Cute inside joke
The Librarians enter the cave, and attacked-but-then-welcomed by Sir Rutford, one of six of an Order dedicated to Xalicas. They protect the world from a spawn of Asmodeus. The group rests, continues on, and makes their way deeper with combat in the mix.
Session 21
As we enter the now-opened cave in the green-ethereal dimension, we're immediately are approached by two skeletal figures who attack us.
Combat pauses when one of them notices Briya’s glowing eyes from the ritual of the dawn. He takes us to a back room where there are 4 more skeletons and a “leader” with a winged symbol like we’ve been seeing all around. He approaches us and says he’s Sir Rutford. They’re an old order that followed Xalicas (the fallen one) a long time ago. They guard something in the mine that cannot be let out. They are to protect Xhorhas from scars left behind by the great betrayer. One of those scars is inside the mine, and contains a Spawn of Asmodeus, who is king of the nine hells.
We're able to rest before taking on "the challenge" to go further into the realm. We deliver the news of the guardian who had a key (that we took) that has since died. The leader ghost is sad but knows more guardians will come.
The group rests for the night.
“I am a defender of the living; let me through.” is what we’re to say when we place our hand on a stone at the end of the hallway. When we do so, the final test appears before us. A glowing spirit golem arrives and attacks!
Upon defeating the golem, a new passage is revealed. We hear a creature in the distance, but move forward stealthily. It’s revealed that some of the burial urns contain loot; 4 of the skeletons seem… very well preserved. Briya takes time to ritually cast detect magic. The entire skull area seems magical, and the 4 skeletons seem to be covered in necromantic magic. We try and stealth past the “dividing line” between the corridor and the cavern, but Prophet fails and two invisible monitor skulls activate the 4 skeletons. (It was basically a magical tripwire; I think any of us would have failed)
Combat begins, and it's a tough one for the group. There is mind control, undead, lasers, the whole kit and kaboodle.