At the great shadowy hall's end, a hideous black altar comes into view. Behind it looms an ancient idol, foul and horrific, a symmetrical cluster of pseudopods. Etchings above the idol suggest that it was worshiped, and that its worshipers forced their slaves to perform lewd acts upon the altar at its feet.
A wide stair continues past the idol, ascending into the interior of the titanic mountain and vanishing in the gloom.
After Hox is pulled in, he walks about the area. Examining the etchings and the idol itself, seeing if it resembled anything like the monument in their first encounter on their voyage.
Once within about 30 ft of the idol, Killian will hold out her hand to stop the group (so before Hox examines it), then close her eyes and quest out with her Divine Sense.
If she detects anything within 60 ft, she'll tell the others, otherwise she'll just wave everyone on (and Hox to investigate the idol).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hox Insight: 20 Hox Arcana: 17
Aradurk Insight: 11 Aradurk Arcana: 11
Despite its hideous nature, Killian does not detect the presence of any evil within immediate range. Hox and Aradurk take a closer look, but do not glean any additional meaning from the artwork.
After being waved ahead by Killian, you begin to climb the massive stairs, your feet sinking deep into the accumulated dust of centuries with each step. The stairs ascend ever upward to an incredible height, until the depths below merge into a vague gloom from a grisly gray light filtering from some hidden source. The steps emerge into a vast circular chamber with a dust-covered heavy tile floor and bare walls of black stone. More massive steps ahead lead upward to a stone dais. On this dais a huge black marble pool glows and shimmers with an unnerving light. A gigantic humanoid skeleton rests within the pool, an almost shapeless mass of moldering bones with one sagging, fleshless hand outstretch upon the broad marble edge, clasped in a fist. The gray light that floods into the staircase appears to come from this skeletal hand.
Gruun lets out a loud bellowing sneeze, the dust finally getting to him. "Sorry, still not use to the smell of ruins." Is there anything around that might help determine the use or purpose of the pool/light source?
Given the giant skeleton, the massive proportions of this place come into focus. Killian will approach the hand, looking to see if it is grasping something that would be shedding the light.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Killian Perception: 9 Gruun Insight: 17
Killian approaches the pool; through the gaps in skeletal fingers, she can see that the source of light is indeed originating from an object grasped within the hand. Clutched by the curled hand is a piece of crystal, with runes and etchings matching those of the other pieces that the party has obtained.
For Gruun:
You can only guess at the purpose of the pool, but you have noticed a gradual, but stark, difference between this area of the temple and the rest of the ruins. The architecture and size are very dissimilar to the previous areas, and everywhere you have been within the ruins before now has been covered in imagery and etchings. The society that resided throughout these ruins was clearly proud to display their work and depict their lives, but the area around this pool is gray and drab, without any accompanying imagery. It's like this place was discovered by the humanoids that lived in the ruins and left untouched.
"It will not be unguarded, somehow, but I suppose the first step is to try to pry this hand open to retrieve the crystal?" Killian looks at the others before making an attempt.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Something is different here. Everywhere else they drew on everything but they left this place bare, why? Would it be quicker to just take off the hand entirely?"
Can I tell anything about the liquid in the pool? Does it seem more like an oil or just old water?
OOC: Hox can attempt it, of course! You'll have to be specific about what you mean by messing with the light, though, as this DM doesn't know exactly what you mean.
The light emanating from the skeletal hand is dim, and shadows dance along the perimeter of the area in eerie fashion when cast through the glass in Hox's hand. The action doesn't seem to have any effect on the surrounding room, but does paint a haunting pallor over the skull of this once giant being.
The fingers pry open easily, one breaking off in the process as Killian retrieves the crystal. The skeleton suddenly shifts, but rather than stand, it simply falls backward into the dark pool.
With only a slight churning to mark its rise to the surface, something else slides into view above the sinking skeleton: A nightmarish monster, as wide as the pool and taller even than the giant skeleton. Gigantic, scaly arms fling wide as it throws its hideous fishlike head back, giving vent a horrific gurgling sound. The idol found below did well to capture its likeness, but could not possibly portray its stench.
Six thick tentacles emerge from its mouth, leading to an inner set of teeth, like another creature entirely.
At the great shadowy hall's end, a hideous black altar comes into view. Behind it looms an ancient idol, foul and horrific, a symmetrical cluster of pseudopods. Etchings above the idol suggest that it was worshiped, and that its worshipers forced their slaves to perform lewd acts upon the altar at its feet.
A wide stair continues past the idol, ascending into the interior of the titanic mountain and vanishing in the gloom.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
After Hox is pulled in, he walks about the area. Examining the etchings and the idol itself, seeing if it resembled anything like the monument in their first encounter on their voyage.
Once within about 30 ft of the idol, Killian will hold out her hand to stop the group (so before Hox examines it), then close her eyes and quest out with her Divine Sense.
If she detects anything within 60 ft, she'll tell the others, otherwise she'll just wave everyone on (and Hox to investigate the idol).
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Aradurk studies the etchings casually. "Looks like they threw some serious parties around here."
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A)
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5)
Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
Hox Insight: 20
Hox Arcana: 17
Aradurk Insight: 11
Aradurk Arcana: 11
Despite its hideous nature, Killian does not detect the presence of any evil within immediate range. Hox and Aradurk take a closer look, but do not glean any additional meaning from the artwork.
After being waved ahead by Killian, you begin to climb the massive stairs, your feet sinking deep into the accumulated dust of centuries with each step. The stairs ascend ever upward to an incredible height, until the depths below merge into a vague gloom from a grisly gray light filtering from some hidden source. The steps emerge into a vast circular chamber with a dust-covered heavy tile floor and bare walls of black stone. More massive steps ahead lead upward to a stone dais. On this dais a huge black marble pool glows and shimmers with an unnerving light. A gigantic humanoid skeleton rests within the pool, an almost shapeless mass of moldering bones with one sagging, fleshless hand outstretch upon the broad marble edge, clasped in a fist. The gray light that floods into the staircase appears to come from this skeletal hand.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Gruun lets out a loud bellowing sneeze, the dust finally getting to him. "Sorry, still not use to the smell of ruins."
Is there anything around that might help determine the use or purpose of the pool/light source?
Given the giant skeleton, the massive proportions of this place come into focus. Killian will approach the hand, looking to see if it is grasping something that would be shedding the light.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Killian Perception: 9
Gruun Insight: 17
Killian approaches the pool; through the gaps in skeletal fingers, she can see that the source of light is indeed originating from an object grasped within the hand. Clutched by the curled hand is a piece of crystal, with runes and etchings matching those of the other pieces that the party has obtained.
For Gruun:
You can only guess at the purpose of the pool, but you have noticed a gradual, but stark, difference between this area of the temple and the rest of the ruins. The architecture and size are very dissimilar to the previous areas, and everywhere you have been within the ruins before now has been covered in imagery and etchings. The society that resided throughout these ruins was clearly proud to display their work and depict their lives, but the area around this pool is gray and drab, without any accompanying imagery. It's like this place was discovered by the humanoids that lived in the ruins and left untouched.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
"It will not be unguarded, somehow, but I suppose the first step is to try to pry this hand open to retrieve the crystal?" Killian looks at the others before making an attempt.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
"Something is different here. Everywhere else they drew on everything but they left this place bare, why? Would it be quicker to just take off the hand entirely?"
Can I tell anything about the liquid in the pool? Does it seem more like an oil or just old water?
"It might be a good start," Killian admits. "Then we can carry it with us if we cannot pry it open."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
(Can Hox use the glass eye to mess with the light?)
OOC: Hox can attempt it, of course! You'll have to be specific about what you mean by messing with the light, though, as this DM doesn't know exactly what you mean.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
(He's just going to refract the light around the chamber, well try to, since its a glass eye and not a mirror.)
Aradurk jokingly adds, “ Be careful about pointing the eye at those images. The body might spring back to life.”
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A)
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5)
Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
The light emanating from the skeletal hand is dim, and shadows dance along the perimeter of the area in eerie fashion when cast through the glass in Hox's hand. The action doesn't seem to have any effect on the surrounding room, but does paint a haunting pallor over the skull of this once giant being.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
“Are we ready?” Killian will see if she can move the fingers of the hand to free the crystal.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Gruun will keep close by at the ready to sever the hand with his Greataxe should the skeleton start coming to life as he suspects.
"Let's take the bauble from the dead critter's hand", Aradurk says trying to stifle a laugh as he looks around with a degree of concern.
Halsen - Human Monk - Winter Splendor
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's Blade Bizarre
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Betrayal at Devilsfall
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Hidden War" (Doom Portals Part 4A)
Aradurk - Half-Orc Fighter - Barty's "The Whispered Word (Doom Portals Part 5)
Garu - Tabaxi Paladin - Barty's "Beyond Twilight" (Rikirta Part 3)
The fingers pry open easily, one breaking off in the process as Killian retrieves the crystal. The skeleton suddenly shifts, but rather than stand, it simply falls backward into the dark pool.
With only a slight churning to mark its rise to the surface, something else slides into view above the sinking skeleton: A nightmarish monster, as wide as the pool and taller even than the giant skeleton. Gigantic, scaly arms fling wide as it throws its hideous fishlike head back, giving vent a horrific gurgling sound. The idol found below did well to capture its likeness, but could not possibly portray its stench.
Six thick tentacles emerge from its mouth, leading to an inner set of teeth, like another creature entirely.
Initiative:
Aradurk: 18
Gruun: 12
Hox: 15
Killian: 4
Average: 17
Unnameable Horror: 17 (-5)
Round 1 Order:
Players <=====
Unnameable Horror
Health:
Killian is wounded.
Gruun is lightly wounded.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!