The inquisitor does not realize she is breathing at irregular interval. She takes a moment to calm her breathing and herself then she pauses a little, eyes unfocused until it rights itself to its normal alignment, looking at Red Raven then the Mayor.
"Fine. I do not approve the secrecy but I will drop the matter for the sake of our group. However, know that while your decision is great, you need to consider the effects on others if it backfires. Now that my ire for you is all but gone, you may want to consider apologizing to a certain Captain. The situation resolved itself yesterday but not completely I imagine. Hearing the apology from your mouth may give him a sense of closure and mine."
She pauses and breathes out.
"One last question. Can you tell us more about the creatures that previous groups including the cleaning group encountered in the crypt? Most of us already know about the undead, vermins and cults festering within these grounds at the courtesy of Captain Wisslo. But are there any creatures other than the above three? As I said earlier, the Captain referred you to us since his knowledge about the crypt is limited. And you cannot fault our wariness, knowing that the crypt is more dangerous now that the previous group had disappeared."
"Those three are the ones more frequently encountered over there. Orcs, goblins and sometimes kobolds have been known to be there, but not at the same time. They are usely found in small groups only." He's still upset from the previous questioning, but you can fell that he is trying to give the maximum amount of details.
"Sometimes, there is some sort of construct there serving as a guardian. As for traps, there the usual that would be expected. From memory the one that is always there is a pit traps on the first floor. Oh, we gave you some acid flasks on the table over there in case of swarm of small animals or vermins. That's about all I can think off"
"If we are done here, you should start getting ready if you want to make it to the Broken Glade before night fall."
Tamora regain her composure and bows.
"Thank you for your patience and information. Before we go, can I request a few healing kits just in case? Other than that, I am ready to depart."
He nods when Tamora bows at him. "Healing kit?, you migh want to try the temple for that. I'm pretty sure that Father Prasst could spare a few."
With that, he leaves you to your final preparation. When you leave the Great Hall, you noticed that the village is abnormaly quiet. It would seem that everyone are waiting inside. You can see light coming from the temple as you cross the town square.
I'll go with you. Wouldn't hurt to pray a little.
During the interchange between Tamora and the mayor Kakrish stands apart. He is not so upset about the mayor sending a clearing party before his team goes out. But he is bothered by the mayor's seeming disregard for the captain's lost man. But before Kakrish can say anything the mayor wraps things up and leaves.
"Well, let's be on our way. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can start bashing in some undead heads!"
Outside, he walks with the group towards the temple. He has spent many, many hours here studying with Father Prasst, learning what he can. But he's impatient now and is ready to go.
As you step into the temple, you find the interior very organic. Instead of the stone walls and pillars like in other temple, this one look more like a garden with trees of all kind. Nothing from it's exterior would suggest this marvel inside.
While you walk the center path, you can see smaller one branching out to what know are differents altars of the other gods that people pray to in the village. When you make it to the main altar, you see Father Prasst working on some beautifull bushes of flowers. He look up at you when you get closer.
"Good morning to you all, came for a prayer before you leave on your mission. It's always a wise idea to confer with them, you never know what help they might give us."
While he talks to you, you can't help but look at the huge brazier hanging from the ceiling. All around are carved image that depict the foundation of the village, the quest by Ekat Kassen against that started the tradition and the first time that the Everflame was brought to the village.
As they enter the temple Taladrius' jaw drops a bit. The last time he had been inside had been years before and he had forgotten how green it was. He can't help but grin as they make their way forward despite his somber mood.
"Perhaps that's just what I need this morning." he says to Father Prasst with a smile. He turns looking for a particular alter or two, and if he spots one or both he makes his way over to them and bows his head in silence for a moment before returning to the group seeming to be a bit more upbeat.
Hoga isn't too well versed in religious matters. Seeing that Taladrius seems to know what to do, he follows him, and does what the sorcerer does.
Taladrius is able to make his prayer at the main altar dedicated to Erastil with Hoga following suit. Then the pair walk back down the path to find the smaller altar dedicated to Cayden Cailean. They find it closer to the entrance of the temple. The altar is simple yet elegant, made of stone with a bronze mug on top. There seem to be a liquid inside.
As she enter the temple, the leftover anger she has ebbs away by the peaceful aura surrounding the holy ground as her face muscles are more looser and natural. Perhaps it is from the greenery she grown accustomed to seeing during visitation. Or perhaps it is the brazier that gave her determination. Or perhaps the closeness to her god leads her to discard the thoughts earthly matters if only temporary. Whatever hints her less edgier mood is the precise landing of every foot inside the square tiles with every step she takes.
"Indeed, father. Not once I have not pray to my goddess for anything except for my trivial desires. I am praying to her in my heart still as we speak."
Tamora walks to the altar of Sarenrae to commune her goddess. She rejoins the party a little later after Taladrius and Hoga. She turns to Father Prasst.
"I feel that there is something you want to confer or speak to us before we depart. Am I correct in my assumption?"
Father Prasst put down the tools he was working with and clean his hands. "I'm guessing you would like to finish a conversation that started with someone else. Now the question is who?"
He moves behind the alter and pick up some bundles that were hidden behind it. He then walk to Red Raven while still looking at Tamora. "Was it with him?" he says while nodding in Red Raven direction but still focusing on Tamora. "No? Too bad, it would have allowed me not to have to restart from the beginning." He hands a the smallest bundle to Red Raven.
"Then it was with the Captain... And the Mayor? Ah yes! with the Mayor also." He move in front of Tamora and gives her the two remaining bundles.
"They are both rigth you know. And also both wrong sadly. First let me tell the same story I told our friend here. "A big part community want this tradition and would be upset if we didn't follow it like it was suppose to. While on the other hand, the simple fact of sending the wrong people because of the randomness of the selection process is awful. While I agree that we shouldn't find way around it, I can't stand by and send unprepared people to their doom. Now the group of trained individuals failed to come back. Imagine if would have send farmers, smith and innkeepers. They would have probably be dead also. On the other hand, maybe the group we hired decided to scrap the mission and ran away with Roldare or worst. We just don't know."
Looking around the room at everyone. " Please go over there, find out what happened to Roldare and complete the quest." He looks straight at Tamora. "Then if you still want to exposed everything, you will have my full support. Just go easy on the Mayor, he might have his flaws but he never wanted to harm anyone."
Garrik nods. "Father Prasst has a good point, Tamora. Traditions are the things that keep communities together, even if they are only for show. Let's be on our way. With any luck we will find Roldare still alive and return with the Everflame."
Despite his impatience Kakrish is pleased to see the Father. They had spent considerable time together as Kakrish was learning the basics of being a cleric but lately he'd focused most of his training on his martial skills. So it is nice to see him again.
Kakrish finds the shrine to Gorum and spends some time making his own prayers and preparations. When done he returns to the main area.
Kakrish grins broadly at the Father and approaches him with his normal level of overly exuberant friendliness. "Ah Father. I see you are here to see us off. Did you hear? They picked me to go along. Now we're certain to succeed." Kakrish says all of this as he attempts to wrap the Father in a bear hug.
He listens to the Father's explanation of why they had sent troops early. Makes sense to him.
"As I told the Mayor, we will fine Roldare and bring him back." He nods in agreement with Garrick.
That's the plan. Let's get started!
"This one is ready to continue." Red Raven replies.
"No. I thought it is a few simple parting words and some items handed out but this is unexpected."
Tamora unfurls a bundle partly, revealing a part of the healing kit that she wanted to petition from the mayor. She nods, the smell of fresh herbs entering her nostrils before she furls the bungle back and slides it into her pack that houses her belongings.
"Nevertheless, it is good to hear from a third perspective. It all comes to a full circle now. Why the Mayor and Captain Wisslo did what they did. Are their decisions right? In my perspective, I share your sentiments that they are both right and wrong. If we satisfy the Captain's desire to let him take his men to cover some grounds, they can make some process but at the same time leaving the village unprotected from incoming assaults whether it is monster or man. On the other hand, the Mayor is doing a fine job managing the village. Except that optimizing his desire to protect the town lead to the detachment and short-sightness to the emotional needs and concerns for another wellbeing such as those he trusted as exemplified by his dismissal of the Captain's feelings about the matter and Roldare. If he keeps up with the attitude, it can potentially cause civil unrest if left to persist in the dark when his subtle machinations begins to unravel themselves. Are they to be blamed for that? Partly. I said partly because they do not deserve the full blame after what I heard. The party that deserved the blame is the community itself. The decisions of the mayor and by a lesser extent, Captain Wisslo, were influenced by the masses all for the sake of tradition and its system and they are almost powerless to stop it. If what I heard is right, the community now had grown complacent since the mayor took office. Forgetting their warrior roots, blinded by tradition and too reliant on the mayor to run things for them. Their ignorance were cause of all of the problems. The problems that could could have been avoided if they are better aware, trained and adapted. It seems to me that they are the ones that needed the most change in their tradition, mindset and lifestyle. As much as I wanted to the mayor to pay for his deception, I rather have him take responsibility for his actions after hearing the words from his own mouth as he is only partly involved. Our inquisition while questioning and judgmental is also merciful if one seeks to atone himself. The mayor can start making amends by making a difference by waking the community up from their drunken stupor and changing them with our full support if we manage to survive the quest and bring back the flames. That can be his first step to redemption. But that can wait until we returned. Father, I would love to stay and discuss more about the village but duty calls. The more we stand idle, the more bleak Roldare's fate will be."
Tamora turns to the group.
“Let us depart”
With everyone ready, the group leave the village toward the crypt. After one hour of walking the group arrive to the top of a small hill in the woods with cleared view behind them. From there you can see the village coming alive and smoke rising from the chimney. You have a little emotionnal moment seeing it this way. Even though it's not the first time you leave the village, there is something different about this one.
Kakrish has a small nastolgic twinge as he looks back at the village. Then he faces forward. Adventure is in that direction. And a chance to prove himself to Duerli. He smiles as he thinks of her. "Well, shall we continue?"
As the group keep walking away from the city, the forest get denser. Eventualy, even the small trail the you were following disappear and you have to hack your own path. Even though you can't see the exact position of the sun, you are all confident that you are going in the right direction.
After what seem like a eternity, you finaly emerged from the forest into a clearing. You are pretty sure this is the Broken Glade that the Mayor mentioned ealier this morning. Tired from the trek, you look for a spot to make camp for the night.
"This one has flint and steel and will gather wood for a fire." he offers, walking the perimeter to find suitable firewood for the night.
(Check enough to get food for 3 people unless someone uses aid another on her)
Tamora scans the forest, her diluted dragon blood giving her what others of her kind lack; the ability to penetrate natural darkness with her sight. She draws her spear and snap a twig.
"I'll try to forage some berries for us rather than using up our reserves. We may need it to survive whatever the crypt offers us and places where food is scarce. Garrik, would you and Thorn like to join me for the task at hand?"
The group start setting up the camp while Hoga and Tamora go looking for food. Red-Raven gets firewood and soon you have a fire going. After a little while, Tamora come back to the camp with some berries and roots, Hoga and Garrik manage to both kill a deer.
The sun goes down while you prepare to meat, roots and berries into a nice meal, putting some aside for the next day. Eventually, everyone is sitting down around the fire, enjoying the evening when Thorn suddently stand and start growling. Within second, as if to answer back, you can hear more growling coming from just outside the light. As you look in that direction you can see three pairs of eyes glowing back at you.
Thorn growls, but stays at his master's side.
(charge) -
Garrik pulls his bow and draws back, waiting for the approaching wolves to be within the dim light.
(point blank) -
(point blank)
Red Raven tenses, his hands going to his pouch and pulling a pair of shuriken. He cocks his head, listening for where the attack will come from.
Tamora steps to her right beside the warpriest so that Hoga has a clear path in front of him if he wants to bulldoze the unseen enemies that deign to show themselves sooner. She pulls out her crossbow, her hand is on the level as if ready to shoot at the first enemy that she sights.
5 ft step
Move Action: Pull out crossbow
Standard Action: Ready an attack
Taladrius moves away from the fire, putting more distance between him and the unseen threat. He moves his hands in a quick practiced motion, saying something in an odd language as he does so. There is a shimmer in the air around him as he finishes.
Hoga moves closer, close enough to see the things with his night vision, rages, and fires his sling.
He misses, drops the sling, and gets ready to draw his axe.
Kakrish moves around the fire, close to where the movement appears to be. As he gets close enough his dark-vision allows him to see into the night. Three wolves sit just at the edge of his vision.
"Well this is exciting," he growls. "Looks like we've got some wolves that want to share dinner with us. This will be fun." He grabs his greatsword in both hands and readies his stance.
The wolves growl and bare teeth like they seem to wait for a command, and then you heard it, a guttural word is spoken just outside of Kakrish dark vision.
Then they all start running toward the group. As they enter the dim light area and become visible to everyone, Garrik let loose an arrow but missed the target by flying to high. Then Thron tries to counter charge the same wolf but it avoid the attack by jumping to the side. The wolf then
Tamora shoot her ready bolt at one of the wolf. The bolt hit the wolf deep in the shoulder, but it keep on running.
Kakrish is set upon two of the wolves that tries to bring him down.
Event though the dwarf was in a steady stance, he got pulled down by the wolf.
Stepping out from behind the trees, three orcs come running into the light. They have greataxe in their hand and seem to be looking for victims.
More than just wolves!
Red Raven flings his shuriken at each of the orcs, hoping to keep them distracted and give the rest of the party time to finish off the wolves.
"This one has the orcs!" he calls, stepping 5 feet closer to the attackers.
"Sarenrae, please grant me aid."
As she intones her prayers, a screech is heard and the wolf that she successfully hit with her crossbow is met with the fury of claws and a beak of an eagle in a position opposite of the dwarf. Tamora then moves to shield the sorcerer from further attacks.
Has Hoga speak, you realise that what he is saying is truth when the orcs enter the light of the fire. Red-Raven send his shuriken at the orcs, and both hit them both in the torso. Though the hit was square on, the damage doesn't seem to make them pause has they roar in challenge to the Tengu.
Tamora pary to her god for help and it manifest in the form of eagle that appear behind the injured wolf. While the beak fail to get through the hide of the wolf, the talons open vicious wounds. The wolf fall down, unconscious and bleeding.
Hoga moves and attacks the wolf still standing by Kakrish.
Garrik drops his bow, and draws his greataxe as he moves in to defend his companion, Thorn. "Thorn, get out of there and regroup!" He yells as he moves in.