Jaru can attempt a will save, as can Simeon, as a full round action.
I'll bot if need be.
Alternatively Jaru (edited) can use a re-roll or have a re-roll at + 4 (for the multiple posts)
"Gah!" Simeon exclaims as the skeleton's bony hands cut through his cloak and into his pale trembling flesh.
Beginning to draw his staff back to push the undead creature away, the piping was muted by Nalun's own more cheery dirge, but nonetheless, a nameless fear gripped Simeons soul. Nay, not nameless, it was the Piper himself, Simeon could see him...
Though his thoughts seethed with loathing and anger at the apparition, the fear that gripped him was stronger than Simeon's own iron will, freezing him to the spot as the skeleton came at him again.
Thankfully, the claws only tugged at his clothing, doing no damage.
Railing in his own head, "Damn you to Hell, Piper! Release me!"
Simeon fought aginst the supernatural bonds holding his heart and body immobile.
Will, Save
So thats Elidal, Emmet, Narun, Baddies, Simeon and Jaru.
Skeleton saves
More skeletons now drop.
Only one remains outside the cell.
With the burst of energy the piping stops replaced briefly by a thready fading wail.
End of round.
New round
Elidal N/A
Nalun
Emmett
---
Skeleton
Haunt
---
Jaru
Emmett
"Jaru! You saved us!" says Emmett with a smile as more skeletons crumble left and right. Quickly, he pivots to his right as his hands slide and shift on his ranseur's haft, sending its head hurling towards the skeleton's skull.
Emmetts blow destroys the last one.
Elidal N/A
Nalun
Emmett - combat
---
Skeleton
Haunt
---
Jaru
Simeon
Nalun continues playing his lyre, and hopes that the Good Father and the Old Man can protect him.
Feeling the bile rising in this throat as the Pipers spell begins to take hold, Jaru reaches deep for his faith and Pharasma's mercy to shake off the effect. Channeling forth another great blast of positive force, he grunts in wonder as the bones crumble and the Piper's song wavers.
"Quick, Simeon. Bring the haunt siphons. The Piper weakens!"
Emmett and Simeon both have the same phenomenon happen on their rounds. Dozens of bleeding holes open up on their exposed skin!
damage.
Elidal writhes still being crushed by the ghostly chains.
Jaru moves back to the others and is astonished to find Elidal bound and Simeon and Emmett covered in bleeding wounds. "The siphons, Simeon. I have little else to use against these disembodies presences!"
All skeletons are down.
Jaru's channelled energy washes over the scene.
Emmett slaps frantically at his body as bloody holes appear, then he calms down and laughs nervously: "I- I'm okay..."
I'm ok...
He closes his eyes as Pharasma's healing energy washes over him, letting this small moment of peace be savoured.
I'm ok...
Shaking off the remains of the fear that held him still, Simeon face splits in to a sneer as Jaru's holy might disintegrates the unnatural foes.
Jaru's cries to use a siphon jars Simeon into action.
Drawing an unused siphon from his pouch, Simeon yelps as the phantom stirges puncture and suck on his flesh. After jumping around for a moment, he realizes that the creatures were not real, but the wounds certainly were.
Breathing hard, Simeon peers around, trying to discern where the piper truly lay.
"Where is our dead musician? Does anyone see it?" he asks
Perception
The pipping sounds have ceased.
"Where is our dead musician? Does anyone see it?" he asks
Simeon gazes about, seeing that the remaining skeletons had been laid to rest by Jaru's holy blessing.
Out of the corner of his eye he sees Elidal lying supine on the floor, covered by the glowing chains and holy symbols.
Face contorted with anger he strides forward , siphon extended, "Begone, foul spirit!"
positive energy damage.
The spectral trap flares and with a scream a small mote of malignant light is drawn into the glass cylinder.
Elidal opens her eyes but looks lost and confused.
Jaru kneels at Elidal's side checking her health.
He lets out a held breath. "We have the Charlatan anyway. His soul would likely have been spurned by every immortal, but at least it will not feed the lower planes either."
Jaru frowns. "I didn't see what happened, but you were bound in ghostly chains and apparently a victim of the Charlatan."
"We- We have him..? Really? It worked?" asks Emmett, panting from the fight, but otherwise mostly unharmed, except for the numerous bleeding small holes covering his body.
It can be done... Hope! he thinks as relief seems to wash over him. He looks at Simeon: "These? These did the trick? How can that be!?"
Simeon frowns down at Elidal , "Back here? What are you talking about?"
Emmett's exclamation inturrupts however and Simeon looks to the aged warrior, "Trick? No trick. These siphons trap the entity's energy and sap it of the ability to manifest itself, that is if it's able to disturb the ectoplasmic pattern. "
Seeing the older man's eyes begin to glaze over, Simeon sighs and say "Open in the presense of the entity, chances are it will be destroyed. Then the energy within can be used by smashing the siphon in the presence of other undead, causing a small amount of disturbance to their unnatural animation."
He offers Emmett one of the un-used siphons as well as the used one in his hand already.
Nalun listens, fascinated by Adjunct Professor Plavini's mini-lecture on the nature of haunts and their destruction.
So, the very soul of the Charlatan lay inside that vial? Or at least what soul remained here in the Mortal plane?
"This is some kind of... miracle!?"
Father Toth chuckles. "An act of the Gods certainly, but not a miracle. As for what part of the Charlatan's essence lies within the vial, I cannot say. I am not so studied in such maters as perhaps Simeon."
He rises and helps Elidal to her feet. Dusting off his black robes, he looks around. "I still have my spells left if we would like to finish inspecting the upper story. Two lost souls captured or dismissed isn't bad though if we wish to withdraw for the day."
Elidal is free to recount her experience as you carefully explore the floor finding skeletons in many of the unopened cells. With care their clawing arms are easily avoided.
To the east you find a kitchen. It is nothing extraordinary with its wooden implements and rusting knives and cleaver. You find a privy to the north.
The guards observation area yields to Emmetts lock picks and opens into a room that is empty and whose flooring looks very unstable, some of the wall and floor fallen away.
What is left is a pair of unopened door near the privy, both could be opened with effort if Emmett wishes and the open stone wall that leads to the balcony... looking out of the wall carefully you can see some plants and ivy that have grown over something near the edge.
You'd imagine one of the doors next the privy leads outside to its balcony... the other? Thats not certain.
Emmett shrugs at Jaru's answer: "If you ask me, an act of the Gods is a miracle... But that's just me..." he offers as he takes a closer look around, especially at the vines.
+2 vs undead.
Jaru just smiles knowingly and assists Emmett with his inspection.
Nalun is definitely not going first...he lets the Old Man or the Tough girl go first.
So, the very soul of the Charlatan lay inside that vial? Or at least what soul remained here in the Mortal plane?
Simeon purses his lips, pondering Nalun's question "In my opinion, the soul has departed for the Lady's judgement, what we are dealing with are imprints or fragments of the wretch's last moments, a portrait if you will of thier innermost thoughts as they died. In these cases, all we get are hatred and evil. Or in the case of Vesoriana, sadness and regret. "
"You mean that I was here all along? None of what I experienced was real?"
"I would document what you experenced, Elidal. But perhaps now is not a convenient time....later back at the manor, perhaps." Simeon says to Elidal, interest obvious on his face.
As they explore, Simeon as well allows Emmett and Elidal advance...
"Well, I sure hope She gets him good. He deserves to hurt for all he's done. Are you telling me they avoid that when they stay here and haunt us?! They avoid their fate?"
Jaru chuckles at Emmett's speculations. "I am surprised that you have not joined the clergy, Emmett. I think you would make a better theologian than myself. No one escapes their fate. Perhaps it is their fate to be stuck here replaying the same final sad scenes of their last moments? I think Simeon may be right though. I have not study much beyond the basic liturgy, my training was focused more on healing and child birth initially anyway. I do know that in my land however, it is believed that the soul has several parts. I suppose each may meet a different fates."
The idea that souls have multiple parts is new to Nalun. I would very much like to speak with you about this theory Father Toth. When the timing is more convenient of course...
Nalun takes out his notepad, which is now slightly battered from his earlier jostling. Note: Remember to speak with Father Toth RE:Souls with parts. Also, Souls staying behind as disquieted dead versus the Boneyard. Fate?
Emmett eases his way onto the balcony... It seems study enough and beckons through to Jaru who said he would follow.
At the far edge the patch of vines is ornamented with beautiful crimson and violet flowers, the petals of which seem to bear tiny faces. The smell wafts across the pair as they approach, delightful to inhale.
Emmett can see the ivy has grown over a small figure, a corpse now with some withered flesh clinging to an exposed arm... The figure seems to wear a pack.
"An ill favored plant," Jaru grimaces. "I have alchemists fire left. Perhaps we should burn it away so it can join the stinking pyre of death that infests this ruin."
Nalun, impressed by the good Father's turn of phrase, jots down Stinking Pyre of Death .
Good idea Father Toth, I once heard of a plantlike substance so infused with otherworldly energies...
Its a rare plant called an 'Xtabay', known for using its pollen to put animals and such into a deep sleep then slowly feeding on them. The plant has the means to move slowly.