What do you know of this sickness? Have you found a cure or a source?" Ras Nsi demands
Dr A looks up and says "ahbut this kovidnaɪntin, which some refer to as the Death Curse, is proving tricky for my fellow researchers and I to understand. Despite our best endeavours, all that we have been able to ascertain is that it appears to being caused by some sort of necromantic artifact known as the Soulmonger. Furthermore we believe that this device is located in the deep jungles of Chult. But" holding up a finger "somebody must have brought it here. Perhaps one of your minions has heard of a newcomer turning up out of nowhere in the deep jungles"he finishes with.
"Acererak!" Ras Nsi says with a hint of anger. "He has had us guard the tomb of the nine gods but if you tracked this evil here to Omu then he would be the one to hold such a thing."
You then recall the words written on the obelisk outside the entrance you found that had the nine cubes shaped holes.
Fear the night when the forsaken one seizes death’s mantle and the seas dry up and the dead rise and I, Acererak the Eternal, reap the world of the living. Those who dare enter take heed: The enemies oppose.
One stands between them.
In darkness, it hides.
Don the mask or be seen.
Speak no truth to the doomed child.
The keys turn on the inside only.
"If this Soulmonger is in the tomb then I cannot aid you, I do not know how to get in." he continues. "But I and my people will not oppose you in your efforts."
"Do you have any stone cubes, about this size," the fighter says, indicating the size of the other slabs they've found, "with images of one of the trickster gods carved into it? We need to collect them all in order to get in and solve this problem."
"Yes, I have 1. I have seen a group of red wizards trying to enter the shrines and collect these. I sent my people to confront them. The red wizards were killed and this cube was recovered from them. I have it here and you shall have it if you need it for your quest."
He moves to a chest at the side of the room and brings out the cube and hands it to you. Looking at it it has a frogemoth on it and you believe it is from Kubazan's shrine.
"Thank you my lord"Dr A responds. He turns to Kirinar "how many is that we have now?" Once Kirinar responds Dr A racks his brain to see if he can work out which ones they're missing (History 22)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Keyleth, who had been trying to stay hidden up to this point, relaxes when it becomes clear that Ras Nsi does not appear to be hostile. For good measure, she tries to size up his intentions:
Insight: 21
If nothing seems amiss, and the group is permitted to exit freely, once they are outside, she tells Dr. A, "We've got seven so far: Papazotl, I'jin, Obo'laka, Shagambi, Unkh, Wongo, and now Kubazan. I think that leaves Moa and Nangnang, if I recall correctly. I assume one of those is on that island over there, and the other is... maybe that building over there?" she points to the east (location 18).
Once back outside and away from listening ears, Kirinar asks the others, "So in the hidden area we saw those strange words, and one line said something about not telling the truth to the doomed child. Do you think Ras Nsi is the doomed child? Did we make a mistake trusting him? Maybe I'll keep a lookout over our shoulders just in case..."
Dr A mutters to himself "ahbut Acerak, I'm sure I've heard that name before?" What exactly does Dr A recall about Acerak (History = 19 & Arcana = 10
Acererak is a powerful lich known and feared throughout the multiverse. Much of his past is forgotten, but ancient texts assert that he comes from a world called Oerth.
Acererak travels the planes in search of artifacts. When he finds something useful or interesting, he locks it away. Although he’s powerful enough to pursue godhood as other liches have done (Vecna being a prime example), Acererak has no interest in being a god or being worshiped. He prefers to create evil gods and unleash them on mortals and immortals who oppose him.
Despite passing up opportunities for godhood, Acererak attracts his fair share of followers and worshipers. He doesn’t grant spells, nor does he give his devotees much of his precious time. Mostly he likes to watch them suffer and die as a result of their magical pursuits and folly.
Although he has lived on many worlds and crafted countless demiplanes, Acererak spends most of his time building tombs. He fills each one with treasure to attract powerful adventurers. He then kills them off in terrible fashion, using deadly traps and monsters while baiting and ridiculing them. The terror he evokes scars their souls, which he traps in his phylactery, the location of which is one of the multiverse’s greatest secrets.
"Ahbut this Acererak could be a bit of a handful - we'll need to be at the top of our game when we confront him! If in fact that is what we must do?"Dr A comments to the rest of the party.
"The doomed child? Ras Nsi didn't strike me as much like a child, though 'doomed' I could see," Keyleth says, pondering Dr. A's comment.
OoC: If I stay single-classed (which I probably will, but considering options), I get two more expertise picks. I figure, since we're heading into a presumably trap-filled dungeon, Thieves' Tools should be one of them. Investigation is probably the most natural fit for the other, though I could also see Athletics or Acrobatics. Anybody have thoughts? Is everybody else continuing single-classed? Dr. A, maybe you can prep Lesser Restoration, in case there are more traps like that one that would have caused blindness?
"The doomed child? Ras Nsi didn't strike me as much like a child, though 'doomed' I could see," Keyleth says, pondering Dr. A's comment.
OoC: If I stay single-classed (which I probably will, but considering options), I get two more expertise picks. I figure, since we're heading into a presumably trap-filled dungeon, Thieves' Tools should be one of them. Investigation is probably the most natural fit for the other, though I could also see Athletics or Acrobatics. Anybody have thoughts? Is everybody else continuing single-classed? Dr. A, maybe you can prep Lesser Restoration, in case there are more traps like that one that would have caused blindness?
Dr A looks up and says "ahbut this kovidnaɪntin, which some refer to as the Death Curse, is proving tricky for my fellow researchers and I to understand. Despite our best endeavours, all that we have been able to ascertain is that it appears to being caused by some sort of necromantic artifact known as the Soulmonger. Furthermore we believe that this device is located in the deep jungles of Chult. But" holding up a finger "somebody must have brought it here. Perhaps one of your minions has heard of a newcomer turning up out of nowhere in the deep jungles" he finishes with.
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"Acererak!" Ras Nsi says with a hint of anger. "He has had us guard the tomb of the nine gods but if you tracked this evil here to Omu then he would be the one to hold such a thing."
You then recall the words written on the obelisk outside the entrance you found that had the nine cubes shaped holes.
Fear the night when the forsaken one seizes death’s mantle and the seas dry up and the dead rise and I, Acererak the Eternal, reap the world of the living. Those who dare enter take heed: The enemies oppose.
One stands between them.
In darkness, it hides.
Don the mask or be seen.
Speak no truth to the doomed child.
The keys turn on the inside only.
"If this Soulmonger is in the tomb then I cannot aid you, I do not know how to get in." he continues. "But I and my people will not oppose you in your efforts."
"Do you have any stone cubes, about this size," the fighter says, indicating the size of the other slabs they've found, "with images of one of the trickster gods carved into it? We need to collect them all in order to get in and solve this problem."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
"Yes, I have 1. I have seen a group of red wizards trying to enter the shrines and collect these. I sent my people to confront them. The red wizards were killed and this cube was recovered from them. I have it here and you shall have it if you need it for your quest."
He moves to a chest at the side of the room and brings out the cube and hands it to you. Looking at it it has a frogemoth on it and you believe it is from Kubazan's shrine.
"Thank you my lord" Dr A responds. He turns to Kirinar "how many is that we have now?" Once Kirinar responds Dr A racks his brain to see if he can work out which ones they're missing (History 22)
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Keyleth, who had been trying to stay hidden up to this point, relaxes when it becomes clear that Ras Nsi does not appear to be hostile. For good measure, she tries to size up his intentions:
Insight: 21
If nothing seems amiss, and the group is permitted to exit freely, once they are outside, she tells Dr. A, "We've got seven so far: Papazotl, I'jin, Obo'laka, Shagambi, Unkh, Wongo, and now Kubazan. I think that leaves Moa and Nangnang, if I recall correctly. I assume one of those is on that island over there, and the other is... maybe that building over there?" she points to the east (location 18).
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
"Well I'd rather not get my feet wet, lets try the building first!" Dr A responds
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"Anything else you can tell us about Acererak before we continue on our expedition? And was that a pool of blood out there?"
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Nothing seems amiss to Keyleth and Ras Nsi ignores Kirinar's question about the pool of blood.
"I can aid you no further but my people will be instructed not to hinder you either."
You are safely escorted out when you are done.
Dr A mutters to himself "ahbut Acerak, I'm sure I've heard that name before?" What exactly does Dr A recall about Acerak (History = 20 & Arcana = 10
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
Once back outside and away from listening ears, Kirinar asks the others, "So in the hidden area we saw those strange words, and one line said something about not telling the truth to the doomed child. Do you think Ras Nsi is the doomed child? Did we make a mistake trusting him? Maybe I'll keep a lookout over our shoulders just in case..."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Acererak is a powerful lich known and feared throughout the multiverse. Much of his past is forgotten, but ancient texts assert that he comes from a world called Oerth.
Acererak travels the planes in search of artifacts. When he finds something useful or interesting, he locks it away. Although he’s powerful enough to pursue godhood as other liches have done (Vecna being a prime example), Acererak has no interest in being a god or being worshiped. He prefers to create evil gods and unleash them on mortals and immortals who oppose him.
Despite passing up opportunities for godhood, Acererak attracts his fair share of followers and worshipers. He doesn’t grant spells, nor does he give his devotees much of his precious time. Mostly he likes to watch them suffer and die as a result of their magical pursuits and folly.
Although he has lived on many worlds and crafted countless demiplanes, Acererak spends most of his time building tombs. He fills each one with treasure to attract powerful adventurers. He then kills them off in terrible fashion, using deadly traps and monsters while baiting and ridiculing them. The terror he evokes scars their souls, which he traps in his phylactery, the location of which is one of the multiverse’s greatest secrets.
At this time go ahead and level up to level 7
Kirinar was 5th - jumping to 7th, right?
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Yes
This is one of the most exciting things to happen in my life over the last two weeks. Awesome!
"Ahbut this Acererak could be a bit of a handful - we'll need to be at the top of our game when we confront him! If in fact that is what we must do?" Dr A comments to the rest of the party.
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks
"The doomed child? Ras Nsi didn't strike me as much like a child, though 'doomed' I could see," Keyleth says, pondering Dr. A's comment.
OoC: If I stay single-classed (which I probably will, but considering options), I get two more expertise picks. I figure, since we're heading into a presumably trap-filled dungeon, Thieves' Tools should be one of them. Investigation is probably the most natural fit for the other, though I could also see Athletics or Acrobatics. Anybody have thoughts? Is everybody else continuing single-classed? Dr. A, maybe you can prep Lesser Restoration, in case there are more traps like that one that would have caused blindness?
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Single classed here.
"Ahbut I don't think an eons old lich is a doomed child either" Dr A replies " I wonder who and what it is meant to be?"
DM - Stopping a god in his tracks