Damien does his best to heal up his good friend Artemis (anybody standing between Damien and incoming enemy fire is a good friend).
Auntie says a witch belongs in mud.
I prefer to stay above it.
Doreen doesn't so much cross the mud as float across it. Perhaps she is a witch after all!
But even a witch like her wretches at the smell of rotting horse flesh.
"Meet the mounts of the last Everflame team." she mutters, darkly.
It isn't his best moment. That's what passes thru his head as he tumbles down the muddy slope. Part of him is thankful he'd put grandfather's weaponry on Gus, the other is thankful his axe isn't buried in his head when he crashes into the jutting rock. By the time he reaches the bottom his arm is a livid purple, blood weeping from a gash on his shoulder.
He's thankful for Damien's gift, nodding again at the marvel of magical healing that didn't come from a potion. Once done, while his shoulder is still sore, Artie feels whole and ready. So he gathers up his gear, and buckles on his armor. "Let's get moving, I suppose. Hopefully we can beat the sunset."
--------
The first thing that greats him is the smell, not long after he spots the stone archway and the darkened tunnel bwyond. He immediately retrieves a torch, careful to not remove the oil cloth until he can get the end out of the rain for lighting. Once he's struck it alight, he direct is the flame-glow down the tunnel to get a better look at the end. Doors...one of them...
"Meet the mounts of the last Everflame team." Doreen mutters.
Artemis looks back towards the swollen corpses of horses and ponies.
"They've been dead a couple days..." He mentions, suddenly feeling bile at the back of his throat. He swallows and finishes. "...they got cuts, real jagged and rough blades done 'em in...maybe gobbers?" He looks to Jenna to confirm, knowing her skill in such things is astonishing.
He waves the torch towards the double doors inset within the stone archway. "Whoever did for the horses, looks like they went inside. One of the doors is open a bit." Artie hefts his shield and looks ready to go and check out the door.
Sariel held Gus and watched as the team carefully came down the muddy slope. Good everyone is being carful and there are no injuries Watching Artemis loosen the rope and begin his descent Sariel sees his friend slip and tumble Sariel gasps, Too quick, I assumed too quick. As Artemis regains his footing Sariel sighs and watches him finish his descent. Sariel nods in agreement as Damien Heal Artemis' wounds I wish I could heal that way, well we all have our gifts I guess, may as well get moving. He hands Gus' lead rope over to Damien. gathering his gear he takes the time to put his armor back on and place shield and weapons at hand, then taking up the rear he follows the team forward.
As the team slows down reaching there destination Sariel notices a strong smell of death. That's an unforgettable smell, what is rotting that it would put off that much odor? Distracted from admiring the archway due to the smell, he finally follows Artemis over to the pile of rotting horse flesh. At the sight Sariel wrenches a little and asks "Auuuggghhh, What would kill these beast and not eat them?" seeing Artemis prepare to enter the tomb Sariel asks "How much do we dare do tonight with the night upon us? But would it be safer to camp inside or out here with this stench?"
In - inside? They went into the Crypt? Calia re-dons her armor, readies her rapier and shield, and prepares to follow Artemis, still glancing nervously at the dead horses and the door standing ajar. When we get close to the door, give me a second, she tells Artemis softly. I can conjure some lights that'll go ahead of us, give us a good chance to see what's ahead.
- - - -
- - - -
As the party examines the unfortunate creatures, they find that their saddles were fitted for a number of packs and a great deal of gear. Most of that is missing, but a few bags remain attached to the fallen animals' harnesses.
Beneath one of the packs on the largest of the horses is another grim discovery- a hand, wearing an aged and tattered leather glove, juts out from beneath the saddle. It appears that someone lies crushed beneath the horse's body, most likely broken at some horrifying angle to fit so neatly underneath it.
- - - -
those animals look too familiar for comfort. turning back to the pile of rotting flesh Sariel ask "Could you guys wait a moment?" he returns to the carcasses and looks at the shoes on the horses feet, moaning to himself, he begins to look closer at gear and tack, even lifting some of the rotted beasts away to see what's below them, then telling the group. "Its as bad as Doreen predicted these animals are from Kassen, the two larger beast belong to Gerol and Vark, two of the Mayor's friends. did anyone see them at the ceremony?"
Out of some sick demand from questions that have no answers, Sariel keeps rooting through the pile, separating out the packs and even going through them looking for evidence. Tossing the usable items away from the pile as he goes. When he finds a hand jutting out from beneath a saddle the taste of bile rises in his mouth, and before he can choke it back down he begins to vomit. I have found someone! stepping away from the pile of bodies, he turns away from the team and looses the rest of his dinner.
Looking at the team pale and a little shocked he asks in a whisper"What are we going to do?"
When Sariel announces that the horses appear to be from Kassen, Calia's eyes widen with shock. When he manages to share that he's found someone among the animals between bouts of vomiting, she's paralyzed by it. Finally, she manages to speak out in a small voice. Fo - found someone? There's a person there? She slumps to the ground, shaking her head as if it will clear the cobwebs of confusion from her mind.
After several more moments, she speaks out again, still barely audible. I knew the elders would send people ahead sometimes...just to set up puzzles, tests, make the quest for the Everflame a little more fun...It can't be...We have to do something for - whoever it is. And we have to find out who it is. Especially if it's someone from home. And we have to figure out what to do about sleeping tonight - if anyone can sleep after that... She gestures disheartened toward the pile of bodies and begins to weep. We c-can't g-give up...we h-have to k-keep our heads. We h-have t-to find out what's h-happened...
Quickly, she turns her head into Gus's flank and begins to dig into her pack, half to spur her friends into action and half to attempt to conceal her own tears. A few moments later, she gives one last shuddering sob and plasters a calm expression onto her face. Let's go, guys. We can either camp out here or in the Crypt - my vote's for the Crypt. Without knowing what's in there we'll have to make sure to keep double watches, but I'll feel better with walls around us after - She cuts off suddenly, as if trying to avoid thinking about the grisly scene.
.
.
Artie gives Sariel a pet on the back, offering some support once he's sure he doesn't lose his own lunch. He'd seen wounds and dead animals before, but to know someone is under the pile of rotting flesh caused him great unease.
"Don't worry, Sariel...I'll handle it." He whispers to the devotee of Erastil, a grim cast settling at his jaw. It's not unlike the look he had when he jumped in front of Damien during their fight with the illusory orcs.
The steady thump of his boots carries the big youth passed Calia where he pauses to rest a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Then he moves forward to get at the body underneath the dead horse. As he works, the smell of rotting innards and the black task before him digs its way into Artie's stomach. Fear begins to fan the flames of the furnace thwre, images of Mikhael's broken, bloody body batter at him like a forge Hanmer. He grinds his teeth and works faster, an odd panic in him as he wonders if the person beneath the animal corpse might somehow be alive!
"No..." Artemis hisses. He moves to his pack and unhooks his axe, returning to the carcass and going about removing the dead animal's head to lighten the load. At the last he tosses the axe aside and uses his brute strength to finish the job. "...hold on..."
His vision clears and he looks down on the body...
A tense few moments pass as Artemis puts his great strength to work in moving the slain horse aside enough to reveal the body that lies crushed beneath it.
What he sees is very strange, indeed.
No blood. No flesh.
Smooth white bone lies half-buried in the mud, cracked and broken apart in many places. A naked skull is smashed into bits, mashed down into the muck along with the tattered remnants of studded leather armor. An ancient scimitar, its blade broken off halfway along its length, is still gripped in its other bony hand. A body like this belongs in a musty old coffin, not lying in the mud, crushed beneath a slaughtered horse...
A grotesque practical joke, perhaps?
If only they should be so lucky...
Jenna watches nervously as Artemis hauls the headless horse to the side, glancing over at Calia."I agree." she says "But only if we find somewhere reasonably easy to defend. We should also see where Gerol and Vark might be, and what happened here."
As Artemis continues to work she looks for tracks or other clues around the area, moving several years each direction, returning as Artemis finishes his task.
When the horse is finally pulled free Jenna gasps. "But that's not right. There's no way that could be either of them. Whoever it is, they've been dead for years! How did it get there?"
Jenna searches around the area for any tracks or telltale signs of who may have come or gone from this area recently, but finds little- other than what seems to be depressions in the mud that track inward toward the entrance to the Crypt. If there were any other clues about, it would seem that time and the rain has washed them away...
And speaking of the rain, it begins to intensify. Tiny rivers begin to form, flowing through the muck at the base of the ravine as water runs down its sides, pooling at the bottom. Thunder rumbles to the south.
Sariel begins to shiver we need to get out of the cold "We can figure this mystery out once we get in out of the rain. I agree with Calia lets go into the crypt and at least get dry, we can make our plan in there." He then heads to the partially open crypt door and attempts to open it further.
"I'm all in favor of getting out of the rain."
Damien follows the group inside. Once they're under shelter Kolby shakes himself off from his perch on Damien's shoulder, unconcerned about the water he's flinging into Damien's face.
Calia joins the others in continuing into the Crypt, trying not to look too closely at the mysterious skeletal remains and failing utterly. Why in blazes is that skeleton here? And underneath the horses from Kassen, no less? Just before they arrive inside, she suddenly stops. What about Gus? Are we taking him inside with us? Will he even go inside with us? Or do we need to get our packs off of him?
Jenna nods and follows the others into the Crypt, leading Gus in behind. "I don't think we can leave him out here - whatever happened to that horse might happen to him too."
Artemis gives himself a shake, not wanting to let the image in his mind's eye to reconcile with that of the skeleton. For long moments after he'd removed the horse carcass all he'd seen was Mikhael's dead body.
"Not a good joke, diggin' up a dead man..." Artie scratches at his head and stoops down to grab up his shield and axe. "Mebbe that was the plan, put a skeleton here ta give us a scare...but something went wrong."
Under the entrance he spots his torch and grabs it up. "Lemme have a look before we go too far. Aunt Cal, can ya do your magic lights for me? Someone can take this torch to bring up the rear." He offers the torch to whomever will take it and draws his spear, raised his shield, and heads inside as Calia's lights lead the way.
- - - -
The party, albeit reluctantly, steps through the old stone archway and starts down the narrow tunnel toward the heavy doors that lead into the Crypt. As Artemis had reported, one of the doors is slightly ajar. Sariel pushes against it with all his weight, and finds that it moves without a great deal of effort.
The doors lurch inward with a weary groan. There is no light inside the Crypt; the only illumination comes from the waning moonlight leaking in through the doors. Until some light source is provided, it seems unlikely that they will be able to find their way around.
- - - -
Calia peers past Sariel and Artemis into the antechamber of the Crypt. The moonlight is faint, but her eyes are strong even in the weak light, and she sees a long chamber with a raised platform along either edge. She can also just make out a couple of dark shapes lying next to each other in the center of the room. Wait! I think I see something. Teeb, las voos tom ntej. Coj txoj kev.
Her shield hand makes several flicking motions, and four wisps of light appear in front of her and dart into the room, scurrying from side to side to reveal the room's interior more clearly. She stays close to Artemis and Sariel, rapier and shield in hand, as the group enters.
Calia's dancing lights spread through the room, illuminating it. As they flit about the room, their cool light casts over the four columns that stand within, sending dramatic shadows sweeping across the stone walls.
The light reveals the room's interior as the party makes their way into the Crypt's first chamber, dripping wet from the rain and dragging along a very unhappy mule. On the far wall, some forty feet away, is a large oil painting of Ekat Kassen that depicts the hero standing on a ridge overlooking a wooded area, the familiar length of the Tourondel River running through it. It is a fine painting, though weathered and cracked. The floor below that painting is unfortunately far less pleasant a sight; in fact, it looks like the sight of a gruesome battle. A pair of bodies, clad in ordinary tunics and vests, lie butchered on the ground between two shallow sets of stairs that lead to the slightly raised platforms on either side of the room. Pools of dried blood lie beneath them, spreading away in thin vein-like patterns as it must have seeped into the seams between the floor plates. Debris litters the floor around them- a stray dagger here, a strip of cloth there, bones here and there... quite a few of those, it seems. Piles of them lie here and there in the room, pale white bone and bits of metal and leather. A curious- and chilling- sight by any standard.
The grisly scene is accompanied by an even more unnerving sound: a wailing moan utters forth from somewhere beyond the walls, like the wail of a banshee- mournful and maddened, and it echoes through the room, sending shivers up more than one spine. It seems to come from somewhere beyond a door on the southeast side of the chamber. Another door awaits on the western side of the room.
Blood and gore slathered across the cavern floor,
Like butter across a piece of morning toast.
A painting of a man, lurking over it all
Like some demented god.
Doreen presses her fingers to her black lips, holding her mouth closed while she wages battle with her stomach. She wins. Her breakfast stays where it is.
"... I'll stay back here." Doreen announces, for the moment. She looks forward, eyes narrowed, as she shuffles her harrow deck.
After Sariel opens the door he helps coax Gus into the crypt, speaking softly to him "Come on boy, it's at least warm in here." reminding the group as they enter. "The crypt should be fairly safe to leave Gus here in the entryway, of course it would be polite to clean up any mess he makes."
what a lovely painting Ekat, the ridge, the river, oh Erastil what is that on the floor. Sariel instinctively drops the mules lead rope and drawing his sword and shield moves forward to protect the team, "Good idea Doreen? His stomach knotted and empty, adrenaline pumping into his system, ready to run or fight, he slowly moves forward toward the body What was that? Stopping when he hears the Wailing moan, every fiber of his being screaming to run he breaths a near silent prayer Erastil give me strength.
Proudsnout yawns, shaking himself, looks around the crypt and flops his butt on Gus' lead rope.
”Oh, I don’t think ol’ Gus will make too much a mess…” The image before him turns his guts inside out. He grips his spear and rams the butt of it into the ground to steady his feet. All the bones...the bloody mess outside...now this… His thoughts race mazes inside his head, struggling to get to an explanation that doesn’t chill his spine. So many bones… ”They call it a crypt, right? All these bones…” He steps forward to get a better look at the two dead men, but he hesitates, not wanting to know for sure. ”If it’s Masters Gerol and Vark...could be they came up here ta do the joke like Calia says…” The butt of his spear wanders upwards to gesture towards one of the pile of bones. ”...there was that stranger earlier, the dead man we found at the lake. What if our folk came upon grave robbers in the act, huh?”
The very thought of someone invading the heritage of Kessen to desecrate it in such a manner turns aside all thoughts of what potential horrors could be at work within the entrance area. At least until the wailing starts.
”Grave robbers...bet they got hurt…” Artemis says weakly at first, his knees feeling as weak as dried twigs. He rams the butt of his spear into the ground again, forcing himself to speak more confidently. ”Grave robbers I say...bet Master Gerol gave him a lash he won’t forget...bet that’s the thief wailing away in there…” Again he rams his spear into the ground and then steps forward, circumventing the dead bodies, his subconscious mind not entirely certain Artie’s conscious mind can handle if they are Gerol and Vark at that particular moment. The big youth heads for the South East doorway, shield up, spear at the ready, prepared to put himself between the group and whatever danger lay on the other side.
- Move up to SE door (moved on map)
- Listen for more clues | Shield and Spear at the ready
Jenna moves into the room glancing around nervously. As Calia's lights illuminate the scene she swallows back the bile that suddenly rises in her mouth. "W-What's going on" she says, her voice quavering, "things aren't supposed to go like this,.. I mean, well, I know they all say that the 'quest' is dangerous, but we all know they're joking! What's happened here isn't right!"
As Artemis moves up Jenna follows, taking a knee next to the corpses and examining them more closely.
- - - -
- - - -
Some of their gear remains on them, and seems to be in useable condition.
- - - -
As Jenna examines the bodies, Artemis explores the southeast corner, and Doreen reads her cards, the party takes in the sights and smells of the chamber, trying not to retch as the truth of the horrible scene becomes clear. Artemis' story regarding grave robbers seems to hold weight, but there is no time to ponder further, as something within this room has begun to stir.
It begins as a subtle rattling, perhaps as much due to the thunder outside as anything else, but it does not settle down after a moment. Instead, it grows ever stronger. There is movement among the many piles of bones scattered across the chamber. Blades scrape along the stone floor as they are lifted from the ground. A sickly rattling fills the chamber's stale air, and in the shadows cast by Calia's ghostly, dancing lights, humanoid shapes rise up, staring hatefully at the youths through empty eye-sockets.
Six of them rise, in total, clad in armor of leather and chain two centuries out of date. Four of them wield corroded, notched scimitars or short swords, while two more clutch shortbows, their bony fingers grasping for filthy, disintegrating quivers.
That sound, is it the storm, no it's nearer, that rattling it's louder... closer, in the flickering light, out of the corner of his eye, Sariel sees movement, turning toward it sword and shield in hand. What is that, am I seeing things? As the pile of rotting bones and wretched rags and tattered armor and rusted saber rise to meet him, hollow eyes boring through his skull, Sariel unintentionally screams. Experiencing for the first time the lineage of his father and the calling of his office. His halo begins to flicker to life...
Proudsnout, still sitting on Gus' lead rope calls out to him,"Oink, Oink, Oink" Proudsnout will also try and remember what he knows about undead, something in the back of his mind about what weapon to use to kill skeletons.
Sariel, emotion and adrenalin running rampant screams As his halo begins to flicker and he begins to realize that he can sense the evil in front of him, he puts Proudsnouts odd statement behind him and relies on his years of training. Stepping toward the undead abomination left foot forward. lifting the shield high enough to cover the lower part of his face but low enough to not interfere with his vision. He brings the fine steel sword, the gift from his mentor Sir Dramott, in a lightning-quick arc toward the filthy creatures helmed head.
Magic, like sour molasses,
Covering every pour of this place.
I feel like I'm drowning.
"This whole cave stinks of..."
Doreen's words drift off when the dead rise up.
"Yay."
She draws a harrow card and dark energy pours from it, swirling out to surround one of the skeletons.
This can’t be...the dead...rising? His throat dries up, closing tight as though one of the horror’s bony hands is already gripped around his throat, their furrowed eye-sockets boring into his heart. He raises his shield, and thought he circular steel implement is large enough for Calia to hide behind, it isn’t enough to hide Artemis’ frame. And he wants to hide, more than anything he wants to disbelieve what just happened!
Behind him, he hears Sariel call down the blessings of Erastil, then the clang of metal as he launches his sword strike. Artie looks on the young man’s valor and sees a glow about him, like a golden torch emanating from above his head. He can’t believe it, wondering if fear is casting images across his eyes.
Then there is the clatter of skeletal footsteps in front of him as four of them begin maneuvering. His eyes grow as panic sets in, then he glance over his shoulder to see the rest of the party and he realizes what he must do.
Artemis launches forward at the scimitar waving boneman in front of him, shield coming up and back as his grandfather had taught him. He whips the edge forward to try and crash into the skeleton...
- Moving to the scimitar scully in front of me (moved on map)
- Normal Attack | No Rage
-
-
- Stats: 13 hp | AC 16 (improved shield bash)
"I don't think this is another joke, guys."
Damien takes a step to give himself a clear shot at the skeleton facing Sariel.
Jenna stares in horror as the skeletons move and then rise and attack. Hands shaking, she steps back and fumbles almost randomly for an arrow which she raises to her bow and releases towards one of the archer skeletons .
, MISFORTUNE RE-ROLLS ,
,
HITS for
- - - -
The skeleton behind Calia is enveloped in the mists of Doreen's spell.
Sariel's powerful blow shatters the skeleton he has targeted, smashing it to bits despite the awkward angle of the blow.
Despite this strong beginning, the other skeletons prove more quick on their feet than the one felled by Sariel. The ones targeted by both Artemis and Jenna dodge with a nimbleness that defies their deteriorated state. Damien's lunging thrust is more successful, sending bone chips flying into the air, but the spear passes through several of the skeleton's ribs, rendering the blow less effective than it should have been; the creature still stands, grinning with its fleshless mouth at the youth.
- - - -
Skeletons' actions:
The skeleton looming over Calia swings its broken scimitar at the gnome's head, followed by a swipe of its free hand- but, perhaps thanks to the strange hex placed upon it by Doreen, neither attack lands. The skeleton that Jenna fired upon raises its shortbow and lets an arrow of its own fly, but this shot also goes wide, Jenna ducking out of the way regardless of the poor aim. Artemis' opponent also puts its broken sword and bony claws to work, but the young man deflects both blows with his shield, just as his grandfather taught him. Keeping their opponents consistent, the one attacked by Damien steps onto the stairs and takes a swing of his own, but also fails to find his target; it seems the young Heroes of Kassen are harder to kill than the undead abominations had expected.
Sariel, however, is not so lucky! Perhaps seeing the halo-like glow manifesting around his head, the remaining skeletal archer takes aim and fires off a shot as it sees its comrade fall under Sariel's blade. The arrow slashes across Sariel's arm, drawing a bloody gash as it strikes a gap in his armored plates.
- - - -
In the madness of the melee, Calia relies on her usual plan - keeping spirits high through humor. Hey, dog food! she shouts, running across the room with rapier drawn. I've got a bone to pick with you!
or
The skeleton that had attacked Calia earlier attempts to swipe at her with its broken sword, but misses due to her tiny gnomish frame.
Seeing the bone-warrior crumble as the bone chilling fear subsides and the flickering halo goes out for the time being. Just then an arrow fired by another undead creases the shoulder of his outstretched sword arm, "Ouch!" calling out more in shock than pain, he continues to fight, Ignore the pain, that's what I was taught to do, I've been hit harder, still more blood than I expected, that will need stitches, hope undead don't use poison.
He Turns to see another undead swipe at Calia. She dances away from the blow and jests at the same time, in spite of the wound, Sariel smiles and moves toward the offender, can not leave this abomination behind my friends, what is the best way to deal with skeletons.
As he moves he calls over to Proudsnout, who appears to be napping, "Proudsnout, You keep telling me you know all kinds of stuff, what can you tell me about these skeletons?" Proudsnout opens his eyes a little and answers "Oink!" satisfied with his own answers the pig doses back to sleep, on the pleasant stone floor.
Sariel rolls his eyes I sort of figured that out on my own as he stops between his friends and the undead, keeping his shield high, left foot forward, dropping his right shoulder slightly he aims low and slashes at the skeletons left hipbone.
The clang and screech of the pitted and ancient scimitars rings in his ears as he brings his shield up to deflect the skeletal assailant’s vicious attacks. Artemis chokes down his fear and stabs forward, bringing his shield up as he does so...
...but his spear passes harmlessly through the horror’s ribcage! Fear grips Artemis’ heart with one hand and squeezes…
But he clamps down on the cold, sinking feeling, angered that he’d let his own terror endanger those he cares about! The stoked fires of the Furnace start to bloom into an inferno...
- |
- Stats: 13 hp | AC 16 (improved shield bash)
Watching his spear pass through the skeleton's rib cage, Damien thinks back to a quieter time...
"It's so sweet that you're going on a field trip with your little friends."
His mother was busy bustling around the farmhouse kitchen, pulling knick-knacks out of the cabinet. Damien lounged against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. At her comment, he scowled.
"For the last time, mom, they're part of my adventuring party."
"Of course, dear," his mother said, smiling at him. "There's some chalk out in the pantry, on the top shelf, and some flour packets next to it. You never know when it'll come in handy."
"No, I'm fine."
"Oh, and your father's ten foot pole is out in the barn..."
"Nobody uses that stuff any more, mom. We have magic and, you know, specialized skills."
Damien waved his hands vaguely as he trailed off. His mother looked at him skeptically for a moment, then shrugged.
"If you say so, honey. By the way, did you remember to pack a dagger? You never know when slashing will come in handy."
Damien threw up his arms in frustration. "For crying out loud, mom, I'm fine! Why would I even want to get that close to a monster? I've got enough gear to carry as it is."
Damien grits his teeth and resolves not to mention this part of the adventure when he gets back home. And maybe to listen to his mother's advice next time. For now, all he can do is keep using his spear and hope he gets lucky.
Yellow bones,
Trying to kill us.
When this is over,
Maybe I'll bake some bread.
Doreen moves forward, walking carefully to avoid the skeletons. She draws a card and touches it to Sariel's backside. His posterior will probably tingle as the magic flows into him.
Right Jenna. Calm down, breath slowly, relax. They're just bones after all. Focus and.... release.
and
and
- - - -
Sariel, seeking to keep the party from being pressed between the skeletons on all sides, attacks the one in the corner that had swiped at Calia, and takes a chunk out of its hip with a mighty swing of his longsword; however, the skeleton does not fall, even as its upper half seems to balance precariously on its crackling bones. Doreen infuses Sariel with the power of her cards, empowering the young warrior even further.
Artemis finds no more luck in this exchange with his opponent as he did before, his spear's narrow point working against it as it fails to find flesh to penetrate. Jenna also fails to land a blow, loosing a pair of arrows with what should have been deadly aim, but perhaps due to the unnerving appearance and erratic movements of the enemy in question, both slam uselessly against the wall of the Crypt.
Damien has a bit more luck as he hops back from the stairs and thrusts again, and what would have been a killing stroke is lessened somewhat as his own spear cracks through his foe's collarbone. That skeleton nearly falls, but somehow manages to continue standing, its grinning skull showing neither fear nor pain.
Skeletons' Actions:
Tough to kill they may be, but for the most part, the skeletons are not terribly crafty foes- they mostly stick to the enemy before them. Sariel's new sparring partner swings at the heavily-armored youth with both blade and claw, but neither is able to penetrate his
scale mail. Artemis matches his own skeletal foe move-for-move, deflecting each incoming blow with his shield and refusing to give ground.
The undead archer that has been trading shots with Jenna finally gets the young ranger in his sights, and with a meaty thunk, one of its ancient, decaying arrows sinks into Jenna's thigh just above the knee. It almost appears to smile in satisfaction as it quickly moves and hops down from the platform, placing one of the room's four pillars between Jenna and itself- drawing near to Artemis in the process. [ooc]Jenna takes 4 damage.
Having been struck twice, the skeleton that had been battling Damien sees Calia moving nearer and decides to take up an easier-looking target, swinging its battered old scimitar down at the gnome. Calia nearly ducks out of the way, but is caught on the brow by a jagged edge, tearing a short red line across her forehead.
Meanwhile, the last remaining archer, seemingly responding to its fellow's abandonment of Damien as a target, takes aim at the shaman and looses an arrow, but in the midst of the melee, its aim is poor and Damien flinches out of the way.
- - - -
With the swing her foe took last time upon her retreat, Calia's learned a bit of caution, and steps carefully to her side, facing Damien down through the skeleton's rib cage. Cursing inside when she sees the trouble her allies' piercing weapons are having with the skeletons, she soldiers on with her rapier, not trying to attack it so much as harry it to give Damien a better chance of striking. You know, I really don't think these guys stand a chance. They just haven't got the guts to stand up to foes like us! she calls out to the others with a wink.
I hit that thing hard enough to drop a mule, feeling the sensation of Doreen's magic at the same time the skeleton drags its claws across his scalemail, Sariel calls out "Does anyone know enough about animated skeletons to know the best way to kill them?"
As he called out he shifts slightly and keeping his shield up, brings the longsword slashing across at shoulder height hoping to hit the arm, shoulder, neck or head.
Artemis' anger blooms into rage as he roars frustration. He had to be more effective, had to put these horrors down quickly. But his spear...
...he is blinded by fury as he stops into the skeleton in front of him. He hurls his shield and spear aside and raises his hands over his shoulder, gripping the leather-wrapped handle of his greatclub. He bellows into the battle din and brings the iron-banded weapon down on the skeleton in front of him.
- Drop shield and spear
- Activate Rage +2 attk/dam
- Power Attack -1 att / +2 Damage
- Inspire Courage
-
-
- Stats: 13 (+2 Temp) hp | AC 11 (Rage | No Shield)
Damien will move to attack any skeleton still standing.
The meathead that glows,
Asks about bones that bite.
Men. Helpless babies.
All of them.
"Any woman that cooks can tell you the answer to that, moron." Doreen says as she draws another card and kisses it.
"You don't stab bones to make bonemeal. Or slice them. You grind them with a mortar and pestle."
Doreen touches the harrow card to Jenna's cheek.