|
On the desk is a book, as well as a parchment letter. The book is titled, "Faiths of Saemyyr," and contains chapters describing the the major deities and customs of the major gods. Using this book allows +1 to Knowledge (religion) skill checks.
The letter is ascribed in a flowing script, and reads:
To my successor, greetings.
On the desk you will find some books that I hope you will find helpful as you settle in to take over running this temple. I have tried hard to leave the building better than when I found it, and I hope you will agree that it is clean and orderly. This building follows the customary floor plan of most temples of Septimus, so it will not take very long for you to find what you need.
There is a crypt under the temple which hasn't been used in many years, as it is full. Burials are now conducted in a plot of land north of the village. The crypt is guarded by a warded door - to get it to open, place your right hand on the emblem of Septimus and state, "Septimus is The Great Friend." The door stays open for one minute, and then automatically closes. This procedure to open the door works from either side.
I wish you luck and the full blessings of Septimus.
Signed, Tagomas Ilinassus
Hmmmm...now why would they need to guard the crypt?
Gezzo heads out of the office at a quick pace. His compulsive need to unearth secrets driving him to opening locked doors.
Anyone want to join me in opening the crypts? No stone unturned, as they say!
He doesn't wait for an answer and continues to the crypt door.
Fener Says : Disturbing the dead usually isn't a good idea, but I just have too see this anyways.
Fener grabs the Holy water and scrolls. I will just hold onto this for safe keeping until Celif gets back.
He follows Gezzo to the door and replaces the Rumboozle with some holy water in his new fancy Staff. He also calls Rudy, who looks annoyed as he gets up off the floor and walks a little unsteady as he follows Fener.
To Thorgrim: "One f-finds entertainment where one can."
"You realize all this stuff belong to the church, right?" Nästród asks, suspicious that he might be watching a crime in progress. "You should wait for Celif to get back to ask her about it."
Don't worry, Nastrod! If we have to use any of the items in the crypt, it will definitely be in the service of the temple. I'm sure the cleric would approve.
Gezzo yells back without slowing his pace to the crypt.
|
Celif abandons the shop with a swift wave, slightly rude but duty holds no bars in the realm of urgency. She returns to the temple slightly defeated, I guess she didn't know anything.... odd. Listening to the group speaking and moving to the crypt she follows quietly. I'm always behind. She murmurs to herself adjusting her glasses in her self pity mood.
Fener Says Hello Celif, I was holding these for you.
Fener then hands the scrolls and 2 flasks of Holy Water to her.
He then hands one each of the holy water to Gezzo and Nastrod.
I'm sure its perfectly safe down in this crypt but in Druid Scouts we learned to always be prepared.
Gezzo walks up to the door and places his right hand on the emblem. In a loud voice, he says Septimus is The Great Friend!
|
|
There are secrets here, my friends. Oh yes, there here, just have to find them.
He speaks excitedly without looking up from his search.
I will walk in 30 ft take a closer look to see if there is anything out of place.
"Does anyone know wh-what is planned for tomorrow?"
|
|
Celif freezes as the door opens and unlocks after Fener starts to take lead, she keeps about 5ft behind Gezzo, his comment making her more cautiously as she steps lightly. From in the back of her robes she pulls out a heavy mace, then she holds it up as she murmurs to herself to cast light, then metal end of the mace gains a internal light, almost like the source was frozen in ice.
Never too cautious right? she laughs nervously with a slight concerned look.
To the folks in the kitchen
Those geniuses are going to get themselves killed looking for trouble wherever it may possibly be found
To Flug
I think we will be heading into the swamp in the morning, barring 'accidents'
"Blessed are the dead here. We come to pay our respects." Nästród says.
|
|
Immediately near the entrance are two short corridors which are lined from floor to ceiling with rows of bodies laying on shelves. Most of the corpses are so old that little remains except piles of dust and aged bonees, but you can tell from the remains that the bodies were wrapped in cloth shrouds when laid to rest.
Farther on, you reach a section where the hall is flanked by ornate stone sarcophagi, each carved with scenes of the deceased involved in heroic battle. These spots obviously are the resting places of persons of some repute. From the mode of dress and armor in the scenes, you can tell that these burials were performed in the distant past.
A set of stairs divides the passageway, leading to a lower elevation.
The sun has set, and there is no more than a soft glow on the horizon to mark its passage.
Sirena bids those in the kitchen a pleasant evening, and retires to sleep in one of the medical rooms.
Gezzo sneaks down the stairs while continuing to examine every step and trying to decipher carved scenes to determine if he knows the story being told. He moves to the corner and places his back against the wall. As stealthily as possible, he quickly peers around the corner.
|
|
Celif holds her mace up trying to get the best lighting of the carving, hmmm she ponders to herself as she examines them . After a moment she feels herself getting wrapped up in her work, looking about she sees that Gezzo has peered off on his own. Following carefully she watches for anything out of the ordinary , then tries to look for any magical source around them with Detect Magic. Sir.... Sir Gezzo... she whispers to him.
Eh?
Gezzo speaks in a whisper, continuing to look around the corner and doesn't turn to see who is calling for him.
"I th-think I'll go out and s-stare at the sky." Flug nods to the people in kitchen and heads outside to do the aforementioned staring.
|
|
Stealth: You kick a piece of the stone flooring and it comes loose, clattering down the passageway. Its noise echoes throughout the area.
Knowledge (local): From what you can tell, these are burials from the oldest of times, from just after the temple was constructed until each space became full. The last burial was probably 200 years ago, maybe older.
Knowledge (religion): Everything in this crypt shows evidence of Septimus as being the reigning deity. The construction is very fine work, and was maintained well. It is obvious that once the crypt got full, no further visits were performed here, as nothing appears to have been touched for a long time.
Detect Magic: You detect some faint auras of magic coming from the location of the double doors that you see adjacent to the corner. The source is either the doors themselves, or something in the room. There are multiple auras, primarily of abjuration.
Gezzo waves the party on and quietly steps up to the doors in front of them. He looks over the double doors and leans in to listen for anything coming from the other side.
Nästród goes to and looks around.
|
|
Celif nods listening to Gezzo, she stands a few feet away from him looking around staying battle ready. I strong source of magic, its very layered making it hard to determine where its coming from. Must be many sources of great divine energy behind that door, I would presume... she whispers quietly.
|
|
Gezzo tries to open the door just enough to look inside.
|
|
Gaaah! Fire!
"Ye Gods!" Nästród says.
He tries to duck out of the way of the fire.
|
|
In the Temple:
The sun has set, and Sirena has called it a day and gone to sleep. Flug is outside examining the stars. What are the rest of you planning to do? The plan is to continue your journey tomorrow, unless something unexpected happens.
After the four members of the party went into the crypt, the door shut behind them, so you do not see or hear anything that is occurring in that location.
I bid a good night to the rest of our group in the kitchen, and go into the small healing room next to the kitchen and close the door. Then I ready myself for bed and lie down, crawling snuggly under the covers,and am very soon sound asleep.
Blasted trap! How did I miss that? Where is that rogue when we need her!
Gezzo curses as he jumps up and down, waving his arm while trying to put out he remaining flames. Once the last of the smoldering cloth is extinguished, he takes a closer look at the door.
Good job with the dagger tonight Cayden, we'll work on it a little more tomorrow. Tell me, do you know how to read?
After about an hour working with Cayden Argyros will briefly clean up before retiring to his sleeping quarters. Tomorrow is a busy day and he is accustomed to arising before the sun.
|
|
Celif stays put after channeling her positive energy, he knees down trying to get a closer look at Gezzo then turns to Nastrod the one who caught most of the flames. Do either of you need any healing? she asks kind of straight forwardly, she isn't used to these kind of things and doesn't completely know what warrants a heal these days.
Maybe we should go get the rogue, I don't want anymore surprises. Your companions may be of more help then in their absence. And it seemed Nastrod took a brutal impact of the flames and may be in need of medical assistance.
"I was nearly cooked. Let me see if I can heal myself."
The singe marks repair themselves and new greenish skin nets itself over the burns.
"I'm right as rain now." Nästród says. "Should we adjourn for the night or wake the others to press on?"
|
|
Celif looks at the amazing heal job almost admiring the perfection of it, I've been trained in healing, but never been too keen on it to be honest. Turning to Gezzo she awaits his input while adding I would like to have Ms Imowen do some poking around, I feel her addition to our exploration would be invaluable, we don't know how many other traps are in the other room. She sighs slightly realizing she's grown tired and the others must have retired already, But it is late.... and if we conclude now we can rest after and be fresh and ready for the morn...
She seems to be weighing options in her head while looking to see how far they'd gone and would have to double back for the assistance. She will walk back until her Keen Vision reveals the door has shut leaving them in the crypt, then return and relay the information to the others So I guess the choice was made for us? she concludes and rests rubbing her each calf waiting for more input.
Flug continues his stargazing, watching the position of the moon drift across the sky.
|
|
Cayden to Argyros: The training was great! I do know how to read...a little, not much. I know how to spell my name! KDIN - Cayden! The boy finds his way to an unoccupied room and is sound asleep on one of the beds as soon as his head rests on the pillow.
Gezzo scratches his chin and pulls at his beard while staring intently at the door. He waves his hand briefly over his head and mutters something under his breath without breaking his gaze.
Suddenly, he steps to the side of where the fire leapt from the door, waves the rest of the party away and when they have moved, he reaches up and tries once more to open the door.
.
.
.