Aristeides waits for the flames to run out of fuel then enters the chamber. a breeze from the unveiled chamber quickly vacates the smoke, though some clings close to the ceiling in the upper chamber.
Mateo and Lysander sit for a moment trying to catch their breath from the combat. Mateo finds an un-blistered or cut part of Lysander and playfully smacks him, rejoicing in their vanquishing of the common foe.
Coronus carefully negotiates the poorly designed... for a centaur anyway... staircase and joins the others asking about their next step.
Kaia is last to enter the new chamber carefully aiming her bow around the newfound chamber.
Everyone thought that Novyn entered the chamber, but she is nowhere to be seen. Did she enter the cavern the stream disappeared into?
The corpse of the Mimic lays just inside the door. It slumped into a formless blob, with some burned areas, and many cuts and stabs, which still ooze blood, but it no longer flows with no heart to push it.
Actions?
Kaia moved up when the party did and continued to watch for enemies, arrow drawn taunt and ready to fire.
"Just stay behind the others for a bit, alright? You're hurt...really hurt. I think the Gods will actually stab me if I let the mighty Lysander die on my watch." The joke was there but Mateo's stare was all too serious; the burns and cuts upon his comrade's body were getting worse and while he was certain that he would power through it, a careful blow could take him off of his feet.
Stepping in front of the group, he would nod for the group to follow him as he carefully headed deeper into the cavern. His steps were slow and careful; he was certain that Novyn was watching and he had hoped he had earned the thief's favor enough that she would protect them if things went bad. Keeping his eyes keen, he moved closer towards that island in the middle of the stream.
Aristeides stays with the bulk of the group, though he looks around trying to spot a potential enemy or, luckily, an exit.
The centaur walks over to the demigod and blesses him, "by Chiron's tail."
Lysander and Coronus: I'm assuming you're near the exit to the stairs where Lysander was taking a breath. Coronus - Remember my house rule... all healing spells you can roll an extra die, and subtract the lowest roll.
Mateo begins to sneak forward, but unfortunately Ariseides and Kaia behind him are not so careful. These three move towards the island in the center of the chamber.
You all know that Novyn is somewhere in the chamber... or maybe she has had enough and just left. Kyrah stands in the recently cleared entrance watching your actions, a worried look on her face.
"I hear...something." Mateo murmurs to those closest to him, his eyes scanning the room carefully. Turning towards the others, he would speak to those who were within whispering distance. "A lot of movement by the island...but...there is also signs of movement down by where the stream is going." He points at where the rushing water was disappearing to. "I'll check out the stream, you all check out the island. Be vigilant."
Creeping away from the party and using the mists to his best advantage, Mateo would try to approach the stream's exit as quietly as he could. The bubbling waters distorted his hearing but perhaps his elven eyes could see something that the others would not be able to.
With Lysander hale and full health, the centaur steps lightly forward. Careful of the wet cavern floor. He bends down to examine any of the tracks that are not the Heroes.
"By Chiron's tail," he blesses himself.
On the Island
- Coronus
As the brave explorers search for clues to what happened, Coronus bends down sure he saw a very fresh track when he is suddenly caught by surprise as one of the rugs on the floor takes offense to his sharp hooves, and rises up trying to engulf him.
Engulf... but mistakes how big he is, and only manages to entangle around the legs of him.
Initiatives
Lysander:
Mateo:
Coronus:
Aristeides:
Kaia:
Carpet burn:
So everybody... then the poor carpet...
Everyone is on the island right now. No need to map this out I don't think. Zones should work fine for this. Everyone is at Close except for Mateo who is at Near.
The sudden whipping noise of one of the rugs suddenly animating catches Mateo's attention, pulling his sights from the bubbling stream and back towards the island. With his weapon in hand, he moves to close the distance with the foul thing and strike at it.
Kaia releases her drawn arrow into the animated rug, teaching it a valid point.
"A rug? Well, this I know how to hurt!" With a bit of a chuckle, the centurion brings his sword down to strike at his woven foe.
The centaur tries to shake off of the rug from its front leg as if he stepped in mud while he draws his bronze sword. Then, he tries to shear the carpet.
"Damn!" Aristeides doesn't dare to throw one of his flaming projectiles for fear of burning Coronus. He stands there, waiting, thinking what are their chances if they have to fight all the furniture...
The animated carpet is at this moment wishing he'd just keep laying there, as the party tears into him.
Kaia's arrow seems to pierce some vital area of the rug, and it retracts from the injury, only to rise into Lysanders sword strike. Coronus then sidesteps a bit before bringing his own sword into the folds of the furniture ending it's life... and it is once more an ornamental carpet albeit one covered in it's own blood, and torn.
The chamber grows silent once again save for the rush of water, and the hiss of an occasional vent of steam. The party gazes around looking for another threat, then realizes that Novyn is nowhere to be seen. She entered the chamber, and moved along the wall to the left, but has not been seen since.
Her absence and the rushing of the stream into a dark opening at the end of this chamber beckon to you all. A small footpath follows the stream into the cavern, though you must duck to enter it without getting wet.
@Kaia>> Dont forget to update you profile with your 5 massive HP.
"First the door. Now a rug. I guess I should be grateful the chest upstairs didn't bite me."
"Mateo, anything else in here? You want to check out the cavern" Coronus posits and asks.
With the rug finally down and out, Mateo's eyes move towards that dark opening at the end of the cave. Novyn had not reported back and her disappearance was troubling to him.
"Indeed. Just...trot quietly?" He said, giving the centaur a grin as he took the lead once more. Approaching that dark entrance, Mateo would signal for the others to follow him at distance as he made his way into the waters.
Area Map and combat map are updated:
As Mateo sneaks unnoticed around the corner a disturbing scene unveils itself before his eyes.
At the entrance to this chamber, a beautiful woman in golden raiment is stretched out above the underground river, held captive by tendrils of animated water. In the chamber behind her, a hideous, blue-skinned woman cackles as she plunges a knife into a terrified acolyte.
Lysander:
Mateo:
Coronus:
Aristeides:
Kaia:
Hag:
Water Weird:
@Mateo>> Make a DC WIS Save.
before I charge in
Feel free to charge in based upon the expression of horror on Mateo's face.
@Mateo>> You are free to act as you wish.
Mateo's eyes widen at the sight before him; the hag's horrid appearance coupled with the evil scene sent a chill down his spine. There were few times that the man had encountered true evil in such a pure and terrible form. Yet as that fear sat within his gut, it started a righteous anger. These people were peaceful. They were innocent. They didn't deserve to be slaughtered like this. His shocked expression shifted to one of fierce determination and as he looked back at the others, he signaled for them to charge in. It was time to save the oracle and learn their destiny.
Seeing Mateo's face and Lysander charging, Aristeides also steps in.
His knees shake with fear at the sight of the Hag, though he manages to stand his ground. He makes some gestures and pronounces arcane invocations, sending some force projectiles towards the horrible creature.
Though Lysander's gut roils at the hideousness of the Hag, he charges past his friend bringing his blade to bear and striking it menacingly on his shield as he approaches the.. thing. "I'll take on the Hag. Someone rid us of that Water Spirit, then come save my bacon," he says as he passes Mateo. Then turns an angry roar at the Hag, calling it to battle.
Coronus follows the stampede into combat. The centaur will stop between the hag and next to the water weird and tests his sword against the water.
The Water Weird seems to only be concentrating on constraint of the Oracle. Attacks against it have disadvantage.
Remainder of Party up!
While Mateo wishes to drive his blade deep into the hag's horrid chest, he knows better than to just suddenly engage the enemy without the support of either Coronus or Lysander. Still within range to make the strike, he sheathes his blade and draws his bow off his back. Pressing close to the wall of the cave and try to use it for cover and to hide his presence.
Mateo lines up his arrow, aiming for the neckline of the hag as she turns to face the interlopers that have come for them now.
Kaia takes aim at the water weird and fires.
Using fire against a water creature doesn't seem like th ebest of ideas to Aristeides, so he decides to focus on the hag.
@Lysander>>: Lysanders surge of fear is shoved to the back of his emotions, as anger at the unjust slaying of the Acolyte overcomes his fright at the visage of the Hag. He rushes forward to attack, but finds the shallow water, and the uneven footing keep him from getting all the way to the Hag.
@Coronus>> Coronus stops short and attempts to damage the animated water holding the Oracle in it's watery grasp, but finds that an eye made of water opens up, and is able to dodge away from the blow.
Water Weird>>>The water weird keeps it's firm grasp on the Oracle, eyes opening at random and dodging all attempted blows. "Slay the Hag! Don't worry about me! She must pay for her unwarrented murder of the innocents under my care".
@Mateo>>: The sneaky rogue manages to get off a well placed arrow at the hag, as her attention moves from him for a minute. The arrow flies true, and flies deep into her neck. Her eyes look for the well hidden rogue, as she feels the impact of his shot.
@Aristeides>>: The wily mage creeps forward, overcomes his initial fear at the horrid visage, and sends magical darts of force into the bulk of the hag.
@Kaia>>: Kaia steps into the chamber, and draws sight on the Water creature holding the Oracle at bay, but her arrow flies into a part of the water weird, that seems to be normal water.
Heleka the Hag>>> "Ah! So you are made of sterner stuff than most, and my beauty does not enthrall you. That will make you even tastier for my stew pot". The hag rushes forward unimpeded by the water, and strikes out with her jagged claws at the first victim to come close. "You'll do for the appetizer". Her fetid breath assaults Lysander, as she closes with the brave warrior, and attacks.
Horrid sharp claws
Attempted deep claw marks.
But as she moves forward Mateo's arrow scrapes on something, and her aim is off as she swings towards the brave warrior.
End of Round 1. Lysander and Coronus are up. Aristides has already acted
Coronus nods to the weird water and turns toward the hag. He slashes at her from the high guard position and backslashes from the low guard.
Lysander grins as the monster closes to sword range. Working in tandem with Coronus, the cneturion automatically slashes a low attack then follows up with a slash towards the head.
"Anyone know if I should be using the silver spear here?"
The Water weird simply keeps it's grip on the Oracle, and a watch on the others with as many eyes as needed.
Coronus steps forward bravely.
"Betrayer! You shall taste particularly delicious in my stew pot".
Coronus responds by slashing deeply into her head removing her ugly jaw. then coming back and hitting something vital on his return stroke. Lysander joins the fun by hitting something unidentifiable in the groin area, then from nowhere a ball of flame appears, and strikes the ugly creature right between the eyes sending it to it's death.
You hear a sudden splash from the pool as the Water Weird now that it's controller has perished releases the oracle, and returns to it's native plane.
The Hag moves no more, except Lysander and Coronus notice a bulging on her scarred forehead, which slowly splits and reaveals a large black pearl. (100 GP). They also find a note in a filthy pouch around her nece that reads so:
Heleka...
I bid you now make good upon the oath of service that once you swore me. You know the secret ways through the Forgotten Sea to the cave where my daughter dwells. Find her and bring her to Praxys unharmed, and I will release you from your oath.
— Sydon, Lord of All
Behind you on the island where the Oracle usually sleeps are the dead body of the Acolyte she just murdered, and several chests full of valuables... probably belonging to the Oracle.
She rises from the water and peers at the group.
"Thank you for your timely arrival. I feared that all was lost. I am Versi... the Oracle. Centuries ago I foresaw the coming of great warriors who would save Thylea in her hour of need. Seems that time has arrived. Help me to the cave, and I'll give you a prophecy that will change the world".
Please tell me you names along the way.
"Good job guys." The philosopher is sweating, but relieved that they managed to save the Oracle. After reading the message, he exposes his opinion. "So it seems they found a way to reach here through the sea? Should we check it and seal the access?"
Kaia says nothing and instead pulls security as the group makes their way back to the cave.
"Hmm. Sydon writes notes? Very pedestrian for a titan." The centaur observes.
"Yes. Good job everyone. That secret way is probably underwater to prevent mortals like us from access. " The centaur comments.
Mateo's arrow flies true, lodging into the hag's shoulder. It was with grim satisfaction that he watched the wicked creature be brought low by the power of his allies, the bolt of flame rupturing her already hideous face. The water elemental faded away, leaving them alone with the Oracle in her grotto. Strapping his shortbow again to his back, Mateo would approach Versi and offer his hand to her.
"I will escort you, Oracle. Lead the way." The half-elf says, intent on this prophecy. The dead can rest unsettled for a bit longer; this was the reason he was here...to avert his fate and that of Thylea.
The Oracle slowly walks back towards her Grotto stopping occasionally along the way to inhale some of the vapors that eke from some fissures along the way. She asks each character their name again as they progress, and commits each to memory.
When you arrive back in the Grotto you see Kyrah and Proteus leading the remainder of the Acolytes in disposing of the corpses of the rug and door, and cleaning up the area. A fresh rug replaces the bloody one on the island. "Thank fate that some of my acolytes still live. The lives lost here shall be avenged... She looks at each of you in turn... "I pray". She then walks about the chamber wafting some of the vapors deep into her lungs before seating herself in the center of the island, and entering a dreamlike trance.
She stares into each of your eyes, probing your souls with her
penetrating gaze. Some time passes before she speaks.
“You warriors who stand here gathered will be tested. The Fates have revealed three great tasks that must be accomplished before you are ready to sail into the three seas and face the Titans. You must shape the silver fires of the lost forge in order to craft the tools that you will need. You must claim the mighty weapons wielded against the Titans by the first Dragonlord. And you must drink deep from
the bottomless dragon horn, for it will reveal a vision that I cannot see. But woe unto thee, for I have seen the end of all things. My father’s anger cannot be quelled, and his sister schemes even now. Your quest may yet fail and, if it should, the sky will rain black fire, and the doom of Thylea will come.”
She then takes time to look each of you in the eyes, and reveals a personal prophecy for each of you.
Kaia's Prophecy The Dragonslayer
Versi tells the Dragonslayer that they are destined to become the bane of evil dragons. They must seek out the Forgekeeper in the Mithral
Aristeide's Prophecy The The Gifted One
Versi reveals the Gifted One's conflicted ancestry, explaining that Sydon murdered their sorceress grandmother. She gives the Gifted One a locket that once belonged to her.
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Coronus's Prophecy The Haunted One.
Versi tells the Haunted One that their corrupted sister, Demetria, possesses one of her lost family artifacts. Demetria can be found in the Mossy Temple in the Old Woods.
Lysander's ProphecyThe Demi-God
Versi expects great things from the Demi-god. She encourages them to travel to Estoria and meet their father, Pythor.
Mateo's Prophecy The Doomed one
The Oracle’s corrupted sister, Demetria, knows more about the fate that has been laid upon the Doomed One. Versi explains that Demetria can be found in the Mossy Temple.
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The Oracle then seems to swoon and pass out after her trying ordeal. Proteus gently lays her upon the rug, and he and Kyrah elaborate upon details about the labors.
1. Claim the Weapons of the Dragonlords The weapons of the first Dragonlords were forged at the Mithral Forge by the god Volkan, and all were capable of wounding the Titans and those descended from them. These are located in Telamok, a necropolis in the Mithral Mountains. The tombs were built to house the remains of the Dragonlords who came to Thylea
five centuries ago. No one ever goes there now, as it’s guarded by an undead gatekeeper known as Damon, who must be paid with a special kind of coin before he will allow anyone entrance. Proteus gives the heroes one burnished dragonlord coin and tells them to keep it safe
2. Light the Fires of the Mithral Forge The Mithral Forge was used by the dwarves to construct the weapons of the gods in the First War. The
Forge can be used to build powerful magical items or repair ancient magical items that no longer work. Kyrah suggests that the party travel to the city of Estoria. A clan of dwarves works the local copper mines, and they are likely to know more about the Forge's whereabouts.
3. Drink From the Horn of Balmytria The Horn of Balmytria is an actual dragon horn that a famed silver dragon lost in battle against the gygans. It was recovered by the priests of Mytros and consecrated
by the Five. It reputedly has many magical powers including the ability to grant visions to those who drink from it. The horn was stowed in a reliquary in the city
Proteus then motions the others upstairs. "Let's let the Oracle rest. There is much to be done to restore her temple. Talk amongst yourselves and feel free to question myself or Kyrah". He then shakes his head, and starts up the stairs.
Insight DC 15
You get the feeling that he thinks accomplishing all the labors is near impossible, and is on the verge of hopelessness.
Aristeides is totally excited. He opens the locket to check if there's anything inside - maybe a portrait! He hasn't been given any instructions being the general ones, though, so he'll have to wait to see what's his next step.
When the general instructions are given, his heart falls to his feet. Those tasks! They require a whole company of heroes!
But, in the end... That's what they're supposed to be, right?