28 Thaumont 1000 AC - Rescuing Hasan

Feeling slightly better, but still stiff and sore, Broneslav awoke on the floor of Ular-Taman's room (+1 HP). He had not brought much food with him, so he knew that he would have to return to the village to collect supplies if he could not complete his mission today. Well, he would see to what he could and move on. His first task, he decided, would be to rescue Hasan. He could then lead him back to the village and collect the pendant on the way, if only he could work out how to remove it from the statue. This would give him the opportunity to get some more supplies and to store the treasure. While he was going about rescuing Hasan, he would search the rest of the temple before descending into Elyas' tower. That should prevent nasty surprises approaching from behind. Then he remembered the Siswa he had captured. They would need to be fed and given water, so he needed to sort that. He did not want them to die of thirst or starvation, if he could help it. So, he said farewell to Ular-Taman and set off back into the temple.

Broneslav first checked the door opposite Ular-Taman's room. It was open and he eased into the room and saw piles of crates and sacks stacked against the far wall. It was clearly a store room. He went to examine the boxes for anything useful. Suddenly a pack of rats burst from a sack and attacked, catching him by surprise (3 DAM). He responded by slamming two rats against the wall, stamping on one and slicing a fourth in two with his sword. Two of the rats ran chittering into the pile of sacks while the other two continued to attack Bronslav. Aware of them now, he was better able to fend off their bites and killed them quickly. He then left the room hastily and bandaged his wounds (+2 HP) before returning to the room. This time he was aware of the rats so he carefully rummaged through the sacks until he found them and quickly slew them. The sacks and crates contained food, much of which had been gnawed on by the rats. One crate contained brown Siswa robes, so Broneslav swapped the torn and bloodied robe he was wearing for a fresh one. He planned to rescue Hasan next.

He went along the corridor to where he had seen Rahasia's father's ghost and went to the door in the south wall. Listening at the door, he could hear voices beyond. He decided to try his luck and disguise, and marched boldly through the door. One of the four Siswa guards in this room yelled something in what Broneslav took to be Elvish and the all drew swords. Broneslav leapt to the attack, mindful that these Siswa were still enslaved to the evil below the temple, he used only the flat of his blade and quickly knocked one guard to the floor, unconscious. Fending off the blows of the other three with his shield he found himself too busy to land another blow for the moment but took a slice to the leg (1 DAM). He backed off. They followed anticipating an easy victory, then Broneslav leapt forward and knocked one of the Siswa to the floor in a boneless heap with his shield. That left two. But, he had got cocky and both landed blows on him, although one of those blows was saved by his armour. Another swipe with his sword connected with the side of the head of one of the Siswa, who collapsed. The remaining guard was now on the defensive and failed to attack effectively. Broneslav soon had him knocked to the floor too. He tied all the guards up and stacked them in the corner of the room before bandaging his newest wound (+1 HP). No one had come to investigate the noise, so he assumed that these were all the guards. Searching them, he found a set of keys on one of the guards.

Through the next set of doors, he found a cell block. An Ylaruami human was locked in one cell. He introduced himself as Baik Telor and promised to aid Broneslav in return for his freedom. Hasan was locked in another cell. He too offered to help Broneslav but he lacked arms and armour. This lack was easily remedied. Soon both  prisoners were wearing the chain armour of the Siswa and carrying a sword each. Thus armed they were ready to aid Broneslav who had them wake the unconscious Siswa and help him escort them through to the upper levels of the temple, where they gathered the other captured Siswa. The three heroes escorted the Siswa from the temple in short order and left Hasan and Rahasia to guard them. Broneslav was mindful of the need to protect Hasan and did not want him returning to the temple. Needless to say, one Hasan was with Rahasia once more, he was less eager to venture deeper into the temple anyway. The group returned to the village with their captives, where Broneslav was able to rest and be healed by the village healer.

Character
Broneslav Torenescu (S16, D14, C15, I12, W10, Ch14, F1, HP 9, AC4, Sword 1d8+3, Bow 1d8)
Human (Traladaran)
XPs: 882

Traits:
Torenescu Family Member 1
Hunter 1
Keen Vision 1
Good Education 1
Empathy with Animals 1

Goal: Prove that he is an adult following the Shearing Ceremony
Goal: Slay a red dragon
Quest: Deliver a parcel to Merisa in Gray Mountain Village
Quest: Rescue Sylva, Merisa and Hasan
Quest: Undo the greater evil under Kota-Hutan Temple

Allies
Baik Telor (HD 4, AC 5, ATK +4, DAM 1d8)
Hasan (HD 2, AC 5, ATK +1, DAM 1d8)

Roll of Honour
Alki (Level 2 Elven warrior brutally slain while helpless by the Rahib)