Fiona moves forward and swings at the zombie's knee, as Variel instructed.
Mutt swings his greataxe at the zombie in front of him!
Both zombies shudder from the cold and Fiona and Mutt take advantage of the situation to quickly dispatch them. Finally, Gunryn swings down brutally at the downed zombie, destroying it instantly.
End of Combat
The weird larvae that appear to occupy the torsos of the zombies, thrusting out through the neck to form a 'tongue', squiggle out of their bodies before writhing and dying.
"Those were not normal zombie."
Slinging his hammer up over a shoulder, Grunyn nods at his fellows.
"Travel with you brings plenty of stretching and exercise!"
Mutt snorts. "They still fell like normal zombies. What is with that worm thing that came from that one's neck?"
Fiona pokes it with her hammer. "...eugh."
"Yeh got 'dat right, Grunyn, 'dey weren't normal. Fer one thing, 'dey didn't seem t'be undead, like zombies are. Undead don't shudder in th'cold. Oh, it kin hurt'em, but dey don't really notice it. But 'dese things were bein' affected by mah spell. Seems 'dese worm things were movin' th'bodies 'round like a puppet. Fragile once th'bodies' gone, though."
Thaddeus walks up to one of the remains, poking at the worm with his dagger.
What was it Gravin said? He tries to recall:
". A few others got bit or slashed, and their wounds turned bad. Some sort of sick got in them, and then, when they died, it came back out their faces. Torag’s scars, but that were a sight I’d like to unsee. Came right out of their faces like they were tongues, and then my own men attacked us."
"Anybody get hurt by 'dese things? Gravin said somethin' 'bout cuts 'n wounds festerin' an' turnin' yeh into 'dese things. Probably was talkin' about the nasty 'dat created 'dem, but still somethin' t'watch fer."
Unless his idle investigation of the worm turns up anything interesting, Thaddeus stands again.
"Welp, the watchtower is over 'dere. 'R did we wanna sweep th'place?"
Mutt furrows his brow. "The worms are controlling them? How is that possible?" Mutt shakes his head when Thaddeus asks about injuries. "None of them even touched me." When the subject of a next course of action is brought up, Mutt shrugs. "Let's search the place There might be more of these things or supplies we can use."
Fiona shudders. "A worm controlling your corpse like a puppet... at least it didn't manage to get me."
She looks in the direction of the watchtower before turning back to the house. "Might as well--we're already here."
The group start exploring the area, approaching cautiously. Two of the houses look extremely dangerous to enter; an unwary traveller could be crushed after entering and appear to be entirely looted. In the public building in the north, Fiona uncovers an old silver comb set with strips of ivory. It appears to be valuable. The ruined store that the zombies were scattered around is devoid of objects of interest.
The comb is of exceptional craftsmanship and would count as an antique. The right buyer would pay around 300 gold.
The watchtower itself is set right against a cliff, overlooking the ocean. Although the watchtower itself appears steady, the cliff is eroded by quite a bit.
The cliff face is an active danger, and enough force could cause the tower to fall off entirely.
As the group looks around, there's a sudden creak as the tower window opens up, and a familiar blonde half-elven face pokes out.
"STOP RIGHT THERE! Say something so I know that you're alive!"
It's Samaritha.
Fiona tucks the silver comb away.
"Samaritha? Is that you?" She calls back.
"We are very much alive, and it is good to see that you are as well. Is anyone else with you?"
"Ahh, good t'see yeh, Sammy! Yep, no worm-zombie things 'ere. Least, not no more, it looks like."
Grunyn grunts loudly, wandering back to retrieve Mule; he gives an open-handed wave to the woman addressing the group through the window, before cupping his hands over his mouth and shouting.
"I'm hungry!"
With Mule trudging behind, he shrugs at Variel, reverting to his native tongue for the complex statement that followed.
"How else can one prove life? Though it sounds as ravings from the mad, can any of us truly know we are alive?"
Grunyn shrugs. He'll ponder that later; rumblings from beneath his beard show he spoke true. "We shall eat with friend Sam. Yes?"
Mutt snorts at Samaritha. "Of course we're alive! Those stupid zombies didn't get us and they never will! Now let us in!" He looks around and says in a nicer tone, "Please. We wish to help you."
Samaritha lets out a cry of relief before turning behind her.
"I know these people! Let them in!"
She starts babbling.
"This place is a hellscape and we have people who need medical attention. Thank the Gods you're here. Get inside where it's safe!"
The tower opens up and you are all lead into the confines of the watchtower. Samaritha hugs each of you in turns before awkwardly trying to shake hands with Gunryn.
"Samaritha Beldusk, I used to work at the Gold Goblin."
The interior of the tower is four floors high. The ground flow is empty save for destroyed furniture and rubble. The next floor up is a field hospital of sorts, with two unconscious cyphermages on the cots. The next floor up is a barracks, which appears to be where the conscious cyphermages have been resting. Finally, the top floor is an observation room, an excellent lookout that affords a view of the entire island. The windows are shuttered and have no glass.
Samaritha leads all of you to the second floor with the unconscious cyphermages, talking quickly. The three conscious wizards speak little but look hopefully to you. She looks to one of them.
"The monsters may be massing for another attack. Go keep lookout."
The mage runs off while she begins speaking rapidly.
"It's been horrible, there were twelve of us here, lead by Fenella Bromathan whom I was apprenticed to. Those... monsters came for us, and Fenella died the first night and she rose to become one of those horrid zombie-things! I'm the most senior one of our number remaining and so I suppose I'm in charge. We've been holed up here in Witchlight. I've been sending pyrotechnics spells out as a call for help, I saw what I imagine is your ship and sent out my last spell earlier."
She takes a breath, leaning against the wall. The young half-elven woman looks haggard and exhausted.
"The Goldhammer dwarves came here, but they were too terrified to enter the tower. So we met them outside only for all of us to be ambushed by the monsters. They're ferocious, resistant to magic, I think they're venomous, and any who die rise as those zombies! Their bite kills - none of us have been bitten thank the Gods."
She looks to the injured mages.
"Please, please - PLEASE heal my companions and stay with us. We can defend this stronghold until a ship arrives and we can get off of the island."
Grunyn shakes the woman's hand in both of his, adopting his most "pleasant" smile when doing so; she is clearly friends with his friends, and to Grunyn, that makes her friend as well.
He grows increasingly agitated as the explains their situation, and spits upon the floor when mentioning the cowardice of his kindred. The injured, however, take up most of his attention, and he looks over them thoroughly.
Not liking what he sees, Grunyn centers himself between them, and adopting an awkwardly-armored pose, speaks a prayer under his breath to Irori; a brilliant burst of blue-lined energy comes forth, washing over all nearby.
Relaxing from the posture, he inspects the injured more closely. "These may take time. I can heal. I have kit and leech on Mule; some magic, but I must rest first, and pray."
He rises and looks at his companions. "Have we plan? Must we hurry? Also-" his speech is interrupted by yet another grumbling from his stomach, "-we will eat. Yes?"
Thaddeus was a bit concerned looking at the tower from the outside, but is assured seeing it's fairly well occupied inside.
He quickly looks among the survivors for his contact, Avariel. Though since Samaritha is currently the most senior member, he doesn't have much hope, if that's what they've been reduced to.
"Ah'm guessin' Avariel didn't make it, Sammy? Also, did th'Cyphermages send nobody but mages? Didn't even hire some muscle t'back yeh up? Even if nobody knew 'bout 'dese worm zombies 'n whatever creates 'em, th'island's full a'nasties, 'n Clegg Zincher's stompin' about."
"But enough o'that. We've fought th'zombies, so what're 'dese 'low-crawlin'' critters wit' th'really nasty bites? If we're gonna be fightin' em, we need t'know all we can 'bout what we're up 'gainst. Yeh mentioned 'dere able t'shrug off magic. Unsettlin', but 'dat jus' means Ah have t'focus on stuff 'dat ain't directly resisted. Look t'spells 'dat kin funnel 'em, slow down 'dere progression, 'dat stuff."
Variel accompanies Grunyn to assess the injured and sick mages.
To Samaritha, he asks, "Did any of the Goldhammers survive? If so, where did they go to?"
"As to staying here to defend, we actually have other pressing business to attend to. We will do what we can to remove the threat, but cannot simply sit here until our ship returns."
Fiona nods in agreement with Variel.
"Besides--this watchtower seems defensible enough." She says as she starts seeing to the most wounded of the mages in the tower.
The unconscious mages appear to have been scratched and clawed a great deal, but have no visible bites on them and no signs of any kind of infection. The pulse from Gunryn's heal spell is enough to wake them up, and Samaritha lets out a sigh of relief.
"There's a couple for our number. And the Goldhammers said they were going to the docks to get off the island. We have just refued to leave the tower. As for your business here.. well... I can't leave the people here. I'm only an apprentice and the others aren't even apprentices but applicants and truly rookie mages. This was just a mission to see if there was truly star - or skymetal here, whichever you call it. We found some noqual but the crater is picked clean. Strangely so."
Samariatha listens intently to Thaddeus and starts speaking.
"They look like great cats, but are hairless and blue with tentacles where their mane should be. Huge, gaping maws. Fire magic is useless against them. They also appear to be deaf, and move by sight only. And I've never seen them near the beaches. And here, I have some food."
One of the mages starts doling out some very nice travel rations, although ill-prepared the group appears to have been well-funded.
Fiona wrinkles her nose as Samaritha relays what her group was doing on the island. Sounds like they sent you out here to die.
"Did your master at least tell you what sort of dangers would be on this island, Samaritha?" She leans on her hammer and frowns.
She takes some beef jerky from the mage and smiles at him before starting to munch on it.
"Ah'm guessin' Avariel didn't make it, Sammy? Also, did th'Cyphermages send nobody but mages? Didn't even hire some muscle t'back yeh up? Even if nobody knew 'bout 'dese worm zombies 'n whatever creates 'em, th'island's full a'nasties, 'n Clegg Zincher's stompin' about."
Mutt frowns. "Indeed. It's a very stupid decision to send you without anyone to keep you safe."
Mutt snorts at Variel and Fiona. "Well, I'm not liking the idea of taking care our business while they're hiding out here. Even if the tower is defensible. I'm not the kind to run away."
When Samariatha explains their rankings among the mages, Mutt snorts. "Why would they send apprentices, rookies, and non-members? For something like this, wouldn't they send some of their most powerful mages?" When she explains the crater, Mutt frowns. "Looks like Zincher and the drow have gotten to it. Oh, well. Looks like we have to track them down, kill them, and take it."
When Samariatha describes the creatures, Mutt listens intently. Then, he snorts, a smirk appearing on his face. "So, that's it? Giant blue deaf cats that turn people into zombies? Doesn't sound so tough to me. All it'll take is a good axe swing into their heads to get rid of them."
He takes some beef jerky and begins to violently tear into it.
"Well, I'm not liking the idea of taking care our business while they're hiding out here. Even if the tower is defensible. I'm not the kind to run away."
Variel looks at Mutt. "You really have a single road in that mind of yours, don't you? In what way has anyone suggested running away this time?"
He shakes his head and continues, speaking slowly, as if to a child. "If we go out and seek the danger, to prevent it from coming here, isn't that better? And while doing that, we can attempt to accomplish the goal we came for in the first place."
Fiona sighs. "There's no need to be condescending, Variel."
"Strange cats, those. Strange as the zombie."
Grunyn, glad that the injured mages don't require further tending, begins the tedious task of removing his Full Plate. He listens as his companions discuss the next course-of-action, nodding here and grunting there.
When he's finally down to his undertunic and breeches, the Dwarf furrows his brow, taking a hard biscuit from the offered rations.
"We are to stay for night, yes? If I am not wrong, in dark none of you can see. Torch or spell make us seen from far away."
Biting into the bread, crumbs falling into his beard, he nods. "If we are to sleep, I would cook. We have shelter, no need to not fill bellies with warm meal!"
Variel's attitude goes over Grunyn's head, but he does tilt it to one side, giving Fiona an odd look.
"Variel is water in hot room on cool window? I do not understand."
Fiona shakes her head. "No, condescending. Meaning talking down to him, or treating him like a child. Not condensing."
Grunyn nods. "I do not have many things that I wish I had done but did not. Study of this tongue is one. When we are done with this place, would you teach me more?"
"If you'd like, certainly." Fiona offers a sincere smile.
"They look like great cats, but are hairless and blue with tentacles where their mane should be. Huge, gaping maws. Fire magic is useless against them. They also appear to be deaf, and move by sight only. And I've never seen them near the beaches. And here, I have some food."
"Big cats, ain't burned, seem t'be deaf. Good info, good info."
Thaddeus accepts the rations and gnaws on a biscut while thinking, ignoring Variel's remark.
"Lessee, here, gettin' late. Wonder if we should head down t'the beach wit'everyone. May be safer, 'dere, and easier t'get a ship. 'Den again, Ah'm a little uncertain if 'dey stay 'way from th'beach, 'r dey jus' haven't gotten around t'goin 'dere, yet?"
Mutt stares at Variel, a frown forming on his face. "Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot. You said that we would leave. I took it as we were leaving to take care of our business rather than staying with them to fight off the threat." He snorts. "Although, leaving to find the cat things. Not a bad idea."
Mutt stays silent as Grunyn and Fiona talk back and forth. When it comes to a plan, Mutt shrugs. "I'm up for any plan. I'd rather have them try and get through the walls of the tower to get us rather than be out in the open. That way, it would slow them down."
To Fiona, Variel replies, "I will speak with him as an equal when he demonstrates that he is actually listening to and understanding the words I say. Until then, I expect I shall have to use smaller words."
To everyone, he continues, "We know when our ship is coming back for us. We can't expect any others to randomly appear, so I see no reason to sit in the open just waiting. We have no idea if or when they will attack again, so I see no reason for us to just wait for them."
"I think we should try to do what we came for, and while we are at it remove the menace as much as we can from this place. While we do that, the cyphermages can remain here, in the safety of the tower. "
Samariatha remains silent as the group argues a bit before speaking up.
"They sent us because there was no confirmation of anything. We are capable spellcasters and expected an island with a few local toughs sent to look for noqual and some centipedes, not blue death-monsters everywhere!"
She lets out a breath.
"Look, we're going to remain here. You can use this as a base of operations and we'll provide support an--"
A scream sounds from the top of the tower.
"THEY'RE COMING!"
Samaritha swears and bolts downstairs to secure the bottom door, shouting up over her shoulder as she works.
"Damnit! They launch attacks on the tower when anyone spends enough time wandering outside - I'm not sure why they would have even attacked you, but maybe they work in cycles or something. Anyways, they're going to go at the windows, get ready for a fight!!"
"I will speak with him as an equal when he demonstrates that he is actually listening to and understanding the words I say. Until then, I expect I shall have to use smaller words."
"A little misunnerstandin' ain't no call t'be insultin' people, 'dere, Variel. Ah know yer a lot older 'den th'rest of us, but 'dat don' give yeh no right t'think yer better 'den others. He didn't get what yeh were sayin'? 'Den tell him. Educate him. Don' have t'be rude 'bout it."
To everyone, he continues, "We know when our ship is coming back for us. We can't expect any others to randomly appear, so I see no reason to sit in the open just waiting. We have no idea if or when they will attack again, so I see no reason for us to just wait for them."
"I think we should try to do what we came for, and while we are at it remove the menace as much as we can from this place. While we do that, the cyphermages can remain here, in the safety of the tower. "
"Well, first off, d'we even know where we're goin'? Dis ain't a tiny island, an' we don' know where 'dem Drow are hangin' out. Second, who'se t'say we'll meet 'dese poison cats while we're stompin' about? Dey may jus' come' round an' attack here again if we leave. An' Ah'd hardly call 'dis tower 'safe' as is. Nothin' 'gainst you, Sammy, but if'n yer th'most senior, an' the rest o'you are 'pprentices at best, Ah think another attack's gonna do 'em in, an'then we get t'face off wit' more zombies."
"In light o'dat, Ah think holin' up in 'dis tower is a great idea. 'Dere's a reason 'dey build towers, castles, 'n all dat other stuff. It's so a small force 'kin hold off a big one."
Thaddeus turns to Samaritha, "Uhh, do 'dese cats only attack at night, or..."
"THEY'RE COMING!"
"Well, guess 'dat answers mah question."
Grunyn's stomach rumbles loudly; he was starting to Mule to procure cooking supplies when Samariatha calls out that an attack is imminent.
:"By Grabthar's Hammer! Is it too much to ask that I get a good meal?
The Dwarf folds his hands in prayer, chanting an ancient mantra from his monastery, bringing inner strength and the grace of Irori upon himself. He looks between his hammer and bow, and quickly chooses the ranged weapon, moving to a window and throwing it open.
"Fire as they come! Tower is crowded, more than alley was; we can not let them get in!"
Gunryn throws open a window and sees the blue monsters for the first time.
The others get a quick glance, and despite Thaddeus' smarts, Fiona's broad knowledge, and Variel's training in identifying his enemies nobody has a clue as to what these things are. They move silently and swiftly, a few pausing to sniff at the corpses.
Variel looks out the window at the strange creatures, and follows Grunyn's example. Casting a spell, he takes up his bow and aims out the window.
"I have no idea what these are, but let's see if we can't knock a few holes into them."
Fiona was about to respond to Variel, but being cut off by both Thaddeus and the arrival of the strange cat-monsters makes her reconsider.
"...oh my." She starts whistling some sort of inspiring tune and resting a hand on herself and Mutt--their weapons briefly glow a soft teal before settling down.
To Fiona, Variel replies, "I will speak with him as an equal when he demonstrates that he is actually listening to and understanding the words I say. Until then, I expect I shall have to use smaller words."
Mutt growls and gets into the elf's face. "And I expect that I'll need to smack you while reciting all of the words I know until you treat me with respect! Remember, the last person who disrespected me wound up decapitated! And not just Vancaskerkin! Remember, I escaped from my slavery. Don't make me show you how I did it."
To everyone, he continues, "We know when our ship is coming back for us. We can't expect any others to randomly appear, so I see no reason to sit in the open just waiting. We have no idea if or when they will attack again, so I see no reason for us to just wait for them."
"I think we should try to do what we came for, and while we are at it remove the menace as much as we can from this place. While we do that, the cyphermages can remain here, in the safety of the tower."
Mutt stays quiet as Variel speaks, glowering all the while.
"They sent us because there was no confirmation of anything. We are capable spellcasters and expected an island with a few local toughs sent to look for noqual and some centipedes, not blue death-monsters everywhere!"
Mutt nods. "Well, I apologize. You are certainly more than capable if you've survived this long."
["Look, we're going to remain here. You can use this as a base of operations and we'll provide support an--"
Mutt slowly nods before his eyes widen when the scream is called out.
A scream sounds from the top of the tower.
"THEY'RE COMING!"
Mutt looks up at the location that the scream came from. His eyes are wide and he seems shocked. However, a smile slowly grows on his face.
Samaritha swears and bolts downstairs to secure the bottom door, shouting up over her shoulder as she works.
"Damnit! They launch attacks on the tower when anyone spends enough time wandering outside - I'm not sure why they would have even attacked you, but maybe they work in cycles or something. Anyways, they're going to go at the windows, get ready for a fight!!"
Mutt runs down the stairs after Samaritha, greataxe in hand. He stands, ready to do combat. He feels Fiona's hand and nods at her, feeling power flowing through him.
The group start rapidly making preparations for the incoming creatures, casting spells. Samaritha and the few cyphermages remaining move to the the bottom floor to help secure the door.
The creatures rush the tower, moving silently and horribly. With a powerful leap they pounce upon the sides of the tower and begin climbing for the windows.
clack clack clack clack clack clack clack clack clack
The scratching, clacking, sound of the creatures climbing on the outside of the tower is the only sound for a moment beyond the howling of the wind outside. They are coming.
Mutt glares around the walls. He decides to try out this 'magic' that he now possesses. He focuses on it, trying to feel it. He feels a familiar spell. One that he had felt through that potion he drank. He lets out a yell. He then begins to grow in size. Soon, he is the same large hulk from the Cyphergate.
He then stands with his greataxe ready to swing at the first one to come in.
Mutt expands to enormous size while Variel and Grunyn throw open a shutter to see a sea of blue creatures rushing for the tower.
Variel begins firing his bow into the mass of creatures.
Fiona gets ready to bash one of the beasts if one makes it to her window.