The Underdark Primeval [IC]

The Svirneblin merely nodded at Dargo's greeting, only a little suspicious of the dragon-dwarf guardsman's intentions with the "so-called" criminals.
 

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Lady Miria shares the information they have on the tomb (much of this has been heard before). The Stronghammer Tomb has been entered, that much is known. Magical Alarms were triggered, alerting the gold dwarves. Divinations were made, and based on those, the tomb has not been opened. Divinations reveal that nothing, in fact, was taken from the tomb, but that the tomb is now very dangerous. Subsequent divinations revealed that it was two illithids who entered the tomb. The two illithids did not stay long in the tomb before leaving for Eartheart.

The gold dwarves' divinations did not uncover much more useful information. They did try to uncover the motivations of the illithids by asking these three questions: 'Did the illithids intend to loot the tomb of its treasures?' 'Did the illithids leave any traps in the tomb?' And 'Did the illithids create any undead in the tomb?' The results of all three questions were negative. The methods of divination are not 100% accurate, but the gold dwarves are pretty sure the answers were correct. And yet the divinations also revealed that the tomb is very dangerous, though they have not been able to uncover how or why.

The tomb is in an area of faerzress, making divinations and teleportation difficult. In addition, the gold dwarves have constructed the tomb so that teleportation magic does not work at all through the tomb's walls and doors. Teleportation magic does work though, just as long as it does not cross a wall or door of the tomb.

Clan Stronghammer usually keeps the tomb sealed, opening it only for special religious days and observances. Typically, it is opened every month or two.

For safety reasons, the dwarves keep no maps of the tomb. However, they were able to provide the following description.

The first three chambers of the tomb function as a temple, to Moradin. Past the temple is a series of chambers which serves as a gallery of special relics of Clan Stronghammer. Beyond that are the crypts themselves, guarded by powerful stone golems, crafted in the images of Clan Stronghammer's ancestors. Miria hands the party a Sceptre of Observance, a special magical device that the dwarves carry when they visit the crypts. The golems do not attack when the Sceptre of Observance is in the room.

The dwarves are not able to tell you much more. They plan on taking you to the tomb in the morning.
 

"Oh, I just had a terrible thought... what if the illithids managed to turn that golem against you? I mean, if you brought the Scepter in and it attacked instead of... not? Would the Lady be terribly mad if we had to defend ourselves and maybe hurt the golem?" Denasa asks, unnerved at the thought of a golem.
 

Vuoor Seakin : Kuo-Toa Monitor 5

silentspace said:
OOC: Everyone gains 5,000 experience points. Not enough to level, but it's something. :) Lady Miria is essentially giving you 500 gp cash and 1,500 gp worth of equipment you may want (potions, scrolls, wands, etc). Any of the 1,500 gp 'unspent' is lost. Also, if you have additional funds, you are able to buy anything you want here. Feel free to ask questions or interact with each other.

Vuoor steps forward and looks through the items. He searches for a while before finding a beetle-shaped pin. He decides that the value of the pin is greater then what had been quoted to him, so he pulled out some pearls and some gold to make up the balance. Then he attaches the pin to his clothes with a nod and grin.

OOC: I was planning on this BEFORE the post about the golems. REALLY! 1,500 gp + 500 gp + 300 gp worth of pearls + 200 gp = 2,500 gp the price of the Scarab, Golembane. Character sheet updated!
 
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"So our goal is to enter this deadly tomb and discover the nature of the changes made by the illithids? Will no further investigation of the outside of the tomb be conducted? Okay then, I know that places such as this are often defended by more than the obvious golem, are there any other traps that you have placed in there that we should be wary of?" Morph says, trying to prepare himself as much as possible before going into an unknown, dangerous area.
 

Isida Kep'Tukari said:
"Oh, I just had a terrible thought... what if the illithids managed to turn that golem against you? I mean, if you brought the Scepter in and it attacked instead of... not? Would the Lady be terribly mad if we had to defend ourselves and maybe hurt the golem?" Denasa asks, unnerved at the thought of a golem.

"Oh heavens! Is that possible? A golem will only follow the directions of its creator. The golems were created by some of the greatest wizards of the clan. They have all passed on to the next world. Their bodies rest in the crypts." Lady Miria ponders. "It is possible, I suppose. There are magic and powers that can do untold of things."
 

Erekose13 said:
"So our goal is to enter this deadly tomb and discover the nature of the changes made by the illithids? Will no further investigation of the outside of the tomb be conducted? Okay then, I know that places such as this are often defended by more than the obvious golem, are there any other traps that you have placed in there that we should be wary of?" Morph says, trying to prepare himself as much as possible before going into an unknown, dangerous area.

"Your goal is to investigate what happened here. If you can, please endeavor to make the Stronghammer Tomb safe again, so we may continue to honor our dead."

"There are many other traps in the tomb, but none of them can be activated except by the dwarves of Clan Stronghammer. They would require detailed knowledge of the design and construction of the tomb, and great expertise in stonework, trapmaking, architecture and engineering, as well as knowledge of the specific spells required. It is highly unlikely that any of the traps have been set."

"We would only set our traps if we were to seal the tomb permanently, but Clan Stronghammer is still very much alive. As long as we remain in power, we will use the tomb to honor our dead."

"I don't know what condition you will find the tomb in, but normally it is very well cared-for. Clean, welcoming, and very hospitable. The first room of the crypts, the room with the golems, is used as a gathering place for the clan, after ceremonies are held in the temple proper. This is not an ancient, dusty tomb, but an important part of the culture and lives of Clan Stronghammer, a part of our living heritage."

"And there are six golems, not just one."
 


Dargo Golden, Half Deep Dragon Rng/Ftr HP: 83 AC:19

Dargo listened as Lady Miri reviewed the tomb and the possible dangers, concentrating hard on trying to remember everything. 'Golems, danger, traps, brain-suckers, no undead, clean dwarven tomb,' Dargo thought. He sighed quietly, trying to get a read on Lady Miri. He still thought something was up, because something was always up. A suspicious nature is what keeps you alive on patrol.

"So it's the six of us heading in?" Dargo asked.
 

Miserable that he was to be used supposedly as fodder in this whole venture along with his friend Rogoth, Solli listened to the Lady's words dispassionately and quite openly so. But he resolved himself to carry out his "sentence" to the best of his abilities until 'said sentence was finished, or a moment presented itself for he and Rogoth to leave for fairer climes - sotospeak.

Golems and ghosts Lady? It is a wonder that yer Clan's not making sure yer own tombs are safe to begin with. He looked about the gathered group, making much notice of the Kuo-toa (Obviously creatures NOT to be trusted.) and turned back to the woman. Better to send in the "hired help", eh? With a sigh, he continued, Do yer folks have any more suggestions for us brave few, so that we may safeguard our hides all the better?
 

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