"Did you succeed in opening the portal? Well done, comrades. What lies beyond the doors?" Ghari smiles at Fazaam. "I feel both foolish and more comfortable out here."
"Good Door," Yrar laughs, “I knew we could be friends,” he says as he pats it like a dog. Turning his head, he shouts down the hallway, “Hey Fazaam, no worries my friend. You’ll live now. The monkey’s welcome too. I won’t eat’em.”
"No worries my friend!" Fazaam calls back down as he boldly strides down the steps with only a slight swagger.
"I was merely ensuring that our companions had plenty of room to work! As for the monkey, Trust me, you'd have to be very hungry, he's nothing but skin and bones!" He grins."Excellent work noble friends!" He continues as he reaches the bottom and sees the door open. "SO, shall we continue and see what treasures Fate has in store for us?" He asks as he prepares his bow.
The door can be pushed open enough to gain a view of the pure chamber beyond.
The flickering red glow inside shows the circular wall to be about twenty foot across. The smooth floor is a natural stone bowl, concave with the actual burning at its centre.
Hanging in the ten foot wide column of pure yellow and red fire is a man's regalia. His golden helm, black and red bejewelled white robes and jagged kukri turn slowly about two foot off the ground.
The walls show patterns of symbols and writings that spread up eight feet where they are cut off by the convex ceiling. A beautiful pattern of bright steel spikes, each three foot long points out of the ceiling. There must be at least twenty of them dotted above.
The column of fire ends at the ceiling.
From the entrance the floor must curve down about ten foot to the base of the column.
"I tink der might be anoder trap in der," Shulim says glancing at the magical pillar and then up at the spikes in the ceilling, "dis don't look safe."
His eyes scan the floor for any discoloration or unevenness, sure signs of pressure plates. He kneels at the mouth of the doorway and scans the floor for triggers, wires, or glyphs.
Fazaam peeks through the door with the rest. Taking in the entire room before settling in on the floating regalia in the column of fire at the center.
"Wow." He exclaims breathlessly. "Nice work! DO you have any idea how much control it would take to setup a permanent conjuration like that?!" He whispers appreciatively.
"I tink der might be anoder trap in der," Shulim says glancing at the magical pillar and then up at the spikes in the ceilling, "dis don't look safe."
"You don't say?" Fazaam answers with a grin, taking a second look at the probably less-than-decorative spikes. "Alright then, how do we handle this?" He asks seriously, looking to make sure there aren't any targets for his bow.
As the party take in the room, Shulim spends a few minutes checking near the entrance.
The flames splutter a little and a small gout shoots out to the left about six foot off the base.
... The walls show patterns of symbols and writings that spread up eight feet where they are cut off by the convex ceiling. ...
... A beautiful pattern of bright steel spikes, each three foot long points out of the ceiling. There must be at least twenty of them dotted above...
...The column of fire ends at the ceiling...
...From the entrance the floor must curve down about ten foot to the base of the column...
"Those symbols probably tell us what to do. I don't know what they say though. Heck, I can't even read."
Ghari takes one last look around the forest, and one last deep breath. Then he ducks into the hallway and rejoins the others. He surveys the new room. "The suit, it's in your colors, Fazaam. It would bring out your eyes." Ghari frins. "But then how would you see?"
"The suit, it's in your colors, Fazaam. It would bring out your eyes." Ghari grins. "But then how would you see?"
"Like I always do Ghar, better than you!" Fazaam quips back with a wink.
He then returns his keen elvish eyesight to the writing on the walls.
"Let us see if the builders were kind enough to leave us instructions on how to accessorize,..." He says, flinching at the gout of fire that flies off from the main column.
Marwan squints at the hieroglyphs that decorate the room's walls.
"This is an interesting chamber indeed! Hettama is a most puissant deity to have such a chamber of womders. Perhaps you are right, noble Fazaam, and the runes point to navigating through this danger. As the Book of the Navigator says, 'A wise captain knows how to read a chart correctly'."
The writings and symbols are mainly in Sacred Jurghan, a dry text little used now, except in religious rituals of Hettama. However there are also several elvish symbols around the walls, writ large enough for all to see.
The spikes are positioned in concentric circles around the top of the fiery column. While the floor looks smooth but not glass-like so someone should be able to walk on it (unless something significant changes).
Marwan squints at the Elven runes
"Noble friends, I'm not sure if I am deciphering this correctly, but it seems that this chamber is dedicated to an Elvish priest of Hettama named ..." Marwan sounds out the runes. "Siracus or Shiracus can't quite make out the umlaut there."
Marwan reads further
"His followers pray he will one day return to rid the world of the night hag and her cold and twisted servants."
Marwan pauses
"This is beginning to sound very familiar, no?"
"Siracus." Fazaam corrects gently, stressing the pronunciation with a noticeable accent. (Sir-Ah-Koos) He stares at the wall as if committing the script to memory.
"There was a story, I think,..." He murmurs softly, then shakes his head as if to clear it of a daydream.
"It says that they worship Hettama for glory, power, magic, fire and leadership."
He turns to look at Marwan. "You are correct most noble Marwan, this IS beginning to sound familiar. There are some who say that nothing is a coincidence,... perhaps we were meant to find this chamber, for this very reason." He ponders softly.
"Boys," Shulim says, nervously scanning the exits, "you don't tink dat it was a coincidence dat the witch, wit her new friend, came ta dis island first do ya? I mean dat is one heck of a coincidence. Let's take care of our bisniss fast and make some distance, dis place might be a place o' interest to some and I don't want ta face does evil tings cornered in dis place."
"Boys," Shulim says, nervously scanning the exits, "you don't tink dat it was a coincidence dat the witch, wit her new friend, came ta dis island first do ya? I mean dat is one heck of a coincidence. Let's take care of our bisniss fast and make some distance, dis place might be a place o' interest to some and I don't want ta face does evil tings cornered in dis place."
"I agree with Shulim. Let us make haste." Ghari laughs. "But, honored friends, your fancies fly wildly. You make it sound like we're the heros of some romance, predestined by the gods to settle some ancient feud.
We're not the stuff of legend. We've got Temusa to save and some pirates and a sorceror to stop.
If there's something here we can use, let's take it with the god's leave and depart."
"Oh I hate getting involved wit da affairs of gods," Shulim mutters, "it's like ants getting involved in da affairs of elephants. Far too easy fer someone ta get smooshed."
"Careful Ghar," Fazaam Laughs. "You know that Temusa considers herself worthy of attention from Destiny herself, And I'm hardly in a position to disagree!" He grins.
"Your sister's kidnapping, an ill=fated expedition to ancient ruins, the appearance of a dark sorcerer,... You and I have both heard of far stranger 'coincidences' in our travels! But your right, let's ask Hettama's permission to 'borrow' these fine items, and then rescue Temusa. If the fates are kind, they'll allow us the opportunity to dispatch a certain pirate witch. We can always sort everything else out afterwords, preferably over a pint!"
"Um, guys I am not so sure I feel good about all of this. This has a feel of graverobbing to it that I don't quite feel comfortable with. Maybe if there was some kind of sign that Hettama or whatever this persons name was approved of us using it then I would feel different." Fudrick looks around at the others. "Do you really think it was some kind of divine destiny that drove us here?"
"... Far too easy fer someone ta get smooshed."
"Yeah! Smooshed from being smashed."
Noting Fudrick's reticence, Fazaam places his hand on his shoulder.
"I don't know that it was divine guidance Fudrick, But it certainly smacks of providence." He says seriously. "Who knows how long this has been hidden here. And it's obvious from the evidence that this place is well protected from casual discovery." He motions to the remains on the stairs behind them.
"Now, I don't consider my self a tomb robber, or even a treasure-hunter. But since we've made it this far, it would be rude to ignore Luck's usually all-too-brief kindnesses by leaving without even looking. And possibly asking the good Hettama for permission to bring any items that we may find back into the light. What do you think?" He asks, a solemn expression on his face.
Marwan addresses Fudrick.
"Indeed Fudrick, I share your hesitation and that of Shulim as well. As the Book of the Navigator says, 'We mortals are all small fish in the vast ocean of the universe, unable to comprehend the vasty deeps.'"
Marwan ponders a moment.
"But think. We chase Temusa and whatever demon she invited onto the Sea Witch. They are travelling to a populated area with Ghari's sister in bondage. Perhaps you can pray to the exalted Hettama and ask if we are meant to take these items to prepare us for the battles ahead. Perhaps it is not Siracus." Marwan flashes a quick smile as he pronounces the name at Fazaam. "That these items await. Rather it is the new champion of Hettama, called upon to do battle with the supernatural evils these runes speak of."
"Um, guys I am not so sure I feel good about all of this. This has a feel of graverobbing to it that I don't quite feel comfortable with. Maybe if there was some kind of sign that Hettama or whatever this persons name was approved of us using it then I would feel different." Fudrick looks around at the others. "Do you really think it was some kind of divine destiny that drove us here?"
"Fudrick, is this a tomb? It looks like no tomb I've ever seen. Have we been led here By Hettama's hand? Is it her will we use what's here? It seems to me that you are best suited to find the answers."
Shulim contemplates pointing out that it was Fudrick's own cousin was excavating a dwarven tomb that may well have started this mess, but he wisely thinks against it. Fudrick's reasons for traveling to that accursed island were never revealed to him and even if he was careful with his words, talking about Fudrick's recently deceased cousin might seem like an attack on his poor deceased cousin. There was no reason to risk bring blood into such a minor squabble.
"Fudrick," Shulim says, "dis is your god idn't it, you said you felt your god's love on da uder side o' dis door? Now dat we got it open you's saying that you feel like taken your got's gifts is like robin' er somting? Close your eyes mate and tell us what you think your god is telling us. Din let's do what needs ta be done."
Another small burst of flame licks the floor without leaving a mark.
After the others finish talking Fudrick sits down against the wall. "What am I to do? This doesn't feel right to me and the others think it should be OK because we just stumbled upon it." Looking at the others out of the corner of his eyes. He watches them as they look into the chamber with barely concealed excitement. He closes his eyes, tries to find that calm center inside of him that his mother told him to look for. As the sound of the others starts to fade away Fudrick realizes the soothing music is even louder with the door open. No longer can the others be heard, only his awareness floating in inky darkness and the soothing music from the chamber beyond. When he feels that he is ready he silently starts a prayer to Hettama:
We thank you our heavenly Mother for bringing us to the start of this new day. It’s a day you have provided and one in which we can afresh experience your love in each small thing we do today.
Help us to remember that you are there, always wanting to reach out to us with your loving arms.
For any difficult things we need to do today, or this week, we remember the words "I can do all things through our Mother who strengthens me." We need that strength from you, – our Goddess, our rock and our redeemer.
Thank you that you do give us the strength and the guidance to live through the hard things, and to make decisions that are not easy. For those among us who have to make decisions about the directions in our lives, we ask that you would strengthen us.
We ask what your will is for these times we find ourselves in. Please heavenly Mother guide us in making the right decisions.
Mr. Wolf
Unless you decide to let Fudrick know it is NOT ok to go into the room. Once his prayer is finished he will get up and confidently stroll into the chamber. I think the sound of the music and the soothing feeling, etc is a good sign that he can walk in. If nothing else it will make for an interesting encounter. :)
As Fudrick finishes communing with his Goddess, the column of fire briefly flares, then is gone. The spikes retract and the ceiling goes smooth like the floor.
The robe and dagger seem almost to descend within the centre until they are just above the ground.
As soon as he finishes his prayer the whooshing and crackling sound of the fire disappears. Quickly he gets up and looks in the room, then at the others as they stand with their mouths agape. With a shy grin he says, "Well I guess that would be a sign it was OK to go in, right?" With that he takes a step in before the others can act. He slowly makes his way around the walls looking at the different glyphs and writings as he tries to understand who this hero of his goddess was.
As he does so he can't help but think this person must have been a magnificent warrior. "Oh how I long to be one like this priest. Serving our Mother with such fervor. If I could find a way to bring her guiding light back into our world as it must have blazed back then.
Fazaam stares as the room withdraws all of the things that seemed menacing as Fudrick walks confidently in. He reaches up and closes the monkey's open mouth.
"I'm going to take that as a good sign,..." He murmurs to Ghari, watching Fudrick closely.
He also can see where the jagged kukri fits in, as a tool to cut open a man's chest and yet still be able to remove his beating heart for a blood sacrifice. The most glorious of fire spells are weaved with such powerful components.
At these ceremonies the robes are worn and the kukri carried by the high priest, the elf Siracus.
Mr. Wolf:
Will save (1d20 3=16)
Will Fudrick realize that the images/words on the wall are a form of compulsion? If he doesn't realize it then I don't see a reason why he wouldn't point it out.
Fudrick recoils with the truth of the dagger and the elf. This is a more savage and brutal Hettama than his.
Fudrick recoils with the truth of the dagger and the elf. This is a more savage and brutal Hettama than his.
Recoiling in disgust Fudrick on the verge of yelling says, "No, NO this can't be. The Hettama I know would never approve of sacrificial offerings." As he finishes he slumps to the ground with his back to the wall.
Marwan looks at Fudrick in distress. He goes over to put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Perhaps it was a more savage time when Siracus served Hettama, noble Fudrick. The gods change as people do, just over aeons rather than decades. Perhaps Hettama in her youth was more bloodthirsty that the peaceful goddess you worship today."
Marwan looks at the items in the room.
"Still it might be better if we didn't don the raiments of a sacrificing priest. Is there any way of divining if these items hold the taint of evil?"
"What's going on der Fudrick?" Shulim asks, "we can't see inside your brain."
"Perhaps it was a more savage time when Siracus served Hettama, noble Fudrick. The gods change as people do, just over aeons rather than decades. Perhaps Hettama in her youth was more bloodthirsty that the peaceful goddess you worship today."
Fazaam ponders Marwan's words with a furrowed brow.
"That is possible Noble Marwan, but consider this,... Is it not also possible that the worshippers were more bloodthirsty back then? Hettama may not have changed much in a mere thousand years or so, but certainly those that worship her have grown more, civilized. That theory goes with certain,... stories I seem to remember."
"Friends, that debate shoud be held over our cups tonight, else we stand the risk of never leaving this place while Fazaam holds forth." ~grin~ "Fudrick, we will abide by your word. What will we do here?"
Fazaam cooly regards his friend with narrowed eyes and a raised eyebrow.
"I wasn't proposing to engage my fellow worthy in a philosophical debate Ghar, merely pointing out that in general, most magical items are not evil or good persay. It is usually how the wielders choose to use them."
The elf frowns for a moment as he realizes he is beginning to sound more like his teachers,... and possibly his parents. But shakes it off with a quick grin. "Though or course items dedicated to a particular deity would be more likely to be aligned one way or the other." He turns back to Fudrick.
"I don't suppose that your dedication to your deity allows you to sense evil? That would be the quickest way to determine if there are any lingering taints from its previous use. Otherwise,..." His look turns serious.
"You said that you felt touched by Hettama outside the door. What do you feel now? Just follow your heart. In my experience it will never lead you wrong. You follow your heart, and as Ghar said, we will follow you." He finishes with a small grin or encouragement.
"Fudrick?"
The others don't understand. She is like a mother to me. Why didn't she show me what has been done? Why wouldn't she want me to know? Am I not one of your chosen ones?
... Is it not also possible that the worshippers were more bloodthirsty back then? Hettama may not have changed much in a mere thousand years or so, but certainly those that worship her have grown more, civilized. That theory goes with certain,... stories I seem to remember."
Yes! Yes, that has to be it. Hettama would never allow her servants to kill in her name.
With hands running through his hair, eyes shut tight, and an unintelligle mumble coming from his lips the others can tell he must be in a terrible mental struggle over his fate.
I don't know. None of this is making sense. There has to be more to this than these profane symbols from the past.
After a few more moments he stands up. Still weak from the poisoned bite he uses the wall as a brace. "I, I am sorry for the way I have acted. But this." He makes a sweeping gesture of the room with his free hand, "This is unbearable act. Times must have been much different then. I still can not fathom why Hettama would allow sacrifices, but it could be as you said that her sons and daughters where more bloodthirsty. That could also explain why she was thrown from power so violently. There is a lot of soul searching I need to do, but for me to go down that path I will need to find out more about these past times. It has become apparent that modern day worshiping is not the same as it once was. As I was grew older on our family ship everyone was taught the benevolence of our patron deity. Everything was always about cheerful and peaceful teachings." He takes a minute to catch his breath and to survey the room. "Let us leave these things to rot. Anything that compels you to want to use it must not be good for you."
Ghari walks over to help Fudrick up. "As you say. If we are leaving this place it would be well to reset the trap and conceal the entrance."
Survival check to hide entrance (1d20=10) +6 = 16.
Fazaam also aides Fudrick in rising, but examines him with curiosity.
"I'm afraid you may have to explain something to me Noble Fudrick" He says at length. "Even before we opened the doors, you said that you felt the touch of your goddess. And now that they are opened, I presume that feeling has not left. It is as though you are being called here."
He pauses a moment, collecting his thoughts, then continues gently, obviously trying to be careful in not giving offense.
"I believe I understand your reluctance, given the apparent meanings of these images. I may understand better than you know. But even if our worst fears are realized, and long ago there were acts of worship committed in Hettama's name that civilized people would never consider,... Well. Your faith in your goddess is apparent. As is her strength flowing through you." He touches the recently healed burn to prove his point.
"I've always been either a elf of action, or study, and not usually prone to these wiser considerations,... but,... If that did happen, it is in the past. And this may be your goddess giving you an opportunity to make up for some of what was done previously in her name. If you feel that this is an outside influence, like a charm or geas, then by all means let us leave. But consider carefully first, and if these feelings you have are from your HEART, then I believe that they cannot be wrong. And you may be turning away from an unusual opportunity to serve your goddess."
"I'm afraid you may have to explain something to me Noble Fudrick" He says at length. "Even before we opened the doors, you said that you felt the touch of your goddess. And now that they are opened, I presume that feeling has not left. It is as though you are being called here."
"Oh I did feel a presence I assumed was from Her. It may have been there is no denying that, but there is also something else I can't put my finger on. Once the door opened for me the feeling turned more towards satisfaction and welcoming. I can't help but feel that it is all wrong though. If you look at these symbols do you not see how the elf appears to be such a heroic leader? How the blade can be inserted to take out a beating heart? These rituals where used to create great magical spells based on fire. I will give that Hettama goddess of the sun has a basis in fire, but I can't believe that it would be used in this way. This goes against all modern teaching of our fate."
He turns to the robe and dagger, "I wish I could discern good from evil. I have heard of others doing that. One of my many uncles who decided to leave home to attend a temple was able to. At least that is what I heard in whisperings at home. Either way I wouldn't touch those items with a 10' pole. I suggest you don't either. Maybe you didn't feel it, but this place is charmed to force someone to put that robe on. I may still be young compared to some of you, but that just seems... wrong."
The kukri and robe twirls at the centre of room.
Fazaam rubs his bare elvin chin thoughtfully. He looks at Fudrick, nods. Then shares a look with Ghari. Ghari involuntarily winces inside, he knows what that look means. Fazaam is either about to do something extraordinarily clever, or downright foolish. The elf hands Ghari his bow.
"Well master Fudrick, I believe I know understand your concerns. Thank you. But I am feeling no such compulsion. So with your permission,..." He turns to face the floating weapon and garment, straightens his tunic and hair from long habit, And takes a single step forward.
Fazaam holds out his empty hands to his sides. He speaks softly, so softly that those behind him can hardly hear him, but clearly.
"Hettama, as you probably know, I am called Fazaam Al-Nak'Bar." The elf bows low here. "I am not one of your devotees, but neither do I hold you in disregard. If your servant Fudrick is any indication, those who serve you are most noble persons in both word and deed. And I wish them, and you, all the best in shining the light of goodness into this world."
Fazaam flashes his dazzling smile. "However, we seem to be at a bit of a stalemate here. I think that that you have indicated that your servant Fudrick is welcome to take possession of the items that we see before us. However, Noble Fudrick has understandable concerns about the previous use those items may have seen. With your permission, I will retrieve the items. Not to claim them personally, though I confess to being curious about them, but to present them to your servant."
"If this does not please you, I understand fully. And I promise to hold no ill will. However, a warning should be sufficient. If you take my meaning." HE bows low again, and throws a quick wink over his shoulder to Ghari. However the casual gesture does not extend to how stiffly the elf holds himself, obviously tense and ready to spring.
Hasan leaps from the elf's shoulders and climbs up on Ghari's. The monkey chatters nervously into Ghari's ear.
Once again smoothing an imaginary out-of-place hair, Fazaam slowly approaches the floating items,...