The Brute Squad Heresy (Inactive)

Game Master ThorGN

"Well, this writing is old, but not that old." Dasiji reads some scribblings that he found under the dust. "It says, 'My heart beats on the wrong side of my chest, or is it right? Is left right, or is it wrong? I don't know what it means, or why...'" He pauses. "It actually says that, although it's also true that I don't know what it means."

"I think i' means, either, "Stan' back from the doors when you open them with a long rope.", or "We go' some kin' mirror in here, gon' mess you aroun'." You know, loosely transla'e'."

"Meh, I agree to stand back and see what happens. Broot offers his 2 copper to the pile. He steps up next to the doors Dasiji is about to pry open and readies his shield and hammer.

"You didn't notice anything fishy beyond the writin' did you Dasiji?"

I'm assuming stonecunning doesn't detect anything.

Well let's see what we have awaiting us

Let me know if you need any assistance with the door Dasiji, Zedril says with a wink and a smirk.

Dasiji wrestles grimly with his old nemesis, the closed door, but strain as he might the thing does not budge.

Dasiji gives up his struggles reluctantly. "Well, I suppose we could just break one down; but it would probably be nicer for us to use the chime that they gave us, so that they only have to re-lock it, not rebuild it." After a pause, he adds, "And let's be extra careful about marking our turns. I don't want to get as crazy confused as whoever wrote that weird message." Putting words into action, he pulls a piece of chalk out of his pockets and marks the west door, to the left of where they entered the chamber, with a "1" in a circle.

I agree with Dasiji, we do not want to completely destroy the doors within these catacombs, we should be mindful of the unnecessary damage we may cause.

"Since we don't know where we're going anyways, might as well try the other doors before we waste the chime." Mortimer tugs at the seal on the center door to see how well it is secured.

"If they been seein' stuff missin', stuff been goin' out somehow. So if i' was this door, i' can open, an' seals woul' no' still be seale'. So i' was another way."

"Yes, agree'. We shoul' try the others."

The other doors are as stuck as the first.

The other doors are as stuck as the first.

Uh oh, we are all stuck in Dasiji's nightmare.

Any logical reasoning to choose one door or another?

"Yes. Clockwise and counter-clockwise are simplest, so the middle is out. We can't tell a difference between the east and west doors, so logically, it would be best to just do whatever comes naturally to the person who will be in front. Which would be me, and I prefer to go left-to-right." The practical ranger gives a modest bow at the conclusion of (by his standards) an impressive feat of abstract deductive reasoning.

Lol!

Zedril nods at Dasiji.
He must have some Wizard in him, his wits seem to surpass those of any Ranger I have ever known.

Oh hey, no one claimed the chime yet. I was waiting for whoever grabbed it to open the door. Uh I guess I'll hold on to it for now then.

"Well here goes nothing" Mortimer rings the chime in front of the left door.

The large doors open into an L shaped room. A strange statue of a half-snake, half-human creature stands in a wide alcove to the south of two large stone doors. Comprising the lower body of a coiling serpent and the upper torso of a human woman, the statue has six wings and a disk containing a seven-pointed star in place of its head. Its crossed arms hold a feathered quill and whip, and the entire statue is covered in verdigris. The faint outline of strange runes can be made out beneath the patina coating the statue.

Kn History

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Zedril will sketch the statue in his journal.

Again, being the gentleman he is Zedril motions to Noa to go ahead into the room. After you my lady.

Zedril will follow Noa into the room with the rest of the party(when we are all ready of course).

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Dasiji enters the room cautiously, looking for danger every step of the way. After examining the doors, he again marks the left one with a "1" in a circle, written in chalk.

Broot enters the room at Dasiji's side, shield and hammer at the ready. He sniffs the air as the light from his shield washes over the room.

"Oi! What manner o' silly beast is this?" Broot states pointing to the statue with his hammer.

Knowledge Arcana to determine the type of creature:
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

"Looks a sta'ue, to me."

"The old gods generally frown on being called beasts. That one" Mortimer nods at the statue "was Lissala. She is an old Thassilon goddess of runes, fate, and the reward of service." Mortimer walks up to the statue squats down next to it, trying to make out the runes that cover it.

Perception (if necessary): 1d20 ⇒ 4

Zedril notes the name in his journal next to his sketch.

Thank you Mortimer, my thirst for knowledge is never quenched.

Mortimer can't make out anything through the cobwebs and dust. He brushes some away to get a better look.

Dasiji waits for the others to finish their explorations of the room. As long as they don't trigger any traps, he doesn't mind them indulging an enthusiasm for art history; who knows, it might even come in handy.

Dasiji waits for the others to finish their explorations of the room. As long as they don't trigger any traps, he doesn't mind them indulging an enthusiasm for art history; who knows, it might even come in handy.

Funny enough, I am an Art History Professor in real life.

After getting a look at the runes, Mortimer yawns once before wandering back over to the waiting ranger.

I think I have answered everyone, or other charachters have. What are people doing? Further inspection of the statue? Moving on? Pausing for lunch?

Moving on to the next door?

Shall we procede?
I will go the next door following Dasiji's strategy, left to right.

Perception on door:
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

Broot shambles up next to the sorcerer ready to proceed. He glances over the door in an attempt to pick up on something the emberkin might miss.

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Assuming no one shouts "No! Don't!"...

Dasiji opens the left door.

No! Don't! ;)

After a little encouragement, the door opens. Beyond lays a dusty hallway. There is a door on the left, and another long hallway stretches on to the right. The hall ends in a T about 50' down.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

After inspecting the door on the left for traps, Dasiji marks it with chalk like the others -- with a "1" in a circle -- and opens it.

Dasiji meets his old nemesis, the stuck door! After a firm try, he realizes that something is behind the door baring it from opening. Maybe if he puts his back into it...

Str: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 2 = 20

Dasiji scowls and pulls out his new crowbar. It didn't help with the first door, but he assumes that they can't all be that well-barred. "Can they?" He sets the disturbing thought aside and heaves with all of his might on the portable lever.

Side Note: Dasiji, do you own Ultimate Equipment? If you do, the Traveler's Any-Tool is really handy.

With a great heave the door cracks open. From the door you see biers of solid gold encrusted with glittering gems lie against the walls of this chamber. Golden candelabras stand nearby, empty of candles, and the walls depict a glorious afterlife filled with riches and luxury, painted in bright pigments and gold leaf.

Wow, if this is what the afterlife holds, it doesn't seem so bad.

Maybe we shouldn't disturb these tombs.

Zedril addresses the party:

If these are tombs of the followers of this church we should be careful not to disrupt their slumber. We may have need of them if we get stuck down here.

Yep. Would've bought one, but decided that it would be prudent to keep some cash on hand, in case I need conditions cleared.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

"I agree." Knowing that doors can be really sneaky bastards, Dasiji checks for hidden ones before moving on.

Dasiji stiffens and holds up a hand for them to stop before entering the room, points to an ear, and then points to the open door. He unsheathes his greatsword and then gives a thumbs-up signal with a questioning eyebrow, silently asking if everyone is ready, before carefully entering the room.

Broot notices the ranger's reticence. He readies his shield and raises his hammer.

Zedril begins rubbing his hands together. His palms begin to blacken as the warmth starts to overtake his hands.

Noa puts her curveblade on her back and nocks an arrow into her composite bow, with a nod to Dasiji.

Mortimer readies his buckler and spear.

Dasiji's been paralyzed by the door!
perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Broot muscles forward and challenges the unseen foe. Show yourself beast!

If I can detect what side of the doorway the creature is on I'll step into the doorway and attack provided there is no response similar to a surrender.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18, Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + (2) + 1 = 7.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11, miss.

As Dasiji enters the room, daggers flash from the darkness, one of them drawing blood. Then a startled voice speaks. Hey, wait a sec. This is a live man, not a dead one. Hold off Skezza, don't kill him!

Zedril enters the room.

You may have this moment to plead for your life, if another attack comes from you, we will bury you in this tomb.
Zedril holds his blackened hands up facing the figures.
We were sent here on the authority of Priestess Valanthe Nerissia. What are your intentions down here?