Holding the amulet with the robes I felt quickened by its power. This was one of the main goals of our holy quest and to have it in my hands strengthened my faith and my resolve. We had a quick investigation of the lower level of the keep and found some of the human staff hiding in their quarters. These two young girls were scared witless and wanted nothing more than to return to their homes. Samba tried to console them though they were in no state to really take in any calming words. Wrendell gave them clearance to go but once I opened the front door to leave one of the girls was shot down in a hail of arrows. Looking out the door I could see the main gate was still manned by a large squad of skeletons. The door was closed again and moved to the dead girl to revivify her. 'It looks as though we're going to need to escape out the back way, but first we must find the prisoners. Wait here while we explore the dungeon then we can all leave this place.' Downstairs things were very grim. Rotting human bodies hung on hooks being used for food. Thankfully I couldn't smell anything but poor Eldon was sickened. Through this room was a torture chamber and the dungeon cells. A ghoulish gaoler came out to stop us but we soon had him defeated allowing us to release the other Spear Maidens. These prisoners were in terrible states of health and needed to be healed in order to walk out of there. Everyone reconvened in the hall to plan our escape. It was decided to use the tunnel which we got in through but we still needed to get over to the tower. Eldon and Wrendell couldn't see anything immediately outside so, feeling very brave, I chose to rush across the courtyard towards the door. Half way across I was spotted by the undead guards who were watching from the gatehouse walls. I was showered with arrows that just bounced off my shell then a ghost knight rode in on a most horrific mount crafted from an odd assortment of limbs and body parts. I tried to hold my ground but was smashed down to the ground by a most vicious assault. Following behind the ghost knight were more soldiers and the squad of skeletons. Things were looking very bad at this point. Wrendell and Lea stepped in to assist with the melee while Samba, Nickolai, Eldon, and Strom attacked from range. Sister Doritka came to my aid, pumping some life back into me and getting me back on my feet. The level of evil here had us all on edge and our skill faltered. Had Samba not been there to inspire us and Wrendell's battle cries not roused our call to duty then the battle may have ended there. Instead we gave our all and pushed back against the darkness. My holy symbol blazing, I rushed through the melee and blasted the word and light of Rava into the skeleton hoard destroying at least a dozen. Once the main guard group was defeated we went around the Castle to find any treasures or anyone else that might be hiding. I did find a newly forged longsword of expert craftsmanship. It was unfortunately decorated with a skull on the pommel though I should be able to revise that. Amongst other treasure we found a coded notebook. We eventually left the castle and headed back down to Orzelberg village to reconnect with Sister Olga at the stables to plan how we will get back to Jozht.
