3 - Shraevyn's Tomb

[Excior]

With the Sword of the Dales firmly in hand, Valandil wastes no time pressing his attack on the zombie he had just engaged. Stepping forward with swift and calculated movements, he closes the distance between himself and the undead creature.

His grip on the ancient blade is steady as he swings it with precision, aiming to strike a decisive blow against his assailant. With each strike, he uses all the strength and skill at his command.

Valandil's movements are fluid and controlled, his combat prowess evident as he maneuvers around the zombie, seeking out its vulnerabilities and exploiting them with each calculated strike.

[Chaz Hoosier]

Jack Coldwater

HP: 23/23 AC: 6
 

---

Jack cracks a sling bullet at the nearest enemy.
 

 

 

OOC

THAC0: 19

 

 

 

 

[Sellsword]

OOC: 7 versus the opponent's 8, but just enough to seize the initiative!

 

The Sword of the Dales sings in Valandil's hands, blue light flashing as the elf hacks downward, crushing through the creature's clavicle and severing the unfortunate soul's arm and shoulder.

Standing nearby, Amarandé finishes his incantation and the familiar affect of his magic takes place, dim light limning the nearest foes, providing contrast that makes them easier to track in the poor lighting. Both Theoath and Mandons throw themselves at their respective foes, Theoath cutting deep into one of the skeletal giants while Mandons hacks apart another zombie, leaving only one stumbling, animated Freedom Rider foe. Bone shards fly as Theoath pulls his blade free of the thick bone it cut into--the weapon is not ideal for the task of hacking apart skeletons, but not entirely ineffective. Before it can counter, a slung bullet races across the chamber from Jack, knocking the creature's skull, dislodging yet more bone chips as it turns to surveil the room. Though damaged, the skeletal giants are resilient foes. They shake off Amarandé's packs' attempts to pull them down, the hounds being largely ineffective this round.

The zombie ambles towards you aimlessly, unable to track a single foe effectively. Both skeletal giants, however, turn on Theoath. The paladin of Chauntea dodges the blow of the first, but is unable to completely avoid the second skeleton's attack. Fortunately it is but a glancing blow, and Theoath recovers quickly.The skeletons turned by Amarandé's divine presence continue to shuffle in the far corners of the chamber.

Just as you start to gain confidence that you might overcome these foes, however, a pair of creatures descend from the shadows overhead.

Each is perhaps the size of a small dog, but has a wingspan that stretches nearly five feet. Though their wings have no membrane they are possessed of flight, and the air is chill as they pass overhead.

Though he has little chance to pause during the melee, Theoath extends his senses, trying to locate the fell spirit that has been watching over you throughout your search of the tomb. Whoever--or whatever--this presence may be, it does not actually seem to actually be present. Theo is not given long to think over the implications of that, however, as the skeletons ready for another attack.

OOC: One zombie and the two skeletal giants remain, and two of the flying skeletal creatures have joined the fray. If it's not evident from the text, bladed weapons are less effective against the skeletons. Actions please!

[Lord Foul]

Mandons continues attacking the remaining zombie, and will then turn his attention to the nearest available skeleton.

[Arbuthnott]

Having shrouded the skeletons in faerie fire, Amarandé nods to himself as he strides towards the foe currently being assaulted by his pack of hounds. Gripping his staff in two hands, he swings it wide, attempting to send his opponent's skull back into the alcove it came from.

OOC- we may be witnessing the invention of golf here, folks

If the enemy win initiative and seriously injure anyone, he will instead turn to his curative magics and patch them up slightly.

Edited May 9 by Arbuthnott (see edit history)

[Excior]

OOC: If his current opponent is destroyed he will attack something else.

---

As Valandil wields the Sword of the Dales in battle, he feels a powerful connection to the ancient blade. Its steel seems to resonate with his own essence, glowing with a brilliant blue light as he engages the undead horde within the room.

With each swing of the sword, the blue light dances and flickers, illuminating the darkness with an ethereal radiance. The weapon moves effortlessly in Valandil's hands, as if it were an extension of his own being, empowering him to strike with unmatched precision and strength.

As the winged skeletal horrors descend from above, Valandil's senses sharpen, and he shouts a warning to his companions. "WATCH OUT! TERROR FROM ABOVE!" His voice cuts through the chaos of battle, alerting his allies to the impending danger.

---

OOC: Valandil will try and attack one of the winged horrors

[rauhric]

THEOATH "THEO" GRANGER
Human, LG, Paladin of Chauntea [3]
AC 5 | HP 16

---

Theo takes that warning to heart and raises his shield to cover his head. He continues to slash with his weapon to fend off any undead closing in on them.

---

 

OoC: He has his aura of protection 10' so stay close friends. Evil -1 attack.

Searching for the evil spirit with Detect Evil 60'.

You mentioned Giant kin so I'm included a 1d8 die roll for damage, just in case that is the closest to me when I attack.

Not my day for dice rolls.

Edited Tuesday at 07:10 PM by rauhric (see edit history)

[Sellsword]

Mandons squares off against the lone remaining zombie, quickly darting in to strike. His first blow lands, cutting deeply, and the warrior continues to hack away until the undead creature is still.

Meanwhile, Kord, Amaril, Theoath, Amarané and his hounds fan out, splitting the attention of the giant skeletal warriors. Though Theo and Kord are unable to land effective attacks, the others consolidate hits on the skeleton that has already been wounded. Bone shards fly as sword and staff strike the creature, and the hounds growl terribly as they dart in and snatch at flailing skeletal limbs. The creature, however, was likely mighty in life and retains much of that strength in undeath--it withstands all of the blows, continuing to lumber around the chamber.

The skeletal warrior swipes at Kordannaghlan but the gnome deftly avoids the attack. Snicker, however--one of Amarandé's hounds--is not as lucky, as the other skeleton pummels it with a bony fist. The dog yelps and rolls away from the attack before getting back to its feet, wounded but still ready to attack.

Raising the Sword of the Dales high, Valandil slashes at one of the bonebats as it swoops overhead. The blade rings as it crashes through ribs, more bone splinters flying, but it pulls away before it can be sundered by the mighty blade. Both swoop and dive, seeking to bite and claw at the group, but you raise shields and weapons and are able to avoid any harm.

OOC: One of the giant skeletons and one of the bonebats are each heavily wounded, the others are as of yet unharmed. You're getting closer, and have had some near misses on attacks. Theoath's protective aura has been putting in work, as have Amarandé's spells to aid you in hitting the enemy!

[Lord Foul]

With the last zombie finished off, Mandons discards his shield and joins in the melee against the giant skeletons, using his bastard sword two-handed for greater impact.

 

[Chaz Hoosier]

Jack Coldwater

HP: 23/23 AC: 6
 

---

Jack loads his sling again and hurls it at one of the remaining enemies.
 

 

 

OOC

THAC0: 19

 

 

 

 

[Arbuthnott]

Grimacing as he watches Snicker skid across the floor with a yelp, Amarandé scowls at his boney foe and doubles his efforts to separate its skull from its spine.

Once again, his Cure Light Wounds is on standby, under the same conditions mentioned above.

[rauhric]

THEOATH "THEO" GRANGER
Human, LG, Paladin of Chauntea [3]
AC 5 | HP 16

---

Theo doesn't lose heart for not connecting or destroying the undead, instead he finds his resolve to endeavor to do better with each passing moment. He tries to stay close to his companion so they can benefit from his Aura of Protection. With his weapon he tries once again to strike one of the undead.

---

OoC: He has his aura of protection 10' so stay close friends. Evil -1 attack.

Searching for the evil spirit with Detect Evil 60'.

I am going to offer 2 damage rolls, one for medium and the one for large, depending on which undead he is closest to hit.

Edit: Not sure if I hit but in either case of size I rolled the same damage.

Edited Wednesday at 06:30 PM by rauhric (see edit history)

[Excior]

Valandil continues to attack the flying skeleton, bat-like creatures. he tries to also keep an eye on his companions helping out where he can.

[Sellsword]

The chaotic melee continues on, your foes eerily silent as you dodge clubbing strikes by the giant skeletal warriors and the raking swoops of the bonebats. Jack distracts the most wounded of the skeletons, striking it in the skull with a slung stone. At the same time, Mandons, Theoath, Amarandé and his hounds join together in pulling the warrior to the ground, shattering its legs and arms until it is no longer a threat. Once again, Valandil snaps the Sword of the Dales to the sky to meet the dive of a bonebat, parts of the bony wing exploding from the impact as it swoops back towards the ceiling.

From the shadows, each of the bonebats dives at Jack and Kordannaghlan, skeletal talons raking across the exposed skin of their head and neck. Though the wounds are only minor, each is gripped by a numbing paralysis, dropping their weapons before falling to the ground, arms and legs at odd angles.

Mandons slides under a crossing fist of the remaining giant skeleton. The accumulated might of your group, even without the aid of Jack and Kordannaghlan, is simply too great and in a flurry of ringing slashes and crushing blows, you drive it to its knees before Amarandé strikes a killing blow. Though he doesn't quite separate head from spine as he intended, the final strike is enough to render the animated undead still.

The bonebats, responding to whatever call it was that led them to attack, disperse in silent release of necromantic energy, bones scattering to the far corners of the room. The turned skeletons, as well, collapse into piles of bone. In the moment of silence that follows, the sense of being watched also fades, as does the feeling of malice that accompanied the watcher.

Rushing to Jack and Kord's side, their muscles begin to twitch as the paralysis is purged, and they once again regain the ability to climb to their feet, albeit shakily. Your foes defeated, you enjoy a brief sense of relief, though it is quickly followed by disappointment and perhaps frustration. Though you have found the Sword of the Dales and discovered the ultimate fate of the rest of Randal Morn's band, Randal Morn himself is nowhere to be found. You are left only the note that was tied to the Sword, which Valandil shares once again with the group.

Besides the Sword, the casket as well as the rest of the chamber are empty--the only thing that remains is the phantasmal image of the weapons-mage Shraevyn, which looks on silent and emotionless.

OOC: If I have been tracking hit point totals correctly, I show the following wounds:

Amarandé - 5/9 remaining

Snicker - lightly wounded

Theoath - unharmed!

Valandil - 19/21 remaining

Lirion - 7/11 remaining

Kord - 10/16 remaining

Mandons - 8/18 remaining

Jack - 20/23 remaining

Please let me know your course of action!

[Lord Foul]

"Wow! We're alive! Got to say that feels quite a surprise... a welcome one, though."

Taking his turn to read the note apparently left by Randal Morn, he shakes his head with a puzzled expression.

"I don't get it. What we heard was that Morn was struck down by some evil green light and taken by various undead monsters. Well, we've met the undead monsters, but why would whatever is behind them leave the sword here for us to find and take back? And why take his body somewhere else and leave this note to lure us after it? It just smells all wrong to me... like we're being played and lured into something bad."