The Rod of the Seven Parts - IC

[The_Snark]

Angel

Angel moves just behind Lyle as he searches the graves, seemingly reluctant yet again to let him go too far ahead. It's slow going, though, leaving the warforged plenty of time to think over the difficulty of the door.

Eventually, she ventures to Alain, "Maybe the gnome could help with the writing on the door?"

[Cogito]

Lyle's search is successful, though probably not in the way he wanted. The first grave he searches contains an Elven skeleton, complete with armor and weaponry quite similar to that of the ghost. And so do all the others he can reach from the ground.

The only difference between the graves is the ornate writing on the wall of each alcove (which Lyle can't decipher), probably displaying the names and/or rank of the dead.

[Maurkov]

Otho

Disappointed, Otho says, "Considering, I suppose we should be happy that there was only one ghost. We should take at least one of these up with us-- for archeological purposes."

*Detect Magic*

"Maybe more."

[Wiz]

Alain Cannith

The wizard looks thoughtful, "We might want to be careful about disturbing the dead, considering at least one of them has decided to manifest itself here again. After the threats are removed, then the archaeologists can do their work."

[Sepp]

Horus Kiast

"I have to agree with you. Disturbing entomed elves is likely a poor decision."

[Maurkov]

Otho

"If you ask me, this whole thing is an abomination. After you're dead, your body should be returned to Eberron, not offered to Kyber-- even symbolically. We should unentomb the lot, disenchant them, and toss them in the jungle to finally rot.

"As for practicality, almost all spirits long ago departed for Dolurrh and are not coming back. Those that linger should be... given directions."

"But all that is old religion. I will bow to the will of the majority."

With little artiface Otho adds, "There could be loot."

[BurntOfferings]

Lyle

Leaning down to the gnome druid's ear, Lyle asks quietly, "So, do you see anything worth bringing back for... closer examination?" He then looks up at the graves higher in the wall, wondering if he'd simply find more of the same.

[Cogito]

While Lyle is wondering about the graves that lie out of his reach, Otho's magical gaze wanders over all of them.
It takes a bit, but finally the druid notices several magical auras of no special shool, high up and almost below the ceiling.

[Maurkov]

Otho points.

"I don't know if those are loot or traps, though. You're probably best equipped to deal with either. Need a lift?"

Otho makes room on the (Air Walking) dire wolf.

[BurntOfferings]

Lyle

With some reservations, Lyle climbs aboard the dangerous-looking animal, holding on tightly as they soar up to the interesting site.

"Steady now. This will take a few minutes." Holding his torch high, Lyle carefully examines the region of the wall that Otho indicated as magical.

Spoiler

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Lyle is going to take his time and take a 20 on his Search check, for a Search result of 36 (or 40, if there are two or more active abjuration spells within 10 feet of each other for 24 hours or more).

Just in case there's a trap, here's the Disable Device check: (1d20+18)[37]

[Sepp]

Horus Kiast

Horus moves back ten feet, to be out of the splash zone. "Be careful" is all he says, turning his attention to the hallways about them.

Spoiler

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Watching for an ambush, just in case.

[Cogito]

Now Lyle and Otho are close to the auras, they can see a more elaborate alcove , heavily worked with gold and inlays. In the alcove you see a single Elf skeleton with a burial armor similar to those of the other graves. There are four auras alltogether and they seem to come from the armor, the shield, the sword, and an amulet arount the skeleton's neck.

Careful not to fall down, Lyle searches for any traps or magical runes that might protect the grave, but can find nothing. Everything seems save; the Elven warrior's arms and armor are within arm's reach.

[Maurkov]

Otho

Otho dismounts (but stays close enough to continue sharing the spell with Vandalin). He takes the sword first, then the amulet, then the shield. Once those are stowed in saddlebags, he'll take the armor in pieces.

((If no surprises happen...))

When the three descend, Otho says, "Thank you for your patience. I hate leaving a tomb empty handed."

[Cogito]

You can pack everything without interruption.

[The_Snark]

Angel

As Otho and Lyle finish bringing down the elf's shield, Angel speaks up. "If spells will work on the wall around the door, is that protected by magic also? I could likely bring that down." More than she usually says at once; it sounds as if she's been thinking this over a while.

[Wiz]

Alain Cannith

The wizard nods, "Why don't we try that tomorrow after resting. I think we've made an excellent initial foray."

[Sepp]

Horus Kiast

Horus rubs his hands together, nodding. "You're the mage, Alian, whatever you think is best."

[Maurkov]

Otho

Otho happily takes his prizes to the surface. "Amazing what you can find in a giant's tomb," he says just as the mercenaries emerge.

"Anything happen up here while we were gone?"

[Cogito]

The group emerges into the warm, wet jungle air and is somewhat surprised that it is already dark; the moonlight is just enough to let everybody see enough to get back out of the ruins and into the camp.

The moment the party is back, Dorian comes out of his tent, apparently rather interested in what you have to report.
When he sees that every single mercenary has returned, he he claps his hands a few times. "Brilliant! I knew I got the right people for this. So, what did you find out?"

[Maurkov]

Otho

Otho answers, "We learned that the giants have loyal servants and really big doors. The servant was the ghost of an elf, which we dispersed, but I suspect hasn't found his way to Dolurrh just yet. Alain can tell you about the door."

He breaths deep, enjoying the night air.

[Wiz]

Alain Cannith

The wizard looks impressed, "Multiple spells, tightly interwoven. The spells come together into a form that looks like Giant's script, but I am still working on mastering the language, so I couldn't tell you exactly what it said."

[Cogito]

At the description of the door Dorian's eyes light up.
"I knew it!", he cries joyfully, his voice higher than normal. "I can't wait to see it myself, is it save enough to venture down there without you, or-do-we-have-to-wait-until-tomorrow?", he asks the group, only quickly mumbling the last part.

[Wiz]

Alain Cannith

The wizard looks thoughtful, "It's probably best we wait until the morrow, go in fresh."

[Sepp]

Horus Kiast

"You have to wait for tomorrow, I am afraid. But don't worry, it's waited ten thousand years, another day won't matter."

[Maurkov]

Otho

"Not safe. The ghost could return. What's for dinner?"

[Cogito]

"Aww, well...." Dorian says disappointedly.
He then turns around to go back to his tent, pointing over to another, larger one. "Food will be brought to your tent, I'll see you tomorrow." Having said that, he leaves.

[Sepp]

Horus Kiast

Horus heads to the large tent eagerly, anticipated dinner. Nothing like a hot meal to help him relax.

[Cogito]

Unsurprisingly, the inside of the tent is just the same mossy white as the outside. The tent would have enough room for 10 people, but there are only enough beds for your group. The beds are nothing luxurious, but as it is quite unusual to even have beds...
As Horus enters a round table is just being loaded with rather good-smelling food. It seems that this camp has an excellent hunter, and a great chef, and you wonder if this would be the case if Dorian wasn't the leader of it.

[Maurkov]

Otho

"Vandalin, Guard."

Otho enters the tent. He tries out a bed. He strips off his armor and leaves it in a pile on the lower half (like he'd need the leg room), then helps himself to the repast, piling a plate high. More from habit than distrust, he Purifies it (offering the same service to the others), and digs in. He lingers over the wine.

Later, he puts Vandalin on stay and heads for bed. "Wake me," *Yawn*, "if you have to."

[The_Snark]

Angel

Angel isn't at all sure why it's so unsafe to be going back down somewhere they had only just come from. After all, wouldn't the ghost be more likely to come tomorrow than to appear again so soon?

Still, it looked as if the others needed the food and rest. They'd had to do a fair bit of walking to get here, after all. The odd warforged stops outside their tent with the wolf (it had to sleep too, didn't it?) and settles into a stable position next to the entrance, at rest resembling a slightly larger-than-life statue of a woman in plate mail.