"An interesting find." She mutely observed, looking closely at the figures depicted upon the doors.
[Dice=Planes check on demons]1d20+8
The "demons" are actually devils. To be more precise, they are named Rinziris and Gathura. They are commonly invoked by Necromancers as the "source" of their undead summoning knowledge; if true it would make sense why their idea of what to do with dead spirits is so different from the elven ways.
Djack catches himself but barely, after Amideo's clap on the back. Taking it in good humor he moves South.
26
The doors are cursed. It is hard to tell exactly what would happen. Djack thinks that between his newfound magic knowledge and his good old-fashioned scout abilities, he might be able to circumvent the curse (would be a Disable Device roll).
Cursed... stand back.
The doors open; nothing immediately evident happens, leaving Djack to question whether he succeeded or not.
As the doors open, a rush of humid, cool air hits you. What appears to be a long lake within the Mesa sits before you, with another set of doors across from it. There appear to be other doors on both sides of the wall as well; this area can obviously be approached from many directions.
"Wster in here? How curious. I wonder what caused this." She asked genuinely.
"A lake underground? All my days, I have heard of nothing like this. Most strange indeed."
"Do we try to cross it? Or go back?"
"Well, there are doors on the other side, yet the method of getting across... Hm, I could contact a spirit for some assistance. Those of water, or even my amphibious friend would be more than helpful."
Yoltz8n took a momment, steadying herself and launching into ritual once she saw the others hesitate. A momme t later. The familiar frog took form before them. "Come on, we're burning time sitting around here. Lets-
Before she had time to finish her statements the sticky tongue of the spirit wrapped around her before it suddenly leapt into the air. Despite having been the one to suggest the idea in the first place the elf still started screaming the momment its feet left the cavern floor. When it landed, she stumbled before moving to hug the wall. "S-see... that... wasn't so bad... Uhm, who'se next?"
Watching the frog and its tongue. I can try to jump across, with a rope? Just need someone to hold the door.
Eventually, some of you a little soggier, you make your way across the lake. A centipede-like water creature of some sort attacked, but was make quick work by Rocko and his Axe enchanted against Vermin.
Now you find yourselves on the narrow ledge outside what might be one long room or might be several, with multiple doors to choose from.
"This cavern has far too many horros of which to even speak of. So many legs..." The elf shuddered, hugging herself. Thankful was she when her frog finally swallowed that thing's corpse whole.
"Many awful beasts, deep in this cavern. What madman architected this place, that it holds so many horrors?"
"I am sure with more digging, we shall see the true depths of his madness well enough" The elf admitted. Though if one stepped back to think of it, she had only become uneasy when it came it things that were non-necrotic in nature.
Brushing water from his eyes and drying his hands as best he can, Djack moves to the nearest door, inspecting it.
While the rest of his companions are sorting out the doors, Rocko will go about making sure everything is dry, especially the rations.
As he's cleaning and oiling the metal parts of his weapons and padding down the leather and wood, he offers to do the same for anyone else's gear.
"That water buggy looked natural enough, if a tad crunchy. I be thinking the real madness be waitin' behind those doors."
Djack doesn't find any traps on the door.
Rocko cannot fathom most of the stuff they've fought; the recent (narratively described) water-centipedes are natural, but perhaps a throwback to an earlier era like the dinosaur they fought a few months ago. Most of the rest have been either undead or just really odd creatures that Rocko considers to be of dubious origin.
Djack shrugs as he opens the door with one hand, rapier at the ready.
The chamber behind the doors is vast, and the ceiling high. A small amount of light shines in from somewhere above, though Djack cannot see the source.
In the dimly lit room, Djack sees the glint of gold and silver. And then he notices movement very near the gold, about 75' away. A huge winged creature comes jerkily to life.
"What do you see?" The elf asked, making to peek around the human.
Dunno. Somethin' really big with... wings.
"Another eagle?" She guessed, drawing from recent memory. With slightly more rarionality, "Or a bat perhaps?"
Mmm... dragon?
"Oh, a dragon. That would be appropriate. " She says simply with a pause hanging in the air afterward. Then she reaches down behind Djack, and starts to pull the door closed. "I do not want to fight a dragon."
Upon hearing of the possibility of a dragon, Amideo grins ear to ear, "The knights of old fought many dragons. Of course, they are as intelligent as you or I, often even more so. If it is such, we should speak with it carefully and respectfully. If it will not let us be in peace though...the glory of a dragon slain is great."
Yoltzin catches a glimpse of gold as she closes the door. The pile of treasure in the room is astounding. This horde could possibly contain the Lanterna Venerata, the reason the group has traveled here.
She bites her lip, considering. "If we must go forward, I may try to prepare ourselves ahead of time."
Rocko offers, "As our friend Amideo be saying, dragons are smart. We could just try a talkin to them first."
"The Elder Wings are to be respected, as I was taught. Let us exercise as much of that as we can then. As much as I would prefer to leave them to their hibernations..." The elf said.
Amideo makes sure his sword is firmly sheathed before nodding to the party, ”Shall we then? Into the very hopefully proverbial belly of the beast.”
"Of course. Lead on."
Amideo and Djack walk through the door first, followed by Rocko, then Yoltzin, and finally Chaucair and Zia.
The stench of death is on this place; despite some free air flowing from up above somewhere, it smells more like a tomb than the lair of a beast.
A nervous shiver runs up the wild elf's spine. Yoltzin suspects this dragon is some form of undead, possibly a dreaded Dracolich.
Djack looks to and fro, in an effort to identify a path by which to charge the fell beast.
Rocko frowns at the unpleasant, unexpected smell. He's still keeping his axe stowed at the start in case diplomacy is possible.
"Let's hope they still be in a talkin' mood ... or can talk at all."
"Well, here they are at last! I've been watching you all this time. You've made quite a mess of the guardians, to say the least," the creature says smugly in a deep, commanding voice.
Initiative (precaution; combat has not yet started)
Order: Whole party, Dracolich
Dracolich: 6
Amideo:
Djack: 14
Rocko:
Yoltzin:
Zia:
Chaucair:
Somehow, hearing the being speak gave her a sense of relief rather than dread. Elder Wings were to respected enough as is, yet one that has gone through the process of rebirth would be a true pillar of admiration. Most of what they had encountered thus far had been without thought, without soul.
Yoltzin let her head duck down in reverence to this being, her golden jewelry clinking softly from the movement. "It is not our wish to intrude upon your home for long. Your destruction is not what we seek. We instead have come here only in search of one specific item."
A bauble really, an insignificant curiosity. Djack smiles.
Rocko shifts uncertainly,
"I think we should be offerin' a gift or two before we be asking for stuff."
he then tries to whisper,
"and I think you all should be givin' back the stuff you found in the caves"
Rocko begin thinking through his meager possessions, wondering what he may have that would at least halfway interest a dragon
The once-dragon hisses a sound somewhere between that of a lizard and that of a ghoul. It cranes its head upward and fires a blast of black, crackling energy into the ceiling, then lowers its head once again to regard the party.
"Many things the powerful Gavalde had gathered, ere he was finally killed. He left me to guard them, in case he managed to return. And guard them I have. I care not for what you have killed or taken thus far, nor for any 'gifts.' None of this treasure is for exchange, and I guard it with my immortal life. I will allow most of you to leave now and live, to warn the others who may come to stay away. But first, I must demonstrate me power."
"You may demonstrate, but know that the blessings I have been granted by the Black Dog are great in turn." Yoltzin warns, as she casts a spell of protection upon her party.
Rocko's first instinct will be to get his shield positioned for protection and try to provide shelter for Xia and/or Chaucair
Would anyone else like to act before the dracolich?
Assuming no other actions than the defensive stance of Rocko and Yoltzin's protection from evil (mass):
The creature breathes out a heavy blast of black energy at Rocko. The line will carry past the Gnoll at Chaucair and Zia, but each will receive a progressive bonus to their save.
Chaucair: FAILED
Zia: SUCCEEDED
Damage:
Both Zia and Chaucair are heavily injured, but alive, after taking Negative Energy damage from the lich's breath weapon.
Rocko needs a Fort Save DC 19 at a +2 bonus (from PFE spell).
"Tails 'round!"
Rocko belatedly realizes not everyone would recognize the gnoll call for a retreat
Rocko takes 14 HP damage from the undead dragon's breath weapon attack.
So far only Yoltzin has used her action (since raising a shield and being in front of Chaucair before combat started wasn't really an "action.")
Zia is inclined to listen to Rocko, having just dropped a lot of her hit points. Being right by the door, however, she pops off a Magic Missile at the draconlich on the way out.
Chaucair casts "cure light wounds" on himself. (I have no idea if he had that spell, but since the player has taken off he does now).
Djack, Amideo and Rocko may act. Only difference on the map is Zia has moved back into the hallway and Chaucair has moved back to the doorway. He can be moved through, if you choose to retreat.