Toruk regains his wits and nods at Braggi,"Yes, we can't leave her to these horrors and we can't leave Cedryk to be devoured by undead. I say we regroup and fight!"
Jocasta sighs. "Fine."
She turns and instead slashes at one of the zombies once more.
The dagger tumbles end over end before landing forcefully, piercing the creature's shoulder as it jerks and gnaws upon Cedryk's leg.
The zombies from Cell 1 pour out and shuffle forwards, closing on Braggi, smelling his wounds and salivating blackish drool in anticipation of devouring him.
Another zombie comes forward, pushing past one of it's own to itself begin tugging the druid's leg away from the first zombie, better to begin tearing into it's flesh himself, a morbid tug-o-war developing between the pair.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2 and Cell 4
Third Group: Jocasta, Cell 1, and Cell 3
Fil curses loudly in elven, then points the wand towards one of the nearest "fresh" zombies on Braggi.
"We save these people or we die trying." He says, steeling his resolve, after seeing the wand do little to the zombie.
Toruk steps forward and beats on the one next to Braggi. "Beware the black pillars - have some sort of magical power!"
Filnefillan draws the attention of one zombie, startling it with a bolt of magical energy, distracting it as Toruk steps up and smashes it with a punch to the chest, collapsing it's rib cage, following up with a snap kick that shatters the bones in it's neck, the broken body falling to the ground in a rotting, twisted lump.
Inside the webbing Filnefillan notices a pair of figures, tall, balding, and gaunt with angular features slicing their way through the sticky fibers via elongated thin fingers tipped with deeply purple claws, almost black in their intensity. One of the figures makes eye contact with the elf, winking a pencil thin brow of stark white hair to the mage, it's own pointed ears eerily similar to his own.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2 and Cell 4
Third Group: Jocasta, Cell 1 and Cell 3
Musami steps over Cedryk's body and swings his earthbreaker at the zombie there.
Lets hope we can outlast
Braggi tries to finish the zombie closest to him.
Musami and Braggi together put down two more zombies, the former pounding a tugging, broken female to the ground, the latter cleaving a plumped and bloated corpse asunder.
In retaliation a zombie lunges forward at Braggi, at the sailor, his ineffectual blows easily deflected by the weary warrior.
Oh gods, no, please help, don't let them take us...
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2 and Cell 4
Third Group: Jocasta, Cell 1 and Cell 3
Jocasta nudges up by Fil with a resigned look and wings another dagger out into the fray.
Jocasta wings a dagger at the zombie gnawing on Cedryk's leg, waking it from it's object of obsession. The creature glances down at the blade sticking out of it's side, drops the druid's leg, and focuses it's attentions on Musami.
It stumbles forward and swings it's arms, one of which is badly broken, the doing little more than smearing greasy rotting flesh and bits of maggot riddle bone across the dwarf's breastplate.
Another zombie at Braggi, but again the weary sailor sways deftly aside, his years spent on pitching decks serving him well in this forgotten dungeon, leagues away from the nearest large body of water.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2 and Cell 4
Third Group: Jocasta, Cell 1 and Cell 3
Another attack passess pretty close to Braggi's body but fails. "Damn! My luck won't last forever!"
Toruk steps forward and smashes the zombie on Braggi.
Toruk moves in close with a jab to the zombie's throat followed up with a cross to it's chin, both blows rupturing tissues and cracking bones but not felling the dead man facing Braggi. The thing's jaw clearly dislocates in the exchange, and it's neck bulges awkwardly to one side as fluids start collecting beneath the crushed tissues, giving the thing the look of a quizzical dead bullfrog, it's tunic staining with dripping blood and other putrid substances.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2 and Cell 4
Third Group: Jocasta, Cell 1 and Cell 3
Fil, seeing Toruk's difficulty, fires a Magic Missile at the zombie.
Filnefillan expounds the damage done to the zombie by Toruk, his missile striking the thing directly atop the bulbous extrusion on it's neck, rupturing it and severing the head from the body in a shower of blood, pus and gore that splatters over both Toruk and Braggi.
In the hallway beyond, the pair of strange creatures from Cell 5 wave at Filnefillan with their elongated and bony hands, then appear to blow a kiss towards the still occupied prisoners' cell before stepping into the next room across from the cells, disappearing from sight. Filnefillan shudders involuntarily from the experience, as though something from his worst Nightmares had just crossed his path.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2 and Cell 4
Third Group: Jocasta, Cell 1 and Cell 3
Musami steps in and swings his hammer again. This time at the injured zombie.
Musami moves in and crushes the ribs and collarbone of the zombie which had been chewing on Cedryk, the dead thing twitching and spasming on the ground a time or two before falling still, fully dead once more.
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2
Third Group: Jocasta and Cell 3
Braggi tries to finish the last zombie. In the end, he's been very lucky, and he intends to keep it that way.
Braggi cuts deep across the zombie's midriff, his blade slicing nearly through from navel to spine, spilling out much of the rotted entrails stuffed inside the dead defender. The sudden shift pulled the creature over and down, falling face first into it's own ruptured spleen. Looking around Braggi finds no additional threats immediately present by the stairs.
Beyond the hallway again the female voice rings out, followed by mutters of male voices and the higher pitched cries of what may be a child. Don't leave us, those things will come back. They'll eat us for sure this time...
Initiative Order:
First Group: Filnefillan, Toruk and Cell 5
Second Group: Braggi, Musami, Cell 2
Third Group: Jocasta and Cell 3
"If you want to check on that cell, I'll get Cedryk up the stairs," says Jocasta.
Jocasta takes Cedryk's cloak and belt, tying the garment around his head to reduce further damage and loss. Though it is unlikely the druid can be restored in Hommlet, it would be best to keep him as intact as possible for his eventual burial. The Old Faith in town may be able to provide rites similar enough to his own that he will find his way to the afterlife, and whatever waits for his soul.
Fil quickly moves down the stairs, moving to see who is weeping for help in the cells. He stops and peeks around the former zombie cell's wall and peers into the cell, wand at the ready.
Filnefillan notices there are four figures in Cell 2, a young adult human female, battered, bruised, and disheveled, her clothing in shredded tatters which only barely cover her in modest. Beside her is a middle aged human male dressed like a merchant, also battered and bruised, though his clothing is only splattered in long dried blood and mud. An old half-elf male sits against the wall in the back of the cell, his leg wrapped in what might have once been a nice red velvet cloak, his attire once wealthy and fine, now ruined with filth and mire. The last occupant of the cell is a small child, or rather what appeared to be a child. In truth as it moves forward into the light Fil finds it to be a gnome, likely an adult, roughly shaved bald and beardless, with scabs criss crossing his pate, his clothes those of a day laborer or journeyman apprentice perhaps. The group seems to be shaking at the bars, glancing in the direction of the stairs and fearfully back at the archway opening into the room adjacent to the cells. Please, please, free us. Before they return with more of their foul kind. Don't let us end up food like Clem, or worse, becoming something like them.
Jocasta does her best to carefully drag Cedryk's remains up the stairs into the (relative) safety of the moathouse above. She rests him flat on the ground and drapes his cloak around his body, then heads down two steps of the stairs. "What's the verdict?" she calls out.
Braggi closely examines the prisoners from out of the cell, and even then, he turns to the others and shrugs as if asking what to do. He's not sure why would these people have not been eaten by the zombies...
Looking closely it seems that while cowering where they were in the back of the cell the zombies in the adjoining cells could not reach them, having to do so over, under or around the broken bunk slates and through the bars in the process. The prisoners appear to have not been fed for a few days, and are starting to show signs of sagging skin, sunken features, and frailty while standing or moving. The woman seems to be especially frightened, jumping back from Braggi as he moves towards the cell. Further checking the door he confirms this cell is locked, unlike the others.
Musami peers into the cell, trying to determine what is goign on with the body in the cell.
He is a fighter, not a medic and has no idea.
Musami can tell the body has been savaged and mutilated, but is not sure how or particulars about the wounds inflicted. He likely will not be interested in sausages for a day or two, the scene is certainly something not seen around the forges...
Braggi, let's break them out, quickly now! We haven't much time, then we should leave this place quickly.
He looks towards the entrance where the nightmare creatures left.
Toruk frees the prisoners and then helps them up the stairs, ”We’ll get you to safety. Who were your captors? Tell us everything you know so that we can defeat this evil!”
Filnefillan picks up the staff Cedryk lost in his final moments while Toruk grabs the keys from Braggi and opens the cells. The people thank you all and weakly shuffle out of the cell. We've been trapped here for days, don't know exactly how long. We were taken from our caravan by monstrous bandits. They killed some of us in the attack, sent some on to what they called the Market, but we were brought here to serve the whims of the Pretty Man. The group's leader said the girls were his though, additions to the Master's harem.
The group reeks of blood, bile, and waste, having been forced to live in their own filth for a few nights now, a pile of it messily smeared by the doorway.
As you start to lead them to the stairs, the oldest of them looks back towards the far cell. Clem was a sergeant, a good man. It was his duty to protect the girls. He blamed himself we all got taken. He tried to fight off the guards when they let those dogs come for Ashari. Beat him they did, then gave him to the grave-walkers. He deserved better than what they did to him. Tears streaming down his dirty cheeks, the man sways, taking Toruk's arm for support. I'll hear his screams until the day I die, 'til I die.
"Damn!" Braggi is frustrated that they have to go back, feeling the next time they come either the ones hiding here will be overprepared or will be off.
Toruk nods as the prisoners tell their story. "I too was a slave. I promise you, the men who did this to you will pay. The pretty man won't be so pretty when we get done with him!"
He then turns to the others. "We need to take them back to town."
Back to town then? Musami slides his earthbreaker onto his back and moves to assist one of the people.
As Musami moves to help the prisoners his beard brushes against the arm of the woman Ashari. She tenses up a moment and then snaps, lashing out weakly with her fists, flailing about, failing to do anything more than scuff the dwarf. Get away from me you filthy beast, you'll never have me again. NEVER. She then breaks down and begins crying and sobbing, the bald gnome moving to her side and comforting her.
The older half elf lets the gnome lead her up the stairs, past the rats which already gathered to tear pieces from Cedryk, scattering them at the approach. Wilrick will help her, she just needs time. We all do. I am Deerfellow, a herbmonger from Celene, and this lapidist here is Aeron Danse, from Verbobonc. The merchant steps up next to him as they continue to share their story.
The guards killed two others of our group before we even arrived here, as a reward for the troops stationed here that didn't participate in the raid. He steps closer, speaking softer to not let Ashari hear. Filthy kells, gnolls. They gave her to them as a, umm, well, for morale. I fear she'll never be the same. None of us escaped this without a beating, many questions, shaking his head, looking lost. We've lost all we carried, all we owned. The other man steps up to add, hastily, But I'm still somewhat of means back home. If you see me and my companions safely to a village, a town, anyplace safe nearby really, then I assure you once I'm returned home I'll reward you handsomely. Please don't leave us in this place. The men look around the first floor of the moathouse, the wreck and ruin of the main hall, with it's burnt furnishing, recent blood stains, and rotting pile of burnt rodent corpses. The pair obviously have never seen this area before. Will you get us to safety? they ask as one.
"We need to be away from here quickly and quietly. Once we have made it away, we may rest and clean ourselves a bit, perhaps even sharing a meager meal, but we have to be quiet."
Fil tries to emphasize the need for quiet during their escape. He looks at the others.
"This place has already claimed Cedryk. I will not let more innocents be harmed if I can lead them to safety. Even if they fortify their position, we should be able to enter again after we rest, get these people to Hommlet, and put our friend to rest."
In the interim you lead the prisoners out of the ruined moathouse and stop at the tower to collect yourselves and check over any wounds needing immediate treatment. While beaten and battered, the prisoners are not currently bleeding, no broken bones which would prevent travel. They do share a collection of cuts, scrapes, and contusions which evidence severe treatment at the hands of the cultists.
Ashari is suffering from fatigue, blood loss, and numerous cuts, extensive bruising and bite marks, particularly on her legs, buttocks, and the back of her neck. She is extremely nervous and needs constant support from either Wilrick or Deerfellow, who seem to trade off staying by her side.
Aeron Danse is suffering from fatigue, bruising, a few cuts, and four fingers on his left hand have been badly broken and are in need of setting.
Deerfellow is suffering from fatigue, bruising, and several cuts. A closer examination also shows the tips of his ears, having been elfen in appearance, were cut off quite recently.
Wilrick is suffering from fatigue, bruising, several cuts, some dangerously deep, as well as possibly some broken ribs. His breathing is labored, his coughs wet. Though he tries to hide it, his lips are occasionally bloodstained, likely bleeding internally.
"For today, I wouldn't want more dead under my responsibility. Going alone could be a straight suicide."
Braggi has a look at the wounds the rescued people bear...
...and decides they surely need a proper healer.
"We should set watch. I can do whichever shift you guys like the worst."
I know when I am beaten. Let me know which watch you want me to take.
Musami keeps an eye out for game as they move back to the campsite.
Once at the campsite he settles his pack on the ground and unrolls his bedroll, offering it to the rescued prisoners. He'll bed down on the ground on the opposite side of the fire to them.
Fil, not having much food, will search for food along the way, mostly edible berries and such. He'll also try to surmise the condition of the recently rescued.
"If it is all the same to you, I shall rest early, and then keep watch throughout the rest of the eve. This way my eyes are utilized at their best. Braggi and Toruk, perhaps you together. And Jocasta, you may join whomever you wish, or care for Cedryk's remains. Perhaps, Musami, you and I should take the last watch together?"
Fil will share his food with the prisoners, ensruing that Ashari gains the largest portion, with Fil taking the smallest portion given the prisoner's shape.
"The evils of this place must be doing something to the forest. There's hardly anything to eat, but here, I needn't eat all that much."
He smiles weakly as he does so.
Once the others are asleep and, if Musami takes him up on his offer, he will provide the observations of his dice rolls regarding the Heal Check for the dwarf, and for Toruk as well. These people are in need of healing.