presently… Chapter 1 — Investigating The Pyre

[iantruesilver]

Entry Hall

Lars recognizes the two recently fallen bodies as Gerol and Vark, both of whom are tradesmen and citizens of Sandpoint. Guildmaster Battlehorn would likely want to know about their fate, especially since Vark is a carpenter and a member of Aesrick's guild.

 

Here in the entrance hall of the Pyre, there's not much left to inspect beyond what is obviously visible to the eye — The faded painting of Alika Foxglove on the far wall, the recently deceased and their possessions, and the rather ruined and worthless items the skeletons still carried.

 

Neskas and Darhana had already made their first steps through one of the doors into the next chamber. However towards the west on the opposite wall stands another door that has yet to be tried.

 

Maze of Pillars

Aside from the obvious function of being a deterrent against crypt robbers, perhaps this maze of pillars and pits is exactly as the eye can see. That said, where the next door might be, or whether there is even another door leading from this chamber deeper into the Pyre, is another matter altogether.

 

Any wailings that could be heard before have now ceased.

Edited May 24, 2023 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[madMonk]

Sister Azura

After checking on Noriko, Azura joins Neskas in the room of pillars. She stands a little south of the cavalier and looks for the source of the now-absent cries. "We need to hurry. That person must be in danger!"

---

OOC: Rolling perception for the source of the cries. And traps I suppose? Not sure if Neskas has pointed out the pit traps

 

[Wiz]

Noriko comes up behind Azura, "Be careful about going in there... it could be a trap. Even if it isn't, and is an endangered worker , he may be like a drowning man, panicked about his own fate and unconcerned about his rescuers."

[TheFred]

Bianca Pohlo

"I never knew this place was so big," Bianca remarks. She frowns, studying the ruins curiously. "Someone could easily have gotten lost in there, especially if they were injured by those... those things. Um... how do we know there aren't any more of them?"

Statblock

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=1797520][B]Bianca Pohlo[/B][/URL] [B]Initiative:[/B] +2, [B]Senses:[/B] Low-Light Vision, Perception +3 [B]HP:[/B] 9/9 [B]AC:[/B] 12, [B]Touch:[/B] 12, [B]Flat-Footed:[/B] 10, [B]CMD:[/B] 11 [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +2 [B]Spells L1:[/B] Enlarge Person, [strike]Sleep[/strike], Grease [B]Spells L0:[/B] Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation [B]Arcane Reservoir:[/B] 2/4 [B]Condition:[/B] None

Bianca Pohlo
Initiative: +2, Senses: Low-Light Vision, Perception +3
HP: 9/9
AC: 12, Touch: 12, Flat-Footed: 10, CMD: 11
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +2
Spells L1: Enlarge Person, Sleep , Grease
Spells L0: Daze, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation
Arcane Reservoir: 2/4
Condition: None

[Inash]

Neskas Weengoditin

"This room is full of pit traps. We are going to need to be very careful moving through it. We are going to have to be careful. Who's our best trapfinder?" He remounts Snappy.

Statblock

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2751540][B][SIZE=+1]Neskas Weengoditin[/SIZE][/B][/URL] m NG Gnome Cavalier, [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 13/13, [B]Speed[/B] 15 [B]AC[/B] 19, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 18, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 4, [B]Ref[/B] 1, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B]reach Lance (-) [/B] 4 (1d6+2, x3) [B] Longsword (-) [/B] 4 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2) [B] Shortbow (20) [/B] 3 (1d4, x3) [B] Scale Mail[/B], [B] Heavy Steel Shield[/B] (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex, +1 Size) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14 [B]Condition[/B] None

Neskas Weengoditin
m NG Gnome Cavalier, Level 1, Init 3, HP 13/13, Speed 15
AC 19, Touch 12, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
reach Lance (-) 4 (1d6+2, x3)
Longsword (-) 4 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow (20) 3 (1d4, x3)
Scale Mail , Heavy Steel Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14
Condition None

 

 

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2751552][B][SIZE=+1]Snappy[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M N WolfDog Mount (Charger), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 2, [B]HP[/B] 18/18, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 17, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 15, [B]CMD[/b] 15, [B]Fort[/B] 4, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +3, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B] Bite [/B] 3 (1d6+2, x2) [B] Studded Leather Barding[/B] (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 [B]Condition[/B] None

Snappy
M N WolfDog Mount (Charger), Level 1, Init 2, HP 18/18, Speed 30
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 15, Fort 4, Ref 5, Will 1, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 1
Bite 3 (1d6+2, x2)
Studded Leather Barding (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Condition None

Actions Crunch and OOC

 

 

 

  

[pdwalt]

Lars motions to his waist, "If someone has a rope they can tie off on me in case i fall in, to prevent me from hitting bottom, i can search ahead looking for traps." He moves to the start of the section to begin, and waits to see if anyone has rope. He keeps his lamp in one hand, and the other hand free.   OOC Specifics . . Short Statblock|CisMale NG Half-Elf Rogue (unchained), Level 1, Init 4, HP 10/10, Speed 30 AC 18, Touch 15, Flat-footed 13, CMD 16, Fort 2, Ref 6, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0 short sword +4 (1d6+1, 19-20 x2) dagger +4 (1d4_1, 19-20 x2) javelin (3) +4 (1d6+1, 20 x2) studded leather (+3 Armor, +4 Dex) Abilities Str 12, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8 Condition +1 to attack rolls to those that threaten Shalelu; +1 perception to detect traps and to disable device skill to disarm them; +2 saving throw vs enchantment spells and effects; immune to magic sleep. low light vision

 

[Inash]

Neskas Weengoditin

Neskas pulls some rope from where it is tied above his saddlebags and hands one end to Lars before wrapping a section around his saddlehorn so he can control how much slack there is. "I think this should work. "

Statblock

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2751540][B][SIZE=+1]Neskas Weengoditin[/SIZE][/B][/URL] m NG Gnome Cavalier, [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 13/13, [B]Speed[/B] 15 [B]AC[/B] 19, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 18, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 4, [B]Ref[/B] 1, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B]reach Lance (-) [/B] 4 (1d6+2, x3) [B] Longsword (-) [/B] 4 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2) [B] Shortbow (20) [/B] 3 (1d4, x3) [B] Scale Mail[/B], [B] Heavy Steel Shield[/B] (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex, +1 Size) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14 [B]Condition[/B] None

Neskas Weengoditin
m NG Gnome Cavalier, Level 1, Init 3, HP 13/13, Speed 15
AC 19, Touch 12, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
reach Lance (-) 4 (1d6+2, x3)
Longsword (-) 4 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow (20) 3 (1d4, x3)
Scale Mail , Heavy Steel Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14
Condition None

 

 

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2751552][B][SIZE=+1]Snappy[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M N WolfDog Mount (Charger), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 2, [B]HP[/B] 18/18, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 17, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 15, [B]CMD[/b] 15, [B]Fort[/B] 4, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +3, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B] Bite [/B] 3 (1d6+2, x2) [B] Studded Leather Barding[/B] (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 [B]Condition[/B] None

Snappy
M N WolfDog Mount (Charger), Level 1, Init 2, HP 18/18, Speed 30
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 15, Fort 4, Ref 5, Will 1, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 1
Bite 3 (1d6+2, x2)
Studded Leather Barding (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Condition None

Actions Crunch and OOC

 

 

 

  

[farothel]

 

 

Statblock

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2177644][B][SIZE=+1]Darhana[/SIZE][/B][/URL] Female CG Half-elf Ranger (Guide), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 12/12, [B]Speed[/B] 40ft [B]AC[/B] 17, [B]Touch[/B] 13, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 14, [B]CMD[/b] 15, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B]2-handed longbow (60) [/B] +4 (1d8, x3) [B] Longsword [/B] +2 (1d8+1, 19-20/x2) [B] dagger (cold iron) [/B] +2 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2) [B] Studded Leather[/B], [B] light wooden shield[/B] (+3 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 13, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None

Darhana
Female CG Half-elf Ranger (Guide), Level 1, Init 3, HP 12/12, Speed 40ft
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 15, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
2-handed longbow (60) +4 (1d8, x3)
Longsword +2 (1d8+1, 19-20/x2)
dagger (cold iron) +2 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
Studded Leather , light wooden shield (+3 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 13, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 10
Condition None

Darhana took her bow and moved in after Lars.

"I'll cover you," she said to Lars, looking around in the room for anything interesting, as well as the source of the sounds.

 

OOC

 

[Naimless]

  

Kaichar

Keeping back from the gnome and his mount, Kaichar refrains entering the tunnel. Even without his enlarged form, the tiefling is still too tall to comfortably fit in the narrow hallway, so he hangs back. He takes back his waterskin from the young wizard, and he sinks into a resting squat. "Careful of the pits." He advises helpfully. "I fell in a ditch once, almost broke my ankle, even though it was a short distance." A painful memory, but perhaps one that can serve as a warning.

Mechanics

Nothing to report.

[iantruesilver]

No longer in immediate danger, the group takes a bit of time to prepare for navigating this pit-trapped area.

 

Having Lars tied off to a length of rope, with Neskas and Snappy on the other end, as well as Darhana ready to provide cover fire, they continue to search for the source of the previous wailing, now no longer to be heard.

 

(( Please indicate to me how you would like to navigate this room: ie. what path you take, how you interact with the pits, etc. ))

[pdwalt]

Lar

Lars moves carefully in, searching the floor and walls ahead of him, pushing on the floor with the javelin, before moving ahead to search more. Notes related to search Move carefully searching for traps at each 5-foot square (taking 10 is probably logical rather than rolling 40 times - taking 10 gets a 21 roll - though if it turns out not to be enough, the GM can roll in secret). Keeping no slack in the rope until he moves forward to search each square - floor and walls. Use a javelin to test the floor as part of that process.   I'm inclined to look at the North passage first and then follow the outer wall around to cover the rest.   When he finds one he can place a silver piece on it to mark them - hopefully it should show up better than a copper in light.     . Short Statblock|CisMale NG Half-Elf Rogue (unchained), Level 1, Init 4, HP 10/10, Speed 30 AC 18, Touch 15, Flat-footed 13, CMD 16, Fort 2, Ref 6, Will 2, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus 0 short sword +4 (1d6+1, 19-20 x2) dagger +4 (1d4_1, 19-20 x2) javelin (3) +4 (1d6+1, 20 x2) studded leather (+3 Armor, +4 Dex) Abilities Str 12, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8 Condition +1 to attack rolls to those that threaten Shalelu; +1 perception to detect traps and to disable device skill to disarm them; +2 saving throw vs enchantment spells and effects; immune to magic sleep. low light vision

 

[iantruesilver]

Bianca Only

The ancient Varisians of the region used this promontory for many rituals, including their yearly Swallowtail Festival, but the Pyre hasn't been used since Sandpoint's founding. This may be because of the bad blood caused during the Scarnetti raid on the Varisian camp in the region, or that the establishment of Sandpoint had displaced the prominent tribe previously wintering in the valley. Whatever the case, there is no written record indicating as to exactly when or why the Pyre had fallen into disuse.

 

While there was likely some religious significance to this location prior to the building of the crypt, the burial site itself was likely built shortly after the death of Alika Foxglove in 4611AR, when the knight of Aroden from Magnimar was overwhelmed by a gang of bandits while defending a Varisian caravan in the area.

 

Having a deep reverence to the spirits, the Varisians are known to employ various traps, of natural, mechanical or magical designs to protect the memory of their deceased and to ward off potential tomb raiders. That said, the existence of murderous undead seems out of place with the generally carefree nature of the Varisian people, even in their burial sites.

 

Maze of Pillars

Leading the exploration around the room with the many pillars, Lars heads north, testing the floor and moving carefully with each step. Under the lamp light, the pits are readily spotted and would pose little threat to anyone who is paying attention to avoid them.

 

Along the way, the group also notices several spots on the walls where there seem to be switches of some kind.

 

 

[[ Map — The Pyre ]]

Edited June 4, 2023 by iantruesilver (see edit history)

[madMonk]

Sister Azura

"Don't worry, I'm sure he isn't drowning. Why would they put a large body of water in a tomb, of all places?" Azura assures Noriko. She carefully follows Lars northwards. "Do you think these switches could close the pit traps? Or open new ones?"

 

[Inash]

Neskas Weengoditin

Neskas quietly concentrates on managing the rope slack and trusts the others to deal with dealing with technical issues and history.

Statblock

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2751540][B][SIZE=+1]Neskas Weengoditin[/SIZE][/B][/URL] m NG Gnome Cavalier, [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 13/13, [B]Speed[/B] 15 [B]AC[/B] 19, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 18, [B]CMD[/b] 13, [B]Fort[/B] 4, [B]Ref[/B] 1, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B]reach Lance (-) [/B] 4 (1d6+2, x3) [B] Longsword (-) [/B] 4 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2) [B] Shortbow (20) [/B] 3 (1d4, x3) [B] Scale Mail[/B], [B] Heavy Steel Shield[/B] (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex, +1 Size) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14 [B]Condition[/B] None

Neskas Weengoditin
m NG Gnome Cavalier, Level 1, Init 3, HP 13/13, Speed 15
AC 19, Touch 12, Flat-footed 18, CMD 13, Fort 4, Ref 1, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
reach Lance (-) 4 (1d6+2, x3)
Longsword (-) 4 (1d6+2, 19-20/x2)
Shortbow (20) 3 (1d4, x3)
Scale Mail , Heavy Steel Shield (+5 Armor, +2 Shield, +1 Dex, +1 Size)
Abilities Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14
Condition None

 

 

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2751552][B][SIZE=+1]Snappy[/SIZE][/B][/URL] M N WolfDog Mount (Charger), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 2, [B]HP[/B] 18/18, [B]Speed[/B] 30 [B]AC[/B] 17, [B]Touch[/B] 12, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 15, [B]CMD[/b] 15, [B]Fort[/B] 4, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +3, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B] Bite [/B] 3 (1d6+2, x2) [B] Studded Leather Barding[/B] (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 [B]Condition[/B] None

Snappy
M N WolfDog Mount (Charger), Level 1, Init 2, HP 18/18, Speed 30
AC 17, Touch 12, Flat-footed 15, CMD 15, Fort 4, Ref 5, Will 1, CMB +3, Base Attack Bonus 1
Bite 3 (1d6+2, x2)
Studded Leather Barding (+3 Armor, +2 Dex, +2 Deflect)
Abilities Str 15, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Condition None

Actions Crunch and OOC

 

 

 

  

[farothel]

 

 

Statblock

[URL=https://test.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2177644][B][SIZE=+1]Darhana[/SIZE][/B][/URL] Female CG Half-elf Ranger (Guide), [B]Level[/B] 1, [B]Init[/B] 3, [B]HP[/B] 12/12, [B]Speed[/B] 40ft [B]AC[/B] 17, [B]Touch[/B] 13, [B]Flat-footed[/B] 14, [B]CMD[/b] 15, [B]Fort[/B] 3, [B]Ref[/B] 5, [B]Will[/B] 1, [B]CMB[/B] +2, [B]Base Attack Bonus[/B] 1 [B]2-handed longbow (60) [/B] +4 (1d8, x3) [B] Longsword [/B] +2 (1d8+1, 19-20/x2) [B] dagger (cold iron) [/B] +2 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2) [B] Studded Leather[/B], [B] light wooden shield[/B] (+3 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex) [B]Abilities[/B] Str 13, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 10 [B]Condition[/B] None

Darhana
Female CG Half-elf Ranger (Guide), Level 1, Init 3, HP 12/12, Speed 40ft
AC 17, Touch 13, Flat-footed 14, CMD 15, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 1, CMB +2, Base Attack Bonus 1
2-handed longbow (60) +4 (1d8, x3)
Longsword +2 (1d8+1, 19-20/x2)
dagger (cold iron) +2 (1d4+1, 19-20/x2)
Studded Leather , light wooden shield (+3 Armor, +1 Shield, +3 Dex)
Abilities Str 13, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 13, Cha 10
Condition None

Darhana looked around, keeping watch but also looking at the switches.

"We can always try one and see what it does," she said.

 

OOC