"Alright, none of the artifacts allowed safe passage past the floor. Master Trolkarl seems to be right that this likely was bypassed by the witch with other means. So, our means of bypassinfg the floor is our death defying wall climb (looks at Xymox) or flying?"
"Maybe there are specific details regarding the Criwn we have not investigated? Mage Staarker care to examine the Crown more discreetly? If clues, we use it to advance to the Phylactery. If no clue, your suggestion of the other chests may hold, as you say, puissant."
"There is also the ornate Sword displayed in the other room, what is its significance?"
Starker investigates the Crown and spends 10 minutes on the ritual to Identify it.
Cyrus arranges the various glass shards around the crown, and s few clear crystals with very fine etched lines of varying interline spacings. He sets a candle in the center of the crown. Starker sits nearby and places his hand on the Crown
Serethia adds to Kragen, “The wall did not respond to the ring until you placed it into the wall recess. Perhaps some condition is needed for the staff, ring or crown to be effective with the phylactery?”
Xymox narrows his eyes at the phylactery and the floor beneath it.
“You know what bothers me? This isn’t a lock. It’s a stage.”
He taps the wall with a crossbow bolt, listening.
“Illiandil expected an audience when this thing was disturbed. That means there’s a sequence we haven’t triggered—or avoided.”
The drow walks around the room scratching his chin. "What if we approach this situation as would an undead mage? No dispel magic, no hostile intent. Possibly wearing the crown..." Xymox nods in affirmation to Starker. "There must be a way for IT to recognize a process or person." The bard walks off mumbling to himself, then turns to the group. "My apologies if I'm stating the obvious."
Serethia adds to Kragen, “The wall did not respond to the ring until you placed it into the wall recess. Perhaps some condition is needed for the staff, ring or crown to be effective with the phylactery?”
"Great point Serethia, there may be some action that activates the ward."
Kragen attempts to recall any specific details about the Phylactery while he was up close and personal with it.
Serethia adds to Kragen, “The wall did not respond to the ring until you placed it into the wall recess. Perhaps some condition is needed for the staff, ring or crown to be effective with the phylactery?”
"Great point Serethia, there may be some action that activates the ward."
Kragen attempts to recall any specific details about the Phylactery while he was up close and personal with it.
Perception check = 20+6=26
Nothing comes to mind other than what you have learned already.
Starker and Cyrus finish the ritual. Starker runs through a few calculations involving the refraction angles obsevered in the candle rays that passed through the various crystals.
Starker:”It is an extremely puissant object requiring attunement providing significant aid to spellcasting and improving the intellect and concentration. It does not seem, however to have a spell inherent to help retrieve the phylactery. <hesitates> But that is not dispositive, as it is possible that the floor or pedestal or the phylactery itself can sense the Crown.
“I wonder if one of you wallwalkers could suspend me from the ceiling so I can examine the runes and other aspects?
”But I do think opening the chests is likely to prove more useful. I can Knock twice, but that would deplete all but my cantrips and a few first-year spells. If it should come to a fight afterwards I would not be particularly useful. It might be better for one of you doughtier than I to screw you courage to the sticking place and attempt to open the chests using mundane means, trusting in Father Kragsn’s healing abilities and our trove of healing potions. I also have this scroll of Protection from Energy that might serve as a partial prophylactic.”
A resounding KABOOM!!! echoes through the room. It came from the disappearing wall. Yartol speaks up, "The wall faltered with whatever that was. For a brief moment it became translucent. There are several of those octopus headed creatures in the room beyond. The one before the wall is different. If I had to guess, a shaman."
Serethia adds, "If that is a spell caster, it is close to bringing down the barrier."
Starker takes to the air and flies over to the pedestal. The floor liquefies again, those below reaching up to pull Starker down amongst them. Unfortunately, he is too high for them to reach. he floats above them beyond their grasping hands.
The pedestal is polished red and black stone of an unknown type. Atop this pedestal is the ebon tube with a gold cap set with a huge ruby. Eldritch runes are etched along the length of the tube as well as Abyssal and Infernal symbols. In addition, you see alien runes you surmise suggest a Far Realm influence. All of the runes and sigils pulse with an angry red glow to the rhythm of a beating heart. Starker studies the tube for several long moments. Patterns are found. There is some protective magic keeping the phylactery safe from molestation. Keys exist to lower this defensive function. You come to the conclusion that there are two, but have no further information about what those 'keys' could be.
Starker recalls a ruby that pulses with a heartbeat rhythm amongst the loot. He gathers it and flies back and sees if the rhythms are the same and if there is any reaction.
Starker:”did we ever open the trapped trunk? If not, perhaps it contains what is needed for safe passage?”
"Starker I would have thought your vote would have been to blast it, but that's a good idea."
"Alright, none of the artifacts allowed safe passage past the floor. Master Trolkarl seems to be right that this likely was bypassed by the witch with other means. So, our means of bypassinfg the floor is our death defying wall climb (looks at Xymox) or flying?"
"Maybe there are specific details regarding the Criwn we have not investigated? Mage Staarker care to examine the Crown more discreetly? If clues, we use it to advance to the Phylactery. If no clue, your suggestion of the other chests may hold, as you say, puissant."
"There is also the ornate Sword displayed in the other room, what is its significance?"
Starker investigates the Crown and spends 10 minutes on the ritual to Identify it.
Cyrus arranges the various glass shards around the crown, and s few clear crystals with very fine etched lines of varying interline spacings. He sets a candle in the center of the crown. Starker sits nearby and places his hand on the Crown
investigate = 23
cast ritual Identify
Serethia adds to Kragen, “The wall did not respond to the ring until you placed it into the wall recess. Perhaps some condition is needed for the staff, ring or crown to be effective with the phylactery?”
Xymox narrows his eyes at the phylactery and the floor beneath it.
“You know what bothers me? This isn’t a lock. It’s a stage.”
He taps the wall with a crossbow bolt, listening.
“Illiandil expected an audience when this thing was disturbed. That means there’s a sequence we haven’t triggered—or avoided.”
The drow walks around the room scratching his chin. "What if we approach this situation as would an undead mage? No dispel magic, no hostile intent. Possibly wearing the crown..." Xymox nods in affirmation to Starker. "There must be a way for IT to recognize a process or person." The bard walks off mumbling to himself, then turns to the group. "My apologies if I'm stating the obvious."
"Great point Serethia, there may be some action that activates the ward."
Kragen attempts to recall any specific details about the Phylactery while he was up close and personal with it.
Perception check = 20+6=26
Nothing comes to mind other than what you have learned already.
Starker and Cyrus finish the ritual. Starker runs through a few calculations involving the refraction angles obsevered in the candle rays that passed through the various crystals.
Starker:”It is an extremely puissant object requiring attunement providing significant aid to spellcasting and improving the intellect and concentration. It does not seem, however to have a spell inherent to help retrieve the phylactery. <hesitates> But that is not dispositive, as it is possible that the floor or pedestal or the phylactery itself can sense the Crown.
“I wonder if one of you wallwalkers could suspend me from the ceiling so I can examine the runes and other aspects?
”But I do think opening the chests is likely to prove more useful. I can Knock twice, but that would deplete all but my cantrips and a few first-year spells. If it should come to a fight afterwards I would not be particularly useful. It might be better for one of you doughtier than I to screw you courage to the sticking place and attempt to open the chests using mundane means, trusting in Father Kragsn’s healing abilities and our trove of healing potions. I also have this scroll of Protection from Energy that might serve as a partial prophylactic.”
Chadwick blurts out "Oh shut your goat kissing mouth before I melt you down for stirrups!".
He looks around looking embarrassed.
"Sorry it's that damn sword, it keeps trying to get in my head. It promises to protect me from the traps and crush my enemies. <He pauses>
I don't think it would end well."
A resounding KABOOM!!! echoes through the room. It came from the disappearing wall. Yartol speaks up, "The wall faltered with whatever that was. For a brief moment it became translucent. There are several of those octopus headed creatures in the room beyond. The one before the wall is different. If I had to guess, a shaman."
Serethia adds, "If that is a spell caster, it is close to bringing down the barrier."
I can cast fly on you Starker, to negate the challenge of the floor. That seems easier than having wall walkers try to carry you.
if he accepts and Fly is cast Trolkarl will use Magical Cunning to get back the slot.
(( Up to Starker for the decision. ))
Starker:”Thank you.”
flies over and starts to investigate
investigation = 14. Reattempt = 14. Rereattempt = 31 (nat 20)
Starker takes to the air and flies over to the pedestal. The floor liquefies again, those below reaching up to pull Starker down amongst them. Unfortunately, he is too high for them to reach. he floats above them beyond their grasping hands.
The pedestal is polished red and black stone of an unknown type. Atop this pedestal is the ebon tube with a gold cap set with a huge ruby. Eldritch runes are etched along the length of the tube as well as Abyssal and Infernal symbols. In addition, you see alien runes you surmise suggest a Far Realm influence. All of the runes and sigils pulse with an angry red glow to the rhythm of a beating heart. Starker studies the tube for several long moments. Patterns are found. There is some protective magic keeping the phylactery safe from molestation. Keys exist to lower this defensive function. You come to the conclusion that there are two, but have no further information about what those 'keys' could be.
Starker flies back. “I think we need to open the chests and look for two objects that will serve as keys. “
(( Fly active for another 5 minutes. ))
Starker recalls a ruby that pulses with a heartbeat rhythm amongst the loot. He gathers it and flies back and sees if the rhythms are the same and if there is any reaction.
Investigation = 14, 29
That ruby and the phylactery pulse in asynchronous rates. Neither changes with proximity.
While Fly continues Starker uses Firebolt to snipe at one of the creatures reaching up from floor. Are they damageable?
to hit: 20
damage (fire): 17