"Damn! Sorry Makari. There might not be time for a rest. Sounds like someone just entered through the front door. And, I think that creature is still below, hopefully still caged."

---

Are there bars for the doors that enter the altar room?

Groaning, Zeb recovered his bow and aimed it toward the door Ehrendil indicated. He really could have used that rest.

Makari let out a small sigh and looked down at the prospect of more combat. "Can we not...pull back some?" he asked half-heartedly. He was not far from unconsciousness or death, and had only cantrips at his disposal.

He moved away from the door sound they'd heard, trying to put space, and some cover, between him and any coming threats.

Ehrendil does his best to lock the double-doors, "I'm not sure that will hold long."
"Yes, yes we should. West to the dining hall and kitchen, east to the garden we just used, or down into the mine where that...thing is. Or we make a stand at the back of this room."

Ehrendil finally notices how battered Makari looks. "Hells take me!" Placing a hand on his injured companion he channels healing magic.

---

Cast Cure Wounds on Makari.
Ehrendil Vakalyn rolled 9 for Cure Wounds - level 1.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Sun 14 Apr.

Morg tries to drape on the least damaged and bloodied brown robe and put on a golden mask, while miming Hellenrae's blind eyes to the rest of the party. He faces the south from where the sound of the front door came, trying to hide his maul under the robe.

Faith looked at the group and sighed. "Lets take a rest....i'll let my soothing tones help relieve some of the pain."

She followed and held her rapier, but as she sat there sung a soft song with an even, soothing tone.

---

<OOC: Song of rest>

A few minutes pass, with no other noises from the south or anywhere else around the keep. The beast below continues regular, low breathing, apparently asleep.

"I can keep watch, while all of you rest," Ehrendil says. If the others agree he will pace back and forth, from east door to west door, looping north of the staircase.

---

No damage taken, and nothing to recharge on a short rest.

Not planning to pass up the opportunity for a restful nap Gorm finds herself a corner of the room not overly infused with the blood, chaos, and stench, of combat to curl up in.  Settling her nose under one paw to further dampen the sense of smell she quickly recovers to her fully healthy, and oddly clean, self as she settles in to wait for the next hour or so.

The corpses of the cultists attract flies as surprising warmth from outside the monastery heats the room, though no other movement or sounds can be heard.

After about half an hour, the air suddenly becomes cold. Pooled blood next to one of the dead minotaurs cracks as it freezes, and mist rises from the now solid puddle of gore. The light dims slightly, as if a cloud passed over the sun. A distant and ghostly voice echoes in the room as if from a great distance as a familiar skeletal form slowly materializes, moldering robes hanging limply from the remains of Renwick Caradoon.

"Your effort here wasn't completely inept," the voice grates, as Renwick surveys the room's occupants, both living and dead. "And it rid my home of an extremely irritating group of squatters." Renwick pauses, appearing to struggle with something. "You have my... thanks," he says finally, saying the last word awkwardly as if it was unfamiliar.

After an uncomfortable silence, the lich bends down and removes a package from his tattered robes, placing it on the floor before him. "This may help your cause," he says, standing back up. "As well might that amulet of health I gave you," he says sharply, swiveling his head towards Morg. The ghostly green light in his eye sockets seem to bore through Morg.

"This place is not entirely safe, but I will ensure the cultists do not return," the lich continues after a moment. "I find their absence - a relief."

---

If folks are intending to complete a short rest here, it will be successful - feel free to post OOC any hit dice expended, etc. during the short rest. Renwick is still present as well, if there's anything you want to say/do with him.

Ehrendil stops pacing when he feels the temperature in the room drop. He takes cover behind one of the pillars, and nocks an arrow.

"Master Caradoon! You are most welcome. It was our pleasure to eliminate these fell cultists."
Ehrendil's eyes widen in surprise. "Thank you Master Caradoon. You have been very generous to us." The ranger pauses a moment, "I am certain that the mutilated creature the cultists kept is caged below. Would you know if there are more prisoners being held in the mine below?"

Makari was grateful to rest. He collapsed and used his effort of will, along with Faith's song, to shore his body back up. When things got cold and started freezing, he quickly sat up and looked around in alarm. Only after he saw the 'visitor' did he relax...slightly.

He frowned a bit as the 'spirit' seemed to have trouble with being grateful. "Does that mean...that the cultists have left? Are the prisoners still down below?"

"Yes, the crippled umber hulk is still there. It will likely die soon without the scraps of food the cultists leave for it. But the cultists in the monastery have all fled or are dead, and no prisoners remain in the mine. As for further down, I cannot say."

Morg bandages himself and helps others injured, nodding thanks to the Renwick.

---

HP +29 from -3 HD and Faith's Song of rest.

19:29, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 9 using 1d10+2 with rolls of 7.  HP recovered from hit dice 1.
19:29, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2.  HP recovered from Faith's Song of rest.
19:32, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 12 using 1d10+2 with rolls of 10.  HP recovered from hit die 2.
19:34, Today: Morg Danforge rolled 6 using 1d10+2 with rolls of 4.  HP recovered from hit die 3.

Ehrendil hesitates for a moment but then asks the lich, "Master Caradoon. I have been in two of these cultist strongholds, one dedicated to water and this one dedicated to earth. In both I detected portals below the surface. My friends have visited two other strongholds, dedicated to fire and air. I expect there are portals below them as well.

You told us that throwing an elemental weapon into a portal would destroy both. Should the weapon be thrown into the portal that matches its element? Or should it be in another? My apologies for my lack of understanding."

"When the weapon - the elemental key - strikes the portal that matches its element, they will annihilate each other. Basic elemental magic theory."

"Do you know why Helenrae here may have wanted the water key? To use as a weapon which seems odd for a stone cultist, to destroy the water portal, or for something else?" Morg asks Caradoon.

"Yeah, Ehrendil," Zeb giggled, rolling his eyes in feigned superiority. "It's basic elemental magic theory."

After a rest, the gnome was feeling much refreshed from his brush with the gargoyles' claws. The laughter left his face as he looked down at the trident they'd been after. "Let us hope he is right. I am eager to be rid of this thing."

Makari relaxed a bit. He let out a long breath. "Okay. I feel a little better." Almost dying was never fun. Would not recommend.

"Sooooo...." He shrugged one shoulder. "we go destroy some portals then?"

"Those who seek power above all else, seek power in any form," Renwick explains to Morg condescendingly. "Besides, stone does not oppose water directly. Though I'm sure stone cultists would not use this power themselves, that trident is a powerful item indeed."

---

Anyone going to take/open Renwick's package before departing?
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:17, Sun 21 Apr.

Faith sat down resting as she hummed the low tune, taking the occasional drink or bite of food. Strangely, even with these, she maintained her tone.

After the short reprieve, she stood up, a little more pep in her step. "Nothing like a tune to lift ones spirits." She muttered.

While the others prepared, she looked at the parcel from Renwick, and with a shrug, opened it....it could be something of use that might help them.

---

<OOC: Faith rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Song Of rest.
Secret Roll: Faith rolled 11 using 2d8+6 with rolls of 3,2.  HD recovery.>

Opening the carefully wrapped package, Faith finds two dusty bottles, tightly stoppered with cracking cork. Two age-faded and brittle pieces of parchment are lodged between them. Despite their obvious age, the paper doesn't crack further or flake away when touched.

Renwick regards her wordlessly, his green eyes glowing dimly in the fading sunlight visible through the north window.

Faith looked up at Renwick as he looked at her, and nodded, then took the parchment and read the note

Both pieces of parchment are grimy and covered in dust, but the intricate writing is clear and sparkles slightly, clearly magical. After a few minutes of studying one sheet Faith can't make heads or tails of it. But the other seems to list the incantation for turning invisible.

---

Loot thread updated.

Makari glanced over at Faith as he finally came out of his meditative trance. "What did he give you? Or...us, if you're sharing?" He smiled to indicate he was joking.

"Are we ready to continue on?"