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Markd agrees that they should move on. He puts the boots in his bag, grabs any available arrows he finds to restock his supply, and prepares to move out.

Rusty Tincanne wrote:For accounting purposes, will those with dried poison work differently?

No.

Rusty Tincanne wrote:Has Irving been healed?

Conscious but injured - he was only knocked out for a round or two. By the time he reclaimed his sword, the kobolds were gone.

Rusty Tincanne wrote:Hey Florian, I know you said the idea of a Crooked Path is at odds with Baudh's teachings, but here we are. And the ghost-knight said this is a path for knights only. But what do you make of all these boxes of other gods, poisoned arrows and a beggars cloak?

Florian looks over the room and the goods left there. "Seems similar to the purification chamber in the Passage of Strength - they left their goods here as they advanced, yes? For those who arrived by a crooked path, it would seem that symbols of other gods, disreputable items like poison, and the like are things that should be left behind."

The group continues on, leaving the cedar-lined room behind. The passage bends to the left where the kobolds were trying to reach and you step over their small, mishappen bodies as you move on.

The hallway continues about 50', lit by Florian's lantern, before it opens up into a Spartan white-marble prayer space. The room is about 40' x 30' at its longest dimensions, the walls curving in an oval shape. You enter on one of the narrow ends and another passage departs at the other narrow end. A rounded archway on the long end opposite you leads into a dark chamber beyond. Stone kneeling benches fill the center of the space for penitents at prayer.


Date: Time 9:00am, 08 June 2021
Light: Florian's Lantern (until 11:00am)
Spell Effects: None
Injuries: Bremen (moderately wounded), Irving (moderately wounded), Markd (minorly wounded)

Does Bandy notice anything about himself or the cloak after he dons it?

It is very comfortable.

Marullus wrote:It is very comfortable.

Alethan wrote:

Marullus wrote:It is very comfortable.

He doesn't look like a beggar drowning in a cloak much too large for his diminutive frame?

Markd asks if everyone is ready. He then quietly goes to the center and kneels for a short quiet prayer before proceeding.

Captain Bremen has a fleeting feeling that, perhaps it is not the best idea to proceed with items others have left behind, or the Cube of Damnation, or someone that does not worship Baudh, but he quickly pushes these thoughts aside as superstition. He takes his spot in the group, crossbow loaded with one of his new quarrels, wondering if the poison will still work.

As they enter the oval room, he scans the ceilings and walls for anything untoward. He then inspects the prayer alcove for anything valuable, traps or secret compartments/doors. In that order.

Alethan wrote:

Marullus wrote:It is very comfortable.

VERY comfortable.

Florian tends to those most wounded after the battle, praying for Baudh's restoration of strength to both Bremen (+6)and Irving (+7). Bremen has a moment of panic about carrying their claimed items forward on this quest as they delve deeper into the Crooked Path, but he quickly sets it aside.

Bremen takes time to carefully search the oval room, inspecting it for traps and secret passages before the others settle in. Florian reminds them that he has a scroll to aid such tasks which he can use only once, when they desire it. Bremen finds nothing in the oval chamber for his examinations - the room itself is plain marble and spartan furnishings. Peering down the hallway at the far, narrow end he sees another long hallway stretching beyond the lantern's light. Through the archway on the long side of the oval, he sees a side chamber decorated with ancient murals; those closest to the lantern he can discern are moving slowly.

With some assurance that the room is not trapped, Markd proceeds to the kneeling pews in the center to use them for that purpose. He finds, however, that he has surprised three giant beetles, each three feet long, which are nested there. They clack their immense horn-like jaws in clear hostility at being disturbed.

(Please post surprise round and round one.)

Date: Time 9:20am, 08 June 2021
Light: Florian's Lantern (until 11:00am)
Spell Effects: None
Injuries: Markd (minorly wounded), Bremen (minorly wounded), Irving (minorly wounded)

So the praying chamber, on the long side, has a side chamber with a moving mural in it? But we need to get past the beetles to get in there safely?

Hearing the clacking, Captain Bremen takes aim with his crossbow, but holds his fire until he knows what Markd plans.

Markd quickly retreats to a safer stance and fires an errant shot between them.
Shortbow [1d20+1] = 8+1 = 9; [1d6] = 1

Bandy fires an arrow at the nearest beetle. He smiles as it leaves the bowstring, knowing his aim is true.

Shortbow [1d20+2] = 20+2 = 22 Damage [1d6] = 1

Bandy's shot skewers one of the beetles before it can even act (Crit, max damage), it's legs wiggling in the air a moment before it lies still.

The other two, however, are quick to regain their wits and Chase Markd away from the pews. They spray noxious, sticky ichor out of blow holes on their heads towards Irving, but it splatters across the stone, not effectively hitting any party members. Markd's second shot flies true, skewering the second one while Bremen finished off the last one with his hammer. Irving steps protectively in front of Florian, the conflict over before he can act.

The annoyance dealt with, the party is now again alone in the oval chamber.

Markd regains his composure and finishes his quick prayer. He will then lead them out the other side once all is ready.

Bandy retrieves his arrow and checks the beetle nest for anything of interest.

And MArkd will too if he is able.

Asking one of the others to keep watch a moment, Captain Bremen will kneel before the altar. He thanks Baudh for his blessings thus far: for giving him the strength to survive the deadly poison from the scorpion, for the brave companions (No more grating than any other companion I have had...) and for the gold the group has discovered. He prays that the group makes it through the Crooked Path and recover the relic so he can get back to Gaul and enjoy the company of a beautiful woman (...or three...). When he is done he rises and moves to inspect the moving mural, checking the opening and room for traps.

Bandy and Markd search through the detrius of the beetle's nest under the prayer benches in the oval chamber. They find a plethora of Kobold bones as well as 83 copper pieces and 100 gold pieces.

Irving and Florian go with Bremen to look in the side alcove. They see that each wall bears a scene with a moving mural - a group of warriors being led into an underground cavern or labrynth in search of wisdom and proof of their worthiness. One group looks primitive, wearing nothing but scant leathers, but their muscles are strong and their weapons simple, entering an natural cave. One group is of sailors with longships in the background, entering a cliff face on a sea mount. One is of horsemen descending a ramp in a white tower. The fourth, longer wall, bears an altar to Baudh.

The three of you search the room dilligently, wary and curious. Bremen takes some time to offer his prayers as well. As he rise from the altar along the long wall, his practiced eye notices wear around the symbol of Baudh, as if it rotates. Inspecting it carefully and rotating it 45 degrees opens a secret passage adjacent to the altar, a dark hallway beyond.

Before he can investigate in greater detail, he is alerted by Markd and Bremen - the sound of sick, labored breathing and feet flapping on stone alerted them to the arrival of ghouls from the other hallway. Once humans, these six creatures are blind with heavy scarring across their faces, sniffing the air before them. They are dressed in the reminents of clerical robes. They seem to scent Markd and Bandy and hasten towards them, jaws slavering.

(Actions!)

Date: Time 9:40am, 08 June 2021
Light: Florian's Lantern (until 11:00am)
Spell Effects: None
Injuries: Markd (minorly wounded), Bremen (minorly wounded), Irving (minorly wounded)

Bandy's sword begins glowing in an unnatural yellow light as the ghouls enter the room.

"Undead!" he cries out unnecessarily as he positions himself alongside Markd to keep from being flanked. He swipes at the nearest ghoul...

Longsword vs Undead [1d20+2] = 16+2 = 18 Damage [1d8+2] = 5+2 = 7

Markd coordinates his attack with Bandy, hoping to fend off the dastardly ghouls in case Forian fails once again to shoo them away. He swipes with his powerful sword.

long sword [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14; damage [1d8+2] = 5+2 = 7



(sword is also plus one against undead, so hopefully that hits)