Oliana hits the tall skeleton's skull and cracks it open. Half of the skull drops to the floor and the skeleton struggles to regain its balance. It takes the skeleton a few seconds, but then it succeeds. The single eye socket that's left turns toward Oliana.
Tsongre once again doesn't comprehend what it is Oliana wants.
Espada fails to stabilize and continues to lose blood. Alia channels positive energy again, but this time to heal her comrades. Espada stabilizes and regains consciousness.
The blue skeleton swings both of its claws at Oliana, hitting her with its first attack .
The red skeleton swings a claw at Espada, and hits Espada against her head. Espada's consciousness fades again .
After downing Espada again, the red skeleton moves forward so it stands over her. It swings its other claw at Valador, but misses.
Round 1 - Turn progression:
Big Skeleton -11 HP
Oliana
Espada (Unconscious and Unstable)
Alia
Blue Skeleton -2 HP
Red Skeleton -2 HP
Valador
Tsongre
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Ugh... I still have no room to manuever, lest I endanger my own allies or open myself up for attack. Damn...
Valador remains in a defensive stance until an opportune chance opens up for him to freely move.
You can defend yourself as a standard action. You get a +4 dodge bonus to your AC for 1 round. Your AC improves at the start of this action. You can't combine total defense with fighting defensively or with the benefit of the Combat Expertise feat. You can't make attacks of opportunity while using total defense.
Valador remains in a defensive stance, waiting for a chance to attack.
There's not much for Tsongre to do, and Tsongre just hovers in the air next to the tall skeleton.
The tall skeleton doesn't like what Oliana just did, and stabs its longsword in the ranger's chest. Oliana collapses onto the crypt's floor.
Round 3 - Turn progression:
Big Skeleton -15 HP
Oliana (Unconscious and Unstable)
Espada (Unconscious and Unstable)
Alia
Blue Skeleton -2 HP
Red Skeleton -2 HP
Valador
Tsongre
Alia's next burst of positive energy isn't as powerful as her previous bursts. For a moment it looks like the skeletons will all collapse, but they all manage to keep standing.
Espada and Oliana both stop stabilize and stop bleeding.
The red skeleton swings both its claws at Valador, but is unable to find an opening in the paladin's defensive stance. The blue skeleton moves five feet closer to Valador, and attacks him while standing over Oliana. One attack nearly hits Valador, but he parries the skeleton's arm with his own.
Round 3 - Turn progression:
Big Skeleton -16 HP
Oliana (Unconscious, but stable)
Espada (Unconscious, but stable)
Alia
Blue Skeleton -3 HP
Red Skeleton -3 HP
Valador
Tsongre
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Valador remains firmly planted between the skeletons and the door, his guard being maintained as he deflects all of the incoming attacks.
What a cluster f~&@...
Keep it up, Alia! They're almost destroyed! I'll keep them trapped in the room while you finish them off! He shouts while keeping his focus on the threats before him.
The tall skeleton's finds an opening in Valador's total defense, and it thrusts its longsword into Valador's neck. Valador collapses to the floor. The tall skeleton looks at Tsongre, but seems aware the bird's no threat. It then takes a big step toward Alia, standing over Valador.
Round 4 - Turn progression:
Big Skeleton 2/18 HP
Oliana (Unconscious, but stable)
Espada (Unconscious, but stable)
Alia
Blue Skeleton 1/4 HP
Red Skeleton 1/4 HP
Valador (Unconscious, and unstable)
Tsongre
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As the valiant paladin collapses to the floor, Alia's heart sinks. Have we failed so miserably, Bright Goddess?
Looking over the blood-spattered bodies of her compatriots a rage comes over her then, her self-doubt vanishing in fury. If this is the end, I won't abandon my friends. She grins wickedly at the leering undead that advance on her.
Let's dance, she whispers.
In her fury Alia releases another wave of positive energy that harms the skeletons. The red skeleton and the tall skeleton fall apart, but the blue skeleton still manages to stand.
With effort the blue skeleton moves five feet closer to Alia and swings a single claw at her. The skeleton's aim is completely off, and the arm falls off under the strain caused by the attack. A few seconds later the entire skeleton collapses to the floor, and Alia's the only one left standing.
While the bonus of the skeletons become dust, Valador stops bleeding.
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Picking up her dropped wand, Alia starts healing the fallen pathfinders.
Espada:
Oliana:
Valador:
Well, if you wanted action, and proof positive that something is amiss in the temple, I think we have that, now.
Once everyone is up and running, Alia will quickly check the bodies of the undead, and the surrounding crypt for anything of interest.
Alia picks up her wand and heals her comrades to full health. She checks the floor to see if anything's left by the skeletons, but they've enteriely turned to dust. All that's left is the tall skeleton's gear: a breastplate, a heavy steel shield, and a masterwork longsword.
The central sarcophagus, Alia notices, lists slightly to the side. She also notices that taking a complete set of rubbings will be time-consuming, as the sarcophagi are elaborately ornamented. The task will probably require 12 person-hours of labor.
"Hey guys!" Zandibus calls out to the others from the end of the hallway, "I think it's past midnight! We should probably get some sleep, so we can use new spells tomorrow! We should probably keep watches though, considering we were attacked by those creatures earlier!"
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"Thank you Alia, I'm so sorry I couldn't be more help." Oliana manages to say once she regains her composure.
"What's this?" She says turning her attention to the crack in the floor beneath the central sarcophagus. Looking at it intently, she sees the space is just large enough for a very small creature...like Tsongre. She pushes him to go in, and fetch anything he sees.
Unfortunately he doesn't understand her and simply alights on the arm she held out to point to the crack.
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Alia is taken aback by Oliana's humility: she remembers some particulary fine weapon-handling on both her's and Espada's account. All I know is, I sure am glad they are on my side, she thinks, nodding woodenly.
Well, I don't know about that, she says, but I do think that we had take Zandibus' advice and get to bed. With that, Alia heads back to the dormitories, to settle herself in for the night.
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After what seems like an eternity, Oliana finally communicates what she wants Tsongre to do and he very unnaturally flies underground. Seeing the shiny weighing apparatus, he assumes that's what she wants him to grasp and return to her carrying. Grasping it, he tries his best to get out of the crevice.
After flapping and clanging against the roof of the crevice a few times, he flies out proudly carrying the scales. He flies over and drops them into Oliana's outstretched arms, before alighting on her shoulder. Oliana strokes his back in praise of his actions saying, "That's a good boy, Tsongre, you've done well." She then feeds him two treats to show her appreciation in a language he understands.
He puffs up on her shoulder and squawks as if to say, "You know it!"
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Valador had retrieved the gnome from the garden on their way back to the rooms. Despite wanting to confront Dakang as soon as possible, he agreed to rest up first given the tough battle they had just been in.
He places the gnome in a corner not easily visible from the door and instructs him to be quiet and behave, and maybe if he cooperated he could work towards redeeming his past actions...
With one of the party members constantly on watch the party makes it through the night. Gastidem's still unconscious when Valador hides him in a corner not easily visible from the door.
In the morning Gunthorn and Zandibus, Ambroscious following the latter, come with an unexpected announcement: they're leaving. Just like Will did earlier they go outside and step into their planar eddies, leaving the others to finish the mission.
A few minutes after Alia and Espada have finished preparing their spells Gastidem wakes up. He instantly starts screaming: "HELP! HELP ME!"
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With a nod of understanding to Zandibus, Gunthorn takes out his charcoal a writes a quick message on the statue warning of the trap. "It's better than nothing, I suppose." He says as the others suddenly rush back into the temple.
Before rejoining the others he drags the unconscious gnome to the southeast corner of the garden where he makes sure a is secure and then hides the body as best he can behind and under the overgrown shrubs.
Straightening his robes, he hurries to catch up to the rest of the group.
Oliana walks over and slaps him as hard as she can, "Val said quiet, whelp!" She ended pointing a finger right between his eyes as if marking it for later.
The gagged Gastidem groans as loud as he can, and tries to get out of his ties.
Gastidem nearly succeeds, but the way Oliana tied him up prevents him from freeing himself. A slap from Oliana stops the groaning, and Gastidem quietly stares at her. Fear fills the evil gnome's eyes.
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The gnome will do what's right... It's in his best interest now to cooperate.
Anyways, we need to choose the opportune time to strike. If we do it early enough before everyone's up and moving around we could avoid any interference from the occupants.
If we wait, we can't be certain we'll get Dakang alone and avoid a lot of collateral damage...
You hear a door open and some voices. A few seconds later the doors to your bedrooms open, and Dakang's aasimar bodyguards await you in the corridor. "We're here, because master Dakang wants you removed from the temple. We were informed you entered the crypt. The crypt's off-limit, even for the inhabitants of this holy temple. It's a place where the dead rest, and they should not be disturbed."
One of the bodyguards turns to address Valador. Due to Oliana's presence in the same room, and the way Gastidem's placed, the guard doesn't see Gastidem. [b]"Yesterday you spoke about knocking Gastidem out and capturing him. He's nowhere to be found. Care to explain what exactly happened? We can't let you leave with him missing, but master Dakang doesn't want you here... It's a complicated situation for us."
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Valador shakes his head slightly but allows them to finish before turning to face the guards.
Where the dead rest? I seriously hope you're joking and not referring to the animated corpses that tried to kill my companions and I. However, you can be assured they're resting now...
Valador shifts and places himself inside the door frame, barring entrance.
As far as the gnome Gastidem goes... He's safe, with us, inside this room. We'll be more than happy to turn him over to you, but first I'd like for you to see something...
Valador turns his head slightly over his shoulder to speak, yet keeps his gaze on the guard.
Someone be kind enough as to grab the sack that's attached to my backpack over there, please...
He turns his head back towards the guard.
In addition to your little undead problem in the crypt, we stumbled on some nasty critters in your garden on our way to retrieve your gnome friend... Personally I think he's fortunate we came along when we did, it looked as if he was to be their meal...
Now I know how untrusting you fine people are... so I took it upon myself to snatch you guys a piece of proof...
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Alia nods, agreeing.
The situation is complicated, as you say.
Your desire for the respect of the honored dead is just.
However, we did not enter those holy grounds lightly: we have discovered a sinister influence within the temple that we felt needed to investigated thoroughly.
What we have discovered troubles us greatly, as it endangers the souls and the well-being of all who inhabit this holy place. We would like a chance to bring this to Master Dakang. We are certain he will want to know what we have uncovered.
"Undead?! In the crypts?! That can't be... Master Dakang would surely have informed us of such dangers," the aasimar next to Valador says as she shakes her head. "You speak of proof, but do you have anything to prove the presence of undead?"
"This other proof you speak of... we'd like to see it," one of the other aasimars says. "And if Gastidem's with you, we'd wish to talk to him."
Alia's words, though honest and well-meant, seem to worsen the aasimars' mood. The reply Alia gets is rather unfriendly: "Yeah, yeah. Just show us what you're talking about!"
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Valador reaches a hand back and grabs the sack from someone, anyone... He then proceeds to turn it upside down and empties the contents of the severed creatures head onto the floor...
This thing and another like it attacked us in the garden... As far as the crypt goes, you can go look for yourselves. There should be bones scattered all over that place from the reanimated skeletons that were dwelling inside...
As for the gnome... One of you can come inside and check on him if you wish. You have my word nothing will happen to you as long as you remain civil as well...
The eyes of the aasimars widen in shock when they see the creature's head. "A dretch," you hear one of them mutter.
"We will check out the crypt," the one that addressed Valador earlier says, "but first let me speak to Gastidem."
The bodyguard somehow manages to squeeze inside the bedroom, where she notices Gastidem. "What do you know of this filthy creature? Tell me the truth, Gastidem. You will regret it if you don't!"
Gastidem, already scared of both Valador and Oliana, breaks down. the bodyguard's words hit him like stabs of a knife, and when the bodyguards removes his gag he confesses: "I admit it! I grow flayleaf in the garden! And I placed a trap that cuts people their fingers off! In the turtle statue! I'm so sorry! Don't hurt me!"
"The creature, Gastidem!" the bodyguard nearly shouts.
"Yes! Yes! I mean no! I don't know about it! I've been out since yesterday!"
"These visitors think you know something about Dakang. Tell me!"
"Yes! Yes! I mean... Yes! Dakang is a fake! He's perverting Korada’s faith, I don't know why though! There's some secret evil he's making you revere! Please let me go! I will disable the trap and leave, I promise!"
The bodyguard exits the bedroom again , and shakes her head. "Something's going on here... I can't believe master Dakang would do such a thing though, we've been with him for years!"
After a moment of silence one of the other aasimars speaks up: "We should take a look at the crypt..."
Meanwhile Gastidem continues to beg: "Please let me go! Please?!"
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"Oh, so you can hide somewhere and stab us in the back for your good friend the heretic? I think not," Oliana answers Gastidem's pleas. She leans down next to him, collecting herself, "You understand our hesitance no doubt, but thank you for being honest." She pats him on the shoulder as she would when training an animal...force of habit.
Looking over at her bunk, she sees Tsongre still asleep perched on the bed post. She flicks him in the beak, and he wakes with a start, crying and flailing until he remembers where he is and settles on Oliana's outstretched arm. "We've got a culture to upheave, Little Brother, this is not a day to sleep late."
Oliana squeezes her way out to the aasimar who hadn't expressed the need to see the crypt, "What about you then? Are we going to see Dakang, and get his feebly crafted explanation for all this?"
Her thoughts suddenly manifested an image of all her companions out looking for evidence and evil leaders, where Gastidem is left just sitting alone in their room, available to anyone to free him or kill him as their prerogative might be, and decided to nip that in the bud, "On second thought perhaps you lot should go without me, I'll stay behind and make sure our gnome friend can testify again if need be."
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I'm sure one or two of our newly acquired friends here can watch Gastidem...
At least one of you though should probably come with us and allow us passage to Dakang's chambers and watch our backs. With your help we can utilize the element of surprise and get to the bottom of all of this prior to worship time...
As far as the crypt goes, we destroyed the undead there. I don't think anything survived, and if they have, I doubt they will leave the crypt. They seemed more like guards than just wondering piles of bone...
The bodyguard lets Oliana pass so the ranger stands in between them, though she gives Oliana a watchful glance.
"I will agree to stay with Gastidem," one of the bodyguards volunteers.
The one next to Valador shakes her head. "I don't agree with the plan. Both of you stay here with the visitors. I'll go check out the crypt by myself. It is off-limit for them, after all. So they shouldn't enter it again."
Unless one of you stops the aasimar, she passes Oliana and walks off toward the crypts. The other aasimar stay where they are.
While the bodyguard that did most of the talking is gone an awkward silence ensues. It doesn't take long for the silence to be broken by Gastidem, who hasn't yet given up on his pleas for mercy: "Please let me go! I'll better my life! Please!"
One of the remaining bodyguards walks up to Gastidem and gags the noisy gnome again. When he continues to make unwanted sound the bodyguard raises her open hand. Before the aasimar can slap him, Gastidem stops making noise. He remembers Oliana's slap all too well.
Several minutes pass, during which another awkward silence ensues. "So, uh... they say the weather will be nice this week," one of the bodyguards tries.
More silent minutes pass, but eventually the bodyguard who went to the crypts returns. She passes her fellow bodyguards and Oliana, and resumes her previous position. "Lots of dust, and the lingering presence of undead," she informs her companions, giving the party members a nod, "You were correct about the crypt..."
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Finally... Some progress with these dense people...
Well, I'm glad you finally came around to reason. I'm sorry about how you have to find out about your leader, but we can't afford to waste any more time... I'm fairly certain Dakang is already aware of us and our intentions.
We need to act now. Will you assist us?