If Luna can find any 1 inch diameter hole anywhere, the invisible eye would continue it's investigation of the temple, even into the vertical slot if possible. Investigation to figure out what would conceivably could be slotted into the slot, an obsidian amulet perhaps: 20
As Luna describes what the Arcane Eye sees, he whispers, "M'Lady, perhaps the obsidian amulet with the raven silhouette from the fallen assailant earlier fits into this slot. If that doesn't work, I do have a set of lockpicks we could try. Or I employ the DOTs* taught at the Academy to gain entrance."
The arcane eye will not fit through the slot in the door, but, upon further inspection, Lunaconcludes that the slot is very much shaped like the cross-section of a sword blade.
Turning to face her new companions, the white-haired half-elven maiden speaks in a soft gentle voice, explaining what she has seen through her divination magic. "Maybe that blade you brought could be what opens the door Grim. Shall we proceed inside?"
(How long do we have until we have to take our long rest before we go back to the temple of Selûne at dawn? :-)
Grim nods and takes the lead into the passage, hunching over to fit his massive frame through the small tunnel. His eldritch sight and heightened senses are keyed to detect any dangers. If all goes smoothly, and when they are all in the small room and ready, he takes the magical shortsword from the fallen monk and inserts it into the hole in the door.
Katar lets Luna enters the passage before him, keeping an eye behind in case more shadow monks choose this time to return to the cave. With Grimaldus leading the way, blocking most of the tunnel with his massive frame. I'd hate to get on his bad side. He smiles to himself.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Luna follows close after Zephyryn, taking gentle steps and keeping a good lookout for threats. She also repeatedly uses the Staff of the Moonmaiden to detect macical auras, like magical wards and traps.
Zephyryn follows after Grimaldus, not close enough to bump into the large warrior should he stop abruptly, but close enough to keep him within his aura's. He has his shield strapped to his arm, but is not brandishing his Sun Blade, assuming the other's are happier with stealth at this time.
Lunapushes the door open just enough to allow the arcane eye to pass through. The place is utterly dark, but Luna's true seeing magic ensures she can see every detail. The only movement in the place is that of a female tiefling shrouded in black robes who holds a stone basin near an altar. She slowly and carefully removes a few items from the basin and places them atop the altar. She then walks to the statue of Shar and silently mouths something (a prayer possibly?) for several minutes. The tiefling then walks to the other side of the room and washes her hands in a basin of water. She then visits each altar and, like she did before the statue of Shar, silently repeats something.
A - narrow vestibule; party members are behind the door to far left
B - main temple room; both sets of stairs lead up and have a closed door at the top
1 - statue of Shar
2 - pedestal holding a large, open book so its title cannot be seen; written in Infernal, it seems to be a collection of essays praising Shar and the tenets of the faith
3 - pedestal holding a large, closed book titled The Unclaimed
4 - pedestal holding a globe of dark crystal
bones - an altar holding a variety of humanoid bones, including a skull
blood - an altar stained with blood holding a goblet filled with blood
organs - an altar holding the items placed by the tiefling (a few internal organs, including a heart)
flesh - an altar holding chunks of flesh
hidden door (detected via Luna's true seeing magic)
basin of water (not pictured) - located between the two pillars between pedestals 3 and 4
"Although I always like a good smash and grab, this situation is better suited for a stealthier approach,"Grim whispers to his companions. "I will follow you in after you have silenced the tiefling..."
Luna quietly informs her heroic companions all about what her divination magic has divulged about the dark temple beyond. While the gentlemen decide on the best approach she would send the invisible eye up the northern stairs to quickly continue the investigation of the temple.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zephyryn nods and moves forward quietly, until he can just make out the outline of the acolyte. This should be when the acolyte is at one of the closest altars.
”Approach!”, he whispers to them, lacing the word with magic.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(We didn't roll initiative, but that isn't a problem. I'm ruling that Zephyryn acted first because the tiefling was so focused on the ritual. Also, I'm ruling that for this first round, Zephyryn acted alone as he crept toward the tiefling by himself)
Luna recognizes the ritual as the monthly new moon sacrifice that is common among the Sharran church. Possibly, now that the moon has been banished, this is a sacrifice that may take place each night.
The acolyte is deeply focused on her task; so, Zephryn is able to pass through the doorway without being noticed. When he comes within 15' of the opening that connects the vesituble (A) with the main temple room (B), he gives his one-word order, which immediately breaks the gloomy silence within the temple. The paladin discerns immediately that his attempt to command the tiefling has failed.
If Luna can find any 1 inch diameter hole anywhere, the invisible eye would continue it's investigation of the temple, even into the vertical slot if possible.
Investigation to figure out what would conceivably could be slotted into the slot, an obsidian amulet perhaps: 20
As Luna describes what the Arcane Eye sees, he whispers, "M'Lady, perhaps the obsidian amulet with the raven silhouette from the fallen assailant earlier fits into this slot. If that doesn't work, I do have a set of lockpicks we could try. Or I employ the DOTs* taught at the Academy to gain entrance."
* (door opening techniques)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
The arcane eye will not fit through the slot in the door, but, upon further inspection, Luna concludes that the slot is very much shaped like the cross-section of a sword blade.
Turning to face her new companions, the white-haired half-elven maiden speaks in a soft gentle voice, explaining what she has seen through her divination magic. "Maybe that blade you brought could be what opens the door Grim. Shall we proceed inside?"
(How long do we have until we have to take our long rest before we go back to the temple of Selûne at dawn? :-)
(The party has a few hours to spare)
Grim nods and takes the lead into the passage, hunching over to fit his massive frame through the small tunnel. His eldritch sight and heightened senses are keyed to detect any dangers. If all goes smoothly, and when they are all in the small room and ready, he takes the magical shortsword from the fallen monk and inserts it into the hole in the door.
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Katar lets Luna enters the passage before him, keeping an eye behind in case more shadow monks choose this time to return to the cave. With Grimaldus leading the way, blocking most of the tunnel with his massive frame. I'd hate to get on his bad side. He smiles to himself.
Luna follows close after Zephyryn, taking gentle steps and keeping a good lookout for threats.
She also repeatedly uses the Staff of the Moonmaiden to detect macical auras, like magical wards and traps.
Stealth: 26
Perception: 25
Zephyryn follows after Grimaldus, not close enough to bump into the large warrior should he stop abruptly, but close enough to keep him within his aura's. He has his shield strapped to his arm, but is not brandishing his Sun Blade, assuming the other's are happier with stealth at this time.
Luna detects nothing suspicious between the cave opening and the wooden door. The entire area seems to be clear of threats.
With gentle click, the door opens as soon as the shadow monk's blade is placed into the slot.
"Let me take a peek with my little eye." Luna suggests and lets her unseen sensor slip through the crack of the door to scout ahead.
Luna pushes the door open just enough to allow the arcane eye to pass through. The place is utterly dark, but Luna's true seeing magic ensures she can see every detail. The only movement in the place is that of a female tiefling shrouded in black robes who holds a stone basin near an altar. She slowly and carefully removes a few items from the basin and places them atop the altar. She then walks to the statue of Shar and silently mouths something (a prayer possibly?) for several minutes. The tiefling then walks to the other side of the room and washes her hands in a basin of water. She then visits each altar and, like she did before the statue of Shar, silently repeats something.
"Although I always like a good smash and grab, this situation is better suited for a stealthier approach," Grim whispers to his companions. "I will follow you in after you have silenced the tiefling..."
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Luna quietly informs her heroic companions all about what her divination magic has divulged about the dark temple beyond. While the gentlemen decide on the best approach she would send the invisible eye up the northern stairs to quickly continue the investigation of the temple.
Each set of stairs leads to a closed door; so, the arcane eye is unable to reveal anything else to Luna...
"She's doing a ritual. Perhaps trying to commune with Shar." Katar says to the others in a quiet voice.
"There's only one acolyte, let's keep this quiet, if we can." He turns to Zephyryn, his lambent golden eyes firm. "Are you able to command her again?"
Religion for the chance he knows of the ritual: 7
Luna religion to recognize the ritual: 20
Zephyryn nods and moves forward quietly, until he can just make out the outline of the acolyte. This should be when the acolyte is at one of the closest altars.
”Approach!”, he whispers to them, lacing the word with magic.
Stealth: 16
Action: Cast Command, Dc19 Wis Save
With light graceful steps, the white-haired half-elven maiden cautiously follows into the dark temple.
Stealth: 20
Perception: 23
(We didn't roll initiative, but that isn't a problem. I'm ruling that Zephyryn acted first because the tiefling was so focused on the ritual. Also, I'm ruling that for this first round, Zephyryn acted alone as he crept toward the tiefling by himself)
Luna recognizes the ritual as the monthly new moon sacrifice that is common among the Sharran church. Possibly, now that the moon has been banished, this is a sacrifice that may take place each night.
The acolyte is deeply focused on her task; so, Zephryn is able to pass through the doorway without being noticed. When he comes within 15' of the opening that connects the vesituble (A) with the main temple room (B), he gives his one-word order, which immediately breaks the gloomy silence within the temple. The paladin discerns immediately that his attempt to command the tiefling has failed.
Her response is swift; seven glowing darts erupt from her left hand and streak toward Zephyryn, who feels a shockwave of force when they strike him. (20 force damage)
The tiefling then calls out in earnest, "Stop! The holy place of Shar is no place to fight! Let us talk ere we seek to destroy one another."
All players may act in any order. Updated map, with tiefling near the altar of bones: