Chapter 29: Sacrament of Blasphemy

[Inferno]

The Church of Saint Pentival, The Ashblood Colony, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-seven. Night. Saturday, December 17th, 576 CY
Freezing, clear







In anxious trepidation, the doomed heroes inch deeper into the church above the writhing, unspeakable horror. Nearly naked, feet bare; their hands clutch rocks and sticks.

Ingrid's merciful grace heals Urdur once more (+4 to HP, STR and CON). Long Bo notes the burning candles in the chandeliers, but sees no vessels here to hold holy water. Perhaps upon the altar?

Jerome, Telkis, Bo and Mouser creep toward the side aisles of the nave. There, hidden behind column and pew and shadow, are effigies of the Knights of the March set into the floor, entombed forever in splendor undying.



One per alcove, each beneath a bricked-up stained glass window of Saint Pentival, the founder of their sacred Order.

Then there is a whisper. The low rumble of stone on stone. Suddenly it grows louder as all the tombs open and release their dead!



Haggard, gruesome cadavers of knights shriek and howl as they rise from their eternal graves!


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 5 feet.





PC Status:

Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 25/25, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 0/5 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl, Light spell
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 0/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 12", AC: 9, HP: 38/38, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 9/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl (-2 to STR and CON)

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)
Light (Ingrid): Duration: 89 rounds

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[ChubbyPixie]

"Devils! Don't let them surround us. Retreat to the entry!" says Telkis in a subdued cry, "We'll take them two by two at the doors!" He'll retreat that way, as hastily as he can without turning his back on the things.

"Well, these boneheads are feeling less misguided and more evil by the moment," he says.

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome moves to retreat, but then stops. He raises his voice in a shout, hoping to be heard across the whole chapel.

Mighty Knights! We are come to put an end to the perversion done here! To cleanse the Evil that has infested this holy place! We are your ALLIES!

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur follows Telkis out of the room, wishing again for his canine companion, or at least some spell components.

[OGRE MAGE]

Weaponless and without the use of his spells, Bo leaps due north, towards the center aisle of pews, before hurriedly following Telkis and Urdur back into the entrance chamber.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Knowing that there is little she can do against the undead right now, the priestess retreats for the relative safety afforded by the chokepoint created by the doors.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser too falls quickly back to the group. "Ingrid - can you try and turn these things?!?"

[Inferno]

The Church of Saint Pentival, The Ashblood Colony, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-seven. Night. Saturday, December 17th, 576 CY
Freezing, clear







Sworn to secret oaths centuries ago, even death cannot stop the Order of the Knights of the March from fulfilling their sacred vows!

The doomed heroes retreat in fear as grisly corpses rise from their tombs crying in voices of horror!

But Jerome does not retreat! Alone, in the face of nine deathless terrors, the white-haired young paladin stands his ground and beseeches whatever honor might still remain within these desiccated husks of men:

"Mighty Knights! We are come to put an end to the perversion done here! To cleanse the Evil that has infested this holy place! We are your ALLIES!"

The power of Jerome's heartfelt plea staggers the ranks of the living dead!



The withered, charnel ruins stay their fleshless hands! They stop their dire advance, and lower sword and shield!

A heavy silence overtakes the church of heresy. And the heroes suddenly realize the hymns to Saint Pentival have ceased!


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 5 feet.

Behind the DM Screen:

No initiative roll is needed. These undead act last in a round.

Jerome's attempt functions as a Turn Undead, despite having no holy symbol.
Jerome attempt: [1d20]=19 Succeeds!
How many undead are affected? [1d12]=11 All of them!

PC Status:

Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 25/25, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 0/5 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl, Light spell
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 0/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 12", AC: 9, HP: 38/38, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 9/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl (-2 to STR and CON)

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)
Light (Ingrid): Duration: 88 rounds

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[ChubbyPixie]

"Now's our chance!" says Telkis. "We cannot go back. Hear? The chanting has stopped, we must get through before they escape!" He runs down the center aisle, improvised spike weapon in hand, making for the door south of the altar.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur follows Telkis, clutching a rock as he makes his way towards the door.

[Urson]

Jerome
May your God bless you, Noble Guardians!
Jerome trots to join the others at the south door.

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Well done, Jerome! The cleric salutes the Paladin as she follows along toward the altar, looking for anything she might use as a makeshift weapon. Your enemies hide below, holy warriors. May you long defend the sanctity of your resting place against those who worship evil.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser shakes his head in disbelief and what's happened. Clutching his pathetic rock he, too, follows along.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo follows the others, not wanting to be left on the other side of the group of undead. He will listen at the south door if they reach that area without incident.

[Inferno]

The Church of Saint Pentival, The Ashblood Colony, Gran March, Greyhawk
Day Thirty-seven. Night. Saturday, December 17th, 576 CY
Freezing, clear







The grisly cadavers of the Knights of the March stand down. An ominous silence pervades.

The doomed heroes rush past the skeletal horrors, deeper into the sinister church, as Ingrid Esthof speaks to the dead. "Your enemies hide below, holy warriors. May you long defend the sanctity of your resting place against those who worship evil."

If the charnel knights hear her, they give no sign.

Ingrid spies a cup and a candelabra upon the altar of the curtained sanctuary, as the heroes sprint to the southwest corner of the nave!

A wooden door is set into the wall near the darkened confessionals. Long Bo presses one ear against it and hears only silence!


Actions?!


Map:

One square = 5 feet.





PC Status:

Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 3/4: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 19/19, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 5: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 25/25, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 0/5 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl, Light spell
Jerome, Human Paladin 3: Move: 12", AC: 10, HP: 20/20, Laying Hands: 0/1
Long Bo, Human Druid 5: Move: 12", AC: 9, HP: 38/38, Spells: 6/6 1st lvl, 3/4 2nd lvl, 1/2 3rd lvl
Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 4: Move: 12", AC: 6, HP: 34/34
Urdur Shimmerstone, Gnome Illusionist 4: Move: 12", AC: 7, HP: 9/11, Spells: 3/3 1st lvl, 2/2 2nd lvl (-2 to STR and CON)

PC Magic:

Protection From Evil, 10' Radius (Jerome)
Light (Ingrid): Duration: 86 rounds

Player Resources:

Tale of Terror (the story so far)
A Dark and Terrible World (maps)
Blasphemous Iconography (the story so far in images)
Desperate Struggles (clues and player notes)

[Scott308]

Ingrid Esthof

Spotting the items on the altar, the cleric points them out to others. There's a cup and candelabra if anyone needs a weapon of some sort. She will grab the candelabra to use as a club if none of the more martial party members show an interest in it.

[ChubbyPixie]

"We know they're in there. No time to lose." says Telkis. He pushes the door open and, if he sees no one immediately, rushes inside.

[ravenn4544]

Mouser follows along. He thinks of the recent escapade in the catacombs below as he passes by the altar, "Let someone else grab the evil relic this time!"

[Urson]

Jerome
Jerome ignores Ingrid's comments and moves through the door. He's looking forward, anticipating trouble.

[SocraticLawyer]

Urdur follows the others through the door.