The metal is Adamantine! This breastplate is reinforced with adamantine, one of the hardest substances in existence. While you’re wearing it, any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit.
Looking more closely through the items in the quiver, Elaric notices, stitched into the cradle of the sling, is the same rune etched on each piece of ammo. The rune is actually very obvious and Elaric is forced to admit - if only himself (in the total and complete privacy of his own thoughts that no one is reading as if it were written in some kind of community-accessible diary entry) - that he really didn't look too closely at the sling the first time. (good thing no one can read his thoughts!)
Scroll container with 21 individual scroll tubes (7 of jade, 7 of leather, and 7 of wood) - 8 of the tubes contain scrolls; 4 in jade tubes, 2 in leather tubes, and 2 in wooden tubes
Small chest of Potions – 8 out of the 10 slots contain full potion vials
A treasure chest containing:
500 cp
3000 sp
2100 gp
100 pp
An elaborately carved ivory drinking horn set with brass
I'd like to use Religion to determine if any of the scrolls are divine spells and Medicine to identify the potions. Is a separate check needed for each item, or can I just make a single group check for the scrolls and a group check for the potions? I would also like to use Religion to determine any divine properties of the horn. However, I assume Arcana is still the key skill for identifying magic items of any kind.
OOG: Gong only needs a short rest to recover ki points, so I think that would be fine for now.
I'd like to use Religion to determine if any of the scrolls are divine spells and Medicine to identify the potions. Is a separate check needed for each item, or can I just make a single group check for the scrolls and a group check for the potions? I would also like to use Religion to determine any divine properties of the horn. However, I assume Arcana is still the key skill for identifying magic items of any kind.
OOG: Gong only needs a short rest to recover ki points, so I think that would be fine for now.
As Gong has proficiency in Religion, while looking through the scrolls, he automatically notes that four of the scroll tubes (the two leather ones and the two wooden ones) contain scrolls based on divine magic. The two in the leather tubes seem somewhat incomprehensible, but the wooden tube scrolls could probably be deciphered with a little effort (Make two Religion check for the scrolls).
Glancing over the eight potions, it becomes apparent that only four different types present; four of one kind, two of another, and one each of the last two kinds. Gong may make four medicine checks for the four different kinds of potions.
Guan Hao lays claim to the black breastplate and blue cloak [can we say definitively if the latter is or is not enchanted in some way?], and settles in for a short rest.
Guan Hao lays claim to the black breastplate and blue cloak [can we say definitively if the latter is or is not enchanted in some way?], and settles in for a short rest.
[OOG: based on prior results, it is definitely enchanted with some form of protection magic, but the specifics are not yet known. As such, it cannot yet be activated or used as anything more than decorative clothing.]
After finding nothing more of interest in the books and papers, Balasar settles in for a short rest. Also, if any of the potions turn out to be of the healing variety, he'll lay claim to some of them.
As Gong has proficiency in Religion, while looking through the scrolls, he automatically notes that four of the scroll tubes (the two leather ones and the two wooden ones) contain scrolls based on divine magic. The two in the leather tubes seem somewhat incomprehensible, but the wooden tube scrolls could probably be deciphered with a little effort (Make two Religion check for the scrolls).
Glancing over the eight potions, it becomes apparent that only four different types present; four of one kind, two of another, and one each of the last two kinds. Gong may make four medicine checks for the four different kinds of potions.
Reading through both scrolls in the wooden tubes, Gong recognizes the invocations: Healing Word and Sanctuary.
The potions present more of a challenge. When buying potions in a large city from reputable alchemists, potions often come in identifiable containers and the designs are fairly unique and consistent maker-to-marker. These potions vials, unfortunately, are all the exact same size and shape. Only buy close examination and discrimination based on color, contents, odor, and (in a pinch) taste, may one discern the identity of each concoction. Gong easily identifies the group of four potions as standard Potions of Healing - nothing but a healing potion glimmers quite that shade of red and Gong is familiar with the mixture. One of the single potions appears to be comprised of a flickering orange liquid with a layer of thick smoke at the top of the vial - Gong recognizes this as a Potion of Fire Breath. The other single potion vial is full of a viscus, cloudy green solution with a single coherent bubble floating in the middle. Uncorking it, the mixture smells faintly of saltwater. Gong is uncertain of its identity. The final set of two potions looks similar - but not identical - to the set of four healing potions. These two vials glimmer with a metallic red liquid that almost seems to sparkle ever so slightly in the dim light of the torches. At a guess, these MIGHT be more potent healing potions, but they could just as easily be lethal poisons - Gong seems to recall that several of the more alchemically notorious poisons can be made to look very similar to healing potions.
[please make an experience check (1d20+character level)]
While Gong knows he has learned of various religiously and historically significant magical horns in the past, he cannot recall any meaningful descriptions of such items at this time and so cannot appraise the item in this context.
[The party has rested for one hour - if you have not already used the Short Rest button on your character sheet, please do so now!]
As the party finishes resting and recuperating, Elaric motions his companions to gather together. As soon as everyone has settled near enough that he can address them quietly (though not in a whisper - no sense in making the mercenaries too suspicious), he briefly recounts the relevant bits of the journal he was able to translate so far. In short, the shape changer posing as Commander Narin was sent here by an unknown patron ("it just writes that 'the voice' told it what to do") with the purpose of infiltrating the mercenaries and ensuring 'the ritual' was completed properly. Whether it stumbled upon or started a Black Earth cult branch is unclear, but it seems to have taken a special interest in a planar portal buried somewhere in the ruins. Pausing here, Elaric looks to Mady. "Mady; you and Bruna mentioned a temple with a direct connection to Chauntea's realm. Would that connection, by any chance, have been a portal?"
Mady shrugs and smiles. "That depends; is a large stone circle full of glowing water surrounded by magic gems a portal?"
Perking up, Elaric ignores the question. "Where?"
Mady's lips purse in concentration. "It should be... up two floors and a little to the west. Actually, now that I think of it, it should be directly above the ritual chamber."
Elaric nods. "That would make sense - this journal talks about 'retuning the portal' to a 'far off plane' as a means of powering the ritual." The Elf chews his lower lip in concern. "I still haven't been able to find anything in this journal to explain why that thing wanted to perform the ritual or what the ritual was meant to accomplish - beyond infusing that big beast with elemental energy."
Closing the book for now, Elaric looks to the group, "If nothing else, based on the timing of everything, I think it's safe to say that Narin was not responsible for the trouble in Pyrringham - at least, not in any direct way. The shape changer replaced him shortly before any problems started."
Reading through both scrolls in the wooden tubes, Gong recognizes the invocations: Healing Word and Sanctuary.
The potions present more of a challenge. When buying potions in a large city from reputable alchemists, potions often come in identifiable containers and the designs are fairly unique and consistent maker-to-marker. These potions vials, unfortunately, are all the exact same size and shape. Only buy close examination and discrimination based on color, contents, odor, and (in a pinch) taste, may one discern the identity of each concoction. Gong easily identifies the group of four potions as standard Potions of Healing - nothing but a healing potion glimmers quite that shade of red and Gong is familiar with the mixture. One of the single potions appears to be comprised of a flickering orange liquid with a layer of thick smoke at the top of the vial - Gong recognizes this as a Potion of Fire Breath. The other single potion vial is full of a viscus, cloudy green solution with a single coherent bubble floating in the middle. Uncorking it, the mixture smells faintly of saltwater. Gong is uncertain of its identity. The final set of two potions looks similar - but not identical - to the set of four healing potions. These two vials glimmer with a metallic red liquid that almost seems to sparkle ever so slightly in the dim light of the torches. At a guess, these MIGHT be more potent healing potions, but they could just as easily be lethal poisons - Gong seems to recall that several of the more alchemically notorious poisons can be made to look very similar to healing potions.
[please make an experience check (1d20+character level)]
While Gong knows he has learned of various religiously and historically significant magical horns in the past, he cannot recall any meaningful descriptions of such items at this time and so cannot appraise the item in this context.
Gong will take one of the Potions of Healing. Experience Check: 5
Wendell has recovered 7 hit points during his short rest.
"All well and good, but I'm worried about the portal's stability if these Black Earth cultists have been tampering with it. Once we get things resolved here, we should make sure it's not been permanently damaged. After, of course, ensuring that these mercenaries don't decide to gut us after all."
Looking over to the mercenaries, he adds, "Who was going to pay you? One of these cultists? Or did the false Narin mention an off-site employer?"
Wendell has recovered 7 hit points during his short rest.
"All well and good, but I'm worried about the portal's stability if these Black Earth cultists have been tampering with it. Once we get things resolved here, we should make sure it's not been permanently damaged. After, of course, ensuring that these mercenaries don't decide to gut us after all."
Looking over to the mercenaries, he adds, "Who was going to pay you? One of these cultists? Or did the false Narin mention an off-site employer?"
Make a Persuasion check (or Intimidate, depending upon Wendell's tone/intent)
Before long, the echo of booted feet resounds down the corridor and bounces around the room. Moments later, the sounds are followed by the men producing them; commander Narin, looking remarkably healthy for a man so recently skinned alive and chopped nearly in half, enters just ahead of lieutenant Boyd. Pausing several steps in, he surveys the room and nods approvingly. “You fellows have excellent taste – this room needed serious redecorating and the addition of that creature’s mangled corpse is just the thing to make it perfect.” Smiling with grim satisfaction, he adds, “Not that I’m biased in any way…”
The commander turns to regard a low-voiced conversation between Boyd and one of the guards before noting wryly, “I told you they wouldn’t cause trouble – I’ve heard of them.” Looking back at the party, he continues in a louder voice, “You are the heroes of Adaern, are you not? Forgive me if I do not recollect your names, but your deeds are known to me. I have several good friends throughout the city and they tell me you are held in high regard, both by the City Council and many of the people. I am Josiah Narin, commander of the High Hills Vanguard and I wish to extend my thanks to you for saving my life. Additionally, I offer you thanks for saving the lives of my men – based on the creature’s ramblings, it seems likely that those of my troops who would not be brought into the cult would have become sacrifices. Also, I understand from lieutenant Boyd that you were able to stop not only the creature, but its cultists as well and interrupt some form of ritual which they were performing – as part of our charge was the protection of these ruins and preventing any interference with various aspects of them, you have helped us retain our honor and our contract. For a third time, I am humbled to offer you my thanks.”
Looking about the party, Narin makes eye contact with each, holding the look for several beats before moving on. “Gentlemen, I am in your debt three times over and I am a man of honor – I wish to repay this debt in any way I can. Be these repayments monetary, service, or information; immediate or in the future; large or small, you have but to ask.” At this pronouncement, the man bows deeply to the heroes.
Straightening once more, he adds, “As much as I would like to think you somehow learned of my personal plight and came to assist, I cannot help but feel other issues brought you to this place. If I may presume to ask, why did you come here?”
"Commander Narin, if I may speak plainly, your assignment has taken you onto lands that my family and their neighbors own, and have immediate interest in keeping safe. If it does not fall within the purview of your debt, why are your men in Pyrringham? Who sent you, and by what authority do they send mercenaries on our lands?"
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The metal is Adamantine! This breastplate is reinforced with adamantine, one of the hardest substances in existence. While you’re wearing it, any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit.
Looking more closely through the items in the quiver, Elaric notices, stitched into the cradle of the sling, is the same rune etched on each piece of ammo. The rune is actually very obvious and Elaric is forced to admit - if only himself (in the total and complete privacy of his own thoughts that no one is reading as if it were written in some kind of community-accessible diary entry) - that he really didn't look too closely at the sling the first time. (good thing no one can read his thoughts!)
Elaric settles down with some of the papers and books for a short rest.
I'd like to use Religion to determine if any of the scrolls are divine spells and Medicine to identify the potions. Is a separate check needed for each item, or can I just make a single group check for the scrolls and a group check for the potions? I would also like to use Religion to determine any divine properties of the horn. However, I assume Arcana is still the key skill for identifying magic items of any kind.
OOG: Gong only needs a short rest to recover ki points, so I think that would be fine for now.
As Gong has proficiency in Religion, while looking through the scrolls, he automatically notes that four of the scroll tubes (the two leather ones and the two wooden ones) contain scrolls based on divine magic. The two in the leather tubes seem somewhat incomprehensible, but the wooden tube scrolls could probably be deciphered with a little effort (Make two Religion check for the scrolls).
Glancing over the eight potions, it becomes apparent that only four different types present; four of one kind, two of another, and one each of the last two kinds. Gong may make four medicine checks for the four different kinds of potions.
Make a Religion check for the horn
Guan Hao lays claim to the black breastplate and blue cloak [can we say definitively if the latter is or is not enchanted in some way?], and settles in for a short rest.
[OOG: based on prior results, it is definitely enchanted with some form of protection magic, but the specifics are not yet known. As such, it cannot yet be activated or used as anything more than decorative clothing.]
After finding nothing more of interest in the books and papers, Balasar settles in for a short rest. Also, if any of the potions turn out to be of the healing variety, he'll lay claim to some of them.
Religion checks on the scrolls:
1) 4
2) 13
Medicine checks on the potions:
1) 12
2) 7
3) 9
4) 22
Religion check for the horn:
7
Reading through both scrolls in the wooden tubes, Gong recognizes the invocations: Healing Word and Sanctuary.
The potions present more of a challenge. When buying potions in a large city from reputable alchemists, potions often come in identifiable containers and the designs are fairly unique and consistent maker-to-marker. These potions vials, unfortunately, are all the exact same size and shape. Only buy close examination and discrimination based on color, contents, odor, and (in a pinch) taste, may one discern the identity of each concoction. Gong easily identifies the group of four potions as standard Potions of Healing - nothing but a healing potion glimmers quite that shade of red and Gong is familiar with the mixture. One of the single potions appears to be comprised of a flickering orange liquid with a layer of thick smoke at the top of the vial - Gong recognizes this as a Potion of Fire Breath. The other single potion vial is full of a viscus, cloudy green solution with a single coherent bubble floating in the middle. Uncorking it, the mixture smells faintly of saltwater. Gong is uncertain of its identity. The final set of two potions looks similar - but not identical - to the set of four healing potions. These two vials glimmer with a metallic red liquid that almost seems to sparkle ever so slightly in the dim light of the torches. At a guess, these MIGHT be more potent healing potions, but they could just as easily be lethal poisons - Gong seems to recall that several of the more alchemically notorious poisons can be made to look very similar to healing potions.
[please make an experience check (1d20+character level)]
While Gong knows he has learned of various religiously and historically significant magical horns in the past, he cannot recall any meaningful descriptions of such items at this time and so cannot appraise the item in this context.
[The party has rested for one hour - if you have not already used the Short Rest button on your character sheet, please do so now!]
As the party finishes resting and recuperating, Elaric motions his companions to gather together. As soon as everyone has settled near enough that he can address them quietly (though not in a whisper - no sense in making the mercenaries too suspicious), he briefly recounts the relevant bits of the journal he was able to translate so far. In short, the shape changer posing as Commander Narin was sent here by an unknown patron ("it just writes that 'the voice' told it what to do") with the purpose of infiltrating the mercenaries and ensuring 'the ritual' was completed properly. Whether it stumbled upon or started a Black Earth cult branch is unclear, but it seems to have taken a special interest in a planar portal buried somewhere in the ruins. Pausing here, Elaric looks to Mady. "Mady; you and Bruna mentioned a temple with a direct connection to Chauntea's realm. Would that connection, by any chance, have been a portal?"
Mady shrugs and smiles. "That depends; is a large stone circle full of glowing water surrounded by magic gems a portal?"
Perking up, Elaric ignores the question. "Where?"
Mady's lips purse in concentration. "It should be... up two floors and a little to the west. Actually, now that I think of it, it should be directly above the ritual chamber."
Elaric nods. "That would make sense - this journal talks about 'retuning the portal' to a 'far off plane' as a means of powering the ritual." The Elf chews his lower lip in concern. "I still haven't been able to find anything in this journal to explain why that thing wanted to perform the ritual or what the ritual was meant to accomplish - beyond infusing that big beast with elemental energy."
Closing the book for now, Elaric looks to the group, "If nothing else, based on the timing of everything, I think it's safe to say that Narin was not responsible for the trouble in Pyrringham - at least, not in any direct way. The shape changer replaced him shortly before any problems started."
Balasar will recover 3 hit dice worth of HP during the short rest: 23
Gong will take one of the Potions of Healing.
Experience Check: 5
Wendell has recovered 7 hit points during his short rest.
"All well and good, but I'm worried about the portal's stability if these Black Earth cultists have been tampering with it. Once we get things resolved here, we should make sure it's not been permanently damaged. After, of course, ensuring that these mercenaries don't decide to gut us after all."
Looking over to the mercenaries, he adds, "Who was going to pay you? One of these cultists? Or did the false Narin mention an off-site employer?"
Guan Hao expends 1 hit die on the short rest and recovers 12 HP.
Make a Persuasion check (or Intimidate, depending upon Wendell's tone/intent)
Persuasion 10
The guards continue their observation of the party in stony silence.
Before long, the echo of booted feet resounds down the corridor and bounces around the room. Moments later, the sounds are followed by the men producing them; commander Narin, looking remarkably healthy for a man so recently skinned alive and chopped nearly in half, enters just ahead of lieutenant Boyd. Pausing several steps in, he surveys the room and nods approvingly. “You fellows have excellent taste – this room needed serious redecorating and the addition of that creature’s mangled corpse is just the thing to make it perfect.” Smiling with grim satisfaction, he adds, “Not that I’m biased in any way…”
The commander turns to regard a low-voiced conversation between Boyd and one of the guards before noting wryly, “I told you they wouldn’t cause trouble – I’ve heard of them.” Looking back at the party, he continues in a louder voice, “You are the heroes of Adaern, are you not? Forgive me if I do not recollect your names, but your deeds are known to me. I have several good friends throughout the city and they tell me you are held in high regard, both by the City Council and many of the people. I am Josiah Narin, commander of the High Hills Vanguard and I wish to extend my thanks to you for saving my life. Additionally, I offer you thanks for saving the lives of my men – based on the creature’s ramblings, it seems likely that those of my troops who would not be brought into the cult would have become sacrifices. Also, I understand from lieutenant Boyd that you were able to stop not only the creature, but its cultists as well and interrupt some form of ritual which they were performing – as part of our charge was the protection of these ruins and preventing any interference with various aspects of them, you have helped us retain our honor and our contract. For a third time, I am humbled to offer you my thanks.”
Looking about the party, Narin makes eye contact with each, holding the look for several beats before moving on. “Gentlemen, I am in your debt three times over and I am a man of honor – I wish to repay this debt in any way I can. Be these repayments monetary, service, or information; immediate or in the future; large or small, you have but to ask.” At this pronouncement, the man bows deeply to the heroes.
Straightening once more, he adds, “As much as I would like to think you somehow learned of my personal plight and came to assist, I cannot help but feel other issues brought you to this place. If I may presume to ask, why did you come here?”
OOC: Gong recovered 1 hit die during the short rest: 6
"Commander Narin, if I may speak plainly, your assignment has taken you onto lands that my family and their neighbors own, and have immediate interest in keeping safe. If it does not fall within the purview of your debt, why are your men in Pyrringham? Who sent you, and by what authority do they send mercenaries on our lands?"