Hearing the name jars Nalun's memory somewhat
Nalun says I don't think the lockbox needs to be opened right this minute does it Professor? If there is evidence, we could open it later at our leisure.
Standing over the headstone, Simeon taps his chin , thinking "Brada...Brada..."
[dice=Knowledge(local)]1d20+9
Hearing the name jars Nalun's memory somewhat [dice=Kn:Local] 1d20+8
"A good blow might convince the lock..."
"A good blow might convince the lock..."
[dice=Know Local Brada]1d20+6
This may well be a relative of Doktor Braga himself.
"I think Nalun is right; we can take the lockbox with us for now and if we need to open it before we return to town, then we can," Elidal nods as she peers cautiously at the tunnel that descends into the earth. "It seems that I was right about there being a cellar of sorts underneath the facility..." She raises her sword and murmurs a brief prayer to Iomedae, causing the tip to shine forth with light. Cautiously, she edges closer to the hole in the earth and attempts to peer further down the tunnel.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 9
The tunnel extends about 15 feet down and seems to be a shaft of sorts - perhaps back in the day this was a constructed tunnel.
Jaru also casts light and follows the warriors into the tunnel.
Nalun also casts light on something for Emmett or Elidal.
He grabs his wand of Hold Person and holds it ready.
We've seen too much to be unprepared yes?
Emmett frees his axe and keeps it in his left hand as he makes his way to the front of the group: "Shouldn't be anything down there..."
But? he adds to himself.
The tunnel is more of a shaft heading down at a steep angle but Emmett makes it down axe in hand, surrounded by light, Elidal behind. Emmett hears a noise as he steps into the room and so he is not surprised as four figures dart forward with clawed hands to rend and tear.
The creatures have long, sharp teeth, and their pallid flesh is stretched tightly over their starved frames.
Initiative
Emmett
Elidal
Creatures
1 for plus DC13 save vs Paralysis
2 for plus DC13 save vs Paralysis
3 for plus DC13 save vs Paralysis
4 for plus DC13 save vs Paralysis
Elidal is stuck behind Emmett so will need to either wait for him to move (if not paralysed) or push past him. Entry point is anyone of the squares in the middle of the room that is lit up on the map
The rest of the party can move at average Init bonus +2
So the overall Init is creatures then party.
Jaru makes a strangled sound and barely chokes something out in his native tongue.
Nalun hears the commotion in front of him and he begins inspiring his allies.
Before descending, Simeon mutters a few arcane syllables and passes his hands over his body. Where his hands pass, there's a ghostly impression of armor that fades away.
He then cautiously descends after the others....
Also hearing the commotion, and Jaru's strangled utterance, he whispers urgently to Jaru, "Speak a civilized language, man! What did you say?"
...he whispers urgently to Jaru, "Speak a civilized language, man! What did you say?"
"THE EATERS OF THE DEAD!! GHUL!!"
Emmett curses loudly as he feels the burn of the claws: "SHOULD'VE KNOWN!!!
Quickly, he clears the tunnels, stepping to his left as he whirls his axe over his right shoulder in a downward arc.
"Oh, is that all? " Simeon asks, "Well, push on man! Bring your holy power to bear, and I will endeavour to do the same." he cries encouragingly.
Emmetts attack cleaves one od the creatures in half!
Elidals force of good works wonders. You are all inspired.
One of the ghouls closes on Emmett, taking a step up another steps to provide flanking on Emmett (1 and 4) while #3 attacks Elidal.
1 and 4 on Emmett
for
for
3 on Elidal
for
DC13 con save if hit to avoid paralysis.
Party up.
Emmett's eyes grow wide as he feels his muscles seize after being clawed at. He forces his body to lift his axe. One more time! But the arms refuse to move. All he can do is look in the malignant eyes of the ghast as it licks its green lips.
Jaru's hand fumbles for his holy symbol and desperately summons his Goddess' wrath against the abominations. He then steps behind Nalun to hide from his memories and the fearful creatures.
Nalun waves the Wand at the nearest Ghoul!
Elidals strikes two ghouls with a massive cleave which are then dropped by Father Jaru's channelling of Pharasma's judging power.
The final ghoul stiffens and stands still in place, its eyes blazing in hunger and madness.
With that the combat is over.
Simeon detect the cessation of hostilities and carefully drops down into the chamber, noting the fallen ghouls and the single survivor, held by Nalun's magic.
Hurriedly pulling out his notebook,he begins to circle the ghoul, scribbling notes..."Fascinating, an insatiable hunger...vestiges of previous race...this was a half-orc I believe..."
Simeon detect the cessation of hostilities and carefully drops down into the chamber, noting the fallen ghouls and the single survivor, held by Nalun's magic.
Hurriedly pulling out his notebook,he begins to circle the ghoul, scribbling notes..."Fascinating, an insatiable hunger...vestiges of previous race...this was a half-orc I believe..."
Well spotted. It is indeed a half orc though monsterously mutated. It is not unusual for such mixed breeds to linger in the outskirts of towns where they are safer from mobs but this in turn makes them more vulnerable to preternatural threats.
The others appear to be human origin though it is hard to tell.
The distraught priest doesn't remove his eyes from the paralyzed undead abomination or the foolish wizard. "It is DANGEROUS!" he yells with the ragged edge of hysteria in his voice and summons positive energy into his hands. To destroy, not to heal.
The ghoul, already weakened by the channeled energy drops like a puppet whose strings have been cut, a ragged black hole seared into its chest.
You search the room and find, a slightly melted gold belt buckle worth 15 gp, and a scorched iron and copper bracelet with silver filigree work depicting a moon eating an owl worth 50 gp once it is cleaned up.
You also find a lot of broken glass and misshapped and deformed skulls, save one that seems normal. You also find an unbroken vial that has rolled into a corner. The label on the vial is very damp, but the words “Vorkstag and Grine, Chymickal Bleach” are readable.
Simeon nods to Elidal, "Of course it's necessary, knowledge is power, the opportunity to safely observe a negatively transformed humanoid at this close range....it's unheard of!"
He continues to study the ghoul up to the moment it falls to the ground, leaning over to examing the smoking holy hole in its chest.
Rising, adding another notation, he puts his notebook back into this pouch and looks around.
"Vorkstag and Grine...." he mutters, holding the vial up to the light...
After the uncharacteristic outburst, the Pharasmin is quiet and withdrawn. He stands unresponsive and lost in dark memories as the others move to explore the cellar. He snaps out of it only to minister to Emmett casting remove paralysis if the townsman doesn't recover quickly.
Vorkstag and Grine are well-respected merchants, operating a chemical works within Lepidstadt and supply much of the chemicals within the town and to areas beyond. Vorstag is rarely seen and Grine is a peculiar looking fellow, though gnomes are that.
No workers are ever seen going on shift at the 'chymic works', but the smoke from the chimney never stops. Odd that.
Vorkstag and Grine?
Chemical Bleach?
Nalun looks pleased with his magical prowess and how it makes the Professor take interest.
When Elidal asks him if he is ok, he says Yes Maam, not a scratch. You and the Guardsman did for them quite well.
Apparently the mysterious Master Vorkstag has a great many friends in high places, and whenever any minor trouble comes his way, someone is always ready to speak up on his behalf.
Bleach is just that - bleach.
Emmett watches Jaru minister to him, unable to move, until the priest finishes his prayer and Emmett feels sensation and motion return to his limbs: "A miracle... Truly Father, your faith is... Well, welcome, that's for sure!" he utters with a shy smile.
"Why do you all fawn over a bottle of bleach? Is it out of place here? Can't be used to start a fire..." he says, resuming his gruff mien.
Jaru simply nods in acknowledgement of Emmett's thanks.
"We have only one witness thus far and nothing else to go on honestly. There is a slight chance that this supplier might know something more, fate willing." Jaru states quietly.
Emmett takes a second look at the bottle with a shrug. Does it seem out of place? Has it been damaged to the same extent as the items surrounding it?
Emmett takes a second look at the bottle with a shrug. Does it seem out of place? Has it been damaged to the same extent as the items surrounding it?
[dice=Profession Watch]1d20+6
It looks consistently weathered to match the surrounds - it seems that this glass vial merely survived the fire and the building collapse by fortune.
The misshapen skulls may well have been in jars or already flensed of flesh during the same fire as they do not have the scorched or burned look you'd expect.
Simeon ignores Elidal's muttering, as he himself was muttering over the deformed skulls, poking and prodding them with the butt of his staff.
Ulitmately he lines them all in a row with the normal one at one end, and simple stares at them for a few moments.
He then straightens and says, "Are we done here? Let us pay a visit to the esteemable Vorkstag and Grine!"
The day is wearing on by the time you return to Lepistadt... It's late afternoon. It's been a full day. Perhaps a meal someplace?
As the group examines the room, she takes advantage of their distraction to step closer to Jaru. "Father Toth, are you okay? You look unwell..." she murmurs quietly.
"I have encountered these... abominations before. When I was younger and could do nothing to stop them... Those they kill become like them. It doesn't matter who they are... how kind, how pure... they all succumb to the hunger... I am certain that Pharasma understands and judges them kindly," he trails off weakly and follows numbly as the group returns to Lepidstadt.
The issue of the heat sealed box still remains... Its attempts to pry it open have failed. You need professional help or possibly a crowbar though its going to need something to hold in place while you attempt to open it.
Nalun thinks on what Father Toth, someone who he is coming to see as an "older brother", has said
So. Someone you know was turned? Surely there must be ways to reverse the process, the Lady of Graves has great power over the dead.
"Nasty creature for sure..." grumbles Emmett, adding little to the conversation.