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19:54, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 6: Out of the Black.

Posted by RaellusFor group 0
Raellus
GM, 755 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Fri 19 May 2017
at 00:46
  • msg #173

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


The dwarf squints, trying to make out any details on the golem's platinum badge.

Slowly shaking his head, he answers, "It's not familiar. There's a rune on it, but it's unlike any I've ever seen before."

-
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 444 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Fri 19 May 2017
at 11:55
  • msg #174

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"I saw one of these in Silverleaf," Corros says, referring to the golem. "It, uh, was defending the home of one of the soon to be removed lords of the city.  Can't say I'm eager to cross one after that, yeah?"

The half-elf peers at the golem, looks the badge over along with their new elf companion.

"I'm tempted to follow its advice.  For now."
Raellus
GM, 756 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Fri 19 May 2017
at 19:47
  • msg #175

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


The rune isn't familiar to Corros but, given his studies and the context, he can surmise, with some degree of confidence, that it indicates a measure of official authority. One could even infer that this golem is one of the 'guards' manning the 'guard post' mentioned in the inscription near the tunnel entrance.

-
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 612 posts
Human Expediter
Tegyrius
Sat 20 May 2017
at 01:13
  • msg #176

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"Left it is." Nicolas proceeds forward with care, ready to leap back and draw steel - for whatever good it'll do - if the golem issues objection to his passage.
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 488 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Sat 20 May 2017
at 08:37
  • msg #177

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"Indeed." Jenna nods in agreement with Nicolai, hefts her hammer in her right hand, smiles at the Ardani. "After you?" Her tone is light, intended to convey the humour in her words, even if that humour is more than a little forced after what they had witnessed getting to this point.

Still, if he defers she'll willingly take the lead instead. After all, she was a Priestess of Arma, would not stand by while another stepped into danger. For she fully expects following the golem's advice to be every bit as likely to lead to danger as not doing so. But, for the moment at least, it seems like the most practical option.
Raellus
GM, 757 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sat 20 May 2017
at 17:48
  • msg #178

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


Watching the golem warily, the companions walk through the doorway and enter a large room, lacking any other exit. Running down the center of the room is a low stone bench. The wall on the left is subdivided into many tall, but narrow, doorless niches. These compartments remind Jenna of the temple alcoves in which the priests of her temple store their different sets of vestments. On the floor in most of the niches lie the crumbling remains of clothing. Some of the piles look very similar, others are unlike any other.

The right side of the room is lined with similar compartments, only each of these are closed off by smooth metal doors, each inscribed with a different symbol that Corros recognizes as numbers in the Forgotten speech. Each door has a small keyhole on the left side, midway between top and bottom. Some of these keyholes are empty, while the stems of keys protrude from others.

The golem, thankfully, did not follow the party into the room. It's massive bulk can be seen looming just outside.


Your Turn.

-
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:54, Sat 20 May 2017.
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 613 posts
Human Expediter
Tegyrius
Sun 21 May 2017
at 16:21
  • msg #179

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

Nicolai kneels to examine a few of the clothing scraps, stirring them with a gloved hand.  He shrugs in incomprehension, then stands.  "Ritual robing and disrobing?" he asks, lofting the question in Jenna's general direction.  "When we were in the other place - the tunnel loop - we saw a record of some sort of ritual.  Did they need to cleanse themselves before conducting their summonings?"

He looks around the room.  "No other way out.  What do we need to do here to satisfy him before we can proceed?"  He tilts his head toward the golem.
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 489 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Sun 21 May 2017
at 16:57
  • msg #180

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

Jenna's shoulders form a brief shrug in response to Nicolai's first question. "Temples of Arma have rooms like this. Or at least similar to this." The last is added hastily, left anyone draw a wrong conclusion. "Look, some of them look like they are the same, others are clearly not. That might mean different ranks. In Arma's Priesthood the lower ranked Priests were white, so that the blood that we shed for the Goddess can be more clearly seen. When one has attained a certain rank one is then permitted to wear grey."

The blonde haired Priestess turns her attention to the doors that line the opposite walls, considers Nicolai's second question. "Perhaps we need to find out what lies behind those doors before we can proceed." She can see the symbols on the doors but they are incomprehensible to her, so instead she looks at the remnants of clothing again, trying to see which sets appear to be unique and which doors they are opposite.
Amaldaris Cenovir
Adventurer, 32 posts
High Elf
Monk
Sun 21 May 2017
at 22:02
  • msg #181

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"I believe that you are correct," commented Amaldaris to Jenna as he looked around the room, taking in the layout.  It had a familiar feel to it, similar to temples he had visited over the years.  "It may be that we have to offer a prayer to a particular deity as well in order for the golem to let us pass.  There may well be some kind of entrance ritual to prove that you should be allowed further into the temple complex.  That is presuming that these tunnels are indeed a temple or holy shrine of some kind."

He walked over to the closest of the smooth metal doors that still had a key in its lock and examined it further.  Prodding it with the tip of his spear he checked to see if it was actually locked or not and then opened it, turning the key it necessary, to see what the compartment contained.
Raellus
GM, 758 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sun 21 May 2017
at 23:46
  • msg #182

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


Amaldaris turns the key and opens the... locker. It is empty, save from a cross-piece that runs horizontally across the compartment, near the top. The cross piece has three notches cut into it.

Fortunately, the locker wasn't booby-trapped or Amaldaris might have paid dearly for his curiosity.

-
Gronk
Party NPC, 126 posts
Half-Orc Fighter
Raellus
Sun 21 May 2017
at 23:49
  • msg #183

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


Gronk takes a peek over Amaldaris' shoulder, briefly studying the inside of the just-opened compartment.

"I used to have a locker kind of like that, back when I was a pit fighter- I bet that's where you're supposed to hang your weapons," the half-orc opines, pointing to the notched cross piece.

-
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 445 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Mon 22 May 2017
at 01:41
  • msg #184

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


Corros eyes the slots and shrugs.  "How many weapons do I leave? Daggers? Wands?"  Deciding to try the system out, and electing himself most likely to have zero use for steel implements of violence, Corros puts his daggers into the slot Amaldaris opened up and starts back for the door.  Maybe this place has its version of logic or rules that must be adhered to.  It could be riskier trying to get around the defenses that just going along with them.  At least for a little while.

"It's okay," he says trying to keep his courage up.  "I'm going to go slow.  If the thing tries to block me, I'll just back off, yeah?." And not getting torn limb from limb would be a bonus.
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 614 posts
Human Expediter
Tegyrius
Mon 22 May 2017
at 01:45
  • msg #185

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"If it tries to block you, stop going slow," Nicolai advises dryly.  He eyes the... lockers... with all the enthusiasm of a vegetarian at an orc hill tribe's pig roast.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Mon 22 May 2017.
Amaldaris Cenovir
Adventurer, 33 posts
High Elf
Monk
Thu 25 May 2017
at 21:38
  • msg #186

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

Amaldaris watched Corros place his daggers in the slots of the locker and then return to the Golem.

"So your thought is that we are supposed to leave our weapons here and continue unarmed?" he asked, watching to see how the guardian responded to Corros' actions.
Raellus
GM, 759 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Thu 25 May 2017
at 21:43
  • msg #187

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


The golem side-steps to block Corros' path, its warding hand still outstretched. It's other hand gestures to the platinum ring on its chest. Corros realizes that if he tries to pass the stone sentinel, it will likely attempt to use force to stop him.

-
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 616 posts
Human Expediter
Tegyrius
Fri 26 May 2017
at 19:52
  • msg #188

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"'My parts are valuable on the salvage market?'"  Nicolai mutters at the golem's gesture, once no attack is forthcoming.  "'Please polish me?  You cannot be taller than this ring to ride this ride?'"  He waits until Corros is clear of the construct's reach, then turns back to the lockers to toss them for any sort of badge or passkey.
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 447 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Sat 27 May 2017
at 00:21
  • msg #189

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


Corros steps back carefully, giving the golem plenty of space and distinct lack of threatening gestures.  This time Corros puts his wand in the locker as well and prepares to approach the golem again.  Slowly and unthreateningly as possible.
Raellus
GM, 760 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Sat 27 May 2017
at 14:37
  • msg #190

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


While Corros re-attempts to bypass the guard golem, Nic sets about trying to open a locker. He picks the one furthest from the door (and therefore furthest from the golem) and takes a knee, setting the lantern down so that its light is cast upon the lock he will attempt to pick.

The Ardani carefully inserts his lock pick into the small keyhole and probes the internal workings of the mechanism, making adjustments by touch and by ear. After a few seconds, there's a satisfying click and the door pops open. Fortunately, this does not appear trigger any sort of trap or alarm.

Inside, set in the notched bar, is an ornate sword hilt. The center of the crossguard is decorated with a sunburst.

Meanwhile, Corros has no better luck with the golem. The massive construct continues to bar his path, again pointing to the platinum ring on its chest.

Gronk crosses the room to the dressing niches and pokes around in one of the piles of rotting clothing. It crumbles at his touch, yielding nothing but dust. He tries again at the next cubby over. Same type of garment, same result. The next cubby down contains a pile of unlike clothing. He gives it one last try.

"Hey guys," he says, holding up a platinum ring, "Look what I found."

-
Nicolai Romanelli
Adventurer, 617 posts
Human Expediter
Tegyrius
Sat 27 May 2017
at 16:14
  • msg #191

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

Nicolai grins at Gronk.  "Nice!  I think you just found our way in without a fight."

He removes his own find from the locker to examine it in the lantern's light.  "And here we have the sword you give the guy who can't find the pointy end of a normal one, I guess.  The very rich guy," he clarifies as the inlay sparkles.
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 490 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Sun 28 May 2017
at 15:13
  • msg #192

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"I suppose we'll need to leave that here as well." Jenna muses as she looks at the blade that Nicolai has picked up. "I mean, if we're supposed to leave all weapons." The blonde haired Priestess's shoulders wrinkle into a shrug. A stray thought flashes through her mind, namely that the original owner of the blade that the Ardani now holds may have once been in the same position as they were now, had left the weapon expecting to return and reclaim it but clearly had not done so.

She sees no benefit in putting such thought to voice and potentially unsettling the others, so moves away to inspect any of the apparent lockers that have yet to be searched. Parting with her Hammer makes her uneasy though, for it is no ordinary, common weapon; it has been blessed by the Goddess and Her power and grace radiate through it. But fighting the Golem is an unequally unpleasant option.

"Perhaps it is the ring that is the key rather than absence of weapons." She ponders as she completes her search. "Maybe we should retain our weapons while we try with the ring, see if that grants us passage. If that doesn't work we can try again without weapons." She looks over at Corros. "I'll try if you wish." So far the thing had not attacked the Warlock, only refused to allow him to pass so Jenna wagered that trying with weapons was worth the risk but she was unwilling to have another put her theory to the test, particularly Corros, just in case the thing did choose this moment to attack.
Corros Graelor
Adventurer, 448 posts
Half-Elf Warlock
keys138
Sun 28 May 2017
at 17:02
  • msg #193

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


Corros flips his eyes over to Jenna and sees the worry reflected there.  Sees too her determination to see her own theory through rather than ask someone else to take the risk.  It's the same sentiment he had been using to test his own ideas and one that he must respect.  The warlock stands aside wishing he could take a moment to make physical contact with his lover, letting the feeling pass as this tunnel is neither the time nor the place for such things.  A feeling of being lucky the Jenna is here with him in the place and in his life washes over Corros drawing a warm smile.

"Careful, yeah?" he says needlessly.  "I wouldn't want you to have break the golem, he seems like a nice enough fellow."
Jenna Drax
Adventurer, 491 posts
Human Cleric
Dave Ross
Sun 28 May 2017
at 18:40
  • msg #194

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

Jenna locks eyes with Corros for a moment, nods her head, the gesture intended to convey more than a simple acknowledgment of his concern, it goes further than that, deeper, a recognition that she wants to hold him, to be close to him, but that will have to wait, until later, when they are alone. For there will be a later.

Her lips curl into a smile. "I shall try to be gentle with him." There is a twinkle in her eye, her demeanour light despite their current circumstances. Corros had changed her, given her something to focus on besides Arma, shown her that was a World outside the Cloisters.

Jenna pauses a moment, simply savouring the Warlock's nearness before nodding once again, taking a step away from him, turning to Gronk, holding her hand out for the ring. "May I?" When she has the ring she intends to approach the Golem slowly, with ring on left hand and hammer in right, the head lowered to the ground in an attempt to demonstrate that she does not intend to use it on the construct. If it continues to block her path she will simply step back, rejoin the others.
Amaldaris Cenovir
Adventurer, 34 posts
High Elf
Monk
Sun 28 May 2017
at 22:38
  • msg #195

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"If the ring is what we require to pass the golem then it may be that we need one each," commented Amaldaris as he continued on from where Gronk had left off, searching the remaining piles of debris and open lockers for any more rings.  "Regardless of whether we need to leave our weapons here or not."

He left any unopened lockers for the moment so that Nic could open them as necessary.
Raellus
GM, 761 posts
Sage
Raconteur
Mon 29 May 2017
at 02:46
  • msg #196

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black


Amaldaris and Gronk search the remaining piles of rotting clothing but find no additional platinum ring badges amongst the debris.

Through trial and error, the Five discover that the golem will only allow an individual, unarmed and bearing the badge to pass. It blocks all attempts at any armed and/or badgeless individuals, even those 'escorted' by an unarmed badge-holder to get by.

-
Amaldaris Cenovir
Adventurer, 35 posts
High Elf
Monk
Mon 29 May 2017
at 07:22
  • msg #197

Re: Chapter 6: Out of the Black

"Maybe someone unarmed and wearing the badge can issue orders to the golem," suggested Amaldaris.  "Perhaps order it to walk out of the mine and then deactivate."
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