Celestial Winter

[Thymin]

Elledan:

The feel of the blade as it severs the soft tissue of the demon dog brings a wry smile to Elledan's face, and with it's collapse, a wild chuckle escapes from his mouth. He pulls the flat of the blade across the beast's hide to remove most of the blood, then retrieves a small cloth from his pack to wipe off the rest. He watches the newcomer in silence, to make sure that he was still able to walk. Elledan sheathed his weapon and approached Heath and whispered, "So. What is the statue's secret?"

[Kaihaku]

The corpse is that of a slightly chubby man with graying black hair. He wears the torn and blood spattered robes of a follower of the dragon. The staff resembles the one seen outside, tipped with a crystal in which a flame dances only this flame is white. There are several pouches on the man; one holds spell components, one holds two hundred and seventy six silver pieces, and one holds four potions. There is also a ring of keys on the belt. The bag holds an elegantly crafted light silver shield that bears the image of a griffin, five scrolls in an unknown language, a heavy wax candle, two bottles of wine, and a small marble statue of a beetle. Interesting the bag is clearly magical, holding items in the typical strange otherworldly manner. The man also wears a emerald amulet, a copper circlet, fine leather boots, and two rings.

[Ridai]

Kai puts the potions into the bag and takes the ring of keys. He picks up the pouch filled with silver coins, looks inside and takes out a coin. The young man looks lost in thought while he considers taking the money and valuables with him. The total worth would make life much easier for his mother Dera. But she would ask where they came from. Dera always knew when Kai was lying or hiding something and trying to give her a dead man's belongings would surely anger her. He might cause even more gossiping about his mother and himself, and Dera deserves better than that. Feeling a faint sting of frustration, Kai drops the coin back into the pouch and just lets it fall to the ground.

The young man drops the staff and bag near the statue where the others are and pours some of the wine over the mark left by the daemon's claw. "Might wanna check this stuff and the corpse for anything magical. Could be useful. I'll go check the two open rooms." Kai soon mostly stops favoring his wounded leg and searches the rooms behind the open doors in the unlit corridor, burning torch in hand.

[Thymin]

Elledan:

When Heath didn't immediately respond, Elledan assumed that he was deep in thought about the mystical nature of the statue, or something. He left Heath to his thoughts, and followed after the newcomer. When he catches up to him, Elledan only says a few short sentences. "Well done back there. I am Elledan of Lonepine, what can I can you?" He offers his hand in the traditional manner of greeting.

[Ridai]

Kai turns his side towards the stranger and shakes his hand. Even though he tries to carefully dose how much strength he puts into the handshake (he actually broke someone's hand that way in anger), he doubts that it will be that much less uncomfortable for the other. "Kai."

As the young man lets the torch's light fall through the open doors, considering which room he should investigate first, he comments on what is normally just a set phrase to him. "Compared to the pack of phantom wolves I fought, this fight was pretty tame, especially with other people going toe-to-toe this time around, which means I was too reckless, even more so with that no-healing-curse on me." Kai decides to go into the right-hand room first and then the opposite.

[Thymin]

Elledan:

Returning the handshake with his not inconsiderable strength, Elledan replies, "Well met, Kai. Do you know how long will this no-healing curse will last?" He then follows Kai to ensure that there is no more danger in the side rooms.

[Ridai]

"Until Harvest's elders remove it after we're done here." Kai remembers to get his bow while searching the room and gets it before continuing.

[Thymin]

Elledan:

"Well then, that gives us yet another reason to be done here as quickly as possible, though I know not our next move." Elledan tried to remember anything that might be a clue about the temple of his god, but held out more hope that one of the others would have a better idea.

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Knowledge - (1d20)[15]
Not the right character for this job...

[Ridai]

"I'd say we grab everything helpful out of these rooms we can find with a once-over and go deeper into the Sanctum." Suffice to say, Kai has never been very religious. "Doubt a god cares about borrowing a couple of worldly things to avoid dying prematurely."

[Kaihaku]

The southern room appears to be a study of some sort. The walls are lined with shelves holding various tomes, scrolls, and arcane oddities. There are signs of struggle here, overturned chairs and singed carpet but the only corpse in the room is that of a strange twisted creature, a hideous goblin of a humanoid.

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DC 12 (2 Synergy Bonus with Knowledge(Arcana) and Spellcraft)

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You deduce that several of the scrolls contain spells. You collect twelve scrolls that will need identification or to be cast blindly.

DC 15

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You discover a strange charm around the neck of the slain creature. It is forged of coarse iron in the shape of a starburst.

DC 17 (2 Synergy Bonus with Knowledge(Arcana) and Spellcraft)

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You discover a marble chess set inlaid with gold and engraved with silver runes. You suspect that it has magical properties of some sort.

DC 17

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You discover several potions and elixirs scattered throughout the room. You collect six potions that will need identification or to be consumed blindly.

DC 32 + Knows Draconic

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Amongst the hundreds of ancient tomes one in particular catches your eye. It is a treatise on health and contains mystical advisement on the topic.

The northern room appears to be a small armory of an unusual nature. There are few conventional weapons to be found here but there are dozens of rods, wands, and staves. It appears that someone knocked over a rack of staves at some point but there are no further signs of disturbance here.

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DC 11 (2 Synergy Bonus with Knowledge(Arcana) and Spellcraft)

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There is a row of five staves that are identical to the one wielded by the gatekeeper.

DC 13

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There is a row of six metal staves with tips that glow with power.

DC 13 (2 Synergy Bonus with Knowledge(Arcana) and Spellcraft)

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There is a rack holding thirty rods of various natures. They can be used as weapons but if they possess magical properties they will either need identification or to be triggered blindly.

DC 14 (2 Synergy Bonus with Knowledge(Arcana) and Spellcraft)

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There is a great rack of magical wands. There are almost fifty of them in total but they will either need identification or to be cast blindly.

DC 16

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There is a quiver of arrows hanging in the shadows beside the rack of wands. Closer examination reveals that the arrows are of the highest quality and come in red, blue, green, and blacks; perhaps hinting at some magical properties.

DC 22

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There is a halberd resting neglected in one corner of the room. A thin layer of dust covers it but it only takes a single inspection to note that it is a weapon of high quality.

DC 25 + STR DC 35 or Open Lock DC 25

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There is a locked chest under the rack of rods. Opening it you discover three glowing silver daggers that are clearly magical in nature.

DC 41

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There is a golden ring lost on the floor beneath the rack of wands. It mimics a ring of dragonscales.

Aldr watches the other explore the rooms with a worried expression on his face but he stays near Heath. Dack follows the Kai and Elledan, introducing himself at the proper time but keeping alert for further dangers.

[Ridai]

Kai takes the amulet off of the creature to add it to the pile later. He doesn't care that much about the scrolls after examining one, because they won't be very helpful if that guy staring at the statue keeps acting like he did in the past few minutes.

The other room holds nothing of interest for Kai, so he leaves it rather quickly. The young man carefully approaches the other two doors further down the corridor and tries to open them with the ring of keys.

[Thymin]

Elledan:
Searching the rooms for anything potentially useful, Elledan collects the chess set, the potions, the scrolls, the rods and the staves placing them in the appropriate compartments of his efficient quiver and handy haversack. I never would have guess just how useful these would be, he thought to himself as everything fit easily. He then hurried to catch up with Kai in case there was anymore trouble.

[Kaihaku]

The first door easily opens to the key revealing a small pantry of sorts lined with shelves holding bottles, potions, and salves. Fortunately, this time around a large number of them appear to be labeled in common.

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Search 4

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14 Salves of Bless Weapon
21 Potions of Bull's Endurance
12 Potions of Foxes' Cunning
15 Potions of Eagle's Splendor
20 Potions of Owl's Wisdom
31 Potions of Cure Light Wounds
16 Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds
17 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
3 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds
27 Bottles of Fine Wine
11 Flasks of Oil

Search 23

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3 Potions of Mirror Image
1 Potion of Blur
2 Salves of Ghost Touch
2 Potions of Cat's Grace
3 Potions of Heal

Search 37

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1 Bottle of Enlightening Wine

The second room leads to a small but well furnished bedroom. There is a short bed, a desk, a chair, and a single locked chest.

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Search DC 13

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The desk holds several parchments, most seem to be incomplete and botched spell scrolls. There is a also an abundance of common spell components, totaling approximately 24 gp in value.

Search DC 11 + Pick Lock DC 24

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The chest holds several bolts of shimmering fabric, a pouch of gold totaling 132, and a light silver chain coat that glows in the dark.

Search DC 11 + Strength Check 25

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Attempting to force the chest open you trigger a magical trap that jolts you with electricity - take 13 damage. With the chest now open you find a few changes of clothing and a spent wand.

Dack moves to examine of the fallen Daemons before beginning to walk around the entry hall looking for signs of interest.

Aldr remains hidden near the statue, taking no action other than to nervously keep an eye on his surroundings and on Heath.

[Ridai]

Kai looks at the many, many bottles until he sees the ones labeled Bear's Endurance. He reaches into his backpack, pulls out the potion Harvest's elders gave him and holds it next to them. He carefully compares it's smell with that of one of the other vials. As they seem to be quite similar, he takes three potions with him. "No idea what exactly they do, but the name sounds like I could safely drink that."

Kai gives another vial to Elledan. "Just remember to give me one of these instead of those" He points towards the various healing potions. "in case things get really ugly."

The young man doubts that those salves he also found would do anything if he smeared them onto his fists, put takes two oil flasks with him. Could be useful down the line. He doesn't really care about anything else he finds and goes back to the statue with the stuff he took with him, adding it to the pile in that strange bag.

"Those rooms are safe, better take a look at them and grab anything that could be useful to you. If someone could figure out if anything of this stuff is magical, that would be nice, too. I'll keep watch here." He goes over to the stranger who still stares at the statue. "So, what's with this thing?" Kai waits a short time for an answer and if the other doesn't respond, the young man claps very loudly and suddenly right in front of the stranger's face, shouting "HEY!".

[Thymin]

Elledan:

Elledan sees the potions in the storage closet and takes two of each*, thinking that they may come in handy later. In the next room he takes a moment to try an pick the lock on the chest, but to no avail. He decides not to smash it open out of respect for his god, and due to the fact that he was already carrying so many items and potions that may come in quite handy. He followed Kai out to the main room and jumped a little as he unexpectedly screamed and clapped his hands in front of Heath's face. Elledan walked up to Heath and placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Listen, Heath. I know that you're trying to figure out the puzzle of this statue, but we need to get moving."

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2 of each of these:
Salves of Bless Weapon, Potions of: Bull's Endurance, Foxes' Cunning, Eagle's Splendor, Owl's Wisdom, CLW, CMW, CSW, CCW.

Deposited in his handy haversack :)

[Kaihaku]

Aldr glances around nervously for a moment, then meekly suggests that he might be able to make some sense of the various items given enough time to look over it.

At this Dack wonders if there is enough time to stop given the situation in the valley, then suggests that Kai and Elledan continue further into the Sanctum while he keeps an eye on Heath and Aldr as they attempt to divine the mysteries before them. Though he does add that if things here stay safe he might follow after them in a bit.

[Ridai]

"Alright." Kai picks up his bow and follows the well-lit corridor, deeper into the sanctum.

[Thymin]

Elledan:

Elledan retrieves one of each of the cure potions and gives them to Dack telling him what each of them are called. Then he closes his pack and slings it over his shoulders again, and says, "We'll be back as soon as we can. Try to hurry them along and be after us." Then he looks to Kai and says, "Let's get moving." and follows after his new companion.

[Kaihaku]

After passing by the four sealed doors the lit passageway curves to lead deeper into the mountain. The two pass four more closed doorways, each locked, before they come to a large sprawling chamber that dwarves the entry room. Stalactites of all sizes hang from the ceiling above while the floor of the chamber is neatly laid with worked stone polished to a shine. Several large stalagmites ooze over the worked floor, testament to its age, but otherwise it is clear from the touch of nature.

There are several large statues of dragons positioned along the uneven walls, each identical to the one found in the entry hall. There are also doors and winding passages to be see among the rough unworked stone. Stairs on the right side of the chamber lead to a passage that clings to the inside of the cavern wall. There are three doors positioned on great stalagmites, leading to locales unknown. There are also six passages in the walls leading to other destinations in the sanctum. Two of them are cloaked in utter darkness but the others are lit. Finally there is a single great door hanging open at the far end of the chamber. It is sized for a dragon.

High above glimpses of smaller chambers can be seen, each carved into the cavern walls or even into particularly large stalactites. For the most part they appear to be studies, libraries, or arcane laboratories. Ancient tomes, arcane implements, and odd devices are to be seen everywhere.

At first glance there appears to be no signs of movement, however a closer glance reveals...

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Spot 18

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There appear to be a few bats roosting high in the stalactites above. It's difficult to determine from this distance but they appear to be average sized.

Spot 21

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There are signs of conflict here. Besmirching splotches of blood, a few charred burn marks, and several overturned books. There are, however, no signs of bodies whatsoever.

Spot 24

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Perhaps to some relief, you determine that the bats are normal sized and not exceptional in any visible way.

Spot 32

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You note that the dragon statues are each in different positions.

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Listen 16

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There is something rustling in the stalactites above.

Listen 22

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Whatever is in the stalactites above is very small, quite numerous, and fairly sedentary.

Listen 31

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The sound of thick splashes can be heard from the darkened passages. It sounds almost like pudding slowing dripping from a spoon.

The source of the sound doesn't seem to be coming closer or increasing in frequency. It is steady however.

Listen 33

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There are sounds of movement beyond the great door at the far end of the chamber. It's difficult to make out much more than that from this distance.

[Thymin]

Elledan:

Taking in the scene, it is not long before Elledan hears something rustling in the Stalactites above. "Keep Sharp. We may have more visitors..." He whispers to Kai.

[Ridai]

Kai looks up to the ceiling after Elledan's warning. "Yeah. Bats." He walks straight through the enormous hall towards the large open door. "If something wants to ambush us, it will ambush us and we can do nothing about that in here."

[Thymin]

Elledan:

"I suppose you're right about that. But which way do you think we should go?"

[Ridai]

"I'd say we start with the dragon-sized door and then check the others if that doesn't lead where we need to go."

[Thymin]

Elledan:

"Alright, lead away." Elledan replied as he retrieved his bow and a shaft from his magical quiver, to provide his companion with cover should he need it.

[Kaihaku]

The large chamber appears to have once been a great meeting hall, a place where all the people of the sanctum met for all purposes; food, study, and fellowship. Now it seems abandoned save for the bats far above.

The two villagers pass through the great doors at the far end of the chamber and come into a large rotunda. The domed ceiling high above is covered with glowing points of light, reminiscent of the night sky. Directly across from the entrance is another door, one elaborately crafted of what appears to be gold; it prominently features a great dragon's head with eyes of diamond. Around the left side of the chamber are three golden statues, each in the shape of a dragon as has been seen before. Most of the right side of the room is coated with a dark viscous slime which steadily drips down from a darkened portion of the ceiling above. There is no apparent smell to this corruption save for a sharp chill to the air. Where the three golden statues should stand along the right wall are instead three steaming heaps of melted gold covered with the ooze.

As the two peek their heads into the chamber the diamond eyes of the dragon's head upon the next door glow and its scaly features move as if it were alive as it speaks in a rumbling voice, “Khoon eav recta, vom tini rom sap sari. Humans of the Valley, I am the guardian of the inner sanctum. For over two hundred years I have given your kind free passage to the chambers of the master but now I have been sealed. You will not pass until my seal is broken either by authority, key, might, or cunning.”

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DC 8

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Drop by drop the ooze is growing.

DC 23

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The growing puddle of ooze is be moving.... It is so slow that it almost passes unnoticed but it is clearly moving. Of import it is not following the path of least resistance, instead it appears to be heading for the dragon headed door.

[Ridai]

The young man stays clear of the ooze. "I guess pleas for help won't break the seal." Kai comments and shrugs before he speaks up louder than before. "We were sent by the sages of Lonepine and Harvest and seek an audience with Erhardur." He isn't good with words, but he tries to keep Mallaidh's advice in mind. He tries to remember if she also mentioned anything about the guardian and maybe even it's seal.

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Diplomacy check with +5 bonus from Mallaidh's advice: (1d20+6)[19]
Knowledge (religion) check with +5: (1d20+5)[7]

[Thymin]

Elledan:

Steering clear of the ooze, Elledan thinks about the message. "Wait, it said by key didn't it? Don't you have the key, Kai?"

[Ridai]

"Yeah, but it's only for the outer gate, I think. Can't hurt, I guess." Kai takes out the key and shows it to the dragon head before trying to open the door with it.

[Kaihaku]

"How did you come to bear that key? No matter, I shall not bulge at its touch for it holds no authority over me." The door growls, then adds softly, "But think me only pleasantly obstinate, if through me you pass you will be glad for my resistance ere I am sealed once more behind thee."

"This is not the extinguish of hope however, though you bear not authority not the key to open me. I should warn you that I am endowed with great strength to resist those that would force me open. But there is one other chance, one other answer than that of conflict." The draconic door seems to smile, "Long ages ago when the Lord of this Sanctum first crafted me he gave me a command phrase that I should always obey to. If you were to speak those words I could open to you but I cannot tell them to you and none other living save my Lord knows them to tell you. But I can sense that your hearts are pure and that these times are dire so I will give you clues to what you must speak."

"There are three."

"The first."

"Brings about tides of blood,
flowing down rivers of flesh.
In moving it ensures life,
in rest it brings death."

"The second."

"Nurturer and destroyer,
it has a place in every home.
A double-edge sword that cannot be trusted,
it hungers eternally but never thirsts."

"The last."

"Scorned by those who have the greatest need of it,
lusted for by those who have an abundance.
Oft hidden in tree flesh, but easily found anywhere one looks.
More precious than gold, greater than might."

[Ridai]

Kai immediately thinks about a moment about two years back, when he almost bled to death after getting attacked by a pack of wolves, while hearing the first riddle. He looks down to a large scar on his hand that disappears under his sleeve and then turns to Elledan after all riddles have been told. "First one is heart." he says, keeping his voice low, and points to his own chest.

Kai presses his palm against his forehead as he thinks about the second riddle and eventually looks at the torch in his hand. "Maybe the second is fire?"

When he moves on to the third one, onlookers can see the gears in his head turning for a while. He looks frustrated when he speaks again. "It sounds like those riddles about poverty, but... Damn it, what is it... Life? I don't know."