Thanks Raj Notes updated.
Normally the Gnolls must offer a prayer to Lamashtu before the slaying of a good desert scorpion. But in your case, I think we will just eat you. Coup-de-gris...CHOP! Lying there in the scorpion's claw, it seemed to Raj as though Kuralaak might have been looking at HIM when he made this comment. Was this a joke? Had he lost too much blood? Or does Kuralaak have a lazy eye?? With Kuralaak, they never knew.
Grim got it down to -10 so it was bleeding to death but it would not die until -20.
Its dead now regardless.
You gonna camp and eat scorpion or push forward?
So with all that excitement i think you guys should recover for the ordeal. I do kinda like you all. said grim as he picks up a few rock on the ground.
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I've got nothing but a protection from arrows spell left, so don't count on any magical help if we get any more fights today. We should get as much mileage out of our mounts as possible though; I think we're close enough now that I could cast Communal Mount tomorrow to save spells, but it would be nice to not have to bother with that either.
Save you magical energy. Tomorrow we will walk. We are in no rush anyway. Lets travel a bit. Kuralaak can find us a nice camping site and i'll use the leftover hours to do some scouting.
You rest for the night with no encounters.
Grim I will inform you of your scouting ASAP.
Grim you scout out the following and report back to the group.
Wedged into a wide precipice along the far slopes of Pale Mountain sits the crumbling ruins of a once massive temple. Passing centuries have weathered its stones, and while some of the outer walls remain standing,
they have collapsed in several places, leaving the temple grounds open to any who would approach. The House of the Beast’s fearsome reputation as being a place haunted by the ghosts of genies has been its traditional defense against explorers—that, and its remote location and the angry tribes of Rovagug-worshiping humanoids who still dwell within.
Like a child’s sandcastle carelessly placed before hungry waves
that lap against shore, the forgotten temple rests, nestled in the
crags of the Pale Mountain. Its crumbling spires and domes bask
in the pale grayish glow of the alien twilight of the mountain skies.
The scope of such a creation seems implausible in such a remote
location, yet it isn’t hard to question why one might choose such
a spectacular setting. Indeed, it seems unlikely that there exists
another so close to the realm of the gods. Among the broken stones and empty fountains, dry thorny shrubs poke through packed clay soil sprinkled with shards of bone. The temple would almost appear deserted if not for the ominous feeling of dread and the few dozen gory warnings hung upon the outer walls; headless bodies thick with swarms of black flies.
Most of the aged flagstones in the courtyard lie loose, cracked, and dusted with pebbles and other debris. In several areas the terrain is littered with large chunks of broken walls, while in other areas the ground is completely torn up.
The remaining soil consists of hard and dusty clay that greedily devours water. Few plants bear the fortitude to survive among the ruins, but a few short trees, shrubs, and plenty of lichen grow on toppled stones or
ruined works. The air is remarkably dry and crisp, but the generally comfortable temperatures during the day can drop close to freezing at night.
The map is under Battle Map. But each square is 20 feet so we will not be able to use that map for battle. Regardless you can use it to search.
Kuralaak steps into the courtyard. He looks at tower 'A'. Any doors?
A.
Two small minarets guard the entrance of a low stone structure topped with the ruins of a small dome. Centuries of mountain winds have sand-blasted the western faces of the minarets to a smooth, polished finish, while the eastern sides facing the temple walls still bear illegible traces of ancient icons and calligraphy.
Kuralaak looks back at Raj. Should I try the Gnoll Mating call trick again?
How about not?
Have it your way, bird. Kuralaak resists the temptation. Seeing no doors or other interactable elements of area A, Kuralaak slowly appraoches area B. One of these towers must have an entrance...
Approach carefully Master Archer. Hajar says as he scans the exterior for evil auras.
i'll go explore also if you want
You can enter the tower no problem.
It is littered with debris but nothing jumps out at you. Attacking, Treasure, or otherwise.
The wall is not evil either =P
Grim you notice noting unusual about this place just a ruined tower.
B. The North Gate
A lopsided minaret, its stacked layers sloppy and precarious,
casts a long shadow across the courtyard. A weatherworn coil
of stairs scrambles about its perimeter, ascending a hundred
feet or so. The stairs slope slightly toward the outer edge and
no rails exist to prevent an unsteady climber from tumbling off
onto the shards of rubble below.
Grim Takes 10 on Perception and finds...
A set of partially buried stairs leading down. The lower portion of the staircase has been shored up with timbers and rocks. Trailing down the stairwell hangs a worn, knotted rope neatly tied around a nearby chunk of broken column.
Gents, its down the rabbit hole if you please says grim holding the rope.
The stairwell leads to a subterranean series of tunnels.
You see 5 miserable scrawny humans crouching in the darkness.
Grim they do not see you as you are a master thief.
I would not think that the Carrion King would make his home in a....hole. I will follow you down Master Grim. Hajar states, drawing Tempest.
Do you take light with you?
Kuralaak follows Hajar. I should have tossed a thunderstone down there before i let Grim descend. Ba!
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Raj lets them bumble for a bit (he has dark vision), but he soon relents and pulls out his magical compass. He slips it over Nemaides neck and activates it, providing illumination in a 20ft radius and shady illumination another 20ft after that.
Oh the irony; a band of followers of the sun goddess that don't have any lights...
As you make your way into the tunnel the five humans scramble for their sorry lot of weapons. They see Kuralaak and one says The carrion king has found us men. Fight and die with dignity and the Dawnflower will welcome you into her firey arms.
Kuralaak wonders how many he could kill before Hajar cuts off his head. Oh, Kuralaak, control those thoughts!
Hajar hears the men exclaim their allegiance and calls out
Who goes there! My name is Hajar nar Jundi and I am the Abbot Protector of Kelmerane, Blessed be the Dawnflower and her glorious light!
Kuralaak backs away so as not to frighten the men. Or get shot with an arrow.
The men drop their weapons and clamor at Hajar's feet almost as if he were a king. They all speak so fast and at the same time so you cannot understand their words. Tears stream down at least three dirty faces.
Hajar looks the men over
These men, their condition is wretched, could they have been slaves?
With a calming tone Hajar says
Rise men, and tell your story. We wish to hear your tale.
To the others he says
This might be evidence of the Carrion King's presence, be watchful.
i would like to remind you all that i don't need light. Darkness is my best friend after all says grim putting away his weapons.
addressing the 5 men
and while i do look like an evil outsider than man pointing at hajar has recently redeemed this gnoll pointing at Kuralaak and a few others in town.
One man steps forward.
Honorable Abbot of the Dawnflower, my name is Veradi. We are simple farmers and crafts men that were captured by the gnolls of the Carrion King and made slaves. Until recently there was no hope of escape for us. Then the Lizard men raided and we had our chance to escape. Only the five of us made it this far alive and we have been hiding and starving ever since. We will not make it much longer and we do not have the supplies or the strength to make it back to civilized lands safely. Please find it in your heart to take us back to our homes. Please sir...Please...I beg you as a man of faith.
I will escort these men back to safety. I will not allow any more harm to come to them by the hands of the Carrion King. He says flatly.
Hajar turns to his good friend and says
Your assistance and deed will not go unnoticed. The Lady will guide your actions and provide comfort to you and these men. Thank you Friend.
The slaves know more than I do. I'm just a dumb GM =P
But really they have the whole rundown of this place to give you just give me a bit to post it.
Oh so you want to send this Grim to get slaughtered like a little lamb? pfff i get the most dangerous job of all. Why me? what in the name of what is good and Lawfull in this world did I do in my previous incarnation to deserve this. Why? Why ? replied grim trailing off on the darkness having fun with his fake lamentation.
Sorry been a busy weekend. We will move forward today!
The slaves give you the following information.
G. Is where the carrion king makes his home.
C. Is home to some lizard like things. That Raj deciphers to be Troglodyte's. It was these Troglodyte's attacking the gnolls that allowed the slaves to escape. But don't misunderstand they are both horrible evil creatures that worship Rorvorag.
The dome G leads to a large underground complex H and that leads to another underground complex I. And they have heard rumors that their are even deeper complexes.
This tunnel will lead you to G if you follow it long enough. Be wary this whole temple was built by evil for evil purposes though.
Hajar confers with his compatriots
What do you think we should do? Follow the tunnel or go aboveground and do more scouting?
grim will shrug his shoulder don't really matter to me
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If you all are willing to wait a couple minutes, I can do some magical scouting. He vanishes and reappears at sitting on a ledge up above so that if any unfriendlies come along he's out of reach. With the spell I can cast, I can send a magical eye around the temple. It moves about as fast as a human walking, and it lasts for 5 minutes, so I won't be able to scout out the whole place. Where do you guys think I should send it first?