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As soon as Ser Dante appraoches the city, his torch begins to illuminate the area. Despite the area being lit, the arch over the diorama had left it mostly in shadow, and even the simple torch's light is enough to bring the city to life. Many of the windows are made of stained glass, sending small colored patterns throughout the city and upon the cave's back wall, but also casting beautiful colors into the water of the pool. Omrijka begins detailing some of the features in the city, she places her journal down for just a moment to lift something up, and as she does, there is a soft pulse of energy that washes over the party.
It does not feel hostile or dangerous, but as you feel this energy empower you, the light around the carving of The Scholar begins to waver. It does not dissipate completely, however.
Perhaps there is still more power here, and at the very least, something worth recording. Uori watches on with wry amusement at the land dwellers’ antics, but neither offers aid or attempts to stop you. Perhaps there are some things you might do to earn his trust or respect, but it's likely not here or now.
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Smiling as Hellena starts to go through city with him, Dante quickly steps back as the Altar pulses and a warm glow washes over them. Nearly dropping his torch into the pool the Taldan Knight rounds on Xanko thrusting his torch suspiciously.
"It wasn't me! It had something to do with my torch. Hey Sczarni, one of them mentions thief, must mean you!" He laughs uncertainly, still not entirely sure what is going on.
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"Well. If Sczarni is the theif, I'm clearly the hunter." Taggins nods, doing so more out of pride than of curiousity. He stabs one of the insects nearby with an arrowhead, and starts to make his way to the miniature city, but pauses for a moment. Then uses the same arrowhead and stab 4 more insects before bringing it to the city.
"That ought to do the trick!" Said with pride.
Taggins then follows whoever that starts to lead out of this place.
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As Taggins and Xanko drop their slain prey into the city, you all swear you hear a ghostly applause and cheers come from within this diorama as a city might celebrate heroes returning with a proof of a slain threat. As this happens, lasting on a few seconds, and ultimately leaving you wondering if it truly happened, or was something you imagined, the soft green light throughout the room coming from the four icons fades. It is not gone completely, with now only one remaining still somewhat brighter, that of the Thief.
However, after a few more moments, it too fades, and all four go out completely. For just a moment, something in Omrijka's sleeve begins to glow, but does not burn. As it goes out, you feel another small quickening of power enter your body.
Uori continues to watch you, interested, but not willing to interrupt you or leave his communion with the pool.
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The cave’s damp air becomes increasingly stale as you continue down through this tunnel, and as they approach this area, the stench of decay grows increasingly evident. The passage turns to the east and opens into a small cavern littered with bits of broken glass, rotting pieces of paper, and other unusable detritus. The body of a male dhampir lies facedown toward the back of the cavern. As you move in to investigate, you begin to see that the room seems filled with bodies, though unlike that of the unlucky Dhampir, the others seem to have been stored here for some time, and have clearly been rotting for weeks, at least.
Taking just a step closer, and four of the corpses begin to rise,. . .
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ROUND 1
Xanko (), Ser Dante ()
Boney Creature BLUE (), Boney Creature PINK ()
Taggins (), Cyrus (), Hellena ()
Rotface RED (), Rotface YELLOW ()
Omreejka ()
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"Smash them? If you say so!" Dante replies as he strides into the room, drawing forth a small hammer that looks balanced for throwing alongside his torch. "I can't wait for one of those fancy compasses that the Halfling had, much easier than burning wood."
Keeping his eyes peeled, the Knight readies for one of the creatures to get closer before striking out with his hammer.
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As Xanko moves in and then drops into a defensive stance, Ser Dante takes out his hammer and prepares to attack any enemies that come in closer. Both of the Skeletons do go after Ser Dante, unable to get to Xanko first. Ser Dante swings his hammer at one of them as it comes in close, but Unfortunately, the Knight's footing is poor and the hammer sails past the undead. Each wears the remains of what seems to be Chain Mail, and carries a broken blade, but one they still use as both take a swipe at Ser Dante. One, it's somewhat mechanical swing bounces off of the Knight's armor but the other manages to get in and draw blood along the exposed part of the Knight's forearm. The blade is dirty and jagged, and who knows how long it's been sitting there on the bloody ground below a rotting corpse. . .
ROUND 1
Omreejka (), Xanko (), Ser Dante (-5)
Skeleton BLUE (), Skeleton PINK ()
Taggins (), Cyrus (), Hellena ()
Zombie RED (), Zombie YELLOW ()
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Cyrus recounts an old Nexian battle song used in the wars against the undead armies of Geb.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The Dragon Slayer moves in for a better shot and lets an arrow fly, but as he looses it, the butt splits, nearly snapping the arrow in two as the string flies forward. Taggins manages to move his forearm out of the way, but not quick enough to recover the shot.
From the rear of the formation, Cyrus begins to sing an old battle song, boosting his allies morale, while Hellena waits for a better chance to move in.
One of the zombies move in, slowly stumbling towards Ser Dante and Taggins, while the other attempts to slam it's arm into Xanko. Despite the warrior's superior defense, the Zombie gets in a lucky strike, and as it's open hand slams into Xanko's head, there is a very audible snap as part of his skull gives way. Xanko nearly drops where he stands, but digging deep, he finds the a way to hang on, and continue.
ROUND 2
Omreejka (), Xanko (-10), Ser Dante (-5), Hellena (delay)
Skeleton BLUE (), Skeleton PINK ()
Taggins (), Cyrus ()
Zombie RED (), Zombie YELLOW ()
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As the shambling corpses come towards him, Dante hears a sickening thud behind. Turning briefly with a wince he sees Xanko stagger back. "Unable to dodge a shamblet? Too much wine i think!" he chides, thiugh there is the hint of concern.
Keeping his small hammer for now, the Taldan Knight strikes at the walking bones in yellowed rags. Should it collapse he steps forwards.
for
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Omreejka draws two weapons and moves in closer while the Knight slams his hammer into one of the "boneys", causing it's brittle structure to fracture, and sending the undead warrior to the ground, the unnatural energies that had been animating it now gone.
Following the Knight's movements, the last of the skeletal warriors attacks Ser Dante, but is unable to get through even his rather thin armor.
ROUND 2
Omreejka (), Xanko (-10, TD), Ser Dante (-5)
Skeleton PINK ()
Hellena (delay), Taggins (), Cyrus ()
Zombie BLUE (), Zombie RED ()
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Striking out from the other side at the zombie between Ser Dante, the bard's longspear digs in deep, severly wounding the undead creature. It allows Taggins to get away safe and clear, where he can begin the hunt again. Hellena continues to wait in case anyone needs her healing powers.
One of the rotters swings a balled fist at Xanko while the other steps closer to Cyrus to do the same, but neither are particularly good swipes and miss.
ROUND 3
Hellena (delay), Omreejka (), Xanko (-10, TD), Ser Dante (-5)
Skeleton PINK ()
Taggins (), Cyrus ()
Zombie BLUE (), Zombie RED (-6)
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Throwing caution to the window, Omreejka successfully rushes right past the zombie, managing to get into a position of the far side of the group, although squeezing. Xanke withdraws a bit more, upping his chances for survival a bit, but is still pretty bad off.
Ser Dante, calling out a knightly challenge rushes at the zombie chiking the pathway to his allies, but is nearly skewered by the other foe he was facing. Twising just in time, he avoids the lethal strike, but is unable to recover his own slash and misses.
Following right after, the Skeleton moves in and attempts another swipe at the knight with it's busted scimitar and a savage claw.
ROUND 3
Omreejka (), Xanko (-10, TD), Ser Dante (-5)
Skeleton PINK ()
Hellena (delay), Taggins (), Cyrus ()
Zombie BLUE (), Zombie RED (-6)
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Neither Taggins nor Cyrus seem to have an abundance of luck as the undead continue to advance and attack. One swaps targets, going after the rather disciplined and heart-of-goldly assassin, scoundrel, but it's fist swings wildly. Cyrus is not so lucky though as the zombie on him lands a hit, and a solid one as well, leaving him jolted for a moment, almost swooning on his feet from the sheer power of the strike to the side of his head.
ROUND 4
Hellena (delay), Omreejka (), Xanko (-10, TD), Ser Dante (-5)
Skeleton PINK ()
Hellena (delay), Taggins (), Cyrus (-9)
Zombie BLUE (), Zombie RED (-6)
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With hammer in one hand and Burning brand in the other, Dante curses his luck as he is surrounded by the rotting and skeletal dead and with Xanko almost passing out on his feet. Spinning away from the shambler before him, Dante strikes out with his hammer at the Skeleton, hoping to break it and relieve the pressure.
" I do hope Janita is alright!" he mentions conversationally.
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Omreejka waits for Xanko to step back, out of the way and than slips in, slamming his dagger deep into the zombie's skull. The zombie twitches, but continues to fight on, discrediting the stories you have heard about destroying the brain stopping zombies.
Ser Dante gives his hammer another swing, but it bounces off of the creature's rusty scimitar as it attacks back with neither side landing a solid blow.
ROUND 4
Hellena (delay), Xanko (-10, TD), Omreejka (), Ser Dante (-5)
Skeleton PINK ()
Hellena (delay), Taggins (), Cyrus (-9)
Zombie BLUE (-11), Zombie RED (-6)