Selindra shrugs. "It is not wise to leave something like this roaming down here. It could endanger others trying to flee from this place." She slowly draws her blade and moves into position.
Drakra looks concerned at Godwin's comment.
I dunno. That bug looked fast. Perhaps it would be better to shoot an arrow or something.
He pauses and thinks for a moment.
Um, another option is that I could create an illusion of myself and have the bug chase that. The image would stop about 20 or 30 feet from you all to let the bug attack it. Then you all can shoot at it before switching to your swords.
Drakra seems very proud of a plan which eliminates and likely danger to himself.
Clever Godwin nods his approval. This seems well to me
Flynn sighs heavily as they turn back.
" It is sound advice. But I yearn to discover the fate of our friends above."
" A fly you say? Giant one?"
Nodding to Drakra's plan, he Grips his shield and flail, and steps to the front with Selindra.
Drakra, somewhat nervously, moves back adjacent to the old temple, and sets himself up in a crevice in the cavern wall.
Stealth: <-- good thing gnomes are good at hiding
From there, he casts Silent Image to draw the creature down to where the other party members can see and attack it. The illusion-elf will stop right in front of Selindra so that she, or someone, can step forward and attack, while 2-3 others pelt it with arrows. Theoretically, Drakra might step out and provide flanking, although being a complete wuss, he is would be more in his nature to simply keep hiding.
Not being a ranged warrior, Ali stood back and protected those less able. He turned to the archer, "Time to show what you got here."
Flynn will try to maneuver to the front. placing himself between the danger and his charges. Next to his fellow Servant's of the Inheritor.
" really not liking bugs."
Godwin positions himself in front of the non combatants and attaches his weapon cord. Then he awaits the arrival of the monster.
Drakra casts and you all see an elf moving silently around the edge of the building, where it is immediately set upon by a giant, pallid fly.
The giant bug rips into the elf, and the fly seems annoyed by the fact that there is no substance, and that the illusion fades.
Anevia lets loose with an arrow which thunks meatily into the Fly's side.
Drakra grins silently. He really wants to stoke his own ego, but is too much of a chicken to actually say anything that might give away his position.
Hoping to keep the bug entertained for at least a few more moments, Drakra has the elf appear to bleed from where it was attacked. The elf will fall to the ground and attempt to crawl away from the fly, crawling in the direction of Drakra's waiting companions.
As he does this, Drakra will draw his old, and rather unused, crossbow and shall load a bolt.
Godwin charges up to try and end the threat quickly.
Godwin charges the fly, his large curving two handed blade slicing through the creature easily with a spray of blackened ichor. The fly reels momentarily from the grievous wound.
The fly gnashes at the elf illusion until Godwin slashes through its side, at which time it turns to meet the more serious threat.
**************Combat Surprise Round**************
Godwin (action already taken)
Selindra
Flynn
Ali
Drakra
******************Round 1 (if the fly lasts that long****************
Godwin
Selindra
Flynn
Ali
Fly
Drakra
From where he is hidden, Drakra aims and fires his crossbow, hoping that the string does not break in the process.
Attack-crossbow:
Damage:
The small gnome is rather astounded when the bolt appears to actually strike the giant bug.
Ali yelled at the wizard to get back while he sliced with his scimitar.
Round 1
, critical
, yes
As the bug turns on Godwin, Ali and Drakra converge their attacks on the thing. Ali finds an opening as the Fly makes a lunge at Godwin, giving the Inquisitor a clear shot at a vital area and his scimitar slices through the abdomen in a shower of gore. Drakra's crossbow bolt hits home with a satisfying thunk, sinking almost to the fletching in the things side.
************End Combat**************
Godwin breathes in relief as the monster dies without inflicting any damage on them. Darkra, your illusion and then your bolt. Wonderful display.
He then looks into the temple. We should move in together, who knows what lies in this abandoned place?
Drakra smiles at the praise.
Thank you. Exactly as planned.
Despite his outward appearance of cheer, the tiny gnome is scared to death of being in this strange place.
Once more proving deadly in combat but deadlier in planning, Ali congratulated his new found companions.
"Good so far but let's be careful. Let's see what happened in this ancient temple."
I shall stay near the back with the others. Who shall scout? Godwin says.
Drakra looks to the others:
Don't suppose any of you holy religious warrior types are good with lock and traps and stuff?
Assuming nobody is secretly hiding a few levels of rogue, Drakra with take a deep breath and tentatively proceed forward to scout out the temple.
Perception: <-- if needed
Nearly out of breath from his short excursion, Drakra returns to the others:
pant . . . I don't see any more bugs. Door does . . . does not appear locked. But it is stuck and my tiny hands can't push it open.
With that, he will lead the others back to the door so that one of the big humans can push it open.
Godwin nods. He closes his eyes and asks for assistance in detecting any magical foul play and then will help push the door open
Selindra nods, and comes around with Godwin. She would set her shield aside for the moment, and lend her strength to trying and force the door open.
The door is indeed stuck, and even as Godwin pushes his shoulder to it with Selindra helping, they realize that this is no mean feat. They redouble efforts and the door gives way with a soft whoosh of stale air. When light it brought to the doorway, it reveals a small antechamber with a stone bench on the southern side of the wall, and a small basin of water atop a stone pedestal. A stone door engraved with an image of a hammer stands to the north, barring the way further in.
As everyone filters in, Anevia makes her way to the bench and sits heavily, eyes cast downward, she retreats to herself. Horgus throws his arms up with a huff, "We don't have time to sit everytime there's somewhere to sit down. I know your leg hurts but there's no time to rest. We can't allow anyone to slow us down, we need to get back to the surface."
Anevia snaps her attention to Horgus, "Why am I not surprised that a man like you, that's afraid to acknowledge his own faith wouldn't be moved by a forgotten temple! You're ashamed of your own faith! It's just as bad as worshiping demons!"
Horgus shrinks back from Anevia's outburst before raising his chin, "How ironic. Being chided by someone who's known to consort with thieves."
Anevia eyes narrow at Horgus, and her jaw tightens, but she says nothing.
You two know each other from before? Godwin asks curiously.
Drakra looks up at Horgus and then points to the exit:
Nobody is stopping you from heading up to the surface. Just make sure that you don't anger too many foes as you pass, because we have to get there as well, and unlike you we have injured people to care for.
Selindra glares at the man. Where before she had been silent and mostly keeping to herself, Horgus's words were just too much for her to handle.
"Have care what you say, sir. No soul is above redemption, and no past is too tainted by darkness that light cannot cleanse it once more. You will respect Anevia as a fellow survivor and sentient being, if you cannot bring yourself to appreciate anything else about her."
Her anger starts to boil a bit more as she goes on."Furthermore, though these walls feel vacant right now, they are a symbol of the Forge Father. In times of trial and war, the Forge Father's hammer and the Inheritor's blade strike true, and as one. I would not abandon those of Torag's faithful anymore so that I would my own. And we should give honor and respect to his temple. Perhaps a short time of prayer and reflection might reach out and seek his blessing as well. In our mortal weakness is the time when our patrons, our divines can best show their strength through us. But how well do you think they will favor us if our very character is reduced to petty infighting?"
She is nearly at a roaring yell before she finally catches herself.
"The Inheritors code is very clear on this. I will never abandon a companion, though I will honor a sacrifice freely given. I will guard the honor of my fellows, in thought and in deed, and I will have faith in them.
Her voice has simmered at this point back down to a whisper. "I do not know what you will do sir. Nor do I care if all you wish is to be back home with your money. You here right now are my fellows, and my companions. For myself, I will treat you all equally, and I will do everything I can to see you out of this place. But I will not stand for the denigration and the outright disrespect of another of us simply because you do not care for her background. We are all in this together, and by Iomedae's sake I will not hear one more word against her, do I make myself perfectly clear, milord?"
Ali bowed his head at Selindra's speech. "My Goddess also has similar feelings and opinions with regards to other good-aligned faiths. We should all work together if we are to defeat this blight in our world."
He placed his hand on his heart, "I have felt her calling and I traveled half the world to be here so let's stop bickering and work as a group."
Horgus makes his way to the door, looking back at the group "Dealings before? You could say that. I purchased something that her wife let go of, and she consorted with thieves to rob one of my warehouses in order to steal it back. You seem quick to offer her 'redemption' and yet seem equally willing to chastise me, for simply speaking truths. My dealings have been fair and honest both above this hole that we're in and in it, and for that, you cast your anger towards me. Yet without bothering to understand what kind of woman you have in your midst, one that would cheat, and steal from her fellows, you offer her every courtesy? I must respect her because she survived a fall? Then shouldn't you offer the same respect to me? Yet you haven't. Regardless of how you feel about it, she is slowing us down, a statement of undeniable truth. We would reach the surface quicker without her, another statement of truth. This temple of Torag, if it still offers protection, would be a safe place for her to hole up until we can send help back, a further statement of truth, AND more courtesy than she ever showed me, when she attempted to rob me. Now you tell me who disrespected whom?" With that, he exits the door, and heads around the outside of the temple.
Selindra looks at him, shaking her head, starting after him.
"You don't get it do you? The Great Defender of Kenebras is dead. All you and I have to show for her now are these!" She takes the scale that she was given by Ali, and holds it up to Horgus. "If we don't work together, and give everyone in this group a chance, your going to die down here, under rock and rubble, and never see anything again. If you want to hold your titles and your money, and hold those charges against her, then so be it. Certainly, YOUR chances of survival would be greater if you left her down here. But that is not my concern. Iomedae's code is clear. I do not leave behind a companion. For any reason. Her honor, such as it is, is mine to safeguard. I have not known these transgressions, and until such a time as she proves to me that her honor is meaningless, I will stand with her. She needs us to help her get out of this place, and by the light so help me I will call down the Inheritor's wrath on your head if you so much as lay a finger or another careless word against her. Am I perfectly clear?"
Selindra by this point is rather angry, and draws her blade, placing the tip in the ground, resting her hands on the end of the pommel. She simply stares at Horgus, almost daring him to speak another word.
Drakra grins as one of the uppity Iomedean paladin types gets all hot under the collar.
Or to put it another way. The big silver dragon chose us to have his scales and to use them to protect. If you believe yourself to be wiser than the famed dragon, that is your choice. I personally feel that it is a rather poor choice, but it is yours to make.
As the gnome turns around, he says in a loud enough voice to be heard to nobody in particular:
On the positive side, I am sure that he will draw out the denizens of these tunnels as my illusion did to the bug. For some reason, I am guessing it will hurt him more than it did the illusion though.
We are here to help all Godwin says shortly and rushes out to try and calm Horgus down.
** Outside with Horgus **
Sire, Horgus. Please we are all very stressed at the situation we find ourselves in and I fear we have let our tempers get the best of us. Our chances of getting through this ordeal are better if we stick together however, even those of us injured. Anevia is the only worthy archer in the group and Aravashinail, though blind, knows more than the rest of us put together of the dangers we might face. We need to move cautiously and carefully in any case. We are all in dire straits and I will let the others know that they have treated you unworthily when we go back in. Please.
The vacuum left by Horgus' departure is palpable, leaving only the sound of water dripping into the basin. Godwin leaves to follow Horgus, who is found examining the outside walls of the temple.
Horgus sees Godwin coming out of the building, and sighs heavily "I figured you would be the one to come talk. You seem to be one of the few that sees things with a level head. What you say has some merit, but your group refuses to see past the obvious. Yes, they are injured, and need cared for, and I'm not, much. Does that mean that I deserve any less respect, or have any less input? He looks at the building and runs a hand along the walls, "Take this temple for instance, the craftsmanship is dwarven, a temple to Torag, but it's abandoned, not only by people, but by Torag. It could be reconsecrated though, and still be a place of rest from anything underground. And judging from the rock, and sounds, I'd say we're about 250' underground, so any sanctuary is going to be important." He looks sharply at Godwin, "But you see, I'm not injured, or a damsel in distress, so my input isn't solicited." He then goes back to his inspection of the building.
Godwin sighs
Horgus and Godwin walk back into the foyer. Horgus still seems in a dark mood, but at least not as angry as he was before.
He looks back to Godwin, and asks "What are we all going to do now? This temple would need to be reconsecrated before it brings anyone relief."
**Before Horgus speaks**
Godwin clears his throat. Selindra, Horgus's suggestion that we leave Anevia behind was a suggestion that the others of us would not make but it was a suggestion only, I believe we can disagree without being.. disagreeable as it were. We have gone through a great trial and I fear we will go through many more, we will fall apart if we cannot cleave together and I hope that we will treat each other with respect and be able to voice our opinions freely with each other.
Turning to the gnome Godwin adopts a less conciliatory tone. Drakra, you have proven yourself thrice over already but the way you treat people in this group is deplorable. You are a corrosive influence, and I would ask that you turn your ire to our foes and not to the people of our own group. Fate has thrown us together and I will not have your petty and spiteful words drive us apart. I trust I am making myself clear?
To Anevia It seems that you and Horgus have had unhappy dealings in the past. I hope that we can move past those bad feelings and work together. We all have skills that are of value and our chances of success will be greatly enhanced if we work together and not apart
**After Horgus speaks about reconsecration **
I.. do not know how such a thing could be done.. would anyone else? Perhaps we should explore this place fully in any case?
Knowledge(religion): <-- anything about the temple
Drakra looks rather confused.
I do not understand what this spite is of which you speak. I have merely been speaking the truth. If people do not wish to join us as a party, they are welcome to leave. I was not the one who began the insults and name calling. I was not the one who proposed leaving the injured behind far beneath the surface. If Horgus wish to remain with us, then he will have to carry his own weight. The "cripple" wields a mighty bow and the blind man has proven to be quite knowledgable. So far Horgus has proven to do nothing beneficial other than constantly complaining.
Horgus turns toward Drakra, "Has the elf really proven quite knowledgeable? Or has he just agreed with your course of action? Has there really been any input? You wish input, fine. The temple is a temple of Torag, and it's perhaps a few decades old, most likely built underground so it can be closer to the heart of the world, and the heart of Torag, but something in its build was flawed, and not consecrated correctly, so the god never shined his favor on the place. If 'we' wished to consecrate it, it would need cleaning, and then prayer to, well, any god really, but it would most likely be easier to get Torag's favor, since it was built for him. You shouldn't discount my additions, because they haven't agreed with you so far, just as you ascribe additions to others because they have. I haven't disparaged your worth due to your height or race, or the truth or opinions that you speak, why should you then disparage mine because of my wealth, standing, or stating my opinion?" He folds his arms and pushes his chin to the door leading to the inside of the temple. "If you wish to consecrate the area, you'll need to do it from inside the nave.
Ali bowed his head, While my goddess prefers sunlight and not underground places, I find that Torag has similar concerns than my faith."
He looked around the place, "I will definitely pray for this place and perhaps my goddess may answer my prayers."
Horgus is a man of resource, knowledge and skill Drakra. You just do not see it. And we do not expect everyone to 'carry their weight' in order to be helped. Turn your sharp words to our foe and not to companions please.
Godwin eyes the door to the north. I believe we need to enter the north door Godwin approaches it and takes 20 to inspect it.
Drakra grits his teeth:
Horgus is a man of contempt and bitter words. He is a man who would leave the injured behind. He may be brilliant, but so far, other than basic knowledge of this temple, which seems to be extremely detailed considering that the temple appears to have been buried several hundred feet beneath the surface of the land for many years, he has proven himself to be not much more than a spiteful old man.
Trying to prove a point, the small gnome moves to the temple and begins to clean it out, trying to move anything that is likely far to big for him to actually move, like large stones of pieces of stonework that might have collapsed over the years.
Godwin loses his patience And what sort of bitter words and contempt do you yourself spit out at every turn? You who demand that people 'pull their own weight'? Every word you say is like corrosive acid and I for one have had enough of it. If you have any comment about our situation or some danger then I would be glad to hear it. Anything you have about someone group? Keep It To YOURSELF.
Knowing that he has won this discussion, Drakra continues pulling and tugging at overly large rocks, trying to clean the place as best he can so that the group will be able to return to the surface where his talents are more appreciated. Drakra also files away the information about Horgus knowing that such an "important" person will make for great ammunition at some point in the future.