"I will scout ahead then!" He quickly states and rubs his ring going invisible.
With a high enough perception you might even hear his footsteps which quickly leave the group, heading to the stairs.
As the others return into the cellar with Jorrast and Quince the fire wall drops but also reveals more of the swarms that merely moved back from the flames.
---
About 50 feet up the stairs, , you come to a 10 foot wide landing. On the landing is two well made doors. The stairs do continue up and you see a portcullis lifted, which would fall down upon the front of the landing.
M50. Storage Cave:
The room is filled with boxes, barrels, and chests.
A lever on the wall opens and closes the iron gate to the stairs.
Only a few barrels lie in this room, one of them has its lid off. That barrel seems to be holding water and is half full.
Further into the limestone walled cave you see the floor has been etched out like a summoning circle or some kind of ritual. Dried blood fills these etchings. At the back of the cave you see piles of stuff. Getting closer or with darkvision you would notice these are body parts.
You continue to travel up the stairs and find a stone door. On the wall beside the door there is a red wood lever with brass fittings. On the door you see a large tarnished brass button. Also there is a pretty nice lock in the door and it keeps the door locked.
An L-shaped table sits in the southeast corner of this dusty chamber, its velvet-lined surface displaying a number of small, precious stones and pieces of jewelry. A couple of large, ornately carved cedar trunks take up the other corners of the room.
Upon the L-shaped table rests a golden yellow topaz worth 500 gp, a deep blue spinel worth 400 gp, an amethyst worth 300 gp, a chrysoberyl worth 100 gp, five freshwater pearls worth 100 gp each, and eight moonstones worth 50 gp each. The display table also holds a golden circlet worth 750 gp. Two more dust-free indentations indicate a couple of necklaces once
rested here as well.
In one of the cedar chests, Drelev has stored the valuable gear taken from Terrion Numesti. It includes a suit of +2 breastplate with the Numesti crest, a +2 longsword, a masterwork composite longbow (Str +3), 20 arrows, a masterwork dagger, and potions of cure serious wounds, darkvision, and lesser restoration.
In another chest, the baron has stored a variety of
artifacts taken from the Tiger Lords’ barrow mounds
worth a total of 2,500 gp. Among these artifacts is a
ring of evasion made of green wood carved to depict
a snake and a lizard locked in a tangle.
You notice two more doors that are locked and a trapdoor on the roof.
Jorrast lands and accepts the wand from Quince. "Balls. Quick, then over except for any flammables in the area. Thanks."
Xandarian follows the group and examines the Door to the West.
"Aw s#|t! Evil Arcane Crap!" The paladin says as he finds the summoning circle and environs.
Summoning circle Markus says neutrally
Hmm, Blood bits, may have been used to summon the Schir, would fit with their proclivities for violence spite and mayhem. Markus turns on detect magic.
Someone got some holy water to splash on it? It can mess such things up.
Oi, that door looks important, we got a sneaky person or do I bash it down?
"Don't have any holy water", Xandarian explained. "I mostly find it and turn it to wine or ale."
"I've heard scratching part of the circle away stops any ritual? Is that true?"
Quince hands Jorrast the Wand of Fireball.
Quince looks to the summoning circle.
He sees the gruesome display of body parts and grimaces. "Foul to be sure."
He moves to the door to the east seeing storage items begins to look about.
"Oh. Look here. A bag of holding. Looks to have potions and supplies. More flying and some moderately good healing spells."
Alice may come to the similar conclusion as Markus does.
"And a lot of people have been brutally dismembered here. Disgusting."
Thing is, less foul summoning circles can mean more powerful demons. Like, Schirs? They want to murder and main someone, messy circle, not very strong demon. Mariliths or Lilitus? They want artificats, highly valuable prisoners or such things, and can be quite specific about hygiene. Much less foul circle, but much bigger problem.
Markus muses
Great catch on that bag Quince!
Summoning circle Markus says neutrally
[dice=kn planes to identifiy what may have been summoned]d20+10
Hmm, Blood bits, may have been used to summon the Schir, would fit with their proclivities for violence spite and mayhem. Markus turns on detect magic.
As Quince searches the room he sees several items shift and even float for several moments.
As they pass through the Storage Cave, Ulricha looks through a few of the boxes and chests out of curiosity, looking to see what goods they had stored.
The side of the gems weapons and other items of magic elicit and impressed grunt from the barbarian. Clearly this Drelev had been hoarding wealth and power while his people suffer.
She follows the others, no expert in magic She leaves the discoveries up to those more experienced in such matters keeping an eye out for any sign of danger.
Seeing the swarms still alive once the wall of fire drops, Jorrast puts the wand of fireballs to the use it is intended....
"I'd love to burn this room and all it's components", Xandarian stated. "But we need the fire spells for those persistent swarms.
Gods, I hate swarms!"
Another wall of fire and a fireball go off. Jorrast let's another fireball go off. After the 11 rounds pass and the fire wall drops you see the burnt remains of what is left of the swarms, mostly ash.
The fire doesn't seem to affect the barrels much.
You walk down to the other end of the cellar and see two cells to the South. The hounds see you too and begin barking.
Heading up the stairs you do find the doors on either side of the landing, you explore them and Quince finds the bag of items. Also the ritual room with the copious amount of body parts. No threats jump out.
Finally you begin to ascend the stairs again finding the door before you.
Markus begins refreshing his shield and long arm buff.
Lets have a chat with the welcoming comitee yes?
The half-azata frowns, unable to affect change in the ritual room. Xandarian follows Markus to confront the next patch of evil.
You continue to travel up the stairs and find a stone door. On the wall beside the door there is a red wood lever with brass fittings. On the door you see a large tarnished brass button. Also there is a pretty nice lock in the door and it keeps the door locked.
"Well, darn", Xandarian says to the others. "We don't have nay rogues to help open this door, do we?"
Becoming visible he asks, "Jorrast will you take a stab at it or shall I? Oh you should all step back."
He will take his time looking for traps,
The group waits for Jorne to search and then he finds the hidden spot.
He announces to the group, "Dont touch the brass button as a magic spell with be unleashed. Don't pull on the lever, I am sure it is a trap too." He pulls on the rope in the hidden compartment and the door unlocks and opens slightly.
Carefully he opens the door not touching the large button. "Okay the coast is clear."
An L-shaped table sits in the southeast corner of this dusty chamber, its velvet-lined surface displaying a number of small, precious stones and pieces of jewelry. A couple of large, ornately carved cedar trunks take up the other corners of the room.
Upon the L-shaped table rests a golden yellow topaz worth 500 gp, a deep blue spinel worth 400 gp, an amethyst worth 300 gp, a chrysoberyl worth 100 gp, five freshwater pearls worth 100 gp each, and eight moonstones worth 50 gp each. The display table also holds a golden circlet worth 750 gp. Two more dust-free indentations indicate a couple of necklaces once
rested here as well.
In one of the cedar chests, Drelev has stored the valuable gear taken from Terrion Numesti. It includes a suit of +2 breastplate with the Numesti crest, a +2 longsword, a masterwork composite longbow (Str +3), 20 arrows, a masterwork dagger, and potions of cure serious wounds, darkvision, and lesser restoration.
In another chest, the baron has stored a variety of artifacts taken from the Tiger Lords’ barrow mounds worth a total of 2,500 gp. Among these artifacts is a ring of evasion made of green wood carved to depict
a snake and a lizard locked in a tangle.
You notice two more doors that are locked and a trapdoor on the roof.
Jorrast levitates up to examine the trapdoor.
"Jorne, could you check those while I check up here?"
" Numesti, isn't that Kisandra's father that was taken captive?" Ulricha asks as they come across the armor and weapons.
Vandomir will also look about, taking 20, as a deliberate search seems to be requested...
+2 vs Fey, +4 vs Humans, +4 Forests, +2 Underground
Xandarian whistles in appreciation. "We found the treasure room, boyos!"
The paladin and his hare start looking over the tables, laiden with gems. "Ooo! The green evasion ring looks pretty. I wouldn't mind claiming it!" Xandarian said with hopeful azata eyes.
" Numesti, isn't that Kisandra's father that was taken captive?" Ulricha asks as they come across the armor and weapons.
He quietly replies, "Yes that sounds familiar."
He leaves the spoils to the group and begins to search the West door. Listening for sounds, searching for traps, etc.
Vandomir shakes his head disapprovingly, "I didn't think we came here for treasure. Especially treasure that is probably the ill-gotten gains of those we came to knock out of power from those we have come to save."
Vandomir shakes his head disapprovingly, "I didn't think we came here for treasure. Especially treasure that is probably the ill-gotten gains of those we came to knock out of power from those we have come to save."
The caydenite paladin pockets the green ring of evasion, and takes off his backpack. Boffy jumps down on the gem table and begins to shovel in the various gems into Xandarian's open backpack.
"Yep, Vandomir. 'Paragons of Virtue'. That's what we are."
Yeap, I am a bacon of modesty and humility, even on an interplanar scale. I am so utterly nongreedy, I may have more then a snowballs chance in hell when it comes to dating Sorshen, on the off chance that she really wants to troll... I think Karzoug was the jealous and greedy one? Clearly, the reason I am not taking any of this gear is... yes, I am extremely non greedy and it has nothing to do with my unusual fighting style, clearly.
Markus deadpans.
A reference to the antics of one Alonsyius Thrune, who, after having a business dispute of sorts with a certain propriortress in Alyushinyrra, opted to sue said propietress in Alyushinyrras court.
Shamria, the Demonlord holding court was rather hungover from a night of excessive partying and assassination, opted to interpret a regular title of the thrice damned house of thrune, "beacon of mankind" and "bacon of modesty" and turned the thrune noble into bacon.
She was then seen pocketing a sizeable degree of bribes from Andoran and Galt, because of course.
"The abyss is as silly as it is dangerous, as far as lessons and picked up information tells me. Which raises my question, what shenanigans have you been accomplice to, if you recall spicy things like that? You told before you'd done freelance work there, after all."
I was with the *ORChestra* private military company, initially on the side of the hold of Belkzen against the worldwound, there is that misnomer that only Mendev is fighting the demons, which aint true at all, our unit was part of a sadly ill fated push on demon besieged Raliscrad. Which fell far before we arrived, leaving us stranded in Worldwound turf. One of our skalds scribed a bunch of bards escape scrolls, and did something to link them, and then we used them in unison as we were about to be overrun by very angry bug-buggerers, as we have used the powers of scamming and bullshit to inflict some rather disproportionate casulty exchange ratios.
We got yeeted to the Midnight isles. Right in f~+$ing front of a literal military parade to honor Nocticula for yet another Demonlord kill.
Markus pauses
Like, you narrowly manage to fight of a Derakni swarm long enough that your casters get their scrolls off, you get shifted, you smell pretty reasonable food, the sea, and then you see several Balors in front of you as your vision adjusts, because you barded escape in front of someone who has Balor Bodyguards, plural. I was like "bugger my lovelife, I think we win the frying pan into the fire award of this century."
He pauses again
Lord f#**ing Angothane, runelord of wrath, Balor Lord and Nocticulas top general asked us if we were invaders, refugees, or if we were applying for a job. Our boss wisely picked the latter option.
There is a bit of fear in the normally hard to shift or scare Bloodragers eyes as he says Angothane.
I think the Nocticulans have a way of rerouting bards escape spells to the midnight isles personally, as this realm is like... more the 50% of bards who cast this spell and end up in the Abyss end up in the midnight isles.
He adds as a word of caution
I fought on Abbadon, on the midnight isles of Kovalarue and Luralune and in that f*!+ing-ex-elvish-abyssal-trash-compactor-who-thinks-he-is-a-demonlord's realm of the everglut, privately, my experience with the latter have made me appreciate something called "Flamethrowers" but I have been told that Golarions technological base isnt ready for that yet. It is like, super burning hands but with a more lighting bolt shaped area of effect, in a tank which non magic users can utilize. A bit risky since the fuel source is explosive, but the abyssal trashcans servants dont tend to use flame much.
He speaks a bit of his experiences
Kabriri, demonlord of ghouls, hunger and cannibalism. Markus seems to have a rather sizeable dislike for him.
My unit did negotiate to only be used against her "near peer competitors" so to speak, she offers this as a standard when hiring mortal mercs even. Have I mentioned that Leng ghouls taste even worse the dretch arse?
He ends his tale on a lighter note.
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"We are in the midst of a fight to free these people and this village if we can. If there is a tool here that aids that fight. Take it and use it. We can return property, compensate if necessary and make apologies when things end. We shouldn't take to long though. What we aren't using ourselves at the moment we should deny our enemies. That's what the bags of holding are for. If we find the owners and they want to join the fight. We can outfit them."
Lots of stuff
Alice takes it all in, wondering which parts are complete BS.
"Aside from the fact it is a revolting creature, you seem to have a very particular dislike for that elf-demon cannibal. Why? Did he eat people you knew?"
Someone I knew and liked turned into a ghoul. Poisoned food supply. Coupled with a trap that like, made him age 2 weeks. Aging two weeks normally isnt a problem, but it sure is when you contracted ghoul fever and that stunts stops you from getting any clerical aid.
Also, had you been to the everglut... Like, I began to appreciate Shamiras occassionally adopted diplomatic stance of "BURMINATE EVERYTHING" a lot more.
The man shrugs.
Having to put down people you like... sucks. Hard.
Alice was maybe expecting 'someone' from the unit to be mentioned, but hearing it was instead Markus' crush, makes her a bit sorry she had asked.
Having to put down people you like... sucks. Hard.
"I imagine so. Sorry if me asking brought up painful memories.", she gives his big arm a tap/bump with the soft bottom of a fist, some way of silent moral support.
"Anyway, time to make some mortal scum taste dirt, eh?"
Xandarian adjusts his new jingly backpack on his shoulders. "Yep, Mortal Scum is gonna feel it! Let's go!"
Jorne takes the lead, "Jorrast what is the trapdoor? Is it an avenue? This here is another door that leads... elsewhere. Hallway or corridor. Two pronged attack or three? Shall I check that door for traps and unlock it too?"
"Haven't opened it yet. Want me to look?"
Jorne relays that he found another wine cellar then goes back to the other door and investigates more.
M44. Wine Cellar: Baron Drelev keeps a wide selection
of spirits on hand in his personal wine cellar. Something
of a connoisseur, he has collected Taldan fire-brandy, hard
liquor from Andoran, and even delicate berry wines out of
the elven homeland of Kyonin. In all, his wine cellar holds
119 bottles representing 48 separate vintages. The entire
collection is worth 6,000 gp.
Down the corridor: It actually is a prison cell. There is a simple lock DC 20 on the door frame of the cell to the metal bars.
Jorne comes back and whispers, "You are going to want to see this!"
M46. Dungeon
Behind this locked door lies a cold, musty dungeon. Five cells, complete with meticulously crafted iron bars and doors, fill most of the space. A wooden door also leads east to a functioning latrine, judging by the smell.
Currently, the largest cell along the northern wall contains Kisandra’s father, Lord Terrion Numesti. The other cells stand empty.
'M14. Cloakroom'
Entering into the dungeon proper and walking to the North cell the occupant stands up and looks at you with eager hope. "I haven't seen a guard in days. Thank goodness for the drainage system. You are here to let me out, right?! I am Lord Terrion Numesti and ready for some true hospitality."
---
As you continue to explore you find:
M43. Cellar: This cold, earth-floored cellar helps keep food from spoiling as quickly as it would in the upstairs pantry.
There are also stairs that lead up to the next level here.
M45. Treasure Vault: 200 pp, 986 gp, 2,460 sp, 815 cp, and 30 silver ingots bearing the baron’s personal seal, each worth 25 gp.
M47. Washroom: This chamber features a privy and a large tub for washing.
--Or continue up to the second floor.---
M13. Storeroom: This storeroom holds a collection of unused linens, tapestries, and seasonal decorations.
M14. Cloakroom...
M15. Kitchen: This large room contains a stone fireplace set with roasting spits and a hanging cauldron.
M16. Pantry: This storeroom contains cluttered shelves and stacks of crates and casks holding all manner of foodstuffs, seasonings, cooking oils, and preserved goods.
M17. Workshop: This dry, dusty chamber holds a variety of tools and supplies for carpentry, leather-working, sewing, and mortaring.
--Encounter the Butcher--
M18. Washroom: This chamber features a privy and a large tub for washing.
***Out the front door*** = M7. Inner Courtyard:
(hardness 10, hp
60, Break DC 28, Disable Device DC 30)—all of the Drelev
guards posted at the keep carry a key to the gate.
"That looks to be a very stout door there."
Not seeing any obvious dangers Jorrast will take out his Ioun torch to get better light to examine the area.
He quietly calls back to the others, "Hey guys? This looks interesting. Possibly back doors to some of the rooms?"
Once done he switches back to fox form so the area isn't so cramped, and so he can use the scent ability.
"Lord Numesti. Please stay there. We will do our best to free you!" Xandarian looks the the kitsune. "Foxfolk, is there a way to open this door quietly without letting the whole castle know where we are?"
Jorrast hears Xandarian call and returns.
As he approaches he takes his human form and pulls some tools out of his pouch. "It doesn't look terribly difficult. Let me see."
"You should know, Kisandra came to us for aid." Ulricha says to the imprisoned noble, hoping the words would gain his trust enough to stay put until they had everything under their control.