This message was deleted by the player at 13:55, Fri 30 Nov 2012.

Dammit, that's why I wanted everyone up out of the water, quickly... why does no one ever listen!

Ben loosens his sling, and reaches for a bullet, but rushes the shot, sending his ammo deep into the distance...

22:09, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 6 using 1d6+2. initiative.
22:10, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 5 using 1d20+2. sling.

06:41, Today: Duvall Kane rolled 2 using 1d6.

"Kord's guts! That's a monster!" Duvall exclaims, stepping back and readying his hammer.

Even as the snake lunges, Rath takes quick strides toward it. "Back!" he shouts, although it may not be clear whether he's talking to his companions or to the snake. Shield raised to keep that tongue out of his face, Rath delivers a vicious slash with his wicked blade, then wrenches it free from the scales and meat.


OOC: Initiative =4. Hits AC 2 for 12 damage.
22:02, Yesterday: Aldo Rathmus rolled 4 using 1d6. Rath's Initiative.
05:54, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 12 using 2d8+1. b sword 2-16 damage vs Large.
05:53, Today: Aldo Rathmus rolled 18 using 1d20. attack with bastard sword.

Norion snarled a curse as the snake surfaced, but wasted no time in closing with the gigantic reptile, landing a heavy blow with his axe.

11:34, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 6 using 1d6. Initiative.
11:35, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 19 using 1d20+1. Attack.
11:36, Today: Norion Ironaxe rolled 9 using 2d8. Damage.

Saliq's eyes widen in shock but the naturally nimble Illussionist has his blade in hand in moments. The Jambiya Moonblade glitters silver in the gloomy lights as he slashes across, the razor sharp edge slicing deep into the vile serpent.

---

OOC:
19:27, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 6 using 1d6+2. Initiative.
19:28, Today: Saliq Musfara rolled 21 using 1d20+1. Attack with Jambiya Moonblade.

Natural 20(!) so full 5 points of damage inflicted.

Aldo, Norion, and Saliq make quick work of the giant snake.

That is probably for the best, for once the companions have a chance to observe its bleeding carcass, it becomes quite clear that the snake would have been quite deadly had it been given an opportunity to strike.

Crimson blood flows out of the creature's wounds and is rapidly washed away by the steady rain that seems to have not let up all day long.

OOC: Man...you guys didn't even give it a chance to eat one of you!

Relieved, Ben offers a helping hand to any and all trying to reach the second tier.

"Quickly, out of the water for now. We don't want that one's mother coming along, now do we?"

Duvall takes the rogue's hand and pulls himself up to the second tier, whereupon he helps his other companions.

The party edges past the darkened portal and makes their way up a set of steep stairs on either side of the ziggurat. In short order they reach the second tier, a narrow ledge which surrounds the entire structure. The large stone blocks are carved with intricate patterns common to the ancient peoples. While the runes are severely weathered, they still reflect the highest standards of stone-masonry, an indication of this ruin's importance in the life of those people.

Perched up above, the stone statues now come clearly into view. These dragon-like creatures are similar to a wyvern, however each has a second head at the end of its tail. In total, twenty such statues are discovered, each in varying states of ruin. Such a creature is unknown in these times or lands, though perhaps Saliq has read legends from his homeland describing such beasts: a dread amphisbaena. These horrible creatures command a mighty view over the surrounding area, their stony eyes seemingly fixed on each companion no matter where they might be standing.

There are no obvious entrances to the ziggurat on the second tier: the walls simply consist of heavy stone blocks set atop one another.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 06:14, Sat 01 Dec 2012.

A shudder that has nothing to do with the damp runs down the little thief's back at the sight of the creature, or perhaps at the appearance that the creature has him in it's own sights.

"Smash'em I say." Not the first time Ben had shown his iconophobic side, but he speaks with more vehemence then when they were under the Stormhaven. These things boded ill, of this he had no doubt.

"Leave 'em be," Duvall replies, worry etched on his face. Then he turns to Norion and asks, "Can you see any hidden entrances on this tier, my friend?"

Rath taps a nearby statue roughly with his shield, just to make sure the thing is inanimate. When it doesn't move -- if it doesn't move -- he gives Ben a shrug. "Harmless." Rath  sheathes his sword and brings a javelin to hand. He peers through the rain, looking for any threats, while his companions explore the tier.

"Why is it the people with the best protection on always have the smallest imaginations..."

It mattered not, and screaming I told you so when the damn things broke free and began eating folk would be scant consolation.

Instead, Ben scales the wall, and examines the top of the damned structure.

16:25, Today: Ben Scristos rolled 7 using 1d100. climb. Damn near critical success, I am not on the FIFTH tier of the three tiered structure... :C)

Ben finds some conveniently placed hand and footholds and easily scales up the stone wall to the top of the ziggurat.

Once on top, Ben is now among the stone amphisbaena statues, but that is not all that is up there. The roof of the structure is built with smooth slabs laid in a decorative mosaic, that while now severely weathered, still retain much of their artistry.

The mosaic depicts an epic battle between suffering titans and triumphant serpents. Toward the center of the roof stands a crescent-shaped, jet black marble slab. A lifeless, naked woman lies atop the sacrificial altar, her pallid skin standing in stark contrast to the dark marble beneath her.

Numerous claw marks cover the woman's body, though none of these wounds appear to be very significant. Looking closer, Ben notices a gaping cavity where the woman's heart should be.

Rain continues to fall in steady sheets, a grim final resting place indeed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Sun 02 Dec 2012.

"Well <expletive deleted>."

Ben rubs a hand thru his rain soaked hair, and shakes his head.

"Hey guys, you probably want to see this."

Heading back tot he edge, he lowers a rope, tying it off on the nearest statue.

"It ain't pretty."

Careful not to disturb the scene, as there might be clues, Ben does have to fight the urge to close her gaping, staring, unseeing eyes...

Ascending the rope Saliq took one look at the woman and turned pale. "We fight not men but monsters; the lizard folk are no mere bandits if this is their style of work!" The Illusionist took a deep shuddering breath and tried to remain dispassionate. "Duvall, Eagle in your experience what manner of deity would demand such a sacrifice or is this a devotion to demons?"

Once Duvall scrambles to the top and views the sacrifice, he answers Saliq's question, "A deity who has no regard for human life. Most monstrous gods care little for us - they only want the propagation of their followers. We are nothing to them, only worthy of this."
He indicates the unfortunate woman with a wave of his arm. Then, thinking about it, he ventures closer and looks around the obsidian altar, checking for any further clues.

Norion examines the grisly scene and shakes his head. Looking to his companions, he says, "So, I'm guessing none of us will have any problem with wiping these beasties out, down to the last creature?"

After studying the altar, it becomes clear that this is a shrine to the evil god Zehir, whom holds mastery over darkness, poison, and assassins. Zehir is said to slither the material plane sewing chaos wherever his forked tongue desires. It seems this ziggurat have been created to venerate his venomous name.

Looking at the woman closer, two crimson red holes also appear in the woman's neck...perhaps a snake of some sort?

***

Before ascending the rope, Norion detects a slightly raised area along the ziggurat's north wall. Examining the stonework a bit closer, the dwarf detects the presence of a shifting wall in this location!

The architects of this amazing structure apparently built in some secret features. Now it was just a matter of finding the mechanism that enabled one to open that door.

"Not a problem at all, my friend," Duvall replies, disgusted by the bite marks and the implication thereof. He begins to cut the woman's bonds and after covering her nakedness with his blanket, he lifts her off the altar and places her gently on the stone top of the ziggurat. He closes her eyes and places a silver piece on each. He bows in prayer, hammer in his hand, and when finished, he stands and says, "We cannot leave her here. I have oil, but no wood to burn her. Eagle, have you any holy water? I mean to destroy this altar or at least desecrate it against further use."

"Assassins? Assassin's tend to be people, in my experience. This all puts me in mind of that dick-head nobleman, and his snakey flag, more then creatures with a history of the occasional raid on the weak."

Rath carefully clambers up the rope. He is careful of his step on the wet stonework. Up top, he surveys the grim scene. Rath takes a slow breath. His strong shoulders slump, and he drops his guard, but for a moment. He mutters something indistinct, wipes the rain from his eyes, and stands tall once more.

Rath moves to Kane's side. "I'll help if I can. But don't ask me to find dry wood." He stands quiet a moment, his brow clouded with dark thoughts. "See to the altar now, if you have the means. The woman is ... beyond our help. We can come back for her, when we're done below."

Not unused to being ignored, Ben does wonder if Zehir might have an opening after Rath does it yet again.

Shaking his head, he answered Duval's questions with a suggestion of his own.

"No way we can bury her, the grounds under too much water. If we leave her here, her bones will be picked clean before we can return, I suspect. Let's take her into the building, and give her a pyre right inside the entryway."

He had yet to learn of the door Norion has spotted, so Ben gestured towards the main entry below.

"I could spare a few of my torches, and someone must have some oil. I think between us we can show her body some respect."

Sending the victim on her way into the afterlife, assuming the dark-god has not consumed her soul, would be good. The warmth generated would be a much appreciated bonus.

Eagle is unfamiliar with any deities which require human sacrifice and states as much.