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Today passes like the rest have, routine, the small bustle of the frontier town goes by as it always does. You hear the blacksmith's hammer banging on his projects, kenna dances through the tavern, dodging hands of the drunk partrons, the field workers have come in to get todays lunch, laughter and excited chatter drums throughout the background of the entire town. Today the Mayor is to announce the new Temple that has finally been completed, dedicated To Erastil, Sarenrea, and Iomeadea. As you hear Mayor Rory call throughout the town most of the days work is put on hold as the populace moves to watch the event. Some keep away, but most head towards the center of town where the mayor waits.... what are you doing?
Aetherbert, or Bert as he was called, had always been on the fringe of this close-knit community preferring to keep to himself in town and in the surrounding woods.
Today Bert site in a portable market stall trying to sell his recent furs and skins, herbs and medicines, and guide services.
He scowls as the crowd troupes off toward the square. Perfect. Bad business to worse, and I've got to head out day after next come rain or shine. Might as well see what the fuss is about.
Bert, keeping his distance, linger at the back of the throng, listening to the mayors speech.
Rory drums his fingertips on the podium in front of him while making sure a smile remains on his face. Despite his role, public speaking still made him a little nervous. Fortunately, he had long ago learned how to dismiss the butterflies in his stomach.
"Torah!" he calls out to a man repairing the roof of a building nearby. "Stop what you're doing and come see the dedication ceremony! Or if you want to stay up on that roof, CUT OUT THAT RACKET!" Hahahah!" he laughs good-naturedly, smiling around at all the townsfolk who are gathering and smiling up at him. "Gather 'round, everybody, gather 'round! This is a joyous day!"
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Bannock stands in the front row, a mixture of excitement and trepidation running through him, with a headache like a rhino from last night's drinking. A Temple such as this is truly a glorious thing. If only it was dedicated...to her....
As if summoned by his thoughts, a beautiful woman stands before him. Clad in a robe of the purest white, with a border the crimson of fresh blood, she holds fast a shield in the shape of a diamond.
"You always were the best of them," he says to the woman.
"It will come in time. You have a long path ahead of you. The others will have more temples built to them," the woman in white says back to him.
"But they can't appreciate true beauty. Or true sacrifice. Like you."
"Be of good cheer. I have waited this long for you. I can wait a little longer."
A plump but attractive woman standing next to Bannock thinks that he's talking to her. She can't see the woman in white. Of course. No one can. She turns to Bannock, a young smile growing on her face and an invitation to dinner growing on her tongue.
"Of course I'll have to kill you to bring you back." Bannock says to the woman that only he can see.
The real woman next to him shuts her mouth and moves a few steps away.
The midday repast proved as chaotic as usual - the field workers were hungry and thirsty - and not necessarily in that order. Familiar now with the general goings on and antics of the tavern patrons, she managed to skirt around or dodge the various drunken hands hoping to score a pat or pinch on her person.
Kenna good naturedly jested with them or reprimanded them with a wink.
Past the general din inside the tavern, Kenna heard Mayor Bronson's booming voice cut through, announcing it was time for the dedication.
To the remaining dawdlers still gathered inside, sitting idly around the tables, she called out enthusiastically, "Come on, then! The Mayor is summoning all to the square. Your drinks will still be here after the ceremony!" And wiping her hands on her apron and placing the empty tray on the bar, she nodded to the barkeep and started making her way outside.
Moving toward the square, Kenna saw Rory Bronson standing at the podium, smile plastered across his heavily-moustached face. She politely pressed passed some of the townsfolk until she found a place somewhere in the middle with a direct view to the mayor and waited for the ceremony to commence. Kenna hoped it would not take too long as she had a lot of work at this time of day. Still, the waitress did not want to anger the gods by not attending their church's opening day.
Rodar is enjoying only his fifth refill of the day when the nicely curvey barmaid, Kenna, tells everyone to drop their drinks and head out to the mayor's little unveiling. He walks slowly towards the door noticing that many of the levels of Mead they contain are a bit uneven so he takes it upon himself to level them out before joining the crowd.
Arriving at the square Rodar finds a cart near the back of the crowd so he could see over the heads of all these taller folks. He then proceeds to pull out his one true treasure in this world, his metal tankard which is embossed with his families crest, a shield with crossed hammers and, of course, a little tankard on top. He then proceeds to uncork his private stash of Mead and fills his cup. Settling in he prepares for a long boring speech.
Eral awoke this morning to the familiar and comforting sound of construction. He'd spent the night under the old oak tree near where the new temple was being built. He nibbled on a small piece of bread, a leftover from last night's charity, and watched as the workers put the finishing touches on the building. As the mayor called the crowd, he simply adjusted his position so he could see better without getting up. Although he'd never been a very religious person the gods had their purposes and faith had it's use. "Always good at drawing a crowd, just like his grandfather." He commented to no one in particular. He loved big gatherings like this and couldn't wait for after the speech to chat with his family and hopefully talk a few coppers out of them.
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the mayor begins on a long winded, although humourous speech.
We come to today yadda yadda yadda.
Only to be interrupted by screams of terror, then the alarm bell begins ringing.
You hear shouts about undead, and ghouls coming from the main entrance from the village.
soon people are rushing about in a panic, the mayors aid attempting to calm them and hopefully lead them into an organized hiding. Guards are rushing towards the gate, the new guard captain at the forefront, his rapier brandished.
what do you do?
"Ghouls? Damn...no time for the rest of the opening ceremony." Without further ado, Rory cuts the ribbon in front of the new church that today's ceremony was in honor of. Raising his voice, he yells, "Everybody inside the church! The guards will protect you! Remain calm and make your way to the church!" he makes large exaggerated gestures as he shouts so everyone gets the message.
Taking another swig from his tankard he thinks I wonder what's going on by the gate. He then not so gracefully jumps down from the cart and stumbles toward the front gate.
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Bannock turns to enter the temple with the rest of the freightened villagers. What could he do in a crises? With everyone running about he can't even see over or through the crowd. He's just a failed cleric, not even an acolyte.
Then the Lady In White raises her hand to his cheek. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This is your journey. Go."
Divine fury raises in Bannock like a volcano of power. With clarity of insight he hefts his alabaster kite shield and runs determinedly in the direction of the panic. Whatever it is that so clashes with this village IT WILL FALL THIS DAY.
Bert springs into action, scrambling onto a nearby rooftop and surveying the situation, bow in hand.
Being in the centre of the assembly, the cries and bustle of the frightened crowd, as well as the bells, proved just a little too loud for Kenna to hear any other warning.
She had, however, heard Mayor Bronson declare the presence of ghouls and give instruction to move into the new church.
Using her most assured, steady voice, Kenna called over the screams, "Try to keep calm and watch for each other!"
She started ushering people into the church, as best as she could, her eyes moving back to see how the guard were faring against the ghoulish intruders. She wondered what could be done to hold back or defeat the ghouls and she could not think of a single thing. She should have spent more time on book learning or listening to religious sermons and alike.
She stood in the courtyard, as the townsfolk filed into the church, her starknife now in hand, waiting.
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As the people are gathered into the new temple, the guard captain returns, looking battered and bloody. mayor! We need you and any priests to come to the Palisades! Any ablebodied man or woman that wishes to defend his or her town please come as well.
The only real cleric of the towns new temple stands and strides out toward the captian. As well as several young folk with determined eyes. The captain gives a smile.
meet me at the north palisade entrance. What few arms we have to spare will be given out. Remember, ghouls are fast, and there touch is paralytic. Take them from range, skeletons are best handled by blunt weapons, while a good blade can cut straight through rotten flesh. Forward now! And fear no darkness!
He heads off on his stallion, with many new recruits and the cleric in tow. The captain not stopping to check if the mayor is following. The remaining townsfolk huddled together whispering some crying.
Do you answer the call or remain in the temple tending to the old and young and fearful?
@bannock you rush past the captain as he was urging his steed towards the temple, he looks down at you and points towards the north palisade, never stopping, shortly after you here him speaking but can't make out the words. You eventually see a gruesome sight, skeletons are climbing over the wooden wall and ghouls are charging fast ahead. Several of the beats are slain, arrows protruding from them like a porcupine but so too have other casualties been wrought, you see 2 ghouls feasting on a dead guard just at the gate entrance.
@rodar, as you near the entrance you can make out forms that are not normal, and bodies laying very still on the ground.
@aetherburt you spy a horde of skeletons and zombies intermittent with fast moving ghouls. Your heart sinks at the number, outnumbering the guards at least 5-1. Most are out of range or at the edge of your range.
Rory nods, deferring to the guard captain's authority during times of emergency. He turns to his wife, Kate, taking her in his arms.
"You know what you have to do," he tells her, trusting her to lead the townsfolk in his absence while he was away. He touches her cheek softly with the backs of his fingers, and kisses her briefly but fiercely; then he turns and makes off to the palisades with all haste.
As soon as he arrives he tries to find where the weapons cache can be found; he has no arms or armor on him, and seeks a light crossbow or club as quickly as possible.
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Bannock waddles quickly in the direction of the 2 ghouls feasting mightily upon the fallen guard. His joints ache and creek with the burden they bear; part of the training that he missed was that of moving about in armor. He had donned his heavy shirt of thick chain for the formal event at the temple, and now he doggedly fights on, refusing to doff it. So too, he desires to call himself proficient with all of weaponkind, but for now he lays claim to naught but the simplest of implements, and the few tools all dwarves work with from childhood.
He draws his battleaxe, its edge still gleaming from skilled work with a whetstone, and advances on the nearest ghoul, secure in the knowledge that his lady smiles upon him.
"By the name of Helreginn you shall plague this town no more!"
Rodar stumbles forward, slurring a bit he speaks to no one in particular. "What'sss thisss then? Who called for the entertainment? You don't really look like the mossst lively bunch, but I guess you'll do." Stumbling up to the nearest skeleton he starts to fall swinging his tankard around to keep his balance.
Upon the Captain's request for more men and women to help fight, Kenna rushed forward, with the other volunteers, toward the north palisade.
With only a starknife on her (she wished she had more weapons on her this day), and the Captain's instruction on how to proceed with the enemy, Kenna moved carefully to the cache to find a ranged weapon with which to fight with - either crossbow or shortbow (and a quiver of bolts or arrows) - whatever the good Captain had to spare.
Eral stopped one of the young men rushing for the gate. "You'll need this more than me." He said as he undid the strap of the old leather armor he wore over his clothes. "I wear it for the rats, but those things bite a lot more." The young man takes it and heads off to the weapon cache while Eral heards the last few people into the temple and the doors close behind him.
He looks around the new building for strengths and weaknesses, then begins directing the few able-bodied folks left inside to block the doors and windows.
Needing to move closer, Bert runs across the roof and leaps to the nearby longhouse. Moving clear across, he takes up position and gathers his arrows.
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Aetherbert nimbly makes his way across the rooftops until he reaches the last house from the wall 50ft away. He spies the town drunk haphazardly turn a skeletion to bone meal with his mug and The eccentric dwarven town cleric slice into a ghoul, drawing its rage.
kenna and rory emerge from the armory with the captain and two guards, bearing the arms they desired. Several of the towns folk sprint towards the skeletons laying into them and clearing the main gate save for the few ghouls lurking around. Two guards run to bannocks aid slicing into the one he struck, laying it low, the other turns towards bannock.
fort save vs paralysis.
the guards on the wall take down more undead, but for every one felled a dozen more seem to emerge from the forest to take its place.
Eorl Finishes making what makeshift ramparts and blockades he can within the new temple.
Suddenly, several skeletons at the wall burst into flame, catching the wall aflame and the guard captain calls out for the master architect
Kenna loaded a bolt into the borrowed crossbow and looked to find the nearest ghoul. When one was within range (80ft), and with clear view, she attempted to shoot it.
Alas, the sounds and disturbances around her affected Kenna's concentration/aim and the bolt went astray.
Kenna's chagrin at missing her target was obvious on her expressive face.
Kenna, you feel the hand of the Mayor on your shoulder as you reload your crossbow. "You can do this," he says to you, encouragingly.
Nodding at her, Rory brandishes his club and moves to assist Bannock. "SMASH THOSE RUDDY BURNING SKELETONS!" Rory shouts, trying to make his voice heard over the melee, directing the guard captain's attention.
If the guard captain comes close, Rory will ask, "Where's the master architect? I can get him!"
Seeing the skeleton in front of him crumble to the ground, Rodar, gives a confused look to his tankard. Then slowly a devilish smile forms across his entire face. He takes another swig and charges the next closest skeleton.
With the Mayor's hand on her and his reassuring words, Kenna nodded, a smile lighting her face, her confidence buoyed by Rory Bronson's encouragement.
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The guards cut down the ghoul that slashed bannock leaving only a few skeletons within the town but with the gate aflame it was only a matter of time before it fell through. The archers downed several more skeletons with the blunted arrows and things began to look hopeful even with the wall aflame. When suddenly an aura of dread spread through the area.
You see a figure clad in dark armor, emitting a visible aura of negative energy he is mounted on a pure black stallion with fiery eyes. With his comes several horryfing things. (Know. Religion, nature)
Suddenly the militias cheers are silenced and several archers yell and point as a hulking monstrosity hurtles across the open field towards the gate.
Rodar smiles as his mug bashes one of the 3 skeletons before him, then watches as the guard captain finishes of the real skeleton with his blade.
2 rounds until the thing reaches the gate.
"Fall back! DEFENSIVE POSITIONS!" the Mayor bellows. "FALL BACK!"
Eral hurries to get to the wall, moving faster than he has in decades.
Hearing the Mayor's command, Kenna knew her strength lay in fighting at range and so she moved back and stood before the group, a new bolt loaded in her crossbow, ready to defend.
Bert nocks and fires at the dark horseman.
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As the mayor shouts at the militiamen who look around on the verge of panic he attempts to rally them and form them into a line, including any guards not on the wall at the time. The guard captain nods in agreement and lends his voice to the call.
YOU HEARD THE MAYOR! FORM UP ON ME, QUICKLY! FIGHT FOR YOU HONOR! FIGHT FOR YOUR LIVES! AND FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILIES!
earl comes upon the wall as the flames begin to reach upwards.
know. engineering, and or know. nature and or a profession (architect/constructor) check for me please.
Kenna forms up beside the mayor ready to defend her town from whatever may come through the gate.
Bannock stands there frozen in place staring at the fires until a familiar figure, the town's cleric, places a hand on his shoulder and he feels a warmth flow through him. his open wound mending on its own.
Aetherbert fires and arrow and it flies true striking the figure across the clearing but seems to bounce harmlessly off the figures black armor. As you rack your mind for knowledge on this being you suddenly realize you know nothing about it, it is something unnatural, a small sense of dread tries to gnaw its way into your heart.
perception check please Aetherbert
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nice
The faces of the militamen and women harden, seemingly having become resolute in their choice. The guard captains words and their mayors inspiring presence steeling their hearts against whatever had assailed them. At least for now.
(for future note to everyone, anyone that I feel does good RP, or comes off with a very convincing, or in this case, inspiring speech will get extra bumps on the dice roll that follows. especially in social situations.)
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Bannock stumbles a bit, regaining his footing after his (seemingly) long paralysis, but generally makes his way to the rear. When he regains both will and senses, he finds himself in front of the mayor and the serving-maid who now wields a crossbow with unexpected familiarity.
He decides that this place is as good as any, and stands in front of the mayor, his shield forward, ready to absorb whatever tide may come rolling unto them.
Bannock, you feel a hand clap on your shoulder. "Glad you made it," the Mayor comments.
Eral reaches the wall, but backs up as he feels the heat of the flames. He's hesitant for a moment, but the sounds of battle outside remind him of the direness of the situation. He quickly examines the wall, looking for the areas at the greatest risk.
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I was trying to wait until all players had posted back in to make sure they where still here. But I will move ahead.
Eral instructs the militia and the guards on how to fight the growing fire. with his age his knowledge is a bit fuzzy, however the fire is contained and the walls strengthened with support.
Aetherbert cannot see anything, save the charging orge like being.
1 round until the giant beast hits the gates. Any last movements?
the area around the main gate in enclosed by houses on the left, and the barracks on the right, the city behind. with 3 dirt roads branching off into each direction. the open yard is 50ft by 50ft
Bert curses the monster's armor, then rushes back toward the line of defenders.