Having been distant for much of John's departure, Caylen approaches the group once more from her musings to the wind and the sun on her cheeks. As she approaches, it is Rema that is her first point of contact. No words, though, just a gentle touch of a hand on the samsaran's shoulder and a ginger squeeze to show appreciation before moving on. Caylen returns just in time to hear Groshnodok's assessment of the other orcs and Silx's report of his scouting.
"Groshnodok and Aak," Caylen directs, looking to the two orc-blooded men. "I'd like the both of you to be in the front of this last push. The people we'll be fighting need to see their kin leading the way." Then, Caylen's dark eyes turn to Shayne. "And Shayne, perhaps a stirring chant or drum beat-- er-- if you can magic," she waves her hands in the air with wiggles fingers, demonstratively, "something up with a drum beat."
Then, looking at Silx, all Caylen does is smile. She knows what he does best, and he knows it too. You never need to tell a sword how to cut.
"Rema and I should stay at the back, we'll tend to the wounded as they come up."
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Smiling as Caylen walks, up. She has been battle tested and passed with flying colors. The experience will do her good, just has the compassion and gentleness Caylen has taught him will serve him well. Upon hearing Caylen's words, Aak chuckles a bit,
Such a battle minded individual you are now. Just don't forget who you are Caylen, you're compassion has taught me much in such a short time. I do however agree with you on how to handle this last push forward. Once Silx gives the go ahead with any sort of traps or hindrances, I agree Groshnodnok and I should be the first image they say. Even if they don't come around, they will know what we can do as a united front. Everyone prepare, let's retake the temple before any other unexpected things come up
He waits a few moments, the turns to the dozen or so orcs that have joined sides with them and Grishnodnok, and in Orc he says,
Brothers and sisters, you have realized that there is a greater threat among this land. An evil that will consume everything that is not like them. We bind together as one, to tell them THEY are the unwanted ones in this land and WE will fight them to our last breath. Thank you all, for joining us and you have fought well. Rest now, relax for we 5 here shall finish this fight.
"I'm not sure it's me who's battle minded," Caylen admits in a hushed tone of voice after Aak turns to speak to the other orcs. Looking disconcerted by this notion, Caylen crosses her arms over her chest and watches on as Aak delivers a speech she can hear the passion of, but not understand the meaning to.
The orcs nod at hearing Aak's words, looking only briefly to Grishnodnok for confirmation of the plan. Grishnodnok clearly defers to Aak.
With the departure of John the group heads back into the temple. Though there is still the afternoon light outside, the inside of the temple is quite dim. The upper level is very quite, as are stairs down. Other than the sound of water, the rooms at the base of the stairs are also quite. Beyond the doors sounds can be heard, but they could easily be the sounds of the building.
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Assuming Caylen mentions the other orcs with us Aak will speak up in Orc to his brothers in arms
I ask one more thing of you before we rest for the evening. Join us in the temple, behind us. Let us show the remaining few what unity means, and what it can do. Then we rest, and drink to the victory of today Aak will say hoping to rally the troops one last time, but if he senses they just wish to rest then he will not press the issue and let them rest since today for them has been stressful.
Many of the orcs are already nursing wounds. The couple that were throwing javelins speak quickly to Groshnodnok, who turns to Aak. "They wish to scout the surrounding area. That seems wise." Groshnodnok awaits Aak's reply.
The two orcs nod at the words. They seem confused, but glad at Aak's words. With brief nods toward Groshnodnok and Aak they head away from the temple.
Silx gives a sly wink before quietly walking toward the door (Room 12, Stealth: ).
Though you see the door open, there seems to be only the sound of the hinges and the shadow of the wood moving.
Shayne follows along, offering to use his ongoing Silent Image to make an illusionary wall between the party and Silx as he scouts, so any foes he discovers cannot immediately see the rest our group.
The gnome is certainly agreeable to using Ghost Sound to imitate drum beats, but is waiting for the scouting to be completed.
To pass the time, he asks Rema, "So, what was it like when you were little, a young and frail girl with the memories of being a mighty Paladin bouncing around in your head? You have only described it as 'haunting' when you introduced yourself as someone who had sailed from far away to search for missing pieces."
Rema smiles, "Among my people the memories are expected, honored even. What was strange was the source. Most lives remembered are those lived on our lands. Very few have lived other places. It is haunting to recognize this place, but to also know that something has changed. Something more than the orcs have touched this place." Her smile seems to fade as she speaks.
Inscribed in large golden letters in the center of the floor are words written in Common. They read as follows.
"The murdered son looks to his widowed mother in sorrow
The widowed mother casts her gaze upon her son's murderer
The murderer looks sorrowfully at his victim
The past is cleared and death negated"
Religion Checks: Shayne: , Rema: , Caylen:
A flash of recognition fades quickly as Rema examines the words in frustration, "There is something familiar about these, but I just can't recall what."
Caylen knows they are from some legend she's heard, but isn't sure how they connect to the temple is.
Shayne turns the conversation back to Rema's past. "And what led you to and through your training? You clearly have trained and worked to become a very different type of warrior-healer from the paladins of this order."
Rema stares off aimlessly for a moment, then smiles as she replies "They had the only histories that helped me make sense of what I was remembering. Her smile grows, And of course the monks insisted I take up training to gain access to their library."
Following along with Rema and Shayne, Caylen listens to their conversation thoughtfully, though considerate of the approaching danger represented by the orcs in Silx's report. As they enter the grand chamber of sculpted pillars and the smashed altar, Caylen becomes momentarily distracted by the sight. She steps ahead of the pair, moving closer to the orc vanguard leading the way.
"Gods above, I have never seen anything so majestic..." Gingerly cupping her hands together, Caylen moves ahead of the orcs and Aak, looking up reverently to the carved pillars and then down with a furrow of her brows to the altar. She stops, though, on nearly walking over the gold-inlaid words in the floor. With a quirk of one brow she steps backwards, walking in a partial arc with her head canted to the side so as to read them at a more proper angle.
"I... think I've read this before. One of the legend I'd read about in the temple during our stay, but-- " Caylen cuts herself off, shaking her head dismissively before looking around the rest of the room. "Silx," she notes quietly, "could you check that alcove at the top of the hallway out? I've a bad feeling that if someone tucked themselves away in there it could be a good point to ambush."
Then, turning to the others, she looks somewhat more concerned. "The orcs up ahead... how should we handle this?"
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Aak will enter the room full of carvings. He has never been one for religion or at least the study thereof. He will look at the carvings and the inscription. Having no clue what they mean or could mean. Its amazing how time affects all things. I could see this being beautiful in the past. Hopefully we can make it be once again Aak speaks softly with a somber tone in his voice.
I feel they should be taken alive. No sense in more loss of life if it can be avoided. Besides, these orcs are not savages, just following orders by T'fkfr. Aak responds to Caylen's concerns up ahead.
Shayne pats Aak--on the side, since he cannot reach the half-orc's shoulder. "Should be, should be...Unfortunately, my friend, a hero's main job is to make the world a place with more 'should be'. If the world already 'twas such a place it would have no need of heroes."
After a moment the gnome clarifies his intent. "Certainly we can fight them with non-lethal damage and capture them alive. But taking them? Taking them where? And then doing what with them? Sadly, some souls are only able to tear down, not build up. A wise warrior will promise to fight or capture, but never to take. Old warriors look so grim because so often they would rather take a chance, but to protect those weaker they are forced to take a life."
Exhaling a slow, steady breath, Caylen looks down at the floor contemplatively. "We should give them the chance to surrender and join us, but I recommend we be skeptical towards their intentions to ensure they do not make false their intentions to deceive us." Looking around the room, Caylen shakes her head slowly. "So much to study here, but unfortunately now is not the time..."
Looking to the direction of the alcove she asked Silx to inspect, Caylen awaits word of what the scout discovered.
Silx stops for a moment and stares as the room reveals itself. He remains transfixed, but when Caylen speaks he blinks and shakes his head "Yes...one moment"
Those memories...were the orcs that attacked us part of this cult?
Silx climbs up into the high ground and looks around
Perception rolls:
- Aak:
- Caylen:
- Rema:
- Shayne:
- Silx:
Rema looks with concern toward Aak and Groshnodok, "I can hear the orcs. They sound like they are arguing, but I'm not sure what they were saying."
Looking to Aak and Groshnodok, expectantly, Caylen defers to their understanding of their kin on how best to proceed.
Shayne whispers in reply to Rema, "They are waiting for T'fkfr. I vote we ask Groshnodok to creep closer and throw T'fkfr's body at them. Actions before words with orcs."
Groshnodok smiles broadly at hearing Shayne's words, "I would enjoy that. He tries to not seem so excited, if everyone agrees that is.
Groshnodok easily hoists the unconscious body of the orc toward the hallway where the trio of orcs is trying to figure out a contraption of some type.
It is clear that the large half-orc is unskilled in the arts of stealth. However, there are no signs of the orcs noticing anything.
Initiative rolls:
- Aak:
- Caylen:
- Rema:
- Shayne:
- Silx:
Groshnodok's voice can be heard ahead as he turns into the hallway, accompanied by the thud of the unconscious body hitting the floor.
Round One: Silx (now acting), Aak (now acting), Groshnodok (action complete), Caylen, Shayne, & Rema.
Silx attempts to get into a position over the enemies
Silx puts a dagger in his teeth and another one in his hand, making eye contact with the party members and waiting for their signal
Round One: Silx (holding), Aak (now acting), Groshnodok (action complete), Caylen, Shayne, & Rema.
The orcs charge Groshnodok. Held actions may respond before the orcs complete their charge.
Silx leaps down on the orc farthest in the back
Att
Damage
The rear orc falls beneath Silx's blade. One of the remaining orcs charges Groshnodnok (), while the other's charge is absorbed by Aak (). The attacks of the staggered orcs fail to connect.
Round One: Silx (action complete), Aak (action complete), Groshnodok (action complete), Caylen (now acting), Shayne (now acting), & Rema (now acting).
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Seeing the plan set into motion and watching Groshnodok's unconscious body hurled towards the other orcs, Caylen tenses and readies herself for their response. One of her burned hands remains raised at the ready, blackened fingers splayed.
The young oracle's dark eyes dart from figure to figure, her breathing hastens and it becomes clear that she is nervously awaiting the inevitable clash of weapons. Violence will speak the opening sentence, but hopefully mercy will end the conversation.
Shayne had earlier considered the narrow passage, then readied his whip. Unfortunately, the challenge of not hitting the allies in front of him makes tripping a foe difficult!
Shayne's whip flies about, missing his target.
Round One: Silx (action complete), Aak (action complete), Groshnodok (action complete), Caylen (held action), Shayne (action complete), & Rema (now acting).
Rema positions herself to flank the orc nearest Aak, letting lose with a powerful (non-lethal) blow (, DMG (non-lethal): ). Her punch easily connects, but the hearty orc remains standing.
Round Two: Silx (now acting), Aak (now acting), Groshnodok (now acting), Caylen, Shayne, & Rema.