"Chop-chop-chop! It's like trying to kill a walking treeline!"
Having expended his magic tricks Tenzi decides it's time to get into trouble, er, the fight. double moving to the opposite flank and drawing his dagger along the way.
Wish I had a better slashing weapon but if I can flank one I can hurt it. Also moving allows Nasze to fallback if needed.
"Hey Alek! You hate zombies and you hate bandits. Well these are zombie-bandits. Double the fun."
Jerrik almost snickered at Tenzekil's outburst. Instead he gritted his teeth and swung even harder at the zombie he had already wounded.
Everyone is able to strike down one of the undead each, reducing their numbers by half in seconds.
Tenze's turtle-backed zombie continues to flail about uselessly as the zombie fighting the illusion finally wises up after striking it a second time.
Only two other zombies remain a threat. One chases Thorryn but cannot get to the druid. The other steps up to Aleksara and manages to strike her hard.
Beating her wings hard, Quanah directs her fire downward at the zombie attacking Thorryn.
"B@&$+!"
Crit?
Mountain
Mountain Cutter's edge flashes for a split-second as it hits the zombie in front of her...
Thorryn swings his magical club at the zombie threatening him.
Nasze moves into better position to attack the zombie.
Seeing a chance to flank, Tenzi moves forward. and Slashes at the zombie engaged with Thorryn from behind.
However due to be engaged by both Thorryn from the ground and Q from above, the zombie's erratic movements cause Tenzi's blade to only rip into it's tattered clothing.
Yep, need a better slashing weapon. Oh well maybe it won't notice me.
Three of the remaining zombies are hacked, bashed, and bit and clawed until they move no more. Only the one in the grease spell remains, flopping about.
Jerrik walks over and finishes the lone undead off.
Moving to the nearest zombie, Aleksara kicks its head off and sighs partially contented.
"Well, there goes any sneak attack."
"She's right. We've lost the advantage of surprise. We need to push forward, now."
Jerrik headed directly into the mist and towards the enemy encampment without waiting.
Watching Jerrik push forward Thorryn gives a Nasze a quick whistle and follows suite, Nasze at his side.
"Jerrik, hope you have a plan."
Looking stunned, Aleksara glances around at those left with her, one eyebrow raised.
"Anybody got some healing?"
Sighing, Aleksara shakes her head as she realizes the two people who could have helped her just charged first. She then reaches into a sash and pulls out a potion bottle. Pulling the top off with her teeth then downing the healing potion inside.
Shaking his head, Tenzi follows the others.
"Tall folk. Why are there so many still around when they do things like this?" He mutters to himself.
"Alek, I got two potions left if you need one."
Aleksara shrugs.
"Save them. One of those two might need them. Come on...let's go kill some bandits?
She starts pacing forward, then pauses.
"Got anything in those talented magic fingers that can cause the garrison at the castle think we are coming from somewhere else? We may not be able to sneak up on them, but we can at least get them distracted a bit hopefully...make them think we are attacking somewhere we are not?"
Quanah touches down from above among the carnage and folds her dark wings around herself.
"I am not especially versed in illusions," she says in reply to Aleksara.
Aleksara flicks Mountain Cutter to get some of the congealed gore off of it.
"Plenty of magic still. Can you produce area mist? Or create distractions? A simple 'Flare' spell will get people's attention in the right place. A 'Dancing Light' or two can confuse people or make them think there are ghosts. Its not always about illusions. Think tactics? Bandits are usually stupid and superstitious. Give them something to fear and you can almost herd them like cattle or lure them like fish. Think about that Quanah."
She then takes off after the others, although maybe a bit more cuatiously.
Jerrik breaks through the fog to stand before the Eternal's fortress. The tall walls are studded with protruding spikes, some of which contain impaled zombie mites and kobolds. They watch the living with milky white eyes, grabbing ineffectually at the creatures below them. The gate stands open. No smoke rises and no noises can be heard except for the moans of the zombies on the wall.
Quickly out paced by the taller people Tenzi has to run to keep up.
"Got a Ghost sound. Not a lot of range but might be just what you're looking for." He says somewhat out of breath. "I could sneak around and set it off, maybe draw their attention.:
Aleksara smiles evilly.
"Perfect Tenzi."
She tries to grab Jerrik's attention pointing out the obvious.
"Look...they have zombies attached to the wall. They aren't exactly quiet either. They might not have seen or heard our fight after all. The mist gave us excellent cover. We can still go now if you want, but let's plan this just a little! Tenzi and I may have a distraction we can draw the living defenders with."
Jerrik arrives and can see far enough past the open gate to observe a small, dusty yard seperates the pallisade from the innter structures. The ground here is of hard-packed barren earth. Dozens of barrels lie smashed against the inner wall surrounded by mud. The rotting corpse of a horse is surrounded by buzzing flies, and another horse looks to be dying nearby.
Aleksara tries to continue before any objection is made.
"Let's try and make sure and draw anyone still alive away from the gate with Tenzi's magic and then make a rush for the open gate. Its something, and better than nothing. Quanah? Can you fly high enough to stay out of easy sight and bow range but check for any movement? We need at least some basic recon here..."
"Yes, I can try basic reconnaissance. That's about all I can provide. I don't have magical fog or images. I can make a flash of brief light, but only at dangerously close range."
"Sounds good to me. Just give me a minute to get around the side. Short legs." He says with a grin. "When you hear the ruckus go for it. I'll make it sound like someone is chopping at the wall."
Quanah finds absolutely nothing moving, except Tenzi and the impaled zombies, as she does a wide pass. When she rejoins the group, the gnome's magic sounds out and dies over the mist-shrouded waters. Loud 'chunk' noises echoes through the fortress' empty space. The overall effect is like a small team of lumberjacks felling a tree slowly. Still, nothing stirs but the zombies and the labored breathing of the sick horse.
"Didn't see anything. Either they're hidden or nobody's home but the zombies," says Quanah as she lands after her survey. "Now what?"
Thorryn pats Nasze on her head a few times (casting Bull Strength).
"Okay girl, time to go to work" Thorryn says to his animal companion.
Nodding at Jerrik, Aleksara points with her sword.
"We charge hoping Tenzi's distraction worked. Let's go while the gate is open!"
Jerrik extended his hand to grasp Alexsara's shoulder, letting the warmth of the healing energy seal most of her wounds. He then touched his own wounds doing the same.
"Thorryn, once we get in, you and Nasze flank around us. Aleksara and I will hold the line and draw attention. Quanah, help who ever gets into trouble. Tenzekil, stay behind us and out of sight if possible. Pester as many as people as possible...that aren't us" he said with a smile.
The group enters through the open gate under Jerrim's tactics. The horse breathes deep and slow as flies buzz, but otherwise, nothing stirs and no one confronts them. The stench of death and rot is unmistakable.
Moving as quickly as his small frame will allow Tenzi heads toward the gate. Surveying the area, crossbow at the ready.
Jerrik immediately heads towards the failing horse.
He tries to calm it as he approaches and once close enough, channels positive energy into the beast.
Jerrik's magic has no effect on the dying animal.
Once inside, Thorryn and Nasze begin to make their way quietly around in an attempt to get into a flanking position.
Aleksara looks at Thorryn and Nazse and gestrues to her right with her sword point.
"Run the main defense wall that way around the buildings like Thoryyn asked. He and I will slowly go down the center and try to get some attention. Quanah? Find a close perch but try and stay hidden. If anybody sees ANYTHING, shout out or something."
She then turns to the blonde giant of a man next to her, one razor-sharp eyebrow raised, then gesturing with her free left hand at the center path that appears to run between the buildings.
"Shall we? I'm eager to end this sooner than later. Tenzi should catch up shortly."
"There there. Easy now" Jerrik said softly as he stroked the horse's neck.
His eyes scanned the surroundings as he quietly chanted words, asking for the power to sustain the horse for just a little while longer.
He stood up as water seemed to fall from his hand and into a puddle near the horse.
The horse quickly laps up the available water. It remains weak, but seems to rest a bit easier.
Aleksara peeks into one of the darkened interior rooms to see a dilapated store room with a partially collapsed roof. A set of wooden stairs leads upward while an open doorway with a leather curtain on the ground leads elsewhere.
Opposite the store room is an area of packed dirt with hammock posts and smashed chamber pots. The hammocks themselves have been burned, and the badly chipped plaster walls have been covered by soot. A ruined portcullis lies against a cave-like structure to the west. A sour smell mixed with rot wafts from beyond the makeshift cage.
Moving into the courtyard Tenzi looks about, noting the destruction. Seeing Jerrik 'talking' with the horse he decides to join the conversation and heads over.
"What did he say big guy?" Jerrik is about to answer when he notices the Gnome is talking to the horse.
Horse neighing sounds. You're going to be okay now. What happened here? Where is everyone?
"I don't know. I don't speak horse, but he looks malnourished. He probably needs food. See if you can help him. I need to catch up with Aleksara. And Tenzekil, watch yourself. This place isn't safe yet."
Jerrik stood up and made his way after Aleksara.
Quanah takes a cursory look around to see if there's any hay, grain, or grass anywhere that she can bring to the horse. She doesn't know much about horses, seeing how strix don't usually ride animals, and it's foggy, so everything's working against her... but she at least makes the effort.
Pointing to the stairs, Aleksara comments.
"I'm going to check up there first. I'll be right back."
Tenzi unties the horse from the post then rummages though his backpack, pulls out one of his Gnome trail rations (which is mostly grains and dried fruit), and offers it to the horse.
The horse sniffs Tenzi's offering and cautiously takes a bite, then quickly consumes the rations. It looks at Tenzi and mutters an appreciative sentiment then it's eyes grow wide and it rears up.
It bolts out through the open gate on weak legs.
"BAD GUY INCOMING!" Shouts Tenzi as he takes cover attempting to hide in some rubble with crossbow at the ready
At Tenzi's warning, Aleksara casts her last spell of the day...and disappears from view.
Alek steps onto the very creaky stairs a moment before Tenzi's warning and reflexively vanishes. Rising up from the ground behind her is a black shape with red "eyes" that burn with hatred.
The creature utters an unearthly howl and fixes it's gaze on Aleksara despite the invisibility.