Round 8 Transcript

Jeane’s spell crackles, a jagged arc of violet energy slamming into the skeletal nexus; the shockwave shatters the bones of five skeletons, sending splinters ricocheting across the stone floor. The remaining undead stagger, their coordinated march faltering as the necromantic sigils flicker and sputter. The invisible necromancer’s focus within the tower walls remains undisturbed, its glow steady as ever.

Merrin's eyes dart from the crumbling skeletons to the pulsing necromantic sigils on the gateway arch. "Well, I don't know about you lot, but I'm not touching those runes until we know what they do." She keeps her voice light, but there's an edge of nervousness beneath the humor. Her gaze flicks to Jeane and Seraphine, the spellcasters in their group. "Jeane, Seraphine - anything you can tell us about those sigils before we go poking them with a ten-foot pole?" She steps back, putting distance between herself and the gateway as she scans for other threats. "And Varrika, love - keep that mace handy just in case. Might be we'll need to smash something after all."

Merrin's nimble fingers tap against her thighs as she thinks, weighing their options. Finally, she nods towards a shadowed alcove near the tower entrance. "I'm going to take a closer look at that arch. Keep watch for me, yeah?" With a final wry grin, she slips away, moving with the silent grace of a cat burglar even in this grim situation.

Varrika's brow furrows as she watches the skeletons falter, but she doesn't let her guard down. "Keep pushing the attack on those runes," she growls, "but stay alert. More of these bone bags are bound to be lurking."

She shifts her weight, muscles tensing as she prepares to meet any undead that might surge forth from the shadows. Her hand itches for the feel of her mace, but she knows Jeane is right - raw strength won't be enough against necromantic forces. "We need to keep the pressure on," Varrika declares, "but stay disciplined. Halie, Merrin - watch our flanks. Seraphine, Jeane - keep hitting those runes with everything you've got. I'll hold the center."

Her eyes scan the archway, searching for any sign of the unseen necromancer behind their defenses. "We're not leaving until we crack this nest wide open," she snarls through clenched teeth. "Time to show these skeleton bastards what a real fight looks like."