Tykent shakes his head as Yngvilda screams away. "Not exactly what I meant - I suppose I should have learned by now to be more explicit." The gentle smile on his face takes the bite out of his words.
Cwm groans, "we need to subdue the man attacking us with a flaming sword?!" He slides over, motioning Icilias to do the same. He slaps at the man with the flat of his daggers, mumbling to himself, "subdue!"
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"You were supposed to subdue him with your words you fools. Now look at the mess you have gotten us into. I suppose I am going to have to bail you out once more."
Penny raises her hands to the air before stomping her foot fiercely to the ground. A crackle of thunder washes over the area, sending a surge of energy towards the man.
As the powerful energy rushes out over, penny shouts out "Its in your best interest to stay down...
You stomp your foot or strike your weapon against the ground or floor, creating a ripple of power that you can use to trip a creature. Attempt the combat maneuver check to trip the target, but instead of your base attack bonus you can use your caster level, and instead of your Strength modifier you can use your spellcasting ability score modifier (Intelligence for magi and wizards; Wisdom for druids and rangers; Charisma for bloodragers and sorcerers). This does not provoke an attack of opportunity. This spell has no effect if you cannot reach the ground or floor, or if your target is not in contact with the ground or floor.
You do more than knock him senseless, you cut, electrocute, smash, trip, stab and otherwise annihilate the poor man to within an inch of his life. Yngvilda delivers the knockout blow that sends the poor misguided man collapsing to the ground in a bloody, bruised broken smoking pile of himself.
Tykent waves his hand, and Hope trills disapprovingly at the fallen man even as soft golden light from her feathers gently surrounds him and stops the bleeding. "Let's remove all his weapons and tie him up before I bring him back to consciousness," the old man suggests. "Perhaps he will be more eager to think things through rather than act rashly again."
Cwm searches the man, setting everything off to the side. Someone offer some rope and he hogties him before stepping back, daggers once again ready just in case.
"He seems very scared for his wife. We need to find out who she is, and where the dragon is keeping her. Maybe we can rescue her stealthily before our epic battle!"
She stands by as Cwm ties him up, making sure to pull on the ropes as well to ensure that they're tight, then she stands by with her weapons ready to look intimidating
Cwm nods, "excellent idea Yngvilda."
Azmur is awoken, bound and groaning from the ground. When you try to question him further, he shakes his head and looks around "Not here. Too many kobolds, grioths and other minions around."
Once you move him back to the guardhouse that you already cleared and it becomes apparent he isn't going to overpower you, he falls to the floor and begins to sob. Eventually the man stops crying, sits up, looks around and begins talking.
"I want to kill the the young green dragon. He calls himself Aeteperax. While I've been his slave, I've also been studying old journals and tomes I discovered in rooms throughout the monastery. I've learned that the monks were tinkering with knowledge about the Dark Tapestry, a subject the blasted wyrm is obsessed with. I believe that's the reason it he spits on the ground came to this region-to learn what dark secrets the monks discovered."
"According to my research, the monks managed to construct an aperture, called the Dark Window, in a locked and hidden room accessible via the lectern library on the third floor. The Dark Window allowed them to observe and even communicate with alien entities on the far side of the universe."
"The monks had hoped to use the Dark Window to study and learn about these alien creatures and societies, working on the theory that if they knew the chaos and madness of the Dark Tapestry, they could then identify similar traits in themselves and work to expunge them on the road to self-perfection."
"Yet the first time they used the Window, the malevolent alien they contacted teleported into the monastery and attacked the priests. Abbot Kanjougas banished the alien back to the Dark Tapestry, but not before it slaughtered the monastery's other inhabitants. I don't know what happened to him afterwards, but that was 200 long years ago. I haven't seen this accursed thing, but Aeteperax has spent some time in its hidden room communicating with creatures from the far side of the universe. The room is locked-the dragon comes and goes via potions of gaseous form brewed for him by his pet alchemist Pentosh." He stops to spit on the floor, "That bastard like the wyrm. He can die too. I've learned that the abbot carried the key to the room, and if his body still lies hidden somewhere in this monastery, the key should be nearby".
"Aeteperax used secrets gleaned from the monastery's texts and the Dark Window to develop a method of conjuring monsters from the Dark Tapestry to serve him. These are the grioths, batlike monsters from an alien world. I knows the dragon can conjure grioths only because the Dark Window maintains the connection between this part of Dragonfen and the Dark Tapestry. Finding a way to close the Dark Window should not only remove the dragon's ability to conjure aid in a battle, but also end his control over the grioths already conjured. Those in his lair will likely attack the dragon, weakening him."
"If you close the Dark Window, Aeteperax will know you're coming for him, and will likely vent his anger by attacking Belhaim soon thereafter. You have to absolutely be ready to invade the dragon's lair before closing the Dark Window. I believe that even a brief disruption from a successful dispel magic spell should be enough to undo the dragon's work, at least for a time. Beyond this, my research has shown me that force effects should be able to disrupt the window-but only if they could somehow be enhanced before being unleashed upon the Dark Window. Hopefully studying the window will provide some clues-when the time comes, I can aid you in that matter if you need help."
"The rat's lair is in a large cavern north of the monastery. Reaching it from above ground is difficult for creatures that can't fly, but Aeteperax had his kobolds dig a tunnel between the cave and the monastery's dungeons so the dragon's minions could report to him secretly. That lair is also where my lovely wife is. I can see her in her gilded cage, but I can't stay there."
He sighs deeply, "If you are going to do this, I will help you. But, take some time exploring the monastery-there are parts of it the dragon's agents haven't yet explored that could contain useful magical weapons or objects to aid you in your fight in their coming confrontation."
"I also got some scores to settle. I suggests that you seek out the dragon's other three "lieutenants" here in the monastery and dispatch them to prevent Aeteperax from calling upon them as reinforcements. These three are the enormous grioth Goladryth in the Saint's Library, the mad alchemist Pentosh who dwells up in the belfry , and the lunar naga Thaena who can be found somewhere on the third floor." Of the three, Azmur knows the naga has served Aeteperax the longest, and is nonsensical and distracted.
"I also suggest you learn the wyrm's original name. I know that at least one other lieutenant-a half-ore named Hapscot-knew it, because Aeteperax had Hapscot killed for saying it. The dragon's violent reaction tells me that you could distract the dragon and trick him into using hasty and foolish tactics. Perhaps one of the other lieutenants knows his true name as well."
"I can't go with you, but I will help you. If they see me killing the rat's men, my wife is dead, but I will do all the spellcasting you want in secret. I can cure and otherwise bolster you as best I can. If you let me, Ill go to my hidey hole and rest there, until you need me. Any questions?"
Yngvilda listens intently, then lets a moment of stunned silence stretch out after he's finished.
"Wow that's a lot of information, thank you for entrusting us with it. Sorry about knocking you out." She looks to see if Penny or someone has been taken notes.
"I do have some questions. Do you know what these Greeoths can do, or if they have any fears or weaknesses? How about the lieutenents, does Pentosh favour alchemist's fire? How about this Naga, anything you can tell use would be helpful"
She also thinks she might have heard of nagas before.
Or perhaps not.
Penny sighs as he walks over to Azmur. Her tone is extremely condescending. "Hi there. Penny here. Pardon my hesitation, as I am not quite as naive as some of my companions here. You have given us quite an earful of information, yet completely glossed over the obvious question. How are you and your wife involved in all of this? Merely a slave? Thats... ahem.. all? Nothing more? How does just a slave learn all the, quite intricate, details regarding the tapestry, aliens, grioths. Oh my... What else aren't you telling us?"
Penny also adds to the study group.
Cwm is about to pepper the man with his own questions when Penny speaks up. Cwm's eyes go wide as she asks the right questions, maybe there's something to her after all. "are all of his ... slaves free to roam about?
Except your wife of course."
"Well, grioths are batlike humanoids with a long ratlike tail. In addition to fighitn with tradional weaponry, they also have a poisnous bite and the ability to attack you through their minds.
Lunar nagas are like other nagas, snake-women. They apt to do some mind trickery with hypnosis and stab you in the back when your distracted. Like the grioths, they also are poisonous. They are all sorcerers too, so watch out for their spells.
Azmur's face reddens when Penny accuses him of more than he says [b]"Aeteperax kidnapped my pregnant wife and forced me into his employ to avoid her being slain. I just gave you everything I have discovered while working here so you could save her and this is how you talk to me?"
"To be fair - and honest - that's how she talks to everyone," Tykent answers with a laugh. "Rest assured, we won't put your family in danger. Will it raise suspicion if you spend your time around here? It would be helpful to have a place of safety to retreat to should these lieutenants prove too much for Penny to handle on her own."
Azmur glares at Penny for a moment longer before looking at Tykent, nodding "Unbind me and I shall make myself scarce and stay out of your way until you are done."
Cwm drags the others away to have a quick whispered conversation. His eyes never leave Azmur, "I don't think we have any better options. Best case, his information is good and we have an added element of surprise. Worst case, we're being led into a trap that we likely would have triggered anyway. I say we let him go. I don't suppose anyone has a way to track him? A locator spell or something?"
Yngvilda peers into Azmur's eyes, looking for any sign of deceipt.
She nods. "I agree Cwm. We should let him go."
Being her usual subtle self, she makes eye contact with Cwm then gestures with her head to the corner of the room to indicate that she wants to talk with the group in private. Once there she whispers
"Cwm you said you'd seen his hat at the auction? Was he there do you think? He didn't mention that..."
Cwm's eyes narrow when he remembers the hat. He moves over as if to unbind the man, "say, did you win anything at the auction?"
”No, he was outbid on the books,” Tykent reminds Cwm. ”And then he stood up and gave that veeeeery dramatic warning about needing to inform his master. Isn’t that right?” He turns to the other older man for confirmation, ready to loosen his bonds as soon as Cwm and Yngvilda are satisfied.
The man looks at Cwm strangely before nodding to Tykent, "Indeed. I was sent to procure the books in an attempt to avoid all of this unnecessary predicament we now find ourselves in. Aeteperax had intended to just get the material himself without pursuing this current path, but it appears fate would not have it so."
"Ooooh yes that's right"
Apparently satisfied, Yngvilda grabs her axe and shield again.
"Right then, we've got a town to save and strange mind-monsters to kill! Shall we make sure the grounds are clear first before we breach the monastery?"
”That sounds fine - though if there is someone hiding in the bell tower, it’s quite likely they’d spot at least some of us and raise the alarm.” Tykent raises an eyebrow and looks towards the offending structure. ”Clearing that out first might let us operate more openly.”
"Sounds like a plan Tykent. Lead the way."
After release Azmur, the group marches towards the monastery's only entrance - the front door. Pushing it open reveals a grand hall that is nearly one hundred and fifty feet long, with a vaulted ceiling twenty-five feet overhead. Niches in the walls frame marble statues of monks in poses of meditation, and thick pillars run down the center of this impressive chamber.
As you enter, you first assume that this long room is empty as their is no one in sight. After only a few steps into the room however, you take note that there are four creatures you can now assume to be grioths hanging out in the rafters above, staring at you intently. All four batlike humanoid swoop down from above, their long, ratlike tail slicing through the air and four narrow eyes focused on you.
Cwm steps forward and slashes up at the closest grioth, grinning as it crashes to the ground.
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Cwm aces one of the grioths before it even gets a chance to attack you. The remaining three fly forward, pulling out beautiful kukris and attempt to slash Icilias, Yngvilda and Eldon respectively.
Both Icilias and Yngvilda are unable to avoid the strikes and only Eldon manages to dodge the slash.
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Cwm moves over to flank the one that attacked Yng, grinning as it, too falls.
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Yngvilda grunts in pain and anger when she's hit, then is even more furious when Cwm kills her attacker before she's even drawn her axe back. She glowers at him. "That one was mine!" before stepping and taking out her frustration on the one that attacked Eldon. She smashes it with her shield and then follows up with her axe when its off-balance.
"It would be unkind of me to say that we thought you needed no warning after having traveled with Penny," Tykent chortles back. "But look, I might've hurt the grioth's feelings with that comparison."
Eldon steps back away from the creature and raises his hand and launching into a spell.
"Did you just call me?!?! Oh we will have words later, after I save you yet again"
Penny reaches her hand out targeting the BROWN grioth, causing its bones to shake and rattle. She attempts to force it to move south 5', provoking aoo's from both Cym and Yng.
DC 17 fort (save for half damage and prevent movement)
These grioths are no match for your party, that much is apparent. After Cwm had down the first in a single blow, he pivots and stabs the other one next to him and takes that down in a single strike. Yngvilda takes down hers and with Tykent's help, Icilias and Penny take down the remaining one.
Moving through the long room, you reach a pair of double doors at the end. Opening them, you find a blue mosaic dominates the floor of this chamber. The ceiling rises to several domes twenty-five feet above. There are no threats here immediately visible. A large marble statue of a robed man with hair braided in a loop and worn like a necklace looks down on the chamber serenely from the east. Doors lead east and south.
Cwm toes one of the bodies with his foot before moving on. "looks clear everyone, but maybe Penny should go first anyway."
"Wait, Aren't rooms with Mosiac's on the floor known for typical trouble? Hold on there!"
Penny looks around before casting detect magic on the floor, and the Marble Statue.
Now which one called me ugly..... bah, no time for this.
"Please, if you will direct your attention to this prayer mat over here. Cym you said it looked clear? Look again."
Penny removes the mat revealing the trap door leading down. "What do you make of this one?"
Penny focuses on the trap door, once again with DM checking for any spells or magic.
Penny doesn't pick up any magical auras nearby.
Yngvilda sniggers a little but tries to hide it.
"Should we go down? If it's hidden by a rug it must have something worth hiding, powerful weapons we could use like Azmur said!"
She sheathes her axe, takes her shield off and straps it on her back, then gets ready to go down the ladder.
"Eldon could you light me up?"
[ooc]I lied. There is no door east. The stupid map was blurry and I thought there was a door behind the statue. The only doors from this room lead south and west (where you came from).
Eldon does as Yngvilda asks and she descend down the ladder ten feet until she hits the ground where she finds a shaft that leads east off into the distance about forty feet before ending at another ladder identical to the one she climbed down, leading up into the unknown.
Yngvilda shoots back up the ladder and pokes her head out.
"There's a passage, follow me!"
She then descends, redraws her shield and axe to cautiously go down the passage to the other ladder, watching for traps and enemies as she does
Then at the other end she'll repeat the routine, shield on back, axe in loop, up the ladder
Cwm follows and sneaks around Yng when he gets a chance, trying to be useful.
”Not if there were some chamber between the two entrance points the builder didn’t want connected to either room,” Tykent answers thoughtfully as he slowly clambers down the ladder.
Neither Cwm or Yngvilda can see much ahead in the passage, but that's okay because Icilias tells them there isn't much to see except the other ladder. The Ulfen climbs up and throws the trapdoor open, emerging into into a throne room.
This dusty chamber's walls are painted with fading frescoes of monks engaged in acts of acrobatic prowess. At the room's eastern corner is a high-backed stone chair. On the stone chair sits a mummified figure clad in white robes, with a braid of black hair circling its neck like an adornment.
The room is small and the party crams into it, barely fitting everyone before the mummy looks up, staring at the oncoming group with dead eyes. He rises to his feet and whispers, "I, Kanjougas, know not your convictions. I must know whether you possess the aptitude to close the Dark Window."
He steps towards Yngvilda and delivers a stunning strike to her chest.
Cwm slides along the wall, daggers out. There's a flash of iron as he buries his blade in the side of the mummy.
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"Of course I pos-"
Yngvilda stiffens and drops her axe and shield.