Head Over Heels [ADM Bob] Thursday November 20th, 2003 10:35:22 PM
Looking around Andrath, Garrard, and Kedarn see only the vast meadow of multicoloured flowers sundered by the ravine. Each flower shining its beam of light up into the dark black sky and singing its witchy song.
Cadmar notes that most of the flowers fell into the abyss when Wynn retrieved the pot. The few that remain, are beginning to wilt, but he stores them safely just the same.
Wynn circles the large, flat flower, and the splinter points to it, adjusting as he moves so that the sharp tip of the foreign compass is always pointed at the flower.
Lorth senses no evil and bends to have a closer look as do the rest of the adventurers. He suddenly feels as if he is being pulled head first into the flower, as if diving into a pool of deep water. One by one, each of the adventurers is pulled, somersault like, through the portal to the other side.
Regrouping from the jumble resulting from the tumble through the portal, the group finds themselves in a cold white room with walls of translucent marble. Alabaster slabs are evenly distributed throughout the room, and on each slab rests a figure.
(Party's initiative. Please roll your free actions.)
Cadmar 19(20) Friday November 21st, 2003 3:25:13 AM
The ranger draws his scimitar and readies his shield, just in case another attack is imminent [two move actions]. Otherwise he sticks with the rest of the group. Safety in numbers.
How many slabs are there? Do the figures look like bodies or statues? Do they resemble humans? Dwarves? Are they armed? Is there any obvious exit from the room?
Assuming the party is not attacked during the first minute, Cadmar will start searching the room [taking 20 on Search: 23], paying attention not to touch the statues or the slabs.
Cadmar will discard wilted flowers. Did the three he removed with a patch of soil also wilt?
Lorth Friday November 21st, 2003 7:41:28 AM
Lorth shakes his head to regain his wits and readies his warhammer and shield. He puts his back to his friends and tries to get a good look at the statues.
Garrard, AC: 17, Hp: 12 Friday November 21st, 2003 2:27:19 PM
Seeing his associates readying themselves, Garrard readies scimitar and shield, and steps a short distance to cover Lorth's flank.
Kedarn Friday November 21st, 2003 7:49:11 PM
Kedarn readies the bow incase someone attacks the group.
Wynn Brightsong d20+3=4 Saturday November 22nd, 2003 12:15:21 PM
Wynn attempts to help Cadmar search the room [Search=4].
A Peaceful Place ? [ADM Bob] Saturday November 22nd, 2003 12:30:42 PM
Cadmar, Wynn and Lorth search the room as the rest of the party readies their defence. Lorth realizes that the figures that rest on the slabs are not statues, but rather naked corpses. There are easily twenty slabs in the room but only six or seven have a body on them. The bodies look to be newly deceased, unaffected by time or decay. At the head of each slab is a fountain that sprays a fine mist over each corpse.
As the party members begin to move about the room, the light dwindles to darkness, except each member of the party is illuminated by a light that radiates 10 feet around them and no further. As they move, so does the light.
Cadmar, Lorth and Wynn have each moved 30 feet from the rest of the party who defend the south east corner of the room. Cadmar searched north and west, Wynn to the north, and Lorth to the west. They can no longer see each other, or the rest of the party gathered near the entrance.
Garrard Saturday November 22nd, 2003 7:24:51 PM
Garrard will move across the room, trying to look upon the faces of the nearest figures to see if any might be Cassandra. He remains on guard though, and is careful not to be sprayed by the liquid.
Kedarn d20+5=23 Sunday November 23rd, 2003 4:25:40 PM
Kedarn looks around to the best that he can trying to see any possible danger. (spot 23)
Andrath Monday November 24th, 2003 12:15:56 AM
Andrath steps partway into the room and calls out, "We had better stick together, we don't want to get separated. Let's meet here in center of the room, and we can look around together, and try to find an exit. Follow the sound of my voice, and we can form up here."
He continues to call out, hoping the party will move towards him.
Cadmar Monday November 24th, 2003 4:43:58 AM
Cadmar, suddenly unnerved, moves towards the voice of Andrath, paying attention not to trip over anything springing suddenly from the dark.
Wynn Brightsong d20+3=18 Monday November 24th, 2003 5:33:26 PM
Wynn moves towards Andrath's voice. Along the way he stops and closely examines one of the slabs that is adorned with a corpse. Wynn will not touch the corpse, but he will try to determine how long it may have been there and any clues to it's identity.[Search=18]
Lorth Monday November 24th, 2003 6:36:54 PM
Moves toward the center of the room...
Rest in Peace [ADM Bob] Monday November 24th, 2003 10:25:40 PM
The party regroups around Andrath and begins searching the room more systematically. Wynn notes that all the bodies seem remarkably well preserved, as if they had only died yesterday. Garrard believes that the fountains spray some kind of oil on each of the bodies and has discerned that none of the corpses in this half of the room are that of Cassandra, an observation confirmed by the rest of the party. Cadmar checks the status of his "rooted" flowers and discovers that they too grow wilted.
Andrath Tuesday November 25th, 2003 12:50:15 AM
Andrath says, "Let's move around as a group, and keep an eye on each other, so that we don't get separated. We need to look at all the bodies, to see if we recognize any of them, but don't disturb them in any way, and don't get in the way of the sprays, if you can avoid it. Once we have seen all the bodies, let's look for a way out. If there is no obvious exit, then we need to search carefully. [OOC: If necessary, Andrath will search the walls and the slabs, careful not to disturb the bodies, taking 20, for a search total of 30.]
Cadmar d20+3=22 Tuesday November 25th, 2003 5:46:04 AM
Cadmar, who never let the thought that one of the bodies might belong to Cassandra enter his head, discards the sad remains of the flowers he has packed earlier.
Paying attention to stick close to the group, he does his best to aid Andrath's search [aid another: Search 22 - succesful: +2 to Andrath's check].
"We should check for any drafts in the room that might indicate secret doors. Or try to move one of the empty slabs, the exit might be under one of them."
Elerinn Tuesday November 25th, 2003 6:40:24 AM
Elerinn, who followed silently for a while, feels very uncomfortable in this place. The dead seem so fresh, like they died only recently. It seems Cadmar's flowers refuse to live in a place like this. Elerinn discards the flower he picked, unless it hasn't died like Cadmar's.
Elerinn doesn't pray very often, but feels he must do it now. The gnome humbly says: "May Gargul guide their souls."
OOC: I'm sorry I couldn't post anything for a couple of days, my internet connection didn't work.
Lorth Tuesday November 25th, 2003 7:50:30 AM
Lorth takes the time to bless all the bodies in the name of Gargul. "May your journey be swift through the river of souls, wherever your final destination may be." He then follows along with the rest of the party.
Garrard Tuesday November 25th, 2003 3:56:17 PM
Garrard returns to the group, guided by Andrath's voice.
"This place grows more abhorrent the further we go. What drives man to construct so poorly, rather than living within Natures framework?"
Kedarn Tuesday November 25th, 2003 7:28:16 PM
Kedarn looks at the bodies and says "Gargul watch over these souls and see them on a safe journey." A few moments later Kedarn says "May we be guided by Gargul."
Kedarn will continue to move along with the group.
Wynn Brightsong Tuesday November 25th, 2003 11:10:06 PM
The bard reaches into his pocket, retrieving the strange compass once again. Looking down at the sliver resting on the palm of his hand, he studies it, hoping it will provide guidance.
Witch Way? [ADM Bob] Tuesday November 25th, 2003 11:20:47 PM
As Andrath and Cadmar lead the way around and between the alabaster slabs, the group gingerly follows, avoiding all contact with the bodies, the alabaster slabs, and the fine mist that is being continually sprayed over the remarkably pristine remains. Wynn notes that the splinter points in the direction opposite that in which the group is walking...directly at the small pile of abandoned flowers.
Andrath Wednesday November 26th, 2003 12:03:17 AM
Andrath says, "Wynn, is that splinter pointing at the flowers? Maybe we had better bring them along with us? Or maybe we need to wave them around the room? Or how about putting one of each of the flowers on each corpse?"
Garrard Wednesday November 26th, 2003 1:36:24 AM
Garrard thinks for a moment, and states, "We should certainly keep them along if the splinter is pointing at them. Did anyone check if they still gave off light? If so, it might be worth casting light on the corpses here before placing the flowers on them.
Cadmar 19(20) Wednesday November 26th, 2003 7:09:40 AM
Cadmar returns to pick up the three red flowers. "Strange. But then again, so is this whole place."
The ranger briefly puts one of the flowers under the spray, wondering if the strange mist has power to preserve their freshness.
Lorth Wednesday November 26th, 2003 8:48:15 AM
Lorth watches his friends, and keeps a look out about the room.
Elerinn Wednesday November 26th, 2003 5:13:35 PM
Elerinn watches Cadmar putting the flowers under the spray and if this has no affect, suggests putting a flower on one of the pedestals with the dead statues.
Wynn Brightsong Thursday November 27th, 2003 7:32:26 AM
Wynn confirms with the rest of the party that the splinter points back at the flowers and agrees with the various suggestions that have been offered. "If the spray freshens these flowers, perhaps we should try it on the plants we picked for Cassandra."
[ADM Bob] Thursday November 27th, 2003 7:45:33 AM
The party returns to the cast-off flowers lying on the floor. They still give off light, but strangely they only radiate for some 10 feet before their light is absorbed by the surrounding darkness.
As soon as Cadmar places a flower under the spray it starts to recover. The stem regains its turgor, the color of the flower grows more vibrant and the petals seem firmer.
Cadmar Thursday November 27th, 2003 8:04:42 AM
"Well, we probably should refresh the rest of the flowers." The ranger concentrates on doing what he suggested, watching the dead with some unease all the time.
Lorth Thursday November 27th, 2003 9:14:24 AM
Lorth keeps a good look at the bodies, watching them for movement. 'Perhaps this liquid raises people from the dead', he thinks.
Elerinn Thursday November 27th, 2003 12:05:48 PM
Elerinn holds the flower he picked in the spray, and thinks the same thing as Lorth. Although the idea of carrying the dead bodies to the spray disturbs him somewhat, he suggests that this could help, perhaps.
Garrard Thursday November 27th, 2003 1:14:04 PM
"Perhaps it simply repairs dead objects. Once picked, flowers are essentially dying or dead. Has the splinter changed since putting the flower on the body?"
Kedarn Friday November 28th, 2003 3:01:39 AM
Kedarn will cast 'deathwatch' then look at the bodies and at the flowers.
Wynn Brightsong d20+4=18 Friday November 28th, 2003 7:30:47 AM
Wynn rummages through his pack looking for the plants that were picked for Cassandra. Instead he finds one of the light absorbing mushrooms. It too is looking somewhat worse for wear. The bard places it beneath the spray of oil and searches his mind for any recollections of such a substance.[Bardic Knowledge / Knowledge Arcana = 18]
"Who has Cassandra's plants?" he asks the group.
ADM Bob Friday November 28th, 2003 7:40:58 AM
The party refreshes the rest of the flowers and a single 'darkshroom' while pondering the nature of the oil. Kedarn is able to determine that the corpses on slabs within his immediate vicinity [10' radius of sight]are indeed dead. Wynn believes the oil to be "Oil of Timelessness" and that it's properties are similar although not identical to the spell gentle repose.
The splinter now lies inert in Wynn's hand.
Garrard Friday November 28th, 2003 6:35:00 PM
Garrard states, "I have the plants, but I think the answer is with those flowers. Perhaps we should examine the flowers again, and search for hidden exist before we risk a limited resource like the salmonberry."
Wynn Brightsong Friday November 28th, 2003 11:06:21 PM
Wynn continues to rummage around in his pack and his belt pouches until he comes up with two empty vials [formerly contained CLW potions]. He carefully fills each of the vials with the Oil of Timelessness and replaces the stoppers.
"These might prove useful later" the bard says before replacing them in his belt pouch. "As for the flowers, surely they must be some kind of key like the mushrooms. One gives off light, the other absorbs it. I suggets we search the room until we find the lock that fits our key"
Cadmar 19(20) Monday December 1st, 2003 2:09:49 AM
"I don't know if the flowers are the key. It is equally possible that they will be useful later on."
Unless somebody objects Cadmar tries to push every pedestal, hoping that the exit is hidden under one of them.
Loth Monday December 1st, 2003 8:17:49 AM
Lorth gives Cadmar a hand with the pedetals, being sure not to disturb any of the bodies.
Elerinn Monday December 1st, 2003 10:02:12 AM
Elerinn waits what effect Cadmar's actions will have.
ADM Bob Monday December 1st, 2003 11:57:42 PM
Despite their efforts, the group finds no hidden exits among the pedestals, but as they make their way to the far end of the room the 10 foot circle of light falls upon a lattice covered archway. Upon closer inspection, the lattice seems to contain a key hole of strange design.
Andrath d20+10=24 Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 1:24:25 AM
Andrath suggests, "Try shining the light from one of the flowers at the light-absorbing mushrooms, and see what happens." If/while the party tries that, Andrath takes a close look at the strange keyhole on the lattice, trying to figure out what type of key would be needed to fit the hole. [OOC: Search check of 24].
Cadmar 19(20) Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 2:53:57 AM
The ranger is relieved. "For a moment I was worried that it was a dead end."
"Let's see, what could fit the lock? A flower? A bit of the mushroom? Both, combined? Do we still have the skeleton key? I mean the one from the skeleton bones? Let's try out all these combinations."
Elerinn Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 5:57:21 AM
Elerinn nods at all suggestions Cadmar gives, and adds one himself: "Perhaps the light itself could be a key? We could try pointing one of the flowers at the keyhole..."
Lorth Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 8:27:29 AM
Lorth says, "Good ideas all."
Garrard Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 5:44:31 PM
Garrard fetches one of the flowers, and once Andrath is done investigating and safely out of the way, shines the light from the flower into the keyhole.
If there is no reaction, Garrard then shines the flower at the mushroom he carries.
Kedarn d20+5=13 d20+3=9 Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 6:24:59 PM
Looking around trying to see if anything matches the shape of the keyhole. (spot 13, search 9)
Wynn Brightsong Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 11:03:11 PM
Wynn retrieves the mushroom from his pack and offers it to Cadmar for his experimentation.
A key at last [ADM Bob] Tuesday December 2nd, 2003 11:15:14 PM
Garrard and Cadmar try various combinations of flowers and mushrooms as a key but none seem to be the right shape. Andrath grows puzzled by their lack of success, untill Cadmar touches the darkshroom to one of the flowers. As soon as this is done, the darkshroom vanishes and the flower turns to glass. This new flower, when shone on the lock, illuminates it in black and white. In this new light, Andrath quickly recognizes that the lock has the same shape as the glass flower.
Andrath Wednesday December 3rd, 2003 12:41:03 AM
Andrath looks around the room (at least as far as he can see), and says, "Do we want to examine any of these corpses before we leave? In each of the past rooms, we had to interact with what was there. Is it enough to simply take some of the oil, or do we need to do anything else before we move on?"
Cadmar 19(20) Wednesday December 3rd, 2003 3:24:02 AM
"We searched the room itself very thoroughly. I don't know if touching the corpses will bring some trouble on our heads or not, but I'll help you if you like."
"Other than that, let's unlock the door and be on our way. This adventure is growing stranger and stranger with every minute. I don't think anyone in Jarlswolf will believe us when we tell what happened to us in the tower."
Lorth Wednesday December 3rd, 2003 8:12:39 AM
Lorth nods, "Yes lets vacate this place."
Elerinn Wednesday December 3rd, 2003 8:39:14 AM
"I'm glad we can continue to the next room, this place really disturbs me. I personally wouldn't object if we leave these souls be, but if anyone wants to investigate more, I will help him."
Elerinn is somewhat dissapointed when Cadmar states the people of Jarlswolf will not believe them. It feels somewhat unreal to be here, if this group is the only one who will ever now.
Kedarn Wednesday December 3rd, 2003 4:24:06 PM
"Lets not stay here any long." says Kedarn.
Wynn Brightsong Wednesday December 3rd, 2003 6:00:53 PM
Wynn takes a last look behind him and then heads for the lattice door. "I'm ready to move on" he proclaims, "let the dead rest undisturbed".
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