Though there are similarities to a summoning circle, it is not based in arcane.... it is likely some sort of profane power.
Furiel comments: "This is just your standard evil magic-user circle used for all manner of nefarious acts. Any holy water we can throw on it?"
"Hmmm, I do not think it has any power left.
I think it was used for...some purpose and then forgotten.
Like the wood chippings on the floor left by someone whittling a new flute."
"Merick, I think it is safe to continue, just don't step in the circle. Never hurts to be careful around these things."
Merick warily continues on, staying the light made by the more magical companions. He carefully steps over and around the circle, and switches to his axe and shield. More comfortable with these. Tight spaces give me the willies.
After a few hundred more feet you see several dark patches on the ground. These are all circled in the same scrawlings, but these also have small bits of filth left behind. There are more words written on the wall here.
I thank you for the feast of dwarves. Glory to you. I offer to you what remains. Those left cowering in hiding will fall when I hunger again...After the many birds turned dust, I knew my offerings were not deemed worthy...
"Here they mention the dwarves that died, it sounds like someone ate the dwarves and then animated the remains...
We've not seen anyone yet, so let's move on."
"This is most definitely concerning. Give me a moment before we continue." Ta'de-win takes a look around the markings, continuing to watch for signs of passge or any danger.
This area is more recently traveled, but still weeks at least since anyone thing has walked here.
You hear a very faint scratching sound far ahead.
Just a little further ahead, Furiel's dancing lights bob around. In the light you start see more and more writing. The same words are repeated over and over in various sized letters and intensities of strokes. Always ending with a question mark. Some of the writing is in Taldane... which Green is able to confirm is the same repeated phrase all over in Sylvan. It reads "Are my offers deemed unworthy?"
In the center of this are a string of phrases in common.
Looking over the area, she reports her findings. "The area here has been traversed more recently, though still weeks ago." Suddenly she stops and listens, almost appearing cat like the way she looks further down the path. "There is a scratching sound further ahead. Be cautious."
"This is it then, we know they are ahead, and they have probably seen our lights. Weapons ready people, we're about to fight."
"Tell me when we're close Ta, and I'll move to the front."
Furiel stays right behind Green.
"I got your back. But Merick is armed and armored and more suited to point. I am the general after all."
"I meant join him at the front.
Of course, against the cursed ones, I have something besides my sword to use..."
As you move closer you hear the scratching. It is actually two sounds, there is the sound you would expect to hear from scrawling on stone, but there is another sound... more of a scritch than a scratch.
As you go through another gentle bend, you see a pile of bodies blocking your path. The pile is sloped to one side. At the high point against the left wall, you see a small pale and bearded figure scratching words against the wall with a broken bone in one hand. With the other hand he digs into his skull; scratching at the paper-thin skin under a braided circlet.
He glances at Furiel's bobbing lights, and then down at you. He breathes on the broken end of the bone, and you can see rippling of heat as his breath melts the end. He turns back to the wall writing with improvised implement, and mutters. "Thank you for the feast. Glory to you. I offer what remains." His beard writhes about as he writes.
Init
Furiel summons another creature of earth.
He secretly hopes he hears more evil banter, that means more magical prep time.
"Whatever he is, he is NOT to be suffered to live...if indeed he "lives"."
The Green Man moves to the front.
"You who pervert of life and desecrate the peace of the grave, you will be destroyed!"
HP 32/32
AC 17 T12 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 5/3/8
Storm Burst 6/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 1/1
Wild Shape 1/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm [ ], Frostbite [ ], Cure Light Wounds [ ] [ ], Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength [ ], Flaming Sphere [ ], Fog Cloud [ ], Lesser Restoration [ ]
Effects
Ta'de-win sends a blast of the storm at the man, hoping to weaken him quickly.
Ta'de-win's blast smacks into the creature, but it barely seems to effect him. The bearded sickly thing starts to descend the sloped pile. As he does, the dead begin to stir beneath him.
The wet sheen from her blast sharpens the highlights from Furiel's bobbing globes of light... which help define the lines of bearded figure's form, and the quality of his flesh... He looks like the walking dead himself, but moves with the coordination and fluidity of the living.
Round 1
HP 32/32
AC 17 T12 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 5/3/8
Storm Burst 6/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 1/1
Wild Shape 1/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm [ ], Frostbite [ ], Cure Light Wounds [ ] [ ], Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength [X], Flaming Sphere [ ], Fog Cloud [ ], Lesser Restoration [ ]
Effects
Ta'de-win lays her hands on Merick, giving him the strength of a bear. "Take this strength and be filled with nature's force."
Though the ragged-skinned armored dead push themselves up in stiff awkward movements, the bearded creature descends the pile as if they were sturdy steps. He continues to speak to his god while you move into position.
"You send me more to sate my hunger... a boon I will savor, my Pallid Princess... as I earn a place at your side. With the dying breath of the first to fall, I call for your gaze. I call for the fallen of Fjarn."
An amorphous mass begins to take shape by Merick. It is the familiar manifestation of one of Furiel's earthern minions.
Furiel watches his earthen friend appear. Not liking what he has been hearing, he quickly starts the process of summoning again.
His summoned creature charges the pile and swings, trying for the closest enemy.
Round 2
Small Earth Elemental
CR 1
XP 400
N Small outsider (earth, elemental, extraplanar)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +4
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (–1 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size)
hp 17 (2d10+6)
Fort +4, Ref –1, Will +3
Immune elemental traits
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft., earth glide
Melee slam +9 (1d6+7)
Special Attacks earth mastery
STATISTICS
Str 20, Dex 8, Con 17, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 11
Base Atk +2; CMB +6; CMD 15
Feats Improved Bull RushB, Power Attack
Skills Appraise +1, Climb +7, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +1, Knowledge (planes) +1, Perception +4, Stealth +7
Languages Terran
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Earth Glide (Ex)
A burrowing earth elemental can pass through stone, dirt, or almost any other sort of earth except metal as easily as a fish swims through water. If protected against fire damage, it can even glide through lava. Its burrowing leaves behind no tunnel or hole, nor does it create any ripple or other sign of its presence. A move earth spell cast on an area containing a burrowing earth elemental flings the elemental back 30 feet, stunning the creature for 1 round unless it succeeds on a DC 15 Fortitude save.
Earth Mastery (Ex)
An earth elemental gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls if both it and its foe are touching the ground. If an opponent is airborne or waterborne, the elemental takes a –4 penalty on attack and damage rolls. These modifiers apply to bull rush and overrun maneuvers, whether the elemental is initiating or resisting these kinds of attacks. (These modifiers are not included in the statistics block.)
ECOLOGY
Environment any (Plane of Earth)
Organization solitary, pair, or gang (3–8)
Treasure none
Earth elementals are plodding, stubborn creatures made of living stone or earth. When utterly still, they resemble a heap of stone or a small hill.
When an earth elemental lumbers into action, its actual appearance can vary, although its statistics remain identical to other elementals of its size. Most earth elementals look like terrestrial animals made out of rock, earth, or even crystal, with glowing gemstones for eyes. Larger earth elementals often have a stony humanoid appearance. Bits of vegetation frequently grow in the soil that makes up parts of an earth elemental's body.
A small earth elemental is 4 feet long and weighs 80 pounds
Norton takes advantage of his quick response to the peril to encourage his allies.
Let's do this quick and swiftly, we can beat him easily if we focus on him.
Furiel's earthen creature slams into the wall of undead with a thunking crunch. The undead figures begin to assemble into formation. They are armed and armored dwarves. Two of them carry heavy shields of the same protruding hammer design. Four undead dwarves are visible now, but there seem to be a couple more still rising behind.
You see the bearded creature.. smaller than these undead dwarves, strafing behind, and leering at you between the helms of his front line.
Merick moves forward. Already an incredibly strong man, Ta'de-win's bolstering has given him the strength of an ogre. Even so, he keeps his head, and does not yet move far from the group.
The undead dwarf who had just been slammed by Rocky, slams him back with his shield. Furiel's minion is in too close for the shield bash to have any force.
The other dwarves stand still and face forward, as if at attention.
The bearded creature begins to chant.
The Green Man growls, a deep primal growl of utter revulsion and hate.
After shaking his head violently to clear it, he then steps up besides Merick, touches the birthmark on his forehead and unleashes a burst of life energy, fighting the evil of undeath with pure life.
The dust-filled air lit by Furiel's constantly moving floating lights, swirl and spread from Green... showing the unseen primal force of his divine energy. The pulse of power reaches and envelopes the dead soldiers in your path. Trace bits of dessicated skin flake from their faces... The two shield bearers snarl... and their grips falter for a moment.
The bearded creature leans in and ferociously grins while strands of his beard dance like happy fingers. "Ooooh yessss. You bring the gaze upon our ffffight. Both ladies now vie to fill my..booones with their... booooonssss. Pallid Princess my eternal mother... and yoooouuuu Dark Lady.... in fairest shades you always linger. I offer these humble hands to inflict both... your ...biddingsssss."
There is an unearthly roaring sound of heavy steel dragging across heavy steel, along with a rumble... like nearing thunder.
Round 2
Furiel' first elemental swings at the same target. The gnome speaks to the elementals in a gravelly language of earth (Terran), commanding the newest one to burrow through the very earth.
The second one walks through the very earth, the left wall of the chamber, and attacks the one at the center of this all. The elementals seem to move through earth as a fish through water.
The elementals lands vicious blows, the big boss taking a hit in the head.
Merick, feeling the power of Ta's spell, chuckles slightly, and brings up his axe and shield, preparing for any attack. He glances over to Green and says Hold steady with me!
____________________________________________________
The bearded creature displays a flash of panic in his twitching manner as the second earthen minion dives into the wall. He throws a gesture forward for his narrow phalanx of dead dwarves to advance.
Furiel's first summoned figure of rock and earth brings both fists down on the shielded dwarf... The force snaps the shield arm at the shoulder, and continues... crushing the dry ribcage beneath its armor.
As the bearded creature retracts its pointed finger, and begins to chant once again, the second elemental dives from the wall and lands a jaw-shattering punch.
The remaining dwarves do not react to this assault, and begin to advance as ordered.
HP 32/32
AC 17 T12 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 5/3/8
Storm Burst 6/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 1/1
Wild Shape 1/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm [ ], Frostbite [ ], Cure Light Wounds [ ] [ ], Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength [X], Flaming Sphere [X], Fog Cloud [ ], Lesser Restoration [ ]
Effects
Ta'de-win attempts to summon her own aid to the battle. Stepping forward, she begins to chant, summoning a pack of dogs to her aid. "What better way to deal with a pile of bones?"
The two dead dwarves with a clear path forward, do so. The fallen shield bearer is replaced by another zombified dwarf armed with a two handed hammer. He brings his weapon down... smashing into the rock next to the earthen minion in front of him.
As the front two reach your own front line, Merick hacks into the shoulder the dead dwarf stepping up to him. He then smashes past its guard, and collapses the brittle bone under its breast plate. The second to fall.
The shield bearer to its side, steps past Furiel's minion, and offers the elemental an opportunity to strike. The Shield bearer continues advance on Green, but now with a pronounced limp.
The two just-forming dead dwarves move in on the second elemental at their master's gesturing.
The creature steps back against the right wall - to "castle" himself. Light dirty grey and bone-white smoke slowly swirls around his left hand, and from the other pure black. "I offer this...." He holds the dark hand up, and radiates a flash of wisping darkness.
The shieldbearer's limp fades just as he reaches Green. He brings the hammer-emblazoned heavy shield up in a slam, and cracks against the blade of Green's forearm.
Once more, The Green Man calls upon the spirits to cleance the area with the forces of life itself.
Not as effective as I had hoped, I might need to save my energy and fight instead.
Norton is curios about the entities the foe is talking about.
Then he addresses the bearded one mocking his relation with his deities.
"I saw the Pallid and Dark Lady just outside, we had a little chat, they told me down here I would have found a stupid little one. I guess that is you!"
The he moves forward, getting ahead of merrik. "Sorry I'm late to the party guys, I was held up a moment, shall we kick some skulls?"
As the third elemental appears, Furiel step up places the gate along the right wall. He will show the creature no wall is safe. As Furiel summons his last elemental for the day, the elementals respond to his command and attack the root of the problem.
The first elemental steps into the very wall as if its air to F4, the second steps to F2, and the third moves through the right wall to D4.
Inspired by Norton, the elementals hit truer and harder.
"Death to the defiler! Slash the zombies aside and cut down the source of the perversion.
For nature!
For the fallen!
For the future!
For the purity of life!"
The Pallid Princess is Urgathoa(pronounced oor-gah-THO-ah). She is the goddess of physical excess, disease, and the undead. She is mostly worshiped by dark necromancers and the undead.
You are unsure who the Dark Lady might be.
The bearded creature glares at Norton, but continues its chanting. Green's second radiating pulse of divine power seems to have even less effect this time.
The bearded creature begins to lose its footing under the pummeling from the earthen minions. Its voice rises in desperation... trying to continue its chanting. "Numenar hreldi vantul scharr.. Mounadi Maw nuetir Fjarn...
"
The horrific sound of metal on metal roars through the tunnel again.
Followed by another, closer rumble...
Norton steps between the two undead dwarves and attacks the one between him and Green taking advantage of the friend position.
HP 32/32
AC 17 T12 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 5/3/8
Storm Burst 5/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 1/1
Wild Shape 1/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm [ ], Frostbite [ ], Cure Light Wounds [ ] [ ], Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength [X], Flaming Sphere [X], Fog Cloud [ ], Lesser Restoration [ ]
Effects
"Sanguine, Spike, Swifthowl, go fetch!" Ta'de-win commands her summoned creatures to begin tearing into the undead forms while she herself calls upon the storm.
;
;
;
Norton hacks into the dead dwarf's neck... using the steel collar as a guide for his blade. Its head slowly leans to the side, then topples. The headless shieldbearer falls a moment after.
The three summoned dogs pounce and bite at the dwarven zombie at the rear. None of them are able to get a good bite in. That particular undead soldier is wearing the most impressive of the armors, and a horned helm with iron beard.
The creature loses his focus under the bludgeoning, and Norton's raising of his ire. He puts his hands up defensively... "The very earth conspires against me... do not let existence end..."
The undead dwarf just past Norton brings his greathammer down before Norton fully turns back from felling the other. The hammer clangs against Norton's armor with violent force, but the zombified dwarf's expression remains vacant and tired.
The other wielding a two-handed hammer swings his own down on the nearby elemental.
The northern-most shieldbearer smashes into the elemental within his hammer's reach.
The Green Man roars a rousing battlecry and moves forward, drawing his sword, fully intending to cut down the evil forces before him.
"The earth, life, justice. Everything conspire against you defiler! If you love your ladies so much, I'll send you to meet them and THEy can fight over your rotten soul!"
With Merick leading the way shield up, Green's rage-filled strike hits the zombie dwarf with bone-shattering force. It drops immediately.
Merick buffets the dead dwarf with the horned helm in front of him with his shield, then brings his axe down. The blow is powerful enough to buckle the knees of the abomination, but it still stands.
Furiel brings another creature of earth into the fray.
It quickly takes the place of the downed undead creature between Norton and the boss.
The three elementals attack again, two of them flank the evil one that started the mess.
Furiel advances behind Green and waits to hurl a ball of flame at the necromancer if he is still up.
Having his path clear Norton steps forward to engage the necromancer, or whatever it is.
"Now its a thing between you and me."
[occ]Free Action: Inspire Courage[/ooc]
HP 32/32
AC 17 T12 FF13 CMD15
F/R/W 5/3/8
Storm Burst 4/7
Staff of Journeys 10/10
Pearl of Power I 1/1
Wild Shape 1/1
Spells
0th - Create Water, Light, Purify Food and Drink, Mending
1st - Burning Disarm [ ], Frostbite [ ], Cure Light Wounds [ ] [ ], Obscuring Mist
2nd - Bull's Strength [X], Flaming Sphere [X], Fog Cloud [ ], Lesser Restoration [ ]
Effects
Ta's dogs continue their assault against the armored skeleton while she sends another blast at the leader.
;
;
;
;
Norton's strike fells the creature. It whispers "comes the darknesss..." as it falls apart like over-boiled meat, and crumples to the ground. Ta'de-win's blast scatters its broken remains.
The dogs continue to harass the undead dwarf with the horned helm, and after the most aggressive of the three clamps onto the armored foe's weapon arm, one of Furiel's earthen minions turns and finishes it with a two-fisted slam.
"Life shall stand, death shall fall..."
The Green Man leans on his new greatsword, taking a few quick breaths, hoping to recover before whatever made that grinding sound appears.
"We're still in danger, he called something, and it may be on it's way here, stand ready!"