Orland's foot is looking much better, like it did before that bite.
All 5 toes are functioning.
-----------------------------
Sivar & Orland
-----------------
Leader (-20) & Z'kthorplu (-33)
-----------------
Father Burdock & Grint
Elsa
Orland gives a happy nod to Brudock before testing his new foot out on the Beast. Leaping into the air with a spinning dropkick before curving an axe kick at the Leader.
" We'll see about that "
Orland's attack against the Z'kthorplu misses by a foot, but he lands a hit on the leader, who lets out a grunt of discomfort.
Sivar
-----------------
Leader (-20 /15 nl) & Z'kthorplu (-33)
-----------------
Father Burdock & Grint
Elsa
Sivar moves next to burdock and attempts to spiff the leader with the flat of his weapon
The leader's getting some attention now, as after an ice blast and a kick, a fauchard comes his way as well.
The leader ducks, but his robes take a tear.
"I'll get you for that!"
------------------------
The leader steps 5 feet forward, and slashes at Sivar with his dagger.
But Sivar merely leans back a bit to avoid the poor strike.
The Z'kthorplu bites continue.
Its first head bites Orland in the other ankle, and it recovers 4 hp.
------------------------
Father Burdock & Grint
Elsa
Elsa unleashes another powerful blast at the Leader
*1.5=22 Cold Damage
REF DC 15 or be entangled.
Father Burdock & Grint
Elsa (impending ice blast)
Father Burdock steps 5 feet towards the leader, and swings his hammer.
It's a miss, unfortunately.
Grint moves SE, drawing his bow.
The arrow comes close, but it's not close enough. The heat's coming down on him now....
...until another ice blast comes his way.
Despite the reflexes of the leader, the strain on his bruised body is enough to make him lose consciousness.
......
The Z'kthorplu remains, however, eager for blood.
----------------------------
Sivar & Orland
---------------------
Z'kthorplu (-29)
---------------------
Father Burdock & Grint
Elsa
Sivar switches targets and stabbities at the Z
Seeing his more accurate blows failing Orland goes to hold down the creature in an attempt to make it easier to subdue.
" Now sit! "
Sivar makes a sharp strike, hitting the Z'kthorplu in the side.
It goes in, enough to cause an eerie growl, before it spasms as it stands...before it 'melts' into a disgusting custard of molten flesh, before drying up.
Combat over!!
Orland calms down wiping sweat from his brow as his state returns to normal relatively pooped. He stands over the cultists and looks at the portal.
" Wha' do yah do about tha'? "
Sivar is concerned with getting the goo from the Z off his Fauchard.. shaking it this way and that.. wiping it on the cultists.
At Orlands words Sivar has a look at the orb and thinks about what it could be..
The portal's other observer is still watching you.
Although blood sacrifices to invoke divine favor is not uncommon among various civilizations and cults, no religious cases pop to mind, that resemble what you see here.
However your contemplating portals and summoning, is worth more.
Portals can be created to connect various places or to summon creatures from other planes.
Although said summoned creatures appear from a summoning circle or thin air, like eagles and such, to summon something really strong, a portal would be the means for something to enter this plane.
The more that is required to open a portal, the stronger the thing coming through would be.
As the thing on the other side wasn't watching through it from the start, you did notice an utter void on the other side. A nothingness pitch black.
----------------------
To counter an open portal, would require an equally strong source of energy....
"Good job everyone.", Burdock thanking the party as he takes a quick breath. He then turns to the portal. "I can only hope that the Bulwark will shut this thing down along with banishing the other evils in the area."
He looks around, hoping to find some clue to where to find an operating control or something for the ancient dwarven device.
Father Burdock sees a hammer shaped slot similar to the one of abbot Burdock's room's safe.
Once again, Burdock takes his holy symbol and places it in the slot. "By Torag, I pray this works."
Sivar will explain the contents of the spoiler to all
"Aye I hope so too."
When Father Burdock places his symbol in the slot, something within slides, with the sound of stone being shoved upon stone.
The large ball part slides open slightly, revealing a square with the shape of a hand, dwarven size.
Just in case....
Only the energy of Torag can activate the Bulwark.
I remembered that line... can't channel energy, but hoping some runeforging would suffice.
Burdock, pondering the words of his forefather, inscribes blessed runes of power into the stone hand imprint and places his hand inside.
The dwarf then tries to push some of his magical energy into the stone rest.
Father Burdock needs little inscribing to do himself, old dwarven runes accompany the hand shape.
With the commotion of the cultists having been beaten, the shapes of deliberately shoved aside bones are visible, at the feet of the columns.
It leaves little to the imagination who these unfortunates were.
With renewed resolve, Father Burdock casts a blessing spell.
--------------
At first, the hand shape starts glowing only faintly under his own hand.
But over the next several moments, the sound of metal and stone on each other is heard, and the glow becomes stronger.
The sphere humms softly, and there is an increase in lighting coming from the Bulwark device. A dome of transparent light creeps from the Bulwark, expanding steadily in a growing pace, in all directions.
The whispers coming from the portal turn to an angry tone, alongside an eerie sound mostly resembling a screech.
The light from the Bulwark collides with the portal, and as it passes it, the portal closes.
---------Narrator stuff-----------
What ensues, unseen by the group of adventurers, and their newfound ally, is one of a kind. They had completed what the dwarves so long ago were trying to achieve.
The light of the Bulwark device covered much of the tunnel system, before dissipating, creating a barrier that would block advancements of the evils from the dark tunnels from reaching the monastery.
Burdock releases his magical energy, then takes in the surrounding area as he sees the holy light begin its cleanse. "It worked... my family's work is finished.", a tear rolling down the otherwise stoic dwarf's cheek.
Exhaausted, Burdock rests sits on the ground and looks to his allies. "Thank you, my new friends. We have done a great thing and we'll have to let the powers of Janderhoff know what we have accomplished.". Burdock looks to the ground as he continues. "I know we still haven't found the diamond for Tessa's return, but with Thorn's demise, too, I am hoping that one of the brothers may have have found one so we can at least complete his last goal."
"It feels good for something good to be restored once again. It's better than to fight evil over and over where we encounter them. Now at least, this can be a haven for people seeking refuge in the darkness."
Orland crossed his arms and gave a toothy grin which finally displayed in full glory his tusks as well. He gave a small chuckle the situation much more favorable than his previous position. Listening to the Dwarven Cleric. A series of words confused the man however, as the priest mentioned names.
" Wha'? Och there Sir Dwarf, wha'cha talkin' about a Thorn an' Tessa? Tha' name sounds familia'. Did he use an axe? Y'know Iffn' yah can tell mah where we are tha'd be great. "
He starts looking around for his own belongings as the situation went on but was clearly curious. Eventually pointing to the men.
" Well, tah portal is closed. Wha' about the men? "
To Grint, Burdock smiles. "Yes, it was Torag's hand that guided me... no, us, here for a greater purpose. Another vile plan of this mysterious cult has been thwarted and the caves of Janderhoff now have extra security for the rightful claim of its people."
At Orland's response, Burdock's heart drops. "Aye, lad, they were our allies, and fallen comrades to the same cult we just battled.", the dwarf walking over to the large half-orc. "I have no fear of the green of your skin; you fought admirably, and if you were friends with Lass Tessa and Lad Thorn, then you have my condolences.", Burdock offering a handshake to the warrior.
About the unconscious cultists, Burdock pauses for a second before replying. "We should tie them up and give them to the royal guards. The knowledge that the Bulwark is working as well as the fact that these cultists infiltrated it for their nefarious plans must be shared."
Cutting some straps of their robes, as well as the sleeves, you fabricate some makeshift bonds and gags.
The cultists won't wake up for a number of hours, with green going to stay KO the longest.
The spirits of Abbot Burdock and head paladin Stonehammer, come into the big hall.
Burdock:"Such a neglected ruin this has become."
Stonehammer:"Yet these tall folk and our fellow Toragite have done it."
Burdock:"We felt a sudden vibe in the air, and we felt the bond of oath lifted. There is not much time left before our release."
The head paladin nods, while standing stoically with his hammer.
Burdock:"In name of our former order, we thank you, for completing our mission, even if it has been long due.
Before we depart, i wish to bestow you a gift, if it will work."
Abbot Burdock's ghostly hand reaches for Father Burdock's holy symbol, and touches it if he lets him.
His holy symbol glows softly as the abbot touches it.
"There, in my spirit state i can not do as much as i could in life, but now you can recall some of Torag's power, from time to time."
"It is an honor to serve you, my forefather, and to you, his brother-in-arms and honorable of Torag, too.", Burdock kneeling in front of the spectral dwarves.
"Is there any last bits of wisdom or parting words you would like me to share with our family or with the clergy?", he asks.
Abbot Burdock ponders a moment.
"Aye, if there be a chance for the dwarves to reclaim our monastery, and or some evidence of our tale be carried on, it would be very much appreciated."
Sivar is watching, he doesn't know what say to so he just walks over after Burdocks words and claps Orland on the shoulder in comraderie.
After a short pause and a few looks around to be sure.. "It feels good to be.. safe."
We did good Grint, we did good. Elsa says to her bodyguard, and sometime pack mule.
Father Burdock, are we going to leave now? It's damp, and dark.
"And I've run out of arrows, I'd be a mere nuisance to people with just my sword and in this weakened state."
After your small talk with them, the spirits start to fade.
"Our oath is fulfilled, we are going to see our brethren again.
Fare you well."
With that, everything is quiet as the monastery itself.
Orland nods to the man who had a wrapped face but seems to break a little inside, a certain shimmer in his eyes as the news hit him. He shook his head, placing a hand over his face and having the finger and thumb massage his eyeballs.
" So the boy lost his life. Such ah gentle heart he had. But tha' dodn't make any sense. He was sup'ossed tah be around tha' Kharum place. Ah was in Nirmathis, I couldn' be tha' far from there. "
Orland says confused and distraught.
" Did he die a good death? Yah musta' been his companions? "
"He passed valiantly in battle. The cult we just fought has been using various monstrosities and Thorn unfortunately fell victim to one of them. We all traveled here from Kharum, actually, investigating more about this cult and trying to stop its machinations as we find them.", Burdock answers as he makes sure the prisoners are sufficiently bound and gagged. "Let's find the Orc-hammer brothers, see if they're doing well, and make our way back. Hopefully they found a pair of suitable diamonds off of any other duergar they came across."
Orland sighed then looked up to the ceiling as if expecting another answer from above before looking back to Burdock.
" Very well then. Ah sup'ose ther' is nuthin' tah be done. Luck'ly Ah found yah all. Such a long way from mah area. Just take mah where yah need to go. Thorn an I are Brotha's in a way. Tah hear he is doin' this for a lady an friends makes meh proud. This cult will pay but it seems yah all got that. "
Orland slung the leader cultist over his shoulder.
"Despite our victory here, I fear that there are others still out there; you can make sure they get what is owed to them.", the dwarf relenting to the fact that there are still more of this evil to conquer. "I guess we haven't had a proper introduction yet. I am Burdock Kilnborn, or Father Burdock as I was called back in my short time in Kharum. What brought you here from Nirmathas?"
Orland swipes his thumb across his nose and grinned to keep his current feeling of dread from completely seeping through.
" Ah'm not anthing special but Ah guess its in order. Mah name is Orland Basch, Follower Ah Kurgess and part of tah Evanescent Brigade. High'ah up tha' Thorn by a bit. As for how Ah got here. Ask him. "
He thumbs to the cultist.
" Didn' come here of Mah own free Will. Drugged meh up. Surprised Ah got moved this far. "
The Orc-Hammer brothers turn around, when you return, their scholar and cleric still occupied by the great forge hall.
The three dwarven escorts and the two humans have taken sentry posts at both doorways.
Youngest: "Ah, i see you've prisoners?
Would they happen to be related to the..eh, fake treasure chest? That thing has some weird rune on it's 'head'."
The scholar is now eagerly looking for anything, about what you returned from. His note book is sticking partially out of his backpack's pockets.
"Yes, they tried to use the shrine of the Bulwark for a portal to who knows where; we managed to defeat then and activate the Bulwark to close the portal. These tunnels should be much safer now."
The elder brother scratches the back of his neck for a moment.
"You'll have to tell us over the evening meal. Meanwhile, things have been quiet here, but all the better.
Our scholarly friend here was as happy as a little lad getting to hold a hammer for the first time."
The scholar makes a gesture, dismissing the remark.
Elder brother: "We've documented the interior, and the information should be quite an asset to our clergy in Janderhoff.
The only places i want to visit, are the bastion, and the grand quarry."
Orland waves to the Dwarves, slightly confused upon the whole situation but assumes that the group of individuals who assisted himself were affliated with these people.
" Tha's somethin' yah have tah speak tah them about. "
His head titles to the side at Janderhoff, as if trying to figure out what it meant. Seemed Dwarven.
The scholar seems to have noticed Orland's pondering.
"It's our home city, young man. The word big would be an understatement."
"Young scholar, what notes have you found out from your investigations?", Burdock asks, letting a bit of curiosity overtake him.
To the elder Orc-hammer, Burdock answers, "The bastion would be my first choice."
To the confused Orland, Burdock explains, "How rude of me! We are joining an expedition with the Orc-hammer brothers to catalogue and find knowledge and items of interest of our ancestors in the tunnels beneath Janderhoff. Our reason was initially to get a diamond off of one of the duergar that may be patrolling these tunnels, but we have not had any success there. But since we promised to follow the expedition through, we need to finish exploring a couple of other sites before we return topside."
" Fair nuff' Ah'm just in a titsy abou' how far I am. Dwarf territory. I'll try not tah slow yah down. Owe yah tha' much . "
Orland understanding the situation much better than before, though only in some melancholy self-assurance.
The scholar was waiting for your own accounts from the hall beyond, but puts his quill aside.
"Well, i've documented the layout of the monastery up to here.
Likewise, i've deciphered the name plaque in the entrance as best i could."
"I have to say, this is one of the greatest grand forges i have seen, makes one feel a bit humbled, don't you think?
We've found a small number of scrolls, preserved in cases, amidst some dusty shelves. It mentions some history of their paladins' group, the founding of the monastery itself.
It's not a bad find, they even have a few scrolls on their order's daily customs."
"Ahhh, we found what the order called, 'The Bulwark', a device that would use Torag's power to create a cleansing barrier in these tunnels that would remove the evils against dwarfkind. It was head by Abbot Burdock and Lord Paladin Stonehammer. It is now active, although I do not know if it will need to be reactivated again at a later time to recharge Torag's power."
Upon hearing about the scrolls of daily customs, Burdock smiles. "Aye, I would appreciate a look at them some time; I realize that I have a greater connection to this monastery than I had thought, and any information in there would be of personal interest."
"No problem. Here.."
He hands you two scroll cases.
In general, the scroll of the paladins describes their training, vows of dedication, and the details of forging their armor.
It's not very different from current day methods, but it does depict an example to forge their crest into the chest.
The one on daily customs describes the responsibilities each of the prominent members had, and what sort of affairs the order conducted, to protect and provide, for the dwarves who traveled between the quarries and the older cities.
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Elsa defers to Father Burdock on matters Dwarven. However, whatever decision she will probably complain about it.