DM Mitch/The Twins 43/43 Monday November 29th, 2021 8:59:33 AM
The party recovers and prepares the cross the room. It's hard to tell how many corpses are in the large cavern as they are all reduced to bone. Strangely pristine bone, but bone nonetheless, scattered about randomly. After inspection it becomes clear it would take more time to gather all the pieces then the party is probably willing to devote - it'd probably take a dozen or more people's concentrated effort to ensure you found all of them while also ensuring no one gets seriously injured by the dangerous crystals.
On the far side of the cavern is another passage of a similar size and shape to the ones before. This one has walls of crystal, though not the exploding kind (as proven by whatever tests you want to do). The crystal that lines the walls is highly polished. Light is easily distributed, and everyone can see reflections quite clearly.
Ahead of you, the entire passage starts to fill with wispy white smoke, and Mya reappears. She looks briefly at her own ghostly reflection before turning her attention to the party. She seems a little nervous and excited.
“You’re so close now. You have come so far” Mya smiles.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Monday November 29th, 2021 2:51:15 PM
"What comes next?" Honor asks, looking around the passage.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 Monday November 29th, 2021 8:02:37 PM
Elron's only a little discomfited by the blade. As they reach the door, a solution occurs to him -- blade in one hand, whappin' stick in the other.
He had been assuming that once they reached the door, they'd push on through. But Mya's presence gives them the opportunity to ask, "How much further?"
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18 (touch 11), 34 of 34hp | Cayzle d20+10=20 ; Monday November 29th, 2021 10:55:27 PM
Zeoll says a prayer and keeps watch ... and listens to the ghost.
Perception 20
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 45/45 | AC 18/11/17 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 12:50:04 AM
Asimov asks Mya, "Is the spider matriarch a ghost too or is she a solid spider woman? This is important as to what devices I have will impact her."
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 6:20:42 AM
"Mya, when we do this thing you ask of us, and if we succeed, could you have your shy friends tell us their names?" Mundhildur asks the wispy girl.
DM Mitch/The Twins 43/43 Tuesday November 30th, 2021 8:25:44 AM Honor asks what’s next Elron asks how much farther (clarification - you did go through the door, the next room is just also crystal it, just less explody versions) Zeoll keeps watch. Asimov asks about if the matriarch is a ghost too. Mundhildur asks about the names of the other ghosts.
Mya seems uncomfortable with people openly discussion the spider matriarch, but she manages to whisper ”Alive to answer Asimov’s question.
”You’re very close. You just have to break the seal. I can’t tell you how.” she puts her fingers to her lips, indicating silence, then looks at her feet in a significant manner.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday November 30th, 2021 2:55:10 PM
"Break the seal," Honor repeats. "Well, we have to find the seal first. Let's get going."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 d20+14=25 ; Tuesday November 30th, 2021 6:33:40 PM
Elron takes "break the seal" literally, and starts looking for a container, door, or other object -- even a weapon in a scabbard -- that might have a seal. He'll also check the floor and walls in case the seal conceals a door. He just wants to find it at the moment, not break it until everyone's ready.
Perception = 25.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18 (touch 11), 34 of 34hp | Cayzle Wednesday December 1st, 2021 12:26:32 AM
"Well, as a drruid, I'm not surre I can countenance crruelty to animals. I'm not brreaking any seal, sea lion, or walrrus!"
Zeoll smiles at his own bad joke.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 45/45 | AC 18/11/17 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Wednesday December 1st, 2021 2:16:12 AM
Asimov says, "Wait are you saying that this creature is sealed somewhere and to face her we have to break whatever is keeping her trapped? I mean we are a capable lot but we've almost been killed several times on our trek through here. Are we sure we can take her? If we break the seal and fall I'm assuming that means she's free to leave?"
DM Mitch/The Twins 43/43 Wednesday December 1st, 2021 12:51:56 PM Honor comments they’ll have to find it first and suggests they get moving. Elron starts opening doors and unsheathing weapons. None of them seem to be the correct seal. Zeoll makes a bad animal pun. Asimov is concerned that they might break the seal and die, freeing whatever evil is there.
Mya seems to take Asimov’s question as an invitation to fully explain the backstory.
“We are chosen ones. Some of them, anyway. Those who were sacrificed for the Matriarch. Lava tubes had collapsed throughout the area. Many, many died. The Matriarch promised an answer. Those who remained believed her, so when she asked for children they didn’t hesitate.”
“After dozens of sacrifices had been made, the matriarchs followers were confused. Why had she not done anything? Why were the fallen still dead? Why had the drow not conquered the surface yet? Why had nothing changed? It was then they began to see the truth. The matriarch only sought power for herself, and was never going to share it. But she had grown too powerful for them to destroy. In their quest for vengeance they had created their own monster.
They plotted in secret, and devised a plan to trap her in her own temple. Wards were put in place to to keep her from escaping, and knowledge of the temple was carefully removed drow history.
But nothing stays hidden forever. It was only a matter of time before someone rediscovered this place. And here you are.”
“We - the chosen - are cursed to stay in this place with her. It is only by killing her and destroying her altar that we will be set free. Free to finally see the Lands of Rest”
“You are almost at the final door. The door that traps the Matriarch inside. The word to open the door has not been spoken since the door was locked. Hopefully you have figured out the answer”
“You can rest here. But she knows you’re here now” Mya starts to turn back to smoke again, “Are you here to save us?”
In the middle of the passage, another message appears on the where she was standing in a kind of ghostly condensation: “Will you follow my cause?”
Honor Bright (Kathy) Wednesday December 1st, 2021 4:02:03 PM
"To be strictly honest, we are not here to save you," Honor says. "At least, not originally. But now that we are here, I will do everything in my power to save you. That is my promise."
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 Wednesday December 1st, 2021 8:57:26 PM "Good one, Zeoll," Elron laughs.
He asks Mya, "I got no problem fightin' th' spider lady, but I think that altar could be cult'rally significant." Perhaps it's not the best joke, but Elron needs a joke right now to avoid pointing out that he has no idea what answer they're supposed to have figured out.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18 (touch 11), 34 of 34hp | Cayzle Wednesday December 1st, 2021 11:21:23 PM
"Oh, yes, I have figurred out the prroperr worrd," Zeoll bluffs. "We will frree you and kill this monsterr. Show us the way to the doorr."
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 45/45 | AC 18/11/17 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Thursday December 2nd, 2021 5:22:34 AM
Asimov says, "The altar might be culturally significant but if it fueled the rise of this matriarch it might also be evil. I guess we deal with the matriarch first then study the altar. If Honor says the altar is evil should we turn it over to the Drow or should we destroy it?"
DM Mitch/The Twins 43/43 Thursday December 2nd, 2021 7:59:17 AM Honor comments on their mission. Elron likes Zeol’s pun and makes a joke that no one gets. Zeoll says he totally knows what she’s talking about. Asimov asks about destroying the altar if it proves evil.
Mya is already turning to smoke as people make their comments and doesn’t respond. There is a door forward, presumably leading to the seal from Mya’s comments, and a door backwards. The words written on the wall seem to be important - Intelligence check 15 Highlight to display spoiler: {Every time Mya has shown up she has left behind words, perhaps they are a clue for the seal?}
Honor Bright (Kathy) d20+1=14 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 12:23:37 PM
Honor is not the brains of the outfit. She frowns at the words on the wall, but they make no sense to her.
"Are we ready to continue?" she asks her companions.
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 d20+1=3 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 8:16:32 PM
All the running back and forth and carrying of apparently fresh corpses (which may not be as fresh as they appear) has left Mundhildur's brain a bit short on picking up clues (Int. check 3).
However, aside from that, are the words on the wall 'Will you follow my cause?' - or something else?
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 d20-1=9 ; Thursday December 2nd, 2021 8:38:19 PM
Words on the wall? That's for the eggheads to worry about. Elron looks for something to whap, and he figures that means going forward.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18 (touch 11), 34 of 34hp | Cayzle d20+1=21 ; Friday December 3rd, 2021 12:01:42 AM
int check 21. woo hoo
zeoll points out that every time the ghost has disappeared, she leaves words behind. zeoll scratches at his mane, peppered with grey, and tries to recall and put together the words.
[ooc; sorry, this laptop does not do caps well.]
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 45/45 | AC 18/11/17 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 d20+4=5 ; Friday December 3rd, 2021 1:44:22 AM
Int Check: 5 (Natural 1 :(
Asimov says, "I'm glad you thought of that Zeoll, my friend, for I just had a brain fart."
DM Mitch/The Twins 43/43 Friday December 3rd, 2021 8:08:04 AM "Most of the words were carved in the stone right?" "We can just go back and check them." the Twins point out.
DM Mitch/The Twins 43/43 Friday December 3rd, 2021 8:10:44 AM
After some thought and discussion the party determines that there are phrases left behind by Mya every time she appeared. A bit of backtracking gathers them all. It reads -
I wait and I watch I strike without pause Vengeance is justice Will you follow my cause
Presumably this is some sort of clue for the seal Mya mentioned. There's only one place left to go - through the door on the other side of the hallway you last met her and directly presumably to the seal.
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 Friday December 3rd, 2021 10:32:57 AM "Th' answer, I say, th' answer is no. I won't follow a cause what holds that vengeance is justice. Now let's be gettin' through that door. . . an' do some whappin'."
Honor Bright (Kathy) Friday December 3rd, 2021 1:17:38 PM
Honor frowns a little. "That's Jancassis, right? 'Vengeance is justice?'"
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Friday December 3rd, 2021 2:50:50 PM
When she hears Honor's words, Mundhildur takes up her longspear, aiming it toward the door, and is ready to step through should the door now open. If such does not happen, she says, "Zeoll, Honor, you two just may have taken us from bewildered to aware. My thought is this. Let us all be ready to attack and defend, then, Honor, stand before the door and say again the name you have said."
She makes herself ready for action, and is at full stature.
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 45/45 | AC 18/11/17 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Sunday December 5th, 2021 10:33:01 PM
"So does this mean the matriarch is somehow associated with Jancassis? If so I don't think this bodes well." He says to the party.
"Irony, Look sharp." He says to the mechanical minion.
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18 (touch 11), 34 of 34hp | Cayzle Sunday December 5th, 2021 11:23:26 PM
"The drrow arre beloved of Jancassis, if I rrecall my Woldian spirrituality corrrectly," says Zeoll. "I think you arre rright on, Miss Honorr."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18 (touch 11), 34 of 34hp | Cayzle Monday December 6th, 2021 11:14:29 PM
"I will take yourr worrds to hearrt," Zeoll tells Mundhi. "Is everrybody rready?" When the group is ready to spring forward, the greymane taur takes out several scrolls, casting Heroism on Honor and Invisibility on himself -- and setting the others on the floor. "Okay, let's prroceed!" He hopes the invisibility will not end before the encounter begins!
Zeoll picks up the visible scrolls. He'll need them to be visible if he is to read them!
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 d20+7=22 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 1:03:17 AM
Mundhildur says, "Ready." If the door opens, and unless someone else says they want to be first to enter, she will take that position, going in, and looking about her.
Perception: 22
DM Mitch/The Twins 43/43 Tuesday December 7th, 2021 1:15:23 AM
The party speculates on the answer to the riddle before moving on. Through the next door and down an ominous hallway they find what is very obviously the seal. The door ahead is a mass of moving, swirling black shadows. Above the door is simply written: “Who am I?”
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 45/45 | AC 18/11/17 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Tuesday December 7th, 2021 2:38:45 AM
Asimov waits for someone else to answer the riddle. He doesn't like the look of that door one bit.
Honor Bright (Kathy) Tuesday December 7th, 2021 6:04:29 PM
Honor draws Virtue.
"Jancassis," she says. "Matriarch, show yourself!"
SteveM - Elron | AC 21 (19 if raging), HP 49/49 Tuesday December 7th, 2021 8:08:49 PM
Glad that Honor has taken it upon herself to say the name, Elron waits with a weapon in each hand -- trusty whappin' stick and magic double chicken saber. Still, he can't not talk. . . "I've got, I say, I've got a bad feelin' 'bout this."
Asimov and Irony | Hugh | AC 17/13/15 HP 45/45 | AC 18/11/17 HP 35/35 Hardness 2 Tuesday December 7th, 2021 9:12:24 PM
Asimov readies his devices for the battle ahead.
"Let's do this."
Zeoll the Greensinger | AC18 (touch 11), 34 of 34hp | Cayzle d20+20=35 ; Tuesday December 7th, 2021 11:44:59 PM
Invisible, Zeoll stays toward the back, behind Bill the Camel. He has a scroll in hand, hiding it with Bill's body, since otherwise it would look like it was floating in midair.
Stealth 35, 100% concealment, 50% miss chance
Mundhildur Karadottir, Jotun singing giant (large 10'4") (Kim) AC 17 Touch 13 FF15 HP 41/41 Wednesday December 8th, 2021 1:38:45 AM
If the door opens, Mundhi heads in far enough to let whoever wishes to come in behind her have room to do so. Her weapon is ready, her mind steeled against whatever mischief this bad bad lady may have in mind.
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