...anyone have some holy water? Cuthberwyn asks. I'd say these poor souls need their final rest. He is willing to gather up the bones and carry them outside for an impromptu burial, but will reluctantly acquiesce if the group disagrees.
At the mention of needing help, Raspar is there with his two little, but strong and well calloused, hands to aid Cuth. He will take off his shield and use it as a tray to carry bones outside, even helping digging a hole grave as needed. It’s labor and its for the good of someone he didn’t know and with no chance of repayment or reciprocation, which made it the best kind of work.
He works with joy for those he does not know because that’s the way it should be.
Cabaguil is surprised at the sudden need for a burial, but he's game. "Ah, sure, if you insist."
He doesn't have any holy water or the like, but he dutifully helps carry the bones outside. "Alak, did the order have a graveyard? We should bury them there if we're to bury them anywhere. No sense in having a handful of unmarked graves just sitting by the side of the road or something."
Kelvin speaks up when it comes time to say a prayer. He closes his eyes and makes a spiral in the air to Pharasma. "Lady of Graves and Mother of Souls, we bury those who were unfortunate in life to meet an unkind end. Receive them for judgment, and be merciful to their wayward ways so that they may receive their final reward," he pauses, then adds, "Thank you, Lady."
Dak again stares long at Alak....
But he pays it no more mind. Rites for a body? Their souls are long gone.
|
Alak seems to dismiss the bodies. "They were unlawful bandits that found their own demise, though if it makes you feel any better we can bury the dead. Though what makes their deaths any more important for burial than everything else that has been killed here?" Alak asks a more philosophical question.
But, he is cut off as most of the group goes to gather the bodies, or what remains of them. As Raspar, Cabaguil and Cuthberwyn each of the bodies animates as they shamble to their feet slowly, surrounding the trio.
Kelvin (24/30)
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (28/28)
Alak
Cuthberwyn (28/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
--------------------------------------
Skeletons
--------------------------------------
Augh! Cuthberwyn shouts in alarm. Trying to put souls to rest is dangerous work!
In desperation, though he knows it to be less effective, he draws his whip and tries to Trip Purple.
"Well, that changes things considerably." Ðakaþos lets a long and elegant string of Elvish curses flow as he races back into the room. Twice he lets his blade fly
for
for
And twice he connects with tremendous force.
Round 1
Action 1: Recall Knowledge
Action 2: Put on Shield
Action 3: Bash
Raspar seems very surprised that the bones he was trying to help, begin to move and probably are thinking about attacking him. He blinks in thought, trying to know if any past sermons have mentioned things like this.
Know (religion)
His hand that had been reaching out for bone to put upon his shield freezes and instead he puts his shield back on, then uses it to bash at a skeleton. If he knows anything about skeletons, he will mention it.
to hit;
damage
[ dice=Starknife]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P/S]1d4+3[/dice] damage
AC: 18 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 7/7/7 + 2 vs. spells/reaction
HP: 28/28
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Critical damage: [ dice]2d4+6+1d6[/dice]
Round: 1
Weapon Equipped: Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: None
Spooky: 10/10hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +8 (T), Spell DC’s 18 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/4) Charm*, Heal, Magic Weapon, Purify Food and Drink
Infusions
Alchemist’s Fire (lesser),
”Ahh, this place is just one wonderful surprise after another!” Cabaguil shouts, somewhat merrily, but in surprise.
He tries to Produce Flame touching the light purple creature in front of him trying to put it back to rest, before bugging out (•>) to give others room to battle.
|
|
Raspar and Cuthberwyn recognize these undead as skeletal guards. Made from bones held together by foul necromancy, skeletons are among the most common types of undead, found haunting old dungeons and forgotten cemeteries. Skeletons are resistant to cold, electricity, fire, piercing and slashing.
Raspar bashes his starknife into the bars of the cell cage. Alak moves into the doorway to see where he can help and he suddenly yells at the dwarves. "GET DOWN!" He draws his blade as a giant bat falls down from it's roost in the rafters right next to them.
Alak's blade slices across the large bat's body, though it thrashes it's wings into the hellknight's face in retaliation.
The pair shield themselves from the beaten wings. Cuthberwyn draws a whip and attempts to trip the skeletal guard in front of him. Unfortunately he gets it all tangled up in his hands.
Cabaguil draws in a bit of flames and tosses them into the cell. The flames burst against the bars sending sparks flinging all over.
Ðakaþos slashes his bastard sword through the small gap in the cell's bars. The elf holds enough force behind the blow to shatter the skeleton in a single strike.
Kelvin (24/30)
-------------------------------------
Giant Bat (-12)
-------------------------------------
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (28/28)
Alak
Cuthberwyn (28/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
--------------------------------------
Skeletons
--------------------------------------
Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Step
"Whoa there! This is a big one!" Kelvin says before he begins swinging his morningstar at the bat.
He then steps to the side of creature and calls out to Dori. "Quick, get opposite it! Distract the thing!"
|
|
Kelvin's morningstar causes the large bat to see stars as it rocks the creature's skull. Dori can't seem to see past the beating wings as he only manages to damage the dusty floor around him.
The skeletons claw at Cuthberwyn and Raspar.
The pair are brutally scratched as the skeletal hands grasp out at their throats.
Kelvin (24/30)
-------------------------------------
Giant Bat (-17)
-------------------------------------
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (5/28)
Alak
Cuthberwyn (23/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
--------------------------------------
Skeletons
--------------------------------------
Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike (Stride?)
Action 3: Stride
Kelvin takes advantage of the distraction from Dori and puts his morningstar to work, looking to brain the thing.
He then hustles into the room. "On my way!"
|
|
Kelvin swings and swings, though this giant bat, weighing more than 100 pounds and with a 15 foot wingspan is much tougher than he thought as the morningstar bounces off of the thick hide.
The bat bites and swats it's heavy wings down at Alak as Dori leaves its presence.
Alak feels the fangs enter his arm. "Ah! Damn devil flap-flap."
Kelvin (24/30)
-------------------------------------
Giant Bat (-17)
-------------------------------------
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (5/28)
Alak (-6)
Cuthberwyn (23/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
--------------------------------------
Skeletons
--------------------------------------
Ðakaþos's swearing reaches a new height of complexity. He slides up behind
Cuthberwyn. "Watch your head!"
The bastard sword comes crashing down.
for
He then throws a shield spell up.
Round 2
Action 1: Careful Step
Action 2: Strike/smash
Action 3: Block
Raspar suddenly finds many more claws reaching for his neck, scraping and removing part of his flesh than he was expecting. He smiles about it, though, blood seeping from many of his limbs.
I bleed for you.
This was good blood, given as a gift and in service to the party. He does not mind it. He does not want too much more, but he bleeds some, earnestly earned. And that is good.
He moves slightly so fewer claws may get him, then bashes at light blue. Then readies his shield for to counter an attacking claw.
to hit;
damage
He shimmers quickly, and some of his wounds heal, a payment in return for his blood.
[ dice=Starknife]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P/S]1d4+3[/dice] damage
AC: 19 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 7/7/7 + 2 vs. spells/reaction
HP: 11/28
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Critical damage: [ dice]2d4+6+1d6[/dice]
Round: 2
Weapon Equipped: Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: None
Spooky: 10/10hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +8 (T), Spell DC’s 18 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/4) Charm*, Heal, Magic Weapon, Purify Food and Drink
Infusions
Alchemist’s Fire (lesser),
Unable to help much with the skeletons, particularly as he can’t really even see them in the cells, he shifts to the bat (•>), and launches a bit of flame at it through cover.
(cover)
Cuthberwyn watches his head as Dak gives a resounding blow.
He wants to follow Cabaguil's lead...but he is unwilling to leave Raspar to the claws of the skeletons. He tries to trip the one between he and the halfling, then sidles up to it after to try and make it flat-footed to Raspar as well.
|
|
Raspar's starknife blocks a clawed hand as Alak swipes at the flying rat again.
Alak cuts through the bat's ear and face. It screeches in his face loudly and pummels him with it's wings for hurting it.
Back in the cells Cuthberwyn unravels his whip and gives it another go. The whip wraps around the skeleton tight. Giving it a good tug the skeleton slams against the cell and falls prone.
The skeleton shatters against the cells bars. Cabaguil tosses a bit of flames past Alak. The ball of fire snaps across the bat's coarse fur, igniting it in an instant. With one last screech it falls to the ground, burning the remainder of its life away.
Ðakaþos slashes through another cell, breaking another skeleton apart.
Kelvin (24/30)
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (11/28)
Alak (-15)
Cuthberwyn (23/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
--------------------------------------
Skeletons
--------------------------------------
Dori pumps his fist over the burning bat-corpse. The sounds of battle in the other room snaps him back to reality. He dashes to the eastern room. Upon seeing the traffic in the room, he looks about for any other corpses complete enough to rise and add to the enemy.
|
|
Dori scans the room and doesn't notice any other corpses that might rise in the room. The undead skeletons lurch out at Cuthberwyn. They jagged bones scratch and scrap him as they claw his face, arms and chest.
Kelvin (24/30)
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (11/28)
Alak (-15)
Cuthberwyn (6/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
--------------------------------------
Skeletons
--------------------------------------
Round 2
Action 1: Shield strike
Action 2: Shield strike
Action 3: Block
Raspar, worried for Cuth, tries to bash is way to help his friend.
to hit;
damage
And again.
to hit;
damage
And then readies a block.
[ dice=Starknife]1d20+7[/dice] to hit;
[ dice=P/S]1d4+3[/dice] damage
AC: 19 +2 with shield action.
Fort/Ref/Will: 7/7/7 + 2 vs. spells/reaction
HP: 11/28
Focus: 1/3
Hero Points: 1
Speed: 25'
Critical damage: [ dice]2d4+6+1d6[/dice]
Round: 3
Weapon Equipped: Lesser flask of bottled lightning
Conditions: None
Spooky: 10/10hp, Fast Movement, Life Link
Spells Spell attack +8 (T), Spell DC’s 18 (T)
Bloodline Focus: Diabolic Edict* (Focus Points: 1/1)
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Light, Prestidigitation, Produce Flame*, Read Aura
First Level: (3/4) Charm*, Heal, Magic Weapon, Purify Food and Drink
Infusions
Alchemist’s Fire (lesser),
Pleased he could help with the bat, but still unable to do much to the skeletons in their cells, he calls out, ”You’ve got this, right? Fall back if you need healing!”
He keeps his eyes open, and delays for now.
"Cuth, get out of there. Now!"
Trying to slide his blade through an opening, Dak does his best to harry the skeletons
for
for
for
|
|
Alak moves into the room and sees that there is little to no room to get past. He slides into one of the cells. He stabs his greatsword through the bars.
He stabs one right through the skull, tearing its head free from it's spine. Raspar tries to bash his way through to freedom but skeletal claws grasp either side of his shield, holding it back.
Ðakaþos misses his first strike, but was determined enough not to miss again as his blade shatters the bones of another.
Kelvin (24/30)
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (11/28)
Alak (-15)
Cuthberwyn (6/28)
Cabaguil (22/22) (Delayed)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
--------------------------------------
Skeletons
--------------------------------------
Action 1: Stride
Action 2: Tumble Through
Action 3: Strike
Kelvin hustles forward, weaving his way through the melee eager to put his morningstar to use. As he nears the skeleton he attempts to tumble through to a cell...
Following up the smooth roll he swings with fury.
Cuthberwyn, desperately flourishing his whip while desperately hoping he won't need to use it. The gnome gratefully nods to Dak as his blade shatters one skeleton, then watches just as gratefully as Kelvin finishes the last one.
I owe you lot my life, Cuth says. Many thanks! He hurries over to take a look at Raspar.
"Aye, you do," Kelvin says, cracking a smile and slapping Cuthberwyn's shoulder amicably. "But don't worry, nobody is counting!"
He then looks over to Raspar. Although he's still got a few scratches the halfling looks much worse. "You okay there? I don't think you had a fair exchange with those skeletons. Maybe someone can take a look at you while I scan those lockers."
And with a turn to Alak, he says, somewhat forcefully, "And that is why you bury the dead. It's respectful, but it also helps keep them from attacking the living."
He then deals with the storage lockers.
”Well done, well done! A giant bat and the walking dead, and we beat them both back!” He moves easily up to the wounded, and begs Dori to bring his healer’s kit. He does what he can for poor Cuthberwyn even as he works on Raspar.
vs DC 15 (likely)
”Oof, sorry about that, the bandage keeps coming loose. Let me see if I can try again.”
vs DC 15 (likely)
After 20 minutes of work he sits back and admires his handiwork. "Wasn't sure I was going to be able to help you there for a moment. This stuff is trickier than it looks!"
He turns to see what Kelvin might have found while he was busy.
Raspar exhales, still rattled from being attacked by the very skeletons they were about to lay to rest. They were just trying to help.
He wonders if Alak knows more about them than he let on — these poor souls must have suffered a terrible fate — but it's a moot point now. Time to regroup and move on.
"Cuth, are you all right?!" he exclaims, finally catching sight again of his bloodied friend. "Caba! Can you help Cuth?" Raspar offers his arm to guide Cuth to Caba's healing, waiting on his own ministrations if the group has time."[/b]
In service to Cuth, he will stand by and aid Caba in helping Cuth, his gnome fren, spending at least 10 minutes in service of another.
If we have another 10 minutes, Raspar also needs some healing.
for
|
|
Kelvin kicks one of the piles of bone to the side with his boot as he sets to work on the lockers. With a satisfying click the lockers open. Inside are a number of bludgeoning weapons used against devils:
Cabaguil and Cuthberwyn start a triage train as they line up on Raspar, wrapping what they can to stop the bleeding at least.
Kelvin (24/30)
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (21/28)
Alak (-15)
Cuthberwyn (21/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Dak passes over the elixir, offering it up to someone more skilled in Alchemy and picks up the scroll.
"Interesting. I've been hoping to learn this spell and add it to my spell book, though it's a bit complex for me now. Anyone mind?"
Kelvin picks up the silver morningstar, testing its heft and eying the weapon's craftsmanship. "This'll do nicely, I think. A bit fancy, but I like it anyhow."
With all the time available Kelvin uses it bury the dead and say a prayer to Pharasma.
"You okay there? I don't think you had a fair exchange with those skeletons."
Raspar smiles at Kelvin, pleased at the thoughtful question.
"It is okay. I will bleed for you," Raspar replies, contented with an ardor not fully expressed in words. "I bleed freely because I am free, you see?"
He moves to take Cabaguil/Cuth's ministrations, while doing what he can to help.
Raspar, feeling much better already, excitedly watches as Kelvin opens the lockers and retrieves a cache of goodies. His eyes grow large with amazement.
"Oh, well done, dwarf, well done!" he exclaims with genuine enthusiasm. "When did you learn this most useful skill?"
Then his eyes fall on the tiny stone statue: "What a pretty cat.. may I have a closer look please?"
Unless there are any objections, he gently picks up the delicate looking carving, and carefully runs his index finger along it, as if to polish the stone. He does not have many nice things, but this is a nice thing that he might have. Might.
"Ah interesting. This small cat of jade can give you, for a short while, the balance of a cat, and the ability to take a fall without too much hurt. I wouldn't put it to an extreme test though."
Raspar will heal himself again (+6 hp) before working on burying the bones (regaining focus), and waiting patiently as others say nice works for the fallen, risen, then fallen again.
When that is done, he will move to the next door. He will open it when others are ready.
Cuthberwyn follows along behind Raspar, making sure the bandages are on correctly.
Cabaguil eyes the elixirs, "I can probably figure out what those are in time, maybe tonight. I see no rush to figure it out now, let's move on."
He moves up to the doorway as well, flask of bottled lightning in hand.
|
|
Rows of desks here are bolted to the floor, though many of the cramped work spaces have been smashed to pieces or otherwise defaced. Wooden chairs have been thrown aside like discarded playthings.
The door further southeast hangs open and Alak peeks his head in. This wrecked room holds toppled shelves and filing cabinets. Its southwestern wall has entirely collapsed, revealing the verdant weeds and undergrowth outside.
Owing to its exposure to the elements, most of the surfaces of this room are covered in moss and vines, including snarls of wild blackberries. Along the room’s southeastern wall is what looks like a mound of meat or dirt. Alak kneels down to examine the mound and quickly rises to his feet. "That's not dirt." His face grows sour. "That's a body. Badly decomposed. He's definitely not giving this a 5 star rating and it looks some something has been nibbling on it." The flesh has sustained obvious small bite marks all over it.
Kelvin (24/30)
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (28/28)
Alak (-15)
Cuthberwyn (21/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Cabaguil looks into the room before entering.
Seeing nothing to concern him, he strides right in and has a closer look around. He'll check out the deceased, trying to find out how he died. He figures it'll have to be obvious after this much decay, but he tries to puzzle it out none the less.
Likely clueless, he shrugs his shoulders, "We should bury this one too I suppose. Can it wait until we're done? We might find more in the secret passages, and stopping in town for a shovel wouldn't hurt either."
He looks around and smiles, "Oh, hey, that's it. OK then, that took less time than I thought it would. Everyone up for going into the tunnel? No need to wait I shouldn't think."
He starts walking toward the entrance.
Almost as if he's not paying attention to it, Dak looks over and grabs the chain . His eyes turn to the corpse, or what's left of it. "What happened?"
Raspar moves in, looking around as others do, but Dak is quicker with the eye than he. He doesn't mind that, he just likes having new friends for which to make sacrifices.
Agreeing with Cabaguil, he's ready to attend to the tunnel. He has his shield donned, but one hand free. But that free hand is gently stroking his new toy, the jade cat.
It's a good cat.
When others are ready, he will lead the way down into the goblinhome. He does not have light, but trusts that others do.
|
|
Cabaguil looks over the badly decomposed pile of body and is unable to tell the exact nature of how the human perished. "Been here a long time with the weather beaten down on them." Alak says as he helps free the body. It pulls away in pieces as most of the body separates in sections from being left too long in rough conditions. As Cabaguil mentions burying them later he seems pleased by that and wipes his hands on the wall. "Fine by me. Don't need that rising up on us later."
Headong out of the keep to the secret entrance to the only remaining stairwell leading down into the lower level. Pushing the door open it appears to be pitch dark inside. "Any of you happen to have a light?" Alak smiles.
Those of you with darkvision are able to see clearly enough. The secret door to the west opens to a short hallway that leads to a second secret door that is seen clearly enough from this side of the tunnel.
This wide, empty stone hallway is oppressive and dark. To the east, the hall ends at three separate open doorways, while six additional corridors branch off to the north and south. A mass of rubble spills out of a clogged archway in the northeastern portion of the room.
Kelvin (24/30)
Dori (36/36)
Raspar (27/28)
Alak (-15)
Cuthberwyn (21/28)
Cabaguil (22/22)
Ðakaþos (28/28)
Dak will light a torch "Secret doors mean greater dangers. We must be very careful. I'll occasionally put the torch down. I can see well enough with even a small amount of light."