Our small group (Lhoss, Gnorcia, Armaziti, Hilja, and Arnd) was surprised to be joined by the capable, if little-known, henchman Dwerom. We are always accepting of allies to assist and will press on with whatever mix of heroes show up for the adventure. We took a vote and decided to get back to the task of searching the octagonal burial alcoves. The search yielded a lot of copper pieces which were divided evenly and we moved on.
Behind the first door we opened, we found a pile of rubble in the southeast corner. Gnorcia was the first to probe the pile, with the rest of us right behind her. She discovered that the pile was actually a cleverly disguised stash of supplies. The neatly organized pile included a sledgehammer, iron spikes, oil flasks, torches, arrows, crossbow bolts, and a curious bottle of iridescent blue liquid. We added all of the items to our inventory. Hopefully whoever left these things behind isn't a noble soul whose life depends on these supplies to save their life!
We saw a brick wall and naturally wondered what was on the other side of it. Using our newly acquired sledgehammer, along with the two we already had, Arnd, Dwerom, and Armaziti bashed the wall down. Right away, we felt a cold chill, heard raspy, ragged breathing, and saw a skeletal figure clothed in a robe. Lhoss immediately hit it with a magic missile and Hilja followed by casting faerie fire and bathing it in blue light. Dwerom was unable to hit with two arrows and Armaziti was unsuccessful in turning the undead. The evil creature let out a nasty hiss in response. Arnd attacked with Bonesplitter and landed a decisive hit. Gnorcia then knocked the thing unconscious with color spray. Arnd was able to finish it off, smashing it to pieces. Armaziti inspected the foul creature and identified it as a huecuva, a dangerous undead foe with a touch that produces a similar effect as the mummy's curse. Not wanting to come in contact even accidentally, Gnorcia swept the remains to the side.
Beyond the brick rubble, we saw a trapezoidal room with six armored stone knights lining the perimeter that each had a skull inset into the wall. In the middle of the room sat a 3 by 3 foot stone bowl with an empty bronze water jug next to it. The party wanted to fill the bowl with water, but were all loathe to empty our water skins to do it. Armaziti memorized and then cast a create water spell, filling the bowl. The water inside began to glow a tantalizing green color, attracting the gaze of Armaziti, Gnorcia, and Lhoss. Lhoss was the first to step up to the bowl and could see that it functioned as a mystical augury, a crystal ball if you will. She knew if she asked it a question, she could see the answer reflected back to her. Going with the first thing that sprung to her mind, she asked if Derrik was still in the barrowmaze. She possessed a ring and tunic that had belonged to him and also a paper with his own writing, which likely aided in the success of the effect. Lhoss was able to see a vision of Derrik, clearly in the barrowmaze (although not in an identifiable spot) conversing with someone unknown. That seemed to be a useful scrap of intel! But what happened next was unexpected...
The eyes of the embedded skulls glowed green, releasing six shadow creatures. Arnd leapt into action, delivering a nice slice with Bonesplitter. Gnorcia attacked with Vengeance, while Lhoss and Dweron killed two by dousing them in burning oil. Meanwhile, two shadows were successful in their strikes, one against Armaziti, one against Gnorcia. Their blows seemed especially damaging, not only causing injury, but also able to drain strength. Armaziti and Arnd were the next successful targets of the creatures. Although Dwerom knew he did not have a magical weapon that could damage the villains, he sliced at one to distract it from pressing its attack on Arnd. Lhoss connected with a magic missile while Gnorcia was able to land another blow. Alas, Melissa and Bonesplitter could not connect. Dwerom's distraction tactic worked and one of the creatures that had been attacking Arnd turned and hit Dwerom instead. But Arnd was not out of the woods as another shadow continued to attack and hit him, draining his strength. After dodging an attack, Armaziti shattered one of the foes with Melissa. Lhoss managed to put herself in a favorable position and offed another with Gary. After an extended back and forth between the heroes and the shadows, Armaziti destroyed one and used turn undead against the other. As it cowered in fear, Gnorcia finished off the last adversary.
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