The ghost of the fallen queen disappeared from view, but moments later we heard a mighty crash from the other side of the door leading out of the crypt we were in, followed by other, equally violent sounds. I opened the door, and saw the remains of a large stone that had dropped from the ceiling. Not ten paces further down the hall, there were iron spikes sticking out of the ground, clearly there to impale any poor soul that set off those traps.

Captain Jack scowled as he looked over my shoulder at the scene. “The Queenie be making our job getting through here easy enough, but she’ll be calling the whole castle down upon us! We best be getting a move on, lassie!”

“Aye,” I nodded. “Everyone, let’s move. Follow the traps that have been set off, and don’t touch anything, yeah? I don’t want to see what defenses haven’t been activated, or try dealing with an angry ghost if we don’t have to. Not when we have more fighting ahead of us.”

No one disagreed, so I led the way, moving quickly through the catacombs. As I suspected, a trail of sprung traps and obviously deactivated defenses led the way, until we found ourselves before a set of stairs, leading upwards. Climbing the steps, I heard the queen’s voice in my ear, whispering, “Don’t forget, I want all three of them dead!”

I suppressed a shudder as I made it to the ground floor, and the palace proper. The palace was made of white stone inlaid with jade and gold, making for an exotic feel. Elves may be at home in the forests, but that did not mean they were idiots. Stone was harder to unmake, and easier to repair, than creating a dwelling out of a tree specially grown and shaped into that form over a thousand years, or other such crap. Such things might work as the elven version of a wizard’s tower, or a druid’s home, but for a permanent edifice, to display the power and might of the kingdom to its people and visitors alike? A tree simply would not do.

At any rate, the plush green carpet, designed to look like it was made of green grass, did a good job of hiding our footsteps as we spilled out into the hallway. Captain Dawson looked around, and began pointing out different members of his crew. “Silvyr, Lathai, you two take the lads, and split up. Make some noise, find some booty. Don’t worry about being gentle with the guards. No witnesses, no survivors.” He looked at a skeletal woman wearing a mage’s robes, and said, “Nalaea, you and me will be sticking with miss not-an-angel and her friends, give them some extra firepower.”

“Hmph. That is fine. The Spider Queen will surely be pleased if I help kill the queen of an elven kingdom. Perhaps it will even be enough to get her to forgive my weakness in getting caught and turned into this lowly form to begin with.”

I chuckled, but didn’t say anything. If half the stories about Lolth, the Spider Queen, were true, then a drow who fell and was made into an undead against her will would have to do far more than just kill a queen to regain her favor. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Of course, even with the undead running around slaughtering the staff and distracting the guards, I knew we wouldn’t be so lucky as to get all the way to the throne room without being seen. That was where most of the guards would be located, after all. And, as it turned out, I was right.

“INTRUDERS! SLAY THEM!”

From down the hall, we saw eight elves in the armor and livery of the royal guard. Or, rather, we saw what had formerly been elves. Their more twisted, fearsome expressions, and the beginnings of horns piercing their skin proved that the blood of fiends was running hot in them. And they looked none too pleased to see us.

Initiatives

Captain Jack

Corrupted Royal Guards

Fartooth

Melinda

Vestele

Nalaea

Siora

Captain Jack’s Attack Roll (CRG3): 1d20+40 = 53 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 18 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 11 (Electric)

The undead pirate laughed, and drew the rapier at his hip. This was the first time he’d touched hand to hilt in the time I’d seen him, and as the rapier slid from the sheath, it crackled in lightning, barely contained by the enchantment on the blade, like someone had taken a thunderbolt and bound it to a physical form. “Come, lassie! There’s only a few of them. I’ll take the four on the right, and leave the rest of you the four on the left!” And, with that, he sprang forward, driving his blade into a gap in the defender’s plate armor.

CRG1’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+34 = 38 (Miss)

CRG1’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+29 = 38 (Miss)

CRG1’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+24 = 30 (Miss)

CRG1’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+19 = 28 (Miss)

CRG2’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+34 = 40 (Miss)

CRG2’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+29 = 45 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 24 (Slashing) (DR 5/Bludgeoning)

CRG2’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+24 = 29 (Miss)

CRG2’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+19 = 26 (Miss)

CRG3’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+34 = 41 (Miss)

CRG3’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+29 = 46 (Miss, Dodge)

CRG3’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+24 = 28 (Miss)

CRG3’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+19 = 27 (Miss)

CRG4’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+34 = 40 (Miss)

CRG4’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+29 = 47 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 24 (Slashing) (Immune, Epic Dodge)

CRG4’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+24 = 41 (Miss)

CRG4’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+19 = 26 (Miss)

CRG5’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+34 = 39 (Miss)

CRG5’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+29 = 37 (Miss)

CRG5’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+24 = 42 (Miss)

CRG5’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+19 = 31 (Miss)

CRG6’s Attack roll (Jack): 1d20+34 = 46 (Hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 19 (Slashing) (DR 5/Bludgeoning)

CRG7’s Attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+34 = 37 (Miss)

CRG8’s Attack roll (Melinda): 1d20+34 = 51 (Crit Threat)

Confirm Crit: 1d20+34 = 39 (Normal hit)

Damage: 1d10+16 = 21 (Slashing)

Iron Vulnerability: 1d6 = 2 (DR 15/Cold Iron)

The guards, despite being corrupted by the essence of the abyss, moved like the well-trained elites they were. Six of them moved to surround Captain Jack, but the swashbuckler was more than a match for them. Only thrice did the guards’ blades slip through his defenses, and even then, somehow, miraculously, one of the blows simply did not land!

As for me, two others came forward from the second rank, to challenge me and keep me from supporting the captain. I dodged one of the blades, easily, but the other I just barely danced back enough to take the hit across my shoulder, instead of the decapitation he was going for. It may have been my imagination, but the blade seemed to glow for a second, as it sought my throat. Figures that the royal guards would have particularly nasty blades.

Fartooth’s Swarm of Arrows: 1d20+32 = 47 (Hit)

All enemies in 30’ damage: 1d6+11 = 13 (Piercing)

All enemies in 30’ wounding: 1 CON

Fartooth chittered. “Well, we needed a warm-up after that walk through the tunnel.” As he said that, the little Kobold unleashed a flurry of arrows from his psychic bow, striking each and every one of the guards, all of whom looked more the worse for wear because of it.

Melinda’s Tumble Check: 1d20+28 = 42 (Success)

Melinda’s Concentration Check: 1d20+36 = 41 (Success)

Melinda’s CL Check: 1d20+35 = 41 (Success)

Utterdark Doom: 14d6 = 56 (Negative Energy)

Jack: Heals 56 damage

CRG1’s Ref Save: 1d20-2 = 16 (Fail) (Full Damage)

CRG1’s Fort Save: 1d20+2 = 19 (Fail) (2 Negative Levels)

CRG2’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 12 (Fail) (Full Damage)

CRG2’s Fort Save: 1d20+14 = 32 (Success)

CRG3’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 30 (Success) (Half Damage)

CRG3’s Fort Save: 1d20+14 = 27 (Fail) (2 Negative Levels)

CRG4’s Ref Save: 1d20-2 = -1 (Fail) (Full Damage)

CRG4’s Fort Save: 1d20+2 = 5 (Fail) (2 Negative Levels)

CRG5’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 16 (Fail) (Full Damage)

CRG5’s Fort Save: 1d20+14 = 34 (Success)

CRG6’s Ref Save: 1d20-2 = 0 (Fail) (Full Damage)

CRG6’s Fort Save: 1d20+2 = 3 (Fail) (2 Negative Levels)

CRG7’s Ref Save: 1d20-2 = 1 (Fail) (Full Damage)

CRG7’s Fort Save: 1d20+2 = 19 (Fail) (2 Negative Levels)

CRG8’s Ref Save: 1d20+10 = 24 (Fail) (Full Damage)

CRG8’s Fort Save: 1d20+14 = 27 (Fail) (2 Negative Levels)

Inspired by the captain’s showmanship, I saw an opportunity, and took it. Diving forward and to the side, I cartwheeled around the elven position, until I came up besidethe captain. With a minimum of moves, I unleashed a burst of necrotic energy, washing over the enemy, and the captain. But that was no mistake. As an undead, I knew that the blast would heal him. The fact that it hindered and hurt most of the enemy was a pleasant bonus.

Captain Jack perked up as the few wounds he had disappeared. “Well, lass, that’s certainly a surprise. If I had more meat on my bones, I might well jump yours for that!”

I had to laugh. “And if you had more meat on your bones, I might let you! Though I doubt you’d find my magic so enticing, then.”

“Oh, get a room, you two. But preferably after we’ve finished what we came here for.” Vestele tried to sound annoyed, but she was clearly just playing around. “Oh, Mistress of Shendilavri, bless us in this endeavor, so that these people can get to business already!”

As she spoke, her shield glowed, and I felt a small surge run through me, as a reddish aura settled over us all. A Bless spell, with the bloody hue that most of Vestele’s spells took. I grinned at her. “Fine, fine. We’ll wait until afterwards to play.”

Nalaea’s Chain Lightning: 20d6 = 77 (Electric)

Nalaea’s CL Check: 1d20+34 = 50 (Success)

CRG8’s Ref save (Primary target): 1d20+8 = 27 (Fail)

Secondary Target Damage: 38 (Electric)

Secondary Targets:

CRG1’s Ref save: 1d20-4 = 3 (Fail)

CRG2’s Ref save: 1d20+10 = 20 (Fail)

CRG3’s Ref save: 1d20+8 = 23 (Fail)

CRG4’s Ref save: 1d20-4 = 7 (Fail)

CRG5’s Ref save: 1d20+10 = 18 (Fail)

CRG6’s Ref save: 1d20-4 = -2 (Fail)

CRG7’s Ref save: 1d20-4 = 15 (Fail)

“Honestly, Captain! I would have thought that losing certain things to undeath would have curbed your attitude!” The skeletal mage shook her head, before unleashing a bolt of lightning that struck first one of the guards, before chaining to all the rest of them in turn.

Siora’s CL Check: 1d20+33 = 53 (Success)

Mass Whelm Damage: 10d6 = 38 (Nonlethal)

CRG1’s Will Save: 1d20-7 = 11 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CRG2’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 10 (Fail)

CRG3’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 14 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CRG4’s Will Save: 1d20-5 = -1 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CRG5’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 20 (Fail)

CRG6’s Will Save: 1d20-5 = 9 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CRG7’s Will Save: 1d20-5 = 4 (Fail) (Unconscious)

CRG8’s Will Save: 1d20+7 = 17 (Fail) (Unconscious)

Siora chuckled. “You’ll get used to such things. There’s no better aphrodisiac for an adventurer than a good battle, but, well, we haven’t had much time for such things. Fartooth never looked like he was interested, so we never bothered him, and a girl has to work her way up to taking on a unicorn, whether it is black or white. Not unless you enjoy getting split like a pixie on a troll’s ‘spear’!”

As the bawdy beguiler bantered with the mage, she unleashed a wave of power, as she had done so many times before. The power crashed into and over the guards, and I was happy to see that each of them suffered for it. In fact, all but two fell, and the others looked like easy prey.

Jack’s Attack Roll (CRG2): 1d20+41 = 45 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 20 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 8 (Electric) (Unconscious)

Jack’s Attack Roll (CRG5): 1d20+36 = 49 (Hit)

Damage: 1d6+15 = 16 (Piercing)

Lightning Blast: 3d6 = 9 (Electric) (Unconscious)

Two quick thrusts with his rapier, and Captain Jack sent the last two guards falling to the floor to meet their friends. With all eight of them down, it was a simple matter to slit their throats, and be done with them. Straightening up, the Captain said, “Well, we had best be about it before the lads have all the fun, aye?”