07:50, Today: Izzick rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  Fort.

Izzick covered his ears, growling at the sudden sharp pain before e saw the halfling drop and their ghostly friends intervene. This wasn't good, not at all. If they were all coming towards him however, then there was an easy solution to this. A small pea sized ball of flame and light appeared in his hand as he conjured a fireball. One motion and then another, and he had the spell ready to got with a blast into the ground. It formed around him and his allies, but the ghosts would be caught in the flame.

Selective Fireball - I can exempt up to 5 spaces
07:54, Today: Izzick rolled 43 using 10d6.  Fireball.
Reflex Save DC20 for half

Lucky shook his head back and forth rapidly as the sound from the music crescendoed.  Thankfully, it hadn't deafened him.  He had the knife and that was what they came for.  He called out to everyone, "We need to get out of here, I got the knife!!  That means you too Izzick!"  Lucky said as he saw the half0orc begin casting a spell.

Lucky will run for the door as long as everyone else does.  If not he will shake his head and stay behind.
15:34, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 15 using 1d20+4.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:39, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

Zuni almost grinned as the Halfling dropped the knife.  Almost.  As she reached for the prize, a spectral hand picked up the knife and began floating away through the ghostly dancers.  "Oh come on!" Zuni said in exasperation, watching the hand and dagger disappear into the ghostly crowd.  "I had that!"

Before she could complain more, or set off after the dagger, the trapped Halfling suddenly moved and caused all manner of problems.  The whole room erupted in a cacophony of music, notes fighting each other.  The noise was almost deafening but Zuni could just make out What Lucky was yelling.

Zuni quickly turned and ran towards Izzick, skidding to a halt beside the Half-Orc.  Sword in hand and watching the chaotic crowd start to dive towards them, Zuni shouted, "Time to leave, Izzy.  Whatever you're doing, make it fast!"


OOC:
Fort Save -> 22
Zuni is going to ready an action to defend Izzick.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 445):

The room lights up, except for the spaces around the three of you Izzick, Lucky, and Zuni.  Selvin, you and Chandanar are safe at the door.

As the flames die down, the halfing, now freed of the ice, lunges forward.

Make that attack roll Zuni

Many of the dancers resembled burnt up candle tapers.  Those that are burnt the worst suddenly turn translucent again and begin to dance.

The handful that aren't as toasty stumble forward.

The halfling is attacking Zuni and Izzick. There are thirty dancers advancing on ya'll.

Making a run for it?

Selvin looked surprised and a little...tense...when the music changed and things got scarier and more dangerous. He winced only slightly at the noise attack, however, and paid it little mind. The dead were going to be doing things other than dancing soon it looked like. He sighed.

He kept himself between them and Chandanar, barring the cleric WANTING to get further in. He held the door, ready to close it once his allies had come through it - not certain that would actually stop the 'dancers' but hopeful.

18:59, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 24 using 1d20+13.  Fortitude saving throw.

Izzick begins to back away, hoping the dancers were at least clear enough to get through without the halfling suddenly popping through. Even as he did, his fingers began to dance, spelling out more magic in the air. An entire serpent of flames burst from his hands, slithering towards the halfling killer and any remaining dancers that seemed to have withstood the flame. They'd be ash soon enough.

Backing up and casting Fire Snake
19:41, Today: Izzick rolled 41 using 12d6+1.  Fire Snake. 60 ft shapeable line should be able to get them all

Reflex DC22 for half

"...come on...come on..." Zuni said, bouncing up and down lightly on the balls of her feet as she gripped the hilt of her blade tighter.  The Halfling was freed and advancing towards them, and Zuni was ready.  When the Halfling was close enough, Zuni stabbed at her with the blade.

OOC:
Attack -> 19
Damage -> 21

With the dancers in full form now and the halfling now free of the icy cage and advancing, Lucky used the total confusion to hide a moment before the halfling had come over and out of the shadow of a dancer, Lucky, who was now flanking with Zuni, struck the halfling with a precise attack.

Hit AC 26 for 41
08:03, Today: Lucky Six-Fingers rolled 25,26,13,29 using d20+23,D20+19,d4+9,6d8.  stealth and sneak attack.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 449):

Chandanar tries peeking over your/Zac's shoulder Selvin.  But he doesn't push to get past you.

The fire snake snakes about Izzick.  Some of the danceers are able to dodge out of the way, getting crispy if not ashy.  Some ash right up.

The halfling manages a deep blow back at you Lucky before you and Zuni are able to drive her back.  22 pts Lucky

You have a moment of space both from the halfling and the dancers.

Running?

Izzy, you took out 11 dancers.  19 still up and moving.

He switched from one hand to the other, mind focusing from flames to the chilling frozen ice. It had worked the first time so he tried again, a prison of ice. The wind around the halfling began to chill even as Izzick backed up, he tried to predict her movements, where she was going, where she'd appear. And then suddenly as he snapped his hand, the air froze solid around her to trap her.

Ice Prison again
Reflex DC22

 If the creature fails its save, it is helpless, but can still breathe (the ice blocks line of effect to the target). If the target makes its save, it gains the entangled condition but can otherwise act normally. Whether or not the target saves, it takes 1 point of cold damage per caster level each round it is helpless or entangled in the ice.

Continuing to back up as well.

"Lucky! You have the prize, get it out of this room!" Zuni shouted, her eyes focussed on the Halfling and her  body coiled up and ready to strike at her again.  She wasn't sure if the Halfling was able to leave the haunted room but it was a risk that she was willing to take.  The worst case was that their undead opponent would follow them out of the room and they'd have to fight her in the hallway.  Best case, the Halfling would be stuck in the room and reduced to hurling insults at them.  At least that is what Zuni was hoping for.

She waited for a few moments to see whether Izzicks spell would freeze the halfling.  If it did, she planned to turn and run out of the room, hauling Izzick over her shoulders if she had to.  If not, well she'd have to delay the creature hopefully long enough for the others to get out.

OOC:
Readied attack (if the Halfling isn't frozen) -> 29
Damage -> 24

Lucky heard Zuni and she was right.  He had the dagger they came for and so he sprinted for the exit.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 452):

Lucky, you break for the door.

Izzick and Zuni, the ice forms but the halfling manages to sidestep it.

The music suddenly changes again.  It sounds like the brass section is beating the string section with tympanies.

The remaining solid dancers pounce, ignoring Lucky and going for the regal Ms. Runesong and the irascible Izzick.

The halfling slashes at Izzick with her claw as Zuni stabs into her.

The dancers also manage a few licks...

</orange>Zuni, you took 10 pts.

Izzy...sorry man.  32 pts. The halfling and one of the dancers got good hits</orange>

Lucky and Selvin, you can see the translucent dancers are starting to shimmer.

Since Zuni was very specific in her post

Zuni, you grab Izzick by the collar and push your way through the grabbing hands of the dancers.  The two of you hit the doorway.

The halfling is hauling ass after the two of you but as Izzick's head crosses the threshold she stops.  The dancers go back to being translucent.

The music seems to calm down.  It seems to be fading out.

The halfling is standing there, in the middle of the dancers, giving you all that dried flesh grin of hers.

Anyone going back in?

Lucky made the exit and turned in time to watch the halfling claw into Izzick.  It looked to hurt quite a bit too as blood began to spill from the wound.  Zuni, bless herself got in a good hit and then pulled a stunt Lucky didn't think she had in her as she grabbed Izzick's collar and basically pulled him out of the chaos of dancers.

"That halfling is quite dangerous!  We gave her a fight and she looks as if she isn't even hurt.  I ain't going back inside.  I got the dagger safe in my pack, let's get away from here, now!"  Lucky said between heavy breaths.

Selvin quickly closed the door as soon as everyone was out as he been standing there ready to do so. He didn't know if it would actually the dancers, or the halfling, but it might or at least give them a second or two.

But then everything changed and slowed, he saw as he was closing the door. "Weird," he muttered.

He took a step back from the door but kept a wary eye on it. "I mean...she ain't comin' after us?"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 457):

If she is, she's being veeeerrrrry slow about it.

Through the door, you hear the music change again.  It gets soft and distant, sounding like it's coming from far away, like it did when you first came down to this room.

The dagger, now that you have a chance to look at it, seems rather vanilla.  It's obviously made of fine craftsmanship, but Zuni and Lucky, you both have better looking knives on you.

When you look at it from a magical perspective...yeah.  Wow.  It is something.

+3, +6 vs. any non-evil.  Can cast the following spells once a day at twelth level:

Passwall
Gaseous Form
Darkvision
Gust of Wind
Bestow Curse (it must draw blood of the victim)

It can poison it's edge once a day per user level (Fort save 14- 1d10/rd until save made)

Yes.  It's evil.

You guys are the only ones I have used that encounter with who tried to escape.  Kudos to Zuni for the disarm.  It was the right call.

"That's a good thing.  Don't question the good thing." Zuni replied as she sat down on the floor, breathing heavily but with a satisfied smile on her face.  Selvin had closed the door on the Halfling and from the sounds of things the whole haunted place had just gone back to the start.  If this was a heist, it had been a successful one..

It might have been better if they had beaten that undead Halfling but that little beastie was tough and annoying, so Zuni would take this as a win even if they hadn't beaten down that .

Zuni looked over, and up, at Izzick.  "Hey, sorry if you wanted to stay and fight it out.  You were doing great with those spells but I didn't trust that murdering little stab happy monster not to kill everyone...y'know like she did in the past."

Selvin shook his head, glancing at Zuni. "No, no, it was the right call t'leave. For sure. You did great in there." He looked at Izzick and Lucky as well, "All o'you."

He smirked at Chandanar. "MOST o'you." He grinned. "Kiddin'. Y'got sucker punched. It happens."

He went back to watching the ballroom door just to be safe. "Sooo....we got everythin'?"

"I think we do, I have the axe, dagger, and scale in my pack.  Laoris said that he had the holy symbol.  We need to get that from him.  I think the third is it needs blood which we all have."  Lucky reminded them.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 455):

FYI that would be enough to knock Izzy out

In reply to Izzick (msg # 462):

Chandanar gets busy with the healing.

"We maybe wanna camp out in the courtyard before we fiddle with that altar," he suggests.  He then eyes the shut door to the ballroom.

"Whatever we do, let's just do it away from here."

Selvin nodded at Chandanar. "Yeah. We should definitely find a place t'hole up that we can secure an' rest." He cast a spell of his own and placed a hand on Izzick. There was a flare of black and red energy and then it seeped in to Izzick's body.

He then looked at Zuni with a raised eyebrow, "Y'wanna hit too? It's a slow trickle but it heals up a bit so we don't tap Chandy completely 'fore we sleep in case we come up 'gainst somethin'." He glanced at Lucky and Chandanar as well.

OOC: Cast Infernal Healing on Izzick. He'll heal 1 hp per round for the next 10 rounds. Will cast it on whoever wants it, at least once each.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 464):

You all camp out near the courtyard.  Fortunately, time seems to play along and doesn't skip on you.

Everyone is healed up.  Spelled up.  Etc.

The alter in the chapel awaits.

You lay the elements down in the spots Laoris described them.  She at least didn't lie about this.  As you lay each artifact down, the altar seems to hum.

Suddenly, the altar shifts to the side.  Below it is a stairwell headed down.

The stairs descend some distance underground.  They seem to empty out into a large cave.  There's an altar on one side of the cave.  It's similar to the one upstairs, but less ornate.  But it seems to have seen a lot more use.  It's so covered in old blood stains, there's no way to tell what its original color was.

Other than the altar, the only other thing in the room is a large pool off to one side.  You can't tell how deep the pool is from here.

Selvin gave a full-body stretch when he woke up (and he had definitely taken a watch). He ate a bit and then took the time to re-summon his friend for the day, the two of them slowly joining together after the minute-long ritual.

He let out a small grunt as the first altar moved aside. "Go down the creepy secret stairs? Sure. Why not?" He headed down, keeping an eye out for anything unusual or any traps. Then there was..."...another altar?"

He saw the pool and frowned, wondering if something was in it. He drifted closer, trying to fly up and get a glance in to it without being directly over it or anything.

23:46, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 27 using 1d20+14.  Perception.

Lucky was happy to have the rest, he had picked clean the body of Laoris before they had left to rest though.

After his rest, Lucky stretched out his muscles to make sure they were back to normal after having been injured from that ridiculous halfling in the ballroom.  When the dagger was identified he wished it was something he could use, but it being evil, Lucky knew all too well not to try.

When they made their way to the altar once more and placed the items and the altar shook and moved, Lucky stood and watched as steps appeared below.  "I was expecting something different.  Not sure what to be honest but the altar could have just been destroyed to have the steps revealed.  Kind of anti-climatic don't you think?"  He said to the others before Selvin began his descent down the stairs.

Lucky looked for traps as well as they went down.  He doubted there would be any since it took all the items above just to get to the stairs anyways.  But, it still didn't hurt to be careful.  What he saw below had his shoulders sag... another altar and a pool.  He let Selvin look over the pool while he went for the altar to see what was special about it.