Perception:
Knowledge local:
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*Peeks around the corner... takes stock of the room and everything within.
Knowledge -
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I turn to everyone and say,"The temple owes is maintenence to protective magic. Powerful forces keep it up while everything else has fallen. Any magic that effects stone will be useless here.
And did you know that in the Thassilonion Empire they ate with two pronged forks at banquets. However, the forks were not for food. They were for protection and possible assassination attempts. Or that might have been the Dinth Empire. I cannot remember exactly."
"I suggest 3 or 4 of us follow the drag marks into the temple and see what we can find. I will volunteer to lead if you all would like. Any other ideas, comments?"
Knowledge (religion):
"Cily, I would not let you enter a temple of darkness unprotected by Ore. I am not much good at sneaking but my darkvision may help you. I will come with you if you like. Either way take this gift of Ore."
"I would like to investigate the drag marks into the temple and follow your lead Cily." Bohyi unlatches his hammer and holds it at the ready.
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Lissala was the goddess of fate, runes, and reward of service, and was especially prominent in Thassilon. While a much more disciplined faith in the early days of the empire, her worship grew more reckless and decadent in Thassilon’s waning years. Veneration of the deity was thought to have died with Thassilon itself.
Alaznist didn’t treat well with the worship of Lissala, instead preferring to pay homage to a number of fiendish patrons. Earlier in Bakrakhan’s history, Lissala was widely worshipped, but as Alaznist came to power, the popularity of the faith waned in the nation. During this time, many of the temples were repurposed to venerate various demon lords.
One prominent fiend worshipped in the late days of Bakrakhan was Yamasoth, a nascent qlippoth lord of cursed kingdoms and vile experiments. Rites to Yamasoth included mortification of the flesh and experimental transformations. Alaznist was a dedicated follower of Yamasoth, and sought to learn his ways in order to harness that power for her own armies.
"Merklii, I hope you come with me! And be sure you bring the Ore. I am sure your dark vision and your other talents will be vital in our exploration of the situation in the temple."
Turning to Boyhi, I say, "Good. I know we will need your defense skills."
"What about the rest of you? Are you coming or standing watch?"
Falls in behind the lot with my longsword at the ready.
Perception
I take stock of our group and say, "OK, let's proceed. I'll go first with Boyhi behind me, followed by Merklii, and with Siofra at the end. If we get into serious trouble, Siofra, will you try and go back to summon the others to come help us? The rest of you keep a lookout out here."
We start out, following the drag marks to the temple entrance. I say, "Let's try and be as quiet as we can." Stealthily I lead our group into the dark interior and once we are all in, pause long enough for our eyes to become accustomed to the dark. We look around and study our surroundings.
Stealth:
Perception:
Merklii share's Ore insight with the others:
"Lissala was the goddess of fate, runes, and reward of service, and was especially prominent in Thassilon. While a much more disciplined faith in the early days of the empire, her worship grew more reckless and decadent in Thassilon’s waning years. Veneration of the deity was thought to have died with Thassilon itself.
Alaznist didn’t treat well with the worship of Lissala, instead preferring to pay homage to a number of fiendish patrons. Earlier in Bakrakhan’s history, Lissala was widely worshipped, but as Alaznist came to power, the popularity of the faith waned in the nation. During this time, many of the temples were repurposed to venerate various demon lords.
One prominent fiend worshipped in the late days of Bakrakhan was Yamasoth, a nascent qlippoth lord of cursed kingdoms and vile experiments. Rites to Yamasoth included mortification of the flesh and experimental transformations. Alaznist was a dedicated follower of Yamasoth, and sought to learn his ways in order to harness that power for her own armies. "
"Cily, Ore has blessed you!" For the next minute, you can choose a d20 roll to add +1 too. You have to choose before the roll.
Merklii casts Guidance on himself and attempts to enter stealthily behind Cily and stops at X7.
Stealth roll:
Perception inside, focusing on things I can see:
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The party creeps into the Temple and looks around (I moved you all up a bit). The opening at the peak of the dome allows dim light to illuminate the inside of the structure.
Eight great pillars, larger versions of the serpentine columns found at the pillared portico, encircle an enormous mosaic on the floor. The pillars here do not support the dome – rather, each is about 25 feet tall, and are encircled with tentacle-like carvings. The floor tiles of fading greens, reds, and yellows form a seven-pointed star. The dome peaks about forty feet overhead, its center pierced by an oculus five feet across. Near the front of the temple are the remains of a marble statue, smashed to bits. What it once was is unclear, as the vandal did a rather thorough job destroying the ancient work of art.
Toward the back of the wide open space, a long, five-foot-deep pool lies in this western alcove, empty now, though the irregular red-brown stains on its surfaces leave little doubt as to what once filled the basin. Standing at the center of the pool is an eighteen-foot-tall marble statue of a strange being. Its body is a tangle of tentacles and eyes surrounding a circular maw filled with jagged teeth and barbed stinging tongues. Each of the thing’s tentacles ends in a claw, pincer, hook, or some other implement of pain. Ancient paint flakes from the grand effigy, but glittering in the light are dozens of onyx gemstones adorning the statue where the being’s eyes are carved. It appears that something is strapped to one of the writhing appendages with red silk ribbons. On the floor of the pool itself are dozens of small stone figurines.
"Merklii, thank you for the information on Lissala and the history of her worshippers. Most helpful. And please thank Ore for the blessing - I am sure we will need it!"
I say, "Can anyone identify what bird that feather is from?"
"Let's proceed carefully toward the empty pool and statue at the back and check them out."
I move from V9 to R9, light crossbow ready. I assume Merklii, Boyhi, and Siofra will follow.
GM: I thought Henric, Abslom, and Girdark had stayed outside the temple to stand watch.
"Ore, what is that foul apparition?" Merklii mumbles out loud.
Kn (Religion):
"I'm certain I've seen that thing before.."
Phew! That vow of silence is a real pain. I'm glad we all managed to get here without me talking, but now that I can talk...
(He moves over to the bard) So, Siofra you come here often? --
(Henric gives her a sh-- eating grin and before she can reply) Sorry, no time to chat.
(Moves over towards Absalon and Merklii) So fellas, what kind of magic can you provide us today? That vow of silence let me concentrate on my Healing. I can now heal people just by touching them...a few times a day, at least. Anyone recognize the statue? I can't quite place it. Figurines neither...
---After their replies---
Let's circle around counter-clockwise and get a closer look at these things.
Hmm...That's one big feather you have Cily, any idea where it came from? Siofra, maybe you've heard about these things in your songs. I've heard you bards are very knowledgable
"Here, Siofra, will you please have a look at this black feather and see if you can identify what kind a bird it came from? It might enlighten us if we knew."
"Also, does anyone recognize what this symbol on the floor signifies?"
"Then I agree with Absalon, let's continue following the drag marks, with our weapons ready."
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Absalon looks at Henric, "Oh I am bringing a wide variety of spells and scrolls. I do enjoy a good explosion, almost as much as a nice ale and stew. I am unfortunately not adept at the healing of people with burn marks however. Eyebrows do grow back, but that is why we have an intrepid priest with us, and a paladin.
I have some scrolls of summoning I picked up to assist us. Nothing like pushing the odds to our side. I have also found that a finely cast "sleep" spell is extra handy at gaining the edge on a foe, especially if you need to run away.
Oh, would look at that statue. Quite a work really."
Know the Planes
Dungeoneering
Cast Detect Magic
Siofra maneuvers to the the symbol on the floor, stands to the side of it. She bends down to trace part of the symbol...
Know History
Siofra then stands up and walks over to Cily, taking the feather she strokes it between her thumb and forefinger then along her cheek.
Bardic Knowledge (nature)
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With a sigh Siofra hands the feather back to Cily. I am not sure what creature this could have come from... And the more I look at that symbol on the floor the more I think I have seen it before, but cannot quite place it.
"OK, I appreciate you efforts with these. If you place the symbol later, be sure and let us know."
I stow the feather, and move to N8, and wait for the rest of our group.
Henric will follow along, tracing the drag marks, looking for anything interesting.
I continue looking for any thing of interest.
Perception:
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Absalon takes on a professorial tone and says, "The statue is of Qlippoth Lord Yamasoth, these are usually evil. And it appears the doors were sundered from the inside out, not the other way. Also, there is strong lingering magic about."
He then pulls his wand out of one of the many pockets in his robe, and looks around.
" Thanks for that interesting information, Absalon. Most unusual that apparently some thing broke 'out'. I wonder what it was?"
"Hey everyone! Do you see that feather falling down from the top of that column?", I say as I point to the falling feather.
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There is only dim light within the temple, what little there is coming in through the opening at the top of the domed roof. In that light, you look up in the direction Cily is pointing, and you can see that there is a winged creature on top of one of the great pillars. It is peering over the edge of the pillar, watching you intently. In the dim light you can see the creature has tattered wings and taloned feet, with the body of a feral-looking woman.
"Oh my! Now we know what creature the feather is from! Do you suppose we look like lunch to it?"
I quickly move to J6, hoping it can no longer see me.
(which pillar is it on?)
Henric does his detect evil, focusing on the creature.
Henric also move to K4 (assuming this is not directly below the creature), reading his bow along the way.