Frowning at a particularly enthusiastically fouled page, Gander shakes his head. "I'd bet their insults were very much intended, given how they acted during the fight. They must have known this would anger somebody."
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Khismia pulls herself together, clears her throat and announces: “This place needs to be cleansed, I know we can’t make this into a running temple for Sarenrae yet, but we cannot let this insult be."
With that she starts cleaning the immediate mess, picking up the filthy pages, rearranging the holy items and getting rid of the gnoll remains. This might take a while, but it gives other people either time to search or help clean the mess.
Afterwards she asks: “Anyone who wants to pray with me to The Dawnflower is welcome to come join me now.” she says as she readies herself at the altar to pray, waiting to see if anyone would join.
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Romo wanders over to the westward area indicated. You find a debris-laden chamber that once held a shrine and wooden altar, but all of that look like it was smashed decades ago by vandals. The ceiling here has remained intact over the years, helping to preserve a huge bas-relief statue of a muscular humanoid man with a pointy beard gesturing toward a huge mountain in the background, his face a picture of mortal concern.
Meanwhile, Khismia cleans up the main altar area and makes ready to pray.
Does anyone help her clean up or join her in prayer?
Hale half-heartedly aids the cleaning process. She doesn't really want to get her hands too involved - so primarily she shifts away filth with her foot; though she doesn't mind handling the more ordinary debris.
Afterwards she nods to Khismia when she invites for prayer and kneels down in the manner of nobility; sinking her eyes to the ground demurely and allowing Khismia's words to wash over her.
Having no interest in praying or doing the kind of menial work he'd once been forced to do as a slave, Gander wanders after Romo.
"Seems to me it might be a little early to move in," he remarks. "Isn't there a whole part of this place we haven't looked at yet?"
Hale glares over to Gander; slightly loud: "We'll get this whole place looked at soon enough. A little respect to the gods rarely hurts."
"I agree, we should have a further look around."
He turns around and walks back east and slightly to the south before turning to Gander,"You coming?", he then steps in to the unexplored room.
Ignoring Hale's admonishment, Gander readies his sling staff and steps in after Romo.
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Those who are in prayer feel peace wash over them, you feel blessed by the presence of the Dawnflower.
Gander & Romo: are you going into the room with the sculpture or somewhere else?
Hale glows slightly with an inner warmth. A surprising yet passionate purity immerses her thoughts. She feels ready for whatever fate has in store for her. "Wait-up guys! We're coming too!" She beckons Khismia to follow - who seems a bit reluctant with so much more clean-up work left to do.
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Nice one, Romo!!!
You lead the way through to a large cloister - MAP.
You have come in to the north cloister (A4). A sweeping bas-relief sculpture along the north wall depicts five bearded, larger-than-life humans riding the wind with triumph carved upon their faces. Though some of their arms and hands are missing, each is clearly meant to wield a distinctive weapon. One of the five warriors holds a large axe, while another holds a fragment of what must once have been a regal staff. In the distance, an ominous mountain looms over the quintet. East of the wall decoration, two open arches lead into small rooms off the north wall. The south wall is little more than a series of open arches that look out into an open-air courtyard, which is very wild and overgrown.
Hale steps around the corridors A4, A5, A6 and A7 to see if any more interesting clues and decorations are on the wall.
Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
The eastern cloister (A5) walk abuts what must be the outer wall of the monastery itself. The lengthy wall bears a marred sculpture depicting the five figures from the north cloister mural in 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 noble efreeti, while the other is a gorgeous woman who could only be a djinni princess. Opposite the sculpted wall, a series of open arches leads out into an open-air courtyard, in the middle of the cloisters.
Continuing on to A6, an open arch along the southern wall at the eastern end of the corridor leads off into darkness, while a series of archways lines the north wall, looking in on the monastery's massively overgrown courtyard. The southern wall bears a bas-relief sculpture in the form of a triptych. In the first scene, a heroic looking bearded figure takes leave of four similarly attired companions, who rise off into the heavens, leaving him to stand vigil over the large mountain in the background. The next scene depicts the bearded figure in battle with a flaming half man, half snake creature wielding a spear. The fire spirit transfixes the bearded hero with the spear, seemingly striking a killing blow. In the final scene, the hero appears twice — once on the ground with a wound in his back and once standing over this form, looking down upon it sadly.
Finally, the outer wall of the west cloister passage (A7) bears a massive carving. The central figure — the heroic man with the pointed beard — preaches to a variety of human clerics from throughout the long history of the monastery. The first image depicts the figure manifesting in a spiritual manner to a small group of pilgrims of Sarenrae. Another shows the figure conversing with a man in religious finery while the monastery itself is being constructed in the background. Thereafter follows a procession of similar poses, each depicting a visit by the bearded man and the leader of each era of the temple. The depictions of these clerics often also bear an identifying inscription, complete with dates that span the last several hundred years. The most recent carving is from thirty years ago, and while ample room remains for additional carvings on the west wall, the last thirty feet or so are completely blank. The carvings on this wall have suffered the most damage, at least some deliberate - someone has defaced many of the priests of Sarenrae and chipped at their names.
Two open arches on opposite ends of the west wall lead back into the ruined nave (A1).
Hale looks at it, but no memories of stories or legend stir in her mind. "Any of you recognize these?"
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Apologies for neglecting you, the job-hunting went crazy this week just past: 3 interviews (all whole-day) in 3 days, and I only found out about the 3rd one when I got home at 6pm from the 2nd! (And then had to write a 15-minute presentation...)
Well, those who are looking at the sculptured walls had better think about Knowledge: Religion or History checks....
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
I'm still here, but I'm not sure who else is :)
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Good. So, do you want to look at the carvings or move on to explore elsewhere? Or do something else entirely...
Hale is quite keen on the carvings. "Hey Khismia! Come look at these! Do they mean anything to you?"
I was gone over the weekend but I'm here now. I hadn't responded to the last post about the knowledge checks because, frankly, Gander doesn't care about religious carvings. :) Is there anything left to explore in this shrine?
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Makes sense, Gander... if you're getting bored with carvings, you can go west back into the nave, else if you head over to the east of the cloister there are exits to the south and north which you haven't explored yet.
Khismia identifies the five figures on the north cloister wall as legendary genies known as the Templars of the Five Winds. The stone carving bears a name for each genie, engraved near their feet. They are, from left to right, Kardswann, Pazhvann, Vardishal, Zayifid, and Davashuum. The latter wields the broken staff, while Kardswann wields the strange axe. No other weapons are to be seen, but it's clear that Vardishal is the same fellow as depicted in the carvings in the two side chapels.
Hale gets bored with the frescoes. "Come! Let's have a look at what's behind here." Venturing further to the next portion beyond the courtyard.
Romo's now a little confused by the lack of leadership in the group. As a follower he steps in behind Hale with weapon drawn.
"Please, not more of these things."
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Gander in the lead, the three of you head through the first opening to the west...entering A9 on the map. Khismia remains behind, still fascinated by the cloister walls.
You find yourselves in a small antechamber, seemingly it was a place for reflection before the monks gathered in the chapter house beyond. Carvings of religious significance to the cult of Sarenrae line the walls. (Yeah, the monks do seem to be into carvings big time, don't they?)
Behind you, the vegetation in the centre of the courtyard rustles suddenly. Odd, there didn't seem to be much wind.
Ahead, you can see a octagonal chamber with an intact tall roof, shrouded in shadow. Emanating from it is 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.
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Does Khismia know what the significance of the genies is in relation to the worship of Sarenrae? Why would there be such statues here?
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Khismia, delighted to see carvings and depictions of people and entities that she has only heard of and eagerly moves in closer to investigate the new carvings.
Knowledge Religion: (or history, the + is the same) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Gander slows and readies his greataxe. "Anyone have light? Could be some trouble up ahead." He whispers. The halfling moves carefully forward, eyes scanning the shadows warily.
Romo takes out a torch and lights it. "I don't have three arms, so can somebody else take this please?"
"My weapon needs all my attention."
Hale raises an eyebrow at that, but has no trouble taking the torch to light her own way - too curious and self-absorbed to have to rely on other peoples' light when she wants to look at something.
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Dreading what she might find in the foreboding room, Khismia takes out her scimitar and speaks a prayer, “Sarenrae, please let your light guide the way.” Her scimitar starts to glow and clutching it tightly she enters the room.
She cast light on her scimitar
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Khismia: The eastern cloister carvings depict the great wars of genie vs. genie that cast the Pale Mountain region into chaos hundreds of years ago.
Comparison of the bas-relief in the southern part of the cloisters with others in the sequence clearly shows that the bearded figure here is the central figure in all of the carvings, including those found in areas A1a and A1b, and that the entity's name is Vardishal... then you get distracted by the others who have got bored and wandered off, and follow them.
OK, if you all want to go look at the chapterhouse...
Gander seems to be getting suspicious. Both Romo and Khismia create light in their own ways, Romo handing off his torch to Hale. The light shows that this austere octagonal chamber has a tall roof and an aerie of leering gargoyles perched atop each point where a wall meets another wall.
As I said before, the place stinks like a charnel-house, due to all the animal remains and other grot on the floor.
Anyone going in?
"Come you lazy buggers. There is a temple to free!" Hale steps in first, the torch held high to see well and not be blinded by its light.
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
As Hale steps in, two small shapes swoop down upon her from the shadows amidst the gargoyles in the roof.
Shape #1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Shape #2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Seemingly a bit disconcerted by the light she's holding, they fail to connect. The rest of you see two small creatures, about a foot long with four fleshy yet bat-like wings apiece, barbed legs and long pointy snouts, now circling around for a second go...
Initiatives, please, and first round actions...
Mine: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Khismia, Rose-golden Kismet wrote: Her scimitar starts to glow and clutching it tightly she enters the room Kind of already said I stepped in but okay, guess that is what the low initiative translates to :P
Khismia, who was on her way of entering the room sees the two figures appear. She stops and prays for Hale’s safety.
Khismia casts shield of faith on Hale. She gains +2 deflection bonus to her AC
Initiative 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
AC 16 (-2 rage, +2 shield of faith); HP 29/32 (raging HP)
Rage used: 5 of 6
Hale drops the torch she's holding, the flickering flames throwing her silhouette high onto the vaulted ceiling. She swipes at the two creatures focusing on one before moving on to the other
Attack, claw 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Attack, claw 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 damage 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
She tries to step in a way to allow the other fighters to enter the fray.
Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Romo attacks the closest creature and tries to set up a cleave between the two, if they are close enough together.
Power Attack with Glaive:
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 (Threat.)
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 (Probably not confirmed.)
1d10 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 (Damage)
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 (Cleave, and a miss)
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Critter #1 flies at Hale again: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Its barbed legs latch on to her arm, anchoring it in place as attempts to plunge its proboscis deep into her flesh... fortunately this makes it easy to hit and her attacks literally rip it apart as she shakes the remains off onto the floor. No actual damage to you, Hale.
Critter #2 swoops at Khismia: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Again barbed legs clutch at her shoulder as it stabs at her with its proboscis, and begins to suck her blood! 2 points of damage, I'm afraid
Powered, no doubt, by the blessings of the Dawn Flower herself, Romo's strike is true and he slices the creature apart, scattering its body to the floor in a shower of blood. Impressive blow, especially as it was on Khismia's shoulder as you struck it.
All falls silent again.
End of combat... but due to the unsanitary nature of your attackers, Hale & Khismia, you both stand a small - 10% - chance of contracting a disease. I shall roll this now, but you are unaware of this... for now, at least.
Hale: 1d100 ⇒ 53
Khismia: 1d100 ⇒ 61
Clean bill of health for both of you :)
Sorry for my absence. Unexpected three day weekend led to an extended amount of time away from the computer.
Gander looks at the small bodies in disgust. "Can this place get any more irritating?"
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Khismia, who was started by the attack, bows her head to Romo in thanks, then her attention is on Hale.
”Did you get hurt?” Khismia starts looking for the wounds where the creature stabbed at Hale, wanting to take care of the wound.
"Thanks, I think I'm fine. Romo and I reacted fast enough to swipe these bloodsuckers before they could do serious harm to me."
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Relieved Khismia smiles ” Glad to see everyone is safe then.” She then tends to her own wounds, wrapping it up before they become more of a problem.
Heal check: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Now that the immediate danger is over she looks to see what else than filth and dead creatures are in the room
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
Khismia: your keen eyes spot two more of the beasties up in the rafters amid the stone gargoyles... and one more feasting on something quite unspeakable on the floor, concentrating on what it is doing and ignoring you all.
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Trying to warn the rest of the people, Khismia quietly points to where she spots the pests, first the ones up in the rafters, then the oblivious one on the floor.
Hale looks to where Khismia points and nods, adopting an offensive stance again she readies herself for any blighter that gets into reach, she takes out a dagger to each hand as she does so. Standard action to ready a (dagger) attack on critters, should they get near her.
Female Human, Keleshite Oracle of Life
Khismia after pointing takes a defensive stance as she continues to scan the room for anything else of interest, maybe some more artwork or remnants of what this room used to be for?
Guess Khismia has the time to go into full defensive; she will do some more searching in her next round. Though gargoyles, in a temple of Sarenrae? Seems strange doesn’t it?
Female Depemds on the game system (human in the real world)
The critter on the floor continues to dine, ignoring you all. The ones in the rafters shift uneasily, as if debating what they ought to do next.
The chamber is plain and unadorned appart from the gargoyles. And yes, they are unusual, not part of the Dawn Flower's iconography in the slightest. Those bas-reliefs outside are far more appropriate for a facility consecrated to Sarenrae.
Romo looks at Hale, and then to Khismia, and back to Hale.
"Are we killing them?"
"I don't want to leave some of them wandering around this place to jump at us while we are sleeping"
Romo steps back, leans down, and picks up the torch with one hand.
He readies to throw it up into the rafters if the creatures attempt to fight from range.
Hale nods at Romo's suggestion. "Yes. They're nothing but trouble for us now or later - so I rather get them over with." She charges the dining critter. Her dagger thrusts at its body with a satisfying crunch as it breaks into it; Hale smiles a little as she withdraws the dagger bloodied up.
Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
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