Oasis 8: R & R at the Haunted Museum pt 2
The whisp of Elunan magic fades from the mirror shard in Dubtle's hand. He probably doesn't remember picking it up. Just moments ago, the world had clouded and shifted sideways. Suddenly, there was no garden, and no twisted plants or pathways. There were no clawmarks of great beasts. Instead, there's stone beneath your feet and the remains of four walls.
One wall is darkness. From here, you can see into the crypts. Slow-moving Vardaman characters move over it, preventing more of what had spilled out earlier from coming into Alexandria. On an adjacent wall is a painting. It depicts a man reading and at rest in the evening. On either side of the painting are the remains of shelves. They contain some books about accounting.
This had been a records-office of some kind.
Today, most of the walls are gone, and through one you can see the abyss of Alexandria's crypts. Because many of the walls are missing, you can tell that you're on the Museum's second floor.
The door to the room, opposite the dark wall, had once had a door. Now, it's a gaping crumble of stones.
Grush looks around, shaking her head and trying to reorient herself. She seems to have only moved in space which is nice "everyone okay?"
Shym'r puts her pistol away and sighs. "This is going to get interesting." She says she loads a hand crossbow now. "I'm oay so far...."
Lucy draws her small rapier without taking her eyes off of the surroundings. Still not looking, she reaches out her free hand and touches the party member closest to her, reassuring herself she's not facing some kind of illusion. Only then does she look at the others. "What just happened," she whispers.
Shym'r says, "No illusion. we were just teleported somewhere, Lucy." she says looking about to make sure they don't trip or step on something dangerous."
As Grush and Lucy move to the doorway, they find they can see right through it. The hallway goes down to the right, as far as her darkvision will go. Presumably there would be stairs somewhere down there, too. There are doorways here and there on either side. Most of them are hanging open, left that way after the blast. One such doorway is straight across from you. In fact, the blast damage is enough that you can see the city of Alexandria through it.
Grush draws her hammer and rests it on her shoulder, moving over to slowly and carefully open the door
"Well, at least we aren't trapped or anything" Grush back from the door "Guess we might as well get to work"
Shym'r says, "At least we don't have to worry about traps." She says softly as she peers down the pathway......"
Lucy peers through a gaping section of wall at the city beyond, trying to orient herself. "I remember seeing that roof," she points. "So that means we must be on the..." she points with a hand in one direction and then another. "The south-western side?"
As Lucy points out, it begins to make sense. You're on the side near the gardens, and over the main museum area. One one side, the sealed crypts, and the other, Alexandria. Below you of course, is the museum and the undead.
Shym'r flattens herself outand crawls her way forward to get a better look at the undead.....
Sarcis slips an arrow back in her quiver as she looks between the others. A pull of her lips off to one side as she listening in to the others. A dance of her dark eyes from one to the other, "Hm." A quirk of her eyebrows upward as she slinks along as well, trying to keep quiet.
Lucy turns towards Dubtle, still keeping her voice low. "Do you know, was it something you did with the mirror that brought us here - were you thinking about something, or facing a certain way, or...?"
Below and towards the garden, you see the elongated man and his horse who'd appeared behind you, before the mirror teleported you away. He carries a blade that looks wickedly sharp. Near him are more of the ghouls and beasts that you'd faced. They lurch, jaws hanging loosely over fancy clothes.
Many of the undead appear to be from the night of the event. Others wear older garb, or funeral garb they were buried in. With some study though, some of the more dangerous creatures appear to be in the garden area, while it's thinner near the front of the museum. The horseman especially, causes the stomach to twist.
Shym'r scooches her way back from the vantage point. "I see two ways out. First is the the room across from his....and rappelling down the front of the museum, then running for it across the front lawn. The second is going downt he hall and the stairway, but we'd need to sneak past ALL of the undead......and, forgive me for saying so....you guys don't look very sneaky...."
"...oh good," muses Dubtle.
He's been quiet, uncomfortable. "The Void," he manages to say, his voice having a hitch in it as he does.
"We could always kill them all. Thats what we're here to do isn't it?" Grush grunts
Sylvi has connected.
"You okay Dub?" Grush moves over to Dubtle and puts a hand on his shoulder "You with us?"
Grush says, "How wide is the hallway? If we can engage the undead one or two at a time their numbers shouldn't be as much of a problem""
Sylvi hefts her axe onto her shoulder and climbs onto the saddle on Thunder's back. "I agree, not much for the sneaking sort but I think we can chop our way through. I am not sure how safely we can all get down from the second story either."
Shym'r says, "I would not suggest it. That one that brought us here looks really really nasty and......It's riding a horse.""
"I really don't want to die here," says Dubttle, thoughtfully.
"How about we, you know, not die?" He scratches his head. Uncomfortable. Worried.
Shym'r says, "We've got one piece....I vote we get the heck out of here. Tell the Vardamen what we've seen and let them send in the Absolution......It seems to be their thing....""
Grush says, "It's not really much of a piece though... I mean, if we got more shards maybe they stick it back together or something. but thats more of a magic shaving mirror at the moment""
Sarcis moves slowly over to one of the holes, with some rope that she's tied off to toss down the hole once the undead distraction starts. That way they can get down there with the mirror and try to sneak out behind the wave of undead.
Grush holsters her hammer and straps her shield to her arm, drawing her longsword and moving to the hole, ready to jump down and take point
Sylvi nods to Shym'r as they formulate the plan. "Right... ready to do this? Used to use this to get the pigs in their pens back home." she moves towards one of the cracks and peers through to a different part of the Museum. "Well here goes nothing..."
As she moves her hands, lights start coming up from the ground and meandering around the open area she is looking on, quickly follows by the many fenzied oinks that sound like a very large group of pigs! A stampede of bacon!"
Shym'r Takes a deep breath and actually looks to Sylvi. "Get ready to move." She says as a rock flies towards one of the passages, strategically placed so the stampede of bacon actually has a bit of merit....like falling rocks! She then waits for the undead to go for the bacon.....
"...ready!"
Dubtle is bouncing on the tips of his toes, just about.
This was a bad idea. He topples forward and lands on his face. Popping back up, he adjsuts his spectacles and says, "Ready!'
One tapestry, chosen for its tribute to the families of Alexandria, turns aflame as the arrow strikes it. Before long, you're tossing down burning carpets. Rocks, ripped from crumbled walls. A cacophony of effects rains down on the undead crowds below.
Guests' hooked fingers claw at dancing lights, or turn towards disembodied whispers and oinks. In your own ways, you become the ghosts. A chair picks itself up, crashing against the wall where Sylvi's ghostlike pigs had originated.
And then, down. Down into the middle of it all. You drop using Sarcis' rope, into the middle of what had been the center point, the crown jewel of the museum.
Now in burning chaos, for the second time in weeks. But perhaps this time, in your favor.
GAME: Sarcis rolls Perception: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Grush rolls perception: (17)+3: 20
GAME: Shym'r rolls perception: (5)+10: 15
GAME: Sylvi rolls perception: (12)+2: 14
Sarcis sneaks along and then taps Grush on the shoulders, a point toward the wolf and then a gesture of Grush running over to harass the wolf. Then a point at herself and then the statue. A nod, a raise of an eyebrow to see if Grush is all in for the idea.
Grush nods and grins before charging at the wolf, her shield held infront of her and her sword ready to swing
GAME: Dubtle rolls perception: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Grush rolls weapon6+1: (13)+5+1: 19
GAME: Grush rolls 1d8+5: (4)+5: 9
GAME: Sylvi rolls weapon1+2-1: (8)+7+2+-1: 16
GAME: Sylvi rolls 1d10+4+3: (5)+4+3: 12
Grush charges at the wolf and slashes its side, stepping past it to make room for Sylvis to finish it off
Sarcis starts running in after Grush, but instead of trying to hit the wolf... SHE'S GRABBING THE STATUE! The great Dragon Heist of '19!
As soon as you'd dropped, two keen-eyed members of your team saw the glittering of glass. The glass dragon! Prized, and awarded by the merchant to the Lady Kiya, it glitters in the flames you'd started. Its eye stares at you.
There's just one problem. A wolf stands in the way. Seeing the opportunity, Grush rushes forward. Sylvi quickly catches on, the two of them dispatching the undead in heartbeats. Sarcis grasps the artwork.
The room continues to burn. The undead continue to howl. You've recovered another of the artifacts. Now you have to get OUT.
GAME: Shym'r rolls weapon4: (5)+6: 11
GAME: Grush rolls weapon6+1: (11)+5+1: 17
GAME: Grush rolls 1d8+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Shym'r rolls 1d4+2d6+1: (4)+(5)+1: 10
"Come on you rotten lumps!!" Grush bellows, charging at the zombie and slashing its chest, trying to keep their focus on her instead of her companions
GAME: Sylvi rolls weapon1-1: (9)+7+-1: 15
GAME: Sylvi rolls 3: (16)+3: 19
GAME: Sylvi rolls 3: (3)+3: 6
GAME: Sylvi rolls 3: (10)+3: 13
Sarcis slinks off more to the side, calling out a hissed voice, "HEY! Stealth, remember? Gods!" She sticks closer to the shadows, trying to play a game of keep away with the zombies... and now the ghoul.
Shym'r says, "You aren't kidding!" She growls as she runs behind them. "I'll keep you covered, Sarcis, just stay with me." She says reloading her crossbow while she runs....."
GAME: Shym'r rolls weapon4+1: (9)+6+1: 16
Lucy has reconnected.
GAME: Shym'r rolls 1d4+2d6: (2)+(7): 9
Thunder pounces on another ghoul and Sylvi swings her axe sending an undead head flying, doing her best to use the speed of her mount to run interferance. "Warriors of Happy Valley never fear! Never surrender! Call upon your inner gnome and fight! Move and fight!" she calls out, forgoing any stealth. Not that she was stealthy to begin in heavy armor.
GAME: Dubtle rolls 5d6: (19): 19
GAME: Dubtle casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17
"Ahhhhh!!!"
Dubtle yells about that after he's managed to make it into the room, and he's jus RUNNING. r
"AHHHHHH!!!"
And then there's LIGHTNING crackling from his fingertips.
"Oh bother! Oh Navos! AHHH..."
Someone is terrified.
Despite her being as back as far as she is, Shym'r is a pretty damned good shot. A bolt finds the eye of the ghoul and down it goes....just before the lightning bolt gets cast. "Well...there went the stealth. Let's go, Sarcis." She says starting to run even harder........
Shym'r also reloads her crossbow.
Grush keeps running, her shield held infront of her, barging and slashing at anything in her way
GAME: Grush rolls weapon6+1: (2)+5+1: 8
GAME: Grush rolls 1d8+5: (1)+5: 6
Undead peel off in front of you. They stumble towards the museum, headed towards the distraction you'd made. Others turn, lurching towards the running party. You plough down one, two, then four undead ahead of you. A burning skeleton topples from Dubtle's magic, a ghoul from Shym'r's crossbow, and Sylvi's mighty blade. Another, from Grush's thundering blow! Through it all, Sarcis holds the glass prize tightly.
And then, just ahead, the warding wall looms. The acolyte who'd brought you here is jumping up and down.
He's saying...something...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Beaglefinder has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Beaglefinder to instruct you further.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The acolyte pounds on the wall. Two, hunched over creatures teleport into being. Their arms brush the earth like a troll's. Their faces are long and narrow, haggard and filled with teeth. The clothing, one might place as at least a hundred years ago. What had been skin now rests paper-thin and flaking.
Behind the wall, the acolyte pounds, shouting something even as he tries to work the ward. Thank goodness for that distraction.
But how long will it last?
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 26.
It is now Sarcis' turn! HuggingDeath is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed ended.
GAME: Sarcis rolls weapon5: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 24.
It is now HuggingDeath's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d20+10: (7)+10: 17
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Beaglefinder damaged you for 12 points. 18 HP remaining.
Sarcis looks toward the creature, giving a wince and sets the statue down as she pulls the bow up. "Ack." She mutters, reaching back to snag an arrow, notches and fires in rapid succession. Of course she also was just trying to get the shot off quick and... it was not so good. Her shot goes wide, clattering off the wall.
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 17.
It is now Lucy's turn! Sylvi is next!
GAME: Lucy rolls weapon3: (20)+10: 30 (THREAT)
GAME: Lucy rolls weapon3: (20)+10: 30 (THREAT)
GAME: Lucy rolls 2d4+16: (4)+16: 20
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 13.
It is now Sylvi's turn! Dubtle is next!
GAME: Sylvi rolls 3+1: (5)+3+1: 9
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 12.
It is now Dubtle's turn! Grush is next!
Lucy all this time Lucy has been running furiously, in that way that people do when they are expanding every bit of energy they have in running and can't take any other action...ahem. But now that there's no choice but to fight, she draws her rapier and stabs Tophat through the space where a living being's heart would be. "That tie. Eww! I'm sorry but...whoever laid you to rest must have really hated you when you were alive!"
GAME: Dubtle rolls 1d6: (1): 1
GAME: Dubtle rolls 1d6: (4): 4
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 4.
It is now Grush's turn! Shym'r is next!
Aiming behind it, Dublte throws a sizzling orb of molten fire to land behind the creature Grush is faced with. "AHHHHHH... FUUUUUU..."
He is not handling this well. Pants wetting terror minus the actual pants wetting.
Sylvi raises her axe to the sky "We are all noble gnomes on this day! Knights of Happy Valley ride forth and slay the evil! Know no fear! Know no sorrow! Fight for all gnome kind!" she calls out as Thunder leaps towards one of the beast but fails to land a telling bite.
GAME: Grush rolls weapon6+2: (2)+5+2: 9
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 4.
It is now Shym'r's turn! Sarcis is next!
GAME: Shym'r rolls weapon1+1-2: (11)+5+1+-2: 15
GAME: Shym'r rolls weapon2+1-2: (2)+5+1+-2: 6
GAME: Shym'r rolls 1d4+2d6+1: (3)+(5)+1: 9
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 26.
It is now Sarcis' turn! HuggingDeath is next!
Grush is breathing heavily as she reaches the new enemies, looking over at Sarcis in concern as she slashes at the creature, trying to keep it at bay
As Grush goes after one of the taller undead, Shym'r takes the opposite side and dives on the back of it. One dagger slips but the other buries itself into it's back, doing a good bit of damage....
GAME: Sarcis rolls weapon5: (4)+8: 12
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 24.
It is now HuggingDeath's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Sarcis rolls 1d8+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 17.
It is now Lucy's turn! Sylvi is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder reverses the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 24.
It is now HuggingDeath's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25
Sarcis steps behind Lucy, drawing another arrow. Thankfully she's pretty good at shooting around people, leaning to the side around Lucy and loosing an arrow right into the creature's gut. "Hey! Hey! Over here!"
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d8+4: (4)+4: 8
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d8+4: (6)+4: 10
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 1d8+4: (8)+4: 12
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 17.
It is now Lucy's turn! Sylvi is next!
The tophat's sockets roll towards Sarcis. But, there's a more immediate threat and he spins, long arms arcing towards the gnome. He scores Lucy with long claws. His compatriot, screaming from Dubtle's fire, launches herself in retribution at Grush, felling the oruch with two strikes of her long, haggard claws.
GAME: Sarcis refreshes spells.
GAME: Lucy rolls weapon3: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 13.
It is now Sylvi's turn! Dubtle is next!
GAME: Sylvi rolls weapon1+1-1: (11)+7+1+-1: 18
GAME: Sylvi rolls 4: (20)+4: 24
GAME: Sylvi rolls 4: (12)+4: 16
GAME: Sylvi rolls 4: (5)+4: 9
GAME: Sylvi rolls 4: (12)+4: 16
GAME: Sylvi rolls 1d10+7: (9)+7: 16
"Be carefu-" Grush starts to shout at Sarcis, turning away as the creature slashes at her with its claws, one shot knocking aside her shield and gashing her arm, the other raking across her face, sending her reeling. Grush wobbles on her feet, her eyes going slightly blank as
GAME: Sylvi rolls 2d6+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Sylvi rolls 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
Lucy prepares to lunge and run the enemy through again. Just like in fencing class. Set your feet. Pick your line. Front leg forward. Extend and--"That really is an awful tie! And that hat isn't doing you any favors either. Oops!!" The tip of her rapier plinks off an undead collarbone this time, not making so much as a scratch.
Sylvi raises her axe high once more and this time slashes deeply into the creature while Thunder bites deep into its arm, claws raking its skin. "Stand strong knight! Happy Valley calls on you!" she calls out to the others.
GAME: Beaglefinder rolls 3d6: (11): 11
GAME: Beaglefinder damaged you for -11 points. 29 HP remaining.
Tophat collapses into a pile of dry bones. As he does, a second thunder scores the earth--the acolyte drops the shield in front of you. Vardama's protecive seals fade into the earth momentarily. Mourner Bacia stands next to him, her face paler than pale, and sweat pouring down her skin. You haven't seen her since this all started, and then, she'd been passing out.
She's little better now, it seems.
"LL THAT'S HOLY, GET YOUR HIDES OUT OF THERE!" she's screaming at you, in what sounds like the last of her voice. She HAD been screaming, this whole time. With the barrier down, you're just now able to hear it.
Vardama's healing power scores the earth. Cold and powerful, it's as 'loud' as the roar behind you. Two, three of the crypt-creatures apperate behind you. They appear, drawing warp-like energy around them, and landing on the grass nearby you.
Without your help, NOW, they'll rush past the barrier, and into Alexandria, itself. And, there's still the one standing, gloating over Grush.
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 12.
It is now Dubtle's turn! Grush is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 4.
It is now Grush's turn! Shym'r is next!
GAME: Dubtle rolls 1d8+5: (4)+5: 9
Grush staggers a little, coughing up some blood as the light returns to her eyes "Uh... whoa" she mumbles, blinking rapidly. Her face is still looking pretty messed up but she's stopped bleeding everywhere, as much. "I'm good". She rushes over to where Sarcis is to give her a hand with the statue "I think we need to go now"
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 4.
It is now Shym'r's turn! Sarcis is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder damaged you for -2 points. 30 HP remaining.
GAME: Shym'r rolls weapon4: (3)+6: 9
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 26.
It is now Sarcis' turn! HuggingDeath is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 24.
It is now HuggingDeath's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 17.
It is now Lucy's turn! Sylvi is next!
"Move move move move," says Dubtle. There's firebnalls. ANd horrible things. And people. And he's just keeping Grush on her feet from her injuries. "MOOVE," he yells. "AHHH."
He is so scared right now.
Sarcis gives a grin to Grush, "RUN!" She says with a crinkle of her nose, her hands grabbing the statue with both hands. She tucks the statue close to herself, and then makes a break for it.
Getting off of the big one's back, Shym'r runs for the exit and fires a bolt behind her....which....sticks into the ground. "Blah..." She says with a groan....
GAME: Beaglefinder advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 13.
It is now Sylvi's turn! Dubtle is next!
GAME: Beaglefinder removes the timestop.
Timestop by Beaglefinder has left.
Grush sprints off after Sarcis, trying not to look back at all the horrible creatures pursuing them
Sylvi gets the message and spurs Thunder to leave the battlefield, still calling out for team to be brave and to get to safety.
Sylvi has disconnected.
Lucy pumps her short legs as she runs for safety. When it comes to moving fast, she always has to work harder than the tallfolk. By the time she's past the barrier she's panting and gasping for air. As she catches her breath she turns around and watches anxiously to make sure everyone else also made it.
Shym'r's bolt goes just past, twanging into the grass, but it's the fighting spirit that counts. As soon as the last of you makes it over the barrier, the acolyte begins working furiously.
The barrier stutters.
Another wave of Vardama's energy sails over the earth, striking the undead and buying a second of time. A precious second that Dubtle's fire extends. Two seconds.
Three.
The barrier goes up. It glows, thrums with the symbols of the Grave.
The creatures clamor, bang their hands against it.
Grush has to pick up Mourner Bacia again, and carry her. The Mourner's passed out. Again. How she'd made it this far is anyone's guess. ...but at least you're on the other side of the barrier. At least you'd rescued not one, but two of Alexandria's great artworks.
You just have news. It's worse, much worse, than anyone had realized. Who knew that the crypt had held so much, or so many?
Grush easily slings Bacia over her shoulder easily, prodding gingerly at the wounds on her face "Anyone have a mirror?"