Rakish opens the door to the room and peers in. If the room looks like there are no threats and leads nowhere, he'll shut it and go down the hall. Otherwise, he'll enter.
Ask and ye shall answer, eh? 'Tis a bit creepy, methinks, Beryl mutters to himself, then grins at Cassyt, No offense intended, 'acourse!
"What is it that we need to know? What has caused the undead to awaken? What killed the priests? How many questions do we get anyway?"
Rakish, see anything o' note? If nae, mayhap we can save our question 'til later and check on the area where those priests disappeared from, eh?
"Aye, might be the best idea."
Something odd about the writing, it might want to tell us something, but oh, not the faintest idea.
Sera, who was watching Cassyt's reaction to this place, nods in agreement. We should do what we're here to do before we do what we aren't! she says quickly.
" You know I've never really given these skulls a second thought... I guess if we ask a question they'll answer it... " Cassyt says.
Rakish opens the door to the east while the others ponder the meaning of the inscription above the skulls. Suddenly the skulls swivel on their ledge all looking at Raeva as he asks some questions.
"What has caused the undead to awaken?"
"Magic does that! " Pipes up one.
"Yeah, Necromancers! Or maybe unfinished business? I don't really know... " says another speaking over the first.
The skulls jaws chatter and shake as they speak, every word punctuated with the sound of clicking bone.
"What killed the priests?"
"Which priests? I remember old Reicher slipped from the roof of the temple while he was trying to repair a tile or something!" says one
"I didn't know any preists that died..." another prattles.
"How many questions do we get anyway?"
"I'm not sure what you mean?..."
"You should never stop asking questions, an ever inquisitive mind is the key to gaining knowledge! "
Meanwhile Rakish is looking about in the room to the east. He doesn't find anymore immediate threats in this room.
A mummified figure in magnificent apparel sits on a throne inlaid with ivory and semiprecious stones. It holds a golden dagger in its right hand and a balance in its left. A crown of gold and tarnished silver seems to float above its head. The whole scene is draped in cobwebs.
Cassyt wanders into the tomb behind Rakish. "Ah, I remember now. " She says looking at the mummified figure. " This is the tomb of Sedrair the second... she was one of Phlan's more eccentric nobles centuries ago."
Rakish looks at Ironjoy, then at the talking skulls, then back at Ironjoy, then back at the skulls. He assumes that answers the question and walks away.
He plants himself at the entrance of the hallway as a guard, awaiting his companions to complete their interaction with the talking dead.
As he waits, he checks his black dragon scale shield to ensure it's easy to don. He checks all of his axes in their holsters, and then moves his arms around in a shoulder rotation and stretch.
Well then, Beryl says, looking at a loss for words, I'll be waitin' out here with Rakish. Ye all finish up there and we can continue.
Weird dead sorcerer lady seems affable enough, but I'll shave Moradin's beard afore I'll sit in a room with that...
EDIT: Almost as an afterthought, the warrior says, Ask 'er if'n she's seen anything weird going on lately?
Worth a shot...
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All thoughts of moving on and completing their business goes right out of Sera's head as the skulls begin their chatter. Her eyes go wide as her mouth forms a silent "O". Unable to contain her excitement, she starts rattling off questions to the talking skulls, not even really given them a chance to answer before launching into different ones:
Did it hurt when you died?
What are your names?
What did you do in life?
How many questions do you answer?
Do you get bored?
How long have you been here?
Seen anything weird lately?
Do you have a leader?
How do you become a talking skull?
Did you want to be a talking skull?
Does it feel weird if a rat nests inside you?
What was your favorite food?
Do you miss being alive?
What's being dead like?
....
After a while she pauses to catch her breath, only to look around at her companions as her cheeks grow crimson. Heh.
Sera receives a chorus of answers as the skulls all cry out various answers to her questions at the same time.
"Yes! I was stabbed in the chest! "
"No, I died in my sleep I think..."
"A little bit..."
Then they each call out there names in some sort of macabre roll call and list off various occupations. After her third question however the skulls fall silent...
Once the skulls have fallen silent and the group is ready to move on everyone follows Rakish and Beryl down the next hallway and into another large chamber . This area has displays similar to those previously in the catacombs, but with one major difference. Where the previous displays were pleasant depictions of daily life, these are nightmares come to life. In one crypt, the skeletons of three, very young children are posed as if they are strangling a grown man, while another portrays five people holding a skeletal man in a chair and "pouring" something from a greasy, brown vial down his throat. Piles of dirt and rubble have been deposited around the room.
"Ugh, I hate this place, the idea of setting up victims to get eternal revenge on their murderers really disgusts me, I'd hate to be buried alongside my murderer, don't you agree?" Cassyt says to Seraphyna.
None of these skeletons seem to be undead though and after a quick inspection the group move forwards down the tunnel till they reach a 'T' intersection.
"Up ahead to the north is the necropolis, that's where most of the dead are buried nowadays, its massive and there's bound to be undead in there I'd guess. To the right? I'm not sure... " Cassyt says.
Sahil readies his crossbows, points to the right hand tunnel, "we get visitors. Sounds like more undead, probably zombies."
Rakish let's out another clicking growl in response, and grips his axes a bit tighter as he moves ahead.
The group follows Rakish down the right hand passage to investigate the 'undead noises' coming from that direction. Thirty feet on the tunnel opens up into a chamber 20' wide and 30' long. The chamber is littered with rubble and freshly turned earth.
Four zombies mill about here, even more curiosly a kobold sits, dozing in a chair next to a barrel on the far side of the chamber next to an opening. As the Zombie's sense you all entering they turn and start shuffling towards you.
Beryl steps forward trying to draw the attention of the zombies, Come and get it, ya beasties!
Beryl moves in (maroon arrow) and takes a swing at purple.
Raeva targets blue skeleton with a Firebolt.
Fire Bolt
Sahil moves and shoots at the blue zombie.
If we see the kobold, then Rakish will step forward (next to Blue) and launch his handaxes at it.
As the group eagerly rushes toward the zombies, Sera sighs somewhat dejectedly. There's a lot more undead in here than I thought there would be... Maybe there's a necrotomancer farther down raising all these things. Adding her potent magic's to the battle, she fires off another barrage of pink power.
Sahil rushes into the room unloading two bolts at a zombie, one smashes into its head and the other squarely into its chest.
Beryl charges in and smashes his warmace into the side of a zombie, producing a wet thudding sound punctuated by the cracking of ribs.
Suddenly a barrage of pink power flashes over everyone's heads and slams into the sleeping Kobold, the magic blasts him from his chair and he lies completely still, the snoring ceases.
A flaming bolt of energy follows the pink cracking energy, but slams into a zombie's head and shoulders, it's tattered clothing catches alight and its head is blackened and burnt!
The zombies crowd around Beryl, swinging punches, flailing arms and shoulder charging the man. The blows rain against his armour, leaving him feeling battered and bruised but still in relatively good shape.
Rakish leaps into the fray, hacking and slashing with his hand-axes! He connects with two solid blows leaving deep gashes in the zombies flesh!
Cassyt steps forward holding her lantern aloft, she seems to dither for a second but then calls down Kelemvor's wrath on the most heavily damaged Zombie. The flames rush up around the Zombie next to Rakish, and leave only ashes when they dissipate!
Beryl:
Hp: 31/31
Rakish:
Hp: 31/31
Cassyt:
Dmg: 2
Garth:
Hp: 12/12
Raeva:
Hp: 9/9
Beryl Y
Garth N
Sahil Y
Seraphyna Y
Raeva Y
Rakish Y
Purple Z: 10 Dmg
Blue Z: 26 Dmg
Round one
Garth fires an arrow at the closest zombie. for
Round two
Garth fires another arrow at a zombie. for
Rakish moves forward to attack any zombies remaining.
Raeva repositions himself to be able to see more of the zombies. He casts Acid Splash against red and green.
Reflex DC 13 or Damage
Sahil shoots twice at the violet zombie.
Beryl grunts at the two hits, Is that all ye got, ya beasties? Yer not tryin' hard enough!
Beryl swings hard at purple zombie!
With the Kobold now sleeping in a more permanent way, Sera continues to pour forth her eldritch energies at a zombie.
Garth ducks around the corner and fires an arrow at the closest zombie, the arrow buries itself into the zombies head!
Sahil sends a bolt flashing after Garths arrow, smashing into the zombies left eye! The zombie rolled backwards to the floor with a crash and lies completely still.
Picking another target , Sahil raises his second crossbow and pulls the trigger. The bolt thunks home into the zombies chest.
Beryl swings his warmace, smashing it into the chest wound of the zombie, forcing Sahil's bolt further into its chest! The zombie almost buckles in half but somehow manages to right itself.
Sera sends her pink crackling energy arching at the zombie in front of Beryl that seems most heavily damaged. It strikes the zombie in the head, almost blasting the head off! Afterwards the head hangs by only a few tendons.
With a quick incantation Raeva forms a globule of acid and sends it flying towards the zombies splashing between them. Acid splashes over both zombies and an acrid smell fills the chamber as their flesh bubbles and burns!
The zombies continue to flail their arms and fists at Beryl! Smashing him however they can! Their attacks don't seem very effective though as Beryl masterfully turns with the blows blocking the worst of the damage with his heavy armour!
Rakish leaps forwards over the corpse of a zombie, his axes flashing through the air! But both his attacks miss!
Cassyt continues her chant calling on Kelemvor's power to smite the zombie scourge! Another zombie goes down, burnt to a crisp by holy golden flames!
Lets another arrow fly, it arcs over Beryl's head and slams into the last Zombies chest with a wet squelch!
Beryl:
Hp: 23/31
Rakish:
Hp: 31/31
Cassyt:
Dmg: 2
Garth:
Hp: 12/12
Raeva:
Hp: 9/9
Beryl Y
Garth N
Sahil Y
Seraphyna Y
Raeva Y
Rakish Y
Purple Z: 26 Dmg (Dead)
Blue Z: 26 Dmg Super Dead
Green Z: 26 Dmg Dead...
Red Z: 15 Dmg
1 round of prep...
Sahil moves and again two bolts are mebedded into the zombie.
EDIT:
Grunting at the two hits that he took, the warrior grins, My turn, laddies!
As the group seems to be doing better against the zombies than previously, Sera is less concerned over their safety. Go team Smash'emdeadagain! she cheers as more pink energy pops out of her.
Garth lets another arrow fly
for
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Raeva returns to Fire Bolt
Fire Bolt
Sahil levels his crossbows at the last zombie and the steel strings twang as he fires two bolts in quick succession, one into its chest and the other straight into its head! It topples backwards with another thud...
Rakish rushes to the corner to see what the Kobold was guarding or find the next threat, he's closely followed by the rest of the party.
To the right is an empty chamber filled with rubble, straight ahead a narrow winding tunnel, freshly excavated leads away, but to the left... Even at first glance, it is obvious that people have been living in this room for a long while. There are a number of straw pallets and even a pair of beds. Across the room, a man in embroidered red robes with a shaved and tattooed head is hurriedly stuffing items into a haversack. As he sees you, he spits out a curse and shouts for his minions to attack. A knight in full plate armour with a red surcoat, already has a great-sword drawn and ready. Another man in leather armour holds a wickedly curved scimitar and leers at Rakish with a maniacal smile. Another Zombie stands nearby the knight and a kobold stands at the back of the room, a sling ready in its hand.
All the "minions" stand around a circle of blue glowing glyphs on the floor.
Beryl:
Cassyt:
Garth:
Raeva:
Rakish:
Sahil:
Seraphyna:
Cultist:
Knight:
Kobold:
Wizard:
Zombie:
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Rakish is going to launch both his axes at the red wizard (use my last actions rolls plus using inspiration to cancel disadvantage on one attack).
He then moves in to face the Knight, drawing his battle ax and using action surge to don his black dragon scale shield. (AC is now 17).
Raeva makes the Wizard his target as well before moving out of his line of sight.
Beryl takes a short breather before realizing that they are not finished! Heaving his warmace upon his shoulder, the stout warrior heads into the chamber. Assessing the situation, he singles out the leather clad scimitar-wielder and takes him off of his target!
Garth fires at the wizard.
Sera scrunches her face in disappointment when the group turns the corner and finds the group of necromancers. Well, they don't look that scary at all! she says as she strikes a pose, pink sparkling dust beginning to trickle from her hands. I've seen scarier stuff in my dreams.. She then claps her hands and an explosion of dust appears between the 3 distant foes.
Sahil moves forward, firing both crossbows at the Red Robed Wizard! One bolt slashes past the man, ripping his robes and leaving a gash on his arm! The other smacks home into the wizards shoulder. Sahil then moves to the south to leave the area open for Beryl and Rakish to charge!
Raeva moves forward too, firing a bolt of arcane flame at the wizard, it strikes him, setting his rob alight and burning him, but the wizard keeps his head and pats out the flames.
Muttering beneath his breath and with a flick of the wrist the Wizard suddenly shimmers out of sight! Then a book lifts off the desk and disappears...
Rakish takes a chance and launches both his handaxe's at the place where the Wizard just disappeared! The first axe spins through the air and suddenly stops in mid air with a wet sickening squelch, suddenly the wizard shimmers back into view with the axe imbedded in his chest, just in time for the second axe to think home in the man's head! He topples to the ground, quite dead! Rakish then draws his Battle-Axe and straps on a shield, charging at the knight.
"Necromancers? No longer will you profane this place with your foul presence! Cassyt yells as she moves into the the room, Chanting she gestures at Rakish, Beryl and Garth, calling for Kelemvor's blessings to be apron them.
The Scimitar Wielder runs forward striking at Rakish!
The scimitar cuts into the lizardman's scaly flesh drawing a line of blood!
The Knight swings his great-sword, cleaving at Rakish!
The sword glances off Rakish's head painfully and blood runs into his eyes!
The Kobold carefully loads it's sling with a pellet of some sort and aims at Beryl!
The pellet bounces off the wall above the armoured man's head. The Kobold lets out a curse in draconic...
The Zombie groans and shuffles towards Rakish, swinging a fist.
But Rakish is able to dodge aside!
Sera claps her hands and an explosion of dust fills the room! Suddenly the Kobold and the Scimitar-Wielder fall to the ground, snoring!
Garth fires at the Knight, his arrow flies true and stabs through the man's armour near the armpit!
Beryl charges in stepping over the Sleeping man with a scimitar he strikes at the Knight with his warmace, ringing a dazing tune on the man's helmet!
Red Robed Wizard
Damage: 11
Invisible...
dead... super dead...
Knight
Damage: 18
Rakish, angered that the armored human got past his shield, snarls at the Knight and bites him.
Then he slams his axe into him.
After the wizard falls, Raeva moves up some and targets the champion and his skeletal partner with Acid Splash.
Acid Splash DC 13 v damage.
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Sahil moves and targets the champion, if still up.
Sahil will use a superiority die on the second roll, to make the champion drop (DC13 STR save or prone)
Beryl eyes the kobold, Ye're next dog!
He swings hard at the dark knight, hoping to drop the man and gets his Second Wind!
You know Koboldy there is snoozing and awaitin his bruising right? ask Sera as Beryl tries to intimidate the sleeping dragonkin. She then move over to fire one of her blasts into the champion.
Garth lets another arrow fly, this time at the zombie.
for
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