Chapter 12: Shadows in the Dark

[Jeff]

The wraith-like armored figure is still some distance out, forcing Belarin to really shout to be heard. But to the others, he still does a surprisingly good Lord Vessar. However, Belarin has never heard Vessar shout, so he's doing his best guess there.

Either way, the figure continues forward, seemingly unfazed by Belarin's attempt. Either he is somehow bluffing as well or has instructions that do not allow it to turn away. Thinking about it, Belarin realizes it's possible the creature has a more proper name or title; Shorak and Streko only heard Branash call it an "emissary" once, and it was all that they had to go on. It may not be a term Vessar would use.

The wraith is now under a minute away.

[Brian]

Condign watches the wraith approach. "We are dead if it crosses the portcullis," he says. "Whether the chandelier is a trap or not, we need to take the risk."

Pointing his finger at one of the chandelier's black candles, he mutters a word and lights it.

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Condign uses Prestidigitation to light a candle on the chandelier.

[Darren]

Dec 4, 2015 8:45:14 GMT -4 Brian said:

Condign watches the wraith approach. "We are dead if it crosses the portcullis," he says. "Whether the chandelier is a trap or not, we need to take the risk."

Pointing his finger at one of the chandelier's black candles, he mutters a word and lights it.

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Condign uses Prestidigitation to light a candle on the chandelier.

Kal smiles at Condign. "Cute trick," he says, as he flicks both hands towards the chandelier and lights all of the remaining candles.

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Dramatic license here. Kal is also using Prestidigitation, but he's used it a lot more than Condign, so I figure he's better at it.

[Jeff]

I didn't explicitly state it, but the chandelier is not hanging low toward the ground. The ceiling, as mentioned, is forty feet high, and I'd say the chandelier is hanging fifteen feet down from that (so still twenty-five feet above you). Prestidigitation has a range of 10 ft. So you'll need another method.

[Ken]

Belarin sees that they’re rapidly running out of time to act.

“I said,” he calls out in Vessar’s stern voice, “you are DISMISSED.” With a wave of Belarin’s hand, Lord Vessar himself steps out of the shadows and glares at the approaching Emissary.

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We’re not quite in rounds yet, so I should be able to take a few extra seconds to cast minor illusion and do another Deception check, if one is necessary. I’d like to think the first result still applies, but that’s your call, Jeff.

“Lord Vessar” will stand just inside the entrance, so the interior gloom will (I hope) conceal any gaps in the illusion. And here’s the Charisma (Deception) check, if you feel it’s needed:
Belarin: repeat 2 d20+6  → 13; 10(7 + 6);(4 + 6) #Deception check with Advantage. That’s a 13. Certainly not as good, but maybe the illusion will boost that.

[Jeff]

Sheathed in illusion, and looking more or less as Belarin remembers Lord Vessar to look—with his dark robe, scars, and uncertain older age—Belarin stands just inside the gate.

The knightly wraith stops, then, staring back at him for a moment. Then the figure continues to advance, walking more slowly now as if desiring to be more cautious.

Then it speaks, and Belarin has to strain to hear the words.

"My lord Branash has not introduced me to his elder," the wraith-figure says in his whispery voice.

[Ken]

“Lord Vessar” sniffs derisively. “Another oversight on his part,” he says. “Very well… pay heed. Things have changed dramatically. That idiot, Malizia, released a demon that has sworn to slay every member of our House. Killing it takes far greater precedence than Branash’s petty grievances. His cousin, Histra, is being chased by that demon on this plane as we speak. I charge you now with protecting Histra and bringing her here. Our family must be whole. Now go!”

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Another roll? The funny thing here is that, aside from the Vessar identity, everything Belarin is saying is true. 

[Dave B.]

"We're running out of time! If lighting those candles doesn't activate the portcullis, we'll need to risk going through what may be an illusory wall or even a portal to somewhere." Shorak moves closer to the alcove, ready to take that risk.

[Darren]

"Wait a moment," Kal says, eyeing the distance to the candles. He raises his fingers and a ball of flame dances on between his fingertips. He frowns and concentrates, and the ball becomes a bit smaller. Seeming satisfied, Kal draws his hand back and flings the ball of flame up at the candles, trying to light each one in turn.

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Not sure how you want to handle this, Jeff, but Kal will try using Fire Bolt to light the candles without wrecking the room or the candelabra. He will also try to stand out of sight of the emissary, since flinging fire around the room is probably not the way Vessar would light the candles.

[Jeff]

The armored wraith keeps walking, a slow but steady pace, and this time its head swivels back and forth as if looking for an ambush.

Then it reaches back and draws the greatsword from its back.

Meanwhile, Kal flings a bolt after bolt of upwards along the chandelier's perimeter, where the ten candles are nestled.

The wraith draws closer. "It seems strange to me...Vessar"—Belarin notes it offers no title with the name—"That you would deign to command me. I do not serve the ir'Serell family."

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[Posting remotely: can't use colored text at the moment. Darren, give me two spell attack rolls to represent the accuracy of his spells on the whole.]

[Darren]

Both rolls came up as a 19.

[Ken]

“YOU,” says Belarin/Vassar, “obey Branash, and he obeys ME. So, yes, Servant, you do serve the ir’Serell family, whether your dead mind recognizes that or not. Leave here and serve, or be returned to nothingness.” He keeps his voice calm and stern, as though he’s talking to a disobedient dog, and he readies a wand to show that he’s done with the discussion.

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Last chance! I get the feeling that he’ll be right on top of me after this, so I’ll ready a Dodge action in case he decides to charge the rest of the way. One more Charisma (Deception) – or maybe Persuasion? – roll in case it’s needed:
Belarin: repeat 2 d20+6  → 17; 25(11 + 6);(19 + 6) #Deception check with Advantage. Nice. It’s the same modifier for Persuasion, so good either way.

[Jeff]

Kal's blasts of fire are well placed, rustling just above each candle so the wicks are lit without overly heating the candle. One, then another, then another, as he slings fire to light the candles as swiftly as possible.

The wraith pauses, red eyes smoldering. Belarin can't help but think that he may be saying the wrong things...but he also thinks he's got the right authoritative tone—and the confidence to deliver it.

At the eighth lit candle, the armored figure starts forward again. Only thirty feet away from the entrance now...

Then the ninth and tenth candle are ablaze and the room, while it grows no warmer, is suddenly much brighter.

The portcullis sinks down swiftly with barely a sound, its black teeth striking the stony ground.

Then knight-wraith stops, ten feet from the gate. Sword held out, it says, "Belarin Malizia." Immediately it looks around, and up toward the sky and shaft of light, then it moves to one side, stepping out of Belarin's view.

[Darren]

Kal draws himself up, prepared for a fight, then sags visibly with relief as the portcullis slams down. As the wraith vanishes out of sight, though, worry once again creases his face. "There may be another way in," he says. Looking with concern at the black doorway, he says, "We have no way to know where that leads." Walking towards the opening, he sticks one end of his sharrash through, quickly pulling it back, hoping that it will release as easily as it goes through.

[Ken]

Belarin shakes off the illusion, returning to his normal, if bloodied and ravaged, appearance. He leans against the wall, exhausted.

"I hope those candles last a long time," he says. ".... I'm sorry - AGAIN... it seems even my love life puts you all in grave danger." He focuses his sight on the black passageway.

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Summoning the Eldritch Sight again, now on the mystery passage.

[Dave W.]

Adamant slumps noticeably, letting weariness win a small victory. He sheathes his sword and touches the octogram affixed to his chest, "Thank you, Lady... Once again, we are in Your debt for the safety of Your Light."

Pulling himself back up straight... except for the damage head... "I'm sorry my friends, I wish I had made better choices than the ones that have lead us to this spent condition. We must hold together just a while longer. There will be rest soon enough."

"Kal is right there must be another way out or what is the purpose of that doorway? Belarin, do we need to wait for Histra here? How can we let her know how to follow us if we use this door?"

[Jeff]

The tip of Kal's sharash makes contact with the alcove wall, then passes through it without resistance. The black-painted stone simply vanishes, revealing impenetrable darkness that the chandelier's light does not pass through.

Belarin, upon regarding it, detects an aura of evocation around the darkness.

[Dave B.]

Shorak quickly goes over to pick up the stone that Kal had cast light on and walks over to the dark passage to see if that light penetrates in any way.

[Jeff]

It does not.

[Ken]

Belarin says, "I'm sensing... evocation magic, but that's probably what's creating the darkness."

He looks at Kal and Condign. "For what it's worth, I think we should take advantage of the break and stay here until the candles burn out or the Emissary find a way in. If the candles are 'good,' the darkness may be 'bad.' No need to risk it unless we're forced to."

[Brian]

"I agree," says Condign. "We need rest. I will take the first watch. Kal needs healing before we proceed or the poison will overcome him. Everyone, find a spot and lay down."

The tiefling moves to the alcove, stopping ten paces before it, and waits.

[Jeff]

Meanwhile, Shorak and Condign, both standing near the alcove, hear a very faint rustling sound within the magical darkness. "Who are you?" a voice demands, and it echoes through what sounds like a stone passage. It might be a woman's, it's hard to tell. It is very soft. "Come forward and answer."

---

So a short rest will allow you to spend any remaining hit dice to heal. A long rest is needed to get spell slots back. And both Tangat and Streko will regain 1 hit point on their own after 1d4 hours (we'll do a roll).

[Darren]

"Okay," says Kal, giving in to his companions. "I don't like it, but we'll stop here. At least there's only two entrances to this room, so it should be a bit easier to defend," he gestures to the portcullis and the doorway. "But it will be two per watch. Remember, we are still in the realm of the dead, and Histra warned us about staying here too long. We will stay here until Histra comes back, which will hopefully be soon." Kal slumps to the floor against the wall farthest from the portcullis. "Shorak, take first watch with Condign. Remember, this is a place of forgetting. Talk to each other. Tell stories of the old days." Kal's eyes begin to close with exhaustion and his voice grows softer. "Condign, wake Adamant in two hours to replace you. Shorak, wake me in four. We'll...." Kal's words are lost in a yawn. "...trade shifts every two hours....." Kal's voice trails off and his words are replaced by a gentle snoring.

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Kal is proposing a full 8 hour rest, which means staying here for 12 hours so that everyone gets a chance to rest. I think we need it....

Condign and Shorak are on for hours 1-2.
Shorak and Adamant take 2-4.
Kal and Adamant take 4-6.
Kal and Belarin take 6-8.
Belarin and Streko take 8-10.
Streko and Condign take 10-12.

That puts everyone on watch for 4 and resting for 8. Jeff, does that work from a rules standpoint?

This is my recommendation, unless Histra comes back or we get attacked before that time is up.

[Ken]

"Sounds... good," says Belarin, already sitting against the wall with his eyes closed. His dagger is in his lap. "I pray to the Host that I don't dream... "

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Sounds good to me, Darren. Belarin recovers his spell slots more quickly, but he's in no shape to go into details about that.

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks questioningly at Condign, then turns toward the rest of the group before they get too comfortable. "New development. There's a voice coming from the darkness. Sounds female and she wants to know who we are."

[Brian]

"I can answer well enough from here," Condign says to the voice. "I am called Condign, and I am traveling with friends. I have given answer. Now it is your turn. Who are you?"

[Jeff]

"Come forward, or else you must leave this place. Do as I request, and you may yet remain in peace." The voice is still soft, easily heard only by Shorak and Condign, who stand near the alcove.

[Dave B.]

Knowing that he of everyone is the least wounded, Shorak nods his head and winks at Condign. "We need to rest and recover." With that Shorak enters the darkness. He uses one hand to follow the wall and continues to hold the lit stone in the other.

[Brian]

Alarmed, Condign tries to stop Shorak but the half-drow is too quick and disappears into the darkness.

In an act of desperation or inspiration, he calls out, "Argushem be with you, Shorak! Call if you need me!"

[Jeff]

As Shorak is about to step into the unknown, an arm suddenly emerges from the darkness and grasps Shorak by the throat. "No, not yet."

A long black glove conceals the hand and slender arm, but the half-drow can feel an unnatural cold through the material and the hint of long nails at the fingertips. The grip on his neck is firm but it does not squeeze. A long curved blade like a scimitar follows, emerging from below the arm and stopping just short of his stomach. The point presses against him. Given the angles, the woman must be a bit taller than Shorak. She's certainly strong.

Then a woman’s voice issues from the impenetrable gloom, quite feminine but somewhat deep. Loud enough for everyone to hear now.

"Because beauty is my right and power my wage, you will not live and you will not age. Hold fast, my love, if only you will see. Only darkness can protect you from me."

As the rest of you are interrupted by this turn of events and look over to Shorak’s predicament, Belarin—though still addled by pain and feeling like he’s in the throes of a deathly hangover—recognizes the cadence of a riddle.

As if to confirm it, the woman’s voice demands, “What am I?”

---

So Belarin's mind pictures it like this, riddle-style (his fey-addled head is filled with fey riddles all the time):

Because beauty is my right and power my wage
You will not live and you will not age
Hold fast, my love, if only you will see
Only darkness can protect you from me