Thomas:
Spring Loaded Wrist Sheath, MW Studded Leather, Mask, Reversable Cloak (Green & Black)
Robert:
Masterworked backpack,
How much and what food, water and alchemical fire do you want?
Stanislav:
What you ask for is well and above the 200gp, even adding the 116gp from your loot it is almost out of range, do you want to spend 308gp on a masterworked glaive?
Thomas tentatively opened the package, just to be sure it wasn't trapped. Once the contents were visible, a grin spread across his face. This is more like it. He thought while picking up the mask.
Vank smiles when he sees the equipment, after testing the armour and weapon he goes to find Grumblejack. "They left the new equipment in my room just sitting there. Do you find these humans odd? If a commanding officer in my tribe gave you somethine he would do it personally himself, so you knew who you owed for it." he says in goblin then as an after thought "Did they find you anything?"
During a majority of the evenings, Nadine is cloistered in her room working on her grisly fetish. Those who can sense magic being wrought periodically find themselves noticing power being shunted in the direction of her room. In the mornings she often bears a few marks of the previous night's activities: cuts along her hands and arms, bloody fingernails, and dirt in her hair and on her dress. Despite the arduous efforts, everyday she seem to be gaining strength rather than tiring.
On the third night, flashes of light can be seen from under her door and the thick smell of brimstone floods the adjacent passageways. Nadine's voice can be heard in a mixtures of genuine delighted laughter, rational conversation, cackles of madness, and soft singing. This goes on for several hours with the aura of magic growing steadily stronger to anyone tracking it.
Finally Nadine emerges from her room. Smoke rolls out of her room when she opens the door. Her hand is dripping blood onto the floor, but the woman pays it no mind. She is giddy. "We did it! My Robbie can stay with me! Lord Asmodeus helped us like he promised! The Cardinal will be so impressed. And no one can take him away from me ever again! Oh and the power he's given you, Robbie! It's so delicious!" She is clutching the small doll made of human skin, organs, bone, and blood. It's marked on the front with blood stains in the shape of the holy symbol of Asmodeus. Nadine's bloody hand seems to match this symbol.
After having had a short time in your room to enjoy the new gifts you are summoned by servants to the cardinal's private office. He awaits you seated behind his desk.
“Have you enjoyed your gifts? The iron circlets allow you to move amongst your enemies as one of them. The silver amulets will remind you of your true loyalties. And the other items – well, you need them now."
“You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Tiadora will lead you to the basement of this domicile. There you will find nine chambers each more dangerous than the last. Somewhere hidden within these chambers is a pendant of silver and sapphire. Recover the pendant and bring it to me. Let nothing and no one stand in your way."
He stands up and looks out of the manor house window across the grey moor. “It’s almost dusk. You have until dusk tomorrow to bring me my prize. Do not fail me.”
Cardinal Thorn takes a seat at his desk. Tiadora arrives right on cue. “This way,” is all she says.
"Very well. Let us find the pendant and be back, post-haste!"
Robert plays around with his new iron circlet, changing his appearance frequently.
"I like this thing...very handy!" he grins almost maniacally.
A toothy grin crosses Vank's face "Some real training, lets get going." He says following closely behind Tiadora.
Thomas had donned his armor, cloak, and had just situated his mask. This fits perfectly. There came a knock on the door. The silent girl beckoned the young Rogue to follow. During the meeting, he couldn't help but touch the mask a couple of times. When the chambers are mentioned, and the time limit, Thomas slipped out quietly and made his way back to his room to get the rest of his gear. He finished winding the wrist sheath as he rejoined the group.
I am ready to prove myself as both warrior and leader master. We shall not fail. [/b[ With that Stanislav addresses his team. [b]Does everyone have what they need to proceed? If not, gather it quickly. Let us go now and so quickly complete the task.
Nadine adjusts the circlet on her head. "This little toy is magnificent!" Over the next minute she appearance changes from her normal form to a tall, blonde Ulfen Woman, then to a voluptuous red-head, a straight black-haired Tian, then a dusky dark haired woman with braids, then back to her true self. A flash of various dresses appears, from blue silk to green cotton to red wool and a white sheer gown.
She finally settles her appearance. She appears as an approximation herself, though perhaps an inch taller in a green riding dress complete with leather boots and gloves. Her hair is decidedly reddish, though still retaining a mix of her normal color and pulled back into a knot held in place with a pair of golden hairsticks. Her skin is a deep copper color with colorful tattoos running the length of her left arm.
"Oh yes, a girl could get used to this. Why, I could be wearing nothing at all, and no one would ever be the wiser!" She laughs mischievously and winks at her companions.
"Well, let's find this bauble then. Shall we?"
"One might have to worry about the cold, my Lady. And the off chance that someone may have prying eyes type magic at the ready."
Nadine laughs. "Well, they'd get quite a show then, Robert! But I suppose you're right. Clothes do protect from more than just immodesty." She muses for a bit. "I wonder..." Suddenly she appears clad in full plate armor with a tower shield and long spear.
"Oh how intriguing." She then twirls and dances her way across the room, a move that even the strongest and most graceful warrior doubtfully could do in such armor. "Ah, I doubt that would fool anyone." In an instant, she's back to her previous garb.
Stanislav changes his appearance to try to match Nadine, only a second or two behind her. Yes this will come in handy. But I do not recommend armor Nadine. No grease smell, no clinking of plates together, and no movement restrictions. Hard to fake any of that stuff. Now would you mind changing back to that redhead for only the briefest moment? he says with a sly grin.
Thomas hadn't yet tested his circlet, for he wasn't sure how to put it on over his mask. As form fitting as it was, it still prevented the use of other head coverings. But then he had an idea, taking his mask off and putting the circlet on and concentrated. The circlet disappeared and the mask came back. Putting the mask in one of his belt pouches, he couldn't help but think, This will definitely come in handy.
Tiadora leads you down the stairs to the cellar and a pair of slves unbars and opens a heavy door revealing yet another set of stairs. The light form torches besides you pierces the darkness and illuminates the stone steps and walls. Tiadora ushers you in and close the door.
"Well, I suppose we should get moving." Thomas said as he drew his blades and moved to the front of the group, so as to better spot any devious traps that surely lie ahead.
Stanislav, holding his new glaive, takes up a position behind and beside the rogue. For some reason I expect traps. he notes. We shall let Tomas ply his considerable skill to help ensure our safety before opening any door or vessel.Do you all agree?
"Agreed" Vanks says following closely behind Thomas. Not that a strong captain needs agreement. However he is new to it and maybe humans do it differently. If fact that would make sence, they are individually strong but work poorly in large groups."
Then as he watches Thomas his eyes become crossed eyed, he places a hand on Thomas' shoulder and he starts chanting in goblin.
Nadine casts Dancing Lights to illuminate the room and waits for the others to finish their checks.
The grey tones most of you saw are replaced with cold rays of Nadine's magic and the stair descend about a floor before they end at an archway opening into a 30x30 ft. room. The room is bare save the small oil lamp hanging from the ceiling illuminating the room and shining into the hallway. In the far end of the room a door awaits.
Inscribed above the archway is "Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death."
Your search yields nothing in the hallway but as you close in on the door you find some wrong with the floor (10x10) in front of it. Closer examination reveals a spiked pit trap.
The dust on a tile in the northern wall isn't right and when you look closer you find a small niche. Inside the niche is a small pedestal that holds a jewel that glows with pale blue light. It is cold to the touch.
There is another inscription: “Thou hast seen through deception to uncover a useful tool.”
The "jewel"is a cleverly crafted bit of sealed quartz. Inside the quartz is alchemist’s ice. If thrown the jewel breaks and explodes exactly as alchemist’s fire but instead inflicts cold damage.
A passage way is revealed in the southern wall as well concealed hinges draws your attention.
perception
Thomas raised his fist to signal the others to stop in their tracks. Kneeling down, he pulled his tools and went to work.
After disarming the trap, Thomas looked around for anything else that might be suspicious.
The Rogue noticed something on the Northern wall. Taking a closer look, he noticed a glowing pale blue jewel hidden in a small niche.
After pulling it out and studying it, the jewels true value eluded him. "Anyone care to take a look at this?" Thomas scanned the room for anything else.
Stanislav looks around the room avoiding the trap. Good work Thomas. That looks nasty. Over there I see a concealed door.
He looks at the gem and passes it along. Some glowing gem. I cannot discern its properties.
"Oh, Alchemist Ice!" She takes the jewel and turns it around in her hands. "It's encased in some sort of crystal. Ah, you can toss it and it will open. Very handy."
"You should probably hold on to that, Milady." Thomas said as he moved to where Stanislav indicated where the door was. Once there, he gives it a looking over.
Smiling Vank follows Thomas casting guidance with one hand, and sword in the other Bizarre training ground, what exactly is he training us to do? Unit seems to be working together well anyway
Once you open the secret a dark 10x20 ft. hallway cut in the same stone as the room you are in is revealed. A fine layer of dust has settle on the floor. A short walk takes you to the end where a door blocks your way. "Following the herd is for fools. Fear not their icy derision. Instead, fear only thy Infernal Lord" is burned into the wood.
More stupid cryptic writing. When the Cardinal rules this country the street signs will make it impossible to get anywhere. Probably some stupid fire trap to get the second person who walks through it. Vank waits for Thomas to be his thing and then follows close behind.
A closer examination of the door reveals no traps.
Nadine recasts her spell and four globes of light move swiftly above the group. She waits as her companions check the door.
Hmm. stanislav raises his hand for the group to pause after the door is opened. Following the herd is for fools…? Let me check the floor for signed of tracks. Vank, might I have your guidance for this?
"Sure, but understand that this blessing is from my tribe not me personally." Vank switches targets and he chants in goblin. When the Cardinal said 'nine chambers each more dangerous than the last' I was thinking which with more enemies...
'Following the herd.' Is that to mean that taking this path is a good thing? Thomas pondered as he kept his eyes and ears open to any potential threats in the darkness.
The first that strikes you after Stanislav has opened the door is the chill in the air, crisp like a winter morning. A quick peek inside reveals a thick layer of dust on the floor. There are 3 doors on to the east, west and south. The western is covered in a strange violet pulsating mould, this seems to be stealing the heath in the room.
A closer examination of the floor reveals a disturbance of the dust and while it has settled track can be made out heading towards the eastern and southern doors.
This mould steels and feed of warmth, approaching with in 5 ft. causes damage as it takes heath from your body, a torch will expand the mould. Cold kills the mould
Both the southern and eastern door are real but behind them awaits a javelin and a blind hallway.
Cautiously entering the room, Thomas looked carefully for any hidden dangers.
Nadine stands in the middle of the room as her companions check the tracks and the room itself. "Not following the herd would mean using the western door, yes? The one covered by the disgusting mold."
"Sounds likely, and given some psycho built this to "test" people I don't want to check the wrong door. What exactly we are being tested on is beyond me though. Wish I had a spare brought a spare sword, don't really want this one to get damaged trying to scrape that stuff off the door."
Stanislav does point out the tracks and deduces what other have also concluded. I believe the western door is our path. I do not recognize that mold though. Thomas can you check the door, and try not to touch the mold.
"Certainly." Thomas replies flatly. Carefully, the Rogue approaches the western door, keeping a sharp eye out for any traps.
Approaching the door the cold intensifies and when Thomas comes within 5 ft. it becomes unbearable. Pain emanates from his hands and face were the warmth of life is drained. The quick peak he gains reveals no traps.