If you set out from the halls:
The map produced is well crafted; adorned with coloring and markers for various key points visited, but mainly it projects a way north east, towards a ruined outpost, broken many years ago in an advance from the minotaur hordes. According to the map, Cisterns lead further down beneath, once at the bottom of three equally sized lakes, long drained and gone.
These mark the way down towards the confirmed location and gate to the sea of shadows.
The city and its lakes once supplied Saruun Khel with drinking water, now the stone and rubble was all that was left and often passed without noticing much.

The trek north is fast, roughly 10 minutes from the hall.
Walking slowly through the damp and slightly dark hallways, you come to small incarved area leading off to the side, through a small hallway, to a large area, high ceiling and lit well, despite being lost to the ages.
Sparse supporting beams, walls broken down and rubble everywhere show that the housing and area is long left. Dried lakes surround the area and at the farthest away has a large cistern removed showing a ladder downwards, to a carved tunnel beneath.
The halls are deafeningly silent.

Should you walk down, you see this:
You walk down the hallway to find a set of winding stairs, and walking down these for some time you finally emerges at the top of a large natural cavern.
The air is cold and almost unnatural chilling. The staircase turns downwards and reaches the rocky floor of the cavern. Stone, debris and large ancient skeletons from some forgotten battle are lying all over the floor and huge stalagmites raises from the floor, stretching towards the darkness of the dome above.
You look out over a huge expanse of black water were shadows play across the surface like mist.
Ancient stone bridges span the water between cave walls and stalagmites and stalactites. Water drips from the ceiling high above but causes no sound when they meet the shadow sea below.
They are just swallowed silently by the darkness underneath. The air is unnatural cold, as if the underdark sea was sucking the heat out of your bodies into its fold of shadows.
At the edge of your light you can see something moving – swirls of shadows coalescing into forms of shadowy wraiths. Their silent screams spreads ice down your backs as they speed towards you, like harriers of darkness. For now, they are at a distance, and you have not been noticed.


OOC:
I assume you have some degree of light source, as otherwise there is utter darkness and travel or even walking is impossible.

Grock looked over the various structures along their route wondering how long it has been since the last living person walked them. Going down the halls and tunnels made him miss being up in the sun on the open deck of a boat feeling a warm breeze. He crossed his arms as he looked out over the Sea of Shadows while also making note of the wraiths out along the waters. The half Orc looked to his companions. “What now? Do we go swimming?”

"We don't want to touch that stuff, let alone swim in it. The bridges will have to do, for now." Not that he fully trusted those either, but the works of the old city had held up remarkably well for their age, and in absence of any other means of crossing, it was that or bring an engineering team down to build new ones.


Passive Perception and Dungeoneering would both be 19: how stable do those bridges look and are there any weak points to avoid?

"I concur with Rynoth. Even if it is simply water from the Shadowfell, we do not know what is in it. Consider it a last resort." Jhaartael's sitar was currently on his back, and he had his everburning torch in his left. He looked down at the swirl below. "Breathtaking, isn't it? The Shadowfell possesses a macabre beauty, although if I must go there, I would prefer to do so while still alive. I understand the urge to jump in, but I do not believe the beauty of death exceeds the beauty of life. Personal taste, admittedly."

Looking around Rynoth learn with some degree of difficulty due to the lighting, that the well-built bridges of stone cross the shadow water 10 feet above the water on average (varies between bridges, 5-15 feet).
All skeletons are of minotaur origin. Curiously enough. One has a shield laying by it, which appear out of sorts and in better shape and form that most other piece laying around. Most are broken or rusted away.

A rough estimate gives Rynoth the sense that while the Wraiths for now are out of threat distance, they will learn of them the second they move onto any of the two bridges forward.
Given that there is a ledge, this proves somewhat of a concern.
(Climbing these, down or up is a DC 20 athletics check to avoid the cold shadowy water).

There is no obvious weak points, more that the bridges themselves are combat wise less than ideal for positioning and spacing.


OOC:
In terms of the map, the second you move onto any of the bridges you will be discovered and hence right now you have the upper hand. The distance to the foes is well over 100 ft, making much impossible to hurl their way.


https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

"I feel that we'd be better off dealing with the wraiths from where we are, rather than trying to fight them on the causeways, but I'm also concerned about these bones lying around," Rynoth concluded after relating his observations. He shook his head. "Right next to a Shadowfell gateway?" He briefly focused his attention on the out-of-place shield and the bones that bore it. Was it just out-of-place or something more?

Arcana 23 (27 if it involves a trap) and Religion 19: anything from that shield, and how (un)lively are these bones?

"Well, this is vastly unfavorable." Jhaartael consider the routes. "The shield is likely enchanted, but on the topic of movement, I would recommend the path to the left. It has more cover. The path to the right is good, if we intend to bombard them with arcane power, but we will need to strike fast and hard to cut through them before they descend on us."

"Left is cunning, right is valor. Straight ahead, along the right bridge... well, that requires more confidence than I have, but I'll follow you all the same. I advise against the water without a boat."

Grock gauged the situation. “We’re going to fight them. No way around that. I would prefer we face them here where there is plenty of room for us. For all we know, if we’re on the bridge they could drag us into the water. We should direct their attention here and make our stand. We still have the option to run away during the fight if need be. Now would be a good time for you all to drink those potions we got. My mask provides me some protection against their necrotic grasp.”

The swirling foes weave in and out in the distance, over the shadowy and silent waters.
The shield itself is highly magical, with a quick attunement(short rest with it in hand), it would be obvious as to what it can really do.

The bones are remains and were killed in brutal fashion during a battle quite some time ago - but remain dormant and without any life to them.

"Lure them over here..." Jhaartael thought for a moment. "I wonder what they would want. With that insight, we could present them with something they would be willing to approach us over."

15:22, Today: Jhaartael rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge Religion regarding the spirits. Hopefully, that gives us information we can use to lure them over.

The spirits are bound to the area, serving a purpose by their master - their location and calm and rather small area of movement suggests strongly that their bond and order is to protect the bridges against all that come near. They will not be swayed away unless the bridges are thread upon or the likelihood of anyone advancing is present.
So anything advancing at them, would anger them and lure them in.

"So they'll only attack when someone moves onto a bridge?" Rynoth mused. "Maybe we can exploit that by having someone start to climb onto one, then fall back when they react? I doubt that we'll be so lucky a to find that they can't cross the shoreline, but fighting them here is far preferable to fighting them up on one of those."

Grock moved forward toward the bridge. “I’ll be the bait as I’m the most mobile of us. Be ready and in formation for when they come.”The half Orc waited for the group to be ready when he put his first foot on the bridge.

"A pity, but luring them in is acceptable. I was hoping we could simply blast them from here, but my magic lacks that degree of range." Jhaartael held the torch in one hand, and had his sword ready in the other. He seemed to do some kind of light voice clearing, and practiced a few slightly off notes.

For combat! If you engage, roll initiative!
Also, do adjust HP, surges etc, if any was used pre combat.

---

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Mad Wraith Master	90/90	XX	22	18	21	20	Fly 6-hover, Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force), Shadow Summons - in water, 10 sq range
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.	Aura 3 - 5 damage, MWM can slide 2. EOR
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.

---

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Khalid	05/64	L15	23	18	18	17	Bloodied! +2 to all defenses.	Warder and Paldemar under aegis	AP: 0, Surges:4/9 SV: 16
Rynoth	23/61	J14	20	21	21	19	Glove charge 0/5;	bloodied!	AP: 0, Surges:10/10 SV: 15
Grock	49/55	Q5	29	24	25	23		Centered Defense: +2 all defenses, Resist 5 Necrotic, 5 Temp HP, Second Wind	AP: 1, Surges:6/9, SV: 13
Nezumi	38/59	N14	27	22	19	21		+1 Class vs Death; Immediate Reaction when attacked;	AP: 0, Surges:6/9, SV: 14
Jhaartael	06/55	L11	20	16	20	21	Bloodied!		AP: 0, Surges:8/8, SV: 14

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

Updating with Nezumi Long Rest, Init 8

---

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Mad Wraith Master	90/90	XX	22	18	21	20	Fly 6-hover, Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force), Shadow Summons - in water, 10 sq range
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.	Aura 3 - 5 damage, MWM can slide 2. EOR
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.

---

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Khalid	05/64	L15	23	18	18	17	Bloodied! +2 to all defenses.	Warder and Paldemar under aegis	AP: 0, Surges:4/9 SV: 16
Rynoth	23/61	J14	20	21	21	19	Glove charge 0/5;	bloodied!	AP: 0, Surges:10/10 SV: 15
Grock	49/55	Q5	29	24	25	23		Centered Defense: +2 all defenses, Resist 5 Necrotic, 5 Temp HP, Second Wind	AP: 1, Surges:6/9, SV: 13
Nezumi	59/59	N14	23	20	17	21		+1 Class vs Death;	AP: 0, Surges:9/9, SV: 14
Jhaartael	06/55	L11	20	16	20	21	Bloodied!		AP: 0, Surges:8/8, SV: 14

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit
</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 18:14, Mon 06 Feb 2023.

Initiative 6.

---

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Mad Wraith Master	90/90	XX	22	18	21	20	Fly 6-hover, Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force), Shadow Summons - in water, 10 sq range
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.	Aura 3 - 5 damage, MWM can slide 2. EOR
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.

---

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Khalid	05/64	L15	23	18	18	17	Bloodied! +2 to all defenses.	Warder and Paldemar under aegis	AP: 1, Surges:4/9 SV: 16
Rynoth	59/59	J14	21	22	21	20			AP: 1, Surges:9/9 SV: 14
Grock	49/55	Q5	29	24	25	23		Centered Defense: +2 all defenses, Resist 5 Necrotic, 5 Temp HP, Second Wind	AP: 1, Surges:6/9, SV: 13
Nezumi	59/59	N14	23	20	17	21		+1 Class vs Death;	AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 14
Jhaartael	06/55	L11	20	16	20	21	Bloodied!		AP: 1, Surges:8/8, SV: 14

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit
This message was last edited by the player at 21:40, Mon 06 Feb 2023.

"Well, no time like the present. Drawing them here is a better idea than either of mine."

OOC: 22:04, Today: Jhaartael rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Initiative.

---

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Mad Wraith Master	90/90	XX	22	18	21	20	Fly 6-hover, Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force), Shadow Summons - in water, 10 sq range
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.	Aura 3 - 5 damage, MWM can slide 2. EOR
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.

---

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Khalid	64/64	L15	23	18	18	17	+2 to all defenses.	none yet	AP: 1, Surges:9/9 SV: 16
Rynoth	59/59	J14	21	22	21	20	none	none yet	AP: 1, Surges:9/9 SV: 14
Grock	55/55	Q5	29	24	25	23	none	Centered Defense: +2 all defenses, Resist 5 Necrotic, 5 Temp HP, Second Wind	AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 13
Nezumi	59/59	N14	23	20	17	21	none	+1 Class vs Death;	AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 14
Jhaartael	55/55	L11	20	16	20	21	none	none yet	AP: 1, Surges:8/8, SV: 14

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit

19:37, Today: Khalid ibn Faizal rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Initiative, +5.

---

Enemy	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:
Mad Wraith Master	90/90	XX	22	18	21	20	Fly 6-hover, Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force), Shadow Summons - in water, 10 sq range
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.	Aura 3 - 5 damage, MWM can slide 2. EOR
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Wraith Figments	1/1	XX	17	15	19	16	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; shift 6 sq 1/enc.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.
Specters	30/30	XX	16	16	16	17	Fly 6-hover,phasing, Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 necrotic; Insubstantial(1/2 damage, expect force); Invisibility at/will.	Spectral Chill - aura 1: -2 def.

---

Player	HP	Location	AC	F	R	W	Current conditions:	Effects/ongoing:	AP/Surges
Khalid	64/64	XX	23	18	18	18		none yet	AP: 1, Surges:9/9 SV: 16
Rynoth	59/59	J14	21	22	21	20	none	none yet	AP: 1, Surges:9/9 SV: 14
Grock	55/55	Q5	29	24	25	23	none	Centered Defense: +2 all defenses, Resist 5 Necrotic, 5 Temp HP, Second Wind	AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 13
Nezumi	59/59	N14	23	20	17	21	none	+1 Class vs Death;	AP: 1, Surges:9/9, SV: 14
Jhaartael	55/55	L11	20	16	20	21	none	none yet	AP: 1, Surges:8/8, SV: 14

MAP: https://docs.google.com/drawin...Y6wdaYoFbJU6VCQ/edit