Enos is carefully searching the room as the other members of the party study what's been found.
Enos takes his time and looks around the room. He doesn't find so much as a speck of dust or anything out of place. The room is rather spartan.
Keeping watch as Leothar reads through the journal, Ian notices Enos inspecting the rooms. But Ian had been trained since as long as he could hold a spear to be able to stay focused and awake, no matter what the guard duty was.
Once Leothar had closed the journal, Ian nodded to his friend and motioned towards the door leading to the dungeon. As he moved that way he asked, "Anything we need to know right now?" He smiles and nods to the door, "I mean before I open this door up?"
"A great deal of interesting information in here. But most of all, this:
The Sword of Valor is guarded by a shadow demon, which has the power to possess people. It is not in any of the rooms that Joram knew about.
Therefore, we should make sure that we have wards against possession, such as Protection from Evil, readily available when we might face the shadow demon. That means not expending all such spells before that point."
"Do any of you know anything else about shadow demons? Their ability to possess others is clear from the text."
Leothar probably doesn't know much.
"And as I said before, we should retain sufficient reserve power to make our exit, in the event that the foes in the dungeon call in reinforcements to block our path."
Enos considers what he knows about shadow demons.
Leothar can't remember any stories about shadow demons but Enos does. He recalls hearing that they are incorporeal and you need cold iron or good weapons to fully harm them. They also are immune cold, electricity, and poison and resistant to acid, fire and magic. He has heard they have an ability akin to the magic jar spell but can only use it once a day. They can throw things around cause people to be afraid and for it to get really really dark and other spell like abilities.
Dadna listened in unhappy silence. The list of the crimes committed by the two brothers was vast, and the road to redemption would be long. She wondered, though, if holy relics could be corrupted, then could unholy relics be purged? It gave her pause. At the moment, the standard operating procedure was to destroy unholy items. And for good reason. They were far too dangerous to use. But if they could be purged, and turned to the cause of good? Well, that alone could help turn the tide in the battle to close the World Wound. Furthermore, there was talk about a rogue demon. She filed that away for the future.
But at the moment? They had a task to do. And it didn't really matter what they would be facing. Regardless of the foe, they would stride in, weapons in hand, and would banish it with the divine strength given to them. All that they had to do was keep moving forward and to keep their faith.
Silently shaking his head 'no' Ian didn't know anything about shadow demons. He'd heard they operated in the Worldwound but that was about it. As the conversation continues, he realizes there was no reason not to move on. Heading towards the double doors, he felt like they had been unconsciously avoiding. Sheathing his sword, Ian takes a deep breath, "It feels like it's time to continue." Before losing his nerve, he reaches down and opens the double doors that should lead to the basement.
Leothar nods and moves up to the doors with Ian.
Ardriel turned from the bookshelves and said, "I agree. Let's go."
The dungeon lies about 40 feet under the citadel’s ground floor. The ceiling height averages to 20 feet, and demonic carvings and twisting runes decorate the walls. Numerous patches of pulsating, luminescent red lichen provide dim lighting throughout the dungeon, growing in patches along the walls and ceiling. There is a constant whispering that never becomes loud enough to allow intelligible speech to be heard, the constant susurrus grates on the mind. As you enter the dungeon you almost feel queasy; this place is totally antithetical to you.
The walls of the first chamber hold numerous dark, narrow prison cells.Around the main entrance stands an iron cage, with a cell door blocking entrance into the main vault.
Prior to descending into the dungeon, Ardriel cast protection from evil on himself and Ian.
Leothar presumably resists the effect of the evil whispers on his mind...
Attempting to ignore the constant susurrus grates on his mind, Ian resists the urge to sheath weapons and stick his fingers in his ears. Feeling queasy as they move through the first chamber, He slows turning and looking in each of the dark, narrow prison cells.
Stopping at the iron cage, its cell door blocking entrance into the main vault. He gestures to the lock, "What do you think Enos, can you open it?"
Ardriel you are at 9 I know.
"We also have the keys we found on Staunton Vhane. It would make sense that he would have the keys to proceed further into the dungeon."
Leothar tries the keys. If they open the cell, he will not proceed through the doors at the east of the room, but will instead hook around to the southwest where Joram said there was a secret door.
Leothar trys to open the door with the key but it does nothing.
Enos sees the others casting their spells and is reminded to call forth some additional protection for himself, casting his, also.
Carefully leading the way, the whispering is impossible to ignore.
Enos is driven to distraction and a little mad by the whispers. Enos then takes a couple minutes with the lock and opens it. Leothar leads the way into the room to the southwest and finds himself in a room full of empty bunks.
2
Leothar begins searching for the secret door that Joram mentioned.
"The side rooms held the torturers but they are gone. There is a secret door here into the rest of the facility."
Assuming he doesn't find it, he will keep looking.
"I believe the door should be in this wall."
Ardriel joins Leothar in studying the wall.
Following Leothar to the southwest room, Ian keeps one eye on Leothar searching the wall; he keeps the other on the area they came from to make sure nothing sneaks up behind them.
Leothar continues searching.
Enos will check any hidden portals that are found by the party for traps as soon as he's aware of the discovery. He seems more gruff and withdrawn than usual.
Enos comes over to help Leothar search and after a little bit they find the secret door. Enos then checks it for traps and finds none.
2.4
Realizing his friends had found the 'hidden' door, Ian moves back towards where Enos had found it. Keeping his sword and shield at the ready, he adds "Good job Enos." Looking towards Leothar he nods. "Ready chief."
Leothar opens the secret door and listens for movement.
Ardriel readies his bow, and scans the now-open door, alert for any threats.
You can see down a short hall the room opens up. A ten-foot-wide cage encloses an elevated lift at the top of this high terrace. A line of chains and an array of pulleys allow the cage to be lowered down into the room or moved across the room to a set of double doors at the far side of the chamber. The terrace and cage both overlook a large chamber with walls that seem to glow red hot. Heat wavers in the air, and wisps of vapor periodically waft up from the floor and walls, but the temperature atop the terrace is rather cool. Below, in the center of the room, squats a large forge made of black and red metal.
You can see four snake-bodied humanoids with spines of crackling flame dancing along the creatures blackened, fiery-red scales holding spears. They form up at the end of the hall and await your approach.
Round 1
Party Up
O 0
B 0
R 0
G 0
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
If they were not deep in the heart of an enemy fortress, having just survived a demonic ambush, Dadna might have been more willing to begin with diplomacy. But given where they were, and that they were facing a wall of snake-bodies humanoids that held spears and which were covered in flames, she saw it as a fairly safe assumption that they were enemies. Taking advantage of the reach provided by her weapon, she strode forward.
"In the name of all that is holy!" She called out as she charged forth.
Seeing the four snake-bodied humanoids with spines of crackling flame dancing along the creatures blackened, fiery-red scales holding spears Ian tries to remember hearing anything about such creatures being in the worldwound. Realizing Dadna was moving forwards to attack he lifts the ladies Gift in an inspiring display, calling out "For Iomedae and Kenabras!"
Enos looks at the figures waiting for the party and searches his memory.
As Dadna moves forward to attack three long tails come out from the creatures and one of the hits her and tries to drag her closer but fails. Dadna retaliates by hitting one of them. Ian doesn't recall ever hearing of these types of creatures in the Worldwound. Enos looks at the creatures and knows them as salamanders. They are resistant to any weapon that isn't magical and are immune to fire but vulnerable to cold damage.
Round 1
Party Up except Dadna and Ian
O 0
B 0
R 0
G 50
"This is a bottleneck where they can bring their numbers to bear against one of us at a time. It a terrible tactical position for us, but I cannot leave Dadna to die. Can I get some covering fire?"
Leothar prepares to use Total Defense and move in, but he will wait for ranged attacks to resolve first.
"Salamanders. They will shrug off any fire, but cold will hit them very hard. If you aren't using magic, the weapon won't be as effective."
"A pity I don't have any magic that creates ice. Perhaps something to be remedied later."
Ardriel joins Enos in firing on the salamander Dadna attacked.
Leothar casts Bull's Strength (5 minutes), declares Smite Evil on Blue, uses Mythic Power (bringing it down to 5/7) for an extra standard action (Total Defense), and moves in while readying his shield.
AC 29 (31 vs Blue) and CMD 32 (34 vs Blue).
Enos manages to hit the salamader once and Ardriel puts two arrows into him but he still stands. Leothar uses his magic to make himself stronger and then moves forward with his shield held high. The salamanders can't seem to hit him on his way through. Once he gets next to them they continue to try and stab him but can't get through his defenses.
Round 2
Party Up
O 0
B 0
R 0
G 75
Leothar says a quick prayer of thanks to Torag that his defenses held. He then attacks his target.
The salamanders had fortified a choke point, and they had probably thought themselves clever in doing so. However, this was proving to be a costly mistake for them, as they had decided to fight a battle that dwarves had perfected generations ago. Leothar stood in front, his shield at the ready, and Dadna had her traditional Dorn-Dergar. She attacked again, and again, seeking to take advantage of any opening.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Seeing Leothar surge forwards as well, Ian knew it was too tight for him to get in clase. Instead he keeps his sword raised, this time moving it in a Dazzling Display, attempting to intimidate their foes.
Leothar smashes the salamander twice with Radiance. Dadna then smashes the salamander again causing it to fall to the floor much flatter. Ian uses his sword to intimidate the defenders.
Round 2
Enos and Ardriel Up
O 0
B 52
R 0
G 119
Ardriel shifts his aim towards the one currently being pummeled by Leothar, firing two arrows at it.
Ardriel puts two arrows into the salamander dead ahead.
Round 2
Enos Up
O 0
B 66
R 0
G 119
Enos follows his cousin's lead in choice of target.
Enos misses with his arrows.
The three remaining salamanders maneuver around Leothar and all attack him. One manages to poke him with his spear and hit him hard with his tail but can't wrap Leothar up.
Round 3
Enos Up
O 0
B 66
R 0
G 119