"Not seen.," Spira replies in a dreamy voice. "Felt. But you've prayed here, so you know. The power of the Mother of Waters flows through this symbol, whatever other goddesses may be here. All who pray here will be at peace under the waters. If we go down into the flooded level we will be safe from harm." Then she shakes herself back to her usual practicality. "Well, from the water anyway."
Then she turns to Mival. "What do you think? In a sense this is your adventure after all. But it certainly would be a heroic thing to investigate and maybe avenge the deaths of Lady Nathundam and Lord Rassalantar."
"Well, I prayed as I do, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. I mean, I am sure the Great Mother hears us," Roxanna says. (OOC - Or are we supposed to assume the same effect happens to all of us that happened to Spira?)
"In any case, should we perhaps see where the last leg of this boat trip might take us," she continues. "There seems to be something to the north. And maybe to the east as well."
Well... For Roxana it did not happen the same. But speaking with Spira she can realize that she prayed to Chauntea while Spira to Eldath (and the symbol in the shrine is tbe one of Eldath). Plus, Roxana just recited a short prayer, while Spira prayed at least a minute, before feeling the effect.
Maybe Roxana will get the effect as well, if she tries to do exactly what Spira did.
Mival, in the meantime, promptly agrees: "I can't wait to know more anout Lady Nathundam and Lord Rassalantar! I heared so many tales about jim that finally getting to know part of his real story... And avenge, sure, if possible! He was a great hero, he did not deserve to die!"
(OOC: Spira will be happy to explain the details she and Roxana have figured out to everyone as they come up, so all who want to can try it out w/o needing to go through the dialogue process each time)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Roxana makes a face, looking embarrassed as Spira explains her mistake. "Oh, yes, of course," she says. Wishing to make up for her mistake, she kneels down. First, in her head, she prays, 'Chauntea, forgive me my mistake. But I still ask for your blessings.' The she looks at the symbol. 'Eldath. To you I apologize for my mistake. I think you for your protection here, Mother of Waters.' She continues on in silence, giving herself several minutes to meditate and give honor to the goddess.
...And so Eldath's blessing extends to Roxana! She too experiences the same thing as Spira described - she suddenly feels the waters as welcoming - she is aware that she can now breathe the water as easily as she can breathe the air, if she wants to!
Probably, this holy phenomenon is repeatable and this blessing can be easily acquired by each of the party members...
In fact, Darvin, Gaer and even Mival (he doesn't really need it, but he does it out of curiosity) also try and say: "It's true, it works!"
At that point Mival is undecided: "What do you think is best to do? Now we could dive directly towards the lower level... Or do you prefer to first finish exploring the level we are in now?"
"So... if we each spend a minute praying I become immune to water demons and whatever is down there...?" the half-orc Wizard muses. "That's... certainly something. Maybe we should go at this in groups instead of one at a time, though. You know, efficient piety."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
"Yes, why not?" Anita agrees "Besides, maybe I can copy from someone... I'm not really used to praying..."
However, all the other party members who haven't already done so are also ready to welcome Rash's proposal - and so, after a 'common prayer session' of about a minute, the whole party is blessed by the Lady of the Still Waters... and much less worried about the omnipresent waters!
"The question is, Mival: would the ghost captain let us back in this passage later if we turn back? Or would he think we were turning tail on avenging his Lord, and react badly?" Spira looks thoughtful. "I really don't know. If that wasn't a question, I don't know that there's any other pressing reason to pick one or the other."
Darvin and his invisible bodyguard get back on Geados' boat and travel the few meters that would take them to the end of the path, to a room where the floor has not caved in and therefore the water level is low.
The sergeant comes into view of a new room. The room measures 15' x 20' and is completely unfurnished. The solemn marble-paved main corridor crosses the room, through the 10' wide openings in the southernmost part of the west wall and in the center of the north wall - the room is paved in the same way as the corridor.
A figure that seems to be made of solid darkness wanders around the room, muttering to itself, with generally humanoid appearance, with webbed hands equipped with claws and a head devoid of hair, nose, or features, where the eyes and mouth equipped with sharp teeth open like slashes of eerie light in the black surface. The creature, absorbed in itself, initially does not notice the newcomers.
Taking advantage of the distraction of the sole occupant, Darvin has the party take him back to the shrine and reports back, describing what he saw.
"Is this whole passage filled with spiders and specters, then?," Spira frets. "You did say it seemed to be made of darkness itself, darling? Not flesh that was so black it appeared to be of the substance of night? In that case ... ," She grins a little ruefully. "Sounds like my goddess is calling me forward again. Let's put our heads together first though, and see if we can figure out more exactly what sort of being this is likely to be ... starting with whether it's closer to the powers of Shadow or those of Unlife. After that, follow me as quick as you can. I promise I'll wait to challenge it until you're there with me, Darvin ... and preferably some of the others too. Until then I'll observe from the landing as long as it doesn't challenge me." After consulting with her companions (and particularly the triumvirate of Rash, Aidwyn and Darvin as representatives of the Weave, the Divine and human Law and experience, respectively) she steps onto Geados' boat. Getting off at the closest dry spot she can (OOC: the southwesternmost dry square in the room, just to the right of the purple #1), the Sergeant of Arvandor fixes the creature with a careful eye, preparing in her mind to call upon the light of Angharradh in the way Her wisdom guides in dealing with a being of the sort she and the others have determined this to be.
===***===\
Arcana (with Help from the party) 21
Perception (keeping a watch on the bogey for the slightest shadow of hostile movement towards her) 16
Held action / reaction should hostilities break out before at least two of her friends stand beside her (the point at which she plans to reassess whether to talk to the shadowy form if it hasn't attacked or spoken by then):
("Turn Undead. As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and censure Undead creatures. Each Undead of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw [DC 12 vs Spira]. If the creature fails its save, it has the Frightened and Incapacitated conditions for 1 minute. For that duration, it tries to move as far from you as it can on its turns. This effect ends early on the creature if it takes any damage, if you have the Incapacitated condition, or if you die.
("Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw [DC 12 vs Spira]. or take 1d8 (6) radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.")
"A new journey together..." Geados sketches a smile, welcoming Spira aboard "I wish you as much success as in the previous one, Devil's spawn!"
Meanwhile, Darvin follows his beloved with slightly worried eyes and advises her: "Do not hesitate to strike, if it notices you... That solid shadow... gave me the shivers! It can't be anything good!"
The journey is very short and soon the Sergeant of Arvandor sees the same sight that her lover had described. The figure apparently made of solid darkness still seems to float erratically, lost in private thoughts...
While Geados disembarks Spira and returns to get Darvin, increasingly impatient to reach her, the tiefling cleric examines the figure and comes to the conclusion that...
...the creature must be a Deathlock Wight, an Undead (usually a Warlock who died while in disgrace with his Patron) that craves to consume the vital energy of the living and that has access to magical powers that it does not scruple to use for this purpose!
In the meantime, Darvin also arrives (followed by the invisible warrior created by Rash), who cautiously places himself between Spira and the Undead - and he does well, because Solid Shadow finally notices the newcomers and realizes that he is no longer alone! Immediately it goes into an insane frenzy: "You! Yes, a sacrifice for it! And it will forgive me! I will be its again! I will sacrifice you to the Lord of the Underwave Paradise! Lombulluth, accept those souls!"
Time to roll for Initiative...
[[ OOC: For everyone, not just Spira, Darvin and the Unseen Warrior - Geados can ferry 2 travelers to the battlefield each round, so we'll do it like this: the first two who take their Turn and want to be ferried, can appear on the battlefield and act. The others, if they want, can obviously act anyway... or by staying at the shrine or swimming to the battlefield or doing something else. ]]
Oh, yeah, i was forgetting, Spira readied a Turn undead. So, just after his cry, Solid Shadow risks getting Turned! His DC 12 Wisdom saving throiw is: 3
Oh, yeah, i was forgetting, Spira readied a Turn undead. So, just after his cry, Solid Shadow risks getting Turned! His DC 12 Wisdom saving throiw is: 3
Immediately after making his hostile intentions known, Solid Shadow's eyes widen as the tiefling cleric faithfully presents her holy symbol. The undead immediately stops - then even begins to reverse its path, moving away from the Sergeant of Arvandor!
[[ OOC: It seems you've bought yourself some time to prepare the ground for the fight! ]]
"Not seen.," Spira replies in a dreamy voice. "Felt. But you've prayed here, so you know. The power of the Mother of Waters flows through this symbol, whatever other goddesses may be here. All who pray here will be at peace under the waters. If we go down into the flooded level we will be safe from harm." Then she shakes herself back to her usual practicality. "Well, from the water anyway."
Then she turns to Mival. "What do you think? In a sense this is your adventure after all. But it certainly would be a heroic thing to investigate and maybe avenge the deaths of Lady Nathundam and Lord Rassalantar."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
"Well, I prayed as I do, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. I mean, I am sure the Great Mother hears us," Roxanna says. (OOC - Or are we supposed to assume the same effect happens to all of us that happened to Spira?)
"In any case, should we perhaps see where the last leg of this boat trip might take us," she continues. "There seems to be something to the north. And maybe to the east as well."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Well... For Roxana it did not happen the same. But speaking with Spira she can realize that she prayed to Chauntea while Spira to Eldath (and the symbol in the shrine is tbe one of Eldath). Plus, Roxana just recited a short prayer, while Spira prayed at least a minute, before feeling the effect.
Maybe Roxana will get the effect as well, if she tries to do exactly what Spira did.
Mival, in the meantime, promptly agrees: "I can't wait to know more anout Lady Nathundam and Lord Rassalantar! I heared so many tales about jim that finally getting to know part of his real story... And avenge, sure, if possible! He was a great hero, he did not deserve to die!"
(OOC: Spira will be happy to explain the details she and Roxana have figured out to everyone as they come up, so all who want to can try it out w/o needing to go through the dialogue process each time)
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Roxana makes a face, looking embarrassed as Spira explains her mistake. "Oh, yes, of course," she says. Wishing to make up for her mistake, she kneels down. First, in her head, she prays, 'Chauntea, forgive me my mistake. But I still ask for your blessings.' The she looks at the symbol. 'Eldath. To you I apologize for my mistake. I think you for your protection here, Mother of Waters.' She continues on in silence, giving herself several minutes to meditate and give honor to the goddess.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
...And so Eldath's blessing extends to Roxana! She too experiences the same thing as Spira described - she suddenly feels the waters as welcoming - she is aware that she can now breathe the water as easily as she can breathe the air, if she wants to!
Probably, this holy phenomenon is repeatable and this blessing can be easily acquired by each of the party members...
In fact, Darvin, Gaer and even Mival (he doesn't really need it, but he does it out of curiosity) also try and say: "It's true, it works!"
At that point Mival is undecided: "What do you think is best to do? Now we could dive directly towards the lower level... Or do you prefer to first finish exploring the level we are in now?"
Rash pauses...
"So... if we each spend a minute praying I become immune to water demons and whatever is down there...?" the half-orc Wizard muses. "That's... certainly something. Maybe we should go at this in groups instead of one at a time, though. You know, efficient piety."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
"Yes, why not?" Anita agrees "Besides, maybe I can copy from someone... I'm not really used to praying..."
However, all the other party members who haven't already done so are also ready to welcome Rash's proposal - and so, after a 'common prayer session' of about a minute, the whole party is blessed by the Lady of the Still Waters... and much less worried about the omnipresent waters!
"The question is, Mival: would the ghost captain let us back in this passage later if we turn back? Or would he think we were turning tail on avenging his Lord, and react badly?" Spira looks thoughtful. "I really don't know. If that wasn't a question, I don't know that there's any other pressing reason to pick one or the other."
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
"I say we continue on wherever the boatsman will take us first," Roxana says. "Then explore lower areas later."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Darvin and his invisible bodyguard get back on Geados' boat and travel the few meters that would take them to the end of the path, to a room where the floor has not caved in and therefore the water level is low.
The sergeant comes into view of a new room. The room measures 15' x 20' and is completely unfurnished. The solemn marble-paved main corridor crosses the room, through the 10' wide openings in the southernmost part of the west wall and in the center of the north wall - the room is paved in the same way as the corridor.
A figure that seems to be made of solid darkness wanders around the room, muttering to itself, with generally humanoid appearance, with webbed hands equipped with claws and a head devoid of hair, nose, or features, where the eyes and mouth equipped with sharp teeth open like slashes of eerie light in the black surface. The creature, absorbed in itself, initially does not notice the newcomers.
Taking advantage of the distraction of the sole occupant, Darvin has the party take him back to the shrine and reports back, describing what he saw.
===***===\
Arcana (with Help from the party) 21
Perception (keeping a watch on the bogey for the slightest shadow of hostile movement towards her) 16
Held action / reaction should hostilities break out before at least two of her friends stand beside her (the point at which she plans to reassess whether to talk to the shadowy form if it hasn't attacked or spoken by then):
("Turn Undead. As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and censure Undead creatures. Each Undead of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw [DC 12 vs Spira]. If the creature fails its save, it has the Frightened and Incapacitated conditions for 1 minute. For that duration, it tries to move as far from you as it can on its turns. This effect ends early on the creature if it takes any damage, if you have the Incapacitated condition, or if you die.
("Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw [DC 12 vs Spira]. or take 1d8 (6) radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.")
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
"A new journey together..." Geados sketches a smile, welcoming Spira aboard "I wish you as much success as in the previous one, Devil's spawn!"
Meanwhile, Darvin follows his beloved with slightly worried eyes and advises her: "Do not hesitate to strike, if it notices you... That solid shadow... gave me the shivers! It can't be anything good!"
The journey is very short and soon the Sergeant of Arvandor sees the same sight that her lover had described. The figure apparently made of solid darkness still seems to float erratically, lost in private thoughts...
While Geados disembarks Spira and returns to get Darvin, increasingly impatient to reach her, the tiefling cleric examines the figure and comes to the conclusion that...
...the creature must be a Deathlock Wight, an Undead (usually a Warlock who died while in disgrace with his Patron) that craves to consume the vital energy of the living and that has access to magical powers that it does not scruple to use for this purpose!
In the meantime, Darvin also arrives (followed by the invisible warrior created by Rash), who cautiously places himself between Spira and the Undead - and he does well, because Solid Shadow finally notices the newcomers and realizes that he is no longer alone! Immediately it goes into an insane frenzy: "You! Yes, a sacrifice for it! And it will forgive me! I will be its again! I will sacrifice you to the Lord of the Underwave Paradise! Lombulluth, accept those souls!"
Time to roll for Initiative...
[[ OOC: For everyone, not just Spira, Darvin and the Unseen Warrior - Geados can ferry 2 travelers to the battlefield each round, so we'll do it like this: the first two who take their Turn and want to be ferried, can appear on the battlefield and act. The others, if they want, can obviously act anyway... or by staying at the shrine or swimming to the battlefield or doing something else. ]]
Initiatives:
Darvin: 17
Unseen Warrior: 5
Solid Shadow: 12
Oh, yeah, i was forgetting, Spira readied a Turn undead.
So, just after his cry, Solid Shadow risks getting Turned!
His DC 12 Wisdom saving throiw is: 3
Immediately after making his hostile intentions known, Solid Shadow's eyes widen as the tiefling cleric faithfully presents her holy symbol. The undead immediately stops - then even begins to reverse its path, moving away from the Sergeant of Arvandor!
[[ OOC: It seems you've bought yourself some time to prepare the ground for the fight! ]]
Mival's Initiative: 7
Rash Initiative: 19
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
(Roxana Initiative: 6)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Other initiatives:
Anita: 7
Gaer: 9
Dawnborn: 3
Just waiting for Spira and Aidwyn rolls...