Eli turns carefully, making sure not to bump the walls with his priestly pack. "A little closer, I think. Let's maintain cautious proximity with the others. I'm sure as we close, they'll let us know if we're too close." Eli tries to shuffle the others into the bulge in the corridor, encouraging them to stay to the sides, in case the forward party suddenly retreats.
Round 3, Init 16
Serra smiles as he is joined by allies, fighting the good fight.
"Sir Beagan! I am glad to see you." Serra offers what he would consider a knightly nod, one 'knight' to another.
Bolstered by allies, Serra goes for the kill.
to hit;
damage.
Grasker will move forward at the end of round 2, though there is little place to fight in this narrow cave.
Eli and Grasker move forward with the wounded (and whiny) the combat becoming visible even for Eli's eyes.
Round 3, all in
Serra: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Grasker: 1d20 ⇒ 11
fly: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 (-4)
Beagan: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Cole: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Elyanius: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Jurin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Serra swings on the giant, man sized fly that is attacking him, but misses.
The Fly, wobbly and oozing, flies back to his perch on the building, eying the party out of his iridescent multifaceted eyes.
Round 3, Initiative 6
HP: 10/10 (+13 temporary for 7/19 minutes)
Weapon Equipped = Long Bow
Cold Iron Arrows = 19/30 (4 missed)
Silver Blunt Arrows = 10/10
Conditions = None
Ranger Focus = 1/1
Child of the Crusade = 1/1
Silver Dragon Scale = 2/3
Cole lowers his bow, but keeps it at the ready
”I think we have nothing left to fear from this foe and we should be careful of our resources - no knowing how long we’ll be stuck down here. Serra, you and Beagan check that structure, I’ll stay here and watch the fly.”
He digs out a fresh sunrod from his pack and offers it to Serra (move action I think). If he doesn't take it, I drop it at my feet so as to maintain my ready.
(point blank) (point blank)
(point blank) (point blank)
Round 3, Init 8
Fighting side by side with Serra, his voice responds to his comrade as his blade ties to respond to the enemy.
"I would never let a fellow crusader face the enemy alone! Besides, it looked like our sure-sighted archer needed a full shield wall in front of him." As every warrior knows archers shouldn’t be in the front line.
Seeing the fly flee, he steps into the room and towards the fascinating creature, his sword at the ready. "Possum droppings! Lost my quiver in the fall. I guess I’ll have to stay with sword and shield for now. Either that, or I’m down to using a sling like a youngling! Damned flying-fly!"
He moves cautiously into the room, wary of the fly above but also worried about trouble at eye-level.
The fly flits as if to move, and Cole's arrow flies true, dropping it with a thump at the foot of the building. The buzzing, so low and incessant that it probably went unnoticed, suddenly stops.
Serra puts his hands on his knees, hunched over, panting from the exertion of combat.
*pant*
*hufffa*
*puffa*
After a few seconds, Serra eventually erects himself and wipes off his brow.
Not used to all that effort. Ah neverbother.
"Good shooting, Cole. You certainly found your aim with all those near misses. Good work," Serra says, stowing his starknife. "With your shooting style, I have more arrows if you need them," Serra offers helpfully.
Looking to Sir Beagan, Serra smiles.
"Always nice to have a fellow knight at my side," Serra says, offering a snap salute. "Now, maybe we should check out that building."
Serra goes to explore the building.
"Good shooting, Cole. You certainly found your aim with all those near misses. Good work," Serra says, stowing his starknife. "With your shooting style, I have more arrows if you need them," Serra offers helpfully.
"Actually I've hit eight of twelve so far and I'm pleased with that ratio considering the difficulties of combat. Still, we may be down here a while - do you have any cold iron arrows?"
Cole gathers up his misses and inspects them for further use.
He takes a few cold iron arrows from his pack and replenishes his quivers careful to slot in each arrow precisely so they can come free in battle easily.
"I'll stand watch out here. Holler if you find a demon in that stone shack."
Cole walks around the structure once and guards near the door, bow at the ready.
”Actually I've hit eight of twelve so far and I'm pleased with that ratio considering the difficulties of combat.”
”Maybe you’re part elf? You seem to be a sure-shot like one!”
The Gnome’s hand sharply returns Serra’s salute.
"Now, maybe we should check out that building."
”Yes, absolutely. It does looks rather dangerous, doesn’t it? After all, it does have a monstrous, demon fly corpse on top of it. If you hold Cole’s light, I’ll forge ahead. Big things often overlook little guys like me” Of course, sometimes they don’t seem to have any problem seeing me, either.
He carefully approaches the ominous-looking building, uses his keen Gnoman senses to carefully investigate the door.
"Nice work versus that demon fly."
"Does this look like it was built down here, or fell from above?"
Grasker will try an untrained check for the basics:
No longer having to fight off the predation of the giant fly, the rest of the group is able to get a good look at the structure.
A single sizable 20-foot-tall building remains in the center of this 30-foot-high cave, a bunkerlike structure with no windows and walls of worked stone blocks. A 10-foot-high carving of a wing decorates the building’s facade. The ruins of collapsed outbuildings stand to either side.
"I'll stand watch out here. Holler if you find a demon in that stone shack."
Eli walks up alongside Cole, priest slung over his shoulder. "Yes, holler. Make a rousing noise that will attract us to you. We will await your report. Communication is key." Eli nods at Cole in agreement.
"I was worried about this. This structure was intentionally constructed to exist down here. Whatever destruction occurred above, this realm in which we find ourselves is already occupied. We are trespassers." Eli feels suddenly uncomfortable with the priest over his shoulder.
"Take care when you enter. Use words, or you may be mistaken for that fly's scratchings."
Serra stops short from examining the building with Beagan, smashing his palm against his forehead.
"Oh, yeah...the light!" Serra says, moving back to get and activate the sunrod. "One sec, Sir Beagan. For some reason, I thought my squire was going to bring this along. I sure hope he's around here someplace."
Serra waddles to catch up to Beagan, his armor beginning to chaff in uncomfortable ways with all the non-usual movements he'd been doing.
I should could use a big demon to tear out my heart about now. Where are they when you need them? This armor is chaffing...*oof*...*ow*...
* * *
Serra looks over at Grasker and nods.
I wonder what his deal is.
Serra examines the building.
Know (Eng) - untrained
"Eli, I shall try not to bellow. Stay close and watch for my signal or listen closely for my light call. I don't want my voice to carry down here if I can avoid it. We do not know who may be listening."
Cole eyes the structure distrustfully. He knocks an arrow and follows Beagan and Serra when they enter the structure. He still has his sunrod, active, stuck in his belt.
Serra will ask Beagan to step back, even as he waves Cole (and the others) a bit closer while he readies to open the door.
Symbol - Religious?
The symbol does remind Serra of the one hanging around Beagan's neck, though this one looks to have been broken, perhaps on purpose. The damage probably happened awhile ago, though. Not recently.
It takes a moment, but then the familiarity of the building symbol to register.
"Serra! Eli! That looks like..." Bewildered, he gestures his sword towards the symbol and then taps on the amulet on his chest.
"But as far as I know, the Big R isn't a fan of huge, demonic flies." A very confused, crumple look crosses his face.
"Unless there's another broken winged angel who uses a big sword..."
If it's his god's symbol, then it looks broken and bloody, not necessarily a reassuring thought. He steps to the side, ready to protect Serra's flank if the sizable Knight opens the entrance.
Eli leans over Beagan to see the symbol more clearly. "That does look like your symbol, master gnome. From what you've told me, this seems an odd place to put a house of worship. Where is the battlefield? Or perhaps this is a sentry point for watch over demons from below?" Eli straightens up, as his brows descend. "That is not a comforting thought, at all."
Eli shifts the priest's body a bit, allowing the man's ribcage to press less awkwardly against the front of his shoulder.
"Is that blood?" Eli points at the symbol, and traces the reddish part with his finger tip, from afar. "Be careful, Serra. Today has proven to be quite hostile. Do not expect the interior to be empty."
"Serra, would you leave us one of those sun rods with those of us who cannot see in the dark like yourself?"
Grasker will accept the sun rod if offered, he can carry it in hand on his shield arm.
"Hmm strange symbol."
If given the spare sun rod Grasker will circle to the lower side of the map and look around that side of the building.
Jurin follows along, still tired from his rantings.
"Long way to fall, long way to walk, now we find a stone house that didn't have to fall or walk to get here."
"mmmHmmm, stone alright."
Jurin carefully licks the structure in several places.
"Old stone, old blood. Watch out Serra, might be bar flies inside."
Pick it up, Serra.
Bring it back, Serra.
Take this, Serra.
We need that, Serra.
Serra returns the sunrod.
I'm pretty sure this is how Jurin went mad.
* * *
"Old stone, old blood. Watch out Serra, might be bar flies inside."
Barflies?
Serra's mood brightens at the thought. Finally! Something I've dealt with before! Thinking back to his time as a barkeep.
Serra opens the door when others are lit and ready.
"A moment, Serra. Are we planning on using this building as a waypoint, to allow the injured rest? Why shouldn't we keep moving? The more time we spend here, the longer we're separated from those above." And tombs should be left intact.
Serra cautiously opens the door, watching it swing inward into the dark. Obviously un-opened in ages, a sharp line if detritus marks the threshold, delineating inside from out.
The light pours into the room like sun warmed honey, pushing back the bitter shadows and warms the empty interior. A stone bench lines the southern wall of this chamber. A fine coat of dust shrouds the every where except for a basin of water sitting atop a stone pedestal at the far end of the room. A stone door engraved with an image of a wing and sword stands to the north.
"KASTOR!! There you are boy!" Serra yips with delight. "Thank Irori that you're safe!"
Serra turns to everyone.
"I found m' Squire, Kastor! And he safe! I told you he was a good lad. I told you. He's going to be a fine knight one day."
Serra goes to lead the squire out of the dusty building.
"There's a good lad. Now, I'll introduce you to the rest in a bit. For now, stand over there and let me take a look around."
Serra will enter the building, looking for anything of interest.
Serra returns alone from the empty room, beaming and babbling about his squire, then goes back into the room to look around.
Eli stops fidgeting, moving the weight over his right foot,then his left. Oh, very good! He's found the... boy... Eli's jaw slackens a little as he watches Serra pace towards, then away.
"Serra. What are you playing at? To whom are you speaking?" Eli's tone has turned quite serious.
Beagan is about to say a prayer to the Big R, beseeching him for his blessing, but hearing Serra's jubilant tone upon finding his squire, the Gnome's attention is diverted. "So you found your squire! Great! Let me greet the noble Serra's trusty lad!" He pokes into the building behind the Knight, looking to meet the boy.
Perhaps it is Eli's eyes, or Beagan's fickle attention, but neither of them sees any evidence of a squire in the antechamber.
Seeing Jurin behind at the corner he asks, "Learn anything from the building? I hope your tongue unlocks its secrets, because this looks like a dead end."
Grasker will move a little bit farther along the building and carefully look around the back corner.
A narrow, hand worked tunnel opens up out of the back of the cavern. approximately 5 foot wide, it continues out beyond Grasker's light.
Peering quizzically around Serra, looking for the squire, his gaze scans the room several times before he prods his knightly comrade.
"Umm, Serra, is your squire invisible? I don't see him."
Grasker will rejoin the others, dusting off his gloves.
"Good news, there is a tunnel behind the building, so we are not at a dead end. And only one door to the building. We could set up in here if the interior is sound, and take a few minutes."
"I could use a few minutes, while Serra re-unites with his squire."
"Oh come now, give the lad room," Serra shoos the crowd of lookeeloos back. "Lad, meet them all. This is Kastor, my squire."
Serra beams happily that he has found his squire.
* * *
"Umm, Serra, is your squire invisible? I don't see him."
"Serra. What are you playing at? To whom are you speaking?" Eli's tone has turned quite serious.
Serra gets a dangerous look in his eyes, squinting at Ely and Beagan for their rudeness.
He moves closer to the two, clearly unhappy, but willing to be mature about it.
"Now sirs, there is no need to be rude. All to often, ragamuffins like Kastor are overlooked on account of his limp or his youth, but no need to pretend you can't see him. That just ain't polite. Now, if you can't say something nice, please don't say anything at all," Serra says with whispered breath before turning back to his squire.
Serra kneels down to his squire, looking him face to face.
"There's a good lad, Kastor. You did well. You're very brave in the face of all this darkness. Now, you already know that some people will look down upon others because of what you look like. But you can't let them get you down. You're going to be a proud knight one day, Kastor. Now, I want you to stick near me while we work our way out of here, okay?"
Serra turns and tries to adjust his scale mail so that it chafes in less annoying places.
"I'll wait here, Grasker, if you need time. Give me some time to catch up with Kastor, here."
Eli clenches his teeth as he's reprimanded, only unclenching them when Serra turns away and addresses... nothing, then Grasker. Only then does he decide to whisper to Beagan, while keeping his eyes firmly on Serra.
Eli remains in position, and continues to watch Serra.
The Gnome's eyes are locked on his fellow knight, squinting to see if he can make out just where the invisible squire is standing.
"And only one door to the building. We could set up in here if the interior is sound, and take a few minutes."
"It looks like there is another door that leads deeper into the building. I don't know if there is any danger inside, but if this place was really once dedicated to the Big R, I want to see what's here."
He'd prefer to have the valiant knight at his side, but if the group needs to rest, he wants to make sure it's safe. He slips into the ante-chamber, investigating the room and examining what appears to be a door that leads farther into the structure.
Beagan enters the antechamber, taking in the bench on one wall, the door on the other, and the holy font on the far wall.
Eli watches Beagan enter the antechamber, but stays back. "Remember you can always retreat, master Beagan. You have your new regiment here to which you may fall back." Do not patronize him, Eli. He's battle-tested, surely, and understands close quarters fighting. Surely he does.
"There is an inside door - and it seems to have the Big R's symbol on it. Everything is very dirty - wait - the basin isn't dusty. With clear water! Maybe it's a sacred font! For the Big R! Hmmmm..."
He's beginning to this Elyanius is correct - perhaps tomb-like buildings should probably be left for those who have already passed. Still, the wing and sword symbol on the door are too much for him to ignore.
Beagan pulls a pick from his belt and unlashes his bracer, revealing a highly stylized Runic "R" painted on his forearm.
He dips his finger into the font and traces the basin's water over the runic R on his forearm.
"I'll wait here, Grasker, if you need time. Give me some time to catch up with Kastor, here."
"Thank you Serra. I would feel ready for the challenges of this underground route if I prayed a moment on the terrible events that occurred today."
Grasker looks at the symbol again, not having come around enough to look inside for the presence (or absence) of the squire.
"Is this Ragathiel's symbol? Visiting the bunker in the company of knightly virtue suggests good fortune against fiends."
Seeing Jurin behind at the corner he asks, "Learn anything from the building? I hope your tongue unlocks its secrets, because this looks like a dead end."
"No secrets, just paint. Red building in a dark room. Dark room in a dark place. It's like a teenage diary. Too dark for it's own good."
Jurin will follow Grasker.
"Grasker. Grasker. I think Serra is going mad. It's too dark down here for him. He cracked. Like an old wine cellar."
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"Oh come now, give the lad room," Serra shoos the crowd of lookeeloos back. "Lad, meet them all. This is Kastor, my squire."
Cole makes to shake Kastor's hand. When no invisible creature shakes back he moves his hand around a little to make sure there is nothing in that space.
sigh. Don't challenge the ghost yet. Now is a bad time.
"OK Kastor. Just keep in the pack and guard the middle, OK?"
Great. The shiny is either insane, or consorting with incorporeal undead. Either way he's a liability. Definitely should have lit himself on fire back there.
Cole takes up his bow and guards those entering the building. If they enter the building, he'll follow closely bow at the ready for whatever may jump out.
The symbol on the front of the building looks like it used to be the holy symbol for Ragathiel. Someone or some thing has chipped and scraped at it. Though much more ornate, and whole, the symbol on the gnome's forearm is very similar.
Beagan: The pristine water washes away any grime on the symbol. There is a tiny *whoof* and a spark of flame as it hits a bit of swarm goo and flares for a moment, before leaving the symbol pure once more.
"That's a good boy, Kastor. Neverbother what they say about you. That's a good lad. You just stay close and keep your eyes open and we'll get through this," Serra says to Kastor.
Serra moves to rejoin Sir Beagan in the structure, taking his own time in the room.
"A font you say? Sacred? Serif or sans-serif, Beagan?" Serra goes to explore.
I think most holy texts are written in Serif. The squigglies look like angel wings.
Know (religion)
Serra joins Beagan in the Antechamber just in time to see the little sizzle/hiss/spark come off his symbol at the touch of the water from the font, err, fountain. The symbol matches both the holy symbol around Beagan's neck, the symbol in the interior door, and somewhat the chipped and scraped one outside.
Grasker will come around to see what is going on in the exploration from outside the building. Not seeing any new additions to the group he will try to get a sense what is going on with the squire talk.
He'll back up and whisper to Jurin:
"No squire? Maybe this knight is beguiled by demons or the building defiled."
Speaking to everyone, Grasker has a proposal:
"I suggest we let the knights explore the building before we all cross inside. In case after all this time the construction has become ... unsound."