Seeing that most of the melee combatants are dealt with Koralyn calls out a warning about the spell the priestess cast. That is a spirit guardians spell. Fiendish spirits will attack all who approach her. She then moves forward to be close enough to cast Hideous Laughter on the priestess.
Desecrators! Kierdan shouts as he draws his mace. So angered is he at the site of some evil priestess making a mockery of a good village temple that he loses his focus and fails to connect.
Dragomir swings around the pillar, heaving his greatsword around in a whistling arc that cleaves through one of the dirty-robed acolytes, spattering blood across the temple walls. A second monk manages to throw himself clear of the deadly blade, his agility betraying a certain degree of martial training.
The monk's reflexes are no match for Rolen's arrow, however, which sinks deep into the man's left arm, pinning his bicep to his ribs. Before the monk can utter a cry of pain, he and the fellow next to him fall unconscious to the ground, overcome by Alistair's sleep spell.
Incensed, Kierdan lashes out at the cultist who attacked him, but fails to connect with his mace.
In the same instant, Koralyn casts a spell upon the priestess, attempting to incapacitate her. But a wild light shines in the woman's eyes as she brushes aside the spell and rushes forward, brandishing a glowing staff.
As she approaches, the ghostly serpents surrounding her lash out at Eldramin, Alistair and Dragomir. The warlock is able to fend off the magic somewhat, but the wizard and warrior do not fare as well. Blackened wounds appear on their skin wherever the spirit snakes strike.
The priestess follows up by bringing her unholy staff down on Dragomir's head, the blow rattling his brains.
The remaining monk slashes at Kierdan with his glowing sickle, but the sun-priest's anger serves him well, and he batters the blows away with his shield.
~~~~~0~0~0~~~~~
Shit!, Dragomir screams as the spirit guardians strike, and then is left reeling as the quarterstaff lands a vicious blow. He attacks the priestess, seeking to end her.
for .
Re-roll the 1
Thats 14pts of damage.
He uses his bonus action for his 2nd Wind
Rolen attacks the Priestess engaged with Dragomir.
Rolen will then use his cunning action to hide again after sniping at the enemy.
As the cultists drop into slumber, Eldramin moves back and summons forth a spectral blade to aid him.
vs boss lady
Eldramin moves further away and continues his magical onslaught.
Concerned for friends Koralyn tries her spell again.
Current HP: -1/18
Death Saving Throw: Succeed
Recovering from his wild swing, Kierdon refocuses and attacks the cultist again.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Dragomir under assault by ghostly snakes and the evil princess. He tries to send forth the blessings of Pelor to his friend as he holds off the cultist that cut him.
Blood streaming into his eyes, Dragomir glares at the priestess and lashes out with a murderous blow. The priestess manages to get her staff in the way, blunting the force, but the blade still lands with a wet thud, butchering her left arm. She screams, but the sound is cut off abruptly as Rolen's arrow buries itself in her throat, the dark fletching quivering against her chin. She falls dead as the ghostly serpents fade into tatters.
Seeing her fall, Eldramin and Koralyn redirect their spells toward the remaining monk, who is struck by the warlock's spiritual weapon but shakes off Koralyn's enchantment.
Kierdan calls down Pelor's blessing on Dragomir, then cracks the monk over the head with his mace. The cultist spits out a bloody piece of tongue before lashing out with his sickle, but his blows prove no more accurate than before.
You hear the howling of hungry wolves echoing from the courtyard.
~~~~~0~0~0~~~~~
Dragomir moves to engage the cultist attacking Kierdan.
No Power attack... for
Rolen attacks the cultist engaged with Dragomir.
Rolen will then use his cunning action to hide again after sniping at the enemy.
Wanting to end this fight Koralyn moves forward drawing her sword and wings at the monk.
Enough. She says. You are beaten already. Surrender.
Kierdan, shield and mace ready, waits to see the cultist's response to Koralyn before he presses his attack.
Current HP: 0/18
Death Saving Throw: Fail
Rolen's aim again proves deadly, as the monk menacing Kierdan falls with an arrow sprouting from his shoulder blades.
With no other foes still standing -- two are asleep, one of those wounded -- Kierdan turns his attention to Alistair, whose pulse is weak and uneven.
Roused by the howling of the wolves, Koralyn and Eldramin rush to the south entrance, each of them heaving shut one of the stout oak doors. Eldramin drops the bar into the brackets just in time, as the wolves slaver and scratch at the wood from the other side.
For a moment, at least, you can breathe deeply and take stock of your next move.
While Koralyn and Eldramin rush to secure the doors, Kierdan moves to assist Alistair.
Seeing Alistair's serious condition, Kierdan rushes to his side and begins to intently pray over his wounded form. The priest calls upon Pelor to shine his merciful, healing light on the magic user.
Dragomir closes the door the priests or cultists entered from so as to avoid other surprises.
That was a tough one... when will the wizard recover? We need to move quickly before there are reinforcements if we are to take the initiative, he rasps, his own wounds from the mystical serpents paining him.
Rolen comes out from hiding and approaches the fallen enemies and begins to rifle their pockets.
Does anyone have any healing we can pour down his gullet? We should probably tie these two up, or do away with them.
He then stands and makes his way to the door from which the monks arrived, and places his ear to it.
After securing the door to the best of her ability Koralyn moves to tie up the sleeping monks. We could try to question these two, but I expect if they are mind controlled or whatever it is that got them, they will not be cooperative .
Alistair awakes to the talk of keeping people alive or killing them.
"If it all the same to you, I would like to be kept alive, thank you. And thank you Kierdan for your assistance. I feel almost like normal!"
When Alistair opens his eyes, Kierdan says, It is good to see you again my friend.
He smiles and pats Alistair on the shoulder. Now, if you will excuse me, I must attend to the locals and see if any can be saved.
At that, Kierdan moves quickly from priestess to each of the three unconscious monks, touching each individual's forehead and saying a brief prayer before moving on to the next.
I could use some bandaging over here.
Dragomir looks over at Koralyn.
Whats wrong?, you don't look good at all.
Listen, friends, I see we almost all hurt. How much time do you think we have? If I can have ten minutes to spend in meditation and prayer, I will implore the Sun Father to shine his healing radiance on us all. But I will need ten minutes and I will need you all to come closer.
With Rolen's arrow in her throat, the priestess is beyond saving, as is the man Dragomir split with his greatsword. But a swift prayer is enough to stabilize the two other monks, although neither is likely to regain consciousness soon.
Once all of the monks are restrained, you have a chance to look around. The sanctuary remains quiet -- the wolves have gone silent, or left -- and only the door to the west is open. You can see chairs and a long table, set with simple bowls and cups, and you can faintly smell smoke from a coal fire, baking bread and other food.
Rolen looks at the others.
This way, or the doors behind the altar?
As the combat concludes Koralyn moves to secure the wounded enemies and only then realizes some are dead. Turning on Dragomir she accuses You killed them! There was no need! They are likely only farmers being used as tools of some true enemy. Why? The mayor clearly stated that these poor people are controlled and asked we spare them if we can. You have taken lives when it was not necessary, buying us only the enmity of the mayor and other good people of this town. Are you some kind of monster?!? Her eyes flash in anger and her hand moves to her sword.
Can we argue about the death of those attacking us another time? This door leads into a dining hall and more than likely a kitchen. Should we continue our exploration through the door the enemy came, or is a better choice behind the altar to the innards of the temple?
Rolen walks to the door behind the altar and listens intently and he slowly turns the handle to see if it is locked.