'A fine weapon, why was it left in here?' Curious about the mace, Wulfgar is still pleased that his jest lightened the mood a little. Nodding as Farod recommended they tend to their wounds, Wulfgar looked towards Morana, he knew she was a mid-wife, but he really didn't know how much see knew about medicine or healing. Raising an eyebrow as Ardran started to recite his saga, Wulfgar smiled responding. "Show off."
Hearing Morana ask to see Ardrans wounds, Wulfgar nodded her direction and waited his turn. Watching as she held forth the holy symbol of Pharasma he felt his leg cool down, the acid leaving and feeling better instantly. Nodding approvingly, 'Well she's clearly not just a mid-wife.' Nodding to the cleric, "Thanks Morana, that's much better."
Seeing that Ardran's wound was healed as well, he nods towards the hallway, asking "Shall we?" Nodding to Farod as he begins to move that direction. Keeping his glaive at the ready, he cautiously moves towards the alcove pausing looking at the stone shelves.
The shelves contain supplies: a dozen candles, a silver holy symbol of Aroden, a wand, five potions, and a healer’s kit.
Ardran invsibly facepalms, as it occurs to him that he has forgotten how to identify magical items.
My Thanks Mrs. Morana, much appreciated.
He follows Wulfbar, but stays behind him.
He also searches for things, particularly in areas Wulfgar did not look at much, with detect magic on.
Farod remains behind while the others search the shelves, peering into the darkness. He had recently taken to retraining his skills in magic - away from the shamanic spirits of the orcs, to a more methodical, ordered approach of scholarly magic. Armor interfered with the gestures needed for that, and while it was reasonable that he found himself in the sarcophagus without his leathers, he still felt very vulnerable right now.
At least the Heavy Mace gave him some confidence.
"Find anything interesting?", he asks of his companions when the rummaging stops.
Looking at the items quickly Wulfgar answers Farod, "Some more interesting than others, but some more helpful than others as well." Leaning his polearm against the wall, he unshoulders his pack lifting the items as he starts to put them in. "A few candles and a silver holy symbol of Aroden, interesting but not very helpful." He lifts the wand and one of the potions. "Whereas these may be of some use. Can anyone tell what they are?" Extending the wand and potion to anyone who would want to take them. He then reaches back onto the shelf lifting up the healers kit, he turns and smiles at Morana. "Morana, I figure you can put this to use." He then picks up the other four vials, tucking them in his pack. "Once we figure out what these are we should pass them out."
Lifting his pack back to his shoulder, he picks up the polearm. Nodding to the others, "Let's keep moving." He then begins to head back down the hall.
At first Morana seems interested in the wand but then she says "I should be able to identify those after my morning prayers. The healers kit will definitely come in handy."
Ardran turns on detect magic, even if he cant identify them due to temporary memory loss, he can know which ones of these are magic.
Detect magic or identify is necessary to use spellcraft in this manner.
The wand and potions are magical.
As Wulfgar moves forward...
The marble walls of this large hall are carved with several images of battle, each featuring a knight astride a lean horse. The knight wears no helmet and has long hair and a wide mustache. In each of the images, the knight is charging at undead horrors with a rapier in hand. Two halls lead out of the western portion of this room, one to the north and one to the south. Three large archways lead out of the room to the east. The archway to the northeast is carved with the words “At My Right Hand, Peace for Years of Righteous Labors”; the archway to the east is carved with the words, “Roslar: Hero and Paladin at His Well-Earned Rest;” and the archway to the to the southeast reads, “Loyal Abdell, Support Thy Master Always.”
Sprawled in the center of this room is a human-sized metal figure that resembles a skeleton wrapped in robes. The limbs of the figure are askew and melted, as though with acid.
Ardran takes a look as well.
With detect magic, looking for whatever made the acid.
Likely more Ostovites, be on guard.
"Hm, another of these Osto...Orsto...Acid Bugs?" Farod looks for some stone or debris to throw at the metal figure and will do so from a safe distance. "Guess metal doesn't make for good rides."
Tokens in place or tell me where to put them.
'These are the heroes of old.' Moving into the room Wulfgar pauses to look at the images on the wall. Observing the figure as his halo causes shadows to dance behind it, he nods at Ardran's warning, and chuckles at Farod's observation. Stepping into the room his glaive at the ready, Wulfgar wonders what it may be. Calling to the metal figure, I am Wufgar Ivarsson of Roslar’s Coffer. My friends and I awoke in the tombs, we are looking for a way out. Are you friend or foe of the ancient heroes?" He furrows his brow, "Or are you just a metal statue and I and idiot for speaking to you?"
The prone metal figure with limbs askew does not respond.
Ardran, using his darkvision, gives the ceiling a proper lookover. He never encountered Ostovites before, but if they are bug, maybe they can climb on walls and ceilings.
Assuming he doesnt see any, he detects magic on the Sarcophagus from a distance.
Feeling kind of stupid, Wulfgar turns towards his companions, shrugging. "Well, it was worth a try." Thinking they should make sure the prone metal figure wasn't a threat before they continued searching for a way out; Wulfgar moves closer to the figure, reaching out with his glaive and touching it.
Ardran follows Wulfgar closely, his own Bec de Corbin out, scouting for attack from other angles.
Not the worst idea actually Ardran remarks
Question is, where did the acid come from, directionwise?
'The Acid.' Turning briefly to Ardran, "Oh I definitely think Faros was right, probably one of the bone-fish bugs. But whether it was the one we met or one of his kin," Wulfgar shrugs, "Well, your guess is as good as mine."
Morana follows the group studying the walls and ceiling "What was that bone fish thing called anyway? I'd like to know it if I come across one again."
Perception
Wulfgar disturbs a hidden ostovite which attacks the intruder.
It manages to skittle past Ardran's aoo. It is at Wulfgar's feet.
Round 1
Wulfgar 13/13, Morana 10/10, Ardran 10/10, Farod 10/10
Morana <=====
Ostovite
Ardran, Farod, Wulfgar
Morana holds her action until she can get into the room. She points at it with her spear and she shouts "There's another bone fish thing."
It bites.
It hurts.
(bite plus acid)
Morana (holding)
Ostovite
Ardran, Farod, Wulfgar <=====
Kurva, again
Ardran swears as he feints at the Ostovites, limiting its option to dodge Wulfgars incoming attack, providing a flank as well.
"Blast!" Seeing the bone-fish bug squirt at him, Wulfgar tries to jump back. But the bug latches hold of his boot, biting into the heal of the boot. The boot filling with acid. "Awww, not the boots!" Feeling the burning on his foot, Wulfgar notices Ardran moving forward and Distracting the bug. Angry and frustrated that the stupid bug was about to ruin his new boots Wuflgar begins to rage as he drops the glaive. Drawing the morningstar he swings down at the bug, making sure he doesn't strike his own leg.
Wulfgar smashes another one.
End initiative.
Morana smiles"Well done Wulfgar."she says as she enters the room, looking around for any more creatures.
Perception
I cant do much for wounds but
Adran casts mending on Wulfgars boot.
Not quit as good as new, but better then before.
Adran then, with detect magic on, gives the room a very thorough once over, for anything that could aid in their journey.
While Ardran spends 10 minutes fixing Wulfgars boot, Farod cautiously takes a look around the local area, his Heavy Mace held ready to smash any creatures coming at him.
As he swats the fish-boned bug off of his boot, Wulfgar drops to the ground beside the metal figure, quickly pulling the burning boot off of his foot. "I can't believe that thing bit through my boot." Holding up the boot, looking at the hole.
Raising an eyebrow at Ardran he asks, "Can you do that? Mend my boot?" He tosses the boot towards his friend, then begins to look at the burned foot. "Gonna hurt putting that boot back on." He smiles at the mid-wife's compliment. "Thanks Morana. Hey, anything in that bag we found that might help this burn?"
Sitting there watching Ardran's magic repair his boot and Farod cautiously look around, Wulfgar drew his Kunai and began picking bits of the fish-boned bug off of the metal spikes of his morningstar.
Nodding as Ardran tosses him the 'mended boot' back to him, Wulfgar sheaths the kunai, but before he puts the boot back on, he waits to see if Morana found anything for the burn.
The healer is better at this then I am, we are fighting undead things, ghosts may be a thing, and I cant picture her using positive energy effectively in an offensive manner by walking up to a ghost and hitting it in the face. That would be my job. Ardran thinks.
Good footgear is important, ask me about walking through the scarred lands of Sarkoris... Its no longer as bad as when the worldwound was open, but oh boy its still not fun. Ardran speaks conversationally.
Hmm, I can heal as well, but its more limited, and if there are undead, then there are plausibly also ghosts, and I would prefer to keep my healing available for offensive use. Lady Morana, perhaps you can attend to Wulfgar in the meantime? He opined as he was mending, shadowy strings extending from his hand as if he was weaving with them.
You traveled much from Roslars coffer Wulfgar Son of Ivar?
He asks, using the formal rendition of Wulfgars name, slightly wincing as he views Wulfgars acid burns on his leg, perhaps having suffered similar wounds in his own past.
...Farod cautiously takes a look around the local area...
Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Religion) will help determine some details of the multiple carvings.
Knowledge (Arcana) can help identify the fallen construct.
Lady Morana, I believe these glyphs are specifically... which means that the most relevant features are likely... Ardran assists Morana
I do consider myself a bit of a planar expert, and this clearly refers to... He opines, lore of planar outsiders having been one of his favorite subjects
I have no idea what this, perhaps construct, is or rather was though. Like many Shadowsworn, he wasnt that interested in constructs.
"I see. Perhaps these glyphs are... Knowledge (Religion) very relevant it seems. It could be a good representative of our plight..?"
"Well I should check on Wulfar." she turns from her examination of the walls and walks to where Wulfgar stands. She holds her holy symbol and closes her eyes as a burst of energy radiates from her body. Channeling Energy
'Traveled much?' Looking up from the ground at the skald, Wulfgar shrugs, almost imperceptible in the scale armor. "When Roslar's Coffer was overran, we retreated down river to Three Pines Ford, then traveled over land to Vellumis." He paused, swallowing hard. "Once it was safe to return, we traveled by boat back upriver. Since then, I've been on a couple of 'merchant runs' into the 'Hold' as far as Tranau."
Realizing Morana was coming to take a look at his acid burned foot, he shifts so she can easily see it. Watching as she holds up the holy symbol he feels the familiar rush of energy radiate up his leg. Smiling as he accepts the boot from Ardan he begins to pull it on the nearly healed foot. "Thanks Ardan, Thanks Morana. Hopefully we won't find any more of these bugs."
Turning to Farod, who had been investigating the room, he asks, "So Farod have you figured which way is the way out?" He gives a youthful smile, "Or do we want to explore while we're here?"
Earlier with Wulfgar:
I have been in the Darklands, but havent see much fighting, the Duergar have been quite polite after Lady Nocticula killed Goatface Dogtitsson and the Worldwound got closed.
Was weird for me, like, getting educated, heavily trained, and when I am ready, the worldwound, also known as the fight I have been training for for most of my life, is essentially gone.
My tribes leadership sent out youths like me to establish contact with other nations, show our capabilities, prove that we are quite reasonable and useful. Our high priestess suggested Lastwall for me, as I speak Orcish, can seen in the dark, and do not mind austere conditions. So, there I am, or perhaps was? Ardran introduces some of his background.
You remember that Kellids dislike speaking the names of hostile Demonlords openly, prefering to use insulting nicknames. Goatface Dogtitsson refers to the Demon Lord Baphomet.
Later:
We came from the entry I would designate as "North West" Ardran points out the place they came from.
There are 4 other exits from this room, North, East, South East, South West. He pauses
I would argue that our three priorities are survival, escape and information about what is going on, in that order. I am agnostic about which way we should proceed from here, but why not North to keep with the "always move left" ploy quite popular in mazes?
Not finding any bugs is unduly optimistic I am afraid, I would however be happy if we find them before they find us for a change.
"The problem, I'm afraid, seems to be that the walls seem massive. So much so, in fact, that I believe we are below ground, rather than above, where such spaces would be wasteful. As such, I would assume we are looking for a way up. But those stairs could be anywhere."
He looks around again, then points south-west:"I would actually have suggested to go there, and then continue counterclockwise, keeping to the wall - if only because if we are reasonably certain we won't have to expect danger from there, we'd have about two thirds of this large room to maneuver safely. In case there's more trouble waiting in the other directions.", he sums up his thoughts.
'The Darklands, so he has traveled far.' Nodding as Ardran explains his own travels Wulfgar stands up and stomps his boot. Smiling he nods. Picking up the wood and steel morningstar and tucking it's handle in his belt, he picks up his polearm as Ardran speaks of the doorways. Nodding as Farod explain that they are probably underground. Looking towards the southwest.
Looking from Farod to Ardran, he almost asked Morana what she thought, but instead drew out a coin. "I agree, start one way and work the other. Heads we go southwest and travel counterclockwise, tails we go north and travel clockwise " Watching as each nods he flips the coin. "North and clockwise it is." He then begins to head towards the northern door, carrying the glaive in one hand, while slipping the coin back into his pouch.
Examining the reliefs and carvings you are reminded that in addition to mortal companions, a slender, winged woman with a heart-shaped face and long hair is looking down benevolently on Roslar. This image represents Arazni. Late in the Shining Crusade, the Whispering Tyrant captured and killed Arazni, and she was later animated as a lich bride by the evil ghost wizard Geb during the failed Second Crusade.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Farod checks the door Wulfgar moved to for traps before backing off.
"Clear!"
Nodding at Farod, Wulfgar moves into the northern room, Glaive in hand, keeping a keen eye out as well.
Ardran is behind Wulfgar, looking for additional threats.
Oh Lady in Shadows, bless us with thy cunning and sight, reveal our foes secrets, so that we may murder them in thy hallowed name He prays silently to his deity.
As before, Farod brings up the read, staying near the entrance, and watching the other doorways to see if anything was coming from there.
Peering at the other end of the room and just seeing darkness, he decides to light a torch after this room was checked, and to place it somewhere in the middle of this room - maybe the metal frame the acid bug tried to converte could make a good torch holder...
Several long stone slabs line the walls of this room like shelves. The shelves are pitted with acid and contain scraps of old cloth. A few chunks of bone litter the floor. Nearly 20 of Roslar’s loyal retainers, squires, and servants were laid to rest here, each on a slab carved with the servant’s name and position. Ostovites have apparently fed on the bones.
Looking carefully around, Dlyan searches for foes and treasure.
The shelves to the north have a gold ring and a pearl of some sort.
Ardran checks if they are magical, using detect magic.
The pearl registers as magical.
Walking into the room of loyal retainers, Wulfgar keeps his glaive at the ready. "This would be the perfect place for one of those fish-boned bugs to be." He watches carefully for any ostovites while Ardran checks the shelves and such.
As Ardran and Wulfgar start searching the room, Farod addresses Morana:"Keep that light out here for now, please. And keep watch for a moment. I'll light a torch and place it over there, then get that Lantern up and running. "
If she agrees, he swiftly retrieves one of his torches and starts lighting it.
Morana does as requested and keeps the light out of the room watching to make sure nothing sneaks up on the party.