After the dodge, Thorvin quickly retaliates with another swing of his battleaxe:
Attack:
Damage:
Dodging his opponent's blow, Thorvin retaliates with a vicious swing of his axe cleaving the skeleton in the hip cleaving a large chunk of bone free.
Lianth continues to chant and concentrate as the winds about Virgil continue to swell and guide the warrior's strikes. The torch in here outstretched arm flutters and flares in the breeze creating an eerie effect.
Virgil grunts, trying to keep the pain from blurring his focus. The Kingfisher Circles the Pond Virgil brings the greatsword down from his shoulder to parry the impaled skeletal claw, then brings the blade back up, rising between the skeleton's legs and cleaving the creature clean in half.
Boldly, Carrion steps next to Thorvin in Virgil's stead. With confidence he swings his morningstar smashing into the skeletons head creating an explosive spray of bone fragment and the creatures skull is smashed to bits and the connective force controlling the creature dissipates.
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*FIGHT!
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Round 5
Initiative Order:
- Skeletons
- Thorvin
- Lianth
- Virgil
- Carrion
The lone skeleton leaps at Virgil clawing at the warrior. The first blow flies wild and is ineffective. The second claw rakes across the warrior's breastplate, failing to get to the tender bits underneath.
Virgil squints his eyes and realizes that his precise attacks are unnecessary against these mindless beasts. He aims his sword at shoulder-height and simply jabs forward to impale the skull of the skeleton in front of him.
With Power Attack
Attack
Damage
So is everyone just taking a break? Did I miss something?
Go ahead and replace me. I apologize but I work in IT in the retail field so I work Saturdays and will be out on Sunday as well for a different reason. I haven't realized how busy I was until I saw the date of the last post I created. Sorry, folks.
Alkir, no problem, thanks for the kind words. I don't want to hold the group up because of my lowered ability to check the forum and participate. Thanks for the offer, things should clear up after the holidays. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Thanks for a enjoyable game everyone.
Thorvin leaps forward at the final skeleton. Yet, in his zeal, his swing flies wide and misses entirely.
Stepping forward, to Thorvin's rear flank, Lianth continues to concentrate on the air aiding Virgil's strikes.
Virgil squints his eyes and realizes that his precise attacks are unnecessary against these mindless beasts. He aims his sword at shoulder-height and simply jabs forward to impale the skull of the skeleton in front of him. Ironically, the blow misses it's target completely. The skeleton shows no sign of pleasure from it's sudden good fortune. It's crimson eyes continue to burn ominously.
"Foul abominations," mutters Carrion with frustration, "I tire of you." As he finishes he throws his arms wide while incanting words of power. He points his finger at the skeleton and large glob of acid flies forth striking the creature in the face. The acid hisses and bubbles creating a smoking foam as it vigorously interacts with the ancient bone. Within moments the entire front half of the creatures skill is gone, exposing the brain cavity within as what remains of the jaw falls off entirely. Even though most of the creature's eye sockets have been melted away the burning crimson pinpoints still flare with life.
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*FIGHT!
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Round 5
Initiative Order:
- Skeletons
- Thorvin
- Lianth
- Virgil
- Carrion
The disfigured monstrosity leaps at Thorvin and with frightening speed rips a pair of criss-crossed bleeding claw wounds across the unfortunate dwarf's middle, leaving his senses awash in pain as he grasps at his bleeding middle and the color drains from his face.
As a small note of errata, the post above should have stated that we are entering Round 6.
Virgil flashes his eyes toward his companions to see if they noticed his slip. He grits his teeth and reapplies himself. "Cutting the Clouds." He delivers a short horizontal chop inside his opponent's guard and delivered with significant power.
With Power Attack
Attack
Damage
Critical hit, total 32 damage.
"Gah, you dead piece of trash!" Thorvin howls as the skeleton claws him. "Have at thee and return to the grave!"
Furious, the Dwarven Ranger swings his battle axe at his opponent.
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From her vantage point behind the warriors, Lianth calls upon the power of the green, producing a trembling warbling cry that isn't recognizable as having distinct words, before touching Thorvin gently on the shoulder. It feels like energy surges up from the earth, entering the soles of his feet and rushing up through his body with his heartbeat, as she is pulling it into him from her grip on his shoulder.
healing for Thorvin
"Gah, you dead piece of trash!" Thorvin howls as the skeleton claws him. "Have at thee and return to the grave!"
Furious, the Dwarven Ranger swings his battle axe at his opponent with great force striking the creature's spine. Yet with near equal force, the unliving opponent's hardened bone repels the woodcutter's axe.
From her vantage point behind the warriors, Lianth calls upon the power of the green, producing a trembling warbling cry that isn't recognizable as having distinct words, before touching Thorvin gently on the shoulder. It feels like energy surges up from the earth, entering the soles of his feet and rushing up through his body with his heartbeat, as she is pulling it into him from her grip on his shoulder.
Thorvin gasps, face agape, as the druid's healing energy flow through him and bleeding claw marks knit themselves back together.
Virgil flashes his eyes toward his companions to see if they noticed his slip. He grits his teeth and reapplies himself. Cutting the Clouds He delivers a short horizontal chop inside his opponent's guard and cleaves the creature's spine in two with his massive blade.
"That's how it's done, dwarf," sneers Virgil.
The four of you stand before the tomb. Darkness yet obscures the far end of the crypt entrance. A muted wailing can still be heard.
Perception Check DC 15
"Thank you," Thorvin says to Lianth, moving his arm around and grimacing at the stinging feeling in his chest. He just grins at Virgil. "Lucky swing, human," he mocks him goodnaturedly. "I'll bet a silver coin you can't do it again."
Virgil nods, "Very well, peck, you have your bet." He then looks around, notices the remains of their enemies on the ground and says loudly, "Oh no, it's a skeleton!" He strikes the pile of bones with his sword. He grins at the dwarf and heads deeper into the room with his sword ready.
"I can hear wailing, but it seems to be coming from everywhere. Let's search this room for any more signs of danger. Bring the torches over."
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Carrion laughs at Virgil's taunting of Thorvin, good naturedly.
Carrion also stands over a bone pile, and hits it with an Acid Splash, "I told you I was going to reduce you to sludge."
Carrion looks around the room, "There is a faint noise, almost a wailing from the east, sounds oh so enjoyable.....I would suggest pairing up, so that we are not taken unaware, in battle or through a secret door."
He then sets about searching the room, but not alone, as a pair if able.
Entering the room, Lianth's torch reveals a large, faded painting of Ekat Kassen on the Southern wall of the room. An identical, but smaller painting hangs in Kassen's Town Hall. Carrion discovers a closed wooden door on the Western wall, while Virgil finds a similar door on the Eastern wall.
Torch sputtering and flaring, Lianth stands over the bodies of two dead men. Next to them lie a pair of packs, bulging with unknown contents.
Brown Backpack:
Blue Backpack:
Searching the Skeletons:
After 20 minutes of searching, you come to the consensus that you are sure the wailing sounds are coming from somewhere beyond the Eastern door.
"Well now," Thorvin says as he eyes the debris in the room, "looks like we've met our predecessors ... and they didn't do too well. Would anyone like to say a few words for their souls, lest their bones rise up again?"
The dwarf makes a face at Virgil's and Carrion's show of disrespect for the bones of the fallen and mutters something in Dwarven.
"Where do we go after here?" is the Dwarf's next question. "Do we just try to find the fastest way to the everflame, or do we look around a bit to see what has happened to this place?"
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Lianth examines the bodies to determine what killed them.
At Thorvin's prompting, she also says a few words in an unknown language over the bodies of the fallen (both the bodies and those of the skeletons, who were once men, she assumes).
She points out the contents of the blue pack (rations, water, smokesticks) and the inexplicable contents of the brown pack (a pillow, 40 useless arrows?).
"The arrows are not necessarily useless. Blunted arrows are often used in hunting birds or other small game when you do not wish to damage the meat. They may also be used to safely incapacitate someone without killing them." Virgil holds up an arrow and touches the blunted end against the side Lianth's head, "Pow! And you're down for the count. The pillows, on the other hand, are truly confusing. Any ideas anyone?"
Looking over the men's wounds, Lianth concurs that they died in the same manner as the horses out front. Deep ragged slash marks and ripped claw marks decorate the bodies.
There are a total of 20 blunt arrows in the pack. Each quiver holds 10 arrows.
"Think about it, lad," Thorvin says, moving his finger from the blunted arrows to the pillow and giving a crooked half-smile. "There's more on birds that people don't like to see damaged than the meat. What do you usually stuff a pillow with? Feathers. And if you're going after fine feathers from rare birds, what better container for them than a stout pillow case, hm?"
The dwarf chuckles and shrugs. "'Course, I may be dead wrong. But that hasn't stopped me yet."
Virgil looks at Thorvin quizzically, then calls, "Lianth, can you tell us what kind of feathers these are?"
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"Thorvin's rambling makes sense, on a certain level. The exact purpose for these feathers could be ceremonial, as well; or someone really likes feathers, kind of creepy, but it works.
Who would have best use for non-lethal arrows?" Carrion looks around for a few seconds for an answer.
He then gathers up the two days rations and a smoke stick from the pack, depositing them into his own. He then examines the pillow, uses Detect Magic as well; laying down as one would, testing the pillows performance, in a relaxed posture (feet crossed, hands held across his stomact, making himself comfortable.
"Does anyone else have immediate need of rations, I am down to one days worth, damn wolves. And, there's that noise, from the east, fun times there."
The pillows are non-magical, comfy, large, overstuffed, pillows. Taking a knife to one of them you ascertain that they appear to be filled with plain, ordinary goose down.
"Thorvin's rambling makes sense, on a certain level."
"Who's rambling, boyo?" Thorvin asks, one eyebrow raised, but smiling a little. "I'm just trying to keep up you two longshanks' spirits by not mentioning you can use a stunning arrow for knocking down a talljob and dragging it off for a human sacrifice or cannibal cook-out, too. Lots of folks prefer a prisoner to be alive when they've trussed it up and stick the knife in."
"Who would have best use for non-lethal arrows? Does anyone else have immediate need of rations, I am down to one days worth, damn wolves."
"I prefer an arrow that actually does the job I shoot it for, thank you," Thorvin says in a gracious tone of voice. "You're welcome to the food, says I. The howl, too, but I suppose whoever or whatever's making it has brought enough for all of us."
"We need to advance." Virgil removes a coin from his belt pouch, "Tales (1) is east, heads (2) is west."
"East it is. Let's get into formation and be ready for anything."
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Lianth gets into position, leaving the rations and pillow for Carrion, but taking up either of the backpacks left behind and placing them off in a corner for later, as the idea of leaving serviceable gear behind is anathema to her.
"If we are overwhelemed gain, and you feel the need, fight defensively. I can only heal one more injury of that sort today."
After the band gathers up before the Eastern door, Virgil opens it revealing a large chamber containing a maze of pillars that obscure
the far side of the room. Next to the door is a pile of empty saddlebags and three brooms.
The wailing is slightly louder after opening this doorway than it had before.
Virgil is getting a tingling on the back of his neck, "I don't like this. We were supposed to be fighting cobwebs and shadows, not illusions of monsters and risen skeletons, and I doubt that it is going to get easier." He rubs the stubble beginning to form on his chin and scowls, "And I haven't had a chance to shave."
He turns to Thorvin, "You're a ranger, and they are supposed to shadow-crafty. Probe ahead for any hidden dangers." He looks at Carrion then turns back to Thorvin, "Oh, so sorry. Pleeeeeease probe ahead for us? Only if you feel comfortable with that request, of course."
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"In light of the uncertainty of our situation, I would recommend instead staying together. A half dozen skeletons may pose little threat to us individually, but against one of us on their own, they could cut off any chance of retreat." Lianth cautions. "And my healing talents extend only so far as my reach..."
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"At least you have manners this time....." (with a straight face). I suggest two groups, on each side of the room, close enough to help but can hold their own.
That is, if it pleases Virgil (see sarcasm).
Enough play time, let's deal with all this extraneous nonsense, get the flame, and leave. If we plow straight thru, it'll be quicker, while alert for traps."
"I wasn't suggesting we tie a rope to his waist and send him out like bait for a fish. He could lead 5 feet in front of us and still accomplish his role. Silly people...." Virgil trails off while shaking his head. "So, Thorvin, are you up to some scouting?"
"That won't be a problem, lad," Thorvin says in an airy tone of voice. "I'm ready to do what ye can't."
The dwarf winks at Carrion and Lianth, moves five feet ahead of the group and probes the darkness, Dwarven eyes penetrating the darkness with ease.
Stepping 10 feet into the room, Thorvin then takes a 5 foot step North to remove himself from the illumination of Lianth's torch allowing his dwarven eyes to penetrate the darkness.
He can clearly see that the room is a grid of sorts with five foot wide alternately spaced, square pillars running from floor to ceiling. They are composed of dark stone brick and have no adornments.
Gazing intently at the visible stonework, the dwarf notices a floor tile, located to the Southeast, which does not correctly line up with it's neighbors. The difference is slight, but pronounced to a knowledgeable stone worker.
Thorvin can also hear that the wailing is louder in this room, yet still muted. It seems to come from the Southeast.
"Come on in," Thorvin calls to the others, beckoning them without turning to face them. "Come stand where I stand, it should be safe."
As soon as the others have done as he orders, Thorvin moves forward another five feet, eyes scanning the room anew. And he pays special attention to the strange tile. "Don't follow me in yet," he cautions the others. "And don't step on this!" he orders sternly, indicating the aberrant tile.
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Carrion will crane his neck, to sight the tile identified. Carrion will stay in the order of march, letting Virgil go before him.
Carrion will cast Resistance on Virgil, Lianth, then himself; Thorvin when he moves up. "I will enable you to resist traps, poisons, and spells better, if you'll allow it....." he states to all.
Virgil shuffles over behind Thorvin, "Take your time, we're in no hurry."
Thorvin steps forward once again and takes a full minute scanning the stonework in the darkness. To his surprise, he spots three more uneven floor tiles. One far to the North end of the room and two more to the East. He also spots a large lever jutting from a slot in the wall to the South. The large black iron lever is currently in the "up" position.