A skinny Vudrani male steps hesitantly out of the shadows as you all begin to look into the gate. His elven heritage make his age difficult to determine, but if he were human, he'd be in his late teens. He gives Torgar a nod as if to say 'glad you're feeling better', but he remains quiet in the presence of the two newcomers.
His dark brown eyes do remain vigilantly on the gate, however as he steps up. "I'll take a look as well." Getting near the door while trying to keep some distance between himself and the strange-looking half-orc, he presses his ear up to the door while looking for any sign of traps or tampering.
"I'm Javi, by the way... some people call me the Wasp."
"I was wondering when you were going to come out of hiding. I imagine you heard, but I'm Gorak. "
Frakdar looks at the new arrival:
Welcome, I am Frakdar.
After staring at the elf for a minute, I also peer out the gate.
Perception:
As the group makes its way through the monastery gates, they soundlessly close behind you. Again looking around the clearing and internal walls of the monastery you do not spy any other acolytes or masters within your visual range.
"Has anyone gotten a good overview of the area or was everyone knocked out and brought here like Frakdar and I were?"
Javi nods at both Frakdar and Gorak, though the half-orc does get an additional suspicious look. How did he know I was here?
Trying to stay focused, Javi slips forward, sticking to shadow as much as possible and keeping his eyes and ears straining for any threats - either from opponents or traps.
As he sneaks forward, he pitches his voice low enough just to carry to his group - both old and new. "I certainly haven't seen much of this place. Our burnt bunk, the sparring yard, and that obstacle course thing... that's about it."
"Perhaps I should get an overview look at this place if I'm going to spend any time here."
With that Gorak croutched on the ground and concentrated a moment. As he did so Gorak's legs shortened, his arms grew and widened, his mouth extended and became a hard beak, his clothes melded with his form, and he became covered with feathers. When the quick transformation was complete and where Gorak had croutched there was now a small sized eagle. With a flap of it's wings the eagle then quickly took off and began flying around.
The complex and surrounds is on a raised promontory in the mountains. There are sheer drops to rock on three of four sides to the raised area.
To the South lies the outbuilding you are sleeping in, as well as a well down a small path. The dead orcs and ogre still lie on the ground.
To the West is a clear area with a marked sparring circle.
To the East is the obstacle course that the applicants were put through their paces on.
To the North there is no clearly marked structure or area, just a path that starts to lead down from the raised area which the monastery lies upon. Looking further beyond you recognize the area which the Mwangi monk guarded - though he is not there currently.
You cannot see any persons about or enemies within sight.
Doors are open, lets see if anyone is home.
I begin to head through the gates to see where everyone is.
"Then lets go check it out, HAHA!" Torgus cracks his neck and then a roar lets out a growl. "Maybe there's some food will be in there or some ale, right little one." He lightly elbows Frakdar.
The eagle returns a shot distane from the group. As it walks toward the group it's form shifts to that of Gorak. Gorak reports his meager findings.
I look up at the tall northerner. Ale, never touch the stuff. Slows the reflexes.
"HAHA, Your the oddest dwarf I've met but THAT MEANS MORE ALE FOR ME BWAHAHAHAHA!" Torgus lets out his thunder like laugh and looks back to Gorak, "Neat trick, would really get the crowds going at the pit fights. Do you think you could show me how to do that?"
Javi instinctively ducks at the thunderous laughter, So much for the element of surprise...
"So, what'd you see?"
"HAHA, Your the oddest dwarf I've met but THAT MEANS MORE ALE FOR ME BWAHAHAHAHA!" Torgus lets out his thunder like laugh and looks back to Gorak, "Neat trick, would really get the crowds going at the pit fights. Do you think you could show me how to do that?"
"I could, though it requires a lot of patience and introspection. If you're prepared for that I would be more than happy to teach you."
Perhaps you all were so bad that the master fled.
"More likely he fear's Torgus's new technique the orken sheild! HAHA"
The gates of the monastery's main building open and you see Master Gond stride forth, both Mtumbo and Fangul (a large Ulfen gent) walking alongside him. Master Gond seems both perturbed and excited as he approaches.
He speaks "Applicants, this is not our way - but circumstances have forced my hand. There is much to do and little time to do it. I will ask you plainly and once more - do you give yourself over to tutelage?"
The gates of the monastery's main building open and you see Master Gond stride forth, both Mtumbo and Fangul (a large Ulfen gent) walking alongside him. Master Gond seems both perturbed and excited as he approaches.
He speaks "Applicants, this is not our way - but circumstances have forced my hand. There is much to do and little time to do it. I will ask you plainly and once more - do you give yourself over to tutelage?"
Gorak nods in the affirmative.
Frakdar stares at the master for a few moments and then nods his head ever so slightly.
I shall.
The Brawling Bear's first reaction to Gond's words is one of confusion as he see's his fellow students agreeing he figures out the unfamiliar word and cleches his fist in front of him and shouts, "The Champion of Ballenwood excepts all challenges! HAHA!"
Nodding Gond replies "First, deal with the orc and ogre you slew. Throw them from the cliff, then return and Fangul will have further instruction."
I walk back to the Ogre and once again spit on it and kick it. Vile beast, this death was too easy for you. You and your kind should be eradicated from this land.
I grab the ogre's foot and begin to drag him toward the cliff. I also make sure that I check him for any loot before tossing him.
Take 20 on the search.
I walk back to the Ogre and once again spit on it and kick it. Vile beast, this death was too easy for you. You and your kind should be eradicated from this land.
I grab the ogre's foot and begin to drag him toward the cliff. I also make sure that I check him for any loot before tossing him.
Take 20 on the search.
gorak watches and notes frakar's level of hatred.
He speaks "Applicants, this is not our way - but circumstances have forced my hand. There is much to do and little time to do it. I will ask you plainly and once more - do you give yourself over to tutelage?"
Javi steps back into the middle of the group, "I'm in."
He also helps drag the corpses off, assisting in the search of their bodies as well.
Torgus shows off my carrying off more bodies then Frakdar and mutters about his normal catch phrases.
Searching the bodies, Frakdar finds a stash of foul smelling chewing tobacco on one orc, and a carefully wrapped collection of earwax on the ogre. Everything else is badly made armor and crudely effective blades.
Fangul lumbers up to you soon after you finish disposing of the bodies. He carries a small key and cloth map in one hand "We're packing up and moving out for a time, hence the excitement. The Master wants to tell you the specifics, but has no time at present. The order has wagons kept in storage near the end of the mountain trail. Retrieve them and wait for us at the base of the path."
He then holds out the map and key for you to take.
"Where are we going fellow bearded man..Fangal thats right Fangal. Just curious I haven't been to many places outside of here and Ballenwood!" Torgus takes a look at the map while waiting for his answer.
Grinning with pleasure and a hint of... something else, Fangul replies "Jalmeray"
Grinning with pleasure and a hint of... something else, Fangul replies "Jalmeray"
"Your tone is cryptic. What are you not telling us?"
Javi takes the offered key, ready to head out when his new team members have asked their questions.
"Seriously? Jalmeray?" There is a definite youthful excitement to the half-elf Vudrani's voice.
Replying to Gorak with smile unabated "Heh - best Master tells you straight. He's the only one has seen it before." before waving you off down the path and waiting for you to follow it.
Replying to Gorak with smile unabated "Heh - best Master tells you straight. He's the only one has seen it before." before waving you off down the path and waiting for you to follow it.
Gorak follows, too curious not to.
Grumbling: I come for enlightenment, first I am offered ale, then asked to be a beast of burden.
Frakdar also heads off down the path following Javi.
Torgus follows next to the grumbling dwarf, "But my friend Ale is the key to enlightenment, if you drank you would know this. HAHAH." Torgus slaps the dwarf on the back, "Don't think of it as simple work but us showing off our strength to all our fans!" Torgus is following them too.
The map leads you down the mountain path at the North end of the compound, and shows a short journey to a nearby cave structure.
The map leads you down the mountain path at the North end of the compound, and shows a short journey to a nearby cave structure.
Gorak trudgges. ;-)
After a half hours walk along a relatively flat trail, you see the cave in the distance. The entrance is overgrown as though it has not been cleared in some time.
After a half hours walk along a relatively flat trail, you see the cave in the distance. The entrance is overgrown as though it has not been cleared in some time.
Cautiously and sniffing the air as he goes (Reminder: Gorak has scent)
Perception
Survival (tracks)
Seeing the cave entrance. Suppose we should be careful since you all seem to think that everything is a test around here.
Looking to see if there is anything unusual in or around the cave, particularly with regards to stonework.
Perception: <-- extra +2 for stonework
Gorak can smell nothing but the heady fragrance of THE CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD AND MASTER OF THE ORKEN SHIELD at his side. The cave ahead is devoid of any specific scents.
The cave is about 10ft wide and seems to stop only 15ft inside.
Frakdar notices that there is a sconce on the wall of the cave that has an oddly smooth stone within it.
Gorak can smell nothing but the heady fragrance of THE CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD AND MASTER OF THE ORKEN SHIELD at his side. The cave ahead is devoid of any specific scents.
The cave is about 10ft wide and seems to stop only 15ft inside.
** spoiler omitted **
Frakdar notices that there is a sconce on the wall of the cave that has an oddly smooth stone within it.
Will Save
Gorak picks up a rock and tosses it through the wall at the back of the cave. "It's an illusion. The cave is deeper than it seems."
Will Save: <-- I assume the +2 dwarf bonus versus spells/spell like abilities is applicable here.
Glad you picked that up, I though that scone on the wall was unusually smooth. Well, lets see what is behind this illusionary wall.
Thordak continues slowly moving forward, watching for anything.
Pushing beyond the illusory wall is a tunnel extending to a warehouse style set of doors about 30ft further in.
Pushing beyond the illusory wall is a tunnel extending to a warehouse style set of doors about 30ft further in.
Gorak opens the doors a crack as best he can and peers in.