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Inga scrambles up the crumbling lattice of an old mausoleum.
”I should have worn my adventuring boots instead of these pumps!”
With Junia clinging onto his back, Klaus leaps up with his powerful limbs and tries to grab the edge of the roof of the mausoleum. He pulls himself up and over in a single bound!
You are pelted with decaying body parts, and it almost manages to slow you a bit but Rallas can pull you through eventually.
Stage 6
You race through the door of the Bastion of Light and move quickly to close and bar the door before the red reaver can get inside.
You can free the rusted iron bar from its place on the wall or stack up pews and other debris to make a hasty barricade.
Brace It: Knowledge (engineering) DC 22 Nail it Shut: Craft (carpentry or stonemasonry) DC 26
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Staring at the giant pews and thick rust, Leinad takes up position looking out by the door and takes a deep breathe. Trying to calm himself and others, he projects confidence. "Steady now everyone, we've got this, just need to work together. And maybe I can slow it down just a bit."
Leinad focuses on the space the door will close over, and desperately calls on all the ill luck he's faced in a life as a slip born in Cheliax, and readies to jinx the red reaver if it gets too close.
You do manage to secure the door but you do not know if this will really hold for long and you're not out of danger yet.
Stage 7
You run around the perimeter of the room to seal off any other possible entrances the red reaver could use.
You can stack more debris or collapse a few loose stones to block the doors.
Better Dark than Dead: Craft (stonemasonry) DC 22 or Pile High: Strength DC 22
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Inga and Klaus move to one of the side entrances to seal it shut, where an old wooden door lays on the ground, its hinges long rusted away. At the same time they reach the opening, Jeeves comes running in with the wagon in tow.
"Thank the spirits you're safe!"
Inga exclaims in surprise.
"Countess... Forgive me..."
Jeeves says between deep breaths.
"I was so frightened... so I started running back to town... I suddenly gathered my wits and circled around through the woods back towards the bastion... I saw the great beast chasing you and saw everyone run inside... I kept along the treeline until I saw a side entrance... I then made a mad dash here, hoping you all made it in."
"Of course I forgive you. I'm just so happy you're safe. We must hurry and get these entrances sealed."
Klaus sets Junia down and with a stern expression, he motions with his hand for her to stay close to Jeeves and out of everyone's way.
Inga and Klaus help with the stacking of crates, following Lorian's directions.
However, they both seem too worn out from the terrifying chase.
You manage to collapse some stone pillars against the door with Lorian being the most instrumental, making the door a more sturdy barrier.
Stage 8
The last thing you need to do in order to seal the Bastion of Light is secure the windows.
You can work together to loosen the heavily corroded metal shutters and latch them.
Shutter Everything: Craft (carpentry) DC 22 or Bolt that on here: Disable Device DC 27
With the help of Rallas, you manage to hammer the shutters closed, reasonable certain that they should hold for a decent amount of time.
As you finish fortifying the building, you hear the red reaver arrive. He slams against the door, but your reinforcements hold. T
he beast lets out a mighty roar of frustration, and you hear it rush around the side of the building, searching for other entrances.
Though you hear clawing at windows and thumps against the old stone, the Bastion seems secure...for now.
The stones of this temple are strong but show their age. Without clerics and masons to tend to the Bastion in over a decade, some sections have begun to crumble. Masonry has piled on the floor, older oak timbers are blackened from fire and mold and the rotten, and the sweet smell of decay hangs in the still air.
The remains of prayer books and broken pews litter the floor, partially obscuring a great mosaic of Sarenrae and her servants.
At the head of the chamber, a circular stained-glass window depicts a golden rose blooming within a rising sun.
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That was a bit closer than I would have liked...everybody here? he says as he starts to do a headcount, taking into consideration Inga's entourage. Good...let's see what we can find out...maybe there is something worth salvaging as well...take anything we find back to the Sarenites... Rallas rips off a piece of cloth from his cloak and wraps it around his face to try to block out the smell. He looks over the books. and under the rocks.
The sun is setting as you arrive, so the interior of the building is dark.
You are currently in the nave of the chapel, which you entered entered through a small receiving room in the center of the Bastion’s southern wall.
Rallas looks around.
The nave is entered through a small receiving room in the center of the Bastion’s southern wall; the double-doors of this receiving room have been blocked off as you barricaded the entryway during the red reaver chase.
Several doors lead away from the chamber. The passage on the southwestern side of the entryway is partially blocked by debris and contains only a collapsed stairwell.
There is no lighting within most of the Bastion, though windows set throughout the building can channel light from outdoors.
You notice a makeshift muzzle and collar anchored by cables to the ceiling hanging above the entrance to the nave. It is sized for a Huge creature.
As a trap expert Rallas knows that arming the trap and engaging the reaver in that room, the harness could be used to entangle the red reaver. But you do not see how to arm the trap currently.
[/d
Klaus, you spot the trigger plate for the trap on the ground.
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Good eye, Klaus... the elf says as he gets out his ioun torch and illuminates the room. He gets out a rock from a pouch that casts an even brighter light.
I'll need light to work on this.... he says as he puts on a pair or specialized gloves..
He sets his tools out and works on the trap.
Stay back...if I screw this up, no need for all of us to get hurt... he says as he uses his jade wayfinder for a bit of help.
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"Well, we made it" had said scanning the area. "If the rest of the place is any indication, it looks like it will need a bit of work to fix it up."
"You might just want to mark the area around the trap with chalk for the time being Rallas."
"Now, to clear the place out and see what we can do to put the Red Reaver out of business. I guess, we can start at the Northwest doors and make our way around the place?" he suggested, pointing at the doors.
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Makes sense...I'm going to sketch out a quick layout of the place...in case they have to come here in the future...show the trap and any weak spots we find... the elf says as he gets out a piece of paper and starts to scribble a drawing of the place and using a piece of chalk to outline the trap as well
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Lighting both a torch and his dangling wayfinder, Leinad carefully scans the room for any hint of evil with careful eyes and the wisdom of Erastil. He makes a slow circle, careful not to drip sparks on the prayer books, then finds the most broom-like bit of debris to gently push the debris free of the mosaic.
"Seems as good a point to start as any.. and I'd like to look around before we reach the pool itself. But I wonder who was here before that restrained the Reaver? Surely that muzzle isn't by chance," he ponders as he looks around. He makes his way up to the altar/stage, gives the rising sun a low bow, and has a look around, particularly looking for an intact prayer book.
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"So once this gets set up, we open the door, I yell, 'Grr, come get me' and lure it onto that spot?"
"I don't think it's going to be that easy, Elby. We need to weaken the reaver first. They said there are relics in here that it has bonded itself to. We need to sever those bonds to weaken it, then lure it into here."
Inga agrees with the others about starting at the northwest corner and working their way around.
"The helmet we need to bring back is supposed to be in a font somewhere."
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Ajax attempts to assist Rallas, though he's not sure the trapmaster needs any help.
Ajax then notes if his amulet of elemental strife reveals any elemental in the area. If not, he removes it and puts on his swarmbane clasp
"I have to agree with Inga. We need to give ourselves the best chance at capturing this creature."
Ajax then begins searching for tracks and inhabitants
"Urban (buildings, streets, and sewers)"
"The ranger gains a +2(+4 for Ajax) bonus on initiative checks and Knowledge (geography), Perception, Stealth, and Survival skill checks when he is in this terrain."
Based on the building label in your text description above, I will add the FT bonus unless you say otherwise. This applies to Ara as well.
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Leinad starts to muddle about trying to assist Ajax, but stops and smiles as he recognizes a familiar ring on his finger.
Glancing over the rest of the group while digging through his backpack, he softly calls out, "We're fortunate to have a Sarenite with us, but Rallas, Inga, have you heard the good word of Erastil as Ajax has? I have something that might be useful if so."
He pulls out a heavily carved staff of some deep brown wood, elements of the hunt and family intermingled with carefully inset words. "I think it likely we'll run into quandaries of faith, and trust in Erastil can help guide our minds if we remember our catechesis."
He shoulders his pack after slipping the staff into an easy to grab strap, and picks back up the elk horn bow and torch.
Rallas and Ajax can together prepare the trap.
Ajax can see that there are tracks of humanoid with weapons which moved all around the bastion. They are quite fresh!
There is nothing else of importance in this area.
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Inga crosses her arms and cocks an eyebrow at Leinad. She glances at Elby then back to Leinad.
"I do not mean to be rude or disrespectful, Leinad. But, even though I do have great respect for the gods, it is the spirits of those who have passed on that are my guides."
Making sure he is out of ear-shot, she glances over at Klaus, who is intently watching Rallas and Ajax do their thing.
Her expression turns dour as she turns back to Leinad.
"Look at poor Klaus. The gods have forsaken him. He was a just and loving man. They left his soul wandering throughout the ethereal lost, alone, and frightened like a child. Was it because no god would accept him into their realm because he was inflicted with lycanthropy? We do not know. But, we found each other and that's all that matters."
"Inga! Ajax found tracks."
Klaus calls out quietly.
"They must belong to the orcs. Some may have come in here when the reaver chased us."
She looks over at Jeeves.
"Did you see any come in here when you came in through the back?"
The boy quickly shakes his head.
"No, Countess."
Inga addresses the group.
"Good job setting that trap, Rallas and Ajax. We should start our explorations. Let's be very cautious."
"We can have Klaus go through walls to scout ahead without having to open any doors first."
She adds.
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Leinad stage whispers to Inge, "I've heard lycanthropes aren't the best members of the community, maybe that's why?", before glancing around at all the casting.
He stumbles through a scroll, then closes his eyes and intones a prayer, "l'aura dell'arconte" .
"Let's hunt them down and see if they feel like being redeemed today!" he exclaims, seemingly completely without sarcasm.
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Inga notices Elby tapping a small stone around with her foot, possibly feeling out of place as everyone casts protective spells upon themselves and each other. Inga walks up to Elby and places a compassionate hand on the warrior's shoulder.
"Do not worry, my good Lady, Warrior of Holy Light."
Inga lowers her head in respect then looks back with a warm smile into the woman's eyes.
"I am here for you. We all are. I have several ways to protect you in combat. I can give you a shield of force to protect you, grant you multiple images to confound an enemy, and turn you invisible even while you swing your mighty hammer."
Inga waves a hand at the wands tucked in her belt.
"Come to think of it... You can borrow these until we get home safe and sound."
Inga reaches up and plucks the tiny Dark Blue Rhomboid (cracked) and Dusty Rose Prism (cracked) ioun stones orbiting slowly around her head. She drops them over Elby's head and watches as they bounce into orbit and then slowly tumble and turn around the warrior's head.
"This one will make your senses more keen and this one will enhance your reactive response when combat breaks out . Please. Take them for the time being. I sense great danger in the times ahead."
Klaus suddenly appears next to and behind Elby.
"It will be an honor to fight and destroy evil by your side."
He whispers in his low gutteral voice with a knowing smirk of a warrior.
Leinad moves to the door near the entrance.
The passage on the southwestern side of the entryway is partially blocked by debris and contains only a collapsed stairwell.
You all check the door for traps but find none.
After Klaus confirmation, Leinad opens the door to find a deserted room with unknown purpose. Another door is visible.
You check the next door and again find no traps. Klaus sees no danger on the other side of the door.
This large chamber is dark and reeks of decay, barely alleviated by a gaping hole in the ceiling above.
Stacked along the walls are the dismembered remains and torn armor of dozens of former soldiers and Lastwall crusaders.
In stark contrast, the western wall holds an enormous font of clear water. A stone figure of a rose set into the wall spills water in a trickle into the basin.
The low wall of the font is carved with a brilliant sunburst and is untouched by the vines and moss that cover the muddy floor of the room.
A steel and gold helmet lays at the bottom of the font, its image shimmering beneath the subtle ripple of the font’s water.