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Vuzi moves up and looks at the priest. Her mouth opens but no one hears anything come out of it.
The rager barely stands. He stagger and is losing a startling amount of blood, but he swings again out of sheer, bloody determination! At tree troll next to him!
But both his swings are too slow and the troll dodges them!
The priest fighting Kayla hits her again, but it isn't as hard this time. The poison is clearly working!
The trolls do more roaring. They are trying to keep the Rager's attention, and it's working!
Archie charges the priest fighting kayla, but misses!
Seeing that the end of the (probably magically enhanced) rager has likely come, a sadness fills Simon, even as he stabs the slowing brute repeatedly.
"May Gozreth gift you piece in death,
a piece you never found in life."
Following his words with actions, Simon uses Emily as a jump-enhancer to spiral up to head-height of the brute.
There he does something messy and lethal with the enemies neck and you're glad that you cannot follow the fast movements of the cats blade anymore, so you are spared most of the details...
Zadira shoots at the priest that is bothering Kayla.
Both foes fall in pools of blood that aren't entirely their own.
Seeing Cain and the two tough girls coming out of the other room (in no haste), Simon will back away and slump against the back wall.
"Wheow, that was ... intense-meew.
Those," he points at the brute and the priests,
"were not here last time.
Everyone doing okay?
How is Catarya, I think I heard something about her being downed-miii?"
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Grelthe appears through the doorway with a look of concentrated purpose on her face, that floods with relief as she sees the last enemies fall.
"Well fought, companions! Catarya's doing better now. Saracek hits like a freight train, though. Then again, so does Cain-Marco-Cain!"
She kicks one of the downed enemies at her feet "If we make sure these guys are completely dead, or move to another room, I can channel to heal our group. I wouldn't want to heal them by accident." She grins lopsidedly at her last remark.
Zadira isn't hurt, so she starts looting the bodies.
Lootz: +2 Unrighteous Heavy steel shield
+1 Morningstar
2x Morningstar
3x Chain Shirt
Greatclub
Jeweled Crown worth 250 gp
Inside the room where Saracel was slain you find an altar to Orcus anchoring a permanent Unhallow spell and a chest with an easily discoverable trap.
It is easily disarmed. Inside the chest are 2,500 cp, 3,219 sp and 982 gp as well as 12 50 gp gems. Also found inside the chest are an arcane scroll (protection from energy, CL 10th), a +2 tome of understanding, and 16 +1 arrows in a rotten quiver. Inside a hidden compartment in the lid of the chest (DC 12 Perception check to discover) are 3 potions: reduce person, delusionary cure light wounds (PC believes he is healed for 2d6 hp), and cure serious wounds.
You wouldn't be faulted in thinking that Archibald would start lauding his kill over everyone. Instead, the man seems to be staring at the priest he slew. He is ashen pale and is barely breathing. He suddenly runs to the corner and retches.
"De twins can do dat, and Archibald's helpers. Who didn't actually help." she gives them a long look.
Vuzi looks half tempted to raise the priest just to upset Archibald ever more, but she manages to just refrain.
Cain takes a seat on the ground, tired. After a moment he smashes his club down on the skeleton’s body, smashing him further to pieces to calm himself down ”is everyone ok?
Kayla sheaths her blade, trying to look like it was nothing taking out this priest.
she gives a smirk as Archie runs off, recalling her first kill. But the smirk turns to a frown, she pulls out a pastry and munches away. seemingly using the sugar to take away a bad memory.
outside of the gems, Kayla isn't super interested in the items. most don't work for her anyway.
she is interested in the fake healing potions, as well as some real ones.
Archie, you okay? Did you also want to buy this cursed shield?
After healing, she examines the loot found by Zadira. "Zadira could make good use of those magic arrows! I wouldn't mind switching out my magic mace for that magic morningstar, if no one else is interested. Since we have two healers, I would be fine with you guys taking the healing potion. Who would benefit most from the tome? It seems quite powerful. I don't think it is possible to disenchant the shield or the altar? The rest doesn't seem especially useful to us, maybe we could sell most of it?" She suddenly realizes she might be taking liberties jumping ahead with the division of spoils, and takes a step back. She eyes the undead trolls. "How many ways are we dividing this?"
Archibald looks up like commerce is the last thing on his mind. Sure. Whatever... he moans.
"Dat makes sense. I think ve should sell de fancy book. Dat vay ve all get monies. I'd look gud in de crown, but ve better sell it." she laughs. She does notice the look at the twins.
"Dey don't get a share. Ve're safing to make Vance better. Dats vy he iz vith us."
"Well, tat could haf gone better, but te enemy was fery powerful. I nefer saw one tat strong before."
She shudders with the thought.
She looks at the book longingly.
"It is a shame to sell such a precious ting, but it would be unfair for one person to take such a large share for temselfs."
"But where to sell it? Zelkor's Ferry probably has not enough gold to buy it from us. Port Peril?"
Nikki has little sympathy or regard for Archibald. After a precursory detect magic she will sit against a wall crosslegged while the party discusses the aftermath. She ponders how the battle went and appears deep in reflection. When asked for her status...
"My most impactful talents have been used, but I so long as it isn't another battle like this I am not out of tricks yet."
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After catching his breath, letting the positive energy wash over his hurting body, Simon will get up and walk over to Archibald.
He will pad the shoulder of the limb man and talk to him in a low, soft voice.
"Taking a life is terrible-meew.
But this was a fight for all our lives and a fight between good and evil-grch.
And you, fought on the right side, the side of good.
Our enemies were fallen, evil people and they would have done foul things to all of us, probably enslaving us even after death-frchh.
Moan the loss of life, but celebrate the victory of good over evil and the fact that an evil entity of great power is no longer in this world-meow."
Kayla mulls over the treasure, and makes a move to take the fake healing potions. she winces a bit as the wounds she got start to take their affect.
I could use a little healing, seems I make have a few broken ribs here. and is anyone interested in these fake healing potions? I would like them, and some of those gems as well.
Hearing Kaylas wince, Simon will quickly stepping over to her and laying soft paws over her wounds.
"I think, that should do it, or what do you think-miii?"
Simon, you can feel Archibald trembling under your paw, but he slowly stands and nods.
I had no idea... this life is not what I want, but I have verified the authenticity of your items. Just let me know what you have and I'll write up a funds authorization for Pye.
At this point Vance slides up and starts acting very merchant-y, talking about item values, itemized invoices, guarantees, and a whole lot of other Merchant sounding things that made no sense. Within ten minutes there is an agreement drawn up and signed.
Excelent! Vance decairs, Your good father will be most pleased! Please give him my kind regards when you return. And my regrets, of course, that I couldn't come with you. There's just so much to be done!
Vuzi gives Vance a big proud parent smile. We won't be cheated if he's in charge of our selling.
"Vance do vu know hiz father?" she's still trying to figure out how long he'd been in that room.
Once again the rat thing will approach Grelthe, having taken her to be the leader of this new band. After stepping forward boldly she will suddenly hesitate, wondering if perhaps she ought to not say. Her indecision would be apparent, but yes.
"Lady Grelthe, I am new to this venture and I certainly do not wish to part company so soon after you have proven how incredibly mighty your lot is, but you were trying to find your way back to town and have done more than your part in aiding us. Do you and yours need to find your way back to town right this moment or can you help us continue forward further still?"
Zadira looks over at Grelthe, wondering what she is going to say to that.
"I can continue for a while," Catarya says, shrugging.
"Shouldn't we ... uhmm ... escort Archibald back to town first-miii?"
We can handle that. The sheriff says to Simon.
The sherriff is being honest, but his second looks surprised for a moment. You suddenly don't trust her. You probably don't have to babysit him back, but it would be a good idea to make sure they are being paid well for this job.
Vance shares a private grin with Vuzi. I don't, but I know someone (now long dead) who did, and I'm using that lost friendship to...grease the wheels.
We can handle that.
"That's just great-meow."
Turning back to the others, Simon will add:
"We could check out this level together and head back to town once the day draws to an end.
Better sleep under the sky on the way back, than down here-meow.
I think we should celebrate our victory and have a long talk about our adventures down here and the dangers bested."
As the impish ratfolk compliments her team, a slightly darker green radiates out from the half-orc's cheeks... is she blushing? She seems lost for words for a moment and looks to her companions. After Catarya agrees, Grelthe nods and says "We were planning on heading to town soonish, but our need is not immediate. We can travel with you further. You okay with that, Kayla?"
She notices the sheriff's second's response and raises an eyebrow at her. "Were you only hired to keep him safe within the dungeon, or escort him back and forth as well? The roads can be dangerous in other ways. Perhaps you need further... incentive?" She turns to Archibald fancypants "I understand if you wish to return immediately, this life is a dangerous one and not for everyone." Her eyes soften as she adds "The first time you take a life is the hardest. I pray you need not be in that situation again."
The slightest hint of surprise flits across the lieutenant's face, but it's gone before it becomes obvious. Indeed. Our contract only states that we are responsible for him inside the dungeon itself.
The sherriff sighs. She's always the stickler for details, but she's is correct.
Cain nods "perhaps it would be best we return anyway, so we can actually spend the money accrued from this expedition.... saner people could retire off of a haul like this he jokes "perhaps on the way back we can compare notes, talking about our expirences"
"I'd rather see him off vith the items myself." Vuzi puts in her two cents. She clearly does not trust him to get back to town safely with the items, and is concerned they fall into unknown hands.
She grins, "At least ve finished off the gargoyles. Unless de come back. Dat would be very bad."
I hate leaving a level unfinished, but if you guys want to go now, I understand.
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Grelthe shrugs "We can always come back with them and finish the level after if you like. Since we were planning on heading to town sometime soon anyway, I don't think we would mind accompanying Archibald back to town with you either. I doubt he wants to continue, and it does seem like we all have goods to sell off. And I could go for some tales of derring-do, bad and good luck tales. More practically, it would give us each an idea of what to expect."
It is obvious she has developed a bit of a soft spot for Archie, in a mothering hen sort of way.
Simon jumps to his feet and sheet his weapons after a last, careful look-around, then he waves at the group.
"Good-good, let's go then-miii?
This place still feels evil and I don't want to stick around longer than necessary."
He looks down at the dead priests and the brute, a sad expression on his fluffy face.
"Will someone help me carry them to the surface, please-miii?
I want to bury them in a place where the ground is not evil but peaceful, so they might rest calm, rather than letting them to rot in such a horrific place-grrrcchh."
He will lay one over Emilys back and shoulder another of the priests, leaving two more priests and the brute.
Miss Tempest looks at the nearest body, the smallest of which is at least 8 times her size and an even greater weight. She looks at Simon. "I can not help you in this matter Mister Simon."
In a flash of brilliance she will rush off to the other room. When she returns carrying a bundle of Sareceks foot bones as though they were firewood for someone much larger. "Did you want these?"
Laying his head to the side with a surprised expression clearly telling that Simon does not understand.
"I ... don't know-meew.
His bones may be evil beyond the ordinary ... maybe they would corrupt the very earth they are buried in-miii?
Anyone knowing what to do with such evil ... remains?"
As Zadira packs up to go to town, she glances at Catarya, wondering if she will have something to say about the bones.
Vance has a quick word with the Twins and your load of corpses is easily handled in their oversized backpacks.
Your trip up to the surface is easy (if smelly) and the gargoyles do not attack this time. (And it's going to get messy if you don't preserve the bodies somehow).
When you arrive back at Zelkor's Ferry you run into another problem. there is no actually consecrated graveyard here...
"Ve vill se vat the twins can do for bringing out de bodies." Vuzi suggests. I hope they don't snack on them on the way out
Grelthe laughs heartily when Nikki brings back Saracek's leg bones. "You are clever, little one! We can make some sort of sled to make dragging the bodies easier!" In response to Simon her face gets serious again. "I am worried about the remains of Saracek. The only way to prevent him from being risen again is to bury them in consecrated ground. Unfortunately There isn't a church in Zelkor's Ferry, so I wouldn't know where to find such a place locally. I think consecrate is a Cleric spell, so Catarya might be able to learn it, but I wouldn't know how to make such a thing permanent." Her eyes light up as a thought appears. "Consecrate might also be helpful in banishing the evil aura that was down near that shrine!"
Before they leave, she asks if anyone has chalk, so they can leave a warning to other adventurers to avoid the cursed area.
On the way back, she tells tales of:
many many rats, skeletons, zombies, and pit traps,
gnolls,
a gelatinous cube,
snake constructs,
a trap that puts you to sleep if you touch the rug,
a trap that shrinks you or gives you visions of candyland,
colorful fungi that scream,
a sassy gargoyle that wanted to feed us to 'Steve',
an evil black skeleton,
grappling an invisible imp,
a fountain of pestilence,
a teleportation maze,
and insubstantial shadows that steal your strength.
She shivers while speaking of the last thing. "I barely made it out of that room. I am sure my channeling ability was the only thing that saved us, otherwise they were impossible to hit. It was the unfinished teleportation maze that sent us to you.
When they get back to town, Grelthe asks about for where the closest church or priest can be found.
(Zadira gives Grethe some chalk.)