Careful all. Below us evil infests this place. The undead abound.
Madeline nods at Alexa's words as she looks around nervously at the rear of the party. She wonders where Kendra has run off to...
Madeline jumps at the loud crashing and banging.
"What...?"
"EEEK!" Madeline jumps, looking around in shock and fright.
Smith moves swiftly to protect his Mistress.
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The stairs leading down to the first floor are cloaked in darkness. As your group pushes a torch into the darkness, you discover bits of rubble - none of it truly blocking your path - covering parts of the stairs. While the stairs look dirty, they appear otherwise serviceable. A second set of double doors block the bottom-floor exit.
The air here is damp. Bits of mold cling the corners of the old stone walls. The smell of carrion is stronger in the hall.
Valen mumbles again, "What's about; this can't be right. Folks don't just disappear..." He tries to look around to see if anything unusual can be determined about their disappearance.
The loud noises cause him to grip his shield more tightly. If nothing becomes apparent, he allows the others to pass downstairs first - hoping that some sign of Kendra and Tharnik comes from the darkness. Then he follows them down, a small prayer that Pharasma guide them and aid the missing pair.
Alexa continues to lead the group down, carefully watching for anything unexpected.
"Tharnik?... Kendra?!..."
Creel looks about wildly.
...
Then pauses and breathes deeply.
"Right. They are gone. Tharnik is tough and dedicated. They won't die easy. Hopefully this noise is related. Let's move.
Creel follows Alexa down the stairs.
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The double doors at the bottom of the stairs open into a single hallway. The hallways is 50 ft long (north to south) and 5 ft wide. The stonework is of the finest construction, although green and grey mold cover a great deal of it. Three additional sets of double doors, one to the north, one to the south, and one just south of the doors you exited from (on the east wall) lead out of this hall. Three additional doors, two in the north (on the east and west walls) and one in the south (on the west wall) also offer exits.
Madeline shoo's Smith forwards. Indicating he should help Valen more.
Smith walks closer to Valen. Carefully stepping down the stairs after the Cleric.
Semi-retcon:
After studying the ground, Alexa points and shows where two footprints appear to head to the north and terminate at the west door.
Quietly: Two sets of prints, two missing people. Lets see what trouble they have gotten themselves into.
"Something noisy...that way..." Smith explains and points towards the South.
Madeline flinches at the loud noise, clutching her x-bow tighter.
Assuming that her friends are within the room, Alexa grips her club in one hand and then opens the door to the west room from which the noises are coming.
"Dash it all, this is no time for caution, she might be in danger!" Brandishing his whip, Vaghn leaps through the opened doorway, ready to strike down evil-doers.
Madeline gasps at Vaghn's bravery/foolishness. Then urgently indicates Smith should assist. (With urgent waving if her gloved hand)
Smith stands puzzled for a moment as he tries to understand his Mistress' hand waving. Then, putting two and two together, he strides into the room after Vaghn.
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Alexa opens the door and before she can step through, Vaughn leaps into the fray!
The scene before: Tharnik stands fifteen feet ahead of you (in the space marked e), slightly to the right,over the body of Kendra. She lies on the ground at his feet, convulsing, a small pool of blood slowly expanding around her. You can make out a bright spot on her dirty blouse, obviously the site of some grievous wound.
Tharnik has his war-club out and is swinging it in wide circles, trying to hold back a group of advancing skeletons.
The skeletons are dressed in what you can only assume are the uniforms they once wore. Now little more than dirty, grey rags. The skeletons do not wield any weapons, but their claws are sharp and blackened, likely from the fire. A deep red fire burns in their eyes.
As Vaughn leaps in, several of the dozen skeletons turn toward you and begin to advance.
Smith reaches over his back and draws the great maul forth.
At the sight of Kendra wounded, Vaughn's eyes widen and his nostrils flare. He emits a bestial roar more fitting to come from Tharnik's throat than that of the usually placid scholar. He leaps into action, a wild look on his face.
Init:
Although not as quick as some of her companions, Alexa grips her club and moves to strike the first skeleton.
Attack-club:
Damage:
Madeline moves to a position where she can support the group.
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On 22 Vaghn leaps through the open door, whip in hand, and attacks the closest skeletons. His whip does not appear to damage the skeleton, however.
On 19, Alexa swings pushes past Vaughn, swings her club, and brings down the skeleton blocking entrance into the prison grounds beyond the door. .
On 16, the skeletons press their attacks. The skeletons in f,d, and i continue to attack Tharnik, scoring several nasty hits on his torso. Tharnik, angry and pressed to the wall, continues to try and fend them off with wild swings from his club. Two skeletons (the ones in o and p) attack Alexa. and (from p) and and (from o). Alexa takes points of damage.
On 15, Smith....
On 12 Creel....
On 9 Valen...
On 5 Madeline.....
Round 1 Init 12
Weaving back through his startled friends Creel drops his cumbersome axe and straps on his shield as he reaches what he prays is another door letting onto the conflict..
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Round 1, continued.
On 15, Smith tries to push into combat, but can't find room. He stops, awaiting Madeline's command....
On 12 Creel drops his axe and heads south. Realizing the secure, prison door isn't one he's likely to push open with a mere shove, he opens it and draws his club.
On 9 Valen...
On 5 Madeline.....
Valen is caught flat-footed by the scene before them; coupled with Vaughn's sudden charge. He curses himself for his lack of action, ("Stupid bumpkin." - he mutters.) and realizes that there's no way he can charge the fray.
But in the light of the undead's attack, the goddess' fury is apparent wakes him. He calls upon that fury to aid him now and help his companions.
Madeline strains to see over the huddle of people. Barely catching a glimpses of the undead staggering towards them.
Vaghn lashes out at a skeleton with his whip, attempting to trip it up.
Seeing the skeletons affected by light of Pharasma, Alexa smiles.
Keep it up Valen, they will go down under the light of your goddess.
Alexa again swings her club hoping to drop one of the skeletons attacking Tharnik.
Return to your grave vile monstrosity.
Attack-club @ f skeleton:
Damage:
Unable to get any closer with the crowding and encouraged by Alexa's words, Valen calls forth Pharasma's holy light once more to aid his allies. "Grey Lady, light the way."
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Round 2
On 22 Vaghn pulls out his whip and attempts to trip one of the skeletons threatening Tharnik and Kendra. The skeletons notices his attempt, at the last minute, and shifts slightly, using the corner of the wall to its advantage. As it does, it fails to notice Alexa.
On 19, Alexa smiles as the skeleton that dodged Vaughn's whip moves directly in front of her. With a quick, strong strike she cracks its skull, driving it down into its spine and shattering its upper torso. Bits of old bone and rancid cloth rain down as the creature drops.
On 16, the skeletons continue their attack.
Tharnik managed to dodge one of the skeleton's attacks, but staggers back when the second one hits. He continues, however, to stand guard over Kendra. He spares Alexa a quick glance, as if to say, 'some help....'
The two skeletons facing Alexa tear into her, all of their attacks hitting her. She suffers multiple wounds ()
The final skeleton reaches into Vaughn's space, trying to grab him with its two claws. He quickly dashes back, avoiding both attacks.
The skeletons in the back further down the hallways, stagger forward.
On 15, Smith....
On 12 Creel....
On 9 Valen...
On 5 Madeline.....
Without warning, Smith strides forward, passing Vaughn and gently pushes Alexa back, forcing her to take shelter in a corner behind Vaughn.
Alexa shifts with Smith - HP:6/26