Southern Seas - Act 18 - Winter 57 AD
Winter 34 (evening), 57 AD
The four who set out to Mount Keep bring back grim news -- ORCS have been sighted! Both at the ruins of the old Keep and possibly at a small hamlet close to Appleton and the road between Skalfier and the Keep. Now they go to rejoin their young companion TOBIAS and warn both the village and Skalfier of their discoveries.
TAKASHI (Appleton)
TAKASHI considers his options thoughtfully. He is, quite frankly, exhausted from the lack of sleep and does not think it wise to press his luck in his condition, and the same goes for Claudia. He will choose to ride through Appleton and drop Claudia off there to warn the village and TOBIAS, then continue on to Athenum to warn Apsuna and her flock, and then return back to Athenum by nightfall.
TAKASHI: "Claudia, please make sure that TOBIAS is ready to leave tomorrow early in the morning. And get extra food and rest tonight yourself. You have done well on this trip, and now know what the bestials are like."
As you ride into the village, you see something different.. and unsettling. There are groups of 3 to 4 villagers at each of the cardinal points, bonfires lit and the villagers are armed. As you get closer, one of them yells "STOP" and they all look very nervous as you approach.
However, once they realize it is you and Claudia, relief floods over these villagers' faces.
"Thank the Light!" one of them says. "At last, the warrior is back and can help protect us!" The others chime in with a clamor and you hear the words "Orcs" and "Wizard" and "dead" and all that and suddenly an EAR-PIERCING whistle! All of the villagers look in astonishment at Claudia and she smiles a bit sheepishly.
"Master, I will go do what you asked." she says and you realize that this young lady has managed to get away from this situation with some ingenuity! The villagers turn to you as Claudia rides off.
TAKASHI watches Claudia ride off, and smiles at her new-found confidence and growth. Perhaps he would have seen the same thing in his own child, had she lived to be this age... TAKASHI snaps out of his thoughts, as there will be time for that later. He looks to the nearest villager, and addresses him.
TAKASHI: "Slow down. Tell me what has happened, for I still have a short ride ahead of me before I return by nightfall."
The villagers all talk over each other but after a few interruptions and repeats, you get the jist of the following story:
* Orcs were seen by some children to the west nearby at a small pond.
* Four villagers - Philippe, Matt, Yoni and TOBIAS went out to investigate
* Philippe returned, scared, claiming that TOBIAS ensorcelled the Orcs dead and nearly killed him in the process, but TOBIAS didn't stop the Orcs from killing Matt and Yoni. Philippe barely got away from the whole scene alive.
* TOBIAS is nowhere to be found.
* The villagers are afraid that more Orcs might come in revenge, so they have mounted watches and are waiting for you and the "Priest" to come back to help them figure it all out.
TAKASHI: "There are indeed orcs in the surrounding areas. We encountered and defeated a force of 10 at the old keep, and heard their drums beating in the distance. Father CALLIN, GRAIAN, and ATACIUS have gone to Skalfier to inform those that need to know, and I am now travelling to the Athenum to try and enlist the support of Apsuna and her flock."
TAKASHI looks appreciatively at the preparations the villagers have made on their own, and nods in appreciation.
TAKASHI: "Your training has served you well, and it is good to see that all our work has not gone in vain. I will return before nightfall and find master TOBIAS, and discuss what has happened if Claudia has not already filled him in by the time I am back. Remember that he is just barely a man, and has large Sir Flinigan's large boots to fill. I know he wants nothing but the best for Appleton and all of you under his protection, so have faith in him and do what is right. He does have the gift, of this I am sure! You and I may not fully understand or trust it, but it is something that can be used for the good of all, so do not fear him. I'll return shortly, in the meantime keep up your watches and rotate to keep yourselves well rested."
"There are Orcs around us?" says one of the watchmen nervously. He looks around at the dark as if expecting a team of Orcs to jump out at him.
Others shiver. One says "Sir Takashi, we'd feel a lot better iffin ye stay here. Don't know 'bout no Apsna but folks here are mighty nervous."
Another chimes in. "Always knew there was somethin' queer about Sir Flinigan's ward, but him bein' a sorceror... feel a lot better if Priest Callin were here ta keep an eye on him. No good comes from mages, that's for sure!"
TAKASHI: "That is not true, brother. Flinnigan's revenge, the blade gifted to me by Sir Flinnigan himself on his passing, is imbued with the arcanse energy to do good or ill. Sorecery is the same as a sword blade or reaping scythe - it is up to the bearer if good or ill will be done with the tool."
A babel begins to break out among the watchers and they seem to grow more upset by the moment. You also see that other villagers, drawn to the talk and crowd, are joining, and your words "Orcs are around us!" is getting passed along.
TAKASHI sighs in exasperation.
TAKASHI: "Listen, please. I would not leave you if there were orcs surrounding us. We need to inform everyone about the threat, to make sure that we are ready to meet it *if* it comes. In the meantime, do what you can to fortify the area. Stockpile wood for fires, and make sure you do all you can to prepare. Standing here and talking now does nothing."
Some of the villagers immediately head off to do as Takashi directed, while others break away in small groups, talking. The watch members go back to their fires. There is a general sense of discontent... and fear. It's palpable.
TAKASHI just shakes his head, and then rides for the Athenum at speed. He needs to get back here tonight...
TAKASHI, the sun drops below the horizon on your way there and you quickly realize two things - it's really dark to be navigating by and the fires that the villagers have lit can be seen a good distance away.
How do you want to navigate in the dark?
TAKASHI curses his luck that he was unable to disentangle himself from the villagers at Appleton, and turns around to head back towards the village. When he gets there, if the fires are still lit, he will tell them to let them burn low so as to not advertise Appleton's presence.
The villagers look alarmed. "Oh, we thought it was better to see out... it's so dark and the Orcs, they are so dark skinned... " one explains.
What next? Are you heading to TOBIAS's?
TAKASHI: "If we hear them coming, or encounter any, then we'll let the fires burn brightly. Right now, they are just informing anyone out there exactly where we are."
TAKASHI will head off to TOBIAS's manor.
ATACIUS, GRAIAN and CALLIN (Heading to Skalfier)
CALLIN is exhausted and probably not capabile of making a coherrent decision...so he will agree to whatever the rest of the group decides....
ATACIUS "We've been on this road several times. Is there any homestead we know of that we can spend the night? That way we don't have to go back to Appleton and spend the night in the open. If there isn't any I'm afraid the best thing is going back to Appleton."
There are smaller villages that you pass that would probably let you sleep in their barns for coin or chores. Assuming the sight of heavily armed adventurers at their doorstep doesn't make them afraid. ;)
We'll try to make the most of the sunlight until stopping at a village for the night. ATACIUS will offer 1 gold coin for each of us if they let us sleep indoors, some food and fodder for the mounts.
By the time you get to the road, the sun is beginning to set beyond the horizon. At the first small cluster of homes, the sight of you alarms the farmers at first, but at the sight of a Priest of the Light, they welcome you with open arms. No gold is accepted, "As long as the Good Priest will bless our dinner and share the Light with us."
Once dinner is finished (a simple repast of meat and vegetables, and apples), one of the farmers approaches CALLIN apologetically. "Good Priest, I know ye be tiret 'n all... but could ye look at me son? He fell early winter 'n his leg ain't be healin' right."
The other children cluster around ATACIUS, asking him all sorts of questions about his small gear, his clothes, his feet and his "tricks" ... "Cause Pa says littlelin's always know tricks up they sleeves!"
CALLIN rubs his eyes but nods sypathetically to the farmer. "Of course, the LIGHT is always willing." and will follow the farmer to look at his son.
You're taken to another house, where the farmer's wife and two children huddle behind you in awe as you look at the young man - Garald. From the looks of it, he's broken his ankle and it's healing poorly. You know that a Cure Light Wounds prayer will help ease some of the pain for a time, but he needs a Cure Serious Wounds intercession to properly heal the injury.
CALLIN will begin to do what he can with Prayer and a Cure Light Wounds. Laying his hand on the child. "Garald, my the LIGHT guide you, and your body as it heals. May it mend your bones and heal your soul. May the Light bless you in this time of need" He will then look to his parents. "I have done what I can for Garald with my grace of power from the LIGHT but I fear that while I have helped, I do not have the cure available to me. However should I be able to take him to the Temple in Skailfer, I know the LIGHT can help him mend completely. Would you be OK with my bringing Garald to the Temple?"
Gerald's father scratches his chin. "Priest, ye've done us good 'nuff, and we have to get to the town 'fore Spring, so no trouble ta wait till then and visit the Temple. I'll be sure to tell the High Priest what a blessing you are." and he leans over and takes your hand and kisses it. "Havin' me son around ta help is a blessing."
CALLIN bows to Gerald's father. "The blessing is in the LIGHT I am only it's faithful servant. May the LIGHT bless you and keep you!"
ATACIUS will perform some sleight of hand tricks with copper pieces on the children (pulling coins from their ears and the like).
There's lots of laughter and opportunities for you to have more sweets and mugs of spiced hintea as a result. One of the boys seems very interested in what you do and even manages to copy one of your tricks of hiding the coin.
ATACIUS enjoys the drinks and the time with the children, their laughter a balm for the soul in these times. He also give each child a copper piece after rubbing it on his curly hair. "Keep it as a token of luck! Be good and do your parent's bidding. I'll know if you don't." he says to all. "And you little man, keep practising. But don't get too good or I'll be out of bussiness!" he says to the one that had copied his trick.
The boy winks at you. As the kids walk away, you see him manage to get another child's coin without his mark knowing!
GRAIAN: After the meal he sits and watches Atacius show the children his tricks, smiling as they learn, parictualry at the skilled one, he has a protege there he thinks to himself.
Most of the people in this little hamlet have caught glimpses of elves, at most -- so you are treated with a great deal of respect and some awe.
Although the space is small, you all are given spots next to the fire to lay your bedrolls and blankets and soon enough, it's a quiet, sleeping farmhouse. The evening will pass uneventfully, but soon enough, dawn comes.
Are you going to continue to Skalfier?
I guess we do. There's no reason to go back to Appleton.
The road to Skalfier is lightly trafficked on this clear, but chilly day. Even Skalfier seems quiet, with only a few market booths out by the northern gates, mainly for travelers and farmers. By the end of the day, you reach Skalfier.
(Note: I'll start another thread below but a couple of notes to streamline. Staying in Skalfier will cost ATACIUS and GRAIAN 3 gold crowns, 5 silver crowns to stay at the Golden Coach - their prices have gone back to normal with the Conclave over. To stay at the slightly less expensive (and a little more racous) Captains Quarters is 1 gold, 6 silver for room/meals)
TOBIAS and Claudia (Appleton)
TOBIAS, in the early evening, you hear a knock at the door and Enid goes to answer it. You hear Claudia's voice! Enid welcomes her in and brings her to your room and knocks discretely.
When you open the door, Claudia is standing there, and it looks like there is blood on her clothes! She has a half grim, half happy look on her face.
"Claudia!" Tobias shouts, a look of joy flashing on his face that he hasn't been seen in what seems a long time. His instinct is to give her a big hug, but he becomes self-conscious and awkwardly grabs her hands instead.
"What is going on?!" she exclaims. "Why are there guards out at the edge? Why are people acting scared?" she asks.
Tobias frowns. "They're afraid that there might be some more orcs out there. And some are probably scared of me. Yesterday, I went with some of the folks in the town what have had the training with spears out to the pond, because we heard some orcs had been seen by there. But they were hiding in the tall grass, and before we knew what was going on, they had killed Matt and Yoni... it was awful! Then Phillippe started to run, and I cast a spell to stop the orcs. But when Phillipe woke up, he ran away calling me names 'cause I'd used magic. Then when I got back to the village, it seemed like everybody in town was mad at me because I'd used magic, or because I'd not used enough magic, so I ran away and slept outside."
Claudia ignores the awkwardness and hugs you tightly.
She listens to your story, wrinkling her nose.
"Oh TOBIAS, that's awful! But you know, GRAIAN did something similar and he saved us from ten Orcs!" she exclaims. "They were at that old Mount Keep and we had to fight them and I had to fight one too... and then the ones that GRAIAN didn't bespell, they killed each other!"
She shakes her head from the memories and absentl-mindedly wipes her hand over the blood stains.
"Philippe... such a bore and an idiot! But Tobias... people have always kinda known... that you were... you know... special in that way. Sir Flinigan just didn't let anyone give you grief about it. It scares people, reminds them of the Doom and stuff. So of course they're going to be scared, and now Orcs near town? And with that hideout over to the north... "
She shudders.
"Oh, TAKASHI is here too... but... he's busy talking to the guards." and she giggles and hides her mouth.
"Well, then..." Tobias says, starting to smile again, "he won't be around to say "no" if we have some warm cider! Want some?"
"Oh.. umm... well.. OK, one but I have to also go back soon and let Ma and Pa know I'm back!" Claudia says. She self-consciously straightens her hair. When she glances down at her tunic and sees the Orc blood on his, a frown crosses her face.
Tobias follows her gaze down and also frowns. "Yeah, we should probably... probably put something clean on, with nothing... nothing what reminds us of yesterday on it. I'll change while you're gone to see your Ma and Da."
Claudia nods and touches Tobias's robes long coat where blood stains are also visible. She says nothing, but looks at him with an intense look and gets up to leave.
"Claudia?"
"Don't worry, Tobias... Master Takashi says the memories go away if we think of who we protect." she says and she leaves to go tell her parents she is home.
"I'm really glad you're ok..." Tobias says softly as Claudia leaves. He looks down at his coat. I wonder what Master Takashi says about how to get blood stains off, he thinks to himself grimly. The memories of that blood's previous owner come flooding back to him, the orc that grabbed the spear Tobias was trying to kill it with, and pulled it deeper into itself while growling at Tobias what he thought must be some sort of orcish curse. He shrugs off his coat and goes to find something clean to put on.
The sun has gone down beyond the horizon when Claudia comes back, in a different set of clothes herself. She smiles as Enid sets mugs of mulled cider and some bread at the table. Enid leaves you two to talk.
At first, Claudia seems very interested in the cider, or shy to speak, but soon enough, she's telling you about the Keep and the combat.
"... and then ATACIUS looked over the tower wall. He looked so little up there, but I swear, he climbed it like an eight-legs! He said they had... killed themselves! I couldn't believe it. What kind of monster are you that you kill yourself instead of surrendering?!"
Tobias shakes his head. "They're really strange. Not like what I'd read about. I talked to one yesterday, you know... or tried to. I cast a spell on him to make him think I was his friend, but he didn't speak Common. I tried to get him to tell me how many more orcs were around, but he just banged his chest with his fist a lot, then kind of chuckled and ran away."
TAKASHI, TOBIAS and Claudia (Appleton)
TAKASHI, Enid greets you at the door and brings you to the dining room, where you see TOBIAS and Claudia sitting. She is just finishing up telling her story about the Orcs at the Keep...
"... and then ATACIUS looked over the tower wall. He looked so little up there, but I swear, he climbed it like an eight-legs! He said they had... killed themselves! I couldn't believe it. What kind of monster are you that you kill yourself instead of surrendering?!" she says.
TOBIAS answers "They're really strange. Not like what I'd read about. I talked to one yesterday, you know... or tried to. I cast a spell on him to make him think I was his friend, but he didn't speak Common. I tried to get him to tell me how many more orcs were around, but he just banged his chest with his fist a lot, then kind of chuckled and ran away."
TAKASHI: "TOBIAS, I am happy to see that all of your amrs and legs are still attached! From the way the villagers are talking, I am concerned that some of them may be more of a threat than the orcs. Tell me of your adventures while we were away, please. The orcs seem to be on the move, which worries me greatly."
Tobias raises his eyebrows. "Adventures? Pfffft! I wish it was that way..." He takes another drink of cider, which is starting to have an effect on him, and tells the whole story of his miserable night again...
Claudia listens, her eyes widening when Tobias describes the ambush. She shakes her head sadly when Tobias describes the deaths of Matt and Yoni.
"I used to look up to Yoni, she was always so intent on becoming a warrior. She was going to leave with Ethian after the wedding and go to the Keep to become part of the Duchy's forces with the Marshal."
TAKASHI: "Many of the villagers are now scared of your sorcerous powers, and fear what you may do in the future. I tried to explain to them that sorecery is a tool, much like fire, that can be used for good or ill - it is up to those who wield the tool.
Anyhow, I am weary to the bone and need to rest. I will ride out to the Athenum tomorrow to speak with Apsun, should either of you wish to come with me. I will be leaving at first light. Good night to both of you."
"I can go!" Claudia says eagerly. "We can continue training, yes, Master?"
TAKASHI: "Of course you may. Training is a life-long process, grasshopper."
With that, TAKASHI will take his leave and get some much needed rest.
"Good night, Takashi." Tobias sighs. "You see? They're afraid of me." He looks up at Claudia. "I hope you're never afraid of me."
She looks at Tobias. "Afraid of you? Why? Because you are in tune with magic? The only way I'd be afraid is if you turned that against us. Promise me, Tobias, promise me that you won't ever use your powers against us... swear to it, here, in Sir Flinigan's home!" She looks at you as she speaks forcefully, with a strength you've not seen from her before.
Images flash across Tobias' mind... a large, partially obscured face, flames from fingertips, a burning bed...
He smiles and grasps one of Claudia's hands with one of his own, looking her in the eyes. "I promise."
Claudia looks at you for a long time, then smiles, leans over, gives you a kiss on the cheek. "Then I'm not afraid. Flinigan wouldn't have taken you in if you were a liar."
She gets up, yawning... "But I have to go. Master will want to go early to see Apsuna. More adventures!"
She waves to you and lets herself out.
Tobias watches her go, and finishes his cider. Then he goes to check on all the books he has locked up in the back room to see that they're undisturbed. If all is well, he'll head off to try and finally get some good sleep.
35th Day of Winter
The day dawns, with some clouds in the sky, and the chill of winter takes awhile to dissapate.
TAKASHI and TOBIAS, what will you do today?
Tobias is very groggy this morning and barely manages to memorize his spells and get dressed. He grabs his pack, and is sure to also grab a warm cloak to put on over his coat this time before heading out. With a quick goodbye to Enid, he leaves the manor to go look for Takashi, still feeling a bit woozy.
TAKASHI is up and getting his mount ready, having eaten something quick to get going in the early morning hours. He will wait for TOBIAS and Claudia to arrive, somewhat impatiently.
Tobias sees Takashi and approaches, his eyes bloodshot and not looking very well rested at all. "Takashi, is Graian here? Is he going to be where you're going? I need to talk with him..."
TAKASHI: "Good morning, master TOBIAS. GRAIN, CALLIN, and ATACIUS have gone on to Skalfier to inform the locals of the impending orc horde, and potentially get some help. We can head there after we talk with Apsuna at the Athenum."
Tobias grumbles to himself, thinking. He looks back up at Takashi and says, "They're not coming back sooner? All right, then." He walks off to see if he can find a mount of his own to take on the trip ahead.
Claudia arrives with her battle axe and bow. While waiting for TOBIAS to return with a horse, she asks TAKASHI to continue training with her.
A couple of villagers watch wordlessly, but leave when they see TOBIAS return. He is riding Sir Flinigan's horse. A former warhorse, it has aged gracefully and it knows TOBIAS well enough to allow him to ride it.
The morning ride to the Athenum is peaceful enough. You arrive at the ruins to see the flock resting there. Some of the birds are circling in the air. Apsuna herself is preening and grooming and when she sees you all, her head dips as she croaks "Good morning again, my friends. The sky is gray, but you brighten the day with your visit."
TAKASHI: "Apsuna, I am afraid that the sky knows what news we bring. But as we are friends, we felt we must tell you about what we found, and what may be coming."
TAKASHI will retell the trip to the keep, the battle there, and the sound of orcish warm drums that drove them to head back.
TAKASHI: "So you see, I think the earlier signs we've seen may have been scouting parties sent in front of the main orcish force. I fear that the orcs are now on the move, and sight these lands as ripe for the picking. With that in mind, we wanted to warn you and your flock. I know that if trouble appears, you can always take flight and find another nest for your family.
The same is not so easy for our kind. We build, and plant, and scrap to get by. And when something like an orcish horde appears, it is difficult to move all that we have worked for. I was hoping that *if* the orcs do come, that we might be able to count on your help. You owe us nothing, and we value your friendship greatly. We are trying to rally forces in other places, and trying to make others aware of the danger."
Apsuna ruffles her feathers.
"It has been more than a few cycles of the seasons since the althaenim have come in numbers. My children and I have looked to the empty nest over the past couple of suns since you visited last, but we have not seen them or the wild Men. However, we did hear the drums. Those brought back many memories of the bodies of the dead that number like clouds in the sky when the drums toll."
"My children are always my most concern, but you are my friends. If we see the althaenim come, we will warn you. And if possible, we will try to help, though their bows and cruelty has felled many a child, brother and sister of sky. I do not wish to lose my children to the same! Nor do I wish to see my friends felled as well. So we will see."
TAKASHI: "Thank you, my friend. I do believe that I am being rude in not introducing Claudia to you. She is my student, and lives in Appleton. She is learning many new things as of late, so I am sure that she will add your meeting to that ever growing list."
Claudia dismounts from her horse and does her best curtsey. "So you are the giant bird that Sir Flinigan spoke of. He made sure that we in the village knew that you were a friend and to be respected, that you were of the old flock that were here at the beginning. He said that we should treat you all with respect."
Apsuna ruffles her feathers, dips her head and drops her beak in laughter.
"Your courtesy does honor to your friendship with my old friend. I do miss him, but will see him again in the sky. I am glad to see that he taught you well. Yes, the stories of the darkness and the defeat of darkness by the humans, elves, little ones and dwarfs are passed along. I will pass them to my children and it will continue ever on. We remember and we are grateful that the stories of our friendship are still passed along."
She turns to TAKASHI.
"A student well chosen."
TAKASHI chuckles, then continues.
TAKASHI: "Be well my friend, and keep you and your flock safe. If you require anything from us, please find us with your keen sight and call upon us as needed. We now travel to Skalfier, to alert others to this trouble."
Tobias pays little attention to the conversation; he seems to be staring towards the north with a haunted look on his face.
Apsuna dips her head. "Wind and Sky lift you and keep you ever true, my friend. I fear what will happen in the Spring, the drums across the wind never signal good things."
TAKASHI: "However, with our friends at our side, I believe that we can face what comes ahead all the better. Good day, Apsuna. We hope to see you again soon with better news! Now, we are off to Skalfier."
With that, TAKASHI will begin the trek to Skalfier, unless TOBIAS or Claudia wish to do something else.
"Master TAKASHI, I'm not sure if my parents would let me go on another trip to Skalfier. I would need to go ask." Claudia says apologetically. "I had told them we were going on our training exercises. They are still not happy about us running into Orcs from two days ago."
TAKASHI: "I understand, Claudia. Why don't you stay in Appleton, then. Please oversee the preparations of the villagers, and make sure that they do as I have asked. I get the sense that some of them may quickly forget what to do if I am not there, so you will be there in my stead. You have learned a lot in regards to weapons and fighting - now it is time for you to learn a bit about leading!"
Tobias seems to become aware of what they're talking about and says, "Be careful Claudia, if they come, there will be fire, and drums, and..." he shakes his head as if to clear it, "...just be careful."
TAKASHI looks at TOBIAS and his currently distracted and odd behaviour.
TAKASHI: "On the way to Skalfier, I think you and I have some talking to do, TOBIAS."
Tobias nods wearily.
(If you want to have that discussion, I'll leave this reply thread going...)
After Claudia heads towards Appleton, leaving TAKASHI and TOBIAS alone for the remainder of the trip, TAKASHI looks at young TOBIAS.
TOBIAS: "What has gotten into you, TOBIAS? Ever since we have returned from the depths of the Athenum, something has been different about you. I have my suspicions, but I will let you say your piece first, and then we can go from there."
Tobias' eyes go wide in surprise. "Athenum, what do you mean? No, I'm just really tired because of last night. After you left, I tried to go to sleep, but I had this dream where the orcs were destroying the village, and there was fire and there was drums and there was all this blood... the villagers were dying and screaming for me to save them and I couldn't! Then when it was over, the dream started again and I couldn't stop it! It kept coming back all night! I've read about folks having visions of the future in their dreams, that's why I need to talk to GRAIAN, to see if he knows if these were just dreams or... if they could be real."
TAKASHI: "I will be the first to admit that I know little to nothing about what you and GRAIAN can do. However, I do worry about the foul corruption that emenated from the Athenum and the books that were taken from there. Perhaps I am a simple man, no better than the villagers that fear you because they do not understand your practices, but they worry me greatly. And now this dream... or vision."
TAKASHI shudders, even though the sun is well over the horizon and the temperatures are pleasant.
Tobias' face reddens a little when TAKASHI mentions the books, but he keeps his eyes on the trail ahead and says nothing.
TAKASHI notices the change in TOBIAS' demeanor, but decides it unwise to press him further on this subject.
TAKASHI: "I am always here if you wish to talk about anything, TOBIAS. Always know that."
Tobias looks up at TAKASHI with a slight smile. "Thanks, Takashi."
OK, I will have you come in at the evening of 35 Winter. Are you going to stay at the Golden Coach? If so, you two will unfortunately pause as we finish up the rest in 35 Winter afternoon.
One thing, TAKASHI - before leaving, Claudia would have asked if you'll be picking up her armor in Skalfier. She looked very eager to get it!
TAKASHI plans to pick up both his armor, as well as Claudia's. Also, TAKASHI is a bit low on gps (having borrowed gold from GRAIAN to pay for the final installment of his armor), so he will room with anyone who has the coinage.
Same here, TOBIAS is pretty poor at the moment.
ATACIUS, GRAIAN and CALLIN at Skalfier - 35th day of Winter
The morning dawns to you all in the town. What will you do today?
CALLIN will attend to his morning prayers at the Temple, and will attempt to speak with BRIANIOV and High Curate Maria if he can find them.
Both are available at various times - who would you like to see first?
I'd like to visit High Curate Maria first. To let her know about the Orcs we found, and the sightings about. As well as get a general update of how things in Skailfer are going. Then speak to BRIANIOV just to see how he is doing.
Maria receives you in her small quarters once morning prayers are over.
"Well, it's not even been a tenday and you're here in town. Bring any of that wonderful cider?" she smiles. She quickly sobers up as you relate what you found at the abandoned hamlet and at Mount Keep. She shakes her head and reaches under the small table in her room and pulls out a flask. Taking a long swig, she passes it to you.
"Just when you think things can't get worse, they do. What you found in the hamlet sounds like a totem to the Orc god. They call it.. Moloch. I've heard that the different orc tribes identify by a different aspect of Moloch, and the Orcs in the Oreterras are the Bloody Fist. That they are growing active again is not a good sign, especially with everything else going on."
She drops her voice. "Deneb is still on his warpath against Delmonte. Rumor has it that a caravan actually went into the hills to the east with weapons and supplies for him. His Holiness hit the roof and has his thugs scouring the hills looking for the bandit. A few have not come back. If Delmonte is gearing up to make a move, Reffyndi will find himself between bandits on one side and Orcs on the other... and Skalfier under all of it!"
"And that thing about the bodies disappearing... it's gotten worse. One of the farmers had a fright - three zombies appeared in his field! He thought they were damned, but when the Town Watch investigated, those poor people had died from the avalanche!"
"Fucking insane." she finishes and takes another swig of the strong rum. "And this gut rot will be the death of me." She grins at you.
"So... the Orcs now. The thing to do would be to let the Second in town know about them, but if you show up there, that might put you in a bad way, no? So I'll have to send someone and a little white lie that folks from Appleton have raised an alarm about the hamlet and heard drums. Anyone with you that could act the part of a villager?"
[DM note: In military terms, the officer(s) directly under the Marshal are known as Seconds. The detachment/company of soldiers in Skalfier would normally not warrant a Second, but it's also a post of politics, so having a higher ranking officer serves dual purpose.]
"I think perhaps the little one that travels with us could pull off such a ruse, he has quite the personality. He is here with me now, so I will see about sending him to you. I will have him come playing the part as well." Callin then ponders a bit "I know it is not a good idea for my to spend to much time in Skailfer, however is anyone looking into the bodies disappearing? Or the Zombies?"
Maria shakes her head. "Beyond you, myself and a couple of other acolytes and adepts, I trust very few people these days, either in their focus on the Light or their power in the Light. If this is the work of a death mage of priest of Chaos, I don't want to send the inexperienced into that sort of battle. Zombies are one thing, the ones who create them are another!"
She frowns slightly. "Your little friend wouldn't pass for a priest. Everyone knows the littlelings think we're the crazy ones for 'worshipping nothing.'"
CALLIN "true, but he could come as a villager of Appleton searching for help from the guard."
Maria nods. "That sounds like a good idea, then. He might want to change his look a bit." She looks at her almost empty flask sadly. "The Light giveth and the vices of us all taketh away." she says.
"If you're going to look into the zombies, just keep out of notice of the Watch, not that they're doing anything about it anyway. Yet. Are you willing?"
Just then, there is a knock on the door and a deacon sticks her head in. "A thousand pardons, Canon, but... there is a message for this priest here. A worshipper came and dropped it off, said it was very urgent for this priest to see it."
Maria looks at CALLIN surprised and motions the deacon in. The note passed to you is a simple folded paper and says only "We should talk. Room 202 at the Golden Coach. M"
"Everything OK?" Maria asks you. "You're quite the shining star now, getting mysterious notes passed to you."
CALLIN looks up at Maria "Everything is always alright as I have the Light with me. However who sent this note and why is a mystery. Seems I should shine the Light upon it. As for the zombies, I will consult with my comrads, we are not a full strength and it would be best if we were for such an endevor. I feel it is right for us to look into it though. The Light must shine upon all darkness no matter how great." Callin stands and will bow deeply to Maria "Thank you for your wisdom and guidance High Curate. The Light emminates from you and you always clear my judgement, even when the news is not good. May the Light always be with you and guide your way, and fill your mug!" Callin smiles a bit at the last bit, hoping to lighten the mood a bit and put a smile on Maria's face.
After departing CALLIN will head to the Golden Coach, room 202...
She smiles and places a hand on yours before you leave, giving her your blessing.
ATACIUS and GRAIAN will go to the Golden Coach. After sleeping in the open and in a barn, a nice comfy room would be a treat. ATACIUS will then go talk with the City Watch, unless there is a different representative of the forces of Skalfier Keep.
There is both. Marshal Reffindi keeps a company of soldiers (100) posted at Skalfier, but they are there for things like bandit attacks and pirate attacks. The Town Guard does maintain an office. And not that I'm telling you what to do, but just as a reminder... you might be "wanted"...
Yes, I know. I was thinking of disguising myself before going to the Marshall's HQ in town. Maybe using a pillow to appear fatter, wearing a bandana and nose ring (no piercing).
If that's what you want to do, make it so and we'll see how it works!
OK, let's see how it goes. :)
OK, you find your way to the Skalfier Town Watch office, which also houses the "Commander" of the Marshal's forces in Skalfier. That would be Second Jeffrey, but you are directed by a bemused Watch officer to the Second's adjutant, a bored looking Lieutenant Anton. Anton looks at you up and down, somewhat skeptically as you introduce yourself.
"The Watch Officer said you wanted to see me?" he asks - looking puzzled. "What can I do for you?"
"Yes, indeed. Thank you for your time officer. I'm Amulius Longbrook form the Appleton area. I came to alert the Marshall forces of the presence of Orcs and beast-men in that area and beyond. A gruesome findings have been made in an abandoned homestead nearby and that vermin has also enroached in the ruins of Mount Keep. You can imagine how distressed we are, so I beseech you send some men. I believe by this time the Church of the Light has also been alerted about such evil."
"Appleton... Appleton... " Anton says. He turns to a map hanging on the wall, which looks similar to the Guild Hall map you procured earlier. His eyebrow goes up. "Orcs... that far south and close to the wall? What kind of finding? And why is the Church involved? You best start at the beginning.
(You don't have to tell the entire story again, but if there are parts you're going to emphasize, and parts you're going to leave out, let me know.)
He's going to leave out the specifics about who did the findings, no names of course, and not the encounter with the Orcs.
The littleling spits all out in a distressed and pleading voice. "Yes, yes Sir. Well, there is this hamlet, you know, not far from Appleton where they found the half-eaten bodies of the missing elfs and that horrible, horrible altar splashed with blood and burnt offerings. When they came back with the news many got ready to defend the village, but we're not soldiers! What are we going to do? And then they went and explored further and found this black flag atop the Keep, and the sound of war drums chased them away. That's when we decided to ask for your help. It's horrible Sir, we're not safe, you have to send someone! What place has the world become?" He shakes his head and throws his arms up. "And there are rumors of Damned on other thorpes, so that's why they warned the Church too!"
As ATACIUS tells more of his story, Anton sits, dips his quill into ink and begins taking notes in a ledger-looking book. He asks questions, mainly of the "how many, where exactly, when" kind, but it's clear he's taking it seriously.
"As for what we're going to do, this is good information. I am going to send it today to the Marshal, and we will certain warn our patrols around Skalfier. Stay away from the North Hills for the time being!" he replies. "Other than that, there is little to do but remain alert, keep your village militias ready and go about your lives. It is probably a raiding party at work. If your village is attacked, and your militia is outnumbered, take refuge either at the Keep or here, whichever route you feel is safest. May the Light ... erm... bless you all there." he instructs.
ATACIUS paces the room as he tells the story. Is there anyone else in the room? Anything interesting in there?
Nobody else is in the small office. Many papers are scattered about, ledgers and books that appear to be official records. A corner where this officer's armor and weapons are stored. A small stove that provides a bit of warmth. A small lockbox that is shut. The desk that the officer sits at and two other chairs. A small window near the ceiling provides some light.
ATACIUS will thank Anton and leave for the Golden Coach.
OK, I'll assume you and GRAIAN would be together. See below.
GRAIAN will spend the morning resting a little longer and then take a walk around town to see how the rebuilding is going.
With it being Winter, not as much activity is going on as was in the Fall, but the northern walls and gates to the Westedge neighborhood have been mostly rebuilt and some buildings are springing up. Tents are still plentiful in this area, especially in areas where homes have been completely demolished and carted off. A thick haze of smoke from campfires and small stoves hangs low above the ground.
The rest of Skalfier is fairly quiet, as Winter has slowed things down. A few boats can be seen the waters. One in particular stands out, as it's flying a flag signifying it is from Regnum Central (the Central kingdom where the King of Etinerra resides).
GRAIAN will take note of any activity around the boat but will then head to the Golden Coach to see what news he can find of the visitors.
Ships regularly visit from the city of Nyrania, the Elven-Human city within the boundaries of Regnum Central.
This ship has brought word of the King's Message at the New Year to Skalfier, and it will be read by the Town Council at a gathering in a few days. The officers of the ship have remained aboard, but the sailors are enjoying a bit of shore leave in the taverns, down by the docks. It looks like the King's Message will be a grim one for the 57th year. (Roll me a d10, that's how much gold you spend to learn about that.) (And then see the continuation below...)
GRAIAN rolled 1d10 for a total of 2
2 gp!
ATACIUS and GRAIAN at the Golden Coach - 35th Day of Winter - midday
GRAIAN, as you are sitting at the bar, a bar waitress approaches you. "M'sir... this be for you." and she places a folded piece of paper to your side. When you look, all that is written is "We should talk. Room 202. M"
GRAIAN thanks the waitress, picks up his drink and heads to Room 202
ATACIUS, upon entering the Golden Coach, the Innkeeper at the desk waves you over. "S'arh, I have this fer ye." and hands you a folded piece of paper. When you look, all that is written is "We should talk. Room 202. M"
ATACIUS: Upon entering the Golden Coach he takes off the pillow, the bandana and fake nose ring. "Thank you!" he says to the Innkeeper as he takes the note and hands him the pillow. "See it goes to my room please." He then proceed to room 202.
Upon arriving at the room, you hear a familiar voice call out "Come in!"
The door opens to a jaunty looking Marceau sitting in the room, with a few maps and papers spread out before him on the floor. He stands to shake ATACIUS's hand and GRAIAN's hand when they enter.
"Welcome, welcome... I had heard you were in town finally, and not a moment too soon. Now I've sent out one other invite, seeing as it's just you three. I hope that all is well with TAKASHI?"
He brings out a pitcher of water and a carafe of steaming hot hintea and motions you both to sit.
After awhile, CALLIN knocks at the door and he too is invited in.
"Ah, now that you're all here, at last. So, gentlemen... life has been good for you, from what I hear. Settling in to a small village, keeping your heads low, although you, sir... being the voice of reason for the elves. Well done! Although not much is known what will happen if Shaiman is successful. Getting the Elves to go to Ramathia is a big deal." and Marceau winks at you.
"As I'm sure you remember, the Guild was happy to hire you on a contract basis as ... troubleshooters. They've been pleased to hear that you are doing well. However, the Guild is torn between two competing interests in hiring you. One is for a very dangerous mission. The other is keeping you here safe and sound till the Elves return and head to Ramathia. The opportunity to have someone there who can report back to the Guild is extremely tempting."
Marceau frowns. "So, what I'm about to tell you is strictly confidential. I'm sure I don't need to say more." He looks at each of you and continues.
"The Guild has become aware that Delmonte has stepped up his efforts in turning his band of bandits into a proper army. We believe he is getting shipments of arms somewhere along the coastline to the east of Skalfier and transporting them into the Wastes. That is an area north, northeast of Skalfier, in the mountains. If this is true, then that might mean he's gearing up to do more than just simple banditry. He might be positioning himself to overthrow the Marshal!"
"It's no secret that Delmonte is an ambitious man. If the Guild is correct and this is the former Marshal Monte, then revenge and anger are also in the mix and that makes for a dangerous situation."
Marceau sighs. "So... they want to know. Where the arms are coming in, if they are. Who is supplying Delmonte? Where is Delmonte at?"
"With King Felix announcing that 'we must hold on' as his yearly address, many are becoming disheartened. The Duchy of Irecia is being attacked, as is the Duchy of Dawn. Many are afraid the same will happen in the Oreterras. They took a great deal of territory in the twenties, and with them coming back to the east... well, you can see how someone like Delmonte could feed on that fear and draw people to a strongman."
"Yet... Ramathia." he sighs and chuckles as he points to GRAIAN. "Had you not been so damn good at somehow convincing the elves to investigate Ramathia... the Guild finds itself uncomfortable with losing the opportunity of going there... without them paying for it! Whatever did you find in the Athenum anyway? I know you went there, and you came back and somehow swayed the discussion."
ATACIUS unfolds his map and compares it with Marceau's looking for useful information. "We've found evidence of orcs and beast-men here and here." he says pointing at Mount Keep and the thorpe near Athenum on his map. "I bet Delmonte is holed up here..." he adds pointing at Dawn's Keep. "...but that's just a haunch." He looks at Marceau's reaction.
"But, if we agree to take this job, we need to make sure that Appleton will be safe while we're away. Can you guarantee that?"
Marceau looks agast at ATACIUS.
"What?! Orcs? Where? Tell me everything you know!" he exclaims. He grabs his maps and pushes them next to yours.
(There are many more villages and hamlets and what look like trail marks on his. The major pieces that you have already identified are there. There are a couple of places with question marks in them.)
"Before I make any promises, tell me about these Orcs."
(I don't expect you to type out all that has occurred! What would you tell Marceau, what would you leave out? He will quiz you extensively on what you saw, numbers, where, what, how, when -- and many of his questions are geared towards understanding what they might have been up to.)
ATACIUS will tell Marceau everything as it happened in the thorpe and in the keep. He won't leave anything out. "This is useful and valuable information you're getting Marceau. We risked our neck out there. Something's cooking in the mountains and we don't want Appleton to be caught unaware."
MARCEAU listens and takes copious notes. An hour later, he sits back and shakes his head.
"I believe you, ATACIUS." he says. He stands, stretches and then barks a rueful laugh.
"Woe be to the man between death and doom, I would say. This bodes very ill for the area, if the Orcs are on the move. And it would not surprise me if they weren't. When I say that the Duchies of Irecia and Dawn have been hit hard, I meant it. A fourth of Irecia and a third of Dawn have been taken in seven years and who knows if they can be stopped? Dawn especially is on hard times, with the ruling family dead and a large part of the population moving south. If the Orcs move to take the Skalfier plains, we are little prepared. Damn Reffyndi and his ineptness!" Marceau curses.
"I have friends all over these lands, and I would do as much as I can to protect them all." Marceau answers. He taps his finger to his chin. "This changes the plan. I need to let the Masters know about these events. Several of them have military experience with Orcs. They might be able to shed light on this and decide if to offer you the two contracts or if something else is required. For now, my advice is that you do what you can to prepare the villagers and stay in Appleton. I will send word when they've decided, should you still be available and interested."
Marceau looks at GRAIAN and CALLIN to see if there is anything they'd like to add. (@Chris@Joseph Schnurr)
CALLIN: "Marceau, what do you know of these zombie sightings lately? Seems that people are rising from the dead? Is this of any concern?"
Marceau purses his lips. "I heard the rumor of sightings but to be honest, I did not pay them any mind, so I've not asked about them nor has the Guild asked me to look into it. Of course it's a concern, dead should stay dead! Having a necromancer around is bad for business and bad in general... combined with bandits and Orcs... well... it's a fine time to be a troubleshooter."
GRAIAN: "There is indeed plenty for us to look after. I expect to be joining the expedition to Ramathia when my kin return, not only out of interest but also I fear that as many voices of reason as possible will be needed during that time. However, there is an opportunity to tackle these other problems in the meantime. Appleton is very close to the Orcs and and we should do all we can to prepare the village for any possible attack. We may be able to bloody their nose but without help I do not htink we can push them away."
Marceau nods to GRAIAN. "I will make sure word is sent to you when the elves return."
Do any of you want to talk to ask Marceau any more questions? If not, I'll forward this to night, when all of you are together, unless there's something you'd like to do prior to that.
TAKASHI wants to pick up his and Claudia's armor when he arrives first, if the shops are still open.
It will be too late, as you'll arrive at Skalfier in the evening time. Depending on what you want to do next, we might move into a more abstract game, to finish out Winter, or keep at the day by day.
ATACIUS: "Would the guild or the Marshall consider the possibility of negotiating with Delmonte, set their differences aside, and fight together against the Orc menace?" he asks Marceau as he updates his map with any interesting info he sees on Marceau's.
One of the question marks is between the unnamed tower on your map and "Dawns Keep". The other question mark is on the coast line, directly south of Dawn's Keep.
CALLIN is good. He is too busy thinking about getting back to Appleton to protect the village from Orcs...
Do we want to investigate the necromancer threat while we are in town?
I wouldn't mind....but at the same time I don't want to leave appleton on their own for too long. CALLIN always has interest in rooting out darkness.
Graian would be willing to investigte a little
ATACIUS would rather work on Appleton defenses and scout the lands around it.
I'll leave the decision up to TOBIAS, as we are guests in his domain. ;>
TOBIAS: "Oh, no! I'm not responsible for Skalfier, too!" TOBIAS will make sure and tell GRAIAN all about his dream last night, ask him what it could be and how he can stop it - he's never had a dream he couldn't stop before! Then, if there's a necromancer around and his friends think they can stop him, TOBIAS thinks it's a good idea to try. Besides, he might have his spell book with him...
I meant that TAKASHI would leave it up to TOBIAS if he felt that it would be better to return to Appleton, or stay in Skalfier to investigate. Not implying that he is responsible for both.
The DM eyes his encounter dice and his hand fidgets...
CALLIN "As much as I think we should look around. Our first priority is Appleton. I think it would be best if we return and ensure that the town is secure and protected. I have also heard that there are people searching for us in Skalfier for things that happened at the keep. So staying here for an extended period of time may be unwise right now anyway."
ATACIUS:"Ha! Good thing it was Amulius Longbrook and not me that warned the Marshall's forces about the orcs!" says the littleling with a laugh and a wink to Marceau.
GRAIAN: "I agree Callin, but we are going to be here tonight anyway, a little investigation would not hurt. The quesiton is where to start?"
TAKASHI: "From what I understand, the graveyard is always a good place to start when looking for someone who fancies raising the dead."
35th/36th Day of Winter - Late Night/Early morning
There are several graveyards in and around Skalfier, with the most recent grave robberies coming from one on the western outskirts of the Westedge neighborhood. The people you talk to about the robberies are afraid and angry. Most often, when stories are told about "evil mages", it always centers on a necromancer. The hint that one might be operating in or near Skalfier has many on edge.
There are a couple of guards at the entrance to the graveyard, but they look half asleep or drunk. The low lying stone fence that surrounds the roughly an acre area is easy to step through or over. Graves here are shoved very close together, with some families able to afford small masoleums or sarcophagi aboveground. These are well sealed or fenced off. Most of the newer graves are towards the northwest edge of the graveyard. It is dark and cloudy, so the normal star-shine isn't helping. A lantern or torch would be seen by the guards.
What will you do?
TAKASHI looks at the guards, and considers their current state.
TAKASHI: "While I think we could easily avoid the attention of the guards, I'd rather not have to try and avoid being seen. Brother CALLIN, perhaps they will let us investigate the graveyard on behalf of the temple? And offer that one (or all) of them could come with us to ensure no foul play is attempted."
ATACIUS: "Aaaand we can sweeten the deal with a coin in their pockets."
CALLIN: "Yes that may be best" CALLIN will aproach the guards openly. "Good Evening, I was hoping to investigate the graveyard these evening. THe Temple is worried with the current stories of the dead walking. Would it be alright if my associates and I explore the graveyard and investigate the claims?"
One of the guards squints blearily at you all as you approach, then nearly falls off his stool at CALLIN's words and the sight of his Holy Symbol and your arms and armor. He smacks the other guard who was just about to fall over asleep, so now the guard falls over, waking up in the process. "OOF!"
"Sorry, Priest... we'z.. uzzz... just cold 'n dark 'night and we'z uz iz jes' gettin' ready o' walk abit... ye are f'sure we'come... we'z tole a'bit the dead, doan wan' no trouble n'our watch!" he says thickly, from drink. Both stand up unsteadily, bracing themselves with spears that have seen better days.
ATACIUS: "I hope the Marshall's soldiers are better than these guys or the Orcs will overrun us in the blink of an eye!" the littleling whispers to TAKASHI.
TAKASHI: "These are likely those lowest on the pole, ATACIUS. I can't think of any military unit that would reward its best soldiers with guard duty at the graveyard..."
They bear the livery of the Skalfier Town Guard. It's a separate entity from any Ducal troops that the Marshal has posted in Skalfier.
CALLIN smiles at the two guards "Thank you for allowing us to investigate. May your eyes stay sharp and may the LIGHT guide you on your Watch this night and all others. Peace go with you" CALLIN will bow to the guards and motion his friends to enter the graveyard. "Now shall we find us some zombies?"
The guard blinks a few times and then nods. "O'course, Priest... Light w'ye s'well." and he sits heavily back down. The other guard, who finally has fully woken up, nods to CALLIN and then glares at the now seated guard.
"Woke me fer dat?!" he grumbles.
"Hesh 'n show sum 'spect fa da Priest!" the seated guard mutters. He raises his hand to smack at the standing guard, who steps away and towards the wall, apparently to relieve himself.
Entering into the graveyard, you don't see anything immediately around you. There are no guides and the paths are narrow and haphazardly laid out. There are scraggly trees scattered throughout the immediate area you can see around. This is probably the "nicer" part of the graveyard.
CALLIN will attempt to find the areas where previous people have "risen"
How will you do that? What are you looking for?
TAKASHI: "Perhaps starting in the oldest part of the cemetary would be best? On the other hand, don't zombies require somewhat fresh corpses? Perhaps starting in the newer corner of the cemetary may be better."
ATACIUS: "Yes, besides fresh graves wouldn't look like they were disturbed. There would be plenty after the avalanche."
CALLIN: "Agreed, let us start where the bodies from the avalanche were buried."
GRAIAN: "Yes this is not going to be easy, but perhaps we will find something unusual.... hopefully not a rising in process."
As you move further into the gloomy cemetary, reading the tombstones and grave markers, it is easy to see how the area has "aged" with more recent deaths generally interred to the north and west. After awhile, you come across what appears to be a mass grave, with markings reading from last Summer - around the time of the infamous earthquake/tornado day.
It's roughly 30 feet long and 10 feet deep, but looks undisturbed. As you make your way around this grave, you hear an odd sound to the northwest. It's an odd "dragging" sound interspersed with an occasional light rattle of pebbles or small rocks moving. It seems very rhythmic, steady without pause. You do not see anything in that direction, with your lantern/torch light shining only 30 feet ahead of you.
ATACIUS will move out of the circle of light and try to see what's causing that noise.
The light will need to be shielded, or put out, or you would need to be 90' away from the light source for your infravision to not be overwhelmed by it.
"Shield that light!" hisses ATACIUS from the shadows beyond.
CALLIN will cover his lantern to dim the light to allow the Littleone to work.
ATACIUS: Once the light is dim, you can see further, but whatever is making that noise, you do not see it. Movement-wise, it is as still as a graveyard! (BADUM!)
REST: Once the lantern is dimmed, you realize how dark and creepy a cemetary can look.
The noise continues, unabated.
TOBIAS will "fall in" behind TAKASHI. That's what soldiers do, right? He's not hiding, he's just... in formation.
ATACIUS will navigate the graveyard following the sound.
TAKASHI will ready his sword and shielf, and follow ATACIUS carefully as he attempts to find the source of the sound.
You can make out (barely) the motion of ATACIUS before you in the dark. The hooded lantern casts odd shadows on the various grave markers and tombstones, causing you to see shapes and movements where there is none. As he is able to navigate easier through the jumbled and chaotic nature of the cemetary, he even goes out of view of just seeing his shadowy movements several times. The noise is getting louder, although unchanging...
ATACIUS screams and stumbles over the tombstones back towards the safety of the light. "Eeeee! CALLIN! Over there... clawing the ground with them hands!"
TAKASHI will advance forward to where ATACIUS points, hoping brother CALLIN is close behind.
CALLIN will unsheld the lantern and move forward to where ATACIUS pointed drawing forth his war hammer attempting to see what is going on.
COMBAT ROUND 1
ATACIUS suddenly screams and stumbles over the tombstones back towards the safety of the light. "Eeeee! CALLIN! Over there... clawing the ground with them hands!"
TAKASHI advances forward to where ATACIUS points, hoping brother CALLIN is close behind. CALLIN unshields the lantern and moves forward to where ATACIUS pointed, drawing forth his war hammer attempting to see what is going on.
About 90 feet in front of you is what appears to be a fresh mass grave and a horrid sight. On the mound of dirt are a large number of mostly naked human forms, digging into the dirt with their hands. Their bodies appear odd: several have limbs in unnatural positions, as if broken or twisted. Several others are missing chunks out of their torsos or limbs. They don't seem to react to your presence. The other two figures that you see DO react as they are pursuing ATACIUS! They appear human-like, but with elongated arms with fingers that end in dirty claws. They are hissing at ATACIUS as they are closing the range quickly!
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS - Will keep running away from the creatures until he reaches the safety of the group.
TAKASHI - "Watch out! Here they come." TAKASHI will advance to meet one of the two advancing foul beasts, and attempt to slice it in twain. (@Alan Krause Rolled 1d20 for 12 +3 (fighter) +x (sword), rolled 1d8 for 1 +x(sword) - weak swing TAKASHI!)
CALLIN - will step forward focusing his power on his Holy Symbol. "By the LIGHT cast away this vile darkness!" and will cast turn undead. (@Joseph Schnurr - [updated 5/14 - I went ahead and did the rolls for you] go ahead and roll me a d20 for the turn and a d12 for number turned, in case the turn works)
GRAIAN - will ready Magic Missiles, taking aim at the one that Takashi is not preparing to attack. He will wait until after Callin cast Turn though.
TOBIAS - instinctively casts charm person in self-defense against the nearest of the two advancing creatures. (I think it's very likely TOBIAS knows that undead aren't affected by charm person - I wouldn't want to penalize you that way. Is there something else you'd like to do? @Derek Daniels) (Ok. You're giving him more credit for knowing about undead than I was, lol) - TOBIAS instinctively clutches and pulls out one of his daggers in self-defense. If he has a clear opportunity, he will throw the dagger as hard as he can at the nearest advancing creature.
Initiative
PCs: 5
DM: 5
Zombies: Last
CALLIN steps forward, focusing his power on his Holy Symbol. "By the LIGHT cast away this vile darkness!" The symbol itself bursts into life, light streaming from the symbol to wash over both the party and the undead. The long limbed creatures let out a strange whistling cry as they throw up their arms to ward off the light. They turn and lope away! The figures digging on this side of the mound, briefly fully visible in the light and easily identifiable as zombies, stop what they're doing. They slowly start to crawl away in some cases use their arms in a strange swimming motion.
ATACIUS finishing his mad dash back to the safety of the party, while TAKASHI steps forward to the front. GRAIAN raises his hands in readiness to cast a spell while TOBIAS instinctively clutches and pulls out one of his daggers in self-defense.
As the long-limbed creatures run over the top of the mound, their cry is answered by similar cries coming from the other side of the mound! Two more similar human-like creatures, with open mouths of unnatural teeth, come dashing towards you!
COMBAT ROUND 2
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS - Will use his sling and bullets to attack at the incoming creatures.
TAKASHI - TAKASHI will focus his energy on the edge of the blade, the balance of it in its hand, and the sound as it parts the very air itself as he aims to bring down a long limbed creature!
CALLIN - Will channel his Faith of the Light into his HOly Symbol yet again. "LIGHT shine upon these creatures of vile darkness, consume them in the glory of your LIGHT!" Casting turn undead again!
GRAIAN - will again hold magic missile ready waiting for Callin if he attempts Turn. (I don't think Caliin can do another Turn, correct?) Yes, he can! CALLIN can continue to turn as long as he's successful. Once he's unsuccessful, then future turns for this combat will not work.
TOBIAS - Continues to hold his dagger ready, planning to throw it at any creature that gets near enough.
Initiative:
PCs: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 3
DM: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 3
Results:
Hissing and opening their unnaturally large mouths filled with sharp teeth, the two long-limbed figures charge at TAKASHI and CALLIN. Over the crest of the mound behind them, moving very slowly, are more zombies!
CALLIN channels his Faith of the Light into his Holy Symbol yet again. "LIGHT shine upon these creatures of vile darkness, consume them in the glory of your LIGHT!" he shouts. The Light flickers and doesn't shine as brightly and only one of the zombies stumbles to a halt and turns to move away. Still, his turn was successful, meaning he can try next round (assuming he's not in combat!)
The hissing long-limbed undead, undeterred by CALLIN's faith, continue their charge towards the two men.
As they move into range, ATACIUS uses his sling and bullet to attack one of the charging undead. Spinning the cloth and leather sling, he lets fly! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 3) The bullet SPAKs in front of the creatures, a hurried shot that missed. TOBIAS, meanwhile, throws his dagger at the creatures. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 19) It THUNKS into the creature's flesh, splitting it open. The creature lets out a high pitched, unearthly cry at the light wound.
GRAIAN weaves his magic and a magic missile shoots out to hit the same creature. It shudders as the missle burns into its body, causing what appears to be another light wound.
The ghouls leap the last few feet towards TAKASHI, both crashing into him. The melee is fast and chaotic as TAKASHI attempts to land a blow at one of the creatures. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 11, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d8 for a total of 5) They, in turn, claw at his shield, his armor, his sword and face, as well as gnashing their mouths full of teeth at him!
TAKASHI focuses his energy on the edge of the blade, the balance of it in its hand, and the sound as it parts the very air itself as he aims to bring down a long limbed creature! He manages to cause some serious wounds to the creature, hacking its bloodless flesh open in many places and slicing the sword into its shoulders and arms. The creature lets out another one of its wails from the injuries and is unable to breach the warrior's armor. However, the other creature manages to rake its claws against TAKASHI's sword arm, causing bloody gouges. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 19, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 4 divided by 2 is 2. TAKASHI is now at 19 hp.)
(TAKASHI, you need to make a save vs. paralyzation! Please roll a d20. NOTE: I allow the d30 in this game! You get it once per "adventure", which in the PbP world is a series of connected Acts at a location or for a specific mission. If you wish to roll a d30, go here: http://www.roll-dice-online.com/ - I'll rule that this "adventure" is from when you left Appleton to come to Skalfier through when we go back to the 'rest' of Winter.
TAKASHI will burn his d30, and rolls.... a 20!)
The wound burns as the claws rake through your skin. A strange tingling crawls up your arm, but you quickly shake it off!
Six zombies are at the top of the 6 foot mound over the mass grave, and slowly moving.
COMBAT ROUND 3
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS - Will keep throwing bullets with his sling at the incoming grave defilers.
TAKASHI - "Die, grave-defiler! I know not what you are up to, only that it is no good!" TAKASHI snicker-snacks with Flinnigan's repose, attempting to vanquish the long-limbed abominations.
CALLIN - "Vile creatures of Darkness! The LIGHT shall shake you to the core!" Callin will once again call upon his Faith in the LIGHT to banish these creatures (turn undead)
GRAIAN - "Undead, I hate them." Realizing his remaining spells are of no value he drops back and prepares to throw darts.
TOBIAS - takes his last prepared flask of oil out of his pocket. He moves over to kneel beside the lantern on the floor and opens it. He watches to see if the large group of zombies moves forward, hoping to light the flask and throw the oil at them if he gets the chance.
Initiative:
PCs: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 6
DM: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 3
"Vile creatures of Darkness! The LIGHT shall shake you to the core!" Callin once again calls upon his Faith in the LIGHT to banish these creatures. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 3, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d12 for a total of 7) For whatever reason, his faith stretched to the breaking point, or doubt and fear creeping into his prayer at seeing TAKASHI injured, but the light emanating from his Holy Symbol flickers out, leaving only the dim light of the lantern to shine.
ATACIUS fires another bullet with his sling at the incoming grave defilers, aiming at the one he hit previously. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 20, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d100 for a total of 40, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d4 +1 for a total of 2) His shot is dead on and SPAKs the creature dead between the eyes! It rocks back, stumbling momentarily from the blow. The bullet remains embedded in it's temple, the skin split and a bit of skull bone showing.
"Undead, I hate them." GRAIAN sighs. Realizing his remaining spells are of no value he drops back and prepares to throw darts. Seeing that the ghoul that ATACIUS hit is in range, GRAIAN throws a dart at it, but misses. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 11)
TOBIAS takes his last prepared flask of oil out of his pocket. He moves over to kneel beside the lantern on the floor and opens it. He watches to see if the large group of zombies moves forward, hoping to light the flask and throw the oil at them if he gets the chance. (They are not in range this round. Range is 10'/20'/30'. They are roughly 120' away. I will rule that the flask will remain alit for 6 rounds with consuming enough oil to affect the use of it.)
GRAIAN quickly tosses two more darts at the same ghoul, but in all cases, the darts land well away from the creature as it re-engages with TAKASHI! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 4, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 4)
TAKASHI - "Die, grave-defiler! I know not what you are up to, only that it is no good!" TAKASHI snicker-snacks with Flinnigan's repose, attempting to vanquish the long-limbed abominations. He is unable to cause any real damage in the exchange. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 9) Both of the creatures claw and bite at him, the injured creature again raking its claws against TAKASHI's exposed skin, raising bloody welts.
(Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 16 / damage: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 5 = 3hp, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 9, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 3, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 13, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 3, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 9 .)
(TAKASHI - you take 3 points of damage - now at 16hp and because it's a claw, make another saving throw vs. Paralyzation.)
TAKASHI rolled 1d20 for a total of 3 - not good!
To the horror of your companions, TAKASHI's limbs slowly start to lock in place. First is the hands and feet, growing stiff and immobile - Sir Flinigan's sword clenched in unmmoving fingers. Then your legs and arms start to stiffen. You can lurch around, much like a zombie, next round, 30' move max.
The zombies continue to lurch down the mound, slowly moving another ten yards or so.
Behind you, you hear an "Oi! Wa'z all dey noise?" It sounds like the voice of the cemetary guard you saw earlier!
COMBAT ROUND 4
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS - ATACIUS will move behind TAKASHI and grab his belt to help him move faster away from the long limbed undead.
TAKASHI - Will slowly lurch backwards a bit, so as to not be so exposed.
CALLIN - WIll attempt to charge into the zombies slamming them away from TAKASHI with his shield and following up with a reign of blows of his Hammer. "ATACIUS help TAKASHI fall back! GUARDS!!!! We need your help!" (@Joseph SchnurrDo you mean the long limbed creatures (2) who are attacking TAKASHI? They don't resemble zombies that you've ever heard about. These... are something different. They are definitely undead. The zombies are about 90' behind them, coming down the mound of the mass grave. Just want to make sure I understand you :> ) ---SORRY yess the long limbed creatures who are attacking TAKASHI. I'm attempting to knock them back/occupy them while he retreats.
GRAIAN - will help Atacius and Takashi, readying his darts in case anything approaches them or there is an opportunity to throw them at the strange creatures before Callin engages them.
TOBIAS - remains kneeling by the lamp, watching the zombies, not wanting to light the wick of his oil flask until they get close enough for him to toss it. He adds to CALLIN'S shouts, crying "Here! Over here! Help!!" towards the guards.
Cemetary Guards - Herny and Vilip -
@Joseph Schnurr - to do that, I'm going to roll d20 for the hit and ignore AC. If you slam into one, you'll knock it over, but I'm going to have you roll 4d6 under your Dex to not fall on top of him! Since you're charging into a scrum. Sound good? Sounds perfect to me!
RESULTS
Initiative
PCs/Guards - Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 1
DM - Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 5
Seeing an opening, while moving to help Atacius and Takashi, GRAIAN throws a dart at the strange creatures! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 14, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 1) It sticks in the arm of the previously wounded creature, which hisses again, although the wound itself seems small. TOBIAS adds to CALLIN'S shouts, crying "Here! Over here! Help!!" towards the guards.
CALLIN calls out "ATACIUS help TAKASHI fall back! GUARDS!!!! We need your help!"
TAKASHI slowly lurches backwards a bit, so as to not be so exposed, his limbs stiffening further. ATACIUS moves behind TAKASHI and grabs his belt to help him move faster away from the long limbed undead. The two creatures claw at the retreating TAKASHI (1 AOO each, a claw attack - AC3 due to no shield - Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 2, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 13) but neither are able to find bare flesh as their long nails SCRAAAAPE against their armor.
"Hi-ho!" Herny, the portly guard yells as he runs up to the melee, swinging his torch to and fro in front of him like he's swatting away flies. His skinny and sleepy looking companion, Vilip, does the same.
CALLIN charges into the undead creatures, slamming them away from TAKASHI with his shield. (Grapple/shield bash attack at AC of 10 - Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 8 - shield bash 1d4 (like a club) - Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d4 for a total of 1) The injured creature is bowled over, the back of it's head slamming on the ground and the shield crunching into its chest! Unfortunately, CALLIN lands ON TOP of the undead! (Roll =< Dex of 12, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 4, 6, 3, 5 on 4d6 for a total of 18).
Seeing that TAKASHI is safely away, GRAIAN tosses two more darts at the standing undead - but in the confusion of the melee, both darts fly off. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 6, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 10)
Caught unawares by the sudden charge of CALLIN and the lit torches being thrust at it, the undead creature hesitates, taking a step back but not retreating. The creature under CALLIN's shield hisses and squeals, looking at if it will try to escape!
TOBIAS, the zombies approaching are moving slowly, now they are about sixty feet away. They have to be thirty feet away before you could possibly toss the oil flask at them.
COMBAT ROUND 5
Declarations:
ATACIUS - will continue to help TAKASHI move faster @Gabriel Perez GallardiYou are now dragging deadweight, and with his scale armor, shield, sword and pack, he's a heavy load! If you want to move with him, you'll be rolling 5d6 to equal/under your STR value. Is ATACIUS going to try that or try another way to get him out of harm's way? ATACIUS will give it a try (rolled 2, 1, 5, 4, 6 on 5d6 for a total of 18 > 9) but ask for help. "GRAIAN, gimme a hand over here! I can't move him alone!"
TAKASHI - (Now fully paralyzed)
CALLIN - @Joseph Schnurr - you're on top of the creature, he's under your shield struggling. What would you like to do?
Can I smash him withy hammer while holding him down with my shield? @Joseph Schnurr - yes. It'll be a straight up attack, since you both are prone and not really in good positions. If the other creature decides to attack you, depending on what else happens, you'll be considered prone and without shield additions to your AC. What do you think? I think Callin is going to smash this things face in :) let's do it! - By Your Command! :D
GRAIAN - "Herny, give me that torch and then go help him the paralysed one. Vilip come with me, and bring your torch, keep waving at that thing." Graian will move up to Callin, "Mind yourself, this thing may burn rapidly." he makes to lower the torch to the head of the grounded creature.
TOBIAS - tries to not be distracted by the chaos around him and keep his eyes mainly on the approaching zombies. He wants to hold until they are close enough for him to light and throw the oil. (Possibly waiting another round)
Initiative:
PCs: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 6
DM: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 2
"GRAIAN, gimme a hand over here! I can't move him alone!" ATACIUS calls out as the dead-weight of the fully paralyzed TAKASHI proves to be too heavy for the littleling to drag.
"Herny, give me that torch and then go help him the paralysed one. Vilip come with me, and bring your torch, keep waving at that thing." GRAIAN will move up to Callin, "Mind yourself, this thing may burn rapidly."
(Reaction check for both Herny and Vilip - Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 5, 6 on 2d6 for a total of 11, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 3, 6 on 2d6 for a total of 9 - both are willing to help!)
Herny passes the torch to GRAIAN and goes to help ATACIUS drag TAKASHI away. Vilip continues to wave the torch at the creature, sticking close to GRAIAN.
CALLIN, still on top of the struggling creature, tries to use his hammer to smash the thing's face in. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +2 for a total of 7) It struggles to try and free itself from underneath the shield, and CALLIN is unable to wound the creature. GRAIAN - he makes to lower the torch to the head of the grounded creature. With CALLIN on top and the struggle, it is difficult to get a clean shot, and GRAIAN is unable to strike the creature with the torch. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 7)
The pinned creature is unable to free itself! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 3). The other creature continues to take a step back from Vilip's swinging torch, hissing in anger, it's horribly clawed fingers outstretched.
TOBIAS - tries to not be distracted by the chaos around him and keep his eyes mainly on the approaching zombies. He wants to hold until they are close enough for him to light and throw the oil. The very slow zombies continue to lumber forth. TOBIAS judges that they are within range (barely) but by saving his throw, he can have a better chance before they make it to the fray.
COMBAT ROUND 6
Declarations:
Takashi: (paralyzed)
Atacius: will keep dragging TAKASHI with one hand as he frees one of his satchels with the other. "TOBIAS! Here I have more of those!" You are, at start of round 6, 30 feet behind the "line" and moving 30'/round with Herny helping you.
Callin: "By the LIGHT foul creature, you shall be dispatched!" Callin will rain more blows down on the creature with his WarHammer
Graian: will try to torch the creature under Callin
Tobias: waits until he thinks he has a chance for a good throw, then he lights the wick on his oil and hurls it - hard - at the group of zombies! Then he answers ATACIUS' call and starts moving towards him.
Initiative
PCs: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 5
DM: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 1
ATACIUS, with Herny's help, keeps dragging TAKASHI with one hand as he frees one of his satchels with the other. "TOBIAS! Here I have more of those!"
Now close enough to hear their moaning and groaning, the zombies shuffle forward a bit closer. To TOBIAS's eye, this is probably the best time to throw the oil grenade! He lights the wick on his oil and hurls it - hard - at the group of zombies! Whether because he rushed the throw or misjudged the distance, the grenade sails OVER the zombies and bursts into flames beyond them. The scene is now lit in garish shadows from the oil burning on the ground. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 5, close/far: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 5)
The zombies slowly close to range of CALLIN, GRAIAN and Vilip. Two focus on each. Vilip's courage is starting to waver as he stares at all the undead. "HERNY... HALP!" he calls out, still thrusting his torch at the other hissing undead creature.
TOBIAS answers ATACIUS' call and starts moving towards him to retrieve the other satchel.
"By the LIGHT foul creature, you shall be dispatched!" CALLIN shouts as he rains more blows down on the creature with his warhammer, as it struggles under the shield to free itself. Guided by the certainty of his faith, each blow hammers the creature's head again and again until it expires with a wail cut off in mid-cry! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +2 for a total of 21, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 +1 for a total of 7)
GRAIAN, seeing that the creature is dead, whirls around and thrusts his torch at one of the slow moving zombies. He slams the torch into it and the zombie, dressed in tattered clothing, bursts into flames! In a few breaths, it crumples to the ground, adding to the macabre light illuminiating the melee. (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 19, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 +2 for a total of 5)
The two zombies standing over CALLIN lean over and slam their limbs and legs into him again and again, causing him serious wounds to his unprotected back, arms and legs! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +6 for a total of 18, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +6 for a total of 26, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d100 +6 for a total of 89, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d8 +6 for a total of 7, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d8 +6 for a total of 7 - CALLIN you take 14 points of damage, leaving you with FIVE!)
The one zombie facing GRAIAN swings it's one and a half arms at the elf, but GRAIAN is able to duck and avoid the blows.
The final two zombies lurching towards Vilip swing at him with arms and rotted legs, but Vilip's leather armor and his ducking away keep them from landing any serious blows. The hissing creature that had been held at bay by Vilip's torch seems to regain its confidence and looks ready to attack again! "HALP!" he calls out in fear, now facing THREE undead! He looks ready to retreat.
COMBAT ROUND 7
Declarations:
Takashi: (Paralyzed)
Callin: (Prone) - Can I cast cure light wounds on myself and retreat back with my shield? @Joseph Schnurr You're currently in melee with the zombies, which means spell casting is out, unless the zombies break off or get distracted from swinging at you for some reason. You can stand up and fighting withdrawal/flee. The latter gives the zombies an AoO each. Maybe there's something else you or the others like to try? Callin wii stand shield held up and bellow "TheLIGHT shall shatter the darkness!" and slam his hammer into the closest zombie attempting to bring it down!
Graian: Will do a fighting withdrawl, using the torch as his weapon.
Atacius: Looking over his shoulder and seeing his friend hard-pressed, and noticing Henry's look, he will drop TAKASHI (sorry mate) and throw oil grenades with TOBIAS. "Go help your comrade!" he says to Henry.
Tobias: scrambles to try and quickly pull another flask of oil from ATACIUS' satchel, light it with the lamp, and throw it at the creatures that are attacking Vilip before he's eaten... (I will certainly allow that, but there's a chance he'll get "splashed") - (Roger that.) OK! incoming! ;)
Herny: Dragging TAKASHI, but looks ready to run help Vilip
Vilip: facing down 2 zombies and one undead creature with only a torch - looks ready to retreat!
5 Zombies (attacking CALLIN, GRAIAN, Vilip)
1 Undead creature (looks to have regained its confidence)
CALLIN - Correction on Round 6 damage - you only took 2 points, instead of 14. I had left the +6 for "to hit" on the dice roller when I rolled the damange. I saw the issue just now. You are at 17hp going into this round.
The LIGHT does indeed shine upon me!
Initiative
PCs: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 2
DM: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 2
ATACIUS looks over his shoulder and sees his friend hard-pressed as well as Henry's look. He drop TAKASHIs (sorry mate). "Go help your comrade!" he says to Henry.
Vilip withdraws from the melee, swinging his torch to and fro. The zombies lurch at him, but cannot keep up. Herny runs up next to him, his swort sword draw. "I got ye, lad!" he calls out.
GRAIAN does a fighting withdrawal, using the torch as his weapon. The zombie shuffles to follow, but GRAIAN is able to back away quickly beyond its range. (You both are both now behind "the line" and next to where TOBIAS and ATACIUS are digging through a pack and tossing oil grenades.)
The creature looks at the two with torches, sees CALLIN by himself and hisses as it charges at the lone cleric.
TOBIAS scrambles to try and quickly pull another flask of oil from ATACIUS' satchel, light it with the lamp, and throw it at the creatures that are attacking Vilip before he's eaten. ATACIUS does the same and together, they toss grenades at the zombies and creature!
TOBIAS goes to toss his grenade, but the slippery flask slips out of his hands! He holds his breath in horror as the ceramic flask of oil tumbles to the ground behind them... where it lands on some soft dirt and doesn't break! (See the rolls that went into THAT below...)
ATACIUS takes careful aim and tosses his grenade at the undead creature approaching CALLIN and hits! The ceramic flask shatters and the creature is covered in burning oil! It shrieks and hisses and abandons it's charge to run off. Some of the oil splashes on the zombies as well, causing minor burns to them.
CALLIN scrambles to his feet, holding his shield up to protect himself. He bellows "The LIGHT shall shatter the darkness!" and slam his hammer into the closest zombie attempting to bring it down! He hits the one that is missing an arm and some of it's torso, smashing it hard and cause it serious damage! (1d20 +2 for a total of 15, 1d6 +1 for a total of 2) Both zombies thump at his shield and armor. One of the zombies catches him off balance and lands several slams, causing him some serious pain and wounds! (olled 1d20 +2 for a total of 17, rolled 1d20 +2 for a total of 8, rolled 1d8 for a total of 8)
CALLIN - you are at 9 hp.
The grenade rolls
TOBIAS: Grenade roll: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 1, Avoid fumble, needs 20% Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d100 for a total of 23, What is fumble result: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d10 for a total of 3, did grenade land in front or behind: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 5, save for ceramic from fall need 11: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 20)
ATACIUS grenade: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 21, check for critical, need 20%: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d100 for a total of 27, damage to creature: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 2, 2 on 2d6 for a total of 4, damage to zombie 1: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 2 = 1, damage to zombie 2: Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 1)
COMBAT ROUND 8
Declarations:
Takashi: (Paralyzed)
Callin: (is in melee with 2 zombies) Shocked by the initial blow CALLIN turns to his faith. Knowing that had it been either of the men behind him taking that blow, they would have fallin. CALLIN smiles a little blood spilling between his teeth. "The LIGHT is with me this day! Fall creatrues of Darkness!" And with that CALLIN will Hammer into the Zombie again!
Graian: (is not in melee, behind CALLIN, next to Vilip. A zombie approaches) sighing with relief that he is out of melee, reaches for some darts. Keeping the torch and two darts in his left hand he readies one in his right, taking aim at the approaching zombies.
Atacius: (Behind everyone else) "Yay! Take that foul creature!" He cheers as he readies to throw another oil grenade at the approaching zombies.
Tobias: (Next to ATACIUS) breathes a heavy sigh of relief and hurries to pick up the flask from the dirt and toss it at one of the zombies closing in on Vilip.
Herny: (next to Vilip)
Vilip: (behind CALLIN, next to GRAIAN and Herny, two zombies approaching)
5 Zombies (attacking CALLIN, approaching GRAIAN, Vilip)
1 Undead creature (is running away, burning)
GRAIAN sighs with relief that he is out of melee, he then reaches for some darts. Keeping the torch and two darts in his left hand he readies one in his right, taking aim at the approaching zombies. THWUP! The dart embeds itself into the zombie's shoulder, tearing into the flesh a bit.
The three zombies shuffle forward a bit, coming closer to those they are chasing.
GRAIAN throws another dart. THWUP! This dart follows up on the prevoius one and does a bit more damage, nearly tearing the rotted arm off! As the zombies slowly move closer, GRAIAN tosses his last dart and it sails off into the darkness.
"Yay! Take that foul creature!" ATACIUS cheers! He hurriedly prepare another oil grenade, as TOBIAS breathes a heavy sigh of relief and hurries to pick up the flask from the dirt. They look at each other, ATACIUS grinning and winking. They then throw at the same time!
ATACIUS's throw goes long to the right and the grenade bursts into flame! TOBIAS's throw goes sailing over the zombies and once again, lands in soft dirt and doesn't break!
Shocked by the initial blow CALLIN turns to his faith. Knowing that had it been either of the men behind him taking that blow, they would have fallen. CALLIN smiles a little blood spilling between his teeth. "The LIGHT is with me this day! Fall creatures of Darkness!" And with that CALLIN will Hammer into the Zombie again! The zombie crumples to the ground from the assault and stops moving! The remaining animated corpse slams its arm into CALLIN's shield repeatedly, mindlessly trying to batter him, but to no effect.
"Keep pokin' it at 'em!" Herny calls out to Vilip as he swings and ducks to avoid a zombie's swinging arm and leg. He's unable to land a decisive blow, but he avoids the zombie's slams. Vilip swings the torch "Hiya! Get away!" He stumbles, allowing the zombie to bring both of its arms down onto his back! A CRAAAACK is heard of breaking bone and Vilip falls down to the ground, unmoving!
"Noooo... " Herny moans in anguish.
COMBAT ROUND 9
Declarations
TAKASHI: (Paralyzed)
CALLIN: (in melee w/1 zombie) Will Roar again "The LIGHT breaks through the darkness, may my hammer be guided by the LIGHT!" and will smash his hammer into the Zombie in front of him and then try to make his way to Herny.
GRAIAN: (zombie, wounded, approaching) will take his last three darts and attempt to kille the approaching zombie, the torch at the ready if it gets through.
ATACIUS: "These are the last two, let's make them count!" he says to TOBIAS as he prepares his grenade. Seeing TOBIAS charge he'll throw the grenade to the one approachig GRAIAN.
TOBIAS: Anger and frustation wells up in TOBIAS, and when he sees Vilip's broken body fall to the ground, he shouts "NO!" and yanks his remaining dagger from its sheath. He charges one of the zombies fighting Herny, his young eyes burning and his blade pointed down as he clutches it in his fist, preparing to drive it into the creature (attacking it from behind, if possible).
GRAIAN looks sadly at his last 3 darts and prepares to throw them at the approaching zombie. () It sails over the zombie's head. He grits his teeth and tosses the second one. It hits and causes a very serious wound to the zombie! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 7, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 18, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 6)
Anger and frustation wells up in TOBIAS, and when he sees Vilip's broken body fall to the ground, he shouts "NO!" and yanks his remaining dagger from its sheath. He charges one of the zombies fighting Herny, his young eyes burning and his blade pointed down as he clutches it in his fist, preparing to drive it into the creature!
"These are the last two, let's make them count!" ATACIUS says to TOBIAS as he prepares his grenade. Seeing TOBIAS charge the zombies, he throws the grenade to the one approaching GRAIAN. It lands in front of the zombie instead of hitting the zombie, but it bursts open, causing a pool of flame that the zombie steps into! As it lurches out of the pool of flame, it collapses to the ground, unable to move from the burn damage to its legs. It continues to twitch feebly until the fire consumes the rest of the corpse and it loses animation.
GRAIAN turns his attention to the zombies in front of TOBIAS and tosses his last dart, trying not to hit the young man. This causes the dart to miss its target.
CALLIN roars again "The LIGHT breaks through the darkness, may my hammer be guided by the LIGHT!" and attempts to smash his hammer into the zombie in front of him. Again and again, the hammer smashes into the zombie as CALLIN attempts to drive through it to make his way to Herny. It spins about and drops to the ground, it's limbs and torso crushed by CALLIN's attack! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +2 for a total of 16, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 +1 for a total of 7)
Herny swings his short sword at the zombie in front of him, crying and cursing the undead creature. It swings and batters at Herny in return. He's unable to land any good blows on the creature, but it slams its torso and shoulder into his head, momentarily stunning him and causing his to sink to one knee! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 3, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +2 for a total of 19, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d8 for a total of 2)
Meanwhile, TOBIAS charges up, thrusting his blade into the zombie that killed Vilip. The dagger sinks into the zombie's ribs and TOBIAS is unable to hold onto it, as it's embedded in the chest cavity now! It doesn't seem to injure the undead, who batters at the young mage with it's one arm, causing him serious wounds on his ribs and back! (Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 2, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d100 for a total of 99, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d10 for a total of 5Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +2 for a total of 15, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d8 for a total of 3)
CALLIN feels a tremble in his faith and he realizes that the undead that he turned earlier may now have shaken the effect!
At end of round: CALLIN is charging towards the last two zombies that are in melee w/Herny and TOBIAS. All other undead from the second wave have been defeated or are out of the combat.
COMBAT ROUND 10
DECLARATIONS:
TAKASHI: (Paralyzed)
CALLIN: "Fall Back! The first wave is heading back this way! Light guide my hammer!" CALLIN will surge forward shield held high and slam into the closest zombie smashing it with his sheild in a charge of rage, and then finishing it off with his hammer for good measure ( not sure how that works rolling, but that is what he is doing :) ) and I'll use that d30 :D
TOBIAS: groans as his hand comes down to hold his side, nursing his wounded ribs. He tries to back away from the zombie without getting hit again (strategic withdrawal).
ATACIUS: Seeing TOBIAS have been hit, he will draw his shortsword and charge at the zombie.
GRAIAN: Will attack join the melee using the torch as a weapon.
Herny is fighting a zombie, Vilip is lying on the ground, not moving.
ATACIUS, seeing TOBIAS hit, draws his shortsword and charge at the zombie! He reaches TOBIAS at the same time that the young mage groans as his hand comes down to hold his side, nursing his wounded ribs. He backs away from the zombie, intent on not getting hit again. At first looking like it would follow TOBIAS in the singleminded actions of a senseless undead, ATACIUS manages to distract it and it allows TOBIAS to escape! GRAIAN also join the melee using the torch as a weapon.
"Fall Back! The first wave is heading back this way! Light guide my hammer!" CALLIN yells out the warning as he surges forward shield held high. He slams into the closest zombie smashing it with his shield in a charge of rage, and then finishing it off with his hammer for good measure! The zombie crumples from the attack and lies unmoving!
Meanwhile, Herny, ATACIUS and GRAIAN all attack at the zombie from different sides. Between the barrage of cuts and thrusts from Herny and ATACIUS and the bashing of the torch at the zombie's head, it goes down as well and it's animation ceases.
(AC will be 4, excluding shield, a successfully attack roll gives a 1d4 and 1d6+1 for damage - from kreativekorp.com - Rolled: 14, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d4 for a total of 3, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 +1 for a total of 3)
(Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 for a total of 19, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 12, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d20 +1 for a total of 5, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 3, Michael S (chgowiz) rolled 1d6 for a total of 6)
A sudden stillness descends on the graveyard, punctuated by the gasping breathing and moans of pain from the PCs and Herny. He drops to his knees at the sight of Vilip's unmoving, broken body.
"Aw no, no, no, nooooooo...." Herny cries.
(We are still in combat rounds as CALLIN's turn has indeed expired and the undead are free to return.)
COMBAT ROUND 11
DECLARATIONS
TAKASHI: (Paralyzed)
CALLIN: Moves to TAKASHI and works to pick the big man up. "There are more coming I can feel them. We are in no condition to hold them. Quickly lets get to the temple. ATACIUS and GRAIAN can you help TOBIAS?" and with that CALLIN will begin making his way out of the graveyard. Keeping his eyes sharp and his prayers strong.
TOBIAS: shakes his head. "I can move ok, it just hurts" he says hoarsely. "My daggers..." He'll try to retrieve one or both of his daggers that are embedded in zombie flesh before he goes, if they're close enough. He slaps ATACIUS' hand away when he comes grabbing at his coat.
ATACIUS: "C'mon TOBIAS leave them, I'll get you new ones!" he says grabbing the young man's vestments. "We need to go now!"
GRAIAN: "Looks likje Tobias is OK with Atacius helping him." He goes to help Callin with Takashi
Herny: Stands and pulls Vilip's body over his back to carry him out of the graveyard.
(All active undead within sight are defeated or withdrawn. CALLIN's turn has expired and the remaining undead are free to return at some point.)
With the withdrawal, this signals END OF COMBAT
POST COMBAT
A few minutes of hauling and hurrying finds you at the cemetary gates, where Herny puts down Vilip for a moment to rest, tears continuing to stream down his face.
"Me 'n V'ip, been on 'ere for n'ly ten years!" he says in a mournful voice. "Like a brudder t' me!" He wipes tears away and reaches for a whistle, which he blows steadily for a few moments. In the distance, a whistle is heard, and then faintly, another. While you rest, your breath grows more calm after the long battle you engaged in. By the time a team of Town Guards (ten soldiers) comes dashing up, you have caught a bit of second wind.
"Foul 'curs'd walkers 'n worse." Herny explains to the team leader, pointing towards the mound. "This'ere Priest 'o th' Light and 'is follwers, they beat them back, but Priest said more on th' way. Ware th' long limbed walkers... they kill w' a touch!" and he points to TAKASHI's unmoving form. The team leader nods, snaps out orders and half of the guard nock arrows. They spread out in a line and face towards the battle field, the leader blowing on his whistle again, with a response in the distance coming soon after. "I will summon reinforcements and send word to the Captain." she says. "Walkers about in numbers is a serious business."
"Be takin' 'im ta 'is family now." Herny says. "Be oblig'd if ye'd say a prayer at th' Temple fer his soul, Priest." He tearfully hoists Vilip on his shoulders.
TOBIAS sheaths his daggers, frowning at ATACIUS. "You shouldn't grab at things what don't belong to you," he says. He looks up to watch Herny carrying away his dead friend for a few seconds, then sighs and lowers his head, turning away.
"That's unfair and you know it." he says to TOBIAS. Then he realises he left his satchel in the cementery, so he goes back to retrieve it.
"Be careful!" the team leader says to you as you pass the line to go back for your satchel. With your night vision, you can see the bodies of the undead lying strewn about from the battle, but you don't see any movement otherwise. You can regain your satchel.
CALLIN nods to Herny and places his hand on the mans shoulder. "You Herny and Vilip, saved our lives in that graveyard. Your friend fell in battle, but served proudly. The LIGHT will shine brightly upon him. I would be honored to speak for him at the Temple. Know that the LIGHT shines upon you Herny, and that even though the darkness has struck out, you have stood against that darkness, and that makes you a beacon of LIGHT."
Herny sniffles and nods. "'E was me brudder and guard mate! All 'e wanted to was t' gain a rank or two.. mebbe make serg'nt some day." He sighs and moves off to the north towards the Westedge area.
GRAIAN walks to Tobias, "Times like these are hard on everyone, we are all looking after each other." Looking at Takashi, "I hope the Priests can help him."
TOBIAS glances over at TAKASHI, then goes back to staring down at the ground. "So do I. He doesn't deserve to be frozen like that. I try to look out for people, but it's never enough," he says miserably. "And there's a whole village I'm supposed to be looking out for too, but every time I try, I just make things worse." He walks away to stand by himself.
GRAIAN watches him walk away and decides to leave him to his thoughts for now. Worried he walks over to Callin, "We need to get Takashi to the Temple, I am also concerned for Tobias. He has gone through a lot for one so younbg, but there seems to be more than just, he seems different than before, more distant."
CALLIN: "Agreed, let us get TAKASHI to the temple and speak with the High Curate. As for TOBIAS, once we have TAKASHI settled I will have a talk with him. Sometimes just having someone to talk with is the best way to fight such demons." With that CALLIN will pick up TAKASHI with the help of GRAIAN and make his way to the temple. "Stay strong brother, we will see you through this. Besides no one else can teach Claudia how to swing a sword and axe like you can. Your work is not done here, the LIGHT will see to that. "
CALLIN will also attempt to Heal any of TAKASHI's wounds using Cure Light Wounds. And then he will perform the Ritual prayer the High Curate taught him to Detect Desease.
Your prayers to the LIGHT are answered as TAKASHI's wounds heal under your touch and in a few moments, all of gashes and slices have vanished. He is still not moving, however.
(OOC: Ritual casting takes a holy water to consecrate the ground. Alternatively, you can go to the Temple and do that from there. Or perhaps another option to consecration? What would you like to do?)
CALLIN: I still have 2 vials of holy water. I will consecrate the ground. I'd like to fix him up now If I can, I can always fill my vials of holy water at the temple :)
After consecrating the ground around TAKASHI, you spend the next ten minutes in prayer and song, asking for the miracle of understanding what ails TAKASHI. You come to the realization that whatever affects him, it is not a disease. Something else has caused his muscles to lock in place.
PS. He's still holding his shield and sword in front of him, held in place by deathgrips, which makes for an unsual sight as you carry him to the temple...
CALLIN will bring TAKASHI to the temple and ask for the High Curate Maria.
36th Day of Winter - Midnight
"This is becoming routine with you, brother." a sleepy looking Maria says as you bring TAKASHI's stiff form into the small cubicle, the same one where the woman was freed from the curse of the Damned. "Let see what we have here..."
She pinches TAKASHI's skin hard, lifts his eyelids, listens to his heart with her ear on his chest and nods at the quick description of the battle.
"Hm. Ghouls' touch can do this. Leave him here. It will wear off, perhaps in a couple more hours. He will be fine and I feel that you have already touched him with the LIGHT, well done." she says.
"That many of the cursed walking risen though... that is not good news. You did not see the bastard that did this?"
What will you do now?
TAKASHI will rest, peacefully. ;>
CALLIN: "I'm afraid not High Curate. We were waylayed by many of the foul creatures. Two Ghouls and scores of zombies. I turned many, but only more came. We took down those which did not turn, save for one Ghoul that fled on fire. The Guard are there now combing the graveyard. I feel that someone has foul intentions indeed...That many undead seems almost like the gathering of an army"
Maria nods, then notices your wounds. Making a "tsktsk" noise with her tongue, she grabs her prayer book and begins a ritual casting, praying and singing for the miracle of healing your serous wounds. After some time, CALLIN's body glows in a warm yellowish light and his wounds are slightly healed. (5 HP). Maria chuckles. "Apparently the LIGHT thinks my ass needs more sleep. Or more work. We'll do this again tomorrow, brother."
She looks around and sees TOBIAS wincing in pain. She goes over to him, feels around and sighs as she finds TOBIAS's fracture ribs. Murmuring another prayer, her hands hovering over his torso begin to glow the yellow light again. The pain recedes some as all of the ribs knit together, but there is still a slight soreness and stiffness from the blow (TOBIAS healed for 3hp - full up) Maria mutters a "verygood" and stands.
TOBIAS smiles a bit as Maria finishes her healing, but turns his head away shyly when their eyes meet. "Thank you, Lady Maria, I wish I could... er, thank you."
She smiles and pats him on the arm... "Quite alright. You did well, standing with your friends. That courage shines a light into all kinds of darkness."
"All of you will rest here tonight and we'll check on your friend and your wounds in the morning. The Light clearly needs to sleep!"
She smiles at you all. "You've done well tonight. If there is an army forming, you've done damage to it. It takes time to raise an army like that and no doubt that rat bastard will need to replace his losses."
CALLIN: Looks down at his wounds. "Ah yes, it seems I need to focus my prayers a bit more on the turning of undead."
Seeing Maria heal his friends and having us stay the night CALLIN bows deeply "Thank you High Curate. The LIGHT shine with you! Rest well"
ATACIUS: "Excuse me High Curate, but would it be possibe for us to replenish our dry wineskins? I've heard the Church has a well stocked cellar and surely we could use some to shine brightly on the inside!" the shameless littleling asks Maria before she leaves.
At the door, Maria turns around and looks at the littleling with an arched eyebrow... (This is a pause in case ATACIUS wants to say something else before she continues... if not, that's fine too!)
ATACIUS: "Oh, I see... maybe I should check my sources..."
"I'm surprised you already don't know each vintage, the number of bottles and where you can pilfer two or three for your own use, little one." she says archly. Her eyes, however, are filled with mirth. "Not more than 1 bottle, understood. I know how to find you... "
TOBIAS tries to get comfortable and get some good sleep.
CALLIN shakes his head at ATACIUS: "I know it is your way little one, but we should be happy with the good will the temple has already provided us." Then he smiles at him. "But a good bottle of red does sound rather nice after the evening we have had!"
GRAIAN nods in agreement "Indeed it does and I am sure we will sleep better for it," he adds with smile.
36th Day of Winter - morning
The bottle of wine that ATACIUS liberates from the Temple's food stores helps you all to sleep very well that night, although it might be a bit of a fuzzy wakeup the following morning. The day dawns chilly with a few clouds, but the weather seems to be holding. The Temple bustles with activity of the day, as the morning services commence and the worshipers come to prayer and leave.
TAKASHI, your armor is in progress, not completed. Mulhim needs you to try on pieces and then come back in another ten days, which then he can have it finished. "Me Pa's notes were better'n I thought and me measurements helped quite a bit." He points to the three apprentices that he's hired on to finish your armor, and he's making pieces for another suit "Jus' in case ye be so kind'n tell others bout where ye got ye armor!" he says proudly. He also reminds you that 175 gold crowns are due upon delivery.
The armor looks fantastic, needing only some adjustments and final pieces to put in place. "Ye be ready to battle w' the finest of the Duchy's knights!" he says with a smile.
GRAIAN, the fletcher has darts for sale for 2 silver crowns each.
What will you do?
ATACIUS will spend the day buying materials to make his depleted oil grenades.
1 silver crown per pint of oil. Cloth is cheap, so a silver crown should get you enough rags to make what you need.
OK, so 5 pints of oil and some cloth, that's 3 gold coins.
5 crowns for the oil, 1 crown for the cloth. 6 silver all total. I mean, I'll take your money like a Monopoly banker ... ;)
That Temple wine was something!
ATACIUS reminds TOBIAS that now we're in Skalfier it would be a good opportunity to look for a sculptor to make Sir Flinigan and Lady Christine statue. He'll ask around if he agrees because maybe is something he'd like to do personally.
TOBIAS still looks pretty sleepy, but nods at ATACIUS and says "Sure, where do you think we should go?"
ATACIUS: "We can start with the tombstone makers. Maybe there's someone that do more than that."
CALLIN will attend service and refill his Holy Water vials. Perhaps pick up a couple more if he is able. He will exchange plesentries with the Priests he knows then go to meet his friends
GRAIAN will buy 7 darts and give Takashi the 150GP
TAKASHI thanks GRAIAN for his loan.
TAKASHI: "I will repay this as soon as possible, my friend."
Once you're done with gearing up, what's your next steps for finding the Necromancer?
TAKASHI: "Perhaps we should return to the graveyard in the daylight hours and see if we can find any clues or things we may have missed during the night?"
CALLIN: "I agree we should investigate the graveyard. We should also follow up with the Watch that came in to see what they saw, if anything." Callin pauses for a moment then says "First I must go check on HERNY and find out when I should speak at Vilip's Service."
So ATACIUS wants to investigate tombstone makers (most are wood made by woodsmiths, a few of the more expensive ones would be commissioned to sculptors.)
CALLIN wants to find Herny and speak at any services being performed by Vilip's family.
TAKASHI and CALLIN want to return to the graveyard.
TOBIAS? GRAIAN?
Why don't ATACIUS and TOBIAS go to the tombstone makers while CALLIN and the others go to find Henry, and we can all meet up back near the graveyard.
Agreed.
Good idea
Works for me!
yup
ATACIUS and TOBIAS
After a morning and early afternoon of walking around the Westedge part of Skalfier, you're directed to a sculptor by the name of Michelas. She is probably in her 40s and 50s and has a weary, worn look about her. Her shop is filled with various statues, sculptures and even a couple of tombstones. She's cleaning up when you arrive at her shop and she greets you politely and offers you both water. Surprisingly, she does not do what most humans do around littlelings, rather she greets you as courteous as another littleling would... without the usual foods, unfortunately.
She listens to what you tell her about your request for a statue of Sir Flinigan and Lady Christine.
"To do such a statue, I'd need to know more about them... to feel them, as if I knew them." she said. "It would probably be easier if I came to ... Appleton, you say?... for a few days. Part of my fee would be that you would provide safe transportation there, a place to stay, food and then transportation back home. If that's agreeable, then we can continue to talk about my fees."
She seems calm and confident, but respectful.
TOBIAS shoots a questioning look towards ATACIUS. If he sees a sign of approval from the littleling, he'll say to Michelas, "You could come back with us to the village when we're ready to leave if we make a deal what works for both of us. You could stay at the manor with me and Enid for as long as you'd like."
ATACIUS finds himself smiling and nodding in agreement as Michelas speaks and he continues to do that as TOBIAS answers.
She nods and stands and cocks her head to one side. "You sound a bit younger than I would have imagined one traveling with a littleling. " she says to TOBIAS. "May I have your hand? And may I touch your face?"
"Ummmm... Yeah... I guess so..." TOBIAS says with an unsure look at ATACIUS.
ATACIUS *shrugs*
ATACIUS: "Oh, we're part of a bigger group. Our friends are running other errands in town." says the littleing as he pays atention to the woman's hands.
Michelas sketches a small bow and reaches out, feeling for and then taking TOBIAS's hand. She traces two fingers along the edges of TOBIAS's fingers and palm, then slowly feels the palm and back of the hand. As she's doing this, she is staring off into the distance and her brow is furrowed, as if thinking... or perhaps memorizing?
"Hands of a scholar or... perhaps someone who reads quite a bit and has an interesting hobby." she says. "A young man, not yet of two ten years."
She reaches for TOBIAS's face and repeats the same, tracing the outline of his profile, his jaw, his nose and ears, then feeling his cheek bones and lightly tracing around his eyes.
"And to have that much on your mind, the tension in your forehead and in your neck... so young to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You have the hands to carry the load, but it is your heart that will decide how far you can carry it." she says.
She sits back and nods. "Very good. I charge seven goldens every ten days for the research and sculpting, not counting my room and board. A piece like this could take me into the Summer. I would want three ten-days in advance, so twenty one gold crowns. As I said, I will need escort and transportation to this village and the ability to ask the friends and family of Flinigan and Christine about them. I need to see them so that I may shape the stone to them."
She reaches for a previously unnoticed small cane next to her, but she bumps it and it falls to the floor. She sighs, feels around with her foot for it, picks it up and stands. She proffers her hand towards TOBIAS.
"Do we have a deal, young sir?"
ATACIUS to TOBIAS: "I have enough to cover two ten-days now..." says the littleling digging in his pouch. "...but we have more back home ma'am!" he completes addressing the old woman.
TOBIAS nods to ATACIUS and then reaches out to gingerly take Michelas' hand. "Then I guess we have a deal. Do you need a... I mean, will be you able to travel well enough with, um..."
"Of course I can travel well enough, unless you're a pack of bandits..." and she pauses and then you see a hint of a smile on her face. "I know my home and shop, I just need to have a companion or two to come with me out of town, or a reputable wagon with driver. And the name of someone to meet in Appleton."
TOBIAS: "Ok, sure. Well, like ATACIUS said, we're in town with some other friends, so you'll be able to travel with a whole group of 5 companions. Well, just as soon as we're done doing stuff at the graveyard, anyway..."
"Hm. Returning a joke, TOBIAS?" she chuckles. "If you can take me to Appleton, then that's fine. Leave the twenty goldens here and return when you're ready to take me."
ATACIUS takes out all his gold crowns (15) and look at TOBIAS.
TOBIAS takes ten of ATACIUS' coins and adds them to ten goldens from his own pouch, and stacks them neatly somewhere that looks convenient for Michelas. "There you go... we'll be back!"
Michelas counts the coins quickly and reaches for a pocket on her apron. She writes out a quick receipt in blocky letters and signs it with a flourish, handing it to TOBIAS.
"Will you be back today or tomorrow to leave?"
TOBIAS rolls up the receipt and puts it into one of his coat's wide pockets. He says to Michelas, "I think probably tomorrow morning, is that ok?"
She nods. "I did not have any commissions or jobs at present that require quick turnaround, so this is just fine. Till tomorrow, Light bless you."
CALLIN, TAKASHI, GRAIAN
CALLIN - Herny didn't leave an address, what will you do to find him?
While CALLIN is busy with Herny, does TAKASHI and GRAIAN go to the graveyard?
TAKASHI is hesitant to spread too many of us out too thin, and will stay with CALLIN if GRAIAN agrees.
CALLIN will first ask at the temple to see if any of the people he knows in the temple know who Herny is and where he might find him. If not then he will head to talk to the watch commander to ask about him, explaining what happened the night before.
GRAIAN will stay with Callin and Takashi
Nobody at the Temple is familiar with Herny by name. It is at the Watch Office, in speaking with Captain Hubbard that you find out more.
The Captain mentions that at first he was sceptical about an armed group getting into a melee at the cemetary, but upon hearing that a Priest of the Light was present and leading the party, he was more amendable to the situation. He thanks you (CALLIN) for having interrupted the grotesque grave robbery - "It was like nothin' we've ever seen here in Skalfier. Thank ye and the Temple for helpin' out. I be sure to mention it to Otollum next time I see him."
He's worried that the undead might return, so he has taken to mounting more guards around the cemetaries and have fire arrows and torches at the ready. He's also had some garlic, holy water and symbols of the Light put at points where the undead had gotten into the Westedge cemetary.
He directs you to Vilip's home in the Dawnsedge area, and says that Herny lives nearby. They had been inseparable since young children and he worries for Herny's state of mind and character. "'E's always looked to Vilip for support and direction, 'lieve it or not. Not sure what the poor mate will do now."
CALLIN will visit Herny and do his best to console the man. He will also work with Herny to identify when and where to be to speak on Vilip's behalf.
Vilip's burial is a family/friends affair, and they are grateful for your visit and ask that you say the prayers at the Dawnsedge cemetary, where Vilip will be interred. Herny is nigh inconsolable, blubbering and sniffling throughout your words and prayers. Vilip is lowered into the ground, Herny helping, and then the gravediggers go to work while the family returns to the Vilip home to have a meal and memorial.
CALLIN stand before the mourners. He scans the scene, sorrow filling his eyes. He takes a deep breath then speaks. "We gather here today to mourn the loss of a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, a man. Viliip. I only had the breifest chance to meet the man. But As a man of the Light I can tell you that his Light shined upon the world indeed. When the darkness came crawling out from under the rocks and shadows. Vilip came to our aid and gave his life to save us. He is not just a man, neighbor, co-worker, or friend. No Vilip is a HERO! Let that sink in for a minute. The man you said good morning to, the man you attended service at the temple with, the man you nodded to passing on the street. That man is Hero! He not only saved our lives, he helped slay the cursed darkness!" CALLIN will then turn to Vilips Casket "Vilip, thank you for your service to the Light! Though you have passed on, your flame shall burn ever so bright in the service of the Light! Thank you!"
"Thank 'e fer yer kind words, Priest." Herny snuffs. "Ye was there, fightin' w' 'im and it be proper that ye words send 'is soul on its way ta the Light."
As CALLIN leaves, adults and children from Vilips' family come up to thank you for your words.
"I be hones', ne'er t'ought 'e'd come ta any good, but ye words make me smile, Priest." says Vilips father. His mother, sniffling into a handerchief, nods vigorously. "We be too olt ta hae more chil'ins, but ye've made us happy dat we did good w' him.",
It is late midday by the time all this is done. You've all been fed well at the memorial.
TOBIAS takes TAKASHI aside at some point and says softly, "I had the dream again last night. It didn't keep coming back all night, like before, but it was... well, horrible."
TAKASHI nods to TOBIAS in acknowledgement.
TAKASHI: "Have you spoken to GRAIAN about your dreams? I know so little about the mysteries of the path that you two follow..."
TOBIAS shrugs. "I tried to, but he was awfully quiet about it when I brought it up. I thought maybe it had something to do with something the elfs keep secret, or something he just doesn't like to talk about, maybe."
TAKASHI: "Perhaps, although he has always seemed to be fairly open... at least for an elf!"
TAKASHI smiles at his wit, then continues.
TAKASHI: "Tell me of your dreams again, then. In my homeland, we had wisefolk who would listen to our dreams and try to interpret their meaning. Sometimes they would create concoctions to take someone into the dreamlands to wrestle with their demons there, and in so doing, free themselves here in this world. I do not know a lot about it, but I will try my best for you, TOBIAS."
TOBIAS half-smiles weakly at TAKASHI's kindness, then furrows his brow, recalling the dreams. "Well, it was in the village... all the people were dying, burning... and they were yelling at me 'Why didn't you save us?!' over and over. And all the buildings were on fire. And the first night I had this dream, after everyone had died screaming at me, it started all over again, and lasted all night! And worst of all, there was nothing I could do about it! It wasn't like that dream before, where I could..." He stops talking suddenly and looks down at the ground, his face turning red, as if he had said too much.
TAKASHI nods at the young man's words, and considers them.
TAKASHI: "You may not know this, but my people were slaughtered by orcs while I was away, hunting to provide for my family. I can still hear their cries in my sleep sometimes, and though distant, I can still hear them clearly."
He pauses a second before carrying on.
TAKASHI: "TOBIAS, if I were to give you some advice, it would be to trust the people who stnad by you in the heat of battle. There aren't many situations more dangerous and chaotic than when the maelstrom surrounds you. If you can't trust the people who fight at your side, then I would suggest finding people you *do* trust. If you trust us, then do so completely. I doubt any of us will judge you, as all of us have been where you are now, in some form.
As for Appleton, we will do all we can to protect and nurture it. Hopefully, that will be enough."
"The orcs got your family? I'm sorry, Takashi, I hope we can pay them back some day," Tobias says. "I do trust you, but how is that going to help with the dreams? There was someone else what offered to help me before, I could try trusting him I suppose. But he tried to tell me what to do, and that just makes me angry."
TAKASHI: "Who offered to help you before? Was it a genuine offer of help, or something else masked as such? Do you trust this person?
Perhaps we should ask CALLIN about your dreams - maybe the temple would have something to offer."
TOBIAS goes a bit red in the face again and turns his eyes towards the ground, but he reluctantly says, "Well... it was someone in a dream what came before the ones with the fires. He said I could do great things, if I just had the courage to see. That's kind of like what you're always telling Claudia, right? To have courage? But then he wouldn't tell me what I wanted to know about Athenum, and he told me that I couldn't clean out those... things... from there, what he called guardians. That's when I got mad and cast a spell at his face, and when I woke up my bed was on fire. I figured the book I had in my bed had something to do with it, so I decided to put it away with the others."
TOBIAS makes a face. "The temple? All they ever talk about is the Light this and the Light that. Though I could see Maria again..." He trails off and his face turns a deeper red than you've ever seen it before.
TAKASHI: "It is true that Courage is a valuable trait, but it must also be tempered with wisdom and patience. I also tell Claudia to keenly assess a situation, and not to let her emotions take over. I have found that in life, the best approach in many things is a helthy balace. Courage and wisdom, judgement and understanding, love and hate. Too much of any of these can be problematic. Does that make sense?"
"I... guess so," TOBIAS says, "But does that mean I should listen to Mage, and not get angry with him?"
TAKASHI: "Hmmm. Perhaps you should ask yourself this question: What would Sir Flinnigan recommend? Would he like this person and what they are asking me to do? I didn't know him as well as you, but in the time I was with him, he seemed to be both very wise and good."
TAKASHI: "As for the temple, while I am not devout like brother CALLIN, I can not deny what I have seen with my own eyese. CALLIN has wielded his faith like a club against the undead, and used it to heal many of us from grievous wounds. Just as I don't understand sorcery but try not to condemn it, the same is true with the LIGHT."
"I don't condemn it, but that kind of magic just isn't for me," TOBIAS says. "I don't think that Mage's kind of magic is for me, either. It just feels wrong."
"Hey! That's kind of like my own balance, isn't it?" TOBIAS smiles.
TAKASHI: "Perhaps it is. You will find your way yet!"
He laughs and then gives TOBIAS a hearty pat on the back.
100XP for both TOBIAS and TAKASHI for excellent role playing. That was fun to read!
36th Day of Winter - Afternoon
The situation has changed dramatically at the cemetary in the Westedge neighborhood. Patrols of 4 militia, armed with bow, spear and torches circle around the cemetary, and there are archers with lit torches for flaming arrows near a break in the wall. The heavy guard at the cemetary gates see CALLIN's holy symbol and let you all in. You see a burial party in one part of the cemetary, with a group of four town guard near them. Clearly, the presence is heavy now.
Although the area around the avalanche mass grave is a mess, it's easy enough to see the tracks that lead from the disturbed mound to the northwest, at the break in the wall. Beyond, you can see where grass has been trampled down, a straight line.
One of the archers sees you all looking at the tracks and shrugs her shoulders. "Don't know why the council won't let us go find where the tracks go, but something about the church taking an interest... and here's a priest! Nothing in that direction but farms and open land for a couple days till ye get to the mountains. And they say orcs be raisin' a fuss there..."
"You gonna go follow the tracks priest? Couple us be willin' to go with if you give the word..." she asks.
CALLIN: Nods to the archer. "Indeed. where darkness lays, the LIGHT must shine. Of course having someone with a keen eye for tracks like yourself would truly be a blessing of the Light!" He pauses thinking about what she said about the Orcs. "Yes we have run across bands of Orcs in our travels in recent times. Some can be reasoned with, some can be fought. The Light will show us the way. If you are willing, we would gladly take all who would wish to travel with us." CALLIN then realizes how rude he was. "My appologies, I am CALLIN" Can CALLIN will extend his hand out in greeting.
The archer grins at you and grips your hand with a strong shake. "Pleased t' meet'cha, Priest. I'm Dinah, and that one over there is Lydia." She motions to another woman archer standing twenty or so feet away. "Sergent isn't gonna mind if we go scout with you. He's probably tired of us anyway, we've been wanting to go pursue the dead walkers all morning."
She whistles and motions to Lydia, who trots over to Dinah. A short discussion and they both nod. "Yea, we're in. Give us a minute."
They both trot off towards a group of militia troops milling about the disturbed mound. They speak to a man, who waves them off dismissively and they come trotting back. Gail smirks. "Tol'ya. He's probably glad we're off."
They both shoulder their bows, pick up small packs and nod. "Anytime." Lydia says.
CALLIN: "Well I'm happy that both of you will be joining us! Might I ask one of you to take point on following the tracks? I will follow at your side"
Lydia smirks. "Startin' to sound like Sergent... put the gals in front! That's just cause he knew we'd shoot faster and straighter than any of his men."
The two banter back and forth with each other as they move to the front, and look surprised when they see you join them.
"We were just kidding, Priest, we got this, you can hang back..." Dinah starts to say and then she sees TAKASHI close behind, looking around with his trained eye. She raises an eyebrow and looks at Lydia. "I don't these these boys fool around." she says with a tone of respect. Lydia nods back and they move again, but with a different attitude towards you all.
The trail of the dead walkers continues in a straight line to the north west. It goes through fences that have been broken apparently as they went through, fields, even an empty house. One fence provides a gruesome sight, one of the walkers is stuck on a broken cross piece, and it swings its arms and legs in a grotesque comical fashion as it tries to keep moving. Lydia puts it out of its misery with a quick slice of her sword to behead it.
It is midway between midday and dusk when you see a small hollow with many trees. It looks as if this was a grove or some sort of arbor, as you can make out the remains of fences around some of the trees, although the vegetation and brush have grown wild. What you do see is quite a mass of humanoid looking figures standing at the edge of the hollow. Its hard to tell how many there are, as you are about 5 minutes of a run away from them.
There is a tendril of smoke arising from the trees, as if from a small fire or chimney.
What will you do?
CALLIN: "Guarding a grove. Seems like we may have found the source. I can't make out how many are out there." CALLIN ponders a bit. ( assuming these are some type of undead, is there a more ritualistic version of Turn Undead, CALLIN could prepare to be a bit stronger for such a large force? ). Also how is the cover heading toward the grove? Is there any way to move in for a closer look without being spotted from a mile away?
(You're approximately 400 to 500 feet away. You're in grassland, it's up to your waist. You've been in the walkers' track, where they trampled the grass down as they passed, so the passage has been easier for you. The grass is There is an occasional tree, but nothing that would provide you the cover like the grove.
CALLIN: "Not much cover here, unless we stay low and move slowly. I'm no tactiction." Callin looks to Lydia and Gail. "Short of crawling through the brush, do you have any ideas on how to get close enough to evaluate the situation without them seeing us?"
"I'll bet ATACIUS could get up close, and they wouldn't see him what with the tall grass," says TOBIAS. @Gabriel Perez Gallardi
CALLIN: "Very True TOBIAS! ATACIUS - do you think you can sneak up and do some recon?"
ATACIUS pops his face through the tall grass as he hears his name, hurrying the last bits of a biscuit. "Huh? Sure!" he says after helping it down with a swig from his wineskin, and trots forward.
Dinah and Lydia shake their heads and shrug. "Well, if this was summer and the grass was more dry, we could just burn them out." Dinah says ruefully. "Too wet for that to work now."
Lydia chuckles at ATACIUS. "What are you going to look for?" she asks.
ATACIUS: "Well, first the obvious you know, trampled grass, maybe footprints. The grass is wet you said, so must be the soil. Then if we get lucky, we could find a blood trail or shreded clothes..." says the littleling with a certain air of confidence.
Lydia looks at him with amusement and bit of puzzlement. She shrugs. "While you're looking for the huge path they've knocked down, maybe you can also see what else is with those walkers."
Her face turns serious. "Story's going around that there were other things with the walkers... if you can see them, or the one who's summoned them, that would be good, hmm?"
ATACIUS furrows his brow pondering the woman's words. He then shrugs as his visage lightens up. "Well, unless whatever is with them can fly, it must leave a trail too, right?"
(OOC: @Gabriel Perez Gallardi - just to make sure we're on the same page. You've been following an obvious trail of trampled grass that leads right to the grove and the mass of undead gathered at its border. It's about as clear and unambiguous as it gets, there is no doubt. The most unskilled tracker could follow this :) That's why Lydia was making the joke about "while you're looking for the huge path..." )
Yes, that's right. ATACIUS will look for clues besides the obvious ones.
Awesome! What do you do? Where do you go?
This is close to what you're seeing, about double the number of trees, and the hollow dips down so that you don't see the roots or bottom third of the trees from where you're at. There is a large beaten down path in the tall grass leading to the trees.
Is there any clues of a hidden/concealed entrance that goes below ground? Looks like there's no evidence of an above ground construction, so he'll look for anything that goes down.
You're too far to see into the trees to see if there's a structure there - you're approximately 400 to 500 feet away. There's all those damn walkers and grass in the way. Where you are at right now, you don't see anything that looks like structure. That seems to be at the treeline, where there might be a ruined stone fence. You'd have to get closer (probably to within 100 feet or so) to see around those zombies, if you take a frontal approach.
Will try to get closer encircling around the place. Like spiraling towards the trees until I'm about 100 feet, trying to see what's there, besides the walkers, and what have them drawn to the place.
It takes some time (2 turns) for you to cautiously and carefully move through the tall grasses, circling the grove. As you get closer, you can make out what looks like an older stone farmhouse in the middle of the trees. The tendril of smoke you saw earlier is coming from the chimney. There are the remains of a stone wall, about knee high, in a circle around the house. Not quite at the tree line, it looks like the trees have spread beyond the wall a bit.
There seems to be a simple well behind the building. There are several hand carts around the building as well. There appear to be bodies piled on the carts, as well as lying on the ground.
The dead walkers are in a bunch. You would guess there are a couple dozen of them. They are mostly staying in place, though a few twitch or wobble a bit. They are facing what looks like the front of the building.
There are two of the long-limbed creatures as well. They are pacing back and forth in front of what seems to be a make-shift altar or shrine of some sort. You would have to get closer to make out details, but you can see that it does have skulls on it.
What do you want to do now?
So, can I assume an approach from the well side would be hidden from the walkers and the long limbed ones?
As of now, yes.
Will get near on the well side, then.
Even with the cool weather, you hear the buzzing of clouds of flies that hover over the corpse carts and flying around the building. The odor from the bodies is horrible. As you get closer to the trees, you see the ones closest to the house have claw marks and what appear to be body pieces stuck to them.
You are near the well, which is a simple circle of stone with a weatherworn cover over it and a bucket with a rope nearby. The windows on the backside of the house are boarded up. The back door is closed. There are odd symbols painted onto the door and window boards, you think it might be blood.
I will try to memorize the symbols before going back to the group and describe them to CALLIN and GRAIAN along with the rest of the findings.
On your way back, the hairs on your hands, feet and back of neck raise. You see the long limbed creatures suddenly stop pacing and sniff at the air, like a hunting dog. Deep breaths, and constant. After a few minutes, they go back to pacing.
CALLIN and GRAIAN both recognize the symbols, as they are a perversion of both Divine and Arcane powers, reversing the laws of nature and Lexius. They are necromantic in nature.
CALLIN seeing the symbols makes his skin crawl. "Necromancy. A vile practice. We must shine the LIGHT upon this place and dispatch all that cast darkness against the LIGHT. How many zombies did you make out? And were their any of those dreaded long armed creatures? If so we should dispatch those first!" Callin then turns to Lydia and Dinah "Do you happen to have flame arrows on hand? They could serve quite well in the situation. When we are ready to strike, let me first say a prayer to the LIGHT to bless our actions, that our blades and arrows strike true, and that vile claws and teeth, may not strike us"
ATACIUS: "There are about two dozen of walkers and a couple of those long limbed creatures. And we should approach upwind or those two might catch our scent." says the littleling as he checks on his oil grenades.
Lydia and Dinah check each others' quivers.
"We've got six each." Lydia says. She nods approvingly at ATACIUS's oil flask collection. "I see you all have come prepared. This gets better and better."
TAKASHI will sheath his sword and shield, and ready the bow and arrows he has.
TAKASHI: "The long limbed creatures are much faster than the walking corpses. As brother CALLIN said, we should try and focus all of our ranged fire on them as they will close the distance quickly. We should close to just within range of our bows, and then let fly. The farther we are from them, the more distance they will have to travel, and the more arrows we can sink into them. The only other thing I can think of that would be useful is a trench in our front and flanks, but I don't think any of us have the needed shovels."
ATACIUS, you do recall seeing shovels on the corpse carts.
"Actually, there are shovels on the carts with the corpses. If you think we have time to dig the trench I can go and get them." says the littleing that was counting his bulltes but got side tracked and has to start counting them again.
TAKASHI: "I think it may be a wise move. We can then dump oil in the trenches, and the slower dead may very well walk mindlessly into the trench, and then *fwoof*!"
ATACIUS looks around the group to see if they agree before going back to the walker infested cottage. Also he'll check the wind's direction.
CALLIN: "I agree as well. The better we can defend ourselves against these vile creatures the better.
TOBIAS nods in agreement. "That sounds good. But bite long will it take to dig trenches?"
CALLIN smiles at TOBIAS: "As long as it takes to keep us safe my friend. Preperation is the best defense"
ATACIUS: "Let's go get those shovels!" says the littleling as he leaves his sword, both his satchels, coin pouch and bullets. He'll go just with his silver dagger.
The hollow is accessible in all directions. The wind comes generally from the west to the east. There are 3 carts, one in front (the south side), one on the east and one on the west.
ATACIUS will approach the hollow from the east and try to steal the shovel from that car first.
Easy enough to move through the tall grass, then flit from tree to tree to get to the cart. As you get close to it, it's a gruesome and stomach-churning sight. Bodies lay on the cart and in front of it. Most have flies and maggots covering them and they're bloated from being outdoors and uncovered.
First shovel is in hand. You're close enough to hear the long-limbed creatures to the front of the house pacing... and hissing.
ATACIUS will then skirt the hollow to the south to get the shovel from the cart there. He will cover his nose and mouth to hold the stench of the bodies.
Hmm... the south one is also where the front of the house is, with the odd looking shrine, the long-limbed creatures and zombies. Let me draw a rough map real quick.
OK, I thought the carts were on the perimeter and the walkers more near the house at the center of the hollow.
C = Carts, L = long limbed creatures, Z = zombies (this is just positions, not a count)
You have the shovel from the cart to the east. The cart on the west side of the house is probably approachable... probably. The one from the south... will require rolls.
Got it, thanks. Will then go around the northern side, using the trees as cover, to reach the cart on the west side of the house. Once I have the shovel will backtrack my steps to where I came from.
You take a winding trail around the north side, using the trees as cover and you reach the west side and the cart. It is much the same as the east cart with flies and maggots coating the bloated bodies and a horrible stench that would make the stoutest stomach lurch.
As your fingers close around the shovel,
.... ---- &&&& EVERYTHING &&&& ---- ....
... seems to blink/shiver/wobble for a moment, your ears begin ringing and a strange metallic taste rises in your mouth. A cold dread settles over your perceptions and heart, and the air seems so cold that you feel as if you must shiver in response.
Suddenly, the long-limbed creatures stop their pacing and begin to eagerly snuff and sniff at the air. With each sniff, you feel a tug at yourself. Not from the outside, but from the inside.
For some reason, an elder relative's face pops into your memory and you hear their voice as they whisper "The dead can smell your soul..."
ATACIUS gasps at the chest-crunching feeling, his eyes wide in awe, and slowly starts backing from the cart shovel in hand ready to sprint the way he came.
Seconds feel like eternities as you step backwards from the cart. Your breath sounds harsh and rasping in your breath. Both of the long-limbed creatures turn slowly to you, their solid milky white, pupiless eyes staring as their nostrils distend from the deep breaths they are taking.
Then...
Normality.
As if crossing a border, suddenly it is as it was before you got close to the cart.
The creatures sniff several more times and then turn (disappointed?) away and resume their pacing in front of the skull shrine.
The only reminder that this was not a dream is the white-knuckled grip you have on both shovels.
ATACIUS goes running back to the group with his "treasure", arriving sweating and gasping for air. "Those... those.... hufff... long limbed... puff... they can smell... they smell your soul!" he says as he throws down the shovels and grabs his waterskin. "By the hairy feet of my elders they can!" he then lays on the grass to rest, closing his eyes trying to think of more pleasant things. The littleling sighs.
TAKASHI will take one of the shovels from ATACIUS, and begin digging out the trench in front of their position.
TAKASHI: "Wonderful, ATACIUS! We have two shovels, so we can take turns digging and as we get tired, we will trade off. Let's try and make it 5 feet wide, and at least 3 feet deep. I don't think those shamblers can step over a five foot gap, and they didn't look nimble enough for a running jump either."
TOBIAS will take his turn with a shovel when the time comes.
GRAIAN will also take his turn digging the trenches
CALLIN will also take a turn with the Shovel
GRAIAN: "I have a magic missile spell for one of the creatures that should help. I am not sure if they are undead stop maybe sleep will work."
Lydia and Dinah look skeptical, but they lend their muscle as well and after some time of digging, you have shallow, wide trenches forming a rough upside down "U" shape, with the opening behind you.
The sun is lower on the horizon, with not a lot of time left before dusk. Lydia and Dinah start lining up arrows, point down, in the dirt and preparing. Dinah lights a torch and carefully pulls her fire arrows out of a protective holder - the upper shaft behind the head wrapped with oil soaked cloth. Lydia follows suit.
"Priest, a prayer, if you don't mind?" Lydia asks in a tense voice.
TAKASHI will prepare his arrows in a similar manner.
You can prepare fire arrows, which will use a flash of oil and part of your clothing, or some sort of cloth, like a cloak. If you want to prepare 12 arrows, it will take about 3 turns (30 min) with the sun low in the horizon already. Or you can just line up the normal arrows.
Not enough time to prepare the fire arrows (want to do this before it gets too dark), so I'll just go with normal arrows.
ATACIUS can help to prepare some if that reduces the time.
I'll rule 6 arrows in 1 turn with both you and ATACIUS doing it, someone mark off an oil flash and a shirt or cloak on your inventories.
I don't have any flasks of oil, and no spare shirt. We can save the oil for the trench if you'd rather, Gabe.
The only oil I have is already prepared as grenades. Does anyone has more oil?
You can sacrifice a grenade to use it for the fuel for the arrows.
OK
After CALLIN has said his blessing, TAKASHI will say, "As they approach, dump oil into the trenches and be ready to light it when they are filled. Good luck my friends. Ler's light this fire!"
CALLIN: "May the Light Guide our arrows, blades, and stones. May the Light shine upon us, and armor us in it's Light! May it shine upon the darkness and shatter it into dust! May we stand firm against the Darkness and send it back to oblivion where it belongs" (CALLIN Casts Bless upon the group )
Got it. This will last till Round 6.
COMBAT AT THE HOLLOW GROVE
ROUND 1
Effects/Spells:
Bless (CALLIN) - through round 6.
Declarations:
ATACIUS: Will ready a bullet in his sling.
CALLIN: Will go with Lydia shield and Hammer drawn. Standing in front of her using the sheild as cover ( similar to what he did when entering the Orc base ) "I will go with you Lydia. You can use the cover of my shield in they attempt a missle weapon of their own"
GRAIAN: Will prepare Magic Missile, looking to target one if the long limbed creatures
TAKASHI: "I'll go with Lydia to lure them."
TOBIAS: Tobias has one pint of lamp oil left and one flask prepared grenade-style left. He will ask for advice on how best to spread one or both containers of oil into the trench, and will do so. Then he'll stand near the trench and see what happens next.
Lydia: "We're going to have to get closer to shoot the first shots and lure them here. I'll go with one of you all."
Dinah: Will hold action to fire one arrow if needs be. It will be a long range shot if she has range.
Initiative - to the PCs as they have surprise.
Lydia and Dinah dash forward quickly, bent low, with bursts of speed, surprising CALLIN and TAKASHI who follow, but at a slower speed. They get to what appears to be halfway the distance between the grove and the shallow trenches. They take deep breaths, nocking arrows and glance at each, releasing at the same time. Two arrows go speeding towards the mass of undead standing listlessly. One embeds itself into the head of a walker, who promptly falls over. The other cuts into a walker's back and it staggers from the impact into another.
Slowly, they start to turn towards the direction of the two archers.
(TAKASHI, CALLIN, you're half Lydia/Dinah's speed, so you are another round away from their current position)
Meanwhile, ATACIUS readies a bullet in his sling, GRAIAN prepares his Magic Missile spell and TOBIAS spreads oil into the trench (You'd need both containers for just the front area of the trench).
END OF ROUND
ROUND 2
Effects/Spells:
Bless (CALLIN) - through round 6.
Declarations:
ATACIUS: Will hold his actions until any creature is in range. "Shouldn't we check if someone tries to escape the house?" he asks GRAIAN and TOBIAS.
CALLIN: will continue to advance toward Lydia and Dinah as well. Shield and Hammer at the ready.
GRAIAN: Will hold his MM spell until a long limbed creature appears.
TAKASHI: Will continue to advance towards Lydia and Dinah's position, and will loose an arrow when reaching there if possible (primary target is long limbed creatures if in same range as walkers, otherwise walkers - the long limbed are not visible from your position - the trees block a clear LOS as they are close to the house - see map above. Got it!).
TOBIAS: will take up position behind the front part of the trench. He'll hold action then, watching for signs of the creatures.
Lydia: Will fire more shots at the walkers.
Dinah: Will fire more shots at the walkers.
-------------
A chilling hiss/scream is heard by the four who are closest to the grove. Lydia and Dinah look back at CALLIN, faces drawn with some fright at the horrible sounds.
Buoyed by the sight of CALLIN advancing, Shield and Hammer at the ready, and TAKASHI continuing to advance towards their position, Lydia and Dinah turn and loose more arrows at the slowly approaching herd of walkers. One, two, three more drop from their arrows. TAKASHI, reaching their position just as they fire their last shots, fires off a shot of his own that arcs in the sky towards the walkers, but drops harmlessly between them. CALLIN reaches them as well, moving in front of them, taking a knee and planting his shield in front of them.
Meanwhile, ATACIUS, GRAIAN and TOBIAS watch the missile fire. Both littleling and elf think they hear a strange sound coming from the direction of the grove.
"Shouldn't we check if someone tries to escape the house?" ATACIUS asks GRAIAN and TOBIAS.
The dead walkers continue to mindlessly shamble towards the four in front.
About how far are the closest walkers from the forward group? We don't want to make our stand here, and will retreat towards the trenches once the walkers get close.
They are moving slowly. They are about 180 feet or so away. They are moving roughly 20 to 30 feet every round/minute.
Perfect! Thanks.
ROUND 3
Effects/Spells:
Bless (CALLIN) - through round 6.
Declarations:
ATACIUS: The littleling tries to see what's going on to the North as he answers TOBIAS. "Yes, beyond the trees there's a house and carts full of dead people. I'm worried that if the Necromancer is there he might try to escape!"
CALLIN: Will continue to act as a makeshift wall/cover for the archers. When TAKASHI gives the word, they can begin a tactical retreat back to our trenches. CALLIN will also keep an eye out for any necromancers creeping up on us. "As anyone seen the long limbed creatures yet? They are the most dangerous!"
GRAIAN: Will continue to keep his MM spell ready for the long limbed creatures. "Atacius, did you something coming from the direction fo the grove, i couldn't make it out clearly?"
TAKASHI: Will loose a volley of arrows at the walkers.
TOBIAS: shouts back to Atacius, "The house? I can't see in there what with all the trees!" He strains his neck to see as much as can but maintains his position.
Lydia: Will fire more arrows at the walkers.
Dinah: Ditto.
-------------
Lydia, Dinah and TAKASHI release a flurry of arrows and they see three hits, but the walkers are still standing and still approaching. (Keep track of arrows, please!)
With no movement, we are letting fly 3 arrows per round, correct? Will keep track of ammo usage on my char sheet.
ROF for bows (with no movement) is 2 ... The only item with a higher ROF is the lowly dart. :)
TAKASHI will soon begin investigating the creation of the first fully automatic weapons for your world. Mwuahahaha! An MG-42 would do worlds of good against the plodding unded.
I highly recommend you find a copy of "Guns of the South" by Harry Turtledove - what would have happened if Robert E Lee was given AK 47s... really good book!
I'll put it on my reading list - thanks! I'm currently reading The Expanse series after watching the first two seasons on the Sci-Fi channel (amazing show BTW).
TOBIAS shouts back to Atacius, "The house? I can't see in there what with all the trees!" He strains his neck to see as much as he can but maintains his position. He can't see much aside from the trees, with the mass of walkers blocking any view of the house.
ATACIUS tries to see what's going on to the North as he answers TOBIAS. Much like TOBIAS, he can see the trees, but not much what is in the hollow. "Yes, beyond the trees there's a house and carts full of dead people. I'm worried that if the Necromancer is there he might try to escape!"
"Atacius, did you see something coming from the direction of the grove, I couldn't make it out clearly?" GRAIAN asks, while remaining ready to cast Magic Missile.
The walkers continue to plod towards the forward position.
CALLIN, the pit of your stomach drops and the grove seems to blur for a moment before you regain focus. All this happens in a heartbeat or two.
ROUND 4
Effects/Spells:
Bless (CALLIN) - through round 6.
Declarations:
ATACIUS: Will look around to check nothing coming at us on the sides or back.
CALLIN: "I Feel the darkness from that Grove! Harden your minds! I think it is attempting to cloud our sight even now!" CALLIN will dig deep into his faith and stand strong against the walkers...waiting for TAKASHI's call to retreat tactically.
GRAIAN: Maintains his spell, but also look to see if he can see anything beyond the hoard around the house. He is specifically looking for either one of the creatures or better still the Necromancer.
TAKASHI: "Stay on target... Stay on target..." TAKASHI will loose another two arrows at the walkers.
TOBIAS: "I don't think he'll run unless we beat his army, but I'll watch for him!" TOBIAS keeps an eye out for anyone or anything moving ahead that isn't either his own party or the walkers.
Lydia: Will fire more arrows at the walkers.
Dinah: Ditto.
--------
"I Feel the darkness from that Grove! Harden your minds! I think it is attempting to cloud our sight even now!" CALLIN warns as he digs deep into his faith and stands strong against the walkers...he is waiting for TAKASHI's call to retreat tactically.
Once again, the trio of archers let fly with arrows. They arc upwards and then down towards the slow shuffling walkers. Two more walkers fall, but at this point they have halved the distance between the grove and the front four.
"Only a couple more times and we'll need to move!" Lydia says urgently.
Meanwhile, ATACIUS looks around to check nothing coming at us on the sides or back. The littleling sees nothing coming at them.
"I don't think he'll run unless we beat his army, but I'll watch for him!" TOBIAS says as he keeps an eye out for anyone or anything moving ahead that isn't either his own party or the walkers.
GRAIAN maintains his spell, but also looks to see if he can see anything beyond the hoard around the house. He is specifically looking for either one of the creatures or better still the Necromancer.
It becomes apparent to both that the choice of this grove and hollow is perfect for someone who wants to remain relatively unseen. The house that ATACIUS described can't be seen from where you're at, both because of the trees and because of the depth of the hollow. To see what is going on would require you to move closer.
ROUND 5
Effects/Spells:
Bless (CALLIN) - through round 6.
Declarations:
ATACIUS: Will look for any dry branches, twigs, grass or leaves to throw in the trench before throwing in the oil.
CALLIN: Continues to hold his shield and harden his will against the Darkness....Still waiting for the call the tactically retreat.
GRAIAN: Continues to hold his spell ready
TAKASHI: "We can't do anything until we clear the external threat, so arrows away!" - TAKASHI fires two more arrows to rain down death from above.
TOBIAS: continues to hold action, watching ahead.
Lydia: Will fire more arrows at the walkers.
Dinah: Ditto.
-------------
"Stand firm!" Dinah chants as the two archers rhythmically knock arrows and fire them at the walkers.
"We can't do anything until we clear the external threat, so arrows away!" TAKASHI calls out in support as he fires two more arrows to rain down death from above.
The majority of the arrows hit the walkers but do little damage - only one walker seems to take a wound from the missile fire. They continue to shamble forth, utterly quiet except for their footfalls or footdrags. They are roughly twenty yards from the archers. CALLIN holds his shield and the look on his face shows his will against the Darkness, as he stands ready to retreat.
"Gettin' close..." Lydia says in a worried voice. "So many of them..."
ATACIUS quickly starts to gather dry grass and throws it in the trench to mix with the oil that TOBIAS has already laid down. The two mages watch the dead slowly close the distance on the four up front.
ROUND 6
Effects/Spells:
Bless (CALLIN) - ENDS THIS ROUND
Declarations:
ATACIUS: Pours another oil from one of his grenades into the trench.
CALLIN: Continues to hold his ground and harden his will.... Once TAKASHI gives the word, he will tactically retreat providing cover for the archers.
GRAIAN: Continues to hold his spell.
TAKASHI: "Last shots!" TAKASHI will let loose two more arrows, hoping for killing strikes.
TOBIAS: maintains his position near the trench, waiting for the walkers to get near to it.
Lydia: Will fire more arrows at the walkers.
Dinah: Ditto. "Last shots! Lets make 'em count!" she calls out to those up front.
----
CALLIN continues to hold his ground and harden his will; once TAKASHI gives the word, he will tactically retreat providing cover for the archers.
"Last shots! Lets make 'em count!" Dinah calls out to those up front.
"Last shots!" TAKASHI will let loose two more arrows, hoping for killing strikes.
Arrows zip from the warriors in almost a straight line, given the sort range, towards the shambling horde of walkers that appear relentless in their approach. Two more walkers fall, and it's clear that the horde has been thinned some from when it first started.
"OK, let's move back!" Lydia calls as she spins around, and trips over something, sprawling flat on her face! And the walkers will close the distance in the next minute!
Meanwhile, ATACIUS pours another oil from one of his grenades into the trench. He can see the oil pooling among the dry grass he's spread, it will make a fine fire, sure to last two or three minutes of burning. The two mages wait, watching to see what happens.
ROUND 7
Effects/Spells:
None
Declarations:
ATACIUS: (Can I assume the ones who went forward to fight left their belongings with us? If so, I will look for torches and light one - yes, they did, in Round 0 - "Dinah lights a torch and carefully pulls her fire arrows out of a protective holder - the upper shaft behind the head wrapped with oil soaked cloth. Lydia follows suit.". Are you just holding it at ready?) OK, sorry about that. Yes, ATACIUS will hold the torch at ready. - No worries! I'm glad we had the text so I was remembering correctly :)
CALLIN: CALLIN will stand and align himself with TAKASHI Shield and Hammer in hand. "Looks like we have their attention!" CALLIN will hold the line with TAKASHI.
GRAIAN: Continues to hold his spell, hoping that Lydia can get up before the horde of creatures come upon her
TAKASHI: TAKASHI sees Lydia fall prone, looks towards the advancing undead, and grimaces. He will stow his bow and draw his sword and shield, then step in front of Lydia to put himself between her and the oncoming horde. "Up and fall back! I'll try and hold them off until you are on your feet again!" He turns towards the shambling undead, and perhaps it is the battle-born blood that flows through his body, but he senses the pommel of Flinnigan's Revenge almost humming with righteous fury.
TOBIAS: sees Lydia fall and begins to shuffle nervously from one foot to the other as he watches the creatures draw nearer.
Lydia: (is prone and will spend this round scrambling up to her feet! -1AC)
Dinah: Will help Lydia to her feet. "Come on! No time to lie down! We gotta go!"
TAKASHI sees Lydia fall prone, looks towards the advancing undead, and grimaces. He will stow his bow and draw his sword and shield, then step in front of Lydia to put himself between her and the oncoming horde. "Up and fall back! I'll try and hold them off until you are on your feet again!" He turns towards the shambling undead, and perhaps it is the battle-born blood that flows through his body, but he senses the pommel of Flinnigan's Revenge almost humming with righteous fury.
CALLIN stands and aligns himself with TAKASHI Shield and Hammer in hand. "Looks like we have their attention!" CALLIN will hold the line with TAKASHI.
With the walkers almost upon them, Lydia scrambles to her feet, with Dinah pulling her up. "Come on! No time to lie down! We gotta go!"
Several of the walkers move within range of TAKASHI and CALLIN. A burst of white light shines from Flinigan's old sword, as if channelling the martial spirit that TAKASHI is feeling and his sword flies, slicing one of the walkers in half! CALLIN's hammer smashes at another walker, but it bats aside his blows and swings its arms at him in return. Several other walkers also swing arms (or smash their bodies) at the two, with the majority of blows landing on CALLIN! (CALLIN takes 8hp of damage).
Meanwhile, back at the trenches, TOBIAS sees Lydia fall and begins to shuffle nervously from one foot to the other as he watches the creatures draw nearer. GRAIAN continues to hold his spell, hoping that Lydia can get up before the horde of creatures come upon her. ATACIUS grabs up the lit torch that Dinah had prepared and waits for the walkers to approach.
ROUND 8 - 10
Effects/Spells:
None
Declarations
ATACIUS: runs back and forth along the trench, torch in hand. "C'mon, hurry up!"
CALLIN: "agreed! Apparently the Light does not make them happy!" CALLIN will do a fighting withdrawal with TAKASHI.
GRAIAN: Holds his spell, looking for the Long Limbed creatures behind the horde of undead.
TAKASHI: "Let's get back to the trenches, brother CALLIN! These cursed dead have no love for you, it seems." TAKASHI will execute a fighting withdrawal away from the walkers and back to the prepared position.
TOBIAS: is practically jumping up and down now and shouts, "Come back! Back behind the trench!"
Lydia: Now that she's on her feet, Lydia will do a fighting withdrawal away from the walkers.
Dinah: Will follow suit with Lydia.
(TAKASHI/CALLIN - you can also opt for fighting withdrawals, which will allow you to break off, due to faster speed, without AoO penalty. You don't have to, but since you indicated retreat, I'll just throw that out there. If you already knew that... heh.... :> )
The suspense for the three at the shallow trenches is almost too much! ATACIUS runs back and forth along the trench, torch in hand. "C'mon, hurry up!"
TOBIAS is practically jumping up and down now and shouts, "Come back! Back behind the trench!"
GRAIAN, seemingly calm, holds his spell, looking for the long-limbed creatures behind the horde of undead. He doesn't spy them.
The walkers are shuffling closer, trying to encircle the four up front! Now that she's on her feet, Lydia swings her sword back and forth, keeping the walkers at bay as she withdraws. Dinah follows suit.
"Let's get back to the trenches, brother CALLIN!" TAKASHI calls out. "These cursed dead have no love for you, it seems." TAKASHI executes a fighting withdrawal away from the walkers and back to the prepared position.
"Agreed! Apparently the Light does not make them happy!" CALLIN withdraws with TAKASHI, his hammer keeping the slow walkers at bay.
It is a tense minute or two; Dinah and Lydia dash back to the trenches, hopping over the shallow ditch and hurriedly pulling out their bows again. "King's ass! Wrong time to get slippery feet!" Lydia curses. They both set up and fire off arrows to cover for TAKASHI and CALLIN as the two heavily armored men run as fast as they can for safety. The horde inexorably shuffles towards the prepared position.
(Somehow, this got lost with a Rizzoma glitch - but Lydia killed a walker in spectacular fashion, it's head nearly coming off with the shot. Dinah wounded another.)
ROUND 11 - 15
Effects/Spells: None
NOTE: Round 9 and 10 was mainly movement only. At the slow rate the walkers are moving, you figure it will take almost 5 minutes before they arrive. So the declarations are for the next few rounds. If you want to do several different things, that's OK! Figure you have 5 rounds and plan accordingly.
Declarations:
ATAICUS: Will plant his 6 iron spkies evenly about 4 feet from the trench and tie Lydia's rope to them so the walkers would trip and fall face-first into the flaming trench!
CALLIN: "Thank you TOBIAS." Callin will say as they bind his wounds ( assuming we have time ). To plan CALLIN will stand in behind the fire but ready to handle any breach from the wicked zombies. Hammer and shield at the ready.
GRAIAN: Will help Atacius and then ready his darts to throw at the walkers, keeping an eye out for any signs of the long limbed creatures. If he spots them he will ready his Magic Missile spell.
TAKASHI: When TAKASHI returns, he will sheath his sword and stow his shield, then draw his bow again and plant 10 more arrows in the arrow within easy reach. As the shambling dead approach, he will fire off two arrows per round. "We've done some good work - steady aim now!"
TOBIAS: When Callin gets back, Tobias will look through the packs, looking for some cloth he could use to help Callin stop the bleeding from his wounds (assuming he's bleeding from his wounds.) Then he'll watch the walkers to see if all of them are heading towards the trench, and make note of any that look like they'll be going around it or missing the oil/fire area.
Lydia: Unless another plan comes up, she will fire arrows until the walkers close to melee.
Dinah: Ditto.
When TAKASHI returns, he sheaths his sword and stows his shield, then draws his bow again and plants 10 more arrows in the arrow within easy reach. As the shambling dead approach, he will fire off two arrows per round. "We've done some good work - steady aim now!"
Lydia, Dinah and TAKASHI fire arrows at them... 24 arrows go arcing towards the undead. Three more fall from the missile fire and there is perhaps only one walker that doesn't end up with an arrow in its body.
As this happens, ATAICUS grabs a coil of rope from Lydia's pack. He plants his 6 iron spkies evenly about 4 feet from the trench and tie Lydia's rope to them so the walkers would trip and fall face-first into the flaming trench!
Meanwhile, TOBIAS look through the packs, looking for some cloth he could use to help Callin stop the bleeding from his wounds.
"Thank you TOBIAS." Callin says as they bind his wounds (CALLIN, you may recover 1 hp from the effort).
It takes nearly all the time of the brief respite for TOBIAS to finish his bandage. CALLIN has but seconds to get behind the others and watch for breaches as the walkers approach. TOBIAS stands and watches the walkers to see if all of them are heading towards the trench. They all seem to be slowly massing at the center, aiming towards the archers.
Just as the walkers get within a foot of ATACIUS's trip wire, the littleling lights the oil trenches! FWOOOOOOOOMPH! The oil soaked dry grass bursts into flame, just as the walkers trip into the crude trap! Five of the zombies trip and fall sprawling into the flame-lit trench. Four of them twitch and jerk and cease all movement. One is burning and slowly starts to crawl out of the trench.
The remaining two walk through the fire, taking damage from the flames but staggering through to close to melee with the party!
GRAIAN lets fly with his prepared darts. One slips out of his hand to the rear and nearly hits TOBIAS! One flies into the crawling walker's head and knocks it back into the flames, where it stops moving. Another strikes a walker in the chest, joining the arrow that juts out of its shoulder, for a bizarre sight - a walking pincushion!
Ready with blades and hammers, CALLIN, TAKASHI, Lydia and Dinah attack the remaining two walkers. The Priest of Light and the warrior dispatch them quickly.
The quiet is sudden, except for panting breaths and the "snap-pop" of the oil burning out. The smell of burnt, rotted flesh is overwhelming.
And then all can hear it... hissing screams coming from the direction of the grove.
ROUND 16 - 17
Effects/Spells: None
*whew* That was quite a bit to adjudicate! :)
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS: (Are there more "normal" walkers coming behind the first ones?) - Not that you can see. There's no movement, aside from a couple of death throes twitches from slain walkers. OK, Atacius will pay atention to the East, if the wind is mainly blowing from the West with a bullet ready in his sling...
CALLIN: "The LIGHT shines upon us now and always Lydia." He smiles at the girl. "Those are the long limbed creatures we encountered earlier. Beware their touch can paralyze you where you stand. Keep your distance. We will fire arrows into the creatures and when they get to close, I will send them away with the LIGHT. Then you may finish them off with more arrows as they flee. The LIGHT may it guide us and protect us, may it shatter the darkness that lay before us." - CALLIN will wait for more of the walkers to come and when they get to close will cast turn undead.@Chris
GRAIAN: Looking a little embarrased Graian thanks Tobias for returning his dart, one hand covering his face the other puts the dart back. He looks towards the grove to watch for anything coming from that direction and once again prepares Magic Missiles.
TAKASHI: Looks to his emptying quiver. "Only four arrows left for me, and it sounds as if the long limbed ones are now ready to join our party. Get ready!" TAKASHI will ready his bow again, hoping to get in two or four shots if the ghouls advance before switching to melee.
TOBIAS: covers his nose and mouth with his hand to try and filter out the stench. Then he picks up Graian's dart and quickly brings it over to him, saying "Guess I'm not the only one what throws things in the wrong direction sometimes!" with a muffled voice. Then he turns to look towards what he's been avoiding: The grove and the screams.
Lydia: Looks at CALLIN with some dread. "Priest... what is that?! Can you... will the ... LIGHT protect us? What do we do? Walkers are one thing... but that sounds like a nightmare!"
Dinah: Puts a comforting hand on Lydia's shoulder, but looks to CALLIN for a reponse.
As the noise of the shriek dies down, Lydia looks at CALLIN with some dread. "Priest... what is that?! Can you... will the ... LIGHT protect us? What do we do? Walkers are one thing... but that sounds like a nightmare!"
Dinah moves close to her friend and puts a comforting hand on Lydia's shoulder. She looks to CALLIN for a reponse.
"The LIGHT shines upon us now and always Lydia." CALLIN says and smiles at the girl. "Those are the long limbed creatures we encountered earlier. Beware their touch can paralyze you where you stand. Keep your distance. We will fire arrows into the creatures and when they get to close, I will send them away with the LIGHT. Then you may finish them off with more arrows as they flee. The LIGHT may it guide us and protect us, may it shatter the darkness that lay before us."
CALLIN turns his gaze to the north, waiting for more of the walkers to come.
TAKASHI looks to his emptying quiver. "Only four arrows left for me, and it sounds as if the long limbed ones are now ready to join our party. Get ready!" TAKASHI will ready his bow again, hoping to get in two or four shots if the ghouls advance before switching to melee.
"Aye, we are low as well. Only a few more shots." Dinah nods to TAKASHI.
TOBIAS covers his nose and mouth with his hand to try and filter out the stench. Then he picks up Graian's dart and quickly brings it over to him, saying "Guess I'm not the only one what throws things in the wrong direction sometimes!" with a muffled voice.
Then he turns to look towards what he's been avoiding: The grove and the screams.
Looking a little embarrassed, GRAIAN thanks TOBIAS for returning his dart, one hand covering his face the other puts the dart back. He looks towards the grove to watch for anything coming from that direction, his spell of Magic Missle ready to cast.
ATACIUS looks to the East, bullet ready in his sling.
A tense minute passes... no movement from the grove.
Another minute passes... still nothing.
Dinah sighs. "I don't like this waiting game. I smell a trap... well, whatever I can smell!" and she wrinkles her nose.
ROUND 18 - 25
Effects/Spells: NONE
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS: Turns to CALLIN. "There were three carts full of bodies!" he says and starts putting the remainig oil grenades back into his satchel and grabs a torch, ready to go.
CALLIN: "ATACIUS, how many bodies did you see that were not yet cursed into the undead? I fear waiting my simply breed a new army" CALLIN agrees and takes point with his shield attemping to offer the group what protection he can.
GRAIAN: "While this is a good place to defend, I do not like the idea of just waiting for more to come at us. With only a few arrows left we cannot take on another horde like that."
TAKASHI: "Let's advance towards the house and be ready for the unknown." TAKASHI will advance with bow and arrow nocked at the ready.
TOBIAS: grasps the hilt of one of the daggers at his waist and says, "Ok... let's go!"
Lydia: Waits to see what the party wants to do.
Dinah: Ditto
"ATACIUS, how many bodies did you see that were not yet cursed into the undead?" CALLIN asks. "I fear waiting my simply breed a new army"
ATACIUS turns to CALLIN. "There were three carts full of bodies!" he says and starts putting the remaining oil grenades back into his satchel and grabs a torch, ready to go.
"While this is a good place to defend, I do not like the idea of just waiting for more to come at us." GRAIAN says in agreement. "With only a few arrows left we cannot take on another horde like that."
"Let's advance towards the house and be ready for the unknown." TAKASHI says. He begins to advance with bow and arrow nocked at the ready.
TOBIAS:grasps the hilt of one of the daggers at his waist and says, "Ok... let's go!"
"In for a copper, in for a royal." Lydia quips as her and Dinah stride beside TAKASHI, arrows nocked in their bows, ready to shoot. CALLIN joins them, moving to take point with his shield, attempting to offer the group what protection he can.
Several minutes pass as the party moves towards the hollow. The flies are already collecting on the unmoving walkers dispatched earlier, and the smell from the rotted, mangled corpses is thick. Dinah and Lydia stride through like troopers, but they look green around their eyes doing so.
As you get closer to the grove and hollow, with the remains of a stone fence in front of you, you can see the roof of a building through the trees as the interior bowl of the hollow becomes more visible. A sense of dread starts to settle on you all, similar to a wet, cold blanket. A feeling darkness seems to emanate from the center of the hollow. Upon reaching the edge of the grove and hollow, you can see through the trees to the center.
There, as ATACIUS described, is a farmhouse, surrounded by trees all throughout the hollow. There are three carts around it, to the left, right and front. In the ones to the right (East) and front, there are bodies piled on. To the one on the left (West), the bodies are standing next to it, animated walkers!
In front of the house, you can see what looks like three of the long-limbed creatures, similar to what you encountered in the cemetery. They are standing next to a crude, foul shrine, with skulls and some dark substance decorating its stones.
ROUND 26
Spells/Effects: None
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS: "They're doing the ritual...right? We need to stop it!" says the littleling as he digs an oil grenade and get ready to light it with his torch.
CALLIN: Will have his weapons ready and move forward with GRAIAN. Offering the man some protection. CALLIN will be prepared to "turn undead" should the need arise ( don't want to send them running out of range )
GRAIAN: Will cast Sleep on the group of long limbed creatures hoping it has some effect on them. (@ChrisYou are at a range of roughly 120 feet, for 2nd level MU, you need to be at 50' - Ah, didn't realize we were so far away, in that case Graian will have to move forward.... he is level 3 so can be 60' away, so much safer!))
TAKASHI: "Focus ranged attacks on the long limbed creature in the center!" With that, TAKASHI will let loose two of his four remaining arrows at the fould abomination.
TOBIAS: keeps a grip on his dagger hilt but holds action, waiting to see what effect Graian's spell has, and watching for any missile fire. (@Derek Daniels, WHAT IS YOUR ACTION? I'VE NOT COMPLETED THE MELEE ON C/G TO GET YOUR HELD ACTION.) - Thank you! Tobias thinks to himself, "He's not going to be able to cast in time!" He whips his arm forward with an arcane motion shouts, "Erucae!" (Assuming range is ok, casting magic missile at the long-limbed creature most likely to be in melee with Graian, please roll the d30 for damage) You may and I will! Guess this one is going down. I'm waiting for Alan's response before proceeding.
Lydia:
Dinah:
OOC: Can TAKASHI use his d30 per encounter for damage on the arrow that hit?
You hit twice. I'll allow it, but let's make the d30 the damage from both arrows, given that I had rolled already. Sound fair?
Sure. It would be nice to wipe one of them out rather quickly...
"They're doing the ritual...right? We need to stop it!" says ATACIUS as he digs an oil grenade and get ready to light it with his torch.
GRAIAN seems to make a mental decision and moves forward quickly. CALLIN joins him, weapons ready and holy symbol out, sunlight glinting off of it. (NOTE: due to movement, GRAIAN's spell cannot happen. Next round!)
"Focus ranged attacks on the long limbed creature in the center!" TAKASHI calls out.
With that, TAKASHI will let loose two of his four remaining arrows at the foul abomination. Lydia and Dinah nod grimly and motion ATACIUS over. Using his torch, they each light two of their flame arrows and let fly! Whether it's nerves or the ungainliness of the fire arrows, but they hit the ground around the center long limbed creature, causing small flareups of flame in the ground.
One of TAKASHI's arrows find their target, though, and it shrieks in pain. It and the other long limbed creatures move FAST and dash up towards the approaching priest and mage.
As the long-limbed creatures approach, CALLIN reaches for his holy symbol, raises it and rebukes the undead! Something happens, though, as the middle long-limbed creature approaches. An aura around it, perhaps, or that it seems to zero in on the priest, but his rebuke falters and none of the creatures are affected! As the creatures approach, a horrible stench envelops the priest and mage! Both are overcome by the smell, horrible enough to cause a normal person to taste bile, retch and double over!
(Effect of failed saves: CALLIN and GRAIAN are at -2 on to-hit rolls and there are no spells possible for 3 rounds!)
TAKASHI lets fly with his second arrow, and it flies straight and true through the brain pan of the middle creature! It doesn't even have time to shriek as it tumbles backwards - DEAD! The other two long-limbed creatures look at it momemtarily...
At which point, TOBIAS, gripping on his dagger hilt, sees the creatures approach his elven friend and priest. He thinks to himself, "He's not going to be able to cast in time!" He whips his arm forward with an arcane motion and shouts, "Erucae!" In his passion, the energy channeled through his spell increases, and the magic missile shooting from his hand is three times it's normal size. It blasts into the chest of one of the long-limbed creatures and explodes, leaving a smoking, gaping hole. The creature falls!
The final creature pauses again, then turns to flee!
ROUND 27
Spell Effects: GRAIAN and CALLIN -2 to hit and no spells till round 30.
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS: Follows TOBIAS, torch and oil grenade in hand, and looks at what the walkers are doing.
CALLIN: (DM rules that CALLIN is staring at shrine)
GRAIAN: Falls to his knees, coughing and wretching, thankful the there were no creatures around him
TAKASHI: "This finishes HERE! Try to take it down before it outruns us!" TAKASHI lets fly his final two arrows at the last long limbed creature.
TOBIAS: rushes forward towards Callin and Graian.
Lydia: Will fire her remaining 2 arrows at the escaping creature.
Dinah: Same.
CALLIN stares at the shrine, transfixed, while the other party members concentrate on the fleeing creature. TOBIAS rushes forward towards Callin and Graian. ATACIUS follows TOBIAS, torch and oil grenade in hand, and looks at what the walkers are doing.
TAKASHI: "This finishes HERE! Try to take it down before it outruns us!" TAKASHI lets fly his final two arrows at the last long limbed creature. Lydia and Dinah join him in firing their remaining arrows. Arrows rain down around the creature, with only one arrow hitting it, injuring it. The creature, with an arrow sticking out of it's back, continues its loping run to the west out of the hollow and into the grasses.
The walkers remain gathered around the cart to the west of the house.
It becomes apparently why CALLIN is so transfixed on the shrine. As you look at it, the very air around it seems to be ... darker. Malevolent. And to the sharper eyed, it seems as if blood is flowing out of the spaces between the rocks that form the crude altar.
ROUND 28
Spell/Effects: GRAIAN and CALLIN -2 to hit and no spells till round 30.
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS: Will follow TAKASHI and will throw the oil grenade at the altar once in range. "Can you recover any arrows that missed their targets?" he says to the archers.
CALLIN: CALLIN : "What manner of darkness is this! Such an unholy place....We must shine the LIGHT upon it!!". Breaking his bedazzlement, CALLIN starts marching forward, holy symbol in hand shield held stong, bringing the LIGHT in to say hello! (CALLIN, you are able to move normally, unless you want to be bedazzled... ;> ) @Joseph Schnurr
GRAIAN: Seeing what is happening at the alter gets up and will move to be in Magic Missile range of it, readying a set of darts as he goes.
TAKASHI: TAKASHI equips his sword and shield, then eyes the altar. "This evil must stop. All who can, forward and destroy that altar to evil!" TAKASHI will advance towards the altar and, if the walkers do not intervene, will attempt to topple the altar to break the foul spell captivating CALLIN.
TOBIAS: Tobias pauses, mentally going through the books that he's read, trying to remember if he's ever read anything about the kind of magic he's seeing at work on the shrine.
It is nothing that your books or teacher taught you, but at the same time, there is something nagging at you that you know how this happened...
Tobias will advance behind the others, still thinking on this...
Lydia/Dinah: Look at their empty quivers and look at TAKASHI and the others. "What do we do now?" Lydia asks.
TAKASHI equips his sword and shield, then eyes the altar. "This evil must stop. All who can, forward and destroy that altar to evil!" TAKASHI advances towards the altar.
CALLIN shakes his head, breaking himself of what he was feeling as he looked at the horrid shrine. "What manner of darkness is this! Such an unholy place....We must shine the LIGHT upon it!!" He marches forward, holy symbol in hand shield held stong, bringing the LIGHT in to say hello!
TOBIAS pauses, mentally going through the books that he's read, trying to remember if he's ever read anything about the kind of magic he's seeing at work on the shrine. He follows TAKASHI, as does ATACIUS, who has an oil grenade in hand. GRAIAN follows TAKASHI, ready to cast a spell.
"Can you recover any arrows that missed their targets?" ATACIUS says to the archers. Lydia and Dinah nod, and go towards where they fired their last missiles at the creature, looking to pick them out of the ground.
The five brave adventurers get close to the altar...
... and the Darkness opens ...
..... TIME
.STOPS
........ HEARTBEATS....
... HARSH BREATH...
ATACIUS, having felt this before, shakes his head and time continues. He gets within ten feet of the shrine and turns around to see his party-mates frozen..
GRAIAN and TAKASHI have a mind numbing fear come over them. It is as if you're sinking into darkness, time stopping.
TOBIAS looks frozen in place, his face looking upwards.
CALLIN's whole posture freezes as his face assumes a rictus. The only movement is his outstretched holy symbol trembling, the shaking growing worse.
ROUND 29
Spell/Effects:
GRAIAN and CALLIN -2 to hit and no spells till round 30.
CALLIN, GRAIAN, TAKASHI and TOBIAS are paralyzed with fear for 1 round, then must flee 2 rounds in the opposite direction they were moving.
DECLARATIONS:
ATACIUS looks back and forth from the altar to his friends. He then tries to steady his slightly shaking hands and light his oil grenade before throwing it at the altar.
CALLIN: can feel the slimy energy course through him. In horror he freezes and can vaguely see his outstretched had holding the symbol of his Faith...the LIGhT... But if darkness is allowed to enter...that means that I am weak. I am not stong in the Faith of LIGHT. It has happened before. I have failed to turn the undead, only to be saved by an acolyte. I am not worthy the darkness could consume me... If we destroy this alter it will simply take me as a vessel. That MUST not happen! "We must NOT destroy the Alter" ...CALLIN weezes... obviously stuggling to do anything more than stand.
GRAIAN: Seeing hideous forms around the altar, swooping, swirling, laughing at him, he feels the fear in his mind rooting him to the ground where he stands, unable to move at all he stands there trembling.
TAKASHI: In his minds eye, TAKASHI sees the visages of his wife and child slowly emerge from the blood weeping from the very stones of the altar itself. Both slowly take form, but they are mockeries of what they were in life, with souless black eyes and smiles full of knife-sharp teeth in a rictus grin. "Why did you leave us to die? Won't you join us now? Don't you miss us?" Fearing for his very sanity, TAKASHI freezes as the fear begins to rise to a crescendo.
TOBIAS: Tobias looks up with a pained, anguished look on his face. But then, slowly, an odd smile begins to form on his lips... (please see my character sheet)
Lydia:
Dinah:
Lydia and Dinah both look up at the party.
The elf - GRAIAN - sees hideous forms around the altar, swooping, swirling, laughing at him. He feels the fear in his mind rooting him to the ground where he stands, unable to move at all he stands there trembling.
The priest CALLIN - can feel the slimy energy course through him. In horror he freezes and can vaguely see his outstretched had holding the symbol of his Faith.
"...the LIGhT... But if darkness is allowed to enter...that means that I am weak. I am not strong in the Faith of LIGHT." the thoughts flash through his mind. "It has happened before. I have failed to turn the undead, only to be saved by an acolyte. I am not worthy the darkness could consume me... If we destroy this alter it will simply take me as a vessel. That MUST not happen!"
"We must NOT destroy the Altar!" CALLIN wheezes, obviously struggling to do anything more than stand.
The warrior - TAKASHI - In his minds eye, TAKASHI sees the visages of his wife and child slowly emerge from the blood weeping from the very stones of the altar itself. Both slowly take form, but they are mockeries of what they were in life, with souless black eyes and smiles full of knife-sharp teeth in a rictus grin. "Why did you leave us to die? Won't you join us now? Don't you miss us?" they hiss to him.
Fearing for his very sanity, TAKASHI freezes as the fear begins to rise to a crescendo.
The young mage - TOBIAS - looks up with a pained, anguished look on his face. But then, slowly, an odd smile begins to form on his lips.
"What in the burning hells...?" Dinah whispers as they take in the unusual sight.
ATACIUS looks back and forth from the altar to his friends. He then tries to steady his slightly shaking hands and light his oil grenade before throwing it at the altar. The flask hits the top of the altar, bounces off of it, hits it again, bounces and on the third bounce, breaks enough to allow the oil to splash on the stones and skulls. The oil bursts into flame, the heat boiling the blood and causing it to hiss. It makes for a macabre sight.
Almost in unison, the four humans and elf turn and RUN as fast as they can away from the altar, past the two archers and dash out towards the direction of Skalfier.
"King's ass!" Lydia curses. "What is wrong with them?" They both turn to look at the littleling.
"... and why aren't you affected?" Dinah asks.
(Suspending combat rounds for a moment while this happens. The four affected will run at double speed for 2 minutes - so GRAIAN and TOBIAS will be 480' away, CALLIN and TAKASHI will be 240' feet away. How will your characters act during the run? After they recover? And what will ATACIUS do?)
TAKASHI will flee from the images of his dead family, hoping they don't pull him down with them, no matter how much guilt he feels at their demise. Once the effect wears off, TAKASHI will shake the cobwebs from his head and realize that someone or something has messed with his head, and is not happy about it in the least. He will attempt to return to the shrine and help the others affected like him to do likewise.
GRAIAN will flee from the foul images, buyt once the spell wears off he will see what is happening and help as he can.
Tobias will run joyfully, looking not so much like a frightened boy fleeing as a boy happy to be escaping. When he stops his run, his smile fades and he turns around slowly, eyes wide and mouth open, clearly surprised at first to find himself where he is.
CALLIN will stop when the fear subsides a bit then turn to TAKASHI who would be near him. "Brother, if we destroy the shrine that foul power will consume me. I have seen it. It has tainted my soul. We must not destroy it. Instead we must purge it's evil with an exorxisim! "
TAKASHI: "Brother, I saw things from that shrine that I wish I had not, and know that it is not true. We must destroy it in any way possible and wipe this evil from the land. Come, let us return and help now, if we can."
Tobias is surprised at how far away he is now, and starts running back to the rest of the party.
CALLIN: "Should it fall, I fear I will go with it! We must remove it's evil! It cannot simply be destoryed! The Darkness is too dark. It must be attacked by the Light, not by blade or bow! That will only fuel it's wrath!"
"See how it burns!?" says ATACIUS excitedly, as he digs another oil grenade from his satchel, and turns, only to see his friends run away. "Where are you going!? Hey guys!" he calls and looks quizzically at the two archers. "I... I don't know..." he says shrugging.
The two women look skeptically at the littleling.
"Do you feel anything!? What happened?! Is it the shrine!?"
They are beginning to look terrified.
"I... I don't feel anything... Is that wrong?" he asks the women. "Has the Light failed CALLIN? Did TAKASHI's martial training wasn't enough? Where's all of the arcane knowledge GRAIAN and TOBIAS have? I don't know!" he tries to find a reason for their friend's reactions. "It's just an ugly looking altar after all and we need to destroy it! Help me end this!" he says as he light the grenade.
Dinah takes a step back.
"I'm not going anywhere near that thing!" she exclaims. "It's... wrong. It's evil! It drove your friends away and I don't know how you're able to be close to it!"
"Oh come on!" Lydia says in an irritated voice as she moves to join ATACIUS. "It's just a shr.... "
She stops speaking. She stops moving. Her eyes widen and her mouth hangs open as the blood drains from her face.
ATACIUS rolls his eyes in exasperation and walks to Lydia. He will grab her hand and start moving away from the burning shrine, looking back from time to time back to it and also at the walkers near the cart.
Dinah stretches out her hand and takes Lydia into her arms. Lydia starts to shiver and quake, tossing her head back and forth. "Noooooooo.... " she moans. "Let me goooo... must get awayyyyyy...."
Dinah looks at ATACIUS. "Leave it! It's ... alive! It's doing something to them! We need to get away!"
TAKASHI, CALLIN and TOBIAS rejoin the group, finding Dinah holding a sobbing Lydia and ATACIUS with an oil flask in his hand.
The dead walkers have not reacted in anyway. The house remains quiet, with no movement. The burning oil on the shrine has gone out, smoke rising from some charred wood and residue of blood where the flames burned it. The skulls look blackened, as do the stones, but the shrine itself still appears intact.
CALLIN: "I have seen the darkness that corrupts this alter. It will not be destroyed by blade, bow, or fire. It must be cleansed by the LIGHT. We must perform a ritual to banish the darkness from this place. Only then will the Light shine upon this place." Callin says with a quaver in his voice. obviously being even this close to the alter is bothering him.
ATACIUS: "If you like I can go there and sprinkle that hoky water of yours if you have some..." he says stowing away the unused oil flask. "Sorry it affected you all so badly. That ugly thing only affected my artistic taste!" he adds taking a sip fron his wineskin.
TOBIAS looks skeptical, but looks from ATACIUS to CALLIN and says, "Okay... what else should we do?"
TAKASHI: "We can try it brother CALLIN's way. But if that does nothing, we must not leave here without ridding the land of its presence!"
CALLIN: "Thank you for believing in me" CALLIN bows his head to his friends. Then he proceeds to start the Ritual process. First to to Protect the group from Evil, then a second ritual to Remove Fear. CALLIN prepares himself by steadying his breathing and beginning his chant like prayers. "LIGHT shine upon us. LIGHT bath us in your glory. LIGHT armor us in your presense, cast away that which wishes to destory, and ...infest.... LIGHT. Shield us Oh LIGHT (For the process of Protection from Evil )......Then... "LIGHT armor our souls and our hearts. LIGHT keep us pure of the monsterous darkness that lurks in the shadows. LIGHT shine through that which terrifies us, which haunts us....LIGHT banish those thoughts from our mind. Sear them away with your blinding presence! ( For the process of Remove Fear )... After that, CALLIN will rise, turn toward the Evil alter holy symbol in his hand, and make his way to perfrom the scariest ritual he has ever attempted....
GRAIAN looks at Calling after he has finished his chanting, "Thank you, I hope never to go through that feeling again. We are with you and will protect you as best we can while you destroy that vile thing." He prepares magic missile, ready to attack anything that threatens them.
With each prayer, CALLIN's holy symbol glows briefly. Once he turns and presents the holy symbol, it begins to glow steady and stay glowing.
CALLIN, as you approach the shrine, the Protection spell and Remove Fear in concert seem to form a "bubble" around you that you can feel. A warm glow surrounds you (in your vision) and you feel the touch of the Light with out. You are now right next to the altar.
The rest of you see CALLIN walk up to the shrine, symbol glowing.
CALLIN: Protected by the armor of the LIGHT, CALLIN will prepair the ritual casting of LIGHT centered on the Alter itself.... "The LIGHT shall shine upon the darkness, casting it away, the LIGHT shall melt away the shadows, and the vile things that hide within, the LIGHT shall bath the world anew, and shatter that which attemps to condem it. The LIGHT is hope, the LIGHT is strength, the LIGHT shall dispatch YOU!" and with that CALLIN will cast LIGHT upon the Alter! With each repitition of the words, CALLIN can feel his strength building back up. The fear now faded giving him purpose again. Finding strength in the LIGHT. Finding that Hope when all seems lost, that is what it means to follow the Light, what it means to speak of it, to live by it. A fierce smile crosses CALLINS face as he finishes the spell. No matter the cost, the LIGHT shall prevail, he thinks to himself.
Lydia and Dinah both nod as they listen to CALLIN. "Now that's a priest!" Lydia says admiringly.
As CALLIN spreads the holy water around him to consecrate the ground in front of the shrine, it begins to change appearance. The rocks start sliding around, and several skulls fall down. As the young priest begins his prayer in a shaky voice, the shrine seems to change somehow, as if when you blinked, it looked one way, and after another blink, it looked ... diminished. As CALLIN finishes his prayer in a stronger voice, a ball of blazing light appears within the shrine and the rocks fly apart! Skulls thunk down to the ground, rolling around. The light continues to brighten until it is painful to look at it, more bright than the sun itself.
Another heartbeat, another blink of the eye and the ball of intense light is gone, replaced by a warm soft glowing globe. The shrine lies in ruins, stones and skulls littering the ground. The air around the shrine seems warmer, more comforting.
Beyond CALLIN, the group of dead walkers who were clustered around the cart are now fleeing in slow fashion to the west, out of the grove, away from the cleric.
TAKASHI: "Well done, brother CALLIN. I can think of no better proselytizing than what you have done here today. Now, shall we investigate the house to see if anyone is home? I fear they may have made their escape during the battle. Let's look for any tracks and see if there is anything to follow also."
ATACIUS: "Wow! That hoky water is not hoky at all!" cheers the littleling.
TOBIAS (wide-eyed and a little breathless:) "You... you did it!"
CALLIN looks at his friends and smiles. "No TOBIAS I am mearly the vessle, this is the LIGHT at work." CALLIN with a renewed vigor quickly reclaims his hammer and adjusts his shield. "I agree TAKASHI, we should see if anyone is home!"
Late afternoon - Hollow Grove - NW of Skalfier
The house seems to be a simple farmhouse style, single level, door, two windows in front, three chimneys, no porch. The door is shut and the windows have some sort of thick cloth as curtains, not allowing any view inside. It seems quiet... quiet as a tomb.
What will you do?
(Put answers here :) )
TOBIAS will follow behind TAKASHI and CALLIN, keeping an eye out for anything interesting around the farmhouse.
CALLIN will take point with TAKASHI (assuming he is taking point as well ) and will proceed to the door cautiously
TAKASHI will indeed take point with CALLIN, sword and shield at the ready. He will try and open the door quietly and quickly when they get close enough.
The door appears to be barred or held from the other side. What would you like to do to open it?
ATACIUS will quietly go around the house.
GRAIAN will follow Takashi and Callin, alongside Tobias
TAKASHI will wait to do anything further until ATACIUS returns from scouting around the house.
ATACIUS: The house is much as you saw it earlier, this time up close. Those symbols on the house are indeed made from blood, and the flies are thick around them. The well in the ground is undisturbed, still covered. No more smoke is rising from the chimeny.
The back door is wide open and an obvious trail, with hoof prints in the soft ground, show the flight of someone from the house on horseback. It leads due north out of the hollow.
On the west side, where the dead walkers were, there are no more bodies in the cart, just bits and pieces best not described. The walkers' trail through the grasses leads west, and you can see them at the edge of the hollow, continuing to move away.
You return to where your companions are gathered at the front door.
TOBIAS (after hearing ATACIUS' news): "Well, if they were on horseback, they're long gone by now. Maybe there's some clue where they went in the house?"
GRAIAN: "Yes, and we can possibly follow them while the tracks are still fresh, but first the house. Callin do yoiu have any indications or feelings about the house befroe we go in?"
ATACIUS: "And there's a long-limbed one and walkers roaming the countryside too."
TAKASHI: "Ok, quickly through the house and then let's follow those tracks to see where this vile worm has retreated."
(So I'm hearing you'll explore the house. Entering from the back door? Going through the front door?)
ATACIUS will go first through the back door before looking for traps.
TAKASHI will follow ATACIUS through the back door, watching the littleling's back in case the necromancer left any nasty surprises.
CALLIN will go with TAKASHI and ATACIUS through the back door.
TOBIAS will enter as well, eager to see if there are any books lying about
ATACIUS sees no traps as the littleling enters the home, but the smell and darkness is overpowering to him and all who enter behind him.
The kitchen seems to have served more as a place to keep animals. A bale of hay is here and a bucket for water. Several feed hens chirp in their cages. There is a shovel and some evidence that a horse was kept here.
Further on, into the hallway leading bedrooms and living area, foul symbols are painted in a dried red substance across all of the walls, causing CALLIN severe headaches and lesser so with GRAIAN. TOBIAS does not seem as affected as the other two. The littleling and TAKASHI are not affected by the symbols at all, aside from a visceral disgust at how they were made.
The main room itself has been turned into a butcher's shop, with four bodies in various states of dissection and disarray. There are foul symbols and magic circles created in the same red dried substance, with candles casting a macabre flicker across the scene.
One bedroom is abandoned, but the other looks like it was the living space for someone here. They apparently abandoned it quickly, because there are several sacks and wooden boxes that have clothes and some sort of equipment in them. Clothes are scattered towards the doorway.
ATACIUS will search the three fireplaces to see if they hold any secrets.
CALLIN will do his best to damage the symbols on the wall to disrupt the foul energy that is in this place. He will also give last rights to the remains on the table. Doing his best to work through his headache. "This is a place of vile darkness, it must be cleansed. I fear should we leave it, some other form of darkness will simply take it's place.'
GRAIAN will examine the contents of the sacks searhcing for any information about who was here and what equipment they had.
TOBIAS looks under the mattresses of the beds... that's where he'd hide a book!
TAKASHI scowls at this butcher's house.
TAKASHI: "Fear not brother CALLIN, we shall not leave this house standing. When we are done, we will burn in to the ground and hope that the fire can cleans the foulness from this place."
TAKASHI will look through the wooden boxes to see if there is anything of interest, but will not linger too long as he wishes to pursue their quarry.
ATACIUS - you find bits of bone in the main room, burnt bits of wood in the used bedroom and dust in the unused bedroom.
CALLIN - the red dried substance is probably blood, and it has dried enough that it's not really coming off, but more staining your robes and tunic. Although nothing visible happens, you feel a sense of "rightness" when you say a prayer for the dead.
GRAIAN - the equipment looks a lot like you'd think butchery equipment to look like, and perhaps some medical equipment. The sacks contain clothing of various types - merchant style clothing, farmer clothing, even a finer set of clothes for a male. They look human in nature.
TOBIAS - you see the outline of where a couple of books might have been hidden, but they are no longer there.
TAKASHI - foodstuffs and one box of ten wine bottles, all full, all of a recent vintage.
You all get the feeling that whoever left, fled with things that would identify themselves, and any paraphernalia that they used to cast necromantic spells.
GRAIAN: "Looks like there is nothing here, lets destroy the place and see if we can track that necromancer. Callin anything specific you would like to do, or shall we just burn it?"
TOBIAS looks a little upset when the idea of burning the house is mentioned, and mutters "It's like my dreams..."
TAKASHI: "Fire is nothing but a tool, TOBIAS. It can clean, clear, and replenish just as easilly as it can destroy, burn, and kill. We use it for our purpose here, to rid this place of evil lest it attract others once we have left."
CALLIN: "TAKASHI is correct TOBIAS, fire is not good or evil. It is the intention of it's use that decides that. Do you feel what we are doing is wrong here?"
TOBIAS: "No, it's not that... I'll start the fire myself, if you want! It's just that it reminds me of what I saw... all the buildings in the village on fire, all the orcs burning and killing... we can't let that happen!"
CALLIN walks over to TOBIAS and puts his hand on his shoulder. "TOBIAS, we will do what it takes to protect the village. We all stand with you. We will not let the orcs take Appleton. Have faith. We are with you, and the LIGHT is with us" He will gently squeeze TOBIAS' shoulder for emphasis.
TOBIAS presses his lips together and nods.
CALLIN: "The dead have been given their last rights. There is nothing else to be done here. Let us purify this place with the LIGHT of fire."
ATACIUS: "Lydia, Dinah, do you know a place you can reach on horseback before nightfall?"
Both women shrug. "There's small hamlets, villages, farmsteads, all scattered around. Some with people, some without. Nothing big, that I recall. But we both live in the city..."
All of you please roll a d6 and let me know what you get.
Derek Daniels rolled 1d6 for a total of 5
Gabriel Perez Gallardi rolled 1d6 for a total of 1
Alan Krause rolled 1d6 for a total of 5
Joseph Schnurr rolled 1d6 for a total of 1
Chris rolled 1d6 for a total of 2
Thank you gentlemen! For @Gabriel Perez Gallardi and @Joseph Schnurr - please see your char sheets and my note/comment there... and proceed! :)
ATACIUS: "Worry not ladies." he says to the archers. A heartbeat later the littleling's face lightens and he snaps his chubby fingers. "I've got an idea! Remember that old lady and her followers we found some time ago on our way to Skalfier?" he asks his firends. "What was her name? Mamma... Mamma Dee, that's right!"
CALLIN: "Yes the woman who followed the path of the old Gods! Mama Dee I believe. Such a kind soul. Yes she might know a way find such a dark being." CALLIN chuckles as both ATACIUS and He blurt out Mama Dee at about the same time. "Well it seems our memories come to us at about the same time eh ATACIUS?"
What do you want to do now?
TOBIAS wrinkles his nose, trying to understand. "Mama... 'D'? You think she would help us? Do you know where she lives?"
CALLIN: "ATACIUS seems to know and remember everyone he runs across" CALLIN says smiling "If anyone were to know how to find someone, it is the littleone! As for the other question, would she help us?... That is for her to decide...However I find it hard to belive that a good person would allow a necromancer to roam their homeland, could they do anything about it."
Lydia and Dinah fidget, looking at the sun growing closer to the horizon, and then back at the heroes.
ATACIUS: "She has her place to the east of Skalfier, but don't know exactly where, and it's not likely we reach that place today."
CALLIN: "What are you thinking ATACIUS? Should we find Mama Dee, or follow the trail? It might be best to follow the necromancer now, while the trail is fresh and his minions are dispatched. But perhaps he has greater resources than we are aware of. How is everyone's supplies?"
TAKASHI: "I have rations and a few torches, but am out of arrows. However, I think it may be best to try and follow what path has been left for us since none of us are sure where this Mama Dee lives."
GRAIAN: " I agree, while we still have an opportunity we should track as far as we can now."
ATACIUS: "Let's follow the trail as far as the light allows us."
36th Day of Winter - Early evening - somewhere NW of Skalfier
I went back and checked and I don't see that you brought horses. I checked OOC as well. I'm going to rule that you aren't on horseback.
The house catches fire quickly and is well on it's way to burning completely up as you leave the hollow to follow the trail. The wood snaps and pops and you hear the glass crack from the heat.
Even to the untrained eye, given the space of the hoofprints in the dirt, it's clear that whoever was fleeing the house was in a hurry. The trail continues to the north and for the remaining light that you have, it continues north and starts turning northeast. You follow it as it passes by deserted farmsteads, skirts a couple of hamlets and you even disturb a flock of beach clubber birds that raise a raucous as they run away from you. It is getting more difficult to follow the track as the rider seems to be slowing down and starting to pick their way more carefully.
The sun is just about to touch the horizon and Lydia turns to the rest of you. "I don't think we're going to catch whoever this is." she says disappointedly. "If we don't get some sort of light soon, we're going to be walking in the dark... and I don't like the thought of that!"
What do you want to do now?
ATACIUS: "I think CALLIN has a lantern and we can use my last oil grenade for it."
That will be about enough to get you to the main road, the archers guess.
Maybe we could have gotten more oil or torches from those hamlets we passed by?
CALLIN will light his lantern. Worst case I could pray for a bit and get my LIGHT spell back :)
Absolutely, the party can get some torches and oil from hamlets and villages, especially with a Priest of the Light with you. Where do you want to go? Back to Skalfier (~3 hours)? Follow the disappearing trail? Appleton (~ 1 day)? Somewhere else?
CALLIN: "Our horses are in Skalfier, we should go back, give an update to the Temple, and take our horses back out to follow the trail. LYDIA and DINAH, do you think you would be able to follow the trail by horseback in the morning? Or would the trail be lost by then?"
The two women look at each other. "Well, much as we hate to admit it, we're not the ones to be tracking." Lydia says. "You could check the market or guild hall to see if any hunters are for hire. Problem is, someone could hole up pretty much anywhere, like they did here." she waves in the direction of the hollow. "You'll probably want to mark this spot somehow, so we know where we lost it."
Dinah nods. "Wish we would have thought of it sooner, circled around to take a shot at whoever that was. Next time, if you find them and let us know... we'll make sure we're ready."
CALLIN: "That is a good idea. ATACIUS, any ideas on how to mark this location so that others might not stumble across it?
Given that we've stalled a bit - I'm thinking we advance this for 30 days to Winter 60. I can bring you up to date on the various things you've indicated you want to do:
@Gabriel Perez Gallardi/ATACIUS - Statue of Sir Flinigan/Christine, preparation of Appleton defenses
@Derek Daniels/TOBIAS: Statue, Appleton defenses, magic study of books
@Chris / GRAIAN: Study of magic books, waiting word of the Search of Ramathia
@Joseph Schnurr / CALLIN: Continued overseeing of Appleton, laying low with Lightbringers activity and thugs from Keep looking for you, news of necromancer
@Alan Krause / TAKASHI: Training of Claudia, defenses of Appleton, armor
Did I miss anything?
Works for me!
OK
I'm good with those general instructions as well!
That works!
That looks perfect to me!
So it is written! Act 19, coming tomorrow!
And now I have "creeping death" stuck in my head for the rest of the day!
I used to be able to play the rhythm guitar part of this song... most of "Ride the Lightning" album, I could play.