D&D 5e: Arcana of the Ancients (IC)

[purepolarpanzer]

Umeli's Abandoned House

After Shalar has removed the boards from the door, which release with a scream of protest, and Greck has popped the handle and shoved the door open with his shield, the home is exposed to you, in all it's strange vacancy.

The first floor is mostly vacant, with only a shoddy table, a torn and worn couch, an oven built into the wall that is filthy with soot, and a dark lamp held in a wall sconce. A set of stairs rise along the back wall up to the second story. On the table there are three objects- a leather covered loose leaf tome with pages sticking out at odd angles, a small set of tools reminiscent of those used by thieves to open locks and disarm traps, and lastly there appears to be a strange mechanical hand that ends at the wrist.

Spoiler: Umeli's Metal Hand

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There is another soft amber glow from the stairwell, much easier to see in the darkness of the abandoned home, that slowly pulses to a bright intensity before slowly fading to black again.

[Inmate XIII]

His orcish eyes having quickly adjusted to the darkness, Greck glanced in Ar-Raaqis' direction and raised his hammer a bit to get their attention and gestured at the tome. Turning towards the staircase, he raised his shield again and began to ascend.

[Riggdgames]

Yusha Darwish Warforged Knowledge Cleric 3 AC: 15/17 HP: 24/24 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 15 Conditions: Concentration: Kalib Golden Eagle Familiar (Hawk size/stats) AC: 13 HP: 1/1 Yusha's eyes widen momentarily as Ar-Raaqis is suddenly bathed in frost, her visor changing colors as the storyteller seems to glow with energy. There's insufficient time to study her, however, given how eagerly her instructions are followed. Yusha winces as the boards scream in protest, watching with morbid fascination as the elf's claws extend and retract for a second time. Given that Ar-Raaquis had already heard intruders inside, Yusha couldn't fault these people for their zeal in seeing to the defense of Umili's home. He averts his eyes from Shalar nonetheless. Kalib's gaze doesn't stray, however, his head bobbing up and down excitedly. He digs his talons into Yusha's shoulder and releases repeatedly as he watches the elf go to work with her own set of talons. Yusha busies himself with his lantern as the others step inside, bringing up the rear and pausing at the open doorway. Nodding towards the wizard, the warforged engages his eagle. Go find the exit out back that Mr. Demora referenced. We mustn't remain ignorant. Let me know of anyone who comes or goes. Kalib hesitates, then slowly stretches his wings before Yusha repositions him, popping him out of existence and back in, 30 feet up. He looks for the rear entrance while keeping a sharp eye out for a perch to watch it from. Stepping inside with his lantern out in front of him, Yusha pauses, resisting the urge to cleanse the oven of soot and mend the couch. Thoughts of cleanliness and home care flee as Yusha stares at the mechanical arm, a beep of surprise escaping him before he can master it. Forgetting the needs of the moment, Yusha doesn't notice the half-orc's gesture. Instead he examines the arm reverently, hesitantly reaching out as his fingers graze over the intricate joints. Spoiler: OOC Show Retrieve and light bullseye lantern Reposition Kalib up in the air (Kalib seeks the backdoor first, then a spot to watch from without having to keep flying) Investigate the hand Spoiler: Journal Show Spoiler: Cypher - Beast Lure Show This bulky device has a pointy “foot” that pierces the ground. When activated, it sends out a call to a range of about 3 miles, luring one beast whose challenge rating is no higher than 3. The beast makes its way to the cypher’s location at its normal speed and calmly remains there for up to one hour. During this time, you can impart a basic concept or question to the beast, and the beast can convey a simple answer in return. If the beast is attacked, the calming effect immediately ends. After the hour of calm, the beast returns to its previous territory (although it may be sidetracked by prey or attacked along the way).

[Amaril]

Calen Damora
Human Wizard 3
AC: 10 HP: 17/17

A knot of fear settles in Calen's gut as he follows Greck and Yusha across the threshold. Whether or not someone is actually inside (and if so, they certainly know they're not alone after that display by Shalar), any number of grisly scenes could await. Seeing the relative emptiness of the first floor comes as a bit of a relief.

The second strobe of light from upstairs almost distracts Calen from Yusha reaching for the mechanical arm. "Hold on a moment," he urges, darting forward to place himself in the warforged's way. "We should be careful about touching anything in here."

Closing his eyes, Calen takes a slow, deep breath, raises a hand in front of him, and performs a series of quick movements with his fingers. "ID-4816, scan exotic spectra and display." As he pronounces the syllables of the True Speech, the spell completes, and he waits to see if anything in the room lights up.

Spoiler: Action

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Casting Detect Magic to sense anything magical within 30 feet.

[Theophilus]

Ar-Raaqis (Dragon) Faceless Warlock 3 AC: 14 HP: 24/24 THP: 10/10 PP: 10 PIv: 10 PIs: 10 Spell Slots: 2nd - 1/2 Bottled Respite: 4/4 Hours Healer's Kit: 10/10 Dragon Conditions: Armor of Agathys: 10 THP and 10 cold damage to anyone who strikes her in melee. Dragon Concentrating: --- The Dragon inspected the unique objects on the counter. She tapped her helm along the temple ridge as she blinked through several spectral veils. She pronounced as she did, "Refine visualization and sharpen lighting." Then Ar-Raaquis clutched her staff as she recited the codex's primer on augmented offense, known as the Razor without Edges. She commanded, "Increase sensitivity to maximum." The filigree on her gloves glistened briefly before hardened spectral surfaces manifested over the nodes on her staff. The weapon moved far more rapidly in her grip than finesse would otherwise achieve. She strode over to the tome and hand, studying them. Ar-Raaqis said softly to the others, "Did Umeli have a missing limb? Someone smashed something before we entered. We should follow the light."

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast Guidance and then Shillelagh.
21 investigation to inspect the tome and hand for traps or illusions.

[Riggdgames]

Yusha Darwish Warforged Knowledge Cleric 3 AC: 15/17 HP: 24/24 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 15 Conditions: Concentration: Guidance Kalib Golden Eagle Familiar (Hawk size/stats) AC: 13 HP: 1/1 Yusha jumps as Calen dives in front of him, the spell broken as he awakens like someone out of a dream. Recognizing the wisdom of Calen's words, Yusha sheepishly takes half a step back, mentally chiding himself for his impulsiveness. He'd almost been reckless enough to touch the strange arm without even a moment's consideration. Abadar be praised, at least Calen was able to keep his wits about him when confronted by such fascinating objects. Placing a distinctly different metal hand on the human's shoulder, Yusha focuses with a few clicks, opening a channel to the Wealthy Father above and sharing a glimpse with Calen. Spoiler: OOC Show Distractions are fun. Cast Guidance on Calen Help action to aid Calen on any upcoming knowledge checks, if applicable Spoiler: Journal Show Spoiler: Cypher - Beast Lure Show This bulky device has a pointy “foot” that pierces the ground. When activated, it sends out a call to a range of about 3 miles, luring one beast whose challenge rating is no higher than 3. The beast makes its way to the cypher’s location at its normal speed and calmly remains there for up to one hour. During this time, you can impart a basic concept or question to the beast, and the beast can convey a simple answer in return. If the beast is attacked, the calming effect immediately ends. After the hour of calm, the beast returns to its previous territory (although it may be sidetracked by prey or attacked along the way).

[purepolarpanzer]

First Floor of Umeli's Abandoned House

Calen's enhanced eyes sense no magic signatures. Ar-Raaqis's investigations determine that there are no traps or illusions on either the tome or the hand, but the enhanced vision of their visor do pick up the shadow of some small object under the couch that just barely casts a shadow from Yusha's lamplight. If someone leans down and looks underneath the couch, or have the bravery to simply reach under and grab it, they find a strange cylindrical object with a lever on top that is locked to a frame with some sort of latch or bar. The entire thing is made out of strange metals, with the main body painted green with some symbols on it and the lever painted black.

Spoiler: New Cypher

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Second Floor of Umeli's Abandoned House

As Greck makes his way up the stairs, the amber light grows more intense again. As he crests to the second floor the light becomes slightly blinding, and he is forced to look away until it fades. Greck uncovers his eyes to see that the amber light is emanating through a solid wooden door. The door is closed and has a broken padlock hanging off a latch that has likewise been damaged. As the light fades to complete darkness, the door seems to glow with an inner light, despite the fact that it is comprised of very solid, opaque wood.

[Theophilus]

Ar-Raaqis (Dragon) Faceless Warlock 3 AC: 14 HP: 24/24 THP: 10/10 PP: 10 PIv: 10 PIs: 10 Spell Slots: 2nd - 1/2 Bottled Respite: 4/4 Hours Healer's Kit: 10/10 Dragon Conditions: Armor of Agathys: 10 THP and 10 cold damage to anyone who strikes her in melee. Dragon Concentrating: --- The Dragon extended the hand sigil on her veil under the couch, drawing forth the cylinder without any outward gesture or statement. She hovered the object in the air without any visible means to do so, inspecting the metal form. She pointed with her staff to indicate the object to the others and announced, "The Incantatrix hid this cypher." Ar-Raaquis brought the object into orbit around her and added, "We should preserve these artifacts as they may reveal what Umeli labored toward. Let's find this intruder." Then the woman maneuvered toward where Greck went. She kept her staff charged with mystical energy.

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast telekinetic mage hand (no components. Invisible). Pick up the deathstick cypher and orbit it within 10ft of her.

[Amaril]

Calen Damora
Human Wizard 3
AC: 10 HP: 17/17

Yusha's touch, cool on Calen's shoulder, sends a strange prickling down his spine, like the feeling of being watched. Or perhaps it's just being here in this place that has him on edge. In any case, a quick scan of the premises reveals no sign of any active spells or enchantments. "I'm not seeing any Art at work," he relays to the others. "Doesn't mean we're safe, but if anything here's dangerous, it should be physical."

The cipher Ar-Raaqis uncovers intrigues him, but checking out the second floor seems more pressing. Hearing Greck's footfalls already on the stairs, Calen falls in at the masked woman's side. "Right behind you."

[Awful]

Shalar Yotul Azari Beast Barbarian 3 AC: 15 HP: 32/32 PP: 13 Rages: 3/3 Conditions: --- Shalar entered behind the others, looking around with great enthusiasm and very little caution; barely managing to stop herself from poking at things. She looked at the metal arm with interest, slightly disappointed when Calen stopped Yusha picking it up. "Is it from a friend of yours, metal one? " She grinned at the warforged shamelessly. When the metal can began to orbit the bucket dragon, Shalar's eyes almost shone and she had to fight down the urge to snatch it from the air to play with. "I have seen a metal can like this before! It had a button on top, and when you pressed it, it made blue on anything you pointed it at, and hissed like a serpent! No lever, though, or hoop." She followed up the stairs, the wood creaking softly beneath her bare feet. Despite herself, the tension of the others made her flex her fingers in readiness for combat.

[Inmate XIII]

A sneer crosses Greck's face as he spots the door. "Hey, mage. You might want ter see this," he calls down the stairs.

He might not be able to see magic the way a trained wizard could, but he had his own methods of detecting when strange things were afoot. An uncomfortable pressure built behind his eyes as his senses expanded.

Spoiler: OOC

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Using his Divine Sense feat to detect whether the area had been consecrated or profaned by divine/infernal magic.

[Riggdgames]

Yusha Darwish Warforged Knowledge Cleric 3 AC: 15/17 HP: 24/24 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 15 Conditions: Concentration: Guidance Kalib Golden Eagle Familiar (Hawk size/stats) AC: 13 HP: 1/1 Yusha jumps again at the sudden question thrust at him, hands jerking upward as if to ward off a blow from the much smaller elf. Not for the first time, the warforged is thankful he lacks the capacity to blush. Quickly gesturing and then stabilizing his lantern, Yusha's illusory script is haphazard at first in his haste to respond. "Thank Abadar, no!" Yusha gulps as his eyes are drawn to the grinning elf's fangs, but thankfully he manages to revert back to making eye contact shortly thereafter. Eye contact with bright red eyes, almost like twin pools of human blood. After just a short pause, more words appear. "I apologize if I gave offense for flinching Ms. Azari. I am embarrassed to admit that I find your appearance unsettling, but that is no excuse for such an improper response. It seems abundantly clear that you don't mean me any harm." Yusha bows his head, holding it for a moment. He doesn't sigh so much as let out a barely audible tone. Apologies couldn't always restore balance, but Yusha invariably felt better after trying. Finally able to maintain some semblance of composure, Yusha stares at the floating cypher in awe as Ar-Raaqis pulls it into orbit around her. There was something comforting about the motion. Regardless, it would be improper to dwell with an intruder nearby. Yusha nods to the dragon and moves in sync with the others up the stairs. Spoiler: OOC Show Guidance is still on, but doesn't feel right to delay any longer and help with an Arcana check so just moving on up the stairs Spoiler: Journal Show Spoiler: Cypher - Beast Lure Show This bulky device has a pointy “foot” that pierces the ground. When activated, it sends out a call to a range of about 3 miles, luring one beast whose challenge rating is no higher than 3. The beast makes its way to the cypher’s location at its normal speed and calmly remains there for up to one hour. During this time, you can impart a basic concept or question to the beast, and the beast can convey a simple answer in return. If the beast is attacked, the calming effect immediately ends. After the hour of calm, the beast returns to its previous territory (although it may be sidetracked by prey or attacked along the way).

[Awful]

Shalar Yotul Azari Beast Barbarian 3 AC: 15 HP: 32/32 PP: 13 Rages: 3/3 Conditions: --- A glint of mischief entered Shalar's red eyes at the metal man(?)'s words. "Oh, no insult given," she said easily. "It is true, no harm from Shalar Yotul Azari. " The barbarian paused, and let all amusement slip from her face. When she next spoke, her voice was a low growl, every bit as feral and merciless as the wilds. Her red eyes bored into Yusha's electronic ones, as fierce as fire. "For now. " She let the moment stand for a dozen heartbeats, then, unable to contain it any longer, snorted into a series of giggles. Once again, her wide, friendly grin was back on her face. "I tease, I tease!" she said, her eyes gleeful. She boisterously clapped the warforged on the back and started up the stairs, stifling her chuckles.

[Amaril]

Calen Damora
Human Wizard 3
AC: 10 HP: 17/17

At Greck's suggestion, Calen moves up to the front to inspect the door. The sight of the broken lock makes his stomach twist again. The light from beyond is curious, but his divination still reveals no active magic about the door or in the space beyond.

"Still not sensing anything," he confirms to Greck. "And if the lock is like this, I'd guess someone's already been through here recently." He gives an uncertain shrug. "I don't see any dead bodies, so...it's probably fine to open?"

[purepolarpanzer]

Second Floor of Umeli's Abandoned House

Sensing nothing magically or morally amiss, Greck puts metal to wood and opens the door with his shield. There is some resistance, and he is quick to realize that there is something set against the door. Carefully at first, he peers inside and spots an outstretched humanoid hand. With a firm shove and a wet, heavy thump he dislodges the impediment and the door swings open, just in time for a the bright amber light to flash into your eyes and blind you all anew. Those in the rear can see directly through anyone in front of them that the light passes through, getting a disturbing view of their skeletons through their flesh, armor, and clothing. A few seconds later the amber light begins to fade again, but the effect that makes your allies bones show through their skin lingers with an ambient glow of golden light. Once you are all done blinking the stars out of your eyes, the room beyond becomes visible, even if it becomes no easier to comprehend.

Directly in front of you all are two corpses. From the shoulders down they appear to be a human man and woman wearing local fashions, but from the neck up they are nothing but pale white bone- the flesh is completely missing from their skulls. Underneath their skulls is a puddle of liquid with a metallic silver sheen that trembles and shivers with the ambient motion of the room. Between the two corpses is a green cylinder with white runic squiggles on it that is identical to the one Ar-Raaqis found under the Incantrix' couch, but the pin is removed and the lever assembly has been popped upward. On the wall next to the door a wire mount has been shaped that looks as though it once held the cylinder, and there is a matching wire on the door knob with the pin tied to it that looks as though the pressure of the door opening previous to your entry yanked the wire and broke the pin off the cylinder. As Greck's armored form moves into the doorway, both puddles of silvery liquid burble away from him like water going downhill, but stopping exactly six feet away from him. Those of you with either an academic or an adventurer's bent would compare it to the motion of a compass moving away from a piece of lodestone. However, when the puddles move within six feet of the metallic objects in the rest of the room, they instead move to the sides of the room and puddle at a distance equally far from Greck and the contents of the room.

The contents of the room are enigmatic and bizarre. There is exposed wire and blinking lights jutting haphazardly from a metallic sculpture of some sort. There is a metal circle on the ground filled with blue glimmering glass like ice over a lake that has an inner cerulean glow. There is a thick vinelike trunk of metal coming off of this disk that splits, with one section turning upward into an odd panel of buttons, levers, and switches, while a larger vine coils at the feet of something that looks like a metal closet of some sort filled with glass covered walls. The amber light is coming from the glass walls of the closet, and it seems like every minute or so the light flares to fill the room, causing everything to become transparent temporarily. The entire structure appears to be a pad with a control panel attached to a closet made or glass and metal, with no hint of it's true purpose. Stanger yet, sitting on top of the glass pad is an odd blue cylinder with a hose and a similar level mechanism that is much larger than the one you have found or the broken one next to the corpses.

Spoiler: A New Cypher

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OOC- The cypher does not say "Fire" on it, and I would encourage you to think of other interesting things that could take the shape of a fire extinguisher (it was the closest image I could get to what I was looking for). Again, and Ancients Arcana check could discern what the cypher does.

[Inmate XIII]

Greck moved just far enough into the room to let the others enter one at a time behind in, if they so choose, but went no further. He lowered his weapon, but kept his shield up, between himself and the cabinet to block the light should it come again. He glances around the room at the strange implements, unable to comprehend any of it.

Or rather, unable to comprehend any of it aside from one thing. "'ve seen this before. Someone set off a trap here," he said quietly pointing at the wire. "That object must be a weapon. When the door was opened, it pulled the tripwire with it and that set off the weapon. Whoever was in the room got caught by their own trap," he stated plainly, gesturing to each object as he spoke.

He pointed at the corpses. "Is one of them the one yeh all are looking for? Umeli?"

[Riggdgames]

Yusha Darwish Warforged Knowledge Cleric 3 AC: 15/17 HP: 24/24 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 15 Conditions: Concentration: Guidance Kalib Golden Eagle Familiar (Hawk size/stats) AC: 13 HP: 1/1 "Oh, no insult given. It is true, no harm from Shalar Yotul Azari." Yusha has a moment of doubt, wondering if he misjudged the elf. Even messy handwriting could produce a legal document of great quality if its content was orderly and proper. It was just a matter of looking past the- "For now." Yusha's violet eyes grow to the size of saucers, head pulling back an inch as the elf's burning gaze threatens to consume him. When Shalar finally dissolves into a fit of giggles, Yusha is still frozen in place. It isn't until a hand claps him hard on the back that he flinches once more, finally regaining motion and following her hesitantly up the stairs, holding himself just outside her reach until they bunch up at the top. When they reach the second floor and Greck opens the door, Yusha watches the glow reveal his companion's internal structures. Fascinated, Yusha closes his eyes for a moment, pushing other concerns aside and trying to memorize just how the others appeared beneath their clothing and skin for later study. The corpses elicit a brief tone of surprise from Yusha, but his attention is quickly drawn to all the wonders present. Confident that the trap is already sprung based on Greck's assessment, Yusha manages to slide past Shalar with minimal fuss, only tensing briefly as they nearly touch. His eyes quickly jump from the corpses to the control panel, from the strange, silver liquid to the light as the closet flares once more. He gives the large blue cylinder a cursory examination before looking back at Calen with a question left unsaid. As Greck voices his own question, Yusha listens for the answer, sparing a quick glance towards the Dragon before returning to his study of the cyphers. A part of Yusha's brain examines the idea that one of the corpses might have been Umeli, but there were likely others present more capable of answering such a question. Likewise, the scion of Tyr seemed intent on ensuring their safety, and Yusha lets his own well-being fade from consciousness, a secondary concern compared with the puzzle in front of them. A steady hum sounds from the warforged as he holds his lantern up close to the cypher, careful to avoid touching it directly. Spoiler: OOC Show Ancient Arcana on large blue cylinder - (1d20+3)[23] plus (1d4)[4] Guidance Ancient Arcana on smaller, floor cylinder - (1d20+3)[15] plus (1d4)[2] Guidance Spoiler: Journal Show Spoiler: Cypher - Beast Lure Show This bulky device has a pointy “foot” that pierces the ground. When activated, it sends out a call to a range of about 3 miles, luring one beast whose challenge rating is no higher than 3. The beast makes its way to the cypher’s location at its normal speed and calmly remains there for up to one hour. During this time, you can impart a basic concept or question to the beast, and the beast can convey a simple answer in return. If the beast is attacked, the calming effect immediately ends. After the hour of calm, the beast returns to its previous territory (although it may be sidetracked by prey or attacked along the way).

[Awful]

Shalar Yotul Azari Beast Barbarian 3 AC: 15 HP: 32/32 PP: 13 Rages: 3/3 Conditions: --- "Woaa," Shalar uttered, entertained at the glow of bones beneath her skin as she entered the room (after Greck had shown it wouldn't immediately turn them to dust). Soon, however, her attention shifted to the bodies. "Think one of these is the witch? No, thinks Shalar; just dressed like the tuzoks outside. " She eyed the metal pools that shifted about. "The metal moves itself. Like water." She watched it for a moment longer, then looked at Greck. "You think these set the traps? More seems they crept in, like us, only they were first and caught the trap instead. More likely I think Umeli set the trap up, yes? Keep away intruders from her... metal things."

[Amaril]

Calen Damora
Human Wizard 3
AC: 10 HP: 17/17

Yusha, looking to Calen for answers, finds him seemingly frozen in the doorway. His eyes are fixed on the faceless corpses, his own face pale. His throat suddenly feels dry, bile on his tongue, and he has to fight an urge to turn around and run away out of this place and not look back.

He takes a deep breath, and wrenches his eyes away from the skulls. "I think you're right," he concurs with Shalar's summary. "And no, neither of them matches the way I've heard Magister Umeli described."

He needs something else to focus on. Luckily, the room is positively overflowing with distractions. With another deep breath, he steps past the dead and turns his attention to the machinery. "Try not to touch anything," he advises, managing to sound somewhat authoritative. "Let me take a look first." He can hardly decide where to start...the control panel seems a decent place. Perhaps it will bear some labels that offer a clue about what this apparatus is for.

[purepolarpanzer]

Spoiler: Yusha

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The warforged finds a pictogram on the blue cylinder depicting a humanoid with a knife approaching someone holding a cylinder. The pictogram depicts the defender pulling the pin, aiming the host, and pulling the lever, which covers the attacker in some sort of snow or sludge, allowing the defender to run away.

The effects of the green cylinder are more obvious, as they have been shown to you by the corpses it left behind. It appears to convert flesh into liquid metal, a process that must be painful and certainly can be lethal. Yusha, however, would likely be immune.

Spoiler: Calen

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The purpose of this pad, control panel, and closet assembly is not easily discerned. Due to his academic training in the archaeology of numenara, Calen believes that standing on the blue pad an operating the switches, levers, and buttons of the control panel summons something in the closet, but he is not sure what. As for the amber light, he has been told of electric eyes before that perceive things flesh cannot, and it appears the machine is aware of their entry to the room. Beyond that it is impossible to tell exactly what will happen if you touch the device, though it is tantalizing to his scholar's mind.

Indeed, from the description of Umeli that Calen was given she should be a rail thin woman in her late fifties, while the female corpse appears to be young and overweight.

[Amaril]

Calen Damora
Human Wizard 3
AC: 10 HP: 17/17

Calen spends several minutes circling around the control panel, the closet, and the blue pad, inspecting them from all angles. Occasionally, he leans in close to inspect a particular piece, brow furrowed, but he touches nothing yet. In the back of his mind, an hourglass turns, marking the time since the party all entered this room and were directly exposed to that strange light--there's no telling what it could be doing to them, but from what he knows of the exotic energies given off by Numenera, at this close a distance, any ill effects the light might have on them would have become inescapable the moment they walked through the door.

Finally, he turns back to the others. "I can't be sure of anything, but near as I can tell, this is some sort of summoning apparatus--a device for calling some creature or thing from somewhere else. What it summons, I can't guess, but it looks like you operate it with these controls." He points to the pad. "As for the light...I'm even less sure about this, but I think this machine is using it to sense us, somehow. I think it knows we're here."

At that, he trails off, shrugging at Greck. This doesn't seem to have answered many questions.

[Riggdgames]

Yusha Darwish Warforged Knowledge Cleric 3 AC: 15/17 HP: 24/24 PP: 15 PIv: 12 PIs: 15 Conditions: Concentration: Guidance Yusha's eyes widen at the image on the large blue cylinder, marveling at the details. He quickly points it out to the others before enlarging a projection of it in the air in front of everyone. In particular, Yusha ensures that Calen and the Dragon have a clear view of its properties. Next, Yusha creates an image of the smaller green cylinder being held in a pair of hands, one metal, one organic. With a couple more images showing how the pin could be pulled and the lever popped up, Yusha shows the organic arm being liquefied leaving only bone and metal behind. One such cylinder was already spent. It was a shame about the two individuals who'd activated it. Power is unforgiving to those who seek it without knowledge. Yusha writes out a few illusory words. "It is good that we are here to put this house in order. More will be tempted if the cyphers are not removed." Yusha listens carefully to Calen's words, staring at the amber glow with obvious interest. A gate of some kind? Yusha pulls out a journal and starts to record the layout of the control panel with its dizzying array of levers and buttons, annotating Calen's words in tiny script underneath. Spoiler: OOC Show Spoiler: Journal Show Spoiler: Cypher - Beast Lure Show This bulky device has a pointy “foot” that pierces the ground. When activated, it sends out a call to a range of about 3 miles, luring one beast whose challenge rating is no higher than 3. The beast makes its way to the cypher’s location at its normal speed and calmly remains there for up to one hour. During this time, you can impart a basic concept or question to the beast, and the beast can convey a simple answer in return. If the beast is attacked, the calming effect immediately ends. After the hour of calm, the beast returns to its previous territory (although it may be sidetracked by prey or attacked along the way).

[Awful]

Shalar Yotul Azari Beast Barbarian 3 AC: 15 HP: 32/32 PP: 13 Rages: 3/3 Conditions: --- Shalar looked at the metal and glass boxes with their pulsing lights. "It knows we are here? It has a spirit inside it?" When it failed to react to this revelation, she shrugged easily and continued. "If you don't know what it brings, try it. If it calls anything fierce, I'll fight it for you, yes?"

[purepolarpanzer]

Spoiler: Control Panel for Umeli's Mysterious Summoning Closet

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Operating the panel requires a roll of a d100.

[Inmate XIII]

Greck listened to the wizard and warforged's words, but understood little of it. These contraptions weren't his area of expertise and he had learned a long time ago that it was better to just let the scholarly types do whatever it was they did and get it over with; even if he tried to interfere or stop them, they'd just find a way to do what they wanted anyway.

Besides there was a second problem here, one that he could solve. He caught Shalar's eye and said, "Elf! Errr, Shul- Shalar? Help me get these bodies out of here would yeh? Just out to the landing at the top of the stairs. I'ma hafta report this to Iban and don't want the, uhh... whatever it is in here to mess the corpses up further."

He pauses before muttering to her in orcish: "Besides I think the human's going to hurl if we don't get them out of here. Did you see his face when we came in here? Soft, that one is."

[Theophilus]

Ar-Raaqis (Dragon) Faceless Warlock 3 AC: 14 HP: 24/24 THP: 10/10 PP: 10 PIv: 10 PIs: 10 Spell Slots: 2nd - 1/2 Bottled Respite: 4/4 Hours Healer's Kit: 10/10 Dragon Conditions: Armor of Agathys: 10 THP and 10 cold damage to anyone who strikes her in melee. Dragon Concentrating: --- The Dragon inspected the apparatus, mystified at its purposes. The magus seemed more informed, though even he stood confused to its purposes. Ar-Raaqis collected the cylinder from circling her, holding it carefully in her hand. Then she mentally focused on the control panel while she pivoted to the side. "The controls are moving." Indeed, the purple dial shifted to the middle, the crimson dial slid to the far end, and the amber dial barely adjusted a quarter of the length of its run. Then the blue button depressed, followed by the lever gliding into the downward position. Ar-Raaquis held her staff at the ready with its arcanely lit edges, warning, "Brace for activity!"

Spoiler: OOC

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Cast Guidance make an arcana check concerning the summoning apparatus. 8, so disregard.

Telepathically manipulate the dials, blue button, and lever. (1d100)[75]

[purepolarpanzer]

The Second Floor of Umeli's Home

As the controls are manipulated in secret, the blue crystal pad glows with an inner light, and when the lever is finally pushed the blue light forms a solid column of light. If someone were manipulating the controls from directly in front of the panel, they would be wrapped in a cloak of sapphire blue while a high hum shudders the air. As it is, the blue light and the hum fades after seven seconds, and nothing happens. Then the amber light returns, emanating from the closet to scan all of you, making you all translucent again. This time it is followed by an abrupt BEEP BOOP, and one by one the panel of controls resets itself as though an invisible hand were manipulating the controls again, returning them to their original state. It appears that either the machine does nothing, or something was absent from whatever process it was involved with. Despite this lack of anything dramatic, the blue pad has not faded back to it's dark state, with a remaining dim glow illuminating the room. It almost seems... welcoming.

[Theophilus]

Ar-Raaqis (Dragon) Faceless Warlock 3 AC: 14 HP: 24/24 THP: 10/10 PP: 10 PIv: 10 PIs: 10 Spell Slots: 2nd - 1/2 Bottled Respite: 4/4 Hours Healer's Kit: 10/10 Dragon Conditions: Armor of Agathys: 10 THP and 10 cold damage to anyone who strikes her in melee. Dragon Concentrating: --- The Dragon turns her metallic veil towards Calen and remarks, "Perhaps the relic shows the path. If you mimic those gestures, you may discern its intentions." Ar-Raaquis held her staff at the ready with its arcanely lit edges, adding, "We shall watch over you and intervene if it is a ruse."

Spoiler: OOC

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[Amaril]

Calen Damora
Human Wizard 3
AC: 10 HP: 17/17

"What?" Sure enough, the controls are moving on their own. Calen stumbles back from the machine, narrowly retaining the presence of mind to draw his dagger, his other hand on Kip. He waits, watching as the blue light rises from the pad, the hum builds, and then...nothing.

"...Oh." After a moment, he relaxes, sheathing his dagger again and wiping his brow. "Phew...well then."

Ar-Raaqis' point is an interesting one. "You might be right," he agrees, though he hesitates approaching the panel. "Although...the fact that it scanned us again just then, after it activated..." The beginnings of a hypothesis are forming in his mind, but it's not enough to go on yet. Well, there's really only one way to gain more data. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained..."

He steps onto the pad and reaches for the controls, inputting the same sequence they showed before, in the same order.

[purepolarpanzer]

The Second Floor of Umeli's Home

As Calen operates the buttons, levers, and dials, he feels as though small tingles of electricity are running up and down his skin. The blue light erupts upward again, and this time, with someone in it, Calen is overwhelmed by visions and an acute sensation of pain that threatens to overwhelm his senses.

Spoiler: Please Roll a DC 14 Constitution Saving Throw

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Spoiler: If You Succeed

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The images that go through Calen's mind are disturbing and scattered, but he manages to push them out of his mind and remain conscious.

Spoiler: If You Fail

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Calen is rendered unconscious by the flood of energy and information into his brain. His perceptions rise through the roof of the house, then travel at rapid speed. His visions take him to the nearby Crooked Hills and delve into the ground. He sees strange chambers, brilliant lights, goblins with silver tentacles coming from their heads standing around a mirror orb, and then even stranger things. Visions of strange, colorful beasts with tentacles, teeth, and metal body parts, images of massive towers rising out of the earth like titans floating in the sky, and geometric shapes floating so high above that planet that the tallest mountains look like mole hills below him. Calen also takes one level of exhaustion. He will wake up in a few minutes.

Amber light floods the room from the closet again, but this time it coalesces in an intense white form that shines even brighter- bright enough that all of you are forced to shield your eyes or look away. When you look back, there are three huddled humanoid forms, naked and glistening, looking up at all of you with scared eyes. Each of them is just three feet tall, but each one looks exactly like Calen. One of them reaches out towards the unconscious form of the wizard on the pad and then opens it's mouth as though to say something. Then green boils begin to form on the miniature clone's skin, their bodies begin to swell, and simultaneously they all erupt in an explosion of acidic green liquid that splatters around the room in a wave of vitriol.

Spoiler: Everyone Please Roll a DC 14 Dexterity Saving Throw. If Calen is Unconscious, He Fails Automatically

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Spoiler: If You Succeed

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You take 10 points of Acid damage as you turn away from the wash of acid, protecting yourself from the worst of the damage.

Spoiler: If You Fail

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You take 21 points of Acid Damage as the clones explosive end catches you in vital areas.

The machine begins to spark and smoke as the acid hits wires, glass, and metal, causing it to sizzle. As the acid washes over the floor, the boards underneath you all hiss, smoke, and creak as though the supports are being eaten by acid.