Rum forces a smile as he is joined by Lelith and Oten. Lelith's admonishment was fully deserved, but he saw some genuine concern as she asked if he was alright.
"I should be ok thank you, friend Lelith", he says using the moniker friend for the first time in regards to Lelith. "You are right that I was overconfident, and the Great Dragon saw fit to punish my hubris. But as is their way, I was also protected by them even as I learnt the lesson. And you are right Oten, quick he was, and using the fog as he did was quite clever. A foe to be respected", he adds looking over at the body of the creature.
"That final blow it caught me with, I could feel the power behind it, the force was incredible and took all I had to resist it. Had I not I am sure I would have fallen. Could it be magical?", he asks looking to Ro. "Speaking of which, be aware of circles on the ground, with symbols. I missed one in the other room and, well you know what happened", he says looking around more for where to avoid than what was there.
As Greko enters the room offering healing, he responds with a smile. "Possibly just an hours rest before we continue would be sufficient for myself, and I have some potions if not".
Perception: 14+7=21
"I see similar traps around the chest over there in the corner, and the box on that table by the throne is also trapped", Rum advises the others.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"From what I can tell, that one at least doesn't seem magical," Oten says, pointing to the table beside the throne, "And I think I grasp it's mechanism. If someone could be so helpful as to hold this for me so I can get a better view as I work..."
Oten opens up the compartment of tools in his arm and withdraws a small mirror along with a few other delicate tools, getting ready to try disarming the trap.
Ro's gaze is fixed to the small table near the throne. Before the tunnel vision sets in, Rum asks Ro about the monster's attack. Still distracted by the table, Ro answers Rum, "I'm not too sure. I had to drop my focus on Detect Magic to cast Dragon's Breath."A smile cracks on the elf-dwarf's face, "If you mind waiting a moment I can cast it again. I'll be sure to do it as quickly as possible."
Ro unclips Kazek from his waist. In contrast to his previous ritual casting, the elf-dwarf encants a magic chant lasting no longer than 6 seconds. He finishes the spell with a quick snap.
His attention still on the table by the throne, Ro moves to assist Oten with disarming the trap, "Allow me to help."
(Ro uses the help action to assist Oten with any upcoming rolls.)
With the trap near the throne disarmed, Ro reaches forward to interact with the object on the table. Oten may notice the elf-dwarf lost in thought similar to how he was with the crate they opened on the first floor.
Greko walks to the table in the middle of the room while the others fuss with the chests and looks over its contents
Investigation check: 1d20 (10) + 1 = 11 (What's on the table) Arcana check: 1d20 (19) + 1 = 20 (Ritual of some sort) Nature check: 1d20 (16) + 5 = 21 (For what looks like organs on the table)
Intrigued by the horned creature that now lay in the middle of the room, and happy that he has identified the traps present, Rum heads over and checks the body. He is looking for any possessions, symbols or markings it has on it, as well as taking a closer look at the halberd.
“I am no expert, but I think I read something about this sort of creature at the monastery. It is from Subternea, a creature bred for war. This one has seen a fair amount of action in the service of the Lord of Darkness it seems”.
Lelith nodded affirmatively at Greko's inquiry. "I require healing, I have exhausted my reserves and I do not wish to spend my potions on something this minor."
Ro reaches out to touch the cube. The moment his hands grasp the object's surface, the elf-dwarf enters a trance-like state. If the others attempt to interact with Ro, he doesn't respond. Before, he was voluntarily focused on the cube out of immense curiosity, but this time it was as if he was hypnotized. After about 15 seconds pass by, Ro reenters reality and pulls his hand back from the cube. "By the gods!" he yelps in surprise.
Ro looks around, shocked by his own exclamation. He turns to Oten, the closest to him, and puts a protective hand between the warforged and the object. He then speaks loud enough for all to hear, "Do not touch this object! It harbors something not of this plane, and I know not if it is friend or foe."
Being the closest to Ro and sharing similar intellectual tendencies, Oten can tell that though Ro speaks warily of the cube he harbors a great interest and curiosity for the foreign object. Like a scientist discovering a new element or a biologist finding a new species of animal.
Oten immediately seems to share both Ro's trepidation and his curiosity. "Harbours something... Do you mean there is a sentience within? If it's not of this plane, then it is most likely not constructed like mine, but rather a matter of pure magic. Maybe. We ought to contain it and bring it with us for a time when we can afford it greater scrutiny, for it seems unlikely that such a thing here could be neither useful nor informative.
I am also curious as to how such a thing would interface with a being such as myself. If there is indeed a hostile and influential entity within that vessel, my lack of a traditional soul may prove protective. But these do not seem like questions for the now. We have more to find, a deadline, and wounded." He looks in Lelith's direction.
Ro addresses Oten, "Yes, there seems to be a sentient being dwelling within the cube. It tried to bond with me much like the book we found on the first floor, however, this one felt much more alive than procedural. It felt... enticing. Like a succubus in the night tempting its prey. It promised me my deepest desire. Even now I can feel the lingering desire to bond with the book. Such an item should not be dealt with lightly, but as you said we don't have the time right now. For now..." Ro uses Mage Hand to move the cube into his bag of holding.
Ro then turns to Rum,"You asked earlier if the creature's last attack was magical. It wasn't. You just witnessed, and survived, the mightiest blow I have ever seen a creature capable of dealing. Though I wish no harm upon you, I am glad I was not the one to receive the attack. If you need healing, I can spare you a potion." Ro offers Rum a potion a [item]Potion of Healing[/spell].
Ro then looks at the chest in the corner of the room, "The chest is rigged with an explosive rune. However, I detect a wealth of magical items in its confines. It will be well worth our time to safely retrieve its contents. As for how, I am open to hear your ideas" (Currently waiting on DM to see if Ro knows of any way to dispel the rune without blowing up the chest.)
Rum wanders around the room looking for another exit, then sits himself down with his back against a pillar as the better thinkers amongst the party discuss the issue of the box. As Ro offers him a healing potion he politely refuses.
"That is not needed thank you, friend Ro. I have potions as well, but if we can rest for a time I should be ok".
He ponders Ro's comment about the creature for a moment, and says a quiet prayer to The Great Dragon under his breath in Draconic.
For those that speak Draconic:
"Great Dragon, this vessel is not yet worthy of the gift of power you have bestowed. Have patience, your teachings are the seed and they have found fertile ground in this humble servant"
Greko turns to the group unaware of what they've been talking about "Friends, there seems to have been some sort of ritual done here." Greko points to the badly damaged book "This here is a book full of incantations and inscriptions but I cannot make any out with the damage and my old eyes. The heart is old and withered but resembles that of a human or at least of a race similar to a human. The skull is human for sure as you can see by the size and the external auditory canal, uh the ear hole. If there were more components I may be able to figure out what was done here, but tread lightly my friends"
Rum listens carefully to Greko, not liking the sound of a ritual that needs a heart and a skull.
"There is a bookcase over there, maybe there are other books that could help, friend Greko?", he offers pointing to the north east corner of the room.
He then closes his eyes and places both palms on his chest, focussing his Ki. A slight glow appears under his hands, spreading out across his torso and to his extremities, and his wounds start to knit together.
As the others put their attentions elsewhere, Ro inspects the rune on the chest in the corner of the room. He puts ample space between himself and the rune to prevent himself from triggering it. The elf-dwarf racks his brain on the effects of the rune and how to dispel it; or at the very least, find a way to retrieve the chest's contents safely.
Investigation Check: 7 Passive Investigation: 17 Arcana Check: 25 (NAT 20!) *Detect Magic is still active.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeming a little impatient with Greko's pace, Oten places a firm hand on his shoulder. "You know what, I think I heard Ro saying he could use a hand. I'll hold down the fort here"
He then begins looking in earnest, scanning much faster without some one else to maneuver around.
Ro examines the runic circle, paying special attention to its composition. The elf-dwarf pulls out the journal they had found on the first floor and reaches an epiphany,"You know what? I was wrong; this is no explosive rune. It's a conjuration circle that summons another Merregon, like our dead friend there." Ro points out the halberd-wielding creature that the party had just slain.
Ro continues to flip through the journal before looking up again at the rune. Despite the inherent danger the runic circle presented, Ro's caution was replaced with enthusiasm as he began to piece together its innerworkings. "Aha! This inscription here specifies what the circle will conjure. With a small correction, I can change what's conjured from 'loyal fiend' to 'loyal friend'." Without a moment's hesitation, the elf-dwarf procures his magical quill and begins to rewrite a small portion of the runic circle. Ro stands up to look at his work proudly and willfully steps into the rune to activate it.
Rum forces a smile as he is joined by Lelith and Oten. Lelith's admonishment was fully deserved, but he saw some genuine concern as she asked if he was alright.
"I should be ok thank you, friend Lelith", he says using the moniker friend for the first time in regards to Lelith. "You are right that I was overconfident, and the Great Dragon saw fit to punish my hubris. But as is their way, I was also protected by them even as I learnt the lesson. And you are right Oten, quick he was, and using the fog as he did was quite clever. A foe to be respected", he adds looking over at the body of the creature.
"That final blow it caught me with, I could feel the power behind it, the force was incredible and took all I had to resist it. Had I not I am sure I would have fallen. Could it be magical?", he asks looking to Ro. "Speaking of which, be aware of circles on the ground, with symbols. I missed one in the other room and, well you know what happened", he says looking around more for where to avoid than what was there.
As Greko enters the room offering healing, he responds with a smile. "Possibly just an hours rest before we continue would be sufficient for myself, and I have some potions if not".
Perception: 14+7=21
"I see similar traps around the chest over there in the corner, and the box on that table by the throne is also trapped", Rum advises the others.
"From what I can tell, that one at least doesn't seem magical," Oten says, pointing to the table beside the throne, "And I think I grasp it's mechanism. If someone could be so helpful as to hold this for me so I can get a better view as I work..."
Oten opens up the compartment of tools in his arm and withdraws a small mirror along with a few other delicate tools, getting ready to try disarming the trap.
Thieves tools (DEX + PB I assume): 23
Ro's gaze is fixed to the small table near the throne. Before the tunnel vision sets in, Rum asks Ro about the monster's attack. Still distracted by the table, Ro answers Rum, "I'm not too sure. I had to drop my focus on Detect Magic to cast Dragon's Breath." A smile cracks on the elf-dwarf's face, "If you mind waiting a moment I can cast it again. I'll be sure to do it as quickly as possible."
Ro unclips Kazek from his waist. In contrast to his previous ritual casting, the elf-dwarf encants a magic chant lasting no longer than 6 seconds. He finishes the spell with a quick snap.
His attention still on the table by the throne, Ro moves to assist Oten with disarming the trap, "Allow me to help."
(Ro uses the help action to assist Oten with any upcoming rolls.)
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
With the trap near the throne disarmed, Ro reaches forward to interact with the object on the table. Oten may notice the elf-dwarf lost in thought similar to how he was with the crate they opened on the first floor.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Greko walks to the table in the middle of the room while the others fuss with the chests and looks over its contents
Investigation check: 1d20 (10) + 1 =
11 (What's on the table)
Arcana check: 1d20 (19) + 1 =20 (Ritual of some sort)
Nature check: 1d20 (16) + 5 =21
(For what looks like organs on the table)Intrigued by the horned creature that now lay in the middle of the room, and happy that he has identified the traps present, Rum heads over and checks the body. He is looking for any possessions, symbols or markings it has on it, as well as taking a closer look at the halberd.
Investigation: 20+0=20
Rum looks across to the others.
“I am no expert, but I think I read something about this sort of creature at the monastery. It is from Subternea, a creature bred for war. This one has seen a fair amount of action in the service of the Lord of Darkness it seems”.
Lelith nodded affirmatively at Greko's inquiry. "I require healing, I have exhausted my reserves and I do not wish to spend my potions on something this minor."
Ro reaches out to touch the cube. The moment his hands grasp the object's surface, the elf-dwarf enters a trance-like state. If the others attempt to interact with Ro, he doesn't respond. Before, he was voluntarily focused on the cube out of immense curiosity, but this time it was as if he was hypnotized. After about 15 seconds pass by, Ro reenters reality and pulls his hand back from the cube. "By the gods!" he yelps in surprise.
Ro looks around, shocked by his own exclamation. He turns to Oten, the closest to him, and puts a protective hand between the warforged and the object. He then speaks loud enough for all to hear, "Do not touch this object! It harbors something not of this plane, and I know not if it is friend or foe."
Being the closest to Ro and sharing similar intellectual tendencies, Oten can tell that though Ro speaks warily of the cube he harbors a great interest and curiosity for the foreign object. Like a scientist discovering a new element or a biologist finding a new species of animal.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Oten immediately seems to share both Ro's trepidation and his curiosity. "Harbours something... Do you mean there is a sentience within? If it's not of this plane, then it is most likely not constructed like mine, but rather a matter of pure magic. Maybe. We ought to contain it and bring it with us for a time when we can afford it greater scrutiny, for it seems unlikely that such a thing here could be neither useful nor informative.
I am also curious as to how such a thing would interface with a being such as myself. If there is indeed a hostile and influential entity within that vessel, my lack of a traditional soul may prove protective. But these do not seem like questions for the now. We have more to find, a deadline, and wounded." He looks in Lelith's direction.
Ro addresses Oten, "Yes, there seems to be a sentient being dwelling within the cube. It tried to bond with me much like the book we found on the first floor, however, this one felt much more alive than procedural. It felt... enticing. Like a succubus in the night tempting its prey. It promised me my deepest desire. Even now I can feel the lingering desire to bond with the book. Such an item should not be dealt with lightly, but as you said we don't have the time right now. For now..." Ro uses Mage Hand to move the cube into his bag of holding.
Ro then turns to Rum, "You asked earlier if the creature's last attack was magical. It wasn't. You just witnessed, and survived, the mightiest blow I have ever seen a creature capable of dealing. Though I wish no harm upon you, I am glad I was not the one to receive the attack. If you need healing, I can spare you a potion." Ro offers Rum a potion a [item]Potion of Healing[/spell].
Ro then looks at the chest in the corner of the room, "The chest is rigged with an explosive rune. However, I detect a wealth of magical items in its confines. It will be well worth our time to safely retrieve its contents. As for how, I am open to hear your ideas" (Currently waiting on DM to see if Ro knows of any way to dispel the rune without blowing up the chest.)
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum wanders around the room looking for another exit, then sits himself down with his back against a pillar as the better thinkers amongst the party discuss the issue of the box. As Ro offers him a healing potion he politely refuses.
"That is not needed thank you, friend Ro. I have potions as well, but if we can rest for a time I should be ok".
He ponders Ro's comment about the creature for a moment, and says a quiet prayer to The Great Dragon under his breath in Draconic.
For those that speak Draconic:
"Great Dragon, this vessel is not yet worthy of the gift of power you have bestowed. Have patience, your teachings are the seed and they have found fertile ground in this humble servant"
Greko turns to the group unaware of what they've been talking about "Friends, there seems to have been some sort of ritual done here." Greko points to the badly damaged book "This here is a book full of incantations and inscriptions but I cannot make any out with the damage and my old eyes. The heart is old and withered but resembles that of a human or at least of a race similar to a human. The skull is human for sure as you can see by the size and the external auditory canal, uh the ear hole. If there were more components I may be able to figure out what was done here, but tread lightly my friends"
Rum listens carefully to Greko, not liking the sound of a ritual that needs a heart and a skull.
"There is a bookcase over there, maybe there are other books that could help, friend Greko?", he offers pointing to the north east corner of the room.
He then closes his eyes and places both palms on his chest, focussing his Ki. A slight glow appears under his hands, spreading out across his torso and to his extremities, and his wounds start to knit together.
Quickened Healing (2 ki points): Heals 3+2=5
Greko nods at Rum and slowly walks over to the bookshelf and looks for anything that could help.
Arcana: 7
Rel: 4
Investigate: 8
Oten, content that the cube has been handled for now, goes over to give Greko some assistance perusing the collection of 'literature'
As the others put their attentions elsewhere, Ro inspects the rune on the chest in the corner of the room. He puts ample space between himself and the rune to prevent himself from triggering it. The elf-dwarf racks his brain on the effects of the rune and how to dispel it; or at the very least, find a way to retrieve the chest's contents safely.
Investigation Check: 7
Passive Investigation: 17
Arcana Check: 25 (NAT 20!)
*Detect Magic is still active.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Seeming a little impatient with Greko's pace, Oten places a firm hand on his shoulder. "You know what, I think I heard Ro saying he could use a hand. I'll hold down the fort here"
He then begins looking in earnest, scanning much faster without some one else to maneuver around.
History: 24
Investigation: 23
Arcana: 11
Ro examines the runic circle, paying special attention to its composition. The elf-dwarf pulls out the journal they had found on the first floor and reaches an epiphany, "You know what? I was wrong; this is no explosive rune. It's a conjuration circle that summons another Merregon, like our dead friend there." Ro points out the halberd-wielding creature that the party had just slain.
Ro continues to flip through the journal before looking up again at the rune. Despite the inherent danger the runic circle presented, Ro's caution was replaced with enthusiasm as he began to piece together its innerworkings. "Aha! This inscription here specifies what the circle will conjure. With a small correction, I can change what's conjured from 'loyal fiend' to 'loyal friend'." Without a moment's hesitation, the elf-dwarf procures his magical quill and begins to rewrite a small portion of the runic circle. Ro stands up to look at his work proudly and willfully steps into the rune to activate it.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Greko smiles and nods to Oten and slowly lumbers over to Ro offering assistance