3 - Shraevyn's Tomb

[Arbuthnott]

Watching Jack carefully stalk North, Amarandé listens to Kord's description with interest.

"That would be extremely concerning, if all is as it appears. Make no mistake, the undead are far worse than the stories do them justice," he glances over his shoulder at the gnome. "Did you get a sense of whether it is aware of it's surroundings? With luck, it could merely be an illusion."

[rauhric]

THEOATH "THEO" GRANGER
Human, LG, Paladin of Chauntea [3]
AC 5 | HP 16

---

Theo offers prayers to Chauntea to the fallen solider. He notices the darts in his chest and wonders if it was from an attacker or a trap. He wants to touch the darts but is suspicious of poison. Best leave them in the body for now. He does feel that maybe they could position the fallen soldier in a more dignified position. He moves him out of the way and leans him against a wall. "The darts ... do we suspect trap or enemy?"

Theo uses his eyes to the best of their human ability to determine what that shinny object might be. He is worried that he might set off a trap if his curiosity gets the better of him. Best those with better eye sight in these dark places determine the true nature of such an object.

---

 

OoC: He has his aura of protection 10' so stay close friends. Evil -1 attack.

Just searching at the moment from his position until he knows it is safe to wander about without setting off traps.

Edited April 30 by rauhric (see edit history)

[Lord Foul]

"What I don't understand is why this poor fellow has been left here, whereas there's no sign of any others anywhere we've been so far. Makes me think there must be something significant about him, either another trap or something left to help us."

"Best let Jack take a closer look at that shiny thing before you go grabbing things, Theo. There may be more of these poison darts... unless whatever trashed the place set 'em all off."

[Chaz Hoosier]

Jack Coldwater

HP: 23/23 AC: 6
 

---

Jack gives the corpse a sideways look before carefully searching for traps in the chamber. Finally, he investigates the shiny metal he spotted.

 

 

OOC

Find/Remove traps: 95%
Detect Noise: 85%

 

 

 

 

[cybersavant]

21 hours ago, Arbuthnott said:

"Did you get a sense of whether it is aware of it's surroundings? With luck, it could merely be an illusion."

Quote

Divination is the school of learning, enhancing the senses and revealing information

Kordannaghlan Penniesaver (gnome f2/th3) AC 09 Hp 16 thac0 19

 

"I didn't get close enough to find out." He looks down the other hall to see what Jack is up to.

 

Show this

broadsword thac0 19, 1att/rnd, 2d4/1d6+1, spd5; dagger thac0 19 2att/rnd, d4/d3; shortbow thac0 19, 2a/rnd, d6; backstab x2

gnome, common, giant, goblin, kobold

wi/10' passage slope 1-5 d6, wi/10' unsafe walls 1-7 d10, open locks 60%, find traps 45%, move silent 40%, hide in shadows 30%, detect noise 25%,

climb walls 70%

 

 

 

Edited April 27 by cybersavant (see edit history)

[Lord Foul]

"I don't know if it means anything... but we have a body this way and a spirit the other way. D'ya think the old spook's getting all philosophical with us again?"

 

[Arbuthnott]

Standing at the northern corner, leaning on his staff and watching Jack at work, Amarandé's fingers twitch as he prepares to throw up a featherfall the moment any darts are released.

"Aye, that could well be the case. It might not hurt to test that theory anyway, even if it proves unsubstantiated."

OOC: based on the state of decomposition, do we get a sense of roughly how long the body might have been there, or whether it's been preserved at all?

[Sellsword]

Huddled in the northern corridor, you consider your options. The apparition in the southern hall did not appear lucid--while the image itself wasn't static, the robes did flow as if stirred by a breeze, the apparition itself made no movement whatsoever. It was either unaware of Kord's presence, uncaring of Kord's presence, or not able to react at all.

As for the apparent Freedom Rider, the general state of decomposition of the body, upon inspection by Amarandé, matches up with the timeline of Randal Morn's foray into the tomb. Turning the body over, you can see that the darts were indeed likely the result of triggering a trap--this makes you hesitant to enter the chamber, but Amarandé is confident that no immediate threat lurks within and waves Theoath through. Two darts pierced the unfortunate soul's armor, and another two lie just within the chamber on the floor, likely deflected from their target. A pouch heavy with coin is tied to his belt.

The stone of the archway within the chamber is very old, much older than the surrounding rock. Though no one is experienced in masonry or architecture, Kord points out the varying color of the stones. The architecture of the arch is ancient--that the archway was or is in some way magical is apparent from the many runes inscribed upon the stone. Hazarding a guess, both Lirion and Amarandé agree that this is likely some kind of portal, though it seems inactive at the moment.

Bending over to examine the shiny object, Theoath finds it to be a silver plaque, bent and tarnished but still readable. A verse is etched into the once-beautiful metal.

An adventurer's story never ends, it goes on and on, over and again.

But past death's door and beyond each bend, are those who will take your every win.

To those I cry, begone and flee! Plunder another's resting place.

Better yet, turn to yourself and see that evil smile upon your face.

My treasures are gone, there's none to take, I've cast them out into Sigil,

Into Karten's hands for my own sake, allowing others to stand vigil.

Good luck my friends, turn tail and run, be warmed beneath the bright sun,

For knowing me is no guarantee of peace or even security.

 

Who Karten is and how is related to Shraevyn is unknown. The wreckage in the room appears to have been the work of Randal Morn's men--it looks recent. Peering at the floor in front of the portal, Valandil is able to determine that there are at least two distinct sets of footprints leading to the portal--as if someone may have gone through--but no footprints showing that they returned. There does not seem to be any readily-apparent way to activate the portal, and there is little else of interest in the chamber.

OOC: Despite careful inspection, no other traps are evident in this room.

[Excior]

Valandil searches the body of the fallen freedom rider for any information that may be useful he also takes the full coin purse and anything else of value. "We will need this more than he." was his only comment. The elf then stands and searches the room for hidden doors or devices that might activate the portal.

Edited April 29 by Excior (see edit history)

[cybersavant]

Kordannaghlan Penniesaver (gnome f2/th3) AC 09 Hp 16 thac0 19

 

"It's possible Morn went through. Sounds like any treasure was sent through, so maybe they thought the sword was too? We can check the rest of the tomb and come back to try and follow, but how do we return?"

 

Show this

broadsword thac0 19, 1att/rnd, 2d4/1d6+1, spd5; dagger thac0 19 2att/rnd, d4/d3; shortbow thac0 19, 2a/rnd, d6; backstab x2

gnome, common, giant, goblin, kobold

wi/10' passage slope 1-5 d6, wi/10' unsafe walls 1-7 d10, open locks 60%, find traps 45%, move silent 40%, hide in shadows 30%, detect noise 25%,

climb walls 70%

 

 

 

Edited April 30 by cybersavant (see edit history)

[rauhric]

THEOATH "THEO" GRANGER
Human, LG, Paladin of Chauntea [3]
AC 5 | HP 16

---

Theo is puzzled by the plaque and story. He knows not what to make of it. Anything they have encountered up to this point has been some riddle to solve. But this just seems like a testament. He doesn't know what to make of it. Is it truthful words of caution or another puzzle to solve?

Theo looks all about him to see where the plaque may go and return it to its position. Maybe it once hung on the portal or wall. Either way he is still under the impression there is a riddle to solve here and so he means to find clues.

---

 

OoC: He has his aura of protection 10' so stay close friends. Evil -1 attack.

Searching for a place where the plaque may go.

Edited May 1 by rauhric (see edit history)

[cybersavant]

On 4/29/2024 at 7:33 AM, Sellsword said:

An adventurer's story never ends, it goes on and on, over and again.

But past death's door and beyond each bend, are those who will take your every win.

To those I cry, begone and flee! Plunder another's resting place.

Better yet, turn to yourself and see that evil smile upon your face.

My treasures are gone, there's none to take, I've cast them out into Sigil,

Into Karten's hands for my own sake, allowing others to stand vigil.

Good luck my friends, turn tail and run, be warmed beneath the bright sun,

For knowing me is no guarantee of peace or even security.

Kordannaghlan Penniesaver (gnome f2/th3) AC 09 Hp 16 thac0 19

 

"More riddles to solve."

 

Show this

broadsword thac0 19, 1att/rnd, 2d4/1d6+1, spd5; dagger thac0 19 2att/rnd, d4/d3; shortbow thac0 19, 2a/rnd, d6; backstab x2

gnome, common, giant, goblin, kobold

wi/10' passage slope 1-5 d6, wi/10' unsafe walls 1-7 d10, open locks 60%, find traps 45%, move silent 40%, hide in shadows 30%, detect noise 25%,

climb walls 70%

 

 

 

[Arbuthnott]

Satisfied that the group is in no immediate danger of traps, Amarandé heads to the southern corner to examine the ghostly apparition for himself. Unconvinced, he nonetheless compares the ghost's face to that of the dead body further north. He also pays attention to the reaction of his dogs, looking for raised hackles or more relaxed behaviour.

If the dogs seem less disturbed, he steps out fully from the corner he was peering out from, into full view of the spectre. If it reacts at all, he is primed to hop back around the corner and out of sight. If not, he calls out "Ho there, visage. What stills you?"

[Sellsword]

Having turned up little of value and having found nothing other than the portal that hints at any more secret chambers in the tomb, you follow as Amarandé leads down the southern corridor to confront the apparition, hounds at his side. Whether it is indeed the specter of Shraevyn or perhaps some other ghostly manifestation, with no other paths to explore you head into the chamber.

The apparition does not stir as you approach, the hounds each issue a deep growl, clearly disturbed by something in the chamber. They spread out as you draw close to the casket, sniffing at the floor and walls. There is a faint stench of decay in the air. The apparition hovers quietly above the casket, staring blankly at the entrance--cautiously, Amarandé reaches out a hand, and it passes harmlessly through the phantom.

The interior of the casket is filled with tattered rags. Lying upon them, hilt toward the door, you see a beautiful long sword. A piece of paper is tied around the hilt with what appears to be string. You all recognize this from the golden vessel aligned with enchantment magic in the previous room.

The sensation of another presence, cold, feminine and malevolent, is more pronounced here--and it does not come from the ghost, the sword, or the coffin. You can't shake the feeling that you are being watched, though the bare walls of the room seem to hide little threat. You have every reason to believe that the artifact before you is indeed the Sword of the Dales, waiting to be taken.

 

[rauhric]

THEOATH "THEO" GRANGER
Human, LG, Paladin of Chauntea [3]
AC 5 | HP 16

---

Theo tries to detect the malevolence with his holy ability. Stretching out his hand he send his will through it hoping to find the evil spirit watching over them.

---

 

OoC: He has his aura of protection 10' so stay close friends. Evil -1 attack.

Searching for the evil spirit with Detect Evil 60'.

Edited Monday at 09:05 PM by rauhric (see edit history)