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Droogami's help in pulling Soran up helps the ranger get to his feet on the other side.
With the party in place, ropes are lowered down the pit for everyone to climb down and up to bypass the statues!
The wide brass double doors stand before you. In the corner of your eye, you see the words Auto-saving. Please do not turn off the system.... So clearly some stuff's about to go down...
Once prepared, you may open the doors at your leisure.
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The wide brass doors swing open on silent hinges to reveal a vast crypt. The only light emanates from a torch mounted above the crypt, flickering with a pale golden fire. Tall pillars march across the chamber, ending at a dais on the far side, on which is set a large stone sarcophagus.
A single form rests beside the coffin, that of a comely woman in tattered clothing. She appears to be asleep or unconscious.
As you enter the chamber, a dry, mirthless laugh can be heard from the dark recesses of the tomb.
“So, Kassen’s heroes have come to fight me again. You will make fine minions in my army of the dead. Come and meet your fate.”
With that, a wicked-looking skeleton strides into view wearing polished mail and brandishing a cruel sword in both hands. A cold blue flame burns in its empty eye sockets.
As he does so, four skeletons also clatter into view.
With his impecable reflexes, Soran is able to go first.
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Each arrow hits the armoured skeleton in its own shoulder. With an angered growl, it points to Soran, sending in one of his skeletal minions to take a swipe at him.
HIT
Then he himself comes striding towards Soran with his longsword. He doesn't use it, however, as he tries to knock the bow out of Soran's grasp!
MISS
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With a ghastly howl of pain and rage, the skeleton crumbles before you, the blue fire dying in a puff of smoke which promptly dissipates. The other skeletons collapse where they stand.
Before you is the Everflame and, also importantly, a young woman laying unconscious by the crypt. Assuming one has the ability to revive her, she introduces herself as Dimira, one of the villagers that came here to set up the traps and tests for you. But then the undead attacked and she was carted away down to this place. Here, she says, she was questioned on end by a skeleton with glowing blue eyes about the town, the region, the goings-on of the modern world. Suddenly she weeps longing to hold her brother in her arms again, but fearing he too was slain in the undead's assault.
Though traumatized, she is able to answer any questions you may have. All that remains is to gather the light from the torch in here and bring it back to Kassen.
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Ferabras sighs in relief as the skeleton crumbles to the floor, realizing that they've accomplished their mission and everyone is safe. "Well done, all, well done," he says happily, an emotion few have heard from him.
As Dimira relates her tale, Ferabras says, "For your sake, I'm glad we came when we did, though in all honesty, it was not pleasant to experience some of your traps. Come, let us go see your brother."
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As you gather the flame from its place, a ghostly figure raises from the sarcophagus. His eyes show signs of mixed joy and sorrow. "I am Kassen, warrior of old and keeper of the Flame. My congratulations to you for accomplishing your task, though I do regret the interference of Asar. His restless spirit was risen recently when the amulets both he and I were wearing in death were taken. I pray now he has finally found peace. As a token of thanks, please take these items to aid you in your quest."
The ghost of Kassen reaches into his own sarcophagus and pulls out a bag of holding (type I), a +1 bashing shield, an elemental gem (water), and finally grants one scale from his armor to each of you. Kassen explains that these scales will grant them his boon in their hour of need.
The journey back to Kassen is somber and uneventful. Roldare is thrilled to see Dimira again and seems to most (but not all) of his sanity.
When you finally return to Kassen, you find a celebration underway in your honor. Mayor Uptal is there to greet you at the gates, but his joy at your return quickly turns to horror when he finds out what has happened. The news quickly spreads throughout town and the harvest celebration turns melancholy. The folk do not blame you for what happened, and most are rather grateful that this new menace is ended. The grand feast is still held in your honor, but it is not the same as it was in previous years. This year, many are drinking to help forget that they have lost friends and loved ones. Plans are made to return to the crypt and bury the slain townsfolk.
During this celebration, a man named Cygar Anrav stops to talk with you all for a few moments. He formally introduces himself to them as a fellow Pathfinder and mentions he might have some work for them if they are interested. Cygar has taken an interest in the recent events, and he is sure the Society would like to see the tomb robbers that caused this mess called to account for their actions. He then asks if you might be interested in getting to the bottom of this puzzle and, before you can agree, he blends back into the crowd, saying only that he will be in touch.
