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Agreed lets see how it all works before the giant ball of death returns. No doubt it with hydraulics as many other things in this buried city.
The party heads back south towards the corner of the hallway. When they arrive, they find that the secret door they found before remains closed. It seems clear that the boulder must have emerged from this door (the door is certainly wide enough), but there remains no indication of how to get the door open.
After a few minutes of examining the door, the party hears something coming from the north. If it weren't for the fact that the complex is quiet as, well... a tomb, the sounds would not have been audible. But everyone manages to pick up on the sounds, and you can hear quiet moans and a shuffling sound coming from the eastern passage to the north.
Ferrous moves west away from the secret door about 10 feet. He motions to the others to join him. He softly says.
We should see if the rock is back in place again. Maybe it can take care of those noises.
Walia whispers, "We should wait here and see what or if it comes our way, it sounds it may be an undead but maybe not and it is possible that these things will trip the same trigger as we had done."
"Do undead make noise? I've never considered that possibility."
"It could be the same poor souls I turned before."
Walia says, "Ghosts and Ghouls are known to howl and poltergeists make noise and zombies drag whatever they had attached to them when the died."
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The party ducks behind the corner and waits, trying to keep quiet.
They can hear the shuffling sound increase in volume, as if it is getting closer, and then it stops for a moment. After a minute or so, the shuffling continues, but Ferrous, Wallia, and Zynazyr all think the sound is receding.
Then there is a sound of a door opening. The shuffling diminishes again, until it is no longer audible.
Walia says, "Do you need more time to finish you search?"
If it appears that the secret door swings out, Brathas will try jamming it shut with an iron spike.
Waits while Brathas jams it shut. While there is obviously something moving, I would suggest checking on the east passageway not to leave anything behind us unknown.
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If it appears that the secret door swings out, Brathas will try jamming it shut with an iron spike.
Often if a door swings to the left or the right it will make marks on the floor as it drags across. Brathas cannot find any evidence of any such marks.
Nevertheless, just to be safe he hammers an iron spike into the floor. If the door swings out, it will definitely jam.
When Brathas is just about finished, Wallia hears the door to the north open again. There are shuffling sounds, and the door shuts, and he can hear a barely audible "click." Then the shuffling continues but seems to be fading in volume, as if whatever is making the noise is heading away from the group.
Then he hears a familiar grinding sound from the north. Only for a short moment, but it is the same sound the boulder made when rolling along the floor. The sound is gone now...
"Do undead make noise? I've never considered that possibility."
Uh lets get out of this hallway... and heads up to the eastern corridor.
Wait no! Ferrous calls after Fistep. I believe that sound was the trap resetting. One at a time make a run for the East passage. That way if we trip there is only a chance that one of us gets squished.
Brathas wants to remain by the secret door, off to one side and out of the boulder's path. If his spikes don't hold - like if the door slides up or to the side - then he can take advantage of the door being temporarily open to spike it properly.
Walia says, "I agree with Ferrous. It seems the wiser decision."
Zynazyr starts to follow Fistep but stops when Ferrous yells. Nodding in agreement, he hands Fistep the beetle glands and waits for him to reach the side hall. "Sounds like a good plan. Maybe Wallia should go next in case the sound we heard really are undead. Then I will follow." He creates a small light on Wallia's shield. When Wallia reaches Fistep, he ends that spell and creates the light a few feet in front of himself so he can move up.
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While the party tries to figure out who should go first in the leapfrog up the hall, Ana and Wallia are able to hear more sounds to the north.
There is a bit more of the grinding noise, sounding like the large boulder they escaped before, but as if it is moving very slowly. Then there are a few bumps, and then a loud 'crash!'. After that it seems silent for a few moments, but then Ana thinks she can hear the shuffling feet again, this time headed back towards the group.
Was the loud crash right against the secret door?
Alright who wants to make a run for the East passageway and possibly trigger this boulder of doom. If no one else volunteers I guess the short legged dwarf can make the run. Or we can wait here to see if those stumble mumbles get closer.
"I say that we wait. We can probably take whatever the mumblers are, if it comes to that. Rather that than take a chance on the trap squashing one of us."
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Some members of the party want to try to sneak up to the eastern passage one at a time, while others wish to wait around the corner so they can act with surprise.
The party continues to debate the issue in hushed whispers, until the sound of shuffling feet gets close enough that all can hear it. It is now too late to try to make a run for the eastern passage. Fistep peeks around the corner and sees four figures walk slowly into the light.
The figures are dressed in dark shabby cloaks and robes, and their hands and feet are bandaged. They wear silver masks in the shape of a grinning skull. Their heads and arms droop limply in exhaustion and their backs are hunched. Occasionally a low moan escapes their masks.
The closest of the creatures lifts its head and stares at Fistep as he peers around the corner.
Round 1 Initiative
Block 1: The entire party!
Block 2: The skull-masks
Brathas pulls out the silver trumpet.
"Begone, in the names of Gorm, Madarua, and Usamigaras!"
Ferrous flinches a bit when Brathas steps out to "turn the undead". He readies himself to charge at any of the skull masks who move up to threaten the brave thief-cleric.
Walia looks at Brathas and then pulls out his holy symbol and book and tries to turn undead ,
and says, "Gorm, Madarua, Usamigaras smiteth theee!!!!!!!
Readies his sword and shield and prepares to charge with Ferrous.
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Brathas pulls out the silver trumpet.
"Begone, in the names of Gorm, Madarua, and Usamigaras!"
The figures are clearly aware of Brathas' presence, but do not seem to react.
Walia looks at Brathas and then pulls out his holy symbol and book and tries to turn undead 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8, 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 3 = 10
and says, "Gorm, Madarua, Usamigaras smiteth theee!!!!!!!
They look at Wallia coldly but show no signs of retreating.
12+ affects 3HD undead
10+ affects 2HD undead
8+ affects 1HD undead
(mindless undead count as 1 HD less than normal)
Ana gets her bow ready, while Zynazyr draws his Ustar. They both prepare to shoot at anything that comes in sight.
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The creatures shuffle forwards, ignoring the turning attempts of the two "clerics."
They come into sight of those behind the corner. Ana and Zynazyr let fly! Ana's shot goes wide, but Zynazyr's ustar strikes true! The creature does not even flinch, but it raises its hands to strike at Brathas!
Ferrous moves up to strike!
The creature beside that raises his arms and strikes at Wallia, once with each hand! One of them hits!
Another creature behind the first one tries to strike at Fistep around the corner. But it fails to maneuver around the corner.
Round 1 Initiative
Block 1: The entire party!
Block 2: The skull-masks
Block 3: Ferrous and Fistep's readied attacks
Zynazyr shakes his head as Brathas and Wallia step into the hallway right in front of the trap door. "If you hear the ball coming, be prepared to move fast," he says as he pulls out his Ustar.
Fistep strikes with his sword, and cuts the creature down.
Ferros charges with his handaxe, but the creature is already dead.
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Fistep beheads the creature. There is a small spurt of blood... black blood.
Round 2 Initiative
Block 1: The entire party!
Block 2: The skull-masks
If I can and if not Walia moves away and uses his sling on it if hit
Well that was unexpected.
Brathas moves away (behind Ferrous, can't do it on my phone) and stows the silver trumpet.
Brathas drops the trumpet and draws his bow as he moves. Once he is behind Ferrous, Brathas tries to shoot the creature menacing Walia.
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Brathas drops the trumpet and draws his bow as he moves. Once he is behind Ferrous, Brathas tries to shoot the creature menacing Walia.
THAC0 16, Short range, 1 ally in the way: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (12) = 4
damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Brathas' arrow catches the creature squarely in the torso. It rocks slightly, and a small spurt of black blood comes out, but the creature seems not to pay attention.
"That doesn't look normal. Are these really undead, Wallia?" Zynazyr says as he tries to send a bolt of energy at the one in front of the cleric. He is not able to concentrate well enough though as he thinks about fighting actual undead. "Who created these?"
Walia says, "The blood is black which is a sure tell sign that these beasts are of the undead variety. The color indicates the corruption of the blood by otherworldly means or connection with the dark goddesses."
Ana maneuvers around Ferrous to bring her battleaxe to bear. She swings at the wounded creature, hoping to bring it down.
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Ana maneuvers around Ferrous to bring her battleaxe to bear. She swings at the wounded creature, hoping to bring it down.
THAC0 16: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (16) = 0 Damage: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Ana moves in and strikes with her axe. There is another splash of black blood, and the creature crumples to the floor.
Round 2 Initiative
Block 1: Ana, Brathas, Ferrous, Fistep, Wallia, Zynazyr.
Block 2: The skull-masks
Steps west and swings at whatever it is.