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

Game Master Dreaming Warforged

The body, as well as the quality of the mummification process, would fit with being Hanado's.

Akiyoshi, what happened to your post?

I will go ahead.

Akiyoshi puts the body in the sarcophagus. For a moment, no one is breathing, waiting to see what happens.

You slowly relax as time goes by and exhale, but then you feel it.

A presence in the room...

What post were you referring to? I looked back, and I think my last post is still the same as I remember it...

"Do you feel that? I sense no evil in it yet..."

"Spirit of this place; we can feel your presence. Come out and speak with us."

Ok, I'm confused then. Sorry! ;)

A tall and slender man appears at the head of the coffin, his translucence obvious despite the gloomy lighting, looking at the remains. A slender but long moustache, his hair light and silver, his forehead long and high, he scrutinizes with light green eyes the body, sadness washing over his features with the realization that he is long dead. He wears a long scarlet and gold robe with a long ken at his hip. "Yes, I guess I am a spirit now... Did you bring my remains back here? I am grateful."

Tihn's eyes widen at the sight of the spectre.

"We did bring them! We are here at the request of one of your descendants; we do not intend to intrude or be disrespectful!"

"We seek only the truth, and wish to help your progeny reclaim his honour."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (17) + 28 = 45

"You are honourable! I wish you great success in your endeavour. I have been witness to the demise of my clan, after my actions had brought it honours. I ask that you respect what little honour my siblings deserve..." says the apparition, with sadness and anger in his voice.

"Are you aware of what has happened since you passed? Can you help us in our quest?"

The apparition's lips tighten: "It is true, I am in your debt." From his demeanour, it seems, the apparition had spent his living life ever making sure he was not in someone's debt...

You can ask him questions.

"Do you know who disturbed your remains, and why?"

"We are here on behalf of one who's family may be descended from Clan Hanado. Can you tell us how to findJigoku no Mucuro, as well as any documentation that would help us prove or disprove his claim to the clan's legacy? "

The eyes of the former patriarch flare in anger: "Hanado Barotome! That scum wanted to carve a name for himself in history. One way he came up with was to defame my remains. He was led astray by infernal counsel... He finished the job the Sarudo had started..."

He turns to Tihn: "Forgive my lack of knowledge, for I only converse with the spirits of this place nowadays, and I know nothing of the outside world. Still, I wouldn't be surprised the last days of the clan were defamed for some nefarious reason. As I've mentioned, the Hanado have worked too closely with evil spirits, and it brought them doom. As for the sword, it lays with that scum Barotome. No good could come out of this!"

"Infernal counsel? A devil then perhaps? Do you know any specifics of the evil spirits with whom he worked?"

The ghost's eyes widen and glow somewhat: He dealt with the Black Daimyo himself!"

"What form of dealings did he have? What was offered, and what received for this treachery?"

"Well, for one, this place was built by one of her priestess! She is trapped in the necropolis. I can feel her... Also, I know the General has helped the family from time to time. I know of spirits that exist in this place by His will only. A favor for service rendered! ... Mmm, yes! There is a carriage in the courtyard of the necropolis: It was transported there by the General himself, supposedly. That's what the driver says anyways..."

You can simply part if you have no other question. Let me know what's next.

"We saw the carriage. This priestess. Is she still living somehow or has she taken the form of the living dead? If so, what do you know of the form she has taken?"

"This devil-spawn is alive! Simply captive in this realm of her making!"

"Are there other spirits trapped in this place? In addition to the driver, the priestess? We fought a creature of fire and strange beings of light? Have you been able to sense others?"

"Yes, many spirits are trapped in this place. Some in physical form, some in spiritual. Though the majority are harmless, some had enough will and power to remain potent dangers. I would remain respectful as you make your way through our necropolis...

"Interesting. So if we remain respectful, we will avoid the enmity of all but this priestess?"

"You said that the sword lies with the remains of Baratome; can you tell us how to reach his crypt?"

"Interesting. So if we remain respectful, we will avoid the enmity of all but this priestess?"

The spirit ponders the question with seriousness: "Hard to say really. They might have different... standards..."

"You said that the sword lies with the remains of Baratome; can you tell us how to reach his crypt?"

"This scum is not here. I can't really find where he is laying down. Strange, now that I think of it... My guess would be in his clan's mausoleum."

He pauses, then looks at you: "Tell me more about this young fellow who wishes to bring back honour to our family. What is he like?"

Please roll some social skill to support your answer.

Please roll some social skill to support your answer.

Tihn looks meaningfully at Akiyoshi to give his impressions of the youth.

Social skills? Tihn can lecture for hours about the mating habits of Mwangi wombat mosquitos, but graceful extoll the virtues of an earnest young man, pshaw!

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (19) + 28 = 47
Will that do?

"He is an earnest young man; loyal and honourable. He lives life as a commoner, as any who were tied to the Hanodo now would since the fall of the clan. He works in an inn, owned by his father, their ties to the shameful name and legacy that is all that is left of the Hanodo a deeply guarded secret. He reported that he found out about it only by chance, being tenacious and youthful, and asking questions his elders would rather not have answered. He is idealistic, and hopes that somehow, through our presence here and by regaining his family sword, he might be able to bring honour to the name Hanado once again."

I am really glad we have someone able to speak eloquently, poor Jiro has the manners of a peasant!!

Ukyou wipes a false tear away from his eye at Akiyoshi's eloquent description tale, "Of course, the poor lad wouldn't last ten minutes with the Un-ga Hyōgi-kai Ikka..." He shrugs at any glares forthcoming from his companions. "Nice kid. You'd be proud of him."

The spirit of the clan's head seems to shine a little brighter as Akiyoshi makes his eloquent description: "This is good. I am proud of him! And wishes him to succeed! Will you tell him that? The Hanado clan need a pure and respectful spirit like him to redeem its honour and serve the Emperor..."

Slowly, a sense of calm rising through him, the spirit starts to disappear, its essence diluting in the humid and thick air of the tomb.

Silence fills the air, broken by a drip of water echoing through the chamber.

"Time to see where those teleportation circles lead?"

If we've explored this entire crypt. Photobucket is blocked from my work, so I haven't seen the maps in a while. If we haven't explored everything we can get to without using the circles, I suggest we complete that exploration first, then proceed to the teleportation circles. If we have covered everything, then by all means...

"May you rest in peace, honorable Murada-san. Know that we will do what we can to curb those of your descendants that have strayed from the honorable path."

You haven't explored the whole crypt.

Then I vote we continue on through the crypt first, before taking the teleportation circles.

"Peace, noble spirit."

After a few moments of silence, Tihn will add "Then, shall we return to where we found the noble patriarch's remains, and resume our search there?" I would also prefer to finish checking this side of the teleportation circles before taking that particular leap of faith.

Works for me. Ukyou would love to begin seeing where they go, but sees the logic in uncovering information and watching our backs first.

You search the rest of the catacombs. After an hour of slow progress, you're quite convinced you've searched everything. Yet, something if off for Ukyou, and he insists you trace your step back slowly and carefully.

He squeals in pleasure when he notices a hairline fracture he had missed the first time around. A secret door lays in front of you. The wall, skeletons and all, can probably be pushed, pivoting to grant access to a new area...

Akiyoshi allow Ukyou to open the passage, as he has the eye needed to check for traps. Afterwards, Akiyoshi will either take the lead, or follow closely behind the rogue, however Ukyou prefers. His flaming sword is out and held ready, and his eyes moving about, looking for more dangers.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Tihn maintains the light from the tip of his enchanted staff as a back up to the flame light from Akiyoshi's sword.

Jiro will take position at the end of the procession.

As Ukyou places his paw on the door, a definite sense of dread fills him.

Something ancient and evil lies beyond...

Ukyou's hand snaps up and he motions everyone back. Backing away from the door himself, he explains "I'm not sure what it is, but I can sense something very old and very evil beyond here. I'm going to take a closer look at the door with both my senses and magic, but be ready in case we are attacked."

Thus warned, Ukyou takes a closer look at the door, checking for traps and then seeing if he can sense any more of the threat through the door.
Perception 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (6) + 28 = 34
Casts detect magic

If he senses nothing further and no one else steps in, Ukyou will attempt to open the door from 15 feet away with mage hand[. Failing that, he will move forward and attempt to stealthily press the door open.
Stealth 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (8) + 36 = 44

There doesn't seem to be any traps, but you'll need a little more push to get it open than from mage hand.

Other actions?

"Going to have to do it with my own paws it appears. Mind if I disappear for a bit?" Ukyou casts vanish and then presses the door open.
If this is a strength check, I'll get out of the way for Akiyoshi :)

No check needed.

When Ukyou casts his spell, Tihn will respond by casting See Invisible, so he can monitor his friend's progress.

The secret door opens with a whisper. The air leaking from inside feels like it is a thousand years old. The room appears to be a beautifully decorated bathhouse, complete with a large pool of crystal-clear water that dominates the center of the room. In the darkness ahead, you can barely make a pair of stone statues depicting reclining medusas decorate niches to the east and the west.

“Mmmmh... After all theeeeeeesssssse yearsssssssss...” The eerie female voice rises from the darkness, lazy and filled with hatred. It adds, a pulse later: "The Daimyo hasss anssswered my prayersssss. Ssssssoon, the Iron Meeedussssaaa will be freeeee..."

Jiro and Ukyou can make that the voice comes from the centre of the pool, but can't see anything in the darkness. Even Ukyou's darkvision doesn't reach to where the voice is coming from. You can't pinpoint, but you know the square.

Initiative Order:
Group 1: Jiro, Tihn, Ukyou
Group 2: The Voice
Group 3: Akiyoshi

Player knowledge: Please note she's invisible, on top of the darkness, so only Tihn can see her for now, if he moves far enough in the room.

Map

Group 1 is up!

Round 1

"All these years and nothing to play with? Here's a toy to occupy yourself until you decide to come out and play." Ukyou casts a spell and a ghostly floating chain with two hooks appears in the pool. Immediately, one end of the chain swings around in a vicious loop, attempting to loop around anything in the square. Ukyou immediately withdraws from the room.
Casts chain of perdition on the square next to the voice and has it attempt to wrap around anything in the square where he heard the voice. Ukyou will hug the wall upon exiting the room and move to n0.
CMB (dirty trick) to entangle 1d20 + 14 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 7 = 25
If successful and target has SR 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Round 1/14

Hearing the voice, Tihn advances and, upon seeing the situation, starts casting.

Tihn moves to I2 and starts to cast Summon Monster VI.

Jiro?