Morg whispers "Are these symbols related to the elements? The black pyramid: earth - the stone masks, the white on blue arrow: air, the yellow on red pot: fire, and the blue upside down chair: water?" while looking for traps on the floor.

---

If the rest of the party is happy moving forward, Morg will go to AN11, trying to avoid being within 5' of anyone.

15:55, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 22 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 19.  Perception check for traps on the floor of cave.

"The crystal is a magical item..." Bram whispered without taking his bespectacled eyes off the occult shrine.  Mayon and Morg's ideas concerning the symbols sent his mind racing, and he pondered aloud, "These symbols together in such a sinister setting hints at conspiracy.  Perhaps the various recent troubles plaguing the Dessarin valley are not merely coincidental after all.  We must get to the bottom of this!"  The paladin moved forward down the right passage, checking for ambushes along the way and preparing to cast his divine senses into the chamber beyond.

---

• Perception to search for hidden foes:
  • 13:18, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 16 using 1d20.  Perception.
• Once everybody is ready to move, advance to AM14, also keeping 5 feet distance from others
• Assuming Morg and I don't step on any traps or get ambushed on the way I'll do a Divine Sense to detect bad stuff within 60 feet.

Bram and Morg see no traps or hidden foes as they approach the illuminated room.

---

Map updated. I'm assuming everyone's moving into the room at roughly the same time, but for simplicity I've included where Bram and Morg ended up. When the other 3 post you should say which square you're moving to (or if you're staying put outside the room).

Also, for reference the pedestal is at AR12.

Morg sees no traps as he moves forward.

Bram sees no hidden foes, and detects no celestial, fiend, or undead.

OOC:  Can we see the walls of the oval room now that we're at the entrance of it, and whether there are any other exits?  How do the purple tapestries look from here, and do they seem large enough to perhaps conceal passages behind them?

No motion stirs the tapestries on the walls.

---

The tapestries completely cover the walls of the cave, so they're definitely large enough to conceal passages & potentially all sorts of other stuff behind them.

On the map, from AO north the walls of the cave are completely covered by the tapestries.

Mayon follows cautiously after Bram and Morg, then looks back up towards the sigil and the crystal orb beneath it, clutched by the grotesque pedestal.

"This is probably a terrible idea, but...what do you think would happen if that sphere were damaged or destroyed?"

Bram whispered across to Mayon, "Let's leave it be for now.  We've more immediate concerns..."  The half-elf quickly checked the chamber for exits and after seeing none he looked to the tapestries covering every wall.  Without speaking Bram motioned to his companions, pointed to his eyes and then around to the tapestries.  Slowly, he approached the nearest tapestry, reached high to grab a fistful of violet cloth and yanked downward to tear it off the wall!

---

Moving to AO15 and attempting to tear down the tapestry on that wall.

09:54, Today: Bramwell Caulder rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Athletics
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Thu 13 Apr 2017.

Asano gazed around the room at the various tapestries, then focuses on the sigil glowing above the crystal. Cocking his head to one side, he approaches the crystal, one hand reaching to nearly touch the pyramid sigil. "The people at the quarry wore this symbol upon their tabards," he says. "I feel that there is a dangerous conspiracy afoot here. I've been sent to track down a dangerous fire genasi who burned an entire village. Now this?" He gestures to the symbols.
He looks the altar over, trying to divine some method of safely dismantling the creation.

OOC:
Move to AQ12
Arcana check- 20

Jak really didn't like the feel of this. It felt wrong. Things were getting more strange by the minute. And where the hell had the 'Lord' of Lance Rock gotten off to. He saw Bram trying to pull down a tapestry.

"We could just look behind the tapestries 'steada pullin' em all down."

OOC: Moving to AL-13 or the next square with a tapestry and looking behind it.

Bram yanks hard on the purple tapestry, and part of it near him falls to the floor. Behind it, a rough and uneven cave wall is revealed. Various foodstuffs and clothes sit in the nooks of the wall, and some scattered coins lay nearby. Jak peeks behind the tapestry on the opposite wall and sees much the same.

After Asano approaches the pedestal, the tapestry at the back of the room stirs. Oreioth emerges, his face tilted up to regard the floating sigil with fanatical reverence.

"Can't you see it? It's the Eye! It sees your every move! Don't you fear it?" Clutching a wand in one fist, he stretches out his arms as if basking in the glow emanating from the top of the pedestal. His expression shifts between fear, awe, and malice from one moment to the next.

---

Map updated. I moved Jak to the closest square that was next to a tapestry.

Asano sees no reason to believe the pedestal of arms itself is magical. The sphere seems to be simply sitting on top of it, and looks like it could be removed without difficulty. The sigil floating in the air above is partially transparent, and might be just an illusion.

"What does it mean?" Asano asks, barely tearing his gaze from the Eye. "Who do you serve?" His hand clutches the focusing wand fervently.


OOC:
Persuasion- 10

Morg is about to charge the necromancer, but seeing Bram not attacking, he just moves towards Oreioth instead - as casually and unthreateningly as he can.

He glances at the revealed clothes, but keeps his focus on Oreioth, ready to attack.

---

Free action?: glance at clothes, 7.

Move: 25' from AN11 to AS13, unthreateningly 8.

Action: ready attack on Oreioth, triggered by anything hostile happening from either side.

09:39, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 7 using 2d20+3, dropping the highest dice only with rolls of 12,4.  Perception check with disadvantage (glancing) to see if clothes are Oreioth's, or his victims.
09:42, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 8 using 1d20 with rolls of 8.  Per[formance]/[d]eception to not look threatening. [Missed the autocorrections.]

Oreioth replies with maniacal fervor, still gazing at the floating symbol. "It watches, it guides... its servants will destroy everything. The Lord of Lance Rock will strike and build his own magnificent army! He will rule from the shadows, yes. The Lord will rule. His armies will conquer."

Tearing his eyes away finally, he looks to Asano and notices the others almost as if for the first time. "Have you come to join my armies?" he asks, almost politely.
This message was last updated by the player at 11:53, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

"We have not come to join your armies," Asano begins, trying to keep the necromancer's attention from wandering. "The power of the Lord of Lance Rock has not gone unnoticed, and Bastian Thermander wants to aid you. He said, if you were truly as powerful as you claim, you would know where to find him. That information is the first step to a strong alliance."

OOC:
Persuasion- 22
Deception- 8
Hmm, perhaps his madness will obfuscate my ruse better than I can. Haha!

"Puny Bastian is of no concern to the Lord of Lance Rock. Vanifer has him under her thumb. He will burn with the rest."

The necromancer looks confused for a moment. "Where are my lieutenants?"

---

Map updated.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

"And what of Marlos Urnrayle, the snake-haired man? Is he under Vanifer as well? Or is he one that will fall?" Mayon asks, quietly approaching. The wizard is clearly mad, but any info is useful info.


Movement: Moving to AO14.
09:26, Today: Secret Roll: Mayon Graycross rolled 20 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 17.  Persuasion.
So 20 for persuasion to get anything useful about Marlos.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

"No, Marlos leads the Black Earth," the man says distractedly, as he cranes his neck to look back down the passageway.

"Where is the Lord's army? What have they-" he cuts off suddenly, then looks at the faces of the party suspiciously. "You! What have you done with them?" he shouts at them angrily.
This message was last updated by the player at 16:19, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

"They are preparing the new recruits," Asano attempts to placate the insane necromancer. "Remember? They tried to throw their power against the Lord of Lance Rock and fell to your army. Now, where can Bastian and Marlos be found?" He attempts to hold the necromancer's complete attention, hopefully allowing the others to get into advantageous positions.

OOC:
Persuasion- 24
Deception- 18
If he starts acting violently, the plan is to drop sleep where it will only affect him.

When Asano spoke up about where the army was, Jak couldn't help it. He smirked and added quietly, "Yeah, they're all broken up 'bout not bein' here but they're just feelin' so drop dead tired right now!" But he kept his voice down and stayed where he was, not wanting to be the one to prematurely end the information-gathering system. He was getting ready, however. He knew it wouldn't last too much longer. The Lord was crazy.

"The Lord of Lance Rock doesn't care where Bastian and Marlos are," he says disparagingly. "They are unlikely to be in the same place, that's for sure. Their sects don't hate each other, but even so-" he cuts off abruptly, and his lecturing tone shifts to one of hysteria.

"Bring me to the new recruits! The Lord of Lance Rock must assess their worthiness." He points his wand at Asano.
This message was last updated by the player at 21:52, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

"They await your presence in the chamber beyond," Asano says with a mocking bow. "Lead the way and show us the power of the Lord of Lance Rock."

Oreioth narrows his eyes, and motions with his wand towards the exit. "You go first. I insist," he sneers.

---

In case we enter combat, Jak, Asano, and Mayon will go before Oreioth in initiative order.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Fri 14 Apr 2017.

Asano ducks his head, "Very well, this way then." Asano begins moving toward the tunnel, ready to act on the response of his compatriots.

Morg slowly walks back in the same direction as Asano, but keeps his focus on Oreioth, ready to attack should the smart talky folks do something.

---

Move: 5' from AS13 to AR13.

Action: ready disarming attack on Oreioth, triggered by anything hostile happening from either side.

Oreioth takes a few steps forward, still clutching a wand in front of him.

---

Move 5' to AV14.

Is the plan to lead Oreioth all the way out to the large cavern?