Maelchar advises the others of the magical items he spotted and the exact nature of the longsword... then, while Garith gravitates to the magical shield, Maelchar turns his attention to the breastplate.
"I would be honored to wear this if no one objects... I don't know it's nature yet, but I could use a little more protection if it offers such. Pakak, your assessment?"
Recognizing the illusion for what it is, Zeriax moves after the others, marvelling at the well kept room, with its arrayed weaponry. The monk's attention is drawn to the quivers and ammunition on display, but he stands silently on watch still.
"Forgive me, I hear you tell me it is an illusion, but I can't seem to overcome it," The dwarf looks mortified and deeply embarrassed , "Otherwise I'd be able to look over the items."
Reiko - having nothing to do but lug equipment at the moment - walks through the wall and takes the dwarf by the wrist. "Close your eyes. I'll walk you through it." When he complies, she leads him through the illusory wall.
The dwarf closes his eyes, still flush with shame for his fellow Some wizard I am turning out to be. The others count on me to help explain magic, not be its victim. and is guided by his wrist.
Once through, he will cautiously open his eyes, cast detect magic, and survey the items that weren't already identified.
Pakak you close your eyes and try not to think of the solid wall as you are lead forward.
This time with the assistance you easily make it through the fake wall. Once on the other side you take a look at the equipment there and realize that the breastplate is +1, the arrow is a arrow of evil outsider slaying, and the heavy steel shield is a +1 blinding shield.
When Pakak reveals the nature of the items, Maelchar lofts a brow at the description of the shield. "That could be most useful... but care would be needed to make sure allies are not within range of it. Does anyone object if I use this breastplate? It is slightly better than my own and, since it came from this armory, I would be honored to wear it into battle."
If there are no objections, he will change breastplates.
Reiko inspects the wall by the entrance to see if there is a spy hole into the bowling room.
"Thank you, Reiko, for your assistance earlier," Pakak's embarrassment is dimmed though not all together banished.
Out of the treasure, there is little that suits him. This doesn't alarm him. The strength of one is the strength of the many.
Reiko acknowledges the wizard's comment with a nod. "It was a trivial matter, Master Pakak, no thanks are needed. Before we part ways, I'm sure you'll do far more to assist me than I will ever do for you."
Reiko takes the box carefully and moves away from the group before inspecting and attempting to open it.
Reiko carefully opens the swordcase expecting the worst after it was in the hands of the alchemist tiefling. In side she sees a magnificent longsword, not the caliber of Radiance, but a fine sword indeed. The symbol of Iomedae is on the pommel marking it as a unique weapon to be sure.
Irabeth lets out a whistle of exclamation, My sword, how did it come to be here? I sold it a while back to afford a present to Anevia but that does not explain what happened since.
Attached to the hilt is a note that reads... sword note
The sword is a +1 evil outsider bane longsword.
"Sweet weapon indeed. Reclaim it if you would, my lady. Iomedae has seen fit to place it back in your hands again. Surely it is by her design for a reason."
Reiko reads the note, twice. "So Nyserian - the master of the Grey Garrison - had dealings with the enemy. How many others, among the crusaders, allied themselves with evil?"
Every single one is one too many! Samantha says sternly as she shakes her head.
"Aye," Pakak agrees, feeling more than a little saddened
|
Garith stares at the note for a long moment, "So if Nyserian was a slave to the enemy and was made into a Vermlik's skin-suit could the same be said for the Lord Hulrun? Was he a traitor as well, or betrayed by Nyserian? That these men in whom we put such faith could..."
"Such insidious infiltration. We must continue on and cleanse this Garrison" Shall we hit the door at L:13? One person can Help Mael don the breatplate and the others can search the bodies and we'll be ready to go in 2.5 minutes
Once everyone is kitted out, the bodies searched, etc. Reiko will attempt to pick the lock on the west door.
Zeriax moves behind Reiko after adding the cold iron arrows to his quiver - "A moment if you will, friend Reiko"
He then checks the door for traps, and if none are found, proceeds in assisting with its opening.
In addition to the breastplate, Maelchar will take 10 cold iron crossbow bolts, just in case he has to fight from range at some time.
Reiko, you spend some time at the lock rounds but are unable to ge the mechanism to move at all. The complexity of the lock leaves you baffled and wondering if you could ever get it at this stage in your development. Perhaps with a much longer time studying it with some magical help and another person to assist you 'might' get it.
Zeriax tries his luck but meets with the same result after rounds. He does feel the tumbler move but thinks there is a secondary mechanism that he could not get that has to be done simultaneously.
While they are messing with the locks and Maelchar is switching armors, the rest can loot the 6 tieflings finding 6 lt crossbows, 6 rapiers, 100 bolts, 6 leather armors, a set of gambling dice that with a dex check of 15 or perform gambler 20 you can get to roll any combination you want on the dice. (If someone makes a DC 20 appraise or perception check they notice something odd about the dice though)
Reiko hrmphs at the lock. "Perhaps, we'll find a key to this door elsewhere. Shall we go find out what's rolling in the other room?"
Reiko you notice that they do have some rounded corners and some sharper corners. Holding them in your hand it seems like the weight isn't exact either. Both of these qualities allow a skilled user to roll them to come up with the desired numbers. Beyond that nothing else is unusual.
Taking longer and trying again on the lock or going to the bowling alley?
Zeriax seems a bit taken aback that his efforts did not produce any result in opening the door - "Let me try again" - he adds resolute, moving purposefully towards the door, putting down his bow carefully next to him, then retrieving a set of tools from his pack
The monk then stands motionless, listening at the door for a long period, peering below, above and around.
Then unravelling his tools, he goes to work on the lock itself, exchanging impressions with Reiko in whispered tones as he goes about it - she cannot help but notice that Zeriax seems impressed with the nature of the obstacle at hand, and addresses it with typical calmness and pragmatism.
The key does not work and Zeriax is forced to take the patient tie consuming method of manipulating the locks by hand. While he attempts this the others spread out a bit to cover the different views of the complex and prevent them all from being hit by a trap. Reiko and Samantha stay near to help though. Reiko joins in the task as Samantha chants a continuous stream of minor prayers to help Zeriax work easier. After nearly minutes of work the last tumbler falls as a dead bolt moves and the drop bar gives way freeing the door. immediately upon the door being free it flies open to reveal 3 disgusting abominations standing there. Along one wall of this long room stands a smashed sideboard. A stone staircase leads upstairs.
init
Samantha
Maelchar
Pakak
Zeriax
Reiko
Sir Garith
These look like dretches but a bit beefier and more robust (advanced)
"I don't know what they are... but they look nasty."
Maelchar makes a lucerne hammer and enchants it with lead blades.
"We have met monstrosities like these before, below Kenabres" - Zeriax warns his companions, as he takes a step back to attack - "They are Dretches, yet they look stronger than their usual semblant - be careful my friends and get ready for their poisonous cloud that causes nausea. They are resistant to cold, acid and fire, being harmed only by cold iron or weapons of good"
He had indeed seen them before, and not only below Kenabres - long time ago his master had sent the monk in a long investigation regarding the activities of a demon led group. He had learned much, and had seen creatures similar to these before - they seemed filled with a driving need to spread ruin and dismay, and even though usually not very intelligent, they were thoroughly evil.
Reiko rests her back against the wall and switches the blades in her hands. She holds the cold iron shortsword in her dominant hand, prepared to drive it into the vitals of the first dretch through the doorway.
Pakak will engulf as many of his allies as he can in his protective ward
Garith moves up and readies an attack along with Reiko and Irabeth for the first of the dretches to step out fro the doorway. Not one to wait, Zeriax steps back and unloads 2 arrows into the dretch across from the doorway. (I10 would be going through the wall so I changed it for you) Mealchar creates his hammer and performs his usual ritual to make them heavier and do more damage. Samantha calls upon the abilities of Shelyn to inspire the group while Pakak protects everyone from harm.
These dretches do not play nicely though as the first summons a stinking cloud blocking most of the sight around everyone. The other 2 start to try and summon more dretches to bolster the combat.
stinking cloud fort save DC 15 or nauseated while in the cloud and for 4d+1 afterwards. 20%miss chance 5 ft away. total concealment more than 5 ft away.
Maelchar casts Grace and moves through the doorway and past the dretches to I7 and prepares to attack next time he can act.