The passage the priestess takes you down is just wide enough for you to squeeze through, and low enough that the taller among you must keep your heads down. It is cut through the bedrock the city is built on, and after several minutes, it comes to an end. A ladder leads up, through a trapdoor in the floor a small, one room house built of stone bricks. The door is bolted shut, and the windows shuttered. A thick layer of dust covers broken furniture and a faded old carpet.
Outside, you hear a woman wailing for a moment, but the sound is cut off abruptly. The sounds of fighting and the howls of fell beasts seem distant, as though the fighting had not reached this area. Under those sounds, you hear a low, steady roaring, and the smell of smoke confirms your suspicions. Few in Thebes built in stone. The houses of the common people were of wood and reed. The city is burning.
"We must reach Azizi's wine shop, near the western caravan gate," Aurora whispers, when all have assembled. "It's only a few blocks from here, near the beggar's bazaar."
She eases the bolt back and slowly pushes the door open. The night sky glows orange as the city burns. Though the fire is still distant, long trails of smoke wind along the streets, and embers drift down. You are in the midst of the shantytown that lies behind the temple hill, at the edge of the western desert. The houses around you are flimsy shacks that will burn easily, and the street you are on dead ends at the cliff face of Temple hill. To the west, it bends out of sight a few ramshackle structures down. Only a few people can be seen, hurrying away to some other place.
Variel and Trekos, please... Your eyes may be keener. Have a care, we cannot afford to be discovered in our current condition.
Variel looks around at everyone and notices their wounds. "I seem to be the only one of us who isn't wounded, so I'll head out ahead to make sure our way is clear." Variel makes his way slowly out the door, checking every direction.
Putting away his scimitar, Ali readies and loads his crossbow. He turns to the female warrior and speaks in hushed tones. You're going to behave, yes? I do not doubt your prowess and ferocity, but we need to patch you up before you wade into battle. For now, from a distance. Please.
Across the street from where you are, there is a narrow alley that leads between two of the rundown structures.
Alekto nods and pulls out a javelin.
"Well, if they get up close, I want it to be because they had to work at it. Let's get moving."
Variel makes his way back to the group and informs them of what he's seen(). "Despite my hate for those creatures, I would suggest we attempt to make it across into the alley I saw. Don't want to risk any unnecessary injuries."
Quietly, Ali asks... Anyone have much experience fighting them or knowledge of strengths or preferably weaknesses?
"Dunno, if they don't have meat, use something blunt, I guess."
Alekto looks much better after Trekos' spell. Her face is not so pasty beneath the soot and her breathing is deeper, slower, and less pained.
"You go first, I'll bring up the rear."
As you confer, the sounds of battle continue in the distance. The roaring of the fire gets closer, and you feel an unfortunate breeze from the north carrying thicker smoke, more glowing embers, and the stench of burning flesh. Somewhere in the sky overhead, you hear the sound of immense wings flapping, but when you look up, all can you see is smoke.
"Skeletons? They do not bleed. They can't be killed, only battered into pieces," Aurora whispers, looking a little pale at the thought. She seems to notice the tip of her javelin still glowing, and the light disappears, leaving you able to see little more than one another's outlines in the smoke and darkness.
"I can call it back," she whispers.
"I have been attacking them when I could, but I have yet to face any head on..." Variel pauses and thinks.
After hearing what Aurora has to say Variel nods. "If that is the case, I may not be of much use against them with my bow or sword." Hearing the sound of the wings he adds, "I'm not sure that that could be, but it doesn't bode well. We must act quickly. Which route will we take? Around them, or through them?"
Trekos, Hermes be praised. That does feel better. What do you all feel about an ambush? Not wise to leave enemies at our back, neh?. Ali looks from one to the other.
Perhaps using the flat, wrapping our blades or the very scabbards themselves.
Find places to hide... I will draw them here. If you are skilled at camouflage, help the others.. Ali waits for the others to 'disappear'.
"Might be better to just keep quiet and get out of here. No tellin' how many there are, or if there are other worse things close by."
The soldier doesn't look scared, but she doesn't look like she'll be upset if they manage to get out without any fighting either.
Here, we can control the killing ground... Out there, who is to say? They want to kill, to slaughter... I can bait them more than any light. Give me the coin too, it could prove useful.
@ Trekos:
@ All: I think this is probably telling you what you already know, but:
you say what's in bold,
you think what's in italics,
and you do what's in plain text.
Except when used on a word or two for emphasis.
The city is burning and the flames are coming your way.
"Hope this works. If not, we're in deep trouble."
Alekto shifts her stance and puts her spear away readying herself for the inevitable rush of enemies and combat.
Ali palms the magicked coin. Wondrous times, indeed. I might have to learn that one, one day.
Thank you for trusting me. Now, hide and forget hope. It's time to execute. I will draw them in, hopefully past your positions. Use me to flank them.
Ali moves towards the street, not yet using the coin-beacon.
Alekto
Ali
Trekos
Variel
Aurora
Skeletons
Assuming combat begins, Alekto and Variel act before me, then I act, then you all act, then I act, etc.
"I will not be wasting my arrows on these creatures." Variel draws his longsword and shield and will be using the blunt of his blade as Ali mentioned. Variel will hold his action until Ali runs out, and when he lures them back, he will attack.
Ali moves out until he's past the passage, beating his truncheon against his shield in an effort to draw the enemy closer.
Alekto squeezes in as tight as she can to the wall without hampering her ability to fight and waits.
As Ali moves down the street, bashing his weapon against his shield, the skeletons take notice. The bones rattle as they march down the street towards you. They seem intent on Ali at the moment.
That's their turn. You may all post your actions as is convenient.
Ali backs up one step, dropping the lit coin from the palm around his light mace. He raises his hands "ineptly".
"Ali, might want to move a bit to the right."
Alekto rumbles down the street and punches out with the edge of her oval shield right before she would have barreled into the skeleton. Unfortunately, she's now wide open.
Ali moves between Alekto and Trekos, onto difficult terrain.
Seeing Alekto move up and engage the skeletons, Variel moves forward. "So much for waiting."