Stepping up to the mace, Utar takes a knee and passes a careful eye over the mace. It's colour is distinctive, but religious teachings weren't all that specific when it came to weaponry...
As everyone takes a brief breather to assess the situation now that Neya is free from the water, a dull thumping can be heard from well further head. Listening closely, a rhythm can be even picked up out of the noise out of the clang of something metallic against stone alongside heavy grunts and muffled conversation further up ahead. After close to a solid minute or two of this, the noises comes to an abrupt end, allowing the eerie silence of the tunnel to return before long.
This time when someone calls out to the voices from earlier, none answer...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@Grx: I'll interpret that roll as a medicine check, which then makes it a 21.)
Graxx knows battle wounds. He can recognize that the severed head was indeed gnawed off. Not only that, but there is no natural healing signs around the wounds, indicating that the biting started after the wererat was already dead. The barbarian's best guess is that it probably couldn't get out of the sinkhole upon falling in, and drowned. Or perhaps it was thrown into the whole after being killed somehow. Either way, the ghouls obviously made a meal out of it.
Utar can quickly tell that the ornamented mace is indeed a religious piece. The four faces on the mace's head depict the four famous symbols that represent beloved gods around the land. One face shows the balanced scales and warhammer of Tyr, the second one displays the right gauntlet of Torm, the third depicts the sunburst associated with Lathander, and the last face presents a blooming rose over some grain, the symbol of Chauntea. Utar concludes the mace works like a regularly enchanted mace, +1 but there is more to this weapon than just that (in the absence of something like the Identify spell, Utar can either continue to study the item over a short or long rest or pay the priests of Torm at the temple for a ritual cast of the spell.)
Utar gingerly picks up the mace and looks at the face depicting the gauntlet of Torm. Looking round the group, he takes it before Praxx, kneeling to allow the gnome a better look.
"Have a look at this master bard, does this appear in any songs?"
Praxx takes the mace with both hands like a baby holding a claymore and begins looking it over. Trying to see if he has noticed anything or heard anything over the years.
Praxx tries to remember any famous songs that mention such an exquisite weapon, but is unaware of such lyrics. Nonetheless, the gnome thinks back to the handful of books the group collected back at the Manor and recalls that no one picked the religious tome on Tyr and some of the early factions that followed him for further study when the group agreed to hit the books before falling asleep last night. That is likely a good source for information on this weapon, if it is indeed linked to those Tyr-worshiping factions of old (for reference: this post.).
"There is something about ahead of us that seems to be better equipped than us. As you said we could not damage the beast. We need to be moving on before they get too far ahead."
Do we need to rest for you to examine the mace further?
"Alright then." Graxx says as he looks in the direction toward the voices. Then he says trying to lighten the mood with an added tone of humor, "Watch your heads in here!"
Graxx will lead the way with his glowing greatsword. He is scanning the best he can for threats with his human eyes.
“I feel like we probably should have studied a little harder and looked at the tome on Tyr. I blame Graxx for this one. He told me reading was for the birds” says Praxx as he looks in Graxx’s direction jokingly.
Praxx sees Graxx attempting to see through the darkness and begins searching as well.
Neya pushes the beaten brass doors aside without difficulty. Amid a brief argument and some lightheartedness, the group advances further into this spiral shaped cave. Praxx and Graxx lead the group while Utar brings in the rear. The long and curved hallway is almost featurelless, apart from the general dampness and rot smell you have already taken note of. The one difference that you find is that this hallway slopes upwards at a gentle angle, suggesting that the sinkhole was the lowest point in this cave.
They almost go unnoticed (Praxx certainly does not see them despite his darkvision), but Graxx spots two door-frames on the outer wall deep into this hallway with the help of his light-emitting blade. Two small, square rooms are beyond these door-frames on the right. One frame is missing its door, while the other is still in place, albeit broken in such a manner that you can look inside. These rooms may have once served as prison cells, given their dimensions. Holes on the doors and walls certainly suggest that these could once be bolted shut from the corridor’s side. The first room, the one with no door, is completely empty. Graxx brings the light of his blade to the holes on the door of the second room. The brass door itself is sturdy and stuck, despite the damage. Inside, the barbarian can see another face-down body, the third of this expedition so far. It is hard to determine who it might be from where the group stands.
"Aye, it could just. If you give it a heave from your end, we can try to heave it from ours."
Utar positions himself at the edge of one of the great brass doors, waiting for the others to get in position. Given the size, weight and likely age of these doors he is highly doubtful he could open by himself. Once everyone is in position, he heaves.
Graxx will study the head. Is he able to tell if it was a clean cut or was the head ripped off? Or possibly bit off?
20
Graxx will set the golden mace on the ground. "That mace feels magical. Can any of you tell what it is?"
Stepping up to the mace, Utar takes a knee and passes a careful eye over the mace. It's colour is distinctive, but religious teachings weren't all that specific when it came to weaponry...
Religion 16
As everyone takes a brief breather to assess the situation now that Neya is free from the water, a dull thumping can be heard from well further head. Listening closely, a rhythm can be even picked up out of the noise out of the clang of something metallic against stone alongside heavy grunts and muffled conversation further up ahead. After close to a solid minute or two of this, the noises comes to an abrupt end, allowing the eerie silence of the tunnel to return before long.
This time when someone calls out to the voices from earlier, none answer...
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(@Grx: I'll interpret that roll as a medicine check, which then makes it a 21.)
Graxx knows battle wounds. He can recognize that the severed head was indeed gnawed off. Not only that, but there is no natural healing signs around the wounds, indicating that the biting started after the wererat was already dead. The barbarian's best guess is that it probably couldn't get out of the sinkhole upon falling in, and drowned. Or perhaps it was thrown into the whole after being killed somehow. Either way, the ghouls obviously made a meal out of it.
Utar can quickly tell that the ornamented mace is indeed a religious piece. The four faces on the mace's head depict the four famous symbols that represent beloved gods around the land. One face shows the balanced scales and warhammer of Tyr, the second one displays the right gauntlet of Torm, the third depicts the sunburst associated with Lathander, and the last face presents a blooming rose over some grain, the symbol of Chauntea. Utar concludes the mace works like a regularly enchanted mace, +1 but there is more to this weapon than just that (in the absence of something like the Identify spell, Utar can either continue to study the item over a short or long rest or pay the priests of Torm at the temple for a ritual cast of the spell.)
Utar gingerly picks up the mace and looks at the face depicting the gauntlet of Torm. Looking round the group, he takes it before Praxx, kneeling to allow the gnome a better look.
"Have a look at this master bard, does this appear in any songs?"
Praxx takes the mace with both hands like a baby holding a claymore and begins looking it over. Trying to see if he has noticed anything or heard anything over the years.
History: 14
Praxx tries to remember any famous songs that mention such an exquisite weapon, but is unaware of such lyrics. Nonetheless, the gnome thinks back to the handful of books the group collected back at the Manor and recalls that no one picked the religious tome on Tyr and some of the early factions that followed him for further study when the group agreed to hit the books before falling asleep last night. That is likely a good source for information on this weapon, if it is indeed linked to those Tyr-worshiping factions of old (for reference: this post.).
"There is something about ahead of us that seems to be better equipped than us. As you said we could not damage the beast. We need to be moving on before they get too far ahead."
Do we need to rest for you to examine the mace further?
"Equipment is one thing... The capability of using them effectively is another matter entirely, but I agree we need to press on."
Extended Signature
Utar stands and nods, grasping the mace tightly in hand.
"Agreed, let's not waste anymore time in catching up with those voices."
"Alright then." Graxx says as he looks in the direction toward the voices. Then he says trying to lighten the mood with an added tone of humor, "Watch your heads in here!"
Graxx will lead the way with his glowing greatsword. He is scanning the best he can for threats with his human eyes.
Perception: 19
“I feel like we probably should have studied a little harder and looked at the tome on Tyr. I blame Graxx for this one. He told me reading was for the birds” says Praxx as he looks in Graxx’s direction jokingly.
Praxx sees Graxx attempting to see through the darkness and begins searching as well.
Perception: 11
Graxx says in a hushed tone , “Shh! Shut your flute quiver and listen for the voices!”
Neya stifles a chuckle. The irony of arguing about being quiet is not lost on her.
Extended Signature
Utar brings up the rear of the group wondering whether engaging Graxx and Praxx in a 'who can be quietest the longest?' contest would work...
Neya pushes the beaten brass doors aside without difficulty. Amid a brief argument and some lightheartedness, the group advances further into this spiral shaped cave. Praxx and Graxx lead the group while Utar brings in the rear. The long and curved hallway is almost featurelless, apart from the general dampness and rot smell you have already taken note of. The one difference that you find is that this hallway slopes upwards at a gentle angle, suggesting that the sinkhole was the lowest point in this cave.
They almost go unnoticed (Praxx certainly does not see them despite his darkvision), but Graxx spots two door-frames on the outer wall deep into this hallway with the help of his light-emitting blade. Two small, square rooms are beyond these door-frames on the right. One frame is missing its door, while the other is still in place, albeit broken in such a manner that you can look inside. These rooms may have once served as prison cells, given their dimensions. Holes on the doors and walls certainly suggest that these could once be bolted shut from the corridor’s side. The first room, the one with no door, is completely empty. Graxx brings the light of his blade to the holes on the door of the second room. The brass door itself is sturdy and stuck, despite the damage. Inside, the barbarian can see another face-down body, the third of this expedition so far. It is hard to determine who it might be from where the group stands.
"Do we think we could open these doors? Or knock them down?"
Neya takes out her crowbar, "Either way, a little bit of leverage could prove helpful."
Extended Signature
"Aye, it could just. If you give it a heave from your end, we can try to heave it from ours."
Utar positions himself at the edge of one of the great brass doors, waiting for the others to get in position. Given the size, weight and likely age of these doors he is highly doubtful he could open by himself. Once everyone is in position, he heaves.
Strength 19
Neya puts her crowbar between the door and the frame and starts working to get the door unstuck as well.
Strength: 15
Extended Signature