Chapter 4: Further into Dimwater

[Mant72]

Chapter 4: Further into Dimwater

Chapter 4 Further into Dimwater.jpg (566.8 KiB) Viewed 772 times

The recent victory over the mighty serpent brings little joy to the company as they silently gather in the monastery garden. The body of their fallen comrade, Luna, lies close by at the base of the fountain, and the departure of the moon-cleric weighs heavily on the party as they consider their options. Hexalon speaks up and somberly suggests that they should bury the acolyte, remarking that it would be fitting to inter the priest in the garden of his patron deity.

The overcast sky makes it difficult to determine the time of day, but the group suspects that midday is approaching.

[ravenn4544]

Wil nods in agreement to Hexalon's suggestion. "Perhaps a cairn would be our best bet with the fallen stones here. I lack the tools to dig a proper grave. A stone monument in the cleric's honor would be most suitable i think"

He'll relinquish his post on the perimeter to assist with Lunas monument.

[Storm11]

Hex agrees, and hastens to help do so after he checks the snakes lair for valuables.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Osprey asks if Aric wants to cut the snake open since he had mentioned wanting a snake belt. If he declines Osprey will use his sword and slit open the serpent to search the contents and to collect one rib. Once done he will assist in constructing the stone cairn.

[ChubbyPixie]

Yon will assist with the impromptu grave out of respect and a desire to finish it quickly, so they can move on before it gets too late in the day. His emotions hover somewhere between anger, sadness and panic. "I'd ask who needs to be healed after such an ordeal, but I can't help anyone right now. And won't be able to until tomorrow. Be careful. Perhaps we'd best of rush in to anything without forethought," he says.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg agrees "A Cairn is better than naught. MY kin would do the same an we generally bury the departed with their armor and weapon. Dunno about you all but we generally won't disgrace the dead by taking their armor and weapon of choice."

[Grognardsw]

After the battle Aric skins the snake enough to make a belt, and cuts out a few of the larger fangs for his totem necklace. He helps Osprey to slice open the snake to explore its innards.

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

Yon
"Be careful. Perhaps we'd best of rush in to anything without forethought,"

Phineas said nothing as he collected unbroken arrows. He nocked one in his bow and stood guard while the others put their friend, who died for no reason, out of sight.

[Mant72]

After dispensing with the giant serpent, Aric and Osprey eviscerate the beast to search the contents of its stomach. Their gory labor yields a couple of nicely sized rubies the constrictor was unable to pass or digest, and the elf and barbarian gauge the gems to be worth about 100 gold pieces each.

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Seeking more souvenirs besides the wounds he received to his shoulder, Aric sheers a sizable portion of the reptile's skin to fashion himself a belt, and he collects a few fangs to add to his tribal necklace. Osprey claims one of the creature's ribs, perhaps to serve as a component in one of the elf's future eldritch incantations.

The uncharacteristically taciturn Phineas stands guard over the group as they collect loose and fallen stones to construct a makeshift cairn to house the fallen Luna. The work passes relatively quickly with so many hands contributing to the cause, and it is early afternoon when the cleric's monument is completed.

The base of the monastery wall was not the constrictor's lair; it just retreated there after being injured. It was sunning itself in the fountain bowl when Luna disturbed it.

[Storm11]

is there any obvious place it's lair was located that we can see, or did it look likely it just roamed the tangled garden?

[Mant72]

It looks like it just wandered into the garden from the forest outside the monastery. The scale that was found by the west gate looks to belong to the serpent.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg sheaths his sword "Well guess there weren't much for me to do." the dwarf stands guard as well while the others search the garden.

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

The twin gems do much to rouse Phineas from his angry musings. "Ah! let's have a look. I used to know a fence, er, appraiser of fine jewelry!"
Phineas examines them as his mighty mustache wiggles in concentration. Then, "That's a shame. Flawed. Probably worth just 10 gold each. I can keep them safe for the party, that later we may divvy up all proceeds among the survivors of our little enterprise."

"Where to next, gentlemen? Shall we continue to erode our strength before the grand finale? Or get on with it already, while we all still draw breath."
The would-be ringmaster hopes the tragic loss will sober up the group and change their minds about their current plan to exterminate every natural animal that had wandered into the abandoned monastery's perimeter.
"Before any others befall the fate of Luna (one nearly shared by poor Hex!), I vote we move with haste to the ultimate goal of this little expedition.
"Night will soon fall. We'll want to be near these 'moon doors' then. I don't expect we'll find them in stables, tool sheds or outhouses.

"How long will the dog-men tarry before seizing the prize?"

[ChubbyPixie]

Trusty Yon, Human Cleric

After silently admiring Phineas' skill at gem appraisal, Yon replies: "I am torn." he says. "Luna's death has certainly thrown things in a different light for me. Yet had we not been exploring the outbuildings from the start, we never would have discovered the horn, which seems to be a vital key. What other clues lie about on the grounds? Perhaps none... perhaps some that are vital." He scratches his chin in thought. "Maybe it would be wise to enter the temple proper, then if we are stuck for want of a magic horn or enchanted tiara or what have you, we can further explore..."

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Osprey chuckles at the gem "appraisal". That's quite an eye you have, and an imagination. I think we'll be fine with Aric holding onto those two rubies.

We knew this was dangerous business before we even set out for this monastery. I believe the systematic search of the grounds is still the best plan and may serve to turn up something else vital for us. Those are my thoughts.

[ravenn4544]

Wil suggests, "comrades, a sore day indeed to have lost one so quickly. We should stick to our original plan however of searching these outbuildings first. What fate may lie in wait for one of us should we seek a weakened retreat later only to come upon something like this?" He'll nod at the next outbuilding as was planned (15), "shall we?"

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

Phineas silently tallied the votes, 2 to 2. Tied so far.

He looked to the others with a face as open and honest as he could manage.

[Storm11]

"We must all travel our own path kinsman, no one stops you from exploring the monestary any time you wish, hmmmm. Only you stand in your way, yes yes yes. I stand with the others in favour of securing the location first incase we need to retreat to safety." the halfling prestigidator says with a nod.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "I agree we should have something that we can retreat to even if it is one of the cleared buildings we've already covered."

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfing impresario:

When the vote returns come in against him again, Phineas' mighty mustache droops. "Oh well. Lead on, generals."

At the elf's suggestion that Aric hold the 'worthless' gems, Phineas protests, "The shirtless man in the loin cloth? He doesn't even have pockets!"