|
|
Post by Killer_DM on Aug 31, 2016 8:48:38 GMT -6
They walked confidently from their temporary camp, past the empty pool and up the stairs to the temple. It was domed, similar to the one they destroyed in the desert, with the main difference that this one was above ground and intact. They truly looked the part of a hardcore gang. Everyone was slightly unhinged and sun-baked. Dust and sand had covered scars and stains, only lending them some sort of permanence. Sunburn had deepened into deep tans, especially since their healing prayers and dweomers had helped keep them from the worse of it. Even their gear had dried out, and after the acidic rain a few nights prior, was pockmarked on top of being heavily soiled.
The two guards shifted slightly and the one on the left called out, first in an unknown language and then in thickly accented common:
"What business do you have at the temple? Pilgrimage?"
He didn't look too surprised, but he spoke a few quick words to his compatriot, who laughed lightly and nodded his head.
|
|
|
|
Post by scottenkainen on Sept 1, 2016 10:41:03 GMT -6
Arristuun looked up at them through squinted eyes. His sun-parched lips hung open a moment while he processed. Then he said, "Yes. Definitely a pilgrimage."
|
|
|
|
Post by Killer_DM on Sept 1, 2016 18:15:40 GMT -6
"Then you will want to see Our Holiest. Come this way." He also barked a quick command to his companion, who nodded and placed two fingers over his heart and barked a hoarse guttural word no one else in the party recognized. Their guide motioned for them to follow as he led them up a shallow ramp some twenty feet to a pair of bronze double doors.
(If there's no further questions or actions later tonight I'll proceed further.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Thorsan on Sept 1, 2016 19:02:16 GMT -6
Eager to get out of the sun's glare, Thorsan muscled to the front of the pack near Arristuun. He kept his hand near his warhammer, just in case.
|
|
|
|
Post by PG Faolan on Sept 1, 2016 20:38:07 GMT -6
Feeling like he'd just woken up from a long topor, Talisen yawned and scratched his beard. "Well, here we go again."
|
|
|
|
Post by Killer_DM on Sept 1, 2016 22:21:17 GMT -6
The guard brought the group of soiled would-be pilgrims to a larger torch lit chamber with a high ceiling. It was quite large, perhaps 30 feet wide and 40 feet deep. The wall was carved and heavily decorated with pictographs and chiseled writing. Another five men in garb and get up similar to their guide were analyzing the walls. At the far end of the chamber, a large statue bearing resemblance to the shade they'd followed through the sands stood defiantly. Before the statue was an altar where an older grey bearded man in whiter, longer robes stood reading silently from a large platinum bound book.
Their guide barked a few words to the men, and the book reading man looked up. He barked a rough question to their guide, who responded with a shrug. The old man then turned to the party.
"Perhaps this is a sign. Tell of me your intent."
He did not move from the altar.
|
|
|
|
Post by PG Faolan on Sept 2, 2016 8:00:04 GMT -6
Hangs out in the back of the group, muttering to himself, "There was once a dog named Bailey, Who was fried by a mean old djinni. . ." Big sigh. "Too on the nose. What about, 'who would sniff at his crotch daily.'" Looks around with a distracted expression.
((Actually looking at the carvings. Any look familiar or seem to fit any existing songs/stories?))
|
|
|
|
Post by Killer_DM on Sept 2, 2016 15:56:29 GMT -6
(I forgot to include that there are two doors in this room, about twenty feet in on either side. If mapping, they would be in the squares before the altar.)
Taliesin was unable to make out the language, it was too alien for him (58 rolled vs. 5% read languages, and another general roll missed as well). He did notice that one rune seemed to repeat itself often enough to seem strange. Perhaps if given enough time Saskia could help decipher the writing, but for now the old priest was waiting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Killer_DM on Sept 2, 2016 16:10:36 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by scottenkainen on Sept 2, 2016 21:15:21 GMT -6
"Our intent is..." Arristuun began for the others. "Our intent is..." He swallowed hard. It hurt a little. "Honestly, it would be easy a lot easier to tell you if we...you wouldn't happen to have any bread? Or dried fruit or vegetables here? All we've had is meat to eat for days."
|
|
|
|
Post by Killer_DM on Sept 3, 2016 18:54:12 GMT -6
(Rolled a 2 vs. Charisma. Success!)
"Ah! How rude of me. Us Thune are not always the most polite, but we respect all religions equally. I can clearly see a Shepard of Ishtar in your flock; I assume the dwarves arranged your pilgrimage to this stone wonder of the Gods. Seri! Grab some peri bread and dates for these weary travelers."
As the fare was being fetched, the man introduced himself. "I am H'rathi of the Thune. I have a favor to ask as well."
He sighed, crow's feet appearing as he continued.
"But first, eat."
|
|
|
|
Post by scottenkainen on Sept 4, 2016 12:13:05 GMT -6
*om nom nom, om nom nom*
"Hmm...yes, we have several clerics among us, but I was just the scout for our pilgrimage. I'll let them do the talking from here. Can I take some of this bread outside to my goat?"
|
|
|
|
Post by alfbern on Sept 4, 2016 19:37:48 GMT -6
Alfbern ate sparingly from the food and, though he had put away his weapons, his hand remained close to his sword if this friendliness reverted to the usual nastiness of strangers met in strange places.
|
|
|
|
Post by PG Faolan on Sept 5, 2016 8:00:21 GMT -6
"Thank you for your hospitality." Taliesin takes two helpings of bread and brings one to Saskia. He very quietly points out the repeated rune to her as he starts munching his food.
|
|
|
|
Post by Thorsan on Sept 7, 2016 0:42:27 GMT -6
Thorsan was silent as he speared a number of dates on his shoulder spikes, within easy reach for later. It occurred to the others that he was only saving them because he already had 4 in his mouth.
|
|
