The Storm in Isger

Game Master Sigil

Elinor shrugs (in as much as you can in that much metal).

"It occurs to me that 'when the draugr are attacking the barricade' might be exactly the right time to be seeking survivors. But I divvent intend going off on my own. Lead on."

Taedric nods at Elinor's suggestion, then stops when she backs away from it. Survivors should be our first priority, especially when there seems to be no limit to these dead things... Still, if this is the plan, we should at least do it right

He offers, "Those of us who are more mobile might work well as bait for the creatures -- letting you slower, armoured folk make your way without needing to worry about being overrun."

"Me go away from fight? Get people. Right. Which way to people? Maybe they be at fires." Abbas is fairly champing at the bit to get on with saving lives.

He doesn't spend much time thinking about it. He never spends much time thinking about it.

"It be full dark soon."

Maybe we should split the party...

Grrrrr!!! :D

Now is the moment of decision. The shamblers will be around the corner in a heartbeat.

Frustration and impotent anger sums up the staff warrior. "You take too long!"

Abbas lifts one arm in the halflight, points it at the fires and screams and then draws a beeline in his oh-so-small mind then he heads down the straightest alley, through the back streets. When he has past the crowd of shamblers he will stop to see if he is alone or if someone sensible has followed.

It may not be sensible, it may not be wise, but tempus fugit and the time for decisive action is here. Follow or fight. Even Abbas can see the wisdom of avoiding this fight.

She's not quite sure where he's going, but Elinor isn't going to let Abbas go off and get killt on his own so she chases off after him.

Of course, it may be that there are no survivors.

idiots. Why do those who are martially inclined always think they can solve their problems with the tips of their swords. Greater numbers at the barricade would give us better odds of servicing but nooo let's rush headlong into battle for some romanticized ideology of glory.

Harlynn sighs audibly as he follows the two into the thick of the battle.

Narnel stops in his tracks as he sees Elinor, Abbas and Harlynn head in the opposite direction. He puts a hand up to stop Seneca.

Well, friend, the do-gooders are off to save the world again, I guess we should join them, despite the lack of forethought.

Narnel shrugs draws and arrow and follows the others in the opposite direction.

"Forethought is such a burden. We can run faster without it."

Pluchak takes off after Abbas, whipping around his bardiche in a menacing way.

Taedric smiles and pushed Trumps into action, easily catching up to the man with the staff. He leans over in the saddle and whispers, "Well done, friend Abbas."

And so they charge into the night, avoiding the direct fight and creating distance between themselves and the risen dead. Immediately it becomes apparent that this is no small group of zombies, and instead seems like a legion of the things. Their speed makes avoiding them very possible and soon enough the only noise is that of the camp outside the walls. Still with the physical danger gone, why does your skin bristle? Could it be because this place is only just so big, and your dodge is merely that, a dodge. The dead will catch you if you stay here long, and they wish you would join their macabre eternal patrol.

The inn is still unexplored, as is the chapel to Asmodeus, and a large merchants exchange and warehouse and in fact most of the town. With no real clues to go by, you are somewhat without a path, blowing with the wind. So heroes, which way does the wind blow tonight? What would you like to examine?

Frustrated at not being able to find anyone to help, Bryndyn recants his earlier position about being quiet. "We've seen that we can outrun the zombies...perhaps we should call out??

Sorry ...lots of travel for biz right now...

Ok, who exactly are we supposed to be helping? As I mentioned before, I see no survivors in distress.

Ok, who exactly are we supposed to be helping? As I mentioned before, I see no survivors in distress.

"What are we doing in here if not trying to find survivors? If we can't find any, let's leave. How do we find them? I was initially worried that making noise would bring the zombies...but we've proven we can outrun them...so let's call out. If no one comes out, let's get out of this hellish place"

That is appropriate.

"My old uncle Ranald used to say 'when in doubt, shout, if still in doubt, you're not shouting loud enough'."

She pauses.

"It must be said, Ranald did receive rather a lot of knocks on the head, and once a giant stepped on him. Anyone fancy a sing along? If anything can prove we're harmless, albeit completely mental, it'd be a chorus of 'do it in the bar room'."

Elinor begins a cheerful drinking song. For the first few bars it seems that the gloom and danger will overwhelm her but she rallies and her voice rises in volume and strength. The chorus is well known to anyone who frequents the inns and taverns and she encourages the group to join in in the hope of attracting some attention of the friendly kind.

Abbas grins and joins in the singing. His searching for the melody and hunting notes makes an interesting counterpoint to anyone else's talents.

Great, now we are singing to draw their attention.

Harlynn warily looks around, eyes darting to either side of his head. He then speaks up, Mayhaps, the survivors would be in the temple. Isn't that typical thing that would be done. Going to a safe place. I dare not think that even the abhorred children of Urgathoa would violate the threshold of The Lord of Hell.

Yes, let's check the temple, considering they were not gathered at the Inn.

As the singing begins, wane at first but quickly building a few things happen.

First someone on the other side joins you, and then another and soon maybe a dozen voices are added to your chorus.

Second a large home, not far from your position, shows a light from a second story window. It blinks 4 times and then is gone.

And finally somewhere in the night an inhuman voice joins your chorus, with a soul chilling SCREEEEEEE.

Abbas heads for the flickering lantern. "Temple is good. Get them first."

Where did the initial chorus come from, nearby? human-oid? or zombie rock band?

Why am I picturing the seen from Shaun of the Dead

Well I'll be the singing worked.

Bryndyn grins at Elinor, and adds his coarse voice to hers. When the lantern blinks, he grins again and points. Now, on the lookout even more for the horrors within here, he moves with the group toward the flickered light.

Abbas, outside the walls.

Shaun of the dead is one of my favourite zombie films. Can we do a zombie shuffle towards the temple later do you think?

Elinor is almost as surprised as Harlynn that it kind of worked (and when she heard the guards (presumably) behind us joining in albeit, the idea of a zombie rock band gave me the giggles she'll throw in a couple rounds of bardic music to give them a boost when the zombies get to them). Still singing the chorus she grins happily, points at the big house and follows Abbas.

"In the bar room in the bar room, it's where we congregate, to set the sails and hunt the whales and pull in the catch of skate, and for to do a job of work I am never late, that's provided that we do it in the bar room."

The Ulfen version, not the Northumberland miner version.

"I see it too Bryndyn. I don't think that is zombies up there. We do have survivors." Seneca joins the move toward the large house.

Bryndyn remains at the ready...

Another 3 days on business travel...will try to check, but back at home on Thursday...

The trip to the house takes mere moments, and then you are there. The bottom of the house stands on its support beams with nothing more than that on the first floor. The place has a charnel stench. The second floor looks to be largely intact, but the stairs have been broken away and destroyed.

Narnel looks for a location for which to get a foothold so as climb to the upper floors.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Keep a look out whilst I journey up, eh.

Climb:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Abbas pushes at his feet, helping Narnel up. Strength check (aid another) 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Or not. "I thought you was light?"

He looks around to see if the room is truly empty. In the poor light the shadows may hide all manner of danger.

Perception check 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9

Elinor whistles tunefully.

"It's us. We're here to rescue you," she calls out, then goes to help Abbas and Narnel.

Aid another, 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 (obviously more intent on cozying up to the guys than actually helping).

By the Hells, do we have to sing again?

Pluchak tries to help as well but is seriously distracted by Elinor rubbing up against the guys. He still is pretty uncomfortable around her and may not end up helping much at all.

Strength Check:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Because one of us is not as dumb as all of us.

Does Bryndyn need to help...

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 to help lift...oblivious of Elinor....

Or maybe not so oblivious

gods! these dice

Thanks guys...The intent does not go unnoticed - I hope the 14 was enough.

Narnel manages to get up, the whole while holding back his bile. In fact, each of you find the rotting smell very distracting and while attempting to aid Narnel also tried not to breathe too much. Narnel gets his footing on the ledge, what was once the landing to the second floor, and looks around, letting his eyes adjust.

While the outside appeared relatively intact, the same cannot be said for the interior. Here there are soiled and ruined household objects scattered all around. The elf stands at the end of a very short hall. There is a door to the right that stands open, and a door to the left that is shut. Straight ahead several paces deeper in is a third door, also shut.

Narnel lets down a length of rope to those below. he searches for a place to secure the same, and if there is nothing available, he will pull up the next person.

Cover your nose, but by all means, join me.

Abbas will attempt to climb up but he soon gives up if the chainmail proves too unwieldy.

Climb check (+2 for rope?) 1d20 - 3 + 2 ⇒ (14) - 3 + 2 = 13

I failed to say earlier, but RAW have Aid Another checks being made with the same skill check as the aided character... Although that last bit of rolling was one of the worst streaks I have seen. Hopefully that leaves the good rolls for combat. :) Narnel please roll to aid him.

Climb check to aid: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Bryndyn will hold the rope and watch. If he is called up, he'll follow Abbas.

Abbas climbs and despite his size and his armor, he manages to get to the landing with assistance from Narnel. He sees nothing more than Narnel already said was here.

Outside the night remains quiet and black. You also notice that the sounds from outside the wall have silenced.

Abbas, help me get the others up here.

Harlynn steps up to the rope and true to climb.

1d20 ⇒ 3

Wizards climbing ropes is never good.

Abbas and I should be able to pull him up with a Strength check, no?

Str: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Yes, Narnel. Put foot in neckhole of rope. I lift you."

Strength test 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

I think we are both up there. We need to pull up Harlynn.

Yes. Not clear but Abbas is talking to you - Harlynn, not you - Narnel. May be a little deliberate so sorry for the confusion.

Anyone who wishes to join Narnel, Abbas and Harlynn on the landing may do so without further dice rolls. Please just let me know which floor you choose to be on.