Clarac joins Vrox to scan the book for useful information/break any curses that might attach to her friend.
OOC:
Clarac can always recast Locate Object if we want more time to get ready, recruit the devils, etc. While it's not good to waste spell slots, it's almost certainly worse to rush into a lich's lair unprepared.
Concentration: Locate Object (5.5 mins remain, if looking at the book only takes a minute)
Considering that Vrox has probably just gotten his hands on the High Mage's grimoire and that Clarac will not be able to sense the location of the phylactery forever, Khessa reluctantly abandons her quest for arcane knowledge: "Well... With the Devils wanting his skin and his spellbook gone, the High Mage will probably have some problems to deal with. Let's find the object that preserves his essence and destroy it - so that the lich's demise, when it comes, will be final."
The blonde arcane warrior leads the way up, following the new stair - and intending to search north, once she reaches the right height.
[[OOC: @Aaggie: A couple of pending actions to resolve before Khessa leads the party to the stairs and up to the next level...]]
How did this conversation with Haraphaen go? If the other devils return from chasing Wetherbee before we're done, did we persuade Haraphaen to convince them not to oppose us?
"Oh, yes, Silly me..." Khessa facepalms "We don't want them to rush in here believing you are the High Mage!"
So the blonde arcane warrior, leaving the library for a moment, summons Haraphaen and explains exactly what happened. She then comes back and resumes her activity.
Is Vrox able to open the book? Does anything bad happen to him when he tries to read the book? If it's a wizard's spellbook, then he wouldn't be able to understand it at all.
Vrox is overflowing with curiosity about the book and quickly convinces himself that the chain and cannister were the trap protecting the book, so the book must be the prize. The party has made it far enough into the tower that the book itself must not be dangerous -- at least no more dangerous than a lich's grimoire! Vrox lets the others know: "I found a book in the desk." He is cautious enough to wait until Clarac is within 30-ft of him before he touches the book. He's aware that Clarac's mere presence extends some measure of her deity's favor and protection to her allies.
If there is no clasp or lock on the book, Vrox opens it slowly. He's not sure how old the book is, and he's careful not to treat it too roughly or to damage the pages. He scans the first few pages to see whether it's a magical text (requiring a Wizard to interpret it) or whether it's a mundane book that's written in a language he knows. As an ambassador of the Summer Court and a Ranger of the Feywild, Vrox knows how to speak and read several languages: Common, Abyssal, Elvish, Giant, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, and Undercommon.
Khessa sighs with relief: "Thank goodness... the explosion had given me hope of success, but it was certainly better to verify it with our own eyes!"
The blonde arcane warrior then returns with renewed interest to the High Mage's library: "Now, while we wait for the Devils to tear the lich to pieces or for the opposite to happen... what's better, to kill time, than some pleasant arcane reading?"
The tall adventuress takes the time to perform a a ritual that gives her the ability to detect magical auras; after which, she begins to examine the various writings present in the library, curious to make her own (at least in part) the vast magical knowledge that the powerful lich must have accumulated. She is leaving aside any writings that appear to be magical for the time being, intending to identify them later (or to let someone else identify them in the meantime, if anyone wants to contribute in this sense).
Most of the books discuss arcane theory and the history of Gael Wode. You do find three spell scrolls-Forbiddance; Mirage Arcane; and Scrying
You are able to disarm the trap, that allows the drawer to be open. You find inside the drawer a book, and a canister to which the chain was connected to.
Using his Thieves' Tools, Vrox's nimble fingers are able to detach the chain from the canister so that he can open the drawer without triggering the trap. As he slides the drawer open and nothing bad seems to happen, Vrox finally lets out a deep sigh. He didn't even realize that he had been holding his breath! Vrox figures that the canister must contain something deadly: poisonous gas, a djinni bound to protect the book, etc. Careful to avoid touching or disturbing the canister, he slowly removes the book from the drawer.
Vrox is overflowing with curiosity about the book and quickly convinces himself that the chain and cannister were the trap protecting the book, so the book must be the prize. The party has made it far enough into the tower that the book itself must not be dangerous -- at least no more dangerous than a lich's grimoire! Vrox lets the others know: "I found a book in the desk." He is cautious enough to wait until Clarac is within 30-ft of him before he touches the book. He's aware that Clarac's mere presence extends some measure of her deity's favor and protection to her allies.
If there is no clasp or lock on the book, Vrox opens it slowly. He's not sure how old the book is, and he's careful not to treat it too roughly or to damage the pages. He scans the first few pages to see whether it's a magical text (requiring a Wizard to interpret it) or whether it's a mundane book that's written in a language he knows. As an ambassador of the Summer Court and a Ranger of the Feywild, Vrox knows how to speak and read several languages: Common, Abyssal, Elvish, Giant, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan, and Undercommon.
[[OOC: I'm hoping that this isn't one of those, "if a non-evil creature reads from the book, they suffer some madness if they don't pass a saving throw."]]
The drawer contains Vairae’s diary from before their obsessions set them on the path to undeath. The final few pages discuss Vairae’s defeat of Shadow Witch Geherel and her discovery of the Soulstone Grimoire.
As you make your way to the top of the stairs, dead boughs twist up from the floor at the north end of the chamber, forming a wooden throne. A handsome and youthful elf sits atop the throne, in a deep meditative state. A reflective, frozen pool shimmers in the center of the chamber.
The appearance of the High Mage startles Akkron a bit.
"So... somehow I am indistinguishable from that guy?" he says incredulously. "I am not sure whether to be flattered, insulted, or both."
Vrox comes up the stairs last in rear-guard position. As he reaches the top of the stairs, he hears Lord Akkron's complaint. Vrox pats the lich on his bony shoulder and says, "Don't worry. I bet that they were simply responding to the presence of a powerful and truly ancient wizard: not saying that you looked like High Mage Vairae."
Keeping his eyes on the lich across the room, Vrox quietly stows his shield and then takes his Dragon's Wrath Longbow from his magical quiver.
Khessa is also puzzled for the same reason as the others, but shrugs: 'Perhaps it is an illusion... and the Devils, who are aware of it, see its true appearance - which perhaps resembles that of Master Akkron'.
The blonde arcane warrior steps forward, while Alfred remains unerringly behind her: "Friends, I'm afraid that to continue our search, we must first discuss with the master of the house..."
The tall adventuress tries to prepare herself discreetly for the clash, summoning around her the spirits of the fallen that the cruel lich must have sacrificed, over the centuries, to his ambition...
[[ OOC: Upcasting Spirit Shroud with a 5th level slot, choosing to cause Radiant damage. ]]
The appearance of the High Mage startles Akkron a bit.
"So... somehow I am indistinguishable from that guy?" he says incredulously. "I am not sure whether to be flattered, insulted, or both."
Vrox comes up the stairs last in rear-guard position. As he reaches the top of the stairs, he hears Lord Akkron's complaint. Vrox pats the lich on his bony shoulder and says, "Don't worry. I bet that they were simply responding to the presence of a powerful and truly ancient wizard: not saying that you looked like High Mage Vairae."
Keeping his eyes on the lich across the room, Vrox quietly stows his shield and then takes his Dragon's Wrath Longbow from his magical quiver.
[[OOC: If I understood correctly, the chain was connected to a canister that was also in the drawer. Vrox took the book, but he left the canister in the drawer, not touching it. Here's that post with emphasis added to highlight the relevant part.]]
You are able to disarm the trap, that allows the drawer to be open. You find inside the drawer a book, and a canister to which the chain was connected to.
Using his Thieves' Tools, Vrox's nimble fingers are able to detach the chain from the canister so that he can open the drawer without triggering the trap. As he slides the drawer open and nothing bad seems to happen, Vrox finally lets out a deep sigh. He didn't even realize that he had been holding his breath! Vrox figures that the canister must contain something deadly: poisonous gas, a djinni bound to protect the book, etc. Careful to avoid touching or disturbing the canister, he slowly removes the book from the drawer.
Lord Akkron will want to stay within 30' of the Paladin at all costs... he very much enjoys not getting turned inside out by Dex saves. He'll be somewhere near the back, though. He'll go ahead and start up here by activating globe of invulnerability from his staff of power. Note that the 2024 version of Globe of Invulnerability is mobile, so Akkron can move about the battlefield freely with the effect up.
The blonde arcane warrior steps forward, while Alfred remains unerringly behind her: "Friends, I'm afraid that to continue our search, we must first discuss with the master of the house..."
The tall adventuress tries to prepare herself discreetly for the clash, summoning around her the spirits of the fallen that the cruel lich must have sacrificed, over the centuries, to his ambition...
If we have that much time before the High Mage Vairae takes action, Vrox would definitely Hide. He'll be positioned just off of the stairs, hugging the north wall where that little outcropping is so that he's out-of-sight of the Vairae.
Clarac will advance to the throne, staying near the center of the room so her aura fills it. After taking note of the phylactery's direction one last time, she draws her sword and points it straight at the "elf" on the throne.
OOC:
Action: Cast True Strike at the high mage, if she has time Movement: To Khessa's left, approximately Concentration: True Strike
[[OOC: If I understood correctly, the chain was connected to a canister that was also in the drawer. Vrox took the book, but he left the canister in the drawer, not touching it. Here's that post with emphasis added to highlight the relevant part.]]
You are able to disarm the trap, that allows the drawer to be open. You find inside the drawer a book, and a canister to which the chain was connected to.
Using his Thieves' Tools, Vrox's nimble fingers are able to detach the chain from the canister so that he can open the drawer without triggering the trap. As he slides the drawer open and nothing bad seems to happen, Vrox finally lets out a deep sigh. He didn't even realize that he had been holding his breath! Vrox figures that the canister must contain something deadly: poisonous gas, a djinni bound to protect the book, etc. Careful to avoid touching or disturbing the canister, he slowly removes the book from the drawer.
I was only wondering if you kept it or left it, that's all
Clarac will advance to the throne, staying near the center of the room so her aura fills it. After taking note of the phylactery's direction one last time, she draws her sword and points it straight at the "elf" on the throne.
OOC:
Action: Cast True Strike at the high mage, if she has time Movement: To Khessa's left, approximately Concentration: True Strike
Clarac will advance to the throne, staying near the center of the room so her aura fills it. After taking note of the phylactery's direction one last time, she draws her sword and points it straight at the "elf" on the throne.
OOC:
Action: Cast True Strike at the high mage, if she has time Movement: To Khessa's left, approximately Concentration: True Strike
Clarac will advance to the throne, staying near the center of the room so her aura fills it. After taking note of the phylactery's direction one last time, she draws her sword and points it straight at the "elf" on the throne.
OOC:
Action: Cast True Strike at the high mage, if she has time Movement: To Khessa's left, approximately Concentration: True Strike
As you try to enter the center and to the side of the room, you are prevented from entering as if by an energy wall. Then you feel the energy pulling on you-make a DC Save please.
As this happens, Vairae opens his eyes to look at what is disturbing him and looks at the group.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Clarac joins Vrox to scan the book for useful information/break any curses that might attach to her friend.
OOC:
Clarac can always recast Locate Object if we want more time to get ready, recruit the devils, etc. While it's not good to waste spell slots, it's almost certainly worse to rush into a lich's lair unprepared.
Concentration: Locate Object (5.5 mins remain, if looking at the book only takes a minute)
Considering that Vrox has probably just gotten his hands on the High Mage's grimoire and that Clarac will not be able to sense the location of the phylactery forever, Khessa reluctantly abandons her quest for arcane knowledge: "Well... With the Devils wanting his skin and his spellbook gone, the High Mage will probably have some problems to deal with. Let's find the object that preserves his essence and destroy it - so that the lich's demise, when it comes, will be final."
The blonde arcane warrior leads the way up, following the new stair - and intending to search north, once she reaches the right height.
[[OOC: @Aaggie: A couple of pending actions to resolve before Khessa leads the party to the stairs and up to the next level...]]
How did this conversation with Haraphaen go? If the other devils return from chasing Wetherbee before we're done, did we persuade Haraphaen to convince them not to oppose us?
Is Vrox able to open the book? Does anything bad happen to him when he tries to read the book? If it's a wizard's spellbook, then he wouldn't be able to understand it at all.
Most of the books discuss arcane theory and the history of Gael Wode. You do find three spell scrolls-Forbiddance; Mirage Arcane; and Scrying
The drawer contains Vairae’s diary from before their obsessions set them on the path to undeath. The final few pages discuss Vairae’s defeat of Shadow Witch Geherel and her discovery of the Soulstone Grimoire.
As you make your way to the top of the stairs, dead boughs twist up from the floor at the north end of the chamber, forming a wooden throne. A handsome and youthful elf sits atop the throne, in a deep meditative state. A reflective, frozen pool shimmers in the center of the chamber.
The appearance of the High Mage startles Akkron a bit.
"So... somehow I am indistinguishable from that guy?" he says incredulously. "I am not sure whether to be flattered, insulted, or both."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Vrox comes up the stairs last in rear-guard position. As he reaches the top of the stairs, he hears Lord Akkron's complaint. Vrox pats the lich on his bony shoulder and says, "Don't worry. I bet that they were simply responding to the presence of a powerful and truly ancient wizard: not saying that you looked like High Mage Vairae."
Keeping his eyes on the lich across the room, Vrox quietly stows his shield and then takes his Dragon's Wrath Longbow from his magical quiver.
Khessa is also puzzled for the same reason as the others, but shrugs: 'Perhaps it is an illusion... and the Devils, who are aware of it, see its true appearance - which perhaps resembles that of Master Akkron'.
The blonde arcane warrior steps forward, while Alfred remains unerringly behind her: "Friends, I'm afraid that to continue our search, we must first discuss with the master of the house..."
The tall adventuress tries to prepare herself discreetly for the clash, summoning around her the spirits of the fallen that the cruel lich must have sacrificed, over the centuries, to his ambition...
[[ OOC: Upcasting Spirit Shroud with a 5th level slot, choosing to cause Radiant damage. ]]
What did you do with the cannister from the trap?
As you approach, please describe for me where you go, and I will place you on the map
After Khessa casts her spell, that should be her path to the lich... Alfred should always be just behind her.
[[OOC: If I understood correctly, the chain was connected to a canister that was also in the drawer. Vrox took the book, but he left the canister in the drawer, not touching it. Here's that post with emphasis added to highlight the relevant part.]]
Lord Akkron will want to stay within 30' of the Paladin at all costs... he very much enjoys not getting turned inside out by Dex saves. He'll be somewhere near the back, though. He'll go ahead and start up here by activating globe of invulnerability from his staff of power. Note that the 2024 version of Globe of Invulnerability is mobile, so Akkron can move about the battlefield freely with the effect up.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
If we have that much time before the High Mage Vairae takes action, Vrox would definitely Hide. He'll be positioned just off of the stairs, hugging the north wall where that little outcropping is so that he's out-of-sight of the Vairae.
Action: Hide - Stealth 34 (advantage from Shadowfell Brand Tattoo)
Clarac will advance to the throne, staying near the center of the room so her aura fills it. After taking note of the phylactery's direction one last time, she draws her sword and points it straight at the "elf" on the throne.
OOC:
Action: Cast True Strike at the high mage, if she has time
Movement: To Khessa's left, approximately
Concentration: True Strike
I was only wondering if you kept it or left it, that's all
You sense the object is to the northeast
As you try to enter the center and to the side of the room, you are prevented from entering as if by an energy wall. Then you feel the energy pulling on you-make a DC Save please.
As this happens, Vairae opens his eyes to look at what is disturbing him and looks at the group.