Crom will sell his scale mail and will buy a set of banded mail.
"I'm eager to finish clearing the caves. I say we head back at first light tomorrow."
The orc seems to take his paper seriously from the commander. He prepares to return to the caves.
All who ordered weapons find them ready, and Crom prepares to grab a set of banded mail. He also finds the blacksmith has a suit of half plate and plate mail for sale too.
A letter of introduction from the Keep is provided in a sealed envelope to deliver to the elves. You are told it is an offer of help and voices concern for the rumors that say some tragedy has hit their village.
The scroll found has: Detect Magic, Hold Person, Silence, Cause Serious WOunds
Lorcan picks up and pays for his masterwork crossbow, admiring the craftsmanship for a moment before placing in on his back over his small pack. I am ready to depart. Shall we visit the elves, he says with some hope in his voice. or go back to the dreaded caves?
"The commander's given us a mission, to check on the elves. The caves'll have to wait."
"I agree. Let us off to these elves and see what is amiss!"
"OFF THE ELVES!? Let's not go overboard here ... what ... oh ... ahem, yes, off to the elves ..."
Crom nods, "To the elves it is."
"To the elves it is, then."
Decked in their new armor, the party passes the caves. The orcs seem to have everything under control. A sign that is large and prominent is seen as you move up the ravine. It reads: Ulick and has a picture of a tongue. It appears the orcs, used to pictograms, have translate Ulek into the closest words they can.
After passing the orcs and heading up the hill, the climb to a shrine and an idyllic elven village is no more than an hour or two.
As you approach the nearby village, the elven dwellings mirror the grace of their people. The faces of the villages mirror their sadness. An elven maid appears after moving gracefully through her people and her beauty outshines the stars--she introduces herself as Rahasia. She asks simply: "Will you aid me?"
"What kind of aid are you needin'?" Morgan asks Rahasia.
Lorcan stairs somewhat stricken with her beauty.
Rahasia relates a tragic story:
"I am an Elven maiden called Rahasia. In the Hantu Valley at the foot of Gray Mountain, our village thrived in peace for many years. Our elders tended the forest. Our youth studied and worshiped in the temple on the mountain. We made our homes in peace—but our peace is no more."
"It was two weeks ago when the stranger came. He was a handsome man with deepset eyes and a soft, persuasive voice. Anyone hearing him speak was almost certainly lulled into agreement. But my Father did not trust this man, who called himself The Rahib. When he made unwanted advances toward me, my Father drove him from our village and cast him forth. It was then, as this man retreated to the forest, that The Rahib uttered such a curse that the sky darkened. In a deep, rich voice, he intoned an evil chant we could not understand."
"He then vanished into the forest. The next day, the elves who study at the temple and their teachers did not return to their homes. Their families became worried and went to the temple, but were driven away by the students, known as the Siswa. My Father and Hasan, my Betrothed, went to investigate, but they have not returned."
"Two days ago, we recieved a message for The Rahib. He boasted that all the devoted Siswa were under a spell that will not be broken until the village gives the Rahib three maidens, including myself. We refused. That night, the Siswa attacked and kidnapped two of my friends, Sylva and Merisa. They tried to take me as well, but I escaped. They took all our weapons and armor, leaving us even more defenseless than we already were."
"All of the villagers are in misery. With the Rahib controlling the sons and fathers of our clan, there is nothing we can do. Some have begged me to give myself over to the wicked Rahib, but I dare not, lest I find that he has lied, and will not break his curse. I fear that unless we are helped I shall never again see Hasan or my Father and my friends. I have sent this message in hopes that it reaches those who would rescue them and force the Rahib to remove his curse upon the Siswa, but you are the only ones that have come. A great reward will given anyone who can succeed in this mission. Without help, I have no choice but to give myself to the Rahib and pray that he keeps his word and releases the others."
The elven villagers hand Morgan a detailed map and caution the group "The Siswan often attack us on the way to the temple."
The map shows a path winding past a roadside shrine up the hills through the forest to a temple set into the side of the gray mountain. The roadside shrine is less than a quarter of a mile from the village, and the temple less than a half mile. It is quite a short journey. And, it is the way you have come from, having journeyed past the strange shrine on your way here. You realize, though, that you have not went higher to see the temple up the mountain, but joined the path and followed it past the shrine to the village.
If you agree to help the elf maid,,,,,,,As Rahasia leads you to the temple she stops at the roadside shrine to burn some incense. The shrine is open to the west and is about fifteen feet square on a side with two ten feet square alcoves in the north and south walls. Before the northern alcove is a strong looking man in a beard sitting on an altar. Rahasia informs you that the statue is of Elayas, a mage of great power and founder of the Quiet Way. "Outsiders are expected to not disgrace the Old One by walking past his gaze or disturb him in any way."
"A mage of great power you say...", Ozmund says, a thoughtful look on his face.
Horster hates oppression in any form and wants to help. However, ever cautious as he is, he offers to scout ahead. "Anyone else up to join me snooping around?"
Morgan takes the map and looks it over. She nods to the elf woman.
"Well boys, it looks like this expedition has become a rescue mission. Is everyone in agreement with helping?"
"Muamman Duathal is no friend of those that force their will onto others through such curses. I'll see this Rahib's threat ended, if I can." Kelgan declaims, brow furrowed in a frown. He stands beside Morgan and looks over the map.
Lorcan is quick to agree to help. But pondering the problem he asks The Siswan are ensorcelled elves that previously were your friends and tribesmen, correct? Are we to engage then with deadly force?
Crom grunts, "Aye, let's kill this Rahib."
As you follow the slender, very young elf maid and watch her perform her devotions, you consider entering the elven shrine.
Morgan hesitates at the entrance of the shrine, unsure as to whether the group is expected to follow. She looks back to her companions questioningly, and shrugs.
"It would seem we would not want to kill the elves unless we must ... but we will have a hard time subduing a large force that is intent on killing us"
Mit'l Is weary of the shrine, and also considering the fact that this elf-maid could also be under the spell of Rahib ... bringing him more minions.
Crom shakes his head, "We're outsiders. I wouldn't go in unless they specifically invite us."
Horster gives the grip of the hilt of his new rapier an extra squeeze, anticipating what action may lay ahead. The prettiest weapons are made for the ugliest of jobs, he thinks to himself.
He tries to listen to any noises emanating from the shrine, taking careful mental notes about any details that may play a significant part later.
Morgan nods at Crom's suggestion, and holds her position outside the shrine. She will enter only if invited.
Lorcan too is content to wait outside.
Ozmund is conflicted by his curiosity, but he restrains himself and remains with the others.
The party advances to the entrance to the temple without incident, to the young elf's surprise. "We made it!"
The temple gates are silver double doors and thirty feet wide overall. They are ornately carved with forest scenes and ominously, silently shut. The other walls of the temple are twenty feet high and covered in vines. At the corners of the south wall are delicate domes that rise ten feet above the walls.
Rahasia speaks: "I will be safe hiding in the woods until your return, I am a elf after all."
The double doors open to a courtyard eighty feet wide and ninety feet deep. Once well cared for, the courtyard is filled with weeds. In the center of the courtyard is a large pool, and just beyond the pool are steps into the temple proper. Four sheds are along the east wall and four sheds are along the west wall. In the southern corners are two buildings thirty feet wide covered by the delicate domes.
As the party enters the courtyard, Morgan scans the ground ahead for tracks.
"Watch where you step, boys," Morgan says, as she surveys the area.
"Aye, happy to let you and Horster have a look first, Morgan"
Kelgan has his axe in hand, but reversed, to strike with the blunt hammer-back.
Lorcan finds a position near the front but not not the front line and advances carefully.
Crom unlimbers his war axe and cautiously advances behind Morgan and Horster.
Horster lets all his senses pick up whatever they can. He pads forwards, placing each foot carefully, aware of possible traps and ambushes.
Ozmund follows behind the warriors, keeping a keen watch for any threats.
Rahasia does not enter, but gives these parting words:
"The Siswa are possessing the bodies of elves. They will want to fight you. I would hope the elves do not have to be killed! My father and brother will have belts with silver buckles with a forest leaf on it."
The domes, sheds, oily fountain, and steps into the temple proper await exploration.
Lorcan casts Mage Armor before entering.
Ozmund does the same, from one of his scrolls.
There are light tracks leading right into the temple.
Ozmund does the same, from one of his scrolls.
Before Ozmund can read the scroll Lorcan halts him and casts the spell on the wizard from his daily allotment. Save your scroll master wizard. Allow me to assist.
"The most recent tracks go straight to the temple," Morgan reports, gesturing that direction.
Ozmund smiles and nods his head in thanks.
"Very handy that! Thank you."
Crom nods at Morgan, "Aye, let's follow them in then."
Crom cautiously enters the Temple.
Ozmund smiles and nods his head in thanks.
"Very handy that! Thank you."
The group moves into the temple through the doors after climbing the stairs.
Beyond the double doors is a 10-foot-long entryway. A large, ornate compass rose is caved into the center of the floor. The entryway leads to an arched hallway running east and west. The hallway is 10 feet wide and a total of IO feet long. At each end, the hallway opens into a large chamber. On the north wall. immediately across from the entryway. is the faint drawing of a hand pointing east. Two curtained-off doorways lead from the south wall of the hallway. One doorway is just west of the entryway; the other is cast of the entryway.
Morgan gestures toward the image of the hand. "Someone left us a hint, or is baiting us into a trap. What do ya think?" she asks the group, "Shall we toss the dice and see what happens?"
Peering into the hall Lorcan comments Let us check the curtained-off areas first.
Crom scratches his head, "Aye, check the curtained doors first and then follow the hand."
Crom cautiously walks to the west curtained-off doorway and opens it. If clear, he opens the other door.
Mit'l takes his customary position behind the front line.
Kelgan moves to Crom's flank in his customary shield-wall position.