Heart of Gheddon

[Archmage1]

as will Bill, although he will hide, and try to keep out of sight of any attackers, and load his crossbow.

Spoiler

hide (1d20+18)[19]
move silently (1d20+18)[32]

[Tharione]

proceeding east takes you through most of the destroyed town takes you down alleys of destroyed and burning buildings. Past charred bodies, smoking craters, and mutilated fallen bodies.

The party arrives outside the source of the bell ringing, a stone church built into the very stone of the eastern mountain. Although the structure itself might be mistaken for a fortress with its two towers, and crenelated walls. What were once gardens surrounding the structure now form a trampled battlefield littered with bodies. A dozen charred gnome creatures charge across the terrain to meet with a volley of arrows fired from figures atop the churches walls. they vanish when pierced by the arrows.

the crowd from before runs through the churches open gates. a dozen or so figures stand guard outside the gate.

[Baxxie]

"It seems getting in might be tricky. If you have a plan, I could try escorting you in before joining the combat myself." he'd tell the group. "But if it really is surrounded by foes, getting in might not be an option."

[God Imperror]

I snap out of my sudden trance looking around and running after the others. For a moment my mind failed me. I hate when I forget what I am doing.

I look at the church and the gnomish figure assaulting.

-Well the door is open and there is a crowd entering, why not just... get into there? So many people, they might not notice us or perhaps they won't even care.

[Baxxie]

"If we are to, then we must run as fast as we can to meet the crowd rushing in." said Andrann.

[Archmage1]

"You know, it seems to me that the townsfolk have fortified themselves in there. No reason for them to shoot at us, as it is clear that we are not more of those things."

[bindin garoth]

"Hopefully they'll have some healing in there....."

[Tegannie]

"All the more reason for us to go in there, unless you want to use up our wands. Come on, let us catch up with the crowd."

Cassie heads toward the crowd heading to the church.

[Tharione]

As Cassie approaches the church those figures guarding its main entrance wave her through. there appear to be five of them, with a sixth tending an unconscious seventh sitting propped against the wall behind them.
Two dwarves in blood-soaked heavy armor with large two handed hammers, a man in a breastplate emblazoned with a golden holy symbol, an old human man in a blue robe, a young half elven woman in a plain brown robe, and a halfling with a lute slung over his back tending the wounds of an unconscious portly human man in padded armor.

one of the dwarves continues waving Cassie inside. "Quickly! Inside! Before they rain down on ye!"

[bindin garoth]

Axile, seeing them wave Cassie on, quickly follows her.

[Baxxie]

Andrann, as wary as always, sticks with the group - keeping his senses open for anything dangerous.

[Archmage1]

Bill also sticks with the group, stopping his attempts at stealth, and slowly stepping into the open. He also observes the welcoming committee.

Spoiler

perception(1d20+14)[34] also possibly has arcane sight still activated, as he activated it just before the fight with the magma fiend.

[Tegannie]

Cassie hurries inside, waiting just inside for her new companions. She takes a moment to look around, taking in the scene and looking for a healer who may be available.

Spoiler

Perception: (1d20+12)[29]

[Tharione]

Within the outer walls of the Church is a small courtyard, boasting a pond and a dozen statues of various past champions of the faith (the majority of which are now damaged to varying degrees). The church proper lies just beyond and two humans here herd you into that building.

From within the church proper resembles most places of worship. A long hall with a raised area, upon which rests an altar, at the far end. the ceiling is supported by pillared arches and is nearly forty feet high. Around eight feet up the walls are the remains of stained glass windows, smashed from without, the ironwork remains in place but the glass has gone. gray stone walls are all that can be seen through the once majestic windows. Above the altar lies an intact window depicting a nearly nude man, covered by a plain white cloth, kneeling with arms raised toward a sun. The glass sun shines brilliantly, illuminating the entire hall.

Nearly hundreds of people have gathered here, huddled among the benches in small groups. A few, better equipped looking, figures patrol the room. The majority of the people look exhausted and terrified but do not appear harmed.
and upon entering the church completely you realize why as your pain fades and your wounds slowly begin to heal. Glittering in golden light where visible.

[Baxxie]

"This is amazing!" Andrann commented upon entering the church, sounding almost excited for a moment. "... Yet tyrannical to me. Regardless, I will preparing for combat to come - solitarily, if you do not mind." he then added, returning to his stern and stoical tone. He'd then slowly walk away from a crowd, seeking a place where he can prepare his mind and his soul for battles to come.

Spoiler

My prepared maneuvers are added to the Spells & Powers section of my sheet, if I have time to... "prepare" them.

[God Imperror]

-Interesting

The healing seems so magical, I mean, there must be a source. I look over the statues trying to recognize the figures represented, what are those people praying to? They are not my familiar Seldarine, the gods of my people, but they are providing healing quite indiscriminately.

I look at Cassie glad that she made it and then look at the other men that came with us. With a wave of my hand I signal my agreement and a good bye to the knight when I look to the other two.

-Well I am Firia... I guess it was about time to introduce myself.

[Archmage1]

Odd. If the gods are willing to expend the power to heal these people, why not fight more directly? Or perhaps that is why this place is still clear of attackers

Looking around, Bill observes the desperation present in the eyes of many of the survivors huddles here in the church. As the elf introduces herself, he stops calculating how to get rich.

"I am Bill. Nice to meet you, Firia."

I suppose I will stick with these people for a while. Greater oppertunities await.

[bindin garoth]

"And I'm Axile. A mage of sorts." he replies back to Firia.

Axile takes the nearest seat and relaxes for a moment before saying. "So how do you guys want to proceed once we finish healing?"

[Tegannie]

Cassie doesn't particular care what god this church is for, she's just glad for the healing and shelter.

"I'm Cassie. And tired. Perhaps we can find a place to sit?"

[Tharione]

A dozen or so more people file into the building behind you. Most fitting the description of terrified villagers but one among them stands out.

A woman.*

*

Spoiler

Originally Posted by Tharione

a slim roughly five and a half foot tall woman bound head to toe in broad white linen cloth save for her eyes and a single, lower-back length black ponytail. A belt at her waist holding a thin, semi-transparent veil in place over the upper half of her legs serves as the only other clothing apparent. And beyond that the only apparent equipment is a golden choker about her neck and a curved scabbard upon her belt, a jeweled ivory hilt escaping from its open end.

[Archmage1]

Upon observing the woman, Bill immediately starts guessing at the value of her items.

That stuff has to be worth a small fortune. I wonder where she sleeps...

[God Imperror]

I look at both Cassie and Bill and follow the man's gaze, he seems distracted, it doesn't take a lot of effort to see the woman that he seems to be interested in.

I caress Casker on my shoulder and whisper to him in our unintelligible common language.

-Keep an eye on her, will you?

Then I turn back to Cassie and the others.

-Well it seems that we are among Pelorites, - not that I like them, the Sun is to bright and my people are stronger when the sun doesn't shine, at night illuminated by the stars - and they seem able to keep the demons outside. Let's go and find a place to rest or get some information on what is really going on.

[Archmage1]

Turning to Firia as he speaks
"We do indeed seem to be among pelorites. Learning how they keep the demons away should be interesting, although I suspect that it will fall among pointless information, unless the method is mobile"

Spoiler

ooc: Imperror, I speak by using quotes, and italics are meant to represent a characters thoughts, not speeck.

[bindin garoth]

Axile, while curious, says nothing as the woman walks by. He's not sure of what to think of her. Friend? Foe? Another soul attempting to hide from the terror outside?

Well, whatever she may be, he only proceeds to watch her for a little bit before turning his attention back to the group.

Spoiler

Perception check to notice anything else about the woman.
(1d20+13)[24]

[Tharione]

Casker nods and up to rest on a rafter.

Axile notices both that her eyes are green and that she has a diminuative brightly colored bird perched on her belt between her and the hilt of her sword.

Everyone also notices that she is bloodied, from several burns and bruises. oddly her clothing remains untarnished.

She retires to a corner and begins anxiously checking a shoulder wound for its state of healing every few seconds.

[Baxxie]

As soon as he finds a seat for himself, Andrann firts gives a distant gaze to his new-found companions, one by one, and then slowly closes his senses to all. In heresy, he concentrates on his very soul, which wishes an end to all injustice and is bound by no gods. When done his lowly, pseudo-meditation, he'd stand up and refresh his memory of this church hall.

[Tegannie]

Pelor, huh? Wasn't that Eric's god? Yeah, I think so, that holy symbol looks like his did. Cassie thinks to herself. She didn't know much about the gods, except for hers. All the other were grouped into "good" and "evil", more specifically: "a cleric will heal me" and "a cleric will kill me." She whispered a soft "thanks" to Pelor anyway, more out of respect for Eric's memory than anything else.

The strange woman didn't really bother Cassie: she, too, was strange when away from home, so odd people didn't grab her attention. Although, the thing with her clothes is odd...and that bird, I wonder where it's from.

Cassie shooks her head, re-focusing on the present. She wipes a few tears from her eyes, and addresses the others.

"I suppose this will make a good story, cousin. So, what shall we do now? I am tempted to go help keep the monsters at bay, once my wounds heal, although it is getting quite late and I am tired. "

[bindin garoth]

"Well...... It looks like that woman was fighting, want to see if she'll help up?" Axile says, nodding towards the woman in the white cloth. Truth was, he was sure they'd run into that beast again, in which help might be appreciated.

[God Imperror]

I smile to Cassie, it is nice to hear cousin coming from her lips, for a moment she seems worried, thinking about the past, then she looks relieved and I decide to ignore her teary eyes.

-This can be a great story indeed. Though I fear it is not as what I hoped, stories seem less... tiring on books.

Great, I get to live a great story and I am already tired from it, I would rather be on my bed reading some book.

-I am tempted to look for a bathtub and submerge myself in hot water with some wild violets essence and soap bubbles. Massaging my tired feet till I can properly feel them once more, yeah, that sounds like what I am truly tempted to do. If that tempts you more than the battlefield, cousin, you are invited I can rub your back and massage your shoulders.

Though I fear there are pressing matters and my bath will have to wait. Like tea, tea is always a priority. I reach into my cloak and take the flask hidden inside it, it is nice to feel the warmth of the container against my fingertips, after a long drink I offer the flask to Cassie and the others.

-Whatever we do, I advocate for not taking extraneous risks, at least until we are healed and know what is going on. For all we know this can be momentary or our help could be totally unnecessary. Bill, Axile, you seem good spotting people, and you have an eye for women, go ahead and ask for her help. Cousin, I would rather not join the battle, but if we do later we would better figure who is in charge, and perhaps we can ask for a place to stay until everything is settled.

And a bathtub.

[Archmage1]

"Not a bad plan, although we might want to learn what she can do first."

If she joins us, robbing her becomes a bad idea. Still, she might say no. And either way, following her makes sense.

Bill will unobtrusively follow her for the time being.

Spoiler

stealth[roll]1d20+19[/roll] perception[roll]1d20+14[/roll]