Ana’s eyes bulge as the macerated assemblage still remains upright before her. The young woman huffs and throws force again:
[+2 Dex, +1 Weapon Focus; +1 Physical Blast, +3 Con]
The hit from the zombie overtakes Garland as she crumples to the ground, unconscious. Luckily, the hit struck her in such a way that she is not bleeding out, but rather stable.
Arsiel is again staggered by the skeletal onslaught, falling from the latest attack unconscious, but not bleeding out.
Ques takes to flight, rushing out of the lodge with all haste, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He turns to cast a look back and sees a skeleton advancing upon Arsiel's body while one of the zombies stoops down towards Garland with hungry eyes.
Ana's blast flies out, but it seems not to be able to break through the zombie's undead skin and armor.
The zombies fall upon Ana, fists wheeling and pounding.
While one skeleton leans down to begin ripping apart Arsiel, its companion moves over to attack Ana, swiping with its claws.
Ana falls under the blows, her clavicle collapsing under the terrible strike of the zombie. As she gasps for breath, eyes wide, she sees the white edge of bone jutting out from the terrible compound fracture. Then, the undead fall upon her, and the world goes dark.
As Ques rushes out, he hears the tearing sounds, moist sounds of the zombies chewing and, above all, the confident laughter of the man as he watches his handiwork.
Ques rushes away, stumbling through the snow at first, before his healing fully kicks in. As seconds pass, he grows stronger, and his steps become more sure. Running is nearly impossible in these drifts, and he can only hope that his foes find the same such difficulty. Hours of nothing but howling winds carrying sharp ice and cold flurries pass as he makes his way back along the trail where they'd come. His eyes are constantly down, making certain that he's not running off the beaten path and into a sure death from the clutches of this terrible, localized winter.
After what seems like an eternity, the young Fetchling bursts out onto the road that leads up to the north, and to his home. Though still unseasonably chilly, the increase of double digits in degrees seems like bliss. He stumbles to the north, and towards home....
Entering Heldren is a bittersweet return and Ques walks into town in a daze of sorrow, confusion, and dismay. After a few locals see you, they rush back with Ionnia Teppen, leader of the council. The woman takes a look at you and, face dark, merely says. Let's get you in front of a fire.
There you sit, in the Silver Stoat, in front of a roaring fire. What seems like the entire town sits around you, with some newcomers you've never seen before. They all await your report but, as you look around, you lock eyes with Menander and Kale Garimos...Ana's parents, and your voice nearly escapes you...
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Ques literally begins to bawl. Any attempts to get anything out of him meet with a a shocked empty eyes stare. He has trouble sleeping and bolts awake at the slightest sound, rushing to the window to make sure the undead are not coming to get him, or the little peckers. Oddly enough, it is the monstrous Grey that eventually calms him. The nature of the beast changes in a subconscious need from Ques, and the creature draws a different manifestation from its true being on another plane. Grey becomes more substantial and more lethal, losing its shadowy umbral, and forming quite solid tenticular appendages. With the new Grey guarding his side, Ques is able to rest. Furthermore, Ques becomes less embarrassed by his scary friend and has begun to wander with Grey at his side wheras before he only allowed Grey to appear when they were alone. In fact it seems that Grey is now always at his side.
Eventually,l though it takes a few days, Ques is able to relate his story. With new steel in his eyes and even a bit of anger, Ques relates the tragedy.
"The little peckers were there to meet us. One of them proved capable of invisibility and was able to control a huge moose. the moose presented itself as a guardian of the forest when, in reality, it was just trying to lure us into another ambush. When we got to a small river, it sprung its trap and sent a couple of beings of ice at us. I was told that they were ice elementals by... I don't remember. Between them and the moose Grey was incapacitated and some of us were injured, but we survived and continued."
"Then we ran into a party of friendly rangers that offered to give us shelter. But gain, we were tricked and they were in league with the little peckers. We were ambushed again an, again prevailed."
Ques's voice raises an octave as he adds, "Is everything in that god's be damned forest full of evil and treachery?!"
"when we entered the building they led us to, it was filled with poor slobs freezing to death under the effects of some cold plague. We wanted to help but they fought us and died. Once again we prevailed. But not for long. One of them must have been some kind of evil priest because he produced a scroll and turned the dead into walking dead."
"It was too much for us. For them. They swarmed the others and within seconds they had all been clawed until they collapsed. I was near the door and when the others fell I had no choice. No choice, you see. No choice at all. I ran. But not before I heard them... I'm scared. What if they come here. What if the others come after me and try to turn me into a zombie too?"
With a barked "HA!" he adds, "..and I thought I could be a hero. Some hero."
From the back of the room, a high pitched voice emanates. "Did you say undead? Did you see Lady Argentea? Please tell me that my Lady was not among those risen out of dishonor." As the words come, a dark plummaged tengu steps forward slowly. His bright white armor gleams in the low light of the room. One red-handled and one white-handled sword stick up from his back with a smaller red-handled blade appearing from his left hip.
"I am Tchezze Tchirock, and Lady Argentea is my friend and ward. I've been sent to retrieve her and to protect her by her family. There is honor in bringing this news to us. Just remember to not feel guilty for surviving. You will be needed in the coming days."
From his shrouded vantage, both from shadow and the amount of personages in the establishment, Ote watches with lidded eyes. He sighs inwardly.
Like he’s addressing the Malassenes.
This was far from the relative opulence of Oppara, and that suited Ote just fine. There was something here though... He smelled...death, and opportunity. But mostly he smelled food and drink. Which was also a good thing.
He rustled slightly to break the stiffness of his armor, less gleaming and darker than his cousin’s panoply, his own plumage streaked with garish colours not quite befitting an upstanding knight-errant. Ote sat, and watched.
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Ques starts a bit as the Tengu shouts out his questions, but Grey extends a tentacle and gives him a friendly and encouraging pat.
"I, uh, no, I don't think so. Some of the undead came from upstairs are were all skin and bones. Who and what they once were was impossible to tell, but I have no reason to believe the Lady was once one of them. We can only hope. Poor souls."
Poor Garland.
Of all the fallen, Ques feels the most guilty for her. A healer and gentle soul who should no more have been there than Ques.
Poor Ana
And Ana, who's parents are a bitter reminder that a family has been ripped apart by those skeletal talons.
Poor Arsiel
Because leaving him out would make Ques feel more guilty and because they shared a racial background.
Quietly putting down a mug of ale upon hearing the conversation between the tengu and the fetching, a tall leonine man stands and cross the room to them. Undead you say? nodding at Ques’ words.
These abominations stand against the natural order of things. And you traveler, your lady has been taken by these miscreants who would raise foul creatures from beyond the cycle of life?
Uncurling from behemoth the table where the man sat a massive white tiger crosses the room gracefully stretching its powerful legs before standing behind the man. That’s when you realize it’s not just his golden skin and flattened nose that give him a leonine appearance, but his eyes are that of a feline.
I am Ithariel Calenfaroth, and if you please I would be more than happy to assist you with settling this abomination and putting the unpleasant and unnatural weather back to right.
Indicating the massive tiger at his back, This is Stelmaria, and she accompanies me while traveling. The tiger, sensing no immediate threat in the room begins to groom herself casually in the middle of the floor.
Kale Garimos breaks down and begins to sob uncontrollably into her husband's chest. Menander holds her, his eyes wide with shock. He just keeps saying over and over. Our little girl....our little girl.
Ionnia's look is grim, and her jaw is set firm as she watches the exchanges about the room. Seeing the outpouring of support, she looks to Ques. Ques, you have all of the knowledge of this place and its dangers. I hate that you are in this situation at all, but I fear we need you...can you take these people back?
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Ques freezes, eyes wide.
"Um."
Then he looks over at Kale and swallows *hard*. Slowly he loosens up a bit.
"I need to think about it. And talk it over with Grey."
He looks at the three volunteers with appraisal in his eyes, but has a tough time because of all the weird stuff the bird people are carrying. They look like serious warriors though.
Tengu? I think they are called Tengu. I hope they can fly. It would be nice to see them chase down the little peckers and hack them to pieces.
The lion guy is also pretty strange looking. I hope he can fight too, though that tiger looks pretty lethal.
Not realizing the irony of it, he muses on how strange they all look.
Ionnia nods and looks ready to say more, but then stops herself. She also glances at Kale, and turns her eyes down to the ground. Her voice is hushed as she continues. Thank you Ques...you don't deserve to have this put upon you, but you may be our only hope. Just...think about it for me.
She then moves over to address the leonine man and the two Tengu. I thank you for the offer, and ensure you that the help is very much needed. Our small town has suffered terrible losses already, and this unseasonable cold only grows worse. I fear that whatever has taken over that lodge will only grow stronger if we wait for backup. What do you need, or how can we help you, should you take on this task?
"I can't speak for our new friend here,", Tchezze says, nodding to the leonine man, "But I am fairly confident that my cousin and I have no additional needs. Once this young man is ready to go, or at the very least, point us in the direction of the lodge, we are ready as well." He gives a side-long glance at his younger cousin, in case he was mistaken. He was still trying to get used to giving the younger tengu a voice of his own.
Bowing to Tchezze, Greetings, I am a warden of nature, and I would accompany you to set this unnatural cold to rest and for the opportunity to put the restless dead, to um... rest.
Grimacing at his own awkwardness Ithariel continues in a tumble, I'm sorry, I'm not used to talking to many people, and it is a challenge for me being in such an enclosed space. But I would like to help, there are things which seem like they need to be righted to restore the balance, and restless evil prowling the land.4
Realizing he's rambling, Ithariel cuts himself short. Apologies again, I'm ready, but may need to acquire some skis or somesuch to help me in the snow. I haven't quite mastered that aspect of my training yet.
Manouvring with some difficulty in the tight confines of the inn, Ote stretches and giving his cousin a curt nod, stands, extending a talon’d hand out to the leonine.
”Well met Ithariel. My name is Otakch, but “Ote” will do. ”
Now that he stands, you can see Ote is caparisoned as if for battle, but clearly has many choices for which tool to engage with.
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While the others are getting acquainted, Ques moves off with grey to a corner and has an animated discussion with both hand and tentacle gestures. After about 15 minutes Ques returns.
"I will go with you. I'll probably hang back a bit, though Grey here says he will be right there in the thick of things and I can send other things in to fight."
Ques colors a bit and adds, "And to be perfectly honest, after all I've been through, I'm pretty scared. I might turn tail and run when the undead start coming after us. I don't really know how I'll react this time."
Once again he seems on the verge of crying, as if that was VERY difficult to confess.
"I hope things will be different this time though."
Ote appraises the fetchling with characteristic avian consideration, eyes beady and head cocked slightly. He extends talons to clasp.
”Ques, is it? Well met also. Call me Ote. I understand. And don’t worry, in my limited experience, things are always different each time. Time is nature’s way of stopping every thing happening at once.” he finishes mysteriously.
"Well said, Ote." He smiles at the younger tengu and then turns to Ques, "We will try to get your friends back and properly cared for. You have my word."
With a grim nod, Ionna says. You'll have them...I think we still have some snowshoes in the store that came in recently...we had to bring them in from quite a distance as we're not used to this weather. He face softens at Ques's statement. Young man, you've been more brave than anyone in this town, and as I said - I wish we didn't have to put you through this again. But your...talents...however odd they seem, are quite impressive. And, Grey will give this dark cleric at the lodge more than he's bargained for, I don't doubt.
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Ques flinches a bit, takes a deep breath, and responds.
"I do not believe that will be possible. The undead that swarmed them were not interested in keeping them alive. I heard..."
In Ques's mind the sounds he heard play back accompanied by a visual scene provided by his vicious and treacherous imagination. And he is not feeling particularly brave OR competent. At all.
"... no, no chance that they survived."
Considering Ques' words and the anguished faces around him Ithariel attempts to offer condolences, I am sorry for your loss and the tragedy you have faced. May those who are gone find remembrance in your hearts
Not knowing if he said the right thing he looks to Stelmaria, I know my friend, we'll be gone from this place soon and try to help these poor people.
A dark-haired stranger rises from the place he had been sitting, at a nearby table. The man is dressed in a heavy leather coat, stained or burned in various places, but still serviceable enough. Stepping over to the group, he offers a gloved hand. Then he speaks, with a bit of northern accent (somewhat incongruously, given that he doesn't look ulfen). "I had come this way to investigate this strange weather. I would be willing to accompany you, if you like." A faint sulfurous tang wafts though the air as as he steps up and speaks.
"I'm sure we don't. But I doubt it's going away on its own. Someone has to do something. May as well be us."
”May as well be. Well met. I am Otakch, but “Ote” will do.” Otakch extends his talons once again.
"I couldn't have said it better, stranger. What's your name?" Thezze moves up to the man with his hand extended.
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Ques leans on Grey and starts to relax as the conversation moves on to Introductions and pleasantries. You get the feeling that he is analyzing you, constantly checking out your weapons and armor and the way you move.
Though you would not know it, not knowing who's child he is, he makes an effort not to make eye contact with his mom. Knowing that the decision he and Grey made is not going to be acceptable to her. Occasionally his glance flits in that direction, only to quickly turn somewhere less fraught. The last thing he wants to do is have another bought of crying.
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Ques leans on Grey and starts to relax as the conversation moves on to Introductions and pleasantries. You get the feeling that he is analyzing the newcomers, constantly checking out your weapons and armor and the way you move.
He makes an effort not to make eye contact with his mom, knowing that the decision he and Grey made is not going to be acceptable to her. Occasionally his glance flits in that direction, only to quickly turn somewhere less fraught. Committing to the mission has put him him in double jeopardy. In spite of his new resolve there is nothing like a fretting mother to break one down into a child and weaken said resolve. And the last thing he wants to do is have another bought of crying.
In studying Otakch, Ques can see some of the avian’s weaponry - a long handled, long bladed sword (no dachi), a long bladed spear that only just manages to fit under the ceiling (naginata), a longbow, a staff broken into three pieces (sansetsukon) and a chain weapon that seems to link two right angled agricultural-looking bladed weapons (double chained kama).
Ote’s left arm bears a metal brace from which extends three wicked looking talonesque protuberances (tekko no kagi). How Ote manages to sit, let along walk without stabbing, pricking or cutting himself is a wonder.
His armor is less advanced than Tchezze’s lamellar, being fairly plain scale mail, though still characteristically similar in fashion and design.
The young avian appears to notice your consideration and favors you with a wink.
"I couldn't have said it better, stranger. What's your name?" Thezze moves up to the man with his hand extended.
"Nox." the stranger says, extending a gloved hand. As he reaches out, you might notice an odd, tubular contraption of wood and metal secured to his hip.
Thinking the wooden and metal contraption is some sort of odd scroll case, Tchezze remarks, "I don't believe I've seen a scroll case like that before. It seems strange to have a handle like that on one. Does that help with using a contained scroll more efficiently?"
Nox looks puzzled for a moment, glances down, then smiles. "Not exactly, my feathered friend. It is...probably unwise to show you here, but think of it as something of a magical sling or hand crossbow. Soon enough you will see it in action, I think."
You wrap up your pleasantries, if that's what you can call the greetings amidst these dark times plagued by cold, death, and tragedy. True to her word, Ionna has someone bring the goods requested and leave them outside of the Tavern. She surveys them herself and shakes her head, then looks up at the new team. I'm sorry...not the highest quality, but it was a stretch to even get this. These aren't conditions we're used to, this far south. If you can find Lady Argentea and somehow halt this terrible cold, then I will gather what resources I can and get you paid for this service, but... She hangs her head a bit. [b]I'm afraid I can't promise much.
Ote struggles with his new accoutrements, one eye on Nox’s inestimable launching scroll tube, the other on...we’ll whatever it is Ques has summoned.
Weird bunch. he thinks to himself.
He sidles up to his cousin.
”Hey T. Ques looks a bit...squishy. I think I’ll watch his back for a bit...”
"Good idea, Ote. I'll stay ahead to guard the front."
Tchezze suggests moving out to the lodge at the earliest convenience.
Nodding at the Tengu's conversation, Ithariel offers to also stay near Ques Stelmaria and I can also stay near this young man, I have very small skill with healing magic should someone need it.
"Normally, I would be fine with traveling out at this time of day. Given the nature of what we are up against according to master Ques, it might be better to head out in the morning, after a good night's rest and a hardy breakfast. Of course, that would depend on whether there are accommodations available for us to stay the night."
Looking out the window, Ithariel considers the sunlight falling across Heldren, How far did you think it was again Ques? If they are mercenaries it may be best to assault them in the morning while drink is still heavy in their bellies.
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"Normally, I would be fine with traveling out at this time of day. Given the nature of what we are up against according to master Ques, it might be better to head out in the morning, after a good night's rest and a hardy breakfast. Of course, that would depend on whether there are accommodations available for us to stay the night."
"It is a long ways off and tiring because of all the snow. Maybe you could stay at our place! I could ask my parents."
Ques says this not so much because he is feeling generous as that he thinks the visitors might serve as a buffer.
Thank you Ques, your generosity will be well noted. I for one will take you up upon your offer of hospitality.
Ithariel stands again, looking for the door, Perhaps Stelamria and I will wait outside, there are many people present here and I am unused to such confines
Ionna offers a grim nod then looks about the common room. We can of course find you some accommodations here in town, especially considering you're willing to help us through this. Just give me an hour or so and I'll get everything squared away. With that, she leaves and heads out to see who can make room for some bunk mates.
Soon after that, Ques's mother walks to the table, her eyes solidly on her son. At her shoulder is her far less frightening husband, who looks at Ithariel, Tchezze, Otakch, and Nox with a tired but warm smile. Gentlemen, if you'd give us a moment? His wife does not wait, though, and lets out a small sob as she addresses her son. What....what do you think you're doing? You're not... She looks at the samurai. Them, or... A nod at Ithariel and Nox. them...you're not a warrior! You don't have to do this, Ques, you don't!
She loses a bit of steam, and seems to slump, resignedly. You were brave, son, you were. But, look what happened...Garland, Ana, and that nice traveler...you said it yourself - you barely escaped with your life! And, now you want to go back?! She breaks then, and turns to sob into her husband's father as he rubs her back.