Robban looks at Flynn, then shrugs
Magnimar. Used to work the docks
he stares off in to the darkness for a moment, then adds
Paid thug, not a sailor or porter. Just so we're square
He gestures with one hand at Skyfall
You had your bird long?
*
Tabitha tucks Ashleigh in and lies down next to her, glaring at anyone who takes objection. It's another cold night and without a fire everyone is using all the clothing and blankets the group has.
The first watch is marked only by the return of Sel, who ignores everyone and lies down under her bedroll.
The rest of the night passes without incident.
Lachen lends his blancket to Tabitha and Asleigh, without a word.
He takes his watch, and if needed Lenneth's watch too.
Except druing his watch, Valex beds down on the other side of Ashliegh, lending what comfort he can. He nods his thanks to Lachen.
|
Lilith spends her time on first watch scribing another scroll, being as careful as possible with her precious writing materials. She wonders how many times a single piece of parchment can be reused for this purpose. Two unused sheets of parchment. I would dearly love to find more. And I'll need more ink soon too.
She notes with some surprise Lachen's kindness and works to store that piece of information into her already firm notion of the man, struggling to do so.
Whilst she's still alive, Ashleigh can barely put one foot in front of the other, she looks up at Valex, misery evident on her face.
Hawk nods to Lenneth, smiling and handing her his drinking horn, full to the brim with the pungent beverage
Best of luck with that!
he sets to work banking the fire to heat water, in to which he throws the last handful of grain.
Breakfast, such as it is, will be ready shortly
With little to pack and nothing else to do but push on, the camp is quickly struck and everyone is ready to move on.
For my two copper pieces, I'd suggest the coast first, then walk along the water to the village. The forest is full of zombies and visibility is poor, that gets us out as quickly as possible, even though it might take longer to get to the village
suggests Hawk.
Pentos scoffs
We won't make two miles in any direction today with the burdens we're carrying...
Sel is uncharacteristically silent, glancing in between Hawk and Lilith, but her head snaps up when Pentos speaks
We still need to actually move Pentos, there's no food here to be had, we'll be starving tomorrow if we don't find something. I vote for the village, more chance of finding something we can use to fish with quickly
Robban shrugs
We can handle anything that comes up he addresses Hawk.
The ranger turns to the party
What do you think?
Lachen takes Lenneth's drink with an amused smile, after shaving as everyday and washing himself with as less water than possible. Still bare chested, he says
Thank you, dear. Hope you enjoyed the show, even if I don't have the kind of body girls dream of ?
He winks, then his face becomes more serious as he looks at the pale faced Asleigh as she walks by. He finishes his drink quickly.
Do you know anything about the restorative spell Melo used on the girl? I mean, can he do it often, on one person, for example?
He bends down to takes his shirt, displaying his old wounds on his back unwillingly, and puts it on, his mind visibly wandering as he spots Lilith.
Did I already fight elven zombies? Could elves never die from this disease?
Then he sees Flynn, preparing himself, always carrying his big lance.
Lachen smiles and says to the black haired, big breasted witch with his usual crude humor
You know, Lenn, everytime I see Flynn with his big, stiff bit of wood near his crotch, I can't help but wondering what he's trying to over-compensate. Well, even small boys can have big dreams, I guess...
Flynn looks over at the other Halfling.
Aye. A good while now, ten years or more. My folk lived in the mountains, I've never even seen Magnimar except to fly over the place. Hell, it must have been something before all this.
The warriors of my village are Outriders, dogs and boars mostly; ranging, hunting, border patrol and so on. Well I went a different route. Sky literally dropped onto my head one day - I think she had flown the nest but wasn't ready for it, even then she was as big as me though. That's where the name comes from - Skyfall.... yeah I never said I was the imaginative sort. Anyway, we've been together ever since. Of all of us I was the only Skyrider. She saved me when things.... turned bad. You have family back then?
......
Lachen my ears are small, but keen. Flynn says, a sneer on his face as he wipes down the long, ash lance. This 'length' of wood is Anfonwr - the Sender in my language - named for the greatest hero of my people. Sonna delivered my people from the freedom of slavers and rapers and those who would keep us the yoke of tyranny. his grip tightens on the bound leather handle of the lance. From Cheliax....
Now Anfonwr sends the dead on to the Boneyard - where they belong.
He stands then and lowers the lance tip toward Lachen.
From Skyfall's back and Anfonwr in hand I can strike swifter than a mongoose, more deadly than a hawk. And great lumoxes like yourself, cannot strike back.
He places the lance in the cradle.
Morning Lenneth. he says cheerfully, as if the exchange had never happened. How is Aura this morning, I feared she would be cold overnight.
That was simply too good a joke to pass, Flynn. Never liked slavers or rapers myself, in Cheliax or elsewhere. And I know and respect both your fighting skills and your bravery. You proved them time and again, against living or already dead foes.
Either Lachen got up as a very different man today, or there was something in Lenneth's drink.
But the human seems totally sincere.
"I will try and cleanse her tomorrow.. But i've tried it may time and it's never worked I don't want to get your hopes up." He ponders to himself, looking down at the sick girl.
In the morning Melo moves to commune with nature speaking with the trees, Asking for the power he needs to help those most in need. "Ashleigh I'm going to try and help you again." He then spends a few minutes casting spells chanting and looking over Ashleigh.
"Hawk I see where you're coming from... The village maybe picked clean of all food and supplies the safest way would be to head straight to the coast but out supplies are so low..." He looks around at the group feeling so helpless seeing the looks of fatigue and hunger. Whatever is decided Melo moves forward, calling to Cyn to stay with Lenneth again and starts to lead with Hawk and anyone else in the front.
Robban stares at Flynn
Interesting about your animals. I had a rat once. My da put it in a stew. Don't know what happened to them after the Harvest. Don't know what they were doing before it neither.
He reaches out a hand to Skyfall, gently and slowly. After a moment he nods to himself and moves off to pick up his pack.
*
Melo feels the pure power of nature flowing through him and bathing Ashleigh in its warm energy, she certainly seems more healthy, but there remains a dark and vile power lurking inside her that seems untouched by the spell.
It's easy to see the sheer fatigue in the girl's eyes, but nonetheless she bravely smiles
Thank you Melo, I hope I don't slow anyone down today
Hawk claps Melo on the back
Well done friend he comments simply.
I've no problem with going straight to the village given the supply situation. Let's keep our eyes peeled though eh?!
Aura burbles happily as everyone prepares to move off, glancing around with wide eyes at everything that's going on.
Lachen, for once, isn't staying alone, even speaking shortly with Asleigh when he's sure no one is around.
[spoiler=GM/Asleigh, perhaps Valex as he's "one of the girls". ^^]Keep going girl.They will try to save you, and at least Melo can buy you time, if you want. It's a tough battle for you, I'm sure, one you must fight with nothing, no weapon or armor, one you must fight with everything you have, everything you are. That's braver than to fight undead under an heavy armor and with steel in your hand. Can't help you with magic but will do what I can.
He simply nods to the girls when he finishes his speech
[/spoiler]
|
|
Quickly packing her few possessions Lilith makes ready to travel. I have this. she offers, producing nearly the last of her food. She has bread and cheese enough for 6 good meals and Wandermeal for 5. I hope and pray this gives us enough energy to make this journey. May Desna bless our travels.
She takes a place near the front of the procession, her eyes sharp.
As usual, Flynn spends the day scouting from above, keeping an eye out for both enemies and game, should anything here still live.
On the march, Valex splits his time between walking and talking with Ashliegh, and dropping behind the group to scan for edibles and pursuit.
Hawk sees Lilith produce the food and raises his eyebrows with a smile
That's very generous of you Lilith, it's good to know there's food to be had at the end of the day if we're unable to find anything today
he nods approvingly.
The group sets off and makes reasonably good progress through the woods that morning, the woods themselves seem gaunt and unhealthy. The trees are twisted and dark, as if the life that sustains them was being drained away.
Just around noon you get to a natural clearing in the woods, and up ahead it seems like there is a deadfall, or barricade across the path.
Hawk calls a halt and moves forward slightly, squinting to try and make out any movement or hidden ambushers.
At that point, the trees themselves erupt around you and suddenly several skeletal shapes are amongst the group
Initiative:
Party
Skeletons
Flynn spots the ambush despite the tree canopy occluding his view
Lachen takes his lightning mace, and attacks the closest skeleton, grinning and winking to Lenneth as he is sure of his power against a frail opponent
But, being too cocky, his weapon miss, and the soldier gets angry at his opponent
|
|
Lilith has no idea what these things are but believes them to be a threat. So she moves back to I4, trying acrobatics to get away from the skeleton in front of her just in case the movement provokes.
She then casts Haste, but is unable to get both Valex and Melo. So she chooses to haste Valex, Lachen, Pentos, Whisper, and Robban. She then uses a swift action to shift 10' up into the tree she is adjacent to.
"Abaddon!" Valex curses under his breath, seeing the skeleton between Mallis and Tabitha. Worried about the tendrils, but wanting to buy time for other to move away, he draws his sword, charges it with arcane power, and moves to engage.
Flynn catches glimpse of the familiar staccato movements of the undead through the dense canopy and turns Skyfall's head in that direction. He encourages her to open her wings and streaks toward the battle.
Not know what they are Melo moves to kill it swinging at it with his club.
Bashing it hard, spotting Lenneth is safe Melo calls out to Cyn to attack.
Letting out a low howl Cyn moves to attack.
Lachen's blow swings wide as his weapon slides of the moss and mucuous-covered bones of the skeleton, whilst Lenneth removes herself from the ground for safety.
Valex's blow is well aimed, though his sword seems somewhat impeded by both the bones of the skeleton and its spongy covering.
Flynn races in to battle on the back of Skyfall
Ellie and her brother instinctively move back away from the monster Valex is battling, with Mallis providing them some cover with his drawn dagger. Tabitha and Ashleigh meanwhile cover in place, too afraid to move. Danel and Robban close on the closest opponent, Robban swinging his club and impacting with a *thunk*, whereas Danel's spear slides off to no effect. Pentos steps back and starts spellcasting, whilst Hawk draws fires a glowing arrow in to the skeleton next to Sel, though it doesn't appear to notice. Sel steps back and touches something at her throat, vanishing in to the air. Whisper is also nowhere to be seen.
The skeletons move like grotesque marionettes as their limbs trail vines and foliage as they swing around. There is the sound of flowers opening and growths burst all across the skeleton's forms, sticky red and green tendrils exploding forward to engulf and wrap around those in their path.
Shrieks of terror erupt from Sacha's son and Tabitha as they become entangled, and Mallis shouts and tries to cut his way free to no avail. Pentos is interrupted and his spell seems to fizzle out. Danel and Robban wrestle with their own vines as Hawk tries to free his bow from the sticky grip.
Prey held tight, the skeletons grin inanely as their filthy sap-dripping claws reach out to you.
One skeleton advances on Hawk, tearing at his armor and causing rivulets of blood to pour, and another drags its talons down Tabitha's back as she desperately tries to get away, even though she is held in place by the wretched vines...
This time, Lachen's mace is more precise, but the vines hinder him, and he can't deliver a full impact blow
Seeing the girl in trouble, Flynn streaks toward the skeleton harassing Tabitha. He lowers the tip of his lance and drives with the combined strength of his arm and Skyfall's momentum to smash it into the skeleton before continuing to fly off on the same trajectory, hoping to wheel around for his next pass.
Flynn
AC=18
Fort=8 Ref=6 Will=2
HP=43/43
Skyfall
AC=23
Fort=3 Ref=9 Will=4
HP=28/28
The skeleton facing Lachen looks remorselessly at the soldier with gaping eyesocket oozing pus, as the mighty mace glances off the creatures slippery bones. The soldier's second strike is more telling, cracking a good portion of that same mocking skull.
Biting and scratching at the viney tendril wrapping its way around her legs, Cyn manages to destroy enough of it that she's free, before moving in to the skeleton nearest her, ready to attack when she has a chance.
It seems like the very fires of hell open up from the skies to engulf one of the skeletons, such is the power of the arcane fire summoned and bent to Lilith's will. Despite the creatures wet appearance it proves no match for the ferocity of the heat and is quickly destroyed. Hawk glances up gratefully to Lilith as the vine encircling him goes limp.
Like a falling star, there is a streak of movement hammering down from the heavens ans swooping just under the treetops, in its wake there lies the torn apart body of the skeleton that had been about to attack Tabitha again.
Danel and Robban continue to harass their foe, danel landing an inexpertly aimed blow but it again slides off the moldy skin of the skeleton, and Robban's wild swing goes wide despite his frothing mouth. Pentos struggles futilely against the tendril wrapped around him, and Hawk takes a step back before loosing two arrows in quick succession right at the skeleton menacing Melo. The arrows bury themselves in the creature with a small explosion, the enchanted missiles leaving tiny scorch marks in its chest.
The remaining skeletons continue to claw at their prey, Robban takes a nasty wound to the face but appears not to notice.
Skyfall wheels tightly under the dense canopy, displaying tremendous control among the boughs. She is urged forward once again but takes little encouragement as she revels in the pure joy of flying at speed.
Something snaps in Lachen.
His face gives up humanity, contorting in a viscious snarl. His magical mace suddenly takes fire, and his body seems to gain muscles
Valex lays into the skeleton.
Grabbled Melo calls out for Cyn to help flank the undead as both attack together. "Make sure the others are safe!"
hp-29/43
Flynn's charge again strikes true, turning the skeleton in to splintereed bone and smashed viscera.
Lachen's infernally fuelled blow smashes a large chunk of mossy ribcage, causing the skelton to waver... but not fall just yet. Then his second blow lands and the bones just fall apart and collapse on the floor in an untidy pile.
Lilith's missiles weave around the tree trunks and Valex, rocketing in to the undead in front of him and blowing off a few chunks of moss.
Cyn moves to flank the skeleton attacking Melo, but its tendrils and the wood embedded in it make it difficult to properly injure.
Lenneth's fire-filled gaze locks on to the skelton fighting Valex, igniting some of the bark on it as it continue to flail at the bard.
Danel and Robban move to support Melo, Danel continuing to have poor luck, but Robban lands a telling blow, almost splintering one of the undead's legs. Hawk fires again, and more explosions of soil and plant matter erupt from the thing.
Both skeletons continue their mindless assault.
Lachen looks for another foe to bring down, and seeing Tabitha, Asleigh and Mallis attacked by a skeleton with only the pitiful Valex to defend them, rushes to the battle with glee
His first strike is powerful, but he loses his footing on the dirty, mossy ground and can't land the second blow
Valex's sword blows make contact with force, but do less damage than he was expecting. The skeleton remains upright and intent on harming him.
If he can identify the creatures, he can activate Naturalist next round...
Until then, valex will keep hacking away.
Melo takes in deep ragged breaths as he clenches his teeth as his shield is ineffective against the undead.
Swinging out he tries desperately to put the thing down. As Cyn stalks it from behind unleashing a devastating attack.
hp - 22/43