Blick

Srileena was glad to be moving along, and not beholden to giant lizards for her life. She wished to speak to the merchant, to learn as much as she could before reaching the caverns. It never seemed to be the right time, as she was becoming more and more paranoid that something was going to leap out at them from the darkness. When the merchant announced a new entity to be feared and respected, she grew curious. Drawing up alongside the Drow, she asked, "I have never heard of a spider princess; but would assume she is related to Lloth? Do you know where her relationship is to those of Kiaransalee?"

As the troop made its way forward to the Drow temple, Srileena closely watched their Drow companions, as well as the environs around them. It could be a trap, with bandits laying in wait to liberate them from their goods, and lives. Dark Elves could not be trusted, the same as with Humans. When Sigille came along side her, she communicated her distrust with a shake of her head and wary expression. Eventually, they came to where they must trust to the Drow or be left behind. She liked it even less; but was left with no choice. She held on for dear life, as warned; but her eyes were hard as they glowed in the dark.

The group having agreed to travel with the merchant, Srileena turned her thoughts to the next destination. She had been guided on this path, and was trying to prepare herself as best she could for whatever outcome came of it. When the Pelorites started muttering prayers in front of the Drow merchant, and Thorgill reinforced it by pointedly mentioning their holy symbols before the same merchant, she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment. Before they reached the city of Kiaransalee, she would likely have to kill the merchant and his companions so they did not speak of these things.

Srileena Razorleaf, Priestess of Calistria and Warrior of Cyrnea

I thought we were headed right?

Merrick pointed out the shambling dead and whispered softly, "I suggest we start burning them once they fall." With that, he readied his flail and looked to the warriors. "Or I could try driving them away.", he added absently.  

The actions of the paladin goaded Merrick into action, as the feat of courage from his comrade showed that his teachings were taking hold. Lifting his flail, he sneered down upon the fallen horror, before whipping the spiked ball downward....

  Merrick had trained well as an acolyte at his temple, one of the most dire lessons being facing the unholy horrors that his calling might provoke him to face. He was taught to be brave and stalwart in the face of such evil, and how to counter it with his faith. The shambling horror before him was his first experience facing it, and he fought inwardly to resist the terror that was gripping at his muscle, trying to force his will over his body so as to sustain his companions.   Even still, the young idealist found his desperate reach for the symbol hanging around his neck was forestalled, as the true horror of their situation locked him muscles in place, preventing him from exhibiting his courage for the others to follow.    

Is save vs magic Paralyze or Spells?

Merrick started to reach for his flail, as his eyes took in the spectral armored figure that took form before form. Before his loosed the weapon from his belt, his eyes widened and he calmed.   "Iomedae. The symbols. Perhaps our paladin should answer.", he recommended with an encouraging smile.  

Merrick paused in his look around as the voice spoke. He had to admit that despite his faith's sometimes alliance with the church of Iomedae, being in an area sacred to that deity and possibly being judged by It was disconcerting.   "There are many aspects to evil. Courage does not always mean rash actions and attacking perceived wrongs, or evils. I suggest we do not attack anything here unless we are attacked first or are assured it is necessary.", he called out, knowing some were prone to rash actions.  

Merrick waits for Jocelyn to descend before heading down. The idea of letting the paladin with the divine nose go ahead appealed to him.

Merrick peered down the hole and then looked to the others, "Does anyone have a lantern or torches? It is likely to get dark down there."  

Merrick's eyes followed Dekmal as he pointed out the floor panel. A way indeed; but the words of the old man rang in his mind. "I do not believe fleeing is our true path. The odd old man mentioned we would have to face dire evil in our path. Whatever awaits us down that hole will likely be the source of whatever curses this place. I believe that is our true path.", he called out but then looked to the priest. "If you leave this temple, they will defile it at the least; but they are still acting as if we are the evil ones. If you are...disabled, and left here, they may let you live.", he suggested.  

Merrick turned to eye the approaching mob warily. At least they had an idea of who the cultists were now.   The priest tried to mark as many faces as he could from the crowd, as he suggested to his companions, "Whatever we do, it best be quickly done. Inside, at least, to get out of their direct sight."  

Yeah I got that. I will correct my post.

Merrick did not hide his sneer as the supposed holy men showed their true nature, and within their own temple. Even if his path was different, it was a grave offense. Seeing one cut down by the vengeful Gabriel, the brave priest whipped his flail around and at the back of the second who sought to flee.

Merrick's mouth and eyes opened wide as the old man stood, ambled around and them seemed to put the suspect guards and barkeep asleep. He had heard of such magic, of course, and knew it was not all that powerful; but used correctly, it was surely effective.   "Regardless, if we stay here, and they wake, we will be behind bars before lunch.", he murmured with a sigh. Turning to the paladin, he broached, "Perhaps you should guide us to your temple, and quickly."

I just posted for Merrick. I was on vacation last week and did not have my laptop.

Merrick nodded to the guardsmen as well, pointing to Gabriel, "You can inspect his wounds as evidence to match the blade that still lies with her in the room upstairs. He can repeat the words she spoke as she attacked. As for the barkeep here, he was not coerced by us. He greeted us last night claiming we were the one who brought evil here, when I asked questions about your town; perhaps questions he did not wish asked." "It would also be prudent to find out why the caravan we arrived with last night was gone this morning without us. Did they leave willingly or unwillingly? Does this usually happen with caravans stopping here?", he added with a frown.    

Merrick turned to the old man and studied him as he listened. It was not the first time he had heard such words. The priests in his temple during his training had implied the same thing. Oh, he was brave enough; but his tongue often ran faster than his mind. He had paid it no mind, as he was sure courage and forthrightness would be all he needed to serve. Perhaps he had been mistaken...   The Lion Queen. An alias he knew, belonging to the temple the others had went to.   "The Serpent against the Lion Queen eh?", he ventured, frowning to think he and the others were threatened for merely spending the night in the forsaken town. It perhaps irked him more than, if the old man was speaking sanely, that he may have to rely on another god. "Jaidz teaches that courage and leadership are all that is needed to save this world and the people in it, old man.", he added; but even if his voice was bold. it was not as firm as bedrock.   "Gabriel, Dek, we should visit the others at the temple, to see how they fare.", he turned to the others and added.