MIt'l steps back and jabs ...
if Z44 fires a bow ... AOO
"Target the wounded, we will get one adventurer today!"
Mit'l takes his jab with combat reflexes and hits the archer bringing him down.
"We are not going back into the hole."
Another shot but this one strikes the neck of Lorcan.
I assume Mit'l is taking his AoO on that one.
The last one is somewhat unsure if another arrow is needed. But fires at Lorcan before he takes a punishing shot from the dwarves.
You are thankful you are in a temple of powerful elvish origin. The reprisal on the bandits targeting a downed and helpless opponent is quick and swift, leaving them bleeding on the ground. The confrontation with those with nothing to lose and unafraid of death was chilling.
Hopefully the inner shrine would heal the fallen, as it was Lorcan's wounds were quite beyond the magic the clerics had at hand. Now to figure out how the bandits appeared suddenly.
Horster inspects what his eyes and ears allow him to take in, looking for any secret passages or other non-magical ways the bandits could've appeared.
"Well, that didn't go well ... hopefully the inner shrine will heal the fallen ... let's see if we can make some friends. Who in their right minds shoots a dead guy instead of trying to escape ... spiteful little people."
Morgan stows her bow and lifts the body of the gnome.
"He seemed like a nice enough little fella. Maybe the gods of this temple will show him some mercy."
Ozmund ensures Lorcan's gear is all accounted for and helps take the little fella into the shrine.
Kelgan, with a smoldering glance of hatred for the dead bandits, morosely helps move the gnome into the shrine.
I assume Ozzy retreats through the fighters after firing.
The bandits return fire at Lorcan first. Preferring the look of penetrating robes versus armor. Mage armor stops the first arrow, but two bring the sorcerer down.
[dice=attack/damage]1d20+5;1d6+1d8;
[dice=attack/damage]1d20+5;1d6+1d8;
[dice=attack/damage]1d20+5;1d6+1d8;
The bandits attempt to retreat through the wall they 'popped' through, but it is solid to their chagrin.
In the underground catacombs you go searching for the inner shrine. You head the way you originally intended when the bandits appeared through the wall, carrying the body of Lorcan with you.
The desperate bandits probably did not wish to surrender their pilfered loot. The leader carries a composite, masterwork longbow (+1 STR bonus) and a masterwork studded leather jerkin, both of elvish make. The others carry three studded leather jerkins and three elvish longbows. Four quivers of arrows reveal 80 arrows, 6 of which radiate magic (+1).
Moving to the upper northern hallway you have Morgan and Horster peer inside the curtain. They see........
A long room, 10 feet wide and 30 feet
long, lies on each side of the opening
behind the curtain. In the room to the left,
under the light of burning torches in wall
sconces, five brown-robed figures crouch
in a circle. They mutter among themselves
as they sharpen wicked-looking blades
in the flickering light.
The figures appear elven dressed in the cloaks you wear. Two sacks in the center of their circle have the word 'Tithe' in common on them. They seem preoccupied and do not notice you. You can gain complete surprise or leave them undisturbed.
Even though Mit'l is from more savage lands, he has been paying attention and noting how the faithful behave in this region. He tries to discern what specifically they are doing and whether an interruption would be a "problem".
No religious knowledge aids, but you remember some Siswa are possessed and can be dangerous per Rahasia's instructions.
Always impatient, Horster asks the others, "We're trying not to shed blood if we can, but Lorcan's getting colder by the minute and needs aid. So, what's the plan?"
Mit'l survey's the room, most interested in if the bags are moving or have living creatures in them. He's thinking maybe the swords are for the tithe ... maybe these aren't the possessed ones.
Whispering, "If they are performing a ritual maybe we let them finish. Lorcan still has time. Maybe they are making an offering to rid themselves of the evil that has possessed there members."
Crom whispers,"They're likely possessed and we'll have to subdue them, but I'm willing to wait and parley if ther is a chance to avoid bloodshed."
The ritual continues and you notice they begins swaying and cutting themselves to pour blood on a small figurine.
Mit'l thinks their blood magic is evil. They seem to be possessed at first glance as their eyes are glazed. The ritual will be ending soon.
In their disoriented state, one of the elves looks your way, and eventually they all are catching your eyes. They look menacing as they finish cutting upon themselves.
" ... or, maybe we're in for a fight.".
Mit'l casts bless.
You realize with the massive construction outside and the detailed domes in the courtyard, the inner sanctuary is probably not on this level. The impromptu curtained ten by fifty hallway these Siswa are praying in is not a holy place.
The elves begin to rise drawing their wicked sickles in two hands. The blades gleam in the light where they are not coated in their blood.
Horster pull his bowstring taut and looks at Morgan for the signal to shoot. Here we go again!
Morgan draws back her own bow and readies to loose an arrow.
"If they're possessed, killing them won't save them. It's tricky, but maybe we aim for the kneecaps. Don't take unecessary risks, though. If it gets too bloody, we're going to have to put them down for good."
If they were not elves, I could cast a sleeping spell, but alas elves are totally immune to such enchantments. I unfortunately do not have spells that will not harm them!"
Mit'l and Horster react first as the Siswa prepare to exit their hall. Morgan has a readied shot and can unloose as they move into the hall.
"Let's take them down ... we can keep them breathing once they are scratching on death's door."
Mit'l will hold his action not wanting to run alone into the fray.
"let's funnel them in this hall so we only have to deal with two at a time."
Crom nods, "Let Gorum sort 'em out."
He steps in and attacks the elf at Q44.
Morgan looses an arrow at the robed figure directly in front of her.
Mit'l comes out of hold and moves into position O44
Feeling the warmth of Mit'l's prayer, Horster looses his arrow at the nearest Siswa in sight.
Kelgan steps into the room beside Crom, swinging at N44
The Siswa prepare to step out and attack, but Horster's shot leaves one bleeding on the ground.
Before Kelgan and Crom can move in. The Siswa move up and concentrate on Mit'l and three Siswa swing six sickles at him.
Two more go for Kelgan
Mit'l takes a single slash Kelgan a wicked cut to the neck
Crom puts on down and bleeding and Kelgan wounds one. Three are left wielding six sickles.
ORDER
Horster
Morgan
Siswa
Ozmund looses a force bolt at one of the wounded Siswa.
Damage:
Morgan draws and looses another arrow.
If Horster has a clean shot at any Siswa, he fires another arrow:
If there isn't an opening, he chooses instead to sheathe his bow and draw his rapier.
Two more go down in a hail of arrows and force bolts.
The last one tries for Kelgan.
But misses and quickly joins her companions bleeding on the floor.
Combat Over
"quickly tie them up and I will channel to keep them from dying"
We tie them.
Crom helps Mit'l bind the elves and then inspects the room.
Ozmund also assists in binding the elves up.
Mit'l channels and determines four of the five elves are still breathing. One elf seemed quite unhardy, unable to take a huge axe swing.
The sacks with the word 'tithe' on them each have 130 gold pieces in them.
Nothing else remarkable is found except for a few prayer books, and a journal by one of the elven girls.
You notice the wall on the other side that is similar to the one the bandits came through.
"These for will live ... this frail one has succumb to his wounds. We should take him with us ... maybe they will be more likely to raise Lorcan if we also care for their wonded."
Mit'l tosses the body of the fallen elf on his shoulder.
"Lead on ... hmm, that wall. Do these elves have a key? Talisman? Something that might get us through?"
Horster inspects the door for any traps.
No key or trap is found. The map is accurate. At the far end of the hall a shimmering is seen in the west wall.
Crom attempts to step through the shimmering wall.
And Crom is gone!!
Morgan's eyes fly open as Crom vanishes.
"He's vanished into the wall! Did that magic take him somewhere or charbroil him?!"
Spellcraft:
Ozmund looks at the shimmering wall and tried to decide if it is harmful or not.
" ... um ... Crom?"
Horster apprehensively touches the wall that Crom's just stepped through, not sure whether to expect anything other than the plain hardness of stone.
Morgan sighs, hefts Lorcan over her shoulder and moves toward the shimmering wall.
The bandits came through it, and it didn't kill them. Odds are, it's a portal of some kind. Time to roll the bones, Morgan.
"Let's go, boys. Crom's waiting for us!" Morgan says, as she steps into the light.
You emerge in a hallway complex very much similar to the one you left in a four way intersection with two ten foot passages leading to a dead end and two long passages.