"Die, you ugly f#$k!" Kalia screams at the creature before slamming her maul into it.
Iocundius slams his mace into its left shoulder with an audible crack of broken bones... and it keeps fighting!
Kalia is clearly now rattled by the unkillable horror she mocked just moments ago, and her swing is ineffectual, the head of the hammer to high and only striking it with the haft under the head... doing nothing.
It somehow seems to be able to focus on Kalia and slams its right arm into her!
or for
Rationalizing that whatever this was couldn’t move it all of it’s bones were broken, Gaelden aimed his hammer at the thing’s back. Break the spine and remove the threat.
The blow shatters spine and shoulders both and the thing is driven to the floor in a bloody mass of flesh and bone and stinking viscera... and while it is unable to rise and continue to fight, it keeps twitching and moving!
It is absolute chaos in the tavern with people screaming, shouting, and fleeing!
One of the more "helpful" patrons throws a flaming bottle of local spirits on the creature and it continues to writhe... while the floor it lies on, a nearby table and chair are all set on fire!
Seeing that the creature has fallen, Iocundius backs away, looking for water to douse the flames.
"Find water to douse the flames!", he calls!
Kalia drives her hammer into it's head repeatedly until it is nothing but paste on the floor.
"What the f@#k was that?" she asked aloud the question many were likely thinking.
She then sees the burning table and goes to put out the fire by pour ale on it (fortunately their ale was basically water anyway, so it should do the job just fine).
"Oi, you!" she yells at the person who threw a flaming drink and missed.
"That's dangerous. You need to use a torch if you want to set something on fire that's not the building you're standing in."
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As soon as the creature dodged is spell and some of his companions were swathed in violet light, Varis immediately ceased focusing on the spell ending it's effects.
Realizing that in a moment of panic Varis had let loose some magic that in turn terrified the locals, Varis decided to take advantage of the chaos and duck into the restroom and alter his appearance.
Varis removed his armor and shoved it into his backpack, donning his fine clothes that were in his backpack. Varis skulked outside and mingling with the patrons that had fled outside, appearing as best he could to be a concerned passerby. "Is that a fire!?" Varis shouted pointing inside the building. "Quick! Get help!"
Using what was left of the stew/broth he was eating, Antal pours it over some of the flames.
Then stabs at the still moving creature.
Some things need to stay sill when dead.
Antal thinks to himself as he plunges his sword in the creature.
Luckily, as they were in a tavern, there were plenty of drinks around. Putting his hammer back in his belt and his shield on his back, the Goliath busied himself with grabbing whatever liquid he could find to throw on the flames.
Seeing what Gaelden is doing, Antal calls out to him/
"Watch what you throw on those flames. I could cause the blaze to burn hotter if there is enough booze in it."
Thankfully Kalia's thoughts that the beer, being undrinkable, makes a good fire extinquisher are right. Theres one bright spark who was about to hurl spirits onto the flames when Antal pulls them up in time.
It is near chaos with much shouting, finger pointing (almost entirely in your direction) and people either running in or running out. There is an angry fearsome mob in the gathering...
"SHUT. THE. F#$K. UP!"
The young Dwarven woman's roar cut through the din of a hundred screams at once.
"Is anyone hurt? No? Everyone alive? You happy to be that way, or would you like me to change that for you?"
Kalia uses the edge of a nearby table to scrape the smear that was the creature's head off the sole of her boot, in order to drive the point home.
"Now, you got two options: One, you can f#$k off home and tell yourself what you saw was the alcohol, or two - You can start some s%$t and I'll finish it. You might get me, but I guarantee I'll take at least 30 of you feckers with me. I'm bored with this s#^t, so choose now."
Kalia looks around for the first person who starts to say anything related to magic, devilry, or lynch mobs, so she can break his jaw.
Iocundius holds shield and holy symbol firmly, his gaze moving over the crowd.
"Go. Home.", he intones.
”No need to be so graphic. These cowards stood by and did nothing while we took the creature down, and now they want to act brave? Ha!” He rested his hammer on his shoulder while looking around. ”They just want to pretend that they’re anything but yellow, that’s all.”
Errr... right, You heard the lady, the bartender says... You lot, shuffle on... I'll see ya tomorrow.
He does his best to calm the crowd who aren't intimidated by the hardened killers standing near the mass of broken and crushed flesh...
"So, Antal, you have anything you'd like to share with the rest of us?"
"I was just talking to this guy being friendly and all. We were talking about our travels when I noticed that this guy has not blinked, not once in a very long time. Then I notice that he has not taken a breath either. I guess this creature figured out that I just discovered that he was not a man and attack me. Maybe so I could not tell every what he was." Giving a cough from his sore throat, Anatal continues "I am not sure if I just found a spy for some darker evil or just some intelligent undead that was trying to make it's way in the world. But right now I don't care. I do need a real drink."
”Glad you noticed it. This seems like Wizard work to me. Is there one who we can bring this to? Maybe find out what made it.”
From among the mob Varis posing as a citizen said "Oh my, they seem serious. We should go home to our families before this escalates."
[b]"What in the world was that creature in the bar??!" The group recognizes Varis's voice, coming from an unrecognizable towns person. When they look at him puzzled he clarified "Oh right... sorry I figured I should change my appearance after using magic in that fight. I forgot these people are very mistrusting of that sort of thing. You might have to get used to seeing me like this while we are here."
Varis listens to the details of Antal's and recalls the movements of the creature during their encounter. He tries to recall an information he may have come across describing such a creature.
Varis creates such confusion in the minds of all present and now sporting a new appearance there is no one to credibly point the finger at for the magical faux pas that while there is muttering (muted out of fear of having their teeth kicked in) of sorcerous powers at play, no one can finger the person who actually did it.
Varis has no idea just what in the nine hells was that thing... particularly now as it's barely recognisable as something once human, and only in an abstract way.
The bartender eyes you all suspiciously, as if you were collectively to blame for an early closing but he grumbles out a thanks and starts pouring spirits for you by way of showing gratitude.
Your post combat drinks are going down the hatch when three heavily armoured members of the soldiery, garrison troops all, come in... spears at the ready and spears raised.
Then stop in confusion, confronted not by some demon of the pit, but merely drinking adventurers.
What passes here? We heard there was some sort of killer monster tearing apart people limb from limb and caving in skulls..., asks the most verbal of the trio.
Gaelden pointed to the thing on the floor. ”That. It was sitting here, not blinking or breathing. Then it suddenly started attacking people. Even with a broken spine and a crushed skull it just kept on coming.” He said by way of explanation.
"Yes and if it was not for the help of this group it would have choked me to death." Antal pointing to the red marks on his throat.
"It was a foul thing. Though enough blows eventually brought it low. You should keep an eye out for other undead infiltrators."
They seem happy enough with your explanation... one prods the remains (still twitching!) with his spear while the others set up a position to block the door way... with one of those two constantly bellowing into the gathering twilight that there's nothing to see here and that the Lions Den will be open again soon.
Tell me more, says the last of the three... guarding the door from the inside, as opposed to the one managing the crowd outside, but not to you... to the Barman, who fills in the gaps, so to speak.
He's vague.
Very vague.
It could be he was busy, it could be he's being hazy on details due being more than a little buzzed on his own booze or maybe it's some sort of bartenders code of being non cooperative with the law.
That said, he collaborates you're story in broad terms.
Whats this rumour on the Black Arts?, the Guard presses.
He is only answered with a shrug.
Varis drank taking a big swig of the ale, relieved to still be alive. When the guards were pressuring the bartender Varis jumped into the conversation.
"Well it's been quite a night, hasn't it? Ease up on this poor man, his establishment has been disrupted and we could have all perished. I don't think any of us have ever seen a creature such as this. Who knows what it is capable of, including dark arts. Is there anyone in the Fort that might know what this 'thing' is?"
"There was. We did you job for you. You're welcome."
Hearing the barkeep speak about the events. Antal tries to figure out how much does this barkeep really know.
Iocundius quietly ponders what he has seen.
The guard speaking to the Barman does not seem to appreciate the comments... Antal can read that much. He can't read the barman. He's likely a practiced liar.
The young priest is pretty sure that what he witnessed was the result of the blackest of necromantic Magic's... likely the things only whispered about by the Bishops and Cardinals.
It's at that point another 2 guards enter proceeding the Baliff, who's aspect becomes positively gleeful when he sees you all, especially Iocundius.
Well, well, well..., he almost purrs.
This strikes me as highly suspicious... VERY irregular. Something about dark sorcery too...
"Yup, someone moron allowed an abomination to walk into their town and then we had to clean up their mistake."
Iocundius stares at the irritating bailiff.
"Necromancy, of the sort warned of by the Bishops and Cardinals of Law. It took work to end it but we slew the infiltrator. The body is yours to dispose of."
Be that as it may priest, I am going to need to do a FULL investigation, he says, smiling happily.
Disarm them!, he commands.
The one interrogating Jarmin moves forward, spear lowered... then notices that his colleagues do not have his back, and stops, uncertain.
The Baliff looks at the other guards, and the one guarding the door from the outside just stares back at him. A wordless clash of wills ensues.
You defy me AGAIN Sargeant?!, the Baliff rasps, face reddening.
We're not paid enough to be your lackeys as well Savini, and definitely not enough to fight adventurers over a pissing contest, the ostensible Sargeant replies flatly.
"Bailiff, a key element of tactics is to *never* give an order that you do not know will be obeyed. We have done no crime and have actively defended this premises and fort against undead infiltration. I suggest that you drop your petty vendetta."
Gaelden made no move to drop his hammer or shield. Rather he waited to see what would come of this. He really didn’t want to have to kill any of these guards, as they were just doing their job. If it came down to it, he would. But he hoped it would t come to that.
"Yer Sargeant there is a smart one bailiff. I don't know what your problem with us is, but I'm frankly sick of it. Act like an adult and behave yourself, or challenge me to a fight and I'll cripple you. Either way, I want this done."
I? Challenge YOU? To a DUEL?
It just doesn't seem to sink in, like Kalia is speaking nonsense.
The sergeant grins while another of the soldiers winces.
This needs to be dealt with - I'm taking this to the Lord Commander! And I'm ordering you to take these blow hard neer-do-wells into custody!, the Bailiff rages.
Well then, I'm happy to ASK them to accompany us to see him, the sergeant responds calmly as if speaking to a simpleton. Though its probably after his bedtime, he snorts and mutters as an afterthought.
The sergeant steps in out of the door way and nods respectfully to the Iocundius.
Priest, I think the Bailiff is correct in this one thing - this needs to be heard directly. I would appreciate it if you and your company could accompany us with the Lord Commander. Keep your arms and armour. I will vouchsafe for you.
"Well now Sergeant, that sounds like an excellent compromise. You get what you want and we speak to the Lord Commander and luckily for all of you, Kalia doesn't have to cripple anyone. I'll go with you as we have nothing to hide, I will leave it to my companions to decide if they want to accompany me."
"Damn it." Kalia said quietly and to no one in particular, "I was gonna get me an ear."
With that, Kalia stood up and allowed the chair she was leaning back on to fall. She picked up her hammer and gave it a couple of taps on the ground to clear the head of the ick that was at one point the creature's head.
Smiling at the Sargeant, Kalia said "So, you married?" with a smile on her face while walking next to him.
Iocundius turns to the sergeant and replies:
"That is a fine compromise. I will accompany you to speak with the Lord Commander."
Gaeldren shrugged as he followed along. The sergeant struck him as little man with much to compensate for. It didn’t even seem worth getting riled up about someone to insignificant.
Gaeldren shrugged as he followed along. The sergeant struck him as little man with much to compensate for. It didn’t even seem worth getting riled up about someone to insignificant.
You move out into the dark night and start moving towards The Fort when you hear it.
A scream of agony and fear. It's off to the side, down a side path, past some shanty's.
Then a shout of anger, then another, and a wail or despair.
And it's coming from behind a hut you passed a minute ago.
Then a hubbub and the sounds of fighting down where the fishing boats are...
What's happening?, the Bailiff asks, his voice brittle... and afraid.
Men! To me!, the sergeant yells, then charges into the dark, his men following behind him.
Then a pair of Hobgoblins emerge from the end of the street... armed with gore covered weapons.
The Sergeant has his work cut out for him...and the Bailiff...I'll do what I can for him.
Iocundius roars into the night.
He advances, getting his holy symbol in hand...
...and holding it high, as the familiar sound of a bell tolls!
Even with Antal still very weak from the choking out he received not long ago.
He draws an arrow and with the sound of "twig" launches it at the Hobgoblin.
Kalia looks at the sargeant and then slaps him on the behind and says "Get out there and save some civilians!"
She then turns her attention to the Hobgoblins and says "You picked a band street to wander down!" as she charges towards them, maul swinging down in a thunderous crash.