Trane Loften |
Trane smiles at the interchange.
"Well, so much for a low profile. My lady, we are here and our interests are common to the Dawnflower. This is my lioness."
Trane indicates his companion.
Story Master |
Y'day (to Kenz, with a faint smile): I appreciate your offer, but will politely decline...
Y'day (to the Group): I am glad Otis has sent you to this location, and that chance has caused us to meet. I am a Cleric of Serenrae, and my companion, Murfles, assists me in our endeavors. Mother Screng and Hruda also assist our cause. We are all concerned with what is transpiring in the area of the Temple of Elemental Evil, but have not gathered sufficient information or specifics to combat whatever or whomever is at that location.
Mother Screng (to Uldar): Hmmph! Are you assuming being old means I am wiser than thee? I hope your assumption is correct. However, I was not in Nulb when the Temple was the scene of the battle of Good against Evil. If Otis provided you information, then you already know what we know.
Y'day (looking at Brandor): I am glad to see another of a Good faith is with you. We should all be united in defeating the Evil that lurks in this world.
Hruda (to the Group): We were discussing how we were going to reconnoiter the area of the Temple without giving away our plans. Your arrival can solve that problem. I can provide directions to the Temple, and you can do a search to see what is occurring there! Then report back to us, and we will work out a plan. What do you say?
Kenz Orinar |
stands, not at all discouraged
@ Y'day well m'lady, if you won't accept on behalf of your goddes, won,t you accept on your own behalf, one warrior to another?
A toast… to victory over the darkness!
he salutes all present with the bottle and its chartreuse contents before swilling it for the second time and offering it immediately and meaningfully to Y'day
Uldar Aren |
"I think I talk in behalf of all of us if I say, yes, give us those directions, and we will come back with all the information we can gather."
Garm Stoutsole |
Have I heard of this Y'Day or Murfles before?
Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
I make a polite bow to Mother Screng, Hruda, Y'Day, and Murfles. I can hardly Murfle my amusement at that name. :)
@Screng: Mother Screng, I would be honored if one so skilled in their craft would share a meal with me sometime. I know a bit about the creating of cures as you can see from my pack here. I must say you have an absolutely splendid collection of bat feces and newt eyes. Cities twice as large as Nulb would be lucky to have an herbalist so amply endowed- I mean supplied.
Garm blushes as he attempts to cover his verbal slip.
I second my associates statement. Just as the great Crusaders of Mendev descend into the Wourldwound, we shall descend into the heart of this wicked Temple and cleanse this world of it's foul taint!
Brandor Bulwark |
Brandor steps up and offers 6 gold to Hruda to cover Kenz' order, and nods at the kinder words. "Thanks."
To the group, he turns and smiles. "Well, it looks like we have some direction to turn! And it is equally good to see that we are not alone in being of noble heart."
Uldar Aren |
@Garm: Otis cited them when explaining us where else we can go in Nulb.
I am actually lost, are there here only the 2 women or are there also here Y'Day and Murfles? I see citations and names used here and there in most posts without understanding whom are they refering. I see Mother Screng, Murfles, Hruda and Y'Day used here and there.
Garm Stoutsole |
Mother Screng and Hruda are the herbalists. Y'Day and Murfles are the two adventurers that are also inside the shop. I do believe Y'Day is an Aasimar? I was attempting to see if I knew of Y'Day and Murfles reputation. It might give me an idea of what class they are or what agenda they serve.
Uldar Aren |
Thanks Gram!
Rereading I missunderstood
one paragraph and when the GM refered as there being 2 more people in the shop I thougt he meant the shop keepers, I remember I thought "weird dressing for old keepers" but went with it! XD
Story Master |
Hruda gets a piece of parchment, and sketches a map upon it, showing the Temple area to be located in a southerly direction from Nulb. It has been some time since I have been in the area of the old Temple. Folks around here avoid that place of Evil! The simplest way to find it is to follow the old trail south from Nulb. After about a league or so, you will know you are getting close, as the land still evidences the horrific battle that took place there.
Is everyone ready to travel toward the Temple?
Kalizama |
After looking around the shop while listening to the various conversations, I approach Mother Screng. After introducing myself and appropriate greetings are exchanged, I inquire Do you happen to have any old spell books tucked away somewhere that you have gotten in trade and would like to get rid of? If so, I am interested in looking at them and probably purchasing them.
Trane Loften |
Trane takes the map and familiarizes himself with it after a quick study.
"Well, we might as well begin. The journey of a million steps starts with one."
He bows to the two adventurers.
"May we meet again."
Off to the temple!!
Uldar Aren |
Uldar grins at the impetous human then says "Well, I guess we shall start moving on. But first I want to go check the market Otis pointed us." then, looking at the map Uldar asks "Otis talk us about some protections of the temple. What do you know about it? Can we just go there and step in? Or are there some sigils, locks, spells or traps protecting the temple doors? Has anyone got in or at least close to it in recent times? I don't want to open those doors and break something the old sages from that past war placed there to prevent the evil to come out."
Brandor Bulwark |
"Good thinking, Uldar. Best be as prepared as we can be. I might want to be taking some holy water, as I expect we might need what we can to counter any lingering evil."
Story Master |
Mother Screng (to Kalizama): Well, I just happen to have something here you might be interested in. In fact, I'm tired of it taking up space...let's see, where did I put that? She rummages around a shelf, poking around piles of books and parchment, and pulls a small book, no larger than a pocket notebook, bound between wooden covers. No one around here has ever expressed an interest in this old book, but you might find it useful. How does 350 gold pieces sound for this?
Perusing the books pages finds it contains the following spells:
2nd — bull's strength, invisibility, levitate, resist energy
1st — endure elements, enlarge person, erase, expeditious retreat, feather fall, hold portal, jump, magic weapon, shield
Story Master |
Mother Screng (to Uldar): Folks around here avoid going near that old place, and that includes me. But, something is going on there. If the area around and in the Temple are being occupied, then I would suspect locks and traps will keep the curious away. One thing to keep in mind...it was called the Temple of Elemental Evil, and encountering things of earth, fire, air and water immediately come to my mind. So, be prepared for almost anything. If you need healing or magical items, we can help you out. The market has other goods you might need or be interested in acquiring. If it were me, I would scout out the area, identify the immediate threats to be seen, and then prepare according to your best estimates.
If, like Kalizama, you desire to purchase something in particular, let me know before we head off to the Temple.
Kalizama |
Replying to Mother Screng: Yes, Ma'am, I think you are right. I might find it useful indeed. And 350GP sounds like a fair price to me. By the way, I would like a couple of Cure Light Wounds potions too, please. I rummage around in my backpack to find my money pouch and take it out and open it. Here you go and I hand her the gold pieces she requested. Taking the small book and the potions I say Thank you so much, Mother Screng.
To the others in our group: Well I guess I am ready to go whenever the rest of you are.
Uldar Aren |
"There are plenty of things I would love to buy Mother, but unfortunedly I am very much run out of gold at the moment." then walking to the stepdoor "Let's go explore what's going on in that Temple then. I guess we can visit the market later on." says Uldar as he steps out of the herbalist shop.
Trane Loften |
Trane looks over their meager resources.
"Mother, would you have a wand of healing? Even one partially charged."
I think a CLW wand would be more efficient if we have the money and won't provoke.
Uldar Aren |
"I totally aggree with you Trane. I can only invest 60gp though."
Story Master |
Mother Screng: I do not have a Cure Light Wounds wand presently. I can obtain one, but it will take a couple of days to arrive.
Ya'day (to the Group): In the interest of saving some time, and to encourage you to begin your search at once, I will give you this wand. It is almost out of charges, so I will freely grant it to you. Be careful.... She hands a wand of Cure Light Wounds to Brandor, which has six (6) charges remaining on it.
Kenz Orinar |
Lowers his hand holding the bottle and looks about petulantly, having been shot down and since no one's accepting his toast or drinking vividly green, mild hallucinogens with him. He returns Trane's gaze with a cool but nonplussed one of his own.
Story Master |
The group heads out, traveling south from Nulb. The road leading from Nulb to the Temple area is rutted and spotted with rank weeds — thistles, burrs, thorns and nettles. Some foot and animal traffic has been using the track, but it is not a busy thoroughfare.
As you approach the Temple area, the vegetation is disconcerting — dead trees with a skeletal appearance, scrub growth twisted and unnaturally colored, all unhealthy and sickly looking or exceptionally robust and disgusting. The ruins of the Temple's outer works appear as dark and overgrown mounds of gray rubble and blackish weeds. Skulls and bones of humans and humanoids gleam white here and there amidst the weeds. A grove of some oddly stunted and unhealthy looking trees still grows along the northern end of the former Temple compound, and a stump of a tower juts up from the northeast corner of the shattered wall. The leprous gray Temple, however, stands intact, its arched buttresses somehow obscene with their growth of climbing vegetation.
Everything surrounding the place is disgusting. The myriad leering faces and twisting, contorted forms writhe and seem to jape at the obscenities they depict. The growth in the compound is rank and noisome. Thorns clutch, burrs stick, and crushed stems either emit foul stench or raise angry weals on exposed flesh. Worst of all, however, is the pervading fear which seems to hang over the whole area — a smothering, clinging, almost tangible cloud of vileness and horror.
Sounds seem distorted, either muffled and shrill or unnaturally loud and grating. Your eyes play tricks. You see darting movements out of the corner of your eye, just at the edge of vision; but when you shift your gaze towards such, of course, there is nothing there at all. You
cannot help but wonder who or what made the maze of narrow paths through the weedy courtyard. What sort of thing would wander here and there around the ghastly edifice of Evil without shrieking and gibbering and going completely mad?
Yet the usual mundane sounds of your travel are accompanied only by the chorus of the winds, moaning through hundreds of Temple apertures built to sing like doomed souls given over to the tender mercies of demonkind, echoed by macabre croaks from the scattered flapping, hopping, leering ravens. The jagged stub of a large tower stands up from the razed walls. Two black birds are perched on the tower top, about 25 feet up.
There is no doubt; you have come to a place of ineffable Evil. Still, it is most certainly a place for high adventure and untold treasures. It is time to ready spells, draw weapons, check equipment, and set forth into the maze of peril that awaits you.
Some Skill rolls would be helpful here, as you prepare to enter the Temple complex.
Uldar Aren |
Observing carefully the temple and the courtyard in front, Uldar says "So this is the source of all that evil. It seems there are no signs of any creature around far from the far time dead corpses."
Perception (peek through the courtyard for dangers or tracks; +2 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Starting to round the temple if no one else stops him, he says "I am courious about that shattered tower there, maybe we can start by exploring that. As the temple seems totally intact." Which actually makes it quite creepy thinks for himself while rounding the temple and observing carefully the windows, doors, air entrances and sculpture art in the impressive building.
Perception (look around the temple for entrances and weird things; +2 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Story Master |
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
As the group approaches the broken tower, which is situated along the northeast section of the Temple complex, you notice that the upper stories of it have collapsed, leaving only the first level intact. One heavy door can be seen, barred and chained shut from the outside. Arrow slits are visible on either side of the door, but peering in them reveals only blackness beyond. On either side of the door stone walls flank the way, each wall crumbling but standing about 8 feet tall.
A map has been added to the FB group.
Uldar Aren |
"Shhh! Let's try to be quiet. We don't know what dangers lie around the Temple." Uldar whisppers to the team and then approaches the tower as stealthy as he can.
Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
And observes carefully in order to discover any relevant clue, and specially any danger or signal of recent inhabitation of the tower.
Perception (+2 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
If no signal of danger is discovered, Uldar peers through the arrow slits and investigates the door and its lock.
Garm Stoutsole |
Garm uses his new magic hat to "change" into a more muted set of clothing as the party enters the ruins. Those that frequent such places rarely had any appreciation of his performances anyways.
Garm follows behind Uldar and the party attempting to discern any secret passageways, hidden levers or the like that the unscrupulous would use against us.
Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Know(Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Not even enough to aid Kalizama :(
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Story Master |
Kalizama casts a spell upon herself, while looking around the area...
Garm stealthily changes his appearance, and observes the area carefully...
Uldar Aren |
If no one tries to stop him, Uldar starts removing the chain and the bar very quitely, trying to avoid the smallest of noises. "Let's see what have they closed here inside." he whisppers to the team "I suppouse we should prepare for whatever."
Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
Disable device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Uldar Aren |
"In that case prepare to go in sneaky. Whatever spell which can conceal you will be of help. Whatever is there I would not expect it to be friendly. If combat arise, I will try to focus my arrows in any clear spellcaster while you engage the melee. Expect the tower to be dark, so someone prepare a light. And casters can provide us with enhancement spells now and later try to disable and harm our foes as best as you can. Do you agree with the plan?" whisppers Uldar.
He then waits for everybody preparing weapons, torches and spells. If everybody agrees with his plan, he steps to one side trying to gain cover from the stepdoor stone and opens like that the door entering defensive stance at the same time. If anyone expres doubt or disagreement, Uldar waits for orders.
+4 ac total defense, +2 ac acrobatics on total defense stance, +4 cover = +10 ac
AC 30+uncanny dodge
Once him or other person opens the door, he looks inside.
Perception (+2 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Brandor Bulwark |
"I'll just apologize now... stealth isn't really my strong suit..."
Brandor stands ready as the lock pops open, and mutters a quick (non-magical) prayer for their safe exploration.
Story Master |
As you move about, please specify an ending square on the map.
Uldar steps aside as the others prepare, and then Kenz opens the door and steps into the tower. He is immediately met by a hail of arrows fired out of the darkness through the doorway!
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
One of the arrows 1d8 ⇒ 1 knicks him for 1 point of damage!
Several swordsmen jump into the fray, attacking with swords!
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
In their haste to attack, Kenz is able to parry their blows!
Roll for Initiative!
Uldar Aren |
Ouch! I think there was a missunderstanding. I meant to squeeze at the door doorstep borders, trying to gain cover from the door corners while I was opening. I did not meant to move out of combat for others to take the damage. Can I be repositioned to F20, G21 or F22?
Looking startled at the crowd of humans who seemed to be waiting for them he shouts "Holly crap! Who are you? What are you doing at this tower next to the temple?" As he sees the arrows firing over his companion, Uldar readies for combat fetching an arrow into his bow.
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Are they looking like guardians or evil templars?
I am ok if you roll Initiative and other passive rolls as Saving throws for me.