DM
Addy holds her hand out to the others, indicating for them to stop. "Everyone hear that noise up ahead? How do we wnat to check it out? My guess is whatever it is probably heard us already, with the glow of our lights and clanking of the armor ..."
Mal nods. "Keep moving," he grunts, taking his own advice.
Group on the stairs:
As if in response to Addy's observation, the blue glow from ahead that was suffusing the stairs winks out - leaving only your torchlight.
"Oh. THAT'S not ominous or anything,..." Will mumbles to himself. Mostly.
Mal nods. "Keep moving," he grunts, taking his own advice.
Will throws a sharp, exaggerated salute at Mal's back, then retakes his firm, nervous grip on his crossbow,...
Herral
Group on the stairs:
The broad steps curl around twice before finding you at the base. Nothing further is heard or seen as you descend, and Addy spots nothing more unusual.
You find yourself in simple room - 10' at most - at the steps' landing.
As you stand with the stairs at your back, the walls straight ahead and to your left are solid stone. The wall to the right looks like it could blend as well and is covered in a plaster coating - almost like a cover - but in fact hinges like a door turning outward.
This wall would have remained hidden, except it looks like it someone has left it cracked open.
How would you like to proceed?
"Mal! Will! I've been scouting and found some secret doors. Come and take a look. I think the gillmen must have gone through the one I haven't opened. P'haps Zareby can open it?"
Herral takes his hand from his forehead so that the blue light shines around again and comes to the doorway.
Simon pushes open the secret door.
"Mister Hinn! While your investigative skills are to be applauded, I must say that you have chosen a most dangerous and, dare I say, foolhardy approach! Why, the gods only know what else could have been lurking in this structure and we would never have realized what fate you came to!"
Will let's out a manly "Eep!" at the sound of Herral's voice. He recovers swiftly, and looks closely at the markings on one wall as if they are very interesting. All of a sudden. Even though they look just like they walls he has been passing for the last 10 minutes.
"Mister Hinn! While your investigative skills are to be applauded, I must say that you have chosen a most dangerous and, dare I say, foolhardy approach! Why, the gods only know what else could have been lurking in this structure and we would never have realized what fate you came to!"
"Yeah, what he said!" Will adds sternly. The mage looks at Mal. "What?"
Herral shakes his head, "I wasn't in any danger. You were all resting and being boring so I decided to have a quick look ahead. Look I'm a good scout, nearly as good as Zareby but not as good as my second uncle on my mother's side, Delfin Hairyhands, now he could scout. Anyway where is Zareby?"
Herral draws breath as Will interrupts. "Look here is a workroom but its empty. Maybe the gillmen went through the other secret door but I hide when I heard you all coming and didn't get time to open it. I haven't searched it yet. The workshop I mean."
Will's frown disappears and he perks up at Herral's last sentence.
"Workshop?" The wizard tries to peer around Mal and get a look,...
Moving beyond the door, and into the room Herral is in, reveals that the door is part of a mural - the same one you saw before of King Alemander and Queen Zenobia standing before the walls of a city.
You realize that the mural is part of the series of displays that were located in the relic room you passed through before. The murals, statuary, and worktables and alcoves are all part of this room. The difference is that the central pillar that was glowing blue before is now dark. The light from your torch and magical lights bounce off the work benches and remnant statues in odd angles - which makes the room a little more difficult to navigate but otherwise looks unchnaged.
No further noises or unusual items are visible.
Map of Pillar Room & secret door revealed.
How would you like to proceed?
While the others decide which way to go, Will wanders around the room, curiously examining the mural, the tools, the statues, and anything else he can see. He's not looking for anything inparticular, just trying to make notes on the general find and it's condition, list what;s in the room, and maybe make a quick sketch. (If he sees anything that catches his attention, that;s another story!)
;P
Addy notices Will poking around, and decides a better look of this room is in order, also. She starts doing a little looking of her own, taking an opposite route around.
perception
When she reaches Will, she asks, "So, find anything new? Or have we picked this spot clean?"
"Well, I didn't see anything that looked too interesting,..." He says, but looks back over his shoulder as if he's not convinced.
Simon waits for the searchers to finish their rounds.
"I have a mind to pursue the three that fled, earlier, when you're finished your examination. It's best not to leave too many loose ends."
Remembering himself, he puts his holy symbol back under his armor, out of sight.
Addy & Will -
The room remains much as you saw it before. Work tables with stone pieces, tools, and other materials; a half-dozen statues - broken or damaged - are visible in the torchlight.
Other than lingering smell of rotting meat, there is no further odor and the air remains musty. The sea smells of earlier - like the column's radiance - have disappeared.
The carvings around the room are the displays of an ancient kingdom (Cynidicea, you presume) with scenes of life in a past age - festivals, battles, daily rituals. The king and queen dominate most of the scenes. The scene on the northeast wall (where you just emerged from), is the one you noticed before - you realize now why it struck you as unusual. The walled city in the image was the trip to open the door.
The tables still have the remains of chunks of carvings from the walls; statuary; or pottery containers - minor artwork in the Azlanti style - but nothing looks out of place. Some ancient masks like the ones you have seen before that probably date back thousands of years, but aren't old enough to be from ancient Azlant's era.
One mask does seem distinct from the others - it looks like someone has cleaned it up. The mask looks to be of porcelain instead of fabric, but has no straps or attachments. There is a green gem placed in the center of the forehead. There is a series of painted lines that radiate from the eye-holes in shades of red, green, yellow, blue and purple. They radiate down; around the cheeks; and curve up under the mouth.
Like some of the others you seen, this mask is symbolic instead of literal - in this case it represents seer or mage.
Finally, each of the alcoves you saw has the remains of old weapons and armor. As you pass a light over them, you manage to catch a glint of highly-reflected metal. Upon further investigation, you notice that a short sword as fallen into corner of the alcove under some of the old materials. Examining it reveals to be a slim sword of polished steel blade and a brass grip - the style another sample of noveau-Azlanti with curving quillions and a decorated pommel. Unlike much of the other materials, this weapon is fairly new and clean - at most it would be only a few decades old.
Look I'm a good scout, nearly as good as Zareby but not as good as my second uncle on my mother's side, Delfin Hairyhands, now he could scout. Anyway where is Zareby?"
At the halfling's query, the rest of you realize for the first time that in your rush to get back in and follow Herral that Zareby didn't tag along this time. You're all fairly certain now that the roguish gambler didn't actually come into the pyramid with you or get lost. Why he remained is unknown - maybe to tag along with Gorzal back to the village?
Mal is about to cuff Herral about the back of the head, until it occurs to him that not only is the halfling a grown man, but he is also a priest of Desna ... no sense inviting bad luck. He shrugs at the query about Zareby. “Think he stayed outside. Looked like he wanted to head back with the others.”
Mal stands where he can keep an eye on both doors as the others examine the room. He’s still got his sword in hand, and looks ready for trouble.
Will looks at the mask, (Once Addy is kind enough to point it out to him!) curiously,...
"Hm. I think it's fairly obvious that this mask, and many of the others here, are meant to be symbolic instead of literal. In this case I'm fairly certain that it represents a seer. Or a mage. Either one. They all sort of blend together in Azlant society." Will expounds as if giving a lecture.
"Or, at least they all sort of blend together in the surviving records that we've found" He adds reluctantly. "Still, I find it interesting that THIS mask is porcelain, and not cloth like most of the others. It could be significant." His eyes light happily as he makes a few notes in the ever-present journal.
Once Addy is done looking at it, Will wraps the mask up and places it in his pack as well. Then he examines the now-dark column.
"Whatever magic she was using,... Well let's just say that I think it's a good thing that we interrupted the ritual. I would love to find out what the final effect would have been though. Um, well, in theory, I would love to know,... you know,..."
Then he examines the now-dark column.
"Whatever magic she was using,... Well let's just say that I think it's a good thing that we interrupted the ritual. I would love to find out what the final effect would have been though. Um, well, in theory, I would love to know,... you know,..."
Unlike before, the column's impressive imaging is harder to discern by torch light. The sheer size makes it akin to being forced to look at a scrap of map that's table-sized. Still, your fine memory allows to you discern that most of the thing remains the same - a strange combination of Azlanti writing (invoking Zarga mostly); fish glyphs and aquatic symbols; reddish channels running the length of the thing (with a vaguely coppery smell); and the carved relief of a fish-like tail that wraps around the entire column with no discernable end.
While the carvings are fine and the archeological import probably great, the distinct difference is magical. It's not simply the loss of the radiance, it's the sense of dreaded otherness the thing seemed to exude. Whatever enchantments were placed upon it have been broken; whatever its effect was supposed to be appears to have been blunted with Neheshru's defeat.
Will leans closer to the column.
"Wait, is that,...? <sniff, sniff> Blood?!?" he asks, obviously horrified even while obviously intrigued at the mystical ramifications.
"Um. Nevermind. I' have decided that I'm not ALL that interested in seeing the final effects. I'm just glad that stopping Neheshru seems to have stopped the enchantment. Still, we should most definitely search the rest of the place. If SHE could figure it out, we sure don't want to leave any of her notes lying around for anyone else to find!" Will declares fervently.
"Don't Pathfinders need to make drawings and stuff? I mean I can carry on scouting while you are all busy," Herral adds.
Will leans closer to the column.
"Wait, is that,...? <sniff, sniff> Blood?!?" he asks, obviously horrified even while obviously intrigued at the mystical ramifications.
"Um. Nevermind. I' have decided that I'm not ALL that interested in seeing the final effects. I'm just glad that stopping Neheshru seems to have stopped the enchantment. Still, we should most definitely search the rest of the place. If SHE could figure it out, we sure don't want to leave any of her notes lying around for anyone else to find!" Will declares fervently.
"Do you want to look around and see if any magical auras are left, or anything like that, Will? Maybe check out that mask, too. Not sure we have all that huge of a rush here; I can sketch out the drawings while you do a last check, if you want." She looks over at Simon, who seemed to be in a hurry, and adds, "After all, those other three have quite a head start now, after we took the rest outside, anyway. I'm not thinking a few minutes will make a huge difference."
"Yeah,... Uh, Yeah, I mean Yes! Good idea! It'll just take a few moments Mal. After all, we don't want to leave any nasty magical surprises behind. Do we?" He asks with a smile.
Will waves his hand in a simple but precise gesture as he whispers a short phrase. His eyes flash briefly, then settle down to glow a dim, steady blue.
"Why doesn't anyone ever leave pleasant surprises behind?" He mutters as he looks at the mask, then begins slowly scanning the room,...
Will leans closer to the column.
"Wait, is that,...? <sniff, sniff> Blood?!?" he asks, obviously horrified even while obviously intrigued at the mystical ramifications.
"Um. Nevermind. I' have decided that I'm not ALL that interested in seeing the final effects. I'm just glad that stopping Neheshru seems to have stopped the enchantment. Still, we should most definitely search the rest of the place. If SHE could figure it out, we sure don't want to leave any of her notes lying around for anyone else to find!" Will declares fervently.
"Do you want to look around and see if any magical auras are left, or anything like that, Will? Maybe check out that mask, too. Not sure we have all that huge of a rush here; I can sketch out the drawings while you do a last check, if you want." She looks over at Simon, who seemed to be in a hurry, and adds, "After all, those other three have quite a head start now, after we took the rest outside, anyway. I'm not thinking a few minutes will make a huge difference."
"Or it could be the difference between only just catching them or missing them completely with no sign of their passage. Meanwhile, this assembled..."
He waves a gauntleted hand at the pillar, the mask."... history merely grows a few moments older. I see no reason to delay while conspirators make their escape. But if this is your preference, so be it. I intend to assist Itaden in transporting the civilians to safety, which means I prefer we make this brief. Mister Hinn, if you care to continue your explorations, I shall accompany you."
“Split up,” grumbles Mal, “’cos that always works out well ...”
He looks over at Will, and realises that it’s not going to be easy to drag the wizard away from the artefacts – at least not without getting his ear chewed off. “Keep it quick,” he suggests, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “Simon’s right, we can come back.”
As suspected, the mask emanates magic - a faint layer of magic.
As for the rest of the room, nothing else portable radiates magical auras. The pillar itself still emits a faint aura of magic, but in this case you can't begin to fathom what kind magics are encrusted on it.
There are magical auras emanating from your comrades' equipment as they await your review - Addy, Mal, Herral, Simon each have a some flash of magical energy. Nothing flares out, but do you want to focus on anyone in particular? Depending on how long you want focus on them, you'll probably have to cast the spells a few times.
Mister Hinn, if you care to continue your explorations, I shall accompany you."
As you orient yourself, you realize the left/right passage on the south side is the large corridor you used to go through the room. There is a side passage that narrowed that you bypassed to the south when you were exiting this room.
The indendation on the south wall is where Simon found the corpse. You also found a small hole in the ceiling there.
The only other exit is the secret room you just came from. Herral claims to have found a second secret door in that room, but none of you spotted it on your way down.
How would you like to proceed, then?
As suspected, the mask emanates magic - a faint layer of magic.
As for the rest of the room, nothing else portable radiates magical auras. The pillar itself still emits a faint aura of magic, but in this case you can't begin to fathom what kind magics are encrusted on it.
There are magical auras emanating from your comrades' equipment as they await your review - Addy, Mal, Herral, Simon each have some flash of magical energy. Nothing flares out, but do you want to focus on anyone in particular? Depending on how long you want focus on them, you'll probably have to cast the spells a few times.
Mister Hinn, if you care to continue your explorations, I shall accompany you."
As you orient yourself, you realize the left/right passage on the south side is the large corridor you used to go through the room. There is a side passage that narrowed that you bypassed to the south when you were exiting this room.
The indendation on the south wall is where Simon found the corpse. You also found a small hole in the ceiling there.
The only other exit is the secret room you just came from. Herral claims to have found a second secret door in that room, but none of you spotted it on your way down.
How would you like to proceed, then?
"Or it could be the difference between only just catching them or missing them completely with no sign of their passage. Meanwhile, this assembled..."
He waves a gauntleted hand at the pillar, the mask.
"... history merely grows a few moments older. I see no reason to delay while conspirators make their escape. But if this is your preference, so be it. I intend to assist Itaden in transporting the civilians to safety, which means I prefer we make this brief. Mister Hinn, if you care to continue your explorations, I shall accompany you."
"By the gods, are you always on? Don't get your beard in a frump, we'll be quick. Stiffer'n a board ... bloody nobles ..." Addy keeps muttering a bit under her breath as she finishes copying the drawings, and hands the material back to Will.
"We better get a move on here, Will. Or they'll leave without us, I think."
"Don't get your knickers in a knot, I'm hurrying. Haven't people ever heard of 'Those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it?' " Will mutters to Addy as he stares at the mask with glowing blue eyes.
"Hm, Divination and Transmutation magic. An unusual if not altogether unheard of combination. I'd say this bears further study!" Will declares as he wraps up the mask and shoves it in his pack. He looks surprised when he looks up at the group, but quickly turns his gaze upon the rest of the room.
"Must be nice,..." Is all he mumbles as he gazes around the room. Once satisfied that there is nothing else demanding immediate attention, he turns his gaze once more upon the central pillar. "Just to make sure,..." He mutters by way of an explanation as he studies the pillar. He blinks, rubs his eyes, then frowns as he stares at the pillar even more intently.
"I'm stubborn too,.." He mutters, idly tracing one barely-visible sigil with a finger as he stares at the pillar,...
;P
“C’mon,” says Mal, clapping Will on the shoulder. “Those who stay in dark places are doomed too.”
He waits to make sure the scholars are moving, then follows after Herral and Simon.
“C’mon,” says Mal, clapping Will on the shoulder. “Those who stay in dark places are doomed too.”
He waits to make sure the scholars are moving, then follows after Herral and Simon.
Will looks after Mal, then at Addy. He sighs resignedly.
"I hate to admit it, but the man DOES have a point!" He grins wryly. Then hurries to follow the others,...
"Or it could be the difference between only just catching them or missing them completely with no sign of their passage. Meanwhile, this assembled..."
He waves a gauntleted hand at the pillar, the mask.
"... history merely grows a few moments older. I see no reason to delay while conspirators make their escape. But if this is your preference, so be it. I intend to assist Itaden in transporting the civilians to safety, which means I prefer we make this brief. Mister Hinn, if you care to continue your explorations, I shall accompany you.""By the gods, are you always on? Don't get your beard in a frump, we'll be quick. Stiffer'n a board ... bloody nobles ..." Addy keeps muttering a bit under her breath as she finishes copying the drawings, and hands the material back to Will.
"We better get a move on here, Will. Or they'll leave without us, I think."
Simon sounds almost amused.
"My, my. With a mouth like that it's a wonder you passed for a lady at all, fair Miss Adelaine. Though I suppose the liquor must have worked in your favor."
Mal shrugs, likely unseen in the gloom. “Looks like a lady to me,” he mutters to himself, throwing a quick glance at Addy’s chest.
Herral scouts the second secret door after pointing out its outline to Simon.
"The other one had a switch like a lever. See look at this here. Probably should find another like that one when we look."
"Must be higher up,"mumbles the halfling.
Simon & Herral -
With Desna's kiss to aid you again, you manage to find and assess the second secret door and it's opening mechanism. Unlike the other door, this one is a solid stone affair barely distinct from the wall and clearly designed to fit tightly and seal. The opening mechanism is a false stone block only noticeable by a crown-like symbol etched in it - you likely wouldn't have spotted except it looks like someone has cleaned it off recently.
So, a couple of questions I need answers to as you proceed.
Who will open the door?
What is the marching order?
Please feel free to proceed.
Will examines the opening of the hidden door with curiosity, obviously taking mental notes for his journal later. When they approach the next door and everyone takes their places in line in silent agreement, he looks expectantly at he ones in front,...
Whoever actually touches the door's switch watches as the false brick sinks under their hand slightly.
There's a slight pause; a noise like a vase cracking just beyond the door; and then grinding noises like those of unoiled gears is heard somewhere within the walls. The stone door grinds slightly against the frame - resisting the seal it is in - for a moment before turning inward towards the left-hand side.
The door's parting reveals a darkened corridor that continues eastward straight out sight. The walls and floor look to be a stone material similar to the pyramid. The air coming from beyond is musty and smells of dirt mixed with fresh torch oil. For the most part this area looks like it has seen even less usage than the confines of the pyramid.
Other than the remaining echoes of the door's groaning opening, no sound or motion is heard or seen.
Mal takes the rear guard, and makes sure he keeps Will in sight and within arm reach . However, if the group as a whole takes too long to do anything, if everyone hesitates to go through the entry for more than about 1 minutes, Mal grows exasperated and pushes past the others to head through the newly revealed portal ... he’s not so rash to do so without looking , although his glance is cursory at best.
"Well. They don't build them like that anymore. nice workmanship." Will says softly as the door swings open. He brings his crossbow up to the ready.
Herral slips back into the middle but will follow right behind Mal, if he makes a break for the front.
Simon will take the lead and head in. He wants to get this wrapped up.
OK. I'll need a reflex check for Simon.
I am also going to assume that Addy will follow given the consensus on order.
Perception:
Reflex:
CMB:
Reflex:
As Simon begins to step forward, Addy spots something that doesn't seem right in the corridor. She focuses so intently, she fails to pay attention as Simon moves into the hallway until it's almost to late.
"Simon! Stop!" she yells, and grabs the back of armored man's belt hard enough to give a good pull and hold him from taking more than a first step into the hallway.
Even that first step is enough to trip the trap at the foot of the entrance. The first 8' of hallway floor slips down to the sides - leaving a gaping pit 15' below. The glint of something metallic can be seen below.
There doesn't appear to be a way to close the floor again automatically. There is a ledge on each side of the corridor that you can use to get past the trap, but it is a bit narrow. Without aid or support, it will require an acrobatics DC 5 to make sure you don't slip and fall.
"Look before you leap, eh?" the half-elf remarks with a smirk.
<Gulp>
Will swallows. Loud.