Against the Cult of the Reptile God - Group 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Chainmail

Ping rolled for Thief's Tools and didn't make it, so I'm assuming they're not available for me as well.

Short Sword: 1d100 ⇒ 39
Rapier: 1d100 ⇒ 9

Strang will request to buy a rapier and leather armor.

Great Axe/Battle Axe/Hide Armor: 3d100 ⇒ (10, 90, 92) = 192

Well. You're not the first elf to look down his nose at me. You are the first to help me out. I owe you my life. What can I do to repay this debt?

I shop around and find a decent axe.

That axe will do fine. I ain't no prude. Let em stare at me all they want. I'll wait to get armor until everyone has had a go.

"I...I need a spellbook too, but what about Razzle? I don't know what happened to him!"

Bizzlemont closes his eyes and tries to feel for Razzle, his familiar.

Emphatic link will work if we're within a mile...and the weasel is still alive.

Shortspear/ Sm. Shield(wood)/ Morningstar/ Lt. Mace/ Punching Dagger/ Heavy Mace/ Quarterstaff/ Sickle/ Longspear/ Club/ Dagger/ Gauntlet/ Spiked Gauntlet/ Sling/ Lt. Crossbow/ Glaive/ Sm. Shield(metal)16d100 ⇒ (82, 29, 83, 27, 85, 62, 68, 61, 80, 88, 72, 41, 100, 65, 12, 10) = 965

Incensed to the point of rage, Ama located what had been her glaive and shield in the merchant's store, and fought to keep her temper as she picked them up and brought them to the front. There was no sign of her armor, or her crossbow, and she had to walk out of store before she broke down. They would find her around the side of the shop, crying quietly-- though both hands were balled into fists, shaking in anger. Even her holy symbol, the wooden rose that had been given to her by the head priest of the temple was gone, taken by someone whose face she did not even see. Light, but it was going to be difficult to find the motivation to try to help this town.

XR was in accord with Ama, and what made the situation even worse was that there was nothing that they could do at the moment. The anger was not helpful, but what were they supposed to do when they felt this helpless? Murder was not a solution, and they had been sent here for a reason, but still..

Sinking to the ground, Ama pulled her knees up to her chest and cried. All this was too much right now. Just too much.

Realizing the problem with the holy symbols, the elves have everyone gather back in the woods.
The mage speaks, "We can get some food and head back to Hochoch, shop for real supplies, they pretty much have everything, and be back in a week. They will have holy symbols and a good selection of weapons."

The large elf with a bow picks Ama up and looks her in the eye, "This will turn out. The gods do not like it when you show despair. It makes them feel you don't trust completely in their omnipotent powers to make things right." He gives Ama a wink.

Razzle is not nearby.
The mage speaks again as they start the hike to Hochoch. "They call me Dorian in common. LLywillan here is the best bowman this side of the Realstream."

Dorian produces the following spells from his spellbook for your to copy to your new spellbooks. Inscribing cost 10gp for: protection from evil, detect evil, shield, magic missile, sleep, grease -- 40gp for: web, communal protection from evil.

Feel free to roleplay the trip if you like. But there will be no encounters. survival: 6d20 ⇒ (3, 2, 8, 15, 16, 20) = 64

GM Tribute, I'm sorry but I am not understanding fully what should be our next steps... We have 62gp (according to the discussion thread) to buy new equipment - is that it?

So this is like starting out anew. Do we have clothing?

man, i don't even know WHAT to think here...never been robbed before. and without that ring, I don't even know if I'll be able to use any spells.

'I will, but it'll be...taxing. I need to get that ring back, or bond with another one soon, though. I'm not the most adventurous wizard that ever lived, and now I feel even more vulnerable; but take note, there's a full party here that's likely to stick together. Things will work out.' <--proposed format for "character thoughts" as opposed to "teen thoughts."

I'm starting to think we're both in over our heads here, in more ways than one. What happens if I die here??? do I go back to my own body, or-

'Silence! save that for later! I'd rather not test any theory or question that involves my untimely demise, thank you.'

"No one happened to see my ring at any point did, you? it's rather important to my function in the party." I offer what description I can, and use my part of the budget to copy shield, magic missile, grease, and protection from evil, for 40GP total.

Oh and yeah, some clothes would be nice...heh.

When Bizzlemont can't seem to reach out to Razzle, he grows despondent. Poor Razzle! I hope he's ok. He must be so scared. More scared than I am now.

Over the hours traveling to the city, Bizzle creates a list of items he will need:
Explorer's outfit - 1gp
Travelling Spellbook - 10gp
Spell component pouch - 5gp
Backpack - 2gp
Waterskin - 1gp
Rations (4 days)- 2gp
Sleep - 10gp
Protection from Evil - 10gp
Grease - 10gp
Dagger - 1gp

Total: 52gp

The extra 10 gp can be donated if someone else need it.

Ok, so.. rolling for light steel shield and javelin: 2d100 ⇒ (4, 78) = 82

Since GM had already rolled and Longsword was available, my gear list will be:

Studded leather 25 gp
Shield, light steel 9 gp
Longsword 15 gp
Backpack - 2gp
Waterskin - 1gp
Rations (4 days)- 2gp
Explorer's Outfit 1gp
Lamp, Common 1sp
Bedroll 1 sp
Rope, hemp (50 ft.) 1 gp
Oil, Lamp, (1-pint flask)(*5) 5 sp
Sack(*2) 2 sp

Total: 56gp 9sp

wondering about my cantrips too. the spells we copied were 1st level stuff, don't know about our 0-levels. we still have any of those prepared?

To the temple of Gozreh it will be then, once I manage to get my hands on some replacement gear - I have in my mind to exchange some "pleasentries" with the ones that have wronged us - Terion says wringing his hands in anticipation.

-Leather Armor: 10 gp
-Dagger: 2 gp
-Quarterstaff: 0 gp
-Theives Tools: 30 gp
-Explorer's Outfit: 10 gp
Total: 52 gp
The rest will go towards tents and bedrolls for all of us.

Ping spends most of the day waiting for the two elves to return, quickly dressing once she has her new outfit and has thanked the elves for their help.

She is quiet for the entire trip, unusually so considering her cheerfulness before.

"We should find out more first. Attacking the wrong people will make us just as bad as the ones who caught us."

The elves lead you back to Orlane after a trip to the big city: Hochoch. Hochoch has everything--even a large magic shop with a selection of fine and enchanted weapons. But the armor and weapon emporium the elves take you to has everything.

Upon returning to Orlane, the elves time the arrival so after an early camp, you awake to return just an hour after dawn. The elves point out that their cottage is three buildings down from the Golden Grain Inn right next to the lake; and quickly take their leave. The large elf speaks with a wink: "We are keeping a low profile in town. Come to us if you get in over your head again."

You find yourself with the Realstream on your left and are coming down the road to the three way intersection. The Golden Grain Inn, the site of some not so fond memories, is to the right. You can see a small cottage fitting the elves' description straight ahead on the south bank of the lake. Far off 45 degrees left (NE) is the large temple of Gozreh.

Where to go? Settle scores in the Inn, or explore more of town. I wanted to have you 'back in the game' by Monday, as I know some are busy over the weekend.

I don't know about the others, but Ping wouldn't want innocents to get caught in the crossfire. Before reaching town she would have cast Prestidigitation on herself to change her hair, skin, and eye color to make her look less like the pink-haired bard from earlier, she'd also be forgoing her signature cap.

While Steve was a person of... unobtrusiveness, the memories of Strang's years of fighting to earn respect and then a fearsome reputation drove him to speak up.

"I say we turn the Inn, out. Subdue those jerks, find their companions until we've dig them out root and branch, and the day is ours. Slinking around, while sometimes fun, only lets more people get kidnapped."

- Holy Symbol(wooden) 1gp
- Glaive 8gp
- Dagger 2gp
- Hide Armor 15gp
- Shield, light wood 3gp
- Backpack 2gp
- Waterskin 1gp
- Blanket, Winter 5sp
- (4) Rations 2gp
- Whetstone 2cp
- Soap 5sp

Total: 35gp 2cp

Ama is torn. Part of her wants vengeance on those that kidnapped her and most likely took her things, but is fully aware that walking into the inn and starting a fight is hardly the right thing to do. "Well, if we are set on retrieving our things, we could walk into the inn-- and into a fight-- and politely request access to our old rooms, holding the innkeeper accountable if they are not there."

Pausing, Ama looked saddened. "He was, however, the one that offered to 'lock us in our rooms', which would mean he had access to a key." A fight was inevitable, it seemed. Anything other than that, Ama was lost, considering that the amount of men that were in the tavern when they arrived, any, if not all could be accomplices.

we really need to get back our possessions, especially that ring. but walking into the same place demanding it back, without access to it's power, is even more dangerous than it would be before...

'I didn't take up the adventuring road to seek revenge on people, even for something like this. As much as I need that ring, it makes no sense, especially with my skills, to announce our intentions so brazenly.'

"Storming the inn is only going to cause bloodshed, waste time, announce our intentions, and garner us more enemies. Discretion will likely get us more tangible results. Without better information, we WILL walk into another trap.

Bizzlemont uses the travel to and from Hochoch to practice his spells and try out the new ones from the elves. He is able to color his new clothes a bright garish blue, which somehow pleases him more than it ever should have pleased Rodney. After an unfortunate incident with the Grease spell which left the group spending an hour cleaning all of their new equipment, he felt he was confident in his spellcasting abilities and even was able to summon a horse to carry him back to Orlane.

"I agree, Elgoron. We don't even know what's going on in Orlane. We should find somewhere on the outskirts of town to try and find more information. If we just ride into the middle of town again, we'll be recognized and they'll ambush us again." He thinks a bit. "Maybe we should have thought more about disguises. I have a spell which can disguise me, but only me. and at this...well, it only will work for a short time right now."

I meant at this 'level', but that somehow doesn't seem to make any sense now.

"What kind of buildings are on the edge of town?"

hide armor 15, great axe 20, (3) javelins 3. Total 38.

I got what I need to fight. The rest of my share goes to someone who needs it.

Flaeg outfits himself sparingly, wanting to reclaim his original equipment.

You both have my blood-debt. I'll find the way to pay it. Don't die before then. He gets a bit gruff when the elves part ways, masking his true gratefulness.

He doesn't care where we start looking. I'll hold my temper for now, but when we find our kidnappers, I'm cutting them in half. He pats his greataxe blade for emphasis.

Man, am I always this violent? I never have the balls to say this kind of stuff to those bullies in gym. "I'll cut you in half!" Yeah, that would go real well.

I would gladly stroll into that tavern guns blazing - I wonder if they would be so brave if facing us, instead of jumping from the shadows... But you are right, we cannot just take the whole town head on, maybe we should tread a little lighter... for now.... Why don't we scout out the temple?

Belrain is sullen and quiet for most of the journey. He was quite attached to his new equipment, especially his shield.

In the big city he gathers what he can afford now, dressing in simple peasant's clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and poncho to shield his face from the sun and rain.

Peasant's Outfit 1sp
Hat 1sp
Poncho 5sp
Heavy Wooden Shield 7gp
Hide Armor 15gp
Sling -
20 Bullets 2sp
Heavy Mace 12gp
Backpack 2gp
Bedroll 1sp
6 Trail Rations 3gp
5 Torches 5cp
Flint & Steel 1gp
Waterskin 1gp
Spell Component Pouch 5gp
Wooden Holy Symbol 1gp

Total: 41gp 5cp

"I've never had much talent playing dress-up or disguising myself, but I suppose at least some form of change would buy us time before anyone does recognize us. How MUCH time it buys depends on the astuteness of the town, though."

too bad we couldn't find any good alteration-type spells on the way. would have been handy here.

'Transmutation. we have words for these things. And why am I having a conversation in my mind?'

ummm...good question?

I can do this so no one will know who I am.

Flaeg pulls out a floppy straw hat and puts it on, pulling the brim down to conceal his face.

Disguise: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Nice one, Clark Kent ... <snicker>.
Who the Stormfather is Clarque Kennit?!
... never mind.

Ping looks very confused for a moment before turning to Terion.

"What's a 'gun?'"

He meant 'gin ... Into the tavern gins-blazing.' I've seen fire-bombs made of a gin bottle and a burning rag. Waste of good alcohol if you ask me.

Satisfied with his explanation, he pulls his hat back down, then slaps himself in the head a second later.

No, he meant 'gun' you stupid dwa---*slap*
Get out of my head, you damn whiny voice

As much as Ama wanted vengeance, she knew they were probably in over their heads if they were not careful. So, instead, she turned to head back to the entrance of the town and beckoned the others. "I agree with investigating the Temple, and we find out what may be going on there. If the temple is also home to the cult, then I have few hopes. However, I propose that we do not stay overnight in any of these buildings unless they're empty"

She was confident about the Temple investigation, and not so much about the staying in town, though what other choice did they have? She knew nothing about surviving in the wilds, and while some of the area was safe, were rumors about that beast true? She did not want to find out. So she was torn.

XR had been more capable, but he found himself agreeing with Ama in most cases. Some of the things that he would have noticed she didn't, and she was definitely more skilled with arms and armor than he ever would be.. or is..? Ah whatever. So he did not chime in, not yet, and tried to figure out just how he was stuck in this mind.. or how their minds worked, or something... He was waiting for her to sleep before he even attempted to speak to her, because they had to integrate before something bad happened. It would suck to die as a distraction.

"We should set up better watches when we do sleep too. I didn't expect to get ambushed in an inn our first night."

"Well, should we go with disguises or just keep our efforts more discreet at the Temple?"

You have passed the farms and pastures on the outskirts. The Golden Grain Inn is to your right. To get to the temple you can continue down the main road. Detailed descriptions of the buildings you passed previously already given.

Hope everyone is safe with power. Continue into town?

What IS a gun indeed? Where did I pick that up from? Seems to have been a long time ago but I cannot pinpoint it...

I think we mostly agreed to check out the temple first - am I wrong?

While crossing through main street, Terion cannot help but stop and stare at the front door to the wretched inn where they were captured - his clenched teeth and tight grip about his scabbarded weapon show that the man seems about to burst.

I would say not. Let's skirt around town and come from the other end. I think waltzing through town might just make us targets again.

Agreed

Club 0gp
Dagger 2gp
Leather armor 10gp
Light crossbow 35gp
Shortsword 10gp

Backpack 2gp
Bedroll 1sp
Belt pouch 1gp
Flint and steel 1gp
Grappling hook 1gp
Rope 1gp
Trail rations x6 3gp
Waterskin 1gp
Whetstone 2cp

Total: 67gp, 1sp, 2cp - leaving 143gp remaining for "party funds" from the original 500gp.

Disappointed no one else wanted to get back at their kidnappers directly, Strang grouched, "If you're gonna sneak around, night's a better time to do it... especially 'cuz most of you aren't going to be any good at it anyways."

"Sometimes, just not announcing your presence is sneaky enough. we don't have to be creeping on tiptoes to be discreet. Just don't offer more information to strangers than needed, and don't start any unnecessary fights. The temple is as good a place as any to start."

weird, my finger feels kind of exposed without that ring. Never even worn one before...have I? I must have...

'Enough. I will now stop thinking about that ring. It's gone, and agonizing over it is not helping.'

Remembering the elves led you south of the town to approach from the west, you retrace your path to approach from the east. You ford a small stream at a shallow spot getting slightly wet and find yourself walking into town from the east. You are at the group of four houses and first four way intersection on the main East-West road.

The road north leads a little less than 100 feet to the compound of the temple of Gozreh: This is the only stone structure in Orlane. A wall of granite blocks surrounds the temple, and sturdy wooden gates give access to a courtyard. The temple is on the highest piece of land in Orlane, a full 20' above the stream and pond.

You look at the structures on the four corners and learn the following:

Structure on SW Corner: A wooden board in the shape of a saw hangs befor the well-constructed building. The front part of the structure is unwalled, and inside the breezy area the carpenter is at work. many tools (saws, hammers, nails, prybars, etc.) are scattered about and some boards are mounted on sawhorses.

Structure on NW corner: The doors and windows of this large building are boarded up. A sign lies face-down on the weeds before the porch, which may be reached by climbing three broken steps. The roof has several gaping holes, and the general appearance of the place suggests that it has been long abandoned.

Structure on NE corner: This farm looks moderately prosperous. The house and barn are in good repair, although several flower gardens that used to bloom in the yard have become choked with weeds. A strapping youth is splitting wood in the yard beside the house.

Structure on SE corner: Doors and shutters swing freely here. The whole appearance is one of abandoned desolation. Weeds choke the yard before the house.

Looking further north the house on the left past the intersection:
The smell of this area identifies it as a hog farm. In addition to swine, many chickens scratch about the yard while a rooster and several turkeys strut regally. A teenage boy watches from the porch of the house.

Looking further west the house on the right past the intersection:
This is obviously a smithy, though no sign hangs here. The shop part of the building is unwalled, and two brawny lads operate a bellows while a giant of a man hammers thunderously upon a piece of a metal that while soon become the blade of a shovel. Soot and smoke abound.

Coming to town from the east heading west. Visit one of the buildings or continue west or north?

Bizzlemont looks around at the buildings. "Do you think it might be less alerting if we approach one of these folks? Or perhaps we should examine the abandoned buildings. There could be clues there."

"The temple is our best lead, so to the temple we need to go. Anyone good at bluffing?"

Ping keeps her voice low. Her hair is a subdued brown and her eyes are a deep blue.

Ping will keep casting prestidigitation discreetly on herself as it wears off.

Belrain nods at the suggestion to investigate the temple, and as they make their way back into town he eyes the villagers suspiciously.

Sense Motive on the villagers. 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

He keeps his club at his belt but his shield is strapped to his arm. He has drawn a new symbol there. It is different than before, featuring a clenched fist instead of a starburst.

"the longer we go without talking to anyone or announcing our intentions, the more headstart we have on our opponents. the longer it takes them to realize we're back, the longer the element of surprise will last. I think the temple is our first choice."

To the temple!

PER: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The group heads north. Ping casts her prestidigitation spell and catches the boy to the NE chopping wood give her a strange glance.

As the group climbs the hill and enters the courtyard. A 60'x60' temple building sits in the center of a 100' x 100' courtyard. A broad path leads straigh ahead through the 20' high granite wall. Strong wooden gates are open, and carved into the gates is an ornate carving of Gozreh. Up a set of stairs to a small porch, double doors then lead into the temple proper. They are closed.

Ok, scouting time - Strang? Terion says with a nod to the half-orc.

"Are you sure that it's a good idea to go sneaking around the temple in board daylight?"

"Strang can scout it out briefly. Then perhaps we simply enter as passing travelers, looking to offer prayers. No weapons. We don't want to scare anyone into thinking we're a threat."

"I don't bluff, I observe the odds. You know, like 'if you don't pay your fees for the month, it would be very ironic for your shop to burn down tomorrow night'. When it comes to sneaking, though, I can do that."

I don't 'sneak' so much as pass unobserved. Good thing I got a rogue, this'll be a total cakewalk.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Not 'hiding' so much as 'not doing anything to attract undue attention'.

Strang sheaths and otherwise puts away any outwardly "out of place" tools and weapons. Now fairly innocuous-seeming, he walks slowly and calmly up toward the gate to lean against it for a moment as if weary in order to look around before curling back around the open gate to return to the group out of sight from the temple.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Looking for anything out of the ordinary or unusual

While Ama was not going to be observed in any scouting activities-- her armor saw to that-- there was a mental debate going on in her mind. Some of the anger had faded, so there was a bit more perspective to her thoughts, to which she was feeling general agreement/disagreement responses that were not quite her thoughts. While she did not have them before reaching Oppara, that was all that they were was general impressions and thoughts. The thought of whether this was a good or bad presence honestly did not register to her, since she had been abducted, stripped of her beloved equipment, and most likely led off to sacrifice before she was rescued.. A sounding board in her head was the least of her worries at the present time.

So, while Strang scouted, she kept an eye out for anything Take(10): 14, the majority of her thoughts turned inward. For one, she was considering the path of her occupation. While she had received clerical training, the difference between clerical and paladin training was more in the martial than the educational. She knew the code of a paladin of Shelyn, and it was not hard to follow, though there was some doubt in her mind as to the reasons she would be adopting it. Would she be adhering to the rules in lieu of her emotions? Would she be hiding behind them because she was afraid of herself? She doubted that Shelyn would appreciate her desire if it were for those reasons.

XR was more like a passenger in this case, though it was also possible that all that was left of 'him' were the memories and thoughts that could not reconcile into his current situation. Ama's thoughts did not drift here much, since some of the concepts his memories contained were more alien than foreign. Figuring out just exactly what this was in a technical sense was way over his(her?) head, though. Maybe there would be a better chance when Ama was asleep.

Noticing a furrowed brow and distracted gaze, Elgoron regards his ponderously armored companion.

"Even the most precious of lost possessions isn't cause for this much introspection, Ama. You hear one too, don't you?" He taps his forehead in indication. "there's someone there, isn't there? Not quite you, but not quite someone else?"

"I got one too," Flaeg interjects. "Like a buzzing bee in my brain. Started up right after we met that merchant the other day. Can't get it to go away - like a bad rash."

"Oh goody, I'm not the only one going crazy then."

Ping looks genuinely relieved about that.

Strang 'leans' on the two doors and they open.

A beautiful female human wearing clerics robes and a well-armed and armored human are inside a large reception area.

The large room has a tile floor decorated with an abstract mosaic pattern in orange, tan, brown and blue. Several tapestries decorate the walls, all depicting scenes of lush farmland and crops in various stages of maturity. Five huge elm trunks serve as columns in the room, and a statue of Gozreh, carved from a solid piece of jade, is mounted on a low dais at the north end of the room.