A series of random D&D adventures: A Dark and Stormy Knight

[Sithdarth]

The sky had been slowly darkening all day, and the smell or rain has been thick in the air. Now it has finally begun to fall, accompanied by loud peals of thunder that seem to roll across the landscape. The sun is hidden behind massive stormclouds, and a cold wind blows from the north. As bolts of lightning begain to slam from cloud to ground and pieces of hail begin to strike the earth, the need for shelter becomes obvious.

Ahead in the distance, a large tor rises from the ground, its form illuminated by the occasional lightning bolt. It seems rocky and solid, and though climbing it in this weather would be folly, it might have some outcropping that would provide safety from the storm. The only alternative is to endure the weather.

(ooc: No need to start as a group really. Oh and everyone that wants to make a knowledge check, pretty much any type of knowledge(bardic, architecture and engineering, dungeoneering, local, history, or nobility and royalty will do). Also, you can generally start headed to/from any direction you want. Remeber you can use this site (http://www.irony.com/mailroll.html) to roll just make sure you e-mail the result to sithdarth@gmail.com)

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Ah man, it feels good to be out in a storm again." Draonor said to obviously no one, as he walked along, enjoying the brisk winds and the storming hell above. To those that were smart about religion, it was clear he was under Talos.

Of course, it was the hail that annoyed him. "Bloody frozen rocks." He muttered as he felt one hit his arm. He looked on ahead and saw the large tor jetting from the ground. "Well, as much as I like gettting pelted, I'ma grab some shelter." Of course, this talking to himself would probably make him seem crazy as he walked towards his destination in a faster pace than he was going.

[Sithdarth]

Zane had been wandering around the woods for most of the day. Originally he had thought the storm would blow itself out before it got to him. Unfortunately for Zane he had been very wrong. As the hail began to fall Zane unfolded his leathery wings and used them to shield his head. In the distance he spotted the tor and headed for it in hopes of finding some sort of shelter.

[Steel Shadow]

Sol stumbled through the pouring rain, his feet sliping occasionly on the muddy ground. He had seen the tor iluminated against the black sky by lightning a short time ago, and now he was almost there. He blinked the rain out of his eyes as he tried to study it for a moment, but there wasn't enough light. As he looked around for an entrance he sliped again, just keeping his balance. He swore loudly, though the rain and wind stole the words from the air before even he heard them.
Muttering, he headed for what looked like a way in.

[Sithdarth]

(For those of you when you get close enough to the tor.)

The massive tor towers above the surrounding country. A few narrow ledges offer scant protection from the elements, but a closer inspection reveals a massive, arched entryway at least 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, set into the side of the hill. The ground just outside it slopes away from the doorway, directing the falling water out and away. Given this fact and the sturdy nature of the hill, whatever space lies beyond the door should be both dry and safe from lightning and hail. The construction seems quite sturdy, so the likelihood of collapse, even in severe conditions such as these, is remote.

(You may make any spot or search checks at the entry way you want.)

(For when you wish to enter.)

The door is heavy but well counterweighted. It is unlocked and opens easily, and it swings shut of its own accord unless propped open. The stone chamber beyond the entrance measures at least ten paces square. Peeling paint and broken scrollwork suggest that it was once decorated with some care, but now only dust remains. Three massive stone doors-one each to the left and right, and one directly across from the entrance-lead deeper into the tor. Each of the three doors is locked securely.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor was the first to reach the tor, and he approached the archway without care. "Well, looks like it will hold together at least. I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad though." Draonor continued on and on to himself. After glancing around and not noticing anything, he pushed the door and stepped in.

"Kinda dusty." Draonor thought as he walked in, letting the door shut on its own accord. He tried each door, finding them all locked. "Hmmm, going to have to find a way to open the door." He thought as he stepped back and looked at the doors. The thought of smashing them open came up, but was quickly put down since the doors were stone.

[Aerozord]

The Paladin had reached the tor finally. He smiled looking at the structure. "It would appear the good lord has smiled on his humble servant". Although his eyes had noticed Draonor his attention was more focused on the faded designs of the walls. Before he wished to travel further, he must see if there was an evil presence in the area.

(ooc: so in other words, using spot evil)

[Sithdarth]

(To Aerozord)
A general aura of taint surronds the entire tor. Not entirely unexpected as these large hills were often used to house the dead, and that usually meant the undead at some point. While not exactly unusual caution was probably due anyways. At least he knew the person he had seen entering wasn't evil.

(Now onto me)
Zane approached the tor slowly still shielding himself with his wings. After a quick scan of the area he spotted Gabriel as well as a giant stone torn in two. The stone was scorched in such a manner as to suggest that a bolt of lightning had blasted it apart and thrown in some distance. It may once have blocked the entrance to the tor but no longer. Zane shouted a quick greeting to the man as he rushed past and into the tor. He wasn't one for standing out in the weather and talking.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Siyamak pulled his dark, royal purple cloak more tightly around him as he trudged through the ever-thickening mire. He half-heartedly thought of how new and clean his sleek, green-black boots had been when he bought them as he pulled them out of the foul muck with a sickening slurp.

Here and there the sky seemed to rip open in a torrent of light and sound that cut through the dense sheets of rain and shook the ground. Unsettling as it was, this was how Siyamak noticed the high hill and the man who stood atop it.

"A barrow...", Siyamak thought grimly as something piqued in the back of his memory. Something from the old religious tomes of his youth... or what there was of one.

Siyamak pushed his way up the hill, concerned for shelter and for what exactly this tor was. At the top, he looked it over, blinking through the flowing curtain that obscured his view like a sparkling miasma.

After a moment of checking his memory, everything snapped into focus. This was Hightower, a remnant of an old civilization and an old, fortified raiding position.

"I could've sworn this was sealed off...", Siyamak whispered in a grim, barely audible voice.

The rest of the world rushed back into focus a moment later and Siyamak's mind returned to the somewhat somber looking man who stood nearby, his eyes distant with concentration.

"Ah..." Siyamak mused, slightly louder than before, "could it be some company to fend off boredom... or... perhaps something yet worse..." He moved as swiftly as the ground and the wind would allow -- though more than before as the rocks weren't mud and the tor deflected some of the dirge-like, bitter-cold wind -- and took a place at the front door. He pushed and the monolithic door slid quietly open.

Pacing forward swiftly into the dry area, Siyamak turned and held the door open as well as he could for the man who yet stood outside. "Come, won't you?" he asked almost cheerfully, "Surely there are more important things than catching your death in the storm outside?"

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Hmmm?" Draonor mumbled as he turned towards the man that entered. Draconic wings eh? Draonor thought as he watched the newly entered man. "I see you wanted to get out of this weather too." Draonor said, trying to be friendly. Though before he could respond, he saw Siyamak opening the door, offering for others to come in. "Looks like we are about to get a lot of company."

[Sithdarth]

Zane nodded, "Indeed, and no wonder with the weather as it is. This place is visible for miles as well. My name is Zane the Lightfooted but you can call me Zane. Looks like we are going to be stuck here for a little bit."

Zane strode to the center of the room and set up a small fire pit with the spare wood he carried. Luckily it hadn't gotten wet, sometimes wings were usefull for more than just flying. Striking his flint in steel in some tinder Zane quickly had a cozy fire burning.

(ooc: I'm probably going to fall asleep soon so don't yell at me if I don't update. Get to know each other you are going to be forming a party from this.)

[Aerozord]

Gabriel took a step back. "There is an aura of evil here, however it is weak. Probably just a few undead. However caution should be exercised." He spoke to no one in particular as he approached the fire. After taking off his falchion he sat in front of the fire, keeping the weapon near. "That place needs to be cleansed of the evil within. Unfortunately I am unequiped to go within, let alone open the door."

[Steel Shadow]

Sol stepped into the dry, shaking water everywhere. He looked around, gauging each person in sight. Not detecting any immediate threats from them he headed for the fire.
"Name's Sol" He muttered, still cold from the storm. Once the fire warmed him, his demeanor became slightly more friendly. He coughed. "That's Solumus Obion." He looked around, "Any idea what this place is?" He asked.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Siyamak was a little distraught that he hadn't been acknowledged... but no matter. He moved to let the door slide shut before that little paranoid voice in the back of his head spoke up. It gave him pause, momentarily, as the word 'barrow' echoed through his mind again.

Siyamak sighed... the paranoia always got to him. Moving quickly, Siyamak slid his backpack off from under his cloak and fished around inside it as he leaned against the door. Pulling a shiny, curved dagger from his dark green belt, Siyamak hacked off about a five foot portion of the rope and tied it a few, quick, simple knots. Somewhat satisfied by his now ball of rope, he jammed it into the door way and let the door slide shut against it.

Satisfied with the inch or so of clearance that he managed to garner, Siyamak turned to the four men who bunched around the fire, their shadows cast long and sinisterly over the walls and floor like some kind of gaunt, dark flower. This whole place felt subtly wrong, somehow... but Siyamak shook it off with a smile.

"Aha... good day to you all," Siyamak spoke as he stuck his dagger back into his belt. "It is truly a pleasure to meet you all. I am called Siyamak." Here, he bowed, and collected his backpack in one smooth movement. He quickly strode towards the warmth of the fire, moving to undo his deep, violet cloak. "I do believe, good sir, that I have an answer to your question. This is Hightower, one of the few pieces of an empire that couldn't bear the test of time."

Siyamak muttered an additional, "as it should be," here, to himself.

"I've heard," he continued, "that it's been used as a fortified base for raids... but I also heard that it had been sealed off so they could both be false..."

[Sithdarth]

"Hmm yes I did spot a rather large rock outside," Zane mused, "It looked as if it might have blocked the entrance to this place at one time." Zane shifted a bit and shook the last bits of water from his wings. Poking the fire absent mindedly he stared at the embers.

The sound of hissing rain, pounding hail, and howling wind from ouside is interrupted only by the occasional loud crack of thunder. Still, this room seems stable enough for the most part. Even when the thunder seems to shake the very ground, not so much as a mote of dust filters down from the ceiling. The doors leading into the tor, however, do show signs of weakness, seeming to tremble with every thunderclap.

Suddenly, in conjunction with a particularly loud thunderclap, all three doors break open at once, falling from their doorways into the room with a great cacophony. Seconds later, the sounds of squeaking fill the air as a pack of rats swarms in from the largest doorway.

(ooc: We're being attacked by 11 rats. Everyone roll initiative. I've rolled a 14. KP: 4 Steel Shadow: 9 Aeorzord: 18 IC: 13. Ok each post will be your turn in combat for the duration of the encounter, first Aerozord, then me, then IC, then two rats, Steel Shadow, then 8 more rats then KP then the last rat. I'll be posting for the rats. For ease assume all rats are either 5 feet away or within a 5 foot step so you can reach any rat you wish and still take a full round action.)

[Aerozord]

quickly Gabriel draws his sword. His mind was filled with curiousity. 'Why would the doors open at that moment, are the rats connected, does it automatically open from the inside.' However he know now was not the time to worry about such things. He took aim of the first rat and attacked.

[edit after rolls were done, using cleave after first kill]
Slashes downward, killing the first rat. Then seeing another rat he cleaved the next. The second rats head flew towards the others. "Thats two down."

[Sithdarth]

Taking his cue from his new paladin friend Zane drew his weapon as well. Taking aim quickly he thrust at a nearby rat cutting it neatly in two pieces. "Well that's another one."

(ooc: all the rats that could go before Steel Shadow are dead plus one of the rats that go between Steel Shadow and KP is dead. AC of the rats is 14 and they all have between 1 and 2 hp. So everyone that is still going before a rat can take their turn without me. I might be passing out from lack of sleep here in a few minutes.)

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor pulled out his mace and swung. Though his only problem was that he was still fasinated with the storm outside, and not really paying attention to what he was swinging at. So the rat got lucky on that day, as his attack struck the ground next to the rat, making a little tink as it hit the stone floor.

[Steel Shadow]

Sol leaped to his feet, drawing his blade in one smooth motion. He muttered under his breath as he swung at the nearest rat. There was a sharp "Squeak!" as he divided it in two.

[Sithdarth]

In rapid succession the confused and frenzied rats counter attacked. Two leapt straight for Sol attempting to gnaw at his right hand and left ankle. Fortunetly, Sol deftly dodged at just the right moment causing both rats to miss by quite a bit. Draonor wasn't quite so lucky as the rat he had just nearly killed ran up his mace and bit him squarely on the thumb. The friend of the rat Zane had been fighting lept for Zane's face. Thinking fast he covered with his wing. Unfortunately the rat latched on to that with a viscious bite. Siyamak had problems of his own. As he dodged the bite of one rat a second rat latched onto the back of his ankle.

(ooc: Me IC and KP all take 1 damage.)

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Angrily, Siyamak crouched quickly, and slammed his hand down near the rat that bit him. It quickly detached its teeth from his boot and scurried out of the way of his strike.

"Damnable beasts..." Siyamak hissed under his breath.

[Sithdarth]

The final rat despite the overwhelming odds against him lept to attack Siyamak, landing a solid bite on his nose. After a breaf period hanging from the unfortunate Siyamak nose the rat dropped to the ground heavily. The rat quickly wheeled around preparing for a second pass at poor Siyamak.

[Aerozord]

His next target soon fell, then rushing to the next rat Gabriel slashed downward. However the rodents had wised up to their attacks. The rat had scurried right away from under the blade. The sword struck the ground, the heavy blade chipping the stone floor. "Rats"

[Sithdarth]

Zeroing in on the rat that had latched onto his wing Zane took a clumsy swing at him. He didn't manage to hit the rat but he did dislodge the rodent from his wing. "Stupid rats," he muttered angrily.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Ow." Draonor said as the rat bit into his thumb, he flung his arm up to get the rat off of it, and he managed to do more than that. The rat couldn't get its grip, and went up into the ceiling, hitting with a thud, and dropped back to the ground with a flop, dead as it struck the stone floor.

[Steel Shadow]

Sol swung his rapier at a nearby rat, trying to discorage it from attacking him, but his aim was off. He swung wide and the rat lived to bite another day. Or untill one of his companions finished it off, at least.

[Sithdarth]

Still disoriented from suddenly being forced from their nest the remaining rats went on the offensive. One lunged at Draonor for revenage but a quick side step left the rat gnawing on metal. A second rat leapt for Gabriel as well but he also came up with nothing. The rat Zane had been attacking retailiated with a bite to his hand causing him to curse loudly. The fourth rat attempted to bite Siyamak's other ankle but was thwarted by a quick movement of his foot.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Sidestepping, Siyamak swooped down upon the rat that had just attacked him. His hand fell and his fingers clawed hard stone as the rat scurried out of his grasp.

One particularly plump rat took this opportunity to charge Siyamak, but he was met with a swat that left him on his side as Siyamak stood quickly; he then chuckled slightly as the rat scurried to right itself again.

[Sithdarth]

(ooc: I let KP handle that rat attack because he saw me do the roll in the chat.)

[Aerozord]

Right after the rat lunged at him, he slaughtered it. Then seeing another of them off balance he swung again. "Thats 5" he said as the sword cut yet another in two.

[Sithdarth]

Zane took aim on that persistant rat that still plagued him. He thrust quickly but the rat was slightly faster and all Zane caught was fur. A few random strands floated to the floor as Zane swore an oath at the rat.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor moved in on the rat that Zane seemed to be having difficulty with. He swung with his mace, but the rat managed to slip by him, and anothe tink was heard as his mace hit the floor.

[Steel Shadow]

"oh come on guys, it's just a rat! Sol said, launching an attack at the same rat. It seemed to roll out of the way. Sol stared, missing.
"Ok, maybe some sort of super rat?"

[Sithdarth]

Seeing a small cluster of giant monsters around his buddies one of the few left over rats leapt Sol. The poor rat flew wide even without Sol having to dodge and slamned into Draonor falling to the ground slightly dazed. The super rat not one could kill once again attempted to bite Zane. A quick twist deflected the rat off to the side once more.

(ooc: that first rat rolled a one hence the horrible miss.)

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

"Stay still, vermin!" Siyamak commanded, to no avail, as yet another rat scurried away from his grasp.

[Sithdarth]

Siyamak's fat rat friend took another pass at his foot. But again come up empty handed. Perhaps if he had eaten less cheese he'd be doing better.

[Aerozord]

Gabriel went after the super rat but also missed. "What the? I have seen hellspawn that went down easier then this thing."

[Sithdarth]

Zane was more than a little upset at this pest of a rat. This time he took very careful aim before striking. He scored a clean hit on the head of the "super" rat cutting clean through to the floor. "Damn rat ain't so super now."

(For IC)
Draonor turned on the two remaining rats. He took a mighty swing with his mace but the nearest rat dodged out of the way just in time. Sparks and dust flew from the ground in a great shower.

(ooc: IC had to go for the week so I shall be running his character until his return.)

[Steel Shadow]

Sol swung at the nearest rat so fast it never saw the blade coming. It's head went flying, bouncing harmlessly off the back of Zane's head.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

With a swift, smooth motion, Siyamak slid his curved dagger out of his belt and flipped it between his fingers. Lifting it by the tip, caught between his two fingers, he threw the blade at the last remaining rat.

It clattered harmlessly against the stone floor.

Siyamak stared at it in half-rage as it lay there, leaving a chance for the final rat to attack. Its sharp teeth lodged harmlessly in the tip of Siyamak's boot; Siyamak quickly kicked him off.

[Sithdarth]

(ooc: Psst KP handled the rat attack again because he saw me do the roll in the chat.)

[Aerozord]

With one great swing Gabriel had hit the rat with such skill the rodent vaporized into a fine bloody mist. "And that makes six." After looking at the red paint job he gave the wall he added, "ok maybe I over did it with that last one"

(ooc: and that my friends is what happens when you roll a natural 20 against a rat)

[Sithdarth]

Quickly sheathing his sword Zane turned to his campanions, "Well that was interesting. Shall we explore this place further? Maybe we should off to the that tunnel to the right." As Zane finished he indicated the tunnel to the right as one faced into the borrow from the entry.

(ooc: all rats are dead everyone gets 80xp apiece.)

[Steel Shadow]

His rapier sheathed once more, Sol looked at the newly opened entry-ways.
"I'd like to see what this place has to offer. There may be something valuble stashed away in here somewhere. I suppose that way's as good as any to start with."

[Aerozord]

After giving a brief prayer for the rats Gabriel rests his large blade on his shoulder. "As I said earlier, this place has an evil taint and must be cleansed. But before you enter allow me a torch so I may scout ahead. Those that side with evil have a hard time sneaking up on me"

[Sithdarth]

Zane quickly retrieved his pack and pulled out an apparently lit torch. Closer inspection revealed the flame was smokeless and heatless. "Here this should help you. As for me I can see as well in the dark as you see in broad daylight. I don't require this light."

[Steel Shadow]

Sol held up his hand.
"Hey, not so fast. I don't think you should scout on alone. If anything happens to you while your off on your own, we'd have no way of knowing. A place like this could be loaded with traps. Better I come with you. I know a thing or two about hidden dangers." He said, walking over to Gabriel.

[Sithdarth]

"I do believe he just wanted to walk in front, and if he's willing to do that than I won't stand in his way." Zane shouldered his pack and stoked the fire a bit then continued, "I don't think any of us should head off alone in this place."

[Aerozord]

He nods in agreement. "Alright, I will detect the foes, you can detect the traps. I think we should first scout out about ten yards. After that we should remain about five yards ahead as we press forward. If they watch the back we should be able to avoid any unwanted suprises."

[Steel Shadow]

"Oh, THAT kind of scouting. Oh well, makes no difference really. Shall we?" Sol said, indicating the door on the right.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Siyamak remained silent, an unusual trait for him. But something about this place didn't quite sit right with him... like an echo in the back of his mind clawing to be remembered. He felt slightly sick... perhaps he had been here too long.

But running away wasn't going to help anything, and didn't look a particularly pleasing alternative to boot. Somberly, Siyamak scooped up his dagger from off the stone ground and slid it back into his belt.

Shouldering his pack, Siyamak responded to the current line of conversation with a simple, "I'm in."

[Aerozord]

Taking the lit torch Gabriel went further inside. Making sure to keep both his eyes and ears sharp. Most importantly, he made sure to pay attention to any evil he senced.

[Sithdarth]

The trip up the hall was uneventfull; a odd spider web hung here or there but nothing presented itself to challenge the adventures. About 20 foot from the end of the hall Zane spotted what appeared to be a sarcophagus standing in the middle of the room. At about the same time Gabriel's detect evil showed him a faint, but stronger than the ambient one, aura of evil in the same spot Zane had sceen the sarcophagus. Unfortunetly Zane blundered ahead into the room before any warning could be given.

The only object of intrest in this is a statue at the far end. It resembles a sarcophagus standing upright, except the head of the figure carved upon its lid looks distorted and seems to have tendrils instead of hair. A pair of batlike wings exends from its temples. Suddenly, its eyes open, revealing the glow of green flames, and the head flies forward to attack.
7
(ooc: Roll up initiative again Monster: 5 Me: 8 Aero: 8 KP: 17 IC: 20 SS: 7 An attack roll of 12 or higher hits.)

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor saw the danger, and reacting quickly he threw one of his javelins at the head. Either Draonor was lucky, or Talos stepped in, because that javelin found its target, hitting for 6 points of damage. The head didn't take it too well, flying backwards when impaled and hitting the ground, not rising up from its landing position.

((OOC: First attack kill baby. Me for the win!))

[Sithdarth]

(ooc: Everyone gets 70xp.)

Zane laughed as the flying head thing dropped dead at the strike of the javelin. "Well at least it wasn't another swarm of rats." Zane quickly searched the place were the monster had come from. He found a small ring glowing very faintly. "Hmm well it seems we've found something."

[Aerozord]

Gabriel didn't like the feel of this place. The aura was still present. Perhapps he was the darkest thing here, but there was more to this place. "Grr I dont like the feeling of this tomb. This place has a wretched aura. We are far from done here."

[Steel Shadow]

Sol looked at the ring, puzzled by the glow. He leant over and plucked it out of Zane's hand before the man could react and held it up to the light.
"Don't suppose anyone can tell what this is?" He said, inspecting it.

[Sithdarth]

"We probably better finish exploring this place before whatever else is in here comes looking. I suggest we head down that tunnel to the left of the entrance." After saying his piece Zane took a few steps towards the hall they had come down and waited.

[Steel Shadow]

"Sounds good to me" said Sol, placing the ring in the pouch on his belt. "IT sounds like the storms still going full force" he muttered, commenting on the howling of the wind that penetrated the halls as he headed back to the fork.

[Inbred Chocobo]

OOC: I'ma jump the groupd back to the door, since I guess it would be pretty clear on the way back.

IC: Draonor looked around. The group had managed to come back to the doors rather uneventful. "So guys, which door is it? Left or right?" Draonor looked to the left. Then looked to the right. "I'ma say left." Draonor said, the glanced into the doorway to the left, then looked back. "Whos first?"

[Aerozord]

With his blade still resting on his shoulder Gabriel walked out. "I can go first again if you preffer."

[Steel Shadow]

OOC: Sods law dictates this will come back to bite me, but:

IC: "Go ahead, but if you get crushed by some sort of counter weight/collapsable ceiling gig, don't blame me." Sol smilied jokingly. "Seriously though, I don't wish to insult your abilitys, but this place has a stench of evil, you've told us that much. Do you really think that it would change things if you went before the rest of us?" He turned to Draonor, "I like the one on the right. The middle one's always so official, all the good stuffs always down the side routes." He grinned as he headed over towards the door on the right.

[Sithdarth]

The small group shuffled dow the other side hallway slowly. Once again it was nothing but dusty cobwebs and the odd motion at the edges of their vision. As the group neared the end of the hallway another room opened out before them. This room is empty save for dust and a single, small stone chest in the center of the floor. Evidently no one has disturbed this chamber for many years. "Hmm," Zane commented, "it seems that once again we've found something."

[Steel Shadow]

Before anyone could step into the room Sol's arm swung out, blocking anyone from passing through.
"Hold on a sec. This is what I was talking about." He stepped over to the chest. "Stay back there. This may take a while" He said as he streched his fingers. Then, tapping the chest he heard a very clear and sharp "Tink".
"Like I thought" He muttered, absorbed in his work. He ran his hands over the chest's exterior, paying attention to the clasp. Eventualy he found a secret button along the side, flush with the surface. Pushing it he heard the trap within release. The chest now safe he lifted the lid.
"Bingo. You can move now" He called back to the group standing a little ways off. He reached down and pulled out a belt and another ring. "I hope these were worth the effort"

[Sithdarth]

"Well it sure seems this place contained more than just evil. Shall we continue further." As he finished Zane made for the door and motioned for others to follow. A short trip back through the hall the group arrived back in the central entrance chamber. "So we ready to head down that middle path yet," asked Zane.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Siyamak sighed as he stood in the entryway -- hands on his hips -- feeling the negative energy of his powers flow invisibly through him and thinking about how superfluous he was.

"Look," he finally said, "I'm almost sure there's something here. And since we haven't found it yet, it's probably down there. We should be prepared, but I don't see any merit in waiting around for it to come to us. I'm going, if you're in I think Zane should take point with me, bringing that lit torch along is just going to make us a target until we're right next to them."

Siyamak moved towards the final passageway. "You in?"

[Sithdarth]

Zane recovered his torch and slipped it into his bag. "Indeed this may be a disadvantage if something is waiting for us." He quickly joined Siyamak and started down the hall. It was much like all the other halls, that is long dusty and dark.

The long stone hall ends in a stone chamber furnished only with cracked, moldering tables on which lie rusted implements of iron. Rain falls into the middle of the room from a shaft in the ceiling that must run all the way to the top of the tor. From the bottom of the shaft dangles a rope, swinging slightly. A drain in the center of the floor allows the water to escape, but old, dark stains suggest that it was used to carry away other fluids long ago.

Just before walking into the room Zane stopped the small company of men. Suddenly, from the doorway on the fair side of the room step two burly humanoids. Each stands more than 6 feet tall and has feral eyes and flat facial features. With a roar, the two draw their weapons and charge.

(ooc: Roll Init, Me: 9 Aero:9 Kp: 11 SS: 23 IC:11)

[Steel Shadow]

As the beastmen charged, Sol calmly drew his crossbow and fired, hiting the left one in the arm (4 damage). It roared in pain, not really slowing down. Sol grinned, reaching for another bolt.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Siyamak repsonded as quickly as he could, pulling his compound bow off his shoulder and an arrow from his belt quiver in one swift motion. Aiming intently, he nocked the bowstring and pulled back the arrow. Just as he had the creature in his sights, he released.

...awkwardly.

Siyamak flinched as the arrow spun to nearly hit his foot and the bowstring bit into his forearm.

He sighed. "My god, I'm worthless today..."

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor went to hurl a javelin at the foes, only to have the javelin fly a bit high and go over their heads. "Damn." He said as he moved up ahead of the lower AC'd peeps to hopefully shield them from attacks.

[Sithdarth]

(ooc: I'll be posting for Aero myself and the monsters in this one.)

Gabriel stepped forward drawing his sword as the injured humanoid approached. With a mighty cleave Gabriel brought his sword down unto the poor creatures head. It split in twain small bits of gore flying in many directions. Capitlizing on his last attack, and quickly recovering his sword, Gabriel sliced right into the chest of the other approaching monster. Blood geysered from the wound as the second monster gurgled and fell still.

Zane had readied his weapon but now seeing no need sheathed it once more. "Well it certainly does appear that some of us have had some fighting expierence. Shall we see what our friends have carried into this pit. Perhaps we shall find something of value."

A quick search of the two yields two suits of studded leather armor, two light shields, two short swords and a pair of javelins. One is also found to be wearing a belt of unusual quality with an unusual shine to it.

[Steel Shadow]

Sol put his arms behind his head and looked up, blinking away the water. His eyes fell upon the rope dangling down to them. Raising an eyebrow he looked back at the corpses of the... whatever they were that attacked them. "Just what are those anyway?" He asked, moving over to the rope and tugging it to see how secure it was.

[Sithdarth]

"I'd wager they came down that hole with the intention of setting up some sort of camp here. We've probably down the locals a great service by killing them."

Zane took one more quick look around the room and found nothing. He took one last look at the ceiling and headed for the other door, "Well I say we keep moving I think its pretty clear that rope leads to the outside and the weather out there makes it highly unlikely we'll find anything else."

[Steel Shadow]

This was a convincing argument to be sure. Zane was totaly right. But Sol was a curious soul.
"Yeah, you're right. But still, I want to check. I'll catch up" He said, before pulling himself up. He wasn't going to be long, and they had time to burn. What was the worst that could happen?
EDIT: He climbed the damp rope quickly. Zane was right, the rope led outside, and the storm was still going full force. Sol watched the sheets of rain and flashy lightning for a second before sliding back down the rope. He hurried after the others, shaking of a bit of the water.

[Sithdarth]

A short walk down the hallway revealed a secondary hallway going off to the right of the group and a moderately sized room up ahead. Stopping here Zane looked both ways carefully, "So do we investigate the room first or this hallway?"

[Steel Shadow]

"Room first, then we'll go check the hall." Sol said, standing by the door and giving it a once over.

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor kind of snickered as the man went up and down the rope. Of course, that was then, and this is now. "My vote goes to the room, since we are already here." Draonor said with a nod. "Course, who wants to go in first?"

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Siyamak almost shouldered his bow, before thinking better of it. He didn't know what was here... in fact...

"We don't know what's here. We should probably check out the room first, but I don't appreciate the thought of getting cornered. I think I should stay back here and watch the hallway with Zane while the three of you go check out that room as quickly as possible."

[Steel Shadow]

Sol looked around, then, realising that no one else was going to do it, sighed and steped over to the door, pushing it open and peering through...

[Sithdarth]

A long, stone table dominates the center of this chamber, and bright bits of gold wink from within the dust that covers the floor. Upon the table lies the well-preserved corpse of a tall humanoid wearing the tabard and belts of a knight. Suddenly, the corpse sits up, lifting an old, rusted morningstar in one hand and a javelin in the other. As it climbs off the table, its mouth opens to loose an eerie moan.

(ooc: Initiative everyone SS:23, IC:18, Me:8 KP:6)

[Steel Shadow]

(OOC: Since I rolled 23 inti, I'm going first)

Sol once again drew his crossbow. Taking aim, he shot another bolt the undead knight. It sailed through the air, flying straight for it's head. Then, a random shift of wind sent it into the cretures arm. It barely flinched (1 damage)

[Sithdarth]

(ooc: I'll be going for Aero)

Gabriel quickly drew his sword as the monster continued its slow approach. Gabriel swung hard slicing into the undead monsters arm. (8 damage)

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor hurled one of his trusty javelins at the knight, only to have it bang against the armor and fall to the ground harmlessly. "Well, that sucked for me." Draonor said.

[Sithdarth]

Zane drew his sword quickly prepairing an attack a against the creature. Unfortunetly he swung wide his blade glancing off harmlessly.

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Siyamak ran towards the beast, nocking the still-held bow. Taking minor cover behind Sol, Siyamak aimed and drew back the arrow.

The soft tang of the bowstring was followed by the dull thud of the arrow striking dead flesh deeply. A strong blow that made the beast stumble, but it still stood.

(8 damage)

[Sithdarth]

The zombie turned on Zane bringing it's mace down heavily on the head of the poor man. (6 damage)

[Steel Shadow]

Sol slotted another bolt into his bow and fired. This time the zombie ducked and the bolt went flying into the distance, raising a small dust cloud on the other side of the room.
"damnit"

[Sithdarth]

(ooc: Ok I'll be going for Aero again)

Quickly recovering from his last blow, but not quite quick enough to prevent Zane's infortunate injury, Gabriel once again lashed out at the zombie hitting it square in the torso.(6 damage)

[Aerozord]

(ooc:wait, it was my turn?)

[Sithdarth]

(ooc: Yes, yes it was.)

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor put his hand on Zane, releasing a healing spell (8 points). "That should help ya." Draonor finished off the healing. He made sure to prepare himself for another attack since he did have to move to Zane to heal him.

[Sithdarth]

Recovering from his wounds, and thanking Draonor for the help, Zane launched another offensive against the Zombie. Once again he struck true dealing the zombie a decent blow to the leg. (6 damage)

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

Pulling another arrow from the quiver that hung at his belt, Siyamak let it fly at the beast, only to see it spin haft over head and clatter worthlessly on the stone floor.

[Sithdarth]

The zombie turned on Gabriel bringing down his rusted mace on the poor man's shoulder with a slight crunch. (6 damage)

[Steel Shadow]

Sol once again raised his crossbow to fire. And once again he missed.
"Maybe I should get the sights on this thing checked..."

[Aerozord]

Yelling Gabriel pushed the creature back. Desperately trying a counter attack. He swung his blade missing and even stumbling. Thanks to his wound his attack had lost its accuracy. He grit his teeth. "Sonova.."

[Inbred Chocobo]

Draonor seemed to be on the ball about healing people. This time around Gabriel was the lucky one that got a hand in healing. (6 points.) Once the glow faded, Gabriel was probably feeling a lot better.

[Sithdarth]

Zane once again launched himself at the zombie striking a decent blow to the vile rotting creature. (7 damage)

[The Kneumatic Pnight]

"I won't miss you again," Siyamak declared somewhat boldly, as he let fly another arrow. An arrow that sped past the beast's head and struck the far wall, snapping in two.

[Sithdarth]

In quite the rage over its injuries the zombie once again bore down on a target. This time he barely missed and Draonor spun out of the way to safety.

[Steel Shadow]

"Ok, lets see how you like this!" Sol yelled to get the things attention. It turned it's head to face him as he fired. It was a good shot, slamming it right in the forehead. The thing fell to the ground, dead.
"Yes!" Sol cheered, arms raised in triumph.

[Aerozord]

"phew" slings sword over shoulder. "That was a challenge. I suggest we get healed up and push forward." Still the evil had not left, something was amiss

[Sithdarth]

A quick search of the room reveals that the armor the zombie is wearing and the mace he was using are rusted to near uselessness. However, tucked in the Zombie's belt is a secondary weapon. Close examination reveals it to be a dagger of rare quality. Furthermore, the floor glittered with lose gold a quick count revealed it to be about 315 pieces in all.

[Steel Shadow]

Sol peered around the room, and decided that there wasn't anything intresting left in it.
"Come on guys, lets go see whats down the hall" He said, stepping out the door.

[Inbred Chocobo]

"Alright, nothing left in here anyway" Draonor said after the loot had been distributed properly. "Guys be a little careful, I don't have that much healing left."

[Sithdarth]

At the end of this hallway is a small chamber whose wooden door lies on the floor. The smell of dust pervades the air, and the sound of thunder is muted here. Numerous body-shaped lumps are visible through the doorway, each wrapped carefully in layers of grey thread like woven mummies.

(ooc: Everyone roll a spot check.)

(edit: Anyone that rolls above a 20 sees a spiderweb. You know who you are.)

[Steel Shadow]

Sol raised his hand, halting the group.
"One second." He said. There was a strangely thick spiderweb covering the hall. He drew his sword and, holding it at arms length, gingerly poked the web.

[Sithdarth]

As the sword contacts the web it become instantly stuck. A few quick tugs only confirm that it will take a significant amount of strength to free it.

(Strength check DC 16)

[Steel Shadow]

Sol rooted his feet on the floor and tugged. Then again. and a third time. Finaly the blade came free, nearly sending Sol to the floor.
"Ok, stay back, this thing's tricky" He said, reaching into his backpack. Helit his lantern and carefully edged the flame toward the web...

[Sithdarth]

While it didn't actually catch fire the web frayed and broke in several places from the heat. It swung neatly out of the doorway leaving it open enough for the part to pass through unhindered.

(Another spot check.)