(D&D 5e) The Plague of Nightmares IC [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

Requilac

2018-02-19, 08:30 AM

You would almost believe that the dirt road ahead of you of was a river of pure silver had you not known any better. It indeed does appear to shimmer and flow under the moonlight far above. A single radiant blade of packed soil that slices through the oppressive night. But it is not of the light you find comfort in, for it seems to be much too ethereal to be that of a natural occurrence. You can see why people might be so suspicious of Senckreid, for you get the feeling that the black pines all around you are harboring things under their dark branches. You cannot help but asking yourself what creatures of the night lurk just beyond your sight. But mere ominous branches do not hold your heroic spirits at bay quite so easily. Your job after all is to hunt those that lurk in the darkness isn't it? And that is indeed why you all walk alone into Senckried on this very night. The gates into the mysterious fief you have yet to walk into, but if maps, instincts and hope are to be trusted then it should be only a few minutes walk away, though you cannot determine how accurate that is through the darkness. No outposts or other travelers have been visible to you on your journey so far, but you always get the feeling that something is watching and walking with you. (Little do you recognize that those figures will become their allies and enemies in the nearby future). Everything is eerily quiet except from the occasional screeching of a swarm of bats or the distant howl of mournful wolves.

That was until this point though. For suddenly a cacophony rings out and pierces through the veil of quiet borne from the night. Unknown people unleash agonizing screams to the rhythm of a mad howling in the road ahead, now not so distant. The beasts bark and bay constantly as it washes over and overwhelms the screams of their victims and the sounds of their resistant weapons against their predator's flesh. What results is hardly a battle and much more of a massacre. Only the crashing of a wagon can be heard over the tumult of hounds driven by bloodlust. Even those of you who rushed to try to help them would not have gotten there in nearly enough time. Only what must be half a minute after the maelstrom erupts out it abruptly resides. One moment the deafening noises are conquering your senses, and the next moment they are all gone. You wait for more things to tear into your ears, but none do. The silence, the same deathly silence, returns.

OOC: How do your characters all react? You will all be in different starting positions to begin with , but you all will probably meet at the site of the battle or perhaps at a point a little after that. Remember to explain why you are travelling alone at this point.

bc56

2018-02-19, 08:45 AM

Yaotl is moving cautiously through the woods a short distance from the road, when the noise begins. He has come to Senckreid in search of someone. Her face floats up from the depths of his memories. She is laughing, her golden hair glowing in the sunlight. The noise snaps Yaotl out of his reverie, the half-remembered face vanishing in a flash. He approaches the sound, trying not to be seen.

[roll0]

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-19, 09:16 AM

Anastasia while weeping will head towards the noise to see if she can provide any aid.

Squadfather42

2018-02-19, 12:54 PM

Elric is walking down the road, his thoughts stuck on the memories of his last days at the monastery. The most painful of which is when he buried the only family he had ever known.

Just as the memories threatened to open old wounds, he heard the crash and screams from up ahead.

For once, he threw caution to the wound and moved forward towards the unknown.

Zergrinch

2018-02-19, 02:01 PM

Zuzu, the former wizard's apprentice, whose master's life can be measured in mere weeks after contracting the Plague of Nightmares, rubs his tender behind.

The little gnome, fourteen years of age, but due to the short stature of all gnomes, looks like a human child no older than eight. And on this occasion, the pout in his face only adds credence to the assumption that he is a petulant little child throwing a tantrum.

But then again, who wouldn't have such a dour expression if they fell out of a tree branch fashioned into some kind of hammock by an unseen servitor, because they were startled by the sounds of creatures attacking a caravan?

And so, after confirming that a pile of leaves shielded his tender buttocks from more grievous harm, the gnome wizard sets off towards the direction of the horrid sounds, just so he can give a piece of his mind to whoever was responsible for the fracas.

Awful

2018-02-19, 04:10 PM

The Knightess Yvonne had visited Senckreid a long time ago, but the distant memory did not match the sight of the land around her. Had the trees harboured such a feeling of dread, all those years ago? Had the moonlight dripped to earth and flowed like water down the paths? The only sounds were her footsteps and distant beasts. It was unnatural. Forests were alive, even at night, but this had all the life of the grave.

Just more evidence that the root of this evil could be found here. She hoped that her dear friend was fine - insulated, perhaps, by Senckreid castle walls and court magicians?

The night air was crisp, and she breathed in deeply, taking in the scents of pine and rotting vegetation. Her hand played with the hilt of her sword. Travelling at night was always risky, but this close to the gates, to shelter, it seemed better than to spend the darkness outside unprotected. Yvonne was no craven, but she was no fool, either. If she had brought some of her knights... ah, but this was already a fool's gamble. In good conscience she couldn't have brought others here.

Her grip tightened on her sword hilt and she half-drew the blade as sudden bedlam split the air. Ten, twenty, thirty seconds of beasts and bloodshed, and it was silent again.

It was like a portent: Turn back. Death awaits thee.

No. It was all the more proof that there was no safety to be found outside in these woods. She must find shelter, and if there were any survivors of the caravan ahead, they may need assistance. She drew her sword fully, held it ready and low.

It was not a fancy sword, unlike her otherwise splendid appearance. It was plain straight steel, with a functional crossguard and a single sharp edge. It was a sword designed for battle, and nothing else.

She approached, shield held ready and head swivelling, scanning the darkness.

Requilac

2018-02-19, 04:31 PM

bc56

2018-02-19, 04:40 PM

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-19, 04:51 PM

Anastasia will whisper in natura rest now fallen ones your story untold and songs unsung. She grips her rapier

Awful

2018-02-19, 05:51 PM

As she approached the site of the slaughter, a pair of figures still standing materialised out the gloom.

"Ho there!" Knightess Yvonne called as she approached, shield and sword still held to ready. "Are you with the caravan just attacked?"
Or are you the murderers? was left unsaid.

One of the poor devils just assaulted was still breathing, by the looks of it. He wouldn't be for much longer if he didn't get help. She snapped her fingers and pointed at the dark-skinned elf, who seemed to muttering to herself.
"You! Lass! Know you of the healers arts? Help me keep this poor fellow from bleeding out."

She dropped to her knees by the injured man, making sure her sword was close to hand. She spoke was a clear tone, trying to get the man's attention as she ripped off a strip of his clothing to bind his wounds.
"You've had a poor night, friend. Speak to me."

[roll0]

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-19, 05:59 PM

yes mlady i can heal.
[roll0]
(Ooc cure wounds says touch can i hum while doing it or sing as my bardic focus while healing)

Squadfather42

2018-02-19, 06:52 PM

Zergrinch

2018-02-19, 09:02 PM

As you all approach the site of the massacre you can see that this was not a mere merchant caravan, but it was actually an adventuring troupe travelling along the road. The centerpiece of the tragedy appears to be a small overturned wagon capable of holding up to two people that has crashed on its side and spit out barrels of food, adventuring equipment and other supplies. Several feet in front of the wagon you can see a bloodied knight lying prone on the ground, draped over the corpse of a wolf. Just of to the side of the road you can also see a leather clad figure crashed into a bush like a ragdoll being stared down by the lifeless eyes of a wolf with an arrow through its head directly in front of him or her. Another person in chainmail decorated with the symbol of Luxan is leaning back against the cart, their head staring out at the scene in front of them. At first you believe that he too is dead, but his chest still rises, albeit much too slowly, and moans in agony still come from his pale lips.

You all can see each-other now, except for Yoatl who is stealthily hiding by the road.

Zuzu freezes for a bit as he sees three other strangers attracted to the noise. Huh, a female elf bard? No, the skin is too dark... Zuzu can't say he's seen much drow before (or any races other than human, dwarf, or elf, to be brutally honest, being cloistered practically all his life in that tower), and his curiosity is piqued.

Then, there are two clanking fighters (at least, he thinks they're fighters anyway). A male and female human. Are they betrothed? The young lady seems to hail from nobility at least, judging from the way she carries herself. The male is harder to read, but appears to be from more humble means.

The young gnome's eyes flit back to the carnage. Already, the others are tending to the injured. Having no real means of aiding the survivors, the wizard finds himself studying the two wolf corpses. Careful not to touch the flea-bitten beasts himself, he makes liberal use of Mage Hand and his unseen servant to flip the wolves over for investigation. This appears to be an adventuring troupe -- surely, mundane wolves wouldn't be able to slaughter them like this... What kind of wolves are these?

Investigating the wolves: [roll0]. His passive perception is 10.

bc56

2018-02-19, 09:14 PM

Yaotl sneaks a bit closer to Zuzu, watching what he's doing. He inspects the wolf corpses as well. No normal wolves would attack a caravan, or be so successful at it.

[roll0]

Requilac

2018-02-20, 10:45 AM

Yoatl is content to remain hidden for now, but he puts his shield on, just in case. He looks at the other newcomers, and upon seeing Zuzu, frowns. Thisss isss no place for a child. What isss he doing here? Yoatl also looks around for more wolves, hoping to not be caught unawares by them. [roll0]

There is definitely something moving out there in the trees, but this is a forest so that should not be surprising. You cannot immediately sense the presence of them in the area, but you are certainly suspicious.

[/COLOR][/B]She dropped to her knees by the injured man, making sure her sword was close to hand. She spoke was a clear tone, trying to get the man's attention as she ripped off a strip of his clothing to bind his wounds.
"You've had a poor night, friend. Speak to me."

[roll0]

yes mlady i can heal.
[roll0]
(Ooc cure wounds says touch can i hum while doing it or sing as my bardic focus while healing)

The wounded priest suddenly jolts his head forward and starts panting heavily as soon as his strength is somewhat restored. His hands are still shaking though and despite his best attempts they are much too shaky to grip at the mace called to his side. He stares there wide eyed and half paralyzed aside from deep shivering movmemtns and the rapid rise and fall of his chest. For moments he only sits there murmuring something to himself. “They didn’t die. They wouldn’t die. They can’t die. It was supposed to doe but it didn’t. It doesn’t die. I can’t kill it. Nothing can kill it. Don’t try. It just doesn’t die...” eventually he begins to cradle himself on the ground. He must have gone through some kind of shock. You have found that near death experiences do things like that.

The young gnome's eyes flit back to the carnage. Already, the others are tending to the injured. Having no real means of aiding the survivors, the wizard finds himself studying the two wolf corpses. Careful not to touch the flea-bitten beasts himself, he makes liberal use of Mage Hand and his unseen servant to flip the wolves over for investigation. This appears to be an adventuring troupe -- surely, mundane wolves wouldn't be able to slaughter them like this... What kind of wolves are these?

Investigating the wolves: [roll0]. His passive perception is 10.

Yaotl sneaks a bit closer to Zuzu, watching what he's doing. He inspects the wolf corpses as well. No normal wolves would attack a caravan, or be so successful at it.

[roll0]

At first glance They appear to be normal gray wolves in shape and size but upon closer inspection you realize something quite odd. At first you dimissed the fungus growing on them as a natural decomposed after death, but you quickly realize that the wolves died much too recently for the fungus to take hold so quickly. Something that you can only describe as a thin second pelt of pure moss appears to have formed around them. It appears to be an odd eerie blue and it is actually faintly glowing. No natural fungus covers the entire skin of an animal like this, and the color and light certainly seems rather ghastly.

You also can’t help but recognize the oddness of their behavior. Normal wolves do not attack armed adventurers like this very frequently, and if the are desperate enough to try they will simply kill the weakest target and run off. It instead looks like they intentionally slaughtered everyone in the group, which goes against the conservative nature of predators. That and they did not even bother to eat the corpses, they just killed them and ran off. This is not how wolves are supposed to behave.

These animals were certainly deeply corrupted both physically and mentally by whatever this Eldritch fungus is.

bc56

2018-02-20, 11:55 AM

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-20, 02:50 PM

Calm down my friend. You are safe.
She attempts to calm him down.

bc56

2018-02-20, 03:13 PM

Requilac

2018-02-20, 03:44 PM

Yaotl thought Anastasia's comment was directed at him.
"Don't you sssee? These wolves are infected! We're all at risssk unlessss we ssstop the infection now, before it dessstroysss all of nature!" Yaotl continues to burn the corpses. Once he is finished, he inspects a human corpse for signs of the mold.

[roll0]

You are little too hasty in your actions to give a thorough examination, but trying to find something that glows blue and is within 10 ft of you while it is pitch black outside proves to not be a difficult task. The human corpses do have some of the fungus on them, but only a small amount around the bite wounds, it does not form a second skin like the wolves had. The priest too has some of the fungus on his injured areas, but they do not appear to be as thickly grown in. The mold prefers to settle on dead flesh it appears.

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-20, 04:06 PM

i was comforting the only living carvan member.but i understand.she says in Natura to yaotl we who wander the woods and caves revere nature

bc56

2018-02-20, 04:24 PM

"The corpses are contaminated! We mussst dessstroy them!" Yaotl sets fire to the nearest corpse.

Zergrinch

2018-02-20, 06:19 PM

Yaotl is perturbed. He worries that the injured man and the child may be exposed to the mysterious fungus. There's only one thing to do: stop the spread before it can begin. Yaotl breaks cover, stepping into the clearing. He pushes Zuzu away from the wolf corpse. "Get back child!" His voice is little more than a raspy hiss, but it conveys quite clearly the urgency of his command. He casts Conjure Bonfire, lighting the corpse aflame, then moves on to repeat the process with the other wolves.

A fungus? And one that compels creatures to act in ways contrary to their nature? The young gnome vaguely recalls reading about the parasitic cordyceps fungus that infests insects and slowly takes them over. But has this ever afflicted larger order creatures such as wolves?

Intelligence, History. [roll0]

And for that matter, is this infestation magical in nature?

Intelligence, Arcana. [roll1]

Before he can do much else, Zuzu nearly wets his loincloth as a giant snake slithers out of the bushes and roughly shoves him away from the corpse!

"A m-m-m-mmmonster!" the teenage gnome shrieks out, his hand flying into his robes to reach for his wand.

Awful

2018-02-20, 06:20 PM

Elric comes upon the massacre and almost stopped in his tracks. Hasn't there been enough death lately."

Drawing his sword in case of a counter attack, Elric approaches the female fighter that was shouting orders.

"Could you use some assistance my lady? I'm Elric, a humble Paladin of Prolus. Is there anyone else who needs healing?"

The warrior scrutinised him for a moment, then shook her head.
"No more survivors that I know of, unless the child and the dark elf were with the caravan. I only just arrived myself. If you know how the treat this man for his shock, however... mine were never the healer's arts."
She clanged a fist on her breastplate in greeting.
"But I am the knightess Yvonne, faithful of Vitay. I would say well met, but this is an inauspicious knight."

"The corpses are contaminated! We mussst dessstroy them!" Yaotl sets fire to the nearest corpse.
As the hissing man burst from the undergrowth and began igniting corpses, Yvonne had lifted her weapon in preparation to strike. Slowly, she lowered it as the strange fellow seemed to mean no harm - for now, at least.
"You there!" she called sternly. "An ill decision, to leap from the undergrowth! I nearly ran you through. What were you doing, skulking in the brush?"
His talk of infection can wait for just a moment; either they were infected or they weren't. She turned her gaze to the child. She bent over slightly to appear less imposing, but her tone was still as no-nonsense.
"That said, he is correct in one thing. Come here, child, where a wolf can't leap out the dark and snatch you off. What are you doing here in the woods? Were you with these poor vagabonds?"

Squadfather42

2018-02-20, 07:05 PM

Elric nods his head in greeting as Yvonne introduces herself. Kneeling down beside the wounded priest, Elric attempts to see if there's anything that his powers can do.

[roll0]
Would his lay on hands, help the priest calm down?

Elric closes his eyes and whispers a short prayer to Prolus. Feeling the divine energies glow through him, Elric soothes and calns down the shell-shocked priest.

"Rest easy brother, you are among friends. Now, take a deep breath and slowly tell us what happened."

I'll heal the priest, with lay on hands, for 1 point of damage. That should calm him enough and still leave me with plenty left over.

Requilac

2018-02-20, 11:52 PM

Calm down my friend. You are safe.
She attempts to calm him down.

Elric nods his head in greeting as Yvonne introduces herself. Kneeling down beside the wounded priest, Elric attempts to see if there's anything that his powers can do.

[roll0]
Would his lay on hands, help the priest calm down?

Elric closes his eyes and whispers a short prayer to Prolus. Feeling the divine energies glow through him, Elric soothes and calns down the shell-shocked priest.

"Rest easy brother, you are among friends. Now, take a deep breath and slowly tell us what happened."

I'll heal the priest, with lay on hands, for 1 point of damage. That should calm him enough and still leave me with plenty left over.

The priest's breathing suddenly slows as he turns to face the both of you. He seems somewhat confused by his surroundings but after a careful look around he recognizes that he is out of danger. Two knights, a young gnome, and a pretty elf are not exactly a terrifying thing to him as a cleric, and in this light he cannot recognize yaotl as a yuan-ti. He stares at his allies though and his eyes widen and begin to tear up. He maintains his composure though and begins to speak in a parched, dry voice barely more than a whisper.

"Me and my party you see here were trying to enter Senckried to find a solution for the plague, and we went through here unscathed up until this point. Then a... a... a ghost I believe, or at least something that looked like one. It said that we could not enter Senckried. Poor Duqesne..." he stares at the fallen knight "Tried to charge it with her silvered great-sword before it said anything else, and she slashed it too and it screamed, but then all the sudden lights appeared in the bushes and the wolves emerged and just... they just... swarmed her. She was dead within an instant. They then charged John our guide." He looks at the leather clad figure "He managed to get one arrow off but then he tripped in the bushes and fell backwards, and they got to him too. After seeing their glow I assumed that they were perhaps undead so I tried to repel them by evoking Vitay's power, and it worked too, but not on all of them. About half of them charged forward and they bite and I thought I was dead, but then something spoke. The foul spirit claimed that it would let me live so that I may warn others about the dangers of Senckried. Then I blacked out and here I am now. We had a mage with us too, but I have no idea what happened to him. I could swear he was with us before the wolves attacked but I never saw him in the conflict."

A fungus? And one that compels creatures to act in ways contrary to their nature? The young gnome vaguely recalls reading about the parasitic cordyceps fungus that infests insects and slowly takes them over. But has this ever afflicted larger order creatures such as wolves?

Intelligence, History. [roll0]

And for that matter, is this infestation magical in nature?

Intelligence, Arcana. [roll1]

You have heard that fungi can indeed alter a creature's mental state, but you have no record of ever hearing about something that could do it to this extent. Some things that are vaguely close come to mind, but none of them have a major resemblance to what you are seeing. It must be arcane in nature, and certainly unstudied. This is indeed quite concerning.

Zergrinch

2018-02-21, 12:00 AM

His talk of infection can wait for just a moment; either they were infected or they weren't. She turned her gaze to the child. She bent over slightly to appear less imposing, but her tone was still as no-nonsense.
"That said, he is correct in one thing. Come here, child, where a wolf can't leap out the dark and snatch you off. What are you doing here in the woods? Were you with these poor vagabonds?"

"I'm not a child," Zuzu's pouts while pointing his wand at the snakeman. "I'm fourteen -- I can take care of myself. I'm traveling by myself, towards Senckried to investigate the Plague of NIghtmares."

Still poised to unleash a magical attack towards the Yuan-ti, he continues, "Look, this infection is almost certainly arcane in nature. Since there is nothing natural about it, we don't even know if it's safe to burn it! We must try to isolate a sample for further study, than just let this snake monster set it on fire!"

Squadfather42

2018-02-21, 12:18 AM

Requilac

2018-02-21, 12:25 AM

"I am sorry about your friends. I shall ask Prolus to to bless them in my prayers. Can you describe the wizard that traveled with you? What was his name?

Perhaps he fell in battle arly on or was dragged away by the wolves. Once your done talking, I'll go and say a prayer for your friends."

Elric then pauses and gives the priest a chance to continue speaking.

Although the priest is actually in relatively good physical health now, he is still shocked and is currently almost paralytic with the grim realization of what happened. "The mage... I believe her name was hemra, she is a kenku, if you are familiar with them."

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-21, 12:41 AM

Yvonne was it you stand as if you are nobility, i was not with the caravan nor was this gnome with me. But death surely had a ball with many many guests.

bc56

2018-02-21, 04:45 AM

Squadfather42

2018-02-21, 07:33 AM

Requilac

2018-02-21, 06:18 PM

Zergrinch

2018-02-21, 11:22 PM

"14 isss ssstill very young. You may take a sssample, there isss sssome on each of the corpsssesss here. Keep it well contained. It isss a dark day when the natural waysss are sssubverted, and it isss better to know what you face." Yaotl looks about for signs of the Kenku described.

[roll0]

The boy lowers the wand. The snake man doesn't appear to be immediately hostile, as monstrous as he appears at first. He rummages in his pack to look for a vial or bottle to contain a sample of the fungus. Alas, while he does have a flask of oil, putting a sample inside would likely contaminate the fungus.

And so, he is forced to pipe up. "I... don't seem to have a suitable vial or bottle to keep a sample in. I need to find a suitable container. May I look around in the carriage, Mr. Cleric of..." his eye alights on the man's holy symbol, "Luxan?"

If answer is yes, investigation: [roll0]

Awful

2018-02-22, 06:55 PM

Yvonne looked at the child. Fourteen... he must be one of the smallfolk. A gnome? A halfling? She'd met few of either.
"Fourteen. Why, an adult grown, then," she said dryly. "My apologies. I would be quick getting that sample, child. Best we not wait out here for any longer than necessary."

Yvonne was it you stand as if you are nobility, i was not with the caravan nor was this gnome with me. But death surely had a ball with many many guests.
Wasn't it obvious from her armour and bearing? Yvonne frowned a tad.
"I am nobility - I am of House Sonnenstahl, to the north."

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-22, 07:42 PM

Wasn't it obvious from her armour and bearing? Yvonne frowned a tad.
"I am nobility - I am of House Sonnenstahl, to the north."

ah i did not mean to offend i am a courtier to house. Bartlesby in the area of Braughlmurk thus forgive my impudence.

Requilac

2018-02-22, 09:32 PM

Elric stands up and leaves the priest to his thoughts. Making his way through the carnage, Elric stops and carefully rolls the body of Duqesne, the fallen knight, over.

Saying a prayer, of safe passage, to Prolus, Elric begins to search and examine the fallen knight.

Duqesne appears to be a middle-aged knight of Luxan, the same god that the priest worships, who is actually a woman, but such a detail is hardly significant. Her body was draped over the corpse of a wolf she defiantly slew right before he death. It is quite a gruesome sight to see the corpse
because of just how mutilated it is by the wave of wolf maws. Her heavy plate armor blocked what must have been many blows, but it was apparently not enough to stop the tide and her entire body from the chest down has been badly lacerated and the armor looks rusted with the blood. The priest's account holds to be true, the knight was indeed swarmed and quickly overtaken. Pools of moss have sprouted from the wounds in a much higher quantity than seen in the cleric's and the ranger's injuries, probably a result of how many bites it would have taken to kill the knight. The fungus glows a grim ethereal blue, giving the macabre sight an almost dream-like cast.

You luckily have the time to do this because Yoatl is struggling to carry the armored person into the bonfire. Plate armor is pretty heavy after all. He will get it eventually, though it might takes a minute or two.

The boy lowers the wand. The snake man doesn't appear to be immediately hostile, as monstrous as he appears at first. He rummages in his pack to look for a vial or bottle to contain a sample of the fungus. Alas, while he does have a flask of oil, putting a sample inside would likely contaminate the fungus.

And so, he is forced to pipe up. "I... don't seem to have a suitable vial or bottle to keep a sample in. I need to find a suitable container. May I look around in the carriage, Mr. Cleric of..." his eye alights on the man's holy symbol, "Luxan?"

If answer is yes, investigation: [roll0]

The priest nods in a half-paralyzed state and whispers out one last message. "My name is Imbert... search if you would like".

You rummage through the overturned cart for a while and examine all of its contents. Four barrels that are scarcely larger than you have been spit out by it, but for the most part it does not hold anything of use. One of the broken barrels holds a large storage of rations, but you would not dare eat it due to the etheraly blue mold that have formed over it. The second barrel is stocked mostly with extra clothing. The third one is just empty, so you assume that it must have been meant to store any items they gained over the course of the trip. But the fourth one though is full of adventuring equipment that could include what you need. For the most part nothing that you do not already have of course, but it could contain a vial or something similar. In there you are lucky enough to find an emptied healing potion within and you could use that to store the fungus samples.

-a light crossbow and 10 bolts
-a potion of healing
-one empty vial
-8 sets of warm clothing
-an herbalism kit
-a set of two person tents
-an explorer's pack
-a dungeoneer's pack

-120 days of rations that have been tainted

Zergrinch

2018-02-22, 11:39 PM

The priest nods in a half-paralyzed state and whispers out one last message. "My name is Imbert... search if you would like".

You rummage through the overturned cart for a while and examine all of its contents. Four barrels that are scarcely larger than you have been spit out by it, but for the most part it does not hold anything of use. One of the broken barrels holds a large storage of rations, but you would not dare eat it due to the etheraly blue mold that have formed over it. The second barrel is stocked mostly with extra clothing. The third one is just empty, so you assume that it must have been meant to store any items they gained over the course of the trip. But the fourth one though is full of adventuring equipment that could include what you need. For the most part nothing that you do not already have of course, but it could contain a vial or something similar. In there you are lucky enough to find an emptied healing potion within and you could use that to store the fungus samples.

-a light crossbow and 10 bolts
-a potion of healing
-one empty vial
-8 sets of warm clothing
-an herbalism kit
-a set of two person tents
-an explorer's pack
-a dungeoneer's pack

-120 days of rations that have been tainted

"How strange," Zuzu muses loudly, speaking more to himself than to the others. "The wagon itself carries taint. Surely the wolves did not bite the barrel and spread the fungus -- this was a premeditated inside job."

Moving quickly, the underage wizard stuffs a sample of the fungus into the empty potion vial, using one of the crossbow bolts to scrape off the material. He also grabs one of the tainted rations. Hurriedly emptying the contents of the explorer's pack, Zuzu stuffs the vial and the ration inside.

If he is given enough time, he will scavenge the five rations from one of the packs, as well as take a set of warm clothing. The rest of the wagon's contents, he leaves where it is.

Item
Dungeoneer
Explorer
Other
Zuzu Takes

Loot, Final

Backpack
1
1

1
1

Crowbar
1

1

Hammer
1

1

Piton
10

10

Torch
10
10

20

Daily Rations
10
10

5
15

Tinderbox
1
1

2

Bedroll

1

1

Mess Kit

1

1

Waterskin
1
1

2

Hempen Rope
20 ft.
20 ft.

40 ft.

Light Crossbow

1

1

Light Crossbow Bolts

10

10

Potion of Healing

1

1

Empty vial

1
1
0

Warm Clothing set

8
1
7

Herbalism Kit

1

1

Two-person Tent

1

1

Daily Rations (tainted)
120

1
119

Barrel
3

3

Barrel (broken)
1

1

Cart
1

1

I recommend the fighter takes the potion and crossbow bolts. The paladin takes the two-person tent, and the druid takes the herbalism kit. Maybe, give the priest a drink of water?

bc56

2018-02-23, 04:25 AM

Yaotl also searches the cart. He investigates the barrels that Zuzu was looking at. When he finds the tainted food, he will drag the barrel outside of the wagon and burn it. Of the equipment, Yaotl takes the hammer, crowbar, and herbalism kit. He does not recognize the healing potion, or he would take that too.

Squadfather42

2018-02-23, 07:23 AM

Elric stands as he finishes his inspection, saying a quick prayer to Prolus, he asks that Prolus guide the spirits of the fallen on their next journey.

Looking over at the wrecked wagon, Elric takes only one item. He straps the 2-person tent onto his pack and steps back so the others can have a chance.

At the mention on this possibility being an inside job, Elric voices his concerns.

"If this indeed was an inside job, it may very well have been the missing spell caster. Can anyone hear track?"

Glancing over at the recuperating priest, Elric asks a simple question.

"How long had you all been traveling together?"

- 2 person tent

Awful

2018-02-23, 04:15 PM

ah i did not mean to offend i am a courtier to house. Bartlesby in the area of Braughlmurk thus forgive my impudence.
"You are forgiven, miss."
Yvonne gave the woman another look.
"What brings a courtier of Bartlesby to Senckreid, however? Surely if they were searching to end the curse they could send someone more... applicable."

After the drow's reply, she had a look for herself in the wagon. She retrieved a crossbow - she had little true skill for such things, but it could come in useful, perhaps. She turned to leave when the potion caught her eye. She picked it up, swirling the light red liquid inside.

Now this was something that should not be left behind.

Yvonne takes the Light crossbow, the bolts, and the healing potion.

Elric stands as he finishes his inspection, saying a quick prayer to Prolus, he asks that Prolus guide the spirits of the fallen on their next journey.

Looking over at the wrecked wagon, Elric takes only one item. He straps the 2-person tent onto his pack and steps back so the others can have a chance.

At the mention on this possibility being an inside job, Elric voices his concerns.

"If this indeed was an inside job, it may very well have been the missing spell caster. Can anyone hear track?"

Glancing over at the recuperating priest, Elric asks a simple question.

"How long had you all been traveling together?"

- 2 person tent
"I'm afraid not. Either way, though, it would be foolishness to try to hunt down this wolf-pack in the dark. We should head for the fief's gates, and if need be search in the morning."

Requilac

2018-02-24, 12:18 AM

Glancing over at the recuperating priest, Elric asks a simple question.

"How long had you all been traveling together?"

Imbert, the majorly wounded (but much less so than before) cleric raises an eyebrow seems a little caught off guard by this question. "We all did not meet up at once, so that question is a little complex to explain. Me and Duqesne have worked at the same church for years now, but it was not until this plague struck that we actually started adventuring. What must have been a season ago Duqesne reached out to her childhood friend Hemra for some magical aid. I have only known her for three months or so but I trust Duqesne for certain and she trusted Hemra so I never thought about it too much. She was certainly a quiet one, but nothing about her would ever make me suspicious of betrayal. John was a guide we hired to bring us to Senckried just a week ago, and all we got out of him was a sort of detached professionalism."

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-24, 04:58 AM

[QUOTE=Awful;22869038]"You are forgiven, miss."
Yvonne gave the woman another look.
"What brings a courtier of Bartlesby to Senckreid, however? Surely if they were searching to end the curse they could send someone more... applicable."

I was not "officially" sent here i am just here to aid who ever can stop the plague.young olivia wishes it so thus i came.

bc56

2018-02-24, 07:05 AM

While the others are discussing the impossibility of tracking the wolves, Yaotl looks down, following the mess of tracks with his eyes, trying to find which direction the wolves left in.

[roll0]

Zergrinch

2018-02-24, 10:02 AM

"Mind you, Gramps," Zuzu strolls over to the priest, bringing him a drink of water from a salvaged waterskin, "I have no other grounds for suspicion, other than the fact that your food stores are completely contaminated. The wolves surely have no reason to attack the barrel, not when they are intent on your party."

The young wizard casts a wary eye on the snake man, who was by far the most animated among them. One moment, he was burning corpses; then, he was salvaging from the barrels. And now, he is apparently trying to track the wolves.

"That one sure has a lot of energy," he muses to no one in particular. "I would have thought cold-blooded creatures were less active in the night, when it is colder."

Requilac

2018-02-24, 07:32 PM

While the others are discussing the impossibility of tracking the wolves, Yaotl looks down, following the mess of tracks with his eyes, trying to find which direction the wolves left in.

[roll0]

You could not really find Hemra's tracks so easily, but a pack of bleeding wolves that are recklessly charging through the land proves to be a much easier task. When they attacked the wolves seemed to be all in one mass, but after the attack they seemed to separate and head off to different areas in the forest surrounding them. Five of them all going in different directions. These wolves keep getting stranger and stranger...

"Mind you, Gramps," Zuzu strolls over to the priest, bringing him a drink of water from a salvaged waterskin, "I have no other grounds for suspicion, other than the fact that your food stores are completely contaminated. The wolves surely have no reason to attack the barrel, not when they are intent on your party."

Imbert is clearly dehydrated and in need of water, but he does not even seem to recognize that the waterskin in front of him is existent. He only continues to stare off into space while his body is paralyzed. His speech although stilted is otherwise unimpaired though. "These are not the wolves that you and I know. They could have very well have had a reason to intentionally target the rations. Would that be the strangest thing they have done here really?"

Zergrinch

2018-02-24, 09:21 PM

Zuzu is clearly unconvinced, but says nothing as he motions for the others to help him rehydrate the cleric.

bc56

2018-02-24, 10:06 PM

Yaotl looks up from the tracks and addresses the group. "There are five wolvesss. They have sssplit up. We could try to pursssue, but we'd probably lossse them in the chassse." Meanwhile, he's sizing the group up, trying to get a feel for their strengths and weaknesses, apart from those he's already seen.

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-24, 10:15 PM

Should we even save the kenku mayhaps they are infected as well.

Requilac

2018-02-26, 04:51 PM

As things begin to quite down at the ransacked carriage the wind suddenly turns frigid. Within an instant the sky is suddenly howling as if a storm suddenly occured. The few remaining leaves of autumn on the wintry cold ground are blown away from the road in front of you. A light arises from the ground on the road towards Senckried in front of you. Suddenly it flashes a blinding blue and from that light emerges a hazy indistinct silhouette. You can tell that it is humanoid, but its features are blurry as if you were seeing it through a heavy fog. The figure appears to glow an ethereal blue, not unlike the fungus on the wolves. There is no visible mouth to it but the aparrition speaks regardless, as if it were being transmitted from all ends by the very wind itself.

"Behold the fate of those who walk into Senckried. These lands are not what they once where. Beyond this gate lies only horror. And the few who elude death shall descend into madness. I know of your adventuring type, I know that you do not fear death. But I will give you one last warning. If you survive this prison, then you will forever be twisted beyond recognition. Once you let Senckried into your soul, it will never leave. Turn back now, before it is too late for you like all the others." You can hear the bushes on the sides of the road rustle, but you cannot see them. "Turn back now, if you still value your heart and soul." A mad howling of hounds now joins the howling wind. "Turn back, or else you too shall die on this forsaken road!"

Awful

2018-02-26, 05:27 PM

Yvonne watched the apparition with narrowed eyes. It thought to drive her away with ominous words and the threat of wolves?

With a clanking of steel, she held aloft her brazen sword and bellowed a challenge.
"I am Knightess Yvonne the Faithful, and I do not fear Senckreid, whether haunted by spectre or shadow! I swear on Vitay, I will find your source, evil, and wrench the blackened heart from your chest! Send your demons and your devils, and I will slay them all!"
She focused within herself, feeling the touch of Vitay over her heart. She called out the ritual words, feeling the protection grow over her.
"Mine armour ist faith! Mine sword ist judgement! Come forth, ye wicked!"
A light welled from her chest and flickered over her, softly fading until it remained as just the faintest of glimmerings on the steel of her armour. Shield and sword readied, she backed up until her back was against the wagon.

Yvonne casts Shield of Faith on herself, granting her +2 AC for 23AC, and readies an action to attack any foe approaching within 5 feet of her.

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-26, 05:44 PM

If i must dance with death so be it lets have a ball. For olivia
i cast heroism on myself.A willing creature you touch is imbued with bravery. Until the spell ends the creature is immune to being frightened and gains temporary hit points equal to your spellcasting ability modifier at the start of each of its turns. When the spell ends the target loses any remaining temporary hit points from this spell.

Requilac

2018-02-26, 06:00 PM

With a clanking of steel, she held aloft her brazen sword and bellowed a challenge.
"I am Knightess Yvonne the Faithful, and I do not fear Senckreid, whether haunted by spectre or shadow! I swear on Vitay, I will find your source, evil, and wrench the blackened heart from your chest! Send your demons and your devils, and I will slay them all!"
She focused within herself, feeling the touch of Vitay over her heart. She called out the ritual words, feeling the protection grow over her.
"Mine armour ist faith! Mine sword ist judgement! Come forth, ye wicked!"
A light welled from her chest and flickered over her, softly fading until it remained as just the faintest of glimmerings on the steel of her armour. Shield and sword readied, she backed up until her back was against the wagon.

The ghost does not seem to have any change in emotion because of what you said. "You have yet to understand what is going on. I know very well what you are afraid of, and it is not death I am certain. But I am warning you now, turn back before it is too late. You enter Senckried to slay devils, but at the end of the day I know what will happen. It has happened to all the others. Your blade is poised to shed blood, and although it serves righteoussness on this day, such virtues are easily corrupted. I have seen it time and time again. You come to Senckried to wreak bloodshed on those who are your enemies, and that is why madness reigns supreme here. When these demons you hunt turn out to not be quite as you expected, you will see the truth. When your sword is stained with the blood of innocents instead of fiends you will know. I cannot allow you to enter here and continue to spread the madness! Turn back, yield your weapons, stay your insanity. Do not enter Senckried!"

Zergrinch

2018-02-26, 06:19 PM

bc56

2018-02-26, 06:39 PM

Yaotl gazes grimly at the spirit. "I have already given my life to another, and my sssoul is long lossst! I fear not your empty threatsss! Away ssspecter!" Yaotl moves within 5ft of the ghost and postures menacingly in a battle stance. If the ghost provokes Yaotl, his teeth will elongate into fangs, and he will attempt to bite the ghost and inject acidic venom into it.

Cast primal savagery if the ghost makes a hostile action (such as attacking or summoning other monsters).
Spell attack [roll0] for [roll1] acid damage.

Requilac

2018-02-26, 06:53 PM

Zuzu takes an involuntary step backwards before squeaking at the apparition, "Who are you? What is your connection to Senckried? Why do you seek to prevent our entry when we merely intend to investigate the reputed ground zero of the plague of nightmares?"

The gnome studies the figure intently, trying to ascertain whether it is supernatural in origin, or is some kind of magical summon.

Arcana: [roll0]

"Who I was I can no longer remember, all I know is what I was tasked with. And my task is keeping people out of Senckried. And do not fool yourselves, you know as well as I do that this will simply end with investigations. You will try to solve the problem, and then you will descend into the madness of wanton bloodsheed and never come out. Adventurers have come into Senckried years before, and everything always ends the same way. They come in heroes, and they stay in as either a corpse or a mad man."

You have no idea what this creature is, you have never seen such a ghost before. You have never even heard of it before.

Yaotl ganzes grimly at the spirit. "I have already given my life to another, and my sssoul is long lossst! I fear not your empty threatsss! Away ssspecter!" Yaotl moves within 5ft of the ghost and postures menacingly in a battle stance. If the ghost provokes Yaotl, his teeth will elongate into fangs, and he will attempt to bite the ghost and inject acidic venom into it.

Cast primal savagery if the ghost makes a hostile action (such as attacking or summoning other monsters).
Spell attack [roll0] for [roll1] acid damage.

The ghost is completely unphashed by your aggressive action. "I see... a disciple of the Old Ones. You should know more than anyone else why you should not enter Senckried, yet you still refuse to acknowledge it. But your true intention here is not the same as the others, so you are a different story. I know perfectly well that your soul has long since been consumed and that you do not care for my threats."

Zergrinch

2018-02-26, 08:01 PM

"Who I was I can no longer remember, all I know is what I was tasked with. And my task is keeping people out of Senckried. And do not fool yourselves, you know as well as I do that this will simply end with investigations. You will try to solve the problem, and then you will descend into the madness of wanton bloodsheed and never come out. Adventurers have come into Senckried years before, and everything always ends the same way. They come in heroes, and they stay in as either a corpse or a mad man."

"One last question. You keep insisting that bloodshed will ensue, but nobody lives in Senckried! Nobody human!
So what's in there anyway that you're so desperately trying to protect?!"

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-26, 08:04 PM

zuzu perhaps innocent and human arent the key words here.we may do wrong by trying to do right.

Requilac

2018-02-26, 08:22 PM

"One last question. You keep insisting that bloodshed will ensue, but nobody lives in Senckried! Nobody human!
So what's in there anyway that you're so desperately trying to protect?!"

For once you actually feel as if the ghost is showing some sort of emotion. The wind seems to weep more than it howls this time. "Because sometimes, child, those that are not "human" as you call it need peace just the same."

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-28, 01:22 PM

So are we still driven onward. Yvonne,zuzu yaotl

Awful

2018-02-28, 04:29 PM

So are we still driven onward. Yvonne,zuzu yaotl
"Turn back if you wish. But I will not be dissuaded by some phantom."

Dismissively, the knightess began to stride past the apparition.
"One of you bring the priest, if your heart is bold enough to continue."

Sariel Vailo

2018-02-28, 07:40 PM

Well onward than to adventures. The stories are plentiful in the land where none have yet to return from.

Zergrinch

2018-02-28, 09:46 PM

For once you actually feel as if the ghost is showing some sort of emotion. The wind seems to weep more than it howls this time. "Because sometimes, child, those that are not "human" as you call it need peace just the same."

Zuzu shoots a sad look at the spectre. "I'm sorry, but my master's life depends on any information I can find about the plague of nightmares. I have to go there."

bc56

2018-02-28, 10:11 PM

Yaotl stalks past the spectre, toward Senckreid. If possible, he'll walk straight through the ghost, as if to display his disdain for it as openly as possible.

Requilac

2018-02-28, 11:14 PM

Suddenly hail erupts from the sky and the chorus of howling from both the wind and the hounds increase. "NO! NONE SHALL ENTER SENCKREID! IF THREATS WILL NOT STAY YOUR BLADES, THEN DEATH WILL!". The second you all walk past the ghost suddenly lights flare up from the bushes to the sides of the road. Four wolves contaminated with the same strange blue moss leap out onto the road and suddenly surround you all. With a shock it occurs to you that the wolf corpses you saw earlier were in that decaying condition before they had died. The hounds which surround you look half starved and reek of decay and death. This strange fungus has turned them into some sort of zombie. And surprisingly quick ones too.

Combat has begun, but the wolf pack has won initiative.

A hounded, bloated so much as to an extent to make it appear blobish and larger than possible, leaps up and snaps at Yvonne but its teeth cannot penetrate beyond the knight's wards.

A different wolf who is probably the most reeking of them all drives its maw into Yaotl's thigh and viciosuly shakes him, attempting to knock him down but failing.

Yaotl takes three piercing damage

Two of the other wolves target who they (falsely) believe to be the weakest target and attempt to corner her from both sides. Anastasi hastily backs up as a badly decaying one bounces forward at her but in doing so she practically walks into the jaws of a horribly starved and gaunt one which sinks its teeth into her ankle. Anastasia quickly steps back though to prevent further injury and is able to avoid being tripped.

Anastasia takes one piercing damage.

The translucent specter looks over at the fight but does nothing to act. It simply appears grimly determined and sorrowful, as if it regrets what it is doing but knows that it must do so. It does not attack, as to whether it cannot or whether it simply decided not to you are unaware of.

Your turns now.

Zergrinch

2018-03-01, 12:37 AM

Boldly striding forward as if he were a fighter, the 14-year old gnome raises his wand and makes an incantation.

PRAEFERVIDUS MANICULAE!

Move to K5.
Action: Burning Hands (15 foot cone is angled as indicated below)
Result: Each creature inside that cone must succeed on a DC13 DEX save or take [roll0] fire damage.

http://upload.jetsam.org/others/zuzu1.PNG

Saves
Bloated: [roll1]. Fail. 9 damage; HP is 6/15.
Decaying: [roll2]. Fail. 9 damage; HP is 6/15.

bc56

2018-03-01, 06:12 AM

Yaotl's fingers suddenly extend into claws, and he rakes them across the bloated wolf's back, splashing acid all over it.
[roll0] to hit, for [roll1] acid damage.
The acid dispatches the zombie, burning gaping holes into its flesh.

(Bloated Wolf HP = -4)

Awful

2018-03-01, 12:29 PM

Yvonne blinked at bright fire scorched the wolves, but she still had enough night vision left to stride forward and attack.

Her blow struck true, and it was a simple task to hew off the head of the rotting creature.
"I cannot be stopped by corpses, spectre!"

H10, attack remaining wolf

[roll0]
If it hits:
[roll1]

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-01, 09:27 PM

Though i walk through the valley of death i shall fear no pain.i shall stab at you rotten wolf [roll0]

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-01, 09:32 PM

(failed at post roll damage going ooc)

Requilac

2018-03-01, 09:54 PM

It is the enemies turns now.

The remaining zombified wolves surrounding Anastasia seem entirely oblivious to the fact that their allies are gone. Instead they focus on their cause in unison the two of them jump forward and try to tackle Anastasia down so that they might tear her face off. Their fetid decaying flesh though prevents them from moving quickly enough though and the drow effortlessly steps back out of the way as if dancing. The two slavering hounds end up simply slamming against each-other like two slabs of rancid beef being knocked together. The glowing zombies pick themselves up from the ground and continue making their strange howling/moaning noise.

Once again the ghost seems to not really respond at all, and simply stands there with its arms crossed.

Your turns now.

Requilac

2018-03-01, 09:56 PM

Battle notes
battle map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UqKQn-JMHR4tmRIUb3VDkwRyrHFvc7Kv3JXwFSwfJhI/edit?usp=sharing)

Yaotl: HP=8
Anastasia: HP=9
bloated wolf: dead
fetid wolf: dead
decaying wolf: dead
gaunt wolf: HP=1

zombie wolf: AC 8, HP 15, saves (str +2, dex -2, con +3, int -2, wis +1, cha -4), immunity to poison and necrotic damage, vulnerability to radiant damage, immune to being exhausted and poisoned, undead fortitude (If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the zombie is instead reduced to 1 hit point.)

bc56

2018-03-01, 10:04 PM

Yaotl conjures a bonfire beneath the gaunt wolf
(A bonfire appears there for 1 min or until Yaotl loses concentration, deals 1d8 fire damage.)

[roll0] (DC 12) or [roll1] fire damage. If any creature ends its turn in that square, it must make the save or take 1d8 fire damage.

Gaunt HP: 7

Zergrinch

2018-03-01, 10:15 PM

Zuzu is a little taken aback at how easy the wolves were to dispatch. Based on what the cleric told them, the demon wolves moved like the wind and swarmed the party in the blink of an eye. Either the wolves were softened up, or the cleric's partners were just that lousy an adventuring group.

Confidently side-stepping Yvonne to get a clearer shot, the squishy gnome wizard aims his wand at the decaying wolf.

"Deflagro!"

Perhaps he was a bit too confident?

Move to H8.
Action: Fire Bolt vs. Decaying Wolf. To-hit: [roll0]. On hit: [roll1] fire damage. On crit: [roll2].
Possible wolf CON save: [roll3].

Result: Zuzu misses. Even if he hits, it wouldn't kill the wolf. Even if it killed the wolf, it would've made the CON save. Me very sad.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-01, 10:53 PM

These beasts have been injured most likely they are far to easy to kill.
[roll0] roll to hit
[roll1] if it hits

Awful

2018-03-03, 01:22 PM

Yvonne lifted her shield out of the way of Zuzu's errant firebolt, stepped to H12, and swung at the remaining gaunt wolf.
"Finish them off before you become overconfident."

Hit: [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

Requilac

2018-03-04, 02:06 PM

Yvonne's blade lacerates the gaunt wolf's chest and crushes its bone underneath as it whimpers before collapsing on the ground, its corpse finally rendered inert. There is an immense noticeable pause of at least ten seconds where the ghost does nothing. Then suddenly the apparition begins to lose solid form and gradually it vanishes. All of the howling from both the wolves and the wind dies down and you are left with a dead eerie silence, just like it was before. No more animals skitter in the area and everything living appears to have left. You are left standing by the empty cart and all the death surrounding it. Imbert lies there stunned still and makes absolutely no noise, you cannot even hear the beating of his chest. The battle seems to be over, much too quickly too.

bc56

2018-03-04, 02:30 PM

Yaotl begins to drag the corpses into the newly created bonfire. "Thessse unnatural creaturesss mussst be utterly dessstroyed. Only then will the world be sssafe."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-04, 02:36 PM

I have a feeling we are not done yet its quiet now.far to quiet priest what happens next

Requilac

2018-03-04, 02:38 PM

Yaotl begins to drag the corpses into the newly created bonfire. "Thessse unnatural creaturesss mussst be utterly dessstroyed. Only then will the world be sssafe."

You start dragging the corpses into the fire, and you finally come upon the body of the gaunt wolf. But as you approach it though you realize something wrong with it; its still quivering and moaning silently to itself. Before you can react it within an instant rises and snaps out at Yaotl, biting deep into his thigh and latching on.

Yaotl takes 4 piercing damage.

You all may react to this situation however you want now.

Requilac

2018-03-04, 02:39 PM

Battle notes
battle map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UqKQn-JMHR4tmRIUb3VDkwRyrHFvc7Kv3JXwFSwfJhI/edit?usp=sharing)

Yaotl: HP=4
Anastasia: HP=9
bloated wolf: dead
fetid wolf: dead
decaying wolf: dead
gaunt wolf: HP=1

zombie wolf: AC 8, HP 15, saves (str +2, dex -2, con +3, int -2, wis +1, cha -4), immunity to poison and necrotic damage, vulnerability to radiant damage, immune to being exhausted and poisoned, undead fortitude (If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the zombie is instead reduced to 1 hit point.)

I have a feeling we are not done yet its quiet now.far to quiet priest what happens next

Imbert says absolutely nothing in response.

bc56

2018-03-04, 02:44 PM

Yaotl snarls at the guant wolf, then whips out one of his spears and tries to pin it to the ground

[roll0] for [roll1] damage

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-04, 02:45 PM

yaotl
Anastasia will cast
Vicious mockery on the wolf
You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you (thought it need not understand you) it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4) 11th level (3d4) and 17th level (4d4)
Spell save is 13
[roll0]
you fuzzy dangle bag are you rotting or did ye **** yerself.

Requilac

2018-03-04, 02:55 PM

Yaotl's spear pierces through the wolf's head and dislocates its jaws off, making sure that the monster cannot bite ever again. A tremor shakes the beast before it falls to the ground. As this is occurring Anastasia taps into her magical powers and says an arcane phrase which condemns the beast to its final end. Its shaking stills and immediately turns like a stone, hopefully gone at last.

Zergrinch

2018-03-04, 06:17 PM

Not wanting to take any more chances, Zuzu aims a Fire Bolt at every single wolf corpse he can see. (A dead 🐺 is plenty flammable, no?)

"DEFLAGRO! DEFLAGRO! DEFLAGRO!!!"

Afterwards, he addressed the group. "Those who have been bitten should have their wounds cauterized as a precaution, lest they end up like those wretched wolves."

bc56

2018-03-04, 06:37 PM

"Indeed, youngling. That is knowledge beyond your years." Once every corpse is on the fire, Yaotl will begin to heat his crowbar in the fire, turning it into a makeshift branding iron, ideal for cauterization. He starts with his own considerable wounds, but if anyone else wants his help, he'll aid them afterward.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-04, 07:33 PM

oh i seem to be injury free but thank you zuzu.

Zergrinch

2018-03-04, 09:50 PM

Awful

2018-03-05, 06:43 PM

Yvonne wiped her sword blade clean and tossed the rag onto the burning fire.
"A most pitiable foe."
The blessings of Vitay had kept Yvonne safe, and she offered up a small prayer, sinking onto one knee and pressing a fist against her chestplate, over her heart.
"Ah, blessed Vitay. I thank thee for thy safe-keeping. May I continue to do thy works, and be granted thy benevolent mercy in turn."
Adoration of her goddess done, she glanced between the three others as she rose to her feet. It seems only the admittedly still suspicious snake-priest had taken any injuries.
"Well fought. I hope your wounds are not too severe... Yoatl, was it?"

That said, it was strange the more mundane priest had not replied. His wounds had been stabilised; there was no reason for him to have bled out, and the wolves hadn't attacked him - and had failed in most of their attacks, anyway.

Check on the priest.

Requilac

2018-03-05, 11:26 PM

Studiously ignoring the snake-man (and the smell of sizzling snake-man meat), Zuzu prods at the ashes of the zombie wolves with his Mage Hand to see if they had eaten anything... indigestible and non-combustible. Perhaps a gold coin or two?

Investigation: [roll0].

You thoroughly poke through some of the wolves' guts before Yaotl can burn them all, and are unsurprised to find mainly a bunch of meat from rotting animals which has long since been dissolved beyond recognition. Despite wishful thinking for loot, all you manage to find is a meager amount of reeking flesh to add to the horrible scent of decaying wolf.

[/B][/COLOR]That said, it was strange the more mundane priest had not replied. His wounds had been stabilised; there was no reason for him to have bled out, and the wolves hadn't attacked him - and had failed in most of their attacks, anyway.

Check on the priest.

You walk up to Imbert and can immediately tell that the source of his silence is indeed death. But this is neither death by ectoplasmic hands nor the maw of hounds, it is by a dagger. His throat had been slit sometime while you are distracted during the fight. Someone did not want him to give you any more information. That must also mean that the killer is still in the area close by. But where exactly you have no idea.

Zergrinch

2018-03-06, 12:20 AM

bc56

2018-03-06, 05:20 AM

"How ssstrange. Where did you go, assssassssin?"

[roll0]

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-06, 05:21 AM

rest now priest.

Requilac

2018-03-06, 06:08 PM

"Wait, someone killed him, when we weren't looking?!"

The gnome frantically investigates the site of the murder, looking for any signs the assailant might have left behind. Perhaps some hair belonging to the assailant, grasped by Imbert. Some kind of cloth or tread from the assassin's clothes. A footprint or two, indicating where he or she came from and escaped to...

Investigation: [roll0]

On a board from the wagon just behind Imbert's back you can find a single black feather sticking from a slit in the wood. You recognized no such thing before you began your search.

"How ssstrange. Where did you go, assssassssin?"

[roll0]

You carefully examine the area, but the assassin appears to have left no tracks of any sort that majorly help. Next to Imbert's body there are a couple of black feathers on the ground and in the cart, about 5 or so in total, but nothing that could give you any sense of direction. This person was exceptional at stealth it seems, though apparently no master as evidenced by the feathers left.

Zergrinch

2018-03-06, 07:10 PM

Requilac

2018-03-06, 07:33 PM

Zuzu looks at the black feather carefully, trying to ascertain:

1. How fresh is it? Does the shaft still feel warm to the touch?

2. How was it torn off? Is the base of the calamus torn and maybe even bloody, or does it look like it molted off?

3. What type of feather is it? Is it a large flight feather, or a more soft and fluffy down feather?

4. How big is the feather, relative to the Zuzu's ten inch wand?

5. Is it possible to ascertain whether the feather belonged to a bird mount, or a humanoid avian like an Aarakocra?

Nature: [roll0]

1) The feather is definitely fresh and feels quite warm.
2) It appeared to have been already loose on the animal itself as a result of the beginning of molting and then was plucked off by the boards of the wood.
3) It is a down feather, but a rather strangely tightly bound one
4) It is slightly shorter than Zuzu's wand, suggesting that it must have been quite a size-able bird
5) Just by looking at it you cannot tell what it came from, but the feather does remind you of a crow's.

Zergrinch

2018-03-06, 07:46 PM

"Whoever did it flew in with wings. Either under his or her own power, or on an exceptionally well-trained bird, a giant raven maybe," Zuzu says after he completes his investigation of the feather. "If you want to find them, I think you should look up and not down."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-07, 02:41 PM

Intresting

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-07, 02:43 PM

Intrestingfine than let js find the killer.

Awful

2018-03-08, 05:36 PM

Yvonne knelt as she traced the holy sign of Vitay in the air above the dead priest, to beseech her protection for his soul on the way to the afterlife. As the child spoke of flying on giant birds, the knightess spoke somewhat dryly."I imagine somewhat that is a Kenku feather. Most other birds are not known for wielding knives, and I dare say we would have noticed a bird large enough to carry a man flapping in among us."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-09, 12:07 AM

so small knife wielding bird kills preist after we attempt to learn anything.the spirit has secrets i doubt the kenku is alive they are probably much like the wolves.to seckenried than

Zergrinch

2018-03-09, 12:20 AM

Intelligence (Nature) check: What does Zuzu know about kenku?

[roll0]

Requilac

2018-03-10, 04:07 PM

Intelligence (Nature) check: What does Zuzu know about kenku?

[roll0]

Note: some of the things in here are just weird rumors that are not true at all, but Zuzu does not know that.

Kenku are short, flightless bird people that can mimic any sound they here (but you are unaware that they can only speak through mimicry). They are commonly found in cities and have a bad tendency to take on less than reputable lines of work. It is said that if that they are hit by silver than they will be rendered paralyzed. They are also able to communicate with birds as if they shared a language and can control them to a certain degree. When in their presence, the wind always seems to be oddly excited and erratic.

Requilac

2018-03-10, 04:43 PM

You all continue down the silvery road, onward towards Senckried to continue with your mission. It is not long until you come across a massive wrought iron gate 50 ft. in length which blocks the entryway into a relatively narrow valley into Senckried. Just within there is a guard house and within it four guards tasked with making sure no one with harmful intentions will enter the fief. You all walk up to the gate and find that it will be unnecessary to call for help, for there are already two guards standing directly in front of the gate facing you. The two of them are clearly natives to the area and it is quite obvious by their signature "Senckried" appearance. Needless to say that the people are certainly not the most attractive, but they are definitely not as hideous as the rumors would have you believe. It is not humanly possible for them to be something to be anymore lankier than they are, and despite the fact that guards like them probably eat well they are still gaunt. The most striking feature though is their faces with oddly extended noses and ears. The bags below their eyes always make them seem sleepy, which in this case is correct, but even where they fully awake they would still look like that. The rumors have proven to be true to a certain extent, but if they were true then the people of Senckried would look like monsters, but despite their odd features you can clearly identify them as humans. And their eyes remain the same as everybody else's so they are not impossible to sympathize with.

Beyond the iron bar between you one of the men reveals his voice. "You cannot... cannot enter. No one shall enter Senckried. Leave, leave now. Turn back before it is too late." His voice is inundated with pain and fear, making him quiver much like the flame of the lantern he is holding. You can hear his erratic breathing through the bars. He clearly does not want to say that, but he is staying it anyway. His friend next to him simply clutches his head while quietly sobbing to himself.

That does not make any sense though. The lord of Senckried explicitly asked for help on curing the plague, why would he suddenly give contradictory orders. Something is not right here.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-10, 06:16 PM

so if i am correct do not enter sayeth you. The message from the lord of this fief said "come help End the plague." a mystery to be sure.

Requilac

2018-03-10, 06:23 PM

so if i am correct do not enter sayeth you. The message from the lord of this fief said "come help End the plague." a mystery to be sure.

The guard at the gate is getting increasingly distressed and starts stuttering. "He... he... cha... cha... changed his mind, changed his mind. No one enters Senckried. No one. "

Zergrinch

2018-03-10, 07:31 PM

Requilac

2018-03-10, 09:17 PM

Zuzu resolves to craft for himself a spell that will be able to detect the subtle presence of magic spells, as he focuses his gaze on the guards' strange behavior. Are there any indications that an enchantment is afoot? Or are the guards somehow under duress?

Arcana: [roll0]
Insight: [roll1]

Assuming that we had the benefit of a short rest, Zuzu will use arcane recovery to recover one level 1 spell slot.

There does not appear to be any magic involved, but the two guards are frightened to their very cores. If you did not know any better, you would believe that they had weapons pointed at their heads. They are deeply terrified of something, but you cannot tell what. Nothing seems amiss from what you can see.

Zergrinch

2018-03-10, 09:35 PM

Requilac

2018-03-10, 09:40 PM

Zuzu tries to look the part of a frazzled woebegone traveler in need of shelter.

"Please sir," he says in a small pitiable tone, " There are bad things out here! You wouldn't turn away needy travelers, would you?"

To accentuate the point, mournful wolf howls, growing progressively louder, start to emanate in the background.

Persuasion: [roll0]
Sleight of Hand to hide the fact that Zuzu just cast Minor Illusion: [roll1]

They do not seem to notice that you cast the spell. At this point the leading gaurd is clutching his head to and making some sort of sobbing noise too. "There are worst things in here! Just leave."

bc56

2018-03-10, 10:50 PM

Yaotl is irritated that Zuzu is talking in his color.
"Could you ssspare medical help? We have wounded. He gestures to his considerable injuries (he's at 4HP).

Awful

2018-03-11, 06:55 PM

More devilry afoot. No surprise. The knightess stepped up to the bars, and her tone was sharp and commanding.
"I am Knightess Yvonne, the Faithful! You have little right and even less cause to bar my passage. I have come to slay the evil in this land and ensure the safety of the Lady Yuria Senckreid. Now let me through!"

Requilac

2018-03-11, 08:22 PM

Yaotl is irritated that Zuzu is talking in his color.
"Could you ssspare medical help? We have wounded. He gestures to his considerable injuries (he's at 4HP).

More devilry afoot. No surprise. The knightess stepped up to the bars, and her tone was sharp and commanding.
"I am Knightess Yvonne, the Faithful! You have little right and even less cause to bar my passage. I have come to slay the evil in this land and ensure the safety of the Lady Yuria Senckreid. Now let me through!"

When you mention Lady Yuria the both of them suddenly seem to perk up. The leading gaurd begins to open his mouth to speak...

"None shall enter Senckried!". The sound though is not coming from the guards mouth though, it came from behind you. Needless to say, standing directly behind the group not even 10 ft. away is the ghost you saw before. "Turn back now. Do not walk any further. Stay away from Senckried."

The guards at the gate suddenly become rigid, as if in anticipation for something. It seems as if they were strangely expecting this. Both of them seem to open their mouths once again to but no words come out.

Needless to say, this ghost is beginning to piss you off more than a little. You were always told encounters with phantoms would be terrifying, but instead you just feel annoyed.

Zergrinch

2018-03-11, 08:26 PM

The "phantom" was getting on Zuzu's nerves.

The underage wizard had just one reply.

Deflagro!Fire Bolt. [roll0]. On hit: [roll1]. On crit: [roll2].

Not expecting it to do any damage, but ehh.

bc56

2018-03-11, 08:40 PM

Yaotl agrees with Zuzu completely. "You bore me, phantom. All threatsss and blussster. Thisss pack challengesss your dominance! Defend yourssself!"

Flames roar to life beneath the ghost, as Yaotl creates a bonfire beneath it.

[roll0] + its Dex save bonus (DC 12) or [roll1] fire damage.

Requilac

2018-03-11, 09:27 PM

The "phantom" was getting on Zuzu's nerves.

The underage wizard had just one reply.

Deflagro!Fire Bolt. [roll0]. On hit: [roll1]. On crit: [roll2].

Not expecting it to do any damage, but ehh.

Yaotl agrees with Zuzu completely. "You bore me, phantom. All threatsss and blussster. Thisss pack challengesss your dominance! Defend yourssself!"

Flames roar to life beneath the ghost, as Yaotl creates a bonfire beneath it.

[roll0] + its Dex save bonus (DC 12) or [roll1] fire damage.

Your attacks do nothing against the ghost, who simply looks smugly at you. He suddenly gives a grin, as if he has already won. For not accomplishing anything he looks oddly triumphant. It isn't until soon after that you realize what is going on.

"LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!" One of the guard's screams at you all. Everything at that point afterwards happens too quickly for you to get a good grasp on what is going on. The gate in front of you quakes and instantly shatters into a thousand shards of wrought iron. Accompanying it is a burst of thunder that wrings your ears out. Some shapes are flung past you, but you cannot immediately tell what they are. All of you turn in the direction of the levelled gate to see a kenku standing in the moon-light, holding a broken shard of mica in his or her hands. You cannot quite tell where the guards went.

From behind you, you can hear the ghost screaming. "Hemra, you dunce! You were supposed to set the damn shatter off next to them, not 5 yards away!" The light that was generated from the ghost before now subsides and instead you hear the unexpected noise of leather boots hitting the ground. Once you turn back to see the ghost you realize that it is gone, and in its place is a man of flesh who is nearly identical to the ghost has just landed on the ground with a thud from his formerly floating position. He must have been a man who was only temporarily ethereal. He takes out two sabres which shine in the moonlight.

Despite the fact that you are utterly confused as to what is going on, the kenku is much too shocked by her failure and the once ethereal man is to busy berating her to really focus you. You have enough time to react in the weird chaos.

Combat has begun. You have won initiative.

Enemy statistics coming up very soon.

bc56

2018-03-11, 09:55 PM

FYI, the ranger is in the bonfire. If he ends his turn there, he has to make the save again.

Yaotl looks ready for the fight. "Guardsss! Aid usss for your homeland!"

He then conjures a cloud of green mist, sending it flying into Hemra's face.
[roll0] against [roll1] poison damage

Yaotl isn't sure if she's dead or dying, but the poison definitely did the trick.

Zergrinch

2018-03-11, 11:15 PM

"HIEMO!" Zuzu shouts as he takes cover from the saber-wielding man.

Move away from him.
Frostbite. DC 13 CON save [roll0] to avoid [roll1] cold damage. On a failed save, the man has disadvantage on the next attack he makes, before his next turn ends.

Alas, the man seems unaffected by his cantrip.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-12, 03:01 PM

is this one of the reasons you fear guards. she will want to stay notified and take the dodge reaction

Awful

2018-03-12, 04:04 PM

Shrapnel bounced harmlessly off her shield as the metal of the gate shattered explosively. Swiftly, the snake-man dispatched the kenku, and so Yvonne focused on the erstwhile phantom.
"Your trickery has failed, craven!"
Yvonne clanged her sword against her shield.
"Mine armour ist faith! Mine sword ist judgement! Come forth, ye wicked!" She roared her battle prayer as she stomped towards the ranger, shield presented and sword ready to strike.

Yvonne moves to D7 and takes a swing at the ranger.

[roll0] vs 15 to hit
If hits: [roll1] damage

If the enemy moves away out of the fire, attack of oppotunity
[roll2] vs 15 to hit
If hits: [roll3] damage

Requilac

2018-03-13, 11:05 PM

is this one of the reasons you fear guards. she will want to stay notified and take the dodge reaction

You hear no response. You look around desperately to see if you can find the gaurds, and eventaully you find them blown away by the Kenku's thunderwave on the ground, either injured or dead. Either way they are laying 10 ft. away from the group prone and unable to get up on their own.

______________________

The ghostly dual wielder seems to shrug off the flames off the bonfire in a manner which should not be physically possible. He stands their bloodied after just watching the kenku get knocked down almost immediately as she arrived. Suddenly his eyes flash a kind of menacing grin and he only gives another humorless grin, looking as if he has already won. Quickly he darts away to the left, but proving so proves to be a massive mistake as Yvonne's blade arcs out at him and tears through his chest. That should have been enough to kill him, but instead he runs just the same, though hysterically. As he slumps against the stone valley well bleeding, he whispers something eldritch to himself that you can barely make out it. It sounds kind of like "sanctum dare sanguinem vitam meam".

The trails of moonlit blood of his that was spilled on the ground suddenly begin to writhe in the air and coalesce and shape itself in a strange manner. Like a macabre illusionary dance it begins to form strand upon strand and solidify in the air. Eventually a grotesque serpent like being which is freakishly similar to a blood vein. The hideous serpents of blood which are unnatural beyond all belief then rush towards the group.

The first blood snake, turned black by the wicked steel which tore it from its master, collects itself around Zuzu in a demonic whirl while suffocating him. It tries to bring its teeth down into him but Zuzu is frantically batting it away.

Zuzu is grappled and while he is grappled is also restrained. While it is restraining a creature, the snake takes only half the damage dealt to it, and the creature Grappled by the snake takes the other half.

The second snake, this one a plump bulbous red, engulfs its slimy self over Anastasia and does a similar manuever. Although it has her coiled, its teeth still fail to get past its target's frantic batting.

Anastasia is grappled and while she is grappled is also restrained. While it is restraining a creature, the snake takes only half the damage dealt to it, and the creature Grappled by the snake takes the other half.

Your turns now.

bc56

2018-03-14, 03:58 AM

"Prepare to die, foul one!" Yaotl flings more poison at the wounded man, hoping to finish him off.

[roll0] (DC 12) [roll1] poison damage

Evidently this guy is much healthier than he appears, since he just shook off the poison.

Zergrinch

2018-03-14, 04:24 AM

"*Gasp* GET OFF! GET OFF!" the teenage halfling shouts in a panic, frantically trying to get the snake that's crushing him to let go. The young wizard's magic reacts accordingly, flaring off in a panicked state much like its wielder.

Burning Hands, targetting snake and ghost ranger.

http://upload.jetsam.org/others/BurningHands.PNG

DC13 DEX save to avoid [roll0] damage. Half damage on failed save.

Snake's save: [roll1]. Fail: 8 fire damage. Black snake is at 5 HP.
Ranger's save: [roll2]. Success: 4 fire damage. Ghost ranger is at -1 HP.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-14, 06:14 AM

Ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ew ewwwwwwwwww.she is goning to try a dex roll out what modifiers can i add to the roll

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-14, 07:09 AM

Attempting acrobatics out
1d20+5

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-14, 07:12 AM

Acrobatics acrobatics seriously acrbatics please lolth please.[roll0]

Requilac

2018-03-14, 09:32 AM

Acrobatics acrobatics seriously acrbatics please lolth please.[roll0]

The snake fails the competition and Anastasia is freed.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-14, 12:42 PM

Ew ew ew ew ew ew ewwwwwwww.and i thought that handsy barron was slimy
i than moveto disengage while saying what i said

Awful

2018-03-15, 03:03 PM

Yvonne smiled grimly as the ex-phantom trieed to escape and left himself open, punishing him with a brutal slash. Only the combat was not yet over; unholy magic summoned snakes from his blood and they assailed the party further.
One of them wrapped around the child. She raised her sword to strike, but for a split second she hesitated. If she thrust, she would surely injure Zuzu as well; but to leave it be would also certainly result in the eldritch creature biting the panicking gnome.
"Begone, monster! You don't belong in this world!"
She jammed her shield between the snake and the gnome and twisted, using an armoured boot to try to force the creature off and away.

Shove the black blood snake to C9

The snake must contest: [roll0] to avoid being shoved.
Being shoved to there would automatically break the grapple, not allowing any attacks of opportunity.

Requilac

2018-03-15, 03:45 PM

Requilac

2018-03-15, 04:01 PM

As soon as the blackk blood snake is knocked off, it retaliates against yvonne and its malformed half-sealed teeth snap out at her twice in quick succession. Despite the speed and strength of the vaporous serpent's quick strikes though, its teeth cannot pierce through the knight's armor.

The red blood snake rises up from the ground almost as if it evaporated up, and its entire body quivers like a disturbed pool of liquid as it moves once again. Yaotl is too mezmerised by its strange movement to realize that it is moving towards him. It lurches forward and wraps its colloid body around him and restrains and ties around him like a roop of water frozen in mid air. Its deformed teeth try to strike once again but they slide against the studs of yaotl's armor and deal nothing.

Yaotl is restrained. While it is restraining a creature, the snake takes only half the damage dealt to it, and the creature Grappled by the snake takes the other half. This does not apply to the restrained target.

bc56

2018-03-15, 04:30 PM

Yaotl spits into the snake. "Unnatural beassst, foul thisss land no more!" He drops his old bonfire, then creates a new one beneath the snake.

[roll0] (DC 12) [roll1] damage

Zergrinch

2018-03-15, 07:06 PM

"*Gasp* *Wheeze* Thank you knight lady!" Zuzu pipes up after the execrable serpent is wrenched away from him.

"You! I will freeze you solid! HIEMO!"

Action: Cast Frostbite. Snake must succeed on a DC13 CON save [roll0] or take [roll1] cold damage and have disadvantage on its next weapon attack before its next turn ends.

I know this isn't optimal - +4 CON means the snake has a 55% chance of succeeding. But if I use Fire Bolt, I either cast at a disadvantage (+5 to hit is negated with the effective -5 from disadvantage, meaning I must roll 12 or higher to hit 11 AC - also a 55% chance of failure) or I have to risk an attack of opportunity by getting out of melee range.

Woo hoo! Snake takes 6 damage and is now at -1 HP.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-15, 09:31 PM

Anastasia will target the snake for vicious mockery
[roll0]
[roll1]

ohhhh my my my act as a snake but born to be a worm.writhe on the ground as the worm you are.

ew ew ewwwwwwwwwwww still slimy eewwwwwwww.

Awful

2018-03-17, 11:54 AM

"Thank me after!" the knightess replied as she stepped forward. Again, the same dilemna, and strange as the snake-priest was, she didn't particularly want to injure him.
She sheathed her sword and grabbed the loathsome snake behind the head, yanking it and trying to pull it away/

Yvonne moves to D6, grapples the snake. Assuming success, steps to C6 while dragging the snake to C5.

[roll0] vs the snake's roll of athletics or acrobatics to avoid being grappled.

Requilac

2018-03-18, 07:35 PM

Requilac

2018-03-18, 07:46 PM

As the final blood snake is yanked away by the knight it viciously thrashes around. As yvonne wrestles it away like some sort of insane crocodile, the unnatural beast is writhing in erratic manners in a desperate attempt to escape. Once it realizes that it cannot escape it instead tries to counter by surging forward and wrapping itself around Yvonne. Its first attempt fails as she is able to push the best backwards, but its second try proves to be much more successful as the human loses her footing and is now imprisoned by the quasi-ooze's sanguine worm-like body.

Yvonne is grappled by the red blood snake. While grappled in this manner she is also restrained. While it is restraining a creature, the snake takes only half the damage dealt to it, and the creature Grappled by the snake takes the other half. This rule does not apply to the grappled target.

Your turn's now.

Zergrinch

2018-03-18, 10:45 PM

DEFLAGRO MORA!

Zuzu prepares a fire bolt, but with some degree of difficulty forces the spell's energy to adhere to his hand for the moment. He dares not fire it at the snake, lest Yvonne gets cooked in her armor.

Move to G3.

Hold Action > Fire Bolt vs snake. If Yvonne successfully breaks free of the snake (with a contested Athletics vs Athletics check), release spell at snake. Otherwise, spell dissipates.

On a potential opportunity, [roll0] to-hit. On hit, [roll1] fire damage, plus [roll2] on a crit.

OOC: I think the situation is, Yvonne and the snake have disadvantage to hit each other, as well as disadvantage to attack rolls and dexterity saves. This means they can bash each other normally. Yvonne might consider trying to break free instead, because that frees the rest of us to unload on the snake without fear of damaging her.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-19, 03:29 AM

yvonne i shall insult the beast.
this thing is gross.but yvonne needs help
Unbind yourself from that lady at once lest i be forced to take drastic action,you pitiable ingrate.
[roll0]
[roll1]

bc56

2018-03-19, 05:02 AM

Yaotl stops concentrating on his bonfire and creates a new one under the snake.

[roll0] DC 12 [roll1]

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-19, 06:38 AM

[roll0]
Trying again for damage

Awful

2018-03-20, 06:34 PM

"Off me, you wretch!"

Yvonne tried to wrench the vile creature off.

[roll0] to break the grip the snake has.

Requilac

2018-03-20, 06:56 PM

The ironically bloodied oozing serpent is flung to the side once again and now the mud has turned crimson with the strange beast's wounds. In a final dying fury it snaps at yvonne with its silvered teeth but they cannot penetrate her armor despite the strength of the blow. The living vein continues to chew ineffectually on the metal like a pathetic, nursing puppy.

Your turns again now.

Requilac

2018-03-20, 06:57 PM

Anastasia: 9 HP
yaotl: 4 HP
Yvonne: 11 HP
Zuzu: 8 HP

Requilac

2018-03-20, 08:09 PM

As the slithering vein is flung to the side the mud is now crimson with its blood. It rears its bloodied head up again and prepares to unleash a cobra's strike, but it is already too late. While it its teeth are flying through the air a stream of fire comes zipping towards it and incinerates its malformed quasi-maw and scorches it into blackened stub. Its body stills keeps its momentum and is still launched at yvonne, but instead of its disfigured tooth biting in it just slumps against her like a wet towel. It then slides off her armor onto the ground defeated.

You can hear a grunting noise now and you fear that the ghost ranger might still be alive, but to your relief it is actually coming from one of the gaurd's which had been knocked back by Hemra's thunderwave. He gets on his hands and knees from the ground he is standing before grasping the wall beside him to pull him up. "The Order... The Order of Umbra. They were behind this. Of course they were behind this!"

Zergrinch

2018-03-20, 08:19 PM

Order of Umbra? Where did Zuzu hear about that before?

INT (History) check: [roll0]

The young gnome ambles off to the incompetent kenku's body to check if she is truly dead (and whether she has a spellbook he can appropriate)

INT (Investigation) check: [roll1]

bc56

2018-03-20, 09:32 PM

"We need to ressst. Sssome of usss took a beating." Yaotl advocates that they recuperate from the battle, but first he checks the ranger's corpse.
[roll0]

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-20, 11:46 PM

yaotol i have medicine skills i can help a little bit. I assume i can help.

Requilac

2018-03-21, 09:00 AM

Order of Umbra? Where did Zuzu hear about that before?

INT (History) check: [roll0]

Order suggests that it consists of more than one person, so you assume it is a group of people. Other than that you have no idea.

The young gnome ambles off to the incompetent kenku's body to check if she is truly dead (and whether she has a spellbook he can appropriate)

INT (Investigation) check: [roll1]

You can't manage to find a spell-book on her. She probably was not keeping it on her person for whatever reason.

"We need to ressst. Sssome of usss took a beating." Yaotl advocates that they recuperate from the battle, but first he checks the ranger's corpse.
[roll0]

He is only equipped with some now tattered leather armor and two scimitars.

Zergrinch

2018-03-21, 09:15 AM

Requilac

2018-03-21, 08:57 PM

Zuzu's disappointment shows plainly on his face. In an attempt to not end up empty-handed, he searches her pockets for any personal effects, taking particular interest in any spell focuses he can find.

Loot and plunder. Investigation: [roll0]

Not far away from hemra’s outstretched hand lies a fist sized onyx gem which seems to pulse purple. You assume that she must have been using this as her spell-casting focus. You also manage to find two daggers. Other than that though, nothing appears to be on her person.

Both of the people you fought seem to be rather ill equipped given the mountainous terrain around them. They must have stored their other equipment elsewhere before they began fighting you.

bc56

2018-03-21, 09:06 PM

Yaotl asks a guard, "Who are the order of Umbra? I now have a ssscore to sssettle with them. After he receives an answer, he'll find an out-of-the-way spot to take a short rest, if he can.

Zergrinch

2018-03-21, 10:14 PM

Just an onyx and a couple of daggers. Nevertheless, Zuzu might be able to find clues. Perhaps it might be possible to trace the origin of the daggers, and unearthed more about this mysterious order the gnome has never heard about.

"She's carrying this gem and a couple of daggers. I'll hold on to these," the boy boldly announces to the group as his unseen servant stuffs them into the wizard's pack. "The snake man is right. I think some of you took a beating. Can we take a quick rest in the guard house, Mr. Guard Sir?"

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-22, 03:23 PM

So yaotol do you wish for me to use medicine to help heal your wounds?

Requilac

2018-03-22, 05:43 PM

Yaotl asks a guard, "Who are the order of Umbra? I now have a ssscore to sssettle with them. After he receives an answer, he'll find an out-of-the-way spot to take a short rest, if he can.

The gaurd leaning against the valley wall gives an nervous smile as he proceeds. "The Order of Umbra is a cult that just showed up a few months before the plague began. They have made enemies of the noble house ruling over Senckried. I hardly know much about them at all, and until I saw themself I was not even convinced that they were real."

Just an onyx and a couple of daggers. Nevertheless, Zuzu might be able to find clues. Perhaps it might be possible to trace the origin of the daggers, and unearthed more about this mysterious order the gnome has never heard about.

"She's carrying this gem and a couple of daggers. I'll hold on to these," the boy boldly announces to the group as his unseen servant stuffs them into the wizard's pack. "The snake man is right. I think some of you took a beating. Can we take a quick rest in the guard house, Mr. Guard Sir?"

"I do not think you want to sleep in there right now. Originally we had four people guarding this outpost, but the kenku and the ghost man killed them and left their bodies in there. You should probably take care of those first. But if you decide to stay here you would better be weary, foul necromancy is quite clearly afoot in this place and it could be dangerous to linger. Who knows what else has followed them?"

It is rather strange how she specifically called it necromancy. Most people of his status would just say "witchcraft" or "black magic", but it appears that the people of Senckried are a little more politically correct when it comes to arcane matters.

Awful

2018-03-22, 05:45 PM

"...You should have other priorities than immediately looting the dead, child."
Yvonne made certain the two attackers were dead by separating their heads from their bodies with a couple of hacks of her longsword. She chucked the heads away, wiping her blade clean on the clothes of the ranger. She gave the young wizard a stern look.
"If necromancy is afoot, never assume the death of your foes is the end of the danger."

That done, she checked on the other guard.
Did he seem to be unconscious? If so, she recruited the more medically skilled of the party to help. Afterwards, she returned to the guard who had spoken.
"What is Order of Umbra? And what about the Lady Senckreid? You were about to say something before we were interrupted."

bc56

2018-03-22, 05:47 PM

Yaotl stalks into the guardhouse, intent on using his acid to melt the two corpses within so they cannot be reanimated.

Requilac

2018-03-22, 06:02 PM

That done, she checked on the other guard.
Did he seem to be unconscious? If so, she recruited the more medically skilled of the party to help. Afterwards, she returned to the guard who had spoken.
"What is Order of Umbra? And what about the Lady Senckreid? You were about to say something before we were interrupted."

The other guard is on the ground and moaning while prone, and is definitely incapacitated, but his eyes are open and he seems conscious.

The standing guard seems to bob his head up and down in confirmation. "You know of Lady Yuria Senckreid? She has recently taken control of the fief while her husband is ill. Lord Senckried has fallen prey to the plague too, it seems.

Yaotl stalks into the guardhouse, intent on using his acid to melt the two corpses within so they cannot be reanimated.

You do so, and nothing out of the ordinary appears to happen. They were killed much in the same manner as Imbert, with a knife through their back.

Zergrinch

2018-03-22, 07:42 PM

T"I do not think you want to sleep in there right now. Originally we had four people guarding this outpost, but the kenku and the ghost man killed them and left their bodies in there. You should probably take care of those first. But if you decide to stay here you would better be weary, foul necromancy is quite clearly afoot in this place and it could be dangerous to linger. Who knows what else has followed them?"

It is rather strange how she specifically called it necromancy. Most people of his status would just say "witchcraft" or "black magic", but it appears that the people of Senckried are a little more politically correct when it comes to arcane matters.

"Oh, I don't mean we sleep here. Just an hour or so, to get our second wind. You will guard us, right, Miss Guard ma'am?"

A crease of worry, accompanied by a gleam of curiosity, shows up in the gnome's eyes. Zuzu has heard of necromancy, of course, but never had the opportunity to see and study it.

"...You should have other priorities than immediately looting the dead, child."
Yvonne made certain the two attackers were dead by separating their heads from their bodies with a couple of hacks of her longsword. She chucked the heads away, wiping her blade clean on the clothes of the ranger. She gave the young wizard a stern look.
"If necromancy is afoot, never assume the death of your foes is the end of the danger."

Zuzu's eyes bug out as he sees the huge Amazon hack off the heads of the Kenku and the ghostly ranger. He gulps audibly and decides to say nothing lest she decides to separate his head from his shoulders too. It is possible that the boy's loincloth has been slightly soiled as well.

bc56

2018-03-22, 07:46 PM

Yaotl emerges from the guardhouse. "The corpsssesss in there have been dealt with. I sssee you have insssured thessse asss well.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-23, 04:04 PM

[roll0]
stand still if you are injured, i will help with medicine till i can heal with magic.

Awful

2018-03-23, 06:45 PM

Yvonne frowned pensively. Things must be going poorly if Lady Yuria was in charge - but, it had to be said, that was perhaps for the best. The Sonnenstahl house wasn't popular with the rest of the Senckreids, after all. It was a cruel thought, but Yvonne would not shed a tear if she was too late to save the other Senckr- no, that was an unworthy thought.
"At least Lady Yuria is well. And yes, we do know each other... I have come here, in part, to ensure her safety."

She left it ambiguous how, precisely, they knew each other. At the talk of the corpses in the guardhouse, she shot them a curious look.
"Wait. If you knew of the corpses within your barracks, why had you not dealt with them? Were you expecting reinforcements or a shift change soon, and planned to deal with them then?"

Or had their minds been ensnared by witchery?

Requilac

2018-03-23, 09:30 PM

"Oh, I don't mean we sleep here. Just an hour or so, to get our second wind. You will guard us, right, Miss Guard ma'am?"

The guard looks at you slightly confused while clutching his side, deciding not to comment on the fact Zuzu is convinced he is a woman . "I will try my best I guess, it is my job after all. But in my current condition, I am not quite sure If I can do so.

She left it ambiguous how, precisely, they knew each other. At the talk of the corpses in the guardhouse, she shot them a curious look.
"Wait. If you knew of the corpses within your barracks, why had you not dealt with them? Were you expecting reinforcements or a shift change soon, and planned to deal with them then?"

Or had their minds been ensnared by witchery?

The injured frontiersman drums his fingers against the valley wall and responds almost sarcastically to your previous comment. "I would have dealt with the bodies earlier, but doing so is difficult when a mad kenku is holding a shard of mica next to your ear and giving you demands otherwise".

Note: A shard of mica is the material component for the Shatter spell. If your character is not too familiar with magic, they may be confused as to why they were so scared of the fact that Hemra was holding a rock

Zergrinch

2018-03-23, 09:39 PM

The guard looks at you slightly confused while clutching his side, deciding not to comment on the fact Zuzu is convinced he is a woman . "I will try my best I guess, it is my job after all. But in my current condition, I am not quite sure If I can do so.

Zuzu nods, and finding a corner in the guardhouse where he is sure no one can stick a dagger into his back, the young mage sinks into a light meditative trance to recover some of the magic he expended.

Taking a short rest and using the wizard feature to recover a level 1 spell slot.

The reason why I called the guard ma'am was you yourself wrote this (italics mine):

It is rather strange how she specifically called it necromancy.

bc56

2018-03-23, 10:03 PM

Yaotl returns to the guardhouse, first to drag the half-melted corpses outside to the woods, then, when he sees Zuzu alone and undefended, he sits in the same room while recuperating. He loses himself in his memories, the face of the mysterious woman swimming once again through his vision, joined by other fragmented images.

Zergrinch

2018-03-23, 11:22 PM

Zuzu eyes the apparently docile lizardman with a great deal of curiousity.

"Um... Mr. Um... Mr. Druid Sir. You have a reptilian appearance. Do you have dragonborn blood, like maybe a quarter or an eighth?

bc56

2018-03-24, 05:01 AM

"Um... Mr. Um... Mr. Druid Sir. You have a reptilian appearance. Do you have dragonborn blood, like maybe a quarter or an eighth?

"I know not, young one, though I do not believe ssso. I feel no kinssship with the dragonsss, but with the ssserperntsss of the ground."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-24, 05:04 AM

Since no one cares for any medicine. Anastasia will sing.[roll0]

Zergrinch

2018-03-24, 09:58 AM

"I know not, young one, though I do not believe ssso. I feel no kinssship with the dragonsss, but with the ssserperntsss of the ground."

"Hmm, if not hereditary, then some of magical accident? I would not think anyone would voluntarily assume such a guise. Especially since you start to favor sssssibilantssss." There is a shadow of an impish grin on the gnome's face.

bc56

2018-03-24, 12:35 PM

"Hmm, if not hereditary, then some of magical accident? I would not think anyone would voluntarily assume such a guise. Especially since you start to favor sssssibilantssss." There is a shadow of an impish grin on the gnome's face.

"I wasss given a choice between life and death. Thisss wasss the resssult. More, I do not know. How did one ssso young asss you gain power in the arcane artsss?

Zergrinch

2018-03-24, 06:07 PM

"Master taught me everything I know. For as long as I remember we were master and apprentice. He... He's got the plague... " the boy's voice trails off and he seems to lose interest in the conversation as he determinedly breaks eye contact and dabs at his face occasionally.

bc56

2018-03-24, 06:45 PM

Yaotl doesn't know what to say, so he says nothing.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-25, 06:22 AM

After an half an hour of singing Anastasia will stop and say We all have reason for coming here to stop this plague.some for glory (looks at Yvonne) some to cure a father figure,(zuzu)but what of you Yaotol? If i would share mine first i would.

bc56

2018-03-25, 07:11 AM

Yaotl replies. "My reasssonsss are my own, and will remain ssso. I know little of thisss plague, only that it isss againssst the natural order of thingsss."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-25, 07:17 AM

all right than youngling (zuzu)what are the odds mathematically that those were this groups weakest ambushers.

Zergrinch

2018-03-25, 07:43 AM

"I have no idea, Drow lady. I have never heard of their Order. You should ask someone who knows of them."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-25, 07:47 AM

Fairpoint zuzu, guards are they the usual watch or the slacker watch.

Awful

2018-03-25, 08:51 AM

Yvonne had lent against the wall, arms folded, while she patiently waited. She'd cleaned any of the filth off her armour - it was back to its bright sheen. Normally she had servants to do so, but she'd brought none here, and thankfully so. Necromancy and witchery were no things to expose a squire to.

She half-listened to the conversation, but frowned when the drow looked at her.
"You misrepresent me, miss Anastasia. I am here to end the curse for the good of all, glory or not. It is my duty, as knight and noble, to guard my lessers from the fiends in the dark."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-25, 09:02 AM

thats good to know most of our motivations are for good and non selfish reasons.

Awful

2018-03-27, 12:33 PM

"Hmm." Yvonne made an unimpressed sound. "And why are you here, Anatasia? This is a poor place for a musician. Surely your lord had a warrior or wizard that would serve better as an aid in ending this witchcraft."

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-27, 12:57 PM

i left after 60 years of service to the bartlesby family of nobility i was a,teacher in song and courtly ways. The eldest daughter Sophitia 22 in age and ophelia her mother 60 years old.I left knowing this those who can use magic can be affected.these were my new family i didnt want to hurt them should i contract the plague.before i left i saw the two divided on the topic. Ophelia thought if its a magic problem a magic solution would be best.Sophitia thought that if its a magic problem a martial solution would be best. Peasants drafted for war many to scared to leave.wizards with no deed greater than their terror,Fled in the night.few would willingly come and few even as an escape from a death sentence, would come.so i came seeking a story and as a preventative measure to the Bartlesby noble line.

Awful

2018-03-28, 03:13 PM

Yvonne hmmphed again, further unimpressed.
"A poor reflection upon house Bartlesby and their people, it seems, to be so craven when even a child would come here."

She pushed off the wall and spoke more generally.

"Are all of you rested? We should push on."

Zergrinch

2018-03-28, 06:28 PM

"I'm not a child," Zuzu grumbles as he rises to leave after replenishing a small portion of his mana, "I'm fourteen."

bc56

2018-03-28, 06:46 PM

"I am ready." Yaotl doesn't need to say anything more, and he's not going to argue with the child over maturity.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-29, 08:19 AM

its still not safe to bicker so please do be careful.hostile land hostile cult lets finish up our rests and continue.
She will smile a real (big smile while saying it (nana powers go))

Requilac

2018-03-29, 10:12 AM

You all get up from your resting positions and alert the guards that you wish to continue moving. They seem to be quite nervous and are relived that they can now leave this place. The second one who was knocked prone by Hemra's thunderwave has now appeared to have gotten up, but has been injured and their movements are looking more than a little groggy. Your first instinct is to call the second guard a man, but now that you come to think of it you cannot tell all that easily. Androgynous appearances are rumored to be another part of The Senckried Look", and this particular one appears to be true. The leading guard who you spoke to before is willing to co-operate and speak with you

"There is a town not too far away called Krangar that should offer you some sort of refuge. It is only about 15 minutes away or so, but It may take longer since we have wounded. I can lead you there, it is my home town after all. And if you are ever in need of me in the future, my name is Adrek Balderk. My friend here" (he says gesturing to the other surviving guard. "Is Diesa Dankil". Their name ends in an a, so you assume the second guard is a women.

It turns out that the rumor that people from Senckried tend to be aloof and cold is not particularly accurate though, for Adrek seems quite friendly. Diesa not so much.

After a short exchange of words you agree to go with them to Kranger. Your ally's estimate of time is about accurate and you manage to come to the town in slightly less than half an hour. Krangar is more or less what you expected it to be considering the surroundings, a series of cookie-cutter cottages made entirely out of cobblestone with minimal windows. There is minimal variation between the buildings, and were it not for the signs you probably couldn't tell the difference a shop and someone's house. All of the houses seem to be layed out in an unnecessarily well organized manner, which seems to indicate that this town hasn't grown much over the years. Adrek informs you that there are about 500 people living here, and if she didn't tell you that you would be willing to believe the town is abandoned because so few people are out wandering. You could probably buy the most basic of adventuring goods here, but nothing more complex than a simple weapon really.

Adrek turns to you to before speaking. "I had best go report this back to the corporal, so if you need anything from us please say so now."

What would you like to do now that you are in town?

Zergrinch

2018-03-29, 10:43 AM

bc56

2018-03-29, 10:47 AM

Yaotl is not comfortable in civilized lands. He follows Zuzu, lurks in the shadows, and keeps an eye out for the woman in his visions.

Sariel Vailo

2018-03-29, 07:10 PM

Anastasia will walk with purpose humming a song.

Requilac

2018-03-29, 07:32 PM

Zuzu, having never actually spent any amount of time in a town, makes a bee-line towards the marketplace, or anything that may look like it is a place of trade where coin serves as the medium of exchange. All the better if said place of trade seems to be dealing in magic artifacts or the magical arts.

Go to the Magic Shop, in non-Zuzu speak.

Adrek tries to yell after you. "You shouldn't go wandering out alone, these are dangerous times" but Zuzu doesn't care.

You wander around town for a while looking for any sort of sign which has something related to magic. Its more difficult than it should be because all of the buildings look almost identical, but luckily all the shops are labelled. No one seems to be out right now, so asking for directions isn't an option either. Eventually you manage to come across a wider building labelled "The hall of the Octopraecantatio", which you recognize as the name of the main religion in Senckried. The religion is based around the eight schools of magic so it ought to have something for you.

You open up the door to find yourself in what looks like a sort of ritual chamber (about the size of one of the cottages) similar to the one that your old master used to have. There are a series of desks around with papers and books on them organized meticulously. Shelves also line the walls filled with arcane components and even more books and paper, with slightly less organization. In any other place this sort of public access to magical supplies would be heresy, but in Recnam it appears that everyone is accustomed to it.

Standing in the corner of the room is a younger looking human in some sort of robes. The flowing robes sort of seem like a dress so you assume they are a woman, but now that you come to think of it that is how holy people usually dress so it is unhelpful. When the person turns around to greet you they also seem to have that same "Senckried Look", with the gaunt, lanky form, tired eyes, long ears and even longer nose, but once again nothing that indicates any sort of feminity or masculinity. This particular citizen's attire is that of some sort of mix between librarian, arcanist and priest.

He or she comes to meet your glance and looks a little startled but greets you nontheless. "Oh hello there,... umm ... uh... is there something you needed?". The voice sounds feminine, so you assume she must be a woman.

Yaotl is not comfortable in civilized lands. He follows Zuzu, lurks in the shadows, and keeps an eye out for the woman in his visions.

You do not really see much of anybody wandering out, definetely not the women from your visions. Sneaking around is incredibly difficult because all the roads are made of stone and the rocky houses conduct quite the echo, but you manage to remain nondescript enough, though not exactly as much as you would like. Nothing troubles you or Zuzu as you walk along.

Anastasia will walk with purpose humming a song.

Yaotl's trouble appears to be your aid, because the stone buildings have surprisingly good acoustic effect. Your humming echoes quite well of the sombre walls of rock around you.

Zergrinch

2018-03-29, 08:17 PM

Good evening, ma'am. We just arrived here and I thought I would get in a bit of browsing before we turn in for the night as I have an interest in the arcane arts. Is that okay with you, ma'am?

Requilac

2018-03-30, 07:16 PM

Good evening, ma'am. We just arrived here and I thought I would get in a bit of browsing before we turn in for the night as I have an interest in the arcane arts. Is that okay with you, ma'am?

The priestess looks at you slightly confused at your request and blinks at you. "I would be glad to sell you whatever goods you require, but before I do so, I am going to need your parent's approval. You claimed that they arrived, where are they now?" Her voice sounds oddly nasally and gruff for a woman of her age, which you estimate to be somewhere around early 30's, but the age of people from Senckried can be misleading.

Zergrinch

2018-03-30, 08:00 PM

Requilac

2018-03-30, 08:23 PM

My, um, parents?

They being dead and his master afflicted with the plague, Zuzu tries to fabricate a believable lie.

Deception: [roll0]

They are, uh, dead tired but I promise they gave me permission to come here and buy things.

The priestess's facial tone changes, but as to what this precisely means you have no idea. You assume sympathy, but for all you know it could be constipation. "Child, you don't need to lie to me here now. These are hard times indeed and many of us have seen people close to us die. Do you have any sort of guardian with you, or do you travel here alone?"

Zergrinch

2018-03-30, 08:28 PM

"Umm, I'm kind of traveling with him?" Zuzu motions to Yaotl who was trying (and failing) valiantly to blend into the shadows.

Awful

2018-03-31, 10:34 AM

"Is there an inn of good repute in this town, Adrek?" Yvonne asked as the remainder vanished into the shadowed streets. Well, it was no matter what they did, but it was late.

Requilac

2018-03-31, 11:56 AM

"Is there an inn of good repute in this town, Adrek?" Yvonne asked as the remainder vanished into the shadowed streets. Well, it was no matter what they did, but it was late.

Adrek gives a small thoughtful frown before continuing. "I suppose that depends on what you mean by good repute. We have an inn for traveler's technically, but it hasn't been used in years and its not all that well maintained. It should suffice though. That place doesn't really have a reputation at all because almost nobody has stayed there since it was built, but I suppose no reputation is better than a bad one, no? It is called the black sheep, and is aptly labelled. You can find it in the northern most part of town."

An inn positioned in the farthest position away from the entrance of the town. That already says something about the place you are going to stay at.

Requilac

2018-03-31, 09:35 PM

"Umm, I'm kind of traveling with him?" Zuzu motions to Yaotl who was trying (and failing) valiantly to blend into the shadows.

The shopkeeper glances over at yaotl, and nods silently. Usually yuan-ti elicit more of a response, but apparently to her you are just another traveler who happens to have scales. Her gaze eventually heads back to Zuzu.

"We don't exactly have much here sadly. I would be willing to sell you most of the spell ingredients you would happen to need though. And if you are in need of an arcane focus we have a couple of wands, rods and staffs... no orbs or crystal though really. Some of the people here have also dabbled in a little alchemy, so we have some basic potions here if you need any. Sorry that I can't give you much else."

Wand (arcane focus): 25 SP
Rod (arcane focus): 30 SP
Staff (arcane focus): 40 SP

As an action, you can throw one vial of acid up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make a ranged attack roll against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d6 acid damage.

This acid is enough to melt through wood or softer substances.
You can use an action to coat one piercing or slashing weapon or up to ten pieces of ammunition with the poison in this vial. A creature hit by a poisoned weapon or piece of ammunition takes an extra 1 poison damage. You can only deal this extra damage once per turn. Once applied, the poison retains potency for 1 minute before losing its effects.

This poison is enough to kill a small or smaller plant.
As an action, you can throw one vial of acid up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make a ranged attack roll against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1 fire damage. The target must then make DC a 10 constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns for 1 minute. If the target fails than it takes another 1 fire damage but on a success all of the effects end.
As an action, you can throw one vial of acid up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. Make a ranged attack roll against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d6 radiant damage if it is a fiend or undead.

Instead, you may cover a five foot square with the contents of this vial. This area is considered difficult terrain for fiends or undead.
A character who drinks the magical red fluid in this vial regains 1d6 hit points. Drinking or administering a potion takes an action. Undead or constructs gain no benefit from drinking this potion.

Zergrinch

2018-03-31, 10:46 PM

Zuzu whistles at the prices. There was no way he can afford any of the alchemical substances, although admittedly he wasn't very interested in them to needing with.

"Thank you for showing me your wares, ma'am. I was hoping there would be spell scrolls available. I saw this Order of Umbra bird thing earlier with a really wicked spell that threw everyone off her. I am hoping to specialize in the school of Evocation, and I could tell it was a really effective spell from that school."

Requilac

2018-04-01, 07:46 AM

"Thank you for showing me your wares, ma'am. I was hoping there would be spell scrolls available. I saw this Order of Umbra bird thing earlier with a really wicked spell that threw everyone off her. I am hoping to specialize in the school of Evocation, and I could tell it was a really effective spell from that school."

The shopkeeper suddenly looks very shocked at what you said. “The order of Umbra, here? What are they doing so close to the entrance to Senckried. And they sent in a spellcaster too. Have you told anyone about this? If your story rings true, then we should probably alert the town guard. You look awful okay for having a run in with them though. Are you hurt at all? You certainly don’t look like it.”

Zergrinch

2018-04-01, 07:54 AM

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-01, 08:00 AM

oh zuzu where are you.
that damn snake had better be with him.
She hopes the echo will carry.

Requilac

2018-04-01, 10:02 PM

"Oh I was okay because even though his ghost ranger guy summoned his blood snake and it tried to eat me, this lady knight I'm now traveling with pulled them off me in time. Are the Order of the Umbra really something to worry about, Ma'am? I've never heard of them, and the agents we encountered were not very good. The ghost ranger only had this kenku wizard as his backup, and she didn't even get a damaging spell off although I guess she murdered this cleric and two of the people guarding the town. In fact, she wasn't a good wizard and didn't even have a spellbook. Who are they anyway and what do they want?"

The shopkeeper eyes suddenly widen as you recall your tale to her. After glancing you over and finding herself confident that you are not wounded, she strides over to Yaotl. She apparently sees yaotl as the responsible adult here, so she mainly addresses the answer's to your questions to him, but will ocassioanly glance back at Zuzu. "Is the story this boy tells true? If it is, then I fear for what happens next. The Order of Umbra are a sort of criminal cult, but we have no idea what they worship. They appeared just a few months before the plague began, at first as a sort of political faction that wanted the Senckreid fief to become more agressive and start conquering land outside its borders. Needless, to lord Senckried was unhappy with that to say the least and ignored them. Eventually though they started growing in fanaticism and violence in their attempts to win the fiefdom over. Eventually they sent assassins to kill lord Senckried, and were successful. Now they have mostly gone into silence, and have begun doing strange investigations on the recent plague instead of fulfilling their previous agendas. For some reason all their talk about domination has been quelled, which considering their activities only weeks before, makes absolutely no sense. They are not someone you want to have to run across. "

She doesn't seem to be frightened of Yaotl at all, or even surprised. Perhaps yuan-ti are common up here, but that is unlikely due to the cold weather.

oh zuzu where are you.
that damn snake had better be with him.
She hopes the echo will carry.

Not many people appear to be out, but now that you have spent a long enough time outside you have noticed a couple of people. Almost all of them appear to be wearing thick dark cloaks and have that same sort of androgynous body type, and they don't even seem to acknowledge your existence. They are never outside their homes for long and only go out to gather some essential goods.

What you also can't help but notice is the abundance of scavengers in the area, despite their not seeming to be much of anything for them to eat about. The ghastly vultures perch on the rooftops like gargoyles and the crows seem to cover the trees like black leaves. This doesn't quite seem like how birds are supposed to act.

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-01, 11:06 PM

these anaimals are perched waiti g for a kill... Or worse?!
She will hurredly look for an inn to stay in.
maybe i may perform and gather information while waiting for zuzu and yaotol

Zergrinch

2018-04-02, 12:52 AM

Zuzu is somewhat irked of being ignored and passed over for some adult, but he tries his best to conceal it. After all, the woman was quite concerned of his own welfare, and likely it was just her motherly instincts kicking in.

"Ma'am, thank you very much for humoring me considering the lateness of the hour. I guess we have to rest now. Do you know a good inn for us to stay in?"

bc56

2018-04-02, 06:06 AM

"What the boy says is true. My wounds were the result." Yaotl shows his recently healed injuries as evidence.

Requilac

2018-04-02, 09:45 AM

these anaimals are perched waiti g for a kill... Or worse?!
She will hurredly look for an inn to stay in.
maybe i may perform and gather information while waiting for zuzu and yaotol

(no check required) after reading a couple of the signs and going down some of the passage ways you manage to find what you believe to be an inn called the Black Sheep. The name is actually quite ironic, considering the fact that it looks like a slightly taller version of all the other bleak stone buildings. They must not have much of a value for aesthetics in this town. By looking through the single small window you can see a tidy but sparse room with only the bare minimum furniture required for a tavern. There are what must be a total of around five people inside.

Zuzu is somewhat irked of being ignored and passed over for some adult, but he tries his best to conceal it. After all, the woman was quite concerned of his own welfare, and likely it was just her motherly instincts kicking in.

"Ma'am, thank you very much for humoring me considering the lateness of the hour. I guess we have to rest now. Do you know a good inn for us to stay in?"

"What the boy says is true. My wounds were the result." Yaotl shows his recently healed injuries as evidence.

She nods silently once again, clearly put at nerve by the events that have taken place. She is still clearly addressing Yaotl. "There is an inn called the Black Sheep in the northern part of the city that should take care of everything you need. Its rather austere but it will provide a roof over your head for the night. Be careful though. I mean... in the nearby future. The Order of Umbra aren't likely to let you kill one of their own and get away with it so easily. Be very careful, please. We have already seen enough of Death because of the plague, we don't need to make it worst with strife and violence. Oh and if you ever needed me, my name is Torbera. If you are adventurers like you look like, then you can expect to see me in the nearby future."

Zergrinch

2018-04-02, 09:49 AM

Thank you Ma'am Torbera. Mr Yaotl sir, let's go to this Black Sheep!

Zuzu departs and heads for the inn.

Awful

2018-04-02, 02:26 PM

Requilac

2018-04-02, 02:39 PM

"The Black Sheep... I see."
It was as the gods themselves had conspired to make this land seem as miserable and cursed as possible. She glanced at the guard.
"How is it that it has had no visitors in years? This is the main way into this fief, is it not?"

----
After the reply

With little other option, it seemed, regardless of the guard's answer, she would head there. She stalked through the streets, eyes scanning. She did not trust this place. When she found the inn, she would stride without hesitation.

This time instead of Adrek replying Diesa actually says something as you are walking away. "The inn has had few visitors because Senckried has had few visitors... my lady". She says the last word in a tone which you think is sarcasm, but the inflection is nothing you have ever heard before, so you can't necessarily say that for certain.

Awful

2018-04-02, 03:29 PM

Yvonne merely made a hummph of acknowledgement, her prickled pride tempting her to stop and demand satisfaction. She suppressed it with a scowl, and simply stalked away down the shadowed streets.

Zergrinch

2018-04-02, 11:02 PM

Zuzu bumps into the sulking Knight lady on the street.

"Oh it's you Lady Knight. Thanks again for saving me earlier. I'm going to the Black Sheep Inn with Mr. Yaotl. It's to the north of town. Are you also going there?"

Awful

2018-04-03, 03:05 PM

The noble cast a glance down at the diminutive gnome as he wandered up, and slowed her pace so her long legs would not outpace the lad's.
"Ah, child. You are welcome."
Sh looked up to catch a glimpse of the strange snake-priest lurking in the shadows and frowned. She did not trust him. Indeed, all the people she had met so far had been peculiar in some aspect.
"I am going there, yes. Mayhaps it is even still in business..."
She brushed a hand against the hilt of her sword as she thought on the combat earlier. Ah, to have her court magician here - but then, he was ancient enough the creaking of his bones would have alerted every corpse-wolf from here to the world's rim.
"I have no knowledge of magic, child, but you do. Those we defeated earlier - the magic they used. Invisibility, and that ghostly form of the ranger. How potent or rare is that sort of sorcery? It is important I know what I face."

Zergrinch

2018-04-03, 06:46 PM

"I know not how the ranger achieved the intangibility, milady. But if that spell was an illusion of sorts, it has to be a second order spell. I believe the kenku cast a first order spell called Thunderwave, but judging by the spell component I found on her, she is at least capable of casting the second order spell called Shatter."

Seeing her quizzical look about spell orders, the gnome explains, "You see, Lady Knight, there are tiers to spellcasting, ten in all. Novices can cast cantrip autospells which require only an affinity with magic and knowledge of the spell, with little need to tap the Dreaming. Apprentices like myself are capable of a few first order spells. Second order spells require more magical power and experience, so I am far from being able to use second order spells, even should I find their spell scrolls for my spell book."

I'm adding a lot of hooey here because spell levels and character levels are simply mechanical abstractions and should not be easily observable, right? Nevertheless Zuzu will think more deeply about how the ranger achieved what he did. Maybe he read about it in a book somewhere?

Arcana: [roll0]

Requilac

2018-04-03, 07:40 PM

Nevertheless Zuzu will think more deeply about how the ranger achieved what he did. Maybe he read about it in a book somewhere?

Arcana: [roll0]

While there are definitely some incorporeality spells out there, all of those are only usable by the most powerful of spell-casters, and while the ranger did exhibit some great power if he had enough to cast etherealness then he should have been much more of a challenge. He must have been using some power outside of arcane spells, possibly via the worship of a god or a more sinister force, but as to what precisely that was you cannot tell.

Zergrinch

2018-04-04, 02:22 AM

"You know," Zuzu muses out aloud, more talking to himself but still quite audible to Yvonne, " If that smoky effect was caused by the Etherealness spell, which I've seen my master cast exactly once and it drained a lot out of him, then he wasn't the one who cast it on himself. He went down far too easily to be capable of such a spell. No, something else did that. Some kind of demon. Or even Divine Magic he was worshipping or channeling... But it is hard to tell since the spell disincorporated after his death."

Regardless of what Yvonne and Yaotl are going to say or do, I am ready to move on with the next scene and reunite the party at the inn, unless of course we are attacked in the city streets.

Awful

2018-04-04, 06:01 PM

Yvonne listened to the gnome carefully. Her court magician had mentioned something on orders of magic before, she mused, before scowling as the kid continued.
"Demons? Wonderful." the Knightess muttered..."Hmmph. And so few of them worship the gods here."

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-05, 04:25 PM

[roll0]
Their once was a lass who was pretty and brash she stood for truuuuth and justice, but between you and me,she sought some time with just us three fairly bardic three with each a skill and each a speciality she had but many a need.

Requilac

2018-04-05, 09:19 PM

The four of you enter the inn, Anastasia singing the second she opens the door so as to ensure your presence is recognized. And your presence is without a doubt recognized, just not by all that many people. Four to be precise, all of them which appear to be wearing almost identical clothing to everybody else outside. A nondescript looking woman who looks even more tired then the other citizens is automatically awakened from her state of half sleep by the song. She appears to watch intently, though much more with confusion and surprise than actual amazement. Sitting on a bench next to the appears to be a young boy and an older man who you assume is his father, but something is off about the scene. The boy looks pale beyond all belief and he is shaking nervously and whispering to himself something unintelligible, his seeming father appearing to try to calm the nervous child down. Once your song is finished though the boy seems to stop quivering and his breathing seems to regulate. He appears to sit their nearly motionless except for the beating of his chest. The older man looks at you all and seems greatly relieved by what you did. He turns his head to the iand asks if he is okay now and gets a mere meek nod in response.

The woman behind the counter walks up to you all, more specifically Anastasia with the aid of a cane. Its rather strange because she doesn't seem to be so old that she must use it, but seems to be leaning on it nonetheless. "Thank you young lady. Our son is deep into the sickness and was just experiencing another nervous fit. He seems to have calmed down though, due to your song it appears. What exactly is it that you need, we would be glad to help?"

In the corner of the room you can see another person hiding his face under his cloak and looking at you all. He appears to actually be equipped with a breastplate and a mace, but so far has made no aggressive move. He has said absolutely nothing so far, and for some reason is attracting no attention from the innkeepers.

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-06, 05:17 AM

i did what i needed for songs were sung, id like a room while my allies ask you some questions.

Zergrinch

2018-04-06, 10:02 AM

Zuzu makes a bee-line towards the innkeeper, ignoring everyone else in the room.

"Good evening, ma'am. We're travelers just passing through. Do you have separate rooms for us?"

Requilac

2018-04-06, 11:15 PM

i did what i needed for songs were sung, id like a room while my allies ask you some questions.

Zuzu makes a bee-line towards the innkeeper, ignoring everyone else in the room.

"Good evening, ma'am. We're travelers just passing through. Do you have separate rooms for us?"

The innkeeper seems to give a slight smile at the both of your responses. "This is an inn, of course we have separate rooms for you all. We should have more than enough individual rooms for you all. Each are going to cost you about 20 copper pieces*." After saying this she turns to Anastasia. "And you need to question me? Well I am afraid I do not have much to tell, but if there is anything I know I will be glad to inform you about it. What knowledge do you seek?"

*A copper piece is worth 1/100 of a silver piece. Whenever I say something costs copper pieces, you don't need to keep track of it. They simply exist to keep in game immersion and represent when a currency transaction is occurring. You don't actually need to mark of .2 silver pieces from your character sheet.

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-07, 08:40 AM

Zergrinch

2018-04-08, 04:22 AM

Zuzu counts off the correct amount of copper pieces and slides it over to the innkeep. After he receives his key, the gnome locks himself in his room, where he would feverishly try to jot down the workings of the Thunderwave spell that he had seen in part. Analyzing it was simple enough, really. It was an evocation spell, the same school of magic from which the boy would base his eventual specialty on. What was trickier was to sculpt the spell in such a way that his allies would not be affected by the magics. After all, Thunderwave would emanate from him, and to otherwise activate such a spell without harming allies requires him to be at the epicenter of the fight, completely surrounded by enemies.

Requilac

2018-04-08, 08:47 AM

I have one thing to ask but first i wish your boy gets healthier.she mumbles something.seeing the plague is difrent than hearing about it. And worse yet it could happen to zuzu,or i.now on to my question how long ago did his abilities of the dream begin.

The boy is still sitting there shivering and looking at the ground with batted breath. As to what exactly he is afraid of, you don't know, because its certainly not you.

The woman begins to frown in thought as you mention the plague on her son. "The plague become a major problem about four moths ago and only then is when I heard of it, but odds are that it probably started much earlier than that as diseases are likely to do. My son though... he caught it only about three weeks ago. He told me that it started when one day he woke up but couldn't get up and was ,what I could only call, paralyzed*." Now she starts to hug her cane tightly and shiver as she recalls the account " Then he said that he saw a shadowy figure enter the room and choke him. Eventually he was able to move and started thrashing around, but by that time the shadow person was already gone. His skin had become grey and his hair is stark white as it is now too. Ever since then he has had these hallucinations*, he sees people that have such terrible injuries that they should be dead, but walk regardless. Its getting worst with every day and he is getting more and more fatigued* everyday. He can hardly walk now."

* She is using some more complex medical terms here that you would not expect a normal commoner to know.

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-08, 10:39 AM

Thank you,i. Pay for the room snd with no hesitation hug the child i wish well on this house.afterwards she walks to her room.

bc56

2018-04-08, 11:41 AM

Yaotl carefully counts out his money and places it on the counter, then retreats to his room for contemplation.

Awful

2018-04-08, 05:51 PM

Requilac

2018-04-08, 06:08 PM

Yvonne didn't waste time bartering over the price; such a thing was beneath her. She handed over the money without debate.
"I am the Knightess Yvonne the Faithful. If you serve drinks, I will take one, good woman."
She muttered a brief prayer, then glanced over at the ignored figure in the corner - the man with the breastplate and mace. For a moment she sized him up, curious as to who this fellow was.

Insight on this bloke, with benefit from Guidance:
[roll0]+[roll1]=18

You take a careful look at the figure, and you expected a wide variety of things to happen, but what you see is not even on the list of things you could have possibly expected. Surely your mind must be playing tricks on you, because the person you are witnessing here could not possibly be here.

It is Imbert, but something isn't right. A slit is cut through his throat, one so deep that it should be impossible for him to still be alive. Blood that you did not immediately recognize covers his breastplate and chain mail. His eyes stare outwards in space, hollow and souless, somehow rid of their iris and pupil and left with only the sclera visible. He is not breathing nor moving, but standing their straight and stiff nonetheless, staring at you with his unhallowed eyes.

Awful

2018-04-11, 02:16 PM

Requilac

2018-04-11, 03:40 PM

Yvonne inspected the man and saw a corpse.

"Vitay's blood!"
Yvonne stifled a twitch of surprise, her voice sharp and loud, snatching for her weapon.
"What devilry is this?" she snapped, her shield brought half to bear. Her face was narrowed

Her hand wrapped around her sword hilt, ready to draw - but she didn't quite bare steel just yet. Something was off. Most would notice a carcass in their corner - especially one that shouldn't be there.
"You, woman." She snapped her fingers and pointed at the woman, her iron gaze not wavering from the phantom in the room. "Tell me - what do you see in yonder corner? That figure?"

The woman looks absolutely bewildered and is suddenly terrified. "I see a table ... and a wall ... and a chair. I don't see anything that has not always been there. What is wrong."

The man which you assume is her husband gets up and grabs a bottle nearby to him and holds it in front of him defensively, expecting you to attack.

The young boy's head turns to you and his eyes see to flash with recognition. "You can see them too? The dead people. You can see them? I thought I was the only one who could. Can you seem them watching you also!?"

Awful

2018-04-12, 11:57 AM

Requilac

2018-04-12, 04:19 PM

The noble chanced a look away from the apparition to give the husband a sardonic look.
"You may place the bottle down. I have no inclination to assault the innocent."
What he expected a bottle to do against a fully-armoured and trained knight is another matter, but at least he would have tried. She returned her gaze to the corpse-image as she spoke top the woman and child.
"The dead, indeed. The image of a man slain earlier this night stands in that corner, and I do not think the madness of this place has seeped into my bones just yet. Woman. Fetch my companions - the ones who entered this establishment with me. Wake them if they sleep." In case the woman was still hesistant, she added: "Quickly, now! I assure no harm to you or yours will come from me, on Vitay's name and the honour of Sonnenstahl."
She released her grip from the hilt of her sword, straightening up - but her hand did not stray far. She addressed the child.
"Child, you see the dead? Tell me more. You say a shadow strangled you in the night?"

And the three who had come here had all gone to sleep in different rooms. Marvellous.

The man of course is still clutching the bottle nervously, well aware that it probably would not do much, but sort of lowers his hand. The person who you assume is his wife wordlessly goes to fetch the others, seemingly also anxious but compliant.

The child is quaking furiously but appears to be almost relieved that someone asked him about. "That is when all of this started yes. I saw a man made of darkness creep up to my bed and tried to choke me, and I couldn't move. I could move a little bit later, and started hitting it, and it just sort of stopped for a second before just sort of fading away, kinda. Maybe it wasn't looking for me and accidentally found me or something like that. After that I see all these weird things now." He gestures to the figure which resembles Imbert. "Its really creepy."*

* I am intentionally using low level vocabulary and poor grammar, as the speaker is only a pre-teen.

bc56

2018-04-12, 04:58 PM

Yaotl is unhappy to be dragged out of the solitude of his room, but arrives downstairs. "What isss it?"

Awful

2018-04-12, 05:38 PM

"A man made out of darkness? You were brave to fight, child. Well done." she said slightly awkwardly, but nonetheless meaning the compliment. "Did he have a recognisable face, or was he just shadow? Do you know of any others who can see these phantoms, or this shadow-man?"

Yaotl is unhappy to be dragged out of the solitude of his room, but arrives downstairs."What isss it?"
"Perhaps you should be more observant, serpent." Yvonne said dryly, now more at ease though not relaxed - if the child had been seeing these for weeks without harm, she was less convinced she was about to end up in a life-or-second-death battle with the ghost in the corner. "There appears to be some kind of phantom in the corner. Can you see it as well?"

bc56

2018-04-12, 05:56 PM

Yaotl inspects the phantom. "Yesss, the priessst. Can you ssspeak, phantom?"

Requilac

2018-04-12, 08:36 PM

"A man made out of darkness? You were brave to fight, child. Well done." she said slightly awkwardly, but nonetheless meaning the compliment. [B]"Did he have a recognisable face, or was he just shadow? Do you know of any others who can see these phantoms, or this shadow-man?"

The child seems to be afraid but also somewhat excited that he is finally talking about the experience. "I couldn't see a face, but it was also pitch black, so I probably couldn't have seen his face even if he did have one. And some of the other people who have gotten sick have claimed to go through things which were pretty close. Ask anyone who has gotten sick and they will say they have seen at least one."

Yaotl inspects the phantom. [COLOR="#008000"]"Yesss, the priessst. Can you ssspeak, phantom?"

The phantom continues to stare into empty space without responding, more looking through you than at you. He is breathing, but seems completely unresponsive, as if in some sort of trance.

bc56

2018-04-12, 08:46 PM

Yaotl slaps the phantom Imbert across the face. "I sssee your breathing. Ssstop sssleeping!"

Zergrinch

2018-04-14, 09:40 AM

Zuzu unlocks the door and pokes his head out the door.

"What is it?" he says, with a hint of irritation at being interrupted.

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-14, 09:46 AM

Anastasia now out of her armour comes out in her noble dress and asks.Whats going on everyone i mean it is bed time i thought.

Requilac

2018-04-14, 05:40 PM

You all come down right before Yaotl moves forward to slap Imbert. Only after a few seconds delay does his hand strike true right where the phantom is, but his palm ends up hitting nothing but empty air. By the time his fist reached there Imbert was already gone. Vanished in thin air at the exact right moment. All that is there now is a piercing scream in a distorted version of Imbert's voice screaming out in pain which rises from the position he once was. The loud yelling continues and mixes with the howling of wolves, some sort of playback of the noise when he was nearly killed by the zombified wolves. All of you can hear the terrible screeching which continues for what feels like minutes but probably only lasts a couple of seconds. The horrific sound is nauseating and causes you to gag.

The inkeeper man looks confused at you and the boy's reaction. "What's wrong? Why are you all clutching your head like that?"

Sariel Vailo

2018-04-14, 07:01 PM

The nightmares of the dead,i hear one such nightmare.

Zergrinch

2018-04-14, 08:02 PM

bc56

2018-04-14, 09:35 PM

"It would appear that only we and the boy can hear or ssseee thisss phantom." Yaotl is perplexed and worried.

Awful

2018-04-15, 06:00 AM

Yvonne bore the screeching stoically, merely muttering a prayer to Vitay.
"How wretched. As a precaution, none of us should sleep alone in a room, lest we be assaulted by whatever umbral ghost attacked the boy. The most proper way would be of miss Anatasia and I in one, Zuzu and Yoatl in another."

She frowned.
"Dark magic is clearly afoot, and only a fool would lack sufficient caution."

Requilac

2018-04-15, 10:54 AM

Still rubbing his head from pain, Zuzu stares at the innkeeper. He replays the sound he heard and the sight he saw of Imbert using his Minor Illusion.

"That was what I saw and heard. Didn't you hear it?"

Both of the inkeepers look at the illusion in a mix of confusion and terror. After what seems like a minute's pause the woman eventually speaks up. "I fear that you all have contracted the plague too then. I am so sorry that this had to happen to you. I... I wish I could say more". After a noticeable pause the husband eventually speaks up to. "Don't look at your reflection for too long. The people with the infection tend to see hallucinations when they look through mirrors." He looks at the anxious boy who stands their in awe of where Imbert once was.