12 or better
Perin ? -- move forward, taunt and blight spell -1 on morale,attack,damage save vs spells
Timonius's second attempt with his blowgun hits its mark, the dart lodging in the cheek of the man who had shoved his way into the room. The man does not seem to notice the fact that he's been pricked by Timonius's dart, surrounded by four fighters as he is.
Erik attacks one of the new foes on the other side of the doorway and runs the foe through the chest with his blade, ending the threat.
"So much blood! So much killing! I commend all these souls to you my lord! Ploxaodko rol rofi! Cried out a figure that was wearing a headdress from within the great room. There is a sulfurous smell briefly in the altar room immediately after he stops speaking and makes a clawing gesture towards the room.
"What is this feeling that is coming over me?"
"Ooohhhh, I'm feeling woozy."
x
All but Brion within the altar room felt their stomach's tighten with fear and their strong arms tire after the brief smell of sulfur had come and gone within the room.
Louis falls back to where Markas is. Le cough, Le pant, Ho ho Le cough! Le cough! Ah Markas zee battle she is going well no? If I recall correctly... Do you have one of those portions of healing? If zo, could I trouble you for a swallow? Le cough, cough, cough! And zee door, did you see what iz behind it? Perhaps a way out no?
?
?
? x
Louis heals 1 hp, down just 5 hp now
Louis shows no respect for the foes that he was engaged in mortal combat with. With dangers at his front and at his back, the fighter's chooses to break and retreat without regard for his well being. Seeking aid from Markas the only thought on his mind, his two combatants swing at his fleeing form but do not hit.
Brion stands his ground and cuts down one of the two men on the other side of the doorway. The bodies and blood piling up were making the area treacherous for footing.
Another fighter takes the man's place on the other side of the doorway swings at Erik, missing badly.
Seeing the wounded Louis approaching the cleric fished out the potion of healing and handed it to the ailing fighter and then struck at the nearest opponent of many. "For Petra!" Markas cried out while swinging his weapon!
--
Markas hands off the potion and then smashes the man across the collar bone who had wounded Louis. The man drops to the ground, attempts to rise again, but the wound was too much and he collapses.
A man in black armor joins the other remaining fighter at the doorway and swings at Erik. The young fighter deflects the attack with his shield. Another quick attack from the Black Knight is also knocked aside by Erik. In response to the two attacks Erik manages a weak strike against his opponent. "How dare you strike me?!"
The figure in the headress points at Timonius on the far side of the door."Bloqygcbn brlojdq zabz!" and Timonius feels another wave of magic wash over him.
"I'm going to come over their and knock that hat off your head!"
Timonius starts to taunt the spellslinger in the shadowed great hall but all that spills from his mouth is the insane gibberish of the truly disturbed.
Louis thanks Markas for the potion, feeling better he assess the situation... Markas didn't answer his question about checking the door... and with what looks like the entire keep coming to attack them, he thinks the door could be the dames he has searched for, escape, or doom! With sword ready Louis opens the door to see what's on the other side.
Ho Ho ho! only fools dare to go where wise men would stay away!
"Arrgghh, stay away! Stay away from me! Get off! Aaaiiiaaieiee!!
Louis is healed 1 hp, down 4 hp now. Does he drink the healing potion?
Louis tries the door and finds it locked, the fighter pats himself trying to recall where he'd placed the skeleton key from the treasure room. He finds it after a brief search.
Timonius flies around the room north west corner of the room, clawing briefly at the stone before flinging himself across the room almost all the way to where Markas was standing. The elderly mage then sprinted to the entrance and spouted gibberish while pointing to the ceiling shocking the men there that were involved in combat. Timonius turns unwillingly to flee to the north through or over Brion it mattered not to the frightened man. His body was not able to go where it wished, instead the ground rose to meet him.
Brion and Erik witness the Black Knight sink his sword deep into Timonius's side and withdrew it letting the mage fall to the floor. Brion attempts a response but his attack sends his sword flying from his grasp. The other fighter cuts Erik with his blade, inflicting a minor wound.
"Aaarrrggghhh.....what a world!"
Louis does not comprehend why his wounds are healing so quickly… nor does he question that, he simply thanks the powers that be. Realizing that he will not be able to open the iron door anytime soon he turns his attention to the battle going on in the room. Taking a moment to stowed the skeleton key with the healing potion he readies himself for battle, he also spots poor Timonius lying on the floor, with sword in hand Louis prepares for battle, and tries to figure out where he's going to squeeze in to fight in such tight quarters.
After he handed Louis the healing potion and dropped the foe who had forced his way into the room Markas watched with shock at Timonius's sudden bizarre actions. The elderly man flew about the room and spouted gibberish; surely the man had been driven past the brink of sanity. Perhaps the altar and the dark god it belonged to had forced this upon the weak minded Timonius? No sooner had Markas finished that thought then Timonius jumped into the spot on the front lines of the fight that was formerly held by Louis. The mage was not the equal of the trained fighter he had replaced and was immediately cut down by one of the men on the other side of the door. His body crumpled to the floor to rest along with the other bodies of the dead and dying as this group of heroes and new friends made their stand in this evil place. Markas did not hesitate to take the same spot on the front line, standing over the fallen mage. For himself, the others and for Petra he swung his mace ...
and did not connect.
Taking in all that has happened Louis moves up and grabs Timonius and drags him back over to the iron door. If Timonius ha settled down, Louis will administer the healing potion. If Tim is still flailing about Louis will try to bind his wounds until he becomes more relaxed, and then administer the healing potion.
"Louisssssssss. It's a white light."
Louis hurries over to the fallen form of Timonius, dropping his sword and shield in order to free his hands. Grasping the mage's brown robes at the waist the fighter tries to pull the body towards him and out of harm’s way, uncaring about the cleric who was standing guard over the body and engaged in mortal combat. The mage's body contorts as it is pulled between the tree trunk like legs of Markas but it does come free. Louis pours some of the healing elixir on the wound and the rest into the unconscious man's mouth. The old eyes flutter with life and a gulp of breath signal that the mage is once again back from the brink of death.
"Eeeee-heeee-heeee! Yes, YES, YES!!!! More pain and souls for m...." The spell weaving lunatic in the great hall cried out it ecstasy at seeing two more of the defender's forms upon the ground on the far side of the doorway. Louis and Markas concerned with what horrible spell would be thrown their way looked up and wondered if the pause foretold their doom. The man's eyes were wide with shock and he clasped at his neck, blood began to gush through the man's fingers. He slumped down to his knees and swayed a bit before throwing his arms wide and throwing his head back. A moment later the body collapsed lifeless upon the floor of the great room spilling blood everywhere. A greasy black smoke appeared briefly around the body before seeping down through the floor.
Erik took the brief pause to make an awkward attack at the fighter standing by the Black Knight's side, it accomplished nothing.
"Assasin! You bastard's brought assasin's to my home to murder me! You will never leave my family home alive!" Cried the Black Knight just before he drew a small flask to his mouth and swallowed the contents. His body dissipated into vapors instantaneously, the cloud form retreated out of the great hall and towards the front door.
"I'm back. What happened? Where is that thrice-damned Latovius?"
The last thing I remember was that guy in the goofy hat speaking in tongues. I'm going to kick his ass!
Louis is healed 1 hp
The Black Knight is getting away we must stop him thought Markas, but a foe remains and the party is banged up. A chase now would be foolish.
With that the cleric of Petra swung at the remaining foe!
Markas brings his weapon sweeping across his target's midsection, the cleric feels ribs crack under the might of the blow. The man is unable to even utter a sound as he slowly falls to the ground dead. Brion risks a quick glance outside of the room in all directions before pulling back to where he had been standing. "I, I didn't see anyone out there."
Louis is healed 1 hp
"I'm going to take that guy's hat!"
I had checked zee door for a possible escape, or zee ladies, but could not open it perhaps Latovios could take a moment and see if he could open it? He is out there no?
...And Markas maybe now is a good time to send zee letter!
"Louis makes a good point. Timonius, Latovius do you have thoughts on sending word to LeGant? Louis can you take watch while Latovius tries to open this iron door? If Latovius can't open the door I suspect the maul will. Timonius did you find anything of use on the Black Knight's minion?"
Timonius ventures into the dimly lit great hall by himself and he catches a strong odor as he moves closer to the magic user's body. The stink of blood, sweat, and urine envelope the mage, a few more steps forward and he realizes that both he and this contorted corpse are the sources of the offending smell. From several feet away chainmail on the torso glints in the low light and indicates to the mage that the man was no practitioner of the arcane arts. The corpse's skin has an odd pallor to it, like that of a body several weeks in the marsh. The floor Timonius stands on and surrounding the body has an oily sheen to it and is quite slippery, if he hadn't been so cautious approaching he might have lost his footing. Still standing several feet from the body and at a different angle now; Timonius sees a precise slash from ear to ear and deep enough to show the white bones of the man's neck vertebrae visible in the dim light. The great hall remains deathly quiet as Timonius takes in a deep breath of the pungent aroma around him; he is not at all offended by it. The old man rubs a blood covered hand across his chin while squinting from a safe distance for anything that might be of value on the corpse.
Louis's wound is healed fully not long after the battle is ended and he has spoken to Markas. A look around the altar room at the carnage and blood sends a chill down his spine. Latovius is nowhere within the room and the rogue hasn't made his presence known during the stand against the Black Knight. Where might he have gotten to? Louis's thoughts are interrupted by Markas asking questions, the fighter only caught part of them after hearing his name. What did Markas want of him now?
With Timonius quickly leaving the room before Markas began speaking it is clear the old man is driven by greed. The mage's old frame moved quickly and Markas is unsure if any of his words reached the mage's ear. A look around the altar room at the carnage and blood sends a chill down his spine. Latovius is nowhere within the room and the rogue does not respond to Markas's questions. Louis turns towards Markas after the cleric finished speaking, a puzzled look on his face as if the fighter had been mulling over similar questions.
Too many things to do with too many self interests and too much danger about added to this evil abomination of a room. From Petra's teachings the most important part of this mission is to gather intelligence so the city and it's people are protected. The message to LeGant must be sent while there is still time, thought Markas.
With Louis seemingly of a like mind Markas addressed the fighter in the same volume, "Louis danger may still lurk please take a look out into the hall and see if the coast is clear. Be wary of the mist trail the Black Knight escaped by as he seems to have the aid of some dark magics. I will start to write LeGant as we have much information to give him. If you see Latovius tell him we need his efforts to open this iron door as it is seemingly the last path we have to the damsels. Be safe."
(Assuming Brion and Erik are still in the room and within earshot,) "Brion, Erik I thank you for your services you have fought valiantly. Alas we still are in much danger and I need your help. This room is filled with evils. Please keep an eye on the alter and alert me to it's dangers should they present themselves." With that Markas pulled out some parchment to write upon with the magic quill. The cleric of Petra wrote all of the details he could remember down from the bargain with the Ogre brothers to the Black Knights ruse of a tournament to recruit for his army. He wrote of the number of guards he had seen in the keep along with the Orc encampment and the lizard men. He wrote of the many evils that the party had slain along with the damsels the group hoped to still save. He wrote of the evil alter and his suspicions that the Black Knight was a follower of an evil god. Lastly he wrote of Brion and Erik and how well they fought for Petra and the city. If the group should fall it would be the clerics wish that their families be cared for. (He of course wrote of anything I may have forgotten while on vacation). He finished with praise Petra and then snapped the quill.
"Let's get a closer look at that hat!
As Markas repeats himself, Louis takes his mind off the horrors that surround him and gets back to the tasks at hand Oui, I will stand guard. as he takes up his position by the door he sees off into the gloom Timonius checking out a body, then looking off into the darkness. Oh woe iz us... if only there was someone who knew how to open an iron door... Hmm hmm ha ha! Louis calls out into the darkness, his insincere cries of woe make him laugh. Hopefully his expressions were vague enough not to give away the thieve's position if he were to still be hiding from foes.
"What are you? This is strange to me. I don't understand what is happening" Timonius whispers to himself.
"Could you be a cleric and not a mage? Hmm. Everything about you seemed evil" Timonius mutters.
Timonius does a thorough investigation of the human male's corpse for anything that might be worth more then a copper. Timonius wouldn't be going back to his home in the swamp after this ordeal copperless! Carbuncles, boils, pustules, and open sores covered the man's body from his neck to his mid calf. Many wounds burst or oozed their foul contents onto the mage's hands, arms, and face as he removed everything of value from the body. Looting the corpses of the disease ridden is a dangerous profession!
Louis retrieves Brion's wayward blade while keeping watch over the gloom and Timonius's efforts at looting the corpse some thirty feet away. He couldn't help but snicker at the mage's weak efforts to remove a heavy set of armor from the dead body. What possibly could be the greedy old man's need for such heavy armor? Timonius could barely retrieve it from the corpse, surely he had no designs on trying to wear it? Other then Timonius's looting the body nothing stirs in the great hall while Louis stands watch.
With the snapping of the quill the parchment and quill glow briefly. The edges of the items begin to deteriorate and fall towards the floor as if they were grains of sand. This magical effect continues and after a few seconds there is nothing in the cleric's hands and both items are gone without a trace. Looking up from his now empty hands the cleric smiles at Brion and Erik who stand near the doorway to the room, a good distance from the dark altar. "No offense, but that black magic stuff gives us the creeps. You do whatever it is you holy people do with such things. We'll stay well away from it and keep our souls where they belong." Brion speaks up for the two of them, while Erik nods his agreement to what the two had discussed quietly while Markas was busy writing. These men would follow your directions but not at the cost of their eternal souls it would seem.
Returning inside the room Louis hands back Brion's blade to him I thought you might want thiz back Mon ami, ho ho it will work zo much better for us in your hand, please stand watch, keep an eye on our dear Timonius, he iz taking far too long out there turning his attention to Markas Zo zee letter, she iz on her way no? I saw no sign of Latovios, I hope he iz alright. And no sign of foes either, but rest assured I do believe they will be back, and in large numbers. Louis approaches the iron door, he raises his voice [b] my dears are you in there? It is I, Louis, can you hear me? he strains to listen.
The Cleric once again took out the great Maul. "Move away from the door Louis. We shall see what is behind it." In a louder voice, "If anyone is behind this iron door move aside."
"I wonder why you are all slimy. Hmm. I wonder why it doesn't bother me? They used to call me a dirty man but they won't anymore!"
Timonius rises from his kneeling position on the blood covered great hall floor and arches his back to alleviate some of the stiffness of working hunched over. He about jumps out of his skin when a thunderous clang of metal on metal from the altar room comes peeling into the room from the open doorway. Quickly looking down at the floor at the spoils he'd accumulated the mage calculated his best payout possibility. The armor was much to heavy to carry for whatever coin it might fetch if it wasn't magical. The mace was a weapon for simpletons and this one in particular did not appear worth enough coin to warrant the effort of carrying the damned thing. The fool's purse and fancy headdress would have to do for payment. Such little repayment for the effort he had expended. Tossing the coin purse into his haversack, Timonius slapped the wet headdress onto his head and made his way back to the altar room. His robes and boots dripping fluids and leaving footprints where he walked.
Louis is not sure if his call carried through to the other side of the iron door, especially after it takes a strong blow from Markas and remains mostly intact and in place. It will take additional attempts similar to the first for the cleric to open the door Louis estimates. Louis wiggles a finger in his ear trying to get the ringing out after the loud noise caused by Markas's blow.
Markas aims for the fake door knob on the door but hits much lower on the door then he had wanted. A thunderous clang from the impact rings out hurting ears and spoiling any chance of catching any of the castle's occupants unaware. The door shudders under the blow but holds firm at the top and bottom where Markas believes the door's locking bars run into the stonework of the castle. This door was not meant to be opened by force but by Petra it would soon fall!
With this being the only path left besides the front door it will have to open. Before swinging again Markas will wipe the gunk from his face and hands to clear his vision and guide the Maul truer to it's target.
Markas lands another very solid blow on the iron door, punching a hole through it with the head of the maul. The top and bottom bolts remain solidly held within the stone walls keeping the door firmly in place. Markas gave the door a shove to determine how much progress he had made and he was rewarded when he feels some give to the door.
"Who? Who is there? Hurry!" called out a young woman's voice from the other side of the door.
"Let's go Markas! I want to see what's behind that door! What kind of treasures could await? Hit is agin! Hit it agin!"
"That sounds like a sweet, young thing doesn't it Erik?"
With his ears still ringing from Markas' great swing against the iron door he shouts Adrianna my love! Iz that you? Gertie, she iz with you no? Stand back from zee door! Markas again with zee hammer, finish zee door!
With the reward of a damsels voice Markas readied himself for another attempt at the door. "Stay back from the door for your safety!" The cleric said probably much louder than necessary as his ears began to cloud from the clanging.
A new odor besides the metallic tang of blood is detected by those in the altar room as Timonius returns wearing a silver goat horned head dress. The head dress and the mage are soaked in a myriad of bodily fluids making the mage's aroma stand out amongst the room of blood covered men. A fouler mixture of blood, sweat and urine forces Brion to gag and turn away. While Erik manages a weak smile and nod at Timonius's suggestion that the two of them enjoy the company of whatever lovely voiced woman waits behind the door. The fighter then covers his nose with his hand and takes a few steps away from Timonius. The elderly mage is seemingly unaware or uncaring about his pungent smell.
Markas lands another mighty blow with the maul and just about dislodges the heavy iron door from the wall. It remains in place hanging on weakly to the twisted top restraining bar. Markas punches that corner of the door and wall with the head of the maul and the door falls inward with a resounding crash.
Markas turns and takes a step back from the opened door at catching Timonius's odor. Markas's can't help but notice the filthy head dress that Timonius now proudly wears, taken from a corpse in the great hall. The goat horned headdress solidifies his previous guess that the altar is an altar to the evil god Orcus and his servants were the ones that did the unspeakable things to the mother and the babe that they were all covered in. A spark of fury began to burn hot in the cleric's soul, fueled either by Petra or by the dark god Orcus. Though Markas was inexperienced in the magics gifted by his goddess and certain rituals of his faith required mastery he would not have for quite some time the cleric felt, no he knew that Petra would lend him the aid he needed to purge this evil place. Then again, Orcus's priest in the great hall had been gifted such potent powers by following Orcus's teachings. Surely someone with as much potential as he could reach heights of power that would rival that of the gods themselves! Inner turmoil clouded Markas's mind as his anger rose ...
Louis and Timonius hurry through the door after Markas opens it and steps aside, the cleric is lost in thought. One man in search of riches, the other in search of lost family friends. This next room is very luxurious, with expensive carpeting, a silver chandelier, a tapestry on the east wall, a wardrobe on the west wall, a four-poster bed covered with quilts. On the far wall looped through an iron ring set high on the wall is a length of heavy chain that restrains an auburn haired young woman.
"Who, who are you filthy men? Surely you are not the Black Knight's men? What are you doing here? Will one of you big strong men you free a damsel in distress?" The young woman asks as she feigns weakness with one of her shackled hands.
Timonius is shocked after entering the room, he knows the young woman chained to the wall! He had not put two and two together when he'd heard Louis speak Adrianna's name out loud. This ravishing beauty had been a student at Mage Island when he first arrived there. She was several classes ahead of him and much more skilled then he was when he was just starting to learn the magical arts. The lusters of possible riches were temporarily forgotten, replaced by the erotic daydreams he used to have about the young woman.
It is Adrianna! She is even more beautiful then Louis remembers her being, the years have seen her blossom into a true beauty. Louis is hurt that she does not immediately recognize him, but then it has been quite some time and he is covered in the gore of battle. A quick look about the room reveals to Louis that her mother Gertie is not within the room. Louis's eyes are drawn back to the beautiful Adrianna, she does not appear to have been harmed or mistreated in any way. Considering the humanoids and men in the Black Knight's employ that is a miracle! Out of the corner of his eye Louis notices the filth covered Timonius lustfully staring at the chained woman.