Hengist frowns and scratches his head. "I do not recall...perhaps a Scholar? Or...a wizard?" When Hayden comes up with the Hunter, he snaps his fingers. "Yes! That it is!" He chuckles. "I am not such a great scholar of the gods, indeed, beyond the Master of Masters. But the glorious Rajana knew Aroden well, and often talked of him."
Once the rubbings are done, he lifts the torch and proceeds to move forward. "Shall we on to the next cave?"
O World's Most Interesting GM, I grouped Hengist's icon and the circle of torchlight on the map to make it easier to move. Hope that's ok!
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Creepy_Nina wrote:
Nina, while everybody is looking at the drawings, swishes the new cloak back and forth a few times.
It's so pretty... do you think it could be magic? Or a special treasure?
Mr. Monty looks at it for a moment, letting his magic flow through him.
Almost forgot about that cloak. Detect magic....
It is a very pretty magical cloak that shines with the faint glow of abjuration magic.
Hengist the Mighty wrote:
O World's Most Interesting GM, I grouped Hengist's icon and the circle of torchlight on the map to make it easier to move. Hope that's ok!
That's perfectly fine. A lot of folks get confused when I do that, or cover over the other character's icons so I usually leave them separate to avoid confusion.
As a side note to the party anyone who got to look at the first spoiler tag in this chamber knows the basic tenants of Aroden's faith and the standard names his twelve guises. Those revealed in the spoilers/discovered by the party are the only ones left legible on the cave walls.
|AC 18, T 10, FF 18 (+4 vs SA/AoO)|HP: 31/31|F +3, R 0, W +8 (+2 vs Illusion)|Init +3, Perc +6|CMB +1 CMD 10|Wagon 1/1, Mystery Initiate 1/1, Stardust 5/5, Tongues 4/4, Guiding Star 1/1
"Oh, let me see that," Says Alexis, gesturing for the cloak.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
The soft light of the surrounding fungus mixes with the flickering glow of the nearby torches to reveal a grand, dimly-lit chamber. A large pool of water along the chamber’s southern edge reflects the blue and green radiance to illuminate the massive stalactites that cling to the ceiling overhead. Two other tunnels branch off from this area, leading to the east and west. Rising up from the pool is a column of rock with steeply sloped sides and a flat top, as if someone had sawn off the top of a massive stalagmite. A miniature city carved from this same stone occupies nearly the entire surface. Tiny trinkets such as ancient coins, polished semiprecious stones, and ornately braided loops of string are scattered throughout the diorama, and pale cave frogs clamber atop it. The smooth cavern floor is covered in gravel and pebbles along the edge of the pool, and several foot-long centipedes prowl among the gravel in their search for prey.
A frail old man with a long, damp fringe of colorless hair kneels in meditation in the water before the miniature. His back is turned to the party. A frill of fish gills open, and close rythimically below his jawline on his neck. He seems to have not noticed the group's approach.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Alexis "The Odd" Trismegistis wrote:
"Oh, let me see that," Says Alexis, gesturing for the cloak.
|AC 18, T 10, FF 18 (+4 vs SA/AoO)|HP: 31/31|F +3, R 0, W +8 (+2 vs Illusion)|Init +3, Perc +6|CMB +1 CMD 10|Wagon 1/1, Mystery Initiate 1/1, Stardust 5/5, Tongues 4/4, Guiding Star 1/1
"Ah. This is what they call a Cloak of Resistance. It is supposed to protect the wearer from misfortune."
She offers it to Karayan, judging him to be the most fragile.
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Sir Hayden calls from down the stone corridor, but the figure does not seem to move.
Hengist trots forward, staying close to Hayden so that he doesn't step out of the torch's light (though it sheds dim light through most of the chamber). He gazes around, impressed, at the large cavern. "Quite the space!"
|AC 18, T 10, FF 18 (+4 vs SA/AoO)|HP: 31/31|F +3, R 0, W +8 (+2 vs Illusion)|Init +3, Perc +6|CMB +1 CMD 10|Wagon 1/1, Mystery Initiate 1/1, Stardust 5/5, Tongues 4/4, Guiding Star 1/1
Alexis approaches the diorama, collecting a small pile of rocks to stand on so she can get a better look.
"Exquisite...I wonder...."
Noticing the many baubles and other adulterations to the fine work, she takes out a piece of chalk and delicately inscribes the phrase Nib Imnet Hem Maa on one of the walls in Ancient Osirian hieroglyphs.
Ancient Osirian:
"Nib Imnet Hem Maa" is Ancient Osirian (or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof) for "remember what is learned."
Knowledge (Religion, History, or Nobility) DC 25:
This is one of the sacred utterances taught to members of the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye.
Male Dwarf Bloodrager 1 [HP 13/13 | AC/ff/t 17/15/12 | F+5/R+2/W-1 (+2 v. poison, spells) | CMB +3 CMD 15 (+4 vs bull rush +6 vs trip +10 vs disarm) | Spd 20' Init+2 Per+4 | Rage 7/7 Hellfire 3/3 |
Uncaring about the room's illumination, Balgrym steps to the edge of the water and looks across via darkvision to see the details of the other side. He shrugs and pulls out his grappling hook, looking for suitable purchase on the far wall.
Noting the light of Hengist's torch, and Karayan standing on the ledge to his side, the strange aquatic man turns and rises to gaze upon the party. He is old and pale, the color of a fish's underbelly. His eyes are a fathomless violet. His clothing (what little there is) is opalescent in the blue-tinged light, and accented with beads of which he wears aplenty around his neck, ankles and wrists.
He makes a sign with his webbed hands, and bows, but does not take his striking eyes off of the party.
The aquatic man's eyes flicker meaningfully between his former seat, and Karayan meaningfully, and after a beat he crosses his arm over his chest, and his frown deepens a bit more.
Male Vanara 1 Fighter (Drill Seargent) 5 Unchained Monk (Sage Counselor) HP 55 I AC 17:Touch17:FF14 I Fort 8:Ref 5: Will 5 I CMB 7:CMD 21 I Speed 40ft Climb 20ft I Ki Pool 5
"I wonder..."
Mr. Monty walks next to the gillperson and sits down in the same sort of prayer like position.
"no harm praying to a dead god after all."
He makes a show of praying before the diarama. Nina eyes the low azlanti nervously as Mr. Monty sits close.
Half Elf Divine Hunter Paladin 4 / Life Oracle 2 [HP 62/62 | AC 20/13/17 | F+10 R+7 W+11 (+2 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. death effects) | Init +3 | Perception +5, Sense Motive +7]
Hayden joins Karayan and bows to the gillman, imitating his own gesture. "We did not wish to disturb your ritual, though we are interested in it and you too. Do you worship Aroden?"
Hayden joins Karayan and bows to the gillman, imitating his own gesture. "We did not wish to disturb your ritual, though we are interested in it and you too. Do you worship Aroden?"
The aquatic man looks intently at Sir Hayden's mouth as the man speaks up.
Half Elf Divine Hunter Paladin 4 / Life Oracle 2 [HP 62/62 | AC 20/13/17 | F+10 R+7 W+11 (+2 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. death effects) | Init +3 | Perception +5, Sense Motive +7]
"Oh, you can speak. No, I don't worship him either. My goddess is the Dawnflower. I'm curious, then. Why are you here? This seems to be an old temple to Aroden." He gestures back towards the carvings.
"Do not your people live in what was once the crater of the Starstone? Just because this place was once sacred to the now worm-eaten God of Humanity does not mean it has meaning only for you Low Humans. Still one cannot be too careful here. There are other things in these depths that are not as cordial as you and I."
Half Elf Divine Hunter Paladin 4 / Life Oracle 2 [HP 62/62 | AC 20/13/17 | F+10 R+7 W+11 (+2 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. death effects) | Init +3 | Perception +5, Sense Motive +7]
Sense Motive:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
"Other things? Like what?" He suddenly realizes they haven't even exchanged names. "Oh, my apologies. I am Sir Hayden. I'm pleased to meet you. Perhaps you can tell us more of your ritual. We'd love to learn."
"Uori am I to some. Charmed...." He he stares at Sir Hayden for a beat from beneath leaden eyelids. He continues in a professorial tone. "The things in the deep caves of this place are unknown to me. Only I know that they are deadly to my folk. My business at present however is not with them."
|AC 18, T 10, FF 18 (+4 vs SA/AoO)|HP: 31/31|F +3, R 0, W +8 (+2 vs Illusion)|Init +3, Perc +6|CMB +1 CMD 10|Wagon 1/1, Mystery Initiate 1/1, Stardust 5/5, Tongues 4/4, Guiding Star 1/1
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Alexis "The Odd" Trismegistis wrote:
Did what I did to the diorama have any effect?
Sorry, I hadn't seen you move, and must have skipped the word 'diorama'. I thought you were still on dry land.
Alexis "The Odd" Trismegistis wrote:
Alexis approaches the diorama, collecting a small pile of rocks to stand on so she can get a better look.
I also have a question: Are you creating a "grading" to rise the floor up out of the water a significant amount? If so, it wouldn't work in the time allotted. The water gets deeper the further in like at a beach. Judging by the accompanying artwork (Uori kneeling up to his knees in water) and the description it is about three-feet deep by the second or third square in (so at or above Alxis' head). It would take heavy lifting equipment, or hours and hours of time and people to even rise a workable 1-1/2 foot pathway over the 15-feet of distance. Currently the water is such that Alexis, and Morty would both have to Swim the last 10 feet (or ride piggy-back on a Medium character who could wade awkwardly out) to get close to the miniature. At present it would be like tossing rocks in a pond, and eventually you would have to resort to busting more.
What's more without any explanation or description of your civil engineering plan aside from the one on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard' Alexis quickly gets the vibe from the pond's current resident--Uori, that perhaps he doesn't like the idea too much.
That said, If Alexis does swim out, she could use the chalk on it. But let me know that's what you're doing.
|AC 18, T 10, FF 18 (+4 vs SA/AoO)|HP: 31/31|F +3, R 0, W +8 (+2 vs Illusion)|Init +3, Perc +6|CMB +1 CMD 10|Wagon 1/1, Mystery Initiate 1/1, Stardust 5/5, Tongues 4/4, Guiding Star 1/1
I thought the diorama was on dry land. I pictured most of the chamber being a bed of small stones that could be cobbled together easily, hence my actions.
Half Elf Divine Hunter Paladin 4 / Life Oracle 2 [HP 62/62 | AC 20/13/17 | F+10 R+7 W+11 (+2 vs. enchantment, +2 vs. death effects) | Init +3 | Perception +5, Sense Motive +7]
"Perhaps, we could explore and ensure your safety while you are here?" He glances back at the others. "If we have ensured there are no threats, perhaps you could explain to us more about your people and the importance of this place."
|AC 18, T 10, FF 18 (+4 vs SA/AoO)|HP: 31/31|F +3, R 0, W +8 (+2 vs Illusion)|Init +3, Perc +6|CMB +1 CMD 10|Wagon 1/1, Mystery Initiate 1/1, Stardust 5/5, Tongues 4/4, Guiding Star 1/1
"You might say that we are pilgrims like yourself; we come here seeking ancient knowledge and personal illumination."
aid Sir Hayden's Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
I guess if I have to actually swim to the diorama, I'll leave it alone (although it might be different if all I'd have to do is wade).
Hengist nods eagerly. "I am Hengist the mighty!" he says cheerfully, relaxing slightly now that the Azlanti is speaking and nothing's leaped out of the water. "I would be most happy to lend my arm in your service, if you need."
He doesn't believe in 'game balance'. Gandalf always lets him pass. As a feat, he has Exotic Weapon Proficiency (beard). The city guard often question him, just because they find him so interesting. His dice bag is woven from tarrasque leather. His TPKs end game lines. His blood cures moderate wounds. He once punched a flumph. Yes, you heard me. He belongs to a prestige class whose sole requirement for entry is just being him. ♬ He is indeed, the most interesting GM in the world. ♬
Alexis "The Odd" Trismegistis wrote:
I thought the diorama was on dry land. I pictured most of the chamber being a bed of small stones that could be cobbled together easily, hence my actions.
Yeah, it is in the description, but easy to miss. Essentially it is like a small plateau sticking up out of the water. I added one to the map because normally it's not there. The water is not shallow enough for a small character to wade across.
"Perhaps, we could explore and ensure your safety while you are here?" He glances back at the others. "If we have ensured there are no threats, perhaps you could explain to us more about your people and the importance of this place."
Alexis "The Odd" Trismegistis wrote:
"You might say that we are pilgrims like yourself; we come here seeking ancient knowledge and personal illumination."
"I have warned you of the danger. I count my task done. Now if you will excuse me. I am old for my kind, and would wish to spend what time I have in meditation."
Hengist nods, and turns to the others. "Well then! Shall we venture into one of the side passages? They may lead anywhere, and I have little doubt that they would be helpful to our report!"
He eyes the water as he does so. Is it shallow enough for a medium character to wade?
Hengist nods, and turns to the others. "Well then! Shall we venture into one of the side passages? They may lead anywhere, and I have little doubt that they would be helpful to our report!"
He eyes the water as he does so. Is it shallow enough for a medium character to wade?
Yes. The water comes up past Hengist's waist, so Medium-sized folks have the option of wading or swimming.
Balgrym One Hand wrote:
"Deadly things in the side passages? Sounds like something to investigate."
Uori considers the party's words, then says: "Would it help your decision to leave to say that several of my fellow pilgrims have not returned home from this place? I'm sure there all sorts of secrets, forgotten treasures, and nameless horrors that one might unearth--should one go deep into the tunnels, far away from here."
sense motive (another hunch) DC 15:
Scram! Can't you see I'm trying to commune here! And keep off the damn moss! Kids today. I tell ya....
Male Vanara 1 Fighter (Drill Seargent) 5 Unchained Monk (Sage Counselor) HP 55 I AC 17:Touch17:FF14 I Fort 8:Ref 5: Will 5 I CMB 7:CMD 21 I Speed 40ft Climb 20ft I Ki Pool 5
Mr. Monty and Nina seem to ignore the other's conversation with the low Azlanti, and instead, talk among themselves. After a bit, Monty sits by with a grumpy defeated look on his face as Nina kneels by the water.
Eidolon 1 | AC 15 (Mage Armor +4 Barkskin +2(21)) T 14 FF 11 (Mage Armor +4 (15)) | CMD 11 | hp 7| F +3 R +1 W +0 | Spd 20' | Init +1 | Skills- Perception +4, Disguise +12, Bluff +4, Sense Motive +4, Diplomacy +4
Perception 15:
Nina sits at the water's edge for a moment and takes a soft breath before uttering a soft prayer.
Aroden... they say you're a dead god. But who better to be a god for me than a dead god? And if people worship gods here... I want to do that too. So... I hope that you don't mind... let's see... um.... oh, offerings! that's a thing you're supposed to give a god right?
She takes a moment to see if any of the fish are near enough for her to snatch one.
(Take ten if possible. If not..) Attack the fish! Claw at nearest target:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Barring that, she looks to see if there are any creepy crawlies that she can skewer and lay in front of the diorama.
(Also take ten if possible. If not...) Attack the Bug! Claw at nearest target:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Perception 15:
Nina takes her prey (I assume a captured fish) and snaps it's back, laying it down on the ground before the Diorama.
Dead god.... watch over me and Monty, if you can. If not, I'll come visit you when your travels are done. Perhaps I can tell you some stories that will make your slumber more restful, and your absence from those you called yours less painful. But if you can,
I would appreciate all the help I can get.
Hengist nods. "We will leave you shortly." He turns to the others. "I would see that object more closely..." Keeping the torch well out of the water, he wades out to the diorama to examine it closely.
