This is what happens when you touch things, Squeaky. Leave the touching to me. If I get hurt it doesn't hurt so badly.
He looks at the rat for a moment, weighing his options. He then briskly walks over to Acidios, knowing the rat will follow. He positions his body in a way that he will be the first target if the rat does intend to follow them into the open chamber.
Shiny things... Barlow grumbles these words under his breath to himself and shakes his head. When he reaches the other two, he looks down the hallway to see if there are any more traps in the room.
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After his spell and a quick inspection of the results, Acidios grin returns, wider than ever.
That necklace is mine! I spotted it!
Acidios reaches for the necklace, but pauses just before he grabs it.
Pits, I'm a little uneasy about the aura coming off these skeletons. Be ready to smash em as soon as I grab that shiny will you? I get a shiny, you get to smash. Both our favorites!
How about I grab the shiny so you don't lose an arm? I have no need for trinkets.
Barlow looks pointedly at Acidos' shoulder where the dart hit him.
As Acidios enters the room the skeletons begin to rattle. They rise up and attack.
I don't mean to say I told you so but... I told you so. Get out of the way Squeaky. Let me deal with these fools.
Barlow's grip on his weapon grows more firm and his blood is pulsing faster through his body, his adrenaline spiking at the sight in front of him.
The skeletons all claw at Acidios as he reaches for the amulet.
"No!" Lisbeth cries out as she watches Acidios fall. Acting quickly, Lisbeth stoops and grabs her friend by his now-tattered clothes and pulls him as far from the door as she can.
Barlow moves up right in front of the door, blocking the way for the skeletons to reach his party. He then fights defensively, anticipating an onslaught of attacks from them but not wanting to loose a chance to attack should he get one.
Seeing the skeleton right next to the door, he brings his Earthbreaker down on it.
Barlow Steps up and crushes the first skeleton into dust leaving nothing but the head rolling around on the floor. The other two skeletons step up to him and attack.
Barlow begins knocking the skeletons claws away and neither of them land a hit on him.
With panic in her voice, Lisbeth talks to the unconscious Acidios as she searches his pockets for a potion. "Don't you die on me, you inconsiderate ingrate!" Pulling one out with a shaking hand, she rips the cork out with her teeth while propping up Acidios with her other hand, tipping the full potion into his slack mouth.
Barlow, sensing the distress of Lisbeth behind him, tries to hurry along to dispatch the skeletons. As they conveniently came up to him, he grins wickedly again. Still trying to defend and fight at the same time, he aims another blow with his massive spiked hammer at the foe directly in front of him.
Trying to keep himself safe, Barlow's swing doesn't make it to the skeleton, instead smashing into the door frame; blowing rubble from the wall onto the ground around him. He stands his ground, readying himself for another onslaught from the monsters.
The skeletons continue relentlessly and try to destroy Barlow.
The skeleton on the left manages to land a blow to Barlow's face giving him a deep scratch.
The flesh on Barlow's face makes a sick ripping sound. Alarmed, Lisbeth stands straight and pulls her daggers from their sheaths, knowing that they'd be next to useless against the bones of their enemies. She had to do something, though. Leaving Acidios behind, Lisbeth stepped up behind Barlow and to the left. "Would you like to share?" she asked Barlow, smirking to try and hide the nervousness she felt.
Don't kid yourself, Lissie. Barlow says in a lighthearted voice. Then, seeming more serious, he says I've got this, and that rat may be coming. He'll go right for the dead man on the floor. If there's anything left of Squeaky he'll be gone soon without you helping him.
Barlow gets a very serious look on his face and his protection instinct kicks in. He looks back at the skeletons and lets out a loud roar; showing them they do not stand a chance against him.
He looks at Lisbeth. Leave this to me. With that, he turns back toward the skeletons in front of him and attacks the one to the side of the door to his left.
Swinging from the right, he catches the skeleton's skull and crushes it against the inside wall of the room with his Earthbreaker; leaving shattered bones clattering to the ground.
True to his instinct, Barlow does not move away from the door. He opts to protect his party the best he can rather than let them move into a danger he felt he could protect them from.
The second that Barlow lets his guard down the last skeleton standing begins clawing into Barlow's chest.
While Lisbeth and Barlow focus on the skeletons a Dire rat comes running out of the other room ready to claim Acidios as an easy meal.
The rat reaches Acidios and begins to gnaw on his arm. Eating tiny bits at a time.
Lisbeth swears under her breath as the sound of a squeaking rat reaches her ears. Turning, she rushes back towards the rat, weapons drawn and slashes at it with her dagger.
Feeling the drain the last attack took on him, and knowing he was only getting weaker, Barlow staggers; only his Orc blood keeping him from submitting to the darkness. He roars loudly at the skeleton and attacks again.
Still staggering, Barlow spins around to see if the others are alright. Seeing that the rat is still ripping at Acidios, he knows he must get over there and dispatch it.
The rat stops gnawing on Acidios and turns his attention to Lisbeth. while a second rat comes running in also wanting a take at the easy quick and grab. Running to the foot of Acidios it attempts to bite off a toe.
Lisbeth easly kicks the rats mouth away as it tries to bite her. The second rat begins jerking wildly trying to get the toe.
"Get off of him you bloody, filthy...!!! All manor of curses and profanities sounded in the small stone room as Lisbeth lit upon the rat that was trying to gorge on Acidios' foot with fury.
First, she jumped over the rat who's jaw she kicked, gracefully performing an ariel through the air and landing behind him. Then, with her main hand, she spun around and sliced her dagger viciously at the rat that had just entered the fray.
Seeing how well Lisbeth is handling the rat situation, Barlow turns his attention towards his friend's body. Barlow does not know whether he is alive or dead, but feels he has to try to do something to save him. With tremendous effort, he stumbles over to his body only a few feet away and tries to stabilize him.
Drawing from a cache of healing knowledge he did not know he had the capacity for, Barlow does all he can to help his friend. When he is finished, Acidos begins to breathe again and Barlow feels the tug of his own life ebbing.
The last remaining rat runs the way it came in a hurry to escape the onslaught, ready to try again another day.
Barlow takes no notice of the rat scurrying away, completely focusing his attention on his unconscious friend.
Caring little for the fate of the rat, Lisbeth turns to Barlow, who looks absolutely awful. "You. Potion. Now."
Alright, alright. Barlow says weakly, all the fight gone from him.
He reaches into his satchel and pulls out 3 potions. Uncorcking them, he drains the contents of two, and forces another down the throat of Acidios.
Lisbeth begins to pace, stalking darkly across the floor, watching the corners of the room for unwanted intruders. "We should wait."
Barlow searches through Acidios' bags and finds another potion. He grabs the potion and then goes to grab the necklace the Gnome was after in the first place. He brings it back and drapes it on Acidios' neck; hoping it will give him added protection should any other beasts make their way into the room. After that, he feeds the Gnome the new potion.
As Barlow puts the necklace on Acidios there is a noticeably harder feel to his skin. After pouring the potion down his throat Acidios slowly comes to.
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Acidios chokes to conciousness with a gasp. He looks around the room confused, eyes barely open and speaking lethargically.
Wha... what happened? Why do I hurt all over? Did you sit on me Barlow... I mean Pits?
Acidios chuckles weakly to himself as he remembers the new nickname he had given the big orc. His expression suddenly turns to panic. He starts feeling around the floor with his hands frantically.
Shiny! Where did it go?!
Barlow looks at Lisbeth and winks.
We should let him find it on his own, I think. And yes, small one, I did sit on you. So badly so that I had to use all these potions on you. You sounded like a squeaky toy.
He points to the three bottles on the ground.
Lisbeth facepalms and turns away from the pair, reminded once again that these two really were children at heart. "Well, now that that's over, what say you, Acidios? Barlow? Press on? I honestly think the two of you could use a rest, considering we're down to one potion."
Barlow nods his head up towards the landing at the top of the stairway they just came down. We should camp up there. We won't be able to be snuck up on from more than one direction if we have our backs to a wall and our fronts to a single stairway.
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Acidios eyes widen.
I was joking, why would you do such a thing?! It's like my worst nightmare come true! Did you let the rats gnaw all over me as well? My toe...
Just as Acidios face begins to change a hue of red, he feels cool metal around his neck. A familiar wide grin spreads across his face as he looks to Barlow and Lisbeth with an almost admiring look.
We took care of the skinnies for you. Let's go get some sleep, do you want a hand?
Barlow offers his hand to Acidios to help him up. After Acidios gets to his feet, Barlow checks the rooms the skeletons and rats came out of before they head up the stairs for the night.
Everything looks clear, we are safe to go up.
Barlow heads up the stairs, ready to assist Acidios should he need it. When the party reaches the top of the stairs and sets up camp for the night, he talks to Lisbeth.
We should set up watch between you and I while Squeaky recoups. If it's alright with you, I'll take second watch so I can get some rest for my watch?
He looks at Lisbeth questioningly.
Lisbeth nods in agreement. Though she managed to escape the days events mostly unscathed, (her ankle still hurt something fierce) it was clear that her comrades were far worse off than she. Lisbeth casts her glance around for some materials to make a small fire.
"Get some sleep, I'll see about a small fire and wake you when it's your turn."
Lisbeth sighs as she looks around. "Mm.... or we won't have a fire." She looks at Acidios. "Well then, you're in charge of light for you daywalkers if we have visitors in the night."
Barlow lays down next to the wall and falls asleep quickly.
The silence is eerie, but Lisbeth doesn't mind as she sits with her back to the wall next to Barlow and Acidios, scanning her surroundings in the colorless darkness. Her thoughts wander idly and for several moments, Lisbeth stares off into space, looking without seeing as she entertains herself with rather distracting thoughts.