The Walking Dead of Golarion, by GM Fiendish

Game Master Fiendish Zen

Lilith addresses the gathered villagers to get things started. Listen up everyone. We have some good news, and heavens know we all need some good news. A victory has been won on your behalf today, and at great cost to us. We have destroyed the evil source of the blight on the land that surrounds you and in doing so found that some of your number were members of the cult that causes the blight. Look around you. Those who are not in the village now were traitors to you all along and helped bring about the conditions that necessitated some of the desperate measures that were required of you to survive. She stops speaking waiting for one of the others in her group to pick up the story.

1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15

"Those choices that were forced on you - the circumstances that lead to them - the blighted earth, the lack of game, the poisoning of the fish and the sea itself - these were all deliberate, malicious steps taken by the servants of the Undead - steps to degrade and destroy all that yet lives on Golarion.

We have come into your midst suddenly, violently, but I pledge to you, we are enemies of the CUlt, of the undead, and will oppose what they want to do to you - to us. What they would have us become. "

diplo: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

I still don't know that those men are with the Cult, but whether they are or not that ship's sailed now, Lenneth thinks to herself as she listens to first Lilith and then Valex try to offer hope and reassurance to the huddled villagers. When it becomes clear that it's her turn to offer words, she bows her head.

"It's like Valex says. Even though we believed, still believe, that consuming each other is a dark path to tread to survive, I...I know that at least you had something here. A means to get by. And we came in without asking and took that away from you. I'm not sorry that I helped put an end to something so dark...but I am sorry that by doing it it put an end to the sense of security you had." She looks up. "I think most of us have had to wrestle with just how far we'd go in the name of survival. I know I have. I..." her voice trembles, "I almost gave up a friend to an enemy. And gods know it's hard to find people you'd be willing to call 'friend' now. So I know about the drive to survive, to carry on. I wish I didn't."

"And since we came here and turned everything on its head again, we...it's our responsibility to try and put things right. To make sure we all have some other way to eat. I know one shared meal yesterday and words don't seem like much when you're all hungry now, but please, please believe that we're doing our best for everyone's sake, not just our own. Please be patient with us for just a little longer."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Feldus glances behind him making sure the villagers were not about to ambush them, but the sight of these villagers made him pause.

These people have weak wills, very easy to be swayed. Perhaps we can use that to our ends...

"Look, I know all yer bellies are still rumbling...heck I an still starving and have not eaten well in...weeks." Feldus holds up his skinny arms as proof. "While I have not know these people very long, I can vouch for them as I have walked down your path. Trust me, you do not want to go any further."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

Flynn leans on his long lance, saying nothing but trying to present a vision of solidarity.

The collected throng of villagers seems somewhat swayed by your words, despite suspicion at first, by the time you have finished they are nodding and you even see some smiles among them.

One older man steps forward, the crow's feet around his eyes and the callouses on his hands showing the hardship of his life to date.

Look, we really does 'ppreciate what yes done, an' if thas true 'bout the soil and the sea, then gods be praised you've made a miracle t'day!

he looks like he's trying to nourish a hope he thought he'd never have again.

I's sorry if'n we ain't treated ye with much more 'n scorn or suspicion, we's had a bad run I reckon, yes can see what state we're in eh?

he has at least the grace to look embarrassed

Well, as I said, let's see this bounty on the morrow, we can stay empty bellies one night more

he turns and glances around, and you can see other meeting his gaze, and one by one nodding or looking away.

He glances back at you

So, on the morrow then, you can prove your words with deeds, and we'll have a breakfast whatever that means to ye

he ushers everyone back inside their huts and in a few minutes you are left on your own once more.

It's around 9 at night now. Anyone want to do anything before turning in?

Wait. Lilith asks before everyone departs. I plan to fish at first light I am unsure if the taint will have left the fish but want to find out. Who among you would go and fish with me?

Feldus waits until all the villagers have departed before addressing the others. "Looks like we bought us some time. I am all in favor of doin' some early mornin' fishin with ya." He nods to Lilith with a wistful expression. "I miss the water." Looking around somewhat nervously he adds, "I think we should set watches. Those Cultists are still out there, 'n while I don't think they would attack us directly they may send more walkers against the village."

As soon as the villagers head inside for the night Lenneth leans against a nearby wall for support, now feeling utterly drained.

"I'll help fish too, unless someone needs me to do something else," she responds wearily. "And watches are a good idea. I can watch now or take the last one."

Once the speeches are done, Flynn collapses in a heap in the nearest empty hut, barely managing;

Me and Sky will keep an eye out for them tomorrow. They'll be back.

Several of the older folk, and many of the younger ones, nod to Lilith. You catch them glancing at each other, the inhabitants of this village once so famed for its fish market.

It seems you've stirred up a bit of pride my friends! comes the rumbling of Mallis' familiar voice.

Everyone turns in, ready for the morning.

At some point in the early hours, as far as can be told by the scant moonlight, as Feldus wraps a blanket around his shoulders to fight off the worst of the chill sea breeze he hears the distinct scrape of leather boot on wood, the thunk of something hitting the ground and a muttered curse. All over in the darkness by the wall, maybe fifty feet away. *Sniff* too far away to tell... He's knows he's the only one on watch right now, and everyone else is tucked up in the hut...

Melo curls into a ball next to the fire as the others leave to talk to the village. He's no use to them now, he's better off alone finding it hard to sleep. The day's events running through his mind, his own fear taking over him and Cyn falling bravely to the dark creature.

---

Melo tosses and turns vivid dreams turning to nightmares.

GM Fiendish: How far away is Feldus from the hut where the others are sleeping? Is there anyone else in the village awake and on watch?

Feldus's ears perk up as the sounds waft over to his ears. Looks like our friends have decided to pay us a visit. Well, let's be a good host and give them a proper greeting.

Slipping away from the wall he hurries as quickly and quietly as possible. Knowing Flynn is the most able-bodied of the combatants he shakes the halfing awake.

"Get up. Our friends have returned. Wake the others, I have to get back to the wall."

Assuming Flynn does not object then Feldus does return back to his post and attempts to locate their 'friends'.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 scent.

Long, frightening nights since the harvest have taught Valex not to come awake speaking the questions that race to mind. He jerks awake, mouth open, but does not speak. HE nods to Feldus and rolls to hsi knees, peering around to make sure that the others are awake.

You're only 10 ft away from the hut where everyone else is, you could easily shout to wake them, or else cross over to whisper. Scent has a standard range of 30 ft and the wall is 50 ft away, you can't smell anything amiss right now.

Feldus strains his senses, and is reasonably sure there is someone to the east by the wall, either this side or the other, but there's no light at the moment so he can't see.

Lilith sleeps by the fire still trying to drive the cold from her bones. Her sleep is light and disturbed by dreams of diseased fish offering themselves to her as a temptation to her hunger.

Flynn pulls himself to his feet after his interrupted sleep. Rarely these days does he not sleep in his armor so he simply pulls on his boots, snatches up Sender and heads out into the night with Feldus.

What is it? Can you smell anything? he asks, having become at least a little familiar with their new companions abilities.

Lenneth is slow to wake, her mind clouded with fragments of half-remembered dreams. "Huh? What is it?" she whispers sleepily.

Feldus will whisper so as not to alert those outside the wall.

As he makes his way quietly back to the wall, he shakes his head silently in reply. "No. They were carrying something...a ladder most likely."

Once he reaches the wall he sniffs the air softly.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14
Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

As Feldus approaches the wall with Flynn in tow, he can hear someone *sniff* two someones outside the wall, whispering.

...the rope, come on we don't have all night, if that moon comes out the watcher will see us... come on!

Everyone can assume Feldus has awoken them now, and be aware that Feldus and Flynn have skulked off towards the wall.

Valex wraps his cloak about himself and tries to stealthily follow Flynn and Feldus toward the wall.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Melo wakes from his deep sleep his dream trouble him but he's quick to his feet, He looks to the other still near him he whispers to them. "We should wait and see what they have found. I don't want to scare them off, i want to end this." He steps outside slowly trying to keep an eye on Feldus and Flyn.

Lilith rouses and notes the fire has burned low. She is still cold and wonders if she will ever be warm again. It takes her a moment to realize that she has not woken on her own due to the cold and is reaching for a log for the fire when it dawns on her that Feldus had awakened her before moving on to the next person to awaken. He keen elven eyes catches a glimpse of him as he bends over another party member and silently shakes them awake before moving on to the next. Trouble/ she realizes but is unsure of its source. So she gets to her feet, uses her bonded item to recast Mage Armor, and watches and listens. She falls in with the group as Valex passes her.

Stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 = 14

Flynn tries to sneak toward the gate, hoping to get a glimpse of who is trying to scale the wall and also to make sure there are no enemies at that entrance.

Now wide awake, Lenneth waits anxiously as Feldus and Flynn move to investigate the noises at the wall. Her eyes nervously track this way and that as she strains to watch for any other signs of trouble.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

As the others of the group join Feldus, the whispering behind the wall suddenly stops.

Barely audible, you can just hear the rapid footsteps as someone the other side of the wall moves off running.

The wind gusts.

Lilith prepares to cast her Dancing Lights spell and move it to illuminate the other side of the wall. She mouths Light? and looks to the others for a nod.

Hearing the scampering of feet, Flynn sprints back to Skyfall and rudely awakens her by leaping upon her back.

I've really had enough of these guys >:E

At the sound of someone fleeing from the other side of the fence, Lenneth instinctively freezes...then staggers back as Flynn sprints past her and back to Skyfall.

With their own sneaking and skulking detected, she nods at Lilith to give them some light to see by.

Four torch sized flames spring into being and move over the wall at a rapid pace. They flash forward 60' before swinging back towards the wall for 40' to illuminate a 40' diameter from the wall out.

Feldus holds up his hand, one finger extended and mouths the words, <<One left>>. As the elven mage casts her spell, he stands to one side looking for any other hidden enemies besides the ones he smelled.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 Scent.

What time was it again? would i have my wildshape back?

It's the middle of the night and it's dark, so unless you have darkvision or lights in the area you are in, you aren't going to see much...

Melo & other casters: it's the early hours, so no-one has had a chance to refresh spells etc yet unless you are a class where midnight is the magic time etc (I believe Valex's spells refresh at dusk)

Lilith's lights hutrle over the top of the wall and their radiance can be easily seen even though the 10 ft wall lies between you and they. In fact the wall is just rough boards, so if you squint through...

You hear hurried swearing and a human-sized figure begins running away from the wall, he must have been scant feet away from you on the other side.

At the rate he is sprinting, you have one round with him in sight before he gets out of the radius of Lilith's dancing lights. You can see him through the cracks in the wall, but obviously not fire missle weapons unless you can get over the wall quickly.

Feldus sees the human he scented earlier taking off and running away. Nodding in satisfaction the threat has been chased off, he sniffs for any other bodies around the wall...after a few seconds he recognizes another scent...

"Oil! They were gonna burn the wall!" he exclaims angrily. He then climbs up to the top of the wall and sniffs around him.

Perception, where the lamp oil is: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

GM Fiendish, let me know if Feldus also regains his spells at dusk as well.

Feldus: wizards regain their spells after resting following an hour's study of their spellbooks, so nope you haven't recovered yours yet.

Lenneth feels a throbbing in her temples. Those idiots outside the wall had woken them up for this?

"Well that was stupid," she responds flatly. "Even with the oil they'll have a hard time burning anything after all this rain." She sighs and rolls up her sleeves. "Most of us can't chase them in the dark, but do we go after them or stay and clean this oil up?"

Lilith shifts through the planking of the wooden wall and mentally directs her dancing lights to hover over the running man. Timing her spell she opens the ground below the man hoping to catch him in a pit. Casts Create Pit. 20' deep so 2d6 falling damage. DC 17 reflex to avoid. Climb DC is 25 If the man falls in she directs her lights further out to illuminate the direction the man was running to.

Knowing the efforts were unlikely to burn down the wall, Valex rapidly approaches it, examining it for other surprises, making sure that was the full story.

"They might just be setting a large beacon in order to attract groaners, for instance"

Perception for traps: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Also, please remember trapspotter if I am about to trigger something beforehand...

After arriving on the other side of the wall Lilith cannot help but recall the last time she did something so bold and get with the undead monk. She shudders as she recalls the creature's bite places in the small of her back where she could not even see it. She also recalls the healing energy of the chapel and the light of Desna she found there. Was it foolish to shift to this side of the wall alone? Maybe. But she would not be cowed by these men. She would rather face real danger than to be afraid of such men.

Flynn leaps upon Skyfall and hisses into her ear;

Come girl, the hunt is on!

Before wheeling her and streaking like an arrow into the night.

Heading directly for the dancing lights.

How close is the nearest way out?

"We shouldn't all chanse as much as i want to we need to make sure the village is secure and the people are safe."

Just so we're clear, you're all on the east side of the compound -> Reminder map

Lilith shifts, and as she releases her spell, realises she is now standing in a pool of lamp oil, her eyes able to pick up that some has also been splashed on the wall. The pit opens up underneath the running man, unceremoniously dumping him in to its depths. The dancing lights cast out as far as the limitations of the magic allow, and reveal nothing else hovering in the darkness.

Valex is reasonably sure that there are no traps per se on the wall, but there is a lot of lamp oil. It would burn despite the rain, but as Lenneth indicates, there's little chance it would be able to burn down the wall.

Flynn and Skyfall shoot up in to the sky and over the wall, using Lilith's lights to navigate by, but can't see anyone or anything in the light's radiance.

We have a prisoner in the pit. Lilith announces. Calling to Flynn she asks Can you round him up as he will only be down there for half a minute. She begins to dig a trough in the dirt to divert any lamp oil pooled by the wall away from it. If the dirt is too hard to trench that way she begins using her dagger to loosen up and move the soaked earth away from the wall.

"Good job Lilith." Feldus nods at the elf woman. "I look forward to talking with him!" He smiles ferociously.

"I am going to check the rest of the village wall, make sure no other surprises were left." As he moves off, a thought occurs to him. "See if you can gather some of that oil up and bottle it, it may prove useful."

"Well, that was certainly effective," Lenneth smirks as Lilith calls out that she's managed to trap one of the interlopers in a pit. "I'll have to see if she can write that one down for us to learn," she adds, glancing down at Indigo who peers out of the nearby shadows.

"And give me something to put it in and I'll do my best," she adds as Feldus suggests trying to salvage what they can of the oil.

Flynn flies over the magic pit and looks down, hoping that the scum below hadn't broken his neck in the fall.

He flaps down beside it and waits for the spell to come to an end whilst keeping a keen eye on the treeline.

When the man eventually makes the surface Flynn lowers his lance and growls;

If you have any weapons, throw them down now. Then you're coming with me.

After doing what she can quickly to remove the threat of the oil near the wall Lilith dances her lights above the pit and readies to fire Magic Missiles at any new threat or should the man try to run.

The varied attempts to recover the oil are unsuccessful, it soaks the boards of the wall and what has run off or been spilled on the ground has mixed with the saturated ground water and branched off in a thousand rainbow rivers, sparkling under the fading light of Lilith's spell. Lilith ends up covered in mud, but the oil pooled by the base of the wall seeps away in to the shallow trench she digs.

Flynn and Skyfall swoop down to the pit, hearing the moans of the captured man as he thrashes around at the bottom clutching his ankle. Flynn is able to make out a club on the floor of the pit, and a dagger belted at the man's waist. There also appears to be a vial of liquid that has spilled out of the man's makeshift backpack, nothing more than a sack with braided cord.

As the spell expires and he returns to ground level, he remains still under Flynn's glare, with gritted teeth and in obvious pain.

Feldus' caution and paranoia prove valid, as he steps away from the wall and lets his eyes adjust to the gloom, he sees several shapes moving near the party's hut...

Filthy, Lilith spends a round trying to remove the worst of the mud as she looks on at flynn and his acquiring of the prisoner.

"Leave him! We got company over here!" Feldus' voice barks out as he sees the forms moving towards their hut. "Lilith! I need light...NOW!"

Can Feldus tell if they are groaners or humans?