Amir mouths an apology to the alchemist and the wheels on his feet stashing the bow and pulling a sword as he makes way back to the stairway.
Faelar hardly seems in control of his body as his head and legs rush back into the stairwell and the bow fires repeatedly at the hated div in the opposite direction. Undra is wounded twice more as the elf leaps into the stairwell. Suddenly alone, Amir regretful leaves the misshapen and unnamed alchemist to his doom and in a pair of steps retreats after the others.
As he enters the passage, he can only watch Undra shrieking whether in pain or glee as the alchemist is whipped high into the air where the three other tentacles merge upon him and quarter him in a spray of blood and viscera. In the narrow stairway below, Karethas spots a lever to seal the secret entrance above.
Karethas searches for the mechanism to close the door to the hidden passageway. . Once he sees both of his companions in the stairwell he slams the hidden door shut. Closing the evil div outside with the little god as it devours the alchemist. "About time!" He rushes down the stairwell, looking for a clear space to cast Rope Trick.
The steep, tightly spiraling stairs straighten out and shallow their descent after about twenty more feet. Ahead the narrow passage is lit with bright sunlight and a comfortably warm breeze fills the air with the promising scents of water and vegetation.
I look at the bow thoughtfully, "Interesting, it's as if the bow is using me as a vessel to kill it's enemies ... very interesting." I then look up and seeing the light, "So ... are we heading up and out to rest and return with numbers?"
You can literally feel the disdain and hatred of the bow, or something in the bow, toward Undra.
Noooooooo . . . kill the witch. Destroy her unholy flesh. Do not let her despoil this land any more.
If the bow could control your legs, and not just your arms, you are sure you would be returning to fire more arrows. Even with the door closed, the bow drags your hands around and fires a shard of ice shaped as an arrow at the closed door.
As soon as door is shut, the bow glows a cold icy blue and drags Fealar's hands and arms around, as though he is a marionette. It then fires a single shot of pure ice, as though an icicle were fired rather than an arrow. The icicle shatters against the door and quickly melts on the top steps. A moment later, the bow, as though in resignation, reverts back to its normal color and Faelar seems once more to be in control of his arms.
Is this really the best place to hide? If she finds the switch to open this passage do you think she won't come after us? I know the corridor is red but surely she will get around that?
The weariness and pure frustration in the rogue's voice is clear.
"The red will only last as long as I can concentrate on it, which is why I am going slow. I don't know what else to do. If we cast the Ropetrick somewhere where she can see the rope, then she can gather others to ambush us. If we don't find someplace to hide though, she will be able to chase us down, and I don't think we can beat her in our current states. Faelar, make sure to heal yourself up! He see's the sunlight at the end of the passage and takes some hope. "Let's see what that has in store for us and then make our decision.
Under the wizard's urging, the surviving adventurers push forward to the light at the end of the hallway. Beyond awaits a strange and unexpected sight: a peaceful and bright oasis within the mountain's heart!
The chamber is about twenty yards across and extends another sixty yards to the left and to the right all under what seems to be a cloudless desert sky though you know the House of the Beast stands above you. The floor is covered with warm yellow sand.
Opposite your entrance verdant shrubs, palms and a large almond tree rustle gently in a light breeze above a cool bubbling blue oasis. A striped pavilion is constructed near this scene open to your inspection and holds an assortment of carpets and pillows in apparent readiness for weary travelers.
At the right end of the miraculous chamber, a flaming portal stands in the center of the wall flanked by two large bronze statues of leering efreet. At the left end, what appear to be two hulking earth elementals guard a dark portal.
Amir sighs wearily, I'm almost unsure how to take this sight. Shall we sit? Rest? I await the statues and rocks to move on us but we might as well take a moment...
Amir walks to the pavilion, sword in hand but not at the ready.
Weariness overcomes cautiousness and the old rogue heads to the pavilion. Amir has to admit that it looks quite comfortable and just standing near the oasis beneath the well-fruited walnut seems to clear away the illness that he has afflicted him all day from the carrion stink of the temple above. The air is definitely clean and fresh and likely a short rest upon the comfortable pillows will do him well.
I sit down beside Amir, looking around at the beautiful room, "The Eternal Rose has definitely blessed this room with her grace. I fear this to be a trap though, why would something so beautiful and perfect be in this place?" Despite fearing a trap I still rest and lay down on my back, I appear to be in complete peace and content.
The bow is almost screaming at you . . . or is that Kzrira's voice you are hearing in your head,
It is a trap. Illusions. Deception. Get then before they get you.
Karethas approaches the entrance to the pavilion with the others, but does not enter. He looks over at the dark portal and it's guardians. He approaches, but stops someways distant from them. He calls out loudly
As Karethas approached the cave-like portal, he notes that the air cools and darkens significantly at this end of the strange chamber. It is as if the sun has set and the heat quickly dissipated under the cloudless desert sky. The stone sentinels offer no verbal response, but seem to straighten up as if awaiting instruction. There is writing in Terran above the dark portal.
Despite the twitching of the bow, Faelar does in fact feel completely content and at ease. In fact he can feel the concerns of the past few days ease away as he relaxes fully.
The wizard frowns when he sees the inscription and surveys the cavern again. He passes his hand before his eyes and begins to study any nearby auras. He ignores both portals at first, hoping to discern if there is any mystic protections in place in addition to the obvious illusion above.
If necessary:
KNOWLEDGE ARCANA CHECK:1d20 + 13(6 rank, +3 class skill, +4 Int)
I should never volunteer to roll
A strong aura nearly covers all others. It is an illusion though it does not appear to come from the sand, plants or water that seems quite real. The aura emanates from the walls and all around.
Sensing that Karethas is unhappy with the area I look over to him, "Come and rest your head, it is most pleasant." Also feeling or hearing the screaming voice, I let go of Kzrira's bow, but keep it within arms reach of me. I close my eyes muttering something about illusions and deceptions but it almost intangible.
Amir allows himself a moment of levity but feels the tension of the stress of all that has happened teeter between overwhelming and slipping away. From his seat in the pavillion the rogue looks out at the younger man casting his magic, Obviously much is happening here, Karethas. What do you see we don't?
You can almost hear the bow scream when you release your hand from it.
NOOOOOO. STOP. LOOK. DISBELIEVE.
"Obviously, there are very powerful spells at work in this chamber. Not only is it fascinating, but I am also concerned about whether there are any protective spells which might keep Undra from entering. Unfortunately, I do not think there are. I would like to take a look at the other portal and then cast Rope Trick in the corner of the tent to conceal it as much as possible. I don't think we can relax just yet."
Despite the obvious comfort provided by the pavilion, Karethas cannot rest until he has explored all of the unexpected chamber. Heading the other direction, Karethas finds the room growing uncomfortably hot as he approached the far end and the portal of flame flanked by bronze efreet. He keeps his distance and can just make out an inscription in Ignan which is somewhat different from the last.
His curiosity sated for the moment, Karethas returns to more temperate environs near the tent and casts his spell for a concealed hiding place.
The rope to the extradimensional aerie blends in seamlessly with the tent poles.
Kzrira spends the night casually decomposing in whatever bag or sack she was stuffed into.
Eager for the rest Amir follows into the "rope trick" looking to get some sleep.
Karethas climbs up rope and settles in, "There still needs to be a watch at the window. We don't want her or something else climbing up while we are sleeping. Faelar first, Amir and then myself?"
Sorting themselves out, the adventurers crawl up into the hidden space. Though comfortable enough, it cannot compare to the soft pillow and sweet breezes of the pavilion. Fortunately, nothing interrupts their rest and they awake hours later rested from their recent exertions and wounds.
Karethas picks up his gear and casts Mage Armor on himself. "Let's go see what there is to see."
Kzrira raises her hand to give her opinion. . . . Oh, darn, it fell off.
Seeing the others looking to him, Karethas looks around uneasily. "I suppose we should search the room a little better just to be certain. I have examined the portals though, and the inscriptions state that the dark one is The Pit of Screaming Ghosts and the fiery one is the Pit of the Fireblooded. Now the inscription on the Pit of the Fireblooded says that it opens at the 'Command of Jhavhul'. If we are looking for his personal quarters, then that seems like the way to go. Considering the nature of the portal, we will probably need protection from flames. I can cast a protective spell on myself and tempest and that ruby should protect the two of you to some degree."
Considering the nature of the portal, we will probably need protection from flames. I can cast a protective spell on myself and tempest and that ruby should protect the two of you to some degree."[/b]
Amir nods at the wizards train of thought, Well let me look over the tent as best I can and then we will move on to this portal.
Amir's careful inspection finds a lapis and gold scarab amulet in the sand beneath the pillows. Karethas identifies it as an amulet of natural armor +1.
"The Pit of Screaming Ghost" does have a familiar ring, but the adventurers move toward the equally uninviting "Pit of the Fireblooded". Their various magical wards protect them from the growing heat as they approach the fiery portal. Between the pair of tall brass efreet that seem to ward the entrance, a cloud of smoke with glowing red eyes appears.
Karethas
Faelar
foe
Karethas tries to identify the smokey monster even as he tries to placate it,
The creature makes no response.
Karethas tries again,
As the group approaches the portal Amir quickly throws the amulet over his head and draws Simin in his standard marching procedure. He lets the wizard lead, however, as he is far more knowledgeable about the supernatural happenings in the room.
As the smoke monster Amir doesn't lift his sword but can't help but mutter, Of course.
Faelar mysteriously finds that the bow is already in his hands. Not drawn, but an arrow of pure ice is already formed and nocked.
Amir's head ticks strongly to his side as the bard pulls the bow, Faelar! Caution! Maybe it was the bow and not the girl that generated such impetuousness but we are not under attack yet! Let the wizard try!
I look down at the bow and try to lower my hands then look up to Amir, "Maybe this bow is cursed, it can make me do things that I do not realise I am doing ... it's rather scary." I look to Karethas a plea of hurry on my face.
There is an ominous hissing laugh as the cloud coalesces into a fiendish bat-winged and clawed shape.
Karethas' hands trace glowing mystical patterns in the air which flow into a circle on the floor surrounding the group. "This warding will keep it from attacking us, but if you attack it can attack you."
Karethas acts quickly as the creature glides forward. A magical barrier surrounds you leaving the smoke monster to circle howling angrily.
What did you say to it wizard?
The rogue pulls his other sword but waits, looking to the others, Is this something we can defeat? Anything I should know?