The group decides that the next thing they will do is visit the Shrine of Luck. The temple is a small shrine made of stones taken from the nearby ruins. It is dedicated to Tymora, goddess of luck and good fortune. A young elf approaches you as you enter. Her left arm is bandaged. "Greetings, strangers, may Tymora bless you. I am Sister Garaele. How may I help you?"

Big Bear immediately moves closer to the priestess, "Sister! your injured? Is it alright if I take a look to make sure everything is ok? Who did this to you?"
IF SHE LETS HIM, Big Bear will examine the wound to make sure it is healing appropriately/ not infected: 16

Sister Garaele smiles gently. “It’s only a flesh wound, though I thank you for your concern. I got it while on the road, a simple case of not paying attention when I should have. A couple of goblin bandits ambushed me on the Triboar Trail. Tymora saved me, otherwise it could have been much worse.” Big Bear can tell that the wound is properly bandaged and healing well.

Doc nods with the assessment. He patiently awaits for Bear to finish before asking:

"We were hoping for a brief blessing from the shrine, Sister. The Lady of Luck is always a good ally to have, particularly when it comes to ridding towns of ruffians like the Redbrands and goblinkin."

Sister Garaele looks at Doc with piercing grey eyes. "If it is your mission to rid this town of the Redbrand plague, I will gladly give you Tymora's blessing." She pauses. "There is however one thing I would have you do in return. My reason for travelling the Triboar Road was to find the banshee Agatha in her lair at Conyberry. She is a great diviner, knowing much lost and forgotten lore, and I wished to learn from her the location of the ancient mage Bowgentle's spellbook. However, I was forced to turn back when I was ambushed. I would be grateful if you could go to the banshee in my place to ask her this question."
She takes out a finely crafted silver comb. "I believe that you will be better received if you flatter her vanity and offer her this comb. If you were able to do this for me, I would give you three potions of healing in return."
"Now for the blessing." She goes to a shallow pool of water in the centre of the shine and dips her fingers in it. She then touches each of your foreheads once. "May luck be ever on your side."

(You all gain one use of Inspiration.)

Doc bows graciously, giving his confirmation and prepares to depart.

•    Yed will graciously accept the blessing from Sister Garaele with his eyes closed, searching within for the guidance of the God. As the rest of his party turns to leave, Yed will go to ask her one last question before they depart. Hesitantly and with as much respect he can deliver in his very timid voice, Yed asks the Sister, “What else can the diviner foresee? You think she’d be able to see where I’ve come from?” He gets out that last question with incredible difficulty, just barely looking up to meet the eyes of the young elf. Yed has always wondered where his original tribe came from, of his potentially great Goliath ancestors that he’s read about many a time in his childhood, growing up with Alice. 

Sister Garaele answers Yed's question. "Agatha's knowledge is vast, I do not doubt she could answer almost any question you have. Since you are the ones taking the risk, it is only fair that you decide which questions to ask. However, be warned that she does not often give her knowledge for free." 

   “And the price Sister? What must I give for the truth?” Yed asks with hope visible in his eyes.

Agatha looks pitifully at Yed. "I'm sorry, but I don't know. Agatha will set her price, and she rarely negotiates. That comb will hopefully be enough for one answer, but beyond that I can not help you."

  Yed will nod solemnly once realizing that though the diviner may have the answers, she may not want to give them to him. With a quiet thanks and a low bow in her direction, Yed turns back to follow the party towards their next destination. He wonders what he is actually willing to give to this mysterious banshee, and if in the end if even getting his answer will change anything for him. Yed looks down as they move towards the hidden trail, constantly muttering to himself in a whisper. 

The party leaves the shrine to find the secret tunnel Carp told them about. It takes them only a couple minutes before they find it, the entrance roughly covered by two branches. A short ladder leads down into a stone tunnel, which slops slightly upwards towards the manor house on the hill.

While he had never had much initerest in Tymora (luck and chaos always seemed frustratingly unfair), Shamash holds tremendous respect for a town shrine: remembering fondly the brothers who raised him and endured the sufferinig of the city of his birth. He mostly remains quiet as the rest of the group discusses things with Sister Garaele. As they are leaving, he pulls her aside, and and gives her 100 CP, "please give this to those that need it, using your good judgement. Thank you for your work here."

Shamash would try to keep this conversation from the rest of the group (stealth (8), as he is always embarrassed in social settings. And once he has given the coin, he strides away quickly (retreating, really), clutching the red cords around his wrist.

(OOC: Sorry for missing all day yesterday, had a crazy day)

At the tunnel Big Bear crouches down, "Alright team, lets go in there and show them that we don't stand aside and let thugs bully innocent people eh? If any of you needs light to see, I have learned this new trick," Big Bear produce a flickering, torch sized flame in his palm, which casts bright light in a 10 ft radius and dim light another 10 ft beyond that, "Let's keep it quiet on our approach, and when we get inside, we can let loose." He turns to Shamash and Yed, Can one of you take the front and the other take up the vanguard position? We don't know what exactly we'll be facing inside and we can't risk the possibility that this tunnel might be watched for ambush." He turns to Evzeen and Doc, "Evzeen, can you handle yourself in a fight? If so, what is your specialty? Doc If you could keep close to me, I'll keep my flame going to provide some light for your eyes."

    Yed will look to Shamash with his shield and chain mail armor, surmising that he would likely work as a better protective force than his unarmored Goliath form. He will quietly offer to take up the back position, and will tightly pull a javelin into hand as he stands waiting near the tunnel entrance. While waiting for the party to finalize plans Yed stands there with his eyes closed, attempting to meditate and center himself the way Big Bear has done that day by the river. He can feel a pulse in his veins, a strange feeling of pure excitement rushing through him at the thought of the upcoming battle. He thinks of these bandits who’d been ruining innocent people’s lives and what he will do to them, his breathing becoming more rapid as he imagines this. 

"Ready when everyone else is."

Doc says calmly, keeping his bow shouldered and unsheathing his rapier and shortsword, unsure as to how cramped the fighting may be should they encounter any within the tunnels.

Readying his sword and shield, Shamash makes eye contact with each member of the group before leading the way into the tunnel, hunching down as he moved along.

Gripping her crossbow tightly, Ezveen moves with the party. Her eyes are glued to the flame in Big Bear's palm. She speaks without taking her eyes off of it.

"You asked me my specialty in battle, Big Bear. It's this crossbow; I've been shooting all my life!" Her eyes brighten as she recalls memories she won't yet share. She speaks to Yed behind her, "Everything ok, Yed? You're breathing pretty heavy."

   Yed shakes his head once hearing Ezveen call out to him, trying to count his breaths once again as Big Bear has taught him. He quietly replies to their new member, “Just ready for battle Lady Ezveen. No need to worry, I will make sure that I protect the back of the party.” Yed says without much confidence, his eyes darting around them for any threats as they begin to enter (if needed, Perception:9). Before entering Yed will also grab his blue feathered earring, and closes his eyes as he gives a quick prayer to Tymora, hoping to be granted luck in their journey ahead. (if needed or possible, Religion:17) 

The group descends into the tunnel with Shamash taking the lead. After about 100 feet, the narrow tunnel enters into a wide cave. A cold breeze fills the large natural cavern, carrying with it the faint scent of decaying flesh. A crevasse divides the cavern and is flanked by two rough stone columns that support the twenty-foot-high ceiling. Two arched wooden bridges span the chasm. Two carved passageways lead from the cavern East and another one leads West. You can see what looks like a store room on the far side of the cavern.

(19)

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