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Roland has not studied world religions enough to provide any insights, especially with deities not his own.
Zhese orcs appear to be stealing from zhe temple. I am sure our friend back by zhe font will be interested at zhe turn of events here.
He will check for tracks to see if the orcs left a trail from other parts of the complex.
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As the last orc falls, Shirley hops off of Effy, allowing the owlbear free rein, as she makes a snack out of the one that injured her.
Eventually, once she's had a few minutes to calm down, and a full belly, he takes a moment to inspect the wound, swearing at her in goblin every time she tries to nip his hands while doing so.
After roughly 15 minutes, you recall what you know of Saranrae
Aeabos: This is the silver soldier. “Sheathed in the scales of a thousand stars, Aeabos travels the nighttime sky to distant worlds, sharing the healing light of Sarenrae’s grace.”
Bryla: This is the amber wheel. “She is the burning wheel. Bryla of Sacred Fire has thrice answered our prayers, manifesting as a glowing halo to illuminate the way forward and burn away evil.”
Sarenrae: This is the holy symbol. “She is the Dawnflower, the heart of light, hope, and redemption.”
Sunlord Thalachos: “The mighty herald of Sarenrae is her bodyguard and companion. Just as he appears at auspicious births, so too does Sunlord Thalachos welcome the sun as it is born anew each day.”
Charlabu: This is the golden dog. “The golden-haired hound archon Charlabu often masquerades as a mortal dog, seeking ways to look after those in need without betraying his disguise. Small acts such as these are the foundation upon from which redemption arises.”
Mystmorning: This is the copper sword. “Mystmorning is simultaneously the shining blade and the crowned steed. Her rose-gold fur reflects the last rays of our goddess before night, reminding us that the Dawnflower’s light shall return
to conquer darkness once more.”
Izorai: This is the alabaster lioness. “Where shadows pool, evil oft arises. The huntress Izorai sniffs out villainy, yet the same jaws that kill can gingerly recover the abused and carry them to safety.”
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"Hmmm, four statues, five hollows. Seems we might be missing at least one before we can complete this." Thoriel muses as the group examine the statues and recall what they know about the Sarenrite faith. "So, assuming Sarenrae herself would go in the middle, my guess is that the wheel, or halo, would go on top. The hound, or foundation, would go on the bottom. That leaves the angel and the soldier for left and right. Given Aeabos is associated with night and Thalacos with the new day, maybe angel on right for East and soldier on the left for West. What do you think? Or, are we missing more statues for those other religious figures you mentioned?"
The orcs have pocketed a number of small relics of some interest. Among them is a golden holy symbol of Sarenrae worth 200 gp, seven sets of prayer beads worth 20 gp each, and a handful of rubies worth 150 gp. The orcs also carry a small copper statue of a sword and another small alabaster statue of a lioness. They also each have a magical cloak, battleaxe, and two potions each.
Built into the wall along the southern side of the room is a large pictorial shrine to Sarenrae. The shrine is carved in the shape of a large ankh, with a hollow in each extremity and another in the center. Scattered on the floor beside the shrine are several small statues and the remnants of a broken wood tray.
The statues are carved or cast from various materials and are no more than 6 inches tall. There are four of them are nearby: a gold hound, an amber wheel of sunlight, a platinum four-armed angel, and a silver armor-clad soldier.
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Remembering that there was also a sword statue, Thoriel updates her thoughts. "Ahh, perhaps this sword should actually go in the left (or west) spot as this seems to represent what we know as Mystmorning and the last rays of light before night."
"I think we may be missing Sarenrae's symbol for the centre spot. Did that friendly orc have something on him, perhaps?"
With Bryla in the top hollow, Mystmorning in the left, Thalachos in the right, and Charlabu at the bottom, when the Elritch puts the holy symbol in, a shinning light appears. At first it is a soft dim glow, but it rapidly intensifies. Radiance pours from each extremity of the shrine towards the center hollow and into the symbol of Sarenrae, charging it as a powerful golden beacon. As the ritual completes, it now radiates a soft, golden light.
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As the others puzzle out the strange diorama at the end of the room, Shirley gathers up some of the requisitioned healing potions, pouring a few of them into one of the orc helmets, before getting Effy to drink from it.
Eventually, only a few small bruises, invisible under her fur and feathers remain as evidence of the wicked wound she had not long before
"Shiny." Shirley observes, with a toothy grin.
Whether he's referring to the now glowing holy symbol, or the healing, you're not sure.
"Find more orcs now?" He asks, eager for more combat.
Whether the other are ready or not, he exits the room, and waits outside, in case trouble comes to find them in the mean time.
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"Shiny indeed!" Thoriel admires the glowing symbol. "Does that actually make us safer...or just feel like we are?" The elf then heads out of the room. "So, shall we quickly finish the sweep of this floor before continuing on?
Without really pausing for a reply, the magus heads across to the next few unopened doors, assuming that those with keener eyes will join her and help her avoid any nasty surprises.
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"Sure to be more orcs." Shirley says cheerfully, before adding, "But so far, more doors."
He starts across after Thoriel, calling to Effy as he goes.
The large owlbear, partially lounging on the floor nearby gives a large yawn, her sharp beak gaping open, almost as if pretending to be bored. She doesn't immediately get up, like she's purposefully making him wait.
Effy eventually shuffles to her feet just in time to interrupt Shirley as he is about to start swearing in goblin at her. She nonchalantly lumbers over to his side. For all the world as if she has no clue why he's miffed, though the faint gleam of intelligence in her dark eyes makes you wonder.
You're unable to identify the particulars of the holy symbol, beyond it having moderate conjuration magic.
Others quickly proceed to more doors.
You cautiously move up, as you start up a set of stairs leading where you've been told where the helmet is, you hear a loud creek from the decrepit stairs, and you think you've pinpointed the reason, the wood looks infested with a strange fungus.
Everyone looks at the fungus, not quite sure what it is, until Shirley gives up and says " Well, I'm not having that blowing in my face, best make it safe to bypass first.". As he attempts to harvest it, it slightly contracts, and he looks over his shoulder, giving a big thumbs up to everyone in the group.
At that moment both Roland and the Eldritch shake their heads emphatically mouthing , as the fungus erupts, releasing a cloud of spores into the air.
Everyone begins coughing.
As it ejects the spores, and you dive out of the way of the cloud, everyone more loud creeks.
Everyone except Etu shakes off the cloud of poisonous gas.
Etu coughs a bit, and feels like the wind has been knocked out of him.
Most of you notice with your keen ears, that this attracts unwanted attention. Unfortunately, the man named Shirley just barely misses the cues as as the red reaver's claw busts through the weak point where the fungus pod exploded.
The claw grabs onto Shirley, and badly mangles his right arm. It also takes a face full of the poison, but similar to most of you, it shakes it off.
As Shirley is worried he'll get dragged back, the claw retreats along with pieces of Shirley's limb. You hear a slight cough, followed by some chewing. The hole is clearly just large enough for his claw, and the rest of the wall appears to be in better shape.
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Shirley gives a startled yelp, as the Reaver bursts through, and grabs his arm. But that is nothing compared to the angry roar that Effy gives.
Of course, neither of them can do much, as he is dragged across the floor, until the claws tear through the flesh and bone, and separate the entire limb.
"Hey, that's mine!" He tries to shout, weakly, as his weapon skitters across the floor, no longer able to be held.
He collapses in a corner, blood gushing from the severed limb, forming a slick pool on the floor all around him.
Effy seems quite distressed.