Mr. Shin will defer to the group until So'rien countermands you.
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-long carving of a hammer decorates the building's facade. The ruins of collapsed outbuildings stand to either side. A closed stone door sits on the western wall of the building.
The carving of a hammer denotes this building as a shrine to Torag, lawful good dwarven Father of Creation.
Mr. Shin will defer to the group until So'rien countermands you.
"It's okay; this time the White Rabbit can follow me," Ryu whispers than hurries off, weapon out with a backward wave to his friends as he melts into the dim green light...
** spoiler omitted **
The light seems to emanate from the building itself.
Ryu nods to himself and moves silently back to the others.
"Oye, gang - there's something worth seeing around the corner... It's a big stone building that's glowing like the Red Light District at Summer Solstice!"
"Come on - let's go have a look..."
"Come on..." he says eagerly, waving them on to around the corner.
"We cannot let him walk in there alone. Let us proceed." Oriana's voice was low but definitive. Facing the citizens, "Cautiously move forward, staying within the protection of the group." Oriana then begins moving forward, scanning her surroundings.
Pakak admires the stonework from a distance.
So'rien moves forward with his twin sister and preparing himself to call across the planes and summon Shlavon the Eagle of the 9th House of the Brethren again.
Ryu glances at the structure for a moment, basking in it's warm eerie glow...
"Damnation - if I had to guess, I'd reckon that a building undeground would have to do with underground types, you know - gnomes, orcs, goblins, that sort of thing..."
"But that looks way to fine too be their shoddy work; I'd reckon this is dwarf work for sure," he says thoughtfully.
He rubs his chin then and points to the crisp lines of the stonemasonry.
"See that there? That's fine crafting; looks like maybe it's for something special - maybe like a palace or maybe a monastery..."
His eyes light up in a flash.
"Hey, I know! That's the crafting work of the priests of Torag!" he exclaims suddenly, then turns to the group.
"And I don't have to tell you lads that Torag's the Dwarven Father of Creation... They say he's a pretty good god, as gods go - very lawful and so on... As a whole, not a bad sort at all," he adds as he tugs on his beard a bit, ruffling it a little more fully in a sign of respect and solidarity at a dwarven temple.
"Torag... Hmm i must have been remiss in my studies of such dieties..."
Ryu chuckles amicably and claps Garith on his back.
"It's alright, boss; that's why you brought me along," he says with a friendly manner.
He turns to Pakak.
"Yo, Stonekin-san; you're the expert on dwarf culture, I'd warrant - what's the plan here?"
"I mean, do we take our hats off - if we got 'em - or bow, or kneel, make an offering of beer or mead or whatever... You know, what should we do?"
He leans in a bit toward Pakak.
"You know, normally I don't really worry too much about stuff like that, but between you and me, I'm not eager to piss off a god, especially if he's friendly," he adds, waiting for Pakak to advise him.
As he waits for an answer Ryu thinks a moment, looking at the temple, then his companions.
"Hey, while we're here - this place checks out, right? I mean, it's not overrun by evil or corrupted or profaned or something?"
He pauses, waiting for someone to answer.
"Oh come on! Tell me one of you all can't detect the presence of good or evil?" he asks the others, his eyes sweeping the group.
"Hell, I mean, I'm just asking 'cause I figure if that building's got the feel of good on it, you know - on account of its consecrated and all that, which it may be - then it might be a good place to take a breather for a little while; eat, drink, rest up - that sort of thing - before we move on... Good temple likely to be safe for good people to shelter in for a bit."
"But on the other hand, if it's been overrun with bugs and snakes and other hash; well... as my main man Sori-san would likely say - It's clobbering time!" he adds with a grin, glancing over at the extremely verbose and chatty So'rien.
Oriana had a quiet word with her brother Maelchar, who was going to remain in the back of the line and protect the civilians.
Oriana had moved up quietly to W:8, beside Mr Shin and close to her twin, So'rien, Ryu and kinsman, Garith.
Keeping her voice low, and only speaking when necessary, Oriana nods as Ryu Tadamasa speaks of Torag, the stoic and serious god who valued honour, planning and well-made steel. She had heard of him, in passing, through scholars and acolytes, but her knowledge was not as vast as the tall human's it seemed. She listened intently.
"I believe a rest would do our charges well, especially the Lady Anevia with her limp. If there are fell things lying in wait, we shall clobber them as Ryu Tadamasa so eloquently put it." She had not heard her brother So'rien ever use the word "clobbering" but was not going to mention it to the talkative human. Oriana wondered if the nobleman Gwerm would complain upon hearing they would take respite, for his desire to keep moving and get out of the tunnel was great.
Looking to her twin, she asked, "So'rien, what do you think? Rest and eat something here, among a good and lawful god, or continue on?"
Ryu had mentioned about the sacred area being profaned or corrupted and her mind quickly went on alert, ready to aid in search of such perversion. She watched her cousin, Garith, undertake the task of locating possible evil auras and waited for word from either of the males close to her; her longsword on the ready.
He turns to Pakak.
"Yo, Stonekin-san; you're the expert on dwarf culture, I'd warrant - what's the plan here?"
"I mean, do we take our hats off - if we got 'em - or bow, or kneel, make an offering of beer or mead or whatever... You know, what should we do?"
Oriana listened for Pakak's reply to his adopted kinsman's question. It was imperative they did not displease a god.
Looking back at Pakak, she gestured for him to move forward and get a better look.
"What offering can we make Torag to show our respect? Perhaps a weapon?"
So'rien looks over at Ryu and says It's clobberin time? I am quite sure I have never said anything that even remotely resembles such an inane statement. Keep putting words in my mouth like that and you will make me angry...and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry. So'rien looks serious for a second before breaking into a grin.
Looking over at Oriana, his eyes finding hers and their special connection almost letting her know his thoughts before he speaks them, he says quietly We should let them rest a few moments while we check out the temple itself. However I don't think we should linger overlong in any one area and we haven't been travelling for very long. For now let's go see inside. As for what offering, perhaps once we get inside we will get some clue.
He puts his arm around his sister and pulls her tight for a moment, whispering in her ear.
Smiling, he releases Oriana and begins moving towards the doors to the temple.
Heading towards the stone door, it is quite apparent that the doors have not been constructed very well. Although not locked, they are firmly closed. Putting some muscle into the effort you are finally able to open them.
Opening the stone door you see a stone bench lines the southern wall of this chamber. At the far side of the room, a basin of water sits atop a stone pedestal. A stone door engraved with an image of a hammer stands to the north.
As you all look in, Anevia from the back lets out a grunt of pain. Moving forward you hear her mumble something about her leg hurting. I just need a minute to sit and rest. Just give me some time.
You can tell that her leg is fine but it is the presence of the shrine that is affecting her. Something in her past has strong ties to such a religious area.
Leaning over and whispering to So'rien but loud enough for the group to hear, Perhaps we should move on or split up. We have Sir Garith and Ryu stay with her. We can make better time if she wants to wait here with them.
Leaping up on he good leg and brandishing the crutch as an improvised weapon, a look of pure fury forms on Anevia's face. How dare you say such a thing. Then again I should not be surprised from a man who hides his faith. A man who is unwilling to profess his true faith is no better than a demon worshiper. It's no wonder you want to flee from a temple such as this.
How dare you throw such accusations at me of demon worshipping. I have never been involved with such people or nefarious schemes. The same can't be said as for you consorting with thieves and scoundrels I might add. I would be worried about your skeletons in the closet before you try to make up any in mine.
Horgus refuses to enter the shrine and waits outside looking at the group for their decision as to what to do and where to go.
Pakak tries to think of historical precedent since his religious knowledge is embarrassingly weak
but nothing comes to mind, finally he swallows his pride and looks at the others, "I am sorry. Though I follow Torag in my heart, religious studies are still new to me and I do not know proper ceremony or steps to appease. I can tell you he is the father of all dwarves, and thus I would guess that one should act as if they are in a dwarvish home. I am no priest, but i plan to pray and thank him for shelter if we use it as such"
The chatter between Aneiva and Gwerm is impossible to ignore though, "Lady, sir, please. Aneiva, you have ties to a place such as this? One can see it has affected you somehow."
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Assuming Garith does not detect Evil here, he places a gauntleted hand on Anevia's shoulder. "Please be at peace, and have care with your leg," Garith says as she hobbels to brandish her crutch. "I shall remain here with you for a few moments that you may catch your breath, so that I may pay my respects to a fellow of my Divine Lady's comrades. Come,"
To his cousins still under the employ of Horgus, "Would you please keep a weather eye out and observe the area for interlopers? I shall be with you in but a moment if there is a threat. Just do not go far."
Within the Temple he draws his Shortsword, as he lacks a proper Longsword, and takes a knee holding his blade as an emblem on his shield and bows his head in prayer, softly singing a brief verse of a battle-hymn of the defense of some city out of respect to Torag as a protector.
He will then proceed to walk with someone sweeping the ares as he is not an observant man.
Once he hears Horgus and Anevia arguing, So'rien turns back around and says Please good sir...madam...we are going to be in this together for an indeterminate amount of time and as such a cohesive working relationship will be necessary for all of us to come out alive. I understand the stresses that this sort of situation engenders and will do my utmost to lessen those issues upon you all but I would consider it a great personal favor if we attempted to get along as much as possible. Should you have grievances with each other, bring them to me and I will deal with them in a fair and courteous manner forthwith. I hope such an arrangement is agreeable.
Thank you kind sirs for thinking of my leg and giving me a respite. I will just sit here a bit and recollect myself. The sight of such a holy place as this moved me as it brought forth thoughts of my love. I was unprepared for such an emotional shock and spoke out rashly against Horgus. If you don't mind I will use some the water here at the font to wipe my face and the I will be ready to continue shortly.
So'rien, you do not recall anything about Torag and the abyss directly. As a lawful good deity though he would oppose demons on principle.
Sir Gartih, you do not detect any evil in the anteroom.
Well, if you insist we rest for a short bit then I can see the wisdom in that before we press on again. Besides, cough, cough, clearing his throat, this is an interesting find down here and some are probably curious to investigate it.
Clearly this is as much of an apology to Anevia that he is going to make at this time. He still doesn't like her but is letting the outburst pass and move on.
So'rien looks over at Ryu and says It's clobberin time? I am quite sure I have never said anything that even remotely resembles such an inane statement. Keep putting words in my mouth like that and you will make me angry...and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry. So'rien looks serious for a second before breaking into a grin.
Looking over at Oriana, his eyes finding hers and their special connection almost letting her know his thoughts before he speaks them, he says quietly We should let them rest a few moments while we check out the temple itself. However I don't think we should linger overlong in any one area and we haven't been travelling for very long. For now let's go see inside. As for what offering, perhaps once we get inside we will get some clue.
He puts his arm around his sister and pulls her tight for a moment, whispering in her ear. ** spoiler omitted **
Smiling, he releases Oriana and begins moving towards the doors to the temple.
Having So'rien's arm around her felt like old times, when they were children and he was consoling her even though she had not expressed a word to him.
Her next words were in low Celestial, only for his ears,
She noted Anevia's reaction to the sacred place/shrine and allowed her some solitude to give prayers and alike, keeping an ever watchful eye over the area.
As if right on cue, the nobleman Gwerm precipitated an argument with the Lady Anevia. Thankfully Garith and Sor'ien stepped in and their words settled the two.
Oriana smiled at her twin.
The stone doors from the anteroom to the main shrine groan as they are forced open. (Not bothering with the strength check as you will make it given time.) Broken stone benches line this narrow room. The air is cold and stale, and thick layers of dust cover the floor, benches, and a large altar at the far end of the room. The green light intensifies in here to the point that everyone can see quite clearly. A lone figure sits motionless before the alter on the far side of the room on the last bench. His robes covered with dust from untold years.
Oriana follows closely (at a wise distance) behind Garith and Pakak, her longsword readied before her. The motionless, lone figure catches her eye and she wonders at his presence, noting the layers of dust upon his robes.
So'rien looks over at Ryu and says It's clobberin time? I am quite sure I have never said anything that even remotely resembles such an inane statement. Keep putting words in my mouth like that and you will make me angry...and you wouldn't like me when I'm angry. So'rien looks serious for a second before breaking into a grin.
"Ooh, big words from a man who hides behind a rabbit... Yeah, I said it. What, you thinking of hacking me up into little pieces?" he adds with a serious face, but his eyes are grinning widely.
"In case you missed it bub; that's a dwarf temple, so chop away... I sure as hell ain't worried, because - they can rebuild me; quicker, stronger... better... they have, the technology... "
"Though to be fair, all they need is 6,000,000 copper pieces..." he returns the private joke, then begins to run to the temple.
However, it is clear that he is pantomiming running in "slow motion" for some reason.
It's likely that he thinks his ridiculous display is somehow "amusing".
With his companions wandering off, Ryu feels a bit bored yawns loudly.
As he does, he manages to catch the last exchange between Gwerm and Tirabade.
Ryu gives Gwerm a cool but appraising look.
"Hey; why don't you ease up on the lady, there, chumly," he says casually, his fingers flexing a bit on the hilt of the naked rapier which he carries loosely in his hand.
"Just saying - whatever your issue with her is, there ain't no cause to give a lady lip, neh?"
"Or, if you don't like the sound of my lingo - don't the poets say Be ever mindful of thy manners... Courteous words or else hard knocks are the only languages an honorable warrior need use. - You get it, chief? You talk bad to a lady and that's just bloody rude," he says, watching Gwerm for a moment.
He turns a bit to Anevia.
"Beg pardon, ma'am; hope everything's alright here?" he asks politely.
Pakak, good as his word, approaches the altar, kneels and prays, and speaks in Dwarvish <"Father Torag, forgive our tresspass but we are sorely in need of thy shielding arms. May the citadels of the sky return to the people of the stone, and may we find a way to get our charges to safety"> then he rises and looks at the lone figure.
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As his weapons are out in his hymn, Garith oberves the figure as he sings his stanza he approaches the figure, having spent a moment to observe for Evi"l...
[B]"Master, do you stir in these dark times? We give unto you respect, honor and prayer. Be you our ally in this encroaching darkness, and have you wisdome that we may use for the sake of the Light?"[b]
As Ryu enters the dim temple he looks around, his eyes taking things and he seems almost shocked at what he observes.
His mind quickly tacks back to the time he had to spend at monastery dedicated to Wind and Sky in the village of Choden in the province of Ravannah.
The monks were fine warriors; but the one thing they always taught was that when serving the Divine, no task was menial or shameful if it was done with honor and a pure heart.
A lesson he was consistently reminded when he was forced to scrub the stone paths of dust each morning.
Gods damn I hated that job; but father told me to listen to the monks; so I listened to the monks, ‘cause you don’t piss off father.
And the monks always said, wait, what did they say… Oh yeah! They said - Respect starts with the little things first, for how can we respect the Divine, which deserves all honor, if we do not have the ability to give even a little respect to things that the Divine has surrounded us each day with?
Nodding at that thought, he removes his sandals, leaving them by the door and than sheathes his weapons and bows before the altar as well.
He takes out a rag and begins to dust diligently, but carefully, and attempts to clean up the mess that is the massive dust around him.
Ryu you notice as Pakak starts his devotions that while cleaning the dust off of the pews that the dust is not normal dust but has bits of small white particles as well. It will tke you a total of 8 hours to clean theshrine by yourself. You just stand up holding a piece in the green light to determine what exactly it is when Sir Garith detects evil in the area. Ryu you think that the white particles is small bits of bone. Oriana, keeping a pace behind the others sees the figure in the pew lurch forward and flay at Pakak.
Ryu
Maelchar
Pakak
So'rien
Oriana
Sir Garith
Creature
Damage
Surprise round,
Swiping with one clawed hand the creature scores Pakak's face. The wound burning as years of filth and decay infest your wounds for 6 damage and a fort save please against disease.
You are all up. With Pakak and Sir Garith adjacent to the creature, Oriana is a 5ft away, and the rest a single move action away.
The creature is a huecuva, a form of undead created by clerics renouncing their god just prior to death. This apps to be an advanced form of one.
It is rumored that while an undead creature, during the day they can look exactly as they were in life. They carry a disease as most undead do.
Huecuvas are resistant to weapons that are not silver or magical and are resistant to channeling effects.
Pakak smiles at Ryu, pleased by his being a good guest in Torag's house...
But then, the figure claws at his face and the dwarf gives an uncharacteristic cry of pain as he staggers back
[ooc]Yes Ryu you can. Also Sir Garith, with the knowledge checks you get everything else below the the check result as well.
The undead's natural armor prevents the shortsword from finding any purchase or weak spot to be injured. The shield spikes do manange to pierce the hide of the creature but does not seem to bypass the resistance the creature has to normal weapons.
Oriana sees the dusty figure lurch forward toward Pakak, calling out a warning but too late for Pakak.
Hearing Sir Garith speak of the creature, she calls out. "What manner of creature is it, cousin?"
. Upon Garith's answer, Oriana takes a 5 ft step backward to Q:11 and starts casting a spell she hopes will slow down the ancient, withered figure even where divine chanelling could not.
Casting Disrupt Undead, a golden, positive energy ray expels from her hand toward the Undead priest.
Watching his friends take their strokes and Oriana step back to cast a spell, Ryu wastes no time in drawing his blade fast as he rushes to strike the creature himself.
Enraged that the creature would profane Holy Ground and concerned for the lives of his friends, he suddenly dives between the scum and Oriana, trying to shield her from any attacks.
His eyes narrow as he stares at it; he knows not what powers this enemy has, nor does he know its strengths or advantages. He knows only that it threatens his friends and profanes a holy place.
With that in mind, he pauses for the briefest of seconds before he strikes and offers a stern, yet honorable, declaration to this fell creature.
”Come get some,” he growls, just before he stabs his blade forward.
Pakak backpeddles when he can wanting distance between him and the creature
Maelchar moves forward into attacking range (up to 30' move) and as a swift action forms a lucerne hammer from his hands, and casts magic weapon on it.
Oriana sends a pure golden ray from her palm. The fierce melee throwing off her aim just enough for the ray to strike the alter instead of the undead creature. Ryu takes over Oriana's position protecting her from the creature while threatening at the same time. Using Papak to distract the undead, Ryu manages to slip his blade between the outstretched arm and pierce its skin. The damage pails in comparison to what the barbarian expected. Papak moves to the corner of the room after escaping the claws of the huecuva. Hearin the commotion, Maelchar hurries into the room bringing forth a mighty Lucern hammer and enchanting it with magical power.
+6 each
+3 each
Being hit twice by the holy warrior, the huecuva turns his attention to Sir Garith. Swinging with both claws the first swipe hits the later and never comes close to the body. The second swipe manages to just pass under the thrusting shield to score a hard hit against the chest for 7 damage and a fort save please.
edit...yes you are all up. Thanks Maelchar.
Maelchar moves to the side for the most advantageous attack and strikes at the creature with his now-magical weapon.
Oriana casts once more, attempting to hit the Undead Priest with a golden ray of positive energy from her current position. Blessed Iomedae, guide my hand so my aim is true.