While not horribly thrilled with the notion of sleeping in an old crypt, it does sound like a safe place for Grinley to sleep.
Brunar smiles to Sandy, "Aye, I also can not wait to spend more time with ya. However like ye said, that will have to wait." Brunar gets up and stretches, "Time to get ready to save thee princess and purge more darkness from thee realm." He starts donning his clothing and armor, then packs up his area once Sandy starts her process of getting ready. Once everything is done or if the owner comes walking by, Brunar pays for both Brunar and Sandy. He then looks at Sandy, "Are ye ready to find thee others so we can get started?"
Sandy seems a bit shocked, but excited nonetheless when Brunar makes it clear he expects that she will accompany him and the others back into the Palace of the Vampire Queen
She throws her arms around his neck as he is still strapping on his gear and thanks him profusely, and then it occurs to her that she has not him about her missing companions.
Brunar, I think I should tell you that I was not alone when I first explored the palace only two days ago myself. I was with friends, and we were separated by the fog and a sudden surprise attack by skeletal warriors. I was with Farnahir, you might know him, he is a retired soldier who lived in Cipenny, and a woman, her name is Derdutihilde, a wizard who lives in the wilds west of Cipenny. Derdutihilde had made an agreement with Reverend Drogglespok that if she agreed to help me on my quest, he would give her a scroll that we had had in the church for a long time. A scroll we could not use, but that she was keen to get her hands on. Now I’m afraid I’ve lost them both and I would like to try to find them, alive, but if not at least to bring them out of there before they become servants of the Vampire Queen
Meanwhile…
The morning is alive with activity as the Kobold Warren wakes up and the residents begin their busy (?) days. The group of adventures
Kiril, Kayne, and Flint
Ready themselves to set out for the entrance of the palace of the Vampire Queen one more time, and today they are joined by two newcomers to the quest
Brunar, and Grinley
When everyone is ready, and gathered in the main hall of Loamstone Hollow, the adventurers have a moment to consider whether Gwendolyn and Kristyd will be asked to join them on the quest, or if perhaps they might be talked into going into Cipenny for supplies (anything the party might need plus helping out the Kobolds with their supply list).
Kiril eats breakfast in the main hall, stuffing himself until the party is ready to go.
"Oh, you're coming with us, eh?" Flint says to the two dwarves over breakfast. "Truth be told, our ranks were getting a bit... Thin..." he trails off ominously, arching an eyebrow mischievously but otherwise wearing a grim expression.
After a few more bites of food, he begins telling a story. He tells about how just the other day he had left this very hovel with Kayne, and an elf to meet up with several others already exploring the place. Flint tells of how, one by one, the gnome, the two elves, and even the horned tiefling vanished into the mist without a sound.
He tries to get their skin to prickle as he only has to slightly embellish the story to make it sound spooky, for indeed the cold, vast and fog-filled halls of the palace IS a spooky place. He does this both to haze, and to warn...
"Bandits have moved in, and they're the least of the problems. Clans of goblins buy slaves, and room after room have no occupants beyond the restless dead. They sit, or lie as they died, waiting for warm flesh to enter those rooms once again."
He slams his hands down on the table without warning, trying to make anyone paying attention to his story jump, or flinch. "You sure you boys want to come with?"
Kiril grins fiercely into the (presumably) startled silenced after Flint's story. "At least we'll die entertained with you along. What are those you have now, drums?" Soup drips off his chin.
"Heck yeah!" Flint says enthusiastically, beating a couple low beats from it with his thumb. The small thing hangs off of his belt now, and covers one hip. "Use to play a bit when I was younger. Figured I'd take it back up."
He grins. Soup covers his upper-lip like a mustache.
"And you WON'T die with me along."
With caring emotion, Brunar replies, "Sorry to hear 'bout yer friends Sandy, and I'll help you retrieve them which I pray to Yerina that we'll find them to be healthy and unspoiled."
At the table with Kiril, Flint, and others, Brunar was thinking about Sandy's friends, the Princess, the danger, and everything else except Flint's story. As Flint slams the table, he rudely brings Brunar back to reality indirectly causing Brunar to quickly stand up with his battleaxe at the ready. When he realizes it was only Flint hitting the table, Brunar attempts to play it off, "Aye, I am ready when you are!" Brunar smiles with his now red cheeks.
Kayne only shakes his head at Flint's antics, and he eats his breakfast slowly, keeping his head down in an attempt to keep his face hidden with his scarf down. "Just so long as you don't play too often. Drums are even more likely to draw the attention of monsters than Kiril."
Gwendolyn and Kristyd give each other sideways glances when Flint asks if the two are planning to join the rest of them in heading back to the Palace of the Vampire Queen.
After the two share a few whispers, Gwendolyn says
I suppose we should go with the rest of you, as long as no one objects.
I for one think that the more we have, in numbers, the better our chances of getting in and out all in one piece Sandy says as she sits down next to Brunar
After eating a hearty breakfast, the dwarves bid farewell, once again, to the kobolds of Loamstone hovel, promising to keep their eyes open for any supplies that they might come across in the Palace that the kobolds would be in need of and willing to purchase for a fair price.
The day is bright and cool, and feels even a bit dry.
The march up the mountain trail is easier this time, now that a few of the members of the troop know the way and can advise the others of places where you need to watch your footing.
In about three hours time, just before noon, the party of eight heroes reach the small ledge on the side of the mountain, and the entrance to the Palace of the Vampire Queen
Well, Kristyd says as she readies a crossbow (where did she get that?) What is the plan?
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Kiril goes inside without hesitation.
Brunar winks at Sandy, grabs his battle axe more firmly, and follows Kiril inside also without hesitation.
Kiril shoves hard on one of the large stone doors and it swings inward silently.
He braces himself for the chill, but Kiril is surprised to find that today there is no fog. With the light of day pouring though the open door, Kiril, and others close to him can see a good distance into the Palace of the Vampire Queen.
The space beyond the doors is a twenty foot wide passageway going straight away to the north. Thirty five feet into the Palace, on each side of the passage, to the east and west, is the center of a double stone door, a smaller in size than the main entrance doors, these double doors are each two doors about four feet wide and eight feet tall.
After the two sets of double doors on the east and west walls, the passageway continues on into the darkness of the Palace of the Vampire Queen
Brunar walks in behind Kiril, closely followed by Sandy, Kristyd and Gwendolyn
Now that several have entered, Grinley cautiously approaches the entry.
Flint enters and stays just a bit behind the front row of quickly-acting adventurers. "The plan? Go where we left off and keep kickin' in doors I guess."
He thumbs over at Kayne. "Unless that one has a plan. He'd be the type to spend a lot of time thinking about the details. That guy..." pointing to Kiril in the lead. "... Not so much."
Kiril's deep-throated chuckle echoes in the dark passageways at Flint's comment.
He asks Brunar as he walks, "Killed undead before?"
Brunar looks cheerfully at Kiril, "Not as many as ya undead slayer but me do have wun that I dispatched channelin' Yerina's divine power thru me. However, Me like to kill a few under me axe!"
Kayne's eyes widen, then narrow, at Flint's commentary, but he simply leads Alighieri into the dungeon hall. "Personally, I think the route we've been taken is acceptable, if slow. I'd love to take a more direct path to the lower levels, find more of this place's secrets in less time, but without an overall map, it may be best to strategically search every room. Use a pattern, ensure that we check every room. Nothing left behind."
He pauses and turns to regard Flint and Kiril for a few seconds. "You, ah, you were using a strategy of that kind, yes? I assumed as much."
Kiril chuckles. "Men I've killed. But undead? Only a handful, in here, yesterday. Tough f@~%ers."
Brunar laughs too, "Aye, them things seem to be harder to end a second time around than when they had living flesh on their bones."
Kayne steps forward, ignoring the banter, and looks down the dungeon hall. "How about these doors on the left? Best we search everything, don't you think?"
Gwendolyn steps forward and unrolls a parchment, holding it out for Kayne to see
Last night I made this map, it shows all the areas we have already explored here, but if you think we should check places we have already been that’s okay with me, I put numbers on the rooms and wrote in my journal what was found so if you don’t remember just ask me
"Right, now that the elf lass is dead--anyone good at sniffing out traps or should I just kick it in?" Kiril walks up to the door Kayne indicated and waits for input. He seems relaxed and not worried at all about what could be on the other side.
Flint looks over the map, tapping his drum lightly as he thinks. "Where is our base? Here?" he says, pointing at a random spot of the map. "What about the that kooky guy who sold me magic bottles?"
Brunar nods at Gwen's map skills, "Aye, good map!"
Brunar then turns his attention to Kiril, "Not I. If no one speaks up, bash it in. I'll heal ya ... if I can."
Brunar smiles and then stands back ...
Brunar looks at Flint, "Don't you have a base from yer last stroll in here? "
Kiril kicks the large stone door on the left, and it slowly swings away from him
Beyond is a ten foot wide passageway extending thirty feet to the west where it ends in another pair of doors.
After giving his maul a showy twirl in one hand, he sighs continues onward, grumbling to himself under his breath: "Mostly walking, occasional life and death fights. Just like the f*#$ing war again. Except now the dead get back up and keep fighting. I thought this would be fun."
The Party is approaching Area 1 on Gwendolyn’s map
Kiril strides down the passageway and doesn’t even stop when he comes to the doors, but shoves them both aside as he goes.
When the doors swing open something in the dark moves on Kiril’s right.
"Think somethings creeping around in here in the dark--COME OUT!"
He takes an exploratory swing into the dark where he thought he saw something.
Not feeling anything connect, he goes further into the room to investigate.
"Oh good gods, what's he on about now?" With a shake of his head, Kayne leads his mule in behind Kiril, trying to keep his eyes and ears peeled for danger.
Flint furrows his brow in annoyance as Kiril pushes ahead, having just gotten interested in the map Gwen had made. "Guess you can tell me where all that is later." he says and winks at her. "For now, I guess it's time for me to kick something's teeth it!"
Flint hurries up into the room, hoofing it past Kayne and his mule if possible. "Bring in a light!" he whisper-shouts back out of the room, as he looks around in the darkness.
(8)
Hearing the call for light, Grinley calls forth a flame that erupts from his hand, illuminating the area.
AHH Zombies! Sandy screams as soon as Grinley comes near the room with some light
Looks like the Zombies get the drop on Kiril and Flint
"Ahh!" Zombies!" Flint grins enthusiastically as the light reveals a threat to face.
"Aye, let me at 'em! And you too be careful!" Brunar adjust his axe for skull crushing.
When Grinley enters the chamber with some light, Kiril and Flint find themselves confronted by goblins who have become zombies
Each of the three zombies makes a single slam attack against one of the heroes
Kiril is missed but Flint and Grinley are both hit
Grinley - takes 2 damage
The party can take their round 1 actions now
Ack! Bastard!" Flint yelps as he is smacked by the goblin zombie. Seeing his much weaker comrade, Kiril, fighting his own zombie, Flint tries to encourage this relative newbie to the dungeon (by about 8 hours!) with some bravado and support.
"Hey, beast-person!" Flint shouts. "Kick! It's! Ass!" he says, smacking his drum in time to each sharp word.
He then draws his rapier and assaults his own zombie.