Finally, as you all turn toward the balcony, you see the horror which has broken the resolve of the prisoners.
A massive creature stalks toward you. It looks to be the reanimtaed hulks of two enormous trolls, hideously combined into a single flailing monster. Two heads roar and spit; three arms swing broken tree limbs wrapped with gore-stained chains. The twin-barrelled torso glues this abomination together, and two legs like pillars support its incredible weight.
Sheathed in an armor of chains, as if the tangle of corroded iron is what holds it together, the creature is the Dark Work of the Necromancer. Above it, The Master's face is twisted in sadistic pleasure as he watches from his tower.
With each swing, another of the prisoners is bashed to pulp. The cavern floor is strewn with bodies, and none have the courage nor strength to stand against such a foe.
Do you?
Seeing the innocent under assault, Findegil raises his sword and yells as he advances out of the barricade!
"Abomination! Face me!"
Findegil charges forward, leading the party toward this new nemesis, when all at once his senses hone in on a frail creature that steps in front of him.
Findegil, you stop in your tracks, frozen by a will that comes from within you but is unfamiliar. There stands Haleth, emaciated and stained from head to toe in blood, some fresh, but much of it dried. He stares up at you, his eyes wide and sullen, and his whole body shakes.
"I... I could not save them," he croaks. "I thought I could, but..." He is visibly wrestling with something he is about to do.
Haleth extends his hand to you; narrow burns ring his fingers in a dozen places. He trembles terribly. You reach and open your palm to him.
"I don't want it no more. Take it."
Haleth drops the One Ring into your hand. It hits your skin with a sharp coldness, and you are surprised by its weight. And yet it feels perfectly natural that you should have it.
Time slows. The world around you fades. The Ring of Power is yours, Findegil. Why don't you try it on?
When the last orc falls, Amalina feels a fleeting hope that they might actually survive this horrible dream world. But that is soon dashed as the two-headed monstrosity bellows it's arrival.
Struck dumb for a second by the vile things shear size and power, she nearly succumbs to the feeling of hopelessness and despair. But Findegil's charge rallies her spirit. Replacing axe for bow, she and aims a shaft and the troll-thing, only to see Findegil stop mid-charge and be handed something by what she can only assume is one of the slaves by the poor souls filthy and beaten appearance.
"Now is not the time for exchanging gifts!" She shouts. "We've got to stop that thing before it kills everyone in here, including us!"
Findegil feels pity for Haleth.
Such a man could not take what was Isildur's.
Findegil continues to feel for Haleth even as he picks up the heavy ring, examines it, and fits it onto his right ring finger.
Findegil, you don't notice as the Ring changes size, increasing circumference to slide comfortably over your finger. Indeed, there's a grip to it, like a fitted glove.
Immediately, your perception changes. You see those around you not only by the glow from the furnaces which dimly lights their faces, but by an inner radiance which contrasts starkly the texture and machinery of the siegewerks cavern. Interestingly, the tree-pillars also glow, faintly, as if some small amount of life yet burns within that noble wood.
Whereas the living glow blue-white, the dead eminate a dense blackness; it's not that you cannot see them - quite the opposite. The hundreds of dead - and the monstrous forms of the troll abomination and of The Master, are as clear to you as the living, perhaps more so.
Time is altered as well. Everything seems to be moving a fraction slower, or more deliberately. It's like jumping into a deep pool of clear water and looking around. There is a quiet calm. You can move no faster for this heightened sensitivity to time, except that your mind clips through thoughts at crisper pace.
But those thoughts have an edge to them. The Ring imbues you with a sense of supreme confidence. You can accomplish anything. No living thing can vanquish you. Armies will coalesce behind your will. You feel a total concentration of purpose - of destiny, and exhaust only malice against any who would stand in your way.
But there is one more thing - a kind of pressure, as if the Hill itself was exerting its mass down upon you. The feeling is annoying - agitating, and then almost suffocating. Someone very near by knows what it is you now posess, and He's coming to take it back.
You feel hatred and rage toward these undead monsters. They must be destroyed, and then you will deal with their Master, once and for all!
Findegil disappears!
Amalina
Cereidh
Éothain
Findegil
Hobwise
Thorgrim
The Abomination
The Master
Amalina
Cereidh
Thorgrim
The Abomination
Hobwise
Éothain
The Master
Findegil
Éothain charges a step behind Findegil. Too late to help his companion, he does not break stride heading toward the abomination. He has only a brief moment to wonder what the One Ring will do to the Knight of Gondor until he arrives in melee with Dark Work. "For Rohan! For Emnet!"
You're all there. Move action and attack, or dash to climb a tower for a ranged attack next round.
Éothain steps inside the chained reach of the Abomination and slashes with his longsword and handaxe.
YES! By this power, I shall vanquish! I will slay these monsters, and then their LORD!
Findegil tears at the abomination with his blade, unseen as he is!
"What foul magic is this." Amalina hisses softly when Findegil disappears before the massive troll thing. But she has little time to worry about it at the moment and instead draws and fires an arrow at the creature, hoping the steel tip can pierce its thick hide.
Cereidh hopes that the bravery of her companions will distract the troll as she dashes to climb a tower.
Hobwise rushes ahead, into the immediate space of the monstrous undead troll, stabbing at it with his broadsword.
Amalina draws and fires an arrow at the creature, hoping the steel tip can pierce its thick hide. The arrow seems to have found its way through the chain armor, but does not penetrate the monster's scaly flesh.
Cereidh climbs the ladder into the tree tower in close proximity to the foe, and prepares Bregghar for an attack.
Thorgrim seems flat-footed, as if he cannot shake himself out of the space between worlds.
The Necromancer's Dark Work heaves itself at the party, twin mauls wrapped in rusted chains wielded by arms on either side, while the third arm, anchored to the breastbone of the left half, points at () Thorgrim, and the monster roars!
Thorgrim takes 20 damage!!
Hobwise is heedless to the disappearance of Findegil, and does not break stride as Thorgrim is pummeled unconscious. He launches into the immediate space of the abomination and attacks, but his strike glances off the underbelly of the massive creature.
Éothain steps inside the chained reach of the Abomination and slashes with his longsword and handaxe.
The Abomination takes 13 damage!
The Master lets forth a demented cackle as he watches the largest warrior among you fall to the first blow from the Dark Work. "Fools! You have come to the throne of the god of pain. Now you will die!"
Findegil tears at the abomination with his blade, unseen as he is!
The Abomination takes 13+11 damage!
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim is unconsious.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 2 damage.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
The Abomination has taken 24 damage.
The Master has taken 0 damage.
Éothain just laughs at the threats and continues to slash the Abomination with his longsword and handaxe.
Findegil continues moving, his blade seeking the corrupted flesh of the Dark Work.
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Cereidh stares blankly through the spot above Thorgrim as she trains her arrow upon the Dark Work's chest.
"Everyone dies. But we don't die as you wish, you filthy old cave-dweller, forgetting that there will be a dawn."
Cursing the things armor and thick hide, Amalina signals Winter and the big hound starts to bark and run around the creature occasionally leaping in to nip at its heels and providing enough of a distraction to allow his mistress a better shot.
Hobwise weaves between the monster's legs and stabs upward with his sword.
Cursing the things armor and thick hide, Amalina signals Winter and the big hound starts to bark and run around the creature occasionally leaping in to nip at its heels and providing enough of a distraction to allow his mistress a better shot. This time the aow finds a soft spot, and the edge penetrates into the flesh of the abomination.
The Abomination takes 24+7 damage!
Cereidh stares blankly through the spot above Thorgrim as she trains her arrow upon the Dark Work's chest. Successive arrow hits slice into the troll!
The Abomination takes 31+6 damage!
The Dark Work holds its action as it assesses the new targets and tries to find the hidden attackers behind and below it.
Hobwise weaves between the monster's legs and stabs upward with his sword.
The Abomination takes 37+20 damage!
Éothain just laughs at the threats and continues to slash the Abomination with his longsword and handaxe.
The Abomination takes 57+8 damage!
The Master scowls. "Crush them!" he commands.
Findegil continues moving, his blade seeking the corrupted flesh of the Dark Work.
The Abomination takes 65+9 damage!
Reeling from the slew of hits, the Dark Work raises all three arms high into the air, and then crashes them down onto the cavern floor. A massive boom rocks the siegewerks, and you feel the rough-hewn floor buckle and lurch causing you to lose balance!
Everyone (except Cereidh who is off the ground) make either a Strength or Dexterity (your choice) check at the beginning of your next turn, DC18. If you fail, you are knocked prone and stunned for 1 round.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim is unconscious.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter has taken 2 damage.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
The Abomination has taken 74 damage.
The Master has taken 0 damage.
Findegil sees the shock and leaps with blade lashing out!
Éothain continues to laugh at the Abomination and its Master while slashing at the Abomination with his longsword and handaxe.
Both Winter and Amalina are knocked over as the ground trembles and shudders beneath their feet.
Cereidh rocks as the pillar rocks like she's climbing a tree in a gale, and again shoots at the Dark Work.
Hobwise tumbles to the ground and is momentarily stunned.
The shockwave knocks Amalina, Winter and Hobwise to the ground, and causes Cereidh's attack to fly errantly. The Abomination looks for a fresh target. It spies the Hound which has caused a distraction, and attempts to put an end to the beast.
Winter takes 13 damage!
Éothain continues to laugh at the Abomination and its Master while slashing at the Abomination with his longsword and handaxe. - miss!
The Master sees the Hound fall and cackles with evil delight at the party's futility.
Findegil sees the shock and leaps with blade lashing out!
The Abomination takes 74+8 damage!
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim is unconsious.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter is unconscious.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
The Abomination has taken 82 damage.
The Master has taken 0 damage.
With a miss, Éothain focuses on the Abomination while slashing with his longsword and handaxe.
Cereidh considers if she'll have the time to make a rude gesture at the Dark Work before this is all over.
Findegil is distracted by the strike against Winter and tries to distract the abomination.
"HAH! STRIKE HERE FOOL!", he yells as he slashes wildly!
Getting back to her feet, Amalina sees Winter fall, but focuses on trying to bring the big monstrosity down.
Hobwise recovers from the shockwave and jumps at the monster, completely unaware of how close he is to Findegil.
Getting back to her feet, Amalina sees Winter fall, but focuses on trying to bring the big monstrosity down.
The Abomination takes 82+9 damage!
Cereidh considers if she'll have the time to make a rude gesture at the Dark Work before this is all over.
The Abomination takes 91+8 damage!
The abomination whirls and raises its arms again, seeing the archers more clearly. Once again it holds off an extra moment.
Hobwise recovers from the shockwave and jumps at the monster, completely unaware of how close he is to Findegil.
The Abomination takes 99+14 damage!
Éothain focuses on the Abomination while slashing with his longsword and handaxe.
The Abomination takes 113+10 damage!
The Master knows what is about to come. "Let them hear you scream!"
Findegil is distracted by the strike against Winter and tries to distract the abomination. "HAH! STRIKE HERE FOOL!", he yells as he slashes wildly! - miss!
The monstrous troll reels against the assault, but appears to have plenty left. It's massive chests expand and then both heads release and explosive sound which pummels your ears and seems to last forever. It is a noise like a dragon in its death throes, or like a mountain peak sheering away. In that instant you understand why this creature is so terrible.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim is unconsious.
Cereidh has taken 0 damage.
Winter is unconscious.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
The Abomination has taken 123 damage.
The Master has taken 0 damage.
Cereidh holds grimly to the thought that this is but a dream, and as fearsome as the Dark Work is, it cannot hurt them worse than any other nightmare the Shadow has dreamed up.
Cereidh's fey mood, while unpleasant, succeeds as a barrier against the fear of the Shadow's crafted nightmare.
Fear grips the heart of the knight of Gondor. But he does have to advance to strike!
Amalina shakes off the fear and sends another shaft streaking toward the troll.
Éothain tilts his head up and laughs in the maw of the Abomination. He slashes with his longsword and handaxe drawing blood.
Hobwise shrugs off the bellering of the beast and stabs into it!
Amalina shakes off the fear and sends another shaft streaking toward the troll.
The Abomination takes 123+7 damage!
Cereidh's fey mood, while unpleasant, succeeds as a barrier against the fear of the Shadow's crafted nightmare.
The Abomination takes 130+12 damage!
The abomination coils as if ready to charge...
Hobwise shrugs off the bellering of the beast and stabs into it! - miss!
Éothain tilts his head up and laughs in the maw of the Abomination. He slashes with his longsword and handaxe drawing blood.
The Abomination takes 142+13 damage!
The Master scowls at the lack of effectiveness of the abomination's savage roar. He gestures at the air and utters some ancient spell, pointing toward () Cereidh.
Cereidh, you feel a terrifying affliction, as your skin blackens in disgusting splotches. You're the victim of old necromancy, Harm, and take 6d6 (21) necrotic damage (Constitution save DC15 for half: 10).
Fear grips the heart of the knight of Gondor. But he does not have to advance to strike!
The Abomination takes 155+8 damage!
The Necromancer's dark work springs forward, arms whipping the giant mauls in an enormous arc, cutting a swath of destruction as it hurls it's great mass trhough the party, ultimately crashing against the very tree tower where Cereidh is perched! The tree is dislodged from its position supporting the ceiling high above, and as it topples over there is a rain of rock and earth that clouds the immediate vicinity of the cavern.
The abomination is now in melee with Amalina and Cereidh, and 60' from Eothain, Findegil, and Hobwise. The Master is in a tree tower near Eothain, Findegil, and Hobwise (Dash to climb and get in melee with The Master), 60' from Amalina and Cereidh.
Amalina has taken 0 damage.
Findegil has taken 4 damage.
Éothain has taken 2 damage.
Thorgrim is unconsious.
Cereidh has taken 21/10 damage.
Winter is unconscious.
Hobwise has taken 14 damage.
The Abomination has taken 163 damage.
The Master has taken 0 damage.
Findegil is slammed to the ground, injured. He picks himself up, shakily drawing his greatbow, readying, and launching an arrow at the beast's back!
Should that be a check or a save? It may make a difference whether we get to add proficiency bonus or not.
I appreciate the distinction and was careless with it. In the case of the Special Attacks, you make a Save.
I also added tactical information for The Master by edit, so you know where he is relative to each PC.
Cereidh snarls, attempting to shake off the wave of hopeless revulsion that comes from such evidence of the Shadow corrupting her own person.
She's quickly distracted from such insult by the Dark Work's collision with her perch, unceremoniously dumping the haughty fighter on the ground.
Cereidh draws her broadsword and attacks the Dark Work, reasoning that she might as well not get stabbed in the back.