The bookcase slides aside with a grinding of stone and a rush of stagnant, cold air. Beyond it stretches a long hall — ten feet wide and running perhaps thirty feet in length. The floor is polished black stone veined with faintly glowing red lines that trace toward the far end like rivulets of blood. The air hums with quiet, desperate whispers.
On either side of the central hallway aresix cells, three per side. Each cell is fronted by black iron bars with sigils etched into every third bar. These glow faintly blue-white, pulsing once every few seconds like a heartbeat. The doors are locked with heavy rune-carved mechanisms. The inside walls bear deep gouges and scorch marks — evidence of past captives attempting escape.
At thefar end of the room, dominating the entire wall, is amassive demonic visage— horned, six-eyed, and grinning with a row of fanged teeth longer than daggers. Its eyes burn with dull red light, and a faint heat wafts from its nostrils. When anyone enters within 20 feet of the face, they hear soft whispering in Abyssal.
Chained to the wall in the first cell you see a humanoid female dressed in tattered rags and barely modest. She hangs forward in the chains, suspended against the wall. A low moan is coming from her lips as her head lolls about. She has purple eyes with slit like pupils, delicate curved horns sprout from her forehead, light mauve skin with jet black hair. She does not seem to notice you as you enter.
/OOC I want to make sure we are sycn'd up with actions before getting too far into the next room.
Chadwick cast prayer of healing at the end of our live session that took ten minutes that would have given the others time to search, and or, for Starker to ritually cast detect magic if no one has it prepared. Which I think we should take the time to do.
It also grants a short rest in addition to the heals so remember to update your characters if you haven't.
I might not be very responsive today so posting this now for when all the searching and detecting of magic is done...
Instinctively Chadwick reaches out to heal her, then pauses looking at the sigil, then drops his hand completely seeing the horns.
"The enemy of my enemy is not always a friend." Chadwick mutters to himself. He carries on seeing who occupies the additional cells.
Once we enter the cells: Kragen looks about and sees this is the cell place that the Lich drains his victims and gains their essence to fuel his eternal body.
”this is a fell place, one I suspect that powers this Mage. I know not of the character that this wizard preys on, however we should not allow him to continue to gain vitality by draining these poor souls. I would have us free these beings and provide some respite from their captivity.”
Kragen inspects the first cell with the horned humanoid, checking the lock and bars for means of opening or magical traps.
Chadwick walks further into the cell block. In the last cell on the right is a human man. Like the woman, he is bound in the chains. His condition appears worse. He hangs limply from the manacles. His eyes glow faint gold and his body radiates a cold, fading light.
Whispers on a foul tongue come from the graven face on the wall.
The manacles holding each of the prisoners bear digits of power. Kragen discerns necromancy and Abjuration power from them. These are meant to hold captive and drain their victims.
Starker usesDetect Magic as a ritual. He and Cyrus use the ovoid lens and adjust for the flowmon flux here appropriately. He then gasps, wide eyed. The whole room radiates magic. The desk is filled with items. The sconces above are enchanted. The staff, ring and crown are beacons of magic. The three hematite stone with the dwarven X are enchanted. Many of the books radiate magic.
If Kragen is able to enter the first cell, he does so. Walking to the Horned creature, places a light hand on their head, saying a prayer to Tyr.
Medicine check on the being. 1+6=7 :(
Cast Spare the Dying Cantrip
Then begins to determine if he can free the creature from the manacles. All the while speaking softly.
"My name is Kragen Gravelbeard, servant and cleric of Tyr, we are not hear to harm you. We will free you from these foul bonds and the grasp of the vile Wizard Illiandil."
Kragen's spell seems to bolster her somewhat. She remains incoherent until Illiandil's name is said. At that her eyes seem to focus upon Kragen. There is malevolence there and a burning hate that is almost palpable. "What trick is this Necromancer?," she croaks weakly. "Have you not toyed with me enough?," she adds weakly.
The manacles have no way to release them mechanically. It seems that some other method of removing them must be found.
Kragen's spell seems to bolster her somewhat. She remains incoherent until Illiandil's name is said. At that her eyes seem to focus upon Kragen. There is malevolence there and a burning hate that is almost palpable. "What trick is this Necromancer?," she croaks weakly. "Have you not toyed with me enough?," she adds weakly.
The manacles have no way to release them mechanically. It seems that some other method of removing them must be found.
Kragen turns and yells to Starker. "Mage, i could use some help in here determining who to release this being from this enchanted manacles. Can you assist?"
"This is no necromantic trick, i am who i say i am. My compatriots and I were able remove the Wizards current manifestation on this plane. Presently, he is unable to harm you." pauses for Her to internalize the response before continuing. "My friends and i will free you from these accursed manacles. Do i have your permission to treat your wounds?"
If given permission, Kragen lightly places his hand on her limp shoulder and completes a prayer to Tyr.
Cure Wounds L1 6+7+6=19 HP recovered
"Now, do you have any idea on how to free you from these enchanted manacles?"
Xymox crouches just outside the cell, keeping his hands visible, voice low and measured. His gaze passes briefly to her horns.
“Tiefling yes? Easy now… we’re not here to bargain with your pain. If you can hear me, you’re safe enough for this moment. That’s more than this place ever offered you.” A calming smile as he catches her gaze. “Illiandil loved questions because they let him take pieces of people. I ask mine differently. You answer only what you wish.”
He leans back, giving her space.
“When you’re ready—tell me how you ended up here. Or don’t. Survival comes before stories.”
Chadwick enters the cell holding the man. He is also unresponsive to Chadwick's presence until his healing touch aids him. "What trick is this you foul corruption?," he barely whispers. "What more can you want of me?," he sobs. His cadence of speech is slow and deliberate, as if trying to remember each word before speaking it.
Starker fiddles with the device. No apparent effect takes place.
The woman only responds to Kragen with a groan. After his healing touch she rouses, obviously feeling better. Her purple eyes with disconcerting slit pupils focus upon Kragen intently. Her eyes come to rest upon the Staff of the Void and she becomes more animated. "Release me!," she hisses. "Hurry, before he notices!," she implores. She then eyes Xymox, a brief questioning look crosses her face.
Xymox puts his hands up in a gesture of friendship and calm.
“We will free you. But not in panic, and not at the cost of more lives. Trust us for a few heartbeats longer.”
He looks around at Kragen and down the hall towards Chadwick.
"We will find a way to get you out."He gestures subtly to Kragen and Chadwick nearby.
"That dwarf? He heals first and judges later. The big one with all the weapons? Annoyingly earnest. If we meant you harm, I would imagine that we would be doing a much better of it”
Xymox stands up. "Gentlemen, search for a key or other such way to free these poor souls!"
Chadwick enters the cell holding the man. He is also unresponsive to Chadwick's presence until his healing touch aids him. "What trick is this you foul corruption?," he barely whispers. "What more can you want of me?," he sobs. His cadence of speech is slow and deliberate, as if trying to remember each word before speaking it.
Starker fiddles with the device. No apparent effect takes place.
The woman only responds to Kragen with a groan. After his healing touch she rouses, obviously feeling better. Her purple eyes with disconcerting slit pupils focus upon Kragen intently. Her eyes come to rest upon the Staff of the Void and she becomes more animated. "Release me!," she hisses. "Hurry, before he notices!," she implores. She then eyes Xymox, a brief questioning look crosses her face. As for the Staff, it safely resides with this Cleric of Tyr and will not be held by the abomination any longer.
Calmly addressing her concerns. "Fear not, Illiandil has been vanquished or at least his previous manifestation, he cannot harm you presently." pauses allowing Her to digest "We are working to free you however are searching for the means or mechanism to do so.", "Now, if you know of how we might free you, that would be helpful. Otherwise, be patient and we should have you free shortly."
Kragen reviews the arcane runes and manacles again for clues.
Perception Check 15+6=21
"Starker, stop dicking with that damn puzzle box and come put your mind to this puzzle." motions to the manacles
Watching Kragen and Chadwick trying to gain the trust of the prisoners
A Zone of Truth might speed up the process while we work to get them released.
Six-eyed demon and six rooms, coincidence? Trolkarl will examine the demon and its eyes without touching it.
Xymox can you try to understand what this thing is saying? Maybe if we silence it, that would release them.
Xymox: "Trolkarl, your knowledge of bardic talents is impressive. Alas, I do not currently have access to either of those skills, unless we take a long rest."
Starker:”Yes, Father Kragen. It seems as though this will only yield to magic and reason, not reason alone.
”I note that it is likely that three adventurers who are associated with Xagyg in the same way we are were captured by the lich. You should ask each to hold all three to separate the wolves from the sheep.”
<hands Kragen the three hematite gemstones engraved with the dwarven rune X>
if either passes the test he Knocks their manacles open.
“Do either of you know the way out or how to find and/or destroy Illiadil’s jar of souls or phylactery?”
The tiefling woman gives Xymox a more appraising look and tries to stand up straighter. You can now see that there are fine cracks in the horns on her head and runes engraved into them. That is not a practice you are aware of amongst tieflings. Her skin is dull and marred with scars and burns as well. She summons the strength to speak and says in a more clear voice to Starker, "The staff and the phylactery are linked somehow. If you destroy one near the other.........something bad will happen." Although this seems a bit, simple a warning. Her carriage and presence convey that 'bad' is "bad." She continues, "I know the sigil sequence to activate the magic circle in the conjuration room. Surely one of you has the ability to Teleport us out of here using that? Free me and I will show you."
The man responds after she speaks, "Destroy the phylactery?! You cannot! It will release all of the souls it has consumed at once". Panic seems to fill his eyes, "Mine included!" He continues to speak in a slow and methodical manner. As if speaking is a great labor for him form the words and then call them forth from his mind. He sags again in the chains, "As above, unbound; as below, reclaimed." The last muttered to himself.
Starker:”Well … it is good to get all opinions injected into the pool of discourse. We were sent for the Staff. Here is said Staff. Let is leave with it now.”
The woman seems somewhat panicked by Starkers pronouncement. "Wait!," she exclaims. She regains some of her composure, "Free me! Get me loose. I can help you escape this plane." After the briefest of pauses she adds, "I know more. About the ring and the staff. Free me and I will share what I know. That one in the next cell has been here longer than me. He is mad. He has seen things and been like this for too long. Illiandil would take him from here and return later with his limp body. Many times he did this. Save me at least." She gives an imploring look to Kragen, "Do not leave us here for him to torment unceasingly."
The man seems oblivious to Starker's comment, and seems to be losing grasp of Chadwick before him. "You are from the Justice Bringer. The Dawn Lord has forsaken me. I have transgressed. As above..." He continues muttering to himself in a plodding cadence of speech.
The bookcase slides aside with a grinding of stone and a rush of stagnant, cold air. Beyond it stretches a long hall — ten feet wide and running perhaps thirty feet in length. The floor is polished black stone veined with faintly glowing red lines that trace toward the far end like rivulets of blood. The air hums with quiet, desperate whispers.
On either side of the central hallway are six cells, three per side. Each cell is fronted by black iron bars with sigils etched into every third bar. These glow faintly blue-white, pulsing once every few seconds like a heartbeat. The doors are locked with heavy rune-carved mechanisms. The inside walls bear deep gouges and scorch marks — evidence of past captives attempting escape.
At the far end of the room, dominating the entire wall, is a massive demonic visage — horned, six-eyed, and grinning with a row of fanged teeth longer than daggers. Its eyes burn with dull red light, and a faint heat wafts from its nostrils. When anyone enters within 20 feet of the face, they hear soft whispering in Abyssal.
Chained to the wall in the first cell you see a humanoid female dressed in tattered rags and barely modest. She hangs forward in the chains, suspended against the wall. A low moan is coming from her lips as her head lolls about. She has purple eyes with slit like pupils, delicate curved horns sprout from her forehead, light mauve skin with jet black hair. She does not seem to notice you as you enter.
/OOC I want to make sure we are sycn'd up with actions before getting too far into the next room.
Chadwick cast prayer of healing at the end of our live session that took ten minutes that would have given the others time to search, and or, for Starker to ritually cast detect magic if no one has it prepared. Which I think we should take the time to do.
It also grants a short rest in addition to the heals so remember to update your characters if you haven't.
I might not be very responsive today so posting this now for when all the searching and detecting of magic is done...
Instinctively Chadwick reaches out to heal her, then pauses looking at the sigil, then drops his hand completely seeing the horns.
"The enemy of my enemy is not always a friend." Chadwick mutters to himself. He carries on seeing who occupies the additional cells.
Once we enter the cells: Kragen looks about and sees this is the cell place that the Lich drains his victims and gains their essence to fuel his eternal body.
”this is a fell place, one I suspect that powers this Mage. I know not of the character that this wizard preys on, however we should not allow him to continue to gain vitality by draining these poor souls. I would have us free these beings and provide some respite from their captivity.”
Kragen inspects the first cell with the horned humanoid, checking the lock and bars for means of opening or magical traps.
perception check @advantage = 11+6=17
Chadwick walks further into the cell block. In the last cell on the right is a human man. Like the woman, he is bound in the chains. His condition appears worse. He hangs limply from the manacles. His eyes glow faint gold and his body radiates a cold, fading light.
Whispers on a foul tongue come from the graven face on the wall.
The manacles holding each of the prisoners bear digits of power. Kragen discerns necromancy and Abjuration power from them. These are meant to hold captive and drain their victims.
Starker usesDetect Magic as a ritual. He and Cyrus use the ovoid lens and adjust for the flowmon flux here appropriately. He then gasps, wide eyed. The whole room radiates magic. The desk is filled with items. The sconces above are enchanted. The staff, ring and crown are beacons of magic. The three hematite stone with the dwarven X are enchanted. Many of the books radiate magic.
If Kragen is able to enter the first cell, he does so. Walking to the Horned creature, places a light hand on their head, saying a prayer to Tyr.
Medicine check on the being. 1+6=7 :(
Cast Spare the Dying Cantrip
Then begins to determine if he can free the creature from the manacles. All the while speaking softly.
"My name is Kragen Gravelbeard, servant and cleric of Tyr, we are not hear to harm you. We will free you from these foul bonds and the grasp of the vile Wizard Illiandil."
Kragen's spell seems to bolster her somewhat. She remains incoherent until Illiandil's name is said. At that her eyes seem to focus upon Kragen. There is malevolence there and a burning hate that is almost palpable. "What trick is this Necromancer?," she croaks weakly. "Have you not toyed with me enough?," she adds weakly.
The manacles have no way to release them mechanically. It seems that some other method of removing them must be found.
Seeing Kragen doesn't explode entering the cell Chadwick will bravely enter the other one and use LoH to heal the human five points.
"We are here to free you and offer aid. The lich has been vanquished for now." He watches and see if he recovers.
Starker:”This ornate knobbed spheroid when manipulated opened other locks. Let us try it here.”
goes through various permutations of knob pushing and twisting to see if puzzling spheroid is the key to their bonds.
Kragen turns and yells to Starker. "Mage, i could use some help in here determining who to release this being from this enchanted manacles. Can you assist?"
"This is no necromantic trick, i am who i say i am. My compatriots and I were able remove the Wizards current manifestation on this plane. Presently, he is unable to harm you." pauses for Her to internalize the response before continuing. "My friends and i will free you from these accursed manacles. Do i have your permission to treat your wounds?"
If given permission, Kragen lightly places his hand on her limp shoulder and completes a prayer to Tyr.
Cure Wounds L1 6+7+6=19 HP recovered
"Now, do you have any idea on how to free you from these enchanted manacles?"
Xymox crouches just outside the cell, keeping his hands visible, voice low and measured. His gaze passes briefly to her horns.
Chadwick enters the cell holding the man. He is also unresponsive to Chadwick's presence until his healing touch aids him. "What trick is this you foul corruption?," he barely whispers. "What more can you want of me?," he sobs. His cadence of speech is slow and deliberate, as if trying to remember each word before speaking it.
Starker fiddles with the device. No apparent effect takes place.
The woman only responds to Kragen with a groan. After his healing touch she rouses, obviously feeling better. Her purple eyes with disconcerting slit pupils focus upon Kragen intently. Her eyes come to rest upon the Staff of the Void and she becomes more animated. "Release me!," she hisses. "Hurry, before he notices!," she implores. She then eyes Xymox, a brief questioning look crosses her face.
Xymox puts his hands up in a gesture of friendship and calm.
“We will free you. But not in panic, and not at the cost of more lives. Trust us for a few heartbeats longer.”
He looks around at Kragen and down the hall towards Chadwick.
"We will find a way to get you out." He gestures subtly to Kragen and Chadwick nearby.
"That dwarf? He heals first and judges later. The big one with all the weapons? Annoyingly earnest. If we meant you harm, I would imagine that we would be doing a much better of it”
Xymox stands up. "Gentlemen, search for a key or other such way to free these poor souls!"
Calmly addressing her concerns. "Fear not, Illiandil has been vanquished or at least his previous manifestation, he cannot harm you presently." pauses allowing Her to digest "We are working to free you however are searching for the means or mechanism to do so.", "Now, if you know of how we might free you, that would be helpful. Otherwise, be patient and we should have you free shortly."
Kragen reviews the arcane runes and manacles again for clues.
Perception Check 15+6=21
"Starker, stop dicking with that damn puzzle box and come put your mind to this puzzle." motions to the manacles
Watching Kragen and Chadwick trying to gain the trust of the prisoners
A Zone of Truth might speed up the process while we work to get them released.
Six-eyed demon and six rooms, coincidence?
Trolkarl will examine the demon and its eyes without touching it.
Xymox can you try to understand what this thing is saying? Maybe if we silence it, that would release them.
Xymox: "Trolkarl, your knowledge of bardic talents is impressive. Alas, I do not currently have access to either of those skills, unless we take a long rest."
Starker:”Yes, Father Kragen. It seems as though this will only yield to magic and reason, not reason alone.
”I note that it is likely that three adventurers who are associated with Xagyg in the same way we are were captured by the lich. You should ask each to hold all three to separate the wolves from the sheep.”
<hands Kragen the three hematite gemstones engraved with the dwarven rune X>
if either passes the test he Knocks their manacles open.
“Do either of you know the way out or how to find and/or destroy Illiadil’s jar of souls or phylactery?”
The tiefling woman gives Xymox a more appraising look and tries to stand up straighter. You can now see that there are fine cracks in the horns on her head and runes engraved into them. That is not a practice you are aware of amongst tieflings. Her skin is dull and marred with scars and burns as well. She summons the strength to speak and says in a more clear voice to Starker, "The staff and the phylactery are linked somehow. If you destroy one near the other.........something bad will happen." Although this seems a bit, simple a warning. Her carriage and presence convey that 'bad' is "bad." She continues, "I know the sigil sequence to activate the magic circle in the conjuration room. Surely one of you has the ability to Teleport us out of here using that? Free me and I will show you."
The man responds after she speaks, "Destroy the phylactery?! You cannot! It will release all of the souls it has consumed at once". Panic seems to fill his eyes, "Mine included!" He continues to speak in a slow and methodical manner. As if speaking is a great labor for him form the words and then call them forth from his mind. He sags again in the chains, "As above, unbound; as below, reclaimed." The last muttered to himself.
Starker:”Well … it is good to get all opinions injected into the pool of discourse. We were sent for the Staff. Here is said Staff. Let is leave with it now.”
The woman seems somewhat panicked by Starkers pronouncement. "Wait!," she exclaims. She regains some of her composure, "Free me! Get me loose. I can help you escape this plane." After the briefest of pauses she adds, "I know more. About the ring and the staff. Free me and I will share what I know. That one in the next cell has been here longer than me. He is mad. He has seen things and been like this for too long. Illiandil would take him from here and return later with his limp body. Many times he did this. Save me at least." She gives an imploring look to Kragen, "Do not leave us here for him to torment unceasingly."
The man seems oblivious to Starker's comment, and seems to be losing grasp of Chadwick before him. "You are from the Justice Bringer. The Dawn Lord has forsaken me. I have transgressed. As above..." He continues muttering to himself in a plodding cadence of speech.