The Forgotten God (Table 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

The red glow of lava dimly lights this vast room. Rivulets of molten rock thread the hall’s floor, fed by streams of lava flowing down the walls. Four enormous forges are spaced evenly around the room, with large hammers, bellows, anvils, and tanks of water dripping on the lava below. A circular ramp rises gently near the center of the room, looping above the lava channels before disappearing into the gloom above. Near the southern anvil, a dwarf is busy finishing a spearpoint, and he doesn't seem to have noticed you over the sound of his work.

Dwarf's they are more resistant to magic. Best I just subdue him and ask questions later. No time to waste.

Hadran's battle sense takes over as he explodes across the room leaping the small river of lava. He draws his inner strength and furry while drawing his blade. He brings the sword high above his head only to have it crash down on the dwarfs head. The blade glows with arcane energy as Hadran fuels it with his divine power. He turns the blade at the last moment attempting to knock the dwarf out.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11 DC 5

Charge Attack w/Arcane Strike, Bane and Rage, DF: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 18 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 18 + (2, 2) = 27

The dwarf crumples under the blow, caught completely off-guard, though it doesn't look like you actually killed him. Still, the noise he made was quite distinct from inside the building - if it's too quiet for too long, others might grow curious about what's going on... assuming anyone else is in here, of course.

The damage was subdual I noted in the decription of the attack but forgot to put it in the damage roll itself.

Hadran calms down now that the blacksmith lay asleep at his feet. After resting and gathering his breath for a few seconds he investigates the room, checks the dwarf for anything of note and starts up the platform.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

The dwarf didn't seem to have anything of value - just a quarterstaff and a well-used smithing hammer. As you head up, though... the long, winding ramp ascends gently in loops through the Citadel. The corridor’s walls are decorated with mosaics of a female pilgrim’s journey. Throughout these scenes, a small golden idol of Moloch perches on her shoulder. The innermost loop is covered in a large mural that shows a devotee of Moloch abandoning her family to begin a pilgrimage to the Citadel, as well as her journey through the Qadiran desert, with sandstorms, steadfast refusal of water, and a heat-induced vision of Moloch. At the point marked A, a super-heated vent of air from the forge blows upward across the outer wall of the loop. Next to it lays a pile of black sand. It seems pilgrims place a handful of sand above the vent and allow it to scour their bare faces (the nearby mural depicts this clearly). It is possible to attempt to follow the rituals here... or simply proceed forward.

A ritual to Moloch, I will not bow to some other god. I am a god. I will not deface this now, but I will see that this is destroyed. Alright Moloch if you wish to test me so be it but you will see your follower fall at the end of this.

Hadran will take his cloak off and create water until it is drenched. He will then throw the cloak over the vented air and rush through it hoping to shield himself. He will then put his cloak back on.

Hoping this will provide some sort of shield. It is a magical cloak so it should be able to stand up to the heat and steam for a second or two when drenched, but that is for you to decide. Let me know what happens :)

Having passed the first obstacle Hadran advances up this path to Moloch.

You're able to safely maneuver past the sacred imagery, and your internal power seems to flicker slightly - indeed, no god of valor should bow to fiendish forces. As you advance, however, you hear a buzzing sound from above... and a small flying devil plummets from the sky, heading straight towards you!

Initiative (Enemy): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Initiative (Hadran): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Though you're normally quick on your feet, the beast's attack seems to have lent it the power of surprise, and it flies straight down towards you in a clear attempt to stab you with its spear.

Melee Attack (vs FF): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 for Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

K.Planes: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Fiend!!! Feed on the power of a righteous God.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 3d6 + 10 ⇒ (6, 4, 1) + 10 = 21 Arcane Strike Counts as Good

Ah, if dice were in reversed order may have one shot him :)

Your weapon bit deep into the flesh of the devil, but it wasn't quite enough to drop the fiendish being, and it let out a howl in the wicked language of its home before dropping the spear and raking at you with its claws.

Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

It probably should've tried a little harder, though, because neither strike actually managed to hit you.

Sorry should have done multiple attacks.

Send my regards to your master demon...

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage: 3d6 + 10 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) + 10 = 19Arcane Strike Counts as Good

Attack Confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2) + 10 = 15Arcane Strike Counts as Good

Well there goes all the good attack rolls :) Hope that does it in posting as it did. If not let me know.

Having dispatched the demon, Hadran contiues along the path.

That noise from battle would have alerted any listening. I need to show caution as I go on.

The demon's body quite literally exploded under the force of the blow, unable to withstand the holy force you brought to bear against it.

265 XP

As you continue upwards, the murals on the walls change. The middle loop illustrates the passage through the hoodoo maze. The pilgrim encounters increasingly large fire creatures, but in each case she prostrates herself to them and is allowed to pass. At the center of the hall (marked as B), an obsidian statue of a towering bull-headed man looms over mosaics of pilgrims kneeling before it. A faint whisper can be heard, urging you to prostrate yourself and acknowledge power for power's sake.

Kneel before a statue... Your tainted ritual doesn't scare me Moloch I will endure the flames of your trap.

With that though Hadran darts pass the statue. He grips the pommel of his sword tightly while moving forward prepared for the statue to animate. He does his best to avoid the direct path of the nostrils of the thing, assuming fire will jet out of them.

Caution is rarely a bad plan, but it doesn't seem necessary this time around - the statue remains comfortably in place. As you continue, you're able to see that the outermost loop shows the final judgment of the pilgrim. The golden idol looms over the entire Lava Temple, reflected in every torch, lava pool, and smoke plume. At one point, the pilgrim immolates herself by placing her hand in a bonfire of blue flame. A much smaller brazier of blue flame stands on an ornate sconce in the passage.

At the top of the Pilgrim Passage sits an ornate spiral stair leading up. The murals here depict Malebolge, where the pilgrim has been reborn as a fiery warrior clad in black armor and standing in a paradise of water and palm trees (though hints of darker skies and fiery storms can be seen in the distance, reflecting the true nature of Malebolge). Along the walls, choirs of fire creatures sing in celebration, and a frieze on the ceiling shows the golden idol of Moloch smiling over his hordes.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

One other thing is quite obvious - this is a cultist's ideal of Moloch and Malebolge, and you're quite familiar with the fact that the truth is far darker and more sinister than what's displayed here.

Moloch you fiend. Corrupting mortals with the promise of power. I will rise again if only to throw you down.

Hadran looks over the room taking time to investigate.

Spending enough time to basically take 20 searching all around. If the golden idol can be removed he will take it down with the purpose to throw it into the lava.

As he searches each nook of the room Hadran speaks the words of arcane might to summon forth the power to see magic.

Also using detect magic

There don't seem to be any secrets here other than what you saw, though there are four exterior chambers that appear to be bedrooms for the cultists. The golden idol above is just a frieze - the statue itself is probably further inside the building.

ah whoops I missed the stair case, should have looked at map :)

Looks to be bedrooms. I will give them the once over with magic, but I can check the fully once I get to the end of this cursed place.

Hadran will check each bedroom with a scan for magic. If nothing found he will ascend up the stairs.

Map updated.

The staircase opens onto a grand hall of polished obsidian and red marble. The walls are decorated with reliefs of a gleaming brass city, a massive sandstorm scouring a desert, and a horde of fire elementals descending on a city full of terrified humans. Rivers of slowly bubbling lava crisscross the floor, all streaming out of an elaborate altar at the far side of the room. Atop the altar sits a squat golden idol, 3 feet tall, of a bull-headed man, its arms raised and its hands holding a large thorned sword and a huge battleaxe. The idol’s eyes glow a deep crimson. Lava flows impossibly fast out of the bull-headed idol’s open mouth and down its torso, fanning out from there into rivers on the floor. Behind the altar, an obsidian relief of geometric forms stretches from floor to ceiling. Smoky forms flit across the relief’s surface, their fiery eyes staring out at the room.

Red-hot chains stretch into the four corners of the room, plunging into a sphere of fire in which an indistinct form can be seen hanging above. Standing across the room, on the other hand, is a woman garbed in the outfit of a cleric of Moloch - and the instant you enter the room, she attacks! She's not alone, either - at her feet is a mess of wriggling flesh that's ready to dart towards you, malformed limbs flailing wildly as it prepares to join the fray.

Init (Enemy): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Init (You): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

It's close, but your reflexes are just barely fast enough to overcome her speed.

This must me the pilgrim girl. I feel the taint of Moloch. Her eyes are full of fury. This place must be cleansed.

As Hadran catches the girl unprepared he sees her turn with hate and malice in her eyes. He is quick though and again his battle senses spring him to life. As quickly as she uttered the words attack, Hadran springs over the lava moves pass her ally. He calls on his inner strength and his divine power. The power surges through the blade as he delivers a mighty blow to the cultist.

Jump: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 DC 5 That was close

Attack/rage/arcane strike/bane: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Not charging, I assume I need to move pass the other creature and there is no direct line.

Damage: 2d6 + 15 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 15 + (2, 3) = 25

[ooc]Started Rage and used Mythic Arcane Strike for Bane[/dice]

The heat in this room is horrible - and not just because of the whispers in your mind that are encouraging you to throw yourself into the lava. There's a loud rumble from beneath you - a moment after your swing connects with the cultist, burning-hot steam erupts from a vent in the middle of the floor.

Fire Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7 -Reflex DC 20 Halves: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 If you want to Surge, you can change that result on anything but a 1.

The cultist let out a prayer to Moloch - almost literally burning your ears - as she swung out with her whip and a mace in a clear attempt to trip, then pound you.

Trip (Does Not Provoke): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Mace: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21 Pfft.

Both the whip and the mace just barely miss you, and the summoned creature lashes out a moment later.

Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

It was... rather less effective than the woman had been, and considering she hadn't accomplished anything, that was actually kind of impressive in its own twisted way.

The mace will hit, I am AC 20 when raging. So you can add the damage in the next post.

You have been here too long with your soul corrupted. I will set you free.

Hadran's feet begin to move as his stance changes. Now his attacks are unpredictable and swift for such a massive blade. He dances about with the grace of angels but still manages the strength of the gods in his massive blows.

Move action to battle dance, Swift action to mythic power for fast heal.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 17 + (5, 2) = 26

Mace Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Just when you thought it was safe, a backswing of the mace caught your head. Your counterattack, unfortunately, swung to the side instead of crashing into her body, and she flicked her whip out once again.

"I have already sold my soul to Moloch, heathen! He's quite pleased with the offering I brought!" The sphere of flames above pulsed slightly as whispers continued to come out from the shadowy forms on the obsidian relief.

Trip: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Failure! Interestingly, as written, Trip actually needs to exceed your CMD instead of meet it.
Mace: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Both of the attacks missed, and the flesh-blob clawed out at you a moment later.

Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Claw: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

It, too, failed to land any kind of blow against you.

HP will stay the same then this round with the fast heal and Mace damage.

You may have given up your soul, but I will not give up on it. I will free all souls that Moloch has touched with his tainted grasp.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 17 + (6, 5) = 36

"And who are you to take souls from where they want to be!? There's a limit to arrogance!" the woman answered, though your response - cutting deep into her armor - earned a scream of agony from her as her summoned minion disappeared.

She staggered backwards a moment later and pressed a hand against the obsidian wall. "My lord, grant me the power to destroy your enemies!" she cried out, and the wall pulsed with infernal power as a hand of pitch-black hellfire reached out of the stone, grabbed her body, and squeezed. Before your very eyes, you could see her mortal flesh burning away, turning to ash and then sand as unholy power surged through her body. When the fiery hand vanished, what was left in its place was a woman-shaped swirl of sand that screamed at you, sending a wave of stinging sand out across the battlefield.

Fortitude (DC 20): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

You're easily able to withstand the blinding force of the dust, but even with that, the cultist's body is surrounded by a heavy storm of sand.

The effects of this ability are similar to those of an Obscuring Mist spell. The sandstorm extends ten feet around her body, and I'll be rolling a fortitude save each turn you remain within the cloud - it's an ongoing effect, not a "save and you're immune for a day" one.

Her whip cracks through the air a moment later, aiming to pull your feet out from under you, though her mace isn't close enough to use for a followup.

Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 Yup.

What the hell this seems like something a God of Valor would do.

Molochs tricks are not strong enough to save you.

Move Action: 5' crawl to the center
Swift Action: Use Arcane Strike again with last bit of mythic power to add Heartseeker.

Mythic arcane strike doesn't say anything about not being able to stack bonuses. I assume you can as it is costing mythic power, but if you rule only one at a time thats cool this will cancel bane.

Now die Fiend

Attack from prone: 1d20 + 14 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 4 = 28 Avoids concealment
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 17 + (5, 4) = 29 Damage will be 18 if you rule bane is gone.

Multiple uses of Arcane Strike do not stack - they'd merely reset the duration and allow you to change the selected abilities. Also, you might wanna keep that Bane ability... Heartseeker is ineffective on creatures without hearts, like anything made entirely of swirling sand.

Hadran's sword crashed into the creature, scattering some of its essence - and thank goodness it wasn't totally immune to weapons. The woman slapped her whip at the lord of valor a moment later, following up with her mace, and his position on the ground made him far more vulnerable to such blows...

Whip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Mace: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

...But vulnerability didn't mean actually getting hit.

Cool, didn't realize she had become a swarm if you will thought maybe she was still in the middle. Will stick with bane then.

Hadran had found the heart of the sand.

I need to end this.

He bolsters himself and stands. As the sand monster lashes out he summons the last bit of godly power to strike back.

Sudden Block Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18 AC: 17 on this attack
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 17 + (4, 6) = 36

Now back to the hells you go.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 AC: 20 again
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) + 17 + (4, 6) = 37

AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

The cleric's body shifted under the force of your blows, but seemed like it was able to avoid taking damage from them. (Rolled 15 and 13, respectively, for the miss chance. XD;)

"Didn't you just say you were going to free our souls!?" the transformed cleric asked as the storm raged on around her.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

"Your determination isn't worth much if the first thing you do when troubled is abandon your precious principles!" Her whip snapped out once more, aiming to tangle up your legs again as she laughed.

Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Melee: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Yet for all of her boasting, her weapons weren't striking with the skill necessary to defeat you... or hit you at all.

I abandon nothing. I came to power by my own doing. I also failed because of my own doing. Redemption is possible for all. I have to believe that or I have no hope for myself. Tell you master when you see him he will be redeemed as well through his death.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) + 17 + (5, 4) = 33

May need some luck, stuff will get hairy when rage runs out. Current Fort Save is a +15 with rage :)

The blade whistled past the cleric's head as the howling sandstorm continued.

Fortitude: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Despite that, however, your naturally resilient body was having basically no trouble enduring the sand, even as the transformed cultist continued to lash out at you. "Hah! All the gods of Heaven are too afraid to breach Hell - and the greatest armies in all the universe would be waiting for them if they did!"

Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Mace: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

If you plan to do nothing but attack, feel free to roll several posts worth of moves.

They have only forgotten how to be brave. I will remind them.

How did I not see it before. A god of knowledge should have seen it sooner.

Hadran will stand and look at the idol. of course the source of power

He then reaches out and grabs the Idol.

The woman swung her mace as you as you stood up...

Mace: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Fortitude: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

...and while it missed, you did have the opportunity to move over and grab the idol. It seemed she was unable to make multiple attacks of opportunity, and as you grabbed the idol, a small but perceptible portal to Malebolge shut, cutting off the faint sounds of metal-on-metal combat and anguish.

On the other hand, it did absolutely nothing to affect the monster standing before you, who screamed in rage at your blasphemy and snapped out her whip before swinging her mace down right towards your skull.

Trip: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Mace: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

...*Consults critical hit table*

Damage: 12 + 1d6 ⇒ 12 + (5) = 17

Being on the ground was bad enough, but the woman's rage drove her to the kind of blow most people wouldn't forget anytime soon, smashing into your skull with every ounce of force she could muster. "Blasphemer! Defiler! Your very soul will fuel the forges that supply Moloch's armies!"

Damn, at least if I fail I may have bought time for any others.

Hadran stands again defiant. He whipes the blood that runs from his brow. He squints and bliks his eyes as a little runs into them. He spits down on the floor a mouth full of blood.

Whats wrong precious. Did I upset you there. My soul will fuel my rage long enough to do you in I hope :)

He leaves the idol on the floor as he retakes the grip of his sword with both hands.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 2) + 17 + (4, 4) = 33

The woman's mace whipped out again as you stood up, and despite the fact that her body had become sand, you could see the anger on her face.

AoO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 for Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4 You're still prone then, with the penalty to melee AC.

Once you're up, though, the heavy stroke of your sword cuts through her body once again, and she staggered but didn't fall. Instead, she held up a holy symbol of Moloch, and negative energy surged out of it to crash against your body.

Channel Negative Energy (Harm): 4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 1) = 11 Reflex 20 Halves: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21 Total Damage: 5

Yep still prone for the AoO, the save on channel is will not reflex. I assume a 16 won't make it and take the 11 damage.

Hadran staggers a bit as the wave of evil energy washes over him.

I see your getting desperate. Allow me to end your missery.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Damage: 2d6 + 17 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 17 + (4, 1) = 28

Ack, yes, something got displayed strangely there. o.O

Merely presenting a holy symbol could do many interesting things. It could, for example, often turn or destroy hordes of undead... or invigorate a group of warriors and give them the strength necessary to press onwards. However, the popular bursts of energy also had limited forms of effectiveness, and Hadran's blow was more than sufficient to crash into the twisted cleric's body. Abruptly, the sand that made up her form shot outwards before falling to the ground, and a faint shimmering essence shot through the air and into the mural where the moving forms had been. The temple was already starting to cool, though steam still occasionally shot out of the events - more concerning was the pulsing sphere of fire that still hung up in the center of the room, red-hot chains binding something within it.

Even as you watch, the flames above twist and turn, forming the shape of armor around the central sphere. You've caught the attention of a truly horrifying being, and two spots blacker than the void between stars appear on the edge of the sphere as it turns to look at you, and a voice that could blight the world just from its presence comes out of what could only vaguely be called a mouth. <"What pathetic mortal is this, that dares disrupt my sanctuary!?">

Every single one of your remaining divine senses goes insane as the visage of Moloch himself speaks, screaming a warning that this is not the time to reveal yourself. But while that might not be true, it's not as if the God of Valor can't say anything else...

You will come to know me well Moloch. As you are a plague among the Gods. My name is Hadran. That is all you need to know for now. Know that each soul that fails you will be at my hand for as I rise you will fall. Contemplate that fiend.

As Hadran finishes his speach he simply picks up the idol and tosses it into whats left of the lava watching melt down. Turning his back to the visage. He does the same with the body and speaks a small prayer. May these fires cleanse thy tainted body. Let the flams of my love Sarerae wash away the taint of this temple as she is the true god of fire.

Hadran will take the weapons and anything of worth from the cleric before tossing in her body assuming the lava stays hot enough for enough time to do such, and Moloch doesn't smack me down.

The idol isn't terribly easy to move - it is, after all, nearly as big as you are, and the pushing is slow going as Moloch's visage simply roars and disappears. With his absence, the fire above you is gone, revealing an unconscious beast-like man bound in chains as you continue pushing the idol forward... and some small part of you remembers that the reason you came here in the first place was getting this idol safely out... so Sarenrae's church could destroy it after their history of problems with this place. You could certainly get rid of it yourself, of course, but that would mean going back on your word and what you promised to do...

You've earned 1135 XP, bringing you up to 4000. The only items of real value were a +1 Whip and a Masterwork Light Mace.

Sorry busy day, at the bank for almost 2 hours. Good thing boss was out so he didn't notice the long lunch :)

Wait a moment. Didn't you tell the monks you would bring back the source of power here. Yes yes you did.

Hadran stops pushing the idol for a moment and looks to the man.

K. All: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 All are at +7 so which ever applies here.

He seems to be out. I'm well enough perhaps a healing spell will wake him.

Hadran speaks the divine words and gathers the white energy in his hand as he walks toward the man. He then puts his hand on his shoulder letting the enegy flow forth. CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Can you speak? Are you awake in there. If the healing energy doesn't do the trick he will create water over the man a few times to cool him down and revive him. If he awakes then Hadran offers his waterskin by putting it to the mans lips.

Drink, slowly now. You have been dehydrated in this heat. I am a friend. I will free you in a moment, but first drink.

The bestial man's eyes laboriously flutter open and, sputtering, he allows the water to run down his throat.

Groggily, he struggles to speak- his raspy, guttural voice stops frequently as he forces thoughts together and expels them as words... "not enough sulfur... not one of them... blood... fighting them... free... yes... free me... what's happened here?"

I can't remember if we decided yes on like a sense like from Highlander or not when we encounter another like us. Also when I looked at this again I like used the word like a lot just there :)

What do I tell this man. I know not what has happened to him.

My name is Hadran, I'm a friend to those in need of one. What do you remember happening last? Now hold still a moment.

Hadran takes a few deep breathes still tired from his bout. He raises his sword and staggers back with it heavy in his hands.

oh...whoops, almost fell there. Seriously though hold still

He shoots the man a smile as he cuts through the chains a moment later as if a knife through butter.

We can get the manacles off later. I may have thrown the keys in the lava there with the body of that cultist. So again tell me what you remember and what is your name friend?

Hadran takes note of the mans size but sits on the ground exhausted and takes a pull from the waterskin he still held. Either he is not threatened or too tired to care at the moment.

"I am called Grond."

The man's deep voice comes forth with more force and fluidity as he begins to regain his wits. He looks slowly around the room and deeply inhales through his nose.

"My last memories are jumbled. I was... awoken... by men clad in steel and wielding steel... they found me while I slept and they captured me. I killed several of them, I think, but I was not ready to wake and they overwhelmed me. They brought me here and imprisoned me in steel and flame... I drifted in and out of consciousness... and my will battled against Moloch who tried to consume me... Now you have freed me, and you have my thanks, Hadran."

He ceases speaking for a moment as he stretches and shakes the life back into his limbs, then asks, "what brought you here and to my rescue?"

There is no god-sense. Unless, of course, an active god is choosing to make it REALLY OBVIOUS who and what they are - which they generally do. You can't sense anything out of the ordinary between each other, though. That said, a display of divine power on either side might be enough to encourage the other to speak up... and oh, hey, aren't you on a mission to get such a thing right now? ^^ (The thing at Irori's temple)

all mortal memory of me was erased but if Hadran rose to godhood, even if he was only a fledgling god, before my fall he may recognize my name...

The absence of memory applies to everyone, up to and including other gods.

Sorry Grond hardly ever post at night. That's wife and family time.

Hadran stands as the bestial man starts to talk. He extends his hand and rest it on the mans shoulder.

It seems fate has crossed our paths. You know the name Moloch do you? Seems his cultist may have intended to sacrifice you or to corrupt you. We will know not that now. This temple was once a glorius one to the Dawnflower. I came here to cleanse it so no one else would die trying. I have a caravan not far from here. You would be welcome to travel back to Katheer with us. If you have any strength about you I would ask your help with this Idol. The monks wish to see it and take care of it themselves. Also there is a man downstairs still that believes me his friend. He is a follower of Moloch as well, oh and an unconcious dwarf. We should take them with us. They can answer for their crimes to the people of Katheer. Along the way perhaps you will remember more.

Hadran straps his sword over his back and pushes the idol over. He grabs one end and looks to Grond awaiting his help.

no worries- I totally respect that

"That explanation raises more questions than it answers, I think... but there'll be time to learn while we travel I'm sure," Grond replies picking up the other end of the idol and following Hadran toward some unknown destination. "I'm sure this is a strange question but what year is it?"

What year is it. That is a good question. I never asked anyone myself. So he awoke but was not ready too, and has slumbered long enough to question the year. Perhaps I should be on guard here. Could he be a fallen like me. Like Orithos. Where the hell is Orithos anyways. Hope nothing got him outside the temple.

What year is it? I don't track that sort of thing. Makes me feel old. You know? Why do you ask? How long have they had you captive here?

As they get down to the bottom of the spiral Hadran motions over to the slumbering dwarf. He has Grond sit the idol down as the drape the body over it. Then lifting it back up the go to find Hadrans friend.

So friend. Moloch appeared to us. He said it's time to take the city of Katheer. We are to take this idol out to an awaiting caravan that will take us to the city where we will set it back up and start his plan. He mentioned you should come with us as you have been such a loyal follower and he has big things planned for you.

Charisma Check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

I'm going to assume that I am wise enough to recognize you are deceiving 'your friend' rather than calling you out about moloch in front of him, lol

"I am not certain… A few days or maybe weeks…"

Yeah the believes me his friend was meant to be sarcastic or an obvious tone that he is effected by magic, should have been more clear.

So it is the same year it was when you were taken friend.

Odd indeed he would ask such a thing... I should find out his plans.

Grond, what is it you plan to do now your free. Katheer is a great city full of opportunity. A man of your size could earn money guarding caravans for sure, but something tells me you have skill beyond that.

"My plan is to survive and regain my strength. I haven't planned any further than that yet. Guarding caravans sounds beneath me... is that what you do, when you're not storming evil temples?"

I wonder if something has happened that men no longer count the passing years... or, perhaps, this man is simply odd...