Andjela speaks softly, as if not wishing to disturb the atmosphere. Peace, Kimberly.. no. In a brutal and cruel place as this had become one could almost imagine them rising up to exact equally horrible revenge.
Danica remains quiet, using her heighted awareness to listen.
Danica spots something and notifies the group.
On the stones around the stairs, deep claw-like marks score the stone, testament to the prisoners futile efforts to escape the flames and smoke. You also spot that the brass name-plates could easily be wiped of soot to see what is written there.
Danica begins to wipe away the soot revealing the writings underneath.
She being to read out loud for her companions to hear.
To the north lies “The Oubliette.”
To the west lies “Reaper’s Hold.”
To the south lies “The Nevermore.”
To the east once stretched “Hell’s Basement.”
The monk looks at everyone. "Well ladies and gentleman...where would you guys like to go?
Anna's stomach sinks with each nameplate revealed. Nothing sounds good, she says flatly. We don't know which of the five were kept where, do we?
I am not one to normally trust a hunch, but for some reason I feel North is our best choice.
Anna looks at Tolvan uncertainly. Oubliette? Isn't that a place for things best left-- she swallows, forgotten?
It only means that this part of the prison is reached from a hatch or trapdoor. The young wizard explains. I like the idea that whatever enemies there are might be secured in a pit and unable to reach us.
Andjela listens to the others as they read and explain. I thought it meant privvy, the kind with the little fountain that tickles yer... Never mind. Could be wrong.
As you consider your options and the best direction to take, something within the bones starts to move... at least you think something inside is moving, until you realize the bones themselves are starting to rise and animate!! Some of them are practically right under your feet! They are unarmored and do not wield any weapons, but their bony, claw-like fingers seem quite capable of causing serious hurt!
Anna
Tolvan
Andjela
Kimberly
Danica
Skeleton1
Skeleton2
Skeleton3
Skeleton4
Skeleton5
Skeleton6
Skeleton7
Skeleton8
**Harrowstone Dungeon**
Anna
Skeleton4
Tolvan
Danica
Skeleton1
Andjela
Kimberly
Skeletons 2,3,5,6,7,8.
Then she'll take a five-foot step to become adjacent to #1.
Danica attacks the closest skeleton.
Tolvan has his bow out. Can he 5' step and/or "shift" (swift) so as to not provoke? with a shot?[/ooc]
Tolvan will 5' step and/or "shift" (swift) so as to not provoke and try again to take down #6. Kimberly, stay close to me/
I was recently reminded, that until you act on combat you are flat-footed. Also, during the Surprise round if they haven't acted, are these skels "prone"?
Anna reacts wordlessly, simply slamming her mace into the skull of the skeleton1 rising at her feet, shattering it into small bits and raising a slight cloud of bone dust into the air.
Danica attacks skeleton5 as she notices it, her sharp sword cutting off several ribs, but not affecting the undead creature very much.
Tolvan, seeing himself pretty well surrounded, steps a few feet to the northwest even as he looses a blunt arrow at one of the undead, but the arrow flies past.
"Dammit!" With a graceful economy of motion, Andjela turns to put the skeleton2 between her and Danica, however Anna has already taken that position, so Andjela just swings away with her elven sword. The vile creature's indefensible position allows the blow to land, but the blade glances off a bone instead of doing maximum damage, the cutting damage dimished much like Danica's weapon was against the boney creatures.
Kimberly cries out in fear as the skeletal beings begin to rise, and calls upon her spiritual power to unleash a wave of damaging enery. The wave of energy rolls out, catching all the skeletons in the room in its wake, skeleton2 and skeleton5 disintegrating before they have a chance to really begin standing up. The others all shiver and quake as if hardly keeping themselves together.
"Andjela! Stop imagining them rising up!" Anna shouts in bitter humor. She swings again at the bones, this time attacking #1. The mindless creature stumbles as it begins rising, accidently dodging the surely destructive mace.
Tolvan, realizing they aren't in a position to strike him while he moves, rushes around the edge of the room to Kimberly, loosing an arrow at Skelton6. It's low profile on the ground makes it too difficult a target, and the shot misses. "Kimberly, stay close to me."
Danica attacks skeleton2 with equal vigor, and lands a precision cut, the blunted damage more than enough to slice the skeleton enough that it ceases its movements.
Skeleton1 starts to rise up to try and claw at Anna's face, but the reformed thief is too quick, and smashes the thing to the ground, this time for good.
Stepping over the clumsy skeleton3 to flank #8 with Tolvan, the Paladin slices at the walking death near the Elf and Kimberly. "Just relax, Wizard... you are not alone... And, YOU! Stay down, hellspawn!" The resistant bones come apart like butter as the Paladin slices the thing to pieces.
Kimberly keeps her wits about her enough to not spontaneously use another channel, and cuts fearfully at skeleton6 before taking a step away to the south to get some distance. To her surprise she does cut the thing, but the hard bone turns aside the blade - only scratching the pale surface.
Skeletons3 starts to rise, mouth gaping open horribly and claws extending towards the Paladin. "Hells!" Andjela curses as the creature starts to attack. Instinctively, the warrior brings her blade smashing down, splitting skull and splintering bone down the creature's rib cage.
Skeleton6 does make it to it's feet, sharp claw-like hands raking down Andjela's armor but failing to find purchase or cause harm.
Skeleton7 makes it to it's feet and swings mindlessly at Tolvan, the wizard hardly needing to move as the strike misses by a mile.
Anna
Tolvan
Danica
Andjela
Kimberly
Skeletons 6,7.
If Tolvan notices anything about the damage done to Andjela from the channel he keeps it to himself, for now. He steps back and fires a third blunt arrow at a now standing skeleton.
Blunt Arrow Damage
The monk lowers her sword and immediate executes a jump roundhouse kick on the closest skeleton.
Pahrasma guide my friend's hand to do your bidding
Kimberly reaches out to touch Tolvan (since he is right next to her) and cast guidance
Anna runs past Andjela and sets herself in a flanking position against Skeleton7 with Danica, but the solid mace isn't swung well enough to damage the skeleton, it's unholy power allowing it to continue on.
If Tolvan notices anything about the damage done to Andjela from the channel he keeps it to himself, for now. He steps back and fires a third blunt arrow at a now standing skeleton. The arrow hit the skeleton in between it's nose hole and upper teeth, blasting through the face and out the other side of the skull. The bones fall in a heap to the ground.
The monk lowers her sword and immediate executes a leaping roundhouse kick on skeleton6, landing by Andjelas side. The kick slams the entire skeleton into the wall of the stairway, and the entire undead menace falls all to pieces from the force of the impact.
The silence is overly loud, as your adrenaline comes back down to normal levels and the clattering of bones ceases to fill the room. As former prisoners of Harrowstone, these skeletons don't carry anything of value. The three new directions lie open, and the way to the east remains quiet except for the trickling of water into the pool through the hole in the ceiling.
Is everyone ok? Was anyone hurt? Tolvan asks, risking a glance at Andjela.
After responses he adds I still think North.
Pick a doom, any doom... Andjela indicates directions.
Those creatures caught us off guard and scattered. How about we adopt a marching order. Andjela and Danica up front. Kimberly and me in the middle and Anna bringing up the back? Anna can advance as needed to check for traps and such.
Andjela takes the lead. Off guard and scattered? Wall to wall bones littering the ground came alive and rose to destroy us... What marching order for that?
The threat was minimal, their attacks feeble at best. We panicked and overreacted. But your... marching order seems fine.
Anna nods at Tolvan's suggestion. Think about this. Three directions, three of the five down here. She pauses, and works her mouth that has suddenly gone dry. Whichever way we go, we'll meet one. Better have those items ready.
Anna fishes out the flute, and tucks it in an easily-accessible pocket, while switching to her crossbow.
i agree with Tol I say North
at Tolvan suggestion about anyone hurt Kimberly glances about to see if anyone looks injured.
Andjela, before continuing turns to Kimberly... and kneels before her. Her hands are empty and open. Though she looks serious, she is not angry...
"The marching order is fine by me. In case we are scattered defensively, Tolvan and Kimberly should remain behind me while the mage armor is active. Anna, flank them whenever you can get a chance."
Danica moves north and takes advantage of one of her birthrights, the ability to look into darkness. She then looks to Andjela.
"You ready for the next dance."
The monk ensures that the mace is attached to her belt and easily available when needed.
Andjela gives a "gimme a sec" look.
Kimberly, I heard that the path of a oracle is seldom easy. As young and as new to it as you are... I can only imagine it doesn't help, right now. But I need you to know something and ask a favor.
Something happened a very long time ago, and as a result generations later, I do not stand in Pharasma's favor. Your... divine gifts will seldom heal me, and your divine wrath could harm me. If it is within your power, please exclude me from your channeling. Perhaps one day, I shall atone for the "sins of the father".
Anna watches the exchange silently, then flicks her eyes toward Tolvan, to watch his reaction.
Tolvan pretends badly not to listen. Hearing Andjela's explanation he nods, confirming his hunch. He does watch to see that Kimberly understands.
The door to this guard is closed tightly, a metal object broken off in the lock. This door looks like it'd need to be forced open.
There is an brittle and rusted portcullis leading into this room. It is raised. Several iron doors line the walls of this large, empty room. In the middle of the room, a hinged ten-foot-square metal grating lies over a dark pit in the floor. A thick rope has been tied to the grating and dangles into the pit below. You can see a lock, long discarded in a corner of the room. The pits mouth is dark and foreboding, your steps echoing wierdly in the small area. The cells which line the walls appear much the same and unremarkable. Each contains a mound of ancient straw, two wooden buckets (one for food, the other for waste), and a tattered blanket. The iron doors for all of these cells hang open, unlocked and opened long ago.
Something comes. There! Tolvan points and will cast Gravity Bow if he can act in the surprise round here.
What?! What's coming? she asks shrilly.
"Tolvan is correct. I hear it as well. Prepare yourselves."
The monk gets her sword ready.
Andjela gives a "gimme a sec" look.
Kimberly, I heard that the path of a oracle is seldom easy. As young and as new to it as you are... I can only imagine it doesn't help, right now. But I need you to know something and ask a favor.
Something happened a very long time ago, and as a result generations later, I do not stand in Pharasma's favor. Your... divine gifts will seldom heal me, and your divine wrath could harm me. If it is within your power, please exclude me from your channeling. Perhaps one day, I shall atone for the "sins of the father".
Kimberly nods indicating she understands but feels sad for her.
she whispers to her I forgive you, if it would help
With a piercing shriek a pale contorted figure bursts from the Oubliette, arms unnaturally long and legs bent and twisted. The grate covering bursts from it's hinges to fly straight up to the ceiling, where it remains pinned by some unholy power. Removed from his lair, the figure turns towards you, a too-wide grin on his skull-like face. A ghostly axe which trails mist or smoke hangs from his elongated arms, and the terrible creature moves with a grace and silence which confirms it's embrace of undeath. Surely you have come face to face with, The Lopper.
Tolvan
Anna
Andjela
Kimberly
Lopper
Danica
Danica rage burns at the sight of the Looper. SHe begins to cut with her sword but feint instead, revealing the flaming fist that she showed once before ready to make contact.