Lost Lab of Kwalish

Quote from InkedBee >>

 

(@Wile_E_Coyote, Does Gravity have her own Mechanical Guide from Thessalar?)

 Its a group thing.  He built two, your group gets one. This whole module has two of everything because it likes to present the illusion of choice.  You do technically choose things, but it all works out the same.  (Recommend checking out "Bandersnatch" from Netflix for an interactive exploration of the topic)

Quote from InkedBee >>.

Intelligence: Investigation 20 (Advantage from 'Dungeon Delver' feat)

The hidden traps in this area aren't hidden yet.  They're being tiled right now.  But, I'll say you figure out that the blood is coming from a supply kept in the pit the teidling with the pale descended.  <I tried to imply that earlier, sorry it's not a major benefit for the great roll.>

Quote from BisAmandum >>

Kili focuses on the red pigment. A chill runs down her spine making the blue, green and purple scales on her body shimmer. She needs to investigate what is at the bottom of that pit. 
she looks around at the others in the group but can’t see Tetrevess any where. The others she has not yet had a chance to speak with more than a introduction so she is not sure she can confide in them.

Instead she says out loud. “What a fascinating piece of art. I’ll go and take a closer look”

She will then, as calmly and nonchalantly as she possibly can, walk over to the group of muralists. She will stand an look at the mural for a minute or two, not quite understanding the motives.

”You do excellent work, I have never seen something like this in my life” she said to the closest tiefling. “Do you mind if I document it as part of my studies on dryfolks?” she asks and before she gets an answer she takes out pen and paper and pretend to write down a description of the mural in sylvan. Hoping the tie fling doesn’t speak it. 

She inches her way closer to the pit, pretending that she needs to take in a different point of view of the mural.

Deception: 16

 The nearest muralist replies: "It is a great privilege to work on this masterpiece. The skill with which every detail of this grand tomb is crafted makes this gallery the envy of all whose art will never be forever displayed herein.  It is most proper you should ask before making a study of this piece.  I think I speak for all of us when I say you may do so at your leisure"

(These artists have a super low DC for compliments.)

The first four pits are each 10 feet deep and empty except for refuse.

The southernmost pit is 30 feet deep and contains a ladder.

If you have excellent perception, you might discern a narrow crawlspace at the bottom of the pit, which heads west.

<No need to roll or anything, I'm just assuming you figure it out.  Especially because some or all of you saw that map for a bit.>

Sensing that the muralist is weak for flattering and continue to talk to him.

”That red pigment is just the right hue, it reminds me of the colour the sun sends in to the ocean as it leaves the sky during the colder part of the year. I have never been able to reproduce it. What is you secret?”

"What should we do Captain L'Chuck? Do we use the ladder to get down? Or continue to move towards the southern end of the passage?"

Gravity asks for recommendation while she attempts to use one of the items of the Thieves' Tool, it is a small mirror mounted on a metal handle which can be folded if necessary. She will climb down 20 ft using the ladder, then unfold the handle so that the mirror can reach the bottom of the pit and let her see the reflection of the crawlspace and whatever might have been waiting for them on the other side.

Intelligence: Investigation 19

Even with perfect lighting, the crawlspace turns after 5 ft or so.

Quote from BisAmandum >>

Sensing that the muralist is weak for flattering and continue to talk to him.

”That red pigment is just the right hue, it reminds me of the colour the sun sends in to the ocean as it leaves the sky during the colder part of the year. I have never been able to reproduce it. What is you secret?”

The muralist looks puzzled.  "They bleed blue where you come from?" She replies, shaking her head as she returns her attention to her work.  "I expect Phenex is waiting for you.  I wouldn't keep him waiting too long." She says, brush in hand, adding shadows to the grass upon the field.

“Right,right Phenex. Down the pit I presume?” Kilis says feeling confused

"What happened in the Temple?" Raeland's question is directed towards Tetrevess, his tone is interested, even curious, "What were you after in there?"

As the group has moved closer to the pit Raeland holds the ladder to steady it for Gravity, whether it needs it or not. "Don't think they'd craft a tunnel that they weren't planning to use. Question is for what... I can safely delve the depths if there be a need, before we all get caught on our knees in there for nought. Just watch my back a jiffy."

Raeland will usher Gravity back up and make his way down the ladder. Whilst at the bottom of the pit he'll try to spot the source of the dye. Then he'll move down to the crawlspace, placing his sword across his lap as he sits cross-legged in front of the opening. At the intersection that he can see, he'll Manifest Echo and make it his Avatar, transferring his consciousness over to it. He'll then send the echo exploring the tunnel.

Tetrevess says  “ lead on- I’ll follow.  Yes I’ll tell the tale.  
We went to the temple to try to get these magical stones, and I went to see the place, and we ended up facing thasselar himself, a clone of him, and two of his most deadly creations.   It was far too much for us.  Logan teleported us out of there- me as a statue.    Safe to say I don’t want to go back until I’m better prepared.  It was far too difficult for a group of our capabilities. 

<Soo. I just realized that your not using the map.  I wasn't reposting it because you only saw it for a few minutes. Gi en that, i certainly  should have mentioned there us just a regular open corridor to the west you could take.  I'm just pointing this out so I haven't led you astray and funneled you into a single path.  It is one if two paths, so by no means wrong it unreasonable, I'm just trying to paint things more clearly.>

I'm also going to point out the alcove to the east at the southernmost point of this room based on that successful intelligence (Investigation) check: 

Through a stone archway, several banks of panels and instruments can be seen lining the walls. They crackle with sparks of eldritch energy, their dials and controls moving of their own volition.

At the end of this hall, some sort of horrible binding process is underway. A balor is held against the wall, pressed in against the stonework design of a great green devil’s face. A black sphere holds the demon in place, and appears to be slowly draining away its essence.  A number of silver wires attached to the Balor run to the alcove.

<i was going to reveal this as you moved farther south to see in the darkness, but you've moved ahead if me.  I am not describing what's through the tunnel yet, as I suspect you might want to deal with some of this first.>

When Raeland has been ushering Gravity out of the pit, she will grab onto his hands for support while casting Warding Bond on him. 

"Aye Captain, just don't die down there!"

Then she will move forward to take a quick look at the contents of the alcove, and immediately return to the entrance of the pit in order to find 'Gorgeous Ana':

"There's an alcove filled with control mechanism situated at the end of this passage, it's literally crackling with eldritch energy...that's definitely your area of expertise."

Kili goes over to Tetrevess.

”Do you know a Phenex? The muralists seem to think this person is expecting a visit from us?” Kili says in a low voice to keep her words somewhat private from the muralists.

<Ok, a quick retcon then if we can see the balor... Raeland will just help Gravity up from the ladder, and then move forwards to look at the creature and it's restraints rather than using his echo>

"Now that looks like a mighty beastie, for it to be trapped like this speaks of the dangers we face here..." As Gravity suggests Ana investigate the machinery, Raeland gets dangerously close to the Balor, eyeing the beast and the restraints holding it in place. "What do you think of this Barril?"

The incapacitated bslor notices you seem to be a bit lost and tries to get your attention.  "Please.  Help. Me." He says in abyssal.  A moment later, you hear the telepathic speech in what you understand as your native language "Please.  Help me. Escape. torture.  Betrayed.  My Blood."  The Balor struggles to project his plea for aid to your thoughts.

Tetrevess says quietly-  “no I don’t know Plenix.. maybe some supervisor we are supposed to meet with?  I had a crazy thought- perhaps this Balor might help us if we freed it?  It’s risky, I know.   I’ll try to inspect the control panel and it’s bindings to see if I can figure anything out while we decide-  can someone help me?”

28 arcana check assuming help.  

Barril had never entered this chamber before. “I’m not sure what to make of this.”

He will study the surroundings.

Investigation: 27

Kili will help Tetrevess