This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Seeing Toc grab a rock gave Thyrius an idea. "Perhaps something will react to this. Better they pounce on the rock than on us."Thyrius grabs a stone and lets it drop on the lake far below. He keeps an eye out should anything move in response to the water surface breaking.
Mentally "Actually, before we disturb too many things, I'll send out Ocodicopolus instead. I'll let you know what I find.". Simaal has his shield on his back along with his backpack and sits down about 10 feet away from the hole in the ground. "Say did we detect any magic anywhere?"
The jungle is full of chirps and tweets of birds, the gentle rustle and creek of the trees in the breeze, and the buzz of insects. The sound from the bird calls are like a layered blanket of noise that seems to leave never a quiet moment anywhere. The sun lances down through the canopy in brilliant light rays, though the trees have done a good job of trying to gather all of the light. The hoot and hollar from some mammal high up in the trees draws glances. A mouse skitters past under the large leaves of the underbrush. A snake slithers slowly past shortly after. A game of mortal danger is afoot. Ants march about, non-stop work to scavenge and consume and return to their underground lairs.
The crackling of some branches of something large moving somewhere draws attention and the hackles rise on Xemnez and Thyrius both as a massive creature thuds by about two hundred feet away. It looks like an elephant, but about four times as large, and its head is atop a long winding neck that lifts it way up into the sky. A huge lizard tail sweeps along behind the creature. It seems to pay no attention to the group as it thuds past. Following it are two smaller versions, perhaps the size of young elephants. Their heads gaze at the group in curiosity but they dutifully follow the adults lead. Soon enough, the crashing sound of its passing fades away.
Toc sits nearby, smacking his skin occasionally as an insect lands upon him. He fetches a bit more of the greasy bug repellant from a gourd, spreading it on his exposed skin, before going back to sitting down and waiting. Mirica, seems to be putting up with her chestplate armor for now, though it looks like she may be broiling in it. Hopefully you'll be moving into the cooler confines of a cave soon...though if you are to be traversing water, she's going to sink once again. Almost everyone else in the group is unarmored, or very lightly armored....though even the black leathers that Thyrius wear are sweltering in this heat.
Everyone's belly's are full, and they've had their fill of water. The steaks that were cut from the animal were perfectly safe...in fact, were delicious and wonderous after Xemnez prepares them. A careful inspection shows no danger in the meat of the animal, as long as its cooked and prepared fresh. If it sat around for more than an hour in this jungle though, who knows what disease or pathogen could be introduced by the insect population. Simaal seems patient and curious about the hunting, and meat preparation process and gladly accepts the teachings of Xemnez who walks through everything calmly before passing a blade to Simaal to get his practice in. Meanwhile, the clear, clean water Mirica produces though is very welcome and everyone makes sure water skins are full.
After everyone has cared for their injuries and had a chance to catch their breath, eat some food, drink water, and otherwise prepare, Simaal proceed to find a log and sits on a clear section, his shield on his back. He settles in, closing his eyes to quest out with his mind alone. For him, the tweets and chirps of the jungle...the long trill of some creature...the buzz of bugs slowly fades away as he focus' on his minds eye. Down into the cave he goes.
The opening is not small....ranging about 20 feet across. Water trickles down the ridged sides of the opening which is full of plant growth, grass and moss. The eye descends about 50 feet until the space opens up into the large chamber of an underground lake. The water is crystal clear, almost imperceptible except for how it reflects the world above it. A singular tree has grown and lives in a tangle of bush on a small rocky island that pushes out of the lakes bottom. The eye glances about the great dark space starts circling the lakes edges, but gives priority to the southeast side where Nuzej feels the pull of the Phylactery. There isn't much of a 'shore', just a rocky edge around the outside of the lake that gives little to no room to traverse. But a thin rocky walkway has been purposely built from the tree to the southeast area of the shore.
You are all gifted to Simaal describing the scenes out loud as his mind continues to move through the underground terrain.
The high pitched whine of a tiny bug nearing Xemnez's ear makes the Leonin twitch and take a swing at their air wildly before returning back to an immovable hunter waiting to hear Simaal next words.
The walkway appears to have been made..but is rough and poor. It leads to a shore near the southeast edge where the eye takes a glance around in the caves darkness and notices the obvious signs of boats having been dragged up onto the gravel beach. In addition, what look like primitive drawings have been painted onto the walls, and numerous talismans made from dried animal parts have been strung up here. Near the ground he sees that humanoid skulls have been placed about forming a rough 'path' into the cave. The natural passage leads further into the darkness. He takes a quick swing around the lake and finds that a cave leads away to the north...half submerged in water, the underground riverway also leads off into the darkness, but clearly in the wrong direction. The water of the lake is so clear that he can see every part of it. Nothing grows beneath the water and he occasionally catches a glimpse of a fish lazily moving by, but no other signs of life. A quick inspection of the tree shows more talisman's hanging from the branches, bits of bone attached to each one. What appear to be the skulls of children lay scattered about the base of the tree.
Leaving the unpleasant image behind, Simaal's mind moves down the skull lined path into the cave. The drawings on the walls continue here. The depict a floating skull with rays coming from it. The skull appears to defend a set of stick people...fighting with them against enemies, slaying terrible looking animals, masses of ..what seem to be walking skeletons, and otherwise hovering over a village in a protective manner. They also depict the stick people carrying other stick people and laying them before the skull creature. Simaal's mind moves down the passage, where it opens up into a large chamber. Here, the floor is impossible to see, and its tough to tell if the level of the floor drops, because the room is filled with bones. Humanoid bones form a uniform floor of this chamber. This room is clear of talismans or drawings. In the middle of the room, perhaps 30 feet in, a stone pillar rises from the bones about 5 feet. Atop the pillar is a skull carved of browned crystal. The stone floor here at the edge of the room is stained with the black thick residue of long dried blood.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Actually, Mirica did not suffer remotely as much as one would think judging by her breastplate. Microclimate was a thing even in these parts of the world, besides, a little magical help allowed her to keep that part of her dress quite cool. All and all, she looked fresh as a rose despite the general discomfort of her surroundings. And so far no one was diving, however, should they all go to the bottom of the lake, then unless all backpacks were left behind, her encumbrance would make her sink anyway. She followed Simaal down the indicated path and stopped at the sight of the skull.
"A sacrificial ... let's call it an altar. The lich probably posed as a god here. But I wonder where the priests and - most importantly - the tribes that worshiped the thing are? We can begin with destroying that skull. Maybe too obvious for a phylactery but that also could be the goal - hiding in plain sight. What do you all say?"
Since no one else seemed to mention they have a mass feather fall, Simaal grabs two coils of rope, and starts tying them together then to a tree. "Should we leave it tied up, or remove it so it's not as obvious we went down?" No matter the answer he drops the 80 or so foot rope down (2x50' rope), and depending on decision he may stay up to undo the rope then jumping down but floating slowly to the ground. He straps his shield on securely and heads down, following Mirica to the altar looking for signs of an ambush.
"It is... I mean, I know some cubs that would try to dive down if they could get the angle just right."Xemnez chuffs. "But either way, best to undo the rope. In a pinch, some of us can always fly the others back out." He looks then to Mirica as Simaal readies the rope. "As for the tribesman, it could be that they've all died out, or as the numbers lessened, even have been made apart of that macabre display below. Or perhaps they linger on as something... other."He said, just briefly side-eyeing his brother. "Let us hope that if we should find out, it is not because of the last reason I mentioned."
On that note, unless another volunteers to be the first to be down, Xemnez makes a point of doing so.
Thyrius looks up in awe as the giant elephant-giraffe-lizard passes by with their young. What a hunt that would be! What curious creatures they have in this world! Thyrius doesn't even have to look at his brother to know he is having similar thoughts. Alas, such a feat will have to wait, if undertaken at all. Then, the black cat adjusts his black leathers to let his fur underneath breath a little. "I could use another refreshing dive,"he says only partially sarcastically. Besides, Thyrius took a pointer from Mirica and also made sure a cooling gust of wind frequently passed through his fur.
Once again, Thyrius' mundane tricks are overruled in favor of magical wonders. The Leonin disposes of the rock he had grabbed and waits while Simaal does his thing. He listens to Simaal's description with attention. When Mirica mentions "destroying" the would-be phylactery (browned crystal skull; cue indiana jones OST), Thyrius tries correcting the choice of word: "cleansing".
Xemnez is first down the rope...repelling down the rocky edge, amidst the greenery and trickling of water that runs down the inside keeping the air moist and cool.
Once the cave opens up beneath, he clambers down the rope with his bunched muscles and comes down in the crystal clear water just next to the island. His feet stir up some silt and stone in the cool refreshing water, and then he takes a few steps to the dry rocks of the island where the lone tree grows. Talismans hang from the branches. Glancing at them from close up, he reassess the situation. This tree hasn't grown much, the talismans would all be on the ground as the branches expanded and broke the leather ties...or the leather rotted. No...these have been cared for and not a single year has gone by since they've been looked at. There's not a single fallen talisman which means someone is keeping here regularly.
He glances around the underground lake, but all is quiet. He clutches the bottom of the rope to make it easier for the rest of the group to descend.
(Athletics DC 15 to climb down the rope. Fail by more than 5 and you fall. Fail by less than 5 and you just have to try again.)
Toc doesn't bother with the rope and just steps off the edge of the cliff and slowly hovers down the pit...coming to a gentle landing next to Xemnez.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Simaal gives a long glance at the giant beast... "That thing is ignoring us, and it looks more like a ridiculously giant smiley cow lizard mad wizard's hybrid than a predator. What really concerns me is what would hunt that monstrosity. Say this reminds me of the time ... " Simaal looks around... apparently everyone went down the hole already. He waits until the last is down, then unties the rope holding on to it. He takes a step in, and seems to somehow climb down the rope even though the top of the rope is now hanging down over his hands. He lands and moves the coils into his backpack, leaving them tied together for now. He then secures his shield and whips out one of his javelins.
It's not that Mirica did not trust her abilities, but caution seemed warranted here. She used the gift of the wild magic to help her down with the rope more as a guidance than the path.
Even as Xemnez held the rope his gaze would drift again back to the surroundings in full anticipation of an arrow or dart to come flying out of the shadows from some Gille suit hidden foe. Which might be why when Toc gently lands beside him, the Leonin looked taken aback, before spending the next few moments glancing back and forth between the wizard and the top of the rope.
"Hmph. Seems you came prepared for just about anything today."He remarks dryly before redoubling attention on the rope and those climbing down. Once all were safely on the island he'd gesture over to the tree, speaking/perhaps reminding folk of the care given the talisman. "Mayhaps there is cause to be cautious of the more human 'subjects' of our prey."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Nuzej seems to focus for a moment, his eyes glazing over, and then looks at the rope, and clambers down it with little trouble. Mirica likewise climbs down it, though....it seems so trivial that you suspect she might be able to walk down it sideways. Finally Thyrius shimmies down the rope with practiced ease. Simaal unties it, and steps off the edge, "climbing" down the rop as it goes limp above his hands. He's the last to splash down into the cool lake water and step up onto the rocky beach.
Toc grins, and winks at Xemnez, "I try."
For all Xemnez's wariness, it seems unnecessary. At least for the moment. The group follows the stony path from the island to the shore, greeted there by nothing but more hanging talismans and a series of skulls staring blankly back at them. Nuzej concentrates on his spell and points to the cave...but...still down somehow. The group moves forward.
Much as Simaal described, the cave is natural and requires a bit of climbing, up some inclines, down a bit of a drop, but otherwise straight down the cave lined with skulls. Eventually they see the dark room ahead open up into a cave edged with dried blood and with a floor filled with bones. The crystal skull sits atop the pedestal, but Nuzej looks at with a frown, then looks at the group and shakes it head, and points down into the bones at an angle.
Xemnez crouches down and examines the floor at the edge of the room. Though the blood is dried, some splatters are not that old. Perhaps only a week. It looks like the floor of this room dips down, because the bones, though flat, obviously fill the bottom of the room that must be lower than the passage. Though how 'deep' the bones go are tough to say.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nuzej second wind: 12
And 4 HD: 34
And using arcane recovery to get 2 4th level spell slots back.
Jezun clambers down the rope on short notice, fortunately -- he's certain Nuzej would have fallen, or had to cast fly on himself to not hurt a lot again.
He looks around the cavern, shivers, and shifts back to Nuzej. "I can handle lots of things, but spells, and spooky bones... no thanks."
Nuzej looks around anew, examining the cavern with his eyes, and noting much of what has already been grasped. He tries to use the [Tooltip Not Found] to help piece together where things are.
"Can one of you sense the phylactery now? Or does your frown means we have to start digging the bones?" Mirica studied the skull without touching it. "Still vote to begin with pulverizing this skull." She did not do it, though, not yet.
(OOC: Forgot to roll hit die.)
-> SR Healing(2): 16, 19.
-> (Unless omeone is secretly a bard, rolling a fighter hit die as well to top off, since at min for Xem it's 15 or so)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(Mirica's HD: 5 + 9 + 9 + 5 + 7)
Ignore the last one
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Seeing Toc grab a rock gave Thyrius an idea. "Perhaps something will react to this. Better they pounce on the rock than on us." Thyrius grabs a stone and lets it drop on the lake far below. He keeps an eye out should anything move in response to the water surface breaking.
-> Perception check: 10
-> Hit die: 37
Rolling one more hit die: 8
Mentally "Actually, before we disturb too many things, I'll send out Ocodicopolus instead. I'll let you know what I find.". Simaal has his shield on his back along with his backpack and sits down about 10 feet away from the hole in the ground. "Say did we detect any magic anywhere?"
The jungle is full of chirps and tweets of birds, the gentle rustle and creek of the trees in the breeze, and the buzz of insects. The sound from the bird calls are like a layered blanket of noise that seems to leave never a quiet moment anywhere. The sun lances down through the canopy in brilliant light rays, though the trees have done a good job of trying to gather all of the light. The hoot and hollar from some mammal high up in the trees draws glances. A mouse skitters past under the large leaves of the underbrush. A snake slithers slowly past shortly after. A game of mortal danger is afoot. Ants march about, non-stop work to scavenge and consume and return to their underground lairs.
The crackling of some branches of something large moving somewhere draws attention and the hackles rise on Xemnez and Thyrius both as a massive creature thuds by about two hundred feet away. It looks like an elephant, but about four times as large, and its head is atop a long winding neck that lifts it way up into the sky. A huge lizard tail sweeps along behind the creature. It seems to pay no attention to the group as it thuds past. Following it are two smaller versions, perhaps the size of young elephants. Their heads gaze at the group in curiosity but they dutifully follow the adults lead. Soon enough, the crashing sound of its passing fades away.
Toc sits nearby, smacking his skin occasionally as an insect lands upon him. He fetches a bit more of the greasy bug repellant from a gourd, spreading it on his exposed skin, before going back to sitting down and waiting. Mirica, seems to be putting up with her chestplate armor for now, though it looks like she may be broiling in it. Hopefully you'll be moving into the cooler confines of a cave soon...though if you are to be traversing water, she's going to sink once again. Almost everyone else in the group is unarmored, or very lightly armored....though even the black leathers that Thyrius wear are sweltering in this heat.
Everyone's belly's are full, and they've had their fill of water. The steaks that were cut from the animal were perfectly safe...in fact, were delicious and wonderous after Xemnez prepares them. A careful inspection shows no danger in the meat of the animal, as long as its cooked and prepared fresh. If it sat around for more than an hour in this jungle though, who knows what disease or pathogen could be introduced by the insect population. Simaal seems patient and curious about the hunting, and meat preparation process and gladly accepts the teachings of Xemnez who walks through everything calmly before passing a blade to Simaal to get his practice in. Meanwhile, the clear, clean water Mirica produces though is very welcome and everyone makes sure water skins are full.
After everyone has cared for their injuries and had a chance to catch their breath, eat some food, drink water, and otherwise prepare, Simaal proceed to find a log and sits on a clear section, his shield on his back. He settles in, closing his eyes to quest out with his mind alone. For him, the tweets and chirps of the jungle...the long trill of some creature...the buzz of bugs slowly fades away as he focus' on his minds eye. Down into the cave he goes.
The opening is not small....ranging about 20 feet across. Water trickles down the ridged sides of the opening which is full of plant growth, grass and moss. The eye descends about 50 feet until the space opens up into the large chamber of an underground lake. The water is crystal clear, almost imperceptible except for how it reflects the world above it. A singular tree has grown and lives in a tangle of bush on a small rocky island that pushes out of the lakes bottom. The eye glances about the great dark space starts circling the lakes edges, but gives priority to the southeast side where Nuzej feels the pull of the Phylactery. There isn't much of a 'shore', just a rocky edge around the outside of the lake that gives little to no room to traverse. But a thin rocky walkway has been purposely built from the tree to the southeast area of the shore.
You are all gifted to Simaal describing the scenes out loud as his mind continues to move through the underground terrain.
The high pitched whine of a tiny bug nearing Xemnez's ear makes the Leonin twitch and take a swing at their air wildly before returning back to an immovable hunter waiting to hear Simaal next words.
The walkway appears to have been made..but is rough and poor. It leads to a shore near the southeast edge where the eye takes a glance around in the caves darkness and notices the obvious signs of boats having been dragged up onto the gravel beach. In addition, what look like primitive drawings have been painted onto the walls, and numerous talismans made from dried animal parts have been strung up here. Near the ground he sees that humanoid skulls have been placed about forming a rough 'path' into the cave. The natural passage leads further into the darkness. He takes a quick swing around the lake and finds that a cave leads away to the north...half submerged in water, the underground riverway also leads off into the darkness, but clearly in the wrong direction. The water of the lake is so clear that he can see every part of it. Nothing grows beneath the water and he occasionally catches a glimpse of a fish lazily moving by, but no other signs of life. A quick inspection of the tree shows more talisman's hanging from the branches, bits of bone attached to each one. What appear to be the skulls of children lay scattered about the base of the tree.
Leaving the unpleasant image behind, Simaal's mind moves down the skull lined path into the cave. The drawings on the walls continue here. The depict a floating skull with rays coming from it. The skull appears to defend a set of stick people...fighting with them against enemies, slaying terrible looking animals, masses of ..what seem to be walking skeletons, and otherwise hovering over a village in a protective manner. They also depict the stick people carrying other stick people and laying them before the skull creature. Simaal's mind moves down the passage, where it opens up into a large chamber. Here, the floor is impossible to see, and its tough to tell if the level of the floor drops, because the room is filled with bones. Humanoid bones form a uniform floor of this chamber. This room is clear of talismans or drawings. In the middle of the room, perhaps 30 feet in, a stone pillar rises from the bones about 5 feet. Atop the pillar is a skull carved of browned crystal. The stone floor here at the edge of the room is stained with the black thick residue of long dried blood.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Actually, Mirica did not suffer remotely as much as one would think judging by her breastplate. Microclimate was a thing even in these parts of the world, besides, a little magical help allowed her to keep that part of her dress quite cool. All and all, she looked fresh as a rose despite the general discomfort of her surroundings. And so far no one was diving, however, should they all go to the bottom of the lake, then unless all backpacks were left behind, her encumbrance would make her sink anyway. She followed Simaal down the indicated path and stopped at the sight of the skull.
"A sacrificial ... let's call it an altar. The lich probably posed as a god here. But I wonder where the priests and - most importantly - the tribes that worshiped the thing are? We can begin with destroying that skull. Maybe too obvious for a phylactery but that also could be the goal - hiding in plain sight. What do you all say?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Since no one else seemed to mention they have a mass feather fall, Simaal grabs two coils of rope, and starts tying them together then to a tree. "Should we leave it tied up, or remove it so it's not as obvious we went down?" No matter the answer he drops the 80 or so foot rope down (2x50' rope), and depending on decision he may stay up to undo the rope then jumping down but floating slowly to the ground. He straps his shield on securely and heads down, following Mirica to the altar looking for signs of an ambush.
"It is... I mean, I know some cubs that would try to dive down if they could get the angle just right." Xemnez chuffs. "But either way, best to undo the rope. In a pinch, some of us can always fly the others back out." He looks then to Mirica as Simaal readies the rope. "As for the tribesman, it could be that they've all died out, or as the numbers lessened, even have been made apart of that macabre display below. Or perhaps they linger on as something... other." He said, just briefly side-eyeing his brother. "Let us hope that if we should find out, it is not because of the last reason I mentioned."
On that note, unless another volunteers to be the first to be down, Xemnez makes a point of doing so.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(Cue jurrasic park OST)
Thyrius looks up in awe as the giant elephant-giraffe-lizard passes by with their young. What a hunt that would be! What curious creatures they have in this world! Thyrius doesn't even have to look at his brother to know he is having similar thoughts. Alas, such a feat will have to wait, if undertaken at all. Then, the black cat adjusts his black leathers to let his fur underneath breath a little. "I could use another refreshing dive," he says only partially sarcastically. Besides, Thyrius took a pointer from Mirica and also made sure a cooling gust of wind frequently passed through his fur.
Once again, Thyrius' mundane tricks are overruled in favor of magical wonders. The Leonin disposes of the rock he had grabbed and waits while Simaal does his thing. He listens to Simaal's description with attention. When Mirica mentions "destroying" the would-be phylactery (browned crystal skull; cue indiana jones OST), Thyrius tries correcting the choice of word: "cleansing".
Xemnez is first down the rope...repelling down the rocky edge, amidst the greenery and trickling of water that runs down the inside keeping the air moist and cool.
Once the cave opens up beneath, he clambers down the rope with his bunched muscles and comes down in the crystal clear water just next to the island. His feet stir up some silt and stone in the cool refreshing water, and then he takes a few steps to the dry rocks of the island where the lone tree grows. Talismans hang from the branches. Glancing at them from close up, he reassess the situation. This tree hasn't grown much, the talismans would all be on the ground as the branches expanded and broke the leather ties...or the leather rotted. No...these have been cared for and not a single year has gone by since they've been looked at. There's not a single fallen talisman which means someone is keeping here regularly.
He glances around the underground lake, but all is quiet. He clutches the bottom of the rope to make it easier for the rest of the group to descend.
(Athletics DC 15 to climb down the rope. Fail by more than 5 and you fall. Fail by less than 5 and you just have to try again.)
Toc doesn't bother with the rope and just steps off the edge of the cliff and slowly hovers down the pit...coming to a gentle landing next to Xemnez.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Simaal gives a long glance at the giant beast... "That thing is ignoring us, and it looks more like a ridiculously giant smiley cow lizard mad wizard's hybrid than a predator. What really concerns me is what would hunt that monstrosity. Say this reminds me of the time ... " Simaal looks around... apparently everyone went down the hole already. He waits until the last is down, then unties the rope holding on to it. He takes a step in, and seems to somehow climb down the rope even though the top of the rope is now hanging down over his hands. He lands and moves the coils into his backpack, leaving them tied together for now. He then secures his shield and whips out one of his javelins.
(so, just need Athletics checks for Mirica, Nuzej, and Thyrius)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
It's not that Mirica did not trust her abilities, but caution seemed warranted here. She used the gift of the wild magic to help her down with the rope more as a guidance than the path.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Thyrius' muscles are not as impressive as his brother's but he is not against climbing down a rope the good ol'fashioned way.
-> Athletics check: 19 (If he needs to try again, here's a preemptive second roll: 13.)
Even as Xemnez held the rope his gaze would drift again back to the surroundings in full anticipation of an arrow or dart to come flying out of the shadows from some Gille suit hidden foe. Which might be why when Toc gently lands beside him, the Leonin looked taken aback, before spending the next few moments glancing back and forth between the wizard and the top of the rope.
"Hmph. Seems you came prepared for just about anything today." He remarks dryly before redoubling attention on the rope and those climbing down. Once all were safely on the island he'd gesture over to the tree, speaking/perhaps reminding folk of the care given the talisman. "Mayhaps there is cause to be cautious of the more human 'subjects' of our prey."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Jezun athletics : 15 (2nd roll if necessary: 24)
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Nuzej seems to focus for a moment, his eyes glazing over, and then looks at the rope, and clambers down it with little trouble. Mirica likewise climbs down it, though....it seems so trivial that you suspect she might be able to walk down it sideways. Finally Thyrius shimmies down the rope with practiced ease. Simaal unties it, and steps off the edge, "climbing" down the rop as it goes limp above his hands. He's the last to splash down into the cool lake water and step up onto the rocky beach.
Toc grins, and winks at Xemnez, "I try."
For all Xemnez's wariness, it seems unnecessary. At least for the moment. The group follows the stony path from the island to the shore, greeted there by nothing but more hanging talismans and a series of skulls staring blankly back at them. Nuzej concentrates on his spell and points to the cave...but...still down somehow. The group moves forward.
Much as Simaal described, the cave is natural and requires a bit of climbing, up some inclines, down a bit of a drop, but otherwise straight down the cave lined with skulls. Eventually they see the dark room ahead open up into a cave edged with dried blood and with a floor filled with bones. The crystal skull sits atop the pedestal, but Nuzej looks at with a frown, then looks at the group and shakes it head, and points down into the bones at an angle.
Xemnez crouches down and examines the floor at the edge of the room. Though the blood is dried, some splatters are not that old. Perhaps only a week. It looks like the floor of this room dips down, because the bones, though flat, obviously fill the bottom of the room that must be lower than the passage. Though how 'deep' the bones go are tough to say.
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Nuzej second wind: 12
And 4 HD: 34
And using arcane recovery to get 2 4th level spell slots back.
Jezun clambers down the rope on short notice, fortunately -- he's certain Nuzej would have fallen, or had to cast fly on himself to not hurt a lot again.
He looks around the cavern, shivers, and shifts back to Nuzej. "I can handle lots of things, but spells, and spooky bones... no thanks."
Nuzej looks around anew, examining the cavern with his eyes, and noting much of what has already been grasped. He tries to use the [Tooltip Not Found] to help piece together where things are.
"Can one of you sense the phylactery now? Or does your frown means we have to start digging the bones?" Mirica studied the skull without touching it. "Still vote to begin with pulverizing this skull." She did not do it, though, not yet.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice