Who needs light and where do you get it from?
Lupe has two ioun torches.
"Gnasher, try to stay near Wolf (who is clearly a Cat), he will take some hits for you."
Heading down the stairs surrounded by a pool of light leaving the fringes ominously vague, the group enters a round chamber lined with quartz stones which sparkle in the glow from the stones floating above Lupe. At the far end of the room is door with a the all too familiar symbol of Sarenrae worked into the wood. There is no obvious method to open this door from looking at it. A ten-foot-diameter circle of mortared stones at the center of the room marks a well that descends even deeper into the earth. Next to the well, on a small pedestal, is a large gong. A short stick capped with a round pad of moldering leather dangles from a cord attached to the gong platform.
Tarak follows in his usual spot a few paces behind Gnasher.
Prior to entering the dark temple, the Druid dug a scroll from his case and cast a spell helping him see better in the dark.
Nodding to Tarak as he gives a toothy grin, Gnasher gesture towards the well. "Gnasher go look." Walking up to the well, he peers down into the depths hoping to get a glimpse of something.
Afterwards, he turns and looks around the room, shrugging his shoulders he walks over to the large gong. Lifting the mallet, he raps the large gong, not overly forceful but enough to make it ring.
"If nobody knew that we were here. Trust me. Now they would know." Urah deadpans as the gong rings..........
Gnasher peers down into the depths, 30' down until the shaft meets the ground, but it appears as if it is a dry well, but when he raps the gong a couple of things happen.
Most obvious is that the door splits into four parts and recedes into the walls that surround it leaving the way forward.
But also, a low rumbling noise draws Gnasher's attention to the well and he sees a huge 30' section of the well open up as a large stone that was plugging the bottom recedes to the side. With the stone removed, the well descends a total of 60' and opens to the east near the bottom. A sight that is soon obscured by a gout of roiling, swirling vapor that erupts from the hole and coalesces into three man-sized shapes. Roiling fiery forms of beautiful winged angels with fire for wings and hair.
Gnasher sees them coming and reacts almost immediately.
Ongoing effects:
Bold may go.
Gnasher (-0 HP)
blue creature
Filliped(-0 HP)
Lupe (-0 HP)
Wolf (-0 HP)
Tarak (-0 HP)
red creature
Urah Pyr (-0 HP)
Growling as he see's the flaming things come out of the pit. "What are they?" Gnasher barks out as he begins to rage. As his size begins to expand his paws turn into overly large claws, his eyes glow red, his fangs enlarge and he begins to froth at the mouth. While his brown hide takes on a red-orange cast to it, giving a peculiar laugh. He lifts the bardiche and swings it at the first creature.
Gnasher practically skewers one as it rises from the well, but his aim was just a little bit off.
Gnasher, make me a DC 14 reflex save or catch on fire.
Ongoing effects:
Bold may go.
Filliped(-0 HP)
Lupe (-0 HP)
Wolf (-0 HP)
Tarak (-0 HP)
red creature (-0 HP)
Urah Pyr (-0 HP)
Gnasher (-3 HP)
blue creature (-25 HP)
Somewhat wincing as the gong rings, Tarak isn't surprised that something comes and tries to kill them.
Seeing Gnasher slam one, the druid hurls lightning at the same thing, hoping to bring it down.
"No idea what they are.."
Tarak rattles it a bit, but not enough to remove it from his plane of existence.
blue creature (-29 HP)
Ongoing effects:
Bold may go.
Filliped(-0 HP)
Lupe (-0 HP)
Wolf (-0 HP)
red creature (-0 HP)
Urah Pyr (-0 HP)
Gnasher (-3 HP, need reflex save)
blue creature (-25 HP)
Tarak (-0 HP)
2 hours earlier...
Lupe, heart broken that his brother has died, and overjoyed that he has found Haleen, decides that there is really no reason to continue all this adventuring business. In honor of his brother's intense dislike for killing, he and Haleen decide to return home with their fair share of the loot (what is left of it after Casper stole as much as he could carry) to pay off her debts.
Meanwhile, a caravan is spotted by one of the guards, drawn by the smoke from the burning gnoll pile.
Go ahead and chime in on the initial meeting when ready...
Once we get intros done, we will insert the newbies into the current combat that is on hold.
The smoke from the funeral pyre seems cause for alarm at first.. not wanting to put the caravan in harms way, Mei suggests the caravan keep back until she reports back on the situation.
Mei stop atop a small ridge looking over the scene. She stops there to observe the scene. Taking count on their number and composition, trying to ascertain if they are a threat.
If no threat seems likely, Mei cautiously moves closer. She does not approach stealthily, but she has her spear handy in case of ambush. Staying wary in case these are bandits.
Mei is not very tall, standing only 5’ 4” and about 140 lbs. she isn’t muscular, but she seems to possess an inner strength. She does not appear to wear heavy armor instead her simple chain shirt is covered by a long red tunic, white simple cloth pants and soft shoes made for comfort while walking long distances. She has long black hair that usually done in a ponytail style. Her facial features have a distinct foreign look (like Japanese-American).
Mei obviously wields a spear the point is usually wrapped in cloth to act as a sheath. The other end has a custom grip and appears to be weighted so it can be used as a blunt weapon
From a distance it looks like a pile of humanoids burning with a bunch of humanoids watching. As she closes, though, it is easily discernable that the pile contains gnolls while the onlookers look like common caravan guards for the most part.
From a distance it looks like a pile of humanoids burning with a bunch of humanoids watching. As she closes, though, it is easily discernable that the pile contains gnolls while the onlookers look like common caravan guards for the most part.
As the newcomers approach the monastery they immediately notice one particular person standing apart from the rest, not a guard on duty but a man standing by himself apparently staring at the sky.
He is dressed in simple airy desert clothes over dun colored robes and a leather breast plate, buckler and gnarled club hanging from his belt otherwise festooned with scrolls.
He is of above average height for a human, leanly built under the robes. His face, uncovered and facing the sky, is not particularly handsome, framed by a goatee. His hair is shaved on the sides and short on the top, his exposed neck covered by swirling blue tattoos that, upon closer inspection, look to be less tattoos than colored scars.
At first glance he looks aged, but when the party gets closer they notice that he is still young, his face and exposed hands are just weather beaten from constant exposure to the sun, the deep tan of his skin also likely the result from a lifetime of exposure.
Realizing Lupe and Casper would not be going with them to open the temple doors, Gnasher puts the key in his pouch turning to Tarak and Urah he wonders about the state of their tribe. Looking off into the distance the gnoll sees a caravan approaching. Shifting his bardiche from one claw to the next, he scratches under the newly claimed chainmail. Gesturing towards the caravan. "Maybe warriors from caravan join tribe in opening temple."
The caravan that was spotted is still a ways off, and, though there is movement within the group, the caravan does not seem to be moving right now.
There is the matter of the scout approaching though.
Malgrim stays a distance from the pyre and keeps an eye as a fellow caravan guard approaches.
Indeed, Malgrim looks like a pesh cacti to anyone but the most keen observer.
"I see the caravan. I don't see anyone. Maybe we scared them off."
More like Gnasher scares them off and we do look like a bunch of brigands.
'With chief gone who be chief now?' looking from the Caravan to Urah, he gestures towards the animals. "Maybe Firestarter go first. Humans shoot at Gnasher. Firestarter pretty, not shoot Firestarter."
"I don't like to be hurt. In fact if any shots are to be fired, Gnasher should go first."
Urah swiftly declines.
Pointing to Tarak.
"Human. Safest bet."
Nodding in agreement, "Yes, good, Make Stormcaller chief." He points a hairy claw at Tarak, "You chief now, you talk."
Tarak is busy staring at the sky and completely ignoring his companions conversation.
At the sound of his nickname he starts and looks around, just in time to hear the last part of Gnasher’s comment.
”Huh? What? Talk to who?” he asks, peering around.
Malgrim sees the three just talking to each other as Mei comes closer and decides he can probably move closer as well. So he stays low but begins moving to see what this strange group has to do with the mass pyre of bodies.
Meimotions to malgrim to stay low, just in case.
not sure who they are, but no point in giving up our position, not yet She whispers to him I'll approach, you keep lookout
Mei advances toward the group. She does not approach threatening.
Hail, I come in peace. Saw the smoke in the distance and came to investigate
She does not approach to close but close enough to be heard. Trying not to give away her partner's position
Trying to look as unintimidating as he can wearing chainmail armor, a two handed axe and a shield on his back while girthed with a belt full of weapons and a ten foot pole arm in hand, Gnasher waves Tarak on with his empty hand, nodding and trying to smile. "Stormcaller chief now, tell them tribe hunt gnolls, ask if want to help."
The caravan guards watch Mei approach cautiously, but make no move to intervene, leaving that to the 'adventurers' that proved themselves defending the camp last night, though Trevvis gives her a good long appraising look up and down.
”Huh, chief ye say? Never been in charge before..” the one time pirate muses as he turns and finally sees the approaching figure.
But fails to see the exceptionally well hidden second figure.
”Well met. We, ah, are part of an exposition to take this town thar. As ye ken see we’ve run afoul of no few gnolls recently, though they got the worst of it. If ye are of peaceful bent, or mayhaps looking for some work, ye are welcome to talk to Almah. We’ve got a fair bit more work to do, including some evil temple that needs cleaning out. Loot has been good so far.” he finishes, and glances to the sky, almost as if seeking approval.
Gesturing back to his large furry and smaller and cowardly companions, then himself ”The good gnoll is Gnasher, the other one is Urah. I be Tarak.” he finishes.
Urah nods in agreement though he does inch behind the more heavily armed Gnasher.
Moving forward, Gnasher nods, "I Gnasher." He gesturing towards the funeral pyre then the dilapidated temple that was their base. " Three Jaws attack last night. Dead now. Lady Almah hire tribe to clear gnolls out of Kelmarane. Temple all that left, but Almah tell tribe a foul and malignant 'entity' locked inside." Gnasher rifles through his pouch drawing out the key Almah gave them. Showing it to the stranger, "Tribe go to temple today. Looking for brave warriors to go."
Hearing that the three helped protect the town Malgrim will come out and approach as well. "Who is Lady Almah? Is she the leader of this city?" Malgrim asks.
Garavel is
A tall and swarthy man with a lantern jaw and short black hair approaches the newcomers and introduces himself.
"I am Garavel. I speak for Lady Almah, our leader and an emissary of the Pactmasters."
As he gets close you notice a strange bolt-like device that appears to have been inlaid in the side of his head. In spite of the somewhat dashing apparel, reminiscent of a flashy swordfighter, he is stoic looking and has a serious demeanor.
"Are you members of the caravan off in the distance and have you come looking for trade?"
Your group is starting to attract a bit of notice. Besides Garavel, there is the gnoll, Gnasher, who has already introduced himself. He is a massive gnoll with a large weapon... or two. Lurking behind him is a hooded humanoid with bronze skin and fiery eyes, named by the human as Urah. The human beside the gnoll, Tarak, is more normal looking, though far, far less well armored or geared.
Tending the fire are a bunch of caravan guards acting a lot like caravan guards will. Cocky, rude, crude and socially abusive if given a chance, and equipped with swords, bucklers, crossbows, and banded mail.
Hovering near the entrance to the Monastery, if you can call it that, are a pair of better equipped guards. And by better I mean that the equipment is cleaner. And by entrance I mean a big hole in the wall, for the monastery has seen better days and is an advanced state of dilapidation.
Seeing the group seems no hostile intent, Mei relaxes her guard a bit. Though she still seems to remain vigilant.
At the mention of Kelmarane, Mei seems interested in what the group is offering though she does not say why.
I am Mei, this is my companion Malgrim. We are currently under the emloy of another caravan. It would not be right to abandon that assignment without consulting our employer.
She ponders the situation, that is not to say we are not interested though. Lperhaps a discussion with this lady Almah is in order.
Mei's accent seems a bit foreign to this region.
Garavel, who missed Gnasher's offer, asks, "Interested in what?"
Malgrim nods his head towards Gnasher and says, "Gnasher indicated Lady Almah had hired them to clear out the temple. They indicated that help might be welcome. But we are currently being employed by the other caravan." Malgrim pauses as he motions back to the distant caravan. He then asks, Before we can assist your town we need to make sure they are cared for. Can they safely come into town now or do they need to wait where they are to be safe?"
Gesturing towards the pyre, "Fire have all gnolls that were close, caravan safe here." He gestures towards the dilapidated town. "Lady Almah say Kelmarane not safe till temple clear."
He looks back at Garavel, trying to smile, but it only looks like a hyena showing it's teeth. "Little Killer run off and chief leave with mother and brother's body." He gestures toward Tarak, "Tribe make new chief but need more." he pauses, trying to think of the right word in common. Eventually he moves his lips to form the difficult word, "Pups."
Garavel jumps in to correct Gnasher
"Actually, Lupe has not left quite yet. He was a bit worried about travelling alone and this could be a great opportunity. We could send Lupe and Haleen on with the caravan in your place while you two fill the vacancies. But we would need to see if you are adequate replacements. Gnasher, you want to test them out while I go see if they are interested?"
Rolling his eyes as Garavel corrected him, Gnasher looks from the emissary towards the caravan. "Gnasher meant Lupe no longer with tribe." as if that was all that needed to be said. He looks at Mei noting the custom grip on her spear and an inner strength as she stands there unintimidated by his size. Turning toward the nameless hobgoblin that had been silent as the dead sneaking into their camp. Turning back towards Garavel, shaking his head no. "Test not needed," He gestures towards Mei, "Her spear-killer." He gestures towards the hobgoblin, "Him ghost." He lets out a high giggle "Neither as useless as cowardly thief."
Not speaking to anyone in particular, Gnasher begins walking back towards the rundown temple. "Make preparations you need. Let tribe know when we can go."
Tarak chuckles malevolently at the mention of the cowardly thief, and arcs of electricity briefly race up and down his body as he imagines giving the traitor a piece of his mind, in lightning bolt form.
Or try out that clawed lizard form again, that might work well too.
Garavel raises an eyebrow as if to say, "it's your life," and leaves to fetch Lupe and Haleen. They quickly return with an affirmative.
Haleen makes a request, though.
"Would you mind introducing us to the caravan master and let him know about the switch? It seems the polite thing to do."
Lupe is content to let his mother lead and has a big broad stupid grin on his face, though for a few seconds a darkness crosses his face, the smile turns plastic and the eyes dim with sadness.
Mei nods to affirm haleen's request and goes to fetch the caravan she had been escorting.
After a brief run down of the situation she invites him and the rest of the caravan to join the others.
After making introductions, Mei makes her proposal to her employer
it would seem that these people are in immediate need of our talents. A proposal has been offered that these two will journey in our stead for the remainder of your trip. She indicates Lupe and Haleen
though I am unfamiliar with their talents but they may prove a valuable guide as they seem knowledgeable of this region
"I bid you both good fortune and farewell then." Urah turns to both Lupe and Haleen.
Turning to Mei.
"I bid you welcome to your and your ghost."
Malgrim gathers his bag from one of the wagons and takes sometime to say goodbye to the caravan drovers that he had been eating around the campfire with before returning to Gnasher.
He then says to Gnasher, "It seems that the caravan is willing to let me out of my contract to aid you. I am skilled with the element of water. What sort of demonstration would you care to see?"
Now that Malgrim is out of hiding he has his cloak open. He is a thin hobgoblin that moves lightly. He wears light armor and his only weapon appears to be a spiked gauntlet on his right hand. Although the warm sun is beating down on the landscape, and Malgrim is wearing a cloak and metal armor, he seems unaffected by the burning heat.
Having finished speaking with Garavel and the new members of the tribe, Gnasher heads to the small tree where he had jammed the remains of the boar haunch. Retrieving the haunch he sits under the tree tearing off the few pieces of meat that remained, happily chewing them. Using the pommel of his largest dagger he cracks open the bone and begins to gnaw on it, licking out the marrow.
Seeing the thin hobgoblin approach, Gnasher wipes his muzzle with the back of his paw. Nodding at the information, in a very human expression he raises an eyebrow when Malgrim tells him he was skilled with the element of water. "Gnasher had no doubt merchant would release contract." Chewing on the bone for a moment, thinking about a 'demonstration' Gnasher shrugs. "Gauntlet for close killing, water magic for far killing." He gestures towards the field where they met. "Ghost sneak through field, no one saw, demonstration enough."
Gesturing for Malgrim to take a seat. "Ghost Hobgoblin yes? Not see many, how Ghost come to caravan?"