Brag detects evil on the woman. He sends Shadow out to seek for dragons and any other troublesome creatures in the immediate area.
"Seek, Shadow!"
Lem greets the woman as well.
The woman bows warmly to you. "Greetings, may Irori warm your hearts tonight," she says. Her accent is from Tian Xia, the same as Slymr's. "Welcome to the Swaying Lantern. I am Priestess Zheng Zhou Zhe. But you can call me Sleepy, if that is too much for you. My husband and myself run this outpost in the Shattered Range for weary travellers such as yourself; Pridon's Hearth is very far from here. You are free to stay as long as you like, and staying is free as long as you help. Cook, clean, paint, build; an extra hand cuts the work in half." She makes a quick chop with her hand at her last statement, and you can tell she is not just a monk for the theology.
"As for the ghost, well, we may have to talk later. For now you can mingle with the other guests while I prepare you a room, if you wish. We are quite packed at this time."
There is a large group of guests further in the monastery. The largest and loudest group is gathered in the central court, while various others are in the rooms that flank the court.
There are a few lesser acolytes dressed in maroon, sweeping floor and poking fires. In the central room there is a group of animals surrounded by a vanara druid, a horned monk with a forked tail burning incense, a cloaked figure lurking in the shadows, a group of children playing a game, and a half-orc sharpening his huge axe. These are all in the central courtyard.
Arbaro does not Lear what is under those spoilers.
Arbaro heads over to chat with the children. He starts by joining in their game. After winning their undying love and learning what the know he will excuses himself so he can absorb some rumors.
Arbaro cast Ears of the City.
Thurl nods in understanding, ”Of course, if you are busy, we would be happy to help. I have not much culinary skill but I can chop and stir and clean, I would be happy to help. Perhaps if you could show us where to put our things and give us a few minutes to warm ourselves,” Thurl wrinkles his nose in distress, “And wash maybe, we can be of use and lighten your burden.”
Once the group has a moment to itself, Thurl says, ”They are clearly busy here, let’s make ourselves useful, or at least of no extra burden for the evening, and wait till tomorrow for more serious talk.”
Brag wanders with the others and joins in the conversations.
Before entering the building/courtyard, he releases Shadow to his own perching and hunting."Stay close my silent friend."
Arbaro uses Guidance anytime anyone would find it useful.
Zheng Zhou Zhe takes your belongings and keeps them safe. The courtyard is warmed by a few large braziers burning at the edges, where many of the guests are gathered.
The children are at first hesitant for a big adult to come invade their game, but quickly warm up to the oread. You learn that half of the dozen children are orphans or foster children; their parents are either unknown to them or dead. The others are all children of Zheng Zhou Zhe and her husband. You learn from playing games that they are all horribly bored of being stuck in the snow for what has been a full year. It seems their grandfather has also been missing for a few weeks now as well.
The other guests see you newcomers with interest, but make no moves to talk with you. The monks (that obviously live here) are too occupied with their chores, and the guests seem to view another guest as nothing too special.
Brag thanks ZZZ and stays with the group. He asks her what chores he can assist with and offers to split wood for the fires or work with the monks on cartography and geography if there are any maps that need to be updated or revised or just created.
He invites Lem, who can swing a mean long-handled hammer and must be able to swing an ax, to join him in chopping wood, if the need arises. He asks Roccavisk if she has any experience with maps or geography.
After doing chores or whatever the group finds to do, Brag asks Zheng Zhou Zhe, "I've heard about your husband, but have not yet met him. Would it be possible to meet him sometime?" Then he follows up with a question about the children's grandfather. "I hear your father has not been seen in a few weeks. His he in danger? Would you need assistance finding him? I believe we may be able to help, if help is desired."
Lem gladly joins Brag in chopping wood, and doing whatever else he might to help. "This seems to be a welcoming place Bragoleb!"
Lem perks up if anyone happens to mention in a language he understands that grandpa is missing.
Lem tries hard not to be too intimidating, but alas, with his wild red hair and gruff demeanor, sometimes it doesn't work quite right.
Thurl joins Arbaro after a stint in the kitchen, once the simple work is done. Seeing that the children are getting stir crazy, Thurl decides a story is just what is needed to settle them down and grab their attentions, using his Ki to guide his voice.
Thurl begins with a loud voice that carries even to the corners of the room, though the children are quite boisterous, "Gather around children, and hear the Tale of the Muddy Mariners! 4 companions and 1 who set out for adventure, and discovered a task that might be to much for them..." Thurl winds his tale through what he had heard during his time in Pridon's Hearth, starting with their disembarkation at Pridon's Hearth and continuing through their travels. He includes dramatic pauses when they discover Mud at Fort Breakthrough, is appropriatly solemn at Odie's death, and speaks of the final confrontation with Daruthek and his minions at the Sky Temple. He concludes with a bit of wisdom from Irori to better yourself and improve so that you are capable to meet the challenges that you face in your life.
As you help with the chores the other guests warm up to you, as do the acolytes. None of the labor is particularly difficult.
"My husband has been sad of late," Zheng Zhou Zhe says. "His gongs are gone; we use them as our timekeeper, like you might use churchbells. Tsao Tsao's been so depressed he has all but abandoned his hobbies and is starting to forget to eat."
"As for my father, there is no cause to worry. He is in the cliffside retreat and will return when his meditations are over."
The children are enraptured by Thurl's story, and if they were not already impressed by a hairless dwarf they are in awe of his storytelling abilities. They beg him to tell them another, better story the next night.
As the day's work winds down and you have made yourselves well-liked by the guests and priests of the Swaying Lantern, a horned and fork-tailed monk draws you aside during dinner. He is red-skinned, a color which clashes with his orange robes, but speaks most quietly to you.
"May I request to speak to you five in private?" the man asks. "My name is Ahm Niss, and I have a bit of a problem. Meet me on the outer walls to the east an hour or two after dusk. I cannot discuss this with so many other ears about." He shuffles off to his chambers after you respond, unwilling to answer any other questions.
Brag enjoys hearing Thurl tell of the escapades of the Muddy Mariners even if there was some embellishment. He is glad that he is travelling under a new name after hearing of the frequency of his missed shots given a better than deserved treatment by the master story teller.
"Zheng Zhou Zhe, tell me more about the gongs and their value and purpose. Where they magical? Where were they made? How long have you had them?"
After hearing her answer, he asks, "Did you know anything about lone white dragon a day or two down the path from here?"
Thurl overhears Bragoleb's conversation with Zheng Zhou Zhe and senses her unease and walks over to them and says, "We wish no harm to you and yours. We are here for information but we help others where we can." Thurl uses his Ki to impart his sincerity to his words.
When approached by Ahm, Thurl says, "As long as you wish no ill to those here, we will hear you out." As he leaves, he tells the others, "Ah, he's and Teifling. They are shunned in many places because of their heritage, that is probably why he wants to speak in private.
Arbaro and the others busy themselves and prepare for the meeting.
"There are 12 gongs, made of bronze, bought and forged in various and insignificant places, and they are not particularly magical. They focus those devoted to Irori, providing a minor benefit to his followers. Mostly we have a hard time telling what time it is now," Zheng Zhou Zhe says. She motions to the outer wall surrounding the monastery courtyard. "Each gong was placed at one of the cardinal directions, 12 in all, and the direction of the sound signified the hour. We, of course, do not ring them past a certain hour, but the work here has become disorganized."
She leans in conspiratorially and says, "We have tried other timekeeping methods, but traditions are hard to change. Tsao Tsao tried a bell once and my grandfather almost had a heart attack."
She had heard rumors of a dragon out west, but nothing more. "There are many paths to the Swaying Lantern. Perhaps you found the most dangerous one."
-----
The tiefling meets you in the darkness on the wall. The winds howl about you, the stars in the sky clear and cold far above. The line of lanterns leading west shine n pockets of white and orange in the night, a long line of lights extending far into the black night. but to the east you can see only a handful of lanterns before the path goes dark.
"Thank you for your discretion. Sleepy and Tsao Tsao are most welcoming of strangers like me, but other acolytes are not," Ahm says. He points out east, toward the unlit darkness. "You see, I am charged with the maintenance of the lanterns. They are magically lit, of course, and require no oil, but on occasion they fall over or get covered in snow. The snows have been unusually deep this summer, and I fear one of our lanterns has been covered. I fear travelers will not find our refuge from the eastern passes."
He looks around for anyone else listening before continuing. "I would go, but there are rumors of a remorhaz about, a centipede-like monstrosity, huge and immune to the cold, out east. The orc with the axe said he slew three on his way here, but they were juveniles, barely hatched. You seem much more capable of handling monsters than myself."
Str 22, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 5, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +9; CMB +17 (+21 grapple); CMD 28 (can't be tripped)
Feats Awesome Blow, Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +16
Languages Giant (cannot speak)
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 9, flat-footed 19 (+1 Dex, +11 natural, –2 size)
hp 94 (9d10+45)
Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +4
Immune fire, cold
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., burrow 20 ft.
Melee bite +13 (3d6+9 plus grab)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks heat, swallow whole (2d6+9 plus 8d6 fire, AC 15, hp 9)
"Sounds like the eastern path is more dangerous than the way we came. The remorhaz sounds like just the thing for Lem to relieve some of his pent up tension on."
To the tiefling, "What do you know about the father and the missing gongs?"
Lem yawns.
Ahm Niss shrugs at Bragoleb's question. "Nothing more than anyone else. One night they just disappeared. The gongs were going, going, then... gong."
"When we got rid of the dragon, we found its lair and inside there were the skeletons of 2 orcs and a small human child or a halfling, we couldn't tell which. Have you had anyone go missing? We think it had moved to the area within the recently. We buried the bodies where we found them."
Thurl stares thoughtfully at the mention of Remorhaz and mentions, "Hmm, immensely strong, very hardy, difficult to pierce armor, even understands giant. That would be a difficult fight."
Thurl listens intently to Bragoleb's question and Ahm's answer and says, "So many mysteries. What connection did Slymr have to this place, Where is Sleepy's father? What happened to the gongs? And is there a Bearded devil around here? Many questions and no answers. Lets deal with these lanterns and maybe we will begin to find answers...In the morning would be best Lem, I agree."
Ahm Niss shrugs at Bragoleb's question. "Nothing more than anyone else. One night they just disappeared. The gongs were going, going, then... gong."
After a few long moments, Brag gets the pun and rolls his eyes at Ahm Niss. Which causes him to finally get the "Sleepy" nickname for Z.Z.Z. - another eye roll and SMH.
"I agree, let's head east and take on this remorhaz. Arbaro and I can soften it up with a barrage of arrows and then Lem can pound it into a bloody pulp. There's likely more to this than we can currently understand. I'm off for a quick rest. See you in the morning."
'Oh, did anyone see an armory here? I could use a few replacement arrows."
Sleepy ponders Thurl's question for a moment before answering, "I'm not sure what they might have done. We don't have many travelers here, but those that do come are often unannounced. Perhaps you could ask some of the other guests."
One of the acolytes carves arrows in his free time, but they are inscribed with trite aphorisms of Irori.
The next morning finds you ready to head east to examine the covered lantern. It takes a few miles to get there, passing swaying lanterns along the way suspended from ropes and cliffs above.
As you near the missing lantern, you find tracks of the remorhaz in the snow. They crisscross the area around where the lantern would be, into the pines and rockface of the mountain.
Brag, with a few newly selected arrows, with quite witty saying appropriate for use in the battle against evil, sends Shadow up to look for the remorhaz.
Showing the owl the tracks, "Seek, Shadow. Find the remorhaz."
As the 5 of them make their way through the snow toward the obscured lantern, Thurl bends over to see if he can tell how recent the tracks were made.
You trudge through snow and find the way difficult to follow. Despite the remorhaz's distinct marks, the pine trees and rocky ground make it hard to track. Before long you find yourself near the cliff edge, where the lantern should be, but cannot tell where the remorhaz would be. Odd tracks mark the ground, like the feet of large humanoids. These tracks lead to the north and west, near the rocky cliff; the remorhaz is nowhere to be seen.
Arbaro follows the tracks, bow drawn and ready, and watches carfully for signs of the remorhaz.
Lem looks around and walks forward, Quaker and shield at the ready. ”maybe they are good at hiding. Lets take a look.” Lem takes slow steps forward.
Brag, sensing the impending conflict, pulls his hood up and moves with stealth towards a better vantage point and somewhat closer to Roccavisk, who has been unusually silent during this snow-laden trek.
"Lem, I've got you covered from here."
He looks skyward for Shadow to see if his companion has found any signs of the remorhaz.
Arbaro uses his wand to cast gravity bow.
Sensing the tension of his compatriots, Thurl steps quietly to avoid making unnecessary noise and pulls out his simple want to cast mage armor on himself.
Thurl still manages to step on branches and stumbles a couple of times, looking chagrined at his companions. He makes his way toward where the lantern should be and begins to dig as quietly as he can.
Lem doesn't notice Thurl is trying to be quiet and is unphased by the noise...
"Good Bragoleb, I thought you might," Lem shouts over his shoulder.
Through the pine trees flanking you on the right and left, you see what you thought were snow-covered trees but are instead white-furred humanoids. Their glistening red eyes and reddish-pink skin stand out from the snow and needles as you now see they are yetis, and not mounds of snow as you once thought. Three hunch down between the trees on your right, and one on the rocks to your left.
Str 19, Dex 12, Con 15, Int 9, Wis 12, Cha 10
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 16 (+1 Dex, +7 natural, –1 size)
hp 45 (6d10+12)
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6
Immune cold
Weaknesses vulnerability to fire
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +9 (1d6+4 plus 1d6 cold)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks frightful gaze, rend (2 claws, 1d6+6 plus 1d6 cold)
Cold (Su)
A yeti’s body generates intense cold, dealing 1d6 points of cold damage to any creature that contacts it with a natural attack or unarmed strike, or whenever it hits a foe with its claws or rend attack.
Frightful Gaze (Su)
Creatures within 30 feet that meet a yeti’s gaze must succeed on a DC 13 Will save or stand paralyzed in fear for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting fear paralysis effect. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the frightful gaze of that yeti for 1 day. The save DC is Charisma-based.
Round Surprise | HP 49/49 | Lay on Hands 6/6 | Smite Evil 2/2 | Arrows 40/40 | MHB Arrows 10/10 | Spells 2/2
Brag takes a five-foot step to the north and rapidly attacks the three yetis in the trees with his bow firing monstrous humanoid bane arrows, one at each of the yetis. Three heavy thumps sound as each yeti is pierced by an arrow.
Adamantine Longbow Point-Blank (+2bottom only), Rapid-Shot Attack w/ monstrous humanoid bane arrows (+2d6 damage):
Critical hit confirm - Bottom
Critical damage - Bottom (3x)
Damage | Arrow, MHB, Full (1): 8+6+12 = 26
Total damage - Bottom: 62
Round Surprise | HP 35/35 | Advice 17/17 | Awaken Divinity 6/6 | Ki Pool 9/10 | AC: 22 T:18 FF:20 w/ Mage Armor
Thurl yells, "Stand down, there is no reason for any more of you to perish here!, his voice laced with sorrow, as he uses his Ki to try to convince the creatures as he places himself between the archers and the two remaining Yetis to the right, drawing his Kama from his belt.
Round Surprise! | HP: 55/55 | Judgements 1/1 | Spells 5/5 | Perfect Strike 2/3 | Gravity Bow Wand charges 23 | True Strike 1/1 | Blood Scarab 1/1
Seeing that Lem stalking toward the solo creature, Arbaro focuses on the remaining two. An arrow each.
Perfect Strike
Arbaro's first arrow sinks into the creature and the second arrow only shaves a bit of hair off the top of the other creatures head.
Roccavisk casts stone call in a 40' radius around the three yetis to the right. A rain of pebbles, rocks, and stone litter the area, pines cracking and crashing, powdered snow flying into the air.
She slithers toward the two yetis and yells, "The time for diplomacy has flown with Brag's first arrow, Thurl. All that remains is to crush them!"
Lem watches the arrows fly and hears Thurl. Lem goes toward the north and prepares for an attack
The yetis eyes glow with red fire.
Roccavisk stands paralyzed.
The yetis close in and howl in Aklo.
vs. Lem
vs. Thurl
vs. Roccavisk
Party is up.
Lem enters a rage -
Round 1,
AC 20 vs larger opponents
Rage 15/16
Lem attacks with a fury at the furry giants.
"You're going to have to hit harder than that!"
Round 1 | HP 22/35 | Advice 16/17 | Awaken Divinity 6/6 | Ki Pool 8/10 | AC: +8 (Mage Armor and Ki bonus)
Thurl recoils from the slash of the frigid claw, bleeding but says with regret in his voice, "May your arrows and hammer fly true my friends.
Thurl takes a defensive stance using his Ki to aid his reflexes.
Round 1 | HP: 55/55 | Judgements 1/1 | Spells 5/5 | Perfect Strike 1/3 | Gravity Bow Wand charges 23 | True Strike 1/1 | Blood Scarab 1/1
Arbaro remains in place and fires at the nearest enemy, while watching for more in the surrounding snow.
Perfect Strike
Round 1 | HP 49/49 | Lay on Hands 6/6 | Smite Evil 2/2 | Arrows 40/40 | MHB Arrows 7/10 | Spells 2/2
Brag five foot steps behind Thurl and attacks both remaining yetis.
Adamantine Longbow Point Blank (+1 Yeti 2 only), Thurl enhance (+2) Attack
Two more arrows pierce the two remaining yetis. Both fall dead.
The sounds of battle have likely alerted the remorhaz to your presence.
The hill of rock to the NE of Lem is where the lantern should be, but you notice the lantern is missing from its pole.
Thurl scans the area around where the lantern should be, looking for any large mounds that might be a disguised Remorhaz focusing his Ki to help him spot irregularies.
Arbaro joins Thurl in looking for the lantern while on the lookout for enemies.