GM Doug's Fire & Bone (MoTD) (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

The Necromancer isn't looking good but still standing. He will surely heal himself if allowed to live another round.

Nar is up,

Nar hopes this works! 3 Action Heal: 2d8 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7

FOOLS! You'll —

The necromancer's knees turn to ash in Sarenrae's holy light. Krant pulls himself forward on his arms, trailing viscera and clutching an unholy symbol of the Whispering Tyrant. Graax, Vengeance, and Too-tuk put him out of his misery. Weak to positive and was really close after Too-tuk's turn. So even with a bad roll you got it!

After making short work of the final zombie you quickly search the chamber, aware of the people trapped outside but also aware that you should clear the place of potential danger.

A nearby chest contains a number of valuable items taken from the town that Krant had no use for but thought important to keep, including a wand of heal (1st level), a +1 longsword, a staff of fire, a persona mask, and pair of sleep arrows.

There is also a bloodstained Dagger of Venom. It seems Krant not only sacrificed villagers, but made sure they died painfully in front of their friends and family. Next to the dagger is an unfinished letter.

Dear _____________,

Praise the Whispering way! I write you to inform you of two tings: first, my gratitude to those who freed me from the mewling, pitiful life of my past. Velfram, Hornath, and Ilorina raised me in secret, and I have destroyed Fiorna's Faith from below… slowly and painfully. These last few weeks were delightful, watching the villagers live in fear and having their hopes slowly eroded away. This is, after all, the natural conclusion to all things: life is anathema to the Way and they have learned that we will live in a dead world, without the chaos of living flesh.

Secondly, these pitiful beings are too weak and stupid to serve as quality minions, but there are many of them. With my army I plan to locate other small villages and eventually Trunau itself — from below. Next, I shall

Unfortunately, the letter has not been addressed at this time.

"Well, now. That was interesting. Let's free these people, and escort them to safety... wherever that is." He then makes sure his robes and all were immaculate, as always.

At this time, just 'cause, Artemis tries to recall if he knew anything about Krant.

Harlo Krant was the occupant of the oldest grave you found in the graveyard, a merchant and former council member of the town. His was the grave with the black candles and onyx gem in it — the accoutrements of a necromantic ritual. You also have Krant's locket — inside is the portrait of a young Krant and a young woman, looking at each other.

You identify Krant's corpse as that of a Zombie Lord — a cunning undead who can command their lesser kin, which they can use in unexpected ways. They have been known to direct or collaborate with husk and withered zombies, creating cells of intelligent zombies hiding within the ranks of mindless undead.

"It was Pharasma's will that brought us here Vengeance, so that we could help put and end to Krant and his plans. Well done all."

"But.... someone had to help him...."

Nar turns to helping the freed people, patching wounds and offering soothing words.

"The Tyrant's agents are legion. There are always more to sent to the River," Too-tuk says. "We should return to the dead lands and continue the hunt after we have reported back to Trunau."

"But.... someone had to help him...."

Agreed, Zher'myeh says, setting to work unlocking the prison cages. And our next move, after saving these folk and resting up, shall be to find who that someone is.

"Praise be to the Cardinal Martyr that we were able to end this menace and save these people. We will follow the trail and see where it leads us..."

But that friends, was another adventure....

You free the villagers, who are in poor shape but holding it together mainly due to the presence of Jacra! Yes, she's alive!

The wizard cannot help but smile. So I assume Coal made it to Trunau, and Agrit ignored my note?

You give her her spell book back and limp out of the dungeons together.

______

Over the next few days you bury the dead properly. It's a pyrrhic victory for those who've survived; there is a lot of weeping. Jacera comes out of hiding. Organ rubs his cheek on Graax's leg and then claws at him. The champion sneezes.

Fiorna's Faith has a foul air about it now, and none can ever truly be sure that all the undead have been destroyed. With the town destroyed, the villagers decide it’d be best to put it to the torch and return with the you to Trunau.

From the top of the valley you watch the flames. Warland's Yard collapses, and the sound of splintering wood echoes up the valley long seconds later. Pillars of black smoke soar into the clear sky, likely to draw denizens of the gravelands from far and wide.

You turn away and don't look back.

Here ends the March of the dead!

Thanks all and thanks Doug for running!

Huzzah and thank you!