When the time is right (assuming magic circle first), Kragen is reluctantly willing to use his newly acquired capabilities to scale the cavern wall and walk horizontally (upside down of course) across the cavern ceiling. He secures all his items and drops his backpack next to Hoid before doing so. However Cousin may be more adapt at this than Kragen.
Gneuman will follow suite, heading the other way, to cover more area faster.
Both Kragen and Gneuman move out on the roof of the cavern. It is highly irregular and Difficulty Terrain to pass. Many stalactites cover the ceiling that ranges from 10' to 50' above the water. Each moves out beyond their ability to see the docks and those on the docks to see them. It appears to be a large, subterranean lake that extends beyond their vision from this current position.
Starker, your insights into the arcane workings far surpass mine, but allow me to offer my humble aid when we again review this broken circle. Darkbane whispers to me—the evil here has been defeated, but not fully destroyed.Your curiosity…pauses briefly, smiling warmlyis always a gift, matched only by your ingenuity. Yet, as my patron guides me, let us both proceed with care.
Perhaps the kyton was not destroyed, merely cast back to its native plane? I can not conjecture - I know too little of such creatures to speak intelligently on the matter. But still, it does seem best that the Stonejaw brothers remained behind and for now we allow caution to serve us best.
Trolkarl offers the help action for any investigation actions Starker attempts
Help [Action]
When you take the Help action, you do one of the following.
Assist an Ability Check. Choose one of your skill or tool proficiencies and one ally who is near enough for you to assist verbally or physically when they make an ability check. That ally has Advantage on the next ability check they make with the chosen skill or tool. This benefit expires if the ally doesn’t use it before the start of your next turn. The DM has final say on whether your assistance is possible.
Assist an Attack Roll. You momentarily distract an enemy within 5 feet of you, giving Advantage to the next attack roll by one of your allies against that enemy. This benefit expires at the start of your next turn.
Starker examines the remains of the magic circle. He detects magic (it looks broken but that might be disguise). If magic is detected, indentify it. If not, then investigate both mundane and arcane details to try to figure out who/what inscribed the circle to what putpose and what might be on the other side.
investigation 15
arcana 8 (natural 1)/ use heroic inspiration to reroll 22
when done with the circle he carefully examines the area near where the biggish bad wraith appeared. Such a puissant being might have left some material items like a wand or spellbook near his corpse’s first resting place.
Starker examines the magic circle with the assistance of Trolkarl. Intitially flummoxed (Nat 1), Starker confers with Trolkarl and gets better established in evaluation of what they are looking at (Arcana 22. No need for Heroic Inspiration. But, appreciate the use of it in a non-combatty way. ))
The magic circle appears to have been inscribed a LONG time ago. Comparing the rune sequence to those you know it was likely used for the summoning of something of notable power. Most likely this was something infernal. The circle is damaged from the inside, likely from a poorly inscribed rune of power to contain whatever arrived. This led to a catastrophic failure of containment and release of the thing summoned.
Moving his attention further afield, Starker searches the area of the dockside where the wraith appeared. Nothing of note is found on the shore. The water seems clear, but it is difficult to see into the depths due to the reflections on the surface from the light of the Driftglobe.
If the area right be the shore is shallow enough Starker will put on thick leather gloves hop in and start to reach around on the lake floor trying to find something. If too deep:
Starker:”Perhaps one of you able to swim might examine this area here. I am wondering and frankly hoping that the wraith appeared near his corpse and that his remains might contain something of note. Indeed, I have formed a hypothesis about who made the circle and why and what became of the circle maker and the creature who came through. If I am right there could well be an artifact of profound interest to me and use to The Company.”
"Since we have that potion of water breathing you want me to join you in case something goes wrong? The drift globe could follow me, unless that interferes with your shadow abilities too much."
Gneuman has entered the water and is swimming down to the bottom. From above, it is difficult to see what is transpiring below the water due to the reflections of light from the Driftglobe. However, you do think you see several fish darting about and beginning to collect together above where Gneuman is investigating the bottom area.
The school of fish quickly grows in size and then darts down towards Gneuman as he is swimming about at the bottom. There is a flash of frenzied motion and you cannot see Gneuman's shape in the water any longer.
Starker identifies the two items and requests that an attempt be made to recover the other. “If invisibility would help I would be glad to provide it.”
Starker identifies the two items and requests that an attempt be made to recover the other. “If invisibility would help I would be glad to provide it.”
"Cast it on me. I'll go back down and try to get it."
Starker:”Certainly, Friend Gneuman! Please remember that the spell will fail should you attack anything. Also, fish may use other senses than sight, so take care. Thank you!”
Gneuman hands Starker a platinum ring and a necklace and medallion crafted from an unusual appearing iron it seems. It is dull and lustrous in different areas and seems too heavy for its size.
Gneuman will follow suite, heading the other way, to cover more area faster.
Both Kragen and Gneuman move out on the roof of the cavern. It is highly irregular and Difficulty Terrain to pass. Many stalactites cover the ceiling that ranges from 10' to 50' above the water. Each moves out beyond their ability to see the docks and those on the docks to see them. It appears to be a large, subterranean lake that extends beyond their vision from this current position.
Trolkarl approaches Starker
Starker, your insights into the arcane workings far surpass mine, but allow me to offer my humble aid when we again review this broken circle. Darkbane whispers to me—the evil here has been defeated, but not fully destroyed. Your curiosity…pauses briefly, smiling warmly is always a gift, matched only by your ingenuity. Yet, as my patron guides me, let us both proceed with care.
Perhaps the kyton was not destroyed, merely cast back to its native plane? I can not conjecture - I know too little of such creatures to speak intelligently on the matter. But still, it does seem best that the Stonejaw brothers remained behind and for now we allow caution to serve us best.
Trolkarl offers the help action for any investigation actions Starker attempts
Help [Action]
When you take the Help action, you do one of the following.
Assist an Ability Check. Choose one of your skill or tool proficiencies and one ally who is near enough for you to assist verbally or physically when they make an ability check. That ally has Advantage on the next ability check they make with the chosen skill or tool. This benefit expires if the ally doesn’t use it before the start of your next turn. The DM has final say on whether your assistance is possible.
Assist an Attack Roll. You momentarily distract an enemy within 5 feet of you, giving Advantage to the next attack roll by one of your allies against that enemy. This benefit expires at the start of your next turn.
Starker examines the remains of the magic circle. He detects magic (it looks broken but that might be disguise). If magic is detected, indentify it. If not, then investigate both mundane and arcane details to try to figure out who/what inscribed the circle to what putpose and what might be on the other side.
investigation 15
arcana 8 (natural 1)/ use heroic inspiration to reroll 22
when done with the circle he carefully examines the area near where the biggish bad wraith appeared. Such a puissant being might have left some material items like a wand or spellbook near his corpse’s first resting place.
perception 9
(( HA! ))
Starker examines the magic circle with the assistance of Trolkarl. Intitially flummoxed (Nat 1), Starker confers with Trolkarl and gets better established in evaluation of what they are looking at (Arcana 22. No need for Heroic Inspiration. But, appreciate the use of it in a non-combatty way. ))
The magic circle appears to have been inscribed a LONG time ago. Comparing the rune sequence to those you know it was likely used for the summoning of something of notable power. Most likely this was something infernal. The circle is damaged from the inside, likely from a poorly inscribed rune of power to contain whatever arrived. This led to a catastrophic failure of containment and release of the thing summoned.
Moving his attention further afield, Starker searches the area of the dockside where the wraith appeared. Nothing of note is found on the shore. The water seems clear, but it is difficult to see into the depths due to the reflections on the surface from the light of the Driftglobe.
If the area right be the shore is shallow enough Starker will put on thick leather gloves hop in and start to reach around on the lake floor trying to find something. If too deep:
Starker:”Perhaps one of you able to swim might examine this area here. I am wondering and frankly hoping that the wraith appeared near his corpse and that his remains might contain something of note. Indeed, I have formed a hypothesis about who made the circle and why and what became of the circle maker and the creature who came through. If I am right there could well be an artifact of profound interest to me and use to The Company.”
The water is deep. Too deep for wading in. You guess 15-20’ down to the rocky bottom. It is difficult to tell with the reflections on the surface.
Gneuman is willing to give the cold water another shot, if the others can keep an eye out for big, hungry fish.
"Since we have that potion of water breathing you want me to join you in case something goes wrong? The drift globe could follow me, unless that interferes with your shadow abilities too much."
Gneuman has entered the water and is swimming down to the bottom. From above, it is difficult to see what is transpiring below the water due to the reflections of light from the Driftglobe. However, you do think you see several fish darting about and beginning to collect together above where Gneuman is investigating the bottom area.
The school of fish quickly grows in size and then darts down towards Gneuman as he is swimming about at the bottom. There is a flash of frenzied motion and you cannot see Gneuman's shape in the water any longer.
I was going to suggest invisibility, if available. Next time.
Chadwick will cover the driftglobe so it'll be dark enough for Gneuman to teleport (or whatever the ability is).
Gneuman shows up on the other side of the dock.
"I had to shadow step away from those hungry fish. They were about to attack."
"I did manage to find a body down there. Here is a ring and this....(hands 2 items to Starker to identify. )
"There is one more interesting item down there. Not sure what it is."
Starker identifies the two items and requests that an attempt be made to recover the other. “If invisibility would help I would be glad to provide it.”
"Cast it on me. I'll go back down and try to get it."
Starker:”Certainly, Friend Gneuman! Please remember that the spell will fail should you attack anything. Also, fish may use other senses than sight, so take care. Thank you!”
cast invisibility on Gneuman.
Gneuman hands Starker a platinum ring and a necklace and medallion crafted from an unusual appearing iron it seems. It is dull and lustrous in different areas and seems too heavy for its size.
Gneuman returns to the water and quickly swims down below. Just as quickly, invisible Gneuman dripping water reappears beside you,
Gneuman hands a strange item with tentacles to Starker. "What do you make of this?"
Gneuman looks at an inquisitive Ajax, "Yeah, and those killer fish got me, too!"