Before we go further, lets figure marching order. Something tells me that (although we haven't rolled Initiative) this will be the first encounter.
I'd say Brondin in front, then Ghourra (light source), Tana, Bellagon, and Deimos last.
@Horitculture: Is the stairway wide enough for two abreast or just one? Can we recognize the bodies (or Perception/Insight check)? Doran and his Daggers?
Before we go further, lets figure marching order. Something tells me that (although we haven't rolled Initiative) this will be the first encounter.
I'd say Brondin in front, then Ghourra (light source), Tana, Bellagon, and Deimos last.
@Horitculture: Is the stairway wide enough for two abreast or just one? Can we recognize the bodies (or Perception/Insight check)? Doran and his Daggers?
[sblock=Perception 18]A pair of crossed swords can be seen on the forearms of one of the half-devoured bodies. It looks like Doran and his Daggers didn't fare so well with their trip.[/sblock]
I don't think we can close in unnoticed. Door opening in closed space is always noticeable. I agree on the order, if there is some trouble (combat) he can teleport if needed. But I think we could maybe talk to it.
[MENTION=6671055]horticulture[/MENTION], is the priest mummy a dwarf? i.e. was he some guardian of the temple that turned at some point?
"Should we talk first?" whispers dark warlcock. "This thing has power and we're not here to cleanse some old temple, but to get the daggers."
"That one, there," Ghourra says, pointing to the one with the barely visible tattoo. "He is the one we are looking for." Ghourra wondered it would really be this easy. That talisman did not fill her with confidence.
"Can anyone say what the dark crystal might be? I'd rather have some idea before we get any closer. Furthermore, what ate Doran and his crew, and where did they go?"
Sorry, folks, I meant to add this skill check to the previous post. They're nested so only one roll is needed; you can read those that your skill check beats.
The dead-looking guy with the gem around his neck looks like he was once human, not dwarven.
[sblock=Arcana or Religion 15] This shard radiates staggering amounts of necromantic energy, easily enough to animate the dead within the rectory.[sblock=Arcana or Religion 18]The shard’s power is likely strengthened by the lingering energy in the temple of Katashka and, like many evil items and creatures, is stronger at night.[sblock=Arcana or Religion 20] Undead may be drawn to the energy produced by the shard.[/sblock][/sblock][/sblock]
No sooner had she asked the question than did she remember the time she was with her father. He had been interrogating a necromancer that had attempted to sneak into Noldrunthrone.
"The dead will not rest while that thing remains in this temple. When Dol Arrah sleeps, they will rise."
I'll try to take a good look at it tonight. Have you checked out the bloodied boon feat? It's ridiculously good for darklocks. Even better than the bloodcurse rod because you don't have to be the one that bloodies it.
[sblock=bloodied boon]Heroic Tier Prerequisite: Warlock, Eldritch Pact class feature, Warlock’s Curse class feature Benefit: You can choose to gain your pact boon when an enemy you curse is first bloodied. If you do so, you remove your curse from that enemy.[/sblock]
[sblock=arcana check]Arcana check (1d20+15=32); Tana figures out the function of the device instantly, and a few other things besides...[/sblock] "More specifically, that gem emits a high level of necromantic energy, easily enough to animate the dead here. It's probably stronger due the lingering energy of this dark temple, and stronger at night. Not surprisingly, something like that can draw undead." She says.
He listens to what his allies say about the crystal.
Adrenaline pumping, he prepares for a fight. "Alrighty then, Tana 'n Ghourra 'r both sayin' the black cyrstal is dark magic. By me beard, I can't abide that filth holed up in the Forge Father's temple. We now know the fate 'o Doran and his crew."
The runes say that thing needs ta die!
Brondin grips his craghammer and readies his shield, then waiting for the others, he prepares to enter the room. "Ware. That crystal-thing may be returnin' Doran and his daggers against us.
