[Round 9]

Mira continues her musical inspiration, hoping to bolster her allies. Yet another volley of spears flies from the heights of the Ziggurat. All but one crash harmlessly to the canyon floor, but a single spear finds its mark as it stabs painfully into Jerry! Her magical armor attempts to deflect the blow, but fails. The undead surge forward, lowering themselves down each tier to the ground and making their way across the dusty red canyon to engage the others!

With a foe finally in range, Cross hurls Gar at the creature approaching Adran, but to no avail. Adrestia promptly stabs her own attacker cleanly through the eye hole, taking the head clean off as the tip hits the back of the skull! The body takes a random step to the side before tumbling into a pile. With a flourish she flings the obstruction from her weapon. Gritting her teeth through the pain, Jerry whips a sling stone at the Elven War Mage’s assailant. Her shot strikes the undead’s back with a loud CRACK, breaking free pieces of shoulder and rib bone.

Pytor, just out of reach of the skeleton, levels his bow at the thing attacking his ally and drives the shortbow shaft cleanly through it from nearly point-blank range! Chips of bone spray from the impact as it succumbs to death once again. Likewise, Artanis and Merrick cleanly strike the final skeleton making its approach; though unable to end it completely. Adrestia moves forward over her latest kill to strike down the badly damaged undead.

Meanwhile, Pyros and Elsa move for the rope to ascend. The nimble Kender makes the climb easily to the first tier, while the more heavily armored hafling struggles to make any headway; eventually unable to do so. Oh sure, it’s easy when you’re not wearing chain and toting a shield. she mutters frustrated.

More skeletons at the upper tier begin to take notice of the party. Pytor, Artanis and Adran all greet them with a hail of arrows; striking one down. However, in the process, Adran’s bowstring snaps!

[Actions Round 10?]
[Looks like the skeletons finally hit something again! Fortunately Jerry has that handy Regenerate Light Wounds spell on]
======
Init:

Mira (4+3 spell like ability): 7
Cross (5+2 Gar): 7
Skels tier3 (1+6 spear): 7
Adrestia (5+3 Mrapier): 8
Jerry (3+6 sling): 9
Pytor (4+6 Csb): 10
Merrick (4+6 sling): 10
Art (5+7 sb): 12
Pyros (10 +4 club): 14
Adran (8+8 LB): 16
Elsa (10+7 mace): 17

Mira continues her Bardic Inspiration [round 2 of 3] reaching her allies within 50 feet who are not in melee

Cross Holds for a foe to come within range

s301 throws its spear at Adran (AC 6, -5 for long range, -2 for 1/4 cover, -2 for Echoes spell)
Thac0 19 vs AC6 (-9): Need nat 20 to hit!
[1d20] = 13, miss!

s302 throws its spear at Artanis (AC 6, -5 for long range, -2 for 1/4 cover)
Thac0 19 vs AC6 (-7): Need nat 20 to hit!
[1d20] = 16, miss!

s303 throws its spear at Jerry (AC 6, -5 for long range)
Thac0 19 vs AC6 (-5): Need 18 to hit!
[1d20] = 20, Hit! Possible Crit!
[1d20] = 6, crit confirmed!
For [1d6] = 3 + [1d6] = 3 = 6 damage!
Jerry is Hurt! [10/16]

Armor Spell is reduced by 6 to [4/10]

s303 vs Jerry [1d20] = 20 [1d6] = 3
s303 Crit Conf [1d20] = 3 [1d6] = 3

s301 lowers itself to Tier 2, then moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 1, then moves 10 feet east and lowers itself to the canyon floor. Then it moves 40 feet NorthEast to engage Adrestia.

s302 lowers itself to Tier 2, then moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 1, then moves 10 feet east and lowers itself to the canyon floor. Then it moves 45 feet NorthEast to engage Adran.

s303 lowers itself to Tier 2, then moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 1, then moves 10 feet east and lowers itself to the canyon floor. Then it moves 45 feet NorthEast towards Adrestia

Cross, ready, throws his dagger Gar at s303 (AC7)
Thaco 20 vs AC7: Need 13+
[1d20] = 12, miss! (barely)

Cross vs s303 [1d20] = 12 [1d4] = 2

Adrestia stabs at s301 (AC 7 +2 Echoes spell) with her magical rapier
Thaco 14 vs AC 7 (+2): Need 5+ to hit
[1d20] = 15, hit!
For [1d6+4] = 7 dmg!
s301 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 4 dmg!
s301 is Destroyed!

Jerry fires a sling stone at s302 (AC 7, -2 in melee with Adran)
Thac0 20 vs AC 7 (-2): need 15+
[1d20] = 16, hit! (barely)
For [1d4+1] = 2 damage!
s302 is Hurt Badly!

Pytor fires His Composite Shortbow at s302 (AC 7, -2 in melee with Adran))
Thac0 16 vs AC 7 (-2): need 11+
[1d20] = 15, hit!
For [1d6+2] = 6 Damage
s302 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 3 dmg!
s302 is Destroyed!

Pytor vs s302 [1d20] = 15, [1d6+2] = 6, [1d20] = 12, [1d6+2] = 7

Merrick fires a sling stone at s303 (AC 7)
Thac0 19 vs AC 7: need 12+
[1d20] = 16, Hit!
For [1d4] = 4 damage!
s303 is Hurt Badly!

Art fires His Shortbow at s303 (AC 7)
Thac0 17 vs AC 7: need 10+
[1d20] = 11, hit! (barly)
For [1d6] = 2
s303 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 1 dmg!

Pyros moves 20 feet North to the rope and tries to climb…
Pyros climb [d100] = 13 Pass
Pyros climbs 10 feet to tier 1

Adran fires his Longbow, at s303 (AC 7)
Thaco 19 vs AC 7: need 12+
[1d20] = 8, miss!

Elsa moves 20 feet North to the rope and tries to climb [(base 40 -15 race -15 chainmail +55 rope and wall) => 65%]
[1d100] = 76, Fail!
Elsa fails to climb the rope!

Adrestia moves SouthWest 5 feet
Adresatia stabs, a second time, at s303 (AC 7) with her magical rapier
Thaco 14 vs AC 7: Need 7+ to hit
[1d20] = 7, hit! (barely!)
For [1d6+4] = 6 dmg!
s303 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 3 dmg!
s303 is Destroyed!

S304 – s306 spread out along Tier 3…

Pytor fires His Composite Shortbow, a second time, at s304 (AC 7)
Thac0 16 vs AC 7 (+2): need 7+
[1d20] = 12, hit!
For [1d6+2] = 7 Damage
s304 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 4 dmg!
s304 is Hurt Badly!

Art fires His Shortbow a second time, at s304 (AC 7)
Thac0 17 vs AC 7: need 10+
[1d20] = 12, hit!
For [1d6] = 6
s304 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 3 dmg!
s304 is Destroyed!

Adran fires his Longbow a second time, at s305 (AC 7)
Thaco 19 vs AC 7: need 12+
[1d20] = 1, miss! Possible Fumble!
[1d20] = 13, Fumble Confirmed!
Adran’s bowstring breaks!

s304 and s305 prepare to engage!

Jerry advances to short range [50'] from her next unengaged target and slings a stone at it.

======
Jerry sling THAC0 20 [1d20] = 19, [1d4+1] = 4+1 = 5

Pyros will wait on the tier he is on to attack anything that comes down to him.

======================

Cross will stick with the main force and use Gar if anything comes in range again.

Mira continues to sing, her voice hopefully rising higher than the sounds of battle, what was she doing? She should be out there fighting, helping her friends. Mace still in hand she prepares to defend herself if needed.

Pytor cracked a thin smile as he listened to Mira's song... "I was wondering if you could hit the same notes or not without your skin-tight bodice." He quips. Though her voice is clear and on pitch, even if the performance itself lacks the visual enhancements of her stage outfit. Though the skeletons were frightening, they did not provoke the mindless terror of his dreams. It had been far too long since he last felt the thrill of blood pounding in his veins while music played. It brought back old memories of the brawls that played out under the moonlight as the tribe's musicians played. Some mere challenges of strength, while others were to the blood or worse over honor deemed slighted. He had never felt more alive than in those moments and the ones after. The moments when the one who had eyes only for him would chastise Pytor for his recklessness and fret over any wounds no matter how minor.

Pytor let fly two arrows towards the nearest skeletons, but his thoughts and eyes are distracted.


Shortbow THAC0 16 [1d20] = 5 Damage [1d6+2] = 2+2 = 4 miss

Shortbow THAC0 16 [1d20] = 7 Damage [1d6+2] = 1+2 = 3 ?hit?

"You have no idea." Mira quips in return, just as the song fades, moments later it is replaced by another:

"Hear the sound of swords fulfill the night
Feel the winds of death on your skin
See the arrows fly, flaming in the sky
Hear the screams of men, as they die

We won this battle with might and fearless hearts
We came and we fulfilled our prophecy
So now we shall march back towards our kingdom
With heads up high and glimmering eyes
We returned with our glory

Silence now falls upon this blood red field
Vultures feasting with the flesh of dead bodies
"This is a great moment for all of us
But now its time to head back home victorious"

We won this battle with might and fearless hearts
We came and we fulfilled our prophecy
So now we shall march back towards our kingdom
With heads up high and glimmering eyes
We returned with our glory

We won this battle with might and fearless hearts
We came and we fulfilled our prophecy
So now we shall march back towards our kingdom
With heads up high and glimmering eyes
We returned with our glory."

"Battle song!" Jerry squeezes out between verses.
"Great heroes!"
"We'll win this!"
"Thank you, Mira!"

[Round 10]

The final strains of Mira’s song ring out through the dusty canyon creating a palpable air of courage, amping up her nearby allies. The newly engaged skeletons hurl their spears. The first aims for Adrestia but misses badly. The other completely fumbles the weapon, tangling it between his limbs and stumbling to a prone position. The first lowers itself down and moves towards the party. Lowering to the first tier, it moves to bypass Pyros in favor of those who had fired. Taking the opportunity, the Kender winds up a powerful swing and crushes the damaged skeleton.

The tripped skeleton still on the penultimate level regains its feet. Jerry hurls her sling stone against the undead foe, cracking it sharply with a well-placed shot. Pytor and Merrick fire as well, but fail to connect. Artanis has better luck and manages a glancing blow that breaks away a chunk of bone.

Elsa slips her weapon onto a beltloop and slides her shield strap further up her arm so that it hangs out of the way of her hand. The halfling glares at the rope and begins to climb. The heavy armor and gear belabor the process, but the cleric manages to haul herself up to the first tier. Readying her gear, she joins Pyros near the base of the second tier.

Several more skeletons move about on higher levels, coming into view of the others. Adran re-strings his bow while the Ranger and Gypsy man send a second volley into the air. This time it is Pytor who lands a shot; the flight arrow crashing through the badly damaged skeleton high above and sending it to oblivion.

[Actions Round 11?]
======
Init:

Mira (4+3 spell like ability): 7
Cross (5+2 Gar): 7
Skels tier3 (1+6 spear): 7
Adrestia (5+3 Mrapier): 8
Jerry (3+6 sling): 9
Pytor (4+6 Csb): 10
Merrick (4+6 sling): 10
Art (5+7 sb): 12
Pyros (10 +4 club): 14
Adran (8+8 LB): 16
Elsa (10+7 mace): 17

Mira finishes her Bardic Inspiration [round 3 of 3] reaching her allies within 50 feet who have not been in melee during the song. Artanis, Cross, Jerry, Pytor and Merrick are Inspired! [+1 to hit in Melee for 5 rounds]

Cross Holds for a foe to come within range

s305 throws its spear at Adrestia (AC 4, -5 for long range)
Thac0 19 vs AC4 (-5): Need nat 20 to hit!
[1d20] = 9, miss!

s306 throws its spear at Adrestia (AC 4, -5 for long range)
Thac0 19 vs AC4 (-5): Need nat 20 to hit!
[1d20] = 1, miss! Possible fumble!
[1d20] = 18, fumble confirmed!
s306 fumbles its spear, which tangles in its legs.

s306 tries to move to the ledge but stumbles over the spear and falls! (no movement this round)
s306 regains its feet


s305 lowers itself to Tier 2, then moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 1, then moves 10 feet east, passing Pyros.

Pyros opportunity attack
Pyros bashes with his Gold club at s17 (AC 7) and Becomes Visible!!!
Thac0 18 vs AC 7: Need 11+
[1d20] = 14, hit!
For [1d6] = 3
s305 is Destroyed!

Pyros vs s305 club, dagger [1d20] = 14, [1d6] = 3, [1d20] = 11, [1d4] = 2

Adrestia Holds for a foe to come near enough for her to move and attack it in melee.

Jerry fires a sling stone at s306 (AC 7)
Thac0 20 vs AC 7: need 13+
[1d20] = 19, hit!
For [1d4+1] = 5 damage!
s306 is Hurt Badly!

Jerry’s Regenerate Light Wounds restores 1 hp! [11/16]

Pytor fires His Composite Shortbow at s306 (AC 7)
Thac0 16 vs AC 7 (+2): need 7+
[1d20] = 5, miss!

Merrick fires a sling stone at s306 (AC 7)
Thac0 19 vs AC 7: need 12+
[1d20] = 2, miss!

Art fires His Shortbow at s306 (AC 7)
Thac0 17 vs AC 7: need 10+
[1d20] = 15, hit!
For [1d6] = 2
s306 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 1 dmg!
s306 is About to be Destroyed!

Pyros moves to the wall and holds until another skeleton climbs down

Adran replaces his bowstring

Elsa tries to climb [(base 40 -15 race -15 chainmail +55 rope and wall) => 65%]
Elsa climb check [1d100] = 16, pass!
Elsa climbs to up to the first tier, moves 10 feet West to the wall and holds until another skeleton climbs down.

s215 and s216 move 30 feet east, notice the party and prepare to engage!

Pytor fires His Composite Shortbow, a second time, at s306 (AC 7)
Thac0 16 vs AC 7 (+2): need 7+
[1d20] = 7, hit! (barely)
For [1d6+2] = 3 Damage
s306 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 2 dmg!
s306 is Destroyed!

Art fires His Shortbow at s215 (AC 7)
Thac0 17 vs AC 7: need 10+
[1d20] = 4, miss!

s307 and s308 spread out along Tier 3, and notice the party and prepare to engage!

Jerry winds up another sling stone and releases at an unengaged for before moving back 30'.

======
Jerry sling THAC0 20 [1d20] = 12, [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

"This seems like a good place. Also doesn't look like you want to climb up another level."

Pyros will get ready with his two weapons again. For anything that gets down to his level with-in his movement range.

Taking up her crossbow once more Mira aims for the closest creature, she pulls the trigger and fires, her own song raising her heart.

"They will end, they have to end!" She screams in definance, notching another bolt.

[1d20] = 14 (Thaco 18) [1d8] = 3 Hit AC 6 for 3 damage.

"Then I will make it a point to personally experience your high note, once we are in a proper and comfortable setting. This foul place is unworthy of your dulcet."
Pytor fires two arrows at the remaining skeletons.

Shortbow THAC0 16 [1d20] = 7 Damage [1d6+2] = 4+2 = 6 ?hit?

Shortbow THAC0 16 [1d20] = 10 Damage [1d6+2] = 5+2 = 7 hit

[R11]

Yet another pair of spears sails from the top of the Ziggurat, and the skeletons begin to clamor down towards the group. The undead halt at the sight of the halfings and turn to confront them. The archers and sling wielders on the canyon floor answer in kind, but to little avail. Unlike her fellows, Mira's bolt cuts down one of the two remaining undead still armed before it can launch an attack.

Back to back, Elsa and Pyros bash at the bony defenders; each badly damaging their opponents. The last unengaged skeleton in view hurls its spear with little effect, and makes its way down to the canyon floor. Moving quickly across the baked landscape it approaches the dusky-hued gypsy-woman. With a flourish, she strikes it down like so much dry grass with her magical sword.

Pytor and Artanis fire again, each sending arrows unerringly to the skeletons surrounding their allies on the first tier. The shortbow shafts shatter the creatures where they land, sending the restless bones to eternal peace. Adran draws his own string back, searching for any new targets.

[Actions Round 12?]
[A reprieve! … -ish. No other skeletons move into view. The position of those on the map are out of sight of the members of the party, but is inferred. Skeletons with yellow rings around them are still turned by Elsa... for now...]
======
Init:

Cross (5+2 Gar): 7
Skels tier3 (1+6 spear): 7
Adrestia (5+3 Mrapier): 8
Jerry (3+6 sling): 9
Pytor (4+6 Csb): 10
Merrick (4+6 sling): 10
Mira (4+7 x-bow): 11
Art (5+7 sb): 12
Pyros (10 +4 club): 14
Adran (8+8 LB): 16
Skels tier2 (10+6 spear): 16
Elsa (10+7 mace): 17

Cross Holds for a foe to come within range

s307 throws its spear at Jerry (AC 6, -5 for long range)
Thac0 19 vs AC6 (-5): Need 18 to hit!
[1d20] = 15, miss!

s307 vs Jerry [1d20] = 15, [1d6] = 1

s308 throws its spear at Adrestia (AC 4, -5 for long range)
Thac0 19 vs AC4 (-5): Need 20 to hit!
[1d20] = 12, miss!

s307 moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 2, then moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 1.
s307 turns to confront Elsa.

s308 moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 2, then moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 1.
s308 turns to confront Pyros.

Adrestia Holds for a foe to come near enough for her to move and attack it in melee.

Jerry fires a sling stone at s215 (AC 7)
Thac0 20 vs AC 7: need 13+
[1d20] = 12, miss! (barely)
Jerry sling THAC0 20 [1d20] = 12, [1d4+1] = 1+1 = 2

Jerry’s Regenerate Light Wounds restores 1 hp! [12/16]
Regenerate Light Wounds ends

Pytor fires His Composite Shortbow at s215 (AC 7)
Thac0 16 vs AC 7 (+2): need 7+
[1d20] = 6, miss! (barely)

Merrick fires a sling stone at s215 (AC 7)
Thac0 19 vs AC 7: need 12+
[1d20] = 9, miss

Mira fires her light crossbow at s215
Thac0 18 vs AC 7: Need 11+
[1d20] = 14, Hit!
For [1d8] = 3
s215 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 2 dmg!
s215 is Destroyed!

Art fires His Shortbow at s216 (AC 7)
Thac0 17 vs AC 7: need 10+
[1d20] = 5, miss

Pyros bashes with his Gold club at s308 (AC 7)
Thac0 18 vs AC 7: Need 11+
[1d20] = 12, hit!
For [1d6] = 5
s308 is Hurt Badly

Pyros stabs with his dagger at s308 (AC 7)
Thac0 18 vs AC 7: Need 11+
[1d20] = 9, miss!
Pyros vs s308 club, dagger [1d20] = 12, [1d6] = 5, [1d20] = 9, [1d4] = 4

Adran fires his Longbow at s216 (AC 7)
Thaco 19 vs AC 7: need 12+
[1d20] = 10, miss

s216 throws its spear at Adran (AC 6, -5 for long range, -2 for 1/4 cover)
Thac0 19 vs AC6 (-7): Need nat 20 to hit!
[1d20] = 15, miss!

s216 moves 5 feet East and lowers itself to Tier 1, then moves 10 feet East and lowers itself to the canyon floor and moves 50 feet northeast to confront Adrestia.

Adrestia, ready, stabs at s216 (AC 7) with her magical rapier
Thaco 14 vs AC 7: Need 7+ to hit
[1d20] = 17, hit!
For [1d6+4] = 9 dmg!
s216 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 5 dmg!
s216 is Destroyed!

Elsa bashes at s307 (AC 7) with her silver mace
Thaco 18 vs AC 7: Need 11+
[1d20] = 12, hit!
For [1d6+1] = 4 damage!
s307 is Hurt Badly

Pytor fires His Composite Shortbow at s307 (AC 7, -1 in melee with Elsa s307)
Thac0 16 vs AC 7 (+1): need 8+
[1d20] = 10, hit!
For [1d6+2] = 7 damage!
s307 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 4 dmg!
s307 is Destroyed!

Art fires His Shortbow a second time, at s308 (AC 7, -1 in melee with Pyros)
Thac0 17 vs AC 7 (-1): need 11+
[1d20] = 13, hit!
For [1d6] = 6
s308 takes (half dmg vs piercing) = 3 dmg!
s308 is Destroyed!

Adran prepares to fire a second time, but there are no more targets...
No other skeletons come immediately into view!

Pyros will move away from the wall and look up. If he doesn't see anything he will shout. "Keep up!" And head for the corner. If he encounters any skeletons he will bash them.
=============
Fenrir, are there any of those creatures left?"

Cross will move if the group moves.

Jerry advances and tries to recover any of her precious sling ammunition that fell at ground level.
(If she know that all her ammo in on one of the pyramid tiers then instead she will climb up to the rope onto the lowest tier.)