"...lady Alexis calm down..."
"Mr. Woller, I am perfectly calm. However, if you persist with your chauvinistic attitude towards me and your condescending remarks to my associates, then you can tell Lady Harrolayne to 'calm down' when I inform her that your services are no longer required. House Avenstar is legendary for for its charity."
"As for strategy, I believe that we marked the entrance to the tunnels in such a way that we would be able to tell if anything else had passed or even to prevent such passage."
"Since we know that wildlife and undead will be attracted and what will become of them, I see no reason to jeopardize any of us by dividing our forces in such a manner. We shall stay on board the Rose tonight, make certain we are well-rested, and then head ashore as soon as Falcon is ready to depart."
"In the morning we shall take a launch to the south side of the river, and approach the tree together. At that time, scouts can range ahead to see if there have been any further disturbances to our makeshift barricades or the earth. If so, then perhaps there will be a trail to follow after we have dealt with the zombie behemoth."
"Questions or concerns? Anything you would like to add, Falcon... Governor?"
Master Falcon, you said earlier that we would not need any other priests or help other than myself. I am wondering what exactly is your plan?
"Plan? No exact plan of yet. But if this amalgam is indeed trapped in its little cave, and only assembles when it senses creatures inside the illusory wall, it should be safe enough to study first. If it turns out that a second cleric is needed, then so be it, but I would prefer if we could keep it in-house, so that the scientific and historical value of the site might be preserved before we explore its economic value."
Alexis nods in agreement, a thoughtful look on her face. She looks to Brycen to see if he has anything to add. "Shall we adjourn until morning then?"
"Upon the morrow. Good work, everybody."
Falcon Gray dismisses you to a restful evening and sleep aboard your ship.
Early the next morning, you find yourselves back in the rowboat, this time with Falcon aboard and heading for the south bank of the river. As the ship grinds against the cobbles, Falcon practically leaps out of the boat and helps haul it ashore. A huge grin splits his face, as (after pausing to cast mage armour upon himself) he rubs his hands together and asks, "Which way?" He looks only a little abashed when you point out the obvious enormous tree peeking out above the rest of the forest canopy.
Falcon contents himself with studying some of the door fragments while you check your modifications you made to the entrance. Elorin can easily pinpoint what look like (human) zombie tracks. He determines that there were two zombies that left the hole, and then returned. Falcon Gray reaches into his backpack and pulls out a lit torch. "Shall we?"
Pete looks over at Alexis, waiting for her approval on the Pathfinder's plan. He has a hard time hiding his dislike for the so-called leader of the expedition, showing him the barest amount of respect.
"Shall we?"
"By all means." She turns to look at the others noting the sour expression on Pete's face and the dark glances Biter occasionally gives some of those who test his temper (or nose).
"Biter, Petrel, the two of you can see the best in the darkness. Would you please lead the way?"
As the group begins to file into the tunnel, Alexis casts mage armor on herself and light on the end of her wand. Like before she remains closer to the back with Rath and Elorin.
You slowly make your way down the winding tunnel and into the "outer chamber". Falcon makes his way over to the marble plaque on the wall and runs his fingers over the runes. "Remarkable." Moving on, Biter and Pete slowly lead you deeper into the complex. You hole up at the crossroads while Biter, Pete, and Elorin quickly scout the other two passageways, declaring them clear, before rejoining the group. All that is left is to challenge the zombiehemoth.
Falcon Gray puts his hand out through the illusory wall. Immediately, the zombiehemoth begins to form. He watches it for a couple rounds before removing his hand back inside the wall and casts a spell. He reels slightly, leaning on Burnsten for support.
"Yes, that's an undead creature all right. Truly enormous. I must apologize to you all. When you first described it to me, I took your tales of its size as youthful inexperience running away with itself. Clearly, that is not the case."
The zombiehemoth finishes dissolving and once again the room beyond is still.
Helping lord Brycen as he leans "Well if you want to see this better lord Brycen I'll summon a small animal to fly around this chamber out of the behemoth reach you'll have 2 minutes to see it better if you want" starts moving his hands in a pattern and summons an eagle fly around in the ceiling distracting the behemoth again "If you still want to give it a go to look at the things Inside I can do it"
"Yes, that's an undead creature all right. Truly enormous. I must apologize to you all. When you first described it to me, I took your tales of its size as youthful inexperience running away with itself. Clearly, that is not the case."
"Does this alter your ideas on how we should proceed then?" Alexis asks impassively.
Rath's surprise is evident. He's never heard Biter talk of apologizing to anyone. He looks soberly at this diminutive friend. "Hmm... I think that is not needed but I am glad you would think about it. Squabbling among selves in front of nobles was not smart. Dishonors Rajkumari Alexis by making her leadership look weak. Particularly when Falcon and Brycen already think we don't know difference between 60' monster made of 100 Skraelings from 10' monster made of beargle parts." He shakes his head.
Biter grunts and mutters a sibilant phrase in Goblin.
Rath continues with a bit of ironic humor, "Of course, who had warning of possible poisonings and still managed to drink poison, eh? Seems judgment of many could be questioned..." He chuckles unpleasantly, "But I think Rajkumari Alexis was very irritated by unstated attitude of some men in group that she is just a pretty girl who needs protection, can't figure risks, is 'fragile', and got 'emotional' because she is a woman not because they were being stupid."
Biter nods, "The Half-Blood."
Biter is surprised by Rath's shaking head and response, "Not just him. Others do similar things, just less easy to see... question her judgment, act like she is helpless, things like that. Watch and you will see it. They see her as pretty woman, not capable leader. She is very patient. Burnsten, though, went further - did not respect her title. Telling a Princess to 'calm down'? Asking her to clean his clothes like she is a servant?" Rath taps the side of his bald brown skull indicating insanity. "This is serious business for nobles. In many lands, he'd be in cell for being so rude to a noblewoman. Lucky for him, she chose not to make issue of it." Rath concludes by shaking his head at the situation and shrugging with a 'what should we do?' look.
"Well, Alexis, what I mean is that is an undead creature, not a big bunch of undead creatures. My spell registers it as a single massively-powerful creature. What sort of anti-undead magic do we possess? I'm afraid I'm limited to disrupt undead, other than magic missile and scorching ray."
Falcon's jaw sets as Burnsten goes ahead and summons his eagle. He watches as the creature reforms, counting the seconds. "I count 24, 25 seconds for it to completely form up. I'm going to attempt a detect magic." He grimaces and readies himself for the onslaught.
Gray will save: He staggers into the wall, stunned.
After a round, he regains his senses and thanks whomever helped steady him. He tries again.
Gray will save: He grimaces in pain, but doesn't lose his spell.
Gray Knowledge (Arcana):
"The sarcophagus is definitely the source of the overwhelming necromancy. That glowing gem is a source of the strong evocation. It doesn't look like it's functioning properly though. It keeps trying to do something, but it can't."
Any chance we can rush in, pry the gem out and the magic may stop functioning? Other than something to stop the magic it looks like we may need to take this thing out so we can figure out the magic up close. Why don't we draw it over towards the wall with a summon just in front and above us. If it is out of its reach then we can hit it with everything we have while we are behind the wall?
Biter shakes his head in confusion, "Others notting to take Huuc'Mar seriously becausing Huuc'Mar is a girl? That'ing is foolish. Lions having capable female hunters. Shaac, hyenas is'ing being led by females. Why woulding others not be looking at actions and skills. BAAAAA!" Then a look of comprehension precedes a startled expression on the animated green face, and the big goblin touches his chest, "Huuc'Mar is'ing to be like Biter! Huuc'Mar is'ing outside of everyone becausing Huuc'Mar is'ing female. Biter is'ing outside becausing Biter is goblin. Huuc'Mar is'ing seen as less useful because Huuc'Mar is smaller… justing like Biter!" You realize that for once Biter has actually felt a connection with someone other than yourself, and the little warrior sits and muses on it for a while before his expression turns confused once again.
"But Alexis was to get angry when Biter was'ing to say 'Half-blood'. Biter is'ing know that Alexis is also Half-blood, but notting to understand why Alexis is'ing to get angry by it." He hikes his tiny shoulders questioningly, "Alexis is'ing a half-blood. Notting to be mean words.. simply what is true. Biter notting take anger when others call him goblin. Friend Rath is'ing know Biter hate all goblins, but Biter is'ing still goblin. Notting to be offended by it… true is true, no?"
The entire trip from boat to shore, the tiny warrior seems oddly drawn within himself, something that you've rarely witnessed in your entire time together. As the party departs from the small boat, however, the tiny hunter reverts back to his normal self, senses alert, blade bared, ranging ahead of the group, preparing to intercept any dangers.
He is quietly vigilant while the others investigate the room once more, letting the experts do their thing, though he casts concerned eyes any time the monstrosity stirs in the giant room. Though LongEars' plan brings a smile to his lips, "Biter is'ing happy to be part of that stealing try. See'ing how quick big monster is'ing really to be." His eyes scan everyone's faces, "Ifing that to be the chosen plan, anyway."
"At the moment I can channel Sarenrae's light into the creature but I would need to get closer, at least within 30 feet. Also the same energies Sarenrae blesses me with to heal wounds would harm this creature but that would mean touching it....I apologize for not thinking of it until now but if we can wait next dawn's prayers I could ask the dawnflower for a blessing that will render one of us invisible to the undead for quite some time, so long as you don't attack or touch the creature.
Pete strokes his matted beard, thinking hard. "Aye, eh what if, it 'taint th' sarcophagus that's th' source, but somethin' inside it that be the cause? Think it preety likely 'ere. I ain't to keen on stealin' th gem, could be part o' some magical trap. If'n there be a way to mask our bodies from undead, by a spell, mebbe that be the safest t'ing ta do. Tryin' ta fight it should be a last resort."
He turns to the priest Abbas, Think ye kin hide someone from it?"
In the caverns, Rath falls into the role of rear-guard, bodyguard, and resident walking light source.
"An evocation you say? Grey, what do evocations do..." she ask the obvious, "I wouldn't be surprised if that devices is supposed to incinerate any organic matter collected within the chamber. I wonder if it could be out of charges or awaiting a trigger of some sort. Did you notice that there are additional auras in the chamber, down in the rubble? We might need to perform reconstructive work in order to see what it really does."
"Pete, Elorin, we don't necessarily want to go tearing this place apart without knowing what we're doing. For all intents and purposes, we are looking at a giant arcane engine. Throwing a wrench in it could be disastrous, particularly when the school of magic that appears to be malfunctioning is evocation."
Seeing that the word 'evocation' doesn't quite register with them she says, "My light attack spell, fireballs, magic missiles... you know... spells that give off a great deal of raw power, frequently to destructive ends."
"In terms of a plan," she looks to Grey, "if the zombiehemoth is a single creature then we have a very large target and might be able to whittle away at it. What do you say all of us who can do so fire a concentrated volley of damaging spells at it? We can then study if it is weakened as a whole, if something in the chamber regenerates it, and so forth. I think the safest time would be while it is forming."
"Not likely where two of those auras are transmutation, and the other is universal, although the universal item might be some sort of trigger. I would say an analysis of that evocation item would be in order. It takes slightly longer for the creature to form than it does to identify a magic item. It would be a close shave, but I should be able to make it, identify the item, and make it back in time. Once I know what it is, I should know if we need one of the other items from among the rubble."
Biter stands up, "Maybe Gray shoulding have someone," and he hikes a thumb at himself to make it obvious, "go withing him to make sure all goes well?"
"It would be a close shave, but I should be able to make it, identify the item, and make it back in time. "
"Very well. Would you like me to assist you?"
Biter stands up, "Maybe Gray shoulding have someone go withing him to make sure all goes well?"
Alexis nods at the buff goblin's suggestion. "Rath, Biter? On Grey's mark, would you please accompany us into the chamber in case either of us become stunned?"
Rath nods agreement. "If you are stunned, should I pick you up and carry out immediately or wait on others?" Rath sizes both Falcon and Alexis up. "Think I can carry both, if necessary, with Biter covering retreat... but will not be fastest I've ever moved."
"Biter can'ing to take Gray while Friend Rath takes Alexis." Alexis realizes this is the first time the goblin has used her actual name. The gobln looks at Gray's size, "Um.. .maybe Biter is'ing to take Alexis instead?"
As for which plan to try first, we can always attack later. For now let's try and gather more info.
"I be standin' ready ta assist ye if'n either o' ye need it. We's all do our parts 'ere 'n we should be OK." He gives Burnsten a meaningful glance.
As for which plan to try first, we can always attack later. For now let's try and gather more info.
And as Falcon said, he doesn't think that the transmutation auras would be part of an evocation aura, but that the universal aura might belong to a trigger mechanism.
"Good man... er dwarf, Pete! Worse happens - may have to toss Falcon or Alexis towards you. Be ready to come get them. Rajkumari, could you and Falcon maybe cast spells before we go in so know you are stunned ahead of time?"
"Now that you mention it, Biter you can guard us with your blade while Pete and Rath will stand ready to rush us to safety if we collapse. Elorin, please cover us with your bow but make certain not to obstruct the exit. Burnsten, be on the ready to summon a distraction if it looks like we will need it. We should be able to enter once your current one leaves and the zombiehemoth becomes inert."
Alexis give a melancholy smile at Rath's suggestion and says, "That would be convenient, but we've already tried examinations from a distance. This time we really do need to get closer since the casting and the scrutinizing go hand in hand."
And as Falcon said, he doesn't think that the transmutation auras would be part of an evocation aura, but that the universal aura might belong to a trigger mechanism.
And as Falcon said, he doesn't think that the transmutation auras would be part of an evocation aura, but that the universal aura might belong to a trigger mechanism.
"Just a moment, Falcon, I want to see if this closest transmutation aura is affixed to the floor or not..."
Alexis will use mage hand to attempt to sort thru whatever is at the nearest red aura and attempt to pick it up for inspection. Mage hand is weak enough that hopefully it wouldn't break anything.
Alexis' mage hand sorts through the rubble, pushing aside rocks and bones and corpses that aren't part of the zombiehemoth. She tries to push aside a long, straight stick, but her mage hand can't move it. It doesn't look heavy enough to exceed the weight limit, so it must be magical. Does she cast her detect magic to confirm?
Alexis casts Detect Magic.
The stick is definitely the source of the magic. It's too thin and short for a quarterstaff, too long for a wand. Alexis guesses that it's a shortbow stave without a string.
"The closest aura is possibly an enchanted shortbow. We might be looking at magic items held by people who ended up here before their demise. I can't grab it with mage hand because of the fact that it is magical. Perhaps someone else can recover it in a moment when Falcon and I enter the chamber. Burnsten, go ahead and fly your eagle out of there so that we can begin."
Alexis maintains her concentration and looks toward the other red aura, unfortunately it will be outside the range of her magehand and she doesn't wish to cast greater mage hand just yet. Once the zombiehemother is inert, she enters the chamber with Falcon.
Biter adopts a runner's pose, ready to sprint out to grab the indicated magical bow. "Alexis, teling Biter when to go."
"Hmm, well I suppose now is as good of a time to test its reactions when multiple living creatures are present."
She nods to Biter, "Go for it!"
"I shall distract it so you can gather information, just give me a moment to do so and tell me when we are ready. I will need something that lasts more than 2 minutes for you to take your time and do things properly" waiting to see how the plan unfolds.
If I need to summon something to last long enough I'll summon Tracant and have him repeat the distraction like last time to give them enough time.
Alexis and Falcon Gray (who had to cast the spell three times before not being stunned by the aura) make their way into the chamber at a run. As soon as they pass through the wall, the corpses begin to reassemble yet again.
As you get up to the sarcophagus and evocation device, Alexis can finally see inside the sarcophagus through the glass top. There is a rabbit lying in the coffin.
Biter easily reaches the bowstave and slips it through a strap of his pack. It's a little unwieldy, as it's sized for a medium creature, but he can manage.
Alexis and Falcon Gray (who had to cast the spell three times before not being stunned by the aura) make their way into the chamber at a run. As soon as they pass through the wall, the corpses begin to reassemble yet again.
As you get up to the sarcophagus and evocation device, Alexis can finally see inside the sarcophagus through the glass top. There is a rabbit lying in the coffin.
Biter easily reaches the bowstave and slips it through a strap of his pack. It's a little unwieldy, as it's sized for a medium creature, but he can manage.
Is Alexis identifying the sarcophagus or evocation device, or aid anothering Falcon on identifying the evocation device?