Vinas nods a bit, trying to take it all in. He says little at this point, though he does nod and drink the potion: . "That's better. A sleep is fine, but naught more. We need to make progress. The food won't last."
"I am fine with whichever you choose. It sounds as though there will be at least one more day of travel, and I do not have food with me, as I usually just make my own."
Aishe isn't agreeable to resting without supplies, "While I understand you're tired Vanyan, I think we should do a few more things this day. I am out of food. Who has food for tomorrow? Anybody? Any water other than the slim wand we have? Can anyone use that wand? I have had nothing to eat or drink this day."
"Also, we are going to need teeth. Let's collect some teeth while we can from the crypt. Did the blue things have teeth at least? Let's take what we can with us. Might be useful, and they aren't using them anymore."
He frowns with the idea of pulling teeth from the dead, but he wants to get out of here and isn't keen to sacrifice any of his own.
”The wand? What wand?” Vanyan looks confused, it’s been a trying time and he’s had a long day. ”Oh that wand. Give it here.”
Spellcraft
”Oh yeah...lemme see here...” Vanyan looks carefully at the wand with Detect Magic. He ponders for a moment, trying to read something in the auras. ”Oh yeah...uh...’splooshum’? Really? That’s the word? That can’t possibly work.”
Vanyan shrugs and says the word aloud with intent.
”SPLOOSHUM!” He sends 2 gallons of water shooting out over Aishe’s feet as once it’s started, it can’t be stopped. He does move the wand to anyone who has a cup or tankard nearby, but then the water drips away.
He smiles, looking around.
”Looks like I can use it. Anyone else need their feet wetted?”
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"The food won't last."
Vanyna looks over at Vinas. What’s he talking about? What food? He better not be talking about *my* cheese. It’s *my* cheese. My secret cheese to eat and enjoy. It’s mine.
”There might be some food in the Inn. Anyone explore the Inn yet?” Vanyan goes to look for food in the Inn should it still exist in this not-reality.
Well, I had my trail rations on my horse (really a pack pony) , so I've got nothing but a bag of silvers - which does me or us no good here.
Aishe mentioned getting the teeth from the creatures inside the Tomb. Let's do that. Also collect some of those insect bodies for possible food. I say, "Yuck" to the idea now, but if there's no food.. .
Let's also tell #3 he's free of his bond as he's now in the Boneyard.
Atium goes about doing what he says, but not traveling alone or allowing others to travel alone.
Aishe smiles as his feet are drenched, but hopefully at least he got a flagon full of water. "I should have kept my jug," he mumbles to himself.
"Yeah, sure let's check the inn while we're here, you never know what might be about, but I suspect it's all ash and dust."
He smiles at Atium, "I too had things on my wagon, but nothing of consequence I suppose. At least we have our packs and what supplies we might happened to have so that's something."
He'll join Vanyan in giving the town a once over to see what can be found that might have substance. Then he'll head back to the crypt with Atium for teeth and anything else they may have left behind. His prior ethical concerns drifting in the aether that is the boneyard - slowly dying.
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The group splits up, momentarily as half heads to the Inn while the other half heads back into the Crypt to collect the rotting teeth of the dead mites. Atium speaks with Number Three for a bit but even though the celedon seems to be guarding what must be some sort of planar duplicate of its original surroundings, similar to how the town of Roslar's Coffer appeared to ease the dead townfolk.
The group reconvenes back at the Inn to rest for the night before heading along the journey of the Dead Roads. As the townsfolk all seem to have accepted their fate and continued along the town is unusually quiet as the buildings slowly disappear throughout the night. You are unharmed but awaken in the morning laying on the ground of the same valley where the town of Roslar's Coffer once remained.
******
The Dead Roads resemble a raised roadway approximately 15–20 feet across. The exact appearance of the Dead Roads varies according to who sees them and that individual’s own understanding of the word “road,” but, in general, the Dead Roads are unremarkable, winding, and devoid of signs. To either side of the road, the ground slopes away steeply into silvery mist. Creatures that leave the road and enter the mist find themselves wandering the back hills of the Boneyard. Only the occasional way station—buildings varying widely in appearance and acting as tent pegs holding the extraplanar network in place—break up the gloomy monotony.
The journey to the Palace of Teeth is short. As Umble and Thoot said the Palace was just a little over three hours away. This tall, narrow castle rises from atop a hill near the road. Constructed of weathered wood and ivory-colored stone, the building is studded with thousands upon thousands of teeth, arranged in neat rows and spirals. The castle’s only windows are high and narrow. A tall gatehouse leads into a courtyard, its floor paved with yellowish bricks and old teeth.
Although the castle is primarily made of fine marble and wood, teeth are used as decoration throughout, giving it a macabre feel and a drab, yellowish color. The castle hangs precariously off the edge of the Dead Roads, with the back half dangling over opaque mist.
Atium (22/24; raging 26/28)
Vinas (23/24)
Tessenarin (13/13)
Aishe (15/16)
Vanyan (15/15)
"Would it be polite to knock?"
Atium just shrugs. He's not certain how to approach the daunty fairies.
Vanyan shares his meager rations with the party, which apparently earns him no thanks or words of gratitude from Tessenarin. He doesn't have much food left, just his special cheese and maybe he has a jar of honey, or maybe he doesn't.
Vanyan is delighted to take his turn at watch, using the same order as before in the tomb. While they are eating, he will gab aimlessly about his time in the Pathfinders. And he is delighted to get some sleep in his bedroll, the one that he'd been using on adventures for over 15 years.
In the morning, he will snack a bit more, then spend an hour to himself, trying to fix his lightbox, the one that never works right.
He will pull out the bead and the sphere that the has and try to identify them, given a fresh mind from a night's rest.
Spellcraft - bead
Spellcraft - stone
"Oh hey...it's a Prayer Bead. Nice," Vanyan offers the bead around to whomever wants it. He doesn't.
By the time others are ready to go, he will be as well. Packed and carrying his longspear on the Dead Roads.
It occurs to him that this might have made a great story for a Pathfinder Chronicle except for two problems: one, he was mostly dead and likely to be completely dead while trying to escape the Boneyard and two, he was no longer a Pathfinder.
Aishe rises up off the hard ground, "So much for a bed. I should have used my bedroll." he stretches out yawning as he gets himself together to face another 'day' here in the Boneyard.
The thought throws him a little and he has to remind himself how he came to be here and what they needed to do to get free. Shrugging, he gets on with his day, facing what has been placed before him.
He munches quietly on Vanyan's food, thanking him between careful bites. "A prayer bead? What's it do exactly?"
As he walks a few hours on the road, he peers into the mist uneasily and does not tempt fate by stepping into it. "The man who goes off this trail might not come back." he murmurs to himself as he walks. So he's glad when they finally make it to a structure.
...but what a structure. So many teeth! He instinctively keeps his mouth as shut as he can for fear his own teeth will feel some unnatural attraction and be pulled into the macabre decorations.
"Yes, let's knock." Feeling it would be rude, he does not carry his crossbow, nor is it loaded. Rather it rests hooked to his belt and out of the way.
"A prayer bead? What's it do exactly?"
Vanyan smiles as he kicks out the campfire, stopping boneyard dust onto the fire. "You know? It calls down a blessing from the gods? A blessing to maybe make us braver or fight better? We had a bunch of them who could cast it in Society."
Vanyan reaches his hand down to be sure the fire is out. He pulls out the wand and says "SPLOOSHUM!" pointing the wand at the fire. He doesn't want the Boneyard to burn down, that would be awful publicity for the Coffer. He listens to the fire douse and sizzle, contented when it is finally put out.
With that, he looks over to the Dead Roads, the spooky conveyance that it is. With not too much worry, he follows the party toward the Palace of Doom.
Walking along the Roads, Vanyan keeps his eyes darting left and right because he expects trouble to come running from the mists at any moment. He holds his longspear in front of him as if it might be of use against any monster charging at them in this undeathly place.
* * *
"Would it be polite to knock?"
Vanyan looks over at Tessenarin. Now he talks!? Vanyan shrugs in response, happy to let another knock or ring or whatever happens next.
With no better alternative, Tessearin steps up to the door. "I will not lie, I do not expect them to be hospitable or easy to deal with. However, few things we have encountered thus far have been, so it seems natural."
He then knocks on the door.
The group reconvenes back at the Inn to rest for the night before heading along the journey of the Dead Roads. As the townsfolk all seem to have accepted their fate and continued along the town is unusually quiet as the buildings slowly disappear throughout the night. You are unharmed but awaken in the morning laying on the ground of the same valley where the town of Roslar's Coffer once remained.
When Vinas wakes up on the ground, he grabs a bit of the dirt to feel it in his hands as he contemplates the wonder.
"That stone must really be something. As for the prayer bead, I'd be ready with it. The gods have their own foibles, and our presence here must be upsetting to one or another. Come now, let us 'come by our weird.'"
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Tessenarin finds no initial door to knock on as this passageway in the gatehouse, the only easy entrance to the Palace of Teeth, leads to the courtyard .It is about 6 feet wide and 10 feet high.
Walking through the gatehouse passageway, near the midpoint, Tessenarin steps on a pressure plate that dips a couple of inches. From above a large bundle of teeth fall to the ground with a loud clatter. Yellow and blackened teeth bounce off of the man as more than a few get caught in his hair, clothing, and armor.
Vanyan jumps back from the rain of...teeth(?!) as Vinas gets coated. It takes him a moment to recover and realize that there isn’t any overt danger.
Are those teeth? That’s just gross.
He stops moving, waiting for the next shoe? molar? to fall.
”Those are just teeth, right? That’s only somewhat weird, and mostly gross,” Vanyan opines. ”You know what they said about fey, right? And some fey are known to steal the teeth from wicked and bad children, right out of their mouths. Maybe this is where they take them. I know it doesn’t make much sense, but maybe.”
He stops to look at some of the teeth, using his longspear to push some closer to his light box.
Heal -
* * *
Vanyan keeps his eyes open and his longspear extended as the party moves into the courtyard.
"It seems we have knocked." Tessenarin says without an ounce of irony in his voice. He grimaces as he cleans all the teeth from himself. "I suppose we should be thankful this was not something deadly. Regardless, perhaps we should wait here to see if this brings anyone to us."
He looks over at Vanyan with a look of "really" on his face when he comments that teeth are brought here.
Teeth? Hey Twink, you mention some types of fairies... what types exactly do this "teeth yanking"?
Aishe worries, a little, when Vanyan spends a wand charge to put out the fire. He mumbles, ”Careful with that wand, we might need that water to survive.” But he shrugs and continues on.
At the gate he listens carefully to Tessenarin and nods along. He agrees quietly with Vinas, but wonders if anyone in the group can use it. Seems like maybe not as no one claims it.
When the column of teeth comes crashing down, he smoothly draws his crossbow, before realizing there is no danger. At least not immediately. He agrees with Tessenarin that the group has indeed knocked.
He waits to see if anyone comes - hoping they’ll be hospitable.
Teeth? Hey Twink, you mention some types of fairies... what types exactly do this "teeth yanking"?
Vanyan pulls out the wand of Create Water, holding a few teeth in his hands. "SPLOOSHUM!" Vanyan urges, cleaning off the teeth so that he can show Atium what he's learnt.
"Lookee here, *WANK*. See those plier marks?" Vanyan points out the plier scrapings and edging. "Ayep, these didn't fall out on their own, they were removed with force. Before or after death, I don't know, but we should be careful."
Vanyan puts away the wand, but not before using another charge to wash his hands, putting the teeth back on the ground.
Vinas looks over the teeth, ...
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Vinas recognizes this to be the work of Tooth Fairies! Tooth fairies are fey created when a willful child’s tooth (or, rarely, a whole child) is buried in a place with strong connections to the mysterious realm of the fey. Wicked and capricious, tooth fairies delight in spreading fear and pain, and have a perverse need to steal the teeth of humanoid creatures.
Each night, gangs of tooth fairies stalk humanoid settlements, using their magic to confuse and distract their victims, and reveling in the looks of horror on their victims’ faces as the fey suddenly appear out of the darkness with their dirty, bloody pliers. The fairies then lull their targets to sleep and get to work at claiming their prizes. Some cautious fairies bite their targets to paralyze them and ensure the victims can’t wriggle away from the fairy’s grasping pliers; others enjoy the sounds of creatures awakening to their own screams as the fairy torments them with harsh pinches and painful tugs on fingers, teeth, or eyelids.
Tooth fairies use stolen teeth either to replace their own lost teeth (if the stolen teeth are small) or to decorate their dwellings, which usually lie inside abandoned buildings or knotholes in trees. Used as stools, carved into minuscule sculptures, or worn as crowns, the prized teeth serves as trophies of their successful raids.
Tessenarin looks over at Vanyan. "Those things do not last for ever you realize? I see Pathfinders are as wasteful as their legacy implies."
"Come now. Vanyan, Tessenarin has a point. We've got to be careful, I have no intention of dying of thirst before fulfilling my destiny. Meanwhile this is obviously the work of tooth fairies? teeth fairies?." Vinas trails of for a second. [b]"Be wary, the fey are malicious, and we need to be ready for a fight. Keep your mouths closed, and let's do this."
Vinas checks his shield and armor buckles before striding up to the door. "Now, as we're proper pilgrams it seems, knocking would be appropriate." And with that, he knocks on the front door.
"I see Pathfinders are as wasteful as their legacy implies."
”That’s why I left, in case you haven’t been heard” Vanyan scoffs. ”Never was appreciated by them. They wasted me and I wasted years with them.”
Vanyan tosses the wand to Tess. ”There you go. You use it. You’re so smart about wands. Where did you learn about them? I’d like to learn if you have anything to share.”
Vanyan gives Vinas a side eye.
”We’re not going to die of thirst unless...unless...we truly aren’t dead. So don’t worry.”
As the door is knocked, Vanyan readies his longspear and clamps his jaws tight. ”You all may want to keep your jaws closed. From what Vinas said, we shouldn’t show too many teeth.”
Vinas interjects, "We're not dead. This is a test, a mission. I'm sure of it." Vinas then clenches his jaw and holds his shield over his mouth as he awaits an answer. If no one comes, he'll open the door and step inside looking about
Aishe was going to say something, but Tessenarin pipes up, and Vinas expands - and suggests the very wise plan of keeping the mouth shut.
Anticipating some danger, he will load his crossbow, though he lowers it adding, "Remember, we should try to negotiate I think, if we can." he looks to the more diplomatic of the group. Er, and wonders who that might be. He hopes it's Vinas, he seems stable.
He keeps his hand on his crossbow, but tries to look innocent. He trails in after the party and looks around.
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There is no response from the palace.
Still no doors, or anyone coming for that matter the group walks through the entryway into the courtyard.
Beyond, the small courtyard is surrounded by walls 12 feet tall. High above, an arched bridge spans the courtyard from north to south. The courtyard is paved with bricks and teeth in intricate floral arrangements.
An ornate wooden double door studded with whorls and spirals of humanoid teeth stands opposite the gatehouse passage, leading to the north.
A heavy wooden door stands on each side of the passageway in the south wall. The handle of the east door has been removed, leaving a gaping hole. The west door is secured with an elaborate lock, supplemented with an additional lock and handle, apparently from the east door.
As you are getting your bearings, six tooth fairies shriek and swoop down at you from hiding spots. These gaunt fairies have tattered ears, black eyes, and a huge mouth filled with mismatched teeth. They each carry an oversized pair of pliers.
"Halt! We come in peace as pilgrims upon the road. There is no need for this to come to blows. As a show of good will we come bearing teeth!"
Vanyan clamps his jaws shut, holding his longspear in front of him. He looks to Vinas to continue his efforts.
Without the desire to smile (and show teeth), Vanyan seems at a loss on how to help Vanyan diplomatically.
Vinas nods towards Atium. If it's a double cross I'd rather Atium bear the brunt than the others. He has shown himself to be plenty tough, if uncouth.
Atium advances forward and pro-offers the teeth of the Mites that were collected.
He holds his chin up. Ready for anything.
Vanyan shrugs, keeping his jaws clenched (like he’s constipated) and nods to Vinas. He’s ready to go to the north.
I can’t believe that worked.
Atium strides forward. Being bidden to enter further. He's actually quite interested in seeing all the things that can be done with Teeth.
Mighty creative work Toothy/teeth fairies. Never would I have thought of the large variety of uses for teeth. This truly IS the Palace of Teeth.
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This ornate room spans the entire width of the palace. The north end consists of a floor-to-ceiling stained-glass mural of skeletal knights with halos surrounding an angelic figure. Globs of metal and bits of teeth affixed to the stained-glass angel give it a repulsive appearance, with a mouth far too wide and teeth attached to its fingertips. On either side of the stained-glass mural are two delicate archways. From the room beyond comes the faint sound of flowing water.
The southern wall of the room contains two alcoves and a double door. As you step into the room, the stained-glass angel suddenly animates, stepping towards you with tooth-studded hands raised! The tooth fairies just outside squeak in surprise as they dart back off into hiding. Seems they had no clue that this stained-glass angel guardian was more than a mere decoration.
Vinas (23/24)
Vanyan (15/15)
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Stained Glass Angel
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Tessenarin (13/13)
Aishe (15/16)
Atium (22/24; raging 26/28)
Vanyan reacts quickly to the moving stained glass angel, taking it in and trying to remember what he might know of it.
Know (arcana)
"That's no angel. Let's see how it handles a blade. Come, Atium, flank with me and leave an ally open!"
Vinas's confidence seems to be bolstered by the travel on the road. He seems to enjoy having a goal.
He takes a circuitous route to approach from the side, drawing his blade on the way. He gives it a characteristic spin at the wrist before striking: , unfortunately his opening attack only scratches the surface.
Round 1
"You'll have to hit it hard to hurt it! It's very tough. It's very makeup resists weapons. Yelling at it loudly might work too."
Vanyan moves in and tries to distract the creature so Atium has a better chance to hit.
vs. DC 10 to aid Atium's attack
hp: 15/15
AC: 16/14/12
Saves: F1/R2/F6
Eyes: bugged
Smite: unused
Panache: unused
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Even with Vanyan's help Vinas' blade skitters across the glass surface. The stained glass angel claws at Vinas.
The glass hands slash across Vinas' arms, leaving thin streaks of blood.
Vinas (18/24)
Vanyan (15/15)
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Stained Glass Angel
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Tessenarin (13/13)
Aishe (15/16)
Atium (22/24; raging 26/28)
Atium moves left, angling around to get at the creepy angel visage's side. He then double grips the heavy axe and moves in with sudden quickness. Vanyan stabbing with the spear makes the angel move just enough to help out Atium.
With all those advantages, Atium doesn't seem to have done much to the thing. Atium starts furrowing his brow.
Round 2
Vanyan watches as Atium just misses the foe...by a few feet, he shakes his head and tries again to do the same.
vs. DC 10 to aid Atium's attack
hp: 15/15
AC: 16/14/12
Saves: F1/R2/F6
Eyes: bugged
Smite: unused
Panache: unused
"Yelling, you say?"
Tessenarin begins singing again, the same angry song as before. Everyone's weapons glow as he sings. He then pulls out his axe and moves close.
Round: 1
Conditions = None
Weapon Equipped = Crossbow
Silver Blanch, Cold Iron Bolts = 14/15
Normal Bolts = 4/5
Crossbow: Attack: BAB +2, Dex +3, Masterwork +1 Damage: +0 (crit 19-20 x2)
Melee: Attack: BAB +2, Str +0 Damage: +0
Grit = 1/2
Frightened a bit by the fey, Aishe is pleased to see Vinas smooth talking the gate guards. He doesn’t like their laugh however, and so he’s not completely surprised by the combat. He is however surprised at their combatant.
He raises his crossbow evenly, steps forward, and shoots through the open doorway.
(point blank) (point blank)
Feeling sure he hit, though unsure if he effected it, he reloads.
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Vanyan listens to Tess’ shouting, wondering if it will hurt the angel. Probably not.
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Tessenarin begins to sing. Ambient magic from within the air clings your your weapons as it is pulled into them and concentrated. Aishe snaps a bolt through the pane of glass, though it does not shatter it leaves a weakened hole in the structure.
With the aid of Tessenarin's magic, Vanyan is just able to distract the angel enough for Atium to miss the broad glass angel in the room.
Vinas blade shatters one of the panes that Aishe weakened with his bolt. The obedient guardian claws out once more as Vinas feels another cut across his shoulder.
Vinas (14/24)
Vanyan (15/15)
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Stained Glass Angel (-9)
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Tessenarin (13/13)
Aishe (15/16)
Atium (22/24; raging 26/28)