Storystudying...
Storystudying...
Chapter 1.59 H
The expedition into the ruins turns into a massacre when the adventurers encounter Skinner, an ancient monster made of stolen skin that paralyses its victims with terror. The creature and its undead horde slaughter several adventurers, including Gerial and Sostrom, while Calruz is dismembered and Ceria is overwhelmed. Only a few, including Olesm and Yvlon, manage to flee the carnage in sheer panic.
The expedition deep into the ruins takes a terrifying turn when Ceria's [Dangersense] alerts her to a horrifying awakening. The sheer magnitude of the dread paralyses her with fear, prompting an immediate call for the adventurers to retreat.
Before they can escape, the adventurers discover the source of the terror: Skinner, an ancient and grotesque monster constructed entirely from the stolen skin of its victims. It projects an aura of pure terror that cripples its prey. The group quickly realizes the gruesome fate of their missing members. Sostrom is found dead and partially skinned, while the flayed faces and skins of Gregor, Cervial, and Menes are visibly grafted onto Skinner's massive body.
A desperate battle ensues as Skinner and a swarm of undead creatures, including zombies and ghouls, descend upon the adventurers. Calruz engages the monster but is swiftly overpowered; Skinner rips his arm off before the Minotaur is buried beneath a horde of zombies. Gerial attempts to fight back by attacking the creature with acid, but his strike fails, resulting in Skinner killing and flaying him as well.
The party breaks under the overwhelming assault. Ceria sustains severe injuries, including frostbite and torn skin, before being overwhelmed by an attacking Ghoul. With the group decimated and the terror aura overpowering their senses, Olesm and Yvlon abandon the fight, fleeing in panic up the corridor in a desperate bid to survive.
Ceria suffers crippling terror when her [Dangersense] detects an overwhelming threat awakening, leading her to initiate an immediate retreat.
The adventurers discover Skinner, a horrific monster made of stolen skin, and realize it has already killed and flayed Sostrom, Gregor, Cervial, and Menes.
A polite, blue-scaled Drake who is the highest-leveled [Tactician] in Liscor. He is roped into playing a high-stakes chess game against Erin by his uncle, Lism.
aka The Olesm, the Drake +6
A half-Elf mage belonging to the Horns of Hammerad who offers Ryoka a taboo alternative for her leg.
aka Ceria, Springwalker +7
An ancient, horrific monster made entirely of stolen skin that paralyzes its prey with pure terror.
aka the monster, the creature known as Skinner +2
Calruz has his arm ripped off by Skinner and is buried under zombies, while Gerial is killed and flayed after a failed acid attack.
Suffering from severe frostbite and torn skin, Ceria is finally overwhelmed by a Ghoul during the chaotic retreat.
Completely overcome by terror, Olesm and Yvlon desperately flee up the corridor to escape the monster and the undead.
The Human vice-captain of the Horns of Hammerad.
aka the vice-captain, vice-captain of the Horns of Hammerad +10
A sapient species possessing Elven traits.
aka Half-Elf, half-Elves
A burly, axe-wielding Silver-rank captain who refuses to enter the Ruins of Albez.
aka the axe-captain, Captain of the Silver-rank team +1
A Silver-rank [Mage] captain who decides against exploring the Ruins of Albez.
aka Captain Menes, the mage captain +2
A Human whose past racist remarks are remembered by Erin.
aka Archer Captain, the archer-captain +3
A large, competent Silver-rank adventuring party led by Calruz.
aka The Horns, Silver-rank team +6
A Silver-rank team of adventurers led by Gregor.
A Silver-rank adventuring team captained by Yvlon Byres.
aka the Silver Spears
A prestigious house, title, or lineage of honor associated with the Minotaur Calruz.
A general combat-oriented class.
aka [Warrior], [Warriors] +1
A general class for any individual who practices magic.
aka [Mage], [Mages] +3
A utility spell used to decipher unknown written languages.
aka [Translate]
A magic spell that conjures a patch of sticky webbing on the floor.
aka [Sticky Ground]
A complex Tier 2 spell used to cast widespread light.
aka [Illumination]
A massive, bull-like sapient species.
aka Minotaurs, the Minotaur
A sapient reptilian species dominant in regions south of Liscor, generally unfriendly to Humans.
aka lizards, giant lizards +3
A species of which Erin Solstice is a member.
aka Humans, smooth skin +4
Massive, intelligent undead abominations that command hordes of lesser dead and possess terrifying physical and magical traits.
aka Crypt Lords, The Crypt Lord
Highly lethal, advanced zombies that possess supernatural physical attributes.
aka Ghouls
A type of undead creature armed with magically paralyzing claws.
An undead creature Erin considers a real threat, unlike mundane corpses.
aka Zombies, zombies +3
Undead creatures referenced as prior threats near the inn.
aka skeleton, undead skeletons +2
“Something like that. It’s not magic—at least, no runes I’ve seen before. But what language it is I can’t tell for the life of me.”
“It—it could be something written in the past. Like I said, it’s vaguely similar. But I never knew if we changed written languages. I certainly can’t read it.”
“I think we should fear the worst, don’t you?”
“I’ve never felt anything like that. When I was a child and the Necromancer attacked ten years back—that was the closest. But this is different. I am afraid, and [Dangersense] doesn’t convey fear. We have to go.”
“I know how you’re feeling. But he’s trying to be helpful.”
“I really don’t think this is a memorial for the dead.”
“I know. I know. But he keeps asking and—what if he’s right?”
“Uneventful. We killed a few zombies, but they’re mostly cleared out here as well. Has Yvlon seen anything?”
“It must have countless tombs, probably with a lot of important people! And probably treasure if they bury their dead with their valuables like we Drakes do!”
+149 more quotes →“I’m not sure. It looks like some kind of message, but is it a memorial or something else? A memorandum? The script…looks familiar.”