Chapter 5: The Darkness of Dimwater

[ravenn4544]

"Good question Osprey. That could be something. Do we linger here or consider this room secure and move on?"

[Grognardsw]

Aric, barbarian youth

"One or two of you could stand on my shoulders and reach the gem eyes and pry them out," Aric says looking at Phineas.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "I'm more for seeing the contents of these crates."

[greyarea]

No, says Yon. This room is dedicated to Lunia and should not be desecrated, no matter how tempting the bauble.

That said perhaps these braziers will yield more clues. He will light the nearest one (the northern one)

[coil23]

Osprey agrees with leaving the emeralds alone but can see where this is going. He waits to hear what is in the crates but moves so his back is to the wall, he can get to the door quickly, and he can see everything in the room at once. Once the looters get the first emerald out, hell is sure to follow.

[Mant72]

Discussion about retrieving the emeralds ensues, and Phineas' mustaches wriggle with excitement at the gargantuan Northman's suggestion, "Stupendous idea, my boy! Reminds me of the famous Bellini Brothers back at the carnival! I introduced their act a multitude of times; however, for lack of a better term, with only you and I undertaking the endeavor, I feel we may come up a little...short. Perhaps one of you fine gentlemen would be willing to assist with offering another set of shoulders?" He looks around for a willing volunteer.

Finding the boxes untrapped and unlocked, Yon and Kragg busy themselves with discovering their contents. Contained within one of the boxes are a number of blocks of pungent smelling incense, and the other crate contains a set of tongs and coals, presumably used for igniting the incense.

Yon proceeds to light a half burnt husk of incense that remains in the northern brazier. It smolders quickly, and smoke wafts into the air, releasing a pleasant scent that has a rather soothing and calming effect.

[Storm11]

Hex eyes the work of the halfling shadowblade and the barbarian eagerly, absently aware of the clerics incense lighting trial.

Keeping watch along the corridor behind them the halfling prestigidator tries his best to remain an attentive guard as the others explore.

He looks around for another obvious exit from this chamber.

[greyarea]

Yon lights incense in the other two braziers. I said, don't desecrate the temple. Leave the gems alone, please!

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "I am no cleric but I agree with Yon even if I am of the swift of hands in career I still know better than to rob a holy place. Leave the gems be." the dwarf warns. Shruging to Yon as Yon lights the incense "I may be a thief but I do have morals."

[Storm11]

"Humpf," sputters the rainbow wizard, "Kragg's morals, send out the search party!" Hex says winking at the dwarf shadowblade.

[Grognardsw]

Father Halbrick:

"The crook is all that we seek. All else that remains on the grounds has been corrupted in the eyes of Lunia. You are free to claim anything else you deem of value that might be found."

Aric ponders, staring at the gems, then nods. The barbarian laughs at Kragg's last words.

"Yon, you forget why we came here - the crook. Everything else is fair game - and it's no secret why I'm here. If the place is so holy, why did you keep that accursed club, which to these Luniacs is doubtless some holiest of baubles. Go put it back, and I'll leave the gems."

Aric kicks over the lit brazier. "That smell will travel these halls and alert foes that something is amiss. And that stench reeks of magic."

[greyarea]

Yon turns to Aric and picks up the brazier, trying to sweep the coals with his boot. Have you no respect? The club--which you so despise--would have its grip on you yet if it was cursed. I say it was the lady of the Lord of Light trying to give augury. The moon goddess herself giving oracle. Your stony heart misinterpreted as you are not open to the gods' calls.

Yes, we are here for the crook but we need to respect the gods and their worship spaces. Steal not those gems, I say. The Shining Face of the Lord of Light watches us all, even in these depths. Take care that you do not offend.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Osprey recalls so many cautionary tales from his youth where a group distracted with squabbling was soon set upon and seldom made it through unscathed. There does not seem to be any other exit. Is there anything else we need to do in this room or shall we move on?

[Storm11]

"Have we searched it for secret doorways?" Hex asks his memory unsure.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

I did though someone else is welcome to doublecheck in case I missed something.

[Storm11]

The halfling prestigidator searches the chamber for secret and concealed doors and trap doors before we leave.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "Eh pick on me all ya want I am not touching those gems." the dwarf then joins is double checking for secret or hidden passages.

[Grognardsw]

Aric waits until the others are done searching for secret doors. Then once they are leaving, Aric pauses at the doorway and fires arrows at the gems to see if it sets off any traps.

[ravenn4544]

Wil also adds his talents to searching for any secret doors on the walls and floors before moving further on....

[Mant72]

Debate continues to wage over the retrieval of the mural emeralds as Yon, priest of Light, ignites the remaining braziers, and the circular chamber is scoured for secret doors and passages.

No egresses are found.

The pungent smelling incense begins to slowly coil and curl about the room, and again, its effects are calming, comforting, soothing…

Phineas stifles a yawn, and points up to the deep-green stones, “The big man is correct, we were given license by the good father himself. Everything except the crook is ours for the claiming. I am for rescuing those beauties.”

Aric unshoulders his bow, takes aim at one of the emeralds, and fires. The arrow strikes the fist-sized jewel squarely and bounces off to clatter harmlessly on the floor.

The incense continues to smolder, hovering about the room in a blanketing cloud.

Everyone, except Coil, please roll a Save vs. Spell.
Coil, please roll a 1d100 for Osprey.