Salmoryn nods silently, lifting up his scarf over his face again as he readies his bow in case he needs to use it again.
What exactly are we looking for here anyway? That staff certainly seems out of place. I am going to inspect the armor, I recall tales of such things being used as guardians in times past.
Staying a few feet back, Theran will examine the armor and staff, in that order.
Duncan stands back and lets the others explore while he keeps ready in case the goblins return, or some other threat rears its head!
Raldor watches the others as they skirt around the out of place item. He chuckles inwardly and steps toward the staff, wary of any traps that might be waiting for him.
Torbin will approach the staff and the armor taking a look at the items without touching them. He will also be wary of any other doors which we do not currently see in the room but which may well be there.
Knowledge Religion Check (on the Staff)
Perception
The moment that several people became curious of the armor and staff by stepping towards them the suits of armor come alive. The magical animated plate armor clamors as it moves, banding and grinding like the vengeful spirit of a fallen defender.
Initiative
Marik lets loose with an arrow at the closest suit before backing up to give the others room to engage.
Ren curses inaudibly and turns to the nearest suit of armour, slamming the end if his quarterstaff into it's stomach.
Raldor growls and draws his two shortswords, attacking the nearest animated suit of armor.
Marik, the Knight, is quick on the draw. An arrow is pulled from his quiver and fired at the animated armor in quick succession. The arrow passes harmlessly by the possessed plate mail but Raldor closes on the first of the guardians with the slash of one shortsword that rakes over the steel in a shower of sparks while the armor moves like a fallen warrior to avoid the secondary blow.
The engaged armor moves with an uncanny quickness as it smashes the bulk of its mail at Raldor, not once, but twice. The animated armor does a grave amount of damage to the taller half-ogre but the ranger manages to avoid getting slammed by the armor a second time.
The other suit of armor closes the distance between the remaining companions and itself. It leaps off the platform at Renagir proving that it is not confined to it. The aged warrior manages to avoid the initial slam, but is caught in the chest with the bulk of the second slam.
Renagir attempts to counter attack and keep the animated armor at bay with a quick thrust to its stomach plate, but the blow deflects harmlessly off the armor.
Duncan growls and swings his greatsword in a flat arch, aimed to cleave the armour in twain!
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Torbin races around the armor to grab the Staff as he doubts his skill in battle will add much to the melee.
Theran draws his sword with a flourish and stabs at the ancient guardians, but it barely skims across their steel skin.
Salmoryn quickly fires an arrow at the suit of armor raging against Raldor.
Duncan engages the wayward armor so that it can no longer move into the back row of his companions and with a mighty blow he cleaves part of the armor away, but the reminder of the armor continues the mindless assault turning his focus on his opponent like a challenged knight until...
Torbin races around the animated armors to reach his hand forth for the azure staff at the moment that he touches it the room is filled with a brilliant flash of light and the armors turn towards him completely ignorant of all other enemies now.
You can feel magic pulsating through you. Not the cold magic of the arcane, but the spreading warmth of the divine. You can hear distance singing upon the wind, the most beautiful voice that you have ever heard. In the flash of light you are revealed a vision of three people... a beautiful woman of perfection sits upon the ground as she sings over the world. A protective knight stands over her with a hand comfortably on her shoulder and an old mage dressed in an odd assortment of colors seems to be staring right at you. He offers you a smile... then you are dragged back to the hectic combat.
The Celestial Forge was the place where the god Reorx forged items for the other gods... this azure staff has the symbol of Mishakai etched into it.
Theran joins with Duncan in combat, but his attack is turned away by the steel plates.
Salmoryn is quick with the bow and the arrow strikes through the animated armor with great efficiency.
Marik discards his bow and draws his short sword, moving in to attack one of the suits of armor that is already engaged.
Seeing the light burst forth from the staff, and the armor heading towards Torbin, Raldor strikes again, trying to fend the automaton away from the man.
Both Marik and Raldor miss in their attempted attacks.
Seeing an opening as the armor turned its back, Theran plunges his sword into its arcane center.
Moving into a better position, Marik rams his sword into a chink in the armor.
Duncan again swings his great sword, now at the departing armor which he has already severely dented.
Attack-melee:
Damage:
Raldor slashes out at the armor trying to keep it away from Torbin and the staff.
The armored guardians defeated in an onslaught of attacks as they autonomously make ill-decisions. The room is quiet, and the azure staff is in Torbin's hands held tightly. The treasure about your feet could be a worthy prize...
Will Save
Torbin stares down at the Staff, "This may be what we are here for. I can feel the pulse of its power. Did the rest of you see what I saw in that flash of light?"
Duncan looks down at the other treasure scattered about the room. (what does he see?)
Salmoryn looks around swiftly, examining the details of the room once again, in part to search for whatever special vision Torbin claims he saw.
Well done. Lets gather what we can and get out of here
Theran opens his pack and begins filling it with treasure.
Raldor places a hand on Torbin's shoulder. "I just saw the flash of light. Let's see what we can salvage from here. Raldor starts to look through what is there to see if he can collect a few items.
[b]"Careful now, my friends. Beware the curse that set those goblins upon each other. Let us take the staff and go," Marik says, gesturing to Torbin to follow as he slowly backs out of the room.
Theran continues to fill his pack with treasure without even heeding the words of his companions.
Well, if they don't want any. It is all yours... or maybe they do. Raldor is picking about YOUR treasure. Torbin has stolen that staff from YOUR treasure. You can feel the weight of the gold and other items in your hand as your grab handfuls and stuff it into your bag. It is glorious, a treasure befitting a true hero.
Theran seems to be looking hard at Raldor who is showing interest as well as Torbin who carries the staff, but he is occupied by the worthless gold that he is shoving into his bag.
Hmm I saw nothing but a flash of light also, let me see the staff. Perhaps I can discern something about it.
Theran reaches for the staff.
Torbin looks at Theran curiously, "Better that we bring it to the Baron and let him determine what to do with it".
'Ware the curse friend Torbin. Why won't you let someone else examine it?
Theran continues to reach for the staff.
This isn't going to end well, Marik thinks to himself as he moves out of the treasure room toward the exit. There has to be some way to get them away from this cursed junk ...
"Ogres! Ogres and more goblins and coming! Everyone line up outside - we have to keep them out of the ruins so we can protect the treasure!"
He tries to herd everyone out the door, continuing to shout about new attackers.
Salmoryn snaps to attention at the mention of the attacking creatures. He swiftly prepares his bow and begins to move around, searching for signs of the attackers.
Theran shakes his head, drops the pack of useless gold and heads to the commotion to see what is going on.
I look at Theran curiously still wielding the staff and head out after the others.
Heads out of the ruins to see what is attacking.
"Well, look at that - no ogres. Must have been some birds I saw in the distance," Marik says, shrugging. "Suppose we ought to be heading back with the staff now."
Salmoryn raises an eyebrow as he loosens his bow, but he watches Marik and the others carefully.
Raldor lets out a soft grunt, and curls one corner of his mouth up in a wry smile, remembering the hard look Theran gave earlier. He gives an appreciative nod to Marik.
Torbin begins to inspect the staff for runes or script which may give an indication as to its origins or use.
"Yes, let us head back and quickly. No doubt the Baron will know what to do with this mysterious item. Perhaps he or one of his advisors can determine if what I saw was some sort of magic emanating from the staff".