February 15th is overcast and rainy.
You leave early for Sandas...arriving there at midmorning, cold and wet. Sasha is shivering badly.
As you ride through the slums towards the West Gate, J'Harast feels a thump...and something imbeds itself in his leather backpack.
Looking, you see that it is a dagger...the blade covered in a sticky substance.
There are a fair number of people about, but none stand out as the attacker...
J'Harast glowers.
"Don't touch the blade, thats probably poisoned. We need to get Sasha to an Inn. Once she is safe, I can deal with this problem."
Farad curses. "Welcome home everyone. If anyone has a means of making J'Harast turn invisible, now would be the time to use it. We didn't pay to have him die on us again."
Using his excellent eyesight, Aldarin scans the crowd for anyone or anything suspicious looking. He sees no one who looks suspicious...just the typical slum dwellers and lowlifes who haunt this part of Sandas.
"Your former associates waste no time in making you not welcome.. did they have someone watching the gate day in and out? So lets go to the inn quickly.. We have some shopping to do.. J'Harast, you're still using my sword, right? I'll buy one for you if you don't want to be walking around.. I need some new equipment anyway." says Illyana.
Pillar winces and says "Quick to the inn."
"So ... c-cold ... " Sasha mumbles, barely aware of the change. She snuggles closer, trying to get some warmth. "C-cold ... as h-hell ... " she mutters, her cheeks flushed and eyes oddly bright.
Raz nods. A moment later you see him waving his hands and muttering mystical words as Raz casts invisibility on J'Harast.
You hurry to the West Gate. You have the feeling that you are being followed...though you can see no one in obvious pursuit.
At the gate the guard gives each of you a long hard look before letting you pass.
Twenty minutes later you are at the Inn of the Drunken Dwarf.
"Whatever became of that J'Harast fellow?" asks Luthus th innkeeper. "Hope you aren't hangin' about with him anymore. He's a bad egg...so some people think."
Sasha rallies a bit, though her eyes are still glassy and her cheeks flushed. "He is not a bad egg ... Just a little lost. And we are hanging around with him ... he is my friend and I would thank you to keep your comments to yourself if you can't say anything nice."
Luthus shakes his head.
"Then ye'll be havin' t'find another place to stay," he says. "I'm sorry...but I can't be riskin' bringin' the guild down on me."
Sasha then reels a bit and looks around. "I think ... I think I need to ... get warm ... and sleep ... " She says, trying to steady herself.
"Try the Inn o' the Former Virgin. They might take ye in."
Raz speaks up..."Don't listen to Sasha, Luthus. She has a big heart and is not herself at the moment. Of course we are no friend to J'Harast....besides he's no longer alive. Seems someone stabbed him in the back with a poisoned dagger!"
Sasha looks stricken. She whirls to face Raz. "What?! I thought ... he can't be .. oh no ... " She stands there, looking totally stunned, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Farad smiles. "All the better! Evil should die."
"Oh aye? Then who was the fellow named J'Harast you just spoke to a moment ago? Is it one o' you people, in disguise?" he eyes Aldarin. "Or have ye turned him invisible? I know some of yous are spell casters.
"No...I think it'd be best if ye found another place to stay...meanin' no disrespect."
Luthus leans closer to you and says in a low voice, "If ye was smart ye'd all get out of town. The guild knows you all as friends of his..."
Illyana frowns. "This is rather obnoxious.. I don't want to be forced to post a watch in an inn of all places - especially since Sasha can't be moved easily for quite some time to come."
Looking bewildered, Raz turns to Farad and Illyana saying, "What should we do?"
Farad turns on Luthus. "J'Harast is an evil and vile human, as we both know. But he will not be staying here in the inn. I'm told he has arrangements to stay at the guild house of the Fighter's Guild. However if you do not think this adequate, I shall be forced to report your actions to Yuri the Incredible, for who we serve as agents. He shall be most interested in an innkeeper who turns away those who serve the light. For we attempt to turn to justice one fallen to evil ways. It will be quite a shame to see this fine inn given the reputation as a place that turns away those who seek only good. The wrong sort of patron would come here, for you will make known that the thieves guild is your true boss. Is this truly what you want? Do you truly wish to be known as an ally of darkness?! Turn away from the evil that touches your soul! Claim the light! Ally yourself with justice!"
Farad's eyes burn bright with passion. "What say you? Are you a man of nobility who serves the gods of goodness, justice and mercy. Or are you a man of darkness and evil, one who turns away those who serve the gods of good?! Speak now! Let us know your character!"
"I am but a humble innkeeper who will not have his home and business - as well as those within it, includin' you, sar - burned to the ground because of the stubborn impulses of some pig-'eaded elf! If you feel so strongly about this, then yes! report me to Yuri! An' when he comes I'll tell him that I did not want no party known to associate with evil in my inn...what do you think he'd say to that? Better yet, why don't you go an' confront the guild yourself! It's under the Sailor's Rest. But go alone...so ye don't take any innocent lives with ye!"
Farad looks at Luthus. "See what you have done to this woman?" He motions to Sasha. "Repent your sins now, before you are stricken down by them. Recant the evil that is in your heart, and you may still be saved by the light!"
Farad's voice is loud, as he demands an answer from the innkeeper.
Luthus speaks to Sasha.
"I'm sorry, miss, but I have a wife an' family to worry about. An' believe me...the word is out about you. Anyone who associates with this J'Harast character is at risk. I don't want to be included in th' tally. An'...until the guild has his body...they'll be watchin'..."
"But ... but Raz ... or was it Farad." Sasha turns around to look, then seems to forget. "How can they hurt you if he's dead ... oh ... because we lost the body again ... darn ... I hate it when that happens ... "
She looks around again, tears again rolling down her cheeks. "We have to find him ... and see what we can do ... " she turns back to the innkeeper, and looks confused again, apparently forgetting what it was she was going to say to him.
Farad makes a sign as if to ward off evil, and turns away in disgust. "Come, let us see about finding another inn. This man is too far gone to evil to be saved."
"He is?" Sasha says, leaning in close to peer at the innkeeper.
Turning back to Luthus, Farad says, "When the guild comes around, tell them that they have a good and faithful servant in the innkeep of the Drunken Dwarf."
"But I thought you said he was evil ... " Sasha says, rubbing her temples.
Farad turns toward Raz and motions him to take Sasha away...
With that he leaves.
Raz takes Sasha's arm gently and leads her away.
You return to the street.
Once you are out of range of the Inn, J'Harast says, "May I suggest that Sasha and I go to the temple of Tyr, the even handed. There She can rest and meditate, I can watch her, and continue my instructions on the path of Tyr, as it is one road to salvation." comes J'Harast's voice from ether.
Sasha whirls around to find the source of the voice, her mouth falling open in a big 'O'. She suddenly throws up her hands to cover her face. "Oh no ... I think ... I'm hearing his voice still ... " she whispers, quite beside herself.
"We made him invisible again, so you're not hearing things. He's around here somewhere."
"What do we do about your former guild? If they keep hunting us down we may be forced to leave town and not be able to return. I seriously doubt we can shut them down, so is there any way we can have them lay off of us?"
Farad frowns. "They demand an answer. From what I gather their complaint is due to J'Harast turning in another of their order. So its likely that they will only be satisfied by the death of J'Harast, or the life of their dead member. Neither option is one I would recommend."
"Convince them I am dead? Once the mark is issued, there is no recinding it. Sorry. I have endangered you again. I do not know what I can do to remove the mark except in dying."
"But you are ... aren't you?" Sasha whispers, still hiding behind her hands.
"Farad? Raz? Didn't you say ... that is ... maybe I dreamt it ... I'm cold ... " Sasha finally stutters, bringing her hands down and looking might confused.
Farad grimaces. "As much as that option might appeal, we can not afford to turn you over to the guild. We have already spent far too much money to bring you back from death. I will not be in debt for nothing. Sasha thinks you can be brought back from evil, and indeed, that may be possible. I will thus work to keep you alive until then."
Raz looks thoughful for a moment and then says, "Sounds like a good idea to me. Want someone to tag along to help out with Sasha? It would look kind of funny if Sasha was being helped along with by an invisible force."
"The alcolytes there should be able to help her, and besided I am sure that the Lady Verona has magics so when I walk into the temple, this spell is nulified. Further, once in the temple, I would turn visible again, so that I could interact with those who I need to learn from. I think that it wouldbe bad to try to overtax the Lady Verona's patience with a whole group of adventurers staying in the temple." replies J'Harast's voice.
"I do not plan on staying in the temple. However I think someone else should carry Sasha and help her there. It would look strange if you did it while invisible."
Sasha looks confused now. "How come we have to go someplace else? I like this place ... and don't we have to do something about J'Harast? Why didn't you tell me .... and ... well ... where are we going ... I'm tired ... and I think all these lights that come and go are really confusing me ... I wish you would stop it ... " Sasha says, looking almost ready to collapse.
"There, there Sasha be still. I'll explain everything later. You have to rest."
Raz looks around at his fellow adventurers and says sarcastically, "If it is okay with all of you I am going to take this opportunity to train." Raz stands up saying, "I hope that Sasha recovers soon. I will meet you all back here as soon as I am finished. Oh,...and make sure J'Harast doesn't get into any fights while I'm gone."
Farad asks the fellow before he leaves, "How long will you be away?"
Raz replies, "Not really sure Farad...Maybe a week or two? I will try my best to get back here as soon as possible, but it really depends on how I am received at the magic users guild."
Sasha frowns, tugging at Raz's sleeve to prevent him from leaving. "What's the matter ... why are you angry at us?" She asks softly, obviously making an effort to get the words out clearly.
Raz softens up. Speaking in a very nice voice he says, "No Sasha...just a little stressed and worried. You rest up a bit and get back on your feet. I'll be back soon." Raz gently places his hand on Sasha's forehead and then turns to leave.
"But why ... I mean ... what is so stressful to you ... being more wizardly?" she asks, not letting go of his sleeve.
Raz nods..."Yes that.. and seeing you hurt and not having the power to save you."
"You did better than I did.. my sword would have killed them both in a single swing, so I was forced to step back." says Illyana.
"Oh ... but ... you all did ... save me, that is." She reaches out to pat his arm. "You did ... that is what counts ... why do you think you don't have the power? I don't understand ... " Sasha replies, looking confused.
Raz replies, "Shhh....Sasha...rest now. We can talk about these things later. What's important now is that you rest."
"But ... " Sasha protests, though weakly. She nods then, and smiles. "I guess you are right ... things are looking pretty silly from in here ... I wonder how they got all those colored lights to spin around like that ..." She reaches out and tries to grab something apparently floating in front of her eyes ...
Raz looks aropund to the other members of the group that are still here. "Shouldn't we get a private room and put Sasha to bed soon?", asks Raz.
Farad nods. "I shall be back shortly. Illyana, or anyone else if they wish, may accompany me to the jewelers."
"Having money in hand may enhance your reception. Why don't you wait a moment. Perhaps you can be of use." says Farad.
Raz grins..."Well, yes, I suppose money would help. I can wait 'til we get everything split before I go I guess." Raz sits down next to Sasha and grabs hold of her hand saying, "Guess I'm staying a little longer Sasha. Why don't you close your eyes and rest awhile. Everythings going to be fine."
Sasha smiles and squeezes Raz's hand a bit. "Yes ... it will .. someday."
"Now if only we could all get along ... that would be something -- I get so upset when you all are so mean to each other ... it actually hurts ... makes my stomach and my head hurt." Sasha sighs, letting the conversation wash over her.
Farad pulls out his map. In the margins are comments he has written as we have travelled through the maze. "I have told you I would count each penny found in this group, and I have done so. We have the following treasure to divide." 1000 sp 667 ep 167 gp 700 pp 3000 gp 2000 gp 22 gems 2 jewelry 3 gems (diamonds) 10 gems "The following items may be magical. Can someone please attempt to detect if they are so?" potion scroll scroll scroll potion ring broach ankle bracelet
"I can ... I think ... " Sasha says, rubbing her forehead slightly.
Bel says, "Let me Sasha, you're not quite well yet." Bel casts detect magic over the items in question.
"Should we identify these things? It may cost a bit of money, but if Raz can use the spells and the potions are healing, they may come in handy."
"J'Harast, I shall give your share of the money into Illyana's hands. This should satisfy Sasha's complaint of me having a hand on your pursestrings. The party leader can decide how much or your share you can keep."
Sashsa looks up at Farad. "I'm sorry ... about that. It wasn't a complaint ... just a concern ... should we take this to a private room?" Sasha asks, glancing at the other patrons.
Farad waits to see what may be magical. He will then leave to have the non magical gems and jewelry appraised so that we may know exactly what each person's share is to be.
"Illyana, why don't you accompany me to the jeweler's. I do not wish to be accused of taking from the top."
Illyana nods. "Alright then, we'll go to the jeweler. Can we stop off somewhere so I can buy some things on the way back?" She scratches her head. "That is quite a good deal of money.. should we get it changed into larger coin to make it easier to carry?"
"Oh Farad ... don't be so ... you know. We are ... were just naturally cautious after what happened ... don't keep harping on it please." Sasha says tiredly. "I would like to keep the ankle bracelet though ... " She adds, eyeing it with interest.
Farad looks at Sasha, "Don't be so what?" he seems puzzled. He then opens his mouth. "Ah. You missunderstand me. Its not that I think any of you would accuse me of stealing. If anything I think I have convinced you that I act as well as simply speak based on the conviction of my morals."
"No, I simply think that it is always best if at least two people are present any time that money for the party is discussed or traded. In this way we may in the future prevent what has happened in the past."
"Oh yeah ... " Sasha laughs. "You need some magic ... " She brushes something away from her eyes and begins casting a spell.
Raz quickly tries to stop Sasha's casting saying, "Be still Sasha."
Raz asks the others to go with him to the other inn...making sure that somebody is carrying or at least guiding Sasha.
Farad turns to Illyana. "Lets go appraise the gems and jewelry. The rest of them can escourt Sasha to the temple. Then we will all meet back together at the other inn. If they will not let us in, let us all meet at the evil house. I do not wish to stay there, but it seems that at least the guild and other orders of the city do not hang around it."
"As annoying as it may seem, we could always head back to Castle Yuri.. it would be a safe place to stay and perhaps he could do something about the situation."
Raz speaks up, "I think we should see if anyone at the temple can help Sasha out first. Then maybe we could make our way back to Yuri."
Sasha giggles. "Help me? For what ... " then she looks suddenly sad and adds, "No one can help me ... it is too late ... "
Farad and Illyana head off to get the gems and jewelry appraised while the rest of you head for the temple of Tyr.
Entering with Sasha, you are met by an acolyte...who looks at the young cleric if Isis with concern.
"What has happened? She's not dead again, is she?"
J'Harast, by the way, becomes visible when you walk through the door.
"Told you." says J'harast to no one in particular. "No, sir. She is not dead. However, her and I seek the shelter of this temple. If I may beg an audience with the Lady Verona i will explain all."
Bel says, "Well she is acting kind of strange but I know she is not dead and I hope she is not undead, but she is not in good shape. She might be close to either condition. She was attacked by a lurker and we brought her here as soon as we could."
Sasha screams when she sees J'Harast suddenly appear ... and faints.
With a look of distaste Pillar looks around the temple "How tacky, how truly tacky", as the preist comes over to the party the look of distaste fades and Pillar grins widely "Hello, how goes the path of Tyr, it seems his followers fare somewhat poorly" smirking Pillar motions to Sasha. "Ill wait outside, this God has no faith of mine", Pillar stomps out of the temple and sits down outside.
Sasha and Illyana are led away.
After a time, Farad and Illyana show up at the temple. J'Harast comes back out from his talk with Verona.
"Divided equally, everyone here gets 2082 gold, with 4 extra gold coins left over. There is enough jewelry that those of you who wish some of it in exchange of gold can easily do so. Sasha for instance wants the ankle bracelet, and that will count as 500 gold of her share. However we still have a debt to pay for J'Harast's raising." Farad suggests we place half the money obtained to paying this debt. "Thus each of us will have 1041 gold, and we will have paid 8332 toward raising J'Harast."
Raz replies, "That sounds fair."
Aldarin states, "That sounds reasonable to me."
"What do you folks wish to do?"
"If I may, I would like 600 gold, 100 for living and the remaining 500 to buy teh ankle bracelet fro Sasha. The rest of my share to be distributed towards the raising and teh debt I still owe to some of the party." asks J'Harast.
Bel says, "I'll take the 1000 and take 500 of it in the form of the ring we found."
"If I may could I have the diamond that is worth 1000gp and the 41 in coin" says Kelar.
"I'll take the 'jewlery' valued at 1000.. the other 41 in coins for some equipment. You can store the money if you want Farad, but I do remember the others saying that they were not interested in actual cash - I believe they have been more sucessful adventuring wise than us."
"True, but until we find something to trade that they might accept, we had best save money. We can divide it back amongst the party when that happens."
Farad marks J'Harast's contribution back into the fund. "Already we have a large portion. Assuming a debt equal to 25,000 gold, we are over a third the way there."
Raz will take his share of the money saying, "Please take care of Sasha. I'll meet you all back at Yuri's after I get done training." Raz then walks off in the direction of the magic user's guild.
"Remember to keep an eye out - one of J'Harast's 'friends' might be following you."
Appearing from the street Pillar wanders over to the discussion of funds "Oh good money now I can find a worthy church to give it to". With a look of distaste Pillar snorts at the current settings "Hey J'Harast there is some guy outside wants to have a talk, I think it might be wise if you had a short discussion with him. He said he wouldn't kill you and all. Maybe you can make a deal?" Laughing Pillar walks out of the temple "Ill see you when I finish training, have fun hahahaahaaaaa".
"Tell your friend I'll meet him in here." replies J'Harast.
You here a dim voice echoing from outside "Tell him yourself......."
Illyana frowns. "What happened to Pillar? He changed quite a bit since he got back. J'Harast, tell your 'friend' to come inside."
Pillar goes back outside the temple, followed by Raz, on his way to begin his training.
After pacing about for a bit, J'Harast goes over to a female acolyte and speaks to her. She nods, and heads outside.
A moment later she returns to the elf and talks to him again.
"Thank you for your troubles." he says, and resumes his pacing.
Finally, he turns and leaves the temple.
Farad watches J'Harast go. "Hope he doesn't waste our money."
"How so?" asks Illyana. "You mean by getting himself killed again? I hope not. I need to do some shopping actually, does anyone else need to buy anything?"
Aldarin heads for the exit, intending to catch up with Raz.
Suddenly you all hear the crackle of magic missiles...from just outside the closed door of the temple...where the J'Harast just went...
Farad draws his sword and runs out.
Illyana heads outside to see what happened.
Aldarin makes his way outside, post haste.
Opening the door, you see J'Harast fleeing towards you. He is already injured. You see Pillar battling what appears to be a beggar...but one with a dagger coated with some slimy substance.
Finally...you see an elf...airborne about 10' above the pavement...incanting...
"Pillar, you bastard, you will answer for this." J'Harast swears.
Shouting at the fleeing figure of J'harast Pillar bellows "Don't call me a bastard you buffoon, I am not the one with devious and cunning enemies".
Five more missiles blast into J'Harast's back, crackling his armour and searing his flesh for 14 hit points...followed by five more...for a further 21 hit points.
J'Harast drops in the doorway...his clothing aflame, his skin flayed and smoking.
Farad stares the flying elf and concentrates...
Suddenly a look of terror comes over the visage of the elf. He screams and flies away post haste.
"Heruk" Pillar says as his swing goes wild "God damn you man, I think that it is time we held a discussion", and Pillar begins to caste a hold person spell on the beggar and the elf.
The beggar, seeing his chance, lunges at Pillar with his dagger. The blow again bounces off of his plate mail, but ruins his spell in the process.
Illyana draws her two handed sword and swings at the beggar with the dagger. "Someone drag J'Harast back inside!"
Her blade finds its mark...badly injuring the man.
Kelar also moves to deal with the beggar.
His scimitar slices through the beggar's rags easily, and he drops in a pool of blood.
Bel starts casting cure light wounds as fast as he can on J'Harast. The wounds close, though J'Harast remains unconscious.
You drag him back inside.
J'Harast regains consciousness...to find that he is back in the church. He is at 0 hit points.
Farad looks over the situation. "Who can make J'Harast and a horse invisible? Bel, can you, or does Raz need to be here? We need to get him out of the city soon, and he probably will not be able to do it on his own."
Bel replies, "No can do chief, only have invisibility to animals. These thugs ar pretty dumb but I don't think they apply."
"Pillar, can you speak with the dead?" Farad examines and searches the of the 'beggar'...discovering that he is not dead. "Perhaps we can find out something from this fellow."
Farad binds his wounds and drags him inside. "Now we shall get some answers."
After five minutes the beggar awakens with a groan.
Once the fellow is able to talk, Farad looks at him. "Tell us about why you are after J'Harast."
"Arrrrr...it's the reward, lad!"
"Is the entire guild after him?"
"Aye...an' th' word is out t'other cities...thieves is comin' from all over I'm told!"
"Or is there a reward and you thought you could claim it. Or did you get specific orders to try and kill our companion?"
"Whatever..."
"Will the guild be satisfied with anything other than J'Harast's death?"
"Dead? They want him either way if'n they can. But they want 'im."
He shivers.
"Reward? How much money are we talking about?" asks Illyana.
"T'ousands, t'ousands! Th' Guild don't like finks. An' then there's all the bets a-goin' as t' who will finally catch 'im, too. Dat guy has become a regular industry, he has! A walkin' casino!"
"Other cities? J'Harast, what could you have done to warrant such a large bounty on your head?"
"Naw...he's just wanted here in Sandas," says the beggar, who is remarkably talkative for someone so close to death. "But thieves from other cities are comin' here t' have a go at collectin' th' bounty."
"So they want him that badly? Wouldn't enough money cause them to keep quiet?" Illyana shakes her head. "This has gotten very bad.. if we can't find some way to get the guild off of his back then none of us will be able to travel anywhere without getting ambushed constantly. There has to be another way.. Could we fake his death somehow?"
"Hey beggar you owe me twenty five gold, and I want it now", peering at the man Pillar begins to laugh. "Oh yes, if someone could enlighten me to why J'Harast is such a popular fellow with the thieves guild?".
The beggar struggles...and comes up with 5pp for Pillar.
"A deal's a deal," he mutters.
"Pillar you may want to explain yourself and quickly. Why does this man owe you 25 gold. Did he offer it to you if you could get J'harast to come out?" says Kelar. "I don't think faking his death is going to help. We had people see him dead before and that doesn't seem to have worked. I don't think that if we give him to them alive he would stay that way so I suggest that we go to Castle Yuri or get a message to Yuri and ask him to speak in J'harast cause."
J'Harast croaks, his voice shakey. "Pillar may be an ass, but I was the bigger ass for going out...I doubt Yuri speaking in my behalf will help...Surprised that word spread so quickly...Must think." J'Harast coughs and looks around.
"Farad...Help me up...Please...Need to think..."
"What is going on here?" says a new voice from the back of the temple. It is Verona, with the acolyte. "I leave to check up on Sasha - she is resting comfortably - and return to see this! J'Harast, did you leave the temple?"
J'Harast casts his eyes down, filled with shame at Verona's approach. "Yes Lady. I was an ass, and was luckly to escape with my life, this time. Please forgive me and my stupidity."
"Yes, you were very stupid," says Verona, clearly angry. "You just do not understand the danger that you are in...all of you!"
Illyana shakes her head. "It would be near suicide for us to walk around here now. We're going to be always followed, or worse. I wonder if we could simply pay the guild to shut up?"
Verona shakes her head.
J'Harast starts to laugh, but it comes out more as a cough.
"Illyana...Illyana...The guild will settle for nothing less than my death...I don't know what Rane told them, but guild rules say that if you break the thieves promises, you pay for your it with life. Any less and the guild loses control. There is no way for them to be bought off."
He coughs some more... "I am sorry that this has happened. We can talk more later. Now, I am tired and need to rest." he says, as he falls to the floor.
The acolyte helps him to his feet again, and they make for the infirmary.
"The rest of you must stay within the temple until he and Sasha are well again," Verona says. "I fear that if you stray from here the guild will try a kidnapping in order to get at J'Harast that way. We shall prepare rooms for you. Are all of you here?"
Illyana shakes her head. "Raz went off to train somewhere. I personally need to buy some more equipment, but I suppose it will have to wait now."
"I can send someone out for what you need. Let me know what it is," says Verona.
"But perhaps we can come up with a solution. I think I have an idea, but I need to ask some questions first."
Farad leaves for the mage's guild.
Verona watches him leave...speechless.
"This hell hole, you must think me mad, I have business to attend away from this place", with a look of utter disgust Pillar turns and leaves. "I will see you after my training, if I still live", Pillar stalks towards the door grumbling about elves and finks.
Stepping in front of Pillar, Kelar says, "I don't think you ever answered my question. For someone who doesn't like finks it seems you are one. You have obviously made an effort to make a profit buy selling J'harast out. I don't know what you think a fink is but that ranks right up there on my list."
"Out of my way, I'll be back and then you can discuss this with me, I am sure you can find my church if you look hard enough", and with that Pillar moves around Kelar and exits behind Farad.
Verona just shakes her head in dismay.
Farad and Pillar have not been gone for a minute before you hear a crackle like lightning followed by a clap of thunder...from just outside the temple...
"The fools!" exclaims Verona, rushing for the door.
Illyana follows Verona outside, sword ready.
The rest of you follow.
Outside, you see Pillar lying on the ground. 25' beyond is Farad, lying face down on the cobblestones, a nice hole blown in his plate mail. Kneeling over him is the same magic user that you battled recently...incanting...
"Urk" Pillar rolls over and begins incanting his own spell, "Maybe Ill hold you this time you stupid elf. Groaning he stands and continues his prayer to his god, outside of the church of Tyr.
Verona, recognising the spell that the magic user is casting, realises that Pillar will be too late, and utters one of her own...a holy word of tremendous power.
The magic user is sent reeling...to sprawl on the pavement beside the grey elf, stunned.
She looks to the rest of you.
"Bring them both inside, and be quick about it!" she commands.
You all hurry to comply.
Farad is near death, but the rag that the magic user stuffed in his wound has saved him.
The acolytes carry him off to the infirmary, while another binds and gags the magic user.
The beggar - still lying just inside the door - does not look pleased.
Verona turns to face the rest of you - including Aldarin and Pillar - in a cold fury.
"One last time I will try to get the message into your thick heads," she says. "You - none of you - are safe anywhere in Sandas, save here. That mage was in the process of casting teleport upon himself and Farad...where he planned to take him and for what purpose I shall try to find out. But all of you are at risk should you set foot outside of this temple, for he is not the only one hunting for you if the words this beggar says are true. So...if you, crazed cleric of Tuoni feel so uncomfortable within my temple...or you, elf, are compelled to go after Raz to train...or you, Illyana, *have* to go and buy a new dress this very moment...do so. But be warned, I will expend no more power to save your skins. If you leave this temple the doors will not open to admit you again."
"Oh fine being lectured by a disciple of the even handed god, how quaint" Pillar grumbles something under his breath and proceeds to heal himslef.
"Farad and your fool friend J'Harast will probably be fit to travel in a week," she continues...then pauses. "If you find the thought of sitting in here for that length of time to be too onerous then I could send you to another city...where you would not be known, and where it would be safe for you to roam about. But...it would be a long trip back to the Megadungeon, when you are ready to return there..."
"What are you going to do?"
"Let us stay this week here in the confines of this temple. When our friends are ready to move we should head back to the megadungeon. Illyana you may want to send a message to Yuri asking if we may stay there when we are hurt. Until thne we should get some rest and maybe try and figure a way to leave this town with out being seen."
Turning to Verona, Kelar continues, "Madam Verona I thank you for your hospitality. Do you have any place that some one could sit and not be bothered? And also do you have any wood lying around that you don't need?"
Matching her cold stare, Aldarin states, "I have no more intention of going back out there now than offering myself for sacrifice to the gods of evil. I assumed these attacks were ment just for J'Harast, for I had no problem with the Guild. But now it seems that those responsible do not care anymore." Turning away, "I will wait here until the others recuperate and then we will leave and woe to those who stand in our way!"
Pillar goes over to the magic user and pokes him a few times "Hehehehe you suck". Sighing Pillar finds some quarters and falls asleep.