Intelligence: 1

Kina WIS save: 21

Wil INT save: 9

Bart WIS save:  18

Rachel WIS save:  9

Everyone sleeps, somewhat peacefully through the night, until ...

Barney:  you dream of a large, unblinking eye, the pupil of which gets larger and larger until you feel that it is about to swallow you whole and you wake up screaming "The One is here, All Hail The One!"

Barnabus snatches up Fife with two hands and starts looking all wild eyed about the room.

Kina gets up groggily and takes a couple of swats at the air, looking for a target.
"The nine hells is going on?" she asks, looking around. Remembering what happened to her previously, however, she taps her staff against her flank.
"Nnngh, won't even let us rest." she mutters. "You all right? Is it droning at you or is it gone now?"

After a few wild eyed moments Barnabus settled down enough to respond to Kina. "I saw a giant eye...and it just kept getting bigger and bigger. I woke just as it was about to swallow me." The dwarf takes a couple of shaky breaths before continuing, "I didn't mean to startle anyone. It must seemed so real. You're right Kina , seems it trying to mess with our heads. " Still not entirely over the incident Barnabus digs in his pack for some rations. Then he grabs his shield and with it next to him and Fife across his lap sits with his back against a wall knees to chest. He nibbles at his dried meat and stale cheese in silence.

The rest of the night passes without event.  Everyone take a long rest and award 750XP.

(OOC: I’m on a camping trip with my son for the next two days so won’t be able to post until I get back. Feel free to bot Wil if needed.)

Barnabus rises the next morning visibly shaken by his nightmare the night before.

"Let's get moving quickly. This place is really starting to lose its charm." he says as he rouses the rest of the cadre.

Cade nods his agreement, ready to press onward.

(Can we get a short refresh on our options from here. Please and thank you)

Recap of current situation:  You find yourselves in an ancient edifice of evil that someone or something is apparently trying to revive in a new way.  The surface level of the temple is heavily occupied by cultists who have shown signs of that they may be under some sort of mind control, or at least mental conditioning to their new situation.  The effects of which seem to be universal as you are having to fight them off yourselves.  The golden skull Kina carries seems to be providing her with at least a modicum of protection from the threat, but radiates an intense evil as well.  Finding a "back door" into the lower levels, you come across an animated skull that has taken on the name Bob and provided some insight into the history of the place.  Between Barney's dwarven senses for underground places and discussions with Bob, you know that there are a total of 4 different underground levels.  The power center of the old complex is on the 4th level, and that is where Bob thinks you would be most likely to find any answers as to the resurgence of the temple.  The back door brought you in on the 3rd level, and you have made your way to the 2nd level where you found Bob and some dead cultists.  Bob can lead you lower, to the source, or you can follow the tracks of the cultists back to find out where they came from to meet their demise, or continue to explore the surround area.

(I think that covers all of the most relevant parts...let me know if you have any questions or anything is unclear...this old man's brain doesn't always work so well...lol!) 

Quote from MayhemMage >>

Recap of current situation:  You find yourselves in an ancient edifice of evil that someone or something is apparently trying to revive in a new way.  The surface level of the temple is heavily occupied by cultists who have shown signs of that they may be under some sort of mind control, or at least mental conditioning to their new situation.  The effects of which seem to be universal as you are having to fight them off yourselves.  The golden skull Kina carries seems to be providing her with at least a modicum of protection from the threat, but radiates an intense evil as well.  Finding a "back door" into the lower levels, you come across an animated skull that has taken on the name Bob and provided some insight into the history of the place.  Between Barney's dwarven senses for underground places and discussions with Bob, you know that there are a total of 4 different underground levels.  The power center of the old complex is on the 4th level, and that is where Bob thinks you would be most likely to find any answers as to the resurgence of the temple.  The back door brought you in on the 3rd level, and you have made your way to the 2nd level where you found Bob and some dead cultists.  Bob can lead you lower, to the source, or you can follow the tracks of the cultists back to find out where they came from to meet their demise, or continue to explore the surround area.

(I think that covers all of the most relevant parts...let me know if you have any questions or anything is unclear...this old man's brain doesn't always work so well...lol!) 

 I forget, the levels count down (4th is lowest) correct?

"So, do we wish to backtrack these fresh bodies, or do we want to continue down to where the skull wants us to go?" Cade asks of the group as they get ready to move out. "Our mission seems lower, but not sure we shouldn't at least check out more about the fresh bodies, and see what brought them down here to begin with."

“I’d prefer not to leave questions and potential threats behind us.”

Quote from MayhemMage >>

Recap of current situation:  You find yourselves in an ancient edifice of evil that someone or something is apparently trying to revive in a new way.  The surface level of the temple is heavily occupied by cultists who have shown signs of that they may be under some sort of mind control, or at least mental conditioning to their new situation.  The effects of which seem to be universal as you are having to fight them off yourselves.  The golden skull Kina carries seems to be providing her with at least a modicum of protection from the threat, but radiates an intense evil as well.  Finding a "back door" into the lower levels, you come across an animated skull that has taken on the name Bob and provided some insight into the history of the place.  Between Barney's dwarven senses for underground places and discussions with Bob, you know that there are a total of 4 different underground levels.  The power center of the old complex is on the 4th level, and that is where Bob thinks you would be most likely to find any answers as to the resurgence of the temple.  The back door brought you in on the 3rd level, and you have made your way to the 2nd level where you found Bob and some dead cultists.  Bob can lead you lower, to the source, or you can follow the tracks of the cultists back to find out where they came from to meet their demise, or continue to explore the surround area.

(I think that covers all of the most relevant parts...let me know if you have any questions or anything is unclear...this old man's brain doesn't always work so well...lol!) 

 (Spectacular recap!)

Barnabus scratches his head then nods along with a shrug. "Probably a good idea. Might not want anything between us and a hasty retreat out of here." Setting his jaw with a grimace, Barnabus begins to follow the prints.

Quote from MrJanuary812 >>

 (Spectacular recap!)

 

 (Thank you kindly!)

Quote from Zalmanni >>

 I forget, the levels count down (4th is lowest) correct?

 Correct.

You make your way back to the hallway where you first encountered the footprints and are easily able to retrace them to the north.  The hallway is straight and without notable features for 150', ending in a wooden door.  Fife begins humming as you approach.