Howling loudly, calling out to those nearby, beating his paw-hand on his shield like a drum, Audi announces them once they enter the Gate area.
Behold! Pharasma has pronounced that only Her Hand will have the fortitude for this particular venture!
The tall gnoll howls at Seti the Crocodile!
Here came Her Hand! Make way! Behold! We are The Hand!
Audi then looks at each member of the group; he winks.
"Well, I guess that's a way to do it. If their are competing groups between the two of us bloviating, we are painting a target on our backs. I was kind of pushing it as it is. "
Rhade looks around nonplussed, trying to blend in with other groups. He wasn’t keen on someone drawing even more attention their their large merry band of outcasts.
"We do not know what you can expect there, please be careful. At the same time any intelligence you can find to what has caused this will be of help."
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"Great! Now there is a benefit to discretion so if anyone asks if a gnome, a gnoll, some half-orcs, a gemstone lady, and a fish-man on crutches came by please tell them no."
"Wait, which one of those am I?" Izora wonders out loud
"I left out the humans. Not that you are not special but saying humans is like saying did you see the group of people with hair and teeth. Sometimes it's useful, other times it's like saying, 'it is by the sand.' I mean no disrespect. If you have a tail I can call that out."
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Audi approaches the gate. The gnoll looks at those guarding it.
Make way for The Hand! We have Pharasma's work to do!
He then seems to remember something.
He whispers
Oh, and you never seen us.
He then gives a thumbs up to Navir and Rhade.
Navir gives a thumbs-up back.
Vernon has trouble containing his mirth and just chuckles as he strolls along, releasing his chain for action and scanning ahead for any undead.
"Anyone up for some competition? We keep track of how many of the walking dead we destroy? A gold from each to be in the game, winner take all?"
The gnoll laughs.
Count me in! Pharasma does enjoy a bit of sport. Oh, wait; she does not enjoy anything. She tends to be quite unemotional about things.
The guards open the gates and you find yourselves in mainly deserted streets. Although it is an hiur after sunrise there is a gloomy almost dusk like aspect to the area. To your north you can hear the sounds of something eating, further to the west you can hear what sounds like praying and to the northeast you can hear low murmuring.
Rhade casts mage armor as he waits to see if the orc could identify the noises or not.
Audi salutes the Pharasmian guards, as The Hand enter the Necropolis. The tall gnoll easily carries his shield raised, blue eyes darting, nose sniffing.
Scanning each direction of the sounds, Audi then begins looking at the ground for any further clues as to which way leads to what...
...he cast Guidance.
The Warpriest walks around a bit in the immediate area; finally he motions for Canetor to attempt some Tracking...
Audi whispers to the 1/2 orc
All I see is dust and blood. You finding anything as to what we may expect in this area?
Vernon strides in at the front of the team, weapon ready and scanning the area.
"The dead with any intelligence will be hiding from the sunlight, and our weapons. But there's nothing wrong with destroying the dumb ones while we search!"
"Most undead have no aversion to sunlight. What he have seen so far in mindless but we will eventually encounter worse. If they are eating it could be people or some thing valuable like a mummified corpse. I suggest we head straight for the eating as it seems most pressing. "
"Sounds good! And the eating sounds are that way. Might be ghouls? Let's go!"
"I didn't mean that the dead fear the light. Just that the smarter ones don't want to be seen and destroyed. They hide and set traps!"
”Eww. Do you think there’s something eating dug up bodies?”
"An unfortunate possibility." Izora says, following the group. Her familiar walks besides Izora as she moves.
The gnoll heads north toward the buffet...
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Canetor you think that the noises you hear could be zombies or maybe ghouls. You think from the tracks that there could be as much as a dozen of them.
As you head north you come round the side of an old market area. A cart lies on its side in the alley ahead, though most of its load appears to be firmly in place. A body lies beside it, covered in blood and twisted in death. The body appears to have been torn part by a group of 6 zombies who are all snacking on different parts. As the zombies see you they shuffle forward to attack.
Audi sees the unnatural abominations shuffling about; defacing and defiling an unfortunate victim. The gnoll's usually mirthful face frowns immediately.
Appreciating his fellow Hand's strategy, the Warpriest follows the dwarf's lead by moving 20' toward him; setting up opposite the wagon.
The gnoll then readies to strike down the first zombie that approaches...
As the zombies get into range, Rhade will fire an acid splash spell at them before they become engaged.
Touch attack
Damage
Izora moves closer to the group near some of the more battle ready allies, one eye glinting with arcane energy before wracking the nearest zombie with an enfeebling curse.
"I knew it!" Emerald shouts, moving closer to the zombies, ready to fight.
Canetor's two arrows miss as does Rhade's acid splash.
A third zombie is unable to shake off the effects of Izora's spell.
The zombies then move forward, provoking off both Audi and Ra-Kefer who strike the zombies in front of them, although in both cases some of the damage is deflected.
Canetor you know that slashing weapons can get past their damage reduction
Audi looks at his warhammer with disgust.
Chose poorly...
Naivr begins to orate a battle strategy.
Vernon steps forward to attack the closest standing zombie. Having fought the stupid undead before he adds a peculiar twist to the swing of his chain, slashing the spikes across the creature as it swings.
"I have a dagger, if anyone needs it" Izora offers
Vernon swings his chain and completely destroys the zombie standing in front of him.
Rhade again fires an acid splash spell at nasty undead.
Touch attack
Damage
Emerald unleashes two swift but powerful kicks aimed at the zombie nearest her.
As his chain slashes the zombie apart Vernon laughs and calls out, "One!"
Round 2
Audi looks unhappily at his warhammer. The gnoll drops it, strides to Flank with Ra-Kafer; having drawn his scimitar on the way.
Ra-Khefer pounds the zombie in front of him into smithereens.
Rhade tries to fire acid touch at one of the zombies but it manages to easily dodge out of the way.
With one mighty kick Emerald crumbles the zombie in front of her into powder.
Moving across Audi manages to slice the zombie near Ra-Khefer in two.