covaithe's E1: Death's Reach

[Walking Dad]

BKT

"Do you know what they have searched for?" Bha-Ka-Thet asks Sarenax. He hesitates to move toward the coffins. "Would it be alright for us to disturb the coffins? I asks you as a cleric of the Death goddess."

[sblock=OOC]


[sblock=Mini stat block]
Bha-Ka-Thet
Perception: 32 Insight: 27 / Low-light Vision
Initiative: +21
AC 36 Fortitude 33 Reflex 35 Will 35
Hit Points: 143 / 143 Bloodied: 71
Temporary Hit Points: 0
Action Points: 0 Second Wind: 1
Healing Surge: 35 Surges per day: 11/12
At-Will Powers: Dancing Cobra (W), Five Storms, Spider Technique, Obscured Avoidance
Encounter Powers: Divine Sun, Three Winds Kick (W), Overpowering Strike (W), Strike the Avalanche, Purifying Meditation, Vow
Daily Powers: Blinding Sun Technique (W), Rising Dragon Fire, Ring the Golden Bell, Twilight Touch, Undimmed Sun, Meditative Solace
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[Lord Sessadore]

[sblock=DM]WD raises a good point. Would the Raven Queen frown on disturbing the coffins? I imagine the answer would be yes, though I can think of reasons she wouldn't mind. I can make a Religion check if you like, though I imagine Sarenax would know ...[/sblock]
Sarenax doesn't respond to the monk's question at first, instead moving with purpose towards the carved raven's head. The dragonborn's steps make debris in the room shake slightly, until he stops before the crimson jewel.

He examines the crystal and the ground it sits upon, not saying a word. After a few moments, he reaches for the sacred artifact.
[sblock=OOC]Perception (1d20+15=33) to search for any booby traps, or anything else odd or out of place with the crystal or its surroundings.[/sblock]

 

[covaithe]

[sblock=Sarenax and BKT]The disturbed coffins are all to the western side of the room, and the sealed ones are all to the east. That, together with the fact that a large and valuable gem lies in plain sight on the floor, suggests that the coffins were not disturbed by Uganon or his allies, but reflect the familiar dichotomy of preservation and destruction that can be seen throughout the Raven Queen's domain. All of the buildings you've seen here are clean, sound, and well-preserved on the western half, but crumbling and ruined on the eastern side.

In your experience, the Queen's domain tends to quickly revert to the way she likes it, when disturbed. Wear and damage to sound buildings repairs itself, and repairs to ruined structures quickly crumble.
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[sblock=Sarenax]At the same time, one never knows with the Raven Queen. She can at times be cruelly vindictive for reasons known only to her. You don't know of any reason why disturbing the coffins might displease her, but nothing involving Her Dread Majesty is ever truly risk-free.[/sblock]

No traps or wards reveal themselves to Sarenax as he examines the tomb, so he picks up the crystal skull. At his touch, a pinprick of red light glows faintly at the heart of the crystal. Those on the surface see the now-familiar disturbance in the surrounding mists, as another way opens. In the distance, they can see four tall pillars of black stone down the newly-opened path.

 

[renau1g]

Kalas will lead the way, determined to use every ounce of his strength to keep the enemies from further harming his allies. The enemies of The Raven Queen will pay for their crimes, he'd surely see to that.

[sblock=ooc]
Ok, so Kalas in front, Batin at rear? Proposed Marching order:

Kalas - BKT - Sarenax - Kylek - Massacre - Batin
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[stonegod]

Taking up the armor, Batin nods at its fine work. Putting it on, he feels its magic mix with his own and smiles.

Once the path is discovered, Batin makes his way to the back, nodding to the others his readiness.

 

[Lord Sessadore]

Sarenax considers the crystal raven's head a moment more, then stows it in the bag on his hip for the time being. He turns to Bha-Ka-Thet and gives a terse explanation. "The undisturbed coffins are merely the preserved side of the dichotomy of the Raven Queen's realm, it is unlikely Uganon and his followers were the ones to destroy the other coffins. You may disturb them if you wish, they will be restored to their current state in time. Beware, it is not without risk."

The cleric apparently has no more interest in the coffins or the tomb any longer, and makes his way to the shaft and climbs up to the surface again. He pulls forth the crystal raven's head and shows his other comrades. "Three of four gates have been opened. Only the holy writings remain," his hollow voice echoes into the ruins. The ebony dragonborn then stows the crystal again and moves to follow the new path through the fog with the rest.

 

[Oni]

Kylek let out a deep chuckle as he swept the small fortune the tiefling had been carrying into his pack.

This should cover our traveling expenses.

The dagger he looked over appraisingly and then finally thrust it into his belt next to the thick blade he already carried there. He lingered a moment longer over the body before standing. Turning to the newly opened pathway he moved toward it with a purposeful stride.

Let's not keep her majesty waiting.

[sblock=ooc]

Unless someone has a better use for it Kylek will press the pact dagger into use, it will work marginally better with some of his power than his current setup.

I reckon we can figure up how to divide up the wealth later.

[/sblock]

 

[CaBaNa]

Massacre hovers along, keeping Lucifa low over top of Batin, following the one person who always knew when it was...

 

[Walking Dad]

BKT

Bha-Ka-Thet moves in front next to Kalas. The slow pace gives him time to look around for unwelcome surprises...

[sblock=OOC]
Do we use passive perception?

[sblock=Mini stat block]
Bha-Ka-Thet
Perception: 32 Insight: 27 / Low-light Vision
Initiative: +21
AC 36 Fortitude 33 Reflex 35 Will 35
Hit Points: 143 / 143 Bloodied: 71
Temporary Hit Points: 0
Action Points: 0 Second Wind: 1
Healing Surge: 35 Surges per day: 11/12
At-Will Powers: Dancing Cobra (W), Five Storms, Spider Technique, Obscured Avoidance
Encounter Powers: Divine Sun, Three Winds Kick (W), Overpowering Strike (W), Strike the Avalanche, Purifying Meditation, Vow
Daily Powers: Blinding Sun Technique (W), Rising Dragon Fire, Ring the Golden Bell, Twilight Touch, Undimmed Sun, Meditative Solace
[/sblock][/sblock]

 

[covaithe]

Kalas leads the party forward. The pillars at the next clearing are wide, square obelisks some 90 feet tall and 20 freet square at the base, of smooth stone that glows a soft white: easily visible though the mists for some distance. These must be the four Fate Pillars that Felidha spoke of, the beacons to guide you through the mists to the inner sanctuary and the fifth gate, which she promised would light when you have opened the first four gates.

[sblock=religion DC 30]The writings of previous pilgrims to the Raven Queen's citadel speak of the Fate Pillars as places of respite, where they are sheltered from the trials and hazards found elsewhere in Zvomarana, and may rest without fear if they so choose.[/sblock]

[sblock=BKT]The cleric's talk of holy writings reminds you of the library where you have trained these last weeks and months, now burned and ruined. You remember finding the body of your teacher, Ling Kao Po, crushed beneath a collapsed ceiling, still cradling a leather-bound volume in his arms. The book, titled "Meditations", still resides in your pack.
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