The Temple of Elemental Evil: GM:DimDarknight

Prologue: The Shrine of Olidammara

Travel has been relatively easy throughout this week. A few bickering squirrels are the most aggressive things you have encountered and the weather has been quite agreeable, with only a short rain shower that proved more refreshing than disheartening. Though Hommlet is your destination, seeing the mark has made you think perhaps it would be wise to donate a coin or two to the Laughing Rogue.

Not everyone would spot the small cut in the oak and find the trail veiled behind it. It has been recently traveled but looks seldom used. Following the path for less than a mile, the small shrine to Olidammara comes into view. You are not the only one to arrive here this day.

There are in fact three marked oaks with separate paths that all lead to this place. The shrine is more or less a covered area of packed dirt. A wooden umbrella roughly 30 feet in diameter and 10 feet high is woven through the trees with extra posts bracing it in places. These support posts have elaborate masks carved into them. A large copper pool dominates a third of the area.

The hexagon-shaped pool is a foot deep, half above ground; no tarnish is visible. Below the water’s surface is a large plate, a mask of joy and pain. At each angle is an inward overhang with a low burning flame. Three wooden ladles hang at different points along the pools edge. Several coins (From copper to platinum) coat the bottom of the pool.

Mediating near one of the flames is a small figure. Most of his form is concealed by his light gray cloak, though his hood is thrown back. If the gnome is aware of your presence, he has shown no sign of it.

Path 1: Lenwë, Tem, and Lysienne: The outlaws have managed to avoid the authorities so far. Fleeing south, they learn of about potential gains offered in the area of Hommlet. It seems a good place to hide out and replenish some gold at the same time.

Path 2: Egoz and Halbrom: The halfling has been exploring around Hommlet, but never venturing more than a few hours from town. He found the trail today and though Halbrom’s sudden appearance was a bit shocking, Egoz took an immediate likely to the dwarf and/or the prospective of having a wizard ally.

Path 3: An odd thing happened; Torillan’s chain slipped out of his pack as he was traveling. He spotted the marked tree as he recovered the weapon. Though he follows no god, Torillan decided a small detour to the shrine wouldn’t hurt.

---
OOC: I can't draw but maybe these will help explain the pool and shrine's appearance:
http://www.geocities.com/dim_darknight/pool.bmp
http://www.geocities.com/dim_darknight/shrine.bmp

"Well..." Lysienne muses softly, half to her companions and half to herself, "Here we are." Detaching herself briefly from the company of Lenwë and Tem, she walks unhurriedly up to the pool and stares into its depths for a time, tracing the patterns made by the various coins on its bottom. Reaching into her belt pouch with one hand she draws out what she finds there - six coppers, the last of the money she brought with her from her home city. A small smile on her face, she closes her hand around them and then, whimsically, opens it again the other way up so that the coins scatter and fall into the clear water.

The last vestiges of her old self given up to the Laughing Rogue, she has a momentary surge of elation stemming from the feeling of wiping her slate clean.

With that, she returns to her travelling companions, smiling happily. "Well, that's about enough religion to last me a while. Lemme know when you guys are done here, and we can carry on into Hommlet and see what the place has to offer."

Lenwë smirks at the comment made by his companion. He walks over to the pool, peers into its depths, and turns to address his companions.

"Friends, let us celebrate.
As the Laughing Rogue will facilitate,
our adventure and our trip.
For my god, let us take a sip.

He pauses to take a swig from his waterskin, swallows, and continues,
I do not know what awaits us in Hommlet,
but its probably not going to be easy, you can bet.
Friends please give coin to Olidimmara,
and his luck will smile upon us today and tomorrow.

Lenwë reaches into his pouch and tosses a handfull of coins (3 silver) and tosses them over his shoulder and into the pool.

Tomorrow, these rumors, we shall investigate,
And hopefully our adventuring group can proliferate.
But for tonight we party and play games,
This I pray in Olidimmara's name!

Lenwë then steps back towards the others away from the pool with a big smile on his face. Let us head to Hommlet and see what kind of troub... err I mean fun we can stir up at the local tavern or inn.

Halbrom Starforge, Male Dwarf Wizard

Entering the covered clearing with Egoz just as the elf finishes his rhyming prayer, Halbrom walks slowly to the pool. Taking a silver coin from his pouch, he flips it across the back of his fingers before allowing it to drop into the water as he whispers a prayer. As he finishes he addresses the raven sitting on his shoulder in common, “Well Darkwing, I hope Olidammara will bring us luck in our ventures.”

Surprisingly the bird replies, “Why did Halbrom drop the shiny coin in the water?”

“It’s an offering to Olidammara, so please leave it and all the other shiny coins where they are you mischievous bird.”

“Fine,” the raven replies indignantly while it bobs its head in agreement, it then turns its attention the others present, “So who are those three, and the little man beside the fire.” It says pointing with its beak.

“Well I was about to find out, you magpie!” Halbrom teases the bird.

Reaching into his pouch Halbrom brings out a little piece of dried meat, which Darkwing quickly snatches from his fingers when it is presented to him. While the raven eats Halbrom introduces himself, “Greetings fellow travellers, I am Halbrom, my redheaded friend there is Egoz, and the raven on my shoulder is Darkwing...who might you be?” As he is introduced Darkwing appears to nod his head.

Tem raises his eyebrows. Oi. A bloody raven. Just what we need. As if things couldn't get any worse. Clearing his throat, he nods politely and shrugs. "Tem. I don't mean to pry, mate, but aren't ravens, well, bad luck?"

Halbrom Starforge, Male Dwarf Wizard

“Only bad luck if you cross them Tem...they are very wise and calm, a veritable king amongst birds,” Halbrom replies. Darkwing puffs himself up and preens a little at the praise.

Lenwë looks at the dwarf curiously. Why would a dwarven magic user be at a shrine to the Laughing God? Oh well gave a donation, which is more than I can say for some of the others, thinks the Elf.

Stepping towards the dwarf, Lenwë offers his hand... "The name is Lenwë. I am a priest of the Laughing God. Tem, the lady, and I are here to pay our respects to him before heading to Hommlet in search of adventure."

Lenwë the notices the gnome huddled by the fire and keeps an eye on him/her as he continues to speak to Halbrom. "I would guess that the talking bird signifies you as one who practices the Art. As such I would believe you could be use... err helpful to us in our possible adventures. That is if any of these Hommlet rumors prove to be true."

Halbrom Starforge, Male Dwarf Wizard

Reaching out Halbrom reaches past Lenwë’s hand and grasps his forearm in a warriors greeting, “Well met Lenwë. We too are here to pay our respects to Olidammara, though I don’t follow the laughing god as such it can never hurt to have a little extra luck flow your way.”

Having finished his scrap of meat by this time, Darkwing speaks as Halbrom stops to take a breath, “I am Darkwing, friend and advisor to Halbrom, not just some talking bird...”

Taking another scrap of dried meat from his pouch, Halbrom tempts the raven once more...quietening him. “Yes, you would be correct, I do practice the Art. Well it may be that we can work together...what rumours exactly do you speak of?” Halbrom asks, looking for confirmation that these people are seeking the same source of trouble he’s been told of by his master.

"Lysienne is my name," Lysienne offers by way of introduction, smiling a little at the dwarf and giving a small, graceful curtsey. "There are rumours of bandits preying on the roads around Hommlet, and whispers in dark tavern corners speak of more sinister things, strange men with cloaked motivations interesting themselves in things they shouldn't. Couldn't say how much of it's true, of course, but something in the tone of the rumours rings golden in my ears... the sound of opportunity, that's what it is," Lysienne finishes with a grin.

Egoz Quickhands, Halfling spellthief

While his friend Halbrom talks to the others, Egoz stands near the pool and pray, then he flip a coin into the pool.
OK, I'm done.
he says when he finish his prayer and come closer to the others.
Howdy, My name is Egoz as My dwarven friend told ya, Egoz quickhands.
Big smile spreads on his face while he talk and he offers his hand for shaking.
I'm a treasure hunter and offspring of the famous Quickhand family.
when he sees the puzzled faces he says.
You know, the famous Antiques merchants in Furyondy,Veluna, Highfolk, Dyvers and Greyhawk.
He looks again to get confirmation and when he sees none.
Bah .. nevermind, so what did you say about bandits and adventure
he asks Lenwë and Lysienne