|
While they are alone together, Allister takes a moment to heal himself after Krant's punishment.
His ribs healed, the paladin can breathe deeply again. Still, his heart races with anxiety. "Sorry, but I'm staying with you. If Krant were loose we'd know it, and I don't want to run into him alone...or without my sword."
Allister paces around nervously, trying to think-
-but is only able to spew confused ideas. "I could use Krant's club if, you know... Need to make to focus on the black robes... Cut off a snake head... Don't get cornered, right Vivian? Keep moving, fight our way in...I mean out... I'm so hungry."
Qina simply stared in shock when Krant lifted his mask and revealed Gad's face. Her mind raced through numerous reasons why and how Krant had taken her friend's face. It wasn't until they were all together again that she realized the full truth of the situation. She couldn't hold herself back and leaped onto Gad hugging him and hanging on for dear life. She squeezed harder than she ever thought she could.
Gad's question forced her back to reality and she had to replay it in her mind a few times before it fully registered. "Sure, I can whip up some dinner. Too bad I don't have any ingredients or I could slip some sneezing powder or something into their meal."
Qina turned around and started making preparations for dinner.
|
Vivian is completely stunned when she sees Gad's face. Struggling with a mixture of relief and anger, she marches up to him as soon as they're in private and lands a sucker punch on his strong half-orc jaw. "Don't you EVER do that again without telling me!" she then wraps him into a huge hug.
As her emotions die down she straightens her robes and begins to get to work. "We've already made our move whether we like it or not. Egarthis was eyeing our drills in the yard there. It'd help a ton if we could poison everyone to sleep with this meal and give us time to conduct a search. I don't trust our read on their true strength yet, so running in with swords high should be our last choice, though attacking the higher ups when they don't have the acolytes around would be key if we wanted to take it all down in a surprise now. What's everyone comfortable with?"
Gad thinks suddenly, and pulls out some soap from the day of their 'cleaning' duties he had procured earlier.
"Could this give them a few bellyaches? Can't protect much if your spending all your time in the privy or doubled over. There should be more around here somewhere."
Belathorian barely controls a shudder at the direction the conversation takes
"No man should suffer poison. We become nothing better than they are; they poison the people of Tamran, we poison them. I we are to be arbiters in this, then we must conduct ourselves evenhandedly"
"The, so called, priests of Razmir are selfish creatures one and all, will they step in to the aid of their superiors if the fight looks like it is going against them?"
He asks the room in general
I don't think we should try to take these Priests on. That just makes them look like victims and Razmir will simply replace the priests. We need to make them look bad... real bad. And realistically the only evidence we have of any wrongdoing is some pick-pocketing which could easily be blamed on a few rogue elements in the church. We need to find strong evidence against them as quickly as we can... and get it to the right people in town so that their entire religion is removed from our country.
While everyone else is talking, Gad will approach a probably very confused Avlar and speak to him quietly, but with respect.
"I'm sorry for this. I truly am. We are obviously not here to join the ranks of Razmir are we? However, I ask that you look at our talks these last few days and see what we see. If you wish to avoid helping us, we won't hurt you, but we intend to bring evidence against this farce of a church and get it removed from Nirmathas. If you can not, or will not help, we can lock you in a cell as a 'trouble-maker' and keep you out of it all. I would prefer your company however. You are a good man, and your aid...any aid...would be appreciated."
I don't think we should try to take these Priests on. That just makes them look like victims and Razmir will simply replace the priests. We need to make them look bad... real bad. And realistically the only evidence we have of any wrongdoing is some pick-pocketing which could easily be blamed on a few rogue elements in the church. We need to find strong evidence against them as quickly as we can... and get it to the right people in town so that their entire religion is removed from our country.
Gad smiles broadly at Brezik's statement.
"My friend...you took the words from my mouth. Let's get that locker open that Bel mentioned! We can get some of our personal items that we can hide under our robes, and still use as needed: At least your personal holy symbols and spell components. Maybe some daggers? I can toss this club to Al to use if we need to fight later."
Turning to Bel, Gad will nod in understanding at his dislike of poison use, and continue.
"Bel, I understand your reluctance to hurt people with such a method, but the circumstances are simple: We intend no permanent harm, we just intend to try and incapacitate some of them enough to finish this quickly and avoid seriously hurting possible innocents."
Finally to Al, Gad chucks him on the shoulder lightly, and moves off towards the cells.
"I'll check on Krant. You guys either open the strong box, help Qina, or find that secret door that Brezik mentioned. It may even have what we need in it!"
"Oh no you don't. You're not getting in my way while I'm cooking. Gad, why don't you and Brezik go check out this secret torch or whatever Brezik saw. Vivian nd Belathorian can go get our stuff back. Allister can stay here and keep me company. Then everyone can meet back here in a little bit and I should have dinner ready."
|
|
"You will find we make good friends, if you help us." Allister says with a grin.
He turns his smile in Qina's direction. I like this Qina. Not afraid to make decisions.
"Good plan. I will make sure you are safe, and that you doesn't cook too good. Have to cook like Krant, little Dragon."
While in the kitchen, Allister hides a sharp cleaver on his person.
"Good luck, friends. Be strong and quick."
Luckily the area Krant accidently showed Belathorian is right here in the kitchen under a false flagstone. Using the keys taken from Krant reveals all of your gear ready for action whenever you need it.
Using another key from Krant's ring opens the door Brezik spotted earlier. Beyond is a ramp leading downwards to yet another door, though this is unlocked. The stale scent of perfume and incense wafts from this room as the door opens, revealing an opulent chamber with pillows, carpets, and other fineries covering the floor. Silk curtains hang over the walls, and flicking light emanates from a hidden source on the ceiling, which is also draped in curtains. On the north side of the room, a gilded throne, bedecked with tiny gemstones, sits upon a raised dais.
Half-empty bottles of various spirits lie about the room, and an exotic water pipe is set up in the middle, filled with a rich, local tobacco. Golden censers, currently unlit, hang from the columns.
"Nothing suspicious about a hidden throne room under a temple. Nothing at all..."
Gad casts about looking for any evidence against the Temple of Razmir.
"Brezik, check the door for traps, then see what's behind it while I keep watch."
Brezik pokes around the door looking for traps of the normal vaiety and kind that he is used to...
Brezik then quietly opens the door and ducks low peeking his head in to see what might be beyond the door.
Bel grabs the keys and almost desperately scrabbles the trapdoor open and retrieves the lockbox.
Carefully opening the lid his hand brushes against his defaced scythe
"Just a little longer my friend, just a little longer"
He begins by taking out a few select items of his own kit, his silver holy symbol and the magical dagger from the tomb. Then retrieves Qona's spell pouch and turns to Viv
"Who else wanted anything?"
As Brezik fiddles with the lock on the door a distinctive CRACK and the smell of ozone from behind Gad'larr and Brezik. Looking back they see three dogs made of earth shift up from under the flagstones.
The dogs shake and fling dirt and clumps of earth everywhere before preparing to charge.
|
|
Vivian bends down next to Bel. "I'll just take the small things, wands of curelight wounds and protection from evil, the scroll of lesser restoration, and I guess the two flasks of oil with the sun rod."
She then pulls out her greatsword, the rugged and dented standard militia issue sword that she recieved in basic. She puts it behind her back in an intended comical failure to hide the thing.
"And I suppose this since it hides so well on my person, one of the many perks of these luxurious robes!' She walks around the kitchen whistling The Adventures of Kassen' innocently. After making a circle Viv puts the sword back and scans the kitchen for a more concealable weapon.
Brezik immediately turns towards the dogs and charges the closest one hoping to catch it off balance and unready for the fight.
|
|
Allister stares longingly at his gear. He's torn. Take it all and risk being caught, or leave it and risk being caught without it.
"My armor will show through this robe, but I don't want to leave it here if we have to run. And my sword... Captain, I will follow your lead."
He decides to take Kassen's Boon, which he wears around his neck. If it comes to fighting he will have the kitchen knife as a makeshift dagger. He motions to the selection of cleavers and other knives when he sees Vivian searching.
"I'm worried about Gad and Brezik. What if Krant is loose? I have a bad feeling in my gut."
Brezik's axe barely even chips the creature's tough earthen skin. It responds by shoulder-checking him while the other two rush Gad'larr
The creatures are very strong, but very slow. Their advance cannot be stopped as they slam into both Brezik and Gad'larr.
"Well, it's only a matter of time before someone realizes Gad is not Krant. I mean, you can't eat with these masks on right? And we don't know where Krant sleeps, right? Wait, what did happen to Krant anyway?"
Qina continues to chop up vegetables and mix ingredients as she talks. Eventually she turns around with a few filled bowls of mash and hands them out. "Here, eat this now before I try to make it taste more like Krant's."
She turns back around and adds a few more things to the mash while shaking her head. "This must be the first time I've tried to make something taste worse."
Once done cooking she turns her attention back around and begins retrieving all of her gear.
|
|
"He was giving me a promotion, then Gad burst in. Krant is knocked out and tied up down there... At least he was when we left him."
That sinking feeling in his gut gets worse. Where are they?
Qina's mash makes him feel much better. Allister hasn't eating anything so delicious in days - maybe in his whole life. Her food makes him hate Krant more.
"You could cook better than that oaf in your sleep, Qina."
|
|
"Mmm! Qina I'm SO glad, for several reasons, that you're not Krant! Are there any materials we can take from the kitchen that will aid in your spells?" Vivian throughly enjoys the meal, sitting on top of a counter with the bowl at her chin shoveling the food in. She didn't realize how little she had been eating before because of the lack of taste.
"I don't like how helpless this whole 'under-cover' thing is leaving us. Allister, Belathorian, let's don our armor and see how it looks under the robes. Doesn't hurt to try it out right? Maybe we can get away with hiding a few surprises for them all.."
Surprisingly the armor hides rather well under the robes. It appears Krant wore his armor on the outside of his robes more for intimidation than necessity. Everyone has slightly bulkier outlines, but it helps conceal your identity further within the mask and robes.
Seeing little effect from Krant's massive blow, Gad realizes they are in desperate straights here.
"Go Brezik! Get the others, I will try and hold these creatures here!"
-Includes Dragon Style!
+ Flurry!
At least one of Gad'larr's strikes gets through its tough earthen skin to hurt the dog creature. Most of its mass crumbles away, but there is still enough there to hurt.
Gad you're allot faster than me... and are more hurt... I'll stay.
Brezik turns to the dog between Gad and him and brings his Axe down on it's body praying that it's enough to destroy the creature.
Brezik dodges around the two remaining dog creatures flanking one with Gad.
Brezik's axe blow destroys the one between himself and Gad'larr. He quickly tumbles to the opposite side of the remaining one facing Gad'larr. The dogs don't take kindly to this, one tries to push Brezik away and the other throws its body at Gad'larr
The dog roughly pushes Brezik out of position, though the one facing Gad flops to the floor and reforms itself quickly.
Encouraged by the deformation of one of the earth-dogs, Gad concentrates on his last opponent, and his fists and feet begin blurring with superhuman speed.
"BAHG-des no-SPARR'lok gaa!*"
-Includes Dragon Style!
+ Flurry!
Brezik looks at the strange sand dog creature that pushed him back. He steps forward sending his axe through the strange creature.
Gad'larr completely destroys one of the earthen dogs, and Brezik hits the other so hard one more solid blow will take it out. Before either can the dog body slams Brezik once again.
It throws itself to the floor, looking like a supplicant before getting back up once more.
Powering through the cloud of dust with a quick step-up, Gad launches more attacks at the last dirt-dog!
Trying to end the fight quickly, he sends a series of snap kicks at the short creature.
-Includes Dragon Style!
+ Flurry!
The small earthen dog crumbles before Gad's flurry.
Brezik takes to the lock with renewed strength, but can't quite seem to open it.
The lock on the door is of excellent quality and will be difficult to open . About 15 minutes has passed since Gad'larr and Brezik have left the others.
Brezik looks at Gad in the aftermath of the fight and fires off several thoughts at him.
We may want some of the others for this. Did you gag Krant? Do we have a key for this door?
In silence Bel strips down before donning his jack and then chain, finally pulling his robes over the top.
the waiting begins to play on his mind once he has eaten. He begins to pace the kitchen, starting at the edge of the room he slowly spirals into the centre.
After a few minutes he stops, stood directly in the centre of the room
"We should check on Krant, he's the weak arm of the spiral, if Brezik and Gad are caught then we still have a chance to mount a rexcue with our cover intact, if Krant get's out all our spirals end. Where did you leave him Al?"
"Unless one of the others has a spell of opening, we really are screwed...to use the vernacular here.
The only key I got off Krant is with Al in the Kitchen. It opens the locker that has our stuff. I don't
know if it will work on this. I fear the only key is in the hands of the highest priest here. Maybe between the
two of us, we can knock the door down? Often a door is found not to be as strong as the lock itself. "
Brezik gives a hearty laugh. Oh I can get past the lock, but it might take a little time... But we could both use some healing and I have a feeling their will be more "Guardians". It may not be wise to continue with just the two of us.
At least we know where all the money stolen went. The furnishings in here are worth a veritable fortune.
Brezik kneals in front of the door and pulls out several specialized tools for the door.
I think I felt six tumblers in there. Not a cheap door. But I can get past it. Just need to get lucky.
Brezik cycles through several picks before he finally finds the right combination. Yep... Nice lock there.
This chamber contains two small chests on opposite walls and a large chest between them, sitting next to a table. Atop the wooden table lie three bags and a large ledger.
The ledger contains an accounting of all of the items in the room. The tome merely shows the items being checked in. It does not mention from where they came.
Examining the locks on these chests reveals that they have the same caliber of lock that the door has.
Gad takes a quick look at the ledger hoping it contains what the group needs to desperately!
"Gobbledygook. I'll go get the others and check on Krant. Maybe Bel or Qina can make sense of this ledger.
See if you can get the chests."
Brezik shrugs and starts by taking the time to carefully look for traps on all the chests...
Assuming all 3 chests have traps and all 3 have the same dc's Then:
If the dc is 28 or higher Brezik set off all the traps in , rounds just over a minute
If the dc is 27 to 24 or higher then Brezik set off 2 traps. , rounds just over a minute
If the dc is 23 to 21 then Brezik set off 1 trap. , rounds just over 2 minutes.
If the dc is 20 he set off no traps. , rounds just under 3 minutes.
If the dc is 19 or lower he set off no traps in , rounds just over a minute
The only chest that is trapped is the largest one, and Brezik easily discovers the way to avoid the poisoned needle within the lock.
Of the three bags lying on the table, the first is filled with four complete sets of city guard uniforms, matching those worn by the local watch exactly; the second contains 23 silver holy symbols, representing nearly every good and neutral deity, and the final bag appears to be empty. The latter is, in fact, a bag of holding (type I) containing the pieces of a broken, gold chain that looks to be about 100 years old. You recognize the links of this chain as being similar to the fragments you saw hanging from Asar’s and Kassen’s necks in the crypt.
Qina blushes a little at Allister and Vivian's compliments. "You should try my ma's meat stew. She's a better cook than I am, but she says I'm still young. As if I didn't know how old I was."
"Well the food is pretty much done and we have all of our gear. We can go try to find the boys, but what if someone comes looking for us, or Krant? Either way, and I should have done this before we split up, but I learned a new trick. Here, watch this...or listen I guess. I guess you can't really see it, really."
She holds the copper wire between her finger and thumb and slowly rubs it while she traces a small cone just under her ear and whispers a few arcane words.
There. Can you guys hear me? Try to whisper back to me. Now, you can't talk directly to each other, but I can relay messages back and forth. It has worked pretty well indoors so far. I haven't tried it outside yet so I'm not sure how far it'll go but I guess we'll find out.
If Krant looks like he might wake up soon or is already awake and struggling, then Gad will give him a 'love tap' to put back out for now.
Re-entering the kitchen, Gad shows the ledger in his hand.
"You would not believe what we found behind that door! Bel? Take a look at this ledger and see if it is worth anything to us?
Vivian? Al? Could I get a bit of healing? Brezik and I had to fight a couple of dirt-dogs the size of small sheep, and they got a
couple of lucky hits in."
Gad will then retrieves his personal stuff, hiding his sword on his back under his robes.
"Wait, where's Brezik? Is he okay?" Upon seeing Gad, Qina immediately goes over and starts drawing a small shield on his forearm as she chants some incomprehensible words.
|
|
'Loud and clear Mother Bird, and damn DO I remember your Ma'a cooking. Don't even start..'
Then Gad busts in the door...
Healing is slowly becoming more instinctual to Vivian, seeing wounded Gad walk in her hand immediately raises to the chest plate of her armor.
The rooms feels a pair of soothing pulses.
Bump..bump
"Some sort of watch dogs? Did they set off an alarm? Alright, everyone full gear, Captain's orders. If we're confronted we'll insist we have passed Krants training standards and he returned them to us. I want the most convinving person behind Krants mask from now on." With a determined sigh Vivian looks to Gad and Bel with the ledger between them, "Is there enough evidence behind that door?"