[Game Thread] II. The Monastery

[LupusRegalis]

"Perhaps" Khandir answers Karsh distractedly, now more concerned with the ruin. And the insult paid by Khalid, though doubtless unintentional, it was the way of Katapesh, after all. Still it grated on the ex-gladiator, though it did not stop him from accepting the potion vial from the manling and slipping it into his belt pouch.

Using his free hand he adjusts his light shield on his left arm, ensuring it is fitted well and gripped tightly. He punches forward in light jabs just to check it, and nods to himself. With a whisp of steel on leather he cross-draws his falcata and gives a few practice swings to set the grip. Satisfied his arms are ready, he moves up besides Khalid on his left and follows him inside the monastary nave. Khandir's estimation of the manling raises some, despite the previous insult, as the words of advice were good ones, simple and direct. Still, he feels the need to respond to the man's scolding, and remind him that slave or not Khalid would rely on him.

In a lowered voice, not quite whispering, he says to Khalid. "Slave or not, manling, there is a sword in my hand and only a collar around my neck to restrain me. Give me no reason to, and it shall only strike at Ra'is Almah's foes."

Not waiting for Khalid's reply, he raises his voice some to suggest a course of action. "We should clear the Nave first," he points to the south, using his falcata to point the way, and indicates the two windows in the south wall of the nave. "from outside it looked like the building ended not far from that entrance. We can follow the wall south, around the end and back north, and reach the hallway before the chapel, yes?"

 

[DarkTower]

They take a tour of the nave, keeping in the confines of the wall and peeking in on what Alphard's lantern shows. The two half-orc's eyes glow a faint red, opposed to the bright intense red of a full-blooded orc, as their low-light vision comes into focus. Alphard's eyes glow like orange embers like in a fire, perhaps a hint in the magic within him. The man Duskwalker is not intimidated however, quality training and years as a professional agent of the Nightstalls has hardened him.

Their feet crunch on the grit of and sand and debris littering the abandoned floor. The fire in the oil lamp burns and reveals forgotten edges of the mosque.

1 The Ruined Nave
1a. (More can be learned if approached)
This debris-laden chamber once held a shrine and wooden altar with a statue depicting a story. But all of that was smashed decades ago by
vandals.

1b. (More can be learned if approached)
A similar statue of the west adorns the eastern wall of this chamber. The light from the lanern fire flickers off of a figure with bearded face.

2 Chapel (More can be learned if approached)
They can't see much from this vantage point but above the center of the chapel, dangling about ten feet from the floor, hangs a cluster of gnoll skulls
in various stages of decay. Strung together like a ghoulish candelabra
of twine and bone, the boulder-sized ornament hangs from the wooden
rafters about twenty feet above the ground.

7 West Cloister (More can be learned if approached)
Daylight seeps in from somewhere around the bend of walls. The wind blows and it can be heard clearly from here, even away from the windows. All they can see from this view point is masonry and rubble.

13 Southern Hallway (More can be learned if approached)
This large but plain interior hallway leads to the various chambers of the monastery’s southern wing. It smells strongly of mold and is very dark here.

 

[Ockerdoodle]

Alphard marvels in wonder at the size of the chest and the sheer number of potions it holds within. "This is fantastic, Zastoran. How can you manage to keep these safe out on the move in the desert?" His gnomish curiosity begins to get the better of them and he starts examining the shiny liquids in their containers noting the nuanced shimmers and scintillating colors that swirl within each bottle. While questioning Zastoran about the contents and effects of each of the potions his attention is taken by a golden sparkling fluid that lightly bubbles with an effervescent flare. Zastoran tells him that it is a potion of Comprehend Languages, and Alphard quickly decides to purchase half a dozen of them. Beyond that, the gnome purchases twenty-five green colored potions of Cure Light Wounds that dimly sit in their containers with a flat and unappetizing appearance.

"Thank you Zastoran for your assistance. May the Everlight's blessings be upon you, and stay safe while we explore the monastery." Alphard hands the other gnome 100 pieces of gold and bows before exiting.

-----------------------------------------------------

Standing outside the monastary, Alphard listens to the others and does as they say. He has never seen real combat before outside of small scuffles in the streets of Katapesh, and the anxiety he feels is palpable on his face. He murmurs prayers to Sarenrae under his breath as sweat drips down his brow - not from the heat.

He barely notices as Khalid asserts his dominance over one of the half-orcs. However, as the words, "may her everlasting light envelop me," escapes his lips, a shadow catches his eye. He glances upward to see a dove flutter past overhead. His prayer is caught in his throat as one of the symbols of his Mistress flies towards the West, and courage begins to well up from deep within him.

He finishes his prayer with, "and may those who are not redeemed in this life find redemption in the next." He steels himself for their excursion into the dilapidated monastery, and does as the others say, deferring to their greater experience in combat. The lantern raised high in his small hands, Alphard follows the others inside.

-----------------------------------------------------

Alphard is utterly disgusted by the desecration of the holy site, and when his eyes lay sight upon the ghoulish trophy of skulls hanging from the ceiling his burgeoning courage is replaced by a smoldering rage.

He quietly murmurs to the others, not knowing who might be listening, "I don't know what all of you think, but I think we should cleanse the chapel, and remove that accursed fetish from the ceiling immediately.

[Bismuth]

The group slips into the ruined mosque, moving as quietly as the sand covered floor allows. They carefully move around the internal perimiter of the nave. Scarcely daring to breathe, expecting to be attacked from out of the shadows if they let their guards drop.
There is much to investigate but the thing that intrigues Karsh is the large collection of Gnoll skulls hanging from the roof of the chapel perhaps the inhabitants of this place aren’t all bad he considers.
His thoughts are broken when Alphard suggests removing the ‘decoration’.
” I wonder if it’s someone's trophy ? “ ponders Karsh ” Why don’t you throw something at it, it may fall to bits and save us the trouble of cutting it down! “ the suggestion was not made seriously.

” I will look to see if the rope holding it up is tied off somewhere easy to get to, then we can lower it down “ with no further ado he makes his way cautiously towards the steps leading up.

OoC - Karshs movement As there was no grid overlay I hope this makes sense. Assuming the squares = 5' 1 sq West / 5 sq North

[DarkTower]

2 Chapel
A short set of wide ceremonial steps leads up to a cavernous chapel in which the congregants would gather for sermons in happier times. The vibrant orange and red starburst of Sarenrae still stands behind a film of rusted rainwater and dirt along the north wall overlooking the collapsed altar. Between the stairs and the altar stand dozens of old marble benches, many overturned and even more broken into two or more pieces. A wide walkway bisects the pews, leading directly to the raised altar. Here and there a few clumps of the original red carpet along this thoroughfare
hang on against rot and neglect. The candelabra of gnoll skulls is directly in the middle of the room and creaks as it swings in place.

Something laughs in the chapel and quickly hushes, the voice is small and high-pitched.

2a. The Altar
The altar stands in front of the gaping and broken stained glass window and an open book is on top of it. A mess covers the whole altar.

2c. The Nest
Karsh looks up and notices that the ceiling rafters in the southeast portion of the chapel upper works have been papered over like a wasp’s nest in an interwoven mish-mash of soiled tapestries, tablecloths, altar runners, and other bits of
salvaged cloth, creating a sort of hanging “tent” in the rafters above.

 

[Ockerdoodle]

Alphard follows slowly after Karsh with the lantern held high, his small hands quavering ever so slightly in the still and dry air that permeates the chapel.

The once sacred vestry of his deity lays defiled before him, and Alphard only begins to see the extent of the desecration before sharp and defiant laughter rings out, shattering the silence. He turns left and right trying to determine where the laughter emanates from but it is quickly silenced. In the dim light of the chantry, Alphard attempts to see if there is movement within the nest-like abomination hanging from the ceiling to the southeast.

After examining the hanging tent the best he can from his position near Karsh, Alphard puts down the lamp on an overturned pew so that its light still brightens the surroundings. Wary of a situation similar to the trap where they rescued Rombard, Alphard begins waving his hands and muttering under his breath. If one focused closely enough in the dim light, perhaps they would notice the glow of fire that emanated forth from the gnome's eyes as his magical blood again began to rush faster in his veins.

 

Perception 5 to try to make out any movement in the nest. Also, Alphard casts detect magic in the chapel.

[Bismuth]

Karsh's gaze sweeps the area, trying to pick up on any details that might give assistance to their task.

Alphard moves up to stand near to Karsh, he puts down his lamp and begins to wield some magic, his hands and mouth intertwining words and gestures.

Karsh, with some knowledge of the ways of magic, holds back until Alphard has concluded his spell making. He then moves closer and whispers to him " There is a ladder against the southern wall of the nave about halfway along. But of greater concern is what is happening just above us! ", he points up to the rafters where there is what appears to be some sort of woven shelter constructed to hang between them. " and someone or something is moving about in it!. The question is do we give 'them' a chance to surrender and explain themselves or just launch an attack? " in his heart he hopes that Alphard agrees with the first option, too much killing goes against the ways of the land, especially if it is unjustified.

[LupusRegalis]

<Khandir> Stats: HP 13/13 ; AC Current 21, normal 17(15 Flat, 12 Touch) ||Str 15; Dex 14; Con 14; Int 12; Wis 14; Cha 8||For +4; Ref +2;Will +1||Init +4

Khandir eyes the self-proclaimed Druid and the gnome as they wander up into the chapel itself. The gnome is fairly bristling with anger, he can see, and wonders at its source. He was still unsure as to what purpose, other than light-bearer for the human, the little man served. It didn't matter at the moment however.

He watched the druid pause, and shortly after the gnome set aside the lantern he'd held. Curious now, Khandir finally moves up towards the pair. Something had made them pause, and both were unusually silent in their observations. Khandir was of course, not.

"What's that you're doing there, Alphard?" he says when he nears the two, watching Alphard wave his hands in deliberate movement. "What's got you two spooked?" So saying he looks around the chapel himself, the darkness unable to hide anything but colors from his sight. Truly, nothing in the ruined chapel other than the gnoll-skull totem impresses him. Tattered ruins of just another temple is all he could see. Though he did wonder who had made and hung the skulls, and more importantly, where they were now. It was an impressive number of skulls.

He swung his eyes away from the chandelier and turned toward Khalid to call to the human, and that's when he noticed what Karsh and Alphard had already seen. He warily brought his shield up and his sword into position, looking around in earnest. Everything about his stance went from wary alertness to ready for battle. They'd wandered into somethings home, after all. Likely something not friendly, if the skull totem was any indication. He called back to the human warrior a warning "Khalid, be alert, something nests here."

 

OOC Move to stand at 12,13 Perception check, 5 (just a reminder that half-orcs have Darkvision 60') Standard action:Total Defense, +4 AC

[Of Line and Flow]

"Focus," Khalid warns. Though the word itself applies broadly, his eyes meet Khandir's in particular without a hint of jest. "We are here to secure the premises. Posturing and the decor will be dealt-with in due time."

That is all he has to say on the matter at present, though he takes a mental note to follow-up at camp.

While he did not expect the chapel to be well-maintained given the state of the entryway, he makes careful note of the oddities about. His vision decidedly less acute than that of the others, he examines the room for anything out of place. The skulls are disconcerting, especially so high in the air.

His ears jerk, tracking the voice into the shadows.

"My name is Khalid Muhadin of the Merchants of Dusk." he begins. "These men and I travel as part of a caravan of many. We seek shelter and news. We offer supplies for trade. We intend no ill will, provided you feel likewise. Will you allow my people safe haven here?"

 

OOC Search the ground for tracks, taking 10 for a check total of 15 (+2 if human). Perception 16 to locate source of sound. Diplomacy 20 vs voice to allow safe haven. Khalid stands at 12-12 with his guisarme readied versus any charge.

[DarkTower]

As the gnome squints his eyes glow a shade brighter as he activates some sort of inner magic. There is a sound of creatures laughing at Khalid as he calls out to the chapel. They sound so much like the hyenas of Inner Katapesh. The 'manling's' polearm gleams in the lantern light a distance past the slave as he stands there defiant, Khandir defending portions of the rest of the party.

Suddenly, in answer to Khalid, little arrows the size of darts fly at the PCs. Khandir was ready and it was this that saves him, a small arrow lodging into his spiked shield. But the gnome is not so lucky as he scans the room with his magical eyes. Two arrows strike him in the chest, deep enough to cause serious damage [refer to the Veil thread for damage totals]. The gnome staggers back a bit besides the druid.

The small arrows came from somewhere above.

 

2 Chapel
A short set of wide ceremonial steps leads up to a cavernous chapel in which the congregants would gather for sermons in happier times. The vibrant orange and red starburst of Sarenrae still stands behind a film of rusted rainwater and dirt along the north wall overlooking the collapsed altar. Between the stairs and the altar stand dozens of old marble benches, many overturned and even more broken into two or more pieces. A wide walkway bisects the pews, leading directly to the raised altar. Here and there a few clumps of the original red carpet along this thoroughfare hang on against rot and neglect. The candelabra of gnoll skulls is directly in the middle of the room and creaks as it swings in place.

2a. The Altar
The altar stands in front of the gaping and broken stained glass window and an open book is on top of it. A mess covers the whole altar.

2c. The Nest
Karsh looks up and notices that the ceiling rafters in the southeast portion of the chapel upper works have been papered over like a wasp’s nest in an interwoven mish-mash of soiled tapestries, tablecloths, altar runners, and other bits of
salvaged cloth, creating a sort of hanging “tent” in the rafters above.

2b. Ladder
Karsh points out a ladder leading up to the above rafters in this location.

 

[Of Line and Flow]

"Take cover!" Khalid corrals the gnomish pincushion behind him as he hurls a javelin in return.

 

OOC Free Action: Drop Guisarme Move Action: Move in front of Alphard, providing Soft Cover (+4 AC vs ranged attacks). Free Action: Draw javelin as part of move (Base Attack is +1 or higher) Standard Action: Javelin vs Feyling, Attack 11 Damage 7

[DarkTower]

In the chaos there is a sharp sound of metal as the guisarme hits the ground and clatters there. In a blur Khalid covers Alphard and launches a javaline towards the gremlins. The throw is true but for no reason at all the weapon droops and falls short, lodging hard into the beam and sending dust raining onto the pews below. Seems he was unlucky.

The gremlins nearly scatter but quickly stand their ground when orders are yelled at them from the Nest. The archers bend back their dog ears submissively and fumble for more arrows.

Note The fey radiate Unluck. Inside the chapel or encountering the gremlins else where you must roll all checks and attacks twice and take the lowest roll. The House Rule for cure hit points is also affected: you roll once as usual in this case.


All Players Roll Initiative
If you beat 17 then go first.

[LupusRegalis]

<Khandir> Stats: HP 13/13 ; AC Current 21, normal 17 (15 Flat, 12 touch) ||Str 15; Dex 14; Con 14; Int 12; Wis 14; Cha 8||For +4; Ref +2;Will +1||Init +4

Khandir recoils with the force of the arrow as it lodged in his shield, snarling up in the creatures general direction. "They say No." He mutters loudly, stating the obvious with some satisfaction. It's what he would have done had someone broke into his lair, and then brokered for rights. With a tug on his packs straps, he releases the catches in two quick movements that allow Khandir's extra gear to slip loudly to the floor. He pays it no mind other than its location so it doesn't trip him up.

He does take Khalid's advice however, and uses his shield as best he's able to. It wasn't really meant for stopping arrow volley's, but it was better than nothing. As the half-orc imagined Alphard could attest to now. He mimics Khalid's move to protect their gnome comrade, stepping in closer to Karsh to provide some cover to the druid. Given their relative sizes, it should help. He says to the other half-orc over his own shoulder "The ladder. When I say Go, we move towards it together. I'll shield you, yes?"

 

OOC Initiative, 16 (lower score) Free action: Drop backpack (no longer encumbered) Move action: To 12,11 to shield Karsh Standard action: Total Defense, +4 AC Note: *How high is the ceiling, and how low does the nest hang approximately? *Are the squares between pews considered rough terrain?

[Bismuth]

As Karsh points out the position of the ladder arrows fly down from above. They thankfully miss him but as he turns his head he can hear that others were not so lucky. An arrow is sticking out from Khandirs shield and Alphard collapses at his side. Karsh can see two arrows sticking out of his chest and blood begins to seep from the wounds.

Khandir and Khalid move to provide cover for the fallen Gnome as Karsh ducked down so as to provide as small a target as possible. Khalid throws a javelin in response to the attack but it falls short. Khandir moves closer to Karsh and suggests a plan of action, move to the stairs with Khandir providing cover.

Karsh thinks for a moment " I need to deal with Alphards injuries, so let me try something that should cause confusion to our attackers! ". He straightens up and gazes at the nest there through that gap in the nest, there is something moving. He gestures with his hands and speaks words of power, concentrating on the movement in the nest.

As the last words burst from his mouth Karsh thrusts out his right hand, a bolt of scorching fire erupts from his palm towards the occupant of the nest.



Even before he sees the effect of his spell Karsh kneels at Alphards side in order to try his best to assist him.

[Ockerdoodle]

<Alphard> * || Stats hp 4/8 ; AC 12, 12 touch, 11 flat-footed (+1 size, +1 Dex ) || *For +2; Ref +3; Wil +3 ||*

Alphard heard the twang of bowstring and the cackling of the gremlins all around him. He saw the others moving and watched as the human forcibly thrust the gnome backwards for protection throwing a javelin back towards where the arrows had come from. He watched as the slave dropped his backpack to the ground and readied himself for battle. He watched everything, all in a daze, all as if he wasn't even really there.

Then his chest began to ache.

Alphard looked down and saw the two arrows sticking out of him. Their ugly shafts gleamed with blood; it took Alphard a moment to realize that it was his own. He looked up, his eyes wide, and saw the half-orc druid coming towards him while looking the other way, his hands erupting in flames.

" I need to deal with Alphard's injuries, so let me try something that should cause confusion to our attackers! "

Alphard knew he was dragging the group down. He had come to be a boon to the party, not a burden, but he felt now more than ever that he was weakening them as a group.

"Karsh," his small voice quavered from his body at first, weak and feeble. Alphard stopped for but a second, shut his eyes and took a deep breath. When he reopened them, there was a flame of resolve there, burning not unlike the magic fire in his veins. "Karsh, help the others! I will be fine on my own! TAKE DOWN THAT NEST!" His words boom forth from his body as he moves to hide his small frame behind one of the broken pews between the nest and himself. While taking cover, he slips his hand down to his belt and pulls out a potion of a greenish hue that he is happier than ever to see. He then drops his backpack to the ground, un-stoppers the drink, and downs it with one gulp.

He feels his flesh begin to mend and tighten and a warmth fills his body with renewed strength. He rips the arrows free from his chest as his wounds begin to close completely and he turns from his covered position and yells,

"TAKE DOWN THAT DAMN NEST!"

 

Alphard takes a 5ft step West to 9,11 to take cover behind a pew. As a move action he pulls out a potion of CLW. As a free action he takes off his backpack so he is no longer encumbered, and as a standard action he drinks the potion.

He is healed for 6 hp.