Elsa moves up to look at the fallen hulk. She doesn't touch it
That was exciting. You okay, Lanatir? That hit looked rather solid
"No, Elsa, I am most definitely not okay. Do we have other healing resources? Scrolls, potions, or wands?"
Here Elsa hands Lanatir a potion
It won't taste that nice, but it will heal a bit
"Hold - if we have some time I have my medical kit. We can save the potion until afterwards."
Okay good thinking, but that could take a bit, wouldn't it
"I am fine with taking the time to treat this injury. I don't think we are in a huge rush."
Elsa pocks around the room, looking for anything of interest
take 10, 22 result
Elsa finds approximately 100 GP in assorted grave goods and unholy trinkets.
The complex continues to the north where sets of staircase lead both east and west, though the western staircase is blocked by rubble.
Elsa puts the trinkets into a sack
So East is easist. Thoughts?
The party gets healed up before heading down the passage to the east. It opens out to a large room, several braziers crackling with an unearthly, possible magical, fire. At the northern point of it, a large altar to Lamashtu sprawls across a raised platform, the walls around it engraved with images of corpulent beasts spawning vast legions that war against each other.
A figure that looks like a human corpse kneels in front of it, prostrated as if praying.
Desdemona approaches silently... trying to get a closer look.
Elsa moves to one side, quietly.
Curious. Prayer for a dead man. I would have thought he would be beyond that
As Desdemona creeps forward she notices something...odd. The body seems to be swaying slighty of it's own power, almost imperceptibly, but nonetheless noticeably.
Lanatir drinks the potion that Elsa offers.
Lanatir hangs back for now while Desdemona investigates.
Zyrel, still chagrined over his poor performance, takes the time to remove his coat and find a better point to shoot from.
Desdemona taps the figure upon the shoulder lightly. Hey...
uh oh
As Desdemona taps the figure, it turns it's head, empty eye sockets staring with unmistakable hatred at the cleric. It's voice is a hollow rasping thing as it says, "This place is forgotten. Soon you shall join it."
With that, it springs to it's feet and slashes at Des with a bony claw though the nimble cleric is able to dodge!
Elsa's hands flicker and she speaks two words, magicae telum and magic missiles fly at the undead.
Desdemona, don't talk with the dead man. You don't know where he's been Elsa says as three magical darts slam into the creature
Lanatir attempts to identify the creature (rolling Religion on the assumption that is undead, but he has every Knowledge skill - most are +10).
He then moves up in front of Elsa and readies to strike the (presumably undead) creature if it comes within reach.
Zyrel slides right as Lanatir slides left, standing on the stairs above Elsa. In the same motion he draws an arrow and lets fly.
As the devoted rises, turning it's hollow eye upon Desdemona... the girl reaches out with a rapier.
Desna protect us...
As the creature considers or ignores its mistake... Desdemona strikes again, with both blades in rapid succession. The heirloom wrap around her second blade's hilt making it nearly float as it dances.
Desdemona's rapier strikes with deadly precision, followed up by Elsa's magical bolts of force. Zyrel isn't quite able to get a hit in, however.
The creature shrieks in anger before lashing out twice with jagged claws at Des. She's able to dodge both strikes though.
I didn't want to have to advance...
Lanatir reluctantly moves into combat and brings his blade down on the undead.
If at first you don't succeed, try try again
three more near-invisible darts slam into the undead horror
Yes, crypt dweller... stay with me. Desdemona goads the... thing, thankful for Lanatir's positioning.
With a muttered curse in Elven Zyrel gives up drawing a bead through the various pieces of clutter, drops his bow and runs. He skids through dust thick enough to be near frictionless, but keeps his balance as he draws his strange branched spear. Spinning around the far side of the altar he brings the spear up into a guard position.
As the warriors converge on the undead horror, they move in for the kill (or perhaps re-kill) and cut it down from three sides, putting it to rest just as abruptly as it awoke.
Well, he should be bothering anyone anymore... Nice work everyone. Des looks around, both blades still drawn.
With a sigh, Elsa casts detect magic, and examines the body, and the room
Desdemona is fairly certain that this being was some sort of huecuva, undead priests who committed blasphemy against their faith. Given the nature of the demonic faith of Lamashtu though, huecuvas can also arise as a result of the warped piety that demon-worshippers feel, with equal parts hate and love for their demonic masters.
The most obvious thing in this room is the long hallway leading to what once must've been the front door to the shrine. It's blocked with rubble, possibly intentionally collapsed from the inside.
Elsa finds various unholy trinkets, mostly ivory devotional offerings to the Mother of Monsters with 300 GP.
She bags them for now.
So, where next?
Zyrel moves back to his pack, checking carefully that nothing has come loose or spilled.
"You are too kind, Desdemona. I think it obvious my suggested strategy has been suboptimal. Going forward I suggest Lanatir attempt to engage on the front line and allow you the opportunity to flank. I suggest if you or I call 'Flank' and a target, I will switch to melee and attempt to flank with you."
She nods approval of his words.
Just because something didn't work out as intended, does not mean that it wasn't the right thing to do... It must be weird hearing one such as I speak of discipline.
We worked together, that's what matters. Success will come for us, as a team.
and don't start conversations with the undead. It never ends well Elsa says with a grin
The complex has a few more rooms through it. To the north along the hallway is a stoutly made wooden door, it's ancient lock still strong. It could be picked, but it would be difficult.
To the south there's a crumbled section of wall leading into a cave, darkness preventing much vision into it. There's also a door at the far end of the hallway, though a susurrus of whispered babbling can faintly be heard on the other side.
Elsa tries to orient herself. Which way was the more direct route to exit where they wanted to?
Based on the layout of the complex, the locked door seems the most likely to reach the top of the plateau.
Elsa examines the door
This seems to be the straightest line to the plateau
Zyrel produces locksmith tools. "I trained as a locksmith for a few years. Unless someone else feels they have a better chance, I will look for traps, listen at the door, and then attempt to pick the lock."
Zyrel looks around carefully, obviously not trying to look at anyone in particular.