Cainneach turns to his mentor and speaks with a fearful tone, "What the devil?  Dru, my arrow was surely fired true, but it passed right through the thing!"  A look of realization spreads across his face, then Cainneach yells to the party, "We may need enchanted weapons to strike this monster down!  Try to reach the swords below!"

Tana looks between her companions and the spectral form.

'We will not fall like wheat.' 

"Beware of the scythe!" She calls out to those nearest to the figure. Also beginning to move closer to the stairs, eyes still trained on Morgrin.

Thatch reaches the top just in time to see the shadowy figure disappear and then reappear next to Hotspur, swinging his blade toward the Bard.  Thatch clenches his jaw and draws his gladius, moving to attack the grim figure while it is focused on Hotspur and slicing his magical blade through the creature's torso.

Attack: 7 Damage: 9 plus 3 sneak attack damage (assuming Hotspur is still within melee range as Thatch attacks before Hotspur moves).

Quote from goldenpridez >>

Tana looks between her companions and the spectral form.

'We will not fall like wheat.' 

"Beware of the scythe!" She calls out to those nearest to the figure. Also beginning to move closer to the stairs, eyes still trained on Morgrin.

Tana makes it to the stairs to begin her descent, the dread spirit apparently not overly interested in continuing their conversation.

Quote from LAXGunner >>

Thatch reaches the top just in time to see the shadowy figure disappear and then reappear next to Hotspur, swinging his blade toward the Bard.  Thatch clenches his jaw and draws his gladius, moving to attack the grim figure while it is focused on Hotspur and slicing his magical blade through the creature's torso.

Attack: 7 Damage: 9 plus 3 sneak attack damage (assuming Hotspur is still within melee range as Thatch attacks before Hotspur moves).

Thatch does his best but the spirits shadowy form seems to evade his blade even as he strikes...

Quote from rob88scps2 >>

Hotspur's own face turns very pale as the specter materializes and attacks.  He manages to duck under the blade by sheer luck.  He quickly disengages and flees down the stairs after Valor.

Hotspur makes it two thirds of the way down, tight up behind Valor. 

Bretwalds panicked screams can be heard echoing from the far corridor, apparently the old man can move fast given incentive.

Valor descended down to the floor of the chamber and immediately knelt before King Vallandar, he turned around to look at Hotspur as Cainneach called out, " We are in desperate need but I hesitate to take such blades......surely they wait for Vallandars Knights?"

The dark spirit turned lightning fast to refard the one who dared to strike at him, its face contorted in a rictus grin as it drove its shadowy blade at Thatchs heart.

Attack: 19 Damage: 10 )

Quote from EtyenAndiros >>

Cainneach turns to his mentor and speaks with a fearful tone, "What the devil?  Dru, my arrow was surely fired true, but it passed right through the thing!"  A look of realization spreads across his face, then Cainneach yells to the party, "We may need enchanted weapons to strike this monster down!  Try to reach the swords below!"

Dru nodded to Cainneach and headed down the narrow stairs cursing her luck in ending up here.  When Cainneach asked for her rope she handed one end to him and moved back toward the wall to act as a belaying anchor for him as he went over the side.

( Round 3)

(Cainneach didn't get his Round 2 action, which will be to grab Dru before she heads down the stairs and ask for her rope so that one of them might attempt to rappel down from the balcony and attempt to acquire one of the finely balanced swords, hoping that it might be enchanted.  I'm hoping that between the two of them, they can at least affix the rope or set a belay so that the other can descend in Round 3.  Cainneach's rope was shredded previously.)

(If the DM will allow a brief retcon, Thatch will use his lucky ability to reroll his attack keeping the same damage and sneak attack roll)

Attack roll: 8  plus 4 bardic inspiration.

.

Thatch’s eyes go wide as the grim figure spins and turns toward him.  The shadow blade slides through his leather armor and Thatch staggers and falls to the ground, gladius clattering to the ground by his side. 

(Thatch is unconscious.  Round 3 Death save: 19.).

.

Quote from EtyenAndiros >>

(Cainneach didn't get his Round 2 action, which will be to grab Dru before she heads down the stairs and ask for her rope so that one of them might attempt to rappel down from the balcony and attempt to acquire one of the finely balanced swords, hoping that it might be enchanted.  I'm hoping that between the two of them, they can at least affix the rope or set a belay so that the other can descend in Round 3.  Cainneach's rope was shredded previously.)

  ( Edited summary post- Dru is anchor, Cainneach is on rope.)

Quote from LAXGunner >>

(If the DM will allow a brief retcon, Thatch will use his lucky ability to reroll his attack keeping the same damage and sneak attack roll)

Attack roll: 11  plus 5 bardic inspiration.

 ( No worries. Unlucky again. :( )

(I think we're waiting for Tana and Hotspur to chime in prior to Bretwald et al.  Cainneach and Dru are last, but Cainneach is basically locked into rappelling - and hoping Dru doesn't meet her end while still on belay duty!  ;-)

Round 3 - Cainneach

Cainneach looks up at Dru as he attempts to descend the 40' to the floor below the balcony.  He has an uneasy feeling as the two lock eyes, as if it might be the last time he sees his dear mentor and closest friend.  After seeing Thatch fall, Cainneach hopes that someone has the presence of mind to grab Thatch's magic sword to aid in avenging the diminutive rogue.  Cainneach takes a brief pause to push the grim reality and portent from his mind, then continues making his way downward as quickly as possible.  

Acrobatics 4

Tana moves quickly down the flight of stairs to where Thatch had collapsed, attempting to evade the dark spirit as she knelt over her fallen companion. She quickly pulled out a wrap from the small medical pouch around her leg, pressing down on the wound to hopefully staunch the blood flow for a moment. While tending to Thatch, she also makes a move to kick the sword in the direction of one of the up-and-about party members.

"Someone use the sword! I need to make sure Thatch doesn't bleed out."

(Action: Stabilization w/ Medicine check 11)

Tana knelt and staunched Thatchs bleeding saving his life, Hotspur ran back up the stairs and slapped Thatch across the face, " On your feet!". ( Cure Wounds-12)

On the floor far below Valor seemed to come to a decision and reached out and took up one of the balanced swords, as he did so he whispered something to the mounted king.....any watching may note that an impression of his shadow at the moment he took up the blade is left behind.  Sir Valor begins mounting the stairs again.

Morgrin flickered away from Hotspurs strike and appeared behind Dru, his eyes met Cainneachs for a moment as he grinned a wicked grin and thrust the shadow blade through her back, Dru immediately went pale and limp releasing the rope and tumbled off of the steps to impact the stone with sickening finality moments after Cainneach landed heavily but unharmed.

( Round 4)

Initiative:-

Tana- 22

Thatch- 21

Hotspur- 16

Bretwald- 15

Valor- 8

Morgrin-7

Cainneach- 4

Dru - 4

Thatch sets up with a gasp thanks to the attention and skills of both Tana and Hotspur.  Scrambling to his feet, he moves to recover his blade where Tana kicked it away.  He holds it out defensively in front of him and keeps his distance from the shadowy creature, memory still fresh of the blow it struck against him. "What do we do, Sir?" He calls down the steps to Sir Valor.

Taking the dodge action and buying time for the others to arrive. 

Quote from Damian_May >>

Morgrin flickered away from Hotspurs strike and appeared behind Dru, his eyes met Cainneachs for a moment as he grinned a wicked grin and thrust the shadow blade through her back, Dru immediately went pale and limp releasing the rope and tumbled off of the steps to impact the stone with sickening finality moments after Cainneach landed heavily but unharmed.

Round 4 - Cainneach

Tears well up in Cainneach's eyes as he sails downward to the stone floor below.  The sight of Dru being felled by the dreadful spectre is more than he can reason through and the young man begins to lose control.  He can hardly feel the impact of his back slamming into the ground and Cainneach is somehow quickly on his feet and grabs the nearest sword.  For better or worse, in his rage he pays no mind to whatever small tribute Valor paid to the ancient king and immediately brandishes the newly acquired weapon with hopes that it will aid him in avenging Dru.

(Since Cainneach's at the end of the initiative order and I'm not sure what consequences he might face for simply taking a sword, I'll hold the rest of my turn - probably Dash - for a bit.)

( Tana- Actions TBD)

Thatch called out to Sir Valor and sees Dru felled, Hotspur looks about and manages to duck just in time to avoid being decapitated by the vengeful spirit.  He disengaged and retreated down to the base of the stairs putting a hand on Syr Valors arm as he caught his breath.

In the Chapel Bretwald was deep in desperate prayer.

Syr Valor looked up at Thatch, " Shoulder to shoulder, join me!", his head turned to regard Cainneach, " There will be time to mourn later, to arms!".

He mounted the stairs and moved at speed up to the fell emanation, swinging his newly acquired blade.

Attack: 12 Damage: 6

Morgrin was seemingly caught off guard by Syr Valors assault, and angered at Hotspurs escape the spirit brought up the blade and clashed with Syr Valor.

Attack: 22 Damage: 20

Cainneach snatched up the strangely balancing blade, noting an image of his shadow was left behind on the floor as he did so, though it still remained with him as always. Spinning he noted the bear decorated blade that Dru had briefly wielded lying bared on the floor beside him.  Looking up he saw Syr Valor and the spirit locked in combat.

( Holding for Tana, remainder of Cainneach action......Thatch can also attack instead of Dodging if he wishes.)

Syr Valors blade cut deeply into the shade, ripping away shadow stuff from its form, its return strike cut down at Syr Valors neck but he brought his shield up and the blow was blocked.

Quote from Damian_May >>

Cainneach snatched up the strangely balancing blade, noting an image of his shadow was left behind on the floor as he did so, though it still remained with him as always. Spinning he noted the bear decorated blade that Dru had briefly wielded lying bared on the floor beside him.  Looking up he saw Syr Valor and the spirit locked in combat.

( Holding for Tana, remainder of Cainneach action......Thatch can also attack instead of Dodging if he wishes.)

(Couple of quick questions:  1. Can Cainneach attack the spirit around Valor or is the staircase too narrow? and 2. What is the damage for Dru's former sword?)

Cainneach pauses momentarily before following Valor's call to action, first noticing the bizarre fixation of his shadow upon the floor, then to pluck his fallen mentor's blade from its resting place.  With two potent weapons in hand, Cainneach charges toward the stairs, roaring at the top of his Scottish Highland-esque lungs ...

( 1. Cainneachs pretty lithe....I'd say yes. 2. +1 shortsword.)

Tana moves a short distance away from Thatch once she notes that he appears stable, nodding once at Hotspur before the two retake offensive stances. She stiffens as Twiggy impacts the ground, starting in her direction before noting the rather dangerous position of the spirit. She flashes Dob a sympathetic glance, shaking her head sadly at the loss of their companion before moving to a more defensive position.

She pulls out her quarterstaff, holding it close while noxious gases swirl around her free hand – preparing for if the spirit approaches.

(Holding action, will attack with Poison Spray 11 if approached within 10 ft)