Round 5 Transcript

The air is heavy with the stench of decay as a faint, unnatural mist begins to seep from the cracks in the stone floor, tendrils of it curling around the legs of the fallen skeletons like grasping fingers. The violet glow from the gate pulses brighter still, casting an eerie light on the mist's slow, creeping advance.

I feel the wrongness of the mist before I see it clearly—a coldness that sinks into my bones, a wrongness that makes my skin crawl. This is no natural decay. My wings fold tighter against my back instinctively as I watch the violet-glowing tendrils creep across the stone.

We've triggered something ancient and foul. The skeletons were just... guards. The real defense is magical. I draw power, feeling the arcane energy respond to my call, but it tastes corrupted here. We need to seal that entrance before whatever's making this mist gets stronger. Halie, get your light ready—the holy symbol might purge it if it has an unholy origin. Seraphine, I want a ward up around us immediately, something physical to push the mist back. Varrika, help me find a way to collapse the gate entrance or seal the cracks. I step forward, arcane energy swirling around my hands, ready to unleash it if the mist gets closer. Move quickly—this place is alive with dark magic, and it doesn't want us here.

I step between the creeping mist and the others, my silver holy symbol held aloft. "Stay back! This defiles even bone—some profane unmaking at work here." The violet glow makes my skin crawl, but I stand firm. Varrika, Seraphine—fall back toward the wall. Merrin, stay close to me. I draw a ward circle with my free hand in the dust, speaking a quick prayer for purifying light. "This is no natural decay; let us not follow these guardians into whatever unlife awaits beyond."

I press myself against the wall, my heart pounding as the violet tendrils creep ever closer. The stench of decay is overwhelming, making my stomach churn. Ugh, this place gives me the creeps. I mutter, keeping my voice low.

Halie's wards and Jeane's magic feel like our best bet, but I've got my eye out for any hidden tripwires or pressure plates. There's got to be a way through this mess without setting off more of those explodey runes.

I catch Varrika's eye and jerk my head toward the far side of the chamber. Think we can make it to that alcove over there? Might give us a better vantage point to work from. I keep my crossbow at the ready, finger resting on the trigger. Whatever this mist is, I've got a feeling we ain't seen the worst of it yet. But I'll be ready when it comes.