The Storm in Isger

Game Master Sigil

When the work is done and the water flows a little better, Abbas shrugs to himself and lays a hand on the spout. He murmurs a few little words to help it get better some more.

"Don't worry little waterfall. You can be clean and happy now.

A head, the large open room looms. Narnel has already taken to the shadows to provide cover from whatever dangers may lurk here.

Abbas helps provide shadows for Narnel by advancing from the rear his staff of light up above like a highly held torch.

Bryndyn follows Abbas, his heavy mace ready.

Elinor is probably poking around ahead already.

As you enter the large room, these are the things that you notice, in order.
1. Trolls, wolves and goblins are foul creatures. This room is fouled with offal, bones and debris.
2. Within the the room there are 12 pillars.
3. There are cages to the side. Most are empty, but one holds a human male.
4. The room is a large circle and opposite of the way you came in is a doorway, as there is to the left and right. There were doors at one point but they have been broken down.
5. Atop the pillars mentioned in #2, there is a stone circle and resting on the top of the circle, and directly above each of the pillars is a statue.
6. The staues depict a beggar, thief, fisherman, hunter, shepherd, farmer, soldier, merchant, tailor, craftsman, artist, and a scholar.
7. The pillar beneath the soldier has been damaged recently and the stone circle sags under the weight of the statue above it. The statue now leans slightly backwards.
8. Under the refuse on the ground there is an inlaid mosaic of a large eye with a golden beam below it (flowing toward the doorway you came through) and wings above it. (To be clear, the beam is tile not actual light.)

bardic knowledge: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 (+another 5 if 'Kn:Local' is applicable).

Elinor is, of course, interested in the man and heads over towards him illuminating him with the light attached to her sword.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Bryndyn moves up to keep watch as Elinor moves to the man in the cell. As he moves, his eyes move to the fisherman, a whisp of what must be longing for the waters of home flashes on his face before he focuses on his surroundings again.

The massive half orc takes a turn around the circular room, checking out the dark doorways, seeing what might be lurking deeper within the shadows. He saw the man over there, but there was no reason to go and talk to him when others could. Best to just keep a lookout for more danger, or more goblins to kill while waiting for them to sort things out.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

religion: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Are the statues depicting Aroden?

The man in the cage is dressed in a long brown robe. His feet are bare and bloody as are his hands and head. The robe is dirty and leaves and brambles cling to it. His color is pale and he does not appear to be conscious.

Abbas is more than a bit nervous in this strange place. He stays behind Pluchak and wanders about to see what is around. The warrior tries not to touch anything.

Taedric says, "Should we see what the caged man knows? Clearly this room is significant, maybe he saw or heard something? "

Brydnyn nods at Taedric's suggestion.

I believe this was a holy site to Aroden. What do you know? Harlynne turns to the man questioning him.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

This is me being nice. I can make it so that every lie results in pain, be calm, and think about your answers.

Abbas shakes his head and comes closer, right next to the slim Harlynn. His eyes narrow as he tests the colour of this prisoner, fully expecting it to be nice and in need of help.

"I not want you hurt. But she made dogs with big teeth that ripped up lots of goblins. Just thought you would want to know."

Bryndyn looks at both Abbas and Harlynn, hoping his facial expression showed his concern that they were being a bit... harsh out of the gate...

"Lassie, first, he's unconscious and can't hear you. Second, he's a prisoner and needs our help. Abbas, Pluchak, can you get this cage open?"

Mind, if he turns out to be a faux-jedi, you can beat him to your heart's content.

Abbas gives Bryndyn a slow wink. And a grin. Then he tries to help Pluchak with the cage.

Strength check 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

The cage yields to Abbas. Working around the crude lock, the big man finds a weakness on the left side and bows the bares allowing egress.

Pluchak walks over when he's called to notice the door is already open. "You've been eating well lately, my friend."

Elinor steps into the now open cageand takes her helmet off to see if she can wake the man with a firm but gentle shake.

(Better he sees a handsome blond than a half-orc half-dragon as the first thing when he opens his eyes).

Elinor, heal check please.

On closer examination it is clear that this man has suffered horribly. There are bruises and dried blood on him and as Elinor tries to wake him, his robe falls open revealing seeping burns on his chest. He is missing hair from the side of his head, where it appears to have been yanked out.

Abbas gives a sharp intake of breath when the smell reaches his nose and Ellie reacts.

Taedric snarls, "Should have expected that. Goblins like inflicting pain."

Bryndyn growls at the torture inflicted on the man, but stays on guard while Elinor leads the team at the cage.

Yeah, right. I hurt things...

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 3

"He's going to be just fine. Probably passed out before they did any real harm."

Elinor is unable to help the man.

Abbas reaches forward and grabs his shoulder to shake him awake a little. Gentle at first the man whistles as well to help.

Lay on hands twice 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (2) = 4

Elinor is unable to help the man.

Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

At Abbas' touch the man's eyes flutter awake. As he does he raises his hands and arms defensively and pushes himself away from the heroes.

Elinor grips Abbas' upper arm for a moment and then crouches in front of the prisoner a warm smile on her lips.

"I'm afraid you're not safe yet. But you will be."

Getting his bearings, the man asks, How long was I here? He realizes the futility of what he asks immediately and follows with another question, How far am I from Haugin's Ear?

"Not too far to walk, but it's not a safe journey. Is it your home?"

Pushing himself up, he seems to realize for the first time what a beauty he is speaking with. His eyes dart down, and back up again, and a deep crimson stains his cheeks and ears as he realizes he was significantly less than subtle. Armor as it turns out is not very revealing though he now averts his eyes, and says, I have a message for one Aidan Ayrvar and last I heard he was in Haugins Ear.

Almost as an afterthought he adds. Did you kill the 2 headed troll?

"What do you want with that grumpy old bastard?"

She pauses.

"Aidan, not the troll."

"No. I helped. Harlynn burnt it with fire. We just hit it a bit. It was not hard when she uses magic." Abbas points away and down towards the alabaster-skinned woman.

"Look Seneca can make you better. Much better. Then you can rest. You got name please? I am Abbas. This is Taedric and Ellie."

Narnel nods at the prison, then stares at Abbas.

...and I am Narnel...

Aidan steps forward, "I am he. What is the message?"

Harlynn glares on here arms crossed as if she is angry.

Bryndyn listens to the words exchanged as says nothing. He'll introduce himself later when thre is more time. The message for Aiden, it seems, must take precident.

The caged man tries to stand, hits his head on the cage and then, extricates himself through the hole Abbas made. He stands over 6 foot, but is very thin. LOoking directly at Aidan he begins making the oddest noise. A chirp, then a meow, then a chirp, a growl, a lower growl a whinney, a hoot, a hiss. All of these happen quickly and fluidly. And after a moment of listening, Aidan responds in kind! Back and forth they go, with the surreal exchange.

A few minutes later Aidan looks to his companions and says, Hisiv SpiderLegs came to summon me to meeting of the Ash Staffs. A monastery, Asmodean was set upon by a goblin army. The burning there is intense and my first duty is to stop the spread of that fire. Seneca, the monastery is of your faith, so come help me.

Hisiv looks at the group, and responding to the introductions says, I am Hisiv Monteb. I am in your debt.

Aidan looks impatient, given his new purpose, Seneca, give them the curing wand. They need it more than we do. While Seneca does not like being ordered around by the druid, the fact that he can heal lets him yield the wand.

Who is 'them'?

"I'm not sure whether you make more or less sense when you talk in common."

'Them' refers to the rest of you. Not Seneca, Hisiv or Aidan.

Abbas clasps the shoulder of Aidan and then Seneca. He points down, "you take the cat too? Churzan is good warrior, will help you lots. Will keep you safe."

The holy warrior helps Hislev down.

Taedric shakes his head, then sighs, "And I thought we faced long odds before.... It certainly takes some of the pleasure out of Pluchak's return."

"More glory for the rest of us and I can't say I'll miss the old misanthrope."

She strokes Tzurkhan.

"I will miss the brains of the outfit though."

"Safe travels to both of you" Bryndyn adds in his taciturn manner. He nods, then grins showing his rows of teeth.

Tzurkhan purrs deeply at Elinors touch. Aidan nods his head curtly and the weird lighting makes it look for a moment like he has a tear forming. Hisiv stretches. Seneca hands the wand to Harlynn. He gruffly tells the group, "Try to stay alive." Aidan assures the group that when the fire is over he will return. The shake hands with each of you. And then they are gone. Their footsteps fade and you are left to your selves.

Bryndyn looks around... "Is everyone ok to keep going?"