Matthias smiles. "Agreed. Perhaps later, over a glass of wine in the local tavern, we may compare notes and see what history we might uncover."
The monk takes a look around, noticing the strange key and bringing it with her as she regroups with the others. "I have found a key," She informs them. "I am uncertain that we should use it, however. Do you recall the contents of Tsuto's journal?" She asks them. "Nualia was looking to release a demon here. This seems the most logical place to keep one. We may be ill prepared to face such a monster. But we have no reason to do so if it is safely contained."
She holds up the key. "If this is the only key to open it, I suggest we take it, and leave whatever lies there alone. Do you agree, sergeant?"
"If there's a demon this close to Sandpoint and we can deal with it, I say we should do so. Better that than leave it here for another like Nualia to find later."
"So long as we have the key, the door cannot be opened and the demon inside cannot be freed. We may return later when we are better prepared, possess more of an advantage, but I do not think we should open the vault until we are prepared to deal with such a creature." She says. "We could even break the key to prevent it from ever being opened should we deem it necessary."
"What if there is more than one key?"
Thaddeus looks between the two as they discuss what they should do, "You both have valid points, and my opinion is conflicted. If we have the key out here, it is unlikely she used it to enter, so we need not enter to find her. If we keep the key away, or destroy it, we may very well prevent anyone from releasing what lies beyond. Sadly, that does not guarantee that no one else can enter, as there are spells and magic that can be used to bypass portals of many kinds. I agree with Bel'Tanis that if there is a demon beyond we should see to destroying it. Then again, demons come in many forms, and we do not know if we are able to vanquish this particular one with what we have at our disposal. If we were to fail, then we are the ones that released the demon Nualia was attempting to release. I think we should come back to this, maybe after more time. Once we have cleared all else, maybe we can come back to slay this one. I do not think we should destroy the key, however."
Scoria nodded, slipping the key into her pack. "Then it is settled. We should deal with the shadows now," She states, taking the holy water out once more, a vial in each hand.
As they setup before the doors, Thaddeus says a short prayer for protection, "Light of the Sword, please protect your humble servant in destroying these vile beings that have escaped a good death."
As they start in, Midori begins a bardic performance to inspire courage.
Inspire Courage (Su): An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.
Bel'Tanis lets those better equipped to deal with the shadows take point. He stows his shield and doubles up his grip on his scimitar, knowing the shield will do him no good against the shadows' touch.
Thaddeus
Bel'Tanis
Khrondak
Matthias
Midori
Scoria
shadows
After only waiting a few moments in the crypt, the shadows leap from the darkness and attack.
Thaddeus takes command of the situation, mid-combat being the only place he doesn't stop to take opinions "Stay in formation, let them come to us. If they get within or between us it could be worse. Focus all attacks on one at a time, three injured enemies are still more dangerous than two healthy ones."
With orders given, he brings his blade up to bear, gripping it tightly and saying a quick prayer to his goddess, "Empower me that I may smite those deserving of your justice."
Midori will move to where she can get a clean shot and fire at the same one Thaddeus is attacking.
for
The shadows rise up and attack the party.
Thaddeus and Midori both try to strike the shadow engaging Thaddeus. However the shadowy creatures are hard to strike and both Thaddeus and Midori miss.
The shadow's icy grip lands on Khrondak sapping the strength from him.
The shadow is unable to strike Thaddeus.
Stand firm in the face of adversity and you prevail.
The shadow's attack is deflected by the mage armor.
The monk takes her holy water and splashes it on the shadow that attempts to attack her, hoping to damage it swiftly.
Seeing Khrondak hit by their draining effect, he calls out, "If they drain you too much, please disengage, and let Bel'Tanis step-up. You can still harness Gorum's power against them from the second rank."
The shadow's touch freezes Khrondak's bones, but the Shoanti man invokes the power of Gorum to destroy the undead abominations.
Noticing Khrondak's sudden pallid turn, Matthias sends his magic missile against the one that struck Khrondak!
[ooc]Status
Two-handing his scimitar, Bel'Tanis dashes to Khrondak's side and slashes through the shadow's insubstantial form. "To the Boneyard with you!"
HP: 27/27
AC: 16 (11 T / 15 FF)
Resistances: Acid (5), Cold (5), Electricity (5)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +5/+2/+3 (+1 vs fear)
(+2 vs evil descriptor)
daylight uses left: 1/1
Ongoing Effects
1 Str damage
Seeing the shadow that drained Khrondak injured by multiple effects, Thaddeus follows his own orders, and focuses his attack on the same one. If they can get at least one to fall before they get a chance to strike back he will be pleased.
Thaddeus you strike the Shadow with your sword and creature howls in pain. "Ittttt....Stiiiiiigs. Hunnnnngar."
The shadows press on with their attack.
Once the again the cold and shadowing creature puts his grip on Khrondak draining him of his strength.
The creature again misses.
The creature again misses.
Thaddeus calls out again to Khrondak, "Brother Iron-forged, I must insist that you step away from them, I would hate to lose you out of pride. Allow Bel'Tanis to move in and strike them, you can still channel from further back."
Khrondak feels a searing pain run through his body, like a thousand blades thrust into his atrophied muscles. The large Shoanti's muscular body withers before everyone's eyes as the unholy shadow's touch robs him of his strength. A loud 'clang' echoes in the room when the earth breaker falls to the ground, too heavy for the weakened war priest. Khrondak hears Thaddeus voice and deems his strategy valid; he steps back to switch places with Bel'Tanis. "Come forth, my friend!"
Once he is behind the front line, Khrondak cries out to Gorum and strikes against the shadows, emitting a wave of positive energy.
Scoria scowls as the shadows reach out towards their cleric once more. She used another holy water, emptying it out on the shadow attacking her.
As Khrondak falls back, Bel'Tanis dashes forward to take the shoanti's place in the front line. He brings his scimitar to bear in an overhead chop down onto the shadow that had been harrying Iron-Forged.
HP: 27/27
AC: 16 (11 T / 15 FF)
Resistances: Acid (5), Cold (5), Electricity (5)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +5/+2/+3 (+1 vs fear)
(+2 vs evil descriptor)
daylight uses left: 1/1
Ongoing Effects
1 Str damage
Matthias holds forth his pearl, summoning its power to cast another magic missile at the nearest shadow!
Still trying to maintain distance between her and the monsters and retain a line of fire, Midori tries again to shoot the one she fired at before, while continuing her inspire chant.
for
Thaddeus is relieved to see Khrondak take his advice, and allows himself to return to his task of ridding the world of this evil. He focuses his attention on which one looks to be the most injured, hoping to deliver the final blow that will send it to eternal rest.
Midori hits a shadow with an arrow. However the arrow appears not even bother the creature.
Scoria somehow misses pouring holy water on the shadow .
Matthais steps back and casts a Magic Missile at the shadow harassing Khrondak. The creature sheiks in pain and dissolves into an oily black haze.
Khrondak steps back, then channels the might of Gorum and blasts the two remaining shadows with holy power.
Bel'Tanis this takes the place of Khrondak in the line and swings, at the shadow next to him, striking the creature.
You strike creaturefighting Scoria.
Midori, realizing that her arrows are useless against these things, will fall back and give Khrondak a Lesser Restoration potion.
The shadows press their attack. The first attacks Thaddeus.
The shadow barley misses putting its icy grip on Thaddeus.
The other continues to attack Scoria.
Scoria however is not so lucky to avoid the shadow.
As one shadow melts away, Bel'Tanis slashes his blade through another with a second two-handed swing.
HP: 27/27
AC: 16 (11 T / 15 FF)
Resistances: Acid (5), Cold (5), Electricity (5)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +5/+2/+3 (+1 vs fear)
(+2 vs evil descriptor)
daylight uses left: 1/1
Ongoing Effects
1 Str damage
inspire courage (+1/+1)
Matthias feels his ring thrum with the power within and uses its might to cast magic missile once more, aiming at the shadow that is less hurt. damage!
Scoria staggers back slightly from the shadow, feeling slightly weaker all of a sudden. She narrows her eyes, pulling another vial of holy water out of her belt pouch and splashes it once more.
Khrondak takes Midori's potion and chugs it promptly.
He immediately feels his strength coming back, and the armor does not seem to weigh so much anymore. The Shoanti stretches out his arm and notices that his forearm still looks thinner than usual; flames engulf his open hand, and then a blast of fire shoots out of his palm.
Scoria you miss the shadow with your holy water.
Matthias your magic missile strikes the shadow fighting Thaddeus and Bel'Tanis.
The creature hisses in pain as the arcane bolt strikes it.
Khrondak feeling energized strikes the creature with a fire bolt. The creature dissolves into a cloud of ash.
Bel'Tannis you strike the remaining shadow, the creatures howls in pain but is still alive (make that undead).
Thaddeus is relieved to see a second one fade away, he remembers to tell the others as much, "Good job, team. Stay focused on task, we are almost finished here." He swings at the remaining creature.
Thaddeus you strike down the last shadow, the crypt is now free of their foul presence.
Thaddeus is still in his battle mindset, and actually issues commands, despite his regular tendencies "Midori and Khrondak, please see to whoever suffered at their draining touch. Bel'Tanis and I will stand watch for any sign of more. Matthias, could you examine the room for any clues as to who we just defeated? Scoria, if you are ready to go, please scout the side passages we did not explore earlier for threats. Once we are ready, we will be continuing down them."
Matthias nods and moves to examine the crypt for clues.