Kos notices the pattern or shape and seeing that someone had recently traced it, he follows suit and traces it out himself.
"Let me give it a try."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
Gharzun’s gaze lingers on the twin visages carved into the pillars—one male, one female. Their expressions, though unfamiliar, share an eerie symmetry: cold intellect matched with cruel beauty, power reflected in duality.
“A pair,” he mutters quietly. “Not rulers, not idols—collaborators. This place honors both. That matters.”
He steps to the edge of his sigil-bound space and turns toward the others, voice measured, as though reporting to a war council.
“They designed this chamber together. If we assume intent behind every stone and spell, then symmetry may be part of the key. Two faces. Two forces. Balanced, or at odds.”
He glances down at his feet, at the sigil etched beneath his boots. “If these prisons are tied to their design, then perhaps we're being judged or sorted. Or prepared for something ritualistic in nature.”
The ceiling, when struck, had rippled like water—then obeyed. A mirror, yes, but not just for reflection. It was a window. Or a gate. His thoughts knot in quiet frustration as he returns to the carved faces, considering what part they play.
“If these two figures built this place... maybe they didn’t trap us out of cruelty, but protocol. Magic like this isn’t reactive. It’s deliberate.”
He turns as Kos begins tracing the pentacle. Gharzun steps toward the edge of his own containment, only to feel the wall of force hold firm.
“Kosileg,” he says, low but steady, “mark what changes when you're done.”
His eyes flick to Sparhawk next. “If this is a test, then the glaive may be part of it. Or a lure. These two—whoever they are—don’t seem the type to leave tools lying around without a reason.”
Looking once more to the mirrored ceiling above, he adds, “We may need to act in unison. Paired action, mirrored action... or simultaneous choices.”
He falls silent, watching the sigils around the floor as if trying to will the design to reveal itself.
"All good thoughts my friends. We will solve this puzzle as we have so many before, if we are methodical in our attempts. Although an invisible wall of energy seems to surround me, it seems I can shoot a bolt directly above me toward the ceiling (DM: Does my wall of force extend all the way to the ceiling?)
"As for the glaive, we shall see what the creators of this place intended, but I assume some sort of combat would be part of this test, or perhaps a dual of sorts."
<if anyone rolls religion you can probably figure out where you are.>
When Kos traces the pentacle, he begins to float, weightless as if levitating. Testing the bounds of the force field, finding no limt until reaching the ceiling. When he touches the rippling surface, he is transported to the mushroom grotto beside the arrow.
Gharzun watches silently as Kos begins to rise, suspended by unseen force, drifting upward into the mirrored ceiling like a mote of dust caught in an upward current. When the wizard vanishes with a soft ripple, Gharzun steps back from the edge of his prison and exhales slowly.
“The pattern is the key,” he says aloud, more affirmation than revelation. “Trace it, and the cage releases. It returns you to the mushroom grotto. The way out is confirmed.”
But his eyes drift toward the glaive, still propped casually against the column like a weapon laid out for inspection—or judgment.
“I have another option.”
He turns toward Sparhawk, his tone low and deliberate, the voice of one used to speaking in strategy briefings, not boasts.
“I have a spell—brief, targeted teleportation. I believe I can leave this force prison without disrupting it, retrieve the glaive, and return inside before triggering the sigil to ascend.”
His gaze hardens slightly.
“It will require two castings—one out, one back. That’s no small cost. And if the weapon is cursed or trapped, I’ll be first to pay for it.”
He looks at the weapon again, then back to Sparhawk.
“I don’t wield two-handed blades. But you do. If you think that weapon might serve our cause—or if you want it denied to whatever force left it there—I’ll secure it.”
There’s no ego in his offer, only calculation and discipline. The hammer at his side remains steady, his focus split between potential gain and the risks he accepts without flinching.
“A good thought but the statues in this chamber represent Belial and Fierna, joint rulers of Phlegethos, the fourth layer of the Nine Hells” Sparhawk frowns.
“i already have adequate weaponry including this well made maul and my greatsword and usually use shield. The weapon there is likely cursed and not worth our resources.”
(Ooc, we only get one long rest in this dungeon so not worth the resources or risk)
Gharzun listens as Sparhawk names the statues—Belial and Fierna—and his eyes narrow in recognition at the confirmation. That the architecture reflects Hell’s politics makes grim sense. And like all things infernal, temptation was baked into the stonework itself.
He gives a single nod of acknowledgment.
“Understood. The risk outweighs the worth.”
Without another word, he turns from the glaive. The glowing pentacle at his feet hums softly, responding to his presence as if it knows what comes next. Gharzun kneels slowly, one gauntlet brushing the smudged metallic lines of the sigil. His other hand rests briefly on his warhammer’s grip—more habit than threat—as he studies the pattern for a heartbeat longer.
“Pattern. Purpose. Passage.”
Then he begins to trace, fingers moving in steady, precise motion, repeating the act that had carried Kosileg upward. There is no hesitation in the motion, only intent.
When Gharzun finishes tracing the pattern of the pentacke, he likewiae begins to float.
(Presumably the whole ceiling works to transport you back the dungal grotto, so one cast may be sufficient, with adequate planning. The levitate spell effect lasts ine minute from activation by tracing the pentacle, so if you do it then teleport out, you get one minute to float about the halls before it wears off, making the ceiling easy to reach. Up to you, but if anyone does decide to teleport)
Roll a Wis saving throw
<Also, let me know if anyone has detect magic up, currently. Its just always good to know this. I don't think anyone does right now, but as you move through the dungeon, you might notice something. Its not a recommendation, its my failure to recall who had it and when; i don't want to short change anyone>
<last note: you shoukd have another caster. Tess is with you, but if not playing, I can try to recruit another player. You should have more spell slots available than three players have.>
Koselig looks about the mushroom filled chamber, finding little more than glowing fungus and the arrow shot by Sparhawk.
(ooc: is the chamber where Kos is now very far away from where the others are?... the mushroom grotto?)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
After all other companions leave, Sparhawk will likewise trace the pattern, first praying to Marduk for forgiveness. His will forged of iron and his mission clear, No thought of grabbing the Glaive enters his mind.
(If dm allows, I would be happy to npc Tess until player returns. Each time we add a new player I find it disruptive and several have been impossible, although I like dragondenn very much!)
(If dm allows, I would be happy to npc Tess until player returns. Each time we add a new player I find it disruptive and several have been impossible, although I like dragondenn very much!)
You can play Tess if it suits you. Let me know if you cant see the character sheet or anything. I'll pm T to see if theyre availabe.
If everyone agrees, you all reappear in the glowing grotto, no worse for wear. (Anyine who fancies themselves an expert on rocks fungus or planar matters might realize the following:)
Fungi from the Feywild and crystals harvested from the deepest reaches of the Astral Plane fuel the cave's glow and anchor the planar magic that lingers here.
Upon a thorough exploration of the glowing grotto, you are certain there is one one way to enter and exit. Whats not so certain is what would happen if you shoukd exit and re-enter. Further along the path, you see four thick stalagmites, twenty feet high and with tops worn smooth, rise from the center of a large cave. Baleful crimson light leaks from cracks in the jagged pillars, casting an eerie glow on the cave.
(OOC: I can see the character sheet but can't manipulate it, so I'll make a dummy cleric with same stats, etc and add to campaign, if player comes back, they can take over.)
Kos takes a look ahead, "Well, we can check out the stalagmites and explore around them, or go back the other way we came?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
— A basic prayer.
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“Straight up seems to hit those mushrooms. Not sure about tracing that pattern?”
Kos notices the pattern or shape and seeing that someone had recently traced it, he follows suit and traces it out himself.
"Let me give it a try."
Gharzun’s gaze lingers on the twin visages carved into the pillars—one male, one female. Their expressions, though unfamiliar, share an eerie symmetry: cold intellect matched with cruel beauty, power reflected in duality.
“A pair,” he mutters quietly. “Not rulers, not idols—collaborators. This place honors both. That matters.”
He steps to the edge of his sigil-bound space and turns toward the others, voice measured, as though reporting to a war council.
“They designed this chamber together. If we assume intent behind every stone and spell, then symmetry may be part of the key. Two faces. Two forces. Balanced, or at odds.”
He glances down at his feet, at the sigil etched beneath his boots. “If these prisons are tied to their design, then perhaps we're being judged or sorted. Or prepared for something ritualistic in nature.”
The ceiling, when struck, had rippled like water—then obeyed. A mirror, yes, but not just for reflection. It was a window. Or a gate. His thoughts knot in quiet frustration as he returns to the carved faces, considering what part they play.
“If these two figures built this place... maybe they didn’t trap us out of cruelty, but protocol. Magic like this isn’t reactive. It’s deliberate.”
He turns as Kos begins tracing the pentacle. Gharzun steps toward the edge of his own containment, only to feel the wall of force hold firm.
“Kosileg,” he says, low but steady, “mark what changes when you're done.”
His eyes flick to Sparhawk next. “If this is a test, then the glaive may be part of it. Or a lure. These two—whoever they are—don’t seem the type to leave tools lying around without a reason.”
Looking once more to the mirrored ceiling above, he adds, “We may need to act in unison. Paired action, mirrored action... or simultaneous choices.”
He falls silent, watching the sigils around the floor as if trying to will the design to reveal itself.
"All good thoughts my friends. We will solve this puzzle as we have so many before, if we are methodical in our attempts. Although an invisible wall of energy seems to surround me, it seems I can shoot a bolt directly above me toward the ceiling (DM: Does my wall of force extend all the way to the ceiling?)
"As for the glaive, we shall see what the creators of this place intended, but I assume some sort of combat would be part of this test, or perhaps a dual of sorts."
<if anyone rolls religion you can probably figure out where you are.>
When Kos traces the pentacle, he begins to float, weightless as if levitating. Testing the bounds of the force field, finding no limt until reaching the ceiling. When he touches the rippling surface, he is transported to the mushroom grotto beside the arrow.
(Sparhawk 18 religion check, can we still see Kos after transport?)
(you can see him if you look at the ceiling. He's also still levitating.)
The paladin discerns the fiendish characteristics of Belial and Fierna, joint rulers of Phlegethos, the fourth layer of the Nine Hells.
Gharzun watches silently as Kos begins to rise, suspended by unseen force, drifting upward into the mirrored ceiling like a mote of dust caught in an upward current. When the wizard vanishes with a soft ripple, Gharzun steps back from the edge of his prison and exhales slowly.
“The pattern is the key,” he says aloud, more affirmation than revelation. “Trace it, and the cage releases. It returns you to the mushroom grotto. The way out is confirmed.”
But his eyes drift toward the glaive, still propped casually against the column like a weapon laid out for inspection—or judgment.
“I have another option.”
He turns toward Sparhawk, his tone low and deliberate, the voice of one used to speaking in strategy briefings, not boasts.
“I have a spell—brief, targeted teleportation. I believe I can leave this force prison without disrupting it, retrieve the glaive, and return inside before triggering the sigil to ascend.”
His gaze hardens slightly.
“It will require two castings—one out, one back. That’s no small cost. And if the weapon is cursed or trapped, I’ll be first to pay for it.”
He looks at the weapon again, then back to Sparhawk.
“I don’t wield two-handed blades. But you do. If you think that weapon might serve our cause—or if you want it denied to whatever force left it there—I’ll secure it.”
There’s no ego in his offer, only calculation and discipline. The hammer at his side remains steady, his focus split between potential gain and the risks he accepts without flinching.
“Your call, Captain. Is it worth the effort?”
“A good thought but the statues in this chamber represent Belial and Fierna, joint rulers of Phlegethos, the fourth layer of the Nine Hells” Sparhawk frowns.
“i already have adequate weaponry including this well made maul and my greatsword and usually use shield. The weapon there is likely cursed and not worth our resources.”
(Ooc, we only get one long rest in this dungeon so not worth the resources or risk)
Gharzun listens as Sparhawk names the statues—Belial and Fierna—and his eyes narrow in recognition at the confirmation. That the architecture reflects Hell’s politics makes grim sense. And like all things infernal, temptation was baked into the stonework itself.
He gives a single nod of acknowledgment.
“Understood. The risk outweighs the worth.”
Without another word, he turns from the glaive. The glowing pentacle at his feet hums softly, responding to his presence as if it knows what comes next. Gharzun kneels slowly, one gauntlet brushing the smudged metallic lines of the sigil. His other hand rests briefly on his warhammer’s grip—more habit than threat—as he studies the pattern for a heartbeat longer.
“Pattern. Purpose. Passage.”
Then he begins to trace, fingers moving in steady, precise motion, repeating the act that had carried Kosileg upward. There is no hesitation in the motion, only intent.
When Gharzun finishes tracing the pattern of the pentacke, he likewiae begins to float.
(Presumably the whole ceiling works to transport you back the dungal grotto, so one cast may be sufficient, with adequate planning. The levitate spell effect lasts ine minute from activation by tracing the pentacle, so if you do it then teleport out, you get one minute to float about the halls before it wears off, making the ceiling easy to reach. Up to you, but if anyone does decide to teleport)
Roll a Wis saving throw
<Also, let me know if anyone has detect magic up, currently. Its just always good to know this. I don't think anyone does right now, but as you move through the dungeon, you might notice something. Its not a recommendation, its my failure to recall who had it and when; i don't want to short change anyone>
<last note: you shoukd have another caster. Tess is with you, but if not playing, I can try to recruit another player. You should have more spell slots available than three players have.>
Koselig looks about the mushroom filled chamber, finding little more than glowing fungus and the arrow shot by Sparhawk.
(ooc: is the chamber where Kos is now very far away from where the others are?... the mushroom grotto?)
After all other companions leave, Sparhawk will likewise trace the pattern, first praying to Marduk for forgiveness. His will forged of iron and his mission clear, No thought of grabbing the Glaive enters his mind.
(If dm allows, I would be happy to npc Tess until player returns. Each time we add a new player I find it disruptive and several have been impossible, although I like dragondenn very much!)
It's another plane, so.. yes? They're on the 4th layer of Avernus. Kos is in a cave in the Barrier Peaks.
You can play Tess if it suits you. Let me know if you cant see the character sheet or anything. I'll pm T to see if theyre availabe.
If everyone agrees, you all reappear in the glowing grotto, no worse for wear. (Anyine who fancies themselves an expert on rocks fungus or planar matters might realize the following:)
Fungi from the Feywild and crystals harvested from the deepest reaches of the Astral Plane fuel the cave's glow and anchor the planar magic that lingers here.
Sparhawk checks himself over as well as the others. "Well, no worse for wear, and to be honest, I'm glad no one grabbed the glaive."
"Ok, what options do we have?"
Upon a thorough exploration of the glowing grotto, you are certain there is one one way to enter and exit. Whats not so certain is what would happen if you shoukd exit and re-enter. Further along the path, you see four thick stalagmites, twenty feet high and with tops worn smooth, rise from the center of a large cave. Baleful crimson light leaks from cracks in the jagged pillars, casting an eerie glow on the cave.
<forward or back?>
(OOC: I can see the character sheet but can't manipulate it, so I'll make a dummy cleric with same stats, etc and add to campaign, if player comes back, they can take over.)
<If you're up for it, that works.>
Kos takes a look ahead, "Well, we can check out the stalagmites and explore around them, or go back the other way we came?"