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Message: <blockquote data-quote="steev42" data-source="post: 1550119" data-attributes="member: 17162">Tattered and TornArriving back in the room with the stairs, Gryffth took a quick assessment of the general health of the party. Crunch seemed to be completely fine, but the others, including himself, were all injured. Combined with the general slow and clumsy way with which Isaura and Owen were moving, it didn't bode well for the future, especially since Fharlanghn would not grace him with any more light cures today. "I think it best that we head back to town for a time, heal up before we continue." It was agreed to, so they went back to town. On the way, a quick inventory was taken of the items they had looted from the skulks (he thought that was what Ghelve had called them). Counting up the sovereigns they would likely be able to take in from this haul, Gryffth determined some bad news. "It seems we won't have enough to restore you to your normal ability guys. Even with the discount the church offers us, we'll still only have enough for one casting of the spell we need."That tore it for Isaura. There was only one way to get this money, but she didn't have the skills most rogues used for such tasks. She was more of a...blunt force trauma, so to speak. So she pulled herself together, moving clothes strategically. Finally, she found a promising corner, and stood there, waiting for someone to happen by with the right moral flexability and desires.Unfortunately, the first person to take notice of her (other than her companions who she studiously ignored) was a city guard. They were never the brightest, but she couldn't see even the dumbest being willing to take her up on what she was supposedly offering while on duty. He strode forward, and opened his mouth to speak. Thinking quickly, Isaura spoke before he could, lowering the timbre of her voice as much as possible. "Good day sir. Wanna wrestle?"Atler felt his jaw drop. This woman, apparently a prostitute of some sort, had the voice of a man. Shaking himself together, he realized what she...he...she...whatever it was had said. "Uh...wrestle?" Fortunately, he had an excuse. "I am afraid that I cannot do so while I am on duty. Would not be right, you see." He began looking for an out, but eyes were beginning to look their way, as they always did when the guard started doing something. There was no graceful exit here.Fortunately, the...person...provided an out for him. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm trying to find a wrestling partner for an upcoming crossdressers event." Atler shook his head, and decided that the best exit was a quick one, and darted away, mumbling under his breath.Owen had tried to convince her otherwise, but she seemed determined to do it this way. So he, Gryffth, and Crunch stood nearby, trying to ignore what was going on, but at the same point keeping alert for danger. Some old guy walked up to Isaura, and he could barely make out their words. Isaura told the old man that she'd been naughty...and then the two of them walked into an alley. This was bad, this was very bad. He turned to the others to note that Gryffth had seen it as well, though Crunch seemed fairly oblivious. Elbowing the half-orc, the three of them sidled closer to the alley, eventually hearing the sounds of a scuffle going on. Suddenly, a cry came from the alley, more likely that of the old man than of Isaura. "Help! Somebody help!" The crowds suddenly thinned, and Owen was able to make his way closer to the combat going on.Crunch looked at the scuffle. It was obvious to him that Isaura was trying to help them get the money, so he was shocked when Gryffth moved closer to help the old man, telling Isaura, "let him go. This is a black path you're walking." Gryffth did pick up the money pouch, but he made no move to pocket it, instead preparing his quarterstaff in a defensive pose.Crunch laughed. "Call it a stupidity tax for going into a dark alley with an unknown woman." Isaura flashed a quick grin in his direction, but Owen scoffed."Come off it, Crunch. He didn't ask for this, he's an old man. He just wanted fun, not to get robbed and beaten. I for one won't stand for it." Crunch couldn't believe his companions, especially Owen, couldn't see the right of taking the money to help themselves. So he moved forward, intending to knock out the old man and put an end to the conflict in that light anyway. This he was shocked when Gryffth's quarterstaff swept his feet out from under him, and the end of the quarterstaff found it's way to his throat, lightly pressing down.Gryffth had had enough. "Leave the old man ALONE!" The old man stood up, holding a dagger, and with thanks in his words. "You are entirely welcome. Normally these folk aren't quite so belligerent, but Fharlanghn was with me today."Isaura snorted in disgust and walked away. "Fine! But if those kids die, it's your fault Gryffth. No one else's. We had our priorities straight."Gryffth knew she's see the right road eventually, with him to guide her there. So he turned to the old man, handing back the purse. "However, if you would be so kind as to help us, we are trying to help some orphaned children. We truly could use the money if you have it." Owen added his support, for what it was worth. Gryffth was pleased his lesson had taken hold of the mage. He could prove to be a valuable ally.The old man knew fear. He had known it before, and would doubtless know it again before his time was up, but nevertheless, it was the current fear that took him. Though this man, apparently one of Fharlanghns, had saved his life, he was still afraid. The cleric was asking for money, so if that would get him off...he reached in, not even looking at the coins he grabbed. "My money is my own, but if it'll get the lot of you away from me, here!" He tossed a pair of coins on the ground, and backed away slowly, darting away once the alley walls no longer penned him in.Gryffth picked up the coins, which he noted were silver crowns. "A church donation, then." He walked out of the alley, spotting Isaura stalking away towards the church, with Crunch close behind. He and Owen walked after them. 'That girl will get herself killed one day if she follows the road she walks now,' he thought. Fortunately, it seemed that no further trouble would find them, and soon the four were reunited in the foyer of the Church of St. Cuthbert. Crunch muttered about needing ale, and trying to console their egos, Gryffth smiled. "I'll be sure to buy you one, Crunch. It's the least I can do for landing you on your butt in the alley."It took a while after they arrived, but Jenya finally showed up. "You seem to have taken a few beatings," she said. Gryffth quickly explained about the poison affecting both Isaura and Owen, and Jenya nodded. "I can heal your hurts, but the effects of the poison may take a bit. I have the appropriate spell prepared, but only once, and I am the only person who does have it prepared. Unfortunately, our talents cannot come without a price; I have to ask if you are prepared to give the church a donation."Gryffth gallantly handed over all the money they had. He hadn't sold the weapons yet, so he said so. "We can raise about 30 or 40 more gold, but this is all we have at the moment." Jenya looked it over, and offered to take it on credit of what she would pay them at the end of the mission; it was agreed to by all. "We'll gladly take it. Would you use your spell on Owen then?" As other clerics moved through casting Cure Light Wounds spells (free of charge, Gryffth was pleased to note), Jenya called upon St. Cuthbert to expel the poison from Owen's system. Gryffth found the slight differences in the prayers fascinating, and watched closely. Perhaps he could use some of this to gain more potent spells from Fharlanghn. He would have to try it in the future.The spell complete, Jenya backed away. "This was not so effective as I hoped. If you return tomorrow, I will ensure I prepare an extra for you. Hopefully I can be of some further help then."After making a quick stop to sell their weapons, it was decided that saving money was best, so everyone headed outside the city gates. The mountainside was not completely comfortable, but enough plant and animal life lived there to make it at least restful. Gryffth, with the help of Crunch, did his best to make Owen and Isaura completely comfortable, in the hope that he could allow the poison to run its course a little quicker. He pulled out his healer's kit, using a couple of the applications of it; after a long night, he was pleased to see that both of them looked a little better. With Jenya's additional healing, it should be enough for them to journey back into the depths of Jzadirune.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Nov 2, 9713---------------------------------------------------------------------------Jenya stood at the doorway, anxiously awaiting the return of those she had hired. If the children weren't found, the reputation of the Church could suffer for years, and it would be all her fault. The sun was above the buildings when she finally saw them coming towards her. Composing herself to stillness, she greeted them happily when they finally arrived. "I was expecting you. Please, come in, come in." Inwardly chiding herself for being too bubbly, she led them to a small healing room in one corner of the temple. After checking that one of her spells should go to each of Isaura and Owen, she called upon St. Cuthbert, pleading in her voice. She laid hands upon the mage, Owen was his name, and was pleased to feel the effects much more strongly than she had the night before. The result was similar with Isaura. She nearly choked on her own tongue when the one called Crunch suggested spending another day in the wilds, but fortunately, Owen motivated them downwards again. She watched them go with a mixture of dread and anticipation. She had to have chosen correctly, she just had to.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Back in the darkness (Ghelve had only given them a little grief), Isaura patiently waited while a torch was lit. Once it was, they moved towards the other door they had discovered which she said was marked with a Z. Crunch cried out briefly, and she turned, discovering he had a crossbow bolt in his side; their attempts at finding the attacker failed. She wasn't surprised. It was obvious that Gryffth was good at finding things that wanted to be found, not those that were trying to hide. Oh, if she ever got her chance... She stood back a ways when they got to the door a moment later, allowing Crunch to take the risk. It was good to have someone as tough as him willing to take the falls for the group. She would have to remember to thank him...maybe by letting him keep some money sometime. The door slid open smoothly when the key was inserted, and to her relief no trap was sprung. The room itself was empty of creatures, but not devoid of debris. She set about searching the area, and was soon rewarded with finding a secret door in the wall. Owen seemed to be fascinated with some broken glass on the floor, which he said had once held a magical potion. Regardless, she looked over the door she had found, ensuring it was not trapped before opening it.Owen was pleased that they had someone with them who could find such things. Undoubtedly that would prove extremely useful by the end of this quest. If only they could keep her from hoarding all the money. He moved into the next room cautiously, seeing three chests sitting on the floor in front of him. They all had animals painted on them, painted to resemble humans. Odd images, but nonetheless, he sat watching while Isaura searched the chests. She announced that the one painted like a fox had a false bottom (how she could tell that from the outside confused him), but that none of them were trapped. Cautiously, they opened the chests, as Gryffth called forth an orison which would allow him to see magical auras. The first they opened was empty, and the second contained only a grey leather bag. However, Gryffth announced it was magical, and placed it carefully in a pack. The third, the fox chest, looked empty until Isaura activated the false bottom. Owen was dazzled by the wealth within, even though he was sure that it wasn't much compared to the wealth that once graced these walls. Gryffth announced that the dust in the vial was magical, and pocketed it as he had the baga.Like the room they had been attacked from originally, this one had a rough-hewn tunnel going out of it. Deciding it was the best way to go for now, having exhausted the opportunities to use the keys they had, the group moved on. They came to a large room, where some sort of metal thing sat, apparently unfinished. A skulk quickly darted out a tunnel on the opposite side, and without hesitating, the group darted after him. It nearly proved to be their undoing...The first to follow the skulk was nearly wrapped up by a bunch of cloth that formed the rough shape of a humanoid; Gryffth fought the thing off with desperation, but not before his breath was nearly taken. Now that he was aware of the threat, he noticed the the skulk seemed to be wrapped in similar cloths. Something tickled at his memory, but before he could pick up on what it was, the rags were attacking again. Again, he had to fight for his breath, driving the rags away with sheer force at the last minute. Crunch soon followed Gryffth into the room they had arrived at, and nimbly dodged the rapier wielded by the skulk they had followed. Gryffth, sensing imminent doom, backed away cautiously, calling upon Fharlanghn to heal him. He was rewarded with the feeling of strength that came from the spell.Crunch found himself startled when his first attack was repulsed by the rags surrounding the skulk. "I never miss," he thought, but soon had to sidle out of the way of Isaura's chain wrapping around the rapier of the skulk. A brief test of strength followed, and the weapons disengaged from each other. He also had to dodge a ball of acid coming from Owen's hands, splashing into the wall beside him. Gryffth was getting into his stride now, able to avoid the attack from the rags this time, but the distractions proved damaging to Crunch, who suddenly found a rapier in his side. Howling in anger, he sent his flail smacking into the head of the skulk, causing it to drop its rapier in pain...right into the arriving chain if Isaura. The rags, after taking a heavy blow from Gryffth, decided to go for an easier target, but Owen proved similarly resistant to the attempts to wrap him up, pulling off piece after piece as it even touched him. Gryffth called on Fharlanghn to command the skulk, and was surprised when it resisted the affects; but it didn't matter for a moment later, Crunch hit the skulk again and it fell to the ground. The rags seemed undeterred, and pressed it's attack on Owen, but still failed to manage to get the full hold it so desperately sought.Now the rags around the skulk pulled themselves off and rose in approximation of the original attacking set, coming at Crunch, who slew its host. The half-orc nibly stepped around the...arm...that threw itself out, realizing his true foe had only just revealed itself...but it wouldn't do to have the skulk recover and try to help the rags. A quick flail into the ground, and that threat was permanently neutralized. That was enough to distract the rags attacking Owen, but offered the opportunity for the original parasite to attack Crunch, who felt that only a last second turn had saved him from a lung puncturing. He roared in anger, calling upon the rage within, and drove a final crunch into the rags, sending them flying all over the room. He had a vague sense of the other set falling to the ground in flames and Gryffth holding a torch smugly, when he let go of the anger and the fatigue that always hit him after such an episode came.This was enough to cause the group to wish to rest, so they took the rubble and fashioned a makeshift door. Isaura had a sneaking suspicion that the tunnel they had entered from wasn't the only entrance, but kept this information to herself. Once the door was up, they looted the room completely, and set down to rest for a while. Owen grabbed the grey bag they had found earlier, and at Crunch's encouragement, stuck his hand in. Pulling out a fur ball, he recognized the magic for what it was, an item commonly called a Bag of Tricks.</blockquote>

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