Argyri Katrakis |
HD: 9 + 5d8 + 10 ⇒ 9 + (6, 2, 8, 1, 8) + 10 = 44
Argyri feels much better after resting, stretching, and bandaging her wounds.
When everyone's ready, she says, "Let me try poking a bit ahead, and see what I see." She pulls the hood up on her cloak of elvenkind, and starts carefully back down the stairs.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
If she doesn't see anyone in the room below the stairs, she'll waive the rest down after her, and start looking from door to door (starting with any open doors).
DM Jubal |
Inside one room contains small statues and figurines. There are statues of dogs and horses, monks and pilgrims, footmen and knights on horseback, and several garden gnomes. All the statues are between one and three feet tall. Standing against the northern wall are two life-size statues. One is a robed skeleton holding a large scythe, and the other is a medusa. On the floor in front of these statues is a pallet of several blankets. Behind the medusa statue, you see a man in leather armor attempting to hide. He wears a golden medallion, evil holy symbol, and a dagger.
He does not notice you.
Tarn Copperlocks |
HD: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
HD: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
HD: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
HP: 21 + 10 + 5 + 11 = 47
Full HP. Armor of Agathys up
Tarn was quite glad to take a rest. He idly played with his ring, feeling a warm glow infuse him as the minutes wore on. Before long, he felt as good as new. The horror of nearly dying fading and the lure of gold to be earned already driving him onwards.
Drusilla Orizorwyn |
Drusilla sits a meditates as she restores a spell slot.(Second level slot) As she does she then bandages her wounds.
Hit Dice: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
If she needs to she will recast Mage Armor. If not she will eat and drink in a lotus position her blade on her lap.
Argyri Katrakis |
Argyri quietly backs up to the base of the stairs. She motions to tip-toe, and then for folks to gather around door to the room the man is hiding in.
If she's able, once they're in place she'll hold up fingers, ...three...two...one! and lead a charge toward the lone cultist.
Tarn Copperlocks |
Stealth!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Disadvantage due to plate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
A 17...surprisingly good
Being surprisingly quiet, Tarn went with Argyri to ambush the ambusher. He was ready to join in the attack, as evidenced by the smile on his face.
DM Jubal |
Following Argyri, creep back downstairs. She leads you to one room contains small statues and figurines. There are statues of dogs and horses, monks and pilgrims, footmen and knights on horseback, and several garden gnomes. All the statues are between one and three feet tall. Standing against the northern wall are two life-size statues. One is a robed skeleton holding a large scythe, and the other is a medusa. On the floor in front of these statues is a pallet of several blankets.
Behind the medusa statue, you see a man in leather armor attempting to hide. He wears a golden medallion, evil holy symbol, and a dagger. You show him that he faces overwhelming force, and he replies, "can you get me off this island?"
Argyri Katrakis |
Argyri pauses and lowers the tip of her rapper, slightly.
"Of course we can! The real question is if you'll make it worth our while. Speak up, and tell the truth: who are you, and why are you here, and how can you help us?"
Tarn Copperlocks |
Intuition: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
Tarn, who had come in as quietly as dwarvenly possible, stood behind the man. He listened intently for any sign of decit.
DM Jubal |
The man holds his hands up and stands up. "My name is Odium. I was visiting the abbey when the pirates attacked. Been stuck here ever since."
"You killed everyone but Bayleaf. He's a merc who was training the guards. He turned invisible and followed you out. Hope your boat is secure."
"What do you want to get me off this rock?"
Drusilla Orizorwyn |
"Is Bayleaf a wizard?" Drusilla asks as she sheaths her weapon and seems to look around studying the place.
"We als should look over the fallen and collect anything of value" She says as she seems to look about more.
Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Argyri Katrakis |
Argyri listens to his story (a bit unsure how much to believe) wondering how much this Odium might be distorting or leaving out...particularly given the evil-looking holy symbol he is wearing.
Insight: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Drusilla Orizorwyn |
"Hmmm, so possibly a sorcerer or a warlock, maybe a cleric" She rested her hand in her chin wondering what exactly was going on.
"He may have to face the undead"
Tarn Copperlocks |
"Look, are we letting the lad go? Don't think that we're being paid to kill him. But...if he runs off, he could just take our boat?" Tarn wasn't happy. A simple job was getting complicated. He hoped that someone else knew the best course of action, and that doing so would be simple enough to do immediately.
Argyri Katrakis |
"Alright, hand us that holy symbol and that dagger, and come with us.
"Let's go see if we can catch this Bayleaf. If we can, with your aid, you've come a sizeable step toward earning your freedom."
Let's go check out the boat!
Argyri Katrakis |
"That's a smart fella. Let's go!"
I assume no one objects to making sure our boat is ok?
Kwin Avassar |
Kwin cowls when Argyri brings the cleric out. "Be wary of the path you tread now, priest. The Walker of Horizon has his gaze upon you."
As they hurry to the boat, Kwin keeps watch on Odium.
DM Jubal |
So your troop heads outside the ruins of the abbey. You follow your steps back down to the Skull Dunes. What trees are on the island are small and imported. Most of the of the flora is scrub bushes and grass.
When you get within a quarter mile (1,000+ ft) away, you see a lone figure staring across the dunes at your boat, anchored on the beach. He probably knows that the eighth of a mile (500 ft) of sand dunes are full of thousands of skeletons. You think he probably has seen you, too.
Argyri Katrakis |
"Yeah, and we can run toward him; if he runs toward the boat, he's sure to be killed."
"Bayleaf! Time to decide if you want to be smart, or dead. Stay where you are, with your hands up, and you'll live to see another day. Step toward our boat and you're history."
Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
If Bayleaf starts into the dunes, I'll run toward him...and if he tries to get through the skele-dunes with us on his heels, I recommend instead of chasing him through the dunes we try to lob things near him that will wake up the skeletons...but let's see if he's smart enough to live first.
Drusilla Orizorwyn |
"Drop your spellbook, wands, rings, rods, and holy symbols on the ground. Weapons as well." Drusilla says as she readies herself in case of needing to cancel any incoming spells.
Argyri Katrakis |
Argyri walks toward Bayleaf, rapier in hand...but pointed down.
Assuming he doesn't try anything funny, she says, "Alright, time to turn over a new page. Start by coming clean: what were you doing here? And what else is still at large that we need to know about?"
Persuasion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Insight: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
DM Jubal |
Bayleaf unsheathes his shortsword and sets it and his shortbow on the sand in front of him. The elf in a chain shirts waits for you to get to a conversational distance before replying, ”trying to get off this rock. But, I’m not suicidal.” He motions to the Skull Dunes covering thousands of skeletons beyond which your boat is anchored.
”There’s the Winding Way down there, but only the priests went in there.”. He motions to the priest.
”Don’t look at me. I was just visiting. Ozymandius wouldn’t take me in there.”. Odium the priest replies.
The elf continues, ”thought you were pirates here to finish us off. What do you want?”
Kwin Avassar |
"We are here to clear the island of threats to goodly travelers of the waters nearby. Threats such as pirates, evil cabals and undead."
He looks over the beach, looking for signs of movement.
"Have either of you explored the abbey? Do you know who it is dedicated to?"
"Either of you" is targeted at Odium and Bayleaf.
DM Jubal |
Odium and Bayleaf look at each other perplexed at Kwin's questions. Then, the elf replies, "the murder cultists lived at the abbey. They were attacked by and repelled the pirates." Odium shrugged accepting the description of himself as a murder cultist.
"There are plenty of skeletons under those dunes. Have at it," Bayleaf offers.
Tarn Copperlocks |
”Did a damned good job training them I’d say. Some of those lads hit like a runaway cart.” Tarn added.
Argyri Katrakis |
Argyri arches an eyebrow at Odium. "Think carefully now, Odium. It's time to tell us everything you know about the Winding Way. Have you been down there? Be generous and truthful with what you know right now–be it what you've witnessed, or what you've merely heard–and we'll let you wait, tied up safely here, while we clear it out. Then we'll all leave the island, alive and well.
"Be less than forthcoming and you'll find yourself guiding us through it, gagged and bound...or if that's too much trouble, just as bait for the skeletons."
Indimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Kwin Avassar |
Odium and Bayleaf look at each other perplexed at Kwin's questions. Then, the elf replies, "the murder cultists lived at the abbey. They were attacked by and repelled the pirates." Odium shrugged accepting the description of himself as a murder cultist.
"There are plenty of skeletons under those dunes. Have at it," Bayleaf offers.
"I'm trying to determine who actually built the abbey, and lived there before the murder cultists took it over. After all, they didn't look much like nuns." He scans the beach as he says "The amount of necrotic energy it would take to animate this many dead is tremendous, even broken out over time. I can't help but wonder if there is some... legacy from previous residents that may be causing this undead plague."
He looks to the others. "We need to investigate further."
Tarn Copperlocks |
Tarn nudged their prisoner and added in ”Maybe consider coming to our town, aye? Train up the militia? Got some good ale back home. Better than ye’d find in this place, aye?”
DM Jubal |
Odium pauses, uncomfortably. ”Look. The cult built the abbey and settled this island. Only the high priest knew the secrets of the Winding Way. You killed Ozymandius and sent those secrets to our god. You will have to bind and drag me in there and will be responsible for my death.”
“And since you’ll be murdering me, my soul is protected.”
After another uncomfortable pause, Bayleaf the elf replies to Tarn, ”Yeah. I’ll take another position training swords.”
Drusilla Orizorwyn |
"Death is too good. Maybe we should sentence him to live?'The Elven woman followed up as she awaited Bayleafs' reply. She may ask for an exchange of songs and spells if he was a fellow blade singer. Maybe later a spar.