"Okay. Let us check and make sure. I am ready when you are."
Ayita carefully reopens the door to the crypt and finds it unchanged since her last peek.
From where Ayita stands, she sees three angels standing back to back behind the furthest (and largest) coffin.
"What would three angels be doing just standing around a crypt? More than likely they are statues." Ezranadir looks over the shoulders of everyone bunched in the doorway to try to see if they are moving and holds his bow up for better lighting. (Continual Flame)
[dice=Perception]1d20+9
It is too far away for Ezranadir to see exactly what these angels are doing. One seems to be wearing... a coat?
Frantino moves forward as well, alert for foes both visible and invisible. He also wants to determine if these angels are real or just statues.
If he thinks they're real, he'll speak in Celestial.
"Welcome, holy ambassadors. How can we be of assistance?"
Ayita moves up and gets an arrow ready to shoot though she doesn't point it, asking Yazhi to move in front of her.
Greetings. We mean you no harm.
As Ayita enters the room and gets a bit closer, she sees that the three angels back-to-back is actually a polished wood-and-iron coat stand. The angels' upraised wings form the hooks. On one of the hooks hangs a black leather coat with red velvet lining.
There are more things arranged in a semicircular array north of the larger coffin.
Nasir enters the room with Ayita and Frantino and scans the area for danger and lamia skulls.
Since these coat stands are not real angels, Frantino will refrain from addressing them. He does want to see what the "more things arranged in a semicircular array north of the larger coffin" are, cautiously approaching only as far as needed for now, Fury held at the ready.
Frantino moves forward as well, alert for foes both visible and invisible. He also wants to determine if these angels are real or just statues.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 16
[dice=Knowledge planes]1d20 + 11 + 1d6
They are definitely not-alive. They are intricately carved angelic figures, creating a very interesting coat-rack.
One of the angels, Frantino believes, is Arshea, the Spirit of Abandon. They are humanoid with wispy feathered wings. Their gossamer sashes, scarves and veils are expertly recreated in iron.
The second is Dalenydra, the Blessed Attendant. Her red-and-white tabard is easy to identify. One of her hands holds a (carved) potion bottle.
And the final is Shemhazai, the Imprisoned Empyreal Lord of Vision. His face is carved in a rictus of tortured pain and regret. His wings are covered by the aforementioned black leather coat.
Since these coat stands are not real angels, Frantino will refrain from addressing them. He does want to see what the "more things arranged in a semicircular array north of the larger coffin" are, cautiously approaching only as far as needed for now, Fury held at the ready.
Frantino, once he gets within 10ft of the objects, gets a clearer look.
One is a long smoking pipe decorated with a fine carving of a swan landing in a crocodile’s open mouth.
Next to it is a goblet made of black glass.
The angelic coat rack has the black leather jacket lined with what appears to be red velvet.
On the ground next to the coat rack is a small, beautifully made taxidermic "catbird" - a crow with a kittens head. It is highly unnerving.
Beyond the catbird is a 2-foot square painting that depicts a shadowy figure in an alley, hand resting on a stone wall. Or... wait, no the figure is standing in the center of the alley. No... when Frantino looks back at it again, the figure has turned its back to Frantino. Whenever Frantino looks away and then back again, the shadowy figure is in a different spot, doing something slightly different. But it never moves while Frantino looks at it.
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Ezranadir moves just inside the room. "It looks like there is a door to the right. Ayita, you want to check for traps and if it is at least locked or unlocked without opening it? Nasir, where did the ghost tell you her skull was located? Did you not say the second room? If it is not here, then we need to go back to the previous room and go through the other door to the east."
Hatfield cautiously moves forward appx 15 ft to keep the others in sight. Renews light spell. Casts guidance on self.
[dice=kn.religion]1d20+11+1
With a better view and any feedback from the others, the oracle tries to think of any religious or undead significance to the placement and appearance of the room, decor, etc.
Doc doesn't see anything particularly significant. Other than the fact of the placement. One big coffin and four small coffins, suggesting a parent and family relationship in life?
He does want to see what the "more things arranged in a semicircular array north of the larger coffin" are, cautiously approaching only as far as needed for now, Fury held at the ready.
A translucent gas slowly emerges from under a wall on the right, coalescing back into a humanoid gaseous form in the center of the room. Perhaps there is a concealed door there?
"An intriguing collection of oddities, is it not? I simply cannot help myself. Magnimar has SO many curiosities, don't you think?"
A pale, marble-like, 7ft tall gargoyle slowly materializes in the center of the room. Its eyes glow red and runes cover its horns. On its hip are arrows and a bow, but in its hands it holds an unlit lamp shaped like a bloated courtesan with three faces, each of which clutches a dead rat in the mouth.
"Isn't it beautifully bizarre?" says the gargoyle, holding the lamp up. "It spoke to me the moment I saw it."
The gargoyle shakes the lamp gently and a rattling noise is heard from inside it.
"It continues to speak, doesn't it?"
It (he?) looks from the trio to the south to Frantino near the large coffin and arrangement of collectibles.
"What do you think of my collection? The angelic coat rack and this triptych lamp suggest a theme I could pursue. Triplicate! Do you have any goblets? Or pipes? I really doubt you have any stuffed animals, eh? Let alone two more."
He looks at Ayita and Ter and Yazhi.
"Oh, but we could make do, couldn't we m'lady?" The gargoyle gives a little hop and a giggle. "Hmm. I may need to learn the taxidermist's art. Hmm. Well, maybe you aren't ready to part with your pets."
Those words are enough for Ayita to attack. She signals Yazhi to move and attack. She knows she hasn't studied enough, doesn't know what it is... but it threatened Yazhi and Ter.
The gargoyle steps out of the way of Ayita's arrow. He reaches down to pet Yazhi.
"Mummy is quite angry, isn't she, sweetheart?" the gargoyle says, pulling his hand away from Yazhi's bite at the last moment.
He holds onto the bizarre lamp as his wings flap and lift him up into the air and over the large coffin, setting down near his collection of oddities.
Bats in the high ceiling swarm about him and he waves one his hands to clear them out of his path.
Upon landing, he places the lamp gently on the ground, adjusting it carefully. A little to the left. A bit backwards. He rotates it just slightly, so the courtesan's three mouths face the magical painting.
"Hmm. Not sure why I did that. Will the courtesan's rats run into the painting and bite the shadow-man? Heh."
He turns towards Frantino. "What do YOU think? Who is that shadow-man and why is he always moving around?" The gargoyle crouches down, looking closely at the small painting.
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Saying loud enough for the party near him to hear, he says, "You may want to stay your hand, Ayita and rein in Yazhi. Notice the red eyes? The gargoyle is a Vampire and there are 5 coffins here."
Addressing the gargoyle, "Sorry for interrupting you and your slumber. Do not mind us, we were just passing through looking for a Lamia skull and some Cultists."
[dice=Knowledge: Religion]1d20+13
Saying loud enough for the party near him to hear, he says, "You may want to stay your hand, Ayita and rein in Yazhi. Notice the red eyes? The gargoyle is a Vampire and there are 5 coffins here."
Addressing the gargoyle, "Sorry for interrupting you and your slumber. Do not mind us, we were just passing through looking for a Lamia skull and some Cultists."
Your religion roll gives you one piece of info re his undead vampire nature.
Second roll, nature, can give you gargoyle info.
Frantino and Ezranadir know that vampires can drain your energy by touching you, change shape, assume gaseous form, and generally are resistant to non-magical and non-silver weapons.
Gargoyles are resistant to any non-magical weapons, can hide in plain sight as an immobile statue and almost always attack with their claws, bite and their horns (gore).
[dice=Knowledge: Religion]1d20+13
Saying loud enough for the party near him to hear, he says, "You may want to stay your hand, Ayita and rein in Yazhi. Notice the red eyes? The gargoyle is a Vampire and there are 5 coffins here."
Addressing the gargoyle, "Sorry for interrupting you and your slumber. Do not mind us, we were just passing through looking for a Lamia skull and some Cultists."
"Ah, an elven mage hiding in the back. Come forward and perhaps we can discuss Xanesha. You are talking about Xanesha's skull, yes?"
"You know where Xanesha's skull is? We need to free her of her imprisonment. I understand zat her skull is za key to zis.
But as you seem willing to talk instead of fighting, let us talk. I assume zis is your lair since your collection is here. I hab to admit zat it is quite eclectic and not really my taste, but what do I know of what gargoyle vampires enjoy.
I did not expect to find a unique individual such as yourself when we came here. I was expecting hooded figures chanting rubbish. Tell me, how did you come to make zis your home?"
"You know where Xanesha's skull is? We need to free her of her imprisonment. I understand zat her skull is za key to zis.
But as you seem willing to talk instead of fighting, let us talk. I assume zis is your lair since your collection is here. I hab to admit zat it is quite eclectic and not really my taste, but what do I know of what gargoyle vampires enjoy.
I did not expect to find a unique individual such as yourself when we came here. I was expecting hooded figures chanting rubbish. Tell me, how did you come to make zis your home?"
"Oh, so many questions. And so many answers! Maybe."
"Tell me, have you encountered any items, any things of interest in your travels that I can add to my... collection? Something you wouldn't mind parting with, of course," he says with a particular look at the ferociously protective Ayita.
Frantino runs his fingers through the feathers of his Cloak of the Hedge Wizard.
"This very colorful cloak used to be in the possession of a cultist of the Peacock Spirit, whose worship dates back to Thassilon. It gives me access to magical powers. However, this came from my brother and thus has sentimental value to me. Sure, he tried to kill me first before I took it from him, but still..."
Frantino runs his fingers through the feathers of his Cloak of the Hedge Wizard.
"This very colorful cloak used to be in the possession of a cultist of the Peacock Spirit, whose worship dates back to Thassilon. It gives me access to magical powers. However, this came from my brother and thus has sentimental value to me. Sure, he tried to kill me first before I took it from him, but still..."
"Mmm. Yes. Brothers. And cultists. What's the deal with cultists, right?" says the gargoyle with a knowing smile. "Do you have two more? Cloaks, I mean. They would look wonderful on my angelic coat rack."
He taps his chin with a gloved hand.
"Tell me, what this sentimental value? Your brother tried to kill you, yes?"
"Are you looking for somezing in barticular? We may be able to brocure an unusual item you've had your eye on."
"Are you looking for somezing in barticular? We may be able to brocure an unusual item you've had your eye on."
"Oh no no. I am interested in YOUR experiences in finding oddities. What have YOU found. And how did you find it?"
"My older brother is a murderer and con man, sucked in by a cult. He used this cloak to trick people but even with the Peacock Spirit's blessing his luck ran out. This kind of cloak will gain power with its wielder, which means it'll likely do nothing for you."
"My older brother is a murderer and con man, sucked in by a cult. He used this cloak to trick people but even with the Peacock Spirit's blessing his luck ran out. This kind of cloak will gain power with its wielder, which means it'll likely do nothing for you."
[dice=Bluff]1d20 - 2
"Mmmmm. Love it. I'll take it," he says, holding out his hand. "In return, an answer to a question. But before you ask, my favorite color is red. So don't ask that."
Frantino looks at the vampire. "I'm not sure I want to add it to your collection, I'm really not done using it yet. Certainly not for the low, low price of the answer to one question."
Frantino looks at the vampire. "I'm not sure I want to add it to your collection, I'm really not done using it yet. Certainly not for the low, low price of the answer to one question."
"As you wish. Enjoy your lessons without a tutor. Say hello to Erigantus," says the gargoyle.
"I shall seek more oddities for my collection in Magnimar. If you are still alive when I return, the price of my knowledge will be higher..."
His voice dissipates as he vanishes into a gaseous cloud, rising into the darkness above.
Frantino wants to search this room first. He also notices a door on the east wall near where we entered the room.
His see invisibility should be active for quite a while still.
Frantino finds little besides the coffins (empty) and the oddities.
He does spot a secret door on the east side of the room. With a subtle press of a stone, he opens it. It leads down a fifteen foot corridor, ending in a wall.
The eastern door (not the secret one) is latched, but unlocked. Or so Frantino thinks. Only trying to open it will tell if it is truly just latched.