It begins. You have each received an summons to Lord Richman's (original I know) Manor with an offer for a job to hunt the legendary treasure of the Lich Acererak. As seasoned adventures you know of the other members of the party and might have even worked with them in the past but it has been some time.
At the manor you are greeted with a fine meal and little information. Lord Richman has discovered the last known location of the Lich but has little else to provide.
The next morning the newly formed party heads into the wilds along a little used merchant trail. After a few days travel.......
The Party has arrived at the site of the demi-lich’s last haunt. Before you is a low, flat topped hill, about 200 yards wide and 300 yards long. Ugly weeds, thorns, and briars grow upon the steep sides and bald top of the 60 high mound. There are black rocks on top of the hill but you see little else from your current location just off the trail at the base of the hill
DM: I skipped the RP for the hook but if there was any preparation you would have done forgetting off let me know
Edit: you are on the south side of the Tomb and it is currently mid day.
OOC - How do you deal with spell components (specifically 300gp diamond for Revivify). If I find gold and eventually have 300gp, do we *handwave* the diamond part or do we need to buy a diamond before setting off, or need to find one in the dungeon?
OOC - If you are saying we had "prep" time before or during travel until now, then Aelar would have cast find-steedsince it lasts forever (until steed dies) and he gets 1/LR for free. I'll allow DM to rule if I cast it yesterday and took a long rest. If yes, then he summoned a Celestial Elk.
Aelar stands by the tomb with his friends. It is so good to see them again after such a long time, and the walk here was full of laughter and reminiscing. No wildlife dared approach them on the journey and it was an easy trek to make. Now though, the tension in the air sapped all joy and happiness from Aelar's heart. The door to the tomb lay ahead and he had been training for this day his whole life. The Lich inside is the epitome of what his family had been fighting for generations, all the way back to his angelic ancestor, Galadon Silverwing. Many of his family had, in fact, failed this exact mission and were never seen again. Looking around once more he began to feel hope rise in his chest, he knew these people, and if they could not conquer this dungeon together, then gods help the rest of the world as darkness will come for them soon enough. Leif, Orjon, Therkis, Valagan... it is an honor to stand by you once more. Let us waste no more time and kill this foul abomination once and for all. This will be a near insurmountable task, but I have faith that with you alongside me, we will finally put an end to the horror within.
Orjon is, at a first glance, a bit intimidating to most. Being a 7'10 goliath man with a strong beard, he wears no clothes other than his pants, which lets everyone see his many scars and tattoos, and looks to be in his late 40's, possibly even early 50's. However on the walk over you see that he really is a sweetheart. He really gives off grandpa energy, which makes sense since, as he has probably stated many times on the groups journey here, he has 4 grandchildren, all of which he adores. He also tells stories of adventures, which impress most people but, since you all are experinced as well, seem pretty average, maybe slightly above. through these stories you find out he is a monk who apparently has quite the impressive run speed. At the end of the day, he is a jolly and hearty fellow. Insurmountable? NONESENSE! if you lot are as strong as you look, or even HALF a strong as you are good company, I'm sure this will be a trivial adventure, but one I shall tell my grandchildren of none the less! Orjon exclaims, ending off with a mighty chuckle
I appreciate your enthusiasm Orjon, but let's not get over confident. I've lost family to this monster, and I would hate for that to be true to yours as well. You are correct though, when we triumph it will be a story worth telling. Let's get to the top of this hill to get a better vantage point. Aelar attempts to see if there are any safe paths through the overgrown thorns and brambles.
Valagan stands at 5'8", his frame frail and wiry, with pale, almost ghostly skin contrasting sharply with the inky black cloak he habitually wears. His long silver hair, streaked with hints of dull white, falls just past his shoulders, glinting faintly like polished metal and framing a face marked by sharp, angular, elven features. His piercing, grey-green eyes are always watchful, glimmering with a strange intensity, as if constantly seeing more than the present moment. Always with his staff in hand, he exudes an air of quiet, unsettling power, his movements deliberate and precise.
It has been a while since Valagan has been in the company of others. But, even though he is standoffish, those who know him know he is glad to be adventuring again with friends.
Valagan walks atop the hill to the highest vantage point and turns, taking a 360-degree view of where he stands. Perception check: 23
With a 15 you see that there is an overgrown path up the hill, you can also see a few other ways you that are clearly not a trail but will avoid the thorns
Leif rides his axe beak up the hill laughing all the way! “This is great we’re together again! Let’s excavate this crazy hill and get busy. Some of you have a limited lifespan after all. Except you and me right Valagan? Aelar keep that elk away from Darling it looks like food to him, or don’t, might be entertaining. Ha, ha!”
Leif is wearing a pretty convincing bone crown (illusion) his black eyes glint with his sense of mirth.
At the top of the hill. You all see a large black rock in the shape of a narrow pyramid in the center of Hill to its north is 2 large black mounds, on closer inspection is also some type of rock. South of the pyramid is 9 graves arranged a semi circle.
Valagan. You can see a couple of miles in all directions. Besides the road you came in on there is nothing but trees. With a 23 perception you also see foot prints coming from the graves. They go down each of the 4 trails that lead to the top. One for each of the Cardinal directions
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Upon seeing the graves, Orjon will simply keep watch while the party investigates the pillars and graves and what not, just making sure no monsters sneak up on us.
Leif rides his axe beak up the hill laughing all the way! “This is great we’re together again! Let’s excavate this crazy hill and get busy. Some of you have a limited lifespan after all. Except you and me right Valagan? Aelar keep that elk away from Darling it looks like food to him, or don’t, might be entertaining. Ha, ha!”
Valagan nods knowingly back at his Gnome companion. A tiny smirk might be seen from under his dark hood, to those who look close.
With a 22 investigation you see old faded carvings in the stone. A story of some type. It's hard to make out but at the end you can make out a clear picture of a mound with three openings on the sides.
With a Nat 20 perception you get the feel that there are no monsters in the area but the tracks are fresh and well trodden like what made them has walked the same path hundreds of times.
It begins. You have each received an summons to Lord Richman's (original I know) Manor with an offer for a job to hunt the legendary treasure of the Lich Acererak. As seasoned adventures you know of the other members of the party and might have even worked with them in the past but it has been some time.
At the manor you are greeted with a fine meal and little information. Lord Richman has discovered the last known location of the Lich but has little else to provide.
The next morning the newly formed party heads into the wilds along a little used merchant trail. After a few days travel.......
The Party has arrived at the site of the demi-lich’s last haunt. Before you is a low, flat topped hill, about 200 yards wide and 300 yards long. Ugly weeds, thorns, and briars grow upon the steep sides and bald top of the 60 high mound. There are black rocks on top of the hill but you see little else from your current location just off the trail at the base of the hill
DM: I skipped the RP for the hook but if there was any preparation you would have done forgetting off let me know
Edit: you are on the south side of the Tomb and it is currently mid day.
OOC - How do you deal with spell components (specifically 300gp diamond for Revivify). If I find gold and eventually have 300gp, do we *handwave* the diamond part or do we need to buy a diamond before setting off, or need to find one in the dungeon?
Edit: It's consumable per casting
DM: I usually hand wave finding of components. Assuming you restock when your in town. So in this case if you have the gold you can cast the spell.
OOC - If you are saying we had "prep" time before or during travel until now, then Aelar would have cast find-steed since it lasts forever (until steed dies) and he gets 1/LR for free. I'll allow DM to rule if I cast it yesterday and took a long rest.
If yes, then he summoned a Celestial Elk.
Aelar stands by the tomb with his friends. It is so good to see them again after such a long time, and the walk here was full of laughter and reminiscing. No wildlife dared approach them on the journey and it was an easy trek to make. Now though, the tension in the air sapped all joy and happiness from Aelar's heart. The
door to thetomb lay ahead and he had been training for this day his whole life. The Lich inside is the epitome of what his family had been fighting for generations, all the way back to his angelic ancestor, Galadon Silverwing. Many of his family had, in fact, failed this exact mission and were never seen again. Looking around once more he began to feel hope rise in his chest, he knew these people, and if they could not conquer this dungeon together, then gods help the rest of the world as darkness will come for them soon enough.Leif, Orjon, Therkis, Valagan... it is an honor to stand by you once more. Let us waste no more time and kill this foul abomination once and for all. This will be a near insurmountable task, but I have faith that with you alongside me, we will finally put an end to the horror within.
DM: you do not see a door to a tomb. You only see the hill, vegetation and rocks as described.
Orjon is, at a first glance, a bit intimidating to most. Being a 7'10 goliath man with a strong beard, he wears no clothes other than his pants, which lets everyone see his many scars and tattoos, and looks to be in his late 40's, possibly even early 50's. However on the walk over you see that he really is a sweetheart. He really gives off grandpa energy, which makes sense since, as he has probably stated many times on the groups journey here, he has 4 grandchildren, all of which he adores. He also tells stories of adventures, which impress most people but, since you all are experinced as well, seem pretty average, maybe slightly above. through these stories you find out he is a monk who apparently has quite the impressive run speed. At the end of the day, he is a jolly and hearty fellow.
Insurmountable? NONESENSE! if you lot are as strong as you look, or even HALF a strong as you are good company, I'm sure this will be a trivial adventure, but one I shall tell my grandchildren of none the less! Orjon exclaims, ending off with a mighty chuckle
I appreciate your enthusiasm Orjon, but let's not get over confident. I've lost family to this monster, and I would hate for that to be true to yours as well. You are correct though, when we triumph it will be a story worth telling. Let's get to the top of this hill to get a better vantage point.
Aelar attempts to see if there are any safe paths through the overgrown thorns and brambles.
Roll perception or nature
Aelar has advantage on perception checks - 15 (15 & 7)
Valagan stands at 5'8", his frame frail and wiry, with pale, almost ghostly skin contrasting sharply with the inky black cloak he habitually wears. His long silver hair, streaked with hints of dull white, falls just past his shoulders, glinting faintly like polished metal and framing a face marked by sharp, angular, elven features. His piercing, grey-green eyes are always watchful, glimmering with a strange intensity, as if constantly seeing more than the present moment. Always with his staff in hand, he exudes an air of quiet, unsettling power, his movements deliberate and precise.
It has been a while since Valagan has been in the company of others. But, even though he is standoffish, those who know him know he is glad to be adventuring again with friends.
Valagan walks atop the hill to the highest vantage point and turns, taking a 360-degree view of where he stands. Perception check: 23
With a 15 you see that there is an overgrown path up the hill, you can also see a few other ways you that are clearly not a trail but will avoid the thorns
Aelar goes to the top avoiding the thorns
Leif rides his axe beak up the hill laughing all the way! “This is great we’re together again! Let’s excavate this crazy hill and get busy. Some of you have a limited lifespan after all. Except you and me right Valagan? Aelar keep that elk away from Darling it looks like food to him, or don’t, might be entertaining. Ha, ha!”
Leif is wearing a pretty convincing bone crown (illusion) his black eyes glint with his sense of mirth.
At the top of the hill. You all see a large black rock in the shape of a narrow pyramid in the center of Hill to its north is 2 large black mounds, on closer inspection is also some type of rock. South of the pyramid is 9 graves arranged a semi circle.
Valagan. You can see a couple of miles in all directions. Besides the road you came in on there is nothing but trees. With a 23 perception you also see foot prints coming from the graves. They go down each of the 4 trails that lead to the top. One for each of the Cardinal directions
Aelar walks over to the large black pyramid rock and inspects it for runes or carvings. (Touches it too in case that matters)
Investigation: 22
Upon seeing the graves, Orjon will simply keep watch while the party investigates the pillars and graves and what not, just making sure no monsters sneak up on us.
Passive Perception: 20
Perception check (if u want): 19
Valagan nods knowingly back at his Gnome companion. A tiny smirk might be seen from under his dark hood, to those who look close.
With a 22 investigation you see old faded carvings in the stone. A story of some type. It's hard to make out but at the end you can make out a clear picture of a mound with three openings on the sides.
With a Nat 20 perception you get the feel that there are no monsters in the area but the tracks are fresh and well trodden like what made them has walked the same path hundreds of times.
Leif rides up near the pyramid, draws out his mirror of the past gazing into its reflection, ‘Acererak’ he thinks upon its surface…