Starker to Sir Chadwick:”Please leave the three I indicated undisturbed for the time being. They may be pieces of a puzzle we must solve to advance in our pursuit of the lich.”
”Also, we can ask another question if the Oracle of Aqualith, though I cannot think of one I would ask until we have gone up one more level as it indicated we must when it answered us yesterday.”
"I am fairly sure that the wraith animated those brazier and the bookcase through its own wizardry. It cast a spell and those things immediately sprang to life," Yartol answers Chadwick. "If the good mage believes there is further puzzling to be had, perhaps we should refrain from further vandalism?"
Kragen approaches the Altar and addresses Yartol and Trolkarl. "Well done, we were challenged to vanquish that vile undead."
He also spends time examining both for injuries. Medicine check. 4+6=10
"We should be cautious on our investigation further of this area, unsure what it's purpose is however it feels foul." cringes looking around.
"Chadwick spoke of hearing that Demon in his head during our encounter. Before i banished it back to the depths of Hades, its vile voice was in my head. I feel like it is a portent or clue. Here is what is said to me, were others affected besides Chadwick and I?"
Then recites the voice. "Fires as indicated… fires as indicated… BURN THE MEANING".
"Then during my struggle to banish the Demon, i heard."
"I am the Echo, you are the mouth - speak and be undone."
Starker goes over to the demolished bookcase, grabs some kindling, walks over to the demon-shaped brazier. Is there fuel inside? If so, does Starker think he use Firebolt to ignite it without destroying the brazier?
Starker waits a few moments, ready to cower should another enemy appear. If none, he lights the braziers signifying the crystal being and the sphere surrounded by filaments, pausing briefly in between.
Starker lights the three braziers in succession; demon, crystal being, sphere surrounded by filaments. He cowers appropriately following the lighting of each of them,
Lighting the last brazier elicits a feeling of power being released. Starker withdraws from the brazier, slinking away just in time to avoid being caught up in a lightning arc that springs up between the three braziers.
Soft, bluish illumination then encompasses the desk, workbench and altar.
There are writings of all kinds on many languages. What you notice that is unusual is a collection of four papers/books/scrolls having a message seeming written across the four of them when arrayed together:
“I speak with no voice, yet make kings obey. I build empires and shatter them too. I bind without chains and kill without blade. What am I?”
Xymox leans over the riddle, nearly touching the parchment with a gloved finger.
“‘I speak with no voice, yet make kings obey…’” he murmurs, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “Now there’s a line I can appreciate. I’d wager the answer’s words—or perhaps power itself. Both are sharp enough to cut without a blade.”
He looks up at the others, eyes glinting. “Still, it has that poet’s touch. Whoever wrote this had a flair for the dramatic. I approve.”
Kragen attends to Yartol and evaluates Chadwick as well. Seeing they both have taken some serious injuries from this last encounter, begins to administer a use of Healer's kit using his Battle Medic skills.
Utilize action: 2 uses (1 each) of Healers kit on Yartol and Chadwick. They can expend one of it's HD +3 to restore HP.
While doing so hearing Xymox and Starker pining over the discovered riddle. "Time or Power sounds the most logical answer to the riddle.", "Question is, what do you use it for or what does it solve?"
Surprised to see the workstations illuminated upon braziers alight. "What fell magic is this and what does it portend??"
Chadwick gathers up and stows the various weapons he left scattered about. His keeps his halberd ready.
"Anyone object if I chuck these braziers down the hole, or cut them in half just in case more of them try and animate?"
Starker to Sir Chadwick:”Please leave the three I indicated undisturbed for the time being. They may be pieces of a puzzle we must solve to advance in our pursuit of the lich.”
”Also, we can ask another question if the Oracle of Aqualith, though I cannot think of one I would ask until we have gone up one more level as it indicated we must when it answered us yesterday.”
"I am fairly sure that the wraith animated those brazier and the bookcase through its own wizardry. It cast a spell and those things immediately sprang to life," Yartol answers Chadwick. "If the good mage believes there is further puzzling to be had, perhaps we should refrain from further vandalism?"
Kragen approaches the Altar and addresses Yartol and Trolkarl. "Well done, we were challenged to vanquish that vile undead."
He also spends time examining both for injuries. Medicine check. 4+6=10
"We should be cautious on our investigation further of this area, unsure what it's purpose is however it feels foul." cringes looking around.
"Chadwick spoke of hearing that Demon in his head during our encounter. Before i banished it back to the depths of Hades, its vile voice was in my head. I feel like it is a portent or clue. Here is what is said to me, were others affected besides Chadwick and I?"
Then recites the voice. "Fires as indicated… fires as indicated… BURN THE MEANING".
"Then during my struggle to banish the Demon, i heard."
"I am the Echo, you are the mouth - speak and be undone."
Looks perplexed
Starker goes over to the demolished bookcase, grabs some kindling, walks over to the demon-shaped brazier. Is there fuel inside? If so, does Starker think he use Firebolt to ignite it without destroying the brazier?
<arcana roll? If so, 21>
Kragen finds Yartol has been significantly injured by the cold flames.
There is fuel inside each of the braziers. Starker lights the demonic brazier without trouble.
Yartol adds, “That first apparition spoke into my head as well. It said: ‘Alchemy is not craft — it is hunger wearing a formula.’ “
Starker waits a few moments, ready to cower should another enemy appear. If none, he lights the braziers signifying the crystal being and the sphere surrounded by filaments, pausing briefly in between.
Starker lights the three braziers in succession; demon, crystal being, sphere surrounded by filaments. He cowers appropriately following the lighting of each of them,
Lighting the last brazier elicits a feeling of power being released. Starker withdraws from the brazier, slinking away just in time to avoid being caught up in a lightning arc that springs up between the three braziers.
Soft, bluish illumination then encompasses the desk, workbench and altar.
Starker:(in a puzzled tone) ”Illuminating?”
Starker goes over to the desk and, initially without touching anything, examines and catalogs what he sees.
investigation = 23
There are writings of all kinds on many languages. What you notice that is unusual is a collection of four papers/books/scrolls having a message seeming written across the four of them when arrayed together:
“I speak with no voice, yet make kings obey. I build empires and shatter them too. I bind without chains and kill without blade. What am I?”
Xymox leans over the riddle, nearly touching the parchment with a gloved finger.
“‘I speak with no voice, yet make kings obey…’” he murmurs, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. “Now there’s a line I can appreciate. I’d wager the answer’s words—or perhaps power itself. Both are sharp enough to cut without a blade.”
He looks up at the others, eyes glinting. “Still, it has that poet’s touch. Whoever wrote this had a flair for the dramatic. I approve.”
Kragen attends to Yartol and evaluates Chadwick as well. Seeing they both have taken some serious injuries from this last encounter, begins to administer a use of Healer's kit using his Battle Medic skills.
Utilize action: 2 uses (1 each) of Healers kit on Yartol and Chadwick. They can expend one of it's HD +3 to restore HP.
While doing so hearing Xymox and Starker pining over the discovered riddle. "Time or Power sounds the most logical answer to the riddle.", "Question is, what do you use it for or what does it solve?"
Surprised to see the workstations illuminated upon braziers alight. "What fell magic is this and what does it portend??"
Yartol accepts Kragen’s attentions with a “Thanks” but seems to be drained of his inner strength after the fight with the wraiths.