”Perhaps the same pattern as before? The heart-stone, the rapier, and then the wing-stone?” suggests Garret.
“It’s worth a try.”
Garret presses each tile in turn, which grows warm and briefly glows with a reassuring red light, like the sun rising at dawn. As the tiles fade back to ordinary stone a hiss of hair by the far wall signals the slight opening of a hidden door. Jando and Ketra had both walked right past it but there it is--a long narrow tunnel is revealed behind it, stretching off into the darkness.
Silvia gives Garret a tired smile when his hunch pays off, and gives the new tunnel a quick examination. "Looks like we're on the right track, at least. But I think a rest is in order."
"Ah, there it is. That's a relief. We're finally getting out of here." Ketra releases a long breath when Garret points out the tunnel. "You're right Silvia. We need the rest. I'll just barricade us in here. Both doors if we can."
“Good thinking, Garret! And Ketra - ” Sanduro begins rummaging inside the healer’s satchel “— let other people handle the security setup. You can check it over when you’ve been patched up.”
Ketra nods gratefully to Sanduro and submits to her wounds being treated.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Thank you, Sanduro," says Garret as he awakes. New realizations flood into his mind as the trauma of the past few days crystalizes into additional magical prowess.
"Perhaps if I can have the Rod of Extend Spell back, I will be able to give those of us not wearing much armor some extra protection," suggests Garret .
After expending what healing you can, you close the secret door and the southern door and barricade both, settling down for the night in the half-collapsed altar room. Jando plants his pack right at the secret door and sits down with his back against it, shedding his armor before tending to all of his gear.
"Never liked sleeping in caves," he mutters to no one in particular.
Ketra ends up suggesting a couple of times that she take a shift at watch anyway, but at Sanduro's insistence that the group needs to rest properly to heal from the momentary grub infestation, she acquiesces. While lying down and letting Sanduro dab mysterious ointment on her wounds she grins at Jando's comment "Never slept in a cave before, but we've had some pretty awful resting places since - well, since the explosion in Roslar's Coffer. Scary to say, but I don't think this is the worst of them."
She leans back on her pack and tries to relax and think about ANYTHING other than burrowing rot worms.
The steady scrape of whetstone on steel pauses as Jando looks over at Ketra. "Huh. I'm probably going to regret asking this but what is the worst place you've slept?"
"Probably the antechamber to the dimension of nightmares," Silvia says, after a moment of thought.
"I was going to say in those mists with the moon leering down on us..." Ketra winces.
Though your accommodations are far from comfortable they do prove safe enough for catching several hours' sleep, and you all awaken feeling a little stiff but otherwise refreshed for the trials to come.
More worryingly, perhaps, is that there is still no sign of Mirhet--she's a capable woman, and you have no idea how long her goodbyes and rituals to put Jonnar to rest might take, but the uncertainty gnaws.
Still, the way forward is clear and after a light meal and with spells freshly prepped you press the altar-panels and open the way into the tunnel once more. This tunnel is far rougher than the tomb you leave behind, curving broadly northward several hundred yards before unceremoniously terminating at a blank stone wall. Several shallow "steps" have been carved to form a crude ladder, leading upwards perhaps twelve feet to a smooth stone ceiling.
Ketra tries to keep thoughts of Mirhet from her mind. In years past, she'd never been worried for the woman - her capable mentor had seemed to always stand well above any of the threats they'd come across. It was only after coming back from the Boneyard, only after she'd seen first hand how terrible things could be, that she'd been forced to realize there were dangers out there far beyond any of them, Mirhet included.
After the morning's preparations, Ketra leads the way down the tunnel. At the apparent conclusion to the tunnel she raises an eyebrow. "The tunnel looked a little more natural, but this is definitely a ladder. And the exit's been... capped? You know, we've had to fight so many horrors down here, I don't blame them, whoever did this." She flashes a wry grin "Zsofia, want to give us an idea of what's on the other side. It wouldn't do to get this far, only to find they're keeping a whole pool of water above the tunnel in case some monster breaks through."
“Of course! I love getting the first look at new baubles - I mean, whatever might be on the other side of the wall.”
Zsofia waits impatiently for Sanduro to turn her incorporeal, then sticks her head through the end of the tunnel, the rest of her body following if necessary.
Popping through the stone, Zsofia finds herself in a dusty cellar about fifteen feet across, dark and clearly long-abandoned. Several barrels and small crates line the walls, dates from several years ago neatly carved into the wood if the phantom bothers to check. On the far side of the room a spiral staircase of stone winds its way up.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
When Zsofia mentions it looks safe, Ketra starts up the ladder and inspects the stone covering for any traps that might have been left behind. Assuming she doesn't spot any, she tries to heave the stone aside from her awkward position.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It takes several minutes of shoving and prying--with help from a solidified Zsofia up above--but you eventually pry up one of the large paving stones and move it aside to reveal the passage where the rest of the party waits. It's not a quiet process, but luckily it seems the cellar was dug deep. If anyone heard you, they haven't come to investigate.
Ketra makes her way up carefully and then helps the rest of the party up into the cellar. She whispers "Where in the world is this? Are we still inside Roslar's Coffer after all that?"
She keeps an ear open for danger while the others join her.
Ketra climbs the steps up to the door at the top; though she listens closely she hears nothing on the other side.
While the others assemble and prepare whatever magic they need in this safe-ish area, Ketra checks the door at the top of the steps for traps, then slooooowly cracks it open to find out where the heck the group has gotten to.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The door is heavy and its hinges grown, but Ketra is able to open it slowly and isn't greeted by immediate shouts of alarm. What she sees is a wide long chamber with a high ceiling, supported by two rows of columns while the wall shows a few partial murals of knights wearing Sarenrae's symbol slaying various monsters.
As a local, Ketra realizes immediately where she is--the Bastion of Light, a temple of Sarenrae just outside the town. It was sacked along with Roslar's Coffer during the raid by Twisted Nail orcs, but wasn't rebuilt along with the rest of the town. It then became the lair of a hulking monster called a "red reaver" until a few years ago, when Pathfinders killed the reaver and cleared out the Bastion. There were always murmurs and musings about trying to get the Bastion rebuilt and rededicated, but nothing ever came of it.
Ketra's back straightens, as she's rather glad to be in a place she recognizes, however dimly. "Oh, the Bastion. I think that means we're out, then! Doesn't explain all the monsters and other horrors on the way here, but it's a temple, and its on ground level. Shouldn't be too much further to get to safety." She whispers back to the others.
She steps out into the mural chamber and looks around to try to orient herself.
Garret casts detect magic, then moves into the large room, looking around for anything of interest or threats that might arise.
Garret casts his spell and steps into the room, his attention immediately drawn to powerful auras of Conjuration and Abjuration up near the roof, showing through gaps in the ruined wood and shingles above. At first it looks like the gaps are covered by ugly blankets, Garret realizes with a start that it's actually the deadly fog--pressed up against the gap as though held at bay by an unseen barrier.
There's not much time to parse this, however, since the halfling's arrival did not go unnoticed by the room's other occupants. On either side of the massive hall a knife-wielding cultist lurks, already reaching for their blades as one of them whistles a warning. At the sound a hulking, stinking mass of rotting grey flesh heaves to its feet--the red reaver, raised into a horrid unliving mockery of itself.
+ ROUND ONE +
Jando
Garret
Cultists
Ketra
Silvia
Sanduro
Zsofia
Woman by Altar
Reaver Zombie
Moving out of the way so others can get through, Garret calls back, "We've got cultists here," as he weaves a protective spell.
"Ugh, I should've known..." Ketra readies her knives.
"Sure, more cultists, why not," Jando grumbles, pushing his way up the stairs and drawing his greatsword as he goes. Planting himself firmly next to Garret he raises his blade in a high guard and eyes the undead reaver warily. "That's a big one. Not as big as Screamer though--what's the plan Garret?"
For their part, the two masked cultists detach from their posts by the wall and advance, long slim knives in their hands. "I don't know how you got through the Fetoring Maw, but this is as far as you go." The taller one, a man, drawls.
+ ROUND ONE +
Jando
Garret
Cultists
Ketra
Silvia
Sanduro
Zsofia
Woman by Altar
Reaver Zombie
Sanduro and Zsofia follow Garret, Ketra, and Jando into the temple. The phantom rolls her eyes at the sight of the cultists, but she stops when she realizes the duskwalker has frozen next to her.
Sanduro points at the enormous creature in the center aisle. "That."
The druid snaps back into action, uttering a quick prayer to Pharasma - "Lady, protect us while we cleanse the Dawnflower's lost temple with fire!" - and grabs out at his friends, his touch infusing them with divine protection.
"Garret, let's light them up!"
[b]"Understood,"[b] says Garret as he prepares to weave fire magic.
Zsofia readies an attack against anyone who comes in range.
What used to be the red reaver is now a zombie, one of the most common forms of undead. They are mindless, feel no pain, but also possess considerable strength--especially a zombie as large as this one!
While the vast majority of zombies are slow shambling things, this one moves with much of the smoothness of a living creature. These so-called "fast zombies" live up to their namesake, making them much more dangerous than their fellows.
In addition, zombies are resistant to physical damage--excepting slashing attacks, which are effective against their rotting flesh and bones.
Ketra offers boldly "The Fetoring Maw? Awfully pompous name for some little inconvenience. Did you lot come up with it?" before striding in to confront the nearer of the two knife-wielding cultists. "I'd have tried a little harder."
She whips her mithril knife at the fellow.
Silvia closes ranks in front of Garret, clutching at the prayer beads hanging from her belt. "They are simply more road blocks," she says dismissively. "Not even our first of the day."
The party opens with an array of protective and empowering spells, save for Ketra who opts for a more direct approach. Her blade cuts into her adversary's shoulder, drawing a pained hiss and a hate-filled glare. On the opposite side of the room, the pallid woman dressed well but sporting numerous pouches and small tomes on her belt and bandolier vaults the pews to move closer to you. Pointing a clawed finger at Ketra, three black daggers erupt into being, sailing in wild chaotic spirals before striking the dancer in the side with perfect accuracy. Simultaneously, the bulk of the undead reaver pushes into sudden motion, crossing the room to loom over Zsofia and Sanduro, meaty fists raising to strike!
Jando joins Ketra in her assault on the green cultist, strafing around a pillar to catch the knife-wielding goon between them and delivering his own nasty cut.
+ ROUND TWO+
Jando
Garret
Blue Cultist (-21hp)
Green Cultist
Ketra
Silvia
Sanduro
Zsofia
Woman by Altar
Reaver Zombie
”And they have a spellcaster as well,” notices Garret. ”Draw them in and I’ll light them up,” he adds, turning for now to the pale woman who just cast the spell.
Weaving magic, Garret evokes a ball of holy light to envelop the pale woman (Burst of Radiance).
rounds
The other cultist gives a shout and rushes in to stab Ketra in the back, but the dancer twists out of the way while parrying the first cultist's dagger thrust. A follow-up finds its mark though, Ketra's blood staining the blackened steel.
+ ROUND TWO+
Jando
Garret
Blue Cultist (-21hp)
Green Cultist
Ketra (-25hp)
Silvia
Sanduro
Zsofia (AoO vs Green)
Woman by Altar
Reaver Zombie
Garret's orb of golden light sears the grey-skinned woman rather more badly than her spell had harmed Ketra, but she turns aside at the last moment and saves her sight.
As the reaver closes in Zsofia smirks and drives a haymaker into it's meaty foreleg. The blow lands with a meaty thunk, but the zombie doesn't even seem to notice.
+ ROUND TWO+
Jando
Garret
Blue Cultist (-21hp)
Green Cultist
Ketra (-25hp)
Silvia
Sanduro
Zsofia (AoO vs Green)
Woman by Altar (-18hp)
Reaver Zombie (-8hp)
Leaning back as she dodges a knife stab, Ketra smoothly transitions, flying into a whirling dance that's difficult to follow. She spins into a quick feint against blue, then tumbles into two low stabs while he's off-guard.
Zsofia smacks Sanduro on the shoulder. "Get out of here, kid!" She feints towards the zombie reaver, then waves her hands in front of its face. "Hey, ugly, look at me! Whooo I'm a ghost!"
Sanduro flinches as the enormous undead creature is suddenly looming right before him. "Yikes!"
Zsofia smacks Sanduro on the shoulder. "Get out of here, kid!" She feints towards the zombie reaver, then waves her hands in front of its face. "Hey, ugly, look at me! Whooo I'm a ghost!"
Sanduro hesitates for a moment, then gives a jerky nod. "Right, scatter! This thing is faster than an ordinary zombie! I can slow it down but I don't want any of you to get stuck next to it. We need to split up!"
Without waiting to see what anyone else does, the druid runs further into the chapel.
Silvia falls back from the monster, firing a barrage directly into its face.
Ketra hits her stride, throwing herself into an elegant maneuver that arcs her blade through the blue cultist's throat before stabbing her counterpart in the shoulder. Between the stab and Zsofia's vicious kick he's suddenly looking much less confident.
Silvia backs away and fires again and again--as such a distance she can't help but hit her lumbering target, but the massive slab of decaying meat and muscle absorbs the blows with an alarming lack of reaction. Rising up onto its back legs, the undead reaver lashes out with terrible strength--Sanduro is clawed as he tries to scramble away, and both Zsofia and Garret suffer ugly rakes from its claws; not even Zsofia's supernatural resilience spares her the damage! The salvo of stinging hits fired from the pallid woman hiding in the pews to unerringly strike Silvia seems almost an afterthought.
"Well struck!" Jando exhults at Ketra before turning his attention to the reaver zombie. Drawing his bow, the ranger steps over for a better angle angle and lets loose; a grey goose-feathered arrow sprouts from the zombie's shoulder.
+ ROUND THREE +
Jando
Garret (-18hp)
Blue Cultist
Green Cultist (-22hp)
Ketra (-25hp)
Silvia (-14hp)
Sanduro (-20hp)
Zsofia (-13hp)
Woman by Altar (-18hp)
Reaver Zombie (-41hp)
Not seeing a good setup for a fireball, Garret takes a step away from the huge zombie (5 foot step west) and levels a beam of holy radiance at the reaver zombie.