GM Foxy's 2nd Legacy of Fire

Game Master Foxy Quickpaw

With that final blow the enemy team finally runs out of combatants. An eerie silence falls over the monastery and instead of the sound of metal hitting on metal, only the heavy breathing of those lucky enough to still breath is heard.

"Finish off who is still alive of those gnolls. We take no prisoners here." Zastoran tells. He moves over to the fallen guard to see if he can be saved.

CLW: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Manuun is staring big Eyed at Roryx after the battle is finally over. "You really went toe to toe with a genie and came out to tell the tale. Happy to have you on my side."

When Father Zastoran gives his order Manuun picks himelf up, overcoming the exhaustion of the battle and starts searching the gnolls, kiling any survivors and makign sure he notices any valuable loot.

Perception + detect magic: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Afterwards he comes over to Ohrmizd and the Janni to check if Kardswann is alive or dead. "SO what do we do with him now? Casta protection from evil on him?

Manuun is staring big Eyed at Roryx after the battle is finally over. "You really went toe to toe with a genie and came out to tell the tale. Happy to have you on my side."

"Sounds more impressive when you put it like that Manuum - thank you brother" - Roryx chuckles - "It was all of us - I do not remember when it was the last time I saw such a fine teamwork" - he adds with almost a laugh, quite unusual for the surly half-orc - "Though I like the way you recount it - lets stick with that!"

Omari helps Father Zastoran minister to the wounded, stabilizing them, and gathering them together, so a single channel energy will reach all of them. (Will Father Zastoran do that, or should I?) He will also gather up his used arrows to Mending.

After that necessary work, he speaks, "Well, I suspect this has simplified taking Kelmarane, the enemy having come to us and been vanquished. I propose that our band will go ahead to scout battlemarket, in case there are any forces in reserve, while Garavel organizes the rest of the expedition to move."

"If only our other problems could fall on our lap." Heshan chuckled, patting everyone on their shoulders for a job well done.

"Too bad we may never find out about that genie's obsession."

For the two mercenaries cut down by Kardswann, all help comes too late. But the other two are brought back to the living by Omari's and Zastoran's effort.

A short check reveals, that the janni is not dead jet. With all the non-leathal damage Ohrmizd applied to him, he is only knocked out.

First thing, Ohrmizd checks the fallen guards at the north and stabilizes them, quickly healing if necessary.

Ohrmizd smiles at Manuun when he comes to them "Here, help me undress Kardswann. With him unconscious it will be easier to protect him against whatever is controlling him"

After taking Kardswann equipment, Ohrmizd drags the janni to Sarenrae's statue with the help of Manuun "We need some bindings. Bring a rope"

"On his state, he cannot resist the evil expelling. We shall gather all around and ready to knock him down again if he tries to escape nevertheless when he comes back on his senses"

Then looking to Omari "Other than that, talking with the free of control Kardswann, yes, I also think we shall check the battle market and find Haleen while Garavel and his men recover and reorganize"

"Yes, but let that wait for another day," Heshan replied as he stretched.

"We used up a lot of spells in that fight and the others will need help cleaning up as well. That... mourning the dead." The realization of the loss of life put a damper on his spirits as he sighed.

Manuun helps Ohrmizd secure the Djinn and stands ready to help should the Djinn attack. "So does anybody have any Protection from Evil left to try to lift his curse?"

Manuun is fine with waiting a day, but considering the limited Oppostion we expect at Kelmarane I would also be fine to search it now, if the members of Haleen's Eleven want to rush there immediately. (I have one spell left and enough Luck Boni to last me through one or two fights)

Know Planes DC17: 1d20 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 4 = 27Using the tome

"I think the Janni can just shift to his home plane, when we bind him, it will have no use. Is there any way we can see if the evil spirit has left him, while he is still unconcious?"

Is detect Aura a thing? and do we have access to it?

"Are you sure of that? It requires an overwhelming concentration to use magic while grappled and heavily tight. I think we just have to hold him tight and with weapons ready to strike if she tries something." comments Ohrmizd.

Also, he profits Manuun's question to scan the auras of the fallen Kardswann checking with detect chaos, detect evil, detect good and detect law.

"This creature here has an evil and chaotic aura. Is that the typical for jannis? I don't think so" Ohrmizd reflects at the matter at hand before proposing "Maybe we can try to protect it against that evil or the chaos. If the protection works and the control Undrella was talking about ceases, I probably could see these auras gone and we can safely decide to heal him up back to consciousness"
K. planes (seems Ohrmizd is also trained): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Omari buffs his shaven head as he considers the dilemma, and speaks
"I'm a simple country priest, so I know little of possession and genies (No K Arcana), but I can tell you this - if we are to protect him against evil or chaos, it will be up to Father Zastoran. Erastil has not given me such a tool today - instead he gave me the tools to smash attacking gnolls, and I thank him for it. "

"With that said, I see flaws in your plan Ohrmzid. Protecting him from evil, assuming he is possessed, will not free him from his affliction. It will just subdue it temporarily - only for minutes. If we protect him and heal him up, are we going to beat him unconscious again after the spell wears off? We could kill him, but that may well release such a possessing entity to strike again, I don't know."

"Instead, I propose to delay: keep him unconscious and let Father Zastoran research the matter. Perhaps the good Father can make a trap for the creature? (Can Father Z cast circle of protection? Could we scribe a binding diagram around the thing and keep it that way?) Meanwhile, I say we check the battle market today - perhaps there is a clue there in Kardswann's quarters? "

Father used communal prot. vs evil during the encounter, so we know he is able to, but probably used it for today

"We just know what Undrella told us, that he behaves as if being 'controlled' by something. We do not know if he is possessed or dominated, or maybe just charmed, or if there is something else" then he points to the book Manuun is holding "But yet, we know that one of the saints is a janni with the same name of this ones. We are not killing one of the saints"

"Even if this gives us just a few minutes to find out what has happened, it could be enough to know what is going on in Kelmerane and about this monastery. It might be related to what Haleen is suffering too" the inquisitor smiles but gets really excited about the prospects of solving things up "If we need to rest, let's just do it, but we cannot ignore this might be the only chance to find out what is really happening"

"Can you prevent the control of the janni Father Zastoran?"

"My lover, the current Kulldis chieftain, a genie named Kardswann, slew the old chief about 2 months ago." She comes closer to Manuun and traces his cheek with a talon-like fingernail, getting close to seductively smell his scent.

"He walked through the magic-sealed door leading to the ruined church crypt, after which he was clearly under the control of some evil entity. He is cruel to me." she says, batting her crusty eyelids. "I want you to kill him."

Princess Almah comes out of her room and looks around. Garavel follows her. Quickly counting through the people present she looks pleased. "That didn't go as expected, but it went much better than the circumstances would suggest." she states. "You fought heroically and gained a glorious victory." Almah praises the work of all the combatants.

She then turns to Ohrmizd. "If you want to save this 'saint', then the solution is probably found in the crypt of Kelmarane's temple."

"Then you need to take care of whatever evil was improsoned there long ago. Here is the key for the seal." Alma tells and holds out the key, fo rOhrmizd to take.

"Dealing with possessing entities is far beyond my skills too." Zastoran replies to Omari.

Ohrmizd bows when the princess makes her appearance, finding it difficult to raise the head to look at her "Princess..."

Surprised that Almah knew about the crypt and had its crypt all the time, Ohrmizd extends his hand to take the key "Su... sure Princess... How... how is it you had this key? I do not want to judge you for it, just... if you know something more about that crypt, and the seal... maybe that can help us"

Whatever the answer he turns to the others "Ok, you heard the Princess, it is time to take over the battle market. Afterwards the crypt"

Turning to Garavel and Father Zastoran then looking at the fallen Kardswann "You will take care of this one isn't it? He must be one of the saints... he must be..."

"Yes, the battle market needs to be addressed immediately. However, Princess, do you see a need to cleanse the crypt today? I would not expect that the undead thing there roams - otherwise it would have killed the gnolls. Manuun thinks it is a huecuva, and that we will need weapons that are both magic and silver to defeat it. I am hoping we will be able to find some silver arrow head, or make some from silver coins. Then we will be equipped to deal with it."

***

Before we leave for the battle market, Omari will remind Father Zastoran "Be very careful with Kardswann Father. Roryx will testify as to how powerful he is. Keep him well bound. While I don't say give him the pointy end of a knife, if he spent the next couple of days unconscious while healing, that might be for the best."

"Yes lets get there. At the very least we should be able to find our magic weapons which were taken from us when we were captured by the gnolls."

"By the way did you meet Gara already. I think its time to bring our 6th team member this time." When Ohrmizd and Heshan don't disagree Manuun us off to the former monastery garden to look if Gara has survived the gnoll attack. [b]"Hello Old Grumpy. Hope the thorny leaves were to your liking. But now its time to earn some of that money we paid for you.

Shortly thereafter Manuun joins the other with a very unhappy Monkey in tow.

Ohrmizd registers the gnolls stuff to see if they got anything useful among their equipment.

"Under the order of the pactmasters they sealed in there whatever evil presence came over Kelmarane a long time ago. I have no details about what it is. But I got the key and the order that it has to be taken care of, before Kelmarane can become once more a prosperous trade post." Princess Almah reveals.

"Then we shall be on our our way Princess." With a bow, he set off to prepare. When he has the time to talk to Ohrmizd, he smirks.

"So... what do you think of Princess Almah?"

Zastoran takes a look at the 'saint'. "I'll keep him fresh for you." he tells.

Turning to the mercenaries he tells "Bring him into my lab please."

The mercenaries do as told, but not without 'accidentally' stepping with the heel on the hand, breaking a few fingers and then dragging the boddy down the stairs. Left alone with Kardswann they would for sure dismember him for killing their companions.

Ohrmizd feels the staring of daggers in his back for wanting to keep Kardswann alive.

Gara is happy to leave. Too much smell of blood and death for the donkey's taste.

Spellcraft axe: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Discovered
Potion CMW: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 Discovered
Potion ExR: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
ring: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23 Discovered

"The Pacmasters?" Ohrmizd looks surprised by the revelation, but smiles happy to know at least the Princess knows what needs to be done "We are not failing you Princess Almah. We will see this done"
Knowledge (who are the Pacmasters?): 1d20 ⇒ 1 +2 history, +5 religion

"Thanks Father Zastoran" Ohrmizd takes good note of whom among the mercenaries injures Kardswann "Take it easy, you know the Sarenrae inquisition will find you and take out all the truth from your lungs if something happens to the body of the saint. The one who attacked you is someone controlling his body. Guide your rage to that controlling person not the saint. You are warned"
Diplomacy/Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Before the group moves back to Kelmarane, Ohrmizd will insist to find a moment for him to adjust Kardswann armor for himself "Oh, this is nice stuff now. You can have the gnoll sweated one" the Keleshite smiles back at Roryx or Omari, whomever gets it, with amusement "Do you still like axes Roryx? There is a really nice one there. I wonder where Kardswann got it from" Ohrmizd is impressed by the magical description Manuun gives about the axe which is by far the most powerful weapon he has ever known about.

He will leave the healing potion to Roryx, and will take the ring if no one else wants to use it.

Perception (id potion) DC 16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Ohrmizd checks the potion that Manuun does not know "Mmm... I don't fully get this stuff about magical auras yet, but it definitely smells like one of those that help you run faster. Likely Undrella has a large stock of this"

Once Manuun has gathered the donkey, Ohrmizd is also happy to leave "Well... I am not sure Heshan. She is definitely strikingly beautiful as she is mysterious. But I feel she has good intentions to Kelmarane. Does any of you know who are those Pacmasters she referred to?"

Ready to leave for the battle market

Be wary, you are dealing with a saint here! Turns aorund and strips said saint naked for personal gain. :P
Also it's Princess Almah, or short Princess, not Almah.

retcon of Princess Almah's speech:
"About twenty years ago, Kelmarane’s priests of Sarenrae fell under the sway of something… foul from the Great Beyond. The creature took control of the high priest and eventually turned the people of Kelmarane to madness. Soldiers of the Pactmasters pacified the town and left it in ruin, but they were never able to root out the evil, and instead locked it in the crypt of the village church. Now, after all these years, that evil must have waned, and you should be able to defeat it once and for all. I’ve been provided with an interdict key that will get you through the seal. With the final defeat of the fiend within, Kelmarane will truly be free."

As everyone in Katapesh knows, the pactmasters are the mysterious masked rulers of the merchantile empire. Noone knows who they really are, nor has anyone ever seen one unmasked. Their rule over Katapesh has been unchallenged for decades. Actually since 3725 AR, with you being in 4709 AR, but that would need a much better history check.

Be wary, you are dealing with a saint here! Turns aorund and strips said saint naked for personal gain. :P

Chaotic Good, be merciful but not stupid xD

Also it's Princess Almah, or short Princess, not Almah.

Fixed!

Ohrmizd listens attentively "This seems like a dangerous mission Princess Almah. If the Soldiers of the Pactmasters could not deal with it... maybe we cannot either. I fear I will have to take the saint's equipment to survive. Which is good either way as we do not want him to be armed until we are sure clear of this entity control and fighting by our side."

"Did the Pactmasters ever find out anything about what entity from the Great Beyond was this irresponsible priest trying to contact with?"

"Garavel will deal with details." Princess Almah tells and retreats in her room again.

Two of the guards take their posts at the door. The task of preparing a burial for the fallen mercenaries fall to Hadrah, Hadrod and the remaining to mercenaries.

Garavel steps up to 'answer' the questions. "We have no further information about what to expect. But our best guess is an evil outsider. How challenging of an encounter this will be, I don't know."

Before the group moves back to Kelmarane, Ohrmizd will insist to find a moment for him to adjust Kardswann armor for himself "Oh, this is nice stuff now. You can have the gnoll sweated one" the Keleshite smiles back at Roryx or Omari, whomever gets it, with amusement.

"I have to admit I have been wearing my own armor for so long, I am not sure which one would be worse" - Roryx chuckled.

"Do you still like axes Roryx? There is a really nice one there. I wonder where Kardswann got it from" Ohrmizd is impressed by the magical description Manuun gives about the axe which is by far the most powerful weapon he has ever known about.

"I appreciate good craftsmanship on any weapon..." - the half-orc's words are cut short though, as he notes the axe being evaluated by Manuum - "But this... This is indeed a unique weapon"

When Manuum is done, the magus grabs the weapon to feel its weight. First with a single hand, but then he shakes his head, grasping it firmly with both. He smiles, and swings it from side to side - "Perfect balance"

He also keeps one of the healing potions, storing it in his bandolier.

"Ohrmizd, with you having access to healing magic I think it would be wiser to hand the potions to Heshan or me so we can save you if the worst happens. Anyways I would like to take a few of the daggers for now as a throwing weapon."

When the group sets of he remarks.:"I am looking forward to finally finding that woman of yours. And for hearing her explanation why wouldn't come with us when we met."

Omari replies to Orhmzid "No gnoll sweat armor for me. I prefer lighter equipment." (Medium = 20' speed. I will stay with my Leather Lamellar ; +10' movement > +1 AC)

He continues speaking to the group as a whole: "The longest journey starts with a single step. First the battle market. Let's get going before we end up doing this in the dark."

Ohrmizd smiles at Roryx "It fortunately looks less scary at your hands than on Kardswann ones, but the gnolls will certainly have a different point of view"

"Sure Manuun, take them. Just leave one for Roryx, I am fine without for now" the Keleshite nods then smiles "Haleen will not deceive you. She is such a woman"

Although they do not have much time to lose and they were kind of jerks to him, Ohrmizd steps by the fallen mercenaries before leaving and makes a prayer to Sarenrae touching their fronts "Let the light of the Dawnflower guide you truly in your trip to the River of Souls, for you have fought bravely to defend her holy land and protect the Princess. Plus you saved our lives loyal companions..."

Finding the two dead sick elves at the barracks Ohrmizd repeats the ritual for them, and looks for Soraya to know how did she fared during the attack.

Ohrmizd also checks with Dashki if he is around "You fought bravely against the gnolls also today. We have brought vengeance finally to what they did to us, but it does not alleviate my loss, I hope yours is better Dashki..."

And with Filliped and Rahav "You ended up being a brave singer after all. I hope we can find some others of the Lions of Senara as we did with you friend"

With that, Ohrmizd is all ready to leave and starts the walk with his friends new and old towards the market "Just a single step my friend, just one, then another..." he pads Omari's back, trying to conjure his own mourning mood.

The special ops team leaves the monastery to prepare the arrival of the whole caravan group of the princess. It is again about an hour long march. The whole village of Kelmarane is silent, like a ghost town. Tumbleweed is rolling down the road as you cross the bridge.

With Kardswann secured and many gnolls dead, there is no need for stealth or humbleness in the approach. Because he knows the entrance Ohrmizd choses the one Haleen let them out the last time.

One of the keys from Undrella fits. An enormous set of double doors open wide, revealing a torchlit passage beyond. About fifteen feet within the hall, on the left, stands a sturdy wooden door.

"Sounded success" Ohrmizd says a prayer to Sarenrae guidance and lights his scimitar just in case.

"My thought is we better avoid the central area first, as we are more likely to be seen entering there very easily" he pads the door just next to him "These are the cells from where Haleen saved us"

"What do you think about entering there and giving and eye for her and our old equipment? We are less likely to be detected there I think"
C6

Omari sets an arrow on the string of his longbow as he listens to Ohrmzid. He replies: "I agree with you, let's not rush into the central area. The cells seem as reasonable place as any to start. This, however, is a sweep for enemies. We can search and let folks out of the cells later. For now, we look for slavers and gnolls to put down."

C6, and then what looks like a guard room in C7; ignore the cells (C8), we can come back for them. All bets are off if Haleen is in a cell...

"Agreed - let's go"

Heshan happily took the potions in for keeping. When he noticed the ring, he waved it off. "I do hope to be able to use it one day, but I would like to search for other rings if I can."

Once Manuun has gathered the donkey, Ohrmizd is also happy to leave "Well... I am not sure Heshan. She is definitely strikingly beautiful as she is mysterious. But I feel she has good intentions to Kelmarane. Does any of you know who are those Pacmasters she referred to?"

Ready to leave for the battle market

Heshan chuckled at that cordial response. "True, but I notice the way you stare at her. You should not be afraid to ask her out if your heart feels it is true."

As for the plan, Heshan nodded. "I have been savoring the chance to retrieve my equipment. We shall yet have the last laugh."

The door to the left is locked. But Ohrmizd's key opens it. Stepping into the passage you find it lined with 'cells'. The doors of the first two have some personal touch in the interior. The last one looks like a guard room with only a table and some chairs. All but one of them are empty...

Ohrmizd is striken at by Heshan suggestion. He startles and blinks and thoughts "No... is just... we barely know anything about her..."

At the cells Ohrmizd takes a closer look at the person at the cell "Who are you?"

He though agrees with Omari "Shall we go through the stairs next?"

Before you can explore further, you are stopped by a voice from the first room. "You came back? Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish?"

It's Haleen who is really angry about such reckless behaviour and comes out to block the way for Ohrmizd and his companions.

"If you excuse us, Kardswann has forgotten to bring our belongings when he left to search for us.
And he has asked us to fetch these ourselves since he is slightly indisposed now and can't come himself. So if you know where our things are, it would be nice if you showed us the way."