Chpt. 4 - The Tower of Roses

[tkrexx]

Flint simply follows quietly, and wonders how Shen's armor is holding up.

[Zhym]

Andover wonders to himself how long they can continue to carry Raquinel along on a stretcher. To simply abandon her in a place such as this would be cruel. But the ranger cannot help but wonder what the cost of tending to her will be. Moments lost setting her aside instead of drawing swords? Traps triggered that might be avoided? There is a reason, he thinks, that adventuring parties do not typically include litters.

But nothing can be done about that now, especially with the dwarf priest having taken such a proprietary interest. Andover turns his mind to tasks at hand. He readies his sword for whatever might be beyond the door.

[Grognardsw]

...They listen at the doors and hear nothing. The south door is unlocked; the two north doors are locked.

The south double doors open to a large room, half-circle, 50' at its widest and 50' deep.  To the left is a depression in the floor about 8' wide and 40' long, at the end of which are strewn a dozen 1' tall pear-shaped pins. 

To the right of the room are a half-dozen stone tables with various faded painted boards on the surface. Stone dice, tattered cards, 2-inch tall miniatures and other game paraphernalia are scattered about. All of it is old, dust-covered, worn. There are random blood stains on the floor and a few bones of indeterminate nature strewen about.

Surrounding one circular table is a group of skeletons. They all seem to be looking at the table. The skeletons have been stripped off belongings.

From your position at the entryway of the room you cannot specifically see what is on the circular table.

[GreyWolfVT]

Bjorn "Hmm looks about right for the things in this place... perhaps an old game room but we best make sure them skeletons aren't animated and come attacking us. Learned my lesson from the library."

[MonkeyWrench]

Ianin checks out the room, "Right you are Bjorn, let me take a look." Ianin throws a dagger towards one of the skeletons.

Ianin, thrown dagger THAC1 20 : to hit: [1d20] = 9, damage [1d4] = 1/[1d3] = 2

[greyarea]

Shen moves carefully into the room. He approaches the table with the skeletons cautiously, hoping to see what they are looking at, ready for action if the skeletons are animated.

[Grognardsw]

Ianin the conjurer throws a dagger at the skeletons. It hits one of the legs and clatters to the ground. Shen the monk approaches to look at the table. He sees some sort of spinning wheel. But then with a jerky start, the skeletons come to life and turn upon the approaching adventurers!



Actions!

[GreyWolfVT]

Bjornwill ease down his hold on Raquinel's stretcher hopefully in unison with Poltux. He will then proceed forward and attempt a turn undead.

Turn Undead[1d20] = 1 number[1d12] = 12

darned banana peels prevent turning too.

[greyarea]

Shen will karate kick any that are not turned (or that attack before they can be turned)

Shen attack [1d20] = 1
Whoops!

[Zhym]

Andover will attack with the flat of his blade against any who are not turned.

Spellslasher (THAC0: 18): [1d20+4] = 1+4 = 5; S/M Damage: [1d8+7] = 6+7 = 13; L Damage: [1d12+7] = 7+7 = 14
!!! Three 1s in a row!

[MonkeyWrench]

Hahahahahahahahahahah oh man.... these rolls.... they are killing us! lol

Ianin, confused on how to exactly defeat a creature of bones animated, decides to simply use the big stick he carries around and never uses.

To Hit with Staff: [1d20] = 13, Damage: s/m [1d6] = 1, L [1d6] = 5

[Grognardsw]

Andover valiantly leaps forth with Spellslasher in hand...

Shen the monk, resplendent in shining phantom plate mail armor, tenses as the skeletons animate and turn to attack. He backs up a few steps to deliver a kick, begins to swing the leg, and doesn't realize he's too close to the ranger! They bump and bumble their kick and sword thrust.

Bjorn the cleric holds forth his holy symbol and chants a repelling prayer to Turn these vile undead. He stutters when he sees Shen and Andover fumble about. The cleric's prayer lacks focus as the skeletons get closer.

Honnilee suppresses a laugh - too serious a time for such. Poltux readies his javelin as Flint moves to the back. Idwellin the druid stays close to Raquinel to protect her. Ianin boldly jumps forward swinging his quarterstaff, grazing a skeleton.

Durandal the cleric steps forth, calling on his god Donblas the Justice Maker. He performs his first Turn in 10 years, and succeeds in driving the undead to flee into a corner where they cower.

"I will hold them at bay while you investigate," says Durandal.

Durandal turn vs skeletons (4) [1d20] = 4, [1d12] = 6. Yes, all Bjorn needed was a 4.

[GreyWolfVT]

Bjorn wants to bash some skulls

[greyarea]

Shen will try to look at the table the skeletons were all examining while trying to ignore the sounds of breaking bones as Bjorn sets to his task.

[Marcel]

Poltux not in fear of the skeletons, remains with Raquinel and Idwellin until Shen and Bjorn finish their search & destroy.

[Zhym]

Andover watches and waits, ready to attack the skeletons if they break their turn.

[tkrexx]

Finally Honnilee can cut loose with gales of laughter that render her to the floor. You guys should've seen yourselves! Flopping about like 3 buffoons! She giggles while she returns a bullet to her pouch and rolls her sling.

You didn't expect me to fire into that mess with all the 1's being rolled??

[tkrexx]

Flint comes out of hiding once he is certain the skeletons have been subdued. I have reservations with those of the Undead, he glances at Poltux, Idwillen and Raquinel. My mystics fall short on that ilk, and thus I am but a hindrance in dealing with them.

[Grognardsw]

The Hall of Games is investigated. The alley is layered with smooth but now chipped marble, perhaps to ease friction with a ball that is near the fallen pins at the end. The various tables have different boards painted on them, now faded. Game pieces and tattered cards are strewn about. Some chipped stone polyhedra dice are found and tattered scribbled notes between a Gygax and Arneson, perhaps members of Lady Myshella's court those many years ago.

Of most interest is the circular table around which the skeletons were initially gathered. Inset in the stone table is a metal wheel, the circular edge of which is painted with 22 symbols There is an arrow which points to a particular picture when one spins the wheel. The pictures:

Actions?

I think if turned undead are forced into a corner and fought, they fight back and not remain helpless. As a cleric, Bjorn would know this. I'll hold on that fight to double check with you.

[Zhym]

Knowing better, but unable to resist, Andover gives the wheel a spin.

[1d22] = 4