PrP: Dire Forecast
Log Info
- Title: Dire Forecast
- Emitter: Benthus
- Characters: Belladona lvl3, Taro lvl2, Korrani lvl2, Brianna lvl4, Rhar lvl5
- Place: Alexandros, uncharted regions
- Time: Oct 21, 2014
- Summary: Continuation to Dire Consequences
- APL: 4
- Encounter 1: 1 Advanced Dire Wolverine (reskinned as wolf), CR 5
- Encounter 2: 7 CR1 zombies, CR 6
(Start of the scene)
A sad old man tells his tale to any passerby that would come by him. He is seated on a bench facing a water fountain with only a gnarled staff and a pouch bag for material possession. He begins by telling of a tale of a little settlment not so far from the city that was once under attack by huge wolves. The wolves have killed several of the wood cutters that work there. Those wolves were said to have been taken cared of by four adventurers. Peace had returned to that place.
Then all of a sudden, no news was received from the small settlement. Merchants and other people who went there have not returned, and people who ought to have come to the city to make a report have not come either.
The settlement is too small to be of any concern to a big and prosperous city like Alexandria, so for a long measure of time, the place has been ignored.
But now, this old man talks about it and asks for anyone to go and see what has happened to this place, as its inhabitants are special to him. The place is said to be about two days journey away from the city and located near the edge of a forest.
Taro is at the fountain drinking water. He slurps it down noisily, then straightens and rubs his mouth with the back of his hand. Something about the man's tale draws his attention and he looks that way. "Eh? Huge wolves? How huge?"
Belladona is saddened to hear about the wolves that killed others, but she knows that wolves and man often don't get along together. She wishes she could have been there to try to convince the wolves to leave the area. No since in crying over spilt milk though. She listened to his tale and she looks over at Taro, "Did you hear his story the wolves are gone, but now the merchants have gone missing. I'll help to find out what happened, well me and my companion Samafa. I'm Essence Belladona of the Earth Warders."
Brianna is eager to test out some new things so when she hears the tale she is all for it. SHe is there with some others, "Big wolves, good for testing." she says and smiles a bit as she looks around.
The Old man looks up as he realizes someone is listening to him, "They were huge! As big as horses they were. Oh, please, kind sir, would you provide an answer to an old man's wish? Can you go to the place that I was talking about and see if the people there are okay? I have nothing to give you but my blessings and a promise to tell your tale to anyone who I come by, whether the news you return to me is good or bad."
Korrani listens quietly to the tale, arching a pronounced brow. "Dire wolves?" she asks at the description of the size of them.
Wolves? In need of help? Actually, he probably had Rhar at wolves. It's good to know that others took care of them. Like she does for Gurr. And the other way around. "Rhar go, Gurr go! Find people, find wolf! Make safe! Where?" All she needs is someone to point. Or throw a ball.
Taro chuckles. "If you haven't seen them by now they're likely in some wolf's belly." He peers up at the sky and then wrinkles his nose and sniffs. "Still a trip outside of this city might be just the thing. I'll go find your people, old one."
The old man eloborates on the direction needed to go to the place, going as far as scribling on a piece of small plywood a map that would lead there. It is a small map, but a seasoned tracker would not need it. The directions given by the old man is enough for such a person to get there blind-folded.
Brianna nods, "Well we should be able to take a look and see what we can find and evaluate." she says and looks at each of the others, "I am Brianna."
Belladona frowns, "Well I hope it's not wolves that are attacking the people. It would be a shame to have to kill them." She says as she goes to take the map and looks it over for a moment. She goes to offer it to someone else, "I'm Belladona and this is Samafa." She says as she motions to her armored lioness companion.
The old man thanks the people who have shown kindness upon him. He waves at them as they depart, and then resumes in telling the tale all over again to other passersby...
And so the group of adventurers start their two-day trek into the wilderness, for the settlement is indeed located in the unknown and uncharted area of Alexandros. Or it has been charted but deemed uninteresting. Eitherway, the passage towards the destined area is uneventful.
On the second day of the journey, the outskirts of the settlement is visible. There are buildings ahead, but none of the chimneys seem to be bellowing smoke. As the group gets closer, there seem to be an absense of life in the area. No people. Not even domestic animals.
Just when the idea of a deserted settlement comes into mind, a very big wolf comes into view. It seems to be moving around the streets of the settlement, sniffing and looking for something. As soon as it spots the group of adventurers, it snarls and then charges towards them, fangs bared.
GAME: Korrani rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 23 GAME: Brianna rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21 GAME: Taro rolls initiative: Roll: 15 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 17 GAME: Belladona rolls initiative: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 13 GAME: You roll initiative for Big Bad Wolf: Roll: 3 + Bonus: +9 = Total: 12 GAME: Rhar rolls initiative: Roll: 8 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | Race | Class | E Lev| CHP | HP | AC | For | Ref | Wil | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |Belladona |ORC |Dru | 3 | 28 | 28 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 7 | |Brianna |HUMAN |Art | 4 | 19 | 28 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |Korrani |HALF-ORC |Rgr | 2 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 2 | |Rhar |HALFLING |Cav | 5 | 35 | 44 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 4 | |Taro |ORC |Bbn/Rgr | 3 | 26 | 33 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 4 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is now Korrani's turn! Brianna is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Korrani ended. GAME: Korrani rolls 1d20+BAB+Dex+1: (4)+2+4+1: 11 Korrani draws her bow and fetches an arrow from her quiver, notching it as the wolf charges at them. She lets loose an arrow and it thunks into the ground behind the wolf.
The big wolf doesn't evade the oncoming missile, but the trajectory of the arrow is in such a way that it is blunted off by the creatures thick fur...
It is now Brianna's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Brianna ended. <OOC> Brianna says, "activate armor full dex, and hold, speaking as I draw my pistol" Brianna touches a few things on her armor and then it glows slightly and she seems to be moving a bit faster. She pulls out her pistol, "Anyone talk to it? Make sure it is foe before we shoot it?"
It is now Taro's turn! Belladona is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Taro ended. <OOC> Taro will Charge it! With my axe and power attack GAME: Taro rolls weapon1+2-1: (18)+8+2+-1: 27 GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (3)+10: 13 Taro spots the wolf and unleashes a snarl of his own. His greataxe is already out and as he rushes at the creature he brings the weapon back. With the wolf running at the party, the distance is closed almost instantly. Just before the wolf can barrel into him Taro brings his weapon down, scoring a hit on it's shoulder.
As soon as Taro dealt damage to the huge, sprinting wolf, it yelps in pain, shakes its head and then shivers uncontrollably. Sudddenly, spikes seem to protrude out of its back and shoulders. It's cry of pain is replaced by a loud growl then gets louder and louder. Foam and spittle is dripping from its mouth. It's eyes take on a blood-shot appearance. And its teeth and claws grow longer and sharper...
It is now Belladona's turn! Big Bad Wolf is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Belladona ended. <OOC> Belladona says, "I'll have Samafa defend and then I'll try an wild empathy check." GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22 You paged Belladona with 'Something is hindering your wild-empathy with the big wolf. It would appear that it will not attack you, but it will try and destroy Taro for hurting it.'
Belladona holds up her hands, "Wait! Don't attack it." She winces as she sees Taro take a slice into the wolf, "Wait back away from it." She says as she moves towards the wolf after giving a hand signal to her companion to defend. She moves forward towards the wolf and winces as she sees it's claws and fangs grow sharper. I know you are hurting, but I can help you, but you must calm down." She looks over at Taro, "Back off before you hurt." She glares at Taro and then looks back towards the wolf trying to put herself in between Taro and the Wolf.
It is now Big Bad Wolf's turn! Rhar is next!
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+10: (8)+10: 18 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26
<OOC> Benthus says, "Checking on the second roll for threat..." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27 <OOC> Benthus says, "Crit confirmed..." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6+8: (4)+8: 12 GAME: Benthus rolls 3d8+24: (8)+24: 32 GAME: You damaged Taro for 59 points. -33 remaining. (DEAD) GAME: You damaged Taro for -32 points. -1 remaining. (DYING) <OOC> Benthus says, "No one dies in this scene." <OOC> Benthus says, "But Taro is unconsious due to the vicious mauling by the creature."
The big bad wolf transforms into a bigger and badder wolf, towering over Taro who inflicted bodily harm on it. It snarls savagely and then bites down on his throat before raking its two sharp claws at him in savage rage. The oruch is trashed on the ground hard before he is flung to a building's wall, smashing him against it...
...The wolf seems to deflate slightly now that the source of its ire is no longer standing...
It is now Rhar's turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Rhar ended. <OOC> Rhar will.... Know Nature to try and figure out what kind of wolf has spines and bigger claws? Nothing else if it's listening to Bella. GAME: Korrani rolls knowledge/nature: (17)+7: 24 GAME: Belladona rolls knowledge/nature: (2)+8: 10 GAME: Rhar rolls knowledge/nature: (9)+6: 15 (Success) It is a dire wolf, but an advanced variety. Basically, a more fearsome version of a dire wolf.'
It is now Korrani's turn! Brianna is next!
Korrani draws another arrow from her quiver and notches it in her bow, but she doesn't draw the string back yet. "It just took Taro down. I hope you are certain about this," she says gruffly to Belladonna.
It is now Brianna's turn! Taro is next!
Brianna just watches the wolf still, pistol up but for the moment isn't doing anything.
It is now Taro's turn! Belladona is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "Taro lies bleeding from a punctured neck and chest.."
It is now Belladona's turn! Big Bad Wolf is next!
<OOC> Belladona says, "I'm going to continue to try Wild Empathy to try to calm it down." GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23 Belladona winces as the wolf savages Taro and she moves to try to lock eyes with it, "Okay you took down the one that hurt you, calm down and I can help you and stop the hurting." She moves forward an in a manner that she is the dominate wolf, "I'm here to help you. I don't want to hurt you and neither do my friends. You rest and I'll help."
It is now Big Bad Wolf's turn! Rhar is next!
The big bad wolf seems to relax at the continued coaxing of the oruch maiden. The spikes that were protruding from its back and shoulders are slowly receding back into its body. It's eyes are getting less red, and its teeth and claws are shrinking. It looks at Belladona curiously, padding around her and her animal companion. It sniffs the air for the rest of the adventurers and then eyes Belladona again. It suddenly lulls out its tongue and pants at her. Before liking at its wound.
While all of this is happening, Taro is dying... GAME: You clear initiatives. GAME: Benthus has cleared initiatives.
Korrani keeps her bow lowered and shifts her arrow back into her quiver. She nods to Brianna. "If you can move cautiously and give the wolf a wide birth, you should help Taro."
Brianna nods and moves over towards Taro. She gives the wolf a berth as she moves to reach Taro, pulling out a small box as she does.
Belladona moves over to the wolf as it calms down and she moves over to it, "I can bind your wounds, but you'll need to keep calm." She scratches the wolf's ears and she looks over her shoulders at the others, 'I have a healers kit as well as a scroll to heal him.' She starts to take out the healer's kit and turns towards the wolf, "I am going to bind your wounds to help you." She looks towards her companion, "Samafa stay ready." The lioness moves next to the dire wolf ready to defend Belladona if needed.
GAME: Korrani rolls Perception: (1)+7: 8 You paged Korrani with 'You are distracted by something to see anything out of the ordinary...' GAME: Belladona rolls perception: (7)+8: 15 You paged Belladona with 'You manage to catch a glimpse of an eagle circling overhead...' GAME: Brianna rolls perception: (11)+9: 20 You paged Brianna with 'There is an eagle circling overhead, but after scrutinizing it carefully, you realize it is not an eagle at all, but something that has taken the shape of an eagle...' <OOC> Belladona says, "I'm gonna do another wild Empathy check if that's okay as well as use a healer's kit charge" GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19 GAME: Belladona used a Healer's Kit. GAME: Belladona rolls heal+2: (8)+2+2: 12
Belladona continues to bind the wounds and her healer's kit is more natural then others. She has herbs and pastes as she quickly gets to work mending the wolf. She glances up and she motions to the others with her head, "I think we are being watched." GAME: Brianna casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 GAME: Brianna rolls 1d8+4: (6)+4: 10 GAME: You damaged Taro for -10 points. 9 remaining.
Brianna slaps the small box down on Taro, it beeps and glows and the glow spreads over Taro before she puts it back in her pocket, "That eagle up there...isn't an eagle."
Korrani glances up and around at Brianna's words, trying to spy upon what she sees. "Any idea what it might be?"
The eagle spirals down and then lands on top of a roof. For a moment, it is not visible, then a figure of a man can be seen stepping towards the edge of the roof. "Who are you?" He asks cautiously, his brow furrowed and his hands clutching the hilt of his scimitar.
Belladona pets the wolf on top of the head as she finishes putting a mud on the wound so that it will stay and fall off when it's healed. She brushes off her hands, "I'm Essence Belladona of the Earth Warders and this is my companion Samafa. Who are you and is this your companion?" She asks as she motions to the dire wolf and she scratches behind his ears.
Brianna cocks her head to the side, "I would say it is a druid probably." she says and then looks at Belladona and then hmms.
The man on top of the roof looks at Belladona and observes her. He offers her a curt nod of his head, respecting her distinction. "I am called Hildebrant. I am the druid tasked in looking after the nearby forest." He looks at the rest of the team. "You're the first group of people I have met in a while now. The residents of this settlements have been gone for many months now. I don't suppose you were interested in them?"
Hildebrant adds a reply to Belladona's query, "No, Earth warder, he is not mine."
Belladona continues to pet the wolf and give him attention. "There was an old man in the city that said merchants were coming out this way and not coming back. What happened to the residents here? Were they killed?" She asks as she looks over the dire wolf for any other injuries, "How is Taro doing?"
The man called Hildebrant shrugs and says, "They were taken many months ago by a group of hobgoblins. All of them, including the traders that came by here to trade. The hobgoblins have a camp located north of here, about half a days walk. Now that you know what has happened to the people who lived here, are you planning on returning to where you came from, or are you planning on being a bother to me and my turf?" He doesn't say this smuggly, or in an insulting way. He seems to be just stating a fact, probably because he would not want to safeguard everyone's safety against the natural predators of his forest.
Brianna nods, "He should be good, though he still seems out of it." she says and then cocks her head to the side and looks at the others.
Belladona finishes with the dire wolf and she gives his ears a gentle scratching, "There you should be all better now, perhaps you should try to stay away from people. Now get going I bet you have a pack to get back to?" She suggests to the wolf and she looks over at Hildebrant, "Many months ago why didn't you inform your circle about that? Your supposed to honor all life not just wild animals." She is visibly upset by this and growls low in her throat. "That will be up to the humans if they want to come back here or not and if they do you will do your duty and protect them or I will kick your ass no matter what form you take."
Hildebrant just huffs and shakes his head, "You have no idea how troubling situations are here at the moment. And you are free to talk to the circle about my dereliction of duty." He thought about it and snickers like he found something funny, "That is if you can find them. And if you do find them, good luck in making them do anything. They got their hands tied up with some... things." He smiles mischievously.
Brianna cocks her head to the side for a moment and just looks confused.
Belladona crosses her arms, "Then instead of sitting there like the smug jackass that you are, why don't you tell us about the situation that you seem to know about. You said there were hobgoblins. How many of them?"
Hildebrant is being childish and replies, "A lot? As I said, they are located to the north of here. Not my problem. Not my jurisdiction. Go there if you like, I don't care. I got my own problems to take care of. And it is more important than doing some old man's errands." He huffs again and then sighs, "I should get back to doing the important stuff than wasting my time with you." He turns around and heads off towards the opposite end of the building's roof.
The big bad wolf that was with Belladona takes a hint and heads off in a slow an casual trot towards the edge of the forest...
Taro struggles to his feet, one hand braced against the wall for support. He rubs the back of his head, reaches for some of his bandages but then thinks better of it, and finally collects his axe, limping over to where the others are. "Is it dead?" he asks after taking in their relatively uninjured state.
Belladona shakes her head, "Someone needs to kick his ass." She looks over to Taro, "It is not dead and thankfully you are not dead either."
And so, the group departs from the abandoned settlement and heads off north, trying to find out what has happened to the settlers...
It is nearing evening when bird calls can be heard. This would have been natural as birds tend to be very loud when then are beginning to rest for the eve. The problem with this bird call is that is should be heard in the mornings and not in the evenings...
<OOC> Benthus says, "roll perception or knowledge/nature, or survival." GAME: Brianna rolls perception: (1)+9: 10 GAME: Belladona rolls knowledge/nature: (10)+8: 18 GAME: Korrani rolls survival: (9)+9: 18
Belladona frowns as she starts to look around, "Samafa get ready." She goes to put her hand into her claws and she flexes them once so that they are ready as she gets her shield up. "Everyone look around."
Korrani glances around at the sound of the bird calls, then crouches down and looks along the ground. "Hobgoblin tracks," she whispers, pointing out to some markings on the ground.
There is the rustling of leaves on either side of the groups position. Dark silhouettes can be seen hunched down and encircling you all. When the movements ceased, a voice can be heard...
You paged Korrani with 'The voice in the dark declares, "Identify yourselves! If you do not, we will shoot you where you stand!"'
Something is spoken in a tongue you do not understand. It sounds harsh and commanding. "Hold!" Korrani says back in Goblin-Talk. To the others, she murmurs under her breath, "They're asking for us to identify ourselves or they'll shoot."
You paged Korrani with 'The voice replies, "Hold what?!"'
Again, the voice can be heard, saying something quick and short.
Belladona frowns as she hears the harsh tongue and she looks around. She looks towards the others, "Well now what?"
Taro chews his lip. He does touch one of the bandages now. "Tell them we're from Alexandria," he advises. "We're here to trade with the village."
Korrani purses her lips at the barking of the Hobgoblin. Deception and thinking fast don't come naturally to the young adventurer. She draws back her lips and speaks in the harsh tongue, translating Taro's words. She adds in Goblin-Talk, "Now your turn. Identify yourselves!"
There is silence on the other side for a few seconds. And then a reply...
You paged Korrani with 'The person shrouded in darkness says, "Put your weapons down and come to me with your hands raised up. If you do that, you will not be harmed. If you do otherwise, we will shoot you."'
Korrani translates roughly, "They want us to put down our weapons and approach with our hands raised, or else they'll shoot. They -claim- we will not be harmed if we comply."
Taro snorts. "And they expect us to believe them?"
"Indeed," responds Korrani with a note of sarcasm. "I don't."
Another quick burst of foriegn words are shouted out in the dark...
You paged Korrani with 'Well? What are you waiting for?'
Belladona shakes her head, "I'm no putting down my weapons for anyone."
"They're asking why we hesitate. Well? I can buy a little more time, but not much." Korrani asks as she starts by drawing out her longsword and casting it to the ground. She won't be needing it for this fight, and the gesture looks like the beginnings of compliance. She responds back in that harsh tongue.
Korrani pages: I am just translating for the others. Their language is so difficult. They're having trouble understanding my Tradespeak.
Taro lowers his own axe but hesitates before setting it down. "Tell them we hesitate because it's not safe here." He grins toothily. "Wolves."
Korrani nods to Taro and translates back something to the Hobgoblins.
Korrani pages: They fear the wolves. We ran into one on our journey. They wish to go somewhere safe from the wolves before putting down their weapons.
There is, again, a momentary silence as things are being thought of, and then, another burst of gibberish...
You paged Korrani with 'Alright. But keep your hands up. No sudden moves. If you do, we shoot.'
There is silence on the other end as if they are waiting for something.
Korrani nods softly and crouches very slowly with one hand in the air as she retrieves her sword and returns it to her sheathe. "They said we can keep our weapons, but we have to keep our hands up and no sudden moves, of they'll shoot."
Stepping forth from the dark are four hobgoblins in bonded plate armour. They are all wielding spears and have them trained on the adventurers. Once the four hobgoblins are in position, more hobgoblins can be seen peeling off from their hidden position to get nearer the adventurers. Finally, the hobgoblin who was communicating with Korrani shows himself and tells her something...
You paged Korrani with 'Follow us. Be quick. We do not have enough time. Darkness is coming. And they come out at night.'
Korrani nods to the Hobgoblin and says something to him, then looks to the others. "He said to follow them with our hands up, and hurry. When darkness falls, something is coming."
Korrani pages: Alright. We're coming.
The hobgoblins begin to jog and hurriedly so. They make their way northward where Hildebrant had said their camp is located...
Belladona frowns, "What something is coming." She says as she looks at the hobgoblins, "Where are the villagers that were here?" She asks as she keeps her shield up, but moves her other hand away from her claws.
Korrani pages: What are they? We were going to trade at that village at the edge of the forest, but no one was there. Do you know what happened?
You paged Korrani with 'You will see them soon enough...'
Korrani speaks to the hobgoblin leader as they travel.
As the group get nearer and nearer to the camp's location, there is more illumination about as fire from the camp is set at all points all throughout its wooden walls. The sound of blacksmith hammers pounding on metal as well as saws cutting through wood can be heard long before they can be seen.
When the adventurers arrive inside the camp, they will notice that there are a lot of goblins, hobgoblins and oruchs working around the wall's defenses, as well as humans too. The humans are working alongside the other races securing the camp's defensive walls as well as preparing wood and other stuff for everyone else. When the humans see other humans coming into the camp, they are surprised and then happy. They gather around you as the hobgoblins leave you in their care.
"It is good to know that there are others of us out there. We thought that we are the last civilized settlement in this region." Says one of the humans in the camp.
"Were you from the settlement at the edge of the forest? What is happening here? What comes at night?" Korrani asks as she looks about.
The humans look at each other in surprise. The one who spoke earlier says, "You don't know? The dead are rising up everywhere, killing everything in sight. If these people here had not found us..." He is indicating the hobgoblins and oruchs and goblins, "... We would have long been dead. They come out at night, and they continually mill around the wall, testing out defenses. The hobgoblins are a disciplined lot, never wavering in their duty to keep the undead from breaking inside the camp. We owe our lives to them." All the humans nod in affirmation to what the man stated.
Belladona looks around, "What exactly is happening? We come from the city of Alexandria to find out what happened to the merchants. An elderly man gave us a map out here."
"Old man Tad? He is still alive? Well I'll be..." says one of the human, not the one who spoke earlier. "It is good to know he is still alive. But at his age, it is a wonder that he is still alive."
"Well, it is good to know that Alexandria is still standing. We pretty much thought that the entire world has been engulfed by this undead scourge and that we are the last people alive. But we can not tarry long. We have to go to our positions and make sure that the undead do no breach the walls."
The last ray of the sun finally fades and then the forest became deathly silent.
All of a sudden shouts from the eastern side of the camp can be heard. Someone has detected undead moving in that area. And then shouts can be heard from the west, and then the north... and then the south. As the group make their way towards the wall, a peak through one of the walls reveals a huge mob of undead wandering around outside the walls.
Korrani checks her quiver. "Hmm. These may not be the best for fighting undead, but I can try to pick them off from behind the walls."
Belladona hmms, "Undead scourge?" She asks as she hears the shout and she heads over towards the wall. She spots the undead mob, "Ah that Undead Scourge."
"Sounds like they're attacking from all sides," Korrani frowns as she notches an arrow.
"Save your arrows, ma'am. It would do you little good. There are just too many of them and unless you fell them with blunt objects, you are likely to make a porcupine of a walking corpse before it goes down. The walls are our only best chances of surviving this night. So bring a wood if you can and help brace the walls that are being pounded upon." Says one of the humans.
Belladona nods as she reaches back and takes out her club. She swings it around, "Good thing I keep this."
Korrani nods and returns her arrow to her quiver and shoulders her bow. "Blast. And all I have is a longsword as backup. Unless you have a spare blunt weapon for me to borrow?"
Taro's expression twists. "Undead." He follows the others.
More shouts can be heard from the eastern side of the camp. Frantic and desperate by the sound of it. The humans who are listening look afraid and shouts. "Hurry! The eastern gate is breaking up! We have to hold that wall up or we are not going to survive this evening!" Says one human.
A make-shift club is offered to Korrani before that person makes a dash towards the eastern wall...
Belladona nods as she heads towards the eastern wall with Samafa in toe ready to fight some undead.
Korrani thanks the person for the club. It'll have to do. She slips it under her belt and goes to grab some wood, hefting it up. She looks to the walls to see where she would be needed most, and runs tot he eastern gate with it.
Taro rushes for the wall now, ready to lend a shoulder (or his axe) to the effort. "What's driving them here?" he bellows. "Are you cursed?!"
"I don't know!" Yells one of the humans as they try to push against the walls that is being pushed on the other side the by undead. "It happened many months ago. We don't know where they came from. They just... appeared!" He yells through the din of chaos brought about the walking corpses.
The wall strains against the weight and pressure on either side, and sure enough, one of the wooden logs shatters to pieces.
A goblin is quickly grabbed in the small gap and pulled through it. It screams in terror and pain as the swell of undead begin to tear it limb from limb and feast on its flesh...
The small gap in the wall has allowed seven zombies to pass through before a wall of spears (Hobgoblins wielding spears) is set up around the broken barrier...
GAME: Belladona rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 21 GAME: You roll initiative for Zombies: Roll: 17 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 17 GAME: Korrani rolls initiative: Roll: 11 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 15 GAME: Taro rolls initiative: Roll: 2 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 4
It is now Belladona's turn! Zombies is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Belladona ended. <OOC> Belladona says, "Smash some Zombies!" <OOC> Belladona says, "Both Samafa and I" <OOC> Belladona says, "We'll both Power Attack" GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+3: (7)+3: 10 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d6+6: (2)+6: 8 Belladona and Samafa act first as the zombies start to come through. She goes to swing her club and smashes the head of the Zombie. Samafa goes to take a bite, but she misses.
It is now Zombies' turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, the zombies attack each of you. Two on Belladona and Samafa, two Korrani, and one on Taro." <OOC> Belladona says, "Samafa's AC is 22" GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (19)+6: 25 <OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, a hit on Korrani and Taro." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6+4: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7 GAME: You damaged Korrani for 6 points. 13 remaining. GAME: You damaged Taro for 7 points. 2 remaining.
Four of the zombies limp their way to attack Belladona and Samafa. Two of the zombies go and attack Korrani. The last zombie shambles towards Taro. One of the zombies on Korrani hits her with a powerful swipe of its arm. The one on Taro does the same and hurts him as well.
It is now Korrani's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Korrani ended. GAME: Korrani rolls 1d20+2+2: (14)+2+2: 18 <OOC> Benthus says, "That hits. Damage." <OOC> Korrani says, "What damage does the club do?" <OOC> Benthus says, "Oh 1d6+strength" GAME: Korrani rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5 "Did anything strange happen before they arrived?" Korrani shouts to the human that answered Taro. Looking to her compatriots, she asks, "Why did Hildebrant not warn us?!" She draws the club and swings it at the zombie Belladona just attacked, striking it solidly.
It is now Taro's turn! Belladona is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Taro ended. <OOC> Taro will rage and attack the one that hit me with greataxe GAME: Taro RAGES!, gaining: +4 Str, +6 Con, +2 Will and -2 AC GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (2)+9: 11 Taro takes a hit, swaying on his feet for a moment. Then his lips pull back, showing his tusks fully. His eyes redden and veins begin to pulse on his forehead. Muscle and tendon in his neck stand out as he opens his jaws wide and bellows. His axe is out, a blow that would have surely chopped the zombie in half - if hit had connected. Instead it THUDs into the ground next to an undead foot, half burying itself into the ground.
<OOC> Belladona says, "Wait...zombies...blunt? That's wrong...zombies = Slash." <OOC> Benthus says, "True. Very true. Good spotting, Belladona. Please switch to cutting." <OOC> Benthus says, "Assume that there was a mix of undead. Zombies, skeletons, ghouls, wights, and everything else..." <OOC> Benthus says, "So basically, majority of the undead that is besieging the walls are of the skeleton variety, but there are also zombies and ghouls and others lurking around. The eastern side of the camp is presently being besieged by a group of zombies.."
It is now Belladona's turn! Zombies is next!
<OOC> Belladona says, "All right slashing with Orc claws" <OOC> Belladona says, "Samafa full attack" <OOC> Belladona says, "With PA" GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+5: (4)+5: 9 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d4+2: (1)+2: 3 Belladona has her claws out and continues to slash at the zombie, but her attack misses. Samafa doesn't far much better but finally she clips one with her claws.
It is now Zombies' turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (16)+6: 22 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7 GAME: You damaged Taro for 7 points. 4 remaining. The thing about undead is that they are dead already, so they don't fear being destroyed. Each of the seven zombies that have passed through the gap in the wall attack at their live opponents. It is only the zombie that is attacking Taro that manages to connect a blow.
It is now Korrani's turn! Taro is next!
<OOC> Korrani says, "Switch to longsword, slash at Zombie1" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon5: (7)+4: 11 Korrani switches to her longsword and slashes at a zombie while trying to evade their attacks. The blade arcs wide, but comes up short and misses in her haste.
It is now Taro's turn! Belladona is next!
<OOC> Taro will power attack again GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (19)+9: 28 GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+13: (1)+13: 14 Taro takes another hit, then smashes his axe into the undead in return. He's roaring now, blood streaming from his wounds, both new and reopened.
It is now Belladona's turn! Zombies is next!
<OOC> Belladona says, "Same as last time" GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (18)+4: 22 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6 (Confirming a threat: fail) GAME: Belladona rolls 1d6+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d4+2: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4 Belladona slahes open the first zombie along with a bite from Samafa. The lioness takes down one zombie and slashes at her claws with another hurting it.
It is now Zombies' turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (10)+6: 16 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (1)+6: 7 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14 The zombies begin to flail their arms at their live targets like wooden bats, intent on knocking them down. But none of their attacks manage to connect this round.
It is now Korrani's turn! Taro is next!
<OOC> Korrani says, "Slash ...hmm..the next zombie that's taken the most damage" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon5: (14)+4: 18 <OOC> Benthus says, "Yup, damage pls." GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (8)+2: 10 Korrani growls ferally and brings her sword up, then swings it down on a zombie, her blade cutting deeply. The zombie is still moving, though.
It is now Taro's turn! Belladona is next!
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (2)+9: 11
Round Four - Init 21.
It is now Belladona's turn! Zombies is next!
<OOC> Belladona says, "Slashes up some zombies." GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+5: (14)+5: 19 (Crit confirmed) GAME: Belladona rolls 2d6+12: (4)+12: 16 GAME: Belladona rolls 2d4+4: (5)+4: 9 Belladona rips her claws down the zombie's front and disembowels it. Samafa goes and misses with a bite, but she connects with two claws.
It is now Zombies' turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9 <OOC> Benthus says, "Korrani gets hit..." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10 GAME: You damaged Korrani for 10 points. 3 remaining. Only five of the seven zombies that manage to get through are still standing. One of them hits Korrani hard, nearly knocking her over.
It is now Korrani's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Korrani rolls weapon5: (17)+4: 21 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (7)+2: 9 <OOC> Benthus will let Korrani roll her attack when she gets back.
It is now Taro's turn! Belladona is next!
<OOC> Taro attacks! GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+9: (13)+9: 22 GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+13: (5)+13: 18 Taro shouldn't be standing at this point, but manages to bring his axe around to cut down another enemy.
It is now Belladona's turn! Zombies is next!
<OOC> Belladona says, "Same as before" GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+5: (20)+5: 25 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (8)+4: 12 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (12)+4: 16 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+4: (3)+4: 7 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22 (Crit confirmed) GAME: Belladona rolls 2d6+12: (5)+12: 17 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d4+2: (4)+2: 6 Belladona and Samafa are really teating into the zombies. Belladona's claws rip down their undead flesh as Samafa moves onto the next one taking a bite and clawing it hard.
It is now Zombies' turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 The lone Zombie attacks Korrani and misses...
It is now Korrani's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Korrani rolls weapon5: (19)+4: 23 GAME: Korrani rolls weapon5: (14)+4: 18 (Crit confirmed) GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (1)+2: 3 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (2)+2: 4 As a zombie lunges for Korrani, she lets out a fearsome shout as she drives her sword through its skull. She plants her foot in its chest and kicks it off her sword, then pivots on her foot with a backswing of her blade to slash the last zombie.
It is now Taro's turn! Belladona is next!
GAME: Taro rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13 GAME: Taro rolls 1d12+10: (2)+10: 12 Taro moves around behind the last zombie that made it through the wall, and smacks his axe into the monster's back. He bellows something incoherent but his meaning is clear enough given the context.
It is now Belladona's turn! Zombies is next!
<OOC> Belladona says, "We'll flank it." <OOC> Belladona says, "with PA for me" GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Belladona rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9 Belladona finish off the zombies around them and they move around to attack the zombie, but they just can't seem to connect.
It is now Zombies' turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "1 Taro 2 Korrani 3 Belladona 4 Samafa." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (1): 1 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6+4: (6)+4: 10 GAME: You damaged Taro for 10 points. -6 remaining. (DYING)
It is now Korrani's turn! Taro is next!
GAME: Korrani rolls weapon5: (9)+4: 13 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (8)+2: 10
With a snarl, Korrani lops the zombie's head clean from its shoulders. "Reinforce the gate, quickly!" she calls out to the goblin, oruch, and human forces once the breaching zombies are dispatched.
Taro sways one last time and then finally succumbs to his wounds. He falls over sideways.
Belladona pants heavily as she looks around for any more undead. She sees Taro fall and she shakes her head as she moves over to start to bind his wounds, "You've gotta learn to dodge."
As the last of the undead zombies is taken cared of by the adventurers, a temporary seal has been placed to block of the gap in the eastern wall. The bodies dead has been used as a make-shift seal to plug the hole.
The tension continues on until the first ray of the sun lights up the sky. The undead forces soon began departing the area of outside the camp.
The wounded are being gathered towards the healing tent, and the dead are being cremated so as not to risk undead rising from within the camp... As Belladona tends to Taro, Korrani heads for the healing tents to get tended to as well, having her own wounds that need tending. She listens to the conversations going on to try and get an idea of how this all got started.
"This thing goes on and on every night for so many nights." Says a human to the group. "I don't know how they keep their sanity, but they do." He is referring to the hobgoblins who are making the bulk of the camps armed forces...
Belladona looks to the others as she picks up Taro to bring him in to the healing tent. "What is the source of all this undead they just can't be coming out of thin air."
Taro is swathed in bandages at this point. He studies his axe briefly for signs of wear. Finding none in the enchanted metal, he grunts. "You do this every night? I wouldn 't call that sane."
"I also find it hard to believe Hildebrant didn't know about this," Korrani growls.
"They send scouts and patrols to search for resources so that we could maintain this camp, they are coming back with fewer and fewer supplies. The Merchants with their carts do their best to gather whatever resources they can find outside the camp. We need help badly here. Food, medicine, clothings, weapons, armours... If we don't get them soon, we will surely be overwhelmed by the undead's incessant attacks." Says another man.
Belladona frowns, "I'm sure he did, but he's done nothing about it. The best that I can do is tomorrow after I pray for my spells I can send out a tiny messanger to the druid's circle near Alexandria."
"Shouldn't we gather more reinforcements from the Guild?" Korrani asks, wiping the sweat from her brow.
The humans talk amongst themselves for a moment and then look at Belladona, "You know how to get to Alexandria, right? I know that you are tired and that the road back to the city is long. But if you can go back while there is still daylight, you may have a chance of getting to the city and tell them about our plight here."
After getting bandaged up, Korrani rises to her feet. "I'll go and spread word of what is happening here, and send more to aid here and find the cause of this," she volunteers.
Taro gives Korrani an incredulous look. "Good luck," he finally offers.
"If you're well enough, you can come with," Korrani smirks slightly at Taro.
Everyone in the camp is thankful for Korrani's bravery, but not too hopeful that she would be coming back with reinforcements. Or that she would ever come back, alive. But they opened the gates for her so that she can depart, closing it quickly behind her...
(End of Plot)