Wicked Stirrings, part 1

Log Info

• Title: Wicked Stirrings, Part 1
• Emitter: Thurid
• Characters: Tenoc, Pasithea, Paenitia
• Place: H02: The Felwood
• Time: Wednesday, December 09, 2020, 2:04 PM
• Summary: There are rumours of skeletons and imps, in an abandoned structure in the Felwood that the knowledgeable locals call the 'Corpse Consumer'. Bodies, and equipment decay swiftly. Two adventurers brave it, Tenoc and Pasithea, to be joined by a third, Paenitia at the last minute. Venturing inside they discover a room that appears fresh, unaffected. Opening the door causes rapid decay, and the bones that were lying about assemble into a seven headed skeleton. Battle Ensues! The skeleton is smashed apart, but reassembles into small versions each time. Tenoc does mighty damage, Paenitia holds her own at first, then rapidly is injured, while Pasithea throws spells and acid from afar. The heroes prevail, but the red knight must seek healing in Alexandria, and perhaps reinforcements. The others stay, making camp.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* H02: The Felwood *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The hills give way to trees, which grow black instead of green. The Felwood, once a part of the greater world, now stands apart from it. The trunks of its wood stand twisted in the way that trees will twist, yet somehow wrong, somehow off. Here, it's always cold, the weather just "something other" than what it should be.

Overhead, a continual storm brews. A blackened smear cuts the sky directly above the wood, a darkened rift that was never meant to be. Its creation is rumored as an unnatural thing, a crafting of the unnatural creatures that lie within these woods.

Now and then, the city sends out patrols to thin the creatures, and keep them from the main roads. However, travel here is dangerous, risky, and often painful.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Tenoc        7'0"     280 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      Tall, green-scaled Sith'Makar hunter
Pasithea     3'2"     38 Lb      Halfling          Female    Tall female lucht, willowy, Hair dark as night
Paenitia     3'0"     34 Lb      Halfling          Female    A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  As the GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Thurid       7'1"     249 Lb     Giantborn         Female    Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

Disturbing rumors have made their way to the adventuring guilds and ale houses of Alexandria, as well as circulate among the hunters and shamans of Mictlan and the Grove. An old ruin, long abandoned, within the fellwood has been the focal point of increased activity recently- evil outsiders and undead abominations, while not unheard of in the Fellwood at the best of times, have been alarmingly common in the vicinity of this ruin of late. Arcanists among those who have drawn near have noted a strange change in the energies of the area.

And so, what are adventurers to do, but to explore these ruins, figure out what is causing the strange energies and increase in monstrous activity, and to take anything of value that isn't nailed down in the process? As such, our brave band are making their way down a path in the forest, they'd been given a crude map guiding them towards the location, scribbled by a guard who posted the notice in the Guild.

Tenoc snorts for the dozenth tme. Maps. Still, he is getting better at reading the squiggles and marks and other thngs that help make up such curious pieces of softskin culture....

...somewhat.

More and more, he gives up the map-readingto his companion, hissing in steamy frustration, turning his eyes back to the woods around with a quiet, cautious glance. Unruly dead are involved-- a shudder, a shiver-- not a hunt this, but a clearning of dangers, of dire threats. Tenoc arrives in grave ceremony-- green scales marked with wildly yellow paints, sharp blues and startling reds. The effect is eerie-- breaking up his features in awholly unsettling manner.

The sleepy sorceress known as Pasithea is back in the forest despite her last encounter within them. Stuborness or follishness? It's hard to tell sometimes. She takes the map from Tenoc and tries to keep her eyes open to read it and also to walk forward. Somehow she manages. And given the somber mood of Tenoc she gestures more then she speaks. It's easier that way for her as well.

The map is not great, clearly the guard who drew it did not miss his calling as a great cartographer. But it serves well enough to lead them off the larger road that passes through the wood to the few, brave settlements that cluster around this dank place, and onto a smaller, windier, more overgrown path. The air grows cooler and clammier as they travel through the woods, and the blackened trees draw in nearer around the path, gnarled brantches snatching at clothing like grasping claws and knobbly roots laying in wait to trip the unwary.

Tenoc cherishes the clamminess; a reminder of the swamplands of home! The cool, not so much-- he grasps the greatspear at his side more tightly, shivting briefly as he draws the cloak at his neck more firmly into place. Unease brutally stifled with vicious intent-- he stays close to Pasithea, eyes practically a'glitter as his gaze runs along in surveil.

"...ssk. Should this one light torch? For other eyes to see."

GAME: Pasithea casts Light. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14

Pasithea shakes her head in answer even as she draws her heavier Winter clothes tigher over her shoulders to fight off the damp chill. "I can summon forth.. a light for myself." She says in her sleepy way, soft voice barely above a whisper.

She lifts the tip of her spear to her hand and chants briefly and causes the sharp end of the spear to shine with light. "Will also ..ward myself when we get to the place. Will... stay behind you."

Eventually the clustering trees begin to open back out again, the path widening. They grow tall, here, though. And a fog hangs close to the ground, ankle height for the Sith, knee height for Pasi. The dim sky is blotted out by gnarled branches. Pasithea's light helps, illuminating the mist and driving away the fog in their vicinity. They must be drawing nearer to the site of the ruins- chunks of stone, eroded with age but clearly hewn and shaped long ago begin to litter the path as it widens. Here and there, the crumbled remains of an archway or wall.

Tenoc chuffs quietly, nodding in grim approval. Light from the simple shine reflects from the paint across his features; the ochre marks flow into a strange melody of colors across his frame, drawn lines playing down his torso and arms, spiralling curves to his waist. An odd, garishly yellow skeleton (Makar-style) leading on into the forested shadows.

Moments, minutes, hours-- lifetimes later. Tenoc gazes up at the ruins, a tongue of fire flickering from his jaws, whisps that come and go with silent synergy. He steps forward, hazarding a touch on the arch. "....dark things?" he asks, rumbling quietly.

The little lucht looks about and leans apon her spear a moment as Tenoc touches the stones. "This is ..what happens when peoples forget what they.. have made. It crumbles yet remains as in a dream." She yawns, covering it with a hand. "We are close. The enterence will..bee around here somewhere. Let us be quiet and.. cautious. Slow.."

GAME: Tenoc rolls Perception: (6)+11: 17
<OOC> Tenoc says, "If Undead are involved: +2!"
GAME: Pasithea rolls perception: (13)+3: 16

As they draw closer to the site described, something strange begins to happen. The two of them begin to feel as though they are covering less and less ground, though to measure by number and size of pace there is no change. Yet the scenery around them seems to change more slowly than it should- perhaps it's a trick of the mind, similar trees and shrubs and bits of ruined masonry blending together. But something is definitely off, it is as though time itself is moving sluggishly. With the deeply shadowed sky, it's hard to tell for certain. Could this be the strange energy that rumors spoke of?

Regardless of what might be causing it, the ruins appear before them, the fog seeming to part for the structure. What once looks to have been some sort of monolithic tower is now largely collapsed- a pile of rubble, though a couple of pillars and the remains of a fountain, now full of plants, seem to mark what was once the courtyard of this structure.

The Makar uses a moment to take in the scene, quiet and still as his eyes watch with dark regard. Tail moving slowly-- he rumbles a quiet, steamkettle hiss as his gazes moves. "Thoughts?" he asks the smaller lucht. Magic here-- obviously, she knows all and is wise in ways of everything mystical and eerie! "This one is not certain of.... things, here. Old softskin place."

<OOC> Thurid says, "Knowledge/History to know the scholarly records of this place, or knowledge/local to know the recent rumors."
GAME: Pasithea casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14
GAME: Tenoc rolls Intelligence: (5)+0: 5
GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/local: (19)+7: 26

More muttered words from Pasithea and she draws her hands over sleep-filled eyes. Those eyes loose their focus even though she continues to look about on the altered world. "There is forgotten magics here. Magics old, that permiate the ground. it seems to affect the flow of time. And it comes from the very stones themselves. Something of great magic happened here long ago. A...and this place has ..not truely forgotten it." She yawns again semlingly drained from speaking.

Tenoc rumbles, frowning darkly. He gazes around the area, the lash of his tail alternating between slow, quick. The gaze roams along the old stones, from arches to alcoves; he chuffs again, a puff of flame from his muzzle as he nods grimly. A glance back at the Sleepy Sorceress; he gazes back outward, settling himself as he prepares to stalk forward, with caution, care-- tail a quivering shiver!

"Wait!" Comes a call out of the fog, a high-pitched human voice, sounding both adolescent and adult. Also broken by the cadence of being on some riding beast. A large white form appears in the gloom, seemingly at first a ship, then a goose, finally resolving into the biggest peacock ever seen.

He's the size of a horse, and oddly sounds like one too. On the peacock's back is a tiny rider, a Lucht woman in red with a large floppy hat and a lance, and a rusted mask over her face that is mostly a wide grin.

"I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Haranna, Knight of the Pillar, and I've been told brave adventurers venture here. You must know, the locals, as much as any are here, speak of this place as the Corpse Consumer. Anything left here, corpses, food, equipment, will decay much more quickly. It is also the haunt and haven of skeletons and imps!"

Now they have assembled outside, and had a chance to adjust to the dim and the fog, it becomes apparent there is a cobbled footpath- broken and largely overtaken by weeds and other damp, dark underbrush, but intact enough to lead them towards the entrance of the ruins.

The entrance itself once had a great double door, but that seems to have rotted off its hinges, all that remains of it is rusted iron bindings hanging loose from thick nails driven deep into the stone.

Pasi turns somewhat quickly towards the voice and the pokes her lit spear towards the voice. Lowering it only when the rider comes into view. She blinks slowly at the size of the creature the other lucht rides. "Wow.." She says softly. "Welcome knight Paenitia."

Tenoc jerks his head back, glancing-- staring. What is---?

And then stares *harder*. Pea-horse-thing? He stares for a long moment, not quite sure what to make of the exotic creature..."

...or just wondering what it tastes like. You can never tell.

"This one welcomes you," he replies, nodding briskly. For skeletons, imps? Just as eager to continue, to relish slashing grace! "..sssk. Should we continue?"

"Hello!" Paenitia waves an enthusiastic greeting as Pasithea, then a second one at Tenoc, "Well met, Sir Lizzard!"

She stares at the entrance, then pats the neck of her white steed, who seems very much the peacock. His equine parts blending into the immense tail he trails, "Ramirez, you will have to stay behind. The rot will be bad for your feathers, all your eyes shall weep, then mine will too. Hide in the woods. I dismount!"

At the declaration, the hippogryph extends a wing for her, and the dark lucht slides along it, pausing to grab sword, shield and hammer.

As she lands on the ground, she adds, "I have pole-arms for the unarmed, should any need. A knight always comes equipped for the fray."

<OOC> Paenitia says, "Perhaps k/nature or k/dungeoneering?"
GAME: Tenoc rolls Knowledge/Religion+2: Trained Use Only: 0
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7
<OOC> Tenoc says, "SKELTONZ 'R BONIE."

Pasi wakes up from her second and a half nap and points towards the enterence below with her spear. "Shall we? It is...good to know about the.. things within. I do not.. know anything about them though." She almost drifts off once more. "Stealth and..caution."

The entrance could hardly be called inviting- Pasithea's floating light sheds some light inside, but it is clear that it has been ages since torches burned in these halls. Dusty cobwebs hang from the archway, and the flagstone floor is cracked. Parts of the wall are damp with rain that has seeped through the stone and mortar. The entryway takes a sharp left turn about fifteen feet in, beyond which it is anyone's guess what lays ahead.

Paenitia, in her cardinal red garb with the white feathery cloak, seems anything but stealthy. However, she nods vigorously to Pasithea, a woman of her height, then attempts to edge around Tenoc. As he is a dangerously sized saurian that towers over her, this does not go as planned. It's only wide enough to move in single file, and he nearly trips over her.

"Ah! Ho! You may go first!" She clanks, scurrying out from underfoot and adjusting her shield. "I shall shield for our maiden."

Tenoc breathes a quiet rustle of breathy steam, nodding once before he grins to the Cavilier. Brandishing the greatspear briefly, he turns for the entry, taking up the front as he levels the dark-tipped spear before him. Leading the way, he goes from subtle ratle to even greater stillness; only breath whispers on the air from the scaled Hunter, tail curving slowly on the still, misty air.

The dreamspun Lucht falls easily to the rear, eyes opening more widely as she's called maiden. A semi-smile forms briefly but she remembers her purpose here and becomes more warry, even as sleep pulls at her. Her footsteps try to lighten and she slows down because of it.

After a short journey around the first coner, they come upon! A door. This one, unlike the main entrance, seems to have better survived the test of time. It seems sturdy, though there doesn't seem to be a lock on it- just a simple latch, with a through hole that it may be opened from either side. Strangely, the walls themselves seem to be less aged here- the stone is less smooth, and less lichen-encrusted. Even the cobwebs seem to have been more recently spun.

Paenitia is wary, and eager. The mask encourages her to turn in exagerated ways to see past its occulsion. She dramatically looks from side to side, warhammer on her shoulder, ready to strike. In her mind, it is the perfect trio, dragon, knight, damsel. Adventure will be found. Her black curls of hair bounce with her every step.

"What is the name of our friend?" She whispers back to Pasithea, staying on the lookout.

Pasi lifts the spear for better light in front of her for the others. So the knight she responds in more of a whisper then normal. "His name.. is Tenoc." She days fighting off a yawn. "I am...Pasithea, sorceress. He is a warrior." There. simple roles noted for the newcomer as well as names.

GAME: Tenoc rolls Perception: (12)+11: 23

Tenoc puts a fragment of thought to the word-- Maiden? --Unsure of what it is, or to ask--- he chuffs. Softskin things. Assumed, and moving on. In!

The flicker of light turns from black and white to color; Tenoc slides up to the newer door, rumbling in brief curiosity. It *seems* newer, more welcome-- the Markar motions for quiet, kneeling down to listne, scent-- peek through the hole to what lies beyond.

Quiet rumble, thoughtful. "There are bones beyond," he offers to the others, falling back to them to report his findings. "Sssk. Statues, carvings of stone, cut to look at armored softskins." He pauses, tapping his chin. "This one saw no more. Proceed?"

"Well met, twister of the mystic arts! It is good to know his role as well. We shall strike down our foes, and prevent the suffering of the common people who should not be about in a place such as this." Paenitia proclaims, in the most dramatic hushed tone she can imagine.

"Yes, we should! Be wary. Statues often move, and bones might too. There are very rumours of such happenings in this place. The bones." The dark Lucht attempts to see around Tenoc, but there's no hope. She lightly taps his thigh, "You shall have to go first, Friend warrior Dragon."

Pasi nods slowly. "Be warry.. tales of traps haunt the dreams of the dead." Odd statement but there is truth in it.

Tenoc nods, another crackling flicker of fire brief as it twists from his muzzle to the darkness. He reaches for the handle, pressing the door. It takes... a moment. Doors-- like stiff curtains across tents. He presses it open with a creak, stepping in, eyes adjusting from light to shadow as he gazes in slow survey.

As Tenoc pushes the door open, the light from Pasithea's spell filters past them and into the room, illuminating those statues- carved from basalt, or some other dark dense stone. This room seems to be in better condition than the hallways, too. But then something strange happens. The door Tenoc pushed open continues to creak, and becomes brittle beneath his claws. Sections begin to rot, and the braces begin to rust. The statues, too, begin to decay- dust falling from them, extremities falling off and eroding away until they are lumpen, misshapen things only vaguely reminiscent of their original form.

And as this happens, the pile of bones begins to twitch. And then grow- or, not grow. It gets taller, yes, but the lowest parts of the pile begin to pull in. It turns first into a tall column, the bones slithering and rattling against one another, until it splits in the middle on the bottom, and two more protrusions of the rearranging bones split from its upper section into a pair of arms, sharp, twisted, broken bones forming long spindly fingers.

Finally, a mass of skulls surface from the writhing mass, forming into the rough approximation of a head, with seven grinning, chattering visages staring out of empty sockets.

<OOC> Thurid says, "You will be at -4 total AC, between the charge and the challenge."
<OOC> Thurid nods, +2 to your attack, roll it.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon9+2: (16)+4+2: 22
GAME: Paenitia rolls damage9: aliased to 1d6+1: (3)+1+2+1: 7
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Pillar"

"What ho! Foe! You will face me and not my friends!" Knight Paenitia issues her challenge, pointing her warhammer at the skeleton around Tenoc's leg. He's still in the way. But not for long!

Wfffff! There is a rush of feathers between the sith'makar's legs as the lucht knight runs under and past him and sprints across the room as fast as her short legs will carry her. Warhammer ready, when she's in range she swings! Strikes! Bones fly! The first hit!

GAME: Pasithea casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
GAME: Pasithea casts Ear-Piercing Scream. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
GAME: Pasithea rolls 1d6: (1): 1
GAME: Thurid rolls 2: (12)+2: 14 (Boney Save)

Surprisingly enough it's Pasithea that goes next, shuffling quickly about Tenoc and to the side, bringign in the light with her. She chants her favored spell and puts hand to mouth. Silent screams rattle along the boney creature and vibrate it's ribs briefly. It seems stunned by this magic and Pasithea is quietly greatful to Eluna.

The mass of bones has finished its writhing now, forming into a roughly humanoid shape, save for being quite large, and it's long arms reaching almost to the ground, ending with wickedly sharp claws. And the fact it has a globe of seven chattering skulls for a head. Very humanoid. The hammer smashes into it's upper thigh, smashing some of the bones to smitherines, and knocking others loose. It slumps to one side, but more bones take the place of the shattered limb and it stands upright again.

THe sonic wail drives it a step backwards, as many of the smaller bones making its forms shatter into splinters, and despite lacking ears, the vibrations clearly disrupt the monster- it's bones shudder and shake with resonant frequencies, causing it to stumble in place.

<OOC> Tenoc says, "Ahs, found source of loss. FIxed now! And yarr-- CHARGE! :D"
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+2+9: (12)+2+2+9: 25
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d10+2+7: (5)+2+7: 14

Tenoc is quick to follow after the eager Knight, roaring a lusty challenge as he leaps in! The black obsidian tip of his spear glitters wickedly; with a twist, he bring sit towards the monstrous skeleton's center of mass, twisting with vicious relish. Glowering hatefully-- lesss punishing than he would like! But is Ancestral Spear, sacred-- he jerks it back and out of the seething mass of bones, rumbling as he moves, preparing to strike again.

GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon9: (5)+4: 9

Her enthusiastic rush and swing over, Paenitia rebalances, cranking back her warhammer. "Knees and below, you are mine!"

She swings! Her hat slips. She misses. The little red knight clanks around in front of the skeleton.

GAME: Pasithea casts Ear-Piercing Scream. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
GAME: Pasithea rolls 1d6: (6): 6
GAME: Thurid rolls 2: (4)+2: 6
<OOC> Thurid says, "It is stunned again, roll damage."

Pasithea is not mostly awake what with all the adrenaline flowing through her body. She notes the progress being made but also the fact the foe is still moving if slowly. She brings her hand to her lips again and screams through her whisper. The silent sound smashing into the undead creature and vibrating bones from the main mass. Again it seems to be stunned into inaction.

The mass of bones is driven back by the furious onslaught, pushed back against the wall. More bones fly from its form, shattering and splintering and scattering all around, all over the floor. Some of them continue to twitch after being seperated from the main body of the creature, while others are so thoroughly destroyed whatever magic animated them is no more. And yet, the creature still stands.

GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (15)+2+8: 25
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+2+4: (1)+2+4: 7

The piercing strike is good, but not enough. Tenoc moves, sliding to the other side of the beast from Paenitia, balling a fist as he rumbles tightly. Quick, brutal-- he smashes his blow into the center of the swirling skull-head, a punch aimed straight once again for the center of the head-like mass.

Crush, crackle, shatter-- the collected skulls burst apart in a flurry of bony shards, leaving the mass to hover, quiver-- collapse to the floor as the Makar roars victory!

Indeed, a shower of bones scatters throughout the room, and three of the skulls are smashed to smitherines. The hollow clattering of bones cascading against the stone continues for a while... a while longer than it should, in fact. A glance will note that the bits of bone are still moving, rolling, and in some cases where a couple of bones are still connected, crawling back together again. Though three of the skulls were smashed to bits, four remain, and each of them begins to form into a pair of brand new skeletons - with a pair of chattering skulls, mandibles flailing wordlessly.

<OOC> Thurid says, "Bonemed one is the one infront of Tenoc, and will attack with 2 claws!"
GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (14)+6: 20
<OOC> Thurid says, "He takes a 5' step diagonal and attacks Pae with a bite"
GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (15)+6: 21

These new skeletons waste no time in lunging at their foes, the first of them raking elongated claws across Tenoc's chest, but failing to find purchase and cut through his armor. The other ones chattering mandibles lunge towards the diminuative knight, gnawing at paldrons and mask, but failing to find flesh as well.

GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon9: (2)+4: 6

"Ole'! You are fallen, nameless seven-headed one!" Paenitia cheers as the pile of bones go down. Truly it is best to fight on the same side as the dragon. She adjusts her hat and points the quivering pieces remaining on the ground. "Ha! Is there fight in you still? We are done, go to your grave."

The little red knight pounds a few of the twitching bones with her warhammer, crushing them further. Yet she is not quick enough!

Two, two-headed skeletons have reformed!

"Ha! You are back again! So we resume!" Pae boldly steps between the two, swinging for the one nearest the wall and declaring, "I shall take you both on!"

Her swing is so eager, she misses.

<OOC> Pasithea will acid splash but will have to take the -4 to the attack roll
GAME: Pasithea rolls ranged-4: (19)+5+-4: 20
GAME: Pasithea rolls 1d3: (2): 2

Pasithea starts her next spell nerviously, taking care to aim over Paenitia's head at the one behind her. The small ball of acis forms near her finger and she points at the undead. it shoots out quickly and splashes over moving moves that sizzle and hiss.

"Be careful.. " She half-shouts even though her warnings are obvious.

<OOC> Tenoc nods! "Flurry at right-hand skeleton. If I can destroy him first, no Flanking on Paen. Win!"
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (18)+2+8: 28
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (16)+2+8: 26
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+4+2: (5)+4+2: 11
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+4+2: (4)+4+2: 10

Tenoc snarls with a soft hiss, relishing the clatter of faloling bone.

....Falling. Still falling. Falling more.

The first hint something wrong-- the reassembling skeleton rakes forward, a dread claw slashing at the Makar. Tenoc twists his spear; from offense to defense, he twirls the haft to block the twin slashes, snarling anew as he glowers at the attack. "Half what they were," he growls, eyes gleaming. Releasing his spear to one hand, he primes back a fist to strike instead. "Still less than should be!"

Up close, personal, a quick jab-- and a sudden, snapping kick! Twin strikes against the skeleton before him, to crush rib and smash bone-- and to knock one head clean from its bony vertebrae, sailing through the air!

His grin is vicious, smug... until he sees the bones start to rattle and jerk together *again*!

"Ssssskkk!"

<OOC> Thurid says, "It is going to swing at Pae again, with flanking from his tiny buddy this time!"
GAME: Thurid rolls 6+2: (14)+6+2: 22

The slurry of blows to the creature send its pieces scattering out, bones snapping and crumbling to dust as they hit the walls and floor and a few fragments even hit the ceiling. And they begin to slithcer and crawl back together again, picking themselves up- although, they are gradually losing mass with each reassembly- they are not about as tall as Tenocs two short friends! Formed out of rat and bird bones strung together tenuously, with chattering cat skulls where human ones once were.

Meanwhile, with its back to the wall, but with the distraction behind her, the acid-sizzling skeleton reaches to grab ahold of Paenitia and gnashes its jaws at her once more, but fails to find purchase on the slippery, armored little lucht.

<OOC> Thurid says, "It will try to double claw tenoc!"
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (13)+5: 18
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (17)+5: 22
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d3+3: (2)+3: 5

The diminuative skeleton latches onto Tenocs leg, sinking ancient, dusty bone claws into the muscles of his calf and lower leg, raking them across scales- It is tough going, but the little thing has succeeded where its larger originals failed to- in drawing blood.

GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon9: (3)+4: 7

Paenitia is up against some big odds. Her opponents are both larger and more numerous. She has a great view of knee bones, hips and feet. Above, obscured by the brim of her hat. Undeterred, she ducks and weaves, keeping her shield up and managing to to raise her shield against those snapping jaws.

"Ha! Ho! You are not a paramour to be so friendly with your face! We dance first, dip perhaps, then kiss!"

As if to emphasize, the crimson knight strikes at the skeleton's ankles.

Somewhat dismissively, it lifts its foot out of the way and chatters at her.

GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (14)+5: 19
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d3+3: (1)+3: 4

And the other diminuative creature latches onto Tenoc's other leg, scraping and scrabbling and clawing its way up, pulling loose scales and drawing blood as it does so. These little things might not look as imposing, but their claws still bite deep and they seem to have more luck using them than the larger ones did.

GAME: Pasithea rolls ranged-4: (17)+5+-4: 18
GAME: Pasithea rolls 1d3: (3): 3

Pasithea is glad not to be in the heart of the fray. Safely over to the side she has time to concentrate on what she's doing as she form another orb of acid and sends it at the larger of the two undead. Another on target splach os acid and more crackling his as bones begin to fall from the creature.

<OOC> Tenoc says, "Attack either Smallbones, one fist each!"
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (11)+2+8: 21
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (19)+2+8: 29
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+2+4: (1)+2+4: 7
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+2+4: (6)+2+4: 12

Tenoc 's tail lashes with a seething fury, leg quivering-- first blood from the monster! Fisr one leg, then the other-- taking cruel advantage of the leggings' leather to grip and rise, trying to reach for softer (relatively) stomach! The Makar releases his spear, letting it clatter as he balls the second fist into shape. Twin strikes, hammering down; twin blows, one for each feline skull! One skull utterly pulverised; the second intact, as it skitters, clambers-- loses the lower half of its torso in sacrifice, hip bones splintered uselessly on the floor as it claws viciously!

One is destroyed, pulverized, smashed to bits never to rise again. The other is missing a large section of its lower body, but still clinging onto the sith'makar with its claws.

GAME: Thurid rolls 6+2: (15)+6+2: 23
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+4: (5)+4: 9

The skeleton finally finds a gap in the armor with its furious scrabbling and chomping, and through it finds soft skin to clamp its teeth into, tearing away a strip of it whetting its bony jaw with fresh blood.

GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (15)+5: 20

The clinging claws bite deep, but not deep enough- Tenocs thrashing around knocks the creature loose finally, landing in a heap on the ground infront of him. It immediately begins dragging itself through the pulverized shards of its fallen... comrade? Brother? Self? towards Tenoc, clearly intending to begin its laborious climb once again.

GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon9: (3)+4: 7

There's an unpleasant squeak of pain from Paenitia as she is bitten. Her verbal report comes with a gasp and false bravado, "Ah! Ah you were on the armour! That did not hurt."

If she bleeds, it is absorbed by her red clothes. At best, visible only as a darkening of them.

"See the sympathies of Sister Paenitia, Paladin of Tarien!" She swings, and misses. That's part of the joke.

GAME: Pasithea rolls ranged-4: (2)+5+-4: 3

The little sorceress again forms the familiar acid but this time her aim is well and truely off as she pulls to the side at the last moment for fear of striking Paenitia. The acid strikes the far wall and slides down with an evil hiss.

GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (19)+2+8: 29
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (10)+2+8: 20
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+2+4: (6)+2+4: 12
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+2+4: (1)+2+4: 7

Tenoc rumbles with vicious earnest. Hissing with red promise, he walks over to the cawling collection of clattering colligenous cartilage-- raising a foot, smashing it down. And again-- leaving splintering bits in the trail!

Well and *very* smashed.

It is very, very dead. Way more dead than it was even before it started moving.

<OOC> Thurid says, "Med Bones 2 will try 2claws against Pae, now."
GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (19)+6: 25
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d4+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Med Bones damaged Paenitia for 7 points. 9 HP remaining.
GAME: Med Bones damaged Paenitia for 1 points of nonlethal. She has 2 total.

The two-headed skeleton pushed against the wall by Paenitia's bravado and wild hammer swinging is driven into a frenzy as it gets a taste of her blood. Can it even taste? Regardless, it's jaws rattle and chatter in a silent, mocking laugh, and it brings up its long spindly claws, raking them down across her front, spiny tips piercing through joints in armor plates to tear at flesh beneath.

GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8

Another snap, another sensation of ancient finger bones tearing into her soft skin. Paenitia gasps again. Her shield is getting heavy, she can't move it fast enough, feels her armour pulled open.

"Friend Tennoc, please assist." She calls, "This one is far too vigorous. If only Ramirez were here, he would know what to do!"

Her warhammer swings, but her dance partner is far too nimble and avoids it again.

GAME: Thurid rolls 5-4: (14)+5+-4: 15 (Pasithea attack)
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d3: (2): 2 (Pasithea Damage)

The sleepy sorceress yawns and forms another acid ball and lobs it in the directions of the skeletons. "Watch... yawn out, again."

GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+9: (18)+2+9: 29
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d10+2+7: (10)+2+7: 19

"This one comes!" Tenoc replies, bending down to retriueve the precious tepoztopilli from the ground. With added reach, the Makar braces the weapon, stabs forward-- volcanic glass glitters blackly as the bone shudders beneat his weight, shatters to pieces!

...reforms from one to two as the Makar growls. "Now-- odds even!"

<OOC> Thurid says, "It tries to bite ankles! SIth ankles! No like spear."
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (15)+5: 20
<OOC> Thurid says, "And number 1 is the half that got the scent of blood. 2claws vs Pae"
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (19)+5: 24
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (4)+5: 9
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d3+3: (3)+3: 6
GAME: Small Bones damaged Paenitia for 5 points. 4 HP remaining.
GAME: Small Bones damaged Paenitia for 1 points of nonlethal. She has 3 total.

Being smashed to pieces will not stop this tenacious little skeleton- with some of the blood from the wounds it previously inflicted flowing into the space where marrow used to be, it lunghes for Paenitia- now at the same height as her, it's vicious claws flashing wildly at her, beating back her defenses and drawing more long, thin slashes into her skin where it finds purchase.

<OOC> Paenitia says, "Fight Defensively as a Standard Action, +2 AC, the attack penalty is -4"
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20: (3): 3

More claws! Finger bones slicing where they shouldn't be! Her crimson garb gets darker. Paenitia retreats backwards along the wall, raising her shield, holding her warhammer out defensively. She swings, but it's more to ward away than actually strike.

"I... I will not falter!"

GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (12)+5: 17 (Pasithea attack)
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d3: (1): 1 (Pasithea Damage)

Pasithea splashes acid towards the one that has been going after her fellow Lucht! As it is not presently in melee. Also For Honor! ... or something.

<OOC> Tenoc says, "Flurry on Smallbones in front of me! Draw heat from Paen, because!"
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (8)+2+8: 18
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+2+8: (7)+2+8: 17
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+2+4: (3)+2+4: 9
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d6+2+4: (2)+2+4: 8

The brave halfling knight is getting the worst of her exchange, and that is too much for Tenoc-- still preening inside. Compared to dragon! He steps forward, snap kicks flashing again. Once, twice-- shattered bones, shattered skleton, splintered remains sent sailing against the back wall!

Pulverized.

GAME: Thurid rolls 1d2: (1): 1
<OOC> Thurid says, "Remaining bones goes after Sith ankles! They look so delicious!"
<OOC> Tenoc flexes Sith ankles. Magically deli-- wait!
GAME: Thurid rolls 5: (3)+5: 8

The diminuative Skeleton begins following Paenitia as she withdraws, but her heavy shield and warding hammer push it back. It turns, instead, to less well defended flesh, claws dripping with blood, and lunges for Tenoc instead. It latches on, and begins gnawing at his leggings trying to get to the delicious ankles beneath, but its tiny rat teeth can't get through the Sith-Makar's ankles of steel, honed as they are by being gnawed by all manner of beasts.

... Mostly sheep.

<OOC> Paenitia says, "Hmm... Fight Defensively again"
GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20: (18): 18
GAME: Paenitia rolls damage9: aliased to 1d6+1: (5)+1: 6

Seeing Tenoc in action is encouraging. Whatever inferiority the Lucht Knight might feel in comparison to his performance is not shown. Perhaps Luchts are immune to feelings of inadequacy of size; he is a brave ally that appeared in her time of need. Family, friends and teamwork will prevail! She learned this in the mesas of her homeland.

Still weaving defensively, she watches as the much smaller opponent moves and attacks her friend. An opening! Her warhammer lashes out. The skull is smashed.

"Ole'! We prevail!" Paenitia cheers, then drops to one knee, "I need to breathe, and bandage these battle trophies."

And so the shards of bone rattle once more, twitch once, and then still, at last- whatever foul magic animated them ground to dust along with the bones themselves. After the brief but furious battle, as the dust settles the silence is loud and heavy. With the pile of bones didlodged, a door at the rear of the room is now apparent- although it is is closed with a latch much like the last, and no sounds on the other side hint at any one or anything coming to investigate the sounds of battle.

Tenoc grins with lusty rumbling, nodding as he glares around quickly. No more monsters to smash-- a hissing breath as he nods evenly. "Bandage here?" he asks, glancing over at his dimunitive comanion. "Sssk. Will watch." He eyes the bone pile fragments, a scuffing kick sending more sailing to the wall. "Ssss. Collecting bones from all manner of things. To make... more?" He pauses, thnking-- shaking his head. Gone now, and all is well. He takes watch, eyes circling about, eyeing carefully.

GAME: Tenoc rolls Wisdom: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Paenitia rolls wisdom: (18)+2: 20
GAME: Paenitia rolls heal-4: (6)+7+-4: 9

"Friend Tenoc," Paenitia says as she carefully rests her warhammer against the wall, then adds her shield. "The door opens inward. A statue in front would prevent that, if you can shift one into place."

The suggestion given, she works on removing her armour, which appears to be a procedure. The heavy kilted breastplate takes some time and effort on her part to remove, and then she has to get the gamebeson beneath off enough to expose her wounds. Wounds on shoulder and chest.

She glances once in the sith'makar's direction, turns away slightly. Need overwhelms shame, perhaps, or the rigors of harsh Isobar have innured her to modesty with battle companions.

Her mahogany skin is unpleasantly torn, and she can only do so much by herself and without the healing kit on Ramirez. The dark lucht applies bandages but they seem ineffective, and swiftly darken with her blood.

She applies a few more, then closes up her clothes.

Tenoc does as asked, directed-- setting his spear aside, he glances around for a statue... parts of a statue.... Broken rock? That would work to help seal the door. Grunting with a chuff, he does so, moving his chosen boulder with a growl. Then added measure-- seating himself, back to door, exhaling with a rumble of long breath.

Tries not to stare. Softskin things.

Her arming jacket closed up and reseated, Paenitia works to don her armour. A few movements are visibly painful, but once it is on and strapped she seems in better shape. Perhaps it is tight enough to help with the wound compression. Her shield is retrieved next, her weapon last. She looks over, at the blocked door. She nods approvingly, the feathers on her cap bouncing jauntily.

"That is good. Indeed, you could position all the statues, so two touch that one, then three the two, a triangle. Nothing would shift the door."

She exhales, looks over to the other Lucht who seems to have fallen asleep. "I would not abandon companions in need, but Ramirez waits outside, ready to bear me to Alexandria where I might find a healer, allies, to help us. There is danger present. You and the Sorceress Pasithea, might camp outside, to prevent wayward wanders coming in, or something exiting."

Tenoc rumbles, nodding evenly. Rising, back to movement. Not just the remaining statues but every rock, piece, chunk he can manage-- all before the door. Added with a last, long glare of disapproval.

One can easily imagine him rather filling the whole chamber with rock if he could...

"Will watch from outside," he finally annouces, turning back. "Watch, in case.... things come. Sssk."

"I agree." Paenitia says, carefully exiting the structure and heading back to the road. She looks around, the mist obscures most things in the distance, and nearby trees loom out of it in unsettling ways. She whistles loudly, then calls.

"Ramirez! Come to me. We ride!"

There is an answering call from somewhere distant and high up. Off the ground.The hippogryph is perched in a tree presumably, somehow. Poor tree. The call is a deep baritone of birdy disapproval. It's not a 'No', but it sounds like 'No'.

"Ramirez! I am sorry. I did not introduce you, and I told you to hide. You hide very well, and your feathers are beautiful, there is no reason to hide them. It was too small for you to fight, and there was nothing you would wish to bite. Please forgive me, and come, I am tired, and injured.

There's a different sort of squawk, a bass one of apology. Followed by the rush of wind over wings, a white form looming, and then the peacock-gypsy-andalusean lands beside the little red knight. Ramirez lowers his head, nuzzles and sniffs at Paenitia. She is wounded, yes. He must fly. A wing is extended.

Paenitia climbs the wing, settling herself into the saddle, "We fought well my friends! I am sorry to be the weak link. I shall seek healing, and allies, and then we can purge this area of its scourge! Be strong!"

Tenoc rumbles, chuffing a flicker, a flash of hot flame. Rumbling approval-- deciding that, No, Ramirez it *not* edible.

..eyes tailfeathers, with interest!

"Be safe," he rumbles, raising his hand. "Swift to heal. Swift to return. This one shall watch, wait, prepare." He grins, eyes glittering. "Fight will not continue again without Knight!"

And so, with the entryway barricaded- as thoroughly as possible at that- the group are free to make camp in the somewhat safer, if still rather unsettling courtyard area out front, while Paenitia goes to seek reinforcements to assist them in delving deeper into the dungeon.

OOC Combatty Stuff

<OOC> Thurid says, "I use maps for my PrPs, here is a link: https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mnisy0znf94"

<OOC> Thurid says, "Also: Since I forgot to mention earlier, this is a non DC PrP so there's no risk of permanant death or ireperable harm. Once we get into combat, to keep things moving, if your turn is coming up and you need to AFK please let me know, and please try to let me know intent once your turn is up, even if you just say 'I'm thinking' so I know you're there."

<OOC> Thurid says, "What's the range on Light? 30'?"
<OOC> Thurid says, "If it's same as torch it's bright to 20, dim 20 beyond that"

<OOC> Pasithea says, "Undead template says.. mmunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms). Immunity to death effects, disease, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning."
<OOC> Thurid nods, "I guess Daze slips through the net, then! Good to know."

<OOC> Tenoc says, "..you do not look like sheep. No gnawing my ankles! :("

<OOC> Paenitia nods, "It's a kind of attack, https://pathfinder.d20srd.org//coreRulebook/combat.html Fighting Defensively as a Standard Action: You can choose to fight defensively when attacking. If you do so, you take a 4 penalty on all attacks in a round to gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC until the start of your next turn.

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     18   Paenitia         1  
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     14   Pasithea         1  
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  >> 13   Bonemass         1   <<
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     13   Tenoc            3  Flat-footed (0 rnds remaining)               
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 ==============================================================================