Round 3 Transcript

I step between Merrin and the gate, my wings unfurling slightly in warning. Hold position. The violet light from the runes pulses stronger as I approach, the cold magic pricking against my skin like needles. I raise one hand, tracing ancient sigils in the air with glowing red traceries that push back the sickly glow. This gate is warded—probably triggers traps or summons guardians. Let me work. I crouch down, pulling a small obsidian mirror from my cloak—a focus for scrying spells—and hold it up to reflect the shifting runes. The surface shows not stone, but flickering images: skeletal figures marching in endless patrols, dark shapes with too many eyes moving within the tower walls. Predictably haunted. I mutter, more to myself than the others. Three distinct ward types I can see—one tied to approach, one to opening, one to… something else, older. Standing, I turn to face the group, my expression carefully controlled despite the cold dread coiling in my gut. Halie, stand ready with your light. Varrika, shield us with that iron bulk of yours. Merrin and Seraphine—stay back ten paces. I draw a small onyx dagger from my belt, its edge carved with runic symbols. I'm going to trigger the approach ward deliberately. The goal is to see what it summons without opening the gate fully. The runes flare brighter as I step forward and press the blade's tip against one specific symbol—the one that glows weakest, most vulnerable. Brace yourselves. I push the dagger in slowly, the stone groaning as if in pain. The world seems to tilt for a moment, reality stretching thin around us. A low moan echoes from within the tower, and then—silence. Broken only by the sound of bone clicking against stone.

Three skeletons shamble into view through gaps in the gate, their bones still bearing the scars of ancient battle. Predictable. I smirk coldly, already weaving a spell. At least they're not creative about it. Skeleton 1-3 appear from within the tower. I am castingShatteron them with a verbal component (cantrip). The runes pulse brighter as I trigger the trap; my control is absolute despite the oppressive magic here.

I move up beside Varrika, my heavy mace held ready in both hands, silver holy symbol clasped between my fingers. Stand back, Merrin—those runes are shifting with purpose. The violet light pulses rhythmically now, each beat sending a cold chill across my skin. I raise my free hand, palm toward the gate, and begin to murmur a simple ward spell. Let me at least try to dampen whatever magic powers it...

I nod sharply at Halie's warning, backing away from the gate with my crossbow half-raised. The runes pulse faster now, the violet light almost strobing in my vision. I blink hard, trying to shake off the dizzying effect. "Aye, something's not right here," I mutter, more to myself than anyone else. My hands tremble slightly as I notch a bolt, the cold metal familiar against my fingers. I've faced my fair share of traps and wards before, but there's always that moment of doubt, that fear that this time might be different. That this time, my skills and wits might not be enough. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The scent of damp earth and decay is thick in my throat, making it hard to breathe. I can feel the weight of the tower's history pressing down on me, the ancient power that lurks within its crumbling walls. "Alright, let's see what we're dealing with," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. I step forward again, moving in a wide arc around the gate, my eyes darting from rune to rune, looking for any sign of weakness or pattern. My heart pounds in my chest, but I force myself to focus, to let my rogue's instincts take over. As I move, I keep one eye on the rest of the party, ready to call out if I see anything that looks dangerous. We're all in this together, for better or worse. And right now, worse seems to be winning out.

The air crackles with an ancient energy as the runes on the gate shift and writhe, their violet light pulsing in time with my racing heart. I feel the familiar prickle of magic against my skin, cold and invasive, as if the very air is trying to strip away layers of my being.
"I see it too," I say, my voice a low murmur that carries over the sudden whipping of the wind through the trees. My eyes dart around our small group, noting the tension in each person’s stance. Merrin has her crossbow half-raised, Varrika grips her mace with white knuckles, and Halie has begun to chant under her breath, her hands moving in slow, deliberate patterns before her. I take a careful step forward, my own staff held out before me like a shield. The magic emanating from the gate feels thick, heavy, laced with a dark power that makes my stomach clench with dread.
"This is no mere enchantment," I mutter, more to myself than anyone else. I can feel the weight of the tower bearing down on us, its history seeping into the earth like poison. It's not just skeletons or demons we need to fear—it's the magic itself, twisted by time and darkness into something far more insidious.
I turn to Jeane, who is still tracing those arcane patterns in the air, her red light battling the violet glow of the gate. Her face is set in concentration, a bead of sweat running down her temple.
"We need to find the source," *I say, my voice firm despite the tremor I can feel building in my knees. "Whatever this is, it's not random. There has to be a focus point."

I move up beside Jeane, my crossbow at the ready and eyes scanning the pulsing runes for any sign of movement. "Something's not right here," I mutter, the cold magic prickling against my skin like hundreds of icy needles. "Those skeletons we faced earlier were no accident."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever might be lurking behind that gate. "Halie, Merrin - keep your eyes open and your weapons ready. We don't know what we're walking into, but I'll be damned if I let any more of our people get cut down by undead scum."

I turn to Jeane, my expression grim but determined. "Alright, dragon-lass, do your magic. But if those runes start glowing any brighter, we might need to reconsider this whole 'ancient tower' plan of yours."