*Rohan begins to disarm the trap*

"Captain, I'm glad your health has returned. You have been healed by the prayer of Father Arkedes. You owe him your life."

Kemuel adjusted his pack as he addressed Captain.

"Now please, what happened to you and your party?"

You successfully disarm the trap, but the device clamps down on your hand causing 8 damage! You gain 1 XP.
___________________________________________________________________
HP UPDATE

Kemuel: 34/61
Father Arkades Le'Minz: 36/41
Exile: 36/50
Rohan: 13/41
Exile's Skeleton 06/20
____________________________________________________________________

REMAINING TURNS:
Exile: Move 3 or act
Exile's Skeleton: Move 3 or act.

Captain glanced down at his boots. Rubbing his chin, he said, "I suppose you can be trusted. Your companion did save my life after all."

"Two nights ago," he says, "my settlement was destroyed. With it, the whole of my family and all of my friends perished.

"I was out walking the forest that night. I heard the bloodcurdling screams. They were.... so loud, so very loud. I.... did not return. I was so afraid. I am... a coward, such a coward.

"I spent the night in the woods, I am ashamed to say... I slept soundly. I returned to the camp in the early morning hours, praying I had imagined it all.

"The truth is, I did not imagine any of it. There," he says, now beginning to sob, "lay my father, my mother, my cousins... all of them... dead. Mauled. Devoured. Torn in pieces.

"I tell you, this was not the work of bears or wolves or any creatures of the wild. What I saw was a most unholy murdering spree. No quarter was given to the women or children... all... all torn in pieces."

Fighting back more tears, he says, "What if I had returned? Could I have done something to stop the massacre? I doubt it, but I could have tried... I *should* have tried."

"Deciding there was nothing left for me... my only choice was to earn redemption in another way. I followed the tracks of the, uh, things that committed this heinous act. They led here. I swore to myself that I would hunt them all down. So, here I am."

"It was not more than ten minutes before these spiders caught me. I have never been much of a fighter, though now that seems to be my only option..."

"I do not know any of these others that lie before us... who they are nor where they came from. I surely hope that they did not lose their own family and friends as I did."

"Say, may I join you? I could use your help to get out of here."

"Firstly, my condolences on the murder of your family." Kemuel's face hardened as he looked into space for a moment, recalling some awful memory. "None should feel that pain".

"But Captain, you must tell us everything you know about the ones who committed this act. If we are to gain retribution for your family then we must know the nature of our foe. What have you gleaned?"

Arkades shook his head sadly. "I shall offer prayers for their souls, my son. If you follow the Light, perhaps I can offer some comfort and spiritual guidance." The cleric glanced about, taking in the carnage. "I feel a chill down my spine - the Light has not offered me insight into what we are to face, but I know my very soul grows heavy and my steps falter as we approach the decaying heart of this damnable barrow."

"But please, my son - Kemuel is right. I understand the grief that drives you, but the time for thoughtless anger and vengeance is past. If we are to ease your burden at all, it will be through careful planning and feats of valor." Arkades leaned on his cane, sweeping out his other arm to encompass the rest of the party. "My shield-brothers are valiant men whose blades thirst for the blood of the monsters that infest the dark places of the earth, and I am a servant of the Light, which banishes the very shadows from the soul. With your aid, my son, we may end the ravages of this unknown evil."

"Allow him to come. My skeleton can only do so much more." He brings his hand up, trying to focus some healing energy into the skeleton.

Captain swallows, then speaks, "The... bite marks... I apologize, this is difficult for me right now. The bite marks... were savage but not efficient. It is as if they belong to... forgive me for suggesting this, humans.

"I know of the battle that occurred here in Northbrook several weeks ago. The marks left on my people match those that I have found in this vicinity.

"Were there more I could tell you, I assure you, I would. This is all that I know."
"We seek the same ends, then. I appreciate your companionship. I shall strive to be valuable to your cause. Shall we get a move on? There's got to be a way out of this place."
You move south to a location just north of Rohan. The skeleton follows behind you, having recovered some of it's strength.

HP UPDATE:

Kemuel: 34/61
Father Arkades Le'Minz: 36/41
Exile: 36/50
Rohan: 13/41
Exile's Skeleton 12/20
Captain: 24/41


OOC: Map updated. You are close to your goal!

Exile: move 3 or act
Exile's Skeleton: move 2 or act
Rohan: move 4 or act
Kemuel: move 3 or act
Arkades: move 2 or act

OOC: I shall control Captain, who shall move 2 or act this turn.

Exile and his skeleton look to the door before them, before Exile steps south three paces(Move 3)

The Skeleton moves south east, then south, to stand behind Exile as they enter the new room.

You hear a cackle of laughter as you enter the room. It originates from the location of the "X" on the map.

"Come in, come in, my fellows" the voice says, "the treasure is yours."

You peer into the darkness ahead, but cannot see who is speaking to you, though the voice sounds... familiar.

Reminder: Talking doesn't count as an act, so you can talk even if you've used your turn this round, or, you can talk in conjunction with moving or an action.

Remaining turns:
Rohan: move 4 or act
Kemuel: move 3 or act
Arkades: move 2 or act
Captain: move 2 or act (I'll control)

Arkades gave a snort of contempt. "I cannot abide those who use darkness as a crutch." He raised his voice, making sure he could be heard by the unknown speaker. "Reveal yourself, or I shall beckon the Light I serve to illuminate your wickedness!"

Rohan, recognizing the voice, tried to examine the darkness.

He steps forward, but his face is still shrouded in darkness. Responding to you, he says, "Wicked? You call me wicked? It is I who have organized this game for your own benefit. Step forward and claim the prizes to which you are entitled!"
You can just make out the outline of the man's face. It is rather hideous, with extensive wrinkling. His entire face is covered in warts. He dons a contemptuous smile.

"You there," he says to Rohan, "Step forward, rogue! Claim your reward."

(OOC: For now, let's just use free-form, let's say anyone can take as many turns as they like (move, act, whatever.) I'm going to update the map to put you all in the room.) MAP UPDATED

Arkades raised his worn book, ready and waiting for the man's next move. "Rohan, my son - who is it? Are we in danger?"

Hearing your question to Rohan, the man remarks, "Forgive me for my manners, Cleric. I am the Ringmaster. You may call me as such. I have been very impressed with your success in my dungeon. You have won! I have your rewards! Why do you not step forward and claim them?

"You see, I have four chests for you to pick from. Since you have all arrived at the same time, it's first come, first serve.

"But now, part of the fun is seeing who picks which.... Each of these," he says, pointing to the four chests, "bears an image of one of the prevalent races of our world: Quenhali, Gobbler, Nog and... Human. Why don't you each come and open the one of your choice?"

OOC: Map updated.