(OOC: Five silver pieces have been deposited into Drazzim’s account).
Neya, being careful not to bump into any tables or vials, does a quick check on he room. She was perhaps a bit too careful and couldn’t get a good look at every nook, but as far as she can tell, there doesn’t seem to be any traps.
Graxx ignores the lab and goes to a corner to practice. Your peripheral vision and the light from your weapon reveal a third chamber to the west, although it is too highly obscured in shadows to discern any details.
Wolf-Cato just seems happy to be here, probably more focused on his meal/toy.
Some of the vials seem to have liquid in them, a few of which are still bubbling. A faint smoke is coming off of the blue clay pot in the center where the note is also placed.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Graxx stops abruptly at the sight of the third chamber. He looks down at the blade, "By Tempus, you are useful." He turns to his companions. "There is another room over here. The footprints we saw lead the other way past the throne but I'm going to check for enemies. Dwarf, I doubt you care for magic liquids. Care to join me with your darkvision?"
Graxx will move to the entrance of the western chamber not wanting to move too far away from his companions. Is Graxx able to see the size and/or details of the Western chamber?
Drazzim nods in agreement and follows Graxx along the path. Both are able to discern some details from within the western room upon peeking in, but further intel would require a more thourough look.
This is the largest chamber out of the three you have seen. This chamber’s walls are painted to look like the inside of a dragon’s lair: the scenes depict piles of treasure, robed acolytes bowing in supplication, bound prisoners being served up as a meal, etc. All the paintings focus toward the alcove in the south wall, but you cannot see what is depicted there from your vantage point. Some portions of the walls you can see have a faint glow to them. There are also what looks like five humanoid bodies on the ground.
Asley recognizes the language in the note: it’s Draconic. It reads:
“Raaxil, I have figured out how to complete the process. When you are ready, simply pour the contents of this blue pot into the cauldron and stir. The effects should be instantaneous, but DO NOT DRINK THE RESULTING POTION.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rag converts his Cloak to a standard quality Black Hooded cloak with many pockets on the inside. He starts to search the chamber he is in very closely.
Graxx will walk back to the group, "Finish what your doing in here we've got bodies in the next room! I know not if they're live but they aren't moving."
Graxx will walk over to the Alchemy Table and hold his Moon-Touched Sword, Greatsword above the Alchemy table to assist with any investigation by granting light.
"Hmm.. Those bodies in there raise a number of questions:
Are these adventurers like us? If so did Brother Keefe know about it? This seems unlikely because he was just as surprised as we were when the poison gas started choking us. Also he indicated that his suspicion about Xandria is a recent development.
Are they people that were brought down here against their will? If so, why were the left in there? However, someone should have known if someone, let alone multiple people, went missing suddenly... And that assuming if they are locals.
Are they part of whoever created this space under the crypt? If so, why are THEY like that? Maybe... So many unscrupulous groups, such as dragon cultists, are cutthroat...
Regardless of the reason they're here and if they're alive or dead, something happened to them."
"I've got a good feelin' it's dragon cultists. Mainly because the next room is painted like a dragon lair with robe wearing cultists portrayed sacrificing folks."
Graxx still holds the blade over the lab lighting the way.
"I've learned to trust very few. If we find that Keefe knew and tried to lead us into a trap then he will be treated right."
Aided by Graxx's light (OOC: You have to name your new blade!), Rag starts going around the lab while Asley focuses on the center table.
Rag: Perhaps from being previously exposed to the brewing of poisons, you can tell that the books, ingredients, and alchemical agents in this room are either connected to the creation of powerful poisons, or to the experimentation with necromantic magic. The complexity here, as has been the theme in this place, is above your level of expertise, but you can also deduce that whatever was happening in this lab was also specifically targeted toward dragons.
Asley: It is pretty obvious to you that the letter is referring to the ingredients, pot, and cauldron right in front of you, atop the center table. Whatever final concoction it refers to, all preparations were definitely made as if waiting for someone to come by to finish it.
Neya: Because you posed those questions, go ahead and roll a straight INT check. Since Graxx engaged with you, I'll count that as a help action, so you can roll with advantage.
Neya, pondering further, is able to recall the following:
Through your past interactions with Brother Keefe (great bit of backstory by the way) you have been able to deduce that the cleric is more than what he appears. From what you could gather within your institution (do you have a name for them?), he seems to be a member of a faction called the Lords' Alliance, a group of powerful people usually linked to maintaining order and peace through lawfulness and prosperity. The thinking behind it is simple, if laws are followed and everyone can earn an honest living, war and misery would not afflict the populace, or so they believe. This organization, like any other, also needs its fair share of lower level members to keep an ear to the ground and this is where Brother Keefe most likely comes in. Despite their bright message, they have been known to take less rosy roads if needed to arrive at their desired stability, so they can be a much grayer faction than what their mission statement would imply. They are usually on the proper side of things, though, but what is their stake in Phlan, you do not know. Regardless, this type of information is usually considered privileged, especially within your own institution. It was not shared with you directly but through your many interactions, you have been able to put all these pieces together. Share with the party what you think Neya would.
"No... I am pretty sure that Brother Keefe is indeed trustworthy as far as this crypt goes...
By the way he's acting, he seems to be working for a much more public organization as a lower-level agent of sorts.
My gut's telling me it's the Lords' Alliance. My clan has many contacts with them, but a lot of the goings on between the two are out of my earshot.
Sure, their public philosophy is to use lawfulness and prosperity to foster peace. But, since they utilize our resources, there's got to be something behind the curtain in case something does not go as planned or if it's something they can hide but not ignore.
Brother Keefe's role may be related to that hidden aspect.
I have no direct evidence of this, of course, so make of it what you will.
However, I am certain he'll be wary of us if we confront him about this with no proof."
Asley looks at the cauldron and the blue pot, back and forth over and over again. He thinks to himself, "I do not know who wrote this note. I do not know what this concoction is. I do not know what purpose it serves. I do not know if it will explode the moment I drop this in there. Hmm...I think I have to do it."
Asley yells to the room, "This may explode, so maybe clear out of the lab if you're worried about it!" He then proceeds to mix the blue pot into the cauldron, then dive under the table, just in case.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: Alright guys, this should be fun).
West Chamber -- Utar, Rag, and Drazzim (I'm saying the dwarf followed Utar):
As Rag investigates the room and Drazzim looks over concerned, they notice a series of things, some of which Graxx had already mentioned. This chamber’s walls are painted to look like the inside of a dragon’s lair: the scenes depict piles of treasure, robed acolytes bowing in supplication, bound prisoners being served up as a meal, etc. All the paintings focus toward the alcove in the south wall, where a pile of gold coins form a nest perfect for a large dragon!
In addition to the paintings, there are five large glyphs scattered around the walls. The southern glyph is within the alcove. These glyphs glow slightly in the dark of the room. In the northwest corner of the room, a magic circle has been etched into the floor. The lack of wear on the etchings implies that the circle was created very recently. A thick metal rod, inscribed with sigils stands in the middle of the circle.
Meanwhile, Utar begins checking the closest body. Although the five bodies look roughly humanoid, they are stitched together from various parts, including some that appear to be draconic in nature. You can tell than they have each been implanted with different sets of dragon bones and/or parts. As you begin interacting with the body, the large glyphs begin to glow brightly, and the five bodies spring up and animate. They seem ready to protect their horde.
South Chamber -- Graxx, Asley, Cato, and Neya:
Being more attuned to magic, Cato confirms Rag's earlier suspicions. Just as the druid concludes that the ingredients in the central table are connected to necromancy however, Asley completes the alchemical procedure detailed in the note. The sorcerer warns everyone of his plan and hides under the table. Nonetheless, Graxx is left there, illuminating the area with his magic sword and discussing with Neya the potential allegiances of Brother Keefe.
A thick vapor erupts from the cauldron and begins to spread quickly throughout not only the southern chamber, but also rising. The slight upward inclination of the path you have been following forces some of the vapor to float towards the east chamber (where you fought the skeletons). Although it does not seem to be poisonous to those in the lab, the vapor is traveling fast, and soon after you begin to hear the clattering of bones coming from the east chamber. These sounds are followed by those of footsteps, except they sound heavier than those of your previous foes. As you all look in that direction, you see that the remains of the ten skeletal warriors have mixed together with those of the dragons that served as their armor to form an abomination in the shape of a quadrupedal creature. It approaches with clattering sounds and shakes in its instability, but it looks threatening nonetheless.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"That's NOT an explosion, but it's not exactly cash and prizes either!" Neya says as she spins around and shoots an arrow at the chaotic conglomeration of bones.
Shortbow Attack: 18 Damage: 13
She then moves to gain a little more distance (L14)
Cato, still a wolf, trots along with the group, carrying his bone.
IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands
PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
(OOC: Five silver pieces have been deposited into Drazzim’s account).
Neya, being careful not to bump into any tables or vials, does a quick check on he room. She was perhaps a bit too careful and couldn’t get a good look at every nook, but as far as she can tell, there doesn’t seem to be any traps.
Graxx ignores the lab and goes to a corner to practice. Your peripheral vision and the light from your weapon reveal a third chamber to the west, although it is too highly obscured in shadows to discern any details.
Wolf-Cato just seems happy to be here, probably more focused on his meal/toy.
Some of the vials seem to have liquid in them, a few of which are still bubbling. A faint smoke is coming off of the blue clay pot in the center where the note is also placed.
Graxx stops abruptly at the sight of the third chamber. He looks down at the blade, "By Tempus, you are useful." He turns to his companions. "There is another room over here. The footprints we saw lead the other way past the throne but I'm going to check for enemies. Dwarf, I doubt you care for magic liquids. Care to join me with your darkvision?"
Graxx will move to the entrance of the western chamber not wanting to move too far away from his companions. Is Graxx able to see the size and/or details of the Western chamber?
Perception: 19
Asley walks into the lab and picks up and reads the note next to the blue clay pot.
Drazzim nods in agreement and follows Graxx along the path. Both are able to discern some details from within the western room upon peeking in, but further intel would require a more thourough look.
Graxx’s perception check:
This is the largest chamber out of the three you have seen. This chamber’s walls are painted to look like the inside of a dragon’s lair: the scenes depict piles of treasure, robed acolytes bowing in supplication, bound prisoners being served up as a meal, etc. All the paintings focus toward the alcove in the south wall, but you cannot see what is depicted there from your vantage point. Some portions of the walls you can see have a faint glow to them. There are also what looks like five humanoid bodies on the ground.
Asley recognizes the language in the note: it’s Draconic. It reads:
“Raaxil, I have figured out how to complete the process. When you are ready, simply pour the contents of this blue pot into the cauldron and stir. The effects should be instantaneous, but DO NOT DRINK THE RESULTING POTION.”
Rag converts his Cloak to a standard quality Black Hooded cloak with many pockets on the inside. He starts to search the chamber he is in very closely.
Investigate: 25
Graxx will walk back to the group, "Finish what your doing in here we've got bodies in the next room! I know not if they're live but they aren't moving."
Graxx will walk over to the Alchemy Table and hold his Moon-Touched Sword, Greatsword above the Alchemy table to assist with any investigation by granting light.
Asley would like to investigate the lab more closely to see if he can find the specific cauldron they’re talking about or any other notes or things.
Investigation 6
"Hmm.. Those bodies in there raise a number of questions:
Are these adventurers like us? If so did Brother Keefe know about it? This seems unlikely because he was just as surprised as we were when the poison gas started choking us. Also he indicated that his suspicion about Xandria is a recent development.
Are they people that were brought down here against their will? If so, why were the left in there? However, someone should have known if someone, let alone multiple people, went missing suddenly... And that assuming if they are locals.
Are they part of whoever created this space under the crypt? If so, why are THEY like that? Maybe... So many unscrupulous groups, such as dragon cultists, are cutthroat...
Regardless of the reason they're here and if they're alive or dead, something happened to them."
Extended Signature
"I've got a good feelin' it's dragon cultists. Mainly because the next room is painted like a dragon lair with robe wearing cultists portrayed sacrificing folks."
Graxx still holds the blade over the lab lighting the way.
"I've learned to trust very few. If we find that Keefe knew and tried to lead us into a trap then he will be treated right."
Aided by Graxx's light (OOC: You have to name your new blade!), Rag starts going around the lab while Asley focuses on the center table.
Rag: Perhaps from being previously exposed to the brewing of poisons, you can tell that the books, ingredients, and alchemical agents in this room are either connected to the creation of powerful poisons, or to the experimentation with necromantic magic. The complexity here, as has been the theme in this place, is above your level of expertise, but you can also deduce that whatever was happening in this lab was also specifically targeted toward dragons.
Asley: It is pretty obvious to you that the letter is referring to the ingredients, pot, and cauldron right in front of you, atop the center table. Whatever final concoction it refers to, all preparations were definitely made as if waiting for someone to come by to finish it.
Neya: Because you posed those questions, go ahead and roll a straight INT check. Since Graxx engaged with you, I'll count that as a help action, so you can roll with advantage.
UPDATED MAP:
Intelligence: 11
(OOC: I'm pretty sure I did that right...)
Extended Signature
(OOC: Yep, that's right).
Neya, pondering further, is able to recall the following:
Through your past interactions with Brother Keefe (great bit of backstory by the way) you have been able to deduce that the cleric is more than what he appears. From what you could gather within your institution (do you have a name for them?), he seems to be a member of a faction called the Lords' Alliance, a group of powerful people usually linked to maintaining order and peace through lawfulness and prosperity. The thinking behind it is simple, if laws are followed and everyone can earn an honest living, war and misery would not afflict the populace, or so they believe. This organization, like any other, also needs its fair share of lower level members to keep an ear to the ground and this is where Brother Keefe most likely comes in. Despite their bright message, they have been known to take less rosy roads if needed to arrive at their desired stability, so they can be a much grayer faction than what their mission statement would imply. They are usually on the proper side of things, though, but what is their stake in Phlan, you do not know. Regardless, this type of information is usually considered privileged, especially within your own institution. It was not shared with you directly but through your many interactions, you have been able to put all these pieces together. Share with the party what you think Neya would.
"No... I am pretty sure that Brother Keefe is indeed trustworthy as far as this crypt goes...
By the way he's acting, he seems to be working for a much more public organization as a lower-level agent of sorts.
My gut's telling me it's the Lords' Alliance. My clan has many contacts with them, but a lot of the goings on between the two are out of my earshot.
Sure, their public philosophy is to use lawfulness and prosperity to foster peace. But, since they utilize our resources, there's got to be something behind the curtain in case something does not go as planned or if it's something they can hide but not ignore.
Brother Keefe's role may be related to that hidden aspect.
I have no direct evidence of this, of course, so make of it what you will.
However, I am certain he'll be wary of us if we confront him about this with no proof."
Extended Signature
Hearing Graxx's words on the bodies in the next room, Utar moves in to check if they are alive.
Medicine - 15
Asley looks at the cauldron and the blue pot, back and forth over and over again. He thinks to himself, "I do not know who wrote this note. I do not know what this concoction is. I do not know what purpose it serves. I do not know if it will explode the moment I drop this in there. Hmm...I think I have to do it."
Asley yells to the room, "This may explode, so maybe clear out of the lab if you're worried about it!" He then proceeds to mix the blue pot into the cauldron, then dive under the table, just in case.
Rag follows Utar into the room and starts searching the room and walls ....
Investigation: 22
Cato quickly gets bored with the bone (it's a bit dry), and drops beast shape to go investigate the lab everyone is talking about.
Investigation: 9
IRL: Dungeon Master--Adventures in the Cassitana Islands
PbP: Player--Esvaris Liadon, Wood Elf Monk 2/Cleric 2--Clerical Heirs: A Divine Mystery
(OOC: Alright guys, this should be fun).
West Chamber -- Utar, Rag, and Drazzim (I'm saying the dwarf followed Utar):
As Rag investigates the room and Drazzim looks over concerned, they notice a series of things, some of which Graxx had already mentioned. This chamber’s walls are painted to look like the inside of a dragon’s lair: the scenes depict piles of treasure, robed acolytes bowing in supplication, bound prisoners being served up as a meal, etc. All the paintings focus toward the alcove in the south wall, where a pile of gold coins form a nest perfect for a large dragon!
In addition to the paintings, there are five large glyphs scattered around the walls. The southern glyph is within the alcove. These glyphs glow slightly in the dark of the room. In the northwest corner of the room, a magic circle has been etched into the floor. The lack of wear on the etchings implies that the circle was created very recently. A thick metal rod, inscribed with sigils stands in the middle of the circle.
Meanwhile, Utar begins checking the closest body. Although the five bodies look roughly humanoid, they are stitched together from various parts, including some that appear to be draconic in nature. You can tell than they have each been implanted with different sets of dragon bones and/or parts. As you begin interacting with the body, the large glyphs begin to glow brightly, and the five bodies spring up and animate. They seem ready to protect their horde.
South Chamber -- Graxx, Asley, Cato, and Neya:
Being more attuned to magic, Cato confirms Rag's earlier suspicions. Just as the druid concludes that the ingredients in the central table are connected to necromancy however, Asley completes the alchemical procedure detailed in the note. The sorcerer warns everyone of his plan and hides under the table. Nonetheless, Graxx is left there, illuminating the area with his magic sword and discussing with Neya the potential allegiances of Brother Keefe.
A thick vapor erupts from the cauldron and begins to spread quickly throughout not only the southern chamber, but also rising. The slight upward inclination of the path you have been following forces some of the vapor to float towards the east chamber (where you fought the skeletons). Although it does not seem to be poisonous to those in the lab, the vapor is traveling fast, and soon after you begin to hear the clattering of bones coming from the east chamber. These sounds are followed by those of footsteps, except they sound heavier than those of your previous foes. As you all look in that direction, you see that the remains of the ten skeletal warriors have mixed together with those of the dragons that served as their armor to form an abomination in the shape of a quadrupedal creature. It approaches with clattering sounds and shakes in its instability, but it looks threatening nonetheless.
EVERYONE, ROLL FOR INITIATIVE
"That's NOT an explosion, but it's not exactly cash and prizes either!" Neya says as she spins around and shoots an arrow at the chaotic conglomeration of bones.
Shortbow Attack: 18 Damage: 13
She then moves to gain a little more distance (L14)
Extended Signature