"Well Petrava, I see you want ta die since yer not lowering the spear. Yer love is gone now, she woulda just killed ya."

---

05:59, Today: Orikson rolled 8 using 1d6+3.  damage.
05:58, Today: Orikson rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  to hit.
05:58, Today: Orikson rolled 5 using 1d6.  initiative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:11, Sat 03 June 2023.

COMBAT ROUND TWELVE

Orikson lunges with deadly force this time, spearing the spearman through the abdomen.  The spearman drops his own spear from a numb hand and falls to the floor, grasping at the wound bleeding between his fingers.  He looks up at the dwarf with surprise and fear, knowing horribly that his time has come.

Not waiting, the companions rush into the apse of temple in search of the succubus. There they find four men staring around with wild eyes in search of something. They quickly raise their spears in preparation of battle at seeing the armed companions, but then lowers them with recognition.

"We do not know where she-- it went."  one of the men says.  Another looks upward.  "There was a doorway, a portal it walked through.  I could see sky. I think it was the roof prelate."

---

End of combat.

Okini rushes back to the spearman to heal him. 

---

Okini rolled 8 using 1d4+4.  CLW  (5-8 hit points healed)

The spearman is healed sufficiently to not die.  He regains consciousness and gives Okini a grateful look.  She helps the man to his feet and they return to the apse of the temple where the others are gathered.

"It is unfortunate she got away." the prelate says with genuine regret, looking up at the domed ceiling. "But, you have saved us from certain damnation. Light upon you all. I am sorry for your loss."

"AS we are sorry for yours. We saved Ola when she died, is there a way we can do the same for Lloyd? I don't think we can. It breaks my heart and puts a shadow on my soul. We lost one, how many did you and the town lose to that damnation?" Orikson asks the Prelate.

"Twenty six." the prelate replies sadly. "We owe you a debt that cannot be repaid. I wish I were able to ressurect your companion, Lloyd. I do not possess such an ability. If you wish we can burn him on pyre this eve. Regardless, we will prepare him."

The prelate issues commands to the gathered staff to retrieve the mages body and prepare it for burial pyre.  He also instructs them to bring the chest seen below up to the apse, making sure no one opens it on pain of excommunication. He orders the front gates opened and sends his one remaining acolyte to summon mayor Gilot Glinchamps. He orders the cook to prepare meals for them all and invites the companions to the dining hall where they can sit and rest.

The companions retreat to the dining hall, weary from battling the succubus and downcast at losing Lloyd. Fresh fruit is served while a hit meal is cooked.

The prelate sips wine from a goblet. "Do you think she will come back?" he asks, making small talk while waiting on the sheriff.

"She can, but I think not, not for a while. She will want to become a bit more powerful before she tries again, I hope." He sips at some wine too, wishing it were a cold ale. They would need to find a new man to replace Lloyd, a difficult task!

"Her control here has been broken. I do not think she will return." Okini replies in support of Orikson's evaluation.

As the companions enjoy their meal, the prelate awaits a decision on what to do with Lloyd. Will they bury him somewhere, take him by cart to a family, or burn him here on a pyre?

The chest from the crypt is brought in and placed on the floor along the north wall of the dining hall.

While it is being put in place, the mayor of Varvellian enters the temple with the last remaining acolyte. "I've heard from your acolyte here that we have solved the mystery of the missing men."

Orikson sat quietly while the prelate related the tale to the mayor. They would have to decide about Lloyd when they were alone in a bit, it was between them to take care of it.

The mayor is suitably impressed and surprised to learn that the problem with the disappearing citizens was coming from the temple. The prelate assures the mayor the threat is gone and is very humble about the temple's involvement in the mess. He vows to atone for the actions of himself and his acolytes if given the chance, but offers himself to the mayor if he wishes to formally charge him with the murders. The townsfolk may insist on justice.

On learning the powers of the succubus from Okini, the mayor leans back in his chair and thinks. Several awkward moments pass before he finally responds. "Prelate Philibert, you are a highly esteemed member of our community, have been for years and I will not tolerate foolishness. This evil creature put you and your people under her control, made you act against your own will to evil ends."

Mayor Glinchamps stands and regards those at the table and those standing in the doorways and rooms beyond. "No. No charges will be brought against any of you. These adventurers acting in good spirited nature, broke the spell binding you to the succubus and together you purged the temple of her influence. No, you have our gratitude for your bravery. A celebration will be held in the town square this eve in all of your honor. I will have a bard tell the tale you have told me and the people will know of your bravery against such evil. I will give each of the adventurers a merchants writ of a thousand gold, and one for the family of the fallen mage. I liked him. Now, if you will excuse me, I have much to prepare. I expect to see you all this eve at the mayorial building. "

The prelate stands and bows slightly,  "You are too gracious. We will certainly be there."

The mayor and his people leave.  The prelate then regards the chest.

"Whatever is in there. It is yours." he says to Orikson. "I am sure many personal items from twenty six individuals are in there and maybe more. We do not know where she was previously."

---

The companions reside within the temple resting mostly, but also conversing with many citizens that visit the temple as word spreads. Prelate philibert gains two new potential acolytes by the evening hours.

The chest is not trapped and Rebecca opens it. She pulls a large satchel with a dark blue eddy stitched on the front from the chest. The pattern of the eddy seems to move when gazed upon. Amused, Rebecca opens the leather flap and turns the satchel upside down to empty its contents. Nothing drops from the satchel. Turning it back over Rebecca looks into the satchel, but inside the bag it is too dark. She can not see the bottom. Even with a candle, the bag's insides is shrouded in darkness.

"Weird." Rebecca says, shrugging. She puts the bag down on the table and pulls out other items. Two gold rings, four silver rings, one jade ring, one hardwood ring, a lute, an iron dagger, soft fine shoes, spectacles, a sap, a belt, and a pick (thief tool).

Rebecca closes the chest and looks at the items. She puts a hand on the satchel. "This almost has to be magical. See the way that pattern moves?" Rebecca says, opening the satchel again. The darkness within is foreboding, but maybe there is something in the bottom.

"It's like that darkness the succubus used. Could she cast it just in this bag?" she asks no one in particular.  She brings a hand up to hover at the entrance. "I wish Lloyd were here."

"Even if she did, you turned it upside down. Nothing fell out." Ola says matter-of-factly.

"Speaking of our dear friend, what should we do? Have them bury him here with a great monument to his bravery and good heart? Or carry him home for his family to be near him? Sadly, we'll need to replace him in our midst with a new wizard. By the gods we're going to miss him! He was a dear friend."

Rebecca nods her head. "That's true." she agrees. Moving her hand toward the opening, she feels the hairs on her arm move. The air in front of her fingers at the opening shimmers. Committed now, she pushes her hand into the satchel's opening and the darkness lifts within. Through the shimmering opening, beyond her hand is a large area lit with a soft suffused glow. An area larger than the satchel.

Rebecca laughs giddily. "It's a portal." she says, pushing her arm into the satchel. She pulls her arm back out with a fistful of gold coins. She laughs.

"A magical satchel of holding." she exclaims.

"Lloyd was not close to his immediate family, except one cousin, Shaelyn. We should use the pyre. I will send a message by courrier to her, along with his merchant writ if that is suitable.  His exploits here, as well as ours, and his death can be written into the temple's history as well as the town's history."

Ola is quite surprised at Okini's intimate knowledge of Lloyd's family relations. She always suspected something there. Sad that is ending.

"That sounds really good Oki." she says.

"Yes it does, that sounds good. We can send his personal items too, except his spell book, we'll hang on to that for our new wizard, it might save all of our lives. You want to take care of the arrangements Oki? Next, what are we doing next, do we stay here, or travel back to the Hollow?"

"We gotta check on our uh-- base of operations yes? We have work to do there and I need to make a trip to Falcarragh. Shouldn't be gone more than a couple weeks." Rebecca says.

"And I need to see if I can get training from the lady Cirthana." Okini states.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:41, Wed 14 June 2023.

"Excellent, it's decided, back to the Hollow. You making it unanimous Ola? Boy I'm a lucky Dwarf, surrounded by talented and skilled beautiful women!" He says with a grin, "Let's get some ale and a bite to eat!"

"As are we with such a loveable dwarf to lead us poor women." Ola says bending over and grabbing his chubby, furry cheeks. She kisses Orikson's forehead and laughs."Yes, it is time I get some more training in. Might be someone in the Hollow. If not, I'm with Becca on going to Falcarragh."

Rebecca places everything on the table into the satchel with easily more room within. She closes it up and shoulders the satchel, taking possession of it for now, unless there is objection. She was likely the only one able to get things identified now that Lloyd was gone. She also places Lloyds pack and belongings in the satchel, which contains his grimoire.

As for the chest, Becca indicates that they will be taking it as well, though it be empty. It will make a great addition to their lair.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:01, Wed 14 June 2023.

Ori grabbed Ola and kissed her back with a big grin on his face! "Head back day after tomorrow?"

1st of Gort, Sunnandæg 2130 hrs, partly cloudy

The celebration hastily orchestrated by the mayor is a success. News that the mystery had been resolved brought those curious of the events to the town square. A local bard that plays regularly at the Sleeping Dog inn tells a tale of a vile creature falling prey upon the temple's inhabitants, the courage and bravery of adventurers willing to root out the evil. Finally, a battle between good and evil fought in the temple crypts where one of the heroes in the story loses his life. There is food of all kinds around the square from every tavern, inn, and even some homes. The citizens praise the adventurers for their bravery and sacrifice in the face of evil. Drinks are free and through the night several kegs of wine and ale are drank with no fights or brawls breaking out.

The companions spend the night at The Sleeping Dog inn. In the twilight hours before dawn the following morning, Lloyd is lain upon the pyre in the back courtyard of the temple. The companions, temple staff, prelate, and mayor are in attendance. Afterward a celebration of life breakfast is held in the temple in honor of the deceased. The companions spend the rest of the day resting before travel the next day.

---

[Here ends the adventure of A Sacrificial Oath. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have moderating it.]