"I've got the feeling that this room is an antechamber for that one!" Khessa points to the the room to the right on the map (the double doors). "The other door looks like something servants used... So, let's try this Mystril-position-approach!"
The blonde arcane warrior approaches the door and, turning her head downward and raising her hands as if holding a lamp, opens it.
The door opens without incident. The next room looks like a throne room. A throne on a massive dais resembles a floating cloud concealing a golden sun. Seated on the throne is a twelve-foot-tall, regal and well-muscled humanoid male with a flowing white beard and purple toga. When you enter the creature speaks in a soothing, magnificent voice, saying:
Ye who seek Diderius’s insight must first furnish tribute, that Diderius might work his mighty magic. Lay such tribute at my feet or depart.
At the foot of the throne is a pile of treasure. With a quick glance, you can see that the pile contains some gold and silver but also hundreds of copper pieces and worthless bits of jewelry and pottery.
Khessa, having invested funds in magical knowledge, does not have much money to pay a large tribute... However, seeing worthless bits of jewelry and pottery suggests that she try to pay with a similar 'treasure'.
the blonde arcane warrior tries to think about it... in the dungeon or in the dead city where the dungeon is located, is there some place where worthless bits of jewelry and pottery can be easily found? Has she seen anything like that recently?
Khessa, having invested funds in magical knowledge, does not have much money to pay a large tribute... However, seeing worthless bits of jewelry and pottery suggests that she try to pay with a similar 'treasure'.
the blonde arcane warrior tries to think about it... in the dungeon or in the dead city where the dungeon is located, is there some place where worthless bits of jewelry and pottery can be easily found? Has she seen anything like that recently?
Not really, the area is pretty much picked clean. Maybe the mosaic tiles from that monster? You do have the feeling that Diderius was (is?) not a greedy wizard, and probably accepted even meek offerings from the poor in the town.
The creature accepts Khessa's offering, but Eric's offering is enough for himself and the others. After Eric places the bow before the throne you hear a *crrr* and the door to your left opens slightly.
After a few steps on the stairs behind the door you find a new room. On the left side of the room you see 2 long tables of plain stone, while a long marble table stands to the right. The door up the stairs to the left has “? DANGER” written in chalk on it. The door down the stairs where you came from has “DANGER” scrawled on it in chalk. (The door on the right side has no markings.)
Five Bearded Devils are seated at the marble table.
Khessa is not too happy to find evil creatures like Devils in the new room... but since they seem calm, she does her best not to be the one to start a conflict. Maybe they have simple surveillance duties, like rushing to the throne room if someone tries to pass without making offerings.
The blonde arcane warrior consults briefly with her fellow party members: "Where do you think we should go? To the area marked as 'danger'? Or the other one? Or ask the Devils for advice?"
"According to the writers, we also came from dangerous path, then I think we could pursue for the other dangerous one, hoping that we will be able to face the perils as we did so far and be rewarded" the dwarf replies. He also looks at the devils with curiosity but he also comes to the conclusion that they are throne guardian and the tribute they offered has avoided getting into a fight with them. "asking those demons?" he says "I do not know the language of the infernal creatures, but if someone does we could certainly try"
Khessa addresses that Devil, speaking in Common... After all, Devils are used to tempting humans, right? Perhaps they will therefore know the language of those they must lead to perdition...
The blonde arcane warrior asks him: "A good day to you. May we ask you for an information?"
The Devil doesn't respond verbally. However it "speaks" to you telepathically (not in words, but ideas). It seems amused by you poltie tone. You may ask, but some information will come at a price.
Khessa smiles, happy that her first encounter with a Devil could perhaps end in a conversation rather than a fight to the death.
"A group that included a dwarf should have passed before us... Could we know which direction they took?" the blonde arcane warrior tries to ask (aloud, so that her companions can understand that a conversation with the Devil is taking place).
The Devil smiles and replies that you've found that group. Well... part of it. They were told to wait here. Varram has been gone for some time, but they have no idea what happened to him.
"I've got the feeling that this room is an antechamber for that one!" Khessa points to the the room to the right on the map (the double doors). "The other door looks like something servants used... So, let's try this Mystril-position-approach!"
The blonde arcane warrior approaches the door and, turning her head downward and raising her hands as if holding a lamp, opens it.
The door opens without incident. The next room looks like a throne room. A throne on a massive dais resembles a floating cloud concealing a golden sun. Seated on the throne is a twelve-foot-tall, regal and well-muscled humanoid male with a flowing white beard and purple toga. When you enter the creature speaks in a soothing, magnificent voice, saying:
Ye who seek Diderius’s insight must first furnish tribute, that Diderius might work his mighty magic. Lay such tribute at my feet or depart.
At the foot of the throne is a pile of treasure. With a quick glance, you can see that the pile contains some gold and silver but also hundreds of copper pieces and worthless bits of jewelry and pottery.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa, having invested funds in magical knowledge, does not have much money to pay a large tribute... However, seeing worthless bits of jewelry and pottery suggests that she try to pay with a similar 'treasure'.
the blonde arcane warrior tries to think about it... in the dungeon or in the dead city where the dungeon is located, is there some place where worthless bits of jewelry and pottery can be easily found? Has she seen anything like that recently?
Not really, the area is pretty much picked clean. Maybe the mosaic tiles from that monster? You do have the feeling that Diderius was (is?) not a greedy wizard, and probably accepted even meek offerings from the poor in the town.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa tries that, then. Always remembering the proper position, she quickly goes to fetch tiles and offers them.
Eric gently poses his bow at the feet of the throne (it is the magic +1 bow he found when he pursued the deer in the Silvanus forest)
The creature accepts Khessa's offering, but Eric's offering is enough for himself and the others. After Eric places the bow before the throne you hear a *crrr* and the door to your left opens slightly.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"A generous offer" Khessa smiles at her beloved dwarf.
The blonde arcane warrior then heads towards the door, mantaining the proper position, just in case it is still needed.
Eric steps forward, slightly bows his head in front of the throne and then opens the door
After a few steps on the stairs behind the door you find a new room. On the left side of the room you see 2 long tables of plain stone, while a long marble table stands to the right. The door up the stairs to the left has “? DANGER” written in chalk on it. The door down the stairs where you came from has “DANGER” scrawled on it in chalk. (The door on the right side has no markings.)
Five Bearded Devils are seated at the marble table.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa is not too happy to find evil creatures like Devils in the new room... but since they seem calm, she does her best not to be the one to start a conflict. Maybe they have simple surveillance duties, like rushing to the throne room if someone tries to pass without making offerings.
The blonde arcane warrior consults briefly with her fellow party members: "Where do you think we should go? To the area marked as 'danger'? Or the other one? Or ask the Devils for advice?"
"According to the writers, we also came from dangerous path, then I think we could pursue for the other dangerous one, hoping that we will be able to face the perils as we did so far and be rewarded" the dwarf replies. He also looks at the devils with curiosity but he also comes to the conclusion that they are throne guardian and the tribute they offered has avoided getting into a fight with them. "asking those demons?" he says "I do not know the language of the infernal creatures, but if someone does we could certainly try"
One of the Devils takes a better seat to keep an eye on you.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa addresses that Devil, speaking in Common... After all, Devils are used to tempting humans, right? Perhaps they will therefore know the language of those they must lead to perdition...
The blonde arcane warrior asks him: "A good day to you. May we ask you for an information?"
The Devil doesn't respond verbally. However it "speaks" to you telepathically (not in words, but ideas). It seems amused by you poltie tone. You may ask, but some information will come at a price.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
Khessa smiles, happy that her first encounter with a Devil could perhaps end in a conversation rather than a fight to the death.
"A group that included a dwarf should have passed before us... Could we know which direction they took?" the blonde arcane warrior tries to ask (aloud, so that her companions can understand that a conversation with the Devil is taking place).
The Devil smiles and replies that you've found that group. Well... part of it. They were told to wait here. Varram has been gone for some time, but they have no idea what happened to him.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil
"But how long has he been gone, Varram?" Khessa feigns concern. "He might need help! And which door did he take?"
The Devil refuses to tell you more. If he was offered 100 gp or more in gems however.... Coincidentally, the room on the left contains great treasure.
Player: Any Good Alignment // DM: Lawful Evil