(Part 3) The Abbey on Guardian

[Balgin Stondraeg]

"The first time," replies the abbot, "the first coming last evening was preceded by the greeen glow from the watchtower. I knew it was no good sign and began to gather the more high ranking priests about me here in the chapel where many of the relics are kept. The creature appeared in the council chamber where a meeting was still in progress and it's touch was death. It was a shadowy form like unto a man and yet all vague and indistinct in shape. It struck down those within the council chamber and then it departed as if it had finished it's grizzly task.

"When it returned once more it stalked the abbey, destroying all who crossed it's path. it even entered the sanctuary of the chapel here among us and brother Lynden used the sacred amulet to drive it fleeing into the darkness. Our prayers and preparations had prevented it's foul onslaught.

"We felt relieved, grateful even, but then it returned a third time and now it's coming was like thunder. It's form now was more distinct. It was taller and broader. From it's head sprouted huge horns and no living creature looks as this giant of shade did to us that night. Brother Lynden raised the amulet and it's great clawed hand and the amulet was torn assunder, blasting that foul fiend back into the pits of hell and destroying my remaining brethren in the process. It is indeed a miracle that I myself survivied and only Theydori himself knows how I came to survive such a powerful blast."

With that the abbot leans back to rest, all his energy spent in relating the tale.

[Fabian]

Alarian looks stunned and horrified... only allowing a modicum of this to show on his face. What can this creature be? Some form of undead? No, it seems more like unto a demon, one whose power grows with each life it takes... he thinks. Sending his voice out into the strange mental space inhabited by his 'guest' he asks, Do you know something of this, spirit? All he hears is a giggle from far off. Damn you! When I need your advice, you are as fickle as you are bloodthirsty. Very well, we shall use mortal cunning and logic to defeat this beast.

"Rest easy, abbot" he says kindly, and turning to the assembled group he says, "Well... we have several learned men here. What is this creature, and from whence does it hail?"

Any appropriate checks, please! Bardic lore, knowledge, anything!

[Mr Teufel]

Back in the outbuilding

Kiaphas takes the book. "We need to look at this later, methinks."
"Now, we should finish searching these houses and get back to see how the abbott is doing. If he's still ailing, these potions may help."

[Custom_Hobby]

Aurum is still searching room 'b'. (He took a saw and one of the potions earlier)

[Keeper]

Raul offers to take a look at the list of the dead, looking for any odd patterns, or clues that might be of use.  He hopes his previous skill as a scribe and assistant running the trader's business might be of use.

"Aurum, I'll look over this list and these other documents.  Do you want to carry on searching whilst I do so?  It might take a little while, but we might find out something useful."

[Custom_Hobby]

"Sounds good to me." With that Aurum moves into to Area 'B' and starts searching. He moves back a the curtains with his axe and keeps looking around.

[Alex]

Ivor becomes vaguely aware that Alarian is trying to get his attention, and looks up from the alchemy book. "I'm sorry...um, what was the question?"

[Balgin Stondraeg]

Aurum investigates the right hand area with the curtained alchoves (each of which turns out to contain a large wash tub full of water with lumps of crude soap resting on wooden shelves on the walls beside them. Submerged in one of the wash tubs is the body of a young acolyte. His face is calm, white foam flecks his lips and he clutches a small vial labelled "Vasical" in his hand. Clearly he took his own life rather than suffer the same fate that was meted out to his brothers.

A curtain at the back of the bathing room leads to a communal toilet chamber. Long wooden topped box like benches line the walls with evenyl spaced holes for the obvious purpose. The room is hung with posies of dried herbs to mask out the obvious smells but there is still a recognisable stench that hangs in the air.

Well guys you have now explored all of the abbey that you could get to without opening a few difficult secret doors and the abbot probably knows how to open them. Feel proud of yourselves guys as the abbey's a lot more detailed than most of the other locations are so looking around took a good length of time.

I think we can call it sometime around two, maybe even half two in the afternoon now, leaning towards two 'though.

[Custom_Hobby]

OOC Did that also include searching area 'C'? If it does: Aurum goes back to the rest of the group in the infirmary and lets them know what he has found. "I guess we should go back and check on the others."

[Mr Teufel]

Kiaphas hands Raul the book. "Indeed, let's get back."

[Keeper]

"OK, Kiaphas."  Raul continues reading stuff as he walks back, having searched the abbey, and knowning that competent people like Kiaphas and Aurum are around him, keeping an eye out for danger.

[Balgin Stondraeg]

OOC Did that also include searching area 'C'?

C's the toilets.

On the way back you all bump into Alarian who has come looking for you with disturbing news (as if ghostly visitations were not disturbing enough :p).

[Custom_Hobby]

When we get back into the room with the Abbot and the rest of the part Aurum tells everyone what they have found and encountered. He makes sure to mention the ghosts and the other dead men they have found. He also introduces himself to the abbot and asks "Do you know the combination so we can see what is going on behind the mural downstairs? We were trying to search around for survivors or the creature that did this and were unable to get in there."

[Fabian]

Alarian addresses  the re-assembled group, "This creature is of fearsome power, and as we are many, I believe that our combined efforts can thwart it with luck and skill." Turning to the Abbot, he asks, "Good sir, it's needful you tell of us of any other relics that might aid us in this endeavour, or (if it is within your knowledge) how we might combine the pieces of this amulet."

[Mr Teufel]

Kiaphas stands beside Raul, and mutters to him,"I think we need to mention the jewelery in the tree, and its possible relevence."