[Adventure]: Turning the Tide (DM: Dimsdale, Judge ??)

[VanderLegion]

Graven follows after his companions, attempting to be quiet but not really built for it.
[sblock="stealth 13"]Linky[/sblock]

 

[dimsdale]

Ignus moves quickly up the hill in front of the others. As he makes his way to the one of the windows and peeks in he sees the following

[sblock=Ignus]
The scene is horrible. In the middle of the room is an alter caked with blood. On it presently is a body, similar to one of the leader's servants that you saw earlier. The body is of a human that appears to be breathing, but in a coma-like state. Body parts from other victims are scattered throughout the floor. blood from the victims seep into channels carved on the floor, which flow into a bowl at the back side of the alter. Behind the alter is a large statue of a horrific demon.

ooc: religion check for Ignus please

Other notable features are steps on the far wall leading up. There are four concrete support columns at each corner of the room. The smell is unbearable. No one else is in the room at this point.
[/sblock]

 

[Dekana]

Eva strolls up the hill seemingly care-free. It takes little effort for the elf to avoid stepping on any dry leaves or twigs.

 

[dimsdale]

As the others catch up to Ignus, they get a chance to look at the horrific scene for themselves (see description given to Ignus a few posts back).

[sblock=Religion Check 15]
The demon statue at the back of the alter is familiar. From your reading and rumors you have heard, you know that the statue is a replica of the demon Zal'Ekthees

[sblock= Religion Check 20]
He is a demon who some say has risen to god-like power, linked strongly to undeath and the shadowrealms. He now has a large group of followers who worship him, some of which now inhabit the island. The high priests of the demon are said to be well versed in the study the necrotic and negative energies.
[/sblock]
[/sblock]

There are now other exits from the tower except the door in the front, which doesn't seem to be locked. The Ignus could fit through the window slot if he chose to.

[sblock=map]
map
[/sblock]

 

[Rapida]

"Eh, some bad mojo goin' on here... reminds me of home," Ignus whispers as he peers through the window.

[sblock=ooc]
Sorry, missed where you had posted dimsdale. Religion (1d20+1=8)
[/sblock]

 

[VanderLegion]

"That statue is of the demon Zal'Ekthees," Graven says to his companions, modulating his voice as quiet as possible while still allowing them to hear him. "We should be careful, his priests are said to be experienced with necrotic and negative energies."
[sblock="Religion 24"]Linky[/sblock]

 

[FourMonos]

Merri shivers.

She whispers, "This place gives me the creeps. I mean, who is into blood and death and all that creepy stuff anyhow? Should we sneak in the front door?"

 

[Dekana]

Eva shrugs. "Well, some people are into that sort of thing... I guess. But sacrificing people to your dark god kind of crosses the line." She looks warily at the comatose human and keeps her distance, as if he will spring up as a zombie or demon at any moment.

[sblock=Arcana]Eva will try to gain an insight into what this sacrificial ritual was about. What were the cultists trying to do?[/sblock]

 

[dimsdale]

Eva shrugs. "Well, some people are into that sort of thing... I guess. But sacrificing people to your dark god kind of crosses the line." She looks warily at the comatose human and keeps her distance, as if he will spring up as a zombie or demon at any moment.

[sblock=Arcana]Eva will try to gain an insight into what this sacrificial ritual was about. What were the cultists trying to do?[/sblock]

[sblock=Eva]
You recall a failed attempt by a fallen cleric of Lauto using a powerful relic which he stole from the archives within the temple that had the ability to channel negative energies from a demon into the relic, making the dead rise again. The cleric wanted to create an undead army to do his bidding. This plot was foiled by a group of adventurers a couple years ago. The demon mentioned and the demon in the statue are one in the same. You sense negative energies radiating from the alter, the statue and the supporting columns marked on the map
[/sblock]

 

[Dekana]

Eva points at altar through the window. "Oooh, I think I know what this is about" says Eva just a little too loudly for comfort. "It's an undead-raising ritual, using that demon statue as a focus. Why, there's negative energy all over the place." Eva smiles and perks up her long ears. "I want to have a look!"

The elf moves to open the door.

OOC: Eva moves to P8 and opens the door. She'll go in first, brimming with curiosity, unless someone else wants to take the lead.