Professor Rokannon, lost in thought, turns to Karl when he speaks.
"Hm?" He inquired, blowing a smoke ring.
Initiative
Perception
Darren moves in front of his allies to face the door and draws his sword and shield. "What is the meaning of this, sir?!" he cries, a hint of angry panic in his voice.
The door opens and several shambling creatures rush toward you.
From behind, the sound of rushing water fills the rooms. Only you see it's not water beginning to stream toward you, but chemicals from the vats!
Karl wastes no time, but sends an arrow at the first "zombie".
"What treachery!" Darren cries, outraged, looking around for Heiger as an object to put his sword in.
Attack
Damage
Darren moves forward and slashes at the first zombie through the door. It doubles over from the attack, right in time for Karl's arrow to punch through its head, dropping it to the ground.
The sound of chemicals rushing out of the tanks continues, and the three remaining zombies continue to shamble forward.
Darren moves into the next zombie, sword swinging.
Attack
Damage
Gritting his teeth around his pipe at the betrayal, Professor Rokannon snaps his fingers at a zombie (preferably already injured) casting an Acid Splash, and a greenish blob flies out at it.
for a possible acid damage.
"I don't like the sound of those chemicals." He said, looking around for the best route to avoid the flood certain to come.
Karl releases two arrows in rapid succession at the "zombie"furthest from Darren.
Agreed Karl growls in response to Roaknnon's statement. Let's finish these off quickly and get out of here. Master Heiger has not seen the last of me.
"That man is pure evil, I could see it plain as day," Darren grunts, "I'll put him to the sword myself if he won't surrender!"
Darren takes another zombie down, while the acid splash and one of Karl's arrows drops a third.
A scream echoes down the stairs and a pink skinless humanoid leaps down to land on the floor. His mouth opens wide and reveals rows of pointed teeth. His hands extend forward to reveal long black talons on the ends of his fingers. "Now I'll take all of your skins!"
From the room containing the vats, daggers fly at Karl and Faradir, but both sail harmlessly past the men. A small figure has broken free from the shadows and is standing in the doorway.
From your engineering background, you also know that the chemicals are likely flowing from an emergency release valve at the base of the vat. Such valves have a wheel that can open and close the flow.
Those zombies are alive! Karl cries out. They're bleeding!
The half-elf looks worriedly from the knife thrower to the skinless, pink horror but sheathes his bow and draws his greatsword in a fluid motion as he steps up next to Rokannon. Best stay back, Professor. He doesn't seem very friendly. Any help would be appreciated though. I'm somewhat fond of my skin.
"Beard of Nethys! Those zombies are alive! They could be controlled victims..."
"There is about thirty seconds before the chemical vat flood cuts off access to the stairs. I suggest we concentrate on removing the obstacle to accessing the stairway"
Any help would be appreciated though. I'm somewhat fond of my skin.
"Well then, would you want to be Enlarged?
Well, I'm pretty big already... Karl says cluelessly.
"Victims?" Darren asks hesitantly, almost reluctantly, but he steps up to the zombie and with a twist of his wrist sweeps the flat of his blade through the air, followed by the un-spiked edge of his shield.
Attack
Damage
Shield Bash
Damage
Well, I'm pretty big already... Karl says cluelessly.
Rokannon glances at Karl, wondering if he was pulling his leg.
"Ah, what I meant is that I can double your height and reach (you and your equipment too), increase your strength a bit, multiply your weight by eight... make you easier to hit... For a few minutes. Some warriors find it useful."
Sounds great!
Quickly, Professor Rokannon mutters the enchantment and gestures as he casts Enlarge Person on Karl.
The Professor's voice carries over the din of battle and Karl magically grows to twice his size.
Darren pulls his blows in an attempt to subdue the zombie, but his blows turn aside without affecting his target.
The zombie tries to punch Darren, but his armor shields him from the strike.
The small figure dodges to the side and seems to disappear from view!
Now you remember.
The scars on your arm are still fresh from the most recent procedure, and you remember the man who has come to visit, time and again, to take a sample of your skin. Even now, you count twelve narrow wounds on your arm where layers of skin were excised with surgical precision. You remember his voice, and his stench, and most disturbingly, his sadistic pleasure at causing you pain.
You look around and to your surprise, you see two others beside you, also strapped down on operating tables.
Devi flexes her thin, wiry form attempting to break the bonds that hold her fast.
Morbury shakes the cobwebs out as he notices the woman attempting to break free. He tries himself...
...but finds himself unable to. "Madam, how do you fare in breaking your bonds?"
Devi strains again, her muscles quivering with the effort.
"I think I can do it, just need another go at it. Wait? Did you just call me madam?"
Devi let's out a gale of unladylike laughter. The guffaw is loud, long, and decidedly undignified.
"Madam...*whew*...too funny."
Devi turns to look at her jester and gasps in shock and delight, her eyes suddenly childlike and full of wonder.
"You're a dhampir! Descendants of vampires, they can see in the dark, but are harmed by holy magics while made hale by dark energies: a veritable living undead! How extraordinary! What is it like?"
Confused on why 'madam' struck her as funny, Morbury is quickly taken aback by her instant knowledge of his kind, finding himself at a loss for words on the matter. "Well, um, it has its ups and downs, I guess. No different than any other living being, I suppose." Morbury attempts at his bonds again...
...and manages to free one hand. "Do not falter, ma...," he starts, yet now he's a bit leery on continuing. "Madam," he winces as the habit ultimately wins out, "I am called Dedlock. Morbury Dedlock. At your service." He looks at the one bond that's still got him trapped. "Well, 'twould be far easier to aid you if I could alleviate myself of this last bond."
"I am please to meet you Morbury. I am Devi. 'Madam' is term for stuffy old woman who eat cake a gossip too much."
She smiles at his chivalry. "Let's just see who breaks out first, then they can help the other, no?"
_________
"What's your name friend? As to your questions, I'm not sure, and I don't know!"
She chuckles, pleased with what she deems to be witty answers.
"A Dhampir is a living creature but is affected by divine energies as though an undead creature. Isn't that fascinating!?"
Devi flexes again, attempting to break free.
This time her bonds break and she immediately moves to Morbury and examines his restraints.
"I'll have you out in no time friend."
Devi sees the gesture, "I hope you're gawking at my necklace and not my chest. Gods know there's precious little to look at to begin with..."
"I am please to meet you Morbury. I am Devi. 'Madam' is term for stuffy old woman who eat cake a gossip too much."
She smiles at his chivalry. "Let's just see who breaks out first, then they can help the other, no?"
Morbury nods, slightly grinning. "Agreed." He continues to work on his bonds while he listens to her explain to Bertholdt what she knows of his kind.
As his attention is on the conversation at hand, Morbury finds himself putting little effort in breaking free.
Devi flexes again, attempting to break free. This time her bonds break and she immediately moves to Morbury and examines his restraints.
"I'll have you out in no time friend."
As he gives a nod of "go"...
...one more mighty tug and the assistance from Devi manages to free Morbury from his bonds. "Thank you. I am most grateful," he nods in thanks. Turning to the gentlemen, "She is correct. Her knowledge of my kind is astounding. I am called Dedlock. Morbury Dedlock. A pleasure to meet you. And you as well, um, Devi. Is Devi agreeable? I am unaccustomed to not using some form of title but if it is your desire, I shall honor it." He nods again. "Now, we need to find our possessions and see what the commotion is all about. It is possible that the sound of battle could be a boon for us." Morbury looks around to see if there is something that might contain their gear.
"Devi is just fine. All my friends call me so. Or, they would if I had any." She gives a practiced smile of apathy, but a canny observer might spy a wistful hope lurking behind it.
Morbury looks to her curiously. "I would gather you do not give yourself enough credit. Nevertheless, I would be honored to call you friend," he says, grinning, giving a slight bow of his head. "To you as well, Sir Bertholdt. We have obviously been through a great deal together," he pauses as he looks at the scars upon his arms and looks to theirs as well, "without even realizing it until now. The 'Man' has been away too long." His eyes narrow at the thought of their torturer. "Whatever poisons he's been using to keep us sedated have apparently run their course. We must find our possessions."
The skinless man charges at Karl, drawing an attack, but avoiding the strike.
He swipes at Karl with black-taloned hands, but fails to hit.
-----
As the group breaks free of their bonds, they despair at not seeing their familiar gear anywhere in sight. But the cabinets around the room hold many items that may be of use.
-----
Round Three
Darren
Zombie
Faradir
Small Stealthy Figure
Skinless Man
Karl
Devi straps a handful of sharpened implements to her person and picks up an old, studded candelabra.
She then moves to the door and listens, trying to determine what's going on on the other side.
Unable to find any of their gear, Morbury moves over to one of the tables to see what he might be able to use. Noticing a lengthy serrated blade that has spots of dried blood upon it, Morbury picks it up, examining it. "Oh my." With no time to contemplate whether or not to use such an evil looking weapon, he grabs the handle with both hands and moves over next to Devi.
"When Sir Bertholdt is prepared, Devi, we shall proceed. It is our time."
"Or we could throw caution to the wolves..." Devi says as Bertholdt flings the door wide.
She tightens her grip on her candelabra and readies herself.
Karl focuses on his enemy, then steps back and swings once more at the skinless man with all his might.
Darren whips out the blunt edges of his weapons once more, trying to drop the zombie long enough to come to Karl's assistance.
Attack Longsword
Damage
Attack Shield Bash
Damage
Round Three
Devi
Darren
Zombie
Faradir
Bertholdt
Small Stealthy Figure
Skinless Man
Karl
Devi
Darren hits the zombie with his sword and shield, dropping the zombie in a heap on the ground. unconscious
Professor Rokannon assesses the situation ...
Bertholdt moves up and opens the door, revealing a large storage room, containing a massive half-elf who appears to be fighting against a man with no skin! Several others are also present.
A small figure leaps out from the shadows as it throws daggers at the large man!
The skinless man swings his claws at Karl again!
Karl takes a step back and brings his huge sword around in a wide arc, nearly cutting the skinless man in half across his torso!
-----
Faradir may still act in this round if he wants to do something.
The zombie Darren hit is unconscious, but alive.
Everyone else, please go ahead and post your actions/intent for the next round.
"Wow! This is fantastic!" Devi wracks her brain to see what she knows of these skinless abominations.
Professor Rokannon snaps his fingers and fires and the bluish orb of an Acid Splash sails out towards the skinless man battling Karl.
for a possible acid damage.
Morbury moves into the room, near the half-elf, observing the scene before him and gambles that he is on the "good" side due to the unnaturalness of the skinless man he's fighting.
"Do not fear, we are here to help." Morbury tells him, standing to the right and slightly behind the over-sized ranger as a nimbus of light begins to emanate from himself, steadily brightening.