Mori is a little surprised and put off by Aravashnial's attitude, but is glad to see Anevia is of a like mind.
Seeing Horgus attempting to clean part of the temple, and apparently with rags made from his own sleeves piques Mori's curiosity. She watches him for a few minutes, and comes to the conclusion that he's actually trying to help out.
Approaching him quietly, she invokes the same magic she'd used to repair the rope earlier, and lightly taps him on the shoulder, restoring his garment to its original condition.
"There you go, you must have snagged your sleeve on something earlier." she says in a quiet but friendly tone. Without another word she then proceeds to set down her backpack and tears a section of her bedroll off and starts cleaning the altar while the others decide what to do.
E'Terah clapped Horgus on his shoulder and offered a sincere smile.She cast the blind elf an exasperated look and replied,Aravashnial...if'n I myself had th' power t'restore yer sight I would but unfortunatly that's beyond mah own capabilities as of now. I hope to ascend t' such might soon,Torag be willin.
Daylen sheathed his sword for the first time in what felt like forever.
Sighing, he joins Horgus over by the pillar. "Master Horgus has the right of it. We shouldn't lose sight of what is important despite what has been done to us. If we become derelict in our own duties and forsake the gods then the demons have won at least some small victory. We may have hours to go, we may have days. I would rather lay my head in a holy place, rather than some dank cave."
With that, Daylen began assisting Horgus with the restoration. He didn't know quite what to do, but was sure either E-Terah would tell him what to do, or Horgus would. He seemed to know what to do.
Let us clean th' dust and right these benches....The dwarf maid straightened out heavy stone benches that had been either flipped over or stood crooked.
She tore thé end of her cloak that she further shredded into strips that she bound to the end of her maulaxe and by conjuring a splash of water from the air with a wring of her wrist,she created a makeshift wet mop. She started to scrub vigorously at wherever she could reach.
Oi,get t' it,comrades.Th' sooner we finish,th' sooner we hasten t' th' surface.Torag's favor guides us.Even Horgus seems t' feel th' Dwarfather's pleased wit' our efforts.
There is more to this one than meets the eye....
The wizard wordlessly turns his attention to cleaning the area with prestidigitation spells. Then a thought strikes him. "Tranh--it is not the most appetizing of flesh, I know; you may eat your fill of the fly, though."
E-Terah gave a rather charming lopsided smirk when she felt the hallowed aura of the water.She had all she required for the rites to redeeming the maligned items and reconcecrating the temple.
She rummaged through a large pocket built into the front of her dress over her belly and withdrew several silver coins and the holy icon of Torag,also crafted from silver.
Kevril doesn't like the attitude the group has to their own survival but doesn't complain, as he would be stupid to leave on his own at this point. He lets the group cleanse the temple, as he has no knowledge, nor ability to help with it.
Kevril shrugs. "It might be days, or might be minutes to our escape, can you honestly tell me you know how much tunnels we have left? Either way, we're trapped if the demons decide to attack us here. A consecrated temple would only delay the inevitable if they decide to attack in forces greater than we could handle."
Kevril walks around the outside of the temple looking to see if there is a gap in the walls that something could come out of a place they are not expecting or maybe an escape for the group if they do get overwhelmed. Despite the decision of the group, he'd prefer to make the most of it instead of give up.
The dim light of the temple as it currently stood made it difficult for Daylen to see. Searching the temple for hidden doors, switches, or treasures proved impossible. That did not, however, deter him from setting to work.
Though we was no carpenter or stonemason, Daylen felt a bit of pride as he worked. He was glad for the chance to make someone else's temple feel whole again.
As he worked, he tired to remember the lessons he had learned as a boy, but could recall almost nothing about Torag or his temples. However, he did think of a few things they could do for those items.
Scurrying this way and that, Koba does his best to follow E'Terah's directions.
All this for a deity you can never see, A true being of worship, would come out and oversee it himself. A dragon, that would be worth all this effort. I wonder if E'Terah knows about the wisdom and power of a true dragon. They are the ones we should be worshipping.
Koba, keeps these thoughts to himself though. After trying to share the truths that kobolds know to other races, he has been scorned in the past. He will also take the time to talk to Melchesiech more about the arcane arts he possesses, and how he might improve upon his ability to produce acid. He will also spend time with the blind elf talking about the history of the kobolds, eager to share any knowledge he might have. The big horse, however still scares Koba a bit and he gives it a wide berth any time he can.
Craft
Craft
KnowItems
KnowTemple
Though he isn't trained, the elf turns his considerable intellect to the problem of assisting others in the repair and cleaning effort.
Kevril looks through the corridor being the only way out, he tries to think up some good basic traps that he could leave here or some basic strategies to make this bottleneck a dangerous place.
I'll reconsecrate it to its rightful deity,of course: Torag. With his blessing,we shall rest and replenish. I'll need t' start mah meditative prayers.
The dwarf maid sat upon her knees and started to chant in Terran,her voice becoming a low drone like shifting stones echoing within a cavern.Her eyes were closed and fisted hands pressed together in prayer.
"Since it looks like we're going to make camp here, I'll happily take first watch. I can catch up on sleep and do my meditation afterwards, and that'll let Mel get rested up, and E-Terah finish up the consecration." Mori says as she notices Kevril going in and out to survey the structure and cave.
"I find I need less sleep now these days, so if I'm a bit short in the end I'll likely be alright." she adds as an afterthought.
Melchesiech would like to take Tranh and someone who can cast light and go back over the areas the party went through already, looking for anything that might have been missed.
Religion
The dwarf maid continued her trancelike prayers,asking the stone and Torag whether both were pleased with her companions efforts and whether he would grant guidance and weal to them.
She clasped the silver icon of Torah to her breast,having sacrificed all her silver coinage during the rites to redeem the items and reconcecrating the temple.
Mori turned to Mel and Kevril as they were heading out "I can accompany you both as well. The more keen eyes we have, the more likely we are to find something of value."
Pre, I'm thinking.
"I think we have completed our tasssk here. Look, Mori, Melchesiech, and Kevril return." Talking to, but not trying to interrupt E-Terah.
"We found some food, but little else of interest. Still, it is something we need."
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E-Terah almost fell over in alarm at the brilliant flash of white-hot silver radiance that burst from the pile of items,gold eyes wide and outlined with silver. Her hairs stood on end and crackled as though shocked before regaining its flared mohawk. She shook herself,feeling a warm tingling sensation. Sweat beaded her dark skin as she rose to her feet,giving herself a firm shake.Her breath came out in huffs through her nostrils.
Oh my. What a rush!she thought dazedly.
Torag be gladdened at out efforts! Jus' look n' see f'r yo'selves! An' th' items have been cleansed o' evil an' we are free t' use 'em!What a fortunate day. Grit n' glory t' us all!
She held up the reforged warhammer bearing the dwarven diety's icon proudly.She gave a giddy spin,sending the skirt of her dress and cloak whirling.
As they arrive back and see the temple radiating a holy light, Mori smiles. "See Kevril, the gods have not turned a blind eye to the events happening here. I wonder if it's truly coincidence that led us here."
As they enter she walks up to E-Terah and congratulates her. "The temple's condition is a testament to your faith. Always remember this day with pride."
Kevril nods "I am happy that my fears proved to be for naught. Though I still worry what we face, maybe the gods have granted a small glimmer of hope but we have a lot more to face. The gods have also let a demon infestation to go on here and claim a priest. Something foul is afoot, Lastwall needs to know about this." Kevril does seem genuinely happy though he is still somewhat sceptical of their own survival. His wounds from the corrupted priest still weighing him down even though there was some natural healing overnight.
"We shouldn't tarry here too much longer, we have found some old rations but I do not think we can survive without food for days on end." Kevril walks over to the rest of the group offering to help them with whatever they might need to finish so that they might continue to find a way out of this hole.
The next morning, Melchesiech studies his spell book and prepares for the day. "Master Aravashnial, is there any way that I can assist you to prepare your spells?"
Daylen looked at the newly cleansed longsword with joy. A gift from the gods . . . He could hear Kevril's point about what the gods allowed and remembered his own fears and doubts once more.
He shook his head to clear his mind once more, setting about evaluating the new weapon. He hefted the longsword, the weight was good. He gave it a few practice swings and did a few of his uncle's daily training movements. When he finished, he sized it up next to his own longsword. He nodded and rejoined the group.
"If no one would protest, I'd like to carry this longsword. I'm sure it'll be put to good use before long."
"Master Aravashnial, your magic may be locked away but your knowledge is not. We will doubtless have need of your counsel in the hours and days to come, sir." Melchesiech leans closer to his fellow elf wizard before continuing in a lower voice. "If I may ask, Master...how did you come to lose your sight?"