Vug looks at the lift rope skeptically. "Do you think it will take all of us? I don't want to f-f-fall..."
"Svein says it is quite safe so I don't think we need to worry."
"Okay, let's go!"
Vug squeezes on the lift with the others.
Valgrim squeezes on as well and helps with the wheel. If strength check is needed:
Bubba helps with the wheel.
The veins bulging on Valgrim's forehead are not a pretty sight and the platform is creaking ominously as the chain rolls out and you sink downwards, but you manage to descend quite safely.
Slowly you winch yourselves down 200 feet, landing in a large chamber. Three short passages lead out of it, one to the north of the elevator and one to its east and west. Each ends in a marble doorway. The door to the north is marked with the symbol of a polished black shield. A pair of crimson banners flanks the door to the east, each marked with the symbol of a skull with chains attached to its empty sockets. The door to the west is free of all markings. To the south, the chamber opens into a vast domed hall. In stark contrast to the rough mine passages above, this place bears the mark of an expert artisan.
The black, marble tile floor glistens in the light of several glowing torches, while elaborate, carefully worked marble pillars and arches sweep over the chamber. Toward the back of the chamber, opposite the elevator’s door, is a large pool of dark liquid. A stairway carved into the curved wall around the pool ascends to a platform thirty feet above the pool. The chamber’s domed ceiling arches to a height of sixty feet over the pool’s surface.
As the platform comes to rest on the floor you hear a voice exclaiming something in Infernal:
A warrior clad in chain mail, with chainmail masks and tabards sporting the familiar chained skull steps out from behind a pillar. At the same time you hear running steps to the east.
Time to roll for initiatives.
Does the sound of running lead toward or away from us?
Init:
"Did anyone understand what he said? It sounded pretty nasty."
Initiative:
Bubba and Feres go first, then the warriors.
Valgrim looks at Bubba and says, "Get the guy to the east first, if he's running away, he may be going to get more help! Trip him or something!"
"Yep" Bubba chases after the guy running away and tries to wrap his whip around his legs.
Feres offers a quick prayer to Sarenrae and casts Create Water on the ground at the running warrior's feet. The stout priest quickly steps off the elevator in order to clear space for his friends .
The running man easily evades Bubba's whip and Feres's puddle of water. He runs to the door and pounds on it, then turns to face you. The other warrior produces a small object and shrouds himself in darkness, then throws it into your midst, reducing the light of Feres's spell and Vug's torch. Then he draws his greataxe and approaches.
You're up.
Valgrim steps to I11, drawing his waraxe and says, "My friend, this darkness will not help you!" He then swings his weapon 2-handed. "Go help Bubba, I've got this one!"
Vug picks up the item he hurled and puts it in a (light-proof) belt pouch. "That thing looks neat! I think I'll take a look at it later, though."
Then she unsqueezes herself from the lift.
Valgrim cuts down his opponent with one fell blow, while Vug picks up the pebble and stores it. Light returns.
Bubba, Feres, Chisora and Rhiannon to go.
Bubba tosses something small towards the man's feet.
Bubba then moves towards the man.
"I think he's expecting reinforcements."
Bubba, Feres, Chisora and Rhiannon to go.
Chisora races forward to support Bubluka, drawing her bow as she goes. Nocking an arrow, she aims past the Bard and lets fly at the man standing in front of the doorway.
Attack Warrior with Longbow:
Damage:
Chisora's arrow misses. Rhiannon delays.
Knowledge (religion) 10:
Rhiannon brings her crossbow up, and fires at the same target as Chisora
Confirm
Chisora's bolt hits the man in the shoulder, and he lets out a maniacal laugh.
Feres is up, then the villain.
Feres steps up behind Chisora and, touching her on the shoulder, prays to Sarenrae to grant the inquisitor a bit of the Goddess' divine guidance.
The badly wounded warrior tries to flee, but slips on the greasy floor and falls. He manages to clamber up and shrouds himself in darkness, laughing mirthlessly all the time.
You're up.
Regardless Bubba tries to trip the guy when he stands up.
Vug draws one of her javelins and hurls it at the guard.
including PBS:
Valgrim searches the fallen guard for weapons, keys, etc..
Rhiannon is the model of silent efficiency as she reloads and places another bolt next to the first.
Feres touches Rhiannon on the shoulder, praying to Sarenrae to grant the cavalier a bit of the Goddess' divine guidance.
Chisora smiles at the assistance from the Friar as she nocks another arrow and lets fly at the man as he tries in vain to escape.
Attack Warrior with Longbow (guidance):
Damage:
Your concerted effort brings the second guard down.
The guard carries a masterwork greataxe, a composite longbow (with arrows) and some sort of key, as well as 27 gp.
Valgrims picks up the guard's stuff. "Well, we may have lost the element of surprise, so time to face the consequences." With key in hand, Valgrim tries to open the door that the guard was knocking on and draws his other waraxe as the door opens.
The key fits in the door. But do you have some kind of marching order as you enter?
Valgrim, Rhiannon, Bubba, Friar, Vug, and Chisora.
Bubba does indeed dismiss the grease spell.
A dozen suits of armor, ranging from battered leathers to rusted plate, line this chamber’s walls. The bleached white bones of human, dwarf, and orc skeletons contrast with the dark, bloodstained armor. The suits are carefully arranged, as if the dead were preparing to march for war. Each has a mace hooked to its belt, while bells of varying shapes and sizes hang from the armor on long, leather strips.
As you enter the room, eight of the skeletons move to attack, bells jangling. Roll for initiative. (The skeletons go on 22, so if you beat that, you can act before they do.)
"Friar, we need ye!"
"Retreat, let them come to us, one at a time," Vug suggests.