„We can’t run around this city investigating every piece of rock. If we have an opportunity we have to take it. If I remember correctly time is short and we don’t have all the time in the world to sit here and wait for things to happen. We have to act. We either move now or you spellcasters take your time and prepare magic appropriate for the upcoming fight. We will have to battle other spellcasters, maybe you have a trick or two up your sleeves to make their lives miserable.“
"I be with the fighter. We have to act now. I say we just go on ahead a bash a few skulls hahaha!" After a bit Lemon regained his posture and continued, "Howev'er, they be fighin' spirits alright. I say we steal it from 'em! Both cubes. I can either turn to a tiny unsuspecting spider, find where they be goin' next, and we ambush them from there. Or, we wait rest here for a long bit for me to regain some spell power, and I turn one of ye to a spider to spy of 'em. Maybe with me to tow! Hahaha!"
Eku steps forward and gives her opinion on the matter, "This recent news is proof that Ras Nsi is here or at least associated in some fashion to the city's inhabitants. Are we to just ignore the fact that he has his own personal war symbol tattooed on the heads of undead creatures? Ghouls and ghasts are no laughing matter and I for one will not leave the city without ensuring that no more of their kind can be trained or created in his foul name. I can't speak for all the yuan-ti here, but his fate is sealed as far as I am concerned."
"Well, we have to make a decision. I'm not keen on confronting either the Yuan-Ti or the Thayans, but if you are set on it I will follow. The Yuan-Ti cave seems too easy an opportunity, and Nenne has already told us we are being watched. I'm loathe to use the word trap," Boosey shrugs, "but it seems a little convenient. When I flew on Lemon there was a horde of Yuan-Ti in the city. Where have they all gone?" He looks to Allister. "We have no idea what needs to be done with these cubes or where. It seems we are arguing for the same thing from different ends, I just feel that if we can discover what needs to be done with the cubes first, then we may be in a better position to find a way to get the others. Deception or otherwise. Going on the attack now effectively ends that choice and we would have the problem of looking for the answer in a city that has become more hostile than it already is!"
He sighs for a moment, "I will of course abide by the group decision. If we attack we have to destroy Ras Nsi and the Red Wizards. The latter will be the more dangerous enemy as they will wait until we are in no fit state to fight back before they show their hand. This is the risk we have to prepare for, unless we can somehow persuade them to attack the Yuan-Ti, though how we do that...", he tails off. "How well can we trust Orvex do you think?"
Allister looks at Boosey. ”I agree that the cave can be a trap, but that is a risk we have to face sooner or later. And two monstrous snakes standing guard plus a powerful yuan-ti waiting somewhere in the cave in enough to make you think twice before attacking. If it is a trap, it will always be like that. We cannot change that. One more thing. The longer we wait the longer we might be under surveillance. The more time they have to set a more elaborate trap or ambush. The more undead they can create. In other words, do we leave now or do you have to prepare new spells? Because I will not wait here another day. But, If someone has a plan to send the Red Wizards against Ras Nsi, I’m all ears. Otherwise, let’s act.“
Nenne frowns. "I also would prefer to gather more intelligence about the obelisk and how to use the cubes. As I said before, I do not enjoy violating an established peace, no matter how tenuous it is. That said," she sighs, lowering her voice, "if the group insists on taking violent action now, I strenuously urge that we hide the cubes. Should we fail in our mission, at least we will not serve victory to our enemy on a silver platter."
Eku appears to agree with Nenne and adds more of her own opinion, "Intelligence wins wars and saves lives. We have to act, and sooner rather than later is preferred. Every moment we are inactive, people are dying the world over. I can't say how fast the curse spread into various regions of the world, but I say we act now, but smartly. Let's back track and seek out this-" The loud roar from the first day echoes throughout the city causing her to look southwest. Birds scatter in the distance. She shakes her head and sighs deeply before continuing, "Perhaps we should back track and seek out this obelisk. If it is the Soulmonger, perhaps it will give us more insight into how the cubes are used. Someone apparently believes they are important. And I seriously hope we do not encounter...whatever that loud beast is."
After a great deal of deliberation, the party decides to investigate the obelisk afterall. The trek through the city is just as complicated as it was the first time through the northern streets. The rain continues its steady pace and eventually the companions find themselves near the base of the cliffs, a fifteen-foot-tall obelisk of cracked obsidian is draped with vines and black moss. Angry red veins decorate the stone from top to bottom like lightning bolts. Behind it, you see a dark passageway obscured by withered creepers. A second, smaller tunnel burrows into the base of a cliff to the east.
As the party moves closer, they notice three stone gargoyles watching from narrow ledges carved into the cliff side. Each has the face of a bearded devil, its mouth permanently agape in a silent scream. At first, they do not move, but their heads turn to track movement, giving away their animation. They have obviously been there a long time as the moss and vines have grown onto them from the cliff walls.
Boosey walks up to the obelisk, looking for any cuneiform or any other writing and images on the structure that might hint at its purpose. As he walks round he occasionally glances up at the gargoyles high above. "Those things creep me out, best keep a wary eye on them. What do you think these red veins are? I don't want to touch just yet, I may end up becoming one of those," and he points up to the gargoyles.
There is a feature that stands out clearly near the base of the obelisk. There is a plaque mounted on on the south side of the stone bearing writing in common. The two caves are too dark and vine riddled to see very far inside of either from outside them.
Boosey turns to the others with a glint in his eye after reading the inscription on the obelisk. "It's another riddle, I guess. This is how we use the cubes, I'm sure of it. The first line "enemies oppose", the cubes of the enemies in the stories have to be placed opposite each other. But where?" He looks back down at the inscription. "That first bit gives me the chills!"
"It reads like a prophecy," the cleric muses as her gaze shifts from the inscription to the gargoyles keeping watch. "The forsaken one seizing death's mantle...Ras Nsi was indeed forsaken by his kind after his treachery. The dead are rising, with his insignia." She shakes her head. "I do not relish the notion that he is working with a being of even greater power."
„There can be others who are forsaken. It is a possibility, I agree. But who knows who else is in league with this Acererak? One of those creatures from the cubes? And if Ras Nsi was this Chosen One, I guess he wouldn’t have such a hard time getting into this place. We will find out eventually.“ Allister points to the east. „Can I have some light here? I would like to take a look.“
"I know of Acererak," Boosey says quietly. "It is a name....we used to tell stories round the campfire to scare the youngsters, I never really believed them to be true. A Lich of unimaginable power, great and terrible, a master of dark magic. Any who encountered him would be in thrall to his magic and plans, wherever he set foot disaster and misery would follow closely with tragic consequences. He's a monster, a bogeyman," he gives a mirthless laugh. ""Eat your sprouts," my father used to say, or Acererak will come and take you. He was so evil he just couldn't be real, but..." and he looks to the inscription and swallows slowly, "he's here, waiting for us." His mouth works noiselessly for a moment. "Milil preserve us."
Nenne closes her eyes in an effort to glean some patience from her heavenly patron before opening them again, a look of hardened determination on her face. "I grow weary of unholy mages," she mutters. She looks at Boosey. "Fear not, storyteller. No evil is insurmountable - especially if one has eaten one's sprouts." Her eyes twinkle.
Walking over to the fighter, she takes a torch out of her pack and lights it for him.
The torch dances on alcoves run the length of a narrow tunnel, each one featuring a bestial statue standing or squatting above a basin of oil. Moving down the hall from west to east, the opposing statues depict a jaculi and a su-monster, an almiraj and a zorbo, an eblis and a froghemoth, and a grung and a kamadan.
"Aye. I be with the fighter." Rubbing his hands in anticipation with a mischievous grin on his face, Lemon looked to the group. "I not be knowin what we be gainin' from 'er if we not even be holdin' all cubes." He spred his arms out for his next proposition. "Why not just spy on the lads who have the cubes, then take it from 'em when the time is right!" Lemon looked at Nenne, "It might work out pretty well elf, ye never know."
”Which of these are we still missing? The grung, almiraj and zorbo? We could leave the cubes hidden nearby here. We should search this passage for any sign of the snail before we leave, and take a look at the other entrance.”
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„We can’t run around this city investigating every piece of rock. If we have an opportunity we have to take it. If I remember correctly time is short and we don’t have all the time in the world to sit here and wait for things to happen. We have to act. We either move now or you spellcasters take your time and prepare magic appropriate for the upcoming fight. We will have to battle other spellcasters, maybe you have a trick or two up your sleeves to make their lives miserable.“
"I be with the fighter. We have to act now. I say we just go on ahead a bash a few skulls hahaha!" After a bit Lemon regained his posture and continued, "Howev'er, they be fighin' spirits alright. I say we steal it from 'em! Both cubes. I can either turn to a tiny unsuspecting spider, find where they be goin' next, and we ambush them from there. Or, we wait rest here for a long bit for me to regain some spell power, and I turn one of ye to a spider to spy of 'em. Maybe with me to tow! Hahaha!"
Made you look.
Eku steps forward and gives her opinion on the matter, "This recent news is proof that Ras Nsi is here or at least associated in some fashion to the city's inhabitants. Are we to just ignore the fact that he has his own personal war symbol tattooed on the heads of undead creatures? Ghouls and ghasts are no laughing matter and I for one will not leave the city without ensuring that no more of their kind can be trained or created in his foul name. I can't speak for all the yuan-ti here, but his fate is sealed as far as I am concerned."
"Well, we have to make a decision. I'm not keen on confronting either the Yuan-Ti or the Thayans, but if you are set on it I will follow. The Yuan-Ti cave seems too easy an opportunity, and Nenne has already told us we are being watched. I'm loathe to use the word trap," Boosey shrugs, "but it seems a little convenient. When I flew on Lemon there was a horde of Yuan-Ti in the city. Where have they all gone?" He looks to Allister. "We have no idea what needs to be done with these cubes or where. It seems we are arguing for the same thing from different ends, I just feel that if we can discover what needs to be done with the cubes first, then we may be in a better position to find a way to get the others. Deception or otherwise. Going on the attack now effectively ends that choice and we would have the problem of looking for the answer in a city that has become more hostile than it already is!"
He sighs for a moment, "I will of course abide by the group decision. If we attack we have to destroy Ras Nsi and the Red Wizards. The latter will be the more dangerous enemy as they will wait until we are in no fit state to fight back before they show their hand. This is the risk we have to prepare for, unless we can somehow persuade them to attack the Yuan-Ti, though how we do that...", he tails off. "How well can we trust Orvex do you think?"
Allister looks at Boosey. ”I agree that the cave can be a trap, but that is a risk we have to face sooner or later. And two monstrous snakes standing guard plus a powerful yuan-ti waiting somewhere in the cave in enough to make you think twice before attacking. If it is a trap, it will always be like that. We cannot change that. One more thing. The longer we wait the longer we might be under surveillance. The more time they have to set a more elaborate trap or ambush. The more undead they can create. In other words, do we leave now or do you have to prepare new spells? Because I will not wait here another day. But, If someone has a plan to send the Red Wizards against Ras Nsi, I’m all ears. Otherwise, let’s act.“
Nenne frowns. "I also would prefer to gather more intelligence about the obelisk and how to use the cubes. As I said before, I do not enjoy violating an established peace, no matter how tenuous it is. That said," she sighs, lowering her voice, "if the group insists on taking violent action now, I strenuously urge that we hide the cubes. Should we fail in our mission, at least we will not serve victory to our enemy on a silver platter."
Eku appears to agree with Nenne and adds more of her own opinion, "Intelligence wins wars and saves lives. We have to act, and sooner rather than later is preferred. Every moment we are inactive, people are dying the world over. I can't say how fast the curse spread into various regions of the world, but I say we act now, but smartly. Let's back track and seek out this-" The loud roar from the first day echoes throughout the city causing her to look southwest. Birds scatter in the distance. She shakes her head and sighs deeply before continuing, "Perhaps we should back track and seek out this obelisk. If it is the Soulmonger, perhaps it will give us more insight into how the cubes are used. Someone apparently believes they are important. And I seriously hope we do not encounter...whatever that loud beast is."
After a great deal of deliberation, the party decides to investigate the obelisk afterall. The trek through the city is just as complicated as it was the first time through the northern streets. The rain continues its steady pace and eventually the companions find themselves near the base of the cliffs, a fifteen-foot-tall obelisk of cracked obsidian is draped with vines and black moss. Angry red veins decorate the stone from top to bottom like lightning bolts. Behind it, you see a dark passageway obscured by withered creepers. A second, smaller tunnel burrows into the base of a cliff to the east.
As the party moves closer, they notice three stone gargoyles watching from narrow ledges carved into the cliff side. Each has the face of a bearded devil, its mouth permanently agape in a silent scream. At first, they do not move, but their heads turn to track movement, giving away their animation. They have obviously been there a long time as the moss and vines have grown onto them from the cliff walls.
Allister looks at the obelisk. „You wanted to see it, here we are. Now investigate.“ He mentions towards the obelisk
Boosey walks up to the obelisk, looking for any cuneiform or any other writing and images on the structure that might hint at its purpose. As he walks round he occasionally glances up at the gargoyles high above. "Those things creep me out, best keep a wary eye on them. What do you think these red veins are? I don't want to touch just yet, I may end up becoming one of those," and he points up to the gargoyles.
There is a feature that stands out clearly near the base of the obelisk. There is a plaque mounted on on the south side of the stone bearing writing in common. The two caves are too dark and vine riddled to see very far inside of either from outside them.
Boosey turns to the others with a glint in his eye after reading the inscription on the obelisk. "It's another riddle, I guess. This is how we use the cubes, I'm sure of it. The first line "enemies oppose", the cubes of the enemies in the stories have to be placed opposite each other. But where?" He looks back down at the inscription. "That first bit gives me the chills!"
"It reads like a prophecy," the cleric muses as her gaze shifts from the inscription to the gargoyles keeping watch. "The forsaken one seizing death's mantle...Ras Nsi was indeed forsaken by his kind after his treachery. The dead are rising, with his insignia." She shakes her head. "I do not relish the notion that he is working with a being of even greater power."
„There can be others who are forsaken. It is a possibility, I agree. But who knows who else is in league with this Acererak? One of those creatures from the cubes? And if Ras Nsi was this Chosen One, I guess he wouldn’t have such a hard time getting into this place. We will find out eventually.“ Allister points to the east. „Can I have some light here? I would like to take a look.“
"I know of Acererak," Boosey says quietly. "It is a name....we used to tell stories round the campfire to scare the youngsters, I never really believed them to be true. A Lich of unimaginable power, great and terrible, a master of dark magic. Any who encountered him would be in thrall to his magic and plans, wherever he set foot disaster and misery would follow closely with tragic consequences. He's a monster, a bogeyman," he gives a mirthless laugh. ""Eat your sprouts," my father used to say, or Acererak will come and take you. He was so evil he just couldn't be real, but..." and he looks to the inscription and swallows slowly, "he's here, waiting for us." His mouth works noiselessly for a moment. "Milil preserve us."
Nenne closes her eyes in an effort to glean some patience from her heavenly patron before opening them again, a look of hardened determination on her face. "I grow weary of unholy mages," she mutters. She looks at Boosey. "Fear not, storyteller. No evil is insurmountable - especially if one has eaten one's sprouts." Her eyes twinkle.
Walking over to the fighter, she takes a torch out of her pack and lights it for him.
The torch dances on alcoves run the length of a narrow tunnel, each one featuring a bestial statue standing or squatting above a basin of oil. Moving down the hall from west to east, the opposing statues depict a jaculi and a su-monster, an almiraj and a zorbo, an eblis and a froghemoth, and a grung and a kamadan.
„Our friend, the snail, has no statue. He has no enemy opposing him, so that makes sense.“ Allister turns to the party. „Are we done here?“
"Aye. I be with the fighter." Rubbing his hands in anticipation with a mischievous grin on his face, Lemon looked to the group. "I not be knowin what we be gainin' from 'er if we not even be holdin' all cubes." He spred his arms out for his next proposition. "Why not just spy on the lads who have the cubes, then take it from 'em when the time is right!" Lemon looked at Nenne, "It might work out pretty well elf, ye never know."
Made you look.
”Which of these are we still missing? The grung, almiraj and zorbo? We could leave the cubes hidden nearby here. We should search this passage for any sign of the snail before we leave, and take a look at the other entrance.”