Father Isaak Ovechkin's page

--Well it IS in Elvish, which isn't exactly read by most orcs, or dwarves, both of whom would be the logical pick to ransack a wood elf tomb. That said, If it is an elf tomb, why would they want to keep the faithful out? He seems puzzled however.
--But I'm no expert this grate was added much later than the building. These evles were skilled masons. Why would they use such a crude thing as an iron grate? They could have made a door, or even walled the thing up. Someone has been here before us, but how recently? A year? A decade? A century?

He shouts down to Roh-Kai Can you see anything?

--I for one agree with the 'witch' and say we burn the remains. Since fey are immortal for all practical purposes, they have no mention of proper treatment after death, as it's a rare tragedy.
--If nobody objects, Isaak will simply cremate the remains and offer a moment of silence...

Since Fey are immortal, except for violent death, I have no idea what their burial rites are. Also they are usually atheist, so I'm not sure what to do with the remains? Burn? Burry? Eat?

Hmmm a headless ghost. How cliche...mutters Father Isaak. Still, I'd imagine the head is nearby, or else it could be an impossible task...wonder where to look...

Help us, grant us aid, O Mother Marfya he prays...
Inspire courage: +1 to attack, damage, and save
3 rounds left

Well, to be honest, the boars and spiders could have been lethal, and I'm sure something lethal will await us in the tomb itself. Of course, I'm happy to run screaming into the night...also, how do we know the 'ghost' won't simply 'haunt' us even if we leave. Notice it doesn't seem to be trying to bother us any more...

--But this is a research expedition? Shouldn't we try to find out more? Although, if we die nobody will get the notes...

As pointed out before it should be failry large, if not massive. I think the tomb was mentioned to be quite large, at least in Alcanthraxas' Guide to Ancient Elf Sites but that book is 400 years old now.

--He rolls his eyes at Xenarchy and says "We both have some ability with magic, and we are both Rajul...So the first difference that strikes me is gender. That said, why should you be having visions...while my god and my skills leave me blind, searching for clues in the dark..."
With all his skills Father Isaak is useless in Nature and Survival...green things scare him

--It's pretty slow going through this forest...I don't even know where the tomb is...I'm hoping we just, kind,of stumble on it...
--He continues But why did only Xenarchy see this vision? Is it because she is a woman? I have no idea...Something you aren't telling us?

Marfya grant us aid, heal our wounds, and clense our bodies
1d6 ⇒ 5
--You are all healed 5 points of damage as divine power surrounds you. The priest holds his glowing holy symbol up in his hand.

Who is hurt? Anybody? Those were the biggest spiders I've ever seen. and Xenarchy, what was wrong with you? You looked like you hurt your head?

And in those days, did mighty men slay dragons...So did Mikhail Giant Killer, Son of Semyon the Bold, on the hill of iron, where the great dragon Vercingetrax...Father Isaak launches into an old saga from the 2nd dragon wars...a thrilling tale of great heroes.
+1 to attack and +1 to damage for everyone...bardic courage. You don't get it this round...Garesh and Roh-Kai...but you get it next round...check order...

--Help him to punish those who strike your servant,guide his hand Mother Marfay the priest begs...
Casting Guidance on Vuk, giving him +1 to a single roll of his choice

--A tree, another tree, so many trees, A leaf, hmmm. A bird in a tree. he rambles outloud.

--Anybody hurt? The forest has many dangers...there may be bigger animals than boars here...

Grant us your aid today, Mother, and save us from death at the hands of nature! As he says these words, his hands are covered in a glowing light...

--Well since we'd rather deals with bears, than those bearing arms, I say follow the woodsman's advice. Now we need to decide, to we want him to scout ahead of us? Or should we all stay togther?
--The gametrail runs west. The trail is about 3 feet wide, and you'd have to move along in single file. The surrounding forrest is light undergrowth, which means you can't run or charge. It would be easy to be ambushed along the trail, but you don't have any choices.

-Father Isaak sings hymn to Marfya, and his eyes glow suddenly. He stares at the carvings on the stones...

--Fathe Isaak glances at the stones and says I'm pretty sure they are high elf style, but I'd welcome your opinion as well. They certainly look old. I can translate the writing, but it may take awhile.
--He continues, According to my research we must head inland, west. This will mean hiding the canoes, and going on foot through the wilderness. It's a virgin forest, and there are accounts of both savage orcs, and Kett war parties in the area. Well, reports. Nobody has ever mapped this area, and our expedition has a unique chance to become famous. Or dead. Depending how lucky you feel.

You have CANOES...not rowboats...canoes are paddled. If you had kyaks, you'd have a signel paddle bladed at both ends. Canoe paddles are bladed at one end. Oars, as on a rowboat, have oar locks, as mentioned earlier. Actually I was rather shocked you failed your STR checks. I felt capsizing the canoe would result in people drowning, or certainly losing items, so went with the less drastic event of "being up the creek with out a paddle."
-I can't believe it's taken this long for someone to suggest making a paddle
--I'd imagine someone here could craft a new paddle, I have no idea how...Father Isaak looks around at all the trees.

Let's put it to the vote, burn the boats and dock under cover of darkness, or attack from the forest with bows, and hope they come at us, in small parties...Wait, either option does nothing for our lack of paddles. Father Isaak has dropped his suggestion.
As stupid as it sounds, the fact you have a boat that must be towed is your biggest problem. Also, how many games have you run out of paddles?

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25Knowledge:religion roll for Father Isaak.
--Father Isaak stares straight into Roh-Kai's face and says, in broken orc, with dark speech thrown in

Who cam swim? Perhaps someone could go in otherwater at night, and simply torch the docks?

The burning of the boats is a good plan, I guess one of you can make fire? or would we shoot the boat with a burning arrow? We'd sneak in at night I guess, right?

I prefer as little violence as possible, but am quite willing to defend myself, should it come to that. Sadly, I'm not really experienced in such matters, but if they only have two or three boats, we'd only have to fight off two or three boats of them. If we attack over land, wouldn't we have to fight ALL of them?

Father Isaak bows his head in prayer, a moment later he says Well, my son I can see you are not in any danger...but please try to be more careful...you could have been killed

--By the gods, what has happened to you, man!?Father Isaak looks worried. Are you hurt? Do we need to leave? Do you need me to look at your wounds? He quickly turns to the rest of the party and says Has this shaken your resolve? I'm so glad we didn't send the woman alone, they'd have done terrible things to her...ugh....what a terrible thing it is to study in the field...

--Well to be honest, I will allow the 4 of you to decide our next course of action. I'm in a little over my depth at this point.

I don't think we should send a woman alone to the camp? What if they are the river pirates are something worse? He suggests. In any event I'd rather stay with the boats, and let the rest of you go on ahead. It's not as if I could row up river on my own and abandon you.

We've got two boats, 5 people and only three paddles. What do we do?Father Isaak looks rather worried, and seems about ready to panic. We could land and make new paddles I suppose...

--Well which side do we camp on, not even sure if it matters. We're only a day out of Rekagrad anyway?he asks.Vuk you seem the best man to ask, but I'll take opinions from everybody.
--Both sides of the river seem the same at a glance however

We have a orc to interpret, and I have a spell that helps me understand what they are saying. But I've heard the Orcs are one of the most savage clans, and the Kett will accuse us of tomb raiding and disturbing the dead. I don't really expect encounters with the natives to go well. Pirates are mostly ex-soldier of fortune types, or dwarven exiles. They'll speak Cheloveki just fine.

Well, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure where we are going. All I know for certain is that after 5 days up river, we should see some ancient high elf stones sticking out of the water near the west bank of the river. From there we need to follow the ancient trail west, until we locate the tomb. But as nobody has done this before, I'm not sure how succesful we will be. To be honest, I've been more of a scholar, and not an explorer. Perhaps if you make a map of the area, you will become famous. But the area is populated by both Orcs and Kett, so perhaps we will be able to find a local guide...although, since both tribes are xenophobes, I find it unlikely.

--I'm glad to see you could all make it. I believe I have sufficent supplies, and we have a woodsman, so I figure you can hunt and forage should we run out. I know there are delicious fish upriver. Our first order of business will be how to divide ourselves up between the two boats. There are 5 of us, but I'm not a very strong rower. How about the rest of you? Any experience on the water?
--He pauses, and continues, There are stories of river pirates, and I'm afraid we will run into them. Do you think we can fight them off? They are said to work in small groups, no more than 5 or 6 at the most. We might be able to bribe our way past...
The boats are 12 feet long, and 30" wide. It will be crowded and uncomfortable. Most likely you will sleep on shore each night.

--Having heard from everyone, Father Isaak grins, and draws out a paper from his sleeve. It is a contract stating that you will be paid 100 gold coins now, with the rest to be paid upob return to Rekagrad. Should you die, you will not be paid. Please sign your name or make your seal at the bottom of the contractHe asks.
--If there is no objection, you need to meet me at dawn tomorrow, in the docks district of the city. We will begin the canoe trip up river. I have aranged for two boats. You should buy any materials you think you will need, but I have gotten the supplies for the trip up river ready. Once we get to the forest, I hope Vuk can help us keep fed.
So until dawn tomorrow you are free to take any character actions you wish.

--Father Isaak grins at Xenarchy and says Soon we will have a chance to put your confidence and abilities to the test, but not yet. First I must ask you, what can you do? Orc, I take it you are a powerful fighter, but what of the rest of you?What are your talents? I can provide a certain amount of healing, and am a capable scholar, but quite weak in all other areas, to be honest.

--I felt it was time I ended this cloak and dagger charade, as you are all clearly men and, ahem, a woman of action. Please forgive me for the security measures I have taken. In case you haven't noticed, my being in the city is not a secret,hence I posted my real name and location on the advertisement in Short's. That said, my every move outside this temple is being watched, and my room was broken into last night.
--Father Isaak has a shaved head, and a short black beard. He looks to be about 55 years of age. His words are slow and cultured. Around his neck is a small medalion in the shape of a woman holding a baby.
Knowledge religion