Calling through the mental link %Skeleton Rangers, lots of them!% and he blocks one of the arrows heading for the Priestess. %A nice straight corridor. Wish I had a Lightning bolt ready! Not time for a Tiny Hut, sadly. Let's see how well they glow in the dark.% Summoning an unusual form of his magic, a greenish glow springs into being, bottling the corridor and the front ranks of skeletons in an eerie light.

OOC - Arcane Ward to block one of the attacks, and Sickening Radiance centered on AW6, or where ever the first rank is. DC16 he then ducks around the corner out of bow shot. 

Poljen growls.  Knowing that the group can not simply stand around and wait, he begins moving down the hall and readying his bow...

OOC:  Poljen will use movement, but figuring he was near Lia when this started, I see him getting to about Z-6.  NOT raging as of yet...

Velon moves swiftly in front of Lia and puts his shield up to protect her from the archers while she works her magic.  "Take cover out of their line of fire!  We have magic for this!"  He sees Lawrance readying a spell.

(Default action is Dodge action to protect Velon and Lia with the shield, pending result of Initiative order and any action by the skeletons.)

Hearing that Skeleton warriors are coming at us with bows and crossbows Cratol will move to V8 on his way to try and get to AB8 so that if they make it to this opening from the hallway he will be in position to attack them. 

Initiative:  12

Perry yells up at the evil omnidirectional voice from the sky, shaking his fist in the air angrily as he does so, "Now listen here, Mr. or Mrs. Evilperson. We are NOT test subjects. We are on a mission to save a beautiful ruby princess. Now tell us where you are so we can save a lot of time and, for Sune's sake, STOP sending these spooky skeletals!"

Shadowsnacks will move up against the wall as Perry dismounts. Now on the other side of the hall entrance from Lawrance, Perry unleashes three more beams of purple force energy at one of the skeletal archers. He takes cover behind the corner from the arrow storm.

  Lia cries out in pain as the arrows suddenly pierce her back.  She takes shelter behind Velon while she continues asking Sune to heal her friends.  

 Mari stays close by Lia to get the benefit of the healing.   She will look for anything that will offer cover and is still close to Lia.  

Poljen readies his bow, in case the magic being cast does not eliminate the threat from the archers.

Lawrence's spell causes havoc amongst the archers, one by one they light up and flare out, burning to a crisp. Only four survive the spell, one of whom is brought down by Perry's cantrip. The rest fire, and then retreat back the way they came. Velon succeeds in blocking 2 of the arrows, but the fourth snakes through and hits Lia with a glancing blow.

Keeping his spell going, he looks down the long corridor briefly, checking on the retreating foes. %I'll keep this aura going for the fullness of the spell's duration. It'll be  stopper for anything else that wants to come out to play, for the next few minutes. Obviously, this mysterious mastermind has forces down both directions. Which way do we want to proceed? I should have prepped my scouting eye.% 

Aisling's voice comes over the 'circuit', her chipper mental tone bright *I think this guy is in for a lot more than he's ready for. Let's get this ring around HIS neck and ask some questions!*

  Lia grimaces as another arrow pierces her body.  She manages to maintain her focus on her spell and continue with it.  

 Mari frowns as another arrow juts out of Lia.  Someone is going to pay for this and very soon.   

"Interesting, subject number seven hundred fifty five is considerably more resilient than she appears. Ah, yes, I see now, she is under divine influence from seven fifty two. No matter, it can be compensated for."

Velon helps Lia move to the safety of a corner and protects her while she finishes her spell.  When she is done he checks her wounds and says "you're a lot tougher than he thinks, and I doubt he's used to taunting Sune and Bahamut all in one day."  "He will regret this."

To the group the paladin says "he mentioned the throne room."  "Let's try to figure out which side of these walls and this gatehouse lead to the interior of this castle and head that way."

  Lia smiles as she is able to finish the spell.  She kisses him gently after he checks on her.  " You are the very best Velon.  So good to me.  " She looks over at the eye.  " Yes, he doesn't know who he is messing with.  Let's go give him a lesson  in harassing your betters.  Are you ready 752?" She winks   

The next few minutes are tense, but Lia is able to finish her spell, sending waves of healing magic over those around her. All is quiet.

Cratol seeing the archers retreating heads back over to lia and the others He will go to S8 so he can benefit from the spell and receive some healing.

%Well, those big doors look likely, for a main entrance. Shall we go and find the throne room?% Lawrance keeps a sharp few dozen eyes on the corridors and openings where the creatures have been issuing. 

%Gamliel, could you go and see what's down the opening where the Remorahz came from? Don't risk anything, just take a look.%

- Well, here goes another body...- Gamliel returns from the pocket dimension and flies off down the Eastern opening, exploring. 

%It's not like it's more than a hair follicle to you, you know?%

-Wait until you start losing your hair, and I'll say the same to you.-

21 Perception.

Velon looks around the chamber for evidence of which side faces the interior of the castle but does not find any clues.  Moving to the south door he studies it for a moment and then nods at Poljen to perhaps give him a hand.  The paladin pulls on the door and, if he can create some space, puts his shoulder into it and pushes off of the other door with his legs.

13

(rolled Athletics)

(Paul rolled an 11 in Discord for us.)

Perry steps up confidently to the gate. He examines it carefully. He checks the bottom of it, he checks the top of it, he looks around the sides. He sniffs the gate. "Hmm I see, this is a truly fantastic piece of construction. Great architecture, solid build quality." 

The bard approaches Lawrance nervously, knowing the pain and suffering that he is about to bring down upon himself with this next question. He asks the wizard and braces for impact, "Lawrance, I need everything you know about ancient strongmen lifting techniques. Give me the breakdown on how to open this thing."

He approaches Lia as well, "Lia, I need the Guidance of Sune to help me with this important task that only I can accomplish."

Once he is ready, Perry will attempt to open the south gate.

Lawrance's eyes go wide with the obscure and unexpected request, but he ponders a moment before mentally whispering %About all I've got is an old circus document I recall. By Pierre Turrant Barnum, I think, that talks about how, by bending the knees at a shallow 30 degree angle, but not going below 10 degrees, you can build up lift strength by a factor of three if you hold there for a few seconds. It then goes on about how proper bracing of the stomach is essential to prevent rupture and possible digestive explosion from both ends. Maybe try that?%

History attempt 33 DC15

As the rest of the party attempt to open the door, one by one, Lawrance stands there amazed by the portal's resilience. As Lia steps up he mentally says %I don't know why this is so hard to open, but it may help to know that some of the best castle entrances were cantilevered slightly inwards, meaning that if you lift it up slightly before pulling on it, it may help open it. Otherwise we need to break it down. Barbaric.%

-I think your strong people in this group a little too specialized. Opening a door seems beyond their skillsets-

%Shh, Gamliel, and keep scouting. %

-Just saying. You may have to use that Polymorph for it-

OOC - History roll of 20 for the +5 to Lia's attempt.