Stepping to to make sure that he is between Tev and the skeleton Janasen readies his defenses since he knows the attack will not do much. "can't even do a little shopping without a commotion?"
What little sleep Radim had was fitful and full of nightmares, as it always was. However, malevolent dreams were hardlyout of the ordinary for the little man... Though waking up to screams were certainly new...ish.
With a start, Radim stumbled outside to... Not again. More undead? He was starting to get sick of these shambling horrors. Even the dread at having to invoke his magic was dulled by his annoyance. He fumbled with the cord around his neck, pulling out the eight-pointed star as he stumbled into the fray.
NPC Rolls
S1 – 1/4
S2 – DEAD
S3 – 4/4
S4 – DEAD
S5 – DEAD
S6 – DEAD
Z1 – DEAD
Z2 – 10/12
Z3 – 7/12
Z4 – DEAD
Z5 – 11/12
Z6 – 3/12
Z7 – 11/12
Z8 – 7/12
Zombie Professor – 29/30
Benjan - 7/15
Kendra - 11/11
D1 - 6/6
D2 - 0/6
A1 - 4/9
A2 - 4/9
A1 Energry DC12
A2 Energy DC12
Radim Energry DC13
Round 2
MAP
As you all begin to react, you see Tuoni swooping in from the rear. You don’t know how or why he’s back, but now’s not the time for storytelling. Unfortunately his shield does not connect and Tuoni is left exposed. Luckily his attacker does not inflict damage on him either, being slightly surprised by the Paladin’s presence he swings wildly and misses.
Both Tev and Janasen’s attacks miss and end up with them back to back being savagely attacked by their aggressors.
Both Acolytes manage to get hit by the attacking horde, causing them to retreat further back before launching another wave of energy. Several of the skeletons begin to fall, unable to handle the weight of the energy. No zombies fall, but you can tell that some of them ar critically injured.
The skeleton in front of Baris takes a swipe, but the halflings acrobatic skills and small stature make the skeletons advance no match. From behind Baris Radim steps up, emanating energy from his own body, clutching something unseen, and blasts the skeleton and zombie near him, destroying the skeleton and nearly killing the zombie. Kendra sees her opportunity and manages to get off a more successful beam of energy, hitting the same zombie that Radim was going for and nearly killing it, again, but this one still seems to be clinging to its afterlife.
The deputy still standing manages to connect with his dagger to the skeleton in front of him as he dodges the skeletons swipe, but it seems like nothing happens. The other deputy manages to stabilize in the middle of the battle.
The zombie if front of Alyssa tries once again to assault her, but Sheriff Benjan, still injured, launches himself into the middle of the battle, cleaving the zombie right in front of her into similar pieces as the last zombie he met.
Professor Zombie simply stands in the middle of the chaos with what appears to be a dark smile on his face. He throws his head back and releases an ear piercing cackle, but does not move.
Tev didn't think that the Professor could really be behind this. It was undoubtedly his body, but Tev would sooner believe that the Whispering Way had somehow re-purposed it than that the Professor would welcome undeath and turn against his hometown. Hopefully they would be able to find out, but there wasn't time to investigate.
The flash of armor in the distance drew Tev's eye to the triumphal return of Tuoni. Again, something unexplained that would have to wait, but this was definitely welcome.
The zombie's claws made deep slashes through Tev's clothes and flesh, probably ruining the former. He cursed himself for not having protected himself first with Mage Armor. Knowing he could not withstand another wound like that, and that other zombies were closing in, his options were limited. He needed to get away from this one, but did not want to abandon Janasen. Desperately slashing with his sword, Tev tried to take enough out of the zombie's gut region to either cut it in half or at least throw it off balance so it could not chase him as he ran back toward Alyssa and the cleric.
Tev slashes through the zombie, sending it back to the afterlife from whence it came.
Alyssa's eyes widened in surprise when her intended target was handily sliced to smithereens by the sheriff. She gave him a quick nod and then realized that he had put himself in position to be flanked by two more of the hideous creatures.
What's more, she heard a deep throated grunt from behind her and turned just in time to see Tev whip his sword along a zombie's middle, though his own was painted red with his own fresh blood, his shirt ripped apart just below the collarbone and failing to hide the deep gashes on what had once been flawless pale skin. In the direction he was headed, he would most likely draw another zombie to him by the scent alone.
To kill two birds with one stone, or one rotting meat creature for two reasons, Alyssa changed her target. She cast Shocking Grasp on her sword, her mouth saying the words for the new incantation without really thinking on what she was doing, and then taking a five foot step to her left, she swung her sword in a vicious arc aimed for its neck.
As Alyssa slices through the zombie, it just stares back at you with what looks like a half smile, which quickly turns into a frown as its head tumbles of its body.
The sheriff wheels around with a surprised look on his face. Apparently he hadn't realized he was being flanked in the heat of the battle. He nods back in appreciation.
Ignoring the skeleton flailing at him, Touni strides towards the Professor's corpse. This creature is creature is more than a simple animated corpse. It's cleansing takes highest priority.
Moving forward, Touni begins to chant in a loud, clear voice, a holy glow envelops his sword. Anyone who understands celestial recognizes it as a prayer to Ragathiel, asking for power strike down enemies and banish evil.
The skeleton swipes at Tuoni as he charges by, attempting to stop him from reaching his goal.
He doesn't stop him but manages to get under his armor, definitely drawing blood.
The Zombie Professor takes the full brunt of the blow, nearly tumbling over before he catches himself. He hisses at Tuoni as he looks at the gaping hole that the sword created in his newly rotting flesh.
Round 2
Baris moves once more to be protecting the council woman, deftly twirling his kama as he moves, then strikes with it. +
He knows where to hit so it does a little more damage. The kama slices well and hurts the zombie. "We can destroy these abominations, come on friends and protectors, we shall slice the zombies and smash the skeletons! Tuoni, it is great to see you great work over there!" Baris cheers on his fellow fighters and encourages as best he can.
Now committed to the act of ridding the vicinity of undead, Radim edged further into the fray, once again channeling to destroy as many of these abominations as possible.
Seeing the path is clear Janasen moves closer to the rest of his allies and begins a tale."This reminds me of a Tale of an opera in opara. This tale of heroes and abominations is a testament to courage."
Baris's Kama slices through its intended victim, taking the zombie to its second final resting place!
Monster Attacks
NPC Rolls
A1 Energy DC12
A2 Energy DC12
S1 – DEAD
S2 – DEAD
S3 – 2/4
S4 – DEAD
S5 – DEAD
S6 – DEAD
Z1 – DEAD
Z2 – DEAD
Z3 – 3/12
Z4 – DEAD
Z5 – DEAD
Z6 – DEAD
Z7 – 7/12
Z8 – DEAD
Zombie Professor – ??/??
Benjan - 7/15
Kendra - 11/11
D1 - 6/6
D2 - 0/6
A1 - 4/9
A2 - 4/9
Round 3
MAP
Even with their dwindling numbers the undead don’t seem to be phased. They keep coming regardless of the odds. However every single one of the undead manage to miss, as if they already knew their fate was sealed.
Radims blast of energy manages to take out one of the skeletons completely, reducing it to a pile of bones.
The Zombie Professor came at Tuoni with a vengeance, but in spite of his clawing he could not seem to hit the Paladin. It was as if the Gods had smiled upon him this day.
Sheriff Benjan tiredly swung his greatsword, but in the last second put everything he had behind it cleaving yet another zombie into pieces.
The two acolytes moved forward, attempting to put an end to this horde once and for all. The first one focuses on the skeleton next to the deputy. He seems to hit, but the skeleton doesn’t look phased. The deputy takes the opportunity and stabs at it again, but even though he hits solidly, he barely takes out a rib.
The other Acolyte releases his energy, directly hitting the two zombies nearest him. The energy also flows over the Professor, but seems to do nothing at all.
Kendra makes another attempt to send out her ray of energy but it barely sputters out of her hand before dying and not injuring a soul, or non-soul.
With a mighty blow, Tuoni slashes down onto the Professor's Zombie with the zeal of the gods and his office as a Paladin. The sword struck true, slicing from his upper shoulder down through his navel. The zombie fell to its knees and Tuoni lifted a foot, put it squarely in the Professors chest, and pushed off, removing his sword.
Tev was about to raise his sword to charge the apparition of the Professor, but saw Tuoni deliver such a crushing blow that would make any attempt by him irrelevant. Instead, Tev took a step forward and cast another column of Minute Meteors on the zombie behind Janasen (the one not also threatened by the Sheriff).
This time the zombie takes the full brunt of the meteorites, falling under the weight, crushed to death.
As the glow fades from his sword, Touni has a sense of confirmation. This is what he is meant for.
Taking a few steps, Touni moves into position behind one of the remaining skeletons.
[ooc]never mind about the range thanks tuoni don't play many bards[/occ]
"The heroes a mismatched group of travelers there were six in all. The first to come to mind is the proud Hernando Ruiz Taldan knight of the shield."
continuing his story Janasen moves in to flank with the Sheriff
Janasen, still telling his fascinating story, takes another chunk out of the zombie, who still stands but I imagine not for long!
Deciding to stay put for now, Radim once again unleashed the searing power of his god.
With a wave of energy the final skeleton fell, crumpling next to his fellow undead comrades. Then one zombie stood alone...
Alyssa quickly stepped five feet forward and swung her sword downward in an arc meant to sever the last zombie's head from its shoulders at an angle.
Alyssa looked across the way at Tuoni, though her face didn't give away any emotions, she gave a short nod to him in greeting.
Heart racing from the brief but desperate struggle, bleeding from several claw marks, and his shirt barely still hanging onto his back, Tev's knees gave out under him as the excitement came to a crashing halt. It was just a quick fall, though. No sooner did his knees hit the ground than he was on his way back up. He looked around to make sure everyone was okay, and seeing the one deputy on the ground he started to move in that direction, knowing a cleric would be doing a healing energy channel there soon. He sheathed the wand but not his sword, not just yet. He used it to give a quick greeting/salute to Tuoni as well as acknowledging the good work of all the others.
He made a point of looking at Alyssa to see if she was hurt as he walked past her. The next thing on his mind was asking Tuoni, "Did you get a good look at the Professor's body? Did it look like he was still himself or was he possessed by another?"
As Alyssa stilled her blade, the last zombie fell. The blood that was splattered on her face matched the whole of the ground in front of the Lorrimor home. It was truly a scene from a nightmare.
The clerics called out for anyone who was in need of healing as they walked over to the fallen deputy. (Tev, I'll just assume you and Tuoni bring your conversation this way) They both grab onto their holy symbols as the wounded gather, all incredibly exhausted by the days events. It truly was a sight to see. The councilwoman that Kendra had met with was still pressed up against the house, a pool of vomit lay next to her as she cowered, pale faced, still staring at the carnage.
Baris uses his knees and feet to hit skeletons and his Kama against zombies. If an enemy is adjacent or 5 feet away he will flurry.
and . damage and damage.
Most likely he will need to move to get in optimum position let alone to hit anything, so attack, damage.
Kendra sees the halfling still fighting, probably still in shock from seeing his beloved professor in such a state. She walks over and gently lays a hand on his shoulder. "It's all over, you don't need to fight anymore."
"OH, thank you Kendra, I should get over there quick to get some healing," Baris does a running tumble to avoid the bodies and to slide into the zone of healing right before they let them off... Acrobatics.
Alyssa was not in need of healing but she followed behind Tev, wanting to hear Tuoni's answer. She knew from how the villagers had been acting at the professor's funeral that they would be more than willing to jump at the chance to use this occurrence as proof positive that the professor had indeed been evil and using necromancy. For a split second her blood ran cold as she feared that maybe they had been right, before she steeled herself once again. That had not been the professor speaking to her. Not in that language. And she'd be damned before she'd allow the townspeople to marr his memory like that.
Baris goes around all those in the healing circle first giving them high fives. "YES! We beat them and we all survived!" Baris spouts for joy. Then he goes around to everyone else giving them high fives if they put out their hand. Then he finally comes to the council woman, "Are you alright? Are you wounded?"
Returning Tev's salute, Touni joins the others. The glow lingers in his eyes for a moment, and then is gone, leaving him the same man they knew before. His spirit was not what animated the corpse, but I fear the corruption may have snared his soul, as well as body. As the animating spirit left, there was a flash of himself there, recognition and sorrow. As for the body, nothing unusual, but I didn't look closely.
What happened here? I thought I heard the corpse speak in some infernal tongue. Does anyone know what it said? It could be important. Touni turns his attention back to the corpse and begins to concentrate. The auras present might give some indication of the strength of whatever possessed the professor.
Janasen accepts the healing offered seeing the councilwoman talking to Baris he makes his way over nodding to Tuoni as he passes "Glad to have you back!"
upon reaching the Councilwoman Janasen waits to respond to Baris' question.
The councilwoman does not respond right away, her hollow eyes staring out into the carnage. "...no... no I'm not injured." She begins to regain some composure, realizing that the immediate danger is over. "What happened here? What is this madness? These things have gone on too long, we need to do something!" Looking back over to Kendra, she speaks a little more boldly. "I'll tell the others. At best I can gather a council meeting tonight. Please spread the word. At 8pm we will all meet in the town hall." Turning to your party, she speaks in hushed tones. "I would like to speak with you all privately here at the Lorrimor's home if you could. I came just to hear a little more about the incidents that have occurred, but now I need no more convincing. This needs to stop now!"
Not waiting for a response she heads to the door of the home, letting herself in.
Alyssa frowns at Tuoni's question, unsure if she should reveal what the professor's zombie had said. It was very disconcerting to think that the force controlling the professor had ties to... Whatever plane of heinous denizens spoke Abyssal and somehow knew her personally. If she spoke the truth, she knew that a great deal of suspicion would come her way, and that she could even become a scapegoat for the entire incident.
But if she lied, she could be leading them into more danger, without knowing the scope of what they might be facing. Even she didn't really know, but if whatever it was was powerful enough to be reaching for her through the corpses of her closest friends, then she would do everything in her power to prevent the people she cared for now from sharing that fate.
She hesitated before she spoke, her voice so quiet but ringing in the newborn silence after battle.
"He said 'You and your precious sword could never overcome what you are, you abomination.'" she paused, "And the statement was aimed at me personally" having already sheathed her sword at her hip, she kept her hands firmly clasped behind her.
Looking at the tiefling, Touni senses no evil from her or the sword, though what the spirit said clearly troubled her. Though whether because there was truth in the spirit's statement, or only that she feared there was, he could not tell. Interesting. Can you think of any reason why it would have sought you out in particular?
This may be uncomfortable, but it could give us vital insight. Whether this knowledge could be gained from Professor Lorrimor's spirit, or something that the evil knew of itself, it shows that what we face is powerful, and cunning enough to attack both mind and body. Was this language one the professor knew in life, and did the wording of the question have a special significance? Was it something the professor would have had knowledge to ask?
A smile suddenly spreads over Touni face, and he begins to chuckle. This must seem terribly one-sided. I vanish and return with no explanation, only to interrogate you. Forgive me, I forget that I am not debriefing one of my men.
Kendra steps up. "It is good to have you back Tuoni, but I think this would all be better discussed inside. I believe that the Councilwoman Shanda would like to hear what you all have discovered. Please, come with me." Before heading into the house, she looks to sheriff Benjan, the deputies, and the acolytes. "Thank you so much for your help, but we need to act swiftly." Looking out at the scene of the battle, she grimaces. "And I say leave this the way it is, show the council members so they can see what's really happening."
Sheriff Benjan stretches his healed body a bit, looking a little stiff. "Well, I can agree, but I want someone watching these bodies 24/7 until we burn them. My deputies can do that, and maybe the acolytes if the church will spare them. I want to be a part of this meeting." Turning to his deputies and the acolytes, they quickly agree on a plan, one deputy and one acolyte (the church actually has more than two,and there are 3 deputies total) will take 6 hour shifts watching the scene until it's able to be cleaned up. The sheriff will take the last shift.
You and the sheriff follow Kendra and sit with Shanda around the table. She is much more composed, with a bit of poise that suits her office, but not arrogance. "Thank you all for coming here. I was a bit skeptical of Kendra's request, to allow you all to go into Harrowstone, especially since a lot of what has happened has only been present after you arrived." She takes a tea that Kendra offers. After taking a sip, she continues. "Not that I'm trying to sound accusatory, but this is just what it looks like. Kendra told me that if I just would sit and talk with all of you that I would be able to understand better why you need to go there. After seeing this I need little more proof. However," she sets her tea down and folds her hands, "the council will need all the information we can get in order to best inform the community and decide the best next step to take. I am in favor of sending your group out to the prison to investigate, but I need to know everything, and I mean everything you know." And with that she remains silent, looking expectantly at the group.
Touni begins to tell the woman what they know about the Professor's investigation into Harrowstone and the probably involvement of the Whispering Way.
Glad that all were well, Tev even returned Baris's high-five, albeit not as enthusiastically as the springy halfling. He listened to what Tuoni and Alyssa said about the Professor's zombie and its declaration, wondering what their enemy might know about the tiefling and her sword, but didn't have any input to offer at this time. And while he wanted to hear Tuoni's story, that could wait until business was settled.
Tev would hold nothing back from the Councilor, detailing the connection from the five inmates to the strange happenings in town, not the least of which was the blood on the statue through the possession of Gibs.
Alyssa was caught by surprise by Baris ' high five and so had held her hand out in the wrong direction, but Baris seemed to do fine with it.
She looked as though she'd swallowed something unpleasant at Tuoni's questions, but before she could answer any of them they had entered the house and each of them were giving their statements on the situation.
Alyssa was thorough in her recount of the research and incidents that had happened to them and could be tied back to the inmates. However, she did not share with the council woman what the zombie Lorrimor had said to her or her dream the previous night.
Shanda listened intently to everyone in turn. She seems deeply disturbed by some of the conclusions you have come to, especially about the professors death and the connection with the five prisoners.
"I think it's time that someone went out there and found out what really happened. We need to have a town hall meeting with all the council present. That will have to happen this evening at sundown, this will give me time to share with the other council members and to allow word to spread through town. I would like to put your party forward as our chosen people to head the expedition into Harrowstone. With our endorsement the people will feel more confident. Plus your time in town has done you a bit of service. People like you, even though all these bad things have happened since your arrival. They see your deeds, the way you treat people, even that you shop here, and they approve. I don't believe that there will be a problem getting you whatever you need and having the ban lifted, if only temporarily, just to allow you to investigate. What say you?"
Janasen speaks up "I think I can say on behalf of all present that we would be honored to bring an end to the horrors that have plagued your town." with the return of Tuoni Janasen's confidence has risen considerably.
Baris has nothing to really add or even to say until after the council woman is done speaking, "For me and at least several others in our group it would be our privilege to stop these horrors from even getting close to your town and ending their existence!"
Radim sat quietly through the whole exchange, staring off into space and once again looking as if her was going to be sick. He seemed to only half listen to the conversation, and while he made the rare contribution to the conversation, he did it so quietly that it was doubtful that he was heard. Either way, he seemed too distracted to notice.
Looking as serious as ever, Tev nodded his agreement with the others. "I really want to put an end to this cult that did this to the Professor and tried to use him against his own family and friends. They can't hide behind other people's dead bodies for long. We'll get them. I promise you."
Alyssa nods in agreement, since everyone else has done so well putting into words what she would have said herself, she has nothing further to add.