Descending the Temple Depths

- Albert -

A web of light, for all to see, pulses out from your- and your companions' glowing weapons, lancing out to indicate the threats.

The difference between the two 'dead' skeletons and the still active one is quite clear. However, that also reveals activity from the ones Rook is boasting about blowing up, apparently fire and force are not enough to end their unlife, and they are starting to pull themselves back together in the moss-crater left by the explosion.

If you are reading the thickness indicators right the threats from down the open corridors are drawing nearer, but still less than halfway here. If you act quick you will be able to deal with the skeleton's in this room and then prepare for any new arrivals.

Not knowing whether the thickness takes twists and turns into account --though it appears it does since it curves out through the doors-- makes it tricky to judge, but you might be able to predict which will arrive first and set an ambush or move to attack.

What do you do?

Deoring walks briskly up to Albert and Rook.

"Albert, it seems that everyone who has held your staff, imbued with Raynor’s fire, has their own weapon blessed by Raynor. My sword has no effect against these foul skeletons, but with Raynor’s blessing, I hope to help you rid this temple of these unnatural beings. May I hold your staff for a moment while we say a prayer to Raynor?"

The captain takes Albert's hand as he helps her stand.

"J-just c-cold..." She says in answer to his question about her wellbeing. Albert might notice that she does not actually feel cold to the touch.

"I..." She hesitates. "I am not equipped to handle this." She waves her hand at the skeleton dancing with Roald, and whole situation --so outside of her normal controlled and regimented lifestyle.

"Maybe you should..." She starts to say, but then Deoring lets out his shout and she jumps, looking over to what he is doing. "Wait... is that all it takes...? May I..." She says --slightly shyly-- reaching for the offered staff.

As her drawn sword lights up she seems to shrug off the effects of the grave-cold and regain some of her commanding demeanour. She does some quick calculations before calling out:

"Everyone! To Roald! Work as a Group: Kill it," She indicates the standing one by Roald, "then finish Rook's ones!"

"Asha! Move your ass! The best cure for fear is killing the thing you are afraid of!" She calls as she strides over to help Roald, but her words don't penetrate the deep panic that is immobilising the girl.

Albert's blow rocks the skeleton backwards, and, with a flash of light, Deoring's slash severs the arm holding its sword thus making it much less dangerous, the captain swings in with another flash of light, pleased to see that she is also able to be effective

The skeleton attempts to make a swing before it notices that its sword-arm is gone. It eyes go from staring at the stump to angrily glaring at you all, then tilts back its head and lets out a scream of silent rage... or is it a call for help? A cold wind that does not flutter Rook's torch blows in from the tunnel you came from.

Behind you, one of the two blown up skeletons has managed to stand, it looks wobbly on its new --and possibly mismatched?-- legs, and it too is looking around for its missing arm and half its torso.

What do you do?

Ribs go flying from from Deoring's sword, glittering as the light of Raynor's fire purges them of unlife. These skeletons can clearly feel pain --though they tend to react to it with anger rather than fear. It tries to lash out at the source of that pain, but Albert's skewering staff prevents it from reaching its assailants.

Faint sounds of movement can be heard from the tunnel Rook booby-trapped with fire. The noise of the battle makes it hard to tell details but the light from the torch should give you some warning about an approach from that direction.

Unnoticed, at your backs, in the centre of the room, the second blown-up skeleton reaches out --almost plaintively-- to its companion who appears to have stolen one of its legs. The standing one 'grunts' unsympathetically and reaches down, grabbing the legless torso, lifting it and fusing it to the missing parts of its own body. Maybe it thinks three arms are better than one?

What do you all do?