Study the pair for a moment longer to see if I notice anything else that might be useful, then sneak back to the party and tell them what I witnessed.
"Not sure if it makes a difference but there appears to be a woman with a baby in the pit ahead. If we are leaving do we want to see if they want to go too?"
Vraxel, are you sure it is a woman, a human woman? Did you see the baby closely. Has it changed in any way? We have met nothing but foes along this path since we entered this evil temple. If you are sure the baby is still human I say we go for it. Any other ideas or thoughts from the group?Q
"Randtam, No I didnt see them up close. I don't know if they are truly human. I don't know if they are good or evil. Maybe it's a trap."
b]someone detect evil please! The child will be dead as a human if we do not help it. Is it dead/turns already?[/b]
One of my teachers spoke about traps.
Professor Akabar...ITS A TRAP! But I still must look and help the little human. I have no trust.
I am uneasy with the situation. I run back or I choose to save another child.
Move forward and to hell with it. my little one shall live. I will save the second if it is still human.
Vraxel says there is another child.
Following the party to the edge of the pit Alamin looks down with concern in her eyes, I don't sense any evil on the girl or child, but they have been touched by great evil recently; as has this entire cave. There is some great menace nearby. Girl up here!
The girl looks up blankly at the party mumbling something indecipherable in broken common.
Alamin-I'm going down to bring her and the child up. Watch our backs.
A few moments later Alamin leads the pair to the top of the pit rejoining the party. You can clearly see tears streaming down Alamin's face.
She whispers-The child is dead...
Keeping an eye out.
Randtam'eyes tear as he sees the child who shall never breath again. His eyes lose the bleariness and He focuses on the woman. He knows anger and outrage, pure hatred, destruction....wanton death for everyone.
But at his tipping point he senses remembers one other time when he came back from the brink. I had all the power to control the world. Armies at my control. IT WAS MINE! And I liked it. . But I would give it up for this child who has been wronged and treated beyond my ken.
Why are my eyes silver? [i]Why Desna? Too torture me?.
If this is the world I will live in I shall choose my way without interruption.
I shall carry the child home
A quick search of the room reveals a row of wooden cradles, all empty, on the southern ledge. The northern ledge holds a cauldron hanging from a metal tripod above a sunken cooking pit and a table containing other food preparation utensils. The western area is used for storage of gains and footstuffs and the pool of water looks to be about 30' deep of clear, drinkable (though brackish), water.
Examination of the 'dressmaker's dummies' reveals them to be the dried and desiccated remains of a dozen adult human women and female children ranging in age from a few months to 2 years, their bodies blanched of all color and elasticity until they are little more than hard, shrunken, human-shaped shells of crumbling parchment-like skin ruled into fetal positions.
The woman you pulled from the pit becomes aggressively protective any time you try to closely examine the dead baby in her arms. The corpse appears to have suffered the same fate as the rest of the 'husks' in the room. The woman babbles incoherently about 'the pretty colors down the tunnel that will make everything all better'. Her mind appears completely shattered.
Everyone make a DC 20 Will save or take points of Wisdom damage from the horrific realization that the town has indeed been sending many of its newborn daughters to become breeding stock for their Skum allies. In addition your sanity is more than a little jarred by the desiccated state of the bodies of the women and children in the cave as well as the mind-blasted woman you have found.
Tears continuing to stream down her face, Now what Randtam? Do you still feel our first priority is the babe's welfare or should we find what evil did this and bring it to a final end?
HP: 48
-4 wis
-4 con
-2 levels
I am going to save this child. The child needs immediate care or will die. How do we know we will destroy this evil without dying ourselves? I know we can save HER. Nothing is sure in this world, but if we can save this little girl and return her to her parents, we can come back and hopefully end this abomination. I do not think I can handle this death on my conscience when I know I can save this life.
I will burn this room and what it contains.
As you say Randtam. Vraxel, if you would lead us back to the phase door we will take this child back to town to heal. Maybe we can catch a rest as well and come back ready to settle accounts here.
Returning the way they came, Vraxel detects a cunningly laid net-snare trap that fills the entrance of the passage way from the midden to the room with the body in the tank.
Party action.
Vraxel takes a deep breath and attempts to disable the trap.
The party holds its collective breath as Vraxel successfully disarms the trap.
Suddenly a barrage of bone-made javelins descends upon them!
Against flat-footed AC if applicable.
Uuranx
Vraxel
Alamin
Uuranx
Uuranx
Alamin
Looking at the direction from which they were cast you can see a half dozen hunchbacked, green-skinned humanoids with wide, frog-like heads but mouths more akin to that of a toothy fish who appear to have thrown them. Charging in front of their line is a massive sample of their kin wielding a massive great axe with what appears to be a steel shield strapped around each of its forearms.
It attacks Uuranx clearly thinking the massive brute to be the leader of your pack.
On flat-footed AC if applicable
Party action.
5 images when starting
javelin , hit!
greataxe , hit!
greataxe miss, chance to remove image , image removed
-52 hp
-48 hp
Cast Haste
4 images remaining
Cast Stone Call on the six who are behind.
Creatures are considered in difficult terrain. Trying to slow them down.
Alamin steps up to engage the massive creature attacking Uuranx:
Landing two solid hits!
Vraxel strikes one of the javelin throwers twice, which is nearly finished off by a hail of stones summoned by Randtam. Uuranx heals a little and speeds up the party with a haste spell and Alamin wounds Uuranx's foe twice.
The javelin throwing foes attempt to rush the party but have a hard time picking their way through Randtam's stinging stones and will reach the melee next round.
Uuranx's foe swings away with his greataxe trying to bring down the formidable half-orc:
Party action.
Randtam wishes to go after the party has attacked. Slam a wall of force between big guy and his minions only if he is not slain by the might of the party. If killed magic missle one smaller enemy instead.
Vraxel attack the one on Uuranx, slay him.
If so,
strike one , miss!
3 images
strike two , miss!
2 images
activate Touchofrage3
attack with falchion
haste attack
last attack
Realizing that he can't fire his magic missiles through a wall of force, Randtam turns the deadly darts on Uuranx's foe which is slain by the combined assault of the heroes.
The javelin throwers break and run away.
***end of combat***
Drop Wall of Force if safe otherwise keep it up
Kill them, they need to perish to the end of time.
I need to get HER out.
Vraxel, you do not look well. Uuranx, OK.???
Search the area and the dead beast. Then activate the portal and go back to town.
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Upon further review the massive creature possessed:
(2) +1 Heavy steel shields
+2 Furyborn great axe
+2 amulet of natural armor
The party makes it back to town with no further encounters.
Heal the child first.
Everyone heal to full strength
Can we sell our accumulated treasure?
Useful items to pass out among us:
Helm of Underwater Action
+2 Amulet of Natural Armor
After a few days of rest, the young babe is restored to full health as is the rest of the party. The townfolk are quite interested to see the party return with a baby in tow.
Illmarsh is a poor place to sell treasure on short notice, but you could set the wheels in motion to sell items at full price that would take a week or two.
So if you'd like to cash out and buy stuff you can, but it won't take effect until the end of this adventure.
After resting and recovering for a few days, Vraxel approaches the group. He hands the Trident of Command to Alamin.
"Take this Alamin, you may need it."
He looks at the entire group: Alamin, Randtam, Uuranx.
"Our journey has been long and arduous and I hate to leave you while our quest remains incomplete. But after much prayer and reflection I have decided that I must stay with these townspeople and help them as best I can. My memory of my youth still remains a mystery to me, but I know that I came from a fishing village much like this, perhaps the village will help to restore me as I help to restore the village. Desna has assured me that this is the right choice and I believe she has heard my prayers to provide you with help to finish the quest, in my dreams I have seen a warrior following our trail with haste, a friend to Professor Lorrimar, no doubt."
You have been a boon companion over these past months Vraxel and I will miss your barbed humor as we continue our quest. Sarenrae guide your steps my friend.
Mind shaken by the things he has seen and his heart filled with compassion for the rescued babe, Vraxel follows the stirrings of his soul and settles in as the new head priest for the village of Illmarsh. He quickly connects with the small population (no pun intended) of halflings around the area and sets up cleansing the the old temple to Dagon as he looks to find a new home for the child. In the end he realizes that he may have to raise the young girl himself. He wishes the party well and is willing to broker any purchases they wish to make whilst they continue to adventure.
Balator limps into the sad town of Illmarsh, his body aching and covered in dust from a long journey.
As he looks about the village for the nearest tavern, his sharp eyes catch sight of the largest half-orc he has ever seen, standing next to a much smaller studious looking human, and a heavily armored angelic female. There is a story here to be sure, he thinks, as he turns towards them and closes the distance while waiving his hand to get their attention.
"Cayden's blessings on you, I have been on the trail for many weeks now, is there an inn or tavern nearby where I can find some good cold ale and a decent bed?"
I'm not sure what your standards are like but there are both, fair enough in my mind, at the Bountiful Catch Inn. It's that shabby two-story building over there. She points to the building being referenced. Don't mind the fish smell. I'm not sure there is any place in this town safe from the cloying musk. What brings you to Illmarsh? By the looks of it you have many hard days of travel behind you.
Balator glances at the inn pointed out by the angelic female.
"Bountiful Catch? Looks like the place hasn't seen one of those in many moons. Forgive my manners, too many days traveling alone, my name is Balator."
Balator looks around to see if anyone is listening or watching with too much interest.
If no one is watching:
"As to what brings me here, I heard strange rumors of this place, that its people were unwillingly enslaved or perhaps unwittingly enthralled by some fell power. I came to take a look and to free these folks if Cayden grants me the strength. Something tells me you may be here for similar reasons, you don't have the look of locals."
If he thinks someone is watching.
"As to my purpose, perhaps we can talk of that after I have quenched my thirst, (whispered) and in a location with less curious eyes and ears."
Balator notices that the townsfolk are giving the party a VERY wide berth. Due to respect, fear, or both he can't discern.
Indeed? A follower of Cayden would be most welcome in this town and maybe among our group as a dear comrade of ours has recently left our companionship. What skills have you? Our quest is most dangerous and not for the weak of heart or the unseasoned adventurer. Tell us your tale and we will then deem if you are fit to join our ranks. I say this more for your safety than for our pride.
"I meant no offense my lady."
"As for my tale, my first memories as a child were living in the slave pens of Cheliax with my mother, we were soon bought and for several years we had adequate food and shelter as slaves to a merchant who understood that slaves that are fed can work harder than slaves that are starved. But he did something to offend a powerful noble and was jailed, his goods including my mother and I were sold to pay his debts when I was about 16. We ended up in a caravan headed north and for reasons unknown to me the fool in charge tried to take the caravan through Belkzen. Orcs struck the caravan in great numbers slaughtering everyone and carrying off all the valuables. I was struck unconscious and left for dead. When I awoke, I did my best to bury my mother and headed off in the opposite direction of the orcs. Eventually I came to and crossed what I now know to be the Bleakwall into Ustalav. I continued wandering and begging until I ended up in a small town called Ravengro. A man named Petros Lorrimor took me in and spent over a year caring for me and educating me before I set off on my own. The last 14 years of my life have been devoted to helping others as Petros helped me, but rather than educating, most of my help is in the form of picking locks to slaver chains or using my blade. I wonder how the old Professor is doing, it has been close to 2 years since I have been back to Ravengro."
I am sorry Balator, but the Professor has passed on. We buried him in Ravengro and found things were not as they seemed. That is what has led us on this journey. We decided we needed to know the truth of the Professor's death. If he meant as much to you as he did and still does to us we welcome your skills. But this has not and will not be an easy road.
Will you stay and finish what you start?
No offense was taken Balator; I am severe in my questions as the tasks we must face are equally so. That you were a friend of the Professor speaks highly of your character; all of us here also knew him as a friend and mentor.
However, Randtam's question speaks to the truth of it. We three have been through much together and the path ahead grows only darker. Do not set your feet to it if you fear death, for that will be the smallest price to pay if we fail.
Balator is stunned by the news. He stands for a moment his fingers alternately tightening and loosening on the pommel of his sword. Finally he speaks.
"What happened, your words imply foul play? What of his daughter Kendra, is she okay? If your journey involves justice for the Professor count me in. "
Alamin pauses for a moment, her own suppressed grief bubbling up before she quickly forces it back down, burying it under a layer of anger and the need for justice.
Her next words come out come out clipped and harsh, Yes, our friend the wise Professor was murdered....by the Whispering Way. They killed him because he was on to their plans and had to be silenced lest he stop them. Kendra was well when we left her, but that was some months ago now. Since then we have been on the Way's trail, but to this point it has been all chase and no catch.
If you wish to join us and are willing to venture through the thick and the thin then I would say you are welcome to join us . I get no sense of evil about you, but if you come with us we will see your true nature soon enough.
Uuranx, Randtam, what say you?
"Any friend of the professor is welcome to join us."
I say yes.