Up the stairs another 60 feet, the stairs end in a five foot wide hallway that encircles the shaft of the stairwell. The roof here is broken, and the stone covering the shaft of the stair is gone, leaving a deep, deep hole that goes straight down into the bowels of the Castle. Considering how far you climbed to reach here, a 300' plus plunge straight down makes your knees go a little weak, not to mention the cold breeze that issues from the shaft. Archer's slits give a 360 degree view of the area surrounding the castle and the land beyond. The roof above is steep and aged-looking, the wooden support beams old and cracked. There is a 12' wide opening in the roof, and a 15' hole in the floor leading to the shaft. Cold air swirls around you, heavy with chill moisture that seems to suck the very warmth from your bones.
DM sez: Oh, look! An invitation to "bump off" unwanted party members... and I only mean that literally!
Tiax has decided to guard his newly claimed bed. He also is weary of such heights, He knows a man of his mighty stature should not be scared of such a trivial matter but still... Tiax does not trust the shifty bard an a rather large drop.
Aerie listens quietly to Garrick's report. "Away from here would be my first choice, but I think we have to go forward before we can go back home." She ponders for a second, glad that Garrick can't see her "I'm thinking" face what with being invisible and all... "The bridge might be our best route. Even if we could get back down this tower, our way is blocked in at least one direction, and we already know that nothing we seek is in here. If we have enough rope and can work together long enough to get everyone across safely, I think that might be all right."
Garrick gather the group in the chapel and then hand out some orders hoping people will follow them. "Valygar and Ajantis, please take the front and rear positions and pick something up so that we can see it and stay together. Skie, if you rigged a trap in the corridor, please remove it, we will be going that way next. Xzar, cast your ghost armor spell now, so that you don't have to spend time with it in battle. Tiax, please shut up for once. When we are ready, let's return to Lief's room and take it from there."
Tiax wants to know, who the hell is Gertrude and why does this person have such a ridiculous name. Also, why is he/she/it important? Tiax demands to know this, also he wants to know where everyone is... anyone... Has he been left behind *swallows loudly*
"This Gertrude is long dead if you want my opinion. Searching for her is a waste of time. We're better off looking for some items of power that might better fend off the dead."
Fend off the dead, it seems to me Tiax is in the company of a Paladin and 2 righteous clerics... well maybe just one. Are you saying that they are useless against these undead?
Surely you... big hands, have no fear of the dead?
"I did not realize Cyric held domain over necrophillic gnomes as well as craven fools and liars. My apologies if I don't immediately welcome the undead into my bed as readily as you, Tiny." Shar-Teel resists the urge to dangle Tiax over the drop with her 'big hands'...barely.
Tiax wants to know, who the hell is Gertrude and why does this person have such a ridiculous name. Also, why is he/she/it important? Tiax demands to know this, also he wants to know where everyone is... anyone... Has he been left behind *swallows loudly*
"Yeah, Gertrude sounds like someone old and frumpy. She doesn't sound like she'd be any fun."
Tiax finds it amusing that the first thing big hands thinks of when it comes to undead is a bed rather than her sword. Perhaps her years of man hatred have left her unable to love the living.
*Tiax scoffs loudly, then silences himself as to not give away his position to what he is sure would be a reddened face warrior lady with a penchant for slaying male gnomes*
"Gertrude is a young woman from the town; her mother asked us to check on her daughter's welfare and bring her home if possible." Aerie sighs inwardly, doubting such a thing will rank high on Tiax, Xzar, or Shar-Teel's list of priorities, but maybe there'll be something shiny they can squabble over later. She turns in the direction of Garrick's voice. "Very well, if there is more to this area that hasn't been explored, let us finish it."
Yes, let us follow the invisible Bard, that sounds like a fantastic idea... *Tiax facepalms and then realises no one can see it* Tiax just facepalmed, just so you know
Okay, since no one has expressed a desire to head in any one direction, the GM will choose.... (Be afraid, be VERY afraid!)
The second staircase is made of old wood and creaks alarmingly, shaking a little as you climb the stairs. It leads to a landing about 20' up, and then to a long balcony overlooking the chapel. Two throne-like chairs sit on a dais in the middle of the balcony, and two dimly- lit figures sit in the chairs. They remain unmoving at your entrance.
Hmm, I thought we agreed (grudgingly) to return to Lief's room. I also must have misunderstood you since I thought I had been up that stair and back and that it just lead to a huge hole into the center of the castle. Very well, Garrick wanted to secure the chapel, so this is fine.
Tiax leads, and by leads he means he tells people what to do. He doesn't actually go in front of people... that would be crazy. However, Tiax does like the idea of a throne... *Tiax takes a deep breath, stopping halfway through realising he is trying to be stealthy, coughs and splutters a little and regains composure* Time to watch an Invisible, no armour, super stealth gnome in action. Or that is what he would say could you see him, but you can't, you know... invisible.
OOC: I think we are passed the wooden creaky bit as we are in the landing with the long balcony.
Tiax sees two of the same kind of zombies that attacked everyone earlier- the ones with the body parts that kept moving even after being severed from the body. There are a pair of double doors leading west 20' behind the chairs as well.
"Well done Tiax. I doubt we'll be able to sneak much further, they'll notice us as we open the door if not before. Ajantis, protect yourself from evil and please hold that door behind them. The rest of us will try to down the superzombies as quickly as possible. Be careful with your weapons so we don't hit one another".
OOC: When did Garrick the spoony bard become such a fearless tactician.
Tiax removes himself from the presence of the zombies, ready to help from afar. Lacking in armour n all... oh and "he let his lessers deal with issues unworthy of his attention. Such as the killer zombies from hell... "
Comments
DM sez: Oh, look! An invitation to "bump off" unwanted party members... and I only mean that literally!
Shar-Teel pats the pouch at her side meaningfully.
"So, where do we go and who will lead us there? Garrick hope that someone is around to hear him.
Surely you... big hands, have no fear of the dead?
Shar-Teel resists the urge to dangle Tiax over the drop with her 'big hands'...barely.
Skie imagines her looking something like this:
*Tiax scoffs loudly, then silences himself as to not give away his position to what he is sure would be a reddened face warrior lady with a penchant for slaying male gnomes*
The second staircase is made of old wood and creaks alarmingly, shaking a little as you climb the stairs. It leads to a landing about 20' up, and then to a long balcony overlooking the chapel. Two throne-like chairs sit on a dais in the middle of the balcony, and two dimly- lit figures sit in the chairs. They remain unmoving at your entrance.
However, Tiax does like the idea of a throne... *Tiax takes a deep breath, stopping halfway through realising he is trying to be stealthy, coughs and splutters a little and regains composure*
Time to watch an Invisible, no armour, super stealth gnome in action. Or that is what he would say could you see him, but you can't, you know... invisible.
OOC: I think we are passed the wooden creaky bit as we are in the landing with the long balcony.
Tiax removes himself from the presence of the zombies, ready to help from afar. Lacking in armour n all... oh and "he let his lessers deal with issues unworthy of his attention. Such as the killer zombies from hell...
*Edited for clarity*