Ailis releases the magic of her war-chant, letting its echoes linger in the hallway. Like Bastian, she unleashes all the might that her strikes can muster. She yells a mundane battle-cry, trying to just hack the creature apart.
Suddenly, the glow of starlight envelops Lydia, and she staggers forward as the paralysis is suppressed! Gasping in pain as the poison burns through her, she takes a step back to ensure no worms are around, then she reaches for the healing potion Aiyana gave her earlier. She drinks it to heal her wounds, all while her body tries to fight the poison.
Lesska wails in abject agony as first her beloved armor, then her tunic and finally flesh, muscle and tendons melt. Her eyes widen, and her heart beats fast as she realises another attack like this might drop her. She dances back again, screaming at the top of her lungs as she throws everything she has into two more quick stabs.
"Aieeeeee!!!
5' step
Full Attack
[+8 BAB, +2 Str, +1 weapon focus, + 1 enhancement, +1 close at hand +1 bless +4 flanking]
[+ 3 THF, + 1 enhancement, + 1 close at hand, +8 challenge, +1d6 flanking]
HP 46
AC 21, touch 16, flat-footed 18, CMD 18
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +7; +2 vs. enchantment
Effects: mage armor
Magic; arcane bond 0/1; blinding darkness 1/8
4th--resilient sphere (DC 19) [], shadow conjuration (DC 20) [], shadow dragon aspect (DC 20) [], shadowform (DC 21) []
3rd--communal resist energy [], daylight [], dispel magic [], major image (DC 19) [], slow (DC 18) [x]
2nd-- glitterdust (DC 18) [], darkvision [x][x], tenebrous searching shadows (DC 20) [], umbral weapon []
1st--color spray (DC 17) [], feather fall [], grease (DC 17) [], mage armor [x], shadow trap (DC 18) [], tenebrous shadow trap (DC 19) [x], shadowfade []
0 (at will)—flare (DC 15), dancing lights, detect magic, read magic, ghost sound
Daehalya concentrates for a moment, seeming to pull shadows from the gloom around her into a ball in her hand. A moment later she tosses it toward the worm Ailis is attacking, entangling it in the darkness.
As a standard action, you cast a weave of shadows at any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. The shadows entangle your foe for 1 round plus 1 additional round for every five wizard levels you possess. In conditions of bright light, this duration is halved (minimum 1 round). A creature entangled by your shadows has concealment from those without darkvision or the ability to see in darkness, and other creatures likewise have concealment relative to it. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.
Suetonius continues to do his best to assist, stoically swinging his staff with all his might.
Lesska:
Inspired by her own war chant, Ailis chops away with her axe, landing a solid first blow. The worm's bristles immediately counter...
...but the dwarf once again avoids them. She follows up with a second hit, her weapon biting even more deeply than the first time.
It's enough to send the creature crashing to the chamber floor where it finally lays still.
Meanwhile, with the reprieve granted by her dwarven friend's fury, Lydia withdraws from the raging melee just enough to drink one of her potions, gasping with relief as it helps reknit her flesh. Looking down at herself, however, she and Ailis still see what seems to be a darker patch of shadow just beneath the surface of her scarred skin. Whatever danger the attacks of these creatures posed seems to have been magnified by their connection to the Shadow Plane.
With one worm out of commission, Daehalya draws upon the power of shadow magic to impede the one still threatening Lesska and Bastian...
Even as Daehalya's shadows embrace the tenebrous worm, the giant-sized Bastian strikes his own significant blow against it, smashing down with his great flail. It turns the creature's head, but it gathers itself and still threatens everyone. Lesska then punches forward twice with her spear.
She misses the first time, unable to clearly perceive her foe now that it's cloaked by Daehalya's entangling shadow. The second strike skewers the worm, however, and it squeals in agony, but still seems very much alive.
In an attempt to close out the fight, Suetonius hurries forward and brings his lantern-staff crashing down on it.
He successfully smashes it to the chamber floor, where it joins its companion in death.
GM notes:
"Desna's stars!" Aiyana exclaims once the din of battle dies down, "Those things were hideous...and horribly dangerous. How'd they find their way in here? Lydia? Are you okay?"
Lydia breathes heavily but nods to Aiyana. "The worm's poison has weakened me, but thanks to Desna's blessings, I've survived. I'll need some more restorative magic to be at full fighting capacity again."
Lesska staggers before falling to her knees, taking care to place her spear down before she begins to moan, reaching for the buckles on her armor's straps. Her eyelids flutter as she discovers the true nature of the melted nature of her physiology. Her brows knit, whether in concentration or frustration perhaps Daehalya, or Lydia or maybe even Aiyana understand as the Kellid growls in halting Hallit-accented Elvish, clearly mentioning Daehalya's name.
Ailis doesn't even stop to snarkily offer Lydia a "you're welcome" before moving to Lesska's side. She pulls a wand from her belt and lays it on Lesska's melted wounds, restoring the Kellid warrior's flesh to being whole. "Gabh e leis a 'chànan amaideach sin agus cumaibh nighean fhathast." she says, the language rough but her tone gentle.
When she's finished, the traces of the worm's horrible acidic attack are nearly vanished, and Ailis pats Lesska on the shoulder. "A little more caution next time, eh?"
Lesska coughs a throaty chuckle, wiping blood, nodding her thanks to her firm friend, then haphazardly batting a partially ruined pauldron. The Kellid warrior sighs.
"More scars Ailis. At least the flesh...knits. [winces] But the armor! You saw how long I scrubbed and polished it ere we left for Atteran! Ruined."
She smiles ruefully.
"Caution?!? I danced this way and that, but the little... devil... had the scent of me. What in all the worlds has ensorcelled this place?"
The acid of a tenebrous worm’s bite affects only organic matter—as it dissolves creatures, it converts their flesh to shadow that swiftly fades away, leaving raw, jagged wounds behind.
While his increased size lasts, Bastian patrols the room and keeps an eye on the entrances, to make sure the noice didn’t attrack further danger. His minor injuries have already been healed by Aiyana.
Ailis chuckles, then spreads her arms to show her own unscathed form. "Well, perhaps you're simply favored less by Lady Starsong than I am," she says, fairly pleased with her own reflexes and ability. "Nonetheless, it can be fixed, if it even needs." She scratches at the scarred armor, and some black char-marks come away to reveal shining fresh armor beneath. "See?"
Lydia:
Lesska:
Bastian:
Ailis & Daehalya:
Lydia sighs with relief as her body fights off the lingering poison.
"Mo leithscéalta, ní raibh mé ag iarraidh ach cuidiú leat," Daehalya responds as Lesska recovers.
"My apologies, I was only trying to help."
She frowns at Aiyana's question and as the wounds seem to linger.
"I think it has to do with the weakness between the planes here," she muses, switching back to Common. "They seemed connected to the Shadow Plane, and if those things outside could get here, perhaps that's how they did as well?
"We probably need to be ready for more such attacks. I can ward us all against some sort of energy, but I hardly know which to choose. Also, my other magics may help, but only if someone stays close long enough for me to cast the next time we have to fight."
Suetonius' frowns.
"Daehalya, that is troubling. Do you think the weakening is due to the presence of that which we seek, or the meddling of those that came here before us? We wouldn't want the Shadow Plane to have unfettered access to Golarion - that would be disastrous..."
"I think it could be either -- or more worrisome -- both," she says. "If they've already got the Cradle, that could explain what's happening."
Lesska smiles as she sees the armor's damage is superficial, a ragged strap perhaps her own misdemeanour in the maintenance department. Her smile grays a little as she inspects the gray scar tissue where the flesh was melted.
Seeing something on the ground she peers closer, guiding an errant strand of hair back behind her ear as she does so. A few wipes with her sleeve and the dust and dirt is cleared away.
"See here! Ailis! Daehalya!" the Kellid calls out with excitement. She begins to read words out in Common, the Hallit-accent pure and clear.
"Here lies Haramil, chieftain of Atteran, horselord of the night, and caller of shadow. No weapon could take his life, and death itself avoided him for 333 years."
She sits back on her haunches once more, staring toward the heavens.
"No...weapon. So perhaps he was killed with a horsewhip. Or a...rolling pin. Or...spell."
Lesska stands, leaning on her longspear as she does so. "333 years. A long time to hold sway."
Ailis regards the carvings on the floor. "It looks like the protective magics of this place have been interfered with," she says, pointing at the circle. "The magic of the Cradle of Night have begun to seep out of the tomb because the abjurations preventing it have been broken."
"I agree... we are on a time crunch."
Yes, we should move as soon as all injuries are tended. I noticed a stair leading down into a small chamber with some tables to the west. The area to the east is ruined and filled with rubble. Any luck with the door? All things considered, it is likely guarded by traps.
"333 years? That would be old even for an elf. Perhaps it was a spell that killed him, or whatever connection he had to the Cradle was broken and his years all hit him?" Daehalya muses.
Still, after a quick thought, she's ready to move on, too impatient to linger over the runes if they don't provide any more information.
"A table seems odd for a tomb, does it not? Unless there's something in Kellid custom I don't know? Maybe we should look there to see if there's anything to be learned," she suggests.
As the others explore the chamber further, Lydia takes the opportunity to drink her potion of lesser restoration.
It helps a bit, but the half-elf's health is still compromised. "Might I borrow another one of those potions Aiyana gave us?"
The tables could be used to prepare the body before burial or some other practical purpose. We won’t know for sure unless we investigate. But should we try the door first?
Ailis heads to the big stone door and tries to push it open. "Sure, why not."
Lydia uses her wand of healing on herself.
For every 2 points of damage you take to a single ability, apply a –1 penalty to skills and statistics listed with the relevant ability. If the amount of ability damage you have taken equals or exceeds your ability score, you immediately fall unconscious until the damage is less than your ability score. The only exception to this is your Constitution score. If the damage to your Constitution is equal to or greater than your Constitution score, you die. Unless otherwise noted, damage to your ability scores is healed at the rate of 1 per day to each ability score that has been damaged. Ability damage can be healed through the use of spells, such as lesser restoration.
Constitution: Damage to your Constitution score causes you to take penalties on your Fortitude saving throws. In addition, multiply your total Hit Dice by this penalty and subtract that amount from your current and total hit points. Lost hit points are restored when the damage to your Constitution is healed. A character with a Constitution score of 0 is dead.
Suetonius nods his assent.
"We need to explore the entire place; one direction is as good as any, at this point..."
Daehalya nods, willing to push deeper into the tomb with the others.
Daehalya:
Knowledge (local) 1d20+14 = 18
The tables could be used to prepare the body before burial or some other practical purpose. We won’t know for sure unless we investigate. But should we try the door first?
Ailis heads to the big stone door and tries to push it open. "Sure, why not?"
Suetonius nods his assent. "We need to explore the entire place; one direction is as good as any, at this point..."
With their decision made, the party moves across the chamber floor until they all stand ready before the tall stone doors. Aiyana notes aloud that if the Reborn came this way, they must have sealed the way behind them. But, stepping forward, Ailis finds no discernible lock...or trap...as she examines each portal. With a stout tug, she pulls the doors open...
A 25-foot-long hallway extends toward another pair of stone double doors just barely visible at the extreme edge of the dim light you've brought with you. The east and west walls stand 10 feet apart from one another, and each have two niches just large enough to contain a human-sized statue of an armored warrior. The four statues are made of stone but also wear real suits of surprisingly well-preserved hide armor and wield elegant tridents carved from wood. Between them, the floor of the hallway is marred in two locations by ominous-looking, circular scorch marks.
Stepping up behind Ailis, Bastian peers down the corridor with his magically enhanced vision. His brow furrrows as he spots the scorch marks and armored figures.
I’m no trapfinder, but five gold pieces gets you ten that this is a trapped hallway. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if those fellows are somehow capable of using those fancy weapons and armor to defend this place. And those burn marks...Lady Daehalya, you may yet find use for your resistance spell.
Looking to Ailis and Lydia to take point again, he suggests a change to the groups tactical movement.
May I suggest that Lesska and I follow you more closely as you examine this hallway, just in case the statues somehow wake up looking for trouble? Also, we might consider jamming the doors so they can’t slam shut and seal us in.
Lesska nods at Bastian's suggestion.
"And Ailis, my guess was right - the inscription did mention Sarkoris after all! You might make a Pathfinder out of me yet...although a fairly educated guess it was. You see, Sarkoris was an ancient kingdom of my people, so ancient that..." the normally quiet Kellid continues, her firm friendship coupled with evident excitememt spurring her to conversation.
Lesska stares at the scorch marks.
"What. Made. Those?"
Daehalya nods.
"You may be right, Master Garmont," she agrees. "Let's see what we can see."
She casts detect magic and examines the hallway.
Ailis nods. "What say you if I trek down this hallway and check it for traps? I've seen plenty of dungeons in my time, dealt with plenty of traps."
I don’t doubt you skills, Ailis. Lead the way, and we’ll come rushing if you need us.
Ailis creeps forward, carefully checking the walls and floor for some kind of device or trigger. A pressure plate or tripwire is common, but it could just as easily be magical sensors, based on the fact that the trap probably discharged magical energy. If she finds anything she breaks out her tools and gets to work.
Daehalya intones the words to her divination spell, attempting to view any magical auras at play within the corridor...
Daehalya:
Your casting of detect magic picks up auras of abjuration, transmutation, and evocation in this hallway. It's all mixed up and somewhat "blurred" by a rippling undertone of shadow magic, which might be a side effect from the planar influences you've seen within the tomb already. It makes your reading less accurate and difficult to interpret. You're certain, however, the hide armor on all four of the statues are definitely magical and contributing to the auras. And there's something about the eyes of the statues themselves...as if they're attuned to the hallway...a likely sign of some kind of visual trigger to a magical trap.
Meanwhile, as the rest of the team waits, Ailis moves into the hall, stepping carefully as she examines the floor for any hidden traps or triggers.
"Be careful!" Aiyana calls from the open doorway.
Ailis:
You spot no obvious pressure plates or tripwires as you proceed into the hallway. However, as you draw closer, the scorch marks on the floor rather ominously appear to contain two humanoid-shaped outlines burned into the stone. Still keeping back from the statues themselves, you can tell that the eyes of each one are trained squarely on the floor in front of them. Logic would dictate that the trap probably relies on a magical visual sensor of some kind. And, if so, a potent magical source must be empowering them. You suspect it probably has something to do with their unusual weapons and armor. Perhaps if they could be removed, that might deactivate the trap? Of course, you'd have to carefully maneuver yourself around them to do so...and all without venturing into their line of sight as they stand across from one another.
The dwarven Pathfinder steps lightly to the side of the wall near one of the statues and then nimbly pulls herself around and behind the figure, starting to unbuckle the straps to its suit of hide armor. Ailis then carefully lowers the armor to the ground, keeping it pooled around the statue's feet. Before moving to the next one, she also grips the wooden trident clasped in its hands, slowly drawing it from the statue's grasp and leaning it against the wall.
Satisfied with her handiwork, she gingerly slips around the statue again and across the hall to repeat the process with the next one. Unfortunately, the clasps to this one's hide armor are stuck and she can't quite get them to come free cleanly, making it too difficult to lower the suit away from the statue.
Ailis:
Daehalya nods as Ailis works, impressed the dwarf was able to be so canny even without knowing for sure about what her spell had told her.
"I think it's their eyes that work as the sensor," she calls. "Maybe if you cover them, if you can't get the armor off?"
Ailis silently nods to Daehalya but continues with her work. She takes a few huffing breaths to try and center herself. Then she starts again with the trick, doing her level best to disable the trap.
As a determined tug from Ailis suddenly sends a piece of armor into direct view of the magic sensor, Bastian braces for the inevitable explosion...
Tugging at the second suit of hide armor, Ailis suddenly loses her balance at the base of the statue's body, causing her to swing precariously into the gaze of the stone guardian's eyes. They flare to life with a sinister red glow. Then the statue rises up and jabs downward with its trident. The one across from it mimics the same motion, but its weapon was already removed. So, too, do the two other statues further down the hall. All of them clearly intending to skewer anything in front of them.
Daehalya:
The statue's weapon only seems to barely nick the dwarven Pathfinder. But, perhaps more ominously, the doors behind quickly slam shut. Bolts can be heard being thrown from somewhere within them, sealing the corridor. At the same time, a sheet of fire erupts from the floor, blazing through the entire hall. It doesn't just flash and then disappear. Instead, it remains blazing, clearly meant to incinerate anything inside.
Tugging at the second suit of hide armor, Ailis suddenly loses her balance at the base of the statue's body, causing her to swing precariously into the gaze of the stone guardian's eyes. They flare to life with a sinister red glow. Then the statue rises up and jabs downward with its trident. The one across from it mimics the same motion, but its weapon was already removed. So, too, do the two other statues further down the hall. All of them clearly intending to skewer anything in front of them.
Daehalya:
** spoiler omitted **[dice=Attack with wooden trident on Ailis]1d20+10
[dice=Damage]1d8+1The statue's weapon only seems to barely nick the dwarven Pathfinder. But, perhaps more ominously, the doors behind quickly slam shut. Bolts can be heard being thrown from somewhere within them, sealing the corridor. At the same time, a sheet of fire erupts from the floor, blazing through the entire hall. It doesn't just flash and then disappear. Instead, it remains blazing, clearly meant to incinerate anything inside.
[dice=Fire damage]2d4
The statues, meanwhile, stop moving and stand at attention once more, silent watchmen as you continue to burn within their domain.
Lydia cries out as the flames erupt on the floor. "Argh! Desna, remove this harmful magic!" Despite the pain of her burns, she maintains her concentration and casts a spell to try to dispel the sheets of fire.
Lesska cries in consternation. Her fright turns to fury as the flames burn her...the Kellid is clearly at a loss for how to stop the conflagration...