The door opens upon a breathtaking scene. An enormous, three- tiered chamber spreads before you. An oversized throne rests upon a raised dais at the far end of the room. Seated on the throne is a clay warlord that resembles the giant statue you saw earlier. A pulsating light emanates from a crystal globe atop the throne.

Below the dais at floor level seven headless statues of clay generals stand motionless. Below them, in a huge pit that runs the length of the room stands an army of clay soldiers. There are dozens of sol- diers arrayed in marching formation, their clay armor and clay spears equipped for war.

A great stillness pervades the room. It is the stillness of death; the silence of a tomb. Then, suddenly, the stillness is broken as the clay war- lord jerkily raises an arm toward his generals. No response.

"Well that is interesting," remarks Tzothagri, with a statement that positively exudes understatement.

"It would appear that this is no tomb to the departed, as some of those gathered appeared to be...animated. But to what intention?"

"Looks like the warlord's army isn't what it used to be. Still, it might be best to exercise caution."
Pyke looks at each party member. "You," he says, pointing at Jack. "You're a roguishy thief-type, yes? How about you do your sneakyy thing and scout ahead for danger?"

Urmdrak chuckles, and adresses Pyke.

"And you are the useless type, aren't you? I haven't seen you do anything helpful since we stepped foot in this place. Why not go ahead and check if this room is trapped? Or do you enjoy watching people die? Perhaps that's why you let your friend get skewered back when me and Rhod were saving your skin at the skeleton room?"

"Urmdrak, stop. Bickering amongst ourselves won't do us any good. And Pyke, you are not helping either. We need to work together if we want to get out of here. Noone's life is lesser than other's."

Letting out a sigh, Rhod pushes through the ones in front of him.

"Move, let me through"

Hesitantly, Rhod takes a single step into the room, and waits to see if there is any reaction from the clay men.

In reply to Rhod the Squire (msg # 5):Stanis pokes his head from the door and celebrates "Now...FINALY we are getting somewhere!" and he will closely keep eyes peeled on any shiny and valuables (won't be first to touch them thou).
This message was last edited by the player at 09:15, Mon 23 Jan 2023.

In reply to Wade Lane Squad (msg # 6):

Rita watches the room in aww but also a question pops into her head that she shares vocally: "Who was this ruler really? and how this all is connected to the dark things on the surface?"

Pyke waits bravely from the doorway as he snarls in response to Umdark.
"If by 'useless' you mean 'alive' and 'not stupid', then I heartily agree. Mazak took the lead and see where it got him?! No, my goal is to survive, and if you stick with me instead of picking fights with non-hostiles, you'll be a survivor as well. You, too, Rhod. If you think marching up to a clay warlord is a good idea then so be it, you're on your own."

They clay statues seem to be milling around, looking at each other uncertainly.

"Well, they don't look too threatening. I suspect the glowing crystal is the power source here. The question is, do we smash it or attempt to retrieve it?"

"Ugh." Jack clearly doesn't look too happy about being volunteered, but he does, in fact, sidle ahead of Rhod. "I'll see if I can get closer to that crystal. If I fail, someone pray for my soul. Or something."

21:19, Today: Jack Quick the Beggar rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  sneakity sneak!
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Tue 24 Jan 2023.

Meanwhile, Aelisyr.............. also waits bravely at the doorway. But for what it's worth, her fingertips again seem to glow with the diaphanous glow of some spell or other. Seems the elf is getting a little eager to exercise her newfound abilities, for better or worse.

In reply to Jack Quick the Beggar (msg # 11):

when Rita hear this she gently closes her eyes and starts a silent prayer.

When Aelisyr begins to cast, the soldiers act as one, pointing their spears at the party and lunging forward.

"Now you've done it!" says Pyke, glaring at Aelisyr.
"Everyone! Better take out the crystal and fast!"

Pyke waggles his fingers and speaks cryptic words as he attempts to cast magic missile at the glowing crystal.

12:37, Today: Pyke the Astrologist rolled 11 using 1d20+3 ((8)).

2-11: Lost. Failure.

In reply to The Judge (msg # 16):

When He sees statues lunging towards the party. Stanis quickly tries to distance himself from the party and tries to find a place to hide inside the new found room.

In reply to Wade Lane Squad (msg # 17):

There is no place to hide accept through the door you came in.

As you back away you notice a secret door opening behind the general. Halton creeps out from it, weapons at the ready.

In reply to The Judge (msg # 18):

Stanis runs around in a corner of the room realizing there is no place to hide: "shit, shit, shit, shit..." and as soon as it appropriate in the order of actions he will start to run towards the now opened secret door. (if he can see it)

You have to run through SEVENTY clay soldiers to reach that secret door...

The rest of you (meaning except Stanis, Halton, and Pyke), please state your actions. You have fourteen spearheads charging in your direction!

Jack, you started crawling along the edge of the room past the soldiers before Pyke started his failed cast attempt. Make a DEX roll to keep from getting trampled underfoot by the marching clay statues which are undoubtedly very heavy.

Urmdrak raises his shield and moves backwards, heading for the corridor.

"Step back! Funnel them through the corridor, we can't take them all!"

Following Urmdrak's advice, Rhod moves for the corridor aswell, letting the others pass first so he can be at the frontline of the formation, axe ready.

In reply to Rhod the Squire (msg # 23):

Rita readies her dagger and backs down participating in the formation with others.