...and an old temple guarded by "A mean old bear!"...
"Really? A friend of mine dreamed of such a bear, and of the temple."
"Can you tell me anything about the bear? Why is it so mean? And what about the temple? What kind of temple is it?"
Elena The pair can't really tell you much about the temple, aside from the information that "It's really, really old!", and that it has a big statue of a man with an elks head.
As for the bear, all they can tell you is that it stays in the temple, doesn't go out to hunt or forage, and that it relentlessly attacks anyone who enters the temple.
Their directions take a bit of deciphering, as the distances are given by two small creature who fly everywhere. In the end you feel you have a good idea where the temple is.
No encounters on the way back, so you're now in the trading post again.
What are you doing?
2. ...A dream about an overgrown temple of Erastil guarded by a huge, angry bear...
Elena seeks out Jhod with the news.
"Brother Jhod! I have news!"
"We encountered a few fae in the forest. They told us about an old temple in the forest. Turns out that your dream wasn't a metaphor after all! They also said there was a bear living there, and a statue of a man with stag antlers."
"We stopped in to resupply but I hope to head there soon."
Richard makes sure to do the rounds with all the regulars and any new faces. In particular he'll make sure all is well with Oleg and Svetlana.
After stabling Sandy, Colwyn marches into the bunkhouse and flops onto his cot with nary a word to anyone.
"All that time locked up in Restov made me forget how much I hated traipsing through the wild," he mutters into his bunk.
His feet are sore. His shoulders are sore. His rump is sore. His head is sore.
Too ornery to generalize, he takes a complete, silent inventory of all the ways he aches, hoping the mental exercise will lull him to sleep.
For lack of anything else to occupy his mind, Niadroub Kliip takes a closer look at the catapults on the fort towers to determine what it would take to get them in working order, again.
Mykhael accompanied Elena wanting to hear more about this bear and temple.
Richard - There are several new faces on show, all look to be either traders just arrived to see what Oleg has for sale. Or they are local trappers, drawn by the trading posts increased life and selection of goods on offer.
Oleg and Svetlana are much improved now, the removal of the constant threat to their lives, and drain on their stock has seen the trading post begin to grow. While still somewhat small in the amount of stock he carries and can trade for, the selection has grown again in the small time you've been away.
Elena - Jhod is heartened by your news. "That is wonderful to her Sister." His face grows pensive. "Be careful though. If the temple fell into disuse, and the bear features in my dreams. Then it may be no ordinary animal, but something to do with the problems that caused the temple to fail. Please be careful if you do meet it."
Niadroub - The walls are being repaired and strengthened by the guards, from talking to them you find that the catapults are going to be either replaced, or repaired when work is completed on the walls.
Colwyn - Svetlana drops by to see you and the others, since you seem to be so sore she offers to have water heated so you can soak in the tub and work some of the stiffness out before she serves the evening meal.
What are you doing now?
Before thee party sets out again, Elena checks in with Oleg to see if he has any interesting supplies he has come across since we last browsed in his shop.
Travelling steadily you pass through areas you have already crossed in your explorations.
Reaching the area indicated by your Fey friends you soon find the lost temple.
The thick tangle of brambles gives way into a large clearing in the woods, its border partially defined by ruined stone pillars. The western face of the clearing is dominated by a looming, upthrust ridge of rock, nearly 300 feet across and rising to a moss-topped height of 100 feet at the center. The side of this towering boulder facing the clearing has
been carved in the likeness of an immense elk, its antlers drooping down from its weathered face to frame a 50-footwide cave entrance.
A flight of stone steps leads up to this cave entrance from the forest clearing—both the steps and elk face feel quite old and are thickly encrusted with layers of moss. A 50-foot-long oval pool sits in the middle of the clearing, its waters thick with algae.
Of more concern to you is the large bear which raises it's head as it scents you and howls in berserk fury.
What are you doing now?
Niadroub Kliip casts mage armor.
Richard looks at the statue. "From what our new associates told us the two distinct features of this bear are that it doesn't leave the area and that it's not of a pleasant temperment."
He looks towards Elena "I'm not sure if you or anyone has any tricks for trying to deal with it peacefully. I wont object the situation looks odd in many ways. However I propose we prepare in case it attacks which seems likely."
He turns to address Colwyn "The two of us advance covertly before the rest of the group. We set up a few bear traps. Luckily this bear sounds large so we use those pillars up aheads as choke points. Leave space for us to pass through but if he advances to attack it'll be at risk. We have plenty. If it chooses to attack the traps and our arrows might deter or end it. I don't imagine anyone wants to get mauled by it."
"If we can get within 30 feet or so I can try to charm it," Mykhael suggests. He squints as he examines the bear in the distance shaking his head, "Don't know how safe it will be getting that close though."
"Well be ready to toss it at the beast if it comes to it I suppose."
"I'd prefer to relocate the bear somewhere that humans will have no interest in. It's not his fault he's a bear. But if the beast has turned the temple into its den, it will be hard to dislodge."
"I may be able to calm the beast using magic, but as soon as we try to do anything to him my spell will fail. It might allow us to get close, but won't make him accept any type of restraints."
"If such attempts fail, we may have to kill it. Bears should not be allowed to roam too close to human settlements."
"Mebbe we cold lure et out with my horse."
Mykhael readies himself for the approach of the bear.
Xan had had her bow ready as they travelled and now seeing the bear charging, readied herself to fire. She held off in-case one of the spellcasters wanted to try and settle it down but unless they started running like hell then the recovered bear traps wouldn't do much good.
"Well, they weren't exaggerating about the size."
"Judging from that howl, I think stealth may be out of the question," Colwyn says with a shudder.
With his bow already drawn, Colwyn rushes for the lee of a nearby pillar.
He presses his side against the mossy, flaking stone for cover and prepares to loose an arrow when the bear closes the distance.
"Or mebbe not."
Looking at the bear he sighs "I'm not used to bears, I was thinking it was a mating call." Sword and buckler in hand he moves up towards one of the pillars ready to try to stop the beast if it should try to move past but stays out of people's line of sight with it as much as possible... spells and failing that bows he'd be happiest with winning the day without his sword needed on this occasion.
"Whet soort of dates do you goo oon???" Niadroub Kliip calls at the advancing River Kingdomer.
Elena touches her holy symbol and then mutters a prayer to Erastil. She touches Richard on the shoulder. "May Old Deadeye protect you."
Elena then readies her bow.
"If the beast proves too much for us, I will use my magic to calm it if I can."
1st round:
The bear barrels down the stairs before the cave and charges straight for you. Colwyn's shot skids off it's thick, matted hide.
2nd round:
The bear keeps coming, it's now obvious it seems to be picking Elena to attack, despite others being in it's way?
Mykhael's spell doesn't effect the bear in any way.
Everybody else who was holding can now have their actions. Which I believe is everybody but Mykhael.
As the creature barrels past him he tries to use the creatures to drive the tip of his blade through it's thick hide and draw it's ire. "Pull back Elena before it can get to you."
Seeing Mykhael's spell fail, and with the bear too close to Richard for a clear shot, Xan dropped her bow and ran in with her sword. She and Richard were probably the best front-line warriors in their little band, so keeping it from reaching the others was their job.
Niadroub Kliip casts ray of enfeeblement on the bear.
Colwyn hustles around the tumbled stonework, moving to flank the great beast.
He nocks and aims another arrow, but his hasty shot only shatters against the stone pillar.
Between the beast's thrashing and his allies' proximity, it will be difficult to find a clean shot.
Skirting around the beast, the scoundrel can already see some potential vital targets, drawing from what little of his father's hunting lessons he remembers.
A sneer carves itself onto Colwyn's face.
Against his better judgment, Colwyn realizes he will have to move unbearably close to the beast.
2nd round:
The bear keeps coming, it's now obvious it seems to be picking Elena to attack, despite others being in it's way?
"It wants me! But why?"
Does it smell the stain if my bloodline on me? Do even the animals know my shame? she thinks.
Elena darts to one side and takes a shot with her bow.
The bear nearly stumbles as Niadroub's spell drains it's strength.
The other all slash and stab at it as it continues to run at Elena, opening wounds in it's flanks.
Elena shoots and her shot is almost perfect, the arrow seemingly correcting it's self in flight to sink into the bears most vulnerable spot.
With an almost human scream of rage and despair the beast rears up and slashes at Elena with it's claws.
Missing completely.
The party may now act again.
Elena tries to put her shield between her and the huge beast. She ducks behind Mykhael and tries to stay out of its' reach.
"Help! Erastil Protect Me!"
"I've never seen a bear so angry!"
"The hell do you think you're doing, fuzzball? Get back here!" Xan shouted as she lashed out with her sword again, trying to exploit the bear's single-minded fury to land what blows she could.
Diving forward in a roll Richard hopes to avoid any attacks from the grumpy and violent bear and attempts to use the momentum to drive his blade into it's thick hide.
Niadroub Kliip sends another ray of enfeeblement at the bear.
This penalty does not stack with itself. Apply the highest penalty instead.
Trying to keep his body between Elena and the enraged bear Mykhael dropped his long spear and drew his short spear in one fluid motion. He grimaces as he grabs the spear in both hands and thrusts it at the bear's chest.
The bear finally realizes it's dead as Mykhael's spear sinks deeply into it's chest.
It makes an almost human-sounding sigh of relief, then collapses in on itself, transforming first into an incredibly old human man with a look of peace in his eyes, and then a moment later crumbling into a skeleton and thence to dust.
At this moment, the entire shrine seems to grow more vibrant and colorful. The water in the pool becomes crystal clear.
The temple has been cleansed.
You find among the bones left by those unfortunate enough to have stumbled onto the temple a few remaining pieces of value.
Loot:
Mithril shirt.
MW Short spear
126gp.
What are you doing now?