Uldar seems captivated by the creatures, unable to avoid looking deeply at them without a word. He notes Velcore's birthmark though, which he has never seen before.
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What are we doing here? Why, our attention extends to this place because, when the Temple was overthrown, Iuz, in His generosity and renowned kindness, placed this haven here, so that opponents of the Temple might find refuge in need and gain help against their foes. We will harm any servant of Evil daring to enter this sanctuary of Good.
Have we any mead? Nay, being nearly immortal we have no need for food or drink.
Uldar finally gathers enough strength to pose a question "Oh mighty helpers of Iuz. Do you have any idea how we might end the evilness of the temple for once and for all?"
Once answered the halfling adds "Did Iuz left other places or objects like this one that we might use against the Elemental Evil?"
"Yes, good question. We need information to prepare us. Can you help us make a map and tell us what we are up against?"
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This room is a place of refuge, and as far as we know is the only such place within this Evil temple complex. We have no means to construct a map of this place, and such a thing would be based solely on old memories that are outdated.
The way to end the Evil that haunts this temple is...complicated. The four elemental temples vie with each other for power, and somewhere within these confines is the Lady of Fungi, Zuggtmoy. Only the possessor of the Orb of Elemental Death can bring about the complete destruction of this place.
There used to be an old poem about the Orb, that ended something like...
Many now have gone to die
in water, flame, in earth, or sky.
They did not bear the key of old
that must be found—the orb of gold.
Beware, my friend, for you shall fall
unless you have the wherewithall
to find and search the boxes four
and then escape forevermore.
But with the key, you might succeed
in throwing down Her power and greed.
Destroy the key when you are done
and then rejoice, the battle won.
But, we digress. That old poem surely exists within the walls of this place somewhere, and the compete text would provide you with important information. The best we could do at this moment in time is to offer a means to strengthen your arms and magic items.
"The Orb of Elemental Death... now... that is interesting. I guess finding the complete poem will bring us the knowledge on where and how to find the orb." Uldar brings his bow "What about that magic strengthening, how does that work?"
Trane nods.
"Do it!!"
Roran starts to trust these creatures; if this is a ruse, it's too elaborate for him too pick through. "Any idea where the full poem or this orb or gold might be?"
I have followed my companions into this room, observing and listening to the interactions, my Bugbear companion continuing at my side. I vaguely remember finding the poem these creatures mentioned and wondering which one of use has it. Fascinating situation!
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The brighter of the two radiant figures now speaks again:
Now, good folk, place each and every weapon you possess, all of your holy symbols, magic items, silvered items, and magical herbs before this crystal — the Window of the Planes of Weal — and then quickly step out of the west door. Count slowly to 77, and do not return in that time, for we shall send a Ray of Just Might through these items. Any flesh in the place would be blasted to oblivion by the ray, and any mortal eye beholding its glory would be forever blinded. But all your items will be made more effective by a factor of + 1, recharged by seven, or otherwise doubled in efficacy — though this power lasts but seven hours. Hurry! We must act now, for our time is fast running out. We can help but once per seven days, you know!
"Let's see it done!" Uldar leaves his bow and other weapons but keeps his magic shortsword and armor just in case.
"I hope we can repeat the process before fazing that Zuggtmoy or whatever minion control this temple" and he readies to get out of the room to see done the process without getting fried.
All of our gear? And we can't be in the room? This smells funny.
Velcore listens to the beings while the others talk trying to figure out if this is a trap.
Uldar also gets suspicious after Roran makes his fair note.
Thinking to myself that this "benefit" doesn't seem worth the possibility of losing all our weapons, etc., my suspicions are aroused. There is "good" and there is "appearing good".
Sense Motives:
"This sounds a little far-fetched. Maybe we start with this scimitar? If it works, we can try it again next week."
Trane was naturally suspicious of humans. He preferred the company of animals. These creatures aroused some suspicion in him. He hands over a mundane scimitar for the trial. He looks the divine beings in the eye, careful to read any hesitation or lack of faith in their ability to magic his weapon.
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Aaah, you do not trust us, we can see that is evident from your cautious approach to our offer of assistance. The choice is yours, of course, but we are offering to provide a boost to all of your items, not just a select few.
Trane says: "Let me consult with my companions."
Trane whispers to Uldar first, then gestures for him to whisper to someone else while he whispers to Velcore: "They are trying to trick us. They are up to no good. Pass the message on."
Trane nods as the message continues to the others. He gestures and a group of earth elementals appears.
Uldar nods and passes the message to Kalizama whispering at her ear "It seems the god envoys have been also corrupted by the filth of the Temple. We are going to trick them. Pass the message on" he says as he winks his right eye to the wizardress.
I agree with Carp, I whisper, then nod affirmatively to Uldar and pass the message on to Velcore.
Initiative:
"Deceivers!!! I will smite thee!!!"
Trane will make himself stronger and change to partial lion.
Velcore throws his arms out to the side at shoulder height as he chants in Celestial.
DC 18 Wis Save for half
Not seeing any enemy in the room, Uldar merely approaches the next door and opens it without taking the time to check for traps "Are they hiding behind the mirror?"
At the other side he checks what should be the rear of the mirror.
Observing all of this I suggest to my companions, "Perhaps we should step back outside the door and discuss this before we continue, as I suspect things are not what they seem."
Having said this I turn and go out the door we came in, into the hallway, urgently gesturing to my companions to follow me.
I cast Detect Magic DC13
Knowledge Arcana:
Uldar will try to unlock the door at the first opportunity, rushing to do the task.
Trane decides with the barbarian elf ready to rushing in, he is going to back him up with some support and help him out.
Trane has a chance to summon a young lion (std action).
The young lion readies to charge the closest enemy at Trane's command.
Lion CR 3-1 with below template already added
Size decrease by one category; AC reduce natural armor by –2 (minimum +0); Attacks decrease damage dice by 1 step; Ability Scores –4 Strength, –4 Con, +4 size bonus to Dex.
XP 600
N Medium Animal
Init +7; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 15, flat-footed 12 (+5 Dex, +1 natural, 0 size)
hp 22 (5d8+0)
Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +6 (1d6+3 plus grab), 2 claws +6 (1d3+3)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 claws +6, 1d3+5)
STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 21, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +6 (+10 grapple); CMD 21 (25 vs. trip)
Feats Improved Initiative, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +11, Perception +9, Stealth +8 (+12 in undergrowth); Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth (+8 in undergrowth)
The young lion appears and rushes the other pretend divine creatures.
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Kalizama casts Detect Magic and tries to think if she knows about the arcana of this place...
Trane summons a young lion to join the group...
End of Surprise Round.
Round 1: Uldar, Kalizama, Velcore, Trane
Seeing no enemy in the room, Uldar continues working in the door's lock in order to open the path to another room.
Velcore draws his flaming sword but is equally puzzled by Uldar ignoring the beings and working on the doors lock across the room. "What is the halfling doing? Enemies are about." He whispers to anyone standing near him.
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Standing in the doorway I say to my companions,"This entire room is giving off a magical aura and it is much stronger on the eastern wall at the "mirror" area." And to Uldar I say,"Are you having any luck with that door?"
Knowledge Arcana:
"What ill magics..." mumbles Uldar not seeing anything at the other side of the wall "So, unless you can step through the mirror I guess we perhaps made a mistake and those are real angels"
The halfling though starts ckecking for secret doors in the room, then in the corridor.
"Well, I guess there is nothing here really and we made a mistake" then he proposes to follow the corridor and go to the north.
At some point in the corridor, Uldar seems to feel something moving in the wall "Wait! There is something here..."
The halfling starts pushing with all his strength "I need the help!" and tries to open his way to the other side.
Roran steps up with a chuckle next to Uldar.
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Uldar and Roran manage to open a secret door in the north wall of the corridor, revealing a bare-walled 20' square room which is permeated by a feral odor.
A pair of nestlike heaps of cloth and pillow lie by the east wall; bones and litter cover the floor. A large cupboard stands against the north wall. A pair of rust-red cloaks hang on pegs by the secret door, the only apparent entrance. A few pieces of dirty pewterware are on the cupboard shelves, along with two bottles of wine and a bunch of cooking herbs in a glass bottle. You notice a jumble of weapons and other items in the northwest corner.
Inside the room are two muscular creatures who have a man's body but the snarling head and fur coats of wolves. They immediately attack with long swords and snarling bites!
Wolf A (at Uldar):
Sword:
Bite:
Wolf B (at Roran):
Sword:
Bite:
Wolf A swings its sword down on Uldar's head, inflicting 12 points of damage!
Continuation of Round 1: Kalizama, Velcore, Trane