Connell finally sees the cipher after Aerieth patiently points it out to him the second or third time. "Well spotted! While I call myself a traveler I can't say I've studied many maps....I'm more of the 'head that way and see what happens' sort. Any idea where this wave door might be located? Or can anyone else among Janiven's crew maybe assist?"
"Ok then. The Ruins. Let's get the others and go courting the Sisters."
Aerieth remembers the place the poem mentions is just a mile north of the city on the river bank. The wave door might be located their.
yup!
Going through the ruins of westcrown to the northern reaches where the Sisters live.
The whole time you keep getting the sense of being watched. Shadows play at the corners of your eyes adn you continue to see shady characters give you a look and then disappear around a corner. Bird whistles, fake dog barks, and other faux animal noises follow you until about a hundred yards from the coven where all noise simply stops.
The building itsef is a simple one story afair with thick reinforced door on all four sides of the building. The walls themselves are thick and stone as well. No windows are in this building save the small slits in the door.
"That's rather creepy." Notes Salm at the sudden quiet. "So should we knock or just storm the place?"
Connell gives the grim warrior a curious look. "Storm the place? We're here seeking information, yes? Perhaps the olive branch before the sword?"
Don't want to step on toes by speaking first, but maybe I can get things started...
Connell takes a few seconds to center himself, then after a brief divine incantation he raises his voice and addresses the closed door with the power of Abadar emphasizing every word.
"Hail, Sisters! We have no quarrel with you. We only come seeking knowledge to a mystery from the past, a mystery we believe you may know something about. Allow us to enter and parlay, I am sure an agreement can be struck."
The door does not respond.
Bloodless wanders over and gives the door a few good bangs.
Unsure what to expect, Aerieth casts Mage Armor and prepares for whatever might come out of the door.
The metal slot opens up and a soft feminine voice speaks from the shadows behind it.
"Leave now, or die."
The slot then slams shut.
"Looks like its storm the place then." Cast Shield of Faith.
Bejis yells, "If it is only for bloodshed that you wish, that can be arranged!"
Bejis will start searching for anything that he thinks should be noted before combat.
"I'm going to look about for another entryway"
Bloodless waits for any objections, then heads off.
Bloodless finds three other entryways identical to the frontdoor. Metal, locked, and tough looking. The building has windows but they are heavily shuttered.
Bejis's threats go unanswered and aside from some worrying shadows in alleyways and the shuttered windows there's nothing in paritcular that catches his attention.
"I'm tire of this. Let's get in there." Salm looks to see if anyone is watching from inside.
Perception
He then tries to pick the lock.
Disable Device
With a glance Connell confirms that his crossbow is loaded and ready but does not draw it yet. Perhaps as a refusal to accept that negotiations have failed so soon, perhaps to offer a distraction, Connell moves to one of the other doorways and with another incantation he tries again.
"Certainly there's no need for violence. Not when parlay is an easier option. Who can we speak to, so we can conduct our business and leave you to yours?"
Aerieth remains silent behind the others watching to see if anything happens and prepared to cast any spells necessary to help the party.
Connell's attempts at reason fall cold again as Salm works on the lock. An audible click tells him that h+is efforts have met with success.
"Oh look! The door's open. We should go in to make sure everyone inside is ok."
Connell gives Salm a wry smile. Cannot say we didn't try...
This time he does unsling the crossbow as they prepare to enter the building. He also pulls a plain ring from his pouch and looks to Bloodless and Bejis. "Abadar knows not all negotiations end well, and it looks like this one is heading towards a messy end. I can help one of you better survive the attacks of these Sisters if they turn out to be our enemies...which of you is normally the first into battle?"
How about
Bejis - Bloodless
Aerieth
Salm - Connell
After quick consideration Connell gives the ring to Bloodless. He places a hand on the ranger's shoulder and speaks a brief prayer.
"It may not be much, but for the next few hours I will share in your pain. Should help you shoulder the blows of our enemies on the front lines. Once we get into battle I will share Abadar's gifts with everyone else."
He checks his crossbow again. "If we get into battle, that is."
"Don't worry, Gorum will guide is to it," says Bejis, slapping Connell on the back.
Getting through the door takes a moment as it seems someone figure on you butsing through and put a chair under the handle to bar your path. Within is a hot, stinking crematorium.
Within the building you can hear the sounds of panicked activity and crashing in the rooms beyond. The mroe seasoned of you already know that the sisters are preparing their defense.
MAP is updated above.
Bejis pauses, listening for where the noises seem to be coming from, then will quickly shuffle to position beside the next door.
Aerieth will cast Mage Armor on herself before entering.
I can some of you large when needed. It is not the fastest of spells, but as you know it will greatly increase your reach and damage output.
Bloodless lets the scouts and casters do their thing/
Salm has Shield of Faith active and his bow at the ready.
They know we are inside, they will be ready for us.....
"Please, there is no need for this. We only want to talk."
Knowing that the only response he is likely to get is an attack, and most likely a magical one, Connell gives his own defenses a minor boost as he prepares his more powerful magics for the unfortunate battle to come.
"Please, there is no need for this. We only want to talk."
Bejis says quietly, "We've already tried to reason with them with words. They told us to die. I'd say that counts as an invitation into Gorum's Crucible." Bejis gives a sad smile as he taps his finger on his greatsword.
"Mayhaps, but remember we're hear to learn more about the remains of this Heavenscape woman. If Thrune was looking for her in connection to the Delvehaven we need that information. They have chosen violence so must be met with violence, unfortunate as that is. But our quest is not served if the violence does not gain us anything."
Aerieth looks about nervously, still not particularly liking being trapped inside a place designed to burn people to ashes.
Salm keeps aware of his surroundings.
Perception
Everyone becomes awar of a rising heat as those listening determine that the voices are coming faintly from the center of the building.
Suddenly with a rush of hot air the body awaiting incinieration before the oven is instantly incinerated and blown away as an enormous fiery boot kicks the door to the oven out. Pouring out as a tempest of pure fury the room fills with the scent of burnt flesh while a being of pur flame stands up from the broken and burnt remains of the slab in front of the oven. Turning around a massive armored humanoid made of pure flame brings its fists together cracking knuckles with the sounds of a dozen fire crackers going off in a bonfire.
Initiatives
Fire thing
Connell
Aerieth
Bloodless
Bejis
Salm
Bad guy wins!
Before connel can utter the words "Wait let's talk!" he wishes he could have at least said "Not in the face!" as it runs forward, and seeing as he's the closest punches him wiht a flaming fist of hate. BEfore the group can retaliate it bounces back on feet impossibly light for its size and assumes a defensive boxer's stance.
GROUP UP! MAP UPDATED!
As Connell feels the force of the things attack smash into him he also feels the energies around him fending off the flames before they can cause even more trouble. Thinking quickly he grabs his holy symbol and utters a single word. A high-pitched pinging noise echoes in the dark corridor as the cleric sends a pale blue light radiating from him to surround his companions.
"Abadar shield you from it's attacks!"