Realizing that they've failed with reason, Francis decides to try a different tack. He moves closer to the woman to get her full attention. "Alright Ma'am. I understand now. Your husband is still there and you are just protecting him. By why is he bound like that. Since he's restored to life shouldn't we free him? He's bound like an animal, it must be terrifying to him!"
Her eyes narrow as she turns to regard the cleric. "Don't try to trick me, priest. I am an instructor at the Hall of Blessed Rebirth, and I have magic at my command. Of course my husband's mind is not his own at the moment! But given time, and the proper rituals... I can restore his mind to him! I know I can! Bentu and I will be together again, our love will defy even death! Now go! Leave us!" The half-elf's eyes blaze in anger and self-assurance as she raises one hand, as though threatening to cast a spell to defender herself and her zombie 'husband'.
Francis is convinced that the poor woman's mind has been fractured by seeing her husband's corpse rise from the dead, changing her grief into false hope.
In the meantime, the distraction allows Emelia to sneak up behind the half-elf, as silent and as unseen as an owl swooping upon a field mouse...
Emilia sighs silently, breathing deeply through here nose. She quietly sneaks up behind the half-elf, flipping her shortsword around to grip it backwards. With one swift motion, she attempts to strike the woman in the head with the pommel, to knock her out.
Sefanit doesn't much like the idea of using force against the woman, but talking to her has roundly failed. She clearly isn't seeing the facts in front of her, and it's only a matter of time before the zombie husband turns against her. She might be able to handle it herself, but she might also not defend herself or be caught by surprise. Then there's another zombie on the loose endangering yet others.
She figures it's better for her to focus on the zombie, so she waits for Emilia to make her move and prepares to draw her wand for disrupting the undead when the time is right.
Emilia strikes a blow with the pommel of her sword, and the sorceress curses as she spins to confront her attacker.
Startled by the attack, the half-elf is slow to react to the threat...
Hasina - 41/42
Emilia - 33/34
Herdouck - 50/50
Sefanit - 36/36
Francis - 31/31
Sorceress - Slightly Wounded (NL damage only)
Zombie - Unwounded *Helpless, bound in ropes*
Sefanit pulls her wand and sends a beam of bright energy at the zombie.
While Francis hopes he doesn't have to use an attack, he pulls a wand from his belt and levels it at the distraught woman.
Emilia blinks and her eyes go wide, as she tries to whack the woman in the side of the head again, shouting loudly as she does so. "No, no, no, no, no! Don't fight, please don't make harder! I don't want to hurt you!"
Hasina moves forward to flank Emilia and swings her flail, though she uses only the heavy haft of the weapon to hopefully knock the distraught woman out. The blow connects, but it only grazes her temple.
= Hit!
nonlethal
Attack roll includes -4 for non-lethal attack penalty, +2 for flanking
Emelia reverses her grip on the weapon and thrusts the sword in the sorceress' side even as she turns to face the halfling. With a gasp, the half-elf staggers back a step, bleeding freely from her side.
Herdouck closes in opposite Emilia and strikes as well, though he aims to knock her out just as Hasina did. The dwarf gets in a solid hit on the back of head with the handle of the weapon, dropping her.
= Hit!
nonlethal
Attack roll includes -4 for non-lethal attack penalty
The half-elf collapses from the quick, brutal onslaught. Though even the paladin can agree it was for her own good, and likely for the safety of her neighbors as well, considering what the zombie might have done.
The bound, undead creature that was once the unconscious woman's husband is easily disposed of, and now it is only left to revive the half-elf and explain to her the necessity of what occurred. Or they could just leave her after bandaging her wounds and taking her somewhere safe, perhaps a nearby temple or the like...
Emilia sighs deeply, rubbing her face with one hand as she wipes the blood off her sword. "That did not go as planned... Can one of you pick her up, so we can get her to the temple and the help she needs." She glances around the street, grumbling slightly about 'crazy desert folk, don't know what's good for em'.
Seeing the woman drop Francis puts the wand away and quickly calls on his deity to stabilize the woman. He directs the others as he scans the woman for dangerous magics. "Get the zombie out of here. Hasina, could you assist me with this lady? I want to get anything dangerous away from her but have it visible so she doesn't immediately think we attacked her to rob her. Can somebody find a city guard? That might help get her under control."
Emilia shakes her head and goes to off to find a guard, muttering under her breath about probably not being around when she wakes up.
Sefanit helps with the woman as needed, but she's not touching any zombies.
"Let's move her somewhere safe while she's still unconscious."
I'm seeing two different plans of action here. Let me know if you are summoning a guard to come to you, or if you're picking her up and moving her - whether to find a temple or a guardsman. And if the latter, whether you're leaving the zombie there where it lay.
When Herdouck reaches to pick the lady up Francis tries to stop him. "No, I think we should stay here and guard her. She's likely to be angry when she wakes, more so if we're carrying her like a sack of flour. If we get the carcass of her husband out of here and the guard summoned she might be more reasonable." Focusing on the dwarf he motions toward the husband, "You're strong. Maybe you could lead the zombie in the direction that Emilia went. That way you can show the guard that he is a zombie and ask where to take him before you put him back to dead...."
Toilday, the 27th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Third Hour after Sunset
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At Francis' suggestion, Herdouck leads the bound zombie away, and fairly quickly finds a squad of guards that were en route to head off the mob they'd heard about. Listening to the dwarf's story, the sergeant draws a falchion and lops the head off the zombie. "That's solved. Let's go see to the lady."
The cleric heals her of the unfortunate wound she took as the guards arrive, and the half-elf regains consciousness, crying and shouting at the party for taking her husband so callously. She doesn't seem to want to listen to reason, but offers no fight when the guards take her into protective custody for the night.
Thanking the party for their assistance, the guards and the woman are soon gone, leaving the darkened street empty. Or so it seems at first. Just as the party begins to discuss whether they should head to an inn to get some rest or continue to seek out those in need of help on this terrible night, a cacophony of screeches plummets from the star-filled sky above, to land heavily in the street ahead of them.
Weapons and magic readied to meet this new threat, the adventurers are startled to see a tiny, bird-like creature with a gilded mask covering its head, a diadem of some kind set on top.
Sefanit and Francis both recognize the creature as a Nosoi Psychopomp. And though the priest only knows that it is extraplanar creature with some spell-like abilities and resistant to normal weapons, the witch is very conversant with the creature - knowing that they are are very intelligent and social as well as sometimes used as familiars.
In any case, the creature seems distraught and is chattering away in a variety of languages, including Common and a good many others - though it isn't making much sense.
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Hasina - 41/42
Emilia - 33/34
Herdouck - 50/50
Sefanit - 36/36
Francis - 31/31
Sefanit raises her hands and makes a calming motion with them. Her first thought is to speak to the psychopomp in Osiriani, but then she realizes she has heard most of the people with her only use Taldane so far so she chooses it.
"Slowly, slowly my friend. You seem very distressed? Does your agitation have something to do with the dead who have risen this night? Perhaps we can help you if you explain what you need."
While she speaks with the psychopomp, Kushifalhikma skitters out of her nest in Sefanit's pouch and out onto her hand, curious to get a better look at the rare creature.
Francis puts his weapon away and moves closer to the creature holding his arm up trying to coax it to him. "Calm down little one. Keep to one language that we can understand and we'll do what we can to help you."
Emilia just follows after, letting those who know about this kind of thing handle it.
The psychopomp seems to respond positively to Sefanit, its constant hopping up and down becoming less pronounced and its speech less erratic. It casts a wary eye at Francis, but otherwise ignores his efforts.
The creature still seems excited and distressed though, but it appears to be trying to get your help. Its friend or master is in trouble, you think? Something about a chain and masks? It would seem that more effort will be needed to calm the creature down, if you manage not to scare it away in doing so.
Francis steps up behind Sefanit. If the creature didn't want to hear his voice the he would stay silent.
"Did you decide to leave the great libraries for a while to see the world? Have you attached yourself to someone who knows the magical arts?"
Sefanit raises her hand to her shoulder so the scorpion can sit there to watch. She watches the psychopomp carefully to see if its movements, perhaps what its eyes keep returning to might show what is making it so nervous.
"Kushi here is my companion. She brought me into that same world. I have learned from her about the mission I have been given to help souls who have not traveled on to find their way. I understand the bond you have, and we will help. Please, just tell us what you need."
Emilia sucks on her teeth a little, trying to keep from startling the creature by being quiet. She's not exactly the most calming sort.
Toilday, the 27th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Third Hour after Sunset
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Sefanit’s understanding of these tiny, unique extra-planar creatures assists her in forming a bond with the winged psychopomp fairly readily, and finally the creature calms enough to speak in understandable terms. The witch learns that the birdlike nosoi is named Qasin, and its kind often serve the bureaucracy of death as messengers and scribes. However, this particular psychopomp is free-willed and a close friend of the Pharasmin priest Ptemenib, who Frances, Herdouck and Hasina recall meeting at the auction house prior to the attack. Qasin had accompanied Ptemenib when he followed a man he recognized from the auction at the Canny Jackal, apparently an agent of an organization that Ptemenib called the Silver Chain. The psychopomp has no idea who or what the Silver Chain is to Ptemenib, but the priest seemed very curious about the fellow he recognized. But the cleric was noticed at some point and captured by the gang, while Qasin could only watch in terror, unable to save her friend.
Although she initially wanted to seek help at the temple of Pharasma, the psychopomp believed that Ptemenib’s reckless behavior would land him in trouble with his church. Alone and frightened as her uncertainty as to what to next became a panicked frenzy over the next couple of hours, Qasin happened upon the adventurers she had observed at the auction house, and the terrified nosoi decided to turn to them for help. “Surely you can free Ptemenib from the Silver Chain?” Qasin pleads in her piping voice, hopping up and down on the street in agitation. ”I can lead you there, and I have some small amount of magic with which I can assist you!” The psychopomp falls silent, awaiting your response, her tiny head flicking back and forth as she gazes at each of you in turn.
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if Sefanit explains this, do any of us have knowledge of the "Silver Chain" we can add to the talks?
I personally dont recall much about the man, other than he was very noticable, anyone else have more than a passing greeting with him that night, or another night perhaps?
if no new info, i say we go check it out, because kidnapping isnt a good thing, and there may be a reason he was suspicious of them
Emilia rubs her chin, listening to this information being relayed. She glances around the street's, noticing that the numbers of undead aren't that high anymore. Finally, she grins and draws her sword, laughing loudly. "Do not worry mate, we'll help your friend out with these Silver Chain blokes. Gotta go give em what for, that's what I think.
Glad that the creature had finally calmed down enough to speak clearly Francis assesses things. "My magic is mostly spent, but I have some wands and scrolls. I don't think we dare delay though, so may Pharasma's blessing carry us through this."
Thinking for a moment he pulls out two of his wands and turns to the two new party members, "These are arcane wands. I can use them in a pinch but only with god luck. Perhaps one of you might do better with them?"
Sefanit assures Qasin she has their help. "We should go immediately, before the trail gets cold" she suggests to the others.
She takes the wand of Magic Missle from Frances with a nod of gratitude and passes the other wand to Emilia.
Emilia takes thee nod with a raised eyebrow, examining it. "Um... Sweetheart, I don't know how to use this." She waved it around a bit as an example.
"Oh, alright." Sefanit keeps both wands and tucks them away.
Emilia shrugs with an apologetic look. "Nope, sorry. I know a lot of things, but how to use that isn't one of them. She looks around, waiting for the bird to lead the way.
Toilday, the 27th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Fourth Hour after Sunset
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Sefanit has heard of the Silver Chain, one of Wati's oldest criminal gangs, though less violent than most others. Members had been pilfering ancient tombs and the like for many years, long before the infamous Lottery opened up the Necropolis just a month ago. They claim to have taken their name from their first major score, a valuable lifted from the great cleric Nefru Shepses when he first arrived to bring order to Wati many centuries ago. There have been rumors have a recent shift in leadership that has left gang members disgruntled, or so she has heard.
Qasin flies off, eager to lead the heroes to rescue her friend, and the witch speaks of what she knows to the others as they walk, headed in the general direction of a poor district known as The Veins. Occasional screams and cries echo in the near distance from time to time, though whether as a result of the undead invasion or something more mundane is difficult to determine. Bodies of slain civilians, and occasional guardsman or undead are seen as they make their way further and further into the narrow, dirty streets that eventually climbs a small hill. The place seems oddly deserted, even though the areas they have passed through have also been largely silent, most residents of Wati holing up to avoid the evil that roams the streets this night.
Finally, the psychopomp settles on a broken wall of masonry that must have once been a home that burned down. In fact, most of this area appears to be the remains of a neighborhood once ravaged by fire. Two fire-scarred mud-brick walls and a half-dozen crumbling clay kilns are all that remains of the building that once stood in a weed-choked lot on the far side of street, about twenty feet to the south of their current position. Dimly illuminated by the moon and stars that shine above, a boarded-up, scorched door stands in the southeast corner of the ruined room where the walls join together. Qasin speaks softly. “The men I saw took him through that door hours ago. I hope he is still OK…” The nasoi begins hopping up and down again, obviously getting himself worked up once more.
Emilia follows, glancing nonchalantly to and fro as they go, noting the variety of bodies and the area. As they reached the area, she put her finger to her mouth, making a slight shushing noise. She nodded at the nasoi, reaching out to gently pat the bird. "Don't worry, we'll get your friend back safe and sound or my name is not Emilia von Happledonk. And it is, so we're gonna do it.
She looks over at the rest of the group, clicking her tongue and glancing around the area. "What do you think? Kick down the front door and charge in, or do you want me to scout a bit and see what's what?"
Francis chuckles at Emilia's words. He glances around at the scorched remains of the building and the partially burnt door. "Something between the two I guess. We don't want to announce our presence by smashing a door, but it doesn't look like there's much left to scout. Let's check for traps and such dangers, but then let our more protected warriors take the lead.
"Agreed Francis. Let's go in with some care, and make sure they haven't rigged the place with an alarm or a trap instead of setting it off."
Sefanit approaches the remains of the building and looks around the sides to see if there is a hole or gap that lets her spy on the other side of the door.
"Alright then, let's get to it." She slips forward with Sefanit, trying to remain quiet and looking out for anything that might be... wrong with the door.
Hasina is waiting for the door to be checked out, but will be one of the first to go down if needed. Weapon in hand, watching out as Emilia checks things out.
Toilday, the 27th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Fourth Hour after Sunset
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Sefanit and Emilia ease forward through the darkness, moving slowly and stealthily as the witch heads along the east wall to see if there is a way around while Emilia moves more directly toward the kilns and the burned door that Qasin pointed out. The rest of the group follow a short distance behind, not wanting to interfere with the halfling’s light steps.
The witch finds nothing on the east side of the building, save for some double doors a bit further north of the one the others are headed toward – and she estimates they must lead back into the same burned-out room. Intact walls form a pocket that likely hold stairs that probably lead down, Sefanit figures.
Emilia has just passed the northern row of kilns when she spots two figures near the kiln on the south wall, closest to the door. But one of them must have spotted her too, because both of them become suddenly alert, and one of them shouts out. “Who goes there?! This is Silver Chain territory, you lot best clear out if you know what’s good for ya!”
Emilia ducks off to the side behind the wall, waving at the rest to get back out of sight. She pantomines coughing into her fist a few times, getting herself ready before shouting out at the figures, impersonating one of the guards she heard earlier. "City Guard! We know you have Ptemenib, we have an eye witness account! Release him and we'll let you be, we've got more important things to deal with than your sorry lot!"
Francis moves forward drawing a wand and quickly activating it. "That's right, city guard AND the temple of Pharasma. Release Ptemenib immediately and maybe we'll forget about your taking him prisoner while the city suffers such attacks!"
When their voices make it clear the men have spotted them, Sefanit hurries back around to rejoin the group.
Toilday, the 27th day of Gozran, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and very warm, with light winds coming from the north.
Fourth Hour after Sunset
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Emilia calls out in what she hopes is a convincing manner, though she knows the bluff is going to be a tough sell and sure enough the two men only chuckle darkly. "A little short to be a guardsman, aren't you?" The other calls out as well, the lecherous grin he certainly wears hidden by the shadows. "Purty though, isn't she? How much you sellin' that wee lass for?"
As Sefanit moves around the corner of the building, rejoining the group, the first speaker continues in a voice now devoid of any humor. "Get out of here, or you'll be wishing that the city guard really were nearby to save your sorry asses." There is a glitter of steel as the two men draw weapons - hand crossbows and daggers by the looks of it, though as they are still somewhat concealed in the shadows it is difficult to tell.
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Hasina - 41/42
Emilia - 33/34
Herdouck - 50/50
Sefanit - 36/36
Francis - 31/31