Elrisiel glances at her former conversational partner over her shoulder, then reaches into her pack to procure a vial of alchemist's fire and fling it in an arc over the heads of the various adventurers.
Dumah grins at Kheled's instruction. "My pleasure!" He closes on the horde, weapon raised. For just a moment, he loses sight of the nimble halfling, only to find that the brave blademaster had beat him to the melee!
Move to E16. Though his falchion is ready, as he approaches and sees the extent of the horde, he lets it go to one hand and raises his holy symbol, shining radiance of the Dawnflower upon their foes.
Channel Energy, , DC 15 wll save for half.
Myron dashes right at the nearest zombie and removes it leg with a sweep of his kukri. The shambling man topples over without concern for the lost limb, merely raising a grasping hand to grab at the brave halfling. Before it can reach Myron the combined divine energy of Dumah and Kheled sweeps over the horde destroying many of them, while weakening the rest. Into those remaining sails Elrisiel's flask which shatters on the steps and immolates another walking corpse.
Trampling over the fallen comes another wave of the animated dead surging out of the darkness outside. Those that reach the doors find stiff resistance from the living, with a number cut down by the others defending the auction house to add to the growing pile. Flailing limbs reach in the battered doors trying to rake the flesh of those nearest the openings.
Khammayid steps alongside Elrisiel, a familiar looking spear in hand, Wasn't planning on actually using this, he shrugs trying to appear nonchalant as he grips the newly acquired Spear of the Watchful Guardian tightly.
The defenders are keeping the monsters at bay but from the sounds of too many to count meaty fists pounding on the walls of the auction house, you fear the numbers of zombies may be quite large.
Press forward if you can, I will move up a little to maximize what I can do!
Motioning to the row in front of him to try and move up a little. As soon as an opening happens he steps up and channels again.
Dumah slashes at the zombie that assaulted Myron.
To hit
Damage
If that drops the zombie, Dumah will step into its place (5' step to E15).
Elrisiel's eyebrows raise in surprise at Khammayid. "I see you found what you were looking for, then," she quips, retrieving another flask of alchemist's fire and readying herself to throw it into the next wave of zombies.
Rakara moves up to try to keep them bottled between the pillars. She then waits for one to try to move through.
Yelling above the din she counsels, Surround each opening and make them run the gauntlet!
With Rakara and Dumah close by, Myron feels bold enough to press forward, seeking to drive the undead hordes back towards the door.
He slips past a column and delivers a pair of swift slashes to a zombie preoccupied with fighting the Dog Soldier halflings.
+
+
Dumah and Rakara push into the fray, striking solid blows against the retched abominations. Limbs hacked off, heads and torsos pierced or cleaved and other gruesome blows that would stop any living man in their tracks are mostly ignored by the relentless undead, as they try and claw their way into the building. Those that take do take enough punishment drop to the ground in a pile of vile rotting flesh. Vials of flames and bursts of divine energy carve their own path through the oncoming horde helping to destroy some while damaging large numbers of others.
Before the mass can fill the holes in its ranks, Myron slips out the door past Dumah...
... ducking a clawed hand that reaches out for him and cuts the legs out from a walker attempting to get in the center door. Looking around the diminutive warrior sees nothing but the shambling dead and grasping hands...
...one of which rakes his cheek with a rancid appendage.
Spotting Myron, Marrn calls out, You crazy bastard! What, you can't wait for them to come to you? while grinning ear to ear. Well, we can't let him have all the fun! Dog Soldiers, let's go! he adds as they halfing soldiers take the offensive and join Myron on the landing outside, cutting down a few zombies standing in their way to do so.
Others within in the auction house, including Khammayid, move up in support, waiting to see when and where they might help best.
The horde is still numerous but you do think that it is thinning out...
Kheled motions to Rakara, Move to your right if you can. I can catch more of them with my divine power.
Ready an action to channel after a 5' shift to F/13
Finally feeling the full force of his divine energies going out, Kheled smiles.
Back to the grave with you! he yells.
Grinning broadly at the sight of five halfling warriors facing off against a horde of undead, Myron slashes away at the wall of rotted flesh.
While his own injury is a mild distraction at best, it does serve as a reminder that he's not the only one to suffer at the hands of the zombies.
While us halflings are busy guarding the door, some of you back there may want to check on the two poor bastards who were caught in the first wave. We might still be able to save them, he calls out, as his blades cut through palid flesh.
El hops over one row of chairs and lobs another flask of alchemist's fire at the zombie horde.
Dumah slashes at the zombie before him, and then steps deeper into the horde.
Attack the zombie in D14. If it falls, he'll 5' step into its place.
To hit
Damage
If that drops the zombie, Dumah will step into its place (5' step to E15).
Half sighing at the seeming eagerness of the others to abandon a strategic position, half grinning at the thought of smashing more of her hated enemy, Rakara moves up to take the place Dumah vacated, ready to attack any undead that comes near enough.
With blade, flame, magic and divine energy the living decimate the remaining zombies reducing them to smoldering and bloodied piles of pulped rotting flesh. As the last of the undead falls to the ground and the din of the battle and the moaning of the walking corpses dies down the silence is at first reassuring.
As you take in the gruesome scene of carnage before you sounds in the distance pull your at your senses. Peering into the darkness of Wati at night you realize that all is not right elsewhere as well. The sounds of far off battles and screams reach your ears, while flames from structure fires lick at the night sky in numerous places in the city.
Before anyone has a chance to process what is happening, the sound of cracking scaffolding heralds a danger much closer. The wall to the left of the doors heaves and falls inward. The damage from the horde having weakened the wall already under repairs collapses upon a number of the defenders tending to the porters who fell during the initial attack.
A number of those closest to the collapse who avoided being buried immediately set to removing rubble in a frantic attempt to save those trapped beneath the stone and wood.
What do you think, likely those here can help get the people out that are buried...outside there are likely many who can't defend themselves against such horrors. My gifts are not suited towards strength.
But I can help those hurt here if we decide to stay with my healing.
waiting for a general consensus from the group.
Lacking any other immediate direction from the group Rakara begins feverishly shifting rubble.
The musetouched elf moves to assist Rakara in shifting rubble.
Myron also sheathes his weapons and assists in the effort to free the trapped.
You are right, Kheled, but I think we can spare a few minutes to make sure everyone are out of immediate danger. A single channel of healing energy can do a lot to stabilize those in danger of dying. While we work, you can use you healing skills to asses the injuries of those who are clear of the rubble.
Kheled nods to Myron before walking through the crowd and looking over those obviously injured.
He then examines those brought out of the rubble and stabilizes them. Once they get everyone clear he gathers the assembled wounded and washes over them with another waves of healing magic.
Pharasma blesses those who champion the final resting!
Once he knows the injured are stable he speaks to the general group, There may be others out there that need our help. Anyone else that is willing to go with us, we are going out there to stop this scourge.
He nods to his companions with a determined look on his face and heads to the streets.
Rakara wipes sweat and grime from her forehead as those in most dire need are freed. Seeing that they have done what they can do here and recognizing that their talents would be of more use to those defending from attack, she readily agrees with Kheled's assessment and follows him out.
Once outside her eyes scan the streets looking for immediate danger.
Satisfied that everyone are relatively safe, Myron gathers his gear and prepares to take the fight to the streets.
Glad that the others were able to make that impossible choice for him, Dumah went to work helping move to stones, careful not to shift any that may cause further harm to those trapped. When they finish the effort, he looks around, taking a moment to find his falchion where it fell. With the blade wiped and re-sheathed, Dumah makes sure the others are all ready. When they are, he leads them out into the streets.
The rescue effort is successful as the many hands make short work of the pile of rubble and Kheled's efforts stabilize and heal those pulled from beneath the collapsed wall.
As the Delvers make ready to take the fight to the street a few of you make out two new curious sounds. From the darkened street outside comes a peculiar sound. A skittering sound not unlike that of many small creatures rapidly approaching.
At the same time a loud banging can be heard from the back storeroom. A number of panicked civilians who had taken refuge there come spilling out, obviously eager to put distance between them and the new possible threat.
The sarcophagus in the back is moving!
Something is attempting to break free if it!
Rakara moves towards the back of the room, more interested in removing an undead menace that attacking spiders or some such.
Dumah advances with Rakara, leaving space between them to flank any emerging foe.
Confident that Rakara and Dumah can handle whatever threat might emerge from the sarcophagus, Myron guards the entrance, rallying anybody still able for battle.
Look sharp everyone! We still have a long night ahead of us, it seems.
May Pharasma guide your hand and bolster your spirit.
El readies another flask of alchemist's fire and tenses in preparation.
Everyone within the Canny Jackal reposition themselves to deal with the apparent dual threats. Kheled's blessing bolsters all those present and ready to fight. Moments later, both threats are revealed. First, from out of the gloom in front of the building a large number of dismembered hands rush forth, scampering towards the open doorways and over the rubble of the ruined wall. Elrisiel's flask sails through the air towards some of the hands climbing over the rubble.
One of the skittering hands makes and incredible jump and takes the young armorsmith some of you met earlier, Menya, by the throat. Dropping his now useless weapon he frantically grabs at the animated hand now trying to choke the life from him.
In the back of the room, emerging from the storage area, comes a shambling feminine shaped figure wrapped head to toe in molding burial linen wraps and wearing a golden funerary tiara. The mere presence of it, sends a wave of despair washing over those nearest, threatening to paralyze them with fear.
Khammayid goes wide eyed with terror.
Its own eyes burning with hatred, and seeing no hint of fear evident upon the half-orc's face, the mummy croaks out a threat in ancient Osirian You shall all perish horribly you godless grave robbers! before lunging at Dumah with a clawed hand...
...the force of the blow catching the stalwart paladin by surprise.
Elrisiel lobs her flask of alchemist's fire at the largest concentration of skittering hands, then turns her head when she hears the voice call out in Ancient Osiriani behind her. The muse-touched elf notes the creature's presence and incants a spell quickly, flicking a ray of searing flame at the mummified woman.
While most of his companions engage the mummy, Myron dashes to Menya's side and slashes the hand grasping his throat.
Kheled tries to search his memory to figure out what the hands could be?
Kheled wracks his brain and realizes the hands are a type of undead known as crawling hands.
They are undead, not a swarm. They are a little tougher than you would imagine though.
Kheled moves forward 10 feet then emits another wave of positive energies.
Despite the blow that almost drove him to one knee, Dumah turns back to the undead monstrosity with a smile. ”I am pleased that I was here when you chose to reveal yourself! In the Dawnflower’s name, I shall end you!” Empowered by the bold declaration, Dumah slashes at it with his falchion.
Swift action to declare a smite on the mummy. Gives Dumah an AC of 19 against it.
To hit with power attack
Damage
Rakara's hatred of the dead thing easily overcomes the fear that washes over her. She moves forward to trap it between her a Dumah and swings at the hideous creature.
Elrisiel's flask lands right on top of one of the hands, bathing it in flame but it is not deterred...
...she then turns and steps into range before hurling a gout of magical fire at the mummy, striking it squarely, eliciting an evil glance as its linens are badly charred.
Myron moves quickly to Menya's aid, slicing the hand neatly in two with a precise strike, loosening its grip upon the armorsmith's neck and falling to the floor. He manages a thank you before snatching up his dagger and kicking the split hand away from himself.
Kheled steps towards the onrushing hands and channels again. The wave of divine energy washes over the tiny undead, damaging all, but destroying none.
Rakara and Dumah work in tandem, calling upon divine strength and experience to land two solid blows, one from either side, sending the mummy spinning to the ground still smoldering from Elrisiel's flames.
The rest of the defenders use blade and spell to wipe out the remaining weakened hands and once again the room falls still...
As everyone takes stock of the situation the auction house's owner Minnothet pulls a few of you aside. I want to reward your group, for without your actions here tonight I believe things would have ended very differently for us all. You are obviously quite capable and I would like to show my appreciation. She hands over a box containing a number of vials, all clearly labelled: oil of hold portal, a potion of aid, a potion of sanctuary, and a potion of spider climb.
Menya seeks out Myron to thank him again for saving his life and remarks, Should we all survive this night, I ask that you stop by my shop to receive a gift of thanks.
As the Delvers make ready to head out into the darkened and chaotic streets of Wati, most of the rest decide to stay in the relative safety of the auction house. The Dog Soldiers and the Four Lanterns indicate they will stay to protect those that are staying. Marnn salutes you and wishes you god speed and good luck.
As you step outside, one of the Lantern's catches you briefly and admits they are likely in over their head. It was they who had found the mummy's sarcophagus and believe that without your actions they would likely be responsible for the death of many innocents along with themselves. Shall we indeed survive the night, we as a group have decided to retire. We are clearly in over our heads. Please take these few items, that you might save more this dreadful night. He hands over a magical dagger and a number of scrolls. Don't worry, we still have enough to hold the line here tonight. Take these and do more good than we could hope to do.
We may be more useful to the city trying to get to the bottom of what is causing the undead to rise now that I think about it. Likely they are coming from the crypt area.
Maybe we should start there?
At first, Dumah is exhilarated after the melee with his chosen foes, but then with the awareness that others may still be at risk, he becomes sheepish.
Dumah regroups with the others, limping badly to avoid moving his left side. "We should press on."
The musetouched elf shakes her head. "I am alright," she responds to Kheled.
Kheled draw a wand and cures Dumah as we begin to talk to the Crypts
There must be something behind the dead rising, a force causing them to stir. We should save what resources we can for this more powerful being and hope it is something within our powers.
Rakara nods in agreement with Kheled's assessment and leads the party out into the night.
Myron takes the potions and the enchanted dagger. Even though it is too large for him to wield effectively, he hopes to be able to trade it for an enchanted halfling-sized one at some point.
He bids a respectful farewell to the defenders and prepares to move out.