Male Versatile Human Fighter/Cloistered Cleric 1 HP 21/21| AC 19| Fort +8| Reflex +6| Will +7| Perception +7 Speed 25 ft.| Class DC 17| Spell DC 15| Hero Points 1/3| Focus Pool: 1/1| Conditions: None
Fabian moves up next to Fey, raises his shield, and takes a slash at the ooze. "How does something like this even come into existence?!"
Marcus runs into the armoury room, picks up a crossbow from the wall, and loads it.
Another round of assaults on the wispy grey mass in the room seems to be doing something. You are collectively slicing off pieces of it as they immediately decay into dust and spores.
The remainder of the mass protrudes three separate feelers, all of them moving to find sources of heat in the room. They turn to Fey and attempts to wrap around her hands.
F Aiuvarin Abberant Sorcerer 1/Mastermind Racket Rogue 1 | ♥️ 9/17 | AC 16 | Fort 4; Ref 8; Will 5 | Perc +5 (lowlight vision) | ☘️ 0/1 | | Speed 30ft | Class DC 17 | ⚕: | ✋: | 20/20 arrows | Exploration Action:
"Sorry, a little distracted!" Fey calls back to Rem, dodging a few of the pseudopod attacks before she feels the heat drain away from her skin. She hisses with pain, flinching away.
"Stabbing, slashing, and fire don't do very much against these things...my dagger is worthless." Fey grumbles with frustration and then reaches out a hand to cast Grim Tendrils on the monster.
Fort save from the ooze for this. Almost all of my spells are fort saves, lol.
void damage vs. basic fort save:2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3persistent bleed 1 if it fails, if the creature can bleed lol. also, if courageous anthem applies to this +1 damage.
Grim Tendrils Details:
Area 30-foot line
Defense Fortitude
Tendrils of darkness curl out from your fingertips and race through the air. You deal 2d4 void damage and 1 persistent bleed damage to living creatures in the line. Each living creature in the line must attempt a Fortitude save.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes half the void damage and no persistent bleed damage.
Failure The creature takes full damage.
Critical Failure The creature takes double void damage and double persistent bleed damage.
Heightened (+1) The void damage increases by 2d4, and the persistent bleed damage increases by 1.
M Catfolk artist bard/air kineticist 1; HP 20 | AC 17| F+9, R+7, W+4 | Perc +4 (Low-Light Vision; imprecise scent) | Speed 25 | Class DC 17 | Active Conditions: _____ | Hero Points: 1
Rem continues to play the inspirational melody on his horn (courageous anthem: +1 to ally attack, damage, and fear saves) and then recalibrates his attack, targeting the pseudopod with a blast of electrified air.
Male Kobold Cultist Investigator/Psychic 1 | HP 13 | AC 16 | Fort +2; Ref +7; Will +6; | Perception +6 darkvison | Speed 25 | Spell DC 17 | Exploration (Investigate)
"Not fire?" Endoin pauses as he is collecting ingredients. He puts one back and grabs a different one. "Cold then. Will at least protect from the room." He drinks down the concoction that he makes and then moves into the room again.
◆ Quick Tincture: Energy Mutagen (Cold), ◆ Drink, ◆ Stride
Male Versatile Human Fighter/Cloistered Cleric 1 HP 21/21| AC 19| Fort +8| Reflex +6| Will +7| Perception +7 Speed 25 ft.| Class DC 17| Spell DC 15| Hero Points 1/3| Focus Pool: 1/1| Conditions: None
Fabian swings at the yeast viciously, before once again raising his shield!
Between Rem's lightning strike and Fabian's poweful blow, the creature slowly stops moving, and starts turning into a pile of dead, grey hairs and spores. The room temperature immediately begins to rise, although it might take a few minutes before the freezing temperature equalises with the other rooms that surround this bedroom. The only noise you currently hear in the room is your own heavy breathing and the creature slowly bubbling as it dissolves.
Male Kobold Cultist Investigator/Psychic 1 | HP 13 | AC 16 | Fort +2; Ref +7; Will +6; | Perception +6 darkvison | Speed 25 | Spell DC 17 | Exploration (Investigate)
Endoin stabs the deflating mass a few times for good measure. "Well, that was creepy. I don't think we are going to find much specific to not-Ghaf around here. Maybe we should just try a ritual without it."
M Catfolk artist bard/air kineticist 1; HP 20 | AC 17| F+9, R+7, W+4 | Perc +4 (Low-Light Vision; imprecise scent) | Speed 25 | Class DC 17 | Active Conditions: _____ | Hero Points: 1
” you may be right, but I think we should look anyways. If he… it… sleeps in here, we may be able to find hair on a pillow or something, as Fey suggested.”
Rem will proceed to search, checking the bed and any drawers for personal remnants, as well for anything else of interest.
You start poking around the freezing cold room, looking for something that may belong to whatever it is that now presents itself as Nirraj Ghaf. And it becomes clear very fast that this room has not been used in a while. You do find something akin to a nail or claw on the table where the gray mold was resting before being disturbed. It is jet black, sharp, and about an inch and a half in girth at the base.
Besides Rem, who is doing what after the gray mass is disposed of?
M Catfolk artist bard/air kineticist 1; HP 20 | AC 17| F+9, R+7, W+4 | Perc +4 (Low-Light Vision; imprecise scent) | Speed 25 | Class DC 17 | Active Conditions: _____ | Hero Points: 1
Rem holds up the possible claw: "This looks like it could have come from a demon, doesn't it?"
Male Kobold Cultist Investigator/Psychic 1 | HP 13 | AC 16 | Fort +2; Ref +7; Will +6; | Perception +6 darkvison | Speed 25 | Spell DC 17 | Exploration (Investigate)
"Well, whatever it is, if we are going to get one of these ritual thingies going, we had best get started on it." Endoin goes back to the trophy room again and thumbs through the book. "So which one do we want to start with?" He flips a couple more pages. "How does this 'weaken' one sound? Maybe right here in front of the door. So he can't miss it."
M Catfolk artist bard/air kineticist 1; HP 20 | AC 17| F+9, R+7, W+4 | Perc +4 (Low-Light Vision; imprecise scent) | Speed 25 | Class DC 17 | Active Conditions: _____ | Hero Points: 1
"I agree we should just give it a try with what we found. I don't have much to contribute to the ritual, so I'll keep watch. Maybe I'll play something suitably mysterious, but I'll try to keep it quiet and not distracting."
While others are working on the ritual, Rem will wander back and forth playing a low droning melody on his accordion. He will keep his eyes and ears out for anyone coming up the stairs and he will also periodically peek outside (without opening the door to the balcony very wide, so as to avoid notice).
Alright, so - since everyone seems to be staying in the room for an extended period of time...
The cold air in the room is very slowly equalising with the rest of the house. However, you can still feel the bitter sting in your lungs as you breathe in the freezing air.
Everyone in the room will take 1d6 ⇒ 3 cold damage. Based on the map, this would be Endoin, Fabian, Fey, and Tamhar.
I believe only Fey had been struck by Brad, and Endoin did take some damage previously, so that would put all of you at:
Endoin 7/13 Fabian 18/21 Fey 9/17 Marcus 19/19 Rem 20/20 Tamhar 13/16
Fey:
I am keeping your nat 20 roll, but it's not occultism. You look at the talon Rem is holding. Unfortunately, this does not belong to a demon. Instead, it belongs (or used to, rather) to a species of a local hawk. Either the poor thing was consumed by the mold, or it simply broke off and found its way into this room. Either way, unless Not-Ghaf is a hawk, is not -OF- them. It still might belong to them, however. Might.
Rem:
Opening the door on the eastern end of the hallway takes a while you get through the latches. It's a simple process, but there are a few of them. Opening the door reveals a view of the courtyard and the stables and the eastern wall.
Assuming everyone is now sufficiently rested after Thanksgiving, what are you planning?
F Aiuvarin Abberant Sorcerer 1/Mastermind Racket Rogue 1 | ♥️ 9/17 | AC 16 | Fort 4; Ref 8; Will 5 | Perc +5 (lowlight vision) | ☘️ 0/1 | | Speed 30ft | Class DC 17 | ⚕: | ✋: | 20/20 arrows | Exploration Action:
Fey sucks in a difficult breath and retreats out of the room, feeling drained by the cold. "Unfortunately, this isn't part of a demon. It's from some sort of hawk," She frowns, tossing it back into the destroyed room.
"I'm at a loss. Do we want to even save Ghaf right now, or get the hell out and inform folks what's going on and let other people handle this mess?" She glances sidelong at Jassim and Tiqi to gauge their reactions.
M Catfolk artist bard/air kineticist 1; HP 20 | AC 17| F+9, R+7, W+4 | Perc +4 (Low-Light Vision; imprecise scent) | Speed 25 | Class DC 17 | Active Conditions: _____ | Hero Points: 1
"If that's not a demon claw, does anyone else want to try to search the bedroom to maybe find something else that might be part of or belong to this not-Ghaf? I only searched briefly and I stopped when I found the claw."
F Aiuvarin Abberant Sorcerer 1/Mastermind Racket Rogue 1 | ♥️ 9/17 | AC 16 | Fort 4; Ref 8; Will 5 | Perc +5 (lowlight vision) | ☘️ 0/1 | | Speed 30ft | Class DC 17 | ⚕: | ✋: | 20/20 arrows | Exploration Action:
Work doesn't have the map website blocked, but it refuses to load the actual map itself. I don't get it. I want to go back and look at the room Rem was in here. Fey was going to look, but got distracted. I want her to do a more thorough search.
"This room is sucking the life out of me," Fey complains, unwilling to re-enter the space. "Let me go check that room Rem heard the bird in. I was going to look, but the book distracted me."
If there are no objections, Fey will quickly head to that space and search for anything that might belong to whatever Not-Ghaf is.
F Aiuvarin Abberant Sorcerer 1/Mastermind Racket Rogue 1 | ♥️ 9/17 | AC 16 | Fort 4; Ref 8; Will 5 | Perc +5 (lowlight vision) | ☘️ 0/1 | | Speed 30ft | Class DC 17 | ⚕: | ✋: | 20/20 arrows | Exploration Action:
"I can't find a damn thing," Fey complains, rejoining the others. "At this point, I think we need to get a mirror into that display room so we can get real-Ghaf in the right spot, and then I use the ritual that can paralyze not-Ghaf to trap them and make them touch." She flips through the book and sighs. "This is going to be hard, but we'll see...Is there a more accessible mirror than the one we left, or do we need to go grab that?"
I propose we grab a mirror (whether it be the big one or a different one on this floor) and set up in the gallery room with the cannon. Do the "incapacitate" ritual (I might need some handholding through that) and get the two to touch and then see what happens from there.
I assume Endoin will be leading this with Tamhar assisting, since their bonuses are 7 and 6 respectively, and the biggest in the group.
After making a decision that could make or break this plan to set the man in the mirror free, you all move into the gallery room to crack open the tome and search for the relevant rite to be performed. The book is set on a small box near the cannon as you make mental preparations.
The air in the display chamber is thick with an unspoken tension as Endoin prepares to enact the ritual, the open tome resting on a pedestal nearby. Its worn pages display the intricate incapacitation magics he must replicate - a spiraling weave of runes and symbols that seem to pulse faintly with latent power. Tamhar stands at his side, her steady presence and alchemical expertise offering quiet support as she prepares the materials.
Endoin crouches near the threshold, chalk in his clawed hand, his movements deliberate as he begins the outer framework of the glyph. Each line and curve flows smoothly under his practiced precision, the geometric patterns forming a foundation for the containment magic. Tamhar, just behind him, sprinkles coarse salt along the chalk lines as they take shape, the grains glimmering faintly in the dim light.
The glyph begins to take form. Chalk outlines stretch across the threshold, twisting and looping in meticulous patterns. Endoin pauses often, his sharp eyes flicking between the tome and his work to ensure every detail matches the complex diagram. He mutters brief instructions to Tamhar, who responds swiftly, her hands moving with practiced confidence. Coal dust is prepared and applied by Tamhar, filling in the glyph’s focal points, adding depth and strength to the design. Her alchemical training shows in her precise handling of the material, ensuring the coal is evenly distributed without smudging the delicate chalk lines.
The two kobolds work in perfect harmony, their movements fluid and synchronized. Endoin’s methodical nature complements Tamhar’s intuitive adjustments as she offers quiet suggestions for enhancing stability. Occasionally, she produces small tools from her alchemical kit, using them to sharpen lines or smooth edges with remarkable finesse.
As the outer glyph nears completion, Endoin moves to the inner runes, the true heart of the ritual. These smaller, more intricate symbols require intense focus, and his claws glide carefully over the floor, the chalk whispering against the wood. Tamhar takes over preparing the materials for each new rune, offering Endoin a mixture of powdered coal and salt as he finishes each delicate marking.
When the glyph is fully drawn, the result is a breathtaking lattice of arcane precision and raw alchemical power. The lines and symbols seem almost alive, their shapes shimmering faintly with the promise of magic yet to come.
Endoin straightens and nods to Tamhar, signaling the final step: infusing the glyph with their magical essence. Both kobolds draw small blades from their belts, their expressions resolute. Endoin makes a shallow cut across his palm, letting a drop of his blood fall to the center of the glyph. Tamhar follows, her own drop of crimson mingling with his.
The room responds instantly. A low, resonant hum fills the air, the glyph blazing with crimson light as it absorbs their essence. The chalk glows bright, the salt refracts the light into prismatic sparks, and the coal markings shimmer with an otherworldly heat. The glyph pulses once, twice, then a final time before the light fades and it disappears from sight.
Endoin and Tamhar exchange uncertain glances as the room falls silent, the charged energy fading into an uneasy stillness. The glyph, though invisible, feels dormant rather than active. Was it completed properly? Did the magic take hold? There is no immediate sign of success or failure. The air remains thick with questions, their doubts as palpable as the lingering scent of myrrh. Tamhar adjusts her satchel nervously, while Endoin runs a claw along the tome’s edge, his mind already reviewing each step for mistakes they may have missed.
Their task is complete for now, but without clear confirmation, a thread of tension lingers between them, the weight of the unknown pressing heavy on their shoulders.
And now I will need rolls from Endoin and Tamhar; Primary (Endoin) - Arcana, Occultism / Secondary (Tamhar) - Arcana, Occultism, Religion, Medicine). Remember you have hero points to use if you feel like you need them.
Others have ~40 minutes to waste while this happens, so let me know what is it that you wish to do.
Jassim watches the scene intently but keeps peeking at the entrance to the hallway every few seconds, just in case. Tiqi, however, is making sure she is as far away from the ritual as possible for some reason. She presses her back against the door to the balcony to do so, and if the bedroom was comfortable, you reckon she would even attempt to hide into that one to be out of sight.
Male Kobold Cultist Investigator/Psychic 1 | HP 13 | AC 16 | Fort +2; Ref +7; Will +6; | Perception +6 darkvison | Speed 25 | Spell DC 17 | Exploration (Investigate)
Arcana:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16Meh, might as well point that. Arcana:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
"Mmmm hmmm mmhmmm." Endoin hums to himself as he draws.
He looks over and compares his work to his companion's. "Hold on." He goes over and looks again at the manual. He squints and tips his head a bit. Then looks back at his wife's work. Then at his own. "No, it looks like you have it right." He quickly corrects a few lines that he drew.
M Catfolk artist bard/air kineticist 1; HP 20 | AC 17| F+9, R+7, W+4 | Perc +4 (Low-Light Vision; imprecise scent) | Speed 25 | Class DC 17 | Active Conditions: _____ | Hero Points: 1
Rem tries the aid the ceremony by playing a suitably mysterious, but quiet and not distracting, accordion melody to help to inspire and keep Tamhar and Endoin in the zone.
aid using performance skill:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
F Aiuvarin Abberant Sorcerer 1/Mastermind Racket Rogue 1 | ♥️ 9/17 | AC 16 | Fort 4; Ref 8; Will 5 | Perc +5 (lowlight vision) | ☘️ 0/1 | | Speed 30ft | Class DC 17 | ⚕: | ✋: | 20/20 arrows | Exploration Action:
Nicely written, DM!
Fey peeks around the room carefully as this is going on, reading over any plaques that might accompany anything resting on display. She makes a point not to touch anything lest she disturb the ritual as it goes on.
The ritual unfolds in the exhibition chamber, Endoin and Tamhar working with steady determination to draw the complex glyph across the threshold. The faint scrape of chalk, the soft hiss of salt falling into place, and the occasional clink of Tamhar’s alchemical tools create a rhythm all their own. Against this delicate symphony of creation, the haunting melody of a violin weaves through the air.
Standing to one side, Rem draws his bow across the strings with practiced grace, the notes warm and soothing, filling the room with an almost tangible calm. His amber eyes are half-closed, his focus split between the subtle shifts in the party’s tension and the hypnotic music he conjures. The melody seems to echo the intricate patterns taking shape on the floor, each rise and fall of the tune reflecting the arcs and curves of the glyph below.
Fey, meanwhile, moves along the walls of the chamber with quiet curiosity. Her amber eyes flit between the items on display, drawn to their craftsmanship and the aura of history they exude. She reaches out a slender hand to examine a small plaque beneath a finely decorated Nirmathran vase. Her lips move silently as she reads, tracing the story of the two men depicted in the engraving. The vase’s intricate detail holds her attention for a moment longer before she steps away, her gaze alighting on the carmine-dyed miniature suit of armor nearby.
Each step brings Fey closer to uncovering the secrets of the exhibition room. She kneels to inspect the half-melted candles around the circular mirror pressed into the floor, her brows knitting in thought as she examines the runes encircling the glass. The faint scent of myrrh wafts up from the golden goblet nearby, catching her attention, but she hesitates, reluctant to disturb its mysterious blue vapors.
Behind her, Rem adjusts his melody slightly, coaxing brighter tones from the violin as the ritual progresses. The kobold couple remains fully engrossed in their work, Endoin’s precise chalk lines and Tamhar’s deft handling of coal dust blending seamlessly into the glyph’s complex design. Despite their focus, a faint tension lingers in the air, palpable even to Fey as she turns her attention to the spinning snowflake suspended within the icy crystal.
The room feels alive in its stillness, an interplay of activity and observation. Fey’s search for answers among the relics, Rem’s soothing tune, and Endoin and Tamhar’s painstaking efforts at the threshold combine into a tableau of teamwork, each member of the party contributing in their own way to the fragile hope that the ritual will succeed.
As the glyph nears completion, Fey steps back from a marble bust, her thoughts momentarily turning to the runes glowing faintly on the floor. The violin’s last lingering note fades into silence, and the room holds its collective breath. Despite their best efforts, uncertainty still looms as the glowing glyph disappears from sight. Fey glances at Rem, who lowers his bow with a faint smile, his reassuring presence steady despite the unknown.
For now, there are no answers, only the quiet hum of magic lingering in the air and the collective effort of a party united in purpose, each playing their part.
Fey:
Unfortunately, there are no plaques that describe the origin or purpose of these items. At least not in -this- room. However, you have 40 or so minutes to waste here, so let's go with identify magic to satisfy at least some of that curiosity.
Fey's Religion (T):1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
At a slow rate, the chalice produces a liquid with healing properties by way of condensation.
And the writhing tentacle, is essentially a very slimy wand of water breathing.
For a moment, the only sound is the faint hum of lingering magic, a charge that dances across the room like the aftermath of a distant storm. Then, cutting through the quiet, a soft but rhythmic sound begins to filter in.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The muffled beat of hoofstomps grows clearer with each passing second, resonating faintly through the balcony door to the east. You turn instinctively, your attention drawn to the source of the sound. The rhythmic cadence is unmistakable - a carriage has arrived outside, its horses stamping impatiently against the cobblestones. Jassim's brow furrows for a moment as he considers the situation. Tiqi slides down with her back pressed against the balcony door. She puts her elbows on her knees as if to shield herself somehow, and watches you expectantly.
Endoin 7/13 Fabian 18/21 Fey 9/17 Marcus 19/19 Rem 20/20 Tamhar 16/16
