Myrna intercepts a blow aimed at Beatrix, her shield ringing with the impact, though the painful aftershocks rocket down her arm. Pivoting, she channels holy energy through her hammer, bringing it crashing down upon one of the last undead choirboys. With a brilliant flash, the creature disintegrates into motes of holy fire, its remnants scattering harmlessly into the air.
Nearby, Sana's glamered lucerne hammer spins as she dismantles the skeletal warriors advancing upon her, scattering their brittle forms into shards. She flits forwards, a shadowy blur, ensuring no skeleton remains standing near her.
Meanwhile Unafe steps closer to the dwindling group of enemies. She unleashes a barrage upon the undead choirboys. The creatures collapse under her relentless assault.
As the remaining undead falter, Beatrix carefully shifts away from immediate danger. Drawing upon the deep wells of her faith, she releases a radiant wave of positive energy that fills the chapel. The remaining choirboys and the last lingering skeleton are engulfed, their corrupted forms dissolving into dust.
Myrna destroys Choir Boy 9. Sana destroys all 3 skeletons approaching her and then 5 foot steps and destroys another one. Unafe destroys 2 undead choir boys. Beatrix destroys the remaining 2 choirboys and also the remaining skeleton.
Combat Ends!
In the sudden stillness following the battle, Yui steps forward, her expression contemplative as she takes in the ancient architecture of the chapel. "This cathedral is very old," she observes, reverently touching a carved stone surface. "It appears to date back to Jōshō no Jidai, when Pharasma still held the gift of prophecy."
Minkaian:
The Age of Ascendancy.
"Temples of Pharasma from that era often kept their prophecies preserved within the ossuary beneath their cathedrals. Before we leave, we should investigate the ossuary. Who knows what secrets or guidance might await us below? Do you all agree?"
Yet another undead choirboy lunges toward Myrna, blade swinging wildly, but its rusted sword meets only air as the tiefling Crusader easily sidesteps, the undead creature's attack glancing off harmlessly against her shield. It staggers awkwardly, unbalanced by its failed strike.
Nearby, two skeletons lumber toward Myrna with brittle limbs and creaking joints, swinging their crude weapons in clumsy arcs. One attack swings wide, the skeleton stumbling forward from its own momentum, while the second skeleton barely manages to raise its arm before faltering, its brittle bones lacking the strength to deliver any real threat.
Across the chapel floor, three skeletons charge at Sana. The first skeleton’s blade slices harmlessly through empty air as the trickster gracefully dodges aside. The second skeleton's attempt comes closer, but Sana deflects its blow effortlessly with her parasol, sending the undead creature reeling back in confusion. The third skeleton, making a desperate thrust, only manages to graze the shadows trailing Sana’s movements, utterly missing her.
Choirboy vs Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 85 Choirboy vs Myrna:1d20 + 12 - 3 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 12 - 3 - 2 + 2 = 13 Skeletons vs Myrna:1d20 ⇒ 16 Skeletons vs Myrna:1d20 ⇒ 6 Skeletons vs Sana:1d20 ⇒ 13 Skeletons vs Sana:1d20 ⇒ 16 Skeletons vs Sana:1d20 ⇒ 18
Moving players to Init 10 to allow the active player, Anna, to post.
Sana's lucerne hammer smashes into the skeleton with a loud crack, instantly shattering it into a cascade of fragmented bone and dust.
Meanwhile, flames relentlessly consume one of the undead monsters, its undead form finally collapsing into smoldering ash. The other flaming undead stubbornly presses onward, its burning limbs swinging ineffectually at Myrna.
Another undead lunges clumsily at Yui, but its attack is weak and poorly aimed, missing entirely and leaving the undead off balance and vulnerable. Nearby, yet another undead monster makes a desperate, feeble strike against Myrna, its rusted blade deflected effortlessly.
However, one of the choirboys, despite its grievous wounds, manages a sudden surge of strength, lunging at Beatrix. Its blade finds purchase, slicing painfully into her side and causing fresh blood to spill onto the floor. Beatrix grits her teeth even as she staggers slightly under the force of the strike.
Ehren brings his staff crashing down in two rapid, powerful strikes. The first blow shatters the choirboy’s shoulder, sending splinters of decaying bone flying. The second strike lands solidly, collapsing the creature entirely, its lifeless form crumbling into a heap of bones and foul residue at the Archdruid's bare feet.
At the same time, Beatrix's voice echoes clearly through the tumult as she calls upon the divine light, a radiant burst exploding from her fingertips. The flash of brilliant energy sears the undead, utterly incinerating one choirboy, leaving another barely functional and the third badly wounded and staggering. One of the two, though barely holding together, lunges at Myrna blindly. The Sarkorian warrior deftly raises her shield, easily deflecting the feeble blow.
Finally, the risen skeletons slowly cross the ruined Cathedral to face the heroes, wielding various ruined and rusted weaponry.
Moving Hinagiku to Initiative Count 10 due to inactivity. Ehren destroys drowned choirboy 11. Beatrix destroys choirboy 1, leaves choirboy 8 critical and wounds choirboy 9, and she blinds both
Unafe swings her captive downward with brutal force, crushing the writhing swarm beneath their combined weight. Spiders scatter and burst apart, their grotesque forms squashed into oblivion.
Then, with a mighty war honk echoing from deep within her chest, Unafe pulls back her free hand and delivers a mighty punch directly to the hag-saint’s jaw. A sickening crunch echoes as the monstrous figure's body goes limp, knocked unconscious by the ferocity of her blow.
Nearby, Myrna raises her hammer and slams it down upon the choirboy assaulting her lieutenant. The undead creature explodes in a flash of radiant energy and crackling lightning, leaving behind nothing but ash and scattered bones.
Unafe destroys the spider swarm and KOs the hag-saint, Myrna destroys undead choirboy #6. Myrna challenges choirboy #8.
Sana flicks her wrist, sending Rainbow Sparkle hurtling through the air, its blade trailing a shimmering ribbon of light. The starknife strikes true, slicing deeply into the false saint’s twisted form, the hag screeching as she is briefly bathed in glittering, entangling light.
Despite their injuries, the drowned choirboys persist. One of them, still engulfed in flames, staggers toward Myrna, swinging its blade wildly. Another pair slash at Beatrix, landing brutal strikes that bite deep into her flesh. Beatrix grits her teeth, blood seeping from her wounds as she valiantly holds her ground.
The fire snake lashes through the ruined sanctuary, coiling and weaving between shattered pews and broken stone. It crashes through the shambling undead choirboys, immolating one in an instant and setting the rest ablaze with searing heat. Finally, the serpent twists back, slamming directly into the hag herself. She screams as the flames erupt around her, engulfing her limbs before bursting into cinders.
From the rubble of the broken western wall, an ominous sound begins to rise: a scraping, shifting of stone and bone. Dust plumes into the air as jagged shards of glass glint eerily in the bright light. Figures begin to move. Skeletal forms, long buried beneath the debris, rise once more. The light plays across their glass-studded bones, refracting in sickly greens, blues, and golds.
Meanwhile, the undead choirboys press their attack. Myrna raises her shield just in time to deflect a blow from a nearby cherub. Beatrix, however, takes another hit. The undead’s blade bites into her side. She gasps, but this time, her footing holds, and her vision stays clear, as her goddess had bought her time.
One choirboy staggers under Myrna's relentless assault, its decayed form crumbling into ash under her electrified hammer. Meanwhile, Unafe heaves the struggling hag through the air with tremendous force, slamming her directly into the glittering form of the ginger-haired hag. The first blow knocks the ginger-haired hag off balance, battering her defenses. Summoning even greater strength, Unafe swings again, delivering a crushing strike that sends the other hag standing sprawling to the cathedral floor, lifeless and defeated.
The "saint" still writhes furiously in Unafe’s grip, snarling curses despite being grazed by the brutal attacks. Her grotesque features twist in anger and fear, now keenly aware of the dwindling number of her allies. "You fools! If you want my life, you'll choke on it!" she snarls. Though her arms are pinned and her body straining, her eyes burn with malice... and then, without warning, one of her green hands peels itself from her form, gliding out from beneath the grappler's elbow.
The spectral hand flits through the air and lands with eerie gentleness against Unafe’s temple. A shudder courses through her, a curse slithering straight into her bones. The hag-saint's beak clacks open and closed, throat bulging with wet, unnatural spasms. For a heartbeat, it looks as though she’s going to retch from the crushing force of Unafe’s grip.
...She does.
Gallons of spiders pour from her mouth, spewing in a relentless black torrent that splatters across Unafe’s armor and floods the floor around them. The wave of writhing arachnids hits the stone with a sickening slap, limbs twitching, mandibles gnashing. They skitter in every direction, climbing, biting, burrowing into folds of cloth. The air fills with a sound like rain falling on raw meat.
Some of the spiders cling to the hag's skirt of riverweed and rusted blades, disappearing into the tangle of her garb. Others swarm Unafe’s arms and shoulders, sinking fangs blindly into anything they can find. More spill onto the ground, dissolving into greasy puddles of ichor as they twitch and vanish.
The hag-saint's head lolls back. Her laughter gurgles and pops through the spiders still leaking from her jaw.
Saint Fort Save:1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 2 = 13 Ghostly Hand Touch Attack vs Unafe (Touch AC):1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Swarm damage vs Unafe:2d8 ⇒ (4, 8) = 12
Myrna destroys Choirboy 7. The bird saint hag is fatigued. Unafe kills the ginger haired hag.
The hag curses Unafe, forcing her to roll twice and take worse result for every d20 roll, Will DC 22 negates.
Then, Unafe must make a DC 11 fort save vs distraction of the swarm or she is nauseated. She takes 12 damage from the swarm.
Though Hinagiku's attack wounds the approaching undead creature deeply, it remains standing, staggering forward despite the grievous wound. Then, Rainbow Sparkle slices through the air, striking true, tangling the red-haired hag in ribbons of glittering magical light. The woman howls, visible and trapped, her face contorted with pain and fury.
Myrna:
Myrna feels an oppressive wave of despair flooding the corrupted cathedral. Her ears pick up lingering echoes: ghostly, mournful whispers from Sarkorian souls long lost. The tragic weight of their sorrow presses heavily upon her spirit, urging her to end this desecration quickly.
The undead choirboys press their assault. Three of the creatures remain ablaze, their forms crackling as flames eat away at their decayed flesh. Two choirboys close in on Beatrix, blades swinging. One strikes viciously, plunging its nauseatingly slimy sword deep into her gut. Beatrix gasps sharply, the pain immense and immediate, blood pooling on the floor rapidly as her vision blurs with agony. Another follows swiftly, cutting her again, further compounding her wounds.
Hinagiku wounds Drowned Choirboy #12. Sana wounds the ginger hag and entangles her and faerie fires her. Choirboy 3 is grazed because he is on fire. Choirboy 9 crits Beatrix, deals 26 damage and 1 CON bleed (bleed will stop if she heals 26 HP). Choirboy 11 deals 12 damage to Beatrix.
The Drowned Choirboy's weapons drip with nauseating slime. Beatrix must make 2 DC 19 fort saves or she is Nauseated for 1 round (on a succees she is sickened instead but she is already sickened from the stench aura). If she is immune to poison or disease then she is immune to this effect.
DC 20 Perception or K. Religion DC 20 (only if you succeeded on will save vs illusion):
There are piles of bones strewn throughout the ruined cathedral. The air is growing cold near the bones. This is the tell-tale sign that there is a haunt here about to rouse.
With a brilliant flash, divine energy cascades outward from Beatrix's holy symbol, a radiant wave washing over the undead. Yet, to her dismay, the channeling barely grazes the grotesque choirboys, their dark energies resisting the holy wave as they press their assault. One choirboy, however, stumbles slightly from the blast, hissing and smoldering as its decaying flesh bubbles and chars.
As more and more undead step forward, blades drawn and swinging toward Hinagiku, the mystic monk reacts instantly. She shapes mystical energy along her limbs. Her strikes slash through the air, cutting down the advancing choirboy, whose decayed form crumbles to dust, utterly destroyed by the power of her refined ki.
Meanwhile, the Archdruid gestures sharply, uttering words of transformative power. The blonde hag shrieks briefly in surprise, then abruptly shrinks, her form rapidly collapsing until only a confused toad remains, croaking feebly amid the chaotic melee.
The remaining choirboys, undeterred, press their attack, stepping close to swing rusted longswords clumsily. Hinagiku and Beatrix easily evade or deflect the attacks, the undead's efforts lacking the precision that would be necessary to breach their defenses.
The ginger-haired hag evades the devastating impact, her features contorting with rage as she hisses spitefully at Unafe, "Foolish brute! You dare to lay hands upon us?" Even as she spits her venomous words, she backs away, her form shimmering and dissolving from sight.
Unafe, undeterred, holds the struggling hag firmly in her powerful grip, pressing her advantage. "You think pinning me will stop the rot?" she snarls. Her eyes roll back as a ghostly, sickly-green hand manifests from thin air beside her, reaching menacingly.
The spectral hand floats away and launches a sizzling glob of caustic slime directly at Alase. Alase cries out sharply as the acid grazes her, burning upon contact. The greenish ooze clings persistently to her clothes, sizzling and eating away at the fabric and skin beneath.
The rotten choirboys begin to advance, the fastest of them reaching Hinagiku and swinging at her with his sword, moaning a dirge.
Alase, acting swiftly, weaves a spell that quickens the movements of her closest companions: Hinagiku, herself, Unafe, Myrna, and Sana feel a surge of supernatural speed, their reactions heightened. Then, Unafe's hand darts out and grips onto the "Saint". Struggling in Unafe’s grip, the hag-Saint spits venomous curses, eyes flaring with malice as she’s dragged into reach of Unafe's waiting allies. Rue quickly seizes the opportunity to step forward and swipe at her with her starknife, leaving a thin, bleeding wound down her shoulder.
Beatrix's roaring column of holy flame plunges down onto the dais, engulfing the two smaller hags. They shriek in agony as their twisted forms burn, only partially shielded by their dark magic. The larger hag, still gripped tightly by Unafe, narrowly escaped the flames.
Meanwhile, Sana's gaze darts around the room. Her feet slip slightly on slick puddles scattered across the cathedral's floor. She realizes that these pools of stagnant water will complicate their footing and make any swift movements perilous.
Finally, flames burst forth from Myrna's shout, igniting several undead choirboys. They reel back, shrieking and writhing as the flames take hold, their illusion completely shattered as panic grips their bloated, decaying forms.
At the same time, Alase incants another spell, causing her own flesh to harden like bark.
Surprise round has passed. If other players want to join combat, they must roll initiative. They can take actions if they beat a 23. I will not automate any inactive players until Round 2, their turns will simply be skipped, unless I am asked to.
Alase casts barkskin on herself. Unafe grapples the "Saint". Sana does not notice anything hidden nearby but she does notice that there are a lot of puddles on the floor, making the ground slick (difficult terrain). Alase casts haste on Hinagiku, herself, Unafe, Myrna, and Sana. Myrna catches 4 choirboys on fire and intimidates all of them and they are all demoralized. Unafe pulls the big hag out of the way from Beatrix's spell, but Beatrix grazes the other 2 hags successfully. Rue deals 13 damage to Saint Hag.
All characters who succeeded at the Will Save must make a DC 18 fort save or be sickened (this is a poison effect) from the horrible stench.
Immediately, Arueshalae's calm voice echoes through the heroes' minds, "Agreed. Prepare yourselves. On my count—we strike as one."
"Three."
Myrna’s grip on her weapon tightens imperceptibly.
"Two."
Yui breathes deeply, her senses sharp and body poised like a coiled spring.
"One."
Ehren:
All three hags are green hags: malevolent beings that embody the corruption of nature and the perversion of beauty. These creatures are known to dwell in desolate swamps and decaying forests, places where the natural order has been twisted to reflect their own vile natures.
Green hags are infamous for their cunning and cruelty. They often disguise themselves as alluring figures or wise elders, using deception to lure the unsuspecting into their grasp. Once their victims are ensnared, they revel in sowing despair, turning hope into hopelessness, and purity into corruption. Their lairs are typically hidden in areas that were once vibrant but have since fallen into decay, mirroring the hag's own descent from beauty to monstrosity.
When green hags gather in covens of three, their malevolent powers are amplified. Such covens are capable of weaving potent enchantments and curses, their combined magic capable of manipulating the very fabric of reality to torment their victims. The presence of a coven often signifies a region steeped in unnatural phenomena, where the land itself seems to conspire against the innocent.
You have already encountered green hags and therefore have access to their statblocks.
If your intention is to start combat and take a surprise round, then you will need to roll initiative and take such actions.
Saint Lymirin inclines her head slightly. "Welcome, brave warrior. It is good to have you here, where evil cannot touch you."
The blonde woman beside the supposed saint nods emphatically, her voice high and musical, "Yes, rest assured, you are safe with us."
Arueshalae’s thoughts swiftly ripple across the mental link, "Be cautious, friends: the cathedral is filled with hags and the undead. The choir and saint are illusions."
Rue's voice rings out in the heroes' minds: "Hinagiku says this is a trap! I will be right there!"
DC 28 Will Save:
You discover that the space around you is actually an illusion. As it evaporates around you, a wave of revulsion washes over you. The beautiful cathedral, with its gleaming marble walls, radiant stained-glass windows, and intricate golden decorations, melts into ruin. Where Saint Lymirin once stood now looms a grotesque hag, towering and sinister. Her gray, pallid skin hangs in tattered strips, marred by deep wounds that ooze dark blood. Her skirt is a disturbing tapestry of slimy river weeds intertwined with rusted, razor-sharp blades that scrape and clatter as she moves. Rats dart and scurry frantically through her foul garments, their eyes glinting and whiskers twitching nervously as they navigate the tangle of fabric and metal.
Where angelic figures once stood gracefully now appears smaller, yet no less horrifying hags. Their jaundiced eyes bulge grotesquely. Their hair is a tangled mass of grime and filth.
The radiant choirboys' forms melt away into ghastly apparitions: bloated, waterlogged corpses of drowned men, once proud Crusaders and brave Kellids, now reduced to shambling horrors. Decay drips from their limbs, each step leaving a trail of rancid slime and fragments of rotten flesh upon the cracked and grimy cathedral floor.
The once magnificent altar, previously glowing with divine light, is revealed to be chipped and defiled, smeared with unspeakable stains and surrounded by a profane aura. The vibrant stained-glass windows now stand shattered, their fragments scattered across the cold stone ground, reflecting twisted images of your surroundings.
Dominating the space behind this grisly assembly lies a monstrous carcass, a gigantic amphibian beast in a state of advanced decomposition. Its bloated remains pulse obscenely, teeming with vermin that crawl through open wounds and gnaw at exposed bone. The overwhelming stench of rot and corruption fills your nostrils, nearly gagging you with its potency.
The blonde girl smiles warmly at Ehren. "Because faith endures, brave druid. Where darkness dares to root itself, we are called to shine all the brighter."
The ginger-haired girl answers Hinagiku with a musical voice, "To cleanse the Wound and shield the worthy, of course. What other cause is there but the Most Holy Crusade?"
Hinagiku:
Bluff:1d20 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 = 31
There is something very wrong here. There is evil here, it permeates the walls, the floor, the air. There is of course, evil everywhere in Storasta but here, it feels even more wrong.
These women's radiance, though dazzling, lacks the weight of divine presence. Their words carry conviction, but not the ringing clarity of celestial purpose. No. These are not angels.
"If a demon tries to teleport beyond the Sword's ward, it's like smashing into a wall. Very unpleasant. You have to go around."
Together, they cross into the cathedral. The light hits them first. It is golden and intense, forcing eyes to narrow or blink until they adjust. And when they do, the sight awaiting them brings all thoughts to a halt.
An altar to Iomedae stands at the heart of the space, crafted of gleaming gold. Robed choirboys stand in two even lines to one side, motionless and serene. They stop singing as the others approach.
And behind the altar, towering over even the tallest among them, stands Saint Lymirin.
The eagle-headed woman raises her feathered wings as the heroes enter. Her armor shimmers with the same divine light that fills the room. To her left, a young woman with shining blonde hair and a serene expression steps forward. She wears garments of gold and white, and her voice is clear and melodic. "Welcome, travelers. Here you shall find succor from the tainted land."
On the saint's right, another girl, this one with ginger hair and keen eyes, adds, "Welcome. We are champions of the glorious Crusade. No evil shall follow you here."
Behind them, the door remains open, the battlefield beyond still echoing with distant roars and screams as the demons rage war against the corrupted fey.
Alase rests a hand on Rue’s shoulder. The summoner’s expression is calm, but her spear is still in hand. Beside her, Rue closes her eyes for a moment, drawing in a slow breath. Her wings flex once before vanishing into Amber.
Rue appears next to Sana. “Thanks, Anna. I’ll stay to the edges,” Rue murmurs. She turns, then vaults lightly from the ground and glides soundlessly to a nearby roof overlooking the approach, then crouches down. Her voice whispers across their minds “I’ll watch from above. If anything moves toward you, I’ll know.”
Alase appears next, stepping beside Sana. She leans in and whispers, “If this is a trap, it’s the most elaborate one I’ve ever seen. But whatever this is, it’s repelling the demons. That makes it worth the risk... I think.”
Alase gives a small sigh of relief, relaxing. "Well, that's reassuring. Crossing this city can be dangerous. Thank the Spirits for clever magic."
Rue steps closer, looking toward Amber. "Anna's powers continue to surprise me," she says softly, smiling. "It's comforting to know you have such reliable allies. I'll be ready when the signal comes."
Sana, Unafe, Yui:
Unafe stretches briefly, shaking off the slight disorientation of the teleportation. She adjusts the new shield at her side, eyes roaming cautiously across the strangely peaceful cathedral in front of them. "This place makes my scales itch," she mutters softly. "Too peaceful for my liking."
Minutes pass slowly as the heroes remain vigilant, the tension of anticipation mixing with the odd tranquility of the hymn emanating from the tower. Nothing stirs nearby, leaving them standing silently, each alone with their thoughts, waiting.
Alase blinks as Yui, Unafe, and Sana vanish, leaving the rest of them standing in silence. She dismisses Tonbarse, her god fading into a spectral mist.
"Okay, so I guess we've gotta catch up, huh?" she remarks, glancing around at her companions. "Guess we'll have to hoof it across the city."
Her gaze shifts toward Arueshalae. "It's easy to end up out-numbered. We’ll have to be careful. Our best chance is to move silently, and keep to the shadows and buildings."
Rue shrugs. "I am sorry, but I cannot teleport. Don't worry though, I can keep up."
Yui then vanishes with Sana and Unafe.
Yui, Sana, Unafe:
A brief sensation of displacement, then the trio appears just outside the tower. Yui feels a slight tug of resistance, recognizing they've arrived just slightly off-target. Still, the entrance to Nekrosof Tower stands before them, bathed in a protective golden glow, the sounds of battle distant but ever-present.
Beatrix examines the journal as well. She nods slowly, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "This belonged to a Kellid named Wivver Noclan. He was studying the thin barriers between the planes here in Sarkoris, especially near Storasta. Apparently, some people called "Riftwardens" took interest in his work. Unfortunately, his research drew the ire of Warlord Kazrek Ironfist, and he was imprisoned in the Threshold of Iz for 'blasphemy' against the ancestors. He feared a great planar rift might form if the ley lines continued fluctuating."
Beatrix Linguistics:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Then, Yui appears. Rue nods in agreement with her words, her expression grave. "If a Saint of Iomedae is involved, this ritual must be of great significance. The Lady of Graves wouldn't have sent you there without reason. We shouldn't delay. Are you all ready?"
As she nears the cathedral, Yui notices the massive doors standing wide open. The golden light inside is overwhelmingly bright, forcing her eyes to adjust briefly. Once they do, Yui sees clearly an ornate golden altar - an altar of Iomedae - as Yui knows Pharasmin altars are typically made of marble. It is not unguarded.
Robed choirboys stand solemnly in precise ranks to one side. Behind the altar stands an imposing figure, a full head taller than even a tall human: a regal, eagle-headed woman with enormous feathered wings. Clearly, Nekrosof Tower is not abandoned, nor is it defenseless.
Yui, DC 30 K.Religion:
That is Saint Lymirin. Saint Lymirin is a servant of the goddess Iomedae and generally appears as a Chelaxian woman with white-feathered wings, although she sometimes appears with the head and talons of an eagle as well. This stern angel has no patience for cruelty, injustice, and evil, and has been known to wade hastily into battle and ask questions later, giving her the title of the Patron Saint of First Blood.
Hinagiku lifts the leather-bound journal, carefully opening its weathered pages. Inside, she finds dense, meticulous handwriting, lines of strange glyphs and runes layered within a complex cipher.
DC 30 Linguistics & Hallit:
This work contains detailed schematics, notes, and diagrams regarding sophistical extraplanar research, interspersed with short journal entries. The following excerpts stand out.
Written in Hallit:
"To whoever finds this journal, know that I, Wivver Noclan, leave behind my life's work in hopes it shall benefit Sarkoris and perhaps all of Golarion. May my discoveries survive the shadows cast by ignorance."
12 Desnus, 4602 AR
I grow increasingly convinced of my theory: the boundaries separating our Material Plane from other worlds and dimensions are exceptionally thin here in Sarkoris. My observations show extraplanar energies intertwining strangely, fluctuating unpredictably. Perhaps this explains the ancient Kellid warnings against arcane magic. It is true that such power seeps through the very earth and air here. But is this reason enough to forbid all arcane pursuit?
24 Erastus, 4602 AR
My secret experiments have drawn the attention of the Riftwardens, a clandestine fellowship of conjurers and scholars who safeguard our world from extraplanar threats. After initial suspicion, they now share my fascination and provide invaluable insight. Together, we map these "thin places" where the Material Plane’s boundaries weaken most visibly.
9 Lamashan, 4602 AR
We have recorded potent disturbances and small incursions by creatures slipping through unnoticed from the outer planes. These events appear linked to the fluctuations in the ley lines. I worry what might come if these disruptions worsen. The Riftwardens warn of greater dangers, forces beyond comprehension, waiting hungrily for a permanent rift.
17 Neth, 4602 AR
Rumors reach me that the Warlord of Storasta, Kazrek Ironfist, suspects my research. His men patrol more often, eyes full of accusation. My colleagues urge caution, yet our work cannot be left undone. I must press forward and leave no stone unturned. If our people are to survive what might come, we must know the truth.
3 Kuthona, 4602 AR
Betrayed! My hiding place discovered! Soldiers ransacked my quarters, confiscated tomes, diagrams, everything. They called my research treachery, blasphemy against our ancestors. Tomorrow I face Kazrek himself, but his judgment is a foregone conclusion. Lifetime imprisonment awaits me within the Threshold of Iz. But I shall not surrender my knowledge quietly to darkness.
Final Entry, 4 Kuthona, 4602 AR
Tonight I entrust this journal to the Riftwardens, hoping it escapes Kazrek’s grip. My work is incomplete, yet within these pages lies the beginning of understanding. Whoever reads this: protect the thin places. Guard Sarkoris against what waits beyond. In knowledge there is strength; in ignorance, doom.
May the ancestors forgive my defiance, and may my people someday know the truth.
- Wivver Noclan
Alase nods at Yui, gripping her spear. "Yeah, Nekrosof Tower is hard to miss. It stands out distinctly due to its Southerner architecture...nothing else in Storasta looks like it. It's one of the tallest structures in the city, directly west from Riverkeep along the river. Follow the Rushwaters, and you'll spot it easily enough."
Yui then vanishes entirely from sight.
Yui:
Outside, the chaos of battle greets Yui's senses immediately, as well as the smell of burning. Several buildings are on fire. She rises to thirty feet above ground, moving through the cool night air without making a sound. Below, the once-grand streets surrounding Riverkeep have become a brutal battlefield. Twisted treefolk, fiend-touched and maddened by corruption, lead savage mobs of dire wolves, satyrs, and fierce dryads. They clash against an endless tide of demonic foes: babau slicing with barbed claws, dretches swarming in chaotic masses, succubi gliding overhead, and hulking hezrous roaring and crushing foes beneath massive fists. The scent of blood and brimstone hangs thick, mixing with cries of rage and anguish.
Keeping close to the riverbank, Yui scans westward, identifying Nekrosof Tower. The unfinished structure stands starkly upon a distant spur of land. Its spire is different from the surrounding architecture, and pierces the darkened sky, ringed by six blackened pits. Yet, from within the tower, a sudden, pure golden radiance erupts, bathing the area around it in a soothing glow.
In stark contrast to the violent chaos raging through Storasta, the streets immediately surrounding Nekrosof Tower stand strangely deserted. Neither demon nor forest creature dares approach the illuminated perimeter. A golden longsword shines brilliantly atop the tower.
This was incongruent, however, with what Yui knows. This steady, warm light was certainly not cast for Pharasma, Lady of Graves, whose followers preferred candlelit shadows.
Yui only, DC 12 K.Religion:
The longsword is the holy symbol of Iomedae, patron goddess of the Crusades.
One of the scrolls is of Dismissal (CL 10), it is arcane.
Potions require K.Arcana. You can also identify potions by tasting them (perception).
Stone of the Spirits Aura moderate divination; CL 11th
Slot none; Weight 1 lb.
Description
This smooth river stone, etched with Druidic, allows the user to cast commune with nature once per day (caster level 11), but only within Sarkoris.
The totem has a faint enchantment aura and appears to be a component in some sort of ritual or rite.
Rue gazes at Yui, nodding. "It's a solid plan. But even the best-laid strategies can falter. Be careful. How do you plan to let us know if anything goes wrong?"
Alase, leaning casually against her spear, nods at Beatrix. "Or perhaps he was protecting them. Corrupted or not, he might have remembered fragments of his duty. Either way, let's not linger too long dividing treasures, lets pack it up."
"Indeed," Yui murmurs, meeting Sana’s gaze. She whispers under her breath, her fingertips hovering just above the blade as she invokes her magic, studying its enchantments closely.
After a brief pause, her brow lifts, her gaze sharpening. "The dagger’s enchantment is powerful. It wounds deeply, draining strength and vitality. On a perfect strike, its target is exhausted, drained of energy."
Carefully re-wrapping the dagger, she nods. "We would do well to keep it close."
Then, Alase watches as Sana and Hinagiku finish loading things into an extradimensional space. Once they are done, she straightens. "Right, then you should move quickly and quietly, Anna. If Death herself is calling, there's no telling how much time we might have."
Fang of the Hungry Aura strong necromancy; CL 10th
Weight 1 lb.
Description
This keen wounding dagger is fashioned from the sharpened tooth of a ghoul, its ivory-white blade etched with faint markings. On a critical hit, the target takes 1 additional point of bleed damage per round and must succeed at a DC 18 Fortitude save or become fatigued. This weapon has 2 capacity.
Description
This silver ring etched with planar runes is set with an opal that shimmers like distant stars. It grants the wearer a +2 insight bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance and allows the wearer to cast dimension door three times per day as a spell-like ability (caster level 10).
Description
This polished ivory horn is decorated with druidic runes and carved images of animals sacred to Kellid ancestors. Once per day, when blown, it grants the benefits of blessing of fervor (CL 10) to all allies within 60 feet for 10 rounds.
Description
Woven of raven feathers and thundercloud-grey silk, this cloak grants its wearer resist electricity 20, a +5 competence bonus to Fly and Survival checks, and the ability to cast call lightning storm once per day (caster level 11).
Description
This mithral chain shirt is inscribed with intricate conjuration sigils. The wearer gains a +1 bonus to AC for 1 round after teleporting or summoning a creature.
Yui, just emerging fully from her trance, meets Unafe’s gaze. "Pharasma has given us guidance," she replies with a steady voice. "The Nekrosof Tower holds answers, if not just for the Lexicon, then perhaps for something greater. It is imperative we reach it quickly."
When Unafe picks up the shield, Rue smiles, her expression gentle. "It suits you, Unafe. I'm sure none here would object."
She then rises to her feet in one fluid motion, stretching her wings before turning to Myrna. "Let’s move forward carefully. We’ll find higher ground, get clear of this foulness, and rest only when we’ve found a safer place."
"I can keep going for another couple of hours, but after that I would need some time to rest," Alase taps the butt of her spear on the ground. "Well, are we going to Nekrosof Tower, or where? Are you all ready to go?"
The chest and all of the gold and valuables and such weighs 72 lb.
The horn (2 lb), the scrolls, the stone (1 lb), the other potion, and the cloak have a moderate aura, the dagger (1 lb) has a strong aura, the totem (1 lb) has a faint aura, the journal and idol (10 lb) are not magical.
One of the potions is a potion of Protection from Evil, Communal (CL 10).
Description
This silver ring etched with arcane planar runes is set with an opal that shimmers like distant stars. It grants the wearer a +2 insight bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance and allows the wearer to cast dimension door three times per day as a spell-like ability (CL 10).
Shield of the First Oak Aura moderate abjuration; CL 11th
Slot shield; Weight 10 lbs.
Description
This heavy wooden shield bears carvings depicting Sarkorians beneath a great oak. Once per day, the shield can grant barkskin (CL 12) to its wielder. It also continuously grants the wielder a +2 morale bonus on saves versus poison and disease. It has 3 capacity.
Description
When lit (once per day), this ornate silver censer produces protective incense for 10 minutes. All allies within 20 feet gain the benefits of a magic circle against evil (CL 9) while the incense burns.
Arueshalae, who has been listening quietly, kneels beside Sana. Her gaze lingers on the horn carved with animals. "Hinagiku might be right. Such items carry purpose as well as power. Maybe there's a connection between their enchantments and the original protective wards of this sanctum."
She then chuckles softly at Sana's joke. "True enough. Still, we may have little choice. Even if the conditions are less than ideal, the dangers outside are real and more immediate." Rue glances around at her companions. "We'll endure it together, at least. I've bunked in worse places, believe me."
Alase sighs quietly, nodding at Rue. "Agreed. Rest to recover our strength and identify these relics would serve us well. Just keep your guard up. Who knows what else lurks unseen within this place. Can we at least get to someplace dry and without the rotten fish smell?"
Arueshalae nods slowly, wings flexing slightly as she considers the chest. "It's... tainted. There's a subtle enchantment woven here, faint but definitely malevolent. Perhaps a ward against thieves or intruders."
Yui steps forward silently, her eyes narrowing in concentration. She kneels, running her fingers lightly across the chest, expertly searching for triggers or hidden mechanisms.
"There's a subtle magical glyph here," Yui murmurs, turning slightly toward Sana. "Anna, do you have any thieves' tools? This enchantment is delicate—I don't want to risk triggering it."
Sana nods and quickly produces a well-used set of finely crafted thieves' tools from her gear, handing them over.
"Thank you," Yui responds softly, selecting a slender silver needle from the toolkit. She deftly traces the glyph's outline, whispering an incantation as she carefully disrupts the arcane patterns.
A moment later, the glyph fades harmlessly. Yui leans back with quiet satisfaction, carefully returning Sana's tools. "The trap is neutralized. The chest is safe now," she confirms calmly.
Yui then carefully lifts the chest's lid, a hush settling over the group as the hinges creak with age. Before anyone can get a proper glimpse inside, a sudden buzzing sound erupts from the depths, rising to a furious crescendo. A swarm of jeweled scarabs bursts forth, their iridescent wings catching Amber's light. Arueshalae instinctively shields her face, but the insects ignore the heroes, swirling in a vibrant torrent upwards toward the ceiling, following the path of the waterfall until they vanish through cracks and crevices toward the surface.
As the cavern quiets, all eyes return to Yui, who stands motionless, her eyes wide, staring unseeing into the shadows. Her breath grows shallow as a gentle trance overtakes her. A heartbeat passes, and she speaks softly, almost dreamily, her voice echoing faintly with another's authority.
"We must go to Nekrosof Tower," she whispers. "The path to understanding lies within its sacred halls."
Arueshalae glances toward Yui. "Nekrosof Tower? What awaits us there?"
When Yui is silent, Alase answers, "I know the place. It’s a cathedral dedicated to Pharasma—but it's clear across Storasta. To reach it safely, we'll need to move unseen through contested territory. It won't be easy."
As Yui’s trance gradually fades, her fingers gently explore the chest's interior, carefully lifting each artifact for the others to see, briefly glimpsing their mysterious forms before setting them safely aside without comment.
First comes a delicate silver ring etched with arcane runes and set with a luminous opal. Next, a beautifully carved ivory horn, covered in intricate runes interwoven with images of ancestral beasts. She lifts out a feathered cloak, crafted from raven feathers woven into thundercloud-grey silk. From beneath the folds of silk, Yui draws forth a sinister-looking dagger, its blade forged from a beast’s tooth, followed by a heavy wooden shield richly engraved with Sarkorian symbols. A gleaming mithral chain shirt follows. Then, a scroll case with 2 scrolls emerge, along with an ancient leather-bound journal. Beside them, she uncovers vials filled with brightly glowing liquid. Beneath these rest more treasures—a smooth river stone etched with glyphs, a carved bear statuette, and an ornate censer that gives off a lingering aroma of incense. Finally, at the chest's bottom lies a cache of valuables—glittering gemstones, exquisite Sarkorian jewelry, and finally a small golden idol depicting the demon lord, Deskari.
DC 20 K.Religion, or, Yui:
Scarabs are a sacred animal of Pharasma.
DC 25 Lore (Sarkoris):
Nekrosof Tower is an unfinished cathedral of Pharasma in Storasta. Its construction began in 3851 AR, designed by a celebrated Kavapestan architect and funded by the inheritance of an Ustalavic priestess. Its initial clergy hailed from Odranto.
Hinagiku:
Hinagiku sees a proud Kellid warrior kneeling in solemn vigil, adorned with Sarkorian symbols of guardianship and honor. Around him, companions clad in similar ceremonial garb stand watch within an ancient chamber—once pure, now corrupted—its sacred carvings dedicated to protecting the boundary between worlds.
But soon, shadows creep from the edges, seeping like ink into the guardian's heart. His pride twists into desperation, his duty into obsession. Hinagiku feels his endless hunger—not for flesh, but for power to fulfill his oath. The corruption of the Worldwound whispers, insidious and relentless, promising strength. She senses his fall from grace, his bitter resistance, until finally, his transformation is complete, his noble purpose forgotten beneath the ravenous drive of undeath.
Arueshalae kneels beside the chest, her keen eyes roving over the seams and lock. “It’s hard to be sure,” she admits quietly. “But the aura around it feels…off.”
Ploscaru snarls, eyes gleaming with defiance even as his strength wanes. "My hunger... will never end," he rasps bitterly. "Release... is an illusion... your mercy is meaningless."
Hinagiku’s final strike lands true. Ploscaru crumples in Unafe's arms, defeated.
Unafe smashes the ghoul against the rocky wall and drives her fist powerfully into his jaw, dealing significant damage. At the same time, Yui swiftly moves forward, her naginata slicing through the air towards the unseen Ploscaru. Despite her precision, the invisible ghoul king evades her attack, twisting and lunging forward, sinking his filthy, disease-ridden teeth into Unafe's arm. The bite sends a wave of vile, paralyzing negative energy coursing through her body, threatening to freeze her muscles in place.
Nearby, Sana expertly aims Rainbow Sparkle at the lacedon nearest Rue, dispatching it instantly. Now that her foes are no more, Rue flies across the cavern to join the others in fighting Ploscaru, though like Yui, she cannot see him. Myrna pulls out her flying carpet and gets ready to join the others.
Unafe wounds Ploscaru, and crits, which sickens him. Sana destroys a lacedon. Ehren will spend a Move to refocus Unafe. Ploscaru deals 18 damage to Unafe. Unafe must make a DC 26 fort save or become paralyzed.
Hinagiku's precise strikes graze Ploscaru, causing him to falter momentarily in his escape. But Sana's strike is deflected by an unseen barrier, sparks of silver light scattering harmlessly away from Ploscaru's form. Amber shows the others where he is all the same, and Unafe's powerful stride soon brings her swiftly to Ploscaru's side, where she seizes him with overwhelming strength.
Meanwhile, Yui swiftly casts a spell, granting herself the power of flight. She ascends effortlessly, maneuvering gracefully through the air to confront Ploscaru across from Unafe, naginata in hand.
Across the cavern, Rue's starknife cuts through one lacedon, dropping it lifelessly to the ground, and severely wounding another. At the cavern entrance, Alase steps behind of Myrna and thrusts her spear past her with force, impaling another lacedon and further reducing the undead horde that once threatened them.
Hinagiku's AoOs graze Ploscaru. Unafe grapples Ploscaru. Yui casts fly on herself. Rue destroys a lacedon and wounds another. Alase destroys a lacedon.
Still at the entrance to the larger chamber, Myrna utterly annihilates a lacedon. Its twisted form crumples lifelessly into the murky water.
Meanwhile, Rue follows suit, her starknife flashing in rapid, precise arcs, leaving one lacedon grievously wounded and barely able to remain upright. Its claws rake across her cheek, but the wound has fully healed before the undead monster can even take a step back.
Finally, Ploscaru swiftly swims away and out of Hinagiku’s ley-enhanced senses. He briefly vanishes from sight. However, Sana, whose vision pierces through invisibility, spots the ghoul king silently emerging from the water onto a small island of stone and rubble. Sana quickly points towards him, urgently calling out to her companions, "There he is! On that island!"
Unafe's fingers brush against cold, slimy flesh beneath the surface, but Ploscaru thrashes desperately, slipping from her grasp once more. Hinagiku pushes forward to help flank. One ghoul's claw swings wildly at her, missing entirely, but Ploscaru leaps out of the water, consequently revealing himself to be invisible. His savage bite sinks sharp into her arm, sending searing pain down her nerves. Hinagiku thrusts her other hand, shaped rigidly like a spade, swiftly towards Ploscaru's chest. However, the ghoul king twists aside, evading her strike completely before falling back into the water.
On the opposite side of the cavern, Alase moves forward swiftly to join Myrna and Sana. She steadies herself, gripping her spear tightly, and lunges at the further lacedon. Her spear pierces straight through the creature's putrid flesh.
The remaining lacedons desperately attempt to retaliate, however, their attacks are wild and ineffective, failing to harm Myrna nor Unafe.
With a rapid sequence of strikes, Hinagiku shatters the corrupt forms of three lacedons, sending them falling lifelessly back into the water. Brilliant light cascades through the cavern, searing and blinding one of the lacedons menacing Rue, causing it to thrash in blind confusion.
Rue, still feeling sickened, makes another unsuccessful attempt at the blinded lacedon, before swiftly retreating to hover by Hinagiku's side.
Across the cavern, Sana's starknife glints dangerously as she delivers a flurry of strikes, systematically cutting down the nearest lacedon, leaving only two still threatening Myrna.
Then, with a desperate surge of strength, the ghoul king Ploscaru wrenches himself free from Unafe's powerful grasp, his emaciated form slipping through her fingers. He dives into the murky water, instantly vanishing beneath the darkened surface.
Despite his sudden disappearance, Hinagiku remains perfectly calm. Attuned to the subtle currents of the ley, she senses Ploscaru's movements clearly beneath the water, allowing her to silently signal to her companions that their quarry is not yet beyond their reach.
There is a sickening crunch as Ploscaru crashes violently into his follower. Further away, Yui, observing the swarming lacedons under the water thanks to Amber's light, steps forward, her fingers tracing a swift, intricate pattern as she murmurs a short incantation. She channels her arcane energy, releasing a dazzling burst of glitterdust within the water, outlining their forms in glittering gold.
With a sudden burst, the lacedons erupt violently from beneath the murky water, their pale, twisted forms lunging hungrily towards Myrna and Sana. Teeth snap viciously and claws rake desperately through the air, yet both warriors hold off the assault without issue.
Across the cavern, Hinagiku and Unafe face a similar onslaught, swiftly dodging and deflecting the relentless attacks. Amidst the chaos, one particularly unlucky lacedon loses its footing on the slippery stone, collapsing awkwardly onto the rocks. Its fall echoes loudly, momentarily halting its companions’ frenzied assault as it struggles to rise.
Hinagiku obliterates the three lacedons that dared to approach, their twisted forms floating silently up to the water’s surface. Then, Ehren's fiery torrent engulfs the remaining lacedons, illuminating the cavern in stark, flickering shadows. When the flames subside, three lacedons are reduced to melted remnants, bits and pieces floating to the surface.
Trusting Hinagiku's subtle guidance on the enemy's locations, Myrna swings her hammer fiercely into the dark waters. Though two of her mighty blows fail to connect with the elusive submerged lacedons, one strike lands solidly, shattering bone and sending ripples through the water, briefly revealing the ghoul beneath.
Nearby, Sana summons Amber swiftly to her side and then sends her into the water, the tiny mote flaring brightly as her illumination intensifies, revealing the ghouls lurking beneath. She flicks her starknife across the cave, catching a ghoul poised to flank Rue. The starknife slices through rotten flesh, leaving a glittering, entangling web of faerie fire behind. The ghoul snarls, suddenly hindered and illuminated.
Rue gracefully dances away from the encroaching undead, starknife glinting sharply. She destroys the entangled ghoul in a flurry of precise strikes. However, as she spins to confront another foe, her foot slips on the slick, wet stone, causing her to falter. She recovers enough to avoid the undead monster's claws.
Unafe is inactive, and is being moved to initiative 20 as a result.
Hinagiku destroys 3 lacedons, Ehren destroys 3 lacedons and wounds another, Myrna leaves a lacedon in critical condition. Sana wounds a lacedon and entangles it. Amber reveals lacedons 13, 10 and 15. Rue destroys a lacedon and attacks another but, she fumbles and becomes sickened for 3 rounds.
Within the city limits of Storasta, druid and ranger spells gain +1 caster level.
Yui, Myrna, Sana, Hinagiku, and Unafe all need to make a DC 16 fort save or become sickened from stench, unless they are immune to poison.
Alase's eyes and forehead rune glow a brilliant blue as magical energy spreads outward, enveloping Tonbarse, Myrna, Beatrix, Sana, and Yui in a shimmering field of accelerated time. Immediately, they feel lighter, quicker, and more responsive.
Yui likewise seizes this moment to bolster her own resolve, casting Heroism upon herself. Her stance steadies, eyes sharpening as confidence and strength flood through her.
The ghasts all dive beneath the murky water, vanishing into darkness. Hinagiku, attuned to the ley energies, feels their movements clearly. She senses two ghasts swimming stealthily towards the heroes who remained behind in the tunnel.
Without warning, the creatures burst from the water, surrounding Hinagiku, Rue, and Unafe in a flurry of teeth, claws, and malevolent hunger.
Sana's starknife arcs sharply, striking one of the lacedons squarely, slicing into its flesh with a flash of prismatic light. The creature hisses in agony as the weapon’s magic flares, illuminating it in glittering faerie fire. The lacedon jerks in pain, stunned by the dazzling strike.
Meanwhile, Ploscaru barely has time to react as Unafe's claws close around him, gripping tightly and holding him in place. The ghoul king struggles in Unafe's powerful grasp, snarling impotently as his minions grow restless around him, their attention now fully on the invading heroes.
Simultaneously, Rue darts forward, her wings carrying her silently above the dark, stagnant water. She quickly assesses the battlefield, pinpointing her target. She lands a precise, swift strike. The ghasts close in, their teeth snapping hungrily. Rue twists and weaves fluidly, evading almost every attack. One claw manages to graze her arm, leaving a shallow scratch—but the wound closes instantly, leaving no trace of injury.
Hinagiku, Sana, Yui, Alase, Tonbarse, and Arueshalae form a tight cluster behind Myrna, their eyes and weapons ready. The air is heavy and foul, reeking of decay, and the black water grips their legs like ice. As they finally step into the wider chamber, Alase raises her glowing weapon slightly, casting eerie reflections off the walls. The pale illumination reveals hanging moss and obscene fungal growths, but most unsettling of all are the numerous pairs of round, white eyes staring back at them. Myrna halts, feeling the ground below give out to a steep cliff. She would need to swim to move further into the room.
Dozens of ghouls squat on islands in a large pool of water in front of a waterfall cascading through jagged cracks in the stonework, their elongated fingers webbed and marred with decay. Their feasting pauses, putrid morsels still gripped in clawed hands as their heads swivel toward the newcomers. Blood and gore drip freely from their gaping mouths.
At the back sits one ghoul clearly set apart—a crowned, shriveled, ghastly monarch with necklaces of river stones and bone fragments strung on threads of gut. He stands at Myrna's arrival, shriveled genitals dangling between his bony thighs. Beside him, a female ghoul grips his arm possessively, pressing her sagging breasts against his arm, her voice hoarse and filled with disdain.
"Too much to ask for such fine food uninterrupted," she snarls, her rotting, sagging flesh trembling as she glares at the intruders. Her pale fingers dig tighter into the leader’s bony arm. "Five of you will stay, to fill Ploscaru the Hungry. The rest of you may run, for all the good it will do."
The ghoulish leader stands fully upright, gazing silently at Myrna, a hideous smirk pulling at the edges of his cadaverous mouth as he waits for the heroes' reply.
I think I've fixed the issue affecting Myrna's vision on the map.
With their course set, the group moves carefully back through the winding passageway, retracing Sana's path through the damp corridor. The air is thick with decay, the distant trickle of water and the faint creak of shifting stone the only sounds beyond their measured footsteps. The eerie silence presses upon them as they reach the point just before the submerged chamber where the ghasts lurk.
Sana signals for a halt, the group stopping just out of sight of the larger room. The air is humid and heavy, the scent of rot clinging to every surface. They can hear the distant sloshing of water and the faint sound of wet flesh tearing as the ghasts continue their gruesome feast.
Rue steps forward, arms crossed, her tail flicking behind her. "Agreed. We know what’s waiting for us: ghasts, some water, and a chest. I don’t think we need to overthink this. We’ve got the advantage. Everyone ready to go?"
Ehren nods at Sana, stepping forward and lifting his hand, fingers curling in a practiced gesture. Soft green and blue energies shimmer around him, flowing outward to envelop the group. "This should cover all of us for a couple of hours."
The comforting magic settles over the heroes, creating a thin, protective layer that clings to their skin like a second atmosphere—allowing them to breathe freely even if fully submerged.
Alase shakes her head. "I cannot fly," Alase says, "Nor can my god grant such power."
Without another word, Alase steps forward, her eyes now glowing a brilliant blue. A ripple spreads through the air beside her, and from that ripple steps a massive black wolf. The creature's shoulders are broad, its eyes burning the same eerie blue as Alase's. The glowing rune inscribed on its forehead pulses in time with Alase's own heartbeat. The wolf moves silently to her side, towering over the small woman and staring silently at the heroes.
"This is Tonbarse," Alase says by way of introduction.
Rue crosses her arms, tail flicking anxiously. “I say we hit them hard and fast—shock and awe. They’re ghouls, and you're Crusaders, right? They hate positive energy. Myrna and Beatrix can hammer them with divine magic, and if Ehren can turn the water against them, even better. They’ll never know what hit them.”
Beatrix shakes her head slightly. “That’s bold, but it risks waking up anything else that might be down there. What if the Hezrou hears the fight? I think we should lure a few of the ghasts out to us, but only once we know that there's nothing coming for us from behind. A narrow choke point favors us, and we can deal with them a handful at a time, and control their numbers.”
Alase taps her chin thoughtfully. “I mean, I like Hinagiku's idea… we could just seal the whole thing off. If this is just a secondary passage and there are other ways to find the artifact, why risk a fight we don’t need? Seal it, leave the ghouls to rot, and focus on searching elsewhere. Besides, they're gonna hear me coming from a mile away. I can't fly, neither can my god, and they'll see my light from a distance.”
Yui K.Nature:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
"Except perhaps the artifact is there in the room with the ghouls, or somewhere even deeper? We are here now, why would we leave with business unattended?" Yui, who had been quietly tracing patterns in the dust, looks up. “I like Anna's idea.... this whole place is waterlogged. The river’s already in the basement. If Ehren can seize control of the flow, we could flood the whole room... dry them out, or flush them out or use it to push them into a trap... if we time it right.”
Ehren folds his hands in his lap, looking at the others. “We should decide quickly. The longer we wait, the more likely it is that the ghasts will become aware of us, or we find out what the Hezrou has been up to. They will not be distracted forever.”
"Yeah, that's true. So what do you think we should do, Archdruid?" asks Alase. "Are we getting ready to get into a fight? I need a minute to prepare if that's what we're gonna do."
If you would like to request an inactive player use resources, you need to be specific. I do not know who is or isn't capable of divination.
Yui nods thoughtfully, folding her arms. "Yes. I have some ways to peek ahead—greater invisibility and project image, for example. If I have a clear idea of where to target, I can project a duplicate of myself ahead and see what it sees. If needed, I can also teleport to quickly move someone directly there. With Hinagiku’s sense of direction, I should be able to pinpoint the right spot without too much trouble."
Sana grins. "Or, if we want to skip all that, I could just… go." She taps her temple. "Walls don’t stop me. If we want a firsthand look, I can scout ahead and come back."
Yui lets out a quiet sigh. "That is good. As useful as my abilities are, they would cost me a significant amount of my power—and we still don’t know how much we’ll need to face what’s ahead. But before you go, Sana, I can make you invisible again. That way you can get closer without any risk. However, know that I can only do so one more time today."
Without waiting for further discussion, Yui traces a quick sigil in the air. A shimmer of illusion magic washes over Sana, cloaking her completely from sight.
Sana's voice echoes from where she just was a moment ago. "Thank you, Yui. Then it’s settled. I’ll go first." She rolls her shoulders, already mentally preparing herself for what lies ahead. "I’m pretty good at slipping through walls and avoiding attention. And if things get hairy, I’ll let you all know with Amber."
The group exchanges nods, the decision made. They all wait in the wine cellar for Sana to return once more.
Sana:
Sana glides silently into the flooded passage, flying above the black water, avoiding even the faintest ripple. The air is heavy with rot, and the thick moss draping the walls adds an unsettling texture, like decaying fabric. Its mottled surface suggests tapestries designed by mad artists, their visions twisted and incomprehensible.
She proceeds carefully, every sense stretched taut, until she reaches the threshold of the larger chamber. Across the room, more than a dozen pairs of white, unblinking eyes catch her gaze. They belong to ghasts—no, something different than ghasts. Lacedons. These undead creatures have evolved to inhabit the water. Their scaled fingers have grown translucent webbing.
Obscene fungus dangles from the ceiling like ropes of glistening entrails. Beneath it, the ghasts squat in the water, gathered under a jagged waterfall spilling through the cracked foundation above. The water runs red, washing over the two human corpses they are feasting on—both wearing long robes, now tattered and slick with gore.
The ghasts themselves are all hairless, most naked save for scraps of ruined cloth clinging to their pallid flesh. One stands out—their king, based on the crown her wore on his brow. Upon his bony shoulders hang necklaces strung from river stones and gnawed bones, the threads woven from sinew and gut. This "monarch" perches atop a mound of rubble rising from the water, overlooking his court of filth and hunger.
Near his throne of ruin, a large chest sits partially submerged, its metal clasps corroded, but intact.
Sana lingers for just a moment longer before silently retreating to report back to the others. Her flight back is swift and quiet, gliding just above the water, leaving the horrific scene undisturbed. The ghasts remain oblivious to her presence, too engrossed in their grisly feast to sense the silent watcher passing by.
Sana returns, reaching the rest of the group, the invisibility spell now expired. Her expression is serious, her wry grin now absent.
"It’s bad down there," Sana begins, voice low. "There’s a whole nest of ghasts—more than a dozen. They’re squatting beneath a waterfall, feeding on two dead humans in robes. Probably the ones we were tracking."
"There’s one who’s obviously in charge. Covered in necklaces made from river stones and bones. It’s like they’ve made their own twisted little kingdom." She glances toward Ehren and Hinagiku. "Oh, and there’s a chest too, half-submerged. Looks like it’s been there a while, but it’s intact."
Alase folds her arms and exhales. "Great. So… how do we want to handle this?"
"Okay, then. It is not difficult to find. The passage is just a straight line," says Rue, "But I don't mind leading you there, all the same."
Hinagiku and Rue slip into the passage together.
Hinagiku:
As they descend, Hinagiku activates her ki, channeling it into the ancient magic that allows her to commune with water. Once at the stairs, she pauses to dip her hand into the murky water at the edge of the submerged section of the passage. The cold liquid laps against her fingers. It responds not with words, but with sensations and impressions, a fluid memory of everything it has touched.
The water reveals that it stretches nearly fifty feet ahead before reaching a crumbling wall where it spills into much deeper cavernous space, which then leads directly into the river beyond. There, the water is more than twenty-five feet deep. The water has been disturbed recently by dozens of human-sized beings moving hurriedly through it. The water reeks of decay, and through its memory, Hinagiku understands the source—ghasts, undead monsters she has fought many times before, swimming beneath the surface. The water remembers their hunger, and laments their decay having long tainted its flow.
Rue stands beside her, watching carefully. "I can go get the rest of them if you want, just let me know," she says telepathically.
Sana nods in agreement. "That makes sense. If we’re lucky, we might get the drop on them."
Rue tilts her head slightly, considering. "I can track fairly well. If there are signs of where they went, I should be able to follow them."
With that, Sana and Rue slip into the shadows and move through the secret passage.
Sana:
The air grows damp as Sana and Rue follow the narrow corridor, the walls lined with moss and slick stone. The passage slopes downward into a descending stairway, plunging them deeper into darkness. Their steps are careful, the only sound the distant echo of dripping water.
As they move forward, Rue suddenly slows, her brow furrowing. The ground beneath them turns soft, and the corridor ahead is submerged in knee-deep water. The smell hits them next—pungent, thick with decay, a scent that makes their stomachs turn. Rue inhales sharply, her eyes scanning the stagnant pool ahead.
"That smell… ghouls. No. Worse," Rue says telepathically. "Ghasts. We need to turn back. We’re not prepared for this without the others."
Sana nods, and together, they retreat, keeping their steps as silent as possible as they backtrack through the passageway.
The group waits for them to return, and eventually Rue and Sana again emerge through the hidden passageway. Upon returning to the others, Rue relays what they encountered. "We followed the tracks through a passage down, but it became flooded, so I lost the trail. The air down there reeks of rot... a smell I am familiar with: ghasts. I think we should investigate. If what we seek is here, it would make sense for it to have been stashed away in a secret part of the keep. But, it is also possible that the bottom floors are so ruined that anything that was kept there has long since decayed away. What do you all think we should do?"
Ehren methodically analyzes the area, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a moment of careful examination, he nods. "The tracks go into the passage. There’s no indication they backtracked or left another way. Whoever they were, they used this route to move further inside."
Myrna tightens her grip on her warhammer and steps forward. Without hesitation, she strides through the dark archway, vanishing into the shadows ahead.
The corridor ahead is narrow, the walls lined with aged stone. The air is damp. Myrna, Beatrix, Yui, and Unafe move together, keeping their steps light, their weapons at the ready. They find nothing of particular interest—only the same signs of age and decay that have permeated every inch of the keep. It is silent save for their heavy footsteps, the noise of their armor and their breathing.
Sana, who had scouted ahead, informs the others about the footprints she had seen earlier. "Tracks lead through the servants' quarters into a wine cellar, but there's fresh blood down there. Someone's been through recently."
She then glances at the others before whispering, "I'm heading back to the entrance to bring Rue and Alase in. We’ll need them with us if this place turns bad."
Without waiting for a response, she moves swiftly but carefully, retracing her path back through the darkened corridors until she steps back into the cold night air. She spots Rue and Alase crouched near the entrance, waiting, now that their invisibility spells have worn off.
"We’ve found a defensible position inside," she says quickly. "Tracks lead deeper in, and we may have company. We need to move now."
Rue nods, already adjusting her grip on her starknife, while Alase silently rises to her feet. Together, the three slip back through the entrance, moving swiftly but cautiously, their presence swallowed by the oppressive darkness of the keep. Alase, unable to see in darkness, enchants her dagger to radiate light. As they rejoin the group, Rue's sharp gaze sweeps over the chamber, taking in the signs of ancient battle and decay.
Sana gestures towards the footprints she had seen earlier. "These lead deeper in. Fresh blood in the wine cellar, but no sign of who left it. Whatever happened, it wasn’t long ago."
Rue exhales, adjusting her stance. "Then we’re not alone. Whatever left those tracks might still be close. We should move together."
Alase nods silently, positioning herself near the flank. The atmosphere is thick with tension as the group prepares to advance further into the depths of the keep.
Ehren Survival:1d20 + 23 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 23 + 8 = 48
Ehren kneels briefly, studying the disturbed dust and debris on the ground. His sharp gaze traces two distinct sets of footprints—both humanoid, their weight distribution suggesting they belong to average-sized humans. "There's at least two of them," he confirms, running a hand along one of the clearer impressions. He follows them. "Human, probably. No obvious sign of clawed feet or unnatural gaits."
Hinagiku follows his observations, carefully retracing Sana’s earlier steps. The air is thick with the musty scent of neglect. The tracks lead them through narrow, ruined hallways, past long-abandoned chambers filled with rotting furniture and shattered glass.
As they descend into the wine cellar, Ehren crouches again, his eyes narrowing as he inspects the fresh blood smeared along the ground. "There was a struggle here," he murmurs.
Hinagiku crouches beside him, her focus shifting beyond just the tracks. Her eyes flit over the cellar entrance and along the walls, searching for anything unusual. Ehren exhales slowly. "Something happened here. There was a fight, but it short. See, there are signs of a body being dragged..."
Ehren Perception:1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21
As he shifts to inspect the walls more closely, his fingers brush against a seam in the stone. He presses lightly, and to his surprise, the section gives way slightly. Narrowing his eyes, he carefully runs his hands along its edges. "Wait—this isn't just an old wall." He steps back, motioning the others over. "This is a hidden passage, and it’s been poorly concealed. Someone wanted to leave in a hurry and didn’t take the time to hide their escape route properly."
Alase and Rue exchange glances, the discovery raising more questions than answers. Alase nods, using her glowing dagger to observe the scene as Ehren describes it. "Then we have our next step."
