Starker:”This sword is curiously pristine after so long a time. Perhaps one of you who are expert in the use of martial blades might find it more useful than its former owner did at the end?
”They were searching for a key. Perhaps the tuning fork or the key we just found will open the path to what they sought.”
Is there anything in the notes that we don’t know already about the proto-lich or the tomb or where on the other plane Illiandil might be found?
Chadwick looks at the cryptic script, mutters a bit to himself, shrugs and turns away. Then noticing his halberd is dusty with human remains he begins to polish it. He can then be seen peering at the shiny reflective metal. He moves it back and forth a bit like an old man trying to read small print.
"Hey Starker can you come take a look at this?"
Starker sighs, annoyed at being distracted from reading the dragonic notes, but decides to humor him. Perhaps he found something else of interest.
"So look at the script here, then look at it in the reflection of it in the halberd's blade. It looks like it was written backwards. But I don't know what language it is."
Starker's interest is now piqued, and he begins reading the script instructing Chadwick to turn the blade this way and that so he can read it.
"You are indeed correct (he sounds surprised) it's not only backwards but appears to need to be transliterated into another language."
Chadwick blinks at Starker, sometimes he thinks he just makes these words up.
"It's an older language not used very often, but I once read a very interesting expository essay about phenology and how it can be altered by certain creatures living in the area. I believe I have the translated notes here I can use as a key."
Starker pulls out a small, neat leather bound journal and begins writing out the phrase in common.
“So the translated text reads.”
Secrets end when code is broken
Send the guest to confession
Select the tumult called
Send the echoest bends
/Apologies for talking some liberty with Starker, but I felt it worked better in a RP'ing sense.
Xymox listens to Starker intently, while rubbing his chin as if deep in thought...
“Secrets end when code is broken…” "Well, that line’s rather on the nose. A cipher undone, perhaps—magical or musical. This tomb was built to keep knowledge hidden, not lost."
“Send the guest to confession…” "'The guest'—I’d wager that means one of us. A confession? Hmm. A test of intent, or a required admission to pass. Or perhaps... a trigger bound to truth spoken aloud."
“Select the tumult called…” "Cryptic, even for dead wizards. A summoning? 'Tumult' could mean a specific spell—Chaos, perhaps—unless 'called' means it’s a name. Could this be referencing a password of some kind?"
“Send the echoest bends…” "Echoest? Curious phrasing. Could be poetic obfuscation. Echoes that ‘bend’ might imply reverberations through the room, or sound played backwards, reversed—like the glyphs themselves. I’d wager sound plays a part. Perhaps an auditory puzzle, or… a response spoken in mimicry?"
He stands back, adjusting the collar of his shadowweave cloak, and lets silence fill the space before offering his proposal:
“We must speak truth, provoke revelation, and perhaps summon what hides in the folds of echo and intention. One of us must offer a confession, sincere and unmasked, near the center of the room… preferably not something that ends in eternal damnation. Shall we test the power of words, my friends?”
He turns to Trolkarl with a wry grin.
“Or shall we try shouting things backwards at the iron doors until something explodes?”
Starker ritually detects magic on the stuff found (sword, daggers, scroll case, statues, doors; then he ritually identifies things that are magic, until The Company decides to move along.
“Colleagues, is there a keyhole in those doors? Or shall I try the pitchfork again?”
(( Chadwick's translation of the runes is in fact Chadwick translating the runes of an unknown language to him. Use what he says that the runes say at your own risk.... ))
One of the daggers is magic (Transmutation). The great iron doors are VERY magic (Abjuration/Necromancy).
Starker: “This dagger is magical, transmutation likely, a school of magic with which I only have a sophomoric familiarity. I will hold on to it and identify it later, when we are not pressed for time. Unless one of you would like to hold on to it?”
I’m still a little puzzled with Chadwick’s interpretation. But the bits Kragen shared were pretty clear about the doors tempting fate. I defer to you Starker on the arcane nuances of all this business with the fork but I wonder if we need a spell in addition to using it here. In any case, opening the gates to Avernus might be safer based on Kragens finding- hmmm- that doesn’t sound good either.
You have done some preliminary searches. Focused searches of specific elements of the room could still be made. The ceiling has bas-relief scenes of aerial creatures and demonic birds. There are two great iron doors covered with intricate runes. Kragen has determined there are arcane sigils and glyphs. Starker has determined the doors strongly radiate Abjuration and Necromancy schools of magic. Two large statues of plate wearing warriors stand on either side of the room, one bearing a great sword, the other a great axe. Four columns flank the statues, one on each side of the statues. The columns are covered in inscriptions in many languages. Kragen has read through some of those in common. It is a tribute to the mage Illiandil, Wizard of the 12th Realm of Ephysiyies, Master of Light and Shadow, Manipulator of Magical Delights, Devourer of Chaos, Champion of the Great Halls of Terr’akkas. The elves know him as Fi’ang Yalok. The dwarves know him as Zoenen Hoogstandjes. He is known in the Northeast as Gaismunēnas Meistar.... And on and on. Starker has read the texts as well and those written in Draconic repeat what is said in common. Elvish is recognized and repeats the same as well. At least two other languages are represented. On each of the four columns is a stanza that is not repeated and inscribed in Common. These are:
“No death dared claim him, his knowledge complete, / Not bound to this tomb, though here lies his seat.”
“For those who pry with eyes unearned, / From soul to shell, your fate be turned.”
“A prize awaits the hand unshaking, / But only through the truth forsaking.”
“From shadow deep to astral flame, I crafted death and gave it name.
But wisdom lies beyond the gate, Not through the doors that tempt with fate."
The pillars have etched upon each of them as well:
𐍈𐌁𐍄 𐌅𐍈𐌕𐌂𐌄𐌍 𐌅𐍉𐌃𐌄𐍃
𐍉𐌍𐌁𐍄 𐍉𐍃 𐌆𐌄𐍃𐌕 𐍃𐌅𐌋𐌉𐌂𐍉𐌍𐌄𐍃
𐌂𐌋𐌄𐌂𐌋𐌄𐍃 𐌂𐌌𐌋𐍄 𐍄𐌂𐍈𐌕𐌄𐌂
𐌍𐍄𐌁𐌄𐍃 𐌕𐍉𐌄𐌂𐌈𐌄 𐍃𐌌𐌍𐌄𐍃
It is unclear what language this is in. Chadwick believes that he has translated this by looking at the runes in reflection on the blade of his halberd....
Three desiccated corpses lie on the floor. Kragen has determined that they died from Necrotic energy and not weapons. Searching them has revealed the following items: Scale mail, shield, Silvered longsword, hammer, 8 iron spikes (claimed by Starker), empty glass flask, dagger (radiates Transmutation magic), a set of Thieves' Tools, 3 zircon 50g, potion of healing, another mundane dagger, bone scroll case, 5 sheets of parchment paper (read by Starker) and a Spell Scroll: Web (claimed by Starker).
Starker:”Though the sword is not magic it *is* silvered and could be of some use. I urge that one or you swordwielders pick it up.”
Goes to doors and investigates for any indication of a keyhole that might fit the key we found on the undead in the corridor or a place the tuning fork might fit.
Starker sits down crosslegged in front of the doors, taking notes and muttering under his breath things like , “a yes, the femoral marrow of a foetal nymph combined with the ear wax from a 3 day old gremlin corpse *would* have that effect … but not when the 13th and 17th satellites are in syzygy … fascinating …” He is settling down for an extended session of research and documentation. “Cyrus, bring two candles as this might take hours and Sir Chadwick might wander off with the light.” <slaps forehead> “brilliant! He was really on to something. I’d’ve never thought of vermillion! …”
Any other actions from the rest of you? Starker appears to have settled in for a long study of the doors. This could be long enough that the Warding Bond and Motivational Speech will expire.
Arms folded Trolkarl studies the room in silence. Then glances at Starker
Riveting commentary on necromancy, Starker. However, I wonder if your new lab outside Monstordrink or back in Waterdeep might be more fitting that sort of study- better light and less flaming skulls flying about.
Reading over what Kragen pointed out
For those who pry with eyes unearned/ From soul to shell, your fate be turned But wisdom lies beyond the gate, Not through doors that tempt with fate
He practically says the door is a trap. But the bit about - "A prize awaits the hand unshaken. But only through the truth forsaking.' That calls out deception again, but also something of courage alongside the misdirection. Maybe there is some illusion about that we need to discover.
He will begin examing the statues and in particular the hands and weapons closely
Kragen attempts a more thorough investigation of the columns, statues, writing, walls and large doors.
investigation check = 1 😤
Starker:”This sword is curiously pristine after so long a time. Perhaps one of you who are expert in the use of martial blades might find it more useful than its former owner did at the end?
”They were searching for a key. Perhaps the tuning fork or the key we just found will open the path to what they sought.”
Is there anything in the notes that we don’t know already about the proto-lich or the tomb or where on the other plane Illiandil might be found?
<puts spikes in backpack>
(( It is a large area to search, additional Investigation checks for Kragen = 18, 12, 10. ))
Kragen finds a series of lines on the columns:
“No death dared claim him, his knowledge complete, / Not bound to this tomb, though here lies his seat.”
“For those who pry with eyes unearned, / From soul to shell, your fate be turned.”
“A prize awaits the hand unshaking, / But only through the truth forsaking.”
“From shadow deep to astral flame,
I crafted death and gave it name.
But wisdom lies beyond the gate,
Not through the doors that tempt with fate.”
He also finds an isolated inscription that does not seem repeated:
𐍈𐌁𐍄 𐌅𐍈𐌕𐌂𐌄𐌍 𐌅𐍉𐌃𐌄𐍃
𐍉𐌍𐌁𐍄 𐍉𐍃 𐌆𐌄𐍃𐌕 𐍃𐌅𐌋𐌉𐌂𐍉𐌍𐌄𐍃
𐌂𐌋𐌄𐌂𐌋𐌄𐍃 𐌂𐌌𐌋𐍄 𐍄𐌂𐍈𐌕𐌄𐌂
𐌍𐍄𐌁𐌄𐍃 𐌕𐍉𐌄𐌂𐌈𐌄 𐍃𐌌𐌍𐌄𐍃
Kragen determines that the writings on the doors are different than those on the columns. They are only in draconic and arcane sigils and glyphs.
Chadwick looks at the cryptic script, mutters a bit to himself, shrugs and turns away. Then noticing his halberd is dusty with human remains he begins to polish it. He can then be seen peering at the shiny reflective metal. He moves it back and forth a bit like an old man trying to read small print.
"Hey Starker can you come take a look at this?"
Starker sighs, annoyed at being distracted from reading the dragonic notes, but decides to humor him. Perhaps he found something else of interest.
"So look at the script here, then look at it in the reflection of it in the halberd's blade. It looks like it was written backwards. But I don't know what language it is."
Starker's interest is now piqued, and he begins reading the script instructing Chadwick to turn the blade this way and that so he can read it.
"You are indeed correct (he sounds surprised) it's not only backwards but appears to need to be transliterated into another language."
Chadwick blinks at Starker, sometimes he thinks he just makes these words up.
"It's an older language not used very often, but I once read a very interesting expository essay about phenology and how it can be altered by certain creatures living in the area. I believe I have the translated notes here I can use as a key."
Starker pulls out a small, neat leather bound journal and begins writing out the phrase in common.
“So the translated text reads.”
Secrets end when code is broken
Send the guest to confession
Select the tumult called
Send the echoest bends
/Apologies for talking some liberty with Starker, but I felt it worked better in a RP'ing sense.
Xymox listens to Starker intently, while rubbing his chin as if deep in thought...
“Secrets end when code is broken…”
"Well, that line’s rather on the nose. A cipher undone, perhaps—magical or musical. This tomb was built to keep knowledge hidden, not lost."
“Send the guest to confession…”
"'The guest'—I’d wager that means one of us. A confession? Hmm. A test of intent, or a required admission to pass. Or perhaps... a trigger bound to truth spoken aloud."
“Select the tumult called…”
"Cryptic, even for dead wizards. A summoning? 'Tumult' could mean a specific spell—Chaos, perhaps—unless 'called' means it’s a name. Could this be referencing a password of some kind?"
“Send the echoest bends…”
"Echoest? Curious phrasing. Could be poetic obfuscation. Echoes that ‘bend’ might imply reverberations through the room, or sound played backwards, reversed—like the glyphs themselves. I’d wager sound plays a part. Perhaps an auditory puzzle, or… a response spoken in mimicry?"
He stands back, adjusting the collar of his shadowweave cloak, and lets silence fill the space before offering his proposal:
“We must speak truth, provoke revelation, and perhaps summon what hides in the folds of echo and intention. One of us must offer a confession, sincere and unmasked, near the center of the room… preferably not something that ends in eternal damnation. Shall we test the power of words, my friends?”
He turns to Trolkarl with a wry grin.
“Or shall we try shouting things backwards at the iron doors until something explodes?”
Starker ritually detects magic on the stuff found (sword, daggers, scroll case, statues, doors; then he ritually identifies things that are magic, until The Company decides to move along.
“Colleagues, is there a keyhole in those doors? Or shall I try the pitchfork again?”
(( Chadwick's translation of the runes is in fact Chadwick translating the runes of an unknown language to him. Use what he says that the runes say at your own risk.... ))
One of the daggers is magic (Transmutation). The great iron doors are VERY magic (Abjuration/Necromancy).
10 minutes of the 1 hour duration spells is used.
Starker: “This dagger is magical, transmutation likely, a school of magic with which I only have a sophomoric familiarity. I will hold on to it and identify it later, when we are not pressed for time. Unless one of you would like to hold on to it?”
Trolkarl looks concerned
I’m still a little puzzled with Chadwick’s interpretation. But the bits Kragen shared were pretty clear about the doors tempting fate. I defer to you Starker on the arcane nuances of all this business with the fork but I wonder if we need a spell in addition to using it here. In any case, opening the gates to Avernus might be safer based on Kragens finding- hmmm- that doesn’t sound good either.
(( Trying to cut through some confusion ))
You have done some preliminary searches. Focused searches of specific elements of the room could still be made. The ceiling has bas-relief scenes of aerial creatures and demonic birds. There are two great iron doors covered with intricate runes. Kragen has determined there are arcane sigils and glyphs. Starker has determined the doors strongly radiate Abjuration and Necromancy schools of magic. Two large statues of plate wearing warriors stand on either side of the room, one bearing a great sword, the other a great axe. Four columns flank the statues, one on each side of the statues. The columns are covered in inscriptions in many languages. Kragen has read through some of those in common. It is a tribute to the mage Illiandil, Wizard of the 12th Realm of Ephysiyies, Master of Light and Shadow, Manipulator of Magical Delights, Devourer of Chaos, Champion of the Great Halls of Terr’akkas. The elves know him as Fi’ang Yalok. The dwarves know him as Zoenen Hoogstandjes. He is known in the Northeast as Gaismunēnas Meistar.... And on and on. Starker has read the texts as well and those written in Draconic repeat what is said in common. Elvish is recognized and repeats the same as well. At least two other languages are represented. On each of the four columns is a stanza that is not repeated and inscribed in Common. These are:
“No death dared claim him, his knowledge complete, / Not bound to this tomb, though here lies his seat.”
“For those who pry with eyes unearned, / From soul to shell, your fate be turned.”
“A prize awaits the hand unshaking, / But only through the truth forsaking.”
“From shadow deep to astral flame,
I crafted death and gave it name.
But wisdom lies beyond the gate,
Not through the doors that tempt with fate."
The pillars have etched upon each of them as well:
𐍈𐌁𐍄 𐌅𐍈𐌕𐌂𐌄𐌍 𐌅𐍉𐌃𐌄𐍃
𐍉𐌍𐌁𐍄 𐍉𐍃 𐌆𐌄𐍃𐌕 𐍃𐌅𐌋𐌉𐌂𐍉𐌍𐌄𐍃
𐌂𐌋𐌄𐌂𐌋𐌄𐍃 𐌂𐌌𐌋𐍄 𐍄𐌂𐍈𐌕𐌄𐌂
𐌍𐍄𐌁𐌄𐍃 𐌕𐍉𐌄𐌂𐌈𐌄 𐍃𐌌𐌍𐌄𐍃
It is unclear what language this is in. Chadwick believes that he has translated this by looking at the runes in reflection on the blade of his halberd....
Three desiccated corpses lie on the floor. Kragen has determined that they died from Necrotic energy and not weapons. Searching them has revealed the following items: Scale mail, shield, Silvered longsword, hammer, 8 iron spikes (claimed by Starker), empty glass flask, dagger (radiates Transmutation magic), a set of Thieves' Tools, 3 zircon 50g, potion of healing, another mundane dagger, bone scroll case, 5 sheets of parchment paper (read by Starker) and a Spell Scroll: Web (claimed by Starker).
Yartol remains near the entrance to the room from the trapped hallway. His hands rest on the hilts of his swords as he warily keeps watch on the room.
Starker:”Though the sword is not magic it *is* silvered and could be of some use. I urge that one or you swordwielders pick it up.”
Goes to doors and investigates for any indication of a keyhole that might fit the key we found on the undead in the corridor or a place the tuning fork might fit.
investigation = 15
Xymox will grab the silver sword, if no one else wants it.
There is no key hole or obvious place to insert the tuning fork.
There are some very interesting snippets of necromantic knowledge as you glance over the inscriptions.
If noone moves him along, Starker will study the necormantic inscriptions and take notes in unused pages of Black Spider’s notebook.
arcana = 21
investigation = 14
Starker is investigating the doors and taking notes.
Spells elapsed time = 15 minutes
Starker sits down crosslegged in front of the doors, taking notes and muttering under his breath things like , “a yes, the femoral marrow of a foetal nymph combined with the ear wax from a 3 day old gremlin corpse *would* have that effect … but not when the 13th and 17th satellites are in syzygy … fascinating …” He is settling down for an extended session of research and documentation. “Cyrus, bring two candles as this might take hours and Sir Chadwick might wander off with the light.” <slaps forehead> “brilliant! He was really on to something. I’d’ve never thought of vermillion! …”
Any other actions from the rest of you? Starker appears to have settled in for a long study of the doors. This could be long enough that the Warding Bond and Motivational Speech will expire.
Arms folded Trolkarl studies the room in silence. Then glances at Starker
Riveting commentary on necromancy, Starker. However, I wonder if your new lab outside Monstordrink or back in Waterdeep might be more fitting that sort of study- better light and less flaming skulls flying about.
Reading over what Kragen pointed out
For those who pry with eyes unearned/ From soul to shell, your fate be turned
But wisdom lies beyond the gate, Not through doors that tempt with fate
He practically says the door is a trap. But the bit about - "A prize awaits the hand unshaken. But only through the truth forsaking.' That calls out deception again, but also something of courage alongside the misdirection. Maybe there is some illusion about that we need to discover.
He will begin examing the statues and in particular the hands and weapons closely
Can we achieve a short rest while searching and examining things?