Nonlethal Force
First Post
[Sblock=Reconstituting what’s happened… ]
Catching the game back up to where we left off...
Of course the players know this, but in a few months the crash will be long forgotten. Thus, this Sblock represents a marker indicating a 4+ month long playing period that needs to be reconstituted. What follows in the next few posts is that reconstitution.Unfortunately, to get the game up onto its feet in the quickest possible manner I'm going to post it as such without adding color to the text. Hopefully these records will suffice! Let me know if there is anything I can do to them to make them better.[/Sblock]
Sensing the party ready to begin their quest, Pater Braachus reaches under his desk and lifts up a small satchel that has obviously been prepared for several days now. Opening the satchel and removing the items within it, the party can see 8 potions and a scroll case. Once the items are all out on the pater's desk he speaks, "The 5 light blue potions are potions of healing. They are minor - but they may be of use to you. The white potions are potions which will give you the temporary effect of a shield. The remaining pink potion is a potion that will protect you minorly from attacks of the most dire evil."
[Sblock=Potion specifics]Pater Braachus is donating 5 potions of Cure Light Wounds, 2 Shield of Faith (+2) potions, and 1 potion of Protection from Evil. [/Sblock]
Lifting the scroll case off of the table he demonstrates how to open the case by flipping open a latch at the end. He continues, "Inside, you will find 8 scrolls. Three of the scrolls contain divine words calling upon Heironeous' blessing. 2 of the scrolls call upon Heironeous' voracity. The final two scrolls will provide you with a magical fog that you may need to call upon if you need to hide for one reason or another."
[Sblock=Scroll Specifics]3 scrolls of Bless, 2 scrolls of cause fear, and 2 scrolls of obscuring mist. [/Sblock]
Once the party leaves and makes and final purchases before heading overland, they find that it would seem as though Fharlanghn, Yondalla, and Obad-hai all seem to favor the party as they have moderate traveling weather. The nights are overcast, enabling them to keep their camp hidden easier as well as keeping the nights warmer than normal. The days are are typically clear, enabling the sun to beat down upon them and drive the chill of the early spring air away. The party is able to cross overland all the way to their destination on the third day of travel.
Oddly, the party didn't run across a single adversary. Sure, they saw the occasional wolf, fox, and deer. Yet even though they traveled through Lizardman territory they managed to continue to pick trails through these areas that did not lead directly into villages and thus were not guarded by the lizardmen.
As the party reaches the far northern part of the Kingdom of Barghost they have several choices before them. As they walk, they notice that the land becomes significantly more mountainous. It becomes more and more difficult to walk anywhere except the beaten paths and roads. Of course, given that this is the region where the majority of the king's ore comes from this is not particularly surprising, either. As the party walks through the mountains, periodic caves can be seen.
Post by Jkason
Byntrou surveys the land, Delcoi scenting the air on his horn. He seems oddly serene outside like this. But his reverie is broken when he speaks.
"The pater said there was a temple in Hemlock where we might find aid and information. I would suggest we head there first before entering Dullstown proper. We can set up whatever means of relaying messages that we decide upon, which I suspect will come in very handy if we have to send said messages in a hurry."
Post by Unleashed
“Sounds like a good idea, though I doubt a message system will be necessary...I’m sure we’ll be able to find reason to visit when we have information,” Keryth adds, thoughtfully, “Though we should introduce ourselves, so they know we’re here, and get a better idea of what’s going on.”
Post by D20Dazza
"That would appear to be the most prudent course of action petik" Bahruul says to Byn.
Turning to Keryth he continues "And introducing ourselves to the locals so we're not mistaken for bandits also holds a cetain appeal'.
Post by Nonlethal Force
The temple of Heironeous is rather easy to find in the small town of about 1,200 people. As one might suspect in a mountainous region, the town seems to have a disproportionately high number of dwarven residents. There is a small commodities store which seems to sell simple things like mining clothes, gear, and rations. There are a few temples around the town - each of them small. Moradin and Heironeous are the obvious ones of worship, but it seems as though there are other deities worship more discretely. A bathing house exists in the town as well, seemingly taking advantage of some of the hot springs in the mountains. Beside thes locales, the rest of the buildings appear to be residences. There does not appear to be a tavern or even an inn in the town.
The temple of Heironeous appears to be a rather small temple - even compared to the small temple in Great Bend. For the most part, from the outside it seems to be like one large area for communal worship and an office or two in the back.
Opening the doors and stepping inside reveals that these suspisions are true. The inside of the building is indeed one large worship area. There is a large symbol of Heironeous engraved in the floor and a mirroring image in the ceiling. Wooden kneeling blocks are strewn about the room and along the outer walls there are shelves to indicate positions for prayer. On the far side of the temple there are two doors, the one in the right corner is open while the one in the left corner is closed. As the party enters the temple a woman comes out of the open door. She is dressed in shining breastplate armor and has a longsword at her hip. Placing a single hand on her hilt she adds, "Welcome, strangers. I am Chiandra. What business do you have with the Temple of Heironeous at Hemlock?"
She does not have a helm, but her golden blonde hair is twisted into a single bun on the back of her head. She has green eyes and a small delicate nose.
Post by jkason
As the party approaches town, Delcoi falls back into Byn's robes, out of sight. The bous notes the bathhouse with some interest, but keeps his focus as they approach the temple. His usual discomfort with gods is evident in the worried look he gives the mirrored symbols on the horizontal surfaces, and the small start he makes at seeing the armored human.
Byntrou puts his best smile on as he approaches Chiandra. "I am Byntrou of the winding river," he says with a slight nod of his head. "My companions and I come by way of Great Bend, sent here at the behest of Pater Braachus on ... church business?" As he asks the vague but leading question, the bous raises an eyebrow and looks to each side, indicating the open and public nature of their current surroundings.
Post by unleashed
“Greeting Chiandra, I am Keryth, and as my companion here has said we have just arrived from Great Bend, and thought we would pay our respects.”
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra smiles and relaxes her face, although she keeps her hand on the hilt of her sword. "Church business and paying your respects, huh? If you don't mind me saying so, I find it highly unlikely that you venerate Heironeous. No offense, but you all do not look like the Heironeous types. Of course that does not mean that you are not welcome, of course. How may I attempt to help you - or have you come to find sanctuary and meditation?"
Post by jkason
Byntrou looks to his companions with puzzlement, then turns back to Chiandra. "No, I worship no god at all, if you must know," Byntrou admits flatly. "When I say 'business,' I mean just that: we've been hired by the church. Pater Braachus lead us to believe we'd be expected, and that you would know the mission on which we were sent. Has there been no word between here and Great Bend?"
Post by unleashed
Keryth returns Byntrou’s look of puzzlement with one of his own, thinking that what he was going to say to Chiandra, before Byntrou first spoke, would have received even less acknowledgement. After all, Byntrou hadn’t even hidden the fact of who had sent them here...
Post by magic_gathering2001
Pwent looks puzzledly
at Chiandra and asks jokingly, "You really can't see us as glorious crusaders of Heronious? Are we really that actors]
Nonlethal Force
Chiandra replies to the smaller Bous, "Ah. There has been word of your arrival, but considering what has happened to the Temple in Foothills we really find it best to play stupid until other people have exposed their own plans. For that matter, this is why you will find us armed and armored. The source of the threat is largely unknown - thus everyone could still be a potential suspect."
Replying to Pwent she adds, "As to whether you are actors or not, I do not know. But I do knw you have one that serves the platinum dragon among your midst - his ornamentation tells me that much at least. And considering that the Bous aren't know for their deep veneration of Heironeous I figured that left at best two of five. If I have offended you, I apologize."
Post by jkason
Byntrou nods. "Just as you say," he says with a look about the common room. He takes a step or two closer to the woman and adds "Is there somewhere we might discuss this that's slightly more private? Given all of our suspicions, I'd prefer not to talk about this where any random parishioner (or, more dangerously, false parishioner) might wander in and overhear."
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra responds to Byntro's request with a head shake side to side and adds, "No, unfortuantely there are only the two offices and this main room. The offices are much to small to hold a meeting with all of us."
Post by unleashed
“Then I guess this will have to do, though we might want to move further from the entrance. So what can you tell us Chiandra, as Braachus could tell us little?” Keryth asks, his voice pitched so it does not travel very far.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul steps outside the front door and acts as sentry, keeping people away from the conversation taking place inside.
Post by magic_gathering2001
Pwent will stay with the group but not really listen to the conversation, instead he will search for anything that appears to take too much notice in their converstation.
Post by Nonlethal Force
[Sblock=OOC All]
I am afraid I may not have made myself clear. Inside the temple there is nobody present except for Chiandra and perhaps someone behind the closed door to the other office. Just wanted to state that in case there was any confusion.[/Sblock]
Bahruul:
Bahruul doesn't really have a difficult time preventing people from coming into the temple. In fact, after standing outside for a minute he gets the distinct impression that the only reason people are acknowledging the temple at all is because he's a Bous and he seems to be guarding it. The people don't really stop to stare or anything, so it isn't like Bahruul is being watched. There are not a terrific number of people out on the streets, though. The town seems to have a lazy appearance - although it is prime mining time in this community.
Byntrou, Keryth, Pwent:
Chiandra responds, "Well, I do not know what all to tell you. It would seem something has happened over in Foothills to stir up trouble. The source of the trouble is indeed largely unknown, although our best guess is a rival religious sect in that it seems to be the local temples that are being targeted. A few servants of Pelor have been wounded in attacks, and a couple of dwarven Moradin worshippers have also being gravely injured. The temple of Heironeous seems to have found the brunt of the attacks as some of the priests have gone missing. This should not surprise you, however, because that temple was the only one to take the threat seriously enough to take up action against the threat. They went into the mines and did not return."
“There was an artifact brought forth from a new shaft that was recently opened. At first it was thought that if the artifact was stolen then perhaps the artifact's return would cease the attacks. Such has not been the case. The item was returned to the place where it was found. The next day the item had been removed by some unknown presence, yet the attacks continue."
She pauses to allow the others a little time to catch up and ask questions if necessary.
Post by unleashed
“That is far more than we knew to this point Chiandra, and it gives us an idea of where to start at least. Since the missing priests went into the mines, but didn't return, I guess they should be the starting point of our search for your lost brethren at least. Hmm, and now onto the larger problem...you said you think it might be a rival religion. What rivals exactly do the three faiths struggle against here, is there just one, or is it possible several have joined together? Also, do you know anything about the artifact that was unearthed, was it associated with any of your rivals?” Keryth asks, before looking around to find Bahruul blocking the entrance.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul continues to watch the town from the church doorstep, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.
Post by jkason
Byntrou falls back, letting the priests interact. He nods to Bahruul when he can catch his eye to thank him for keeping watch.
Post by Nonlethal Force
Byntrou, Keryth, Pwent:
Chiandra replies, "Alas, we don't know much about the artifact at all. In all truth, we don't even really know that it was an artifact. It could have merely been something found that we thought might be important but was simply a cast off item. Having said that, it could have been an incredibly important tool as well. We just don't know for sure."
She continues, "As for rivalries, there are those who would oppose us. There are the godless ones who simply do not see the need for religion at all. There are also those who more actively oppose us - those who worship the gods of death, vile corruption, tyranny, murder, slaughter, or even cowardice. Though they worship in secret it must be acknowledged that their gods do have considerable power in some areas. Of course, the threat may well reach beyond the known opposing gods as well."
Post by unleashed
“You are right Chiandra, it may not even be opposing religions, though with the attacks on priests of all three faiths, they are definitely a likely group of suspects. The priests though, are our first priority...hopefully if we can find and rescue them, they will be able to offer some insight into the trouble that plagues this region,” Keryth replies, thoughtfully.
Continuing after a few moments, Keryth adds, “We will also keep an eye out for this artifact, that was taken, returned, and then taken again...as whatever it turns out to be, it seems important to someone at the very least...”
Post by jkason
Byntrou nods in agreement with Keryth's assertions and promises, then adds, "We were also told that you might be able to relay messages back to Great Bend if need be. Should we be forced to send someone, or one of our party comes themselves, should they ask specifically for you, Chiandra? We were lead to believe that our involvement with the church was to be as clandestine as possible; are all the acolytes here aware of us, or only certain individuals?"
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra nods at Keryth and turns to Byntrou to address his assertion. "I do believe that perhaps you have been mislead. This temple does not have acolytes. Only myself and my fellow priest live here. We have a small worshipping congregation. But yes, we can relay messages if necessary. It would be our honor to do so. As for secrecy, I think that is best to your discretion. I fear that my associate in Great Bend is afraid that our small numbers implies an inability to defend ourself."
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul winks at Byn when he catches his eye and starts to pace backwards and forwards before the door.
Post by jkason
Byntrou bows his head to the priest. "Our thanks for what information and aid you can give," he says. He turns to his fellows, then, saying "Perhaps we should rest here this evening, head into Foothills fresh in the morning?" Back to Chiandra, Byn asks, "Do you know of a good place for travelers to rest here in town?"
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra replies, "Well, there are no inns here. If you have friends in the area you can stay there. You can find lodging in Dullstown, no doubt. But as a last resort you would be welcome to spend the night here. Our floor is hard, but free of charge."
Post by unleashed
“Well if we can make it to Dullstown today, perhaps we should go...then this meeting can then simply be written off as people asking for directions, should anyone ask. Striking out from Dullstown would also hopefully disabuse anyone of the notion that we are linked in common cause, and although I know you can defend yourselves it’s not worth taking the chance of unnecessarily drawing additional attention to your temple. Of course if we can’t reasonably reach Dullstown today Chiandra, we’d be pleased to stay right here in your temple, and provide what additional defense we can should anything happen...” Keryth offers, trying to protect the temple as they promised, without offending the priests here.
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra replies, "I see no reason you could not reach Dullstown in enough time to find an inn for the evening." She smiles, waiting for the party's next move.
Post by unleashed
“That’s good! Well obviously I’d prefer we head for Dullstown...anyone else have a preference?” Keryth asks.
Post by magic_gathering2001
"Nope"
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul just happened to be striding past the door when he heard Keryth mention Dullstown. Stopping he pokes his head in the door and says "I'm ready to head to Dullstown and get to the bottom of this mess, let's go"
Post by jkason
Byntrou nods his head slightly, coming out of the fog of whatever thoughts had his attention. "Dullstown it is, then.
Stooping down to Destiny when he has a chance, Byn whispers "If the pace gets to be too much, little one, you're free to take a spell on my shoulders as we did on the road from Great Bend to Theropa. Just let me know."
Post by Nonlethal Force
Destiny smiles at Byntrou and replies, "Thanks. But I like to travel light - it helps me keep up with you all. Besides, I'm not sure the air isn't thinner up there where your heads are!" She laughs as she scampers ahead.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul starts to walk down the road to Dullstown, setting a leisurely pace so that their small friend can keep up.
Post by jkason
Byntrou shakes his head and smiles at Destiny's joke, but says nothing as he follows after the scampering psychic.
Post byNonlethal Force
The party eventually manages to make their way to Dullstown. Being a town of decent reputation of carrying about 12,000 inhabitants, the party can expect to find almost anything they need to find here if they devote enough time searching for it. On their way into town they come across several traveling groups headed out of town. From their conversations it seems that the attitude of the town would fit around the belief that the laws of the town are strictly enforced, but there is little concern for good or evil causes. Getting the job done fairly and as expediously as possible seems to be a mantra that these people live by.
Dullstown rests primarily in a long and narrow valley between two mountain ranges. The town, therefore, is likewise long and narrow. The party enters Dullstown from the southern end with the mountain ranges running primarily north and south at this point. As would be expected of a larger town, there are inns (both for sleeping and for eating) and taverns (primarily for drinking although their potatoes have a certain onion and garlic smell to them) readily as one of the first things to greet the party besides private residences. The people of Dullstown seem to live on small patches of land and although it is still very early spring this far north in the mountains there seems to be a general trend to small residential farms as potentially the primary source for food. The grounds of many of the residences have tilled areas, although nothing is growing up from the ground as of yet.
The people take little notice of the party, except for a few miners headed out of town. The group of miners are carrying standard mining gear complete with picks, candles, and oddly enough a canary. There are five miners, all of them are built solidly though none are even as tall as Byntrou. Three of them appear to be quite human. The fourth looks to be some type of human crossbred with a more fair race in which the crossbreeding left the individual with long and completely snow white hair despite the fact that the individual looks no more than 30 years of age. The last of the mining party is a dwarf - by far the most muscular of the whole group. The white haired individual is the one carrying the canary. As the party passes by them they can hear one of the humans say to the dwarf, "Look at them folk, Grinder. 'Cept for the short one they've got your muscles on a better sized frame!" The dwarf, whose name appears to be Grinder, adds "Aye. They might could give me a challenge tunnelling through the rock if they weren't such obvious surface dwellers!" The dwarf laughs hertily, although clearly his comment was not meant as an insult.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul grins at the dwarf "You funny little man" he says with a chortle.
Post by jkason
Byntrou quirks a smile to the dwarf, then speaks to his companions. "Perhaps it would be best to find ourselves lodgings first. Once we have some kind of base, we can check out the rest of the city, perhaps make some inquiries. A central location will let us split up more easily, too, I should think, since we'll all know where we'll eventually wind up."
[Sblock=Continued...]I have four more pages to add to this thread before we begin. I'm going to post the most recent posts and we'll pick it up from there. As I have time, I'll edit the rest of the internet cache that unleashed managed to save and get those up. A huge thanks to unleashed for saving these![/Sblock]
Catching the game back up to where we left off...
Of course the players know this, but in a few months the crash will be long forgotten. Thus, this Sblock represents a marker indicating a 4+ month long playing period that needs to be reconstituted. What follows in the next few posts is that reconstitution.
Sensing the party ready to begin their quest, Pater Braachus reaches under his desk and lifts up a small satchel that has obviously been prepared for several days now. Opening the satchel and removing the items within it, the party can see 8 potions and a scroll case. Once the items are all out on the pater's desk he speaks, "The 5 light blue potions are potions of healing. They are minor - but they may be of use to you. The white potions are potions which will give you the temporary effect of a shield. The remaining pink potion is a potion that will protect you minorly from attacks of the most dire evil."
[Sblock=Potion specifics]Pater Braachus is donating 5 potions of Cure Light Wounds, 2 Shield of Faith (+2) potions, and 1 potion of Protection from Evil. [/Sblock]
Lifting the scroll case off of the table he demonstrates how to open the case by flipping open a latch at the end. He continues, "Inside, you will find 8 scrolls. Three of the scrolls contain divine words calling upon Heironeous' blessing. 2 of the scrolls call upon Heironeous' voracity. The final two scrolls will provide you with a magical fog that you may need to call upon if you need to hide for one reason or another."
[Sblock=Scroll Specifics]3 scrolls of Bless, 2 scrolls of cause fear, and 2 scrolls of obscuring mist. [/Sblock]
Once the party leaves and makes and final purchases before heading overland, they find that it would seem as though Fharlanghn, Yondalla, and Obad-hai all seem to favor the party as they have moderate traveling weather. The nights are overcast, enabling them to keep their camp hidden easier as well as keeping the nights warmer than normal. The days are are typically clear, enabling the sun to beat down upon them and drive the chill of the early spring air away. The party is able to cross overland all the way to their destination on the third day of travel.
Oddly, the party didn't run across a single adversary. Sure, they saw the occasional wolf, fox, and deer. Yet even though they traveled through Lizardman territory they managed to continue to pick trails through these areas that did not lead directly into villages and thus were not guarded by the lizardmen.
As the party reaches the far northern part of the Kingdom of Barghost they have several choices before them. As they walk, they notice that the land becomes significantly more mountainous. It becomes more and more difficult to walk anywhere except the beaten paths and roads. Of course, given that this is the region where the majority of the king's ore comes from this is not particularly surprising, either. As the party walks through the mountains, periodic caves can be seen.
Post by Jkason
Byntrou surveys the land, Delcoi scenting the air on his horn. He seems oddly serene outside like this. But his reverie is broken when he speaks.
"The pater said there was a temple in Hemlock where we might find aid and information. I would suggest we head there first before entering Dullstown proper. We can set up whatever means of relaying messages that we decide upon, which I suspect will come in very handy if we have to send said messages in a hurry."
Post by Unleashed
“Sounds like a good idea, though I doubt a message system will be necessary...I’m sure we’ll be able to find reason to visit when we have information,” Keryth adds, thoughtfully, “Though we should introduce ourselves, so they know we’re here, and get a better idea of what’s going on.”
Post by D20Dazza
"That would appear to be the most prudent course of action petik" Bahruul says to Byn.
Turning to Keryth he continues "And introducing ourselves to the locals so we're not mistaken for bandits also holds a cetain appeal'.
Post by Nonlethal Force
The temple of Heironeous is rather easy to find in the small town of about 1,200 people. As one might suspect in a mountainous region, the town seems to have a disproportionately high number of dwarven residents. There is a small commodities store which seems to sell simple things like mining clothes, gear, and rations. There are a few temples around the town - each of them small. Moradin and Heironeous are the obvious ones of worship, but it seems as though there are other deities worship more discretely. A bathing house exists in the town as well, seemingly taking advantage of some of the hot springs in the mountains. Beside thes locales, the rest of the buildings appear to be residences. There does not appear to be a tavern or even an inn in the town.
The temple of Heironeous appears to be a rather small temple - even compared to the small temple in Great Bend. For the most part, from the outside it seems to be like one large area for communal worship and an office or two in the back.
Opening the doors and stepping inside reveals that these suspisions are true. The inside of the building is indeed one large worship area. There is a large symbol of Heironeous engraved in the floor and a mirroring image in the ceiling. Wooden kneeling blocks are strewn about the room and along the outer walls there are shelves to indicate positions for prayer. On the far side of the temple there are two doors, the one in the right corner is open while the one in the left corner is closed. As the party enters the temple a woman comes out of the open door. She is dressed in shining breastplate armor and has a longsword at her hip. Placing a single hand on her hilt she adds, "Welcome, strangers. I am Chiandra. What business do you have with the Temple of Heironeous at Hemlock?"
She does not have a helm, but her golden blonde hair is twisted into a single bun on the back of her head. She has green eyes and a small delicate nose.
Post by jkason
As the party approaches town, Delcoi falls back into Byn's robes, out of sight. The bous notes the bathhouse with some interest, but keeps his focus as they approach the temple. His usual discomfort with gods is evident in the worried look he gives the mirrored symbols on the horizontal surfaces, and the small start he makes at seeing the armored human.
Byntrou puts his best smile on as he approaches Chiandra. "I am Byntrou of the winding river," he says with a slight nod of his head. "My companions and I come by way of Great Bend, sent here at the behest of Pater Braachus on ... church business?" As he asks the vague but leading question, the bous raises an eyebrow and looks to each side, indicating the open and public nature of their current surroundings.
Post by unleashed
“Greeting Chiandra, I am Keryth, and as my companion here has said we have just arrived from Great Bend, and thought we would pay our respects.”
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra smiles and relaxes her face, although she keeps her hand on the hilt of her sword. "Church business and paying your respects, huh? If you don't mind me saying so, I find it highly unlikely that you venerate Heironeous. No offense, but you all do not look like the Heironeous types. Of course that does not mean that you are not welcome, of course. How may I attempt to help you - or have you come to find sanctuary and meditation?"
Post by jkason
Byntrou looks to his companions with puzzlement, then turns back to Chiandra. "No, I worship no god at all, if you must know," Byntrou admits flatly. "When I say 'business,' I mean just that: we've been hired by the church. Pater Braachus lead us to believe we'd be expected, and that you would know the mission on which we were sent. Has there been no word between here and Great Bend?"
Post by unleashed
Keryth returns Byntrou’s look of puzzlement with one of his own, thinking that what he was going to say to Chiandra, before Byntrou first spoke, would have received even less acknowledgement. After all, Byntrou hadn’t even hidden the fact of who had sent them here...
Post by magic_gathering2001
Pwent looks puzzledly
|
Nonlethal Force
Chiandra replies to the smaller Bous, "Ah. There has been word of your arrival, but considering what has happened to the Temple in Foothills we really find it best to play stupid until other people have exposed their own plans. For that matter, this is why you will find us armed and armored. The source of the threat is largely unknown - thus everyone could still be a potential suspect."
Replying to Pwent she adds, "As to whether you are actors or not, I do not know. But I do knw you have one that serves the platinum dragon among your midst - his ornamentation tells me that much at least. And considering that the Bous aren't know for their deep veneration of Heironeous I figured that left at best two of five. If I have offended you, I apologize."
Post by jkason
Byntrou nods. "Just as you say," he says with a look about the common room. He takes a step or two closer to the woman and adds "Is there somewhere we might discuss this that's slightly more private? Given all of our suspicions, I'd prefer not to talk about this where any random parishioner (or, more dangerously, false parishioner) might wander in and overhear."
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra responds to Byntro's request with a head shake side to side and adds, "No, unfortuantely there are only the two offices and this main room. The offices are much to small to hold a meeting with all of us."
Post by unleashed
“Then I guess this will have to do, though we might want to move further from the entrance. So what can you tell us Chiandra, as Braachus could tell us little?” Keryth asks, his voice pitched so it does not travel very far.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul steps outside the front door and acts as sentry, keeping people away from the conversation taking place inside.
Post by magic_gathering2001
Pwent will stay with the group but not really listen to the conversation, instead he will search for anything that appears to take too much notice in their converstation.
Post by Nonlethal Force
[Sblock=OOC All]
I am afraid I may not have made myself clear. Inside the temple there is nobody present except for Chiandra and perhaps someone behind the closed door to the other office. Just wanted to state that in case there was any confusion.[/Sblock]
Bahruul:
Bahruul doesn't really have a difficult time preventing people from coming into the temple. In fact, after standing outside for a minute he gets the distinct impression that the only reason people are acknowledging the temple at all is because he's a Bous and he seems to be guarding it. The people don't really stop to stare or anything, so it isn't like Bahruul is being watched. There are not a terrific number of people out on the streets, though. The town seems to have a lazy appearance - although it is prime mining time in this community.
Byntrou, Keryth, Pwent:
Chiandra responds, "Well, I do not know what all to tell you. It would seem something has happened over in Foothills to stir up trouble. The source of the trouble is indeed largely unknown, although our best guess is a rival religious sect in that it seems to be the local temples that are being targeted. A few servants of Pelor have been wounded in attacks, and a couple of dwarven Moradin worshippers have also being gravely injured. The temple of Heironeous seems to have found the brunt of the attacks as some of the priests have gone missing. This should not surprise you, however, because that temple was the only one to take the threat seriously enough to take up action against the threat. They went into the mines and did not return."
“There was an artifact brought forth from a new shaft that was recently opened. At first it was thought that if the artifact was stolen then perhaps the artifact's return would cease the attacks. Such has not been the case. The item was returned to the place where it was found. The next day the item had been removed by some unknown presence, yet the attacks continue."
She pauses to allow the others a little time to catch up and ask questions if necessary.
Post by unleashed
“That is far more than we knew to this point Chiandra, and it gives us an idea of where to start at least. Since the missing priests went into the mines, but didn't return, I guess they should be the starting point of our search for your lost brethren at least. Hmm, and now onto the larger problem...you said you think it might be a rival religion. What rivals exactly do the three faiths struggle against here, is there just one, or is it possible several have joined together? Also, do you know anything about the artifact that was unearthed, was it associated with any of your rivals?” Keryth asks, before looking around to find Bahruul blocking the entrance.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul continues to watch the town from the church doorstep, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.
Post by jkason
Byntrou falls back, letting the priests interact. He nods to Bahruul when he can catch his eye to thank him for keeping watch.
Post by Nonlethal Force
Byntrou, Keryth, Pwent:
Chiandra replies, "Alas, we don't know much about the artifact at all. In all truth, we don't even really know that it was an artifact. It could have merely been something found that we thought might be important but was simply a cast off item. Having said that, it could have been an incredibly important tool as well. We just don't know for sure."
She continues, "As for rivalries, there are those who would oppose us. There are the godless ones who simply do not see the need for religion at all. There are also those who more actively oppose us - those who worship the gods of death, vile corruption, tyranny, murder, slaughter, or even cowardice. Though they worship in secret it must be acknowledged that their gods do have considerable power in some areas. Of course, the threat may well reach beyond the known opposing gods as well."
Post by unleashed
“You are right Chiandra, it may not even be opposing religions, though with the attacks on priests of all three faiths, they are definitely a likely group of suspects. The priests though, are our first priority...hopefully if we can find and rescue them, they will be able to offer some insight into the trouble that plagues this region,” Keryth replies, thoughtfully.
Continuing after a few moments, Keryth adds, “We will also keep an eye out for this artifact, that was taken, returned, and then taken again...as whatever it turns out to be, it seems important to someone at the very least...”
Post by jkason
Byntrou nods in agreement with Keryth's assertions and promises, then adds, "We were also told that you might be able to relay messages back to Great Bend if need be. Should we be forced to send someone, or one of our party comes themselves, should they ask specifically for you, Chiandra? We were lead to believe that our involvement with the church was to be as clandestine as possible; are all the acolytes here aware of us, or only certain individuals?"
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra nods at Keryth and turns to Byntrou to address his assertion. "I do believe that perhaps you have been mislead. This temple does not have acolytes. Only myself and my fellow priest live here. We have a small worshipping congregation. But yes, we can relay messages if necessary. It would be our honor to do so. As for secrecy, I think that is best to your discretion. I fear that my associate in Great Bend is afraid that our small numbers implies an inability to defend ourself."
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul winks at Byn when he catches his eye and starts to pace backwards and forwards before the door.
Post by jkason
Byntrou bows his head to the priest. "Our thanks for what information and aid you can give," he says. He turns to his fellows, then, saying "Perhaps we should rest here this evening, head into Foothills fresh in the morning?" Back to Chiandra, Byn asks, "Do you know of a good place for travelers to rest here in town?"
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra replies, "Well, there are no inns here. If you have friends in the area you can stay there. You can find lodging in Dullstown, no doubt. But as a last resort you would be welcome to spend the night here. Our floor is hard, but free of charge."
Post by unleashed
“Well if we can make it to Dullstown today, perhaps we should go...then this meeting can then simply be written off as people asking for directions, should anyone ask. Striking out from Dullstown would also hopefully disabuse anyone of the notion that we are linked in common cause, and although I know you can defend yourselves it’s not worth taking the chance of unnecessarily drawing additional attention to your temple. Of course if we can’t reasonably reach Dullstown today Chiandra, we’d be pleased to stay right here in your temple, and provide what additional defense we can should anything happen...” Keryth offers, trying to protect the temple as they promised, without offending the priests here.
Post by Nonlethal Force
Chiandra replies, "I see no reason you could not reach Dullstown in enough time to find an inn for the evening." She smiles, waiting for the party's next move.
Post by unleashed
“That’s good! Well obviously I’d prefer we head for Dullstown...anyone else have a preference?” Keryth asks.
Post by magic_gathering2001
"Nope"
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul just happened to be striding past the door when he heard Keryth mention Dullstown. Stopping he pokes his head in the door and says "I'm ready to head to Dullstown and get to the bottom of this mess, let's go"
Post by jkason
Byntrou nods his head slightly, coming out of the fog of whatever thoughts had his attention. "Dullstown it is, then.
Stooping down to Destiny when he has a chance, Byn whispers "If the pace gets to be too much, little one, you're free to take a spell on my shoulders as we did on the road from Great Bend to Theropa. Just let me know."
Post by Nonlethal Force
Destiny smiles at Byntrou and replies, "Thanks. But I like to travel light - it helps me keep up with you all. Besides, I'm not sure the air isn't thinner up there where your heads are!" She laughs as she scampers ahead.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul starts to walk down the road to Dullstown, setting a leisurely pace so that their small friend can keep up.
Post by jkason
Byntrou shakes his head and smiles at Destiny's joke, but says nothing as he follows after the scampering psychic.
Post byNonlethal Force
The party eventually manages to make their way to Dullstown. Being a town of decent reputation of carrying about 12,000 inhabitants, the party can expect to find almost anything they need to find here if they devote enough time searching for it. On their way into town they come across several traveling groups headed out of town. From their conversations it seems that the attitude of the town would fit around the belief that the laws of the town are strictly enforced, but there is little concern for good or evil causes. Getting the job done fairly and as expediously as possible seems to be a mantra that these people live by.
Dullstown rests primarily in a long and narrow valley between two mountain ranges. The town, therefore, is likewise long and narrow. The party enters Dullstown from the southern end with the mountain ranges running primarily north and south at this point. As would be expected of a larger town, there are inns (both for sleeping and for eating) and taverns (primarily for drinking although their potatoes have a certain onion and garlic smell to them) readily as one of the first things to greet the party besides private residences. The people of Dullstown seem to live on small patches of land and although it is still very early spring this far north in the mountains there seems to be a general trend to small residential farms as potentially the primary source for food. The grounds of many of the residences have tilled areas, although nothing is growing up from the ground as of yet.
The people take little notice of the party, except for a few miners headed out of town. The group of miners are carrying standard mining gear complete with picks, candles, and oddly enough a canary. There are five miners, all of them are built solidly though none are even as tall as Byntrou. Three of them appear to be quite human. The fourth looks to be some type of human crossbred with a more fair race in which the crossbreeding left the individual with long and completely snow white hair despite the fact that the individual looks no more than 30 years of age. The last of the mining party is a dwarf - by far the most muscular of the whole group. The white haired individual is the one carrying the canary. As the party passes by them they can hear one of the humans say to the dwarf, "Look at them folk, Grinder. 'Cept for the short one they've got your muscles on a better sized frame!" The dwarf, whose name appears to be Grinder, adds "Aye. They might could give me a challenge tunnelling through the rock if they weren't such obvious surface dwellers!" The dwarf laughs hertily, although clearly his comment was not meant as an insult.
Post by D20Dazza
Bahruul grins at the dwarf "You funny little man" he says with a chortle.
Post by jkason
Byntrou quirks a smile to the dwarf, then speaks to his companions. "Perhaps it would be best to find ourselves lodgings first. Once we have some kind of base, we can check out the rest of the city, perhaps make some inquiries. A central location will let us split up more easily, too, I should think, since we'll all know where we'll eventually wind up."
[Sblock=Continued...]I have four more pages to add to this thread before we begin. I'm going to post the most recent posts and we'll pick it up from there. As I have time, I'll edit the rest of the internet cache that unleashed managed to save and get those up. A huge thanks to unleashed for saving these![/Sblock]
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