Zevon Vierding |
Zevon informs Bulgard of the ring's properties and hands it back to him. Fueled with a full belly and the excitement of a new adventure, he makes his way towards the church with a spring in his step.
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
When you arrive at the church, you hear an odd sound. It is two women fighting with wooden swords and shields. They notice you and end their practice. Lady Cirthana is about 25 years of age. She wears a white cassock with gold trim. You can tell she is quite fit and agile with a blade. She exudes an aura of pure goodness which is visible in her expressions and mannerisms. She casts a quick spell [DC11 spellcraft] and approaches you. "Gentlemen, welcome to the church of Iomedae. I am Cirthana. There are no services today. Pray, tell me your business here."
Rhen Vemsa |
Rhen follows behind Reinar, not being overly Godly but knowing the presence of one who is. Rhen smiles at the lady.
"We be wanting ta enter the crucible, Pointy ears there can tell ye more with sweeter words." Rhen Thumbs towards Zevon
Bulgard Merkenkin |
"it's n-n-not evil! It's just a little fox! I saved it and fed it and you can't have it! It's ... it's... it's....."
Bulgard pinches the bridge of his nose and draws a deep breath, then looks around in confusion.
"wait, wh-wh-WHO bears evil? Whip it out for her, Z"
Zevon Vierding |
I had a post, not sure what happened to it.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Evil ma'am? My name is Zevon Vierding and I assure you I have no idea of what you speak. We have only just returned from an endeavor during which we gathered and delivered the ingredients necessary to cure the plague afflicting the town. We also acquired a few trinkets. Perhaps it is something from the Dwarven Crucible. It is our intent to return there and discover the origins of the Glintaxe legend, and put a tortured soul to rest if needed.
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
"You sir, should be more careful when gathering trinkets. Well, you gentlemen are just full of luck today. I would much rather speak to you of The Church of Iomedae. Perhaps you will give me that opportunity. The Church of Iomedae views the Church of Torag as an ally. When I first heard of the dwarven monastery, I had to do some research. Initially I wanted to see it. My findings and local rumors have warded me from that venture. Come, join me in the study. There I have some notes I took during my study of the place." She sternly addresses Zevon. "Zevon Vierding leave your backpack here. I do not know the nature of this evil you bear. It will be safe here."
The cleric calls out to the younger woman. "Ophelia, please prepare tea for our guests." Ophelia prepares and serves you the tea. It is an interesting combination of bitter darkwood and honeysuckle.
Cirthana unrolls several parchments and briefly glances over the documents. As she speaks to you, she looks at the notes often, but regularly makes eye contact with each of you.
"The monastery was originally built in the time of the last great dwarven kings, many centuries ago. The monks there worshiped Torag, hence it was referred to as The Monastery of Torag.
What is not generally known is that the dwarves of this monastery turned to depravity and evil long ago. During the fall of their people, these recluses turned to the worship of Droskar, a vile dwarven god of toil. Renaming their enclave Droskar’s Crucible, the dwarves toiled until their end, leaving behind a ruined monastery and a sprawling dungeon underneath. Today, little on the surface shows any evidence of this vile worship, as the dwarves kept their true devotion a secret.
And there is this:
At its prime, the monastery was home to dwarven clerics of the malevolent god Droskar, who urged them to ever toil in making weapons on their great forges. The evil forge spurned which came as a result of their worship eventually drove the dwarves out of their haven, and left behind a now-haunted shell of a building. After its fall to decadence and decay, legends began to spread among the dwarves telling of vast riches now lost beneath the crumbling citadel. The greatest dwarven hero, Druingar the Glintaxe, ventured into the depths below the once sacred site in search of this wealth, but he was never heard from again, and inhabitants of the Vale still talk of his ghost haunting the ancient ruins.
And it gets worse:
When a dwarven worshiper of Droskar perishes, he is brought before his divine lord and judged. If the Master of the Dark Furnace finds him unworthy he is pierced with burning barbs and returned to the world as an undead terror on an accursed errand to gather souls for Droskar’s Furnace. The penance varies depending on how displeased the master is with his subject. Lesser offenders need only capture ten or twenty souls to appease Droskar. Others are condemned to spend several lifetimes gathering hundreds of souls to earn a reprieve from their fiery torment. Most of these accursed cast offs are dwarven smiths, warriors, or clanlords who failed to please the Master of the Dark Furnace in life. They are consumed with their need to forge their soul chains and prey upon any creature they feel they can easily best. Each link of the chain shows the shadowy visage of its trapped soul, its face twisted in a silent scream of horror.If a forge spurned is felled and its chain taken by another, it seethes in dark fury. A forge spurned stops at nothing to retrieve its chain, lest it be forced to forge another, extending its period of burning torment.
This took me a while to find, but I believe it to be true:
As long as its chain remains, a forge spurned cannot be truly destroyed. A slain forge spurned rises again in perfect physical condition on the next sundown unless its chain is broken. If a forge spurned’s chain is sundered, it is instantly slain, never to rise again. When a forge spurned’s chain is destroyed the souls bound within are released at long last.
So gentlemen, there ends our story telling for the day. Are you still inclined to visit that place?"
Rhen Vemsa |
"I be aye, not wantin' to leave that bastard Droskar a place on the surface, he be needin' ta be back in the depths."
Rhen will stand up and check his gear to make sure it is ready.
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
Reacting to Rhen, the cleric resumes her glowing mannerisms. The attractive cleric addresses you. "Gentlemen, you interrupted my training earlier. Each of you sheaths a sword. Would anyone care to join me in some swordplay?"
It would be a fair fight. She is level 2. The damage would be potential as you will not actually strike your opponent nor be struck.
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
"Wonderful! Please await me in the foyer. I will gather my equipment and join you briefly."
The physically fit cleric with flawless posture joins you in the foyer. She wears full plate draped with a red chasuble and carries a large metal shield with the symbol of Iomedae on it. In her other hand is a longsword.
"So, who will be first?" She casts light. Her shield begins to glow.
Rhen Vemsa |
Rhen smiles as he easily dodges the weapon,
"Haf ta be faster than that lass!" Rhen launches his own attack.
horizontal slash: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 221d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
are we rolling dmg?
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
Current Effects Divine Favor +1 attack +2 damage (Divine Warrior)
potential damage Cirthana 5 potential damage Rhen 0
Yes, rolling damage
Rhen notices a pleasing smell of perfume as he spars with the taller cleric.
"You handle a blade well, dwarf. Have you a name?"
longsword v AC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 = 23
potential damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10
Rhen Vemsa |
Rhen stumbles back as the woman's sword bites deep into his flesh.
"Aye lass, Rhen Vemsa, o' the 5 kings. Out here fer the coins that were offered for that easy work."
Rhen attempts to tumble past the woman.
Acrobatics vs CMD +5: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Once up he will attack again.
controlled slash: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 131d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
Current Effects Divine Favor +1 attack +2 damage (Divine Warrior)
potential damage Cirthana 5 potential damage Rhen 10
"It is a pleasure to Meet you Rhen Vemsa. Five kings Mountain. Perhaps you will be the next great king. "
She takes advantage of the tumble
AoO v AC19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
longsword v AC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 = 18
"You are elusive as well Rhen Vemsa"
She takes a 5 foot step
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
Current Effects Divine Favor +1 attack +2 damage (Divine Warrior) Cirthana AC 20 for 1 round due to charge
potential damage Cirthana 0 potential damage Reinar 0
assuming AC of 19 for Reinar with shield and sword
The cleric turns her attention to Reinar.
"On guard, sir." She charges Reinar
Reinar smells the pleasant perfume as she, the shield, and sword collides with him.
longsword v AC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 2 = 13
She backs up readying for Reinar's blow. "Your name, sir? Who is it I challenge now?"
Reinar Rolstad |
"I am Reinar Rolstad, future Linnorm King. I came to the south searching challenges to hone my skills, but you might be the first opponent i find who is not disappointingly weak.", he blocks her swing and attacks back with a quick wrist powered swing.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Reinar Rolstad |
This might take a while...
With another block, Reinar goes for a stronger swing this time.
Attack(PowerAttack): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
"You're doing fine so far."
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
Current Effects Divine Favor +1 attack +2 damage (Divine Warrior) rounds remaining 2
potential damage Cirthana 0 potential damage Reinar 10
Reinar swings at the lady.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
potential damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Current Effects Divine Favor +1 attack +2 damage (Divine Warrior) rounds remaining 2
potential damage Cirthana 7 potential damage Reinar 10
Cirthana replies "You fight well Reinar Rolstad"
longsword v AC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 = 24
potential damage: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12
Reinar says "Good!"
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Current Effects Divine Favor +1 attack +2 damage (Divine Warrior) rounds remaining 1
potential damage Cirthana 7 potential damage Reinar 22
Cirthana misses
longsword v AC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 = 15
Reinar returns
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Cirthana swings the longsword
longsword v AC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28
confirm v AC 19: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 = 19
Cirthana stops the blade just shy of Reinar's exposed neck. "Now would be a good time to yield, sir."
She raises the visor on her helmet. "That was invigorating. Thank you for the visit, gentlemen. I hope you will join us here on Sundays for services, activities, and food. I must tend to some duties now. If there is nothing more, please excuse me." She gives you that glowing smile and exits the foyer.
Lady Cirthana of Iomedae |
"There is no such thing as coincidence, Rhen Vemsa. You came here seeking knowledge of the crucible. I happened to have quite a bit of that. Should you go there, this knowledge could prove invaluable. The sword is a portion of my pursuit of righteousness. I hone my skills daily. The fact that I did so well speaks volumes for full plate and to some degree divination. I am particularly surprised that Reinar Rolstad did not best me. If there is more to this, I know not what it could be."