I pull out my wand after the Pugwampis King is down. "Thank Shelyn that is over, that took too long and we seemed to be struggling with that for some reason. Hold on Amir." I step over to Amir and touch it's tip to his forehead.
That should get Amir up. Once Kzrira has collected everything from the little creatures, I will cast Detect Magic over everything to see if anything stands out.
We could always make camp and rest 8 hours. After all, we are a full 10 minutes into our adventure for the day, that sounds like about the right time to nap.
The sleeping pugwampis are quickly dispatched and their nest searched. A golden bowl likely stolen from the altar is found as well as a ring and the small warhammer that the king was using. The ring and hammer are magical.
"The ring and hammer both seem to radiate a magical aura, but I am not sure what they are. Sorry. Should we carry on, or rest for a while? I think we all got hurt a lot in that encounter?"
If we opt to rest, I shall go and clean the alter as I want to see if there is anything to read there and I can't see anything while it is covered grime.
Amir shakes his head at the creatures. Damnable beasts. I've never been a fan of imps of any kind. That these are ugly mutts as well makes them even less tolerable.
Amir test his feet and flinches slightly. USe that wand again, eh? This foot is not right. I say we press on but you need me in better shape if we run into more of these little s~~%s.
Hearing that Amir would like the wand to be used again, I touch it's tip to his foot and release a charge of the wand.
I tap the wand, "Is this broken again?" Then retouch it to Amir's foot.
"Yes, it is broken again. It is so temperamental!."
Amir claps Faelar on the shoulder. All I care is that it gets me healed. We'll get you a fixed one when we get back to a city. Thank you my friend.
"I look forward to it. Do you feel better now then and do either of you wish to feel better? If you will excuse me for a few minutes ..."
While Karethas is identifying the magical items, I head down to the alter, where I begin to wipe the grime off of it. While I am cleaning it, do I find any books or written text?
Faelar's investigation of the front of the sanctuary finds it a wreck with a horrid gnoll skull resting upon the altar. An uncut gem has been placed in one of the eye sockets. Some wierd pugwampi ritual you imagine.
Faelar does his best to clean the altar and move the rubble aside and does find a few torn pages of the Sarenrae's holy book, The Birth of Light and Truth under the pieces of fallen ceiling.
Karethas shakes his head. "I have used every particularly useful spell I have to destroy those pests and so has Faelar. I say we rest up here in the balcony. Anything that is not a pugwampi will avoid the sanctuary because it is their nest and it seems like we have broken the strength of the pugwampi. Any of them that aren't in here will be less dangerous than what we just faced and the balcony is a defensible position, which is part of what made it so tough for us. I'd rather lose surprise than face foes in such a weakened state." He shrugs, "But that is just my opinion. I will follow the consensus o the group."
Upon closer inspection, the hammer appears to be a gnomish maul and the ring is silver and engraved with tiny flying djinn.
Meanwhile, the sounds of combat have awoken the mighty Dragon from his slumber. For days he had been watching the Pugwumpis, developing his master plan to attack and defeat their evil horde and seize any pages of the Holy text that were rightfully his from their ignorant grasp.
Unfurling his magnificent wings and stretching his vicelike claws, he gracefully shifts his serpentine frame towards the cacophony to see if this is his chance... upon noting the Pugs have been vanquished by a band of strangers, he slips to cover to observe them closely - are they noble men of noble heart? or are they reckless knaves who fancy themselves as dragon-slayers?
From the shadows and the rubble, a small serpentine head silently slips forward to note their conduct.
Sneak
If you wish to rest, that is fine. I am a little banged up, but can take the guard. I will let Amir rest as he took a lot more of that than I did.
I will take first and second shifts on the guard.
"So we rest, that is nice to know." I sit down and begin to hum an Elven tune, which is soothing and relaxing.
While I am humming my tune, I will look at the pages I found and sit down to read them. Only once I have read them, will I finally fall asleep and the area becomes quiet with no more noise from me.
The Dragon notes the elf warmly, but maintains his silent vigil. A Dragon knows it has time on its side, it killed the Pugwampi, now perhaps it has sent fairer agents. A singing elf can only be a good sign.
With eyes peeled, he stays motionless, wondering what may transpire.
With Amir recovered from his wounds, but still suffering from the dhabba venom, the group retreats to the choir loft to rest and recover. The day passes into evening without any trouble and although you suspect there are more pugwampis around, you don't see any.
Once I feel rested enough, I pick up my humming again and pull out the book that I had borrowed from Zataran and begin to read it while everybody gets ready. Before I start reading, I look out into the room below and the corridor to see if there is anyone or anything there.
When I see no-one, I begin to read my book. The tune I am humming this time is a fast paced tune that makes you want to tap your feet in time with it. It is very jolly and uplifting.
Perception:
If you all are rested, we should get moving. It is already dark outside, so it is a little riskier. We can either pass the night here, or continue on now. As long as you casters can create light for us, I am ready to move on.
Kzrira loads her crossbow and gets ready to descent to continue the search.
"We should carry on, do not worry I will be able to keep our whereabouts well illuminated." I pull my wayfinder off of my belt, open it up and press the button at the top of it, with a quiet click there is soft light emanating from the face of my wayfinder. I then reattach the wayfinder to my belt, so that I have both hands free while we are travelling around.
Before going to bed Karethas examines both magical items. After a few minutes he holds up the ring. "This is a quite usefull item. It protects the wearer in the case of a long fall, allowing them to float safely to the ground. I have a spell that could help me in a similar situation, so I would suggest one of you take it. The hammer seems to be of gnomish origin, and has a minor enchantment on it to make it more puissant in battle."
After sleeping, Karethas studies for a short time in his spellbook. He nods as he stands up. "I'm ready." He puts the spellbook he was just studying back in it's waterproof bag and stuffs it in his backpack.
Before he decends the ladder Karethas pauses and casts a quick spell.
Although your rest has consisted mainly of catnaps through the afternoon, you feel totally refreshed as if recharged by the warming sunlight that has poured into the sanctuary all day. You are renewed enough to refresh your spells and other abilities even without a full night's rest and you feel the Everlight looks upon your mission with favor.
All three of us could use the ring. Faelar, why don't you take it. With your academic background, I am guessing you have the least experience climbing.
Well, lets get on with this. We have a monastery to the lady of fire to clear our. Sarenrae please bless our blades and help us clear your home of these invaders.
I reach out and gladly accept the ring, "You are right, I have not done a lot of climbing before. I think while I have been with you; my new friends, I have done more more climbing than I have in my long lived, life." I place the ring on my finger, making sure it is on the hand that does not hold my blade.
Continuing your exploration, you find the southern end of the transept equally vandalized as the north. The bas relief appears to have depicted the saint figure standing on the hilltop arms outstretched to a group of robed pilgrims. The arms and faces of the statues have been broken away and disfigured and the Kelish word for blasphemy is painted across the scene.
Look up at Saint Vardishal I shake my head that such a piece of art has been vandalised and broken. I then walk towards the next available path clockwise. While I am moving I am keeping an eye out for anything that could attack us, walking with my Rapier drawn already.
Sarenrae please bless our blades and help us clear your home of these invaders.
As the call to Saerenrae is uttered, Auri pops his head up over the rocks.
"Well if it is Sarenrae whom you call to for strength then perhaps she has answered both our prayers" echoes the voice inside your heads.
The tiny bronze dragon climbs into sight, chest puffed out and full of pride - clearly he is certain of his magnificence - his confidence is palpable.
The little rajah settles on the rock and sweeps his gaze across you all.
"I am Aurichalcum, and I thank you for clearing out those beasts before I had to resort to doing so myself. I shall accompany you through the monastery and continue revealing its secrets, I seek the knowledge hidden within, I seek Sarenraes sacred texts and that of her prophets."
I look at the small dragon,
Now where did I put them, they should be in here somewhere ... ah here they are! I pull out the pages I found on the alter earlier in the day and hold them out with an outstretched hand.
Kicking Faelar in the shin. Careful, we know nothing about this little dragon.
Turning and pointing my crossbow at the wee dragon: What type of beast are you. We were sent to cleanse this place of evil.
Sense Motive:
I bend down and rub my shin where I got kicked, "Oww! That really hurt!"
Looking up to Kzrira, "What do you mean what sort of beast is Aurichalcum, isn't it obvious that this is a Pseudodragon? A smaller breed of dragon, but still just as proud. Anyway they seek knowledge, so they can't be evil."
Auri casts an approving regal gaze over Faelar, "It pleases me that you are most familiar with the noble tongue of the dragons; I have always spoken my mind....with my mind..."
"Thank you for sharing these Holy Texts, I have also collected some and started piecing them together, I am glad we can share our knowledge and perhaps uncover more of the wisdom and secrets of the ages"
Without turning to face the crossbow levelled in his direction, the small dragon still shifts his eyes towards it.
"The honeyed tongue scholar is astute in his observation that I am indeed a Dragon and a collector and trader of knowledge for the greater betterment of the benevolent races, however he has made a small mistake in that I am actually a [i]Brass Dragon[i]. I am not the most recent hatchling I do concede, and though I seem to have mysteriously stopped growing, Sarenrae guides me and I believe she has hidden clues as to where to find the rest of my kind. I seek to reunite with them and they can help me achieve my full granduer. I can see how he made the oversight, but a Brass is what I am. With that small matter corrected, he can no doubt give you a fine account of my royal lineage and the friendly nature of my kind"
Lowering my crossbow.
You are here seeking knowledge? In this decrepit building? I am amazed that you can find anything considering the filth that has taken up residence here. We have been asked to determine whether it is safe to use as a base as there are tribes of mongrel gnolls encamped in the next town and we wish to determine why they are there.
Pausing for a moment and then offering my hand before realizing that I do not know how dragon greet.
It is my pleasure to meet you Aurichalcum. May we call you Auri for short? Your name is a little tough on my untrained tongue.
"I agree the building is decrepit, and I too am amazed at the residents, the filth, and the ability to find things here, however we dragons, or was that wee dragons?, no matter, we dragons have a keen eye and a keen smell for finding those things which we seek. Be it treasure or knowledge, what we long for cannot escape our senses."
"This place might be suitable as a base once it is cleared out; the structure has been here for a long time and the careless inhabitants haven't yet knocked it over so it must have some strength, and if it shelters your bodies from the hot sun and scorching sands of the daylight hours then its your best bet... oh yes, and Auri is fine"
"So where are we going?"
You wish to join us? Mere mortals, and mostly humans? I thought that you were a mighty brass dragon. Surely you can defeat these vermin by yourself. Why would you wish to stoop to joining our company?
You can see that Kzrira is suspicious and again holding her crossbow, not pointed at the dragon, but ready to raise it at a moments notice.
"Well."[b] he begins cheerily, [b]"I am a mighty Brass Dragon, and here I stand before my vanquished foes... do I not? The strength of a Dragon lies not just in tooth and claw, but in their wisdom. Here I am, and there they are. Success no?"
The little dragon hops around excitedly and assumes a mighty pose. "Your fine mere mortal bards and minstrels just happening upon this scene now would see vanquished foes and a triumphant Dragon and they would tell stories through the ages of a mighty victory, and here I would hold up the captured bounty of knowledge and indeed any argument over my victory would vanish. So yes I shall join you, and we can keep having victories together, and besides, I like the honey tongued one!"
"Well." he begins cheerily, "I am a mighty Brass Dragon, and here I stand before my vanquished foes... do I not? The strength of a Dragon lies not just in tooth and claw, but in their wisdom. Here I am, and there they are. Success no?"
The little dragon hops around excitedly and assumes a mighty pose. "Your fine mere mortal bards and minstrels just happening upon this scene now would see vanquished foes and a triumphant Dragon and they would tell stories through the ages of a mighty victory, and here I would hold up the captured bounty of knowledge and indeed any argument over my victory would vanish. So yes I shall join you, and we can keep having victories together, and besides, I like the honey tongued one!"
I look at Aurichalcum in astonishment. He isn't a Pseudodragon? Well that is something else I have learned today.
I turn to face Kzrira, "It would be a smart move to have Mighty Aurichalcum journey with us, Dragons are the original users of the Arcane and he may be able to provide us with some magical support. Also it is not smart to anger a Dragon, their wrath can be terribly frightening."
I turn an whisper to Amir and Karethas: I am not sure which is madder, the wee dragon who thinks he is a huge dragon, or the elf.
Lowering my crossbow once again. You may accompany us . . . great . . . Auri. So, do you have the great breath weapon that I have heard dragon use with great effectiveness in battle. And these mighty arcane powers that Faelar speaks of.
Karethas has stood back to this point, quietly observing the mighty dragon before them. At the mention of having Aurichalcum he steps forward and with a half hidden smile, "Yes, a dragon's wrath is best left untested. I don't know what Aurichalcum's particular gifts may be, but another set of eyes in and of itself is useful. Aurichalcum, may I introduce you to our little band? The lady with the sharp eye and sharper aim is known as Kzrira. The 'honey tongued elf' is Faelar Braegen, a bard and a Pathfinder. Our world-wizened friend with the rapier is Amir Awad Hajjir, and I am Karethas ibn Faradin, Conjurer." Karethas gives a little bow as he introduces himself, touching his middle finger to his forehead and heart.
As I am introduced, I bow, "How could I forget to introduce myself? Thank-you greatly for doing so; my dear friend." I stand up from my bow, "Well should we get going, these books aren't going to find themselves and we do have to clear out the place for her Royal Highness, Princess Almah."
Still eyeing the dragon suspiciously: If you have been exploring this monastery for some time, perhaps you could help us by explaining the layout of the area and any dangers before us.
I find a stick and spread some dust on the ground and draw a crude map of what we know so far about the floor plan. Once done, I turn to the dragon.
Could you sketch some more of the map? And possibly tell us what type of monsters we might find in here. Especially those annoying Pugs as I can easily hit them from distance, but up close they make all of our aims quite shaky.
Amir strokes his moustache at the turn of events, watching Faelar's obvious enthusiasm and Kzrira's obvious eyebrow raising over the matter. Not one to speculate on the nature of dragons of any size Amir merely watches the affair with quiet aplomb. At his introduction the thief cum merchant tilts he is head in respect at the newcomer and turns his attention to Kzrira's map.
Aurichalcum claws in the dirt to finish what he knows of the map.
"There's a big vulture outside, but we chose not to annoy each other, and theres gigantic hairy spiders in the tower. Haven't seen much else"
Gigantic spiders? How large do you mean? As we are larger than you, are these things that much larger than us?