Turn 76 -- Surrounded!!

Eyeing the approaching shapes suspiciously, Druckner moves to whisper to Tal, Dain and Ortho, "Pssst, heads up! We've got company, get some light back here."

Not waiting for the others to come forward, Druckner returns to his position beside the rock and points his crossbow at the shapes, "Hold it right there! We've got your covered. What's your business here?" The shapes pay no heed to the words of the fiery dwarf and pause only a moment before continuing their slow procession toward the group.

Turning on his heel at Druckner's challenge, Gnore turns to face the shadows while still on one knee. He listen's as Druckner shouts a challenge to the shapes watching their reaction carefully. Gouging the tip of his sword into the ground before him, Gnore tenses his body in anticipation of battle as he watches the scene before him unfold.

Licking his lips in nervous anticipation of coming events, a horrid thought creeps into Garth's mind. Hoping his guess is wrong but preparing for the worst, he raises his shield to protect himself from crossbow fire. Reaching inside his armor and tunic, he pulls out his silvery crescent moon. Holding it forward, Garth presses through the group until he is shoulder to shoulder with Brother Randor.

Addressing him, Garth says softly, "I think now is the time we need to be strong in our faith Brother Randor. I believe that some of those things coming toward us are unholy creations from that priest of theirs."

Randor looks at Garth and says, "Though I know not what is coming or how you know there are creatures of evil, I will back you."

Raising his holy symbol of Selune, Garth chants with fervor, "I cast into damnation all things spawned from evil and unholy acts! Let only mortal flesh come into my sight! I command these things by the power of Selune, whose gentle light cleanses the heart and soul!"

Randor pulls forth his holy symbol as well and begins humming softly as Garth cries forth, once he is finished, Randor bellows forth, "Tyr, lend me strength to banish these creatures of evil! Black spawn of the dead, you shall fight no more!"

Those watching the progress of the shapes notice a slight pause following the powerfull words of the priests. The lapse is only momentary before the group is struck with an overwhelming feeling and presence of evil coming from one of the oncoming shapes. A great feeling of despair wracks the party. Renewed by the power of the evil that spawned them, the undead continue onward driven by their unholy priests.

Witnessing the display of Garth and Randor, Talimar realizes what the party is now facing and hisses, "Undead!" The elf then turns back to the others, "Form a line, warriors and clerics in the front, if you don't have any spells against undead Dain, keep a watch to the rear." The elf drops to one knee as he strings his bow, notching an arrow and sighting down the passage, ready to fire at any moment.

Hearing Druckner's concern about the intruders at the rear and watching the unsuccessfull attempt by the other priests, Ortho motions to Bob to stay right where he is before moving behind him to stand with Bob between himself and the oncoming beings. He then begins slowly chanting softly to Moraddin and within moments his hand begins to glow a light blue. He then finishes chanting and points to a section of the cave roof above the oncoming beings. Quickly the entire passageway is brightly lit. From the spell of the dwarf the group can make out six oncoming zombies followed by two evil looking priests.

The priest walking along the southern edge of the passageway appears to be a middle aged man of medium height (5' 8" or so) and medium build. He has cropped gray hair balding at the crown; generally a pudgy and unhealthy looking sort. He appears to be dressed in very nice chain mail carrying a shield and a footman's mace. He has a rather unsightly wart on his nose as well.

The priest to the north of this one appears to be the leader of the group. She is of average height (5' 7") and in her mid 30's with long, curly black hair and what appears to be green eyes. Her fingers are unually long and slender and she moves switfly and gracefully. In addition to a flattering black robe, she wears a rich blue cloak with silver clasps at the neck. Beneath that, she appears to wear chain mail and carries a rather large sickle with her. She moves forward to speak, stopping perhaps twenty yards or so before the companions.

"You are in no position to command anything from me, dwarf!" she says as she points to Druckner. "You are trespassers here and will be destroyed. There is no discussion!"

And with that, she apparently speaks some silent command as the zombies advance on the party.

Back at the shack, Kersath, Kre and Ras are initially unaware of the approach of the creatures. Kersath once again checks out the windows of the shack and after being reassured that they are nailed shut, he prepares to enter the front door the shack; twin longswords drawn and at the ready. Just before he does though, he hears the challenge issued by Druckner echoing across the chamber walls. He looks at Kre quizzically before the two move away from the shack and over to Talimar to see what is happening. Ras disappears into the shadows as he tries to use the cover of the darkness to his advantage.

As the priestess commands the zombies forward, Druckner, Gnore, Ortho, Randor and Garth take up positions across the passageway to stop their advance. As the zombies get close, Druckner fires a round from his crossbow. The bolt zips harmlessly through the air before burying into the cavern wall. Druckner drops the weapon and grasps his trusty axe as the others prepare their weapons. Gnore's blood is about to boil as the battle lust begins to flow through his body.

From the center of the group, Dain gets an idea. Pulling out a bit of spider web, he speaks a few words of magic, drawing in the energy needed for the spell. Speaking the word of power, he throws web to the ground in the direction of the advancing zombies. A magical web springs forth from the fingers of the mage and flies over the heads of the kneeling dwarves. The creation strikes the advancing zombies and quickly wraps them up.

"Take that, you worthless dribs!" shouts the excited mage.

The others take up the cheer of Dain as they see the zombies flail around harmlessly in the chamber. The moment of celebration is short-lived at best though as the group feels the release of magical energy from before them as they see the priestess speak a word of power and dispell Dain's creation. The zombies quickly start toward the group once again.

From the rear of the party, Kersath and Kre are quickly surprised as a crash comes from the area of the shack. Turning, they quickly see the door burst open and Ramor and the two fleeing fighters from above come to engage them. The party is surrounded!

Kersath is able to parry two clumsy blows from the first fighter to reach him. Kre is also just able to see the halfing Causwell step out of the shadows behind him as the little thief brings a knife toward the back of Kre. The nimble half-elf dodges the blow from the halfling.

"Enough of this!" shouts Randor from the front as he watches the zombies draw closer, "By the power of Tyr I shall send you on your way once again!" He then brings his warhammer around in a matter arc toward the nearest zombie. The enraged Hand of Tyr lands two solid blows to the chest of the creature, the sickening thud audible to the ears of all as each blow lands. The creature is undaunted though and brings a slow blow toward the head of Randor. The priest brings up his shield though to catch the clumsy attempt.

Realizing that the party has been trapped, Ras decides now is the time to act and step out of the shadows to join the battle, not before using his hiding to strike a vicious blow to the back of one of the fighters engaged with Kre. The man howls with rage as the halfing's daggers buries deep into his back.

Rising to his feet, Talimar sights an approaching zombie and quickly fires two volleys of arrows at the approaching beast. The first sails wide of its mark while the second glances off the right shoulder, tearing a large chunk of flesh from the decayed body.

Seeing the fury of the attack from Randor, Garth takes heart and launches one of his own on the foul beast before him. His mighty mace swings around in a deadly arc, the zombie dodging the first strike of the dwarf but is way too slow to miss the second, which strikes hard into the chest of the beast. The weakened bones of the creature easily crack and break under the force of the blow and the zombie falls to the ground at Garth's feet, it's unnatural life force leaving its body.

Behind the advancing zombies, the priestest Shilak speaks a few words of prayer and points to Dain, releasing the energy given to her from her evil god. Just as the word is spoken, the area around Dain goes eerily silent, no sound coming from Dain or any of his companions around him. A look of horror comes over the face of Dain as he realizes that he cannot cast while he is under the spell of the priestess!

At this same time, the priest Imrin looks to Talimar and releases another just as harmful spell to the mage/warrior. A shriek of terror escapes the lips of Talimar as the world suddenly goes unnaturally dark before the open eyes of the elf. Talimar's hands fly out helplessly as he tries in vain to escape the magical darkness inflicting him.

Back at the rear, Kre renews his attack on the fighter before him, his daggers flashing out at blinding speed attempting to open a deadly wound to the smelly man before him. He is unsuccessful though as the man sidesteps his attacks. Kersath attacks the fighter opposite him, attempting to dispath the younger man before turning his attention to the man Ramor. With a lightning quick thrust his longsword in his right hand opens a deep gash in the side of the man. A look of horror and shock comes over the face of the young man and Kersath attempts to take the momentary diversion to deal the killing blow. Unfortunately, the man recovers in time and brings his sword up to block the downward swing of the dark elf.

Kre is not as fortunate as the smelly man before him lands a stinging blow across his forearm, opening a small gash and elicitingy a wicked smile from the man.

Along the front, Ortho takes the lead of his other companions and begins an attack on the nearest zombie.

"Glory to Ironrock!!!" he shouts as he brings his mighty axe down, burying it deep into the chest of the zombie. He carries it on down, driving the evil creature to the ground where it will never rise again.

A stream of curses spring forth from the mouth of Gnore as he springs forth from his crouch, his mighty bastard sword swinging mightily. The slow moving zombie before him is no match as the enraged dwarf cuts the creature to pieces, its lifeless body falling to the ground beside its hellspawn companions. The remaining two zombies, each oblivious to the demise of their comrades, continue their attack. The first misses a blow to Brother Randor while the second is more fortunate, landing a blow to Ortho as he tries to retrieve his axe from the chest of the fallen zombie.

At the rear, Kre becomes enraged at the insulance of the smelly man before him and brings both his daggers around once again. The first opens a deep gash across the mans abdomen, killing him for sure in time; but Kre continues as he brings his left hand across, the dagger opening another gash to the man's throat, his blood spurting forth.

"Where's that smile now, eh?" asks Kre to the dying man as he watches him fall helplessly to the ground, still cluthing his exposed stomach.

To his right, Kre sees Kersath engaged with Ramor and the other fighter and goes to assist him. Before he can get there, he sees Kersath bury one sword deep into the stomach of the younger fighter. The man clutches at the wound in vain as he slowly dies. Unfortunately for Kersath though, the attack left him open to Ramor who brings his sword across the exposed side of Kersath. The quick agility of the dark elf is the only thing that saved him as he is able to twist and avoid the full force of the blow. It still opens a deep gash into the side of Kersath but for the moment, he will continue the fight.

Ras and Causwell continue their trading of blows as the two halfing's circle one another, each looking for an opening to dispatch of the other with a well placed dagger. Each sidesteps a series of blows from the other as they continued their well-timed dance.

At the front, Druckner lands another blow to the zombie that struck Ortho, the blow knocks the creature to the ground, where it remains. Behind the combatants, Shilak releases another burst of energy and power, points at Ortho, Garth, and Gnore and speaks the final word of power. The three powerfull dwarves are instantly held in place by the evil power of the priestess. Frantic minds turn to panic as the warriors realize they are powerless for the moment, their eyes darting around at the action taking place around them and the evil smile creeping across the priestess' face. Her satisfaction quickly vanishes as she slumps to one knee from the exertion of her casting. She quickly recovers and using her sickle, stands once again.

Undaunted by his inability to cast, Dain draws forth two of his daggers and throws them toward the last remaining zombie. Both daggers strike the creature with a satisfying thud as they come to rest it's chest. The zombie stumbles forward before falling lifeless to the ground.

Seeing his held companions, Randor rushes forward to engage the priest Imrin. "For Tyr!" he shouts as he swings his warhammer. He strikes Imrin a solid blow to his left side, momentarily knocking the wind from the priest.

As Randor is engaged with Imrin, Shilak slowly recovers a modicum of strength and using her sickle as a staff, slowly walks toward the magically held Ortho, Gnore, and Garth.