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

[Steve Gorak]

Team Lakefiltrate - Aywin

Aywin relaxes and smiles "glad to hear it!" He says to Lorent, and to the others "False alarm companions, you can stand down!". Going back to Lorent "Do you need to stay put and rest? We can stand watch as you do."

OOC: do you need a short rest? I haven't been reading the non-Lake posts, so I have no clue where things are with you guys.

 

[Lidgar]

Team Lakefiltrate - Bjorn

Bjorn emerged from the water and crawled onto the shore in frog form near the growing party. Seeing the others, he was very interested in hearing if they had any success finding a statue. He nodded at the others with a croak, then turn to face the lake again, keeping an eye open for any enemies or awakened hydras...

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Lakfiltrate (Team "Fusion"?)

The individual in question, Stryke, returned to the new gathering. It was clear that he was somewhat uncomfortable being around more surface-world strangers, but he was satisfied that the numbers might make the upcoming task more achievable.

He said, when everyone was gathered in the cave near the Sunlit Obelisk, "Before I was captured by the Dragon Cultists and their hired Mercenaries, I had acquired one of the Bhaalite Idols. While my companions sacrificed themselves, I threw it from the ledge into the Hydra's pool. Not only did I think that they would not risk angering the Hydra, but also, they did not see me do it. My ordeal in the prison was their attempt to interrogate me into revealing its location, otherwise, they would have killed me."

For some of those gathered, this was the first time that they became fully aware that there was a Hydra under the water of a nearby deep part of the Lake.

 

[Hriston]

Spoiler: Terrin - Team Lakefiltrate

Terrin AC:15* HP:18/31(36) HD:4/4 PP:14 SSdc14 1/4 2/3 CD:2/2 Slp:0/1

With the fanatical cultist dispatched, Terrin dismisses his torch-lights so as not to attract attention from any remaining pursuers.

Listening intently to Stryke's story and responding to Aywin's question, Terrin says, "I think a rest is in order for this group, especially if we are to take on a hydra, but first, I must examine something which may be of some interest to us."

Turning back to the obelisk, Terrin retrieves a small lamp from his backpack and utters a guttural incantation as he holds it and as the fountain emblazoned on his shield begins to sparkle in the ray of sunlight shining on the obelisk's peak. The lamp begins to shine brightly with a silver light, and Terrin hangs it from the end of his staff with which he probes the ancient, possibly elvish, markings covering the obelisk's sides. He then consults a leather-bound book of history he wears strapped around his waist and attempts to recall what he has learned of ancient peoples, hoping to recognize the origin and possible purpose of the strange markings.

OOC: Terrin cast light on the lamp. Intelligence (History) (+5 from history book): 1D20+8 = [10]+8 = 18

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Team Lakefiltrate (Terrin)

While others watched or spoke among themselves, Terrin examined the obelisk, shining light on its weathered surface of runes and strange markings. He quickly concluded that it was Elvish. Much of the symbols were magic - wards and seals - but some were words. Though Terrin put the obelisk at around two thousand years old, the elvish script had changed very little from what he'd been taught. It was worn, cracked, and crumbled, but he could make out parts of the story it told: It was a "Pillar of the Sun", placed here to mark the "location of the fallen star" and to "contain the evil" that it "brought to the land" and that it "remain buried".

The more Terrin examined the obelisk, and the longer the group remained in the chamber, the more they all noticed that it gave off a low-hum (this was difficult to discern with the noise of the water outside as it flowed between the two main layers of the lakes), but it was palpable upon reflection.

 

[Hriston]

Spoiler: Terrin - Team Lakefiltrate

Terrin AC:15* HP:18/31(36) HD:4/4 PP:14 SSdc14 1/4 2/3 CD:2/2 Slp:0/1

Suspecting the evil is no longer contained, given the broken state of the obelisk, Terrin makes a gesture of supplication, beseeching his deity for her assistance, as he intones a few words in the same harsh sounding tongue and brings his hand to his mail-covered breast. He then makes a closer examination of the magical symbols, trying to determine if the wards and seals are still actively containing the evil and, if not, if they can be repaired.

OOC: Terrin casts guidance on himself, choosing Arcana. Intelligence (Arcana) (Thaumaturge): 1D20+7+1D4 = [5]+7+[1] = 13

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Looking closer, Terrin found a rune that was incomplete, but spotted a ten-pound chunk of stone that was lying in the dirt a few feet away that looked like it would complete the symbol, if placed in the missing spot. It was only a piece, of course, and nothing would move the many-tons of stone that would right the obelisk back onto its base, nor the many runes that were irreparably shattered to gravel.

OOC: @Hriston, want to see if you can put at least that one back together?

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

Team Caves:

Despite being compliant, the two prisoners were not very talkative. Merrick tapped his toes impatiently while scowling menacingly at the two, waiting to hear their answers.