Forth Day at Scarwall

Gozran 15th, 4709 – At first light we enter back into Scarwall taking in a one foot block of stone to block the portcullises from coming all the way down. The other stones we had left the day before were gone. We put half of the stones on the first portcullis and the rest on the second portcullises just the same. We then went back up to the third floor and I was able to cast my chest and it was empty. We filled the chest up with the statues and copper coins and sent it back. Then we went back to the hallway leading into the courtyard. I wanted to open the doors get the gargoyles to attack us and fight them from the doors. The other did not want us to waste out strength on them. We decided to send the imp in first invisible to get to the door then Andrian was able to sneak around and get the doors open. He went inside and then signaled us it was okay to come across. We then set the ones who could get across quietly first leaving both Sial and me to run across if the other make it first. It was working Loari was able to make it along with Krojun, Rizzle but Trinia was spotted by the gargoyles. Legend and Ducw both ran for it as the gargoyles came down being hit by a few of the gargoyles for little damage. Before Sial and I could leave the hallway the gargoyle made it into the courtyard creating a gauntlet to pass through. Both Sial and I was not up to it. He told them to go on without us and we shut and spiked our door separating us from our friends.

Sial and I talk about fighting the gargoyles our self’s. My logic is if we defeat the gargoyles we could than join the party again, the other may still need to cross the courtyard to leave scarwall and may not be strong enough to defeat them. As we were talking we heard a quiet tap on the door calling for his master to open the door. We open the door to see the gargoyles as we left them and then the imp Joqub entered the hallway with us. We closed and spike the door again. The other had sent Joqub back to us telling us they need us to cross. They will support our crossing from the other side. At first I was with Shadowcount Sial to just open the door and start attacking and they would attack from the other side. It would be a long battle and they would probably use more of their skills to defeat these creature then they would truly need, too. Maybe they are right if we just open the door quickly we would gain surprise and be able to make it across. Sial argued we would get trapped from the gargoyle it would be suicide to attempt the crossing. My logic was it is not good to have a party be apart and I must try. I told Shadowcount Sial that he did not have to come and I would attempt it and he can stay behind. This left Sial no choice and he told me we will both die and we should fight. But, I told him I was leaving to run across he told me it was ludicrous but he would follow.

I open the door and burst into the court yard running as fast as I could through the gauntlet of gargoyles. I had caught the gargoyles off guard and managed to escape with only a few minor hits. Shadowcount Sial was not as fortunate as I. He must of delay or I was quicker than he expected when I open the door. The few seconds he delayed cost him his life. The gargoyles were able to surround and trapping him in the court yard. The party lied to me they did not support our crossing. They had no plan if one of us got trapped like Sial did. He fought well but got little support from us when he saw Sial go down we just closed the door and left him. He was right and I knew he was right it was ludicrous to attempt the crossing. Since his master died the Imp left us probably to leave Scarwall forever.

This place is evil and is making us make bad decisions. If we destroy all the evil that is guarding the last spike we can enter the spike. But that will leave the spike unguarded for others to destroy the spike. If we attempt to break into the spike, that will weaken the spike, making it easier for that evil creature to escape. No matter what we do that evil creature will be able to escape. So, maybe if we leave a few of the guardians here they will keep the creature bonded a few more years longer than if we destroy them. Since the party proved to me they are only looking after themselves and did not care that both Sial and I could of died when I fine the spike I’m going to try and break into it.

We continued on, searching out the rest of the second floor near the star tower. We discovered five small rooms for the priests of Zon Kuthon. The cursed spirits of the dead looked to attack us but instead of engaging us they passed through the floor. We assume they left to warn the guardian of our present. A moment later a mummy named Prelate Aruth came to attack us along with the priest spirits.

After a long battle led by Andrian in the confined hallways we defeated the five spirits and the mummy priest Aruth. We found a stair case leading down to the first level area close to the star tower. After looking around a little we opened a door to a large diagonal room wherein we found a gem encrusted disembodied skull that levitated into the air and hissed, "STEAL YOUR SOULS". We have discovered the Bishop of Zon Kuthon Zev Ravenka.

It was a quick battle and we were lucky it was. Andrian ran into the room to face the skull of the Bishop. But, the Bishop had other plans and went straight for the door so no one else could enter the room to help Andrian. The Bishop took possession of the Legend Who Walks and was trying to steal his soul. Loari was able to knock him down turn him away from the bishop but he was still caught in the trance. With the Bishop blocking the doorway and just out of reach of our weapons we could do little to harm him. Rizzle took the Legion Who Walk place in front of the door but did little to the Bishop. The rest of us could not see the Bishop to even attack it. The Bishop called up the skeletons from the bones on the floor in the room and it looked as if Andrian was going to be surrounded. Andrian noticed an object on the alter he was stand on. The bishop then attacked Rizzle knocking him to the floor. Krojun moved over Rizzle to give him cover but Krojun could not reach the bishop to attack him. Rizzle was able to hit the Bishop with some kind of spell but I could not see what it did. We then heard the Bishop scream at the skeletons to get his phylactery from Andrian. That seemed to be the turning point. Rizzle was able to push the bishop back into the room stunning him. We could all get into the room and attack the bishop together. Loari was able to hit him first and then I was able to get in and destroy all the skeletons in the room plus damaging the Bishop with Torag help of turning undead. With the Bishop in bad shape he tried to take hold of Andrian but Andrian was able to shake off the effects. Our last round of attacks was able to send the Bishop into his phylactery. Andrian was able to pick the lock and pour out the remains of the Bishop on the floor and then poured water (which Andrian thought was Holy water) on the remains destroying the Bishop for good.

After the battle I started to do what I said I would do was to strike the spike to see if I can even damage it. Just as I was about to hit it Andrian ran up and stopped me. We argued why I should not and it came down that the spike has here before the castle and it will probably be here long after the castle has been destroyed. They argued it would be more harmful for me to destroy the spike than removing the curse. So, I have decided to go with there wishes.

We found a few more items but no way out but back up. We did find a stairway leading upstairs thru a trap door in the floor. We took it and then noticed a secret door which we missed before. I open the door and noticed a body of a servant from years pasted. The spirit of the servant rose from the body and attacked me taking control of my actions making me attack Krojun who was next to me. I was able to shake off the effects once to cast turn undead. She kept saying why did you do this to me Kazavon and when we defeated her she was pulled into the halls. We found no other exit but the door leading us back into the courtyard.

We talk how we should enter the courtyard by running for the door or go to the door closer to these doors. When we decided to go to the doors on the right and open the doors and saw no gargoyles around we just ran across the courtyard. We do not know why they all left the courtyard just thankful. As we cross we saw no sign of Count Sial body. The gargoyles must of devour him or carried him off. We then decided to rest up before taking on another anchor.

Once again we all were able to leave Scarwall not sure if the Imp was telling the true, Torag is protecting us or it is not true. I’m just glad we can leave and rest. I need to get off by myself and left the party to think what I should do. As I was walking around a gargoyle attacked me. I was glad it was only one. I was able to make it turn into stone but then it seemed I could not hurt it while it was stone. Sial was right that we could not defeat them because they have to good a defense. After attacking it for a few moments I thought it wise to just run away. So, I left and went back to the camp. I gather up the items they wanted me to send back to my parents for safe keeping. I put in a note asking for more components to cast seven cured disease as I’m down to my last one and for ten holy water ritual components. I also ask them to melt down the adamantine holy symbol phylactery the Bishop used to make a +2 hand ax. I cast the holy water ritual that I had for the up coming battle tomorrow.

When I was on watch I heard a noise and went to investigate. As I left the camp I was charged by seven Orcs. I was able to call up my knights of valor so they could not surround me. I was glad I was able to stop them from surrounding me because I could not hit them at first and they were hitting me most of the time. I slowly was able to kill them. When I got down to the last two they started to run off I was able to kill one but the other escaped. I looked for a defensible position because I heard the one who escape call for help and I did not want to be surrounded. I found a large rock not to far away. I put my back to it just when another group of seven charged me. This group was not as good as the first group and I was able to kill them all. I stay here several minutes to be sure nothing else was coming. As I slowly walk back to camp I was met by the party as they heard the fight. I told them it was over I believe I killed them all but we should still be alert for another attack.