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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rhun" data-source="post: 4167623" data-attributes="member: 29098">Temple of Elemental EarthYou proceed north, ready to bring battle to the cultists of the Temple of Elemental Evil. You move slowly, carefully, trying to remain as quiet as possible so as to be able to surprise the enemy. You make it to the entry to the Temple of Earth, where you had previously destroyed the great earthen elemental that resided within, and where your companion Otto lost his life. Standing upon the earthen pyramid within the room's center are two men, proselytizing to a mass of kneeling worshippers below. Another human male, stripped save for a ragged breechcloth, is chained to the column behind the priests.One of the men atop the pyramid, an ugly man with slicked back greasy brown hair, is dressed in black plate armor, with a golden triangle engraved upon the chestplate. His cloak is the color of deep brown earth. He seems to be the one leading the procession. His companion is a thin man with shaggy blonde hair and pale skin wearing a earthy brown robe over what appears to be plate armor of bronze coloration.Kneeling in the dirt below the pyramid, their backs to you, is a largish group of worshippers. The front rank is composed of four humanoids in muddy brown robes, the cowls pulled up over their heads to hide any features. Behind them kneel six humans, temple guards, clad in their scale armor and black tabbards.  The third rank of worshippers include four gnolls and two bugbears. All appeared to be armed and armored.Their chanting ends as you watch, and the man you guess is the High Priest of the Earth Temple speaks to his congregation. His voice is loud and commanding as he speaks, and his attention focused upon his followers. "As you all know, infidels have raided our Temple. They have slain many of our faction, and even destroyed the Avatar of Elemental Earth that we have worked so long to bring into being. We are greatly weakend. Yet, we must remain strong. Although we have alerted the Greater Temple below of the situation, we have not discussed our losses. To do so would be to appear weak, and invite the other factions to raid us. We must stay alert, and work together, to ensure any more incursions are put down quickly and bloodily."The cleric looks over the congregation, and then turns to his assistant and gives the man a nod. The acolyte quickly draws a dagger from his belt and slits the throat of the chained prisoner. The blood flows freely from the wound, and the underpriest gathers it in a bronze ewer. After a few moments, the acolyte hands the high priest the ewer. "We start again, now, to bring on the rebirth of the Avatar of Elemental Evil. From the blood of the innocent and weak, will we once again call upon its power..." The cleric dumps the ewer off the side of the pyramid, where the dark brown soil quickly drinks up the liquid. The high priest then continues to address his followers."We shall defend this Temple with our lives. Until our strength is replenished, we shall remain together in group and protect the sacred Earth. Now, we pray, brothers!" At these words, the cleric begins leading the worshippers in the words of a prayer, in a strange tongue that none of you recognize.In the dim light generated by the strange phosphorescent fungus that hugs the walls and ceiling, it does not appear as if any have yet noticed your presence.Actions?-</blockquote>

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