"There's a good ox," Hakketh says to the animal as he pats it. "We better move quickly as this animal is ready to bolt," he adds to Sept
”Yeah, let’s hurry,” Septimilius agrees with Hakketh, patting the ox on the side. He then kneels and begins to strip the priest he knocked out.
After securing the smoldering incense burner Mirian surveys the scene with a pleased smile. ”He’s all yours”, she says presenting the unconscious priest with an overly dramatic gesture then moves to pick up the robes and mask shred by the acolyte. Donning the robe and mask, Mirian takes extra care to tuck away her hair and the two feathers on her headband. She weighs the incense burner on her hand. Together with the chain it would make a good first distraction, if push came to shove later. Something she could use to gain the upper hand in a situation if she needed to. ”How do I look?”, she asks striking a pose.
Mirian takes a seat at the front of the carrion cart. ”Any questions before we infiltrate the temple?”
Hakketh's Notice Roll
Notice
WD
Notice - Ace
WD - Ace
You notice that the man that had been holding the ox, has the lead still wrapped around his hand, and is in grave danger of being trampled...that is if you care :-)
”You look as believable as any other acolyte,” Septimilius says to Miriam trying to get the ox under control. ”Do we know who these guys worship? Set? You’d think they could get a more docile ox!” he whispers and grunts as he attempts to grab the lead from the unconscious priest’s hand.
"Sch, relax", Mirian whispers slowly and softly into the ear of the ox at the same time she strokes it along the back. "You have nothing to fear."
Cooperative Rolls
Sometimes characters may want to cooperate and help
a friend complete some kind of urgent task. If two or more
characters want to perform a task together (and the GM
decides it’s possible for them to do so), the lead character
makes his roll and adds +1 for every success and raise his
companions achieved on their own rolls. This has a normal
maximum of +4 for all tasks except those of Strength, which
have no maximum.
Characters may not make cooperative rolls if they don’t
actually have the skill in question. (You can’t make default
rolls to aid with Boating, for example, if your character doesn’t
actually have the Boating skill.)
I'll give the weekend to resolve this brief interlude...or sooner... then we'll move on to the next step. Assuming you guys take control of the ox, and wagon, what is the next step?
”That’s it, that’s it, Hakketh” he urges seeing that the man has a way with animals. He hands Hakketh the lead trying to dodge the ox’s stamping feet.
Hakketh stares into the ox's eyes and continues to whisper to it, "that's a good ox, yes a very good ox, don't worry you'll be back in your stall eating hay soon."
”You look as believable as any other acolyte,” Septimilius says to Miriam trying to get the ox under control. ”Do we know who these guys worship? Set? You’d think they could get a more docile ox!” he whispers and grunts as he attempts to grab the lead from the unconscious priest’s hand.
"Does it matter? Temples have riches. To what diety they belong to is unimportant", Mirian answers while retrieving the robe and mask the fleeing acolyte shred on the ground. "I'm not a priest but I don't think a death cult would belong to Set."
Mirian struggles for a while in donning her disguise. The feathers pose little problem with the cowl and the mask but her scabbard is an ill fit underneath the robe. The robe conceals the rapier while she stands still but it could betray her disguise when she moves around, or sits down. In the end Mirian decides not to give the guards that much credit and leaves the robe as it is.
"That wasn't that bad, was it? Do you think you can keep that beast under control?"
After a bit of a bad start, Hakketh has made good friends with the ox. If fact when he walks over a bit to pick up the robes of the priest he will be posing as, the ox follows him nudging at his backside. Hakketh might have no trouble controlling the ox, but it might be difficult to make his exit :-).
When you observed the other wagon, it pulled up to the front doors of the temple. A group of acolytes came out, and unloaded the bodies into the temple. The priests then soundlessly entered the temple, with the door closing behind them. The Acolyte then led the ox off and down the alley to the north of the temple obviously to some stabling area.
You are all now assembled in your roles, and the ox is under control. It is time to implement your mad scheme.
"Seems you've grown on him. Now what will your dog say about that?", Mirian remarks as she's got the outfit on as best as she could. "The girl didn't seem to be in a position to speak, so if we run into any guards or other priests one of you is going to have to convince them that we are who we say we are. Understood?"
"Seems you've grown on him. Now what will your dog say about that?", Mirian remarks as she's got the outfit on as best as she could. "The girl didn't seem to be in a position to speak, so if we run into any guards or other priests one of you is going to have to convince them that we are who we say we are. Understood?"
"Dog will be fine.". Hakketh turns to his faithful dog, bends down and whispers in his ear "Stay...hide..." he says as he ruffles the nape of the dog's neck.
Turning to Mirian, "Let's get this going...Septimillus can do the talking."
"Seems you've grown on him. Now what will your dog say about that?", Mirian remarks as she's got the outfit on as best as she could. "The girl didn't seem to be in a position to speak, so if we run into any guards or other priests one of you is going to have to convince them that we are who we say we are. Understood?"
The stable is attached to the temple, but only accessible via a long trip down the alley near the temple, and then through the back. You don't expect the honored dead to be brought in through a stable entrance surely.
”Hakketh, I was going to say you should speak since you look more like a cultist to me, but I’ll take the speaking role here. Miriam, how comfortable are you being on your own before you can find us inside the temple?” Septimilius double checks the robes, brushing off dirt and straightening them.
"How comfortable am I?" Mirian says and accompanies her question with a melodious laugh. "I can take care of myself. The question is how are you going to fare without me to protect you?"
The trio approach the doors to the temple guiding the ox. As they approach the doors the guards step aside without making eye contact. In a couple of minutes a group of Acolytes appears and begins to unload the bodies, and carry them into the temple. Sept, and Hak enter into the doors just like they saw the earlier priests do. After the unloading, Mir begins to lead the ox cart down the alley, following the trail of droppings from many beasts.
Mirian
You need to make a spirit roll with a TN of 4 to get the ox to leave Hakketh without a struggle.
If you fail this roll...well we'll just see what happens...
If successful you lead the ox back about 100 feet, and the alley opens up into a courtyard, with a pen for oxen on one side, and a lot to park the carts on the other. You see a heavy wooden unguarded door leading into the temple. You also see one of the acolytes getting food, and water for a recently released ox. As you enter the courtyard, a young stable boy comes and takes the ox lead, and backs the cart into it's place, he then leads the ox to the pen. You think it is your duty to feed, and water the ox before entering the temple.
H&S
Notice: Raise
You could have sworn you saw one of the body bags move after it was put down in the staging area.
You enter a sparsely furnished hallway 25' deep and 20' wide, through two heavy iron doors. There is nobody else present in the room when you open it. There are heavy wooden doors halfway down the wall on both sides, and twin heavy bronze covered doors with depictions of the afterlife directly across from you. The acolytes stack the three bodies brought in by your cart in the corners of the highway, taking a small scroll from each, and placing in a box by the twin doorways that lead deeper into the temple. They seem to match up with labels on the death bags. They then stand silently in front of the doors to the outside waiting for the next cart to arrive. There are 4 acolytes in the room to unload the arriving cargo. There is no sign of the two priests that entered with the last delivery.
Mirian smiles behind her mask as the guards remain oblivious to the rouse. Weak minded fools, she thinks to herself and tugs at ox to lead it towards the stable
Mirian hands over the ox to the stable boy then mimics the other acolyte in bringing food and water to the beast. When her assumed chores are done she directs her attention to the temple, opening the wooden door and stepping inside.
Hakketh keeps his head down and walks steadily to the first door on the wall that's on the same side as the stables opens it and steps through.
Mirian
This is an antechamber where the acolytes prepare for ceremonies and put on their purple vestments. Hanging on pegs along the walls are such robes, as well as the grisly skull-masks of bone that the lesser priests use (the senior priests have skull-masks of jade and gold).
The room is about 10'wide, and 20' deep, with a heavy black curtain to your immediate right, that doesn't even move with the opening of the door, and a door to your right. The room is empty...at the moment.
As you close the door behind you, you can hear another wagon approaching from outside in the courtyard.
Septimilius walks shoulder to shoulder with Hakketh towards the left door and steps through.
Mirian stifles a curse as the sheath of her rapier gets stuck in the robe when she moves. Never one to leave a stone unturned she moves the black curtain slightly and takes a peek behind it.
Pushing aside the weighted curtain, She can see into a dim room with a large statue , and an alter in front of it. There are several benches serving as pews facing this area, and frescoes cover the walls.
DM Rolls
The room appears to be empty.
NOTICE
success:
This is probably the statue of the death god Susrah. Black candles provide dim, smokey illumination in the area.
Raise:
The giltter of coins, and silver/ebony overlay cover the area in front of the alter. You also note a large engraved golden bowl to the left of the alter.
Everyone
Knowledge: Religion (Success)
Yadar: the Lord of Death and Secrets
The mysterious high god of the Khazistanis, Yadar, is said to live in the desert and to collect the souls of every living man and woman when they give up their final breath.
Yadar is associated with scorpions and bats. Many carry charms and amulets in the image of Yadar, said to ward against disease and violent death.
Such worship is often personal and unorganized, since the locations of Yadar’s temples are generally kept secret and known only to the priests. The cult is suspected to have subterranean shrines in cities, and temples in desert ruins. The nomads stay well away from such ruins, since any who stray too close disappear without a trace.
S&H
The two new priests of Ydar open the door and enter a chamber 15' deep, and 20' wide, with a door on the left wall. This place seems to be a sleeping chamber, and 12 bunks line the walls of the room, with lockers at the foot of each. Small shelves above each cot hold personal items. The room is empty right now, but shows signs of recent occupation.
Mirian grabs one of the robes and masks before moving behind the curtain. She then walks up in the middle of the pews and waits for the acolyte in the next cart to come inside the temple and move through the door.
Septimilius gives the room a quick scan. He quietly approaches the door on the left, puts his ear to it, and listens.
M
As Mirian enters the dark room, she can make out more details of the area. {You may read Spoiler 1 above, and make another notice roll. On a success you can read Spoiler 2 above.)
She is confident that she saw movement beyond the other curtain, and the sweep of a Reptilian tail disappear from sight.
There is another dark curtain across from the one you entered through, and large ornate double doors to your right as you enter. The room is about 20' x 30', and rounded in the area behind the statue/alter. The doors are in the area opposite the round wall, and facing the statue directly.
In the gloom of this ghastly chapel stands a 10 feet tall statue of the death god of Susrah, cloaked in a hooded robe of real cloth, its arms held out to receive offerings. The statue itself, which has the body of a young and powerful man but whose hidden face is that of a grinning skull, is of polished ebony, while the cloth is embroidered with golden thread. In each of its outstretched hands is a yellowed scroll.
In front of the idol is an altar, also made from polished ebony, with inlays of ivory and silver in the shape of skulls.
H&S
Neither of you is familiar with this death god, but you do notice a common theme of scorpions and bats.
Septimilius, puts his ear to the door, and hears the strangest sounds. He would swear, that it sounds like a strong wind from the other side of this door.
Hakketh whispers to Septmillus "how are we going to find Miran?"
For a moment he looks confused, as if his mind is preoccupied with what is making that sound, then nods. "I think if we keep to the left side of the building, we'll find a door to the stables eventually. I hope."[
"I should have brought a sack", Mirian whispers to herself and shreds the acolyte robe infavor of the priest one. She also switches masks. The acolyte's robe and mask is discarded among the pews. Slightly alarmed by the reptilian tail but at the same time lured by the riches Mirian stalks forward carefully, keeping her eyes and ears peeled for the remainder of the reptile. Erring on the side of caution she draws her rapier as she approaches.
M
You enter a room 15' deep, and 20' wide. Opposite the door that you enter is another heavy black curtain seemingly concealing an entry.
This opulent room is filled with expensive hardwood furniture. Along a wall are several small cages filled with poisonous black desert scorpions.
From behind the black silk curtain you hear a gruff voice. "Whose there"? "Othbanes, is that you"? "Surely it is too soon for the procession."
H&S
What is your next action?
Mirian freezes as she hears the voice. ”No, master. Othbanes told me to come here and ask if there was anything you required before the procession”, she says while trying to paint a mental picture of what kind of man would own such a voice. The words felt like bile in her mouth. Is wasn’t the first time she lied, she’d became acustomed to that long ago and it never bothered her. Although playing submissive was always a hard pill to swallow. Hopefully the owner of the voice was ignorant enough to fall for it. If she was going to play the innocent and weakwilled whealp most priests seemed to prefer she at least wanted to get something out of it. She had her pride after all.
Hakketh presses his ear to the door that Septimillus had pointed out.
** spoiler omitted **
M
You went back in the hall you entered originally, and have the two scrolls. You were also able to switch robes with no problem, although the new one smells a bit of stale sweat...and something else. You have now entered the other door. You're a couple of rounds ahead of the other two, so just let me know your next action, and I'll adjust accordingly. {Surprised you went for the scrolls instead of the coin :-))
"What"! "Who is that"? "I do not know your voice". "And you dare to speak out loud...to me".
You can hear someone approaching from behind the curtain. Let me know any preparations, and I'll get back to you.
H&S
You hear nothing but silence from the door you are listening to, but you do hear muffled shouts from behind the wall opposite the door.
Septimilus opens the door to reveal a hallway 5' wide, and 35' long, with two doorways on each side, including the one you just opened on the right side.
Septimilius walks down the corridor and puts his ear to the next door.
”I am sorry. I did not know. Othbanes sent me here”, Mirian says in the most submissive tone of voice she can manage, catching some more bile. This better be worth it, she thinks retrieving her dagger and hiding it up the sleeve of her robe. She starts to back away towards the door from where she came. If she is able to exit before the man emerges from behind the curtain she will say ”I will leave you to preperations, master. Please forgive my intrusion” and move out the door.
{Surprised you went for the scrolls instead of the coin :-))
Hakketh keeps watch on the corridor while Septmillus listens at doors.
Septmillus
XD
Hakketh is sure that he heard Mirian's voice from back the way you came in, and down the hall a bit, which is the opposite way from any of the doors on the hall. You can either backtrack and go back through the door you entered through, or continue down the hall. There is another door to your right on the same wall as your door, Two doors on the opposite wall one directly in front of you and one across from the other door on your wall, and as I mentioned the door you entered from this room.
You can faintly hear barking from the other end of the hall with the two opposing doors.
Hakketh
You distinctly heard Mirian's voice back throught the door you entered.
Mirian
Since this could turn out to be a combat situation, I'm going to go ahead and draw initiative cards for you and the resident of the room.
M JC
E 2C
As you have initiative you are able to slip back through the door into the antechamber. You can hear the man blustering on the other side.
"Who is that". "Who disturbs my preparations". "Guards, Guards"!
You are now in the antechamber your choices are the door back outside, the curtain into the temple where you took the scrolls (Remember it had double doors leading somewhere, and another curtain, where you think you saw the reptilian tail), or back into the room with the disturbed priest.
Septmillus
1d6 XD
** spoiler omitted **Hakketh
** spoiler omitted **
Hakketh grabs Septmillus and stops him from moving forward. Mirian is back this way, he says in a quiet voice then hurries through the door from which he heard his partner.
”Right behind you,” Septimilius says as he rushes after Hakketh. ”I think I heard some dogs back there too. So we should be prepared to fight some hounds.”
Slipping outside the room Mirian stands in the antechamber pondering her options. Looking at the door to the chamber with the statue she remembers the robe she shred as she changed. Could prove to be a hinderance if the priest came through this way. On the other hand he might not venture further than the antehall.