Ha! This seems to work!
As the iron cobra is engulfed by Akmenos' magic fire, Uilisfuen sees an opening and stabs.
Garnult and Lysander both hit the thing, and Akmenos is able to fry it with his firebolt! There is an audible *pop* and then the construct is still.
Cererithil notices that the stone slab the iron cobra was resting on has the visable hint of a threaded stone groove along the outside edge. The whole stone likely could be unscrewed.
I could unscrew the stone but that is no reason for doing so... what was it that we smelled coming in?
Uilisfuen sniffs the air again. ”I thought it was an animal, but I’m uncertain. Is there a trap at the statue’s base?”
I do not know - it unscrews... step back I'll see what happens.
Cererithil searches the base more thoroughly, and finding nothing dangerous unscrews it, revealing a hollow base about 6 inches deep. Inside there are 3 gems stones! A transparent pale green one, a quite striking opaque crimson one and an opaque deep black one.
"Are those the source of the smell?" Lysander looks to Garnult. "Do gemstones smell?"
I dinnae think so... Garnult offers.
This is useful - lets hold on to these. Lets keep moving but first let me check the other snake.
Let's finishing routing around this floor before diving deeper.
Very good - agreed.
The gemstones do not appear to be the source of the smell, but the remains of the snake are. After some investigation, you notice that a small puddle of liquid leaks out of the snake's mouth pooling around it's head.
The second snake appears to be constructed virtually the same as the first, except that it is not animated or mobile in any way.
Heading back to the main room, Akmenos takes a closer look at one of the other doors alcoves. There is a carving of a hand over the top of this alcove. It appears to be a reasonably realistic looking right hand of a human. The door itself looks like it has seen very little use, and just as Akmenos steps forward to enter the alcove and open it, Cererithil put his hand on the tiefling's shoulder stopping him. Pointing down at the stonework, the elf says, "Looks like it could be trapped, like the other one." He points back toward the door at alcove 'A'.
Cererithil sees if he can disable the trap.
This place is more trapped than a bankers vault.. Garnult grumbles
After studying the section of floor a bit more, Cererithil fiddles with his thieves' tools and fishes around for the latch to the release mechanism underneath, pulling it into place to keep the floor section from collapsing under weight.
Promising... I will go first and see if it is safe.
Cererithil steps forward to open the door, an immediately regrets his decision as he hears a metallic *clatter* and the floor falls out from under him. However, the wild elf is able to catch himself using the side of the alcove before he falls into the pit that lies 10' below.
Afterward the wild elf is able to check out the door and finds it to be nothing more than a false door a fixed to the stone wall, a lure for the trap apparently.
Akmenos investigates door C while Cererithil works the trap.
Seeing his tribemate in the pit, Uilisfuen lowers down an end of his rope to aid Cererithil in getting out. ”It didn’t look like you got injured. You’re alright, yes?”
The southern door and alcove appear to be safe, and there is a pentacle caved into the stone above the door.
Akmenos tries to open the door.
Akmenos sets to work on the lock, and the pins don't quite want to fall into place for the tiefling at first. Diego impatiently scales the western wall of the alcove as his master takes a cleansing breath and tries again...and then the lock finally yields to his deft touch!
It opens into a east-west hallway. The western end of the hallway is very near the door, only 20' to the west it ends with a wooden door. On the south side of the hallway 10' to the east is a wooden door and further east on the south wall there are two more doors near the edge of Akmenos' darkvision. The hallway continues further east past the tiefling's vision.
Akmenos turns stage left and investigates that door.
Listening, Akmenos hears nothing, but he does notice that the door is locked. The tiefling sets to work unlocking the door. While he works,
Cererithil spots two humanoids shambling into view from the eastern end of the hallway.
Round 1
PCs
Zombie #1
Zombie #2
All PCs may act!
There is either a single key for this dungeon, or the master's key ring must be - what's the matter Cererithil?
Hearing comments that something's the matter, Lysander moves into the room and glances down the hallway. Seeing restless corpses shambling toward the party, he rushes forward and raises his shield, taking a defensive position, hoping merely to draw their attention himself. "Come and taste the holy, cleansing fire!" he shouts towards them.
Zombies! Be wary - they can take some punishment before going down
He takes aim with his longbow and lets fly.
for damage
Ye've got spirit...for a half elf. Garnult says appreciatively of Lysander's battle cry
Garnult then moves next to Lysander and prepares to strike the first enemy to come into range
Uilisfuen moves into the hallway and fires an arrow at a zombie.
Cererithil's arrow sinks into the zombie with a wet thud.
Lysander and Garnult for a line and wait for the zombies to approach!
Uilisfuen tries to fire over his friends but ends up missing the zombies all together!
The two zombies shamble forward and the dwarf hit his target, while the half-elf tries to dodge his attacker!
One zombie attacks Lysander and the other Garnult.
*disadvantage* *miss*
*disadvantage*
*miss*
Round 2
PCs
Zombie #1
Zombie #2 - 13 damage taken
All PCs may act!
Cererithil takes aim at the second zombie.
for
Garnult attempts to club a zombie into submission
"Face my lord's wrath, abomination!" Lysander cries out, and his blade shines with holy power as he drives it forward into the zombie before him.
Cererithil puts another arrow in the zombie, and Garnult nearly takes the things head clean off with a powerful blow, but somehow it remains on it's feet!
vs. DC 15
Lysander engages the other zombie, calling down his divine power!
Round 2
PCs
Zombie #1 - 11 damage taken
Zombie #2 - 31 damage taken
Uilisfuen and Akmenos may act!
Uilisfuen growls as his arrow goes too high. He exhales forcefully as he takes another arrow. Fitting it to the string, he clears his mind then fires.
Not this again! Akmenos exclaims while firing a bolt of flame at zombie 1.
Uilisfuen's arrow sinks into the rotting flesh of the zombie and Akmenos' fire bolt ignites the undead creature with the sickening stench of burning flesh! The thing collapses on the ground in front of Lysander!
vs. DC 11
The zombie lurches forward biting Garnult's face savagely!
*hit, crit!*
Round 3
PCs
Zombie #1
Zombie #2 - 31 damage taken
All PCs may act!
Lysander brings his sword around in another arc, slashing down at the remaining zombie's shoulder.
The corners of Uilisfuen’s mouth rise slightly, pleased one zombie has been dispatched. He takes aim at the remaining one and fires.
Lysander is able to slash the zombie down, the remnants of his divine energy putting the undead down!
vs. DC 12
The walking corpses seem to have nothing of value, and given the state of decay it is difficult to determine how long they have been in this state.
Garnult says Gah! Bugger bit me nose! I need that to smell the roses don't ya know! Garnult chuckles darkly at the idea of a dwarf smelling roses...like he would ever do that. What was he? An elf?
Garnult casts a spell of healing on himself
Back to this damned lock! Cererithil can you help me?
Akmenos is able to open the lock after a few pointers from Cererithil. Before the tiefling can fully take in the new room, however, he sees standing there a black, mechanical hound, sniffing the floor where it stands. When the door opens, it raises it's head baring a mouth full of metal teeth and letting out an eerie mechanical howl!
Akmenos
Cererithil
Garnult
Lysander
Uilisfuen
Clockwork Hound
Round 1
Uilisfuen
Akmenos
Garnult
Cererithil
Lysander
Clockwork Hound
All PCs may act!
Having moved back close to the party after finishing the zombies, Lysander rushes into action when the door opens to reveal a mechanical hound. Is there no end to the trials here?
Akmenos reflexively launches a fire bolt.
Gah, ye woke up the hounds! Garnult says as he moves forward
Lysander and Garnult both miss the mechanical hound! Akmenos' firebolt hits the metal beast, but doesn't seem to burn hot enough to do any real damage.
Clockwork Hound - 1 damage taken
The elves are up!
Despite being so removed from the natural world, Uilisfuen admires the craftsmanship present in the mechanical hound. Nevertheless, he takes an arrow from his quiver and fires it at the latest enemy to appear.