "Namtar, were not your master, That's Zummabu. Your not here ta die for anyone, however your protection is appreciated."
Nodding down at the dwarf. "Dommer is familiar with buildings underground, and I'm here in case there are traps. Just hang in there, if anything needs killing you'll be tha first one we call."
Smiling a little, he calls down to Dommer. "Hey Dommer when we get in tha crypt you'll let the big guy up front so's he can fight stuff, right?"
As the well shaft gets darker, Tribim calls up his dancing lights and has them float hear their descent so they can see where they are climbing.
As you say. Namtar smile sand continues down the shaft. At the catch, Namtar stands ready, towering over the other two and muscles tensed and primed to strike.
Smiling a little, he calls down to Dommer. "Hey Dommer when we get in tha crypt you'll let the big guy up front so's he can fight stuff, right?"
Smiling a little, he calls down to Dommer. "Hey Dommer when we get in tha crypt you'll let the big guy up front so's he can fight stuff, right?"
Dommer smiled to his companions. This was so rare that it was scary - it's like his face muscles weren't used to it. Yet, he did so, before speaking.
Oh, please... Zamtar and Tribim, please take point. I will be right behind you two.
If Dommer looked like he had monkey features while climbing, now he's back looking furry and bulky like a bear.
Regin looks down on the group without concern. If something was that well hidden chances were low that anything dangerous had made it a home.
'Was it my imagination or did Dommer look like an orangutan there for a moment?' Once Trib is in the corridor he moves out of the way, letting Namtar take point, then moveing past, Dommer 'Ok, time to do our thing.'Nodding his head, he asks; "Thanks Dommer, how far should we go to determine if it's safe fer tha others?".
He keeps his dancing lights just in front of Namtar so the Halfling and human can see what's down the corridor. "Namtar you take tha point I's'l be right behind ya." Trib, walking stick in one hand, drawing a dart in the other he prepares to follow Namtar, keeping a keen eye out for anything odd.
Amarekashu looked at the others above the well. "How long should we wait before following?"
The elf looks pensive for a moment. "Well, they haven't screamed yet. Can't be too bad."
He swings himself around on the ladder and starts climbing on down.
Upon reaching the passageway, he proceeds cautiously, keeping an eye out for anything the group might have missed.
Tribim went to work as best he could clinging to the ladder and rough wall near it, and soon found the catch free of traps. Using it caused the projecting wall to grind and slowly swing open. Beyond stood a tunnel with walls of close-fitted stone, cracked and chipped in countless places and giving way to rubble and debris in a few. They look to have once born reliefs, but all had been chiseled out or defaced.
Tunnel reached off into the dark.
"Fascinating..." the elf says softly, touching the walls where the reliefs once were. "I wonder what it used to look like?"
Looking towards the group up front, Arundel casts a quick spell, then says "I will watch out for any signs of magic as we proceed."
'The elf is smart, of course he knows that.' Trib nods in agreement. "That's a good idea Arundel, I's'l keep tha lights on you keep lookin' for anything interesting." Trib looks up to Namtar, waiting to see if he is ready.
Namtar nods, and boldly takes his proper place at the front, ready to take the hit.
Namtar nods, and boldly takes his proper place at the front, ready to take the hit.
Zummabu's Company went carefully down the tunnel. At various points, rougher tunnels intersected it. Debris filled each, spilling out into the passage. Now and then, mine carts or tracks projected out from the debris. The tunnel grew increasingly cold and after some distance the many cracks and broken stretches of wall gave way to smooth, fitted stone. Despite that, the state of the reliefs did not improve.
At some length, the company came to a large, domed hall. Black marble tile covered the floor and carefully worked pillars and arches of the same reached above. Toward the far end, a curved stairway bent around a large, still pool of dark liquid. It culminated in a platform thirty feet above the pool.
Beneath the platform, three arches of flat obsidian broke the wall. Each was carved in the shape of numerous tendrils wrapped around one another. Two of the archways glinted with violet light. The other stood inert. All opened to blank walls.
Arundel's divination revealed magical auras about the pool, archways, and the space between them.
"Be careful; that whole area around the pool is magical for sure."
He studies them for a bit longer to see what else he can learn.
'he's right, we need to be careful' Trib follows behind Arundel pointing out trivial things hoping to help the elf sort out the schools of magic at use. "This so exciting, it's my first REAL crypt! Tha black marble could symbolize necromancy an' tha tendrils could help with tha..."
The pool of dark liquid, a strange, thick seeming blackness that had very slow, small ripples moving across it, radiated strong necromancy.
The two glinting archways radiated strong transmutation. The one that stood inert had only a faint aura of the same. All three bore separate auras of faint abjuration across their span.
The space between the portals and pool bore a second faint abjuration aura.
The elf summarizes for the group the various auras and where they are coming from. As he does, he continues to study more, this time focusing on a mundane search to see if anything else noteworthy jumps out at him (because studying and thinking are what he likes to do best!)
"Should we try throwing some piece of rubble or something into the area, see if it responds in some way?"
Dommer scratches his long beard.
I think we can try, Elf, but maybe before we should search for traps?
He, himself, wasn't much capable of such; yet, he imagined the people taking point probably had a say on it.
'What a huge place, so much stuff to look at! and no one has gone upstairs yet.' Tribim begins to toddle toward the staircase when he hears Dommer speaking about traps. Trib calls over That's a smart idea Dommer, if you find anything suspicious I will deal with it when I get back down stairs!" then reaching the staircase he begins to slowly climb up them, keeping an eye out for traps.
Arundel found nothing worth noting on his second look about the chamber.
'What a huge place, so much stuff to look at! and no one has gone upstairs yet.' Tribim begins to toddle toward the staircase when he hears Dommer speaking about traps. Trib calls over That's a smart idea Dommer, if you find anything suspicious I will deal with it when I get back down stairs!" then reaching the staircase he begins to slowly climb up them, keeping an eye out for traps.
[dice=perception]1d20+7
Mounting the stairs, Tribim came around and up to the platform overlooking the pool. There he found the figure of a triangle in a circle laid into the floor in flat, obsidian bricks marked with faint green whorls. In the space between the triangle and the circle's outer edge were a carved triptych. A bearded bull occupied the right side, facing a five-headed dragon. Beneath both roared a gaunt lion, its man surrounded by wavy rays that filled its third of the figure.
'Now that's an interesting image.'Seeing the triptych carved in the floor, Tribim calls back down the stairs, Casting detect magic as he circles around the triptych.
The elf, having hung back as Trib mounted the stairs, now carefully approaches, trying to follow the same path as the halfling.
When he reaches Trib, he looks at the engravings he had found. "Fascinating..."
'Now that's an interesting image.'Seeing the triptych carved in the floor, Tribim calls back down the stairs, Casting detect magic as he circles around the triptych.
The elf, having hung back as Trib mounted the stairs, now carefully approaches, trying to follow the same path as the halfling.
When he reaches Trib, he looks at the engravings he had found. "Fascinating..."
[dice=Know(Arcane,History,Religion)]1d20+8
Arundel recognizes the bull as a representation of Gilgeam and the five-headed dragon as Tiamat, the Queen of Chaos. The lion didn't ring any bells. Both are common enough in Untheric iconography, but Tiamat is never depicted without Gilgeam triumphing over her and that's not the case here. If a Holy Martinet saw this, he would probably destroy it as heretical.
'Hhhhmmmm, no magic up hear at all, but these have to mean something.' Seeing Arundel looking at the engraving so thoroughly, trib, scratching his head, asks. "So what do you think? These seem strangely familiar to me. It's just right here on the tip of my brain."
[dice=knowledge: history]1d20+6
[dice=knowledge: History]1d20+2'Hhhhmmmm, no magic up hear at all, but these have to mean something.' Seeing Arundel looking at the engraving so thoroughly, trib, scratching his head, asks. "So what do you think? These seem strangely familiar to me. It's just right here on the tip of my brain."
Trib knows what Arundel does, but also that the gaunt lion is Nergal of the Plagues, Companion to Kings. He died during the Orcgate Wars, long ages ago, when Gruumsh shattered the Rod of Enlil. A shard of it pierced his heart and slew him even as another claimed the orc god's eye.
Trib continues wandering around trying to figure out the magic. Talking out loud as much to himself as Arundel. "So tha bull represents Gilgeam and tha dragon Tiamat, whiles tha lion is Nergal of tha Plagues. But why isn't Gilgeam shown as triumphant?"
Arundel frowns briefly at this. "I recognized Gilgeam and Tiamat, but not Nergal, I don't know anything about him. Not sure about Gilgeam's lack of triumph, I don't think I've ever seen that before. I can think of a few people likely to be very upset by this sort of image..."
The elf also casts detect magic, and tries to identify the aura.
Arundel frowns briefly at this. "I recognized Gilgeam and Tiamat, but not Nergal, I don't know anything about him. Not sure about Gilgeam's lack of triumph, I don't think I've ever seen that before. I can think of a few people likely to be very upset by this sort of image..."
The elf also casts detect magic, and tries to identify the aura.
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+8
Amarekashu tapped his chin slightly. "Maybe this is created by those that worship Nergal, and believe in his dominion over both Gilgeam and Tiamat." He considered what he knew of Nergal.
...which was not much.
Arundel nods at Amarekashu's suggestion. "That very well could be. It is radiating a moderate aura of evocation - could be dangerous. Think it could be trapped at all, Trib?"