Ressys spends his evenings and nights as he has the last few. He quietly sits around the fire engaging in any conversations that may take place. During his watches he watches the moon nearly as much as he watches the perimeter of the camp. At the end of the days as they make a meal and prepare for bed a small arctic fox joins Ressys as he calls forth Ayla to join him and help keep him company. They fey creature only stays for an hour and then climbing into his pack it disappears again. He takes comfort in the short visits when possible while still allowing the full use of his skill to change shape after their longer rest periods.
Knowing that the following day they would reach the vault he goes prepares himself for the work they must do.
"Fear not Orvo, we will not abandon you. We were a party of strangers ourselves only a short time ago. We will not leave you behind."
Brandon sits by the fire, sharpening and oiling his longsword. With Orvo’s warning that the vault was ahead, he fell back on old soldier’s habits, cleaning and preparing his arms and armor. They would demand extra care due to the extreme cold, his old Sergeants in Bladegarden would be proud.
“Yes, don’t worry Orvo”Brandon echoes Ressys’ words “you are among friends and we will not leave you behind. You told us much about the animated armors already, but are there other traps or dangers we should be aware of as we approach the vault?”
"Sorry Brandon, we only made it into a couple of rooms; if there are more defences than those suits of armour, I don't know of them"
The next morning you follow what is becoming a familiar routine; break camp, pack up and head out with Orvo at the front of the line. You walk for about three or four hours before Orvo suddenly stops and you have to be alert to avoid piling into each other. The dwarf stands motionless for a minute and then sets off again at a hurried pace.
You follow him, until through wind-whipped snow and biting cold, you notice a half-submerged, dark-blue stone building poking up through the ice. A gray stone door is carved to look like a face with a half-exposed skull. The door appears to be frozen shut with a thin sheet of ice.
Scribed above the door is the word “SALSVAULT.”
Orvo turns to look at you, pale faced, and you see the frightened scout from Syrinlya again: "We're here"
Durnham has spent the last two days studying and preparing for the vault. Each morning he takes careful notes of his dreams in case some of them are important.
1717 Portent
His dreams were full of danger and activity. A flurry of activities that he scarecely remembers.
As they look at the words upon the door, Durnham turns to Orvo. “What language is that? Can you read it?”
Orvo is snapped from his melancholy by Durnham's quesiton: "Huh, I guessed it was Common or some variety of. That's why we called it the vault. No idea what the 'Sals' means, maybe it's an Aeorian language?"
(The language does not seem familiar to any of you, although you can read the word as the alphabet used is universal)
“Not too much of a loss, then.”He answered to Orvo, feeling a combination of relief and happiness for having the dwarf guiding them. Kotar could only imagine how longer and harder their journey would be without the older man help. It would be definitely more dangerous.
On the next day the travel had no further surprises. The weather was good or as good as it could be around those parts. The fighter was happy that the Rhemorharz said to prowl the area was not close by and happier yet when they arrived at their destination. He pulled the silvered maul Durnham had give him back at Paleblank. Damn, Paleblank felt like a lifetime ago.
“Maybe Sauls is actually ‘of Saul” and Saul is the name of the area or the owner of the vault.” He proposed as guide and wizard pondered about the meaning of the inscriptions by the gate. “Either way, we better decide on a marching order. I think it better for me to take the vanguard.”He was the more resilient of the group, after all. “Orvo, do you want to enter or do you prefer to stay here and describe to us the way we should take to reach the room where you found the vial?”
Brandon pulls his shield off of his pack and fastens it to his arm, then makes one last check of his equipment. He nods at Kotar’s suggestion “Perhaps we use the same tactics as Croaker’s Cave? Qidira to scout carefully ahead, Kotar and I in the van with Durnham and Ressys behind. Orvo, would you come in the middle of the group with the torch? It would likely be safer with the group instead of out here alone. Is the hall ahead wide enough for two abreast?”
As they prepare themselves and ready to enter, he notices a dark raven perched at the top of the stone building, just above the door, watching intently with its head cocked to one side. Brandon smiles and looks at the group to see if there are any disagreements or other suggestions, then looks again at the ice covered door. “How did you open it last time, Orvo?”
"Brandon speaks wisely. I recommend the same." Ressys says as he also straps his hide covered shield to his arm and touches his totem that hangs from his neck. "If it is dark within we will need light." he adds. If Orvo indicates that it is dark within he will draw out the lantern and carefully pour oil in it and light the lantern. "I am ready." he says when finished.
After Orvo’s explanation Durnham shakes his head. “That won’t do.” He ignores the others prattle about battle plans and tactics for the moment as he takes out his spellbook. “Give me a few minutes here. This isn’t the time to rush into a situation we know is dangerous. A little time spent in research could help us greatly.”
He then flips through a few pages of his book before finding the correct ritual and then studies it closely for a minute or two. Then he takes his staff in the other hand and begins waving it in a strange pattern. He begins muttering arcane words and the head of the staff glows a soft white as it continues in the pattern. After ten minutes of this he holds the staff up and says the final words of the incantation. The soft white glow fades from the staff but grows in Durnham’s eyes.
He closes his book and smiles. “There! Now we shall see what we can see.” He reaches up and touches the surface that the writing is on and is able to read and understand it.
Ritual casting of Comprehend Languages. Will last for one hour as long as he concentrates. He understands all spoken languages and can read any written languages as long as he can touch the surface it’s written on.
Orvo shakes his head at Kotar’s question “I’ll come in, I might still be of use. And I can’t come all this way to miss the moment the cure was found.
We got in by using a crowbar, here I have one if you need it? Once we’re in, the first room is square, twenty feet by twenty. We took the door on the right, into a room of similar size, where we found the Frigid Woe and the suits of armour.
OK, so I’ll light a torch and take the middle”
He proffers the crowbar for someone to take it (will give Advantage to a Strength check if anyone wants to lever the door open)
Durnham completes his ritual and stares at the name inscribed above the door.
@Durnham:
The inscription shimmers slightly and the letters rearrange before you: “Frost vault”
“It says.. “Frost Vault”… I wonder… was this vault a piece of the fallen city or a building located out here in the ice for some reason? Hmmm maybe we will find more information inside. Keep an eye out for more writing.”
Qidira follows the examples of the others more traveled than her and maintains both gear and weapon in a routine of oiling and sharpening, checking straps and fastenings each day and attempting to supplement rations where she can with what game she can find while also working out a new little brass lighter with parts in her tinker supplies. The Gnome always seeming to be busy, quiet and serious now as they grow closer to their destination and difficult task at hand.
As they approach the "Frost Vault" she listens to discussion of strategy she nods, "Yes, I will go in ahead and scout what I can see." Eyeing the crowbar but not grasping it knowing her strength here would be of little use. "Once we can breech the entrance." While they decide who will manage the crowbar, she studies the entrance for any other mechanisms that might indicate another means of opening the main door.
Nature15 for any potential Rations savings with hunting along the way
Perception14 for anything noticed on the entrance.
Durnham looks at the ice over the door. “Winterwalker and I can probably melt some of that ice if it will help us open the door.” He looks around the door at the building or structure… trying to determine if this was a building constructed out here or if it was a relic of fragment of the larger city known to have been destroyed in the past.
Qidira gathered the sparse plant growth and now chews on petals and stems as they study the ice over the door keeping alert to the environment around them. She unable to help at the moment, but ready to move once its breached.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“A useful skill, Durnham, the ability to read this long lost language. The Frost Vault, a fitting name”Brandon replies while Ressys attempts to melt the ice covering the door. He looks over at Kotar “Perhaps you could use the crowbar to pry the door open? Orvo, did it stay open when you entered last time, or did you have to open it from the inside when you left?”
Brandon looks around for a large rock or other time they could use to hold the door open in case it is needed. Perception: 20.
Durnham tries to appraise the vault for a clue to its origins, whether a piece of fallen city or purpose-built building. The visible architecture offers no clue, although it does look like the vault descends slightly in the direction beyond the door.
Qidira and Brandon search around for items of interest, but the snow is bare.
Ressys uses his summoned flame to melt the ice around the door. It takes a couple of castings to cover the whole area of the door, but after about 10-15 seconds the ice is all melted and lies in a puddle at the party’s feet; the door is now unimpaired.
Durnham also casts fire bolt to help melt the ice and get the door open easier. “As long as I can hold my concentration on maintaining the spell I can keep it up for an hour. After that I’ll need to do the ritual again. Hopefully it’ll help us locate the cure and maybe even bypass the guards.”
He grins at Qidira “I don’t know about you but after coming all this way, I’m hoping we can find more than just the cure. I’d love to find some more artifacts to bring back like that dagger. Let’s just be careful about strange vials.” Now that they are entering this vault Durnham is excited about the possibilities of finding exotic magical artifacts, spells, potions, or even just things he could sell. He needs to start getting some funds together if he’s ever going to locate his parents… if they’re still alive.
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Ressys spends his evenings and nights as he has the last few. He quietly sits around the fire engaging in any conversations that may take place. During his watches he watches the moon nearly as much as he watches the perimeter of the camp. At the end of the days as they make a meal and prepare for bed a small arctic fox joins Ressys as he calls forth Ayla to join him and help keep him company. They fey creature only stays for an hour and then climbing into his pack it disappears again. He takes comfort in the short visits when possible while still allowing the full use of his skill to change shape after their longer rest periods.
Knowing that the following day they would reach the vault he goes prepares himself for the work they must do.
"Fear not Orvo, we will not abandon you. We were a party of strangers ourselves only a short time ago. We will not leave you behind."
Brandon sits by the fire, sharpening and oiling his longsword. With Orvo’s warning that the vault was ahead, he fell back on old soldier’s habits, cleaning and preparing his arms and armor. They would demand extra care due to the extreme cold, his old Sergeants in Bladegarden would be proud.
“Yes, don’t worry Orvo” Brandon echoes Ressys’ words “you are among friends and we will not leave you behind. You told us much about the animated armors already, but are there other traps or dangers we should be aware of as we approach the vault?”
"Sorry Brandon, we only made it into a couple of rooms; if there are more defences than those suits of armour, I don't know of them"
The next morning you follow what is becoming a familiar routine; break camp, pack up and head out with Orvo at the front of the line. You walk for about three or four hours before Orvo suddenly stops and you have to be alert to avoid piling into each other. The dwarf stands motionless for a minute and then sets off again at a hurried pace.
You follow him, until through wind-whipped snow and biting cold, you notice a half-submerged, dark-blue stone building poking up through the ice. A gray stone door is carved to look like a face with a half-exposed skull. The door appears to be frozen shut with a thin sheet of ice.
Scribed above the door is the word “SALSVAULT.”
Orvo turns to look at you, pale faced, and you see the frightened scout from Syrinlya again: "We're here"
(Please remove two days' worth of rations)
Durnham has spent the last two days studying and preparing for the vault. Each morning he takes careful notes of his dreams in case some of them are important.
17 17 Portent
His dreams were full of danger and activity. A flurry of activities that he scarecely remembers.
As they look at the words upon the door, Durnham turns to Orvo. “What language is that? Can you read it?”
Noob
Orvo is snapped from his melancholy by Durnham's quesiton: "Huh, I guessed it was Common or some variety of. That's why we called it the vault. No idea what the 'Sals' means, maybe it's an Aeorian language?"
(The language does not seem familiar to any of you, although you can read the word as the alphabet used is universal)
“Not too much of a loss, then.” He answered to Orvo, feeling a combination of relief and happiness for having the dwarf guiding them. Kotar could only imagine how longer and harder their journey would be without the older man help. It would be definitely more dangerous.
On the next day the travel had no further surprises. The weather was good or as good as it could be around those parts. The fighter was happy that the Rhemorharz said to prowl the area was not close by and happier yet when they arrived at their destination. He pulled the silvered maul Durnham had give him back at Paleblank. Damn, Paleblank felt like a lifetime ago.
“Maybe Sauls is actually ‘of Saul” and Saul is the name of the area or the owner of the vault.” He proposed as guide and wizard pondered about the meaning of the inscriptions by the gate. “Either way, we better decide on a marching order. I think it better for me to take the vanguard.” He was the more resilient of the group, after all. “Orvo, do you want to enter or do you prefer to stay here and describe to us the way we should take to reach the room where you found the vial?”
Brandon pulls his shield off of his pack and fastens it to his arm, then makes one last check of his equipment. He nods at Kotar’s suggestion “Perhaps we use the same tactics as Croaker’s Cave? Qidira to scout carefully ahead, Kotar and I in the van with Durnham and Ressys behind. Orvo, would you come in the middle of the group with the torch? It would likely be safer with the group instead of out here alone. Is the hall ahead wide enough for two abreast?”
As they prepare themselves and ready to enter, he notices a dark raven perched at the top of the stone building, just above the door, watching intently with its head cocked to one side. Brandon smiles and looks at the group to see if there are any disagreements or other suggestions, then looks again at the ice covered door. “How did you open it last time, Orvo?”
"Brandon speaks wisely. I recommend the same." Ressys says as he also straps his hide covered shield to his arm and touches his totem that hangs from his neck. "If it is dark within we will need light." he adds. If Orvo indicates that it is dark within he will draw out the lantern and carefully pour oil in it and light the lantern. "I am ready." he says when finished.
After Orvo’s explanation Durnham shakes his head. “That won’t do.” He ignores the others prattle about battle plans and tactics for the moment as he takes out his spellbook. “Give me a few minutes here. This isn’t the time to rush into a situation we know is dangerous. A little time spent in research could help us greatly.”
He then flips through a few pages of his book before finding the correct ritual and then studies it closely for a minute or two. Then he takes his staff in the other hand and begins waving it in a strange pattern. He begins muttering arcane words and the head of the staff glows a soft white as it continues in the pattern. After ten minutes of this he holds the staff up and says the final words of the incantation. The soft white glow fades from the staff but grows in Durnham’s eyes.
He closes his book and smiles. “There! Now we shall see what we can see.” He reaches up and touches the surface that the writing is on and is able to read and understand it.
Ritual casting of Comprehend Languages. Will last for one hour as long as he concentrates. He understands all spoken languages and can read any written languages as long as he can touch the surface it’s written on.
Noob
Orvo shakes his head at Kotar’s question “I’ll come in, I might still be of use. And I can’t come all this way to miss the moment the cure was found.
We got in by using a crowbar, here I have one if you need it? Once we’re in, the first room is square, twenty feet by twenty. We took the door on the right, into a room of similar size, where we found the Frigid Woe and the suits of armour.
OK, so I’ll light a torch and take the middle”
He proffers the crowbar for someone to take it (will give Advantage to a Strength check if anyone wants to lever the door open)
Durnham completes his ritual and stares at the name inscribed above the door.
@Durnham:
The inscription shimmers slightly and the letters rearrange before you: “Frost vault”
“It says.. “Frost Vault”… I wonder… was this vault a piece of the fallen city or a building located out here in the ice for some reason? Hmmm maybe we will find more information inside. Keep an eye out for more writing.”
Noob
Qidira follows the examples of the others more traveled than her and maintains both gear and weapon in a routine of oiling and sharpening, checking straps and fastenings each day and attempting to supplement rations where she can with what game she can find while also working out a new little brass lighter with parts in her tinker supplies. The Gnome always seeming to be busy, quiet and serious now as they grow closer to their destination and difficult task at hand.
As they approach the "Frost Vault" she listens to discussion of strategy she nods, "Yes, I will go in ahead and scout what I can see." Eyeing the crowbar but not grasping it knowing her strength here would be of little use. "Once we can breech the entrance." While they decide who will manage the crowbar, she studies the entrance for any other mechanisms that might indicate another means of opening the main door.
Nature 15 for any potential Rations savings with hunting along the way
Perception 14 for anything noticed on the entrance.
Although Qidira identifies some hardy winter flowers on the hike, she finds nothing to supplement the party's rations.
The entrance appears frozen shut with a sheet of ice, devoid of any other markings or features.
Durnham looks at the ice over the door. “Winterwalker and I can probably melt some of that ice if it will help us open the door.” He looks around the door at the building or structure… trying to determine if this was a building constructed out here or if it was a relic of fragment of the larger city known to have been destroyed in the past.
9 intelligence check
Noob
Qidira gathered the sparse plant growth and now chews on petals and stems as they study the ice over the door keeping alert to the environment around them. She unable to help at the moment, but ready to move once its breached.
Perception 8
Ressys lifts his hand to Produce Flame and use it to try and melt the ice on the doorway.
“A useful skill, Durnham, the ability to read this long lost language. The Frost Vault, a fitting name” Brandon replies while Ressys attempts to melt the ice covering the door. He looks over at Kotar “Perhaps you could use the crowbar to pry the door open? Orvo, did it stay open when you entered last time, or did you have to open it from the inside when you left?”
Brandon looks around for a large rock or other time they could use to hold the door open in case it is needed. Perception: 20.
Durnham tries to appraise the vault for a clue to its origins, whether a piece of fallen city or purpose-built building. The visible architecture offers no clue, although it does look like the vault descends slightly in the direction beyond the door.
Qidira and Brandon search around for items of interest, but the snow is bare.
Ressys uses his summoned flame to melt the ice around the door. It takes a couple of castings to cover the whole area of the door, but after about 10-15 seconds the ice is all melted and lies in a puddle at the party’s feet; the door is now unimpaired.
Qidira moves forward now that the door is free of the ice and inspects it again for any locking mechanism or traps of any kind on the door itself.
Perception 23
(+6 if she ends up needing her tools)
She will move back again yielding to the power of the Crowbar should she not discover anything.
Durnham also casts fire bolt to help melt the ice and get the door open easier. “As long as I can hold my concentration on maintaining the spell I can keep it up for an hour. After that I’ll need to do the ritual again. Hopefully it’ll help us locate the cure and maybe even bypass the guards.”
He grins at Qidira “I don’t know about you but after coming all this way, I’m hoping we can find more than just the cure. I’d love to find some more artifacts to bring back like that dagger. Let’s just be careful about strange vials.” Now that they are entering this vault Durnham is excited about the possibilities of finding exotic magical artifacts, spells, potions, or even just things he could sell. He needs to start getting some funds together if he’s ever going to locate his parents… if they’re still alive.
Noob