I, too, would be interested in continuing this game.
Additionally, we did level up following the encounter at the monastery; most of that was handled in the Discussion Thread.
Thanks, I'll start using the discussion thread for non-game posts.
We are ready to go...
The campaign left off with your group scouting and observing the perimeter of Kelmarane. On the third day you observed a group of six gnolls lead a human prisoner from the battle market to an open square to the west. There they staked the man to the ground and pulled out his intestines and inner organs with red-hot iron tongs. The man's screams could be heard all the way to the Monastery. He was then left there for the vultures to clean up the mess. Later that night another group of gnolls (the same ones?) headed out of the battle market, but this time they led the poor soul out of Kelmarane and into the Pesh fields to the southwest. Instead of killing him, they forced the bound man to his knees while the gnolls began pounding the ground with a large staff. Taking this as an opportunity to finally let the gnolls know that you are here and possibly save another soul from such a horrible death, you jump to your feet and make haste to rescue the man.
Kelmarane is about a mile to a mile and a half north of the Monastery. It is about a mile from your current location to the Pesh fields where the prisoner is located. Making haste, it still takes you over 10 minutes to get there as you are carrying your gear and dodging cactus plants. When you arrive, exhausted from the long hard run, you spot none of the gnolls that were there earlier. You only thing you see is a man laying on the ground ahead of you, arms and legs bound with rope, clothes torn and soiled, and looking very weak.
If they did, whatever they summoned was under their control. Else he would no longer be drawing breath. Of course, if he remains as is he may not be long for this world anyway.
Daumari quickly approaches the man, keeping his senses alert for a possible ambush. Kneeling, he uses his scimitar to cut the robe binding the captive's limbs.
Efreat rushes to the figure and holds his breath as he tries to see if he recognizes the body.
Please....don't be Haleen.
Daumari, worried that the gnolls have summoned a creature that will soon be here, rushes up to the bound man and immediately starts cutting the ropes binding the man's arms and legs while keeping a lookout for trouble. Bahir joins him at his side and focuses his attention on the man's health, providing a healing touch. Aware of your presence, he opens his eyes an looks upon the holy warrior kneeling before him. With a weak smile and voice, he mouths the words "Thank you".
Efreat, concerned that this person may be the one he is searching for, quickly moves closer to get a good look. Whew, it's not her. Meanwhile, Paellat, Hazreem, and Mah'ysa keep a close watch of their surroundings in case there is trouble.
Just as Daumari gets the last of the ropes cut and without warning, he and Bahir both feel a sudden sensation of weightlessness as the ground around them suddenly drops away. Everyone else watching witnesses their two comrades and the now freed man suddenly drop below the ground. This is immediately followed by a five large tentacles rising up above the ground surrounding the area where they just were. Then a large maw appears just above the ground in the middle of all the tentacles.
Dangling out of the creatures mouth is the mighty Bahir. Laying prone at the edge of this giant maw are Daumari and the unidentified man. They were lucky and didn't get swallowed.
Daumari rolls to his feet, and when he stands his hammers are already swinging. Keeping one of the weapon's heads close for defense, the ranger strikes out with the other at the creature.
Mah'ysa will run up to the injured man, then point at the creature and call upon the glory of Saranrae to cast a Fire bolt at it.
Ranged touch:
Fire damage if hit:
Tod.
Tod.
Initiative:
Don't forget your init rolls, otherwise I'll roll for you.
You notice this thing has long tentacles (aka 10ft reach).
Tod.
A thundering crack is heard as a small storm appears within the palm of Hazreem's hand. He releases it at the creature, causing a buffeting wind and sleet to batter its hide.
"Burn!"
Initative Order:
- Bahir
- Efreat
- Daumari
- Mah'ysa
- Paellat
- Hazreem
- Unidentified Man
- Creature
Hanging halfway out of the mouth of the foul creature, Bahir yells to get that man to safety before trying to stab it with his scimitar, but the strange position doesn't give him enough leverage to penetrate the creature tough skin. Efreat yells "Burn" and attempts to send a ray of fire at one of the tentacles moving past him, but it moved too fast and the ray missed. Daumari, having been thrown to the ground by the creatures sudden upward appearance, rolls to his feet causing one of the tentacles to take a swipe at him but misses. Daumari immediately begins spinning his meteor hammers and strikes the creature just below its maw leaving a huge indentation.
Mah'ysa runs up to aid the fallen man, but then turns to the foul creature and calls upon her deity to unleash a bolt of fire at it, leaving a scorched area. Paellat takes a step back out of the creature's reach and unleashes his scorpion whip and strikes the creature dealing 2 pts of damage.
Suddenly there is a blinding flash in the middle of the night immediately followed by a thunderous crack that echos within this valley as Hazreem lets loose a small storm from the palm of his hands and blasting the creature and buffeting it with wind and rain.
The unidentified man, now feeling better from the Paladin's healing touch, panics from this huge creature that tossed him aside. Ignoring those around him, he gets up and suddenly takes off with amazing speed. He runs about 80 feet before taking cover behind a cactus.
The creature, hindered by the pounding wind and rain, swings it's tentacles around and takes strikes at those in range. First tentacle hits Daumari for 5 pts, second hits Efreat for 5 pts, third hits Hazreem for 5 pts, fourth hits Mah'ysa for 5 pts, and the fifth also takes a strike at Mah'ysa but misses. The creatures mouth then opens slightly before closing again, as if it is trying to swallow the tasty morsel it has between it's teeth, but the mighty Paladin manages to hold on and avoids being swallowed. At least for this round.
Need help climbing out?
As he calls to Bahir, the ranger changes his stance slightly and once again strikes with his hammer. This time, however, the strike is followed by another from the weapon's second head.
Mah'ysa, seeing the man she came to help apparently all right, steps back 5', assumes a defensive stance, and begins to sing an inspirational hymn to the glory of Saranrae.
Hazreem summons another storm burst from his hand, releasing it towards the beast
Backing up, Efreat points his finger again. "I said Burn!"
Bahir turns his full attention to the creature trying to swallow him and attempts to strike again, but this awkward position he is in just doesn't give him the right angle to attack. Efreat takes a step back and this time targets the bulk of the creature and yells "I said Burn!" as ray of fire emanates from his hands, scorching it.
Daumari asks Bahir if he needs help while shifting his style and making a pair of attacks. He scores once causing the creature to cry out. Mah'ysa, seeing that the former prisoner has made it to safety, takes a step back, defends herself, and begins singing a hymn of Sarenrae to bolster her comrades.
Paellat pulls back his scorpion whip and lashes out again, but comes up short. Another bright flash and loud crack fills the night as Hazreem summons another small storm and unleashes it at the foul creature, continuing to blast it with wind and rain.
The beast begins trashing back and forth and crying out. Its mouth opens just enough that the holy warrior get tossed out like a rag doll and onto the sandy ground several feet away. It then begins to retreat back into the ground where it came from.
Daumari continues to swing his hammers through the air, before bringing the heavy weapons down in a final strike against the beast.
Mah'ysa is content to let it go. After it is gone, she will go around and check for injuries. Gathering the injured together, she will let the light of Saranrae heal all present.
Channel Energy (Positive):
Hazreem watches as the retreating beast buries itself into the earth.
As the earth creature descends back into the ground from which it came, Bashir, Daumari, and Paellat take a last ditch effort to strike a lethal blow. None of them are successful. After disappearing under the ground, there is not even a trace that the creature had come out of the ground before you. Only your footprints cover the ground.
Meanwhile, Mah'ysa calls upon Sarenrae to heal those that were injured during this battle. Those that were injured feel better, but not completely. As people start to move around after the battle, Bahir turns his attention to the environment and tells everyone to stay still and ready as the creature may still be out there.
The battle concluded, the unidentified man stands up from behind the pesh plant and slowly starts moving towards you with a bewildered look on his face. His expression gradually changes to that of a smile and happiness, followed by concern as Bahir indicates that the creature may still be around. He slowly moves toward the center of your group while keeping a look out on the horizon. Though at night, there is significant light being shed by the mostly full moon overhead.
Now that you actually get a chance to look at this man, you realize that he is different. He doesn't appear to be from around these parts. His skin color is very pale and he has jet black hair. He still has many injuries, but nothing bleeding. He seems malnourished.
As you listen and wait, the silence is broken but that awful howl coming from the battle market within Kelmarane. Shortly after, the answer comes from the mountains to the northwest. Maybe it is not safe to stay out here.
Here's is some additional information that you learned while scouting out the village of Kelmarane over the past three days: (Information that may have been missed by previous DM and for benefit of new players)
- Every few hours, you noticed a patrol of four gnolls wandering through the ruins. They didn't seem to follow any set path or schedule.
- There is a ruined structure at the foot of the hill that you think contains a large beast. You weren't able to make out any details, but a squad of about a half-dozen gnolls armed with swords and crossbows bring large hunks of meat to this location about three times a day.
- Once you caught a group of four gnolls exit the battle market leading a fat goat down the path to a ruined mill on the river. They emerged a few minutes later without the goat.
Mah'ysa will approach the man carefully, so as not to frighten him.
"Sir, can you understand me? I can help you."
She will check him for injuries.
Heal:
Mah'ysa carefully approaches and says, "Sir, can you understand me? I can help you." He looks directly at her, takes a deep breath as if you calm himself, and says "Yes, of course. I'm am deeply in your debt and the debt of those with you for saving my life. I had practically given up hope. Based on your attire and the symbol around your neck and on your staff, I would presume that you are a cleric or priest of Sarenrae. It is good to meet you. I am Oxvard, a humble cleric of Abadar. Myself and five other companions came here about a week ago. We were explorers from the distant land of Cheliax. We were seeking treasures here in the deserts of Katapesh. But we were quickly overpowered by the gnolls living here and taken prisoner. Most of my fellow comrades have already left this world to meet their maker. They forced me to watch as they killed my friends in the most brutal and savage ways imaginable. I believe one of my friends is still alive. Felliped managed to escape, but I don't think he managed to get out of Kelmarane. He may be hiding in one of the ruins. You have saved my life tonight for which I am eternally grateful, but if you can find Felliped and return him safely then I would be even further in your debt."
Mah'ysa checks him over and finds that Oxvard is in pretty bad shape. But while he has numerous bruises from repeated beatings, deep cuts that have long since closed which may become infected if not treated, and he appears to be sleep-deprived and malnourished, he doesn't appear to be ill or have any permanent damage. He was probably near his death bed prior to the Paladin's healing touch.
Mah'ysa will create water for Oxvard.
"Yes of course we will keep an eye out for Felliped and with the Dawnflowers grace we will rescue him. You understand we won't be able to search freely? The Gnolls still command the area and we must evade them for the moment. In the meantime you should go to our forward base in the old monastary in that direction." She points. "About a mile."
Daumari offer the Abadarian a nod following Mah'ysa's words. Be quick; do not let yourself be recaptured. You would give our presence away, and we would be unlikely to rescue you a second time.
|
Still wary but more convinced that the creature had learned it's lesson and will not be returning to try and make a meal of such stubborn prey the Paldin approaches the man, "We will do our utmost to find and free your companion. For now we should leave this place because the noise of the battle may have attracted unwanted attention. Can you walk?"
On the way back to the monastary, "Can you describe Felliped so we will know him once we find him?"
Mah'ysa indicates to Oxvard that they will keep an eye out for Felliped and directs him to their base of operations at the monastery about a mile southeast. Daumari warns Oxvard that he should be quick else he may become captured again. Bahir assures him that they will do their utmost to find Felliped, indicates they are heading back to the monastery, and asks, "Can you walk?" As he provides an additional healing touch. Oxvard replies, "Yes, thanks to you. I would like to stay in your company until we are safe." He still looks in bad shape.
As everyone starts heading back to the monastery, Bahir asks Oxvard to describe Felliped. "Felliped and I both come from Cheliax. He's a little taller than myself with short black hair and a long mustache. We were apart of a group called the Lions of Senara." He looks towards Mah'ysa as they walk and says, "And he has a wonderful singing voice just like yours."
As you arrive at the monastery, Almah, Garavel, and two of the pactmasters guards are waiting for your arrival. Almah seems pleased when you walk in. "Thanks be to the Dawnflower for your safe return. I heard that you ran out to save a man's life and the lookout sent down grave reports about a giant creature that appeared." She looks towards Oxvard and says, "I'm glad to see that you are safe. Let me take you to Father Zastoran to get you fixed up. Then I'm sure we will have much to discuss." Turning back to your group, "Excellent work, but I'm sure the gnolls know we are now here. It is time to start taking the offensive. We need to start picking off their forces before they can launch an offensive against us."
"Well, I for one would like to check out the ruined Mill first. It's across the river and seems isolated from the rest of the buildings."
I agree, the mill would serve well as the first strike against these beast men. From there we can move further into the settlement, thinning the gnolls' ranks as we travel.
"Let's get this over with." Hazreem stalks off in the direction of the mill after glaring at Almah for a second.
"the mill sounds like a good start." When Oxvard is alone, Efreat approaches him. "I'm looking for someone. A woman named Haleen. Do you know where I might find her?"
As your group begins discussing among yourself, Almah and her guards gesture for Oxvard to follow them. But before he is able to leave, Efreat stops him and asks, "I'm looking for someone. A woman named Haleen. Do you know where I might find her?" Oxvard responds, "Difficult to say. The only people we ran across, besides gnolls of course, were in the battle market. We fought our way into the center of the first floor, but were quickly surrounded and taken prisoner. As we were dragged away, I do remember catching a glimpse of a woman watching from the shadows, but that's about all I remember. Sorry I can't be of more help." Almah then starts to lead Oxvard away to take him to Father Zastoran, but gets a puzzled look on her face as she realizes that Hazreem is glaring at her. She turns and heads further inside the monastery.
Meanwhile, everyone else decides that the mill would be a good starting point for the offensive against Kelmarane. It is currently a little past midnight and Hazreem heads out of the monastery, intent on heading directly to the mill.
Daumari glaces at the moon, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness away from the monastery before quickening his pace to catch up to Hazreem and Bahir.
Take your time in reaching the mill; I'm off to scout the location. I will return with any information I find.
As Hazreem leaves the monastery to head for the mill, Bahir and the others quickly catch up with him. Daumari, just before he begins sprinting into the night, indicates that he will run ahead and scout out the location and will return with information before everyone else reaches Kelmarane.
Continuing on, you pass a building on your right that has a sign above the entrance that reads, "AVE MARKET". There might be some letters missing in the front.
Finally you reach the bridge. On the far side, the wheel of the mill still turns with the flow of the river. As you cross and approach, you realize that this building no longer has a roof and there are many holes from which you can sneak up to look in. You attempt to sneak up and take a peek inside. Without a roof, the moonlight shines in, illuminating the building. But what you see inside is not what you'd expect inside a mill. Instead of machinery to utilize the rotation of the water wheel, you find that it has been transformed into some kind of large nest. Sitting in that nest is a creature about 4-foot wide. It has the body and antlers of a lean buck, but the wings and hindquarters of an avian predator. You notice a pair of eyes boring into you from the muzzle like that of a wolf. Suddenly it bares it's bloody teeth and stands to reveal razor-sharp talons. It spreads it's wings which are about 11 feet wide.
Deciding to book it, you flee back towards the monastery at full speed, no longer concerned about stealth. Shortly after you make it across the bridge you notice this large avian taking off from the building and begins circling overhead. The creature's shadow suddenly crosses your path. You are unnerved by this shadow as it is in the shape of a human figure. You are currently approaching the building with the "AVE MARKET" sign.
Everyone else: You watch Daumari sprint ahead of you, intending to scout ahead. Worried that there might be trouble, you quicken your pace so that Daumari won't have to come back as far. As you near the edge of Kelmarne and would be expecting Daumari to be back at any moment, you notice in the moonlight a large avian take off in the distance directly ahead of you on the other side of Kelmarane. It starts to circle overhead.
Cursing his blunder, Daumari diverts from the road and turns east into the ruined buildings. He readies his hammers as he begins searching for a position to make his stand that's confined enough to force the creature to ground.
"What the-rrrrr." Hazreem curses under his breath as the bird circles them.
He wiggles his fingers and mumbles something about fire. Suddenly, a ball of fire appears in his hand and he strikes out towards the flying creature.
Touch Attack:
Damage:
A part of his flaming hand streaks out into the darkness and towards the creature that is circling them.