The torches provide flickering shadows as you move silently along the walls until you come to the corner. As you peer around, you see two black ornate doors that are closed. Skulls with the pull ring through their mouth serve as the handles. There is an ancient inscription along the top of the door.
Swearing silently, she motions behind her for the others to join her at the corner and then points to the top of the doors.
Whispering, "Can anyone read the inscription above the door, and is there any magic detected around the area?"
If it is determined to be safe to approach the doors, Mal will suggest waiting around the corner to not be inline with the doors as she will go and inspect them for traps and see if they are locked.
Khessa, with the innate curiosity for the mysteries that has always animated her, could not avoid, throughout her career, learning Comprehend Languages... she therefore says: "It should be the written form of that language that the prisoner spoke... Soon we will know what the meaning of this text is" and she ritual-casts it.
[[ OOC: At the first opportunity, Master Akkron is welcome to copy the spell from his apprentice... If Khessa didn't make such an offer to him before, it's only because it didn't cross her mind that there might be a spell she had in her book while his Master didn't... and this eventuality didn't seem likely to me as a player either 😉 ]]
Khessa, with the innate curiosity for the mysteries that has always animated her, could not avoid, throughout her career, learning Comprehend Languages... she therefore says: "It should be the written form of that language that the prisoner spoke... Soon we will know what the meaning of this text is" and she ritual-casts it.
[[ OOC: At the first opportunity, Master Akkron is welcome to copy the spell from his apprentice... If Khessa didn't make such an offer to him before, it's only because it didn't cross her mind that there might be a spell she had in her book while his Master didn't... and this eventuality didn't seem likely to me as a player either 😉 ]]
(OOC: I think the in-universe explanation is that he has several spellbooks stashed in his lair, but his arcane grimoire +3 that he actually brought with him is mostly full of blast spells)
Akkron takes a few moments to try to read the inscription, silently cursing himself for not having comprehend languages in his spellbook.
Investigation (trying to at least identify what language the inscription is in): 22
He will also ritual cast detect magic if he has enough time to do so.
You do detect the presence of dark magic, but on the other side of the door. There is nothing magical about the door itself. The language script is pointed pot by Brother Maynard to be ancient Vigridian, which he translated roughly to mean "Doomed are those who enter through here."
After reading the ancient text (thanks to Brother Maynard and Comprehend Languages) Khessa advises: "Let's look elsewhere... This door seems to be meant not to be used - perhaps a trap for intruders unfamiliar with ancient Vigridian".
"Very possible..." the lich says. "But... it could also be that something important is on the other side that needs our attention... All we know right now is that there is a source of dark magic beyond this door. I really should look into getting a golem to send into potential traps ahead of us..."
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"I was hoping to find a different entrance to such a source..." Khessa explains "One that, maybe, it's not trapped - if this source is to be used, there must be a safe access for the intended users".
"But if you prefer to check inside the door now," the blonde arcane warrior pats a hand on Alfred's shoulder "we already have, if not a golem, a... magi-mechanical friend. In fact, Alfred has been able to handle the vile Azash's shards without suffering side-effects".
[OOC: I think it was stairways down, to a short hallway that ends in a L-shape with another short passageway that ends at the doors. We are all currently huddled at the "L" of the hallway, away from the doors.]
"I think the doors are fine to open, it just concerns me at what lays beyond. I do not mind going to the doors and peeking at hwat is inside but it might be safer if we use Alfred, if he is fine with going." Mal suggests.
The door opens into what appears to be a temple, four large statues that appear to be holding the ceiling up, with a large idol on a raised dais centered between them. The temple is 55 feet by 55 feet, lit by multiple torches that sputter from the walls, and the base of the large statues. Two massive braziers burn at the feet of the idol. There is an opening directly across from you on the opposite wall, another one on the same northern wall 25 feet down, and a third in the northeast corner.
Brother Maynard stops and observes, taking out an old notebook from a pocket, looking at pages, then at the statues. "What I thought, that must be an idol to Emperor Otho, and this must be a temple to Azash. Those four large statues are of old Virgidian Warlords who attempted to conquer our lands."
"Where does dark magic come from, Master Akkron?" Khessa asks her lich mentor "Is the statue the source? Or some other point? Or is it a widespread emanation?"
[[ OOC: @DM: Khessa asks Akkron... but it's obvious that you're the one who knows the answer ]]
"Where does dark magic come from, Master Akkron?" Khessa asks her lich mentor "Is the statue the source? Or some other point? Or is it a widespread emanation?"
[[ OOC: @DM: Khessa asks Akkron... but it's obvious that you're the one who knows the answer ]]
"I doubt it will come as any surprise to you that the source of the darkness is the idol," the lich says. "Brother Maynard... what would likely happen if we were to destroy this idol?"
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
"It's impossible to understand, with the information currently available to us," Khessa explains "the effect that the magic of the idol has. It can be magic that is activated only in response to certain rituals... or it can be magic that triggers as soon as an intruder enters. Do we really want to risk entering? Wouldn't it be better to first explore other areas and destroy the idol once the dungeon is secured?"
"Or, if you think the other doors to the idol's room are potentially more important than the others, I would at least suggest trying to neutralize the idol, before entering..." the blonde arcane warrior advises "I can try to destroy its magic (and Master Akkron maybe can do it even better than me) or maybe we can try to physically destroy the idol... There could be various ways to achieve this. I could create a very heavy object on it, even a large cube of solid platinum, probably causing serious damage" [[ OOC: One 5' cube of solid platinum = 125 cubic feet of platinum = about 167360 pounds (rounded down) - more than 305 tons (rounded down) - it's a pretty crazy weight, but, hey, platinum is a very heavy metal ]] "and probably, even in this case, Master Akkron could have even more effective spells at his disposal".
"I doubt it will come as any surprise to you that the source of the darkness is the idol," the lich says. "Brother Maynard... what would likely happen if we were to destroy this idol?"
Brother Maynard shakes his head slowly in thought, "I don't know, but I will guess Azash wouldn't be happy about it."
The torches provide flickering shadows as you move silently along the walls until you come to the corner. As you peer around, you see two black ornate doors that are closed. Skulls with the pull ring through their mouth serve as the handles. There is an ancient inscription along the top of the door.
Swearing silently, she motions behind her for the others to join her at the corner and then points to the top of the doors.
Whispering, "Can anyone read the inscription above the door, and is there any magic detected around the area?"
If it is determined to be safe to approach the doors, Mal will suggest waiting around the corner to not be inline with the doors as she will go and inspect them for traps and see if they are locked.
Stealth: 28
Perception (Reliable Talent): 22
Akkron takes a few moments to try to read the inscription, silently cursing himself for not having comprehend languages in his spellbook.
Investigation (trying to at least identify what language the inscription is in): 22
He will also ritual cast detect magic if he has enough time to do so.
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Khessa, with the innate curiosity for the mysteries that has always animated her, could not avoid, throughout her career, learning Comprehend Languages... she therefore says: "It should be the written form of that language that the prisoner spoke... Soon we will know what the meaning of this text is" and she ritual-casts it.
[[ OOC: At the first opportunity, Master Akkron is welcome to copy the spell from his apprentice... If Khessa didn't make such an offer to him before, it's only because it didn't cross her mind that there might be a spell she had in her book while his Master didn't... and this eventuality didn't seem likely to me as a player either 😉 ]]
(OOC: I think the in-universe explanation is that he has several spellbooks stashed in his lair, but his arcane grimoire +3 that he actually brought with him is mostly full of blast spells)
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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You do detect the presence of dark magic, but on the other side of the door. There is nothing magical about the door itself. The language script is pointed pot by Brother Maynard to be ancient Vigridian, which he translated roughly to mean "Doomed are those who enter through here."
After reading the ancient text (thanks to Brother Maynard and Comprehend Languages) Khessa advises: "Let's look elsewhere... This door seems to be meant not to be used - perhaps a trap for intruders unfamiliar with ancient Vigridian".
"Very possible..." the lich says. "But... it could also be that something important is on the other side that needs our attention... All we know right now is that there is a source of dark magic beyond this door. I really should look into getting a golem to send into potential traps ahead of us..."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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"I was hoping to find a different entrance to such a source..." Khessa explains "One that, maybe, it's not trapped - if this source is to be used, there must be a safe access for the intended users".
"But if you prefer to check inside the door now," the blonde arcane warrior pats a hand on Alfred's shoulder "we already have, if not a golem, a... magi-mechanical friend. In fact, Alfred has been able to handle the vile Azash's shards without suffering side-effects".
(OOC: I kind of assumed that there's just a stairway down to the door. Or did I miss something?)
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[OOC: I think it was stairways down, to a short hallway that ends in a L-shape with another short passageway that ends at the doors. We are all currently huddled at the "L" of the hallway, away from the doors.]
"I think the doors are fine to open, it just concerns me at what lays beyond. I do not mind going to the doors and peeking at hwat is inside but it might be safer if we use Alfred, if he is fine with going." Mal suggests.
"Well..." Khessa sighs "It seems like we're a bunch of curious people. OK, stand back, I'll get Alfred to open up..."
The blonde arcane warrior, just as a precaution, takes a rod in her hand and begins to draw arabesques in the air, while she sings a short psalmody. [[ OOC: She casts Protection From Evil And Good on herself ]] After that, she sends the faithful Alfred to open the door of doom.
The door opens into what appears to be a temple, four large statues that appear to be holding the ceiling up, with a large idol on a raised dais centered between them. The temple is 55 feet by 55 feet, lit by multiple torches that sputter from the walls, and the base of the large statues. Two massive braziers burn at the feet of the idol. There is an opening directly across from you on the opposite wall, another one on the same northern wall 25 feet down, and a third in the northeast corner.
Brother Maynard stops and observes, taking out an old notebook from a pocket, looking at pages, then at the statues. "What I thought, that must be an idol to Emperor Otho, and this must be a temple to Azash. Those four large statues are of old Virgidian Warlords who attempted to conquer our lands."
"Where does dark magic come from, Master Akkron?" Khessa asks her lich mentor "Is the statue the source? Or some other point? Or is it a widespread emanation?"
[[ OOC: @DM: Khessa asks Akkron... but it's obvious that you're the one who knows the answer ]]
The dark magic is coming from the idol
Akkron looks at the idol uneasily.
"I doubt it will come as any surprise to you that the source of the darkness is the idol," the lich says. "Brother Maynard... what would likely happen if we were to destroy this idol?"
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"And is it safe to enter the room as we should check the other passageways to see if anyone is in them or coming from them?" Mal quietly asks.
"It's impossible to understand, with the information currently available to us," Khessa explains "the effect that the magic of the idol has. It can be magic that is activated only in response to certain rituals... or it can be magic that triggers as soon as an intruder enters. Do we really want to risk entering? Wouldn't it be better to first explore other areas and destroy the idol once the dungeon is secured?"
"Or, if you think the other doors to the idol's room are potentially more important than the others, I would at least suggest trying to neutralize the idol, before entering..." the blonde arcane warrior advises "I can try to destroy its magic (and Master Akkron maybe can do it even better than me) or maybe we can try to physically destroy the idol... There could be various ways to achieve this. I could create a very heavy object on it, even a large cube of solid platinum, probably causing serious damage" [[ OOC: One 5' cube of solid platinum = 125 cubic feet of platinum = about 167360 pounds (rounded down) - more than 305 tons (rounded down) - it's a pretty crazy weight, but, hey, platinum is a very heavy metal ]] "and probably, even in this case, Master Akkron could have even more effective spells at his disposal".
Brother Maynard shakes his head slowly in thought, "I don't know, but I will guess Azash wouldn't be happy about it."
You hear nothing except for the sputtering of the torches