There is no evil here other than that which was once but gone; strong it was, but it is here no longer. Jarrith & Ladreth work on the sarcophagus; it is well made and once the locks are removed, easily opened. Long dead remains are wrapped in a funereal robe and bedecked in fine, raven-graced armor. Marot quickly confirms that despite its age, it still glows strongly of protective magics.
While the Tessa works on the wards and Ashlyn works on her ritual, the others keep watch, rest, or busy themselves. Marot takes some time with the gathered magical items, putting himself to task to identify them. They are all from the dead necromancer, save the dead Sergei's armor. Most give him little trouble.[sblock=Items]- a pale hide made into studded leather armor: Vampire hide armor (+3 studded leather; DR 5/silver & magic)
- a pair of rings: Ring of Protection +1, Ring of Parting Prevented (1/d, puts of a death ward for 7 min. Activates automatically; cannot split time)
- a headband: Headband of Intellect +2
- bone amulet: Amulet of natural armor +1
- a periapt: Periapt of Wisdom +2
- a fine cloak of Karrnathi make: Cloak of Resistance +2
[/sblock]The vile fragment, however, is of such power that it eludes his easy identification. However, it seems to be instructions for the creation of an automaton of flesh and bone. It is a dark ritual, requiring several dead bodies and the dark power of the fragment.
Finally, the rituals begin to complete. On Ashlyn's side, a glow of daylight infuses the place, giving hope and respite in a place that long forgot both. It has an invigorating feel. Tessa's ritual, however, is less benign, with the recovered relics sparking dark magic. The entire Castle seems to thrum with power as Tessa's words reach a crescendo. Just as Ashlyn picks up her completed blade, the dead remnants from the relics fuse together into an undead abomination. Only now do Madame Ewa's words ring true:
When you have all three relics, you must destroy what you have created.
The fight begins![sblock=Aslyn]Ashlyn intuitively knows the power of the sunsword. Its +2 bastard sword (but can be wieleded like a short sword). Against evil creatures, it is a +4 bastard sword. Against undead and similar ilk, it is treated as silvered and does double damage.
1/d, if you swing it over your head and declare "Feel the fires of day!" it begins to glow in a 10' radius (growing 4'/round until it is at 60'). It is natural daylight. When you stop swinging, the effect fades after a minute.
The sword, however, requires sacrifice. You give up 8 hp and take a -2 penalty to skill checks for 24 hrs after using the sword.[/sblock]
The Blighted Relic
Everyone is considered healed as if from a night's rest: Please restore HP, spells, and such accordingly. You could have distributed the magic items before the combat.
Status
J: 16
A: 16
L: 12 [38/38, 2 drained levels]
B: 10
M: 10
K: 7 [38/62]
T: 6
A: 1