Chapter 9: Temple of Fear

[Grognardsw]

While the others deliberate, Grey Mouser listens at the door.

[Starbeard]

Moogeye finds the idea of casting silence within the temple full of promise. She presses her ear to the other half of the door and listens as well.

[AleBelly]

Pelias nods affirmatively at Ingrid's suggestion and readies his sword.

[Zhym]

"If you silence them, they'll know something's wrong," says Grothnak. "Better to attack directly than waste the spell and alert them to our presence. Unless you can target anyone who might cast a spell."

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo hands the ring of keys to Moogeye, not much caring for the Mousers earlier tone.

Grothnak is right. It is obvious that something is not normal around here! They may be summoning demons for all we know! Let's get in there before they discern that we are out here!

He takes the time to tie all the frightened guards together as the others check the door again.

[ChubbyPixie]

Telkis readies his bow. "Depending in what we see in there, as in "if there are lizard creatures" perhaps a round of missile fire would be tactically sound, before we rush in." he suggests, "I'd hate to shoot one of you by accident."

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo talks while he ties.

I am guessing that we will meet nothing more than deception and diversion. Just like every other place we have visited in this town.

It will be up to us to see through their veil of secrets so we can finally get to the bottom of these troubles plaguing Briarsgate.

But if it is necessary, I definitely agree with missiles before melee.

[Mant72]

Ingrid Esthof:

"Ready yourselves," Ingrid whispers. She peers once more through the key hole, trying to discern a shadowy target. She begins a prayer to silence the blasphemers within.

Ingrid casts Silence, 15'. If at all possible, she will try to focus on the most central target within the temple.

[Inferno]

Day Seven.
Briarsgate. The Church of Merikka (21)
Night. Saturday, October 22nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, misty







In the chill shadow of the foreboding cathedral, there is the moonlit gleam of steel as Pelias' blade whispers from its sheath, and Telkis' arrow is nocked in a bowstring pulled taut.

Mouser listens with ear pressed against the immense door and hears nothing but the alluring, discordant music that seemingly surrounds them. Moogeye joins him and can barely make out muted utterances that sound like chanting. But she cannot recognize the tongue.

Long Bo finishes binding the church acolytes, and holds forth an iron ring of keys in Moogeye's direction.

Ingrid peers in the keyhole and prays a holy invocation to strangle sound within the dark temple.



The tantalizing, haunting melody abruptly stops.

The silence is deafening.


Actions?

Map of Church of Merikka 5.jpg (286.74 KiB) Viewed 1622 times

One square = 10 feet. Lighter area indicates visibility.


Rolls and Rulings (non-required reading):

Hear Noise: Moogeye, Mouser (10%): [1d100] = 14, [1d100] = 95

Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 25/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 15/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 1/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 20/22, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 17/19, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 23/28

Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.

Resources:

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

[Mant72]

Ingrid Esoth:

"Go!" the cleric screams in juxtaposition to the haunting quiet. "Breach the door while there is still time!" She grips her mace with white knuckles and waits for someone more burly to push through the threshold.

[Zhym]

Grothnak kicks open the door and steps into the room, looking for anyone who might be a spell caster. He holds Vadok at the ready but does not attack unless attacked. If attacked by charmed villagers, he strikes with the flat of his halberd. If attacked by priests, he does not stay his blade.

Rolls, if needed:

Open Door (1-3): [1d6] = 2
Vadok (Halberd +1) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6, Dmg [1d10+4] = 5+4 = 9 (S/M) [2d6+4] = 7+4 = 11 (L)

[Grognardsw]

Grey Mouser, thief

Grey slinks in behind the others and attempts to silently become one with the shadows living along the walls.

[OGRE MAGE]

Bo is a bit concerned that the door wasn't readied before the spell was cast.

He stays outside, away from the open doorway and keeps an eye on the detainees as the others all rush into the room.

[Inferno]

Day Seven.
Briarsgate. The Church of Merikka (21)
Night. Saturday, October 22nd, 576 CY
Cloudy, damp, cold, misty





The silence is deafening. Then Grothnak kicks in the doors of the church. Through that portal, they see things they can never unsee.

At first, perception is fractured. It's hard to take in. Perhaps due to the shock.





Perhaps due to the long distances, or the darkness that is only pierced by wan, sickly altar candles that seemingly cast more shadows than light.





Or perhaps due to the thick, pungent incense that shrouds the sacristy with greenish smoke.
Or perhaps due to something else entirely.





Within the towering sanctuary, faceless, black-hooded acolytes, some with musical instruments, surround the altar.

acolytes.jpg (129.26 KiB) Viewed 1595 times

Outstretched atop the holy altar of blessed Merikka, is a pale, nude woman.

altar.jpg (171.18 KiB) Viewed 1595 times

Against her will, she is engaged in a heinous, unspeakable rite of profane blasphemy.





Her screams are without sound, or end.


Actions?!
Everyone, please Save on 1d20. Higher is better. Regardless of your roll, please post your action.


Map:

Map of Church of Merikka 6.jpg (299.38 KiB) Viewed 1595 times

One square = 10 feet. Lighter areas indicate visibility.


Rolls and Rulings:

As usual, rolls won't be banked.

PC Status:

• Avril Hollysword, Half-Elf Fighter/Cleric 1/2: AC 7, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl
  Grey Mouser, Half-Elf Magic-User/Thief 1/2: AC 5, HP 10/10, Spells: 1/1 1st lvl
  Grothnak Uthglukh, Half-Orc Fighter 3: AC 4, HP 25/28
  Ingrid Esthof, Human Cleric 3: AC 3(1), HP 15/16, Spells: 1/4 1st lvl and 1/3 2nd lvl
  Long Bo, Human Druid 3: AC 6, HP 20/22, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 3/3 2nd lvl and 1/1 3rd lvl
  Moogeye Comcra, Human Monk 2: AC 8, HP 11/11
  Pelias Blanchflower, Human Paladin 2: AC 2(0), HP 17/19, Laying Hands: 1/1
  Telkis Brassfang, Gnome Fighter 3: AC 0, HP 23/28

PC Magic:

• Protection from Evil (Pelias): -2 to AC and +2 to saving throws against evil, in a 10 foot radius around Pelias.
  Silence 15' Radius (Ingrid): Duration: 5 rounds.

PC Resources:

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

[Starbeard]

Moogeye accepts the iron keys, and moves to try them on the door before Grothnak finds an easier way in and kicks the door open. She pockets the keys for future use and slips into the room, to the left of the entry. The heinous rite at the other end of the room causes her to lose her impetus once again, before bringing up her crossbow and shooting at the cult member standing before the altar (A9).

Save: [1d20] = 3

Light crossbow (ThAC0 20/22/25): hit [1d20] = 14, damage [1d4] = 2

[Zhym]

Grothnak is repulsed by the vile acts he sees before him. They must be stopped!

He raises Vadok over his head and charges forward to strike the acolytes down. "Vras armauk!" he cries, though his words are muted. Kill the enemies!

Vadok (Halberd +1) (THAC0 18): [1d20+2] = 12+2 = 14, Dmg [1d10+4] = 8+4 = 12 (S/M) [2d6+4] = 4+4 = 8 (L)

Mystery save: [1d20] = 11

[Grognardsw]

Grey Mouser moves among the shadows along the east wall to 20' east of the northeast column. Is that a giant snake he sees (the scale picture, and if so where)?

[1d20] = 13

[Mant72]

Ingrid Esthof:

Sickend by what she sees, Ingrid charges forward to engage the nearest enemy.

- Save vs...:[1d20] = 3 That's not good...
- Mace (THAC0: 20): To Hit: [1d20] = 13, damage: small [1d6+1] = 3+1 = 4 / large [1d6] = 4

[AleBelly]

The abomination on the altar sends Pelias into a rage of righteous indignation. Wiping the stain of these unholy acolytes from the earth is a cause worth dying for.

Mystery save [1d20] = 19

The paladin rushes towards the altar, slashing at an acolyte (or anyone else that gets in his way).

Attack with long sword (THAC0 19) [1d20] = 10, damage [1d8] = 8

Charge bonus not included

[ChubbyPixie]

Well, I tried. thinks Telkis as the others charge in willy-nilly before the ranged attack. He then looses two arrows at the cultists.

Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 7, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 5

Short Bow (THAC0 15): To Hit: [1d20] = 12, Damage s/m/L: [1d6] = 2

Mysterious save: [1d20] = 10