Starker, muttering: “ … knife, chalice, tuning fork. Unused knife, empty chalice, tuning fork results in attack. Given the circumstances: use knife to cut. Chalice to collect blood, then try tuning fork again?
”would anyone be able to cure me of these burns and lung damage before I try again?”
Xymox approaches the still-smoking form of Starker, the faint scent of scorched fabric lingering in the air. He places a steady hand on the wizard’s shoulder, murmuring the melodic phrase of Cure Wounds,(heals Starker for 24 HP) and watches as the magical warmth seals away some of the burns.
“I’d rather not carry your crisped remains back to Waterdeep, Starker,” he said coolly. “Your bones are far too brittle for a proper elegy.”
His gaze drifts across the altar—the empty chalice, the untouched knife, the tuning fork still humming with fading resonance. He circled them slowly, taking in the etchings, the patterns of flame flickering beneath the black glass floor. The reactions, he noted, had only occurred under Chadwick and Starker thus far.
“Curious, isn’t it?” he muses aloud, fingers tapping lightly against his violin case. “The flame doesn’t dance for all of us, only for those who tamper with intent.”
He gestures toward the chalice, dagger, and tome.
“An unused blade, an empty cup, a book that breathes… and a fork that sings. Someone left a ritual incomplete—or waiting.”
He pauses, raising a gloved hand toward the massive skull etched into the far wall.
“That could be the judge. Or the gate. Or worse—both.”
With a flick of his wrist, Xymox conjures his Mage Hand, the translucent appendage hovering toward the silver box on the altar.
“I’ll test the box next—at range. No sense adding another flambéed wizard to the floor....unless there are any objections.”
He turns to glance at the others, his tone velvet but edged.
“If anyone intends to pray, shield their soul, or compose a farewell poem, now would be a delightful time. This chamber doesn’t tolerate improvisation.”
Starker:”Thank you, Xymox. I am sorry my carelessness led to my having to ask you to use a limited resource. Do, indeed, probe the box. It might contain herbs or a necromantic ingredient we will need to open the portal.”
The increase in activity of the ropy flames in the floor followed Chadwick’s yelling to the others and at Starker. It also followed Starker’s use of the tuning fork on the altar. The flames lashed out when Starker again used the tuning fork while the flames were increased in the floor.
Kragen has a look about like he is in deep thought seeing the Mage singed a bit.
”is the floor reacting to negative energy? When Chadwick raised his voice at Starker, the floor reacted. Not sure how the tuning fork resonance correlates however there seems to be some type of reaction based emotional reaction?”
Starker:”An interesting observation and a reasonable hypothesis. Let us test it, Colleague Kragen. Imagine for a moment that you find me exasperating and somewhat troubling, maybe even dangerous. Imagine that I have done something that frustrates you beyond measure. I know it is hard to imagine, but try. Feel the feelings. Now, yell at me!”
Starker:”An interesting observation and a reasonable hypothesis. Let us test it, Colleague Kragen. Imagine for a moment that you find me exasperating and somewhat troubling, maybe even dangerous. Imagine that I have done something that frustrates you beyond measure. I know it is hard to imagine, but try. Feel the feelings. Now, yell at me!”
Xymox: "Oh, I could do that!" Looks around the room. "But yes, let's have Kragen participate this time."
A moment! Xymox stops in mid stride, pointing at Starker...
Xymox glances back at the others, fingers flexing slightly as the spectral hand fades.
"Hmm… curious. The box won’t open, nor shift—not even a tremble. I tried coaxing it, teasing the lid, even imagined myself a key, but nothing. Still… I felt something. A whisper through the weave."
He taps his temple, expression pensive but intrigued.
"It needs a key—yes—but not one forged of iron or bone. A key from within. Something... personal. Emotional, perhaps. A truth or a sacrifice. But the connection was too faint. Mage Hand isn’t enough to… touch it properly."
He tilts his head at Starker, then the altar.
"Whatever that box is guarding, it won’t yield to clever fingers alone. It wants meaning. Or blood. Possibly both. Delightful."
walks to altar, takes knife, cuts palm, collects blood in chalice, poors drop of blood on box. If nothing happens tries to pick up box and open it with bloody hand. If nothing happens, strike tuning fork on box. If nothing happens, shout “Illiandel, come meet the real death!”
Starker walks to the altar and takes up the dagger. It is ornately forged as you would expect a ritualistic dagger to be, but seems sturdy enough to use in combat as well. He draws blood from his non-dominant hand (1HP damage) and allows the blood to drip into the chalice. The drops of blood land in the bowl of the chalice and collect in the bottom. He reaches for the box and finds it to be immobile on the top of the altar. He strikes the tuning fork on the box and looks about for an effect. The only change is that the ropy flames in the floor are now intensified at his feet.
Starker shouts and flames erupt from the floor, again. The ropey tendrils writhe around him. DEX save = 18. He anticipates the flames this time, taking 5HP Fire damage. Standing off to the side, Cyrus drops is monkey face into one paw with slumped shoulders….
Starker shrugs, puts the bloody chalice and dagger back in the altar. He sits on the altar and stares at the giant face on the wall. He then gets up and starts to poke and prod at it.
(( Starker did not pick up the chalice in my version. Only dripped blood into it. ))
The skull is carved from the bedrock of the mountain. There are recesses for the eye sockets, nasal passages, and mouth. None are more than 2’ deep. An orange-red glow emanates from the eye sockets.
Starker picks up the chalice. This tarnished silver chalice is engraved with images of chained hands and tongues. He pours out his blood onto the box. Nothing seems to happen.
Kragen frowns, seeming conflicted and frustrated about current conditions.
”this is a fell place that requires fell acts.” Frowns, looking at the pulsating floor and then to the altar with its nefarious contents. Pulls a flask of Holy Water and strides forward, showering himself with its contents and verbalizing a prayer to Tyr for protection.
protection from evil L1 on himself
steps to the altar, looks at the dagger and the chalice, then frowns. Suddenly you see him grab the dagger, picking it up with his right hand. Proffers his left and slices his palm. Then holds his left hand over the chalice with clinched fist, you see blood squeeze from his fingers and fall into the cup. Stands there resolute staring at the skull on the back wall.
Starker, I think we need to change our denial and error approach to the use of the fork. I want to slay this lich as much as anyone and while your bravery is commendable, we may need a bit of structure here.
Do you recall mentioning to us about Iarno and the draconic contents of his diary "
43:Explored the ruins of an ancient city buried beneath the sands. Found a tuning fork related to the map.
44:Attended a clandestine meeting of Brotherhood wizards. Discussed plans for the ritual to open a gateway to the Abyss.
"
This Brotherhood had plans for a ritual to open the gates to the Abyss in the entry following finding the map and fork. Is there anything you have uncovered or know about these sort of rituals? If not, could we try a Sending to your mentor from Waterdeep. Just for the sake of your health.
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Starker, muttering: “ … knife, chalice, tuning fork. Unused knife, empty chalice, tuning fork results in attack. Given the circumstances: use knife to cut. Chalice to collect blood, then try tuning fork again?
”would anyone be able to cure me of these burns and lung damage before I try again?”
Xymox approaches the still-smoking form of Starker, the faint scent of scorched fabric lingering in the air. He places a steady hand on the wizard’s shoulder, murmuring the melodic phrase of Cure Wounds, (heals Starker for 24 HP) and watches as the magical warmth seals away some of the burns.
“I’d rather not carry your crisped remains back to Waterdeep, Starker,” he said coolly. “Your bones are far too brittle for a proper elegy.”
His gaze drifts across the altar—the empty chalice, the untouched knife, the tuning fork still humming with fading resonance. He circled them slowly, taking in the etchings, the patterns of flame flickering beneath the black glass floor. The reactions, he noted, had only occurred under Chadwick and Starker thus far.
“Curious, isn’t it?” he muses aloud, fingers tapping lightly against his violin case. “The flame doesn’t dance for all of us, only for those who tamper with intent.”
He gestures toward the chalice, dagger, and tome.
“An unused blade, an empty cup, a book that breathes… and a fork that sings. Someone left a ritual incomplete—or waiting.”
He pauses, raising a gloved hand toward the massive skull etched into the far wall.
“That could be the judge. Or the gate. Or worse—both.”
With a flick of his wrist, Xymox conjures his Mage Hand, the translucent appendage hovering toward the silver box on the altar.
“I’ll test the box next—at range. No sense adding another flambéed wizard to the floor....unless there are any objections.”
He turns to glance at the others, his tone velvet but edged.
“If anyone intends to pray, shield their soul, or compose a farewell poem, now would be a delightful time. This chamber doesn’t tolerate improvisation.”
Xymox waits for confirmation from the group...
Starker:”Thank you, Xymox. I am sorry my carelessness led to my having to ask you to use a limited resource. Do, indeed, probe the box. It might contain herbs or a necromantic ingredient we will need to open the portal.”
Xymox reaches out with his Mage Hand to grasp the box. Though he tries several things, the box does not move or open.
(Anything from Starker’s excellent arcana roll?)
The increase in activity of the ropy flames in the floor followed Chadwick’s yelling to the others and at Starker. It also followed Starker’s use of the tuning fork on the altar. The flames lashed out when Starker again used the tuning fork while the flames were increased in the floor.
Kragen has a look about like he is in deep thought seeing the Mage singed a bit.
”is the floor reacting to negative energy? When Chadwick raised his voice at Starker, the floor reacted. Not sure how the tuning fork resonance correlates however there seems to be some type of reaction based emotional reaction?”
Starker:”An interesting observation and a reasonable hypothesis. Let us test it, Colleague Kragen. Imagine for a moment that you find me exasperating and somewhat troubling, maybe even dangerous. Imagine that I have done something that frustrates you beyond measure. I know it is hard to imagine, but try. Feel the feelings. Now, yell at me!”
Xymox: "Oh, I could do that!" Looks around the room. "But yes, let's have Kragen participate this time."
A moment! Xymox stops in mid stride, pointing at Starker...
Xymox glances back at the others, fingers flexing slightly as the spectral hand fades.
"Hmm… curious. The box won’t open, nor shift—not even a tremble. I tried coaxing it, teasing the lid, even imagined myself a key, but nothing. Still… I felt something. A whisper through the weave."
He taps his temple, expression pensive but intrigued.
"It needs a key—yes—but not one forged of iron or bone. A key from within. Something... personal. Emotional, perhaps. A truth or a sacrifice. But the connection was too faint. Mage Hand isn’t enough to… touch it properly."
He tilts his head at Starker, then the altar.
"Whatever that box is guarding, it won’t yield to clever fingers alone. It wants meaning. Or blood. Possibly both. Delightful."
Starker:”Here’s your chance, Cleric!”
walks to altar, takes knife, cuts palm, collects blood in chalice, poors drop of blood on box. If nothing happens tries to pick up box and open it with bloody hand. If nothing happens, strike tuning fork on box. If nothing happens, shout “Illiandel, come meet the real death!”
Starker walks to the altar and takes up the dagger. It is ornately forged as you would expect a ritualistic dagger to be, but seems sturdy enough to use in combat as well. He draws blood from his non-dominant hand (1HP damage) and allows the blood to drip into the chalice. The drops of blood land in the bowl of the chalice and collect in the bottom. He reaches for the box and finds it to be immobile on the top of the altar. He strikes the tuning fork on the box and looks about for an effect. The only change is that the ropy flames in the floor are now intensified at his feet.
Proceed?
Pauses to look at The Company to see if any object. If not, proceed.
Starker shouts and flames erupt from the floor, again. The ropey tendrils writhe around him. DEX save = 18. He anticipates the flames this time, taking 5HP Fire damage. Standing off to the side, Cyrus drops is monkey face into one paw with slumped shoulders….
Starker shrugs, puts the bloody chalice and dagger back in the altar. He sits on the altar and stares at the giant face on the wall. He then gets up and starts to poke and prod at it.
investigation roll = 16
(( Starker did not pick up the chalice in my version. Only dripped blood into it. ))
The skull is carved from the bedrock of the mountain. There are recesses for the eye sockets, nasal passages, and mouth. None are more than 2’ deep. An orange-red glow emanates from the eye sockets.
Starker pours a drop of blood from chalice onto box, then tries to open box.
Starker picks up the chalice. This tarnished silver chalice is engraved with images of chained hands and tongues. He pours out his blood onto the box. Nothing seems to happen.
Kragen frowns, seeming conflicted and frustrated about current conditions.
”this is a fell place that requires fell acts.” Frowns, looking at the pulsating floor and then to the altar with its nefarious contents. Pulls a flask of Holy Water and strides forward, showering himself with its contents and verbalizing a prayer to Tyr for protection.
protection from evil L1 on himself
steps to the altar, looks at the dagger and the chalice, then frowns. Suddenly you see him grab the dagger, picking it up with his right hand. Proffers his left and slices his palm. Then holds his left hand over the chalice with clinched fist, you see blood squeeze from his fingers and fall into the cup. Stands there resolute staring at the skull on the back wall.
Starker, I think we need to change our denial and error approach to the use of the fork. I want to slay this lich as much as anyone and while your bravery is commendable, we may need a bit of structure here.
Do you recall mentioning to us about Iarno and the draconic contents of his diary
"
"
This Brotherhood had plans for a ritual to open the gates to the Abyss in the entry following finding the map and fork. Is there anything you have uncovered or know about these sort of rituals? If not, could we try a Sending to your mentor from Waterdeep. Just for the sake of your health.