Chapter 9: Temple of Fear

[AleBelly]

Pelias follows Grothnak down the stairs, wincing with every step. Will this fighting never end? the paladin thinks to himself. He dare not voice these thoughts. But they are there.

[ChubbyPixie]

"Ffffffff..." says Telkis, inaudibly in all the ruckus. He mentally strains to escape his immobility.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo foolishly leaps off of the steps and into the shaft one last time. As his huge bear form plummets downward, he changes himself back into a sparrow. He flies towards the battle as quickly as possible, hoping to see that his friends yet live.

edit: If he gets to the closed door before the others, he reverts back to human form and throws it open just as the fighters are ready to charge through it.

[rredmond]

Freaked out after slipping in blood, and then by the attack of his decaying friend, Mouser lashes out, almost in a panic, with both blades:

Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 4, S/M/L Dam. [1d8] = 7

Cat's Claw (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 15, S/M Dam. [1d4] = 1, L Dam. [1d3] = 3

Hopefully the dagger at least hit, because I'm pretty sure the saber did not.

[DadsAngry]

Hoom Feethos:

Hoom slips on the slick floor and almost fall over, but with his graceful elvish dexterity he is spared an embarrassing predicament.

Dex 19 vs [1d20] = 5

Almost out of darts Hoom draws his short sword and engages forward into melee. He stands over the dead dog and attacks the robed figure.

Short Sword (THAC0 20) to hit [1d20+1] = 15+1 = 16 / Damage: S/M [1d6] = 2 - L [1d8] = 6

[Inferno]

The Church of Merikka (21)
Village of Briarsgate, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Seven. Midnight. Saturday, October 22nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, misty





In the belltower of the church of secret evil, the open trapdoor to the midnight sky bleeds the sounds of angry villagers. Then comes a loud groan of iron. The temple gate is opening! The mob has entered the courtyard!



Inside the belltower stairwell, Grothnak and Pelias race down around the descending spiral steps toward a closed door that separates them from their besieged friends.

The titanic cave bear falls down the center shaft, and transforms mid-fall into a small bird. He soars to the bottom and begins to assume the wizzened shape of Long Bo, druid of the Shalm.

Moments ago, on the other side of that closed door, the debased pastor of Briarsgate had summoned invisible tentacles from beyond this Oerth.



They held Ingrid and Telkis tight in a noose of ghostly, otherworldly flesh. Now paralyzed and helpless, the two valiant heroes can only watch as Avril Hollysword unerringly places two more arrows deep into the dark cleric's chest. All the foul orifices of his ghastly mask leak blood now.



Mouser, soaked in the icy blood of his friend who is now trying to kill him, swings wildly with both blades, slicing up Moogeye's once-beautiful face.

Hoom Feethos draws steel, leaps atop a small altar and drives his shortsword into the vile priest's neck, to the hilt. The cleric falls to the floor with the finality of death.

Mouser fends off undead Moogeye Comcra again, but Hoom and Avril fall beneath harrowing attacks of the grisly dead men (S3, S8) and are mercilessly beaten into unconsciousness. (-10,-12hp respectively!)



The malevolent priest writhes in agony on the floor as blood spills from his mouth, along with these dying words: "There is no escape... The final victory shall be ours... Our glorious purpose shall spread... to overtake the Oerth..."

Father Abramos, shepherd of Briarsgate's flock for 26 years, breathes his last.

Suddenly, Ingrid and Telkis are released from their prison of etheric tentacles, and are free to act!


Actions?!


Map:

White initials indicate the PCs. Green are undead or monsters. Orange are burned skeletons. Red initials are hooded cultists, priests and priestesses.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 5, Monsters: [1d6] = 1 Party wins.
Avril attacks Evil Priest with Bow: [1d20] = 19, [1d20] = 17, damage: [1d6] = 6, [1d6] = 4 Both hit! 10 hp damage total.
S3 and S8 attack Hoom and Avril: [1d20] = 20, [1d20] = 20, damage: [1d6] = 5, [1d6] = 6 Both hit critically! Ouch! Double damage. Ugh.
Moogeye attacks Mouser: [1d20] = 1, damage: [1d8] = 5 Crit fumble.
Moogeye fumble result: [1d8] = 2 "Off balance;" take no movement next round.

PC Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: -7/10, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 24/28
  Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC 3, HP -2/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 4/16, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl and 0/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: Move: 9", AC: 6, HP: 3/22, Spells: 0/5 1st lvl, 0/3 2nd lvl and 0/1 3rd lvl
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: Move: 9", AC: 2(0), HP: 4/19, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 5/28
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC 6, HP 0/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl

PC Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
  Polymorph Self (Long Bo): Potion. Duration unknown.

PC Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[Zhym]

When Bo (presumably) opens the door, Grothnak charges the zombie Moogeye. "Return to the dead!" he cries!

Vadok (Halberd +1) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 16+2 = 18, Dmg [1d10+4] = 7+4 = 11 (S/M) [2d6+4] = 3+4 = 7 (L)

[rredmond]

Hearing his comrades falling around him and feeling a little nauseous at the gruesome scene, Mouser, almost instinctively strikes with his weapons again:
Scalpel (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 3, S/M/L Dam. [1d8] = 5

The die roller hates me.

Seeing the half-orc rush in, and with new vigor and hope, he strikes with the dagger:
Cat's Claw (THACO 20) To Hit [1d20] = 16, S/M Dam. [1d4] = 1, L Dam. [1d3] = 2

I'll take it.

[Mant72]

Ingrid shakes off the paralyzing tendrils of putrid magick and rushes to charge the nearest skeleton (S8).

Mace (THAC0: 20): To Hit: [1d20] = 13, damage: small [1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2 / large [1d6] = 4 Does not include charge bonus.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo flings the door wide open so his friends can enter the battle beyond. Seeing nothing left to kill but undead automatons, he goes back to thinking about the unruly mob headed their way.

"Friends! We can hear the townspeople coming this way! I am under the impression that, once they see the carnage that we have caused in here, they will think that we were the ones responsible for all of the mayhem they find. We already know that evil leaders are fueling their actions. It wont be hard for those already possessed to turn the entire mob against us if they wished. The evil ones will most certainly try to cover their involvement in all of this."

"If you think it is a good idea, I can fly back outside to see if I can warn them about what has happened in here to hopefully ease their minds that we are not the culprits!"

Unless he hears otherwise, the druid turns back into a bird and flies out of the window that he previously used to exit the church.

[Zhym]

"That is not a good idea!" growls Grothnak as he charges through the door.

[OGRE MAGE]

Holding back a chuckle despite the bloody chaos all around him, Bo nods in agreement and instead rushes into the room behind the lawful fighters.

He spins his spear around and uses the haft to try to break some skeleton bones. S8

Spear Attack [1d20] = 3 Damage [1d6] = 5

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis, finally released, unwinds like a spring, snapping Cranach around and into the rib cage of the skeleton that just took down Hoom.

Morningstar +1 (THAC0 18): To Hit:[1d20+1] = 11+1 = 12, Damage: vs s/m [2d4+1] = 2+1 = 3, vs L [1d6+2] = 3+2 = 5[/ooc]

[AleBelly]

"If you think it is a good idea, I can fly back outside to see if I can warn them about what has happened in here to hopefully ease their minds that we are not the culprits!"[/dialog]

Unless he hears otherwise, the druid turns back into a bird and flies out of the window that he previously used to exit the church.

"Do what you think is best, brave Bo" pants Pelias, drenched in sweat and blood. He swallows hard, whispers a brief prayer to Heironeus for resolve, and follows Grothnak through the door, sword and shield at the ready.

[Inferno]

The Church of Merikka (21)
Village of Briarsgate, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Seven. Midnight. Saturday, October 22nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, misty








In this house of horrors, the damned, dead men do not relent. The grisly, haunted corpses (S3, S8) turn from the fallen forms of Avril and Hoom and strike at Telkis and Mouser with dire ferocity. The little thief is cut open by savage, bony talons (-2hp).

In the adjacent chamber, Bo finishes transforming into the form of a human and throws open the door onto a scene he won't soon forget. Bloody, broken heroes, fallen beneath undead abominations against Man and nature.

Grothnak charges past the druid to find that Moogeye has become one of the living dead! The grim half-orc warrior does not waver. He hacks his dear friend asunder.



Moogeye Comcra falls beneath the unforgiving blows of Vadok while shrieking bloodcurdling screams that hauntingly echo the young nun's voice from life.

Pelias joins the ferocious onslaught. He and Telkis attack the gnome warrior's deathly assailant (S3), as Ingrid and Mouser charge another fleshless atrocity (S8).

The gruesome hacking of steel blades and bludgeons into flesh and bone is nearly deafening, drowning out piteous screams, snarling growls and pious oaths.



When the horrific cacophony of death subsides, the heroes stand over the bloody dismembered bodies of the skeletal cadavers and Moogeye Comcra.

There is nothing left in this chamber trying to kill them. Beyond it, is another story.

Only now do Bo, Grothnak and Pelias see that Hoom Feethos is here, gravely injured and motionless. He had been missing for days. They also see a dark haired gnome, unconscious from his grievous wounds. Nearby, lies a butchered dog, Misha Devi, Father Abramos, and Avril Hollysword in a different location than when they last believed her dead. Avril and Hoom are bleeding out.

There is no sign of the woman that had been violated upon the altar of depravity.

There are three doors from which to escape these blood-soaked rooms of death and carnage, and a stairway to the church's rooftop.

Through the small window that Bo had broken with his spear, angry voices from outside grow louder.



The mob of villagers have reached the church's front steps!


Actions?!


Map:

White initials indicate the PCs. Green are undead or monsters. Orange are burned skeletons. Red initials are hooded cultists, priests and priestesses.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):

Initiative: Party: [1d6] = 2, Monsters: [1d6] = 5 Monsters win, except zombies who always act last in a round.
S3, S8 attack Telkis and Mouser: [1d20] = 12, [1d20] = 17, damage: [1d6] = 1, [1d6] = 2 Mouser is hit for -2hp.
Bo finishes polymorph transformation, opens door and takes movement. So he can't attack this round, excitable boy.
On the other hand, because Bo opened the door, Pelias can attack: Pelias charges and attacks S3: [1d20+3] = 15+3 = 18, damage: [1d8+1] = 2+1 = 3 Hits S3 for -3hp, halved.

PC Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: -8/10, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC 5, HP 8/10, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 4, HP: 24/28
  Hoom Feethos, Elven Magic-User/Thief 1/2: Move: 9", AC 3, HP -3/8, Spells: 0/1 1st lvl
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: Move: 6", AC: 3(1), HP: 4/16, Spells: 0/4 1st lvl and 0/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: Move: 9", AC: 6, HP: 3/22, Spells: 0/5 1st lvl, 0/3 2nd lvl and 0/1 3rd lvl
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: Move: 9", AC: 2(0), HP: 4/19, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 0, HP: 5/28
  Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 2: Move: 12", AC 6, HP 0/6, Spells: 1/2 1st lvl

PC Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
  Polymorph Self (Long Bo): Potion. Duration unknown.

PC Resources:

• Map of Briarsgate
  NPC List for Briarsgate
  The Story So Far (in words)
  The Story So Far (in pictures)

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo rushes to he side of Avril and tries to tend to her horrific wounds before it is too late.

"What on the Shalms good earth has happened in here?"

[AleBelly]

Pelias looks at the fallen. He's surprised to see Hoom. And dismayed to see the undead pallor that has taken over Moogeye. He looks at Telkis questioningly. "Grothnak! Staunch Avril's wounds! Telkis, which of the fallen can help us more? What of the strange robed fellow? What in the three hells is Hoom doing here?"

[Mant72]

Ingrid spares a horrified look at the fallen Moogeye, whispers an orison, and rushes to aid of the injured Hoom. She quickly staunches the bleeding.

"We dare not stay, lest we be taken for blasphemers. We must depart!" She desperately looks to the exits, wondering which is the quickest to freedom.

[ChubbyPixie]

Pelias looks at the fallen. He's surprised to see Hoom. And dismayed to see the undead pallor that has taken over Moogeye. He looks at Telkis questioningly. "Grothnak! Staunch Avril's wounds! Telkis, which of the fallen can help us more? What of the strange robed fellow? What in the three hells is Hoom doing here?"

"Avril first," says Telkis glancing regretfully at the inert form of his new potential Gnome-friend. "With her up and about we'll have a better chance of getting the others back... eventually. Don't know Hoom's story, or this Gnome - they showed up in the heat of the fight, as did Mouser. Best ask him about that." He'll run to the stair door to re-bar it, then move to gather up Urdur to carry while the others decide which direction they should run.

[Zhym]

Pelias looks at the fallen. . . . "Grothnak! Staunch Avril's wounds!"

"Ingrid, you see to Avril, please" counters Grothnak. To Pelias, "As the only one without grave injuries, I must be the one to risk further combat by seeking a way out."

"Avril first," says Telkis

"No," counters Grothnak. "She is too injured. If you distrust Hoom or Urdur, leave them. Else heal one."

Pelias is a 2nd-level paladin. He can only heal 4 HP. Avril is at -8 HP. He can bring either Urdur or Hoom around, though.

"Someone retrieve Moogeye's ring," he says. He takes the priest's ring, puts it on, and opens the door the priest seemed to emerge from (left of 13 on the map).