Swiftly, Andjela chops down hard at the nearest skull. "Let's not get a-head of ourselves, shall we?" Her bad pun throws off her aim however, the axe slamming down in between two of the now-formed screaming heads, both of which grin up the dhampir smugly.
Seeing the Mosswater Marauder’s spirit rise, Tolvan's hand goes to the haunt siphon on his belt. He quickly moves closer to the spirit and opens it, the spirit of the Marauder not deigning to react at first but as his essence is drawn into the siphon, his mouth opens in a silent bellow, but the spirit skull behind him moves closer, and nestles against his ghostly shoulder. The Mosswater Marauder, weeping opening, hugs the skull to him even as the rest of his spirit is sucked inside the siphon. As the last vestiges of the spirit dwarf enter into it, the color of the siphon changes to an almost florescent green.
Danica slices downward, splitting the screaming head apart in a messy splatter of rotting flesh and bone.
Still hefting the monstrous crossbow, Anna takes aim at one of the floating skulls and sends a bolt its way. But the press of bodies is too much to make the shot accurate enough for a hit. Then she lets the crossbow drop and draws the dagger, holding it at the ready.
Kimberly waits to see how she can best help the others.
The last remaining skull screams a ear-splitting shriek Then the spirit starts to fly upward to gain some distance. Andjela, eager to correct her strike, lashes out quickly with the Loppers Axe and smashes the screaming head from existence --the axe seeming to have an extra little 'umph' in regards to the beheaded.
The horrific pun by Andjela still ringing in her ears, Anna barely registered the shriek emitted by the skull.
Huh. That was pretty good. Two down!
She starts inspecting the office, searching through the bits of mail and weaponry scattered about. She'll also inspect the desk and cots, to see if there's anything hidden.
Kimberly remains in the back still out of sorts from the headache from before. she slowly starts to come back to her senses.
following Anna into the room Kimberly goes to check the remains if there are any to ensure that the spirit is laid to rest.
glancing off to her side she notices the hidden doorway.
what's that? she says pointing toward the hidden doorway.
The room appears as if it was heavily ransacked when the prisoners got free, and before the Mosswater Marauder locked himself in to use this as a private 'lab' before dying of asphyxiation. The hidden alcove which Anna and Kimberly find appears unmolested, if securely locked.
Guess I'd better check to see if there's any more surprises here.
If she doesn't find anything, Anna opens the alcove panel, either by jimmying it or using a key.
Danica notices a cleverly hidden door on the south side of the room, and discovers a keyhole on one side.
"Hey...the dwarf skeleton we just defeated...was it the owner of this hammer." The monk pulls forth the hammer she was charged with keeping.
Anna flinches when Danica presents the hammer. A flash of memory from last night hits her and turns her stomach. Swallowing hard, she composes herself and nods slowly.
Yeah, it was. He wanted... he needed to put together the skull. It was... She presses on her temples and squeezes her eyes shut, trying to force out the sensations and memory.
After a moment, she shakes her head. Right. Secret door. Let's have a look, shall we?
Insightful. Temple training or knack?. Andjela gives a smug "Anna smile".
"How many siphons are available? Mine and Tolvan's are used up."
Not even pausing at the ear-splitting shriek, Tolvan restoppers the haunt siphon. Effective. he notes arching one eye brow at the sickly green color. We should get more of these.
Not completely used up Danica. Tolvan corrects. These are now effective negative energy splash weapons that can damage our living enemies, or perhaps even heal the undead. He risks a quick glance at Andjela.
You seem to have hit a hidden armory, kept here in case of a prison riot as a fallback point, but obviously it didn't help the guards when the fighting started --the attack must have been too sudden and overwhelming.
The alcove itself contains several armor stands, weapon racks, and a wooden chest, all of which still hold dust-caked but perfectly functional suits of armor and weapons, and a few items radiating a magical aura.
In all, there are six suits of gleaming chainmail and six suits of well crafted studded leather armor, four excellent longswords, four excellent heavy maces, two well crafted heavy crossbows, 120 crossbow bolts and a heavy steel shield. Inside the wooden chest is a wand*, 4 potions*, a case of 10 crossbow bolts*, and a 60' rope*.
Iomedae is pleased.
Tolvan casts detect magic and regards the small arsenal. Using Spellcraft he will try to discern the enchantments he founds.
He will also do some appraisals of the armor and arms
Tolvan easily identifies the magic items. The wand contains a dozen charges of Hold Person, the potions are of Cure Moderate Wounds, the 10 bolts are all +1 bolts, and the rope is a rope of climbing.
The armor and weapons are all of masterwork quality, with the exception of the 120 crossbow bolts, which are of standard quality.
As for the haunt siphon, it's energy would heal Andjela and it'd take a K:Religion DC20 to know that due to the specialized nature of the haunt siphon.
EDIT: Please see discussion thread.
While the smaller items are easily carried, there's simply way to much to be carried all at once. The unlocked door on the north side of the hallway remains unexplored, as well as the cells farther to the west --still behind the lowered portcullis.
Tolvan easily identifies the magic items. The wand contains a dozen charges of Hold Person, the potions are of Cure Moderate Wounds, the 10 bolts are all +1 bolts, and the rope is a rope of climbing.
The armor and weapons are all of masterwork quality, with the exception of the 120 crossbow bolts, which are of standard quality.
Anna should carry that rope. Its our way out of here. the wizard comments I don't need any of this gear myself. I could use the wand if no one else wants to carry it, but do not think it will be very handy in the prison. It not that handy to begin with because its much easier to resist a compulsion from a wand that from a competent caster.
When Andjela sees the shield, her eyes light up. Moving to it, she tests its size, weight and balance... making some faux blocks and rolling her shoulder.
Anna stowes her dagger and picks up the crossbow again, cranking it up with a look of annoyance. She selects the ten magic bolts and begins to load on in it.
Magic crossbow plus magic bolts. That's gotta hurt, huh?
Kimberly takes nothing of the treasure
are any of those little glasses filled with magic healing juice?
Done with the shield, Andjela feels the armors... admiring the workmanship. The chainmail is good and strong. Beautiful, but so heavy... This leather though, so fine.
Andjela starts to strip.
As the undresses, Andjela speaks. We're in a dungeon, right? Even upstairs is sort of dungeony. Doesn't look like speed or sprinting is going to matter much. It'll come down to attrition.
Anyone planning on backing down?
The Paladin nearly naked, shivers. For the best. Armored Saints and all... She reaches for a fine suit of chainmail, removing any ancient dust and starts about the business of donning it. When she's done, she quickly polishes the steel shield.
Divesting herself of crossbow, bolts she lightens her load. Placing a small basic helm upon her pretty head and retaking the shield, she's ready encumbered as she may be.
Anna declines the heavier armor. I'll stick with this. It's like the old saying goes, you don't have to outrun the guar-- er, the monster, you just have to outrun the folks you're with.
Danica looks at Anna and offers a slight chuckle.
"I'm ok without the armor...seems restricting to me. I'll pass."
Andjela's eyes narrow. I don't get it. Why would you be running?
Tolvan averts his eyes as Andjela changes into heavier armor. No, I am not backing down. he responds quietly. If everyone is ready, Lets see if we can get this door open over here.
Andjela's eyes narrow. I don't get it. Why would you be running?
You're kidding, right? Running away is a very good strategy. Actually getting away, well,that's the goal.
This place is a bad place in Pharasma's eyes and It is my duty to help move the spirits into the afterlife to be judged and I need all of you to help
kimberly loks up at Anna Please don't run away I need you here with me
going over to Tolvan since he is avoiding looking at the disrobing Paladin. i still have some room in by bag do you wnat me to carry anything?
This guard room is decorated similarly to the others, with a table, a few chairs, and a pair of cots, yet unlike the others, no undead or haunts lurk within. A winch affixed to the western wall raises and lowers the portcullis that allows access deeper to the western tunnel. The winch here can be used to release that lock (a move action) and to raise the portcullis (a full-round action).
Anna squeezes Kimberly's shoulder. I'm not running. Not yet, anyway. But really, it's not a hard concept. If you gotta get away, do it. Bravado might sound great in the bard's tales, but living is a pretty good thing too.
Anna inspects the winch mechanism. Seems pretty straightforward to me. Are we ready?
Andjela doesn't seem pleased. Hmm... What if it closes when we're on the other side? After it's opened, can you disable it?
Anna frowns. Umm, most likely, it's designed to be opened from one side only. Kinda the whole "prison" thing.
She studies the entire contraption, with an eye to keeping it open. I can try to make sure that no one can lower it, once we've winched it up. Let me see what I can come up with.
The paladin inspects the device with Anna. Thanks for looking at it.
I'm not one to jump at shadows, but Tolvan saw someone up... there. Someone who messed with our rope rig. Who is to say they couldn't... You know what I mean. Just being tactical. Andjela shrugs, not knowing if she should keep talking.
As anna goes over the winch mechanizim Kimbery seems to take a seat on the floor humming a little tune. as she does so she galnces toward the North wall.
You remember that little cubby hole in the other room? I wonder if there is one here as well? unless that door there is for somein' else
Kimberly points toward the small door in the wall.
So there is. Well, let's take a look.
If she gets the all clear, she'll sort through the key ring until one opens it.
The wizard looks on. At some point where he is not interrupting Anna's work he points out to Anna that the enchantments oh her crossbow do not mix well with those on the 10 magic bolts and recommends that Anna give all the magic bolts to Kimberly with one of the Masterwork heavy crossbows. Kimberly, you can shoot this if you have to. Tolvan explains. Many clerics choose to carry a crossbow and since you are going on 15 I think you can handle one.
The Paladin waits until the Elf is finished explaining, then asks for a word. Tolvan, if you would please join me. You seem to know much about magicked weaponry. I would appreciate your opinion.
Of course... The wizard, not used to secrets, pause, but complies.
Andjela speaks softly, but not so much that any person trying to listen cannot. Well, dear Elf. It seems I've grown attached to The Lopper's Axe. For all that I want to and have tried, it stays in my hand.
Armor took longer to put on. It's useful for now... But it is... problematic. Yes?
Kimberly takes the large weapon and looks it over she starts to try and cock it having trouble drawing the string to the catch.a couple of times it seems to go off unintentionally.
Kimberly's small frame having trouble adjusting to the larger weapon.
She does not look comfortable with such a weapon but tries her best looking to not disappoint Tolvan
she goes over to Anna while Tolvan is talking to the paladin
I really don't like this weapon, its to big and hard to operate, but I don't want to disappoint Tolvan, what should I do?
she looks at it again do you really want me behind you with this thing loaded?
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Andjela speaks softly, but not so much that any person trying to listen cannot. Well, dear Elf. It seems I've grown attached to The Lopper's Axe. For all that I want to and have tried, it stays in my hand.
Armor took longer to put on. It's useful for now... But it is... problematic. Yes?
Can't put it down? The wizard looks a little concerned but then adds Its the curse of course. That's inconvenient, but as curses go not all that bad, if that's it. I am betting that if we can end all 5 of the major ghosts here that all the curses will end or we will at least find a way to be free of them. Here, let me help you adjust that armor, and let me know if you notice anything else curse like from the weapon.
Anna smiles. Don't worry about it.
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Kimberly takes the large weapon and looks it over she starts to try and cock it having trouble drawing the string to the catch.a couple of times it seems to go off unintentionally.
Kimberly's small frame having trouble adjusting to the larger weapon.
She does not look comfortable with such a weapon but tries her best looking to not disappoint Tolvan
she goes over to Anna while Tolvan is talking to the paladin
** spoiler omitted **
The simple yet direct approach, could we simply destroy it?
I hate to discard it Andjela as it seems such a potent weapon agains many adversaries. And with the Lopper defeated it might be that the curse will not advance further. But if you want rid of it of course I will help if I can. I think we would need a weapon that is harder or more enchanted than it to destroy it. There is a spell called Shatter that might serve, but I do not know it.
Danica sees Kimberly having trouble with the crossbow. The monk then approaches the oracle and begins to help her with the weapon by pulling on the cable that launches the bolt. "This is the hardest part of getting the weapon ready." The monk loads a bolt into the weapon then hands the preloaded crossbow to Kimberly. "here you go Kimberly. Now you can attack from far away....just make sure you don't hit any one of us." After her statement she winks and smiles at the young girl.