Round 96 Transcript

Halie's crossbow bolt barely grazes a skeletal skull, sending it crumbling to the ground. Seraphine readies her mace for another strike, but the creature's bony body shatters into dust upon impact. The pair breathe a sigh of relief as the remaining skeletons halt their approach, their empty sockets fixed upon the surviving party members. As they catch their breath, Halie asks, "Do you think the rest are still coming?"

Jeane stands on the unstable platform high above Halie and Seraphine, her crimson eyes flashing with barely contained rage as she maintains the binding circle around the writhing spirit before them. You fools! She hisses through clenched teeth, not turning to face where they disappeared down into the darkness below. Did you learn nothing from Merrin's demise? This entire tower is a deathtrap designed by dark sorcerers—and now you rush headlong into whatever horrors await below! The platform groans ominously beneath her feet again, and Jeane has to spread her wings slightly for balance.

She continues, her voice dripping with contempt even as she keeps both hands moving in intricate patterns to reinforce the weakening circle around The Bound Spirit. Mark my words—this is no ordinary crypt. Those skeletons were not mere guardians; they were warning signs. And now you've left me alone here with this... thing, while you go off playing heroes! The spirit within the circle seems to feed on her anger, its form twisting and writhing more violently. Jeane grits her teeth against another surge of dark energy. Typical. First Merrin's reckless leap into the abyss, now Halie and Seraphine following suit with their misplaced sentimentality! Is no one in this party capable of strategic thinking? She glances back at the dark passage leading downwards—toward where screams or cries for help might echo up if things truly go wrong. If you survive whatever awaits below—and I stress that qualification—I expect a full explanation of what compelled such utter foolishness!

The cold air here feels wrong—unnatural. These aren't natural bones. I need a moment to pray over the symbols on the wall, maybe there's something sacred we can use against whatever's down here.