At the sight of the horrific altar, Donimah narrows her eyes a bit, mutters her detection spell and gazes upon the dancing flames.
"Everburning fire, light without heat. A simple spell, really. Spare no expense for the image of the so-called goddess," she says snidely. She bows her head a bit when Evan reconsecrates it. Even if she wasn't religious, there was some truth in that saying "the first gift you ever receive is your family." She certainly felt that way about her own father.
"The bits of bone on the altar are human."
"Not surprising. Probably the remains of Nualia's father."
Donimah glowers a bit. She couldn't imagine feeling that kind of hatred for kin. Even her own mother who'd abandoned her and her father hadn't earned her ire. She couldn't even begin to fathom how Ano must be feeling, having been betrayed by her own parent and seeing a path she could have gone down if she'd not had friends to take that parent's place.
To Ano, Juriya, and Donimah he'll say, "Remember how eager Orik was to 'get out of town'? Doesn't it seem odd he's been seen around Sandpoint and hasn't left? We might need to keep an eye on him; I don't trust him."
Donimah shrugs.
"I did offer him a job. Though you're not wrong; if his childhood was anything like mine, you learn to take any edge you can get and not worry about dirtying your hands. I think we can trust him to look out for his own skin, and as long as it looks like the easiest way to do that is by staying on our good side, and trying to deceive us is the fastest way for that skin to get tanned, he won't cause us trouble."
Arrian nods at Donimah, "I'm more concerned Orik might be more of a 'true believer' in what was perpetrated here and possibly more involved. Just a feeling telling me he's trouble. As for the remains they could very well be her father. We'll take them back to Sandpoint just in case."
Alicia, Arrian and Ethan feel the connection to Lamashtu being cut off from the casting of Ethan' consecration of the altar.
In the next level, Arrian looks around a bit.
Arrian can find many scratch marks on the walls. Whatever happened here, there were surely big cats that were either very anxious or in a very nasty fight. He cannot find any traps on the door, and it is unlocked.
Activating detect evil Alicia says as she moves to where she is on the map as her eyes shine blue. She specifically does not include any party member in the abilities radius, as if to respect their privacy.
Something in my intuition says traps ahead. Like, if there werent traps, then why is there noone here?
She adds
I got no skills in detecting such though.
"I didn't find any but I'm not perfect at doing so."
"I will take whatever position is left, or where you all feel I could be of best use to the group as a whole," Ethan says. "No one has volunteered for rearguard. I can do that, if no one else wishes to," he offers.
"Orik may be in league with demons, but I doubt he'd be signing up with Lamashtu. My parents always told me that with divinity, people always tend to go with those that appeal to them if they aren't outright indoctrinated into a god. Some evil figure of coin, survival, or the like would be a better option than Lamashtu."
Juriya also looks for traps as well.
The drawings in the door that was found open are actually too damaged to identify. However, the statues can be made out.
This is definitely a Thassilonian statue.
This depicts a Thassilonian Runelord.
Judging from some features on his face such as some gemstones embedded in it, and a glaive on his hand, you recognize this as Karzoug, the Runelord of Greed.
He ruled the city of Shalast, and favored transmutation magic.
After opening the door, a hallway is found. This short hallway rises in a slope to the east. Five feet from the western door, the floor is polished and shiny, unlike the dusty floor elsewhere. A pair of stone statues depicting stern men wielding glaives stand in alcoves north and south of this section of the hallway. At the eastern end stand two stone doors, their faces carved with strange runes. Just past the doors is a third alcove in which a partially collapsed statue sits. The top half of the statue is missing, leaving behind a ragged stump of a torso.
Here, Juriya finds a trap. Right about the middle of the hallway, there seems to be a pressure plate and some fissures on the walls. One can assume some weapons come and slash whoever is stepping on the plate.
Juriya sees the plate, and immediately attempts to disable it, having just read up on techniques to disable magical devices without using any magic oneself.
She knows... precious little about Thassilonian history. One day, she'll know quite a lot and even rival Donimah ... but that day is not today.
"Hm... pressure plate there runes there. I can carve out sections of the trap precisely to avoid having to just bomb indiscriminately and have the protective measures go off," Juriya muses as she successfully disables the trap.
Alicia nods as she stands behind Juriya, one hand at Juriyas belt, ready to yeet her back should the trap trigger.
Providing emergency exfiltration if required She offers in a polite hushed voice, as if to not break yuriyas concentration.
After Juriya expertly disables the magical trap, the group has two doors to choose from.
Arrian checks over the next doors for any signs of traps or anything behind them.
Arrian determines that both doors are not trapped. From the northern door, a bubbling sound can be heard, as if someone were boiling water in it. To the south, there is no sound to be heard.
"Maybe we should check the quiet door first, just to make sure there's nothing there, and then check the door with the bubbling noise?" Ethan suggests.
Reasonable Alicia takes up position at the southern door, planting her imposing self between the door and the party
Opening in 6 secs, take your positions
She says matter of factly
Alicia dramatically opens the door to reveal a 10' corridor with a door on the other side. After no traps are detected in this corridor, Alicia walks to the next door and opens it in the same fashion.
The southern wing of this L-shaped hallway ends at a pair of stone doors carved with the depictions of two skeletons reaching out to clutch a skull between them, while to the east the hallway narrows down to frame a circular carving of what seems to be an immense stack of tens of thousands of gold coins that rises from floor to ceiling. The edges of these coins are carved with tiny, spiky runes.
There are some eerie sounds coming from beyond the doors. You can't quite identify it, but whatever it is, it doesn't sound happy.
The coins stack is actually a solid block of stone made to look like coins. There is some hollow space beyond the pillar showing that it slides. To the left and to the right of the pillars there is at each side one tiny very hidden slot about the size of a gold piece.
Arrian gestures to the double doors and motions for everyone to back up out of the room.
"There are some eerie sounds coming from beyond the doors. I can't tell what it is but it doesn't sound happy. Maybe go back to the room with the bubbling noise? Or deal with this now?"
"Hey. That coin stak? Stone made to look like coins. Probably pyrite. Or it's actual unminted, and we're rich as hell. Bets on pyrite though. There's also some space behind the pillar, so it'll slide. There's also slots the size of gold pieces. Hidden entrance?"
[dice=Perception] d20 + 9
[dice=Perception] d20 + 9"Hey. That coin stak? Stone made to look like coins. Probably pyrite. Or it's actual unminted, and we're rich as hell. Bets on pyrite though. There's also some space behind the pillar, so it'll slide. There's also slots the size of gold pieces. Hidden entrance?"
Arrian sighs, "We don't have the kind of luck that we'd be rich so probably pyrite. Slots eh? For keys or something? Perhaps there's a door and some way of opening it."
After Juriya points out the tiny slots, it's fairly obvious that a gold piece is meant to be put in there.
Wait, I recall that maybe its a ...
S~!#, her symbol?
Alicia freezes for a moment
This looks suspiciously like the unholy symbol of my abyssal ancestor, but... added like a graffiti?
Maybe I am misidentifying that though
Arrian fishes a gold coin out of his pouch and looks at the others, "We can open this now or deal with the unsettling noises here or the bubbling sounds back in the other room. What's everyone think?"
Ano’s been deathly silent this entire time. Her eyes reduced to pinpricks, her ears folded, her fur bristling. She’s just waiting for something to happen.
“My vote is whatever is behind this door,” Cherry chirped anxiously, ”Whatever’s in there can’t be as bad as those noises, right?”
Donimah freezes as she recognizes the statues immediately.
"Karzoug," she says, partly awed and (oddly for her) almost a little scared. "So this place IS a Thassilonian structure after all...but not of the same kind beneath Sandpoint."
She approaches one of the statues and looks up at it.
"This was Karzoug, the Runelord of...well, in modern terminology I suppose you'd call it 'Greed.' Wizard-king of Shalast. Master of Transmutation."
She holds up her grimoire and looks down at it for a moment before looking up at the statue.
"I've...studied what few fragments of his writings we've been able to recover. I...I suppose you could call him a hero of mine."
"The Runelord of Greed, hmm," Ethan says, followed by a sigh, his tone tinged with disapproval.
Erastil's faithful are strong believers in the strength of a cooperative, supportive community. Although they still believe in the individual right to property, as well as the right to the fruits of one's own labor, they also hold firmly to the belief that one also has a duty to ensure that those less fortunate are clothed, housed, fed, and cared for in times of illness or injury. Greed, in their understanding of the term, is that antithesis of that spirit.
To Donimah, "It seemed like the same kind of dark presence as under the Glassworks. Greed eh? That explains using a gold coin to activate it."
To Ano, "I'm ready if you are."
Arrian nods at Ethan in understanding.
I mean, Kelinahat teaches that not *greed* in itself is sin, but merely an excessive dose of it. Lust, greed, pride, can all be positive, if utilized in moderation. Great works of art have been caused by lust, signicant fortunes build by greed, sizeable inventions made by sloth, as the desire to have less work to do can drive creativity. And well, there is no shortage of heroes with justified pride in themselfs.
Likewise, some virtues, if present in too high a dosage, can be debiliating, excessive humility can result make a state less meritocratic, as the most capable one will be so humble that they do not rise to the positions in which they could do the most good.
She pauses
I dont know much about old Thassilon though, although I belief that... not demon worship, but utilizing and in some cases allying with demons was fairly widespread.
"Cayden Cailean preaches more than just the pleasure of drink. Aiding the oppressed and seeking glory and adventure are also areas of his concern. I don't know about the whole seeking glory part; I'm focused on helping others to 'repay' those that have helped me."
He smiles at Ano and Juriya as he says the last part.
"Well, Daikitsu is sort of like Erastil, in that she very much values the value of community. As a god of mortal success though, she teaches that mortal success and the wellbeing of a community are intertwined, and that things change. We aren't always going to be using bow and arrows forever, but hunting will largely remain the same no matter the weapon, as well as its value to a community... so suffice to say her opinion on greed is 'as long as it isn't entirely selfish'.
My family always also says that optics and investment in the community can be worth more than any amount of gold as a result of that, and so they aspire to help as many people as possible," Juriya says as she turns to Arrian with a smile.
“My aunt, you haven’t met her, Alicia, but she’s an acolyte of Desna in Sandpoint. My father initially didn’t follow any god but he eventually followed Desna along with the family. Though my mother…” The catfolk paused, and rubbed the notched off part of her ear. “When my father died in the Great Unpleasantness she stopped following the preachings of Desna. And…started to think the teachings were just inviting me to be killed…and then inviting me to meet…bad company…”
Are Desnas teachings not also part of the reason why you are here? Why you defend your city at great personal cost? While you brave considerable horrors, so that your friends can sleep with a degree of security?
Alicia smiles at Ano
My understanding is that your mothers concern is born out of love, she lost her husband, she does not wish to lose you as well. Either to death, or to adventure.
She pauses
I believe you can be reconciled, especially if there was some formal recognition for your deeds, which I may be capable of arranging. If you wish for my diplomatic assistance in this you shall have it, thats the least I can do.
Alicia seems to be plotting
Step 1, ask Ameiko about how to influence leader of the townguard
Step 2, sing the parties praises, something I am reasonable at
Step 3, invoke my status as a Paladin to... I dont know, get them to be declared heroes of Sandpoint. That should be a nice party, and oh boy Ano clearly needs a party, and her being formally recognized probably helps in her relations with her mother.
Yeah, I think this can work
Arrian gives Alicia a panicked look and tries to hide his gestures from Ano to drop this topic.
"It's more than that!" Donimah interjects, bristling a bit at Ethan's disapproval. "It's...understanding that the problems of the world are massive, titanic. Beyond a normal person's form and resources. But forms can be changed, resources can be gathered, and these can make those problems surmountable. That's the power the Precious Gleam can achieve. The power to change things, and change yourself, for the better."
As soon as Alicia proposes trying to smooth things over with Ano's mother, however, her defensiveness turns to anger.
"Absolutely not. She made it CLEAR she had no desire to change when she tried to purchase a way to cut Ano's magic out of her mind and then struck her when found out, in public. NO parent who lays a hand on their child is worthy of the title, no matter how blinded by grief they are."
"I'm going to be really blunt, Ano and Alicia. There's a certain evil deity that sounds a lot like how Fosyo behaves. My parents always taught me to watch out for the evil that agrees with me, not the ones that I constantly butt heads with. For our family, that's pretty solidly Haagenti. We're -- admittedly kind of sleazy when we need to be --Alchemists who push a few boundaries. For your mom, that'd be the daemonic harbinger, Laivatiniel. One of her anathema is LITERALLY 'heed advice from your child or charge'. An edict? 'impose your will upon those who see you as a parental figure'"
Ethan's eyebrows raise a bit at Donimah's strong reaction to his passing comment.
"You were right again, Old Man," he says softly to no one in particular, a faint smile briefly crossing his lips as he shakes his head softly.
"Perhaps our philosophical and theological differences would be better had later over a pint of ale or a pipe of flay leaf," Ethan suggests. "We can't afford to carry any resentment or frustration with one another while we are in danger."
He turns to Donimah, gives a respectful, nod and says, "If I offended you, Donimah, I apologize. It was not my intention."
Alicia just shuts up at the "cut of her magic" comment from Dominah
What?
Ok, I need some context...
She pauses, then tries a different approach to improve Anos confidence
I could erupt as a Bloodrager, but an Abyssal one, I am a quarter fiend, and that is obviously dangerous. I didnt get any fiendish vibes from Anos rage, and she seemed quite in control of her faculties, like more so then a dude I know who has a celestial bloodrage. I mean, his eyes get golden and he constantly motormouths Ragathielan or Iomedean propaganda in an anachronistic combination of 10.000 year old high formal celestial with modern colloquial celestial, but the average foe doesnt even understand that language, and like, no actual angel would speak in that mix. He also doesnt speak celestial at all when not Bloodraging, and I and others tried to teach him that language but just run into a wall as if he has a mental block.
Alicia pauses her own incessant motortmouthing.
Ano, you remember what you do during bloodrage yes? Also, Can you do basic math while you rage? Like, dont try this right now, we will likely have need of your abilities, but I read something about Bloodragers and their mental prospects, and Bloodragers who can do math while enraged have... what was the term... *No statistically significant difference in terms of developing psychopathologies compared to the general population*, while short term amnesia, and especially growing in size or spouting horns while bloodraging are statistically speaking really bad from a *I want to stay sane* perspective.
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Ano's fur bristled when Alicia talked about making amends with her mother, but the others countering that calmed her down.
"I...suppose I can. I know it's not complete uncontrollable rage. It feels more like an instinctive kick to fight something that's a threat, rather than lose myself to my emotions, even though I'm more prone to anger in the state. It's more a desire to stop people from hurting others."
The catfolk sighed, "My mother has...not been kind to arcane casters. She sees arcane magic as something not to be trusted. I don't know the whole story, but my aunt told me that when they were children, they had a brother who was born with arcane talents. He got bold when he was learning basic spells as a child, and one day, he wandered off into the Underbridge to fight off dangerous monsters and...they didn't find him again until a few days later. My aunt said she remembered the day my mother snapped at the family for not blaming his magical abilities-ever since, my mother has been on bad terms with the family, and anyone who can cast magic through the arcane. So it's not surprising then when she sees her own daughter awakening her own arcane abilities, especially after my father died, that she..."
Ano couldn't even finish that sentence. She gripped one of her arms tightly, looking down with closed eyes, trying not to let the emotions come out.
"Ano is formidable with or without arcane abilities. I wouldn't want to fight her."
After the discussion, Arrian slips in a coin into each slot of the fake eastern door. On the other side, the walls open up again to a hall. From it there are three sets of double doors, one to the north, east and south.
Something from the southern door stinks. You can't determine what the smell it, but it is as bad as if someone had rubbed garbage in your nostrils. It's repulsive.
What's more alarming is that this doesn't seem to be affecting any of the other people in the party.
Arrian checks the area for traps, sounds, anything else of interest.
Ah, yeah, I know a few bloodragers, Kelinahat seems to be collecting them in a way, like, expose Angry Mc. Tieflingface the Abyssal Bloodrager to things such as... people who accept him, a place to make to rest, really funny jokes tailored to whatever demonic granduncle/grandaunt whatever be less intimidating. You also dont switch to talking in other languages while raging yes? She pauses
Like, you will likely develop some spellcasting, just know its not a cureall or fixall. Magical shield spells are great, but from one barely-caster to a not yet caster, our stuff will get dispelled a lot by like, random planar outsiders or baseline competent mages. Use everything to get an edge, and then think on how you can get even more edges. Fair fights are for Gorumites.
She chuckles before wrinkling her nose
Carefull, something here... the southern door stinks, no, something behind it, stink. Repulsive, vile.
I typically perceive evil visually, but whatever it is is likely... vile. extremely so. Like, to me it smells worse then a Ghoul.
Her eyes flare again in a deep blue as she looks at that door
Hehe, Qlippoths beneath bugger my barely existing lovelife, but I am betting silver to Platinum that this evil is the thing we should seriously kill. Be ready for the fight of your lives when we open that.
Qlippoths are a race of chaotic evil and extremely ugly outsiders in the Abyss who predate demonkind, are at war with demonkind, and have the very genius idea to beat demonkind indirectly, by erasing mortal life and thus the source of sin.
It is very ideosyncratic coming from a Paladin.
Arrian looks puzzled, "What do you mean something stinks? I don't smell anything; do any of the rest of you?"
Arrian feels his nose to make sure it isn't plugged.
He also blinks at the mention of the squid-liquid or whatever Alicia is talking about. It sounds too much like the Hagfish Challenge!
"Never put the words 'qlippoth' and 'lovelife' in the same sentence ever again," Donimah says.
Nevertheless, she takes Alicia's hint and conjures protective wards on her body.
"I'll do the same as well," Juriya says as she whips up an extract of shield, but doesn't consume it. "There, shield is prepared. Not going to drink it since it's rush job and will only last one minute."
"Eugh. Agreed with Donimah. Basically chaotic daemons, and I'm already paranoid about daemons because of Fosyo. I don't want to think about Qlippoths too. Also, if I fall unconscious, feel free to force-feed me the extract on my person labeled 'CURE'. It'll save your resources since I can only drink that myself, unless you want to be nauseous in the middle of a fight."