The giant nodded approvingly at Nuveril's words,
Just one more dangerous foe and then you will be free to do as you please. I'm sure Almah could hire you on to keep killing Gnolls if necessary; i'm sure we'll encounter more of them once the word is out that we slew an emissary of the Carrion King... Shall we go and find Almah then?
Nuveril, looking subdued, allows Sajan to accompany her back into the Battle Market. When she has climbed the stairs, she glances up for a moment to meet Almah's eyes, then turns her gaze back to the floor. "I will fight," she says, in a resigned tone.
Almah smiles at Nuveril's return.
Very well. My resources, such as they are, are at your disposal. Go with the grace of the Dawnflower.
To Haleen and Zeladiel the wizard, but where others can hearhis question, Arrre therrre any things we can do to prrrotect us frrrom this crrreaturrre taking contrrrol of ourrr minds? If it turrrns us against each otherrr, it could finish us quickly.
Nuveril waits for a moment in the group's preparation when Khalid is alone, then quickly approaches him. She holds out a bronze disk on a leather cord, one side intricately carved with clouds and a lightning bolt. "I found it," she tells him, "in a burned house overlooking the river. Is it safe?"
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If you want something I suggest you claim it now, even if your character just thinks by right of combat they should get something. If no one else wants the belt of heath then Grall will wear it until all things are settled.
Suggest we purchase the wand as a party item as it could help any of the fighters in the group and not make it part of Linah's share.
It's probably time that Nuveril gets some love from the bull's str as well as Khalid at times :)
I will add the 700gp to whatever total I get at the end of this chapter.
DM & Nuveril:
Khalid looks at the disc in Nuveril's hand..."May I see that disc for a moment or two? I have no intentions of trying to take it from you, but do need to study it a bit closer to tell you anything about it."
Khalid first tries to detect any magical auras around the disc, and then will cycle through auras of evil, chaos, good, and law...
Appraise:
Spellcraft:
Knowledge (Arcane, Dungeoneering, Nature, Planes, or Religion as appropriate):
The idea of actually handing the disc to Khalid puts a bit of a knot in your stomache so you hold it out by the strap for him to examine.
Nuveril holds the disc out by the new cord for Khalid to examine.
He casts his spells concentrating in order to read any auras coming from the item.
It takes longer than normal. Just at the point the inquisitor is about to give up he detects a very faint almost lingering aura of conjuration/summoning magic coming from the disc. He detects no aligned auras at all.
Khalid spends a few minutes trying to identify the disc but at the end has not the remotest idea what it might be.
To Haleen and Zeladiel the wizard, but where others can hearhis question, Arrre therrre any things we can do to prrrotect us frrrom this crrreaturrre taking contrrrol of ourrr minds? If it turrrns us against each otherrr, it could finish us quickly.
I have some magic that might help fight off magical despair but nothing that can block mental control.
To Haleen and Zeladiel the wizard, but where others can hearhis question, Arrre therrre any things we can do to prrrotect us frrrom this crrreaturrre taking contrrrol of ourrr minds? If it turrrns us against each otherrr, it could finish us quickly.
"Abjurations are not my speciality, but as a Daughter of the Sunflower, Linah can grant Protection from Evil to block the mental effects of other planar creatures."
Satisfied with Khalid's assurance that the disk she found carries no malign influence, she wears it openly in the Battle Market: a bronze metal disk on a leather cord, one side intricately carved with clouds and a lightning bolt.
As the clean up of the battle market continues, Father Zantus takes a great deal of interest in the infusarium.
At your request he attempts to remove the potions from the device, an ascerbic Undrella making various suggestions as he goes. All of the potions are succesfully removed and placed in small vials ready for your use.
The group meets and figures out the basic treasure breakdown:
Grall, Nuveril, Linah, Sajan, Khalid were here from the beginning and get 1625gp + 3705gp =5330gp + 700gp bonus for a total of 6030gp to spend.
Zeladiel gets the second share 3705gp + 200gp bonus for a total of 3905 to spend.
The party treasury has 4880gp in it after buying the wand of bulls str.
Satisfied with Khalid's assurance that the disk she found carries no malign influence, she wears it openly in the Battle Market: a bronze metal disk on a leather cord, one side intricately carved with clouds and a lightning bolt.
"I am glad you will fight with us, brave Nuveril. You are good at recognising evil magic and we will need your skill and bravery against this opponent. I am..." Zeladiel notices the necklace.
"That's nice. What is it?"Spellcraft (Identify):
Nuveril's first reaction is to snatch the disk away from the elf's grasping fingers; she catches herself and reluctantly holds it out for him to examine, albeit without removing it from around her neck. "It's ... I found it," she says gruffly.
You each spend the day on your own activities, resting and preparing for the trial ahead.
Most of the group is crammed into the sleeping cells on the bottom level of the battle market until more comfortable quarters are made available.
Morale amongst the rest of the group is very high. Almah, Garavel and Zantus seem to have kept knowledge of the creature below the church to them and yourselves at least for now. No idiot, Undrella seems to have realised that something is going on but keeps her thoughts to herself.
A large pyre is made for the gnoll corpses down away from the lower town. It will take quite a while to burn all the bodies. Almah's servants add Kardswann's bedding to the pile.
The bodies of the two dead mercenaries have been prepared by Oxvard for burial. They will be interred in the church graveyard once you've reclaimed the building.
Morning comes and you awake refreshed. You make your preperations, Zantus dropping off his 4 healing extracts.
You are preparing to leave, when Haleen approaches. Gone is the veil and heavy cloak. Underneath she is as bald as an egg as if all her hair has been crisped away by flame.
The woman has helped herself to one of the suits of studded leather armour and a scimitar. She seems to be studiously avoiding looking at Grall.
I wanted to say how sorry I was for before.
She looks at Sajan. Particularly to you. All I can say is that I wasn't in control of my actions. That thing was.
I want to make up for it. Help you if I can.
Now she looks at Grall. Please.
You are preparing to leave, when Haleen approaches. Gone is the veil and heavy cloak. Underneath she is as bald as an egg as if all her hair has been crisped away by flame.
The woman has helped herself to one of the suits of studded leather armour and a scimitar. She seems to be studiously avoiding looking at Grall.
I wanted to say how sorry I was for before.
She looks at Sajan. Particularly to you. All I can say is that I wasn't in control of my actions. That thing was.
I want to make up for it. Help you if I can.
Now she looks at Grall. Please.
Gralls head whips around to Haleen, the serene look on his face whiped away by anger, No, we don't have the magic to sparrre and the crrreaturrre has alrrready contrrrolled you once, we can't take a chance of it doing so again.
He walks up to her, towering over the small women and whispers in her ear, the anger gone from his voice, Don't you underrrstand, if you arrre with us, I cannot be who I must...I would be too worrried about yourrr safety. And I don't want you you to everrr see the beast again if you don't have to.
Nuveril spends much of the previous day sitting in the ruined house where she found the disc, looking out over the river and centering herself, preparing for the coming battle. When the gnoll corpses are taken out of the town to be burned, she goes with them, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ancestor-dogs, but knowing they likely will not come near Kelmarane, especially as long as it has been full of gnolls and hyenas. Unless anyone objects too strenuously, she will set up her camp just outside the door of the battle market, not liking to sleep inside a shell.
The following morning, she rises early, prepared to fight but quiet, having none of the nervous anticipation about her that she had had when going to fight the gnolls. This will be a different battle, she senses, and the stakes will be higher. Had the gnolls triumphed, they would only have taken her life, likely tortured her first; should she fall to this Xulthos, who knows what evil might befall her. She recalls the wicked Gnome's threat -- I will damn your soul to a place your ancestors dare not tread -- and feels cold.
Sajan would have approached Father Zantus and asked him to remove the potion of mage armour from the infusarium, was he successful?
Sajan brushes the apology aside.
Think nothing of it. You came back to the path of righteousness in the end, and even protected others at great cost to yourself. You would make a fine disciple of Gruhastha.
Sajan would have approached Father Zantus and asked him to remove the potion of mage armour from the infusarium, was he successful?
As the clean up of the battle market continues, Father Zantus takes a great deal of interest in the infusarium.
At your request he attempts to remove the potions from the device, an ascerbic Undrella making various suggestions as he goes. All of the potions are succesfully removed and placed in small vials ready for your use.
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
Sajan would have approached Father Zantus and asked him to remove the potion of mage armour from the infusarium, was he successful?
As the clean up of the battle market continues, Father Zantus takes a great deal of interest in the infusarium.
At your request he attempts to remove the potions from the device, an ascerbic Undrella making various suggestions as he goes. All of the potions are succesfully removed and placed in small vials ready for your use.
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
1d20 + 8
Nuveril's first reaction is to snatch the disk away from the elf's grasping fingers; she catches herself and reluctantly holds it out for him to examine, albeit without removing it from around her neck. "It's ... I found it," she says gruffly.
It appears to be some sort of lucky charm. I believe it will help protect you, but I am unable to tell anything more at this time. I believe you have a great destiny, Nuveril.
With a bow, Zeladiel excuses himself and finds a quiet place for a few hours. Zeladiel swaps out light for read magic and spends an hour studying the scroll he recently acquired. Spellcraft (DC16?):
He then spends 10gp and another hour (assuming first level spell) copying the scroll into his spell book.
He then rejoins the others, ready for their dangerous excursion.
A lucky charm, Nuveril ponders scoffingly. It could not have proven so lucky to the inhabitants of the ruin where she had found it. Still, she finds it comforting for some reason to have in her possession.
"What the? This scroll is divine!" Zeladiel greets Master Zantus. "I'll take one of those healing extracts, if they aren't all accounted for. Thank you. Are you able to do extracts of Resist Energy? Would you be able to do them if you had this scroll?"
Sure. Here.
I can do one that helps against natural temperature variance but not energy. Arjun was working on one and was close I think but he won't be mixing anything for a while.
Gralls head whips around to Haleen, the serene look on his face whiped away by anger, No, we don't have the magic to sparrre and the crrreaturrre has alrrready contrrrolled you once, we can't take a chance of it doing so again.
He walks up to her, towering over the small women and whispers in her ear, the anger gone from his voice, Don't you underrrstand, if you arrre with us, I cannot be who I must...I would be too worrried about yourrr safety. And I don't want you you to everrr see the beast again if you don't have to.
Haleen wilts a bit before Grall's anger.
At his quieter words she replies in the same way. I do understand. We must each do what we must. Don't let it in your mind..
She stands aside.
As you leave the battle market Oxvard places several blessings on the group. These will only last a few minutes. Abadar go with you.
Gralls head whips around to Haleen, the serene look on his face whiped away by anger, No, we don't have the magic to sparrre and the crrreaturrre has alrrready contrrrolled you once, we can't take a chance of it doing so again.
He walks up to her, towering over the small women and whispers in her ear, the anger gone from his voice, Don't you underrrstand, if you arrre with us, I cannot be who I must...I would be too worrried about yourrr safety. And I don't want you you to everrr see the beast again if you don't have to.
Haleen wilts a bit before Grall's anger.
At his quieter words she replies in the same way. I do understand. We must each do what we must. Don't let it in your mind..
She stands aside.
As you leave the battle market Oxvard places several blessings on the group. These will only last a few minutes. Abadar go with you.
Grall
Nuveril
Linah
Khalid
Sajan
Zeladiel
?
Ready to set out, you arrange to rendezvous with Oxvard and some of the others after exploring the church and locating the crypts.
Exiting through the western entrance, before you lies the ruined plaza.
Its a mess. Shattered blocks of stone and brick. Splashes of dried blood dot the ground, a testement to the gnoll's proclivities for torture and aged meat.
To the north a line of buildings runs along the hill edge. The ones closest to you are a mixture of former homes and businesses. Mostly whole, these seem to have housed the Kuldis who did not dwell in the battle market. Even from this distance the wind brings a foul stench to your noses. Closer to the church, a short line of homes are much smaller, as if for a much shorter race than the humans. Several of these are badly burnt out.
The buildings lining the southern edge of the hill are in an even more ruinous state, mostly piles of debris.
Through the middle and across the plaza you see the pale grey stone of the church of Saranrae. Its a truly impressive piece of architecture, perhaps the largest non-Abadarian church in northern Katapesh beside the famous Lambent Citadel in Solku. Over 160 feet long and nearly forty feet high, its golden domes must nearly add that height again.
The external structure looks mostly intact, although the walls are crumbling in places and the three great domes are part cracked and broken. From here the great white statue of Saranrae has its back to you.
You cross the plaza and approach the church The eastern entrance (near the right "meeple" arm) is partly blocked by fallen masonry, it would take some hours to clear a way to the door.
Like most of the Dawnflower's churches this one would once have been a place of great light and air. Large windows frame the sides. Now these are covered in so much soot and grime they are impossible to see through at least from this side.
Looking for the main entrance you move around the building toward the cliffside which overlooks the pesh fields west of Kelmarane. The path runs through a a ruined series of pillared arches.
Across a short yard stands a column about 25 feet tall, upon which stands the splendid white marble statue of Sarenrae, both arms upraised to the heavens. In the shadow of the statue is a small graveyard, several of the graves marked with the lifesized statues of holy warriors.
Your gazes sweep right of the statute and you can see large double doors to the church, standing open.
A few feet from the door you can see someone seemingly making their way toward the statue or the graves beyond. A female halfling dressed in a slave's rags and cleats. Her hair is a tangled mess, her cheeks and exposed belly gaunt. She looks at the group in terror and starts backing toward the church doors.
You've obviously never seen this woman before but something about her seems incredibly familiar.
The halfling woman bears a striking resemblance to Nuveril although even in rags a far more rounded and "halfling-like" version.
You have an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomache which grows as you approach the church. You would normally feel uplifted when approaching a place of power dedicated to the Dawnflower. Even the ruined church in the monastery didn't affect you in this way.
Something is wrong with this place.
Nuveril seems stricken. "Is that --? It's not a Gnome."
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Mildly amused by Nuveril's shock of seeing another of her kind...
"No, certainly not a gnome. As a matter of fact, she is a halfling...like you. For that matter she looks quite a bit like you. Do you know her?"
Turning his attention to the frightened halfling woman...
"Easy now, friend. We mean you no harm."
"It looks nothing like me," Nuveril mutters insistently. "It is weak, enslaved." Nevertheless, she watches the halfling woman intently as Khalid approaches her.
"Something is wrong. This place does not feel right", Linah says. Her expression is pained and her tone worried. "The monestary did not feel like this. This place is not right."
At Khalid's words, the halfling turns and bolts through the double doors and out of sight.
Sajan sighed, then gave chase with his superior speed.
Knew I should have just grabbed her to be safe... he thought to himself.
?
Grall moves to follow Sajan, matching his speed...
Grall init
Sajan init
The halfling has barely started to turn before Grall and Sajan are dashing forward, the monk in particular moving like lightning through the arches and across the yard. And yet spurred perhaps by fear, the halfling reacts very quickly dashing through the doors before either of the two can close.