Alright then, I guess we are making a run at the Temple. I think we should try to see what we can see about this place. Guards, who comes and goes. What time are the guards rotated....what time do people show up. Then we can compare notes and plan accordingly. Sound good?
Cerilis looks at Augier and then back at Ramne.
Master Ramne, I apologize in advance for my next question as I am not certain what would be proper etiquette in this situation. Would you be willing to allow Augier here to peruse your spell books. It is my hope that he will be able to find some spells that will be of help to use in the future. Would this be acceptable to you?
Wait, isn't he a divine spellcaster? He draws his magic from the gods.
The old man makes a friendly smile of patience to Cerilis before speaking, I have no such book. I am too feeble to go or I would go myself. I will keep a watchful eye out while you inspect the temple.
With a simple nod Cerilis agrees.
Let us move out before dark then. It sounds like some of these creatures that we have encountered operate at night better than the day. I think it would be better to investigate now then.
Well considering we are a bunch of elves and a dwarf, the increasing darkness can help us.
"Ummm..."
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"Ravenna goy a humming point, that said we should move already. Darkness isn't the only thing that worries me, every moment spent talking is a moment they have to prepare against us." says the ranger caressing his weapons "We announced our presence already at the inn, if I were the evil cultist I'd be fortifying the shite out of my lair!"
Very well, let us head out.
"Actually my point was that I'm neither an elf nor a dwarf and I'll need some light."
You should not need light during the day..and once we get indoors there will be light aplenty since there are humans at the temple.
Then temple can be seen across the village from the Grove as it rests upon the highest elevation of all of the buildings. As night begins to fall, torches and sconces are lit not just along the temple walls, but throughout the village as well in hopes of deterring any nefarious activity.
The old man assures you that he believes there is probably some activities taking place this very moment, but admits that it is speculation based upon previous sightings and the rumors of townsfolk. He supports your plan to proceed with the investigation in the morning and offers everyone comfortable lodging, including Medved's bear.
Augier reads his spellbook and gets some shuteye. Still think we should attack at night.
Zirul finds a comfortable spot and lays his head down for a, hopefully, good night's sleep.
The morning comes and Cerilis sits in his bed sharpening his weapon.
Siondel snuggles up with his bear and makes sure his horse is stabled and curried. Not in that order.
Come morning, he is ready to adventure, bright and early.
Ravenna is a bit sleepy the next morning and arrives with her hair somewhat disheveled and her hat at an odd angle.
Cerilis looks at everyone as they prepare for the day at hand.
If everyone is ready, then lets go and finish this.
Indeed, all set
"Ready when you are."
Well there are a few ways we could go about this...through the front door and just make ourselves at home....or...Jax and I take point and see how we can get in without being seen. A back door maybe or a place where we can enter detected.
Scouting out beforehand seems wise.
"The longer we can go undetected, the better. Especially if we can neutralize some of the bad guys without alerting the whole temple. I don't know how good the rest of us would be sneaking around like you two, though."
Siondel puts all his gear together, including the barding for Medved.
"Well, I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Yep," says Ravenna as she stifles a yawn. "Let's go um... I was gonna say find some excitement, but I guess staking out a temple isn't very exciting. Well, job to be done, anyway!"
The bright sun shines in the face of the outsiders as they carefully approach the temple. All is quiet in town. The gentle breeze sways fields of wheat between farmhouses. There are no children playing outside.
There is nothing noteworthy about the temple, easily seen from afar, except that it is the only stone building in Orlane and maintains the highest elevation in town.
Even from your approach, you can see the large wooden doors being slowly opened by for hooded figures. Two for each door. They do not notice you as you are still some distance to the west.
So the doors are open, maybe a procession will be coming out? We can come around the side and keep buildings and bushes between us and the temple to keep hidden
I think we should scout around the perimeter first and see what we can find out.
Agreed, let us do that.
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"I'll sneak around this side." says Jax pointing to the temple's left side. "Cerillis, do you feel confident to scout the other side? The othera should see what and who enters or exits the place and be prepared to save us." he adds with a smile.
"If I don't find anything interesting or strange, and there aren't many watchers I will try to climb to the top, peek around and see what's going on inside. If I mamage that, I'll fire a marked arrow to one of these trees." says Jax as he uses his handaxe to mark the shaft of one of his arrows.
And with another smile he leaves.
Augier keeps watch as Jax and Cerillis sneak off.
Ravenna hangs out with Augier. "This could get spooky. I'm excited!" she whispers.
"Spooky? As in ghosts and spirits? I hope our opposition is a bit more terrestrial, to be honest. My arrows and Medved's teeth won't land so well on wisps or phantasms."
"Oh, just a temple secretly overrun by evil creatures and who knows what going on - a mystery cult? Undead things? Stuff lurking around in the dark? I dunno! But it's still exciting."
Augier starts sweating...which causes all sorts of difficulties for everyone.
"Calm down all of you, especially you Augier, their going to hear us."
Cerilis nods agreement and moves along.
And trips over a pebble.
not that easy to assault a temple
Calm down.....you can do this
After dragging his feet for some distance, Cerilis quietly disappears.
The morning sun begins to warm the stone walls as the breeze dissipates. Jax wanders skillfully around the left while Cerilis shuffles a bit before scurrying off to the right all in the bright stillness of the morning. Nothing occurs at the beautifully carved wooden gates of the compound as they both stand open.
Jax's plan worked perfectly. His knot held and on the first try, the makeshift grappling caught hold of a notch in the wall. Jax was able to climb up to the top to get a good look around the courtyard. The plants and statues were a disheveled mess, showing recent signs of decay. A single hooded figure was busy trying to manicure the landscape, accomplishing very little as the effort was half-hearted.
Augier sweats some more.
Cerilis makes his way around to the right and decides to move closer to the gates and take a peek inside.
Cerilis makes it easily to the gate to witness the hooded figure feign attempts at gardening as the plants are overgrown and competing with weeds creating a wild mess of shrubbery instead of the well-groomed garden that you would expect to find.