"I hail from the land of Qadira and must say that this is quite the elaborate ruse. That creature has powerful magic. While I'm unsure of what the robe he held offers, it did give off transmutation magic," Amestri responds while taking a seat with the others. She had little appetite at this point in time so she simply listened intently to the information offered.
She has tried all the lever positions. She gives up on it and decides to focus on the sunlight.
"Everyone get ready for combat. Maybe there is a secret way behind one of these other things."
She will get her mirror and reflect the light along the wall in a motion similar to the path the obelisk would have taken. The only exception will be to shine the sunlight onto the slabs with scratching. Once this is done, and if no other pathways become clear, she will shine her light on the slabs with scratching behind them and then will pull her bow to the ready.
Kahli readies weapon and shield, watching as Lash tries reflecting the light around the room. "If it's not this, there are a couple of places where we didn't follow to an end. We might just have to search some more?"
Taking another look at the map from the Vilstrak and comparing it to where they've been, the group determines they've exhausted this floor outside of the obelisk room. While the idea of climbing the obelisk hangs in Lash's mind, they discuss shining sunlight at the three remaining stone slabs that they heard scratching behind. Johan and Amestri are let in on what is etched onto each slab:
Born from dark/
Cast into light/
Call down the sun/
And escape the night
"I will follow your lead. The words you have said, they seem to perhaps be some kind of riddle? A shadow comes to mind, but I know not if that is the answer. That or perhaps it's some kind of instructions?" Amestri says with a perplexed look in her eyes and tilt to her head.
The party gathers around Lash as she approaches the obelisk and picks up a shard of the mirror. She angles the mirror to reflect the sunlight and directs it at the stone slab to the east. Holding it there for a second, the writing on the slab begins to glow. Lash quickly drops the mirror and draw her bow as the slab crumbles to the floor. It reveals a Lizardfolk with rotting skin holding a wooden shield. Its glowing green eyes look around the room at its potential meals.
Amestri watches the unfolding events with growing fascination until the...
...undead lizardfolk is revealed. Quickly she relays what information to knows to her companions, "This creature is resistant to most mundane attacks that are not of a slashing manner."
With that said, she steps 5-feet to the north while invoking her patron powers to influence Kahli's luck, a laugh escaping her lips strengthening the effect.
"Really? Ugh..." she groans "Let's see how resistant!"
Quickly, she will pull up her bow and fire two shots at it.
"Hmm! Pretty tough!" she comments, despite her thoughts that her force with the bow still rips more flesh away than her daggers would.
Round 1!
Amestri
Lash
Kahli
Hamley
Lizardfolk Zombie
Ko'Tua
Tenney
Johan
Amestri and Lash are quick to react, each in their own strengths with Amestri boosting Kahli's defensive capabilities and Lash deftly firing two arrows at the creature. Both arrows hit true and pierce deep, but the creature doesn't fall.
Hamley runs up to the undead Lizardfolk, drawing his dagger along the way. "I'm tired of these damned reptiles," he yells while slashing at it.
Hamley's dagger slashes into the undead. It wavers for a second, but turns its head to the smuggler.
Hamley quickly shifts his balance and dodges the heavy clawed arm of the undead Lizardfolk.
Recognizing a zombie, Kahli steps up to slash at it with her dagger.
"Just chop this thing to pieces!"
Recognizing the creature and its weaknesses, Kahli steps up and slices into it, green blood pouring out and over her dagger and hand as the undead falls backwards into the opening from which it emerged.
Hamley pauses and looks at Kahli's hand. "....ewwww." Investigating where the lizardfolk lays, the party finds a small recess, similar to the other openings they've uncovered, with no apparent exit out of it. It seems to be a tomb, just large enough to hold a medium-sized body.
Lash will then shine her mirror upon the next slab and ready her bow.
Seeing the likely nature of the game at play with the slabs, Johan positions himself directly aside of the next on Lash reflects the light on to.
His shield is up and ready, and he prepares to strike whatever creature emerges from the slab.
Moving to the other side of the obelisk, everyone gets into position to prepare for the next slab. Lash reflects the sunlight again, aiming at the text. After a second, the text begins to glow and the slab crumbles, revealing a familiar foe. An undead Lizardfolk stumbles out from behind the slab and is immediately caught by Johan's battleaxe. The rest of the party quickly follows suit and puts the undead back down.
Behind the slab is a similar sight: a small tomb-like recess, large enough for one body.
If they continue with the last slab, the scene plays out for a third time with the party comfortably ready for the undead to emerge. Quickly dispatching it, they find none of the slabs reveal an exit hidden behind.
As they think of their next move, the room begins to turn a reddish hue with what appears to be sunset approaching from the sky above and the sound of the obelisk spinning drones on in their ears.
Disgusted by the green goo from the zombies, Kahli casts an orison to create some water a rinse the mess off.
Probably just as frustrated as Lash, Kahli considers the words again, "Born from dark. Cast into light. Call down the sun. And escape the night."
"Reflecting the sunlight on the slabs broke them and released the creatures from behind them. But it didn't let us escape this level, so it has to be something else. I would have thought Born from the dark would be the undead. But obviously our captors mean something else...."
"Lash. Can you reflect the light onto the obelisk? Everybody move back though. If it is what opens to let us escape, it might explode...."
Amestri steps away as requested as she goes to further investigate the recesses. Invoking a minor cantrip to look for magic.
“We also may want to consider directing the light into the alcoves. Perhaps even into multiple if able.”
"The light is hitting the obelisk already. That was what was making the light go around the room."
Regardless, she will try to gather enough light to reflect it onto the obelisk.
Lash will then take her mirror and shine it into the alcoves more directly, which she has already technically done when it initially shined on the slabs and they were dissolving, but this time will let each light sit there for longer at the back wall of the alcove.
"I may be completely wrong. But the sun shines onto the mirrors and gets directed around the room. Maybe it has to be reflected back? Maybe the obelisk has to be destroyed?"
"I hate obscure puzzles!"
“Does it ever get completely dark in here? Perhaps it’s a reference things going dark as opposed to being lit up. Sun setting referred to by calling down the sun?”
Lash turns the ambient light back onto the obelisk, sweeping it up and down as the large stone pillar turns. Johan notices an inconsistency in the dust on the obelisk. He moves closer to get a better look and sees what appears to be boot prints and swipes in the dust from someone trying to get footing. He also sees a series of clear hand prints going up, as if someone was able to scale the pillar with ease.
Kahli glances at what Johan mentioned, then steps out of others' way. "I'm no good at climbing...."
"I will do what it takes to get out of here."
She hops up, utilizing the handholds and climbs to the top as best she can, looking for traps up there and a switch or something to hopefully activate.
Amestri watches in silence as Lash ascends the pillar. It would seem that the answer had been right in front of them the entire time, but lack of light was hiding it from them.
With the apparent threats seemingly taken care of, the party works together to assist Lash with climbing up the obelisk, even with the added difficulty of it spinning. Perched on the flat top, she doesn't see any levers or switches. However, if she stands, she is able to peek out the hole Marcos flew out of and that the light is coming down through.
If she does, the first thing she's met with is the crisp smell of fresh forest air, a welcome relief from the warm, damp, stale air they've been breathing for the last three days. She's not able to focus her vision on one spot for long as the obelisk continues to rotate beneath her. She can see, however, that the hole is centered in a small clearing of dirt and patchy grass surrounded by trees in all directions starting about 30' away. Leaning against a tree, she's able to make out a corpse; a previous "contestant", perhaps.
Kahli watches as Lash ascends, nervous as she remembers what appeared to have happened to Marcos. "Maybe we should get the orb up there? Then the ruler of this place won't think of it as another escape attempt? Lash, What do you think? I can tie my pack to a rope for you to pull up?"
"I actually thought of going out there a long time ago, but after seeing what chased Marcos, I figured there must be some other way. I thought, despite the oddness of this place, maybe there was a cavern or something in here on a higher level, sort of like on this level with trees instead of cave walls. I thought that was what the eyes were referring to. I guess he's expecting us to go out there because there is no other path?"
She takes in a deep breath. "That means he didn't have to go it alone...I hope you are alright Marcos..."
"You are okay pressing on?"
If yes, she will manage to climb up and will gather the rope so she can pull the others up.
"If this is the only path, then we have no choice. What what Marcos chased by?" Amestri inquires.
Kahli joins with the others to try and climb up. "Just be ready. We haven't faced attacks from the sky before now..."
"I am not sure what it was. Some flying thing that took off after him."
Upon climbing up, she takes in a breath of fresh air. She feels invigorated, but the feeling doesn't last as she rushes to tie the rope to a tree so her companions can climb up. The more of them up top, the better.
"It was a dungeon?"
Voicing downward, she yells, "Maybe leave a clue to go up and out for whoever is trapped here again."
Likewise, once she helps them all up, Lash will etch with a dagger a directional indicator downward angled toward the hole, stating "dungeon below here --Lash Valedi". She will then do it again on the other side of the tree.
"If nothing else, I'll force him to have to remove a tree."
Then, as a memorial, she will tie Sim's dried flowers to the tree's trunk to further draw attention to it.
"Okay, we should check that body for who it may be."
After receiving the rope, she will check the body for traps. Someone else can search it while she coils up her rope.
The party carefully works together to pull each other up into the crisp evening air. As the sun continues to fall towards the horizon, Lash takes a few minutes to etch a clue and make a memorial for her previous comrade.
As she's doing that, Ko'Tua begins walking the perimeter, appearing to try and get his bearings. He shakes his head. "This not Shackles." He bares his teeth at his surroundings, his primal instinct taking over and looking as if he would break down each tree one-by-one.
Tenney lays in the middle of the opening and silently stares at the sky, losing himself in thought as the party moves about. Henney follows after Lash. When she lays down the bouquet, Hamley asks, "Those from that Hafling fella that got disappeared? He seemed like the kinda guy to do that."
Lash moves over to the body laying against a tree, keeping her eyes peered for danger. Nothing makes itself known and she investigates the body. The body appears to be that of a female human. It's badly beaten, dried blood covering most of its tattered cloak, and a large hastily bandaged wound on its left side. Only finding a small crumpled piece of paper in its right hand, Lash unfolds it and finds a hand-scrawled note that gets more unreadable as the writing goes on....
Find the pillars. North. South. East. Match the element. Follow the lights. Not sure wha-
Light quickly fading, the stars make themselves known in the clear evening sky, night approaching fast.
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"Yes...," she answers Hamley with despair in her hushed tone. "I can't imagine where this villain takes them when he does, but I fear we'll never see Sim again, and he doesn't deserve whatever end that jerk has in store for him."
Sorrowfully, she marches over to the dead body. Likely another victim of this terrorizer. With Marcos leaving and being chased, and this person as well, Lash surmises that something stalks them whenever people exit this location.
"Everyone be on guard. Watch the skies and keep under cover of the trees. I don't think it's just a coincidence that two people independently got attacked when leaving this dungeon, especially when he boasted and showed us it happening in the orb. He likely won't miss an opportunity..."
She then reads aloud the message so all of them know what it says.
Lash can see the rage within Ko'Tua. There is a shared feeling within her, but she calms her heart and moves over to him.
"At least there are stars above...Perhaps we can find some constellations we know?"
Amestri keeps her eyes to the skies as her companions requested. Unsure of what she is looking for, she does her best to look for movement and potential threats.
"This place seems quite the elaborate trap. Why would somebody go to such lengths?"
Still nervous Kahli watches all around them. Lash suggests searching the stars, but.... "I've never been any good at out-doorsy stuff. I know there's supposed to be stars in the sky, and some people can figure out directions from them. But I don't know anything about how to do that!"
@Amestrie "I agree. It does seem like an elaborate trap. The levels before were, but this open area.... Maybe a whole world? Our jailers have out done anything I imagined. But, the next portal might put us back into another dungeon lair."
"We had thought it was some kind of tower, and it seemed like there were just enough enemies to deal with on each level to pretty much drain our resources. Then we'd get time to sleep, recover our spells and such, and we'd gain a little bit of experience to face the next level. And there'd be harder enemies to face.... I thought that we'd fight our way to the top, and then have to face our jailers. Now I'm not so sure that I want to face them! If they have this kind of power!?!"
What is odd to you is that The Follower is seen in the middle of winter, the end of Neth into Kuthona; however, it's currently a temperate climate on this island. While you're not able to pinpoint where you are, you know you're at least in the northern hemisphere as The Cosmic Caravan constellations can only be seen there.
The party discusses their current situation as the last of the sun disappears and leaves them in darkness on this moonless night. Tenney remains laying on the ground and pipes up to Amestri's question without averting his gaze from the sky. "It seems like the old man is somehow showing others our struggles for their entertainment," he nods his head towards Kahli, "maybe using that orb thing that Kahli is carrying. That's how he speaks to us."
While it's not cold, a slight chill comes over the party as the direct warmth of the sun has gone. Hamley shudders and rubs his shoulders. "This is a bit of a change from the cave. So, what's the plan?"
"I'm sure there are those who don't bring the orb with them, yet are probably still observed. Some kind of strange magic likely is being used."
She shakes her head. The realm of the arcane is a bit beyond her.
"We were to gain some branches for this 'eyes' character," she answers Tenney, "and then perhaps heading in one of the directions this notetaker has mentioned before her death.
"That there is The Follower, a constellation that is said to be a veiled figure that travels behind the other constellations and represents death. Not the best omen, but it is a relief to see something familiar up there. That means we are to the north. I used to stare up at the stars for hours, so I'm certain that is it."
She takes in the night air and looks about.
"Perhaps we should start with the North? I don't think it really matters. That's just the first one she listed. I figured if we go in order, that might be smarter."
If they agree, she will lead the pay northward.
Kahli glances around at the trees. "Right. But Eyes mentioned a particular type of tree, with branches like knives. It probably attacks anyone that comes near it. I doubt that missile weapons would do much to a tree so we probably should just stay away."
"North sounds as good as any. Find the pillars? Guess we'll know what all that means once we find it!"
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With the night looming, the party decides it's best to not stick around and attempt to find their way to whatever pillar the note spoke of.
With a majority of the party without the ability to see clearly in the dark, Amestri's ioun torch keeps those members at least able to see their immediate surroundings as they venture north. After about 20 minutes, the party comes across a small stream. Looking over it, they see no danger and make quick work of crossing it without any trouble. Various nature sounds keeps the party on alert as they continue on.
After about another 45 minutes of walking, Johan pauses the group. He kneels and inspects the ground near some brush. He points out the tracks that indicate a group has been through here, travelling north. The night continues to get darker as any trace of sunlight has disappeared.
"A tree with branches like knives? I'm not sure of my currently prepared spells will be of much use against such a creature either. I'm willing to try or may prepare my spells differently tomorrow should we find it necessary," Amestri offers while listening to the others as they travel.
"Yeah, I'm not sure. Let's hope it isn't a creature and just a plant with blade-like branches. Some fire should do well if it does get violent."
She shivers at the thought.
"What spells can you cast that would help?" she asks the newcomer.
Lash can see the world fine out to the distance of her darkvision, but beyond that, it lies in the dim light of the moon and stars above. She can see, but something could be hiding there in the shadows, watching them and their light from a distance.
At the stream, Lash will test the water, and if safe, will collect some. It is when Johan stops them that she considers stealthing a bit, but as it is another group, she hopes that they can make some allies, perhaps form a resistance...something.
Lacking darkvision, Johan sticks close to Amestri in order to maximize his use of her light source. He considered breaking out his lantern, but opted to save it for an emergency as it was a finite resource.
"Two possibilities as I see it: those tracks were either from a previous - and likely unsuccessful - group. Or we're not the only band of hapless castoffs knocking around in this deranged game. I'm hoping for the latter."
When Lash elects to continue north, Johan quickly agrees.
Amestri takes up step next to Lash as she answers the question, "Currently I have a ray that can weaken an enemy, but I do not know how effective that would be against such a creature. Depending on it's abilities, I may be able to better address it with burning hands tomorrow."
With Johan's confidence that the tracks continue north, the group pushes on into the night. While they continue on without anything major happening, the ioun torch light attracts the pests that inhabit the slightly swampy environment the group is entering and the next hour is spent with those near Amestri and Johan swatting at the near constant buzzing by their ears.
As they move through the increasingly soggy ground and underbrush, the party works together and finds the telltale signs that a group of at least four came through here about 24 hours. They determine that group was heading northeast from here.
Tenney pulls a piece of jerky out of his bag and rips a bite off. "So," he says with a mouthful of dried beef, "I'm not in favor of staying here for the night." He slaps a mosquito on his neck. "But I wouldn't be opposed to finding some place soon."
Looking around, this whole area appears to be the same: soggy ground and thick, tall trees that rise 60 or more feet into the sky. There doesn't appear to be any immediate danger.
"I hope they are hapless castoffs more than roving monsters. It appears from this note that the overseer brings monsters here to fight us and look for us."
With the sun gone and the light faded into the illumination of the stars, she suggests, "Perhaps you'd do better with those bugs by turning that light off. I'll keep an eye out, as will Kahli for things trying to hide in the shadows of the night. When you need light, just activate that ioun torch. or maybe if you know of any plants bugs don't like, you can find and pick them along the way? It might stop them from being so annoying."
As they continue onward, she lets those in the back of the group decide what they want to do, but she keeps her eyes out for any dangers as is her duty.
She hears Tenney and nods in response.
"Okay, we'll keep an eye out for a rise of land. Also, keep an eye out for any dried wood you can find to make a fire. That might get some of these bugs to leave you guys alone too. In the meantime, mud helps."
She will then trudge forward and looks into the distance of the night to see if there could be a spot to rest.
If nothing is seen, she will keep heading northward.
Johan remains content to follow Ash's lead. While keeping an eye out, he runs a mental inventory on any tricks or wisdom he'd come across that might help them set up a serviceable camp if they're unable to find more ideal terrain. The bugs are annoying, and he ultimately trusts Lash, but just can't bring himself to not have his own eyes on things and elects to keep his Ioun Torch lit.
"Problem with that tree is, if we burn it the branches would probably be destroyed. Unless there'd be some way to just target the trunk of the tree. A ray of fire maybe."
"The best I could do would be to prepare Sun Metal. But it only adds a little bit of fire damage to melee weapon for a short time."
While Amestri and Kahil discuss the best way to go about fighting the tree that The Eyes spoke of, Lash and Johan flex their Survival muscles.
Lash takes 10 minutes to walk around the edges of their area to get a lay of the land. Her darkvision allows her to move without the aid of light and she discovers the land to the west and north gets more wet, while the land to the southeast seems to get a bit drier.
Johan looks around at the trees while trying to keep his feet dry. Knowing that, if the ground is this soggy, the water will run fairly deep into the soil, so digging down is out of the question. Johan thinks the two options for setting camp here would be to either build a platform over the soil or to set up something in the trees.
"Unfortunately most of my spells are designed to hinder foes, but unfortunately I don't know how they would work against a tree that can fight back. My role might have to fall more into one of support with my hexes," Amestri says while following the lead of the others. She tries to think of anything that might be of use, but is unsure considering her lack of knowledge in regards to their enemy.
If the team would like, she will store her ioun torch away.
"Let's head to the southeast. There is land there. We can perhaps set up a camp and be out of the water. Then tomorrow we can reconnect with the trail, assuming it doesn't rain."
If they agree, she will turn the group toward the land she spotted and will give them some relief from the water. Poor Tenney probably doesn't want to wait for as long as it would take them to set up a camp here. Thankfully her scouting found something.
The party attempts to move out of the swamp, trying to find drier ground to set up camp.
The party makes their way southeast, out of the sogginess and onto more dry ground. After about an hour, they find a small area amongst the trees suitable for the group to camp. A quick look around doesn't reveal any dangers. Tenney plops on the ground and leans against a tree. "Aaah. I think this will work just fine." Hamley sits next to him and looks to the group. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
Ko'Tua gives a hmph to Tenney and moves to the far side of the group. "We need to build shelter? Or we sleep under sky?"