You continue exploring the caves with your villainous vixens

The party of villains exited the cavern and followed the winding path deeper underground into the older more dangerous tombs. The amulet that caused the dead to rise would be located near the exit of the dungeon and since the upper paths had been sealed off the only way to leave the catacombs was through the end of dungeon exit.

You left the dead in peace, you commanded those that rose to confront you to go back to resting. The few beasts that appeared either fled or were easily slain.

Nine skeletons under your command accompanied you and the living. Five at the front and four behind, Annie the corrupted cleric kept casting her strengthen undead spell to ensure you were at maximum strength. In truth she might be the most annoying of the living that had joined but her ability to strengthen you was also perhaps the most useful.

You checked Sara's skills and discovered that as well as her fireball spell she has a detect magic spell but she was actually specialised as an alchemist. She stopped the party every so often to gather mushrooms. While she wasn't immediately as useful as the others given time you felt she would prove herself.

You lost track of time and had to backtrack on a few occasions as you discovered dead ends. Losing your way a few times was frustrating but you made sure that the path you chose always led you further down. Gradually the terrain changed, the manmade catacombs gave way to more natural tunnels. You were mildly irritated when two of the skeletons were destroyed by arrows shooting out of the walls when they triggered a tripwire, it seemed someone had been setting traps. Going was even slower as you watched out for further traps.

Following the path ever downward your party encountered a heavily armoured skeleton clad head to toe in dark red and black metal armour covered in runes and wielding a huge rusty two handed axe standing in the tunnel blocking your progress. Its helemt has short horns with a demonic face guard, its elaborate armour has snarling dragons chasing each other around magic runes worked into it but what most interests you is the key around the guardians neck.

Impressed by its appearance and needing replacement skeletons you cast your command spell to ensure it joined your band but nothing happened, you tried again but still nothing. Growing angry at the skeletons insolence you step forward, prepared to cast the spell again when suddenly its eyes turned blue. It focused on you then with a screech like a demon swung its axe catching you off guard. The blow knocks you off your feet causing you to clatter into the wall, if you had been living the blow would have stunned you. The magicians react by casting their fireballs at your attacker and do some damage. Jack leaps forward and tries to knock over the armoured skeleton but the dog just bounces off. Annie gives a confused battlecry of "For the light of Anari's purity!" as she joins the fray. Lastly, you command the skeletons to also attack.

You have overwhelming numbers but the cramped tunnel favours the single defender, in truth only two or three of your group can attack at a time, you quickly realise that so many attacking just get in each other's way, being pragmatic and perhaps betraying why you started on your journey you order the living back and send the skeletons in. Their attacks are largely ineffective against the armour and the armoured skeleton defeats two quickly with wide bone crushing sweeps of its axe. Realising teeth are no match for armour you command Jack to watch the rear, then try to summon more undead but nothing happens, you're unsure if that's simply because there are no bodies this far down or if there is a greater **** blocking yours. You are emboldened when you see that the mages spells do seem more effective than physical attacks. As you consider your next move another two skeletons are smashed apart, the first is split shoulder to groin, the second with a blow that crushes its skull. There doesn't seem to be any loyalty between undead. You command the three remaining skeletons to press the attack as the magicians spells wears the guardian's HP down. Waiting until the next two are defeated you step forward with Annie to attempt to finish off the weakened monster.

Annie is a surprisingly capable fighter with her warhammer causing alot of damage with each impact, your own magical sword seems to be effective as well and with effort cuts through the defenders armour. Perceiving her to be the greatest threat the guardian focuses its attacks on Annie, she defends as best she can but obviously is more used to destroying fleeing undead than blocking such forceful blows. You concentrate your attacks on knocking its feet away but before you can knock it off its feet it drives its huge axe into Annie's side who cries out and slumps to the floor clutching her wound.

Ignoring your earlier command Jack rejoins the battle and barrels into the armoured skeleton attempting to knock him down but is unsuccessful. Enraged you place yourself over your defeated follower and snatch up the fallen corrupted clerics warhammer then attack with it and your own sword. Your attacks are swift and merciless, alternating between leg and head attacks. The guardian steps back before your onslaught trying to defend itself with its clumsy two handed axe. Its counterattacks score some hits reducing your HP to the red but the battle is finished when with a critical hit you knock its head back with the warhammer and then cut its head off through its exposed neck.

You hear a zing but decide to check on your fallen follower first.

Annie is lying **** with blood pouring from her wound. You grab a healing potion and pour it into her mouth. Unfortunately she doesn't fully respond, Sara comes to your side and checks Annie, "She should have been killed by the attack, the axe blow cursed her, it's a wonder that she's still alive. I don't think there's much I can do at the moment, we have healing potions but they can only keep her alive until we run out" she tells you. Annie casts her detect magic spell on the defeated guardian's weapon and armour and gasps "these are definitely cursed, the runes on them are strong. The armour offers great protection but compels whoever wears it to serve the holder of the amulet. The weapon causes the wounds it inflicts to bleed and they cannot be closed unless the holder of the amulet chooses for them to be closed."

"Isn't that too powerful magic for a beginner dungeon, once players get the amulet they have overkill" asks Lynn.

"Players can't pick up the armour or axe and can't equip the amulet anyway. Once the amulet is claimed its supposed to be given the bishopess of Anari and the dungeon resets" replies Sara.

You pick up the axe "I am not a player" you declare as you try some practice swings "Sara, stay here and keep Annie alive. Jack, guard them from any roaming monsters. Lynn, come with me and the remaining skeleton to find this amulet. It's time to put an end to this madness" you command.