”It sounds like you are allies of a free Mulmaster. Come on over.” he looks to the others and nods as he waves you all over the wall. He is taking precautions to stand some away from any of you.
”A zombie gnome you say? We’ve heard reports from behind us of undead attacks and sightings. I’d say you’re heading the right direction.“ He takes in a bit more of a somber tone. ”I ask you friends, do you happen to have any extra arms that you could spare. Crossbow bolts would be specifically great. “
I've got only the hammers of my craft, and Bertha here, good sir. Raiden says, as he pats the sword.
"No bolts, but a tripline works well for the undead and is quick to setup. Got some rope? String up a perimeter there to there and then at 10 ft intervals in concentric circles. They fall flat on their faces and are easier to hit up close...so you don't waste your bolts." he winks and points his finger at the man like a little know it all.
Ravvek is much more quiet than usual. It seems to those that know him that this situation has him unnerved... I have a bundle of arrows that I can spare.
Ravvek fishes out a score of arrows from his backpack, But no quarrels, sadly. Help us find that abomination and hopefully we can slow this undead tide for you...
I’m afraid I carry few weapons. Is there any other assistance I can offer?
The freedom fighters are appreciatetive if Scram’s guidance and help. They are disappointed at the offerings but the general consensus is that if you are able to clear the area behind them, that would be very helpful. ”Perhaps if you find any other arms on your travels, you can turn them over to us.” the man that spoke befor says. ”I am Ras Fenin and we are The Miserables. Will there be anything else we can help you with?”
To Ravv ”I’m afraid my place is here. It wouldn’t do to let this fine barricade fall into enemy hands. FOR MULMASTER!” He finishes as he calls out to his fellow resisters. The all answer with a similar call to freedom.
Ravvek nods, Understood. We will find this thing and tear it down... The paladin turns to leave, then looks back over his shoulder and finishes, For Mulmaster.
Well, then. Shall we leave? Every second we waste, someone could die.
Sashah rallies forward "Indeed! To study!"
Anton nods and follows Ravvek.
Suspicious of the Mulmasterites and their historical loyalty to Bane, Scramsax suggests "Perhaps a prayer before we leave...surely your god will give you the grace to triumph over undead...who do you follow again?"
Zayless mumbles like he is having an argument with himself, "FINE." He relents apparently loosing his inner monologue he then regards the freedom fighter. "May they serve you well in the struggle." His manner is friendly and his words gracious but the set of his face and jilted tone show that he would rather keep the bolts and light crossbow he turns over to them.
Uriah looks bored. These guys are walking cliches...
Pretty standard barricade you have there.
Raiden ponders the quirky mix of folks he is travelling with before following Ravvek to go help end a war. Or at least kill a zombie.
Ras’s eyes light up as Zayless begrudgeoningly hands over his bolts but he refuses the crossbow. ”We at least have that much. Thank you friend.”
The Miserables leader then regards Scram, unable to see his play. Scram notices him take in the rest of the party, seeming to make a judgement of his own, he nods in agreement. ”We are not a particularly religous bunch but a prayer could be in order.” Looking at Zayless ”Perhaps Bahumat, in respect to our friend’s generous donation? Or Perhaps Helm would be more in order.” He doesn’t seem to be lying about his lack of concern for a particular god and he at least is right on first glance about the others. None of them have any outward sign of a religous symbol. Scram obviously knows that Bane has a strong following here but that doesn’t mean everyone follows his edicts. Sometimes, to survive, we blend in with our surroundings.
With a few awkward looks between Uriah and Ras, the party sets off from the wall to renew their search for the zombie gnome.
Scramsax seems satisfied with the answer but moves on, brushing him off "Oh no, I didn't mean I was going to lead you in prayer or anything. I was just asking. I'd probably get struck by lightning if I managed to get a god's attention, know what I'm saying?" he gives a snap of the fingers with a 'catch you suckers on the flip side' sort of attitude walking off into the alley.
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Sashah smiles through his wizened beard and walks back to the group of Miserables. He pulls a symbol of a circle of seven blue-white stars with red mist flowing from the center, attached to a small chain around his neck, from under his robes. He then removes this wide-brimmed, conical hat, allowing his long, aged hair to frizz, closes his eyes and beings to pray., "Love magic for itself, not just as a ready weapon to reshape the Realms to your will. Learn when not to use your magic, and you will have learned true wisdom. Play with magic and leam how best to wield it, but not when the price is paid by others. Strive to use magic less and less as your powers develop, not more and more; often the threat and promise of Art outstrips its performance.
“Remember always that magic is an Art, the Gift of the Lady, and that those who can wield it are privileged in the extreme. Conduct yourself humbly, not proudly, while being mindful of this.
“Use magic deftly and efficiently; eschew carelessness and recklessness in the unleashing of Art. When magic imperils you, hide it or hurl it away into other planes rather than destroy it, for any destruction of Art is a sin.
“Seek always both to learn new magic and to create new magic, but experimenting to learn to craft something oneself is better than merely buying scrolls or hiring tutors. Exult more in creation than in hurling spells, and ensure that your creations are shared with others and so outlive you. Those who succeed in this last and in maturing into true wisdom and consideration for the greater balance of things in Faerun in the use of Art are most favored in the eyes of the Lady and will serve her beyond death as beings who have become one with magic and live on in it forever.”
Anton glaces at the freedom fighters, checking if any of them have the look of a spellcaster, then offers a silent prayer to Ilmater to ease the suffering of those hurt in the conflict. Then he turns to try and do something about it.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Walking along balancing his knife on the back of his hand "...so am I the only one who finds it odd our quarry is a gnome? In the old stories its always some kind of stitched together hulk the size of 10 men. Don't get me wrong, I'm not underestimating the fury of the small, but...a gnome zombie? Whoever heard of that?"
Rav looks down at his friend, The way I hear it, he was an archdruid, wielding power well beyond his stature. Though physically he wouldn't be imposing, I imagine that the Thayans felt that was the worst insult that they could throw at the Enclave. They were right.
Tracking the undead is easier on this side of the barricade. The damage you find is more savage and bestial. The party approach a gated alleyway with an open door leading into it. Snarling noises can be heard from the other side, so Scram decides to sneak ahead to check it out.
Reporting back, Scram informs everyone what to expect and get ready for. This gives the party a chance to pre-plan.
Initiative
Raiden mentally steels himself for battle!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Uriah draws his rapier with an appropriately theatrical flourish.
It's like she never even got to you. he says to Ravvek.
Don't worry, you'll do fine. And if you don't well there's always Ravvek. he says to Anton
The Miserables listen to Sashah as he begins his prayer. They seem disinterested at first but as the wisened man continues, each of them seem to take on a different posture. While not the god they were expecting to make prayers to, they seem to be almost enscorcelled by Sashah’s words. No one speaks for a moment and all Ras adds when it is finished is a solemn, earnest “Thank you...”
@the Alley
As Uriah reaches out and touches Anton and Ravvek, magic pours through them, instilling confidence and a sense of protection. As this happens, a translucent hand appears in front of Uriah and seems to place it self between the bard and those in front of him.
Zayless laughs at Scram's thought, "Perhaps in undeath they grow the size of their personalities. Say what you want of the little guys . . . they have the attitudes of titans."
As they prepare before the alley Zayless nods that he is ready. He speaks to the air around him, "Crossed the world to chase an undead gnome to help in a war that does not effect me. I think I am living up on my end. So any help you want to give is good. Even for them." He tilts his head toward his companions indicating to whatever he is talking to that they are who he meant.
Scramsax slides a beautiful silvered rapier from his back "Might be good to bunch them up here at the gate, what do you think? I could jam the lock and we could poke them through the gaps in the fence..." he demonstrates.
If everyone agrees, he closes the gate and jams the lock using a weird waxy substance int his burglar's kit.
Zayless shrugs, "Strange quarry call for strange methods. I am sure Uriah can safely inflate our honor in the telling of the tale."
That is tactically sound, but were you able to see if they were mindless zombies or something more clever? If they are the intelligent undead, we will need to pose a tasty target... Ravvek looks steeled, and looks to Uriah in thanks then nods to Anton with the unspoken question, Ready?
Big Bertha drawn and ready, Raiden nods back to Ravvek.
Sashah closes his eyes as he grasps the symbol on the chain.
Anton draws his sword and nods at Rav. Always ready.
"I'm not an expert on 'em, but..."
Good sir! I *do not* "inflate" anyone's honor. I tell true tales of heroism, derring do and brave conquest. Uriah says, and no one can tell if he's joking or serious.
Zayless chuckles, "And we love you for it."
With the help of the others, you quickly shut the gate and Scram does a fantastic job jamming the opening latch. There are a few openings in the gated fence but it will be difficult to attack through it as you hoped. For now you have definitely penned the undead creatures in.
The fence is about 15ft high with the platforms behind being elevated 10ft off of the ground. Attacking behind the fence will give the zombies cover and disadvantage to your attacks.
As the gate closes, anyone looking through the cracks see two undead creatures look back at first and then the rest all lose interest in the body of their last victim and begin moving toward the gate.
At the back of the alley, near a covered grate leading to the sewers, you see a ragged gnome. It is the one you’ve been searching for. His eyes are shrunken and discolored, and his flesh is gray. Signs of stab wounds and fire damage are obvious across his body. Whatever he was in life is now long gone, and this zombie merely possesses Tick Tary Tanner’s face. Other zombies accompany him. They are covered in blood. Soleil gasps in horror. The Zombie Gnome looks at you, and points his finger in your direction. He hisses the words, “Vel Karsh!”
Anton grips his sword and calmly says Anyone speak zombie? Let them come to us... we can use the bottleneck to our advantage.
Zayless nods, "Solid Plan." He moves to the gateway fires a pair of blasts into the alley at the gnome and then backs away to give others space.
Raiden is unsure of what to do with no real ranged weapons or magic. It's a fine idea penning them in there, but how do we take them out from this side of the fence? He notes the blasts of magic from Zayless. That works. How long can you keep that up?
"That one I suppose as much as I need to."
Seeing movement through the cracks in the gate, Zayless unleashed bolts of energy
Zayless’s energy blasts find there way through the planks and pound into one of the zombies who have turned and headed for the gate.
Sashah opens his eyes from his thoughts and peers through the gate. Though he is obviously aware of what is happening he still also seems lost in thought.
I thought I remembered that but then Anton mentioned bottleneck and the door on the map was open.
If I can just keep blasting I will.
We’ll say for the sake of init order that’s scram started the round by closing and locking the door. The zombie gnome directed the other zombies to attack and Zayless blasted the lead zombie. Anton can act if he would like, but I will move the zombies as if he held or did something other than jumping into the fenced in area.
The zombies follow the orders of the smaller zombie and shamble up to the gate.
Raiden, unable to use anything to attack through the gate (at least not at the moment), waits to see how effective Zayless's eldritch blasting is.