Shades of Bertrand! What was that!?
The shambling creature turns to follow you as you head north through the fields and behind the Ravengro Forge. You slip in between the Forge and an Apothecary, and enter the town circle, which is where you heard the screams from. The scene is one of chaos. Ahead of you, two more dark figures shamble forward, towards a group of young girls – the same ones that were singing a song earlier in the day. A tall and thin young man stands with them, a large stick in his hands – seemingly broken off from a nearby bench, by the white paint.
Behind the shamblers, two men are taking down a third of the creatures that had fallen behind. One man is tall and strong, and swings a heavy hammer at the zombie, beating it into decayed flesh and bone dust. The other man is lean, and wears a long leather duster and a wide-brimmed hat. He slashes away with the fine edge of a longsword.
Surrounding the circle, townsfolk have come out of their establishments to gawk in open-mouthed horror at the scene. Apparently the only ones with the sense to act are the men in motion…the rest seem frozen in place.
Zazaria, you are still weakened..but your channeling is ranged. So, please stay behind us...and we will see if we give you an opportunity to get them all in one one channeling blast.
Shades of Bertrand indeed, Mr. Maleye...I have other talents, however.
She grins archly, despite her grim gaze, then calls out to the surrounding villagers: Be not afraid, people of Ravengro! Someone find Father Grimburrow! We need his help!
Vrilli sheaths his sword, notches an arrow, and fires at the Zombie that has been tracking us
Vrilli's arrow thuds into the rear shoulder of one of the shamblers, but the beast seems unaffected by the protruding missile, as it continues forward.
Zazaria is waiting until the Zombies are in melee range, then she'll grant a blessing.
actually, looking at the map, I see that two are quite close. Within Channel range? I have 3 uses left...
OK now we know what is happening. Time to end the one following us. Arrghh Maleye!!
Leeoli leaps in and sends his rapier expertly into the zombie's body, spins, then prepares to parry!
Vrilli casts his bow carefully aside and elegantly draws his longsword.
Drawing her dagger, Asenath looks warily towards Zazaria before turning to face the zombies. "I lack the power to hurt these creature," she says, "The professor is pointing in the direction of the church."
Vrilli turns to face the Zombie that has been following us. Once he arrives I attempt to sever his torso
☆T H W A C K !☆
Zazaria strides forward, blue light fulminating between her cupped hands. She checks to make sure Asenath is out of range - and that the Zombies are within range - before releasing Pharasma's luminous and wrathful energies...
Three of the zombies plod along on their paths, the ones in the circle marching towards their intended victims, the one behind following its quarry. The fourth swings at one of its assailants from its unfortunate position on the ground.
The zombie's blow smashes into the man's leg, and an audible crack shows the power of the blow as the man'd upper leg breaks.
Vrilli sheaths his sword, notches an arrow, and fires at the Zombie that has been tracking them. The arrow thuds into the rear shoulder of one of the shamblers, but the beast seems unaffected by the protruding missile, as it continues forward.
OK now we know what is happening. Time to end the one following us. Arrghh Maleye!!. Leeoli leaps in and sends his rapier expertly into the zombie's body, spins, then prepares to parry! The rapier cuts a long gash on the already downed zombie, and the thing’s decayed flesh flies away in gruesome chunks.
Crag follows Leeoli’s lead, rushing forward to launch a blow at the downed zombie.
Unfortunately, he slips as he tries to attack the creature, and his blow flies wide
Zazaria strides forward, blue light fulminating between her cupped hands. She checks to make sure Asenath is out of range - and that the Zombies are within range - before releasing Pharasma's luminous and wrathful energies...
The eyes of the zombie on the ground close when the power of Zazaria's goddess exact their toll on it. It collapses to the ground, now fully dead once again. The other two zombies in the circle stumble as if slammed by the physical force of Pharasma's will, but they are able to carry on.
Drawing her dagger, Asenath looks warily towards Zazaria before turning to face the zombies. I lack the power to hurt these creatures she says, The professor is pointing in the direction of the church.
The two zombies continue on towards the group in the circle, more than halving the distance. The zombie behind the group also continues on, and nears Asenath.
Leeoli spins and flies toward the zombie that followed them from the river, slips down with a small step,and Stoccata the blade slips into the undead, but alas, is deflected to a mere scratch along the torso. Leeoli again, prepares to parry the zombie upcoming attack.
Asenath pauses for a heartbeat, appearing to be torn between attacking the zombies or watching their destructive activities, before moving in to try and flank one of the undead.
O Pharasma, strike down these abominations!
Crag rushes towards the two zombies about to reach the circle, and swings at one.
The zombies attempt to resist Zazaria's faith.
The man with the wide-brimmed hat rushes forward to stand by Asenath, and attempts to slash through the back of the zombie before him.
The two zombies continue on towards the group in the circle, more than halving the distance. The zombie behind the group also continues on, and nears Asenath.
Crag rushes towards the two zombies about to reach the circle, and swings at one, but is again far off of his target.
Vrilli turns to face the Zombie that has been following them and rushes out to meet it, attempting to sever his torso
☆T H W A C K !☆
His sword slashes through the creature's upper body, nearly doing just as he intended. The beast lists to the side. Leeoli spins and flies toward the same zombie, slips down with a small step,and Stoccata the blade slips into the undead, but alas, is deflected to a mere scratch along the torso. Leeoli again, prepares to parry the zombie upcoming attack.
O Pharasma, strike down these abominations! Zazaria once again calls out to her goddess, and once again the zombies' steps falter as the power of life forces out their own driving forces of undeath. Still, though they stagger on.
Asenath pauses for a heartbeat, appearing to be torn between attacking the zombies or watching their destructive activities, before moving in to try and flank one of the undead. Unfortunately, her attack is far off the mark. The man with the wide-brimmed hat rushes forward to stand by Asenath, and attempts to slash through the back of the zombie before him, but he overcompensates when he sees Asenath attack. Apparently thinking her to be a helpless woman, he has to redirect his efforts, and his sword thunks into the road before he can even heft it into a semblance of a strike.
The zombie facing Leeoli and Vrilli attacks the one who had done it the most damage. He swings at Vrilli with a thick, bony arm.
The attack is a terrible miss, as the creature's arm and upper shoulder was very nearly severed from its body from Vrilli's last strike.
The other zombies continue towards the circle, reaching the group. The young man, apparently ready for them, swings his makeshift club at one in an attempt to save his young charges.
Somehow...the young man scores a hit. His face shows his utter surprise at his success, though the zombie seems unaffected by the blow.
Leeoli attacks with a quick stab, then prepares to parry if still alive, else use the move action after attack to move to the other zombies after that attack.
Vrilli adjusts his footing and attempts to sever the remaining tissue holding the Zombie together.
Vrilli grimaces at the stench and the putrid ooze issuing from the wound he caused. Clearly distracted, his blow travels wide of the mark.
Zazaria steps forward to Asenath's side and swings her staff inexpertly at the Zombie threatening the Dhampir...
...without effect.
I wonde where Father Grimm is about. This would be a good time for the man to represent his deity, I'd imagine.
Asenath stabs at the zombie.
Crag attempts to pummel his opponent.
The man with the wide brimmed hat slashes at the zombie facing Asenath
The lone remaining zombie attacks the poor young man attempting to put on a brave stand.
The zombie facing Leeoli and Vrilli attacks the one who had done it the most damage. He swings at Vrilli with a thick, bony arm.
The attack is a terrible miss, as the creature's arm and upper shoulder was very nearly severed from its body from Vrilli's last strike.
The other zombies continue towards the circle, reaching the group. The young man, apparently ready for them, swings his makeshift club at one in an attempt to save his young charges.
Somehow...the young man scores a hit. His face shows his utter surprise at his success, though the zombie seems unaffected by the blow.
Vrilli adjusts his footing and attempts to sever the remaining tissue holding the zombie together. Vrilli grimaces at the stench and the putrid ooze issuing from the wound he caused. Clearly distracted, his blow travels wide of the mark
Leeoli attacks with a quick stab, and his blade cuts deep and slices through the torso of the undead abomination. It falls to the ground, immobile and apparently returned to meet Pharasma’s judgement.
Crag again attempts to pummel his opponent, and misses poorly.
Zazaria steps forward to Asenath's side and swings her staff inexpertly at the Zombie threatening the Dhampir, though with little effect.
Asenath slashes at the zombie, and opens the creature’s arm at the shoulder, forcing vile fluid to spill out.
The man with the wide brimmed hat slashes at the same zombie, and it falls in a splash of decayed flesh and black gelatinous blood.
The lone remaining zombie attacks the young man, but its living target is quick with life and vitality, and slips aside.
Leeoli manages to perform a small poke at the zombie.
I wonder whether there are more of these around town?
Vrilli strides forth with purpose, to finish the last Zombie. Just as he swings his blade, his foot turns on a piece of rotten intestine and his blow is well short.
Zazaria plants herself firmly and levies a smashing swing with her quarterstaff. There is a mighty CRACK! as the blow hits home.
Crag once again pummels attempts to pummel the creature.
The man with the hat slashes once again.
Surrounded by living opponents, the lone remaining zombie that can be seen falls in a shower of black gore, bits of bone, and tattered rags. The man in the hat looks up from the body with alarm, the swordpoint wavering as if to rise up in defense against a new threat. He levels a glare on the group of newcomers and drifts over to stand protectively in front of the frightened children within the circle.
The newcomers? Did you bring these beasts with you?
Most certainly not!Vrilli glares at the piles of mess on the ground with obvious distaste. We encountered them on the outskirts of town. Vrilli begins cleaning the gore from his blade.
Leeoli is quiet. I very well could have
Zazaria looks as if she might snap at the young man, then steadies herself. Still awkward and in pain, she moves slowly towards the behatted one and draws forth her symbol of Pharasma.
We took wounds defending your fellow villagers from more of these abominations...some of us were close to death, but for good luck and stout companions. Do you seriously believe that a Priestess of Pharasma would "bring these beasts" among you? We came to your aid as quickly as we could, and well for you that we did, elsewise you might now be walking with the dead yourselves.
The man in the hat looks down at Zazaria’s holy symbol and then back up. He nods as his posture relaxes and his expression turns to one of acceptance. I’m sorry, ma’am…sorry to all of you. It’s been a trying night, as I’m sure you’ll agree. He slides his sword back into its scabbard. I’m Benjan Caeller; I’m the Sheriff here in town. He points to the injured man on the ground. That over there is one of my deputies, Vrodish.
Benjan looks down at the vanquished zombie at his feet and shakes his head. Most of my job is making sure that the taverns don’t get unruly and that everyone is calm when the Caliphas tax collectors come through…not this…never this. He looks up to eye the group, his gaze lingering on the symbol of Pharasma. Have you seen this before? What sort of vile magic would make these things come after us like this?
Zazaria nods her head sadly. I do not know, Sheriff Caeller...I am new here, of course, but I fear that the history of Ravengro and Harrowstone contains the answers. But let me see to your deputy.
Zazaria kneels beside Vrodish and examines his injuries.
No it was too soon for the Maleye stink to overcome my sprinklings of oil of BlackSkullcap—well for only one Maleye anyway.
Leeoli looks to the undead carnage. Something strange is going on here. Sheriff Caeller, there may be more around town. Moreover, this is not likely a chance occurrence. You should expect more. May I suggest deputizing several more deputies and organizing a party to check on each resident in town?
The Sheriff nods to Zazaria in both thanks and agreement. Things have been…strange…of late, that’s for sure. I’m not sure what’s the root cause, but I don’t doubt your assumption. His eyes drift up to the far hill on which the ruins of Harrowstone lie. These are just simple folk here trying to live out their lives…they don’t deserve…this. He shakes his head sadly.
Listening to Leeoli, he looks at Vrodish and sighs. Agreed, and were there more folk here I’d do so. I’ve sent a runner for my other two deputies, and Father Grimburrow should already be on his way. I only hope that we’re not too late.
As the Sheriff is explaining the situation, the plump form of Councilman Hearthmount, the man who had presided over the reading of the Professor’s will, rushes to the group. Obviously hastily dressed and in a bad manner, he eyes the fallen zombies and the strangers with close to equal distaste, before addressing Sheriff Caeller.
I must know what happened here, Sheriff.
Caeller explains the situation in a flat tone with no deference to the council leader, and more than once he stops the man’s assumptions to replace them with the truth. At the end, Hearthmount turns to the strangers. It seems we owe you a debt. I thank you on behalf of the people of Ravengro for your help. Anything you could do to help the Sheriff in his endeavors to both find the root of this issue and stop it would be greatly appreciated. If you must be compensated for your time… His attitude shows that he feels that this is the only thing that could motivate you to help. …then I’m sure we can work something out.
Well, it was not money that led me to this village. It was the funeral of my good friend, the Professor. Neither was it money that led me to help defend your citizens from those cruel animatrons..
Leeoli stands tall.
Nevertheless, a man must have means to effect a place in this world, and a charitable nature should not so impede a man's ambition as to strand that man below his given potential. I can tell that you, Councilman Hearthmount, understand these things, and live it as well. While I'm delayed here, I've business in the business of making gold, to the east and to the north with alchemical merchant guilds, and my time defending this town is is opportunities lost as merchants choose other for their partnerships and contracts. So yes, between gentleman and profiteers like ourselves, I will be compensated, and squarely.