A creature darts up behind you and stares down the crest at the foes. It's eyes goin wide suddenly as it calls out "Oh $h@t! Uh, that's a Necrocraft...scrambler from the looks of it. It's undead (Traits Link) but the abilities depend on what pieces the built it with....Good luck!"
Without another word the helpful thing is gone.
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Kaya takes a breath, steps up, aims and fires. As she reloads her chattering resumes, "anyone know who that was? Very helpful at least. Oh I wonder if it was a fey. I hear they like forests and we are in a forest so that makes sense. I'm guessing they were young or something and didn't want to stay around to see what happened next."
Now sure her theory is completely and utterly correct she adds, "they must have been scared. Yeah, that makes the most sense. But at least they were helpful."
She glances back it's direction and yells, "THANK YOU!"
for
Wraith cautiously moves behind the closest zombified man. Cutting a deep gash in the rotting flesh, he hopes his companions will quickly join him.
Capitalizing on the distraction Wraith is causing, Tere leaps forward and bisects the creature. Collapsing, it splits in two and lays motionless.
Capone quickly bolsters Tere's resolve with another blessing of his god as the fungus covered foe slowly falls over, roasting.
Gwendolyn summons a chasm to keep their foes at bay and Alaric lobs another ball of fire across. However, the molten ball lands short of it's target.
Seeing his previous foe gone, Shredder turns to the one next to him and lashes out with teeth of fury. Though one claw just misses, he rips a good chunk out of the creature.
Thanking the stranger for the knowledge, Kaya fires her bolt. Flying true, it seems the angle was just off as the projectile deflects off the beasts hide.
Shredder's victim surges forward, alas the pieces that would have hit the dino lay on the ground nearby. The zombie covered in pink vines looks down at the hole and back up. Hesitating but for just a moment, it lumbers forward.
"You think a mere hole will stop your fait?!" cries out the abomination, cackling. Shaking, it flies across the ripped earth, careful to land on solid ground again, though it drops it's sword. "Really?!" exclaims the creature. Turning to Tere, it smiles "Guess we'll just have to see what you taste like!"
The nimble pathfinder easily side steps the jagged maw.
Zombies
Undead
Wraith
Tere
Capone
Gwendolyn
Alaric/Shredder
Kaya
Shredder lays into the zombie in front of him, covering himself in gore.
Through teamwork and skill Wraith and Tere send the vocal beast back to the afterlife.
Capone fires a ray of fire from his fingertips, dropping the viny zombie as Gwendolyn shores up the feathered friends defenses.
Kaya and Alaric send their own projectiles flying towards the remaining zombie as shredder rips it to shreds!
Suddenly, several Kellid warriors emerge from within a hidden cave.
"Oh, thank you mighty warriors!" calls out one of the men.
As woman steps forward and advises you, "Dark forces are at work here! They actively fight against our following. You should meet with our leaders and discuss how to proceed."
A second man shoves his way to the front of the group, shaking his head. "Can't you see? These are skilled fighters! They don't need to pander to the chiefs." Turning back to you, he bows low "Though we humbly thank you for your efforts, I feel I must beg another favor. The undeath you faced here came from the standing stones beyond...even now more pour out of the rift there. Would you head to the stone and hold them back while our camp rallies?"
Smiling broadly, the woman nods. "It's nice to see some men are brighter than they look." she replies, eyeing the one insisting on skipping the leaders. "We must hurry, but it's not far. This way." She scurries off, assuming you follow but not checking to make sure.
Arriving at the compound, you are lead to the large tent in the middle,.
The thick hide walls of this large tent muffle the sounds of battle outside. Iron spikes pin down an enormous map in the center of the tent. Wooden carvings of warriors and monsters lie strewn about the map, marking the location of fighting warriors and the encroaching undead.
As you enter, you find Medda arguing with a kellid man, while an older woman silently listens to the debate. Anok stands near the entrance. Though the shadowy figure is obviously unhappy with how the conversation is going, he says nothing.
"How can you just abandon our vows? How can you abandon our homeland? We can win this! There is no reason to succumb to fear, for we are the Twinnhorn!' exclaims Medda, as you watch.
The man replies, with just as much passion in his voice. "There is no point in our remaining here. The game trails have begun to falter, the orcs are constantly at our backs and this? Haven't we held the dark at bay long enough? We should take those that remain and find somewhere to hunt in peace!"
Suddenly, the elderly woman looks to your group, with a smile. She holds a hand up gently and the other two immediately stop their bickering. Her soft smile and stern eyes cause Medda and the man to look towards you.
"Oh! Thank you so much for coming!" exclaims the spiritbender, though Anok simply grunts at the words. "Please, welcome. This is the Twinnhorn Council, or what's left of it. You obviously know who I am, this is Jala the Patient" she advises, motioning towards the elder woman. "And this is Kragr Bloodhand. He leads the hunters of our tribe."
Pausing to glare at the kellid man, she adds "He's convinced her to abandon our sacred duties and our homeland. He feels we've done this task far too long and it's time to pass it on to another as we indulge in safer hunting lands."
At the mention of his wanting things safer the tall man visibly shakes. "Why YOU! I'M NO COWARD!" He screams, but quickly takes a deep breath, bottling the anger up with practiced skills.
[ooc]==Appearance==
Medda has a lithe build, especially by Kellid standards, and wears her auburn hair tied in a tight braid. She wears a breastplate over her furs and carries a longspear into battle. As a devout follower of Vildeis, she wears a bloody bandage as a symbol of her own sacrifice, giving some of her own life force to sustain the phantom of Anok. Small scars featuring celestial runes peak from beneath her clothing.
Knowledge Religion or Perform Oratory
This massive Kellid stands a head taller than most humans and wears a dire polar bear cloak from a bear he personally wrestled, pinned, and strangled during a year he spent traveling the Crown of the World. The many scars on his body suggest a life of physical conflict and perseverance.
Intimidage, Diplomacy, or Bluff
Jala’s age may have wrinkled her skin and clouded her vision, but she still wears her leather armor and longbow proudly. Regular exercise has kept her body strong, despite her old age.
Knowledge Nature, Knowledge Religion, or Profession Soldier
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Gwen blows into the tent like a green dust devil.
"HEY! Chill out everyone! Use your indoor yell big guy. No one is calling you a coward. I'm sure the whole tribe wants to find someplace safe for everyone hunt--including the younger hunters of the tribe just learning."
"I understand why they call you 'the patient'." I'm already sick of these two. "What's really going on here?"
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Kaya drifts in, surprised at how commanding Gwendolyn has become, usually everybody just hides in a corner and I have to talk to people. Not that I mind, I mean it's fun to meet new people although this tribe seems a bit tense. Maybe I can get through to the tough lady fighter over there. I mean I'm not really at her level, but I've been through a lot... oh here I am rambling in my own head!
She moves over to Medda and slings her crossbow over her back. Giving a small smile her eyes catch the rune scars, "oh those are gorgeous! And I'm guessing... useful too! I can see you have dedicated and sacrificed everything for your tribe. This is just another trial that you must defeat."
Kaya considers her next words carefully, "the undead scourge are hideous abominations against the very nature of beauty and life. If you don't help us convince your tribe to stop them now, they will just spread and overwhelm all good in the world. What would Vildeis think of you if you let the tribe flee a righteous fight?"
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Kaya then jumps in to attempt to calm Kragr. She says sweetly but firmly, "Mr. Bloodhand, of course we aren't implying you are running from a fight. We know you are seeking the best course for your tribe. And I agree, there is good reason to seek other hunting grounds. But isn't it possible that the reason your normal prey are not as bountiful is due to the portal gaining strength and allowing undead abominations to pour through?"
She continues after that possibility sinks in for a second, "plus, let's not assume that wherever you go you won't eventually face the same issue. I personally plan to make a stand here, even with my small little bow and limited knowledge of magic. It just seems like the right thing to do."
She finishes and thinks back to her classes, I'm glad I took that rhetoric class now!
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As the debate continues Kaya moves up next to Jala the Patient. "So uh... I'm not really patient. How did you get that nickname?"
Before she has a chance to answer, the little halfling continues, "anyway so as I was thinking about the portal and stuff I was wondering what would happen to this area. I'm pretty sure that the gross undead are just going to kill anything that moves. Plus, who knows what kind of negative warping effects that portal might cause. I mean, think about the animals and fey and plants in this area. If we don't stop it, they will get wiped out. This place will become just another scar on the land."
2
2
1
Turning to Capone, she offers him a reassuring smile. "Sounds like quite the tail, though I suspect your teammates did some of the heavy lifting there. Still...." pausing, she looks the
Sarenite over before continuing. "Having the wisdom to surround yourself with such helpful companions is in and of itself quite a deed."
Frowning at the boisterous woman, she mumbles "Screaming doesn't seem to accomplish much these days." Tossing a look sideways towards Kragr.
As Kaya speaks though, her features soften some. Nodding, she smiles. "Exactly! If we don't stop this menace, who will? We've been the only thing stopping them for so long, do any even know the danger? Would they know before it's too late?"
"I beg you, listen to these pathfinders. They speak the truth!"
Cowing a little at the illusionist calls him out, he babbles "I...I suppose...yes. You are of course correct."
"Yes, little one. No matter where we land, we'll likely encounter resistance. Perhaps we should show our strength here, in our ancestral home after all."
You know the following about Kragr.
He admires physical prowess and stout constitution. However, he looks down on weak creatures.
He abhors the idea of others considering him a coward or afraid and it motivates him to look strong, however it would be unwise to call him weak or a coward outright.
Silently pondering the words of the others, Jala smiles. "Straight and to the point. That is commendable. I would hear more."
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Hm...here's hoping I don't choose the wrong words. I should have taken a Diplomacy refresher.
The quiet elf moves on to address the doughty warrior, choosing his words carefully. "Kragr! It's by strength of arms that this land will be held...strength of your arms, and those of your people. We'll help as best we can, but we're strangers here. At the end of the day this is your place, your fight, and your hour. Rise to the challenge! And thank the gods for the chance to win for yourself a name that will be remembered as long as there are Twinhorns!"
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Alaric goes to talk to Jala. ”We are reasonable people here. If your people do not stand the line, then this taint will destroy the land, much like as has been done in the worldwound ”
He looks to the area around and hear the screams of Pathfinders and Twinhorns alike. ”It is our responsibility to protect the land, for it cannot protect itself from this evil. How can you not stay..”
He goes to talk to Kragr. ”Strength is exactly what we need here, Kragr. We need to be strong, and do what is necessary. It is unlikely that if we do not. Let us stand, and show solidarity between us. After all, I have not come up from my homelands to protect yours alone. ”
Listening to the rest of the group voice their views on the subject, Kragr body language shows a rollercoaster of views on their thoughts.
The woman with the undead name seems to say something that rings true in his soul, as Alaric expounds on it. "No, as you shouldn't. It is our home after all." Thinking long and hard, he slams his large weapon against his chest with a *Thud*.
"You have my arm and that of my hunters." he says matter of fact with only the slightest of nods. "Sides, without use, you'll be sorely outmatched."
The wisened woman smiles. "Young one, you are correct in the statement 'it cannot protect itself.' However, your heart se
ems to lead you words."
"What is it you feel should be done? Yes, if we don't stand tall here, it will very likely fall. Perhaps it is time...The worldwound, though tainted, has done little to affect the rest of the world."
Medda pipes up quickly, interrupting Jala. "So, you would sacrifice the lives of all those here, so you may have an easier time? That really doesn't sound like you. The lives of many to have a quiet afternoon?"
Slowly shaking her head, Jala replies "We're likely to lose numerous warriors if we fight as well, Medda. Perhaps your time searching out the hilt was caused you to forget the logics of such things."
"Fine! You're right. So, you believe your god would approve of abandoning your sacred duty then?" snaps back the spritibender.
The older womans expression changes drastically, as if she was just slapped across the face. "I would never...." Quickly returning to its former appearance, she smiles. "I see. Yes, I'll sign on with this madness."
Suddenly, the air in the tent seems to drop 20 degrees. Your breath hangs in the air as a fog as a stream of glowing mist winds its way through the camp. Shouts from outside the camp draw your attention away from the council members.
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Wraith
Tere
Gwendolyn
Capone
Things
Kaya
Alaric/Shredder
Undead Trats.
They have DR 5/Slashing
Any creature struck by an ectoplasmic creature’s slam attack must succeed at a DC 11 Will save or be shaken for 1d4 rounds. The save DC is Charisma-based.
An ectoplasmic creature has the ability to pass through walls or material obstacles. To use this ability, the ectoplasmic creature must begin and end its turn outside of whatever wall or obstacle it’s moving through. An ectoplasmic creature cannot move through corporeal creatures with this ability, and its movement speed is halved while moving through a wall or obstacle. Any surface it moves through is coated with a thin, silvery mucus that lingers for 1 minute.
The have Undead Traits.
They have Channel Resistance +2
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The familiar tingle raising the hairs on the back of her neck, Kaya intones the words and a shimmering glow flickers around her in various defensive locations, almost like a constantly re-positioned shield.
A lightbulb goes on in Kaya's head when she sees the undead and then goes right away when her teammates start talking, "oh I really liked that course. You should really take it. They talked about all sorts of the gods and devils and demons and undead and oh yeah oh my gosh I totally forgot about those things over there! They are Guardian Phantom Armors. The have extra resistance to holy channeling which... uh I'm pretty sure none of us can do so that's good! And they also..."
A tingling sensation causes Kaya to involuntarily shield herself from some unknown threat. Looking outside, she realizes what the issue may be.
Tere and Wraith run from the relative safety of the tent and prepare to engage the enemies.
Following suit in standard illusionist fashion, Gwendolyn seems to summon a barricade between the foes and her friends.
Capone, once again pulls his wand free and grants his companions the benefits of Sarenrae's aid.
The two shimmering humans seem to all but fade out as they pass through the barrier and resolidify on the opposite side. One takes the long way around as the other goes straight up to Tere. The man takes his shot, slicing the gooey thing in half.
As the second one approaches Wraith, she swings wide, missing her mark. A long line of slimy tendrils mark their math along the ground.
The animated suits of armor approach the wall and file through the opening. Ending their travel near Tere, they lash out with their longswords.
As both blades slice perpendicular gashes across Tere's chest, the elven man falls to the ground.
Ectoplasmic Humans
Guardian Phantoms
Kaya
Alaric/Shredder
Wraith
Tere
Gwendolyn
Capone
Shredder rushes out, and attempts to slash at red.