Expeditionary Travelers IC

[Dakrsidder]

Failing to learn anything new, Shen's expression showed signs of disappointment. ”The problem is that the gem’s aura doesn’t support the notion of being a trap. Despite this, it is probably pretty dangerous. I also can’t glean much from my current position, so my curiosity is waning. Fire that can penetrate immunity isn’t unheard of either, but do what you see as most beneficial in these circumstances.”

As he says this, he thinks back to the collection of cursed artifacts at the library and wonders how his mentor managed to deal with them. Regardless, he already has a potential solution in mind, but he’d rather just observe what the others decide to do.

[samduke]

Illaria begins to fly off in a random direction and quickly begins to realize there may be no wall anytime soon.

[Feathersnow]

The Problemshooter closely examines the area with his training in observation. Surely no one would make a trap that they couldn't get out of. Not one that her treasure might get stuck in!

(1d20+21)[35] spot

[Archmage1]

Illaria pauses after flying past one set of columns, taking another look around, before attempting to disbelieve any illusions. For all that this seemed to be on the same plane, it was also impossibly large.

(1d20+20)[21] Will save

[samduke]

problem solver looking around gets a bit closer to the gem but remains 5ft away

[Feathersnow]

That gem, it looks preposterously valuable. I think maybe I should grab it. I doubt it is real, but it might be a trigger for something, and I currently have spells up to resist cold and fire.

[samduke]

As Problem Solver Touches the Gem ...
All Characters arrive suddenly (as from a teleport trap)

Water spills from a wall basin onto a sodden floor strewn with decayed bones and rotted equipment.
Runes are carved in the northern wall (Anyone studying the runes who can read Draconic sees the following)

YOU WHO DARED TO VIOLATE MY TOMB MAY REMAIN AND DIE SLOWLY OF STARVATION, OR ESCAPE TO CERTAIN DEATH.
WHATEVER YOUR CHOICE, LORD STRAHD VON ZAROVICH WATCHES AND SCOFFS AT YOUR PUNY EFFORTS AND ENJOYS YOUR DEATH THROES

[Archmage1]

Not able to read the runes, Illaria sighs as another trap is triggered, recasts detect magic, and surveys new room that was definitely, totally, 100% not an illusion.

[Dakrsidder]

Shen looks at the runes and mumbles to himself ”that’s a bit over dramatic for touching a stone”. However, he did find it to be unfortunate that the stone truly was trapped, but that just meant there’d be no hard feelings in leaving now. Despite this, he continued to watch, as he didn’t have many things that’d prove useful in this situation.

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Staring blankly at the message on the northern wall, Draxus turns to look at his companions, translating the message and relaying it to them before adding, "Well. If you all starve to death, do not worry. I will attempt to carry your remains with me should I ever be rescued from this place. Although, optimally, we can find a way to extricate ourselves before your inevitable starvation."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Draxus
Male C/G Shadow Half-Dragon Warforged Soulknife 10 / Illumine Soul 2 // Psy. Warrior 4 / Ninja 1 / Paladin 2, Level 12, Init -1, HP 90/111, DR 5/Magic, Speed 50'
AC 32, Touch 28, Flat-footed 27, Fort 25, Ref 25, Will 28, Base Attack Bonus +12/+7/+2, Power Points 41/41
+3 Splitting Mind Bolt +28/+28/+23/+23/+18/+18 (4d6+14 + 1d6 Sonic, 20/x3)
+3 Flaming Keen Wounding Armblade Mind Blade +20/+15/+10 (3d8+14 + 1d6 Fire + 1d6 Sonic + 1 Bleeding, 17-20/x2)
+3 Flaming Vampiric Whip-Dagger Mind Blade +20/+15/+10 (3d6+14 +1d6 Fire + 1d6 Sonic +1d6 to Living, 19-20/x2)
Unarmored (+5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +4 Natural, +11 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 32, Cha 8
Condition Psionically Focused, Mind Arrow Charged with Psychic Strike (+3d8)
Other Defenses Cold Resistance 15

Action: None
+2HP (Fast Healing 2 from Shadow Creature Template)

[Feathersnow]

I have a ring of sustenance, so I won't starve. Worst case scenario, in a few hours I can pray for the ability to summon and bind an earth Elemental and try to bargain with it to dig us out. But that is dangerous and difficult, so I think we should start by investigating to make sure there really is no way out from here. It would be logistically difficult to build a tomb with no doors or walls, but it could be done.
Perhaps the old standby of hugging the left wall going forward?

[samduke]

the water is flowing from the wall, The water is safe to drink, there is a door to the south, The door opens easily, a narrow passage behind leads to a landing and steps that funnel south.

The walls are lined with copper (untarnished and gleaming) panels set between rare woods inlaid with ivory. The ceiling is silvered iron, formed so as to reflect and multiply light. Upon the fourth step is a large, cylindrical key of bronze, The doors on the south
wall are apparently made of mithral.

[Archmage1]

Illaria frowns as she takes in the luxurious surroundings. "While we can certainly explore this place, I could also teleport us out. There doesn't seem to be any signs of magic in the area. The materials used in the construction of this place do seem unusual." She takes another look around. "Someone is, presumably, repairing them, since I find it unlikely that any thieves teleported here wouldn't remove them." She gives Shen and the Troubleshooter a look before she continues. "But before we proceed with anything, it would be wise to Check. For. Traps." Her final three words are said with great focus, to encourage any listeners the appreciate the importance of said checking.

[Dakrsidder]

Shen sat there for a while longer before realizing he was being told to do something. As such, he stood up and realized his surroundings were different. After coming to terms with that, he went ahead and did as asked.

Spoiler: Ooc

Show

[roll]1d20+18 Spot just looking for whatever details in the surroundings
[roll]1d20+27 Knowledge Planes wondering if they’re in the same plane as before
(1d20+28)[35] Search for traps
(1d20+26)[40] Disable Device if there were any

[Archmage1]

After Shen finishes looking around, Illaria gives him a look. "Did you locate any traps?"

[Dakrsidder]

As Shen made mental notes of his surroundings, he was made aware he had forgotten to say something about the traps. ”Sorry, I forgot to say something about it. I couldn’t locate any traps, so it’s probably safe to continue onwards.”

[Archmage1]

Illaria nods, before gesturing towards the doorway. "In that case, after you."

[Dakrsidder]

Shen wondered to himself what would make someone so paranoid, but took the front anyways as he didn’t really mind.

[Archmage1]

Illaria will follow, although she maintains at least a 20 foot distance, having decided that traps are apparently quite plentiful, and that they would be triggered by others.

[Feathersnow]

The Problemshooter, suitably chastened, follows

[samduke]

The doors are 14- feet wide and 28-feet tall (and 3-feet thick). They are not forged of mithral; they just appear as if they are. When checked they are locked (DC 45 Open Lock)

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Following the others and gaying upon the door in question, Draxus asks the group, "Should we attempt to break through?."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Draxus
Male C/G Shadow Half-Dragon Warforged Soulknife 10 / Illumine Soul 2 // Psy. Warrior 4 / Ninja 1 / Paladin 2, Level 12, Init -1, HP 92/111, DR 5/Magic, Speed 50'
AC 32, Touch 28, Flat-footed 27, Fort 25, Ref 25, Will 28, Base Attack Bonus +12/+7/+2, Power Points 41/41
+3 Splitting Mind Bolt +28/+28/+23/+23/+18/+18 (4d6+14 + 1d6 Sonic, 20/x3)
+3 Flaming Keen Wounding Armblade Mind Blade +20/+15/+10 (3d8+14 + 1d6 Fire + 1d6 Sonic + 1 Bleeding, 17-20/x2)
+3 Flaming Vampiric Whip-Dagger Mind Blade +20/+15/+10 (3d6+14 +1d6 Fire + 1d6 Sonic +1d6 to Living, 19-20/x2)
Unarmored (+5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +4 Natural, +11 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 32, Cha 8
Condition Psionically Focused, Mind Arrow Charged with Psychic Strike (+3d8)
Other Defenses Cold Resistance 15

Action: None
+2HP (Fast Healing 2 from Shadow Creature Template)

[Archmage1]

Illaria considers Draxus's words for a few moments, before responding. "Not as a first attempt. It would be better if we were able to quietly open them. Doing so would allow us to try testing the waters, rather than diving in." She pauses for a moment, and smiles briefly. "Of course, if none of you can pick locks, I can remove the doors from our path, but closing them afterwards would be impossible."

[Archmage1]

Illaria then frowns as she floats up to avoid an obstacle on the stairs, and looks down, before she bends down to pick it up. "Or we could try this key."
She then tosses it lightly towards Shen and Draxus.

[Dakrsidder]

As Shen was fishing for the Rod of Escape in his bag, he heard mention of a key and caught it. Before anything else, he wondered how he could’ve missed something like that right in front of him, but shrugged and attempted to open the door with it.

[samduke]

upon unlocking the door with the key both doors swing open of their own accord. a short hallway leads into the crypt. Inside the dimly lit room, lit by 4 everburning torches. at the center of the room lies a Huge Granite Sarcophagus. In each of the corners stands an Iron Statue

Each iron statue is 9 feet tall and is forged of black iron. The statue to the northeast stands with a saw-toothed two-handed sword raised to strike; the statue to the northwest has a huge, spike-ended mace; to the southeast the sculpture readies a wickedly spiked morning star, and the one in the southwest has a glaive. Each has an evil aura (overwhelming), and the visage of each of these iron statues is most fearsome and terrifying.

Granite Sarcophagus: The huge outer shell of this stone container is scribed with the name Strahd von Zarovich (a DC 20 Spot check reveals that some precious inlay was pried out at some point in the past).

The sarcophagus opens with not too much effort (DC 20 Strength check) and contains the rotted remnants of an inner wooden coffinlike shell, defaced jewelry (precious stones pried out), torn bits of robes and windings, dust, and a broken staff (a DC 25 Knowledge (arcana) check reveals that it was a staff of the magi).
Among the remnants is a shattered skull.

A pile of gems, coins, vials, scrolls, and other items lies on the far wall from the doors. Just inside the door of this mithral vault, but against the rune-scribed left wall is a stone bier. On the bier is a thick layer of dust mixed with bone shards and a gem-encrusted skull

[Archmage1]

Illaria frowns as she looks over the contents of the chamber. "This looks like someone's private getaway, one that has already been looted. Or at least, one that looting was attempted. Regardless, perhaps there is something of interest here."

She steps into the room.

[Feathersnow]

The Problemshooter follows, closely examining everything. "I'd be surprised if it was this simple"

Spoiler: ooc

Show

(1d20+21)[22] spot check

[Archmage1]

Illaria, after finishing her examination of the contents of the room frowns. "Strange. If someone pried the gems from the tomb, I would have expected there to be a way out, but yet, there also seems to be a pile of treasure on the far wall. The statues seem to be enchanted. There is something not obvious about the threat this room poses."

She approaches the statues, examines their weapons more closely.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Examining the statues more closely, looking for signs that the move, or have moved in the past, such as markings in the dust, blood/grime on their weapons, and other similar things.
(1d20+8)[20] Search
(1d20+7)[14] Spot

[Geeksthenewsexy]

Scanning the room, Draxus' gaye rests on the pile of seemingly pre-looted treasure. "Perhaps the treasure itself was coated in poison, or trapped by some arcane means?." Looking up to the metal statues, his head tilts slightly indicating the focus of his attention, "Or possibly there are guardians with orders to eliminate anyone who attempts to leave with such."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Draxus
Male C/G Shadow Half-Dragon Warforged Soulknife 10 / Illumine Soul 2 // Psy. Warrior 4 / Ninja 1 / Paladin 2, Level 12, Init -1, HP 94/111, DR 5/Magic, Speed 50'
AC 32, Touch 28, Flat-footed 27, Fort 25, Ref 25, Will 28, Base Attack Bonus +12/+7/+2, Power Points 41/41
+3 Splitting Mind Bolt +28/+28/+23/+23/+18/+18 (4d6+14 + 1d6 Sonic, 20/x3)
+3 Flaming Keen Wounding Armblade Mind Blade +20/+15/+10 (3d8+14 + 1d6 Fire + 1d6 Sonic + 1 Bleeding, 17-20/x2)
+3 Flaming Vampiric Whip-Dagger Mind Blade +20/+15/+10 (3d6+14 +1d6 Fire + 1d6 Sonic +1d6 to Living, 19-20/x2)
Unarmored (+5 Dex, +2 Deflect, +4 Natural, +11 Misc)
Abilities Str 20, Dex 20, Con 17, Int 12, Wis 32, Cha 8
Condition Psionically Focused, Mind Arrow Charged with Psychic Strike (+3d8)
Other Defenses Cold Resistance 15

Action: Using the Paladin ability Detect Evil
Spot Check (If Needed): (1d20+18)[30]
Listen Check (If Needed): (1d20+18)[25]
+2HP (Fast Healing 2 from Shadow Creature Template)