Embers

[at]

Once through the underground passage the outer cloister is only a short walk away, and from there the group have been given directions to the armory. Once inside there are several routes to either the central cathedral where the flame was originally held, or the catacombs where the priests fear it may have been taken.

Though the armory itself has likely been emptied the group are given the key to the blacksmiths store should they need to rearm.

[sageaqua]

Ka'lion will ask about traps and the defenses and where are the holes in those defenses should the goblins be using them and where they are located.

[at]

Neither the monastery or the catacombs beneath it were trapped but any tomes or relics that had not been disturbed might still be protected by magic. New traps may have been placed in the past weeks though and the defenders had the advantage of knowing the layout and it's bottlenecks - the group was best advised to remain undetected for as long as possible.

The nature of the tunnels are unknown and may have been heavily trapped by the goblins, or may be untouched.

[sageaqua]

Sounds like we should go in from the back door to the kitchens. It should be the least gaurded.

[harknail]

Vadania answered, "What would be the point of that? If the kitchens are deserted we gain nothing. If they are using it for meals, we may find large numbers there. Or we may find a few cooks that we can kill, but I would think kitchens tend to be busy so bodies would be discovered soon. Unless you're planing on poisoning them."

OOC: So as I understand it, we'll head to the back door tonight, spend the night inside the cave resting, then attack right after we refresh our spells.

[sageaqua]

"We should be able to take out anyone without killing them when they come out with garbage or to chop wood and who should be coming are enslaved kitchen staff. Goblins are not known for their cooking skills but they are known for being bullies. The cooks should be up hours before anyone else is to make breakfast. If we can drug the meat and drink to make the goblins weak and fatigued it should give us a chance. At this point we need them alive. We need intelanagence and I don’t think any of us have the ability to speak with the dead. So we need them alive if we are going to find out what they did to the monastery, any artifacts and to the priests. Any problems with that plain?” asks Ka’lion

[at]

Isolde states that there are two kitchens - a smaller one near the cloister opens out only onto a courtyard within the monastery that would be almost inaccessible to any who could not fly while the larger kitchen has an extrance near the main gate.

[sageaqua]

"Flying's easy with a good rope. Can you tell us more about the inside courtyard and more about the main one used for the majority and who they served normally?" asks Ka'lion

[at]

There are several courtyards within the monastery complex that could be reached by flight, two of which are used for livestock, a third for combat training, and a single large winding area used for both meditation and the cultivation of herbs and fruits.

[sageaqua]

"Okay, which plaints among the meditation and fruits and herbs should we add to the foods to make the golbon's weak and sick without killing them? Don't include anything that will be needed to treat any victoms at the monistary?" said Ka'lion

[at]

Kara can provide you with powders here that may incapacitate or kill the goblins if ingested, it is a matter of quantity as much as anything else and the order preferred the use of steel and fire to drive them out in the past. They know little of the goblins preferences beyond a taste for meat and an occasional inclination to cook their food in a fire.

Herbs from the garden would need to be ground up and prepared to be strong enough to poison a goblin when diluted into food or water, there is nothing poisonous enough there to be practical as a short term solution.

[harknail]

Vadania watches patiently as Ka'lion prepares another of his impractical plans. She's in no hurry to head out.

[sageaqua]

"So Vadania. I talk it you just want to go into the catacombs and kill all goblins we find?" says Ka’lion knowing Vadania never plans anything.

[harknail]

Vadania replies, "I'd check the cathedral first, but basically I think we need to kill all the goblins within. Unfortunately we'll also have to kill all the clerics within as well. They've been corrupted by the demon and now work against us."

Turning to Isolde she asks, "Or do we need to kill them? If could defeat them and bind them, could they be restored?"

[sageaqua]

"Depends on if the faith believes in redemption." says Ka'lion

[at]

"I don't know. Perhaps if whatever magic binds the flame is destroyed it will release them, but this power is beyond my knowledge. Rest assured that each and every one of the warriors inside have vowed to give their lives to protect the flame, do what you must and we will provide what distraction we can."

[sageaqua]

"Do we have any idea how many spellcasters and goblins we are fighting and their power levels?" asks Ka'lion

[at]

"Of the priesthood, none of the other high priests are known to have survived. There was a great battle in the cathedral itself as they sought to force back the undead that had risen with the fall of the flame. The goblins themselves possess a few shaman but while they are cunning none have ever risen to true power here, we do not even know if they have entered the monastery itself."

Her concern is clear as she continues, "the true danger is whatever demon lays within orchestrating these events. We have no knowledge of it's nature or power, we had hoped that Eldon would be able to unravel the mystery but unless the scrolls he sent shed more light I can only offer one piece of advise - free the flame. It's power shacked the demon once and may do so again."

[at]

Xana adds, "Altar gave me a single sending scroll should word need to be sent. I cannot use it myself but you or the sisters here could. A short message, no more than 25 words."

[sageaqua]

"I'm familiar with the spell. It was used back home to find missing family members that where out hunting. My father and mother used it daily. My grandmother hated the spell saying it was a nuisance." said Ka'lion, "That is not saying I know how to cast it. My family are wizards. I haven't finished that training yet."