Tyrant's Grasp: The Dead Roads [IC]

[DrK]

Helena looks at the small plant and pats her gently on the shoulder, ”Its creepy isn’t it? I feel from the pictures and the art it should be safe but the things that seem to be here don’t bode well. But I’m sure with the inheritors grace we can escape and work out what is happening.”

Behind her Grum looks in the lid and shakes his head. ”bloomin empty. Cheap bast***” before stomping back to the main chamber and sending a mote to the nearest openings to the north and south. “which one eh?” he asks the room at large.

[lostsole31]

"Hey, Grum!" calls Drake. "What the hell?! Didn't you hear me? I need your glowy inside this reefer-torky so I can see."

[DrK]

Grum shakes his head and moves essentia from his lion’s mane, a third more popping out of his hands and then descending into the refectory.

[lostsole31]

Drake looks inside and describes what he saw. Although the sarcophagus is empty, the interior of the lid is carved with a slender angelic woman with a benevolent gaze surrounded by clouds, looking down as though from a great height. Words around the image read, “O Arazni, the Red Crusader, Watch Over My Eternal Rest.”

[DrK]

Helena glances around and wonders what Arazni has to do with the tomb. She glances at Drake, Sal and Camael, ”Have you encountered Arazni in your home?” she wonders herself how Arazni relates to things.

As she wonders Grum makes the choice and stomps towards the door to the north. ”Aye, be this one. I’ll be having a look.” he offers as he stomps up to the way in to that room.

[lostsole31]

The only thing the party knows about Arazni off the top of their heads is what Helena might have shared with them. I assume she shared that with them, but I don't assume that she shared the rumors that there was a scandal that hung over Roslar after his heroic death, as that might negatively reflect on the Knights of Ozem.

Grum has one mote out over towards the rest of the room, and directs on right into the room he heads towards. The mote reveals several long stone slabs line the walls of this room like shelves. The shelves are pitted with acid and contain scraps of old cloth. A few chunks of bone litter the floor.

[DrK]

Grum looks back at the others, ”This one be empty. Or at least looks empty. More shelves and other junk. Come and gie me a hand.” he barks as he heads into the room and has a look around the left hand side.

[lostsole31]

The three men in the room that you can't see anymore ignore the dwarf as they're doing their own search in that room.

Gwennid joins Grum in what appears to have been possibly the servant's crypt.

What kind of search is Grum intending to do in here?

[DrK]

Grum looks at Gwen, ”ye go east I’ll go west?” he suggests, “just gie it a quick sweep aye?” he offers as he starts to quickly check shelves and tombs, pausing to cast detect magic and sweep the room.

[lostsole31]

Gwennid gives a quick nod and they begin their search and scan. Nearly 20 of Roslar’s loyal retainers, squires, and servants were laid to rest here, each on a slab carved with the servant’s name and position.

The ostovites discovered this room at some point and apparently consumed nearly all the bones here, but in the process, their acidic saliva weakened the stone. The slabs along the northern wall, farthest from the archway entry, are now dangerously unstable and function collectively as a trap if touched.

Grum spent too much time on the surface and away from the blessed halls, caves, and tunnels of his original home. Enough that his worries and experience have been less about a connection to the stone around him rather than corruption. But he's still a dwarf, and readily recognizes an "incidental trap" - a trap caused by natural or incidental dangers, rather than a malicious one. One the stone slabs that will surely give way if he messes with it is a single little etched stone next to a non-magical gold ring.

Gwennid notices the danger shortly after. "Uh-oh. Don't touch. Rocks fall. You die."

[DrK]

Grum glances at GWen and gestures at the ring and the rock. "It be magic. How dangerous does it be?" he asks. Then he turns to look back at the others, "Do any of you be having a long pole? I needs to grab something " As he says something Helena approaches and looks at the room. "The tomb contains servants it appears, and they ate all the bones."

Looking about she listens as Grum explains the trap. Looking at the ring and the bauble she smiles and waves a hand, a flickering small pincer of force floating across the room to scoop up the ring and etched ring. Floating back across the room she looks with her magical senses examining it carefully.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Detect magic it identify the items
Mage hand to pick up the items from a distance away
Spellcraft/ Know (Arcana) as needed to examine to try and ID it

[lostsole31]

The menfolk finished their 2-1/2 minute search of Roslar's resting place (sans Roslar) and watch Helena artfully bring over a small bead and a ring.

The bead is magical. She studies its faint aura. She mentions some things about the aura - maybe in shifting patterns or colors - but she doesn't even know what school it represents, likely because of the faintness of the aura.

Sal holds out his hand to Helena. "May I?"

[DrK]

She nods, ”of course, please take a look, do you have many magical trinkets where you are from.”. As she and Sal discuss the magical items and the ring Grum looks down to Gwen and then at the coffins

”Brave soldiers nae doubt . Now bones be ruined by wee monsters” he adds tapping one of the nearby coffins and offering a salute. “one more to go before the glowing one aye?” he says to Gwen and Drake once Sal and Helena have finished as he goes motions a mote of light towards the SE most archway and walks up to the opening.

[lostsole31]

Sal takes the bead and looks at it, seemingly concentrating. "Okay, I'm getting that it is something mental, something that compels an action or state of being."

With Sal's insight, and with Sal and Helena working the clues, she realizes that this must be a bead of blessing that was separated from a strand of prayer beads ... or more correctly, the other beads were removed, as this bead is still connected to the string it came with, for any strand disconnected from the main loses power. Helena knows that once a day, the owner of such a bead can ask for a blessing from the gods. Usually it is for increased ferocity in battle, but on rare times it might be something else.

Spoiler: Helena

Show

It seems that whatever his lore of magic is, his intuitive connection to understanding magical auras, at least, is better than your own. It's only when it comes down to actual knowledge of what the item might be that you surpass him, yet he still is a perspicacious young man that provides valuable insight.

Now, HOW he saw a magical aura without casting detect magic? That you don't know.

While this happens, Gwennid was looking at the gold ring. It is definitely styled like wedding ring, stating "For Aloisius; my love, my heart, my morning dove." It is probably worth some gold.

Over to the south, Grum is at the doorway, having sent his mote in, and looking in ... with Drake and Camael on either side behind him. The stone walls of this room are carved to resemble an airy stable with a large stone box at the southern end. The lid of the box is cracked and corroded, as though from powerful acid. An illustration of a lean, regal stallion and the words “No Greater Friend Hath a Man Than His Loyal Steed” are chiseled into the stone above the box.

Suddenly launching out of the horse-crypt is a most hideous sight. It is an amalgamation of bones that only somewhat resembles a horse; its skull sits too close to its torso and one leg has been attached in the wrong spot, and it appears as if someone who has never seen a real horse tried to put the bones together of one.

Begin Round One ...

R1T21: In light of this unholy terror, there is a strange sensation all around. Everyone can almost hear a faint ringing in their ears as if something in local reality is no longer in line with the rest of reality. Camael's eyes glow a golden yellow as he intones some eldritch language, his voice becoming almost super-real with an echoed quality, while his free hand goes to something under his shirt and narrow cravat. Completing some rite, everyone feels rejuvenated with a sense of victory over one's enemies. That feeling remains, though the sense of disjunction from reality - the tinnitus and Camael's glowing eyes - fade.

He sets the hooded lantern down on the ground.

R1T19: Helena, you are still girded with buckler, but not bow. What do you do?

[DrK]

Helena looks up from the bead in surprise at the commotion seeing the bony horse over Grum’s head. ”By her light.” she mutters as she whips out her bow, drops into an elaborate crouch and launches an arrow that sizzles with glowing red fire.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Swift: stance piercing rays
Move: draw bow
Standard: silver strike (risky attack)
(1d20+6)[8] or (1d20+6)[8] dam (1d8+4)[10] + (1d6)[6] fire

PBS not included
What did Camael’s effect do?

[lostsole31]

R1T19: Helena looks up from the bead in surprise at the commotion seeing the bony horse over Grum’s head. ”By Her light,” she mutters as she whips out her bow, drops into an elaborate crouch and launches an arrow that sizzles with glowing red fire that completely misses and hits the far wall with a shatter of splinters and ember. Not even the bless spell she recognized Camael casting could help her with how badly she lined up her shot.

R1T15: Sal gets into his own archer's stance, one as distinct as Helena's, but distinctly different. He concentrates, and there is a thrumming sound around him only momentarily, including a slight distortion of the air in front of him that is gone as quickly as it might have been noticed. He then steps up behind Grum.

R1T13: Grum, what do you do?

[DrK]

Grum looks up at the massive collection of bones and hooves. Stepping to the attack he chopped down once with aggressive force. He then spins the blade to block anymore attacks

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Risky attack (1d20+8)[21] dam (2d6+10)[17]
Warding blade AoO if attacked (1d20+6)[19] dam (2d6+10)[18]

Not included: Bless

[lostsole31]

R1T13: Grum looks up at the massive collection of bones and hooves. Stepping in to attack he chops down once with aggressive force for 12 mod. He then spins the blade to block anymore attacks and in doing so, he is inspired with martial prowess.

R1T11: Grum sees that creepy little ostovite sitting inside the rib cage. Many tendrils extrude from it to keep the bones together and move them like some morbid puppet master. The thing yanks around on the weird flesh puppet strings it made to kick at Grum. Grum's blade smashes into the bone horse chariot for 13 mod, blocking the attack.

R1T8: Gwennid dashes past Grum inside that room. The horse awkwardly kicks them with a bony hoof, clobbering Gwennid in the wing as they pass by for 7 mod. Gwennid gives a start and turns, casting some sort of fey magic. A riot of colors burst forth to wash over the horse and its rider, but missing Grum. The tendrils all reflex, and the bone chariot collapses around its rider.

R1T6: Drake moves in and takes a quick look at it before dropping his machete and powerfully as he can ... critting and splattering the ostovite.

Combat Ends!

[DrK]

Helena shakes her head, ”More disgusting beasts.” and looks down at her quiver with some concern.

At the front Grum with a mote of light by his head moves south into the chamber where the horse came from looking about with interest. ”You hurt Gwen?” he asks offering to help numb the pain with Gorum’s blessing

Spoiler: Fervour

Show

If Gwen would like healing spend a fervour (1d6)[2] healing

[lostsole31]

Gwennid looks up to Grum. You can't see their mouth, but there is a slight widening of the cheekbones and the eyes are practically gleaming. Camael comes up the other side and intones magic and touches Gwennid for 6 healing. A light bruise remains.

In addition to the arch that leads into this room, there is another, smaller exit from this room. The crumbled bottom of the southeastern wall leads to a small tunnel about 1 foot wide.

The box that once held the steed Abdell's bones holds silver and jade adornments from the decayed bridle that might be worth something, and it is collected (non-magical).

It only took the party a minute-and-a-half to do a quick search of Abdell's resting area. During that time, Gwennid put as many of the bigger, easier-to-handle bones back in the horse's resting area.

Where to now?

[DrK]

Grum looks at the jewels and the bones, his innate dwarven avarice for shiny things twitching before he shakes his head. ”Leave the beastie his gold eh? I’ll loot an enemy but I not be stealing frae a man’s pony.”

He stomps out to the central chamber and glances at the arch with the red glow. ”All clear sage that one? Ye be ready?” he asks.

Helena nods ”Yes constable. I’m ready. Let’s hope there are no more of these foul ostovites.”

Grim nods to Gwen, Drake, Sal and Camael and stomps to the opening in the SW that had the red glow. Helena following some 10ft behind, her comforting presence keeping Grum safe.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Grum moves 1E from light bangle (dropping to 2 motes) and puts it into Lions Heart
Motes are by Sal and by Grum

[lostsole31]

The party starts to fall in some after dropping the bejeweled bridle into the bronco's broken bone box.

Camael adjusts the hooded lantern's dial to bring the light way down on the lantern as glare is starting to become an issue, and Sal picks up his pack. Gwennid notes that Sal has trouble with his pack and the gear he has, and casts a spell on him. Sal finds he is much more comfortable than before and nods to Gwennid. "Thanks."

Grum steps just into the hallway, and the first thing he sees is a small alcove on the east wall of this hallway that contains stone shelves with some boxes and bags. On the floor are several shiny plates of insectile exoskeleton that glimmer with a faint red glow.

To the south in the room beyond, he sees a fat, man-sized bug sitting on the wall in that room, but not reacting to party light's or anything and just hanging out.

[DrK]

Grum pauses looking at the bug then advances slowly, ”Hope ye not be squeamish, there be a bug in ‘ere.” he says as he slowly walks forward. “Also be some stuff on a shelf that may be useful.” he adds

Helena follows carefully and searches over the boxes and shelves, bow slung on a shoulder ”Oh, that is a big bug.” she exclaims as she catches sight of it.

[lostsole31]

When she passes Grum, she sees there are actually two big bugs on the wall, each with glowing red abdomens.

[DrK]

Grum advances past Helena, ”Search the shelves missy. I’ll watch yer back.”

He advances 10ft to the south to cover Helena and keeps an eye on the bugs, sword in hand.

[lostsole31]

Grum steps into that southwestern room. This wide room has a hallway leading out of the north wall and a set of stairs leading up to the east. An elaborately lifelike image carved into the south wall depicts a mustachioed knight kneeling before a slender woman with feathery wings. The woman holds a rapier above her head with one hand while the other is extended to the knight, who is kissing it. Lettering above the image reads, “Faithfulness Always to the Red Crusader.”

There are also THREE bugs in here. And now that Grum stomps in here with his green light, NOW they come to life with an angry whirr!

Begin Round One ...

R1T20: Hearing the mentioned beetles come to life, Gwennid forms their spear in their hand and flies in to aid their fellow small folk (height, not size category, mind you). They maintain a flying position at level and strike the southernmost beetle with the spear for 12, and it falls off the wall to the ground.

R1T17: Sal closes while re-entering his shooting stance, passes Helena, and then lets loose with a perfect strike that hits Blue for 8 + disabled + sickened.

R1T14: Then it is Drake's turn and he runs in and hits the third beetle for 10, knocking it to the ground.

R1T12: Helena, two downed beetles, and one that barely has anything left in it. What do you do?

[DrK]

Helena looks at the carnage and then sighs. ”Poor beasts” she murmurs as she finishes rummaging in the boxes.

Grum nods in approval, a cheerful ”Nice one lassie.” to Gwen and a nod to Drake and Sal. “aye, heading upstairs aye?” he suggests as he moves to stomp on up the stairs once Helena has finished

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Helena looks at the carnage and then sighs. ”Poor beasts” she murmurs as she begins rummaging through the supplies on the shelf.

R1T11: Blue hops from the wall to the ground, but is too badly crippled to continue the fight.

R1T10: Camael hustles down to the beetle-room to see what's happening.

R1T6: Grum nods in approval, a cheerful, ”Nice one lassie,” to Gwen and a nod to Drake and Sal. “Aye, heading upstairs, aye?” he suggests as he moves to stomp on up the stairs once Helena has finished.

R1T4: From the shattered carapace of the beetle under Helena's and Sal's feet bursts forth an ostovite that was hiding! It snaps at Helena with its weird little mouth and a shrill screech.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T20: Gwennid tries to put the disabled bug out of its misery but the beetle flaps its wings to protect itself. That startles Gwennid and they drop their glowing light-spear and accidentally punt it. It bounces all around the room, nearly missing everyone, before it winks out of existence. "Sorry," Gwennid mutters forlornly.

R2T17: Sal seems to study the ostovite, concentrates, and puts a hand on Helena's shoulder - the only member of the party to be able to do that comfortably. Sal's eyes take on a faint red, lambent glow as he does so.

R2T14: Drake hits the disabled beetle for 7, dropping it.

R2T12: Helena, Sal's touch almost overwhelms you with a weird euphoria. So much information flashes in your mind. Your analytical mind can't parse it out, but you still have an ostovite at your feet (in your square). What do you do?

Camael on deck, Grum in the hole ...

[DrK]

Helena lets out a squeak as the ostovite leaps out at her. Jumping back she lashes out with buckler seeking to bash it away. She shakes her head, ”What did you do?” she calls to Sal as she strikes.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

5ft north
Swift: enter silver crane waltz stance
Standard: buckler bash risky attack (1d20+6)[25] dam (1d3+3)[5]

Not sure what Sal did

[lostsole31]

R2T12: Helena lets out a squeak as the ostovite leaps out at her. Jumping back she lashes out with buckler seeking to bash it away. She shakes her head, ”What did you do?” she calls to Sal as she strikes. But it is at the instant that she goes on muscle memory and instinct and no longer thinks directly about what he did so much as ask him, that she gets a sense. As she attacks, her mind sees a series of possibilities, like slight adjustments this way or that leading to greater success ... or abject failure. Her mind latches on a possibility and her buckler comes down onto the ostovite for 5.

"Did it help?" asks Sal.

R2T10: Camael says to the two in his room, "They aren't dead yet," before coming north to join the fray. He swings his mace down hard for 13, then again more quickly and and with greater he strikes again for 17, smushing the ostovite.

"I just imparted a bit of my sight to you," says Sal.

Combat Ends!

Given Camael's advice, Sal and Gwennid make short work of the fire beetles.

"Hey, we can save your magic and our oil if we coat something sizeable in the bioluminescence of of the beetle-juice," offers Sal.

"Hey!" says Drake sternly. "Don't say that anymore."

"What, Beetlejuice?" asks Sal with a smirk.

It is also during this time that people seem to have a sense that Camael's power from the previous fight is no longer with them.