Drystan moves to one of the cups and tries to pick it up and examine it.
Drystan, the cups are made of metal and likely not worth much. The rune on the cups is part of the cups original fabrication. The rune represents the Templars of the Five Winds.
Grayson looks around from side to side and up towards the ceiling.
Did you hear that?
Licking his lips, he removes the seal and walks towards the altar. He checks the altar from all angles looking for any sort of trap or hinges that would move the altar.
Grayson points out the grooves in the stone, you could barely see them from the pitted stone floor.
Drystan's hands are sheathed in fairly standard gauntlets, though they do possess holes in the end of the fingers that allow his claws to protrude.
"Do you think we should try to push the altar along those grooves?" the half-dragon asks, once Grayson points out the groves.
Grayson studies the altar for a few seconds and the proceeds to feel his way around the stone. His fingers and bare hands search the area for any device or magic that might cause any harm.
Once he is sure that it is safe to proceed, he looks at the groves and wonders if it is possible to move such a weight on those grooves. He stares at the altar and feels his way around look for any latches or depressions that may be needed to move the altar.
It is worth a shot...Let try and push it along the grooves.
Grayson does lightly burn his fingers on the pitted alter, nearly everywhere you touch.
It burns my fingers when I touch it, not much but it is painful. We should be able to move the altar quickly enough to limit the damage. Some help would be appreciated
"I'll give it a shot." Drystan says, taking up a position behind the altar. Grabbing hold with his gauntleted hands and bracing his shoulder against it, the half-dragon says. "This feels pretty heavy, but I think I can shift it." he says. Shoving with all his might, even working himself into a fury, the altar still fails to move. "Come on! Give me some help here!" the angry paladin snarls.
Grayson responds the questions that have floated into his head.
The Gnolls just disturbed my sleep and tried to kill me, so I had to kill them. I do not like the things very much for what they do and what they are capable of. I will be happy to remove the filth and be done with them.
Stepping up to the altar mentally preparing herself for the burning Minerva pushes with all her strength in an effort to budge the rock. The gods smile on her as she pushes with a strength beyond the grasp of mere mortals..
With surprising strength, the human woman bears most of the burden, Drystan scarcely needing to help her at all. "My lady, truly yours must be an impressive training regimen. Perhaps you could show me some of your techniques some time?" the half-dragon inquires, clearly most impressed.
Grayson, Minerva, and Drystan move the alter with their combined great strength, you each take .
Below the alter you can see a wrapped item. Once you pull it out of the hole, acid begins to spray into the room from all the holes around the room. The door shifts but is still locked up thanks to Grayson. Each round you stay in the room requires a Reflex Save DC 15 for half of 2d6 acid. Also a mist of acid is being sprayed into the room so everyone takes 1d6 more acid damage each round.
Trying to think what or who is Ifreet, Grayson ponders the question.
With very little information available to his memory, he states a simple answer.
Yes
Then he feels that maybe that was to simple of an answer....
I know that they are evil and therefore not on my agenda to befriend. I have a strong feeling that we will not see eye to eye on many topics. Sooo, yes I do seek to end this...Ifreet.
Grayson helps to retrieve the items from below the altar and runs for the door.
I think we have worn out our welcome, time to go.
Once outside you uncover the package and see that there is a bow and a rapier within.
As the acid stings his hands, Drystan responds mentally. If this ifreet is irredeemably evil, yes. I seek the end of all evil which cannot be redeemed. Gnolls are pitiful creatures, raised to evil, but not necessarily beyond redemption.
Well these items look interesting, anyone want to guess as to what they are? Magical? I am leaning that way..did anyone else here anything back there?
Seeing her allies grab the items from the altar, Minerva quickly sprints out of the room.Answering the voice in her head Minerva quickly responds, Gnolls killed my family, I seek nothing but to end any of their species existence. I do not know of any Ifreet but if it is an evil entity it will surely face the wrath of my arrows. Reaching the open air Minerva looks upon the items on the ground. Casting detect magic she analyzes the items to determine their properties, after her search she stands up. You heard someone speaking in your head to?
The black wooden bow has etched runes along the bow and within each rune has silver within like ice.
The rapier has a defensive guard with runes on it, pale blue runes that glow.
Looking at the fabric it looks like it has designs on it as well. Flattening out the fabric shows that it appears to be a standard of the Templars of the Five Winds. Five blowing winds one to each corner of the standard and the fifth up to the top of the standard. It is magical as well. The fabric is nearly black and the symbols are a light blue.
The group moves out and away from the cave. Getting to the top of the dune you can see that the caravan has started to move but only just.
Stretching down to pick up the bow she notices the runes etched into the black wood. This bow is enchanted, blessed to cause arrows fired from it to have an icy bite. I wish to claim it as its properties are extremely useful to one that posses my talent with the bow. Standing up bow in hand she notices the other items and uses her magic to inspect them as well. Let me take a look at these, I will try to determine what there magical properties are if any.
After analyzing the items Minerva begins to move back towards the top of the ridge. As she breaks over the top of the dune she notices the caravan has begun to pull away. Looking back she calls on her group to inform them of the caravans departure as she quickly sets of to catch them.
The rapier is also +1 and frost.
The group easily catches up with the caravan as the last few camels begin to move that were at the end of the line.
As she nears the caravan Minerva turns to look at Grayson before mounting her camel. Grayson, this rapier we found is masterfully crafted, it is enchanted to improve both your accuracy while giving the blade an icy sheen . I would presume it more effective than the weapon you currently carry and offer it to you as a thanks for your aid in that cave and in the previous battle. If you would like to continue your journey I am sure our party would be grateful to have someone with your skill with a blade by our side. Please consider this offer? She extends the rapier hilt first towards Grayson watching his reaction to her offer.
Thank you for the gift and yes it will be put to good use
He nods to Minerva.
As for joining you...well I am not happy that these Gnolls have made it a habit of attacking caravans this close to the town. That in of itself is not good for business. I would be happy to see what I can do to remove this threat. Let us get to our destination and we can figure out our next step
I need to figure out what the hell I just got myself into..voices in my head..gnolls, ifreets...that temple
Turning to the woman, Drystan speaks in his deep, gravelly voice. "What about the cloth? It seemed to have some sort of sigil on it, which I can only assume is auspicious somehow. Might I examine it?"
Sounds like a plan Minerva then turns to Drystan pulling the fabric out from her pack.It is certainly magical but it's properties I was not able to discover. You may of course examine it, perhaps your eyes will catch something mine did not Minerva unfurls the fabric and hands it over to Drystan.
Drystan learns little more than Minerva.
Down past the clawed tree in a couple of hours you see the old cathedral of Sarenrae. The caravan stops to water their beasts. A priest comes out and greets your caravan master fondly. Several of his adepts bring out buckets to pass out water.
Water, please and thank you.
Grayson turns his eyes to the horizon looking for any thing that might stand out as an attack of sorts.
Minerva moves next to Grayson to accept some of the water being passed around. She drinks deep for a few seconds before wiping her mouth. She drys her hands on her clothing and looks to Grayson, "What brought you here if you do not mind me asking, I know you were not part of the guard hired to defend the caravan but you most have a reason for traveling so far," inquires Minerva.
Grayson looks at Minerava after thinking about her inquiry.
I recently came into ownership of some property. Reward for services rendered. I am traveling to see how my newly acquired property is holding up. I could be looking at a hole in the ground or I could be looking at worse. That is the risk I took when I accepted the payment. So here I am traveling to Kelmanare as a business man.
"Hmmm, I'm not sure what this fabric does, precisely, but it is definitely enchanted somehow. It seems as though one could attach it to a polearm. Let me see." with that, he fetches his glaive and attaches the cloth. Then he holds it up vertically above their heads.
A frosty wind blows through the camp, the temperature around Drystan for 10 feet stays cool even after the wind leaves. Drystan's claws appear to have a sheen of frost on them.
The cleric prays blessings on those who have come and thanks each of you for your part of bringing Kelmanare back to what it was and will be again.
Pulling her cloak around herself to ward away the cold, Minerva shivers. Looks like your claws have been enchanted by the fabric, I bet if you attack something the ice that seems to be in your claws will freeze them to the core. Minerva thanks the priests and turns back to her group, So what do we wish to do now?
Drystan shivers, but takes note of the effects. "Interesting. Could come in handy. Especially if we meet with a red dragon or something vulnerable to the cold."
Jelissa walks up and down the caravan once and then yells out, "We still have a few hours of good light. We will make it to Kelmanare before the night. Five more minutes to get yourself settled, since it looks like no one went in the cathedral."
With little else to do the caravan line moves forward slowly so each mount and rider can get plenty of water before heading on.
There is a massive pesh field between the cathedral and the town of Kelmanare. Jelissa rides back to speak with those who ventured away from the caravan, "When we get to Kelmanare, I know of a fellow that would like your skills for a specific reason. I will introduce you to Baris once we get in town. Unless you object." She says this to the group as a whole if you collect around her or individually. Grayson is on the carriage and likely where she tells the group.
Grayson nods at Jelissa and leans back closing his eyes. He keeps his weapons belt lying next to him as he tries to get some sleep.
Mumbling to himself...
Now where was I.....
He drifts off to sleep as the caravan moves along for its final destination.
Kelmanare seems to be almost a large sprawling town. Once you get close enough to see the broken walls and decrepit buildings you see that not many people have moved in and the years of vacancy has taken its toll.
Getting to the center of the town you see that battlemarket has been kept up and appears pretty decent. Several other buildings have occupants and about two dozen citizens walk around doing their normal chores.
Jelissa points to the battlemarket. Then saying, "Your payment will be there with a halfling named Baris. You are free to explore or go ahead. The caravan has a few more needs to be met before I can take my leave."
At approaching the battle market you see a little goblin in a jester’s outfit. He smiles at you and happily asks, "What brings you to the Battle Market of Kelmanare? Are you adventurers? Perhaps heroes? Baris looks for others that would follow him."
Grayson looks down at the goblin
Baris, where can we find this Baris?
Rolling the banner up around his glaive, Sir Drystan follows Grayson, using the glaive as a walking stick, though he quite obviously didn't need one.
Seeing nothing else to do for the moment, Minerva walks quickly behind Grayson eager to meet this Baris fellow
The goblin snickers as if the answer to that question is obvious, then relents, "Baris is within. You may walk up onto the battle mat with him immediately. Otherwise you will need to yap your way to him."
Grayson looks down at the goblin...
Would you be able to lead us to him.
The goblin thinks about it a bit and then nods with obvious apprehension. He takes you into the battle market. After about 40 feet you can see where there is a hallway on either side that leads to vendors and traders. The goblin leads you further into the battle market. At the battle mat he points out to the areana, "Here is where I leave you. Should you not be who you are a fight will be before you and I care not to be apart of it."
The battle mat is a raised platform, with several rocks on it. The battle mat is about 50 feet in diameter.
Thank you, take this for your troubles.
Grayson hands him two silver pieces.
He then looks around for this halfling that they are looking for.
The goblin takes the coins greedily and bows, his jester hat flopping around his head and the bells ringing. He then gets up and happily runs back to his spot.
Walking out into the arena you see no threats, there are a lot of movement on the levels above and some stop to look at you. Up on the third level you see a raised seat, actually three raised seats. On one of them, the center one a small creature in a black robe holding a guisarme. He stands up and comes forward, stopping at the railing.
The hooded individual in the black robe asks, "What brings you to Kelmanare? Fame, fortune, or a little sport?"
Grayson lets his feet slide out for a better defensive stance. His hands resting on the hilts of his weapons.
All of the above....and business. Jelissa bids us to seek you out. She is finishing up with some details on the caravan and hopefully will join us soon.
Drystan merely nods, content to let Grayson do the talking.