"Let's give that well a wide path. I'd prefer to stay away from that whole area per what Brazzer said."
"The whole point of coming here was to wipe out some of the foul taint in this place, I'd say this is as good a place to start as any."
Lyria eyes the area nervously, her hand instinctively grasps her holy symbol. "We shouldn't take unnecessary risks - we can wait with exploring the well".
I move we explore the graveyard . It may have clues
Lyria recalls something about giant scorpions guarding the way to the tomb of a fell king.
Ahead of you the sunken graveyard forms a cross. At your end there is the infamous well. There are two smaller buildings to the sides as well as the main mausoleum ahead. This isa huge stone building, its outer side carved in a grisly bas-relief of demons, devils and other creatures of the underworld. Hundreds of skulls have been carved into the stone. The building extends fully 60 feet long and is over 40 feet wide. There is a set of carved stairs leading down to a set of huge iron doors. Ringing the top of the building are numerous demonic statues made of a strange green stone. They seem to stare at you.
Where do you want to start?
Tika seems quite enthralled with the place spending most of the journey making notes and sketches in her journal. "So have a look down the well?" She asks sounding quite chirpy besides the solem and menacing nature of the place.
Roylenna looks around the graveyard doubtfully. "Well... Mahaffy's right, there might be clues around the graveyard. There could also be threats hiding the graveyard waiting to cut off our retreat. Better to find them now, I think. I have to wonder about the well, myself, but we don't have foolproof means of going up and down a vertical shaft, do we?"
Ka'kara frowns at the mention of exploring the graveyard and mumbles to herself, "It's bad luck to disturb the ancestors."
Looking around the graves you note a number of interesting things:
There are a number of 3-foot diameter holes around the graveyard leading down into darkness; bits of cloth and bone lie about the entrance to the hole. They are probably rat tunnels, but considering where you are, possibly dug by ghouls.
In the courtyard is a life-sized statue of a dwarf on a 4 foot by 4 foot stone block. He looks to have been a great warrior, and dwarven runes adorn the front of the pedestal. This rather large tombstone, crested with the statue of a dwarf, seems to have been visited frequently.
Dwarven:
stones/And cursed be the man who moves my bones."
Among the much older graves, nine graves lie filled with fresh earth and makeshift markers. Some of you recognize a few of the famous names, those legends of your own time. A tenth grave is present as well, only it is empty and freshly dug. Towering over it, a marble gravestone bears an inscription: "Ka'kara Furyheart".
"What in the nine hells?!?!" Gregori exclaims, sword ringing as he draws it almost without thought.
"I hate ghouls," she says with a wrinkle of her nose to show her disgust while glancing down the holes. Coming upon the tenth grave she freezes in her tracks with a gasp. Going pale with shock and backing away slowly Ka'kara whispers, "By the ancestors...this place is cursed." She draws her greatsword and points it at the stone almost as if to ward it off. Everyone notices her hands tremble despite the white knuckled grip she has on the hilt.
"Uh M-maybe this is someones idea of a practical joke?" Tika suggests not believing what she is saying for a second
Mahaffy looks at the grave and seemingly oblivious to Ka'kara nerves :
Oh good , either this is a fear technique or this means that you'll die here in combat and that we'll survive to bury you with honor . Not a bad way to go !
"This is ridiculous. Let's get out of this graveyard and get inside. C'mon Ka'kara, let's go," Artival says, trying to guide the barbarian away from the headstone.
Roylenna stares at the gravestone for a long moment before looking over at the barbarian princess out of the corner of her eye.
Suddenly inspired, she casts a Detect Magic spell to study the ten new graves.
The graves aren't magical.
Lyria moves with the others, looking around and grasping her holy symbol tighter than she would want to. As everyone sees the grave with Ka'kara's name on it, Lyria's face becomes pale. After a few seconds she gathers herself, but keeps silent while watching Ka'kara's actions.
So what's next?
Mahaffy while exploring the graveyard will begin to move in the direction of the well
The shaken barbarianess moves away from the graveyard with Artival. She'll begin to move toward the green stone building in an attempt to occupy her mind with something other than the gravestone.
Artival continues to dote on teh obviously shaken warrior, walking with her toward the green stone building as well. "It's alright, 'Kara. We've seen all kinds of parlor tricks in our explorations. You know this is nothing more than that. Do the rest of you want to come inside with us," the sorcerer asks over his shoulder.
Roylenna will follow as far as the front steps, but she'll hesitate to follow them inside while Mahaffy continues exploring.
"It's not like it would be better inside, where whoever wrote that probably is", Lyria remarks, but follows in.
Tika happily follows the others into the building seemingly having already put the grave out of her mind.
The stairs descend to a set of huge steel doors. No rust is present on the metal, as if time itself stands still here. Built into the doors is an intricate lock, which looks worthy of the most legendary dwarven smith. The ornate iron doors are locked with a complex lock of superior quality.
Of course, that's the least of your worries as the green gargoyles perched at the top of the mausoleum animate and attack! Roll for initiative!
"Ah! Mahaffy! Ka'kara!"
Initiative
Init.
Init
Actually you all beat their initiative, so you can all act before they take flight.
Mahaffy advance to M16 and let go his heavy crossbow at the gargoyle in K12
sighing , he lets the heavy crossbow drop to his feet
Tika begins by inspiring courage in her allies whilst drawing her spear
Roylenna casts haste, centered on Gregori.
Gregori flashes into action moving forward to bring his blade scything forward to slash the Gargoyle before him.
Artival fires a fiery bolt at the gargoyle at F11, trusting to damage the monster before it can get too close.
Scorching (Electric) Ray
Damage
Lyria watches the gargoyles for a few seconds before firing a bolt at one of them. However, she doesn't concentrate while loading and the crossbow gets stuck. Frustrated, she drops it and gets ready for their attack.
She readies her greatsword for the approach of the flying creatures.
The gargoyles approach, wounding Tika and Artival for 6 points and Ka'kara for 4 points.
Four other gargoyles hover threateningly about Mahaffy, Gregory and Lyria in the back, low enough to be attacked.
Your turn. Don't forget that you're hasted.
Roylenna puts a hand on Ka'kara's knee and says, "Don't run off just yet, sister. Let's give them something bigger to think about."
She begins her casting, relying on her allies to protect her.
AoO
Damage
Seeing Artival's predicament , Mahaffy move to F14 (provoking an Ao0 (:) and attacks with his trusted axe
Lyria raises her holy symbol and prays to her god. A golden ray of light shines over the group.
"Thanks MAhaffy," Artival grunts, moving backwards 5' out of the range of the monster. He fires off another ray of electricity at the gargoyle.
Ranged Touch Attack
Damage
Gregori's blade flashes with lethal precision tearing into the stony winged creature above him.
Crit confirmation