lostsole31
  
      HEAR THE CRY OF WAR! 
          In the exotic nation of   Katapesh  ,  a land of fortune and wonders, heroes are those with the courage to  command their destinies. Such wisdom leads a daring band to the  abandoned village of   Kelmarane    with the hopes of reestablishing the once prosperous community.
But  buzzards still feast upon the secluded settlement's corpse: a savage  tribe of   gnolls   and their bestial allies hold the town in the name of a merciless master known only as the   Carrion King  .  Can the PCs retake the village from its feral conquerors, or is  Kelmarane but the first bastion of civilization to fall before the  hordes of the mysterious warlord?
      
     DRAMATIS PERSONAE     
     Character
[Player]
  
  Speech Color  
  AL
  
  Faith  
  Race [Ethnicity]
(Gender ID)
  
  Side #1
  
  Side #2
  
  Campaign Trait  
 
    Alahazra
[NPC]   
   Fire Brick Red   
 LG 
 Philosophy
(Desert) 
 Human? [Garundi]
(f) 
 ???? 
 Oracle (Flames) ? 
 Outlander
[Exile] 
 
    Alain Germande
[NPC]
   
   Dark Orange
   
 LN 
 Abadar 
 Human [Taldan]
(m) 
 Cavalier ? 
 ??? ? 
 Missionary
[Abadar] 
 
    Khair al'Mohya
[Bcool999]
   
   Teal 
  
 LG 
 Sarenrae 
 Human [Keleshyte]
(m) 
 Nexus 4 
 Paladin 4
[Knight Disciple] 
 Missionary
[Sarenrae] 
 
    Onyebuchi
[NPC]
   
   Purple 
  
 LN 
 Nethys 
 Human? [Keleshyte]
(m) 
 Monk ?
[Water Dancer] 
 ??? ? 
 Gnoll Killer
[Combat] 
 
    Trevorn
[NPC]
   
   Golden Rod
   
 N (NG tend.) 
 Green Faith 
 Cactusfolk??
(agender) 
 Hunter ?
[Plant Master] 
 ??? ? 
 ??? 
 
    Zaihi
[NPC]
   
   Medium Blue   
 ?? 
 Gozreh 
 Human? [Keleshyte]
(f) 
 Slave Cook 
 ??? ? 
 Earning Your Freedom 
 
  
lostsole31
At last, this small caravan of mercenaries is reaching its destination. As soon as the craggy tree appears over the next hill, it becomes obvious why it is called the Sultan’s Claw. With five immense, mostly leafless branches, the growth looks more like a giant skeletal talon than a thing of living wood.

As the PCs top the last rise, a caravan of a half-dozen wagons and a large tent clustered around the distinctive tree comes into view. Camels in a nearby pen prance in agitation, and a clutch of confused goats and livestock wander the grounds around the wagons. Perhaps a dozen men and women rush around the campsite, chasing down an animal or hastening toward the center of the cluster, near the Sultan’s Claw, with pails of water in their hands.

One of the wagons is on fire!

Lush orange and red flames engulf an elaborate wooden wagon emblazoned with painted moons and stars. A gout of smoke pours from an open door, and as you approach an ill wind blows a number of colorful fortune-telling Harrow cards from inside the wagon. One of these singed cards blow directly towards your group, smacking the visually impaired Alahazra in the chest in a burst of orange cinders. She looks at the card and shows Khair (who is mounted next to her). The Harrow card is the Cyclone, though you may need to ask Alahazra - herself a mystically-inclined oracle and fortune-teller - about it later if you care about such things. In the meantime, as the PCs’ eyes shift their focus from the Cyclone back to the wagon, the whole of the Sultan’s Claw erupts into brilliant flame.

The central flap of an elaborate tent flies open and a regal woman who can only be Almah steps out into the firelit night.   “Douse that flame!”   she shouts to the men surrounding the wagon before turning in your direction.   “Ah, Garavel!”   she says.   “And just a moment later than the nick of time, as usual.”   Looking specifically past her major domo and directly at the PCs, Almah barks out a simple order before running off toward the fire:   “Find some way to help!”  
 Khair , what do you do? You are currently still mounted on your camel, looking on at the vermillion picture.

  
 
bcool999
 Khair 

Bringing his mount to a halt, Khair attempts to hop from the saddle with all the haste he can muster.   ”I’ll assist the bucket brigade!”   Khair shouts as he channels essence to his feet.

A swirling tide of water engulfs Khair’s legs as the veil is strengthened and he begins moving at speed towards the fire.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Free action or Move: attempt fast dismount. On failure uses a move action to dismount.
Ride Check DC 20:  (1d20+6)[ 22 ] 

Free Action: Speak

Swift Action: Put 2 Essence into Marid’s Sanadils and 2 essence into Efreeti’s bronze scimitar if not there already.

Standard Action: ‘Swim’ 50ft towards the efforts to douse the caravan cart.

 
 Spoiler: If Ride Check Succeeds 
Move Action: Find a bucket not in use to pick up or otherwise move closer to help.
 

 
lostsole31
This is the GM-only Battle Book for my    Legacy of Fire    campaign.

If you are a player in this game, seeking to learn from the contents in  this thread is  cheating. I have removed players from my server and several games they  were in because they used the information here and were an idiot about  having tipped their hand for having used this information.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T22:   Almah, Garavel, and four soldiers dressed in the distinctive red  chitin-plate armor of the Pactmaster Guard run back and forth between  the burning fortune teller’s wagon and an uncovered wagon about 20'  away. The latter contains a huge barrel holding enough drinking water to  serve the entire campsite for a week.  Bringing his mount to a halt,  Khair deftly hops from the saddle with all the haste he can muster.   

”I’ll assist the bucket brigade!”    Khair shouts as he channels essence to his feet. A swirling tide of  water engulfs Khair’s legs as the veil is strengthened and he begins  moving at speed towards the fire brigade and grabs a bucket.

 R1T20:   Seeing how inefficient this bucket brigade is, Alain closes and rolls  off of Donahan who is sent to the side. He tries to lift the barrel full  of water himself, but fails, and everyone around him is just shaking  their heads.

 R1T19:  A red-headed halfling cleric  kneels next to two severely burned mercenaries who tried to enter the  burning wagon. The cleric is tending to a badly wounded male mercenary,  but he is unable to focus on his second patient, a swordswoman, who lies  near death from terrible burns and smoke inhalation.

Alahazra  proves herself the third competent rider in a row among the  newly-arrived mercenaries as she glides off her camel, closes to the  wounded, and casts a spell dramatically. Glowing red warmth washes over  the fallen woman. Though still unconscious, the swordswoman still coughs as her lungs expel some of the dangers of the smoke she inhaled, and thus showing signs of life.

 R1T17:  Onyebuchi doesn't even  try any fancy riding tricks, just carefully getting off his camel.  Instead of joining the bucket brigade properly, he goes to stand right  next to the lead bucket tosser in the line.

 R1T15:   A modest collection of pigs, goats, and sheep accompanies Almah’s party  on the journey to Kelmarane. The flaming wagon has unsettled these  creatures, which somehow escaped from their pen in the confusion  surrounding the fire’s outbreak. The middle-aged human camel driver and  his wife do their best to wrangle the panicking animals, but their  efforts are quickly being overrun by the chaos of the situation.

Trevorn tells its strange non-sapient cactus to stay before moving out to try herding animals, proving how amazingly fast they are on their own two feet, but is doing a poor job of it. They calls out in their small voice,   "Sir Alain, that's the encampment's drinking supply. Please, I could use the help of a master handler like yourself over here!"  
 R1T10:   Four burly mercenaries struggle with an enclosed wooden wagon within  feet of the burning wagon, hoping to move it to safety before an errant  spark causes it too to burst into flame.

The slave girl Zaihi  carefully gets off of her camel. As a slave, she is even more  uncomfortable being mounted than the peasant Onyebuchi. She moves over  to the wagon.   "I am Zaihi, slave in the house of Merchant Princess Almah. I am strong. Please assist me."  

The  men grunt and nod. For where Zaihi is a plain girl - even homely - she  looks as strong as she claims and the timbre of the situation doesn't  lend itself well to misogyny. They all brace, getting ready to move on  her say-so.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22:   Khair ,  you don't have to specify anything. Do you turn-to and join the bucket  brigade? You realize that many hands make light work, and yet all of  your new companions seem distracted by other things.
bcool999
 Khair 

Bucket in hand, Khair fills the bucket and surges like a wave toward the burning wagon. Rather than standing at a safe distance and throwing the water, Khair climbs directly onto the burning wagon!

From the wagon, Khair carefully pours water from the bucket to try and quench the flames.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Relevant facts: Khair has fire resist 8
Marid’s Sanadils when bound provides water for me to swim through and to drown adjacent foes I trip. Now that my feet are in contact with the burning wagon how does that interact if at all?
If the fire tries to damage the veil they have hardness 4 and 8 hp at this level.
 
lostsole31
 R2T22:  Bucket in hand, Khair fills the bucket and  surges like a wave toward the  burning wagon. He has no time to climb and his hands are full anyway,  so he leaps atop a part of the wagon he is able (not the very top, mind  you). But with filling the bucket and just getting here, he doesn't have  time yet to carefully apply the water.

That's alright though,  because Khair jumped right into a raging conflagration. Not only does  the direct flame burn heavily, but the rapid heat exchange is enough to  shatter the bucket. The water splashes on the fire, so at least there's  that. The combination of flame, wood splinters, and steam does   23 mod fire   to Khair ... who then   catches on fire   as well ... and his  marid's sandals  effectively shatter as well ... but at least he doesn't (yet) suffer smoke inhalation.

Khair,  no doubt, instantly regrets his decision, and realizes that the fire  will do more consumption before he even has a chance to move.

 R2T20:   But help is on the way. Alain ignores Trevorn's plea for now and rides  right up to Khair. He tugs on his belt and drags the paladin - who  surely does not resist, imperiled as he is - and drops him to the ground  next to the wagon. "Somebody put this fool out! He's on fire!" says  Alain, who took   2 fire   just for his trouble of having grabbed Khair.

 R2T19:   Alahazra shakes her head as she sees Khair's brazen actions, but casts  more warming magic to provide more succor for the unconscious woman,  this time the spell actually slowly healing burned flesh.

 R2T17:  Onyebuchi casts a spell, and a sudden downpour completely soaks Khair, putting out the fire on him.   "My friend! Perhaps let us not destroy the next bucket, eh?"  
 R2T15:   Glowing rings designed for their paddle-like fingers seems to form on  Trevorn's strange digits. The rings flash briefly, and Trevorn starts to  chase down livestock.

 R2T10:  Zaihi gives the  signal to the mercenaries, and three of four of them do a good job of  bracing. It is a valiant effort, but does not yet succeed.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22:   Khair ,  you are wounded and prone near the burning wagon, and filled with a new  and profound respect of how hot a real fire - not a campfire - can be.  Your foot veil is currently sundered. What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Standing up with a bit of wincing, Khair grunts out through a suddenly parched throat,   ”It’s been a while since mundane fire has burned me that badly.”  

Khair then moves to join the bucket brigade normally without any further stunts.
lostsole31
 R3T22:  Standing up with a bit of wincing, Khair grunts out through a suddenly parched throat,   ”It’s been a while since mundane fire has burned me that badly.”  

Khair then moves to join the bucket brigade normally without any further  stunts. Instead of racing back and forth with a bucket, he is handed a  bucket and put into a line, which looks like it is more efficient than  had he just tried to zoom to and fro himself.

 R3T20:   Alain rides around to then help with the herding of animals, a task for which he is uniquely talented.

 R3T19:   Alahazra continues to provide succor to the fallen woman, this time  healing her by a significant amount. The woman coughs out the final bits  and wakes up, seemingly already half healed now. Alahazra then begins  to turn her attention to the burned man.

 R3T17:   Onyebuchi remains where he is at the front without a bucket. He does  some type of brief dance and then from a single hand a powerful jet of  water launches forth to fight the fire. With the bucket brigade (incl.  Khair) assisting Onyebuchi's powerful water magic, the wagon fire looks  like it might be brought under control within a minute!

 R3T15:  There  is a faint flash from the newly-appeared rings on Trevorn ... but its  efforts are still not enough to help Alain control the animals.

 R3T10:   With another grunt and help from the four mercenaries, and this time  with all mercenaries engaged, they do a slightly better job than before  ... but still not enough.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T22:   Khair ,  shall I just narrate the events as you continue as part of the bucket  brigade ... or do you want to be given round-by-round choice to do  something different? The bucket brigade is about numbers, not about  special actions.
lostsole31
 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T22:  Khair continues to aid the bucket brigade quietly and dutifully.

 R4T20:  Alain is successful in herding another animal.

 R4T19:  Alahazra provides healing energy to the male mercenary this time, completely healing him.

 R4T17:  Onyebuchi continues with another blast of his water jet.

 R4T15:  Trevorn's little rings light up bright as it chases animals.

 R4T10:  It's a terrible job this time by those trying to move the wagon.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T22/17:  Khair and Onyebuchi both continue their efforts.

 R5T20:  Alain does not succeed at herding this round.

 R5T19:   Alahazra leaves the side of the two mercenaries and moves swiftly ...  much more swiftly than most people ... to the side of the humbled Khair.  She prays for the desert winds to provide balm to Khair's wounds, and  he gets   12 healing   from her spell.

 R5T15:  Trevorn's ring flash and seem to give it insight as it successfully herds another of the animals.

 R5T10:   With cramps and pulled muscles from the last abysmal attempt, only one  mercenary seems to have rallied. Zaihi likely would have succeeded, were  it not for the failures of those around her.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T22/17:  K+O continue their efforts ...

 R6T20:  Seeing imminent danger, Alain charges the unhitched wagon and rides forth to slam into it, but still it won't move.

 R6T19:  Alahazra goes to the unhitched wagon to try to help. While not a powerhouse, she acquits herself well.

 R6T15:  Trevorn seems to concentrate on its ring again.

 R6T10:   Even with all of the other help, Zaihi can't seem to budge the wagon.  And with that, a spark that had fallen on the wagon lights up into  flame, starting another fire on the hitched wagon.

 End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T22/17:  Khair and Onyebuchi almost have this fire controlled ...

 R7T20:   Alain leaves the now burning wagon, and uses momentum from leaving the wagon to successfully herd one more animal.

 R7T15:  Its rings flashing, Trevorn manages to herd the last of the rampant livestock!

 R7T10:  A new bucket brigade is formed as Zaihi backs off and joins that one.

The main fire is quenched, and the secondary fire is quickly brought under control.

 Peril Ends! 
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing that all is well for the moment, Khair approaches Alahazra giving a short bow of thanks.

  ”My gratitude for the healing earlier. I seem to have overestimated my resistance to flame to obvious result. I suppose I shouldn’t compare tests done with a cookfire to a raging inferno.”   Khair rambles seemingly unashamed of his mistake before remembering something else,   “By the way, that smoldering card you showed me earlier showed a destructive twisting mass of wind. I’ve never really dealt with fortune telling, but my little sister was interested in it enough for me not to mistake it for a playing card.”  
lostsole31
Alahazra's white-filmed eyes remain fixed on whatever she was looking at which may not even be something seen of this world. She does not turn to Khair but slowly nods and says, but not too loud to spook everyone else,   "It is the Harrow card called the Cyclone, signifying a force that tears through whatever it meets at the behest of an intelligent being. The card portends war, arson, and destructive plans."  

The group of people Almah has gathered to aid her in retaking the village includes the PCs and (now that the astrologer Eloais is dead) 16 other characters—Almah’s major domo Garavel, an expert on gnolls named Dashki, a cleric of Nethys named Zastoran, four soldiers, six mercenaries, a pair of camel drivers, and Almah herself.

Alain is wiping errant soot from his armor and shield and asks as the group gathers,   "What can you tell us about Kelmarane, Princess Almah?"  

Almah replies,   “Long ago, the village was one of several in the Uwaga Highlands of the Brazen Peaks situated around a battle market, a huge arcade that attracted merchants, gladiators, actors, musicians, and customers from throughout Katapesh and neighboring Osirion. Then, about 20 years ago… it fell, and the Pactmasters abandoned it to ruin. Rumors of plagues and evil curses abound, but in truth no one really seems to know why the village died. About 2 years ago, a pack of gnolls called the Kulldis tribe inhabited the battle market and claimed Kelmarane as its own. The Pactmasters want the village back, and it’s up to us to deliver it to them.”  

Immediate crisis aside, Almah shows remarkably little concern over the fate of her astrologer, treating it more as a loss of resources than a personal tragedy. She asks Garavel to lead an investigation into whether or not the fire might have been set by someone in her camp. Since the PCs also were not around when the fire broke out (and are thus unlikely potential arsonists in her eyes), she asks them to help her major domo determine if there is a mystery afoot, and if so, to solve it.

Garavel tells the PCs that the destroyed wagon belonged to Almah’s personal fortuneteller Eloais, a handsome man from Almah’s distant homeland of Varisia. Eloais’s specialty was a divinatory deck of cards known as Harrow, a few cards of which litter the ground outside the burned-out wagon.

Okay, Khair ... what do you do or recommend being done, and whom do you recommend at that?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair strokes his beard in thought at how to investigate this fire. Looking to his fellow mercenaries, Khair asks,   ”I have not been tasked with investigating before. Anyone else have any relevant experience? All I can think of is to question the members of the caravan. Anything else we should look into?”  
lostsole31
Nobody in the group of PCs admits to any kind of training in conducting investigations.

Almah and Garavel suggest the PCs speak with everyone else in the party.
bcool999
 Khair 

Nodding in agreement to Almah and Garavel’s suggestion, Khair takes his leave to begin collecting statements. Unsure where to start, Khair decides to make his way over to the camel drivers. Perhaps they saw something while tending to the camels.

Assuming he spots the camel drivers, Khair will approach with a friendly smile. Giving them a short bow Khair introduces himself,   “Blessings of Sarenrae be upon you. I am Khair al’Mohya. Might I know your names?”  
lostsole31
This friendly, late middle-aged human couple tends the dozen-or-so animals kept by Almah’s band as food or transportation. The merchant princess hired them from the nearby town of Solku. Everyone seems to like the man, Hadrod, and his wife, Hadrah, who also help cook the camp’s meals and take care of many additional menial tasks. Both are tremendous gossips and make a game of keeping tabs on everyone in the camp. The arrival of a new group excites both of them almost more than the recent commotion, and Hadrod and Hadrah pepper the PCs with questions about their backgrounds, clothes, and interests while they attempt to conduct their interview, making it somewhat unclear who is running the interrogation.

They are so-so with Khair, but are completely taken with Alain and Trevorn, who were both the most responsible for helping recover so many of their animals.

Alain, sensing the shift, takes over the questions to the camel drivers, and they are fine with that.   "What do you know about the fire? Did you see anything?"  

The camel drivers are excitable and prone to finishing each other’s sentences. Hadrah was the first to notice the fire, but she and her husband were distracted by trying to get their animals under control soon thereafter. Hadrod in particular seems on the verge of tears—his favorite goat Rombard went missing during the chaos, and he fears the worst. The two thought that Eloais was   “nice enough for a foreigner,”   but didn’t really understand his talk of   “Cyclones and Fiends and Uprisings.”  

But, Lady Almah’s trust in the astrologer was good enough for them.

Seeing their furtive glances outside of this group of people, Trevorn asks, "What do you think about that darkened fellow?"

Their expressions darken, and in a conspiratorial tone to Alain and Trevorn (which the others still overhear), Hadrah whispers,   “We knew Dashki a bit from back Solku-way. Used to take rich folk into the scrublands to hunt up gnolls like trophies. Most people here don’t trust him, especially the way he leers at Lady Almah with his mouth all watering like at the smell of a fresh steak. Maybe he done it to Eloais, to remove a rival for Lady Almah’s attention?”  
bcool999
 Khair 

Once it’s clear Hadrod and Hadrah have nothing further of relevance to their investigation Khair will give his farewells and move away to confer with the group.

  ”Well that was informative. We already have a possible suspect and motive. Though I’m not sure how much to trust the words of gossips.   Khair says before suggesting a new pair to question,   “Alahazra, do you think the pair of guards you healed would be well enough to tell us what they saw? They may have seen or heard something at the beginning of the blaze.”  
lostsole31
  "I will begin asking the caravan guards what they know, starting with them,"   says Alahazra, who then heads off to find the two she helped.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair nods at Alahazra adding,   ”Zaihi and Trevorn, if you would be kind enough to assist Alahazra?”   Khair turns to Alain and Onyebuchi and says,   ”We should look for Zastoran and see what he remembers.”  

Khair will begin searching for the cleric of Nethys Zastoran.
lostsole31
Khair will easily find the red-gone-gray-haired old halfling easily enough. Khair will learn from their pleasantries leading into the meat of the questioning that Onyebuchi and he are pretty evenly matched (with Onyebuchi just barely edging Khair out) on talking people up. Alain can be civil, but he has no use for an old halfling priest.

Anyway, Father Zastoran is made quite friendly by the K&amp;O tag team, and reveals the following ...

The cleric was reading a book by the fire-pit, but the mercenaries were being too loud for him and he’d just stood up to return to his wagon when the fire started. He can attest that all six of the mercenaries were at the fire-pit and nowhere near the astrologer’s wagon when the fire broke out, and that Dashki was not. He thought Eloais was a charlatan and that Almah is better off now without his attention, but admits she did seem quite fond of him. He finds Dashki to be unsettling, and his obsession with Almah somewhat disturbing;   “No one with healthy desires skulks around a pretty woman the way he does; who knows what a scoundrel like him is capable of?”  

Zastoran admits that while he thought Eloais was a fake, he did appreciate his conversation;   “Not a one of these others here can discuss the poetry of Bellianais or the music of far-off Absalom. Eloais was well traveled and intelligent. I will miss him.”  

Now what?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Thank you for your time Father Zastoran.”   Khair says with a polite bow before walking away with the others. Thinking for a moment, Khair says,   “So far everyone we have talked too have all been suspicious of the same man, but I am unsure if suspicion alone is enough. Let us see what Alahazra has learned before proceeding.”  

With that Khair goes to find Alahazra but doesn’t interrupt if she is still talking with the guards when he arrives.
lostsole31
Alahazra began with those she healed, but then questioned Almah's personal guards and the remaining mercenaries as well. Here is what she learned ...
 
 Spoiler: Alahazra's Report: Almah's and Caravan Guards 

Almah’s personal guard were all standing guard at her tent when the fire started—none of them saw anything suspicious at the astrologer’s wagon, but one did catch a glimpse of Dashki trying to hide behind a tree nearby:   “It was clear that he was trying to get a look into Almah’s tent. That boy is obsessed with her.”  

This places Dashki quite some distance from the wagon when the fire started, evidence in favor of his innocence.

The mercenaries were enjoying themselves around the feast-fire, finishing off dinner with a sturdy drink. They weren’t too fond of Eloais and thought of him as a weakling. When asked about Dashki, the guards confirm that he wasn’t at the feast-fire with them, and one muses that he was probably spying on Almah—his obsession with the merchant princess is something of an open secret, with only Almah seemingly being oblivious to his attentions.

None of the mercenaries has a high opinion of Dashki.

The mercenaries make a few lewd and suggestive comments about the relationship they suspect Eloais had with Almah, and wonder if Dashki might have burned the astrologer’s wagon to   “get rid of the competition.”  
 
bcool999
 Khair 

Ruffling his beard in annoyance, Khair grumbles,   ”More gossip condemning one man, but finally solid testimony which seems to absolve him. I wish dearly for some solid evidence… Let us check the charred remains of the cart. It is a thin hope, but perhaps a clue lies in the wreckage.”  

Khair will gather the party and make for the burned astrologers cart looking for clues.
lostsole31
Physical examination of the ruined wagon reveals sooty ashes, a few broken bottles or potion vials, a cracked nonmagical crystal ball, and several pools of melted wax where candles must once have stood. Eloais’s charred skeletal form remains near the center of the wagon.

Do you intend to do a quick or deep search?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair intones a prayer for Eloais to his goddess, holy symbol held firmly in his grasp. After looking over the mess, Khair sighs and says,   ”Best be thorough, if there is a clue that survived the flames it could well be buried in this.”  

Khair begins to comb over the wreckage for clues.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will perform a deep search.
 
lostsole31
Performing a very thorough search also helps Khair to see who the most thorough people are for such a task.  Despite the cloudy film on her eyes, Alahazra doesn't seem to have any issue with things close to her. It was made apparent on the trip here that her sight is really limited ... Khair estimates only 30' or so, though she does seem to see things he can't when the lights are dim.  Here, though, her strange white eyes are devastatingly effective.

After Alahazra, it really seems to be that Khair himself and little Trevorn are evenly matched .... Khair's insight and thoroughness, matched possibly with the simple fact that Trevorn is lower to the ground, or possibly a type of prey plant creature so it needs to be more aware?

Either way, the wagon is searched very thoroughly. There appears to have been no signs of struggle or violence, suggesting that the fortune-teller was killed by the fire itself or from smoke inhalation. The group is able to salvage some 27 blackened gold pieces from the site.

Trevorn's strange, five-limbed "hunting cactus" that the little guy named "Cheeky Bud" taps Trevorn's shoulder to get its master's attention. Through some type of motion or unknown communication, Trevorn whispers to Khair.   "There's a guy lurking a short distance away, watching us from behind the corner of a nearby wagon. An ill-favored fellow."  
bcool999
 Khair 

Nodding to Trevorn in thanks, Khair will rise from the wreckage and stretch a moment. Then turn directly toward their hidden observer and declare,   ”Hail stranger. Would you be so kind as to come out from back there and speak with us?”  

Khair keeps his senses trained on the spot trying to determine if the man tries to slip away.
lostsole31
The dark-clad, dark-haired, dark-humored man hesitantly comes forward.   "I'm Dashki, the gnoll expert."  
bcool999
 Khair 

Nodding his head in greeting, Khair replies with introductions,   ”Blessings to you this day Dashki. I am Khair al’Mohya, sworn paladin of Seranrae. With me are my companions, Alahazra, Onyebuchi, Trevorn, Alain, and Zaihi. We have been tasked by Princess Almah to assist her major domo Garavel in investigating the fire which broke out earlier. While we have you with us, could you tell us from your perspective the events leading to the fire? Also let us know if anyone had motive to wish the astrologer harm.”  
lostsole31
Dashki seems frustrated and cries out,  “  No !  I had nothing to do with the fire! How do we even know the fire was set? That idiot burned a hundred candles in his wagon. Perhaps he just got unlucky. We’re in gnoll country. It was probably pugwampis.” 
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing Dashki spark up, Khair puts a gentle smile on his face gestures for calm with his hands and says,   ”Sir Dashki I am not accusing you of wrongdoing, and it could be an accident with candles as you say. I merely want to hear about how you spent your day before the fire. I am also interested in hearing about these pugwampis you mentioned.   
lostsole31
As soon as Khair mentions them, Dashki seems happy for the shift in conversation.  “Terrible critters what crawled up from the Darklands below the earth. ‘Jackal rats,’ some folks call ’em, on account of their pointed little heads. They worship gnolls as gods and infest their communities like rats. Wherever pugwampis go, bad luck is sure to follow. The gnolls hate pugwampis because of it, and try to kill them all the time. But they always come back. Perhaps their bad luck caused the fortune-man’s candles to start a fire? Yes, pugwampis. I am certain it was pugwampis.” 

None of the PCs have ever heard of such a ridiculous thing. True, the world is full of strange and wondrous creatures, but this sounds like horsefeathers .... typical road fare of many a camel jockey. And yet, the man's sincerity tells you that at least Dashki seems to believe in this superstitious poppycock.

Alahazra asks,   "And before the fire? What were you doing?"  

Dashki breaks down and admits that he may be “a bit too fond” of Almah, but continues to plead his innocence regarding the fire.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”So we heard from around camp and from Almah’s personal guards. They are skilled men you know. Able to spot you hiding in the trees near Almah’s tent at the time of the fire.”   Khair says pointedly before continuing,   ”This is why I believe you didn’t start the fire. If you saw any detail or peculiarities this morning it could clear up the mystery behind this fire. It could help prove this was an unfortunate accident or reveal that someone perhaps wishes this whole endeavor harm.”  
lostsole31
Dashki has nothing else to add.

What now?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Thank you for your time Dashki. I wish you a good evening and a pleasant rest.”   Khair says before departing with the others.

Once out of earshot, Khair will say to the party,   “I think he was telling the truth. Which means I have no suspects as to who started the fire, save for perhaps Eloais and an errant candle. Let us report back to Almah and Garavel. It seems as though this tragedy was a tragic accident.”  

With that, Khair moves to meet with Garavel to report their findings or lack-thereof.
lostsole31
Khair (et. al.) find Garavel first, and the major domo takes them to Almah's tent for the PCs to render final judgment.

What do you say, now that you are in front of Almah?
bcool999
 Khair 

Bowing respectfully to princess Almah upon his arrival, Khair takes the initiative to begin his report.

  ”Lady Almah, we have conducted interviews with the other members of the caravan, and a search of the wreckage for clues. Our interviews placed Dashki as the prime suspect but there was nothing backing the suspicion besides rumor and gossip. Dashki was later cleared by witness testimony from your personal guards as to his location at the time of the incident. While interviewing Dashki himself, he was noticeably nervous, denying vehemently that he was to blame.  I believe he is telling the truth in no small part due to your guard’s testimony. I believe it to be self-awareness of his actions and awareness of the camps views and finger pointing that led to his evasiveness. Searching the wreckage provided no clues as to how the fire started. Without any evidence of foul play, it is my determination that the fire was accidental in nature barring any further clues you could provide us Lady Almah.”  
lostsole31
  "I, however, have questions,"   says Alahazra.   "Khair has performed as excellent an unbiased investigation as could be performed, but I know that the truth hides in the shadow while mysteries love to tantalize."  

She bows her head to Khair, though it is difficult to divine the meaning of the bow.   "Garavel, you directed us to investigate, but what are your feelings on this matter?"  

Garavel,  "I have strong suspicions, but it would be wrong of me to voice them, since you have brought back testimony." 
  "Go ahead, Garavel,"   coaxes Lady Almah.

Garavel clears his throat and sighs.  "I've never trusted Dashki, and if anyone in the group were revealed as an arsonist and murderer, Dashki would be least surprising to me." 
  "Maybe not for this investigation, but it tells me much nonetheless,"   says Alahazra. She then looks to Lady Almah.   "Dashki is obviously obsessed with you, for he was spying upon you when the fire began. He is innocent of crime, but not of discretion or judgment. What can you tell me of Eloais, if only to give us more insight into the man?"  

Almah begins,   "I hired Eloais in Solku about a month ago to read cards for me -- I haven't visited the lands of my ancestors, but having a harrower at my side felt 'right.'"    Here she seems a little reticent before continuing.    "I'm honestly not convinced the fire was arson, actually, but I had hoped that if it was, you could find out quickly."    She adds bitterly,    "How would you feel if one of your friends was burned to death?"  

She grows more thoughtful,   "I didn't realize Dashki was obsessed with me. I didn't have a romantic relationship with Eloais, if that's where any of this questioning lies, but I did spend a lot of time with the Varisian -- which could have made Dashki jealous."  

Little Trevorn gives Almah both a jump when they comes forward and a smile, for the adorable little cactus-person is both disturbing and disarming.   "Lady Almah, can you tell us anything else - even if it is just a feeling, suspicion, or instinct ... not just about the fire, but Eloais or his interactions with you? Something he may have done or said that may point to something .... a little off?"  

As Trevorn speaks, Alahazra puts a slightly singed Harrow card onto an ottoman ... face down.

Lady Almah looks to the two - Alahazra and Trevorn and slowly nods.   "Eloais' readings had grown increasingly grim, and his last reading centered on an auspicious card, the Cyclonek portending death by fire and schemes by powerful evil."  

At that, Alahazra turns over the Cyclone for all to see, much to the gasp and amazement of everyone around.   "I wonder,"   voices Alahazra,   "if it is less about a fire tonight, and more about our destination Kelmarane."  

Almah admits,   "Yes, I asked the same about that card and Kelmarane. He told me that it was, but that the village is only a small part of something much larger ... something he called the 'Legacy of Fire.' Alas, I am not sure what he meant by 'Legacy of Fire."  
  "Ha!"   barks Alain.   "So, the oracle would try to scare us into believing that we are being haunted by some powerful force of fate that terrifies fortune tellers and witches. Why not believe in pugwampis as well?! Ridiculous."  
  "What's a pugwampi?"   asks Almah.

  "If it pleases the Lady Almah..."   says Onyebuchi apologetically for speaking to someone so far above his station. He continues with a nod from Almah,   "Dashki mentioned pugwampis as a possible cause. Not because he saw them, but because of common superstition among caravan guards. It sounds to me like some sort of 'road gremlin' that causes havoc. Maybe they're real?"  

Alahazra follows onto this,   "Even if they are not, the gods work their will through agents, and not through divine intercession ... at least not without a greater effect than we've seen. I could have believed a simple and unfortunate accident were it not for the weave of fate so heavily pressing upon this matter .... which means that if fate decreed the burning of Eloais' wagon, it is more likely that such heavy-handedness would come from an intermediary and not simple accident. Be pugwampis real or no, perhaps there is an unknown party nearby that plays just such a part."  

Almah smiles at Alahazra.   “If my expert is correct,”   she says,   “the hills around here should be crawling with these pugwampis - what we'll call our unknown messengers of Fate, or at least some sign of their passage. If what Dashki says is true, it should be easy for him to find one and bring it back to me.”  

She then turns to Khair and the others.   “As he is, however, our best suspect in this affair, it would not do to send him out into the darkness alone. I’m afraid that your investigation is not yet at and end. Go out into the desert with Dashki and find me one of these pugwampis, such as we name our unknown aggressor. I will accept nothing short of a captured one or its carcass, not just tales of strange signs."  
bcool999
 Khair 

With an arm over his heart in salute and a confident smile on his face, Khair declares,   ”A paladin of the Everlight fears no darkness! Especially not while in pursuit of truth. If enemies and ill actors hide in the shadows I will do all in my power to bring them to light!”  

Calming his fervor, Khair continues,   “Of course if we do happen to be jumping at shadows, what then? If we away on a wild Pugwampi hunt, how long do we delay our march on Kelmarane?”  
lostsole31
  "Just start with a search tonight, in case any agency left any sign,"   says Almah.   "And remember, take Dashki with you."  
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair nods and steps back to let the others speak if they have their own concerns.

Once it is clear the audience is done, Khair will bow once more to take his leave.

Once outside with the others, Khair asks,   ”Does anyone have any preparations to make before we go?  
lostsole31
With the group outside now, Alain shakes his head.   "I will not risk hobbling Donanahan stamping around in the dark, and something would hear me coming some distance off in my armor ... unless you would think I would go out unarmored in the dark.  I tell you what, Khair. I offer my services as a groom to you to make sure your horse is taken care of for the evening so you don't risk yours as well, and I will stay behind and provide my sword to the camp should trouble come."  

Alahazra says to Khair.   "You know I have poor vision, and now to go out into the dark. I fear I would be a liability."   She turns to the others,   "Will the rest of you accompany Khair on his wider investigation?"  

Onyebuchi, Trevor and their hunting cactus, and even the slave girl - who offers to carry a torch if someone will give one to her - are willing to do this.

Khair, is that acceptable?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Sounds like we have a plan. I will grab some torches off of Platinum then I should be ready.”   Khair explains before heading off to collect some of his torches.

After that task is complete and if no one in the scouting party has any other prep to do, Khair will lead the way to find Dashki.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Equipment change: 8 torches from Platinum to Khair. Should bring Khair to just a hair under a med load.
 
lostsole31
Alright, you found Dashki.
bcool999
 Khair 

Spotting their tracker, Khair raises a hand in greeting,   ”We meet again Dashki! I come with word that Lady Almah has a task for you that we are to assist you with. Concerned that the fire may have been caused by outside interference, Lady Almah has tasked you with searching for tracks leading outside the camp. Once you lead us to them, we will capture or kill any hostile agent before reporting back to Lady Almah.”  
lostsole31
Dashki spits,   "Foolishness! You say I should go search for tracks ... in the dark. And then come back to you with my findings? Very well, how long do I have to search?"  
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Half right Sir Dashki,”   Khair explains,   ”What I meant is that  we  will leave camp in search of these tracks. I expect the search to last until we find something or the whole night. Whichever comes first. I should have enough torches to last us.”  
lostsole31
  "Is it every man to a torch?"   asks Onyebuchi.   "Or are we splitting them up, or how would you like to do this, sahib?"  
bcool999
 Khair 

Thinking a moment, Khair replies,   ”I only have eight torches and I wouldn’t want to burn through them too quickly. If we burn two torches at a time they can last us about four hours. Would that be enough light?”  
lostsole31
Dashki just looks sullen. Zaihi and Onyebuchi both volunteer to hold torches. The torches are lit, and the trouble-hunters set out.

It is the rugged hills at night. The party tries to negotiate the rocky terrain and its many painful cacti, relying on the torches. As the hunters proceed into the wilderness, the torches cast creepy, uneven shadows. Phantom creatures haunt the underbrush—or at least seem to until closer inspection reveals nocturnal birds or rodents.

Dashki says quietly,  "From stories I've been told, we're looking for a little humanoid creature that’s much smaller than a halfling, with light fur, dirty claws, and a tiny jackal head." 

During the search, the party completely misses something, but Dashki's training helps him to notice. There appear to be dozens of small footprints leading to and from the camp at Sultan's Claw, finally retreating into the darkness of the hill country. Dashki also notes the hesitant tread of what must surely be the camel driver's missing goat, which appears to have been pulled away against its will to the northwest.

Since you have a job to do, there's no question about having Dashki follow those tracks. After following the trail for several hundred feet, Khair feels an inexplicable rise in the natural tension of the environment, as if he expects something terrible to happen even though nothing about the terrain has changed. Soon thereafter, a sound not unlike the brief cry of a human child comes out of the darkness ahead. The slave girl Zaihi, with Trevorn's help, determines that the sound must be coming from the lost goat, though the timbre of the cry makes it sound as if the creature is in pain.

What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Sensing a possible threat ahead, Khair checks his battle readiness before casting his senses forward to detect malignant forces.

While concentrating on his supernatural senses, Khair warns the others,   ”Be ready.”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will cycle Essence through my veils to check my total E available and that Marid’s Sandals are working burnt E should have recovered by now since it would only take two minutes when ‘resting’. If everything is back will leave the Sandals with 2 and Scimitar with 2.

Will cast and begin concentration on both his Detect Evil and Detect Undead Spell like Abilities since the detect undead Crusader’s Training says he can use both at the same time!
 
lostsole31
Khair checks in with himself, finding his energy refreshed. He reforms his veil, putting essentia into it, and in so doing makes it visible again. He detects neither the stain of sin nor the mockery of life.

Onyebuchi smiles.   "I never had occasion to speak with you, sahib, but I couldn't help notice that you are a veilweaver of akasha. If I am not mistaken, are those not the marid's sandals? That's how you sped to the fire, yes? They are bound to your feet and you can trip and drown enemies?"  

Trevorn nods,   "I am sure that's it, too.

"Master Khair, shall I go ahead to make sure it seems safe? We are not stealthy all, what with our torches in open, but broken land, at night."  
bcool999
 Khair 

Nodding his head Khair confirms Onyebuchi and Trevorn’s suspicions about his veil.   ”Indeed it is Marid’s Sandals shaped and bound as you say. I have a sense that not all is right. There is a tension and unease I cannot quell… We shall advance together. If stealth is already lost to us then there is no reason to sacrifice strength in numbers as well.”  

He looks to his allies for a moment to see if they disagree, before nodding and beginning to advance towards the goat. He concentrates on his senses both supernatural and innate as he slowly makes his way forwards.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will begin to cautiously advance towards the sound of injured goat. Concentrating on Detect Evil/Undead as Khair goes.
 
lostsole31
As the PCs progress toward the sound, the local cacti grow more and more intense, until the hunters find themselves at the edge of a dense thicket of the prickly plants. The sound of the bleating goat is now obvious to everyone—and it seems to be coming from somewhere deep within the cacti. Khair still senses no evil, no undead, but the tension is higher still.

The cactus forest, though very wide, is not so terribly deep. Only 25 feet separate the PCs from the trapped goat, but the thickness of the growth would require 3 rounds of careful maneuvering before a PC could make it to the other side. (You have not made this travel yet.)

With the light sources the party carries, their vision can in dim light spot Rombard the goat, tethered to a scrub bush by a hairy, knotted length of rope. As soon as the farther reaches of the light sources fall on Rombard, the goat’s tiny bleats erupt into full-fledged brays of fear as it tugs in vain at the rope around its neck.

What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair relaxes some at seeing just Rombard trapped in a prickly patch rather than the crueler fates he imagined.   ”We should try to startle it as little as possible.”   Khair says to the others,   “Let me try to go calm it down. Keep watch for me.”  

With that, Khair tries to carefully traverse the Cactus patch to Rombard. Cooing and otherwise trying to calm the goat as much as he can.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Khair will try to get to Rombard. If I can attempt it from a distance, Handle Animal to calm Rombard down some or otherwise stay put as I approach.
 
lostsole31
Khair moves carefully - half speed - to start working his way to Rombard.

 Khair , roll two Acrobatics checks....
bcool999
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Perform(Dance):  (1d20+12)[ 14 ] 

Perform(Dance)2 (Electric Boogaloo):  (1d20+12)[ 22 ] 

Gotta love that Dance in Lieu of Acrobatics trait.
 
lostsole31
Khair begins making his way through the thickets, using his knowledge of dance and bodily kinesthetics and proprioperception to aid him as best as possible, but he takes  1  from quills ... not quite lucky enough.

 Khair , you've made it past the first of three sections. Roll Acrobatics twice more....
bcool999
Grunting at the small prick he receives, Khair continues on.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Perform(Dance):  (1d20+12)[ 21 ] 

Perform(Dance)2:  (1d20+12)[ 31 ] 
 
bcool999
 
 Spoiler: Final Set 
Perform(Dance):  (1d20+12)[ 21 ] 
Perform(Dance)2:  (1d20+12)[ 24 ] 
 
lostsole31
Khair emerges on a thin, wide strip at the edge of a 15'-wide ravine. A casual glance down the edge reveals a huge multi-armed, wickedly barbed cactus dominating the ground 10' below the ledge, almost directly below where the sad little goat Rombard has been lazily tied to a scrub bush. He's covered in quills and blood, and he's bleating and moving about frantically.

 Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 
  Calm yourself Rombard. All will be well.   Khair coaxes the frantic animal,   ”Let Khair lead you from this place and return you to Hadrod and Hadrah. They will set you right and feed you well.”  

Khair slowly walks closer to Rombard to take hold of his lead.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Handle Animal:  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] 
Trying to approach and gain control of Rombard before it stumbles off the chasm.
 
lostsole31
Khair does NOT calm the goat. He does grab the lead. Now, does he try to untie the lead from the goat? or, does he cut the lead and use the bitter end to control Rombard?
bcool999
 Khair 

Grabbing the lead, Khair will use his other hand to draw his blade.   ”You’ll be free in a moment Rombard.”   Khair says before cutting the lead free of the scrub brush.
lostsole31
Khair cuts the goat free, and manages to calm Rombard at the same time. He has his dagger in one hand, and the lead to Rombard in the other. He senses something shifting behind a rock right next to the goat and himself.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T21-20:  Khair, roll a Will save. Then, what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair grits his teeth attempting to resist the assault on his will.

Once the effect has passed, Khair shouts,   ”I have found a foe!”   back to his allies and attempts to disengage along with Rombard.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
 Will save:  (1d20+10)[ 22 ]  + Fear Immunity

If the above save succeeds or if I retain control after the save:

Swift Action: Scarlet Einhander

Not sure about the mechanics of moving with an animal on a lead. If I can make a FRA withdraw with him I do so. If I need to use a standard to move him I will do that and move at half speed with Acrobatics to avoid AoO. Current speed should be 50 with the Marids Sandals.
Acrobatics roll if needed:  (1d20+12)[ 32 ]  (using perform(dance))
 
lostsole31
 R1T21-20:  Khair grits his teeth as his scimitar starts  to vibrate. He holds steady onto the blade, and his own will seems to  force the vibration to subside. Once the effect has passed, Khair  shouts,   ”I have found a foe!”    back to his allies and attempts to disengage along with Rombard. Of  course, he is doing this with an eye for escape with a wounded and  recently freed prisoner so he doesn't think to go slowly. In beginning  his exodus, he slams into several sharp quills for  1;  sure,  he's moving much faster than before, but it is as if everything -  including darkness - is working against him. It doesn't help that Khair  is doing this in the dark with the distant torches whose light is  diminished at this range and with multiple obstacles from the thickets  he's working his way through.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

  R2T21:   There is an evil, chittering little laugh. In the dim light, Khair  barely makes out .... something .... no bigger than a large doll or a  housecat. It easily bounds and dodges through the thickets and there is a  twanging sound. Khair's left shoulder flares in mild pain as something  like a needle hits him in the left shoulder for  1 NL .

 R2T20:   Khair ,  what do you do? The thing shooting at you is hounding your steps just  out of reach. If moving through the thickets, do you shift to half  speed?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair will attempt to lead Rombard out of the thicket before dealing with the tiny malevolent assailant.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
So with my Marid’s Sandals I can go at a half speed of 25ft. If I need to go at 15ft per move for Rombard I will.
Double move towards my allies outside the thicket.
 
lostsole31
 R2T20:  Khair does need to slow for Rombard, but this time brilliant makes his path.  Another round will do it.

 R2T15:   Zaihi, despite holding a torch, reaches into a pouch she carries with  her off-hand. She throws what appears to be some spices into a little  vial of liquid and then tosses goes to toss it in a ballistic arc that  bounces on top of light thicket branches - carrying it well off target -  until there is a quick burst of flame where it finally lands on the  ground. It flashes too quickly to light the thicket.

 R2T11:  Onyebuchi also holds a torch and enters the thicket to give more light to the path, and stumbles around - taking  1   damage from the thicket - before getting up to Khair. With his other  hand he forms, creates, and then propels a powerful jet of water towards  whatever the little thing is, missing due to the cover of the thicket.   "Get the goat out of here, sahib."  
 R2T9-5:   Trevorn stays outside the thicket with Zaihi, and concentrates. Forming  around his wrists seem to be charm bangles with tiny globes on them.  Three of the globe detach and light go forward, dispersing in such a  pattern as to create an almost pathway of guiding, colorful lights for  Khair &amp; Co. to use on their return. He says something to his hunting  cactus, who otherwise stays put.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T21:   The little creature continues to bound easily through the creatures,  laughing maniacally. It seems to have a bow that it shoots, which misses  Khair handily enough.

 R3T20:   Khair , it  seems Onyebuchi is willing to cover your retreat with light at this  point, light at the clearing, and a string of three lights on the way.  What do you do?

Zaihi on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”My thanks!”   Khair calls over his shoulder at Onyebuchi as he continues leading Rombard to safety.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Continue taking goat out of Cactus maze.
 
lostsole31
 R3T20:    ”My thanks!”    Khair calls over his shoulder at Onyebuchi as he continues leading  Rombard to safety. Despite a weird feeling in his legs, he manages to  make it into the clearing without any further pokes from cacti.

 R3T11:    "It is my pleasure to serve you, sahib, in the manner the gods have gifted me!"   Onyebuchi calls out cheerfully as another sound of water splashing is heard.   "Oh, c'mon! I should've had him!"  

Onyebuchi, looking a little less cheerful, bounds safely out of the thickets drenched in water.

 R3T9-8:  Trevorn whispers to Cheeky Bud. Cheeky Bud then enters the thickets.

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

  R4T21:  An angry screech, switching manically to laughter, is heard. Then a quick yelp of pain.

Before Khair rushes in, Trevorn just puts a hand on Khair's hip, and signals to stay.

A  second or two later, there is a panicked cry that seems to travel a  quick distance before a dramatic death scream and rattle from something  small.

Cheeky bud returns with a curious, ugly little creature  that seems to have impaled itself all over the face and chest by running  into a cactus that had spines that are not Cheeky Bud's own.

 Combat Ends! 

Looking at the thing, it is as if the world's most revolting lapdog somehow learned to walk on its hind legs. It is a Tiny creature with a quiver of about a dozen little arrows. It wears a crude dagger at its side. There is no bow, but ostensibly it dropped the bow for those arrows when it met its end.

 "That's it!"  cries Dashki.   "Them's a pugwampi!"  
bcool999
 Khair 

With the creature dead, Khair sheaths his blade. Using what light is available, Khair crouches down and examines the creature, curious about it’s nature.

Standing from his appraisal, Khair says,   ”Excellent work everyone. We have achieved our mission for the night it seems. Let us return to the caravan for a well deserved rest.”   With that, Khair hangs the body from a belt loop and prepares to march for the caravan with his allies.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Knowledge on the dead creature. Got arcana, planes, and religion trained.

Time to collect the corpse and Rombard and head back.
 
lostsole31
Back at the Sultan’s Claw, Almah awaits word from the PCs. Bringing back the corpse of the pugwampi is enough to clear Dashki’s name, and the successful conclusion of the investigation shifts Almah’s attitude toward the PCs from indifferent to friendly. Dashki lays claim to the pugwampi corpse and fashions a tiny noose for it to hang from the end of his staff. Almah muses that there must be more of the creatures living nearby, and comments that the Sultan’s Claw is obviously too exposed a location. She knows that a monastery to Sarenrae stood near the village of Kelmarane, and that the ruined building would make a much better base of operations for the coming battle for the gnoll-held village—yet chances are good that the monastery is far from abandoned.

In any event, the matter solved, Almah is open to discussing the terms of the PCs’ employment. She offers each member of the party hired in absentia by Garavel, noble-born and slave alike, 200 gp apiece.

 Khair , do you accept Almah's continued employment and the amount she has put forth?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”I would be pleased to assist you in this endeavor Lady Almah.   Khair says respectfully to the offer of employment,   “For the sake of honesty, I should mention that my service must remain within the bounds of my oaths to Sarenrae. I do not foresee this being an issue for you Lady Almah, but it is best to be open about such things from the outset is it not?”  
lostsole31
Zaihi, a slave, is in tears. It is her fate to be ordered to do this without recompense, but Almah tells her that should she get her freedom as originally agreed - by helping to liberate Kelmarane for Katapesh - then she will need that money to start her new life.

Onyebuchi is a simple man and readily agrees, as do Trevorn and Alahazra.

Sir Alain, on the other hand, is not so easily swayed, and demands more money than a slave, a houseplant, a peasant, a beggarly fortune-teller, and a would-be cleric. If nothing else, his gear and his horse care is exceptionally expensive. They have a fair repartee. In the end, Sir Alain is unable to get any higher wage, but it is to his credit that he knows how to relent gracefully enough that he at least impresses Lady Almah with his attempted haggle rather than annoy her outright (which he was dangerously close to doing).

 Khair , anything else before you bed down for the night?
bcool999
 Khair 

After departing Almah, Khair will check on Platinum’s wellbeing before turning in for the night.
lostsole31
Platinum is fine, and at least Alain can be credited with being decent to horses, if nothing else.

 
 
      Fireday, 16 Gozran 4709 AR 
Weather:  70/ 50 F. Heavy rain (up to 1-1/2"). Winds N 20 mph. Medium humidity. 
   
Today is going to be a wet, windy day.  Does Khair change anything about his setup today?
bcool999
 Khair 

While performing morning prayer in praise of the Dawnflower, Khair will prepare the same veils and binds as the previous day.

 
 Spoiler: OOC  
Same prep as yesterday. Same maneuvers, Veils and Binds.
 
lostsole31
  
 

About a mile from the Sultan’s Claw stands the abandoned Monastery of St. Vardishal, a forlorn edifice once holy to the faith of Sarenrae, goddess of redemption and the sun. In the 2 decades since a mad cult from Kelmarane invaded and put its monks to death, the place has stood as an empty ruin, a reminder of a brief era in which civilization tamed the Uwaga Highlands.

Khair, will you be taking your horse? And, will you be leaving anything behind?
bcool999
 Khair 

Trading out some of his kit with Platinum, Khair prepares to set off to the former Monastery.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will put Khair’s bedroll and 5 of the torches (Were any spent from last night?) on Platinum and take the 50’ of rope. Weight should balance out with that trade.

Platinum will stay behind with the Caravan.
 
lostsole31
The octet make it the one mile to the old monastery! (see map in Discord)

Scrub brush and a light, patchy carpet of weeds invade the monastery through two huge fallen sections of the western wall. The exposed nave beyond is a huge hallway littered with bits of debris ranging from tiny rocks to enormous sections of collapsed masonry. Most of the roof above the long promenade is gone, but several jagged pillars remain.

Now what?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”If everyone is prepared to proceed, I shall lead the way inside.”   Khair says to the others,   “We should remain wary, vacant shelter doesn’t stay that way for long.“  

Khair will head into the building when all are ready.
lostsole31
As Khair does that, Alain (on Donahan) rides over to the other large gaping hole and clip-clops inside that way, attended by Onyebuchi and Alahazra. Meanwhile, Trevorn (and Cheeky Bud) and Zaihi follow Khair, with everyone calling out various things they see (which is why the attendant map includes more seen than just Khair).
bcool999
 Khair 

Examining the area, Khair spots what appears to be the nave of a church or chapel to the north.

Looking visibly uneasy at the likely defaced shrine to his goddess, Khair calls out,   ”I would like to check out the church there. To the North.”  

Khair begins moving in that direction.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Proceeding toward A2 on the map.
 
lostsole31
As Khair moves down the length of the ruined nave towards the chapel, the entire group assembles at the end of the nave. Alain dismounts and leaves his lance and sets Donahan to guarding the area. Trevorn leaves Cheeky Bud to likewise guard with the horse.

At the far end of the nave, just before the stairs move upwards to the chapel, it is important to note two long extensions to the relative north/south (east/west true).
bcool999
 Khair 

Pausing a moment to look further into the two now visible alcoves. Khair continues deeper into the chapel should he notice nothing of immediate concern.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Taking the time to make perception checks into A1a and A1b. Things of immediate concern would be living beings, a discernible corpse, or an obviously valuable object.

Should his perception return with nothing to be concerned with, Khair will continue deeper into the chapel as was his original goal.
 
lostsole31
Khair notes nothing of immediate concern to the east or west, continuing into the chapel.

A short set of wide ceremonial steps leads down to a cavernous chapel in which the congregants would gather for sermons in happier times. The vibrant orange and red starburst of Sarenrae still stands behind a film of rusted rainwater and dirt along the north wall overlooking the collapsed altar. Between the stairs and the altar stand dozens of old marble benches, many overturned and even more broken into two or more pieces. A wide walkway bisects the pews, leading directly to the raised altar. Here and there a few clumps of the original red carpet along this thoroughfare hang on against rot and neglect.

Above the center of the chapel, dangling about ten feet from the floor, hangs a cluster of gnoll skulls in various stages of decay. Strung together like a ghoulish candelabra of twine and bone, the boulder-sized ornament hangs from the wooden rafters about twenty feet above the ground.

What now?
bcool999
 Khair 

Grimacing at the rotting decoration gracing this destroyed chapel, Khair mutters,   ”It will be quite a task to restore this chapel in the future. Especially cleaning up that rotted thing.”  

Approaching the chandelier, though careful not to stand directly beneath it in case the twine holding it together gives way,
Khair examines the remains to try and determine how recent this addition to the chapel is.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Knowledges or Heal check for information. Trying to determine how long the chandelier has been here from the decay.
 
lostsole31
The others follow in at their own pace while also looking around. Since Khair is taking his time (&gt; 1 round) and looking around, he notices that the ceiling rafters in the southeast portion of the chapel upper works have been papered over like a wasp’s nest in an interwoven mish-mash of soiled tapestries, tablecloths, altar runners, and other bits of salvaged cloth, creating a sort of hanging “tent” in the rafters above.

It takes a little bit to be sure, as some of the outside breeze makes its way inside, but Khair notes movement on the fabric, as if by the passage of tiny feet over the hanging cloth from above.

Just then, the gnoll-skull candelabra jerks and jumps as a runty little creature dressed in crude furs scrambles from far above to gain a foothold on the swaying skulls. It is a pugwampi, like the goat-rustler from the night before. With a squeaky laugh, this gremlin casts a rude gesture in the PCs’ direction, signaling the attack to the other pugwampis in the rafters above!

 Begin Round One ... 
 R1T22:   While for some reason, people fumble about and feel a bit sluggish  getting to action, not quite so for Alahazra. She takes out a potion  from her bandolier and downs it, and a glowing nimbus briefly appears  around her before disappearing. She then steps back a few feet to be  near Onyebuchi and Zaihi.

 R1T18-16:  A tiny  arrows fires down from the rafters to the relative north. From one  position, an arrow misses Onyebuchi, but a little more relative west, a  tiny needle of an arrow hits Trevorn in his left shoulder for  1 NL . Giggling from above.

 R1T13:  Zaihi says,   "There's a ladder over there. These things are too small for me to properly target from down here."   She bolts to the north and practically floats up she seems to climb so well, getting to an altitude of 10' on the ladder.

 R1T12-8:   Several more hours come flying down from the rafters to the north and  from central crossbeam. One hits Khair with a soft crit in his left  shoulder ... for  1 NL . More cries of manic glee.

 R1T7:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Drawing forth his blade of akashic flame, Khair rallies his allies with a shout,   ”Sarenrae’s light shine upon us!”  

Khair then focuses on his planar connection in his other hand. Shaping a bolt of flame that he sends toward the Pugwampi on the chandelier.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift Action: Defending the Pride boost: Allies within 60ft get a +4 morale bonus on AC for 1 round.

Move Action: Draw/Summon Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar.

Standard Action: Planar Detonation (Fire) Targeting the Pugwampi on the chandelier.

RTA:  (1d20+8)[ 17 ]  Max Range 35’
Damage:  (2d6)[ 3 ]  Fire Damage

If attacked: Immediate Action: Defensive Step to 5ft step West on success.
Perception Vs Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 9 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R1T7:  Drawing forth his blade of akashic flame, Khair rallies his allies with a shout,   ”Sarenrae’s light shine upon us!”  

Khair then focuses on his planar connection in his other hand. Shaping a  bolt of flame that he sends toward the Pugwampi on the chandelier. He  feels like he should have hit the pugwampi, but it was an unlucky shot  that manages to miss the pugwampi and hit the rope below it, sending the  mass of gnoll skulls smashing to the ground in a grisly and  stench-laden heap below.

 R1T6:  Trevorn only moves a few feet south before he starts intoning a long spell ......

 R1T5:   Onyebuchi takes out what seems to be a small piece of camel hide and  uses it to focus to cast a spell upon himself. His spell completed,  there is a brief shimmering around his body before the shimmering  disappears. He then moves with surprising speed to the ladder, standing  below Zaihi.

 R1T4:  Alain stows his shield and takes out his finely crafted, thickly strung longbow as he steps up next to Khair.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22:    "I am the bride of the sands, my allies!"   calls out Alahazra as she casts a spell.   "Know the power I wield, and take heart!"   

A magical feeling of confidence washes over everyone, even Khair.

 R2T18-16:   2 little arrows fire at Zaihi on the ladder. Despite climbing a ladder  being a vulnerable activity, the slave girl is particularly able to  dodge arrows even then.

 R2T13:  Again with  continued unbelievable ladder-climbing skill - almost as if she barely  touches the rungs - Zaihi makes her way to the area above and not quite  in sight anymore.

 R2T12-8:  One of the puggies on the rafter goofs and spills a couple of its arrows below. An arrow bounces off of Khair's armor.

 R2T7:   Khair , what do you do?

Trevorn on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair continues to pepper the Pugwampis he can see from down below as his allies ascend the latter to fight the Pugwampis head on.

Calling flame from beyond this plane once more, Khair launches it at a nearby foe.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Move to get in range of a Pugwampi if necessary.
Standard Action: Planar detonation (Fire). 35ft range.
RTA:  (1d20+8)[ 26 ]  and  (1d20+8)[ 26 ]  both rolls do not include any allied buffs.
Damage:  (2d6)[ 4 ]  Fire damage.
 
lostsole31
 R2T7:  Khair continues to pepper the pugwampis he can  see from down below as  his allies ascend the latter to fight the pugwampis head on. Calling  flame from beyond this plane once more, Khair launches it at his  previous foe as that one is still in range, and this time it hits the  creature for   4 fire  , and it lets out a hideous little scream of pain.

 R2T6:   Trevorn finishes his spell! A golden eagle (normally brown, though this  one actually has golden-tipped wings) appears above Khair and Trevorn  points to Khair's target and shouts   "SMITE!"  

The eagle flies to just over the slightly charred gremlin and nips it with a bite that glows slightly for  4 . Meanwhile, Trevorn ducks down and hides behind the back pew somewhere.

 R2T5:  Onyebuchi ambles up the ladder in a hustle and disappears from sight.

 R2T4:  With Khair and an eagle against one puggie, Alain fires at the other one on the rafter, striking the pugwampi for  4 mod .

 End Round 2 ...

R2T22:   Alahazra astounds enemy and ally alike when she begins to float off the  ground - not even a spell cast to do so. The eagle was an incredibly  fast flier, Alahazra far less so ... to the point she probably walks  faster. Still, she is vertical and at a height of 10' off the ground  when she gets near the northern overhang.

 R2T18-16:  Sounds of manic laughter above, including a hiss of annoyance from one of the allies.

 R2T13:   Zaihi now seen standing over the overhang. She mixes various peppery  cooking spices with other strange oils and tosses it over to the rafter  to strike the beleaguered pugwampi and blasting the thing clear off the  rafter and down onto the gore pile below ... its body a smoking ruin  from exploding condiments and capsaicins. Unfortunately, so prolific was  the peppery blast that the eagle was likewise blasted out of existence.

 R2T12-8:   The pugwampi on the rafter limps to the relative south on the rafter  and out of sight. More sounds of battle above, including ugly cry of  gremlin pain. A new gremlin with bow drawn crosses to the midpoint of  the rafter, as if fleeing from something.

 R12T7:   Khair , that new pugwampi that showed is your only viable target. What do you do?

Trevorn on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ....
lostsole31
 R12T7:  Khair sends out another gout of fire at the one pugwampi he can see, but it is a complete miss.

  R2T6:   Trevorn removes from his hiding position in the northeast corner and  starts to climb the ladder, but keeps having a lot of bad luck trying to  get a hold of the ladder before he slides down again.

 R2T5:  Sound of a snap kick followed by ugly squeal of pain.

 R2T4:   Alain shoots the one visible pugwampi. It looks like he was going to  split its head open, but that is just parallax error on the part of  Khair's vision. Still, the arrow strikes solidly enough for  4 mod .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22:  Alahazra flies up and cuts off the escape of the pugwampi that Alain just shot.

 R3T18-16:   Another pugwampi is seen on a different set of rafters farther to the  relative east, followed by a second. They seem to be hustling, as if  running from combat.

 R3T13:  There's a flash of flame somewhere in the remains of the choir loft, above.

 R3T11-8:  Yet a third pugwampi is seen on that eastern rafter.

 R3T7:   Khair ,  you see three pugwampis on a rafter that is 20' in the air, but 30' to  the east of your position. Also, on the rafter somewhat above you (10'  lateral to east, 20' high), Alahazra is flying above a rafter as if  daring the pugwampi to cross. What do you do?

Trevorn on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing Trevorn preoccupied with the ladder, Khair continues taking pot shots from below. With a bellow he roars,   ”Strike them down!”  

Khair moves slightly to be within range and fires flames upwards towards the trio of Pugwampi.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
SwA: Encouraging Roar, allies within 30ft gain +2 morale to attack and damage.

5ft Step East

Standard Action: Planar Detonation (Fire) targeting the foremost Pugwampi of the trio.

RTA:  (1d20+8)[ 9 ]  or  (1d20+8)[ 15 ]  +2 morale from Encouraging Roar may apply
Damage:  (2d6)[ 8 ]  Fire Damage +2 morale from encouraging roar may apply.
 
bcool999
 
 Spoiler: Fumble Roll 
 (1d20)[ 7 ]  or  (1d20)[ 14 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R3T7:  Seeing Trevorn preoccupied with the ladder, with a bellow Khair roars,   ”Strike them down!”   Khair  moves slightly to be within range and fires flames upwards towards the  trio of Pugwampi, and continues taking pot shots from below, but misses  wildly.

 R3T6:  Trevorn continues to have trouble and then finally makes progress up the ladder 10' up the ladder.

 R3T5:   Sounds of a man intoning a spell from above, and then two bolts of  force jump out to strike the lead and second pugwampi on the eastern  rafter. The first bolt seems to simply fizzle against the lead, but the  second bolt strikes the second pugwampi squarely for   4 force  .

 R3T4:   Alain repositions east and goes to shoot, but notches his fingers in his bow accidentally (  1d6 bleed  ).

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T22:   Alahazra leaves her current prey to attend to the triplets on the  eastern rafter. She flies to the center rafter that traverses relative  east-west connecting the lateral north-south rafters that the pugwampis  travel on. From a short distance away she calls upon the power of the  desert and lets loose with a fan of flame that washes over the three  gremlins. The first gremlin sees the danger and hunkers down to only  take   4 fire  ; but the ones behind him take   9 fire   and   8 fire + disabled  , respectively. The middle pugwampi falls to its death in the ruined chapel below.

 R4T18:   The one that was in the lead bolts back along the rafter, the edge of  the ruined choral balcony, and then south along the first rafter,  hopping over its pal, and ends up at the crossbeam.

 R4T13:   Zaihi is seen just stepping away from the ruined balcony and onto that  first beam, balancing. She points her finger at the lone pugwampi and  there is a loud, cracking report. The lone pugwampi gets struck by a  high-speed blast of power for   4 force  .

 R4T11-8:   On the eastern rafter, the disabled pugwampi tries to move carefully  closer to Alahazra, but it is not careful enough as she swings at it  with her staff, but bad luck in hitting the side of the rafter keeps the  pugwampi from getting struck. On the central rafter, the one that Zaihi  just popped with an unknown energy scurries out of sight to the south.

 R4T7:   Khair ,  your encouraging roar didn't seem to help anyone. Right now, there are  two pugwampis at two different crossbeams, making them extremely hard to  see and incredibly difficult shots. Meanwhile, Alain is several feet  from you with bleeding fingers. What do you do?

Trevorn on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing no good shots and Alain’s bleeding digits, Khair takes the time to attempt bandaging his allies fingers.

  ”Hold a moment, let me see to that.”   Khair says to Alain as be begins attempts to stem the blood.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Move South 2 squares and East 2 Squares.

Standard Action: First Aid on Alain to stop his bleeding.

Heal Check:  (1d20+8)[ 22 ]  or  (1d20+8)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R4T7:  Seeing no good shots and Alain’s bleeding digits,  Khair takes the time to attempt bandaging his allies fingers  (dismissing his flame blade to do so).  ”Hold a moment, let me see to that.”    Khair says to Alain as he begins to attempt to stem the blood. For some  reason, this bleed is deeper than expected, and his first aid did not  stop the bleeding.

 R4T6:  Trevorn continues to climb up the ladder and out of sight.

 R4T5:  Onyebuchi is seen crossing the eastern rafter while balancing. He shoots a blast of water at the disabled pugwampi, but misses.

 R4T4:  Alain takes   1 bleed  .  Lacking any other options, he goes for an impossible shot at the  pugwampi directly above and slightly west, missing. That shot lost, he  holds out his hand to Khair again for ministration.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T22:   Alahazra flies south of the central longitudinal rafter. She doesn't  cast a spell, but she does concentrate, and forms a scimitar made of  fire - not terribly unlike Khair's own weapon.

 R5T18:  The pugwampi withdraws from Alahazra and out of sight.

 R5T13:   Zaihi carefully crosses the beam to center. She points her finger at  the one visible pugwampi and the loud report happens again, but misses  the gremlin.

 R5T11:  The disabled pugwampi withdraws away from Onyebuchi and moves farther relative east and south down yet another rafter.

 R5T7:   Khair ,  bad luck with slippery, bloody fingers on a gauntlet or no, it is  obvious that this type of bleeding wound seems like it will be a little  more difficult to close than the standard bleeding wound.

Trevorn on deck, Onyebuchi on deck ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Trying again to stem the bleeding, Khair says to Alain,   ”You sliced yourself good here…”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Try to heal again.
Heal:  (1d20+8)[ 20 ]  or  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T7:  Trying again to stem the bleeding, Khair says to Alain,   ”You sliced yourself good here…”  

Again,  Khair feels that he should have succeeded, but the battle in the  rafters above causes dust to sift down and ruins his vision which in  turn ruins his attempt.

  "Unbelievable,"   mutters Alain.

 R5T6:    Trevorn is seen at the far eastern corner of the ruined choir loft  overlooking the above area. The little cactusfolk seems to concentrate,  and a large brown bird flushed with red-edged feathers and trailing fire  is seen flying above. The fire-bird does a flyby attack on the disabled  pugwampi, but misses and peels away to circle above.

  "I would never..."   continues Alain.

 R5T5:   Onyebuchi is balancing on rafters, and again he uses that strange magic  to gather up and forms a ball of water in his hands before tossing it  out to strike the pugwampi to blast it off the rafter and to its death  below. No more pugwampis are currently visible.

 R5T4:    "... call myself an archer,"   says Alain (  3 bleed  ),   "but  I have spent countless hours on the bow. This is a neophyte's mistake.  AND HOW IN THE NINE HELLS DID I SLICE MY FINGERS THROUGH MY GAUNTLET?!?"  
 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T22:  Alahazra calls down,   "We  have cornered the survivors, though we don't see them. There is some  type of nest up here. Shall we wait for you down there? or give pursuit  now?"  

Zaihi delays ...

 R6T7:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Patting Alain on the shoulder with an understanding expression on his face, Khair responds to Alahazra,   ”I will come up. Alain may need magical healing.”  

Taking off from his location, Khair moves towards the ladder.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Move to ladder.

Standard Action: Continue moving and most likely reach ladder.
 
lostsole31
 R6T7:  Patting Alain on the shoulder with an understanding expression on his face, Khair responds to Alahazra,   ”I will come up. Alain may need magical healing.”   Taking off from his location, Khair moves towards the ladder.

Alain looks aghast at Khair as Alain stands there bleeding, and the medic strolls off and makes it all the way to the ladder.

Alain bleeds more (  1 bleed  ) and Alahazra flies down to him.

 Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Approaching the ladder, Khair begins his ascent.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Climb Ladder
Check if needed:  (1d20+4)[ 8 ]  or  (1d20+4)[ 5 ] 

Standard Action: Continue climbing if not at top of ladder.
Climb:  (1d20+4)[ 13 ]  or  (1d20+4)[ 7 ] 

If at top of ladder after the first check, redraw Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar.

SwA: If I was able to Redraw Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar, Enter Scarlet Einhander stance.
 
lostsole31
 R7T7:  Approaching the ladder, Khair begins his ascent.  It definitely isn't pretty. Perhaps having wet feet doesn't help, but he  finally makes it up. Once there, he swiftly but with some effort  reforms his flaming scimitar.

 R7T6-5:  Trevorn has made it across with his flying, flaming bird, as has Onyebuchi.

 R7T4:  Alain suffers a whopping   6 bleed   this time.

 End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T22:  Alahazra takes out her healer's kit and stops. Bad luck keeps her from succeeding.

 R8T13:  Zaihi continues to delay on station.

 R8T7:   Khair , A thin balcony overlooks the chapel floor some twenty feet below. Two rows of tall-backed wooden choir chairs dominate the southern reach of the balcony, which hugs the chapel’s concave walls. The balcony falls away—collapsed for a span of perhaps fifteen feet—just on the other side of the choir area. To the east, rickety time-worn wooden rafters stretch across the whole chapel. Two huge sections of these rafters have been engulfed in a sort of nest comprised of a patchwork of random bits of cloth.

What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair crosses over to the rafter his allies are on and hops on. Mindful of his balance, Khair makes his way across to Zaihi.

  ”Let us proceed to the nest.”   Khair says whilst eyeing the area they are about to fight in.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: move 6 squares East and balance on the rafter.

Acrobatics (Using Perform(Dance)):  (1d20+12)[ 13 ]  or  (1d20+12)[ 26 ] 

Continue moving at half speed across rafter. Moving a total of 5 squares down. Using my standard to continue movement.
 
lostsole31
 R8T7:  Khair crosses over to the rafter his allies are on and hops on. Mindful of his balance, Khair makes his way across to Zaihi.   ”Let us proceed to the nest.”   Khair says whilst eyeing the area they are about to fight in.

 R8T6:    "Should we wait for the magic lady?"   asks Trevorn.

 R8T4:  Below, the bloody wound continues to spray about for another   6 bleed   on Alain!

 End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T22:  Finally, Alahazra calls up from below.   "Took several bandages from my healer's kit, but I finally staunched the bleeding."  
 Initiative Ends! 
bcool999
 Khair 

Glancing down towards Alahazra and Alain, Khair smiles and says,   ”Good work! I was beginning to wonder if the wound was cursed. To open so strangely and so stubbornly refuse to close.”  

Seeing that the attacks from the Pugwampi’s has ceased for a moment, Khair nods towards Trevorn saying,   “We can wait for our companions to join us if they are willing and able. Then we will see what the Pugs are up to.”  
lostsole31
Alahazra floats up ... slowly but effortlessly.   "Sir Alain wisely understands his limitations as a heavily armored man and will instead cover from below with his bow should he see any stragglers."  
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”In that case,”   Khair says after Alahazra’s report,   “Let us proceed into the nest. Zaihi. Would you like to lead the way or should we switch places and I will head in first?”  

Depending on Zaihi’s answer, either she will lead or Khair will as they advance on the nest.
lostsole31
  "I have an idea, if it will please you, sir,"   says Zaihi. She then whispers to the group.    "I could put up some explosive pepper sauce to burn the weird nest-floor that they have. Either it will set it on fire, or it is really fragile and they will all tumble to the ground."   
bcool999
 Khair 

Considering Zaihi’s words, Khair thinks a moment and nods.   “I’m in favor,”   Khair says as he looks to the others,   ”Any opposed?”  
lostsole31
A shake of heads, and Zaihi begins to move forward, but a grunt-squeal from some distance is heard.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T24:    A particularly large specimen - the same category as other pugwampis  but definitely bulkier and more muscular darts off what looks like was a  makeshift thrown in the far nest and hefts what to his Tiny frame seems  like a massive maul, though in truth it is a finely crafted warhammer  for the like of a gnome's hands. He hustles out of the far nest, south  along a rafter, and to the far choir baclony.

 R1T21-18:  Two other pugwampis scamper out of the nest as well, shooting arrows at Zaihi and Onyebuchi.

 R1T17:    "I guess they heard and understood us, possibly that fat one clued them in,"    says Zaihi sardonically. She moves down the rafter and steps right over  Blue without a care and then moves south along a crossbeam. She tosses  her spicy pepper bomb at YellowRed (a new combatant) and it looked like  it might have crit, but at the last minute the bomb moves only slightly  off center, still hitting the creature squarely for   9 fire  ! The flare catches purple as well for   5 fire  !  Best of all, the ratty nest in that spot has a hole blown in it and  both pugwampis fall below to an uncertain fate. Also, some type of  makeshift throne likewise tipped over and fell downwards.

 R1T16:   Alahazra flies out over the primary nest (the closer one) and 5' off of  that level - which is plenty high enough to be out of reach to a Tiny  pugwampi and its warhammer. She concentrates on what must be the chief.   She nods in admiration when nothing happens.   "Not my unluck, but your skill, corpulent chieftain, for you have resisted the desert's caress ... this time."
  
 R1T15:  Alain springs into action, likely against the puggies that fell. He calls up,   "I see them both! Both seem alive, but badly wounded. Covering one with my sword now."  
 R1T12:  Angry screech from below, fading out into a gurgle.

 R1T11.5-.0:   Trevorn looks to the flaming bird and points to the far nest, plunging  its beak into another pugwampi that wasn't part of the earlier fight,  striking the gremlin for  3 mod +  2 fire  . Trevorn tests the nest by stepping onto it ... and right through it ... to the floor below for a painful  9 ! He whimpers in pain down there, trying not to cry out and seem weak for doing so.

 R1T10:  The far pugwampi that the redbird attacked steps away, shoots, and misses the avian.

 R1T9:   Onyebuchi moves to the southern loft and then casts a spell. Instead of  water, a sheet of flame covers the chieftain and Brown. The chieftain  takes   5 fire  , but the fire rolls harmlessly off the other pugwampi. A small portion of that nest flash burns away.

 R1T8:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Settling into a stance, Khair makes his way across the rafters to Blue. With a dextrous twirl of his scimitar Khair strikes toward Blue, hoping to turn a successful strike into healing grace from his goddess.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
SwA: Enter Scarlet Einhander stance
Move Action: move along the Rafters ~20ft west to blue.
Standard Action: Initiate Enduring Crane Strike on Blue.
Upon initiating the strike I will place an 8 temp HP guardian’s shield on Zaihi.

Attack with Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar vs Blue:  (1d20+10)[ 24 ]  or  (1d20+10)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 11 ]  Fire Damage +  (2d8)[ 5 ]  Fire Damage (Efreeti bonus damage) +  (1d6)[ 1 ]  Fire Damage (Scarlet Einhander bonus damage which I believe is the same type as base weapon damage please correct me if mistaken.)

On a successful hit, heal  (1d6+4)[ 8 ]  hit points attempting to target Trevorn with the healing. If unable to target Trevorn then target Alain, if unable to target either of them (due to LoS or range or other) target self.
 
lostsole31
 R1T8:  Settling into a stance, Khair makes his way  across the rafters to Blue.  With a dexterous twirl of his scimitar Khair strikes toward Blue, hoping   to turn a successful strike into healing grace from his goddess. Blue is  completely deadified as it squeals burning to the floor below and  Trevorn gains   8 healing  .

 R1T7:  Below, Purple gets up an reposition.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24:    "I King Mockknock! You head I knock-knock!"    shouts the fat pugwampi at Onyebuchi as it gets onto the choir loft and  closes. As the king gets underfoot, bad luck with debris turns a  would-be crit into a normal hit as Onyebuchi does a snap kick to strike  the creature for only  1 mod . The king tries to shatter the man's knees, but he simply jumps up high to clear before landing again.

 R2T18:  Brown falls back to the south and shoots Zaihi, but for some reason her wound doesn't really show at all ( 1 NL  to the guardian's shield).

 R2T17:   Sensing the guarding presence from Zaihi, she simply nods to him but  has her battle to fight. She throws a bomb, and bad luck spoils it to  land on the rafter next to Brown, who in turn ducks to only take   2 fire  .

 R2T16:  Alahazra flies down below, taking time to cast a spell and hold a charge.

 R2T15:  Alain drops his sword down to put Yellow-Red out of its misery.

 R2T11.5:  The fire-bird charges brown, but misses.

 R2T11:  Trevorn stands and looks up, giving a shy wave of gratitude to Khair before moving northwest.

 R2T10:  Yellow-Blue shoots at the fire-bird, striking it for  1 NL .

 R2T9:  Onyebuchi steps back and casts a spell, a sheet of flame rolling over the king for   3 fire  .

 R2T8:   Khair , what do you do?

Enemies on deck and in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing Onyebuchi on the backfoot from the advance of King Mockknock, Khair moves swiftly to assist. Carefully navigating the rafter around Zaihi, Khair moves to flank the King and says whilst looking down at his diminutive foe,   ”I will be your opponent your ‘highness’.”  

A mark of holy energy attaches to the King. Censuring his attempts at harming Khair’s allies.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Move South 25ft trying to carefully bypass Zaihi.
Standard Action: Move 5ft south and 5ft east to be adjacent to King Mockknock.
Swift Action: Mark of Censure on King Mockknock. Allies (not Khair) gain DR 4/- vs King Mockknock’s attacks for 24 hours or until Mockknock is slain.
Free Action: Speak
 
lostsole31
 R2T8:  Seeing Onyebuchi on the back foot from the  advance of King Mockknock,  Khair moves swiftly to assist. He finds that  in this balancing area, he cannot simply navigate around Zaihi as he  would in a more open battlefield. He calls across at the diminutive foe,    ” I'm your huckleberry  I will be your opponent your ‘highness.'”  

A mark of holy energy attaches to the King. Censuring his attempts at harming Khair’s allies.

 R2T7:  Below, Purple shoots Alain for  1 NL .

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...
 
 R3T24:  King Mockknock turns to face the challenging  paladin some distance away and concentrates. Khair feels his wooden holy  symbol start to vibrate, but he quickly grabs it and holds on, and that  weird vibratory energy diminishes. The king spits in anguish at his  failure.

 R3T18:  Brown shoots at the redbird, but not before the bird pecks as a counter-attack for  3 mod +  3 fire   ... enough to drop it.

 R3T17:   Zaihi sees that Khair tried to get past her and submissively she says,    "Please forgive my clumsy placement, sahib."   She moves south down the rafter and into the  remains of the loft - where Khair could cross. She looks at the king  and points her finger and a tremendous report is heard, echoing off the  stones of the cathedral. A bolt of energy shoots from her finger into  the king for   2 force  .

 R3T16:   With the spell on her hand, Alahazra flies over and touches Alain. The  energy releases from her hand into his shoulder and body for   16 healing  .

 R3T15:   Alain closes on Purple, the difficulty of walking between pews slowing  him down, so he puts power behind his shot and nails Purple for  9 mod , dropping it.

 R3T11.5:  The firebird flies towards Yellow-Blue and pecks at it before flying away.

 R3T11:   Trevorn easily passes along the pews in defiance of the obstacles and  gets to the ladder, but then finds himself unable to quite ascend it.

 R3T10:   Yellow-Blue sees Khair balancing on the rafter and repositions before  shooting at him. Khair finds he cannot maintain his stance while  balancing, which in turn keeps him from dodging effectively, so a little  arrow plinks him for   1 NL  .

 R3T9:   Onyebuchi doesn't back up this time, simply gathering his energy and  releasing it at the king. He slips at the last second, but Alahazra's  blessings see his shot hit true nonetheless, striking the king for  11 mod .

 R3T8:   Khair , what do you do?

King Mockknock on deck, Zaihi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Hurrying along the rafter, Khair nods to Zaihi in thanks as he passes by on the way to assist Onyebuchi.

Now with firmer footing beneath him, Khair sets his stance before striking out towards King Mockknock.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Move Adjacent to King Mockknock by moving 3 squares south (0-30ft movement) 2 sq SE (30-45ft movement) And 1 square East (45-50ft movement)

SwA: Scarlet Einhander stance

Standard Action: Melee Attack with Brass Scimitar vs King Mockknock.

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 22 ]  or  (1d20+10)[ 28 ]  flanking might apply?
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 10 ]  +  (2d8)[ 8 ]  +  (1d6)[ 5 ]  all of which should be fire damage.

If Attacked, Initiate Defensive Step as an Immediate Action.

 
 Spoiler: Defensive Step Rolls if Needed 
Perception vs Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 23 ]  or  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
 

 
lostsole31
 R3T8:  Hurrying along the rafter, Khair nods to Zaihi in  thanks as he passes by on the way to assist Onyebuchi. Unfortunately,  he steps off the rafter and onto the nest but it doesn't hold his weight  and rips right through and falls to the pews below, taking  6 .

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T24:  King Mockknock swings at Onyebuchi.

 R4T17:  Another loud report as Zaihi shoots at the king.

 R4T16:   At a height of 5' off the ground, Alahazra appears above the prone  Khair. She casts a mysterious spell and touches Khair with a puff of  flame that warms and soothes the paladin for   5 healing   (and removes all NL).   "Are you feeling better?"  
 R4T15:  Alain steps forward and with his longbow performs a point blank CDG on Purple.

 R4T11.5:  Wahaj circles around to charge Yellow-Blue for  3 mod +  6 fire  , dropping the pugwampi.

 R4T11:  Trevorn goes up the ladder with a quick and lightened step.

 R4T9:   Onyebuchi steps away from the king, forms a ball of water in his hands,  and hits the king with it, but the king's breastplate protects the  grotesquely fat pugwampi.

 R4T8:   Khair , you are prone on the floor where the pews are down in the chapel. What do you do?

King Mockknock on deck, Zaihi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Smiling at Alahazra as he rises to his feet, Khair replys,   ”Only my pride remains wounded. My thanks.”  

Khair then moves towards the ladder to rejoin the conflict above.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Stand from Prone.

Standard Action: Move 10 squares North.
 
lostsole31
 R4T8:  Smiling at Alahazra as he rises to his feet, Khair replies,   ”Only my pride remains wounded. My thanks.”  

Khair then moves towards the ladder to rejoin the conflict above, and  finds that shimmying through the pews is difficult terrain, slowing him  down all the more, such that he doesn't even quite get to the center  aisle.

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T24-17:   King Mockknock rolls back up on Onyebuchi, who in turns tries to  deliver a snap kick. It is so high it puts Onyebuchi off-balance and he  stumbles back and off the choir loft to the chapel floor below for  10 . Down below he calls out while wincing in pain,   "See? I dodged ... !"  

But  the king already does a quick about face and closes on Zaihi, and she  can't defend herself against close-range attacks, but his fat frame  huffed just to get to her so she just steps over him as he gets to her,  and she makes it out to where Onyebuchi stood not but a few seconds ago  and tosses a bomb that glances off the king for only   5 fire  .

  "... your feeble attack, ..."  
 R5T  16:  Alahazra flies over to Onyebuchi and casts a brief prayer on him to help him see the virtues of just battle.

  "...oh king!"  
 R5T15:  Alain shimmies along the pew before he gets to the center aisle.

 R5T11.5:  The fire-bird charges the king, but fails to penetrate his armor.

 R5T11:  Trevorn moves south along the rafters and casts a spell.

 R5T9:  Onyebuchi stands and reports as he exits the pew to the south and moves west along the chapel wall.   "It's just the king now; it shouldn't be long."  
 R5T8:   Khair , what do you do?

King Mockknock on deck, Zaihi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Great work everyone! A final push and victory is at hand!”   Khair says as he moves into the center aisle and makes his way around the pews towards the ladder to once again ascend.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Move 1 square N (10ft) 2 Squares NW (15ft if the first square wasn’t difficult, 20 otherwise) 2 Squares West (10ft) 1 Square NW (5ft) then 1 or 2 squares North depending on remaining movement.

Standard Action: Move more to reach and begin climbing ladder.
 
lostsole31
 R5T8:    ”Great work everyone! A final push and victory is at hand!”   Khair says as he moves into the center aisle and makes his way around the pews towards the ladder to once again ascend.

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T24:   King Mockknock closes on Zaihi, opening himself up to an attack from  the fire-bird. It is a bad move, as the fire-bird power-beaks him in the  back for  4 mod +  2 fire  .  The king manages to barely stumble away and close on Zaihi and gives a  mighty heave at the gigantic (to him) woman, only to have his hammer  stopped cold several inches from the woman by an unseen force.

 R6T17:  Zaihi steps back a few feet and points her finger at the king and -   POW!  - the king falls to his death below.

 Combat Ends! 

Now what?
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing King Mockknock take a fatal fall, Khair stops his preparations to ascend. Raising his voice to fill the chamber, Khair calls out,   ”Well fought everyone! I will be seeing to the dead. As defiled as this shrine is, I still do not wish for carrion to sully it further. Zaihi! If you would do me a kindness and push any bodies you see down on your way back I would much appreciate it.”  

With that, Khair starts on the rather grim task of gathering bodies and gathering them towards the wreckage of the chandelier in the center of the room.
lostsole31
"There is one body where I can't get it!" she calls down.

"Wahaj has it!" cries Trevorn excitedly. They direct Wahaj to split open the nest so that the final pugwampi body falls to its death along with everything else that was in the nest, as Zaihi kicks down another pugwampi that was at the edge of the loft.

Looking over what the pugwampi had, the king had a masterwork warhammer (sized for a gnome, i.e. Small). He also was wearing a Tiny breastplate. His Tiny longbow and arrows - like the other pugwampi weapons of short swords and bows - are completely worthless and cannot be resold.

Secreted under the fallen and smashed throne are two items that glow magic. The ones who can detect that magic, by the way, are Onyebuchi and Alahazra ... and only Onyebuchi, it seems, is trained in reading the magical auras to determine what they mean. Alahazra gives him a blessing as he looks over the first one. It is a small box stamped with Sarenrae's ankh in the leather and has leather straps coming from it where it is designed to be worn on the forehead. Onyebuchi detect a faint aura of divination. Once Onyebuchi recognizes the aura, it is now Alahazra - interestingly aided by Zaihi - who determine what it is.

Alahazra hands the box over to Khair. "You're the only one who can make use of this. Hold this for now, and when it comes time to divvy treasure, you can determine if you wish to keep or add this to a sale pile. But this is a  phylactery of faithfulness  specific to the Lady of Flame. With this, you can determine if an action you are about to undertake would be against Her wishes."

 Khair , do you take and wear the  phylactery ?

Meanwhile, with another boost in insight from Alahazra, it is not enough, and the best the party can determine is that this is some type of magical ring with a faint aura, which is put in party treasury for now.

 Khair , do you recommend a deep or quick search of the chapel floor?

Also, since it isn't magic so won't count against them, does Khair have an issue with Trevorn equipping themselves with the king's hammer?
bcool999
 Khair 

Gently taking the  phylactery  with both hands, Khair smiles and says,   ”I can think of no better boon for my foolish self than to receive the Lady’s guidance.”  

Bringing the  phylactery  to his brow, Khair fastens it in place before he continues,   “I believe a quick search of the chapel and alter will do. The Pugwampis obviously looted it already. We shall see if we can spy aught more.”  

Seeing Trevorn arming himself with the King’s warhammer, Khair nods in approval before beginning to search the chapel in earnest.
lostsole31
Trevorn goes to handle the warhammer, and after a few clumsy swings - swings that show they know how to use a hammer theoretically, but lack the strength - Trevorn shrugs and the hammer goes into treasury.   "Not my thing. I like a faster weapon."  
  "Oh!"   they then add absentmindedly,   "Everyone, this is my friend ... a phoenix named Wahaj. I summon him from the stars sometimes when I need a little extra muscle."  

Even with a quick search, the chapel is so large and filled with rubble that it takes nearly a half-hour to go through it. A total salvage of the chapel turns up 47 gp worth of assorted religious objects, loose coins, and random trinkets.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Greetings Wahaj!”   Khair greets the phoenix before continuing,   “Let us continue with our exploration efforts.”  

Khair will lead the way to the room just south of the Chapel to check.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moving to A1b because I can’t remember searching it.
 
lostsole31
Adorning the eastern wall of this chamber, a huge bas-relief statue of a muscular humanoid man with a pointy beard is on a hilltop, appearing to a group of what looks like pilgrims. The being holds up his hands, palms out, in a sign of peace. Though many of the faces and limbs on the bas-relief have been worn down or cut away, the expressions of those range from beatific to horrified.

A crude stone stele that seems to have been erected more recently than the abandonment of the monastery stands here as well. Its graven inscription reads:

     “A ghost of unholy mien was purged from this place by Theodephus Estrovan, servant of Aroden, 4691 AR.”    
 
Nobody in the group knows who the statue is supposed to represent.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Hmm… an interesting mural and monument, but their historical significance is lost on me.”   Khair muses to the group,   “Let’s finish up here and check the other alcove.”  

Khair gives the rest of the room a once over before proceeding North to the other alcove.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Finish room inspection and move to A1a
 
lostsole31
There is nothing else of interest in the room proper, but between the legs of the statue the party finds a secret door!
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Hmm a hidden passage.”   Khair thinks for a moment before adding,   “Let’s proceed cautiously. In case of more active defenses to this passage.”  

Khair begins to look for a method of opening the hidden door. And if successful, will lead the way into the passage.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Opening and exploring hidden passage.
 
lostsole31
Khair has trouble pushing the door open. It doesn't seem locked, but that it is blocked from the other side.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Barricaded. Or blocked by rubble or some such.”   Khair says after trying the door,   ”I say we remember this door and try to find the other side another way. If there is no other means of ingress then we can see about forcing the door.”  

If there is no opposition, Khair will lead the way to the opposite alcove.

 
 Spoiler: Ooc 
Move to A1a.
 
lostsole31
  "Wait a minute,"   says Alain.   "Allow me."  

It takes him two tries, but he finally muscles open the secret door, which seems to have been blocked by foliage from beyond.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”I am in your debt sir.”   Khair says as he peers through the door wrenched open by Alain’s might.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sweet! Forward into secret area.
 
lostsole31
Looming walls with no apparent doors enclose this small roofless garden. Monks must once have come here to relax and contemplate the ways of nature, but any order they might have brought to the place all those years ago is almost impossible to notice now, as a wild cacophony of multicolored scrub plants and desert weeds have almost completely overgrown the space.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair begins to search the delightfully vibrant but overgrown hidden garden for anything more of note.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Quick search of the room.
 
lostsole31
Khair doesn't find anything of note here, the place itself once having been of note, likely as a secret garden for contemplation.
bcool999
 Khair 

Returning to the others, Khair describes the garden,   ”The local desert vegetation has taken over the hidden garden here. It has some beautiful color in there even if overgrown. Not much else to say about the hidden gem of a private meditation garden, or at least, I didn’t notice much else.”  

Once the party is prepared, Khair will lead the way to the opposite alcove.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Onwards to A1a I believe.
 
lostsole31
Alahazra asks Alain to respectfully shut the door, and he does.

The party heads to the northern part of the ruined nave. This debris-laden chamber once held a shrine and wooden altar, but all of that was smashed decades ago by vandals. The ceiling here has remained intact over the years, helping to preserve a huge bas-relief statue of a muscular humanoid man with a pointy beard gesturing toward a huge mountain in the background, his face a picture of mortal concern.

The party discusses the statue amongst themselves to determine what they can. Zaihi (and most of the party) recognizes that the mountain in the background is Pale Mountain, largest of the Brazen Peaks and the site of many fell legends. With Khair's help, Alahazra recognizes that the bearded figure - the same one, apparently, as on the other side of the nave - is depicted in a manner similar to the way in which the faith of Sarenrae depict their saints, but this is not one of the more frequently honored saints of that faith.
lostsole31
Khair seems lost in reflection - as the Sarenite of the party - in trying to recall mentally anything about the saint pictured.

Alahazra takes charge of moving the group along in there mission, directing them south to a passage in the wall .... the first of several along the southern wall. With Khair preoccupied, she asks Alain to take the position of glory and to lead the others through, and this passage is only big enough for single file this time. He leads the group through and directly south along a cloister. A sweeping bas-relief sculpture along the north wall (read: the relative east wall,  A4 ) depicts five bearded, larger-than-life humans riding the wind with triumph carved upon their faces. Though some of their arms and hands are missing, each is clearly meant to wield a distinctive weapon. One of the five warriors holds a large axe, while another holds a fragment of what must once have been a regal staff. In the distance, an ominous mountain looms over the quintet. East of the wall decoration, two open arches lead into small rooms off the north wall. The south wall is little more than a series of open arches that look out into an open-air courtyard.
bcool999
 Khair 

Still silently contemplating the wealth of history that lies in ruins around them, Khair steps forward to survey they open courtyard.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Step Forward to look inside the open courtyard.
 
lostsole31
Huge branches and overgrown weeds clog the central open-air courtyard of the monastery’s cloister walk. In better times, the monastic priests would have contemplated the open space while circling the cloister, but today it is barely possible to see a few feet into the tangled mess, let alone all the way to the opposite cloister walk. Here and there the brush thins out enough that a dedicated explorer might be able to create a sort of passage, but mostly it is an impassable mess.
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing the impassible thick growth of the courtyard, Khair turns to the rest of the party and gestures towards the pair of arches further along.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Continuing on to the arches in the south of A4.
 
lostsole31
Nearly towards the end of this cloister, there is a small cut to a smaller vestibule to the relative east.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair goes to investigate the first vestibule.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move to first room to the east.
 
lostsole31
This small antechamber seemed to be a place of reflection for monks. Carvings of religious significance to the cult of Sarenrae line the walls, but none seem to involve the main figure pictured in the naves, nor help in any way to lessen the mystery of the abandoned monastery. There is an exit to the relative east.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair continues through the antechamber into the room beyond.
lostsole31
This austere octagonal chamber has a tall roof and an aerie of leering gargoyles perched atop each point where a wall meets another wall. An unholy stench of rotting meat, dried blood, and animal excrement hangs heavy in the air, no doubt from the fine crust of gore, animal carcasses, matted leaves, and guano covering the floor.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Argh! What stench!”   Khair cries as he brings an arm up to cover his offended nose.

Wishing to be away, Khair quickly searches the room.

 
 Spoiler: Ooc 
Perform a quick search of the room.
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round! 

Khair barely stepped inside to  look around, and Alain just behind him, when three tiny shapes dart in  at the one making all the racket!

 S20:  Something  charges Khair. He had his sword away as searching requires his hands to  move things, but he puts up his arm to protect his face and something  seems to have impacted and hurt itself on the arm of his hauberk.

 S10:  Something else swoops down to attach itself to Alain's cuirass and drain his blood for   1 CON  .

 S7:  Still a third does the same, but goes low and wraps itself around attaches to Khair's knee. It begins to suck his blood for   1 CON  .

 Begin Round One ...

R1T22:   Onyebuchi moves in and across the room, and then casts a spell. Two  bolts of force strike the thing attached to Khair's knee for   9 force  , but it is still there.

 R1T20:  The one that hurt itself on Khair's arm corrects itself and attaches, and drinks up blood for   1 CON  .

 R1T18:   Trevorn pushes past like Onyebuchi did, but stops in front of Khair. It  strikes the one attached to his knee with their body spines for  10 , causing it to fall off and flop on the ground.

 R1T12:  Alahazra strikes the one on Alain's chest with her quarterstaff twice for  7  and  4 , and it to falls and flops.

 R1T11:  Wahaj flies in and snaps forcefully at the critter on Khair, striking it for  9 +  6 fire  , and it drops.

 Combat Ends! 

These  are determined to be stirges, magical beasts that are like unholy  mosquitos the size of housecats. The party puts the monsters out of  their flopping misery.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”What vicious blood suckers.”   Khair comments on their fallen foes,   “My thanks for the quick assistance in dispatching those parasites.”   Khair nods in thanks to Trevorn, Onyebuchi, and Wahaj.

With the enemies dispatched, Khair resumes quickly searching the room for whatever scraps the Stirges left.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Begin quick search of room now that the Stirges can no longer interrupt.
 
lostsole31
It takes four minutes to do a search here. Strewn about the floor are 21 gp in loose change, a chime, and a fine silver bowl.

The chime detects as magical, but the best Onyebuchi can see is a moderate aura coming from it .... which is stronger than anything Onyebuchi has ever seen, personally.

Alahazra appraises the fine silver bowl at 75 gp.
bcool999
 Khair 

After they gather what they can from the foul smelling chamber, Khair directs the party back out into less contaminated air.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Attempt to move back to A4 via the antechamber (A9)
 
lostsole31
Now where to?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair moves South to the adjacent opening.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move to the next southern doorway connected to A4
 
lostsole31
Though his intention is to head south and relative west to the next opening of the courtyard, there is another opening to another space on the relative east wall only 15' south of where you last were.

The brightly painted walls of this small chapel, probably meant for personal prayer and reflection, stand out as unusually garish for the otherwise reserved architecture notable elsewhere in the monastery. On the walls, numerous rectangular wooden plates traced in gold filigree depict a strapping warrior battling creatures of fire, riding a chariot on the wind, and engaging in other acts of noble heroism. It is the same figure depicted elsewhere in the monastery, but the sheer number of images here suggest that this shrine was especially important to the clerics who honored him as a saint of Sarenrae. Perhaps a quarter of the gold plates have been pried away or hacked apart by long-absent vandals.

Opposite the door, dominating a section of the north (relative east) wall, stands a man-sized statue of the warrior, its face marred by what look like numerous blows from an axe. The statue holds both hands in front of him, bent at the elbow, palms up, as if expecting an offering. Several deep rents from similar axe blows make it clear that someone tried to hack the arms from the statue decades ago, but was unable to do so.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair enters the shrine of this unknown saint. Curious if it is age or neglect that kept the figure from contemporary religious texts.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Enter A12
 
lostsole31
So, nothing immediately jumps out at you that is obvious, but there is a lot of storytelling and filigree in here. It is possible that a deep search ... or even hours of study of the paintings ... could reveal more, but nothing immediate right now.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”We should find time to study this room in detail later. After we secure the Monastery.”   Khair opines before returning to the hall.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Leave A12 for later.
 
lostsole31
The eastern cloister (relative south) walk abuts what must be the outer wall of the monastery itself. The lengthy wall bears a marred sculpture depicting the five figures from the north cloister mural in battle against numerous creatures of evil demeanor. Several of the creatures appear to be composed at least partly of fire, while others are much more difficult to define, being outright monsters of unknown origin or unusual warriors with weapons bonded into their flesh like organic tools. In the background Pale Mountain looms large, and over it two titanic figures lock in a deadly wrestler’s embrace. One has the demoniac visage of a noble efreeti, while the other is a gorgeous woman who could only be a djinni princess. Opposite the sculpted wall, a series of open arches leads out into an open-air courtyard ... the same one as before, that is all but impassable with vegetation at this time.

Alahazra tells the group that this sculpture depicts the great wars of genie vs. genie that cast the Pale Mountain region into chaos hundreds of years ago.
lostsole31
The party continues another 30-40' to the south (relative west) until the cloisters wraps around to the north or a hallway continues to the norther section of the monastery. Alahazra recommends heading north along the cloister to continue looking at the artwork regarding the monastery's devotionals. As before, the south cloister's entrance to the courtyard is choked with overgrown vegetation.

An open arch along the southern wall at the eastern end of the corridor leads off into darkness, while a series of archways lines the north wall, looking in on the monastery’s massively overgrown courtyard. The southern wall bears a bas-relief sculpture in the form of a triptych. In the first scene, a heroic-looking bearded figure takes leave of four similarly attired companions, who rise off into the heavens, leaving him to stand vigil over the large mountain in the background. The next scene depicts the bearded figure in battle with a flaming half-man/ half-snake creature wielding a spear. The fire spirit transfixes the bearded hero with the spear, seemingly striking a killing blow. In the final scene, the hero appears twice—once on the ground with a wound in his back and once standing over this form, looking down upon it sadly.

Comparison of the bas-relief with others in the sequence clearly shows that the bearded figure here is the central figure in all of the carvings, including those found in areas  A1a  and  A1b , and that the entity’s name that if finally found in the artwork .... is Vardishal.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Finally a name to go with the depictions around the Monastery. Vardishal,”   Khair tries the name on his tongue,   “The man appears to have lived a heroic life an participated in the ancient war of genies alongside his companions. Only to later fall in battle alone later.”  

After a moment of silence for the ancient saint, Khair directs the party to complete their circuit around the vegetation choked hallway.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Knowledge History with +4 modifier on Vardishal and the ancient Genie War. Or if arcana, religion, or planes are more appropriate than +6 modifier.

Moving to A7 to complete circuit of the vege choked courtyard.
 
lostsole31
Finally, you end the circuit with the West Cloister ( A7 ). The outer wall of the west cloister passage bears a massive carving. The central figure—the heroic man with the pointed beard—preaches to a variety of human clerics from throughout the long history of the monastery. The first image depicts the figure manifesting in a spiritual manner to a small group of pilgrims of Sarenrae. Another shows the figure conversing with a man in religious finery while the monastery itself is being constructed in the background. Thereafter follows a procession of similar poses, each depicting a visit by the bearded man and the leader of each era of the temple. The depictions of these clerics often also bear an identifying inscription, complete with dates that span the last several hundred years. The most recent carving is from thirty years ago, and while ample room remains for additional carvings on the west wall, the last thirty feet or so are completely blank.

Two open arches on opposite ends of the west wall lead out into the ruined nave.
lostsole31
With Khair into the sculptures of Vardishal, Alahazra gets the group  moving again, out into the ruined nave, to the south (relative west)  some 40', and then east (relative south) into the southwestern section  of the monastery. 10' down on the north (relative east) as well as 15'  down on the south (relative west), there are openings.

  "Trevorn, will you be willing to send your phoenix to make a safety check of that first opening?"   asks Alahazra.

Trevorn  is only to happy to be noticed and moves up with Wahaj, apparently a  phoenix to the cloudy-eyed Alahazra.  Trevorn moves in and gets to a  corner while he sends Wahaj to the door. As soon as Wahaj gets to the  doorway, there is an angry little screech from within.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T20:  Zaihi races in and the loud report is heard, followed by a pained shriek.   "Pugwampis!"   she calls from within.   "Three of them!"  
 R1T19:  Trevorn races in and the same voice shrieks in pain again.

 R1T17:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair summons his flaming scimitar to hand as he moves toward battle. He advances upon the Pugwampis, settling into a combat stance before sending forth a slash.

 
 Spoiler: OOC  
Move Action: Move up to 50ft into the south east section that my allies entered summoning Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar during movement.
If there is a space where Scything Strike has legal enemy targets I move to that space.
If not, I move adjacent to an enemy.

SwA: Enter Scarlet Einhander stance

Standard:
If There are legal targets for Scything Strike Khair will use Scything Strike non-lethally.
If There are no legal Targets for Scything Strike, Normal attack against an enemy.

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 15 ]  to hit.
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 9 ]  +  (2d8)[ 5 ]  +  (1d6)[ 6 ]  Fire Non-Lethal.
 
lostsole31
 R1T17:  Khair summons his flaming scimitar to hand as he  moves toward battle. He  advances upon the pugwampis, settling into a  combat stance before  sending forth a slash that - likely due to his  desire not to kill them - just misses Red-Green and Red-Blue.

 R1T15:   Alahazra comes into the kitchen and to the side to swing at Red-Blue  with her staff, but unluckily clips herself in the head, knocking  herself senseless ( dazed ).

 R1T14:   Onyebuchi comes in, rushing right over pugwampis. He kicks at Red-Blue,  but the greasy floor has his leg spin wildly and he just barely catches  himself.

 R1T13:  Alain draws his sword (his  shield was readied) as he steps up behind Wahaj to get a sense of what  is happening. He begins his litany of exhortations to make everyone feel  more invigorated in battle. During that time, he extols his own  accomplishments and battle prowess loudly. It is likely these pugwampi  no more speak Taldane than the others did, but they DO seem amused at  the puffed up human.

 R1T12-11:  Red-Green moves  into Khair's square, and Khair misses it as it also misses him.  Red-Brown stabs at Onyebuchi, who had ended up just over the gremlin,  but the dude deftly deflects the diminutive dagger.

 R1T10:  Wahaj flies to the far side of the room and lands. It bites at Red-Brown, hitting for  4 mod +  2 fire  .

 R1T3:  Red-Blue steps into Alahazra's space while she is dazed but fails to stab her.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T20:  Zaihi backs up and tries to finger-gun Red-Green, but misses.

 R2T19:  These little wrist bangles appear on Trevorn, and they touch Alahazra.

 R2T17:   Khair , you have one underfoot. What do you do?

Alahazra on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...
lostsole31
 R2T17:  Khair steps north to be adjacent to as many allies as possible. He shoots a bolt of electricity at Red-Green, but misses.

 R2T15:  Alahazra is dazed ....

 R2T14:   Onyebuchi takes advantage of the opening Khair made to then move south  to flank. Putting power behind his strike to overcome the fey resistance  to harm, he snap kicks Red-Green for  4 mod .

 R2T13:  Alain jostles in while drawing his sword. It's not an attractive attack, but it still nicks Red-Green  8 mod + disabled .

 R2T12-11:   Red-Green moves tries to get under Alain's feet, but he kills it.  Red-Brown tries to get under Khair's feet, and the paladin's focus on  mercy keeps him from striking successfully. It misses him wildly with  its dagger.

 R2T10:  Wahaj strolls up and attacks Red-Brown. The bite misses, but both talons strike for a total of  10 mod +  7 fire  , killing it.

 R2T3:  Red-Blue, the last pugwampi, stabs Alahazra in her foot for not effect, as if it struck stone.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T20:   Zaihi moves into the open gap and then does that weird finger-gun  attack with the loud cracking sound. It would have critted were it not  for some unfortunate circumstance related to slippery kitchen stuff on  the floor, and she misses.

 R3T19:  Trevorn misses the pugwampi with a spiny hand.

 R3T17:   Khair , what do you do? The last pugwampi is under a dazed Alahazra's feet.

Alahazra on deck (?), Onyebuchi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Calling on Merciful Sarenrae’s healing power, Khair slashes toward the Pugwampi menacing Alahazra channeling healing energy inward should the strike connect.

As he sends his blade toward the Pugwampi, a protective field of holy energy shrouds Alahazra shielding her from harm.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard Action: Initiate Enduring Crane Strike on Pugwampi. Electing for Non-Lethal damage.

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 16 ]  (Divine Fighting Technique negates non lethal attack penalties with Scimitar)
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 10 ]  +  (2d8)[ 4 ]  +  (1d6)[ 3 ]  Nonlethal Fire Damage.

On hit: target self with the healing.

Free Action: Activate Guardian’s Shield ability on Alahazra 8 THP for 4 Rounds and should she be afflicted with Fatigue, the condition is negated for her at the cost of a round of shield duration.
 
lostsole31
 R3T17:  Calling on Merciful Sarenrae’s healing power, Khair slashes toward the  Pugwampi menacing Alahazra - striking for  12 mod NL +  3 mod NL fire   - channeling   4 healing    energy inward. As he sends his blade toward the Pugwampi, a protective  field of holy energy shrouds Alahazra shielding her from harm.

Onyebuchi backs off, but Alain cleaves the head off the unconscious pugwampi.

 Combat Ends! 

Alahazra comes out of being dazed immediately after Khair's strike.

Inside the doorless arch you had to enter appears to be a large kitchen complete with walls lined in shelves and cupboards, a huge central table, and an enormous oven against the north wall. Several drawers and cupboard doors stand askew, and the floor here is a jagged field of broken glass, smashed pottery, bits of sharp stone, jagged bones, and discarded cutlery.
bcool999
 Khair 

With a murmured prayer to his goddess thanking her for her protection, Khair dismisses his blade back into akashic energy. Looking at his companions, Khair asks,   ”Is everyone uninjured? If so, shall we continue our exploration efforts?”  

Once everyone catches their breath from the fighting, Khair will move to investigate the ruined kitchen with a quick search.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Quick Search the room after any necessary post combat healing is preformed. Though I don’t think anyone got hurt this time.
 
lostsole31
One person that has carried forward a bit more of an injury is Onyebuchi, and Alahazra intones strange words that sound like a sirocco blowing across the land, but in her spell she fully heals the man.

It only takes a little under two minutes for a quick search here. Pugwampi equipment (tiny shortbows and shortswords) are completely non-saleable, and there is nothing else of interest in the kitchen.

What now?
bcool999
 Khair 

Finding nothing of note in the kitchen, Khair will lead the way into the room across the hallway.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moving to explore the room that I believe I can see across the hall.
 
lostsole31
Moving to the opening across the hall ... Three long wooden tables and dozens of chairs that once lined this mess hall are in shambles, mostly rotted away with the passage of years. Light shines through several large holes in the ceiling, illuminating a closed door on the east wall.

Though he is in the mess hall here, looking around he notes a door to the south, but when he pans around to see outside of the room .... across the hall to the south and in a different room, he thinks he sees movement.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Enemies across the hall!”   Khair warns as he advances on the movement he saw.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move towards Green and Orange on map. Possible begin combat.
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round ... 
  ”Enemies across the ...!”   Khair warns as he advances on the movement he saw, surprising everyone and everything. With his  marid's sandals   he makes it across the hall and right up to a hairy, stout primate of  small size with opposable thumbs, a colorful face, and bright red  buttocks.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T29:  Alahazra comes in at surprising speed and stomps on Green's foot for  9 + disabled .

 R1T22:  Trevorn moves forward and stops behind Khair, but orders Wahaj in to attack something to the northeast Blue.

 R1T21:  Meanwhile Blue springs off the bed and tries to bite Khair.

 R1T20:  Wahaj flies in just above Khair and nips Blue for  8 +  1 fire  + disabled  after Blue misses it. Wahaj continues to the northeast part of the room.

 R1T14:   Zaihi scurries in and south while out of instinct Green snaps at her,  finds the exertion was too much for its wounds, and falls to the ground.

 R1T13:   Khair , what do you do?
lostsole31
 R1T13:  Khair delivers Blue a merciful and quick death  with his flaming weapon before heading south to the foot of the  southernmost bed to engage the last two monkeys.

 R1T11:  Alain hustles in through the door with sword and shield.

 R1T9:  Onyebuchi hustles in as well, passing Alain and jumping up onto a bed.

 R1T4-3:   Both of the remaining big-toothed, colorful, angry monkeys attack  Khair. When Red attacks, Khair does a brilliant fake back that causes  that one to miss, but Brown does a valiant effort from high ground, its  bite almost penetrating the mail of his shirt.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T29:  Alahazra spins her staff quickly to strike Brown for  5  and then again for  7 , and it falls to the bed unmoving.

 R2T22:  Trevorn offers,   "They  are baboons, if anyone is curious. Powerful bites for their size. They  are too territorial to subdue and send away without coming back with  more."  

He directs Wahaj to attack the last one.

 R2T20:  Wahaj charges Red with a power-bite, but the baboon flings poo at its face. Wahaj stops short,  nauseated  by being covered in the filth!

 R2T14:  Zaihi does that loud finger-guns attack that hits Red for   8 force  !

 R2T13:   Khair , one baboon left (Red, you can't see the token itself well on the sheets of the bed on the map). What do you do?

Alain on deck, Onyebuchi in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 

Not trusting his footing up on the tangled remains of the bed, Khair gathers planar energy and releases it with a roar to bolster himself and his allies’ morale.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
SwA: Encouraging Roar

Standard Action: Planar Detonation on Red (This drops Scarlet Einhander) using Fire damage.

RTA on Red:  (1d20+8)[ 27 ]  (Potentially: +2 from Encouraging Roar, -4 from firing into melee)
Damage:  (2d6)[ 8 ]  (+2 from encouraging roar) Fire Damage.
 
lostsole31
 R2T13:  Not trusting his footing up on the tangled  remains of the bed - likely because pugwampis have made him a little gun  shy when it comes to bad luck - Khair  gathers planar energy and releases it with a roar to bolster himself and  his allies’ morale. The gout of flame hits the baboon in the neck for  10 fire, dropping it.

The baboons are put out of their misery.

 Combat Ends! 
bcool999
 Khair 

Dismissing his weapon, Khair takes stock for a moment before roughly cleaning up the battlefield by placing the baboons corpses together on the floor.

  ”There will be lots of cleaning necessary to restore this place.”   Khair says wistfully before looking around the room,   “Anything of note in here?”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
After piling the corpses together for later disposal, Khair will do a quick once over of the Baboon’s abode.
Prrception Mod: 8
 
lostsole31
Long ago, this chamber was the sleeping quarters and office of the monastery’s senior priests. All of the dented chests are empty.
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing nothing to investigate in the room, Khair waves to the rest of the party and walks back to the mess hall they were about to enter before combat began.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Return to A17
 
lostsole31
Three long wooden tables and dozens of chairs that once lined this mess hall are in shambles, mostly rotted away with the passage of years. Light shines through several large holes in the ceiling, illuminating a closed door on the east wall.

Quick search? Deep search? Ignore?
bcool999
 Khair 

Not expecting much to remain in the damaged mess hall, Khair does a quick search to be sure.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Quick Search
 
lostsole31
It only takes a couple minutes with a quick search, and nothing useful or hidden is revealed. Now what?
bcool999
 Khair 

Satisfied with his search of the room, Khair moves towards the unopened door and opens it.

 
 Spoiler 
Opening the door on the Map South wall of the mess
 
lostsole31
Ten bunk beds in various stages of disrepair fill this chamber, which must once have been a dormitory for students. The roof is mostly intact, and an open arch in the north wall leads to a large hallway. The east and west walls both bear sturdy wooden doors leading to other rooms, and an open arch in the southeast corner of the room leads into a darkened antechamber, perhaps a large closet.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair enters the dilapidated dormitory moving to check the archway in the southeast corner.

 
 Spoiler: Ooc 
moving to check out the ‘darkened antechamber or large closet’
 
lostsole31
 Surprise Round! 
 S13:  Khair feels a sharp sting followed by a burning at the top of his head ( 4 +  3 poison  )!

 Begin Round One ...

R1T19:   Zaihi takes something out and drinks it down.  Her form changes to  become broader, stockier, but uglier. She hops up onto beds and bounces  south on them before jumping into the southeast corner.

 R1T18:  Alahazra steps down next to Khair. Spinning her quarterstaff, she catches something above Khair's head with a *wumpf* for  8 .

 R1T17:  Alain moves south and attacks and swings above Khair's head, missing.

 R1T16:  Trevorn scrambles safely into the southwest corner and jumps up to hit something with a spiny fist for  6 .

 R1T15:  Wahaj takes wing and flies south but way overthinks its missed bite.

 R1T13:  Khair gets hit in the turban again for  4 +  3 poison  .

 R1T12:   Khair ,  roll a Fort save vs. the poison. You look above you and there is a  beige spider that is long as you are, on the wall above you! What do you  do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Motioning to draw a weapon, Khair draws Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar, and calls upon Sarenrae’s grace in his strike as he roars to challenge his eight legged foe.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

First off Fort Save:  (1d20+12)[ 19 ] 

Move Action: Create Scimitar Weapon-like Veil

Swift Action: Perform the Encouraging Roar boost maneuver.

Standard Action: Initiate the Enduring Crane Strike Maneuver vs the spider choosing myself for the healing.

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 25 ] 
Damage  (1d6+6)[ 11 ]  +  (2d8)[ 5 ]  Fire
(Above totals do not add +2 morale from encouraging roar)

If hit is successful heal: [roll1d6+4[/roll]

 
 Spoiler: If Attacked 
Immediate Action: Defensive Step counter.
Perception vs Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 18 ] 
If successful (and there is space to do so) 5ft step 1 square SW through the doorway to evade attack.
 

 
lostsole31
 R1T12:  Motioning to draw a weapon, Khair fights off the poison while drawing  Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar , calling upon Sarenrae’s grace in his strike as he roars to challenge his  eight legged foe.

And with that, the spider is dead (or dying, and easily dispatched) even as Khair gets   5 healing  .

 Combat Ends! 
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair dismisses the conjured scimitar now that combat has finished. Wincing slightly at his wounds, Khair still dutifully thanks Sarenrae for easing some of his pain. Prayer concluded, Khair looks ahead and explores what’s beyond the doorway the spider hid above.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
moving to take a look at what’s in the space beyond the spider doorway.
 
lostsole31
The small room off the southeastern wall is the lowest (and now only) chamber in what was once a 40-foot-tall tower. All of the wooden floors and the old ladder that used to comprise the tower jumble the floor here in a collapsed mess. The roof of the tower fell years ago, leaving it open to the sky. To the southeast of that, there is a mold-encrusted stairway.
lostsole31
  "Before we go deeper and out of the reach of the warmth of the sun to darkness below,"   asks Alahazra,   "Our two most powerful warriors have both suffered some physiological distress that our healing spells alone cannot mend. Do we push forward, confident in our strength of arms and magic to overcome this, or pull back and give the rest of the day for Khair and Alain to gain succor?"  
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair nods at Alahazra’s suggestion.   ”It is true some rest would do my body good. I also believe time was not so against us that we must rush heedlessly into danger unprepared.”   Khair muses before asking,   “Where then shall we encamp for the night? We will need a suitable place to keep an eye on Platinum and Donohan.”  
lostsole31
  "Don't forget Cheeky Bud!"   pipes up Trevorn, referring to his strange, ambulatory plant pal.

  "We should clear a section in the middle of the floor of the main chapel,"   Alain advises.   "It has a wide area for checking out environment without being confined to a smaller room that a stealthy enemy can close on, and we can move pews around to set up a defensive perimeter."  
 Khair , how does that advice sound?
bcool999
 Khair 

With a smile to Trevorn Khair says with mirth in his voice,   ”Of course we shall watch out for Cheeky Bud!  

With a nod to Alain, Khair claps his hands together and rubs them saying,   “We have a plan! All that’s left is the doing.”  
 
 Spoiler: Ooc 
Main Chapel campsite sounds good to me!
 
lostsole31
Alahazra shares food and water with Onyebuchi and Zaihi, and the group carries pallets from dormitories to the chapel for more comfortable sleep. Still, there is an awful stench you have to ignore. The chapel might make the most tactical sense, but there is the issue that the chapel was the pugwampis dumping ground.

The party sets watches and camps, and while not incredibly comfortable they do get the rest they need, and everyone is fully healed of wounds afflictions on the morrow.


 

    Starday, 17 Gozran 4709 AR (Last Quarter)  
 Weather:  70 / 50 F. Heavy Rain. Winds N 20 mph. Medium humidity. 
  
Today is a day that will see a lot of the upland rains off the lower plains.

 Khair , do you make any changes to your daily loadout?
bcool999
 Khair 

Doing his best with his minor cleaning magic to make the camp bearable, Khair takes his watch and beds down hoping and praying for the group’s safety tomorrow.


 


Khair rises with the morning sun, giving his faith and prayers to his goddess. He reshapes his familiar flaming scimitar and keeps his aquatic sandals. In anticipation of the cramped underground, Khair prays for his voice to bolster his allies and protect them from harm.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Only daily change is changing Defensive Step maneuver for Defending the Pride maneuver for my maneuvers readied.
 
lostsole31
It takes two hours of preparation for the group .... an hour for everyone (including Khair) for weapons training, prayers, study, meditation, etc. ... and then an extra hour as Zaihi cooks up some type of special brew for herself.

Do you "regen" back at the stairs, or at some other point on the ground floor for your explorations?
bcool999
 Khair 

Ready to continue the searching the ruined monastery, Khair double checks his equipment and his allocation of essence before addressing the others.

  ”Good morning everyone! I hope your rest was peaceful and revitalizing.”   Khair greets them after they finish their morning preparations,   “Are we all prepared to continue our exploration where we left off?”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Assuming there is no objections from the group, we can fast forward to the top of the stairs if there are no notables in route.
 
lostsole31
Alahazra places a flame-colored  light  atop her staff as the group heads down the stairs below until they get to a chamber. This chamber seems to be an enormous laboratory. Against the north and south walls are two identical daises raised about five feet from the laboratory floor, each accessed by a wide set of curved stairs. Atop each dais is a wide workbench covered in a bewildering series of glass beakers, tubes, alembics, athanors, and other alchemical tools. Some of these containers are filled with a murky green substance.

A massive mold-encrusted basalt table dominates the entrance of the room, flanked by two small tables to the east and west containing surgical tools and sheaves of old parchment. The walls of the subterranean lab were clearly fashioned from the living rock under the monastery, but carefully cut mold-encrusted tiles line the floor, interrupted occasionally by metal drains the size of dinner plates.
bcool999
 Khair 

Uncomfortable around the alchemical laboratory, Khair searches the old parchments.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
check the writings on the tables.
 
lostsole31
The contents of both glass containers to the north and south shatter. A  large but colorful grove of small mushrooms and other tiny plants sprout  upon a wide swath of moss on each side.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T28:  Alahazra takes out a wand and activates  mage armor  on herself.

 R1T22:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Be on guard!”   Khair shouts as he manifests his scimitar of flame.

Hoping his warning bolsters his allies, Khair releases a full powered blow at the adjacent enemy hoping to fell it quickly.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Swift Action: Initiate Defending the Pride boost. +4 morale bonus to allies AC for 1 round.
Move Action: ‘Draw’ Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar
Standard Action: Risky Strike on Orange enemy adjacent to Khair.

Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+10)[ 14 ]  Fire +  (2d8)[ 13 ]  Fire
 
lostsole31
 R1T22:    ”Be on guard!”    Khair shouts as he manifests his scimitar of flame. Hoping his warning  bolsters his allies, Khair releases a full powered blow at the adjacent  enemy, felling it quickly. Some of the mold spatters on him, but by the  time it gets to him, it has already been burned and denaturalized.

 R1T16:  Zaihi hooks around and tries to do her force attack, but clips her elbow on sharp edge of a table (  1 bleed  ).

 R1T11:  Trevorn casts a spell on themselves and then closes on the goop to the south.   "Zaihi hurt herself. Stop bleeding."  
 R1T7:   There is a strength emanating from Alain that you haven't really  noticed before as he steps forward while drawing his sword and hitting  the goop for  10 , goop spattering outward on him and Onyebuchi.

 R1T5:   The goop creates a pseudopod that swings at Onyebuchi, but the  fez-hatted man - despite not quiet being mentally in the battle yet -  steps aside with an instinctive defense that not even Khair's yell could  account.

 R1T3:  Onyebuchi, does a quick jab that splatters the remainder of the goop.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T28:  Alahazra moves over to the stairs, readying to aid Zaihi.   "Come here, girl."  
 R2T22:   Khair , enemies are down. Roll a Will save. What do you do?

Zaihi on deck, Trevorn in the hole ...
bcool999
 Khair 
 
 Spoiler: Will Save 
 (1d20+10)[ 23 ] 
 


Seeing no further enemies, Khair dismisses his scimitar and moves over to Zaihi and attempts to stem her bleeding.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Free Action: Drop Scimitar
Move Action: move 4 squares West and 2 squares south. Should be adjacent to Zaihi.
Standard: Heal check to stem bleed damage.
Heal:  (1d20+8)[ 27 ] 
 
lostsole31
With an incredible amount of divine inspiration, it seems, Khair is able to stop the bleeding.

 Combat Over! 
bcool999
 Khair 

Checking to ensure the bleeding has really stopped, Khair smiles at Zaihi and says,   ”There you go. The wound should mend. Let me know if it continues to be a bother.”  

Returning his view to the room Khair says,   “I suppose we should continue our examination of the room. Though I am curious what those bottled creatures even were.”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Resume quick search.
 
lostsole31
The party continues its quick search of the room, with Khair more focused on the parchment, and Zaihi and Trevorn fascinated by the mold.

A sheaf of paperwork on the eastern table flanking the basalt block contains several alchemical formulae of great value to an alchemist. These include instructions covering the construction of   restorative ointment  and  marvelous pigments , making the papers worth a significant amount to the right buyer.

Zaihi heads out of the room after her study of the mold, and starts walking back up the stairs rather than forming up to continue on down in this level.
bcool999
 Khair 

Confused by Zaihi’s behavior, Khair calls out,   ”Zaihi where are you off to? Is anything the matter?”  
lostsole31
Zaihi mutters something about the garden before she is out of sight.
bcool999
 Khair 

Still confused at Zaihi’s non-answer, Khair looks to the others assembled and asks,   ”Does Zaihi’s behavior seem odd to anyone else?”  
lostsole31
  "Could be the fumes in here are too much from the mold?"   offers Alahazra.

  "She is just a slave,"   says Alain,   "and maybe weird mushroom monsters are too much for her?"  
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Slave or no she is our companion and sister in arms Alain.”   Khair says crisply before continuing,   “I will go check up on her.”  

With waves of Akashic energy under his feet, Khair moves to catch up to the oddly acting Zaihi.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Hustle to follow and catch up to Zaihi.
 
lostsole31
He catches up to her easily enough. Does he follow along to see where she goes? Does he try to stop her? What does he do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair follows Zaihi, curious about her behavior, but not yet ready to step in and stop her.
lostsole31
They get to the top of the stairs, then make their way out of the barracks. From there, she heads south down the wide passage and then turns east, going through a narrow access to the main arcade beyond. She continues along the southern cloister then face north to the overgrown courtyard. Huge branches and overgrown weeds clog the central open air courtyard of the monastery’s cloister walk. In better times, the monastic priests would have contemplated the open space while circling the cloister, but today it is barely possible to see a few feet into the tangled mess, let alone all the way to the opposite cloister walk. Here and there the brush thins out enough that a dedicated explorer might be able to create a sort of passage, but mostly it is an impassable mess.

Zaihi starts to clamber into the courtyard. Do you continue to follow?
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing Zaihi attempt to climb into the bramble, Khair speaks up,   Zaihi wait! Explain what you are doing! Who knows what manner of beast or vermin resides in that snarl. Why charge headlong into it alone?”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If Ignored Khair may need to resort to force to stop Zaihi.
 
lostsole31
  "Gotta dig, gotta find it,"   she says, turning back to try to get into the courtyard ....
bcool999
 Khair 

Confused by Zaihi’s words, Khair addresses her,   ”Zaihi dig for what? Stop climbing and explain what is going on please.”  

Khair attempts to pull Zaihi away from the courtyard until he gets a coherent answer.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Might need to use force here so will roll a CMB check here to… grapple I suppose? If Zaihi doesn’t stop at Khair’s words.

Grapple:  (1d20+6)[ 17 ] 
 
lostsole31
As soon as Khair touches Zaihi, there is some type of .... force? intelligence? ... that attempts to jump to Khair.

Khair, do you resist that force? Assuming you do, roll a Will save.
bcool999
 Khair 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will Save:  (1d20+10)[ 15 ] 
 
lostsole31
Something now seems to flood into Khair's instincts more than his mind, and he gets the impression that he should dig in a certain spot under the thicket in the cloister courtyard. Khair can choose to ignore this, but he has this strong feeling that doesn't go away just because he refuses, but is constantly with him like an incessant buzzing or itch.

 Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Clenching his teeth against the sudden urge, Khair is only slightly relieved when he finds he can ignore the command somewhat. Focusing to push the itching instinct to the back of his mind, Khair checks on Zaihi.

  ”Zaihi are you okay now?”   Khair asks, eyes unconsciously darting towards the interior of the courtyard before he wrenches them back on Zaihi,   “When did this sudden urge begin?”  
lostsole31
She shakes her head and blinks and says,   "In the mold room, below."  
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”If you would Zaihi,”   Khair begins,   ”Assuming you are well enough, can you go request the others to meet here. I know not what the cause of this compulsion is, but if there is a threat present we should cleanse it before we declare this place safe.”  
lostsole31
She does so, and everyone assembles a few minutes later by Khair.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair explains the situation as best he can. The slime mold compulsion and the transfer from Zaihi to himself.   ”So I thought it best to gather everyone here to determine how we deal with this possible pit fall in the courtyard.”   Khair says as his conclusion,   “Does anyone have any advice or insights into this oddity?”  
lostsole31
  "Let us uncover the sand to see what the sun reveals,"   says Alahazra.

  "Yes, but let us do so ...  carefully ,"   agrees Onyebuchi.
bcool999
 Khair 

Nodding to his companions, Khair cautions,   ”Very well. We will proceed slowly. Keep your eyes sharp and ears pricked for any danger.”  

Finally giving into the itch, Khair begins to advance into the courtyard letting the strange compulsion guide him.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Begin advancing into the courtyard.
 
lostsole31
The party will have to carve a way into the courtyard so as not to scramble through underbrush, in the center of the garden, Khair is given a deep sense to dig.

Of course, nobody has a shovel.

What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Upon reaching the spot and realizing no one has a digging implement, Khair resigns himself to begin hand digging the hole. Kneeling in the dirt to begin the task, Khair prays,   Blessed Serenrae, let my goal require only a shallow hole.”  

Khair then begins the laborious task of hand digging in the courtyard.
lostsole31
Onyebuchi and Zaihi assist ... but Alahazra, Alain, and Trevorn do not.

After a bit, there is something there, and now Khair gets into a frenzy he can't stop while Onyebuchi and Zaihi back away from the frothing paladin.

Khair uncovers a beautiful but ancient scimitar, removing the dirt from around it.

What does he do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Confused, Khair examines the blade. Why would this ancient blade be the object of this strange compulsion? Curious, Khair unsheathes the scimitar to see if the ages spent buried has ruined the metal.
lostsole31
As Khair draws the scimitar, a patchy, uneven growth of mold appears on his weapon hand up to his elbow, and he has a flash of insight that is a sense - not a word in any language, per se, but in all languages Khair knows -  that translates to  Tempest .
bcool999
 Khair 
  "Hmm..."   Khair mutters has he looks at the mold on his arm in disgust,   "I am not if the force that guided us to this blade is good or fell, but the blade itself is named  Tempest . Now the only question is what to do about the blade."  

Sheathing  Tempest  Khair scowls as he attempts to brush the mold off of his arm and hand.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Does Khair still feel any unusual urges or compulsions?
 
lostsole31
Khair feels a connection to the sword, but not to a point of being controlled, compelled, or even guided.
bcool999
 Khair 

Feeling the curious connection to the blade, Khair decides to strap it to his belt opposite his current Scimitar.   ”If no one objects, I shall hold onto  Tempest  for now. At least until we can obtain a proper appraisal of the blade.”   Khair says looking towards the rest of the party for input before continuing,   “Now that we have this strangeness sorted, shall we continue exploring the basement?”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Ready to return back to the Alchemy lab downstairs I believe.
 
lostsole31
The party returns to the underground section.  A 10'-wide passage extends 15' to the north from the lab, leading to a door. A check of the door doesn't reveal any dangers, but the door is locked.

What do you do/ recommend?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Hmm, I don’t recall seeing any keys on the way here…”   Khair muses aloud before speaking up to the others,   “So either someone picks the lock, we try to break it down, or we barricade the door and content ourselves that at least the upstairs is pest free.”  

Looking around the group, Khair asks,   “So is anyone handy with some lockpicks?”  
lostsole31
Nobody offers up having any skill, to the point of Alain even snorting that he should ever have been asked.
lostsole31
  "If it pleases you, Knight al'Mohya,"   says Zaihi.   "Perhaps the blast of force I recently discovered in battle with the gremlins of misfortune may help, if you don't mind the door being destroyed?"  
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”By all means, Zaihi.”   Khair says while clearing a path to the door,   “Caution everyone. Whatever lies ahead may not appreciate our knocking.”  

Khair takes his own advice. Summoning to hand his signature brass scimitar veil.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Khair will give Zaihi clean LoS to the door but stay adjacent to her. Summon Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar to hand in case of enemies on the other side.
 
lostsole31
It takes 5 shots from Zaihi's strange force attack before the solid door is destroyed, revealing a long, wide passage beyond.
bcool999
 Khair 

Leading the way, Khair cautiously stepped through the doorway into the hallway beyond.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move 15ft beyond the door so the party can all be in the new area.
 
lostsole31
Moving an additional 5' even beyond that (so 20' move) ... The monastery’s undercrypt is a series of ten-foot-wide rough-hewn passages dug in a double-cross formation. The main thoroughfare runs north to south, with two similar east-west passages crossing the main hall about fifty feet apart. An eerie silence pervades the cool subterranean funerary network, which must contain the bodies of scores—if not hundreds—of honored worshipers of Sarenrae in shallow niches carved into the walls of the east-west passages. Many of these skeletal remains have been roughly tossed from their niches, and countless bones and skulls line the floor.
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing the state of the crypt, Khair sighs at the bones of the faithful strewn across the floor. Grasping his holy symbol, Khair prays,   ”Merciful Sarenrae, please reassure your fallen faithful. Their mortal remains shall be returned to peaceful rest. And the perpetrator of this disrespect, if found, shall be shown the error of their ways.”  

Turning to his companions, Khair entreats,   ”Please be mindful of the remains as we proceed. Once we ensure the grounds are clear, I believe my first order of business will be seeing to these remains. Now let us proceed.”  

Turning to the right. Khair proceeds slowly down the corridor. Watching his footing to avoid stepping on bones.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Proceed down the East Corridor. Moving half speed until something is perceived or another choice needs making.
 
lostsole31
20' down on the east, there are two spurs - one each to north and south - that each extend 15'.  Another 15' east, and another N-S set, but this time they each extend 25'.  Another 15' east, and another pair of N-S extending, but only 15' again. The corridor ends at a curved wall.
bcool999
 Khair 

Not seeing much of note, Khair turns back to the crossroad and proceeds down the opposite West corridor.
lostsole31
The west is symmetrical to the east. There is a jumble of bones at the end of this corridor.
bcool999
 Khair 

Saying a quick prayer for the owner(s) of the bones in the pile, Khair briefly checks that the remains aren’t being nested in.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Perception vs the Bone Pile with a +8 Modifier.
 
lostsole31
Buried under a jumble of bones at the end of this passage is a small teak box emblazoned with the holy symbol of Sarenrae. The box contains a wooden holy symbol of Sarenrae suspended from a silver chain. Onyebuchi casts a spell and determines that the symbol has a faint aura of abjuration. Armed with that information, Alahazra and Zaihi confer and determine that the symbol is a fully charged   brooch of shielding  .
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”While not magically enchanted, my own symbol to Sarenrae still serves me fine.”   Khair says to the group,   ”Let us proceed deeper into the crypt.”  

Once the Symbol is claimed and the party is ready to proceed. Khair returns to the crossroad and proceeds north.
lostsole31
The party travels north for 60' before reaching another cross hallway.
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing nothing of note at this crossroad, Khair turns East to explore that direction.   ”Hmm looks like the crypt repeats the same layout after a span. Try not to let the repetition dull your senses.”   Khair shares his suspicions with the group.
lostsole31
Just as before .... short passages, long passages, short passages, passageway end at the east with a corpse of a man in yellowing leather armor—clearly not a member of the monastic community—lies at the end of this passage. He wears a suit of masterwork leather armor and bears a masterwork dagger.
lostsole31
Khair, do you want to leave the armor on the body, or take it? The dagger will be put into party treasure.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”I am not sure if the man was a thief looking to rob the dead or a distant relative looking to reclaim the remains of a loved one.”   Khair says,   “Either way, I would rather leave the corpse with some dignity in death by not stripping it bare. I will return later to perform last rites once we make this place safe.“  

With that, Khair leaves the corpse and explores the far west corridor.
lostsole31
  "Does that mean to leave its dagger as well as its armor?"   asks Zaihi.
bcool999
 Khair 

Pausing at the question, Khair thinks a moment and replies,   ”It should be fine to take the dagger. What I meant was more about manhandling the body turning it this way and that to undo buckles and straps to fulfill our greed. The dagger alone should be sufficient for burial expenses.”  

With the matter hopefully settled, Khair readies to explore the rest of the crypt.   “We should be cautious, something caused that man’s death and considering how difficult the door proved, it could still remain here.”   Khair warns.
lostsole31
At what seems to the the northernmost intersection, do you follow north to the stairs, or to the west?
bcool999
 Khair 

Eyeing the stairs to the North, Khair nonetheless proceeds West to check for any lurking dangers.
lostsole31
The party heads to the west, and the symmetry of side passages is verified. A pile of skeletons bearing terrible broken bones lies at the terminus of the passage to the far west (and north).
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair looks curiously at the pile of broken boned skeletons.   ”Something with either great strength or great determination broke all these bones. I’m curious as to why.”   Khair wonders aloud.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Knowledge checks to know what might have caused the broken bones Khair sees.
 
lostsole31
The damage is too extensive and there is nothing telling about the broken bones to help answer the question of manner of death.  In fact, it seems most of these breaks were post-mortem.

The party searches through the bones and find a masterwork mace clutched in the bony grip of a skeleton, and it is taken and put in party treasure.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Let us proceed to the stairs then”   Khair says once the mace is safely stowed. He leads the way back to the crossing and proceeds North toward the stairs leading deeper into the crypt.
lostsole31
The stairs only lead up a couple feet where there is a bas relief of Sarenite-related iconography.

What now?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair is visibly surprised at the end of the crypt.   ”All the bones disturbed, the explorer we found dead, and nothing found to explain it all?”   Khair asks bewildered,   “Unless the explorer was the cause, lost down in the dark until death.”  

Khair will examine the Iconography and say a quick prayer to Sarenrae.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Perception and religion rolls on the iconography
+8 and +6 respectively.
 
lostsole31
Khair sees nothing special about the shrine.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Unless I am forgetting another nook or cranny that we haven’t explored, I believe that is the basement cleared.”   Khair looks to the others beside him and asks,   “Is there anywhere up top we should check or should we contact Princess Almah?”  
lostsole31
None of the rest of the party can think of anything that might have been forgotten.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Let us return to camp.”   Khair says before leading the way back to camp.
lostsole31
Confident of their success in clearing the old Sarenite monastery, Trevorn dismisses Cheeky bud ... he and Alain collect their friends (and lance) and return to camp to give Almah a full report.
  
"Well done, everyone. We will move everyone into the Old Monastery tomorrow. I will need your party to walk me through what we see, and all hands will be put to work removing any of those bodies you left behind while I decide where to situate everyone to balance defense with livability.  Will there be anything else?"  
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”No princess,”   Khair says with a salute,   “It will take many hands and hours to restore this monastery to even a shadow of its former glory, but for a temporary shelter it will do well enough.”  
lostsole31
That evening, Alain will put Donahan (his horse) through its paces while Khair will show the others defensive techniques he learned from the Sarenite dervishes for minimizing the effects of magefire and other broad area effects.

 
 
  Sunday, 28 Gozran 4709 AR 
 70/ 50 F. Winds N 20 mph. Low humidity.   

The next morning, Almah will not move the camp into the monastery yet, though there are discussions with Khair's group on the internal layout they remembered. The caravan priest gives a service in the morning, and for those that don't have chores or duties, folks are on their own to do as they please.

Khair, do you do anything special today?
lostsole31
Trevorn works with Cheeky Bud privately, just as Alain does with Donahan. Onyebuchi meditates. As a slave, Zaihi has chores.

Alahazra takes Khair, and leads him with her around the camp (but also relying on his undamaged eyes) to interact with the various peoples of camp, to get them to speak of spiritual ills and to counsel them when warranted.


 

    Moonday, 19 Gozran 4709 AR (Waning Crescent) 
70 / 55 F. Winds WNW 5 mph.   
 Khair , today is "move-in day" for the encampment to the old monastery. Do you change anything about your setup?
bcool999
 Khair 

Offering his morning prayers to his goddess, Khair is ready to face the challenges of the day.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sorry for the radio silence. Had a furnace problem recently that got fixed today.

No setup changes.
 
lostsole31
 Results of Moving Day ... 

Almah’s mercenaries claim the chapter house ( A10 ) as their personal domain, grumbling that Father Zastoran and the guards have already taken all of the good rooms with reliable roofs.

After Almah’s party inhabits the monastery, Dashki immediately claims the Shrine to Vardishal ( A12 ) as his private domain.

Despite the smell, the library ( A14 ) is the largest intact room in the monastery, a fact that does not escape Almah’s attention. The merchant princess immediately claims the library as her own and moves in with Garavel and her guards. One guard stands outside her door at all times, while another patrols the balcony, bow in hand, keeping a watch over the room.

Almah’s guards claim the Deanery ( A15 ) great deal of authority, trying to position themselves as closely to their charge as possible. With her own safety at stake, Almah orders PCs interested in staying in this room to find somewhere else.

The camel driver and his wife take up residence in the kitchen ( A16 ), doing their best to provide tasty provender to the merchant princess and the other members of the group.

Father Zastoran transplants his impressive potion collection to the laboratory underground ( A19 ), intrigued by the glass apparatus and alchemical implements discovered there.

 PC Group Possibilities ... 
 A17 (Mess Hall):   If the PCs do not wrangle for a specific room in the monastery once Almah’s party moves in, this is one likely area for them to camp. The partially collapsed ceiling means more exposure than they might prefer, but no one else claims the chamber, leaving it to the PCs if they want it.

 A18 (Dormitory):   With a sturdy roof and a central location, the dormitory makes an ideal temporary home for the PCs. Garavel even goes so far as to recommend that they take this room, partly because he wants to keep them close for protection and partly because he doesn’t yet fully trust them and wants them within eyesight of Almah’s guards.

Which of the two sites does Khair want to take for the party?
bcool999
 Khair 

Agreeing with Garavel’s recommendation, Khair claims the dormitory for the party. After settling his belongings, Khair looks for stabling for Platinum with the other caravan animals.
lostsole31
  
 
 

Today is totally dedicated to the move-in and setting up things as needed. Almah mentions that tomorrow after personal preps, she will give a briefing on what is expected.

Do you do anything special today, or just general things for yourself moving in (mount included)?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair focuses his energy on moving in, stabling and grooming Platinum, and then dedicates the rest of his day to helping return the bones in the undercroft to their rightful place rather than strewn across the floor.
lostsole31
Brushing and bluing Platinum is actually a great meditative exercise for Khair. Alain takes out Donahan for an extended period to put his steed through its paces before returning as Khair is just finishing up with Platinum.

Nobody wants to mess with any bones, so it is a dark and lonely job for Khair, and that takes him the rest of the day for not only the base task, but also the necessary Sarenite invocations.

That evening, Almah mentions that there will be a meeting next morning, and everyone is expected to be ready to travel on their next mission.

 
  
 Toilday, 20 Gozran 4709 AR (Waning Crescent)
 70/ 50 F. Moderate rain (3/4"). Winds WNW 15 mph. Dry.  

The next morning, knowing that you are to go out (and rumored an extended trip), do you change anything on your setup?
bcool999
 Khair 

Making only minute adjustments for travel, Khair prepares Platinum for the journey.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Only change is to Ready Defensive Step in place of Scything Strike for maneuvers readied.
 
lostsole31
Almah convenes her entire party in the monastery chapel and sets out her plan. Now that everyone has settled into their new accommodations, the PCs are to make a scouting mission into the outskirts of the village in an attempt to gauge the forces defending Kelmarane. She warns them not to attempt to fight their way to the battle market, where she presumes the gnoll tribe has set up shop, as preliminary intelligence suggests that the forces there are sufficient to overwhelm the PCs in the case of an all-out attack. Rather, Almah encourages guerilla strikes into the town, taking out its defenders a few at a time and exploring the ruined buildings on Kelmarane’s lower slopes. She is open to alternative plans from the PCs, but refuses any that involve the members of the Pactmaster Guard and doesn’t intend to waste her mercenaries lightly. They are, after all, her only hope should the PCs fail. She places a rotating shift of guards (and PCs if they’re interested) at area  A3d  to keep a constant watch on Kelmarane. As the PCs set out for their first scouting mission, they pass the guards, who have piled the soiled mattresses from area  15  in the nave and set the odious things on fire.
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair sets out with the group to Kelmarane. A prayer on his lips for good fortune in the coming battles.
lostsole31
Kelmarane is around a mile north of the Old Monastery, past the pesh fields. How close do you get? What is the plan?
bcool999
 Khair 

Beginning the trek with the rest of the party, Khair asks,   ”So a scouting mission.”   Khair muses aloud,   “I will admit to being a bit out of my depth. I was trained for more direct engagements than this. Would anyone else have any suggestions?”  
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Without any suggestions from the party, Khair would go until he can spot outlying buildings and reassess from there. But Khair would ask the party for possible expertise.
 
lostsole31
Trevorn pipes up,   "I'm a hunter, I was actually raised in the Uwaga Highlands. I say we take a wide circuit around the town to understand the terrain surrounding Kelmarane. If we enter Kelmarane and sent running, we need to know where defensible areas are so we're not caught in the open and then run down."  
bcool999
 Khair 

With the plan proposed by Trevorn sounding reasonable, Khair nods and says,   ”Sounds like a good place to start, if a lot of walking. It should go without saying but keep an eye out for any patrols. They are both a danger and an opportunity to thin enemy numbers.”  

Khair readies himself for a circuit around Kelmarane.
lostsole31
Remembering that Kelmarane is about a mile north of the Old Monastery, it is only about 1500' north from the latter that your get to the pesh fields.

What direction do you wish to take from here, and for how long?
bcool999
 Khair 

Deferring to others expertise in a field he has little experience in, Khair calls out to Trevorn,   ”Trevorn, take the lead in this scouting mission. I leave it in your capable hands how close to approach Kelmarane and from which direction.”  
lostsole31
With Kelmarane visible in the distance, Trevorn guides the group east, and they meet and skirt along a waterway. To the southeast is the trade route. To the north from the river are mountains with what looks like some type of ruin or fort.
bcool999
 Khair 

Looking at the waterway and ruins in the distance, Khair muses,   ”If we all had a method to quickly cross the waterway we could harass Kelmarane’s forces from this direction. Fleeing across the water and using the ruins as a fallback point. Probably not the most feasible plan but something to consider.”  

Observations noted, Khair continues to follow Trevorn.
lostsole31
Trevorn looks to Khair.   "The river is wide, but slow-moving and shallow and should be easy to ford at many points. Should I guide us across and we reconnoiter the ruins to see if it will make a good observation post?"  
bcool999
 Khair 

Nodding to Trevorn, Khair concurs,   ”Let’s do that. Should we need to retreat it wouldn’t be right to flee to the monastery and expose them to attacks from the town.”  
lostsole31
Trevorn leads the party east to get to the safest place to ford, and then across the ford itself. Upon fording the river and then heading back just a little to the WNW, the ruined shrine is spotted in the distance. The party discusses amongst itself what they might have heard of this place.

Here is what is believed about the possible site:
 
  Shrine of Magic : Hundreds of years ago reclusive priests of Nethys, the god of magic, built a monastery in the nearby hills where they could study forgotten and dangerous magics. The shrine has been abandoned and ruined for centuries. (Alahazra, assisted by Khair and Trevorn) 
  Holy Smoke : The Refuge of the All-Seeing Eye, as it was known, was built in a place where the breath of Nethys was said to seep from the ground, inspiring all who drew near with visions from the god of magic. (Alahazra, assisted by Khair and Trevorn) 
  Double-Bladed Magic : Aside from properties of the strange smoke, the Refuge of the All-Seeing Eye was built in a remote location so the priests of Nethys could study the dualistic nature of magic. The upper floor of the monastery was devoted to magic’s protective and creative aspects, while a hidden lower floor protected secrets of destructive magic. 
 

What now?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Hmm,”   Khair muses about the rumors shrouding this ruined shrine,   “This former shrine to Nethys could be a good observation post, though rumors of holy vapors that can induce visions make me wary. We would need to take a closer look to be certain. Shall we?”  

If there are no objections, Khair leads the party to reconnoiter the ruined shrine.
lostsole31
The party gets up to the front of the shrine from the southwest. Harsh winds whisper through the badlands, their cruel touch withering all but the hardiest of desert life. Dust and bits of debris dance across the ground, carried by the scorching breezes. Ahead, the ruins of ancient walls sprawl along the eroded bed of a long-dried wash. Two towering statues rise from the scree, their features sand-blasted into anonymity.

Crumbling after centuries of neglect, the ancient monastery’s walls loom 20 feet high. Elaborate friezes once covered the battered limestone, but scouring winds have destroyed many of the ancient carvings.

West of the temple, mostly buried ruins sprawl for hundreds of yards, mute testimonies to what once must have been impressive structures.
bcool999
 Khair 

Examining the ruins for signs of life, Khair takes the lead now that they have arrived at the shrine.   ”I’ll take point inside. The surroundings appear clear at the moment, but then again, so did the monastery when we entered.”   Khair warns,   “If there are any preparations you wish to make before we enter, do so and we shall proceed.”  

Giving his allies a few moments to ready themselves, Khair leads the way into the shrine.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Khair proceeds East for 25 feet.
 
lostsole31
He passes a very inlet to the south (Trevorn is next to it now) and almost to the entrance proper.
bcool999
 Khair 

With some wariness, Khair steps up to the entrance proper to examine what lies within.
lostsole31
He steps up to the entrance (but not within). [See Maps.]
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing nothing in the immediate entryway, Khair enters and begins to examine the room.
lostsole31
Beyond the outer ruins, a wide doorway leads into a forest of stone pillars: the roofless, colonnaded hall of a temple interior.
lostsole31
With Alahandra's guidance, the party makes a quick search of this antechamber, but find nothing of interest - financially or scholarly.

What now?
bcool999
 Khair 

With nothing of note in the antechamber, Khair motions his companions onward and leads the way deeper into the seemingly abandoned shrine.
lostsole31
The breeze here carries a pungent stench of decay. Two rectangular depressions run across the pillared hall’s rubble-strewn floor, perhaps once filled with water, but now choked with thorny desert weeds.

What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Frowning at the scent of decay, Khair calls on a blessing of his goddess to warn him of unliving beings. He then leads the party past the weed choked former pools and deeper into the shrine.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Activate and concentrate on Detect Undead before moving forward. Cone will be angled toward the direction of travel (Currently map north)

Proceed past the room if nothing pings/ambushes.
 
lostsole31
Cheeky Bud is sent back to guard the horse.  Khair continues through the  colonnaded room and into what appears to be more of a antechamber of  some sort before moving farther north to another chamber. A sense of  restrained power permeates the dusty air of this dimly lit sanctuary,  the only roofed portion of the ruin. On the walls, carvings celebrate a  radiant figure. At his mighty command, legions of elementals build  entire cities, raging seas calm, and enemies are brought to accord.

 Surprise Round ...

S22:    "Onyebuchi, above you!"   Zaihi screams out as the report of her force blast is heard, striking into a large, squelching mass of flesh.

 S3:  Onyebuchi cries out in pain.

 Begin Round One ...

R1T26:   Alahazra moves around in this first chamber, but not the way you came,  until she senses something. She casts a spell, and there is a loud,  discordant series of screeching noises heard above and to the south.   "There's a  massive  spider above the pillars where there is no roof. Everyone north if you can under cover of the roof there to the north!"  
 R1T23:   Khair ,  your concentration is ruined by the sudden shriek of pain and  Alahazra's warning. You can't quite see what she could from her angle.  What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Unable to see the threat, Khair heeds his allies warnings. Dashing under roof cover while summoning his scimitar of flames. Moving aside to allow others entrance, Khair quickly scans the room for threats mindful of the ceiling and any further spiders.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: move 15 feet going North, North, then East. Summoning Efreeti’s Brass Scimitar from the veil.

Standard Action: Make a perception check of this new room searching for further threats. (+8 Perception Mod)

Swift Action: Scarlet Einhander Stance.
 
lostsole31
 R1T23:  Unable to see the threat, Khair heeds his allies  warnings. Dashing under  roof cover while summoning his scimitar of flames. Moving aside to  allow others entrance, Khair quickly scans the room for threats mindful  of the ceiling and any further spiders. Four falcon-headed statues guard  a chamber to the west. Between them, a broad flagstone cants up into  the air, a trapdoor no longer secret.

 R1T22:  Zaihi takes advantage of Alahazra's spell to rush into the room with Khair.

 R1T14:  A look of terror passes over Alain's face as he looks up and then hustles south towards the exit.

 R1T13:  Trevorn shouts,   "Cheeky Bud! Get help!"   and then he moves into the room with Khair and sees the trapdoor. He then heads to the trap door.   "In here! There's something heading down!"  
 R1T8:  Onyebuchi looks unsteady and says,   "I am poisoned! I am slain!"   before  he moves into the room with Khair, then to the west with Trevorn, and  falls down, overcome by a massive bite to his lower back.

 End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T26:  Alahazra rushes up to Onyebuchi and takes out a small vial.   "I have antitoxin here, but he has suffered a terrible wound."  
 R2T23:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Onyebuchi!”   Khair shouts in alarm as the man suddenly collapses from his wound. Khair casts aside his summoned blade and hurries over to Onyebuchi before attempting to render aid.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Free Action: Dismiss/ Drop summoned Scimitar.

Move Action: Move 1 Square South West, and 4 Squares West.

Standard Action: Provide First Aid on Onyebuchi.  (1d20+8)[ 11 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R2T23:    ”Onyebuchi!”   Khair shouts in alarm  as the man suddenly collapses from his wound. Khair casts aside his  summoned blade and hurries over to Onyebuchi before attempting to render  aid.

 R2T22:    "It was a massive spider, as big as a house!"   exclaims Zaihi as she comes into the room.

 R2T13:   Trevorn moves over to Khair. Something Khair hadn't noticed before now  appears - a pair of glowing wristlets. The wristlets makes his hands  glow as he touches Onyebuchi, providing him with 2 THP.

 R2T8:  Whether  from the fortification or his own monastic training, as Khair works on  Onyebuchi, he sees that the man stabilizes from the massive wound at his  lower back, but there is a poison running rampant through his system  right now, and now progresses from making Onyebuchi weakened to  impaired.

 R2T3:  A loud chittering outside, and  the sound of loud-but-muffled movement, and dust falls from the ceiling  informing you that the threat was above and out of sight this whole  time. It seems to move away, with Alain's voice shouting in the distance  and the sound of a whinnying horse.

 End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T26:  Alahazra feeds the antitoxin to Onyebuchi.   "Khair,  you know actual medicine. See if you can't help his body work with the  antitoxin to better resist whatever venom is in him."  
 R3T22:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Khair’s hands dives into his pack for his healing kit. Grabbing a vial of powder and carefully administering a dose to Onyebuchi, Khair carefully rolls the man onto his side to try and let what venom remains in the wound drain out.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move Action: Retrieve Healer Kit

Standard Action: Heal check vs Poison with Healer Kit use for the +2 bonus.

Heal:  (1d20+8)[ 16 ]  +2 from Healer’s kit.
 
lostsole31
 R3T23:  Khair’s hands dives into his pack for his  healing kit. Grabbing a vial  of powder and carefully administering a dose to Onyebuchi, Khair  carefully rolls the man onto his side to try and let what venom remains  in the wound drain out. It is a powerful poison, more powerful than  anything Khair has ever seen, and he is unsure if his efforts were  helpful.

 R3T22:  Zaihi delays.

 R3T13:  Trevorn delays.

 R3T8:  Whether from the antitoxin or Khair's efforts, Onyebuchi is valiantly fighting off the poison ...  but isn't done yet !

 End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T26:  Taking out a scroll and using the light on her staff, Alahazra intones words of healing that shift Onyebuchi from  impaired  one step better to  weakened , and the scroll turns to dust.   "He's still fighting, Khair. Keep up your efforts!"  
 R4T23:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Seeing Onyebuchi improve, Khair grabs another medicine from his kit and measures out a dose for his stricken ally.   ”Keep fighting Onyebuchi, just a bit more.”   Khair encourages as his eyes scan his patient for any indications that the treatment is effective.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Standard Action: Use another dose from Healer’s Kit for a +2 on this heal check vs poison.

Heal:  (1d20+8)[ 21 ]  +2 from Healer’s Kit
 
lostsole31
 R4T23:  Seeing Onyebuchi improve, Khair grabs another medicine from his kit and measures out a dose for his stricken ally.   ”Keep fighting Onyebuchi, just a bit more.”    Khair encourages as his eyes scan his patient for any indications that  the treatment is effective. This poison is brutal, and Khair doesn't  think he is helping much ...

 R4T8:  ... and that is shown when he relapses as the poison re-attacks his system and he is once again  Impaired !

 End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T26:   Alahazra now takes over the medical aspect, waiting for Khair to aid  her, and she takes materials from his healer's kit, readied for him to  provide aid to her. She direct Khair ... if he will take direction.

 R5T23:   Khair , what do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Worried that it is his inexperience getting in the way of Onyebuchi’s recovery, Khair readies himself to aid Alahazra’s treatment.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Heal Check to Aid another:  (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R5T23-22:  Worried that it is his inexperience getting  in the way of Onyebuchi’s  recovery, Khair readies himself to aid Alahazra’s treatment. And she  immediately uses his expert aid, but she isn't used to her and her  healing and the poison is powerful.

 R5T8:  The poison continues, and Onyebuchi is now  staggered !

 End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T23-22:   Khair , do you continue to render aid?
bcool999
 Khair 

Focusing on his task, Khair continues to assist.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Heal check Aid another:  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] 
 
lostsole31
 R6T23-22:  Focusing on his task, Khair continues to  assist. This time, his assistance and the healer's kit do a great job at  giving Onyebuchi's system a boost ...

 R6T8:  ...  but Onyebuchi's system fails to do its part, leaving him immobilized.  On the bright side, the spider's poison has finished its work.   Onyebuchi isn't dead, but he is comatose from his wounds and completely  immobilized from the poison.

 Initiative Ends! 
lostsole31
Alahazra looks in Khair's direction.   "He will live, but I must look over him up here. The desert winds have blown us into this room with this very obvious open trap door. Will you see below this place where we have been brought?"  
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”I will see to securing the area below,”   Khair says before raising the question,   “I believe Alain fled south towards his steed Donnovan… would you prefer to have Zaihi stay to stand guard while you watch over Onyebuchi?”  
lostsole31
  "If you think that is wise,"   says Alahazra,   "just recognize that leaves only you and Trevorn .... and Wahaj, for I recommend you bring your fiery friend forth when you descend below, thorny one."  

Trevorn nods.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Wise or no I am loathe to leave you to care for Onyebuchi alone.”   Khair says solemnly,   “Especially with that giant arachnid still nearby. Should the unexpected occur, having an extra set of hands could mean the difference. Likewise if Trevorn and myself get overwhelmed by whatever lies below, we shall try and fall back to this trapdoor where we can try and dig in.”  

That said Khair walks over and examines the trapdoor to plan their descent.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Okay so questions about the trapdoor and what lies below. What is the lighting situation like? Ladder or some sort of Stairwell? How far down can I see from the top and how cramped is it?
 
lostsole31
The stone slab reveals there was a hidden trap door here, and the slab is partly removed. It looks like it might take some muscle to move that slab. With light, Khair can't see enough beyond to tell what it is like past the partially obscured slab.
bcool999
 Khair 

Grabbing the edge of the partially removed slab, Khair attempts to slide or shift it away from the trapdoor to get a better look.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Strength check to move slab:  (1d20+2)[ 6 ] 
 
lostsole31
Khair nearly pulls a muscle on his lone attempt. Zaihi, with her thickened slave muscles, goes to help Khair, as does little Trevorn for what that's worth. Though in truth, it is more Khair and Trevorn helping Zaihi.  Though her helpers aren't doing a great job, Zaihi manages to muscle the slab to the side enough to see and for access beyond, revealing a shaft descending ~30' to a sloping rise to the east out of sight. Bas-relief sculptures of ancient gods cover the sides of the shaft, incidentally making for an easier climb than if shaft was smooth. At the base of the shaft lies a shattered stone slab, decorated with celestial eagles.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Thank you for the assistance Zaihi,”   Khair says while examining the shaft leading below.

Seeing as they have a climb ahead of them, Khair says,   “Hmm, I am not the strongest climber and I left my rope on Platinum back at the Monastery. Will just need to be careful then. Trevorn, when we begin the descent, have Wahaj fly down ahead and cover us from any potential ambushes that may have been set up. It doesn’t need to win if there is trouble, just distract long enough for us to make it down and join.”  

Looking at Zaihi, Alahazra, and the prone Onyebuchi, Khair says,   “Keep an eye out for trouble, and stay safe. May the Dawnflower’s grace be with us.”  

Should there be no further changes in their plan, Khair readies himself to climb, and waits for Trevorn’s fiery friend to take the lead.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Will give a minute for goodbyes and then begin the climb after Wahaj descends.

Attempt to take 10 on the climb for a 14.
If I am unable to take 10 in this instance or the first check fails without dropping me down the shaft,
Climb:  (1d20+4)[ 21 ] 
 
lostsole31
Trevorn seems embarrassed, which still makes him look adorable in his succulent way.   "That's a straight shaft. Wahaj can't fly that. He flies like any bird, not like a magic genie."  
bcool999
 Khair 

Nodding in understanding, Khair says,   ”Then we can only do our best. Follow when ready Trevorn.”  

Firming his determination, Khair begins his descent.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Fair enough on Wahaj, climb checks begin!

Taking 10 for 14 (Sans any modifiers such as if this shaft is narrow enough to brace against opposing walls)

Otherwise a roll if unable to take 10:  (1d20+4)[ 24 ] 
 
lostsole31
Khair starts out great, and even while being careful, Khair manages to make his way steadily down the 30' shaft, making it below. It was a challenging climb, but he made it.

Trevorn asks Zaihi to belay him, hands his rope to her, and then begins his descent. They have a lot harder time making a rope with a wall, but it is clear to Khair that Trevorn has no training in climbing, and takes a lot longer to get down an objectively easier descent than did Khair, but they make it down. Once Trevorn and Khair make it past a brief set of stairs into a larger chamber, Trevorn calls forth Wahaj.

Ceramic lamps burning with cadaverous blue flame light this wide, high-ceiling chamber. To the southwest, a baboon-headed figure crouches menacingly. A stern-looking pharaoh stares across at it from the northeast. Carved folds of well-sculpted cloth enshroud the northwest statue, and in the southeast niche, the pharaoh is again depicted, his face scarred and twisted with anger. Three arches lead from the chamber, the fragments of shattered doors dangling on ancient hinges.
bcool999
 Khair 

Moving cautiously, Khair moves towards the Northern archway trying to stay in cover as much as he can. His head moving side to side to try and see as much of the surroundings as possible.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move toward Northern Archway. Try to not expose myself before peeking around.
 
lostsole31
Seeing Khair moving stealthily ... and that means that Khair likely doused his flaming scimitar ... Trevorn doesn't move forward.

 Khair , you are at the north, the one place that doesn't have an archway. You look around and don't see anything hidden. What do you do?
bcool999
 Khair 

Continuing his circuit around the edges of the room, Khair moves to the West archway.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Oops. I’d read 3 archways leading from the room as other archways besides where we entered from. Let’s check out that next archway then.
 
lostsole31
The western archway only goes in 5' before the only continuance is a very narrow (2-1/2' wide) passage heading south from it. It looks like it would be quite a squeeze attempt to navigate.
bcool999
 Khair 

Saving the tight squeeze for later, Khair continues moving around the chamber to the south archway.
lostsole31
Trevorn and Wahaj fall in behind Khair on this last arch.  The arch is 10' wide and a passage extends 10' south of it before narrowing to about 5' wide and heading east.

What now?
bcool999
 Khair 

Summoning his blade of fire once more, Khair glances back at Trevorn. Giving the cactus person a nod, Khair leads the way down the passage eyes wary of trap and ambush.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Proceed down the passage beyond the south archway slow enough to make perception checks.
 
lostsole31
Khair moves 10' south, 15' east, and then 10' along a 7'-wide passage to a chamber. A foul, metallic miasma assails the nostrils here. This vast chamber is clearly some sort of ominous worship hall. Frescos upon the walls and dozens of columns depict the terrifying power of magic, as radiant figures destroy entire worlds. Massive pillars support the chamber’s lofty ceiling, each covered with complex glyphs and designs. Between each column, glass lamps hang from chains of green copper, radiating pallid, bluish lights that pulse and flicker in unison. At the room’s southern end, the temple’s alabaster altar gleams in the erratic blue light, its pedestal carved in the shape of winged, scale-covered bulls.
bcool999
 Khair 
  ”Carefully now,”   Khair whispers to his companion,   “Many places to hide in here.”  

Moving East, Khair peers down the rows of columns looking for possible enemies.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move 15 feet east peering down the rows of columns to the south for creatures.
 
lostsole31
Trevorn holds, waiting for direction....
bcool999
 Khair 

Perhaps overly cautious, Khair moves west to check down the other rows of columns.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Moving West 35 ft which should give Khair a glance down the columns.
 
lostsole31
Nothing seen by Khair...