"Okay," Luci said as the group noticed the fly, "don't suppose anyone brought a bow or something, did they?" Regardless, she moved up behind Verim and readied herself in-case it attacked.
Laris takes aim and fires
Heh...well i'm carrying something, but unless it's mandetory it will seem too weird and will raise questions.
"Ugh...this is what i meant :(. Be careful!"
Buzzing angrily and wounded my Laris' arrow, the giant fly attacks the nearest intruder. Verim easily avoids the attacks as Maxwell's well aimed blow crushes the giant bug.
Examining the exterior of the temple, you can tell this place has been abandoned for quite some time, decades perhaps. The only entrance to the building is a sturdy stone door, which appears to be stuck.
With the bug dealt with, Luci took a better look around the place. She didn't exactly have a head for details, but still tried to see if she recognised any of the iconography.
As she processed it, she moved over to the door. "Anyone care to give me a hand with this?" she asked, ready to try and push it open.
Tallina examines the fly, making sure it is natural as opposed to any kind of creation of arcane magic gone wrong.
I know they can grow large, but this is ridiculous
"That ended rather quickly, if someone can get the door open we might be able to search around the back of the structure as well. Who knows what else we might find down here."
Entering the cavern Anevia goes pale and gasps at the sight of the temple before grimacing and leaning against the wall holding her leg.
Sorry about that .... my leg ...
Glaring at Anevia, Horgus snorts in disgust.
This is ridiculous, we are moving way too slowly. Perhaps we would be better off splitting the group, with those of us more capable moving ahead.
At Horgus' word Anevia's face becomes a mask of anger.
You're one to talk you arrogant toad. What kind of man is ashamed of his own faith. Are you really so afraid somebody might find out you love something beside just money?
At Anevia's words Horgus's face turns crimson as he shouts back:
The thief questions my personal affairs? A fine one to talk, does your wife even know what you are?
Verim places his hands in the crevices to assist Luciana as well " I'd not mind giving you a hand or two! Hah! "
He pulls as hard as he can, straining somewhat fro the effort " Y'know.. hurk.. these temples of Torag... HNNNRRR.. Are pretty sturdy... ARRGHH.. even when they are in disrepair..C'MOOONN! " his attention so much on pulling at this point he barely hears the conversation going on near the cave entrance.
"If you wish to go on ahead Horgus, feel free. I for one feel my duty is to the wounded." Laris' eyes flash dangerously.
Luci just gave Verim a sidelong glance at that first remark but let it slide for now as they worked to get the door open.
Mia giggles at the way Laris talks to Horgus.
She softly pulls her by the arm, "I agree", she says with a warm smile.
A stone bench lines the southern wall of this chamber. At the far side of the room, a basin of water sits atop a stone pedestal. A stone door engraved with an image of a hammer stands to the north.
Verim heaves and pulls and when they finally get the blasted stone free he is relieved like no other. Equipping himself once again Verim moves into the structure and looks around to make sure its somewhat safe. " Rather this that listen to another storm cause by the noble. He really doesn't get the situation he's in. But I have to protect hi, he means no harm. "
Verim stands in front of the door and tries to open it as well.
Tallina moves towards the back of the party to assist Anevia with getting up, and to check on Tobongo and the elf while the stronger people attempt to open the door.
"Here you go, pay him no mind, he must be worried about things up top just like the rest of us. Take this for a moment, have some water and catch your breath ma'am. I hope we can find some material to make a proper splint inside this temple, if we can it should help with the pain and help us move a little bit faster."
Turning to Tobongo and the elf Tallina rustles his leaves a bit, and makes sure that the sapling is still doing fine. The elf has also not offered a name yet, which puzzles and worries Tallina.
"I hope he is treating you well sir, I don't believe we have asked but what is your name? Just so it is easier to mention you by name, I'd hate to just keep saying 'elf.' This must seem rude of me, I apologize for being so straight forward."
My name is Aravashnial, I am a a Riftwarden and, much as it pains me, I agree with Gwerm, we need to get back to Kenabres as quickly as possible. I need to help my brothers.
Broken stone benches line this narrow room. The air is cold and stale, and thick layers of dust cover the floor, benches, and a large alter at the end of the room. Seated on one of the benches, facing the alter, is an equally dusty dwarven body.
Verim squints his eyes and shouts out, " I think the coast is clear but it seems like we got a deader inside.. looks like he's been here for a while too. Old dwarf. " He walks inside to give the place a once over before letting the rest in.
As Mia treads the room the bird takes cover under her hair, feeling uneasy.
She strokes the little thing over its back, trying to calm it down.
"Now if you'll excuse me, we have work to do." Laris takes a better look at the cavern/temple, seeing if she can uncover anything useful
As Verim approaches the dwarf, he shudders and stands up, turning to face the party
This place is mine.
While the dwarf appears normal, the stench of decay fills the room.
While Maxwell knew he wasn't the best at understanding the various inner workings of religion, he knew the smell of an undead when he saw it. Sentient undead, however, was something rather new to him, and he called about what little knowledge he had.
Walking forward, he pushes Laris back a bit. "Careful, I'm almost certain we're not dealing with insects anymore..." That said, he didn't ignore the sentience of the undead dwarf. "On what grounds?" he asks, figuring calling attention to his untimely demise was a poor decision.
Having finished caring for Anevia at this time, and Aravashnial, Tallina moves into the temple.
"Tobongo you stay here and protect these folks until I come out."
She enters the temple just in time to hear the voice say mine and Maxwell's response.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire. This cannot be good.
Readying her shield and club, Tallina hopes she will be ready for whatever is in the next room
Verim chuckled darkly " Oh really? What made you figure that out Sir Maxwell? He was dead and now he's.. Not-dead... even I could tell that. Now the pressing matter is.. He right to claim and how we are going to handle that! By the Bulwark pest on the outside pest on the inside! Have at thee! " His shield rose up to threaten the dwarf with his presence.
The dwarf's flesh slowly behind to rot and peel back from his skull, a tortured howl rising from his throat as he lunges at Maxwell.
built by my sweat and blood. Torag would not accept. Mine, forever.......forever mine
" You shall not get past ME! "
Verim reacts, hopefully fast enough.
"Well this should be interesting," Luci commented as she drew her sword.
Tallina steps into the doorway to see Verim toe to toe with the creature. Lowering her club she reaches for the holy symbol on her belt.
I'd rather use what little magic I possess than say I could have used it later on.
The holy symbol glows faintly as Tallina urges the earth to grant Verim it's strength.
Watching as everyone draws their weapons again, Maxwell can't help but sigh aloud as his blood begins to pump again, surprisingly. "Just once, can we meet something in this blasted cave that doesn't want to suddenly kill us?" he says as he readies his weapon. "I've got something that's yours, abomination!"
Lunging at Maxwell, the undead dwarve's claw like fingers rake along Maxwell's armor.
Dwarf
----------------------
Tallina, Maxwell, Tobongo, Verim, Laris, Mia, Luciana
Oh no!
Mia puts her hands together, then reaching out with one like a semi warning to Maxwell.
"Be careful!"
"There are plenty of things in caves that aren't trying to kill us Maxwell. We just seem to be running into everything that does. Verim, you have maybe a minute like that, make it count."
Finishing her spell she moves into the room to strike the creature.
Luci quickly moved forward, slipping past Tallina while hoping that the dwarf didn't take the chance to strike her before bringing her sword down on the undead creature.
Verim nods over to Tallina " Alright then, Let me Get the big boys out to take advantage of that.. but first lets see how bag of bones over here is doing. "
Slamming his shield up against the creature before unstrapping it and preparing for the straps on his Greatsword to come loose.
Verim slams his shield into the dwarf, scoring a solid hit, to no apparent affect.
Laris rushes towards the sound of battle, but can neither close to melee nor get a clear shot. So she begins to sing once again, a song of the atrocities of undead. (+2 Str/Con, +1 Will, -1 AC)