"Heavy, this," he hefts the box and tosses it to Vesh.
"Hmmm." Says Vesh, inspecting the box.
"You guys looked like you needed company. And it's getting to loud down there." the raven says by way of explanation in it's reedy voice. "What did you find? Anything,... shiny?"
Vesh says to Veran, completely deadpan. "If Slidell plans to hole-up down here, this could be your room."
After Sliding down the rope, Vesh relates to the party what he and Mal found.
"Let's get this done with and get out of here," says Vesh quietly as the party deliberates on how to best consecrate the shrine.
Success:
Vesh becomes noticeably more uncomfortable as he returns to the passage outside the Shrine and is doing a poor job hiding it.
JSL only, please:
As a point-of-reference, I made a roll to see how Vesh might react so close to the Shrine: Vesh v. Shrine (1d20-4=0).
I am planning on using this to have Vesh try to get in there unless you want to move things along. Though, if someone makes the perception check against Vesh's bluff, they'll probably just sit on him and tie him up. I'll follow your lead for the sake of game-pace.
"You guys looked like you needed company. And it's getting to loud down there." the raven says by way of explanation in it's reedy voice. "What did you find? Anything,... shiny?"
"An old ashtray - probably not your style," Mal responds to the inquisitive bird.
"That depends,..." replies the Raven, bobbing up and down on Vesh's shoulder, trying to see past Malcolm into the room. "Is it,... shiny?"
Vesh says to Veran, completely deadpan. "If Slidell plans to hole-up down here, this could be your room."
Veran hops up into the chamber, and leans his head to the side as he contemplates the room.
"No thanks." He replies finally. "I prefer Neo-Classical over Thassilonian."
"Hey chatterbox!" Slidell calls from down below.
"You coming down to help me with these runes or what?!?"
On the way back, as they pass the 'study', Slidell murmurs, "Just a sec,..." And dashes back into the study, pulling a large bag from his backpack. He and Veran hold a hastily whispered conversation, then slowly review the bookshelf. After a few brief moments, Slidell carefully but swiftly selects half a dozen books, and places them in the bag.
Rejoining the others, he says, "I'm afraid to take too many, in case they begin to deteriorate outside of the preservation field." He carefully handles the bag into a more comfortable position. "But I think I can preserve a small number. And these should keep me occupied for quite awhile."
Slidell watches as Salome prepares her items for the task ahead.
"If I may?" He looks at the others. "Perhaps we could tie ropes to those who enter, and those who stay outside could pull them out if they look like they are about to succumb to the power of the statue? It may not work due to the amount of moving around required to set up the ritual, but it is an idea."
HE looks at the others, and clears his throat again. "How long will it take to set up and perform the ceremony Salome? Will it save time if others help you? I ask because, well, I'm no paragon of virtue, and I haven't made an extended study of religious ceremonies, but I am familiar with ceremonies in general, and the mental coercion from that statue is powerful,..." He looks around, Then grins. "Not to put too fine a point on it, but my willpower is fairly formidable. If you need help with the ceremony, I offer my assistance."
"Bazé," Salome whispers to Vesh, "are you all right?"
She nudges Malcolm. "Perhaps you could offer to restrain him?" she nods her head toward Vesh. "Just long enough to keep him safe while we work."
Slidell watches as Salome prepares her items for the task ahead. "If I may... Perhaps we could... It may not work... it is an idea. How long will it take...? Will it save time if...? I am familiar with..."
Salome ignores the overeager mage's questions and offers to help. From a distance, they seem to be doing a strange dance as she turns her back on him and he keeps moving in front of her to get her attention. Finally, she faces him. "Look," she says, focusing her penetrating amber eyes on his face, "if you want to be useful, let me concentrate on my job so I can get this right the first time. In the meantime, you and Malcolm keep an eye on Vesh. Lamashtu wants him back and I refuse to allow that to happen."
WILL save (1d20+6=15)
Knowledge (Religion) (1d20+7=14)
Perception check... (1d20+5 = 25)
"Let's get this done with and get out of here," says Vesh quietly as the party deliberates on how to best consecrate the shrine.
"Yeah...let's do that," Zieke regards Vesh with a highly suspicious and unwavering gaze, "And unless you want to go for round two in a wrestling match, I'd suggest you stand far back and don't even think about coming in there. If you do, it won't be pretty..."
"Perhaps we could tie ropes to those who enter, and those who stay outside could pull them out if they look like they are about to succumb to the power of the statue? It may not work due to the amount of moving around required to set up the ritual, but it is an idea."
"Unless we're willing to disarm everyone so they can't cut the ropes, I don't know that that's going to buy us anything," Zieke replies, "It's going to take our strongest to go in there and topple that thing, so anyone trying to haul us back out will likely face quite a challenge." He nods at Vesh. "Even moreso if you're having to keep an eye on him...which you should definitely be doing in my opinion."
Zieke then proceeds to unstrap his shield so he can have both hands free, leaving it just outside the shrine. He steps up next to Salome () with a grim expression. "I'm with you," he confirms, "I don't know that I've put much faith in Sarenrae over the years, but the gods know I could use some redemption." He meets Salome's eyes. "If anything, I've got faith in you. Let's get this done."
Will save... (1d20+2 = 16)
Initial Strength check... (1d20+3 = 22)
Additional Strength checks... (1d20+3 = 8, 1d20+3 = 14, 1d20+3 = 23, 1d20+3 = 10, 1d20+3 = 7)
"Bazé," Salome whispers to Vesh, "are you all right?"
"Hmm?" Vesh responds absently. "Oh...yeah! I'm okay. Fine."
Salome:
He appears to be neither okay or fine but increasingly agitated.
"Yeah...let's do that," Zieke regards Vesh with a highly suspicious and unwavering gaze, "And unless you want to go for round two in a wrestling match, I'd suggest you stand far back and don't even think about coming in there. If you do, it won't be pretty..."
Vesh says nothing; he seems to be weighing Zieke's against something else...
(2 of 4)."Okay." Says Vesh.
Zieke:
You are a seasoned enough law enforcement veteran to recognize that Vesh's "okay" has a hint of "f*** off" laced in.
Slidell watches as Salome prepares her items for the task ahead. "If I may... Perhaps we could... It may not work... it is an idea. How long will it take...? Will it save time if...? I am familiar with..."
Salome ignores the overeager mage's questions and offers to help..."Look," she says, focusing her penetrating amber eyes on his face, "if you want to be useful, let me concentrate on my job so I can get this right the first time. In the meantime, you and Malcolm keep an eye on Vesh. Lamashtu wants him back and I refuse to allow that to happen."
"You could use the rope to pull the statue over," says Vesh and he stoops to rummage in his pack. Suddenly, he bolts towards the Shrine.
Initiative check... (1d20+2 = 8)
"Son of a..." Zieke growls as Vesh darts past. He hurries right behind the rogue, "I warned you, son..." He grits his teeth with a barely suppressed fury.
Slidell starts to turn towards Vesh to agree with him about his rope idea, but blinks in astonishment as the shorter youth goes flying past him.
"Wha, Where are yo,...?" He asks blinking like an owl. He exhales and his shoulders sag as he realizes where Vesh is heading. "Oh, bother." He mutters as his hands automatically begin patting down pockets.
Suddenly, he bolts towards the Shrine.
Salome grasps her ankh as she follows Vesh and Zieke into the room. "Bless us, Sarenrae..." and protect Vesh from Lamashtu!, she adds silently.
Ehlissa's Perception/INIT (1d20+1=21, 1d20+5=6)
-----------------------------
Mal's INIT (1d20 3=19)
-----------------------------
INIT:
Vesh 25
Mal 19
Zieke 8+
Slidell 8-
Salome 7
Ehlissa 6
-----------------------------
Vesh hurls head-long into the shrine room with Zieke and Salome following...
Vesh slides across the floor to the overflowing milk, which he starts to lap up like a dog .
Vesh's FORT (1d20+2=15; -2 from previous effects = 13).
He turns, a feral look to his face, and springs at Zieke, raking his fingers at the man's face.
Vesh v. Zieke (AC) (1d20+5=8, MISS; 1d20+5=23, 1d6+3=6)
Vesh connects with one hand .
Mal enters the room at full-tilt .
Vesh hurls head-long into the shrine room with Zieke and Salome following...
With his heavier armor and the fleet-footed rogue, Zieke quickly recognizes he isn't going to reach Vesh in time to stop him from interacting with the shrine. As a result, he resolves himself to tangling once more with the boy. But at the same time, he decides to hold back his strikes and pull some of his punches to ensure he incapacitates Vesh rather than do any permanent damage.
Vesh slides across the floor to the overflowing milk, which he starts to lap up like a dog.
'Ah, hell...that can't be good,' Zieke complains inwardly.
He turns, a feral look to his face, and springs at Zieke, raking his fingers at the man's face.
Zieke easily sees the first attack coming and slides past Vesh's animal-like swing. His eyes widen as the clawed hand passes his face in slow-motion and Zieke registers that the Milk of Lamashtu has already worked some hideous transformation.
That split second of hesitation costs the big warrior as Vesh's second blow connects. Zieke rolls with the attack, however, letting the momentum carry him around in a complete spin. Once he comes back around, Zieke whips a vicious uppercut starting from belt-high and straight up into Vesh's chin.
Unarmed strike... (1d20+4 = 23 to hit)
Non-lethal damage... (1d6+3 = 9 hp)
Zieke can feel the jolt of impact course all the way down his arm...a near-perfect execution of the maneuver he learned from the scrolls of Tian Xia. But even as Vesh recoils from the assault, Zieke knows the battle isn't over. He's fighting something much more sinister than the rash, young archer. There's an evil goddess at work against him and he realizes he needs to stay on his toes or this could end very badly.
"Salome! Get in here!" he urges.
Slidell watches Vesh dive to his hands and knees as his own hands pick their way through his scrolls.
Veran screeches, "Boss! He's,... !"
"I see it V!" The mage interrupts solemnly, his eyes never leaving Vesh as he selects two scrolls from his pockets. He watches Vesh's attacks intently as he sees Zieke counter and Salome activate a magic item and head into the room.
"Salome! Get in here!" he urges.
"I got him." Slidell says calmly and firmly as he steps up to, but not past, the archway into the chamber. The mage swiftly tears the ribbon from the scroll in his left hand, and uses his right hand and scroll to unroll it. He mutters a brief phrase, too low to be heard, as his eyes swiftly scan the page. He then looks back up and says, "Vesh, MAER!" the last word echoing with the power of mystically enforced command.
:D
;)
"Salome! Get in here!" he urges.
Just a few steps behind the guardsman, Salome grabs Vesh from behind as he regains his balance after Zieke's well-placed blow.
Vesh, preoccupied with Zieke, sees Salome closing with him and make a hasty attempt to swat at her, but cannot connect.
Vesh v. Salome (AC)--AoO (1d20+5=9, MISS).
To your horror, you notice that Vesh is starting to foam at the mouth. He lunges once again at Zieke...
Vesh v. Zieke (AC) (1d20+5=16, MISS)
He misses the big warrior, stops, and with the frenzy of a cornered animal, spins and swipes a razored hand at Salome connecting with her head for a fierce blow.
Vesh, preoccupied with Zieke, sees Salome closing with him and make a hasty attempt to swat at her, but cannot connect.
Vesh's grapple check (1d20+3=16).
Vesh slips under Salome's grasp.
Mal closes and attempts to sweep Vesh's legs out from underneath him...
Mal vs. Vesh (Touch AC); STR check (1d20+4=23, 1d20+1=13)
Vesh's opposed STR check (1d20+3=21).
...but his attempt fails. Their feet momentarily entangled, Vesh attempts to return the favor but cannot.
-----------------------------
INIT:
Vesh 25
Mal 19
Zieke 8+
Slidell 8-
Salome 7
Ehlissa 6
"Alright, that's it!" Zieke snarls as he sees Vesh claw into Salome again, "It's about time you learned a lesson the hard way, you weak-willed bastard!" Striking from behind, Zieke slips one arm over Vesh's right shoulder and another around his opposite side and up under Vesh's left arm, grasping both hands then tightening his grip into a reverse choke hold.
Melee touch attack to start a grapple with +2 flanking bonus... (1d20+4+2 = 24 to hit)
Opposed grapple check with +2 flanking bonus... (1d20+8+2 = 19)
Non-lethal damage, if successful... (1d6+3 = 8 hp)
"Let's see how much fight you've got left without any air..." Zieke grunts, squeezing tighter and tighter in an effort to wind down Vesh's flailing.
Vesh makes an involuntary gurgling sound in response to Zieke that is cut short as the warrior's arm cuts off his windpipe.
Vesh's Grapple Check (1d20+5=11).
Finishing a chant whose syllables seem to slide off the ears before they can be fully realized, Slidell then looks back up from the scroll and says, "Vesh, MAER!" the last word echoing with the power of mystically enforced command.
:D
Zieke feels Vesh's body go limp and struggles to maintain his hold while keeping the boy upright in case he's feigning.
"Is he out?" he asks, unable to see Vesh's eyes and unwilling to let go. Once someone () confirms the threat is ended, only then does Zieke relax his chokehold. Even so, he continues to hold Vesh upright.
"We need to get him out of here," Zieke says, "Permanently. Mal? Think you can give me hand? Let's take him back to the portal while Salome, Ehlissa, and Sli purify this place so it can't do any more harm."
Slidell watches Vesh slump in Zieke's arms, and smiles.
"Say 'Goodnight Gracie'!" He quips as he rolls up his now-empty scroll.
"Salome! Let Ehlissa or Malcolm check to make sure he's not faking! I'm pretty sure he can't steal Deity-granted powers, but let's not take a chance!" Slidell calls out suddenly, before the cleric can begin to check Vesh's injuries.
;)
Taking a breath, Slidell steps briskly into the room and begins speaking calmly but rapidly. "No argument with you on this one Zieke. Let's at least get him out of the room and bound. Tightly. Malcolm, can you take care of that while Zieke helps us topple this statue? If we can get a rope over the top I'll pull on that for leverage. As soon as the statue's over, Zieke, you should probably leave as well. I'll stay to help set up the ritual. If one of us shows signs of being mesmerized again, you may be needed for a retrieval. Salome, didn't you say you had something that could boost a person's resistance to outside influences? You might want to give that to Zieke in case he needs to re-enter this chamber. Now, What's the best way to topple this thing? I have the feeling that it's not going to sit around and just wait for us to get started,..."
He finishes in a flurry of syllables,brow furrowed in concentration, looking for the best way to bring the statue down without looking directly at it.
Will; Strength (1d20+4=18, 1d20+2=7)
Ehlissa shrugs off the malign influence of the statue but try as she might, it fails to budge.
"No argument with you on this one Zieke. Let's at least get him out of the room and bound. Tightly. Malcolm, can you take care of that while Zieke helps us topple this statue? If we can get a rope over the top I'll pull on that for leverage. As soon as the statue's over, Zieke, you should probably leave as well. I'll stay to help set up the ritual. If one of us shows signs of being mesmerized again, you may be needed for a retrieval. Salome, didn't you say you had something that could boost a person's resistance to outside influences? You might want to give that to Zieke in case he needs to re-enter this chamber. Now, What's the best way to topple this thing? I have the feeling that it's not going to sit around and just wait for us to get started,..."
"I'll carry Vesh out with Mal to bind him and keep an eye on him," Zieke replies, "Then come back to help you folks if you still need me. If Salome has something that'll help block any influence Lamashtu's power has here, then she can meet me at the door and make sure I'm protected then. In the meantime, hurry and get this job done before Vesh wakes up and makes another go of it."
Zieke leaves the chamber, lugging the upper half of Vesh's limp body while Mal holds his legs. Once they get outside the shrine, he places the rogue on the floor and aids Mal in binding him with the same length of rope he used last time.