Jax roars in rage as the hit, which initially did not feel too bad, saps his strength, the tendrils of shadow seeming to shrink his muscles. His eyes burn with a fiercer light, and it's terrifying. He doubles down on hitting back, though his swings are a little slower, if reckless. The spirit-like shapes swirl around the shadow assassin, getting in the way of any other potential target.
"WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING. HERE!"
The question, punctuated with each word by a strike or attempted strike, is perhaps a bit odd, but Jax is furious at what the strike did to his body.
Pieste Mor spits out some illuminating balls of fire ( Dancing lights ) to further illuminate the room and give it a quick search. ( Perception 9 or -2 if Investigation. )
Once reasonably sure the place is clean for the moment, the dragon flies over to land on Jax’s shoulder. “…you ok? you got hit, yes, but you seem worse than that…”
As the others search the room, and some of the group tries to catch a quick breather, Robin casts detect magic as a ritual. She will then look aorund the room for any signs of magic.
Drego does not find any traps, and PM is fairly sure there aren't any problems left in the room.
Robin: The coffin is radiating necromancy magic.
As Robin is finishing up her ritual, the doors burst open and a group of Crimson Monastery guards race in, weapons out. They look surprised (and impressed) when you are the only ones in here, and lower their weapons out of ready positions as Derin slips into the room behind them, looking around the room curiously. "Are there any threats remaining?" the one in the lead asks.
“…well there has apparently been a shadow and pit infestation right under your inattentive noses… too soon to be totally confident that all have been discovered,” the dragon replies from Jax’s shoulder where he sits worrying over his friend. “…though last time we dispatched foes their ghosts came at us hours later and needed killing all over again…”
The soldiers all exchange looks ranging from ashamed to annoyed. "Oathbound Garash-" one starts to say.
"Is already examining the security measures to determine what allowed them to slip by, and will rectify them promptly," Derin interrupts calmly as he approaches the coffin to examine it. He fixes PM with a brief, cool look. "You may wish to avoid insults and judgements at this moment in time, given the small fragment of the situation you are actually aware of. Speaking of which, perhaps you could give a full accounting of what you found here, so that we may best ascertain the likely consequences. Including the likelihood of any ghosts and possibility of further infiltration." His voice is brisk and professional, less annoyed than focused on the business at hand.
“….a full accounting of your basement?” PM responds, incredulity in his voice. “…besides the traps and the shade monster, we found the reinforcements conveniently arriving just in the nick of all the fighting is over…” PM narrows his eyes and huffs of black smoke escape hIs nostrils as he breaths…
“…Robin… have you had time to complete your ritual?” The dragon finally says, shifting the burden of dealing with these people off himself.
(is Jax still weakened? For PM is mostly in a huff about the state of him…)
Case stands back as the newcomer arrive and there are some brief, though tense exchanges. He glances about at the party. He then approaches Derin politely. "As we seem to be caught up in a plot, and you seem to be aware of a wider situation, we would appreciate if you could enlighten us. We have been struck at twice here...in your domain...so it would seem an explanation has potentially been earned." He shrugs awkwardly at the end.
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Drego calmly and quietly reloads his crossbow, keeping Stitch safely tucked in behind him, watching the guards carefully. They've been fooled, ambushed and undercut at every turn. No reason to believe more of the same wasn't afoot.
Perception - are these actually Crimson Monastry Guards or more imposters - 20
"No, all of the threats have not been taken care of." Robin snaps, her eyes on Derin and the soldiers. "Tell me why you sent us here, and why you had us do your dirty work..." She is clearly more than upset and moves between Derin and the coffin, making sure she is placed solidly between him and it. "I very much doubt if you sent us in, without telling us of your own wards, and likely knowing full well of what was in here, without some broader plan. Sure, we likely are not aware of it, but I, for one, am done being your pawn." She glances to her companions. "Yes my spell is completed, and there is necromancy afoot in this chamber. Plus I feel these cultists have been using us to do their dirty work here. Do not let your guard down, as I feel these soldiers and Derin are likely the greater threat."
"The shadow that came out of this coffin and fought us mentioned the Ah-vay-stah-see do not like us," Jax says, almost to himself. Slowly cluing into the conversation and the accusations and the kerfuffle evolving, he turns to Derin. "Derek, you are not betraying or using us, are you? I would very much not want that."
Drego: You do think these are really Crimson Monastery guards.
Jax is still suffering from the Strength reduction, yes.
Derin regards Robin neutrally, tilting his head. "First of all, cultists is a highly insulting term for followers of the Blood of Vol, and implies we are an illegitimate or malevolent religion. Seekers of the Divinity Within, or Seekers, is our preferred term. Second of all, I had no idea of the new modifications made to this vault when I sent you to it, or the situation as a whole. This vault is supposed to be bare, absent of things like pits, gas traps, and necrotic wards--evidently the new tenants made some adjustments. Once you had left, I went to my superiors within the Monastery, including Oathbound Garash, the Covenant member responsible for Monastery security. Who, upon being informed of your efforts, was able to use you as a focal point for his divinations and discover the truth of this place--as well as provide you with some healing. We gathered guards and departed for this vault as quickly as possible, but there are seven subterranean layers to the Monastery, and Garash is at the very bottom, so yes, it took us some time to arrive." He sighs, clasping his hands behind his back. "The Monastery is large and complex, and it is impossible for even our most talented diviners to stay aware of everything that happens here, even moreso for Atur as a whole. And the Order of the Emerald Claw has proved themselves more than skilled at infiltrating all manner of locations. We simply can't be everywhere--but we are not responsible for this, I swear by the Divinity Within. So no, Jax, I am not betraying you, and my name is Derin, not Derek," he gently corrects the barbarian. "And if that coffin is radiating necromancy magic, we may still all be in danger, so please let me take a look at it, unless you have already been able to ascertain its purpose. And if you can tell me all you faced here, we will also be able to better determine the precise nature of the threat that may still exist within the Monastery."
“…we were brought here by people dressed as your guards and they tried to kill us… there’s powerful shadow lords or such living in your basement and they tried to kill us.. please do he ever so forgiving if we are a bit mistrustful… we’ve been attacked, injured and somehow drained of our very strength…we’re not on top of our social graces at the moment,” PM explains, more exasperated than ever for having to explain it.
Still, the dragon will provide Derin, not Derek, a run down of the groups encounters since they met. If these people were allied with their adversaries it seemed they would know it all already anyway.
“…it seems even the trains are against us, though we do suspect they were sabotaged to give our foes more time to strike against us… it sounds perhaps a bit paranoid, I know… yet it’s brought us here, no?” he says to sun up.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Drego keeps his weapon out and ready, not prepared to let his guard down again. He listens as Derin defends himself and the others of the temple, but finds words insufficient to overcome his skepticism.
Keeping Stitch behind him, he listens carefully and watches their body language for any signs of deception.
"Please do look at the shadow coffin. That is where the shadow that tried to make me weak came out of. Should we get ready to attack again, DerIN?"Jax says, and it's clear he's happy to get the name right.
If Derin passes by Jax, the barbarian will reach out to almost touch the man's stylish, flowy hair, in fascination more than anything else. It's a marked contrast to Jax's own scarred, bald head. Perhaps this is why he is so trusting, while the rest of the party seems ready to shiv the man and his guards.
PM can see Jax falling into an familiar pattern of adopting some (perhaps misplaced) trust in a new/familiar figure he meets in his travels. Mistrusting everyone and everything when you have memory... issues is exhausting and Jax, unless given some real or imagined reason to be hostile, can decide to trust someone new with the flip of a coin.
Or perhaps it's just all about good hair.
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Stitch tries to support Jaxium as best has can. Calling out to him, “Stitch.” healing word: 7
He then directs his attention to the shadow toll the dead (10 necrotic damage.) finishing his sentence, “I am”
Jax roars in rage as the hit, which initially did not feel too bad, saps his strength, the tendrils of shadow seeming to shrink his muscles. His eyes burn with a fiercer light, and it's terrifying. He doubles down on hitting back, though his swings are a little slower, if reckless. The spirit-like shapes swirl around the shadow assassin, getting in the way of any other potential target.
"WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING. HERE!"
The question, punctuated with each word by a strike or attempted strike, is perhaps a bit odd, but Jax is furious at what the strike did to his body.
Attack (reckless): 21 Damage: 10
BA Attack (reckless): 16 Damage: 8
Attacks on Jax are at advantage till his next turn.
The shadow appears immune to necrotic damage, buuut...
Between Case, Drego, PM, and Jax, the shadow falls! With a shriek of fury, he explodes into wisps of shadow that fade quickly away.
Out of initiative.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Jax whirls around looking for more threats. "That made me feel... weak. What was it?"
Eventually, if he finds nothing, he pauses and sits down to regain his composure.... and hopefully his strength?
Drego lowers his weapon, but not his guard, he moves forward carefully inspecting the floor for traps of any sort.
Investigation 15
Pieste Mor spits out some illuminating balls of fire ( Dancing lights ) to further illuminate the room and give it a quick search. ( Perception 9 or -2 if Investigation. )
Once reasonably sure the place is clean for the moment, the dragon flies over to land on Jax’s shoulder. “…you ok? you got hit, yes, but you seem worse than that…”
As the others search the room, and some of the group tries to catch a quick breather, Robin casts detect magic as a ritual. She will then look aorund the room for any signs of magic.
Drego does not find any traps, and PM is fairly sure there aren't any problems left in the room.
Robin: The coffin is radiating necromancy magic.
As Robin is finishing up her ritual, the doors burst open and a group of Crimson Monastery guards race in, weapons out. They look surprised (and impressed) when you are the only ones in here, and lower their weapons out of ready positions as Derin slips into the room behind them, looking around the room curiously. "Are there any threats remaining?" the one in the lead asks.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
“…well there has apparently been a shadow and pit infestation right under your inattentive noses… too soon to be totally confident that all have been discovered,” the dragon replies from Jax’s shoulder where he sits worrying over his friend. “…though last time we dispatched foes their ghosts came at us hours later and needed killing all over again…”
The soldiers all exchange looks ranging from ashamed to annoyed. "Oathbound Garash-" one starts to say.
"Is already examining the security measures to determine what allowed them to slip by, and will rectify them promptly," Derin interrupts calmly as he approaches the coffin to examine it. He fixes PM with a brief, cool look. "You may wish to avoid insults and judgements at this moment in time, given the small fragment of the situation you are actually aware of. Speaking of which, perhaps you could give a full accounting of what you found here, so that we may best ascertain the likely consequences. Including the likelihood of any ghosts and possibility of further infiltration." His voice is brisk and professional, less annoyed than focused on the business at hand.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
“….a full accounting of your basement?” PM responds, incredulity in his voice. “…besides the traps and the shade monster, we found the reinforcements conveniently arriving just in the nick of all the fighting is over…” PM narrows his eyes and huffs of black smoke escape hIs nostrils as he breaths…
“…Robin… have you had time to complete your ritual?” The dragon finally says, shifting the burden of dealing with these people off himself.
(is Jax still weakened? For PM is mostly in a huff about the state of him…)
Case stands back as the newcomer arrive and there are some brief, though tense exchanges. He glances about at the party. He then approaches Derin politely. "As we seem to be caught up in a plot, and you seem to be aware of a wider situation, we would appreciate if you could enlighten us. We have been struck at twice here...in your domain...so it would seem an explanation has potentially been earned." He shrugs awkwardly at the end.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Drego calmly and quietly reloads his crossbow, keeping Stitch safely tucked in behind him, watching the guards carefully. They've been fooled, ambushed and undercut at every turn. No reason to believe more of the same wasn't afoot.
Perception - are these actually Crimson Monastry Guards or more imposters - 20
"No, all of the threats have not been taken care of." Robin snaps, her eyes on Derin and the soldiers. "Tell me why you sent us here, and why you had us do your dirty work..." She is clearly more than upset and moves between Derin and the coffin, making sure she is placed solidly between him and it. "I very much doubt if you sent us in, without telling us of your own wards, and likely knowing full well of what was in here, without some broader plan. Sure, we likely are not aware of it, but I, for one, am done being your pawn." She glances to her companions. "Yes my spell is completed, and there is necromancy afoot in this chamber. Plus I feel these cultists have been using us to do their dirty work here. Do not let your guard down, as I feel these soldiers and Derin are likely the greater threat."
"The shadow that came out of this coffin and fought us mentioned the Ah-vay-stah-see do not like us," Jax says, almost to himself. Slowly cluing into the conversation and the accusations and the kerfuffle evolving, he turns to Derin. "Derek, you are not betraying or using us, are you? I would very much not want that."
Drego: You do think these are really Crimson Monastery guards.
Jax is still suffering from the Strength reduction, yes.
Derin regards Robin neutrally, tilting his head. "First of all, cultists is a highly insulting term for followers of the Blood of Vol, and implies we are an illegitimate or malevolent religion. Seekers of the Divinity Within, or Seekers, is our preferred term. Second of all, I had no idea of the new modifications made to this vault when I sent you to it, or the situation as a whole. This vault is supposed to be bare, absent of things like pits, gas traps, and necrotic wards--evidently the new tenants made some adjustments. Once you had left, I went to my superiors within the Monastery, including Oathbound Garash, the Covenant member responsible for Monastery security. Who, upon being informed of your efforts, was able to use you as a focal point for his divinations and discover the truth of this place--as well as provide you with some healing. We gathered guards and departed for this vault as quickly as possible, but there are seven subterranean layers to the Monastery, and Garash is at the very bottom, so yes, it took us some time to arrive." He sighs, clasping his hands behind his back. "The Monastery is large and complex, and it is impossible for even our most talented diviners to stay aware of everything that happens here, even moreso for Atur as a whole. And the Order of the Emerald Claw has proved themselves more than skilled at infiltrating all manner of locations. We simply can't be everywhere--but we are not responsible for this, I swear by the Divinity Within. So no, Jax, I am not betraying you, and my name is Derin, not Derek," he gently corrects the barbarian. "And if that coffin is radiating necromancy magic, we may still all be in danger, so please let me take a look at it, unless you have already been able to ascertain its purpose. And if you can tell me all you faced here, we will also be able to better determine the precise nature of the threat that may still exist within the Monastery."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Robin insight is a 14.
“…we were brought here by people dressed as your guards and they tried to kill us… there’s powerful shadow lords or such living in your basement and they tried to kill us.. please do he ever so forgiving if we are a bit mistrustful… we’ve been attacked, injured and somehow drained of our very strength…we’re not on top of our social graces at the moment,” PM explains, more exasperated than ever for having to explain it.
Still, the dragon will provide Derin, not Derek, a run down of the groups encounters since they met. If these people were allied with their adversaries it seemed they would know it all already anyway.
“…it seems even the trains are against us, though we do suspect they were sabotaged to give our foes more time to strike against us… it sounds perhaps a bit paranoid, I know… yet it’s brought us here, no?” he says to sun up.
Drego keeps his weapon out and ready, not prepared to let his guard down again. He listens as Derin defends himself and the others of the temple, but finds words insufficient to overcome his skepticism.
Keeping Stitch behind him, he listens carefully and watches their body language for any signs of deception.
Insight 18
"Please do look at the shadow coffin. That is where the shadow that tried to make me weak came out of. Should we get ready to attack again, DerIN?" Jax says, and it's clear he's happy to get the name right.
If Derin passes by Jax, the barbarian will reach out to almost touch the man's stylish, flowy hair, in fascination more than anything else. It's a marked contrast to Jax's own scarred, bald head. Perhaps this is why he is so trusting, while the rest of the party seems ready to shiv the man and his guards.
PM can see Jax falling into an familiar pattern of adopting some (perhaps misplaced) trust in a new/familiar figure he meets in his travels. Mistrusting everyone and everything when you have memory... issues is exhausting and Jax, unless given some real or imagined reason to be hostile, can decide to trust someone new with the flip of a coin.
Or perhaps it's just all about good hair.