As Utar, Drazzim and Rag take their repose, Neya, Cato, Asley and Graxx explore a bit more.
Neya: Apart from the interesting art on the walls and the now destroyed glyphs, you pinpoint a few points of interest (OOC: anyone can choose them individually for further ability checks):
an alcove in the south wall, where a pile of gold coins form a nest.
a magic circle etched into the northwestern portion of the floor (pink circle on the map).
a thick metal rod, inscribed with sigils placed in the middle of the circle.
another secret passage masked by an illusion at the wall piece (E11).
Cato, with Asley's help, collects some tissue samples a performs an impromptu study:
although the bodies look roughly humanoid, they are stitched together from various parts, including some that are obviously draconic in nature.
drawing from your studies of the laboratory, the analysis of the bodies/tissue and what you've learned about this crypt and Xandria, you can make the connection between the necromantic magic and the dragon motifs, concluding that it is possible someone is trying to create a dracolich (OOC: Kudos to DracheLehre for calling this early on).
there is nothing of material value on the zombies... they are naked.
Graxx: As you put your hand into the wall, the veil of the illusion no longer fools your eyes, just as Neya had indicated. Your hand feels a bit tingly at first, but quickly starts to dry up, crack, and bleed. The feeling rushes up your arm, traveling towards your eyes before you can instinctively remove you hand. You take 1 necrotic damage and is blinded for the next six seconds.
Neya approaches the alcove in the southern wall and begins to examine the gold coins. Although some of them are legitimate (perhaps about 63gp worth), most of them are worthless wooden disks painted gold. It is possible that whoever armed this ruse aimed at lending some credibility to the decorative piece by throwing a purse-full of real coins in the mix, either as tribute or bait. There is nothing else of value in the alcove. When the monk turns to share her discovery with her companions, she notices that a thin magical veil has formed behind her, locking her within the alcove.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeing his companions move about the room, Utar decides the time for rest has passed. Closing his eyes, he reaches for his amulet, gripping it in his hand.
"Torm, watch me. Know there is yet more to do and my work is not yet done. Grant me your strength so that I may see this job through."
The amulet glows softly, escaping light visible between Utar's fingers, casting cure wounds.
Healing - 5
Returning to his feet, Utar will stow his shield and warhammer.
"Bah, dragons are always drawn to shiny trinkets."Drazzim says, looking to the gold pile. "I say we deprive 'em of their collectables. Splittin' it fairly seems right, everyone deserves a share." He Looks to the sigil covered metal rod. "Looks like a magic thing. Anyone good at those things?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Argh!"
Graxx stumbles back rubbing his eyes. Graxx will now approach the Cauldron with the green substance in it. Is he able to tell if it has healing properties?
"Take a seat," Drazzim tells Graxx. "Get yerself patched up before the weird stuff here pulls you apart. Nothin' that bubbles an' is green has been good fer yer insides, and that's comin' from a dwarf."
(Opting for short rest if the party needs it. Drazzim can second wind to get a bit back without the need of hit die, so up to the others. He'll keep watch, though he's not particularly good at it.)
Graxx approaches the cauldron and looks around a bit. Some of the ingredients around the table are natural, although most are unknown to you. You are no shaman but you do recall being sent out to gather some of these in your youth, and you recognize them as usually being used in poison brewing.You use one of the nearby vials to collect the oozy green liquid up and bring it to your nose: it smells vile. You reckon you could do a number on a beast with this. Drazzim seems to agree once you show it to him.
(OOC: You may add/customize into your inventory an item called 'vial of concentrated poison residue'. Whoever ingests it must make a CON saving throw {DC 20}. On a failure, the person takes 6d6 poison damage or half of that amount on a success. Alternatively, it could be applied to a blade over a short or long rest. There is only one use of this item, regardless of whether it is ingested or applied to a blade).
Neya is still trapped, Rag is resting, Drazzim is trying to get someone to examine the magic circle with a rod in it (it'd be an arcana check).
Asley examines the magic veil and determines that it is the simplest trap that the group has stepped into so far within this crypt. The force field is somewhat similar to a shield spell, which Asley is very familiar with. This thin, stable, but simple version of it is impenetrable to most types of damage but could be overloaded with simple non-elemental magic (OOC: the equivalent of 5 points of force damage, you gather).
(Do you reckon Drazzim will have noticed Neya's disappearance and getting trapped yet? He does have penalties to such things so just accepting he's just not accounted for everyone right now...)
Drazzim shrugs. "Guess I'm the least at danger holdin' onto it for now. Poison's not my thing though, stuff for cowards and filthy dark elves. Though I guess if we have it, they don't..."
Graxx rotates his shoulder trying to work the pain out and looks down at this cracked hand. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Graxx will the walk into the room with the others. He will try to appear as if he is fine by standing up straight but he will be slightly leaning against the wall to brace himself.
(Do you reckon Drazzim will have noticed Neya's disappearance and getting trapped yet? He does have penalties to such things so just accepting he's just not accounted for everyone right now...)
(Ha! Yeah. Drazzim might have assumed Neya left the room to look around other chambers, much like Graxx did, but as he returns alone, he starts to wonder where she went. Back at the western chamber, Drazzim would notice Asley examining a thin, green veil of magic locking away a portion of the room he had seen before. Also, everyone else is in the western chamber now).
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Asley steps back from the veil. "My monk friend, I have a good feeling about this!"
Hoping that it is dissimilar enough from the ]shield spell not to block it, Asley fires Magic Missile at the veil, being sure to aim all three darts at the veil but away from the monk behind it, so no stray missiles will strike them.
As Utar, Drazzim and Rag take their repose, Neya, Cato, Asley and Graxx explore a bit more.
Neya: Apart from the interesting art on the walls and the now destroyed glyphs, you pinpoint a few points of interest (OOC: anyone can choose them individually for further ability checks):
Cato, with Asley's help, collects some tissue samples a performs an impromptu study:
Graxx: As you put your hand into the wall, the veil of the illusion no longer fools your eyes, just as Neya had indicated. Your hand feels a bit tingly at first, but quickly starts to dry up, crack, and bleed. The feeling rushes up your arm, traveling towards your eyes before you can instinctively remove you hand. You take 1 necrotic damage and is blinded for the next six seconds.
Neya is interested in the gold pile nest, "Were they intending to use this to appease that abomination?"
Investigation: 12
Extended Signature
Rag will take a short rest while others investigate. 5
Neya approaches the alcove in the southern wall and begins to examine the gold coins. Although some of them are legitimate (perhaps about 63gp worth), most of them are worthless wooden disks painted gold. It is possible that whoever armed this ruse aimed at lending some credibility to the decorative piece by throwing a purse-full of real coins in the mix, either as tribute or bait. There is nothing else of value in the alcove. When the monk turns to share her discovery with her companions, she notices that a thin magical veil has formed behind her, locking her within the alcove.
UPDATED MAP:
"Um, I think I know how they got the bodies to make those things..."
Extended Signature
Seeing his companions move about the room, Utar decides the time for rest has passed. Closing his eyes, he reaches for his amulet, gripping it in his hand.
"Torm, watch me. Know there is yet more to do and my work is not yet done. Grant me your strength so that I may see this job through."
The amulet glows softly, escaping light visible between Utar's fingers, casting cure wounds.
Healing - 5
Returning to his feet, Utar will stow his shield and warhammer.
"Bah, dragons are always drawn to shiny trinkets." Drazzim says, looking to the gold pile. "I say we deprive 'em of their collectables. Splittin' it fairly seems right, everyone deserves a share." He Looks to the sigil covered metal rod. "Looks like a magic thing. Anyone good at those things?"
"Argh!"
Graxx stumbles back rubbing his eyes. Graxx will now approach the Cauldron with the green substance in it. Is he able to tell if it has healing properties?
Medicine: 11
"Take a seat," Drazzim tells Graxx. "Get yerself patched up before the weird stuff here pulls you apart. Nothin' that bubbles an' is green has been good fer yer insides, and that's comin' from a dwarf."
(Opting for short rest if the party needs it. Drazzim can second wind to get a bit back without the need of hit die, so up to the others. He'll keep watch, though he's not particularly good at it.)
Asley approaches the green veil that has separated him from his new monk companion. "Can't just let us breathe for a second, this place."
He performs an Arcana check on the veil to see if he can recall knowledge of anything like this. 12
(In before acid. We've already done the poison room, so fire, cold, and lightning to do...)
Graxx approaches the cauldron and looks around a bit. Some of the ingredients around the table are natural, although most are unknown to you. You are no shaman but you do recall being sent out to gather some of these in your youth, and you recognize them as usually being used in poison brewing.You use one of the nearby vials to collect the oozy green liquid up and bring it to your nose: it smells vile. You reckon you could do a number on a beast with this. Drazzim seems to agree once you show it to him.
(OOC: You may add/customize into your inventory an item called 'vial of concentrated poison residue'. Whoever ingests it must make a CON saving throw {DC 20}. On a failure, the person takes 6d6 poison damage or half of that amount on a success. Alternatively, it could be applied to a blade over a short or long rest. There is only one use of this item, regardless of whether it is ingested or applied to a blade).
Neya is still trapped, Rag is resting, Drazzim is trying to get someone to examine the magic circle with a rod in it (it'd be an arcana check).
Asley examines the magic veil and determines that it is the simplest trap that the group has stepped into so far within this crypt. The force field is somewhat similar to a shield spell, which Asley is very familiar with. This thin, stable, but simple version of it is impenetrable to most types of damage but could be overloaded with simple non-elemental magic (OOC: the equivalent of 5 points of force damage, you gather).
(Do you reckon Drazzim will have noticed Neya's disappearance and getting trapped yet? He does have penalties to such things so just accepting he's just not accounted for everyone right now...)
Graxx looks at the vial in disgust. "Poison... Something a Drow would use. I have no use for it."
Graxx will offer the vial to Drazzim. "You want it, Dwarf?"
Drazzim shrugs. "Guess I'm the least at danger holdin' onto it for now. Poison's not my thing though, stuff for cowards and filthy dark elves. Though I guess if we have it, they don't..."
Graxx rotates his shoulder trying to work the pain out and looks down at this cracked hand. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Graxx will the walk into the room with the others. He will try to appear as if he is fine by standing up straight but he will be slightly leaning against the wall to brace himself.
(Ha! Yeah. Drazzim might have assumed Neya left the room to look around other chambers, much like Graxx did, but as he returns alone, he starts to wonder where she went. Back at the western chamber, Drazzim would notice Asley examining a thin, green veil of magic locking away a portion of the room he had seen before. Also, everyone else is in the western chamber now).
Asley steps back from the veil. "My monk friend, I have a good feeling about this!"
Hoping that it is dissimilar enough from the ]shield spell not to block it, Asley fires Magic Missile at the veil, being sure to aim all three darts at the veil but away from the monk behind it, so no stray missiles will strike them.
8
Neya braces herself for any sort of concussive force that might result.
Extended Signature