While approaching the door I take point, advancing carefully shield and ax at the ready.
Checking for traps along the way, since I was not part of the first expedition I don't know what to expect.
Flug keeps to himself at the back of the group. "Th-this is a nice place."
I finish my breakfast and gulp down a second cup of tea. Then I follow the others to the crypt and enter, deciding it is not such a bad place after all. I arrive at the locked door and begin examining the lock. Is this the door you wish opened?
Perception:
Disable device:
There. The door is unlocked. Do you want me to open it and check for traps, or does someone else wish to do that?
"Y-you would be b-best."
OK then. Here I go . . . I slowly unlatch the door and begin pulling it open until it is halfway open. Then I check for traps as I peer into the area.
Perception - finding traps:
Nästród looks the table over.
"You should examine the chests, but remember everything here belongs to the temple. Celif should have final say on how anything is used."
Gezzo steps up and carefully looks around.
Fener strides in and lights a lamp that he miraculously remembered to bring. He looks around.
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The room is bare, except for the table on the left wall, and the three chests against the back wall.
The three chests are all closed.
Readily visible on the table are the following items:
- A medium Masterwork Morningstar (308 gp)
- A medium Masterwork Greatsword (350 gp)
- A medium Masterwork Bastard sword (335 gp)
- A scattering of coins equaling 9 pp, 64 gp, and 140 sp
The weapons shine brightly in your light sources, and do not appear to have been used.
Flug approaches the table and lifts the morningstar without hesitation.
"Flug! That could have been trapped!" Nästród says.
"Yes," Flug agrees. "It could have."
He inspects the weapon before replacing his aspergillum with the morningstar. "I will take this." He seems to look at Celif expectantly.
An odd place for a store room.
Gezzo spends his time methodically checking the room for any indications of its purpose, secret doors and anything peculiar on the chests (especially traps!)
Fener walks over to the Chests and examines them.
If unlocked he opens them.
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She pauses for a moment as Flug approaches the table, then freezes for another right after he looks to her before snapping, her eyes almost glowing behind her glasses. Don't under estimate me, or think that I will be tested. She approaches Flug snatches and places it respectfully back. I don't wish to begin on the wrong foot, mr coffee hating man. she turns back to Flug and raises her mace to his face, still lit. But we can if you wish
Flug squints when the light is brought close to his eyes. "I do not hate coffee," he says.
Gezzo cocks his head over his shoulder, listening to Celif, and cracks a slightly amused smile before walking over to Fener. Looking over Fener's shoulder, he watches the Druid work the chest.
Able to get that open?
I follow the rest of our group into the musty room and watch the activities of everyone. I note Flug's transgression and Celif's quick corrective action with interest, then turn to see what Fener will do with the chests. And I observe Gezzo's interest in Fener's progress.
Perception:
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Fener notices the chests are not locked, so he goes to each and opens the lids.
The left chest seems to contain items associated with temple worship. On the left side of the chest is a stack of white robes, each inscribed with the symbol of Septimus in gold thread over the left breast. The right side of the chest contains objects covered with a white altar cloth. Lifting the cloth, you see a pair of gold candlesticks, a gold platter which is inscribed with the symbol of Septimus, and a bowl made of gold.
The middle chest contains a neatly folded cleric's vestments in dark blue color. There does not appear to be any symbols or markings stitched upon it. Also in the chest is a wood box, which when opened is found to contain a silver holy symbol of Septimus on a silver chain.
The right chest is empty except for the presence of an ornate box. Inside the box is a crown. It appears to be made of iron, and is bedecked with several miniature swords of an exotic metal.
Hmmm interesting crown, has anyone seen anything like this before?
Fener holds up the crown for the group to study.
Calif, you should take the coin on the table for use in the temple, it isn't doing anyone any good down here.
Gezzo lifts the crown and examines the piece. He concentrates to discern any magical auras.
He then looks over the robes and other items.
Celif, do you know what these may have been used for?
"Celif, I think those robes were meant for you." Nästród says.
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She blinks listening to Nastrod, what makes you say that? she approaches the vestments with slight hesitation. I don't see any notes. And these could be the garments of a respected elders
She tries to answer Gezzo's question by inspecting them
Then inspects for local customs
Sorry Sir Flug I'm just cranky without my coffee... and these items must be here for a reason, not a gift box and continues on
"Don't apologize."
These don't seem to be used for temple rights. Celif, you may be able to confirm that suspicion. They have magic and maybe used for some sort of protection. Let's look at the closer, perhaps someone can identify their purpose.
Gezzo sets the crown near the robes and intently studies the auras being emitted.
Did you find the corruption you were looking for Gezzo, or are you just going to conveniently label all items of value found as intended for our use and subject to confiscation.
That sounds a lot like grave robbing and desecration of the temple's crypt to me. I wonder what the Brotherhood's opinion would be? Shall we ask them when we return to the city?
"Like you said, Celif," Nästród says, "They are here for a reason. I feel strongly that reason they are stored here is to help the temple and the town in times of need. One of those times is upon us now."
Yes, yes, Argyros. Why don't you head back upstairs and take care of the boy? We will handle things down here.
Gezzo speaks, while waving Argyros away, without looking up from his inspection of the items.
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The dark blue cleric vestment emits an aura of moderate abjuration. It is designed more as a tabard that can be worn over armor than a robe used for ceremonial purposes, as it has open sides. You remember learning about similar vestments in your earlier studies. The wearer may command the garment to display the holy symbol of the deity (in this case Septimus) or hide this symbol. At the most basic level, the garment functions as a divine focus itself, allowing the use of both hands, as a holy symbol does not need to be held in one hand and displayed. Also, the wearer may cast Sanctuary (DC 11) once per day. Its value is probably 2,000 gp.
The crown emits a faint aura of evocation. This radiant crown of steel is bedecked with miniature mithral swords. This crown of swords can be used up to 4 times per day. When struck in combat, the wearer may spend one use as an immediate action to create a longsword-shaped spiritual weapon that then attacks the attacker. On the wearer's next turn, he or she may spend one additional use each round to continue attacking that target with the spiritual weapon; the spiritual weapon cannot be redirected and disappears if the target is killed or moves out of range. Multiple spiritual weapons may be created (even attacking the same target) if the wearer is attacked in subsequent rounds. Its value is probably around 1,500 gp.
Both of these items, as well as the weapons on the table, were probably used in the past to help defend the town and the faith, but not in religious rites - they are oriented to use against foes.
The other robes in the chests are decorative only, used by the elite faithful in religious ceremonies in the distant past.
Gezzo leans over to Fener and points to the robe and crown. He speaks loud enough for all in the room to hear.
Interesting. Look here, Fener. These items are impressive to say the least. The vestment, or more correctly, the tabard is a cleric item of some usefulness. And the crown is a powerful weapon indeed!
He turns back to the group, obviously pleased with believing he has unraveled some sort of mystery.
In my opinion, these are weapons for fighting and not for sacrament or rites. They are in the ownership of the temple and stewardship of Celif.
I'm afraid I cannot do that Gezzo. Willfully turning a blind eye to the desecration of the church would make me a hypocrite.
Its not for you to decide Argros, Calef is the head of this establishment and a priest of Septimus. It is for her to determine if our quest is in the interest of the community the temple serves and thus use its resources.
I continue to observe the actions and comments of the others in the room, and note what Fener found in the chests. Detecting increasing discord amongst them I say, Hey! We are supposed to be allies with a common goal. Your bickering and in-fighting serves no positive purpose and could be detrimental to our quest so stop it right now!
Celif, what is your take on all of this and what do you wish to do with these items?
And to all of the group I say, Is this all of the crypt or is there more to explore?
I believe there is more to be explored
Fener walks out of the room, Turns to the left and proceeds to R6.
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You leave faint footsteps in the dust - evidence that no one has trod this area for a long time, perhaps centuries. Except for the dry musty smell of the room, and the sound of your own footsteps, you do not perceive anything out of the ordinary.
In front of you is a raised platform with a huge sepulcher resting on it. There are words engraved on the sepulcher, but you do not recognize the language. The area remains brightly lit from regularly spaced everburning torches.
Flug follows Fener quietly .
"I believe you should know the contents of your own crypt, Celif." Nästród says. "I will follow your lead."
When Celif moves, Nästród moves with her to occupy an adjacent square.