Clutches of Evil - IC: Chapter One

[Nonlethal Force]

Pwent, Keryth:

Braachus nods in acceptance to the terms, and after a little while of making small talk about some of the perils of the journey (natural threats like lizardmen tribes, orc clans, swamps and their denizens, etc ...) both Keryth and Pwent hear footsteps coming down the hallway. Before toolong, the acolyte reappears and introduces Bahruul and Byntrou to the chief priest.

Bahruul, Byntrou:

Making the journey to the temple, the acolyte greets Byntrou and Bahruul at the door. The acolyte remembers the large Bous from the previous day and immediately offers to guide them to the cheif priest's office where Pwent, Destiny, and Keryth are currently located.

The acolyte guides Bahruul and Byntrou down the hallway and past several praying priests and commoners. At the end of the hallway is a spiral staircase which only barely allows Bahruul to pass down its steep steps. At the bottom of the stairs is another hallway and at the end of this hallway is a room where Keryth can be heard speaking to one whom neither Bahruul nor Byntrou recognize. The acolyte steps into the room and introduces the Boes.

All:

Braachus, the chief priest says, "Ah, very good, then. You are all here. Keryth, I trust that you can debreif your friends on what we have already discussed? As I have said before, should you choose to undertake this mission and give our temple enough time, we would be more than happy to provide what supplies our humble temple can."

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“Thank you Braachus, yes I can certainly explain everything,” Keryth says bowing his head to the two priests again, this time inclining his head more deeply, before turning to his companions to explain what has been discussed in their absence.

OOC: I assume everyone read it as we went, but just in case it’s all relisted in the spoiler below.

Discussion with Heironeous priests about quest.
[SBLOCK]Entering the room Pwent and Keryth see two clerics of obviously high religious order. The higher ranking of the two is human in appearance while the other cleric is dwarven. They both stand as Keryth enters the room, but they do not bow. The human speaks, "Heironeous greets you, dragon-priest. You wear your faith proudly, that is something to be respected. I am Braachus, cheif priest of this temple. My associate is Dhorgrad, my second. How may we be of your service this day?"


Keryth bows his head to both priests before answering their query, “A pleasure to meet two so high in Heironeous’ favour, your attendance on this matter honours me. I am Keryth and these are two of my companions Destiny and Thibbledorf Pwent, we also have two Bous with us though they are on another task at the moment, reacquiring an item stolen from one of them when we were all robbed the other evening. Now to the matter at hand...I and my companions were hoping to be of some assistance to you, if you would be interested in our aid, in finding out what has happened to your uncommunicative temple. The acolyte which just led us here informed us of that much yesterday, but knew no more. So if you do wish our aid in this task we would be most appreciative of some specifics, most importantly where the temple may be found and who we should be looking for.”


The high priest replies in a very business-like tone. "Ah, the temple in Foothills*, then. Yes, we have been extremely discouraged by reports coming out of that villiage. It is believed that the government of that tiny town has become corrupted from the mayor down. As far as how the people themselves are, we cannot be sure. The last report we had was that the head priest of that temple was encountering resistance to his daily proclamations for the greatness of Heironeous. The wealthy in the town were especially adjitated by his daily messages. He asked for assistance from nearby temples, but no assistance came. He then asked for assistance from any temple of Heironeous in the land, and a few responded. All the priests who have been sent there to investigate have not been heard from since. If you are willing to undertake a quest, I could manage to collect what funds we can gather and provide for your travel. We are a small town ourselves with minimal resources. But my priests can provide holy water, food, and perhaps even a few scrolls if that would be needed."

*Foothills:
Foothills is a very small suburb of Dullstown - in the northern most extreme of the kingdom of Barghast. While Foothills is only a meager 500 people in population, Dullstown is the 2nd largest city in the regency under the control of Regent Colvert.


“Well any assistance you could provide for the quest would be appreciated, however we would not claim it until we were ready to pursue the problem with our full attention. How far from Theropa is Dullstown anyway? For if it is a fair distance it is not something we will be able to pursue immediately as we first must handle a local problem, hopefully it will finish with the creature we seek to confront, but you can never be sure in these matters...”


The dwarven second smiles briefly and adds, "Dullstown is many days into the north. Foothills is a few hours journey beyond that. I mean not to sound overshadowed in negativity, but if you are planning on pursuing this matter I would recommend that you take care of the business that you have here and say your goodbyes. Even if you are successful, you will be gone many long days."

Braachus nods in agreement. "If you need a few days, that will only help us to help you prepare for this journey. I do not mean to presume your acceptance, but if you give us a minimum of two days to help you prepare, we may provide a few potions and scrolls if you would like. As a cleric, I am sure you are aware of what my priests of the temple may do. At any time you may make a request - I will determine if it is possible."


Keryth considers the words of both priests before replying, “Well before undertaking such a long journey I would need to discuss it with the rest of our group...they shouldn’t be too far behind actually, so we may be able to give you a definitive decision shortly. Currently I’m inclined for the time being to leave the task unaccepted until we return and find ourselves with ample time to pursue your quest, as I would hate to give my word that we will assume the task you have presented us with, only to find I cannot keep it immediately.”

Pausing for several moments to gauge their reaction, Keryth then explains his reasoning. “To put your minds at ease that it’s not the length of the quest or that we find it unworthy, I will detail the task that occupies our thoughts and time currently. We are at the moment in pursuit of a goblin that paid to have us robbed, and we’ve heard that the robbery may have been associated with some form of prophecy so you’ll understand why I’d currently rather not commit our services to any long journeys until that is resolved.”

Knowing that the preparations may be a moot point, he decides to discuss that eventuality as well just in case. “As for the preparations, well I’m sure we could use at least a few days rest after our business with the goblin and its minions before moving on...assuming that task we currently pursue doesn’t lead us to a greater problem. So I would imagine any preparations could begin when we return from our goblin hunt.”[/SBLOCK]

 

[D20Dazza]

Bahruul listens intently to the debrief "As I said to your acolyte my strength is at your disposal Bahruul says as he turns to the priests "But it is as friend Keryth suggests, we have an issue we must attend to before we can aid you. If our mission meets with success then I, at the least, will make my way with all haste to attend your requirements"

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Dhorgrad, the second highest ranking priest, responds to Bahruul by saying, "For one of such natural instincts, your civility is greatly noted. May both serve you well and bring you back alive and ready to respond to our aid."

Braachus responds to Keryth with a lsight bow of his own. "We will await your return, then. May Heironeous journey with the Platinum Dragon and protect you in your immediate quest."

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“That is all we can ask for Braachus,” Keryth replies solemnly, “May Bahamut watch over your missing priests too until we may locate them.”

 

[D20Dazza]

Sensing that the discussion is finished with Bahruul makes his way back to the entrance and then outside where he waits for his companions to catch up. Once the group is together he says "So we're now going after the goblin? Get to have me some killin' time" he says the last with a grin and a wink, and a feigned redneck accent, his thumb tracing its way down his blade.

 

[magic_gathering2001]

As soon as he gets outside Pwent yells out, "Yeah! I can BREATHE again!"

 

[Nonlethal Force]

As the party heads out of town and away from general civilization, the path continues to demonstrate a well travelled nature about it. The land in this area of Barghast is relatively flat and forested, which keeps the land from being eroded or even disturbed too much. Many of the trees have just begun to bud, and the river that runs through this part of the country is running high from where it can be seen from the road.

Along the way, Destiny remembers to give Byntrou the crystal that he had asked to be picked up. "It isn't very expensive, Byntrou ... but you said all you needed was a crystal and we were on a tight budget." The crystal is clear and small enough to rest easily in one's palm of their hand.

Before too long, the party comes upon the hill that they had been told they would find. Part of the way up the hill, it is even possible to see what appears to be the cave entrance which they seek. Normally the entrance would not be visible from the road, but the lack of full leaves on the trees keeps the entrance just in plain sight. Of course, this also means that the travlers along the road are also more visible than normal.

As the party looks at the cave, it clealy appears to be a naturally formed cave, rather than a cave dug for mining purposes. The opening is oblong, more wide at the bottom than at the top. The top of the cave appears to be no more than eight feet above the cave's floor. Other than a very overgrown resemblance of a trail, there appears to be no sign of structured life within the cave.

 

[unleashed]

Keryth, Male Drakontos Cleric

“Well here we are, I suppose we’d better go explore the cave and see whether Dreeves lied to us or not,” Keryth says as he takes the lantern from the backpack and prepares it for use, handing it to Destiny unlit as she is the the person least likely to enter combat directly should it arise.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Destiny takes the lantern, looks at it, looks back at Keryth, and fakes a hurt frown.

"I know what this means. Give it to the wee one who's got no big stick to beat people with. I hear ya loud and clear. You're just lucky I don't have a stick, cause if I did ... well, then ... I suppose I'd be a much less likely cantidate to handle the lantern!"

At the end she smiles at Keryth. "Just kidding around, big guy. Of course I'll take the lantern. My powers only require one free hand anyway - so it makes sense."