Valcrim suffers the blow with a grunt, glares at the undead abomination, and tugs on its arm so it is over-extended, and an easy victim for Treygan "Gotcha, ya bony git! Paladin!"
Aid Another - To hit: vs DC10
"Time to put you back to rest." Treygan takes his club and strikes at the final skeleton, his allies strength pushing him onward.
Joya will just sort of nod approvingly and look on. Not really much to contribute to the grand melee at the moment.
Round Three, Continued
Joyabraund and Yamamoto Seiji's contribution to the staggering fight is relatively little. Despite moving to have the upper hand and supporting each other well, the melee bruising team of Father Flinthammer, Broderus and finally Treygan Gorski are each unable to dispatch the last pile of bones in their way.
Round Four
The skeleton, being mindless continues to pound on Valcrim Flinthammer, knowing that he can hit his opponent. Fortunately for your mailed cleric, he does not penetrate Father Flinthammer's impressive armor.
Seiji attempts to hook the blade of his sickle around the leg of the skeleton, but he angle of his weapon, and it bounces off bone.
Comfounded with the resilience of the final skeleton, Broderus utters a silent prayer to Erastil and swings away one more time.
=
=
Attack:
Damage:
Valcrim steps into a tactical position, not fearing the claws of the skeleton, trusting his armor and shield to save him from embarrassment and pain, and brings the hammer to bear against the spine of the undead abomination.
Round 4, Continued
As Yamamoto Seiji whirls around, the Skeleton strikes at him, but its claw grasps nothing but air. Father Flinthammer moves around the outstretched claw, and brings his warhammer to bear on the desicated opponent, striking it to the ground. Broderus's strike on the prone creature breaks several ribs. It is clear that should he reform when you turn your backs, he will do so with a cracked skull and several broken bones.
Combat has ended
Broderus exhales deeply and finally relaxes his vice-like grip on his mace. Valcrim took some minor damage, but we look alright for the most part.
He looks towards the party's stoic alchemist, "Seiji, these skeletons are wearing Tian armor. First the ship and now this. I had no idea the Tian race has such a prominent role in Varisia. Would it be acceptable if we examined these remains for further clues?"
He also looks around carefully for any other threats or signs of movement from the downed undead.
"I am as mystified as you, Broderus." Seiji replies, staring down at the skeleton's crumpled form. "Examine them, yes. We all should do so."
"Um, all right. Not really sure what to look for here." Treygan helps going through the skeletons remains, not certain what he's seeking. "Think these guys have anything to do with the goblins? I don't see the toothy little green guys raising the dead, but you never know."
"It is difficult to imagine that they are related, but even so, this discovery is far more dire than the goblin threat."
Valcrim scoffs as he pokes at the armor "Judgin' from tha state tha armors be in, me guess would be that these folk came here a very long time ago. Likely long before any o ye saw tha light o' day from yer mothers' wombs. I dinnae what animated these buggers, but tha dead nae walk lest some dark magic be at work..."
"I've nae heard o' anyone animatin' tha dead fer fun." He looks to Treygan "I reckon we be findin' tha source o' evil deeper inside. Best ye keep yer paladin senses on our path, lad. I fear these dead buggers only be tha watchdogs fer something more sinister."
Further investigation of the skeletons reveals little else. It is true that they were animated, but if these skeletons were the result of some dark ritual by an evil priest, there is no evidence of it in this part of the cave complex.
To the north, there is an opening in the rock that emits a weak stream of air, and if one listens carefully, it sounds as though there is a restriction within. To the west, there is a second opening in the rock from which no air stirs at all.
"Hmm, which path to take? Unless someone has a better option..." Treygan pulls out a gold piece and flips it into the air. "Heads we follow the wind, tails we follow the stillness."
"Heads. Shall we follow the flickering torch?"
Broderus feels reinvigorated, "Thanks for the healing Valcrim. I feel much better."
He then turns to Treygan,"The northern passage sounds good to me. I can lead if you like, and I'd be more than glad to take that torch off your hands. I don't use a shield anyways, so no point in you forfeiting yours."
"That is reasonable. Let Broderus carry the torch." Seiji lifts his own sunrod. "I will keep this in hand, but will throw it to the cavern floor if needed. It will not be extinguished easily."
"Coin tossin?!" Valcrim shakes his head "Ye got a dwarf in yer party. If ye be wantin ta know tha workins o' caves, ye can well ask me, nae?" he points to the passage that makes the torch flicker "That one leads outside, or inta some area with openings up ta tha surface. Tha other leads deeper, with nae ventilation." he studies the caves around him and nods "Water be still, so I be nae thinkin' tha cave goes deeper, thank Torag." he turns to Treygan "I still say we be clearin' out tha path yer coin chose first, so we nae get beasties at our backs. But I be preferrin' that we be makin' our choices based on sense, rather than a fickle elven butterfly." he chuckles.
Well I dunno if we actually HAD an elven butterfly it might be quite the sight to let it make a choice or two...but you DO sound awfully convincing Father Flinthammer so...let's go further in! But NOT because the coin said so, to be clear.
One of you could give *me* a light, I don't plan much on getting into trouble, you are all much better suited to THAT. Tonight playing the role of torchbearer if Joya! Joya offers hi hand at either Broderus or Seiji to take over light duties.
Treygan gladly hands his torch off to Broderus. "All right, the direction our good dwarf has pointed out. Though worth the flip for the laugh." Giving his own laugh, club and shield in hand Treygan starts forward.
After a desperate squeeze, you come to a crossroads. You can continue moving ahead, and further back the way that you came, or press further west. On investigation, there is no air moving from the westerly direction, though a faint stream pushes in that direction. If you stand still and listen a while, you hear nothing but the dripping of water from within.
Seiji hands the sunrod to Joyabraund. "Take care not to hold it in front of your face, the bright light will blind you for a time. It is a mistake I have made before."
"Another fork. Valcrim?"
The dwarf takes a deep whiff of the air "Bah! This be tha other passage we ignored, methinks. I say we double back, an' just mind our arses, then take this path out. Less water."
Broderus thoughtfully strokes a wet cave formation, suddenly feeling very trapped by these rocky walls and yearning for the forest outside.
"Valcrim is our caving expert; let us do as he says."
It takes some maneuvering, but you manage to squeeze back into the largest chamber. Looking behind you, as Valcrim suggests, you see nothing crawling after your party but a few rather disgusting insects you likely have not seen before, apparently too small to tempt the gigantic spider living near the mouth of the cave.
You come again to the fissure in the western part of this large cavern, and press yourselves through it in formation and spill into a slightly smaller, irregularly shaped cavern. To one end is a rather large chest of elegantly carved cherry wood inset with jade. Sitting atop this chest is another skeleton, this one wearing an almost full set of queerly made armor that dangles from its bones. Its helm appears to sprout horns, and some vague symbol you are certain is not native to Sandpoint, or indeed, given evidence from the other skeletons, Varisia as a whole.
This skeleton's impressive set of armor, and helm, would suggest he was some manner of officer in life. How he came from Tian-min to Varisia is still beyond you.
"I'm no expert, but this is probably a trap, right?" Treygan smiles even as he says it. "Full armor of strange design, chest underneath, cavern protected by the walking dead. It'll make a good story, right Joya? Quite more interesting than just another bunch of goblins."
Valcrim studies the armor, and gives a smirk "Was once a fine suit, this one. Betcha tha rust comes off with some whacks o' me hammer, an' some mendin' spells should make 'er good as new. An' sell fer well o'er a hunnerd gold." he hums, intrigued with the workmanship, but keeping his shield raised and his hammer at the ready, in case this one stirs as well.
Initative:
"This man is adorned as an officer." Seiji loads his crossbow, eyeing the skeleton warily.
-
Broderus slowly moves towards the large chest, fascinated by the intricate woodwork. He raises his torch to get a better look at the carvings and to also inspect for any obvious traps. "Yes, Seiji, I agree. This man was definitely an officer in someone's army, though I've never seen armor quite like this before."
He continues to approach the chest, constantly checking for any signs of traps or movement from the skeleton.
-
-
As you brazenly step across the threshold to examine this skeletal officer, it animates, hopping down from the box and rising in a clatter of broken mail and dry bones that fill you with a sense of menace.
Initiative
Skeleton
Broderus - 21
Yamamoto Seiji - 13
Joyabraund Northropple
Treygan Gorski - 9
Valcrim Flinthammer - 8
Round One
The skeletal officer raises its queer short sword and points it at Treygan Gorski, seemingly taking great interest in the paladin before he moves forward and strikes at the paladin, and lays him flat in a single strike. Treygan falls to the ground and begins bleeding out.
On my turn:
Free action: Drop hammer to hang on weapon cord.
Move action: Tug Treygan into my square.
Standard action: Cure him for .
Swift action: Recover hammer.
5-Foot step to take Treygan's spot.
Seeing Treygan fall, Broderus feels a haze coming over him, and a familiar buzzing overtaking his ears. Only the skeletal warrior can be seen in his tunnel vision, and he shouts, "NOOOO!!!"He hacks uncontrollably at the enemy with his mace and torch, hoping to avenge his fallen friend.
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-
-
-
Grease on the skeleton's short sword! DC 14 Ref?
Seiji's eyes snap to Treygan's fallen form, then to the glass vial in his hand. In four quick steps, he is against the cavern wall, and the volatile container is in the air.
Round One, Continued
Broderus in his rage flails his arms about wildly, striking nothing in either attack. Yamamoto Seiji reels backwards and tosses a bomb which sets the area around the skeleton ablaze, and the air is suddenly awash in the scent of faintly scalded undead as what passes for flesh remaining on this menacing opponent is charred. Joyabraund Northropple's intelligent use of magics manages to make the skeleton lose his weapon and it falls in H3 as Valcrim Flinthammer tugs the unconscious but now stable form of Treygan Gorski into his square.
Round Two
The skeletal champion draws an Attack of Opportunity from Broderus as he reaches down to gather his sword from the ground, then lifts himself up and attacks the ranger , but his delicate balance being upset, he over extends and misses the ranger.
Attack of Opportunity:
Channel Positive Energy:
Regaining some of his wits, Broderus decides to focus all of his energy on his mace attacks in this dangerous battle.
-; -
-; -
The quarrels from my crossbow may pierce flesh, but they will do naught against bone. I need something broader...something... Seiji paws at the ground for a loose rock. His hand closes on one. Yes. My best chance. With a whip of his arm, he wings it at his foe.
Joya will move into melee with the skeleton hoping to harry the creature and give Valcrim aid in beating on the undead threat.
Round 2, Continued
Broderus's attack lands a solid hit as the skeleton rises with its wakizashi, and though its strike is very near to Broderus's face, it seems fate has decreed that the ranger will survive to land another blow. The sound of two solid blows on the skeletal champion reverberate off the rock walls, proving that this foe can be brought down. Yamamoto Seiji's improvised efforts to assist clatter noisily off the armor of the skeleton, and the slick rock lies inert. Joyabraund's timely aide to Flinthammer could not be worse placed as the cleric disregards any attempt to hit the creature and patches up his companions with a burst of healing energy, and steps forward to menace the creature with flank!
Round 3
The skeleton moves away from the box, and having identified Broderus as the greatest threat to his continued existence, full attacks!
With two well placed hits, Broderus falls to the ground, and at -6 HP is unconscious and bleeding out.
Valcrim casts a glance to see if the box will support him, stepping onto it for flank and eventual higher ground if he deems it worthy.
Perception:
Then he uses his domain ability to grant everyone +2 deflection bonus to AC until the end of next round, focusing on protecting and helping Treygan.
:
Broderus fails the DC 10 Constitution check, leaving him at -7 HP at the end of this round. He dies upon reaching -12 HP.
Wisdom might suggest that a box that has survived in the dank and dark and supported a skeletal champion wearing chainmail for apparently some time might also support a dwarven cleric should he manage to climb atop it in his full plate armor.
Just kidding, that would be a silly and superfluous skill check in combat that is essentially just eating time. You can stand on the box if you desire.
More aiding!
C'mon you bony cretin! Take a swing!