Bashad to Farasha
" Is this a part of your religion ? "
Mus'ad moves forward, (after getting the signal from Al), and spends a moment gazing at the mural himself.
"Very nice," He murmurs to Zephyr.
"I recognize most of the symbols, I think, but I take it this story is of particular significance?" He whispers to the priestess of Seranea.
He also spares a concerned glance for the overgrowth in the large room.
"I never expected to find a jungle in the middle of the desert. There much be a source of water here for the plants to flourish so. Now we now one reason the fiends chose this as their base!" He whispers. "I don't suppose that our friend of nature can persuade the plants to let us pass?" He asks hopefully,...
Knowledge (local) 10+
Knowledge (religion) 15+
Knowledge (the planes) 19+
Knowledge (religion OR local) 25+
Farasha examines the image
"That mountain looks like the nearby Pale mountain."
"Yes, And this creature here, this half-snake-man with the flames? I think that's supposed to be a salamander, a native to the Plane of Elemental Fire, Where the Efreeti live."
There are similar murals on the east wall, and may well be more on the other outer walls around the courtyard too.
Mus'ad looks around from his inspection.
"OK, this room looks like it might be a little, tricky, getting through. Do we go around it?" HE whispers, pointing back the way they came. "Or try to cut through?"
Mus'ad points his crossbow at the archways. "After you!" HE whispers jovially to no one in particular.
This place could be crawling with the pests , small as they are .
Can't we finish exploring the other places and then see if we could burn this without putting the whole monastery in flames ?
Mus'ad raises an eyebrow at the idea.
"I think, that perhaps this is WHY the Monastary is so valuable. It's not just the location, it's the fact that there is enough water here to grow this veritable oasis indoors. While I admit it's a great hiding spot, there's probably a better way to make sure that we've gotten them all besides torching it!" HE whispers back.
"ALthough, while it would be a waste, if they run into here to hide, we could be sure of finishing them off that way." HE admits reluctantly.
Sefu had been quit for a long time, but looks into the overgrown room and smiles that life can thrive even here.
"I am not sure about burning it out. It would be better if we made sure it was clear. No need to destroy what just needs a little work after all'
With that he simmers into cat form and stalks into the room looking for anything dangerous .
Al will move down the corridor to the opening in the northern wall
Sefu shifts into hunting cat form and moves into the tangled and overgrown garden. The plants here seem to have been chosen originally for their function and beauty – shade trees, fruit bearing shrubs, bright flowering plants and fragrant herbs. Now, their growth has become wild and tangled, and plants that would be considered weeds and nuisances have infiltrated.
Small creatures within the undergrowth shift and scatter as Sefu moves through, though he sees none of them. Perhaps they are normal small animals rather than jackal-rats, as Sefu does not stumble, or wander into a thorn bush, or experience anything else that could be described as bad luck.
He wanders a little way into the garden, but does not see anything of note, nor is he ambushed by pugwampis.
While Sefu moves into the courtyard, Al moves back around the corner and sneaks down the eastern cloister walk, heading towards the opening at the northern end.
The lengthy eastern wall bears another tiled mural, this one depicting one great battle scene. The bearded hero and his four companions (from the first panel in the other mural) battle against numerous creatures of evil demeanor. Several of the creatures appear to be composed at least partly of fire, while others are much more difficult to define, being outright monsters of unknown origin or unusual warriors with weapons bonded into their flesh like organic tools. In the background Pale Mountain looms large, and over it two titanic figures lock in a deadly wrestler’s embrace. One has the demoniac visage of a great efreeti, while the other is a gorgeous ethereal woman who could only be a djinni princess.
Pausing only briefly to observe the mural, Al reaches the far end of the cloister without incident. At the end, he sees another passage running back to the west, again with arches along its southern wall opening into the courtyard, and a mosaic scene decorating much of the northern wall. At the far western end of this cloister he can see another small opening which appears to give access to the entrance colonnade. Along with the arched opening he stands near in the northern wall, there is a second similar archway in the northern wall fifteen feet or so away to the west of this one (the mural proper begins beyond that).
Peering through the nearest northern archway, Al sees a relatively small room with once brightly coloured walls (somewhat faded now) and a tall stone statue. He can see no obvious danger or other exits from the room, although it is possible that such is hidden from view by the statue that dominates the room.
Mus'ad slowly and carefully follows Al as he walks along the edge of the room. While the short scout peers out into the hallway, Mus'ad takes another look at the new mural, pursing his lips and nodding appreciatively at the work. Floating silently above his shoulder, tiny Zephyr visibly puffs up and looks either important, or pleased, as he gazes upon the visage of the Djinni Princess.
Al moves cautiously into the small room and starts a search around the statue and walls.
As Al moves towards the small room dominated by the large statue, Mus'ad waves at the others, and follows Al at a distance, keeping him covered with his crossbow.
While Sefu scouts the courtyard, Bashad and Farasha wait for him in the south cloister, and Nasir examine the mural along the wall of the western cloister, Al quietly enters the room at the end of the passage (Mus’ad keeping a watchful eye on his back) and gives it a cursory search – probably not thorough enough to find hidden caches of treasure or secret chambers, but enough to determine if any creatures lurk within, or if there are any doors or such beyond the statue.
None of either as it happens, at least not that the halfling can find. The once brightly painted walls of this small chapel stand out as unusually garish for the otherwise reserved architecture notable elsewhere in the monastery. On the walls, numerous rectangular wooden plates traced in gold filigree depict a strapping bearded and turbaned warrior battling creatures of fire, riding a chariot on the wind, and engaging in other acts of noble heroism. It is the same figure depicted in the murals, but the sheer number of images here suggest that this shrine was especially important to the clerics of Sarenrae who once dwelt in this place. Perhaps a quarter of the gold plates have been pried away or hacked apart by long-absent vandals.
The man-sized statue opposite the door, dominating a section of the north wall, is also of the warrior, its face marred by what look like numerous blows from an axe. The statue holds both hands in front of him, bent at the elbow, palms up, as if expecting an offering. Several deep rents from similar axe blows make it clear that someone tried to hack the arms from the statue decades ago, but was unable to do so.
As Nasir follows the others she is taken by the beauty of the ancient mural. Her eyes drink in the scene, as she searches her memory for any reference of these magnificent images.
Although you can identify the wrestling figures at the top of the mural as noble genies, you cannot determine what individuals they might depict – perhaps if the mural were not so faded and damaged, or if your lore of genies was more complete…
The monsters that the heroes fight; efreeti, salamanders, azers, mephits, devils, div and others that you cannot be sure of; humanoids with animal heads (some may be gnolls you think) and human-like figures sporting bizarre weapons.
(Presumably) Getting the all-clear, or at least 'it's safe' signal from Al, Mus'ad waves once more at the others behind him to follow, and cautiously follows Al into the room. He looks around the shrine with obvious interest and appreciation, especially at the scenes of heroism depicted in the murals. And once more stifles a grin at Zephyr's puffed up chest at seeing obviously genie-powered magics depicted in the murals.
The half-elf stops and looks at the scarred statue with a puzzled look. Shaking his head in wonder. "I don't approve of theft, but I can at least understand it. But WHY would anyone try to destroy something they cannot take? It makes no sense. Unles it were enemies of the faith I suppose." He whispers to Al as he looks at the statue. He shrugs, then looks at the statue once more.
"Do you suppose that the statue was holding something, and it's been stolen? It looks like it's expecting something, was that where the petitioners placed their offerings maybe?" He asks in a whisper, and looks over his shoulder to see if the others are coming, hoping perhaps Farasha might know,...
Yes, the statue could just have easily have been holding something (or offering) as receiving.
It looks like a lot of force and aggression was behind the cuts in the stone statue.
(Presumably) Getting the all-clear, or at least 'it's safe' signal from Al, Mus'ad waves once more at the others behind him to follow, and cautiously follows Al into the room. He looks around the shrine with obvious interest and appreciation, especially at the scenes of heroism depicted in the murals. And once more stifles a grin at Zephyr's puffed up chest at seeing obviously genie-powered magics depicted in the murals.
The half-elf stops and looks at the scarred statue with a puzzled look. Shaking his head in wonder. "I don't approve of theft, but I can at least understand it. But WHY would anyone try to destroy something they cannot take? It makes no sense. Unles it were enemies of the faith I suppose." He whispers to Al as he looks at the statue. He shrugs, then looks at the statue once more.
"Do you suppose that the statue was holding something, and it's been stolen? It looks like it's expecting something, was that where the petitioners placed their offerings maybe?" He asks in a whisper, and looks over his shoulder to see if the others are coming, hoping perhaps Farasha might know,...
Al shrugs at the questions. 'Who knows, but this monostary haas been abbandened long enough for all typles to have passed through here ey. Prehaps is was gnolls, trying to desicrate or simply destroy.' The small figure shakes his head. 'Who knows what motivates such brutal creatures.'
Sefu comes to join the others, shifting back into his human form. "Indeed, such creatures no nothing of art. It pains me to see such things lost , but such is the nature of the world. Everything in time dies and fads lost to history."
Farasha frowns at the display of vandalism
"Such waste. The vile spawn of Lamashtu are truly a curse upon this land."
Farasha frowns at the display of vandalism
"Such waste. The vile spawn of Lamashtu are truly a curse upon this land."
Mus'ad nods in quiet agreement, then smiles mischievously. "Fortunate they are then, that we happen to be bringing them the cure!" He whispers with a smile, patting his crossbow.
"So, this room looks pretty thoroughly,... searched." HE finishes politely. "Where to next?"
He gives the statue a strange look, then digs into his pouch and takes out a single gold coin, and places it in the scarred hands of the statue. He steps back, and looks at his companions.
"Well, it can't hurt. And I'll take all the luck I can get with those pugs around!" He offers by way of explanation.
Al will move to the next arch in the northern wall and peer around the corner
Al will move to the next arch in the northern wall and peer around the corner
This small rectangular chamber has no windows, but light filters in through an open archway in the far wall. Light is not the only thing that filters through … a foul smell also wafts into the room from that direction; death, excrement and decay.
The walls of this chamber are carved with images of angels and sunbursts. It is otherwise empty, the stone floor covered in dust.
Sefu stays back a bit to let the Al'kazeer move more stealthily as they creep though the once proud monetary.
Mus'ad stays next to/behind Sefu, still covering Al with his crossbow, but also obviously glad of the larger man's presence.
Al takes in a deep breath and then covers his mounth and nose with a hand and moves to the next archway to see what awaits beyond.
Farasha maintains a spot near the center, so as to expedite either healing or fighting as the case may be
Sefu keeps sharp, weapons ready as the party moves forward
While the rest of the group moves into position out in the cloisters behind him, Al moves through the antechamber and peers around the edge of the archway into the chamber beyond.
This austere octagonal chamber has a tall roof and an aerie of leering gargoyles perched atop each point where a wall meets another wall. An unholy stench of rotting meat, dried blood, and animal excrement hangs heavy in the air, no doubt from the fine crust of gore, animal carcasses, matted leaves, and guano covering the floor. Several tall, open windows look out over the terrain to the north.
Al:
Moth
Farasha wrinkles her nose at the noisome stench and mutters to herself softly:
"Unclean animals. Defiling a holy place with their filth. Dawnflower burn them in the flame of purity .."
Al:
Mus'ad briefly covers his nose with a thin hand, futilely trying to get rid of the sudden odor wafting his way. SHaking his head as if that would clear the fumes, he returns both hands to his crossbow, watching Al.
Bashad is taging along after the others. He does not respond to the comments of the others but a perceptive one could see he is maybe a little dismissive of their comments ...
Al moves back from the archway, to his companions. 'There is something in there, im not sure what, but up near the roof there is definantly something.'
Sefu stands ready and looks over the room at see if there are any tell-tell signs to what may nest here
Mus'ad nods solemnly, then shakes his head slightly.
"I'll take you word for it. I don't see a thing." Her whispers back.
"What do we do? Send in bait maybe? One or two people to draw them out so the rest of us can take them?" HE asks nervously, obviously not volunteering to be the bait.
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"Perhaps I have a distraction."
Nasir closes her eyes for amoment, her body swaying alluringly as he hands trace sigils in the air. Her movements come to an end as she exhales in a puff of air blown towards the indicated location.
At the opening a sound, similar to the yipping of a few pugwampis fills the air, echoing throughout the area.
As the spell takes effect Al readies his sling
Farasha readies her scimitar
Mush'ad takes a breath to steady himself, and points his crossbow halfway between the floor and the ceiling, ready to aim wherever he first sees movement.