The area looks quiet after dealing with the undead near the bridge head. The houses on this side of the bridge are more elegant than the ones in the first cavern, and have fared better against the passage of time.
It takes you a few tries until you find one suitable for resting. A simple two bedroom house, small compared to the ones around it, still has a serviceable door and shutters over the windows. You don't hear any sounds outside while you recover in there.
OOC: you all gain the benefits of a short rest. After the rest, Zephyra and Thariv Luther recover from the strength drain.
"Thariv, I think you have the right idea to investigate the light, btw. We have no other lead to go on here and light means activity. Activity likely means the cause of why we are here. I'm happy to take lead this time. I suggest maybe we try to go quietly from here on out." Ufeza says as the group prepares to move.
(rolling a stealth check to move quietly once the group begins moving: 13
Healing roll for short rest - 2d8+2 I think? It was supposed to auto apply but isn't doing it. so rolling here. 14
...after the rest
"Thank you all, I feel much better. Thariv, how are you doing? I thought it was the near death experience, but those Shadows drained me too." She rises and does a quick double take at her surroundings realizing that for the first time in over a decade, she spent over an hour within the walls of a structure without feeling the familiar claustrophobic panic. Maybe facing death is helping her finally start to overcome it? Or maybe her new friends? But best not to push it, she strides quickly from the enclosed space through the front door and surveys their surroundings.
(Is there enough light for her here? If not, she will light a torch to compensate.) perception19 (passive 13), unfortunately she's made little effort to be stealthy in her haste to be out of the building.
OOC oh good I thought I had them mixed up. Didn't edit post above to avoid manipulation flag but Zephyra will direct the comment to Luther instead of Thariv [she's concerned about Thariv too, just not as much now] and can she see ok here or is the torch needed?
OOC: the city streets are dark, Zephyra needs a torch or another light source.
You walk quietly through the empty streets. Trying to hide seems moot given the torch Zephyra carries, but that makes it easier for you to walk without making noise. Hoping that cave dwellers here rely on hearing more than sight.
As you approach the building you start to hear a low chant coming from inside. The large building before you is the natural apex of the underground city, growing up out of the woodwork of the surrounding tree and fashioned into the design of a stepped pyramid. Vines and overgrown root systems cover every inch of the temple building, leaving only the main entryway free to pass inwards. A tower centered on its back wall is glowing with a bright green light, occasionally flashing with red.
A pulsing glow of sickly ochre light emanates from the main entrance. It may be a trick of the light, but it almost seems as if the vines and the roots on the building move in concert with the pulsing light, as if they were veins on the outside of a massive, diseased heart.
"I would be tempted to say beautiful, however...this looks like the same necrotic energy I detected in the graveyard. If not very, very close. So I'm going to skew towards horrific. I think it's safe to say we have found the source of the corruption." Ufeza whispers back, then nods at Luther's comment about scouting. "I am pretty reliable at moving without attracting attention. And time travelling with a carnival helped me hone my climbing and jumping skills. Can't say I'm a trained investigator, though. I'm happy to take a shot at it, though."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Thariv moves a little closer, straining his ears to listen more carefully to the chanting, wondering if he knows the language that might be being used.
Ufeza carefully slowly and carefully climbs the left side of the temple. The vines and roots all over it make it easier than climbing a tree in a forest. Up close it is evident that some vines pulsate with every flash of reddish light.
There is a row of small square windows near the top of the main hall. Peeking inside the tabaxi sees a large altar room. Bursting up and out of the altar is a huge black tree root. It appears to have continued its passage up and through the roof of the temple. Several smaller roots also emerge from the altar in an explosion of tangled wood. They stretch out from the altar and cover every available surface inside the sanctuary. This violent intrusion of roots has caused the floor to depress around the altar over the centuries.
Evenly spaced around the depression are barely recognizable humanoid figures, wrapped and covered by vines and roots. They seem to sway to the pulse of the light that is emanating from the altar. Standing behind the altar, on the opposite side from the entryway, is an immense and motionless figure.
Outside, Luther and Zephyra don't notice any movement in the surrounding houses. Thariv strains his hears but the language, if it can even be called that, is incomprehensible to him. The piece of coral he carries seems to pulsate as he get near the temple entrance, but not in the same rythm as the light.
Ufeza casts Message (moving so he’s in range if necessary) to Thariv and conveys what he saw. He adds to the end of the description, “Tell the others and let me know if you want me to come back there or if you all want me to show you how I scaled up here.”
OOC: Seldim, did any of the windows lead into platforms or where they straight drop offs to the main floor? I guess I’m asking if there were any legitimate entry points that I saw up where I was at.
Zephyra looks ahead watching Ufeza's agile progression continuing to study the shadows ready to react to the slightest hint of aggression. "We should move closer. I don't see anything nearby. In case anything is to attack, we shouldn't be so far away."
The windows that Ufeza is using to look are one foot long squares. Not big enough to squeeze through to drop into the altar. The route to get there is climbable and with all the roots over the wall it would be easy for anyone to tie a rope up to let the others climb.
Thariv quickly conveys what Ufeza has seen to the others. He holds his coral in his hand, feeling it respond somehow to the pulsing light, the chanting, and whatever unholy ritual is going on inside. "He wants to know if we'll climb up where he is or if he should rejoin us."
As the others move closer, Thariv sticks with them, knowing he can channel most of his powers over quite a long range if needed.
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The area looks quiet after dealing with the undead near the bridge head. The houses on this side of the bridge are more elegant than the ones in the first cavern, and have fared better against the passage of time.
It takes you a few tries until you find one suitable for resting. A simple two bedroom house, small compared to the ones around it, still has a serviceable door and shutters over the windows. You don't hear any sounds outside while you recover in there.
OOC: you all gain the benefits of a short rest. After the rest, Zephyra and
TharivLuther recover from the strength drain."Thariv, I think you have the right idea to investigate the light, btw. We have no other lead to go on here and light means activity. Activity likely means the cause of why we are here. I'm happy to take lead this time. I suggest maybe we try to go quietly from here on out." Ufeza says as the group prepares to move.
(rolling a stealth check to move quietly once the group begins moving: 13
Healing roll for short rest - 2d8+2 I think? It was supposed to auto apply but isn't doing it. so rolling here. 14
...after the rest
"Thank you all, I feel much better. Thariv, how are you doing? I thought it was the near death experience, but those Shadows drained me too." She rises and does a quick double take at her surroundings realizing that for the first time in over a decade, she spent over an hour within the walls of a structure without feeling the familiar claustrophobic panic. Maybe facing death is helping her finally start to overcome it? Or maybe her new friends? But best not to push it, she strides quickly from the enclosed space through the front door and surveys their surroundings.
(Is there enough light for her here? If not, she will light a torch to compensate.) perception 19 (passive 13), unfortunately she's made little effort to be stealthy in her haste to be out of the building.
Luther's healing during short rest: 11
(Does Luther regain his strength too?)
OOC: yes, this past few weeks I've been mixing up Luther and Thariv too much. Edited the previous post. The plot will resume tomorrow.
Thariv nods at Ufeza's words. "Agreed. The light is our next stop. We shall see if it is a beacon, a warning, or both."
The half-elf proceeds to rest for a time, recovering as best he can from the earlier fight.
Healing during Short Rest 10
OOC oh good I thought I had them mixed up. Didn't edit post above to avoid manipulation flag but Zephyra will direct the comment to Luther instead of Thariv [she's concerned about Thariv too, just not as much now] and can she see ok here or is the torch needed?
OOC: the city streets are dark, Zephyra needs a torch or another light source.
You walk quietly through the empty streets. Trying to hide seems moot given the torch Zephyra carries, but that makes it easier for you to walk without making noise. Hoping that cave dwellers here rely on hearing more than sight.
As you approach the building you start to hear a low chant coming from inside. The large building before you is the natural apex of the underground city, growing up out of the woodwork of the surrounding tree and fashioned into the design of a stepped pyramid. Vines and overgrown root systems cover every inch of the temple building, leaving only the main entryway free to pass inwards. A tower centered on its back wall is glowing with a bright green light, occasionally flashing with red.
A pulsing glow of sickly ochre light emanates from the main entrance. It may be a trick of the light, but it almost seems as if the vines and the roots on the building move in concert with the pulsing light, as if they were veins on the outside of a massive, diseased heart.
Luther's draw drops open at the sight of the pyramid: "I'm not sure if that's beautiful or horrific" he whispers to his colleagues.
"I'm not keen on walking through the front door, is anyone able to scout for other entrances?"
"I would be tempted to say beautiful, however...this looks like the same necrotic energy I detected in the graveyard. If not very, very close. So I'm going to skew towards horrific. I think it's safe to say we have found the source of the corruption." Ufeza whispers back, then nods at Luther's comment about scouting. "I am pretty reliable at moving without attracting attention. And time travelling with a carnival helped me hone my climbing and jumping skills. Can't say I'm a trained investigator, though. I'm happy to take a shot at it, though."
OOC: For expediency, in the event the rest of the group is ok with me scouting ahead, I'm going to go ahead and make assorted rolls.
Investigation: 6
Stealth: 14
Acrobatics (if you need athletics instead, subtract 8 from the ensuing roll. going from a +8 to +0 bonus): 21
Zephyra tries to estimate their distance from the pulsing 'heart' of the thing keeping alert to their surrounding.
Thariv moves a little closer, straining his ears to listen more carefully to the chanting, wondering if he knows the language that might be being used.
Perception 15
Thariv knows common, elvish, and primordial
Luther stays on overwatch, preparing to shoot any creature that makes an attack on a friendly.
Perception 15 (passive 12)
Ufeza carefully slowly and carefully climbs the left side of the temple. The vines and roots all over it make it easier than climbing a tree in a forest. Up close it is evident that some vines pulsate with every flash of reddish light.
There is a row of small square windows near the top of the main hall. Peeking inside the tabaxi sees a large altar room. Bursting up and out of the altar is a huge black tree root. It appears to have continued its passage up and through the roof of the temple. Several smaller roots also emerge from the altar in an explosion of tangled wood. They stretch out from the altar and cover every available surface inside the sanctuary. This violent intrusion of roots has caused the floor to depress around the altar over the centuries.
Evenly spaced around the depression are barely recognizable humanoid figures, wrapped and covered by vines and roots. They seem to sway to the pulse of the light that is emanating from the altar. Standing behind the altar, on the opposite side from the entryway, is an immense and motionless figure.
Outside, Luther and Zephyra don't notice any movement in the surrounding houses. Thariv strains his hears but the language, if it can even be called that, is incomprehensible to him. The piece of coral he carries seems to pulsate as he get near the temple entrance, but not in the same rythm as the light.
Ufeza casts Message (moving so he’s in range if necessary) to Thariv and conveys what he saw. He adds to the end of the description, “Tell the others and let me know if you want me to come back there or if you all want me to show you how I scaled up here.”
OOC: Seldim, did any of the windows lead into platforms or where they straight drop offs to the main floor? I guess I’m asking if there were any legitimate entry points that I saw up where I was at.
Zephyra looks ahead watching Ufeza's agile progression continuing to study the shadows ready to react to the slightest hint of aggression. "We should move closer. I don't see anything nearby. In case anything is to attack, we shouldn't be so far away."
Luther nods at Zephyra's suggestion, staring in awe at Ufeza's grace and strength in their climbing.
"OK, I can reach pretty far with this thing but they might need close-in help". He tries to get closer, 60ft if possible.
The windows that Ufeza is using to look are one foot long squares. Not big enough to squeeze through to drop into the altar. The route to get there is climbable and with all the roots over the wall it would be easy for anyone to tie a rope up to let the others climb.
Thariv quickly conveys what Ufeza has seen to the others. He holds his coral in his hand, feeling it respond somehow to the pulsing light, the chanting, and whatever unholy ritual is going on inside. "He wants to know if we'll climb up where he is or if he should rejoin us."
As the others move closer, Thariv sticks with them, knowing he can channel most of his powers over quite a long range if needed.