Avery and Xanrym are up, they can take an action now without knowing what this light is or what it can do.
Even if Avery and Liarin moved into the room, I imagine that Xanrym is still looking into the room from the hallway since he's at the back of the line.
Xanrym sets down his lantern so that he can have both hands free for his crossbow. He's not sure whether the light is a guardian creature or a spell, but in either case, he tries calling out, "Praise Explictica Defilus, Queen of All Night." He hopes that that invocation placates whatever it is and lets them pass. But just in case it doesn't, Xanrym begins to case True Strike with his crossbow.
Movement: None, remaining in the hallway at the back of the line. Action: Ready the spell True Strike with Attack, Crossbow, Light (80/320): 20, Damage: 10 (radiant) and Trigger: fire at the glowing light if it attempts to attack or harm anyone in the party Free Action: Talking. Item Interaction: setting down lamp
Xanrym sets down his lantern so that he can have both hands free for his crossbow. He's not sure whether the light is a guardian creature or a spell, but in either case, he tries calling out, "Praise Explictica Defilus, Queen of All Night." He hopes that that invocation placates whatever it is and lets them pass.
Adding a skill check in case you need it because Xanrym isn't actually a follower of this cult. Deception: 16 (and using Silver Tongue feature)
Action: Ready the spell True Strike with Attack, Crossbow, Light (80/320): 20, Damage: 10 (radiant) and Trigger: fire at the glowing light if it attempts to attack or harm anyone in the party
(OOC: Is it wrong of me to hope that the whatever it is attacks someone in the party just so that Xanrym can score a nice hit the first time he uses this spell?)
Avery has heard of these kind's of creatures living in the Rushmoors and luring travellers to their doom. They are known as Will-o-Wisps.
With no one attacking the Will-o-Wisp, and with Xanrym's Deception roll, it pulsates and moves over to you inquisitively. It seems to speak with a light voice that magically projects from it's form, "Who are you? Why have you come into the Chamber of the Dead? Legate Gareth Primo has not requested an audience. Answer me please." This last sentence is not spoken politely but as an order.
You all are up. The Will-o-Wisp is in front of Avery and awaits an answer.
Theldrin knows Will-o-Wisps are malicious departed souls of fey and shadow creatures. Unlike human specters like ghosts and shadows, Will-o-Wisps tend to prefer to use their high intelligence to trick the living into traps or other deadly creatures. Some Will-o-Wisps will act in service to powerful spellcasters or undead to feed off the life force of the dying.
With no one attacking the Will-o-Wisp, and with Xanrym's Deception roll, it pulsates and moves over to you inquisitively. It seems to speak with a light voice that magically projects from it's form, "Who are you? Why have you come into the Chamber of the Dead? Legate Gareth Primo has not requested an audience. Answer me please." This last sentence is not spoken politely but as an order.
You all are up. The Will-o-Wisp is in front of Avery and awaits an answer.
Since none of his companions attack, Xanrym lets go of his readied spell without firing at the Will-o-Wisp. He stays at the back of the group, behind Avery and Liarin, but he responds to the Will-o-Wisp: "Just followin' orders. After Misha was killed, we were told to bring any candidate priests directly to Legate Primo." He gestures ahead of him but in a non-specific way.
The Will-o-Wisp responds, "New candidates? To replace Misha perhaps? Have you found such a cleric? One who is willing to pledge themselves to the Queen of Darkness?" The Will-o-Wisp seems very interested in new priestly candidates.
Does someone offer themselves as a new disciple of Explictica Defilus?
Theldrin continues to stay quiet for now, deciding he can trust Xanrym's way with words to handle the interaction with the Will-o-Wisp better than he could.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Liarin rolls a 21 on her Wisdom save to avoid opening her mouth and getting involved in social thingamabobs.
In addition to staying quiet and not calling attention to herself, she prepares herself to cast starry wisp at the will-o-the-wisp (Hey multiple wisps) if it appears to attack anyone or it leads anyone away apparently against their will.
It seems the group is relying on Xanrym to carry this deception through. What does he say?
Xanrym was thinking that one of the others would identify themselves as the candidate. He's actually inclined just to attack the Will-o-Wisp, but he's worried that there's some trick to getting through this room. Or maybe there's more than one, hidden behind the column.
The Will-o-Wisp responds, "New candidates? To replace Misha perhaps? Have you found such a cleric? One who is willing to pledge themselves to the Queen of Darkness?" The Will-o-Wisp seems very interested in new priestly candidates.
Does someone offer themselves as a new disciple of Explictica Defilus?
When the silence goes on a little too long, Xanrym says, "Yes, a couple of candidates." Xanrym again gestures head of him, but since he's at the back of the group, it's unclear whether he's gesturing toward Toska, Theldrin, or even Liarin. He says, "Let us through without delay. Jarvis is busy with organizing the defense of the upper level, but he told us to bring them down to Legate Primo right away for questioning and -- if they meet his approval -- initiation into Her service." Xanrym tries to infuse his voice with the fanatical fervor that they've heard from other cult members.
If needed:
Deception16, minimum value from the Silver Tongue feature
The Will-o-Wisp blinks exitedly. "You nor Jarvis have any authority here in the Halls of the Dead, I will be the one to show new disciples through to the Legate." It floats over to Theldrin and Toska, "You two, come with me now. The rest of you must stay here while Legate Garath Primo conducts the secret rights to induct them into the order" The Will-o-Wisp then starts floating to the north exit of the room. Toska looks at you all quizzically as she follows the floating light north. It seems she's willing to play along with the deception, but is just looking for acknowledgement that this is the plan.
The Will-o-Wisp blinks exitedly. "You nor Jarvis have any authority here in the Halls of the Dead, I will be the one to show new disciples through to the Legate." It floats over to Theldrin and Toska, "You two, come with me now. The rest of you must stay here while Legate Garath Primo conducts the secret rights to induct them into the order" The Will-o-Wisp then starts floating to the north exit of the room. Toska looks at you all quizzically as she follows the floating light north. It seems she's willing to play along with the deception, but is just looking for acknowledgement that this is the plan.
Toska is likely not reassured by the surprise that crosses Xanrym's face as the Will-o-Wisp starts to take her and Theldrin.
(OOC: I guess none of the readied actions from the previous round triggered since the Will-o-Wisp has not attacked. I'll leave it there, before Xanrym really takes an action this round, to let the other characters take a turn if they'd like. I can see this playing out a couple of different ways, but I won't say more here since the characters can't really coordinate in front of the Will-o-Wisp.)
He then gives Xanrym a hug, whispering in his ear. "I don't like this, these creatures are known to lead the unwary into traps."
Xanrym claps Theldrin on the back and says, not loudly, "Be glad! You are about to take your next step in Her service. I have faith that you will be ready to cross that nextthreshold and become one of her priests. Then you can spread the word to others."
Theldrin reluctantly follows the Will-o-Wisp and Toska as they head North. He soon turns around to wave goodbye to the others but motions with his other hand, which he hides in front of his chest, for them to follow... before continuing.
[[Should I assume the snake goes on my initiative for ease? It technically has it's own but in this format that might get annoying.]]
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
Even if Avery and Liarin moved into the room, I imagine that Xanrym is still looking into the room from the hallway since he's at the back of the line.
Xanrym sets down his lantern so that he can have both hands free for his crossbow. He's not sure whether the light is a guardian creature or a spell, but in either case, he tries calling out, "Praise Explictica Defilus, Queen of All Night." He hopes that that invocation placates whatever it is and lets them pass. But just in case it doesn't, Xanrym begins to case True Strike with his crossbow.
Movement: None, remaining in the hallway at the back of the line.
Action: Ready the spell True Strike with
Attack, Crossbow, Light (80/320): 20, Damage: 10 (radiant)
and Trigger: fire at the glowing light if it attempts to attack or harm anyone in the party
Free Action: Talking. Item Interaction: setting down lamp
Adding a skill check in case you need it because Xanrym isn't actually a follower of this cult. Deception: 16 (and using Silver Tongue feature)
(OOC: Is it wrong of me to hope that the whatever it is attacks someone in the party just so that Xanrym can score a nice hit the first time he uses this spell?)
Asclepius will go after Liarin's Initiative.
Avery has heard of these kind's of creatures living in the Rushmoors and luring travellers to their doom. They are known as Will-o-Wisps.
With no one attacking the Will-o-Wisp, and with Xanrym's Deception roll, it pulsates and moves over to you inquisitively. It seems to speak with a light voice that magically projects from it's form, "Who are you? Why have you come into the Chamber of the Dead? Legate Gareth Primo has not requested an audience. Answer me please." This last sentence is not spoken politely but as an order.
You all are up. The Will-o-Wisp is in front of Avery and awaits an answer.
Theldrin waits warily to see what happens next, if Xanrym has any response to the Will-o-Wisp.
He also tries to remember if he's read anything about these creatures in his studies.
History: 20
Theldrin knows Will-o-Wisps are malicious departed souls of fey and shadow creatures. Unlike human specters like ghosts and shadows, Will-o-Wisps tend to prefer to use their high intelligence to trick the living into traps or other deadly creatures. Some Will-o-Wisps will act in service to powerful spellcasters or undead to feed off the life force of the dying.
Since none of his companions attack, Xanrym lets go of his readied spell without firing at the Will-o-Wisp. He stays at the back of the group, behind Avery and Liarin, but he responds to the Will-o-Wisp: "Just followin' orders. After Misha was killed, we were told to bring any candidate priests directly to Legate Primo." He gestures ahead of him but in a non-specific way.
The Will-o-Wisp responds, "New candidates? To replace Misha perhaps? Have you found such a cleric? One who is willing to pledge themselves to the Queen of Darkness?" The Will-o-Wisp seems very interested in new priestly candidates.
Does someone offer themselves as a new disciple of Explictica Defilus?
Theldrin continues to stay quiet for now, deciding he can trust Xanrym's way with words to handle the interaction with the Will-o-Wisp better than he could.
Liarin rolls a 21 on her Wisdom save to avoid opening her mouth and getting involved in social thingamabobs.
In addition to staying quiet and not calling attention to herself, she prepares herself to cast starry wisp at the will-o-the-wisp (Hey multiple wisps) if it appears to attack anyone or it leads anyone away apparently against their will.
* Insight if necessary: 17 (Adv/Dis if needed 24)
[[Starry wisp attack: Attack: 12 Damage: 1
Coriana - Company of the Grey Chain
Wagner - Dragon Heist: Bards.
DM - The Old Keep
It seems the group is relying on Xanrym to carry this deception through. What does he say?
Avery does not want to throw off the deception and remains quiet, but wary
Xanrym was thinking that one of the others would identify themselves as the candidate. He's actually inclined just to attack the Will-o-Wisp, but he's worried that there's some trick to getting through this room. Or maybe there's more than one, hidden behind the column.
When the silence goes on a little too long, Xanrym says, "Yes, a couple of candidates." Xanrym again gestures head of him, but since he's at the back of the group, it's unclear whether he's gesturing toward Toska, Theldrin, or even Liarin. He says, "Let us through without delay. Jarvis is busy with organizing the defense of the upper level, but he told us to bring them down to Legate Primo right away for questioning and -- if they meet his approval -- initiation into Her service." Xanrym tries to infuse his voice with the fanatical fervor that they've heard from other cult members.
If needed:
Deception 16, minimum value from the Silver Tongue feature
The Will-o-Wisp blinks exitedly. "You nor Jarvis have any authority here in the Halls of the Dead, I will be the one to show new disciples through to the Legate." It floats over to Theldrin and Toska, "You two, come with me now. The rest of you must stay here while Legate Garath Primo conducts the secret rights to induct them into the order" The Will-o-Wisp then starts floating to the north exit of the room. Toska looks at you all quizzically as she follows the floating light north. It seems she's willing to play along with the deception, but is just looking for acknowledgement that this is the plan.
Toska is likely not reassured by the surprise that crosses Xanrym's face as the Will-o-Wisp starts to take her and Theldrin.
(OOC: I guess none of the readied actions from the previous round triggered since the Will-o-Wisp has not attacked. I'll leave it there, before Xanrym really takes an action this round, to let the other characters take a turn if they'd like. I can see this playing out a couple of different ways, but I won't say more here since the characters can't really coordinate in front of the Will-o-Wisp.)
"Excellent," Theldrin says loudly. "Just a moment to say farewell."
He then gives Xanrym a hug, whispering in his ear. "I don't like this, these creatures are known to lead the unwary into traps."
"If anything goes wrong, just yell and we'll come running," whispers Avery.
Xanrym claps Theldrin on the back and says, not loudly, "Be glad! You are about to take your next step in Her service. I have faith that you will be ready to cross that next threshold and become one of her priests. Then you can spread the word to others."
Theldrin reluctantly follows the Will-o-Wisp and Toska as they head North. He soon turns around to wave goodbye to the others but motions with his other hand, which he hides in front of his chest, for them to follow... before continuing.