"Such strange symbols..." said Gideon as he inspects a broken leg bone that he discovered. The etching seemed to have burned into the bone's calcium, leaving a permanent stain. "Bah, arcana! Hide in your mysteries!" he said while tossing the bone towards the party. Gideon had little patience for complicated and archaic matters.
Day 1, Friday: turn 97
The group spends some time exploring the hill
Gideon, has heard stories of a great battle that took place in these Moors many centuries ago, between Drasbians and Beauvingians, but he knows none of the details, and as far as he remembers, no mention was ever made of fortifications or temples being built this far southwest of Drasbia
Sasitorn, finds no lingering traces of residual magical auras on the bone, but his knowledge of Spellcraft and History allow him to immediately identify this bone, and the way it has been marked, as a component of a rare, ritualistic, and necromantic ceremony meant to bind the souls of tortured individuals, summoned from the deepest planes of the nine hells, to a body constructed of the remains of several defiled corpses in order to animate a hideous Golem. It is believed that the spells necessary to complete this ritual are lost, or incomplete, and it is understood, by Sasithorn, that no one living today has complete knowledge of the rituals proper completion.
Finally, after all clues have been discussed, Gideon and Ribat, at the same time, spot a trail, just to the west of the hill, across a small pond, that indicates Bullywugs may have passed that direction recently.
"This unit suggests tracking our initial targets. This objective is time-sensitive, their trail liable to fade or disappear completely. Return to this location is a viable future endeavor."
I'm sorry I wasn't clear, the tracks of Undead, end here, the tracks of Bullywugs, continue on to the west.
Marvin turns to face Gideon. "This unit requests information of your objective."
Ah well, yes there is the thing itself, you see, your perception roll is high enough to determine the bone, and the markings on it, are less than a few weeks old. It would seem the ancient ritual is not as lost as some would believe
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Sasithorn does a double-take at his new "friend," and his expression becomes similar to the one he's been wearing with shocking frequency over the past 24 hours - a collage of wonder, shock, giddy excitement, and profound trepidation.
"Yes...a remarkable find. I think my question is similar to M.A.R.V.I.N's, Gideon: How quickly does your quarry move - and just how vital is it that you confront them, if it must come to that? There may be cause to...tarry here a while."
Sasithorn displays the bone theatrically before the party.
"Does everyone see this? I just declared this 'a fragment of great and terrible magic long-lost' - I was wrong. THIS is something you've all no doubt heard a tale or two of: This is a Thing That Should Not Be. Granted, there are far more interesting things in that category than this, but this is still pretty special: It is a fragment of great and terrible magic which is, at least as of a month or fortnight ago, still with us. My friends, what we fought last night was merely an irritating cloud of flies compared to what this is used to create...."
A scowl formed on Gideon's face as he was presented with two options: Search the ruins, or chase after his quarry. Had he'd been alone, the decision would have been obvious. But within the presence of allies, or people that Diarmal chose to adventure with, he had to put aside his own wants so that they could proceed.
”They...can wait. It just means that they're prolonging the inevitable” said Gideon with a sigh as he allowed his current goal of bullywog slaying to pass.
”This..presence of undead you have mentioned...disturbs me. The dead should remain that way, not walk upon this land.” Turning to face the dwarf, the Sentinel challenged Xor.
”Say Dwarf, ply your head within the rocks and find us a passage bellow.”
”Say Dwarf, ply your head within the rocks and find us a passage bellow.”
Xor falls into laughter and adds to Gideon with a defiant grin that lets his teeth show. Xor then turns his back to the smarmy elf and retrieves the hatchet and broken handle.
*Cast Detect magic on the hatchet
In a fit of inspiration Xor starts tearing out the rubble looking for really nice rocks to throw at bad people. He will examine the rubble for...stuff.
Day 1, exploring the Ruins of Bone Hill
Moving with trepidation, the party climbs down into the sunken ruin below the largest tower. Here everyone can gather that a wooden floor collapsed under the weight of stones that must have tumbled into the tower from above. The base of the tower, below ground level, is forty feet in diameter, but not perfectly round. Two of the walls of this basement level, are built square (the north and east walls) and the tower walls rest on this structure as a sort of foundation, while the curve of the round tower extends belowground in a semi-circle all along the southern and western sides of the basement level. The whole of this area is choked with rubble and debris, of stone and wood.
On the Northern wall, near where it meets the eastern wall there is a short wooden door. The door appears to be intact. It is obviously thick, heavy, and bound with iron reinforcing strips. This door is only four feet high, but it is also over four feet wide. Access to the door is –partially blocked by fallen stones and a single heavy wooden beam.
A quick examination of the door, before any ruble is removed, shows it has no magical auras, and it has no locks. A single, heavy iron, bent handle is embedded into the door on the right side.
It will take about half of an hour, with everyone helping, to clear the doorway so that it can be open.
Must we all work like dogs? thought Gideon as he was faced with a new challenge.
Looking towards his new comrades, he crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby wall.
"So, I don't suppose you magic types have a way to clear all this out? Any prayers or flotsam spells?" He was certain to have quite the smug air as he looked at the Wayang and his cousin.
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A quick examination of the door, before any ruble is removed....
Gideon's comment fails to register in Sasithorn's ears, as having checked for easily visible magic and other tricks or traps, his attention has too quickly been commandeered by another remarkable find, tugged out from underneath a rock: a small, perfectly rectangular scroll bearing a few inscriptions that are curiously organized and in an alphabet Sasithorn is at a complete loss to identify, as well as the likeness of a bald human male with a high brow, a short and sharply-pointed beard, and a dignified but grim expression near the corner, and is otherwise covered in abstract designs and symbols of staggeringly fine detail and workmanship. He is shocked to discover that it is utterly devoid of magic.
Perhaps it is best, thinks Sasithorn as he gingerly places the mysterious parchment back where he found it, that some mysteries remain mysteries for now.
He then abruptly turns back to the assemblage.
"Pardon? It appears we have something of a chore ahead of us - but as the Basconde folk saying goes, 'once begun is half done.'"
Diarmal smiles, already leaning over to heave the first piece of rubble out of the way. "I agree with Sasithorn, good cos'," he says with a chuckle, "Lady Aisling would not help us if we could not first help ourselves. 'Tis but a trifle of an obstacle for our company."
Ribat starts pitching in to clear the way.
Marvin aids in clearing the rubble, removing stones and debris with methodical precision.
Xor scratches his head deep in thought mmmmm...Wha this towa fell down naht to long ago.
Tess stays close behind Xor as he examines the ruins, and when the group begins to uncover the Door, she is behind him, taking direction from him as to where she should stand and what she should do.
After a few minutes of work she leans her head close to Xor and asks, in a whisper
Do you think we are safe doing what we are doing?
She glances around the ruin and then slides her lower body closer to Xor, and says, Is there a chance it might collapse even more?
Sasithorn, Paulina asks as she helps clear rocks from the base of the doorway, Do you suspect that the ritual you are talking about is somehow connected to the undead creatures who attacked the village? Do you think that there is something below these ruins that will explain what is going on here?
I for one, think we are wasting our time, Nathaniel says, trying not to sound too cross.
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Tess stays close behind Xor as he examines the ruins, and when the group begins to uncover the Door, she is behind him, taking direction from him as to where she should stand and what she should do.
After a few minutes of work she leans her head close to Xor and asks, in a whisper
Do you think we are safe doing what we are doing?
We ah alot safer than being in that god forsaken town Xor grumbles
She glances around the ruin and then slides her lower body closer to Xor, and says, Is there a chance it might collapse even more?
Aye lassie
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"Those flimsy husks from last night?" Sasithorn replies to Paulina. "They were common parlor tricks compared to what this" He waves the inscribed bone in Paulina's face "is meant to be part of. Besides, this ritual was supposed to have dissolved from living memory ages ago - but it appears that's not the case! What careless fools would we be if we neglected such an opportunity as this? Then there's the matter of those fascinating planar entities, almost as much what we would call 'phenomena' as what we would call 'creatures' which I'm fairly certain are a matter altogether apart from this. As we say, māk k̄hụ̂n khwām lụklạb t̄hūk peidp̄hey māk k̄hụ̂n khwām lụklạb yạng khng xyū̀: The more the mystery is revealed, the more the mystery remains. That being said, at least two extraordinary, and not wholly dissimilar, magical discoveries so close together in time and space? What can we do but investigate both as best we may? The pursuit of knowledge carries risk - but ignorance offers nothing but a guarantee of continued powerlessness."
Gideon yawns dramatically.
"You magic types are all the same. Boost your egos with self importance and flaunt your intelligence like a brute with a cudgel." after he was satisfied with saying his piece, he eyed Xor who had been doing the one thing his kind excelled at -playing with stones.
"Are you done yet?" said Gideon to Xor.
Day 1, Turn 101
Approximate time of day, 4:40pm
In a short while the door is cleared of debris. Nathaniel asks everyone to take a safe position, even take advantage of cover in the rubble, as he gets ready to open the door.
Look, we don’t know what is going to be on the other side of this door, so everyone be ready
He stands to the side of the door, and using it a s a shield he pulls on the handle.
When the door is opened it reveals a narrow flight of stairs descending down into the ground. It is dark. There is no sound, no unusual smells, only a flight of stairs going down, down, beyond the range of anyone’s vision.
Hoisting his greatsword into swinging position, Gideon steps forward.
"All I ask is that you mind your weapons as we're advancing."
Xor wipes his brow after moving the rubble .
It looks dark down there, Tessrimea quips into Xor’s ear. Can I have one of your rocks to cast a light spell upon? The duration is not long, but I can cast the simple spell many times. It will illuminate a small area for us.
Day 1, Friday, turn 101
Gideon proceeds first on the steps, and in the dim light of Tessrimea’s spell, he can see only a few feet in front of him. The walls here are made of closely fitted backed bricks of mud, reinforced with thick wooden beams on the walls and on the ceiling above your head. The ceiling here is LOW, and Gideon and Diarmal must lower their heads slightly. This probably give Xor a smile
The steps are constructed from large single pieces of cut stone.
The steps descend sixty feet downward below the level of the basement of the tower.
It looks dark down there, Tessrimea quips into Xor’s ear. Can I have one of your rocks to cast a light spell upon? The duration is not long, but I can cast the simple spell many times. It will illuminate a small area for us.
Naht a problem, Ah'll do one also Hands Tess a rock, casts light on a rock and drops it down the rabbithole.
"While I must confess my lack of martial prowess, allow me to also shed some light upon this darkness."
Diarmal leans forward and presses his hand to his cousin's back, allowing his armor to shed the warm light of Lady Aisling.
"And may I further suggest that those of you with some combat skill follow closely behind my cousin. I will keep to the rear of our company."
Marvin falls into formation behind Paulina and addresses her. "Agent Southmiller, please watch for out-of-age construction. The trace of hydraulic fluid found earlier suggests possible engineering outside of this planet's knowledge."
I only wish I'd brought a sample kit, Paulina says to Marvin.
Day 1, Friday, turn 101
The rock, tossed by Xor, clatters and bounces off the stone stairs. The light it sheds illuminates the narrow stair as the rock tumbles, and then it is clear that the stairs curve to the right as the light, and sound of the rock tumbling from step to step, fades away and eventually goes out of sight completely.
The party pauses, waiting for some reaction to the rock’s travels to the bottom of the stairs, but there is only silence, for a while.
Then from below there is a sound. It is a loud buzz, followed by several loud clicks, and then it is quiet again. After another brief moment, a soft red glow is seen coming from the stairs below.
Looks lahk we gaht comp'ny comin Xor readies his MWK rock
"nepriateľ sa blíži!" said Gideon in Drasbian to his companions. A cool sweat came across his brow as he was entering what would become another combat encounter for the sentinel. While he relished the glory of a fight, he was beset with something strange. Normally, he had been the hunter, having stalked his prey and anticipated their movements, but now, partly blinded by the dark, all he could make out was a low red glow and clattering sounds, which did not bode well.
Prepare yourselves!
Assuming a stance that would provide a great overhand chop, Gideon steadied himself upon the stairs.
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Shadows around him, in front of him, and falling from his companions like ripe fruit, Sasithorn works to make himself as inconspicuous as he can manage to be out of simple atavistic instinct as much as anything else as he waits for the proverbial other shoe to drop.
Having to stand with the bulk of the ambient light behind him relative to whatever waits below is not working to his advantage, however. There is also the matter of his acquired instincts as a diplomat - he attempts some rather daunting mental gymnastics in the hope he can interpret the insectoid clicking to any constructive degree.
Though no one else may see it, Sasithorn's expression briefly becomes that of one who has opened a door only to see something horrific on the other side and then slammed it shut as quickly as they were able.
Day 1, Friday, turn 101
After Gideon’s warning, there is an awkward and uneasy silence.
Step by step, the party continues downward. The Stairs curve, gradually, to the right, and continue. The soft red glow and a high pitch hum continue, but nothing approaches from below.
Finally, Gideon can see that the stairs come to an end, just a few more steps to go. The ceiling comes down low there, and even the dwarves must stoop to go through into the chamber beyond.
No creature appears, no sign of anything at all, but the red glow is definitely coming from the chamber beyond.
Gideon halts the group and approaches the opening to the chamber, staying close to the wall as he goes. He dares a peek into the chamber, and the n waves for the others to follow.
What is discovered is unusual to say the least.
It is a wide and long chamber with a strange roof. The whole area was probably excavated centuries ago. The walls are lined with bricks, reinforced with timbers every five feet, and these timbers support a roof that angles from each of the long sides of the chamber to a point twenty feet overhead. The chamber is eight feet long and thirty feet wide. You entered the chamber from an opening, accessing the long flight of stairs, on one of the short sides, and eighty feet away there is a similar opening in the center of the far wall. Perhaps this was once a storage cellar for whatever type of fortification once stood above. It is cool, but not damp, and a steady breeze blows toward you from the opposite direction.
Along the right hand wall of this chamber there are several makeshift tables, but no chairs, benches or stools can be seen. The tables are bare, except for one table near the center of the wall and this is covered by strange looking devices. The devices have glowing crystal like objects fixed on the fronts of them, surrounded by round looking knobs, and switches.
The red glow in the room comes from globes suspended on hooks embedded in the wooden trusses that support the bricks of the ceiling and these orbs are connected by some kind of heavy black rope that trails across the ceiling, and then comes down to the ground on the opposite wall, across from the table with the strange objects, where there is a box on the floor. The box is about three feet long, and two feet high and wide. The box is humming.
Xor will take a stroll following the walls looking for an exit.
Wahl naw, This aint sometin ya see everyday
Marvin moves in to investigate the room, glancing at it as a whole before taking a closer look at the devices on the occupied table. The unit's corrupted databanks attempts to make sense of them but returns [DATA CORRUPTED] or [DATA NOT FOUND] more often than not.
Marvin afterwards approaches the humming box, wondering if their presence somehow activated it or it had been in stand-by mode until they arrived.
"Agent Southmiller?" Marvin says, deducing this to be out-of-age construction.
Following his companions' lead, Diarmal approaches the humming box and examines it - being very wary of actually touching the device.
Day 1, Friday, turn 102
The box on the floor is marked with strange symbols, that almost resemble normal letters and numbers but are not in any common script of any language any of you know. The best approximation of the markings would be, in common
RSIA EOOLA UDGOOL
Don’t. Touch. Anything. Paulina speaks quietly and slowly as she moves to the front of the group.
This equipment doesn’t belong here. That box on the ground is a low power hydrogen reclaiming generator. And that gear on the desk is a long range transmitter, but it is old, a few hundred years old at least. Now, if there is a beacon available I might be able to get a message to the Falchion, a system defense boat under the Galleon League, a mercenary company under contract with the Palantegran Consortium. They might be within range, and if I can reach them they could be here in a few days, collect this equipment and take a status report for me to the x-boat lane near this system and then …
Paulina looks around the room in the soft glow of the red light and realizes no one understands what she is saying. She puts her hand on her forehead and lets out a sigh.
Alright, never mind. Look some of you check that other passageway there, she points to the other end of the room. Gideon, you and Nathaniel go back above ground and scout around the area. You are looking for a slender metal tower, it will be about nine feet high with several small boxes mounted at the base. If you find one, get back here right away. I’ll see if the transmitter is functional.
@_@....OK I be checkin that passageway
While Diarmal 'hmms' at the strange lack of magic in these chambers, he abruptly realizes that Paulina has made a request of them. Nodding to the equally strange woman, he quickly follows behind Xor and Sasithorn.