Drawing the Ire of Acererak

Turning their attention to the door labelled "The Price of Failure", nothing was detected from the outside. Walking into the room, a voice boomed. “Those that fail Acererak are forever punished. What better punishment, than to trap a living being, who seeks undeath, in a state of eternal life. Behold, here is what remains of Morbius”.

In the center of the room was another large cylinder, similar to the one previously found. However, this one was intact and not cracked. Set on top of the cylinder was a skull like the one you saw on the altar, the sign of Acererak. Floating in the liquid was a brain. The party could immediately feel the hatred it felt toward them. In the 2 far corners, skeletons different than others the party had previously faced moved to attack.

The Brain of Morbius attacked Ekeraath and instead of inflicting damage, stole a healing surge. It then attacked Rudy and missed. Had it hit, Rudy would have taken damage equal to Ekeraath's healing surge. Striking back, Rudy rolled a critical hit and inflicted a massive amount of damage, bloodying the monster with a single attack. Once again, the tight spaces in the tower did not allow the party to set up as they preferred, but the encounter was going their way. Even when the skeletons were bloodied and cloaked in a veil of darkness, they were quickly dispatched.

With the destruction of the Brain in the Jar, the red crystal eyes on the cylinder glowed and the party could feel the presence of Acererak. His near god-like visage was crushing. His anger and malevolence toward them was overwhelming. Alexander’s sword turned black and absorbed what little light and warmth were in the room.

Acererak’s voice was deafening as he berated them.
“You have destroyed one of my favorite examples. He failed me and for 5000 years I have kept him alive and tormented him. The worst punishment he could imagine, being kept alive for so long and being denied undeath.
My amusement with him is no more. Now, I shall focus my attention on you.”

With that, his presence departed, the sword returned to normal, and light was restored. It was still bitterly cold and the party knew they had made a terrible enemy that day.