While the magical types examine the area, Nasir looks around the stairs on the north side to see if he spots anything. He does not stray from the group, but looks down he passage behind them.
[dice=Perception]1d20+2
Nasir doesn't see much. The balcony down which he looks is long and illuminated by dim glowing lights upon the wall. He can tell there are several stone blocks jutting out from the wall. Halfway down the balcony is an alcove. From where he stands, he cannot tell what is in the alcove.
Disappointed by the lack of reaction at the pool, Frantino will follow Nasir to explore the north side of the balcony. "Looks like we should examine the alcove down here, although these stone blocks also stand out."
Frantino will stop at the first stone block on the way to the alcove and examine it, with detect magic and see invisibility still up.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 16
This polished stone slab is decorated with carvings of weapons. From Frantino's examination, he guesses that it blocks something, acting as a primitive door? His detect magic shows him calm waves of transmutation magic radiating from the block.
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Ezranadir comes up next to Frantino, "Perhaps these blocks drop into the floor like the entrance once a certain word is spoken." He looks around to some of the other doors within the detect magic range of 60' to see if they are also magic and what type. "With weapons carved on it, perhaps it needs to be hit with a weapon like the previous door we encountered in the Gauntlet Trials.
I do not believe weapons can be placed upon it. How many other stone slabs were there?
Ezranadir comes up next to Frantino, "Perhaps these blocks drop into the floor like the entrance once a certain word is spoken." He looks around to some of the other doors within the detect magic range of 60' to see if they are also magic and what type. "With weapons carved on it, perhaps it needs to be hit with a weapon like the previous door we encountered in the Gauntlet Trials.
I do not believe weapons can be placed upon it. How many other stone slabs were there?
On the north side, only three. South side of the balcony, also three.
She moves up, looking at the stone slab.
We could try putting a weapon on it...
She moves up, getting out her klar - a combination of weapon and shield - and will put it on the slab unless someone disagrees.
Nothing happens when Ayita places her klar against the slab.
Since the entrance to this hall opened with a word, Frantino will try some of those.
"Thybidos. Runelord Thybidos. Runelord Alaznist." Not knowing how old the Sepulchers are, he'll try as many names of the runelords of wrath as he can recall.
If that doesn't work, maybe he can trick it into opening like he did with the magical cabinet in the Underflume back in Roderic's Cove.
Since the entrance to this hall opened with a word, Frantino will try some of those.
"Thybidos. Runelord Thybidos. Runelord Alaznist." Not knowing how old the Sepulchers are, he'll try as many names of the runelords of wrath as he can recall.
[dice=Knowledge history]1d20 + 12 + 1d6
If that doesn't work, maybe he can trick it into opening like he did with the magical cabinet in the Underflume back in Roderic's Cove.
[dice=Use Magic Device]1d20 + 14
Frantino's names of the runelords of wrath don't seem to work. He fiddles and tries all the arcane tricks he knows, but is unable to make the slab move.
hmmm...
Ayita pushes on the slab in the direction she thinks it might move, trying different things to get a sense of its weight and any unseen mechanisms.
[dice=disable device to sense how it might move]1d20+15
[dice=strength check]1d20+3
Ayita is sure that it will lower into the floor when opened.
Frantino agrees with Ezranadir. "Comparing all the slabs may give us insights into what each requires before we can access whatever is behind them. Plus we have this alcove over here to examine, maybe there's a clue or a secret corridor."
Frantino will move to the next thing to look at along the north balcony, the alcove.
Before Frantino moves along towards the alcove, the team hears a stone slab grinding as it lowers. Frantino is sure it happened when he said, "Runelord Xiren."
Frantino slowly turns around, letting his ears pick up the subtle differences from different angles so that he can hone in on the sound's origin. He points across the "canyon" and to the right.
"Did you hear that? I think one of the slabs just opened, but it was on the other side and at the far end. We should check it out before someone or something else comes looking."
Frantino will head back to the top of the stairs, cross over to the south balcony, and cautiously go west to see which slab depressed, but he won't go past the stairs until the rest of the group is there.
Nasir goes with Frantino to investigate the noise, ready for anything.
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"No, I did not Frantino. If one did open, it would have been beneficial to know what was on it before saying the other Runelord's name. I would suggest examining each and every door before saying anything further." He goes along with Frantino to the opened door. If we pass any other doors, he will give a brief examination to see what is carved on it.
Frantino heeds Ezranadir's advice and stops reciting the names of the past runelords under his breath, making sure he didn't miss any by employing a children's rhyme used by teachers in Thassilon. Of course, these rhymes were always suspect since each successive runelord tried to erase the memory of his or her predecessor.
"In the interest of time, just in case there is a threat down here, let's go find the open one first and not study the others in detail along the way unless more than one is open. Once we're sure we're out of danger, we should definitely study the others on the way back. Looking forward, I believe there are two closed stone blocks on the left and an opening straight ahead on the far wall."
[dice=Perception]1d20+5
"No, I did not Frantino. If one did open, it would have been beneficial to know what was on it before saying the other Runelord's name. I would suggest examining each and every door before saying anything further." He goes along with Frantino to the opened door. If we pass any other doors, he will give a brief examination to see what is carved on it.
The first slab you encounter in the southern balcony is a polished stone slab decorated with carvings of coiled worms.
The second stone block is deep blue marble, flecked with specks of gray and white, bears a carving of a six-headed and six-times-decapitated serpent. The serpent’s coils wrap around itself in a diamond shape, surrounding four circular impressions bearing a facet-like pattern.
The last slab, at the end of the hallway, is missing. As you get closer, you see that it has lowered into the floor. Beyond is a room...
You are correct in your description.
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Ayita moves towards the lowered slab, carefully looking at its opening and what she can see inside of the first part of the room. She will cast the "light" cantrip if needed, as well as "detect magic".
Yazhi is currently on "guard Doc" duty, and Ayita replenished Doc's supply of wolfdog and falcon treats this morning.
Ayita moves towards the lowered slab, carefully looking at its opening and what she can see inside of the first part of the room. She will cast the "light" cantrip if needed, as well as "detect magic".
[dice=search for traps]1d20+17+2+1
Yazhi is currently on "guard Doc" duty, and Ayita replenished Doc's supply of wolfdog and falcon treats this morning.
Ayita finds no magic, other than the transmutation magic surrounding the slab in the floor. Nor does she find any traps.
After casting light, the interior of the room becomes more visible. The ten-foot-square room is empty save for a pile of bone fragments and dust heaped like so much dirt to be swept up by a custodian. Only a jawless skull resting atop the morbid detritus suggests that these remains were once a person. No ostentation, no artful frescos, and no decorations adorn the walls to give any sign that whoever this was in life was a person of any importance at all.
Hatfield pats Yazhi and renews his light spell. Then he does another quick sweep with detect poison. If there's time, he also looks and listens for signs of trouble--past and present.
[dice=perception]1d20+1
[dice=survival]1d20+1
Doc doesn't find any poison sources. Nor does he hear any signs of danger. Just the dark silence of the years.
"Burbabs there is a secret exit out of zis room?"
Ayita will look around in the room for such an exit (and traps) with guidance.
[dice=perception]1d20+17+2+1+1
The room does not seem to have any secret exits or traps. Ayita looks down at the human remains, wondering who it could have been entombed here.
"What an intriguing mystery! If I heard correctly, this panel lowered when I stated Runelord..., wait, maybe we shouldn't say that name again until we're all outside of the room, just in case the slab closes and seals us in for another 10,000 years."
Frantino will leave the remains alone and exit the room. Once everyone is out, he'll continue.
"When I said Runelord Xiren's name I heard the slab moving over here. I wonder if this was him (her?), or just some human sacrifice?"
I don't believe we've been told much about Xiren before, Frantino tries to recall this runelord's history. If need be he could use a ruin reading here but I'm sure there are other even more interesting mysteries around.
"What an intriguing mystery! If I heard correctly, this panel lowered when I stated Runelord..., wait, maybe we shouldn't say that name again until we're all outside of the room, just in case the slab closes and seals us in for another 10,000 years."
Frantino will leave the remains alone and exit the room. Once everyone is out, he'll continue.
"When I said Runelord Xiren's name I heard the slab moving over here. I wonder if this was him (her?), or just some human sacrifice?"
I don't believe we've been told much about Xiren before, Frantino tries to recall this runelord's history. If need be he could use a ruin reading here but I'm sure there are other even more interesting mysteries around.
[dice=Knowledge history about Xiren]1d20 + 12 + 1d6
Xiren was the third runelord of wrath and ruler of the Thassilonian realm of Bakrakhan. Her reign spanned nearly 250 years before she was assassinated by her successor, Thybidos.
Little more is known of her.
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After Ayita is done examining this SW room, she comes back out.
Ok Ezranadir.
She examines the other slabs in order. If she just examined #1, then going counter-clockwise to the east in this hallway along its south edge, then back along its north edge. She ends near the projection that Doc is standing near. She notices that there is a narrow area between slab 3 and projection 4, and looks for a function that might serve.
1.) (done)
2.
3.
4.
5.
If nothing is found... Let's go check the hallway and slabs around the bend too.
Frantino will follow after Ayita to the two slabs on the south side of the south balcony and analyze them from a magical perspective, with detect magic active. He'll try not to talk to himself or read anything out loud if he happens to find some writing.
After Ayita is done examining this SW room, she comes back out.
Ok Ezranadir.
She examines the other slabs in order. If she just examined #1, then going counter-clockwise to the east in this hallway along its south edge, then back along its north edge. She ends near the projection that Doc is standing near. She notices that there is a narrow area between slab 3 and projection 4, and looks for a function that might serve.
If nothing is found... Let's go check the hallway and slabs around the bend too.
Ayita finds no traps. From her examinations, it is obvious that all the slabs on the outer walls of the balcony are doors, just like the first one already opened.
Frantino will follow after Ayita to the two slabs on the south side of the south balcony and analyze them from a magical perspective, with detect magic active. He'll try not to talk to himself or read anything out loud if he happens to find some writing.
[dice=Knowledge arcana #1]1d20 + 10 + 1d6
[dice=Knowledge arcana #2]1d20 + 10 + 1d6
Frantino finds no further magic emanations, other than the ancient transmutation auras on each door. His guess is that it is the magic used to open them, upon use of a command word.
The slab door in front of Ezranadir (E3f) is deep blue marble, flecked with specks of gray and white, bears a carving of a six-headed and six-times-decapitated serpent. The serpent’s coils wrap around itself in a diamond shape, surrounding four circular impressions bearing a facet-like pattern.
The slab door in front of Frantino (E2g) is polished stone, decorated with carvings of coiled worms
"I zink zat zese symbols might correspond to different Runelords of Wrath, maybe?"
Nasir examines the deep blue marble slab (E3f) tryign to see if he recognizes the iconography.
"I zink zat zese symbols might correspond to different Runelords of Wrath, maybe?"
Nasir examines the deep blue marble slab (E3f) tryign to see if he recognizes the iconography.
[dice=Knowledge (History)]1d20+7
Nasir didn't pay too much attention on that day in History Class. But he thinks it must be representative of a Runelord.
Ezranadir moves around with the rest of the group to review the slabs and whatever carvings are on each. Can you please describe each (E2b, E2c, E2d) in detail?
E2b
This polished stone slab is decorated with carvings of flowers, delicate and beautiful. The work is complicated and intricate. A lot of effort has gone into the carvings, as if they were a gift for some beloved lady.E2c
This polished stone slab is decorated with carvings of beasts' skulls.
E2d
This polished stone slab is decorated with carvings of weapons.
Frantino will walk with Ezranadir and the rest of the party to the north balcony, examine E2d with them, but then go into the alcove to see what E2a is, being careful to avoid traps. If there's any writing he'll be careful not to read anything out loud, at least not yet, since these slabs seem to be triggered by names, although the other runelord names he recited earlier seemed to have no effect other than Xiren (and Thybidos at the entrance).
+1 for traps
Frantino will walk with Ezranadir and the rest of the party to the north balcony, examine E2d with them, but then go into the alcove to see what E2a is, being careful to avoid traps. If there's any writing he'll be careful not to read anything out loud, at least not yet, since these slabs seem to be triggered by names, although the other runelord names he recited earlier seemed to have no effect other than Xiren (and Thybidos at the entrance).
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 16 +1 for traps
A ten-foot-wide obelisk of blue-gray stone stands in this alcove, its face carved with the image of a six-headed and six-times-decapitated serpent. A short inscription has been carved below the image, the runes glowing softly with pale blue light that flickers and pulsates.
The inscription in Thassilonian reads “Within these walls lies a failed patron, betrayed by a student, now just a broken beast, faithful only to his own failures, beloved by none who survived his fall.”
Ayita stops, as her friends discuss the history issues, and thinks...
[dice=knowledge history]d20+1
Having no clue, she shrugs... thinks some more.
[dice=knowledge religion]d20+1
Are any of these connected with any religions? I can't think of any but it's not my area.
Unfortunately, Ayita can't recall much about the specific runelords and their symbols.
But she is ABSOLUTELY sure that some of these symbols must mean something religious. She can't quite remember, though...
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 16 +1 for traps
Now that we have seen all of them he tries to see if Nasir's assumption is correct.
[dice=Knowledge-History]1d20+10"You may be correct, Nasir but were there that many Runelords and do we know which slab carving corresponds to each? Perhaps we should check out what looks to be a pool in the alcove to the north." (Labeled E2a)
Ezranadir cannot recall the specific runelords' iconography to confirm or disprove Nasir's hypothesis.
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Going off what Ayita asks about religion.
"Hmmm, I just wonder if this six-headed serpent was Thybidos' pet. It seems to have been severed like the statue of Thybidos at the entrance of this tomb into six separate pieces. Maybe it was part of his coat of arms or personal sigil? The number six seems to be coming up frequently. There are also six slabs. I also wonder if the four indentations mean anything."
"Remember we had to use gemstones we found in order to open doors within the Gauntlet? I wonder if this may apply here as well?"
Frantino reads the inscription silently, trying not to say anything out loud since we don't know what names or words will activate these slabs, assuming that's how the rest of them work. He calls out to the group. "There's a phrase carved here. It seems to refer to Thybidos, but maybe not." Since everyone except Doc knows Thassilonian, he'll let them read it for themselves.
Overhearing the conversation about possible religious connections to the carvings, Frantino will try to recall those classes.
Frantino suddenly recalls some of the carvings back at the temple of the demon lord Ibdurengian, the demonic merfolk with the lower body of a spiny eel, where we fought that nasty demonic ooze yesterday (or was it two days ago?).
Aquatic demons and sea monsters stalk the scenes carved into the stony walls, the fiends eviscerating one another with expressions that can be described only as gleeful. A mosaic depicting a six-headed snake decorates the floor, its coiling tail cut off by the western wall. At the midsection of the serpent’s body stands what could only a sacrificial altar, copious amounts of blood staining it and the floor around it. What appear to be runes are carved atop the altar, but the dried blood obscures their details.
The Coiled Hydra Kn(history) DC25:
The coiled hydra is the symbol of the old Runelord Thybidos, ruler of Bakrakhan until Alaznist murdered him and claimed the title.
"Since the coiled hydra was Thybidos' symbol, I think your connection between his death, these beheaded hydras, and the broken and pieced together statue at the entrance may be spot on, except that it may depict him and not just a pet. I hope we don't have to search for his six body parts, but maybe that's what we'll find behind these slabs. Could that skull we found be his, even though that slab opened when we spoke his predecessor's name? Needing gems for the door indentations is also thematically consistent with some of the other doors on this island."