| DM | You climb the double
stairway and push gently on the ornately carved double doors. They swing
inwards silently. It is fairly dark inside, although once your eyes adjust,
there is enough light to see by.
Immediately through the double doors is a small chamber. It is 10 feet square
but it has no north wall, opening instead onto a corridor. Carved in the floor
in the alcove is a compass rose, beautifully painted in a variety of colours.
You can see that the temple has been built on a precise north-south axis. The
rest of the alcove is bare.
Heading north into the corridor, you find that there are dim lanterns hung at
irregular intervals. The corridor stretches east-west. It is fifty feet long
and you are at its centre. Immediately east and west of where you stand, red
curtains hang over 10 foot stretches of the south wall. You can dimly make out
large rooms at either end of the corridor. Faintly carved on the wall in front
of you is a hand, pointing east. |
| Dreylin | [Peers out at
the corridor from between other people's legs, examining the curtains - with
reference to whether an unobtrusive Hin could hide behind one...] |
| DM | They undulate along the
wall. You could certainly try hiding behind one. But they are only 10 feet
long. |
| Shianara | [Looks and
listens around for signs of life] |
| DM | The place smells musty
and fairly old. There's dust but not a huge amount. It's clearly not kept
clean but it has not been allowed to fall into disrepair either. |
| Shianara | [to Narond,
quietly] Just as a precaution, if some ritual or other of Rahib's
does involve a mage, perhaps we should be in the centre of the group?
|
| Dreylin | We can't all be
hidden in the middle! [Smiles] |
| Shianara | I suppose it
is easier to hide you than us, too. |
| Dreylin | [Wanders
quietly over to have a look behind the eastern curtain] |
| Shianara | [Follows
Dreylin] |
| Leanna | [Has a closer
look at the hand drawn on the wall, then watches Dreylin] |
| DM | The hand on the wall is
engraved and appeares to be of an age with the wall itself.
You all watch as Dreylin carefully peers behind the eastern curtain.
|
| Dreylin | [Quietly]
Looks like a changing room to me.
[Disappears behind the curtain] |
| Narond | Shall we all have
a look then? |
| DM | You enter to find a
room, ten feet by twenty. At the far end stand two coffers with lids. On the
lids stand tow candles.
Dreylin is just removing one of the lids. |
| Dreylin | [Flinches as
he spills wax on himself, then peers into the coffer]
There's some gold in here, but it doesn't feel quite right taking money from
a temple. After all, the monks have only been enchanted into being bad.
|
| Narond | True, but some
compensation for the time we spend helping them would not go amiss... but I
can wait for that for the moment. |
| Dreylin | Right.
[Replaces the lid, re-lights the candle and (carefully) opens the other
coffer]
More gold. [Once again replaces the lid and re-lights the candle without
removing the gold] |
| Leanna | Shall we check
the other alcove then? [Moves to do so] |
| Narond | [Follows] |
| Dreylin | [Follows
also] A whole caravan of adventurers moves off... |
| Berillia | One cleric is
lagging.
She has hurt her shoulder.
What a pity. |
| Leanna | In the temple.
|
| DM | You cross to the western
alcove and peer behind the curtain.
There is a similar alcove, also lit by candles. Some old clothes hang on pegs
on the wall. There are three large men lounging around the room. They wear
leather armour and carry fairly large swords.
They have yet to notice you. |
| Dreylin | [Retreats a
short way down the corridor]
Do we want to deal with these guys now? You lot may be able to get some
interesting info out of them if you can convince them you're Siswa. I could
listen from behind the curtain, and if it sounds like they're getting
suspicious, I could leap in and distract them so you can bop them on the back
of the head... [Grins] |
| Narond | What a cunning
plan you have, not at all part of the reason we are wearing this Siswa
getup...
I suppose you have questions of your own you would like us to ask. |
| Dreylin | Well, since
they're not wearing those attractive Siswa robes, I was wondering if they
might not be part of the order and had instead arrived with Rahib. |
| Leanna | So what shall we
do with them? Waltz in in a rather ungainly manner and ask where we might find
Rahib? Pretend we're new initiates? Something like that? And should just a
couple of us go in so as not to look too much like a band of disguised
adventurers? If we stay by the curtain and they rush us, we can dive back
through and the rest of you can ambush them. |
| Narond | I think we
pretend we were initiates that were spreading the word when Rahib arrived, and
now we are back, and want to see the man in charge. I suggest 2 people, one
being Leanna, the other being someone else... any voluteers? If not then I
will go. |
| Dreylin | Well there were
five people in the party we mugged to get the robes, so it's obviously not
unusual to have that many around. You could all go in there and say that you'd
seen a Hin enter the temple, and needed to go to report it to Rahib. Then if
they became suspicious I could pretend to sneak though the curtain and be
surprised at finding lots of people in there, and then run away, so while they
chased me you could bop them on the back of the head. |
| Shianara | Not a bad
plan, but since I'd assume that there are no elven Siswa, it might be wise for
myself to stay outside also. |
| Narond | OK, I'll go with
Leanna and Habib. |
| DM | Narond, Leanna and Habib
enter the alcove.
You hear voices from within, but they are muffled.
There is still muffled conversation from inside the curtain.
The curtain is tweaked by someone on the other side.
[***Records of this conversation gratefully received***] |
| Dreylin | [Whispers] You think that's a signal that we should burst
in? |
| Shianara | Well, let's
be ready to move. |
| Dreylin | [Hefts his
club and moves quietly away from the curtain] |
| DM | The curtain opens.
In the alcove, the three men are standing in a line at the entranced the
curtain covered. Immediately facing them, out in the corridor, are Berillia,
Shianara and Dreylin, weapons at the ready.
Immediately behind the three blokes are Habib, Narond and Leanna.
For a second, no one moves, then the three blokes swing their swords up and
start to move towards Berillia, Shianara and Dreylin. |
| Narond | [Looks at the
others and makes a long suffering sigh]
Kill the infidels! |
| DM | Berillia get the first
swing in, neatly clocking the blond man in front of her. As he staggers
backwards, Narond removes a club from beneath his robes in a suspicious manner
and thumps him over the head. He collapses in a heap.
Leanna attempts to deftly hit the leader from behind. She fails to do any
major damage but does catch his shoulder. He grunts as he realises that he has
been tricked. Shianara's thrust at the same man is neatly parried and turned
against him. The hapless elf is badly skewered.
Dreylin swings his axe at the third, darker man, and hits his armour. The man
seems not to notice and retaliates hitting Dreylin in the shoulder with a
sword. Habib's swing misses as the dark man leans towards the Hin. |
| Shianara | [Retreats
out of danger] |
| Dreylin | [Aims a swing
at the man's foot] |
| Leanna | [Tries to clonk
her chap on the head once more] |
| DM | Seeing the goring of
Shianara, an extremely annoyed Narond swings his quarterstaff with all his
might. Caught unawares, the leader is hit on the back of the neck, very hard.
He collapses into a heap.
Shianara wisely back away.
Berillia, who has now taken Shianara's position swings her hammer at the last
fighting man. She clips his arm but does not seem to do any harm.
Dreylin, in a particularly vicious move, swings for the feet of his
assailant. He hits resoundingly and in fact severs one of them. There is
rather a lot of blood. The man stops fighting and falls over. At this
juncture, Habib stabs him, putting him out of your misery. |
| Dreylin | [Wipes his
axe on the dead man's clothes] Shall we get these chaps into the alcove
and try to clean up some of this blood?
[Looks around to see how well lit the corridor is, and whether the removal
of a lamp would make this particular patch dark enough so that the blood is
less noticeable] |
| Narond | We should at
least tie and gag the unconcious ones up. We might want to wake one to see if
we can get information. |
| DM | You move the blokes back
into the alcove and redraw the curtain, extinguishing a lamp behind you.
Consider the men picked up, tied up and mopped up where appropriate.
|
| Narond | [Looks round
the alcove] Do we want to question one? If so I suggest the most
threatening looking person, probably Habib, to lean over the bloke and finger
his sword while we question him. |
| Shianara | While you do
that, I don't suppose Berillia could spare a few bandages?
[Bleeds on the floor] |
| Berillia | [Nods]
Do you need some of the divine favour of Valerias? |
| Leanna | Ooooh madam.
|
| Berillia | No no, you
don't use the Staff of Healing like that... |
| Leanna | Have you tried?
|
| DM | Berillia applies some
bandages to Shinara's wound and investigates its seriousness. |
| Shianara | We'd better
save the magic until we really need it; those bandages have helped. Thanks.
[Smiles painfully] |
| Dreylin | I'd be happy to
help here if you like. I gather you weren't very successful at convincing them
you were Siswa then? |
| Narond | No, we did manage
to convince them, but then they wanted to chase after the intruders we
mentioned as the reason at to why they were there. However when I did the
Siswa confused bit, they were giving each other knowing grins which would
probably mean that the spell has the potential to wear off if not renewed on a
regular basis. I would guess that they often have Siswa acting confused due to
spell wearing off or something. A bit of useful information there. We will of
course have to be on our guard if the same spell is tried on us. Regarding the
interrogation, you can if you want. I'll stand behind his head, quarterstaff
at the ready should he try to yell for help, or try anything he shouldn't.
|
| Dreylin | Yes, very
useful information. I was actually volunteering to do the "threatening bloke"
task, but I'll just intimidate with questions if you'd prefer. |
| Narond | You misunderstand
me. You are going to do the threatening bloke task. But should he yell it is
harder to shut him up and not kill him with an axe, rather than a
quarterstaff. Hence me. I was planning on keeping out of sight but ready to
thump. |
| Dreylin | Aha, Axe primed
and ready. [Smiles] |
| Leanna | Actually, on
Narond's original point, I thought that the knowing glances were more along
the lines of "why do we have to put up with these crappy zombies?" |
| Narond | There could have
been something along those lines as well I suppose... Anyway. Dreylin, who do
you fancy intimidating? The leader or the other bloke? Pick one and start
waking him... |
| Dreylin | [Looks at the
two bound captives, selects the leader, and props him up against something in
the room (preferably so that Narond can position himself behind the bloke),
then checks his gag before attempting to wake him] |
| DM | After a few hearty
slaps, the man awakes. He does not look happy (or well for that matter).
|
| Dreylin | [Smiles his
most winning smile]
Hi there, let me introduce myself, I'm Dreylin Willowbark from the Shires. My
friends [Indicates motley selection of accomplices] and I were passing
through the area and came to a village who were mighty confused. It seems that
they live near to a temple... [Looks thoughtful] ...it could be this
one, in fact - where a peaceful group of monks retreat from the world to
contemplate infinity and so forth, as monks tend to.
Anyway, the villagers were a little surprised when these, formerly shy and
retiring, monks snatched a child, tried to snatch a young lady, and
furthermore, a traveller through these parts disappeared in mysterious
circumstances. You don't strike me as a particularly religious gentleman, so I
don't suppose that you would happen to know anything about that, would you?'
[Grins again] |
| DM | He looks at Dreylin for
a long time.
Then looks down at his gag. |
| Dreylin | [Glances at
the gag]
Oh yes. That. Well I think for the moment that it might be safer for us if we
left it in place. Don't want you attracting attention, do we? I assume that
your neck's not in too much pain for you to nod, that was a nasty whack you
received back there. [Pauses] |
| DM | He nods. |
| Dreylin | Although not
quite as nasty as what happened to your friend over there. [Moves aside and
indicates the messy remains of the dead chap] |
| DM | With a raised eyebrow he
indicates that he couldn't give a rodents behind about the ex person.
|
| Dreylin | As I was
saying, we're here looking for a friend of ours, an Elven girl called Rhea?
Oh, I forgot to mention that we knew the traveller who was snatched. You don't
happen to know what happened to her, do you? |
| DM | He shakes his head.
|
| Dreylin | And the other
girl who was snatched? |
| DM | He shakes his head again
and looks back down at the gag. |
| Dreylin | But you do know
who Rahib is, don't you. |
| DM | The man manages to look
sheepish and nods. |
| Dreylin | [Smiles]
Ah, now we're getting somewhere! [Moves forward to remove the gag]
Perhaps you'd like to tell us some more about him... |
| DM | You ungag him. |
| Yurini | [Spits a few
balls of cloth out of his mouth]
Yes alright. Secrecy's not what I'm paid for. Name's Harov, by the way,
Yurini Harov. In case you hadn't guessed, I'm an adventurer like yourselves,
although the less discerning would call me more of a mercenary. |
| DM | Now you think about it,
he has a slight accent. |
| Yurini | I was on my way
north on the Darokin road when I met this bloke, coming in from Selenica.
Tall, dark, from his neck of the desert if you get my drift. [Indicates
Habib]
Called himself Rahib and said he was hiring. Well, times aren't exactly easy
and I didn't ask too many questions. He introduced me to one or two other
blokes he'd hired and brought us here. Once he'd spelled these pathetic Siswa,
well that was that. Guard duty from then on. Till you lot showed up anyway.
|
| Narond | So what exactly
are you supposed to be guarding him from, since it was only luck that we
happened to be passing? |
| Yurini | Anything
basically. He didn't want the Siswa to be the only defence, you can understand
why. So he hired a few of us. The idea being that if anybody undesirable turns
up, we hit em on the head, and hand them over to him. Alternatively if they
look more dangerous, we just kill 'em. You came under the second category.
Sorry. [Looks slightly sheepish] |
| Dreylin | [Smiles]
Didn't do very well, though, did you? Is it just the three of you he hired, or
are there more hanging around somewhere? |
| Yurini | There are more,
but I couldn't tell you how many. |
| Narond | So what is the
going rate for hired guards like you then? |
| Yurini | 2 daros a day
plus room and board. Nothing special but not bad. |
| Leanna | Is Rahib, or
whatever his name is, looking for any more retainers, and where would we go to
sign on? |
| Yurini | [Looks
disbelieving]
You want a job? Nice introduction I must say. To be honest I don't know where
Rahib could be found. He pays us every few days, we rarely see him otherwise.
I last saw him two days ago and I wouldn't know how to find him again.
Speaking plainly, I wouldn't want to. I've had enough of this commission. I'm
leaving as soon as possible. |
| Dreylin | [Smiles at
Yurini] I think that you misunderstand she's suggesting that we could
pretend to be prospective employees to gain Rahib's confidence, discover where
he's got our friend and then bop him on the back of the head when he wasn't
expecting it. Much like we did with you three... |
| Yurini | Oh... well...
Look, I still don't know where he is. We sleep on this level, or in the
courtyard. By the way if you go out there you might want to avoid the pond.
The rest of the levels are reserved for the Siswa. I think that's where Rahib
normally goes. |
| Dreylin | Interesting, so
there's another way into this complex other than through the courtyard...?
|
| Yurini | Not that I'm
aware of. Although now you mention it there could be. |
| Dreylin | Oh, it's just
that your last comment implied that we could have got here without going
through the courtyard and the snake... |
| Yurini | Oh, you found it
did you. Well, if you don't disturb the water it pretty much leaves you alone.
|
| Shianara | Doh,
Dreylin... |
| Narond | Ah well, it won't
disturb anyone again now... |
| Yurini | [Raises an
eyebrow] Fair enough. |
| Dreylin | [Turns to the
group] Well, I think we've probably learnt all we can from this bloke.
What shall we do with him? |
| Yurini | How about letting
me go. I've got no real reason to be here now and frankly I'd rather be
somewhere else. Just untie me and I'll be on my way. [Looks at you
hopefully] |
| Dreylin | [Smiles]
A bit optimistic, don't you think? After all, you could have been lying to us,
and actually be Rahib's best buddy and personal bodyguard. I think it's more
likely we'll gag you again and let the monks decide what to do when they're
feeling better. |
| Narond | [Grins]
Sounds like a fair idea. |
| Shianara | [Nods and
touches his wound gingerly] Definitely. |
| Yurini | [Shrugs]
Well, there is always that option I suppose. |
| DM | You tie him back up and
gag him. He doesn't look overly amused. |
| Narond | Any preferences
as to which way to go? |
| Dreylin | [Peers down
both corridors] Nope, not really. |
| Shianara | Well, it
could be that the west corridor is a back entrance which might gain us the
element of surprise. On the other hand it could be derelict or even trapped -
though an obvious arrow would seem to diminish the likelihood of the latter.
[Shrugs] I vote west. |
| Narond | Okay west we go
then... |
| DM | You enter a cavern which
is a large diamond shape. There are entrances in the east and north walls. The
ceiling is domed and hewn from natural rock.
The walls are covered with frescoes of landscape scenes. It is not very well
lit. You are using torches to see properly.
Along the south-west wall is a raised platform. On this platform is a statue
of an old, bearded man. In front of the statue is a well. |
| Leanna | [Peers down the
well, and chucks a coin down it] |
| DM | It looks very dark. You
don't hear it land. |
| Dreylin | [Wanders over
to the statue to get a closer look] |
| DM | Surprisingly it's a big
statue of a man wearing robes, with a long beard. |
| Narond | Well, there
doesn't seem to be much around here, shall we follow the pointing finger?
|
| DM | Since you appear to have
forgotten, there was another doorway out of the north wall. |
| Shianara | What about
the well? |
| Leanna | I dropped
something down it and didn't hear anything. So, unless you fancy diving in...
|
| Shianara | Well, if we
still have any rope left after tying up n people, then we could put something
floatable on the end and see how deep it gets? |
| Leanna | Dreylin, for
example? Good plan... |
| Dreylin | I refer the
dishonourable tart to the courtyard some moments ago... where I sank.
Let's go north. |
| DM | You find yourself in a
north-south corridor. The walls are bare stone.
There are six curtained off areas, three to either side. They are at
intervals of about 10 feet. The corridor extends off into darkness. |
| Leanna | [Examines the
curtains for lights emerging from underneath any of them] |
| DM | There is light from
under the first curtain on the left and the last curtain on the right.
|
| Narond | So any quiet
moving volunteers to have a gander at the nearest lit curtained area?
|
| Dreylin | That'd be
Shianara or myself then, [Turns to Shianara] Shall I? |
| Shianara | Go ahead...
|
| Dreylin | [Has a look
behind the first curtain on the left]
There's no-on in here, just an altar with a small statue. [Moves inside to
examine the statue]
[Returns from the alcove] Shall I investigate the other lit one, before
we look in the unlit ones? Just to be on the safe side. |
| Berillia | Sounds good
to me. [Goes over for a look as well] |
| Narond | [Joins the
other two] |
| DM | Dreylin, Berillia and
Narond look past the curtain.
It is a small alcove (about 8 feet square). Very similar to the one Dreylin
looked in.
There is a small altar with a statue on it. You can guess what the statue is
of.
There are several candles on the front of the altar. They are tall and are of
white wax. Given their size they will burn for some time. |
| Berillia | [Has a
closer look, without taking anything] |
| DM | Upon closer inspection
the statue turns out to be of a man, with a beard. |
| Berillia | I wonder why
there aren't lights in the other alcoves. It's not as if they're short of
candles here. |
| Dreylin | [Moves
forward to pick up a candle in his non-club-wielding hand]
I don't know, so let's find out. I suggest moving back towards the others
having a peek in each along the way. |
| DM | The other two alcoves on
the left contain small altars. In each, the candles in front of the statue
have burnt out.
The other two alcoves on the right also contain small altars. The candles in
front of these have yet to be lit. You notice a necklace hanging from the
statue in the second alcove on the right. |
| Dreylin | [Returns to
the second alcove on the right to examine the necklace] |
| Shianara | I take it
nobody's about? |
| Berillia | Not a
sausage. Just a few beardy statues... and a necklace that Dreylin's trying to,
erm, reach over there. |
| Dreylin | It looks like
the alcove candles are being lit in a sequence. Berillia, do you know of any
religious significance this may have? |
| Berillia | Sorry, no.
But it would be... fitting... to light the remaining candles before we move
on. |
| DM | The necklace is of a
fine, gold chain. It appears to have no catch or opening mechanism. There is a
large black stone hanging in a gold setting.
The stone is plain apart from a circular indentation carved into it.
|
| Dreylin | This necklace
looks significant, I think that we should carry it with us as it may prove
necessary later on. [Pauses]
However, it may be protected in some way from thieves, so maybe our worthy
priest would be the least likely to be affected... |
| Berillia | Grruh.
[Looks decidedly unconvinced] Supposing, for a minute, that this is an
unpleasantly cursed necklace that none of us want to be walking round with...
[Looks sideways at Leanna and doesn't comment]
...why not wander back to those nice brainwashed chaps we tied up and try it
on one of those for a few seconds first? Not being able to remove the necklace
seems to me to be a fairly big clue to whether one of us would want to wear
it.
But, of course, if there's nothing wrong with it I'll be happy to wear it.
[Smiles]
[Attempts to take the necklace] |
| DM | There is a sharp crack
and a blue spark leaps from the necklace into your hand. It stings but you are
not greatly injured. |
| Berillia | Ow!
[Looks accusingly at the necklace and thinks] These Siswa... which god
do they follow again? |
| Dreylin | [Points to
the small bearded statue] That one!? |
| Berillia | [Gives
Dreylin a look]
I'd suggest we move on, to be honest. We can always come back here later if
we want to - and if we run into any more Siswa we could... ask... them about
it. |
| Dreylin | [Grins, then
pauses] I wonder if we'd be able to remove it if we lit the candles in
here first? Worth a try. |
| Leanna | [Considers
using a pole or something, say Narond's quarterstaff, to hook it off if this
doesn't work] |
| Dreylin | [Lights the
candles in the room, then reaches for the necklace] |
| DM | ZAP! |
| Dreylin | Ow. |
| Leanna | [Firmly grasps
Narond's enormous pole, and with professional skill, attempts to hook the
necklace off the statue] |
| DM | It appears to be stuck
down. |
| Berillia | Oh dear.
Why don't we leave it for now and come back if we find anything out that
might help?"
[Gestures significantly towards the corridor leading north] |
| Dreylin | [Nods]
Sounds like the best course. |
| DM | The corridor leads north
to a junction. This junction is a cross-roads. A long corridor leads off to
the east, and two small hallways lead off to the north and west. These halls
are 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, and they end at blank stone walls.
As you arrive, the north stone wall shimmers. Four Siswa, armed with daggers,
appear through the wall. They run to attack you. |
| Berillia | [Puts her
hand over her holy symbol]
Hey guys, how's it going? |
| DM | They ignore your
greeting and continue towards you, dagger raised.
Narond and Berillia leap to engage the nearest Siswa. Although there are two
of them, the Siswa manages to duck both blows and swing his dagger at
Berillia. He hits but the light blade is deflected by the cleric's armour.
The next Siswa to arrive targets Shianara. Luckily for the badly wounded elf,
the Siswa fails to hit him. In his panicked defence, Shianara strikes the monk
across the jaw. He falls back, stunned but not unconscious.
Dreylin, in a clever move, trips a passing monk. The Siswa staggers but
manages to slash the Hin accross the shin. The angered halfling then strikes
the Siswa hard across the back of the neck. The monk rolls away.
While Habib guards the rear, Leanna comes forward to meet the final Siswa.
With a swift flick of her shield she deflects his blow and strikes him across
the jaw. As he staggers backwards a well aimed punch finishes the job.
|
| Dreylin | [Pursues the
rolling Siswa with the intent of giving him a good clubbing] |
| DM | The Siswa nearest
Berillia and Narond leans past the mage's inexpert strike and slashes him in
the upper arm. Berillia sees her opportunity and fetches him a sharp blow to
the chest with her hammer. The monk falls back.
Shianara finishes his attack on the Siswa nearest him with a glancing blow to
the temple. The monk collapses in a small heap.
Dreylin, seeing that the monk who attacked him is yet to get up, cracks him
hard on the back of the head. The monk sprawls to the floor. He won't get up
for a while.
Habib and Leanna have to negiotiate their way around the unconscious body of
the Siswa nearest them and so are not near enough to hit another monk.
|
| Berillia | Would you
like to drop your dagger my good chap? You seem to be slightly outnumbered...
and my friend here with the big staff seems a little annoyed at you for some
reason. |
| DM | After Berillia's
comment, the monk looks around and drops his dagger. He looks fearful, but
does not run away. |
| Dreylin | [Quickly
moves to tie him up] |
| Berillia | Just a
minute.
Would you by any chance know anything about the necklace in the alcoves down
that way? [Points down the southern corridor]
We would be... happier if you did. |
| Siswa | It's always been
there. No one knows how to take it off. Except maybe the old abbot, but he's
gone. |
| Berillia | I'm willing
to believe that. Dreylin, feel free to tie him up now. But make them nice
knots. Tie a decorative bow on top or something, if you like... [Winks at
the Siswa] |
| Leanna | [Rolls her eyes
at the Siswa, and proceeds to aid in the tying up of unconscious
bods] |
| Berillia | [Attends to
Narond's rather nasty wound, followed by those of anyone else in need of
plasters] |
| Narond | [Continues to
look annoyed in the direction of the Siswa while Berillia attends to his
wound] |
| DM | You tie up the Siswa and
Berillia treats Narond's and Dreylin's wounds. |
| Dreylin | Well, shall we
hide these chaps in the alcoves, and then investigate the shimmery north wall?
|
| Narond | Seems like a
reasonable plan to me, making sure that these guys are in a darkened alcove
that has burned down candles in since I would assume that these are less
likely to be visited. |
| DM | You hide the Siswa in an
alcove and go to look at the north wall.
It appears solid. |
| Dreylin | [Pushes and
prods at the wall for a bit] |
| DM | Nothing happens.
Apparently it's a big solid wall. |
| Dreylin | Well, that's
interesting. Maybe we should go back and ask them what's going on. |
| Narond | That seems to be
a bit of a dead end. Probably not much point in sticking around, we might as
well go in the other direction. |
| Dreylin | Go ahead, but
I'm still going to ask that Siswa how they came through the wall. [Goes
into the alcove to talk to the Siswa] |
| Berillia | [Checks the
similar looking blank wall to the west] |
| DM | It also seems pretty
solid. |
| Shianara | [Has a more
thorough search of the two walls]
Well I can't find any secret doors or anything. East? |
| Berillia | [Looks
round for Dreylin] |
| Shianara | [Looks for
round Dreylin]
Hey, where's Dreylin? Did he come back from that alcove? [Wanders back to
the alcove to find out] |
| Dreylin | [Suddenly
appears from behind the curtain, and runs into a startled Shianara]
Ah, there you are. Our friend in there says that they came through a "one-way
door", whatever one of those is. Dad never mentioned seeing anything like that
on his travels... although, now I come to mention it, I do remember something
about a duck pond...
[Dreylin's face takes on a slightly glazed and distant look, but then he
shakes his head]
Anyway, looks like we'll have to go around. He also said that the Abbot used
to live on the lowest level, but since he "left" that's where Rahib's set up
shop - probably in the Abbot's quarters. Apparently, only the Abbot went down
there, so he couldn't give me directions, but he did say something more about
using one-way doors to get there. Anyway, shouldn't we be off, we've been
hanging around here for far too long.
[Heads off towards the eastern passageway muttering to himself about
ponds] |
| Shianara | [Glances in
the alcove, then quickly follows after Dreylin] |
| Narond | So, if they came
through a one way door, which I presume is magical in some way... does that
mean the Siswa, and or Rahib is aware of our presence? Did you manage to find
that out? |
| Dreylin | Oh, good
thought. Shall we go back and ask him? |
| Narond | I would also
guess that we may have to be wary of these one way doors ourselves since they
strike me as a good way to end up in a trap with no way back out. |
| DM | You continue down the
east passage. It is 10 feet wide and lit at varying intervals by torches which
do not spread enough light. After 50 feet you find that there is a curtain in
the north wall. The corridor continues eastward. |
| Leanna | Shall we have a
look through the curtain then, guys? |
| Berillia | Well, since
it's here... [Nods] |
| Leanna | [Looks for
lights and listens before opening the curtain, club in hand] |
| DM | There is light coming
from inside, and the sounds of murmuring. There is also the scrape of metal on
metal.
Gently pulling aside the curtain, you see a small room, 10 feet by 10 feet.
In the east and west walls are arches leading through to long rooms. They run
east to west, are 30 feet long and 10 feet wide. The eastern room is empty and
unlit. In the western room sit five Siswa. They are chanting gently while they
sharpen daggers. A small pile of already sharpened weapons sits by them. The
figures have their backs to you. |
| Dreylin | Time for some
Sneaking and Bopping, methinks. |
| Shianara | Indeed.
Everyone here? Wounded ones at the back?
Times like these I wish Narond could have taught me that sleep spell...
[Considers the possibility of blocking their access to the pile of
daggers] |
| Narond | We could always
go back and cut down one of the curtains from one of those alcoves back there,
and use it to throw onto the Siswa or over their daggers, which would delay
them getting to the daggers, and might make it easier for us to bop them. If
you see what I mean. |
| Shianara | I'd certainly
go along with that, assuming that absence of curtains doesn't draw more
attention to our presence. Of course we could always just take our cloaks off
to use temporarily. |
| Narond | Probably a better
idea with the curtain, it being bigger, and the fact that we can attempt to
cut it to a size we are happy with. |
| Leanna | I agree. If you
guys get the curtain, I'll volunteer to smother them. |
| Shianara | Sure. Just an
idea. |
| Leanna | I'll try to keep
as low as possible, and I'd feel more comfortable with archers behind me.
Well, kind of. |
| Shianara | Archers? You
want to kill them? Perhaps you mean Berillia?
Dreylin, while we're going back for the curtains, why don't we ask the Siswa
whether Rahib is aware of our presence? |
| Narond | Right then, me,
Shianara and Dreylin will go back, me and Shianara will sort out the curtain,
while Dreylin goes and asks the question to those Siswa. I would prefer
Dreylin for this, since they already know him/have chatted to him already. We
will be back shortly... |
| Dreylin | [Follows
behind looking slightly confused]
Now what was it he said?... no, it didn't have anything to do with the
dwarves and their strange game... or the time they were stuck in mountain
passes by the blizzard... hmmmm, ponds...? |
| Narond | What's up? You
look confused. |
| Dreylin | Wha... Oh, this
one-way door business reminded me of something my father told me about his
travelling days. I'm sure it involved a pond, but can't seem to remember
anything further... very frustrating!
[Goes back to talk to the Siswa again] |
| DM | Leanna quietly removes
her shoes.
Shianara and Narond wander off up the corridor and return a few minutes later
with a large piece of reddish cloth.
Meanwhile, back in the alcove, halfway through a conversation... |
| Dreylin | ...What else do
the new laws say? |
| DM | The siswa looks into the
middle distance. This is obviously something learned by rote. |
| Siswa | None may enter the
temple without permission. Those who do are defilers and heretics. Defilers
and Heretics must be Destroyed.
Rahib has been chosen. Those who are chosen are to be obeyed. Obey Rahib.
Three are required. There will be no rest until we have three. |
| Dreylin | [Looks
vaguely unsettled] Three? Could that be three mages, or potential mages?
|
| Siswa | [Looks lost]
I don't know. I am new to the order and was never told what the three referred
to. I only know that we must have three. |
| DM | You are beginning to
realise that the Siswa don't even make much sense to themselves. |
| Dreylin | [Leaves] |
| DM | After a few minutes
Dreylin comes bouncing up the corridor. |
| Dreylin | Well, he's
quite a mine of information. Apparently Rahib's a bit of a wanderer - comes
and goes, and sometimes they don't see him for days - anyway, I think they
just came upon us at random and tried to destroy us as defilers. They've been
thoroughly bewitched into seeing outsiders as very bad, and Rahib as very
good, but there was one other thing, he said something about having to find
"three", and there being no rest until they do. I think it may refer to mages,
or potential mages, or female mages or something like that - which means that
Rahib already has two, and just needs one more before he can put whatever plan
he has into action.
[Suddenly looks worried] I hope the villagers are looking after Rahasia
well! |
| Leanna | [Decides to try
to cover the daggers with the curtain rather than the Siswa] |
| DM | Leanna creeps forward.
After a few wobbly moments she reaches the pile of daggers without the Siswa
noticing. Finally, she throws the curtain over the pile, covering it
completely. At this point the Siswa turn round. They are (of course) still
holding the daggers they were sharpening.
Leanna starts back, but is caught on the leg by the Siswa nearest her. Habib
and Dreylin rush forward and meet the oncoming Siswa. Habib reaches the
nearest one and brutally swings his club at the Siswa's head. He hits hard and
the monk staggers away from him before collapsing in a heap.
Dreylin swings at the legs of the robed figure nearest him and is greeted by
a satisfying crack. As the Siswa falls back he slashes Dreylin on his
non-sword arm.
Berillia fires a stone at the Siswa who is farthest back but it bounces
harmlessly off the wall. The Siswa in question is so far away that he does not
reach anyone to attack.
Narond rushes in towards a Siswa near Leanna. The monk stabs outwards and
manages to nick the mage. In response, Mr Mael hits the monk so hard that he
instantly collapses to the floor. |
| Leanna | [Attempts to
thump someone, rather more brutally than she might have before] |
| DM | As Shianara puts his bow
down and picks up his club, Berillia fires another stone from her sling. This
one catches a Siswa across the side of the head. He staggers but does not
fall. Habib advances on the hapless monk and begins his swing. He hits
resoundingly but not before being scratched by the Siswa's dagger. The monk
falls to the floor.
Dreylin swings again at the nearest monk but is parried (now that the Siswa
knows where to look). However, at this juncture, Shianara comes running
forward and plants a blow on the robed man's shoulder. It is, sadly, not
enough to fell him.
Narond now turns his attention to the monk which slashed Leanna. As Miss
Polymnia and the Siswa are exchanging blows (neither of which do any harm),
the merchant clips the Siswa on the shoulder. |
| Leanna | [Attempts to be
less ineffectual] |
| Berillia | [Changes to
her hammer and moves forward] |
| DM | Narond continues to take
the initiative and delivers a staggering blow to the Siswa nearest him and
Leanna. The brown robed figure becomes a brown robed heap.
The Siswa near Dreylin and Shianara continues to fight valiantly. He manages
to slash the halfling once before Shianara gives him a devastating blow to the
back of the head. He falls over.
After stopping to got your breath back, you look around the rest of the room.
At the far end are some boxes. These contain some bread and a few flasks of
water. They also contain two bottles of pale blue liquid.
The bottles are small and spherical (anarchist bomb type) and have identical
labels:
"Podskin's Finest Herbal Remedy
Provided by the church of Ixion
United Churches of Darokin
For use on piles, headaches and minor injuries
Instructions: Open. Drink.
Active Magical Contents: 18.4% (by Vol.)" |
| Dreylin | [Takes a
flask of water and has a long drink] Ah, that feels better.
[Pauses to assess his wounds] |
| Berillia | [Picks up
the "Herbal Remedy" flasks, then assesses everybody's wounds] |
| Narond | [Bleeds a
bit] |
| Berillia | [Treats
everybody's wounds] |
| Shianara | [Looks
around the room while everybody recuperates]
Well there doesn't seem to be much around here. Is everyone bandaged who
needs to be?
[Ties up the unconscious Siswa] Let's go back to the corridor and head
east. We should be reaching part of the building accessible from the eastern
route we didn't take before - where the arrow was pointing? |
| Dreylin | [Wanders
along with the others still pre-occupied with ponds] |
| DM | You continue east in the
corridor.
After 30 feet or so, you reach a junction. It is a four way crossroads. The
corridor north appears to stretch on for a large distance. There may be some
movement far ahead but you can't tell clearly.
The east corridor appears empty and stretches for a long way before fading
into darkness. The south corridor extends about 50 feet before fading into
darkness. |
| Shianara | South would
be my choice. Everyone else? |
| Berillia | Fair enough.
|
| DM | You travel down the
south corridor. The walls have small murals painted on them. They show fairly
bland countryside scenes.
Towards the middle of the corridor you find six doors (three on each side).
|
| Narond | We might as well
start by having a look in the doors nearest us then... |
| DM | You check the two
northernmost doors. They both open onto small rooms (10 feet square). Each
room contains a small table, a bowl for water and a bed. Aside from that the
are empty. |
| Narond | Hmmmm, looks like
the living arrangments for the Siswa monks. Rather sparse I think. Well, we
might as well check the rest, but be wary of Siswa in them so perhaps a little
quieter. |
| DM | The rooms are all the
same, and all empty of people. |
| Dreylin | Shall we carry
on down the corridor? |
| Shianara | Lets...
|
| DM | The corridor leads down
into a diamond shaped room. It has been hewn from the local rock and several
stalactites hang from the roof.
There is a raised platform in one corner of the room. On this platform sits a
statue of a bearded man. In front of the statue are several small piles of
rather old grain. |
| Narond | [Grins] You
know...This old bearded man theme is getting a touch repetitive.
[Looks at the grain] I wonder how long this grain has been left here...
|
| DM | The grain looks a bit on
the old side, but not exactly mummified. |
| Narond | Well there
doesn't seem to be much around here. Back up the corridor again? |
| Shianara | Lets...
|
| DM | You head back up the
corridor to the crossroads. You can still see some movement a way to the
north. |
| Berillia | [Looks
north worriedly] Can anyone make that out? I don't want anyone coming up
behind us, but I think we really should head east before we go any further
into the building. |
| Shianara | Perhaps
someone could sneak up and take a closer look? |
| Dreylin | I'm pretty good
at remaining unnoticed. |
| Shianara | As am
I...just not indoors. Anyone else volunteering? I vote for Dreylin. |
| Narond | Either him or
Leanna, since she did such a good job sneaking up while carrying a curtain. I
am not bothered. If you want to go, Dreylin, feel free. |
| Shianara | Well, while
Leanna did well there, hiding is probably just as important as sneaking here.
Dreylin? |
| Leanna | Well, I
can hide too, you know. But I'm perfectly happy for Dreylin to do it if
he wants. |
| Shianara | Yes, we know
that... but Dreylin's stature might also be of benefit... |
| Berillia | Are you two
being dodgy or not? I can't tell any more... |
| Leanna | I agree, that's
why I suggested that he could do it. After all, Dreylin's stature is
prodigiously insignificant. |
| Narond | Right then oh
short one. Be off with you. If you need a hand just yell, and I am sure some
of us will charge in your general direction. |
| Dreylin | [Creeps
stealthily off in a Northerly direction with his club in his
hand] |
| DM | Dreylin creeps up the
corridor, flat against the wall. After 30 feet or so you lose sight of him.
The movement a long way down the corridor continues.
You wait around for about five minutes. Occasionally you see movement up the
corridor but nothing clear. Eventually, a shadow peels away from the wall 30
feet up the corridor. It resolves into Dreylin. He beckons animatedly and then
disappears back into the shadows. |
| Berillia | [Quietly] Well, shall we go?
[Walks Dreylinwards] |
| Narond | Well people, we
might as well go. |
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