A Merc's Life: Howl of the Carrion King [02]

Maidhc O Casain · Jan 16, 2010

The party makes its way 'round the corner and into the smaller room to the east.

The brightly painted walls of this small chapel, probably meant for personal prayer and reflection, stand out as unusually garish for the otherwise reserved architecture notable elsewhere in the monastery. On the walls, numerous rectangular wooden plates traced in gold filigree depict a strapping warrior - Vardishal - battling creatures of fire, riding a chariot on the wind, and engaging in other acts of noble heroism. It is the same figure depicted elsewhere in the monastery, but the sheer number of images here suggest that this shrine was especially important to the clerics who honored him as a saint of Sarenrae. Perhaps a quarter of the gold plates have been pried away or hacked apart by long-absent vandals.

Opposite the door, dominating a section of the north wall, stands a man-sized statue of the warrior, its face marred by what look like numerous blows from an axe. The statue holds both hands in front of him, bent at the elbow, palms up, as if expecting an offering. Several deep rents from similar axe blows make it clear that someone tried to hack the arms from the statue decades ago, but was unable to do so.

Keeland is standing in front of the statue. "There's something odd about this statue and the shape of the room . . . unless the wall is just especially thick behind it, there's a space back there."

Leif · Jan 16, 2010

Houwlou Groulenas

[slight time warp] In response to Tsadok's binding and other help, Houwlou stretches luxuriantly and says, "Mmmmm, thank you, kind sir! Well, since everyone seems to be intent on further exploration, I would be remiss if I let you continue on without your dutiful and able ranger in the lead." Houwlou then eats a few bites of his rations, drinks some water, and pronounces himself as ready as he'll ever be to cntinue.[/time warp]

[sblock=stat block, Houwlou]
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1, -3 con from the stirge fight
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead),

Code:

   HP: 27/27     AC: 17   AC(T): 11   AC(FF): 16
 Init: +01    ST(F):+05   ST(R):+04    ST(W):+04

  BAB: 02       CMB: +5     CMD: 16

Weapon                  Attack    Damage      Critical     Special
Longsword (MW)*         +5        1d8+3       19-20/x2     +1 TH Gnolls
  Dagger*               +4        1d4+1       19-20/x2     +2 TH/Damage
Longsword (MW)          +3        1d8+3       19-20/x2        (Undead)
  Longsword             +2        1d8+1       19-20/x2     
Javelin                 +3        1d6+3          20/x2     

                        *+7 & +6 TH if using these alone in primary hand

[/sblock]

Scotley · Jan 16, 2010

Keeland

"Something for those of you more versed in magic than I to consider. Only a portion of the obviously valuable plates on the wall have been taken. The statue looks as if it has been in a fight. Is it possible that this icon can defend the treasures here? Tread carefully my friends." He considers the pose of the statue and continues, "Maybe making some sort of offering allows access to a special chamber beyond. Now what sort of offering would be appropriate..."

OOC: Knowledge check?

Maidhc O Casain · Jan 16, 2010

Keeland searches his prodigious memory, but cannot recall anything of Vardishal's preference for offerings.

However, Aodhan's keen eyes spot a pattern of scrapes in the floor that seem indicate the statue pivots to the side.

Scott DeWar · Jan 16, 2010

Harnrey pulls out a gold coin from his pack and places it in the right upturned palm.

mleibrock · Jan 16, 2010

Tsadok

Tsadok search's his memories for any recollection of a Vardishal.

knowledge roll (1d20=11)

Maidhc O Casain · Jan 17, 2010

The coin looks really pretty in the battered hand of Vardishal, but the statue does not move. Tsadok doesn't recall any more of the Saint than has already been recounted by the others.

Leif · Jan 17, 2010

Houwlou Groulenas

"Well, this is a fine state of affairs in which we find ourselves -- giving coin to statues and reading walls. Hmmmm...." The gruff Olcán looks impatient, but his friends have come to realize that this is just his way of expressing frustration.

[sblock=stat block, Houwlou]
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1, -3 con from the stirge fight
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead),

Code:

   HP: 27/27     AC: 17   AC(T): 11   AC(FF): 16
 Init: +01    ST(F):+05   ST(R):+04    ST(W):+04

  BAB: 02       CMB: +5     CMD: 16

Weapon                  Attack    Damage      Critical     Special
Longsword (MW)*         +5        1d8+3       19-20/x2     +1 TH Gnolls
  Dagger*               +4        1d4+1       19-20/x2     +2 TH/Damage
Longsword (MW)          +3        1d8+3       19-20/x2        (Undead)
  Longsword             +2        1d8+1       19-20/x2     
Javelin                 +3        1d6+3          20/x2     

                        *+7 & +6 TH if using these alone in primary hand

[/sblock]

mleibrock · Jan 17, 2010

Tsadok

Mowgli said:
Keeland searches his prodigious memory, but cannot recall anything of Vardishal's preference for offerings.

However, Aodhan's keen eyes spot a pattern of scrapes in the floor that seem indicate the statue pivots to the side.

As Keeland shares this information, Tsadok will try and move the statue along the pivot point.

[sblock=Stat Block]

Code:

   HP: 14/22     AC: 15   AC(T): 13   AC(FF): 12
 Init: +03    ST(F):+02   ST(R):+06    ST(W):+03

  BAB: 01       CMB:+04     CMD: 17

Weapon                  Attack    Damage      Critical     Special
Sap (MW)                +6        1d6+3          20/x2     Non-Lethal

[/sblock]

Maidhc O Casain · Jan 17, 2010

The strapping young man shrugs his shoulders, steps up to the statue and wraps his long arms around it. He grunts as he puts his weight into the effort, and the statue slowly pivots clockwise, revealing a flight of stairs leading down.