Once I’d convinced everyone that I was fine, and not going to just up and die, we continued checking rooms as we moved around the hallway. It wasn’t like I didn’t appreciate their concern. However, I really didn’t want to see if any of those wraiths were still hanging around when it got to be night, so we needed to keep moving.

A small hallway had four rooms come off it, each barely big enough for a bed and a set of dressers. The clothes were purely mundane, marking the occupants as lay worshippers, though each had a small empty armor stand, so perhaps they belonged to the temple guards. Not much luxury. Were the guards considered lower class than the priestesses?

As we turned the corner to the front face of the temple, there was another bedroom, larger than the others, but the contents were the same, though lacking an armor stand. A symbol of Selune was engraved in the wall, as well, and the bed was larger. Perhaps a room for visiting guests of the temple?

The next room needed no explanation. Two wooden tubs, glowing with magic to my sight, filled with water, and a marble bench between them. This was a bathing room, obviously.

The next two rooms were empty, with the second being a broom closet if I’ve ever seen one, despite the fact that there were no brooms present. The first, though, was larger, and had the look of a storeroom. There were marks on the floor that looked as though shelves had been there at one point, but they had either been removed, or had disappeared when the barrier was raised.

The mix of what had and had not been preserved meant trusting anything that was left behind was problematic. The only things I trusted, truly, were magic items, or the objects that the ghost of Brathik had gathered. I wasn’t sure how much of what we were seeing now would remain. I half-expected the temple itself to start falling apart as age and years of not being tended caught up to it now that the barrier was gone, but, so far, I had been pleasantly surprised.

Turning the corner, we found a room with a large communal bath. The walls were covered in engravings showing images of Selune. According to Vestele, this was probably a private bath for the priestesses, or perhaps a place for purification, but she wasn’t an expert on the intricacies of Selunite worship.

Next, there was another furnished room, that looked like it was unlived-in, like the guest room earlier. This seemed slightly better appointed than the other guest room, however. Probably something for a more important guest? Either way, there wasn’t even anything in the drawers or the chest in the room, so no point wasting time here.

As we passed the spiral stairs leading down, however, things changed. A black, spectral form floated out of the solid wall in front of me. It was clearly a wraith, but this thing was far larger than the others we’d seen. It had to be at least as big as Frostmane!

Vestele’s Knowledge (Religion) check: 1d20+13 = 26 (Success)

Vestele’s breath caught, shattering the silence. “That is a dread wraith! I won’t be able to hold it like the others. Its very touch will drain your health!”

Initiatives

Wraith of Woe

Melinda

Siora

Frostmane

Vestele

WW’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+20 = 23 (Touch) (Miss)

The wraith reacted to Vestele’s words, and surged forwards towards me. I just barely managed to dance out of the way of its outstretched hand. I had given up some of my vitality to bind myself to my new blade, and I did not want to give up any more!

Melindas Concentration Check: 1d20+24 = 25 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack (WW): 1d20+24 = 34 (Hit)

Incorporeal miss chance (50%): 1d100 = 86 (Success)

Damage: 2d6+2 = 11 (Bludgeoning)

Vitriolic Blow Damage: 7d6 = 28 (Acid)

Spinning away from the outstretched hand, I wreathed my foot in acidic magic. My kick passed through the wraith’s midsection, no physical form stopping it. But the attack did do some damage, if the way the wraith recoiled was any indication.

Siora’s Attack (WW): 1d20+12 = 17 (Miss)

Siora’s Attack (WW): 1d20+7 = 15 (Miss)

Siora’s bow sang twice, and I saw both fly over my shoulder to the wraith. Unfortunately, I also saw them deflect away, before even getting a chance to try and touch the wraith. The incorporeal creature was not going to make this easy on us.

Frostmane’s Attack (WW): 1d20+25 = 37 (Hit)

Incorporeal Miss Chance (50%): 1d100 = 93 (Success)

Damage: 1d8+15 = 19 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 5 (Cold)

Frostmane did not shrink back from the fight, though. Stepping up beside me, his jaws closed upon the wraith’s spectral form. Though he did his best to rip and tear at the wraith, there was no point in even trying to trip the thing, since everyone knew it was impossible to trip a ghost.

Vestele readied her weapon and shield, dropping into a defensive stance. For all the good that would do against an incorporeal being. Trying not to curse, the priestess said, “I doubt I’ll be able to touch the thing, and I don’t want to waste what little healing magic I have on missing. Melinda, you’re the one who is best suited to dealing with it!”

WW’s attack (Melinda): 1d20+20 = 35 (Touch) (Hit)

Damage: 2d6 = 7 (DR 15/Cold Iron)

Melinda’s Fort Save: 1d20+21 = 36 (Success)

The wraith was clearly torn between which of us, either myself or Frostmane, it should go after, both so full of life. But when Vestele spoke, its ‘gaze’ turned on me. It understood her!

The wraith’s arm lashed out at me, and I could feel a clawing sensation as it passed through my chest. My mystically reinforced flesh shrugged off the physical damage, but that was not the worrying part. I felt a sucking feeling, as though the wraith was trying to draw on my soul, my life essence. I fought back, but it was not as clear-cut a thing as I’d have liked.

Lingering Acid damage (WW): 2d6 = 5 (Acid)

Melinda’s Concentration Check: 1d20+24 = 31 (Success)

Melinda’s Attack (WW): 1d20+24 = 38 (Hit)

Incorporeal Miss Chance (50%): 1d100 = 85 (Success)

Damage: 2d6+2 = 13 (Bludgeoning)

Vitriolic Blow Damage: 7d6 = 19 (Acid)

Stepping to the side, to get some separation from Frostmane, so my aura wouldn’t affect him if the wraith attacked him instead of me, I lashed out with an acid-wreathed fist, connecting with the wraith once again. Punching the bodyless form was an unsettling experience, but I could tell from the wraith’s glare that it was certainly focused on me, for now. That would have to do.

Siora’s Attack (WW): 1d20+12 = 25 (Miss)

Siora’s Attack (WW): 1d20+7 = 13 (Miss)

Siora said nothing. She simply stood to the rear of the group, and launched two more fruitless arrows at the wraith. This was not the kind of foe that the twins could handle, clearly. But that was fine. The entire purpose of a party was to cover our weaknesses, and the two had more than covered for my shortcomings in our brief history together already.

Frostmane’s Attack (WW): 1d20+25 = 45 (Hit)

Incorporeal Miss Chance (50%): 1d100 = 57 (Success)

Damage: 1d8+15 = 21 (Piercing)

Freezing Bite: 1d6 = 3 (Cold)

Frostmane darted forward once again, jaws snapping at the Wraith. By the wraith’s reaction, it was clearly hurt by the blow. In fact, its shadowy form began to look on the verge of dissipating!

Vestele held her disruption morningstar in front of her, readying to attack the wraith, if it got past our front line. I doubted that the wraith was so weak as to be undone by the enchantment on the weapon, but stranger things had happened to us already since we left Northport. At the very least, it might convince the wraith to stay back, right?

Melinda’s AoO (WW): 1d20+24 = 25 (Miss)

Frostmane’s AoO (WW): 1d20+25 = 28 (Miss)

Vestele’s AoO (WW): 1d20+11 = 25 (Miss)

WW’s attack (Siora): 1d20+20 = 25 (touch) (Hit)

Displacement Miss Chance (20%): 1d100 = 15 (Miss)

In a bid to turn the tables, the wraith flew through me, and past Frostmane and Vestele, ignoring the surprised attacks we launched at it in its passing. Now, at the rear of the group, the wraith struck at Siora! But, thankfully, the magic of the Beguiler’s cloak was enough to cause the wraith to miss its mark, saving us from a potential disaster in the making.

Lingering Damage: 4d6 = 20 (Acid) (Dead)

Your party has defeated the Wraith of Woe!

Melinda gains 600 xp.

Frostmane gains 600 xp.

Siora gains 600 xp.

Vestele gains 600 xp.

With a wail, the wraith fizzled, and burst apart into shadows as the acid finished the job. Sighing in relief, I slumped against the wall. “Damn, that was frightening.”

Siora gulped as her knees shook slightly. “You’re telling me? I thought that thing was going to get me good when it just flew through all of you!”

Frostmane chuffed, clearly a bit amused at our reactions. “At least the thing is dead, and that means the rest of the temple should be clear, until we get the mirrors focused.”

“Right, right.” I shook my head, and stood up straight. Looking to the others, I said, “Let’s go find the key we need to adjust the mirrors.”

That in mind, we pushed forward. There was just a single door along this wall, marking the entire space as the high priestess’s chambers. Opening it, we found ourselves looking at what was clearly the high priestess’s office, or study. An elegant chair was placed behind a wooden desk in the center of the room, with two less impressive chairs in front of it. Bookshelves lined one wall, next to a door leading further into the chambers.

Siora moved in front, now, without anyone needing to say a word. Before, we were worried about monsters, which is why Frostmane and I were at the front. Now, if there was anywhere in this temple that was going to be trapped, then it would be places in the High Priestess’s chambers.

Siora’s Search check: 1d20+23 = 35

Siora’s Open Lock check: 1d20+22 = 27 (Success)

Siora went around behind the desk, checking it carefully. “Doesn’t look to be trapped, that’s good.” She pulled out her thieves’ tools, and, a moment later, had the drawer open. “And that’s done.”

Siora’s Search check: 1d20+23 = 36

Vestele moved to take her sister’s place, and look through the drawer, while the Beguiler moved to the door leading further into the priestess’s chambers. Siora nodded once as she checked the door. “No lock, doesn’t look trapped.” She opened it and, thankfully, she was right.

Vestele called out, “Drawer is mostly papers. Letters, a ledger with the temple’s finances, things like that. Did find a silver key, though. Could be the one we’re looking for.”

I nodded to her. “Hold on to it. We’ll test anything that looks promising.”

“Hey, guys, check this out!” Siora called out from the next room. Following her voice, we found her in a richly appointed bedroom, with a writing desk, bed, couch, more bookshelves, a dresser, and two iron-bound chests. Another door leading further in appeared to be a private bathroom, given the robe hanging on a hook on the wall, next to some towels on shelves.

I whistled appreciatively. “It is good to be in charge.”

Siora was looking up from the desk. “No traps on the desk, but I found this.” She held up a drawstring bag. “Diamond dust, unless I’m mistaken.”

Vestele reached out for that. “I’ll keep that. Diamond dust is a material component for some higher-level restoration magics. That will definitely come in handy.”

Frostmane nodded from the doorway. “What about the chests?”

Siora shook her head. “Haven’t checked them yet. Bathroom is just that, nothing special. Desk wasn’t even locked, much less trapped. Was about to get to the chests.”

Looking down at the chests, I activated my ability to see magic. And both chests lit up. “Be extra careful with them, Siora. I can see magic on both chests.”

Siora’s Search check: 1d20+23 = 43 (Taking 20) (Success)

Siora’s Spellcraft Check: 1d20+18 = 34 (Success)

Siora’s Disable Device check: 1d20+26 = 37 (Success)

Siora’s Open Lock check: 1d20+22 = 28 (Success)

Taking my advice to heart, Siora cautiously knelt down by the chests. Starting on her left, she slowly began checking over the lock, latch, and surfaces, looking for signs of a trap, taking more than ample time to do so. “Thanks for the warning, Mel. This one looks like it was set up to cage us and summon something nasty in here with us.” She fiddled with her tools, and, a few moments later, turned the lock with an audible click. “That one’s open.”

Siora’s Search check: 1d20+23 = 43 (Taking 20) (Success)

Siora’s Spellcraft Check: 1d20+18 = 23 (Failure)

Siora’s Disable Device check: 1d20+26 = 38 (Success)

Siora’s Open Lock check: 1d20+22 = 30 (Success)

Moving to the next chest, she once more took her time, and checked the chest thoroughly, before ever touching it with her tools. “Ooh, this one is even nastier. Don’t know what, exactly, is on this chest, but some of the runes are necromantic. Probably not anything to do with summoning or creating undead, with this being a Selunite temple, but we would not have liked the results, whatever they were.” She opened the lock with a click. “But I got it open, safe and sound.”

Your party has disarmed two traps!

Melinda gains 300 xp.

Frostmane gains 300 xp.

Siora gains 300 xp.

Vestele gains 300 xp.

I nodded to her. “So, whatever’s inside must be pretty important. Lot of trouble just to keep someone from reading her diary.” That got some chuckles. “So, Siora. What’s in the chests?”