Part 10 - Whose Tomb? Maybe yours....

[EricStratton]

The group lines up in standard marching formation as Cilene and Greebo debate which of their people has suffered more throughout history. Cilene continues to eye the longsword even as its handed to Mazirith.

Rend opens the door revealing a small crypt. The raised dais in this old crypt holds a single coffin. Carved on the lid of the coffin is a warrior in plate armor with a sword laid across his chest, the point toward his feet.

Map (http://www.primeaxiom.com/rpgt/scene.asp?ID=m48jdpdoifssx4zi7bkp8ohbt1c8qfzqtlfuj jn7kg8zvrqatpnioud8azj7y9rk)

[Greebo]

What are the steps?

[Shiz]

If Bahamut is a good god, do we have anything to fear?

[Greebo]

Pissing him off?

[EricStratton]

What are the steps?
Steps up to the raised dais.

[Shiz]

Well someone take a closer look and try and figure out who he is.

[Greebo]

History check - is the figure recognizable?

[EricStratton]

Greebo
You do not recognize the figure.

[Greebo]

Hmm. Some dead guy. Lets open the crypt and see what pops out! ;)

[Moonshadow]

Look, there's a sword for Maz.

[Greebo]

Cold, Moonie, Cold.

[Sagar]

History check: Do I recognize this figure? (+4)

[EricStratton]

Sagar
You do not recognize the figure.

[Shiz]

Hmm. Some dead guy. Lets open the crypt and see what pops out! ;)

I actually don't have a problem with that, but more people should speak up.

[EricStratton]

but more people should speak up.
I totally agree. :D Jagged's got school and women, Maz has babies. So if Sagar and Cilene want to chime in real quick, we can proceed.

[Moonshadow]

Wee, lets play, open away!

[Shiz]

Rend is ready to help open it, Strength check +1 = 3, but he isn't helpful.

[EricStratton]

Rend spits on his hands and gets a grip on the lid. He puts what little of the back he has into it not expecting to do much at all. He covers his face quickly as the heavy coffin lid explodes in a flurry of dust. A humanoid skeleton girded in plate armor rises from the cloud. Its breastplate is emblazoned with a stylized dragon's head, and the skeleton holds aloft a longsword. "The rift must never be reopened!" it croaks.

Skill challenge inc

The primary skills allowed are: Arcana, Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Religion. I'll accept other skills given enough RPing/reasoning.

You don't have to roll INIT but I'm going to ask that each character take at least one turn.


"State your intentions, or prepare to die!"

[Moonshadow]

Talking to distract and hide the fact that I'm systematically checking him out looking for any arcane magic.

We are here to stop the Orcus cult members from reopening the rift. We are searching for the means to do so. Can you help us?

Arcana check. Oh my god... 17 *cries*

And a diplomacy check for the blathering - 23.

[Greebo]

"Oh, thank the Gods, for we've found you! Our master told us help may be found here, but we were doubtful!" (This is the bluff)

"We are here to stop the ritual, as Cilene, my dear dear friend, " (another bluff but I won't roll for that one), "says. Please, tell us what we must do!"

Bluff +11 = 25

(And by the way, did I mention this awesome deal I've got for you on this swamp land that's drying out naturally?)

[Shiz]

Rend says "You seem to be some kind of guardian. If you worship Bahamut then we are probably on the same side."

Perception/Insight +10 = 12

[Quervo]

2 things for Maz...

History check +12 --- 16
Arcana skill check +10 --- 19

We have been sent to disrupt the magical channel being caused by the ritual.

[Moonshadow]

Holy cow I think we're pinning our hopes on Greebo

[EricStratton]

The skeleton nods at Cilene's words. "You know of the rift. Perhaps you're not simple grave robbers." (Diplo 23 vs DC = Success 1)

Cilene notices a lot of magic coming from the skeleton but that could be because it's an animated skeleton.

It turns to Greebo. "Help.... I have not been referred to as such in a long time. Who is this master that knows of me?" (Bluff 25 vs a very poor Insight roll = Success 2)

It winces when Rend speaks the name Bahamut as many believe speaking the god's name is a sign of disrespect. "Watch your tongue, boy, or I may have to take it from you." (Insight/Perception - blasphemy penalty vs DC = Failure 1)

Mazirith gets into a historical discussion regarding the magic within the Keep with the guardian. "There are unnatural forces abound in this place. Your knowledge comforts me that you are equipped to handle them." (History and Arcana checks vs DC = Successes 3 and 4).

Successes: 4
Failures: 1

You can visibly tell the warrior is more comfortable with your presence than it was before. It walks to the edge of the dais and peers down at Jagged. "Brute, do you think you're tough enough to survive this place?"

It straightens up and looks at Sagar taking note of his holy symbol. "And you, holy man. Is your faith strong enough? If you attempt to close the rift and your god does not come to aid you, will you pray no more?"

[Greebo]

Does that mean you're waiting on Jagged and Sagar?

[EricStratton]

Does that mean you're waiting on Jagged and Sagar?
Meh. I'd *like* if they were the ones that responded but I'll live if it's not. Or someone can respond for them (I have their modifiers if whoever rolls for them doesn't).

[Sagar]

Religion, +8.

"My god expects us to develop and use our own strengths. Even so, if the cause it just and our own strengths are not quite up to the challenge, I have faith that he will provide that which I lack. That, or he will use my failure to help another succeed. Either way, the rift will not open!"

Religion, 15

[Shiz]

Jagged:

"You call me a brute. I am more than that and certainly more than up to this task. Just because I prefer to speak with my axe does not mean I am incapable of discourse."

Diplo +8 = 15

[EricStratton]

The skeleton lightly taps its shield with its sword when Sagar finishes. "You have a wise view of your faith, priest. It will serve you well." (Religion 15 vs DC = Success #5).

Jagged speaks with an elegance that belies his violent tendencies. "I'm pleasantly surprised, barbarian. I believe we may have gotten along quite well...in the past." (Diplo 15 vs DC = Success #6)

The skeleton addresses the group. "You have earned the favor of Sir Keegan (http://www.legendsofwestwood.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15322&highlight=Sir%20Keegan#post255582), heroes."

Skill challenge completed successfully.

200 xp each for completing Sir Keegan's skill challenge.


"Powerful magic keeps me in this room but I will answer what questions of yours I can to help you fight the evil in my Keep."

[Shiz]

"We left a dark corner of this level unexplored. It was a cavern filled with rats. What is in that network of caves?"

[Moonshadow]

Is there a way to bypass the traps in the maze?

Do you know where they are attempting the ritual?

[EricStratton]

"There was no cavern nor any traps in what you call the maze when my legion sealed the passage and trapped me in here. Much time has passed since I committed my terrible sins; I'm not aware of any changes to it since then.

"But because my corruption was caused by the rift I seem to be linked to it. I can feel it opening. It would be located at the lowest point. You'd need to go back through the maze to get to the lower level."

[Sagar]

"What happened to you? How were you corrupted and what crimes did you commit?

And if one as strong as you was corrupted, is there any way we can avoid your fate?"

[EricStratton]

Sir Keegan nods at Sagar and, surprisingly sits down on the tomb stairs.

"I was commander here in Shadowfell Keep. It was my charge to keep the rift sealed, lest Orcus's unholy powers once again seep into the world. But I failed in my responsibility. I allowed the influence of the Shadow Rift and my knowledge of the crumbling empire to distract me from my sworn oath. The corruption that lies on the other side of the rift touched me and triggered disaster."

His skeletal shoulders sink. "My crimes...were most vile. Orcus's taint soaked through the rift and into my dreams. A madness overcame me. I was possessed! In a rage, I drew my sword and slew my wife and children. From that bloody deed I moved outward, attacking my captains, one by one, killing them even as they stared in shock. I had become a murderous fiend!

"Finally the alarm went up, and what remained of the legion banded together against me. Even in my rage, I knew I couldn't best them all, so I fled into the crypts to hide from vengeance. Only then did the madness lift. I realized what I had done and despaired. I had killed my love and broken my oath. More than that, I had done so with my sword, Aecris, an implement given to me by King Elidyr when I was knighted.

"The remnants of my legion sealed the passage and trapped me here. I selected this as a fitting place to spend eternity."

"If one as strong as you was corrupted, is there any way we can avoid your fate?" Sagar asks.

"Avoid my fate...." The fallen knight pauses in thought and reflection. Looking at Sagar with his hollow eyes, he says "Stay strong in your faith." He looks over the rest of you and continues. "Find something you find dear to you and hold on it to and fight for it."

His gaze falls on Mazirith. "And you, swordsman. Take Aecris. Perhaps this elegant weapon, unlike me, can be redeemed. I give it to you that you might purge Shadowfell Keep of those who work to open the rift."

As the conversation abates, he senses the group's weariness. "Rest here, heroes. I can keep this room safe from intruders. You have time, and you will need your strength."

You may take an extended rest here if you like. No need for a watch, Sir Keegan will handle it.

[Quervo]

I will bow to Sir Keegan, "I will accept your gift in the nature it is given, and will use it to the best of my ability to restore rightousness back to your name."

do i need an arcana check to find out what the blade does?

[Sagar]

Sounds like a good spot for a rest.

[Shiz]

Yay! Let's rest. Updating rend for level 3. Everyone, please do it carefully and thoroughly.

[Sagar]

"What evils might we face as we go forward, Sir Keegan? Is there anything you can tell us that may help us succeed?

Like, how do we close the portal?"

[EricStratton]

Sorry, had to find the sword data, and then I was called for lunch and then I had to work and yadda yadda yadda.

Aecris:
This +1 magic longsword is inlaid with platinum. It has a line of three white diamonds set into the flat of its blade and a pommel carved to resemble the head of a noble dragon.
Level 5 Longsword
Enhancement: +1 attack rolls and damage rolls
Critical: +1d6 damage
Power (Daily): Free action. When you drop an undead enemy to 0 hit points, you gain one healing surge.

[EricStratton]

After turning over his sword, Sir Keegan answers Sagar. "I imagine you'll face undead and a lot of them. I wish I had more to give you but my senses are as confined to this place as my bones are.

"I know that it takes a specific ritual to open the rift. You will probably be able to perform a counter ritual to close it as well. That or kill the son of a bitch that's opening it!" Keegen yells, his voice filled with rage.