Crypt of Osorin, part 9
Log Info
- Title: Crypt of Osorin, part nine
- Emitter: Culix
- Characters: Knightmare, Paenitia, Aimarra
- Place: Crypt of Osorin
- Time: Friday, May 21, 2021, 2:28 PM
- Summary: Taking a break to bandage, Aimarra and Paenitia are joined by another Knight, the Knightmare, who along with Cysgodawyr makes her way through the Tomb to meet up with them. Introductions are made, and then Aimarra risks to blades to get to the lever. She manages to avoid them, and working the lever both stops the blades and opens the door. Outside, the statue of Osorin, responds. Inside, there are three sarcophagi, which disgorge skeletons. Two seem to be fighting champions, the other a bejewelled sorcerer. Aimarra rushes in and a skeleton advances to engage her. Paenitia and Ramirez become the cork in the bottleneck, and struggle to get into the room while Knightmare fires arrows. The peacock-andalusian finally clears the doorway for a charge, and Aimarra retreats, further surrounded and taking a lot of damage. On the verge of death, Aimarra manages to dispatch one of the skeleton champions. Ramirez and Cysgodawyr finish another and the knights converge on the sorcerer skeleton. They fight, flailing mostly, but threaten him enough he attempts escape. Ramirez destroys the skeleton, taking a ruby as his prize.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, so fluffy =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Knightmare 6'4" 294 Lb War Golem Female A knightly construct on the hoof bearing heraldry of lost Dragonier. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Aimarra 5'1" 128 Lb Half-Elf Female Brown hair and eyes, breastplate, leathers, pointed ears. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Sirs, glamping outside -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Smuldur 3'4" 45 Lb Goblin Male A gently used (cut, scraped, burnt, exploded) gobber. Glasha 5'8" 100 Lb Half-Orc Female Green-skinned, young lady with bleached hair. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the smallest GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Culix 3'2" 36 Lb Goblin Female Beady-eyed goblin female in leathers and hood. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Having heard rumors of the crypt and its supposed treasures, Knightmare had set off to investigate for herself. However, it seems as though someone has beaten her to it- Smuldur and Glasha camp outside the main entrance, which has already been opened. Though Glasha will aim to remain tight lipped, Smuldur will let slip the names of his companions inside- Aimarra and Paenitia. And neither will offer any real resistance should Knightmare choose to take a look for herself.
There are foot prints, blood spatters, smashed skeletons, and the remnants of a campfire to follow.
Knightmare accepts the information as it is, scant, but welcome, with a salute before she ventures into the crypt, negotiating it's halls with brave Cysgodawyr. Too many times her dear friend of late has been unable to join the festivities, and the construct realizes he could use the pick-me-up. The trail is sufficient, and helps the intrepid pair in navigating the labrynthine halls.
GAME: Paenitia used a Healer's Kit. GAME: Paenitia used a Healer's Kit. GAME: Paenitia used a Healer's Kit. GAME: Paenitia used a Healer's Kit. GAME: Paenitia takes ten on heal+2+2: (10)+9+2+2: 23 GAME: Paenitia takes ten on heal+2: (10)+9+2: 21
The treasure has been examined and sorted. Where possible it's been transfered to sacks on Ramirez, who allows it, but reminds Paenitia several times with unhappy whickers and a few snorts that he is not a pack mule. He does however, think silver things are nice, so he will carry those and ignore whatever is mixed in with them.
The fine clothes make fine rags, for the most part, which helps with cleaning. Paenitia is unwilling to use them for bandages however, and she depletes much of her healer's kit tending to Aimarra's wounds and then her own. The Red Knight is somewhat reluctant to remove armour pieces in the half-elf's presence, and only does so when shielded by a wing of Ramirez and the wall.
All in all, the looting and bandaging take a few hours. Hours of mostly silence, lit by Ramirez's strange glow, and accompanied by the whrrring hiss of the blades in the other room.
Soon enough, Knightmare will come upon a room full of spinning blades. It does not look as though anyone has crossed it- there's not blood everywhere. So the two she follows must have taken a different path- that natural fissue she had passed, full of weird bugs. The bugs aren't hostile, though they do sprey nasty-smelling stuff at the war golem and horse as they pass- towards the light of a lantern, perhaps. Until finally they realize that no, that is just Ramirez- glowing like a lantern himself.
Aimarra's knowledge of healing is fairly minimal, so once Paenitia is done tending her, she'll help as necessary or ask to tend Paenitia, but when Knightmare arrives, she's propped herself up against the far wall of the chamber, head resting on the open lid of one of the chests, and looks for all the world as though she is asleep or close to it, her bow resting in her lap.
Knightmare's approach is not silent, as between their weight and hooves upon the stone, it really couldn't be. Eventually, as the blood seems fresher, she chances calling out, "Sister Paenitia! Are you here?" at full bellows during the search. As the devilish blade trap seems unsullied, she sees fit to divert, unmounted along the narrower path.
The stench from the bugs is unpleasant, moreso for the burly destrier who gets a little tempermental at that point, but the Knight gently coaxes them out of their shower toward the light of their comrades.
"Hello, the camp!" she hails as she continues to close the distance.
'Ruaaaaaah.' Ramirez squawks, a low key greeting for the hoof-steps and hoof-beats as he recognizes a comrade of the saddle and Cysgodawyr's mistress.
"Hola! My friend! I am! Also, much glad to see you." Paenitia's greeting is very enthusiastic, approaching the Knightmare's field of vision, then giving her a formal bow as befits a fellow knight met on the field, "Dame Betrys, welcome! We have found the solution to the blades room, and only gather our strength to test it."
She turns and gives a soft call to awaken the half-elf, "Aimarra, Allies arrive."
Judging by the non-instant response, Aimarra must have been tired, but she does stir at the call. "Mmmph?" She sits up, blinking, then fairly jumps to her feet at the presence of a third in the room, bow in hand. For the space of half a breath, her pose becomes defensive, but then relaxes - well, mostly, because moving that fast _hurt_, and it shows in her stance. "Oh. Hi. Um, I think we've met? Aimarra Reyes."
Taking the narrow fissure path as far north would meaning having to dodge one set of spinning blades to reach the lever at the end of the room.
Knightmare ventures closer yet and returns her sister Knight's bow in kind, "Well met, you all!" she returns, then turns to gently stroke her destrier's neck, who stills, ear flicking.
He smells bad and doesn't like it.
The start of the half-elf is met with a palm held forward, "Be at ease." she says in her hollow voice, her reaper's smile just the thing to encourage calm feelings, "Dame Betrys of Dragonier, well met, madame."
"There is a lever, past the blades, that may stop them. This make only one set of knives to dance with, but their beat is known." Paenitia points down the hallway at the room, and then the fissure to its end, "through there, but the step beat has to be just right."
She pauses a moment, then adds, "I am willing to take the risk, but move slow in this armour. Other options may be better." Like someone with longer legs.
The ranger doesn't exactly seem calm as she studies the newcomer, but she and Paenitia seem to know each other, and be on good terms, so Aimarra says nothing further, only returns the reaper's smile with something just a little feral. "You arrive in good time. I will attempt the lever, if you wish."
Knightmare continues troking Cysgodawyr's neck, making soft crooning noises, interlaced with, "We'll get clean soon, old friend. But first, quest, and perhaps to battle."
This seems to mollify the warmount who wickers once and settles down. Ok, he gives a little whinney, then ventures over toward Ramirez, whicker-whicker.
Betrys nods, taking in the information, "My armor is strong, but I have never been much for dance...?"
All the while, the sound of the blades whooshing nearby repeat rythmically. It could be quite a hypnotising sound, if it wasn't accompanied with the knowledge of danger the blades represent. They look rather sharp.
"I would not claim to frolic as fine as an elf, and this is a frolicing task." Paenitia states, turning her grinning mask towards Aimarra before looking once more at the blur in the other room. "It is a brave thing, and I think best you attempt Aimarra. I would not take the honour from you."
Ramirez is happy to see Cysgodawyr, and moves to rub a shoulder against the other mount. He head-rubs in an equine way, greeting hello.
GAME: Aimarra rolls reflex+5+10: (13)+7+5+10: 35
The feral smile turns to a skeptical smirk, but there's no denying that Aimarra's the best choice of the three to make the attempt. She watches the pattern of the blades with a knowing eye, from the safety of that alcove, measuring her timing carefully.
Corner to corner is swift enough, just like dashing from building to building by night beneath the desert stars, keeping always to the shadows - she shakes her head swiftly once in the safety of the corner, plastered to the wall. _Stop daydreaming, Ai. Those days are gone, and you have more dangerous business to see to._
Paenitia watches as Aimarra advances, taps her toes lightly to time the blades, nods as she moves on the right sequence and vanishes into the room. No scream, no metallic dicing sounds. The little Lucht cheers with a fist in the air as the half-elf appears to make it, "Ole!"
"Do not lean in to look. The blades, they scrape the walls close." The Red Knight advises the black one, having looked in there herself previously. Louder, she calls, "Aimarra, you are OK? We wait for the sounds of triumph."
Not failure, definitely not failure.
Cysgodawyr has long decided the oddly maned mount is alright, and returns the nuzzling, tail wagging lazily behind him.
Knightmare turns to watch the brave archer nimbly dance through the deathtrap like a leave in the summer breeze.
Now for the waiting.
Shortly after pressing her back to the cold stone wall, the glint of metal snatches Aimarra from her thoughts as it whizzes past inches from her face. It's enough to make one second guess their eyes, and feel for a moment as though they may have misjudged the distance. But, all is well- and the blades spin for a few seconds, before once more beginning to fold back in on themselves, opening up her chance to make it the rest of the way.
GAME: Aimarra rolls reflex+5+10: (10)+7+5+10: 32
_Don't move. Don't move._ Aimarra's judgment is close, very close. But - the same pattern applies, and she forces herself, with an effort, to keep her mind on her task, not on the steel inches from her face. Three and two, three and one - two and one. Like a shot, when the third stops moving, right on cue, she dashes for the safety just before the doors, and clears it with a half-second to spare.
Only then does she call out, "I'm fine. Looking at the lever, stay put."
GAME: Aimarra rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (11)+8: 19
"Ok." Paenitia says, wondering how much looking a lever needs, not having looked at them much herself. There usually isn't much to see, one end moves. Sometimes there's a catch? She isn't sure. "Be careful not to lean into the blades when trying for better angle."
Now, that sort of accident she's familiar with from the mines.
Ramirez scratches at the floor, glacing at Cysgodawyr. He's familiar with waiting on his mistress without knowing why. Company to wait with is nice.
"As you say!" Betrys calls back toward the sound of at least preliminary success. She looks to the mounts making nice-nice as good comrades do, then to Paenitia, "She is good." she notes. The construct shifts her weight to the other hoof, then, "I wonder how much clearance we will have once she stills those blades."
Cysgodawyr is still.... itching for a fight. Some of his partner's latest endeavors, the party was over before he got to play and.... it kind of gets to him, sometimes. He'd really like to play, especially with his feathered buddy alongside.
Whicker. earflick.
A moment later, the call comes back. "Ware! The lever will open the door ahead, we might have company!" So calling, Aimarra pulls the lever with both hands, then turns her bow and her anxious attention towards the door.
The lever is hard to pull, taking Aimarra's full body weight to shift. Once it begins to move, though it seems to loosen up. It makes a series of clicks as the teeth on its geared bottom catch on some mechanism below. And then the clicks are echoed with deeper, louder thunks and clunks deep below. The sort of sounds one feels more than hears.
- Thunk... Thunk... Tictictictictic...
The blades all freeze in place abruptly, shimmering in the torchlight. Then reverse slightly until they line up with slots in the central pillars. The blades fold over on themselves, and then the hafts fold up into notches in the walls.
- Tok...tok...tok...
The unseen workings seem to come to a stop, and then the room vibrates as the thick stone doors leading onwards from this room begin to grind open.
Braziers on the walls begin to flare into life, flames springing forth where only ash and dust had been before, stretching back down the hallways they can see, illuminating the entire dungeon.
Outside, Glasha and Smuldur will be surprised to see the statue of Osorin that presides over the mound this crypt is buried under begins to rotate and rise from the ground.
'Ruaaaah!' Ramirez answers Aimarra, recognizing certain tones in the half-elf's voice. Feeling the vibrations through the floor. The fight has come! He snorts, stamps a hind hoof in a stallion way and makes an odd rattle of his beak.
"Ramirez! Hold!" Paenitia calls, recognizing his eagerness, also sensing the deep shiftings below. The sudden flames and shadows. Ensure the blades have stopped.
They have.
"Ramirez, come when the corridor is clear. The blades do not spin, Dame Betrys, it should be safe for you to enter. Take the far side so Ramirez can get to me."
The vibrations send 'tingles' through certain of her crystalline substructures and Knightmare gives a nod to Aimarra's warning, "Undesrstood!" she calls back.
Cysgodawyr, likewise perking up at the prospect of immenant battle, turns and starts to approach his mistress. She, in turn, nods to Paenitia's call, and she reaches out for the reins to guide her valliant steed to their proper position, then, spends time getting ready in the saddle.
Aimarra blinks, her vision suddenly disrupted as the flames and sconces burst into life, the deep trembling under her feet sending a pang of unease through her. It takes a moment to adjust to one's eyeballs being assaulted with light in a dark place, but that corresponds to the movement of the other two, so she takes a moment to recalibrate, then having already cleaned and sheathed her blade, she nocks a fresh arrow to the bowstring and shoots one last glance back to ensure the others trail her before creeping cautiously into the room.
As the doors finish their slow grinding movement towards opening, and the dust falling from the ceiling begins to settle, and Aimarra slips into the room- she will see in the newfound light, three sacophogoi. The middle one is made of fine marble, inlaid with gold. The other two are simple granite, but all three are well crafted and made seemingly from a single piece of stone, save the lids.
Lids which slowly begin grinding open.
Eerie green light begins to glow from within the sarcophogoi as they grind open, and bony fingers reach out to pry themselves out of the resting places to the east and west of the room. Emerging, these skeletons wield finely crafted longswords and are clad in chainmail armor, each carrying stout steel kite shields- and looking rather knightly, despite the lack of flesh on their bones.
The central tomb's occupant rises directly into the air- clad in tattered robes, and bearing a crown on its head- green fire burns within empty sockets. Even its bones are decorated, encrusted with gemstones and inlaid gold patterns. Its bony fingers have rings crafted to fit them, its skull is studded with rubies and sapphires.
Osorin, it seems, was very literally buried with his treasure.
GAME: Culix rolls 7: (2)+7: 9
Free of its tomb, one of the skeletons rushes towards Aimarra- the half-sil who dares set foot in this crypt. Its jaw chatters wordlessly as its bony feet carry it across the flags of the floor towards her- but the tip of its blade bites only at the air, falling well wide of Aimarra.
Meanwhile, the floating figure holds out its bony hands, making some sort of arcane gesture- a field of shimmering force surrounds it as it hovers five feet above its vacated sarcophagus.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Ramirez CMB" GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+7: (7)+7: 14 GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon8: (10)+6: 16
"Ramirez! Ahh.. ah? Overrun." Paenitia orders, unsure, as the swiftly changing situation unfolds. Where did that skeleton come from? Why is Aimarra in the way, in the room with a bow? "Aimarra, we come through!"
At least, that was the plan. The ivory peacock-andalusian surges forward, fluffy feathers filling his side of the room. He squeezes to the left of the doorway attempting to bow over the skeleton.
This maneuver fails. He blocks the doorway.
"Ramirez! The bottleneck fight is only good when we are not the cork!" The Red Knight says, her voice not matching the grin of her mask.
Ramirez whickers apologetically. Eagerness fails.
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (10)+9: 19
And she's got a skeleton in her face, before she can blink. Aimarra's bow clatters to the ground unheeded - if there is one thing she has learned in the past two days, it's that bows are useless with skeletons. Steel rasps against leather as she steps out of Ramirez' way, allowing the others inside as she may and landing a solid strike - on the thing's shield. Sparks fly and a *scree* of metal on metal echoes down the hall.
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon5: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d6+3: (4)+3: 7
Cysgodawyr's gonna be mad if he can't get to the fun again....
Dame Betrys twists her thigh in a way that makes the point of her 'ankle' tap-tap into the Coal destrier's side and he starts to move foward. One hand on the rein, the other plucks her somewhat meaty shortbow from where it hangs on the saddle. She draws rein behind Ramirez's fans of plume and polearm and she releases it, only to smoothly nock, draw and release a shrieking arrow into the skeleton hanging back out of the main fray, chipping bone.
GAME: Culix rolls 7: (14)+7: 21 GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+3: (4)+3: 7 GAME: Culix rolls 7-1: (10)+7+-1: 16 <OOC> Culix says, "Will save, DC17" GAME: Paenitia rolls will: (12)+4+2+1: 19
As Aimarra steps deeper into the room, she spots a second skeleton champion- and it spots her. It rushes for her, as well, striking at her. The first one turns its attention to the larger threat- swatting aside the point of the lance with its shield, it brings its blade in a sweeping motion towards the rider- but fails to find any better purchase against her than it did with the elf.
Meanwhile, the flying skeleton holds out a bony finger towards Paenitia and Ramirez. Its mouth opens in a silent scream, and the green flames in its eye sockets seem to stare deep into te Lucht's soul, causing both her and her mount to feel a surge of doubt and trepidation- for just a moment.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon8: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (15)+5: 20 (Ramirez Beak) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+3: (4)+3: 7 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (10)+5: 15 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7
"Ramirez, my love, please. Get us in the room." Paenitia says, leaning forward and cooing at his ear. To emphasize her point, she stabs, but her lance-tip goes awry, missing the skeleton.
'RUUAAAAHHHH!" Ramirez squawks! Beak snapping. He's been fighting these bloodless foes, and while he appreciates their minimal mess, they seem unworthy challengers to him. Nothing with meat, with passion, that rends.
He does like rending things. The claw closest the door is impaired, and he misses, but the second swipe catches some more bones.
They're still stuck in the doorway.
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (13)+9: 22 GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2-5: (10)+9+-5: 14 GAME: Aimarra rolls 1d8+3: (3)+3: 6
A quick glance shows Aimarra that Ramirez continues to plug the doorway. "I'll try to get out of the doorway!" she calls. "Come on, you pile of bones, come over this way." Two quick strikes follow her words, the first finding a chip of bone, the other finding only a she'd, and she steps backwards, silently willing the skeleton to follow.
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon5: (20)+5: 25 (THREAT) GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon5: (4)+5: 9 (Not Confirmed) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d6+3: (3)+3: 6
As the destrier under her stamps his forehooves petulantly against the stone floor, his rider returns a hollow, "I know! Once the gap opens!" She draws another arrow, calling an inspired, "Up!"
As the frustrated warmount rears up, the Knight leans in counter for elevation over the fray and puts an arrow right into the skeleton's eye, taking a chunk out of the outer orbit, but doing little structural harm overall.
GAME: Culix rolls 7: (20)+7: 27 GAME: Culix rolls 7: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Culix rolls 7: (18)+7: 25 GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+3: (1)+3: 4 GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+3: (7)+3: 10
Empty sockets snapping to Aimarra at her challenge, and they lunge after her as she retreats- one strikes her just above the knee, slicing a shallow cut into her thigh. Painful, but not too serious. But distracting enough that the other plunges its blade tip right into her shoulder, deep enough to hit bone. Its jaw clatters up and down, in a fightful mockery of laughter.
GAME: Culix rolls 2d4+2: (3)+2: 5
As another arrow comes sailing and strikes its jewel-encrusted ribcage, the flying, robed skeleton turns its attention towards the source of the arrows. Holding out a palm, two bolts of bright light burst forth, zipping haphazardly around before converging to slam into the mounted war golem's chest. The skeleton then hovers through the air, moving off to the east and out of line of sight of the doorway.
GAME: Culix rolls 7: (7)+7: 14
"Ramirez, up the side." Paenitia purrs, sliding the lance into her scabbard, ducking even though the door sil is far above her.
The peacock-andalusian squeezes into the room and up the right side of the sarcophagus. A skeleton swipes at him, in passing, but the blade turns on his feathers this time. So fluffy.
"Dame Betrys! The way is clear. Make your charge!" Paenitia calls, reaching for her bow.
She also points across the room, at the bejewelled skeleton. "You! I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Harana, Knight of the Pillar and Paladina of Tarien. You will fight me and none other. Give your name so I know who I do honourable battle with."
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (5)+9: 14 GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2-5: (15)+9+-5: 19
Aimarra screams as the second blade sinks in, a clear clue to both knights as to her status. She's in trouble, and that is audible in her cry. She responds in kind, metal scraping on shield once more in a shower of sparks as the second strike comes close, and takes another step backwards, trying to use the side of the sarcophagus as something resembling defense.
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon4: (11)+7: 18 GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24 (Cysgodawyr bite) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7
Seeing the door open, per se, the Knight of Dragonier drops her bow and calls, "Charge!"
Cysgodawyr needs no further elucidation, nor gilding of the lilly. At once, a thousand pounds of hate thunders down the hallway while Betrys pulls her warhammer from it's place. So stoked is the destrier, he manages to chip off som of the skeleton's bone with his teeth amidst a triumphant whinny, even as Knightmare's hammer whistles over the skeleton's head.
GAME: Culix rolls 7-1: (8)+7+-1: 14 GAME: Culix rolls 7: (15)+7: 22 GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+3: (1)+3: 4 GAME: Culix rolls 6: (16)+6: 22 <OOC> Culix says, "Fort save, DC 16" GAME: Paenitia rolls fortitude+1: (16)+7+1: 24 GAME: Culix rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Culix damaged your Strength for 2 points. 2 total damage. <OOC> Culix says, "Strength damaged for 3 rounds."
The Champions are taking a beating- but are doing their job of screening their flying master. With raised shields and swinging blades, one of them takes a slod hit from Knightmare, while deflecting another blow with its shield. It strikes back, aiming for the horses throat- but it sparks against barding.
Meanwhile, the other champion continues to harry Aimarra giving her no respite as she limps away, sword flailing. It swats aside her blade, and then brings its own down on her to bite into her once again.
The distant sorcerer opens its mouth, as though to answer Paenitia- but only chatters. Despite the evil intelligence behind its empty sockets, it doesn't seem capable of vocalizing, even if it deigned to answer her. It holds out a fingertip, and a ray of darkness springs from it- as though it is a simple absense of life and light cutting across the room. It stikes Paenitia in the chest, and she will feel cold- her muscles weakening.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon1-2: (11)+9+-2: 18 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5-2: (5)+5+-4: 6 (Ramirez Bite)
Paenitia laughs, even as she feels cold and growing weaker, "Ha. I am already the small thing, try harder." She draws her bow and knocks an arrow. This is a strain. Her aim wavers. It flies almost true, straight for the eye socket.
Halting in mid-air and falling as it hits the skeleton's mage armour. The Red Knight cheerfully taunts, "Yes, this is the one fighting you. Hide more in the corner."
Ramirez does his best to squeeze by the sarcophagus and swipe at the skeleton with a talon. He misses completely. He squawks his frustration at Cysgodawyr. Kill it for me brother.
"Aimarra, you are in the middle of them. Try to get behind us. It is too tight for our advance." The little Lucht calls, worried and blocked.
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (15)+9: 24 GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2-5: (5)+9+-5: 9 GAME: Aimarra rolls 1d8+3: (6)+3: 9
Now fighting for her life, and well knowing it, Aimarra barely has time to register anything but the clash of metal on metal and blade on bone, and there's something vaguely feral and predatory about her as she slams her blade once more into the thing, this time finding bone and sending a large chip flying. If she even heard Paenitia, she gives no sign yet, even as the second strike misses horribly. Knightmare has reconnected.
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon3-2: (5)+7+-2: 10 GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16 (Cysgodawyr Bite) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20-2: (20)+-2: 18 (Cysgodawyr Hoof) (THREAT) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20-2: (17)+-2: 15 (Cysgodawyr Hoof) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20-2: (10)+-2: 8 (not confirmed) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d6+3: (3)+3: 6
Well, this isn't going well, is it? Seeing the archer in dire straits, Dame Betrys pulls her lance from the saddle and, with a bold, "Face me, varlot!" thrusts the weapon innefectually at the skeleton pressing Aimarra. Cysgodawyr revels in his chance to smite, dribbling teeth snapping shut over open air and the destrier rears back, managing to put one of his shod hooves upside the undead's mush! As the foe moves to counter, Betrys recognizes the movement and she slaps the destrier's flank with her flowing tail, thus coaxing the warbeast to juke away from the retributive strike. Which is just as well, there was the promise of power behind it!
GAME: Culix rolls 7-1: (12)+7+-1: 18 GAME: Knightmare rolls ride: (11)+2+6: 19 GAME: Culix rolls 7-1: (15)+7+-1: 21 GAME: Culix rolls 1d8+3+2: (4)+3+2: 9 GAME: Culix rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 GAME: Culix rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2 GAME: Culix damaged you for 3 points. 14 HP remaining. GAME: Culix damaged your companion for 2 points. 24 HP remaining.
The skeleton pressing after Aimarra seems to have the scent of blood, points of red light flaring in its skull behind the empty eye sockets as it swings its sword at her over and over, battering back her defenses and ignoring the strikes and lunges coming towards it as it drives her back, wearing her down bit by bit.
Meanwhile the sorcerer splays his fingers after the beam strikes true, and two more points of reddish light erupt, darting about the room rapidly before slamming- one into Ramirez, and another into Paenitia, punching right through feather and armor and searing flesh.
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5-4: (18)+5+-4: 19 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5-4: (20)+5+-4: 21 (THREAT) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5-4: (2)+5+-4: 3 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5-4: (4)+5+-4: 5 (Not Confirmed) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6 GAME: Paenitia rolls ride+6: (6)+4+6: 16 GAME: Culix rolls 7: (10)+7: 17
"We fight like Mad Dogs then." Paenitia barks, snarling just like a dog, sounding angry and furious. It's an unsettling sound coming from behind her ever smiling mask. <gnoll>
Ramirez recognizes what that means. He squawks with a loud fury, flailing at the skeleton in front of him. Fighting with Cysgodawyr is a wonderous moment of equine brotherhood. Fighting cramped up beside a tomb, in a tomb, is not. The white avian-horse's fury is vented on the skeleton, and one claw finally clips its ribcage and flings it across the room.
'Ramirez, catch up!' The Red Knight orders, slipping from his side, drawing her warhammer even as her bow clatters down around her dark feet. She rushes in the room towards the sorcerer skeleton, "You! You! I come for you." Barking again like a dog off her leash.
Passing Aimarra's skeleton, it turns to swing at her, and she doesn't even notice the glancing blow.
GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2: (10)+9: 19 GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2-5: (20)+9+-5: 24 (THREAT) GAME: Aimarra rolls weapon2-5: (17)+9+-5: 21 (Confirmed) GAME: Aimarra rolls 2d8+6: (7)+6: 13
The blade sinks deeply into Aimarra's side once more, and her vision swims before her as her blood flows across armor and leathers alike. Something within her, though, refuses to give in, _not against this thing!_ She slumps, leaning sideways against the sarcophagus in a desperate attempt to keep her feet. Her first strike is ineffectual, but the evil thing before her falls for the feint that doesn't exist!
Seeing one glimmer, one tiny opening, Aimarra gathers herself with everything she her left and _lunges_ for it, the blade coming in a downwards arc from over head. It strikes true, catching the skeleton off-guard, and cleaves bone from bone. The red light fades from its eyesockets, and the pile of bones crumple to the ground in a skittering pile, to move no more.
Weak with pain, blood loss, and sheer relief, Aimarra slumps against the sarcophagus, only about half-conscious.
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon3: (8)+7: 15
Acknowledging Paenitia's clearance with an exhultant, "CHAAARRRGE!" Betrys couches the lance as the feisty mount thunders in toward the last skeleton. Alas, the tip misses the mark, but now she's threatening more violence to the found undead. She may have to get.... ugly.
GAME: Culix rolls 3+2+4: (18)+3+2+4: 27 GAME: Culix rolls 6: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL)
With the grounded skeletons ended, the remaining one- flying in the air, darts to the side of the incoming lance. It drifts to and fro as it gestures, and its bony hand begins to burn with ghostly blue flame. It drifts through the air towards Knightmare, hand extended towards her- but she's able to duck aside and avoid the touch.
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14 (Ramirez Beak)
"I am here! I come for you!" Paenitia barks, a teasing tone to the strange canine sounds she's making. It's easy to keep track of the Dark Lucht, as she scrambles around and over the sarcophagus to end up behind the skeleton.
Too much exertion to hit him just yet, but his time will come.
'Ruaaaah!' Ramirez calls, surging forth to join his Mistress, leaping and gliding to land on the sarcophagus. Close enough to snap at the skeleton's skull. The skull is for crushing. His beak misses, but the peacock-andalusian forms the last wall of a box around the sorceror.
He may be full of magic, but he's about to take a pounding.
And a rending. And some hooves to the face. <gnoll>
The others have the last one hemmed in. Aimarra is ... relatively safe. She leans heavily against the sarcophagus, one hand going to her side in a futile attempt to stem the bleeding, her blade clattering to the stones as she fights for consciousness.
GAME: Knightmare RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 8 temporary HP GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon3-2: (1)+9+-2: 8 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10 (Cysgodawyr Bite) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20-2: (10)+-2: 8 (Cysgodawyr Hoof) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20-2: (4)+-2: 2 (Cysgodawyr Hoof)
The color seems to fade from Betrys's structure, the glints of her armor taking a sort of otherworldly hue as she erupts in a hellish, echoing neigh. She lashes out with the lance, hatefully smiting the floor for so foolishly banishing the skeleton from it's support!
Cysgodawyr's ears flatten as he sounds a more earthly counterpoint to his partner's neigh and he rears, unleashing a flurry of violence upon the open air around the abomination. One who's cunning enchantment puts a shiver into the great beast and he stutter steps slightly to the side with a nervous flick of his taill as he tries to reconcile his felings.
<OOC> Culix says, "Casts defensively again." GAME: Culix rolls 3+2+4: (20)+3+2+4: 29 <OOC> Culix says, "Casts Cause Fear on cy, doesn't provoke." <OOC> Culix says, "DC16 will save." GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20+1: (20)+1: 21 <OOC> Culix says, "Shaken for 1 round."
Driven into a corner all too suddenly now his melee screen are down, the skeletal sorcerer finds his options rapidly dwindling. He holds out his hand, his eyes flaring as he glares at Knightmare's mount, driving images of death and fire into the beast's mind in an attempt to drive it into a panicked retreat to create some space- but the horse holds fast. Disturbed to be certain, but bold enough not to be driven away.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Well, Ramirez, full attack. I would like to ready action." <OOC> Paenitia says, "It being, 'if he casts - hit him'. This should overcome his defensive casting no matter what." GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22 (Ramirez Beak) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (11)+5: 16 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+3: (1)+3: 4 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d4+3: (2)+3: 5
"Ramirez! Lay in!" Paenitia says, lauging, rotating her warhammer in her hand. She's in position, she's ready to strike. She's... waiting. Just a little bit, for the skeleton to do his thing again.
Ramirez does not wait. He lunges! Snap! His beak scores across the skeleton's skull, gouging a groove. A talon swipe, a second swipe! The first set up the second. He draws... dust. An embedded gem is popped off.
'Ruaaah!' The peacock-andalusian crows! A true fight! With friends! Jolly cooperation!
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon4: (5)+9: 14 GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8 (Cysgodawyr Teeth) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20-2: (16)+-2: 14 (Cysgodawyr Hoof) GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d20-2: (19)+-2: 17 (Cysgodawyr Hoof)
Betry's attack for naught, she tries again, getting closer to the mark, but not quite sealing the deal.
Cysgodawyr, meanwhile still aflutter from the spooky chill the skeleton puts into him, nonetheless doesn't want to seem cowardly before his fellow mount and so he continues his attacks, though doesn't get any close than the Knightmare does.
<OOC> Culix says, "Skeleton casts defensively." <OOC> Culix says, "If successful, Pae will still get her readied action but won't provoke from everyone else." GAME: Culix rolls 3+2+4: (15)+3+2+4: 24 <OOC> Paenitia says, "+2 for flanking, +2 for him attacing others and my challenge" GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon7+2+2: (20)+6+2+2: 30 (THREAT) GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon7+2+2: (8)+6+2+2: 18 <OOC> Paenitia says, "+4 for level for Cav challenge" GAME: Paenitia rolls damage7+4: aliased to 1d6+1+4: (4)+1+4: 9 GAME: Culix rolls 3+2+4: (4)+3+2+4: 13
"Fight! Not Spells!" Paenitia was waiting for just this moment. As the skeleton starts to wiggle his fingers, she smashes her warhammer up into its pelvis. She nearly shatters it, she does interrupt it.
The sorcerer's arcane gestures are interrupted this time as his pelvis is nearly shattered- his jaw hangs open in a silent expression of pain, and he rises back up into the air out of range of Lucht hammers- though this puts him at head level with the pecking birdlike companion.
<OOC> Culix says, "DC20 ride check to quick mount," <OOC> Culix says, "failure it's amove action itself, success it's free and you will be able to attack." GAME: Paenitia rolls ride+6: (4)+4+6: 14 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14 (Ramirez Beak) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9 (Ramirez Claw)
Paenitia snorts as the skeleton floats up. "Do not run!" She scrambles up the sarcophagus, then is pulling on her saddle stirrups. This is awkward, and not helped by her peacock-andalusian's movements. She manages to get in the saddle, but barely has a grip on her weapon.
Ramirez, also, is impaired by the Red Knight's quick clamber. He pecks, squawks and slashes the air, but can't land any kind of telling blow.
<OOC> Knightmare says, "i'll hold for him to cast" <OOC> Culix says, "Getting desperate, he attacks with his claws. Going for Ramirez." GAME: Culix rolls 3: (11)+3: 14 GAME: Culix rolls 3: (5)+3: 8
Well and ruly backed into a corner, and beginning to run out of arcane energies, the flying skeleton grits its jaw and lashes out towards the bird that keeps pecking at it, swinging both of its long bony hands at Ramirez, but coming away with only a few tufts of feather caught in pointy fingers.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "+2 for challenge" GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon8+2: (7)+6+2: 15 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) (Ramirez Beak) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (20)+5: 25 (Ramirez Claw) (THREAT) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (8)+5: 13 (Not Confirmed) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d4+3: (2)+3: 5 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d4+3: (4)+3: 7
"Ramirez, my love. You see that red ruby. You rip that off, I let you keep it." Paenitia says, as she decides the best adjustment of her grip on the warhammer is to let it fall, and pull her lance instead. She raises the point towards the soaring sorcerer. A stab! A miss!
'Raww!' Ramirez squawks. He likes this offer. He snaps his beak, too eager, too slow, too far away. Or perhaps it was a feint? He rears, one set of talons entangling in the ribcage, with the other, a powerful slash.
It is not delicate surgery. It is more like throwing a kitchen sink full of knives. Sharp, with a hard impact.
The skeleton is shattered.
In the peacock-andalusian's talon: a ruby.
Combatty
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 4 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
23 Skeletal Champi 1
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21 Skeletal Sorcer 1
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15 Paenitia 1
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12 Aimarra 1
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>> 11 Knightmare 1 <<
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7 Skeletal Champi 1
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==============================================================================
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| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
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| Aimarra.......| 10 | 55 |
| Knightmare....| 32 | 37 |
| (C) Cysgodawyr| 13 | 13 |
| Paenitia......| 17 | 43 |
| (C) Ramirez...| 26 | 26 |
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