Midday Musings of a Modest Monk

[stopcrazydance]

While walking along the towering stone walls of the Friendly Arm, Ding Zhiwen found his feet bringing him to a spot he had grown fond of over the past few days. Just inside the Cloakwood, the aroma of a recent lunch tickled Ding's nose as he approached the tattered animal skin and old iron cook pot. Whomever had been there eating, probably Jack Riddle, was now gone. The forest was quiet, and the sun's rays danced on the ground through vibrant leaves. Ding sat down slowly on the outstretched hide, folded his legs underneath of him, let his gaze lower, and allowed his mind to relive the adventure he had recently just narrowly survived.

A day ago, Ding was walking not far from the spot where he was now meditating, strolling north along the Tradeway outside of the walls of the Friendly Arm Inn. Surprisingly and without any known precedent, a group of bandits appeared from out of the woods and ambushed the flat-footed monk. Zhiwen, seeing their numbers, fled towards two warriors chatting nearby. All were hesitant to engage the brigands, as their kind is rarely seen so close to the Inn, and it was assumed there must be reason for their presence. However, the bandits, blinded by rage, kept up their assault despite the now more even numbers. They crashed the sword and fist of the 3 adventurers to their own peril. All of the marauders were quickly dispatched, and out of the fray appeared a playful small black cat. After some discussion over where she may have come from and where they could lead the cat, it became apparent that this feline wanted the help of the adventurers.

The cat lead the group south through a number of encounters, some predicted, some not. The group picked up another on the Lion's Way and was then comprised of 3 veteran warriors, Eldarian, Ameris, and Grainne, and the unseasoned monk. The feline made it apparent that the enemies of the adventurers were also her enemies, hissing at their attacks and raking at their fallen corpses. Winding through tree and shrub, goblin and giant, the determined cat finally made its way to a small chapel, chilled in air and dark in essence. The adventurers' resolve strengthened when the cat defiantly and solemnly walked through the old wooden doors. The group called upon their deities and on the strengths of their own hearts before facing what laid in wait.

Upon pushing through the large oak doors that moaned on their rusty hinges, the group was assailed by a large number of extreme cultists, well versed in the ways of war and skilled in magic. Their onslaught was terrible and their force like a hurricane. The sounds of steel on steel and the awesome torrent of arcane power filled the air. The adventurers held their ground then pushed into the main sanctuary. The interior was saturated with an evil that one could almost touch. A fog laid throughout the sacristy that filled all with dread. From the ground floor, the cat led them deeper and deeper into the bowels of the complex. The horrors that must have taken place in such an environment are truly the stuff of nightmares.

Zhiwen's mind bobbed and weaved though small battles with imps and the cultists then fell on the final encounter, where their guide turned out to be much different than anyone suspected.

(If anyone else who was there sees this and would like to pick up on this thread, go for it! Otherwise, I'll add more later)

[stopcrazydance]

In the bowels of the basement, at an unknown depth below the surface, an arcane laboratory manned by sinister cultists was finally reached by the band of adventurers. After dispatching the less-powerful mages, the group confronted the seed of the cat's determination. With hideous laughter, the wizard flung spell after spell of terrible magic at the adventurers. Cackling like a madman, he even stopped time so that he could press his attack. However, the strength and resolve of the heroes was too strong—after an intense but brief battle, the psychotic wizard was slain.

With more time now to examine their environment, the adventurers were able to take in the scope of such twisted evil. Humanoid body parts littered the stone room. An air of gore and suffering laid on everything from ceiling to floor. Torture, disease and death furnished this dark place.

The dead wizard was searched after the cat began clawing at his lifeless body. There, two items of note were found, the femur of an adult human, and a ring. The group was dumbfounded by the reason for the cat's interest in these items. Then, upon finally reaching her supposed goal, the cat dissolved from her feline form into the ghost of a human-like child. In her state, communication was not easy; sentences were fragmented, and meaning was hidden within riddles. After a time, it was determined that the ring and bone belonged to her father, a powerful magic user. Her own remains laid at the base of a tree, possibly a large oak, which is why she still has been unable to rest.

The heroes were weary from their quest into the belly of the chapel. It was determined they would reunite soon in order to properly bury the child's remains and more-completely unfold the cultists' plot.

(I'm not sure how well I am remembering the details of the remains. If people are better informed and would like to add/amend anything, please feel free)