Just as the final bits of flame are dissipating, Millicent pulls out a cigarette and lights it as she walks forward. "No trouble at all." She takes a drag of her cigarette. "An archivist must maintain some ability to deal with fires."
She was about to head to the west to help with the remaining fires when the heads burst in.
She waves a hand over herself and an invisible force flickers for a moment before vanishing.
HP: 23/23
AC: 16/12(16 vs incorp)/14
Saves: F3/R3/W4
Spells Active: Mage Armor, Heightend Awareness
0: (Detect Magic, Light, Mending, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost)
1: 4/6 used (Burning Hands (DC 16)x0, Mage Armorx1, Identifyx0, Heightened Awarenessx1)
They are going to headbutt you to death. If the Slams don't get you, their burning might... Fire-based attacks are but butterfly kisses to these undead.
Marinus rolls his eyes at the new intrusion. "I could see where this was heading before you arrived..."
He moves toward the creepers, maintaining some cover from the pews. Two motes of force shoot out at the center skull.
HP 19/19
AC 14 / 12 ff / 12 touch
Active effects: None
1st level spells: 5/6
The wee undead are Immune to a great many things, but Vulnerable to nothing. Dark magic certainly animates the lonely skulls, whether intentionally, say, to create a familiar or guardian, or inadvertently, when black circumstances bring a body part to horrid unlife, seeking to avenge a wrongful death, or plague an unfaithful lover...
"Figures." Ajir opts to leave the fire and attack the nearest skull, hoping to prevent it from spreading further flame.
He jumps, choosing to throw kicks into the air rather than have the flesh of his bare hand singed.
for
for
Sebastien whirls around as the skulls burst into the town hall.
"Rankin, Mellum, if you can keep beating back the flames I'll keep these creatures away from you." he says as he dashes forward for a better shot and drawing his crossbow on the run. Quickly positioning himself to avoid Ajir Sebastien lets the bolt fly at the skull harassing his friend.
The Skulls draw the frantic attention of everyone still gathered within the Town Hall, but within two swift redresses, two of the Skulls are smashed to ember and bone, as the youth stabs one with two inerrant magical projectiles, and the monk thumps another one twice with the thick sole of his boot.
The dhampir shoots for the third, but the undead thing shrieks, and the bolt passes through the open mouth, thunking into the wall behind it.
The last skull-o-fire swoops down at the closest living being- Millicent!
Sadly, the only thing the flying flame can manage is invading the archivist's personal space...
Milo gawps a bit at the skulls appearing, but knows he won't make it near to one in time. Instead he focuses on the fire...
Rushing forward to the next flame, he stomps the fires into the floorboards as best he can.
Ajir denies one flaming skull entrance to the affair, while Marinus does the same with the second flaming skull. Millicent readies herself for the new guests. Sebastien just misses the third flaming skull, while Milovic sees to the size of the Blue Fire still smouldering, diminishing it by half.
The evacuation proceeds apace, the elderly gentleman being escorted out by both deputies. Russel decides he wants no part of the clacking, crackling skull hovering in front of him. He bolts along the outer aisle, striving to catch up with the burdened Marnie and burden Luthko.
Before the fires get a chance to grow ever stronger, Rankin watches Mellum for a moment, hoping the young man will snuff the Blue Fire, so he may be freed to fight the last Red Fire.
The teenager fails, forcing Rankin to remain where he is.
What Milovic started, the acolyte finishes!
The Red Fire grows.
Marinus moves up to the dais and gets ready to flood the skull with life's essence. "Millicent, do move back, would you?"
"That is the plan, dear."
She takes a step back, huffing as she tries to regain her focus from the hit. She fires a parting blast of cold at the skull.
HP: 17/23
AC: 16/12(16 vs incorp)/14
Saves: F3/R3/W4
Spells Active: Mage Armor, Heightend Awareness
0: (Detect Magic, Light, Mending, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost)
1: 4/6 used (Burning Hands (DC 16)x0, Mage Armorx1, Identifyx0, Heightened Awarenessx1)
Ajir notes the dropping of the second flaming skull, and that two other capable party members are in the midst of handling it. He turns back to the flames still engulfing the edge of the stage.
A serene look wipes away the agitation from his face, and his motions begin to look rehearsed. A deep hum emits from his throat as arms form aa circle in front of him. His hands move in a slow circle, as if turning an invisible ball. Moisture begins to form between his hands, a rolling ball of water by the end of the motion.
His lower hand quickly raises, shot-putting the water into the air, which quickly expands into a falling sheet of water.
HP: 13/28. Hero Points: 0. Investiture Pool: 4. Ki Pool: 2.
AC: 16. Touch: 13. Flat: 13. CMD: 12. CMB: 6. Speed:40.
Features: Evasion
Effects:
The dual strike of archivist and mentalist finish the third flaming skull, one of them dampening its fire, the other leeching its unlife force completely. The more meditative of you all pulls water from thin air, dousing another section of the Red Fire.
This leaves the four fellows nearby to try their luck against the only remaining threat to the Hall's well-being...
The weight of Milo's armor, a burden he is still becoming accustomed to, keeps him from striding as he might wish. He does his best to reach the last fire.
Sebastien grits his teeth as the bolt fails to find its target but nods in satisfaction as the source of his frustration is quickly snuffed out.
With the undead eliminated he turns his attention back to the fire and drops his crossbow as he rushes to help Ajir stomp out the last of the flames.
"Looks like the town might get to keep its town hall after all." he says as he tries to stomp out the fire.
It takes a concerted effort, many hands unified in the makeshift fire brigade, and the Red Fire winks out! Its last embers blacken, leaving the Town Hall singed but secure.
Acolyte Rankin moves to examine the nearest flamed out skull, while Mellum takes his leave to catch up with the others outside. You are able to enjoy some small quiet, before heading outside.
Millicent quickly scans the room to make sure there are no more threats, then cleans herself off and clears her throat.
"That went far better than it could have. I am glad. Did anyone spy a ringleader or perpetrator, anyone acting strangely? Is there anyone unaccounted for?"
Marinus responds to Millicent quietly. "Other than Gibs? I'm not sure whether the man's just an ass, or an outright psychopath. Perhaps I'll ask our new neighbors. No doubt the fires will have warmed them up to us. Or so I hope."
He psychically cleans the soot from his clothes and hair before offering the same to his companions.
With the flames vanquished Milovic's eyes seek out his mother first. He jogs to her side, looking her over quickly.
"All is well?" he asks, confirming she has no damage from stray glass or flaming oil..... or, the words of a certain jerk, before then.
There are unconscious souls to tend to as well-- Milo checks the people dragged from the flames, confirming that at the least they are stable and have no immediate need of his medical skill, before he rejoins the others.
"Is anyone of our group hurt?" Milo says, half-panting from the unaccustomed effort of moving around with the extra weight of armor on him. "Some of the villagers will need my attentions for their burns, but I can check any wounds you may have..."
"Nothing serious. Just a bit singed." Sebastien responds distractedly as he watches Rankin inspect the skulls.
Acolyte Rankin appears genuinely interested in not only the condition of the skull in his hands, but also what it might have looked like with skin and hair, possibly trying to identify from which grave the bones have sprung.
Exiting the still standing Town Hall, your eyes adjust to the cool air and moonlight to see that most everyone in attendance stand across the Town Square, their faces mildly sooty and strained in fear. As you cross the Square to join them, the faces begin to relax and nod, some voices calling out praise.
Zena Draznoi's voice and figure bursts from the crowd to meet Milovic half-way. "Ooooo, how you made me worry!!" The woman is tighter on her outward display of emotion, but it is a coiled thing, this concern of hers for her Rabbit. She brings both hands to both of Milovic's shoulders, looking him over for signs of injury, and her nose wrinkles when she finds nothing. Not even a trace of soot, so good is the young man's cleaning magics. Others in the crowd take notice as well.
The superstition is strong in these folks.
The two men overcome by the flames are indeed stable, and are being looked after by their respective families- Luthko by his Marta, and old Arlo by none other than his son, Deputy Thomas. Thomas does defer to the the kind doctor, having done little but cradle the old man's head in his lap.
Father Grimburrow and Councilman Hearthmount approach you all, as most of the villagers take their leave, their bellies filled with unease, their minds in search of quiet before they are laid to rest and threatened with a repeat performance behind fitful eyelids.
The Father speaks, when he's reasonably sure your conversation will be kept private, out in the open of the Town Square.
"Vashian here has agreed to do what he can to fund your investigation, where our local shops might find themselves a little tight in their respective generosities. I will do my part, as well. There are things that I can provide you, all you need to do is meet me at the Temple. When you're ready, of course."
Councilman Hearthmount appears a little uneasy, but it's hard to tell if it stems from the recent events, or someone speaking for him, regarding discretionary funds.
Ajir turns to Milo, after his mother's doting ceases. "I am not injured from this fire, but I am still sore from our previous activities."
"Thank you, Father."
Ajir turns to the better planners of the Bereaved on the next course of action.
Milo smiles reassuringly at his mother, but his gaze does flick out to the townspeople as well, and his smile fades a little....
He shakes his head to try and clear away his own musings, and then hurries to attend to the two injured townsfolk.
Healing energy flows from the young doctor's hands to each man. He softly instructs their loved ones in additional care-- cool, not cold water, to lave the remainder of the burns; a poultice recipe of a local herb, crushed fine...
He stands and rakes his hair back from his face before rejoining the others. "That fire... can we agree it s-sseemed unnatural? I have no touch of, of soot on my clothes. B-but I know nothing about these sorts of affairs. I know medicine. A bit of... herbalism. Not... this.
"Nor have I ever dreamed I'd be entering a place of-- hauntings. Madame Jones, Mr. Lupescu, and-- M-marinus-- you have.... experience of these things, more than me, to be sure. What s-supplies should we get?"
Marinus stands up as tall as he can, facing the Councilman and Grimburrow. "Thank you, Father. We will most certainly require supplies. Holy water and any wands, potions, or scrolls you have that provide healing. Councilman, if the town has any wands or fine weapons that may help in combat with undead things, that would be worth your investment."
He walks to Milo's side, putting on his shoulder a hand meant to be reassuring.
Millicent desperately wants to slap the Councilman and tell him that he should take this as a lesson to treat her concerns with more respect next time, but she somehow manages to restrain herself. She holds herself and breathes long and deep before letting out a calming exhale.
"Thank you, Father. I am glad to hear that the town has decided to take this situation as seriously as is warranted."
Millicent takes one final drag from her cigarette before dropping it and stomping it out. "Well then, I suggest we meet the Father at the temple as soon as possible to see what he has to offer, and then we do a little bit of shopping to fill in any gaps. We can spend tonight preparing and head out first thing in the morning. The powers of evil tend to be weaker in daylight, after all."
"Best not to draw too much attention to myself while the town is so on edge they already look at me with fear." Sebastien thinks as he notes the townsfolks' expressions.
Sebastien's shoulders sag slightly for a moment with disappointment as Millicent speaks.
"She must not have noticed when I told Father Grimburrow it would be best to visit the ruins with the sun out. I wanted Millie to see I'd been paying attention during her lessons. Oh well..." he thinks before adding to the discussion.
"After what we learned from the Father's archives it might be a good idea to check the monument to see if any other letters have appeared. Just so we can confirm your suspicions about the Splatter Man, see if we can't determine who his victim might be and if we catch him in the act possibly do something about it before we visit the ruins."
Marinus gazes with affection at his still new companions. It’s incredible how just a few strife-filled days can cement affections. Has it been this way in every incarnation? Or will this be the lifetime when evil is finally vanquished?