McButterpants - OSR - Temple of Elemental Evil

Scene: The Temple & Town of NulbThe trip to Nulb and the nearby Temple proves very fruitful. Amber Hillbuckle slows the group somewhat, but makes up for his pace by giving an amazing amount of background on the area and the Temple. He talks about the rise of the Temple of Elemental Evil years ago. The cult that built the temple became rich and powerful, attracting followers of the worst kind. He also talked about it's downfall, and most recent rise back to power.

Spugnoir spent a lot of time with the old man asking questions, and answering them. Amber is quick to smile and has a comforting air about him. While most of the group accepted him easily enough, Spugnoir spent the most time with the man. He truly enjoyed the aged man's company. Their approach to magic was different, but Spugnoir found it interesting. Much like Rikard, the old man called upon his gods to gift him with the ability to cast spells. His god being old gods of nature. The group had traveled most of the day and were closing in on Nulb when they heard some voices up ahead. Spugnoir notes the signal from Zindra and grabs the old man's shoulder. "Amber. Get low and hide. Something is up ahead." He whispers to the druid. They group moves to hide behind the large oak trees in the area. Spugnoir duck in underneath a large gnarled root sticking out from the ground.

The group of men get closer. They are now visible, making their way through the trees. They discuss an upcoming trip on their ship. They must have been in the cups early today. The men are loud and their voices carry for a distance. They must be more comfortable on the water than they are in the forest, for they stumble and curse their way through the trees. The group continues through the Gnarly forest. Amber eventually leads them to a location in the forest that looks upon the ruins of the Temple. He suggests that the group make camp for the night. It would be best to move back into the forest - well out of view from the Temple. The last thing they need is for their fire to be spotted by any members of the cult or those friendly to the cult. The evening goes by uneventful. It is closing in on the morning, near the end of Spugnoir's watch. He has cozied up to the fire with his blanket wrapped around his shoulders, when Amber joins him at the fire.

"I'm surprised to see you up so early." Spugnoir says to Amber, "The rest of the group wont be up for a while yet. The sun is barely cresting the horizon. You should get more rest."

"Ah, I can never sleep well when I’m this close to the Temple. The woods have a different feel this close. There is a power that radiates from that place that infects the woods for a few miles."

"Yes. I feel it too. It's unnerving. I don't feel safe." says Spugnoir. He pulls the blanket close over his shoulders as if trying to block out the energy. "Well, it's good to have company while we wait for the others to awaken. I was just about to study my spells. It's much easier in the morning light."

"Don't let me interrupt you. I'll warm up for a bit, then check the perimeter." Amber says. He pulls at his long beard and stares into the woods around the camp. "No activity during your watch?" He asks.

"No, it's been quiet. Actually, it's been unusually quiet. The wildlife seems sparse around here. Other than Lasos's snoring and the occasional rustle in the undergrowth, there is not much to be heard."

"Hmm. Most of the animals have moved away from this area to safer parts of the forest. They must feel that same power and wish to be away from it." says Amber. He smiles at Spugnoir, then winks. "Well, I don't want to bother you. I'll walk the perimeter and have a look. I'll come back in a bit." With that, the old man gets up and walks away from the fire. Spugnoir is always surprised by the agility the old man possesses. He is off and into the trees with nary a sound. Thank goodness he is not sneaking up to us during this watch.

Spugnoir pulls his spellbook and gets to reviewing his spells. The light is better and he can see the pages clearly now. He is flipping through Web when he hears something. It's a sound of something in the air above the camp. Whatever it is, the creature must be massive. The beating of wings is loud enough to catch Spugnoir's attention. He immediately closes his book and kicks dirt into the fire. The beating of the wings come closer and Spugnoir searches the skies. Something large flies over the camp. It is a distance up, but close enough to see in the early morning light. It works it's wings like a bat, flapping at a rapid speed. The sound is strange. It does not sound like leathery wings, but the creak and groan of something more solid.

Spugnoir rushes to a tree and tries to hide. The creature circles the camp a few times, then races back from where it came. Spugnoir catches a good view of the creature when it circles and catches the light of the sun. It is a hideous, horned demon - or at least appears to be. The beast looks down on the camp and bares a mouthful of sharp teeth as if hissing at the adventurers below. It is light grey and thickly muscled through the body. It has a monstrous head, but a humanoid body - and of course, those massive wings.

When the creature has flown away, Spugnoir jumps to waking the camp. He yells to the party and warns them of the visit. He finishes stuffing his bedroll into his pack when Amber rushes into the camp. "What is going on?" says Amber, "you all appear in a rush. Is something coming?"

"Something spotted us from the air. We need to make haste. It has flown back towards the Temple. It may already be warning others. Grab your gear and let's get moving." says Spugnoir.

Amber had little with him, but he pulls the items into his pack and heads off to the north. "Come! Follow me this way. I believe I have a way through." He rushes off into the trees and the others are quick to follow.

The group makes their way through the forest. Amber leading the group with Zindra close by. She searches the forest around looking for any movement in the trees. Amber attempts to keep her close, but she moves further and further out.

Amber holds up a hand, signaling for the group to stop. He whistles out to Zindra for her to come back to the group. After everyone has huddled together, Amber says in a low voice. "The way ahead is dangerous. There are spies everywhere. Zindra and I are going to scout ahead. The rest of you stay here. You are all too noisy to go in ahead if we have to sneak by guards. We will come back and signal for you to follow when we have cleared a path." The group look at each other with concerned faces, but agree that this is a valid approach.

Zindra and Amber race off into the woods. The young girl moves like wind through the trees and bushes, making little sound. The old man follows at a slower pace, but holds his own. He is quiet as a mouse rushing through the undergrowth. Both of them disappear into the bushes and the rest of the group holds their position, waiting.

Scene: The kidnapping of ZindraThe group remains waiting in the forest for a long while. Minutes seem to drag on for hours. "Something has happened. I know it! They should be back by now." says Rikard. His patience worn thin, he moves to follow Zindra & Amber. There is no one left in the group able to follow the tracks. Zindra was the one with that skill. Rikard feels a cold sweat creep up his back. He knows that something has gone wrong and he has a feeling that old man had something to do with it.Spugnoir is the first to speak up. "Amber wouldn't have hurt Zindra. Why would you say such a thing?"

"There is something off about that old man." Says Rikard, "I don't believe he was helping us get here. I believe he was leading us to this spot."

"Did he say something, or do something, to make you believe he had that motive?" Says Lasos. "I didn't get any indication that he was crossing us."

"No. He did nothing to give me pause. It was only a feeling. I hope I am wrong, but I think we should be cautious. If he has crossed us, then he knows much."

The others cannot fault Rikard for being cautious and agree to take a different path to the Temple. The group move in the direction that Zindra and Amber went. Lasos has the most experience in tracking, outside of Zindra. He does his best to follow the trail left by the two.The party moves silently, following Lasos's lead. He signals for the group to hide and everyone slides into the shadows of the dense forest in early morning. Soon they hear voices in the distance.

"He said they are hiding ahead. Keep your voices low. We are better to take them by surprise. We will be rewarded for each one brought back alive." Says the one of front. Others in the group nod and they all move forward in silence. They are obviously skilled at moving through the forest. The temple bandits make nary a sound as they move around the trees, back towards the location where the party was hiding only a few minutes earlier. "We must be quick. They will realize we are not there soon enough. I'm sure they will be able to track us fairly easily." Says Lasos. "Some of you are leaving a trail that I could follow in my sleep. Come!" Lasos turns and moves through the trees. He is quick and almost out of sight before the others have started moving. They decide that speed is more important than stealth at this point and they all rush through the trees towards the temple.

Scene: The Temple EntranceThe group stop at the edge of the forest and look upon the ruins of the temple in the grey morning light. The landscape around the razed walls is dotted with skeletal trees - twisted and pale. Rank weeds choke an old path that leads to the front gate. The rutted track overgrown from lack of use. The leprous grey temple stands intact. It's arched buttresses overrun by unhealthy looking vines and vegetation.

The building itself is an affront to the living. The myriad of leering faces and twisting, contorted forms writhing and posturing on every face of the Temple seem to jape at the obscenities they depict. The growth in the compound is rank, emitting a foul stench that reaches the edge of the forest where the party sits and waits. There is a smothering, clinging, almost tangible cloud of cold uneasiness that seems to hang over the whole of the area.

"Where should we enter?" Says Urden to Lasos, hoping the fighter is holding up better against the unease of this place than he is. There is a movement in the shadows near the rubble of one wall. It moved just outside of Urden's vision, but he's sure something was there. He holds his gaze on the area, but nothing else moves.

"If Amber did truly betray us, he would have raised alarm that we are on our way. We should make for a side entrance." Says Lasos in return.

"Shall I inspect the grounds? I can try to move in amongst the shadows and check for alternatives to the front door." Urden says warily. He is not really keen to search the grounds on his own, but it's more concerned about the whole of the party wandering the uninspected yard.Lasos nods in grim approval. "Take care. There is danger around every boulder." He points to the weed infested courtyard. "There should be plenty of cover just inside the walls."Urden sneaks across to the wall and disappears into a breech. Inside the walls, the grounds are silent and dark. Lasos was correct about cover in the weeds, but the courtyard is filled with thistle, brambles, burrs and thorns. The wicked vegetation pulls at Urden's clothes and scratches viciously at his exposed skin. Now that he is inside the walls, he notices a maze of narrow paths through the weedy yard. The wind picks up and moans through the hundreds of Temple apertures. The sounds adds to Urden's unease. A raven croaks from its perch on a nearby section of wrought iron fencing, as is calling alarm to those inside.
Urden makes his way along the wall and through the undergrowth, searching for an unguarded entrance. The vile stained glass windows of the place are intact, though they're barred and far too high and narrow for the smallest of the party to enter. The only visible doors are the massive bronze door of the main entryway and a smaller bronzewood door to the west. It is likely that there is another similar wooden door to the east, but Urden we unable to view it from his vantage point. He should be able to confirm when he moves along the east wall. Just then, he steps on a dry branch and the crack echoes through the yard. A couple of ravens explode from a nearby tree and fly into the air with excited caws.

Dammit! Urden thinks to himself. He searches the yard for movement, holding his position and his breath. Nothing. You are a lucky man Urden. With that, he continues his search of the Temple, unaware of the large creature sliding through the weeds behind him. Urden hears the rustle of grass behind him and turns to look just as a massive creature leaps at him. It's skin is ashen grey and blocky. It's a if the creature is made from stone. It scrambles forward on all fours, then lurches at him, it's large maw clamping down on Urden's arm. He feels the teeth sink in through the fabric and cut into his skin. He can't help but cry out. The creature tears at his arm as if to pull it from it's socket. Urden tears his arm free from the creatures mouth and turns to run. He doesn't worry about the temple inhabitants or any other creatures in the yard. He only worries about his own survival. He runs as quickly as he can.
Lasos and the rest have been waiting patiently for almost two hours. Their nerves frayed. Any sound from the courtyard elicited a jump. When they heard Urden scream, they all burst out of the woods and into the open field at a race. Urden races through the thick weeds. The rock monster follows, but Urden is much quicker and is soon left behind. Urden rushes towards the front gate just as the rest of the party push their way into the courtyard.

"What is it? Are you being pursued?" Lasos yells.

Urden runs at them without slowing, "It's directly behind me. Run! Hide!" He rushes past the group and through a downed section of the wall. The others do not wait to stand against his attacker, but turn and follow. The group waits and watches. Nothing moves into the front courtyard, nothing pursues. Urden winces at the pain from his arm and tenderly wipes at the bloody mess. Rikard moves over beside him. Rikard grasps an amulet around this own throat and mumbles a prayer. His hands light up slightly and Urden immediately feels the pain subside somewhat. "There is no other way into the Temple that I could see. The front door is the only option." Urden tells the group. "Should we be so bold?"

"We must face the evil within. We tried to sneak our way in, but that did not work. Maybe the direct approach is the only option." Lasos says, still searching the courtyard for movement

"There is very little activity out here. Maybe they are not concerned about an attack. We might catch them by surprise." Says Rikard. The worry for Zindra clearly visible.

"Come. Let us try." Says Lasos. He instructs Urden and the others to stay where they are while he and Rikard approach the door.

The main door is some 20 feet tall and wide. The two massive doors are held fast by thick iron chains. Engraved upon the door are runes. Both Lasos and Rikard look over the symbols, hoping to decipher the message. As they read, the words glow and burn with a silvery radiance bringing tears to their eyes. Both stop. A shiver of cold sweat creeps up Lasos's spine. He looks at Rikard, his face pale and glistening. "This is certain death. We need to find another way in."

"Yes." Whispers Rikard and he moves one step back from the doors. They make their way back to the group and relay the information.

"There is a tower to the south." Says Urden, "I saw the jagged stub of it just before I was attacked. Maybe there is a way in through there?"

Scene: The Ruins in the CourtyardUrden leads the group around the outside of the razed walls to the west entrance near the back of the temple. His thought is that things might be a bit less dangerous on the outside of the walls.The party stops to check out the building ruins as they make their way across the northern courtyard. This section is crumbled, burned and broken like the wall around. Urden can see bits of charred beams and broken plaster heaped in the shell of lower story. There are a set of stairs leading into the darkness.

"We should check to see if that leads anywhere." Urden says to the group. "I would much rather try this than a potentially fortified and armed tower." He looks over at the tower. It is dark and appears lifeless. Still, one can never be sure what they will meet there. Urden looks down the stairwell into the darkness of the crumbled building. You can't be sure of what's down there either.Urden takes the stairs. He lights a torch and heads down the broken stairwell. The stairs lead down to a small, dark opening through which a person might be able to crawl through. Urden gets down on all fours. He pulls out a dagger and crawls through the opening, pushing the torch ahead of him as he moves forward. He eventually comes across an opening in the wall. Suddenly a rush of large rats spill out of the hole and rush at Urden. Their black, oily fur glistening in the torchlight.Urden grabs the torch and waves it wildly at the creatures, holding them at bay. "Rats! Dammit! There's a bunch of rats down here." Urden yells as he crawls backwards towards the stairs, waving the torch at the creatures as he moves.

"Shall we come?" Lasos calls back. He has now moved to the bottom of the stairs and can see Urden in the tunnel, outlined by the torch.

"If we do, we should bring torches - all of us." Urden says as he climbs out of the hole and back into the stairwell. "There are many and no room to swing a weapon. The fire should keep them back." He considers the tower for a minute. "we could attempt the tower, but I don't know if that enters the temple. Besides, I would hazard a guess that no one suspects this entrance as a possible alternative. The way may be unguarded. Let's just hope it connects with the temple somehow."

The rest of the group prepare for the journey. They all light torches and move slowly. Given that Urden is dressed in light armor and Lasos is heavily protected, the fighter is first through the hole. He takes two torches with him to maximize the amount of fire in front of him. Urden comes in behind with his own torch.

The rats squeal in frustration and roil in a wave of oily fur. They remain just outside the firelight, moving back as the group moves forward. It takes a bit of crawling before Lasos & Urden finally exit into the remains of a basement. The rats crawl over each other, just outside the torchlight, pushing forward, then pulling back. Urden's torch sputters a bit, then extinguishes. It is only seconds before he is beset upon by the large, hungry ratsUrden screams as the creatures crawl up his legs, biting and scratching as they climb to reach softer spots."Your torch! Your torch!" Urden screams to Lasos as the creatures savage his legs. Lasos comes over and pushes the torch towards the nasty creatures at Urden's legs. The rats screech in fear and jump away from them both. Urden grabs the torch and uses it to scare away the last, more courageous vermin.

"I am badly hurt." Urden says to Lasos. "If we make it through, I will need to tend to these wounds. Do you see a way into the Temple?" Urden waves the torch from side to side, pushing back the waves of rats and searching the room for a way into the Temple."Dammit! We've crawled into this hell only to find a tomb. Let us head back out before I am laid to rest here." With that Urden calls down the tunnel. "Do not come. It is a dead end. We are coming back." Urden gets on his hands and knees and backs through the tunnel. Lasos is quick to follow. When they reach the stairwell, Urden collapses against the stone. "I am badly hurt. It would be dangerous for me to continue. I think it is time to head to the nearby town for some rest and tend to my wounds." The group makes their way up the stairs and back towards the forest.