Round 5

As the violet runes pulsed brighter, Jeane's Time-Slowing Spell extended their duration by 10 minutes, buying the party a fleeting reprieve from the looming threat of skeletal intrusion. Merrin's nimble fingers probed the gate's frame, searching for hidden traps that might trigger when they attempted to open it, her expression a mix of caution and determination. Meanwhile, Seraphine's eyes narrowed as she studied the runes, her muttering hinting at a deeper understanding of the ancient magic that bound them. Halie's light cast an eerie glow on the cracked stone, illuminating the dark recesses of the forest, while Varrika stood watch, her crossbow at the ready, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement in the gloom. The air was heavy with anticipation, the flickering torches casting ominous shadows on the walls, as the party stood poised on the threshold of the cursed tower, their collective tension a palpable force that threatened to snap at any moment.