Making you way closer, inch by inch, foot by foot, details begin unveiling themselves to you. As you'd walked into town initially you seen fields of crops being harvested, now, you see the aftermath and though not everything was finished, you can appreciate the time and energy that went into such a harvest. On a few occasions you catch yourselves on the vegetation which consists of vines, melons or pumpkin. All of which are perfectly ripe though some remain unpacked and others cracked as they appear to have been dropped and/or tripped over. In like you see vague shapes you recognize to be scarecrows hanging about every so often, their details blurred and unfocused from the fog which in itself, becoming thicker the farther you extend. Gabriel's light certainly helps both in preventing misplaced footing on the uneven ground and sight outward now to 20 feet upon reaching the apparent site. Beyond this range, regardless of light, sight is blocked by thick sheets of pearly haze.
You enter what is the equivalent of a clearing for the smaller vegetation residing here. Unwanted plants thrown aside in small piles as if they were clearing the crop soil as they harvested. Centered in the "clearing" a scarecrow lays face-down in the soil, seemingly fallen from his post a few feet away.
You feel you are being watched and are unable to pinpoint from where. Other than sound you each make, nothing breaks the silence.
Lys points to the scarecrow and begins to move towards it. As she does she tries to figure out if it is a man like the last one was.
"Ready yourselves..." Raaf warns in a low whisper.
Raaf readies a shot with his crossbow if the apparent scarecrow attacks or something jumps out at the group.
Exasperation and boredom mark Akari's face as he looks about the 'clearing'. Each passing moment gnawing at his nerves and his patience.
Growing impatient and a bit angry, Akari walks forward and begins to approach the scarecrow, drawing his blade as he walked. "I've no time nor the patience for these games."
When he's within reach of the body, he will attempt to turn it about with his foot so that the face is turned skyward.
Nothing appears to be in this clearing other than yourselves for the time. Akari makes his way toward the scarecrow kicking it over with ease. A lighter wooden frame holds the stuffed clothing together, consisting of tattered hand-me-downs assumably. As it is kicked aside an unsettling emotion washes over you.
A flicker of a small flame appears before you just outside of the clearing. Another, then another as it becomes an army of endless flames. Each of your eyes adjust realizing now that the flames peer through the gaps of the broken punkin. Eerie, haunt, lit faces surround you and you hear and feel slithering at your feet. Looking down you see the vines are coming to life like hundreds of snakes.
...a rumble stirs the ground...
You watch now as this being rises from the once thought to be pile of pumpkins, huge in size. What might have been put off as broken and defected before is now make up this creature's face and body. Vines wrap firmly around one another, some with leaves, building it's arms and legs but also weaving through the pumpkins as well. At the end of its apparent arms are three claw-like tendrils and from it's feet the vines spread about in all directions outwards from its body an additional ten feet now.
Initiatives!
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"It's definitely magical, but also primitive! Seems to have some sentience though! Let's kill it first and then worry about the rest!"
Raafe
Lysanthir
Gabriel
Akari
???Plant thing???
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Quick on your feet, you all instinctually react in time to this monsters' sudden appearance. The feeling of eyes watching still lingers in your subconscious. Walls of fog still block you from sight of the village. Within this clearing sound appears to be trapped in, an odd feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world begins to build.
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Gabriel raises his sword high towards the sky as he cries a prayer "Lord of Light! Shine unto your children! Show them the way to victory!"
As he does so, a shimmering light briefly covers the others and himself, bolstering their spirits.
The warrior priest then steps forward, towards the creature, until he is mere feets from it.
"This is the realm of light, creature! Leave this town be and return to the abyss that spawned you or else we'll vanish you!"
Raaf grabs hold of the lever on his crossbow, methodically pulling it back to load another bolt. He steps back around five feet and plants himself firmly in position and looses another bolt.
Lys lug a bomb at the creature
(lands in back right corner)
Akari lunges low, past gabriel and brings his blade up to slash at the vines.
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Raafe's bolt soars and hits true sinking into the beast but doesn't appear to have quite the effect he'did hoped for or intended. Lysanthir'so bomb just misses it landing just behind it to its left and exploding.
It is unable to move quickly enough and takes some of the explosion damage. Some of its roots begin to weave over thone charred by the explosion.
Akari makes a mighty swing seemingly missing for a moment before a seam where he'd cut becomes visible. The creature rears in pain as this appears to have had a better effect upon it. Now pumpkin gutts ooze from what looked like it's mouth and it counters with its own attacks.
Making it's slam attacks it then takes a five foot step back as more of its vines begin spreading to its wounds, seemingly armoring and/or reinforcing itself.
Raaf drops his crossbow and draws his longsword, "Hmm looks like that ain't gonna work. Lys, keep the fire coming!"
Raaf steps up next to the creature and brings down his sword.
Much concussed, very hurt, Akari sways on his feet as if he were to fall but manages to remain standing. His vision blurring momentarily before he notices the monstrosity falling back on its heels. So to speak.
He'd nearly taken the step to follow, but having been on death's door two too many times in recent days, hesitation found its way into Akari's heart.
He quickly scanned over his allies, and made a choice.
He steps forward, deciding that giving the creature no respite when it appeared to be on the defensive was best and slashed again at the coiling vines.
Lys grimaces at the miss and the new armor, but once again lobs a bomb at it. She also stears the bomb so it wont hit any of her allies in melee (woo precise bombs)
(vs touch)
All but Raafe manage to hit their mark inflicting considerate damage to the monstrosity. More gashes in it's torso of vines and pumpkin flesh spew out its innards. Holes and char marks increase from the bombs. It turns however, to launch it's counter attack.
A gurgling sound erupts from within it's body followed by the continual strain of intertwining vines tightening. Two more sets of eyes flare up then rise from the ground to either side of the party. Fiendish wings and a whipping scorpion-like tail lash behind these creatures.
INITIATIVES
Raafe
Lysanthir
New mini monster 1
Akari
Gabriel
Monster boss
New mini monster 2
Raaf turns to one of the new creatures and takes a swipe at it with his longsword.
Trusting his back to his allies, Akari continues his assault on the viney creature, slashing hard where it seemed they wanted to cover and reinforce.
Raafe swings his sword once more and misses as the creature ducks and cackles at his dire attempts. It's malicious smirk almost as threatening as it's tail whipping to and fro.
Lysanthir throws another bomb at the beast.
Her bomb hits just as it's mouth, (from what you could tell), opens and lands just inside. A small explosion occurs causing more of the innards to spew fourth from it's apparent mouth.
The first small newly summoned creature sidesteps and attacks back at Raafe in a way that puts Raafe in between it and the bigger monstrosity.
Akari swings his sword high and slashes through the beast's roots which supported it's weight dropping it's head to the ground with a resounding thud as the pumpkin-like head cracks under the pressure of itself landing upon the ground at your feet. With it, the other two creatures begin morphing, reverting back to their original forms. Two more, yet softer, "thuds" resonate from the ground as they each fall down, once again pumpkins. The ground beneath your feet is covered with pumpkin innards, shells, and vines.
A loud, hideous laugh echos loud across the still fog ridden landscape.
..."hahahah!
You all will see,
the end is nigh,
your lives all forfeit,
when the moon rests high"...
There is a sudden frosty chill in the air and a shadow whizzes by fourty feet out. The sound of hooves resonates from the shadow and as such, there is sound once more. Like a haunting echo of voices in peril, screaming from the village now. From all sides you hear the voice in a much more grounding bass-tone,
..."You have till midnight to find me,...
Breathing heavily, Akari clutches at his chest as he takes a brief moment to catch his breath.
He takes his first steps back toward the village as his eyes catch that same glint of steel hidden amongst the scarecrow. Curious, he bends to his knee and searches for any sign of a trap before digging it out.
He will then stand again and begin to make his way back to the village, careful as to not worsen his wounds on the way. "We should hurry, it sounds as if trouble has found the villagers as well."
Raaf looks about the pumpkin guts and vines. "Well... I have to say I've never experienced that before..."
Raaf kicks a few of the pumpkin halves over with his boot before moving towards the village.
"Indeed, but are you ok Akari? You took a nasty hit. I don't have any potions or else I would lend one."
Heading back to town the anxiety and anticipation grows as the fog attempts to swallow you all into its masses once more. Otherwise it takes a few extra minutes of travel time. Reaching closers proximity especially the panic gets louder but also the sound, smell and heat of fire. Just outside the gates the fog the waves of heat from the fires kept the fog at bay. Vision cleared and the sight of the Cedric'so tavern was engulfed in relentless flames. Hurrying you still watch as they lick up the sides of the architecture while billowing black clouds erupt from a caved in hole in the roof. Twenty to thirty townsfolk throw bucket after bucket on the building to no avail.
Sweat and tears stain the faces of many whom are witnessing the building burn in horror. Some are left sobbing as they watch from a safer distance. The earth begins to shake as it had days prior and with that the buildingsame remaining structure crumbles to the ground. Char marks scar the buildings to either sides but otherwise are being kept doused effectively and over the next hour, (if you all watch or help) the fire will eventually be drowned out. The heat from the hot embers would be all that remained afterward, though the townspeople remain shaken and stay their distance. Cedric silently stares at his life's work. The embers remaining give off a glow enough to make out the faces of those standing about heaving for air in exhaustion. Black smears from whence they attempted to wipe sweat from their brows litter their faces but all remain silent for a time.
'A green flame..' He thought to himself, ponderous.
Pocketing the curious jewel somewhere it would be safe on his person, Akari does his best to hide his grimace. "Just a bruise." He would reply, with a hint of humor in his voice. "It will heal."
When the group arrives back in town, Akari approaches the nearest person that seemed the most coherent. "What happened here? Did everyone get out before the fire took?"
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"Here, Akari. Let The Sun's light wash over you. says Gabe as his hand erupts in blinding light and he touches the mighty nodachi warrior.
As the party reaches the town, Gabriel mutters "By Pelor's shine... what in the Nine Hells is going..." but the sight of the flaming inn cuts his words.
A grim look of determination fills his eyes as he turns to the others. "We need to find whoever or whatever is behind all of this. We need to do it, for these people and for ourselves. Raafe, I know you are a trained tracker. Any idea where to start looking for tracks or clues?"
Raaf picks up his crossbow and follows Akari back to the town. He loads a new case of bolts in it and checks for damage.
"Someone had to have seen something, let's ask around, the ground is pretty trampled by the townsfolk, but I'll give it a look reguardless."
Cedric turns to Akari as it snaps him out of his trance. He takes a moment to regather his thoughts then clears his throat and begins, "Akari..." he takes a deep breathe before continuing. "... as you all left there were a,... a few moments of silence. The sound of broken glass and smell of fire arose immediately after. Our attention moved to the doorway of my tavern... a man stood there as the flames cast light from behind him. He wore a trench coat, and said a few words we didn't understand at first. A shadowy horse creature came into existence and he rode past us." Cedric stumbles through his words, some more expressive than others as he relives his tale. "his face, his,... head, was... a pumpkin... or appeared to be." the townsfolk about stand completely still as the tale is told. "it was just a silhouette at first... but then a face became apparent like lighting a jack-o-lantern in the night... that's when I knew "
"... everyone was outside when it happened..."
"I have a trail, decent to thanks to the horse it rode on."
The trail leads back into the seemingly endless fog. Above the woolen blanket you can see bright dots among the dark abyss. The silence, though unnerving, continues as you and your fellows are watched wearily. The unidentified man''s voice echos still fresh in your memories, time clearly is not on your side.
Cedric walks up to the group, "it's not much,... but..."tears well up in his eyes backed by an all too familiar fury. "...I want that bast are dead! If you can do this I'll give you whatever I can spare as compensation" It is obvious he is desperate and seeks vengeance for all that had transpired, his voice does not waver as it had before. A semi charred satchel hanging from his side is retched inside from which you hear the clinking of glass. "I've only four left as they are expensive and used in dire situations here... I recognize we may be dead with or without them by dawn if the enemy isn't defeated." extending his hand he hands one to each of you, "will you help us?"
"Of course." He says, stowing the potion away with a grateful nod. "I would not leave you in your time of need when you have been good to us."
"Have the people shut themselves in in their homes. If they have no home, send them to the churches. Post patrols and have them watch the village borders and the streets until our return."
"You will have your vengeance. Justice will be done."
Turning to his companions, he takes a brief moment to assess their current state. "Shall we be off, then?"
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Gabriel nods thankful to Cedric "You can count of us, Cedric, I swear it by my honour. And heed Akari's advice, if you could gather the people and lock youraelves in the churches protecting them will prove easier." the warrior priest walks closer to the innkeeper and kindly touches the man's chest, over his heart, infusing him with a part of the Sun's glory.
Having said his part, Gabe turns to akari and his facr turns serious, filled with grim determination "Raafe, lead the way... We have monsters to hunt and evil to slay."
Raaf takes the potion and nods silently to Cedric. All to familiar with the rage Cedric was feeling. No words are needed for a man's revenge. Raaf motions with his hand for the others to follow and he begins leading them after the horseman's trail.
Cedric nods in agreement rallying up those he could spare to begin filing into the church as you leave.
You travel in the direction of the forests to the south the fresh hoove-prints dug into the soft soils of the fields. Like weighted smoke the fog drifts as your movement stir it from its rest. The heft of anxiety as you wonder into the unknown keep you on edge, an occasional feint breeze would ever so slightly stir the air about you but all is silent. After half an hour passes you reach the woodline.
The treetops sway this way and that like ocean waves on their own rhythm. From the sound of creaking trunks, clattering of nearby branches and leaves to the occasional crunch of your footfalls on the frosted ground, you step into the forest where a voice alone greets you.
"You've made it! Good... I hunger!" the disembodied voice has a guttural tone, almost taunting at times. You're being watched, thus you can acknowledge for certain. Through the trees the fog is more dispersed, gradually lowering ultimately only coming up only past you calves over a short distance. First ten, then thirty,... fifty feet you trudge on into the thicket before a crisp chill coats the air. The trees before you part opening up into a clearing. Recently cut trees lay about covered mostly by fog, their stumps also protruding through the blanket of fog. Two eyes glare at you through the darkness across the way, firey and demonic in nature.
'clack clack, clack clack'...
The sound of the horses hooves stepping forward fall in sync with the eyes as they enter the clearing as well. Charred and corroded flesh cover the horses body. It's mane is greasy and matted matching it's tail. Recently dried blood stains surround wounds in it's sides. As it stands there your eyes trace upward now,because resting on its back is it'still rider. Wearing black leather boots, tattered and tarnished leather armor which slightly peeked out from beneath his overcoat, black felt gloves covering his hands, an ascot tied about his neck and a top hat resting gently on his head he smirks in your general direction. The clouds above part slowly revealing the man's details in full, more bloodstains, gashes and rot little his person. Through his left cheek a hole reveals his teeth from inside his mouth, his brow furrows at you all with asome piercing a gaze could be with the sunken in eye sockets he possessed.
"prepare yourselves!" he projects hostily as his horse rears back and he draws his sword.
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Initiatives
Gabriel - 25
Raafe - 24
Akari - 16
Horseman - 8
Lysanthir - 4
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...A voice taunts you from someplace...
"Yes... soon I will feast"
...then silence...
You watch briefly as your current enemy sits atop his horse in-front of you, yet your ally, Akari, becomes paralyzed.
Initiatives Revised
Raafe - 21
Gabriel - 18
Akari - 16
Horseman - 8
Lysanthir - 6
22 if Undead
23 if Undead
11 if Undead
Raaf 5 foot steps infront of Akari, firmly plants his feet into the ground and fires a bolt at the horseman. He then reloads with one smooth action.
The arrow appears to find purchase in the horseman's left shoulder but pierces straight through. The man makes no indication of being phased by the damage from the bolt. Instead the man laughs as his steed hooves the ground before him and begins a charge! There is a thud sound beyond its flank where you can assume Raafe's bolt landed.
"your time is nye"
"By Aroden... it's a Haunt! Its a creature that won't rest until we find out why it is here, even if dispersed!"
Gabriel, the man places his hand over your heart. Black tendrils of shadowy aura secrete from its pores and in that instant you are able.to combat it with your inner light. He shrieks in pain withdrawing his hand immediately. Raafe and Gabriel both see the outline barely visible of a man through the vegetation from where the horseman emerged.
"...GAH!..." he screeches, as the sound of his recoiling soul fills your ears. "...your will is not your own... soon you will die, as I did!..."