"Peace, Art, I will see what I can do." Hagin's eyes white over and a soft glow emanates from his body enveloping all of the companions in a warm, soothing wash of energy.
Channel Energy
Hagin then goes to look over his companions before deciding how to continue.
Gael Heal
Feraya Heal
I'll probably wind up going with another channel and a clw for Feraya so,
Channel Energy
CLW
Gael sits up, dazed, as Hagin saves Feraya's life.
"Thankyou Hagin. Appreciated." looking round, "Everyone else made it down in one piece?"
Feraya wakes up and shakes his head to clear it. He looks himself over and dust what he can off, he puts the pack back on standing at the ready without a word.
Ember hugs the silent Feraya, tears in her eyes.
"You have to be more careful," she chides him.
She gives Hagin a smile and a "Thank you."
Ember then fusses over Gael, asking if she is alright from the tumble.
Then she turns to repack her backpack and retrive the rope, wiping her eyes occasionally.
"Thank you for use of the rope, Art," Ember says, returning the rope to Art. "It helped me a lot."
"Well, shall we go?" she finally says with false bravado, trying to hide her fears.
Art coils the rope, and puts it back into his backpack. He speaks not a word as he searches the area for the entrance of this supposed tomb.
Ember's been hurt, Feraya nearly broke his neck, Gael was just lucky htere... And everybody's tense. We haven't even gotten into this bloody tomb. And I don't think it's going to get easier.
He glances over at Feraya; the elf didn't even thank Hagin...
Off in the distance, past the leafless tres, lies the entrance to the tomb. Its shrouded in mist from the rain, and there is not a sound in the valley. It looks like it will take about 15 minutes of walking to reach the entrance, and the sky is starting to darken further. It looks like the storm might be getting worse.
Ember looks up briefly at the sky. The threat of even more rain compells her to start trudging towards the entrance to the tomb.
"Any more rain, and my hair will never dry," she thinks, feeling her long, sodden tresses weigh her body down as the gloomy day weighs upon her spirit.
After insuring that Feraya is ambulatory, Hagin walks to the tomb.
"Let's get under cover, but don't go far in yet. No further than the daylight reaches. We need to get organized and we need lights."
Gael heads into the mouth of the tomb.
You all trudge towards the mouth of tomb, sodden and wet, the rain getting worse the closer you get. In the distance, lighting flashes lighting up the sky, and thunder booms so loud it shakes the trees.
As you get closer and closer to the crypt you start to notice a smell...and its not pleasant. Finally, you reach the entrance.
An archway of stone is set into the side of a small hill at the bottom of the valley. Moss has overgrown many of the details, but one is still quite clear. The keystone of the arch is carved with a flame symbol with a stylized rune in the middle. Beyond the archway is a darkened tunnel that leads to a pair of massive wooden doors, one of which is slightly ajar. A pair of horses and a trio of ponies lie slaughtered next to the archway, each corpse still tied to a post set into the ground nearby. A swarm of flies hangs lazily in the air above them.
Feraya looks carefully over the scene. Seems some people had come here before them and he had a few guesses about that.
Perception
"Well, what do you know! Slaughtered horses and ponies next to the tomb we're supposed to venture! Perfect!"
Art covers his nose and waddles closer to the source of the horrific smell, glancing around the vicinity. He then attempts to determine how these equines were killed, and how long ago.
Ember lets out a small shriek as she sees the ponies dead at the doorway.
She hangs back as the Art and Feraya move forward to investigate the remains.
"Th-that's a bit m-much to do to scare us. It's j-just meant to sc-scare use, right?"
"It probably is just to scare us," Hagin gives a quick, guilt laden glance at Feraya, "but we should be ready just in case." He goes over to inspect the dead equestrians to see how long they've been dead and what caused their deaths.
As you all approach the dead animals its obvious that these are no illusions. The flies buzzing, the stench, all of it speaks of a harsh reality.
You are quick to notice two things: One of the packs on the horses still seems like it holds something, and that under the horse are the bones of a human. The bones appear to be much older then the horse.
You can tell after some careful examinations that the bodies are only a few days old, 2 at most, and that they were killed by something that resembles either very crude blades, or claw marks. Your skill in smithing leads you to lean towards the claw marks more then blades, as the cuts are extremely ragged, but you are not sure exactly as it could still go either way.
Looking into the crypt, its obvious that there is nothing lighting it, as the doorway leads into darkness. The lack of light due to the clouds makes it very difficult to see inside. Those with lowlight vision still cannot see into the doorway, as the blackness is nigh impenetrable.
You can clearly see that there is a room full of bones past the doorway into the crypt
"These animals were slain either by crude blades or by claws... about two days ago. This is no joke."
Art steps away from the corpses, glancing in direction of the crypt. In the entryway he sees bones, lots of them. "And to make everything even better, there are a myriad of bones right inside the crypt!"
He draws Tremble and the blade they scavenged from the dead man. "Keep your weapons on the ready. And spells."
What should I call this blade...?
Feraya looks thru the saddle bags to see what they have inside.
You find the following items in a single pair of saddlebags.
2 days worth of rations
a pair of large, comfortable pillows
a quiver with 10 blunt arrows (as normal arrows, but they only deal nonlethal damage)
2 pints of lamp oil
Feraya finally cracks. Was reason lost on everyone or did he have the old man to thank for stuffing his head with so much knowledge. He disliked both.
"By all the gods enough is enough. The horses likely belong to our fellow villagers who came here ahead of us to set up more test. What is with in the bags supports that line of thought. But I rather doubt that they would kill there own horses or anything like that so it is clear something happened. The bones under that horse are far older then normal which would mean they likely came from the crypt. Seeing as the villagers did not kill their own steeds much less go thru the trouble of placing old bones from a crypt they consider sacred under it, my reason leads me to think the skeleton got there the same way it got out of the crypt. Under its own power, my best guess is that something has caused the dead to rise as undead. As this has never happened before to the best of my knowledge or apparently to that of the villagers that came here before us. I am lead to believe that they were attacked as their horses clearly have been. Anymore then that is beyond me, I would also say it is safe to assume any bones out of place or otherwise may be dormant undead. Heed my words or not as I may be wrong but I for one refuse to enter if any of you think this is a ruse or game."
He did not like that his emotions got the better of him in that moment but things had only grown worst sense they left. Nearly all of them had met their end at one point or another, now the body count had finally started and while he felt no ties to these deaths he would not feel the same for the others. He did not know how it was for humans but elves did not overcome lost, it scared them and they nursed it for their many years. He would rather turn his back on them, then be a party to their self destructive ways which could have been avoided by simply practicing a little caution.
Feraya picks up a smooth stone and cast a light spell on it. The stone shines like a torch.
"What's wrong with him?" Hagin asks as he also causes a Light to shine from his holy symbol and takes tentative steps into the crypt...
"Ain't got a clue."
Art glances at Ember; her being unsettled was what made him hesitant. Hagin and Gael were quiet and expressionless as always, and it struck Art that Feraya was indeed an elf, through and thorough. He walks over to the entrance of the crypt, to get a better look at the bones; he particularly searches for any appendixes that may have claw-like features, or weapons of crude quality.
So... claws...? Or crude weapons?
Gael nods gravely at Feraya's words. "You are right, Feraya. This is no game and no test. We must be ready, and wary. And brave."
A moment of consideration, then, "Art, what have you found? Can your eyes make out anything in this dimness?"
Ember feels her fear, but still steps forward.
"I can't run off, I have to do this..." she thinks. The images of Moltus and the strange woman rise in her memory, both seeming to watch her in anticipation,... but in anticipation of what?
She utters the words that she has learned, and allows her magic to protectively enfold her. Then she steps to behind the group, waiting for them to enter.
Feraya takes the rations and lamp oil from the bags while leaving the rest. He then tosses his light stone into the entrance while keeping back. He was not going to walk right into what could be an ambush.
As the stone enters the antechamber it becomes apparent that something has happened. The ground is littered with bones, and in several places there are streaks of blood. The bones look old, although there are a few newer skeletons around.
"What now, Gael?"
"Good move, Feraya," Gael remarks as the elf throws a lightsource into the room. She looks intently at one of the revealed skeletons, trying to determine if it is just mortal remains, or something more sinister.
"In a moment we will enter this tomb. Art and I will go first. Feraya and Ember will fall in behind us bearing light. Hagin, you guard our rear and be ready to heal us if there is trouble. We explore quickly, light the torch, and leave."
"Anyone have any further suggestions? Now is the time."
Feraya cast his own protection spell shortly before entering with the others.
You notice that several of the skeletons radiate a faint aura of evil, but its not terribly strong.
I'll go to M4. My holy symbol has a Light spell on it.
Ember listens to Gael's advice, and moves in following after Art and Gael.
"Art, should we take off our packs here at the doorway, or wait until later?" she asks.
Gael moves in slightly ahead of Ember and Hagin.
Feraya keeps to the back expecting something to happen the whole time.
"We bring the packs, kitten. At the rate this storm is coming, this might be the driest place to sleep."
He walks to L6, readying an action to attack anything that isn't his friends, in particular, anything that looks dead.
As Art walks in last, there is a large grating noise. Suddenly a wall drops directly behind Feraya, sealing the entrance. There is a plain inscription on the wall in Common:
It reads as follows:
Only those who hold the Everflame may leave this place.
It seems that the trial has begun, and there is only one way out. Forward. The light from the enchanted items illuminates the room, and its very obvious something happened here. Among the bones there are bits and pieces of what appear to be people, and you all can make out the parts for 2 bodies. They have not decomposed so they must have died recently.
Suddenly there is a wailing, faint but audible, that fills the chamber!
You can tell its coming from the east, but can't tell much more. On the map, North is the way you came in.
As you all look around, there is a strange oppresive air, and then 6 of the skeletons in the room suddenly come together and stand! Five of them look fairly rickity and are holding rusted scimitars, but one in the back is holding a shield and carrying a decent looking longsword!
Perception
:
:
:
"What in the blazes of the nine hells is that noise!?" Art bellows out as he buries his axe into the collar of the skeletal frame. He then shifts over next to Ember and Gael, and lashes out at the same skeleton with both Tremble and the unnamed shortsword.
:
:
:
:
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Gael doesn't seem surprised as the skeletons assemble themselves into undead warriors. She reacts quickly, sweeping her sword in a high arc at the closest enemy.
Ember yips in surprise as the wall behind her slams down.
She then screams as the skeletons form, particualy since one has appeared next to her!
Perception
"Surprise surprise, who could have seen this coming I wonder."
Acid Splash vs S1
Sorry, I was waiting for the skeletons to go.
Hagin casts Bless.
r
ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Gael is quickest to react, slamming her sword hard into the skeleton nearest here, shattering it under the sheer force of the blow. The bones drop to the ground, unmoving and in tiny bits. Feraya quickly flings a small orb of acid at another skeleton, who despite the bit of cover that the wall gives it hit and slightly burnt from the acid. It is still standing however, and looks angrily at Feraya.
The skeletons are quick to move, coming up on the party and attacking! The two farthest walk up to Art, and the assault begins, the skeletons using their swords on the would be heroes.
S1 vs Ember - Attack vs AC 17, Damage
S2 vs Art - Attack vs AC 14, Damage
S5 vs Art - Attack vs AC 14, Damage
SC vs Art - Attack vs AC 14, Damage
S3 vs Gael - Attack vs AC 17, Damage
Each of the skeletons attacks their targetse, 3 of them attempting to down the dwarf! However, Art is much more nimble then these undead and is quick to evade every attack! The ones attacking Ember and Gael are equally pathetic and miss their attacks!
Ember then attempts to burn the skeleton facing her, and it quickly attempts to strike her!
S1 vs Ember - Attack vs AC 17, Damage
However Ember still proves too nimble for the ungainly creature, and is able to blast it with a ray of flame. Unfortunately, it simply scorches the bones and the creature stares unblinkingly at the changeling waif.
In the full swing of battle, Art quick reorganizes himself and begins to try to rain blows down on the creature. The first attack with Tremble connects but does nothing to the creature, while the second blow misses.
Finally, in a tounge nearly unrecognizable to those in the room, Hagin casts a spell, filling the group with mystical power.
ROUND 2 START, INITIATIVE RECAP:
Gael
Feraya
Skeletons
Ember
Art
Hagin
Ember recoils backward from the skeleton, growing more afraid as her spell seemed to do little damage to it.
Desparately she tries another spell, sending a bolt of force at the threatening bones.