As the Gryphons Circle around a low, flat topped hill, about 200 yards wide and 300 yards long, you look down upon blackrocks upon the top of the hill In the Shape of a a human skull, with the piles of rock appearing as eye holes, nose hole, and the jagged teeth of a grinning death’s head.
Only uglyweeds, thorns, and briars grow upon the steep sides and bald top of the 60 high mound. A thorough inspection and search of the entire area will reveal only that the north side of the hill has a crumbling cliff of sand and gravel about 20’ high in about the middle. A low stone ledge overhangs this eroded area, and shrubs and bushes obscure it from observation at a distance.
The Gryphons Land at the base of the hill,and allow you to dismount. Once everyone is is on their feet, the lead gryphon says "We will be on our way, good luck Heroes."
and with that, the Magistic Beasts rise into the air, and fly into the sunset.
"I don't like this." Rygal steps off of the gryphon, grateful of touching the ground with his own two feet. He draws his bow from his back and checks the string. "I've heard the stories. None of them pleasant. I suppose you have too, right?"
He peers at his companions.
I’m glad that’s over. With a glance around at the others assembled, Molasbar says I am Molasbar. Wizard of some skill. I have of course heard the stories, but you can never tell how much of that you can believe. He does not offer to shake hands since his attention is largely focused on the hill beside them.
Molasbar is a human of average size, probably in his mid-30s. He is entirely unremarkable. He wears simple, functional brown clothes suitable for an ascetic. He wears only one piece of jewelry, a simple bone ring. At his belt is a small pouch and a simple backpack rides on his shoulders. The only oddity is a pair of smoked goggles around his neck, ready to be pulled over his eyes.
He starts the meeting by casting a few spells. He’ll wait to see if anyone else has any discussion about planning or logistics. After that, he’ll activate his Detect Magic and begin making a circuit around the hill.
To Rygal: "Yes. The tales go back a fair bit, older than me anyway and that tells you something." The lean dwarf shifts his pack. Black leather armor showing under the robe. "The name is Ernst by the by, but you can call me 'Love' everyone does.
"It tells you something in there is keping the place running, That is both good and bad. It means there will be some fighting, and I hate fighting, but it also means the walls ceilings and floors will only collapse where and when the designer wanted them to."
"Now first impressions can tell you a great deal about a place"
"So...what does this place say to you?"
To Molasbar: "Hold on there friend. That kind of running about will get us all killed inside. If we make it inside that is. We need to think. Slow, calm, and steady." "Why do you think we were set down so far from the tomb?"
After dismounting from his gryphon Keggan shakily digs through his various pockets and takes out a silver flask, after taking a big gulp of the contents he offers it to any one else "My special brew, can calm any nerves even ones next to an unholy place such as this." He looks to Rygal "Only heard very little, but don't worry I always carry plenty Liquid courage around with me if ya need it" Fear starts to leave Keggan's face, it seems he was trying to calm himself down more then the others.
"Death. Suffering. Evil. This is the kind of place where recklessness will get us all killed." He glances over the hills, touching the holy symbol dangling from his neck. "Where is the entrance?"
After dismounting from his gryphon Keggan shakily digs through his various pockets and takes out a silver flask, after taking a big gulp of the contents he offers it to any one else "My special brew, can calm any nerves even ones next to an unholy place such as this." He looks to Rygal "Only heard very little, but don't worry I always carry plenty Liquid courage around with me if ya need it" Fear starts to leave Keggan's face, it seems he was trying to calm himself down more then the others.
"Careful with that stuff. I's bad cess on a job, makes your hands shake." "Joey the clothyard used to 'steady his nerves' too. Said he could handle it. Said it made him smoother. Caught a glass needle full of green slime in his palm. Took him half an hour to die. Bad cess."
Returning his gaze to the hill. "Now why advertise like that?"
Returning his gaze to the hill. "Now why advertise like that?"
Arrogance, most likely. Or perhaps it is how the vast treasure rumored to be here is accumulated: overconfident treasure seekers adding their wealth to the piles.
"Death. Suffering. Evil. This is the kind of place where recklessness will get us all killed." He glances over the hills, touching the holy symbol dangling from his neck. "Where is the entrance?"
"Lad, booze is my business"Keggan smirks, and gives Ernst a wink. As he sees that no one else wants a drink, he puts away his flask with his now steady hands.
Returning his gaze to the hill. "Now why advertise like that?"Arrogance, most likely. Or perhaps it is how the vast treasure rumored to be here is accumulated: overconfident treasure seekers adding their wealth to the piles.
Likely likely.......
"Where is the entrance?"
"Given whoever designed this was fool enough to shape a skull into the hill, I expect they are fool enough to put the entrance in the mouth or one of the eyes. Unless they thought they were clever of course. If they were feeling clever they will put false tombs in the eyes and mouth and bury the real entrance under a few tons of stone."
"But that does not fit with the stories. Maybe that shelf though."
"God's liver! I wish they would have listened and let me come at this my way. You don't take a place like this by sending a halfdozen heroes in the front door. You bring 300 miners and a dozen engineers. You take the place apart from the outside. What you don't do is play the designers game when you don't have to."
Ernst we can still do it your way, my bombs take the place a 100 miners! I've dug tunnels in the matter of hours in the past just let me know if need to take this tomb like a true dwarf would and I'll be at the ready!! Keggan will be patting down his bombs just to make sure they will be ready if his fellow dwarf wishes it. But still will be watching the ground seeing if he can find any tracks.
"Your anecdotes do little to help us, old man. Rygal peers around the area, trying to sense any magical auras, yet it's the stonework of the hills that require examination.
"Now we should look for an approach, tracks, compressed ground, rocks that have been moved." "Find it and we find the door. Don't find it and it's evidence that nothing in there eats."
"Lad, booze is my business"Keggan smirks, and gives Ernst a wink. As he sees that no one else wants a drink, he puts away his flask with his now steady hands. Survival 1d20+14
Your anecdotes do little to help us, old man. Rygal peers around the area, trying to sense any magical auras, yet it's the stonework of the hills that require examination.
Perception check to check out the stonework of the hills. If there is anything unusual, gain a +2 to the roll. If so, the roll is 22, not 20.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
"Well, the stonework on the hills isn't just stone. It's obsidian. Solid obsidian. Finding an entrance won't be easy."
He still clutches his bow.
Keggan looks towards Rygal "Merely offering me help Lad in a light hearted way, seeing where we are headed we need as many light hearted moments as we can bare." Then with a wry smile he looks to Ernst and says "The ground hasn't seen another vistor in a long time but I believe I found a path leading around the east side of the hill"
"Well, those hills aren't just molded, they're made of obsidian. Solid obsidian. Finding an entrance won't be easy."
He still clutches his bow.
*edit*
The Stones are on the Top of the Hill, it stands about 20 feet high.
"Your anecdotes do little to help us, old man. Rygal peers around the area, trying to sense any magical auras, yet it's the stonework of the hills that require examination.
1d20 + 4
"Careful friend. Harsh words and anger will get us all killed as sure as a spiked pit."
"Mayhap we should set up some ground rules for this tea party."
"I suggest once we get in that we all touch nothing that we don't have to touch."
"That we do not step anywhere that has not been checked, and that we leave all trinkets until we are on the way out." "Coins and crowns are pretty but until you can spend it gold is just dead weight."
"I also propose equal shares. Something useable that is used to help the group is not counted as part of a share. We live and die in this together so we had best share together."
"Now you with the bottle..." "You say your bombs can crack stone. It that true or is the wisky talking?"
"Aye it will take a few but I can crack it. As much as I love being known as the one with the bottle, my curiousity for this area has over taken my manners let me Introduce myself names Keggan Brewhammer, BREWMASTER EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!!!" The beardless dwarf thrusts a random bottle in the air as he introduced himself then suddenly lowers it and says "Of course we might alert all the horrors where we are entering...."
but I believe I found a path leading around the east side of the hill"[/b]
"Good eyes bottle. That's worth a look. Let's follow that slow and easy. These paths can be faked."
"Aye it will take a few but I can crack it. As much as I love being known as the one with the bottle, my curiousity for this area has over taken my manners let me Introduce myself names Keggan Brewhammer, BREWMASTER EXTRAORDINAIRE!!!!!" The beardless dwarf thrusts a random bottle in the air as he introduced himself then suddenly lowers it and says "Of course we might alert all the horrors where we are entering...."
'Love' Stops. Stands carefully as his attention turns to Keggan.
"Good to know you Keggan." Love offers his hand. "I'l remember that about the bombs. That could come in very handy,.." Love's eyes go distant for a moment, you can almost hear the gears turning in his head. "..very handy indeed." "You got any more tricks mixed with the gin there Bottle."
"Aye Lad lets take a gander" Keggan shakes Loves hand and then indicates to all the many vials, bottles, clay jugs, and small kegs addorning his body and says
"Many tricks Lad, almost to many to for me to count hehe"
"Rygal Archer." Nobody asked but when Keggan called out his introduction he saw it fit to do the same. He takes an arrow from his quiver, but doesn't notch it.
"I'm not much for taking charge, I'm here to take care of you lot. Take me where I'm needed. But I won't go first."
At least if they die, I can bring them back. I can't expect any such luxuries in return.
"Good to meetcha young one, sorry not the formal type. Well I thank ya in advance for any healing you be doing, I can help out with that as well but mine gives you a nice buzz after it heals ya HAHA. But havent found the right blend of spirits that will bring back your spirit HAHA!! Keggan Moves toward that path waiting for the others to follow him.
...the puns... they hurt. They physically hurt.
Rygal does all he can to not show his dismay, his hand twitching and wanting to plant against his face. "...yes, of... course."
He follows Keggan onto the path, careful to stay a little away. As a precaution.
"Wouldn't hurtcha to laugh every once in a while Rygal or would it?" Keggan says with chuckle.
"Well met Rygal." Love offers his hand. It is good to have a man of god backing us on a play like this. Even better if you're as good with that stick as you look to be."
"...go first."
"Good cautious attitude. But you may have to act fast when things so south."
"And you as well Molasbar, well met."
He sighs and realises he is being rather serious, shaking 'Love''s hand when prompted, with arrow still in hand. He peers around. "I could stand to laugh more oft, yes. But not today. Not now."
"Gotcha Lad, and Molasbar you wanna take this path witcha rest of us?"
After having dismounted, Faran stayed silent a long time, letting the more talkative share their talents and get out some of the nervous energy that is always there before danger, certainly something he had seen in war camps many times.
When they finally begin to gather themselves up, he steps forward, giving a small nod towards the immense blade across his back. "You may call me Faran. My main skill is in my sword arm, but I have seen many battles and have knowledge of tactics. Most of my experience is on the open field, with foes. If you have knowledge of... The way of dungeons, then I certainly will take your advice. Lead the way and I will be close at your side, I promise you this, if something comes at you it won't get away."
He gives a slight smile at that, moving his hand up and smoothing his mustache, ensuring it is perfectly in place before he draws his blade. With the sword in hand, he looks from Love to Keggan and Rygal. "Perhaps when we come away with loot in hand, your brew and his laughter shall find time to be appropriate."
"Gotcha Lad, and Molasbar you wanna take this path witcha rest of us?"
Obviously deep thought, Molasbar stirs at Keggan's prompting. Yes, yes. I am coming. We should start searching the hill here in some organized fashion if we have no specific clues to narrow down the location of the entrance.
He gives a slight smile at that, moving his hand up and smoothing his mustache, ensuring it is perfectly in place before he draws his blade. With the sword in hand, he looks from Love to Keggan and Rygal. "Perhaps when we come away with loot in hand, your brew and his laughter shall find time to be appropriate."
"It's always a appropriate time to drink one of my brews! But glad you spoke up there big man was scared you was a mute, that deems a celebration!"Keggan ruffles through his equipment and pulls out a wineskin takes a swig and offers to any that wishes to take a drink. "Molasbar, so far the only clue is this trail but I'm sure with all our know how we'll find something along the way hehe."
"...so far the only clue is this trail ..."
"Wouldn't say that Bottle." Love speaks his eyes constantly examining the road ahead.
"Wouldn't say that at all." "I'd say we have three clues. Two good and one I'm not sure about."
"This road is one of the good ones, the other is that exposed bit of worked shelf on the north side. That might even be too good. Still think the stones that make the face could use a closer look. They may be hiding air vents.""They are likely not trapped as animals and things would set them off all the time. The stones are probably safe if some one wanted to take a look."
Molasbar scans the distant sky as they follow the trail. I know. I just want to hurry and get started. The nobles promised more "worthy heroes" would be sent after us to help once they become available. And we'll be obligated to share any valuables we find with them once they do arrive.
Molasbar will send his unseen servant to the side of the hill, having it move shrubs, grasses and vines to help Molasbar and the others get a better look at the area behind the vegetation.
Edit: Actually, better idea. Molasbar will call the group to a halt next to the hill. He'll will have his unseen servant clear a patch of ground of all vegetation down to bare earth. Then he'll cast Summon Monster II. He'll order the earth elemental he calls to enter the earth at this spot, go to the hill and begin searching for an entrance. Once he finds it, earthglide to the exterior of the hill and remove plant life to expose it. The elemental would have 15 rounds to act before the spell expires.
Molasbar scans the distant sky as they follow the trail. I know. I just want to hurry and get started. The nobles promised more "worthy heroes" would be sent after us to help once they become available. And we'll be obligated to share any valuables we find with them once they do arrive.
Molasbar will send his unseen servant to the side of the hill, having it move shrubs, grasses and vines to help Molasbar and the others get a better look at the area behind the vegetation.
Edit: Actually, better idea. Molasbar will call the group to a halt next to the hill. He'll will have his unseen servant clear a patch of ground of all vegetation down to bare earth. Then he'll cast Summon Monster II. He'll order the earth elemental he calls to enter the earth at this spot, go to the hill and begin searching for an entrance. Once he finds it, earthglide to the exterior of the hill and remove plant life to expose it. The elemental would have 15 rounds to act before the spell expires.
Starts casting.
"You sure you want to do that. Whoever put that skull there is inviting folks in. The Entrance will not be hard to find."
Still sipping on his wineskin he says"Then have the little one search it out, when we get closer I got a shot that will reveal the entrance if we still can't find it."
Faran gives a small shake of his head at Keggan's offer, smiling a bit. "No thank you, friend. I prefer to keep what faculties I have before battle."
He raises a brow at Molastar when he begins summoning, curious of the magical arts even if they are quite outside his normal realm. When he sees the odd creature appear and slip into the dirt he nods his head approvingly. "Certainly a safe way to scout. If the beast has any sort of observation, hopefully we will be able to take our pick of entrances. A wise enemy leaves an opening for you to take so that you can be flanked, I cannot say I would wish to accept so forward an invitation. If this place is to live to its reputation, I would assume there are many traps, if someone intended to enter and leave again they would likely have a way around that. I simply hope it is a mundane method rather than a magical one."
I cannot say I would wish to accept so forward an invitation. If this place is to live to its reputation, I would assume there are many traps, if someone intended to enter and leave again they would likely have a way around that. I simply hope it is a mundane method rather than a magical one."[/b]
"It will be mundane. Otherwise the stories could not get out."
"In fact I suspect this road leads there."
@ Keegan. Save your magic Bottle. Between me and the rock we'll find the door.
"Molasbar, can that thing keep pace with us? It could check the right side of this hill face and follow along through the center and rejoin us before this path turns north as I suspect it will."
"Certainly a safe way to scout. If the beast has any sort of observation, hopefully we will be able to take our pick of entrances.
More than one entrance? Hmm. I hadn't considered that. Typically with vaults there is one way in, and the same way out. If there is time left with the elemental's time on this plane, I will have it search for more.
And this is one of my lesser summoning spells. I am saving the more powerful ones for greater tasks later. While the number I can perform in any one day are certainly limited, I do want to get us started as soon as possible.
I do want to get us started as soon as possible.
Continue down the path looking for traps and clues.
Faran nods his head at both Love and Molasbar. "As I said, my experiences do not lie with dungeons. I am just trying to apply what I know of tactics to the layout, if you would expect there to only be one entrance, that is very possible. I anticipate someone wanting to have another way out, but it could make sense that being able to funnel your enemies exactly where you wish them, to know the path they will be taking to get to you, could have more advantage."
From off to the east comes the sounds of voices, and then you see a small gnome walking next to and chatting amiably with a gryphon. When he catches sight of the group, he raises his hand in greeting and shouts.
"Ahoy there lads! Sorry I'm late, the good Guillermo here was kind enough to make a little side trip to an interesting looking bush over yonder"
He and the gryphon nod to one another and touch paw to hand briefly before the gryphon spreads his wings and takes to the air.
He strides over rather quickly, but he has an obvious limp, and as he gets closer it is obvious that there is something odd about the shape of his right leg. He is wearing a beat up old breastplate, and has a crossbow that's seen better days hanging at his side. He holds an ugly knobbed stick that he uses to occasionally help himself over a bump in the ground.
He is smaller than average for a gnome, and all of the copious amounts of hair on his head and face is white.
He grins widely around at everyone as he gets into conversational range.
"Name's Arnie. A pleasure to meet my fellow thrill seekers."
Faran nods his head a bit as he sees the gnome approach, looking over him with a raised brow. "Greetings, Arnie. I'm Faran, it is a pleasure." He pauses before looking down towards the obviously disfigured man's leg. "I mean no respect, are you well to be exploring such a dungeon?"
Molasbar eyes Arnoldo with a raised eyebrow. Welcome. If you had to guess, you'd say he didn't really mean it.
Rygal gauges the gnome, curious of his wounded leg and petite stature; in fact, he is not impressed in the slightest in regards of appearance of his teammates. Some of them are handsome to be sure, but he would never have considered them serious adventurers by way of a first glance. Then again, he has seen many a deeper side to folks he's met on the roads, and the advantage of pessimism is to be pleasantly surprised.
"Greetings. Rygal Archer."
Now that the initial foray team is all here, shall we confirm our terms?
Any treasure recovered shall be split amongst those present when recovered. We'll do the division each time we exit the tomb. If anyone should die during the process, their share will be sent back on the next available griffon, along with any personal possession we could recover. If any remains can be recovered without tremendous risk, those too shall be sent back by griffon. The nobles who engaged us for this task can see to hiring out for restoration of life or distributing your belongings to family, based on the wishes you established with them.
If anyone is here for purely religious or personal goals and does not desire monetary reward, just let us know and you'll be excluded from the division.
Any arcane relics or devices recovered may be wielded by a member of our group for the benefit of all. However, when we retire to divide gains, the item will either be sent back via griffon to be sold or claimed by a member of the group. If claimed, the estimated value will be deducted from that individual's share. If the claim is contested, we will draw straws for possession.
"Well met Arnie." The lean and frankly a tad scraggy looking dwarf extends a hand.
"Call me 'Love'." "That's 'Bottle'" He said indicating Keegan. "He has another name but he can tell you himself."
"The big guy is Faran." "He's good with that sword, I hope to keep him bored and happy."
"You've met 'Rygal'. He's a follower of Desna unless I misread that holy symbol."
"The man in brown is Molasbar, A wizard. He has a Rockbrother out searching for the entrance at the moment."
"Think that's everyone."
"Rygal found this path near where we landed." It might be a supply trail for the Tomb. Or what's left of the road the builders used. "
"We are taking a gander to see how it runs." "You want to come along or stay here?"
Love looks directly into the gnomes eyes, "Forgive the bluntness but is that leg of yours going to be a problem?"
"Sometimes on jobs like this you need to move fast. Especialy if things go wrong. Will you be able to keep up?"