Yaara Ndor (10+ Years in the making- Open world)

Game Master Lanx_Kotan

"That is somewhat troubling... What do you think it could be?" He asks the others, as he feeds his rat some of the trail ration he came with.

Elves traveling to the sea, leaving middle earth? I'm joking, but only partially. It could be some sort of exodus, for what reason, who knows. Maybe we should investigate, or maybe our current investigation will lead us to an answer.

Perhaps... I think this trail will be here when we return, perhaps we should set a marker here and go question these pilgrims, Dmitri proposes while checking to be sure his sword is clear.

"I can easily establish a mark for us to come back to, if needed."

Alright, so are you traveling along the route of the travelers you heard last night, where they came from, going south along the trail you are following, following the trail north west to its origin or something else?

Jeremiah will voice that they should continue on their intended path for now, and he'll leave marks along the trail for us to come back too.

Justin nods in agreement with Jerimiah's suggestion, and compliments his cleverness in leaving a marker for them to come back to.

"I'd like to ask them if they're fleeing from something, and if so, I want to know what it is.. Don't want to end up getting caught up in something that'll get us killed if we end up falling under its path."

"It could easily be more bandits or highwaymen...but I like your optimistic idea. Travelers in need of help or with information to offer."

You are arriving within sight of the travelers. Would someone like to do a prescription roll or are you simply rushing up on them?

Jeremiah will have left various Arcane Marks along the trail, each of which resembling a rat. His insignia ring which was blank when purchased also has the same symbol.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

As the group catches up to the travelers, Dmitri falls back with Toby and tries to look them over. Do you see anything of note?

Sure, I kill the perception rolls now, and then I'm going to biff it horribly when we REALLY need it >_>

Toby sees a group of haggard looking travelers, almost falling over themselves as they travel East parallel to the road but a couple miles north of the road. They look sickly and injured...They all seem to have missed morning coffee.
Dmitri can see that a few of them have missing limbs and in fact notices as one of them loses a limb, it just falls off. They stink of death and decay and they are incoherent and only moan. They remind of many horror movies you may have seen. They are not a lively bunch.

Brian blanches at the sight. He mumbles to the group, while still out of earshot. "Ugh. Lepers, unless I miss my mark. Or, I guess, zombies. Either way, we'd be doing them a mercy giving them the peace of death. Are any of us clerics? I don't think so, which means we can't Cure Disease. So, um, if you guys wanna talk to them that's fine, but stay at least 10 paces away. If they get any closer, I'm gonna hafta go all 28 Days Later on them and cry havoc and let slip the dogs-that-eat-your-face-and-then-go-away-so-it-doesn't-matter-if-they-get-i nfected.

What?"

(It's up to you where you go from here with this, you can "give them the peace of death", talk to them, let slip dogs of eat your face etc, chat, cure disease...or anything else.)

"Are you serious? We tracked zombies? That's awesome! Well - as usual - if they are sentient, I am against just eradicating them for no good reason. If they're mindless, let's get killing! So.. Who's going to try communicating with them?"

Looking between each of his comrades, he continues with, "I'll do it if no one else wants to.. I'm rather charismatic - just ask Dmitri! I practically had spiders eating out of my hand before!"

Jeremiah startles at the announcement, "What? Untoten? I- I shouldn't be surprised, but... A-ah, no! I... really think it'd be a bad idea to go near them. They move about with no purpose with what I can see, no mind."

The shambling group is about 120 feet away and not currently aware of your presence...even though there was some charismatic yelling. Your choice on how to proceed. Had Head toward the throng stealthily to ambush them, had to them with intent to converse, head away from them in any number of directions, or anything else.

I... really think it'd be a bad idea to go near them. They move about with no purpose with what I can see, no mind."

I agree 100%. This isn't some video game where we need to gain experience and jump every thing we come across. If those are...Toby shudders really zombies, I say good let 'em go!

I am loathe to let a group of undead wander the wilderness, if that is in fact what they are, Dmitri says grimly after a moment of pondering, but I also think we are too few in number to take them on. And if they are sentient, I doubt there is anything we can do for them.

The rogue hears his companions out-numbering his inane curiosity and crosses his arms, giving a little pout of his lip as he says, "3 to 1 - ooooo'kaaaaaaay! No zombies today, it seems.. It does beg the question, however... 'Where in God's name did they come from,' 'Why,' 'Where are they going,' and 'What caused them to become zombies?'"

Pondering over his statement, he quickly adds, "...Though I suppose that's 'questions' - never been good at only asking one..."

"Hmm... I am curious as well."

Next activity then? You followed them east your trail picks up in the West and heads north.

"Or we could just follow them? I mean, why are zombies moving anywhere? Wouldn't they have been commanded to do so?

Justin, will you -pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease- go shout at them if they're alive or not? If they answer, great, we can help them. If not, then we can't just let them go to go...Idunno, eat some family on their farm or go all Night of the Living Dead on some young, nubile, scantily clad and essentially dumb co-eds. Hey, guys, come on! The world needs more scantily clad co-eds. For the co-eds!"

Brian stares at Justin expectantly.

(A note...there was one group similar to this one every 6 hours or so last night. There were three groups noted last night...this in only one.)

How many are in this group right now?

Toby, being somewhat stealthy, will go ahead and try to determine dead or not dead, for sure.

If they are zombies, and they see me, I'm pretty sure fire historically does well...

Toby will stick to cover as much as she can and get within double move range.

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Brian nods and wait for the older woman to come back.

There are no movements from them, they don't seem to notice you. Most of them if not all seem to be dead and still walking. There are 6 obviously dead ones and 2 wearing cloaks but seem to be similar in how they act.

He nervously pets the space between his rat's ears as he awaits for Toby to finish whatever she's planning to do.

Toby comes back. Well, they're definitely zombies, all right. There are eight. If we want to take them out, let me sneak up again and fire a blast before the battle starts; if I'm lucky, I can take one out before they even know we're there.

Well, if that's the plan, so be it, Dmitri replies while checking to see that his sword is clear (a nervous habit by this point) and his armor is set right.

Brian nods, happy that they'll finally be taking a proactive step to bring some goodness to this world.

An eagle silently appears next to him, and the pair wait in tense readiness for the moment of import.

Taking the surprise round against the zombies, interesting call. Alright, so, it will be Toby's attack (everyone can move but you are all a little far), zombies reaction, then everyone takes a turn, zombies take a turn.

1..Z...3
.2..z..5
4....6..

Zombies 1-6
Robed Zombie Z&z

Toby moves within 30'.

Heavenly Fire
Touch:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (3) = 5

Which zombie? You hit then for sure, but I need to know which one you agro-ed.

Which zombie? You hit then for sure, but I need to know which one you agro-ed.

Let's say 4.

4 turns as bright holy burning light shoots it from your finger tip, flesh burned badly but he doesn't seem to care. Moaning loudly as it turns in the direction of the ray of holy flame, hobbling a little as it makes its way. The other zombies turn and slowly follow mindlessly. They don't make it to you before you are able respond.

1..Z..3.
.2..z..5
..4..6..
........
........
........
....T...

Jerimiah - J
Justin - T
Toby - O
Brian - B
Eagle - E
Dmitri - D

Zombie 1 - No damage
Zombie 2 - No damage
Zombie 3 - No damage
Zombie 4 - 5 damage
Zombie 5 - No damage
Zombie 6 - No damage
Robed Zombie 1 (Z) - No damage
Robed Zombie 2 (z) - No damage

Please repost the makeshift map at the end of your post if you move. Always post the given number or letter of the creature you attack.

Dmitri sets his shoulders and sets his sights on zombie 6, making sure he's lined up before sprinting down the valley, loosing a powerful shout as he slashes with his sword directly from its scabbard.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 - 1 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

1..Z..3.
.2..z..5
..4..6..
.....D..
........
........
....T...

Dmitri's slashing weapon seams to be really effective against the rotting flesh. Slashing the zombie deep into it's shoulder, its left arm is cut clean through and falls with almost no blood, maggots escaping the body wound and the fallen arm, it ststarts at strange lots of weight and realizes too late whom the damage came from.

(Sorry meant this as the map.)
.
.
.
.
.
1..Z..3.
.2..z..5
..4..6..
.....D..
........
........
....O...

Justin Jerimiah Brian and Toby still have a turn.

stats for Eagle: AC (18), HP:2/7, Attacks: 2 talons+6(d4+3) 1 beak+6 (d4+3)

Brian casts Mage Armor on the patient eagle, and it screams into melee by the samurai's side.

1..Z..3.
.2..z..5
..4..6..
.....DE.
........
........
....O...

Eagle attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Jeremiah simply takes aim and fires his crossbow at 4

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
1d8 ⇒ 1

1..Z..3.
.2..z..5
..4..6..
.....DE.
........
........
....O...

Jeremiah misses the zombie, but the eagle's claws dig deep into the rotting flesh, pulling off bits and chunks of flesh almost no blood comes from the wounds, but it falls down, what blood it has is pouring out quickly.
Zombie 1 - No damage
Zombie 2 - No damage
Zombie 3 - No damage
Zombie 4 - 5 damage
Zombie 5 - No damage
Zombie 6 - 11 Damage
Robed Zombie 1 (Z) - No damage
Robed Zombie 2 (z) - No damage

Just waiting on Toby?

Sorry. Toby fires again. If the zombies are still flat footed, they gain the extra D6. Still attacking #4.

Touch:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
1d4 ⇒ 2
1d6 ⇒ 1

Your ray misses the staggering zombie by nearly a foot. They all begin lumbering around everyone that is next to them.
.
.
..z.Z3..
..4DE5..
..21....
........
..O.....

Dmitri
Zombie 1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 21d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Dmitri
Zombie 2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 31d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Eagle
Zombie 3: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 131d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Dmitri
Zombie 4: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 191d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Eagle
Zombie 5: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Confirm: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Dmitri
Zombie z: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 221d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Confirm: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Eagle
Zombie Z: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 141d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

DM85, you didn't roll damage for your confirmation, so I'll just assume double the original amount. Eagle: AC (18), HP:1/7, Attacks: 2 talons+6(d4+3) 1 beak+6 (d4+3). Also, you appear to have rolled THREE 20s in a row. Congrats. Now don't do that again. =)

Brian leans on his polearm, content to allow the summoned bird to deal out his righteous fury. The Eagle attacks #3, hoping to coordinate with the samurai.

Eagle Claw: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Eagle Claw damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Eagle talon1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Eagle damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Eagle talon2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Eagle damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Toby will position herself to continue fire on #4, if possible.

TOUCH:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
1d4 ⇒ 4