"Declaration: Recall, Kreen, we need only go quicker than city dwellers, not not-dead, should wise tactic not work."
MalaKi laughs as though Kirrish-Kreshk-Skiklik has just made a joke. “Good point friend kreen,” he says in a jovial manner.
MalaKi begins to mentally gauge his ability to out run the non-kreen in the group.
Squack; our group is; how far apart are the two groups? any idea?
Squack; our group is; how far apart are the two groups? any idea?
Seeing Holdrus and Shenker backing away with all speed (”He’s buggered off!”), Marada follows suit, continuing to keep time with her song as she hustles.
Kha-Chik, Aso, and Radik, oblivious to their comrade’s panic, each take out one of the walking dead, leaving only a single skeleton remaining.
The three remaining combatants watch as the bones of those undead destroyed first begin to slide toward each other, attempting to find cohesion. Where they touch, the appendages pulse with an absence of light, then fuse together.
Picking out a likely target (preferably a skeleton who is “smallish, bleached, and with a thick pelvis”) he heaves the stone.
The skeletal mob is a good deal away yet, but with a modified discus whirl, Malaki heaves a chuck of paving stone into the crowd, crushing a random skeleton. The eyeless heads revolve in unison at the indication of life, and the susurrus of bony feet rotating as one forms an alarming undertone.
“Now where did I put that,” he wonders.
The tube appears to have a gilded cap. Do you wish to take the time to examine the contents?
Queries: Have any nearby buildings survived the storm?
Collateral damage was minimal, mostly superficial except those areas where the storm ran over directly. It appears to have had a penchant for chasing down people instead of property.
How high are they?
How close are they to the wall?
Is there anything nearby besides rocks to use as a weapon?
What's Illyen been doing?
He’s helping with the wall.
How much of him can I get into my mouth before the skeletons show up?
How far can I throw him?
Any more skeletons to crush?
how far apart are the two groups?
Ack; look; dem bones, dem bones; they reform from some foul magic; spirits preserve us. We cannot eat that many bones; we need a fire maybe; a big fire...or flee. Who can be casting this foul sorcery; is this happening all over the city; this region; the planet? So many questions lurk to hide those that must pay in blood for this foul desecration of nature!
Attack the last skelly:
claws: roll 8; 14 = 13 and 19
possible damage; 1+3=4 and 3+3=6
move action: 10ft step/flap; back toward shelter.
Ack; look; dem bones, dem bones; they reform from some foul magic; spirits preserve us. We cannot eat that many bones; we need a fire maybe; a big fire...or flee. Who can be casting this foul sorcery; is this happening all over the city; this region; the planet? So many questions lurk to hide those that must pay in blood for this foul desecration of nature!
"I'll destroy them again. And again, until they are nothing but dust."
"Acheez. Listen to this guy. It's amazing how nimble he is, to kiss his own arse in such a way."
As Kha-Chik fights a retreating battle and Radik aids in finishing off the last skeleton, two former opponents rise again, making you question the futility of combating such a foe with the force of arms.
The skeletal mob is a good deal away yet, but with a modified discus whirl, Malaki heaves a chuck of paving stone into the crowd, crushing a random skeleton. The eyeless heads revolve in unison at the indication of life, and the susurrus of bony feet rotating as one forms an alarming undertone.
"Ok. That was effective." Faindriac admits grudgingly, trying to make the step he takes backward look casual and not a reaction to the ominous skeletal attention. Hefting the box to a more comfortable position under his arm, he swiftly casts his eyes around the street, searching.
"Good-good. Rattlebones angry now. Clutch want rattlebones chase it. Now, clutch move-move." Skarsnikt starts jogging towards the breached wall at a leisurely pace. "Move-move, softskins!"
“Strange creatures, those mantis men. Does anyone really understand them? Maybe the elves, just before they get eaten.”
With the success of his plan (gulp!?) MalaKi decides against examining the scroll tube at this time. The scroll tube is definitely on his mind though so as he jogs after Skarsnikt he says to Faindriac, “Hey, I found this scroll tube. I know this isn’t the best time to be bringing this up, but maybe you might want to check it out?” MalaKi tries to put on a friendly smile.
Upon seeing that there are no useful items in the immediate vicinity for him to animate, and that they have definitely gotten the Skeletons attention, Faindriac turns and bravely follows Skarsnikt's advice and joins Malaki in moving towards the wall.
"Certainly, I'll be happy to examine it." He replies to Malaki as they begin to jog. "It might be prudent to wait, just a bit, though." He says jerking a thumb over his shoulder.
"We wouldn't want to be rude to our 'guests'." He adds wryly.
Kirrish grabs some large pieces of wood, stone or bone to use as clubs.
"Query: Will us not get cornered, dead on one side, deadly wall on other we do this? How does clutch get deads die, not throw clutch into wall?"
"Critical declaration: Idea has holes like wall."
Kirrish grabs some large pieces of wood, stone or bone to use as clubs.
"Query: Will us not get cornered, dead on one side, deadly wall on other we do this? How does clutch get deads die, not throw clutch into wall?"
"Critical declaration: Idea has holes like wall."
"Wall has holes like a bug's head."
"Wall has holes like a bug's head."Kirrish grabs some large pieces of wood, stone or bone to use as clubs.
"Query: Will us not get cornered, dead on one side, deadly wall on other we do this? How does clutch get deads die, not throw clutch into wall?"
"Critical declaration: Idea has holes like wall."
"Irritated Declaration: 'Ug head not nearly hold holes like delicate, squishy city dweller head.
Recitation: Two hear-holes, two scent-holes, one eat-hole. Add two waste-holes, entire thing.
Threatening Idea: This one add holes, you not shut yours."
"Yes, this will be difficult to execute." Faindriac looks back over his shoulder.
"If we can not figure out a pattern to the timing of the energy bursts in the wall so that we can pass through as we will, then we shall have to resort to tactics that allow us to funnel, or just plain force, the skeletons into the breach."
"Now no-no fight time. First clutch fool silly rattlebones, then fight and establish mating rights. Now, us kreen will save clutch, will climb wall, attract bony ones, then jump off wall, lead skullheads into magic energy. Reast of clutch split and hide, bone-men follow kreen."
<Scratches at his lice, clueless to what his 'friends' are talking about.>
"Faindrac, just tell me what you wish done to the bone heads?"
Faindriac looks about for hiding places. "We get their attention, make sure they stay focused on following us, and then hope the Kreen's plan works. If it doesn't, we resort to plan B. We throw them into the wall!"
He smirks at Zuko.
"Of course by 'Get their attention', I mean in the most painful way possible!"
The templars watch the procession, attempting to discern why the party has such a difficult time following directions.
A long arm of skeletal adversaries breaks off from the throng, slowly marching in your direction, towards the breech in the wall. The templars begin to look annoyed, then uneasy. The crux of the host continues its hike towards the city center.
come; follow me!
I suggest that before these two newly arisen abomination of nature engage us; we seek respite in this building Shenker and I have opened; and come up with a plan or wait out this episode or look for clues. This must take much powerful magic; it must be coming from somewhere and is probably not endless; every magic has rules; we just dont know these; the cannot go on indefinately.
follow me to the shelter; then barricade the entrance; come before they close; (I lead the way; but will engage any skelly that attacks us so my compainions can get to the shelter).
Ignoring the various looks from the templars, Faindriac's frown becomes even more pronounced.
"This won't do. We need all of them to follow us, or we'll need another plan. We need to attract their attention, and block off all the exits from the area."
He looks around at the serious lack of convenient alley-blocking carts or barrels. Cursing mystical storms, storm-spawned undead, and possibly Templars under his breath, Faindriac raises his hand. Five pale-white missiles form and streak toward the marching undead, striking 5 of the skeletons not heading towards them.
Faindraic's Cold Missiles (1 per skeleton): (3d6+1=12, 3d6+1=11, 3d6+1=14, 3d6+1=16, 3d6+1=17)
MalaKi says, “Hey don’t sweat it Faindriac. We’ll take care of this bunch of bones and track down the rest later.”
MalaKi is going to carefully study the broken section of wall. He’s trying to see if there is enough time for him to get through the breach to the other side in between magical surges.
"We need a plan! We can't fight these undead in a war of attrition!"
"We need a plan! We can't fight these undead in a war of attrition!"
"Agreed." Faindriac replies, turning to also examine the timing of the walls energy bursts without waiting to see the result of his missile barrage.
"At this point, the kreen's plan seems the best option, providing it's workable. How about it Maliki? Can we make it through the surges? Once on the other side I don't think enticing them to follow us will be a problem."
The Psicrystal in his hand flashes rapidly. Faindriac nods slightly, though it seems reluctant.
"However, having an escape option is always preferable, especially when facing potentially overwhelming odds." He says, glancing around. He looks at the thri-kreen.
"If we cannot make it between the surges, can you carry us over? I'm afraid that climbing isn't one of my better skills."
"Yes-yes. Us kreen help softskins climb up wall, then help climb down wall. Once clutch outside hive, rattlebones walk into magic energy, melt away like morning dew."
Kha-Chik retreats to the shelter of the administration building, gathering any item she feels she could use to blockade the damaged doorway. Arms full of assorted rubbish, you get the impression she may be feathering a nest.
Faindrac fires a barrage of ice into the marching skeletons, watching as a handful of the undead explode in a shower of bone and icicles. More undead step into the void without hesistation.
MalaKi attempts to ignore the impending doom marching behind them, using his monastic training to slow his pulse. Timing the elemental arcing against the beating of his heart, he believes he can guide the party between the bolts, one at a time.
Faindriac nods.
"If you can get us through, or over, take Zuko first. We may need him on the other side if one of us isn't quite quick enough." He looks around again, obviously frustrated and knowing what he's looking for isn't there.
"We need to find a way to channel them, slow them down. But that blasted storm destroyed everything that wasn't nailed down! And a few things that were." He curses and eyes the steadily approaching horde.
who else is with me in this building?
Kha-Chik retreats to the shelter of the administration building, gathering any item she feels she could use to blockade the damaged doorway. Arms full of assorted rubbish, you get the impression she may be feathering a nest.
Faindrac fires a barrage of ice into the marching skeletons, watching as a handful of the undead explode in a shower of bone and icicles. More undead step into the void without hesistation.
MalaKi attempts to ignore the impending doom marching behind them, using his monastic training to slow his pulse. Timing the elemental arcing against the beating of his heart, he believes he can guide the party between the bolts, one at a time.
who else is with me in this building?
The lead templar intones, “Well citizens, you appear to have this situation well in hand, so we’ll just observe this new plan of yours from a safer venue.”
Badges of office in hand, the templars step forward into a two-dimensional sheet of blackness filled with twinkling motes, and vanish, only to reappear almost in the same instant atop the damaged wall.
The lead templar waves down at your group, shouting, “Best of luck!”
"I don't know where I am. Holdrus? I'm still follering you?"
"I don't know where I am. Holdrus? I'm still follering you?"
Right on; just making sure the fact that I'm lost out-of-game is due to the fact that I'm lost in-game.
Faindraic observes the Templars relocation with his customary frown. The Psicrystal flashes.
'Indeed Cair. I agree. Maybe later. Business before pleasure.'
Faindriac turns to Maliki. "Can you get us through or not? It seems our time for debating options is running out." He indicates for Zuko to follow Maliki while he looks to see if there anything he can use in the rubble pile next to the damaged wall.
As the party prepares to step between the broken wall's energy pulses, Skarsnikt skitters up the wall. Once he reaches the top, he rains a steady stream of rocks onto the approaching undead.
'Indeed Cair. I agree. Maybe later. Business before pleasure.'
Kirrish takes a minute to survey the undead. The wall, the templars. The breach. The party. He shakes his head, then gently pats Zuko and Faindriac on the back.
"Good luck.", he says, just loud enough to hear. Then, he attempts to scale the wall himself.
MalaKi grabs Zuko by the hand. “Are you ready?” he asks. Assuming Zuko is agreeable, MalaKi leads him dangerously close to the wall. MalaKi says, “On the third squeeze of my hand move fast.” MalaKi focuses all his fears, thoughts, and emotions into a single point. In mere seconds he feels himself becoming one with the wall and the arcs. Zuko suddenly feels his hand being squeezed rhythmically; once…twice…three times. MalaKi guides Zuko into the breech.
"I'm with you."
Faindriac nods slightly at the Kreen's well-wish, but keeps his eyes glued to the steadily approaching bone-powered Cuisinart. He keeps Cair held off to the side so that the crystal has a clear view. He nods as Zuko, under Maliki's prompting, makes a sudden move towards the gap,...
As MalaKi moves a single verse springs unbidden into his mind:
Enter again the sweet forest
Enter the hot dream
Come with us
Everything is broken up and dances.
