You are all gathered at the Temple of Sarenrae in Warwik, (noted here as the Temple of the Sun), patiently attending the morning service and listening to songs about the glory of the rising sun. Looking around you at the lavishly decorated temple, you can't resist thinking that the temple could afford to pay you better.
High priest Thaban, who is conspicuously absent today, finally agreed to paying every survivor 100 gp (apart from restoring Ka'kara's lost level) and a free burial service for those not so fortunate. Of course you may keep any treasure you should happen to find.
As the service ends you look quizzically at each other. Will you be strong enough to prevail where many brave warriors before you perished?
Rhianna is a short, slight woman with red-brown hair in an unruly bob cut and what seems to be an ink smudge on her cheek. A large raven sits idly on her shoulder, a weight she seems to have gotten used to, and it is hard not to notice the similarities in the way that the woman and the bird move.
"Well," Rhianna begins brightly, "I suppose we should start with introductions, yes? I'm Rhianna Sanbury, specialist in energy fieldform manifolds, and this" - she gestures to the bird - "is Jobe, formerly of corvus corax but now an aminus personae on my behalf.
"I must admit, I'm quite excited by the prospect of researching this crypt! The chance to examine so many varieties of necrotic genii, in such a contained area - why, their interactions must be extremely complex, even for the vermin-like nature of the heuristic structures commonly assumed to make up their motivating processes! Much like the great 'societies' of simple ants, I have long theorized complex social frameworks would spontaneously arise out of large groups of unbound necrotic constructs, and it seems I might get the chance to verify that at last! (I speak of the most basic such constructs, of course, animated skeletons and so-called 'zombies' and the like - it's possible that the presence of other varieties of post-life manifestation could be contained there as well, and if so, I fear they will have contaminated the necrosocial environment with their own, more intact, wills, rendering the crypt's usefulness as an experimental interaction zone moot. But perhaps we will be fortunate!)"
She looks around the room. "And who might you all be?"
The muscular form of Ka'kara leans against the temple wall with her wrapped greatsword slung over her shoulder. The tales told by the numerous tribal tattoos that adorn her bare arms, midriff, thighs, and face are a mystery unlike the one the many faint scars criss-crossing her body tell. She nods in apparent appreciation and says matter-a-fact, "Your spirit animal...Jobe is one of intelligence and wisdom." She brushes an errant blonde braid from her face and says in a strong confident almost challenging voice, "I am Ka'kara, spirit named Furyheart by my tribe. Daughter of Chieftain Orus Thunderbear and Shai'la Newmoon from the Tharbrian tribal lands."
Off to one corner A fairly young halfling sits. She has long brown hair in a pair of pigtails, brown eyes and is wearing studded leather armour that seems to be a mild shade of pink currently she is hard at work jotting in who every one is what they look like and what they do into a journal. Occasionally she can be heard to mumble random comments to herself such as "Make him a half foot taller" or "hmm less facial hair on that one".
Near the big barbarian woman , a dwarf in black leather armor with two axes is calmly waiting . He seems to appreciate the quiet ...
He does not react to Ka'Kara statement but does to Tika's comment :
"Lass , know that a man's beard is sacred ! Do not diminish the man by cutting the length of his beard ! " While this is said seriouly , there is no anger in his voice there .
You can't help overhearing a conversation between two of the minor functionaries, Petra and Clark:
"I hear there is some trouble over at Grollek's Grove [a village to the west of Warwik.]"
"There is always trouble in the west."
"Yeah, but this is different. People speak of some sort of curse on an old mansion out there. The entire family just disappeared, with servants and all. People have gone there looking but they don't come back. And if they do, they come back horribly changed."
"Nah, that's just something they say to attract adventurers. Come on, these floors aren't going to sweep themselves, you know."
Jobe tilts his head at the words of the servants, then fluffs his feathers in a worried fashion, looking at Rhianna. She shows no signs of having heard, or at least having registered, the exchange however, and he settles back down slowly.
BT:
A dark man in red scale armor stands in the corner looking over the gathering of adventurers with interest.
BT:
** spoiler omitted **
Badru:
A handsome human with dark hair, blue eyes, and a outfit in varying shades of blue had been eavesdropping on the conversation. Hearing about a possible situation that could require the services of adventurers had clearly piqued his interest.
"You wouldn't know the name or location of this castle to the west, would you my dear?" he said to the female Petra.
"My apologies for the interruption," he says, "I'm Artival Brisboir." He smilingly nods at the group, looking each of them in the eyes, with his glance lingering a bit longer on the pretty tattooed lady with the huge sword.
Another halfling, tiny in size but with pale hair piled high on her head, watches over Tika's shoulder as she notes, whispering quietly to her and giggling.
Another halfling, tiny in size but with pale hair piled high on her head, watches over Tika's shoulder as she notes, whispering quietly to her and giggling.
Roylenna will note that as well writing Tika has also done drawings of everyone although her art skills leave much to be desired (there pretty much just stick figures)
Another halfling, tiny in size but with pale hair piled high on her head, watches over Tika's shoulder as she notes, whispering quietly to her and giggling.Roylenna will note that as well as writing Tika has also done drawings of everyone although her art skills leave much to be desired (they're pretty much just stick figures)
Roylenna reaches over and points to one of the figures. "He's going to need a bigger belly, I think," giggling more.
Roylenna reaches over and points to one of the figures. "He's going to need a bigger belly, I think," giggling more.Another halfling, tiny in size but with pale hair piled high on her head, watches over Tika's shoulder as she notes, whispering quietly to her and giggling.Roylenna will note that as well as writing Tika has also done drawings of everyone although her art skills leave much to be desired (they're pretty much just stick figures)
Tika simply nods before adjusting the drawing (In this case making the middle stick line thicker)
Badru:** spoiler omitted **BT:
** spoiler omitted **
BT:
"Since everyone is introducing themselves it would rude for me to due otherwise. My name is Badru Akhensaranrae which in the common tongue would mean 'The Eye of Night and the Blessed of Saranrae." He gives a wry smile,"My parents had high hopes for me it would seem."
Turning to Rhianna,"May I speak with you a moment?"
A young woman had been standing unconspicuously near the room's exit, looking vaguely uncomfortable as she observed the morning services of Sarenrae. A veil covers her eyes like a thin whisp of smoke, blending into the sooty shadows of her dusky skin. Garbed and armed as an obvious traveller, it doesn't appear she intends to stay for long.
As the ceremony reaches its conclusion and the followers of Sarenrae begin to filter past her and away from the temple, her eyes cut over to the group of chatting adventurers, then to the exit, and then back to the small gathering, as though she is unsure of which crowd she should join.
Pressing her lips together in steely resolve, she finally moves away from her spot on the wall and approaches them.
With what she had hoped would sound like strength and confidence, but came out as more of an awkward stutter, she says with a voice surprisingly low and husky for a woman, "I, uh...hi."
Artival nodded at the two most recent strangers who had approached the growing collection of individuals. As the one named Badru had turned his attention to another in the group, he turned to the veil wearing female that had just approached. "Hey there, I am Artival Brisboir." Noticing her almost palpable awkwardness, he tries to help her out a bit. "And you are?"
"Manai Beddau," she answers Artival in return, thrusting out her hand to him expectantly. Her nails are blackened and dull. "I'm assuming you're the people I'm supposed to talk to."
"Manai Beddau," she answers Artival in return, thrusting out her hand to him expectantly. Her nails are blackened and dull. "I'm assuming you're the people I'm supposed to talk to."
The pale halfling's ears perk up and she comes over to the newcomer. "You're supposed to talk to people? Here? What about? Oh, I'm Roylenna." She waves with that last bit, smiling.
"Manai Beddau," she answers Artival in return, thrusting out her hand to him expectantly. Her nails are blackened and dull. "I'm assuming you're the people I'm supposed to talk to."
"I think so, but I was a bit of a late arrival myself. I believe further information is to come," he says throwing out his own hand, pausing only slightly at seeing the condition of the veiled human's nails. He hoped his slight faux pas was not noticed, and tried to cover his tracks by uttering a quick, "That's a nice veil, by the way."
Tika simply nods before adjusting the drawing (In this case making the middle stick line thicker)
As Roylenna gets distracted by the newcomers Ka'kara leans over Tika watching her draw for a moment. With a smile and a light but serious tone, "It's a good start. I might be able to offer some help if you'll have it. I draw but usually on skin." She shows some of her tattoos as examples.
Looking up from Tika as Manai approaches, she says to the veiled woman, "I'm sorry for your loss."
Turning to Rhianna,"May I speak with you a moment?"
Rhianna blinks in surprise. "Why, yes, certainly, Mr. Akhensaranrae," she says, handling the name with surprising ease. "My resources are at your disposal!"
Suddenly the high priest Thaban enters, looking a little startled to see you. A lesser priest leans over whispering something into his ear. He frowns and then advances on you, clapping his hands.
"Why are you still here? Away with you. There are monsters to be killed and glory to be had. You can make your introductions on the road. Shoo-shoo. Get cracking!"
With a wave of his hand, he dismisses you.
" YES, SIR ! WHERE ARE WE SUPPOSED TO GO , SIR ? "
Looking back at High Priest Thaban with what looks like displeasure at the abrupt way everyone is being handled Badru says,"Then we will take our leave."
"Rhianna is the High Priest always this... poor in dealing with people? I haven't had time to really get to know him yet having only just arrived here."
While talking over the High Priests lack a civility with Rhianna, Badru helps Tika and Roylenna up onto his horse. Scratching the horse behind the ears,"Take care Khaleed. Try not to knock them off like the last two!" He smiles and winks at those nearby.
Ka'kara's smile turns into a grin at the thought of getting out of the city again, the sooner the better. So the High Priests gruffness doesn't seem to phase her in the least.
"Whoa, I can see forever from up here!" She laughs and winks at Badru's humor.
Initiative
Manai's brow scrunched in mild confusion at Artival's compliment. Nice veil? "Ah, thank you. I --"
Her reply to Roylenna was interrupted by the priests's appearence, though Manai didn't think him abrupt or sudden; compared to the priests of her temple, he was perfectly polite.
She cleared her throat quietly with a respectful nod to Artival and Royleena and fell in line with the others.
Init:
As you proceed slowly down the road you suddenly become conscious of some kind of shrill, piercing drone, something in between the sound of a cricket and nails across a chalkboard, only much worse.
Further ahead on the road you spy a small group of people, but there seems to be something wrong with them. A few seem to have fallen over, and one still standing almost looks like he's missing his head.
Suddenly a great moth of some kind soars over you, only its wingspan is easily 10 feet. Its wings are a blur from the speed and its face is caked with blood. From its nasty mandibles hang a cluster of writhing tentacles, dripping blood.
Will save (+2 if this is a fear effect):
Will:
Manai hisses out a startled gasp as the great moth soars overhead and instinctively jerks her hand toward her weapons...but a moment later, her arms become loose at her side and she stares, slack-jawed, at the creature with fascinated, dead eyes.
Roylenna's arm brushes Badru's shoulder as she succumbs to the droning wings of the great mothlike creature. He turns towards Manai as she also succumbs. Tensing for the attack that is sure to come he stares at the creature and is drawn in to the hypnotic pattern of its wings, the soothing sound of there gentle beating....
Initiative
Will save + 2 if spell-like
Mahaffy is indeed walking ...
Looking at the pretty wings there , do not disturb him ....
Ka'kara looks up at the and finds the noise it is making extremely irritating, "What an awful racket. Can't imagine that helps it sneak up on prey terribly w...." She suddenly notices the glazed looks and slack jaws on her companions, "What are you all doing?! Shoot it or something!" She pulls a javelin from its sheath on her back and hurls it at the flying monstrosity.
Artival too had fallen in line with the group, proceeding on foot in the general direction given by the priests.
The piercing noise almost popped his eardrums, and he saw the large moth like creature heading in their direction.
Initiative
Will
"To be truthful, Mr. Akhensaranrae, I have never dealt with the man before; he certainly doesn't seem unusually rude to me. In fact, most people seem to eventually say something similar to me at some point."
As the massive moth flashes over the group, Rhianna looks up in surprise. "My goodness! How extraordinary!"
Jobe dives into the hood of Rhianna's cloak, making her squawk in surprise.
Ka'kara looks up at the and finds the noise it is making extremely irritating, "What an awful racket. Can't imagine that helps it sneak up on prey terribly w...." She suddenly notices the glazed looks and slack jaws on her companions, "What are you all doing?! Shoot it or something!" She pulls a javelin from its sheath on her back and hurls it at the flying monstrosity.
"What? Oh, yes, of course... Let me see..."
"Oooh, preeeettttyyyyy."
Initative
Will save (+4 to save since I'm assuming from the description it is a sonic or sound based affect
being able to fight off the affect of the creatures drone Tika counteracts it with a low humming tune of her own using her harmonica (Using counter song)
Perform wind instument (3 from charisma 2 from masterwork instrument)
Rhianna:
The drone of the moth makes your heads want to explode and unleashes a series of strange behaviors. While Roylenna tries to sing along, Badru claws desperately at his own ears for 2 points of damage while Manai throws herself at Artival. Ka'kara's attack misses.
Finally Tika fishes out her harmonica and manages to drown out the infernal chirping. You breathe a collective sigh of relief, but not for long.
Rhianna, Mahaffy and Manai are up, then Artival (not confused by then) and the monster.
Ah helps if I actually put in the check
Perform wind instrument
Manai screamed and grabbed fistfulls of her hair, her eyes swimming with red as the pressure in her head verged on becomming unbearable, and attacked the first thing she saw: Artvial. Swinging her morning star, she screamed at him in a gutteral, snarling language that frankly, with her already low and rumbling voice, sounded absolutely terrifying.
Rhianna:
The moment passes and her attack on Artival ceases. She stares at him, eyes sudednly clear with shock and shame at what she had just done, her breaths heavy and fast. With a quick glance at Tika, she quickly realizes what is happening and clambers a few steps back and away from the fighting to cast a spell to aid the halfling. She speaks with controlled calm in the same harsh and gutteral language, moving her hands in a slow, precise rhythm.
Mahaffy snaps out of his fascination and frenetically load his heavy crossbow .
"...Perhaps this will do? Veri yslou ra jeseza!" Rhianna curves her right hand upward, bringing her index and pinky fingers in to nearly touch her palm, then straightens the middle and ring fingers to point at the giant moth. A shimmering beam of red-white flame bursts from her fingertips and spears up toward the aberration.