Where Angels fear to tread: Fawkes & Goran

[Straither]

Memorial Garden: Temple Ruin

Both Fawkes & Goran struggle to shake off the relentless weasel. Gripped by the back of his neck, the furry predator sinks teeth ever deeper into the Halfling -5hp

Weasel bite damage [1d6]=5

Goran whispers in dwarven that a precious potion is in his rear pouch can he trust fellow rogue and one of orcish blood not to pilfer his previous hoard of gemstones and rings? Can he even understand dwarven?

The weasel has an instinct to hang on until the bloody end. Which unless either of these two can hit slay it first, that end will come for Goran sooner rather than later.

They carry on the deadly melee against the gray dusty, silence of the overgrown and forlorn cemetery and the blaring alarm call sounded from ram's horn by the orcs who cowered in the Tool-shed inside the Temple interior.

Memorial Gardens: random allotment 1-3 [1d6]=4

Next actions please

Fawkes: 14/17hp
Goran: 5/16hp

[Ythgar]

Goran, Halfling with a weasel

Goran continues to strike at the weasel that’s drinking his blood.

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Seeing as brute force does not work I will press my holy symbol upon the head of the weasel and speak in Orcish, "Release", a verbal Command spell, figuring the hunting weasels are being trained and will understand basic commands.

[Straither]

Memorial Garden; Temple Ruin.

Goran just can't get the better of the Giant Weasel, not managing to get the right angle to stab a blade through its thick fur. Almost overbourne and driven into a tangle of thickets.

Fawkes pleads divine aid, this time not faking a spell but issuing a directive.

"Release"

. His stern and singular word heard, the predator in training stops savaging the Halfling, letting him go and stand on his feet. Blood drips down Goran's neck and shoulder and his silk shirt has some unfashionable rips and tears, his sheepskin coat ragged from claw marks.

Weasel instinct reaction vs [1d100]=41Weasel [1d20]=4

The weasel looks confused, having obeyed the command it waits for the reward treat but the outstretched hands are offering blades not titbits. His trainer lies dead on the path. Instinctively the weasel snarls and snaps teeth again, lunging at the cleric Fawkes before fleeing in the undergrowth.

The nearby double doors are closed and with the orc troop alarmed on the other side blasting a second horn, trying to force entrance that way looks a poor decision. For better or worse, the pair are separated from their group and must press on without them.

You take a moment to assess your surrounds.

The Memorial Garden is not too large, perhaps 350'ft sq' in area (about 40'ft x 90'ft should you measure the perimeter). A cobbled path weaves itself around the tombstones, grave markers and bushes, forking left and right a few steps away. Through the crooked trees you can make out the Temple boundary wall on one side and an ivy covered mausoleum along the other.

The rustle of leaves at your feet bring a feeling of oppression and eeriness, that someone or something watches you from within. Those Orcs had declared that Goran was the embodiment of actual fears, naming various threats they felt needed exorcising. Perhaps those are very real threats indeed.

A giant ant scuttles over the dead guard's body, claiming it for itself.

next actions Goran & Fawkes

Fawkes: 14/17hp
Goran: 5/16hp

[Ythgar]

Goran, Halfling weasel survivor

Keeping an eye on where the vampiric weasel went, Goran confirms he’s still alive, regains his balance, offers a prayer to the Halfling goddesses Yondalla and Sheela to do what they can for plants and nature about them, he places the traditional offering of food to the Halfling deities with an apology that the ale is in the protection of another.

He fishes out some bandages that he applies to his neck, considers his potion of healing but ends up keeping his hand on it in his pouch while he decides whether to use it, and wanting to be able to do so at a moments notice if necessary.

He looks around for any remaining symbol or sign on the gravestones, stonework, or elsewhere.

He signs to Fawkes ”The enemy of our enemy is our friend?”
Followed by, ”Seems the way in is not our way out.”
”and thanks.”

[Stirling]

Fawkes

"Best use that potion now. Could be too late if you get injured again." he advises, helping to tie any bandages.

"Best get moving too, out of sight. But which way?"

I don't think splitting up along the paths is a good idea. The mausoleum, I don't know? Always dead things and Undead things in those. Maybe we can find another exit or garden gate?

The very worst might be climbing up and over the boundary wall, running along the Ruin roofs to drop into the courtyard where I saw the skeleton gardeners, sneak back through the gap in the wall of the room with the beam, retrace steps into the Sundew room and bingo, we unite back with the group ... who must surely be waiting patiently for us ...

So go down the path and keep out of sight and check out the boundary wall.

[Ythgar]

Goran, guzzler

Following Fawkes’s advice, Goran downs his potion and stashes the empty vial in his belt pouch.

[Straither]

Memorial Garden: Temple Ruin

Goran gives thanks, spreading portions of his preserved rations as an offering to Halfling deities, praying for their grace and mercies. He leans his back against a tombstone, binding his wounds physically and drinking a special elixir that restores +9hp and helps congeal his neck wounds. He has less of a feeling of the Garden's forlorn grimness, indeed the long grass flexes spongily under his feet and the ivy creeper vines caress softly across his back as he kneels to pray and attend to personal issues.

He rises to join Fawkes and both take to the path, sneaking cautiously along. The cemetery is as quiet as the grave. Off the path you note many thickets and overgrown headstones, ancient urns, small Memorial cairns. It is actually quite dense and in need of a good prune back, those skeleton gardeners seen in the courtyard would be wonderful groundsmen here. No tool seems to have touched the overgrowth despite the many pruning hooks, shears and the like in the Orc guarded Tool-shed antechamber.

Looking back to check pursuit, you note the double doors are not opened and curiously, the body of the slain orc guard is not visible anymore upon the path where he fell. Instead a fresh patch of blossoming weeds have sprouted where his blood was spilt.

In an effort to get to the boundary wall, just a few feet off the path, Fawkes steps into the undergrowth. But as soon as he does, the bush roots writhe to snare his feet and try to trip him or hold him fast and branches from a nearby tree seem to reach out as a barrier to halt him leaving.

Branch: [1d20]=12

Fawkes: 14/17hp
Goran: 14/16hp

Actions for Fawkes & Goran.

[Ythgar]

Goran, Halfling gardener

These gardens have been neglected, but are alive. "Fawkes don't harm the plants."

Goran shows they mean no harm, trying to soothe the plants to release Fawkes, possibly they could even hide us he thinks. He beseeches Yondalla and Sheela again, with a promise to return and help and tend the garden once they have dealt with their current task against the orcs and slavers occupying the temple.

He reaches out peacefully to the branch that seemed to try to strike Fawkes.

[Stirling]

Fawkes

He beseeches Yondalla and Sheena again,

Wonders if the thief took one of the many holy symbols that were nailed on the inside of the Tool-shed doors?

Counselled not to strike the plants to cut himself free, he waits for Goran's grass-whispering to work.

"I heard that singing to tomatoes in the greenhouse makes them extra ripe.

[Straither]

Memorial Garden: Temple Ruin

More creeping roots entwine themselves around Fawkes' feet, tying around his ankles and inching up his calf's. He resists a swathe with his weapon, hoping Goran's honeyed words and action drip nectar upon the forlorn fauna.

Branch grabs wrist: [1d20]=18



The thief reaches out, palm open and empty handed. The branch twists into a hand feature and then as the pair handshake, the branch constructs its grip to hold Goran firm.



As you both take in that the Garden has some evil intentions, from the corner of your eyes you see the movement of a furry creature scuttling between the crooked trunks and headstones. Not the weasel, but a mangy, black bushy tailed squirrel. It is rather large compared to ordinary squirrels, being twice the size and has a distinct feral and rabid appearance.

And it is not alone ...



please both make a Saving Throw vs Paralyzation. Fail and become Entangled by feet or arm, succeed and break free. Add another action with your roll.

actions Fawkes & Goran

Fawkes: 14/17hp
Goran: 14/16hp

[Stirling]

Fawkes

Fawkes: 10+ save vs paralyzation [1d20]=12

"The ghosts of the deceased" "The Crypt Wight" "The demon squirrels" "The Trees" "The strangling vines" "Our blood used to appease the angry god"

I can't say we were not forewarned though I didn't expect what the Orcs feared to be quite so literal.

I will try to break free of the roots and step back onto the path. If I need cut a swathe free or help the Goran, I will swing my Macuahuitl.

Fawkes: Macuahuitl melee [1d20+1]=19+1=20 [2d4+1]=6+1=7

[Ythgar]

Goran of the grasp

roll]294089[/rooc]

Goran will draw a short sword with his free hand ready to strike any squirrel that approaches.

Is friends still active?

[Straither]

Goran will draw a short sword with his free hand ready to strike any squirrel that approaches.

Funny you should do that ... your short sword kept in your left scabbard is mysteriously missing ...

[Straither]

Is friends still active?

It should be, not sure it will work on rabid squirrels though.

[Ythgar]

Goran

His short sword hilt not where it should be, Goran draws his magic dagger. He continues to hope the trees will come to their aid, but maybe they need them to rid them of these rabid rodents.

[Straither]

Memorial Garden: Temple Ruin.

Save vs paralysis, 13+ [1d20]=5+1 (luckstone)

Goran is held fast by the constricting branch that grips him firm and despite his best efforts he cannot free himself. Reaching for a blade, he finds his trusty sword is no longer in its sheath. he must have dropped it or it fell out if loosely fitted?

He draws an enchanted dagger to ward away the dire squirrels that run down the bark of the tree trunk, across the branch and try to run across his outstretched arm to add more bites to his injured neck.

Fawkes hacks the branch holding Goran and pulls himself free of the roots that entangle his boots, stepping out of them to leap barefoot back upon the path.

The Memorial Garden seems anything but a place of quiet contemplation and remembrance. The patches of thorny undergrowth, crooked trees and vines all seem 'alive', reacting to the attempt to step off the path by spreading out extremities to block the way. Cutting a short path through with machete or other hacking blade is the only way to reach the boundary wall.

The squirrels spit out nuts, pelting the duo with acorns like a shower of pebbles until you retreat out of range. A few yards on the path forks again, one leading across the gardens to curl towards the crypt, the other choice keeps parallel to the boundary walls.

The cemetery suddenly becomes misty and eerie. The Highport weather conditions are overcast and light rain but inside this secluded area, a thicker cloud of dense fog seems to rise from the east of the gardens and billows to form as a wall of fog that slowly encompasses the headstones, cairns, trees and bushes. It encroaches closer to you, a dense veil that you struggle to perceive through, masking everything even from infravision.



Actions Fawkes & Goran

Fawkes: 14/17hp
Goran: 14/16hp

[Stirling]

Fawkes

"I don't think that is the way." He says about going off the path. I wonder if the trees and bushes are protecting the graves. Maybe a noble hero is buried here and the animations are just anti-orc/anti-evil defense.

Of course the larger crypt might house the most famed or notorious deceased. I wonder if trying to read the headstones might indicate some history or relevance?

Fawkes: 13 vs Wisdom check [1d20]=1

The fog is ominous. The orcs mentioned a crypt wight they feared. Maybe the fog is a portent to his arrival? I will grab holy symbol in preparation to use a Turn Undead. I don't like the fog being so thick we can't see, ideal surprise attack conditions. I can see why the orcs feared coming here. Is this place cursed?

"Stick close Goran. Let's keep going down the path."

Do more horns still blast? I will walk ahead in prayer hoping for divine inspiration from my Wisdom check.

[Ythgar]

Goran, fogcutter

Not willing to let the fog divide them, Goran stays close to Fawkes, even keeping a hand on him should the fog encroach more. He allows the priest to lead, paying attention should they get turned about and he need to use his direction sense.

Quietly he says, “It seems to be herding us away from something or maybe towards.”

He adds, “I’d give them to ya, but I don’t think my boots would fit ya.”

[Straither]

Memorial Garden: Temple Ruin.

Fawkes echoes the fears of the orcs, wondering if a greater evil than strangling vines and feral squirrels inhabit this cemetery.

Goran checks pockets to make sure nothing else is pilfered or lost. His enchanted dagger gives a small radius of illumination that is quickly enveloped by the encroaching wall of fog. The magical light just enough to see a step or two ahead, no more.

The alarm horns have stopped after the first few blasts. It is quiet apart from the scurrying of the dire squirrels that continue to harass your steps with acorn pebbles which roll harmlessly behind you. That and the snap of twigs and branches that suggest movement follows you through the undergrowth.

Continuing onwards, the cobbled path goes about forty feet before turn to follow the boundary and turning again to bring you back towards the garden's centre. The path however abruptly stops, halting by a few overgrown headstones and a gnarly vine covered Yew tree. Looming out of the fog is the silhouette of a human like figure, dressed in torn garb and wide brimmed pointy hat. You are not close enough to see his facial features but his appearance is grim and eerie, like an evil scarecrow among the tombs.




I will add a Memorial Garden map to the maps thread.

actions

Fawkes: 14/17hp
Goran: 14/16hp