the ray strikes the creature in the arm, causing it to jerk slightly, however it still stands
Several skeletons come into view in the distance, and the one closer move in to claw at those closest with bony fingers. He charges Viktor with a wild abandon scoring a hit with one of its claws.
Viktor gives Keydas a nod, shuffling the things that are inside of his backpack. "Indeed. The Father wishes to see the item, claiming them as property and willing to...let some go while selling the others." There is a sound of disappointment in his voice at that. "Damn old man. Does he not understand the danger that this place could be holding?"
The wind grows fiercer even as the rain seems to slow, taking the torchlight almost entirely with it. The mirk around them seems more hostile, more impenetrable. "We should hurry back, we do not-" The words died in the warrior's throat as the screech rips through the air. Corpses begin to rise from the ground around them, a malevolent intent riding upon the wind that tickled his ears and sent a chill down the man's spine. "Something evil is here..." Viktor growls, straining his eyes through the darkness.
With a nod towards Nostros, the warrior lifts his shield but is surprised by the terrible speed that the skeleton encroaches upon him with. Barely in time to raise his shield, the undead claws barely rakes across his neck and leave a series of wicked scratches behind in their wake.
"Foul thing!" Viktor shouts, bashing it away as he draws not his longsword but a heavy mace with metal studs along its side. With a shout, Gunnar will lower his head and crash into the skeleton, trying to shatter the unnatural energy giving power to these bones.
The skeleton easily dodges the blow even as the battle goat moves into a more advantageous position with his master, Viktor's mace swinging through the air.
Keydas sees the creatures, and immediately recognizes the skeletons and zombies for what they are. It takes him a moment to place the howl, but when he does, his face pales.
"Now, to inform each of you, we have three different types of undead coming for us. The skeletal creatures are, quite obviously, skeletons. Due to their lack of any muscular or vascular system, they are quite resistant to weapons such as swords, axes, and bows. I would suggest using something blunter, such as a mace or a club. Their primary weapon is their finger bones, which are sharp as claws. I would avoid such. They are also mindless, and will attack the nearest target."
"The slower moving, fleshier creatures are zombies. Due to their inability to feel pain, blunt weapons and bows do little to slow them. Nostro has the right of it by attacking with a sword, as those sort of weapons will prove most beneficial in stopping them. Their main attack is throwing their body and limbs at you like clubs, and they are also mindless."
"The howl was caused by a creature known as a ghoul. Ghouls are somewhat intelligent undead that feast upon the flesh and bones of living things. Their claws can cause a paralytic effect on their victims, allowing them to eat their prey at their leisure. They are also somewhat resistant to the positive energy channeled by some servants of good-aligned deities. Magic should work upon each of these creatures as normal, though. Hopefully, we can quickly dispatch these mindless creatures before us and get some distance between ourselves and the ghoul before it gets to us."
Filiana looks around horrified at all the undead monstrosities shambling towards the group.
By the gods! By the gods! How has this happened. We should run, we need to escape... no, no... calm down Fi. We can't run. And look, some of the creatures have been slain already. You have your new magic protection... just do what you can to help them... try and do that thing again, the thing you did with the wolf.
Filiana reaches out, pointing her hand at the zombie next to Keydas. She tries to remember back to her time in the forest near her home, but it doesn't quite come to her the same. She finds herself uttering a few brief words of spellcasting and suddenly a pale golden ray springs out at the zombie, but in her excitement she fires wide of the mark.
the zombies shamble forward, their jerking movements hiding an unnatural strength, green silivia like fluid drips from its rotting mouth. One seems to gain an unnatural burst of speed, charging for keydas, the sound of his voice seemingly drawing attention, another shambles close to Gregor, while a third runs up to Viktor.
group before skeletons, you're up.
The beheaded zombie falls to his feet with a cold thud. Proud of his work, Nostro wheels around to survey the remaining battlefield when his stomach hardens to lead. Keydas and Viktor are in dire need of help. I can't reach them both, WHO DO I CHOOSE?! He feels his heart pounding as he spares but a moment to weigh his options. Nostro shifts his grip for an overhand chop as he charges the zombie next to Viktor.
When Ladruca sees that that the zombie seems hardly fazed by the arrow he curses aloud.
''Pharasma's Blood!''
How could i be so foolish as to forget that zombies must be cut! What would Father Otto say if he could see me now.
Shaking his head at such thoughts,he drops his bow at his feet, not having the time to stow it properly. He draws his morningstar but as he prepares to move to engage a skeleton he sees that one of the zombies delivers a fierce wound on Keydas.
Hmm I can't let him die, he can't help me once he's in the ground.
Muttering the words to a spell, his hand begins to glow a deep purple. Placing it against Keydas' back, he invokes healing magic to close his wounds.
Seeing that his own wounds have been fully closed by Pharasma's judgement, he invokes it again this time to make his weapons more lethal.
In the name of Pharasma, fill this vessel with your light that it may share of your might!
He then hops forwards swiftly, to stand beside Keydas and in front of Filiana.
''Come you bags of flesh and bone, come and face destiny!''
you hear another howl, however the ghoul(s) still keep to the shadows.
Viktor would move around the zombie that they are fighting, cursing his current weapon but hoping the damage done will be enough.
"Flank them Gunnar! Viktor shouts, the goat circling around out of the zombie's range before crashing into him at the same time as Viktor's mace goes swinging through the air.
Keydas feels the zombie slam him, hard, and experiences a moment of dread. He feels his breath leave him - and possibly the sound of a bone cracking - until Ladruca runs up and presses a hand on his back. Suddenly, the wounds are healed and he feels invigorated. Cautiously backing away from the zombie, he speaks words of magic, ending in a loud shout and sending a blast of concussive force towards the creature.
As Gegor calls upon the deity pharasma, you see a small light shine briefly, and something washes over the undead, the skeletons seem to shake it off, however the decaying zombies flee from it. The remaining undead move forward, striking at you with fetid claws.
And all whiff horribly, it seems whatever Gregor did that affected them was not to be so simply denied. The ghoul(s) take their turn at this point. Moving.
It is hard to tell whether Filiana is more surprised by the fact of the pale golden ray springing forth from her hand, or by the fact that she completely missed her target. For a moment she stares at her hand as if she halfway expects to have burnt it, but there is nothing there.
It didn't work? Perhaps I can't ... ok calm down, perhaps you can. You just shot magic out of your hand. It didn't hit, but it might have. Just calm down a bit and take more care aiming at it this time. Pay attention now! They are going to swarm on Gregor like fleas on a rat if you don't help.
Taking more care this time, she aims at one of the skeletons next to Gregor and unleashes the pale golden ray once again.
Ladruca takes a moment to look over the edge of the battlefield, trying to see if he can locate the ghouls so as not to be caught unawares.
We have to finish this quickly, before those ghouls arrive, if Keydas is right we need to give them all of our attention.
He takes a quick look at the enemies, deciding on a risky strategy.
For the third time he calls on Pharasma's judgement.
In the name of Pharasma, surround this vessel like a shield, that he may survive this battlefield!
Seeing that Nostro and Viktor have their side of the battlefield under control and that Gregor is about to be surrounded, Ladruca rushes forwards. First coming in stright, he then throws himself into a roll, flying under the skeleton's grasping claws, then again dodging the skeleton and a nearby zombie.
He leapts to his feet from his crouch, taking his morningstar into both hands, he raises it above his head and brings it down on the skeleton's head.
The skeleton's head explodes into dust and he turns to face the next threat satisfied that the skeleton will not be getting back up. He says a quick prayer for the soul of the unfortunate creature.
The zombie beside him seems to turn and flee from the shining light that escapes from Gregor, leaving an opportunity for the fighter to attack.
There is a devastating THWACK as he strikes the zombie, the neck popping but the undead creature still up and moving. The skeleton moves in with sharp claws but it pushed away as it seems weakened from the magic that Gregor exudes for the moment.
Re-centering himself, Viktor whistles for his companion to move up and strike. The goat provides a momentary distraction before the fighter strikes again, aiming to shatter the unholy animation before him.
The skeleton is shattered into dozens of pieces, whatever force keeping it animated losing its power over the onslaught there.
"Hold the line! We're coming!" Viktor shouts, warily looking for the real threat in the darkness around him.
I should have planned for this. Even if this was supposed to be a quick funeral trip. Weapon variety is a basic level of preparation! Iomedae forgive me, my lack of foresight will cause us much pain. Nostro moves to strike the zombie next to Viktor. "Are there extra weapons about? My sword will do naught against the skeletons!" He says, his sword arcing upwards into what passes as the zombie's gut.
Keydas curses as his spell has no effect. You fool, undead are immune to such spells. Poor choice, that.
With the zombies nearest him fleeing, Keydas moves forward to strike the nearest skeleton.
The skeleton misses a wild claw strike as ladruca moves past into a better position.
The last zombie begins to flee
the skeleton lashes towards Gregor, however it just barely misses its mark, its next strike however is so poor it leaves gregor an opening to smash it.
The other remaining skeleton rakes a gash across Ladruca's chest, however its second attack is deftly dodged.
You all hear another unearthly scream, and you see coming into the light two corpse like figures. The ghouls have finally shown themselves.
one charges Nostro from behind a large gravestone.
The other goes to move towards Ladruca and Viktor, but stops short to hiss as it enters the light. The one charging Ladruca bites firmly into his arm and he feels a terrible sickness attempt to enter him as he body starts to go numb.
See Viktor looking hurt, Filiana decides to try again with something she did by accident in the past. Concentrating hard she points at Viktor and a jet of white flame leaps from her hand to him.
The last zombie begins to flee from Viktor, the warrior turning to try and crash his weapon into the decaying abomination's fleeing form.
The blow is glancing and with a thud, the zombie pulls away. Viktor almost jumps as this white fire comes around him yet instead of being burned, his wounds seem to cool and the ache in his muscles lessen.
"Thank you." He says quickly to the halfling, a nod before he takes after the ghoul to the south. "A mere farmer, eh? This must've been what the professor saw."
Another quick whistle and the duo moves to support the paladin, Viktor wincing as he sees the ghoul's terrible claws find purchase in the tiefling's flesh. "Hold strong, Nostro. I'm coming!"
As the ghoul pulls back, eager to try to dig into its prospective meal, Viktor manuevers to the side with a roar of anger. The goat follows suit, their battle cries mixing as they strike.
The mace finds purchase in a singular strike!, a crack coming from the ghoul's shoulder as it deftly avoids the goat's strike but not Viktor's attack.
Damn! The ghouls have arrived! That tiefling is going to need help. But I can't leave with these skeletons here.
He takes a small step back so as to stand just south of Gregor and mutters the words to a spell. He raises his hand a jet of white light strikes the skeleton he was standing beside.
"Gregor,we must finish these skeletons quickly and engage the ghouls!"
He calls on his Goddess' judgement once more to call for healing.
Keydas charges one of the skeletons attacking the pair of Gregor and Viktor, swinging the mace towards it.
Out of the corner of his eye, he barely sees the ghoul before it is upon him. His reflexes are just fast enough to put his arm between the ghoul's rotting teeth and his neck. Nostro releases a pained grunt as the teeth sink deeply into his arm and a cold numbness spreads forth. He manages to batter it back with his shield, the ghoul staggering back from the blow. Must... Fight it... Off...
Fortunately, the chill in his arm begins to subside as quickly as it came on. Seeing an opening as the ghoul starts to recover, he sends a rapid thrust of his sword at it's foul body. Center of mass, just like the Captain taught me.
He roars as he rips his blade out of the stiffening corpse. With a flourish of his cape, he turns to face the remaining ghoul, sword raised against it, With the end of his sentence comes a soft glow about his sword as the righteous fury of his words empower it.
The skeleton struck by the ray of light almost crumbles to dust, however it seems something tightens its grip on it and it just barely manages to keep together. It lashes out in return however the damage done to it renders its swings wild and useless.
The ghoul not engaged with Nostro charges towards the one causes the other undead to flee in terror, Barely able to force its dripping maw through the shield of energy around him.
The ghoul that bit Nostro is beaten to near death, however it hisses in defiance, still standing after both of Nostro's and Viktor solid hits. It then lashes out again, biting at Viktor before attempting to rake its claws across Nostro. However in its attempt to get both, and in its wounded state it cannot penetrate the armor of the two warriors.
players go.
The ghoul lashes out at Viktor, trying to get into his flesh with a savage bite, but the attack is deflected away with a shove of his shield. As the thing is taken off balance, Gunnar attacks from behind.
He and Gunnar both move to assist the others, setting themselves up to protect the more vulnerable members as best they can.
Gunnar moves along the ground, baying towards the paladin and hoping to set up a flank with him against the ghoul.
Hefting his morningstar in the air he brings it down in a vicious sweep towards the ghoul's rotting face.
Cursing his poor timing,Ladruca braces himself as he feels the skeletons claws coming in. Having failed to move he instead brings his morningstar in a sweeping arc.
Reeling from the skeleton's swing however he misses the mark.
With a flourish of his cape, he turns to face the remaining ghoul, sword raised against it, With the end of his sentence comes a soft glow about his sword as the righteous fury of his words empower it.
With holy determination, Nostro charges towards the ghoul and attempts to strike it down with his empowered might.
A sickening squelch emanates from the ghoul as his sword cuts fast and deep. "There is no place in this world for abominations such as you..." He whispers to the ghoul, it's body rapidly losing strength.
"Viktor. We almost have it." He says as he whips his sword around for a second swing, confidence rising. That goat isn't very powerful, but I admire his determination.
Ladruca smashes the ghoul, it lets out a Hiss at the injury, the distraction allows Nostro to swiftly move and completely decapitate the horrid creature is a deft stroke, causing his cape to flutter out behind him. You also notice the rotting corpses and bones quickly disintegrating to powder.
Combat over. PCs have the floor as they see fit. If you wish to hunt down the zombies, you can do so without further combat with them. Unless you run into other things in the search. Gregor unfortunately still must make his saves.
Also, congratulations! You are all level 2! Have fun with that.
"A fitting end for the monsters." He says as he cleans off his blade. He grimaces a little as he feels the raw flesh of his arm burning in the wet night air, his adrenaline wearing off. Always such a mess fighting zombies and ghouls. I need more practice to have let one deal such a grievous blow. Nostro turns towards the party, "How is everyone? We made it through." While waiting for responses, he scans the party through the eyes of his Deathwatch. Not bad, but not great. They performed admirably nontheless. Seeing Gregor's stiff body in the mire, he moves to pull him up right and brushes the bulk of the grime off until he comes to.
Once everyone has checked in, he stares off into the direction the undead fled. "The town would benefit from their destruction. We aren't in the best shape though. Another night is better, unless there is a proficient healer among us."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As Gregor, starts to swoon Ladruca rushes over and grabs him by the arm. He throws Gregor's arm over his own shoulder and calls out for some assistance.
''Can I have a hand here, he's not exactly light.''
He turns to regard the rest of his companions, trying to judge who if any he should spend his last healing spell on.
Gregor and Nostro look the most hurt. Nostro seems like the kind to feel the need to repay a debt. Hmm maybe he will do.
''Is anyone seriously hurt? I have one healing spell left, though i fear i can't do anything about our necromancer's paralysis. Also can someone pass me my bow? Im a little occupied at the moment''
He smiles and gestures to Gregor as he says this trying not to jostle the necromancer's wounds too much.
''You are lucky my shovel-wielding friend, a moment later and your paralysis might have gotten you killed.''
The last ghoul falls and the undead around them lay broken, the breath leaving Viktor's lips in hard, raspy breathes. He looks amongst his comrades, watching the others and seeing Gregor's body tense as the ghoul's foul corruption surges over him. The others help him though, ensuring that the necromancer is out of harm's way.
As the bodies seem to dispose into dust, Viktor tries to move quickly. He pulls out his dagger, cutting away a bit of the ghoul's flesh and quickly placing it within a vial before sealing it close. "It seems whatever has been giving life to these foul things is hiding the evidence as well. We must speak to the father before all of it is gone. Then we must hunt the others down and ensure that the undead harm no one else. Luckily, the soil is wet and the hunt will be relatively easy. Zombies are not quiet creatures."
Turning to the others, he gives them a nod and shakes his head at the mention of healing. "I shall be fine, Filiana's...talents...helped soothe my wounds. We should make haste to the church once more." Even if the father was asleep within, he'd make damn sure the man saw him now. Undead rising on the grounds of the Lady of Graves? It was blasphemy of the most terrible kind.
Gunnar would return back to the halfling's side, standing guard as he had been ordered to back when they first entered into the crypt. It had a proud look upon his face, the horns shimmering with the blood of the ghoul.
Noting Gregor as the most obviously badly hurt, Filiana will send a jet of the white flame his way...
Then she replies to Ladruca ... I will get it!, and she rushes over and grabs his bow for him.
Thanks be to the Dawnflower! We defeated the evil! We survived! And my curse turned out to not be such a curse at all ... I actually helped, a little anyway.
As she runs the bow over to Ladruca, Filiana is grinning almost manically.
Ladruca nods his thanks and gives Filiana a small smile when she passes him his bow.
''You did very well for a simple farmer. I must admit to being curious why you didn't tell us that you knew magic though?''
Well I suppose we are entitled to our secrets.
His tone is curious and even a little amused.
He agrees with Viktor's statement and informs the group of such.
''Yes, best we return to that old bag of joy. He might even be gracious enough to look at our necromancer and do something for his paralysis. As for his wounds....''
He trailed off as Filiana casts her spell and his wounds start to close. Ladruca's hand begins to glow purple as he mutters the words to his healing spell and he reaches around Gregor to lay his hand on Nostro and heal his wounds.
Satisfied with his task, he motions to the rest that they should start to head back to the Priest.
Filiana looks embarrassed at Ladruca's question.
I ... umm, that is... I ...
She looks down ... How do I start? How do I explain this... I am going to look so foolish.
I, I don't know what it is I do. I've never really done any of this on purpose before. It's always just happened by accident. I really didn't know I could choose it. In fact I've been trying my hardest not to do it at all. It has always caused trouble for me, and everyone has always hated me, or been scared of me because of it. Even my ... umm ... anyway, I haven't done any of it in months. Even though Cobble thought it could be a good thing, I've always just thought I was cursed.
She looks around the group one at the time, searching for any sign of the hatred or fear that she had seen from those of her community in the past. When it seems that she sees none of that, she looks both puzzled and relieved.
The thing is, so long as I can do this ... ... she mutters a few words and suddenly her hands glow with the luminescence of a Light spell ... ... I will never truly be welcome back in my home. But maybe, just maybe, I can do something worthwhile with it. If I can help to protect folks from these whisperers the Professor wrote about, then perhaps it will turn out that I ain't so cursed after all. Maybe then, I can go home.
There is a look of enjoyment at the giddiness that the halfling moves about with, even after such a harrowing encounter with such terrible things. "They always seemed so impossibly upbeat. I admire such optimism and happiness." As she began to explain herself, how she did the magic that she did, he nodded a little bit. He had heard of sorcerers and sorcereresses, those who could conjure magic not through study and practice but through will and blood. Strange bloodlines flowed through all the races and it was not unheard of for them to be ostracized for their strange gifts. Ustalav was not the place for such unique talents, it did not welcome anything that did not fit the familiar, grim mold it had carved for itself. How strange they all must look now, being outsiders brought here by a strange, old man. When she looked into Viktor's face, there was a look of compassion upon the warrior's face that was at odd with the ruined blood that decorated his armor and the grime upon his form from combatting the undead. The brilliant light that rose from her hands brought a smile to his face and he would nod, speaking softly.
"It seems that I was not wrong in thinking that the Professor something more in you, Filiana. Do not worry, your secret will be kept just that with me. You help us and I am certain your home will welcome you back. We all need those who will stand against the creeping dark." With a nod towards Ladruca, he would lift his sunrod and lead the way towards the the church itself despite the fierce, blowing winds. If there was still enough of a body to take, he would grab the ghoul's body and take it with him as quickly as he could to the church itself. Once there at the door, Viktor would use his amazing strength to pound his gauntlet loud enough on the door to maybe even surprise those that are nearby.
His voice boomed out, the goat yelling in support behind him. Almost sheepishly, he'd turn to the others and his eyes would dart down, a small blush coming across his cheeks. "Sorry."
At Viktor's hammering, you hear what sounds like something being dropped. Quickly the door to the small temple open and a rather ruffled and tired looking priest opens the door.
What? what do you want!
Viktor stands there, dirty and wounded. In his arms lays the dead ghoul and he gives the priest a look. "Undead are roaming your graveyard priest. We have slain a number of them but some fled our wrath. We need a touch of healing before hunting down the others."
He holds out the body, frowning at the awful smell coming from the dead creature. "When we last spoke, the father said he believed the professor to be prone to a vivid imagination. I hope this evidence will help show him that our cause is just and justified, unless the undead are a common thing here in the Restlands?"
There was perhaps a bit of attitude in the warrior's voice at that but his expression was both stern and concerned. What if this attack had come at another time, with less able combatants as the prey? Lives would've been lost. Yet there was that sound upon the wind, that laughter that teased just on the edge of being heard. Something wicked was stirred here in Ravengro, Viktor could feel it in the chill of the air.
Keydas brushed himself off, Ladruca's spell having healed his wounds already. "Well, I most certainly did not expect that. I am alright now, thanks to Ladruca, but I am very unaccustomed to combat such as that. Hopefully, the next time we fight something, I'll be able to use my bow. I'm a bit better at fighting with that than any other weapon."
Keydas nods at Viktor's suggestion. "I concur that Father Grimburrow must be told of this, and I believe I shall leave it to you to do so. Nostro, you and I should return this moss to Jominda. If you wish to stay and hunt the abominations down, I shall go myself."
Regardless, Keydas will part ways with the others to deliver the moss to Jominda, and to ask his questions.
|
Eventually, Gregor begins to move slowly, stretching his muscles and slowly moving his hands. He looks to Filiana.
"Thank you for soothing my wounds. I feel better."
Looking around to the others he lets a small smile appear on his face.
"We fought well together. I am glad to have found such brave and worthy companions."
He then starts looking around the graveyard.
"We should seek out those undead that fled the battle. I would be remiss in my duties if i allowed them to harm someone. Once we finish here I will head back into the graveyard."
The purple light relieves the aching burn of the wound on his arm, the flesh quickly sewing together again. What a wondrous gift. One I will never possess... "Ladruca. You have my thanks."
The wind causes his armor and clothes to rustle as he turns to address Keydas, "Keydas. I will return to Jominda too. Completing our business, I will join Gregor in the Graveyard. " Zombies will be easy prey. Clumsy fools wallowing in the mud.
Nostro then follows Keydas, collection of moss in hand, to the alchemist's shop.
The acolyte jumps slightly as the last of the ghoul withers away into powder.
Well, undead and the like are not exactly uncommon in this land. However, if the read are indeed rising within the Restlands... that is troubling.... Well, come in.
you enter the small chapel and the acolyte asks you to wait as he goes to find Grimburrow.
Keydas and Nostro, you knock on Jominda's door, she opens it with a surprised look on her face. Oh! I didn't except you back today. Well, a deal is a deal. Come in.
Entering the shop, Keydas smiles and hands Jominda the box with the moss.
"Well, I perhaps would have waited for tomorrow, but I felt it necessary to speak sooner rather than later. May I sit down?"
Assuming she says yes, Keydas will take a seat and say, "I don't want to take up too much of your time, so I thought I'd cut right to the chase. Kendra says you were one of Professor Lorrimor's closest friends in the town. Do you believe he was a necromancer?"
Filiana follows along quietly after Viktor and Ladruca. She is clearly deep in thought and from time to time looks at her hands, turning them over back and forward as if she can't quite believe that they are hers.