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Walks chides himself for wasting a valuable scroll, but consoles himself with the fact that they did not have to kill such a beautiful creature. He watches for a while in fascination as it emits sparks, then stirs himself to join the others as they ascend the stairs.
when they pause at the door and fuss with it, Walks calls out helpfully, "Need any help up there?"
As the heroes search the room and the lizard chomps away on the salad -sometimes emitting small sparks of warning before getting a new piece of lettuce- WwG realizes that the creature has almost been tamed by someone as a pet.
Well, at least we're not completely mindless killing machines...right? Dorgan says as the group leaves the lizards to it buffet lunch. And it makes sense to not have an unchecked door behind us... he says as tey check the last door.
Feeling around the jamb and seams, Halle and Dorgan check the door. They don't find any traps, but, seeing that the door opens into the room, the hinges are on the other side. It is a finely crafted and sturdy door. Dorgan puts his hand on the handle and his thumb on the latch and tries to open it. After a couple tugs, he discovers that the door is locked.
You can also go to the eastern landing and climb up the crumbled wall to the next level, if you wish. Or, go up the stairs, of course.
I must have loosened it for you... Dorgan says with a wink and a sly grin. Puffing on his stogie, he opens the door.
There are a couple clicks as Rahu fiddles in the keyhole with his finely crafted thieves' tools, but the lock doesn't disengage.
Thinking that the lock did disengage, Dorgan kicks the door to open it, but ends up stubbing his toe in his boot.
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"You are really determined. Just let the dwarf kick it down if you want so much to go through this particular door. Does anyone have a crowbar or an anytool? Hey, maybe this will help."
Though he has no skills in disable device he does have a flask of acid.
"This stuff will burn through just about anything. Where would you like me to apply it?"
Halle tries to assist Rahu to pick the lock. She sticks a finger in the keyhole while he twists the tumblers.
"This oughta help."
Halle proclaims.
She suddenly yelps in pain and yanks her finger out, discovering she broke a fingernail.
Walks With Giants steps forward with a vial of acid. He pours it into the keyhole as Rahu continues to fiddle with the tumblers. With a small hiss and a puff of acrid smoke, a tumbler falls inside the lock with a barely audible "thunk". The iron-banded wooden door creaks open a centimeter.
That's using your noggin! Good one Walker! Dorgan says as he boldly strides through the door.
Dorgan strides in...
Two stone altars, one black and one white, sit at either end of this large chamber, which takes up two wings of the tower on this level. The crumbling remains of wooden benches sag in front of each altar beneath rotting ceiling tapestries. Carved symbols and writings snake along the walls. The burnt corpses of two troglodytes lie on the floor in the center of the room.
Two humanoid skeletons, wreathed in auras of eternal flame, inhabit this room. Their jaws open in soundless screams as they raise their bony claws and attack.
A flaming skeleton stands near each altar, however, they are quite vigilant, and quickly move to attack. They swipe with fiery bony claws at Dorgan.
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The yellow skeleton strikes true, slashing and burning Dorgan!
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"That looks nasty. Let me help with that."
Walks just drops his spear, which he figures is not going to do much against a creature with so many holes in it already, and flicks (Spring-loaded Wrist Sheath) out a wand. Muttering the activation word he touches Dorgan.
"Step back a bit so you don't have to face them all alone."
Walks reacts quickly, giving Dorgan some fast healing. The infernal aspect gives Dorgan a strange feeling.
You thrice damned pile of bones! I'm gonna chop you into little pieces and make dice out of you! Dorgan spits in anger as he swings at the same skeleton Rahu hit, hoping the combined effort is enough to drop it.
Rahu deftly slides in next to Dorgan and swings his sai at the flaming skeleton. The skeleton dodges the blow.
The flames of the skeleton singes Dorgan's beard and causes his eyes to burn. His eyes water up and he makes a wild swing, missing his target.
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Not really having much of an angle or a way to get in the room, Halle tried to quickly set a bullet to her sling and shoot on the skeleton she have the most angle to.
Team, let's try to spread out a bit... I can come in to help, but right now I don't see a path to do so. - she says, crediting her miss to her broken fingernail.
Halle slings a bullet, but it hits the wall above the door, bounces off, then rolls down the spiral stairs.
Rokhan assess the situation .
Yellow Skelly sidesteps to get in front of Rahu and slashes out with firey claws.
Red steps in and also claws away at Rahu. The skeletons' jaws chatter menacingly.
The yellow skeleton burns and slashes Rahu, but, the red skeleton has no such luck. Rahu slumps to the floor, unconcious.
Walks gives Halle a tap from his wand of infernal healing. Halle, with slight panic showing on her face, waits for an opening to get into the room. Rokhan bathes his companions in fire, however, instead of burning them, it heals their wounds! Laying on the stone floor, Rahu gains consciousness and opens his eyes. He finds himself at the feet of the flaming skeletons.
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Dorgan spits in anger at the skeleton closest to him. He knows getting closer to them in his state could be a bad move, but doesn't help his mood anyHe drops his axe and draws his morningstar. He stands his ground and readies to fend off any attack the undead might make.
I ain't dead yet, you sack of bones! he calls out.
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Halle assumes, one more time, her fey aspect - and then moves in the room, conscious that she'd be targeted by the enemies, but hoping she could avoid by tumbling.
As she stops, she attacks one of the enemies. Her appearance now shows sharped teeth and a sort of tail with a sting. Her hand with the shield becomes clawed, and on the other hand she has her scimitar.
Drawing his morningstar, Dorgan stands his ground at the door.
Rahu somersaults around the yellow skeleton's legs, avoiding an attack.
Halle steps into the room in fey form, tries to tumble past the red skeleton, but the skeleton swipes at her with a fiery claw.
And misses!
Yellow Skeleton steps to block Rahu's crawl towards the black altar. It claws wildly at the prone monk.
But seems to just wave its arms frantically above the monk.
Red Skeleton howls menacingly at Halle, as it, too, attempts to block the woman from entering further into the room. It flails out with its bony and fiery claws.
And gets two good hits on Halle. She slumps to the ground in a pool of blood and severe burns on her skin as her clothing smolders.
Halle bites at the red skeleton's spine, ripping out a vertebrae. Why she would stick her face into a flaming skeleton is anyone's guess...
However, the skeleton begins to crumble apart, then suddenly explodes in a burst of flame!
Rahu goes down again, the searing flames of the skeleton too much for him.
Halle cowers and is able to dodge most of the exploding skeleton.
Rokhan steps into the room and magically throws a glob of acid. It sizzles and pops in the hot flames and eats away at the red skeleton's bones.
I've about had enough of this crap! Dorgan says as he bulls his way to the last skeleton and brings down his weapon with a grunt of exertion.
Dorgan obliterates the skeleton and it explodes in a burst of fire and ash. He quickly shields his face from the blast.
That hurt, you pile of trash! Get back up so I can bash your skull again!Dorgan yells, a bit testily.
Wisps of smoke drift lazily from the remains of the flaming skeletons as the group looks around to get their bearings. Covered in soot, Rahu lays on the floor, still injured after the infernal healing ends
A quick glance around the large chamber reveals some items on each of the altars and carved symbols and writings snaking along the walls.
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Halle scratches herself, tapping to put out the fire. Her instinct is the one to go for Rahu and check if the monk is okay, but then she turns to Walks.
Your help was invaluable, my friend. - she says to the Shaman - Everyone, truthfully! Good job. This was way more dangerous than we bargained for, but it doesn't seem to be over yet!
She looks at Dorgan with admiration, seeing the fighter, like her, also decided to simply put his face on the fire and risk it all. Well, maybe not as literally as she did!
After a minute or so, the fey aspect passes. She still maintains the long fangs and sting, but her image isn't as translucent anymore, and she feel her damage resistance fading.
Anyway, to the work, I guess. - she concludes, then starting to search and examine the chamber.