Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
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Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
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The group approach the cave mouth, the light spells reveal a relatively shallow but high and wide cave, the walls appear to have been daubed with mud which has long since dried into a thick clay-like wall. In the centre of the cave is a steel box with a lid that has been bolted into the stone.
"This, I was not expecting... and I have to admit is a new one for me."
Banzo walks slowly around the steel box observing it from all sides to see if it looks the same or has runes carved into it anywhere, basically just a visual inspection of anything noteworthy.
Investigation: 24
"Hmm... could this be a trap of some kind? Maybe a prison of sorts?"
After meeting several of his companions eyes to gauge their level of interest versus caution he adds, "Should we try to open it?"
Tzedaka also examines the box, and considers if she has heard of such a box.
(Ooc: I am hiking the Milford track in New Zealand for the next 5 days. No internet or cell service! Feel free to not my character if needed)
As the box is examined Banzo notes it is completely featureless and composed of beaten steel panels, he also noted that where the lid seal sat against the body of the box a very, very bright sliver of white light emitted from the box.
Something tickled at Banzos mind.....something about guardians awoken by blinding light......yes there was a box used...he looked at the daubed walls again in suspicion.....yes.....there.....sealed behind the mud with alcoves in the cave wall were two massive forms....almost impossible to pick out.....he could not recall the name used in the text he had read...but he knew they were somewhat similar to golems formed of flesh......Flux-Hulks?.....it would be best not to wake them....but why are they here in the middle of nowhere.......guarding.......he looked around again....there at the back of the cave a large square outline within the daubed wall....
( A 24 gets you pretty much everything. :) )
"Stop!"
Banzo warns his friends of what he suspects.
"If we interfere with the box the light might release hulking golem-like creatures concealed there and there," he points out the alcoves covered over with mud, "I think they are guarding something at the back of the cave."
Moving carefully to the back of the cave Banzo will point out the large square outline he noticed there.
what the?!
Herman is disappointed he did not spot it
"And where there's one trap there's sure to be another, or at least it couldn't hurt to check?"
Banzo steps aside as his magic was always more directed to warfare and combat than the utility of a knock spell, not that he couldn't benefit from that spell, but others were better at either picking locks or bashing doors down.
"Such precautions speak to the value of what they're guarding."
Tzedaka pauses for a moment, “if der are traps chere, this necromancer is still active.”
she peers ahead into the darkened area, lokkkng TJ see if she can spot anyone or additional traps (perception: 11)
No additional traps appear to be present, Hermans magical vision is picking up very little....perhaps the rather more physical nature of occlusion here was prepared precisely to defeat wizardly detection?
Regardless the square form beneath the mud at the rear of the cave appears to be rather the size of a chest than a door....unless it is a hatch of some description.
Banzo will point it out to the others and move closer to investigate. Looking for hinges or any other signs that might help determine if it was a hatch or a chest.
Investigation: 18
"It could be a hatch or chest of some kind?"
Banzo is almost certain it is a cube shaped chest, he's fairly certain a blade or similar will be able to open the receptacle breaking open the layer of clay covering it.
Banzo will draw one of his daggers and use it to point out anything he notices about the chest.
"Unless someone else would rather...?" he leaves the question hanging in the air as he prepares to use his dagger to clear some clay off the lid.
Tzedaka chants in Celestial, placing Guidance on Banzo.
Scraping a layer of clay off the chest he notes a small plaque attached.
' Property of Craggen Dire.' - the name has been semi-scratched off and another name has been etched over it. ' Kull.'
Tzedaka considers if she has heard either name. (History:14)
Craggen Dire was the son of infamous sorcerer Gandor Dire, and the father of the dark lord Balthus Dire.
As a child, Craggen accompanied his parents on their flight from Warpstone and journey to the fortress of Craggen Rock. Like his father, Craggen was a powerful and evil sorcerer.
At the age of fourteen, Balthus Dire persuaded Craggen to allow him to attend Volgera Darkstorm's infamous school of dark magic.
Craggen was murdered by Balthus on the latter's return to the Black Tower of Craggen Rock, since Dire wished to seize his father's headquarters. Balthus did so by stabbing his father in the guts with a dagger as he embraced him.
Kull is a relatively common name amongst northern barbarians but it is said that Kull was the one who originally slew the mortal Razaak before the necromancer returned in his undead form.
Tzedakas eyes seem distant for a moment, then she returns to the present.
“I know of dis Craggen Dire Son of Gandor Dire, a sorcerer. Like his fatter, a powerful evil sorcerer.
Craggen Dire was the son of infamous sorcerer Gandor Dire, and the father of the dark lord Balthus Dire.
“As a child, Craggen accompanied his parents on their flight from Warpstone and journey to the fortress of Craggen Rock. Like his father, Craggen was a powerful and evil sorcerer. He was murdered by his son, Balthus. Dis is also how Zagor rose in power at firetop mountain.”
She reflects for a moment,
“Kull is a common name but I know of one who slew Razaak, only a mortal man before he returned in his undead form.”
A lot of family issues, it seems...I am getting cofused but it seems to me this Balthus shuld have inherited the chest while now there is the name Kull on it.
We can think about a dozen reasons for this and still get nowhere...I'd say let's leave it for the time being. Maybe if we simply venture forth we will understand better
"Whatever this is or whoever it belongs to now doesn't concern me as much as the effort taken to hide and guard it."
Banzo will flick his dagger, while still holding it tightly, in a direction away from everyone to get most of the clay off of it. And then utilize the very same dagger to pry open the lid.
"I want to know what secret lies hidden within."