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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Milo Windby" data-source="post: 139494" data-attributes="member: 202">Temple of Elemental Evil - part 31 (session 13)Wary of any imminent ambushes, Brigit peeked past the eastern door.  It was still ajar from the bugbear’s flight and the ogre’s entrance.  Brigit waved her companions in after insuring that it was safe.  The door led to a short hallway ending in another partially open door.  This portal led to a room much like the last.  Another open door led to the north.  Judging from the décor Milo figured that the room was used by minor temple officiates.  The usual tapestries depicting gruesome scenes of evil draped the walls.  Milo found a partially concealed door behind one on the southern wall.  Brigit found a sack next to the northern door full of rancid meat and spoiled provisions.  She threw it to the side in disgust.”These guys sure knew how to eat well, eh Brigit?” said Milo.”If well is packin yer gut full O rot, then yeah, they ate well.” she answered.”Let’s check the open door first.” Mazi said, all business.Brigit once again led the way, peeking inside for an ambush.  The others followed her in shortly.  A putrid stench filled their nostrils as they entered the room.  It was the same size as the others, but no other doors were apparent.  Moldy and lumpy pillows were pilled near the far wall, the imprint of the ogre’s body still pressed into the cushioning fabric.  Bones picked clean and drained of marrow were piled in a corner.  One thing in particular drew Milo’s eyes.  An iron bound chest lay partially covered by cushions near the wall.  Milo sprang for the chest, eager to pry out its contents.”Like a little-un wi presents, he is.” Brigit marveled.”Yes, but let him have his fun.” agreed Mazi.The padlock securing the chest couldn’t stop Milo for long.  His fingers worked the lock steadily, hitting the last tumbler after a couple of attempts.  He soon had the lid to the chest wide open.  Inside they found objects that must have been of import to the ogre, old clothing, a brass candlestick, even a rusted saw.  Underneath the junk Milo found the real treasure, coins of copper, silver, gold, and platinum.  Once they had taken care of the coins, Milo set about searching the rest of the room.  There didn’t appear to be anything hidden in the ogre’s den.  Mazi and Brigit had searched as well and came up empty-handed.  Back in the minor staffing room Milo set his ear to the concealed door.  He heard a rustling sound, much like a few people in cloaks, or-”I hope that’s not the sound of wings.  Cuz there’s either a lot of them, or really big ones.” said Milo.Milo backed up and readied his weapons, noting that Mazi and Jeremiah did as well.  Brigit pushed open the door and they all braced themselves for the worst.  Nothing happened.  All Milo could see from his vantage point was a murky darkness beyond the door.  ”Okay, I’m going invisible to check it out.  You all wait here.” said Milo.He called upon the domain of trickery that Usamigaras reigned over.  A shimmer appeared around the halfling, starting from his head and settling down around his body.  Soon Milo’s whole person shimmered as if he were part of a desert mirage.  Moments later Milo disappeared, much as a mirage when reached on the horizon.Milo crept as quietly as possible into the room, heading to the right to clear himself from the door.  He had no wish to stand in front of the inviting target of the door.  The room was huge, almost a hundred feet wide and at least forty deep. The air itself was murky, almost damp.  There appeared to be some sort of illusionary magic placed on the room.  A green illumination emanated from the walls, it took a second for Milo’s vision to adjust.  Milo felt as if he were deep underwater. He groaned inwardly when seeing the columns at each corner, topped with stone gargoyles.  A stone statue composed of a conglomeration of sea creatures, most with tentacles, squatted near the middle of the room.  An bronze altar adorned with fish lay beyond.  There was a large bronze sheet of metal hung on the west wall with a fish head sculpted in the middle.  The head protruded forward and water spewed from the fish’s open mouth into layered pools.  There were two pairs of double doors as well, one set leading back north and the other to the east.  The bronze altar itself was set into a wide alcove.  Behind the altar was a curtain of seaweed, blocking the rest of the alcove from view.  Milo’s eyes at last came to rest on the room’s occupants.A man stood behind the altar, flanked by two bugbears dressed in robes with morning stars belted at their waists.  The cowardly bugbear from the last battle stood behind the priest, whimpering.  To Milo’s shock one of the robed bugbears was staring right in his direction.  Milo swore inwardly, he must have made just a little too much noise.  The bugbear leaned over to the priest and spoke below its breath.  The priest merely smiled beatifically and said, ”Come in, come in.  Be not afraid!.”Milo stood stock still.”We merely wish to…talk.” the priest said.</blockquote>

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