The detect magic does reveal a necromantic Aura.
the aura is a powerful curse
the knowledge check reveals very little other than this bears a resemblance to a ghoul
"There's a powerful curse on--" Tatsuo is interrupted by the book flying away from the dead creature and its subsequent animation. He was so focused on discerning the magics in the area that he didn't have time to react. Sora, on the other hand, does. She hadn't really been listening to whatever the silly bi-peds had been talking about anyway as she snaps at the creature.
Sora attempts to bite at the creature before in can make a move but the coffin sides prevent a solid bite.
Narrowing her eyes after her near miss, Sora coils her neck up like a snake before quickly lashing out to bite the creature once more. Sadly, her moment of preparation does nothing to improve her aim.
Seeing that there was no point continuing his comment, Tatsuo doesn't bother trying to continue. Instead, she starts to give a low whistle that, to the creature at least, seems to slowly escalate in pitch until an air wave crackling with electricity rips through the air to crash into its body.
The sound is silent all but the Ghoul, He quickly places his hands over his ears effectively nullifying his retaliation for at least 1 round.
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex, +4 natural)
damage taken = 10
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +7
Defensive Abilities Channel Resistance +2; Immune ability drain, bleeds, death effects, energy drain,
exhaustion, fatigue, physical ability damage, disease, mind-affecting, non-lethal damage, paralysis, poison,
sleep, stunning, Undead Traits
CMB +5; CMD 19
Delkaneth does not even pay attention to the book as it floats away from the coffin, relying on the spell to keep it away from the creature. Recalling what he knows about ghouls causes him to hesitate only for a moment as he draws weapons and attacks. He feels the press of his allies around him but trusts his luck to get him through. Unfortunately it is not enough and neither strike lands.
Everything happens so fast, poor undead Dairoo, barely had a chance. he is destroyed.
Miya, you are unable to tell if the spell worked or not as Conner and Felix put it down just as your spell went off.
Felix pores over the map. What's it mean you guys think?
Also among the remains is a journal book written in a strange language.
It is in ancient Azlanti
"Mind if I look at the journal?"
"Oh, wow. I can't read it, but I've seen it before. This is from the ancient Azlantean - Azlantic - Azlan... The language is Azlanti, whatever you call the people that spoke it."
Tatsuo shakes his head. "I do not. We might be able to acquire magicks to help if need be. Though this," he points to the mounds above Haanex, "Looks to me a little like Dairoo and perhaps a date of some sort? It doesn't look especially precise, but if we found a regular map of this area, we might be able to match up the general settings. That angry looking tower in the top-right seems like a pretty distinct landmark."
Looks like these were travels made? And these places were visted on those dates? Anybody up on geography and history? My schooling's pretty much focused on beasties.
Delkaneth is focusing on the map until he hears Tatsuo speak. "I know the incantation that will allow me to read it for a short time. Might be worth taking a quick peek now before letting others know what we've found?"
"Well, for now we should perhaps lay Dairoo back to rest in his grave. Once that is done, I think it likely we may need to ask Veoden what he can make of the map since I have no ideas about it." Tatsuo closes the lid to the casket and redoes the lock . Making use of what time they have left for their super-carrying magic, he ushers the coffin back into its grave and begins to refill the pit with dirt.
Yeah, we got what we came for. Unless we want to destroy all the undead here let's get back to the tower so we can figure this map out
"May I?" Miyaro reaches for the map to see if she recognizes anything.
You make your way back to the tower and together with Veoden you start to decipher the map and the journal.
the section of the map that says Dai Weenoo seems to be some ancient burial mounds. still guarded by ancient spirits.
Diread Osooka is an ancient Azlanti obelisk. this is suspected to be the origin of the undead state that Walker Dairoo had suffered.
Dai Dirounai is the site of a meteorite landing. the bottom of a large crater. (this area is also in the heart of goblin country)
Oogiir Ceurt as the name almoat sounds like, this is the "Ogre Court" so obviously there are Ogres here.
Doowar This is a Dwarven clan burial ground and by all indications the clan still uses this area as a burial ground.
Neer Rool a large lake, a creature lurks beneath the surface that feeds on creatures that wander near the edge of the lake.
Oodum Waif, this is the fire swamp
this are the key descriptions that you were able to find in the journal.
A lot of these places seem daangerous Felix whistles. Doowar we might actually be able to talk to folk though. Hey weren't there dwarven merchants in the town? If they're still there maybe we can talk to 'em and see if we can get an audience with the clan whose burial ground this is?
"The undead are interesting to study, but not so easy to defeat.....give me a straight up fight with a goblin over some ghostly spirit any day!"
Muses, "The meteorite crater's date matches his death date on the stone. Do you think that's significant? Goblin country doesn't sound inviting, though."
I'm fine with either Dwarves or Goblins Felix opines.
"A lake monster sounds interesting. Though if we're eventually going to all these places, that would should wait until we have magic to prevent drowning. And the date might be significant. At the very least, goblins sound more inviting than ogres. And it would also deal with Del's desire to fight something other than undead. Though Felix has a point that perhaps the Dwarven burial ground would have people we could talk to. Or it would just have undead dwarves. Perhaps before deciding we should at least attempt to figure out which of the two possibilities are at the Dwarven graves?"
Miyaro has pointed out the one clue she sees. She doesn't feel like she has been around enough to have earned the right to push the party in one direction or another, so she keeps her mouth shut. She just waits for the others to determine a direction.
So the decision is made to venture into goblin territory to investigate the meteor crash site.
Veoden offers 3 potions of cure moderate wounds to the party and offers to finance any incidentals the group may which to purchase for the trip (not to exceed 200 gold for the group).
the journey out of Haanex is mostly uneventful. the first thing you learn though is that the map is not drawn to scale. and after almost a whole day of travel you seem to have barely moved on the map.
the trail ahead winds into a small wooded area.
the road ahead looks like a perfect spot for an ambush by bandits if there were any on the road
the road ahead looks like it has been used very recently and there are some oddities in the trees. something is not right
I'd be worried about ambushes in a spot like this Felix alerts the group.
Sora growls softly at the small wooded area, placing herself protectively between Tatsuo and it. She begins to sniff at the air as Tatsuo squints, trying to make out what's in the trees. He places one hand protectively on Sora as gold vapor begins to pour out of his hands to form protective armor on her.
"Well, one possibility is to go around it. Another is that I should be able to illuminate the area a bit better even from a distance. I would imagine anybody waiting in ambush can already see us, so no use being especially sneaky." The storm tattoos on his arms slowly begin to move and the ink lightning bolts flash four times, each one depositing a small glowing orb in the man's open hand. Carefully Tatsuo edges forward before tossing them up in the air.
Seeing the others' sudden concern for the road ahead, Miyaro checks her crossbow and readies an action to conjure up some ammunition if it should become necessary.
As the party advances with caution, expecting an ambush or attack, you round the first bend with no attack.
just ahead you see a wagon with no wheels lying in the path. A man with what seems to be his wife nearby.
as you are in view the man looks up at your group and pulls his wife closer to his side.
you can make out someone behind the wagon on the ground attempting to hide. you see no weapons pointed at you.
you see the previous spoiler, but also the person behind the wagon may be injured
Hello. Felix calls out We don't mean you any harm if you don't mean us any. We're just worried about bandits and the like. Can the person hiding behind the wagon please show themselves?
Not seeing anything yet but trusting Felix's instincts, Delkaneth readies himself for the impending ambush.
Tatsuo frowns. "Why doesn't their wagon have wheels? Either they want it to look like bandits attacked or bandits did attack. If the latter, why would they steel wagon wheels?" Sora watches the wagon, growling softly as Tatsuo looks at the surrounding forest for any sign of ambushes.
The couple by the wagon cautiously take some steps toward the party. no weapons are drawn.
the man looks back toward the one behind the wagon. Serge, it's alright, they are not dog men. he yells back.
turning to the party. we mean no harm, we were attacked. do you have a healer among your group?
Miyaro holds back, watching for other threats even as she processes the man's remark. Dog-men?
he seems to be referring to gnolls. Daresh employs gnolls as was evidenced back when the group first met her.
The man indicates the man behind the wagon. Serge took a nasty gash to the gut it doesn't seem to be healing right.
at first she thinks she saw some movement in a nearby tree, but then she sees a bird fly off into the sky.
The girl speaks up. "We are traveling through and mean no harm. If we can aid you, it's only right to do so. If the man in the tree seeks to do harm to us, things are likely to go poorly for him. What are his intentions?"