1d6+1; [5,1] = (6)
1d6+1; [1,1] = (2)
1d6+1; [4,1] = (5)
1d6+1; [1,1] = (2)
1d6+1; [3,1] = (4)
1d6+1; [3,1] = (4)
Paper feels the tines of the cyclop's fork pass through his torso and rip back out again as the force of the blow hurls him backwards in a spary of his own blood.
He thinks briefly as his vision dims.
Just as the last few rays of the sunlit world darken in his vision, Paper feels a surge of strength pulling his shade back into his mangled body. He lets out a soft groan and looks at wonder as the mortal wounds he suffered knit together with amazing speed.
"By Zeus' hairy coinpurse!" he exclaims
The sounds of the battle return to his ears as Paper once again attacks the undead godling Aiolos.
Still reeling from his brush with death, Paper swings drunkenly.
Hrothgar
Rufinus
Modius
Cyclops
Isat.
Rufinus is still chest deep in the water. He swings again at the watermelon sized head.
The blow connects solidly.
Hrothgar and Modius are next.
It has taken 111 points of damage, and healed twenty.
Modius keeps stepping around behind, into the water if necessary.
Short sword, damage, sneak: (1d20+5=17 (+2=19), 1d6=5, 1d6=1)
He keeps slashing, aiming below the ribs.
Hrothgar is on the side that was a shield arm. He puts his strength behind a savage sweep of his ancestral axe.
It hits, spattering watery blood as far as the pillars.
Modius is behind the creature. Isat and the wizards are weaving around the edges of the battle with the torches to provide light.
Hrothgar is at the left arm of the creature.
1-2 on d8
Paper is on the right.
3-5 on d8 (Paper is a preferred target, as the challenger)
Rufinus is straight ahead of it.
6-8 on d8
The trident slams into Hrothgar with breakneck speed and great power, but he jumps back with the force of the blow, and his armour keeps the blow outside. The armour is dented, but intact, and he takes no damage from the blow.
Isat blasts the area again, this time, the after images seem to fade quicker, as he learns more control. This blast is holy, but not as radiant. Six points of healing. Modius is outside the area, by virtue of being behind the creature.
The creature is in water. It heals a further ten points. It is on one hundred and seventeen damage dealt.
"Try and lure him out of the water Paper. You're the challenger. He may have to follow you."
Isat darts round the edges of the fight, concentrating on controlling his powers.
Tal
Paper
Hrothgar
Rufinus
Modius
Cyclops
Paper looks to the undead giant, trying to figure a way to lure it from its watery rest.
Paper darts in, jabbing his gladius at the weakened legs of Aiolos. He cries out to the cyclops.
"Sulk in the water if that pleases you dead one! I had thought more of you, but since you never planned to keep your word I will see you dragged to Hades, there to eat dust and dress in grey rags at the feet of Pluto for all eternity!"
Paper tries to back up, while keeping on the defensive, hoping to goad the cyclops out of the water.
As the creature turns toward Paper, Modius stumbles deep into the water and sinks his gladius into the monster's spine. He spits a mouthful of the brine and gags.
Short sword, damage, sneak: (1d20+5=25 (27 flank), 1d6=1, 1d6=5)
Rufinus now has only his head and shoulders above the red, foul, water.
He looks exhausted from his earlier rage. Modius is pushing the creature deeper into the water, which threatens his footing.
He strikes again, but whips his hammer in a circle first.
1d20+5=19, 1d12+5=6 It is a hit, but a weak hit.
Hrothgar the Red plants his feet firmly, and strikes straight down with his axe.
The creature has taken another 27 damage. It seems close to destruction Parts of its golden armour are twisted and ruined. Its thin blood pours from the holes and gashes you brave warriors have inflicted. One of its legs is useless, forcing it to prop itself against the wall of the pool. Modius has just stabbed deep into its back.
It hears Paper's taunt, and bellows back: "YOU ARE IN HADES, FOOL!"
Paper has moved back out of reach. The only targets in sight are Rufinus and Hrothgar. Modius is safely behind it.
Rufinus has bad footing, and thus, no dex bonus on AC, Hrothgar is on the side, and shook off a previous blow.
1-5 Rufinus.
6-8 Hrothgar.
This time, the undead monstrosity does not use power attack, and places the blow on Hrothgar's legs. Seventeen damage. Hrothgar may not take move actions until healed, as his legs have been broken, and impaled. The force of the blow moves him backwards, and out of reach. Hrothgar can elect to crawl forward, as a five foot step, if he wishes to strike at the creature again. Hrothgar is at 0 hit points again. Isat is about to let loose radiant energy.
Aiolos heals ten points of damage, through contact with the water.
Isat controls too well. There is a glow like moonlight. 2 points of healing.
Despite healing, the creature has taken 130 points of damage. Another twenty will finish it.
Paper.
Modius.
Rufinus.
Cyclops.
Isat and the wizards.
Hrothgar. (Hrothgar has slid in initiative order, by being knocked out.)
The creature has taken another 27 damage. It seems close to destruction Parts of its golden armour are twisted and ruined. Its thin blood pours from the holes and gashes you brave warriors have inflicted. One of its legs is useless, forcing it to prop itself against the wall of the pool. Modius has just stabbed deep into its back.
It hears Paper's taunt, and bellows back: "YOU ARE IN HADES, FOOL!"
Paper grins a feral grin and lashes out again at the cyclops
"Then by Pluto's cold heart I will send you back into the Styx for another bath!"
Panting from exertion.
Heavy with water.
Things are slowing down. He watches Paper's blade arc in from the other side.
Lunges.
Short sword, damage, sneak: (1d20+5=18 (20 flank), 1d6=3, 1d6=6)
His sword bites in again.
Rufinus clambers out of the necromantic water, and gets onto his knees, then stands shakily on the side of the pool. He looks pale, and still has a spear through his bicep.
He swings for the head, from the opposite side to where Hrothgar is looking at the wreckage of his legs.
It is enough to split the skull of the creature, but it drops beneath the surface of the water.
"We must get it out. We must get it out of the water!" Rufinus drops his hammer, and leaps into the water.
Stratos shouts out: "Modius, stab it! keep stabbing it! Don't let it heal!"
The golden armour has carried the creature to the bottom of the stairs. It is six feet below the surface.
Levi calls out: "Get any part to the surface, so I can touch it! I can make it light as a feather, but I must touch it." he is holding a quill made of a dove feather.
Paper dives into the water, using his strength to help lift the turgid corpse of Aiolos out
Modius keeps stabbing it. He cuts a few important tendons.
Stratos calls out. "Use the trident as a lever. Find the trident. Use it as a lever."
Modius has to come up for breaths, but he cuts at Aiolos without pause, preventing the tomb guardian from healing. He has a fright, when one of the undead fish drifts close to him, but it is just nibbling at parts of the corpse that are drifting in the water. He can see the trident, lying on the floor of the pool. There are smaller bones on the bottom of the water. One of the wristbones has a bracelet, but it has rusted away. There are other things on the bottom, and the decay and rust is what has given the water its colour.
With the trident, Paper, Rufinus and Levi amplify their strength. It takes a few minutes, and Modius keeps hacking at the corpse. Something in his shoulder is burning after a while.
Stratos jumps in too, and busies himself cutting off the armour. It seems he is a strong swimmer. His pale body looks ridiculous among the hardened warriors.
After about eight minutes of hard work, The corpse is lifted out of the water, and deposited on the granite floor. It is mangled and cut beyond recognition. Stratos whistles.
"I take it all back. That was the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. To think I wanted to go home. You must have thought me a real coward. I am sorry to have shamed myself. Now that I have come this far, nothing will stop me from going further. If you want the company of a wizard, this one is available. Did you see the size of that thing? I only have three spells left, so I couldn't contribute."
He looks jubilant and giddy.
"Ravi has not found us here. If we can wait down here long enough, we can outlast his sentries. I think you have all done quite well, handling these guardian creatures. It would be madness to press on. Take the armour as your recompense. With the trident and the shield, there is wealth enough."
Rufinus is bandaging Hrothgar's wounds, and helping his fellow Goth.
1d20+5=21
His ministrations stop the bleeding, set the bone, and heal a point of damage, bringing Hrothgar to three points. I assume that Isat will be healing everyone now. Rufinus refused help with Hrothgar, saying. "Please let me do this, I need to learn."
When he hears what Levi says, he calls out: "Levi. I liked you more when you were bleeding. Keep that in mind."
Isat works on Paper's and Modius's wounds.
1d20+10; [16,10] = (26)- Paper
"An impressive attempt to add to your scar collection. You'll have some truly excellent specimens once you've healed."
1d20+10; [5,10] = (15)- Modius
"Think you've strained some muscles there Modius - take a little care with that shoulder."
To Rufinus
"I did tell you my brothers would provide all the experience you'd ever be likely to need. Good work with the bones." he adds with professional judgement. "Even so, you'll need some help yourself."
When Rufinus is ready, Isat works on the wounds inflicted by the trident.
1d20+10; [12,10] = (22)
Sympathetically to Stratos
"My brothers have a refreshingly direct approach. Why do you think I stay with them? There's a lot to be said for that outlook, the world becomes a simpler place to negotiate."
To Levi
"No. The book you spoke of is a terrible weapon. If we're to understand it and neutralise it, I think we will need equally terrible weapons ourselves. This tomb may be the place to find them. Besides, I'd hate anyone to think they went through all that for nothing."
"If we can wait down here long enough, we can outlast his sentries."
"Down here. In hell?"
"Rufinus, thanks for your help."
Isat works on Paper's and Modius's wounds.
1d20+10; [16,10] = (26)- Paper
"An impressive attempt to add to your scar collection. You'll have some truly excellent specimens once you've healed."
Paper grins at the Persian doctor.
"I'm sure I will look like a map of Italy once we are through here. Thank you again for the sewing up."
To Levi
"No. The book you spoke of is a terrible weapon. If we're to understand it and neutralise it, I think we will need equally terrible weapons ourselves. This tomb may be the place to find them. Besides, I'd hate anyone to think they went through all that for nothing."
Paper nods, wincing as Isat finishes a few stitches.
"Whatever lies further on must be dealt with. You have already shown that you are willing to lie to us to further your own machinations. Speak softly and do not attempt to dissuade us from continuing, for I think we have shown that cold steel can vanquish foul sorcery when needed."
Paper murmurs a prayer over the corpse of Aiolos Chyses
"Rest easy noble warrior. Whatever kept you in foul undeath will pay for the insult. This I pledge by Mars, my patron."
"You are a good patient, and a great warrior. You stay still and don't complain. Some of the slaves I treated used to act like I was pulling teeth. I think the bone will heal true. You will have good scars to show to the other warriors in the long hall."
"Dominus Papyrus. You died for a moment there. Did you see any valkyries? I hear they are as beautiful as the sky."
"Paper. You died for a moment there. Did you see any valkyries?"
Paper snorts
"According to our foe we already sit in Pluto's Realm. Perhaps I would only see us here."
"So. How much do you think this armour, shield and weapon are worth?"
Modius looks it over.
Isat shrugs. "I have no idea. I've also got no idea who we'd even sell it to. It's going to cause a lot of comment turning up with equipment like that - quite possibly more than we want."
<===that's an appraise roll!
Still looking the armor over. Nods his head knowingly.
Paper leaves the appraising to Modius and wanders around the room looking for anything that might have been missed in the heat of battle.
Modius can see that the armour is plated with gold, over an iron frame. The gold is reasonably pure, and works out to a lot of coin.
Perhaps 2000 silver for the shield. 3500 silver for the armour. 1500 silver for the trident.
The teeth are quartz crystals. One of them has a flickering light inside it. Modius is startled and frightened to see a face inside it. The face is the face of Aiolus, as he was when alive, and vital.
Paper does not find anything significant in the room itself, The holes in the pillars are just for storing the chorus. He pores carefully over the remains, and finds nothing. If he goes into the water, he will find more. Do You get into the water, and start diving, to look at the debris and bodies?
Paper does not find anything significant in the room itself, The holes in the pillars are just for storing the chorus. He pores carefully over the remains, and finds nothing. If he goes into the water, he will find more. Do You get into the water, and start diving, to look at the debris and bodies?
Paper decides to check the water that harbored Aiolos. He calls to his companions:
"I am a strong swimmer, but please watch me as I dive, for there may be surprises left in the depths to entrap me."
Paper dives down into the water of the pool
Searching will take time. The torches are precious. Levi conjures up a light, out of the air, and hands it to Paper, to carry underwater. The water glows pinkish red, with rust and skeletal debris.
Close to the end of the pool where the chorus stood, there are coins in the water. Offerings from long ago. The coins are mostly decayed brass, and green silver. Some are gold, and glint in the light.
Paper finds a dagger, that has not tarnished. One of the skeletonal hands has an emerald ring, baroque and heavy-set. Three thin rods of silver are twisted around an arm. Hacksilver from the frozen North.
The mundane treasure is about 450 silver worth. The dagger should be rusted, but is not...
One of the undead fish looms out of the water, and nibbles at Paper's foot. It is mindless, and no threat. There are four dead fish in the water.
Paper gathers the treasure and the dagger and returns to the room. Surfacing he spills the finds on the ground to let the others take a look at them.
"This dagger should be a rusty hunk, but yet it stays as keen as if it was oiled this morning. Could this be some sort of sorcery?"
Modius can see that the armour is plated with gold, over an iron frame. The gold is reasonably pure, and works out to a lot of coin.
Perhaps 2000 silver for the shield. 3500 silver for the armour. 1500 silver for the trident.
The teeth are quartz crystals. One of them has a flickering light inside it. Modius is startled and frightened to see a face inside it. The face is the face of Aiolus, as he was when alive, and vital.
"This armor is worth a small fortune. Well, for me it is."
<Startled by the face in the tooth.>
"Sweet Jesus! Come look into this tooth guys!"
"Deava. What kind of man could do this? Breaking the boundaries of life and death. Although I think raising the fish is going too far."
A little pause
"Considering the fate of everyone else in this room, we might want to move on. How much of this can we carry between us? Assuming we want to. It seems like grave-robbery to me. Knowledge can be taken freely, I'm not so sure about material goods."
EDIT:
Paper looks at the tooth Modius has indicated.
The necromancer has trapped noble Aiolos' soul in this crystal! We must set him free by all that is sacred! "
Paper prepares to wrench the crystal out of the skull and smash it
"Are you sure this is the right place?"
"Perhaps I should take him to a church so we can save his soul?"
Paper frowns as he works on the tooth.
"I don't think your little crucified rabbi would accept a Greek demigod into his sanitary little heaven, Modius. If we come across some undead anchorites by all means handle that lot."
"We should release the soul if we can - this is a great evil."