It's not particularly tasty, but it will keep you alive,Deniv says to Rebeccah as he eats his own piece of dried meat.  Don't try to eat until you have a full belly.  Too much food after eating so little for so long will only make you feel sick.  Besides I don't think there is that much.
He is unsure if the meat is goblin or orc, but it does not taste as bad as he thought it would.  He looks up as New Jory says a prayer and Lam moves to open the doors.  Pulling himself to his feet, he grabs the shortbow.

In reply to Daniv Jensen (msg # 21):

Watching Daniv, ready his bow. "Good idea."
Sal now has a dagger in each hand, ready for something to happen.

(I just noticed that the adventure text and the map don't match.)

To the North are the short steps leading up to a curtained area.

To the West are the double doors through which the group came in.

To the South is a door in the West corner. (leading South)

To the East is a door in the South corner.  (Leading East)


Jory hears nothing and opens the door to the East.  This looks like a hallway (N-S), but he can't see far in the darkness.  There is another door immediately to his right (South.)  The floor is still neatly tiled, but covered in old leaves and other debris.  The wall still holds most of its plastering.

Keestake doesn't seem to mind Jory's poking around.  In answer to Lam, he shrugs. "Mostly storerooms, offices, and living quarters."  He gets serious when asked about the space behind the curtains.  "The goddess lives there.  Those foul orcs damaged even her."

Is there anything we can use as dry clothing in any of the living quarters?  Or is all too far gone?  Deniv is definitely feeling cold from his wet rags and the smelly cloak, despite the fire.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:37, Sun 26 Nov 2017.

The old man shrugs again.  "Maybe.  Haven't been looking for any."

In reply to Man in Black (msg # 25):

Waiting for something to pop out, and nothing does, Sal relaxes his bow.
"Lam, I have an idea."
Moving to Lam, and whispering quietly in his ear.

Putting his hands up in a questioning manner, he walked over to see how Rebecca is doing.
"You are in good hands with Daniv, rest and recover your strength, I feel we will need you up and moving soon."

Jory is very much in need of dry clothes, as he's only wearing wet clothes and a wet studded leather armor, which used to be the pirate's.
He says softly: "I'm going to look for dry clothes and other useful things."
He walks into the N-S corridor and tries the door directly to the south.

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 27):


Keestake, as you say we can, Thank you to allow us to explore the area beyond the door Jory went in to look for dry cloths and possibly some useful stuff to aid us all.  We will not destroy or do any harm as we go and will make sure what we find is acceptable from you.

Smiles as Sal walks up shaking his head in agreement.

Looks to Edward and Rebeccah.  Stay Edward and try to help Rebeccah warm up and get ready  while Jory Sal, Kirkrin and I explore to see if we can find dry cloths and useful items down that way - pointing the way Jory went.  Tath and Daniv, come stand in the doorway area and keep watch on our progress, I would hope to not get to separated but also stay in pairs. Whispers to Tath and Daniv as they set up by the door _{Keep an eye on the old man plus whatever may be behind the makeshift cover upon those stairs.  Do not go in there but yell for help if need be, we still do not know if the old man is 100% with us}.

then moves with Sal and Kirkrin calling, Jory wait for us moving to meet up with Jory.

In reply to Lam Durus (msg # 28):

Daggers in hand.
"I have an erie feeling about this place.  Lets clear it out, I'll follow you."

Tath listened quietly to Lam's plan then nodded "Very well." Moving over near the door he squatted with his back to the wall in a position where he could keep an eye on the room and a portion of the hallway.

I'll do the best I can, Deniv says as he gets up.  Before you go anywhere, here.
He moves to one of the piles of smashed furniture.  Taking up a couple of legs, he cuts and wraps some of the upholstery around each and ties it tightly in place.  Torches.  You might need them.

Kerkrin shrugs, and follows along.

In reply to Kerkrin (msg # 32):

Taking the makshift torches, thank you Daniv, make sure you have some for yourself.

Be safe as I will do so to.

(Just to be clear, the curtains aren't 'makeshift.'  Old and tattered they are, but they appear to be part of the original construction.)

The South door is opened to reveal another hallway, though this one runs East-West.  There is another door immediately to the South and East.  The torches increase visibility, allowing two more doors to be seen.  The one on the North side likely leads back into the large chamber with the rest of the group.  The South door leads to the unknown.

Jory nods to the others who're following with torches, but he doesn't need one himself.
He studies the door to the South and looks for traps, listens for sounds and looks at the ceiling, for danger of collapse.

In reply to Jory Ranglore (msg # 35):

Lam slows down as he follows Jory, holding a torch with his battle Axe at the ready.

Rebeccah was quite fine not exploring the back halls of the temple since she probably wouldn't survive another violent encounter if there was anything back there.  She was curious about what was behind the curtain, though.  First, she found some wood to prop up her cloak near the fire to dry.  Her dress was still wet and stuck to her skin, but that was going to have to stay on for now.  The tear and the blood bothered her, but it was a problem for another time.

She approached the middle of the curtains and took a peak inside.  She opened them up enough to let a little light through.

No traps noted.  Construction appears solid.  (assuming the near South door)

Door checked, they open it and peer inside.

This is a large room with heavy wooden tables
running around most of the walls. There
is a large, recessed fireplace on the east wall.
It's as large as a small room, certainly enough
to mount a cross-bar and roast a bull within
while simultaneously cooking other dishes.
The fireplace seems to be in good shape The
window's shutters are still closed, and ivy
creeps in through holes in them.

The tables are all undamaged, and the orcs,
other than taking a few preliminary axe swings
at the plaster walls, do not seem to have done
much damage here.



Rebeccah peers behind the curtains.

This chamber is raised about a foot and a
half above the floor of the hall of the goddess.
You had to push your way through
the tattered curtains to enter. You could
tell, as you did so, that these ratty cloths
were once fine velvet, purple embroidered
upon in gold, but they've aged now into a
uniform, revolting brown and you cannot
tell now what the embroidery represented.
There are only two items in the chamber.
One is a statue of the goddess. She is sitting
on a throne, looking down into the
hall of the goddess; her expression is
thoughtful, with the faintest trace of a
smile on her lips.
The sculptor must have been a tremendous
talent, for the statue is posed in a very
natural manner, head slightly bowed, left
hand extended in a gesture of blessing.
right hand gripping the arm of the throne.
But it, too, is a ruin now. The nose has
been broken off, the left hand likewise, a
great crack runs across the torso, and the
face and torso are smeared with filth.
The other object in the room is a low table,
obviously an altar, set down before the
statue of the goddess. Since it bears no
trace of bloodstains, new or old, it must
have been an altar for offerings instead of
sacrifices.
Both statue and altar are sculpted out of
fine marble. The walls of this chamber are
white and unadorned.

With the bow in hand, Deniv grabs his twelve arrows and moves up behind Rebeccah.  _{I don't think this is a good idea,} he whispers to the girl as he follows her inside.  _{Sleeping gods and goddesses should be left to sleep.}
At the sight of the statue and the altar, he gives a soft gasp.  Slowly, he moves forward to Rebeccah's side.  _{If that is the Goddess, and she comes alive to atttack those who desecrate her temple, she appears to have been injured.  Either that, or vandals have been here.}
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

In reply to Daniv Jensen (msg # 39):

Followng Joras, Lam moves into the rooms doorway, looks about then motions Kirkrin and Sal to spread out (pointing left for Sal and right for Kirkrin) whispers as they pass _{Careful, spread out and slowly search the room leaving that fireplace for last.  I will keep the doorway secure for our escape route then follow in once the room looks secured and you have signaled to do so.}

Lam will stay at he door watching Joras, Sal and Krikrin as they move toward the far end by the fireplace.  He will keep an eye out in the room they just came from then look into the large room, left side, right side and at the ceiling and repeat his lookout until the signal all clear is given then move in himself (unless something happens)

OOC - is there any other doors in here?

In reply to Lam Durus (msg # 40):

Sal nods in recognition to Lam.
Daggers in each hand, he moves left.


Why am I picturing  Krampus popping out of the fireplace?

Jory moves into the room, which seems to be a kitchen, as well and turns right as soon as he's inside.
He searches for anything edible left on or under the tables. And finally he looks for anything valuable in the fireplace.

The dwarf goes right, working around to the fireplace.

"I would guess the orcs did this," she replies to Daniv.  "What a pity.  She is beautiful.  If I had something to offer for allowing us to stay here, I would.  We can at least find some rags and clean off some of the filth.  It's the least we can do, right?"

Well, the closest thing I have is this dirty cloak.  Or my pants.  He shakes his head at that thought as he takes off the cloak to hand to the girl.