Crypt of Osorin, part 8

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Log Info

  • Title: Crypt of Osorin, part eight
  • Emitter: Culix
  • Characters: Glasha, Aimarra, Smuldur, Paenitia
  • Place: Crypt of Osorin
  • Time: Sunday, May 16, 2021, 2:56 PM
  • Summary: The adventurers are confronted with a room full of swinging blades. Glasha retreats to tend to Smuldur, while Paenitia and Aimarra explore the nymphy fissure that was found earlier. They avoid provoking the nymphs but are still sprayed with something naseaus. Further on, they can see the room of blades. Aimarra having discerned the pattern, Paenitia peeks in and see doors plus a lever. The pair decided to explore a side room full of chests. Several are locked, containing interesting things. One that Aimarra touches turns out to be a mimic. Battle Ensues, with both adventurers getting stuck to the thing and losing weapons. Ramirez comes to Paenitia's rescue, but is not needed as Aimarra expertly kills the mimic with an arrow. Keys are discovered, and once they are cleaned up, some treasure but nothing like the fabulous items this place is rumoured to hold.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, so fluffy  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Paenitia     3'0"     34 Lb      Halfling          Female    A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.
Aimarra      5'1"     128 Lb     Half-Elf          Female    Brown hair and eyes, breastplate, leathers, pointed ears.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Here, just resting my eyes  =-=-=-=-=-=
Smuldur      3'4"     45 Lb      Goblin            Male      A gently used (cut, scraped, burnt, exploded) gobber.
Glasha       5'8"     100 Lb     Half-Orc          Female    Green-skinned, young lady with bleached hair.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  As the smallest GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Culix        3'2"     36 Lb      Goblin            Female    Beady-eyed goblin female in leathers and hood.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

After discovering the source of that ominous whooshing noises, Smuldur was all too eager to try and press on, assuming that there must be treasure on the other side. However, his wounds proved the better of him, and in his haste he overexerted himself and collapsed. Glasha has been tasked with bringing him back to the safety of the skeleton chamber to continue resting, while Aimarra and Paenitia press ahead.

With Ramirez shedding light like a torch after their encounter with the positive energy burst in the chapel, they are able to see decently far even without Torchie and Glasha's Oruch eyes, but even so- the far side of the blade room is shrouded in darkness. The western wall has a pair of openings, one of them is a natural fissure- perhaps the other end of the one they earlier discovered. The position is about right. The other is clearly man-made, though where it leads is hard to say.

"This is a tricky one." Paenitia says. She has dismounted for the moment. To assist Glasha before she left with Smuldur, after which she remained standing in front of her hippogryph. Not that she expected him to rush into the blades, that would be an exceptionally bad game of chicken. Her position simply affords a better view of the trap as she puzzles out the pattern.

"It worse than climbing through the ore crusher." The Dark Lucht says, looking in Aimarra's direction. Her mask is always grinning, so her actual expressions are always a cypher, although there is an amused tone to her words. "With the castanettes, we could work out the steps, then dance the salsa through them!"

"Yeah. I think we can do it, if we're quick and careful. Do you think your friend can manage it?" Aimarra shoots a meaningful look back at Ramirez. She hadn't quite been able to hide a modicum of relief as Glasha and Smuldur withdrew.

"I do not think so. The blades will catch his tailfeathers and pull him in, or chop them, which will break his heart." Paenitia says, patting a near foreleg. She points across the room, "Maybe he make it through the crack, but the space beside very tight."

So she shakes her head, and continues to stare, "I think there a pattern. If we count one for nearest, three for farthest. See if it is One Two Three or another dance step."

GAME: Paenitia takes ten on perception: (10)+4: 14 (Aid Aimarra)
GAME: Aimarra rolls perception: (4)+13+2: 19
GAME: Aimarra rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (15)+8: 23

As they watch the spinning blades, it is quite hypnotising. The first thing that becomes apparent is that two of them are always spinning, and one of them is always at rest. A few more minutes and a few more cycles, and they can tell as well that the pattern repeats itself over the course of twelve seconds.

The pattern seems to be

1 + 2
2 + 3
1 + 3
2 + 3
1 + 2

Which means, if they time it just right, and are quick enough, they should be able to follow the 'safe' spot in both directions.

Aimarra watches the blades in silence for a few moments, then turns to Paenitia. "These must be powered by something, and they may well have a control lever to turn them off. It may be beyond our sight, or it may be in an area we have not yet seen. I say we finish checking out the area before we try to move your friend."

"It may be powered by Orphan Tears, or the curses of a thousand years or a windmill we not see that is hidden above." Paenitia nods, "The lever is a good idea, and the bug passage. I think it come out there."

She points at the midpoint of the room, "let us enter room from there, now we know the dance, and see if the off lever is near."

She pushes on her peacock-andalusian's chest, "Ramirez, we go back. Step step, then turn."

Retracing their steps is easy enough- though expansive, the tomb is not particularly labyrinthine. The pair soon enough find themselves back at the entrance to the fissure. The Nymphs have been busy while they have been away- the only sign of the eggs that had been a slimy residue on the floor and ceiling in the area. They seem to have burrowed into the stone, though some are slower than others and are still digging their little pits into the walls and floor.

"We won't want to linger when we are done," Aimarra remarks with a scowl, having followed Paenitia back to the entry point where the nymphs were found. She lights a torch to find the light shed on the wiggling back ends of nymps burrowing into the stone, and grimaces openly. "I wouldn't like to be here when those mature."

Somewhere on the trip back, she'd stowed both sword and bow, to free both hands, and now raises the torch she'd lit in its place high. "Let's see what we can find."

The little Lucht observes the developments. She dismounts and pets her hippogryph, taking warhammer, shield and bow. "Ramirez! Stay."

"They burrow into rock. That mean strong jaw or strong acid. They may not come out if we step light, or it may be the bad fight."

She looks up at Aimarra as she raises the torch, "Okay."

GAME: Aimarra rolls knowledge/nature: (7)+11: 18

"They do spray, but it's not a strong acid, and they won't spray it if they don't feel threatened," Aimarra answers. "A light step, perhaps, and not where they burrow, and don't attack them, and they should not be a bother." She tilts her head as she speaks, studying where the light falls. "I can go myself, if you'd prefer."

Paenitia shakes her head, her wide brimmed hat flopping, her dark hair swirling about, "I go in front. You need the stop so you can shoot the bow. I will step with care."

Having announced her intentions, the Red Knight moves forward. She's as light on her feet as she can be with her heavy, rusted armour, and manages to move somewhate quietly.

GAME: Aimarra rolls stealth: (15)+8: 23
GAME: Paenitia rolls stealth: (15)+8: 23

As the two of them slowly creep along the passageway, those of the nymphs still partly exposed from their pits rapidly retreat into them, fearing the light it seems. And all seems to be going well, at first. But the bugs are well attuned to the vibrations in the earth, and their footfalls- even as soft as they are- are enough to alert the creatures to their approach. The acrid secretions spray forth from concealed bugs inside of their pits in the stone, towards the adventurers.

<OOC> Culix says, "Fort, DC14"
GAME: Paenitia rolls fortitude: (6)+6: 12
GAME: Aimarra rolls fortitude: (12)+7: 19
<OOC> Culix says, "Paenitia is sickened for 1 minute. Peppersrpay rather than stomach distress."

On the bright side, the light of Aimarra's torch does reach far enough for them to see that the fissure emerges into that side corridor they spotted earlier from the blade trap room.

The Red Knight takes a blast of the spray directly on her mask, which funnels some of it straight to her eyes while accumulating the rest. She coughs, breathing hard, enduring the sting and burn, unable to fight off the worst of the effects. "Keep move." She gasps, forcing herself forwrad to the end of the fissure.

Having been ready for exactly that, Aimarra had been able to quickly grab a corner of her cloak to keep the spray away from her eyes, and doesn't argue about keeping moving. In fact, she doesn't speak at all, merely suiting actions to words and moving quickly away from the bugs.

The nymphs do not pursue as the pair of them flee, leaving them in peace once they are clear of the area the young arthropods seem to have claimed as their territory. The stinging, burning sensation endures for some time after they are clear though for Paenitia. The fissure which had grown narrow opens back up again, as they come across a collapsed section of manmade wall which leads into the side passage they spotted earlier. The fissure continues apace on the other side of the corridor, turning back to the right and to the blade room. The manmade corridor seems to continue onwards to the west, as well.

It ends in a circular room, which holds a number of sturdy chests- banded with black iron and made of some sort of dark wood that has withstood the test of time.

<OOC> Culix says, "You can poke your head out into the blade room to take a peek."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Yes, sounds good, 26,11 might have a better view, make sure we time the blades right"
GAME: Aimarra rolls perception: (4)+13: 17
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (18)+4: 22
<OOC> Culix says, "alright. Give me a reflex save, +10 since you know the pattern."
GAME: Paenitia rolls reflex+10: (16)+5+10: 31

"I look!" Paenitia says with a laugh, waving her warhammer above her head, "I am much shorter so there less to cut off."

The Dark Lucht moves up the fissure to where it connects at the room. She hums and counts, tapping her toes to get herself into the rhythm of the blades. When she's sure it will be safe, she leans into the rook to have a peek.

"What do you see?" Aimarra calls, waiting just out of the range of the blades.

Paenitia only has scant few seconds to peek into the room, but they prove useful- as she casts her gaze towards the northern side of the room, she sees a pair of very ornate stone doors- and tucked away into an alcove, a lever! It may simply operate the doors, but it could also operate the traps. It's hard to say from where they stand, but either way- it is certain to do something.

"Two wide doors, and a lever, at the top end." Paenitia says, pulling her head back. The blades are fast! "It is short distance, but she might be too far for how fast I run."

Aimarra leans back a little, nodding. "Let's check out the chests over here, first. For all we know, that lever could open the door to throw something at us," she points out wryly, lips twisting. "I can go get the lever when we're ready."

Paenitia retreats from the fissure, turning towards the room with the chests. "This is the good plan." As she moves closer, she adjusts her shield to be more in front of her. "Sometimes they have the needles, or the tricky locks. These are not my skills, only the bashing."

"Not really mine, either. Could have done it if I wanted to, but people are more challenging to hunt than things." Flashing a smile as her plan is accepted, Aimarra turns to join Paenitia in the circular room, surveying the chests. "I can probably tell if they're trapped, but opening them? Is another story."

Upon entering the circular room, the pair will notice nothing particularly unusual about the chests except, perhaps, for their surprisingly well preserved state. Though, given the alchemical laboritory and the apparent wealth and magical abilities of this tombs occupant, it stands to reason they may have been ensorcelled somehow. The chests look sturdy, and each is fitted with a simple keyhole lock, though without testing them it is impossible to say if they are actually locked or not. No traps are evident.

"The locks are sometimes simple key, all the same. I make them before, but there is no forge." Paenitia says, approaching the chest nearest to her. She attempts to open it by pushing on the lid. It's locked. She fiddles with the lock with a small knife, unsuccessfully.

"I have the shovel we can pry with. I did not bring the breaking-in bar."

Without waiting for Paenitia to respond, she kneels down in front of one of the chests, prodding gingerly at it before trying to lift a corner of it. Surprisingly, it lifts, and she lifts it more fully, the torchlight glinting off of a cache of silverware. "Huh. I didn't think dead people needed to eat," she remarks. "We should take those back and see if they're worth anything."

They could try bashing their way into the chest, although that can end badly for the things in the chest. It usually depends on what is in there. A warhammer to the lock works, or a crowbar, if someone had one.

"This one stuck." Paenitia says, looking around to see Aimarra's success, "Let see which of the other chests we can open, then maybe we make them open."

Having already moved on to the next chest, leaving the contents of the one visible to Paenitia, Aimarra shakes her head at the second one. "Locked," she answers. "Let's see what the other two hold."

The Red Knight moves over, fiddles with the neighbour chest of her locked one. It's stuck, its lock also seems damaged. There are a few cracks she can see through, "Clothes, very fine. The moths here have eaten well. Lock is broken, this one may be safe to swing at."

<OOC> Culix says, "Surprise round first, as neither of you hit the DC to notice the mimic. It slams Aimarra."
GAME: Culix rolls 10: (9)+10: 19
GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+6: (3)+6: 9
<OOC> Culix says, "You are also grappled."

As they move onto the final two chests, Paenitia finds that hers is unlocked- however, before she has a chance to see what's inside, a movement catches her attention.

The chest that Aimarra had attempted to open swings open itself, and lunges forwards- the hinged chest lid is lined with many needle-like teeth dripping with saliva, and the chests contents consist of a fleshy tongue and gullet, and a pair of arms which unfold themselves from their hiding space. It lunges for Aimarra on strangely long, skinny and unnervingly human-like legs. It wraps its saliva-covered arms about her, sticking firmly as it draws her head and shoulders into its maw and begins to clamp down.

GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (20)+9: 29 (THREAT)
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (10)+9: 19
GAME: Aimarra rolls 1d8+3: (5)+3: 8

"AAAAAGH!" Caught off guard, Aimarra will have plenty of time to kick herself later for being so inattentive. For right now, she needs to get out of this thing's clutches! Adrenaline kicks in and instinct takes over, and she manages to wrench her sword from its sheath, with an effort of will even as she stares down the long, dark hole of the thing's gullet. "Get - off - of - me!" *SLAM* goes the blade, definitely drawing blood.

<OOC> Culix says, "Mimic will attempt to maintain the grapple."
GAME: Culix rolls 9: (11)+9: 20
<OOC> Culix says, "And deals lethal damage."
GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+6: (1)+6: 7

The mimic doesn't flinch at the cut delivered to it by Aimarra's blade, even as it leaks black viscous blood. It does, however, emit a high pitched and unearthly wail, not dissimilar to the cry of a child- though warped in timbre enough to make it disconcerting. Its gullet flexes and pulses, as its tongue laps at her and its strong arms draw her further and further towards it. The maw clamps down, needle teeth biting into flesh and making it more difficult for her to escape as it begins to attempt to swallow her whole.

GAME: Paenitia rolls cmb: (13)+3: 16 (Aid Aimarra)

"Ahhh!" Paenitia squeals in child-like terror as the chest erupts into a creature of deformity. Immediately, she flings herself at it, to try and assist Aimarra breaking out of its grasp. She has to grab its shockingly human legs, which also rival her in height. She is glad of her wide-brimmed hat, which prevents her from seeing up.

"Struggle, I hold it! This is the great unwashed. It has been here a long time." It also stinks.

<OOC> Aimarra says, "Break grapple."
GAME: Aimarra rolls cmb+2: (1)+8+2: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

Seeing what it intends to do, Aimarra's eyes widen, and she fights to get free even more frantically - which serves only to get her stuck even further in the viscous goo on its arms. "Damn it!"

<OOC> Culix says, "Mimic once again maintains grapple"
GAME: Culix rolls 9: (12)+9: 21
<OOC> Culix says, "And deals lethal crush."
GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+6: (6)+6: 12

The mimic's grip grows ever tighter as it continues to force Aimarra further and further into its cavernous maw, strong arms crushing the breath out of her and teeth biting into her flesh every inch it gains on her, slowly forcing her further and further into its mouth- stooping over as it does so. One wonders where the gullet goes, given it seems to lead to the base of the chest, but that may be a question for less pressing times.

GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon7: (16)+5: 21
GAME: Paenitia rolls damage7: aliased to 1d6+1: (6)+1: 7
<OOC> Culix says, "DC17 Reflex save, Paenitia."
GAME: Paenitia rolls reflex: (16)+5: 21

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! This is not working!" Paenitia cries, abandonning her grip on the things knees. Her warmhammer was right there. She leans to scoop it up and uses the weight of her armour to pull her into a spin for the swing.

An excellent tactic, that lets her land a solid strike on the thing's side. The way the haft vibrates, she recognizes something is amiss. Her weapon is stuck!

She yanks! It is not stuck! "Beware, it glues! Do not let the strike linger."

<OOC> Aimarra says, "All right. Let's try breaking the grapple one more time."
GAME: Aimarra rolls cmb: (20)+8: 28

Too busy fighting for her breath as her ribs start to crack alarmingly under the thing's unnaturally strong grip, Aimarra doesn't answer Paenitia, but instead with an effort of almighty _will_, wrenches herself free of gripping glue and arms alike, and slams to the ground, rolling clear as she gasps for breath.

<OOC> Culix says, "Mimic will go for Pae this time."
GAME: Culix rolls 10: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+6: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Culix damaged you for 7 points. 21 HP remaining.
GAME: Culix damaged you for 1 points of nonlethal. You have 1 total.

The creature retches as its meal pries herself from its gullet, and then it lunges forwards again, swinging a vicious kick towards Paenitia and striking her hard across the chest, dinting breastplate and driving the wind out of her. It releases another of its eerie wails, drawing it on into a lingering vibrato. It draws its leg back, and Paenitia finds that she is stuck fast to it- the sticky substance that had appeared to be saliva leaking from its pores as well.

GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon7-2: (10)+5+-2: 13

'Ruaaaaah!' Ramirez's challenge is heard, distant and faint, echoing off the walls.

"No! Ramirez! Stay! This is not the fight for you!" Paenitia calls loudly, as the thing kicks her and she becomes stuck. It's movements pull her along. She struggles, swinging upwards with her warhammer, but the angle is bad and it deflects.

'Ruaaaah!' Ramirez seems to have a mind to argue.

"No, I will become tarred and feathered if you appear! Stay." Paenitia orders.

<OOC> Aimarra says, "Full attack on ugly."
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2-5: (1)+9+-5: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aimarra rolls 1d8+3: (4)+3: 7
GAME: Aimarra rolls reflex: (7)+7: 14

"Struggle! It can be got round!" So saying, Aimarra leaps forward, slamming her blade into the thing and drawing more black ichor. "I'll distract it!" A second strike - she ranger is getting faster! - but apparently she isn't getting more accurate. The sword comes across for the second strike, and instead of finding flesh, it finds a large glob of glue, freezing in place nad nearly pulling itself from Aimarra's hand.

<OOC> Culix says, "Mimic attempts to continue the grapple."
GAME: Culix rolls 9: (4)+9: 13
<OOC> Culix says, "But fails, Paenitia is freed."

The creature looms over Paenitia, gangly arms reaching out towards her and mouth dripping sticky salive onto her mask as it reaches down to grab at her. But she's too quick for it, and manages to juke his grab. In the process, with a wet ripping sound, she is also able to pull herself free from the sticky slime on the creatures leg. Aimarra's blade is held fast against its flesh, sitting in the still-bleeding wound.

GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon7: (20)+5: 25 (THREAT)
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon7: (3)+5: 8
GAME: Paenitia rolls damage7: aliased to 1d6+1: (6)+1: 7
GAME: Paenitia rolls reflex: (2)+5: 7
<OOC> Culix says, "And a fort save for Ramirez."
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17 (Ramirez Fort)

Men. They will not listen. Even when trained mounts. Ramirez is a proud peacock, a gentleman of Isobar. He does not understand the mimic's language, but recognizes its challenge. He will not be a coward when he is called out, especially when his mistress is in danger.

With some snorts and grunts, the peacock-andalusian squeezes himself into the narrow fissure. He gallops by the nymphs, ignoring the sprays they send at him. These are not what call him to battle.

In the thick of things, Paenitia manages to break free of the mimic. With a loud cry she swings, an almost perfect arc. It thuds solidly into the drooling monstrosity. Crunch! Too deep! Her weapon is stuck.

And she changes her mind, "Ramirez! Bring the armoury!"

<OOC> Culix says, "Alrighty. You can try and pry your weapon free with a strength check."
GAME: Aimarra rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (6)+8: 14
<OOC> Aimarra says, "All right. Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot. Precise Shot also applies."
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon1+1-2: (10)+9+1+-2: 18
GAME: Aimarra rolls 1d6+3+1+4: (4)+3+1+4: 12

As she backpedals a step, drawing her bow, Aimarra racks her brain for whatever she can remember about these things. She's a specialist in people, though, not things, and so nothing comes to mind, especially not given the difficulty she is having breathing and the smell of her own blood. So instead, we return to the tried and true. Leveling the bow, she lets fly, pulling fast and for power rather than perfect aim, sending more ichor spraying everywhere as it buries itself deeply.

GAME: Culix rolls 10: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+6: (3)+6: 9
GAME: Culix damaged you for 8 points. 13 HP remaining.
GAME: Culix damaged you for 1 points of nonlethal. You have 2 total.
<OOC> Culix says, "Grabbed again."

The mimic lets out another shrill wail as the arrow sinks deep into it, but it has a more pressing and underfoot problem in the form of Paenitia. It lifts its long leg, knee high, and then brings it down ontop of the Lucht with tremendous force, slamming her into the ground and cracking ribs beneath armor. It stoops low after she is driven to the ground to scoop her up, and once more make an attempt to eat the red knight.

<OOC> Paenitia says, "that looks good. it wouldn't help to have him standing on Aimarra."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Pae does have her Lucht Traveler's knife, so abandon warhammer, draw and stab with the knife"
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon5-2: (20)+5+-2: 23 (THREAT)
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon5-2: (4)+5+-2: 7
GAME: Paenitia rolls damage5: aliased to 1d3+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Paenitia rolls reflex: (8)+5: 13

Paenitia is slammed to the ground. She bounces, just a little. She has the view she has been striving to avoid, and is almost grateful when she's scooped up and dangled over its maw.

Almost.

Her warhammer is stuck, she abandons it and draws her traveler's knife. Paenitia shows her gratitude by stabbing deep at those needle teeth. Again! Solid, on target, but the saliva prevents it from being truly deadly as the weapon becomes stuck. She has managed to draw more ichor.

There is a scratching and snorthing as Ramirez appears behind Aimarra. His red eyes burn, he nearly over-runs the half-elf, but he remains polite, even in battle.

"Ha ha! Beautiful Ramirez! Yes!" Paenitia shouts joyfully, "bring the weapons!"

<OOC> Aimarra says, "All right. Precise Shot / Point Blank Shot / Deadly Aim / Full Attack."
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon1+1-2: (20)+9+1+-2: 28 (THREAT)
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon1+1-2: (15)+9+1+-2: 23
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon1+1-2-5: (5)+9+1+-2+-5: 8
GAME: Aimarra rolls 3d6+9+2+12: (11)+9+2+12: 34
<OOC> Paenitia says, "we did not need the cavalier cavalry"

Feathers behind her prompt Aimarra to take half a step out of the bird's way, almost unconsciously, and level the bow one more time. This time, the first arrow flies straight and true, burying itself in what the thing might call an eye, the fletching quivering as the point finds it's stopping place in the back of its skull. The second arrow skitters harmlessly off into the wall, but it doesn't appear to matter.

A shudder runs through the creature's body, and then its legs give out first. It collapses into a sticky, ichor covered heap on the ground. The top of its chest-shaped head flops back, its tongue hanging out limply, as its arms too lose their grasp on Paenitia. Though she still remains firmly stuck by its glue, the creature heaves one final cry, its gullet spasming, and a surge of the black ichor floods out while the creature goes still.

Pushed out by the creatures death rattle, is a set of keys on a brass ring. Somewhat tarnished, but still looking intact, despite its long stay in the creature's alien gut.

As stuck to the mimic as her weapons are, Paenitia struggles first to free herself. She glances a few times at its flipped back, open maw, its disgusting tongue, but even with her mask on it is clear the little Lucht doesn't like what's she's seeing, or where she is.

"Ramirez, it is fine, stay there. I do not want you in the spit and sweat of this thing."

Her peacock-andalusian remains vigilant, standing and watching.

After thirty seconds or so, the sticky goop begins to fizz and break down. Finally free, Paenitia picks up the key ring, then her weapons and pulls out a dirty cloth to try and wipe herself down. "We can open the locked ones, except that, it has the broken lock. Tell me when you catch your breath, Aimarra. I will not open in case there more suprise inside."

When the thing crumples, so does Aimarra, in a mixture of relief and pain that sends her crashing to hands and knees, bow clattering to the stone floor. She breathes rapidly, but shallowly, and takes her a few minutes to pull herself together before she can even speak. "How ... _how_ ... did I miss that?"

With an effort, she finally gets herself to her feet, with a wince and a swear word or two. "Are you all right?"

"I am not fresh but I am not out of the fight." Paenitia says, standing stiffly. Breathing is hard, she's going to need that dent out of her breastplate. A nice anvil and a five pound sledge... she shakes her head, turns her smiling mask directly at Aimarra and laughs, "the fight will be even shorter the next one I get in."

She gestures at the chests, "We should search these, take what we find back to Glasha and Smuldur, and I can lay on hands in the safer room. It call for friends, they may come. Or our friends come, if we wait. Many events might transpire!"

The little Lucht moves over to her peacock-andalusian, and rests her head against his foreleg. "It feel we have just slept, but I could lie down again."

With the creature dispatched, the adventurers have some time to get their breath back, and wipe off some of the foul fluids of the mimic. When that is done, the keyring does indeed serve to open the chests. One by one, their contents are surveyed. One is full of crystals of various shapes and sizes- not precious gems, but perhaps of intrest to the magically inclined. The chest containing the clothes can be pried open easily enough, but its contents are disappointing. Though the clothes inside were once fine, they are ruined almost beyond recognition by time. A silver lining, however, are a number of minor accoutrements and trinkets made of precious metals and gemstones found amongst the rotten clothing. Besides which, the once ostentacious robes make fair rags for cleaning away mimic slime.

The silverware is a minor coup, worth a few gold to be sure, enough to be worth carrying out of the place when they are through, but it is the final chest opened that presents the greatest windfall. Various rare alchemical substances, well preserved. Though neither has the skill to identify their use, they appear valuable enough. There is also a leather bound tome containing recipes and research notes that may be of scholarly intrest. All in, some valuables- but hardly the riches promised in the rumors about this place, nor in line with the clear expense that has been poured into building this tomb.

Ghoulish cp line.png

Combatty

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
  >> 20   Aimarra          1   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     19   Mimic               
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14   Paenitia         1  Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)               
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================

Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m3stnlbrcv9"