Marc nods a thanks to Kendall, Well, I suppose if we can't burn them properly, burying them would be best. At least get rid of some of this smell before resuming our rest.
The night seems clear enough and the lot of you don't seem to hear any other movement in the distance at the moment.
Lucius will start building up a suitable fire to burn the bodies if the party is alright with it.
The stench of burning flesh is quite unpleasant and very strong as you attempt to burn the bodies. It creates quite a bit of smoke and sound, the fire burning brightly. The burning seems to go fairly well however and you seem to have no difficulty getting the bodies to burn away.
"Well that was exciting. I think I'll be going back to bed. I suggest you all do the same." Lucius starts removing his armor to get ready for bed again.
Hafdan settles back onto the ground, closing his eyes. "We're never going to get this smell out, that's for sure."
Sighs, It's going to be hard getting back to sleep after all that. Curls back up under her bedroll and closes her eyes.
Having slept most of the early night when others were keeping watch, Bealzius studies his spellbook and prepares acid splash instead of ray of frost, mage armor, summon minor monsters, and protection from evil.
The group is able to get a few hours of reprieve and the day comes without any noticeable disturbances.
Perception Check
Marc notices the sounds of fighting in the distance when he awakens. It is likely that the sounds are an animal or creature as there are no metallic sounds or voices, simply the faint sounds of biting and growling. The sound is coming from the direction of Gillamoor and is probably quite a ways off.
Marc cocks his head as he listens. There's a fight going on in that direction. Sounds like animals fighting over something. He looks to the others, Do we want to check it out?
Looking off in the distance, Well, we are heading that way anyway. We may as well see what is going on. Perhaps that dire wolf did have a pack?
Lucrezia will finish packing up her gear, loading her horse and making sure that their fires are put out. Then she will mount up and head off down the road. She will keep her bow in hand, just in case.
"Either way, we should check it out. Never a dull moment, eh?" Lucius packs his gear and mounts up. He draws his bow and keeps it ready.
Hafdan straps his gear down and mounts up. "Never a dull moment around here I'm guessing."
Bealzius also mounts up and follows the others.
You all continue for an hour and on the ground seem to be a pile of chewed zombies. It looks like there were four or five creatures originally, but they are now rather well torn apart. It is probable that this was the location of the fighting heard earlier, but what destroyed these zombies is obviously not currently present.
As the party is inspecting the remains of the zombies, a Half-Elf with short-cropped black hair and piercing blue eyes, wearing a chain shirt, over which rests a crimson and black tabard approaches.
"Greetings. I take it that you are the group that was commissioned to deal with the... problem... in this area? The Church of Asmodeus contracted me to join you. I have the appropriate paperwork, if I may approach?"
He pulls a rolled scroll, and assuming that he is not immediately attacked, moves forward to have it inspected.
No! It could be a trap! Do not trust them! Kill! Kill!
Oh, be quite, Levaloch. You have no power over me; I tolerate your prattling because it can occasionally be useful.
But I desire blood! Sweet, mortal blood, and glorious combat!
Be patient. I am sure that there will be more than enough of both to keep you sated. For now though, just shut up.
Smiling inwardly, Raven cuts off the voice in his head, and bows to the party.
"My name is Raven Hawthorne, and I am a servant of the Archfiend. Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"
"Private Lucius Cassius." Lucius looks at the newcomer with a suspicious eye and accepts the scroll. He looks it over and shows it to the rest of the party to see what they think.
Looking at the zombie remains, Well, that is rather disgusting looking. Looking around carefully before dismounting, Lucrezia will then walk around the area scanning for any tracks other than those of the zombies. Possible those of a large animal that may have been capable of chewing up the zombies.
As Raven arrives, Lucrezia looks him over and will then look over Lucius's shoulder at the scroll in his hands. My name is Lucrezia Villanova.
Marc smiles as the newcomer introduces himself. Well, you can talk, so you're probably not something we need to kill. We can always use another hand with these zombies.
He chuckles and walks forward with hand extended. The name is Marc. Oh, uh...Marc...uh...Baradin. Marc Baradin. He says, seemingly unused to giving another name beside Marc.
Bealzius looks over the zombies' remains but can find nothing remotely interesting about them. He seems engrossed with writing something down in his spellbook. He looks up momentarily at the newcomer.
"Bealzius Cremnor, of the Universities."
Would it be alright if I redo my conjurer a bit when we level. I am attempting to be a better conjurer (I'm not used to playing conjurers), and I looked up some strategy online, as far as spell selection goes. Apparently I chose the two opposition schools that conjurers are never supposed to choose...:P
Raven accepts Marc's hand and shakes it warmly.
Now! Whilst he is distracted! Strike now!
Oh, shush.
He then smiles.
"I would have to agree - or at least, I was not a zombie the last time that I checked!"
Raven then becomes a little more serious.
"What have you discovered so far?"
"Good to hear you're not a zombie. I'd hate to have to shoot you so soon after meeting you. It would be rude." Lucius says with a smirk.
"Right now we know that seemingly healthy people go to sleep and wake up as these undead creatures. We don't know how it started or why. But it is big a problem in this area. And to top it off, it seems as there is a pack of wolves in the area too. We just put one down last night."
Lucrezia - You are able to find tracks near the bodies, probably of large canines. They start to head off, but once the mess from the zombies has brushed off of their feet, you lose them. It seems that they are simply wandering the area however as the tracks don't head directly toward Gillamoor.
Bealzius - I don't mind you changing opposition schools at this point.
Looking around at the tracks, I'm no expert on animal tracks, but it looks as if that lone dire wolf we killed may have been scouting around for his pack.
"We should take care of the rest before they harm any survivors. Or us." Lucius says with a concerned look on his face.
Raven shrugs.
"I would certainly have no objection to doing so."
What? So you mean you will hurt them?
No, you fool! I meant the wolves... Hmmm... I should probably clarify that...
"...taking care of the wolves, that is..."
Well, I can't say that I object to them chewing on zombies, but I would hate to find any survivors that had been so chewed on. Though it may be easier to just let them find us eventually than it would be to attempt to track them down. Plus I definitely want to reach Gillamoor while it is still light outside. Attempting to find a secure location from zombies in the dark is not my idea of fun.
Hafdan nods at Lucrezia, "Given the fact that we cut down one of their own, I think it's more a matter of when and not if we see those wolves again."
He looks Raven over after introductions have been made. "Hafdan." Looking back to the zombies he chuckles at Raven, "Might want to put away the parade finery, it ain't gonna hold up too well out here."
Raven nods.
"Fair enough. I wore them as I thought it might be best to display my 'true colors', as it were, at least until I had made my introductions..."
He then removes his tabard, and reverently stows it in his backpack.
As the group continues towards Gillamoor, the trip remains mostly eerily silent. When the town itself appears in view, it is a stark contrast to the small towns you have passed on the way. The structures, even at the outskirts, seem mostly intact. They are, however, affected with much more significant decay and neglect than you have seen. No repairs, no matter how minor, seem to have been done on these buildings. As you continue on towards the town center, you see a rather well constructed barricade surrounding the central buildings. It seems to have been painstakingly built over quite some time and, from the appearance of it, was built by someone with skill at such things.
At this point the barricade is still some ways off and if anyone is watching, they haven't alerted you to their presence just yet.
"Anyone think to bring a white flag with them?"
I seem to be all out of flags.
"Don't be so dramatic you two. I'm sure everything is fine.." That last part sounds more like Lucius is saying it to himself more than anyone else.
Just hail them. What's the worst that could happen? He chuckles good-naturedly and gives a wide smile as they ride forth.
Shrugging, Ok, here goes. Shouts out, Hello to anyone behind the barricade! We come in peace and we are all still living!
Turns back to the party, Was that good enough?
Hafdan mutters under his breath to the rest of them. " 'Yeah I know we're armed to the teeth but trust us, we're the good guys.' " He shakes his head and rides slowly on, feeling his shoulders tighten at the thought of arrows raining from the sky at them.
Lucius laughs at Lucrezia's candor."That was perfect, Milady. You certainly got their attention, whoever they are. But I imagine that isn't hard for you anyhow, on account of your beauty." He smiles as he prepares for the possible ramifications of the bard's actions.
Laughs at Lucius, You should see the attention I get when I dance. My mother taught me and she was a very skilled Varisian dancer. Turning around to Hafdan, Don't be so negative, we may have found both a safe place for the night and some survivors. We've shown ourselves to not be zombies or dire wolves, so what reason could they have to attack us?
Hafdan turns to give Lucrezia a deadpan stare. "How long have you got, mi'lady?" He gives her a wink and turns back to watch the approaching structure, the first serious note entering his voice this whole trip. "There are folks who still use the war as an excuse to behave like animals. It's a stain on the might and majesty of Cheliax, a stain that needs cleansing."
Lucius gets a blank look on his face as he imagines Lucrezia dancing."In.. in any case hopefully they will come out of hiding. I don't feel like being ambushed today." He says as he quickly snaps out of it. "Yes, some people are like that. But then again, those people don't need war to behave like animals. They do it just fine during peace time." He remarks to Hafdan.
"I agree, the fact that there is a well-constructed barricade around the central building suggests the presence of a living force; however, they are probably fatigued, and scared, so announcing our presence as soon as was possible was probably wise; I, for one, do not want to be accidentally shot."
He then nods to Lucius.
"Men do not need war to behave like animals, but it does make it easier for them to get away with it..."
Lucrezia doesn't see anyone at first and it takes quite some time before there is any movement behind the barricade. It is fairly obvious that they didn't actually expect to be hailed but eventually a man in his early thirties waves and shouts standing on something behind the wall.
What do you want?
The man shouts. He seems confused rather than aggressive, raising a hand over his eyes and looking around to see if there is any movement other than the group of you.
"We're help to help. We were sent from Cheliax to deal with your problem. How many of you are there left?" Lucius replies.
May we enter the barricade? Lucrezia does her best to look friendly.