(5.24 PBP) Vault of the Dracolich (IC) Redux

FitzTheRuke · Jul 5, 2026

Team Fallen

With some effort, Loklafd was able to get a grip on Aywin, and vice-versa, and the air genasi began their ascent. It was some hundred-and-fifty feet to the top, and Shade-9 was left in the darkness and foggy mist, holding onto the rocky spire. He did his best to scan the area, noting that though visibility was poor, it was clear that the space was significantly larger down below than the smallish crack of the gorge above would indicate.

It opened wide, and through the mists there was the barest hint of light to the north. As he was logging that fact into his memory, the rock under his hand shifted ever so slightly, and he felt a mystical connection begin to form between himself and the element.

OOC:

Shade-9 can choose to attempt a dc14 WIS Save to break the connection, or he can allow it. Remind me - he's holding one of the Bhaalite Idols, right? The one from the Hydra's Lair?

FitzTheRuke · Jul 5, 2026

Merrick

Stepping back into the Teleporter, which began to glow, brought everyone's attention on Merrick. One of the cultists yelled, "Who is that!? Wait you!"

But the room shifted to Merrick's view before anyone could move, and he heard nothing more. He found himself once more in the empty Scrying Room, and he understood right away that they would be able to follow him in the same manor, if he did nothing to stop them.

Each time he'd travelled, a series of runes had glowed in a complex pattern. There was a brief moment before each transport when it would be possible to trace one's fingers along the runes, creating a new pattern. But would that take him to another transporter, or lock this end, or both? Merrick had no idea.

OOC:

Give me an Investigation or Arcana check if you want to see if you can figure it out, and let me know if you want to try to transport yourself elsewhere, or just try to lock it.

Tonguez · Jul 5, 2026

TEAM FALLEN - SUBJECT:SHADE-9 - when a stranger calls...

Loklafd had been secured and Shade-9 watched until both life signs disappeared into the veil of fog and darkness before turning his attention once more to his surroundings.

[LONG-RANGE SCANNING]
Cavern Height Estimated 150 ft Composition: Primary Black Rock - River Dominated
Water Flow: Eastward Vector
Visibilty: Low Current Position: South side of Rock Tower, Isolated within River current
NOTE: Weak Luminosity Detected on North East Horizon - Distance: Indeterminate]

Shade-9 was alone now in the darkness of the vast and mist-veiled cavern. His primary task was to identify a viable exit, the surrounding river presenting the primary obstacle. He was unconcerned with climbing. Even if he failed to ascend on initial attempts, he would merely fall back into the water and begin again, time was his only true limitation. A rope line would assist crossing the flow of the underground river as the unexpected width of the cavern was much greater than the crack through which they had all fallen would indicate alone.

But it was neither the cavern's scale nor the distant light that now held his attention.
It was the subtle shifting of the black rock beneath his feet that caused the warforged to freeze. His sensors immediately switching to arcane filters, while combat protocols quietly elevated their readiness, as internal systems registered an anomalous connection beginning to form.

Shade-9 briefly checked that the Idol of Bhaal remained secure before diverting every available sensor and heuristic process toward analysing the mystical connection being made. He did not resist the intrusion, but neither would he lower his guard. If the contact proved hostile, appropriate countermeasures would be enacted.

[CAUTION: Unidentified Transmission Detected]
Origin: Unknown, Type: Unknown:No Archive Correlation
[Status: Tracing- Attempting Identification]]

OOC:

Yes, Shade-9 still has the Idol secured in a storage compartment. Not resisting the mystical connection, but ready to react

FitzTheRuke · Jul 6, 2026

Shade-9

A single speck of dust dislodged itself from the rocky spire and made its way under Shade-9's armor. His sensors went wild, registering the sensation as many sensations at once - pleasure and pain, itch and tickle, oil and water. His joints seized, and if the rock had not held him in place, he would have fallen into the underground river.

A voice grumbled in his mind, like a bolder falling down a cliff, or two rocks rubbing together. At first it made no sense at all, and then he recognized it as the Primordial dialect known as Ignan. A moment later, he could understand its speech, though it had not changed.

You are the Envy of All, for you have found the Forgotten Node. As others before you, you can now choose to serve the Prince of the Black Earth, the Mountain that Walks: OGREMOCH! Will you serve?"

Shade-9 could tell that he was in the presence of Great Power and that it was offering him a small portion, small as the speck of dust compared to the mountain. As he thought of the mountain he realized that the entire thing - all the black rock, the spike-like peaks that "shed" avalanche stones into the river - was caused by this spire. A protective layer, like armor or the shedded skin of a lizard.

There was a great Elemental power here, to be sure, but its origin somehow felt very remote. On the other hand, he could sense, though it, that another, much closer presence was here as well, a presence that was psychically bonded to the Node, was drawing power from it, and wasn't an elemental at all. It was a Dragon. And it was aware that Shade-9 was there.

"Tempting, iss it?" asked the Dragon in a hiss that sounded nothing like the other voice, "Ogremoch will grant you great power, but it will help you not if you try to ussse it againsst me. Oh, yess. I am real: The Monarch Reborn. The Dracolich, Dretchroyasster. You are in my lair, now, and will sserve me or die."

A third voice appeared. A woman's, with the accent of an elf, who said, "Do not listen to either of them. You are your own man. Remember what it is to be free."

OOC: You can try to force the speck out with a dc14 WIS Save now, or continue to communicate with any of the three entities.

Neurotic · Jul 6, 2026

OOC:

Shade is not alone, there is a celestial support nearby

Steve Gorak · Jul 6, 2026

Team Fallen - Aywin

Aywin floats up, pushing and pulling the face of the walls to hold himself steady, grateful that Svetlana was also steadying him Holding Loklafd close to him, he rejoiced in the proximity and the fact he was able to help the man, but was also concerned about Shade9, alone in the mist. Once up the cliff, he helps Loklafd onto solid ground, and tells the others: "We'll need 150 ft of rope for Shade9. I can stay close to him to further assist."

Lidgar · Jul 6, 2026

Team Fusion - Bjorn

"I have 50' feet of rope. I'm sure we can string enough together to get 'em," intoned the dwarf. Bjorn then shrugged off his pack and took out a coil of stout, hempen rope.

"Let's set up an anchor line to haul him up," he suggested to the others.

FitzTheRuke · Jul 6, 2026

Neurotic said:
OOC: Shade is not alone, there is a celestial support nearby

OOC:

That is true, but Saphirrion will experience nothing of what Shade-9 is experiencing, other than to note that the rocky spire is shifting slightly. It has the whiff of an Elemental (non-creature). Saphirrion will also come to notice that the mists are toxic. Ten minutes or more down here could start to harm the lungs (fast approaching).