Nickeline, overhearing Bridgette and Gorash's conversation, asks Tamphalic for clarification. "Hey, didn't Mr. Gorash also say he was a Bloodskull? If two orcs—or half orcs—are from the same clan, does that mean they're related? Wouldn't they be, unless 'clan' means something different to orcs than to gnomes? When I say 'clan' I translate to Common the Gnomish word for extended family—you know, like cousins. Do you think that's the same with orcs? Or do they mean something else by clan, like a social club or a wider community?"
Korba grew up among the drow in the Underdark. The orcs were viewed as the enemy, but the drow study their enemies. Hearing the conversation, Korba suddenly speaks up to answer Nickelline's question. He says, "Among the orcs, 'clan' means..." History: 24 (in game log)
(OOC: I don't know the answer, but it looks like Korba probably does. I'll let the DM supply the answer.)
Korba looks at the two half-orcs appraisingly, trying to determine whether they are close in age. Insight: 10 (in game log) If these two half-orcs are both from the Bloodskull clan, perhaps Gorash knew Bridgette before she was taken by the drow.
OOC: It was Jodie who has the return sigil, right? I couldn't find the post specifying who took it from Lord Akkron.
(OOC: I think thought that the sigils needed to activate the portal were more like PIN code or maybe a Stargate address, not a physical thing.)
Hewelathan recommends that Nickeline saves her spell slots. He has plenty of spell slots left and often cannot use them because of the restrictions when he's in Wild Shape.
Nickeline, overhearing Bridgette and Gorash's conversation, asks Tamphalic for clarification. "Hey, didn't Mr. Gorash also say he was a Bloodskull? If two orcs—or half orcs—are from the same clan, does that mean they're related? Wouldn't they be, unless 'clan' means something different to orcs than to gnomes? When I say 'clan' I translate to Common the Gnomish word for extended family—you know, like cousins. Do you think that's the same with orcs? Or do they mean something else by clan, like a social club or a wider community?"
Korba grew up among the drow in the Underdark. The orcs were viewed as the enemy, but the drow study their enemies. Hearing the conversation, Korba suddenly speaks up to answer Nickelline's question. He says, "Among the orcs, 'clan' means..." History: 24 (in game log)
(OOC: I don't know the answer, but it looks like Korba probably does. I'll let the DM supply the answer.)
Korba looks at the two half-orcs appraisingly, trying to determine whether they are close in age. Insight: 10 (in game log) If these two half-orcs are both from the Bloodskull clan, perhaps Gorash knew Bridgette before she was taken by the drow.
To these orcs at least, a clan is considered not just a tribe but an extended family. They're all considered kin, even if they may not technically be related (though, admittedly, most of them are unless they married into the clan). The Bloodskull clan, judging by the fact that they were able to raise an army of hundreds, is a particularly large and powerful clan.
As for a relationship between Bridgette and Gorash... hard to say. He looks a bit older than Bridgette, but that could just be from living as a tribesman weathering the elements while Bridgette has mostly spent her time studying magic under Lord Akkron's tutelage.
Hewelathan doesn't feel ready for the fights he knows lie ahead of them. He stumbles through the caves wearily, lost in his own thoughts and oblivious to the half-orc's conversation. It has been a long day with deadly fights, and the seemingly endless tunnels and the weight of the rock above their heads is starting to make him feel claustrophobic.
(OOC: With these Perception and Insight rolls, I can't imagine that Hewelathan is paying attention at all. I'll leave it to one of the others to help Gorash make this connection with Bridgette.)
Tamphalic was thinking about what he knew about orcs, when Korba stepped in with the answer already.
"Interesting, say Gorash, have you had lots of fights with dark elves during your lifetime?" he asks
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
"Matter of fact, our people did have a nasty run-in with dark elves about ten years ago. The scum fought with no honor at all... lots of us got killed during that fight, others might not have been that lucky..."
You can tell that Gorash is already connecting the dots... he's a wizard, after all. Even Bridgette seems to be realizing that something interesting is going on...
"You're saying... you think we're kin?" she asks, sounding shocked. "I was taken by Dark Elves during a raid a long time ago... until my Lord saved me from their clutches..."
As the conversation wraps up, you reach the circle. Amazingly, nothing has tried to eat you during the entire trip.
So... does anyone warn Gorash and Cynurrarth that they're about to meet a lich?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
As much as Nickeline would want to see Cynurrarth's and Gorash's untempered reactions to meeting a lich, she decides she had better give them sufficient warning, for diplomatic reasons and whatnot. Before the portal opens, she walks over and looks up at Cynurrarth and Gorash, and says, as sagely as she can manage, "The guy we're meeting, he might seem scary at first, but don't worry: he's actually, um, very big-hearted, so to speak."
Gorash scratches his chin. "Matter of fact, our people did have a nasty run-in with dark elves about ten years ago. The scum fought with no honor at all... lots of us got killed during that fight, others might not have been that lucky..." You can tell that Gorash is already connecting the dots... he's a wizard, after all. Even Bridgette seems to be realizing that something interesting is going on... "You're saying... you think we're kin?" she asks, sounding shocked. "I was taken by Dark Elves during a raid a long time ago... until my Lord saved me from their clutches..."
Hewelathan, finally shaking out of his mental fogginess, glances at the two of them. His forehead wrinkles as he considers Bridgette and Gorash. He has no idea how old either half-orc is, but if the wizard is at least as old as Bridgette...
Hewelathan says, "I wonder whether Gorash knew you before the dark elves took you, Bridgette." He figures that there's an easy way to rule out any shared history. He turns to Gorash and asks, "How old are you now?"
So... does anyone warn Gorash and Cynurrarth that they're about to meet a lich?
At Bridgette's mention of her "master," Hewelathan remembers the odd (to him) ally that they have on the Shaded Isle. But he knows that others often find him too blunt, and he's not sure how to soften the news that they're about to take Gorash and Cynurrarth to a lich. Hewelathan looks at Jodie and the others and says, "Umm...before we activate the portal, maybe we should explain where we're going?" He tilts his head toward their new allies, Gorash and Cynurrarth.
Hildegard speaks up, helpfully as always. "We were commissioned to come here by one of the original Seven Heroes who imprisoned Sserah Nightbane at great cost to themselves. Of these Seven, two fell, and Matic Akkron was one of them. Thousands of years later he exists still, as a powerful lich, but the gods have granted him mercy, and repentence works slowly in his heart. He works still to defeat Sserah's power for all eternity."
Tamphalic answers Bridgette letting the others do the explaining about Lord Akkron.
"It at least sounds like you are, yes."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
(Sorry about slow responses... I'm still an absolute mess hacking up sludge and generally being miserable).
Gorash looks physically ill at the revelation that you guys are working for a lich... he opens his mouth, as if to say something, then Bridgette chimes in.
"Oh yeah, they're talking about my dad,"she chuckles. "You'll like him once you get to know him."
Meanwhile, Cynurrarth looks slightly concerned but EXTREMELY intrigued...
"What great knowledge might one such as him have found over the years...?"the dragon mutters, his tone something between cautious curiosity and genuinely awestruck at the opportunity that has just fallen into his lap.
If there's nothing else that anyone needs to do, we can simply skip to the Shaded Isle, where Lord Akkron is waiting. It's difficult to explain how, but the lich looks utterly exhausted as you step through the magic circle. You can almost feel the weight of the world resting squarely on his brittle shoulders as he looks at you all.
Talice has been defeated, he says.
It is not a question, just a statement.
I foresaw that her arrogance would be her undoing. And I am rarely mistaken. But a great dragon of the deep coming to my humble island I did not expect to see. I bid you welcome.
He gives a slight bow to Cynurrarth, who smiles as he assumes his regal draconic form again now that he is in open space. Next, Lord Akkron's eyes turn towards Gorash.
And you I have heard about only briefly, but as I understand it you have done a great service for my champions as well. You are also quite welcome in my domain.
Gorash is at a loss for words as he looks at the ancient undead. Whatever he had expected the party's mysterious patron to be, it certainly wasn't THIS.
Jodie steps forward, unsure what humanity remains in the ancient lich. Yet a bard knows that as long as memory remains, so do the ties that bind souls together.
"I'm sorry Talice is gone...but not quite. For you see we carry the infernal box in which we believe her heart remains. I believe she would return unless the heart is destroyed. I'm sorry to leave that decision to you."
Jodie hands the infernal box to Lord Akkron and she sings a little melody to bolster Lord's Akkron's deciphering of the puzzle box.
Memories that bind, entwine our hearts Children we sire, enshrine our part A loss for words, hold true, hold tight Bring us peace and pure insight
Hewelathan was hanging back, still uncomfortable in the lich's unnatural presence. But seeing that Lord Akkron was preparing to help them with the puzzle box that hides Talice's heart, he moves forward to the lich. He says, "In this important matter, I will pray for your success," and reaches out...reluctantly...and touches Lord Akkron's head, speaking in Elvish, says a prayer of guidance.
Nickeline keeps her eyes on Lord Akkron as he receives the evil puzzle box from Jodie. Nickeline hopes Lord Akkron will be able to find closure, and wishes there were something she could do to help. She does the only thing she can do: pray to Flandal Steelskin for Lord Akkron's success. It is not a magical prayer, nor is it a direct invocation of Flandal's power; Nickeline lacked the foresight to pray for spells that address problems like these earlier. So she just prays.
Tamphalic is ready to shift the limits of time to give the Lord another chance in case it doesn't go the way we'd like.
((Chronal shift for a reroll on a failure; Not sure if the reroll is again done with advantage and all other additions though?))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
Jodie provides up to her two remaining bardic inspiration. "If it cannot be opened, perhaps we can cast the box into the Plane of Life. The positive energy would surely prevent Talice from reforming. And there, perhaps a safer prison."
Once the introductions are done, and everyone finishes buffing Lord Akkron for his effort with the puzzle box, Korba asks practically, "We started this day with a fight against Talice and her mummified priests. Then, after traveling miles through the Underdark by tunnel and canal, we found Cynurrarth," with bow of respect to the deep dragon, "just in time to save him from Firion's cult." He stares at Lord Akkron through his dark glasses and says, "Lord Akkron, it's been a long day, and the living require sustenance! If that puzzle will require some time to study, perhaps we could rest and eat while you work on it?"
(OOC: A warlock looking for a Short Rest? Shocking! Or, if we don't think that Talice will return until the morning, maybe the party can even take a Long Rest now. I think that everyone is low on resources after that fight with Zolgu and the cultists. We're currently at Lord Akkron's tower in the haunted city, right? Is there any food for mortals here? Or do we have to return to the port city to find a meal and beds?)
Akkron picks up the puzzle box. It's extremely subtle, but the perceptive among you notice that his skeletal hands tremble slightly... it seems that even for an ancient lich, holding the literal heart of the one who put him through the Nine Hells is an emotional affair...
Yes... feel free to rest. These ruins are quite safe. I have made sure of that, the lich says.
Cynurrarth, probably thanks to the condition he's in, doesn't need to be told twice as he curls up to take a nap in the courtyard. (Note: when he says "these ruins," he's referring specifically to the structure that you're in right now, that being the ruined palace. Wandering the rest of the Shaded Isle in the dead of night is still a great way to get yourself murderized by vengeful wraiths).
He hands Bridgette a spell scroll of intellect fortress, which she proceeds to use on him so that he can devote his full attention to the infernal puzzle box, rather than having to concentrate on a spell at the same time to minimize the fallout if he fails. Slowly, he begins work on the box. His skeletal face can't change... but you can feel the tension.
Korba grew up among the drow in the Underdark. The orcs were viewed as the enemy, but the drow study their enemies. Hearing the conversation, Korba suddenly speaks up to answer Nickelline's question. He says, "Among the orcs, 'clan' means..." History: 24 (in game log)
(OOC: I don't know the answer, but it looks like Korba probably does. I'll let the DM supply the answer.)
Korba looks at the two half-orcs appraisingly, trying to determine whether they are close in age. Insight: 10 (in game log) If these two half-orcs are both from the Bloodskull clan, perhaps Gorash knew Bridgette before she was taken by the drow.
(OOC: I think thought that the sigils needed to activate the portal were more like PIN code or maybe a Stargate address, not a physical thing.)
Hewelathan recommends that Nickeline saves her spell slots. He has plenty of spell slots left and often cannot use them because of the restrictions when he's in Wild Shape.
To these orcs at least, a clan is considered not just a tribe but an extended family. They're all considered kin, even if they may not technically be related (though, admittedly, most of them are unless they married into the clan). The Bloodskull clan, judging by the fact that they were able to raise an army of hundreds, is a particularly large and powerful clan.
As for a relationship between Bridgette and Gorash... hard to say. He looks a bit older than Bridgette, but that could just be from living as a tribesman weathering the elements while Bridgette has mostly spent her time studying magic under Lord Akkron's tutelage.
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Hewelathan - Insight: 8 (in game log)
Hewelathan doesn't feel ready for the fights he knows lie ahead of them. He stumbles through the caves wearily, lost in his own thoughts and oblivious to the half-orc's conversation. It has been a long day with deadly fights, and the seemingly endless tunnels and the weight of the rock above their heads is starting to make him feel claustrophobic.
(OOC: With these Perception and Insight rolls, I can't imagine that Hewelathan is paying attention at all. I'll leave it to one of the others to help Gorash make this connection with Bridgette.)
Tamphalic was thinking about what he knew about orcs, when Korba stepped in with the answer already.
"Interesting, say Gorash, have you had lots of fights with dark elves during your lifetime?" he asks
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
Jodie reminds Hewelathan, "Yes, I have the return sigil. I will lead the way."
Jodie's passive Perception: 17, Stealth: 9
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Gorash scratches his chin.
"Matter of fact, our people did have a nasty run-in with dark elves about ten years ago. The scum fought with no honor at all... lots of us got killed during that fight, others might not have been that lucky..."
You can tell that Gorash is already connecting the dots... he's a wizard, after all. Even Bridgette seems to be realizing that something interesting is going on...
"You're saying... you think we're kin?" she asks, sounding shocked. "I was taken by Dark Elves during a raid a long time ago... until my Lord saved me from their clutches..."
As the conversation wraps up, you reach the circle. Amazingly, nothing has tried to eat you during the entire trip.
So... does anyone warn Gorash and Cynurrarth that they're about to meet a lich?
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As much as Nickeline would want to see Cynurrarth's and Gorash's untempered reactions to meeting a lich, she decides she had better give them sufficient warning, for diplomatic reasons and whatnot. Before the portal opens, she walks over and looks up at Cynurrarth and Gorash, and says, as sagely as she can manage, "The guy we're meeting, he might seem scary at first, but don't worry: he's actually, um, very big-hearted, so to speak."
(OOC: Thanks, @Faux_Beau. Got it. I was thinking of the sigil as more like a word or symbol, not a device or other item.)
Hewelathan, finally shaking out of his mental fogginess, glances at the two of them. His forehead wrinkles as he considers Bridgette and Gorash. He has no idea how old either half-orc is, but if the wizard is at least as old as Bridgette...
Hewelathan says, "I wonder whether Gorash knew you before the dark elves took you, Bridgette." He figures that there's an easy way to rule out any shared history. He turns to Gorash and asks, "How old are you now?"
At Bridgette's mention of her "master," Hewelathan remembers the odd (to him) ally that they have on the Shaded Isle. But he knows that others often find him too blunt, and he's not sure how to soften the news that they're about to take Gorash and Cynurrarth to a lich. Hewelathan looks at Jodie and the others and says, "Umm...before we activate the portal, maybe we should explain where we're going?" He tilts his head toward their new allies, Gorash and Cynurrarth.
Hildegard speaks up, helpfully as always. "We were commissioned to come here by one of the original Seven Heroes who imprisoned Sserah Nightbane at great cost to themselves. Of these Seven, two fell, and Matic Akkron was one of them. Thousands of years later he exists still, as a powerful lich, but the gods have granted him mercy, and repentence works slowly in his heart. He works still to defeat Sserah's power for all eternity."
Tamphalic answers Bridgette letting the others do the explaining about Lord Akkron.
"It at least sounds like you are, yes."
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
(Sorry about slow responses... I'm still an absolute mess hacking up sludge and generally being miserable).
Gorash looks physically ill at the revelation that you guys are working for a lich... he opens his mouth, as if to say something, then Bridgette chimes in.
"Oh yeah, they're talking about my dad," she chuckles. "You'll like him once you get to know him."
Meanwhile, Cynurrarth looks slightly concerned but EXTREMELY intrigued...
"What great knowledge might one such as him have found over the years...?" the dragon mutters, his tone something between cautious curiosity and genuinely awestruck at the opportunity that has just fallen into his lap.
If there's nothing else that anyone needs to do, we can simply skip to the Shaded Isle, where Lord Akkron is waiting. It's difficult to explain how, but the lich looks utterly exhausted as you step through the magic circle. You can almost feel the weight of the world resting squarely on his brittle shoulders as he looks at you all.
Talice has been defeated, he says.
It is not a question, just a statement.
I foresaw that her arrogance would be her undoing. And I am rarely mistaken. But a great dragon of the deep coming to my humble island I did not expect to see. I bid you welcome.
He gives a slight bow to Cynurrarth, who smiles as he assumes his regal draconic form again now that he is in open space. Next, Lord Akkron's eyes turn towards Gorash.
And you I have heard about only briefly, but as I understand it you have done a great service for my champions as well. You are also quite welcome in my domain.
Gorash is at a loss for words as he looks at the ancient undead. Whatever he had expected the party's mysterious patron to be, it certainly wasn't THIS.
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Jodie steps forward, unsure what humanity remains in the ancient lich. Yet a bard knows that as long as memory remains, so do the ties that bind souls together.
"I'm sorry Talice is gone...but not quite. For you see we carry the infernal box in which we believe her heart remains. I believe she would return unless the heart is destroyed. I'm sorry to leave that decision to you."
Jodie hands the infernal box to Lord Akkron and she sings a little melody to bolster Lord's Akkron's deciphering of the puzzle box.
Memories that bind, entwine our hearts
Children we sire, enshrine our part
A loss for words, hold true, hold tight
Bring us peace and pure insight
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Hewelathan was hanging back, still uncomfortable in the lich's unnatural presence. But seeing that Lord Akkron was preparing to help them with the puzzle box that hides Talice's heart, he moves forward to the lich. He says, "In this important matter, I will pray for your success," and reaches out...reluctantly...and touches Lord Akkron's head, speaking in Elvish, says a prayer of guidance.
Nickeline keeps her eyes on Lord Akkron as he receives the evil puzzle box from Jodie. Nickeline hopes Lord Akkron will be able to find closure, and wishes there were something she could do to help. She does the only thing she can do: pray to Flandal Steelskin for Lord Akkron's success. It is not a magical prayer, nor is it a direct invocation of Flandal's power; Nickeline lacked the foresight to pray for spells that address problems like these earlier. So she just prays.
Tamphalic is ready to shift the limits of time to give the Lord another chance in case it doesn't go the way we'd like.
((Chronal shift for a reroll on a failure; Not sure if the reroll is again done with advantage and all other additions though?))
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
Jodie provides up to her two remaining bardic inspiration. "If it cannot be opened, perhaps we can cast the box into the Plane of Life. The positive energy would surely prevent Talice from reforming. And there, perhaps a safer prison."
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Once the introductions are done, and everyone finishes buffing Lord Akkron for his effort with the puzzle box, Korba asks practically, "We started this day with a fight against Talice and her mummified priests. Then, after traveling miles through the Underdark by tunnel and canal, we found Cynurrarth," with bow of respect to the deep dragon, "just in time to save him from Firion's cult." He stares at Lord Akkron through his dark glasses and says, "Lord Akkron, it's been a long day, and the living require sustenance! If that puzzle will require some time to study, perhaps we could rest and eat while you work on it?"
(OOC: A warlock looking for a Short Rest? Shocking! Or, if we don't think that Talice will return until the morning, maybe the party can even take a Long Rest now. I think that everyone is low on resources after that fight with Zolgu and the cultists. We're currently at Lord Akkron's tower in the haunted city, right? Is there any food for mortals here? Or do we have to return to the port city to find a meal and beds?)
Akkron picks up the puzzle box. It's extremely subtle, but the perceptive among you notice that his skeletal hands tremble slightly... it seems that even for an ancient lich, holding the literal heart of the one who put him through the Nine Hells is an emotional affair...
Yes... feel free to rest. These ruins are quite safe. I have made sure of that, the lich says.
Cynurrarth, probably thanks to the condition he's in, doesn't need to be told twice as he curls up to take a nap in the courtyard. (Note: when he says "these ruins," he's referring specifically to the structure that you're in right now, that being the ruined palace. Wandering the rest of the Shaded Isle in the dead of night is still a great way to get yourself murderized by vengeful wraiths).
He hands Bridgette a spell scroll of intellect fortress, which she proceeds to use on him so that he can devote his full attention to the infernal puzzle box, rather than having to concentrate on a spell at the same time to minimize the fallout if he fails. Slowly, he begins work on the box. His skeletal face can't change... but you can feel the tension.
Investigation: 29
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