Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

     ((I believe the hallway in question is the one leading to crypt 12 on the map on previous page...))

((Ah, "east" meant "for that map" - why can not writers use traditional position for cardinal points!))

Then "let's ignore the crypt" stays. Lionel would like an excuse not to desecrate yet another grave. (But the trap can probably be studied by coveting one hole from a distance with a torch if skeleton is too precious?)

Ketch examines the holes with a torch.  He sees the pointy end of a small dart inside.  Seems they likely shoot out.  There are 4 holes and they are set at differing heights and spots in the wall to achieve a good "coverage".  Looking carefully at the floor you note the panels on the floor that trigger the trip.  Ketch easily enough can push on it with his axe without endangering himself.  There's a click and four darts shoot out into the empty hallway clattering against the opposite wall.  There are some grinding and clicking noises as the trap seems to reset itself.  

East is actually "right" on the map.  This one is actually crypt #6:  

"Ketch, can you do that again? It's got to run out of darts at some point? Unless it's magical, I guess. I know this isn't the Mother's crypt, but I just wondered if the crypt of a Saint contained anything remotely 'holy', it might be of use. I was initially clutching at straws a little, and would just give up on it, but the fact that someone's bothered to trap it makes me even more curious."

"The trap can be defused for some time and recharge later (or be recharged by the master of the house or his servants). But yes, let's try it again." 

     Ketch will again press the trigger with his axe, but this time he will try to hold the trigger down.  He's guessing maybe if it continues to be depressed it will not move on to the reloading function.  So he will test that supposition out and if it works will keep it pressed while others investigate.

As ketch holds the plate down the trap is unable to reset and the group can pass by unharmed. The door is not locked. This crypt smells of roses. The remains atop its marble I slab have disintegrated, except for one thighbone.  Meepo, you see the thighbone is magical. 

Mordekai leans in, having convinced himself that any magical essence in this crypt will be good, rather than evil, and encouraged by the ease with which they dealt with the previous encounter.  "How can something dead and decayed for so long still smell of roses?"

He picks up the last remaining... remains... for a closer look. 

Investigation: 12

     Ketch farts.  "Yep, that's definitely roses..."

Mordekai glances back at the flatulent half-orc, and then grabs the thighbone. It actually has small gems embedded in one end...the 'handle' end....and the other end has chunks metal in it. You figure it would pass very well for a mace.  Also....it feels magical to the touch. 

As he touches it a ghostly form appears above the dust, so faint that you can barely discern more than part of a face. From this apparition comes the faintest of whispers: "The vampire must be destroyed. Use me as your weapon." With that, it fades away.

Mordekai takes a half step back as the apparition appears, wary. But as it speaks its words and fades away, Mordekai relaxes. 

"Meepo, can you identify this? I think it's found use as a weapon."

Mordekai places it on the floor so that Meepo doesn't need to touch it if he doesn't want to 

Meepo scuttles forward, climbing down from his skeleton to do so. He casts identify on the thigh bone.

Meepo has needs to touch the thighbone as part of the identify spell.  Meepo finishes his spell, and lays his hand upon the weapon.  A burning sensation runs up his hand and along his arm as he does so, radiant power blazing from the thing.  (You take 11 radiant damage.)    Hissing in pain, a thin wisp of smoke coming from his hand, Meepo leaps back.  This thighbone is from a once holy priest, and is now imbued with a desire to destroy vampire....though...it will work on any undead or even fiends.... it acts as a Mace of Disruption.

Meepo's hand has a black burn across it. He looks at it, expecting it to heal, but it does not...the burn remains....for a few seconds more at least. After maybe 15 seconds, the burn fades away. 

"Meepo no like." Meepo says with a frown. "Good to fight vampire though..." He moves away from it, climbing back atop his skeleton and sulking back into his cloak again, still cradling his hand.

"Not to promote some cliches... but that does look as a natural weapon of a holy man of your stature." Lionel weighted the bone in hand and gave it to Ketch. The weapon clearly wanted to be found and used, sharing the hatred towards vampires with his sword and himself, so, Lionel fully supported that particular desecration now.

     Ketch, still standing on the trap trigger to keep if from resetting, looks over thighbone for a few moments and then swings it a couple of test swings, testing it's weight and balance and heft.  "It does sound like it would be handy for us," Ketch admitted, obviously enjoying the feel of it in his hand.  "And we will undoubtedly come across more undead..."

     "Still...  Ulthan, I think I heard you grumble of not having a melee weapon to use?  We should all have a weapon to use for the up close fighting in case it comes to it..." Ketch offers, reluctantly.  "Or if you'd prefer to carry my Battleaxe.  It is enchanted and should be able to strike even the most slippery of foes....  But I'd need it back!  This axe and I have been through many a battle together, and shall be in many more, by Gruumsh!"

((At least at first, ketch is probably more likely to be a front line fighter against undead so perhaps he should carry the thighbone...  But does make sense for you to have something magical in case that's required to his Strahd or whatever else we stumble across.))

(Ulthan has another lightsaber glowing sentient sword now and the only one capable of using it too)

((Forgot about that...  Alrighty, axe stowed and Thighbone equipped!  Or at least Ketch will start attuning to it.))

The group makes their way out of the crypt, and under the sea of bats.  Their fluttering and constant chirping unsettling. 

Now where? There are many crypts left, and at least two larger crypts down sets of stairs, though one is blocked by a portcullis. 

"hrmpfh you fight front you have mace hrmpfh." "hrmpfh Ulthan bow first melee second hrmpfh" Ulthan wills his giant maul to also be that destructive against undead, but apparently nothing happens.