Looking to your right, beyond the pillars where the light starts to dim to a lack of fungus, is a heap of the black sludge from earlier. Taking note of that, the staircase's base actually seems to have a small trace of the black sludge, as if the beast tried to come through here, but apparently couldn't fit. Closer inspection reveals it actually went into the area south of the staircase, heaping up it's muck and throwing things aside, even pillars.
To your left, is something entirely different beyond the pillars.
From what you can tell, a creature is sitting atop an altar, though you can't make good on what it's doing there. Squinting, you notice that it seems to be flipping through a book, and even closer inspection reveals a pasty skinned humanoid, but, you can't make out much more than that.
There seems to also be a corpse in the water, as well as another robed body slumped against the pillar it's sitting on. Oh, and it's in the middle of eating an arm. You can make that out, atleast.
Dalton's eyes widen as he takes in the scene, attempting to reconstruct what may have happened here in his mind. As his eyes scan to the left, and he notices the two figures immersed in their respective, grim tasks, he freezes, and holds up one hand in warning, then lowers all but two fingers, and then points straight ahead with those fingers.
Correction: Dalton holds up one finger, then points forward into the darkness at it. He then makes sure the light from his Ioun Torch isnt shining too brightly in the figure's direction.
However, it seems to have noticed you and using your perception, you can easily tell that whatever it was has jumped into the water nearby to hide, though, you've lost sight of it.
Noting the monk's surprised demeanor followed by his motions, Garenth only assumed hostility ahead. He readied his crossbow, holding it at eye level before leaning out from their cover to inspect the area. The inquisitor mutters a prayer to Iomedae while his eyes relentlessly scan about the chamber for any sign of Dalton's excitement.
Round 1 = There is an evil presence
Round 2 = There are 2 Auras of evil, and the most potent is over on the pillar
Round 3 = The most potent aura still present is the one coming from the creature that Dalton has seemingly spotted, though, you aren't able to discern it. It seems to be breaking your line of sight, though, that means it's directly behind the pillar a few feet. Fortunately the pillar wasn't over a foot in length.
Secondly, there is an overwhelmingly evil aura that's been here before, though it's gone now, it's prescence still lingers and will probably do so for a few more days.
"What is happening?" Varangian whispers to his companions.
Dalton gathers himself and takes a deep breath. Time for some thrilling heroics...
"OY! FLESH-MUNCHERS! WHY DON'T YOU TRY EATING SOMETHING THAT BITES BACK? COME AND GET ME, YOU COWARDS!" As Dalton's voice rings out and echoes against the stone surrounding him, he spreads his arms wide and takes a few steps into the main room. The blade of his sword glitters in the light of his Ioun Torch, and his voice sounds loud and confident....
...but there's a tremulous waver that can easily be heard in his voice that belies his inner fear. His voice cracks when he says "cowards." You can see him blushing and sweating in the light of the torch.
??
??
As dalton comes out of the room screaming, nothing dares reply, whether out of sake of embarassment, or they're just being friendly. That, or they have more sinister plans. In the flicker of the fungal lights, the beast disappears just as easily as it was seen a moment ago. It seemed to disappear right as soon as a pillar moved between you and it.
No visual on the creature anymore, and the book has notably been left where it was.
Teagan follows behind, cradling a bomb in his hand and seeming moderately disgruntled. He says, as you all leave the opening; "Way to go! You scared it off. Dam, too, and I was going to blow it sky high."
Dalton keeps his arms held wide open in a "come at me bro" gesture at the entire, empty room. "Ehhh? EHHH?" he says in a threatening tone, before he turns to his companions again and shrugs. "Might want to see what had those vultures' interest, over there." He lets the dull side of his temple sword rest on his shoulder in a casual stance as he walks over to where the book is to pick it up. He leafs through it, praying inwardly that it's written in Common so he can actually read it.
"I wouldn't think I'd have to say so, but everyone should be on their guard. The damned still linger here," the inquisitor warns before pointing toward the pillar to anyone watching.
Garenth signs for the group to circle and perhaps pull a pincer maneuver on whatever might be hiding behind the stonework here, given that it still remains. With one hand, he holds his trusted weapon ready while the other passionately brushes the holy symbol hanging near to his throat.
Oh, righteous defender of sanctioned slayers and hunters of the wicked, I entreat thee to bolster I and my allies in our purge of the vile entities that persist in the shadows.
Varan looks around curiously.
"I sherley must be a-going blind. Mine eyes saw nothing, are ye sure ye saw some critters loitering around, friend Dalton?"
Without lifting his head from the pages of the book, Dalton raises his voice to reply, "Ohh, they were here, Smirza. They were quick and quiet, and I only caught a glimpse, but they were here. Keep a lookout while I find out what this book says..."
As you flip through the pages, Dalton, you can't make much sense of it, but it seems rather intricate and, of all things, made of human flesh. The front covers only, however. Certainly cult worthy.
With that, as you turn a page, a creature erupts out of the water nearby, catching you off guard. It arrives fast, sneaking up on you. You have just enough time to turn around as teeth sink into your neck.
[dice=Dalton Fortitude Save "other"]1d20+6[/dice]
You're body locks up as the creature's teeth slink into your shoulder blade, it stays behind you grunting. You hear it say, rather loudly in your ears as it shrieks in them; That's... MY! BOOOK!
To the onlookers, Teagan, and the lot, the creature bursts out of the water and makes it's way over to dalton at great speeds, catching him square in the neck and shrieking; "My! BOOOOOOK!
Holy crud! Damn this dice-rolling system. Lemme try again:
Great. And I re-posted over the previous post which described the action. :-p
Varan screams a curse that would cause even women of ill repute to blush a bit and charges the creature pummeling on his fellow party member, intent on crashing his trusting bardiche on it.
Shouting forth in a rumbling bellow, Garenth clutches tightly to his holy symbol. "Be purged in the name of Iomedae and judged before the sacred wrath of her servant!" he proclaims as he bathes his weapon in divine energy.
Lifting the crossbow, the inquisitor fires ahead toward the monster locked in combat with the monk, harrying it with the conviction of a zealot.
Dalton's muscles seize up as he struggles against the monster on his back. No...NO! inwardly, he screams, but the only expression he's capable of managing is extremely wide eyes.
Surprisingly enough, as the battle begins, everyone stops to realize that the gnome, Teagan, is nowhere to be found. All that's left of any trace of the poor man is a backpack on the floor as well as 2 bombs laying on the floor.
That being said, the ghoul, teeth still inside Dalton, is way-layed by a sudden drop of a bardiche, sending it reeling in pain. This, unfortunately causes the arrows to miss entirely.
Without faltering, the creature reaches back up and scrapes mercilessly at Varingian.
All of that attacks, fortunately enough, miss entirely. Dalton squirms once more, trying to break the paralysis, but to no avail.
"Ah AH! Dance with me, will ya?"
Varangian steps back and swings his bardiche at the fiend again.
Bardiche Power Attack
Damage (S)
Damage (M)
Confirmation Roll
Damage (S)
Damage (M)
Dalton widens his eyes in an attempt to express his approval at the well-aimed strike! Clearly this warrior was a formidable one. Now if only I could break free of this...ngh!...embarrassing paralysis!
The inquisitor loads his crossbow once again, cursing at his ill luck before and fires a second time.
May my aim be true and if not, my fervor will close in on you, fiend!
As the arrow sinks into the creature, it falters a bit, and easily stands back up in just an instant, instantly returned to the ground by a devastating axe blow. The creature falls to the ground, black blood falling to the floor. It turns, slowly, grimmacing at the proud axe-weilding man. It's eyes dart to the corner of the room.
Finally, shifting it's thoughts, it flees, running full speed away towards a set of dark iron bars, 2 of which have apparently been removed explaining it's method of arrival, in the far corner of the room.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Bardiche AoO
Damage
As the ghoul turns on it's heel to run, it is caught squarely in the back of the head by a bardiche. It hits the floor rather hard, bouncing, actually, just before it spurts some unholy fluid onto the floor, blood. Black as it is, the ghoul is now dead on the ground, and the book it was so interested in lies on the pedestal.
In the water floats a corpse, as mentioned prior, as well as another against the pedestal, though missing an arm. Each are wearing red robes and clothing, but an investigation would be necessary to learn if they still have anything of value.
The ghoul, as it was, has plenty of equipment on it that it didn't feel the need to use, though no one is the wiser as to what it is. There is still much of the cave to explore.
Dalton shudders as the paralysis leaves his body in a rush. He flexes his hand, clenching his fingers and curling them together. Straightening, he bows to the Varisian/Ulfen man. "My thanks, Mr. Smirza. And also to you, Garenth. It seems our gnome friend reconsidered his adventuring career before it even began...but my career might have been brought to an abrupt end, had you not been there to kill the ghoul. I will not forget it." He nods to both men, and, rolling his shoulders, he sets off to investigate the book on the pedestal again, as he was rudely interrupted before. He hides a wince of pain when he bends over, still feeling the injury to his shoulder where he was bitten.
"Ah! Dinnay mention it." Varan tells Dalton, "Surely ye'll get fair chance to pay me back 'fore all this is done. Why, back in the days with the Company me and me mates used tha rescue each other arses all the time."
Varangian thens checks out the body of the ghoul proper to see if it has anything of use or interest.
Checking on the monk, Garenth shakes his head at his thanks. "It all happened very quickly, all we did was respond. In hindsight, I fired first before assessing what more I could have done," he states before looking about to review the area closely.
The book consists of about 500 pages of thin parchment, and as a result, is rather heavy. On the inside cover, the book bears the following inscription: "May we, the keepers of the oldest, prevail over the scourge of simplistic thought and lesser men." Just below which, are the signatures of 5 people.
- Baskerwhel
- Crove
- Hyve
- Marshan
- Myre
A certain point of the book is actually marked with red silk, and is heavily annotated. You're not sure if anyone of the 5 signatures wrote it or not. Regardless, it is a lengthy discussion about how to use special rituals to open portals in key locations. A warning is made very apparent, talking about how opening said portals draws forth the spiritual essence of the casters, and that any entity contacted by the portal can make "Hideous use of this essence by consuming it, growing more powerful in the bargain, such that only the end of such essence can challenge the intruder's rights upon your world." Neat.
This is all, of course, after you check the ghoul itself, which only had a ring on it's middle finger. It fits, surprisingly, though you're not sure what it does. You'd need to find a wizard for that.
Although pleased somewhat with his finds, Garenth only gives a satisfactory grunt at the items before stowing them away in his pack. Standing, the impromptu clergyman looks about at his companions, frowning at the grim atmosphere they've drawn themselves into. Shaking his head, he moves to follow the bulk of a warrior that the group has taken to calling leader.
"Fine showmanship, Varangian. Have you fought in the wars before?" he asks, waiting for Dalton to be finished with his perusal of the no doubt blasphemous tome.
grim reading, Dalton thinks to himself as he makes out what he can. He pockets the book for now, stashing until someone with more learning can decipher it. He also makes a mental note that perhaps its finally time to get some learning of his own. After its safely stored on his person, he draws his sword again and looks for the doorway that will hopefully lead him to answers about what happened here.
"Indeed I have." Varan respons to Garenth as he does his searching, "As did my father before me...Ho! Take gander at this, t'is cleary magical." he says hold aloft the glowing scimitar.
"Also a cloak and two rings...we must'a hire a sage once we're done here."
The inquisitor waves away the sword but cups his hands at the mention of one of the rings. "I found a pair of bracers and a wand, I'll trade for one of those rings?" he offers, retrieving said items from their place.
Garenth then looks to their monk friend and inquires what he found.
"I'll stow away this book until we find a man of learning," Dalton declares, stashing it in his robes until later. "I'd like a look at those bracers, ring and cloak, see if the enchantment can aid any of us, but for the time being I'd like to clear these ruins out of any other monstrosities like that one," he says, gesturing at the dead thing in the water with a disgusted expression.
Garenth rolls his shoulders before nodding at the man's advice. He places the items away and draws his crossbow. "First, let us see what else lurks within these abandoned halls," he says before summoning up the inherent divine power gifted to him.
The inquisitor looks to his fellow adventurers and gives a grunt of satisfaction that implies their safety. "Nothing, so far as I can tell," he informs while allowing a lingering stare over Dalton.
And if that book is cursed, may the Lady have mercy on you, for I shall not.
Varangian lets Dalton take a look at the loot he found. Once the monk is done he stuffs it back with the rest of his equipment.
With the death of the ghoul, and a rather rousing perusal of the surrounding area littered with plenty of detect evils, nothing particularly cruel, save for the already overwhelming, yet latent, aura remains. Taking a few steps back to finally gauge the surroundings after the heat of combat was well-over, there's a few particular things in this area to note;
The 2 dead bodies are both rather old men, one of whom's pair of glasses had been near his corpse, the man on the tomb. The other man was a hunchback, and that's a rather surprising feature. Both have been assaulted by tiny circular bites, as well as had their blood entirely bled out.
Near the pedestal, but not too near to be a nuisance, are sickly looking trees growing out of the stone in utter darkness, and it looks almost petrified as the leafless branches sink into the ceiling. There are 3 of them, though it's unclear what purpose they serve.
There's an alcove not too far from the current area that seems to be a living quarters, though it's shoddily put together. 5 Beds, 5 chairs, and 1 rather large desk with books galore on top of it are all that lye around here.
Deeper into the area are 4 exits, all of which are tunnels. 3 of them have been previously barred up to prevent things from getting in or out, it seems, although the ghoul apparently broke the last set that leads out to the northwest. No sludge goes in that direction.
The sludge in the room apparently generated at the pool that the previous man was floating in, sloshing far south past the stone pillars and out of a long-collapsed tunnel entrance. More than just a little bit of rubble sits in the way, and following it through this would be a colossal waste of time should you wish to seek it out, as boulders 4 feet tall block the way, at the least.
So what will you do?
The inquisitor utters a prayer over both men, closing their eyes if it hasn't already been accomplished. After standing an purveying the room, he looks between his two allies before motioning to the last open tunnel.
"We could save ourselves the trouble of opening the others, that is, unless you feel up to it, Varangian?"
I investigate the books in the living area on the desk. the clutter around this area almost reminds me of my maths instructor's office, if I could ignore all the crept sludge nearby. I'll take my time and open any drawers that may be unlocked in the desk, looking for clues as to this ruin's purpose.
If I don't find anything, I'll move over to the tunnel entrance that remains yet open and wait for my companions.
Drawing his cloak ever tighter about his person, Garenth assumes the warrior to be busy. He shudders at the permeating evil that dwelt within the chamber, in addition to the cold dampness that must surely accompany it. Tugging at the brim of his hat, he fastens it tighter as well before kneeling with his unused sword drawn to offer a solemn prayer to his goddess.
No doubt we venture into the very maw of some unspeakable evil, my lady. I beseech you to give your humble servant and my companions your protection as we seek to excise this malign force like a tumor from the flesh of this place. I continue to walk the path as straight as your blade, Iomedae. Bless me and bless your name!
"We could save ourselves the trouble of opening the others, that is, unless you feel up to it, Varangian?"
"Aye." quips Varangian, "I say we follow hence our not-so-dead friend came."
With this, the warrior sets to follow the passage with the broken entryway.
Quietly resolving his prayer, Garenth rises from the floor and sheathes his sword. Securing his cloak and cover, the inquisitor informs Dalton of their leaving before hustling to follow the warrior. Once again, he draws his crossbow and prepares it in case of future danger.
The inspection of the room, unsurprisingly, reveals absolutely nothing. Among the contents are a few books of ill-make, and for the most part, none of them jump out as useful. One, however, is gold-trimmed, and has the same exact stone in it that the other more-foul book did. Opening it and investigating the contents, fortunate for the lot of you, reveals note upon note of explanation of the previous book.
The first few pages reveals it to talk about conjuration, which Dalton already knew, however, more importantly, the name of the book is the "Pnakotic Manuscripts" and it deals primarily with the dark tapestry.
It would take quite some time to investigate the contents in detail as some things are rather cryptic.
Dalton picks up the book at looks carefully at the notes, reading the extensive descriptions of spells so far beyond his comprehension that they might as well be written in Orcish.
"Mmmm, mmmm, yes, these are words," mused the monk, his brow furrowing in concentration. He looks around after a few moments, stuffing it in his robe along with the other book. "Any other signs of malign infestation, comrades?"