The din of the tavern was all but lost to Rubani. He was too occupied with a dilemma of conflicting responsibilities to even notice bumping into the party's table as he found his seat. Responsibilities and guilt; irrational guilt at that. The Sand Scorpions had asked for Naomi's and his own help just yesterday and he had turned them down.
Oh, don't you dare blame yourself, you stupid man. You were well within your right to do so! They were exceedingly rude and selfish! They weren't just trying to bolster their own group; they also deprived another in the process.
This was true. He couldn't possibly abandon his own compatriots to help others. The Scorpions' request had been unfair. And yet he couldn't help but feel guilty. A Pharasmin cleric dedicated to the common man failing to help strangers against an undead menace? Protecting the Scorpions from this precise situation was practically in his job description. If he had just done something...
But you tried! You told them, begged them even, to not go on their expedition today. You offered to help them at another time, when your own party didn't need you. You did what you could!
This was also true. Rubani also found that what kept him from running out the door to find the Scorpions right now was the same thing that had kept him from helping them yesterday: his companions. His responsibility to the party conflicted with his responsibility to the common man. He hadn't anticipated this when he first joined the lottery.
Don't do it, you fool. When you took up the mantle you did so to help the people, living and dead, however a Pharasmin can. Risking life and limb in the slim chance that the Scorpions are still alive is not something you can do.
This was not true. Risking the lives of others in the service of his conscience was what he couldn't do. Throwing away his own was well within his right. The cleric nodded to himself. He would go alone.
He went back to the Dog Soldier's table, pulled out his party's map of the necropolis and promptly asked them to point out the Sand Scorpion's site. He already knew that it was some kind of perfumery and incense shop, and the halflings said that they had witnessed them enter the place. With the location pinned he quickly thanked the group and planned to be out the door within the same minute. Instead he nearly collided into Shalina who had stepped up to him.
”I know that look. What are you contemplating and why does it have you so perplexed?”
"U-uhm..."
For one awful second Rubani considered lying to the bard. Blissfully, this moment passed without him having to own up to it because much like how he himself had listened in on Akhmose's conversation with the Cryptfinders yesterday, the dwarf had caught something of the cleric's talk today. What's more, the paladin rose to go out and mount a rescue immediately. Rubani, so determined just a minute ago, was utterly thrown off his track by his companions.
"NO! Akhmose, you can't. Ghouls, they... I mean... It's too dangerous. I will... Aw, hells."
The half-elf laid back his head in exasperation. How could he stop Akhmose from doing what he himself had just planned to do? Is this what hypocrisy feels like?, Rubani wondered. Akhmose was even ready to help without a hint of the doubt or hesitation that he had felt.
Bless your brave, selfless, foolish soul, Akhmose. And Pharasma keep it from the taint of undeath tonight.
With the whole party now seeing that something was terribly wrong the cleric told them exactly what the Dog Soldiers had told him and explained his fears in hurried tones.
"Now," he finished, "I'm not suggesting that we invade some ghoul nest. In fact, I am most certainly not suggesting that! If we are to go it is strictly to... check up on them. The Scorpion's site shouldn't be too large. If they're dead, they're dead and we've done all we can do for them... for now."
At Azghaad's hesitation his voice turned softer and more sympathetic.
"Mr Gly... Azghaad. If you're not feeling up to this then nobody is going to force you. But I fear it's now or never. The night proper hasn't set in. The nocturnal dead are only just rising from their aberrant rest. If the Scorpions are still alive and merely trapped as you suggest, then I fear they will not survive the night. I will think no less of you if you choose not to go. You owe these people nothing, and you have already proven yourself a man of character. Were you to strike a camel I would not hesitate to join you, because any fight Azghaad Glyphstele starts has to be a justified one. You're a good man. But I'm afraid I have to go."
Tag: every-blitherin'-one.
The young wizard nodded but didn't correspond in the outspoken greeting. "I am Azaz of Osirion, an eternal seeker of knowledge. How's your hunt going?""Terribly." Azghaad looked sadly at the ground and shook his head "This is a rough business. My entire team died my first day out - except me, obviously. Three of the Grave Guard quit on the first day, and I joined them. We nearly died twice - no, three times - in our first day alone. The treasure I hoped to find was a little disappointing as well. Primarily all we've found is some simple notes - oh and some gold, and oils and things like that. There was a few fascinating constructs, but we primarily had to destroy or abandon them. It is not the walls carved with historic accounts I had hoped for."
"How goes your hunt?"
He nodded and sipped his drink, "Aye, we also came back with some gold after destroying undead. From a brothel. Undead whores. And some other minor stuff but money is... money." Azghaad got the feeling that riches wasn't what motivated this young wizard; there was something else.
He asked, "What site did you study? Are your studies complete? What's next?"
And sorry if people were waiting for me. The magic of time zones sent me to bed.
As I've said before, I'm good with this. If/when I get two more confirmations then I'll take the entire party there and recap.
Questions?
Game on!
That's fine. I will recap tomorrow and assume that the Grave Guard will go to the aid of the Sand Scorpions at this time unless I hear otherwise.
Feel free to roleplay further until tomorrow.
Game on!
Naomi: we haven't lost you, have we?
Shalina shrugged in indifference, ”So...we are doing this. It should be interesting and a challenge to say the least. What do we do with our caged friend? I suppose we can just leave it with the tavern owner and collect it later. I do not think there is time to take it anywhere else.”
Tag everyone
Shalina shrugged in indifference, ”So...we are doing this. It should be interesting and a challenge to say the least. What do we do with our caged friend? I suppose we can just leave it with the tavern owner and collect it later. I do not think there is time to take it anywhere else.”
Still in an awful hurry to get going Rubani tried to compose himself, recognizing that the ancient construct needed to be dealt with first. Perhaps it was the adrenalin in his system contributing, but he actually thought he had an inkling as to how.
"Miss Sekh-at, you've already spoken to the barkeep, yes? If so then what we need is someone to watch over the serpent, or, alternatively, someone to sell it for us... I think we may have both here."
The cleric looked over the patrons of the Tooth & Hookah, specifically at the Dog Soldiers and the Cryptfinders. 'Use what you have,' had been a favorite idiom of his father's, usually employed comfortingly in relation to his son's less than stellar physique. Rubani walked back into the tavern crowd and intended to do just that: utilize what was there. He first stopped by the haflings' table yet again, who at this point had realized that all was not right. The half-elf's anxious expression, frequent visits, and the overall commotion among the Grave Guard told them that much. Rubani spoke quickly; he had a simple request. He asked the Dog Soldiers to please watch over the caged construct that they had brought over this evening.
"You needn't do much," he explained, "Just keep one eye on it to make sure no one damages it or runs off with it. We'll be back before you know it."
Although Rubani wasn't in the habit of keeping debts he was fully aware that the halflings could do little but accept. They owed Akhmose and himself. Granted, what he asked of them was not at all demanding, but the cleric still felt awkward cashing in this favor.
Next up were the Cryptfinders and Rubani headed straight for their table after thanking the Dog Soldiers. More specifically, he walked up to their loquacious leader, Falto. The cleric had only one experience with the man: catching him in spouting fanciful and fantastical lies about the group's less than exciting expedition. He never confronted the man and that was for the best; he intended to utilize him now. It was time to put the bravo's lively imagination to good use.
"Excuse me, Mr Falto? Hello, hi, Rubani Madu, cleric, Grave Guard," he started very hurriedly.
"I don't have much time, but I have a preposition for you. Nothing much, very simple. You have no doubt noticed the metal serpent in the cage over there...? Yes? Very good. My party and myself are forced to step out for a little while, and I was wondering if you would act as a... promoter for it in our absence."
The look Falto responded with was quizzical to say the least.
"We don't require much of your time. It's just that our group weren't assigned any one... shall we say 'people person'. We're a terrible uncharismatic lot."
Rubani desperately avoided Shalina's eyes.
"You on the other hand, Mr Falto! I heard your tales yesterday and I was much impressed. You have real way with words. We simply want you to spin such a yarn about this ancient metal serpent. Perhaps answer a few questions, should anyone be curious. It shouldn't be too difficult. A thousand year old artifact such as this lends itself well to wondrous anecdotes. Of course, you wouldn't go uncompensated."
The cleric fished out his purse and discreetly slipped five gold pieces into the bravo's palm.
"I offer another five pieces if you manage to attract a good crowd around the cage by the time we return. What do you say, Mr Falto? Will you help some fellow adventurers in need?"
Shalina followed Rubani as he approached the Dog Soldier table.
"You needn't do much," he explained, "Just keep one eye on it to make sure no one damages it or runs off with it. We'll be back before you know it."
Knowing the tendency of adventurers to want to examine curious items, Shalina quickly added, ”But do not touch it and take caution if placing your hands anywhere near the bars.”
Shalina didn’t see the need to follow Rubani to the Cryptfinders’ table so she stayed with the halflings in case they had any other questions. She happened to overhear Rubani’s comment about them being an 'uncharismatic lot' and she glanced up only to see a guilty Rubani looking anywhere but in her direction. She knew they didn’t have time to spin any yarns themselves as did he and so his reaction was unexpected albeit appreciated. Hearing Rubani’s request of Falto caused Shalina to look glumly at the caged construct. One of her greatest feats accomplished of snake wrangling would never become known because she had no doubt that Falto would somehow take credit for its capture. Not that she needed the admiration of all these strangers but it still didn’t sit well. When she saw Rubani actually paying Falto for his assistance, Shalina couldn't help but think that the Sand Scorpions were not worth all the trouble and expense they were costing them.
Turn 041 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions.
Game on!
"Mr. Gly... Azghaad. If you're not feeling up to this then nobody is going to force you. But I fear it's now or never. The night proper hasn't set in. The nocturnal dead are only just rising from their aberrant rest. If the Scorpions are still alive and merely traped as you suggest, then I fear they will not survive the night. I will think no less of you if you choose not to go. You owe these people nothing, and you have already proven yourself a man of character. Were you to strike a camel I would not hesitate to join you, because any fight Azghaad Glyphstele starts has to be a justified one. You're a good man. But I'm afraid I have to go."
"Rubani... I think this is a dangerous mistake... but I won't let you go without me at your back, my friend. I just wish we had more."
Azghaad reflected, as they crept under the shadow of darkness into the undead-haunted night-dark necropolis, just how much he tried to convince Rubani against this action and how much he SHOULD have tried to convince him. His guilt and friendship had connived to undermine his determination. Should Rubani have gone, and not come back, Azghaad knew his guilt would never have subsided.
OOC: Let's just say that Azghaad thought of involving the other groups after they left so the Grave Guard is 'alone'.
From a practical POV, more NPCs gets clunky although I always try to have one NPC among you so I can 'organically' move things along. Damn it, I should have had a halfling dog soldier with you all. Oh well, next time. :)
Again, this is an RPing sidetrek which I don't expect to take long but things in a PBP are rarely very quick so we'll probably be with this for a bit but nothing like the time we spent on your own sites.
Questions?
Game on!
Shalina apologized to the Pharasmin for disturbing them and led Rubani away by the elbow. ”It is better not to give them reason to remember us,” she said quietly to the cleric as she led him away. ”Especially if we plan to find another way in.” She kept going until she figured they were out of sight of the necropolis’ guarded entrance and then stopped. Turning to the group she said, ”If we are willing to keep going, and I am fairly sure I know the answer to that, then there may be another way. There is a hidden entrance off the water that leads into the necropolis…and by entrance, I mean sewer. In my younger days, it was often used as a dare for those who were a little more adventurous. We will need to cut across towards the water and we will be going through some open spaces so keep low and do not hesitate.” With that, Shalina took off towards the shore.
It took her slightly longer than she expected to find the entrance but she also had not been to this part of Wati in about four years. Her nose wrinkled as soon as she entered the sewer but the smell instantly brought back memories from years before. She quickly made her way through the tunnels without hesitation, even surprising herself with how well she remembered the way. When she got to their exit into the necropolis, she shushed the others and listened for movement on the other side. Hearing nothing, she moved the cover a small amount and peeked out. Seeing no movement, she exited the tunnel and kept watch as the others followed suit. Based on the information the Dog Soldiers had given them, Shalina guessed that they entered the necropolis roughly halfway between the tomb of Akhentepi and the Sand Scorpions’ site.
Shalina stepped behind both Rubani and Akhmose. Giving them each a little push forward she quietly said, "This is your dance, we are your back up. Lead on you two."
tag Rubani and Akhmose
Rubani recoiled at the waft coming from the open sewer hole, but recovered quickly. You got used to certain odors working as a healer and especially as a mortician. This was no worse than the sickly stink of necrotic flesh.
Having located the perfumery the cleric was eager to find any sign that the Sand Scorpions had entered the site, and especially whether they had ever left.
Shalina stepped behind both Rubani and Akhmose. Giving them each a little push forward she quietly said, "This is your dance, we are your back up. Lead on you two."
"Ah... Right. Yes."
Leading others did not come naturally to Rubani, but he acknowledged that the situation required it of him. Before entering the building, however, he stopped in his tracks so abruptly that the bard behind him might suspect him of losing his nerve. Instead a few muttered words could be heard followed by a little flash, and then the cleric turned to Shalina and offered her his outstretched hand. In his palm were two small smooth stones. They appeared perfectly ordinary, apart from the odd sheen that periodically passed over them. It almost looked like they had just been plucked out of a river and that the light from the not-at-all-present sun was reflecting off them.
"You should take these. Your aim is better than my own, Miss Sekh-at. If we encounter any unquiet dead, throw these at them. They should prove effective."
"Right. Akhmose? We know what we're doing here, right? We're not here to wipe out any ghoul nest. We're not even mounting a rescue. This is a mere theoretical rescue mission. We are determining if there is anyone here to save. If the Scorpions are already lost then there is nothing here for us, and we leave. Right?"
His question had an air of desperation, but the half-elf tried to appear determined as he entered the perfumery, his holy symbol shining white light like a torch.
I'm going to wait one more day before recapping.
I'm also worried that we may have lost Naomi whom we haven't heard from for over 8 days now...
Should I assume same MO as tomb exploration? Shalina going first?
Questions?
Azghaad trailed along silently - well, as silently as he knew how.
An old sewer. he reassured himself Probably not been used for decades - centuries, even
Then the smell hit him.
Desperately he searches his mind, hoping for some spell that might keep the filth from his clothes. It was not one he had ever needed, till now. After a few moments paused he sighed, and cast the closest spell he knew.
If it can keep away arrows, maybe it can keep away this too... he thought forlornly, his clothing twisting into a copy of Shalina's.
"You should take these. Your aim is better than my own, Miss Sekh-at. If we encounter any unquiet dead, throw these at them. They should prove effective."
Shalina nodded her thanks and followed the cleric closely in case her abilities with locks or traps were needed.
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"Right. Akhmose? We know what we're doing here, right? We're not here to wipe out any ghoul nest. We're not even mounting a rescue. This is a mere theoretical rescue mission. We are determining if there is anyone here to save. If the Scorpions are already lost then there is nothing here for us, and we leave. Right?"
His question had an air of desperation, but the half-elf tried to appear determined as he...
Akhmose nodded at Rubani's words. "I'm not going to get killed for nothing. But I'm just doing for them what I hope they'd do for me." Sneaking was not his strong suit, but at least he was smaller than most. He followed along as quietly as he could, which was not very.
Once they reached the site, Akhmose laughed. A perfumery? This was the dangerous locale they were looking for? He looked around for signs of passage while he let Shalina deal with the locks.
Turn 042 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
The Magus was dead. The poor prose probably never had a chance.
Azghaad's stomach twisted as he stood in the dark, surrounded by death, and stank - literally - of a sewer.
Then the shriek sounded, and anger fought fear - and won.
"Burn!" he shrieked.
Fire was something Azghaad had learned to carefully control. Here he lost that control. Fire spilled from his upraised hand, washing over the ghouls with no concerns for the surrounding building. On and on the flame washed over the undead.
Hand still upraised, the flames continued to pour from Azghaad over the dead and undead alike.
Akhmose walked through the rubble, grimacing at the smell of death. Down in a tomb, he might have expected the undead, but here on the surface it seemed out of place. He tried to recall what he had learned about ghouls. Something about a curse, or a disease. You should have thought about that earlier, he reprimanded himself. "Does anyone remember..." he began before seeing movement out of the corner of his eye. Before he knew it, the wizard was sending forth a cone of flame from his fiery hands. Skirting around to avoid being in the line of fire, the dwarf closed with the nearest ghoul and swung his khopesh. The creature moved too quickly, and he was unable to connect.
for
The dwarf tried to circle around behind the ghoul in order to outflank it. I hope Agzhaad has good aim, he thought, remembering his previous experience with getting burned. He looked for an opening and tried to eviscerate the ghoul.
for
Once again, the foul creature moved too quickly and he was forced to check his swing in an effort to avoid being bitten.
Aided by his flanking compatriots, he found an opening and just managed to graze the ghoul.
The cleric was halfway across the room, wanting to examine the dead Scorpion, when the ghouls emerged with a shriek. Rubani's career as a Pharasmin priest had only steered him up against the undead once before, despite the religion's strong feelings about these abominations. The most resistance he was used to from the dead came from forcing stiff limbs into funeral garb. That's what happened when you were a healer first, mortician second, midwife third, priest fourth, and adventurer thirtieth or so.
"Burn!"
And yet Rubani found himself in total agreement with Azghaad. These things should be destroyed.
The cleric threw one of the enchanted stones, but in his eagerness it caught on his sleeve and fell harmlessly to the floor.
Rubani moved however near the two ghouls necessary to envelop them in the flash that radiated from his holy symbol, piercing the night's darkness.
Shalina took in the carnage. If only their pride hadn’t kept them from listening to Rubani that first night. She cautiously followed the others, her senses on high alert. When the ghouls emerged with a shriek, she was ready with the magic stones that Rubani had given her. It seemed appropriate that she had two stones for two ghouls although she knew she couldn’t throw both at once. Targeting the closest undead, Shalina threw her first stone.
The stone hit the ghoul with a flash of pure light. It melted the unholy flesh and the ghoul screamed in pain and rage.
Hoping for similar results with her second stone, Shalina aimed at the second ghoul and hurled her projectile.
She pumped her fist in the air in triumph as the second stone hit her target. She witnessed the same flash of brilliant light but the second ghoul proved more resilient to its effects. Backing up to stay out of reach, Shalina planned her next attack.
@Naomi: Sorry to see you go but I understand about time commitments. Please let me know should your time free up again.
@Everyone: I'll bot Naomi until we have a good reason and spot story wise to drop her from the group.
I just got back form working in an ash pond for entire day and am beat. I'll recap tomorrow.
Game on!
@Naomi: Say it ain't so! Sorry to lose you. Hopefully things calm down at work and you can rejoin. I play in another game where a character took a 3month hiatus and rejoined...so it's not unheard of.
Turn 043 is yp.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
INITIATIVES
ROUND 1
RUBANI MISSES
AKHMOSE MISSES
Ghoul 1 attacks 1=Naomi, 2=Akhmose
, Naomi
, critical?
, no
, yes
Ghoul 2 attacks 1=Akhmose, 2=Azghaad
, Akhmose
, miss
SHALINA HITS GHOUL 1
NAOMI ATTACKS GHOUL 1
, hit and kills
AZGHAAD casts burning hands
, no
ROUND 2
RUBANI CHANNELS ENERGY
, yes
AKHMOSE MISSES
GHOUL ATTACKS AKHMOSE
, miss
, miss
, miss
SHALINA KILLS IT
Akhmose sheathes his weapon and prepares to lay hands on Naomi, but he lets the others inspect the wound first. He turns to Rubani, "A ghoul bite, what does that mean?"
->Naomi
When he heard the plea for help, Akhmose headed down the stairs, shield held in front of him, and a flask of holy water in his hand.[/ooc]
Azghaad stood, his heart pounding. It was always like that when he unleashed evocations of such strength. It never lasted long, but for now he felt stronger, tougher, faster - an almost addictive feeling.
He rejoiced internally that the ghouls had been so easily defeated, when he saw Rubani's horror struck face and traced it's path to Naomi's bite.
Desperately he racked his mind for all he knew of ghouls. It had seemed such an irrelevant subject when he was studying. Those who commanded the undead seldom tolerated such free will, and those who sought immortality preferred vampirism and lichdom. There was something about a bite...
"It could be a trick!" he warned, hands up and ready to throw more fire as he proceeded toward the sound anyway.
Shalina’s heart sank as she saw that Naomi had been bitten but she tried to keep a more positive facial expression than that of Rubani.
"A ghoul bite, what does that mean?"
Shalina thought back to what she had learned about the things that went bump in the night. ”It is not favorable to be bitten but it is also not necessarily a death sentence. Naomi is strong and I am sure that she will have other Pharasmin to aide in her healing once we are back. It would probably be best if she conserved her strength until we leave and that wound should be cleaned sooner than later.”
“Please! Help me. I don’t want to be like them!”
Shalina followed Akhmose towards the voice but grabbed him by the arm before he went down the stairs. She heard Azghaad’s voice from behind them and inwardly thanked him for stating what she had been thinking. Speaking quietly to Akhmose she said, ”Naomi has already been hurt. I think we can afford some caution before running into darkness.”
Yelling down the stairs Shalina demanded, ”Identify yourself! The ghouls are dispatched. Come out...because we are not coming in.”
Yes, a ghoul bite 'may' give the victim ghoul fever. A person that dies with ghoul fever is turned into a ghoul. This is how 'ghouls' come into being.
Yelling down the stairs Shalina demanded, ”Identify yourself! The ghouls are dispatched. Come out...because we are not coming in.”
The sound of chains was heard and the voice was now desperate "No! Don't leave please. I've been bitten. I am Sheerakh. I was exploring this place. I--"
A loud slap was heard and the voice went silent...
Rubani's immense relief over the ghouls' swift dispatch was shattered upon realizing that Naomi had been bitten. She was quickly crowded upon by both the paladin and cleric, each trying to ascertain the state of her wound. The actual physical damage was a distant second to the crucial question: was she infected? Rubani himself looked feverish; he was sweating bullets in the chill air as he wracked his brain for any relevant tidbit on the ghoul transformation.
It wasn't disease that plagued him, however. Instead it was guilt. This was exactly why he had considered going to the Necropolis alone. The undead were just too dangerous. Should anything happen to the companions who went along with his ill conceived rescue attempt, some of whom he realized only did so to protect him, he would never forgive himself. To risk their lives was bad enough, but to put their eternal souls in harm's way? Should something really happen to the warpriest then Rubani wasn't sure if he could live with himself. Nor did he know how he could ever face his deity, for that matter.
"A ghoul bite, what does that mean?"
The half-elf gulped and chose not to expand upon Shalina's explanation. He wanted to get out of here so that he could give her a proper checkup.
"Yes, you're right, of course. Miss Zeitoun will be fine."
He almost sounded convincing.
"But it would be best if we left. Immediately. We have done what we set out to do. We can only hope that the Lady received their souls well, for the Scorpions are clearly all..."
It was then that they all heard the voice. Rubani was perplexed, but was appreciative when Shalina stopped Akhmose from running downstairs, true to his paladin vows. He listened as the bard, rightfully so, questioned the voice and was dumfounded at the reply.
Are... are these ghouls baiting us? They have the mental capacity to exploit mortal empathy? Lady help us, the beasts are far more insidious than I gave them credit for.
OOC: Sheerakh was the name of one of the rogues of the Sand Scorpions.
Let's assume that everyone knows what I said about ghoul bites/fever/turning into ghouls.
Questions?
Game on!
Akhmose paused at the top of the stairs at Shalina's warning, torn between caution and valor. "Sheerakh, who is with you?" He waited expectantly for a reply.
"Someone is in trouble, I have to try to render aid." He paused as Rubani lay a blessing on him. Bearing shield and holy water, he advanced down the stairs as cautiously as he could.
Alright Turn 44 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Fabian
Azghaad felt his stomach clench as the stench hit him like a blow. Desperately he tried to retch - but thankfully the trip through a sewer had already relieved him of anything resembling food.
Taking a deep breath he resolved to kill these things, and head back to sweeter air before he breathed again.
Azghaad was moving when the stench hit him. Desperately he stopped breathing, his lungs half full. His eyes stung, as if acid was brewing nearby. His head started to swim as he realised he had only seconds before he started to pass out, and resolved to use his time well.
Azghaad skipped to the side of his group and used a precious puff of air to conjure up Fire. "Throw the Naptha then Run!" he shouted quickly, backing away a little as wave after wave of fire poured from his hands into the room.
Sheerakh is tied to the wall in the southeast corner of the room (M14).
Questions?
Game on!
"Naomi. Could you decapitate all the bodies, please?"
In a lower tone to Rubani, Azghaad continued "We could negotiate for the living."
Under different circumstances the cleric might have objected to the desecration of the corpses surrounding the party, but not now. The situation called for desperate measures. Walking straight into a ghoul lair and obvious trap qualified as one such measure, to be sure, and yet that was what they intended to do. For the paladin and cleric in particular there was no other option.
"Negotiate for the living? How can we when the living is what they want? No, the very idea of parleying with the undead is a fallacy. Do not think their desires are tempered by any logic, restraint or honor. The dark energy that animates them addles their minds. They can no more control their urges than an infant can resist its mother's breast. For them there is only the need to maim, hurt, hack, break, crush, gash, kill. And then devour. And so we too have only one option."
The Light spell placed on the half-elf's holy symbol provided the small basement with ample illumination, although with the scenery being what it was pitch darkness was almost preferable. Rubani's eyes watered at the offensive stink, but he managed to keep his stomach calm. He had once helped in preparing the body of a morbidly obese man for his funeral. The man had been confined to his bed due to his sheer weight, and had apparently started to rot long before his actual death. This stench was only slightly worse.
The cleric immediately put a hand onto the wooden disk that served as his holy symbol, and the cold white light that poured from it took on a brilliant sheen. A golden flash, now familiar to the party, enveloped the room, and as soon as it abated it flared up again. Rubani intended to end this as quickly as possible, searing every abomination in sight.
The cleric immediately put a hand onto the wooden disk that served as his holy symbol, and the cold white light that poured from it took on a brilliant sheen. A golden flash, now familiar to the party, enveloped the room, and as soon as it abated it flared up again. Rubani intended to sear the abominations and heal his allies simultaneously; for this he absolutely counted the heavily injured Sheerakh among his allies.
OOC: You can't do both at the same time. You either channel positive energy to hurt undead or heal 'living' but not both.
Am I missing something here?
If not, then please let me know what you are doing.
Hey guys,
I reopened the recruitment thread to see if we can find a 5th player.
If you know of anyone that may enjoy the game we are playing then please have them post in the recruitment thread.
Game on!
(Prot. evil)
Akhmose gagged at the stench and the gruesome sight. He took a moment to try to clear his mind. As the cleric and wizard bathed the room in light and flame, he did his best to avoid the wizard's fire, then he tossed his flask of holy water at the nearest ghoul. He prayed that would finish off the abomination before it could harm anyone. There was enough death and disease already.
hit: The paladin watched in grim satisfaction as the water boiled away the undead flesh.
miss: His throw went awry due to his convulsing stomach, splashing at the ghoul's feet.
Akhmose drew the Khopesh of Akhentepi and readied it for the ghoul's approach.
hit: He hacked into the arm of the ghoul with a righteous fury. "That one is for Naomi!"
miss: The dwarf slashed at the ghoul's head, but it contorted its neck unnaturally and ducked under the swing. Akhmose sprang back desperately trying to avoid its foul grasp.
Shalina watched Akhmose run down the stairs. ”I have a bad feeling about this,”she muttered as she very slowly followed the rest. Ordinarily she was up for any challenge but she didn’t have much experience against undead. However, she knew enough from reading about them that they were not to be trifled with.
As Shalina reached the bottom step, the extent of the stench caused her to stagger. She barely recovered but managed to keep her feet and quickly assessed her ranged options.
She began reaching for a flask of alchemist’s fire when Naomi pushed a bottle of holy water into her hand instead. Trusting in the warpriest’s wisdom, Shalina hurled the bottle at the closest ghoul.
The glass shattered when it hit the ghoul and the blessed water soaked into its flesh causing it to bellow in pain.
The bottle shattered at the feet of the ghoul as Shalina misjudged the distance. A feral smile crossed the undead's face as it had escaped unscathed and was now free to capture its next meal.
Sheerakh's well-being was quickly becoming a distant memory as Shalina became threatened by the undead. Reaching for her alchemist's fire afterall, she hurled it at the ghouls. She watched as her fire exploded into the area and joined with that created by Azghaad.
The fire engulfed the ghouls, burning their undead flesh.
Azghaad, prepared spells exhausted, draws deep upon his connection to the plane of fire, letting raw primal energy spill from his hands, unrestrained by arcane boundaries. The fire seemed almost to