Chapter 4: The Golr'aar

[Manzokushi]

Haru looked his body over noting the recent injuries he had incurred. It would take much too long to heal them all. And they still had much ground to cover. ?I agree with you two let?s get going.? Haru moved slowly from the edge of the alcove and took up a sentry pose not far from the party, to better observe the area and see if they were still indeed alone.

Skill Check: Move Silently
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 14 + 8, total 22[/blockquote]

Skill Check: Hide
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 20 + 8, total 28[/blockquote]

Skill Check: Listen
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 20 + 5, total 25[/blockquote]

Skill Check: Spot
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 5 + 6, total 11[/blockquote]

[Throndir]

You watch as Haru disappears, staying cloes to the shadows, as he moves further away from the group, to take a better look at the surroundings.

[spoiler]

Round X in progress - Still to move:

Damage Dealt
-

Spells/Abilities/Potions used since the day:
Uthaal

Viran

Tebastion

Haru

Ardeth

Natural Healing
Tebastion:
Ardeth:
Uthaal:
Arian:
Haru:
Viran:

Party HP
Tebastion: 32/41,
Ardeth: 18/18,
Uthaal: 15/17,
Arian: 14/18,
Haru: 12/21,
Viran: 7/19,

Exp Earned
Tebastion:
Ardeth:
Uthaal:
Arian:
Haru:
Viran:

Current Exp
Tebastion: 3045/6000
Ardeth: 2775/3000
Uthaal: 4065/6000
Arian: 2799/3000
Haru: 3085/6000
Viran: 4035/3000 - Level up available

Other Notes
Inventory fully updated.

[/spoiler]

[Manzokushi]

Haru cautiously continues to move down the corridor towards the guttural sounds. His mind and body are one, the air though stale in this place carries with it the feeling of the area around him. His companions could not be much farther they must hold to the course no matter what. He owed it to his companions for saving his life, a life for a life.

[spoiler]Once I am close enough to survey the next room that is where I plan to stop and begin my return provided I am undetected.[/spoiler]

[Throndir]

[blockquote]Opposed spot check, vs Haru's Hide 21 1d20+9 : 11 + 9, total 20[/blockquote]

[Manzokushi]

Haru noted all of the features in the room as quickly as possible. Then as swiftly as his stealth would allow, backed out of the room and returned to his companions.

Skill Check: Move Silently Rolled 1d20+8 : 19 + 8, total 27

Once back safely to the alcove, Haru seems to ripple from the shadows along the wall. With hands raised the elf begins in a whisper, ?My friends, I bring grave news. The next room ahead appears to be a dead end. Though it also appears to be the source of this cults influence, it appears to be a giant eye attached to the wall. Along with this eye there are several cultists about 8 human, 1 orc and another that maybe the vessel or envoy for this eye, it has long tentacles that rise from the shoulders of this gaunt figure, and its eyes are hollow sockets filled with writhing cilia. Glowing red sigils flow across its gray skin, the same as the markings on the wall of the room. I would like to add that the villager?s eyes all seem to glow a similar color to this giant eyes.? He shudders for a moment feeling an invisible chill of the horror he had just witnessed. ?It is a good chance that the eye may be influencing the villagers and even the ones above ground. I am no specialist in these matters it just seems likely given all that we have learned up to now.? He thinks all of what he has seen over, and awaits his companion?s opinions perhaps they have some answers.

The monk gathers up a few rocks and loose debris in order to illustrate what he has seen, about the size of the room and rough locations of the cultists.

[Hasabushi]

(Aura of Courage +4 boost to morale, saving throws vs fear)

Tebastion listened intensely as the Monk spoke, his eyes followed Haru's movements as he illustrated through the using of rocks and the ground to recreate the layout of the room. The Paladin tried to imagine in his mind what Haru was describing of the odd eye that was in the room. The fear in the monks eyes was also evident of what horrors could lay ahead. The centaur laid a comforting and reassuring hand on Haru's and then on Uthaals shoulder.

"Do not worry my friends all is well, for we shall prevail even against the most ebony black of evils, I have faith in us and the one to guide our hands. Victory is the only resolution, defeat is not an option."

Take 20
Knowledge (religion) check if feasible

[Linwelin]

At this point, Uthaal's mind had covered the whole emotional range appropriate for the situation. Though the aura still calmed him, he quivered a little at the thought of what lies ahead. His mind was racing, searching for possible solutions based on Haru's stone map. There was not much they could do, as most of the plans took luck to work. He didn't like relying on luck so much.

Tebastion's hand dragged Uthaal's mind from the mental pit it was unwittingly digging.

"Do not worry my friends all is well, for we shall prevail even against the most ebony black of evils, I have faith in us and the one to guide our hands. Victory is the only resolution, defeat is not an option."

Uthaal steadied with these words. He remembered his friends, his oath, his home. Teb is right, there is too much riding on this to not push through and succeed. We WILL win.

Though Uthaal did nothing but give a stern nod back, resolution was clearly evident in his eyes. He was ready to fight.

[Manzokushi]

Haru steadies himself, his resolve hardened by his companions and their strength. It was time to embark on the last leg of their journey, the task ahead seemed perilous but it was achievable he knew this to be true. He whispered a final prayer to  Aerilus, filling his body with the wind allowing it to roll and the energy to pass through him. With a final acknowledgement of the path laid before them, Haru drank his final healing potion. It would do his body good to be fresh before the final encounter, and erase those lingering wounds.

Haru spoke in an even tone, "I am ready my friends, let us do what we came here to do."

[spoiler]Potion of Cure Light Wounds Rolled 1d8+1 : 7 + 1, total 8[/spoiler]

[Lance]

"Ready... huh"

All this time, the Blood Mage had remained uncharacteristically quiet, perhaps even frighteningly so.
His blank expression betrayed no emotion from within, and perhaps it was simply a trick of the strange lighting around here, but it seemed as if his eyes burned with a fierce light.

Then following his companion's lead, Viran drew a potion of healing from his Belt Bag.

"A toast, then"

The Blood Mage smiled.

"To the destruction of our enemies."

[spoiler]Potion of Cure Light Wounds: [blockquote]Rolled 1d8+1 : 3 + 1, total 4[/blockquote][/spoiler]

[Linwelin]

Uthaal followed behind Haru, smirking at the blood mage's words. His confidence was growing by the minute, and with his spells prepared, he knew they would complete their task. Maybe an entangle, followed by a couple flame spheres...that should deal a decent amount of damage...

[spoiler][blockquote]Hide:  1d20+3 : 1 + 3, total 4[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Move Silently:  1d20+3 : 9 + 3, total 12[/blockquote][/spoiler]

[Throndir]

[spoiler]

Round X in progress - Still to move:

Damage Dealt
-

Spells/Abilities/Potions used since the day:
Uthaal

Viran

Tebastion

Haru

Ardeth

Party HP
Tebastion: 32/41,
Ardeth: 18/18,
Uthaal: 15/17,
Arian: 14/18,
Haru: 12/21,
Viran: 20/28,

Exp Earned
Tebastion:
Ardeth:
Uthaal:
Arian:
Haru:
Viran:

Current Exp
Tebastion: 3045/6000
Ardeth: 2775/3000
Uthaal: 4065/6000
Arian: 2799/3000
Haru: 3085/6000
Viran: 4035/6000

Other Notes
Inventory fully updated.

[/spoiler]

[Manzokushi]

The monk felt reassured knowing that his compaions were behind him no matter the odds. With a final nod of agreement, he whispered, ?follow me and do your best to be quiet,? he then took off towards their objective. It would be best to wait for the others to gather before they pushed into the final part of the cave. So with years of trained silence the monk moved north towards the cavern entrance waiting just before the bend in the cavern. Once everyone was in place the monk would move into the cavern and hope that this nightmare would finally end, and their friends would finally be set free.

[spoiler]I am moving north past the actual dungeon tiles, just before the eastern bend in the cavern network. I will see there and wait for the others. Also should we alert them of our coming by someone?s mistep I will be set for a  surprise attack. (2 tiles east, 8 tiles north)

Skill Check: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 10 + 8, total 18[/blockquote]
Skill Check: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+8 : 15 + 8, total 23[/blockquote]
Skill Check: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+5 : 13 + 5, total 18[/blockquote][/spoiler]

[Hasabushi]

Steadying himself, Tebastion acknowledged the rest of the party, as some still laid in slumber. A quite centaur was another matter all together, not only did his hooves make a loud clacking noise it was also his rather large girth that caused things to crack underneath from the strain, Keeping at medium distance was his best option. If any trouble arose he could easily rush forward and engage the enemy. "Haru, as I am not as stealthy as you I will keep at a distance to minimize the possibility of detection. Also I think it prudent that Din be our concerted scout, keeping us abreast of any possible encounters."

At that moment the Paladin thought of Arian of the Black Arms, and how his skillset would have come in quite handy, though he detested not facing an adversary face to face, silent kills did have their place.

[spoiler]Tebastion will be keeping his distance behind Haru, 10ft or so, to minimize the party being detected,  bow drawn checking for targets

Move Silently:
Rolled 1d20 : 19, total 19

Spot:
Rolled 1d20+5 : 6 + 5, total 11
[/spoiler]

[Manzokushi]

[spoiler]It ate my skill tags. 1st is Hide, 2nd Move Silently, 3rd Listen[/spoiler]

[Linwelin]

Uthaal nods, as he steps out of the alcove to join Haru, sending Din to peek into the room, hopefully unnoticed.

Be careful, my friend. He thinks to himself. The serpent looks back at him in response before heading out.