The wooden creatures are coated in lamp oil. That seems to spur them to action. The try to grab the small hobbit.
Two golems lock up the Halfling in strong grips. It appears the fight is on. The threats seemed to have strengthened the resolve of the wooden creatures.
Party to go again-Back to initiative
They have grappled the leader, Teraldan.
Party is to go, but think we are losing momentum here.
Entire group
"By the blood of all mother's!" Nee curses through gritted teeth. She tries to again restrain a mannikin.
5' step to Z34
[CMB, + 2 flank, +1 bless]
Malthor steps up and touches one of the wooden creatures grappling.
"I think you will make fine kindling! Bring that torch here. I'll make sure Teraldan doesn't die in the fire, just them."
Broldun, frustrated that he can't use his weapons, grabs one of the wood creatures and tries to wrest him off the halfling.
Frustrated with the creature's prowess and not seeing much alternative, Gell jumps on the dogpile getting in on the grappling fun.
"By the gods..." Ceweldyn mutters, preparing himself for the inevitable combat to come.
Broldun grapples one of the golems on Teraldan.
Ni Cu grapples and PINS the other golem on Teraldan, having not given up the advantageous hold from before.
The gnome tries, but cannot get a golem.
The golems look scared. "I hope Elwyn doesn't send the dragon to get us. The fire dragon was supposed to keep us in line."
knowing sh would b useless in the frey, Arya begins to beat hr drums inspiring her allies.
Mungo shoves the flaming torch at the wooden golem, trying to set it alight. "No need for a dragon, not when you've got adventurers around!"
+ 1 fire
"Wait everyone!" - Teraldan shouts, his voice unusually strong for such a small size - "This will take us nowhere!" - he turns to his companions and the golems at a time - "We can let them live, and they can provide us with information - let us strike a deal"
The demise of the wooden creatures is as spectacular as it is short. Mungo's torch touches one of the creatures and groups goes up in a nasty 'WHoosh' singing many eyebrows and more.
After they burn up, a magical, red, pulsing heart is all that remains.
Bogo looks at Mungo with admiration. "Wowww!!!"
The as the golem ignites, the dwarf nimbly rolls off and back to his feet. "Not much to talk about now, eh? At best they were mercs. At worst they were true enemies. Either way, no trust to be had fer talkin'."
The diminutive gnome gives the diminutive halfling a high-five.
"That was excellent Mungo!"
Ceweldyn raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.
The dwarf glowers at the raised eyebrow.
"WHOA!", Mungo shouts as the wooden creatures go up in flames. He takes a few steps back and tosses the torch onto the flaming form.
"I didn't expect that to happen!"
Set on fire, Teraldan drops on the floor trying to put the flames out.
Able to extinguish the flames he stand up, staring at the charred remains of the creatures who attacked them in silence.
Gather closely my friends. Garl Glittergold will soothe your wounds.
Nee mananges to jump out of he way as the splintery thing explodes in flame. She seems somewhat ambivalent about the method, but is clearly happy he creatures have been dispatched...
The brave warrior places a hand on the doughty halfling's shoulder...she considers the piles of ash and black scorched floor...
"Hmm, sounded like a good plan Ter, but I don't think they'll be telling us any more."
Bogo steps up and grabs the heart.
"Maybe this is my treasure?"
He looks curiously at the pulsing organ.
"Maybe? What do you mean...maybe? You don't know what your treasure is?"
It appears the curious Bogo is actually able to insert the heart into his chest cavity. He looks a little disoriented for a while.
"I think I am magic!!!"
He pulls his tunic aside and red glow is visible in his skin near his chest.
He then replies to the gnome. "Someone jacked my treasure."
To your left you see an open area about 30 feet east-west by about 20 feet north- south. The area seems to be empty. Except those of you who took the treasure from the last cache recognize this room as matching exactly the spot where the second treasure map leads to. Once again the X on treasure map 2 is in this room!!
Ceweldyn blinks twice at the sight of Bogo inserting the heartstone into his chest cavity. "Indeed, you would seem to be magical," he comments. Looking over the map, he remarks, "The treasure must be here." He beings searching the room.
A gleaming sword, glowing ring, wand, and scroll case are found behind a waist high rock.
"My treasure just got moved."
Bogo says with excitement.
The entire cache radiates magic.
"This is yours?" Ceweldyn asks, genuinely confused.
"Glittergold giveth and Glittergold taketh away." Gell grabs the ring and wand, looking to Bogo for reaction. "The heart is your treasure. These things should probably go to us, no?"
"It is fine--I leave now."
Bogo runs back the way you came.
Watching Bogo retreat the dwarf mutters, "Odd, that one... odd." Turning to the group the dwarf adds, "Truth be told, I dinnae know what the plan be from here... 'Tis not the mission I began."
Ceweldyn watches the creature go, wondering what it is thinking. "I hope he does not intend to ambush us later to get "his" treasure back." Turning to the pile of goodies, he asks, "Shall I make the effort to identify these things?"
The warrior woman watches the troglodyte leave, unsure if she should bring him down with a well-placed javelin. She decides against further hostilities, and returns her attention to the task at hand.
"He's genuinely scared, and with good reason. We wiped his clutchclan and now we aren't giving him any juice. Wish he hadn't scampered with that glowing heart- it looked well powerful. [*sighs*] You may as well take the time and effort Cew - we need the benefit of any and all resources…"
Gell hands the wand and ring to Ceweldyn for further inspection.
What do you think?"
Gell nods to Broldun and says to the group "Agreed. We're a bit lost here. Also, anyone still hurt?"
Ceweldyn looks at the items. As the troglodyte flees, The Quill, the elven rogue, pulls out a crossbow and seems to sight it on the fleeing creature. He shrugs and doesn't take the shot. "Don't know what that magic heart did. And it shooting someone in the back who traveled with me isn't my style."
The sword appears to be +1 longsword
The ring is a : Ring of spell storing with arcane spells in it
The wand is a : Wand of hold person (CL3 3 charges DC13 Will)
There is a scroll with :Silence (CL3) CLW (CL3)
The Quill motions to the ring: "I'm an elf, magical rings are my style."
A cackling laugh rings through out the complex. Checking to make sure no one fled from the numbing power of the screeching laugh, you see who is still around.
You approach another dias made of pure mahogany wood with a silver bell. Although made of fine material, you are disappointed to find this is not the true bell.
"Yeah, I'm with Gel here," Mungo says after Bogo runs off. "What are we doing here? All I know is that there's weird nesting doll golems and magic hearts. What's the goal, exactly?"
"None of this is of use to me," Ceweldyn says, handing it back to the gnome.
"A bell sacred to the church has been stolen by chuckles here and we're here to return it to the church and kill some orcs."
Nee smiles at the Quill's restraint, his ethics echoing her own.
Trying not to seem crestfallen she indicates the items...
"None of those items suit me either."
"Sacred bell. Got it. Thanks, Mal!"
The story is recounted for the those that just arrived....
The Church of Karmeikos is widespread and popular with the ruling class of the entire Duchy. The Order of Chardastes is quite popular with the common folk. The Order of Chardastes grew out of a 300 year old incident when there where many sites devoted to Traladaran worship. At one of these sites in Marlinev (now the capital Specularum) a sick woman went to pray to get well. A being named Chardastes appeared to her and told her the Traladaran religion of her people was false and that his religion was the true way as he laid hands on her and healed her completely.
On the altar was left a magical bell of ordinary size of pure platinum but lacking a clapper. It rang magically when picked up and became a relic of the converted Church of Karameikos shrine.
Every year on the anniversary of this event, many people flocked to this sanctuary hoping to be healed as the clergy sings sacred words and lifts the magic bell. Many are disappointed, but enough healed to spread the word and the Order of Chardastes has grown and flourished to this day.
Five years ago Elwyn took charge rewarded for his dedication to the church. But, he was seen learning arcane magic and swordplay rather than practicing divine magic. Before heresy charges could be levied, he and the bell disappeared without a trace. For five years no cures have been granted as the Order of Chardastes has many people flocking to a church with no bell, and their numbers have dwindled.
The Feather's administrative assistant adds to the conversation filling you in on recent events. Then a monstrous fortress was rumored to have been built three days ride to the east by this Elwyn. Sherlane wants the fortress investigated, any traces of Elwyn's involvement found, and the BELL located and returned if possible. The Feather has negotiated with the leader and high cleric of this town! Your payment is 1000gp up front to undertake this task, 1000gp for eliminating the fortress as a threat, 1000gp to bring back Elwyn alive, and 1000gp to bring back the BELL!
Teraldan picks up the sword, and admires its workmanship - "I could use this my friends, as it seems I have seen more melee combat than I had anticipated"
"Welcome to the fold Mungo, this area is surely powerfully enchanted, at least with magical travel" - he bows at the newly arrived halfling - "I am Teraldan" - he adds, staring as Bogo dashes away.
He motioned to stop the Quill, but it was fortunately not needed - "That was indeed a most strange of creatures, and how that gem affixed to his chest is something I have never seen" - he adds to his companions.
Gellumniq giggles at Quill's statement that magic rings are his style.
"Magic anything is my style, so I think I will hang onto this ring for now. Friend Quill, I don't seem to remember you lifting a finger back there when we did battle with the wooden creature. Next time we would appreciate some help, especially if you want some good magic loot."
Gell puts the magic ring on this finger.
Waving off the loot the dwarf adds, "Good steel is all I be needing and that sword is too big if'n ye want to wield a shield proper like.... So we need to be finding a bell and bring back the scoundrel who swiped it, aye? Lets to it then."
"Agreed," Ceweldyn notes. "We should be away."
The rings is worn and shown to hold lightning bolt
The detect magic spell fails to reveal much information about the ring more than the spell it has stored. The small paladin holds the medium sized sword a little awkwardly in his hand.
Continuing further into the fortress.....
To your right you see an open area about 10 feet east-west by about 20 feet north- south. The area seems to be empty except for a large stone statue in the northeast corner. The statue is an image of Chardastes!!
You consider moving into this room or continuing on by it.