OotKA Game

Game Master Daniel Stewart

The guard, and the others in the room, nod and soon lose interest in the group. You return to the bakery with the robe and show it to Brother Martin. As he examines the robe a look of dread creeps over his features. Finally he neatly folds the robe and hands it back to you.
"Ah, it is what I feared. This is a true robe of the brotherhood. You should take it to Father Abercrombie over at the church. He will know what to do, I hope!"
Brother Martin continues to work, but the lightness in his step and the jaunty whistle that usually accompanied him while he baked, are absent.

Alex was really hoping that the robe had been a fake. Seeing the response of Brother Martin upon examining the robe made her feel sad for him. He visibly deflated and that made her want to help him. "We'll definitely get this to Father Abercrombie. I will do what I can to help."

"Brother Martin this is distressing to me as well. To discover something that suggests that some of your brothers have been lost in some foul treachery and not know who or when. Can you tell if the robes are new? Perhaps the foul orcs were grave robbers instead. While atrocious in itself, it would be better than if they acquired the robes by more direct means."

"No, we do not bury our dead in such. No, this is from the shrine, I am sure. Talk to Father Abercrombie, he will be able to tell you more about the shrine and the brothers and sisters who lived there."

Alex nodded at the Brother's words before turning to leave. "We'll go there right now and talk with the Father."

You weave your way across the street and down the alley past the Merchant's Hostel to the chapel. It is a less than imposing structure, built more like a redoubt than a holy building. The heavy wood and iron door is propped open, and the sound of singing can be heard from within.

Church

Alex entered the chapel and followed the sound of the singing. She figured that the Father should be somewhere near whoever was singing.

The interior of the church is spartan and clean. A few benches serve as pews and an unadorned pulpit at the end of the nave completes the sparse furniture. A few home-made tapestries hang on the walls, breaking up their stark stone visage.
A single man, his back to you, is singing as he scrubs the floor. A wooden bucket sits beside him, and he does not seem to be aware that you are here. He wears the grey robes of a wandering brother, and from the sound of his singing voice, seems to be quite young; perhaps in his late teens.

Alex continued moving forward and stopped just behind the young man before saying, "You sing nicely, young man. Is the Father about?"

The fellow jumps up, clearly embarrassed. He stammers, "umm..oh yes. Hello! Sorry I did not hear you come in. I am Father Rickardt, how may I help you?"

"You, young Father, can help us by telling us if Father Abercrombie is available. We come with distressing news on behalf of Brother Martin, and must speak to the senior Father. You sing beautifully, and by that, you bring beauty to even the most sparse of surroundings."

"AH Father Abercrombie is ill. I am taking over his duties for the time being. What do you need to speak with him for? Perhaps I could help?"

A concerned look crossed Alex's face. "If the Father is ill then maybe I can help. As for you helping, I'm sure you could on some level but we were told by Brother Martin to specifically talk with Father Abercrombie."

The young man smiles a sad smile and says,"You can try, but it is not an ailment that besets Father Abercrombie, but rather one of age. I try to keep him comfortable, but there is little more that I can do, I am afraid. Let me see if he is awake and if he is able to see visitors. One moment please."
He moves over to a closed door and slips through. It is only a matter of moments until he is back, beckoning you to follow.
Behind the door is a large room used as a living room, study, dining room and kitchen. The young priest walks over to one of 3 doors on the east wall. When he opens it a blast of warm, stale air greets you. Lying in a small bed is a bear of a man, now withered and weakened by age. A great bushy beard covers most of his face, but within you can see pale, watery blue eyes. A wheezing voice come from the husk of a man.
"Rickardt tell me you have some questions?"

Alex stepped forward with the grey robe and presented it to Father Abercrombie. "Brother Martin told us to show this to you. That you would know what to do or where it was obtained. You see, we were ambushed by orcs on our way to the Keep and this is what they were wearing. Brother Martin authenticated the robe so I am sorry for your loss."

Rumery eyes examine the robe. Shaking and withered hands caress the weave, feeling the seams and, with a wheezing breath, the father agrees that it is genuine.
The wearers of this robe were from the small sanctuary of Seraphaz. It is only a day or so travel from the keep to the east. It was once the site of a holy font, but years ago the place was abandoned. The Grey Order only recently reopened the shrine. It was said to contain water so pure that it could cure all types of illness and wound. But that was many years ago, and now with these orcs you say....I fear the shrine is well and truly lost."
The last comes out as barely a whisper, and Brother Rickardt motions you to leave the room.
"I am sorry, but the Father is too frail to continue. It is a shame about the font. Its waters may have helped Father Abercrombie. It is more than age which had laid him low. He has contracted some sort of illness, and cannot seem to throw it. He has faded fast, and it is probably on a matter of day...."
The young priest cannot seem to continue, briefly hiding his face in his cowl.
"Please show your selves out. I need to keep watch on the Father."
His voice is thick with emotion as he re-enters the room.

Alex turned to her new companions. "I know we don't really have any pay for looking into this but would either of you want to come with me to check out the font at Seraphaz? It looks like it could be an interesting jaunt."

"I, for one, would love an excuse to travel some more. I start to feel confined and uneasy if I spend too long in one place. And some things are more important than the pay they offer. Finding a font of healing water will bring its own rewards. Besides, our previous adventure has already proven to be more lucrative than expected."

Alex looked at Sasha as she said somewhat questioningly, "I guess that's settled then? We go to Seraphaz and try to help Father Abercrombie.

As it is just approaching noon, you decide that setting out right now might not be such a great idea. The shrine is actually marked on the map you just bought. You spend the rest of the day gathering any supplies you might need and resting.
The night passes swiftly and the next morning you find yourselves at the gate of the Keep, awaiting a stream of others exiting to perform their daily duties. While waiting, Father Rickardt arrives.
"Father Abercrombie asked me to deliver these potions to you. Each will heal a small amount of damage. I wish we could offer you more, but with the Father sick...."
He waves goodbye and gives you a blessing (non-magical!). You finally get to the gate and Sabine, the Gatekeeper.
[b]"Leaving already? Where are you off to? Rumor has it you are on a quest for the Father. Well, best of luck, and I hope to see you back safe and sound!"[b]
With that, she waves you on through the portal, and soon you are on the narrow track that leads to the base of the bluff that the keep is perched upon.
You can gather gear and stuff as needed, just wanted to get this moving on!! The potions are CLW - 1 each

"Leaving already? Where are you off to? Rumor has it you are on a quest for the Father. Well, best of luck, and I hope to see you back safe and sound!"

Alex winked before bowing with a flourish, "Never fear Sabine, we will return! Thanks for the luck - every little bit helps."

did Inamm get her bell, chalk and string? you never told me cost.

yes she did..I though it all cost a few gold (lets say 5gp, the bell costs the most)

Sasha had been lost in thought for much of the month day, and had caught more than one inquisitive glance from her new friends. In truth, she found it hard to banter with the strangely flighty women beside her, though she didn't mind their strange conversational style. She was more used to the stoic company of fighting men, and knew it would take more than a season week before she learned to adapt to them.

With Wes still in the tender care of the stable girl, Sasha felt strangely naked as the pitbull Will ranged around the trail ahead of them. She was used to having her back and her front covered by the dogs. She supposed she would rely on Inamm and Alex to cover her rear instead.

Thus they headed down the trail, keeping an eye and an ear out for danger.

The trip through the rugged, hilly countryside takes about 6 hours. The sun is still high in the sky, with several hours of daylight still ahead.
You find the well worn path leading into the narrow valley where the shrine is located. Nothing moves and no sounds can be heard from within this forested glen.
A few minutes within the narrow valley and you know something is wrong. You pass several butchered goats, left to rot in the afternoon sun. Small gardens and sheds have been torn down and dug up. Ruin is all around you, but it looks to have happened weeks ago.
You finally arrive at the shrine. No sound can be heard from within, and the area seems strangely untouched. You find the gate open, but no other signs of life. It is late afternoon, and the slanting sunlight glimmers off water in the pool ahead. The only entrance to the shrine is a wooden door, closed at the moment, directly ahead, some 50' or so from the gate.
Wes lets out a low rumble in his chest and the hair stands up on his back as you stand there.

The six hour trek through the hilly terrain was invigourating for Inamm. So much open space and wind lifted her spirit. This ended as they entered the valley leading to the shrine. Something was definitely wrong and unnatural feeling. The wanton destruction and slaughter made her stomach churn with anger.

The area around the shrine looked pristine, left untouched in the carnage around it, but it was too quiet. This put all of Inamm's senses on high alert. As they approached the gates, she turns and whispers to her new companions, eerily acompanied by a low warning growl from the pitbull beside Sasha.

"I think I should scout the perimeter of the well and see if there is any signs of habitation. I can move quietly and try to avoid detection. You will know if I am unsuccessful", she finishes with an unamused laugh.

Inamm sneaks forward through the gate of the shrine and moves into the cover of the surrounding brush.
Stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Thinking that she is hidden, she looks around for signs of use.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Sasha nodded once as Inamm moved quietly and faded into the bush. With a soft whistle and a series of hand signals, she sent Will in the other direction. The pitbull sniffed the air, growled low again, and moved off out of sight.

Will perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

You can go to the d20 site and move your token if you want...and will's..I have given you access to both. I added a link to the d20 web page at the top of the page, just under the OoTAK title.

Inamm does not spot anything, but Sasha can tell that Will has caught the scent, or sight of something by the way he is crouching and looking back at her. Whatever it is, it seems to be located around the corner on the colonnaded porch, located 50 feet or so in front of Inamm.
The area marked 6 on the map

Alex took a few steps forward and stopped. She readied one of her bombs, just in case, and waited to see what transpired.

Make a perception roll please

perception roll:
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Sorry ladies!

LOL...no worries..yet!!

Alex does not see anything out of the ordinary from her new location.

No apologies necessary, Sharikins. Didn't you notice my crap perception roll?

Sasha inched forward until she was beside the other two women. Whispering, she said, "Will has caught the scent of something - over there." She gestured to the porch ahead of them. "I'll send him around, then we can come up on it from this side. Stay behind me." She gestured to the dog, and he made his way around the building. His hackles were still raised, and she knew that it was only good training that kept him from barking.

Moving forward, Will moving around. I moved us on the map.

I moved Will back because of what you can now see...and that sees you!

As Sasha moves forward with Will, she gets a good look at the side portico and notices a shady figure lurking behind one of the worn pillars. It looks up as she and Will suddenly stop, its yellow eyes narrowing, and its grip upon a powerful re-curved short bow tightens.
AN Orc!

Roll for initiative!

Sasha Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Will Initiative:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

sorry I already moved Alex...

no problem....your good where you are.

Inamm's initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

So Initiative order is as follows:

Alex
Inamm
Sasha
Orcs
Will

Ok, you all get to go first, then the Orc's and finally Will.

I liked it better when the animals automatically went on your initiative - it was easier to keep track of
Sasha could see two orcs, and one had a bow; he would need to be dealt with first. Hoping to catch him before he could shoot, she leapt ahead, both swords swinging. With her right hand she swung a wide, strong blow at his head, hoping to make him block with the weapon. With the left, she chopped hard at his bow hand. With luck, she would either break the bow, or at least make him drop it.

Attack sword 1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Attack sword 2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

If you want we can do that. Its no problem for me...I will move Will up to your initiative and we will just let them move on your action. That sound good?

With a mighty sweep of her swords, Sasha slays the first orc before it can even bring its bow up to fire.

If you want we can do that. Its no problem for me...I will move Will up to your initiative and we will just let them move on your action. That sound good?

If that's okay with you, it's easier for me to keep track of what's happening with the dogs, especially when both are in play. Thanks!!

As she moved towards the archer, Sasha gave Will the search-and-alert command. She normally would have had him go after the other orc, but with Wes so badly injured, she didn't want Will attacking alone. Instead, she had him run past the balcony, hoping that if there were any more orcs out of sight, the dog would root them out.

Seeing Sasha jump into action, Inamm rushes forward to her aid. As she moves closer she can clearly see the second orc hidden behind the pillars. She quickly draws her dagger and throws.

Attack-Ranged (Dagger): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Damage: 1d4 + 1d8 ⇒ (2) + (4) = 6

Seeing her dagger go wide, she softly curses under her breath. You're no use to anyone if you don't focus, girl. Deep breath and try again.

Alex quickly moved up in order to get in range for throwing one of her bombs. Getting as close as she dared, Alex hurled her bomb at the remaining orc.

Attack-Ranged (bomb): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Alex's aim was true and a small explosion of fire engulfed the remaining orc.

not sure what kind of negatives Alex is looking at or if she could move closer than she did. It was hard to tell from the map if she could move closer or not.

Alex's bomb knocked the orc off his feet, and with a sickening crunch, smashed him into the wall. The noise of the explosive, however, may have alerted anyone else lurking about this shrine.

Out of combat

Sasha signalled for Will to keep searching, and the pitbull disappeared around the back of the building. Meanwhile Sasha moved in a crouch towards her kill, affirmed that he was dead, then moved to the debris caused by Alex's bomb. She kept her eyes and ears open, knowing that any chance of stealth was now ruined.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Alex laughed gleefully as her bomb exploded. She always loved it when they went boom. She palmed another bomb and kept creeping forward to see if more orcs emerged. One thing was certain - if more orcs were about, they would come running now.

Alex will look to see if new foes emerge

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8