Barrowmaze: BRAGging Rites

[Spearmint]

Since we cant really use them to their full potential anyway, what if we place the magic bow and helm into the basin?

Not sure what you mean by full potential.
Well consider when Orgoth in the labyrinth used the bow which loosed an arrow that swung around to hit him or someone else but here in the Barrow Grove, Yardie used the bow without a problem. But certainly you can offer them.

So, Gnimish is currently unconscious?

failing his Constitution check, he would have been knockout for six turns but can be 'walking wounded' status. He has his 'Schmo Joe' manitou that he could invoke. He checks among the petrified people. "Perhaps they displeased Herne and the Caryatid thing came and did this to them?" he offers as a suggestion.

Sven looks over the glass vials, wondering if they are potions of some kind.

Holy water (x4).

Yewwy & Willo are present. They look about in awe and wonder.

Amos: Religion check vs 15 [4d6]=17

Amos is of Arcantryl and despite being part-elf, has little knowledge of Herne rituals and protocols beyond common knowledge. He would comment that the coffer possible holds some 'hero of auld', the statues might be tomb raiders and the items left by devotees or even Herne himself?

Amos traps/locks [1d100]=99

Looking about for traps on the coffer, his lockpick snaps and his metal screwdrivers and chisels, crowbar all suddenly wilt, drooping tamely. He makes a comment about them needing a spicy festive pie.

Yardie can help quarter the stag to present it in the offering basin. "Does someone need to bless it? Pray grace over it?" he suggests.

OM, you could script Yardie in his patois making that prayer to Herne if you please.

Gerdal heals up. You visibly inspect the varied items. You might recall that clerics of Silvanus wear wreaths as part of their religious garb. These wreaths are not specifically related to that faith but do present as a druidical type crafting.

Isvand?

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I am a follower of Cromm, but Hern and Cromm are both of the Old Faith. I will offer thanks for success in our hunt which is appropriate."

Orgoth offers thanks to Hern for their success in the hunt of the stag. He already placed the stag's heart in the offering bowl.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sven nods to Yardie if the man has a Herne style prayer to offer.

"If these chipped stone folks were once tomb robbers, I suggest we don't touch anything until we see what happens with our offering."

He looks next to the gnolems. "Do either of you have any knowledge or opinions about this place?"

[redwarrior]

Isvand, alarmed at talk of giving up what are clearly valuable magical items chimes up Wouldn't the God of the Hunt want tributes FROM the hunt, rather than TOOLS of the hunt?! He will explore the room and also look for traps attached to the offering bowl, though he doesn't expect there to be any. He is absolutely POSITIVE that there either is or is not a trap
FaRT Target 30 [1d100]=100


I don't believe that Isvand has ever shown much interest in gods and the like. He's clear that they exist, but he's figured that they can do their thing, and he'll do his!

[sastaz]

Gerdal listens with great interest to Isvand's theories.

"It does make sense, that the god of the hunt would like the hunt and not the tools used."

She leans over to her three original comrades and whispers "would it be to cruel to try to have one of the gnolems carry some of that stuff outside for us? Seems like a risk-free endeavor for us at least. Or we could even use our servant spells."

[Spearmint]

Exploring the Barrow Grove.

Inside the Herne Mausoleum.

He is absolutely POSITIVE that there either is or is not a trap

what Isvand is positive about is the absolute need for a new set of artisan tools for the same critical failure to identify traps results in the same effect with the warping and wilting of each of your spanners, pliers, picks and cutters in the same manner that Amos also suffered. - Thieves Toolkit.

While that minor indiscretion is divinely judged, the others set themselves to tasks. Yardie prays, committing the carcass of the stag into Herne's embrace, placing it into the offering basin. Not an expert in such rituals, he keeps his prayer short and seasoned with plenty of "Amens" and even sprinkling the stag hide with a few crushed herbs for effect. After he steps back, Orgoth offers the beast's heart in like manner, the organ still dripping warm blood in his hands. With his offering made the Herne Statue actually breathes fire from its nostrils, the flames consuming the heart and rendering the stag carcass as cooked as a tavern hog roast.

Prohibition: Herne Clerics/ Druids: are expected to hunt or fast rather than buy their meat provisions and to offer portions of each kill as a burnt offering in thankful praise.

You can conclude the offering acceptable and that there is an expectation for the devotees to partake from the prime, juicy and herb flavoured venison steaks. Amos will not since it is offered directly to Herne and he follows Arcantryl's virtues, but others may eat if you wish.

He looks next to the gnolems. "Do either of you have any knowledge or opinions about this place?"

They do not, never having been here before. But if you remember they shared about being 'awakened' by Master Reggino. It seems they were held in some kind of stasis until the halfling tomb raider came along, possibly casting a spell (Runic reading?) which animated them. Your encounters with Moriartus may have taught you such beings are crafted to serve a purpose, aiding a treant for example. A long time captive in the Fungal Corridors has meant each are beginning to rot and that corruption either needs miraculous healing (Cure Disease) else the rot will spread to doom them.

In a pragmatic way, they could 'see out their days' in this Barrow Grove if you didn't intend to have them accompany your back to Helix and try to solve their rotting dilemma.

Gerdal it seems is quite happy to use them as 'guinea pigs' to pick up and carry away the coffer grave goods. with Isvand and Amos both failing Thief skill checks, you cannot open the coffer by just pushing the lid off.

The goods though on top may be collected.

decorated with hunting scenes and set about it are several memorial tokens or trinkets. Wreaths of laurel and roses, a large drinking horn made from Mammoth tusk, a bearskin cloak, a leather quiver filled with finely fletched silver tipped arrows and some stained glass vials.(x4)

Yardie adds the quiver and score of silvered arrows, Amos equips each character with +1 Vial of Holy Water..

actions eat or not, please indicate which.

Take a coffer item or not, or even add an extra one if you prefer.

actions please.

Barrow Grove: random vs 1 [1d6]=3[1d6]=6

No issue with either Caryatid Column animations or wandering creatures interfering with the current explorations.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth will partake of the venison, eating his fill. He will not take anything else.

[sastaz]

Gerdal is very tempted to snag one or two of the items, but restrains herself and waits to see what happens as Orgoth eats the sacred meat.

[redwarrior]

Isvand looks at his broken tools, remembering what it took him to acquire them the first time, is heartened that it will merely take reaching a town of adequate size this time... shrugs and follows Orgoth's lead in eating of the stag. He picks up the bearskin cloak and places it about his shoulders, modeling it and wondering what it does. Looking at the statue for a moment and considering the impressive damage done to his tools, he takes his pouch of enchanted sling stones There are either 18 or 19 left of the 20, I think. Deleted from inventory and says, looking at the statue I hope this is a fair trade Mr. Herne, your Huntsmanishness, .... Sir.

[Spearmint]

Exploring the Barrow Grove.

Inside the Herne Mausoleum.

Yardie, Orgoth, Isvand & Gnimish partake of the sacrificial offering, cutting a portion of venison ribs or rump steak. Gerdal watches, perhaps like Amos more restrained from eating meat offered to a foreign deity. Even in this grove and masudoleuem dedicated to some hero of Herne, the watchful eyes of Arcantryl & Kali are ever present. The normally wolfishly hungry Smokie is also reticent about gobbling down a hunk of meat. Sven obliges. Those who partake feel less hungry, whether any extra benefit or bane results will have to wait to see.

"I hope this is a fair trade Mr. Herne, your Huntsmanishness, .... Sir." Isvand trades, a gifted token won at the Herne Festival and wraps himself in the bearskin cloak. It is overly large for his diminutive stature, draping across the floor behind him. You can tie it up with a belt. It actually closes by using the claws to fasten interlocking together and the hood has a partial bear cranium and upper jaw lining.

It seems a fair trade. The other items on the coffer are curious but not checked for any imbued enchantment. The vials of Holy Water are taken, equipped one to each character.

With both Thieves skill check failures leading to the destruction of the toolkits, the conclusion might be taken that the coffer has extra arcane warding which prevents tampering. Unless you want to tempt fate and risk the ire of Herne or an animated statue guardian, Wisdom might say to leave the coffer alone. There is a nagging suspicion the coffer might contain a deceased hero entombed with the treasure and trove of his station and vanities; you can speculate, a hoard of coins, bows of magic, swords vorpal and legendary or just another crypt of rotting bones and disease carrying microspores.

Unless actioned to the contrary, I assume folk are happy to trek back to the mural portal and entrance to the Barrowmaze.

actions and comments or questions please.

[Rex]

Orgoth

Orgoth is ready to head back.

[sastaz]

Gerdal resists the temptation of leaving with one or several of the items, deciding that a deity would probably see through her trick to send one of the gnolems to fetch it.

As she leaves the Mausoleum she turns around and bows quickly in a "I know we're not best of friends and I don't even worship you but consider this lack of theft as a sign that we respect each other's different views" kind of style.

Ready to head back.

[redwarrior]

Isvand preens in the bearskin cloak as we get ready to go. He glances at the other items still visible for the acquiring. Especially the quiver & arrows, but he's just a little suspicious that Herne might be a bit like his Granny and frown at his taking more than his share. Best not to chance it. Today, at least... In any case, he spins a bit to get the cloak to billow, and says This will be cozy on cold dungeon nights!

[Spearmint]

Especially the quiver & arrows

I equipped these to Yardie.

Barrow Grove: random vs 1 [1d6]=2[1d6]=2

Despite the constant nagging that something or, someone watches you from the forest fringe, often turning heads to focus on the edge of peripheral vision, nothing is seen that disturbs you. Keeping the sanctuary undefiled, the offering accepted and gifts exchanged (or plundered), the group set to return down the path back to the forest portal.

I can fill in a bit of detail considering that when in bat form, Gerdal might rise above the tree canopy to gain a bat / bird's eye view of the surrounds. You would find that the forest spreads in a few miles in each direction before being swamped by the thick mist that in similar fashion prevails upon the Barrow Moor. There are no points to orientate yourself. The impression is actually 'otherworldly', figuring you could wander in the forest and get lost in the wilds beyond not knowing where you are. Perhaps an alternate plane of existence, linked to the Barrow Maze by the crypt portal. At least in that earthly realm, you have a familiarity and reasons to live. To the portal then, following the path, checking on marked trees until you return to the strange framed entrance.

Nothing has hindered you. No more camouflaged Kech, no further warnings from the woodpecker.

Yewwy and Willo pose a challenge. They prefer the forest clime to returning to a dungeon. They would be happier parting here, content with being rescued from the pit, conscious they are rotting and diseased. The Barrow Grove a more suitable place to see out their length of days unless you can guarantee some kind of healing for them.

Each person can step over the threshold from Grove to crypt, emerging out of the mural into the dark room. Lanterns are quickly struck to give light, the room is as you left it. Those in the crypt can turn to see the last figures walking on the path towards them, stepping through, the wooden halflings remaining behind. After Yardie exits last of all, the magic portal effects diminish. At least for now. It seems the access is restricted and even clad bearing bow and helm, the mural remains stoney faced closed.

You are back in Barrowmaze, the triangular crypt hidden by the secret door in the Fungal Corridor section.

It is late in the day, night time even. The explorations taking longer than you accounted for. Yawning becomes a pre-occupation for many.

next actions please Camp in this room or elsewhere? Explore to find the Where-Rats?

[redwarrior]

Isvand wishes Yewwy and Willow well, while trippin on the hem of the cloak, which is just a little bit bulky on him, with the bear head wobbling a little on his head.

I've lost track of game time. If it's been close to a day, I'd say camp right here, if not, I'd say push on, subject to the needs our our spell casters.

[Spearmint]

I've lost track of game time. If it's been close to a day, I'd say camp right here, if not, I'd say push on, subject to the needs our our spell casters.

the spellcasters took a two hour study break during the time it took the Unseen Servant to careful unwind the enchanted burial linens without tearing them, thus preserving the magic imbued within.

It is around the midnight hours certainly.

[Rex]

Orgoth

"I am all right resting here, it seems to be defensible."

[sastaz]

Gerdal looks around.

"As safe as anything can be in this place, I guess. We need rest anyway, so let's camp here."

SM would you mind sharing the last map piece that shows this part of the maze? I can't remember, and my poetic map is not updated with the latest rooms I think.

[Spearmint]

Screenshot_20230303-160239_2.png (777.37 KiB) Viewed 246 times

[Spearmint]

The group camp in the cleanest of the crypts that line the Fungal Corridor. The mural room a little sanctuary in a dark and gloomy place.

There has been some discussion regarding meeting up with the Where-Rats team, to camp together somewhere, safety in numbers. But with the hours moving quicker than you expect, especially underground where you cannot track dawn or dusk times, it might already be hours past midnight.

Hoping the other group fare well, you rest, setting a guard watch just in case of trouble. You do however rest, fitfully but not harassed. Waking to breakfast, you note the mural portal is closed, even bearing helm and bow, the step into the picture path doesn't animate again. At least for now.

actions, spell users renew your spells. Next actions please.