Iólinder took a look at the riddles. 'Hmm...' He hummed as he stroked his chin. 'I guess the answers to the riddles spell out the phrase of praise. The first is hail, I'd wager. The third riddle's answer is a dragon. The fourth is a battle standard, maybe? Don't know about the second riddle yet.'
His eyes wandered over the riddles. 'Could also be king at the end. Hail something dragon king?'
After a moment or two Iólinder slapped himself on the forehead. 'Of course.' He muttered with an accompanying eyeroll. 'Hail the cult of the dragon king.'
As the clever war cleric says the phrase out loud, the 4 lightening glyphs fade. There is a clicking noise, as if something has unlocked, and you note the light of the lightning highlight 3 of 4 of the sides about 2 feet from the top of the pyramid. (Some sort of seam think mini pyramid 4x4x4, It can slide open)
There has been sort of ambient low buzzing noise, but no one had paid much attention to it.
"That's pretty good! I'm a slow thinker and had only come up with Hail for sure and maybe the dragon part so far."
Iolinder's quick mind impressed Zarbyn. It wasn't just that he was sometimes slow in his thinking process it was trying to think outside the box and coming up with way too many answers that seemed to fit.
"Look everyone, I know we're worried about Paevira but once we get inside the pyramid and hopefully get the artifact we'll be able to secure her return. We need to be ready for anything and this time we should stick together, that's worked well for us so far."
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.”
"Why was she left alone?" Lev mutters, clearly more focused on their missing companions than his obvious wounds. He barely even notices when the riddles are asked and then solved, at least not until the trap is dispatched and Zarbyn mentions staying together.
"Agreed," he says gruffly. "No one goes alone. We stay together in a group, casters in the back, Iolinder and Amdaeng, you two and I are in the front." He grits his teeth, sucking in a breath as he is reminded of his current predicament. Only an idiot would put himself in the front while he's in this condition, well, he must be an idiot then. Better him than someone else.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Amdaeng was just staring at Iólinders quick solving of a puzzle she had barely begun to contemplate....but when Lev spoke she nodded and took her assigned place....
"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.”
As you slide the top of the pyramid section open, you see ambient light from inside (so no need to light a torch). As the lid slides open, the strange noise becomes more clear. It is the sound of chanting. Carefully peering in, you see the following You are 60 feet above the 70x70 square chamber, directly in the center. Light sources on large pillars provide light in the large room. On the edge of the walls at each cardinal point is an opening 10 feet wide.
There are approximately 20-30 goblins in the chamber. A huge 4 armed statue of the snake demon Myurr stands on the north side on a dais.
Vydar and Iólinder
This looks very similar to the vision Vydar had when he touched the black dagger. He has described this to Iólinder so it is familiar to both.
Standing near an altar is a figure draped in a black hooded robe. Bound and lying on their backs adjacent to the statue are two victims. The first is a female Kobold wearing furs (like the two casters you already encountered). She appears to be dead, and there is a black dagger in her chest.
Next to her is a female elf or half-elf. It appears she will be the next victim.
(OOC: Note it is a 60-foot drop to the floor from your location. It would be wise to tie a rope to the tip of the pyramid you moved as a means of getting in /out) Please see owlbear rodeo: https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/0fqD33C25Ytz/TheWasteCrimp
Lira
You hear Aldrin scream in agony as a black dagger is plunged into her chest. As you look up and contemplate your short life, the apex of the pyramid seems to shimmer and disappear. You see stars and the light of the moon above. Then, you see the facade of at least two elves looking down into the room.
Tears welled up in Lira's eyes, unbidden, as she lay there helplessly. She saw the streets of Rentarn in her mind, the harsh days of survival, of scraping by, always alone, always fighting for one more chance. She thought of the mission she had abandoned, of the people she had betrayed for a cause that had never been hers. The beauty of the mountains, the cold air that had filled her lungs as she climbed higher, the sunrise that had promised a new beginning...all of it felt so distant now.
But as the tears spilled over, the light of the moon broke through the apex of the pyramid, casting a cold glow across her face. Lira blinked through the haze of fear and pain, her gaze drifting up to the shimmering point where the ceiling seemed to vanish. The stars were so clear, so bright, and there—figures, looking down into the room. She didn’t know if it was real, or if it was another vision brought on by her fear and desperation. But something stirred inside her, a spark that refused to go out even in the face of death. The moonlight seemed to wash over her, cooling her fear for just a moment.
Not yet.
The tears still flowed, but beneath them, her jaw clenched. Not yet. She had fought for too long, survived too much to give up now. Her life flashed before her eyes, not just the pain, but the strength she had forged through it. If this was the end, she would fight until her last breath. Her fingers twitched, searching for anything—anything she could use to break free, to buy herself just one more chance. She couldn’t speak through the gag, but her mind screamed for help, her eyes locking onto the silhouettes above.
(OOC: ooohhhh I hope I don't regret this but... gotta stay in character lol!)
In an instant, any amount of logic that Lev possesses disappears. Who cares about the army of goblins below them. Who cares that this cultist has one of those cursed black daggers. The only thing that matters to him right now is that there is a person down there who is about to be sacrificed. He doesn't know who she is, but he does know that he just lost a companion and he can't just sit by and watch as another person is sacrificed.
So he jumps straight down, not giving his companions any time to think or any instruction beyond what he'd given earlier. Once he is about 30ft or so from the ground he disappears in a puff of black smoke and feathers, reappearing just above the ground in front of the cultist. Glaive clenched in his fists as he careens towards the hooded figure, ready to deliver a devastating blow--assuming his wounds don't continue to hinder him.
(surprise round for lev only since he did not tell other pcs)
Lev appears on the raised Dias, near the statue of Myurr, the hooded cultist, the dead Kobold sorceress, and the half-elf bound woman. The cultist is caught completely by surprise, the blade of Levs glaive, cuts the little goblin priest in half.
Looking down into the pit, a chill runs down Vydar's spine. That's...that's the thing...he think. For a moment he stares frozen at the scene unfolding before him. Then he realizes the elven woman is still alive. He has to save her. He can't let what he'd seen happen to her. When Lev jumps down it snaps him completely out of his frozen state.
"Everyone, jump!" He yells, not even thinking about how they'd get back out in that moment, nor the fact that he's almost out of magical energy. Without hesitating, he jumps after Lev to land down in the depths of the pyramid.
(He will cast Feather fall on himself and anyone who jumps with him)
Lira's heart pounded in her chest, her vision still hazy from the blood loss and fear, when suddenly—whoosh!—a figure appeared in front of her, seemingly out of nowhere. She blinked, disoriented, as she tried to process what had just happened. The hooded cultist, standing over her with that cursed black dagger only moments ago, was now lying in two halves at her feet, a tall, armored figure with a glaive standing over the body.
It took a moment for her mind to catch up—this stranger had just saved her life.
More movement followed as another figure leapt down into the pyramid, calling for others to jump. These adventurers had risked everything, jumping into a pit surrounded by enemies, and for what? To save her—a stranger? It didn’t make sense. Surely they had a vendetta against the cult of the dragon, some personal grudge driving them. No one would do this just to save someone they didn’t even know.
Caught up in newfound adrenaline, Lev stares daggers at the small army around him.
"Run, if you know what's good for you," he growls, stepping backward from the fresh corps and towards the prisoner. He glances sideways at her, not fully taking his eyes off of the surrounding enemies. "Hold still," he says in a gruff and rather unfriendly tone in spite of the fact he's trying to save her. As he says this he moves the tip of his glaive to precisely cut the bonds that are holding her. Better to have her ready in case his earlier suggestion remains unheeded.
"If you don't have a weapon, take the dagger from my belt,"He says this whilst still facing the enemies surrounding them. The dagger is in a sheath at his hip, which she can take if needed. He isn't going to draw it for her since that would involve letting his guard down. He looks very wounded and is covered in blood, but his face is painted with determination.
If any of the goblins rush them, he'll attack them with his glaive.
(If needed, I will use Action Surge. Or, if any of the goblins try to attack our new friend, I'll use a reaction (Sentinel Attack) instead.)
(Lira is freed, you have all your equipment including your own weapons, lev dagger is also near, dead cultist and black dagger on ground farthest away)
Lira will draw Needle and grab the black dagger with her free hand, moving back to stand next to Lev and readying a sneak attack for any enemy that gets close enough to him. "Run? Easier said than done."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Amdaeng ran forward and jumped off the ledge towards the altar, spinning about as she landed and throwing a blade at the most belligerent looking goblin.
Attack: 18 Damage: 7
1 Ki- Step of the Wind to close distance with a jump.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Iólinder took a look at the riddles. 'Hmm...' He hummed as he stroked his chin. 'I guess the answers to the riddles spell out the phrase of praise. The first is hail, I'd wager. The third riddle's answer is a dragon. The fourth is a battle standard, maybe? Don't know about the second riddle yet.'
His eyes wandered over the riddles. 'Could also be king at the end. Hail something dragon king?'
After a moment or two Iólinder slapped himself on the forehead. 'Of course.' He muttered with an accompanying eyeroll. 'Hail the cult of the dragon king.'
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
As the clever war cleric says the phrase out loud, the 4 lightening glyphs fade. There is a clicking noise, as if something has unlocked, and you note the light of the lightning highlight 3 of 4 of the sides about 2 feet from the top of the pyramid. (Some sort of seam think mini pyramid 4x4x4, It can slide open)
There has been sort of ambient low buzzing noise, but no one had paid much attention to it.
"That's pretty good! I'm a slow thinker and had only come up with Hail for sure and maybe the dragon part so far."
Iolinder's quick mind impressed Zarbyn. It wasn't just that he was sometimes slow in his thinking process it was trying to think outside the box and coming up with way too many answers that seemed to fit.
"Look everyone, I know we're worried about Paevira but once we get inside the pyramid and hopefully get the artifact we'll be able to secure her return. We need to be ready for anything and this time we should stick together, that's worked well for us so far."
"Why was she left alone?" Lev mutters, clearly more focused on their missing companions than his obvious wounds. He barely even notices when the riddles are asked and then solved, at least not until the trap is dispatched and Zarbyn mentions staying together.
"Agreed," he says gruffly. "No one goes alone. We stay together in a group, casters in the back, Iolinder and Amdaeng, you two and I are in the front." He grits his teeth, sucking in a breath as he is reminded of his current predicament. Only an idiot would put himself in the front while he's in this condition, well, he must be an idiot then. Better him than someone else.
(Please make sure you are connected to owl bear rodeo, the second site so you can view the next cache once you enter
https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/0fqD33C25Ytz/TheWasteCrimp
(Let me know when you are ready to open the top of the pyramid!)
Amdaeng was just staring at Iólinders quick solving of a puzzle she had barely begun to contemplate....but when Lev spoke she nodded and took her assigned place....
Stealth- 21
Perception- 3
Zarbyn shields his torch so it doesn't sputter as he follows the others inside.
"If we are the first to enter then we should only have to worry about traps... unless the other groups found another way in?"
As you slide the top of the pyramid section open, you see ambient light from inside (so no need to light a torch). As the lid slides open, the strange noise becomes more clear. It is the sound of chanting. Carefully peering in, you see the following
You are 60 feet above the 70x70 square chamber, directly in the center. Light sources on large pillars provide light in the large room. On the edge of the walls at each cardinal point is an opening 10 feet wide.
There are approximately 20-30 goblins in the chamber. A huge 4 armed statue of the snake demon Myurr stands on the north side on a dais.
Vydar and Iólinder
This looks very similar to the vision Vydar had when he touched the black dagger. He has described this to Iólinder so it is familiar to both.
Standing near an altar is a figure draped in a black hooded robe.
Bound and lying on their backs adjacent to the statue are two victims. The first is a female Kobold wearing furs (like the two casters you already encountered). She appears to be dead, and there is a black dagger in her chest.
Next to her is a female elf or half-elf. It appears she will be the next victim.
(OOC: Note it is a 60-foot drop to the floor from your location. It would be wise to tie a rope to the tip of the pyramid you moved as a means of getting in /out) Please see owlbear rodeo: https://www.owlbear.rodeo/room/0fqD33C25Ytz/TheWasteCrimp
Lira
You hear Aldrin scream in agony as a black dagger is plunged into her chest. As you look up and contemplate your short life, the apex of the pyramid seems to shimmer and disappear. You see stars and the light of the moon above. Then, you see the facade of at least two elves looking down into the room.
Tears welled up in Lira's eyes, unbidden, as she lay there helplessly. She saw the streets of Rentarn in her mind, the harsh days of survival, of scraping by, always alone, always fighting for one more chance. She thought of the mission she had abandoned, of the people she had betrayed for a cause that had never been hers. The beauty of the mountains, the cold air that had filled her lungs as she climbed higher, the sunrise that had promised a new beginning...all of it felt so distant now.
But as the tears spilled over, the light of the moon broke through the apex of the pyramid, casting a cold glow across her face. Lira blinked through the haze of fear and pain, her gaze drifting up to the shimmering point where the ceiling seemed to vanish. The stars were so clear, so bright, and there—figures, looking down into the room. She didn’t know if it was real, or if it was another vision brought on by her fear and desperation. But something stirred inside her, a spark that refused to go out even in the face of death. The moonlight seemed to wash over her, cooling her fear for just a moment.
Not yet.
The tears still flowed, but beneath them, her jaw clenched. Not yet. She had fought for too long, survived too much to give up now. Her life flashed before her eyes, not just the pain, but the strength she had forged through it. If this was the end, she would fight until her last breath. Her fingers twitched, searching for anything—anything she could use to break free, to buy herself just one more chance. She couldn’t speak through the gag, but her mind screamed for help, her eyes locking onto the silhouettes above.
Please...help me.
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor |
(OOC: ooohhhh I hope I don't regret this but... gotta stay in character lol!)
In an instant, any amount of logic that Lev possesses disappears. Who cares about the army of goblins below them. Who cares that this cultist has one of those cursed black daggers. The only thing that matters to him right now is that there is a person down there who is about to be sacrificed. He doesn't know who she is, but he does know that he just lost a companion and he can't just sit by and watch as another person is sacrificed.
So he jumps straight down, not giving his companions any time to think or any instruction beyond what he'd given earlier. Once he is about 30ft or so from the ground he disappears in a puff of black smoke and feathers, reappearing just above the ground in front of the cultist. Glaive clenched in his fists as he careens towards the hooded figure, ready to deliver a devastating blow--assuming his wounds don't continue to hinder him.
Attack: 29
Damage: 9
(surprise round for lev only since he did not tell other pcs)
Lev appears on the raised Dias, near the statue of Myurr, the hooded cultist, the dead Kobold sorceress, and the half-elf bound woman.
The cultist is caught completely by surprise, the blade of Levs glaive, cuts the little goblin priest in half.
Round 1----->Lev Vydar
(Initiatives)
Lev 24
Vydar 22
Lira (Bound) 20
Goblins group a: 19
Zarbyn: 15
Goblins B: 8
Amdaeng, Iolinder: 4
Goblins group c: 3
Looking down into the pit, a chill runs down Vydar's spine. That's...that's the thing...he think. For a moment he stares frozen at the scene unfolding before him. Then he realizes the elven woman is still alive. He has to save her. He can't let what he'd seen happen to her. When Lev jumps down it snaps him completely out of his frozen state.
"Everyone, jump!" He yells, not even thinking about how they'd get back out in that moment, nor the fact that he's almost out of magical energy. Without hesitating, he jumps after Lev to land down in the depths of the pyramid.
(He will cast Feather fall on himself and anyone who jumps with him)
Lira's heart pounded in her chest, her vision still hazy from the blood loss and fear, when suddenly—whoosh!—a figure appeared in front of her, seemingly out of nowhere. She blinked, disoriented, as she tried to process what had just happened. The hooded cultist, standing over her with that cursed black dagger only moments ago, was now lying in two halves at her feet, a tall, armored figure with a glaive standing over the body.
It took a moment for her mind to catch up—this stranger had just saved her life.
More movement followed as another figure leapt down into the pyramid, calling for others to jump. These adventurers had risked everything, jumping into a pit surrounded by enemies, and for what? To save her—a stranger? It didn’t make sense. Surely they had a vendetta against the cult of the dragon, some personal grudge driving them. No one would do this just to save someone they didn’t even know.
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor |
Caught up in newfound adrenaline, Lev stares daggers at the small army around him.
"Run, if you know what's good for you," he growls, stepping backward from the fresh corps and towards the prisoner. He glances sideways at her, not fully taking his eyes off of the surrounding enemies. "Hold still," he says in a gruff and rather unfriendly tone in spite of the fact he's trying to save her. As he says this he moves the tip of his glaive to precisely cut the bonds that are holding her. Better to have her ready in case his earlier suggestion remains unheeded.
"If you don't have a weapon, take the dagger from my belt," He says this whilst still facing the enemies surrounding them. The dagger is in a sheath at his hip, which she can take if needed. He isn't going to draw it for her since that would involve letting his guard down. He looks very wounded and is covered in blood, but his face is painted with determination.
If any of the goblins rush them, he'll attack them with his glaive.
(If needed, I will use Action Surge. Or, if any of the goblins try to attack our new friend, I'll use a reaction (Sentinel Attack) instead.)
Attack: 12
Damage: 6
(Ooc waiting on Levs action, for pbp economy all players can declare action for round one…)
(ooc: Oh ok, I forgot he got a surprise round. I'm assuming the goblins did disarm Lira when they caught her?)
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor |
(Lira is freed, you have all your equipment including your own weapons, lev dagger is also near, dead cultist and black dagger on ground farthest away)
Lev roll intimidation
Lira will draw Needle and grab the black dagger with her free hand, moving back to stand next to Lev and readying a sneak attack for any enemy that gets close enough to him. "Run? Easier said than done."
((She is at 1 hp btw))
| Joy - Hexblood Open Sea Paladin - Netherdeep | Kaelen - Shadar-kai Gloom Stalker Ranger - Old Keep | Lira - Half-elf Thief Rogue/Druid - Allansia | Arkon - Goliath Champion Fighter - Hardcore DiA | Teryn - High Elf Archfey Warlock - Runewarren | Zoveldra - Kalashtar Open Hand Monk - Eberron | Mavilius - Tiefling Bard - Golden Vault | Vannithos - Shadar-kai Astral Self Monk - Von Nichts Manor |
Amdaeng ran forward and jumped off the ledge towards the altar, spinning about as she landed and throwing a blade at the most belligerent looking goblin.
Attack: 18 Damage: 7
1 Ki- Step of the Wind to close distance with a jump.