The beginning of the truck towards the east was relativly peaceful, with the sharp eyes and nature skills of both Thum and Naeldil complimenting each other (much to the elf’s dismay). The elven hunter found that the barbaric orc blood had some skills in tracking. Along the road east it was relatively hard picking up a specific trail, but once the trail turned north, both found a trail little more that an animal path leading east around a small outcropping of rocks. There they found a obvious trail leading into the mountains.

From there the group traveled up and down the mountainous trails and find a well used camp, protected in a cave with a natural chimney. The sight looks to have been used as recently as a week ago, though no signs since can be seen.

With guards posted and a fire out of sight, the group have a comfortable night and set off early.

The second day see’s Naeldil’s skills tested as well as help from the sharp eyes of peregren. The strain, hard to find amongst the rocks, was spotted several times by the sharp halfling eyes.

It was getting onto a few hours past noon when an obvious trail was found leading up. The trail leads into an ever-narrowing defile between bluffs of wind-sculpted sandstone. Eventually the walls draw in so closely that you can reach out and touch either side, but then the narrow space opens into a hidden canyon in the heart of the hills. A sprawling monastery with dark, narrow windows and red tile rooftops stands in the middle of this natural amphitheater, ringed by sandstone cliffs all around.

Ahead, a weathered flight of stone steps leads up to the closed monastery door

Sister Tanique was in good spirits,  despite her normal disdain for sleeping outside.   As they approached the door, she asked cheekily
"I suspect,  after what happened to most of us last time we came to a structure out in the middle of nowhere,  perhaps we shouldn't knock this time?"

Thum scratched his beard. "Do we know for sure who lives in that stone building? Can we just break in and start killing everybody?"

Praelia eyed the building curiously.  "Unless this place is abandoned or its inhabitants are fools they have known of our approach for some time.  We made no efforts to conceal ourselves and this monastery seems well positioned to observe the going-ons around it's border."

"While some of our sneakier members may try to hide, I see little point in trying to enter unannounced.  If their intentions are peaceful I would not disturb them, if they are hostile then they have already prepared for our arrival."

She looks around for tactical options.  Any potential cover, especially that obscures sight lines.  She also looked to see if there were any windows, arrow slits or any other kind of defensive advantage offered to the occupants of the monastery.

"We could back away a little and let those who feel they may stealth inside do their work, though I feel we have given up any chance of that.  I do not feel obliged to storm a building when we do not know the intent of the occupants.  I suggest Thum and I approach the door and knock.  Others could stay under cover with ranged weaponry and spells prepared should trouble occur."

Thum smiles. "Sure, I will go. Everybody that meets me loves me. We can even tell them about your god if you like. I could play the flute for them. I can be very disarming." He gives a toothy grin.

"It would seem prudent to observe the place for a while," Peregrin offers. Even when in charge, he's rarely demanding, and being such a newcomer to this group, he lets the big warriors in charge do the planning.

The monastery is a squat building with window slits in the wall. Behind the wall the building with windows and dark stone. The only seemingly entrance a solid looking oak door.

"Among my people, there is a legend of a group of isolated monks that keep to themselves in the area around these lands. They are said to be reclusive and don’t like strangers. The legend doesn't say if they are elemental cultists or not. Maybe have Tanique go up with us. Somebody who can sniff out evilness. Of course, that will tell them we are here. But you said that doesn't matter any more."

Tanique smiled at the half orc
"I, too, have heard of these monks, though they kept to themselves enough that i also hadn't heard details about their nature.   But i can cert go up and say hello, as a fellow traveler seeking religous and spiritual fulfillment. "

"I don't think there is any taking his place by assault, barring some powerful magics or engines. And we do not know who dwell within... I will have to agree with this course of action, just knock on the door and come forward with our purpose here. I will not partake in another filthy deceit, given the direction the last one took. With some luck these Hermits will be able to help us our point us in the right direction. If these strange cultist roam the area, we can depend on the zealots to make themselves a nuisance to the these monks as well."

Peregrin's head swivels back and forth as the group discusses their plan. Knocking always seems the most polite way to introduce oneself. Any proper Halfling would never attack someone friendly enough to knock, even if they were an enemy.

"Seems we have a plan."  Praelia agreed.  "Let's have Tanique serve as a spokesperson.  Thum and I can serve as her bodyguards.  The rest of you hold back ready to join at a moment's notice."

Unless anyone had an objection,  Tanique nodded in agreement with the Praelia and went to knock on the door

Praelia fell into step slightly behind and to the left of Tanique.

Tanique, flanked by Praelia and thum, walk slowly up the path while the others stay out of sight. The tree move up slowly, both thum and Praelia focused and serious (though thum had a slight smile on his orcish face). The others wait what seems an eternity as they made their way up.

The Assimar stepped up, knocking on the wooden gate with a pounding sound. Seconds go by, when a slit in the gate opened, showing a pair of brown eyes. “Yes....what do you want?”The voice is a male, gruff and serious.

With her friendliest smile on her face, Tanique spoke.
"My apologies for the disturbance, brothers, but my party and I were hoping for information about this area.  We're looking for an Ancient Bridge, built by the dwarves of old, and looking for a possible elemental cult that is causing problems for the nearby towns.   I know that your group likes to keep your yourselves, but I was hoping that you might have some information for us."

OOC: 01:27, Today: Sister Tanique rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  Persuasion 

The eyes narrowed. “Sorry...we can’t help you.” The slide showing the eyes slid shut.

Tanique blinked in surprise, then frowned in annoyance and knocked on the door more insistently.
"Hey!!!  Hold on there, now!  Do you KNOW how far we've traveled?? The least you can do is talk with us for five minutes!!"

The slot opened again and looked at you. “We have no concern of the outside world...we live our life here. “ The eyes narrowed, “We own you nothing...so be on your way”

Sister Tanique was NOT used to being told NO, and tried to understand the situation this time.

OOC:01:55, Today: Sister Tanique rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  insight.

Given the persuasiveness and diplomacy of Tanique's plea, Praelia was surprised when she was so thoroughly rebuffed.  She examined those eyes and the tone of voice carefully to see if she could detect something amiss.

Insight: 21

Sister Tanique looked angry for a moment, but then her expression softened
"You seem upset, my friend.  I can tell that things aren't going as well here as you'd like.  Perhaps we can help you.  We're a group of many talents, after all.  Please, sir, let us help."

The slide closed and the sounds of movement could be heard. The gate opened, showing several monks, dressed in simple linen vests and breeches with leather boots, all brown. The one at the front, a human male was just into his 20’s. Behind him were 5 other people, a male and female in brown robes. None talked other than the young man.  His face was serious and stern.

“We need no help, especially from mercenaries. We are capable of looking after our own business - clearly nosy people who can’t understand English don’t understand that we aren’t asking help.”

The woman in robes stepped forward, placing a hand on the mans shoulder. He turned, and seeing who it was, bowed his head. The woman crossed her arms, her voice musical. “My friends - we are a order of peaceful people, but we know how to protect ourselves....from any intrusion. Now if you will excuse me, we must see the head of our order for meditation. We bid you good day.”

She stepped back and nodded, two of the monks closing the gates.

....the woman had a smug smile as she turned.

"Well that went well."  Praelia said dryly after the door closed.  She turned to Tanique.  "Don't get me wrong, I thought you were very convincing.  If your appeal didn't get us in, diplomacy was destined to fail."

"Any idea what she meant about understanding 'Inglis' or whatever it was?  Is that a religion of some sort?"


OOC: Did my insight check fail?

Watching from afar, Peregrin mutters, "It's not working." Although tempted to sneak forward, he sticks to the plan and stays put until the other return.

In reply to Praelia (msg # 24):

Tanique sighed and backed away from the door, to stand by Praelia.

"They're definitely hiding something,  i can feel it in my bones.  Is that woman responsible for it, or am I just being paranoid?"

She smiled wryly at the dragonborne's question about "Inglish"
"It's a fad among the affluent and snooty in human society to not admit speaking a language known as "Common", so they came up with another word for how 'proper' humans speak.  That just makes me more suspicious,  I'll admit "

"Humans"  Praelia snorted derisively.  Common was common.

"They're definitely hiding something, but the question is, is it anything to do with us?  They're a secretive order so by definition they have things they wish to hide.  That doesn't necessarily link them to the cultists or make them a threat to the region."

"We should return to the others.  Clearly diplomacy will not work."

Sister Tanique shrugged but nodded
"My instincts are telling me that there are shenanigans afoot, but I'll admit that I can't say if this is connected to the cult behavior.  We may need a Plan B"

Praelia began walking towards the others, wanting to be out of earshot of any prying monks before she replied to Tanique.  "My concern is how far we can push without evidence.  I am not about to storm a monastery of possibly innocent monks just because they're being cagey with us.  So far they are guilty of no crime.  We need proof of some sort.  Perhaps our scouts can learn more?"

The priestess nodded
"Yes, perhaps subterfuge might prevail over diplomacy "

Thum looked at the door. Maybe he could break it down. He took a few steps back and took some deep breaths. He squared his shoulders, ready to charge the door and bash it in..




Thum's shoulders slumped and he sighed sadly. "Okay.." He turned away from the door and walked back towards the others dragging the butt of his greataxe.

The three return to the group, Thum, holding his axe, looking back a little dejected almost like he left his favorite battle axe behind.

Peregrin says, "No luck, I see." Turning to the side, he points off towards the other side of the valley, as if looking for where they may go from here, but oddly, he continues talking, "Don't look. They are watching us from the windows. Perhaps we should act as if we're leaving."

While looking around, he wonders what water source feeds the monastery, presumably a well.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Tue 18 May 2021.

Tanique nodded to Peregrin and followed his lead

Walks off with them.

Once the group is out of sight of the building, Peregrin resumes the conversation. "Well, we have our suspicions. I think that justifies some surveillance. Should they come out after us, it would be even more suspicious," he adds.

In his travels, Peregrin tended to stick to the main roads and larger towns. Being somewhat new to this area, he knows virtually nothing about these reporting cultists. Certainly, the stonework of the monastery is something aligned with the stone-armored villains that attacked the town, but for the moment the connection is rather tenuous.

"Do you think this is the place we seek?" he asks Xantria. "Or are we looking for the ancient stone bridge?" he continues, a bit confused.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Tue 18 May 2021.

Xantria nods, "It is the place I have heard of and it makes sense the stone clad warriors might be here. Like the ones we fought in town with those bugs."

He looks at Peregrin, "Why don't we look for signs of tunnels like those bugs might use in the area ?"

"I'm thinking we could perform all of these and more.  Lets move away from the monastery but set up camp somewhere.  Not so close we seem a threat or encroaching on their building, but close enough they know where we are.  Maybe an hour or so away.  But somewhere they can see us, perhaps by a campfire in the evening.  We want them to know we're in the area."

"This allows us three avenues to explore.  First, we offer ourselves an inviting target.  Should they have ill intent they might come out to attack us.  Obviously we would need to choose our campsite carefully, lest it become a battleground."

"Second it means our scouts could do some exploring come night should they feel they can penetrate the castle silently."

"Finally we have a base from which we can explore the local area for signs of bugs, cultists, anything.  I do not think we should pack up and move off simply because of a shut door and cold reception.  Lets set up a defensible camp and explore the area.  Let us be the hunters while pretending to be the prey."

"Sounds like a wonderful plan"

"Indeed.  I will stay with you until after nightfall, and then I can perhaps get a closer look at what's going in the monastery, cautiously of course," Peregrin adds. He defers to Praelia, the battle expert, in terms of picking a suitable location for the camp, adding his expertise in terms of approaches and sightlines, to the extent it is welcomed.

Praelia gratefully accepted Peregrin's offer of help.  "We need to pick a site carefully.  It must be far enough away to look like we're respecting their privacy but close enough they feel they could come out to scout or attack us.  Perhaps a neighbouring mountain or some such so we have good line of sight but they have to traverse many valleys and climb trails to reach us?  I imagine your keen eyes will be better at locating such a site.  If you can find such spots I can evaluate their defensibility."

<Based on DM's OOC note, I'm assuming we located a suitable defensive location for our camp>


Having found a suitable spot, Praelia turned her attention to the others.  "Well this seems like a good spot.  I will spend time making it more defensible.  Before that we need to discuss reconnaissance."

"It sounds like Peregrin and Naeldil will examine the monastery after dark.  Did one of you want to brief us on the plan?  Do we all go or just a few scouts?  I for one, am not good at being quiet.  I tend to be one of the loudest on a battlefield."

This message was last updated by the player at 23:13, Sat 22 May 2021.

"I have been told I can be bombastic." Looks sheepish.

As the group settles into camp, Peregrin takes the opportunity to put together a warm snack, pulling a variety of spices out of his park, along with four potatoes. He wraps them in some damp leaves and stuffs them into the bed of the campfire. While cooking, he explains a bit further, "I work well alone - when scouting that is. I would not be inclined to actually enter the premises; perhaps a look over the wall, but any entry should probably be reserved for another time, after we gather more information."

After about an hour, he uses a long metal rod to push the potatoes out of the coals and lets them cool a bit. Then, he slices them open and adds some bits of jerky, dried cheese, salt, and pepper, mixing in a tiny bit of water as moisturizer. "These will fill your bellies," he pronounces, proud of his creation. He offers them to the group and then immediately begins eating his.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:20, Tue 25 May 2021.

Thum spends the afternoon gather wood for a large campfire. He sort of chuckles and giggles as he drags large pieces of wood into the camp. He's looking forward to lighting this mother of a camp fire.

He takes a break to eat one of Peregrin's potatoes. "This is good. Tastes good. You know what would make it taste better? Wrap some bacon or meat around the potatoes as they cook.  hmm.. hmmm...Maybe drip some deer fat on the potatoes."

Praelia munched her potato quietly.  She agreed it was good and paid her respects to the chef but her focus was on the mission, not culinary critique.

"Use your judgement Peregrin.  This is a fact-finding mission but if you see an opportunity, I'm sure you'll make the right decision as you go.  All I suggest is if others are skilled at scouting they should go with you.  I am concerned if one of you got in trouble you'd be too far away for the main group to support you."

Sister Tanique nodded in agreement
"Scouting is also not my specialty.   I'm happy to leave this to others more skilled. "

The priestess smiled at Peregrine
"Thank you,  for your food and your skill"

Naeldil, idly enjoyed the treat Peregrin had prepared. "Well that's all in the past, you are with us now. We can't have you blundering into trouble all on your own." Said the elf before finishing what remained of her food. "I will go with you." Somehow, she was more fond of the new halfling than the last already. It didn't have anything to do with the cooking though but his integrity and strength of character, or some such thing, probably...

"Yes, your sharp Elven eyes will be appreciated," Peregrin says, welcoming someone to scout with him. After finishing dinner and having a brief smoke from his pipe, once the sun has fully descended, he proposes they set off. He takes his pack and gear with him but leaves his bedroll laid out, anticipating going to sleep promptly when they return.

"Rest well, but keep one eye open!"

With the plan set in motion, Thum and Praelia set about creating a campsite with a large fire, Xandria and Tanique going about cooking a meal. Peregrin nods at Naeldil as dusk falls, and the two set about making bedrolls, stuffing them with their packs and such, making it look like a sleeping person.

with watches set, Peregrin and Naeldil exit the camp, nodding at Praelia who was on watch.

The two disappeared into the darkness with barely a sound.

Praelia watched the two go, her emotions mixed.  She didn't like seeing members of the group go into potential danger without her but she had to trust in them.  Sneaking around was what they were good at.  She would only be a burden should she try to hover over them.  Instead she focused on their campsite.  While the bonfire was designed to make them look stupid and vulnerable she planned for them to be anything but.  The site had been chosen with minimal approaches and a strong defensible location.  She planned to ensure the camp's defenses were as strong as possible.

"Now that is rather intriguing. Hermits may not concern themselves much with material things, but I have yet to see an ascetic group to let their monastery to fall in this state of disrepair..." If it was indeed that. The elf moved a bit closer to give the wall a closer inspection. "Don't trouble yourself with the drain. There is no telling where that leads to and if we were to use either, I rather go for the one I can exit through." She mentioned to Peregrin, obviously not very keen on the idea.

After a few hours, there was movement on tbe edge of the light as both peregren and naeldil returned to camp

Praelia nodded in acknowledgement as the scouts returned but remained in her watch position.  She trusted the scouts not to be followed but they were still advertising their position quite obviously.

As the passed she asked.  "Any news?"

Sister Tanique looked up with wide eyes

Naeldil sat on the ground by the fire and proceeded to share their findings. "Nothing much to say, there are several points of entry that could be used to go inside, but they vary on their usefulness and danger. Some would even require a bit of mining effort. That monastery of theirs has some kind of basement and tunnels beneath, that's for sure, but for all we know it is just their catacombs and sewers. If you ask me, these monks are more in need of a few good masons than an armed band of do-gooders, many points of the exterior are in an awful state of disrepair or even have caved in."

Tanique nodded, looking at the scouts
"But what can you tell us about the monks,  themselves?  Are they just an eccentric bunch of hermits,  or is there something nefarious going on?  Are they just being rude, or are they being held against their will?"

"Sounds like who were looking for, the Earth Cult."

Praelia listened carefully to Naeldil's description.  So far nothing they hadn't hypothesised.  The monks were reclusive but that wasn't a crime.

Her attention turned to Xantria when she made her comment about the earth cult.  She'd seen nothing that remotely linked these monks to the cult.  Had she missed something?

"Why makes you say that Xantria?"

"All the broken ground, the disturbed masonry easy things caused by things like those bugs or earth magic and easy things removed the same way."

Praelia frowned, but looked to the scouts.  "I had assumed you were suggesting the damage was due to general disrepair.  Was that what you saw or is it more likely from more agressive and recent damage like magic or burrowing monsters?"

The elf held her hands out in front of her. "One thing at a time. There was no 'broken ground' that I saw, simply caved in walls and sections some of which lead to whatever catacombs, basement, shrine or whatever these monks have beneath the building proper. It could even be a wine cellar for all we know, like I said, seemed to me like they are in need of repairs, rather than some kind of attack or infiltration. Suppose we are talking of mysterious bird creatures, are you suggesting that we should break into every house that is missing a handful of roof tiles?"

"Now, as for the monks themselves, just how do you suggest I ascertain that? Abduct and torture one of them? We had a look at the place nothing more, everyone stays inside at night, or so it seems. Fittingly enough for what we know them to be, a group of monks and hermits, which is what I am inclined to think they are at this time. I didn't hear your exchange but, so they are rude, lack in social skills and want nothing to do with outsiders. Sounds like a bunch of reclusive hermits to me." The elf sighed. "If you stand by your suspicions, we can lay low and monitor the place fro a few days, both the entrance and the damaged sections and other alternative entry points. See who comes and goes, if anybody at all."

Tanique sighed, nodding at the information,  though she'd been hoping for more.  Naeldil wasn't wrong,  though.  It would have been difficult to really spy on the monks with the kind of detail she wanted.
"We can stay in this relatively secure campsite for a few days, perhaps explore other areas nearby, and keep an eye on the monks, just in case."

Praelia listened quietly to the report.  Like Naeldil, Praelia had seen nothing to date that suggested the monks were anything more than they claimed to be.

"Good job, both of you.  While we haven't really learned anything new about the monks and their intentions, that in itself is valuable information.  Personally, I agree with you Naeldil.  At present there is no reason to suspect the monks are cultists, merely reclusive."

"The plan was to stay an extra night anyway, just to give any cultists a chance to try to ambush us.  So we have time to do any exploration we want.  I know there was a wish to search the area for any broken ground."

"While I'm not eager to do so at this point, would the damage to the building allow us to enter the under levels of the building?  Could we enter through the cellars/catacombs if we needed to?"

"There are several potential entry points, an opening on the wall in the Northwest corner and a drain by the East. I wouldn't recommend the later, there is no telling where it leads to, wet and slippery, one could be very well end up drowning in some water reservoir or at the very least having a very hard time coming out through the same place they went in." The elf made a small pause before adding the third option. "Now, as for the tunnel. There is that entrance I mentioned but is partially collapsed, we would need strong arms dedicated to the task of clearing a way through, much caution too. I don't imagine a collapsed section would lose it's taste for it after the first time. Not that I am a miner or some other kind of expert when it comes to these things, I am at home in the woods not in some tunnel."

Thum sat carving on a piece of wood with his dagger. "Let's sleep here tonight. If nothing happens, then we can move on tomorrow, look for cultists somewhere else. If these just shy monks, no reason to pee in their soup."

Praelia eyed Thum curiously for a moment after his comment.  Then she shrugged it off.

"I'll finish the first watch.  We have this place well secured but be prepared for trouble.  Be it tonight or tomorrow.  We want them to tip their hand but we don't want to be caught off guard.  The bonfire is a beacon so don't camp near it."

She knew she was being repetitive.  The scouts had helped find this spot and make it defensible.  Still, years in the military had instilled that instructions were clear and clarified often.

She nodded then moved off to her watch point.

The watch went by uneventful, with Praelia finishing the first watch, it was hard to hear any sounds over the snoring of Thum. The second watch, manned by the half orc too was uneventful, though he jumped at a few sounds in the dark. The final watch saw Tanique (With Xantria helping somewhat as she memorised spells), saw no movement and sounds.

The next morning came cool, with a light frost on the ground away from the area of the fire, which people kept stocked overnight. Had it died overnight, it would have been cold.

With the decision made to remain at least another night, the decision to explore for clues was issued.

<OOC: OK guys...you have 4 days to tell me what your doing at the camp. Exploring in general, a specific area, etc. For those in general exploring, i need a perception roll with advantage IF you have the survival skill. If a certain area, investigation (Naeldil and Peregren have advantage on this from previous scouting if its near the cave or monastery) AND an order of watch tonight and perception rolls (Need at least 3 people)

You have 4 days people, then I move on>

Tanique would suggest a methodical search, perhaps spending half a day going north, then returning to camp, then a day going half a day south, the ln returning,  then the same for east and west.
But she would defer to the more tactically minded

"My focus in this will be defense of the team and the campsite, not the search itself.  I leave the search plans to those more knowledgeable.  I personally don't think the search will yield much.  My goal is to ensure we're visible to the monks while we poke around.  If they are indeed the cultists we seek, or are sheltering them, I want to provoke them.  If so my vision needs to be outward, not inward."


OOC: Any perception/investigation checks Praelia makes will be focused on protecting the group rather than searching.

When on watch she prefers first or last watch as she lacks darkvision
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Sun 13 June 2021.