”Look. Gnawed human bones. Defiled, and occupied. as I expected. Detect for evil at every room. Either demons or ghouls will be within. Let us but hope that there is no evidence of tragedy.”
A growl comes from behind the party. Not from the large wolf, but from her owner.
"This land used to be pure," he laments to nobody in particular as he steps through the ruined gates.
"Or at least, less, uh... fiendish."
As you enter the area and Kaeldron starts trying to detect evil, he does indeed find a taint about the place...
...but before he can track down it's source Sariel's hairs stand on end. Three stone gargoyles start to move as Kaeldron begins to stare in ones direction.
Gargoyles often appear to be winged stone statues, for they can perch indefinitely without moving, allowing them to surprise their foes. Gargoyles tend toward obsessive-compulsive behaviors that are as varied as their kind is plentiful. Books, stolen trinkets, weapons, and grisly trophies harvested from fallen foes are just a few examples of the types of things a gargoyle might collect to decorate its lair and territory. Gargoyles tend toward a solitary lifestyle, though they sometimes form fearsome groups called “wings” for protection and sport. In certain conditions, a tribe of gargoyles might even ally with other creatures, but even the most stable alliances with a gargoyle tribe can collapse for the smallest of reasons—gargoyles are nothing if not treacherous, petty, and vindictive. Gargoyles have been known to dwell in the heart of the largest of cities, crouching amid the decorations of stone cathedrals and buildings where they hide in plain sight by day and swoop down to feed on vagabonds, beggars, and other unfortunates at night.
The longer a tribe of gargoyles abides in a region of ruins or buildings, the more its members come to resemble that region’s architectural styles. The changes a gargoyle’s appearance undergoes are slow and subtle, but over the course of years, it can shift radically.
One unusual variant of gargoyle dwells not amid buildings and ruins but under the waves of the sea. These creatures are known as kapoacinths—they have the same basic statistics as normal gargoyles, save that they have the aquatic subtype and their wings grant them a swim speed of 60 feet (but are useless for actual flight). Kapoacinths dwell in shallow, coastal regions where they can shamble up from the surf to prey on those that reside there. They are more likely to form wings, as kapoacinths prefer group living to a solitary lifestyle.
Sariel
Stone Monsters
Claire
Kaeldron
Davok
Frederic
The shriek of the gargoyles sends a shiver down Sariel's spine, yet he can feel Erastil's divine hand guiding his own as he draws four arrows with remarkable speed.
Fredric realises the statues are moving, but not before they and Sariel react.
The shriek of the gargoyles sends a shiver down Sariel's spine, yet he can feel Erastil's divine hand guiding his own as he draws four arrows with remarkable speed. Some of the arrows bounce of it's hide... however as the final arrow strikes it howls in pain.
The first gargoyle sales above your group and lands behind Sariel but he dodges it's claws. The others charge the front line, one managing to sink it's fangs into Davok.
Claire
Kaeldron
Davok
Frederic
Sariel
Stone Monsters Orange -9
This is one foolish stone creature to land beside both I and Davok!, Fredric thinks as he swings his blade at the unwise creature.
Kaeldron blocked the blow coming in towards him and slammed his shield into the creature’s face, forcing it back a step. He took the reprieve to shift and stab out at the gargoyle which was trying to savage Sariel. The spear hit home twice, the first carving a line across it’s face and the second hitting it square in the neck.
Fredric doesn't just cleave this creatures neck in twain he liquidizes it's neck... it's stony head does a little spin before following its body to the ground... so fantastical a blow no one not present would believe it through.
...Kaeldron kills another one in a withering hail of blows.
Sariel leaps backwards to avoid the gargoyle's claws, then releases a barrage of arrows at its face!
As the cloud of gore hits the ground, Fredric steps out and turns to face the surviving creature, holding his blade before him.
The fangs digging into Davok hurt, but it's a good hurt. It is the first injury he's taken after finally entering Sarkoris! His cry of pain has a triumphant ring to it.
"These scars will be the first of many!"
"WHOAH!" Claire exclaims. "You guys are AMAZING at killing things!"
Alistair groans. "Enough fawning. Get in there!"
"Right!" Claire nods her head an draws Radiance as she moves up to the last gargoyle. With a flourish she thrusts her blade forward, rainbow ribbons swirling around merrily.
"WHOAH!" Claire exclaims. "You guys are AMAZING at killing things!"
Alistair groans. "Enough fawning. Get in there!"
"Right!" Claire nods her head an draws Radiance as she moves up to the last gargoyle. With a flourish she thrusts her blade forward, rainbow ribbons swirling around merrily.
The fangs digging into Davok hurt, but it's a good hurt. It is the first injury he's taken after finally entering Sarkoris! His cry of pain has a triumphant ring to it.
"These scars will be the first of many!" Davok has trouble injuring the gargoyles stony hide but still draws some blood.
Sariel leaps backwards to avoid the gargoyle's claws, then releases a barrage of arrows at its face! Already badly injured by Claire and Davok it collapses.
...The rasping screams of the gargoyles don't last long but leave the ruins even more sinister than before. Other gargoyles and masonry look down on you but none move to attack... hopefully a sign that they are the simple work of skilled masons.
With the stone creatures slain, Fredric says:
"Let us see if more of those things lurk within."
”Most likely worse. But yes, let us cleanse this place of the filth that infests it.”
The sharp tang of musty, decaying straw flls this large stable. Its easternmost wall has collapsed into a steep pile of broken beams and rocks that blocks the way to the other side. A large mound of discarded weaponry lies amid the rubble.
Most of the weapons are broken beyond repair, but a few still remain serviceable... and some are even enchanted!
Masterwork battleaxe
+1 longsword
Three cold iron daggers
+1 cold iron longspear.
Claire helps pack up the equipment. Then she wanders back outside, puts a finger to her lip, cocks her head to the side, and THINKS...
"This way!" she suddenly exclaims, pointing at the nearby double doors. "I've got a good feeling about this door. Let's go there next."
Claire approaches the double doors and looks them over.
Davos, Draghis, and Anaba follow Claire and also examine the double doors.
Sariel examines the door from behind the crowd that's gathering in front of it. "Reminds me 'o tryin' t'get int' th'mess hall."
Fredric looks at the door.
"I do not. But we shall enter anyway."
”The only path is forward.”
The vaulted ceiling of this massive sanctuary reaches nearly thirty feet overhead. Smashed stained-glass windows stretch in narrow bands above the doors. Four angelic statues occupy each corner of the room, though their faces and wings are cracked and broken almost beyond recognition. The walls are covered with disturbing shapes and runes that have been scratched into the stone. An altar, befouled with grime and flth, sits against the southern wall.
Ghouls are undead that haunt graveyards and eat corpses. Legends hold that the first ghouls were either cannibalistic humans whose unnatural hunger dragged them back from death or humans who in life fed on the rotting remains of their kin and died (and were reborn) from the foul disease—the true source of these undead scavengers is unclear.
Ghouls lurk on the edges of civilization (in or near cemeteries or in city sewers) where they can find ample supplies of their favorite food. Though they prefer rotting bodies and often bury their victims for a while to improve their taste, they eat fresh kills if they are hungry enough. Though most surface ghouls live primitively, rumors speak of ghoul cities deep underground led by priests who worship ancient cruel gods or strange demon lords of hunger. These “civilized” ghouls are no less horrific in their eating habits, and in fact the concept of a well-laid ghoul banquet table is perhaps even more horrifying than the concept of taking a meal fresh from the coffin.
You can tell that unusually religion the defaced statues and stained glass windows once espoused Cail Cayden; however now the fiendish scribblings and markings on the wall as prayers sacred to Kabriri. The carrion-stenched demon lord Kabriri is the patron of Golarion's flesh-hungry, cannibalistic ghouls. Some of his followers enact bloody rituals in his honour beneath the gibbous moon, dancing and feasting beneath the night sky. His followers tend to wear black and purple robes and use the foul carrion 'perfume of Kabriri'.
A cluster of humanoid creatures with long, sharp teeth, and pallid flesh is stretched tightly over starved frames. These creatures are engaged in some kind of dark worship. Two wear black and purple robes.
Davok
Claire
Monster
Kaeldron
Sariel
Fredric
Kaeldron couldn’t tell which god this place once was dedicated to, nor the exact manner of creatures that they faced. He could, however, smell their stench. The putrid miasma was just enough of a distraction for the foe to steal the initiative.
Fredric's face tightens as he roars at the foe!
"Ghouls! We come to end your vile feast!"
"Get inside before they bottleneck us at the door!" Davok's voice booms, driving all of his allies to action.
Following his own advice, Davok rushes into the building and towards the first creature he sees. Anaba follows obediently and eagerly at his heels.
Adding her voice to her brother's, Draghis also rushes inside and encourages the paladins' attacks.
"The reclamation of this land begins today!"
Further emboldened, Davok and his wolf companion attack!
Suitably inspired, Kaeldron made his way forward. While Davok held the line to the left, Kaeldron took position on the right. With spear and shield he was ready to stand against the tide of ghouls.
Davok's words drive Fredric on, eager to engage the foul creatures!
"Get inside before they bottleneck us at the door!" Davok's voice booms, driving all of his allies to action.
Following his own advice, Davok rushes into the building and towards the first creature he sees. Anaba follows obediently and eagerly at his heels.
Adding her voice to her brother's, Draghis also rushes inside and encourages the paladins' attacks.
"The reclamation of this land begins today!"
Further emboldened, Davok and his wolf companion attack! Davok cleaves his foe in two while Anaba darts forward.
Suitably inspired, Kaeldron made his way forward. While Davok held the line to the left, Kaeldron took position on the right. With spear and shield he was ready to stand against the tide of ghouls. Another ghoul tumbled to the ground.
"Go get them!" Alistair urges Claire onwards.
The two robed ghouls draw out scrolls and begin casting from them. Almost all of the others move to stop your advance... except one who begins moving east towards some double doors. Anaba takes a blow while two ghouls descend on Claire, clawing at her.
Sariel
Fredric
Davok
Claire
Kaeldron
Monster Wine -11, Purple -10
Claire was in trouble! She was being swarmed by ghouls and wasn’t moving. Kaeldron charged forward, letting the first ghoul fall off his spear. There were three of them surrounding her. Three enemies who had to die. She had a greater fate than this, he knew. And now it was time to prove that the gods were correct in giving the Chosen One him and his comrades as guardians. His spear flashed out, leaving red ruin in it’s wake.
Snarling in fury, Anaba tears into the ghoul that hurt her.
Leaping over the pew in front of him, Davok rushes to catch up to his wolf. "Frederic, one flees!" he calls out.
"They defile our gods, but we are here to restore their sanctity!"
Draghis moves froward from the back of the room and fires a crossbow bolt at one of the spellcasters.
"Hey! Get your filthy teeth off of her!" Alistair tweets menacingly at the ghouls.
"EWWWW! This dead guy BIT ME!" Claire exclaims. Swinging her sword at the ghoul she adds, "Keep your tongue off me!"
or
Sariel bounds forward into position , then releases a flurry of arrows at the spellcaster.
Heeding Davok's warning, Fredric launches himself across the room, eager to end the withdrawing ghoul with cold iron!
One blow strikes but this is not enough for the warrior!
"DIE, FOUL SPAWN!"
Sariel bounds forward into position advance, then releases a flurry of arrows at one of the spellcasters skewering it repeatedly.
Heeding Davok's warning, Fredric launches himself across the room, eager to end the withdrawing ghoul with cold iron! "DIE, FOUL SPAWN!"
Snarling in fury, Anaba tears into the ghoul that hurt her.
"Frederic, one flees!" he calls out.
Leaping over the pew in front of him, Davok rushes to catch up to his wolf and puts it down.
"They defile our gods, but we are here to restore their sanctity!"
Draghis moves froward from the back of the room and fires a crossbow bolt at the remaining spellcaster.
"Hey! Get your filthy teeth off of her!" Alistair tweets menacingly at the ghouls.
"EWWWW! This dead guy BIT ME!" Claire exclaims. Swinging her sword at the ghoul she adds, "Keep your tongue off me!" ...in response it slumps to the ground properly dead.
Kaeldron charged forward, letting the first ghoul fall off his spear. His spear flashed out, leaving red ruin in it’s wake. ... one quick thrust and the last ghoul died...
Scroll of summon monster V x2
+1 studded leather x2
Fail x2
184 gp
As suspected, a cache of healing magic has lain undiscovered under this chapel’s altar. The stash is in a sizable hollow space below the altar and is lined with lead to prevent the magical aura of the potions from shining through. In all, there are dozens of cure light wound potions stored in here—enough to outfit the PCs’ army, granting
them the healing potions resource (Ultimate Campaign 241). There are enough potions here to allow the army 3 uses of the resource before it is depleted.
Taking a sweeping glance across the room to make sure that there aren't any threats the party hasn't noticed, Davok's gaze stop on the altar. He moves over to investigate and finds a large stash of healing potions beneath the altar.
As suspected, a cache of healing magic has lain undiscovered under this chapel’s altar. The stash is in a sizable hollow space below the altar and is lined with lead to prevent the magical aura of the potions from shining through. In all, there are dozens of cure light wound potions stored in here—enough to outfit the PCs’ army, granting them the healing potions resource (Ultimate Campaign 241). There are enough potions here to allow the army 3 uses of the resource before it is depleted.
The ghoul fell to the ground, and Kaeldron raised his spear in triumph. Raising it to the defiled statues, he brought it to his chest in a salute. He then turned, in time to see Davok unearthing the cache.
”Well done. This will save lives. It is a miracle that the cache remained hidden until they were needed.”
Fredric wipes ghoul ichor from his blade.
"The powers of light watch this land still. Let us show them the vile crushed and driven back."
Sariel yanks an arrowhead free from a festering corpse with a squelch. Then he helps gather up the healing potions for distribution to the troops.
Three stone tables stand in this room, and their wooden benches lie broken and half-rotten around them. Leather straps with restraints stretch across their surface, buckled tightly in place. Nearby, a knotted rope descends through a tiny hole in the ceiling.
The ripe stench of decay chokes the air of this room, emanating from the bodies of two deceased soldiers hanging from the rafters. Various cabinets and tables stand around a fireplace in the south wall, and doors lead east, west, and north.
Upon seeing the bodies, Fredric says:
"Has anyone seen a pole? We should retrieve these bodies and grant them some dignity in death."
He then begins to search for a suitable implement.