Post:
Andriel stands in front of the tomb, at the back of the party with her small entourage of the undead, listening to Herr Johannes words.
"Hmm, well as long as a fireball or an avalanche does not occur, I suppose we should be fine," she says to herself in jest as she considers.

She seems distracted by the tomb entrance when suddenly Herr Johannes calls upon her to elaborate upon her experiences in dungeons as they (Herr Johannes and Andriel) had talked about on the way to the tomb.
"What?  Hmm, um oh yes, my previous travels have taken me to many a tomb, dungeon, and the like.  They are a common place that adventurers seem to find themselves, be it in search of loot, or some ancient artifact to stop an army of evil, or to find the tomb of a wizard who cause a great plague, etc.  Dungeons and tombs tend to be the places these things are kept.  Basically whenever there is something really old and valuable that someone wants to keep from intruders.


Typically these things are traps, or perhaps left over denizens like a barracks full of guards, or creatures that have taken up residence in such places to eat the unsuspecting adventurer.  The point being is that you must be on your guard.

That is especially important to be aware of- traps.  Basically, don't touch anything or go anywhere until our rogue has had a chance to look it over for traps or if one of us who have a spell like 'find traps' can cast it and have a chance to look it over"

Actions:
Andriel draws her flail and shield, and looks for cover with Lerdeth.
She then takes cover after they find some.

Rolls:
{23:04, Today: Andriel rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Spellcraft, on the tomb trap spell; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Sun 19 Nov 2017.

The party hurriedly ran forty feet away from the tomb door and took shelter behind a mound of rocks. Alacor stood upright behind the mound and carefully aimed his staff at the door.

"Melt away all that is in our path!"

An orb of acid shot from the end of his staff, and Alacor quickly crouched behind the mound with the rest of his companions, all of whom eagerly watched over the edge of the rocks like curious children. The door exploded in a nova of acid, as if Alacor's acid splash had been magnified a dozen times over and cast in every direction, but the brilliant green nova dissipated into nothingness well before it reached the party. Warily, the adventurers stepped out from the mound and re-approached the entrance of the tomb, desirous to see what had become of the once-impassable door.

The stone-slab door had completely melted away.

In its place was an empty rectangular entrance leading to a narrow staircase; the staircase descended deeper into the cliffside.




"It's too cramped for horses," said Johannes, noting the size of the passage. "We'll have to leave them up here."

After Johannes and Lerdeth tied the reigns of their horses to a nearby tree, the party began their descent into the tomb, keeping their senses alert. As they traversed down the steps, Johannes asked Adwonus if he knew anything else about the tomb.

"You now know as much as I do, bud," he replied succinctly.

The adventurers followed the narrow staircase downward, about thirty feet or so, until it emptied them into a square stone room, a room that had several peculiar features. First off, on the opposite side of the room was yet another heavy stone door, much like the first, and one that likely couldn't be opened without solving some ridiculous or cliché riddle. Second, in the exact center of the chamber was a wooden pedestal with an hourglass on it.

"Look," said Adwonus. "There's another inscription above the next door."


Click.
Click.
Click.
Click.

Several things happened in quick succession around the room that immediately alarmed the party. Most noticeably, the hourglass on the pedestal flipped over as though turned by a ghostly hand; the sand now swiftly fell through to its base, and – by the look of it – the party guessed they had no more than a minute before time ran out.

Additionally, two hidden panels appeared, rotating from within the left and right walls, each bearing an inscription of their own.





"Wait!" cried Ziv, anxiously glancing between the two riddles. "Where's the third? He said there would be three riddles, so where's the third?"

"Above us!" answered Johannes, pointing toward the ceiling just above the hourglass. The party looked up and found, to their surprise, that a panel bearing a riddle had appeared there as well {09:37, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Herr Johannes, rolled 26 using 1d20+6. Reactive Spot Check.}.



Sand fell steadily through the hourglass.


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:26, Sun 19 Nov 2017.

Ziv, thinking quickly on her feet, cried out, "That first one is 'nothing'!"

In Character Chat:

Crispin
Heads up everyone, some more traps activated when that hourglass did...which you shouldn't touch because that's now rigged. So is the staircase that we took to get here and the door leading onwards.
I'll look into em', you guys handle the riddles

Johannes
Look above us!  There is another riddle on the ceiling!

I think the 3rd riddle on the ceiling is darkness!

Ziv
I know it's stars, @Johannes!

Johannes
Hmm, that sounds more likely.

Do we just shout them at the riddle boxes!?

I was thinking 3 could be the answer for riddle number 2!  Does that seem right?  I was not sure though since it said she had brother -s- plural!

Good call on the traps @Crispin, we will see about the riddles!

Alacor
What about 7? 3 brothers and 4 sisters, the narrator is one of the sisters.

Ziv
Twice as many sisters as brothers?

Alacor
Each brother has twice as many sisters, so each brother has 2 brothers and 4 sisters

Ziv
Oh! That works.

Johannes
Excellent thinking Alacor!

Johannes
How do we answer the riddles though?  Just speak them aloud?

Andriel:
That could be, like a spell trigger.  Any other guesses?  Did you cross this in any of your studies Alacor?  Or you Crispin {@Gino Dii}, in your study of traps?  {Please roll some knowledge checks for this! @Michael Postma, our local knowledge expert, got anything?}

Johannes
For that matter, where you able to tell anything about the trap on the door, like the spell involved in it Alacor?  It might give us a clue to what we need here.  {Spellcraft check on the trap spell?  Andriel got a natural 1...}

Ziv
This is the longest minute of my life...

Alacor
10:42, Today: Alacor rolled 20 using 1d20+9.  Knowledge dungeoneering.
10:37, Today: Alacor rolled 25 using 1d20+19.  Spellcraft check; trap.

Johannes
Cabrakan, place your shield firmly between us and the door!  And ready a dispell if you have it!
This message was last edited by the player at 05:28, Sun 03 Dec 2017.

Post:
Andriel considers to herself if there has been anything like this in her travels before or readings, but she doesn't seem to have anything come to mind, except one time.  It was an adventure before many of the other group had adventured together.  It was a tomb, beneath the very fortress overlooking the bay, known locally now as Ft. Zombiehead.  Though, now she knew its other name, , much better than the name it now bears.  It was a fort that guarded one of the best bays and thus best ports on the Isle.  It was a major shipping port that the elven (Estraen) navy claimed overwatch for.  Beneath this very fort was the tomb of 3 of the greatest heroes of that era, now buried and twisted like so many other things on this Isle after the cataclysm of undeath corrupted all here without mercy.  Their tomb was quite large, likely owing to their wealth and renown in life.  The first level was guarded by a great stone golem, which only the most powerful wizards can assemble she learned.  The tomb was not only a tomb however, it was also or at least contained also a shrine to the elven goddess (or was it patron saint?  She could not recall...) named Ashara, the goddess of water, air, wrath and the storm, if she remembered right.
Her shrine was particularly full of riddles.  The party had descended about 30 ft from the 1st level before reaching this "puzzle" level.  It opened to a room with the 3 elven saints immortalized in marble figures, all standing atop acropodium with inscriptions which seemed to be hints of the key to progress on to the next level.  The statues here each stood with their hands slightly open as if waiting for their weapons to be once again put in their hands.  That was how they "answered" the riddles in that case, by acquiring the ceremonial weapons (after figuring out more riddles) and placing them in the hands of the statue.

She hears Crispin's concerns and quickly realizes there is more she can do to help than she thought.  "Crispin!  I could see about dispelling any spell caused by the trap... wait, oh no!  I cannot!  I did not prepare that spell this morning, Alacor!? is there anything you can do?!"

Actions:
Andriel looked in case if there was a similar depression as the gem from the golem or a keyhole or something, in this case, to answer the riddle somehow.
...She reconsiders her action and prioritizes the dispell (if it is even possible), else she takes cover.
She readies a dispell against any trap triggered by their answer (from the door if she needs to choose)

Rolls:
{16:57, Today: Andriel rolled 9 using 1d20+8.  Spellcraft, How the riddles work, especially the input; tDI. - seriously, a second natural 1 on this?
17:25, Today: Andriel rolled 20 using 1d20+3.  Spot Check, for key holes or depressions to answer the riddles; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Sun 03 Dec 2017.

"The second one must be 7!" The wizard said as he quickly lowered his hands that he was counting fingers on. He took a moment to look at the trap and see if he could figure out anything about it.

10:37, Today: Alacor rolled 25 using 1d20+19.  Spellcraft check; trap.

He also drew on his studies of tombs and riddles to figure out how to activate the riddles.

10:42, Today: Alacor rolled 20 using 1d20+9.  Knowledge dungeoneering.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Sat 02 Dec 2017.

"I'm afraid I have little experience with this kind of thing. I spent most of my time learning to fight rather than how these traps work" Lerdeth stands gaurd looking in case enemies appear while the others investigate the traps.

Upon studying the rigged door leading to the next room, Crispin quickly realized something: "Ah hell this is NOT good.
This door is going to...I dunno do SOMETHING bad as soon as it opens.
THAT'S going to happen when we answer these riddles in whatever the hell the proper way of doing that is.
AND we probably only have until that hourglass stops.
SPEAKING OF WHICH don't even go near that thing, let alone touch it!
IN SUMMARY...we might be eating a trap soon. I still need a little more time to determine whether I can disarm em' or not."

Cabrakan stood watching all the events of recent times transpire. It was almost as if he weren't there at all, mind hundreds of miles away.. most unhelpful when others were there to count on him

"Traps are not my forte!" He exclaimed, making sure all heard him. "I can not trust myself with things like this... simply direct me in how you think I can help, if not I will stand back. I can't risk a mistake causing any sort of harm to anyone.. what can I do?"

Per Johannes request, the cleric took mighty shield in hand and planted it between the door and his comrades
-total defence in front of team-
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Sun 03 Dec 2017.

Post:
I hear Crispin's words and spring to action, with as much as I can think of.
"Blast, that is not good to hear Crispin, see what you can do, maybe if the riddles are answered properly, the spell will be disarmed?  Everyone else, take cover away from the door, but not anywhere Crispin said not too, that might mean all we have is our shields, perhaps even, only Cabrakan's shield.
Is there any magic you all know that could help disarm it or protect us?  I am not an expert with the arcane, but I know there are a few spells that could help: protection from energy, resist energy, or perhaps the most important would be if any of you know dispel magic?  It can be a counter to most spells I am told if performed correctly, I believe called something like counter spelling.  Andriel, Alacor, Cabrakan? Any of you know any of these spells or techniques?
Other than that is as many as possible take cover behind Cabrakan's shield, perhaps with myself or Lerdeth in front, since we are able to handle what may come.  Lord watch over us.
Lastly, we must answer the riddles correctly.  I think Ziv is right that the last is not darkness but stars, and 7 sounds right for the second one Alacor and Crispin. Let us shout the answers to each riddle!"
The answers are spoken aloud by my friends leaving me to answer the 3rd.
"I will answer the 3rd then!  The 3rd riddle is stars!"

Actions:
I take cover if possible behind a pillar or shield, as long as it does not touch anything Crispin said not to touch.
I consider if there is anything I studied about such traps/riddles

Rolls:
{00:24, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (Nobility & Royalty), on tomb riddles; tDI.
00:23, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 5 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (History), on tomb riddles; tDI.
00:23, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 16 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge (Religion), on tomb riddles; tDI.
00:22, Today: Herr Johannes rolled 9 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge (Arcana), on tomb riddles; tDI.}
This message was last edited by the player at 05:25, Sun 03 Dec 2017.

After the riddle-bearing panels appeared around the chamber, the party, for the most part, panicked. Some hid, some screamed like little girls, and some began to re-consider their life choices, but in the end, a handful stepped up to the challenge.

"Nothing!" Ziv yelled at one of the panels. For a brief moment she felt silly yelling at a piece of stone – I mean, it was just a stone, right? How is it supposed to know English? – but then to her delight, the inscription on the panel suddenly glowed green and flipped back into the wall, delivering a clear signal that she got the answer right. She glowed with pride at her acuity.

"Seven!" said Alacor to the other, and that inscription, too, glowed green and flipped back in to the wall. The wizard did a very sagely fist-pump.

"Stars!" shouted Johannes last to the panel on the ceiling. He had some reserves about this guess, having at first thought it was darkness, but his uncertainty was quickly dismissed when the inscription also lit up green and flipped back into the wall.

"Incoming!" cried Cabrakan, mounting his shield in the center of the room.

The party took shelter behind the priest's shield as the door to the next room, which was more like a stone block than a door, opened; it dropped into the floor as if there was a perfectly-sized pit there and landed with a heavy thud. There was also another clicking-sound, but that sound was barely audible over the thunderous landing of the stone. A nova of chilling blue light engulfed the room in a blink of an eye, as if throwing the party into the coldest winter they had ever known, and, for a few seconds, the adventurers were very, very uncomfortable.

quote:

Crispin takes 0 damage (Evaded)
Andriel and Cabrakan take 8 damage
Alacor, Johannes, Lerdeth, and Ziv take 17 damage

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
09:35, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Lerdeth Kiensc, rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Reflex Save vs DC 15.
09:35, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Ziv, rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Reflex Save vs DC 15.
09:35, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Crispin, rolled 17 using 1d20+9.
09:34, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Alacor, rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  Reflex Save vs DC 15.
09:34, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Cabrakan, rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Reflex Save vs DC 15.
09:34, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Andriel, rolled 19 using 1d20+3.  Reflex Save vs DC 15.
09:33, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Herr Johannes, rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Reflex Save vs DC 15.

---

The blue light then dissipated, the temperature was restored to normal, and the party re-gained their bearings. They looked once again at the door and were relieved to see that it was still open – the way into the next room was clear. Although they were a little scathed, they were happy to know that they had at least gotten the riddles right.

Ziv cast a fiery eye on Crispin. "You! Why didn't you disarm that trap!?"

Crispin seemed a little taken aback, having evaded the blonde-woman's wrath thus far in their journey. "I, uh... Sorry, I got nervous! I don't work well under pressure."

"What!? You're a rogue! You always work under pressure! Grr..." Ziv threw her hands up in the air in the universal gesture of 'Enough!' and stormed off into the next room, leaving Crispin abashed and a bit dazed. His daze was broken however when Cabrakan slapped him on the back and let loose a deep, thunderous chuckle.

"Women, am I right?" said the priest. "I've got a little one at home who's just the same."

Crispin shook his head. "No, she's right. There are.. some things.. in my past that robbed me of my confidence and part of the reason that I am out here adventuring, out here on the Dead Isle at all, is to get it back."

Cabrakan blinked. "Hm? What happened?"

"Ishtal happened," he said solemnly. Then, without waiting for comment, Crispin strode into the next room after Ziv, leaving Cabrakan with more questions than when he started.

The rest of the party followed suit and entered the next room, which they were also relieved to see was the last room. They entered another square stone chamber, not dissimilar to the previous room, but perhaps a bit more decorative, adorned with the swirling etchings around the walls and door frame that the Estraens seemed to like so much. At the opposite side of the room was a sarcophagus, fashioned from metal and stone and raised about five feet off the ground, and beside this were two big fat treasure chests.


However, it wasn't the treasure chests that excited them the most (well, maybe it was, but this next thing was at least a close second) – there was a pedestal in the very center of the chamber, atop which was floating a short wooden rod, only about half a foot longer than the ordinary wand.

"Crispin, are there any traps?" asked Johannes cautiously.

"Just one," said Crispin. "Around the rod in the center of the room. Looks like there's no way to take it without triggering it. Everything else – the sarcophagus and chests – seem clean."

"Excellent!" said Alacor, rubbing his palms together. "Then let's get to looting, shall we?"

Lerdeth walked over to the left chest and threw up the lid (it was unlocked) and gazed at all the lovely things inside:

quote:

375 gold pieces
Scroll of Faerie Fire, Speak with Animals, and Cure Light Wounds (Divine)
Ring of the Thief (Use 1/day to gain +10 to the next Disable Device Check)

He then popped open the right one:

quote:

300 gold pieces
Silver Earring
Masterwork Dagger
Masterwork Shortsword

Amidst all this stuff, he also recovered a note:

quote:

Dear People,

If you've gotten this far, making it past all the acid, cold, and riddles, then you're probably not my ex-wife Aggathil. That intolerable witch couldn't stand acid nor cold and doesn't have the brain for riddles. So the only logical conclusion is... that you WORK FOR AGGATHIL! Well, you tell that turnip-faced banshee she can't have any of my stuff! You also tell her that... (the note goes on for some length with a considerable number of insults and threats) ...and that lemon will never come out, you hear me? NEVER!

P.S. If you don't work for Aggathil, thanks for visiting my grave. I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Cerethil Marrion

"Interesting," murmured Lerdeth, handing off the note to the rest of the party.

Suddenly, the party heard something that startled everyone. "HEEEELPP!" a muffled voice cried. This alone wouldn't have been surprising, but it was the location of the voice that startled them the most – it was coming from the sarcophagus.

"Get your weapons out!" cried Johannes, drawing his sword. The party did likewise.

"HEY! IS ANYBODY OUT THERE!?" the voice continued to shout.

Lerdeth and Cabrakan, being the biggest men, positioned themselves beside the sarcophagus and readied to push off the lid. They glanced back over their shoulders at the party, who gave them a nod. Then, together, they pushed.

The lid was shoved off the top, slamming down on the other side of the sarcophagus, and Lerdeth and Cabrakan jumped back with weapons at the fore.

"Oh thank the gods," said a voice from inside. "Somebody really is out there. It's not my imagination for once. Hey! Hey come here!"

The party exchanged bewildered glances. Somebody was asking them to come closer to an open sarcophagus, and that didn't accord well with their past experiences.

"Is it... Is it a lich?" asked Ziv.

Johannes, summoning his courage, took the lead and cautiously approached the open tomb; he peered inside. Inside the tomb was a skeleton, the skeleton of Cerethil the Odd, dressed in turquoise robes and holding a staff, laying flat on his back. But the skeleton looked, for once, genuinely lifeless, and there was nothing else inside the sarcophagus. The source of the voice was no where to be found.

"So are you just gonna stand there like an idiot or are you gonna to take me out of this thing!?"

The voice was so close that Johannes practically leapt out of his sabatons. He pointed his sword back at the skeleton, still unsure if it was speaking or not.

"Are you undead?... Cerethil?" he asked, not really sure what else to say.

"What!? I'm not Cerethil; that idiot's dead. No, look over here... not there, here... here dammit!.. I'M THE STAFF FOR PETE'S SAKE!"

Johannes' eyes finally landed on the staff in Cerethil's hand, which had a long black shaft and an ornate golden head; a turquoise jewel sat in the center of the golden head.

The staff sighed, "Finally." The color in the turquoise jewel seemed to swirl a little when it did so. "So, can you take me outta here already? I've been staring at this bastard's skeleton for years and I'm going to go mad if I have to any longer."

quote:

You have gained Roleplaying Experience!
Johannes gained 96 XP
Alacor gained 54 XP
Cabrakan gained 44 XP ~ LEVEL UP!
Crispin gained 25 XP
Ziv gained 54 XP ~ LEVEL UP!
Lerdeth gained 20 XP
Andriel gained 96 XP

Players who participated in the live-quest "Tomb of the Three Lords" also gain the following, well-earned experience (and when I say well-earned, I really mean it. Seriously. They slaved for this XP!):

Johannes gained 1150 XP ~ LEVEL UP!
Alacor gained 1150 XP ~ LEVEL UP!
Lerdeth gained 550 XP ~ LEVEL UP!
Andriel gained 1150 XP ~ LEVEL UP!

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:59, Mon 04 Dec 2017.

"Oh dibs!" The wizard said as eyed the staff waiting for the traps to be disabled to he can move in to grab it. He then took a moment to observe the staff.


12:56, Today: Alacor rolled 33 using 1d20+21.  Knowledge spellcraft; Cerithil's Rod.
12:56, Today: Alacor rolled 28 using 1d20+20.  Knowledge arcana; examine the talking staff.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:15, Fri 08 Dec 2017.

The Staff: *cough

Alacor: So you're a staff? What or who are you then?

The Staff: You don't know who I am!? Ignorant masses! I was a great and powerful wizard! My name is-! . . my name is-. . . er, ah.. hmm. . . Okay, I don't remember what my name is. . . But I was definitely a wizard though, and a mighty one at that!

Ziv: Ha! ...Can you summon things on your own? I think it would be wise if Crispin wore this theif ring while he disables the trap to get this rod out.

The Staff: Oh, sure I can. Let me just use my hands to cast a spell - oh wait, I DON'T HAVE ANY HANDS! Thanks for bringing that up.

Ziv: Err... You're welcome?

The Staff: {Grumbles somethings insulting}

Cabrakan: Hah. I like your irony sir. What happened to put you in that shape? Can we reverse it?

Ziv: I heard that, stickman.

The Staff: It's all that damned Cerethil's fault! I remember something about a duel, and that incompetent wizard tried to cast something on me. Well, he screwed up the spell he was trying to cast completely, and he turned me into this instead! Then the bastard went around using me as his staff like he was some high and mighty mage. Bah! I'd spit on his bones if I, you know, had spit! . . . As for reversing this. . well, I kinda tried that myself a few decades ago (or was it a century? It's hard to tell without a clock) and it sorta, maybe backfired, and I became even more infused in this form than when I started. But whatever, I'm over that. Right now, I'd settle for just getting out of this damn tomb.

Cabrakan: Of course! We will have you In the sun post haste. Is there anything else in this room we are not aware of? Traps, beings... if either or both. Do you have any advice on how to deal with them.

Ziv: It might have been quite a long time since being turned into this... He might not know.

The Staff: I can tell you how many bumps that are in that lid you pushed off. It's 1078. That help you out? No? Figures. . .

Cabrakan: I like this man. I'm sorry to laugh but I do enjoy your quips.

Ziv: Humor is the ONLY thing that could have gotten me through many years of confinement. He's had practice. (Smirks.) He is rather hilarious.

The Staff: Right. Well I'm glad I could brighten your day. That makes me feel just peachy. You know how you could brighten mine? GETTING ME OUT OF THIS TOMB! Do you think I'm lying next to this skeleton for fun!?

{Alacor's Knowledge Arcana Check ~ The Staff is an intelligent item, somehow polymorphed from a person, with a +3 enhancement bonus. The wielder of the Staff also gains the effects of the feat Spell Penetration, +2 to armor (does not stack with other armor bonuses), and +2 to all saving throws. It also contains 3 charges of Chain Lighting, 2 charges of Mirage Arcana, and 1 charge of Polymorph. It is only usable by an arcane spellcaster}



This message was last edited by the GM at 15:16, Thu 07 Dec 2017.

Crispin walked over to the first chest that Lerdeth opened and his eyes lit up when they looked inside and noticed the Ring of the Thief.
"Oooh I recognize a ripper when I see one!" he said excitedly as he picked up the ring and turned it over a couple times.
Concluding his appraisal with a smile, the newest adornment was stacked upon the Ring of Invisibility on his left ring finger and Crispin adoringly eyed his budding trinket collection for a moment before his attention was turned toward the floating rigged wooden rod in the middle of the room.
"AND I get to try it out now? Aww Cerethil you shouldn't have."
The rogue then carefully approached the outer limits of the trap's proximity and enthusiastically got to work.

Crispin rolled 37 using 1d20+22.  Use Ring of the Thief, Disable Device @Wooden Rod Trap

Post:
"Phew, thanks for the shielding Cabrakan, I think it really helped.  Even if it did still hurt."  Andriel says to Cabrakan, dusting the bit of frost off her hands and exposed skin.  "Gosh, that was cold.  I wonder..."  She considers the spell for a moment to herself." {Spellcraft check}

"Wow, that ring was well timed and convenient.  This tomb sure has been profitable, I would not have really guessed," Andriel remarks.

"Speaking of timing though, was Ziv right Crispin?   Could you have been able to disarm that trap?  I thought it was beyond your skill and it would be deactivated by the riddles being answered properly, but I guess that was the strange thing, it still went off even if they were answered correctly?  I mean, did you know all that?  Like that it would have gone off and could have been disarmed?  If you knew that, and you were too nervous, remember that not acting has the same result of trying and failing, so you might as well try, I mean that frost was really cold if you can try next time. [she laughs lightheartedly]."  Another thing Crispin said then dawns on Andriel, "Wait, did you say Ishtal, that sounds so familiar for some reason... is she related to the elven goddess of the sea and storm?" {Knowledge check}

"Wait, were you going to disarm that trap right now?  Uhh, good initiative, I am going to go wait behind something hard, because I, uh, don't want to distract you... and I need to go heal some people too." She then walks over to the rest of the group to begin healing them.

"Hey Cabrakan, can you give me a hand with all this healing, lots of people injured here it looks like."  She shouts to Cabrakan, before turning to speak to the other party members.  "Sorry, I did not get to this sooner you guys."

She then begins to begin her divine ritual anew, speaking to herself.  "May the cords of life be strengthened within you, may the light of life be within you burn brighter, the times be woven quickly now, the cords of life weave.  Knit together and be healed.  The river of time flows and the cords weave."  She says to the wounds on Alacor, and then Herr Johannes, and then Lerdeth, as she reaches out, waving her hand over the icy burns as if a light were flowing from her hand to the wound.  The wound seems to respond like a plant under sunlight for hours, but all before your eyes in mere moments.  She holds her holy symbol in her other hand as she concentrates. (over 100 words about casting the spell (somatic and verbal))

Actions:
Andriel talks to Crispin, but walks away from him when he goes to disarm the trap- in case that ring doesn't work like it is supposed to, I mean this wizard has been pretty strange so far.
She casts cure moderate wounds on Alacor, Herr Johannes, and then Lerdeth in place of shield other, lesser restoration, and remove paralysis.
Spellcraft check.

Rolls:
{
21:34, Today: Andriel rolled 14 using 1d20+8.  Spellcraft, on the 2nd tomb trap spell (Ice Nova); tDI.

22:11, Today: Andriel rolled 18 using 2d8+8.  Cure Moderate Wounds, on Lerdeth; tDI.
22:10, Today: Andriel rolled 19 using 2d8+8.  Cure Moderate Wounds, on Herr Johannes; tDI.
22:09, Today: Andriel rolled 21 using 2d8+8.  Cure Moderate Wounds, on Alacor; tDI.
}
This message was last edited by the player at 03:51, Sun 17 Dec 2017.

Post:
"The first trap we looked at seemed too dangerous to try to diffuse, so I had Crispin hold off.  This second one was similar.  Do not blame Crispin.  Frankly, I thought the trap would have been disarmed by our answers to the riddles.  And being we were confined and on a time limit, I thought of the riddles, and that if he messed up it could go off while we could not get away, I misinterpreted that.  I mean, usually in the past that always fixed it for traps.  That being said, we need to be on our toes for the future.  That took a fair set of Andriel's prayers for today and did a reasonable amount of damage.  Thus, I need to know if you think you can diffuse a trap in the future Crispin, you are the expert on it.

The important part here to remember is that we successfully complete the mission at hand,
and so far that is a success, let us keep it that way.  Everyone stay alert."

"Perhaps that ring was convenient, was it too convenient though?  I hope it is not cursed, did you check it over Alacor?  In fact, I will need you to take a thorough look at all we found if you have not already to help identify it.  All that studying in college on magic items is really paying off, eh Alacor?"

Also, were you able to tell what spell that was from that trap, Alacor?"

"Andriel, can we get some help over here?  That ice trap hit us reasonably hard, gah!"  I rub my hands together, as they feel frozen.  "Help Alacor first, he looks the most frosted."  I direct as I look at his frosted beard.

...After she heals us...

"Wow, I feel much better, you are getting pretty good at this.  I bet all that practice in the last tomb we adventured in helped!"  {ie leveling up!}

"Here, let me return the favor Andriel."  I speak to her as I reach out and touch her back and arm with my hands,  "May the God of Love and Peace be with you and heal your wounds.  By his wounds, ye were healed."

Actions:
I use 7 points of lay on hands on Andriel
and cast the spell cure minor wounds on Andriel.

Rolls:
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:06, Sun 17 Dec 2017.

Ziv grinned a moment, trying her hardest not to wince at her shoulder-- again. "Well, sir," she began without too much of a laugh, "I'm going to call you stickman until you can remember your real name." Odd... She thought of a book she had once read about a woman falling in love with a captor and his comrades which had all been turned into almost-inanimate objects. They, too, were under a curse-- though, not like this one. "I get that you must be good at magic, but... I honestly wouldn't use a staff like yourself to cast one." She shrugged as though he was about to ask why. "I dunno, but something seems off in having to USE a former-humanoid-turned-object for spell assistance. It feels almost cruel." She stared at the center of the blue part of the staff. "Plus, I have a hard time believing that we SHOULD use you, if you yourself cannot undo this spell. I wish we could find a way to reverse it for you so that you're not stuck this way forever." Casting her gaze to the floor, she added a final thought, "...But I fear that if we did find a way to reverse it, then it might also end this immortality you seem to have as a side-effect of being a staff... So, in a way, it may kill you if we reverse this spell on you."

Ziv stepped aside and folded her arms.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Sun 17 Dec 2017.

Andriel watched Alacor's wounds close up, the injuries responding effortlessly to her magic; she felt a sense of satisfaction, that pleasant feeling which always comes from seeing something damaged become whole. But her satisfaction became tainted by bitterness, as some memory climbed its way up from the labyrinth of her mind. Nothing specific nor clear came to the fore of her thoughts, but she saw images of the war camps Ryin would bring her to, where they would cast healing spells on wounded soldiers from dusk to dawn; she remembered always feeling exhausted but never able to rest. She remembered seeing many soldiers die, but never once did she see Ryin raise them, even though he had the power to, even when they begged him to. Instead, he did nothing. If he wanted, Ryin could have decided the fate of nations, such was his power – but never did she see him intervene, even when things were at their worst.

"Selfish," Andriel murmured.

"I'll admit I have my faults, but you don't need to be mean about it," said Alacor.

Andriel snapped back to reality and blushed. "Oh, sorry. I was thinking about someone else."

"Sure you were," replied Alacor with a smirk. "That's what they all say."

Escaping from her embarassment, Andriel briefly distracted herself by reflecting on what she had seen and heard.



"So are you going to take me out of this thing or not!?" cried the Staff, still lying in the sarcophagus by the skeletal remains of Cerethil.

"Just sit tight for second, stickman," said Ziv. "We're going to get this rod in the middle of the room first. Because in case it was unclear to anyone, there's a rod floating on a pedestal in the center of the room, which is the rod we're after, and there's a staff, who talks, inside the the sarcophagus. They are two completely different objects; and the rod has a trap on it while the staff has none. Everybody got that? Cause you seemed a little confused about it for a second. You got it? Good. Now go ahead and do your thing, Crispin."

". . . You're going to leave me here aren't you," the Staff groaned.

Ziv simply smiled at it, leaving the intelligent stick in cruel uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Crispin slipped on the Ring of Thieves and activated it, feeling the ring's magic flow through his hands like a gentle breeze. He felt. . . different. He felt nimble! Confidence swelled within him, and he began to work on the trap.

"Hey Crispin," said Lerdeth.

"Just a minute, I need to focus," he replied. Swiftly, he plucked at the immaterial strands of magic in the air, gleefully watching them loosen here and there like a knot coming undone. The trap was already beginning to weaken.

"Uhh, Crispin-? . ." began Johannes.

"One second," said Crispin, cutting him off. "This is the hardest part." Finally, he weaved out the central magical bond and felt the energies of the trap collapse all around him into nothingness. "AH HA!" he cried triumphantly, and he swiped the rod from its pedestal {Disable Device Check ~ Success}. He held it up for his companions to see and admire. "We've done it! We've got the rod!"

His teammates stared at him in silence, not breaking into the applause that he was expecting. Instead their jaws were dropped, and their eyes were more full of shock than the admiration. Cabrakan had an absurdly large grin on his face, but otherwise, nobody said a word. Finally after a few awkward seconds, Ziv coughed.

"Crispin, do you feel alright?" she asked.

"Yes, I feel fine. Why? What's the matter?" said Crispin. "You look like you've seen a ghost." It occurred to Crispin for a moment that his voice sounded funny.

"Crispin, you have. . ." began Alacor, but his voice trailed off. Cabrakan began to choke back a chuckle.

"What? What do I have?" said Crispin who, understandably, began to grow extremely worried. He brushed a strand of hair away from his eyes, so intent on Alacor's words that he had forgotten he was supposed to be bald. . .

"You have. . ."

"What!? What do I have!?"

Unable to contain himself any longer, Cabrakan burst out laughing at the top of his voice, barely able to breathe as he gasped for air. "YOU HAVE BREASTS! BAHAHAHA!"

Instantly Crispin grabbed his chest and was thoroughly surprised to get a handful of C-cup. The party tried to politely stifle the oncoming laughter, but they failed miserably at the attempt.

"No. . ." murmured Crispin in disbelief. He then grabbed the top of his head and felt hair! Long, silky smooth, black hair. "No way. . ." Crispin felt his waistline – hourglass! "Please, oh please not-. . ." Lastly, he clutched his groin. "NOOOOOO!" he cried.

"Welcome to the gender!" shouted Ziv, smiling brightly with approval.

Crispin's eyes fell upon the Ring of Thieves on his hand. "It's the ring!" He tried to pull it off, but it didn't budge a millimeter, as though it had become a part of his very body.

"In my professional opinion," said Alacor, controlling his laughter long enough to speak. "That ring is as cursed as hell."

Crispin drew and held up his dagger level with his head and surveyed the reflection in the side of the blade. A dark woman's face looked back at him, a face that was at once both foreign and vaguely familiar, though the eyes were definitely his. She looked at him with the countenance of a very surprised and alarmed woman.

Crispin had become Crispina.


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:17, Sun 17 Dec 2017.

Alacor looked over to the talking staff and walked over to it and looked down at it. "Don't worry you're coming with me, but we'll need a name for you... How do you feel about Steve?" The wizard said as he reached down and picked up the staff. He put his original staff on his back and wielded Steve in his hands.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:14, Mon 18 Dec 2017.

"Steve the stick-man." Ziv shrugged. "I like it." She then looked at Cabrakan and raised an eyebrow. "Can ya heal me up, pal? I'd much appreciate it."

Surprised and sexy, Crispina looked herself over in the dagger's reflection for a good long minute.
Eventually, a smile began to creep across her face that quickly lead into fit of laughter as she accepted the fact that there really just wasn't a damn thing should could do about the situation at the moment.
"Hahaha! I . . . wow . . . alright. Heh there's gotta be worse curses out there yeah?"
Still chuckling to herself, she sheathed the dagger that was in her right hand and twirled the rod that she held in her left.
"Anyway, I dunno know about you guys but I'm not trying to stay in this tomb any longer!"
She then placed the rod back on the pedestal, which resumed it's levitative state once she let go, before adding, "Someone else take this thing, I've got some more traps to slap."
As Crispina left the burial chamber, crossed the riddle room (while making sure to avoid the hourglass), and approached the rigged staircase that lead outside, she never once noticed the strange lack of awkwardness in her movements that would surely befall a person in an altered body. With a natural flow and finesse, she proceeded to attended to the three traps that obstructed the exit.

Crispina rolled 21 using 1d20+12.  Disable Device @ Stair Trap 1
Crispina rolled 24 using 1d20+12.  Disable Device @ Stair Trap 2
Crispina rolled 30 using 1d20+12.  Disable Device @ Stair Trap 3

In Character Chat
Johannes:
WAIT!  ALACOR, DONT TOUCH THAT STAFF!  If that ring and staff taught us anything, it is that this wizard had a penchant for jokes at people's expense.  We need to check every piece of loot in here before we take it!

Andriel:
Dang, that is a curse alright.  I might be able to dispell if for you though, but not today...

Ziv
I'm not touching a-n-y-t-h-i-ng. Don't come near me.

Alacor
Steve seems alright.
{to the talking staff} You're not cursed too are you?
12:16, Today: Alacor rolled 33 using 1d20+21.  Spellcraft; Rod.
12:16, Today: Alacor rolled 32 using 1d20+20.  Knowledge Arcana; Rod.
12:18, Today: Alacor rolled 30 using 1d20+21.  Spellcraft, Ring of thieves.
12:18, Today: Alacor rolled 36 using 1d20+20.  Knowledge Arcana; Ring of Thieves.

DM Ryan-Steve:
Oh, I'm cursed all right. Very cursed. Life has gone swimmingly for me so far. . .

Alacor
Okay well are you going to curse ME is really the question I was after

DM Ryan
Alacor's Knowledge Checks ~ Alacor recognizes the rod as a Rod of Mage's Disjunction, with 6 charges of the 9th level spell Mage's Disjunction. This spell, Alacor remembered, is a powerful dispel, one that not only would banish magical effects like an ordinary dispel but that would even turn magical items into normal ones, destroying their powers permanently. Any mage would have good cause to fear such an item, especially since this rod is usable by anyone. It's no wonder now that Cerethil won his Wizard's Duel.

The Ring of Thieves does, in fact, allow the wearer to add a +10 bonus to Disable Device Checks once per day. However, it's also totally cursed and will reverse the gender of the user! The ring can only be removed via the Remove Curse spell (but they would still get cursed if they used it again afterwards).

DM Ryan
Steve: Nope, definitely not. Is that what you wanna hear? What more do I have to say to get you to take me with you? You realize I've been stuck in a tomb for the last few decades right!?

Alacor
Haha good one Steve, don't worry you're coming with me bud.

Johannes
I wasn't planning on leaving you here either.  That would be heartless to leave you to be tortured like that.

Andriel:
Woah, when they said there were powerful magical items on this island, they were not kidding.

Alacor
It really makes me wonder who wants a staff like that and what for...

Johannes
You mean rod or staff?

Alacor
The rod

Johannes
Does this rod also affect spellcasters themselves or just items and spells?

Alacor
It looks like it would just affect any spells or spell effects or magical items

Andriel:
You know, the fact that the rod affects magic items (as opposed to just spells) is something that makes it highly dangerous to adventurers and others with substantial wealth and resources invested in magic items, but what would be so concerning to the undead?  They don't seem too... intelligent or perhaps rather, alive to care about their magic items.  Does this really pose much of a concern to the undead or really more to other adventurers?  I mean, how much is a skeleton mage affected by his equipment?

Johannes:
That is a good question, when it comes to spells how much different is this than a dispell?  What can you tell us about it Alacor {@Michael Postma}?

Ziv
(Shrugs.)

Andriel:
I can tell you some about it at least.  It is a very powerful form of dispell, 9th level, the strongest of spells widely (I mean relatively of course) known by mortals. Like Alacor said earlier, it can affect magic items, and magical spell enhancements {buffs} like a targeted dispell, but instead affects all in the area it is cast.  It can even penetrate Antimagic fields, though that is not assured.  I have even read that it can affect Artifacts!  I have never seen it performed, only read about it.  But from what I last read, it appears to affect spells without being able to be resisted, at least any spells cast, items it is not sure to "disjoin" from their casting.  Part of my reading involved historical accounts or legends some say, of heroes who used spells like this.  One, in particular, ended quite badly, it was about an artifact, a ring.  It involved the caster of the spell nearly losing his life in the process and instead lost all his magical ability -FOREVER!  I would hope Pyrra is not planning to use this on an artifact, for that could have dire consequences.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Sun 24 Dec 2017.

Post:
"You know," Andriel continued in her analysis, "if this is truly a rod of Mage's Disjunction, which Alacor is very likely, not wrong about (his skill is quite excellent in assessing magic items, probably owing to his skill in crafting them) then this is also an extremely valuable item.  My previous master did some crafting of magic items, some impressive work I must admit.  Something I wish I learned more about from him in retrospect, but anyways, this being a rod makes it immediately more valuable.  Rods are usable by anyone, versus wands which are usable only by those with magical acumen already.  The ability to be used by anyone means the spellcaster who creates the item must put the spell completely within the item, a process both more difficult and more exhausting, that results in something usable on its own ability.  Next, the fact that this contains a 9th level spell makes it likely both extremely difficult to create and extremely valuable."  At this Andriel finished her waxing eloquent.

Upon Crispin, or rather Crispina's? continued work in disarming traps, Andriel decides to keep her distance, in case something goes wrong.  This tomb seems more concerning than she thought after some recent events.

Actions:
Stay far from traps being disarmed.
Leave tomb when safe.

Rolls:
{}
This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Sun 24 Dec 2017.

Post:
A sinking feeling began to form in my stomach.  Some sense that outside the tomb may be waiting for us undead.  Waiting to attack us, now encouraged by the darkness.  How late in the day is it, how low is the sun over the horizon?  If Adwonus is nearby I ask him about the time of day- "Adwonus, can you tell me how much longer we have before the sun sets?  I do not want to be caught traveling in this forest with the undead after nightfall."

"We need to speed things up here and either get back to camp or make fortifications here.  Andriel tells me a small stone shape spell would do it if you have it Cabrakan?"

I consider a moment to myself something Andriel was talking to me about earlier.  "Alacor, do you think that staff could be temporarily converted back to whoever it was if we used a powerful polymorph spell?  Andriel had the idea.  It seemed like that might work temporarily, or does that require the subject to remember what they looked like, or at least what they want to transform into though?"

Before we go though, I need every one of those magic items examined Alacor, I do not want any other unwanted surprises.  Crispin is already at work on the traps, I thought they were already disarmed though when we answered the riddles?  Lerdeth, I know the most difficult person to steal from is a Barbarian, at least that is what they said back in the homeland.  You should take the rod. 
Crispin, before you disarm those traps, Andriel told me she could help you tomorrow when she can prepare a remove curse ritual for you.  In the meantime, thanks for disarming that trap.  Also, after you disarm those traps, I want you to sneak to the entrance of the tomb and just check there is no enemy waiting for us out there."

Actions:
I take the rod from its postion of levitation  where Crispin left it and hand it to Lerdeth.
I stay back while Crispin disarms the traps and ready my weapons.

Rolls:
{}
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Sun 24 Dec 2017.

Alacor picked up Steve out of the sarcophagus. "Ahh, finally!" exclaimed the staff. "So. . . this is what it's like to view the world upright? You all look much uglier this way, but I'll forgive it. Though since you guys took me, I guess you now have to fight that lich!"

The whole party spun on their heels and drew their weapons; they aimed at the sarcophagus, primed in their battle stances. They breathed tensely. . .

"Jeez, just kidding," said Steve as nothing happened. "You humans sure are jumpy."

Ziv gave the staff an evil eye. "I swear I will snap you half."

"That is so not funny," Steve replied. "Anyway, now that you carry me I think we should lay a couple ground rules. First, I might be a staff, but I still have my dignity; I need to be polished at least twice a week to maintain a nice glossy coat. I don't want some other intelligent weapon to see me and think I'm just some old hand-me-down! Second, I might not have eyes, but I can still sort-of 'see', which means it is NOT OKAY to go to the bathroom in front of me. You wouldn't think I'd have to say that, but apparently I do. . ."

"I'll, uh, get to work on the other traps," said Crispina. The now-female rogue went off to clear the way ahead of them, and with great success now that she had had a little practice.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Disable Device Check ~ Success
Disable Device Check ~ Success
Disable Device Check ~ Success

---

"Now that we have the rod, it's time for us to return," said Adwonus. "We have less than an hour before nightfall."

"Then let's move out," agreed Johannes.

The party scooped up the loot, with Lerdeth taking the rod, and they exited the small tomb. They arrived back on the surface to find the leafless forest cast in twilight, the sun hidden by a mountain peak in the west. Their mule and cart was waiting for them, standing patiently by the entrance.


"Where did this come from?" asked Ziv, casting a bewildered look at the mule as she dumped some of the loot in the cart – where there was already a significant pile of loot.

"We've always had it," Johannes answered. "Ever since that one time."

"Are you sure?" continued Ziv. "Cause I really don't remember-"

"Sure you remember," said Johannes. "From that one time. At that place."

"What are you talking about? I really don't-.. er, wait. Yea. Yea, I guess I do remember that," said Ziv. "That one time."

"Exactly," said Johannes, nodding approvingly. "That one time. . ."

Alacor approached the cart with Steve in hand. "Well then," said the staff as he surveyed the dead, barren world of the surface. "Things have really gone to shit since I've been gone."

"That would be an understatement," Alacor replied.

Having acquired everything they came for (and a whole lot more than they expected), the party journeyed back through the woods to the cabin, a journey that was, thankfully, uneventful. Pyrra exited the front door of the cabin as they approached, watching them expectantly.

"Were you successful?" asked Pyrra. "Did you acquire the-. Where did the black girl come from?"

The party avoided eye contact and shuffled their feet, not really sure how to answer that question without sounding completely ridiculous. Before they could come up with a highly embellished story about Crispin's transformation, Pyrra shrugged.

"Nevermind. I guess I don't care. So did you acquire the rod?"

"We have it," Johannes replied; he nodded to Lerdeth who then showed he was holding the rod.

"Good work," said Pyrra. "Well, give it here."

"First you tell us where Streleka is," demanded Ziv. "Or last was, or whatever trick you're playing."

Pyrra smirked. "There's no trick. Besides, we're the ones at a disadvantage here, being two against six. We don't have the ability cheat you, and we don't have any reason to anyway. It's only fair that you fulfill your part of bargain first as you are the only ones capable of going back on your word here. And if you find my information disatisfactory or in any way lacking, you're fully capable of taking it back. Am I wrong?"

Her logic was rather sound, and, after some hesitant thinking, Johannes gave Lerdeth a nod of approval. The barbarian passed it to Adwonus.

"And now we'll fulfill our end of the bargain," said Pyrra. The elven maiden then opened the door of the cabin and called inside, "It's time."

A figure approached the door and emerged from the cabin, an elf with long black hair and pale skin, who, like Pyrra, wore studded leather armor and had a bow strapped on her back, though she differed much from Pyrra's brown-colored hair and weather-tanned skin. The new elf's demeanor possessed a lightness that betrayed a luxurious upbringing, and she had an ambiguity to her eyes that made it hard to tell what she was thinking.

There was no doubt of who the figure was.

"So," said Streleka. "I hear you've been looking for me." She surveyed the party, who was surprised at her sudden appearance. "Well congratulations. You've found me."

Congratulations, you have completed Part 1 of the Dead Isle! The group will now take a short two-week break. Part 2 shall resume with an introductory post on Sunday, December 31st, 2017, to mark the New Year; the next round of Posting is due by Saturday, January 6th, 2018.

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:13, Sun 24 Dec 2017.