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The creatures begin to rush the intruders in mass but pause as an arrow streaks by overhead then the ape like creatures howl in anger and pain as Efreat's thunderstone hits the ground next to them. Two of the creatures cover their ears and shaking their heads trying to clear the deafening ringing in their ears. The other two rush forward intent on Haz and Bahir, they race forward but one stops short as an arrow comes flying out of the kitchen and strikes it in the shoulder. It howls in pain and rage, it turns looking into the kitchen for where the nasty arrow came from. The other jumps out at Bahir trying to bite him but misses the holy warrior. Bahir lets his divine might flow into the small warhammer as he brings it down onto the top of the creatures head, it slumps to the ground never to rise. More arrows streak out of the kitchen but none find anything living to attach too. From behind Bahir and Haz, Daumari again lets fly an arrow this time finding an easy target, one of the deaf baboons, the word of what the species of these things are coming to his mind. Next to Bahir, Hazreem tries to talk to the ape creatures but only one responds to his words though as one is dead at his feet and the other two are deaf from Efreat's thunderstone attack. The wounded one backs off at his words heading towards its mates trying to talk to them but gives up as the two won't stop screaming and shaking their heads.....
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"Impressive," Bahir shouts over his shoulder. "Like a well oiled ballista. The works not done yet, press the advantage." He steps forward to the baboons to give Daumari and anyone else a clear shot at the pugwumpi. Setting himself up in a defensive position he only strikes if the baboons decide to continue their attack.
Rolls:
post was eaten.
I snuck, and shot for an attempted sneak attack. 19 (7+12) sneak. 20 to hit and 1+5 dmg.
(don't have enough time to rewrite the whole thing atm)
Efreat, believing that the risk of fire is less here, shoots a blast of fire that even misses the floor.
Still a little stunned with not only the recent melee, but also the pure reverence and beauty of the building, Mah'ysa finally snaps to as she levels her loaded crossbow and fires at one of the pugwumpis. No amount of compassion was gonna forgive the horrible things they had done to this most sacred place.
Seeing he had some success with convincing the animals to leave, Hazreem was feeling a renewed trust in his abilities to serve nature. Now if only his new companions would stop slaughtering the poor things.
"Great Bahir, while your arm is truly a mighty weapon for destroying the enemies of your god, perhaps you could use it for the Pugwampis rather than the natural beasts of the land. I have convinced one at lest to leave us, please don't kill it."
He takes a defensive stance, holding the shield higher to make it hard for the Pugs to strike him and allow his friends to snipe them effectively from behind his cover.
Actions
Zoo if the ground in teh kitchen is difficult and requires saves to avoid damage I'll not go in. Hazreem isn't the best in accrobatic situations. I'll take a full defense stance at the doorway, providing cover for the group behind me. This increases my AC by 4 I believe but I don't get to act. I'm hoping to provide cover for those standing behind me using their ranged weapons. Cheers
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Looking around this area quickly Efreat feels comfortable that fire will not be a large risk. He calls forth a spell and blasts it into the kitchen at the pugs but something goes terribly wrong, the ray of fire does go into the kitchen but blasts the table in the center of the room causing it to splinter apart in fiery pieces. Smoke fills the room making it harder to see the pugs who cackle in glee at the distruction and chaos. The baboons have no further interest in fighting these ugly humans with one of their kind dead and two who can't hear a thing still screaming with their hands covering their ears and head shaking furiously. The one not effected by the hearing loss takes Hazreem's advise and gathers the other two and heads quickly east out of the combat area and out of the ruins. Bahir readies himself for another assult by the baboons but instead watches them go hearing Haz behind him saying to let them be. More arrows harmlessly fly out of the smokey kitchen hitting nothing. Daumari readies himself waiting for the smoke to clear so he can have a good shot. Hazreem seeing his talk with the baboon worked he then turns to the kitchen, taking position in front of the doorway to block shots by the pugs at his friends. Using the smoke as cover Pae moves to the side of the door just a step away from broken glass and fires into the smoke trying to hit one of the pugs. He some how hits one of them killing it but he can't tell from where he stands if his shot was successful or not. Finally catching up to the others seeing the infestation of pugs is in other parts of the ruins Mah'ysa quickly fires a shot off from her crossbow into the smoke and is guided by her goddess killing another pug, but again with all of the smoke its hard to tell the outcome of her shot.....
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Bahir flashes Haz a smile over his shoulder, "Of course not friend. I would never strike down a surrendering foe who means us no further harm." He turns to face the room and concentrates, "I still can feel the presence of one of the pugwumpis there." He points into the smoke with hopes of guiding the others shots.
Efreat meakly smiles at his companions, "I've got two waterskins if you think it will help?"
As Efreat waves his hand, one of his waterskins floats into the kitchen and behins to squeaze on the fire.
Hazreem sighs again as another fire starts in the chapel they're trying to liberate. Deserts often left timber dry and flammable.
Again he focused onthe rain bearing winds. He scooped up a hand full of sands and flung it into the room. As it flew over th burning table it swirled into a small mass of cloud and dropped a deluge of water on the smoking wood. The minitaurised storm even flickered once with a small sheet of internal lightning before dissipating as the water was used up. Hazreem smiled at the inherent beauty of the storm.
"It would seem we are destined to destroy as much as we save." Setting another arrow to his bowstring, the ranger attempts to locate the remaining pug's location within the smoke before releasing the missile. The arrow flies into the smoke, it's effectiveness unseen.
"Purification by fire? I think we need the building intact..."
Pae will seek some hidden location to get a good shot from... (IC is down if you wouldn't mind rolling)
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Smoke is now billowing out of the kitchen causing each of you to begin to start coughing. The fire is growing as the very old shelves and table fuel the fire quickly. Pae moves to the side of the doorway and tries to shot the last pug to make sure the thing is dead but there is no way of telling if his shot was successful or not with all of the smoke blocking his view. His eyes begin to water....
Bahir uses his ability to locate the remaining pug with in the kitchen, it is indeed alive along the back wall but for how long due to the fire you are not sure...
A waterskin hovers into the kitchen and pours its contents onto the fire which helps on a fraction as the fire is quickly gaining the upper hand...
Peering into the kitchen, trying to see through the smoke, Daumari thinks he sees the critter huddled against the back of the kitchen, takes aim and fires. He thinks he hit the bugger but again the smoke is to thick to tell....
Seeing the fire getting out of hand fast, Hazreem draws on his partnership with nature and calls for a small storm cloud to down pour on the burning fire. The effect has the desired result as almost all of the fire is put out but it has no effect on the smoke actually creating more....
Efreat is coughing, "can anyone see them?"
In an amazing display of constitution that many didn't think was possible in the slim half-elf, Mah'ysa moves further in the room, doing her best to locate the remains of the fire so that she can put them out before the fire spreads once more. Once she locates the small fires, the others hear a sweet dulcet voice that confidently proclaims with an almost divine backing, "Heed me flames of destruction as I speak the words of your benevolent mistress. Nevermore shall this place face fear of destruction as the protecting hand of the Dawnflower once more enshrouds this place. Begone!"
With those words proclaimed, even more water appears above the remains of the fire, dousing the flames before they can catch once more in the hot and arid environment.
Coughing slightly, but otherwise unaffected, Hazreem calls to his companions in the smoke filled room "Fall back out of the room, my friends. 'Tis far too dangerous to remain. Any Pugs will either succumb to the smoke or we shall deal with them as they flee."
Having called to his friends, the Druid then grabs Efreat who was choking beside him and drags him out of the smoke effect and into clear air, hoping to prevent his companion from succumbing to smoke inhalation.
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The smoke continues to spill out of the kitchen even with most of the fire out. Small flames can be seen here and there but the fire is running out of fuel fast as it as eatten most of the wood in the kitchen. Efreat stands there coughing as more smoke swirls around him asking if anyone can see any critters still alive. Smoke all around him which he just ignores, Bahir uses his godly granted ability to see if any evil still resides in the kitchen, he senses none coming from the room. To his side Hazreem also does not seemed bothered by the smoke and calls for the rest of the party to pull back their work finished for the moment and the danger of the smoke the enemy now. Seeing Efreat having difficulties due to the smoke, Haz grabs him and pulls him back out into the Nave where the smoke is less hazardess to one's health who instantly feels better with fresh air begining to flowing into his lungs. Seeing the small fires still a danger to them and their mission Mah'ysa moves into the kitchen just far enough to cast her spell from the hand of the Dawnflower but not far enough to be in danger from the broken glass and pots on the floor. Her spell has the desired effect as water rains down on the small fires finishing off the last of the fires. Smoke still blows around trying to find escape from the enclosed room. Mah'ysa lost her arts seems not to notice the smoke, her job and the cleansing of this monastery more important to her than her own safety.
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"I do not sense the creatures anymore. They are either dead or have fled." Bahie glances the direction the animals fled making sure they have not regained their courage to come back. He waits patiently while Mah'ysa uses her divine powers to dowse the flames. Taking in the ruins of the kitchen, "The quicker we clear out the rest of this place the quicker we can bring the rest of the caravan here to shelter. With their help we should be able to get the kitchen in working order again. Shall we continue this way?" He gestures further down the hallway.
"Aye my well armoured friend, we should continue in our duties certainly. However I ask that if any more of Gozreh's creatures are to be found, please allow me a chance to deal with them peacefully before violence is unleashed. Many will just be defending a territory or acting in fear and will not deserve death."
Looking over the group and then thinking back over his luck to date, the druid adds "Although keep your weapons handy. Some of natures beasts don't know how to listen very well either" he smiles apologetically and indicates for the big man to lead the way.
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As the last of the fire dies out and the smoke slowly dissipates into the other areas of the monastery the group decides to move onto other areas to totally clean out the building from the evil that has called this place a home for a very long while. Four other rooms can be seen in the area they now stand by the kitchen two with closed doors and two with no door blocking anyone from entering. The room across the hall from the kitchen is one such room and many tables can be seen without even stepping into the room. One would assume this to be a mess hall with the kitchen near by......
The ranger grunts, shouldering his bow and bring out his hammers. He begins spinning them in slow, measured orbits. "I've relied on my arrows too much of late, and my hammers thirst to deliver the Dawnflower's judgment. I'll join you at point, paladin."
With an embarassed, sheepish smile, Efreat adds, "I'm behind you all and I'll try really hard not to make it any harder."
With the two warriors taking up point, Hazreem falls to his regular position as rear guard. He pats Efreat ecouragingly on eh back, a broad grin creasing his bearded and weathered face "Never mind my fiery friend. We have all of us had the most terrible of luck this day. My worry is that if we run across more trouble, we won't have the resources to quell it. At some stage we must consolidate and rest to allow our weary bodies the chance to recover"
He looked around at the slanting light coming through the windows and boken walls, wondering how long it would take for the caravan to arrive.
He sghed"No mind, Gozreh's purpose shall make itself known to us soon enough."
Pae will skulk behind the party.
Sneak:
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With the battle over the weary heroes push on with their mission to clean out this once grand monastery. Bahir leads the way into the room across from the kitchen. Three long wooden tables and dozens of chairs that once lined this mess hall are in shambles, mostly rotted away with the passage of years. A thick layer of dust covers everything. Light shines through several large holes in the ceiling, illuminating a closed door on the east wall. Nothing else of interest is seen in the room but a good cleaning sometime in the near future for our heroes. Daumari seeing the other have the mess hall covered moves over to the room by the statue. The door to this room hangs open and five austere beds line the north wall of this humble office and living quarters. A dented metal chest rests at the foot of each bed, and a simple mosaic pattern of red and orange glass chips brings some color to the wall. A layer of grime and filth coats many of the surfaces n this small room and the redolent stench of dirty fur hangs heavy in the air, nothing out of the ordinary catches Daumari's attention.....
Efreat draws another thunder stone and readies his throw. "Ready when you are."
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Seeing that everyone is ready, Bahir opens the door and leads the way into the next room which is filled with ten bunk beds in various stages of disrepair which must once have been a dormitory for students. The roof is mostly intact and an open arch in the north wall leads to a large hallway where the statue stands. Another open arch in the southeast corner of the room leads into a darkened antechamber, perhaps a closet........
Staying on Bahir's heel, Efreat indicates taht he is ready to move on.
Hazreem also nods his assent, keeping his words to a minimum at this stage so he can focus on any possible dangers.
The druid does take a closer look at the statue in the room as they pass though, trying to make out what details he can from the doorway, rather than walking in and getting close.
Daumari pauses for a moment, glancing back across the hall behind him and noting the calm with which the others are progressing through the far room. Detecting no immediate threat to either himself or the others, the ranger makes his way to the first of the chests. Kneeling, he examines the object for markings or words that might identify who it had once belonged to, as well as for any possible traps.
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The search goes on for the heroes with Bahir in the lead. Looking into the darken area of what looked to be only a closet turns out to be something else. A mess of broken wood planks and an old pieces of a broken ladder fill most of this little room. Looking up you can tell this was once a tower that reached up to about forty feet into the air but now there is no way to asend the tower with all of the steps and ladder in ruins. The roof of the tower is gone but is covered with dust and other small debris blocking the light from outside.
As Hazreem passes the doorway he glances at the statue again now that he is closer to observe it. The weatherworn statue is of a winged woman who must be of Sarenrae herself. Most of her features are smoothed from time but the statue is in relatively good condition.
Daumari taking his time inspecting the metal chest in front of one of the beds to see if there is any danger to him finds none after a few minutes of checking. The markings give little clue to who owned it in the past. Opening the chest lid he finds the thing mostly empty except for a layer of dust and some moldy clothes well past recognition to what purpose they once served. Going through each of the rest of the chests in the same matter results in the same findings leaving him to believe nothing of importance is here but once cleaned will serve well once the caravan reaches the monastery.
"Let us be off from this place. My magic is gone for today."
Pae looks up at the broken tower and thinks, now there's a challenge to climb
"I must say I agree with Efreat" the weathered man states quietly. "With little ability to call upon Gozreh's boon this day, I shall be of little worth in any further confrontations. The time for my prayers are nearing and I feel we may have cleared any immediate threats posed by this place"
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Looking to Mah'ysa for her agreement, Bahir nods his head at the wisdom in Efreat's and Hazreem's words, "The chapel is a blessed place. The Dawnflower will watch over us as we rest there." His gaze sweeping over the shambles of the place, "We have much work to do to bring this hallowed place back to it's rightful glory. If you are prepared we will return there."
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The tired group looks around at each other ready to take a rest from their long day of clearing out the monastery. As each nods to each other to move to a safer location for a break they notice there is only one more room to check out in this area and then they will be done and can focus on the remaining areas to check out or they can just come back to finish this area later. In the back of everyone's mind though is that the caravan should be arriving soon and there is work yet to be finished.
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Bahir pauses for a moment considering, "The caravan will arrive soon and it will be best to make sure they are not walking into danger. It seems we have taken care of most of the wildlife that has decided to try and make a house of the Dawnflower its home. I believe there is only one place left to make sure is clear before we await the caravan. As none of us have much more than a scrap I say let us finish this now." Bahir waits for the groups agreement before leading the way into the unexplored area.
"We share the same thoughts again, paladin." Daumari nods at Bahir as he rejoins the group. "The creatures we've encountered have proven persistent. I'm afraid if there are more in hiding they would take us as we rested, and we would be finished before half our number knew of the threat."
Turning to the rest of the group, the half-elf waves his hand at the others dismissively. "The paladin and I will continue exploring this place, in its entirety. Come with us or do as you will. It doesn't matter to me."
"Of course, let's finish it."
Pae will hide behind one of the others, to perhaps surprise anything behind the door...
Sneak:
Hazreem nodded grimly at his companiosn. "Very well my firends, one more room then". He smiles at them and hoists his wooden shield higher on his arm, taking a point at the rar of the group to again cover their backs while the more experienced warriors take the vanguard
"As Saranae wills it."
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With the group in agreement you all procede to the last room in this area. The door is slightly ajar and barely hanging on its hinges into the darken room. A sagging balcony overlooks this large room, which must have been the monastery's library. An overpowering odor of musty, rotting paper and old leather fills the air here, and hundreds of books-most too damaged even to open without destroying them-litters the floors. Empty bookshelves line the wall of both levels. This room seems to be the most intact room from what you have seen to this point with the roof still serving its purpose......
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The destruction of so many of, what he assumes to be, Sarenrae's holy works makes a slight look of sadness cross his smooth features momentarily. Stepping carefully over the remains of the books, just in case some are salvageable, Bahir advances first into the room watching warily for any movement, especially any little pugwumpi that may be using the shelves as cover. Glancing Daumari's way, he nods to the other man advancing with him, indicating that the area appears to be clear to him.
With a thunderstone in hand, Efreat begins combing the books.
Scanning the room as he enters Daumari mirrors Bahir's scowl at the sight of the ruined texts, muttering quietly to himslef as he progresses from the doorway.
"Foul beasts..."