"Not at all. Assassination attempts have been made against us. My group was sent to look for something, and it seems someone does not want us to find it, even going so far as controlling others with magic."
"Aye, milady, all is not well. Hilrune and I were attacked by a pair of assassins, thwarted thanks to some of our newfound friends here. And Corath came under attack elsewhere at much the same time."
The Abbess starts to her feet, and her toneless voice is greatly at odds with the concern and shock visible in her actions. "What? Tell me everything. Are you injured?"
"Martine and I were down in the stables, caring for the animals and trying to think of a name for my newest companion. I had gone into the stall to pet it, when I felt an arrow fly into my back. I turned to see Martine nocking another arrow, with her eyes glazed over. Based on her eyes and her description of what happened later, I believe she was magically compelled to attack me. She also mentioned her 'Masters' not wanting us to get to the Mirrored Sanctum. Rufus and I managed to knock her out, and then ran to join the others."
Corath takes a deep breath and realizes Prettykill is in the room(or the hall if there is no room).
"I'm sorry, I did not think to have her stay in the stables. I'm used to having her nearby, both for her protection and my comfort."
The Abbess shows almost no sign that she has noticed the dinosaur in her bedroom. "The Mirrored... Sanctum?" She pauses, then continues, "And had something happened to the others as well?"
"Aye, Abbess. They referred to it as the 'Mirrored Sanctuary' when they attacked us. The rest of us were in the library, getting acquainted and returning to our studies when a creature simply appeared in our midst and attacked me. Moments later, another appeared and attacked Hilrune. Both of them seemed very intent on their respective target and disappeared in to vapor when defeated -- which, I must be quick to point out, occurred in no small part thanks to the efforts of our new friends here."
As to what they were speaking of , we have no idea what it was and why they were attacking us
"What kind of creatures?" the Abbess asks.
Hilrune waits for a bit for the others to speak and then says
" They were not real creatures so I doubt their appearance meant something . We were able to determine they were more lije illusory conjurations and the mage behind them must have a twisted mind "
"Illusory attackers?" the Abbess muses. "Interesting. Well, I will make arrangements to see that you are well protected for tonight, but I do not know what your plans are for the morning. If you choose to travel on, you might be well advised to do so together, given the apparent existence of those who wish you harm."
Dismissed, but not necessarily reassured, the group files out of the Abbess' study. A subdued and uncharacteristically withdrawn Martine accompanies them, acting as a guide for the newly-arrived Pathfinders to help them find the guest quarters. Once they reach the relatively isolated guest rooms, the gnome cleric gives the group an almost-perfunctory "goodnight" before disappearing into the largely-silent Abbey. Before she goes, she does suggest to Corath that Prettykill might be better off staying in the Abbey overnight, if he can convince her not to eat the furniture, "just in case."
The guest quarters occupy a separate wing, clearly built for a much larger contingent than the six Pathfinders currently staying there. There is a central communal space about halfway down the wing, a larger, open room with chairs - more comfortable than any seen elsewhere in the Abbey - and a few tables, all arranged around a large fireplace. None of it appears all that recently used, but the Abbey's serving staff has nevertheless provided a handy, warming fire to brighten the room and make it more comfortable.
"So," Therin says, looking at Hilrune, "you wanted to talk?"
Lamsfel will take up a position leaning against the wall where he can see the entrance(s?), arms crossed, and listen to the conversation.
The half orc will speak :
"You will correct me if I'm wrong but first let me speak . Tthere are three points I would like to speak of
First me and Lamsfel are here because of a mission from the grand lodge. Several Pathfinders have been fouly slain and there were some indications they were investigating a place of power near here . Now I guess if this was a sure thing more powerfull brethen would have been sent but this explains why I was so prudent and asked to see your wayfinders . I'm happy to say that none of them were from the slain ...
Secondly , if I understand rightly , you were not known here as pathfinders but are also on the path of some place here . I think we were attacked by mistake instead of you so I propose we join forces
Thirdly , I know there is a tradition between groups of pathfinders to compete for glory and advancement . Now I would propose we make a joint report to the grand lodge thus sharing the rewards equally rather than be stupidly at cross purpose . "
"I don't seek glory, it leads to pride and vanity, something that could get me killed in the wild. As for the place we seek, it's is called the Mirrored Sanctum and is supposed to be a temple of Aroden."
He pauses, then continues.
"It almost sounded like the Abbess knew something about it."
"I don't seek glory, it leads to pride and vanity, something that could get me killed in the wild. As for the place we seek, it's is called the Mirrored Sanctum and is supposed to be a temple of Aroden."
He pauses, then continues.
"It almost sounded like the Abbess knew something about it."
"Hmm, I didn't catch that in her response. What have you learned of this location you seek? I have to wonder if we seek the same place for different reasons."
"Hmm, I didn't catch that in her response. What have you learned of this location you seek? I have to wonder if we seek the same place for different reasons."
"Maybe I am just being paranoid..."
"We think it may be a temple to Aroden. It was seen by fishermen down at the bottom of a sea cliff. We were sent to see if it is indeed a lost temple of Aroden. Such a place would be fascinating to see, and the wildlife that could be living in there now..." He trails off at the thought.
The bottom of a sea cliff is usually underwater , is it not ? May I stress that my non orc half is not a gillman ?
The bottom of a sea cliff is usually underwater , is it not ? May I stress that my non orc half is not a gillman ?
Lamsfel unsuccessfully tries to hide a smile at Hilrune's remark. "Perhaps he means on a beach at the base of the cliff, my friend."
Corath laughs, a strange sound indeed.
"Aye, the same is true for me Hilrune, though give me time and I'll have a spell to make you a gillman!"
"We had the option of taking a boat to the cave, but we had only just gotten off of one that morning, and Prettykill here does not like boats."
" Very well ! Gentlemen and pretty beast , since no one disagreed , let's go do what pathfinder do and explore this lost place tomorrow morning . Now , the day has been eventful , let's sleep . Tomorrow will another day as Red Scarlet would say "
"Aye, it will be good to rest before we set out. In veiw of recents events, do you think we'll need to stand watch?"
"Aye, it will be good to rest before we set out. In veiw of recents events, do you think we'll need to stand watch?"
"Would probably be wise, eh?"
"I do not liking the idea of separating, considering how we were attacked in the library. At the very least, if we take separate rooms, even in pairs, I think we should keep the doors open and someone posted in the hallway. That way, everyone should be able to hear what's going on in the other rooms."
"Either that, or we can remain here in the common area, of course."
"Several weeks ago," she says without preamble, walking swiftly back and forth across the small study she has chosen for the meeting, "I sent a team of Pathfinders to northern Varisia in search of a lost holy site somewhere near the Windsong Abbey. I have not heard from them so far, but just this past night I came into some information from my own researches that pinpoints the exact location of the site, as well as a name: the Mirrored Sanctuary, what was once a temple of Aroden's. Unfortunately, I have no way to communicate this information to them directly; all of the long-range communication magics I can access lack the necessary precision. As a result, I've decided to send you to join them in their tasks, following this map, which marks the location of the Sanctuary.
"There is little time, but let me tell you what I know about the Sanctuary. It was said to be where Aroden first set foot on Avistan after the sinking of Azlant, and legends also suggest he used it as a place of contemplation even after he ascended to godhood. His followers converted into a temple in his name after he became a god, but the location was lost long before the beginning of the Age of Lost Omens. It was pure happenstance that I found a reference to it myself and was able to put the pieces together."
She looks at Jentraxian and Denny, her dark brown eyes alive with urgency. "Gather your things as quickly as you can, then meet me back here, ready to teleport to Varisia. If you have any questions, make them quick."
The moans and mournful wails of the Abbey fade into the distance as the forest closes in around the Pathfinders once more, mist again shrouding everything beyond several hundred paces in any direction. The tall pines and redwoods seem to crowd around the Lost Coast Road, and the path becomes increasingly steep as the group begins to enter the foothills of the Fogscar Mountains. Another few hours, Corath estimates, will bring them to the possible location of the Mirrored Sanctuary.
Lamsfel's not a stealthy character, but he is pretty perceptive for a first level fighter. He'll take lead or rear, as the party prefers. It's obvious that he relishes the open air and there is a definite spring in his step as we travel even as his eyes remain alert, checking the shadows and potential hiding places for potential threats.
Perception
Jentraxian is already awake come dawn. His sleep was interrupted by a horrible dream of a tortoise that followed him around a great city, ranting and raving at him and those around him. Upon waking, he decided to draw a city on the insides of his room with chalk, then left in the night to find a tortoise. When the Venture Captain enters to wake him, she finds him perched on his bed, glaring expectantly at the turtle. He turns to grin at her, and is soon packed and ready for the road. In a silvery voice, he hums and stares at his companion, wondering how many pieces the teleportation spell will break them into to transport them across the sea, and if, when putting themselves back together, they will end up looking any differently than they do now.
Denison is performing the final checks on his gear when the venture captain walks in. "I'm ready," he says. "What are we to do once we get to this sanctuary?"
Denison is performing the final checks on his gear when the venture captain walks in. "I'm ready," he says. "What are we to do once we get to this sanctuary?"
Venture-Captain Iorae stares at him for a moment before saying, "Are you serious? You're a Pathfinder! Explore it! Document it! Recover any noteworthy artifacts! This is what you do, isn't it?"
After a moment, though, the Varisian Pathfinder visibly calms herself. "Forgive me," she says slowly, "that was uncalled for. I am... concerned... about the fate of the expedition without the information you bring. But yes, I do want to you to explore it and recover any information you find. The nearest Pathfinder Lodge is in Magnimar, under Venture-Captain Canayven Heidmarch and his wife Sheila. You can use that as your home base should you need to establish a long-term presence in the area.
"Now, if you are ready..." She gestures to the wizard in the corner, a quiet researcher named Tallashan, and the mage steps forward.
"Please, link your hands," he says in a steady, low voice. "Very good." He closes his eyes, murmurs something too low to hear, and the world suddenly warps and twists around Jentraxian and Denny. Colors flash, and everything seems to be wrapped together in a long tunnel of light. In a timeless instant, however, the world reforms itself - only now, the three Pathfinders stand on the edge of dirt track road through a rich, mist-laden evergreen forest. The air smells of the sea, pine needles, and wet earth. Tallashan nods once, satisfied, and points down the road to the left. "That is the Lost Coast Road," he says in his low voice. "Windsong Abbey is no more than three hours' travel that way." He raises his hands, murmurs again, and is gone.
Stretching as he wakes up, Corath settles into his daily trance. He remembers the sensation of running through a forest, of hunting to supply the caravan with dinner, of laying in the shade of a tree next to PrettyKill. He holds holly in one hand and mistletoe in the other while he goes through his trance, and the scent of an open plain wafts gently around him.
[ooc]Dropped Shillelagh and put Speak with Animals in it's place. Who can use the Spider Climb scrolls now that Ar'deth is no longer with us?[/i]