Claude takes a bite out of one of them, which isn't very effective.
Dakash's enchanted dagger does not manage to penetrate the creature's tough hide.
Vincent groans, having expended all this occult weapon channeling, and decides to hit with his spear after studying the zombie.
The thing assists in defending
Vincent manages to stab a zombie over Claude, which doesn't seem fully effective.
Two of the zombies attack Claude, while the third one attacks Dakash.
Claude is cut twice in the ribs by the sword wielding zombies and Dakash gets a gnash on his arm, his recent illness making him too slow to dodge the swing
Vincent stabs again.
Vincent manages to heavily damage the yellow zombie despite his weapon not being fully effective, stabbing over Claude's head.
Continuing his song as he steps forward, Seamus fires two quick arrows at the same zombie Vincent attacked.
Seamus shoots the yellow zombie in the forehead, his arrow punching through its skull and it falls to the floor, dead.
The second arrow clangs off the zombies leather armor.
Dakash tries to slash the zombie on its chest, which the zombie parries with its longsword, then tries to channel more arcane dakka to slow the undead down and slashes the zombie on its arm.
The zombie isn't fazed by the arcane dakka on Dakash's blade.
Claude manages to land two claws on red, the zombie ducking out of the way of the bite and the other claws not penetrating its hide.
The zombies try to cut Claude down,with the White zombie closing in.
The first blow clangs off Howard's green shield, but the second blow from the red zombie lops Claude's head cleanly off. The red zombie then moves over Claude's body.
Seeing Claude fall, Seamus is so surprised that he stumbles over a couple of words in his song, then stepping forward as he draws a couple of arrows he fires at the Zombie that had attacked his lizard friend. Seamus looks around, trying to figure out what happened to Howard.
Howard shifts himself down and finds himself falling for a moment, then finds himself standing on the bottom floor.
The two arrows clang off the zombie's armor.
Vincent groans and stabs at the new zombie after studying it as well, the thing assisting in defense.
Vincent manages to land a good stab on the creature, heavily damaging it.
Dakash takes the opportunity to step behind the creature lashing out with his dagger and magic.
The zombie parries his first strike, then on his back swing, he slices off its head.
The remaining zombie attacks Dakash, then moves towards Vincent.
You find yourself wandering through an alleyway of an endless, alien city pursued by mists. You can hear the sound of footsteps behind you, but only see indistinct vague shapes in the yellow fog behind. Soon, a wall collapses, revealing a disproportionately small room. You see a truly ancient the seer, pointing a bent and knobbled finger at your chest. "Your past lies buried in Iris Hill."
You awaken to find yourself lying on a bed, tucked into blankets, wearing brown shirt and breeches. The celling and walls are painted white and the floors made out of wood. What little furniture in the room(a chest of drawers) is made out of oak, but the room is mostly bare. You can hear the sound of bird song through the grilled window, and there is a closed door at the end of the room.
Vincent steps back and continues to try to disembowel the zombie with his spear.
Vincent manages to stab the zombie in the guts despite his spear not being too effective and the intestines are now showing. But it still shambles on...
Dakash tries to slice the zombie with his dagger.
His magical dagger slices into the zombie twice, and it turns its dead eyes on him.
Still singing his song as he looks around for Howard, Seamus fires two more arrows at the undead.
Seamus's arrow lodges into the zombie's eye socket and it collapses on the ground, dead.
Seamus stops singing, looking from Claude's corpse to Dakash and Vincent. "Shall we open the last door before we go find Howard?"
Vincent checks the door and finds that it is neither locked nor trapped. He also hears the sound of breathing within.
Everything in this room is in disarray, except for the mirror hanging on the eastern wall at the top of the stairs to this room. Overturned and broken furniture litters the floor, and sprays of dried blood mark the room’s stone walls.
Inside the room is another skum of which the air around him seems to hum with electricity, wielding a trident, and Vincent’s double, who looks now none worse for wear after the drubbing the party gave him. ” Dywedodd Tilsitari wrthyf, os bydd angen i chi wneud gwaith yn dda, na allwch ei ymddiried i eraill a gorfod gwneud hynny eich hun. O'r fath gywilydd yn wir. Bydd yn rhaid i ni ladd chi.” The skum says as he looks at the party coldly.
Tilsitari told me that if you need a job done well, you can’t entrust it to others and have to do it yourself. Such a shame really. We’ll just have to kill you.
Vincent’s double moves up to him and tries to shank him. "Mae'n amser ad-dalu!"
It's payback time!
Vincent is shanked by his evil twin!
Leonard lies still and quiet in the bed. He listens to the bird music at first, not looking around the room, just enjoying the peace and solace. It wasn't a pleasant dream, that's for sure. There's a nagging sense that he's he's just slept through something important, but whatever it is, it can wait.
Eventually, Leonard decides it's time to be awake. He stretches out to his full and luxuriant length, feeling his joints strain, and then snaps up to a sitting position. He talks to himself softly as he surveys the room. What is this? Where are we? Leonard gets out of bed and pads softly on bare feet over to the oak chest of drawers. These aren't my clothes? This is...where's Angiliath? Leonard searches the drawers, then goes to look out the window. Metal grille, I wonder if I'm locked in here.
Leonard tries the door.
The drawers are locked. Tugging against them does not cause them to open.
Leonard heads for the door but before he can open the door, it opens from the outside revealing a slim man with curly black hair, in white robes, with a symbol of a spiralling comet hanging at his belt. He looks surprised to see Leonard up and about. ”Hello.” He speaks to Leonard slowly, as if speaking to a child. ”How are you doing today?”
Well, Leonard stops to inspect himself, not seeming to notice the man's condescending tone, I feel quite good, actually. I'm not really sure where we are, can you tell me where... Leonard stops himself. Best not to mention my noble name, I don't remember...something about...doom and death. He smiles weakly, can you tell me where my sword is? And my other things? And where we are?
”Whoa there…take things easy…one step at a time. What do YOU remember?” The man seems to be taken aback by Leonard’s casual reply, as well as his request for his gear. ”You’re currently in infirmary new Chapel, in Thrushmoor, under the care of the Pharasman order.”
New chapel, Thrushmoor... Leonard nods, trying to envision his place on a map. Let's see, last thing I remember was, uh...reading a book. Better not to say what about.
Now then, let's try this again, Leonard straightens up to his full height. Listen, friend, well, actually, you're not my friend. Leonard says this rather bluntly, raising his right hand to point at his left hip rhythmically, but, see, here at my side there used to be the sword, and that was my friend. Leonard looks at the man for a moment, right hand still tapping nervously at his hip, he senses that the man isn't really following. No, see, you probably think I'm crazy, but uh... just tell the truth ...but it was a very special sword...it uh...talked to me, you know. Told me things that only I could hear, in my head. He raises a still slightly jittery hand to tap his forehead twice, nodding.
I think he gets it.
"A book, I see."The man mutters non commitally.
"Look, do you want to lie down and take your medicine?" The man asks Leonard concerned. "You're one of the Briarstone Asylum refugees that arrived 2 days ago - in a catatonic state. Then I walk in and find that you're actually up and talking after two days of lying in bed. If not making much sense."
"Now, I know what blade you're talking about, it's got a really foul mouth. If a thing like that could be said to have a mouth. Priestess Trilliss picked it up to examine it and it gave a couple of very Rude comments on her ancestry. And probable descendents. And inappropriate things she did with a dead fish. She's had it locked up ever since."
"And I can't let someone who doesn't seem quite stable into the streets with a weapon, much as we'd be glad to be rid of that blasted thing."The man replies.
Leonard chuckles as the man describes Angiliath's comments towards Triliss. Then he becomes rather serious. Listen, friend... he begins again, then quickly sits down on the bed. Actually, maybe I do need a second to clear my head. My sane head. Leonard folds his arms and scoots back up the bed, crossing his legs beneath him. He closes his eyes and places one hand on each knee, trying to remember an old poem Angiliath would always recite. After a second, he stands back up.
My name's Leonard, Leonard Giles. Listen, I don't remember you taking me here, or much of what's happened over the past few years. But I do remember most of my life before that. Leonard pulls off his tunic. The tattoo on his left hand is matched by another of a series of blue and red butterflies on the right side of his chest. There is also a pattern of lines emanating from the scar of a puncture wound right above his heart, which Leonard points at. I remember this scar, for example, which you can see almost killed me. It was from a bandit with a knife. He points to a set of scratch marks on his right shoulder, this is from a ghoul, which luckily didn't paralyze me. He traces a line down his left forearm, a cut from deflecting a spear. He stops, putting his tunic back on. You know what? When I received each of those scars, I felt alright. I would fight, and most likely win, and if I didn't, then I would die with my sword in hand. That blade has been with me a long time, and I am not about to lose it. Leonard sits back down, hands curled into fists resting gently on his thighs. You don't want to give me my gear right away? Fine. But rest assured, if anything happens to that blade, I will hold Priestess Trillis personally responsible.
After a moment, Leonard hastily adds, that's not a threat, it's more like just a statement. I wouldn't, you know, hunt her down or anything. He sighs, looking deflated.
I don't really want to lie down, and I definitely don't want to take medicine. Let's go for a walk, eh? He takes a step towards the door.
”Trevor.” The man answers shortly.
"And I didn't bring you here. You were brought here by Captain York and the other chapel guards, along with the other refugees from Briarstone Asylum after some brave souls lifted the yellow fog surrounding the place. There was something about a 700-year old spirit being released and everyone having to run for it as well. "
”Hmm…sounds like that you’ve had an interesting life. Waay too exciting for my taste, certainly. I definitely do not have the inclination to go adventuring. I’m happy as a priest of Pharasma, attending to the needs of the community.” Trevor answers.
”Are you sure that during one of your adventures someone didn’t tap you on the head? That could have caused your catatonic state and the memory loss. Depending on where and how hard they hit. In fact if that was the case, you’re very lucky that you even woke up at all.” Trevor answers soberly. ”Some people don’t ever.”
”I didn’t find any signs of head injuries on you when you were put under my care, though.” He remarks. ”Do you have a headache, difficulty gathering your thoughts together, blurred vision, seeing double or anything like that?” He asks Leonard.
”Do not accuse anyone in the temple of Pharasma as thieves,” Trevor lectures Leonard sternly. ”We have it all in safekeeping – since you were in no condition to take care of it. And don’t use that tone on Priestess Trillis. She’s not in a good mood after failing to find the byakhee that got away.”
Leonard just can’t remember anything about byakhees at this point of time.
Trevor does show Leonard out to the main hallway – a large spacious chamber made from granite, lined with many wooden benches. Two priests in white robes, supervised by another priest in blue robes are cleaning an altar with the statue of ashen-skinned Garundi woman with white eyes wearing a dark, hooded, robe-like dress and holds an hourglass filled with red sand. ”Do you want me to bring you to see Priestess Trillis?”
Leonard pauses for a moment, thinking back on what he's said. I'm sorry if I accused you of thievery, obviously you aren't thieves, and I am grateful. Sometimes I get a bit caught up in the moment. Leonard follows Trevor out into the hallway. I would like to see Trillis, we can talk on the way. Byakhee...sounds familiar, why can't I remember anything about them? Maybe I'll offer to kill it.
Leonard takes a few steps forward, realizes he's not in charge, and lets Trevor lead the way. I've been hit on the head a few times, but it's never caused any serious damage. Actually, funny story, one time I was fighting a group of bandits with a group of villagers behind me, and I got hit in the head with a sword pretty hard. Odd thing was, though, the sword broke on my skull instead of killing me. I passed out, but we won, so I was alright. Not even a scar from that one, had some good magical healers. It is unclear what about the story is meant to be funny. I was having some trouble thinking straight when I first woke up, I had an unpleasant dream.
I've been meaning to ask you about that. Would you happen to know anything about Iris Hill?
"Apology accepted. Don't do that again."Trevor adominishes you.
Trevor shakes his head. "The more I hear about your adventures, the more I I'm glad I never had any thought of going adventuring. How do you even take this sort of thing so matter-of-factly? Did those blows rattle your brain more then you thought?"
Then his expression takes a worried cast. " Though I'm not sure how safe Thrushmoor is going to be... there have been people mysteriously vanishing off the streets, and some of them even from high station. Like Magistrate Padgett. No one's heard from him for ages."
Trevor states unhappily, "And there have been Byakhee sightings around town. Priestess Trillis slew one the other day, but the other fled to Fort Hailcourse and she couldn't get permission to search the place. God knows how many more might be hiding in there."
"Iris Hill is the property of Count Hasteron Lowls." Trevor answers.
Trevor leads you to the supervising priest, a middle aged woman with dusky skin and straight black hair. ”Priestess Trillis – Patient Leonard has shown a sudden improvement in his condition. He seems fine except for missing some of his more recent memories. He asked to speak with you.”
The woman turns to look at you – you can see her hands are callused from wielding her weapons and she moves with the grace of a predator. ”Leonard Giles - the fact you’re up and about is a sign that Pharasma’s miracles never cease. Welcome back.” She holds out her hand for you to shake. ”So what matter did you wish to speak to me about this day?”
Vincent, not wanting to get stuck again, steps back 5ft beside Seamus and stabs the double, after watching it's movements.
Vincent manages to land a good stab on his evil twin's leg.
"Oh no it girl Vincent and a talking frog." Mildly disturbed, Seamus begins to sing as he moves behind Dakash. "When you were here before, couldn't look you in the eye..."
Dakash steps up then tries to clobber Vincent's double with his quarterstaff while channeling his magic in another strike.
Unfortunately both attacks bounce off a green shield.
The skum fires two green bolts at Dakash that catch him in the chest as he staggers backwards.
Both Vincent and Dakash recognize the spell as magic missiles.
The skum then drops its trident and takes out a potion.
Vincent's double then tries to cut Dakash down.
The first stab hits him in his abdomen but he remains barely standing. The second stab hits the wall.
Deciding discretion is the better part of valour, Dakash attempts to clobber Vincent's double before stepping back to cast shield.
He does manage to clobber Vincent's double though he does not manage to hit anything vital.
continueing his song, Seamus, seeing Dakash moves, moves also keeping the staff-wielder between himself and the female Vincent. Hiding behind his human shield Seamus, instead of drawing an arrow forms a snow ball in his hand and throws it at the mirror hopper.
Vincent also stabs again.
The snowball leaves Vincent's double barely standing, then Vincent runs his double through the heart.
As he does so, his double convulses for a moment, dropping the short swords, then shatters into a thousand sharp mirror shards,catching everyone in the blast radius.
Everyone except Vincent manages to get mostly out of the way.
Unfortunately getting lacerated by the mirror shards proves too much for Dakash, who collapses unconscious onto the floor.
Dakash bleeds out a little more from his wounds.
The skum in question looks at Vincent, steps in closer, right next to him, then begins to cast a spell.
Vincent has no idea what was cast except he was hit in the chest by green bolts of light.
Still singing his song, Seamus, his eyes widening as he looks at Dakash, 'first things fist.' walks to the doorway and creating another snowball throws it at the frog thing.
Vincent pulls out his rapier and stabs the skum after studying it.
It does not manage to bite the skum.
The frost bolt catches the skum in the torso, but surprisingly it does not seem fully effective, even though he is staggered by the bolt.
Vincent manages to stab the creature with his rapier.
Dakash begins to bleed out a little more.