Sir Dryvyk nodded to Dax and Ishmael and then stepped in front of the door toward which the skeletons approached. stepped to his side.

"Come ye cursed! I will send your corrupt souls to infernal torment!" He barked at them with fervor! The young knight was here to destroy the undead which haunted the moors, one by one they would fall!

---

Paladins grant Protection from Evil in a 10' radius, constant aura-like effect. Grants -1 to AC (that's a good thing) and +1 to Saves.

OOC: Intending to create a bottleneck at the door with Dryvyk directly in front of it and Dax and Ishmael on either side (at least that's the way I've understood the posting so far) We three ought to be able to strike at them one by one that way...?

------|
      | Dax
SkSkSk  SDr
      |
------|

Thanks Ishmael, EDITED!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:48, Tue 11 Jan 2022.

If the dwarf wasn't shrouded in darkness, he would have been seen visibly wincing as the paladin issued his challenge.

ooc:

I think you've got people in the wrong place, Sir Dryvyk,
The skeletons are in 5 with the pottery, coming this way (I suspect)
Ishmael is hiding behind the door in 6, with the sarcophagus
DaX, DryvyK and Gwendelyn(?) are in 7 with the pedestals
Barnabus, Grugar & Malivoire, Lampert are in 8 with the green man

The light is in 8, I intended Ishmael to be in the dark, and Dax can only see him with infravision.

.             ________________________
.  |         |      | K    |  M   |
.  |  SSS    |       X   w $    G $
.  \         |      |      |  B   |
.   \         /     |      |  Lt  |
.    \_______|I_____|______|__oo__|

This message was last edited by the player at 13:20, Tue 11 Jan 2022.

In unison, the skeletons slam the blades of their swords against their shields, twice in rapid succession, as though in answer to the knight’s challenge. Their pace quickening, they surge through the doorway into the tomb with the shattered sarcophagus.

15:41, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 4 using 1d6.  Initiative - Party.

15:43, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 3 using 1d6.  Initiative- Skeletons.

The party wins initiative.

Ishmael, Dax, and Sir Dryvyk can engage the skeletons in melee this round. Any other party members wishing to join the melee will have to move to the skeleton’s position during the opening round.

Party members with missile weapons who are in adjoining rooms can fire at the skeletons this round.

Ishmael, there is no indication that any of the skeletons have noticed you at this juncture.

Each skeleton has an armor class of 6.

For purposes of turning, the skeletons are considered 3 HD creatures.

Gripping his purloined cudgel, Barnabas harkens to the clang of blade on shield, scuttling from the druid's crypt to the shattered sarcophagus.

"So much for surprising them!" Dax muttered; in a louder voice he added, "Dryvyk call for light so you don't trip in the dark."

The ranger then moves forward, he gives a nod to Ishmael, to confirm the dwarf should wait to strike from behind. When the first skeleton approaches he strikes out with hos sword, but fails to connect.

---

Dax Moonblade rolled 11 hitting AC 8.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

Although Gwendolyn was alerted to something approaching, she wasn't sure what until the three skeletons rushed the room entrance with sword and shield in-hand.

She flicks off a quick arrow, easily getting past the lead skeleton's shield, but merely chipping off a piece of bone from its ribcage instead of shattering it.

[Gwendolyn's arrow hits AC-2 for 1 Damage]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

"Lampert! Your services please!" Sir Dryvyk shouted over his shoulder. He readied his shield and gripped his sword tightly. When the torchlight fell across the doorway, the young knight made a massive sweeping swing with his sword, using the flat of the blade rather than the edge in an attempt to crush the legs out from under the first skeleton!

He should have waited a moment longer for a little more light...

Sir Dryvyk of Drakeholme rolled 8 to Miss!

Paladins grant Protection from Evil in a 10' radius, constant aura-like effect. Grants -1 to AC (that's a good thing) and +1 to Saves.

The dwarf waits for a moment, giving the skeletons time to pass before he brings his axe chopping down hard on its spine.



20:19, Today: Ishmael rolled 13,5 using 1d20+5,1d8+1.

Hits AC 6 for 5(x2)

A low growl escaped Grugar as battle commenced, shifting his grip on his sword he moved as quickly as he could to aid his companions.

OOC not sure how long that will take and if he will be able to attack in the same round or not. Rolling just in case....

08:02, Today: Grugar rolled 2 using 1d20+1 ((1)).

Critical miss damn it.

[Posted by Labyrinth Lord.]

Malivoire draws a dart from his pouch, taking careful aim at the first of the skeletons which he can see. Hurling the missile, his aim proves true, the dart striking the dead man in the skull, fragments of bone breaking free from the impact.

08:29, Today: Labyrinth Lord, on behalf of Malivoire, rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Attack - Dart.

09:01, Today: Labyrinth Lord, on behalf of Malivoire, rolled 3 using 1d3.  Damage.

Stuck by Gwendolyn’s arrow and Malivoire‘s dart, the lead skeleton seems to stagger briefly, as if trying to find its bearings.

Ishmael lands a crushing blow on the last of the skeletons in the line, his axe striking the undead creature’s spine directly between its shoulder blades. It collapses into a collection of disconnected bones which clatter across the stone floor of the crypt.

Hearing its companion fall, the middle skeleton turns about, slashing Ishmael’s chest with its blade.

10:04, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 14 using 1d20.  Attack - Skeleton.

10:07, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 4 using 1d8.  Damage.

The lead skeleton finds its footing once more and aims a blow at Sir Dryvyk, which the knight easily deflects with his shield.

10:12, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 8 using 1d20.  Attack - Skeleton.

Barnabus and Grugar rush into the crypt, joining the melee alongside their companions.

It is the party’s turn to act.

Ishmael, Dax, Sir Dryvyk, Barnabus, and Grugar can engage the skeletons in melee this round. Any other party members wishing to join the melee will have to move to the skeleton’s position during the opening round.

Party members with missile weapons who are in adjoining rooms can continue to fire at the skeletons.

Each skeleton has an armor class of 6.

For purposes of turning, the skeletons are considered 3 HD creatures.

The dwarf staggers back bleeding, trying to avoid the skeleton, and it shows in his attempt to counterattack.


09:47, Today: Ishmael rolled 11,3 using 1d20+1,1d6+1

Wrong damage dice. But it doesn't matter anyway.

Emboldened by his recent successes, Malivoire readies another dart and then flings it at the skeleton besieging Ishmael, trying to help the stealthy dwarf.  Unfortunately his aim is ever so slightly off this time and the dart glances off the undead's shoulder blade, leaving nary a scratch.


OOC:

15:03, Today: Malivoire rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Attack skeleton.  Miss by 1!

And thanks to the DM for performing so admirably for me last round.  After this I may have to turn Malivoire back over to his more accurate hands!  :)

Barnabus's relationship with his special cudgel starts off on a sour note.

16:56, Today: Barnabus rolled 7,5 using d20+3,d6+3.  skelly attack. Did the module specify the damage die for this exemplary cudgel?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Sat 15 Jan 2022.

Dax leaves the lead skeleton to Dryvyk and the others, and swings his sword at the middle foe, which is attacking Ishmael; but he stumbles slightly and his sword fails to connect.

---

Here we go...damned dice roller!
Dax Moonblade rolled 10 using 1d20+3 hitting AC 9.

Almost heedlessly Grugar attacks the nearest skeleton, but seemingly fate is against him as his stroke goes astray.


07:41, Today: Grugar rolled 10 using 1d20+1 ((9)).

Dryvyk pushed the encroaching skeleton away with his shield and hammered again with his longsword. "Wrath of the Righteous!" was his battle-cry!

He grinned with zealous ferver when he felt the crunch of bone...


Sir Dryvyk of Drakeholme rolled 14 to hit AC5 for 6 damage.

Gwendolyn lets loose another arrow, aiming for the nearest foe. Zip through the stale air it goes to strike true.

[Gwendolyn's arrow hits AC3 for 6 Damage]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Mon 17 Jan 2022.

Gwendolyn’s arrow finds the skeleton which she and Malivoire had previously injured. The missile strikes the walking corpse in the center of its chest, shattering its ribcage and snapping its spine in half. The enemy drops to the ground in two pieces, its sword clanging as it lands on the stone floor.

Sir Dryvyk’s blow crushes his opponent’s left shoulder, pushing the arm with which the skeleton holds its shield out at an unnatural angle. The undead for staggers, but keeps to its feet. It attempts to retaliate with a strike of its own, but Sir Dryvyk turns its blade aside with a quick parry.

08:38, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 6 using 1d20.  Skeleton - Attack.

It is the party’s turn to act. One skeleton remains.

Ishmael, Dax, Sir Dryvyk, Barnabus, and Grugar can engage the remaining skeleton in melee this round. Any other party members wishing to join the melee will have to move to the skeleton’s position during the current round.

Party members with missile weapons who are in adjoining rooms can continue to fire at the skeleton.

The lone skeleton has an armor class of 6.

For purposes of turning, the skeleton is considered a 3 HD creature.

"No more guff, do you hear?" Barnabas barks. It is unclear if he has admonished the last of the three skeletal martinets or his formerly recalcitrant cudgel. In either case, this time his will is done, and he shatters the pate of the bejeweled bone basher.

18:21, Today: Barnabus rolled 14,9 using d20+3,d6+3.  R#2 Barn .
Hits for 9 dmg.

Barnabus’ swing connects with the last skeleton’s skull with a crack, knocking it free from the corpse’s neck and sending it flying toward the eastern doorway. The rest of the skeleton’s body promptly falls apart, its bones falling amongst the broken remains of the sarcophagus.

The crypt abruptly falls silent.

"The dead roamed above, Muzzahs had said; he had not said that they marched with full martial discipline below," observes Barnabus.

After the sapphires have been harvested, the cleric will redirect the party's attention to the secret door in the druid's crypt and await its opening.

Watching Barnabus, Grugar was uneasy. The priest seemed to ignore the possibility of cursed items, for himself, he decided that he would not have taken the sapphires, for surely they were enchanted by a necromancer and death magics were to be avoided at all costs.

But, he soon turned his mind to the task at hand, turning he headed back to the secret door that he had been guarding before the skeletons marched into view.

The dwarf tugged at his armor, the sword hadn't ruined it, but it certainly left a mark on the dwarf.  He committed himself to being more careful.   He moves to check
and evaluate the gemstones.  He knew little of magic, but a lot about quality and value.

As Grugar starts for the druid’s crypt and Barnabus and Ishmael move to examine and take the sapphires from the skeletons’ skulls, the stone in the brow of the corpse that Ishmael first felled suddenly begins to glow, burning with a light that is briefly bright enough to illuminate the entire chamber with an eerie blue luminescence.

In the space of time that is needed to take a breath, the dead man’s scattered bones regather, the damage done to them vanishing as the skeleton suddenly reforms, slicing its blade through the empty air as it regains sentience.

08:26, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 2 using 1d6.  Initiative- Party.

08:26, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 6 using 1d6.  Initiative- Skeletons.

Properly, the party’s initiative roll would be a 3, but in this case, the bonus would not have put them ahead.

Rushing forward, the skeleton slashes at Barnabus with its sword, the point of its weapon tearing the priest’s robes, but never reaching his person.

08:27, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 13 using 1d20.  Attack - Skeleton.

It is the party’s turn to act.