Chapter 5: The Darkness of Dimwater

[Grognardsw]

I thought Aric knocked the brazier over, and Yon scattering the coals with boot as meaning they weren't still burning. Aric wouldn't let Yon light more braziers.

[ravenn4544]

Wil finding no other doors, heads back out of the room to continue their exploration of the chambers...

Save vs Spell (15): [3d6] = 4

[Storm11]

[1d20+4] = 6+4 = 10

[Grognardsw]

Aric Save vs Magic [1d20] = 5

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

[1d100] = 17

Osprey goes out into the hall to listen carefully. He wonders if the noise from kicking over the brazier could draw unwanted attention.

[Grognardsw]

If able to...

From the doorway, Aric leaves the room and walks to the chapel.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg

Save v Spell (15) [1d20] = 7

Coughs from the incense "What is that scent gah it's a bit much." the dwarf leaves the room to wait in the hall.

[greyarea]

Smells like ancient times, muses Yon.

Save vs Spells [1d20] = 5

[Mant72]

Aric kicks over one of the brass braziers, warning that the burning incense could bring about unwanted company; however, the other two burners continue to smolder. The smoke spreads, and a pervading sense of lethargy settles over the party.

Aric, Wil, Kragg, and Yon make to leave the chamber, but before they are able, they slump to the ground having succumbed to the soporific effects of the incense.

Hexalon, Osprey, and Phineas are able to stave off the bewitching smoke, and they stumble from the room on unsteady knees.

Those affected by the magicks enter a deep slumber, and a flood of bizarre visions flow through their consciousness with no apparent continuity…

A flower buds, blooms, and wilts within in a matter of seconds.

The blackened petals fall away, and transform into insects that skitter off to hide beneath the robes of men and women that prostrate themselves before a large ebony pillar that stretches aloft into darkness; eldritch symbols and carved grotesque visages spiral the length of its surface.

The solitary eye of a cat stares out of the darkness. Its sliver of an iris watches unblinking, unwavering.

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The eye suddenly snaps shut then reopens to reveal that the iris has been replaced with a crescent moon.

Crescent-Moon.jpg (171.25 KiB) Viewed 355 times

The crescent grows until it fully waxes and slowly sinks into a blackened sea.

over-the-black-sea.jpg (46.77 KiB) Viewed 355 times

The moon glimmers and glows, its shape becoming distorted by the waves as it plunges deeper and deeper into the depths until finally disappears altogether.

A complete absence of light and sound follows...

Unintelligible whispers resound...

There is sudden brilliance, and an object slowly draws closer until it begins to take shape and substance...[/i]

Crook of St. Othin.JPG (65.14 KiB) Viewed 355 times

Phineas Save vs Spell (11): [1d20] = 16 Successful.

[Storm11]

Hex, will shake his long top knot of hair and try and gather himself together. A mystic prophecy or a drug induced hallucination, the meanings of the vision remain cloudy at best. The halfling illusionist recognises the crook they have come to search for within the sequence. But where. . . The cats eyes may be worth investigating after all he muses before slumping to the floor and wiggling his hairy toes

[coil23]

Osprey coughs then starts back into the room. We have to get everyone awake before anything else comes along. Holding his breath, he goes back to one of the lit braziers and extinguishes the incense. If his breath will not hold out for the second one, he will come out into the hall far enough to get a clear breath before returning and extinguishing the final brazier.

[greyarea]

Yon wakes and smiles. A message from Lunia, the wife of the Lord. I believe we are on the right path!

Yes, let us investigate that cat face more closely. Do not desecrate it but it might provide a clue!

[Grognardsw]

Aric comes to from Osprey. The barbarian does not look happy.

"I will not let you put my life at risk again priest," he says icily to Yon.

[greyarea]

Yon smiles and looks Aric in the eye. I thought you men of the north sterner stuff. You fear dreams, signs, and portents. You quiver at messages from the Most High. You life was not at risk: your soul however is.

What are you really afraid of, barbarian? That the Light of conversion change your stony heart to flesh? That the Lord of Light and His Mistress the Moon find some way into your soul and give you life eternal.

Don't think you frighten me with your threats. I fear not death, only His displeasure. I only hope He grant me the power to heal you when your life is truly endangered, and grant me the ability to save you when your life departs this fleshy realm.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg wakes "Thanks for the divine inspiration Yon, but let's refrain for that again for a bit yes? I like to know before I black out. Usually like to have fairer company when I do too." the dwarf smiles and exits the room.

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

"Gentlemen! This is no time for a nap!'" the would-be ringmaster protests as half the party falls over.

When they awaken and fall to fighting, over religion of all things, Phineas bides his time. Once tempers cool, he says, "May I humbly suggest we retreat from this cul de sac of consternation? As we delve deeper, we might find a ladder to reach the cats' eyes."

When no one is looking, he'll pocket some of the hallucinogenic incense.

[coil23]

In the interest of self-preservation, how about if we take care with anything done while in this monastery. Mind, body, and spirit are all at risk down here. Osprey looks from the barbarian to the cleric while speaking.

[Storm11]

The rainbow bedecked halfling looks bemused at the two humans arguing.

"You longshanks are really weird, yes you are. Always bickering about nothing in particular. It's a wonder human's rule the lands, you can't ever seem to agree on anything no no no!" he says shaking his long blonde topknot and getting out some rations to watch the show.

[ravenn4544]

Wil remains motionless in his drug-induced sleep...

[coil23]

After Osprey extinguished the braziers, he went back to wake people one by one. Sorry I was not clear on that before.