Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Oct 4, 2011 12:04:49 GMT -4
"Well, yes, Kal, you could probably survive swimming to the chest and back... if, as you say, the negative energy doesn't increase in strength as you get closer. Let's see what else we can learn from our hosts."
Belarin turns to Hras'Ka and calls out, "The area of death..." He indicates the region with a wave of his arm. "How long has it been here? Many years? Before the gift of the Devourer arrived?"
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Oct 4, 2011 12:20:49 GMT -4
Hras'Ka looks at Belarin. He points to the shelf edge that drops off into a greater abyss. "This....contest area. Much war. Border of Blue Fin clan. Not claim by any. Dangerous."
He pauses. "Longer we here...more dangerous. Wave, death, one of your year. When box come."
Then he swivels his large fishy eyes across the party. "But box...only prophecy one open. Sahuagin, Blue Fin, we reach. Cannot open."
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Oct 4, 2011 23:42:07 GMT -4
Kal looks from H'raska to Belarin, and then at each of his companions. He takes a few deep breaths, steadying himself for what is to come.
_________ Kal will use whatever healing surges he has to in order to get back to full health.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Oct 5, 2011 9:01:39 GMT -4
"Very well," says Belarin, concern for his friend pushing aside his earlier annoyance. "Perhaps I should go with you. You may need some help with the chest if it's locked, and ... well, as the only other human in our merry band, I could try opening it if you can't, and save ourselves some time."
The warlock turns to Shorak. "Shorak, may I, um, borrow any 'special tools' you happen to have if I do head over to the chest?" He smiles. "You'll get them back, don't worry -- if you promise to help me get my own set, that is. Assuming we ever get to Stormreach, of course.
"Now I'm going to tell our friendly scalawag above what we're doing. He is supposed to be smart, after all."
Belarin sends a mental communication to ir'Turien. Professor. We've reached the chest. There's a necromantic field around it, which seems to be coming from whatever 'holy relic' is inside the chest. I sense that the energy is planar in nature. It's nasty and could kill with prolonged exposure, but we believe we can handle it. If you, Histra, or Sem have any suggestions, now is the time to offer them.
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Post by Dave B. on Oct 5, 2011 9:49:28 GMT -4
Shorak winces as he feels his arm go deathly cold. He quickly retreats to the bubble.
"I would have been very surprised if I wasn't affected."
Hearing Belarin's request, Shorak turns towards him, "Of course. I can loan you my pick set." He turns to Kal. "So, what is the plan?"
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Oct 5, 2011 10:33:36 GMT -4
Taking one last deep breath, Kal hands the pearl to Streko and turns to Shorak. "Belarin, Adamant and I will head over to the chest. Belarin and I will attempt to open it. If anything happens to us, Adamant will drag us back here. If we get it open, we'll remove whatever is inside and move it a few feet back towards the Sphere of Life. Streko, you move the air back as we do. We need to see if what's inside of the chest is causing this field. If so, we stay away from it and let H'raska take it. Either way, once the chest is open, Belarin and I will come back here for air. Adamant can hand whatever is inside over to our sahuagin friends."
Turning to Belarin, Kal grins. "Ready?"
________________ After using his Healing Surges, Kal is ready to try this.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Oct 5, 2011 11:03:09 GMT -4
As he watches his friends debate their course of action, Condign focuses on resting and regaining his strength.
_________________________
Will use healing surges and rest to hopefully get back to full strength.
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Oct 5, 2011 11:53:00 GMT -4
Just a moment, Larest replies to Belarin.
Starg tells me were he there, he may be able to move the chest remotely, but if this necromantic field is coming from either the chest or something within it, this would do very little good. Sem Darlesh is intrigued. He tells me...just a moment....
Nevermind, all he offered was a joke.
Histra says she would be able to suppress this energy field for a short while. But I'm not sure it's wise to send her down, as I do not expect the sahuagin to understand the purpose for her presence. Despite their above-average intelligence, their religious and cultural worldview will override logic in circumstances like this. We do not want to make enemies of them.
As much as I would like to be of some help, it was precisely challenges like this that I hoped to acquire resourceful adventurers like you to circumvent. His tone isn't smug, just matter-of-fact.
Meanwhile, Condign and Kal take a moment, readying themselves for further conflicts.
_________________________
Condign spends one healing surge and is back to maximum hit points.
Kal spends two healing surges and is back to maximum hit points.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Oct 5, 2011 14:29:08 GMT -4
And part of being a 'resourceful adventurer' is, indeed, being full of resources upon whom I can call. Sometimes the resources come in handy... and sometimes they don't, thinks Belarin in reply, adding a disappointed "tsk" at the end. Please tell Histra that I appreciate the offer, but yes, the potential risk of outraged underwater zealots outweighs the potential benefit of her talent. And tell Sem to save that joke -- I want to hear it. I'll update you when it's done.
Ending the mental link, he looks to the others. "I'm not sure what Larest earned a degree in, but I'd bet he majored in Snootiness with a concentration in Bloat. Aside from sticking a false mustache on Histra and lowering a really long rope, there's no surface help in dealing with this. Not unexpected, but it was worth the time to ask."
He looks at Kal and Adamant, nods, and then he turns to accept the tools from Shorak. "Thank you, Shorak... oooh, they're pretty." He pockets the tools and addresses his other friends. "Any other suggestions before we begin?" He takes a couple of deep breaths to prepare his lungs.
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Oct 5, 2011 17:13:46 GMT -4
Were I able to solve this unexpected quest of yours for you, Belarin , Larest returns, I would be perfectly equipped to seek the Eye alone. As it happens, I cannot.
Quieter, Belarin hears filtering through the link as if it were "thought" under the professor's breath (though Belarin knows it must be deliberately sent through): And evidently my ring of telepathy has the secondary effect of inflating its wearer's expectations.
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Joe
Streko Tavven (halfling)
Streko
Posts: 3,518
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Post by Joe on Oct 5, 2011 20:34:15 GMT -4
Streko clears his throat.
"Excuse me. Perhaps I am missing something. The Sahuagin say they can get to the chest without any trouble...they just can't OPEN it. So, why don't we ask them to move it to a place where we can examine it more closely, without having to resort to an air bubble. Perhaps, the foremost deck of our ship? If Histra can supress the necrotic field, then that should be able to protect the ship and her inhabitants long enough for the chosen one, whomever he or she may be, to open it and solve the problem.
"Just thinking out loud, of course. It just seems to make sense...if we can't bring what we need to the chest, bring the chest to what we need.
"Together, Adamant and I should be able to protect us from any undead rebirths, at least until we can escape or the Sahuagin can dispose of them.
"This is, of course, assuming that when the Sahuagin say they can get to the chest, that means they can do so without suffering the effects of the necrotic field. Worst case, the Sahuagin take a rope, tie it around the chest and we pull it up to the surface for Histra to deal with."
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Oct 5, 2011 20:56:28 GMT -4
"I am ready, Belarin, Kal." Adamant nods to them. "But I have the least part of the plan, primarily to be prepared to drag your drowned bodies back to the bubble."
"It is you who will be tested. You will have to contain your breath. I'm told this is difficult; that you will be sorely tempted to open your mouth and suck in sea water. And that lungs filled with water are painful on its own."
"Do you wish to rest first? Or shall we set out now?"
------------- So did we rest and get encounters back or not? I'm actually fine if we don't want to wait.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Oct 6, 2011 10:47:33 GMT -4
"I think we need to move, my warforged friend. H'raska seems nervous. The rest of you, keep a close eye on our surroundings, but gather your strength. Hopefully we'll all be back on the Merrow soon." Kal takes a deep breath, filling his lungs with air, and plunges out into the cold water.
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Brian
Melethos (tiefling)
Melethos
Posts: 5,085
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Post by Brian on Oct 6, 2011 10:58:22 GMT -4
Condign watches Kal and Adamant swim into the water and approach the chest. He keeps a sharp eye out for other sahuagin . . . or any other potential threats.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Oct 6, 2011 12:27:46 GMT -4
Belarin inhales and exhales a couple of more times, and then he too goes into the water--and the necrotic field.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Oct 6, 2011 19:37:13 GMT -4
Adamant nods at Condign's alertness and starts off to the chest.
The warforged swims with little grace, but forces his way through the sea with powerful arms as though battling with it.
------------- sorry guys. I'm well and truly fried tonight...
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Oct 6, 2011 19:47:39 GMT -4
Belarin and Kal feel the cold energy sinking into them as they plunge forward through the sea water. It's baneful, and it's reminiscent of slow suffocation—which is not a welcome sensation under the circumstances. Adamant also feels the lifedraining quality of the space, but knows nothing of suffocation. Still, they all feel the weight and pressure surrounding them.
When the trio reaches the chest—damn, it's big, you could fit a few suits of armorin there!—they see how entrenched it is in the seaweed, and how encrusted with marine life. Evidently this necrotic energy doesn't kill everything indiscriminately.
The warforged and two humans look at the formidable lock on the chest. It looks like a fairly large key would be needed to open it. Belarin's not sure if a large keyhole will make for easier or harder picking...
____________________________
Adamant, Belarin, and Kal take 1 point of necrotic damage.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Oct 6, 2011 20:03:51 GMT -4
Kal looks over at Belarin and Adamant. Here goes nothing, he thinks as he offers the two of them a salute. Then he reaches out to the chest, attempting to open it.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Oct 6, 2011 23:11:05 GMT -4
Belarin looks at Kal, dumbfounded, as his friend tries to open what is -- to Belarin at least -- a VERY locked chest. Expecting nothing to happen, he then crouches down in the underwater weeds in front of the chest -- a strangely unpleasant sensation -- and prepares Shorak's tools. He uses hand signals to guide Adamant's light into an position where he can get a better look at the lock. _________________________________ If Kal's magic touch is not enough to open the lock, then Belarin will make a Thievery check on the lock: Thievery check (1d20+11=16), plus whatever bonus Shorak's set provides, and possibly minus any penalties for the environment.
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Oct 7, 2011 9:31:56 GMT -4
While there is a latch to be lifted, the lock is firmly engaged, and Kal's touch seems to do nothing. When Belarin examines the lock, then gingergly inserts a couple of the picks given to him by Shorak, he can see this isn't going to be easy. Might even be impossible. The sheer weight of the tumblers and the encrusted mechanism (rust and/or barnacles!) make this look like a dead end.
______________________
Dave W., Darren, and Ken: give me Perception rolls. In general, passive Perception (10 + your modifier) is in effect unless you state you want to make a Perception check (in which case it's a roll).
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Oct 7, 2011 9:55:21 GMT -4
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Oct 7, 2011 15:31:08 GMT -4
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Oct 8, 2011 1:09:45 GMT -4
Perception (1d20+6=20) Adamant is pretty alert... He's also the only one not currently messing with the chest...
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Jeff
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Post by Jeff on Oct 8, 2011 8:44:35 GMT -4
Kal and Belarin puzzle over the lock for a moment, unsure where to proceed next. Though he remains slightly back from the chest, Adamant is the one to notice something beneath the barnacles—just barely. It's like noticing the forest, not the trees.
There is a decorative carving in the wood and along the metail rims: the Cyran national crest. He can just make out the crown-and-bell design. The lock itself looks like a generic, decorative symbol at first, but Adamant can see that it's actually a stylized hammer, facing down as if it's part of the metal banding of the chest, with the symbolic bellows in front of it.
In addition, there is an indentation just above the lock that almost resembles a human hand spread out—if a human hand had three large fingers, not five slender digits.
______________________
Adamant, Belarin, and Kal take 1 point of necrotic damage.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Oct 8, 2011 12:10:09 GMT -4
Adamant stands staring at the chest for a moment. In a very precise, controlled voice he tells his friends, "I think I need you both to return to the bubble now. I think it is meant for me to open after all."
"there is the crest of my country, Crye and a place for my hand. I am having some... difficulty... with the finding that symbol in this zone of death. It strikes a bit too close."
"There is no point in arguing, Kal. No words will budge me. I will place my hand in the imprint as soon as you and Belarin are safely out if this space."
------------- Adamant will wait for them to move off. If they try to argue he will stand there statue-like and not respond.
As soon as they are out of the dead zone, he will place his hand to the imprint and we will see what happens.
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Ken
Belarin Malizia
Belarin
Posts: 5,691
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Post by Ken on Oct 8, 2011 13:17:44 GMT -4
Belarin hears Adamant's words, then he stares in amazement at the three-fingered indentation.
Not wanting to spend time in the deathly field arguing the point -- even if he could argue underwater -- Belarin backs away and begin returning to the bubble.
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Oct 8, 2011 14:16:56 GMT -4
Kal can't help feeling disappointment, but he shrugs at the warforged and moves back to the bubble. When he reaches it, he fills his lungs with air. "I was right," he says. "It was Adamant they were talking about." Then he turns to watch as the warforged opens the chest.
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Dave W.
Adamant (Warforged)
Adamant
Posts: 4,643
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Post by Dave W. on Oct 8, 2011 15:35:26 GMT -4
Adamant quietly watches his friends retreat back to air. He turns and places his hand on the three fingered indentation.
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Jeff
Administrator
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Post by Jeff on Oct 8, 2011 23:15:37 GMT -4
Belarin and Kal safely reach the Sphere of Life gain. Adamant turns and places his hand into the grooves, and it seems like a good fit. There is a flicker of white light, a soft crackling sound, and... Nothing happens. The rest of you looking on just see Adamant standing there, seemingly focused on the task. Concentrating, perhaps, on something you can't see or feel. Refresh the page. Adamant feels a strange sensation akin to falling. It happens in the blink of an eye. The chest, the water, the Thunder Sea itself all vanished, washed away as if they were all just a dream...like those described by non-warforged after they wake.
Grassy hills, many trampled and brown, surround him. The sky overhead is overcast, sullen. There is a distant rumble of thunder. The sun is absent, veiled by clouds, making it difficult to determine morning or afternoon. At his back, he can feel the presence of the regiment he is marching with. Has been marching with for days. They number about one hundred strong. Mostly infantry, a ragged group of companies who've been far from home for far too long. The countryside is clearly contested area, though Adamant isn't immediately familiar with where it is.
Far ahead, several hilltops away, he can see another army. From the colors and banners, even from here, he can tell it's a Thranish army. Slightly larger than his own, and numbering more horsemen. About halfway between Adamant and the Thrane army is a small watchtower, probably no more than thirty feet tall, surrounded by a lower, defensibel wall. It's about a hundred yards ahead and looks abandoned.
Adamant feels a curious itch in the back of his mind. It casts doubt on this scene. Makes him almost wonder if any of this is real. One of his warforged allies was telling him a story last night, while the humans were sleeping—is that where he heard it? Some tall tale about a voyage across the sea with diverse companions, even meeting sahuagin and battling beneath the waves. Crazy talk. Adamant knows he's never even seen the sea before, though he's often wondered what color it is.
"You! Listen up!" a voice calls and demands his attention with its strength and tone. Adamant turns and sees a mounted human wearing the uniform of a Cyran colonel—he recalls that colonels usually command regiments, the largest field units usually organized by Cyre. Regiments are made up of several companies (companies are usually three platoons joined up). The colonel looks war-weary but courageous; he bears many scars of battle and brandishes a sword. He exudes authority and Adamant can feel an instinct to obey the man. The colonel waves his sword at Adamant, then points it north toward the watchtower, toward the Thrane army. "Hurry on! We need to reach that tower before they do! Go! Claim it and hold it until the rest of us get there."
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Darren
Kalarian d'Deneith (human)
Kalarian
Posts: 7,310
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Post by Darren on Oct 9, 2011 1:42:29 GMT -4
Reaching down, Kal retrieves the pearl from Streko. "Let me take that burden for you, my friend," he says. Then his attention returns to Adamant, who appears to be standing completely still. "Do you think his....functions....have stopped?"
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