Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
"Can thiss ssimply be disspelled? Or is there ssomething more sspeccific we musst do?"
”Not to state the obvious, but it’s very strongly magical - probably evocation given what it did to the corpse.” Not-Trixie pushes her glasses up on her forehead to rub her eyes. ”Given its strength, I doubt I could dispel it - though that might be our only option. Let’s test a few things first though. Narayan, can you find something inorganic to throw into it?” The wizard continues studying the hemisphere carefully.
Would a Knowledge check reveal any secrets of this thing?
The monk steps inside his simple mind and considers the little he knows about the universe and magic barriers. He concludes that he has little to offer his more learned scholars.
Bo has no idea what the dome is, although Not-Trixie does recognize the quicksilver making up its composition. The artifact is likely outside of all but the most knowledgeable scholars experience.
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Then being careful not to actually touch the sphere, Selter uses his adamantine scimitar and iron spikes to dig a small tunnel to see if the sphere extends below the surface.
Selter scrapes away enough of the salt at the dome's base to see that it does not penetrate the floor, although the quicksilver does flow into the gap created.
Unless someone comes up with something more likely to succeed, I have nothing but time. So a few hours. {shrug} I figure the adamantine scimitar ought to be able to cut through the salt eventually.
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
If the tunnel goes up and under in a safe passage let's take it, otherwise, Narayan's planning to jump on through and see what can be seen.
Yes, that was just a small hole in that period of time to see if it worked.
GM, do I think an Earth Elemental's Earth Glide ability would work to go through solid rock salt? If so, I could carry people through that way. One at a time.
”Oh!” Not-Trixie smacks her forehead. ”It’s salt! Selter, can you conjure water? If we guide it to keep the floor under the edge of the dome solid, it could be much faster than digging by hand!”
Selter changes again to the rock and earthen humanoid shape. Then he says in a gravely voice, Ssself can carry each under ssshell. Ssself can sssenssse sssomeone inssside. Who firssst?
Confident of his ability to keep himself safe, the monk volunteers to be the first. I hope it's not another one of those hungry plants though. The archer ensures his protections are all in place before they go.
Re-upping Mage Armor and Barkskin if it has been an hour(ish), then casting Fallback Strategy and Shield. AC 33 for the next minute, free reroll for the next two minutes.
Are you sure you don't want Narayan to go first? He is more of a melee guy.
Or...
GM, with a str of 26 do you think I could carry 1 over each shoulder, to take 2 at a time?
Point Blank Master means I can fire in melee, and my AC will be pumped for a bit (plus I have Snake Style for an additional boost). Besides, now Narayan can come in second, play the hero and said 'I told you so.' Wins all around. :)
The interior of the bubble is a hollow dome, magically illuminated by an unknown source. The interior surface of this silver liquid is completely covered with various images depicting scenes of forests, plains, seas, and cities. All are extremely realistic and filled with moving creatures, flora, and weather.
Standing at the center of this hemispherical diorama, like a lone sentinel, is a tall pillar of rock. A single eye stares out from the center of this column, just above a fang-filled mouth, and shifts from scene to scene as it takes in all the images being portrayed on the interior of the silver dome. A perfectly preserved woman’s corpse lies on the side of the one-eyed pillar, partially absorbed into its stony hide.
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
Narayan's brow knits in consternation when Bo wants to go first, but he doesn't gainsay him.
Selter wraps himself around Bo and carries him into the sphere. Drops him saying, Do bessst can. and immediately heads back for Narrayan.
As he arrives back outside the sphere he quickly says, Sssphere wall is moving picturesss, central ssstone pillar with eye and teeth, dead female! as he gets ready to carry Narayan.
(Presumably...) Unsure as to the nature of the creature, the monk takes a couple of steps forward to make room for the others, then stands at the ready. He keeps an arrow knocked on his weapon lowered for the moment so as not to provoke the creature.
Of course, if it makes an aggressive gesture, Bo would respond in kind.
The ponderous bulk barely shifts as the staring eye continues to focus on the scenes shown in the quicksilver reflection. If it even noticed your arrival, it makes no sign of it.
Selter is able to carry Narayan under the dome to find the situation unchanged. Narayan can read the sphere spoilers.
DC20 Perception for those in the sphere:
You spy another ring on the finger of the corpse, likely also affixed as the previous one was.
Male LG Nagaji Scaled Fist 12 | HP 90/90 | AC 23(27)(32)(36), T 22 (26), FF 20(24)(29)(33) | CMD 41, FFCMD 38 | F +13, R +14, W +14 Init +3/7 | Perc +2/4 | Stunning Fist Uses 13/13 | Ki Pool 13/13 |
While the staring eye remains quiescent, Narayan leaves it at peace.
With the caution of the martial Pathfinders, Selter is able to transport the rest of the party into the sphere safely. The great creature remains focused on its inscrutable task. Spoilers open to all!
”Whoa.” Not-Trixie can’t help but claim softly in wonder as Selter unwraps himself from around her inside the dome. ”What is that? And what’s it watching?”
You recognize the craggy beast as a roper, a rare aberration known to ambush prey via precise control of its body’s coloration and shape. Despite the savage appearance, they are known to be among the most intelligent inhabitants of the Darklands. While hunger always wins out in the end, intellectual conversation can occupy a roper for hours before they decide to eat their consultants.
Ssself going to try sssomething. Selter sinks back into the ground. Then a few moments later, an arm reaches up through the ground, then it gropes around until it locates a part of the woman's corpse to grab. Then it slowly slides back toward the others, dragging the body towards them.
Don't know that I want to come out on the surface right next to those teeth. I can't envelope the body to earth glide it. So earth glide over near the body, put just an arm up to grab the body, then earth glide back with just my arm sticking up. We will see how it reacts.
