Tetsu no Kurage no Haka - Tomb of the Iron Medusa in Minkai (Inactive)

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

You make your way through the opening, leading to a massive hall, oriented perpendicular to the doorway. It is a very long and narrow room, extending 50 feet in front of you, but a hundred feet to each side. It hosts a vaulted ceiling fifty feet above, supported by huge pillars of marble running down its center. The walls are lined with vaults, stacked in columns of eight, twenty feet high. Lavish murals occupy the thirty-foot stretch of wall above the vaults, depicting naval confrontations between Minkai and Li Po ships to the east, and Minkai ships and what appear to be ghost ships to the west.

The dominant ship in the painting appears in both battle scenes, its mainsail proudly flaunting the mocking medusa; a handsome figure clad in archaic captain’s uniform grips the rigging in one hand while he rallies his sailors by waving a wakizachi over his head. The man has thick white hair and a long straight beard.

A wide staircase in front of you leads down, while on each side of it is a narrow corridor, leading into darkness.

Tihn utters an arcane phrase, causing the tip of his staff to flare into a bright light. With that done, he looks to Akiyoshi to lead the way.

Akiyoshi holds his sword before him for light, and glides into the room within the air, halfway between ceiling and floor.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Ukyou moves forward toward the staircase, checking for any lurking presence or traps. Perception 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (8) + 28 = 36

As Ukyou steps forward, a shimmering, ghostly figure drifts down from the western representation of the admiral. His likeness is very similar to that of the admiral, but his eyes are gone, his flesh decayed, with his skull showing through almost half his face, and his clothes are floating rags.

He drifts down to float just a few inches above the ground before the stairs, and addresses you in a deep, commanding voice: “It is apparent that none of your assembly is of the blood, so I must conclude you are thieves. To avert my righteous vengeance and leave in peace, answer me these three questions."

"First, what was the name of my flagship? Second, how did my first darling wife die? And third, why is my eldest son’s body not here with us? I give you ten minutes.”

knowledge-History: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

I dont think knowledge-Religion will help much here!!

Jiro bows deeply towards the ghostly figure.
"I am greatly honoured Hanado Pado, and ask your forgiveness for this intrusion."

Ok...now I guess we need to discover who his wife, why his son is not here and what the name of his ship was....know. history again??

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26 name of ship
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 wife's name
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 info about son

Tihn confers with Mikko, piecing together what they read years ago about the clan.

Tihn check for name of ship 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34
Mikko aid another 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Tihn check for wife's cause of death 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21
Mikko aid another 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27

Tihn check for what happened to his son 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (20) + 20 = 40
Mikko aid another 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Similarly Ukyou bows to the ghostly figure, "Please accept my apologies as well." His mind whirring, Ukyou also seeks to recall knowledge of Admiral Hanado Pado and his time.

These all assume Knowledge (history)
Ukyou check for name of ship 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Ukyou check for cause of wife's death 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Ukyou check for why his son's body is not here 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Can Tihn use a hero point to reroll the history check regarding the wife's name? I don't feel confident that that roll will do it, and I'd rather spend a point than war with an otherwise noble spirit.

If allowed, 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29, +2 for Mikko's aid another would be 31.

Knowledge Nobility: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Probably not much help.

Remember you are in a room of great size with great paintings and funerary urns all around.

"Hmm. Well, your flagship was the Harlot, of course. And your son, Hanado Pado also, died at sea..." Tihn scratches Mikko absentmindedly as he begins to scan the room for any clues as to his wife's name, or specifically how his son died at sea.

Tihn perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Mikko perception 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

"If the urns are in a chronological order, then (since Hanado Pado the senior effectively founded this branch of the clan), his wife's would be amongst the first of the urns. Let's check." Tihn would know the years that Pado was in service, so he would know when his wife would have lived, at least roughly.

Roll Perception to check.

perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

I will pass the information on to the others.

“Hanado Voshu Pado, 4112–4171”

“Anavalo, Beloved Wife, 4120–4138”

“Euda, Beloved Wife, 4130–4192.”

“Hanado Voshu Pado II, 4138–4156, The Sea Reclaims Its Own.”

Tihn examines the urns that Jiro points out.

"Anavalo, born 4120, died 4138. Only eighteen years old. What a terrible shame."

After a deep sigh, he adds "I think we have what we need to satisfy poor Pado's spirit. Akiyoshi, would you please speak on our behalf? It may be that, like the last spirit we met, he may have some knowledge we can use in our quest to help his descendant. I have seen you persuade the living against all reason to righteous ends; perhaps you can do the same with those beyond the veil. And while I believe none of us bear any malice or ill will in our hearts, there can be no doubt, if he peers into your soul, that he will see nothing but honor and good intent."

"So, the name of his flagship was the Harlot, and the body of his son is not present as it was lost at sea. But how did his wife die? We know she was only 18, and that she died the same year his son was born, so it seems likely that she died in childbirth. Should I guess on this point, or do we know more?"

"Perhaps there is a clue in the frescos. Let's spread out and see what we can find!"

Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22, 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

perception on frescos: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

You don't find anything about that on the frescoes.

"So, the name of his flagship was the Harlot, and the body of his son is not present as it was lost at sea. But how did his wife die? We know she was only 18, and that she died the same year his son was born, so it seems likely that she died in childbirth. Should I guess on this point, or do we know more?"

"I see nothing here that would explain the admiral's loss. So I suspect you are correct; a tragedy during childbirth seems to be the case."

The apparition smiles; a blend of hatred, pride and joy, frozen on decayed, missing lips over skewed and charred teeth. It dissolves slowly, leaving an empty echo behind.

Two corridors and one staircase...

"May you find peace."

Akiyoshi signals his companions to keep moving on and leads them down one of the corridors.

You enter the corridor to the left. It leads to a small chamber. A marble fountain, the basin of which resembles a huge shell, sits near the entrance to this room, its waters cascading from between the fingers of reclining mermaids. The chamber beyond is empty, save for a single sarcophagus at the far end of the room.

On the fountain is a single character meaning “Brotherhood,” The sarcophagus bears an inscription that reads, “Commerce Is King and Courage His Queen”.

Akiyoshi moves into the chamber without touching anything, peering about in the flickering light of his flaming sword. Again, he looks for signs of danger, and auras that reveal the presence of evil in this place.

Detect Evil
Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

And Tihn follows along, using his senses to seek out magical auras, and chittering with Mikko to see if his keen nose senses anything. Detect magic and Scent.

Nothing stirs in the gloom, nothing shines, bespeaking of arcane might, yet a sense of evil is present, though quiet.

The only thing of note is the sarcophagus and the fountain. The fountains contains water, and the sarcophagus is closed.

"We should check the sarcophagi here as well; to make sure the body remains undisturbed, as well as to look for the sword that is our charge to reclaim.

Akiyoshi approaches the stone casket, and waits until Jiro and the others are in position to cover him, the unspoken implication being that what lies within might not be entirely dead.

Strength Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Jiro moves off to the side, making sure his line of fire is clear.

Since Akiyoshi will have to sheath his blade to move the lid, Tihn will hold his staff (with its illuminated tip) high to reveal what lays concealed in the sarcophagus. With a terse chitter, he tells Mikko to get back into the relative safety of his pouch at Tihn's belt.

As the lid slides loudly, rattling your teeth, you discover a simple reliquary: a necklace of gold with a small globe of crystal suspended from it. Within the crystal is a human finger bone. A bronze plaque on the sarcophagus reads, “Hanado Voshu Vapano, 4349–4401.”

An analysis of the reliquary's aura reveals its function as a greater ring of energy resistance (cold), but worn instead around the neck.

Nothing else can be found in this room.

"Perhaps we should take this back to our young benefactor as well? It may serve him well during the time when he is working to establish his increasingly credible claim."

Tihn will take a closer look at the fountain. Does it appear to be magically sourced or perpetuated?

"I prefer to distrurb as little as possible myself, but if you think it wise or useful to do so, I could be convinced."

"No need, then. He did say that the sword would be sufficient to stake his claim, along with documentation. We can note its presence for the lad, but leave it undisturbed for our purposes here."

There is a faint enchantment about the fountain, and the water seems clear and fresh despite the ages.

So you leave it there, yes? Going to the next corridor?

"It is good to know there is a source of fresh water here, should we need it later. I don't see anything here that could serve as a key in the other room, so let's move on."

Unless we think the item would fit one of the key spaces in some way, we will leave it undisturbed.

"Let's see what else this maze has to offer us."

Tihn continues to light the way as Akiyoshi leads us to the other corridor.

The next corridor leads to a room that is identical to the first, except that the fountain's character here means: Fellowship and that the sarcophagus bears an inscription saying: “Courage Is King and Commerce His Queen.”

Inside the sarcophagus, you find a similar reliquary, but bearing the inscription: “Hanado Voshu Votano, 4349–4401.”

Analyzing its dweomer, you can figure that it acts as a greater ring of energy resistance (cold) that takes up the neck magic item slot.

"Vopano and Votano? Born the same year, and died the same year. Brothers perhaps? Both with these strange amulets that protect from cold. Curious. However, I don't know that it concerns us or the mysteries we strive to solve. If there is nothing else here, I suggest we move on."

Tihn nods in agreement with Akiyoshi, but says nothing.

I believe that leaves a stairway left to explore?

I do believe so.

Jiro also agrees with a nod. Being among so many ancient bones is beginning to take its toll on the young monk

The wide flight of stairs descends down into the earth here. After a few steps, thick white mist fills the stairwell, obscuring further vision. Three circular tiles are set into the floor inside of the archway at the head of the stairs; each tile depicts a different medusa’s face—one howling in rage, one mocking with a forked tongue, and one with crossed eyes.

From the mists spring the disembodied spirits of four maiden, with jet black air dancing madly in the wisps of misty air. They swirl around you, whispering: “Are you of the blood?”

“Are you of the blood?”

Bravely (from behind Akiyoshi), Tihn declares "We are agents of the last heir to the Hanado bloodline. But we ourselves are not of the blood."

Can Tihn identify the spirits for what they are?

Knowledge Religion 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (1) + 22 = 23