(S13) War and Treachery

The ogres quickly scaled the Abbey and viciously attacked Pine and Idris. Idris, his angelic wings still present, took to the sky. He harried the creatures and distracted them while Pine leaned on his tabaxi reflexes and quickly climbed off the Abbey. He chose an excellent time, as a few seconds later the abbey's roof partially collapsed, three ogres being far far too heavy for its weathered state. Pine continued fighting for his life, catching a breath when Zeleen Varmaster finally reached him and killed a nearby Orog.

Siax's arrows had slain many orcs but they finally reached him on his vantage point on the tower. Switching to his dual shortswords he killed two and jumped off the wall. Factoré used one of her gnomish devices which allowed him to gently drift downwards. Smiling at the success of it she didn't spot one charging orc who stuck her with a maul and pushed her unconscious body off the tower. She hit the ground with a wet thunk, seeming dead from the distance. Siax rushed to save her but orcs followed him, leaving him only able to protect her by placing himself between her mangled body and the tide of orcs.

Despite being struck by two javelins, he was able to fight and kill the orcs giving him enough time to apply first aid to Factore, barely alive at that point. Zenari enflamed by rage caused by her magic rushed forward, dodging the orcs axe and biting into its throat. Shortly after as she rose, covered in blood, she regained her composure. Shaking off what had happened she teleported up to the roof of the Abbey and read out from one of the scrolls recovered from Thundertree. It burned up but not before a massive lance of energy disintegrated an Orog and struck down an Ogre. She then spotted the crumpled form of Idris who had been swatted out of the air from one of the ogres but not before slaying one of the creatures. Rushing over she healed him. Finally Koraliki Verque had been providing invaluable support fire from a nearby copse but was forced to flee as the one remaining ogre spotted her and charged towards her. Before it was able to reach her a glowing light from the top of the Abbey shot out and killed it. Pine stood on the Abbey, his holy symbol still glowing.

All was still and around them lay the dead orcs, their numbers over thirty. The abbey was, once again, bereft of it's occupants.

The Shrine of Savras

Approaching the shrine of Savras Idris had a vision. The seer-priests of the Shrine knew the nearby town of Conyberry would be attacked but instead of hiding they evacuated the citizens to the temple. Unfortunately someone betrayed them and the barbarians found the temple and slaughtered everyone. However try as they might they could not find the treasure of the townsfolk as the priests had it melted down and crafted into a bell, the very same that now lay in the abbey. Painted bronze it had been ignored by the abbeys denizens since it had become a ruin. Pine repaired the bronze covering and the bell was left hanging in the belfry.

As Idris walked away from the shrine, a tile in the floor opened revealing a small alcove. Within it lay an exquisite shortsword carved with the runes of Savras that could warn someone of approaching danger. After some deliberation Koraliki Verque took the blade. Beside it lay a gigantic diamond that was taken by Pine for usage in clerical spells and some gold that was taken by everyone. Finally, there was a box made of an odd silvery material and inside of it, wrapped in silk was an odd dagger, at first seeming shattered but after close inspection seemingly forged that way. There was an odd mark on it's handle that looked like a labyrinth with no entrance or end. Idris kept a hold of it, sheathing it next to his Adamiron sword.

March 7th, 2023 March 13th, 2023

Treachery

Marching as fast as they could the party was unable to reach the Mountain's Toe Gold Mine in the same day and were forced to camp for the night. Battered and bruised they set watches and fell asleep. Alas, while Koraliki Verques senses were keen, Zeleen Varmaster and Scabbers were supernaturally quiet. He had a knife around her throat and Zeleen monologue about how unfair it was that they were forcing her to do this. She explained that she had hoped they would die on their fight against the orcs as the clan had no plans on abandoning the gold mine to the miners.

Thankfully as this monologue occurred, Zenari was awoken by the spirit that was part of her, as their recent communion had left it aware and able to influence her. Subtly she weaved magic around the two would be assasins slowing down time around them. This gave her enough time to rise, yell and back away. Even slowed Zeleen acted almost immediately, lunging half way towards her, mouth open as if she intended to bite her head off. Siax struck the momentarily stunned Scabbers with two arrows but the small man shrugged them off. Laughing, the wounds healed almost instantly. These were no mere wild humans. No, in the moonlight their true nature's were revealed, that of wererats. Immune to any weapon that was not silvered they seemed confident at start but the party was relentless.

Finally Siax trapped a heavily injured Zeleen in a tangle of Vines. The leader of the wererats begged for mercy but Zenari set the vines on fire with a spell. The screams of the wererat made Scabbers explode in fury landing several bites on many of the party members before being slain. Now truly injured, the party took stock of their situation and decided they still had to rest. Siax however had one more thing to do as he headed towards Zeleens body, sword in hand...

March 7th, 2023 March 13th, 2023