Jan 18, 2026 9:39 pm
Ember looks doubtfully at Lyrel, but moves forward to join the others.
Chapter 3.5: The Temple of Merikka
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Jan 19, 2026 8:51 pm
"Mother Arkon," the warrior said, from behind, having rushed after seeing the priestess open the doorway, "You’d better let Aanbo and myself take the lead. I wouldn’t want you to be hit first if we get into trouble again."
Her statement was made with finality, but getting to the head of the pack was going to take some shifting of positions as the strong and armored woman made her way calmly to the front.
Her statement was made with finality, but getting to the head of the pack was going to take some shifting of positions as the strong and armored woman made her way calmly to the front.
OOC:
RL kicking my bit the last couple of weeks, my apologies. I’ll be sorry to see Lyrel (and runekyndig!) go.Last edited January 19, 2026 8:52 pm
Jan 20, 2026 5:21 am
"Alright," Lyrel hangs back. "You guys go on. I'll stay here and guard the exit."
The rest of the party leaves her there and proceeds to the doorway. Myrtha pushes her way through the group to the front with Aanbo and Arya. "Mother Arkon, you'd better let Aanbo and myself take the lead. I wouldn't want you to be hit first if we get into trouble again." The burly, scarred-but-still-charming warrior priest opens her mouth to object, but Myrtha implacably moves her gently to the side so that she can proceed through the doorway and up the stairs. The rest of the party follows, and as they rise up the stairwell, their last sight of Lyrel is of the elven wizard standing watch at the end of the hallway, just past the corner.
The rest of the party leaves her there and proceeds to the doorway. Myrtha pushes her way through the group to the front with Aanbo and Arya. "Mother Arkon, you'd better let Aanbo and myself take the lead. I wouldn't want you to be hit first if we get into trouble again." The burly, scarred-but-still-charming warrior priest opens her mouth to object, but Myrtha implacably moves her gently to the side so that she can proceed through the doorway and up the stairs. The rest of the party follows, and as they rise up the stairwell, their last sight of Lyrel is of the elven wizard standing watch at the end of the hallway, just past the corner.
Jan 20, 2026 5:39 am
The party continues up the stairs with no hazards or traps sprung. Arriving at the top, Arya's Light illuminates the darkened landing. The landing opens on their left into a passage that leads back east, ending in a closed door.
Aanbo (19/27)
Arya (5/19) Light
Chase (12/17)
Ember (7/12)
Eugenios (8/8) Cursed
Ferranzo (8/8)
Morton (8/15)
Myrtha (23/30)
Aanbo (19/27)
Arya (5/19) Light
Chase (12/17)
Ember (7/12)
Eugenios (8/8) Cursed
Ferranzo (8/8)
Morton (8/15)
Myrtha (23/30)
Jan 20, 2026 5:44 pm
Myrtha looks at Aanbo, nods and begins moving towards the door trying, despite her heavy gear, not to make too much noise.
Jan 21, 2026 11:03 am
Eugenios hangs towards the middle of the group, happy to have the more armoured and physical capable counterparts lead. The curious Gnome does start mapping in his head, a trick he learnt early in his career so as to always have an exit strategy.
Jan 21, 2026 10:05 pm
"Let us be cautious. Aanbo can you tell anything about the stone work? Maybe hidden or drop outs?" Chase was at home in the wilderness but these sterile walls and hallways always made him feel like he was dirty and didn't belong. Maybe a couple of days of good hunting after this was over.
Last edited January 21, 2026 10:07 pm
Jan 21, 2026 11:04 pm
Aanbo considers the question. "Uh, well..." he begins, looking away from the door to study the stone walls. "I mean, I could tell you how they made it. What techniques, maybe the tools they used, and so on. Perhaps that might tell us if they applied some strange method, and that in itself is a clue to its nature?""Though if I am to be honest," he adds with a quiet blush, "I spent more time with the brewers than the masons. Even though I don't drink! Ha!"
[ +- ] Stonecunning
Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to the origin of stonework, you are considered proficient in the History skill and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.
Last edited January 21, 2026 11:06 pm
Rolls
Stonecunning (History) - (1d20+5)
(3) + 5 = 8
Jan 22, 2026 7:00 am
The party arrives at the door. There do not appear to be any traps. It may be that the original Merikkan construction crew included some dwarven believers (or contractors), as the joins of each granite block is precise in a way that shows pride in their work. There is no sign of recent tampering or modification to the original stonework. Whatever mischief the cultists have got up to - and they clearly have been very busy! - they have not bothered modifying the structure's stone walls, floors, or ceiling with traps in these non-public areas of the Temple they've occupied.
Arya Arkon
Jan 23, 2026 8:05 am
Arya Arkon
The room has a simple carpet running down the length of the room, with wooden benches and decorative skeletons along the walls between them. There are two doors in the wall on the right (south).
Jan 23, 2026 8:11 am
As soon as Mother Arkon sets foot in the room, however, the skeletons silently swing into motion, picking up weapons at their feet, drawing bows, and loosing arrows at her!
Arya is pierced for 6 damage and begins to fall, dying!
Arya is struck by another arrow and fails a death save!
Arya is struck by another arrow and fails a death save!
Arya is struck by another arrow and fails her final death save!
Arya is dead, but her body is pierced by two more arrows before her body hits the floor!
Arya's shield, still glowing with helpful Light, clatters to the floor.
19 - Skeleton 7, Skeleton 8
14 - Skeleton 6, Skeleton 7
11 - Skeleton 1, Skeleton 2, Skeleton 3, Skeleton 4
Aanbo (19/27)
Chase (12/17)
Ember (7/12)
Eugenios (8/8) Cursed
Ferranzo (8/8)
Morton (8/15)
Myrtha (23/30)
Arya (Dead) Light
Arya is pierced for 6 damage and begins to fall, dying!
Arya is struck by another arrow and fails a death save!
Arya is struck by another arrow and fails a death save!
Arya is struck by another arrow and fails her final death save!
Arya is dead, but her body is pierced by two more arrows before her body hits the floor!
Arya's shield, still glowing with helpful Light, clatters to the floor.
OOC:
Everyone (with the exception of Lyrel), please roll initiative.19 - Skeleton 7, Skeleton 8
14 - Skeleton 6, Skeleton 7
11 - Skeleton 1, Skeleton 2, Skeleton 3, Skeleton 4
Aanbo (19/27)
Chase (12/17)
Ember (7/12)
Eugenios (8/8) Cursed
Ferranzo (8/8)
Morton (8/15)
Myrtha (23/30)
Arya (Dead) Light
Rolls
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Secret Roll
Skeleton pair initiative 1, 2, 3, 4 - (1d20+2, 1d20+2, 1d20+2, 1d20+2)
1d20+2 : (9) + 2 = 11
1d20+2 : (9) + 2 = 11
1d20+2 : (12) + 2 = 14
1d20+2 : (17) + 2 = 19
Secret Roll
Surprise SK1 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (126) + 4 = 16
1d6+2 : (6) + 2 = 8
Surprise SK2 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (153) + 4 = 19
1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6
Surprise SK3 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (1215) + 4 = 19
1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6
Surprise SK4 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (218) + 4 = 22
1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7
Surprise SK5 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (214) + 4 = 18
1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7
Surprise SK6 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (618) + 4 = 22
1d6+2 : (1) + 2 = 3
Surprise SK7 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (215) + 4 = 19
1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4
Surprise SK8 bow on Arya AC18, piercing damage - (2d20h1+4, 1d6+2)
2d20h1+4 : (1818) + 4 = 22
1d6+2 : (6) + 2 = 8
Jan 23, 2026 10:48 am
A devastated Morton has a 19 for initiative.
Last edited January 23, 2026 10:49 am
Rolls
initiative - (1d20+2)
(17) + 2 = 19
Jan 23, 2026 2:56 pm
Ember's muscles tense in preparation for combat, but seeing Mother Arkon's fall, she hesitates.
Last edited January 23, 2026 2:57 pm
Rolls
Initiative - (1d20+3)
(1) + 3 = 4
Jan 23, 2026 3:54 pm
Reminded of the urgency and pulled from his distracting memories, Aanbo returns his attention to the door and what stands beyond.
Rolls
Initiative - (1d20+2)
(9) + 2 = 11
Jan 23, 2026 8:32 pm
What are those? Moving human skeletons? Ferranzo had heard of the undead but never seen such a grisly sight.
Rolls
Initiative - (1d20+2)
(6) + 2 = 8
Jan 23, 2026 8:45 pm
Eugenios is pulled from his mental plan by the rattle and grinding of bones. This was a noise he has only heard once before, when entering a Wizard’s home he was investigating. "Ah the animation of bones, it appears we have triggered a guardian spell of some sort." he says pulling his magics in, his thoughts figuring the best way to combat the Bone-rattlers . . .
OOC:
Rolled an Arcane check to see if Eugenios has any advice about combating skeletons.Rolls
Arcana - (1d20+6)
(18) + 6 = 24
Initiative - (1d20+1)
(13) + 1 = 14
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