Acererak is finally before you. Of that you are now certain. It slowly scans the party, looking directly at you individually in turn—even the invisible Elsa—as if contemplating each of you with icy malevolence. In its eye sockets are rubies the size of, well, eyes, and in place of teeth it has six marquis-cut diamonds.
The dust creature advances threateningly toward you but does not attack.
Zoster orders the elemental to grab the skull and smash it against a wall. The fire creature lashes out at the skull with an arm of flame and hurls the skull toward the wall. The skull flies toward the wall but veers away at the last moment, unsmashed.
Elsa, who decided to hide while watching the 40-minute battle, drinks a potion. Xale turns her back and readies her hammer and the mysterious rod.
Dredd readies his strange wand, the one that never misses. He aims it at the skull and pulls the brass trigger. With a mighty boom, projectiles fly from the wand and crash against the skull. They ricochet off the skull without so much as chipping a bone.
Malibran calls on his god for aid. Presenting his holy symbol and saying a prayer, he commands the skull to return to the afterlife. The skull tilts back and starts to quiver. Is Malibran's command actually having an effect? No, he realizes—Pholtus save him, the skull is silently laughing.
The skull's wandering gaze settles on Zoster. Its right eye gleams with a wickedly evil red light. Zoster's body collapses in a mouldering and withering mass of corruption. In seconds, all that remains of the druid is his gear in a heap on the floor. Not even dust is left of his body.
The elemental, finding itself without a master, turns toward the party. With a flicker of flame at its sides that may actually be a shrug, the creature of fire vanishes.
The skull sinks back down to rest on the stone block.
Actions?
-----
Status: Elsa (F10): 58/58; Malibran (C10): 37/68; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: Protection from Lightning (Zoster): 141 hp left
Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
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ravenn4544
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 8027
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Malibran stands immobile - never has he stood in the presence of such evil. A silent prayer escapes as a whisper to speed along the passing of Zoster to the light.
With no other options seemingly available to him, he will utter a powerful prayer with the hopes to unsettle the beast. With a continued devotion and faith, he clutches again his holy symbol and intones powerfully, "Immortui nummi vita in morte"
Cast Raise Dead on Skull
With no other options seemingly available to him, he will utter a powerful prayer with the hopes to unsettle the beast. With a continued devotion and faith, he clutches again his holy symbol and intones powerfully, "Immortui nummi vita in morte"
Cast Raise Dead on Skull
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Dredd Doomsmith, dwarven trap-hacker:
Dredd cries out at witnessing Zoster's death. His fat face red and twisted in grief, he levels his wood and brass wand at the dust elemental, cocks it, and fires! Smoke and flame erupt from the wand's hollow end as it roars BOOM!
Dredd cries out at witnessing Zoster's death. His fat face red and twisted in grief, he levels his wood and brass wand at the dust elemental, cocks it, and fires! Smoke and flame erupt from the wand's hollow end as it roars BOOM!
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Grognardsw
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 12270
- Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:30 pm
- Location: ImagiNation
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Elsa, fighter
Elsa knows this must be the battle Qord allowed her to return from the dead for. Her greatest challenge. She does what she knows best - fight - even if the dark magics of the lich prove too much. Having taken the potion, the invisible half-orc sword mistress polymorphs into a six-armed demon (Type 5). She picks up the Staff of Striking, the swords from the treasure pile, and along with her own sword assaults the skull.
- Elsa longsword attack (THACO 12) [1d20+8] = 3+8 = 11, damage S/M [1d8+11] = 5+11 = 16, L [1d12+11] = 6+11 = 17. Primary with -2, so 9.
Secondaries at -4, offset with Str. Bonus:
- Treasure sword [1d20-1] = 6-1 = 5, dam. [1d8+6] = 6+6 = 12
- Treasure sword [1d20-1] = 12-1 = 11, dam. [1d8+6] = 4+6 = 10
- Treasure sword [1d20-1] = 2-1 = 1, dam. [1d8+6] = 2+6 = 8
- Staff of Striking +3 [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15 dam. [1d6+9+6] = err Three charges.
- Staff of Striking +3 dam. [1d6+9] = 6+9 = 15 +6 Three charges.. 21 total.
Elsa knows this must be the battle Qord allowed her to return from the dead for. Her greatest challenge. She does what she knows best - fight - even if the dark magics of the lich prove too much. Having taken the potion, the invisible half-orc sword mistress polymorphs into a six-armed demon (Type 5). She picks up the Staff of Striking, the swords from the treasure pile, and along with her own sword assaults the skull.
- Elsa longsword attack (THACO 12) [1d20+8] = 3+8 = 11, damage S/M [1d8+11] = 5+11 = 16, L [1d12+11] = 6+11 = 17. Primary with -2, so 9.
Secondaries at -4, offset with Str. Bonus:
- Treasure sword [1d20-1] = 6-1 = 5, dam. [1d8+6] = 6+6 = 12
- Treasure sword [1d20-1] = 12-1 = 11, dam. [1d8+6] = 4+6 = 10
- Treasure sword [1d20-1] = 2-1 = 1, dam. [1d8+6] = 2+6 = 8
- Staff of Striking +3 [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15 dam. [1d6+9+6] = err Three charges.
- Staff of Striking +3 dam. [1d6+9] = 6+9 = 15 +6 Three charges.. 21 total.
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Your numbers reduced by Zoster's sudden and unceremonious destruction, you press the attack against the skull of Acererak.
Elsa completes her invisible transformation into the very image of a she-bitch demon! Could anyone see her, they would observe four extra arms growing out of her torso, her legs melting into one another, growing scales, and turning into the body of a great snake. Her upper torso and head are otherwise her own—except that she seems to be bare-breasted. Perhaps it is just as well that she is invisible.
She slithers forward and takes Zoster's staff and the three swords from the treasure pile. Wielding those weapons and her own sword, with her sixth hand grasping a shield, she slides purposefully into the vault, ignoring the creature of dust, intent on the skull that sits motionless on the stone slab at the other end of the room. Xale holds her hammer and the newfound rod and joins her.
As the women move to attack, Malibran again clutches his holy symbol and begins repeatedly intoning the words "Immortui nummi vita in morte" at the skull. Meanwhile, Dredd fires his wood and brass wand at the thing of dust. Smoke and flame erupt from the wand's hollow end. The dust thing staggers at the blast. Clouds of dust puff out of it at the impact point.
Elsa and Xale reach the skull. Xale smashes the rod over the skull's crown; the rod glances off the skull having done no apparent damage. The skull begins once more to rise into the air and scan the party!
Elsa appears as if from nowhere, five arms swinging swords and a staff at the skull, her face a grim visage of determination and pride. Wielding so many weapons at once is more difficult than she had expected, however. Though the weapons make an impressive display of shining steel and wood, none make contact with the skull.
Malibran completes his spell. The words of power that can bring the recently dead to life or injure the recent undead seem to have no effect on Acererak.
The demi-lich turns to regard Elsa. The ruby in its left eye socket shines with a light the color of blood. Elsa's demonic body instantly shrivels, collapses, and moulders into nothingness. Four swords, a staff, and her shield clatter to the floor.
The skull once again sinks down to rest on the stone block.
-----
Status: Malibran (C10): 37/68; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: None
Elsa completes her invisible transformation into the very image of a she-bitch demon! Could anyone see her, they would observe four extra arms growing out of her torso, her legs melting into one another, growing scales, and turning into the body of a great snake. Her upper torso and head are otherwise her own—except that she seems to be bare-breasted. Perhaps it is just as well that she is invisible.
She slithers forward and takes Zoster's staff and the three swords from the treasure pile. Wielding those weapons and her own sword, with her sixth hand grasping a shield, she slides purposefully into the vault, ignoring the creature of dust, intent on the skull that sits motionless on the stone slab at the other end of the room. Xale holds her hammer and the newfound rod and joins her.
As the women move to attack, Malibran again clutches his holy symbol and begins repeatedly intoning the words "Immortui nummi vita in morte" at the skull. Meanwhile, Dredd fires his wood and brass wand at the thing of dust. Smoke and flame erupt from the wand's hollow end. The dust thing staggers at the blast. Clouds of dust puff out of it at the impact point.
Elsa and Xale reach the skull. Xale smashes the rod over the skull's crown; the rod glances off the skull having done no apparent damage. The skull begins once more to rise into the air and scan the party!
Elsa appears as if from nowhere, five arms swinging swords and a staff at the skull, her face a grim visage of determination and pride. Wielding so many weapons at once is more difficult than she had expected, however. Though the weapons make an impressive display of shining steel and wood, none make contact with the skull.
Malibran completes his spell. The words of power that can bring the recently dead to life or injure the recent undead seem to have no effect on Acererak.
The demi-lich turns to regard Elsa. The ruby in its left eye socket shines with a light the color of blood. Elsa's demonic body instantly shrivels, collapses, and moulders into nothingness. Four swords, a staff, and her shield clatter to the floor.
The skull once again sinks down to rest on the stone block.
-----
Status: Malibran (C10): 37/68; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: None
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Dredd Doomsmith, dwarven trap-hacker:
As Elsa melted, Dredd roared louder than his wand.
There had to be some way to defeat the lich's skull. Trusting in the wisdom of Zoster, Dredd pulled the accursed crown and scepter from the druid's liquid remains. Then he charged the skull, placed the crown on it, and touched the scepter to it, still roaring all the while.
As Elsa melted, Dredd roared louder than his wand.
There had to be some way to defeat the lich's skull. Trusting in the wisdom of Zoster, Dredd pulled the accursed crown and scepter from the druid's liquid remains. Then he charged the skull, placed the crown on it, and touched the scepter to it, still roaring all the while.
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Xale shrugs at the rod in her hand, sets it aside, and readies her hammers. She is just about to strike when Dredd raises a hand. He has an idea.
Rummaging through Zoster's belongings, Dredd finds the crown and scepter that destroyed Worren and the mummy. He approaches the skull, which sits inert on the stone slab. He places the crown on the skull's head. It immediately begins to rise into the air...
Inferno: Please make an attack roll. You'll need to hit AC 4 to successfully touch the scepter to the crown. Also, please state which end of the scepter Dredd will try to touch to the crown.
Good luck!
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Status: Malibran (C10): 37/68; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: None
Rummaging through Zoster's belongings, Dredd finds the crown and scepter that destroyed Worren and the mummy. He approaches the skull, which sits inert on the stone slab. He places the crown on the skull's head. It immediately begins to rise into the air...
Inferno: Please make an attack roll. You'll need to hit AC 4 to successfully touch the scepter to the crown. Also, please state which end of the scepter Dredd will try to touch to the crown.
Good luck!
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Status: Malibran (C10): 37/68; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: None
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Silver end!Inferno wrote:Dredd Doomsmith, dwarven trap-hacker:
As Elsa melted, Dredd roared louder than his wand.
There had to be some way to defeat the lich's skull. Trusting in the wisdom of Zoster, Dredd pulled the accursed crown and scepter from the druid's liquid remains. Then he charged the skull, placed the crown on it, and touched the scepter to it, still roaring all the while.
To hit crown: [1d20] = 14
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
As the skull of Acererak starts to rise, Dredd quickly touches the silver knob of the scepter to the crown on the skull's head. He barely manages to make contact—but it is enough.
The skull instantly turns to dust that falls like snowflakes onto the stone slab below. The two massive rubies and six large diamonds that served as the eyes and teeth of the skull come to rest amid the dust. And though you still stand in a cold tomb among the worldly remains of your friends, your hearts lift as if warmed by a summer breeze and a ray of sunshine. There can be no doubt that a great evil has just been destroyed.
THE DEMI-LICH ACERERAK HAS BEEN DEFEATED!
The three of you stand in amazement that Acererak has died while you still live. Treasure worthy of a king lies at your feet.
Speaking of kings, there is a royal family in need of Acererak's skull. What will you do about that?
The dust monster also dissipates into nothingness.
Dredd also notices that rubies from Acererak's skull still glow with a faint inner light. What might that mean?
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Status: Malibran (C10): 37/68; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: None
The skull instantly turns to dust that falls like snowflakes onto the stone slab below. The two massive rubies and six large diamonds that served as the eyes and teeth of the skull come to rest amid the dust. And though you still stand in a cold tomb among the worldly remains of your friends, your hearts lift as if warmed by a summer breeze and a ray of sunshine. There can be no doubt that a great evil has just been destroyed.
THE DEMI-LICH ACERERAK HAS BEEN DEFEATED!
The three of you stand in amazement that Acererak has died while you still live. Treasure worthy of a king lies at your feet.
Speaking of kings, there is a royal family in need of Acererak's skull. What will you do about that?
The dust monster also dissipates into nothingness.
Dredd also notices that rubies from Acererak's skull still glow with a faint inner light. What might that mean?
-----
Status: Malibran (C10): 37/68; Xale (F8/C8): 54/54; Dredd (F7/T11): 28/57
Spells in effect: None
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Xale stands in stunned silence for a long moment; until the raised hammer in his/her arm starts to cause a burn in the Dwarven warrior-priest's arms. Lowering the weapon, Xale looks over at Dredd and says; "Well done Dredd....well done indeed!" Looking at the various piles of dust that were the skull and the remains of companions; along with the gems that fell out of the skull upon its destruction; the Dwarf had an idea....
Calling over to Malibran and Dredd, he/she says; "I think I recall hearing of sorcerous dweamors that can trap people's souls in gems. Perhaps that's what the accursed lich did to our companions Elsa and Zoster. Let's collect the dust of each in separate pouches along with the gems and treasure in our packs and perhaps we can afford to have powerful clerics or mages save them."
"As for the mandate to collect the skull to save the royal family; I don't see what else we could have done. I'll collect the dust from the skull in a pouch and perhaps the royal spell-casters can re-create it or utilize it somehow....but at the price we paid; I won't stand for any complaints."
With that; Xale will gather the dust in separate pouches for the skull; and the remains of Elsa and Zoster; along with helping out to gather the treasure.
Calling over to Malibran and Dredd, he/she says; "I think I recall hearing of sorcerous dweamors that can trap people's souls in gems. Perhaps that's what the accursed lich did to our companions Elsa and Zoster. Let's collect the dust of each in separate pouches along with the gems and treasure in our packs and perhaps we can afford to have powerful clerics or mages save them."
"As for the mandate to collect the skull to save the royal family; I don't see what else we could have done. I'll collect the dust from the skull in a pouch and perhaps the royal spell-casters can re-create it or utilize it somehow....but at the price we paid; I won't stand for any complaints."
With that; Xale will gather the dust in separate pouches for the skull; and the remains of Elsa and Zoster; along with helping out to gather the treasure.
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ravenn4544
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 8027
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Malibran kneels and prays quietly to the Light.. a prayer of thanks that victory has been achieved.. a prayer of sadness for the price that has been paid...
He nods in agreement at Xale's plan to gather up what is left of...what is left.
He nods in agreement at Xale's plan to gather up what is left of...what is left.
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Dredd Doomsmith, dwarven trap-hacker:
Dredd nodded numbly at the wise words of his fellow dwarf, but he quietly rejected her praise. "... No, lass. 'Twas Zoster and Worren... and all those that gave their lives that we might live..."
The victory was deadened by the terrible price that was paid, and by the lurking fear that it wasn't really over; that it was just another insidious trick, another diabolical trap, like all those many that came before.
Dredd opened his thick, pudgy hand and dropped the scepter in the corner. KLANG!
As the others prayed and gathered the remains of the hated Acererak, Dredd regripped his wand and stood guard over them in utter disbelief that it was over and anyone had survived. "...Och."
Dredd nodded numbly at the wise words of his fellow dwarf, but he quietly rejected her praise. "... No, lass. 'Twas Zoster and Worren... and all those that gave their lives that we might live..."
The victory was deadened by the terrible price that was paid, and by the lurking fear that it wasn't really over; that it was just another insidious trick, another diabolical trap, like all those many that came before.
Dredd opened his thick, pudgy hand and dropped the scepter in the corner. KLANG!
As the others prayed and gathered the remains of the hated Acererak, Dredd regripped his wand and stood guard over them in utter disbelief that it was over and anyone had survived. "...Och."
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Mere seconds after the skull's destruction, the light in the gems fades. They now appear to be normal—if exceedingly valuable—rubies. You try not to think about what that might mean for the fate of Zoster's and Elsa's souls.
Xale begins to gather treasure, gems, and the dust of Acererak. He looks for remains of Zoster and Elsa, but cannot find even dust. But he carefully collects the remains of Acererak's skull in a bag.
After gathering as much treasure as you can carry, you begin the search for an exit. The hallway in which you found the secret door leading into this vault continues to the south, where it end in a pair of doors. They turn out (after some investigation) to lead to a couple of small rooms side-by-side, which each lead to short hallways. These end in doors that open into a hallway where you had been before. Avoiding the pit trap that appears when you open the door, you retrace your steps out of the Tomb: through the bouncy room, across the 30' pit, though the laboratory, over the planks laid across the three pits, and across the chapel. You crawl through the narrow tunnels back to the Hall of Spheres and to the room with three chests. Then it's through another narrow tunnel to the pit in the entrance hallway. You climb out of the pit, step around the locations marked as pits, and finally emerge from the tomb!
You are greeted by an overbearingly hot sun blasting its heat over the wet and sticky swamp. The mosquitoes and green-headed flies reacquaint themselves with you, stinging and biting exposed flesh. Near the foot of the hill, a peat fire still burns near tents and crates of supplies. Five men lie in various states of repose and sleep near the fire. One of them notices you.
"Well, I'll be the son of a horny demon," he says, rubbing his eyes. He takes another look, then begins kicking and shaking his companions awake. "Bylo! Jamil! Ruben! Neb! Get up! You ain't gonna believe this! We got survivors!"
He rushes up the hill, waving a hand in front of his face as he goes. When he reaches you, he stops and looks you over. "You, I recognize," he tells Malibran. "But who the hell are you?" he asks Dredd. "You wasn't with the others we brought here. And you," he asks Xale, "wasn't you a guy when you went in?" He glances down near his waist and shudders.
"Ain't no matter. You got the skull? If not, it'd be best for you if you went right back inside."
Xale begins to gather treasure, gems, and the dust of Acererak. He looks for remains of Zoster and Elsa, but cannot find even dust. But he carefully collects the remains of Acererak's skull in a bag.
After gathering as much treasure as you can carry, you begin the search for an exit. The hallway in which you found the secret door leading into this vault continues to the south, where it end in a pair of doors. They turn out (after some investigation) to lead to a couple of small rooms side-by-side, which each lead to short hallways. These end in doors that open into a hallway where you had been before. Avoiding the pit trap that appears when you open the door, you retrace your steps out of the Tomb: through the bouncy room, across the 30' pit, though the laboratory, over the planks laid across the three pits, and across the chapel. You crawl through the narrow tunnels back to the Hall of Spheres and to the room with three chests. Then it's through another narrow tunnel to the pit in the entrance hallway. You climb out of the pit, step around the locations marked as pits, and finally emerge from the tomb!
You are greeted by an overbearingly hot sun blasting its heat over the wet and sticky swamp. The mosquitoes and green-headed flies reacquaint themselves with you, stinging and biting exposed flesh. Near the foot of the hill, a peat fire still burns near tents and crates of supplies. Five men lie in various states of repose and sleep near the fire. One of them notices you.
"Well, I'll be the son of a horny demon," he says, rubbing his eyes. He takes another look, then begins kicking and shaking his companions awake. "Bylo! Jamil! Ruben! Neb! Get up! You ain't gonna believe this! We got survivors!"
He rushes up the hill, waving a hand in front of his face as he goes. When he reaches you, he stops and looks you over. "You, I recognize," he tells Malibran. "But who the hell are you?" he asks Dredd. "You wasn't with the others we brought here. And you," he asks Xale, "wasn't you a guy when you went in?" He glances down near his waist and shudders.
"Ain't no matter. You got the skull? If not, it'd be best for you if you went right back inside."
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ravenn4544
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 8027
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
Malibran, a man of holy and righteous deeds, allows himself a moment of impatience, and levels the henchman with a depthless and unwavering stare...
"We have found, faced, and defeated the demi-lich within. At great cost. We have the remnants of the skull that has been required. You. You will now attend to these brave companions who have faced evil. Faced death. Been death. And, through the will of the gods, risen from their terrible and twisted wounds to stand triumphant before you. Those not here have been ravaged by the evil within this fell tomb never to be seen again. Praise them and their bravery. Now! Attend the living and those that would see this quest be done!"
His gaze remains on the man... inside he is at odds. Stoic. Blessed with the light. Remorseful for his fallen comrades. Grateful for the mercy of the Light... a wetness circles his eyes as he maintains his fierce and forlorn gaze at the man before him.
The will of Malibran is unwavering in the Light.
"We have found, faced, and defeated the demi-lich within. At great cost. We have the remnants of the skull that has been required. You. You will now attend to these brave companions who have faced evil. Faced death. Been death. And, through the will of the gods, risen from their terrible and twisted wounds to stand triumphant before you. Those not here have been ravaged by the evil within this fell tomb never to be seen again. Praise them and their bravery. Now! Attend the living and those that would see this quest be done!"
His gaze remains on the man... inside he is at odds. Stoic. Blessed with the light. Remorseful for his fallen comrades. Grateful for the mercy of the Light... a wetness circles his eyes as he maintains his fierce and forlorn gaze at the man before him.
The will of Malibran is unwavering in the Light.
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
The man, who Malibran and Xale recognize as Elden, scowls and opens his mouth to respond. But then he thinks better of it. His face falls. For centuries, people have gone looking for the the Tomb and never returned. Elden didn't live this long by antagonizing the kind of person who could not only survive but defeat the master of such a place.
"'...remnants?'" he repeats with a sigh. "I hope that's enough, or we're all dead—if we're lucky."
"Neb!" he calls out. "Fire the signal!" One of the men at the foot of the hill rummages in a box and pulls out something that looks like a stick with a scroll case at one end. He fits it into his crossbow and fires it into the air. At the apex of its arc, the arrow gains a tail of smoke and flame that sends it even higher into the air, where it explodes in a shower of red, yellow, and white sparks.
Elden turns back to Malibran. "It'll take several hours for Rourke to get here. You have that long to gather any treasures you want from the tomb." Chancing another look at Malibran's furious visage, he adds sheepishly, "...or bodies. Meanwhile, we got crappy trail rations and a fire that mostly keeps the bugs at bay. Help yourself."
If there's anything (or anyone) in particular you want to retrieve from the Tomb, please post it here. Otherwise, I'll assume that you use the time to pull out anything you've seen that you recognized as treasure but that you won't open any chests you didn't already open, go anywhere you didn't already go, etc. In other words: if it's already marked as "loot," you'll be able to bring it out of the tomb. If you want to look for other loot (e.g., the contents of the chests in the false treasure room), or the various unopened coffers and such in the bouncy room), we'll play that out.
"'...remnants?'" he repeats with a sigh. "I hope that's enough, or we're all dead—if we're lucky."
"Neb!" he calls out. "Fire the signal!" One of the men at the foot of the hill rummages in a box and pulls out something that looks like a stick with a scroll case at one end. He fits it into his crossbow and fires it into the air. At the apex of its arc, the arrow gains a tail of smoke and flame that sends it even higher into the air, where it explodes in a shower of red, yellow, and white sparks.
Elden turns back to Malibran. "It'll take several hours for Rourke to get here. You have that long to gather any treasures you want from the tomb." Chancing another look at Malibran's furious visage, he adds sheepishly, "...or bodies. Meanwhile, we got crappy trail rations and a fire that mostly keeps the bugs at bay. Help yourself."
If there's anything (or anyone) in particular you want to retrieve from the Tomb, please post it here. Otherwise, I'll assume that you use the time to pull out anything you've seen that you recognized as treasure but that you won't open any chests you didn't already open, go anywhere you didn't already go, etc. In other words: if it's already marked as "loot," you'll be able to bring it out of the tomb. If you want to look for other loot (e.g., the contents of the chests in the false treasure room), or the various unopened coffers and such in the bouncy room), we'll play that out.
Re: Ch. 7: The Crypt of Acererak the Demi-Lich
You use the time until the guide's arrival to gather what treasures you can from the tomb, staying careful to avoid any unopened chests or other potential hazards that you have not already defeated. The barge carrying Rourke—the guide who brought you to this place—eventually arrives and the company sets out across the Vast Swamp. Then it's several days travel by horse across the lands of Sunndi to the royal palace, where the vizier awaits.
You learn that the curse on Overking Ivid IV and his family has already been lifted, seemingly from the moment Acererak's skull was destroyed. The royal family are recovering and slowly regaining their lost youth.
You are celebrated as heroes of the realm. Lavish parties are thrown in your honor. As a token of his gratitude, the Overking grants each of you a generous tract of land and the lordly title of Amir Panj.
In between parties, as you rest in your apartments in the royal palace, you find time to tally and identify your treasure haul:
The rest of your lives will be comfortably opulent, if such is your desire. Perhaps the riches will eventually help you forget what you saw in the Tomb.
The end.
You learn that the curse on Overking Ivid IV and his family has already been lifted, seemingly from the moment Acererak's skull was destroyed. The royal family are recovering and slowly regaining their lost youth.
You are celebrated as heroes of the realm. Lavish parties are thrown in your honor. As a token of his gratitude, the Overking grants each of you a generous tract of land and the lordly title of Amir Panj.
In between parties, as you rest in your apartments in the royal palace, you find time to tally and identify your treasure haul:
The end.