Fragments of the First (Inactive)

Game Master Simeon

Would be best recourse, I should really be saving my healing for deeper wounds.

"Agreed, let's recover and get our bearings..." Bravo says.

Let's take 10.

The party rests for a spell, catching their breath before pressing on through the infernal jungle.

The air is hot and muggy, with beasts that blur the line between mammal, insect, and reptile trying to bite at all the party-members with flesh.

The group stumbles across another clearing, though this one contains no horrible bug-bird-wolf monsters. At it's center stands an altar covered in blasphemous symbols devoted to the Archdevils and Asmodeus. Even to those not trained in magic or occultism, the sheer malice this structure radiates is palpable. Rather interestingly though, a blade and a rifle rest upon the altar, seemingly inviting any wanderers to take them.

"Uh uh," Bravo says, turning to the others and shaking his head. "That's bait."

Alanna too takes rest with the group. Though not overly taxed by the battle, one could never know when the least bit of energy could be the turning point in battle.

"Is it weird that I want it even more now?" Wraith answers back at Bravo.

"Can anyone see if those things are any good? Even a trap might be worth springing if the bait is tasty enough."

Bravo shrugs.

"From the short time I've known you, I'd say no, no that's not weird. Dunno if the trap will immediately blow up in your face or if the devils will just use the fact that we took them as an excuse to screw us over in the contract negotiations, though."

Soundbyte grips his staff, considering. "/Nothing ventured nothing gained."

A mental trigger, and he lit the specific arcana=receptors within his optical circuits as he surveyed the blasphemous structure.

Mysticism: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 Detect Magic, as well.

This altar is somewhat magical, radiating conjuration, abjuration, and divination magic. With his sophisticated knowledge of the mystic arts, Soundbyte is pretty confident that the shrine has some sort of protective summoning ward, conjuring infernal creatures if the right conditions are met. The weapons seem to high quality magitech items. The exact properties aren't clear but whatever they are, they're quite powerful.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Morimoto waits patiently while the others investigate. He notices a placard at the base of the altar but cannot read it.

"Are any of you able to read this language?"

"Blasphemous." Soundbyte merely responds. Though truly he knew it was better to know your enemy, he merely never found the time to learn. Language software was expensive as well, for what it offered. He did relay in his usual manner however, what findings he gathered regarding the alter and the weapons there upon.

"Nope," Bravo says.

"Ah man they -would- put up a sign that we can't read. Now where's the fun in that? And a summoning ward you say? Meh, if we were just out and about, just kicking around, I'd say jump on it. But since we're on the clock, let's just go around.

Blarrgh. I'll always wonder about it tho."

"Do what you will, I'm not your commanding officer or your mama," Bravo says nonchalantly.

Approaching the shrine or no?

Soundbyte will not.

Negative

Bravo stands by his previous statement that these items are bait, bait that he refuses to take.

Fine, I'll do it. If any of you are particularly curious.

Roskar says, as the others show warranted hesitance.

Bravo braces himself for trouble.

Hey folks, sorry for the spotty posting. I’ve been having a pretty tough time of it recently and my creative motivation has plummeted. Things are looking up though and I’ll aim to get an update up tomorrow.

Hey, don't feel the need to apologize! If you need a break, you need a break! Don't feel bad for taking time to take care of yourself!

Roskar approaches the shrine, and the feeling of dread mounts ever further. More than just a feeling, it is a tangible sensation, a crushing weight upon the warrior's shoulders.

Roskar, please make me a DC 17 will save!

sorry, posts weren't updating.

will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 is this a fear effect?

Nope.

Roskar feels the crushing weight of Hell's malice pressing down upon him. He falls to his knees, and feels like he cannot rise unless to leave the shrine.

"Roskar? Buddy? You okay?" Bravo asks warily.

Just... Justa little weighed down. He grits his teeth and attempts to stand again, stubborn lizard that he is.

So, I can't stand up, unless its to move away? Unfortunate, as Roskar is totally going to try to grit and push forward, likely to his own detriment XD.

Seeing Roskar's going to keep going for it, Bravo goes forward to try and help him.

Presuming I'll need to make the Will Save too.

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

He ends up falling to his knees with an agonized grunt.

The two brave warriors make no progress in approaching the shrine.

Morimoto steps forward to drag his two companions away.

"Whatever the nature of these infernal rewards, the price is too steep. We should continue on our path."

"Thanks, Morimoto," Bravo says as he's retrieved. "Good to know someone's got my back when I decide to be a dumb@ss about something."

Not one to give up, Roskar rummages through his pack.

Anyone got a rope?

Soundbyte rests a hand on the Vesk's broad shoulder. "/Rest my child, for there is no shame in failure."

Bravo gives Soundbyte and Roskar a nod.

"Shall we continue on our way?"

Unless Roskar objects, I'll move us along.

Roskar objects, but lets move on. haha.

The party presses on through the infernal jungle. It's hard going, but they chance upon what Skundrobastan described as one of the rest areas. It's a metallic gazebo-like structure, a large button visible on one of the struts. If the party wants to rest safely, this seems like it'd be a good place.

Bravo approaches the dread gazebo ahead of the others, and then waves them forward.

"Let's take the time to recover here."

Want to rest or move on?

Let's take 10 and then move out.

My thoughts exactly.

The party takes a breather in the gazebo before pressing on. Several hours of slogging later, they reach the foot of the tower. A looming door stands before them, absent of any handles, buttons, or keypads save for a knocker made of dark metal in the shape of a bull’s head with flaming eyes.

Bravo gives a small "hmmph" at the sight of the door.

"Be ready in case this has some weird hell-magic too."

He marches up to the door and uses the knocker to rap on it three times.

The door snorts a few gouts of fire before opening it's mouth and saying in a deep, rumbling voice, "Supplicants. What do you seek within Scriptorium Tower 7291-AKJ-666?"

Soundbyte steps up and begins to recite the exact specific subclauses of the contraxt pertaining to this particular set of trials. He chooses to use Angel's voice rather then the succubi Vid-Tuber. At the very lesst it didnt burn his circuits.

Bravo lets the smarter folks take the lead here.

The door rumbles. It seems satisfied. The door swings open, revealing a large antechamber with a spiralling staircase beyond. Two other hallways extend to the right and the left as well.

The lighting is a dim orange glow from small slits in the dark. The floor and walls are bare and spartan. Nothing about this place feels built for mortal sensibilities.

Morimoto bows to Soundbyte and then enters the into the hall.

"Where do these stairs go?" he wonders aloud.

Huh.. looks like the military bunks back home. Well. the lack of... well, anything really at least.

Roskar will move to look down the right hallway.

"Great evil awaits us." Soundbyte clips in contemplation.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17