I have mentioned that I gain my spells from morning communion with my familiar Cervie and that Cervie is a scorpion. To be more specific Cervie is a green sting scorpion, somewhat uncommon in this area but not what one would consider to be a rare creature. That description is valid for a normal green sting scorpion, but as my familiar, it is anything but a normal animal. Just like a wizard’s familiar, when an animal is selected as a familiar for a Witch, the patron forges a link between it and the Witch. The link strengthens the creature and gives it skills far beyond a normal creature of its type. It also increases its intelligence and allows basic communication between the Witch and the familiar. At higher levels the creature and its master can communicate verbally just like any other pair, although nobody else can understand the spoken words. Well, Cervie was upset when I communed for my spells the next morning. Our communication wasn’t verbal and maybe he was just reflecting my worries back at me, but our communion took longer than normal. Rialto must have noticed too but he said nothing.
Our other preparations were quickly completed. Everyone had bludgeoning weapons available and plenty of food and water. Non-magical light sources were added to the list, plus Rialto had purchased the raw materials and had me craft a couple of sunrods. It was strange that I could craft them in such a short time but they went together easily. Karl had been able to pray to his Deity and get the spells that he needed to fully restore himself. He had his full complement of powers available now and was ready to lead us back to the site, hopefully to finish the quest with no further loss of life.
Rialto was concerned that we would be noticed if all four of us tried to enter the cave at the same time. The last thing that the guild wanted was to draw attention to this site, so we split into two pairs. Since Karl was familiar with the area, he and Ferd went first and stopped at the first safe location. Rialto and I waited and watched to see if anyone showed any interest. I judged at least two candle-marks passed before Rialto finally sighed and motioned for us to follow. I hoped that the two men were as patient as my wizard was.
It was easy going at first. My Ioun stone and a continual flame in a hooded lantern provided us with plenty of light. Karl wondered aloud that Vernon hadn’t purchased anything as simple as a magical light, or at least he could have suggested that the priest ready the cantrip for light. We encountered the usual vermin that one will see in deep tunnels, giant centipedes and such, but were able to easily dispatch them with no draw on our resources. One spot required some interesting (translate: scary!) climbing across a rope bridge. All three men laughed and Karl explained that the rope bridge hadn’t existed until Vernon had crossed the chasm and created it. He didn’t explain how the man crossed, and I didn’t ask! I decided that the next time I gained power from my patron I would ask for the ability to fly….
When we arrived at the structure I could see excitement in Rialto’s face. Vernon’s broken body had been tossed into a hole in the ground and much of the flesh stripped by rodents and such, but his armor and other equipment were still there. We could also see other bodies in the pit and could only assume that they might have valuable equipment. Rialto motioned for all of us to stay back, and then stepped across the threshold. He had explained that he wanted to see the magic activate. I also had cast my Detect Magic spell so I could study the auras as they activated. Rialto stepped back the instant that the voice activated. It surprised us all by stopping immediately when Rialto had left the area. Apparently it didn’t detect a momentary incursion as an attack and stopped rather than issue the full ultimatum? He tried just putting a toe across the line but found that it took his foot stepping down on the floor to activate. He and Ferd started searching the entrance for some sort of trigger plate but I had Rialto re-cast his Detect Magic and watch as Ferd stepped across the threshold. The “trigger” was magic and it covered the entrance entirely. I also studied the golem. It did indeed look ancient and in serious need of major repair. I could see the damage that Vernon’s mace strike had done to it, but I had concerns about the optimism the men portrayed. This was a powerful monster and I didn’t know if any of us could survive a good hit from it!
While the men continued discussing strategy, considering falling back after the initial attack to allow us to spread out, or staying consolidated so we could aid each other in our attacks, and various other options, I considered the words of the warning. I put my foot across to listen to it again, withdrawing before the message was complete as I didn’t want to activate the monster. It said “Speak friend and enter to study. Enemies will be slain….” I considered it odd that it spoke in common but was glad for it as I didn’t speak any of the languages normally considered common for the deep underground races. Then it hit me. This was a place of study, a place of sharing ideas. Weren’t there Deities that held knowledge as sacred and to be protected but shared? Perhaps this was actually a temple to such a Deity? We had thought this to be a library for the Svirfneblin, but a temple would also make sense. But could it be that simple? I didn’t want to face the men before testing my idea. Their laughter might defeat the courage that I was feeling, so I called out “Friend” and stepped across the portal, ready to jump back if the voice threatened me. It was silent for a moment, then the men all clamored about as the voice said “Enter friend and study. The knowledge within is available to all that have care.”
I stepped forward a few more steps, then heard the original warning. Rialto had stepped in but had not said “Friend”! He stepped back and I stood there terrified that his error was going to get me killed. Apparently the magic remembered that I had triggered it correctly so I turned and explained that they each must say “Friend” before they entered. With the first hurtle crossed we finally were able to regroup inside the library/temple. Note: Once we were allowed inside I was able to confirm that it was a temple to Nethys. How a temple to that Deity got constructed so far below ground, in a city of deep gnomes was something that I never did figure out. Maybe the answer is in the temple, but I wasn’t searching for it!