The Summit Road Campaign Thread

Taran speaks up over the clothing he was going through, "M-Mister C-Caelius s-s-says that, um, h-h-he th-threatened Arthem and s-s-said C-C-Caelius w-w-wasn't g-g-going t-to b-be a g-g-g-good f-f-father."

"The ring and the amulet are magical. The ring is illusion magic of some kind and the amulet is transmutation. Let's see if I can see a little more about them." Vishal informs the group while taking a better look at the items.

Ring Arcane: 7

Amulet Arcana: 13

Vishal has no idea what the ring might be. The pendant is a clockwork amulet.

“I don’t know what the ring does. I’d need more time for that. This amulet though is interesting. You can call on its magic to steady your aim for an attack. You’ll be able to do a perfectly normal average attack. It won’t be some outstanding hit to a weak area. But, assuming your average hit would damage you’re guaranteed to hit.” Vishal explains as he says, “We can figure out if we’re allowed to take and divvy this up later. Let’s find Shen.”

It takes a bit of prying from Vishal to get Kaori off him, and then she sits on the floor with her back to Tariiq's body, holding her bloody glowing sword in her lap. As they discuss the items, she begins to softly repeat Vishal's kind words to herself before beginning a soft birdsong, trying to distract herself from everything that just happened.

Tashana nods. "Follow me." She gives her head one last tired shake before heading for the door. "There will be someone here to collect the body and arrange for its rites soon."

"O-O-Of c-c-course," Taran says, gathering up the last of Tarriiq's clothes and belongings into a bundle and following Tashana out of the door.

Vishal moves to Caelius and gives him the amulet before looking at Taran and giving him a knowing nod. He then scoops up the armored bird and makes his way out to find Shen with Tashna. 

Caelius arches an eyebrow before an idea pops in his head and he smiles, stowing the amulet and following Tashana.

Kaori nestles into Vishal, still singing softly.

Akuma is the last out of the room after a few seconds, shoving her hands into her pockets as steps out into the hallway, following the group silently. 

Tashana moves briskly through the monastery towards what Caelius and Akuma recognize as Shen's room, the door now half-ajar. Bhimaani is inside, examining what looks to be a simple stone tablet with runes carved into it. "Found it. Tashana, do the honors?"

Tashana nods and places a hand on the tablet, eyes glowing green. A moment later, the runes glow the same green, and Bhimaani drops the tablet as it flares with green light. Seconds later, a distortion becomes visible in the air above the tablet. "Looks like an Inspired prison pocket to me," Bhimaani says grimly.

Tashana sits down on the bed abruptly. "I'm running low on energy," she says wearily. "Messing around in Tariiq's head from within that nightmare took a lot out of me. I'll probably need help for any more rituals today," she warns.

Bhimaani nods at the distortion. "Let's go get Shen."

"Do you need it to be dispelled? I can do that." Vishal volunteers. 

"No!" Tashana says quickly. "If we dispel it, we might lose the link for good. We need to go through, get Shen, and then we can dispel it, although these can be quite useful. Shall we?" She pushes herself to her feet.

"I-I sh-should sc-scout ahead," Taran says quickly walking towards the portal, "just in-in case."

Assuming no one stops him, Taran steps through the portal, Crossbow drawn and eyes darting around looking for any traps of triggers meant to harm his companions.

Heading through the distortion, you're faced with a simple stone room with no doors or windows, just a cube of stone. The distortion that is the way out is in the middle of the room, and directly in front of you is a delicate crystal incense burner. On the opposite side of the room from the incense burner is a low cot, and lying on top of it, surrounded by motes of dark purple light, is Shen, looking simply asleep. The elan is unarmed and unarmored, wearing a simple tunic and pants.

Taran sees no traps.

Vishal sees that the incense burner is radiating conjuration magic.

“Lots of conjuration happening here. The notes are illusion and divination. What’s the next step?” Vishal comments not wanting to mess this up.

 "I-If th-those are ill-illusion magic," Taran says pointing at the motes, "th-then it i-is p-possible th-that h-he's s-s-somewhere el-else. W-We c-c-could s-search the r-rest of the ch-chamber? S-See if h-he is ac-actually s-somewhere in-invisible?"

With that Taran will take out a handful of ball bearings, and roll them in the eight cardinal directions, seeing if they bounce off of something hidden.

The ball bearings do not bounce off of anything.

"I'm pretty sure he's there," Tashana says, eyes glowing faintly. "I believe the illusion magic is directed at him, keeping him from interfering, probably through a constructed dream."

"Ah," Taran says, looking around,  then he takes a deep breath "S-Sorry."

Taran darts forward, giving the censer a wide berth and dashing straight for Shen's cot, hoping that whatever traps trigger won't harm his allies.