Temple of Empyreal Brute Squad (Inactive)

Game Master ThorGN

Looking a bit dejected, Tanrov dismounts and steps back into the hallway where the assimar are waiting.

"It's over. Dakang is... maybe you should just come in and see for yourself."

Erin slumps to the floor exhausted from the fight.

"Thanks Ark, I think you just saved us all there."

Arkwright shoots Erin a similarly exhausted-looking grin. "You're welcome. I just hope the Aasimar don't react badly to us having slaughtered their kin- even if they were already dead at the time."

"Somehow I do not think they will mind. Any idea on what he was?"

Erin ask as she lays her head back against the wall and rests her bow on the floor.

Petr converses with the Lantern Archon while studying the rotting form slumped before them.

Petr continues speaking with the Angel for the next 15 seconds.

As his summon blinks out off this plane he turns and joins the conversation of his comrades.

Noticing the Tiefling gone,

"Where is Ashur? ASHUR! Are you hurt?"

Find Ashur and channel

"Yea, it's dead and that's all that matters." Ashur comes down from his rage and takes a seat. His bruises are many and his ears seem to be bleeding.

Tanrov returns to the room looking sheepish. He says something to his steed in his native tongue.

He does a double take when he sees how hurt everyone is.

"Sorry I couldn't reach him", the young barbarian says. "People are always talking about how tall I am. Not tall enough apparently."

"I couldn't reach him either. Don't worry about it. At least you're not bleeding all over the place." Ashur lies down as he feels a headache coming on.

"I was completely against those zombies and those dretches, you were great with helping us there. I guess it was just my turn this time" Arkwright tries to reassure Tanrov

Petr can't help but a little scorn show on his face as he sees Tanrov's shame.

Let it go Petr, he's young. Not like you've never run from battle.

Turning corner on his mood, he exclaims,

I was just getting ready for a nice long battle. Really wanted to see that evil Dakang go toe to toe with an angel.

"How are we going to explain all of this in the Chronicle?", Tanrov asks.

"I do not know, but I am all for forgetting about the paperwork until we get back."

Erin states from the floor.

Arkwright joins Erin on the floor leaning against the wall, letting his backpack fall to the floor with a clatter.

"Most heartily agreed, Erin... Hey Petr, any chance you'd mind tapping me once with that stick I gave you? My head is still buzzing from whatever that Dakang-creature did to me... just once though, I need to save it."

"It is good that these people are now free. Although many of them are still going to be recovering from poison and missing fingers."

Erin glances back over to the opposite end of the room where the remains of Dakang lay.

"I also do not envy the person that has to clean that up."

Arkwright grins at Erin. "I have even less envy for the person who caused it."

He looks over speculatively at the remains.

"So, what do you think his plan was? To stealth-convert the devotees to worshipping his god? That's the only reason I can think of for altering all the books in the library and creating the conditions in this temple."

"Well it seems to be a common thought that the more worshipers a divine being has, the more powerful they become. Maybe he thought by increasing that, even through deceit, he could improve his lot somehow. I suppose we will never know now, but I am pretty sure this plane is better off. There will just be a lot of lost souls here, and I hope the true Aasimar can turn things around."

Erin lets out a small mischievous smile.

"If I could make one suggestion though, I would definitely have them alter their meditation rituals."

"It's possible he even had some sort of deal with one of the divines, to provide them with worshipers in exchange for a boon of sorts. Either way, like you say, we will probably never no."

He grins at Erin. "Agreed."

Petr moves gathers his friends outside the chambers in the main hall.

Let us tend to these wounds so we can finish up our mission.

channel: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1) = 8
channel: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) = 13

"Arkwright, could I use your magical knack to help me retrieve something from the crypt? Remember that crevice we found under the Sarcophagi? There is set of brass scales I need retrieved. I'm much too large to squeeze in and get it but perhaps you can grab it with mage hand."

Seeing Ashur not react to the channels Petr produces Ahsur's CLW wand and activates it a few times.

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Arkwright breathes a large sigh of relief as the horrendous buzzing in his head fades.

"Thanks very much, Petr. Sure, i'll be happy to help."

Arkwright stands up and casts Mage Hand as Petr directs.

"Sorry about that Petr. I can give it another shot if you wish, but I do not think it is possible for me to reach it."

channel: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 1) = 9

In the Desk of Dakang’s chamber, you find several of the volumes that are missing from the library. They are stuffed full of pages and notes on how to twist the worship and practices of Korada into venerating the Demon Lard Sifkesh. One twist of note, though the physical aspects of Meditation were unchanged, the mantra had been added as a coded verse, when unraveled reads “Bind my soul to Sifkesh.”

Dakang was a Vermlek Demon, most likely. They burrow into newly deceased bodies and inhabit them, using them a puppets. The corpses may be preserved over time by regular castings of Gentle Repose.

As you open the eyes of the Monks at the temple, they vow to devote their lives to unraveling Korada’s teachings from Dakang’s perversions. They also offer to assist you in clearing the garden and cataloging the rest of the books found in Dakang’s quarters. With their assistance, your tasks are completed quickly.

Their work completed, Tanrov looks to his companions.

"Does this mean it's time to go back now?"

"I think so. I'm certainly tired of this place."

"I believe we need to acquire something for Petr and then we can leave this place. I am looking forward to a good bottle of Chelaxian red and hopefully a few days free before Zey decides to ship us somewhere else.

Petr, Arkwright, and Erin take a trip back to the crypt. Arkwright is able to use Mage Hand to bring the shiny object close enough to the opening that Erin is able to grab it. It turns out to be a set of battered, brass scales.

Thank you very much. It would have looked a little strange if a Lance Corporal of the Eagle Knights was unable to bring back a set of rusty scales. You two saved me some embarrassment.

"Here you go Petr, thanks for the assist Ark.

Erin states as she hands over the scales.

You exit the tapestry and report back to Master Zey. He is a little surprised at the resistance you encountered in your mission, but congratulates you on your bravery, and completing the mission even with the unexpected dangers.

Finale

Good job everyone and thanks for running Brute.