Private [TRoA] The Remnants of Akavir

[FlickerWick]

Everybody raised their bottles, some empty, some full, in a toast to the adventure that lay ahead. Bits of mead flew everywhere as the bottles made contact, some perhaps toasting a little too forcefully. Although they were situated in what is essentially a hunk of rock filled with the spirits of the long departed, the atmosphere was surprisingly cheerful. Alphonse smiled to himself. ”This is going to be fun!” he thought to himself. After everybody had chosen their potions, he closed his satchel, the resulting click echoing throughout the corridor.

”Shall we get going then?” he said as he stood up and brushed himself down.

“Aye, the lad’s right. What better time to plunder some loot than the present?” answered Antoine as he too, stood up. One by one, so did the rest of the group. Alphonse looked around at the ragtag band of adventurers that circled the campfire; an Imperial, Dunmer, Bosmer, Khajiit, Argonian and another Breton. They all had different combat preferences and personalities, yet he knew that they would all get along – after all, they all had the same goal in mind. Nobody would risk rebelling, or at least not until the ancient Akiviri artifact had been found. For now, he was safe!

”Before we set off, we should ensure that we have our weapons and supplies ready. There’s no telling what could be around the very next corner.” advised Alphonse with perhaps more authority than intended, wanting to ensure that their expedition got off to a good start. He reached for his shortbow and ended up grasping at air. It wasn’t there. Heat rose to his now-sanguine cheeks as he opened his mouth once more. ”It seems I’ve left my bow outside, propped up against the gate. I won’t be a minute, if you’ll excuse me…” he added, shrewdly. If he were a Khajiit, his tail would be well and truly between his legs as he turned and headed towards the door. His pace quickened as his shoes tapped against the rocky floor. In the background he could’ve swore he heard a laugh, yet it wasn’t malicious. Just as he reached for the door handle, he turned around – there was Sabrina, smiling, her one eyebrow raised in a somewhat sarcastic manner. Returning a grin, he turned around and went outside once more.

By now, darkness had well and truly descended. Alphonse walked over to the platform’s edge, wanting to get one more view of the outside world before they set off. The sky was painted a brilliant shade of black and the glow of a million stars illuminated the endless forests below. The fog had somewhat disappeared, revealing many intricate details that had previously remained hidden – there were mills, camps and farms, all identifiable by the camouflaged towers of smoke that bellowed from their chimneys and fires. It was remarkably quiet. In the background, he could make out the rushing of the waterfall that fed Falkreath’s main mill. The ambience was amplified by a swirling breeze that rustled through the leaves of the trees and the occasional flapping of wings. Above him, a group of torchbugs danced an elaborate dance as their light flickered against his face. It was an incredibly serene scene. Alphonse inhaled through his nose to further absorb it all in, the wafting scent of pine emanating throughout his entire body. He loved that smell. He could taste the night as it hit the back of his throat with every breath. Completely lost in the atmosphere, he had forgotten the task at hand. The door to the bastion opened again.

”Anybody there?” shouted Sabrina, knowing full well that Alphonse was stood no more than 20 meters away. Snapping out of his trance, he turned around. ”Come on, let’s get a move on. Everybody’s waiting.” she said, beckoning him towards the ruin’s entrance. The torchlight from the inside spilled out and lit up the cobbles beneath her feet.

”Let me just get my shortb-” he replied, unable to finish off his sentence as she held his bow raised in her right hand.

”It was inside the whole time. Are you sure that’s why you came out here?” she asked. Alphonse took consecutive looks towards the sky and then at her – she knew that it was a ruse all along. Forgetting why she came out, Sabrina walked towards the plaza’s edge and handed over his bow, before standing next to him, looking at the vast vista that lied below. ”It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she remarked, as the scenery drew the breath right out of her body.

”Yeah, it is.” added Alphonse. They stood there in silence for a few minutes, completely mesmerized. ”Anyway, now we really have to go back. Next time you want to get a look at the scenery, you need only ask. Nobody will mind, promise.” he sarcastically remarked. She smiled and playfully hit him on the arm, before they headed back in.

*​

​

”Just a minute, was it?" chuckling "It’s been no less than twenty!” said Cleddau, in a typically deep Khajiit-like tone. Not wanting to cause an argument, Alphonse apologised before him and Sabrina regrouped with everybody else.

”What’s the plan then, mateys?” quizzed the Captain. ”There’s no sense in rushing into these places blindly.” he added, with an air of caution. Alphonse was perhaps the most knowledgeable of the seven when it came to Nordic ruins, having read so much about them, so the group decided to let him think it over. After having thoroughly thought it over, he grabbed everybody’s attention.

”The trick to navigating ancient burial sites is to not overcomplicate things. Although they are often lengthy and sprawling, they’re often designed to have one straight path, taking one from start to finish, passing through various rooms on the way.” he began, before taking a breath and continuing. ”You see, the architects who designed these were deep thinkers. They believed that the cadaver’s journey from the entrance to their coffin was representative of the journey from birth to death – with the coffin itself representing the final resting place, Sovengarde. The more powerful and important figures were buried deeper within, with the longer journeys reflecting the reach of their influence. If this artifact is here, it will have been buried along with somebody of that stature – not every foot soldier possesses objects of great power, you know.” he added. The group’s attention was well and truly on him, so he carried on. ”It’s for this reason that we can expect to find it at the very end of the ruin. If we follow the most obvious path and avoid any silly detours, we’ll get there in the end.” he finished, with a smile of confidence.

”The lad knows his stuff! Let’s not delay; every second wasted here is a second not in the inn later.” said Captain StronKnot, who seemed rather impatient. They checked their equipment one final time before setting off down the corridor, towards the great wooden doors that were situated a few meters away.

 

[Flint firestorm]

Crow had never imagined that a group of people about to delve into ancient Nordic ruins could act so happy. He himself felt happy even though he knew of what awaited them inside. While the rest of the group seemed concerned with finding the artifact, crow was thinking of the reason he was here. He was here to kill the monster of Falkreath, the vampire. He had to kill this murderer before it was to late. Another thought that was at the back of his mind was that once they found the artifact, who would get it? He knew that if a fight broke out Alphonse and Shade would most likely back Sabrina, were as the argonian would probably back the khajiit, that is if she doesn't want it for herself. Which would then leave the captain at a disadvantage, an easy target.
Crow had mixed feelings about him. He had always imagined him as evil and cruel, yet to Crow he seems cheerful and relaxed. Could this man really be responsible for the murder of hundreds of sailors? Would the guilt of it all not be weighing down on his mind? Crow had to be sure That this was the right man and not a lookalike.
Crow reached the door first and turned to see the rest of the group walking towards him at a leisurely pace, "By the eight, could you go any slower?" he said to them.

 

[Gemini Sierra]

Antoine was sort of amazed at the young Breton, Alphonse he presumed his name to be since that is what the Dunmer called him. His knowledge of how to handle these ruins was impressive. Might have to let him do the leading, or at least keep him handy, he stifled a laugh, however, for some reason, he got the feeling that this young Breton believed Antoine to be impatient. As each person finished readying themselves and approached the doors, Antoine suddenly held back, letting each go before him. He knew that they would find this strange of the man that first came in here all boisterous and swaggering like he didn't have a care in the world... but that wasn't the case.

Captain Antoine StrongKnot hesitated, the sudden realization that they were going to be going underground for a long period of time gave him pause, he hadn't thought about that until just that second. Antoine frowned at this thought. He is a man of the sea, the open air, the wind and water. "Kynareth, give me strength," he mumbled before putting his smile back in place. He wasn't afraid by any means, he'd faced dangers worse than some dusty tomb on the high seas, at least he thought he did, not really knowing what was beyond those doors.

He caught the Bosmer looking his way and misread his stare as if the lad was questioning him for hesitating. "What are you looking at Wood Elf? I just stopped to adjust my swords!" He snapped, then smiled slightly uncomfortable at being caught hesitating, something he rarely did when he was aboard ship. He knew what to do then, but here, that was another story. "By the way lad, you've not mentioned your name, or shall I just call you Elf?" He said beeming a smile while he pulled his coat collar up around his throat and adjusted the front to be straight. He was fidgetting.

Thinking to himself, "Hmmm... speaking of which, I don't know the attractive Dunmer's name either, she keeps drifting into the shadows but she seems to like Alphonse if the heckling was any indication. Nor did he know the name of that Argonian. She's been quiet this whole time."
He stopped at the door, the others all prepared and the Wood Elf anxious to proceed.

(( ------------------
*Sabrina - Imperial
*Alphonse - Breton
Crow - Wood Elf
*Cleddau - Khajiit
Shade - Dunmer
Mumm-mra - Argonian
Antoine - Breton
------- ))

 

[Shew]

Qa'Cleddau the unknown sword, an adopted Khajiit name... his ruse seemed to be holding. But for how long? It was definitely a good thing the Captain didn't cross blades with him as his fighting style was too different to pass off as Khajiit. At least anyone of a high enough skill would have determined in mere moments. As he approached the doors he had a thought that he shared with the others. "Any suggestions as to marching order? I am a swordman, the captain too I am sure. Alphonse your a bowman right and the rest?" As he said this a uneasy feeling of something awakening in the depths of the ruin. A unknown and deadly danger. The smell of age and death wafting through the cracks in the doorway.

 

[Ilya]

Thinking to herself, I wonder where I would best fit in...very seldom do I fight in a group, let alone a group of 6 people. Shade took a moment to study each of her companions. "I belong in back with the Captain." she decided. "I, too, am an experienced swordsman, and feel like we would best compliment each other in battle." She nodded in the Captains direction, looking for some sort of clue as to how he felt about her assessment. "Besides..." she let the word trail off as she eyed him from head to toe with a wide smile spread across her delicate face, "We have not had a chance to become formally acquainted!" she finished with a low bow.

She took her place beside the Captain with arms crossed over her chest, looking none too pleased as usual. She kept her focus to the front of the group as she spoke, "I hope this wasn't an error in judgment working beside you, Sir Strongknot." she said with a mischievious grin. She turned to face him, "I am Shade, it is a pleasure to meet you!" she said with a playful expression just short of a sneer. Shade kept her calm but the bastion made her uneasy to say the least. There was a strange aura emanating from the depths of the place. The chase was soon to begin, and what an interesting chase this would be indeed!

 

[OldLace]

The sounds of activity echoed off the cold rocks of the cave. Mum-mra looked around at the group that had gathered-- she honestly didn't have much of a reason to be here; people were talking about receiving a letter inviting them here and she certainly received no such thing. She'd overheard a couple people talking in the Dead Man's Drink mentioning the commotion at Shriekwind, and she'd simply meandered in that direction and sat down at a campfire, working on braiding jewels into a leather bracelet until everyone had arrived. She'd been quiet mostly to be sure that she wasn't stepping on any toes by showing up, and so far no one had asked her for a letter... so, Mum-mra took that to mean she was in the clear.

Everyone seemed to be ready for adventure, give or take the hesitant Breton who honestly looked a little lost. The strange white khajiit (in and of itself not too strange, but typically the white ones didn't have black stripes or colored eyes) shifted about, looking at the group. She decided that he was a smart one, as he made sure that everyone knew what they were doing. Mum-mra looked at the group, trying to decide who was the most advantageous to pair up with... or at the least, where the best position was. The Dunmer and the sea-smell Breton, two swordsmen, paired up and to the side. Taking this as a cue, Mum-mra put the bracelet away and languidly got to her feet.

"Fine land-striders, perhaps if we are preparing for the march, I can offer some assistance?" She said, startling one or two of the people who hadn't noticed her or weren't prepared for her sudden inclusion in the conversation. "We are a fine summoner and destructor, suited for the follow. I can summon blade and shield and utilize them as well, to my own hand or another's," and here she demonstrated by pulling a glowing shield from the air, dropping it to the ground immediately without much thought. Most mages could conjure a weapon to their hand, but it took more skill to create a weapon and release it to another. Skill, and cheating Oblivion.

 

[Gemini Sierra]

"Aye, a swordsman I'd be Cleddau. Close quarter figting on a ship doesn't leave room for much else, well, that's after the ships are lashed together, before that though, I prefered a nice firebolt lobbed across their deck, there was this time... never mind maybe a story for another time." He looked at the others wondering how they'd form up, "A marching order, hmm, never even thought of that, figured we'd just oped the doors and stream on in facing whatever came our way, but I suppose you're right though, some form of tactic would be good."

The Dunmer spoke up saying she'd be better in the back with him, after giving him the once over and introducing herself. "Aye lass, you'd be a fine compliment to me..." he made a dramatic pause with a big smile, "...in battle." As she stepped over next to him and asked if there was an error in her judgement he returned her smile with one of his own and was about to put his arm around her shoulder, meaning to give her a bit of a hug when he caught a look that was a smile and a warning, so he continued to raise his arm over his head and stretched. She stepped slightly back and he lowered his arm continuing, "No error in judgement as far as I can tell lass, and it's a pleasure to meet you as well." He grinned. "There be no need to be calling me 'sir' either, you and all of you," he said to the rest of the group, "can call me Tony, or Cap'n... there be no need for formality amongst friends."
He turned to the Argonian as she demonstrated her summoning of shield. "Impressive indeed, but I find that summoned weapons have a nasty habit of disappearing just when I strike and I only use 'em when my blade," he patted the hilts of his swords, "get stuck in someone or something and I don't have time to retrieve 'em."

 

[The_Deadliest_Troll]

"If it's alright, I'd like to stay with Crow," Sabrina grabbed the elf's arm and embraced it, "I trust him with my life." In a moment of sudden realization of how silly she was sounding, Sabrina released his arm and blushed. "Plus, I need to make sure he doesn't forget I owe him my share of the prize for helping me get here," she said, punching Crow's shoulder hard with her armored fist to make up for her moment of girly foolishness.

She looked around at the group expectantly, hoping that someone would take charge. When no one spoke up, she cleared her throat, "Right then, shall we get moving soon then? I wouldn't like to waste any more time here. I don't like the feeling this place gives me." She shivered as she nodded at Cleddau, signaling him an O.K. to scout ahead whenever he was ready.

 

[Shew]

Cleddau getting a feel for their fighting styles decides that he could use the first bow he finds and be the scout archer too. It would be a good way to demonstrate a pulling technique he had learned since arriving in Tamriel. "Cleddau thinks the first bow found in the ruins should do Cleddau fine, unless any of you happen to have a spare and Cleddau knows a fair enough bit of archery not to embarrass himself." I have to remember to hold back but still be skilled, and not get into trouble by holding back too much. While thinking this he walks to the front of the queue and starts examining the door. Not trapped, not warded. And a simple lock. Bends down and retrieves a lockpick from his right cuff. Clears his mind, and truely listens to the lock as he starts testing the tumblers, and rockers. after a few seconds he has it, and a audible click issues from the lock. "Well then are the "Rhyfeddol Saith"[1] prepared for what may come next?"


[1] Wonderful Seven (Welsh)

 

[Ilya]

The Argonian slowly stood up as everyone readied themselves for their journey into the bastion. Shade wondered when she was going to speak up, or if she would at all for that matter. After getting to her feet she offered the group her assisstance. Shade and the others watched as the Argonian effortlessly conjured a shield and dropped it to her feet, almost instantly! Impressive!

Shade stood rigid as she felt the Captain attempt to put his arm around her shoulder. Seeing that she was in no mood for such things he casually extended his arm to a stretch. She eyed him with contempt and thought to herself how maybe it was foolish of her to think she belonged by his side. There was no doubting his skill in battle, however she would have to keep a close eye on his hands when they weren't preoccupied with his cutlass'!

She watched Cleddau closely as he picked the doors lock with ease. He did everything with such finesse, it unnerved her, almost making her question her own skills. This Khajiit was dangerous indeed and she couldn't help but be intimidated by his presence. Don't let your emotions consume you...She said trying to calm herself. The biggest mistake she could make would be to let him see her fear. "Fear is weakness and has no place in the heart of an assassin." Her father's words rang inside her head as if he had just spoken them himself. Shade took a deep breath, exhaling all of her insecurities with the sincere hope that this would not be her last venture.

 

[Shew]

palming a small vial of oil Cleddau reachs up and oils each of the hinges on the door. Then turns and crouches and whispers "Cleddau thinks, Lets get this party started" pulls his Tanto dagger and grasps the handle. opening the door with no sound. he treads lightly into the next room a semi naked corpes on the ground below a hole in the ceiling an alter to the right and various corpses in different states of... "Those have been eaten!" he whispers angrily. Sticking to the right hand wall he circles the room to get a view down the adjoining hallway, while trying not to be seen from above. He comes to a chain mounted in the wall. And points it out to the others and then points to the hole in the ceiling and the area the semi-naked corpse lies in. Then he points at the urns across the room and makes a sign like money being rubbed by his claw tips. Then he turns and looks down the hall. The creepy fog and the rightward angle keep him from seeing very far. so he continues his crouchwalk along the right hand wall to approach the hallway exit. He gets close and hears the breathing sounds of a creature the Tamrielians call a Skeever. Replacing his dagger he thumbs his Katana loose from the hilt and prepares to turn the corner. Mere feet from the Skeever and it doesn't sense him. Observing there is nothing else in the room but a set of stairs leading to another door. He strikes one quick and silent sword move beheading the skeever. Turns around looking up the hole sees a figure at a podium but it doesn't appear aware of them. Points up and put up one claw. Then goes and accends the stairs looking over the next door. No locks but the sounds of creeping skeletons can be heard over the moan of the wind.

 

[The_Deadliest_Troll]

Sabrina inched forward cautiously, shooting a nervous glance over her shoulder at Crow. She watched Cleddau gliding stealthily through the room. Then he paused. Her heart stopped for a moment. What foul creature of Oblivion could be waiting for them around that corner? The Khajiit's hand fell to the hilt of his blade, and he drew it with a blinding speed.

The head of a skeever rolled across the stone floor and she released the breath that she had been holding for fear that even the slightest noise could mean her doom. What have I gotten myself into now? I should have just joined the Mage's College. That J'Zargo seemed like an interesting fellow. Sabrina let her thoughts wander as Cleddau rounded the corner further into the dungeon.

 

[Shew]

Taking the time while the others catch up and loot the following room. Cleddau examines the hinges but these are already oiled as if something else needs to come and go quietly... is something else hiding from the dead or wanting to silently stalk those too curious to leave? He looks over his shoulder no one has caught up yet. He tries the handle, it gives as easy as you please and no sound issues as it swings open. He peeks carefully in and notices several open wall crypts and a set of stairs to the right. With a Skeletal archer at the top of the stairs. Great and I don't have a bow maybe Alphonse will take the shot or loan me his bow. Turns closes the door as silently as he opened it. And returns to the room with the others going trough the urns and getting the potions and poisons from the alter. Approaches Alphonse and whispers to him. "Next room has a archer at the top of the stairs maybe a 30 meter shot want it? Or can I, Cleddau borrow your bow and a arrow?"

 

[Gemini Sierra]

Antoine watched as the Khajiit slipped the door open and moved gracefully into the room. He quit expertly and silently moved about avoiding the skeletal remains on the ground and the dried blood pools. The chain on the wall that he found and pointed at the floor in the middle of the room, is not a trap but some kind of torture device. The bodies on the altar were torn apart and looked gnawed on.
Cleddau slipped into the next room which looked overgrown with vegetation. There was the sound of a quick sword stroke and the squeel of a Skeever. He recognized that sound from dealing with the varmits on the ships he'd been on. The head of the skeever rolled out of the other room and Antoine watch the young warrior lass nearly freak out. He had to supress a laugh and ended up coughing. "Sorry, the dust nearly made me sneeze."
The Khajiit had pointed at some large urns making a sign for money, but didn't search them. As the other filterd through the room, Antoine walked over to an urn and pried it open with his dagger. The his of air from the sealed urn nearly made him cough again but then he pushed the lid off the urn. He looked inside and didn't see anything, the urn was half his heigth, so he looked around for a torch. Pulling one of a sconce by the door, as he returned to the urn he lit the torch with a quick spark of a flame spell. then using the light he looked into the urn.
He smiled as he reached in and scooped up a dozen gold coins and few gemstones. He pocketed them all in his satchel except for a flawless ruby which he palmed. He thought about raiding the other urns, but decided to let the others have a turn at them.
Catching up to Ilya he leaned in close to her and gently took her hand with a smile, "found something for y'lass." He said as he palmed the ruby into her hand.
He stepped back as she cautiously looked at what he'd given her, and then he stepped into the next room. He saw the dead skeever and nothing but some stairs. He starts up the stairs just as Cleddau opens the door at the top and stopped. He turned to Alphonse and asked if he wanted to take the shot or let him borrow the bow.
Wondering what the Khajiit sees, he draws one of his own swords and steels himself for a fight.

 

[The_Deadliest_Troll]

Sabrina gazed in disgust as the sea-captain forced open a burial urn and dug around inside. How can he disgrace this resting place for the Nord dead like that? Not that something hasn't already done that. She thought as she looked around at the horrific scene of torture around her. The walls were smeared with blood and gods know what else. She thought she could almost hear the screams of the tortured souls in this room.

Cleddau had rounded the corner and climbed some stairs. She was wondering what the next room would bring them when he came striding back toward them. He asked Alphonse something about his bow. Sabrina didn't quite catch it. Her muscles were tensing. She was on edge. She peared relentlessly in the direction of the stairs, hoping that nothing would come around that corner. "I've got your back if you want to take that shot, Alphonse." She smiled at him despite herself.

 

[Ilya]

Shade watched Cleddau intently as he slid into the room pointing towards some burial urns. She took note of his signal that there may be some treasures to be had in the urns that decorated the gruesome torture chamber. Shade started to make her way over to one of them when she caught a glimpse of the Khajiit readying his Katana. She froze, drawing her own sword and dagger, ready to spring into action should Cleddau need help. By the time she got her weapons in hand however, the agile cat had already decapitated his foe. Ah only a Skeever... She thought to herself with a smile as she slid her sword back into its sheath.

Making her way over to the urn she was previously eyeing, she noticed the Captain pulling what appeared to be a decent find out of another. She used her nimble fingers to pry the lid partially open before sliding her dagger's blade in to release it the rest of the way. Only a few gold coins and a silver necklace? She sighed and shook her head a bit disappointed when she realized she was being observed. Sabrina stood watching with disgust as her and Antoine filled their pockets. Shade smiled knowingly as she strode toward the doorway to the next room, sheathing her dagger. "In a place as harsh as this, we do what we must! Besides, they won't be needing these treasures any time soon." she patted her satchel and winked at Sabrina. Shade simply couldn't relate to the Imperial woman. For as long as she could remember she had been taught to steal and kill. Sometimes out of necessity, and sometimes just for fun. She most certainly had no problem with pilfering some dead bastards burial urn.

Shade was about to step through the door when she felt the Captain pressing close to her. She stopped abruptly as he grabbed her hand. "Have you no sense, this is hardly-" she started to say but was cut short when she realized he had placed something in her hand. "found something for y'lass." he said with a smile. She stared at him for a moment trying to discern his intentions, but quickly came to the conclusion he was being genuine. Her green eyes went wide with amazement when she opened her hand seeing a stunning flawless ruby. By the time she pulled her gaze from the beautiful sparkling gem the Captain had already slipped into the next room. Feeling more confused then ever, she slid the ruby into a pocket near her waist and set off to the next room.

 

[Gemini Sierra]

Antoine was curious what Sabrina, Cleddau and Alphonse were looking at and getting ready to take down. He moved up behind Sabrina, lightly touching her shoulder, hoping not to scare the young lass, he leaned pass them to have a look.
What he saw was a skeleton at the top of the stairs, creaking and wobbling as it stood there, bow in hand, quicker on its back, waiting for something or someone to show up. Antoine straightend up and stepped back to the previous room, he wondered what they were waiting for. It was just a simple skeleton. The khajiit was stealthy enough that he could probably walk right up to it and knock it's head off.
He laughed to himself at the thought.
Then he thought about it for a second, what if these skeletons were like that cursed ship he'd crossed paths with several years ago. A corsair ship with a cursed crew, forced to sail the seas forever, never setting foot on land, looking like a normal crew during the day, but at night, in the glow of the moons, they were skeletons, each and everyone of them. They couldn't die either. You could lop of their legs and they'd crawl to you with their arms. Their legs hopping around trying to find their bodies.
Antoine cringed at that thought and shivered a little too. It was the only time he'd told his crew to abandon a prey, return to his ship and ran away from them. He had used every trick in the book to get away. He thanks Kynareth for their survival that day.
He looked back at the room with the stairs. "Where these skeletons the same kind or just some abombination of the dead?" He wondered what the others were thinking of these creatures.

 

[Shew]

"Skeletons are immune to poison so you take the shot." Alphonse responds as he hands over his bow and a carefully drawn single steel arrow.

Cleddau nods approvingly and turns back to the crypt ridden stairway as he walks that way he tests the draw of the bow, then settles at the far bottom and right edge of the stair the wall blocking most of his crouched form. Takes a deep deep breath, and time slows to a crawl. The Skeletal archer weaves back and forth scanning his assigned watch. Just as he gets to his farthest left Cleddau releases the arrow cuts the air silently and the bone tumbles to the ground after the arrow goes through the vertebra right above the ribcage.

The clatter audible but not loud. He waits taking back normal breathing and listens for alarm. An axe weilding skeleton emerges, so he puts away the bow and thumbs the hilt of his sword as he climbs the rough carved stair worn with age and dust covered. Arriving at the top stair he carefully times the bob and weave of this new foe. And strikes from the scaberd a direct uppercut shattering it to the indiviual pieces of bone.

My but these things are brittle I even held back. Peers around the corner while reaching for the bow of the archer he just dispatched.

Observing a small fog filled hall with a rise to it caustiously moving into the web strewn hall he comes to the entrance to the upper area. It appears to be the one above the grate he saw below. With plants and a tree growing about the grate with the podium and a ornate carpet where stood a black robed figure with his back turned.
Cleddau backs up and searches the fallen bones for the bow and arrows. Then goes back down the stairs and whispers "Cleddau has found a mage, this one thinks. Who wants a crack at him?"

 

[Ilya]

Shade sat back and watched intently as Cleddau readied himself for the shot. As soon as the arrow left his fingertips, she quickly drew her weapons just in case the sound of bones hitting the floor were to draw anymore unwanted attention. Another skeleton appeared at the top of the stairs, but before she could react, Cleddau was already upon him. He searched his latest victim before coming back down towards the group. "Cleddau has found a mage, this one thinks. Who wants a crack at him?"

A wicked grin spread wide across Shade's otherwise emotionless face, "May I?" she asked quietly. Cleddau returned her decietful stare ten fold and motioned for her to proceed. Weapons at the ready; she slowly crept up the stairs. Through the cobwebs hanging in the doorway she spots a grate in the floor, and behind it a podium. Only a foot or two away from the podium stood her target; completely oblivious to his impending doom. Shade took a moment to look around once more before going in for the kill. She noticed the room was open and could see at least three tiers. "This mage is bound to have some friends hanging around" she thought to herself. Shade turned back towards the others and gave them a signal to keep their eyes focused upward.

She crept close to the right hand wall, and stopped abruptly; noticing a chain. As she turned back to look at the others, she saw Cleddau approaching her. He nodded knowingly and with that Shade continued on her original route sticking close to the wall. About half way to the tree, with a smile on her face and eyes gleaming with lust for a fight, she changed her course and rushed straight towards the mage. He turned around just in time to get a dagger hilt right in his nose. The mage grabbed his face and cried out in agony before sending an ice spike her way. Shade dodged the first one, but wasn't quite so lucky with the second. She felt her left arm go numb instantly as the ice spike torn through her flesh and sapped her of her energy. Her dagger dropped to the floor and he was fast approaching her; she knew she'd have to act quickly. She crouched into a tuck and roll which landed her on the metal grate in front of the podium where she remained on her knees. "I give up" she said most pathetically and dropped her sword. The mage didn't waste any time in rushing over to finnish her off. But just as he stepped onto the grate Shade picked her sword back up and cast a levitation spell. By the time the mage had realized his error, Cleddau had already pulled the chain which opened the grate, sending him screaming to the bottom. She quickly got to the podium and pulled the lever. Wasting no time, she retrieved her dagger and rushed over to Cleddau. "It's not mortal but it's still too weak to use" she said to him. They moved back into the doorway, for now they were taking on fire from skeleton archers from above.

 

[Shew]

A wicked grin spread wide across Shade's otherwise emotionless face, "May I?" she asked quietly. Cleddau intrigued returned her grin filled stare ten fold and motioned for her to proceed. Bows low and extending a arm.

Following her crouchwalk into the hall then the greater room both hugging the righthand wall. Getting a better look at the room he notices a series of raised walkways with 1, 2, no 6 archers two per teir above them. Shade pauses and Cleddau notices the chain Shade is pointing out and his grin gets even bigger. Brilliant this should be epic.

She rushes the mage and strikes him in the face with her dagger but he keep coming. Must be undead as well. Cleddau readies himself to pull the chain. She draws the undead mage to the center having taken a icebolt to the left arm. She floats just a inch above the grate... must be some form of levitation. Smart very smart. When the mage steps onto the grate, Cleddau pulls the chain and the grate opens causing the undead mage to fall the 40 feet to the room below a crack and the mage seems done.

The archers open up and start pelting the area with arrows. Shade and Cleddau rush back to the door way. Cleddau feels wrong and turns to just catch a skeleton with a axe rushing Shade. Must have been at the top of the stairs. Cleddau steps in front of the charging skeleton his katana slicing the air first upward and then just as the skeleton raises his axe to strike Shade he destroys the foe. But takes a arrow to his side.