Legacy of Fire

Game Master Megan Robertson

Silena will propose that we approach from the south east breach in the wall... avoiding the gate-house structure at {E} [an possible detection by sentries]... using the pillars and rubble in the courtyard to investigate the outside buildings first.. in clockwise pattern - {F, C, D, A, B, E} in that order before trying to find an entrance to the central structure {G}.

"that seems a sound plan, let's hope they aren't too well defended so we aren't spotted too quickly."

Barezata agrees with the plan to start from the south east breach. "I'll plan to make one circuit of the area, then come back."
Same plan as before, but with one circuit around the area. Just trying to look for outer building descriptions and any guards. Take 10 on Stealth for 30 and Take 10 on Perception for 21. Not entering any structures until we're all together. Agree with plan to start at F assuming no nearby guards at other areas.

Approaching stealthily from the south-east, then, and going round clockwise, Barezata sees that in the southwest section of the temple rises a large, bronze-plated dome[F] set atop a raised stone foundation. The dome is badly cracked and a gaping hole mars the southwest wall. Several human-sized, brownish-black, egg-shaped objects lie about the yard surrounding the dome.

There's something inside. You can hear movement and a grumpy-sounding hissing.

Sonya parks her horse with the others, turning the reins over to the cleric. Stealth is not her forte and she has no intention of using it. She just quietly waits monitoring Barezata's condition through her life link until she crosses more than 150 feet from Sonya. At which point the link is broken.

Barezata pauses to study the egg-shaped objects and to see if she can identify them. She doesn't approach the hole, reasoning that she would rather do so with everyone else when she returns. She moves on, continuing her silent circuit of the compound.
Knowledge (local) (studied): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Take 10 on Stealth for 30 and Take 10 on Perception for 21.

Barezata crouches down to examine the strange egg-shaped objects and finds that they smell terrible... they are, in fact, serpent droppings (i.e. poop!).

Turning her nose away, Barezata bounces back to her feet and continues on.

Moving round to the section marked [C], where protruding from beyond the safety of the western temple wall there is a fortified gatehouse built around a forty-foot-diameter dome covered in pale blue, flaking mosaic tile. Behind the dome stand a pair of slender spires. The top of the northernmost spire sheers off at a jagged angle about three-quarters of the way up, while the other bears extensive cracks circling its foundation.

The doors blocking the west gate are of recent construction, crudely fabricated from wood salvaged within the temple and stolen from caravan raids. The hinges have long since rusted out, so the doors appear to be merely wedged in place (and probably barred from the inside).

As Barezata approaches, a javelin comes flying down from an arrowslit in the southerly round bit... missing, but close enough that it appears deliberate. A voice shouts something gutteral yet sibilent (anyone here speak Draconic?).

I do not speak Draconic. Are we close enough to hear it anyways?

Possibly not, although it was a *LOUD!* shout! How far away are you hiding whilst Barezata scouts?

Surprised that someone has gotten the drop on her, Barezata marks the location and quickly fades back to the rest of the group where she reports what she has seen so far.

OK, what will you do now?

Opps sorry.. I did not see Barazata's last post or would have replied already!

Silena will ponder Barazata's report...

"So ..some likely VERY large lizard, reptile or perhaps draconic creature is using the courtyard as a hunting or fodder ground.. and the east Gate house ruin is occupied by hostiles... that speck draconic. There may be a connection."

"Since they know someone is here... we might be able to use that to our advantage. I propose Sonya and I approach from the way you did.. Barazata and try to engage them in conversation, a distraction; while you and Hijiro try to sneak around the outside of the gatehouse and enter from the rear."

"If there is trouble.. there is a breach in the wall to the north of the Gatehouse so either of us can come to the other's aid should we need to."

"Shahin, can be waiting in the back to support your efforts should you require healing or sent to inform us of your progress or new opponents you discover if needed."

Sonya is half listening, but more concentrating on creating a new tether in her life link. Her gloved hand reaches out touching Barazata and reconnecting her to the link. "I do not know the dragon's language. That could cause an issue."

Silena smiles, "That's ok.. if we cannot communicate... we are a distraction... and if they come out to apprehend us.. they will have to open the doors for Hijiro and Barazata that will be waiting for them if they are not already inside."

Hijiro nods at the plan. Though splitting the group seems unwise in some ways, a two-pronged approach could be beneficial in this case, so he raises no objections. His only objection is being apart from Sonya when she may be facing danger... then he smirks at his own silliness... she is far more capable at taking care of herself than he is, and he's well aware of it...

He gives Barazata a little smile. "You and me to the rear entrance then it seems... "

You head out then. As you get within earshot another javelin comes flying out.

Silena frowns... but walks over to the javelin retrieving it.

Looking up at the battlements she looks for movement... then HURLS the javelin back at the thrower!

Attack w/Javelin: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Calling up to the defender in Common, "We DON'T Speak Draconic you TWITS! Do we LOOK like Dragons or Kobalds?!?!"

Sonya chuckles a bit at Silena's hotheaded responce, "Because they are to blame for two clerics not praying for the ability to Comprehend Languages before going into an enemy camp where we do not speak the language. Though I would have expected gnoll rather than draconic."

Silena gives Sonya a petulant look, clearly in-jest, "..hush you! I didn't expect to be parleying.. especially with Gnolls~ we came to infiltrate and scout and if deemed necessary... kill!"

Turning her attention back up to the battlements, "You up there! Do any of you mongrels speak ANYTHING other than guttural grunts?!?"

A trogodyte sticks his head out. He says something in that hissing gutteral tongue, then switches to accented Common.

"Sorry. Who thee be? Want what?"

Silena looks up... she had not quite expected an answer she could understand that was not more violence.

Touching the gorget of her blackened spiked steel full plate Folding Armor she dismisses it with the brief sound of shrieking metal on metal to it's folded necklace amulet form at her throat.

She stands there boldly in her... somewhat revealing courtly silken finery, letting her inky black skin and silver white hair glint in the sunlight... showing her self to be a lovely, shapely, young half-drow woman.

Speaking up, "I am 'Lady' Dame Silena Dulare, Warrior & Priestess of the Midnight Lord ~ ZON-KUTHON, Knight of Almah! I am here to Scout these ruins and determine their threat value!"

"Who are YOU and Who do you serve?"

"We live here!" says the troglodyte, sounding a bit surprised.

Silena gets a painfully forced patient look on her face...

Yelling back up, "We wish to parley with your leader!"

Then mutters under her breath, 'Cause clearly YOU don't have the intellect to answer a simple question...!!!'

Barezata holds off on attacking until she hears the results of Silena's attempt to parlay, but lurks with Hijiro near the back of the building.
Take 10s for 30 Stealth and 21 Perception.

"Um. Okays..."

The head vanishes and the sharper-eared amongst you can hear some muttering. Then the gate opens and a small troglodyte emerges.

"Okie-dokie. Come on in. Keep youse weapons sheathed an' youse hands in plain view..."

The small troglodyte is not carrying any weapons.

Silena raises an eyebrow in wonder... but shrugs and glances Sonya's direction before following. Silena takes her time entering staying near the Troglodyte... using her size to obscure his vision to give Barazata and Hijiro time to slip in under stealth in the shadows as she engages the unarmed troglodyte in hopefully distracting conversation...

"...my, my what an interesting structure! You say you live here? How long have you dwelled here... surly you don't expect us to believe you made this place... your far too small and its not even built to your scale? Your scales are ...greenish tinged... that might indicate you are of Chromatic Green Dragon blood... is not a jungle or a forest more to your liking? How came you so far from your natural habitat... surly you must find these deserts far too hot and dry to your liking?"

Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

But even though Silena is playing distraction still she is shifting her gaze around the entrance looking for - some sign of what the Troglodytes are using the structure for, and how many concealed and likely armed Troglodytes are lairing here...

Perception: {Take 10!} 10 + 6 = 16

Barezata uses Silena's distraction to slip into the structure. hoping she can remain unobserved. If the troglodytes seem to spot her, she'll fall in alongside Silena and Sonya.
Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

The troglodyte leads you into an entry chamber. Faded tiles have cracked and crumbled into small piles at the foot of mud-brick walls. Once colourful mosaics are painted with sloppy, blood-scribed warnings written in Draconic and punctuated with gnoll scalps spiked into the walls.

Off to either side, you can see through half-ajar doors more troglodytes with javelins, watching but not overtly threatening. There's also a set of double doors straight ahead. The troglodyte heads towards them.

"Thissa way," he says.

If he's noticed Barezata he doesn't pay her any attention.

Barezata continues to follow Silena and Sonya into the troglodyte den, curious how the leader will act.
Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23

Hijiro sneaks in behind the others, trying to stay as unseen as possible.

stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26

Left my notes at home... more tomorrow!

OK, now at home...

You are led through the double doors into an open-air court. On either side, narrow wings extend for fifteen feet. Three large pillars run down the center of each of the wings. Swept against the walls lie piles of rubble from a collapsed ceiling. The walls hold faint traces of calligraphy written in some antiquated script but the engravings are barely legible.

Plan

Barezata continues to attempt to sneak. If it becomes obvious that she is seen, she just falls in with Silena and Sonya.
Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

Silena watches the troglodytes trying to figure out how they fit into the power structure of the Carrion Kings forces..are they allied or opposed? She looks around to try to find some clue as to their affiliation... religious or otherwise...

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Kno {Religion}: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Kno {History}: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I am still recovering (and will be for about a month and a half), but I should be posting regularly again.

Sonya scans the walls and is most interested in the scripts and calligraphy than she is in the creatures seeing Silena so intent on watching them.

Knowledge History 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Knowledge Planes (though I doubt it will do anything) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Knowledge Religion 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

The double doors are flung open without much ceremony (troglodytes aren't big on ceremony) and you are led through to the chamber beyond (C4 on the plan).

The broad dome crests twenty feet above the floor, supported by stone arches inlaid with glittering fragments of rock crystal. The dome itself is damaged, missing several sections that have been crudely repaired with stretched hides. Beyond the arches, tiled walls square off the outer perimeter of the dome. Set into the floor beneath the dome is an elaborate mosaic of an intertwining sun and moon. The once stunning inlay is badly chipped. Chained to several of the arches hang the half-devoured remains of slain gnolls, their corpses crawling with flies. Most of the bodies are missing the majority of their legs and feet. A single word has been crudely carved into their chests.

What word?

Silena passes her gaze around.. and is appalled by the state of destruction within this clearly once beautiful and Grand Mosk! She gazes at the intertwining image of the sun and moon wracking her brain for any religious significance as to the builder's religious leanings...as CLEARLY the Troglodytes are interlopers having little care of the structures history other than its use as a artificial cave for their lair.

Kno: Religion 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

On seeing the chained up half-eaten gnolls... her scowl deepens. Much as she dislikes the Gnolls for their proclivities and faith in their 'alleged demonic-progenitor' - LAMASHTU, the mother of monsters, she is disgusted by the thought of them being eaten.. still alive~ as she is partially sure was the case of the corpses, before they bleed out. Such barbarity is distasteful to her sense of order.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
- Still looking for any signs of who these particular Troglodytes worship or revere

Noting the word carved into the Gnoll corpses... Silena tries to translate, though she suspects it is draconic...

Linguistics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Barezata slips in, taking up a position in the shadow of one of the arches and watches the troglodytes and her companions as they enter.
Stealth: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (7) + 20 = 27

HEY! What gives? The Site won't let us post int he discussion thread for this game!

Waiting on a post from you Megan.

There are no obvious signs of the troglodytes' religious affiliations.

Silena does not speak or read Draconic... hence the linguistics check, but since the Troglodytes have made no overt threatening actions and they bear no recognizable symbology that might give her even a hint at their affiliation~ religious, national or otherwise... she will play along content to follow them and hear their leader out before making any decisions as yet or starting any violence.

Barezata waits in the shadows, hoping to see what the troglodytes will have to say to her companions.

Hijiro stays hidden as well, not far from Barezata, listening, tho he doesn't understand the conversation, he hopes to be able to tell if and when it all turns hostile.

At either end of the dome, double doors provide exits, while a small staircase in the southeast corner of the chamber leads down. A scruffy troglodyte, wearing a shabby gown and a battered symbol of Rovagug appears from the staircase, holding a bit of meat in one hand.

"What in the name of the Rough Beast is going on here?" he demands. "Are these interlopers for us to sacrifice?"

Not the best start to negotiations, but it will be fun to watch Silena.

Normally the calm negotiator, there is one trigger that Sonya can not abide. A fire burns in her eyes as she sees the unholy symbol hanging from his neck. She grasps firm the holy symbol hanging from her neck and gives a knowing glance to Silena that she should recognize well. "Silena, it seems I have slacked in my duties as Abbot-Protector. Allowing servants of the Rough Beast so close to our precious home. It is regrettable what I am forced to do for these negotiations." Sonya turns her attention forward again, fire burning in her eyes as she begins to draw her the spell forth, flames licking from her hands.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Sorry for the delay.. been very sick... Bronchitis, could not lie down to sleep without coughing fits. Went to the hospital.. thought I was on the road to recovery.. now its back AGAIN! Doctors did not really help and did not actually give me anything to help with it. So I'm self medicating with some Amoxicillin, that I horded away from a previous flu. Not sure if its working.. but I've stopped the incessant coughing and spitting up bronchial phlegm and I 'feel' like I could lie down and rest now. So I'm posting

Silena hears the troglodyte's words and her stomach turns in distaste she does not resist the urge to put her hand on the grip of TEMPEST at her waist...still 'currently' in Scimitar form...

She does not fail to notice the utter and not in her opinion unjustified righteous fury in her sister-oracle Sonya's eyes.

Silena does 'try' to perhaps offer an 'alternative' to immediate hostilities, but her tone is entirely NOT diplomatic, "...By all that's unholy... lunatic cultists of the beast! You're WORSE than the mongrel children of the mother of monsters...! Know you.. I am Silena Dulare, War Priestess and Cleric of ZON-KUTHON... the 'Midnight Lord' who fashioned the prison of the Rough Beast and my companion is Sonya Amir, Oracle of SARENRAE... the 'Dawnflower' who put the Beast in his prison~ It is not US who are to be sacrificed but you who will be EXTERMINATED if you so much as think to try!!! You and ALL your Mad cult will be put to the SWORD as you so justly deserve... make no mistake... however, much as it GALLS ME TO THE CORE to admit it~ we seem to have coinciding goals with wiping out the Gnoll Mongrel children of LAMASHTU!"

"I'll will make you an offer.. no alliance, but a truce... we will both agree to destroy the LAMASHTU 'dogs' first as they are the more numerous right now instead of each other! But make no mistake... WE WILL FIGHT and you will have your reckoning with oblivion, just not right now! THIS is the ONLY OFFER, of delayed DEATH you will receive!"

"Honestly, I'm hoping you refuse as my Oracle sister in ready to burn you all with heavenly fire... but I'm the soldier and do not wish to waste resources unnecessarily, right now, if it can be avoided, but make no mistake... WE ARE YOUR DEATH! I am not unlike the Gnolls.. who are monsters who walk like men.. I am a Monster who looks like a woman!"

"Choose now.. join our fight to destroy the LAMASHTU Curs and we agree to delay our battle for now or WE will GLADLY DESTROY YOU ALL Right NOW! OBLIVION AWAITS!!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21