For an instant, an unnerving sensation, a strange amalgam of a deep chill and an electric shock, seizes the adventurers. As the green illumination fades from their vision, Barnabus, Dilemma, Ishmael, Lampert, Malivoire, and Ynes find that they are in unfamiliar surroundings.

Save for Dilemma, this sense of confusion lasts only for a moment. The remaining adventurers recognize the long stone corridor that they find themselves within. Ten feet north of their position stands a stone archway, adorned with carefully rendered runes and symbols. Those that had explored in this direction previously recall the arch, remembering that it seemed to denote a specific area of the tombs.

To the south, the passage travels ten feet before slanting to the southeast. The flickering light of a fire can be seen in that direction, most of the adventurers recalling that the light comes from a large brazier, which sits in front of an imposing statue of a gargoyle that occupies the western side of the chamber which the hallway leads to.

As the company members find their bearings, they are suddenly aware of voices coming from the south, growing loud.

”Even if they were followers of Set, it still doesn’t make sense for them to set him loose. He’ll as soon destroy them as us.”

”Perhaps he promised ‘em something? Riches or a powerful favor? No matter. They’ll not live to coll…”

Around the corner where the corridor shifts to the southeast emerge five figures. Three are clad in black chainmail and gray robes. All three appear human, though the two men in the lead are considerably younger than the gray haired man behind them. Behind the older man stand a pair of skeletons. The skeletons carry spears, while the armored humans have maces on their belts and shields strapped on one arm. The shields are all black, adorned with the symbol of a ram’s skull.


”You lot picked the wrong place to go hunting for treasure,” the gray haired man snarls.

15:11, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 5 using 1d6.  Initiative - Party.

15:12, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 2 using 1d6.  Initiative - Priests and Skeletons.

Despite the angry words, it’s plain that the adventurers have caught many in the group off guard. The party wins initiative.

The men in chainmail have an armor class of 4. The skeletons have an armor class of 7. The skeletons do not have gems embedded in their foreheads.

For reference, the adventurers are located 10 feet south of location 12 on the Main Game Map.

Malivoire was disoriented for a few moments before the surroundings registered in the mage's mind, after which he was amazed at the teleportation effect that flung their portion of the group across the catacombs.  He looked to check that the others were all right after the relocation, and in fact who had been transported with him and who had been left behind.  That inspection was interrupted in turn by the sound of voices approaching, which immediately put him on guard.  They're talking about Varghoulis, he realized.

When the three humans rounded the corner, flanked by their skeleton escorts, Malivoire immediately began a casting.  It wouldn't affect the undead he knew, but perhaps the three warriors would succumb to its power.  With sonorous words and flick of silvery sand, he commanded them to rest their eyes.

OOC:
Cast Sleep on the enemy group, hopefully to catch all three humans.
18:24, Today: Malivoire rolled 8 using 2d4.  Sleep Impact. So long as none having 4+1HD, will affect 8HD levels worth of enemies.

The eyes of the three chainmail clad men flutter as Malivoire’s sand diffuses into the air around them. Each of the trio take a couple of drunken steps before sinking onto the stone floor, their breathing quickly growing heavy. One of the younger men begins to snore noisily.

OOC: The three men are asleep. Unless deliberately slapped awake or wounded non-fatally, they will remain in that state for…

17:55, Today: Labyrinth Lord rolled 13 using 4d4.  Sleep Duration.

…13 turns.

21:40, Today: Dilemma rolled 13,3 using 1d20,1d4 ((13,3)).
Throwing a dagger at the nearest spear skeleton.

 "Damn it...!" Dilemma hisses as she lands wherever she has been placed...

 Just as she has gotten her bearings, she finds that her companions have taken care of a number of problematic persons!  But, those without flesh remain standing.  Drawing another of her daggers from her hip, Dilemma chucks it at the nearest skeleton... and backs away.

"Orcus acolytes," Barnabus growls in response, his words falling on three pairs of deaf ears thanks to the sorcery of Malvoire. He turns his animus on one of their skeletal attendants in the form of a crushing blow with his cudgel. Was this one of those gussied up barrow skeletons or one straight from the garden?

Well done, Mal. I still have command and hold person.
Our methodical mode of exploration has paid dividends.
Hits for 8 dmg.
11:42, Today: Barnabus rolled 16,8 using d20+3,d6+3.  attack skelly.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:28, Mon 14 Nov 2022.

"Douse the lights! the dwarf calls, tossing his torch behind him, he strides forward towards the gray haired man, his axe appearing in his hands.

07:34, Today: Ishmael rolled 18,3 using 1d20+1,1d8+1.

Hits AC 1 for 3

Following Dilemma’s throw, Ynes attacks the same skeleton that the sorceress injured with her blade.

10:51, Today: Ynes rolled 13 using 1d20+2.  Attack - Battle Axe.

10:52, Today: Ynes rolled 6 using 1d8+2.  Damage.

Dilemma’s well thrown blade shatters the right half of the skeleton’s brittle ribcage. The undead creature wobbles as if struggling to hold its balance, preventing it from offering any defense when Ynes rushes it, smashing it into a pile of bones with her battle axe.

Barnabus dispatches the other skeleton with relative ease, the blow from his cudgel breaking the animated corpse in half at its spine, the two portions of it coming completely apart as they drop onto the stone floor.

Ishmael dashes forward. With an audible CHONK! he buries the head of his axe in the gray haired man’s forehead, killing him instantly.

The two remaining chainmail clad men continue sleeping, their slumber undisturbed by the battle nearby.

OOC: Combat over.

For additional clarification, the skeletons accompanying the three men were not clad in any clothing or armor.

Malivoire was pleasantly surprised at how easily the battle swung in their favour, but he wasn't going to complain about the good fortune.  Making a bit of a face at Ishamel's rather effective method of dispatching the presumed leader of this little band, he turned to Barnabus and asked a refresher question.

"Good work everyone.  Ah, Barnabus?  Did Mazzahs ever say anything about bringing back a demon priest for questioning?" The elf truly couldn't remember, even if it was really for the clerics of St. Ygg to conduct the interrogation.  They had the option of taking one of these malefactors back, should it have been something for which they'd been asked.  "If not I'm inclined to let Ishamel have his way with both of them."  He had no doubt they would have received the same or worse treatment had roles been reversed.

The dwarf stops for a moment, not expecting such a simple end, but no doubt glad for it.   He stows his axe and retrieves his torch. Pulling a dagger from his boot, he looks to the sleepingb men and waits for a decision of their fate.

 "I don't recall him asking us to bring anyone in for questioning, but what could it hurt?" Dilemma looks the two remaining priests over.  "I'm sure a mage such as himself could make one of these two talk... Need my rope?"

Without even turning to face the others, Barnabus barks out, "No. They die here and they die now. Ynes, Ishmael, kill them while we give them the once over."

Were the priest to have had the time, he might have explained why evil priests aren't to be questioned. You never knew who was looking at you through their eyes or speaking with their tongues. There was only one answer for that.

Besides, we have to try to hustle back to 33 even if I would like to dispose of the bodied. I think we run at 90 feet per round, putting us 3 rounds (or so) away. Since we have to spend a round killing the two sleepers, we may as well check their pockets.

"Caine and Dax might need us. Hurry!"

Ynes’ expression hardens at Barnabus’ words. ”I don’t favor executing helpless foes, even those that have dedicated themselves to a dark cause.”

“They are ensorcelled. Their slumber may last for some time. Could we not quickly restrain them, then go to Dax and Caine’s aid?”

As she speaks, she withdraws a length of rope from her pack.

"The casting was one of my strongest ever," Malivoire admitted, a touch of pride coating his words.  "As long as nothing tries to wake them, they will remain asleep for two hours, I'd guess.  Maybe just a little less?"

"I am also uneasy with a summary execution Ynes, but we must weigh that against the future evil they will commit if we leave them here.  They are devotees of a dark religion that seeks only harm for ordinary folk.  Sometimes hard decisions are necessary to ensure the people of Aerik are protected.  Unless you propose that we return back here to collect them once we've confirmed Dax and Caine are all right?"

Barnabus' expression hardens in equal measure.


His answer is terse: "More devil worshippers could already be on their way as we admire our feathers."


"Fine. Bind and gag them. We'll carry them to the main hallway (1/4). Deposit them there. Then, maybe, we see about Dax and Caine. I expect Ishmael has mastered the art of ligature."

He doesn't say anything about Ynes lacking a fundamental knowledge of ethics.

Ynes seems to give weight to Malivoire’s words. ”I would prefer not to take part in their executions, but if all here truly believe that their deaths are the only means to ensure that innocents are not harmed, I would not oppose them.”

She looks down at the unconscious men as Barnabus speaks. ”If we choose to bind them, I will bear one to the entrance chamber,” she replies simply.

Alright we'll truss up the two of them and hustle back to the main hallway.

Ishmael with unsurprising deftness begins turning the men's pockets out, searching for anything that might be of use.  He slides across to the old man and does the same, checking for pendants or jewelry.

Ishmael moves with practiced efficiency as the other adventurers debate the fate of the slumbering men. In one of the sleeper’s pouches, the dwarf finds 10 silver pieces. His compatriot is carrying 15 silver coins.

The gray haired leader has 23 gold pieces in the large pouch on his belt, along with two small blocks of sweet smelling incense.

The debate momentarily resolved, as Ynes and Dilemma move to restrain the pair of acolytes, they notice that neither of the men are breathing. Both appear to have mysteriously expired in the midst of the discussion regarding them.

 "I... they're dead!" Dilemma says, surprised.  She looks to Malivoire.  "A death spell... impressive!"

Frowning at the new mystery, but mindful that time is of the essence, Ynes takes a fresh hold on her battle axe and assumes the lead as the adventurers travel back through the catacombs to find their compatriots.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:11, Wed 16 Nov 2022.

Moving with haste, the adventurers pass under the ancient archway, following the corridor as it turns east, then north again.

OOC: Oops. I left another door off on my most recent map update. There is a door on the slanted section of wall in the southwestern corner of room 5, which is the door I will be referring to momentarily. I will correct the map this evening, but in the meantime know that the door is present.

The adventurers arrive at a door on a slanted section of wall, which leads into a large room, a chamber that is familiar to some who have explored this portion of the catacombs previously. The adventurers had confiscated several pieces of painted pottery from the area, delivering them to Mazzahs for examination and study.

The door stands open. On the northern wall of the chamber, the explorers can see a pair of doors and to the east there is another door, along with a corridor that leads away into shadow. From the eastern leading passageway, the adventurers can hear the sound of heavy footfalls drawing near, their pace steady and unhurried. Aside from the approaching footsteps, the company members do not perceive any threats within the dusty room.

OOC: For further clarity, the party members are looking into room 5 from the southwestern corner. The footfalls are coming from the east running passageway that is above rooms 6, 7, 8, and 9.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:32, Wed 16 Nov 2022.

I think this might be a good opportunity for Malivoire to spread his webs.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:24, Wed 16 Nov 2022.

I think it might be a good time for us to hustle through Room 3, closing doors behind us!

Despite the heavy thud of approaching ... things, Barnabus continues to scuttle as fast as his feet will carry him toward the vacant room and the hallway that will lead them back to Dax and Caine -- or what remains of them.

As that first hallway comes into view (the one above 6, 7, etc.), he motions for Malivoire seal it off with his sorcery.

How about filling the square just south of room 4 with webs? That might be just the thing tactically at this point in time.
That manifestation of a door certainly cuts our commute time.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:20, Wed 16 Nov 2022.

Malivoire (or Malvingeroth, as he was fearfully known by the demon priests of the Barrowmaze) hustled along with the rest of his companions but stopped at the southern door of the vacant room to let the rest file into that safe space before him.  As they swiftly flew past he kept his eyes trained on the dark hallway, using all of his elven senses to divine what might be coming toward them with such measured inevitability.

Should the creature (or so he supposed it was) lumber into view before they were all safely away through the vacant room, Malivoire would make use of his most powerful spell to clog the passageway with webs and block the threat from reaching them.

Crossing the wide chamber, Ynes pulls open the nearest of the two doors on the northern wall, leading the adventurers into a twenty by twenty room that is vacant of all but dust.

Not hesitating, the warrior continues forward to another door on the room’s northern wall, the only other exit it offers.

In the last rank of the company, Malivoire pauses, peering down the shadowy eastern traveling corridor, trying to get a glimpse of the source of the heavy footfalls.

Barnabus's words trail behind him -- "Just web the corridor" -- as he double-times it behind the fleeter Ynes.

Malivoire's eyes widened slightly as he made out what was lumbering down the hallway toward them.  Had it been something mindless then webbing the corridor would be a foregone conclusion, but with this threat the elven mage had other concerns.  Feeling their flight had not been detected as yet, Malivoire ignored Barnabus' plea and instead stepped into the vacant room and closed the door as quietly as he could behind him.  With one palm still on the door he whispered a quick prayer to the goddess of the night to keep them hidden.

Then he hustled after the rest, intent on returning to the place they'd involuntarily left Dax and Caine.

OOC:
Not casting Web.  Will let the undead knight carry on past us on his patrol, unaware of us.

The party surges through the vacant room, Malivoire pulling the door closed behind them. Pressing forward, they move through the northern door and turn east into the corridor beyond it, rushing to the aid of their fellow company members who remained behind to contend with the eerie crypt’s robed guardian.

They hear no sounds of pursuit behind them.