Last Session 43>> into this session 44 ((recap))
We rejoined our ill fated adventurers back in the rogue Encampment, only now they seem to have a renewed sense of vigor about them… Something has changed within them, within their minds and altered the way they now see the world, and the grand task that has been set before them.
Whilst the group gather their thoughts and purchase a few useful items, Cain delivers unto Baxter the items which he was asked by Ophi to identify for her.
Charsi speaks to Scarlett, and requests that she and her party find the missing Horadric Malus… It’s essentially a powerfully blessed artifact hammer, which can be used to make incredible items of equipment, with the right person holding it in their hands.
Scarlett, without giving it much thought, accepts the quest from Charsi.
At that moment, Gheed pulls up with his cart, back into the encampment… He went away about five days ago, and has returned with a fresh batch of supplies and useful items.
Wasting no time in returning to his reserved space, he sets up his caravan stall, and is once more open for business.
Ophi takes a moment and revives Nix using the feather she holds, by tossing it into the flames.
When ready to leave the encampment, the party head back to the Tamoe Highlands, where they now stood about 40ft or so from the outer wall and gate of the monastery… The heat from the roaring inferno that burst through the windows and rooftops was intense.
Moving closer to their destination felt great, they had finally got there after taking a long and difficult path, but the feeling was soon cut short when 4 skeletal mages, juggling ice bolts, were sighted guarding the entrance to the monastery outer gate.
The party dispatch the 4 mages very quickly, with little hesitation… They pass through the gate, and witness the horrors to be seen on the other side, bodies of Rogues torn asunder, line the path on either side of where the party walk, the blood of the bodies mixing in with the mud and stone, causing the area to be stained a gruesome looking blood red.
The path is lit with dim torches, which danced and flickered as the party headed through the courtyard, and towards the outer cloister archway… All the while taking in the horrific sights of twisted and broken bodies of the brave Rogues that once called this place their home.
Passing through the corpse littered archway, the party are lead into a central garden which housed a large fountain, it’s water remaining untainted to this point, and beside it a very useful way point, which Baxter took but a moment to make active.
As well as this, there were a total of four doors, one off to the North, the east, the west… and one of to the south which they had passed through, to enter the garden.
Tactics and stealth were employed at this point, and attempts to sneak around and peer through doorways, were made.
The first door, posed no issue, and Rhyker succeeded in opening it quietly and efficiently, so he could see inside… but what he saw, was not good for him, and so he decided to close the door and leave it shut, to try and find another option, by taking the second door instead.
This time, the party saw nothing, until they entered the room…. but by then it was too late, as two YETI’s had noticed them entering the side garden already, and charged mindlessly towards the party, seeking their blood.
A fierce battle commenced, and at one stage the party looked a little overpowered by these two hulking beasts, Scarlett in particular had lots of trouble with her crossbows, and tried to keep her composure as best as she could, as she was forced back, and fell face first into the fountain base.
Baxter also felt the strain of combat after a while, and eventually giving into his feral side, turned into a fearsome Werewolf, who was able to battle the Yeti, claw to claw… whilst Nix, Zrin and Ophi provided some spell support.
Rhyker once more stepped into the doorway, and even in a stunned state, was able to offer the enemy a target, instead of allowing the others in the group to become one themselves.
After the fight was over… The party took a moment to heal up, using Ophi’s warmth globe, and once ready to press onward, headed to the central garden, and took the northern most door, which opened up into another well guarded garden area, which was full of Black Rogues, a new enemy… a stronger type, was ready to attack Scarlett as she tried her best to carefully push the door open… but it catches and sticks on the side ever so slightly, and so she gave it a bit of a hard shove in response, and as a result, the door swung open fast and hit the wall with a gentle thud, gaining the attention of all within the room.
So to the present time then… The party are lined up, ready to fight the Black Rogues…. so It’s time to do battle!
Act One: Episode 44 – Into The Monastery
