TURN FIVE: A NEW FELLOWSHIP FORMED :
"Your powers of persuasion are admiral Pharuk" Says Jenna as the party relaxes for a moment. Sheela too winks at Phuruk and points towards him using a Kyprosi hand gesture which awards fleeting pre-eminent status. [i.e. "you're the man" ]
Ganthanor adds "Aye, Pharuk, nice job... it's always better to avoid blood shed..."
Kendric remarks: "Where do we go from here?"
Khalid ponders aloud: "Should we rest and let spellcasters recover spell mana? We have completed the easiest of the retrievals, but I doubt we can complete them all in one day"
Hearing Khalid's words Sheela starts to laugh out loud until noticing he was indeed serious. "Ehe-uhe-Ohh" she pulls herself together "...no need to rest on my part Khalid." speaks the mage solidly. "Let's get rolling."
Khalid: "But rolling where?"
"I have no need of rest." says Corak "My main concern is where do we go and who do we seek next?"
Abu Zharr takes in a deep breath, and studying the sky says. "Well, that certainly went easy. Much better than our last showing. As with the cosmic flow of the Helix so should be our manner, a balance to be found in everything." Abu interrupts his musing just long enough to smile at everyone and compliment them on a task well done. "We work well together and I have hope that we shall accomplish our goals."
He then finds a spot on he ground away from the main group and sits down on the ground crossing his legs and entering a meditative state almost immediately. He is perpetually aware of his surroundings and what each of the companions is doing and yet his eyes shows a vacancy, proof that he is deep within the recesses of his own mind.
Deverin shrugs at Khalid's question. "If they need the rest, I'm willing to wait. That spell Phaurk cast might be useful again for us." He leans up against the wall and picks at his nails with a small dagger. He looks over at the meditating Abu mischievously, wondering how perceptive he is in this state.
Deverin says "On another note about the people we're leaving here in the chamber. Are they going to starve waiting here? I don't know if Sharill has food and drink inside the chamber."
Khalid notes: "They are not likely to starve unless we leave them for a prolonged state without food, and as far as I could tell there were no provisions of any kind in the chamber. They may get a bit hungry and thirsty in time."
Syrinen says quietly, "I too need to rest so that I have spells available. If time passes more slowly in this chamber, perhaps the spellcasters should rest in some safe place outside while the rest of you wait here. That way it won't seem that you are are waiting as long."
Ganthanor responds to the comment about resting. "I too am willing to wait for the spell casters to refresh their spells. Oh, doesn't time flow slower inside that sphere? Thought I heard someone mention that... wasn't really paying attention though."
"I don't need to rest for now' Pharuk says simply and suggests " We should continue on in our quest without delay."
Khalid simply sighs and begins tuning his instrument.
While the discussion of future plans continues, he turns to Jenna and offers to tend to her burning wounds. He uses Talon's healing kit.
"For whom shall we go next?" Pharuk asks around. "As we have little information who is in immediate danger it seems unimportant which target we decide on next." he pauses and looks around. "Do you know anything about the scarlet ravens?" he adds.
Khalid shakes his head.
Kendric shrugs and says: "The rat-man priest had some vague prophesies, but nothing we could get a handle on. Opinion is divided as to whether the clues lead to the district known as the Labyrinth or perhaps to the River front district we just left, or even somewhere else.
Khalid remarks: "We have two potential sacrifices within our own ranks, if the Triad is looking to collect all the candidates, would we not become targets of Triad agents ourselves?"
Sheela laughs a delightful and triumphant laugh and adds: "That would mean more target practise; FOR US!" says the over-proud female transmuter stamping her right fist into her left hand. Then abruptly she starts examining her right hand for she fears she might have damaged the manicure on her thumb finger in the clash. "Next time, let's catch one alive, present him with some nice cuts and bruises and put him in the sphere so that he doesn't die quick...but feel the immense pain... forever!"
Deverin nods affirmatively to Sheela, then lets out a sly smile of agreement.
Alishazz folds his muscular arms across his broad chest.
"Let them come!" the huge Lizard man says, his long forked tongue flicking out as if to accentuate his point.
Jenna puts her hands on her hips and turns away, hidden behind a mane of blonde hair.
"I am vaguely familiar with this Labyrinth area, but it is a complex maze, the very hive of cutpurses, thugs and the criminal, where do we begin in such a place.
"Realizing that some of the party are new to Flage, she sketches out a map of the city of Flage for their edification.
Deverin's eyes light at the mention of Labyrinth. Along with the scarlet raven mentioned, it sparks a memory in him.
"I remember a legend I've heard spun in the taverns, told among the more...seeder sorts. It speaks of a mysterious woman with raven black hair and fiery red eyes wearing a cloak of scarlet tinged black feathers. She warned the folk of the Labyrinth that the city was in danger by attack of enchanted crayfish-men from the river, and that only the hands of women and men of low virtue could penetrate the protective enchantments of the crustacean warriors. Thus this Herald of Pallas led the whores, pimps, cutpurses and knaves to the defense of the city-to victory. After the battle, the herald known as the Scarlet Raven turned into a flock of ravens, their feathers spotted with the red-brown blood of the Labyrithines and the scarlet ooze of the Craymen. They feasted on the dead, and then flew away."
"That's quite a story Deverin" says Jenna
Deverin clears his throat. "Not that it helps exactly, but it seems that the Labyrinth sector might indeed be the place to start looking for this 'scarlet raven' woman. Though, if as legend says she is a herald of Pallas, she might not need our help at all. Is there a shrine to Pallas around?
Kendric laughs: "Well as Pallas is the primary patroness of Flage there are a number of mosques in her honor in the city, as well as the Great Ziggurat of Pallas itself. Of course the latter has been corrupted by the triad, so we don't want to go there, but there is a small shrine in the Labyrinth...."
"I don't know about you guys but it sounds like WE..." says Sheela feeding Kraa with a worm that she's just pulled out of a small pouch attached to her belt "...would get along quite well with that raven woman."
Tiron notes: "I have some contacts in the Labyrinth, if that is of any help."
Vonak, "Maybe I'm being a little paranoid, but I noticed that Alishazz and I were getting some strange looks from the denizens of the town. If we are going to continue to search in town, do any of you spell-slingers have a disguise spell or two?"
Alishazz looks thoughtful for a moment.
"A good point, my friend," the large Lizard Man hisses, "and a good idea, but I will not hide who I am."
The Haz Ranger looks far off into the distance for a moment before continuing.
"When I was young, my Sire taught me to be proud of who I am," the Haz says quietly. "Now that he, like the rest of my family, is dead, his words to me are all I have ... and I will honor them!"
Kersh speaks up, after listening to everyone speak "I could use a little rest and time to pray to Marduk. Yet, I want to drive on with this quest. I figure that the Triad is anticipating that they will get the stone knight to sacrifice. When they find out that they have been bested by us, the Champions, they will go after the remaining people with ferocity."
"This story of the raven women...if it is true or not, it is our best shot right now. Although I sense great danger in the path, perhaps it is our fate. I agree, I say we go to the Labyrinth, visit the shrine and find out something about this women."
Kendric remarks "It seems our decision has made itself then, since the Labyrinth occupies so many minds. Let those who would rest do so. But we should wait no longer than we must." Kendric observes, before settling himself into a position better suited to waiting.
"Agreed, we should move as quickly as possible but our magic using friends are much stronger with a full compliment of spells... I think we need to balance the 2 somehow but I cannot offer what that balance should reasonably be...."
Ganthanor slides his sword a few inches out of the scabbard... "I have found magic to be unreliable mostly... it serves me consistently only when imbued within metal such as starstone.
Pharuk examines the Jenna's map with interest. He tries to imprint the important structures of the city as well as the details of the Labyrinth area (using proficiencies of distance and direction sense).
Deverin indicates he is ready. He looks over the map as well. Having no special abilities, he just uses his best sense in learning the layout of the area. He remarks. "Well...a long shot lead is better than nothing at all. At the least we can learn more of the legend at the shrine. I could inquire among the...street element as well to see if there is anything more to the story."
Pharuk remarks "If the people we leave behind don't have anything to eat and drink we should leave an adequate amount here..." Pharuk remarks realizing that his own dry rations are in shrunk form with his camel figurine...
To Vonak's question on disguise Pharuk answers: "Unfortunately I cannot disguise you magically."
Kasim nods to Vonak, and the others as they speak. "Friend Vonak, I can indeed disguise you, at least until other needs for my abilities are upon us."
Vonak: "I will accept with thanks, friend Kasim. Alishazz, I too am proud of who and what I am, but I will not allow that pride to endanger the group or our mission."
The huge Haz looks at the Minotaur thoughtfully for a moment. "A good point, my friend, a good point," Alishazz hisses in his deep voice.
"You give me much to think about," the Lizard Man says and then smiles slyly. "Perhaps I will have one of the spell casters change me into a Minotaur!"
"If as the first step we go to the Labyrinth area, Tiron, could you describe to me a good place to start there?" Pharuk asks. "With your contacts we might get further information..."
One of my best contacts in the city in the Labyrinth is Madame Valyria of the Hetaera who dwells in the Palace of Aphrodite, a combination of mosque and brothel. Silifiya the Barmaid and Malawi the Dancer are useful contacts at the Golden Boar. B'aal-Nafa ibn Kozief often hangs out in the Labryinth in the Speckled Hen. He is a moorish trader/ambassador of sorts, and has many contacts of his own in the Labyrinth.
Al-Ariq suggests "Perhaps it would be best to try the Golden Boar first, followed by the Speckled Hen? The former holds two potential sources of information, so it seems the best place to start. We could leave the Palace of Aphrodite until last, in case the others do not reveal any information to us." The fair skinned dervish blushes slightly as he speaks, personally preferring to avoid the brothel if at all possible.
Deverin frowns in jest "But I was so looking forward to looking for...information in the temple of Aphrodite." he winks to Al-Ariq. "We do not have much to go on at this point so I'm fine with wherever we start."
Skooter frowns in earnest, "Indeed, the temple does sound promising...oh, well let me see if I can find anyone familiar..." as he wanders off into the shadows, looking for both familiar faces and possible enemies while the party marches onward.
'As you know your contact people best, Tiron, I trust in your decision on whom to visit first' Pharuk remarks.
Tiron shrugs, " I cannot say which of my contacts will know the most on this topic."
Pharuk nods.
"A brothel might provide the broadest information" Pharuk says, adding with a smile: "besides the attractions of the brothel itself for sure. It is only I fear that we could get... diverted and divided there..."
Khalid notes: "Perhaps we can try al-Ariq's order of choices then."
Pharuk then says: "Very well I will follow Al-Ariq's suggestion and start with the Golden Boar."
With Tiron's description Pharuk opens a portal.
Abu, sensing that the group is ready to move on and experiencing the tingle in his spine when Pharuk casts his spell, returns to the here and now. He stands and gathers his few belongings, swinging his backpack into place. A quick and practiced check makes sure that all his weapons is ready and available. With a smile and nod to his companions he indicates that he is ready and nears the open portal.
"Well, into the unknown once more. And experience tells that they can not all be easy," he thinks grimly as he approaches the portal. "In search of raven ladies we are and stranger things I have seen. So onto the adventure then."
If there are no more obvious delays from anyone Abu enters the portal without another word, reading himself for any attack or ambush. On the other side of the portal he quickly glances around him, noting any lurking dangers and making a note of his surroundings.
The others follow Abu Zharr with Pharuk as usual leading up the rear, the portal closing behind him.
********************************************************As the portal closes Pharuk feels something cold and slimy brush past him, but sees nothing. The party is in an alley adjacent to the Golden Boar, a shuttered window is in front of them, and they can hear music, singing and laughing.
Deverin takes a defensive stance one though the portal, his scimitar gleaming in his nervous hands. With no immediate danger, he sheathes the sword and looks around. The sounds coming from the Golden Boar bring a smile to his face. "Ah...to be so carefree, I wonder if I'll ever be able to make merry ever again." he ponders.
As everyone comes though the portal, Deverin suggests "Perhaps it would be best if we did not all enter together. A large group walking in will be too noticeable and will worry people I'm sure. Maybe just Tiron and a few others could enter, with a second group following and a small guard outside in case of trouble?" With the last comment, Deverin eyes his Haz and Minotaur companions.
Skooter announces he is going to scout the area out.
Kendric follows Deverin's gaze with his own, and smiles slightly.
"Then perhaps I also should remain outside. It might be best to have a strong guard, and besides, some of us are rather more noticeable than others." He nods once to the pair subject to Deverin's scrutiny.
Turning to look around, Kendric also pauses to listen to the sounds drifting out from the Golden boar, though his expression doesn't change, and hand never strays far from hilt.
"I also think Deverin has a point" suggests Jenna.
"We could split up around here while a couple of us go in".
Kersh says "I wish to go in. A hot cup of tea would do wonders for my old bones."
Vonak not yet being disguised offers:
Vonak: As I am not accustomed to the goings-on in human gathering places, I will stand guard outside. Yell if you get into trouble, friends.
Corak: "I will stand guard outside with Vonak and Kendric - a combination of spellcaster and warriors will cover more options than any of us alone could."
Kasim nods to Vonak and walks by him.
"Be thinking, my friend, on what other type of being you want to be for a while. I think I will go inside. When I come out, or even now if you prefer, we can change your fit into the world, heh-heh."
'I'd like to enter, too.' Pharuk says. 'Perhaps we can ask Silifiya the Barmaid and/or Malawi the Dancer, if we could talk to them in a private place.'
"I will obviously have to be part of the group to go inside, as these women are known to me." adds Tiron.
'I'd suggest a fighter or two should join us inside' Pharuk says.
"I'll go in." Al-Ariq says. "I'll take my turn at staying outside at the, ahem, last place on our little tour."
"I shall come with you into the golden boar Pharuk" says Jenna scanning the rest of the party.
The huge Haz nods.
"I will remain guard, along with my Minotaur friend," Alishaaz says proudly. "Perhaps we should set a time limit for your return. That way, if ... say, two hours pass and you have not returned or sent word, we will know you have encountered trouble."
Syrinen looks about her and says "I will stay outside too, and look for any trouble while you go inside."
Sheela shivers and remarks: "I'm a little cold, I would serve the party better indoors I guess."
"I'll enter. With both Vonak and Alishazz staying outside, we have a strong enough backup team. Pharuk, my weapons shall defend the ones entering."
Abu keeps his hands near the well hidden throwing knives, ready for a second ambush. His keen senses is exerted to maximum extend as he realizes the strengths of the enemies they face.
Khalid notes: With Abu Zharr, Pharuk, Al-Ariq, Tiron, Jenna, Kersh, Kasim, Sheela and Deverin going inside, I should stay outside.
Deverin listens as everyone states their wishes about going inside the Golden boar. "I suggest then, unless you disagree that we position ourselves like this: Tiron, Pharuk and myself can approach the contact. Jenna, Kersh, Kasim and Al-Ariq will follow and take up a table near us. Sheela and Abu come in after and quietly take position by the door to watch our exit. Kendric, Khalid, Vonak, Corak, Syrinen, Ganthanor, and Alishaaz can keep guard and back us up if we get into trouble. Also watch our for Skooter's return. This way we won't appear as a mob and hopefully will present less targets. **Memories of that color spray form to Deverins mind**
Ganthanor listens to Deverin's comments about positioning. "Agreed, but let me add that I'll come in with Sheela and Abu but sit/stand at the bar if it's possible in there. Otherwise, I'll just wing it."
Ganthanor waits for the other groups to enter then goes in with Sheela and Abu.
"I will come if you wish. It never hurts to know all the directions from which one could be attacked." Kendric gives a slow smile. "Or to know all the directions from which one might attack if necessary."
"Also, lets scout the outside of the place before we go in. Lets see if there is a back door as well as no surprises waiting for us. Would someone come with me while I check?"
There is no back door, but there is a side door in the alley opposite the one that the party landed in, apparently leading to a kitchen.
Pharuk, Tiron and Deverin enter the front door of the Golden Boar. The establishment consists of couches and carpets (with pillows) arrayed around two stages for dancing girls. It thus bears a more traditional Kiresh flavor, rather than the Ishandeshee influence of tables and booths. As the party enters there is a bar to their left. Scantily clad barmaids provide drink and victuals, to a rough and rowdy crowd. Tiron points out Silifiya who is serving some wine to an uncouth lout who is pawing her, and Malawi who is one of the dancers involved in a very erotic dance involving the shedding of diaphanous veils.
When entering Pharuk tries to look as normal as possible. He is ready to defend himself and he also takes great care that his belongings don't get lost (e.g. by a thief).
Tiron wanders among the women, pretending to cast an appreciative eye, and stops a few yards away from Silifiya, watching her from the corner of his eye while he pretends to gaze at the dancers. Waiting until she glances in his direction, he nods slightly, then goes to sit with Pharuk and Deverin.
With a smile Pharuk scans the dancing barmaids. From time to time he also tries to get an overview on what else happens around him. He orders a drink and waits for Tiron to contact Silifiya first.
Jenna, Kersh, Kasim and Al-Ariq wait a few moments, and then enter the establishment. Finding no tables, they must modify their plans. Al-Ariq stands at the bar.
Jenna will walk in and sit down at one of the pillowed areas near the stage. She will try to catch the eye of a barmaid in order to get a drink and look normal.
Kersh and Kasim join Jenna, who is starring down some other patrons who made some untoward comments at Jenna's expense, and who now are trying to melt into their pillows.
Kersh sits down next to Jenna with a nod. If Jenna catches the barmaids eye, Kersh will ask the barmaid for a cup of tea and a hookah. In the meantime, Kersh throws down a few coins for the dancers.
Ganthanor waits for the other groups to enter then goes in with Sheela and Abu.
Abu follows the other two quietly, making his way to the bar. His keen eyes taking in every patron and marking possible enemies. He nods to the bartender and quietly orders a drink, which he doesn't touch but instead turns his back to and scans the crowd. If he sees anything out of the ordinary he'll call out to Pharuk and the others, warning them of possible danger.
Ganthanor stands next to Abu Zharr at the Bar.
Sillifiya approaches Tiron and whispers seductively: "Hello handsome, what brings you to the Labyrinth, certainly given your strange predilections it is not what normally brings custom to these parts."
Tiron smiles at Sillifiya and draws her down to sit upon his knee, apparently oblivious to the noise outside. "We seek the legendary Scarlet Raven" he whispers into her ear. "Do you know where she might be found?"
Sillifiya draws back alarmed: "What do you mean?"
Tiron puts a finger to his lips, and draws Sillifiya back slowly towards him. "There is a prophecy" he whispers "that in order to defeat the Triad, we need the help of the Scarlet Raven."
Sillifiya nods: "It is not safe to talk here, that of whom you speak ...she is a dangerous assassin......"
Just then Deverin interrupts....see below.
Meanwhile outside the Tavern, in the alley to the east.
The sky suddenly grows even gloomier than usual, casting deep shadows on the already glooming tangle of the Labyrinth.
Skooter after scouting around the area of the Labyrinth comes back to the outside group with an alarming report. "Spiders, giant spiders, hundreds of them, they are swarming through the Labyrinth attacking everything on the streets. They are not the kind, even you biggums can squish under your boots, but are enormous , the size of mastifs!!!! I saw a few even larger, the size of horses, and one the size of an elephant. They are a variety of colors, some are grey, some are red, some are big, black and hairy, but all have venom dripping from their mandibles, and their many terrible eyes are ablaze with supernal flame. Some I saw merely crawl, others seem to be able to leap. Never have I seen the like of these! Fiends from the void I hazard!"
Screams punctuate the night as if to underscore the report of Skooter.
Khalid frowns: "You may be right! They sounds like conjurings, demon spiders called forth from the nether plane of Arak-Na'id, domain of Lol'eth-Qoor, Dark Queen of all arachnid kind. Keep a look out for summoners, as well as these spiders of unusual size. I encountered some of these spider summonlings in the desert once. Those I faced could be dispatched by weapons magical and mundane, and did not seem protected against spell, still Skooter describes some greater in dimension than I have heard of, and we must not make any assumptions..."
Vonak: "No matter how they be dispatched, seven vs hundreds does not sound good to me."
Khalid: " You assume the spiders are after us."
Vonak puts his back to the wall while scanning for a more defensible place to fight as well as looking for a conjurer.
Corak advances from the alley towards the front door to get a view of any oncoming spiders, but not so he will be hit by the doorway, and notches a Fireball. He sees a group of Flagans fleeing spiders suddenly emerge in sight. He must decide whether to unleash his fireball risking the Flagans or hold off.
Syrinen presses against the wall along with the others, she says quickly "We must warn the others...I doubt that this is a coincidence..." Closing her eyes, she considers the spells she has available from her spirits that might affect giant spiders.
Skooter adds, "I will warn the others, I take it they are inside?"
Without truly waiting for the answer, Skooter heads for the door, muttering under his breath as his cloths change from dark and grey to a bright festive outfit that will fit in nicely inside the establishment.
Meanwhile:
Ganthanor touches Abu's shoulder and looks him in the eye. "I'm going to find out what that was."
Sheela exclaims as Ganthanor leaves: "... and leave a pretty girl like me all defenceless in a place like this?" The leather clad woman, while pretty, does not look entirely defenceless.
Abu Zharr Nods at Ganthanor and then makes his way quietly over to Pharuk and the others. "Something is happening outside. Ganthanor has gone to investigate." He indicates over his shoulder to where the Cavalier was making his way to the door. "We might have to hurry up." The others outside needs our help." He looks back to see if Ganthanor is giving any indication of what exactly was going on outside. Unobtrusively he draws two throwing knives from their sheaths and holds them by his thighs, ready to spring into action.
"Ok, you go too!" protests Sheela shouting at Abu's back "Such gentlemen you are... at least you could have ordered a couple of rounds before leaving me as dessert!" she adds. "What are you looking at!" she yells at a nearby customer. "Haven't you ever seen a goddess before?"
Kersh watched the actions of the monk with interest. Kersh leans over and whispers to Kasim and Jenna "The monk has drawn his knives. Something is happening or about to happen." Trusting in the keen senses of the monk, Kersh leaves the pillow and walks over to Abu "What is wrong? You sense danger in the area?"
Entrance of the Tavern
Ganthanor proceeds back out the door. Weapon still in his sheath he looks at the others still outside and cocks his head to the right, just in time to see the fleeing Flagans and attacking spiders coming up the street from that direction.
Skooter squeezes by Ganthanor
Syrinen looks up at the buildings then at the width of the alley and calls on her earth spirit: "Great Sandwalker, grant me a wall of thorns to hold back these fiendish creatures."
In side the tavern
Just as Abu remarks to Kersh that there might be danger, Skooter enters and makes his way to them. Skooter explains to Kersh about the spiders. Abu listens carefully to his explanation about the spiders. He had heard Sheela call out and now he turns to her and waves her over to where the small group was standing. "We have a problem" he simply states and looks to Pharuk, "What shall we do?"
Sheela walks over and playfully adds: This better be something important, cause I was just about to start a new career...called lap dancing; some say it pays good..."
As the group learns about the threat....
"I see only two options:", Pharuk begins quickly, "fight or flee... It is difficult follow our goals with these amount of spiders crawling through the streets, so I'd suggest at least to reduce their number. We can use the location to our advantage... I could try to hold some of the spiders in front of the door to block it. Then we can use area spells to cause an inferno outside..."
Sheela smile fades "If the situation is as serious as Skooter mentioned than lap-dancing can wait. I've got quite a variety of offensive spells readied; so I'd be better off in the open where I can see the spiders." says Sheela and starts towards the door.
"We cannot leave these people to face this horror" Kersh says. "The spiders are here because we are here. I say we stay and fight, we can board up the tavern and defend from here. If we can keep so many spiders from swarming us at once, we will be able to fight them off easier."
Kasim nods at the others. "I agree with Kersh. We must protect the innocent."
Kasim begins to chamber a Lightning Bolt.
Kersh looks over the group "The spiders are from a chaotic realm. I will pray to Muluk for protection from these evil creatures. Any fighters that wish to receive this blessing, step forward."
Skooter steps forward, "I hate spiders and need all of the protection I can get. What can and can I not do while this spell is in effect? Can I still strike them from behind...?"
Kersh nods his head "Yes, if you can get behind them. This spell offers small amount of protection from evil creatures that get close to you."
Jenna stands next to kersh. "I will take your blessing spell too together we will dispatch these creatures"
All the others having indicated that the group will stay and try to protect the people, Abu nods his assent and then makes his way to the door were he takes a stand, bracing himself for the eventual attack.
"As you wish, my lady. The blessings of Muluk will be granted to ye."
Kersh casts the protection on Jenna, Skooter and himself.
Deverin previously entranced by the fluid motions of the slowly disrobing veil dancers begins to notice the disturbances around him, and finally turns his attention to Skooter as he warns of danger. As Pharuk goes over options, Deverin says "I think it's best to be inside a defensible area. I'd have a hard time fleeing and leaving these people to these spiders that are most likely meant for us. We can always portal out of here it it gets too crazy, and perhaps take as many of the bar patrons as we can."
Deverin looks for Tiron "Tiron find out as much as you can from your..friend." Deverin gives a warm grin to the barmaid Tiron has sitting on him "We'll try to hold things as best as we can." He then remarks to himself "Now, lets see about getting our friends inside." Deverin moves towards the door to see how his companions fare and to wave them inside the bar.
Tiron nods to Deverin, then turns back to Silifiya. "It appears, lady, that it is not safe to do _anything_ here. Yet no other place is available to us."
As everyone's attention is distracted by the events outside and the comings and goings of the other party members, Tiron uses Silifiya's body as cover to cast a spell [ESP]. "Just bring to the surface of your mind what it is that you know about her" he whispers to her "And I too shall know it, at the speed of thought."
Tiron looks at Silifiya a moment and then says. "I see. Well that is a start. Now I must concentrate on helping my comrades against the immediate threat."
Outside the tavern
Hearing Syrinen asking to be granted a Wall of Thorns Corak quickly considers his strategy, he decides that he will wait and see if the Thorns hold the spiders and will only unleash a Fireball if they are unsuccessful.
A Wall of thorns appears in the street blocking the advance of the spiders and some of the fleeing Flagans. It will give the party some time but will not hold the spiders long as they are likely to be able to climb the barrier or circumvent it.
Khalid notes: Either we can bring our friends out to help us hold the line out here, or retreat inside the tavern, and hold the entrance against intrusion.
Pharuk approaches the doorway with his Foothold spell notched.
Ganthanor looks at Syrinen..."Our swords and your magic can see us through... what would you have me do fair lady? Attack out right or perchance back up to a defensive position with your magics?"
Pharuk casts his Foothold spell blocking off the alley and the street opposite the barrier of the Wall of Thorns. The outside group is now concentrated in an area in front of the Golden Boar
Syrinen answers, "The wall of thorns and Pharuk's spell will hold them for a while, and we can always set it on fire once the spiders start to climb it. What think you, is the inside of the tavern more defensible?"
Khalid: "Spiders are known for their climbing skills. I think the smartest move would be to use the tavern as a more defensible base. The spiders will soon be able to swarm over the buildings and circumvent these barriers."
Pharuk says: " I think we need to soften up our foes a bit." He casts a Ice Storm in the area of the street in front of the Thorn Barrier.
Corak nods with approval at Pharuk's attack. Corak scans the area around the front of the Golden Boar waiting until the first spider reaches the top of the wall of thorns, or crests the buildings, if they crest the Wall of Thorns, he will cast his fireball (Hopefully the thorns will burn and this will keep back the spiders not caught in the blast)
Vonak: "The inside may be more defensible, but will the non-combatants not be in the way as well?"
Khalid: "There will be no non-combatants, we will need all that can fight to fight, and the others to tend to the wounded, and other such tasks."
Alishazz looks quickly around and grips his two magic swords eagerly.
"Then let us destroy these creatures quickly so that the non combatants never are in any danger!" the huge Lizard Man hisses. "What I want to know is what are these things doing here at all?!?! Surely they do not simply roam the streets like rats!"
Khalid shakes his head: "No this is not a usual event for certain, but what is the point of this, it seems a strange method if it is meant against us, but what if it isn't directed at us....it seems to be designed to create chaos and panic, to draw attention to this place? What if it is a distraction, meant to divert attention from some other scheme in some other place?"
Corak sees spiders cresting the Wall of Thorns and unleashes a fireball. The Wall of Thorns is now ablaze, the cresting spiders were killed by the fireball spell.
Vonak will use his Halberd and shield and take on any spiders that come through the thorns, or manage to evade the Foothold. Because of his size he will always take on the largest one he can, or more than one of the smaller ones. He will also look to protect and rescue any party members that get into trouble.
As is his wont, Abu will join the fray from the front. He begins hurling his throwing knives with the greatest of accuracy at the spiders cresting the buildings in front of the Tavern. He plans to switch tactics should any manage to descend. drawing his magic sword and attacking the creature swiftly.
Kendric draws his scimitar, and moves out of the Tavern his face expressionless, though the gleam in his eyes seems to welcome the prospect of battle. Positioning himself near Vonak, he awaits the arrival of the creatures.
Ganthanor pulls his sword from the sheath. He position himself to fight along side his compatriots in an attempt to prevent any spiders from going through them. He will change tactics and move to help any innocents if the need arises.
Deverin sees that the front of the tavern is well defended for now. He thinks over the situation briefly and realizes that the few Flagans who made it to safety before the barriers went up are going to be in the way of battle if they stay in the street..
"We need to get those people clear my friends, if a few of you who are able to attack with bows or ranged spells would come back inside the tavern, I think we can attack the spiders from the windows and get those trapped people inside the tavern while we cover for them." he urgently suggests.
Hopeful that some will follow, Deverin goes back inside. He looks to the crowd of patron and looks them over. Some of the patrons look stout enough to be useful in the fight.
Inside the tavern
Kersh will stay near the middle of the room, using his healing spells and Hold poison spells for anyone that needs it.
Skooter will stay inside, slipping into the "special customer" room to check for more spiders by peering out the windows, sword in hand...
Jenna will follow Sheela towards the door but will stay, ready to defend the tavern from the front entrance.
Skooter draws back from the special customer room in surprise. Inside the room there three naked women tied to a stakes with masks depicting the various faces of the Triple Goddess, and snakes slithering about them. The stake is in the center of a pentagram. Six men in wild animal masks dance naked around the stake, and the room is filled with a potent smelling incense that Skooter suspects might have intoxicating effects.
TURN SEVEN: ARACHNIDS OF UNUSUAL SIZE :
Skooter slips back into the main room, closing the door quietly, and grabs Kersh by the arms, "There is some weird crapola going on in that room over there! Naked women tied up with triple goddess masks and men in animals masks dancing around them! And did I mention the snakes?! Some sort of unholy ritual going on!" He turns and hollers, "Jenna, Tiron, some help here! Weird crap past that door! Cover Kersh and I, innocent lives are at stake, literally!" as he moves back to the door and opens it, being careful to stand away from the door as he does so.
Kersh tries to calm Skooter down with some soothing words. "Relax, it is probably just the VIP room. Some of these places can get pretty freaky. Or, it could be a human sacrifice to some snake god from a hellish plane. Look, I'm a priest, we see 'weird crap' all the time." Kersh unhooks his warhammer and walks through the door that Skooter opened and shouts in a loud voice "What in the name of Muluk is going on in here? And why are you wearing those ridiculous masks?"
The revelry stops, one participant pulls his mask off and says: "This is a private function!"
Kersh laughs and casually taps the enchanted warhammer against the palm of his empty hand. "I would hope that it is a private function. The day that wearing animal masks and dancing around naked women becomes a public event, I will be out of a job." Kersh stops laughing and steps further into the room. "Tell me, who is the sponsor for this function? It is important that I speak with him."
A man removes his mask: "I am Lord Xerxes Palacharchos, sponsor of this function."
Deverin had arrived as Lord Xerxes announces himself. Getting no reply from Skooter, obviously the man is enthralled by the beautiful masked women, and who could blame him, Deverin steps closer to gauge the odd situation, or the women (who could tell?).
Skooter was indeed somewhat enthralled by the naked women, but mostly he was letting Kersh do the talking. High priests are generally good at getting to the bottom of the weird stuff...Besides Skooter has enough to worry about keeping an eye on the snakes so none can get close to him...
Kersh seems distracted by something, a flash of memory perhaps?
Adding to Kersh's warning of the dangers, Deverin adds "We are most regretful to interrupt your ceremony, but what my companion says has merit. There is an army of giant spiders attacking the city as we speak. The tavern is becoming surrounded by them. My friends are holding them at bay for the moment, but for how long I do not know."
Kersh hearing the cries of Syrinen (see below), turns distracted from Lord Xerxes for the moment. " Find out what they're up to Deverin!"
Outside
Corak hears what Deverin says and responds with a shout (Something that no-one can recall him doing previously) "I'll be the last back in, my spells will hold them until I can get back in." He then shouts at the people that have caused Deverin concern "Get into the tavern quickly and give what help you can"
Corak's plan is Fireball when the spiders start coming over the wall of thorns and then affect normal fires to make the secondary blazes flare up when spiders approach -the fire will not be more intense, but it should impress the multi-eyed arachnids, once the wall of thorns is burnt away another fireball into the center of the "foothold" when the spiders are crossing that. Then he will fall back into the tavern.
Kasim moves forward next to Corak. His hair frizzing at the edges, and runnels of blue energy arcing between his fingers from the chambered spell.
"Brother mage, I will stand near you. I will unleash my lightning on the heals of your fireball, giving you time to cast again if needs be."
A group of spiders tries to advance through the foothold spell and are captured by elemental hands reaching up from the ground and grabbing large hairy legs.
The ice storm and fire barrier seems to have neutralized the one front, but scuttling sounds suggests that the spiders might be moving over the buildings.
Syrinen nods at Corak and helps herd any people outside into the tavern.
Pharuk considering imminent danger to have subsided, transforms into a Deltan King Vulture and flies up to assess the situation.
Flames and smoke can be seen from other parts of the Labyrinth, as fires are set to try and fend off the spiders elsewhere. Screams and sounds of panic suggest that a wide area of this part of the city is under attack.
Stepping out of the tavern of lust the Sheela sees that the spiders are so far easily kept at bay by her companions. Whispering a few words to Kraa she sets her bird free to spot the biggest spider and hover above it no matter where it goes.
Joining her hands with a loud clap Sheela can't help but exclaim, "This is gonna be soooo fun!" while rubbing her delicately manicured itching fingers together.
Noticing a small web by one of the window shutters of the inn, Sheela says "I think I've caught an infiltrator" as she picks a helpless spider by the legs and gulps it down in front of everybody: "That'll teach him!"
Addressing her alert brothers-in-arms she then says "See you later! I'll go and create a LITTLE diversion." and starts climbing the smooth surface of the inn wall with her bare but obviously somehow sticky hands.
Up on the roof, she enjoys the new perspective height brings, both to spot Kraa and to get a better understanding of the abnormal developments.
When she reaches the roof she spots seven dog sized spiders clambering onto the roof from the back.
Faced with the ugly beasts all of a sudden, Sheela frowns, unhappy to be delayed on her OTHER plans.
"You guys must have eaten many flies to grow so big. You know, you must exercise after such meals to keep in shape." chatters the mage as she raises her hands, "Here let me help!" she adds, just before jets of flame each extending as long as a javelin outbursts from her fingers to meet the eight legged foes.
She has set one of the seven spiders ablaze, six remain. Sheela doesn't spare the time to examine the ashes for further movement but instead jumps up... and to probably much surprise of the other six spiders rushing towards her position she doesn't land back. "I'd love to stay and play but got business to attend to" she cries down as she ascends with maximum speed.
Hovering above the Golden Boar nearly 100 feet high she examines the current situation to decide on her next move.
The center of the spider infestation seems to be to the southwest of your present location. A black vortex is present there. The spiders seem to be concentrated in certain areas, with some spreading out beyond those concentrations. Each concentration contains a grouping of the larger spiders who seem to be the core of each concentration. There are now many burning barricades being used to contain the spiders. Each concentration of spiders is in alleys, tops of buildings, etc, many hundreds of victims, men, women and children can be seen being eaten by spiders.
Feeling enthusiastic to take a closer look at the black abnormality down below, Sheela realizes with all the spiders around, that she needs to make room for a safer landing. Turning towards the west she approaches the mass of spiders and unleashes one of the most devastating forms simple magical words could take: A 1500 cubic ft of toxic cloud. The mortal heavy fog comes into existence in a matter of seconds once the last word of the long commanding phrase is spoken. From approximately 10 meters away from the hovering mage the deadly vapors of the yellowish gas start its journey in a slow motion slaying any life form it encounters with tremendous brutality and haste as Sheela watches in concentration praying she did do the right thing.
The spiders cease coming out of the vortex, and the ones around the vortex are dead. Spiders no longer are going back into the vortex.
Suddenly, anyone standing within 2 feet of the main door of the Golden Boar start hearing words coming out of nowhere... spoken by no one. It is as if the words are formed right by your ear, as if the wind itself was whispering a private message to each member of the outside group, but when they turn to check with their companions they realize that they are not the only one hearing the message. . The tone pretty much resembles the voice of the female mage, Sheela. A message complete to its 25 word limit.
"Found source of infestation. A black vortex nearby the inn to southwest. It may not be our battle but it's certainly our fate. Spread information."
After a few minutes, spiders are coming out of the vortex, but at a much slower rate, they are coming out a few at a time and all are the size of oxen. They are also bright green.
Pharuk sends an icestorm down into the vortex, and the vortex collapses in on itself. This comes as a great surprise to the mage, as such a spell should not collapse a vortex and he really tried it kill these new and dangerous looking spiders while he figured out a way to collapse the vortex. There must have been some device at the center of the vortex that was generating the field.
Corak moves in the direction indicated by the whispering wind, but quickly realizes that he would have to travel to through the foothold, or move the other way around the tavern, into potential areas of spiders.
Vonak see Corak start to move and shouts to the others, "Corak, I don't think we can force our way through this."
Kasim nods, and follows, not speaking for fear of losing concentration on the chambered spell.
Seeing that his path to the vortex is blocked by spiders Corak decides that he will wait for the others so that they co-ordinate their actions
Suddenly all the arachnids of unusual size have suddenly shrunk to spiders that are of nomral size ranging from the size of a gold coin to that of a large man's fist. The crisis is over.
meanwhile inside:
Syrinen looks around and says, "I wonder if we can gain access to the roof from inside?" She looks around for stairs leading up.
Ganthanor replies:
"Aye, if the rooftops will aid our cause, we should try!"
Ganthanor follows Syrinen to assist in the search for the stairs or to follow her up once found.
"If only our magics could be of assistance here... but I tell you... I'll hack my way through them should that be our only way!!!"
She locates a way to the roof from the kitchen, a hatch door and a folding ladder which she unfolds.
Syrinen runs back into the main room and shouts, "There a is a ladder leading up in here. It might be easier to get to the vortex over the roofs." She looks around then asks, "Where did Kersh go?"
Jenna runs across to Syrinen calling "I think he is in that back room with Skooter" she looks up the ladder leading to the roof.
Syrinen answers, "Yes, but let's go get Kersh, Skooter, and Deverin. We may need everyone's skills to close that vortex." She strides towards the room they entered.
meanwhile outside
Pharuk reverts back to the form of a Deltan King Vulture, Pharuk decides not to continue to fight alone and wants to return to his friends. On his way back he keeps his eyes open. Things seem to have quieted down, there are some fires burning, some of these are barricades, some buildings, and there are hundreds of dead bodies. The carnage has been terrible.
In a victorious state of mind Sheela watches Pharuk polymorph back into a vulture and gain speed towards the Golden Boar. "How rude!" she thought "Didn't even pause to give a hug of celebration."
Then slowly descending to where once stood the black vortex she rathers traveling back on foot. "Ohh the men of Sorenso!" she sighed, really longing for the gentle and caring ways of the elven lovers; especially now that she had used so much heavenly energy. A single drop of tear rolled down gathering on her cheek.
Kraa came down flapping his wings and gently landed on his master's left shoulder. Sheela looked at his black but glowing eyes and the bird reached over and drank from Sheela's tears... And the mage started trotting towards the inn squashing many spiders along the way.
Corak will now begin making his way towards the area of the vortex, carefully avoiding any spiders and silently praying that the spiders don't revert to their unusual size again. He finds nothing remaining in the area of the vortex and makes his way back to the group.
The great feeling of success over the plague of the spiders mixes with the sour feeling when realizing the carnage around. *We have been too late* Pharuk thinks unhappily. The king deltan vulture flies back in direction of the tavern, scanning the fallen people from above, but he does not recognize anything special.
Kasim releases the chambered spell, and feels the crackling energy fade away, the hair on the backs of his hands standing up with residual static charge. he smooths his outer robe patting dust away from the his black finery and follows Corak back toward the Golden Boar.
"Curioser and curiouser," he muses, "our opponents plague us at every step now, trying bigger and more dangerous magics. We must be becoming very dangerous to them friend Corak, no?"
"Perhaps friend Kasim, but not yet dangerous enough for them to take direct action" Corak replies
The group reassembles in the Golden Boar.
A king deltan vulture approaches the doors of the Golden Boar. Just after landing, one can see its features changing back into human forms. Exhausted Pharuk simply states: 'The vortex is gone.' Only in a few sentences he tells what happened, and especially praises Sheela's powerful spellcasting.
The doors of the Inn are flung open and through enters Sheela the mage. "All that chanting made me thirsty. Who's gonna buy me a round?" asks the elven lady in a loud voice, all the while rubbing the bottom of her boots in the doorway to cleanse it from the fluids of the crushed spiders.
Deverin quickly offers to buy her a drink.
When Sheela arrives Pharuk embraces her overwhelmingly: 'Together,' he says happily ' together we defeated the vortex!'
Kraa flaps his wings in a rush and takes off from his master's shoulders not to get caught under Pharuk's arms.
As Sheela's hair starts to dance in the small turbulence her cautious falcon creates, she herself rests happily in Pharuk's arms enjoying being admired.
"Do not fear Kraa. He didn't eat you when he was a vulture, sure won't eat you now!" says the elven beauty while hugging back the transmuter with all her might.
What seems to interest Pharuk much more: 'What have you found out from Silifiya (pointing to the the beautiful young barmaid) and Malawi (indicating the dancer huddled in fear in a corner?' he asks in a low voice.
Kersh returns from his discussions with the cultists.
"What do you all think this spider escapade was about?"
Tiron approaches Malawi and talks with her a moment.
He returns to the group, "The Scarlet Raven seems not only to be a legend, but also a modern legend as well in the form of a formidable female assassin or perhaps group of female assassins. I have a place to go where we might be able to get more information, but Malawi seems to think that this Scarlet Raven or the Scarlet Ravens have worked for the Triad in the past.
TURN EIGHT: TEMPLE OF APHRODITE :
Kersh returns from his discussions with the cultists.
"What do you all think this spider escapade was about?"
Deverin nods in agreement "Yes, I 'd like to know as well. It didn't seem to be an attack directed at us, but could it be a mere coincidence?"
Kersh shakes his head: " I don't believe in coincidences, perhaps it although not directed at us, it was somehow connected to the quest we are on.
Kasim remarks: "It seems friends that the targets may have been our targets. The enemy seems to know more about the things we seek than we do. In part our impact on their efforts has been intelligence from friends, and others who oppose them. In part our impact had been fortuitous happenstance, neh?"
Kasim looks around thoughtfully. "It would seem that a productive course might be to find out more about what is going on in the neighborhood. Perhaps we can become even bigger thorns in the side of our enemies."
Pharuk simply shrugs his shoulders and mumbles "Who could know what truth lies around us?"
Having accepted a mug of strong ale from Deverin the Gentleman, Sheela turns towards Kersh to produce an answer, signalling him with her free hand to wait till she manages to swallow the large gulp she had filled her mouth with so eagerly.
"Ohh!" she exclaims after wiping her mouth with her sleeve, feeling much more refreshed already. Then her lips part but nevertheless no words fall from in between, and her look slowly turns blank as attempt after futile attempt she tries to find the right words. After a moment of pure idiotic silence she lifts her mug and sips the top... and another long silence follows. Frustrated altogether she shakes her head and says "Know what? I don't have a clue!"
Deverin smiles and raises his glass to his elated friends "Success I take it? Did you find the source of the spiders?
Sheela replies: "Yeah, there was a vortex of evil color but it, for some reason, seemed to lack the strength to stand against the hazardous weather conditions Master Pharuk created back there." says Sheela and turns to Pharuk; "What may be your guess?"
"It also lacked immunity to mysterious clouds" Pharuk adds with a smile.
The female mage Sheela hastily returns this gesture by raising her mug towards Pharuk and after a slight bow of her head she sips another gulp of cold refreshing ale.
Kasim ponders aloud:
"I wonder, Pharuk, if you simply destroyed the spell, or affected the caster? It would be interesting to know who or what was behind that spell, eh?"
Sheela responds: "Actually Kasim, though my knowledge on vortexs and portals is not as unlimited as Master Pharuk's I once had read that a phenomenon as such might be maintained by a physical device." adds Sheela and bows her head in dismay "I... I must admit that when the joy of victory overcame my fears, I overlooked to investigate the site properly. We could, if you wish, take a quick look altogether before moving on to the brothel. Here, let me lead..."
Kasim remarks: "Please, milady, I would be honored to investigate the site with you. Lead on."
Kasim smiled. He found this one to be spirited and confident as well as magically powerful. Quite a combination, he mused.
Turning to Pharuk he nodded, "Would you like to accompany us, master Pharuk, or remain here with the others?"
Tiron interjects: " Why don't we all go en route to the Temple, it would not do to separate with the agents of the Triad afoot, unless it is truly necessary."
"It would be interesting to know who was behind the spell indeed Master Kasim' Pharuk says. 'On the other hand we can use the situation to get to our next target more easily.' he adds making clear he wants to continue to find the Scarlet Raven.
meanwhile
Deverin listens as Tiron tells what he's found out. "Well at least we know the Scarlet Raven possibly exists. If indeed this woman is her, he will be difficult to find, as I'm sure most of her life revolves around being elusive. One dangerous plan comes to my mind, if we ask around the more, darker places in town about her, I'm sure she'll find us. Otherwise I have no idea what to do."
Jenna strides up to Tiron, "Where is this place were we can find out more"?
Tiron smiles: "It is the brothel that several of our party members have been so interested in avoiding"
Skooter's ears perk up, "Snooping around in the darker areas of town, hmm, I might know some people who know some people who..." The little rogue ponders on this for a while, muttering to himself.
Al-Ariq rolls his eyes at this comment, saying "It would appear that the gods have a sense of the ironic at least!" He seems good-natured about it though, shrugging away his discontent about the whole idea of the brothel. He'd already volunteered for guard duty, as some of those who had previously done that honor would doubtlessly prefer to at least stand and survey what they could inside such a bawdy location.
Tiron smiles and then turns to Pharuk: " Do we walk to the Palace of Aphrodite, which will take perhaps ten minutes, or is it more prudent to open a portal in the face of all this chaos?"
Pharuk is reluctant to overuse portals and says: "Although I cannot think of going in a large group directly into a brothel without being seen I suggest to walk there."
Syrinen says to no one in particular, "Perhaps we should also look more like customers of a brothel or..." trailing off and looking at the floor.
Corak looks up and says "Maybe we should decide who will enter the brothel and who will stand guard before we set out, perhaps that way we can travel in smaller groups from different directions?"
Al-Ariq replies "I have said already that I shall stand guard - perhaps the ladies of the group should also to protect their dignity in such a place of, erm, well...disrepute?"
Syrinen says, "I'll stay outside with those standing guard."
Sheela with a laugh remarks "Do not worry Master Dervish, if someone were to touch me in the brothel without my consent I'm sure I would truly earn my disrepute by turning him into a toad."
After some discussion of who should go in and out, Ganthanor formulates two teams, an inside team made up of Pharuk,Vonak,Khalid,Deverin, Corak,Kasim, Sheela and Skooter; and and outside team made up of Al-Ariq, Abu Zharr, Alishaaz Kendric, Ganthanor, Jenna ,Kraa,Syrinen and Kersh.
Vonak, "Maybe I should stay outside. I don't think the ladies would appreciate someone of my, uh, size, in their establishment."
Khalid laughs" "We are going there to gain information not provide custom."
Vonak, "Maybe I should stay outside. I don't think the ladies would appreciate someone of my, uh, size, in their establishment."
Kasim laughs and looks up at his massive friend. "I can adjust that for you if you wish."
Vonak looks at Kasim in a considered manner, "Would it be an illusion or a true shape-change?"
Kasim smiles. "A true shapechange my large friend. Have you ever been a gnome? Or an Elven princess?"
Vonak, "Hmmm, I must think on that. While I would like to be less visible in these human settings, I would hate to give up my strength and power."
The group then moves on toward the Temple via the location of the vortex
"That the Scarlet Raven has worked for the Triad might become a problem, but who knows what truth rumors contain...' Pharuk mumbles before leaving the tavern.
****************************************************The female mage, Sheela, leads the party through the streets towards where she had first seen the vortex. Trampling as many spiders as she can, along the way, she is often heard cursing to the arachnids in the sweet Ishandir tongue.
At last she comes to a halt and says "This was the place where that foul vortex once stood."
Pharuk scans the place for any magic left after the device was destroyed. He also looks for any building / entrance that might have been the hide for the spellcaster.
Sheela points out the spot of the vortex, the soil is damp and darkened in the shape of a pentagram. There are gooey deposts ringing the pentagram shape.
These are traces of ectoplasmic discharges, Pharuk takes six samples, each of a different discharge.
Pharuk and Sheela detect some magical residues, but besides indicating magic of time and space, and of the cloudkill and icestorm, there is nothing of particular note.
Sheela examines some of the spider remains in the vicinity of the vortex. She notes that some samples of these spider remains may be of use in Pharuk's alchemical research both in terms of toxins, and in the case of the green spiders, anti-toxins. Pharuk nods and takes samples.
****************************************************There are thick black clouds of smoke coming from the temple and there are bodies lying about the outside of the structure. [player actions]
Pharuk examines the smoke, it smells pungent as if it is not merely the smoke of a normal fire, but contains the smell of brimstone and other odors that reflect magic, and evil magic at that is involved. He doesn't see any fire, but there maybe fire inside.
Quickly rushing to examine the bodies, he notes that at least one is alive, two he quickly assesses as dead, but the bodies are fresh, killed not long before, suggesting that whatever stormed the temple may still be inside.
Skooter nods at Pharuk's findings, "Might still be inside you say...I'll check it out..."
Skooter begins to do his sneaky quiet thing, his colorful clothing changing into a form fitting charcoal grey body suit with a cape as he heads into the temple's shadows and into the temple proper.
Deverin puts a hand over his mouth at the sight of the bodies, the stench of the dead is something he will never be accustomed to, he hopes. At Skooter's suggestion Deverin says "Good idea." and as the gnome sneaks off, Deverin says to the others "I'll guard his back." and drawing a dagger he disappears into a shadow, silently trailing the halfling as best he can (keeping within line-of-sight). He uses caution as he advances, keeping an eye out for threats around and above.
As Skooter and Deverin dash into the temple Sheela approaches the woman Pharuk found alive. Kneeling before her she calls for help "Can anyone cure him off his wounds?"
Syrinen also examines the bodies, and quickly turns as Pharuk finds one alive and calls forth the healing power of her spirits to heal the injured woman.
As soon as Sheela feels she has enough power left in her to speak, Sheela asks the man the question, "Who did this to you?"
"Killers dressed in black garb, small and lithe, assassins..." the wounded woman faints after the effort.
Syrinen looks to Sheela: "I have stabilized her, but she is weak, I would do more but I fear my healing might be taxed as we investigate."
As Pharuk sees that Syrinen helps the wounded woman, he uses the time to cast a spell. He casts ESP and concentrates first on the wounded woman then to inside the temple.
"Skooter has encountered bodies, terrible butchery, wait something living up ahead of him... Deverin is feeling sick from the smoke."
Al-Ariq suggests that he use the Crown of Kolinthe to try to find out what lies within to try to give them some warning of what to expect. "Should we abandon our plan and all enter now, in face of what we have discovered so far, or retain what we had decided?"
A bolt of green energy hits Alishaaz and the mighty haz warrior recoils from the magic. His flesh melts away, skin evaporating, then internal organs, and then the bones themselves, changing the mighty lizardmen into a pile of colored dust.
Jenna points at a group of black clad figures, one has put up a crossbow, but two more have levelled their weapons ready to fire.
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