Round 1
Kevros hits with both of his shots, but they seem to take on a green glow and leave mightier wounds than normal, equaling or surpassing Tristan's best strikes. Quince's morningstar seems to take on the same green glow as he bashes the bear. With all their strikes the bear drops to the ground blood everywhere. As the Guardian is slain, it makes an almost human-sounding sigh of relief, then collapses in on itself, transforming first into an incredibly old human
man with a look of peace in his eyes, and then a moment later crumbling
into a skeleton and thence to dust. At this moment, the entire shrine seems
to grow more vibrant and colorful. The water in the pool becomes crystal clear.
She quickly gets up and goes to Stalker. She sees what she can do for him.
Angeus comes out from behind her rock, eye wide, "That old man...was he caretaker of this place...gone mad?"
As Katrina goes to help Stalker to see what is wrong with him several of the vines spring out to strike her.
plus poison Fort DC 16 or
plus poison Fort DC 16 or
plus poison Fort DC 16 or
Katrina exclaims and quickly moves away from Stalker. "What! What are those?! The vines attacked me as if... they were snakes. I have a strange idea, grab Stalker and throw him in the now pure water. Perhaps that will take care or weaken the curse on Stalker."
Angeus seeks the vines attack Katrina, and she runs over , skidding to a stop as Katrina jumps away. A thought comes to her at the strange motion of the vines, "A lot of plant magic is practiced by the fey...maybe they'd have some idea what the vines are."
She listens to Katrina's idea, "I think it'll take more than all of us to throw Stalker into that pool ..."
Kevros rushes to the spring, empties his wineskin, and fills it with the spring water. Then rushes over to Stalker, "Erastil hear my prayer, make me a full believer, heal this protector of the forest, and my elven brother. May you reign forever in the heavens!" Then Kevros pours the water on Stalker and tries to avoid the vines. Kevros is hoping this will help stalker get on his own feet to jump in the pool or better without everyone exposing themselves to the vine curse.
With Kevros' quick actions, the water douses Stalker and he seems to be able to breath more if not still constricted. Some of the water hits the vines and the vine sizzles as if the water is acid to them, a weak acid.
Katrina follows her own idea and pulls out her cooking kit and unlatches it to just have the big pan. She runs over to the pool fills the pan and brings it back and will attempt to throw it all on Stalker
Seeing the danger of the vines lashing out at Katrina, Tristan takes out some ropd and fashions a slip knot. He tries a few times before getting it around one of Stalkers leges.
"Quickly help me drag him into the water."
As the other come to help they drag the cursed elf into the pool.
"Katrina stop, the vines like you too much! Tristan has a great idea!" Kevros retrieves his own rope and creates a slip knot as well, "Stalker, if you can lift up your hands or body?!"
Kevros will do the same as Tristan if he is able to lift up his hands or his body.
Kevros adds, "Also, someone splash him as we go. This may keep the vines at bay while we drag him to the pool and throw him in."
Angeus runs to her horse, shushing it's nervous whicker, and grabs a pot from her gear.
Running to the pool, she fills the pot ,then pours it over Stalker...she repeats as often as possible...
Kevros nods, "Ang, please pour the water on stalker or any vines that try to get Tristan, I, or anyone else who helps with the ropes! And of course, yourself!"
Soon enough Stalker is dragged into the pool, Angeus only has enough time to hit Stalker once with a pot full of water. The vines wither and die, soon there is no sign of them anymore.
Stalker once he hits the water thrashes about trying to get free but it is too late. The ropes snap and he sinks quickly. The surface of the pool calms very quickly. Once it is perfectly still about three rounds after he sinks in...
"What the?! Did we just drowned Stalker and were sold defective rope?!"
He quickly takes his backpack off, ties what is left the rope to him, hands it to Tristan, and gets ready to jump in.
Tristan holds onto the rope for Kevros watching on to see what happens with Stalker.
After Tristan grabs the rope, he straddles the pool wall to make sure the liquid is actually water and not something else. Kevros prays that it is not something else.
It takes Kevros two rounds to do as he acts. The water is water, it is wet and appears to be doing nothing malign to Kevros or his equipment on him or even the rope this time. As you straddle the wall you notice that the pool of water is only a few feet deep.
Katrina stands to the side in response to the command given and awe of the whole thing.
Kevros looks to Katrina, "Katrina you seem to have a better connection with our Erastil, do you have any idea what happened to Stalker? He is like not in here or invisible or something?"
As the stresses of imminent action appear to be over, Quince seems to be able to calm down enough to speak normal again.
The green growth that started around Katrina seems to be spreading about the entire area. The growth happens faster under and near Katrina again. Though it looks more like maybe a few weeks of growth nothing more. No vegetation except some moss grows on the stag entrance to the cave.
Katrina shakes her head to clear it. Then quietly begins to answer Kevros, "Um, my connection to nature is strong. Erastil possibly more than you Kevros but not Quince. I am not sure. Perhaps if we pray Stalker will be returned. Though I think Erastil gives blessings more on the actions that his worshipers work towards."
She kneels down and begins to pray, "Erastil, please bring back our companion unharmed but cleansed through your waters. May your wisdom be seen through what is happening and give us some as well."
"Hey, where'd he go?" Angueus blurts , completely taken aback by Stalker's disappearance.
"Huh, that sounds like running water.... in the cave!" she says, pointing at the cave.
Kevros nods, "I hear it too Angeus. Let Quince, myself and Katrina pray for Stalker's safe return and if he does not appear let's check out the cave." He then looks at the vines, "We may want to spread water on some of this growth so we do not become trapped?"
Kevros gets down on his knees outside of the pool, "Yes Erastil, please return our friend to us unharmed and anew by your power. And yes Erastil, please give us the wisdom to end the vine plague and restore your temple."
"You guys go ahead and pray. Angeus you care to join me?"
Tristan moves toward the cave with his shield up, getting close enough to look inside.
All the vines that act freely of their own that were part of the curse were attached to Stalker. Looking around you don't see any of the plants moving, just growing.
As Tristan gets closer the sound is for sure coming from the cave. At the base of the stairs the sound of flowing and falling water can be heard easily. Though looking in you can't see the water yet.
Quince drops to his knees reverently when the bear goes. His lips moving in prayer.
Quince's eyes pop wide when commotion elsewhere gets his attention. Confused he sees Stalker's condition. He rises and drops his morning star and draws a dagger, "We bleed him before which helped give him a shot at controlling himself." He stops his train of thought interrupted by the scene before him. "The water is clear . . . a curse lifted on this place. Maybe.
Quince sees the others actions and notes that they are splashing water on Stalker as others try and get him to the pool. He dashes to the water's edge and uses his shield as a scoop and tosses water over Stalker as they drag him. Once Stalker goes into the water he drops to his knees at the edge of the water and he sees the others in prayer as well. He begins what is clearly an invocation to Erastil a warsong by the tone and tenor.
[spoiler/Celestial Translation]Great Lord of the Hunt strike now with arrows from your bow. Defend those who do your work. Bring end to corruption. Your arrows fly in the cause of the just. Your fury a fire against the darkness. Your strength a balm to those who need to be restored.[/spoiler]
Tristan and Angeus slowly enter into the temple and can feel a sense of calm and serenity. They get about halfway into the temple and light comes in from overhead it seems the overgrowth moves of its own and reveals a small waterfall which empties into a small pond. A body is lying half in and half out of the pond, his head out of the water.
"Here, I think we found him."
Tristan yells out before rushing to the body. He keeps his guard up until standing over the body. He then drops to his knees and flips the body. He places his hand on his chest to feel if the man is breathing.
Kevros looks up and over at the cave entrance for confirmation before getting up to officially end the praying.
The man that Tristan turns over is indeed Stalker and he is breathing. No vines can be seen over his arms or neck, though the places that the vines used to be is bloodied.
"It's him. I have Stalker, he is breathing but unconcious."
Tristan yells out. He allows the other who are more capable of healing to come inspect before moving him. He takes a few moments to look around the cave.
Kevros get's up, "Let's go help Tristan with Stalker?" Then runs into the cave where Tristan and Angeus are.
Angeus follows Tristan inside the cave, and keeps watch as he checks out the man...Stalker!
Her crossbow in hand she scans the cave for danger, "Sorry, Erastil, one can't be too careful" she mutters.
Quince nods and rises heading into the shrine to help. After a quick look at Stalker he kneels down praying again and lays hands on the elf.
Kevros looks around "You know what this means Quince? We need to find a Priest of Erastil to re-establish this temple and assign the temple a protective detail."
Kevros remains at the ready ...
With Quince's healing Stalker comes to but looks drained. No threats appear to be around.
"Thank you my friends, the curse has been lifted and Eristil will continue to look out for me now. I must rest, continue to explore I will be safe here." Stalker says quietly the force of his words almost not recognizable.
Utterly amazed Quince nods at Kevros' words nodding.
Angeus blinks then smile broadly as Stalker shows not signs of his disease, leaning in to hug the stoic elf, "I'm so happy for you Stalker!"
She then rises and begins a systematic exploration of the site, now that it seems that any dangers it poses are gone. She specifically looks for where the old man might have had his lair...
Kevros gives Stalker the warrior handshake and uses his other hand to pat his shoulder, then gives him the elven hand signal of friendship, "Glad you are back brother. We need to make sure we bring other infected here for the purge." Before assisting Angeus with the comb over of the grounds, Kevros recommends, "I think our next course of action is make a quick trip back to Oleg's to begin the process of re-establishing this temple not only for a more direct link to commune with Erastil but a place where we can bring the infected to cure them. I am afraid that the Stag Lord or someone else will destroy and desecrate this place if they hear about it or come across it in their travels. Tristan, I promise we will not stay long at Oleg's and be back on the road as soon as possible."
Kevros begins searching as well while the group comments on his suggestion.
There are many broken and decayed pieces of furniture around the temple. It seems no one has lived here for years. There is a sort of nest which the bear likely slept at which could have been some kind of clothing but now has turned just to cloth fragments. Nearly nothing is useable and will need to be fabricated from an original source. Only the few spots of man made walls show that the temple is mostly a natural cavern. The waterfall must have been bigger before.
Quince surveys the scene. "I think we should remove the garbage and set out in the morning. We probably have enough time to survey the general surroundings."
Tristan will explore with Angeus.
"That course of action is fine Kevros. I won't stand in the way of somones faith."
Angeus emerges from the madman's lair and approached Quince.
"Here, I found this..." offering Quince the holy symbol she found.
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Kevros nods to Tristan, "Thank but it's not only faith, it is a means to cure that wretched vine disease we see off and on out here. It could also be that I am just overly cautious of keeping this place whole while the Stag Lord is still out there. Our visit back to Oleg's will be quick and then get back on the road to achieve our primary objective of bringing the Stag Lord to justice."