.... Iommi-Tyr Magnusson tries to engage Charmain Da'vi in conversation about how child-King Henry VI is suppose to come here to Notre Dame in only about a year to go through the ceremony confirming him as true King of France, heir to King Charles VI.
It'll be justice afterall -- Divine justice of course -- now that the heretic Joan of Arc has been captured.
Charmaine is taken back by Iommi-Tyr's condemnation of her child hood hero Joan of Arc, while she avoids getting into a heated debate she changes the subject back to Iommi-Tyr himself and his impressive knowledge of Paris.
"Wait! Wait up!" Alphonse cries as he clanks up the street after the group.
"Phew. You guys move quick. I still had to pay my bill." He smiles winningly at everyone.
"Heard you were off to smash those gremlins underneath the cathedral. I'd been planning to head there myself, but you guys moved the timescale up a bit."
A Paladin by the looks of you -- and an Englishman by the sound of you.
Welcome, ally!
With his proverbial head in the sand causing him to miss the goings-on at Notre Dame in front of him, Iommi-Tyr Magnusson continues his discussion with the lovely Charmaine Da'vi -- gesturing to the English Paladin and the friendly Paddy, Michael and Tevaga as he continues:
Actually I've only been in Paris a short time -- and this is my first trip to the Continent. But I've read much since arriving -- mostly at Notre Dame. Gesturing to it, apparently without actually looking.
Actually, Lady Charmaine Da'vi, what little I've heard about your Joan of Arc is inspiring -- yes, I saw your reaction -- I think it's even likely that she is truly inspired by your Divinity and not likely the witch that the Burgundians and Lancasters claim her to be.
It is criminal, indeed, that hers will in all likelihood be a mock trial leading to her unfortunate execution.
That is -- if Conflagratious doesn't burn Europe to the ground first.
. . . . But Henry VI IS the true King of France.
At the name Conflgratious, Michael misses his first note since they began to walk the streets of Paris. And it was loud enough to not be easily missed. He stays silent, however, and looks at his guitar like it was the one at fault. He picks up the tune quickly and continues on as if it never happened.
Perception
ap Ossian remains a way behind the now very forthright band.
Feeling sheepish at having her feelings read so easily, Charmaine avoids eye contact with Iommi-Tyr as she says;
Her faith is inspiring, I hope to have courage like hers one day....
The way she lead the french troops to break the Siege of Orleans and turned back the English. Surely saving all those lives couldn't be the actions of a Heretic?
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Ubchell catches sight of something disturbing on the roof overlooking the south facade of the cathedral: one of several gargoyles perched along the roof edge has broken away a chunk of mortar and holds it aloft, as if preparing to drop it on the heads of anyone who draws near to the cathedral....
Ahead we strive!
Tevaga walks at Tyr's side, keeping her eyes busy in the dark night, looking out for potential threats, ambushes or loose cobbles.
[dice=perception] 1d20+8
Tevaga also spots the gargoyle readying a chunk of mortar to drop on trespassers!
Initiative
Stay away from the walls! Says tevaga while trying to dodge out of the way.
Hrm?
The Gargoyles have protected Notre Dame from evil for centuries -- let us attempt to parley to see what's changed! At best we can convince them to stop helping Gremlins and Necromancers; at worst we can learn something before engaging them.
Iommi-Tyr Magnusson will stay away from the walls as Tevaga advises and will become alert to what's going on.
*edit pretty awful rolls so far. Hopefully that will change during combat.
Înitaive
"Gargoyles! Calm down, we're here to help!"
EEEEEK!
Ubchell ap Ossian!
Gargoyles!
Michael the Warsong!
Hisao of the Yellow Reeds!
Iommy-Tyr Magnusson!
Paddy!
Tevaga the Redeemer!
Alphonse Veritas!
Squeak! Eeeeek!
Hearing the shouts of her companions to stay away from the walls but not seeing any direct threats Charmaine draws her long sword and says a prayer under her breath.
Sorry, missed your query, Charmaine.... It's low light conditions due to some starlight and nearby oil lamps....
EEEEEK!
Ubchell ap Ossian!
Gargoyles!
Charmaine Da'Vi! (Drew longsword and cast light on it)
Michael the Warsong!
Hisao of the Yellow Reeds!
Iommy-Tyr Magnusson!
Paddy!
Tevaga the Redeemer!
Alphonse Veritas! (Attempts diplomacy with gargoyles)
Squeak! Eeeeek!
Paddy curses unintelligibly under his breath as he draws his bow.
This should be fun!
Gargoyles, there is no reason to fight! Have you not been blessed by the Divine to protect this place from evil? Whatever has a hold on you -- whatever possesses you or influences you -- RESIST. We shall help end your curse!
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Four of the gargoyles on the roof stir uneasily, their stony wings beating the night air....
One calls down in a deep, gravelly voice, in Latin:
Vade hinc! Nos maledictos!
A frightened human male voice cries out from the front portals of the cathedral, in French:
Aide! Le père Renaud a été écrasé par une cloche!
A young man in simple brown robe cinched at the waist with a rope from which depends a rosary races into the plaza....
Paddy calls to the acolyte.
Hang on, help is here. Anyone have an idea what those bloody things
are saying?
Well, Tevaga, being headstrong but not much of a diplomat says:
Gargoyles! Why have you abandoned your duty!
After hearing the gargoyles, she says:
Ego maledictus es, nos adiuvet.
Run to the young man , quick , take me to the Father , don't tarry....
Another gargoyle roars from its high perch, in Latin:
Relinquo, mortalium! hoc nunc est in quibus pythonicus!
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The young acolyte beckons the newcomers to follow, a look of hope mingled with pale fear on his face, and dashes back through one of the great portals into the cathedral, stammering a quick explanation in breathless French:
Les cloches ont commencé à sonner quand personne ne devrait avoir été dans la tour.... Le père Renaud a couru pour enquêter et ces méchants diablotins coupent une cloche libre, percutante le cher père!
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Suddenly, the gargoyle holding the chunk of mortar groans and reluctantly hurls the stone at the young acolyte as he tries to re-enter the cathedral!
Hurled mortar with -4 range penalty confirm confirms critical, dealing bludgeoning damage to the young acolyte!
The other three gargoyles groan in unison as they rip free more chunks of mortar from their perches....
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The chunk of mortar strikes the young acolyte on the back with a sickening crunch! He cries out once and sprawls prone on the cobbles of the plaza before the portal he intended to enter, a pool of blood quickly expanding under him....
Another gargoyle roars from its high perch, in Latin:
Relinquo, mortalium! hoc nunc est in quibus pythonicus!
** spoiler omitted **
Et quomodo sustinebis faciem acolythus interficere! Non est sacram aedem ac tueri habitatores Et sic dicitur occidere intremus mortuorum!
The gargoyles wail in what sounds like bitter despair or sorrow, but raise their chunks of mortar as if to bombard any who try to enter the cathedral!
Michael couldn't understand what the young man was saying but he could understand the gargoyles. Cursed to defend the cathedral from all, even those they were meant to protect. An awful curse to say the least. As he had that thought he realized it was an understatement. One of the gargoyles hurled a chunk of mortar at an acolyte of the church with great accuracy. Once he hit the ground he did not get up. The gargoyles lament afterward gave him an idea. Hopefully this all did not need to end in the gargoyles destruction for they were clearly acting against their will. Playing off their obvious emotions, he switches from the cheer tune earlier to a sorrowful lament.
Will saves vs DC 12 fascinate (at -2 penalty due to being grief-stricken by the foul murder of one they were charged by Christ to protect) resists....
Will save fails.... This gargoyle lowers the chunk of mortar in its stony claws and listens with eyes closed and stony lips trembling to Michael's haunting lament....
Will save resists....
Will save resists....
Three of the four shake their stony, horned heads and resist the Warsong's sad melody, but one begins to weep tear-shaped pebbles and sets down its chunk of mortar....
Quickly in then in , gesturing for those who speak neither English nor French:
Let us find something to shield us from the rain of boulders and enter to help the grievously injured Clerics!
[dice=Perception (To look for some large, loose piece of slate or, uh, man-hole cover or something we can use as an "umbrella" for cover upon entering the church)]1d20+1[/dice]
"I don't think a shield is going to help us much given the size of those rocks."
"The musician seemed to be having some effect on them. Maybe he can try again?"
Lord grant me strength and protect me from harm
Charmaine shouts as she looks to the sky and holds the cross around her neck in her hand lifting it up to her face.
Charmaine moves to the fallen acolyte to see if he can be aided.
Quickly fellows! Inside, that we may save these poor souls before they may harm us!
She follows Charmaine into the sanctuary zone.
Hisao blends into the shadows and attempts to make his way inside undetected by the stony guardians
Michael whistles to get everyone's attention and nods towards the entrance. Hopefully they understand they should move quickly while one is lost in sorrow. When everyone is in he will charge in as fast as he can.