Vanyan doesn’t move to scour the room, instead dropping to his knees to look at the bleeding form of Atium.
”What the piddlespot, you big Wank? What were you thinking?” Vanyan grunts as he pulls out the healer’s kit to work on the man. First to stop the bleeding, then to work on the wounds.
Heal vs. DC15 stop bleeding
Heal vs. DC15 stop bleeding
”Okay, then...he’s stable...I’ll need an hour or so to get him on his feet...” Vanyan begins to lay out supplies to work on Atium.
He’s going to be as ugly as Vinas by the time I get this other one stitched up.
"The blood and wounds are adding up. We found some curatives once. Maybe we will again.... if we try to solve the riddle of the tiles."
Vinas looks over the loot, the bodies, and the living.... "All this and we still don't know what happened."
"It would be good if we could find some more, I agree. What do we do with this one? He asks, pointing to the one who surrendered.
Tessenarin, can you ask the questions? I'm going to look around."
Aishe rushes to help Vanyan stabilize Atium.
vs DC 10 to aid
vs DC 10 to aid
The helpful nurse watches the doctor make a mess of things before correcting and doing the right thing the second time, but he does what he can to help. As soon as Atium is stable, he stands back up, loads his crossbow and stands guard over his body and the door as he looks around for more trouble.
He spots the stash, and points it out to Vinas, though he stays by the door. "There, look there." he points, "I think I saw something shiny, like a glass vial."
If things seem calm, he'll help Vanyan with Atium's ongoing care over the next hour.
vs DC 10 to aid
MMMMHMMHM . Pretty hard stone to have gotten through my thick skull. We people of the Linnorn Kings are highly known for the thickness of their skulls.
He lets out a pained, migraine level laugh as his own self-depricating humor.
Well, I am not disemboweled. That's a good thing. Did this room have any important clues for that puzzle?
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MMMMHMMHM
Vanyan pushes Atium’s head back down as he continues to stitch and mend, yanking out barbs and hurts. ”He shouldn’t be awake yet,” Vanyan says to Aishe as the man helps hold a wound for Vanyan to stitch. Over the next hour, Vanyan works to save Atium’s life. Vanyan pokes a flab of skin back into place, looking at Aishe. ”Aishe, what is that? Is that a third nipple or a part of the mite casing? I can’t tell.”
Heal vs. DC20 (or DC25 for bonus)
”Woah, woah, don’t move too much Atium...take it easy...if these stitches break you’ll fall back down again,” Vanyan keeps Atium from getting too uppity.
Tessenarin looks at the two different sets of potions.
Tessenarin holds out one of the potions of Cure Mod. "Give his to him. It is more powerful and should help him more."
Vanyan looks at Tessanarin, then at the offered bottle. ”You sure? You sure this ain’t just blue piss? Some people do that...you know, store piss in jars.” He takes the bottle and unstop it, taking his own sniff.
Perception to ID CMW
He shakes his head, he doesn’t know, but gives the mite piss to Atium, holding him down as necessary.
”Here you go, drink this,” Vanyan hopes for the best.
CMW
”Oh yeah, that is better,” Vanyan looks as the wounds heal. ”Not bad at all.” He will examine the other potions as well.
Perception to ID CLW
He shrugs. ”Might also be piss.”
"So you doubt me, but choose to give it to someone else regardless? Tessenarin shakes his head. "I do not understand you at all.I am sure I never will.
”Doubt you? You’ve done nothing right since we got in here, but I figured everyone deserves at 10th chance to do something right. Heavens know how often I’ve screwed up,” Vanyan looks down to Atium, ”...and looked here, he stirs. You were right and you did a good job. You should be praised for that.” Vanyan gets off his knees, dusting off his hands.
”Now, why haven’t you done anything with that —>” Vanyan points to the prisoner while I’ve been working for he past hour? ”Couldn’t you tie him up or something? Find out what he’s doing here?”
Vanyan wonders if he’ll have to do everything hisself. He moves to the prisoner who is apparently really good at sitting still for hours at a time.
”What are you doing here? How did you get in?” Vanyan asks. He will repeat in elven, goblin, and orc to see if they can find a language match.
Aishe gets up from helping Vanyan to hear him start another argument. He considers opening another door, but figures that'd be pushing his luck, so he waits on that for now...
He's surprised when Vanyan tries Orc on the little blue creature though. But then, 'know thy enemy'. That's why you know it, he thinks to himself.
He waits to see what response the creature gives. He hopes it came from the surface, and not further down.
Well, that don't taste like piss. It sure as heck made me feel a whole lot better. Thanks Aishe and Twink for binding me back together.
He gets to his feet and looks around.
Did anyone find anything of interest?
”Sure thing, *Wank*,” Vanyan replies, still keeping his attention on the prisoner. ”Next time maybe you listen to me before running all over the place. I do have some experience in nearly dying in all manner of dungeon and exploration. Might be that I can keep you from making the same mistakes that I make.” Vanyan snorts and adjusts his balls.
”You’ve been out cold for the better part of an hour and now we have to deal with this prisoner. You have ideas, *Wank*?”
"We should pass out these healing potions to people before someone needs one. Who would like to carry one?
|
The mite piss goes down smooth and seems to have some restorative properties as Atium regains consciousness. Though the potions are old and dusty, the magic in them seems to still be quite strong and not diluted like some of the more unsavory churches trying to make a profit.
The mite watches intently and quite curiously as Vanyan does his work. He sneers the whole time, placing his beloved crown back on his head as noone obviously wants it.
With very little attention being paid to him during the chaos and hectic scene of trying to keep Atium alive the mite very nearly sneaks out of the room. Aishe is the only one that manages to catch the movement and steps into it's place, placing a hand against the creature's head. Furious and scared the mite kicks and screams, swinging at Aishe, but not able to reach the man as Aishe shoves Barple backwards where he tumbles onto his butt. Looking up he begins to cry, once again offering his crown for passage. With each word spoken to him Barple doesn't seem to understand.
Tessenarin (8/8)
Vanyan
Vinas (8/15)
Aishe (7/10)
Atium (9/14; raging 11/16)
"Look little guy. I don't speak your language." Vinas then tries to pantomime the idea of taking the crown, letting him live, and cutting his head off if he betrays my clemency.
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now we have to deal with this prisoner. You have ideas, *Wank*?”
See! Vinas has the same idea I had. We use Charades! With Charades, we can get our point across. For Example:
And Atium gets the King of the Mite's attention.He first holds up three fingers.
Three Words.
He then points to Yanyan.
Him.
He then puts his hands perpendicular to the ground about shoulder width apart. He proceeds to expand the hands away from each other to show a wide space between the hands.
Big.
Atium then points to his own butt.
Ass.
Atium laughs. See, I am certain he understood me! But joking aside. Let me try something. Does anyone also have a chalk or mark-maker?
Atium then proceeds to also pantomime asking about the hole. If it leads to their home or if it leads outside to sun. He uses his arms, or with chalk, he draws pictures of a home and sun and trees.
*******
Atium also takes a potion of Cure Moderate Wounds.
Vanyan glares at Vinas, then Tess. ”Maybe we keep an eye on our prisoners while I’m trying to save someone’s life? I dunno? Is that a lot to ask?” Vanyan knows he isn’t working with trained Pathfinders and for the first time in a while, he almost wishes he was.
Him.Big.Ass.
Vanyan shakes his head in response, but glad efforts are being made. At least they are trying.
He waits to see if Atium’s efforts pay off. He doesn’t have much to offer other than a long spear to the belly.
Aishe helpfully offers Atium a piece of chalk. "I also have some charcoal, but it's a bit crumbly."
He watches intently as he draws and pantomimes. He wonders if the little creature has the intelligence to understand him.
Aishe will take a potion of cure moderate for carrying. He suggests, "Everyone should carry some sort of healing, just in case."
Atium's face starts to shape into a frown. This isn't going the way he had hoped. He did successfully communicate with this pudgy Mite, but maybe he *said* the wrong thing.
Um, can someone stop him? Or fit small enough into that hole?
Realizing the answer is a Big Fat " NO",
Uh Oh.
Vanyan offers a slow facepalm as the creature escapes Atium.
He closes his eyes and sighs.
It's better this way. One less to watch.
Aishe watches as the small creature escapes through the hole. For just a moment, he wishes he was small and blue, and able to escape.
"Let's hope he doesn't bring friends back." He heads back out into the hall and waits by the next door. His crossbow is ready and loaded.
"There's little we can do now." Vinas sighs, "Let us look in the other rooms, but Desna Weeps, let's try the tiles."
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...and he's gone.... faster than seabiscuit.
Okay, That one was on me. 100% on me. My fault. Let's do as Vinas mentions and check out the rest of the rooms.
And Twink, you might have some good Pathfinder instincts and experience dungeon diving. Next time, I *might* take your advice.
Atium takes up position. He looks over his shoulder to see if Twink actually thinks he's in the right spot. Looking past the constantly sullen and disapproving gaze to try and detect a nod up and down or a side to side head motion.
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Atium investigates the door to the northwest and give it a shove open. Murals around this room depict several weapons, including many different rapiers and several lances. Each weapon depicted has a plaque next to it. A door stands in the south wall, and stairs occupy an alcove to the west.
The plaques identify dates, locations, and notable achievements Roslar made using each weapon. The weapons themselves aren’t here, as Roslar bequeathed them to squires or fellow knights so they could continue to be used to fight evil.
Just as below, resting in the corner of the room holding a shortsword, is another robed skeleton made from an exotic metal. Though this one moves! And speaks! It watches the doorway warily and feebly raises it's blade as it seems to be injured. "Stay back Defiliers!" It seems quite ready to defend itself.
Not all deities trust their worship to the care of fickle, short-lived mortals. When it comes to their most sacred sites, many gods entrust the duty of caretaker to celedons, immortal automatons of perfect faith.
Forged of the purest extraplanar metals, every celedon exists to serve a single deity. Each possesses a boundless willingness to praise their deity’s name, whether through song, oration, mock battle, or whatever performance their creator favors. Most spend the entirety of their existences tending a single holy place, repeating rituals, perfecting services, and creating new works to laud their particular deities. Celedons in the service of a goddess of law might perform an endless cycle of daily ceremonies and shrine upkeep, with time set aside for copying scripture and adjudicating disputes between the faithful. Those who serve a chaotic god of destruction might perform sacrifices as whims strike them, while erratically preparing weapons of war. While only those celedons created by martially minded deities function as warriors, most of these divine constructs zealously defend their divinely chosen homes and eagerly sacrifice themselves in their defense.
Celedons always honor and work to serve the word of their patron deity, nimbly navigating contradictions or hypocrisy in divine dogma. However, if an individual can, through extreme circumstances, convince a celedon to abandon her faith, the results are dramatic. A faithless celedon emits a blast of energy that deals 4d6 points of damage to all creatures within 10 feet, after which her sentience leaves her. The celedon continues to exist and mindlessly performs maintenance routines and other simple duties, but her Intelligence score and all special abilities are lost forever—a fate most celedons consider more merciful than living with apostasy. Revelations capable of causing a celedon to lose faith are exceedingly rare, usually due to exceptional circumstances or adventures—a celedon can’t be persuaded to abandon her faith through mere rhetorical skill.
Most celedons look like idealized humanoids, though their metallic appearances conform to the preferences of their creators.
Know (Arcana)
"Wait! Hey no!" Vanyan intercedes as quickly as he can with palms open, dropping his longspear. "We're not defilers! We're *not!* We're just lost and confused! Please listen!"
Vanyan keeps speaking.
"Look! I get it. You've been here for a long time and you're totally not to trust mortals...and if it were me and these yahoos came into my protected crypt," Vanyan points at Vinas, for example, "I would totally be pissed off. But we're not bad dudes. We *LOVE* Roslar and are just trying to get out of here. So...we're *so* sorry to bother you...but, uhm, uh...do you know we can get out of here? That would be keen, thanks."
He holds his empty hands out.
"Look here," Vanyan reaches in to pull out his holy symbol to Iomedae. "We're not enemies! We're totally not. Unless you mean him," he points at Tessanarin. "I dunno about that guy yet."
Shaking his head, "Now is not the time for snark."
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The robed skeleton frame lowers it's blade, as he finds you mean him no additional harm, exposing a chunk of dented and torn metal. "I cannot fulfill my duties if I am destroyed. I am a caretaker and protector of this sacred tomb. There are four of us in total. I am Number Three. A great mortal hero is buried in the tomb, a paladin of some renown, along with his retainers and assistants."
"The way out is up these stairs," the construct says, gesturing behind it. "But one of the insects that those blue pests brought with them when they invaded occupies the room above, making it dangerous to attempt passage. It is a wormlike thing with orange and black bristles."
"Might you know how, when, or even why we ENTERED this place?"
"That, in and of itself, is new information for us. It also reinforces my idea to explore around here." Vinas looks about and seems ready to take his leave.
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Vinas wanders off to investigate the remaining room as the others are left to question the guardian, Number Three, further.
Vinas opens the door to the south. The walls of this room are carved with strange sigils in broad circles. The center of the room contains a stone pillar with a large wedge of crystal atop it; the pillar and the floor around it are covered with more of the strange glyphs. Curled up next to the pillar is the husk of a small blue humanoid. The only door in this room leads out to the north.
The glyphs are runes of binding.
"This is FAR beyond my ken. Anyone else?" Vinas waits patiently for the others to talk to #3 and look at the pillar room.
Vanyan looks at the stairs, even points to them like the giant ass he might be. ”Oh lookee there, *stairs!*. Weird, right? No need to go raiding the remains of the Coffer’s greatest hero after all. We can just walk right out...except that beastie, of course.”
Vanyan returns his attention to the not-robot.
”Well, we’re sorry to disturb you. When we get topside, we’ll send someone to patch that hole that allowed the blue beasties to come in. They made a mess in here. Heck, I might even apply for an application for work myself. I could use some coin while I set up shop nearby.”
Vanyan offers a bob of the head toward the not-robot. ”Thank you for your help.”
”Looks like we can go—” Vanyan spins around to gather everyone to get out, stopping when he see that Vinas has left. ”Oh for piddlespot’s sake...” He stomps out over to go find Vinas.
He moves into the last room to get Vinas so that they can leave.
Know (Arcana)
”Vinas? Let’s get the—” Vanyan cuts short, whistling as he recognizes glyph. ”Oh man, look at that. A glyph of binding. Probably won’t kill you. Probably. But yeah...that’s uh...that’s crazy work there.”
"Binding what? Us? Something else? Does it work?"
Vinas steps back into the rooms and stares at the tiles. "You guys can stand here or back up, but I'm going to see what secrets this place holds."
Vanyan looks at Vinas, not believing the man is going to undo the protections of the tomb based on curiosity.
”Just so you know, Vinas, I’ll be reporting anything you steal to the town guard. I know I’m new in town, but I used to love being part of this town. Now, I’m not going to stop you, but that binding might,” Vanyan steps back and let the man who’s life he saved tosses it away again.
”To be a part of this town used to mean something. Used to mean community and family and resisting orcs and evil. Now? Now everyone is a tomb raider and there are dead horses on the road.”
He steps back, shaking his head.
"I was born here too. Look. You know why the weapons weren't in that other room? The weapons themselves aren’t here, as Roslar bequeathed them to squires or fellow knights so they could continue to be used to fight evil! We all know it. You can report me if you want, but you can't do it until we're out of here and alive."
Vinas walks over and steps on the three tiles in the following order: Horse Head, Heart, Rapier.
Vanyan goes back to the first room that leads downstairs as Vinas jumps on the tiles like a kid in a toy store.
”Why?”
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Vinas boldly and curiously moves over to the tiles. Skipping over the first row he steps onto the Heart! the stone shifts downwards slightly into an indent that is barely noticeable. Next Vinas leaps to the right, landing on the rapier. The same thing happens as the stone sinks ever so much into the indent. Looking around Vinas searches for the horse head. Finding it he leaps to the third row. this tile does not seem to move in the slightest and instead sends a blast of electricity out 10 feet wide!
Vinas' muscles convulse and lock up for the brief moment until the electricity ceases.
Tessenarin (8/8)
Vanyan
Vinas (6/15)
Aishe (7/10)
Atium (9/14; raging 11/16)
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"Bloody hell. Two out of three ain't bad."
"I'm going to try one more time. If this isn't it, I promise to leave it be as the will of the Gods."
Heart.
Rapier.
WINGS.
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Calming his nerves and shaking out the tense muscles Vinas stretches, leaping on the initial two stones once more. Safely they sink a small bit into the recess. Gulping he leaps to the wings this time instead of the Horse head. The stone sinks as well! —three symbols representative of Roslar’s devotion to Arazni, the Red Crusader and Herald of Aroden.
As the third and final tile clicks into place the altar nearby grinds open to reveal a hidden panel behind which Roslar’s mithral breastplate and masterwork steel shield are stored. Both are emblazoned with a red-winged rapier, the symbol of Arazni.
Vinas looks at the panel, then at the others (with an extra long bit at Vanyan.) "It.... it.. was a point of pride, but now I'm glad for taking the risk. One doesn't put these in a tomb if one doesn't want them used for their forged purpose.... May I?"
"I do not mind. Perhaps they provide service in a more modern time."
Vanyan shakes his head, not believing what his community has come to.
I’ll let the militia handle it. Or the sheriff? Do we have a sheriff or what nowadays?
He's quite floored at the talking robed skeleton, and it takes him some time to recover from it.
"Ah, oh." Aishe murmurs as the decision is made to search further before leaving.
He keeps his crossbow handy as the last room is checked, and grips it tightly as Vinas solves, painfully, the puzzle. "Well done sir." he says as the panel swings open.
He's less sure they should be taking them. But then what was the purpose of the puzzle? Was it not simply a test of the worthy, and Vinas had proved himself worthy. Still, it does feel like grave robbing.
"Is it grave robbing if it's not a grave?" he looks uncertainly. "There are, ah, adventurers rights or somesuch I've heard. Let's you loot without recourse. I remember someone in Oparra opining about it, though I've never seen the rule myself." He looks at Vinas, "Or applied it."
He's not taking any gear, so it's not his bad thing... right? He shifts uneasily, but in the end can't think of a reason they can't take the shiny.
In the end he shrugs, "So, ah, shall we see about this last insect blocking our way to freedom?"
Good work Vinas! That shock was harsh, and you went back at the puzzle a second time - knowing the consequences of a mistake. Wow. You have big balls.
Atium gives Vinas a slow,moderate, but stead clap with his hands.
He waits for Vinas to put on the high quality Breastplate and shield.
Yeah, I'm not moving towards the bug thing until my right hand man (Vinas) is ready with better armor. Let him put that on to protect from the bug. It's stupid to keep it here and all of us die just short of the exit.
*******
What is a boon of binding? Sounds both good and bad.
******
Hey Number Three, is it okay if Vinas uses the armor and shield to kill the invading bug? Do you have any problem with it? Speak now, so we don't mess things up and make you angry. I'd hate to see you when you are angry.
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Vinas convinces himself that by taking the armor he can do some good in the world with it. Slowly he strips out of his scalemail and dons the mithral breastplate. It feels extremely light. Vinas had heard stories of mithral before but was surprised to actually lay his hands on such valuable metal.
Hey Number Three, is it okay if Vinas uses the armor and shield to kill the invading bug? Do you have any problem with it? Speak now, so we don't mess things up and make you angry. I'd hate to see you when you are angry.
Number Three thinks for a moment. "I am here to protect the tomb and its inhabitants. If it helps to restore this tomb then I am willing to see past it."
What is a boon of binding? Sounds both good and bad.
Number Three looks past into the opposing room. "Ah, yes. That room. In his travels, Roslar discovered a malignant spectre haunting a small community in Lastwall. He defeated the spectre, but its hatred of the community allowed it to rejuvenate the following night. Roslar defeated it again but could not permanently lay it to rest. Instead, he trapped it within that crystal. Even in death, Roslar was unwilling to let his vigil over this monster lapse."
Vinas puts the armor on, almost reverently - like an occultist reading an item.
He eyes #3, curious about the response.