The Necromancer’s Lair

Miklos trailing the others gave the room they had arrived in a cursory search. He was particularly interested to see if there were any sigils for determining the arrival point of the teleportation device. Especially if there was a way back though here.

He also picked over the bodies in case there was anything of interest. Miklos was not bashful about doing this as in his view they were animations. Macabre animations true but things driven by magic none the less. Like Golems he decided.

Saeth prowled slowly down the hallway, pausing to listen a moment at the door, then cleared the corner, scouting beyond. “Anyone hear something beyond that door?”

Maruc’s gaze swept over the door. “Not that the dead make much noise, but I guess it’s worth a listen. Seath? This is more your thing I think.”

They listened at the door, but there were no noises to be heard. “Well I guess we try to open it?”said the mage. After everyone was prepared, Miklos grabbed the handle. He checked the hinges to see whether it opened inward or outward.

“Miklos, as before, I would recommend that we group with Feldard and Maruc in front, and myself, you and Saeth behind with knives, or in my case bow, at the ready.”

Feldard moved to the front and bodily interceded before the mage could open the door. “Mage, are you trying to get yourself killed? Get to the back and make yourself useful by keeping watch down the hallway.” Yes, perhaps the dwarf was being a little overly rude but that tended to happen when he found himself faced with battling the undead in a Necromancer’s secret haven with magic being all around him. His beard had stopped itching sometime ago and instead had developed a permanent twitch.

“Not particularly Feldard,” Miklos said patiently, “its just that you made a keen observation before, namely that the person opening the door is doing just that. I am given to understand that the most effective combatants use both hands? I’d imaging its quite difficult to fire a bow with only one. Therefore would it be more appropriate of the one who is not immediately useful with offensive capability to open the door and allow others to be prepared to charge in? But if you, feel I have come to the wrong conclusion, be my guest. I am not a fool and I am not afraid, I am only trying to be useful. Although I might add that the door looks like it opens inward so, Its probably better if you just kick it in….” Miklos stepped out of the way.

“You would not be useful dead Miklos. Nicolai and Feldard where only concerned with your safely.” Maruc put in. “Please don’t be upset by their words. I serously doubt we have enough room here for us all to crowd around the doorway anyway. I suggest myself to the right, Seath to the left Nicolai behind Feldard with his bow, and our esteemed Master Dwarf on door duty. You Miklos can go and wash your hands.”

“You can talk, have you looked at yourself in a glass?” Miklos said absently wiping his hands on his cloak.

“Priests don’t have such vanities.” Maruc cut the mage off, but couldn’t help himself glancing down at his gore spattered gear. “After you Feldard.”

With everyone in their place, the dwarf opened the door.

A large broken down table dominated the center of this large room. There is a bookshelf on one wall and two doors leading out. A desk and chair are in the remaining corner. The bookshelf holds skeletal remains of various creatures and several books. Damp air and age has ruined the books, but the title to a few were still readable: The Dread Night, Mystic Portaliture, and The Heart of Entropy. Flasks, decanters and vials that have been toppled over and broken are littered about the room. The dried residue of chemical compounds gave the air a putrid smell. A broken down bed rested against the far wall. A large wooden chest sat at the foot of the bed.