A Merc's Life: Howl of the Carrion King [01]

[Maidhc O Casain]

As the group spreads through the cloisters, Aodhán moves to inspect the carving Harnry has called to his attention.

[sblock=Aodhán]You recognize the five figures as legendary genies known as the Templars of the Five Winds.[/sblock]

North Cloister
A sweeping bas-relief sculpture along the north wall depicts the five bearded, larger-than-life humans from the East Cloister riding the wind with triumph carved upon their faces. In the distance, an ominous mountain (Pale Mountain) looms over the quintet. East of the wall decoration, two open arches lead into small rooms off the north wall. The south wall is little more than a series of open arches that look out into an open-air courtyard.

 

[Leif]

Houwlou Groulenas

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the depictions of the heroes, Houwlou remains uncharacteristicallly quiet during this interlude. He is ever-vigilant, however, and keeps a watchful eye peeled and a wolfish nose in the wind, straining to sense any danger from anywhere nearby.

[sblock=stat block, Houwlou]
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead),

   HP: 27/27     AC: 17   AC(T): 11   AC(FF): 16
 Init: +01    ST(F):+05   ST(R):+04    ST(W):+04

  BAB: 02       CMB: +5     CMD: 16

Weapon                  Attack    Damage      Critical     Special
Longsword (MW)*         +5        1d8+3       19-20/x2     +1 TH Gnolls
  Dagger*               +4        1d4+1       19-20/x2     +2 TH/Damage
Longsword (MW)          +3        1d8+3       19-20/x2        (Undead)
  Longsword             +2        1d8+1       19-20/x2     
Javelin                 +3        1d6+3          20/x2     

                        *+7 & +6 TH if using these alone in primary hand

[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

Keeland

"Let's cross the courtyard and check the corridor opposite. If we don't run into anything interesting we can check out the chamber to the north."

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

OP Map

Keeland makes his way through the courtyard and out the other side. The going is tough (counts as difficult terrain), but nothing other than desert insects appears to inhabit the place.

The outer wall of the west cloister passage bears a massive carving. The central figure - the heroic Vardishal - preaches to a variety of human clerics from throughout the long history of the monastery. The first image depicts Vardishal manifesting in a spiritual manner to a small group of pilgrims of Sarenrae. Another shows him conversing with a man in religious finery while the monastery itself is being constructed in the background. Thereafter follows a procession of similar poses, each depicting a visit by the bearded man and the leader of each era of the temple. The depictions of these clerics often also bear an identifying inscription, complete with dates that span the last several hundred years. The most recent carving is from thirty years ago, and while ample room remains for additional carvings on the west wall, the last thirty feet or so are completely blank.

The bas-relief here has suffered the most damage of any along the cloister walk. In particular the clerics of Sarenrae have been particularly ill-treated, with some of their names and the dates of their reign completely pried away or scratched into oblivion. Their physical forms bear other obvious sings of abuse, with a few gouges in faces and chests that clearly seem to have been created with strong intent to vandalize.

Two open arches on opposite ends of the west wall lead out into the ruined nave.

 

[Scotley]

Keeland

"Why the intense hatred of the clerics of Sarenrae I wonder?" Keeland asks to no one in particular. Perhaps further exploration will reveal and answer. He motions the others to unexplored octagonal room to the North.

 

[Leif]

Houwlou Groulenas

"I am sure that I know not, friend Keeland. However, I wonder.... Perhaps if the evil menace that is now here were cleansed and the place refurbished somewhat, might Sarenrae send a new order of priests to occupy the place and turn it back into a bulwark for good in this region?"

[sblock=stat block, Houwlou]
Houwlou Groulenas - Male Olcán Ranger 1
Initiative: +1, Perception: +8(+2 more smell/sound,+2 more vs. undead),

   HP: 27/27     AC: 17   AC(T): 11   AC(FF): 16
 Init: +01    ST(F):+05   ST(R):+04    ST(W):+04

  BAB: 02       CMB: +5     CMD: 16

Weapon                  Attack    Damage      Critical     Special
Longsword (MW)*         +5        1d8+3       19-20/x2     +1 TH Gnolls
  Dagger*               +4        1d4+1       19-20/x2     +2 TH/Damage
Longsword (MW)          +3        1d8+3       19-20/x2        (Undead)
  Longsword             +2        1d8+1       19-20/x2     
Javelin                 +3        1d6+3          20/x2     

                        *+7 & +6 TH if using these alone in primary hand

[/sblock]

 

[Scott DeWar]

" and maybe we can restore the carving to its original design if we can find documentation with the information that has ben desicrated here"

 

[mleibrock]

Tsadok

Tsadok will remain with the group taking in all that is seen but speaking little of it.

[sblock=Stat Block]

   HP: 14/22     AC: 15   AC(T): 13   AC(FF): 12
 Init: +03    ST(F):+02   ST(R):+06    ST(W):+03

  BAB: 01       CMB:+04     CMD: 17

Weapon                  Attack    Damage      Critical     Special
Sap (MW)                +6        1d6+3          20/x2     Non-Lethal

[/sblock]

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

OP Map

The light from Keeland's bow penetrates the gloom through the doorway, dimly illuminating this austere octagonal chamber with a tall roof and an aerie of leering gargoyles perched atop each point where a wall meets another wall. An unholy stench of rotting meat, dried blood, and animal excrement hangs heavy in the air, no doubt from the fine crust of gore, animal carcasses, matted leaves and guano covering the floor. Dim glints of metal can be seen through the grunge on the floor.

[sblock=OOC]Back to work, and I don't have access to the internet from my laptop so I can't put the map here. The OP Map (linked above) is updated.[/sblock]

 

[renau1g]

As the group spreads through the cloisters, Aodhán moves to inspect the carving Harnry has called to his attention.

[sblock=Aodhán]You recognize the five figures as legendary genies known as the Templars of the Five Winds.[/sblock]

North Cloister
A sweeping bas-relief sculpture along the north wall depicts the five bearded, larger-than-life humans from the East Cloister riding the wind with triumph carved upon their faces. In the distance, an ominous mountain (Pale Mountain) looms over the quintet. East of the wall decoration, two open arches lead into small rooms off the north wall. The south wall is little more than a series of open arches that look out into an open-air courtyard.

As the group is looking around the cloister area, Aodhán points out that the carvings are those of the legendary genies known as the Templars of the Five Winds.

Before going any further into the gore encrusted area, the abhac cleric holds up his hand to stop anyone from going forward. "May Lonrach shine on our efforts here" he says and a soft silver light filters over the group.

[sblock=ooc]
Cast Bless, lasts 2 minutes[/sblock]