Lyrawatches as her companions share their thoughts, then says, "There's no denying Rasziel's logic. And, honestly, I'm not sure I’m nimble enough to climb any chimneys. I mean—unless Zephyros gives me another piggyback ride. Always a fan of those! But still… if the gates need opening sooner or later, we might as well be the ones to do it."
"These are no ordinary chimneys belonging to a modest rural inn like the Stonehill." Lady Alisande observes, still impressed by the scent of history and grandeur that suffuses the ancient site. "They are the smoke-stacks that belched the fumes produced by a subterranean culture, the vents that drew air into the depths below. Most have long since collapsed, but rest assured, all of us can fit through the passage Ozymandias discovered."
"Phandalin boasts but a single smithy, and no engineers guild - as a merchant, you will appreciate the costs and challenges of repairing mithril and steel gates, given the absence of skilled hands. However the point about opening the way for refugees is well-taken - now or later, it must be done. If this is the preferred course of action, I certainly do not object."
The tall noblewoman turns to Zephyros and Gareth, who seem best suited to the task of lifting the beam. "Would you care to do the honours, gentlemen?"
You feel your accountant land near your feet and tug at the hem of your attire. In your mind, you hear, "Master, My Lady would have a word, but let's move away from the door." It gestures to the barred double doors of Axeholm (Wisdom Save 18 success). Your accountant hops past the portcullis, back into the rain, and turns to watch you follow expectantly.
"Of course, my lady."Zephyros calmly nods as he replies to Lady Alisande. The burly man steps forward and attempts to remove the wooden bar from the reinforced entrance.
You and Gareth walk up to the beam barring the double door. However, before Gareth can assist you in lifting the beam, you lift it out of the holders easily, which only comes from years of strength training. You toss it to the side of the passageway. Trying the door, you find it locked. Once the beam is removed, you see a keyhole on the right double door.
Meirastepped back and watched as Zephyros removed the beam from the gate. "Well done, Zephyros. And now we've revealed a keyhole. I suppose nobody thought to bring the key," she says. She pulls out her Thieves' Tools and steps up to the door, trying to unlock it. (Thieves' Tools - Dexterity: 11)
Lyra watched, mouth agape, as Zephyros lifted the beam as easily as if it were light as a feather. She had raised a hand toward him to try to assist, as before, but found there was no need after all.
Instead, she walked up to Meira and, giving her a gentle touch on her hand, asking, “Can we help?” meaning both herself and her goddess.
@Meira [[OOC: Please roll with advantage. Proficiency with SoH and Thieves tools gives you advantage on the roll. Also, don't forget everyone gets one inspiration per day they can use to reroll one D20 prior to knowing the result.]]
Seeing the lock revealed, you step up and pull out your lockpicks. Unfortunately, this lock seems impossibly complex as you begin to manipulate the tumblers and doesn't budge even with Lyra assisting. The door remains shut.
Rasziel,
As you step out into the rain, you see the lightning has increased substantially. To your left, just outside the fortress bulwarks, you see a flash of light as if lightning is striking nearby. When you look, you see your patron standing there. She smiles at you through the downpour.
Before you stands a female Erinyes, her wings unfurl behind her, black with crimson red streaks you can see with every flash of light. She wears her heavy armor painted black with purple highlights with a practiced ease that accentuates her female figure. She exudes an authority established by extreme power. Your accountant grovels at her feet. She extends a gauntleted hand towards you and gently runs the back of her fingers down the scar crossing your face. Her facial features are strikingly beautiful. Her eyes have a deep purple hue, making it hard to look away. Almost as if you're pulled into them.
"My my, you've been busy making friends." Her smile is genuine and playful. She looks at the bulwarks next to you and says, "Well, this place seems nice." Her smile evaporates and her expression denotes a serious tone. "You have used my gifts well. I imagine you enjoy the power. Don't forget the reason I've given them to you." She walks behind you while touching your shoulders and leans in to whisper in your ear. "Because I won't." She moves back to your front and continues, "Listen, Pet. The ground around that fortress entrance is consecrated with a divine energy. I need you to dispel it. Otherwise, our little friend here..." She gestures to your accountant. "... won't be able to enter. And I have a plaything inside I would very much like to be released." She reads your expression. "Don't worry, my plaything SHOULD play nice." emphasizing the word as her smile returns. She continues, "You'll know him when you see him. Do this for me and you'll be a little bit closer to your ultimate goal."
You find a scroll case inside your pocket that hadn't been there previously. The Erinyes waits for your response as she shifts her weight to her left side and places her hands on her hips.
Meirafrowns, for a moment looking frustrated. "Those runes must be powerful. This lock seems almost impossible to get past." She steps back a bit, a grin coming to her face. "But seriously guys, maybe one of you did bring the key?"
Rasziel does not grovel, he never had, never would. To him this was merely an unfortunate business relation born out of dire necessity. He had hoped to not meet with his business associate before delivering fully on her claims, but alas, she was of another mind, and he knew all to well this was always to be expected, him being used with the leverages of their contract.
"You know I would trade my powers for what you hold, but I admit they will likely assist me on delivering on our contract, as will these brave adventurers you assume to be my friends. I should point out though that using your hold on me for performing tasks like this will risk the cooperation of the others, and in the end my ability to deliver on our bargain." The young purple-robed man explains in a polite but coldly businesslike tone while picking up the scroll case in his pocket, opening it, expecting to find a spell that would destroy the divine magic protecting the gate to the dwarven fortress.
Your patron responds in a friendly tone, but her eyes betray a hint of annoyance as she says, "Oh, don't worry, dear. I shant make this a habit, but this opportunity was too good to pass on. In fact, I mean to help you and your...friends in your endeavors. I think you'll find me more than accommodating. Now go open that door." She disappears into the storm with a flash of brilliant purple light.
Inside the scroll case, you find two 5th-level Dispel Magic spell scrolls.
"I believe I might hold the answer to our predicament, not a key, but something that nonetheless will hopefully grant us entry the ancient halls of ancient Axeholm." The young dark-haired purple-robed and quite wet man says plainly as he returns to the gate, standing in front of it and reading from a scroll he is holding up in front of him.
In answer to Meira's question, Alisande pats her pockets and pouches, before offering a faint, teasing smile. "My apologies, I would have brought it along. I must have confused it with my key to the palace of Myth Drannor while dressing this morning."
The noblewoman turns to the rest of the assembled company.
"Come, let us commence the ascent before this tempest grows in rancour any further. Should anyone find themselves unequal to the climb, I can aid in ferrying them up the mountainside using a trinket at my disposal." She begins striding towards the partially raised portcullis and the rain beyond, but looks surprised when Rasziel returns bearing a solution to their quandary.
"Where did you find that, pray tell?" She raises a brow, looking as impressed by the scroll as she was by Zephyros' formidable feats of brawn earlier.
Arcana: 22 (to see if she recognises the spell scroll)
Rain lashes the mountainside as Rasziel, his cloak whipping in the wind, approaches the sealed gates of Axeholm. The ancient dwarven doors rise before him like the face of a sleeping god—massive slabs of rune-carved stone bound in iron, cold and unyielding. Centuries of moss and lichen cling to their seams. The air hums faintly, a lingering pulse of magic—the Arcane Lock that has barred entry since the plague centuries past.
Rasziel unrolls a spell scroll, its vellum edges blackened by time, the script shimmering with pale blue sigils that writhe as if alive. The sigils flare to life as he reads the scroll. His fingers trace the air in quick, practiced gestures—counter-runes of release and unraveling. Each symbol glows brighter, drawn from the scroll into his hands, until the parchment turns to ash between his fingers.
The air grows still. Once dormant, the runes on the gate ignite in defiance, lines of gold light searing through the stone. The mountain groans. Rasziel’s eyes narrow as he channels the last of the spell’s power. A deep thrum rolls through the ground, followed by the brittle crack of failing enchantment. The glow flickers, fractures, then fades, leaving the gates dull and lifeless. The ancient arcane lock is undone. Two other runic enchantments inscribed on the doors pulse with golden light before fading again. The spell seems to not affect them.
For a long moment, nothing moves—only the echo of Rasziel’s breath against the vast stone face. Then, with a sound like thunder breaking inside the earth, the gates of Axeholm shudder, releasing a blast of stale, cold air from the darkness beyond the fortress doors now cracked open by an inch.
A faint, mournful sound drifts out from within—soft at first, like a woman’s sigh—then rising into the haunting echo of a banshee’s lament. The very mountain seems to whisper through the rain.
Lyra watches as her companions share their thoughts, then says, "There's no denying Rasziel's logic. And, honestly, I'm not sure I’m nimble enough to climb any chimneys. I mean—unless Zephyros gives me another piggyback ride. Always a fan of those! But still… if the gates need opening sooner or later, we might as well be the ones to do it."
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"These are no ordinary chimneys belonging to a modest rural inn like the Stonehill." Lady Alisande observes, still impressed by the scent of history and grandeur that suffuses the ancient site. "They are the smoke-stacks that belched the fumes produced by a subterranean culture, the vents that drew air into the depths below. Most have long since collapsed, but rest assured, all of us can fit through the passage Ozymandias discovered."
"Phandalin boasts but a single smithy, and no engineers guild - as a merchant, you will appreciate the costs and challenges of repairing mithril and steel gates, given the absence of skilled hands. However the point about opening the way for refugees is well-taken - now or later, it must be done. If this is the preferred course of action, I certainly do not object."
The tall noblewoman turns to Zephyros and Gareth, who seem best suited to the task of lifting the beam. "Would you care to do the honours, gentlemen?"
Rasziel,
You feel your accountant land near your feet and tug at the hem of your attire. In your mind, you hear, "Master, My Lady would have a word, but let's move away from the door." It gestures to the barred double doors of Axeholm (Wisdom Save 18 success). Your accountant hops past the portcullis, back into the rain, and turns to watch you follow expectantly.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp
"Of course, my lady." Zephyros calmly nods as he replies to Lady Alisande. The burly man steps forward and attempts to remove the wooden bar from the reinforced entrance.
Athletics: Nat 20! (20 + 6 = 26!)
Zephyros,
You and Gareth walk up to the beam barring the double door. However, before Gareth can assist you in lifting the beam, you lift it out of the holders easily, which only comes from years of strength training. You toss it to the side of the passageway. Trying the door, you find it locked. Once the beam is removed, you see a keyhole on the right double door.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp
Meira stepped back and watched as Zephyros removed the beam from the gate. "Well done, Zephyros. And now we've revealed a keyhole. I suppose nobody thought to bring the key," she says. She pulls out her Thieves' Tools and steps up to the door, trying to unlock it. (Thieves' Tools - Dexterity: 11)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Lyra watched, mouth agape, as Zephyros lifted the beam as easily as if it were light as a feather. She had raised a hand toward him to try to assist, as before, but found there was no need after all.
Instead, she walked up to Meira and, giving her a gentle touch on her hand, asking, “Can we help?” meaning both herself and her goddess.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
(OOC - Additional +1 from Guidance... Thieves' Tools - Dexterity: 12)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
As the others are focused on opening the door, Rasziel walks back out into the rain, but keeping an attentive eye on the progress of his companions.
@Meira [[OOC: Please roll with advantage. Proficiency with SoH and Thieves tools gives you advantage on the roll. Also, don't forget everyone gets one inspiration per day they can use to reroll one D20 prior to knowing the result.]]
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp
(2nd roll for advantage - Thieves' Tools w/Guidance: 13)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Meira,
Seeing the lock revealed, you step up and pull out your lockpicks. Unfortunately, this lock seems impossibly complex as you begin to manipulate the tumblers and doesn't budge even with Lyra assisting. The door remains shut.
Rasziel,
As you step out into the rain, you see the lightning has increased substantially. To your left, just outside the fortress bulwarks, you see a flash of light as if lightning is striking nearby. When you look, you see your patron standing there. She smiles at you through the downpour.
Before you stands a female Erinyes, her wings unfurl behind her, black with crimson red streaks you can see with every flash of light. She wears her heavy armor painted black with purple highlights with a practiced ease that accentuates her female figure. She exudes an authority established by extreme power. Your accountant grovels at her feet. She extends a gauntleted hand towards you and gently runs the back of her fingers down the scar crossing your face. Her facial features are strikingly beautiful. Her eyes have a deep purple hue, making it hard to look away. Almost as if you're pulled into them.
"My my, you've been busy making friends." Her smile is genuine and playful. She looks at the bulwarks next to you and says, "Well, this place seems nice." Her smile evaporates and her expression denotes a serious tone. "You have used my gifts well. I imagine you enjoy the power. Don't forget the reason I've given them to you." She walks behind you while touching your shoulders and leans in to whisper in your ear. "Because I won't." She moves back to your front and continues, "Listen, Pet. The ground around that fortress entrance is consecrated with a divine energy. I need you to dispel it. Otherwise, our little friend here..." She gestures to your accountant. "... won't be able to enter. And I have a plaything inside I would very much like to be released." She reads your expression. "Don't worry, my plaything SHOULD play nice." emphasizing the word as her smile returns. She continues, "You'll know him when you see him. Do this for me and you'll be a little bit closer to your ultimate goal."
You find a scroll case inside your pocket that hadn't been there previously. The Erinyes waits for your response as she shifts her weight to her left side and places her hands on her hips.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp
Meira frowns, for a moment looking frustrated. "Those runes must be powerful. This lock seems almost impossible to get past." She steps back a bit, a grin coming to her face. "But seriously guys, maybe one of you did bring the key?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard ||
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Rasziel
Rasziel does not grovel, he never had, never would. To him this was merely an unfortunate business relation born out of dire necessity. He had hoped to not meet with his business associate before delivering fully on her claims, but alas, she was of another mind, and he knew all to well this was always to be expected, him being used with the leverages of their contract.
"You know I would trade my powers for what you hold, but I admit they will likely assist me on delivering on our contract, as will these brave adventurers you assume to be my friends. I should point out though that using your hold on me for performing tasks like this will risk the cooperation of the others, and in the end my ability to deliver on our bargain." The young purple-robed man explains in a polite but coldly businesslike tone while picking up the scroll case in his pocket, opening it, expecting to find a spell that would destroy the divine magic protecting the gate to the dwarven fortress.
Rasziel,
Your patron responds in a friendly tone, but her eyes betray a hint of annoyance as she says, "Oh, don't worry, dear. I shant make this a habit, but this opportunity was too good to pass on. In fact, I mean to help you and your...friends in your endeavors. I think you'll find me more than accommodating. Now go open that door." She disappears into the storm with a flash of brilliant purple light.
Inside the scroll case, you find two 5th-level Dispel Magic spell scrolls.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp
"I believe I might hold the answer to our predicament, not a key, but something that nonetheless will hopefully grant us entry the ancient halls of ancient Axeholm." The young dark-haired purple-robed and quite wet man says plainly as he returns to the gate, standing in front of it and reading from a scroll he is holding up in front of him.
In answer to Meira's question, Alisande pats her pockets and pouches, before offering a faint, teasing smile. "My apologies, I would have brought it along. I must have confused it with my key to the palace of Myth Drannor while dressing this morning."
The noblewoman turns to the rest of the assembled company.
"Come, let us commence the ascent before this tempest grows in rancour any further. Should anyone find themselves unequal to the climb, I can aid in ferrying them up the mountainside using a trinket at my disposal." She begins striding towards the partially raised portcullis and the rain beyond, but looks surprised when Rasziel returns bearing a solution to their quandary.
"Where did you find that, pray tell?" She raises a brow, looking as impressed by the scroll as she was by Zephyros' formidable feats of brawn earlier.
Arcana: 22 (to see if she recognises the spell scroll)
Rasziel,
[[OOC: Are you targeting the divine spell placed on the ground in front of the door or the arcane lock on the door itself?]]
Alisande,
As Rasziel unfurls the scroll and recites the incantations, you would easily recognize the spell scroll as one harnessing the power of dispel magic.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp
Rasziel
[[OOC: Starting with the arcane lock then use the other scroll on the divine spell]]
Rain lashes the mountainside as Rasziel, his cloak whipping in the wind, approaches the sealed gates of Axeholm. The ancient dwarven doors rise before him like the face of a sleeping god—massive slabs of rune-carved stone bound in iron, cold and unyielding. Centuries of moss and lichen cling to their seams. The air hums faintly, a lingering pulse of magic—the Arcane Lock that has barred entry since the plague centuries past.
Rasziel unrolls a spell scroll, its vellum edges blackened by time, the script shimmering with pale blue sigils that writhe as if alive. The sigils flare to life as he reads the scroll. His fingers trace the air in quick, practiced gestures—counter-runes of release and unraveling. Each symbol glows brighter, drawn from the scroll into his hands, until the parchment turns to ash between his fingers.
The air grows still. Once dormant, the runes on the gate ignite in defiance, lines of gold light searing through the stone. The mountain groans. Rasziel’s eyes narrow as he channels the last of the spell’s power. A deep thrum rolls through the ground, followed by the brittle crack of failing enchantment. The glow flickers, fractures, then fades, leaving the gates dull and lifeless. The ancient arcane lock is undone. Two other runic enchantments inscribed on the doors pulse with golden light before fading again. The spell seems to not affect them.
For a long moment, nothing moves—only the echo of Rasziel’s breath against the vast stone face. Then, with a sound like thunder breaking inside the earth, the gates of Axeholm shudder, releasing a blast of stale, cold air from the darkness beyond the fortress doors now cracked open by an inch.
A faint, mournful sound drifts out from within—soft at first, like a woman’s sigh—then rising into the haunting echo of a banshee’s lament. The very mountain seems to whisper through the rain.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights. DM for Dragons of Icespire Peak Pbp