Valex, you want some help? Flynn says, feeling somewhat bad that he is left to open the cache alone and face whatever possible danger that might pose. He moves up beside the scholar and says; Let me know what I need to do, if anything.
Valex grins nervously, but shakes his head. "I really think the best help would be being ready to pull me out and patch me up if this goes very wrong, but thank you. Best stay clear for the nonce..."
WHen the party is clear, he returns to the entrance to the cache, takes a deep breath, and sets to work. First he casts detect Magic again, examining the aura, and using what he can see to guide his attempt at disarming the protections.
Valex reaches out to the wall, feeling the various energies and striving to find where the trigger and disarm points might be. Threading his fingers through a particularly complex weave, he finally feels the heart of the trap, and relief floods through him as he begins to divert the energy there so the trap cannot function... and then it slips his grasp like sand through a child's fingers...
*eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*
There is a blinding flash of white light and you feel energy explode around you...
...your ears are ringing, you can only hear one tone... you open your eyes, then realise they are already open, but all you can see is white...
...your hearts hammer in your chests as a rush of energy fills you, your lifeforce thrumming...
Feldus is barely able to breathe, far from being relaxing, the energy is smothering and he finds it difficult to even draw breath let alone move...
The wall where the cache resides is somehow open, revealing a low doorway into a cubicle barely able to fit the armor stand that is its sole inventory. On the stand is a set of mithril chain armor, a cloak draped across its back. Tied to the chain with a scrap of leather is a ring, and a sheathed longsword is strapped across the back of the armor. A set of boots stands underneath, and lastly a staff lies propped against the stand. All the items have a familiar-looking eye symbol etched in to them.
Feldus quivers in place, as yet unable to move or speak, but the look of terror on his face says everything.
Valex is knocked back from where he was crouched, and stares blankly up at the ceiling for well over a minute after the trap goes off. When his hearing and vision start to clear, he shakes his head and climbs shakily to his feet.
"I would guess that the trap was intended to ward out the Undead...a blast of positive energy, much like a cleric doe...used to do. Or so I guess. How I wish I had been able to disarm it - I might have been able to study it, or even take it with us. Ah, well, let us hope it worth it."
He regards the items with great interest, opening his senses to the arcane.
Spellcrafts:
Melo stands next to Echo as the flash goes off, he moves to defend himself quickly realizing his site and hearing gone he attempts to use his other scents as he sniffs at the air expecting the worst.
But as his senses return to normal he is surprised to only see an armor stand. He rubs his eyes attempting to stop the ringing and he moves to charm down Echo. "It had quite the kick for us and we aren't undead." He knees at by the large creature stroking it. "Is any of that magic Valex?"
I haven't felt anything like that since before the Harvest. Flynn muses. This stuff looks old... but powerful. he adds, hefting the longsword to test the weight.
Valex, Lilith and Lenneth do indeed surmise correctly that the blast was one of positive energy, and would have been deadly to any undead present in the area. As to its effect on Feldus, without the symbol itself to study, you are at a loss and must rely on supposition.
The air smells fresh to Melo, but he detects no other scents, the party is alone here.
Flynn reaches for the longsword, and as he heft it to test the weight, it shimmers slightly and fits in his hand better, resizing to fit the smaller warrior.
+2 deathless chainmail
Cloak of the duskwalker
Ring of force shield
+1 undead bane longsword
Boots of escape
Staff of minor arcana
Flynn hands off the longsword to Valex, and similarly does so for the other items to his companions.
These should help us a lot. he says. Nice find Valex
Once the paralysis has worn off, Feldus eyes the cubby-hole with its newfound magical items with a note of distrust in his voice, "I
am not sure exactly what the trap was but I believe the positive energy recognized my...nature, and reacted accordingly." As he looks over the boots and the ring he turns to the resident expert, "Valex, are you certain these items will not harm me...considering who, and what, I am?"
"This little detour was worth it for all of us." He looks over the items as they are handed out. "This will be a massive boost for us."
Valex ponders Feldus's question.
I don't want to rest here. Flynn says earnestly. I want to get out and find Sky. She can look after herself and she's probably holed up in a cave of her own somewhere. But I feel like I"m missing an arm or something the longer she's not with me.
How much further does this place go? I'd like to scout ahead and see if I can find a way up and out.
With the items removed from the armor stand, Valex sees and grabs a small map case marked with the Palatine Eye.
The set of rooms doesn't go any further into the rock, so it's a question of retracing your steps and heading back to the surface the way you came in.
Skyfall, Whisper and Aura are pleased to see you, the relief on their faces after your being away for some hours is readily evident. Wolf too smiles with relief.
It is getting dark, you are in the bottom of the canyon with caves on each side. Where will you camp for the night?
"I'm with Flyn on this, this place isn't right. It's too old, holds too many secrets for me to feel like resting." He looks to Flyn. "Sky has been out there awhile... She will be looking for us."
"Feldus, you should be fine to use these. There's no lingering trap or curse that I can detect."
I, too am longing for some open sky right about now. IF we can get back up out of the canyon, lets do so. If not, we can camp on the valley floor."
Flynn is astounded by how relieved he is upon seeing his best friend and contant companion. He rushes out into the canyon and throws his hands around Skyfall's neck, pressing his forehead to hers. She caws excitedly and rubs against him.
Easy, easy. I know. I won't leave you again. Good gir l for keeping them safe, good girl... he coos and hushes.
Once she has settled a little he turns to Whisper, as always finding it impossible to gauge her mood. He raises his hand to her cheek, smoothing the skin with his thumb and looking deeply into her eyes before pulling him to her into an embrace.
Feldus nods in appreciation as he equips the items recovred from the stash. "Thanks. OK Let's get out of here. I have no desire to stay close to where the demon is imprisoned."
Once the group is out under the stars Feldus offers a rare smile, for once glad to be outdoors again. "I trust none of you saw anything?" He addresses those left behind.
"As for where to camp, I am not sure. I don't believe there is any food or water here, yet it is not safe to travel at night, not here." He glances up at the caves to the side, Mayhap one of those caves be empty?"
|
I have less than positive feelings about this Palatine Eye order Valex. From all I have read they were a rich man's social club whose good intentions were often overshadowed by occult preoccupations. And now we find they were dealing with demons? I know I hail from Cheliax, but there is quite a difference between a lawful contract and dealing with the Abyss. If I could I'd cave this place in to prevent future access to that summoning circle. It may not go as well for the next group that enters this place as it did for us. Lilith will do what she can to seal the place up as they leave.
Melo smiles as he sees the others making sure to keep Echo's behind him. "We found a new friend in the cave." He steps aside to show the large animal. "Don't let its appearance put you off. We have bonded, but it's still a wild animal it will take us awhile to get used to each other but Echo is friendly." He pushes to the outside of the group taking up a position to guard the group.
"For tonight, we could sit just inside the cave. We'll have some cover and tomorrow we set off and attempt to get out of this canyon."
Lilith uses what magic she has remaining to seal the portals and doorways as the group returns to the surface.
Skyfall coos and chitters as Flynn reappears, butting his chest with her head and fluffing feathers. Whisper is tense underneath Flynn's spontaneous embrace, but after a few moments she does relax and even returns the gesture for a moment.
Aura glances around with a relieved smile
All came back, that's probably a record.
She shakes her head at Feldus
We heard some odd noises up on top of the canyon but stayed put, nothing has appeared apart from you.
Feldus has a scratch around and between he and Melo's quick impromptu search of the nearby area, locates a smaller cave that whilst self-contained, is deep enough to hide the group from at least casual scrutiny from the valley floor.
As Lilith scratches Echoes, it turns and fixes her with its attention, several colours under its skin cylcing rapidly, and she gets the scent of baked apples, with a strong association to the colour magenta impresses itself on her. Echoes turns its attention elsewhere and the sensations recede like they were never there.
Feldus grunts in reply to Lilith, keeping his distance from the alien beast. "Glad to hear it but can....Echoe help us find food? I think our supplies are OK for the moment but we have a long way to return."
"While we have time, I think we should have a look at this..." Valex says to the group, producing the sealed. FIrst, he checks it for mechanical contivances, then scans for magic.
Vaelx finds nothing, but, just in case, points the map-case away (like a champagne bottle) before opening it. HE title it an taps to extract the contents...
"With time, our bond is as strong as the one I had with Cyn. But Echos is a completely different creature." He looks over the creature still amazed by it. "We need to train, we will be a good team I'm expecting there will be a lot of surprises along the way."
The map case opens with a hiss, and you see the thin parchment inside begin to shrivel, the ink on it fading in what scant illumination twilight still provides.
Quickly you try to commit the contents to memory...
Flynn tries to catch a glimpse as well.
Melo watches expecting the worst but is quick to look over the map.