Rakara Sandtrapper |
Rakara, seeing Dumah fall with a worrying amount of blood, drops her weapon and yells, YIELD!
She then rushes over to Dumah, heedless of the repercussions.
If this is what these creatures will do to a good and brave Paladin, what chance do the regular people of the city have.
DM oKOyA |
The viciousness of the twin scythe strikes elicited gasps of horror from those that witnessed them. The wickedly sharp adamantine weapon caught Dumah in the neck first, a spray of blood pulsing forth. Dumah reflexively raised a hand to the wound to attempt to staunch the flow, staggering backward slightly as he did. He wasn't in any position to deal with the second strike as it hissed menacingly through the air catching him full in the torso. In a flash the weapon had gone clean through and emerged from the other side.
Dumah looked down, stunned, before looking up again, eyes wide in shock and confusion. He had felt only a brief pain in his side but now nothing. Nothing at all. For the briefest of moments he stood, wide eyed and bleeding before his eyes rolled back into his head and his top half slide off of his lower half.
Screams filled the air. By the gods! Ptemenib yelled as Sebti was off of the steps and at Dumah's side in mere moments. She incanted a prayer and a lay a hand upon his forehead before blowing softly into his open mouth. 5d8 + 13 ⇒ (8, 1, 1, 7, 6) + 13 = 36 Luminous golden flecked blue light pulsed and his body twitched once but then lay still again.
Ajit heeded Rakara words and looked to Shepses for guidance. The Commander of the Spires looked genuinely unhappy and waved the Vanth off dismissively. The Psychopomp promptly disappeared with a soft pop and a puff of smoke.
Ptemenib joined Sebti at the downed paladin's side. More healing?
No, she replied. He is gone. The Breath of Life could not save him from such a horrific wound. She looked up to the rest of you and solemnly added, I am truly sorry.
She then turned to Shepses who was approaching now. Before she could say anything he added his apologies. This is not what I intended. Truly. A test yes, but not this. You have my word we will make this right. You have served honorably over the past few days. Such devotion is to be rewarded. Not condemned. I will personally pay to have Dumah raised.
Sebti stood and looks like she would like to say more, but glancing at the rest of you merely nods and says, I can perform the casting once we procure the diamond. She gestures to some nearby clerics, who promptly rush over and respectfully attend to Dumah.
Please, let us retire to the chapel for a moment while preparations are made.
Pause for interaction. Take it away.
Ahead the points of light converge and begin to look like a thick silver shimmering thread. Time passes, how long you aren't sure. You are aware of entities off to the side, above and below as well, watching you as you pass. They are hard to see but you get flashes of angels, devils, demons and other planar inhabitants. None move to interfere with the procession.
This goes on for some time before you are suddenly deposited upon a large grey flat plane. The "ground" beneath you is ashen in color and feel. It is dim, with the "sky" comprised of inky blackness. The only feature, an immense spire juts upwards to dizzying heights lies straight ahead. It is then that you notice that you have become a ghostly image or yourself and that you are in a long line of similar ghostly images that snakes to the spire and then spirals up the exterior all the way to the top. All manner of creatures comprise the line, but no one interacts with one another. Each and every one of them simply follows the one before it as they move towards the spire.
Drawn to the top of the spire, you know judgement awaits at the summit...
Dumah |
The joy of his destiny continues to fade, though he runs on dutifully.
Myron Drumbarrel |
Myron stands silently by during the frantic attempt to restore Dumah to life. His knuckles are pale from the tight grip he keeps on both his kukri.
Such a waste! Even if you restore his life, all these time and ressources could have been used to fight the undead. I hope at least this will make you reconsider unleashing these things in the city. he mutters bitterly as they move to the chapel.
Kheled Hadri |
@ Shepses, with a sincere tone, Thank you, that is fitting for a warrior of his character. Hopefully we can all learn from this...
Kheled can't help but feel responsible for much if this, so eager to prove their worth to his former church brethren.
DM oKOyA |
Shepses barely looks down at Myron while responding. This conflict is going to cost us platinum and gold and possibly weeks and months. If we need to spend silver and copper and an hour of our time to find out how best to apply our resources, then that is the cost we shall gladly pay.
He looks to Kheled when he speaks and adds simply, Indeed.
Feel free to continue conversation.
After a short respite in the chapel, you then move to a small chamber where Dumah's remains are laid upon an alter, drapped in white linens. Sebti and Ptemenib stand at the fallen paladin's head. Seeing you arrive, Sebti nods and solemnly asks, Shall we begin?
DM oKOyA |
Sebti begins reciting words infused with divine power as her hands trace powerful symbols over Dumah's remains. After a minute she takes up an aspergillum filled with holy water infused with diamond dust and splashes Dumah repeatedly...
Dumah |
Kheled Hadri |
Kheled waits for Rakara to go over to Dumah first before going over to join her.
It is good to have you back my friend.
Assuming this is raise dead Dumah will have 2 negative levels. Did they mention anything about removing his post raising weakness?
Myron Drumbarrel |
Well, now what? We failed the test, but someone still needs to enter the necropolis and seek out the source of the undead horde. And we have several clues and scraps of information we might pursue to find out more. Myron asks once Dumah is recovered.
DM oKOyA |
Date: Sunday the 3rd of Erastus, 4711 (Sunday the 3rd of July, 4711)
Time: 4:45 pm
Location: Grand Mausoleum, Midwife District, Wati City Panic Level: 13
Map: n/a
Treasure: n/a
Quests: Visit Menya, Solve the undead uprising
With Dumah fully restored, Shepses declares the matter settled, and that the Voices of the Spire will go ahead with their plan to summon psychopomps to contain the undead outbreak.
Sebti offers no counter argument in Nakht's presence, but after he leaves she gathers you together to inform you that she still maintains faith in your ability to solve this crisis. She believes that mortal agents are more insightful and compassionate than outsiders, and asks that you continue to seek out the source of the risen dead inside the necropolis, in hopes that your actions can mitigate the potential damage caused by the psychopomps.
Will you continue to assist us? Ptemenib implores.
Kheled Hadri |
I can only speak for myself.. my faith in the church has been shaken. I don't agree with the methods or the direction that the church has taken in this crises.
That being said Sebti, I won't stop helping those that can't help themselves. If the others agree, we will continue to help you and the city.
DM oKOyA |
I don't agree with the methods or the direction that the church has taken in this crises.
For clarification, what is Kheled referring to exactly?
"I will continue to help. The sooner we resolve this, the sooner Shepses and his psychopaths can be withdrawn."
lol Not sure if that was intentional or autocorrect but it works!
Myron Drumbarrel |
I’m still willing to help. But before we venture into the necropolis again, we should prepare properly, both in regard to knowledge, equipment and weapons. A big part of why we lost this last fight was that we only had one weapon which could hurt the Vanth.
Kheled Hadri |
Agreed. Let's get a list together. I could use a couple of scrolls while the rest of you could likely use a potion or two. The question is will any shops be open with the city the way it is.
I also haven't felt right since the battle, I think the Vanth did something to me.
I believe I am currently cursed.
DM oKOyA |
Date: Sunday the 3rd of Erastus, 4711 (Sunday the 3rd of July, 4711)
Time: 4:45 pm
Location: Grand Mausoleum, Midwife District, Wati City Panic Level: 13
Map: n/a
Treasure: n/a
Quests: Visit Menya, Solve the undead uprising
Sebti looks at Kheled with a pained expression, but Ptemenib responds before the head priestess can reply herself. Surely you understand that we have no control over Shepses or his Voices of the Spire. This crisis is tearing at the church and Sebti fears a schism.
Sebti places a hand on Ptemenib's shoulder. It is true, I have no official authority over the Voices. Shepses and I obviously do not agree on how to proceed. I had hoped that this test would convince him to stand down, but things did not work out that way. Please accept my sincere apologies for agreeing to the test and putting you all in harm's way.
While things did not go our way, it in no way diminishes my belief that you are the proper strategy for solving this cataclysm.
Pausing for a moment, she continues, Myron is right. We weren't prepared properly. I ask that you take the rest of the evening to rest and recuperate. Let's meet again in the morning. If you will provide me a list of desired items, I will do my best to have some of the acolytes procure whatever they can from the city, or the church's own treasury. I already know of one such item you should find useful.
We will also have some new information to share with you at that time.
Kheled, please remain for a time that we might deal with your affliction before you go.
The Church's envoys will acquire items as per normal chances for a city of this size but will use the emergency to decrease the prices as follow: masterwork weapons and armor and other non-magical gear -50%, minor magic items -25%, medium magic items -10%, major magic items remain at normal price.
DM oKOyA |
Date: Moonday the 4th of Erastus, 4711 (Monday the 4th of July, 4711)
Time: 7:00 am
Location: Grand Mausoleum, Midwife District, Wati City Panic Level: 13
Map: n/a
Treasure: n/a
Quests: Visit Menya, Solve the undead uprising
An uneventful night passes into early morning. A massive torso encompassing scar marks Dumah's body where the Vanth's weapon struck.
Kheled feels back to normal after the attentions of the priests and the rest of you are as rested as you have felt in the past few days.
Acolytes tend to your every need as your prepare for the day. Basins are brought, food, clean clothes and whatever else you desire. The special items you requested are delivered to you as well.
Once ready, all of you are summoned to a meeting with Sebti so that she can share some information that she and the other priests have uncovered.
I'll post up the meeting tomorrow. Do I possibly need to refresh people on what has gone on?