Like Jarl, you know that Kelemvor has a wide following in this region, and that he is said to view the undead with contempt. As a student of history you also know that Kelemvor, like many deities in the pantheon, was once a mortal; a human, in his case. When he ascended to godhood and took over the role of god of the dead, he brought considerably more stability and order to the role as compared to his predecessors. His immediate predecessor, Cyric, was known as "The Prince of Lies", a narcissist known for manipulating mortals into ruining their own lives. Prior to Cyric, the god of the dead was Myrkul, who was once a mortal necromancer, and who sought to inspire fear of death and the afterlife. Both were regarded as deities aligned to evil. Kelemvor on the other hand is regarded neither as evil nor good, per se, but as more of an overseer of death as a natural transition, and part of the law of the world. This philosophy naturally appeals to many mortals, and the disciples of Kelemvor generally worship openly, and many are well integrated into society. There are, however, hold outs who still worship either Cyric or Myrkul, most often in secret, as the practice is generally frowned upon in polite society, and was even when those deities had prominent places in the pantheon (you would never have found a temple to Myrkul on the central plaza of a major city, for example).
With a fairly open contempt for the priestess, Squiggles retorts: "Do you not disdain they abomination of the undead as Kelemvor does? Do you betray his vision and secretly worship Myrkal? If so I fear we may have another quibble altogether.
If you view your duty to your God as you put on a pretense to you would be wise to assist us, for our intentions would surely receive his benediction."
Shale considers for a moment if he should be offended at the intentions of the offering he made, but then chuckles lightly. "Now Squiggles, there's no harm in someone trying to earn a few extra coins... as long it doesn't hurt anyone." The earth genasi digs into his coin purse as he approaches the woman. He hands over 10 gold coins, however trying to detect if this person is just an opportunistic prick, or perhaps something more sinister. "And why would he be terrified of you?"
Despite the low roll, with your passive insight during this exchange you would guess that Kethra's caustic manner is performative. She looks like a very young adult, and probably she wants to be seen as a rebel. She's probably an entry level employee of the temple who's relishing the opportunity to exercise some power. She definitely seems bored, stationed here guarding the door, and maybe is trying to draw out an interaction which is the most interesting thing she's had to deal with for awhile.
Kethra looks at Squiggles for a second, then turns to Shale as he addresses her. She closes her hand around the gold and pockets it. "Is his name really Squiggles? That's adorable."
She turns to Rolen. "I don't know, Rolen, why are you terrified of me? Is it because you're afraid I'll lock you in my dungeon and torture you?" She smiles for the first time since you entered, a wicked looking mischievous smile.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Shale mutters a quick prayer to deal with this young upstart. "Huntress, give me the strength..." He then leans in towards Kethra and quietly says in his best fatherly voice, "You can drop the tough act with me. Just help us out a little here and you two can return to whatever fun you were having."
Persuasion 18
FYI: Shale is in his mid-30s
LOL. Selune gives just enough to overcoming Shale's shortcomings.
Kethra sighs loudly and rolls her eyes. "Fine."She unlocks the door, but very pointedly doesn't open it for you. "Knock yourself out. Or just die. I don't care. My shift is ending anyway."
I assume you go in? Anybody have anything else they want to do first?
Balian's eyes light up as the door is unlocked, and in an over-exuberant voice starts talking rapidly at Kethra. "Madame, you have done us a great service this fine evening, a thousand thank yous! Word of you good deed will spread across the land, I can guarantee it!" He dances up to the temple worker and throws his hands around her waist, giving her a hug that lifts her off the floor.
"Gentlemen! An adventure awaits, let us be off!" With that, he throws the door open and strides purposefully into the darkness.
Kethra cringes as Balian reaches in to hug her. When he picks her up, she groans with disgust and surprise. "Aggh! You people are soo weeird!"
When everyone is inside, she shuts the door behind you. You hear, "C'mon, Rolen, let's go make out in front of my parents' house," as she locks you in.
The undercroft is dusty and smells like incense. There are wooden beams and stone blocks strewn around, which you guess are part of the abandoned construction project. Four stone sarcophagi sit in recessed alcoves, two along each side wall. Two suits of plate armor stand like statues on pedestals in the far right and far left corners. In the center of the far wall you see a pair of double doors with a heavy chain wrapped through them that has a big padlock locking it in place. A sign on the door in common says, "CONSTRUCTION AREA. KEEP OUT."
Brix: the armor looks like plate mail. It looks well made, and a bit ornate.
Squiggles: All four sarcophagi have what look like heavy stone lids, but you don't see any locking mechanism. They also have some Kelemvorite iconography carved into the sides of them. They show four standard scenes of Kelemvor's birth and ascension, going chronologically clockwise from front left. The first one depicts the birth of Kelemvor the human. He is being held by his weeping father beside a bead where his dead mother, having died in child birth, lies. The second one shows Kelemvor as a young man fighting a group of animated skeletons. The third shows Kelemvor being slain by a human Cyric atop a tall tower. The final sarcophagus depicts the incorporeal soul of Kelemvor defeating the now divine Cyric, the feat which granted Kelemvor his status as the new god of death.
(OOC: Shale is wishing he had thaumaturgy to make these suits of armor thunder when they got close to them.)
Shale gets an uneasy feeling about things and readies his shield and staff. The cleric takes a closer look at the sarcophagi making sure the lids are secure. "Anyone want to start working on that lock?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
BRIX
"Don't look at me!" Brix says in response to Shale's question, attention still on the rightmost suit of armor. He kicks it, whispering, "Bloody worthless!"
While Squiggles is casting his spell, Brix is basically standing in front of the door, restlessly kicking dirt. Getting bored, he decides to slice the warning sign on the door in half with his rapier. Attack vs. Stationary Door Sign: 12 Damage: 16
Jarl, you don't perceive any obvious danger. It's very quiet in here and the only creatures you smell are your companions; particularly Brix.
Brix, the dirt feels thoroughly kicked. As for the sign, you are too quick for it, as it is unable to dodge your attack; however your rapier being a piercing weapon doesn't so much slice it in half as it does poke a little hole in it. But it's a very thorough and satisfying hole, all the way through the sign.
Brix, the dirt feels thoroughly kicked. As for the sign, you are too quick for it, as it is unable to dodge your attack; however your rapier being a piercing weapon doesn't so much slice it in half as it does poke a little hole in it. But it's a very thorough and satisfying hole, all the way through the sign.
In that case, Brix will take multiple stabs at it while he waits, aiming for the center of each "O." Impatient as he is, he wants to get a small practice session in and show how adept he is.
Attack: 11 Damage: 9
Attack: 20 Damage: 5
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Squiggles:
Like Jarl, you know that Kelemvor has a wide following in this region, and that he is said to view the undead with contempt. As a student of history you also know that Kelemvor, like many deities in the pantheon, was once a mortal; a human, in his case. When he ascended to godhood and took over the role of god of the dead, he brought considerably more stability and order to the role as compared to his predecessors. His immediate predecessor, Cyric, was known as "The Prince of Lies", a narcissist known for manipulating mortals into ruining their own lives. Prior to Cyric, the god of the dead was Myrkul, who was once a mortal necromancer, and who sought to inspire fear of death and the afterlife. Both were regarded as deities aligned to evil. Kelemvor on the other hand is regarded neither as evil nor good, per se, but as more of an overseer of death as a natural transition, and part of the law of the world. This philosophy naturally appeals to many mortals, and the disciples of Kelemvor generally worship openly, and many are well integrated into society. There are, however, hold outs who still worship either Cyric or Myrkul, most often in secret, as the practice is generally frowned upon in polite society, and was even when those deities had prominent places in the pantheon (you would never have found a temple to Myrkul on the central plaza of a major city, for example).
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
With a fairly open contempt for the priestess, Squiggles retorts: "Do you not disdain they abomination of the undead as Kelemvor does? Do you betray his vision and secretly worship Myrkal? If so I fear we may have another quibble altogether.
If you view your duty to your God as you put on a pretense to you would be wise to assist us, for our intentions would surely receive his benediction."
Shale considers for a moment if he should be offended at the intentions of the offering he made, but then chuckles lightly. "Now Squiggles, there's no harm in someone trying to earn a few extra coins... as long it doesn't hurt anyone." The earth genasi digs into his coin purse as he approaches the woman. He hands over 10 gold coins, however trying to detect if this person is just an opportunistic prick, or perhaps something more sinister. "And why would he be terrified of you?"
Insight: 10
Shale:
Despite the low roll, with your passive insight during this exchange you would guess that Kethra's caustic manner is performative. She looks like a very young adult, and probably she wants to be seen as a rebel. She's probably an entry level employee of the temple who's relishing the opportunity to exercise some power. She definitely seems bored, stationed here guarding the door, and maybe is trying to draw out an interaction which is the most interesting thing she's had to deal with for awhile.
Kethra looks at Squiggles for a second, then turns to Shale as he addresses her. She closes her hand around the gold and pockets it. "Is his name really Squiggles? That's adorable."
She turns to Rolen. "I don't know, Rolen, why are you terrified of me? Is it because you're afraid I'll lock you in my dungeon and torture you?" She smiles for the first time since you entered, a wicked looking mischievous smile.
Rolen's face goes from grayish to beet red.
Shale, make a persuasion check
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Shale mutters a quick prayer to deal with this young upstart. "Huntress, give me the strength..." He then leans in towards Kethra and quietly says in his best fatherly voice, "You can drop the tough act with me. Just help us out a little here and you two can return to whatever fun you were having."
Persuasion 18
FYI: Shale is in his mid-30s
LOL. Selune gives just enough to overcoming Shale's shortcomings.
Kethra sighs loudly and rolls her eyes. "Fine." She unlocks the door, but very pointedly doesn't open it for you. "Knock yourself out. Or just die. I don't care. My shift is ending anyway."
I assume you go in? Anybody have anything else they want to do first?
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Balian's eyes light up as the door is unlocked, and in an over-exuberant voice starts talking rapidly at Kethra. "Madame, you have done us a great service this fine evening, a thousand thank yous! Word of you good deed will spread across the land, I can guarantee it!" He dances up to the temple worker and throws his hands around her waist, giving her a hug that lifts her off the floor.
"Gentlemen! An adventure awaits, let us be off!" With that, he throws the door open and strides purposefully into the darkness.
Kethra cringes as Balian reaches in to hug her. When he picks her up, she groans with disgust and surprise. "Aggh! You people are soo weeird!"
When everyone is inside, she shuts the door behind you. You hear, "C'mon, Rolen, let's go make out in front of my parents' house," as she locks you in.
The undercroft is dusty and smells like incense. There are wooden beams and stone blocks strewn around, which you guess are part of the abandoned construction project. Four stone sarcophagi sit in recessed alcoves, two along each side wall. Two suits of plate armor stand like statues on pedestals in the far right and far left corners. In the center of the far wall you see a pair of double doors with a heavy chain wrapped through them that has a big padlock locking it in place. A sign on the door in common says, "CONSTRUCTION AREA. KEEP OUT."
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
BRIX
Brix moves up to see if there's anything of value on either of the suits of armor. Investigation: 12
Squiggles walks over to look at the sarcophagi (not touching yet), excited.
Investigation:
18
Brix: the armor looks like plate mail. It looks well made, and a bit ornate.
Squiggles: All four sarcophagi have what look like heavy stone lids, but you don't see any locking mechanism. They also have some Kelemvorite iconography carved into the sides of them. They show four standard scenes of Kelemvor's birth and ascension, going chronologically clockwise from front left. The first one depicts the birth of Kelemvor the human. He is being held by his weeping father beside a bead where his dead mother, having died in child birth, lies. The second one shows Kelemvor as a young man fighting a group of animated skeletons. The third shows Kelemvor being slain by a human Cyric atop a tall tower. The final sarcophagus depicts the incorporeal soul of Kelemvor defeating the now divine Cyric, the feat which granted Kelemvor his status as the new god of death.
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Curious about the nature of the sarcophagi, Squiggles sites down between them and begins ritual casting Detect Magic
The ritual will take ten minutes... what's everyone else doing while Squiggles is working on that?
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
(OOC: Shale is wishing he had thaumaturgy to make these suits of armor thunder when they got close to them.)
Shale gets an uneasy feeling about things and readies his shield and staff. The cleric takes a closer look at the sarcophagi making sure the lids are secure. "Anyone want to start working on that lock?"
Perception 9
The lids appear to be as secure as you'd expect heavy stone slabs to be.
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Jarl will ready his quarterstaff (casting Shillelagh on it), and also be on the lookout for danger.
Perception: 10
ETA: Well, passive perception is still 18, at least.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
BRIX
"Don't look at me!" Brix says in response to Shale's question, attention still on the rightmost suit of armor. He kicks it, whispering, "Bloody worthless!"
While Squiggles is casting his spell, Brix is basically standing in front of the door, restlessly kicking dirt. Getting bored, he decides to slice the warning sign on the door in half with his rapier. Attack vs. Stationary Door Sign: 12 Damage: 16
Jarl, you don't perceive any obvious danger. It's very quiet in here and the only creatures you smell are your companions; particularly Brix.
Brix, the dirt feels thoroughly kicked. As for the sign, you are too quick for it, as it is unable to dodge your attack; however your rapier being a piercing weapon doesn't so much slice it in half as it does poke a little hole in it. But it's a very thorough and satisfying hole, all the way through the sign.
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
OoC lol
In that case, Brix will take multiple stabs at it while he waits, aiming for the center of each "O." Impatient as he is, he wants to get a small practice session in and show how adept he is.
Attack: 11 Damage: 9
Attack: 20 Damage: 5