What if anything does Dr A recall about the various creatures Religion 20
Dr A studies the statues and remembers his studies of the ancient religions and gods of Chult.
The statues depict the nine trickster gods, with each facing pair of alcoves dedicated to two trickster gods who oppose each other. Moving down the hall from west to east, the opposing statues depict Moa (jaculi) and Wongo (su-monster), I’jin (almiraj) and Obo’laka (zorbo), Papazotl (eblis) and Kubazan (froghemoth), and Nangnang (grung) and Shagambi (kamadan).
You recall that these creatures are also described in the book you bought from Volo.
“Ah but you’re a silly old torte, sometimes I think you really are no more than a rock with arms and legs! Of course these represent the Trickster Gods which are described in Volo’s Guide which we paid good money for.” He turns to the Party “don’t do anything else until I’ve had a look at what Volo has to say” He pulls out the book and starts reading “hmm ....”
OOC more detailed post coming tonight - my time - when I get home from work.
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DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"Alright, I guess I'm going to try it..." Keyleth says, hearing nothing from the group by way of stopping her. She begins scraping some moss and vines away from the obelisk with a dagger.
Clearing the vines and moss from the south face of the obelisk exposes a message carved into it in Common.
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.
"Hang on a minute Keyleth" Dr A says "I've just found something here about the Trickster Gods. Pointing to the closest pair Moa and Wongo "these two always oppose each other, Moa the Jaculi is truthful and kind, whereas Wongo does not care about others. And the next two I'jin and Obo'laka also oppose each other with I'jin being extremely unpredictable like our friend Timber but Obo'laka was said to have obsessed about every little detail. Moving on Papazotl and Kubazan are exact opposites - Papazotl represents a thinker but admittedly always how something will benefit it whereas Kubazan is more the crash through or crash type. Nangnang is very much like Wongo but far crueller and is always challenged by the wise and virtuous Shagambi. As for the last Unkh it seems, according to Volo here, to have been incapable of ever deciding what path to follow or approach to take and consequently were never opposed by any of the others." He thinks for a minute and says "one or more of these may speak to you as individuals, I caution you to beware as they will always seek to benefit themselves. After all, they were not called the Trickster Gods for nothing!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Well, that's ominous," Keyleth says after reading the inscription. She listens attentively to Dr. A's information about the trickster gods.
"We have a cube bearing the likeness of Papazotl, and the door there has eight spots. It stands to reason that the other cubes would correspond to the other gods, with one left out. Maybe Unkh, since he is the only one without an opposing counterpart?"
Before the group moves on, Keyleth will do one more sweep around the area, in case there are any more clues the group has thus far missed.
As Keyleth searches around she discovers a few things.
On the door that they found with the 8 cube holes she sees that there is some sort of raised stone block. The weight of the block makes it impossible to hinder its descent. Examinign the puzzle door she also notices holes in the mouths of the skulls o the doors.
Checking around the area you also find another passage into the cliff.
Pulling aside the heavy undergrowth, you uncover an archway in the cliff face (4a). Stone skulls peer down from the lintel, and old bones litter the threshold. As light strikes the entrance, a swarm of bats screeches out from within.
She slowly steps into the hidden passageway... Is there a door? Or just an arch? She will continue until there's either a fork or some sort of obstacle.
A slab of worked stone blocks the overgrown tunnel some twenty feet from the entrance. Grinning skulls mark the edges of the slab, in the center of which are nine cube-shaped cavities arranged in three rows of three.
"Interesting... this door has room for nine cubes, but the main entrance only had room for eight," Keyleth says. "I assume there's one cube for each trickster god, in which case..." she pauses, face scrunched up in thought. "The obelisk said 'enemies oppose' and 'one stands between them, in darkness it hides'. This door was hidden in darkness, and it has room for one to stand between the enemies. I bet this is the entrance we want. The other one is probably a decoy."
"But first, we have eight more cubes to find. Let's go!" she says eagerly.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Keyleth will suggest that the group head south (toward (12)), keeping to alleyways to avoid making a display of themselves. She will offer to scout ahead stealthily, looking down side alleys for potential ambushes.
Carefully making your way south toward another building of interest you find the entrance on the south side.
Carvings of monkeys hanging by their tails decorate two cracked obelisks that stand before a shrine enclosed by broken walls. Past the obelisks is a courtyard filled with horsetails and arum lilies. Five archways open into darkness at the base of the ruin. Mounted above the central arch is a stone plaque bearing a cuneiform inscription.
Looking at the shrine you see that portcullises are raised into the lintels above four of the five entrance corridors. The center entrance corridor does not have them. In the others the corridors are open, the porticullises are raised.
As you pass between the two obelisks at the entrance you hear in your heads a cacophony of shrieking monkeys. The shrieks are annoying but harmless.
Dr A looks at Timber “I’m not sure you want to be friend of that one. From what I can work out from Volo’s writings, he’s incredibly self centred and cares for nobody but himself.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond DM - Four bards walk into a bar... Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
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Dr A studies the statues and remembers his studies of the ancient religions and gods of Chult.
The statues depict the nine trickster gods, with each facing pair of alcoves dedicated to two trickster gods who oppose each other. Moving down the hall from west to east, the opposing statues depict Moa (jaculi) and Wongo (su-monster), I’jin (almiraj) and Obo’laka (zorbo), Papazotl (eblis) and Kubazan (froghemoth), and Nangnang (grung) and Shagambi (kamadan).
You recall that these creatures are also described in the book you bought from Volo.
“Ah but you’re a silly old torte, sometimes I think you really are no more than a rock with arms and legs! Of course these represent the Trickster Gods which are described in Volo’s Guide which we paid good money for.” He turns to the Party “don’t do anything else until I’ve had a look at what Volo has to say” He pulls out the book and starts reading “hmm ....”
OOC more detailed post coming tonight - my time - when I get home from work.
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"Alright, I guess I'm going to try it..." Keyleth says, hearing nothing from the group by way of stopping her. She begins scraping some moss and vines away from the obelisk with a dagger.
"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)
Clearing the vines and moss from the south face of the obelisk exposes a message carved into it in Common.
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.
"Hang on a minute Keyleth" Dr A says "I've just found something here about the Trickster Gods. Pointing to the closest pair Moa and Wongo "these two always oppose each other, Moa the Jaculi is truthful and kind, whereas Wongo does not care about others. And the next two I'jin and Obo'laka also oppose each other with I'jin being extremely unpredictable like our friend Timber but Obo'laka was said to have obsessed about every little detail. Moving on Papazotl and Kubazan are exact opposites - Papazotl represents a thinker but admittedly always how something will benefit it whereas Kubazan is more the crash through or crash type. Nangnang is very much like Wongo but far crueller and is always challenged by the wise and virtuous Shagambi. As for the last Unkh it seems, according to Volo here, to have been incapable of ever deciding what path to follow or approach to take and consequently were never opposed by any of the others." He thinks for a minute and says "one or more of these may speak to you as individuals, I caution you to beware as they will always seek to benefit themselves. After all, they were not called the Trickster Gods for nothing!"
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"Well, that's ominous," Keyleth says after reading the inscription. She listens attentively to Dr. A's information about the trickster gods.
"We have a cube bearing the likeness of Papazotl, and the door there has eight spots. It stands to reason that the other cubes would correspond to the other gods, with one left out. Maybe Unkh, since he is the only one without an opposing counterpart?"
Before the group moves on, Keyleth will do one more sweep around the area, in case there are any more clues the group has thus far missed.
Investigation: 14
Perception: 29
"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)
As Keyleth searches around she discovers a few things.
On the door that they found with the 8 cube holes she sees that there is some sort of raised stone block. The weight of the block makes it impossible to hinder its descent. Examinign the puzzle door she also notices holes in the mouths of the skulls o the doors.
Checking around the area you also find another passage into the cliff.
Pulling aside the heavy undergrowth, you uncover an archway in the cliff face (4a). Stone skulls peer down from the lintel, and old bones litter the threshold. As light strikes the entrance, a swarm of bats screeches out from within.
"Well that's interesting," Keyleth says. "Let's check it out, shall we?"
She slowly steps into the hidden passageway... Is there a door? Or just an arch? She will continue until there's either a fork or some sort of obstacle.
"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)
A slab of worked stone blocks the overgrown tunnel some twenty feet from the entrance. Grinning skulls mark the edges of the slab, in the center of which are nine cube-shaped cavities arranged in three rows of three.
As they make their way along the passage Dr A makes sure he ducks under the line caused by the holes in the skulls mouths.
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
"Interesting... this door has room for nine cubes, but the main entrance only had room for eight," Keyleth says. "I assume there's one cube for each trickster god, in which case..." she pauses, face scrunched up in thought. "The obelisk said 'enemies oppose' and 'one stands between them, in darkness it hides'. This door was hidden in darkness, and it has room for one to stand between the enemies. I bet this is the entrance we want. The other one is probably a decoy."
"But first, we have eight more cubes to find. Let's go!" she says eagerly.
"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)
Keyleth will suggest that the group head south (toward (12)), keeping to alleyways to avoid making a display of themselves. She will offer to scout ahead stealthily, looking down side alleys for potential ambushes.
Stealth: 24
Perception: 28
"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, it’s good to know the final destination. Onward to find those cubes!” Ransyl follows behind Keyleth, giving her some space to scout ahead.
Carefully making your way south toward another building of interest you find the entrance on the south side.
Carvings of monkeys hanging by their tails decorate two cracked obelisks that stand before a shrine enclosed by broken walls. Past the obelisks is a courtyard filled with horsetails and arum lilies. Five archways open into darkness at the base of the ruin. Mounted above the central arch is a stone plaque bearing a cuneiform inscription.
Can Dr A read the inscription (History test 19). If not he will cast Comprehend Languages as a ritual.
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]
You can read it.
The inscription above the central arch is written in Old Omuan and reads as follows: “Better to be Wongo’s friend than his enemy.”
Timber turns to the group. "So how do we become his friend? Doc is there something in your book about things he likes?"
"I'll bet it's a clue to something we'll find inside. Like the thing about bowing before no one," Keyleth says.
"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)
Looking at the shrine you see that portcullises are raised into the lintels above four of the five entrance corridors. The center entrance corridor does not have them. In the others the corridors are open, the porticullises are raised.
As you pass between the two obelisks at the entrance you hear in your heads a cacophony of shrieking monkeys. The shrieks are annoying but harmless.
Dr A looks at Timber “I’m not sure you want to be friend of that one. From what I can work out from Volo’s writings, he’s incredibly self centred and cares for nobody but himself.”
DM - Storm King's Thunder - The Gods Respond
DM - Four bards walk into a bar...
Cracitus Tibicen (Tibi) - Aarokocra - Rogue [Swashbuckler] / Fighter [Battlemaster]