Joska shrugs at Callen.
"Maybe? I like to be sure about things. Once we're on the surface I figure we'll want to tell someone about this, assuming there's anyone left to tell. I'd like to be confident what I'm telling them is complete and accurate as it can be."
"I, erm, also keep a journal.", she pats on a pocket of her pack.
"May'aps that boosts your credit. Besides, there's a group of people able to tell them the same story."
"Kevin took some vicious blows," she answers Kevin, but upon looking at the tiefling, she doesn't see many wounds. "At least I thought so..."
She then listens to Joska and Callen's exchange with great interest. She too thought it was the temptations of Baphomet.
"I think Callen has the right of it. Sometimes people are just swayed. They may have lived their lives among the righteous and were just curious at first. Or maybe something wasn't agreeable among their own people so they sought others? Whatever the case, they are here now and delight in torture. That to me is despicable. I could see you having an opposing view and wanting to fight the people of the lake, but to delight in the sacrifice of others...that takes some depth of darkness in the heart. I have no problems figuring it out for sure though. Anyways..." she trails off as if she had been speaking too long.
She begins checking to make sure that these foes were actually dead and if they had anything of value to add to the pile or to carry among them.
While doing this and crouched down over one of their bodies, she looks to Callen:
"That was some good tactics you showed. I thought so anyway. You could have attacked any of them, but you helped me take out our flank and let us all close in and finish this swiftly. Smart!" she volunteers with a beaming smile his way.
Kevin stands up straight as the robed one falls and looks around. He walks over to his scimitar and picks it up and then cleans both of his weapons and returns the morningstar to it's place.
Kevin looked at his wounds and says "I did take some hits there. Thankfully I am able to heal wounds as well as attack at the same time. I am still wounded though not as badly as I would be otherwise. Let's see what we can find here and then search these other rooms."
Callen turns toward Nicolette as she offers the compliment, to which he nods in response, "I was trained to fight as a skirmisher, to aid the core of a force, whether a small group such as us, or a larger army. We will find most success when we can concentrate our might on the biggest threats. If we can keep this up, we just may reach the surface in one piece."
Seeing as Kevin was injured and in need of aid, Missy did her job. Stepping over, one hand came up and pressed itself against one of his wounds as she focused her magic outwards. "Well, let's deal with those wounds shall we?"
After the burst of positive energy, she'd let her hand drop and give Kevin a once over. "Are you feeling better? I'm pretty sure I didn't get all of it, but I should have gotten most of it." She felt a little more confident in this regard. Healing was her job afterall.
The large chamber clearly serves as a dining hall and gathering room, though the eery presence of the statue of Baphomet glaring down, with the stain of dried blood on the floor before it, casts a sinister feel to the space. As you search over the bodies of the fallen, you collect the following:
Their armor is a piecemeal combination of leather, hide, and bits of chain. Though serviceable, you all trust your personal armor is more substantial than that which is offered here.
Their melee weapons are functional and at least basically maintained, though again they're not of particularly respectable quality. You recover two long swords, a battle axe, and two spiked clubs. In addition you find three daggers, a clutch of four javelins, and a light crossbows with 10 bolts. Across the entire group you collect 49 gold, 67 silver, and 50 copper.
The false knights are appointed similar to the pair found in the tunnels outside Neathholm. Tabard of Iomedae, chain shirt, helm, glaive, spiked gauntlet, (un)holy symbol of Baphomet on leather cord; combined 1 platinum, 57 gold, 34 silver.
masterwork chain shirt, masterwork spear (long bladed, can do P or S damage), hand axe, spell component pouch, scroll of expeditious retreat; no coins or other personal effects on him.
The weapons on the racks are the mixed quality, and come from varied origins. They were likely scavenged from multiple battlefields.
Morningstar x2, spear X3, heavy mace x1, scimitar x2, halberd x1, warhammer x2, bastard sword x1
Callen takes in the layout of the chamber, noting the four unopened doors exiting the grand room. The three to the west, north, and east are smaller, simple wooden doors. The fourth, in the southeast corner of the room, is set back down a short hallway, and darkened bootprints and footprints crossing through the bloodstain before the statue suggest a high level of traffic goes in and out.
After interacting with it, you are surprised to realize the statue is not stone, but rather some kind of ceramic, and is hollow, at least in the torso. The statue is mounted to a wooden base plate, and two chains run from hooks on the back to the wall behind it, no doubt to stabilize it. Interestingly, you find a thin seem on the lower, right rear ribs, and using your knife, are able to pry open a tightly fit plate. Within the compartment you find a desiccated heart.
A touch of fear shadows his heart at the discovery within the statue's hidden pocket. "There is something inside this. Some kind of organ, or it was anyway. A heart, I think?" tucking away his knife, Callen will use two arrows as a makeshift pair of tongs to remove the dried heart. As be does, he will try to determine it's origin.
Once removed, he will carefully carry it over to the nearest table so others can inspect it.
"Ah" she responds in brief as Callen offers his response of being a skirmisher. Here she thought he mostly stayed in the temple.
While Callen is messing with searching the statue, she will go about helping the others collect the weaponry and gear, then moves it to the larger pile up in the other room. Once done, she will return, ready to adventure on. At seeing Callen dissect the statue upon her return though, she watches in curiosity. When he produces a heart, she's astounded, but wonders why these mongrels would do such a thing? What kind of heart is it? Most of all, she wants to know how they can properly dispose of it?
Joska frowns and her eyes narrow in disgust when the heart is brought out.
Even in its dried up, shrunken form, the heart is big. It has enough weight that Callen's arrows begin to bend as he uses them to lift it to the table. The heart is at least five times the size of a human heart, possibly more, and the valve structure looks different.
Though you know little of the cult of Baphomet, you recall that some religions will carry or offer prayers to relics - objects of holy significance that hold within them a body part or organ of a fallen saint or leader of their faith. If that is it's nature, what manner of creature would be vile enough to have it's heart entombed in this statue?
"A heart? What sort of foul practice were these people involved in?"
Certainly she is too perplexed by this find, that nothing comes to mind.
"It might have been a sacrifice, but only one is in there and it seems like it has been for a very long time. It could also be an object of veneration, the heart of someone or something held in high esteem."
"M-Maybe it's the heart of a demon! Look at how big it is, d-definitely not human." She shivered slightly at the possibility. "M-Meant to imbue the statue with some foul power. Probably a good thing you didn't touch it Callen. It might have cursed you or something."
"Whatever it was, it's dead now. Maybe a cow...or a big cow. Dire cow? Minotaur? I don't know. Maybe a demon." She looks down the hall and moves to check the doorway there. "Here I go..."
Callen stares at the shriveled heart upon the table, a mix of emotions coursing through his brain. He looks up as Joska and Missy each share their theories on the heart's nature. Gesturing down at it, he speaks with a tinge of anger, "Could this be the reason these people fell a darkness? And if it is such a dangerous implement of corruption, What do we do with it? We can't just leave it..."
Callen wracks his brain, searching for some obscure fact of how to destroy an unholy relic.
"There are some trashy metal chunks in that forge. We could just heat it up when we are done clearing here and throw the heart into the fire. If it isn't consumed, at least it'll be surrounded by metal. Not much use for cultists."
Indicating the heart, Joska says "It seems we don't really know what we're messing with there. We also don't have the time to ruminate over the question of what to do with it. I think it's best we leave it be and keep going."
The door appears to be untrapped, though well made like the others. The hall leading up to it shows a bit more wear on the stone than in other areas, further suggesting a high level of traffic. As you kneel at the door checking it, you hear a muffled, deep voice within, "Say what those voices? Think fighting done it be?" Another voice quicky replies, "Shut it, we what happened know not!"
Magical items and relics generally take a stronger force than what could normally destroy their mundane form. Often an energy of opposing nature can be more effective. Fire vs Cold, etc.
Nicolette suddenly backs away from the door to the others.
"I have heard voices inside. They seem to suspect there was fighting out here. Also that they think it may be over. If we can fool them, perhaps they'll let their guard down? Going in there right now might get us hit right off the bat..."
Kevin moves down by the hallway and nods, scimitar at the ready.
Callen is busy considering how to deal with the tainted heart on the table before him when he hears Nicolette speak up about the next room. Leaving the heart where it rests, he moves over toward Nicolette and Kevin, knocking an arrow once more. Going to the hallway's mouth, he calls out: "Betrayed by knights we were. Dead now are they."
There is a brief pause following Callen's attempted deception. The seconds tick by like hours, until a loud burst of laughter erupts from within. "Haaa! Knews did I it! Skyborn, trust it none, I did say! Likin' looks to-" the voice cuts off abruptly as the underfolk traitor opens the door, a large side of roasted meat in one hand and a cleaver in the other, to see Kevin standing before him with his sword drawn. Behind him are two more, one with a cask of what is likely ale, and a third leading a pair of young mutants in chains who are carrying a large pot.
Kevin smiles a toothy grin and says "Rempent of your evil ways and surrender or die like the rest!" as he swings at the first in line.
Joska hustles up to support Kevin.
Nicolette will shake her head at Callen with a little wink afterward. At this point, she pulls out a needle and readies it; allowing their fighters to the front. As the voice inside sounds off, she brings it to bear and flings it as the subject of her aim is in sight.
Nicolette then ducks down and to the right so that Callen can shoot over and to the left.
Callen was ready, just behind Nicolette, when the door opened in front of Kevin. He quickly draws the arrow back and snaps off a shot at the for carrying the side of meat.
The underfolk traitor is completely unprepared for neither Kevin's sword to cleave into his shoulder nor Nicolette's needle to strike him in the throat. With a howl of pain he tumbles backward, the side of meat crashing down atop him. Callen's arrow careens off the wall and manages to punch into the cask of ale, causing a dribble of some dark fermented beverage to ooze out.
Missy and Joska hurry forward to lend their aid to the conflict, while Meraati once more calls on the strength of her words to inspire her allies .
Despite being caught off guard, The mongrels are quick to react. With the first one felled, the second throws the cask of ale at Kevin, then throws himself against the door, knocking it closed. Half a second later you hear another body hit the door, likely the third of the group.
The thrown cask hits the wall low and with so little force that it simply falls to the ground, still intact.
Kevin sees the door slam in front of him and says "Help me Joska, that sounded like a solid thud."
Joska tries to help, but to little effect.
Joska keeps her voice low and makes a suggestion.
"Clear the passage so I can get some momentum going before I reach the door. The longer this takes the more time they have to bolster their brace; we need to be quick."
Nicolette will make way for Joska and lie in wait.
Missy scratched her head as she watched the mongrelmen try to keep them out. Not really a lot for her to do while they tried to bust the door down, so she just kind of stood to the side. "Might have to just hack it apart."
Kevin looks down at Missy and nods, "You want to grab me an ax from their weapons? I'm not dulling my sword on that door."
Callen furrows his brow as the mongrels slam the door shut. 'Damn, if they can barricade themselves in there, that could be trouble." he watches as Joska and Kevin slam against the door, but to no avail. ,,'Those bastards are strong... But likely blocking it up high.'
Hustling past Nicolette, he places his bow against the wall before lining up the gap between the two warriors against the door. "Kevin, Joska, I'm coming in low!" Callen hustles forward and slams himself in the bottom corner of the door, away from the hinges, hoping the leverage will knock them off kilter.
Joska makes another effort, putting her shoulder into the door to help Callen.
While waiting, she readies a needle for throwing and waits to attack . If they intend to break down the door, she will give them their weapon the blessing of the deity that blesses her. Until then, she just waits.
*prestidigitation, make the deadly needle extra shiny*
The unexpected forceful strike of Callen against the lower corner of the door has enough force to knock the already beleaguered mongrels off balance, and you hear them cry out in frustration before you see them stumble back from the opening door.
The two mongrels, thwarted at their resistance, look down at the Halfling, and step forward to strike him.
The mongrel who through the case of wine earlier has little luck hitting Callen, but the keeper of the two slaves is more effective, striking the Halfling with his flail.
Keeping her shield up for cover, Joska forces herself into the room. She bypasses the first mongrel before turning to attack him.
"Callen, you are crazy!" she calls out quietly as he bashes into the door, causing it not only to open but to take a hit. Her comment is almost in a joking "I can't believe just pulled that off" manner. "To be honest, I expected him to smack hard into that door, bounce off, and flop onto the ground." With the door open, she flings her needle as best she can, however, given the range and bodies in the way, she doubts it will do anything. From within the cloud of darkness that surrounds her, the needle will come.
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With them securely away from the door, she pulls another needle and waits for Kevin to move in. When he does, she attempts to throw at the mongrel in front so as to distract him.
Kevin steps up and attacks, "You had a chance to surrender now you go to tortured by the demons you serve forever!"
The traitor swings at Joska as she moves past, but her armor and defensive skill deflects the attack. Following her move, Joska strikes at the third mongrel, but in defending herself has left her swing off balance and it glances of her foe's flail.
Nicolette snaps off two of her throwing needles, but in the chaos of combat, they fail to land true.
Kevin steps up and attacks the mongrel who threw the case of wine at him earlier. His sword lands a glancing wound on the man's shoulder.
To aid in Kevon's claim, Meraati does a slow impression of abyssal whispers of ominous impending fates, of those who fail the abyss.
Callen had discarded his bow before his attempt to open the door. Now set upon by the foe in hand to hand combat, Callen draws his sword and, clasping it in two hands, delivers an overhand strike at the wounded mongrel.
Missy pulls in close behind her allies, not within reach of the melee itself, but ready to respond should someone be injured.
Callen's downward blow cleaves in viciously to the mongrel, who howls in frustration before his life is stolen by the halfling's surprisingly powerful strike.
Infuriated, the lone remaining traitor mongrel swings its flail at Joska, while the two slaves look on in shock.
Despite a mighty attempt, Joska deflects the blow away with her heavy shield.
The plume of darkness continues to surround Nicolette, giving the woman the ability to extract revenge for the people of the city, for her own self and morality, as well as for the great dragon. She lets her needle fly one more time, hopefully not hitting her companions. With them in the way, it is most certainly difficult to hit a moving target.
"I need to practice more. Watch. Me. MISS!"
Joska turns her attacks on the last remaining mongrel after she blocks his fail attack.
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Kevin steps up and attacks the remaining enemy.