Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gianluca sighs. "OK, seems some bruising may be required. Let's try not to hurt the poor sap, though. He may be no good at resisting enchantment, but I suspect he's still good at heart."
With that he draws his greatsword and attempts to smack the cleric upside the head with the flat of his blade.
___________
Free If a 5' step will let me flank with either Sabrina, Bentley, or Bertrand (vs the dominated cleric) I will...and I'll get +4 to hit on the rolls below (which might possibly help that crit to succeed).
Move draw sword
Stnd Silver Knight's Blade maneuver Attack inflicts an additional 4d6 points of damage, heals that damage to initiator or nearby ally.
Swft Shift into Stance of the Silver Crane. "Weapons wielded by the initiator gain the holy weapon quality, and the initiator radiates protection from evil."
Greatsword+power attack-nonlethal: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 15 - 4 = 31 (7 BAB +8 STR +1 competence (battle prowess) +1 enhance +1 w.focus -2 power attack)
confirm?: 1d20 + 15 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 15 - 4 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 22 + 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 22 + (2, 2, 4, 4) = 44 (+12 STR +1 enhancement, +1 competence (battle prowess), +2 untyped (discipline focus), +6 power attack)
Extra damage, if confirmed: 2d6 + 22 ⇒ (4, 2) + 22 = 28
DM Jelani |
Round 2
Someone just inside the door looks over, sloshing ale across the bar. "FIGHT!" they scream, immediately smashing their mug into their neighbor's head.
"OI!" the now ale-soaked dwarf shouts, punching the man in the gut. Like dysentery through an army camp, the brawl spreads immediately. With shocking swiftness the entire temple-drinking hall is engulfed in a giant raucous bar brawl.
Posting room descriptions for the first two rooms at this point, since that hasn't been done yet.
CH1
This antechamber serves as the Hall’s main entrance. It consists of a long hallway flanked on either side by rows of barstools facing parallel oaken bars that run the length of the hall. Massive kegs set into the walls behind the bar allow clergy members to quickly address the needs of their patrons and petitioners. About half the taproom’s stools already seat drunken revelers at the long oaken bars. The boisterous patrons hoist their tankards, raising slurred toasts and praises amid the tall tales of wild adventure (before the fight broke out anyway).
CH2
This section serves as the primary celebration hall of the temple. It consists of a massive circular pavilion covered by a tall shingle and timber roof suspended on thick, roughcut wooden posts. Each post is mounted with a small iron bell, and beneath each bell sits a small cask of water in case of fire. In the center, a huge bonfire blazes, while flame and smoke escape through a wide opening in the roof overhead.
Assorted tables and chairs fill the central area around the bonfire, seated with all manner of folk, from drunken clerics and adventurers to common townspeople come to join the sacred festivities. The pavilion’s sides are fenced off, though several openings along the perimeter lead to other areas. To the west, a curved bar allows patrons a view into the Ascendant Court. The main hall is now full of flying fists, feet, dishes and furniture as the brawl really gets going.
Sighing to himself at the insistence of the weak minded cleric, Argor mutters quietly "I'm going to fly on inside, see if anything looks amiss."
Noting the chaos erupting from within, he rolls his eyes and adds, "Besides the alcohol induced buffoonery..."
Hugging the ceiling, Rutai still clinging to the shoulder of his tunic, Argor flies inside and scans the room for any signs of someone acting out of place, or for the High Priestess herself. He doesn't see anyone who looks like a high priestess in the main hall.
As the brawl erupts around her, Cladissa doesn't exactly know what to do. She looks around bewildered until a mug sailing through the air causes her to let out a shriek and duck. Unfortunately, the reflexive action causes her laden tray she was carrying to spill its contents down the back of a half orc lass.
"Omigosh! I'm so sorry--" her apology is cut off by a roundhouse punch by the woman. Cladissa is able to bring the tray up as a shield but the hard fist slams her up against the wall, almost knocking the wind out of her. She fights hard through the din, but brings up her invisible magical armor. Then she slips away from the drenched half-orc and tries to find a safer location. Meanwhile, Cole yowls as a heavy booted foot comes down hard on him, but his celestial resistances shrug off the damage.
Sabrina yawns lazily and decides to let the aggressive, drunken goons beat each other senseless. Being able to claim the moral high ground for once is fun.
...I really hope Hrim and Classy remember that they can fly, she randomly thinks upon seeing all the patrons attempt to murder each other.
Upon seeing all this nonsense unfold, Bentley shakes his head in disgust; and humanoids have the audacity to call him an uncivilized animal?
Hrim gets to the front doors as the fight break out. He sighs, turns around, and starts to fly toward Cladissa near the ceiling. He restarts looking for Evil, in case the demons use the chaos to act. He detects evil, but it could just be Argor and Rutai again. Hrim isn't sure where they are since they are currently invisible.
Gianluca sighs. "OK, seems some bruising may be required. Let's try not to hurt the poor sap, though. He may be no good at resisting enchantment, but I suspect he's still good at heart."
With that he draws his greatsword and attempts to smack the cleric upside the head with the flat of his blade.
You can get him with reach after a 5' step, but there's no way to get flanking really that I see.
The cleric appears stunned by the crushing blow from Gianluca's flat, but remains standing, forced on by the compulsive magic.
Bertrand turns to the guards, "Frederick is ensorcelled, subdue him!" He draws his own rapier and tries to punch Fred with the pommel.
1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 = 16
Frederick dodges the attack. Then tries to stab Bertie again, continuing to scream "TRAITOR!"
Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Frederick is so drunk that he stabs the timber door frame instead.
The two guards jump onto Fred, trying to tackle him, spilling their mugs in the process.
Aid another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Grapple check: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13
All three of the men are clearly drunk. Neither of the guards can manage to keep a grip on the raging Frederick.
1d100 ⇒ 52
The brawl continues to rage throughout the temple, as of yet none of the multudinous sources of open flame have toppled over. The blackened timbers spread throughout the hall underscore the possibility of fire in such drunken chaos.
You guys are up again.
Cladissa l'Velorryan |
I can't believe that they haven't invested in continual flame spells, Cladissa thinks as she sees the sconces get knocked about, spraying sparks. She pushes through the fracas towards one that had been sent swinging by someone's backhand to steady it. She also glances around to see what the other waitresses are doing in the hopes to follow their actions.
Sabrina Churchill |
"...Bentley, gently subdue Frederick," orders Sabrina, who takes Ginaluca's smacking the drunken loon as her cue to assist and points out a target.
Making good use of his ten foot reach, Bentley grunts in acknowledgement and attempts to smack Frederick with his thick skull. He then curls his claws into "fists" and makes two more two swings. Needless to say, based on his sloppy results, the allosaurus is clearly not used to merely subduing his enemies.
"...We need to work on your left hook," Sabrina murmurs as the dinosaur's left claw goes wide.
Bentley Bite (GMF, Nonlethal): 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 - 4 = 18
Nonlethal Damage (GMF): 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
Bentley Claw (GMF, Nonlethal): 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 - 4 = 25
Nonlethal Damage (GMF): 1d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 = 11
Bentley Claw (GMF, Nonlethal): 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 - 4 = 8
Gianluca the Honeyed |
If Frederick is still up after Bentley's attack:
Gianluca says, "Once again Frederick, very sorry for the nasty headache you’ll have, but this is for your own good.
“Now it’s time for you to get some rest!” And with that he tries two more times to knock him out with the broad side of his sword.
______________
Swift Victory Gambit: gamble I can drop him this round. If I succeed, all allies within 60' get +4 morale to hit next round. If I fail, I get -2 to all d20 rolls next round. Either way, I'll recover the maneuver I expended last round.
Free 5' step as needed to get into flank with Bentley, Bertrand, and/or Sabrina (assumed possible below, if not, subtract -4 from both attacks)
Full attack (nonlethal)
Greatsword+power attack-nonlethal+victory gambit+flank: 1d20 + 15 - 4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 15 - 4 + 4 + 4 = 21 (7 BAB +8 STR +1 competence (battle prowess) +1 enhance +1 w.focus -2 power attack)
Damage: 2d6 + 22 ⇒ (1, 4) + 22 = 27 (+12 STR +1 enhancement, +1 competence (battle prowess), +2 untyped (discipline focus), +6 power attack)
Greatsword+power attack-nonlethal+victory gambit+flank: 1d20 + 10 - 4 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 4 + 4 + 4 = 24 (7 BAB +8 STR +1 competence (battle prowess) +1 enhance +1 w.focus -2 power attack)
Damage: 2d6 + 22 ⇒ (1, 5) + 22 = 28 (+12 STR +1 enhancement, +1 competence (battle prowess), +2 untyped (discipline focus), +6 power attack)
Argor Constantine |
Argor continues deeper into the temple, trying to ignore the ignorant chaos below him as he soars near the ceiling. He heads for the open doors to the back of the room and peeks inside, while saying to Rutai "Open those doors to our left, then remain near the door but out of the way. I will retrieve you when I pass by."
Rutai then heads to the doors and opens them as instructed.
DM Jelani |
End Combat
Between them, Gianluca and Bentley manage to put down the dominated cleric.
Bertrand says, "How did you know we were enchanted? What's going on? If you're not here to steal the sacred texts, then why are you really here?"
The two guards form up with him, following the cleric's lead. None of them are threatening the Pathfinders anymore.
Inside the temple however, the brawl continues completely unabated. Mob mentality has taken over, and the choas continues in full swing.
1d100 ⇒ 13
Just a quick update for now, I'll get to door openings and such later.
Sabrina Churchill |
From atop her perch on Bentley, Sabrina cracks a knowing smile and leans forward very slowly.
"That is an excellent question, my friends," the Naga Aspirant says a tad overdramatically. "You see... Gianluca here will explain everything."
Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gianluca smiles with genuine warmth. "There's a certain forced quality folks get when Dominated. They lose all subtlety. And then when you broke free and we're confused it was all the confirmation I needed."
Slapping the cleric on the back, Gianluca leans in to whisper, "What's going on is far more serious. We got tipped off that a powerful demon, a Herzou noble named Graz’ith Ur, is here (or his minions are), likely looking for something from the notes of Baldimar Trud. Sadly, the fact that you two had been compromised means the demon's already here. Have you seen the High Priestess recently? We should speak to her as soon as possible!"
DM Jelani |
"She....well, it appeared to be her, told Frederick and I to watch the entrance like hawks. She told us that the guard were incompetent, and that some Pathfinders would likely be coming to seek an audience with her. She said that you were here to steal some of her sacred archival texts, and that we were to stop you with whatever means necessary. I didn't realize until you neared me that her command carried magical force." Bertrand thinks for a moment, skeptically surveying the chaos within. "This happens sometimes, it usually takes ten or fifteen minutes before the rest of the temple guards show up to break up the fight. We're gonna have to make our way through this mess. The priestess is probably in the Oratorium listening to Arnaud Deschamp's performance. The Oratorium is across the main hall from this entryway."
DM Jelani |
Argor continues deeper into the temple, trying to ignore the ignorant chaos below him as he soars near the ceiling. He heads for the open doors to the back of the room and peeks inside, while saying to Rutai "Open those doors to our left, then remain near the door but out of the way. I will retrieve you when I pass by."
Rutai then heads to the doors and opens them as instructed.
The doors Argor sends Rutai to are currently being defended by two temple guards. They have their cudgels out. Any drunken brawlers dumb enough to get too close or try to break into the room behind them get (nonlethal) bashes upside the head. The doors are labeled Cask Rooms - Staff Only. When Rutai flits past the guards and tries the doors, he finds them locked.
Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gialuca grimaces. "If the command appeared to come from her herself...well that's troubling. I hope that she hasn't been possessed, or replaced. In any event, we'd best get moving. Lead on!"
Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gianluca grimaces. "If the command appeared to come from her herself...well that's troubling. I hope that she hasn't been possessed, or replaced. In any event, we'd best get moving. Lead on!"
Argor Constantine |
Argor would not have sent Rutai to the door if he had seen guards actively protecting it...instead he would have done the following...
Argor and Rutai hover through the open door into the next chamber (CH6) in search of the High Priestess or any other suspicious activity.
Sabrina Churchill |
"No need to repeat yourself, Gianluca," Sabrina comments with a smirk. "We heard you the first time."
Yig's Champion frowns when she is told that she is not allowed to bring in Bentley.
"...Bentley, stay," Sabrina grumbles as she scrambles down off the dinosaur.
The allosaurus grunts in acknowledgement and takes a sitting position on the ground.
"He won't bother anyone unless they bother him first," Sabrina remarks to the Three Stooges as she slithers over to Gialuca's side.
Bentley is trained to stay, and when using one of his tricks, I automatically pass all Handle Animal checks with him.
Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gianluca can't fly. He does have a Belt of the Weasel (reflavored as an Arshean belt of freedom) that grants him the Compression ability (letting him fit into a 16" diameter space without squeezing, and a 8" diameter space while squeezing). I picture him kinda like a golden Plastic Man. And maybe he could carry Bertrand & Sabrina over his head (having a Light Load of 932lbs, due to his Muleback Chords).
DM Jelani |
Nonlethal for Gianluca: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6, 3) = 14
Nonlethal for Bertrand: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 2) = 12
Bertrand nods to the Pathfinders, then shouts "COMING THROUGH!" and beings bashing drunken patrons out of his way, creating a path through the brawl. He gets as good as he gives, and is soon covered in bruises, with a bloody nose. Gianluca is similarly battered as they pass through the main hall towards the Oratorium.
This takes 4 rounds.
Cladissa and Hrim notice Gianluca, a cleric and air-elemental Sabby passing through the brawl, heading for the rear of the temple.
Argor and Rutai also find themselves entering the Oratorium.
CH6. The Oratorium
Drunks and prophets use this mid-sized speaking hall to give testimony in verse, soliloquy, and song. A long stage faces out to a shallow and wide room with notoriously bad acoustics. A collection of round wooden tables cram up the remaining floor space. Quotations from Cayden’s Placard are carved across the front of the stage. There are painted posters up on the doors announcing the performance of none other than the great Arnaud Deschamp - Glory of the Empire, Ear of the Crown, Wit of the Opparan Court.
The taldan man on stage virtually shouting crude jokes over the raucous laughter in the room must be Deschamp. He is dressed in foppish silk and velvet, slashed and layered to the degree that he appears more peacock than man. Also in the room are around a dozen revelers, enjoying his performance. The vast majority of them are clerics and temple guards. Once in the Oratorium, the sounds of the brawl are barely noticeable. The performance continues on unabated, oblivious to the chaos without.
There is a middle aged human female cleric, wearing obviously high quality magical gear sitting with some of the other clerics laughing at the jokes. Bertrand points at her, wiping blood from his nose. "Thash Shafira," he slurs through a split lip.
Cladissa l'Velorryan |
Nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Cladissa expects to lend her voice with the rest of the Cailean clerics, thinking that they will work to calm the ruckus. However, she is amazed to see the clerics and staff taking up tankards and chairs and joining in the brawl.
She had just steadied one sconce when a pair of brawlers bowl into her, knocking her frighteningly close to the roaring bonfire at the center of the main hall. She crashes hard against one of the pillars and ends on the heated stone hearth with her face in the fire.
She scrambles up, shocked at how the waves of heat seem to just flow around her. A couple of heartbeats pass as she stares into the fire, amazed at the fact that her face is not scorched or blistered.
She then glances about, wondering if eyes are upon her, and then notices Sabrina and Gianluca working their way through the crowd. She pushes aside her confusion and forces her way through the brawl after them.
DM Jelani |
Gianluca start walking toward the High Priestess, focusing his Detect Evil on her. After a dozen breaths he's certain the evil in the room isn't coming from her. It's just Argor & Imp polluting the room again.
The intuitive priestess notices the honey colored giant staring her down and stares back at him, raising an eyebrow. She waves Bertrand over, a curious expression on her face.
Gianluca the Honeyed |
When they get to the High Priestess, Gianluca grabs a mug and raises it in her honor. "It is a joy to meet you, High Priestess. I am Gianluca, the Honeyed Hand of Arshea."
Switching to a whisper, he adds, "I hope to have time for pleasure in the not too distant future, but now I fear there is danger afoot in your temple. Where can we speak freely?"
DM Jelani |
"Hello, I am Saphira head priestess of this humble Hall." The priestess makes no move to stand up. She looks at the bloodied cleric escorting the Pathfinders. "This better be good, Bertrand. You're bleeding on your mail, and I was quite enjoying the show."
Saphira pauses to take a shot off the table. Then she takes a long gulp from a silver mug of mead. Finally, she addresses Gianluca again her auburn hair gleaming in the torchlight. "Until you give me more details, we can speak here, Gianluca. What brings one of the Spirit of Abandon's cupids to my table?"
Argor Constantine |
Argor studies the woman claiming to be the High Priestess intently for signs of deception or arcane coercion.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Cladissa l'Velorryan |
Cladissa stumbles over to the doorway and peers inside the Oratorium. She tries to make sense of the conversation between Gianluca and Sabrina, wondering if there's more trouble to come than the insanity of the brawl behind her.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
After a moment, Hrim's small hand finds hers and her bewildered state is much calmed.
Gianluca the Honeyed |
"I am here as an agent of the Society. We have evidence that your holy temple has been compromised...and since arriving that evidence has been strengthened (as Bertrand can attest), as we discovered that someone or something has magically Dominated both him and Frederick.
"Fortunately, Bertrand was able to break free. Isn't that right?"
He keeps his amethyst eyes on Saphira as he speaks, looking for her to betray any knowledge of Bertrand being dominated.
Sense Motive take 10 = 28
Diplomacy take 10 = 29
DM Jelani |
Saphira's eyes go wide at the revelation. "Is that true, Bertie?"
Bertrand nods to the high priestess, confirming Gianluca's story.
"Most troubling indeed. Thank you for coming, we must discuss this further immediately." The priestess stands up and says a prayer to Cayden, pointing her mug at the bard on stage. He suddenly goes silent, and looks very confused. Saphira whistles loudly to get the attention of everyone in the Oratorium. "Up! Off yer arses, show's over! Go break up that brawl, right now!"
The various guards and clerics mutter under their breaths as they stagger to their feet to do their mistress's bidding.
"Let's go to the Shade Room to talk in private," Saphira suggests.
The guards and clerics burst into the main hall, and begin breaking up fights, knocking out anyone too drunk or angry to stop.
She doesn't appear to be dominated, and appears to be being honest.
Argor Constantine |
"Some privacy is indeed called for, High Priestess," Argor's voice is heard from within the chamber. A moment later, his and Rutai's forms materialize from within a nimbus of arcane energies dissipating as the illusion magics concealing them fade away.
"My name is Argor, Varlokkur and member of the Society here to investigate and put an end to the demonic threat here. This is my familiar Rutai, an imp and not associated with their kind, so please do not consider him a part of this threat," he says as he floats down to the floor beside Gianluca.
Cladissa l'Velorryan |
Cladissa, still in her disguise, tries to slip in behind the others and hangs in the back with Hrimnagel. As Argor makes himself known and speaks about the demonic threat, her own tail coils nervously around one leg. Then she notices a small tuft of flame on her collar and she quickly pats it out.
Sabrina Churchill |
Realizing that the Pathfinders have not in fact been whisked away to the private location, Sabrina opts to keep her mouth shut and silently follows the priestess.
However, when they all get there, Sabby the Air Elemental still starts hoving over Gianluca's head because she can.
Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gianluca follows her into the Shade Room, glancing around for Cladissa and Hrimnagel. I hope they aren't stuck in that brawl out there...but I trust they can take care of themselves.
As they slip in, he whispers to Argor, "I took care not to talk about demons in the main hall."
In the Shade Room, Gianluca says, "As my eager allies have said, there seems to be a demonic attack going on here. The Society captured a quasit who, under duress, admitted to being the minion of a powerful demon, a Herzou noble named Graz’ith Ur (or at least his minions) who was calling him to this holy temple. He might of course have called more as well, and he's likely looking for something from the notes of Baldimar Trud.
"Meanwhile, someone looking like you--and I believe it wasn't, based on your clear surprise at all of this--Dominated Frederick and Bertrand, and told them to guard the door to keep any Pathfinders out. Betrand managed to throw off the spell but I regret we had to knock Frederick out.
"I think our first order of business has to be: do you know where Trud's papers and affects would be stored? If so, we should get to them as soon as possible."
DM Jelani |
Saphira takes the Pathfinders back out into the hall, which is fairly calm at this point. There are a few especially drunk brawlers still being dealt with, but cleanup has begun. The priestess takes them to the chamber next to the entrance.
CH3 - The Shades
This small, circular room is completely enclosed, though windows along the length of the perimeter permit a view of the surrounding city. Sparsely furnished with only two tables and a few chairs, it typically serves as a private meeting room, which Cayden’s priests rent to visitors by the hour. When they rent out the room, clerics provide clients with privacy by drawing all the shades. Saphira puts Bertrand on the door to keep people away. The room is trashed from the brawl, and upon seeing it Saphira takes a slug from a flask at her hip. "Sometimes I question my choice in religion..." she says wryly, perching upon a cracked chair. She listens to Gianluca intently.
"I see, this is urgent indeed. If there is a Herzou noble loose in the city..." Saphira shudders. "I think the fastest way for us to get to the bottom of this is to speak to Trud's former ward, Brother Dunnamast. I'll have him located immediately."
Saphira whistles at Bertrand. "Bertrand, go and find Dunnamast, bring him here at once."
Bertrand nods, and goes to look for his fellow cleric. After a couple of minutes he returns to the Shades alone. "I'm sorry, priestess. I could not find him anywhere, and no one remembers seeing him in some time."
Saphira looks very anxious at this news. "You say you are here to help...Unless I miss my mark, Argor the Varlokkur is one of the Freaks. I don't see Hrimnagel, but I'm guessing he's around here somewhere. What happened to Nyugusk and Cladissa? Wasn't there another guy as well?" The priestess realizes she's getting distracted and refocuses. "Even if you are here alone Master Argor, one Freak is better than none. Please aid me in searching the entirety of the temple for Brother Dunnamast. I fear if there really are powerful demons at work here my junior clerics and guards would be of no use against them."
Argor Constantine |
Argor clenches his teeth at the repeated references to himself as a "Freak," but manages to maintain his decorum.
"Myself, Hrimnagel, and Cladissa entered the facility in our own various illusions, given our fame and recognition. Nyugusk and Mettera have recently had their own problems to attend to, and Gianluca and Sabrina will be filling their positions on our team for the interim. But I am certain that the others are here nearby. Can you take me to this Dunnamast's quarters or work area for investigation?"
Sabrina Churchill |
"I'll go retrieve the others!" Sabrina proclaims boldly.
The air elemental promptly zips back to where she last saw Classy.
"Oh dear!" Sabby proclaims with much ham. "I seem to have misplaced my cat and her shadow! If only they would wander back to me!"
Bluff: Convey Secret Message - Taking 10 - DC 20: 10 + 15 = 25
She promptly makes a dramatic gesture as if fanning herself to avoid fainting.
(Or more likely meaning "Follow me please.")
She then zips away to a more secluded location to collect Classy and Hrim and lead them to the current meeting space.
DM Jelani |
Argor clenches his teeth at the repeated references to himself as a "Freak," but manages to maintain his decorum.
"Myself, Hrimnagel, and Cladissa entered the facility in our own various illusions, given our fame and recognition. Nyugusk and Mettera have recently had their own problems to attend to, and Gianluca and Sabrina will be filling their positions on our team for the interim. But I am certain that the others are here nearby. Can you take me to this Dunnamast's quarters or work area for investigation?"
"We don't do that here. We live in our own houses, and we work here, in the hall. I know Dunnamast came into work today, I saw him at the beginning of the night as I recall. I am going to go instruct all my guards and clerics to give you full access. If you can't find him in the public areas, you should search the Cask Room and storage below. I am asking you to do this in case there actually are demons here, you all will be better prepared to deal with them than the staff."
Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gianluca says, "Alright, searching the temple it is. How will we recognize him? Or is Bertrand coming with us?"
Cladissa l'Velorryan |
Gianluca hears in his head, ::You should ask Saphira to have one of her staff accompany you. I'm the strawberry blonde just outside the door. Point to me and ask her to assign me to the job, since I'm not quite ready to drop my illusion at this point::
Argor Constantine |
"Very well. I'm assuming your clergy at the very least looked for him in those public areas, so I propose we start with those. Let us begin."
Argor follows Gianluca and the others through the temple on the hunt.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
DM Jelani |
The group begins their search of the temple, accompanied by one of the female acolytes that Saphira doesn't seem to quite recognize, but winks at surreptitiously.
CH4. Garden
A small flight of stairs curves down from the Main Hall into a tiny rose garden fenced in by a cobblestone wall. A huge, ancient-looking stone bench rests in the corner facing the city, upon which both visitors and clergy members come to rest and contemplate. There is no sign of Dunnamast here.
CH5. Cask Rooms
This relatively large storeroom is packed with bottles, casks, and kegs of various libations necessary to maintain the hall’s eternal festivities. Toward the back, a descending flight of stairs connects to deeper cellars filled with various types of wines and liquors. Hrimnagel descends first to take a look. There are three cellars in all, each identical in dimension and function to the cask room (CH5). He spots an unconscious man wedged between the wall and a large keg of rum, and calls down the others.
When Sabrina pulls the man from behind the keg, the group sees he matches Dunnamast's description. The cleric is in poor shape—he smells like a flagon of grog and cannot be woken.
Gianluca the Honeyed |
Gianluca gives Dummamast a few gentle slaps on the cheek, trying to rouse him. When that fails, he asks, "Anyone have any magic to help him return to the land of the living?"
Cladissa l'Velorryan |
Heal: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21
Cladissa steps forward and examines the man, ignoring the reek coming off him. After a few moments, she sighs. "Drunk, yes, but there's more to it. His thoughts and memories have been tampered with. Someone did this."
She reaches out with her mind, seeing if there's any way to contact him with her telepathy.
Do I think a lesser restoration will work, or does he need more powerful magic?