Amir quickly gets to work and top ropes a line up the rock face. You wonder where he might have 'legally' acquired such climbing skill in the city, but he moves easily up the rough rock face and with his aid everyone reaches the ruins of the church just before noon.
With everyone well and brought over after a morning climb Amir looks about the others, Well shall we proceed now that we are done with our exercise?
Karethas shakes his head when he finally gets past the bridges, "Father was right, I am not cut out for such 'Adventures'. He sighs deeply when Amir suggests moving on, but after a moment he seems to find some determination in himself and begins moving. "Let us see what there is to see."
Amir will jovially punch Karehas on the shoulder, Your magic grows by leaps and bounds. One day you will merely snap your fingers and the mountain will come to you. You are cut from a fine cloth, just sometimes not a graceful one.
Taking on a more somber air Amir nods to the wizard, We have needed your skills and will again. Fathers say all sorts of things if they think it will keep their children from harm. Look to what you accomplish not what stands in your way.
Auri maintains his aerial vigil, eyes searching the surrounds for threats.
Once out of the shadow of the northern face, you warm quickly in the mid-day sun. The ruins of the Church of Sarenrae dominate this end of the bluff. All you see is pocked walls and verdigrised domes. Nothing stirs as you survey the ruins. At the west end of the church is a series of crumbling arches and a old bronze statue of Sarenrae with both arms raised to the heavens.
Know:Religion -
Auri maintains his vigil...
"Ahhh she beckons me forth once more, the secrets to unlocking my potential are once more clearly signposted by her presence"
Karethas smiles wanly at first to Amir's encouragement, but at his more serious tone the young wizard seems to take to heart. His smile becomes more authentic and he nods his head. "It's good to use what I have learned in something that is important as this."
Noting that no one is around to see them Karethas turns to the others, "Do we want to search the church? I'm worried about using our resources before we confront Kardswann."
I look at the church, trying to think back, "...something is off ... but what? ... Ah, thats where I have seen it before, this looks like it was originally a home of Abadar originally. But at some point it was changed to a house of Sarenrae, unfortunately they couldn't change the shape of the building."
I look to Karethas, " I would like to search the church, not only to see if they are any survivors or more allies, but if there are enemies we wouldn't want them coming from behind while Kardswann comes from the front."
Abadar hmmm? Yes we should check the buildings thoroughly.
You spend some time carefully exploring the ruins of the church. Now that Faelar has pointed it out, you all see that the structure is more reminiscent of the Immaculate Repository of Katapesh City than the monastery you found outside of town.
The central dome looks to have been removed creating a sunlit courtyard in the center of the temple and you are disturbed to find weathered skeletons bleaching in the sun. Some appear to be priests of Sarenrae and you find the remains of the red chitin armor of the Pactmaster Guard as well.
As with the monastery, you find that a battle has occured here; doors are broken down and the walls are burned and hacked in spots. Wending your way to the inner sanctum, you find further progress barred by a heavy metal plate with a glowing yellow key of Abadar enscribed on it.
"Huh? What's THAT doing here?"
Karethas casts Detect Magic and carefully examines the room, saving the door and the glowing key for last. As he is doing so he remarks, "Do you think the battle that happened here was part of Halruun's jihad? This place would not have had particular ties to Vardishal and the genies, would it? I find it strange that the Pactmaster's guards would be involved in such a cause, on either side. Where would the profit be?"
"Strange indeed... and something we will need to puzzle out when we have time and safety"
"So how do our plans unfold from here? those Gnolls don't seem to be killing themselves fast enough"
Perception: --> extra +2 vs. gnolls.
It is interesting that they have not used this building. It is possible that the lawful nature of Abadar has served to ward off the chaotic gnolls.
Karethas frowns at the glowing key, "Amir, that key is a magical look for the door. I have no magic to open it. I don't suppose you know any tricks to get it open?"
"Why would a temple to Abadar be converted to a temple of Sarenrae? Although the dead bodies of both Pactmaster guards and Sarenrae priests suggests that either something killed them all by their own, or something allied with one side and then betrayed them after the deed was done. Halruun could have been the cause ..."
I look around for any books or records of what might have happened.
Might be that they were allied, and then the good fire of Sarenrae became corrupted by some evil. We already know there are bad genies around,what are they called . . . Efreet I think.
You are currently at the dead end of a hallway after a short descent down some stairs. There are no books, signs of gnoll activity, or anything else in the chamber other than the glowing golden key sigil.
I reach my hand out and run it along the key, trying to recall anything that would be similar to this. Upon failing to recall anything I turn back to the group, "Shall we continue to explore the building and surrounding land? See if we can reduce the number of Gnolls that are still here?"
Kzrira steps back as she sees Faelar move toward the magical ward.
We are here to eliminate these gnolls and find my mother. Once we have done this, we will have plenty of time to research this rune and temple. Lets find some gnolls and introduce them to the afterlife.
At the discussion of killing gnolls, Kzrira begins to smile.
Amir waves at Kzrira lazily as he looks over the door. Give me one moment to inspect the door. Abadar is a protector as well as master merchant. It would be foolish to pass by a cache of powerful weapons or magic if I can just determine what holds the door closed...
Amir's search reveals nothing dangerous about the sigil, but the magical ward provides no keyhole or clue how to bypass it.
Finding nothing but more questions, you leave the chill quiet halls of the fallen cathedral to investigate the rest of the upper town. Nothing stirs in the mid day sun among the crumbling buildings nearby.
A short distance away, however, the Battle Market dominates the town. The circular fortress stands three stories high and is capped by a once shining dome. The only entrance appears to be through large double doors at each of the cardinal directions. Near the fortress stands a palace and guild hall that seem to have aged well. The guard tower is on the opposite side of the Battle Market. All else is in ruins.
"Perhaps we can go behind all those buildings and take that guard tower? Make them fight us there where we have a fortified position."
Perception: <-- extra +2 vs Gnolls.
--> Looking for a good defensible position where I can shoot at targets, but will have cover against shots coming back. Also, seeing if I can see any hyena headed miscreants hiding or watching for us.
The tower would be good. I can shoot at anything on the ground or in other buildings. Amir and Faelar can keep an eye out and guard the stairs as necessary. Karethas, you can summon to draw their attention.
Kzrira stops and again scans the area, then thinks for a moment.
Actually, it would be interesting. Once we get into the tower, if it is defensible, Faelar can use his magic to create an illusion of a party like us. Karethas, you could summon one of your dogs to make noises and run around the illusion. I bet we can draw some of them out of their hiding places. Once I know where they are, I can take them out one by one.
@ DM VooDoo - is it possible to go behind the building to the Guard House? To carefully walk between the buildings and the cliff?[/ooc]
We should be careful though that the tower does not become a prison. They have had no small share of strange creatures and numbers are on their side. We must be sure to withdraw if we look at being trapped.
Well, we have several choices:
Or do nothing, but I am not very good at doing nothing. I would prefer to find a concealed location where I can shoot at anything that moves.
I look to Kzrira, "I have never tried something as complex as that, it may require my full attention, which means I would be less able to help if something goes wrong. I can always give it a go though."
Looking back at Faelar.
If the illusion fails to draw them out, or they reach us. Then I think that we will have bigger things to worry about than you maintaining your concentration.
"Let me know what you need scouted out, perhaps I can sniff out their hiding places... I will try not to bring out a demon from the Abyss this time. Then again that went much better than I thought last time so maybe a chase isn't all that bad an idea."
Good Idea Auri. Time is on our side. Why don't you carefully scout the area and see if there are any gnolls where I can hit them. Once we know the numbers and locations, we can properly devise our attack plan. Also, if you can, try to sneak in a hole at the top of the market to see what is in there as well as in the guild and guard tower. But be careful, we will not be close to help you. If someone spots you, I say fly straight up and toward the southwest away from the river and our location. Once you are out of sight, carefully make your way back here.
"That sounds alright, any other thoughts?"
Assuming Auri takes off out the back and circles around so that he is not coming from our direction, I will find a place where I can watch the approach to the temple so that we are ready should anyone, or anything, approach.
Perception: <-- extra +2 vs. gnolls.
I have my bow drawn and ready if anything appears close to finding us.
After Kzrira's instructions, the glittering little dragon leaps into the air flying far above the ruins. Winging toward the river and around, Aurichalcum spots few gnolls out during the day. The guard tower seems to be the only garrison outside the Battle Market. Soaring closer he spots a pair of gnolls and an immense horn on the tower top. Below the gate is open, but guarded by a pack of hyenas and their gnoll handler.
Circling the Battle Market, Auri sees that only the eastern doors near the guard tower are open, but just under the dome a number of large openings allow air and daylight into the building.
Checks as requested...
Stealth
Perception
Aurichalcum silently settles on one of the skylights for a better look inside the Battle Market. The center of the tower is open allowing a good view of the layout. The uppermost story only takes up the west side of the building centered on a balcony with a pair of thrones. A massive man sits in one of the chairs idly watching the stage below. A pair of gnoll guards lean over the railing gazing downward as well.
The second story is open opposite the balcony and has benches with scattered musical instruments abandoned long ago. There are a number of chambers encircling the rest of the level and four more gnolls are seen leaning against the balcony.
Everyone's attention seems to be directed at the raised stage in the center of the ground floor where a pair of slaves are chained together by a leg and currently trying to bash their opponent's brains out with a heavy rock to the amusement of a crowd of about a dozen humans and gnolls that are gathered around the stage.
"Urgh!"
Auri flies back to detail what he found to the others...
Karethas begins the now familiar motion of stroking his beard as he begins to think out loud. "If only we were as all as sneaky as Auri or Amir, then we would have so many more options. I would like to be able to attack the tower and kill those there before reinforcements arrive, but I don't really see how we can kill both of those guards prior to their blowing the horn. We could drop a rope off the edge of the cliff which everyone could climb down and I could use my feather falling spell again as an escape. Anyone following would have to expose themselves on the rope or go all the way around and follow the path, but that would do no good if we were overrun with reinforcements while climbing. In any case, if we attack someone up here Kardswann would have to be stupid to not expect an attack on his stronghold and to take strong defensive measures. If we attack Kardswann now, then it will have to be swift. I don't think we can defeat all of his soldiers in a protracted battle." Finally he sighs and looks around, "Does anyone have any other ideas?"
Assuming Auri related what he saw:
If I can see them, I can probably take out one of the bell tower guards before they know what happened. The question is whether anyone can get the second. Do you have any spells that would disable them?
Also, if we could get to some raised place, the roof of a building or something, then we could hit them from afar while the hyenas might be unable to climb to us.
Once the guard tower is cleared, I would love to be able to get on the roof of the Battle Market and put an arrow or two in the gut of that horrid leader before we have to face him head on.
Also, I agree, an escape route is critical as we are not set to face these guys head on. We need to make sure that we avoid putting ourselves in a position where we can get flanked and which will expose Karethas and Faelar to attack while they use their magic to assist Amir and myself.
If the way is relatively clear, and our timing precise, I might come upon the pair on foot while Kzrira means to take a shot. If she shoots with speed and accuracy and fells one, I might then come upon the other before he blows the horn...
Well, lets make our way behind the ruins and find a place to start our assault. It is dangerous Amir, but if we get to these ruins [AL7], it should give us flanking protection from which I can shoot. You can then sneak behind and scale the tower from the side opposite the hyenas.
DM VooDoo what checks do we need? We will use a rope to tie use together with Amir in the lead, Faelar second, me third and Karethas last while traversing the back of the buildings. That way the two with the best climbing are in the 1 and 3 slots for support. Do we need Climb or Acrobatics checks? And I assume 1 stealth check from each person who is going to get close enough to attack. I am hoping to fire from AL7 if there is sufficient cover/sight from there.
Here are my presumptive rolls.
Climb:
Stealth:
Before leaving I speak to the others quietly, "If you can get me within range, I could always try to put the two guards to sleep?"
Obviously feeling nervous and anxious I follow Amir silently, when we get into position I will stay where they tell me to.
You have my stealth above, need rolls from the others unless another plan is wanted.
Amir meticulously makes his way with the party to stage their assault.