Perigia stands mutely by and listens to the discussion. Anyone watching her can tell that she is clearly out of her element here.
"Right." Fairwind says as if Cronin has been an adept pupil, "And fer why are we lookin' to tangle with metal beasties who're mindin' their own business?"
Those who come to seek the prophetic wisdom of Lady Saharel are known as Seekers.
Some Seekers stay at the Monastery of the Precipice (run by Allendi). The monastery was founded 40 years ago by an adventurer called Kuryon. Kuryon's wisdom and findings are encapsulated in The Analects of Kuryon.
It is believed by many Seekers that rebuilding parts of the Spellgard fortress will please Lady Saharel and cause her to appear.
Not all Seekers stay at the Monastery of the Precipice. You know of two groups encamped in the grounds. Kal Clewsoro is one such. The Darano clan of halflings used to be another, but they upped and vanished around the time of the last full mooon.
When last heard of, the Darano's were attempting to rebuild the northern ramparts.
Seekers are a target of opportunistic gangs. Some human, some kobold. The largest and most successful kobold bandit gang are Bleak's Band.
Allendi (master of the Monastery of the Precipice) has asked you to investigate the increase in bandits. He and Yannick (the fluffy nobleman) think things have got worse, that the attacks are more directed and that it looks as if the ruins of Spellgard are being searched for something.
The central tower (the Scepter Tower) is untouched by time and held together by magic. Some of the arcane power of Spellgard has infused the original stone and standing on it allows you to make a critical hit on a 19 or 20.
The Scepter Tower seems to be occupied.
The kobolds have told you that Dark Creepers have been appearing. The creepers are wandering the ruins attacking Seekers and looking for pillars for some reason.
"Right." Fairwind says as if Cronin has been an adept pupil, "And fer why are we lookin' to tangle with metal beasties who're mindin' their own business?"
"If dark beasties are seeking out strange pillars and attacking innocent seekers, I'm sure that they have nothing but ill will for the tower and the lady who dwells inside," Perigia says. "I say we find out what's going on. Maybe the lady will reward us for our help."
Chryzylyx shakes her head. "You must do what you think is best, but I am returning to the monastery to study the Analects. She turns on her heel and wanders off, secure in the knowledge that she can blast any bandit stupid enough to try and attack her into tiny pieces.
"What exactly is a bolt blaster?" Leo asks after a moment.
"If these creepers are of Shar doesn't that mean they're the ones targetting the Seekers?" Leo asks Cronin.
"They did say they've seen one killed by one of those creatures so where is it?" Leo asks.
"Are those humanoid things golems?" Leo then asks.
Snaggletooth drags Leo down to his level.
"They are old, old guards. Very dangerous for us. Maybe not to you. They guard things. Maybe the pillar. Who knows? Spellgard is like that. Full of old strange things. We don't care. The bolt blaster killed a creeper."
"Which is good." adds Kneebiter. "Nearly killed me. Which is not good."
The kobolds sit expectantly on the ground awaiting your next moves.
Brujo carefully approaches the wall, blade drawn.
Cautiously Perigia changes the grip on her staff and gets ready to help Brujo if he needs it.
The intrepid duo creep cautiously to the edge of the ruined wall. Exactly as the kobolds described, strange metal guardians of antique form are poised, only changing position as their heads move, looking for intruders. There are two roughly humanoid constructs and between them, hissing rustily, a large iron cobra traces languid pattens in the dust.
The object of their guardianship is a slender white pillar. In the far corner, you see the huddled body of some dark cloaked creature. Crossbow bolts jut incongruously and are the obvious cause of death.
Equally obvious is the thing the kobolds called a bolt blaster. The name is apt. The bizarre construct is a large animated crossbow on legs. It has a head and eyes and box at what can only be described as chest height that is plainly a storage unit for ammunition.
The heads of all the guardians swing around to regard you.
The intrepid duo creep cautiously to the edge of the ruined wall. Exactly as the kobolds described, strange metal guardians of antique form are poised, only changing position as their heads move, looking for intruders. There are two roughly humanoid constructs and between them, hissing rustily, a large iron cobra traces languid pattens in the dust.
The object of their guardianship is a slender white pillar. In the far corner, you see the huddled body of some dark cloaked creature. Crossbow bolts jut incongruously and are the obvious cause of death.[/ooc]
The heads of all the guardians swing around to regard you.
Leo was thinking about distracting the creatures then wonders about bypassing both the statue and the golems.
At Leo's approach, the guardians all turn their heads to register his presence. They methodically gaze back and forth between you all.
The kobolds sit expectantly on the ground awaiting your next moves.
Caine watches the kobolds in turn.
Brujo freezees as the construct's gaze falls upon him.
The cobra's head comes up and it slithers a short way towards Perigia . The other guardian creatures swing their heads towards the mage, but don't move.
Caine and the kobolds regard each other. Snaggletooth reaches down for a handful of pebbles.
"Want to play knucklestones?"
"Knucklebones? Maybe... what shall we play for?"
"Coin?"
"Show your shiny-shine-shine coins."
"First we win, then we show shiny coins. Or we play for forfeits. Loser sings a song."
"I do not need to lose to sing."
"In my heyday, young girls wrote to me
Everybody seem to have time to devote to me
Everyone I meet all swore they knew me
Once upon a song...."
At Leo's approach, the guardians all turn their heads to register his presence. They methodically gaze back and forth between you all.
"Aha. Kobolds also sing."
(In beautiful two part harmony)
"There is beauty in the bellow of the blast
There is grandeur in the growling of the gale
There is eloquent outpouring when the tiger is a-roaring
And the lion is a-lashing of his tail...
Yes, we like to see the tiger
In the forest or the Niger
And especially a-lashing of his tail
If that is so, sing derry-down-derry
It's evident very, our tastes are one..."
Kneebiter shrugs. "Madrigals are better. Are you a bass?"
At Leo's approach, the guardians all turn their heads to register his presence. They methodically gaze back and forth between you all.
Leo's careful movements do not attract the attention of the guardians.
Anticipating an attack Perigia prepares Shield.
1d20=14
Those of you not occupied with watching the mechanical guardians become aware of scratching noises from the surrounding rubble. The kobolds stop singing abruptly (to your great relief) and scamper onto the highest bit of stonework they can find.
The guardians shift position, focussing their attention on Perigia.
The guardians shift position, focussing their attention on Perigia.
Brujo readys himself for the coming construct.
Brujo readys himself for the coming construct.
Brujo readys himself for the coming construct.
"I'll keep their attention whilst you head away from it once it loses interest in you I'll back off!" Leo whispers towards them making sure he's ready in case it attacks.
Brujo tenses up and without a thought launches a bolt of lightning at the oncoming cobra.
Leo's overt movement attracts the attention of the guardians. All the heads swing towards him. They move. The bolt blaster whines slightly as a crossbow bolt loads.
Kneebiter stands up. "Rats. Good eating!"