With newfound companions at your side, you stand at the fork in the worn stone road which leads to the entrances of the Tomb of Horrors. The entrances are about 110 feet apart, and each apperture (the two eyes and the nose), lead to 20ft (6m) wide tunnels. Light from outside illuminates the first 30ft of the tunnel clearly, and up to a total of 60ft of depth faintly.
The left eye's tunnel proceeds 60 ft, and appears to be a well-worked, properly squared stone passage with a 10ft ceiling. The walls are engraved with elaborate geometric engravings, some of which form the impression, though not image, of humanoid figures... or perhaps sarcophagi. The etchings are precise and clean, the work of a master mason at the peak of their craft. The floor is composed of 10ft by 10ft, evenly cut and fitted slabs of four different types of stone, creating an elegant, alternating pattern which would be at home in the floor of the palace of a wealthy noble. At the end, faintly visible, is a pair of fine wooden single doors framed in even more exquisitely detailed masonry. A triangular peak rises above each, with a skull at the center of each triangle. The doors look to be of excellent quality, and it looks like there might be an inscription above them, but it's hard to tell through the darkness without going in to inspect them more closely.
The right eye leads to a rough-hewn tunnel, only about 30ft in depth but boasting a soaring 20ft ceiling. The worn cobbled floor bears a scattering of loose stone and debris, but is at least smooth enough to be good for walking or moving carts in and out. The walls show signs of water-wear and chipping and, again, are roughly enough excavated and formed to make the hall look mostly square at best, more like a simple mineshaft than a proper construction, save for its impressive height. The ceiling is so thick with cobwebs that it can barely be seen at all, even with good lighting. At the end of the corridor is a simple but sturdy double door made of oak and held up by heavy, lightly stylized iron hinges. The doorway looks like it would have to be a good 10ft wide and 15ft tall, and the doors are opened by enormous iron pull rings that hang from about 5ft above the floor.
The hole of the nose extends beyond where the light reaches, but what can be seen is brightly coloured and striking. The floor is a beautiful and elaborate abstract mosaic featuring a distinct winding path about 2ft wide proceeding along its length. The 20ft walls are covered in vibrant fresco which depict numerous scenes. Those along the left wall seem to be outdoors. The first 60ft featuring, in order, grazing, emaciated cattle (30ft long), wolves devouring a corpse under a full moon (10ft long), and shackled humanoids (some with the heads or other body parts of animals) performing labor(20ft long). The images on the right wall are indoors, and, for the first 60ft, in order, show a library full of tomes and scrolls (20ft long), a wizard's laboratory with a pair of jackal-headed humanoids carrying in a chest (10ft long), and an elaborate torture chamber (30ft long)
The first trial of the Tomb presents itself: Which entrance will you choose?
The left eye's tunnel proceeds 60 ft, and appears to be a well-worked, properly squared stone passage with a 10ft ceiling. The walls are engraved with elaborate geometric engravings, some of which form the impression, though not image, of humanoid figures... or perhaps sarcophagi. The etchings are precise and clean, the work of a master mason at the peak of their craft. The floor is composed of 10ft by 10ft, evenly cut and fitted slabs of four different types of stone, creating an elegant, alternating pattern which would be at home in the floor of the palace of a wealthy noble. At the end, faintly visible, is a pair of fine wooden single doors framed in even more exquisitely detailed masonry. A triangular peak rises above each, with a skull at the center of each triangle. The doors look to be of excellent quality, and it looks like there might be an inscription above them, but it's hard to tell through the darkness without going in to inspect them more closely.
The right eye leads to a rough-hewn tunnel, only about 30ft in depth but boasting a soaring 20ft ceiling. The worn cobbled floor bears a scattering of loose stone and debris, but is at least smooth enough to be good for walking or moving carts in and out. The walls show signs of water-wear and chipping and, again, are roughly enough excavated and formed to make the hall look mostly square at best, more like a simple mineshaft than a proper construction, save for its impressive height. The ceiling is so thick with cobwebs that it can barely be seen at all, even with good lighting. At the end of the corridor is a simple but sturdy double door made of oak and held up by heavy, lightly stylized iron hinges. The doorway looks like it would have to be a good 10ft wide and 15ft tall, and the doors are opened by enormous iron pull rings that hang from about 5ft above the floor.
The hole of the nose extends beyond where the light reaches, but what can be seen is brightly coloured and striking. The floor is a beautiful and elaborate abstract mosaic featuring a distinct winding path about 2ft wide proceeding along its length. The 20ft walls are covered in vibrant fresco which depict numerous scenes. Those along the left wall seem to be outdoors. The first 60ft featuring, in order, grazing, emaciated cattle (30ft long), wolves devouring a corpse under a full moon (10ft long), and shackled humanoids (some with the heads or other body parts of animals) performing labor(20ft long). The images on the right wall are indoors, and, for the first 60ft, in order, show a library full of tomes and scrolls (20ft long), a wizard's laboratory with a pair of jackal-headed humanoids carrying in a chest (10ft long), and an elaborate torture chamber (30ft long)
The first trial of the Tomb presents itself: Which entrance will you choose?
Now that all the living had finally got themselves together and organised there was the possibility of actually entering the tomb and getting on with the job. The death knight would examine each entrance without physically entering just yet, while death wasn’t something he feared he wasn’t stupid and the chances of him being re-enslaved by a lich was a serious risk here that he wanted to avoid if possible.
“I’d say we go this way.” he pointed to the right eye tunnel “Looks like a service entrance, having traps when you’re trying to bring supplies in and out may be counterproductive…” he’’d wait to see what the others did or decided. Enlil followed him around at heel constantly and sat down when he'd stop moving.
“I’d say we go this way.” he pointed to the right eye tunnel “Looks like a service entrance, having traps when you’re trying to bring supplies in and out may be counterproductive…” he’’d wait to see what the others did or decided. Enlil followed him around at heel constantly and sat down when he'd stop moving.
Lisa watches Ant and Enlil warily, although she's much more relaxed around them than earlier- despite this dynamic duo's frightening visages and frankly unpleasant smell, they seem...mostly alright. Competent and not overtly hostile (outside of an exception she considered rather reasonable), they might actually make great adventuring partners. Her judgement on the others...is frankly still pending.
She chances a brief excursion into each of the three tunnels, ears pricked, eyes wide, and nostrils flared. Alert, Lisa scrutinizes her surroundings, scanning for clues a less sensitive explorer might miss.
Ant's gruff voice startles her out of this intense focus. She jolts a little, and there's a moment of silence before she answers thoughtfully. "I-I'm inclined to agree. There's likely still security measures in place, but- well -his servants have to get in somehow."
She remembers some of what she'd overheard in the excited whispers amongst the townspeople, and regrets her choice of words. Servants.
She chances a brief excursion into each of the three tunnels, ears pricked, eyes wide, and nostrils flared. Alert, Lisa scrutinizes her surroundings, scanning for clues a less sensitive explorer might miss.
Ant's gruff voice startles her out of this intense focus. She jolts a little, and there's a moment of silence before she answers thoughtfully. "I-I'm inclined to agree. There's likely still security measures in place, but- well -his servants have to get in somehow."
She remembers some of what she'd overheard in the excited whispers amongst the townspeople, and regrets her choice of words. Servants.
Lisa! How deep into each tunnel do you go, and in which order?
Avi! Let's say from the left-side entrance to the right, and up to the edge of the ambient light no deeper than 30 feet. Any more would risk taking her out of sight of her companions, and that's a Lisa no-go. xD
LISA
Ill advised... but bold, and so far paying off!
Left passage, finely carved masonry:
With her natural ability to see in low light, Lisa can get a good luck at the unsettling carvings that coat every surface in this tunnel. The most distinct feature is that, while the fine stone here is obviously not a natural part of the hill, the amount of detail on the walls makes it impossible to see how the panels of the wall are assembled, if they were made in distinct panels at all. It could have all been shaped by magic just as much as it could have been made into panels or bricks and seamlessly assembled by conventional means. Either way, an impressive display of skill. At the deepest point she feels comfortable exploring for now, 30ft in, careful inspection reveals that the near edges of the stone slabs bordering the pair she's standing on, and the base of the walls of these two tiles, have some slight scuff marks on them. She also has a clearer view of the doors, and there is, in fact, a smooth strip of stone above them embossed with an inscription in angular characters.
Central hallway, decorated with fresco:
This tunnel continues further into the darkness, even beyond what Lisa can peer into from her further-in vantage. The red path on the floor continue to follow it as well, winding and worming its way into the darkness.
Left wall: The cattle in the first section of mural are grazing on brambles and withered grass. Bits of bone litter the ground, including part of one distinctly human skull. The image of the wolves feasting on a corpse just past where the healer stops is hard to focus on for a moment, until all of the sudden it is clearly the body of a familiar elderly woman. A depiction of a gutted black cat lays in her arms...
Right wall: The library image is beautifully detailed, down to the title of each book. A few are familiar as rare reference tomes on various subjects, and others look to be similarly high brow but are not known to her. The wizardly work room's jackal-headed inhabitants are carrying more than just an image of a chest! The bronze box protrudes out into the hall a few inches. There's a hinge on the bottom and a catch on the top. It looks like pressing the catch would let it swing open... The start of the torture chamber, just past Lisa's stopping point, features the image of an iron door with a barred window near the top. A caricature of a leering demon peers out, clutching the bars with it's clawed hands. Thankfully, no "the eyes are following you" illusions so far.
Right hallway, rough-hewn but serviceable:
30ft into this hallway reaches all the way to its large double door. Given the door's height it's... a bit hard to tell, but looking carefully reveals that a wall of gravel reaches down from amidst the cobwebs, all the way down to the stone panel above this door, and maybe even behind it. This stone slab depicts a crude, jeering face of some vaguely frog-like creature. The door is also not set into the wall, but closed against it instead.
((If anyone, especially Lisa, needs clarification, please ask. I'll help as best as I can with the knowledge you currently have))
Ill advised... but bold, and so far paying off!
Left passage, finely carved masonry:
With her natural ability to see in low light, Lisa can get a good luck at the unsettling carvings that coat every surface in this tunnel. The most distinct feature is that, while the fine stone here is obviously not a natural part of the hill, the amount of detail on the walls makes it impossible to see how the panels of the wall are assembled, if they were made in distinct panels at all. It could have all been shaped by magic just as much as it could have been made into panels or bricks and seamlessly assembled by conventional means. Either way, an impressive display of skill. At the deepest point she feels comfortable exploring for now, 30ft in, careful inspection reveals that the near edges of the stone slabs bordering the pair she's standing on, and the base of the walls of these two tiles, have some slight scuff marks on them. She also has a clearer view of the doors, and there is, in fact, a smooth strip of stone above them embossed with an inscription in angular characters.
Central hallway, decorated with fresco:
This tunnel continues further into the darkness, even beyond what Lisa can peer into from her further-in vantage. The red path on the floor continue to follow it as well, winding and worming its way into the darkness.
Left wall: The cattle in the first section of mural are grazing on brambles and withered grass. Bits of bone litter the ground, including part of one distinctly human skull. The image of the wolves feasting on a corpse just past where the healer stops is hard to focus on for a moment, until all of the sudden it is clearly the body of a familiar elderly woman. A depiction of a gutted black cat lays in her arms...
Right wall: The library image is beautifully detailed, down to the title of each book. A few are familiar as rare reference tomes on various subjects, and others look to be similarly high brow but are not known to her. The wizardly work room's jackal-headed inhabitants are carrying more than just an image of a chest! The bronze box protrudes out into the hall a few inches. There's a hinge on the bottom and a catch on the top. It looks like pressing the catch would let it swing open... The start of the torture chamber, just past Lisa's stopping point, features the image of an iron door with a barred window near the top. A caricature of a leering demon peers out, clutching the bars with it's clawed hands. Thankfully, no "the eyes are following you" illusions so far.
Right hallway, rough-hewn but serviceable:
30ft into this hallway reaches all the way to its large double door. Given the door's height it's... a bit hard to tell, but looking carefully reveals that a wall of gravel reaches down from amidst the cobwebs, all the way down to the stone panel above this door, and maybe even behind it. This stone slab depicts a crude, jeering face of some vaguely frog-like creature. The door is also not set into the wall, but closed against it instead.
((If anyone, especially Lisa, needs clarification, please ask. I'll help as best as I can with the knowledge you currently have))
Jiyarin trots up to the small group just as Lisa returns from her brief foray ahead. Similarly to the chimera, the deathless knight and his hound were not overly pleasant to his senses, but the he tried to hide this as best as possible. For now, the four of them had a common goal, and more importantly the armored figure seemed to have the most experience directly contending with these…entities, not too different from the one who had built this place. He called them liches, right? The kassari was beginning to suspect that the world’s many apparent impossibilities had less to do with its failure to enforce the laws of nature and more with the existence of an entirely distinct branch of said law, one exclusive to whatever realm he’d found himself in. I don’t have the information to theorize further. Gonna poke the big guy or the fluffy-eared lady for more later, or make my own observations.
This stays here, but I’d…really rather talk to the one who doesn’t kind of terrify me. Never getting used to the patchwork hound. Yes, I know it’s nominally friendly - still not gonna happen.
“I get what you’re going for, but I’m a little more hesitant to agree. If the thing running this show is as dangerous as he sounds, I don’t think he’d put a maintenance passage right at the front gate, unless it was just as impassable or heavily defended somehow. Chances are he figured someone would try this. Still, can’t hurt to look…”
The pathfinder’s drone unfolds to expose its ducted fans, before sharply rising into the air from his outstretched arm. A diode lamp comparable to a powerful outdoor flashlight on the little machine’s belly snaps to life, slowly tracking back and forth. Jiyarin flips open the flat-topped docking bracer on his right arm to reveal a pathing and command unit, and a small ruggedized screen.
“Just about everything in this world is totally new to me, especially compared to you two. Er, three,” he adds, gesturing at Ant and Enlil. “Can help with examining things that are in darkness or out of reach from the ground, but I probably need your help with knowing what I’m looking for. Might be able to assist with finding hidden surfaces or gaps behind the walls, too. We’ll see.” The kassari turns to Lisa. “I’m a bit late, but it looks like you were exploring ahead already. Did you find anything of note?” Well, you’re bolder than me…
Jiyarin: Hold position with the group.
Kolibri: Scout ahead while following these waypoints.
- Examine the inscription and nearby surroundings above the doors at the end of the left eye tunnel under IR imaging, lidar scanning, and visible light illumination. Attempt to identify and record any potential dangers, concealed hazards, or passages too small/high up to traverse normally.
- If additional actions are possible in this turn, investigate the unlit areas of the nose tunnel under the same observational parameters.
This stays here, but I’d…really rather talk to the one who doesn’t kind of terrify me. Never getting used to the patchwork hound. Yes, I know it’s nominally friendly - still not gonna happen.
“I get what you’re going for, but I’m a little more hesitant to agree. If the thing running this show is as dangerous as he sounds, I don’t think he’d put a maintenance passage right at the front gate, unless it was just as impassable or heavily defended somehow. Chances are he figured someone would try this. Still, can’t hurt to look…”
The pathfinder’s drone unfolds to expose its ducted fans, before sharply rising into the air from his outstretched arm. A diode lamp comparable to a powerful outdoor flashlight on the little machine’s belly snaps to life, slowly tracking back and forth. Jiyarin flips open the flat-topped docking bracer on his right arm to reveal a pathing and command unit, and a small ruggedized screen.
“Just about everything in this world is totally new to me, especially compared to you two. Er, three,” he adds, gesturing at Ant and Enlil. “Can help with examining things that are in darkness or out of reach from the ground, but I probably need your help with knowing what I’m looking for. Might be able to assist with finding hidden surfaces or gaps behind the walls, too. We’ll see.” The kassari turns to Lisa. “I’m a bit late, but it looks like you were exploring ahead already. Did you find anything of note?” Well, you’re bolder than me…
Jiyarin: Hold position with the group.
Kolibri: Scout ahead while following these waypoints.
- Examine the inscription and nearby surroundings above the doors at the end of the left eye tunnel under IR imaging, lidar scanning, and visible light illumination. Attempt to identify and record any potential dangers, concealed hazards, or passages too small/high up to traverse normally.
- If additional actions are possible in this turn, investigate the unlit areas of the nose tunnel under the same observational parameters.
JIYARIN
Remote scouting has its benefits! But does it show you everything you need to know?
Left tunnel:
-The inscriptions are embossed in faded bronze, and are composed of sharp, angular characters well suited to being chiseled or engraved. If anyone speaks Dwarven or a language similarly associated with mountain dwelling peoples, they can be read. (let me know if anyone knows that kind of language)
-A general knowledge of linguistics suggests that the text is either an alphabet or a syllabary rather than the symbols being full root words, and that the inscription is only a few words or short sentences.
-Close inspection of the floor near the door, assisted by high-resolution Lidar scans and a close view, indicate that the second last set of tiles (near edge 40ft from entrance, far edge 50ft from entrance, 10ft from the doors) are not fitted as closely as the other tiles, and sit half an inch higher than the surrounding floor.
-The same close inspection indicates that the doors look like they're fitted unusually tightly in their frames.
Center Tunnel:
-The center tunnel extends to a total of 130ft, with various sections of painted plaster scenery running its entire length. Likewise, the narrow red trail on the floor reaches all the way to the end before branching. One branch goes straight ahead, and the other goes toward the left wall. Each bears a very distinct feature, which will be described below.
-From 40ft to 60ft down the central hall, careful inspection with good light reveals text (legible to anyone who can read) saying the following:
-At the end of this central corridor, on the back wall, is a green metal feature resembling the face of a howling devil. The open mouth leads only into absolute blackness, even with light shined directly into it. Lidar does not detect a back wall.
-On the left wall is a stone arch filled with thick fog that blocks all sight. It even appears solid to Lidar. There is a large, smooth stone with a pyramidal front at the base of the arch at each side, and one as the keystone at its apex.
((Once again, and especially with how much content is in this post, please let me know if anyone needs clarification on what was learned here, but no spoilers. ~v^))
Remote scouting has its benefits! But does it show you everything you need to know?
Left tunnel:
-The inscriptions are embossed in faded bronze, and are composed of sharp, angular characters well suited to being chiseled or engraved. If anyone speaks Dwarven or a language similarly associated with mountain dwelling peoples, they can be read. (let me know if anyone knows that kind of language)
-A general knowledge of linguistics suggests that the text is either an alphabet or a syllabary rather than the symbols being full root words, and that the inscription is only a few words or short sentences.
-Close inspection of the floor near the door, assisted by high-resolution Lidar scans and a close view, indicate that the second last set of tiles (near edge 40ft from entrance, far edge 50ft from entrance, 10ft from the doors) are not fitted as closely as the other tiles, and sit half an inch higher than the surrounding floor.
-The same close inspection indicates that the doors look like they're fitted unusually tightly in their frames.
Center Tunnel:
-The center tunnel extends to a total of 130ft, with various sections of painted plaster scenery running its entire length. Likewise, the narrow red trail on the floor reaches all the way to the end before branching. One branch goes straight ahead, and the other goes toward the left wall. Each bears a very distinct feature, which will be described below.
-From 40ft to 60ft down the central hall, careful inspection with good light reveals text (legible to anyone who can read) saying the following:
The floor text wrote:
ACERERAK CONGRATULATES YOU ON YOUR POWERS OF OBSERVATION. SO MAKE
OF THIS WHATEVER YOU WISH, FOR YOU WILL BE MINE IN THE END NO MAT-
TER WHAT!
Go back to the tormentor or through the arch,
and the second great hall you’ll discover.
Shun green if you can, but night’s good color
is for those of great valor.
If shades of red stand for blood the wise
will not need sacrifice aught but a loop of
magical metal - you’re well along your march.
Two pits along the way will be found to lead
to a fortuitous fall, so check the wall.
These keys and those are most important of all,
and beware of trembling hands and what will maul.
If you find the false you find the true
and into the columned hall you’ll come,
and there the throne that’s key and keyed.
The iron men of visage grim do more than
meets the viewer’s eye.
You’ve left and left and found my Tomb
and now your soul will die.
OF THIS WHATEVER YOU WISH, FOR YOU WILL BE MINE IN THE END NO MAT-
TER WHAT!
Go back to the tormentor or through the arch,
and the second great hall you’ll discover.
Shun green if you can, but night’s good color
is for those of great valor.
If shades of red stand for blood the wise
will not need sacrifice aught but a loop of
magical metal - you’re well along your march.
Two pits along the way will be found to lead
to a fortuitous fall, so check the wall.
These keys and those are most important of all,
and beware of trembling hands and what will maul.
If you find the false you find the true
and into the columned hall you’ll come,
and there the throne that’s key and keyed.
The iron men of visage grim do more than
meets the viewer’s eye.
You’ve left and left and found my Tomb
and now your soul will die.
-At the end of this central corridor, on the back wall, is a green metal feature resembling the face of a howling devil. The open mouth leads only into absolute blackness, even with light shined directly into it. Lidar does not detect a back wall.
-On the left wall is a stone arch filled with thick fog that blocks all sight. It even appears solid to Lidar. There is a large, smooth stone with a pyramidal front at the base of the arch at each side, and one as the keystone at its apex.
((Once again, and especially with how much content is in this post, please let me know if anyone needs clarification on what was learned here, but no spoilers. ~v^))
He’d leave the hall exploring to the other two, he’d made up his mind but if they wanted to go down another path he wouldn’t object. worse comes to worse he could use an extra small skeleton or two, they were always useful. “You’d be surprised-“he commented to the not-tabaxi-what-was-this-thing(?) “Sometimes their ego is so grossly inflated they consider themselves unstoppable..so it wouldn’t surprise me they’d have a service tunnel here. Especially for things like meat wagons they are heavy and the cargo is short-lived if you want to preserve a body quickly, best to get them in as fast as possible.”this was his argument.
Eyebrow rose at the small flying thing launched from Jiyarin’s arm, artificers and their gadgets, he shook his head.
“Either of you find anything yet?”
Eyebrow rose at the small flying thing launched from Jiyarin’s arm, artificers and their gadgets, he shook his head.
“Either of you find anything yet?”
Between the obfuscating assembly, the scuffs, and the inscription, Lisa privately determines that the left passage will kill or maim them. Not might, not probably, but will.
The central passage is worse. While the first one left her ill at ease, she fights a wave of nausea at the subject(s) of the main hall's murals. Lisa swallows bile and forces herself to drink in every last detail. She notes the chest jutting out of the wall.
She, additionally, notes the gravelly substance descending down to and behind an unusually oriented door inside the right entrance. It's...almost as disquieting as the left-hand passageway.
She retreats back to the group and watches the tiny furry-thing summon a construct, flinching as the machine's belly lights up- she was staring directly at it...specifically after scrutinizing the low-light tunnels. As it's sent to further examine their options, she shares with her companions what she found:
"I'm sure your little explorer will pick this up as well, but the murals on the left-eye passage seem to be carved in a way that conceals their exact make. Scuffs and scratches toward the door might betray some hidden mechanisms. I'd be very careful about going down there."
She hesitates for a second. "There's...something interesting in the nasal passage, but those murals make me..." Lisa folds her arms over her chest, shivering. "Erm...uh...could one of you, tell me what you see painted on those walls?" Some of those images felt, suspiciously personal. Like they were carved for her, and that doesn't make any sense.
"And, I know what I said a moment ago, but as I think about it...the last one- might? -be a dead end?"
The central passage is worse. While the first one left her ill at ease, she fights a wave of nausea at the subject(s) of the main hall's murals. Lisa swallows bile and forces herself to drink in every last detail. She notes the chest jutting out of the wall.
She, additionally, notes the gravelly substance descending down to and behind an unusually oriented door inside the right entrance. It's...almost as disquieting as the left-hand passageway.
She retreats back to the group and watches the tiny furry-thing summon a construct, flinching as the machine's belly lights up- she was staring directly at it...specifically after scrutinizing the low-light tunnels. As it's sent to further examine their options, she shares with her companions what she found:
"I'm sure your little explorer will pick this up as well, but the murals on the left-eye passage seem to be carved in a way that conceals their exact make. Scuffs and scratches toward the door might betray some hidden mechanisms. I'd be very careful about going down there."
She hesitates for a second. "There's...something interesting in the nasal passage, but those murals make me..." Lisa folds her arms over her chest, shivering. "Erm...uh...could one of you, tell me what you see painted on those walls?" Some of those images felt, suspiciously personal. Like they were carved for her, and that doesn't make any sense.
"And, I know what I said a moment ago, but as I think about it...the last one- might? -be a dead end?"
The small creature tilts his head skeptically, but listens to what the armored warrior has to say. “I’ll…take your word for it, but banking on the overconfidence of our adversary isn’t really a gamble I want to lead with. You raise a good point, though. Still likely defended, maybe deliveries and loading hands authorized to be here carry some form of identification to let them pass?” He studied the images being returned to the device on his arm before continuing. “Also, you might not wrong about the left passage being a worse option. Check this out.” Nervously, Jiyarin inches a little closer to the giant of a knight before raising the drone’s camera feed hopefully high enough to see. “Not an expert on killer fortresses, but see these tiles? They look like pressure plates. The last three or four meters of the passage are covered with them from wall to wall, almost right up to the door. Speaking of it, there’s no keyhole or external mechanism I can see, and the thing is so closely set it might as well be part of the brickwork.” Couldn’t get a beam through, so less than a tenth of a millimeter of clearance. How did they achieve these tolerances with bronze and stone? “And this writing…is there any chance you’re familiar with symbols like these?”
Jiyarin finishes examining the left tunnel right when Lisa returns from her excursion into the center…just as the kassari is preparing to scan it as well. “S-sorry!”, he yips in apology, scrambling to douse Kolibri’s lights. “You move super quietly, I didn’t notice you coming…which isn’t a great look for a scout, I’m aware.” He looks down sheepishly. “Yeah, we’re in agreement on avoiding the left side if possible. Mechanically triggered traps and a sealed entrance, not really any different from what you picked out. Glad you didn’t venture too far, we’re pretty sure there’s a particularly nasty one at the far end.” The fluffy little creature perks up at her mention of something of interest in the passage ahead, but it changes to a look of genuine concern at her reaction to what she saw. “Haven’t looked yet, but I’ll see what I can find.”
Jiyarin finishes examining the left tunnel right when Lisa returns from her excursion into the center…just as the kassari is preparing to scan it as well. “S-sorry!”, he yips in apology, scrambling to douse Kolibri’s lights. “You move super quietly, I didn’t notice you coming…which isn’t a great look for a scout, I’m aware.” He looks down sheepishly. “Yeah, we’re in agreement on avoiding the left side if possible. Mechanically triggered traps and a sealed entrance, not really any different from what you picked out. Glad you didn’t venture too far, we’re pretty sure there’s a particularly nasty one at the far end.” The fluffy little creature perks up at her mention of something of interest in the passage ahead, but it changes to a look of genuine concern at her reaction to what she saw. “Haven’t looked yet, but I’ll see what I can find.”
JIYARIN
In addition to the above, drone observation of the wolf fresco reveals.... not much of interest. The figure is generic, without distinct features, and, other than the wolves, is alone...
Minor correction/clarification: It's the second last 10ft of hallway which has the ever-so-slightly slightly raised slabs. The last 10ft are at level with the rest of the corridor's floor.
The Tomb of Horrors wrote:
Center Tunnel:
-The center tunnel extends to a total of 130ft, with various sections of painted plaster scenery running its entire length. Likewise, the narrow red trail on the floor reaches all the way to the end before branching. One branch goes straight ahead, and the other goes toward the left wall. Each bears a very distinct feature, which will be described below.
-From 40ft to 60ft down the central hall, careful inspection with good light reveals text (legible to anyone who can read) saying the following:
-At the end of this central corridor, on the back wall, is a green metal feature resembling the face of a howling devil. The open mouth leads only into absolute blackness, even with light shined directly into it. Lidar does not detect a back wall.
-On the left wall is a stone arch filled with thick fog that blocks all sight. It even appears solid to Lidar. There is a large, smooth stone with a pyramidal front at the base of the arch at each side, and one as the keystone at its apex.
-The center tunnel extends to a total of 130ft, with various sections of painted plaster scenery running its entire length. Likewise, the narrow red trail on the floor reaches all the way to the end before branching. One branch goes straight ahead, and the other goes toward the left wall. Each bears a very distinct feature, which will be described below.
-From 40ft to 60ft down the central hall, careful inspection with good light reveals text (legible to anyone who can read) saying the following:
The floor text wrote:
ACERERAK CONGRATULATES YOU ON YOUR POWERS OF OBSERVATION. SO MAKE
OF THIS WHATEVER YOU WISH, FOR YOU WILL BE MINE IN THE END NO MAT-
TER WHAT!
Go back to the tormentor or through the arch,
and the second great hall you’ll discover.
Shun green if you can, but night’s good color
is for those of great valor.
If shades of red stand for blood the wise
will not need sacrifice aught but a loop of
magical metal - you’re well along your march.
Two pits along the way will be found to lead
to a fortuitous fall, so check the wall.
These keys and those are most important of all,
and beware of trembling hands and what will maul.
If you find the false you find the true
and into the columned hall you’ll come,
and there the throne that’s key and keyed.
The iron men of visage grim do more than
meets the viewer’s eye.
You’ve left and left and found my Tomb
and now your soul will die.
OF THIS WHATEVER YOU WISH, FOR YOU WILL BE MINE IN THE END NO MAT-
TER WHAT!
Go back to the tormentor or through the arch,
and the second great hall you’ll discover.
Shun green if you can, but night’s good color
is for those of great valor.
If shades of red stand for blood the wise
will not need sacrifice aught but a loop of
magical metal - you’re well along your march.
Two pits along the way will be found to lead
to a fortuitous fall, so check the wall.
These keys and those are most important of all,
and beware of trembling hands and what will maul.
If you find the false you find the true
and into the columned hall you’ll come,
and there the throne that’s key and keyed.
The iron men of visage grim do more than
meets the viewer’s eye.
You’ve left and left and found my Tomb
and now your soul will die.
-At the end of this central corridor, on the back wall, is a green metal feature resembling the face of a howling devil. The open mouth leads only into absolute blackness, even with light shined directly into it. Lidar does not detect a back wall.
-On the left wall is a stone arch filled with thick fog that blocks all sight. It even appears solid to Lidar. There is a large, smooth stone with a pyramidal front at the base of the arch at each side, and one as the keystone at its apex.
In addition to the above, drone observation of the wolf fresco reveals.... not much of interest. The figure is generic, without distinct features, and, other than the wolves, is alone...
Minor correction/clarification: It's the second last 10ft of hallway which has the ever-so-slightly slightly raised slabs. The last 10ft are at level with the rest of the corridor's floor.
“Identification? I’m pretty sure that’s obvious their either undead or look as shady as this bunch.” Pointing a finger back to the village. Ant shoved Enlil out the way who took no offence and simply moved to sit on his other side as the death knight crouched down to look at the tiny screen. The tiny familiar could share its past vision with its master through some sort of mirror? Fancy magic that was. “Probably you have to press the plates in the correct order to open the doors…I hate these types of dungeons…” wheres a good ghoul or gnoll cave when you needed it? Go in, smash some skulls and come out again.
He frowned at the mirror “Thats Dwarven runes…I can’t read it…” but he was glad at least he had two brains to make up for what he lacked, more than happy to be the muscle. Ant stood up again and Enlil moved back around to the other side, sniffing Jiyarin in the process, harmless enough.
“So whats the verdict?”
He frowned at the mirror “Thats Dwarven runes…I can’t read it…” but he was glad at least he had two brains to make up for what he lacked, more than happy to be the muscle. Ant stood up again and Enlil moved back around to the other side, sniffing Jiyarin in the process, harmless enough.
“So whats the verdict?”
Somewhat involuntarily, Lisa scoffs at Ant's commentary. You and your hound reek like the dead. Maybe the service passage will work for you. She keeps this thought to herself, especially given that the knight follows it with something actually insightful.
"It's...possible the panels are the input for a passcode of sorts, but-" they've no means to determine the password. Guessing is asking for trouble. "Hang on. Can you...?" She's looking over Jiyarin's shoulder at the little mirror. "What was that writing? There, on the floor."
Is that a riddle?
She casts a furtive glance toward the central tunnel. It's not much, but it's something to work with. It's definitely a risk to play along with such obvious bait, but...better than gambling with the skull's eyes.
"M-maybe, we should explore the middle?"
"It's...possible the panels are the input for a passcode of sorts, but-" they've no means to determine the password. Guessing is asking for trouble. "Hang on. Can you...?" She's looking over Jiyarin's shoulder at the little mirror. "What was that writing? There, on the floor."
Is that a riddle?
She casts a furtive glance toward the central tunnel. It's not much, but it's something to work with. It's definitely a risk to play along with such obvious bait, but...better than gambling with the skull's eyes.
"M-maybe, we should explore the middle?"
“Yes, but wouldn’t their weight…, ah, nevermind.” Jiyarin flinches hard as Enlil noses into his side, but resists the urge to bolt. “It’s possible. If we had some way to test combinations without being in the danger zone - a really long stick, maybe? Hey, if it’s silly and it works…”
His ears flick up as Lisa weighs in, but the kassari is aware enough of her presence not to be surprised this time. The pathfinder adjusts himself so she can more easily see the small display. “Yeah…it’s in English, too. Given I seem to be able to converse with you guys in that language, I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked. You think writing it down might be useful later? I can freeze the image.” A thought occurs to him. “Lisa, you said something about the mural in this passage seemed off, right? I can order my skyeye to make a second pass, slowly - tell me if it appears to have changed. And I’d have to agree, this pathway seems the most promising so far.”
His ears flick up as Lisa weighs in, but the kassari is aware enough of her presence not to be surprised this time. The pathfinder adjusts himself so she can more easily see the small display. “Yeah…it’s in English, too. Given I seem to be able to converse with you guys in that language, I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked. You think writing it down might be useful later? I can freeze the image.” A thought occurs to him. “Lisa, you said something about the mural in this passage seemed off, right? I can order my skyeye to make a second pass, slowly - tell me if it appears to have changed. And I’d have to agree, this pathway seems the most promising so far.”
Frowning, Ant attempted to look at the tiny mirror to see what floor writing the fuzzy lady was talking about. He had no idea what english was but then he got the clear impression this tiny one wasn’t from around here. “You need something to test with? thats easy enough.” off he walked away, trying to find a spot mostly out of view from the cultists in the village if he could and scanned the surroundings.
Holding his hand out seemingly in a random direction nothing happened for a few seconds before the ground in front of him cracked open and a skeleton started to claw its way to the surface. “We can use this…"
Holding his hand out seemingly in a random direction nothing happened for a few seconds before the ground in front of him cracked open and a skeleton started to claw its way to the surface. “We can use this…"
Lisa smiles faintly at Jiyarin’s offer. “That might be helpful. T-there’s a, uh…hunch that I have and I think confirming it would-“
She stops talking and turns to check on Ant, who’d interrupted her in and then promptly wandered off, marching toward a secluded spot several meters away. By the time she spots him among the rocks, he’s- What the fuck is he doing!?
The chimera jolts to her feet as long, white, fleshless fingers burst out of the soil, followed by an entire animate skeleton. She grits her teeth and hopes the others didn’t see the soul leave her body. Come on, Liz, you’ve seen worse.
“I. Suppose. That could. Work…? Um…h-hey,” Lisa turns her attention back toward Jiyarin. “A-about that riddle…”
She stops talking and turns to check on Ant, who’d interrupted her in and then promptly wandered off, marching toward a secluded spot several meters away. By the time she spots him among the rocks, he’s- What the fuck is he doing!?
The chimera jolts to her feet as long, white, fleshless fingers burst out of the soil, followed by an entire animate skeleton. She grits her teeth and hopes the others didn’t see the soul leave her body. Come on, Liz, you’ve seen worse.
“I. Suppose. That could. Work…? Um…h-hey,” Lisa turns her attention back toward Jiyarin. “A-about that riddle…”
Jiyarin’s ears dip shyly, and he manages to grin back a little. “Happy to be of use. We’re in this together, one way or the next…uh, remind me what we’re looking for? Could’ve missed it, but I didn’t spot anything too out o-“ Noticing the sudden absence of a tall shadow over him, he looks up sharply. “Hey, where’d the big guy go?”
The pathfinder yelps on surprise, instinctively reaching for his dustgun’s safety as the freshly reanimated skeleton stumbles upright on limbs of stained bone. Right, different rules, I’ll deal with this mystery la - screw that, dealing with it right now. “Ant?! Please tell me that’s one of yours.” If answered, he adds; “Kohei-arah…so much for sanctity of the dead, I guess. How - how did you do that, anyway? Where I’m from, those don’t work so well on their own.” Perhaps surprisingly, the little creature seems more curious than shaken.
He tries to refocus as Lisa turns toward him again, but keeps one eye on the skeleton just in case. “…okay yeah, ethics aside, it might be pretty useful for triggering stuff ahead of our path. Right, the floor script. Think it could…help us, somehow?”
The pathfinder yelps on surprise, instinctively reaching for his dustgun’s safety as the freshly reanimated skeleton stumbles upright on limbs of stained bone. Right, different rules, I’ll deal with this mystery la - screw that, dealing with it right now. “Ant?! Please tell me that’s one of yours.” If answered, he adds; “Kohei-arah…so much for sanctity of the dead, I guess. How - how did you do that, anyway? Where I’m from, those don’t work so well on their own.” Perhaps surprisingly, the little creature seems more curious than shaken.
He tries to refocus as Lisa turns toward him again, but keeps one eye on the skeleton just in case. “…okay yeah, ethics aside, it might be pretty useful for triggering stuff ahead of our path. Right, the floor script. Think it could…help us, somehow?”
Once the skeleton was above ground he’d dust off some of the dirt on its bones and turn back around as he was being shouted at. Another reason for doing this off to the side was to not completely spook those two but that was a failure. “Of course it’s mine…” he looked back to the skeleton, back to them and shrugged. The sanctity of the dead comment pushed a button in him. Ant wandered over to the tiny creature and leaned in close.
“That doesn’t exist in this world, if you haven’t noticed I’m also dead.” as if his cheek having rotten away exposing the bone, unnatural blue eyes and the god-awful stench wasn’t a big enough give away. “Theres a creature in there-“ pointing to a random tunnel “That does this” pointing to himself “to serve it’s own purposes because Liches were book nerds that got pissy when they were told the library is shut now their an undead abomination that spread plague and death.” Hands back on his hips, frowning at Jiyarin.
Realising he probably went to far he pulled back and stood up, wandering over to the central entrance but not going in just yet. Skeleton and ghoul tagging along behind. Death and undeath were touchy subjects it seemed.
“That doesn’t exist in this world, if you haven’t noticed I’m also dead.” as if his cheek having rotten away exposing the bone, unnatural blue eyes and the god-awful stench wasn’t a big enough give away. “Theres a creature in there-“ pointing to a random tunnel “That does this” pointing to himself “to serve it’s own purposes because Liches were book nerds that got pissy when they were told the library is shut now their an undead abomination that spread plague and death.” Hands back on his hips, frowning at Jiyarin.
Realising he probably went to far he pulled back and stood up, wandering over to the central entrance but not going in just yet. Skeleton and ghoul tagging along behind. Death and undeath were touchy subjects it seemed.
Lisa’s eyes narrow and her mouth forms into a thin line. Fists balled at her sides, clenched so tightly the knuckles go white, she stands.
Yet she holds her tongue, instead opting to glare into the back of Ant’s rotting skull as he, the dog-thing, and his skeleton buddy march toward the agreed-upon entrance.
Her gaze softens only slightly when she turns back toward Rin. “Yes, yes I, I think it will. Or at least I think it’s something to work with.”She pauses. Deep breath, her fingers unfurl and her shoulders slump a little. The chimera’s cold expression warms with a faint and hesitant smile. Her voice drops to almost a whisper. “Um…sorry about him.” Stupid, apologizing for another’s actions, but she feels compelled to keep the peace.
With that, she reluctantly shuffles toward the entrance, where she strategically positions herself behind Ant’s crew.
Yet she holds her tongue, instead opting to glare into the back of Ant’s rotting skull as he, the dog-thing, and his skeleton buddy march toward the agreed-upon entrance.
Her gaze softens only slightly when she turns back toward Rin. “Yes, yes I, I think it will. Or at least I think it’s something to work with.”She pauses. Deep breath, her fingers unfurl and her shoulders slump a little. The chimera’s cold expression warms with a faint and hesitant smile. Her voice drops to almost a whisper. “Um…sorry about him.” Stupid, apologizing for another’s actions, but she feels compelled to keep the peace.
With that, she reluctantly shuffles toward the entrance, where she strategically positions herself behind Ant’s crew.
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