PrP: Dead Approaching
Log Info
- Title: Dead Approaching
- Emitter: Benthus
- Characters: Alba lvl2, Korrani lvl2, Aevarr lvl2, Lothos lvl5, Mel lvl5
- Place: Alexandria – outskirts of the city
- Time: Nov 2, 2014
- Summary: Events leading to Dire Discovery.
- APL: 3
- Encounter 1: 3 x Skeleton +2 HD, CR4
- Encounter 2: 1 x Wraith, CR5
(Start of Scene)
The offices of local law enforcers seem to be unusually busy. There appears to be several people queuing up for a meeting with one of the city's known investigative unit. You realize that the meetings are made in groups of six, with the six members being picked out randomly.
It goes on for a while until your name is called along with five others. As you step inside the office of one of the investigators, you note the person who is going to be your liaison for this mission. A small placard is sitting on top of the table with the name Caleb Dreher written on it. The investigator looks busy, stamping files and signing them while at the same time trying to usher the rest of you inside the small cramped room that is his office. He seems to be in a hurry, probably already trying to make for lost time with the previous group before you. "I guess you all know that we need some help in checking the city's boundary. We wouldn't be advertising it were it not that we have become unusually short staffed recently. I won't be lying to you, things have been bad here. Men who were supposed to be reporting back with news have not returned, and that is never good. You and your group have been recruited for this job as we fear for the safety of the city and the settlements that are located not far here. We want you to investigate some of the routes those patrols have taken and find out what has happened to them." He scans his papers and tries to pick a location for you and your group to investigate. Selecting one sheet of paper, he takes it out and says, "Route 22 was assigned to patrol group Stewart, Stewart being the one in-charge of that group. This is the route they were taking..." He hands a map which indicated the path the group was to follow in their patrol. "I want you and your group to locate the group and find out why they have not reported back to the city. Should you find them, tell them to report back to the city immediately, and that you will be the ones who will complete the patrol for them. Again, thank you for your assistance and you will be generously compensated for your troubles. The exit is to the door behind you." His speech sounds rehearsed, like he has been saying this particular line all day.
You and your companions file out of the room and then take a moment to discuss on what needs to be done...
Korrani strides out of the room as she peers over the map that another is holding. "This must be really bad for the patrols if the other five groups are doing similar work for other patrol groups," she mutters quietly to the others.
Mel mutters, "Hopefully we'll see whatever it is that happened to the last group and be ready for it." He shrugs. "Other than that, I dunno."
Lothos chuckles "Well, we can hope they just got held up by some nice farm woman offering them generous helping of pie. That would be a nice change of pace yes? Over you know, finding bloody parts all over the place. It’s never a shock anymore, kinda get desensitized to all that after a while."
Alba snorts, the noise muffled faintly by her mask. "The words have been trod over in his mouth until they taste flat and dusty," she says, tilting her head as a small scorpion skitters from the pouch at her hip, up one arm, and atop her head, stinger quivering. "Hn," she says, in agreement to some unspoken voice. "See, flee, return; this would be the course of wisdom." Not, by the sound of her voice, that she expects much in the way of that particular wisdom, even from herself.
"Surprise pie?" Korrani raises a heavy brow and flashes a toothy grin, displaying her small tusks. "That -would- be a nice change. Also wishful thinking. I hope this fantasty pie is cherry. Or sweet tuber pie." Korrani's head cranes over to regard Alba. "You have a poet's tongue, friend."
Lothos looks over at Alba...."You’re weird."
Mel winces at the idea of finding bloody parts. "Ugh, I could do without that, if it's all the same. Hopefully they just got stuck someplace, or something. An old warehouse or sewer tunnel," he supposes. "I think kidnappers with pie are a bit too much to hope for, sadly."
Lothos smiles though :)
"And you wear clothes like week-old dead skin," Alba rejoins, her words accented by the waving of pincers atop her head.
Lothos looks down at himself and nods, "Yes, yes, you are correct. My style has been something lacking of late, but really, who wants to dress in something tight, it’s bad for the circulation, and of course, I could go the other way and wear robes, but then they tangle up my feet and I trip."
"*Much* we shall possibly find," the Veyshanti says, rolling over Lothos' running commentary on the state and needs of his clothing, "but with many disappeared, and a speech given often to many groups of trail-hunters, pie is not among the possibly."
Lothos grunts, "You'd be surprised, we shall find them all having a lovely picnic..." he nods a few times, "I'm sure of it. A nice picnic.....granted....they might be the meal."
GAME: Mel rolls knowledge/local: (7)+10: 17 You paged Mel with 'Checking the map, you realize you are familiar with the route taken. You note that it passes along a region you have read to have been a place of great battles with the remains of the dead said to have piled high up to the heavens. You know that the latter part is not true, but what you know of is that that place is known for people seeing things that shouldn't be.'
Mel looks at the map, grimaces. "It's an area where people have seen bad things. Ancient battles went on there. It might be an undead area.
The group sets out of the city following the route that is supposedly taken by Group Stewart. You make your passage along the road with little in the way of concern. But then again, you are not far from the city yet and the area covered by the group extends to what appears to be a two-day journey.
The landscape gradually changes and the road you are on becomes a bit more rugged. Still, your patrol of the area is uneventful, with no signs of the group you are supposed to find. There are, however, people who inhabit the farms out here and those that you encounter wave at you in greeting. Some even talk to you and tell you about their concerns of the road. One of them even provided you with warm pumpkin pie.
You feel boredom creep inside your head as there is very little in the way of excitement on your travel. Just the stories being told by the people you meet. Stories of people seeing other people on the side of the road, but when they look at them again behind them they were gone. Stories of thick fog that you could slice with a knife with that would come in as quickly as it would go. A lot of scary stories that you have already heard about, thus your boredom.
You end your patrol a few hours after sunset, setting up camp and preparing to take shifts for the watch this evening.
Lothos finds a place to settle down, helping start the fire with a little spark magic. He looks over to Alba, "I've been meaning to ask. Why do you wear a mask, were you burned by acid or something?"
Mel yawns deeply and stretches his arms over his head. "Man, what a dull day," he remarks. "Same farmers, same stories. Every time a fog rolls in, its a mysterious fog. Even when nothing happens. It's just weather, though!" He seems annoyed by this. He'll help with the camp setting, which is something he seems familiar with, at least.
Korrani unshoulders her pack and sets it down, unfastening her bedroll. "Hey, at least we got pie. Now I'm thinking the picnic thing may still come true. Here's hoping," she smirks in amusement.
Lothos nods, "Exactly, this route has the best pie obviously, so they take it really slow and eat lots of pie."
Alba perches on the edge of the circle of firelight, picking apart a string of dried meat. One gets tucked into her mouth beneath the mask, another placed atop her head, for the scorpion to devour. "It is comfortable," she grunts, eyes locked on the wilderness outside of camp, "and useful. Many will wear them, in the fullness of time, we perhaps think." Her head tilts as Mel complains. "Fortunate, we, that such tales bring such dullness. Wished I to spread fear, to ambush watchful eyes, it would be thus; strangeness, repeated and harmless enough to dull the wits. Then, when guard is lowered, and not even cloaking fog may bring wariness..." A dagger is drawn, and stabbed deep into the dirt to finish the thought.
Lothos grins at Alba, "Are you a performer? Do you work at the theater? You have a real flair for the dramatic, at least you'll keep our boredom away."
(Group decided to have four shifts of two hours each. Alba goes first followed by Mel, Korrani and then Lothos.)
Mel grumbles as lots are drawn and he gets the midwatch. "That just figures," he mutters and pulls his bedroll close around him, going to sleep right away.
Korrani unfurls her bedroll and eats a slice of pie before laying down and getting some shut eye before her shift comes up.
Lothos shrugs, "I'm a spellcaster, I need my rest in one solid block, then I talk to my weasel in the morning."
"Sleep, then," Alba says, shifting on her haunches and setting another sliver of meat into her hair for her scorpion to eat. "I shall watch the dark, for now."
The group proceed to go to sleep for the evening with one person serving watch for two hours before replaced by another until the evening is over.
Unknown to the group, darkness brings with it many dangers, and an unseen dangers drifts into their location and settles upon everyone...
<OOC> Benthus says, "1 Alba 2 Mel 3 Korrani 4 Lothos" GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (4): 4 <OOC> Benthus says, "Lothos, please roll will save." GAME: Lothos rolls will: (11)+7: 18 You paged Lothos with 'A haze seems to settle over you during your watch and you feel your eyelids getting heavy. You feel like you are about to loose consciousness before you shake yourself awake again. It it then that you hear something creeping close to your camp. Very close to you...' Lothos shouts, "Get up!, Get up!" He then floats up into the air about 20 feet (barring tree limbs), he starts looking around to try to spot whatever it is he thinks he felt/saw. GAME: Lothos rolls initiative: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 22 GAME: Alba rolls initiative: Roll: 12 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 16 GAME: Korrani rolls initiative: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 17 GAME: Mel rolls initiative: Roll: 2 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 6 From afar, Alba reminds, +4 manually added to my init roll. GAME: Alba's initiative total changed to 20. GAME: Aevarr rolls initiative: Roll: 9 + Bonus: 9 = Total: 18 GAME: You roll initiative for Sleep. Sleep, forever...: Roll: 18 + Bonus: +4 = Total: 22
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | Name | Race | Class |E Lev| CHP | HP | AC |CMD |For |Ref |Wil | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |Alba |HUMAN |Bbn/Wtc | 2 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |Korrani |HALF-ORC |Rgr | 2 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 2 | |Lothos |HUMAN |Wtc | 5 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 7 | |Mel |HUMAN |Rog | 5 | 40 | 40 | 19 | 19 | 3 | 8 | 4 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is now Sleep. Sleep, forever’s turn! Lothos is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "Something attacks from the darkness, targetting Lothos..." GAME: Benthus rolls +6: (7)++6: 13 GAME: Benthus rolls +6: (16)++6: 22 GAME: Benthus rolls +6: (1)++6: 7 You paged Lothos with 'You see red eyes staring at your from the darkness, and then they lounge at you with their feral claws.' GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4+2: (2)+2: 4 GAME: You damaged Lothos for 4 points. 24 remaining.
In the light you see them. Skeletons armed with razor sharp claws. One of them manages to hurt Lothos.
It is now Lothos' turn! Alba is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Lothos ended. <OOC> Lothos says, "Ok, well, move action: float 20 feet up. So I can’t be clawed by skeletons. I am using my once a day levitate witch ability. I can fly too, but I'll save that until necessary." <OOC> Lothos says, "And, I'll cast Flaming Sphere and have it on one of the skeletons." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (4)+4: 8 <OOC> Benthus says, "No crits." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 3d4+6: (6)+6: 12 GAME: You damaged Lothos for 12 points. 12 remaining. GAME: Lothos casts Flaming Sphere. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6 GAME: Lothos rolls 3d6: (14): 14
Lothos is not amused by all the things that attack him, he hollered for everyone to wake up, but apparently he wasn't fast enough to get away. He gets several scrapes from claws, tearing into him severely before he manages to float up out of reach. He mutters a few arcane words and a ball of flame appears on the ground next to a skeleton, burning it with fire!
It is now Alba's turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Alba ended. You paged Alba with 'You awaken from a haze which seem to have been broken by Lothos shout for the group. You find it almost difficult to wake, but you manage to do so. You find Lothos flying in the air and what appears to be three skeletal figures huddled around one spot. One of the skeletons is being burned by a ball of fire.' Alba pages: Are they between me and other sleepers? You paged Alba with 'just around Lothos where he is flying now.' <OOC> Alba shall echo Lothos' efforts; Burning Hands. GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Alba casts Burning Hands. Caster Level: 1 DC: 14 GAME: Alba rolls 1d4: (4): 4
Alba stirs at the shout, sleep holding on tightly... until the scorpion skitters out of her pouch, closing a pincer on the meaty part of her calf, which jolts her far enough awake to climb to her feet without fully opening her eyes. When the skeletons do register, she shakes the remaining tendrils of sleep from her mind, placing her hands together and barking out a sharp, crackling word. A sheet of fire bursts forth from her hands with a quiet, deep WHUMPH, scorching the bony attackers, but little else.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aevarr ended.
Aevarr did not wind up on a watch shift solely do to his lack of volunteering. An easy task with a good night's rest with pay. The perfect assignment. Save that the sleep is rudely interrupted by yelling and bloodshed. He rouses with some difficulty, but once conscious, he rapidly climbs to his feet. Aevarr grabs his shield as he does so, as it is better than nothing.
It is now Korrani's turn! Mel is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Korrani ended.
Mmmmm, it's nice warm and cozy near the fire. Really cozy. And then REALLY warm. And then Lothos' shout rings out. Snore. Snort. Korrani's eyes fly open and she sits bolt upright. "Hu-whaa??" It's not quite Tradespeak. She leans forward and rolls onto the balls of her feet in a crouch, reaches for her shield and warhammer, then rises to a stand and looks around alertly to find out what was the cause of the alarm.
It is now Mel's turn! Sleep. Sleep, Forever... is next!
Mel is up when Lothos shouts the alarm, though groggy and looks around for enemies to face. "What? Who? What's going on!" he asks tensely around a yawn. Seeing the skeletons as soon as the glare from the flames dies down, he'll reach out for the shortsword for what good it will do. He's no warrior, though, so it looks a bit comical, fighting off the blankets and pulling out his blade.
It is now Sleep. Sleep, forever...'s turn! Lothos is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "1 Alba 2 Mel 3 Korrani 4 Lothos 5 Aevarr" GAME: Benthus rolls 1d5: (4): 4 <OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, the skeletons are dumb and they try to claw at the floating Lothos..."
The skeletons continue to swing their razor sharp claws at the floating Lothos...
It is now Lothos' turn! Alba is next!
GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 <OOC> Lothos says, "Ok, then I won't bother moving it this round, leave it there to burn again. Then I'll use my rod of reach+Shocking grasp to hit another one." GAME: Lothos rolls 3d6 (Burn): (11 (Burn)): 11 GAME: Lothos casts Shocking Grasp. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Lothos rolls ranged: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Lothos rolls 5d6: (14): 14
Lothos hollers in the air, bleeding, "Hammocks! I'm going to bring a hammock and start sleeping in the trees!!!" The flaming sphere sits there and burns, the stupid skeleton finally falling apart. Then lothos points a rod at another and chants a few words, an arc of electricity flying out and zapping the skeleton until it shatters into pieces. "Bah!!"
It is now Alba's turn! Aevarr is next!
GAME: Alba casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 1 DC: 14 Her first magical assault... less than fully useful... Alba takes a step back, head turning to the scorpion climbing up to her shoulder for a brief instant. Nodding, she slaps a hand over her chest, and with a word summons a shimmering, oily film of force around her, hands dropping to the daggers at her belt.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Aevarr rolls melee: (6)+4: 10
Aevarr steps up to the remaining singed skeleton and thrusts his shield for its jaw. Unfortunately, the remnants of sleep still have his eyes heavy-lidded and his balance poor. His shield pushes only air.
It is now Korrani's turn! Mel is next!
GAME: Korrani rolls weapon9: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Korrani rolls weapon9: (16)+4: 20 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (5)+2: 7 GAME: Korrani rolls 1d8+2: (4)+2: 6
The sleepy half-oruchess marches over to the skeleton and stares at it with bleary eyes. Korrani opens her mouth wide in a yawn, letting out a tired yowling sound as she raises her warhammer. Whack Thwack Crack! She brings it down swiftly a few times and pulverizes the skeleton before her. Afterwards, she rests the warhammer against her shoulder and looks around.
Lothos hovers in the air a bit, still bleeding and muttering. "Well....if it was pie, it was really really bad pie." He grimaces and looks around, "Anyone here a healer or do I need to do it myself?"
The remains of the group’s skeletal foes lie strewn across their campsite. It was not so apparent before their destruction, but now that they are no longer moving, the tattered trappings of an Alexandrian guard are visible. It is visible on all the three broken remains. One of the uniforms still bears a name tag. It is labelled ‘Stuart’.
Mel has done a grand total of nothing during the fight, but he does notice something strange. "Hey, I ... think we might have found what we were looking for." he announces, using the tip of his blade to tap the badge remaining on the skeleton.
Once the final skeleton falls, never to arise again, the masked Veyshanti crouches by the heap of bones. "Healing I know not," she says, tugging a square of metal free from the tatters of cloth hanging off the bone-pile, "but this, I do." As Mel taps at the badge on another, she looks up, nodding once, slowly. "Collect these, we ought; the Guard in the City will wish proof of his peoples' fate."
Korrani yawns again and smacks her lips a few times as she looks around at the skeletons. "What do you mean? Wait, you mean these are...how can that be? They weren't missing long enough to be turned to just bone..." "If someone with the power to raise them killed them," Aevarr notes absently, "flesh and time don't terribly matter..."
Lothos grunts "There are nasty magics you can clean off the flesh if necessary. Though it would be odd they still have the clothing, I'm guessing some nasty magics or nasty creature did this. Either way, something bad is out here."
Mel nods at what Alba suggests, and cuts free the badge and name tag from the skeleton, as evidence of having found them. He shrugs to Korrani, and says, "Magic is strange, so who can say what is possible. But we see what is, so ...." he trails off, cutting free the badges and nametags. He nods at what Lothos says. "Nasty."
"... stripped of their flesh... their bodies desecrated..." (a whispery voice out in the darkness) DM pose
Aevarr smirks as he adds to Korrani, "Speaking of raising and death, remind me to use a very long switch should I need to rouse you in the future..."
GAME: Lothos casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Lothos rolls 1d8+5: (4)+5: 9
Korrani smirks back at Aevarr. "It better be long enough for you to be out of range of my arrows, then," she quips back.
Lothos raises a hand, "Hush!" He looks out, "Something’s out there..."
Mel freezes at Lothos's warning, looking around warily, squinting into the darkness as far as he can.
"A sharp knife and the span of some hours, also would serve," Alba notes, passing her badge into Mel's hands. "Wise we would be, now, to return to the City and speak to the Guard--" Which point Lothos calls her attention to the darkness beyond their camp. "...But it is likely wisdom shall find us later," she mutters quietly.
Aevarr actually goes silent at the warning. He looks and listens, while stepping back to his bedroll. Armor would be a good idea, though he waits to see if he notices anything before donning it.
"...Stripped..." DM pose
"...Desecrated..." DM pose
"...return to me..." DM pose
A single stray wind swirls around the camp, wrapping itself around everyone for a brief moment before moving away...
Lothos narrows his eyes, looking around, and down at the skeletons to make sure they didn't just vanish with the wind. He is wary, and ready to cast should the need arise.
Everyone feels unusually encouraged or made brave by the touch of the wind (+2 to saves against fear effects). Unknown by the group at this moment, the weapon to which they wielded in attacking the skeletons glows faintly and then subsides.
Mel takes the badge he's handed, and says to Alba, "But we were told to complete the other group's patrol route, so ... perhaps we'd better finish that, /then/ go back. These fellas aren't going to get any worse, really..." He looks at the bodies warily, in case they stop being dead. Again.
"Yeah, -they- aren't. What about us?" Korrani asks as she gazes out into the darkness where the voices came from. Lothos finally floats back to the ground, "We need to continue the patrol, and then report back. Something’s going on out here, and there is no telling how long it would take us to find and solve it. So, we complete the patrol, and report so folks know what’s going on."
"Whatever caused this is still out there," Aevarr points out. "They didn't trip and fall into being undead. Is this all of the group?"
<OOC> Benthus says, "It is a couple of hours before dawn. It is still dark."
Alba nods in agreement as well, her scorpion crawling nimbly down her arm and slipping under the flap of her pouch. "A wise plan, this; who next was set to watch the night?"
Lothos looks at the skeletons, "One short it appears, lets wait till dawn and continue. We should should also warn anyone we pass while finishing the patrol to stay inside at night."
Mel nods in agreement with Lothos, on both counts. "Yes, let's get some more rest and finish this up. Then we get paid, and someone else can come out here and solve the problems. Or it can be us again, getting paid again." This makes him happy, and he sheaths his short sword, then crawls back into his bedroll.(re)
Lothos grimaces, "I suggest we all stay awake till dawn. Then if we can't finish the patrol, we camp early. I think something out there tried to put me to sleep, I felt oddly groggy. We should make tomorrow shifts of three hours. Longer camp time, but more rest per person."
Lothos nods, "I suggest four shifts of three hours when we camp next, but, the third shift, will have two people to compensate for the break in sleep cycle. Less chance of error."
Aevarr gives Korrani a casual smile. "I'd be honoured to assist, and I'm already dressed." He turns a shrug to the others.
GAME: Korrani rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 23
GAME: Alba rolls initiative: Roll: 10 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 14
GAME: Alba's initiative total changed to 18.
GAME: Mel rolls initiative: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 24
GAME: You roll initiative for Spawn of the night!: Roll: 2 + Bonus: +5 = Total: 7
GAME: Aevarr rolls initiative: Roll: 6 + Bonus: 9 = Total: 15
GAME: Lothos rolls initiative: Roll: 20 + Bonus: 4 = Total: 24
It is now Mel's turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Mel rolls perception: (9)+11: 20 You paged Mel with 'You can't see too far out in the darkness, but you sense something approaching your group. And it is not making any foot noises at all.' From afar, Mel will get out a javelin and ready to throw if I can see what it is and it's within 30 ft. You paged Mel with 'You sense it is about 40 feet away. Whatever it is.' Mel pages: All right. Readying an action to throw, then
Mel mutters distractedly, "Something's out there. I ... can't hear it. But I know it." He rolls to his feet and gets a javelin from his quiver, holding it ready.
It is now Lothos' turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Lothos ended. GAME: You damaged Lothos for -9 points. 21 remaining. GAME: Lothos rolls perception+2(alertness familiar): (2)+6+2(alertness familiar): 8 <OOC> Lothos says, "Move action. Fly 25 feet up into the air. I ain't get scratched again"
Lothos isn't taking any chances, at the warning he simply flies up into the air and hovers at about 25 Feet up. "See, this is also why I don’t wear robes, harder to fly."
It is now Korrani's turn! Alba is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Korrani ended.
Korrani backpedals a few steps to her pack and points out in a direction with her hammer. "40 feet that way. It's coming towards us! Something ghostly looking," she warns as she drops her hammer and shield down and picks up her bow and quiver.
It is now Alba's turn! Aevarr is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Alba ended. GAME: Alba rolls perception: (19)+7: 26 From afar, Alba would like to huck a vial of Alchemist's Fire at it. :D GAME: Alba used a Alchemist's Fire. <OOC> Benthus will give you a freebie. It hits the mark. Pose setting fire to the ground where the creature is standing.
Dropping into a crouch, the Veyshanti's mask turns toward Korrani's hand, following the light of sight into the blackness. A low, frustrated hiss is heard, as she peers into the gloom... and the faint *tink* of chitin on glass distracts her. Breathing a quiet cackle, she draws a vial of red, goopy oil from her pouch, and hurls it toward the mark with a wide, sweeping throw. The vial shatters, and roaring flames leap up from the point of impact, illuminating a legless, spectral shape with glowing red eyes... and an apparent immunity to fire.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Spawn Of The Night! is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Aevarr ended. GAME: Aevarr rolls knowledge/religion+3: (14)+5+3: 22 You paged Aevarr with 'It is a wraith. And you know that it is immune to all normal damages. And magical only does half damage. If anything right now, you pray that sunlight arrives earlier than later. Much, much earlier.'
Aevarr peers at the shadow light by the flames. Flames that do not burn and confirm his suspicion. "Wraith! Weapons won't harm it without magic, and even then it's minimal. Don't let it touch you!"
It is now Spawn of the night!'s turn! Mel is next!
Wraith makes a piercing shriek at the group (fear spell ‘cast’ on group) GAME: Alba rolls will+2: (10)+4+2: 16 GAME: Korrani rolls will+2: (1)+2+2: 5 GAME: Lothos rolls will+2: (9)+7+2: 18 GAME: Mel rolls will+2: (12)+4+2: 18 GAME: Aevarr rolls will+2: (20)+6+2: 28 <OOC> Benthus says, "Okay, so for everyone with the exception of Korrani. The dark creatures' shrill scream does not affect you. Korrani, however, is frightened but due to the wind earlier she is just shaken (-2 to all rolls) for..." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d4: (3): 3 <OOC> Benthus says, "3 rounds."
It is now Mel's turn! Lothos is next!
<OOC> Mel says, "I can't do anything. I'll throw the javelin, just to ... take part, I guess." GAME: Mel rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27 GAME: Mel rolls 2d6+4: (11)+4: 15
Mel hurls the javelin at range, since the thing's getting no closer. He doesn't really have any feeling of being able to hurt it with a mundane weapon, but the thing seems to feel pain from the javelin. More than he would have expected.
It is now Lothos' turn! Korrani is next!
GAME: Lothos rolls spellcraft: (9)+13: 22 GAME: Aevarr rolls spellcraft: (4)+5: 9 GAME: Alba rolls spellcraft: (18)+7: 25 You paged (Alba, Lothos) with 'You both realize that the weapons you are using now seem to be coated with some divine property. It is temporary but it would be able to bypass the incorporeal immunity the wraith has.' GAME: Lothos rolls ranged: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Lothos rolls ranged: (18)+6: 24 GAME: Lothos rolls 12d6: (47): 47
Lothos pulls out his rod, "I think we were blessed, our weapons seem, holy." He flies up and then points his rod. "But, I don't use weapons!" He then mutters some arcane words and electricity arcs out to hit the spirit, doing, significant damage.
It is now Korrani's turn! Alba is next!
<OOC> Korrani says, "Well, the javelin helped. I'm going to shoot it with an arrow in irrational fear" GAME: Korrani rolls weapon6+2: (18)+2+-2: 18
Korrani's hands shake as she draws back her bow. Her arm trembles. She loses an arrow and it skitters past the wraith as it wings a nearby tree and spins off into the darkness.
It is now Alba's turn! Aevarr is next!
Alba holds action.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Spawn Of The Night! is next!
Aevarr pages: NM. That's a swift. I'll delay.
Aevarr has his shield and whip, but he's uncertain what will affect it, blessed nature or not. On top of that, neither can reach the forty plus foot distance. So he waits.
It is now Spawn of the night!'s turn! Mel is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "1 Mel 2 Lothos 3 Alba 4 Korrani 5 Aevarr" GAME: Benthus rolls 1d5: (2): 2 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6: (6): 6 GAME: You damaged Lothos for 6 points. 15 remaining. GAME: Lothos rolls fort: (18)+4: 22
The Wraith flies towards Lothos and touches him with its ghostly appendages. It does him harm but it is unable to drain his health away.
It is now Mel's turn! Lothos is next!
GAME: Mel rolls 1d20+7: (16)+7: 23
Mel reins in his surprise and since it worked before, he'll reach down to the scabbard thing on one hip and draw another javelin since he can't melee with it up there in the air with Lothos. He hurls the javelin as hard as he can, and watches it sail though the creature. "Well, damn," he mutters, looking to the others in case they have any idea. "Is there a way I can hurt this thing?" he wonders aloud.
It is now Lothos' turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Lothos says, "Ok, 5 foot step flying down/back. Closer to team. Then I'll misfortune him. DC 17 will save." GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (6)+6: 12
Lothos floats backward carefully, moving down, he glares at the creature. "You dare touch me! I shall turn fate against your ruined spirit and crush it!"
It is now Korrani's turn! Alba is next!
Korrani holds action.
It is now Alba's turn! Aevarr is next!
Alba holds action.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Spawn Of The Night! is next!
GAME: Aevarr rolls weapon2: (8)+0: 8
Aevarr moves up beneath the flying shadow, unfurling the length of woven leather at his hip. A sharp flick of arm and wrist upwards sends the tip... just a few inches shy. Though it does make an impressive, sharp sound.
It is now Spawn of the night!'s turn! Mel is next!
<OOC> Benthus says, "1 Mel 2 Lothos 3 Alba 4 Korrani 5 Aevarr" GAME: Benthus rolls 1d5: (5): 5 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+6: (11)+6: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6: (5): 5 GAME: You damaged Aevarr for 5 points. 9 remaining. GAME: Aevarr rolls fort: (15)+4: 19
The wraith ignores Lothos and flies back to the ground and attacks Aevarr, causing negative energy damage to him but no constitution drain.
It is now Mel's turn! Lothos is next!
Mel makes a quick calculation, then dashes for the javelin he threw at first, that one, at least, seemed to hurt the creature. Grabbing that one again, he turns and looks upwards to try and re-acquire the target.
It is now Lothos' turn! Korrani is next!
<OOC> Lothos says, "I shall move action Cackle to keep up misfortune. Then use Rod of Reach + Bestow Curse (last use of rod of reach)" GAME: Lothos casts Bestow Curse. Caster Level: 5 DC: 18 GAME: Lothos rolls ranged: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d20+4: (9)+4: 13
Lothos floats in the air, turning as the creature moves away from him, then he laughs, a loud cackling laugh. "You think to flee from me!" He points is rod at the creature, muttering arcane words and a bolt of black energy springs forth to wrap around the spirit. "Now! Suffer my wrath!"
It is now Korrani's turn! Alba is next!
GAME: Korrani rolls wis: (16)+wis: 16
Korrani remembers Lothos' words and realizes it was the hammer she was using earlier. She crouches down to set down her bow and picks up her shield and warhammer.
It is now Alba's turn! Aevarr is next!
Alba holds action.
It is now Aevarr's turn! Spawn Of The Night! is next!
GAME: Aevarr rolls wisdom: (3)+3: 6 GAME: Aevarr rolls melee: (20)+4: 24 GAME: Aevarr rolls 2d3+6: (6)+6: 12
Aevarr is touched by the creature, despite his best attempts to duck and weave. Ironic, as it is after he warned others to avoid the same. In response, he swings his shield in a fanning swing through the creature that seems to scatter the shadowy form like smoke. "Hands off!"
The camp is quiet...
Except for your heavy breathing.
(Mel) “Pantpantpant.” He holds his javelin ready, but there seem to be no monsters to throw them out just now. He'll wait, ready, a little longer. Korrani is still trembling as she holds her warhammer at the ready, expecting something else to jump out of the darkness at any moment.
"...We go," Alba says, sullen voice subdued as the Wraith bursts into rapidly fading wisps. "Now, else more seek to make our fate theirs." Lothos hovers in the air, his laughter dying slowly out and down to a chuckle, "Well....that was certain exciting. It does seem I was wrong about the picnic." He grins a bit.
"...Run..." DM pose
"...Flee..." DM pose
"...Towards the sun..." DM pose
(Again, that whispery voice in the air)
GAME: Lothos rolls perception+2: (2)+6+2: 10 GAME: Alba rolls perception: (6)+7: 13 GAME: Korrani rolls perception: (20)+7: 27 GAME: Mel rolls perception: (13)+11: 24 GAME: Aevarr rolls perception: (11)+3: 14
You paged (Korrani, Mel) with 'You hear small branches snap and the sound of faint chattering noises. It sounds like a lot of it. Creeping slowly towards your position.'
It is very quiet in the camp now...
Mel takes his javelin and pivots towards where he'd heard the sound of branches snapping. "Over there!" he says in an urgent whisper that he's pretty sure will carry to his allies, gesturing in the appropriate direction with his javelin as he prepares to hurl it again.
Korrani shoulders her bow and gathers up her belongings. There's no way she's going to sleep now. Suddenly, while hunkered down, her head lifts like a dog that just heard some alarming sound. Her head turns int he direction of the sound, just as Mel points it out. "Something's approaching slowly. I hear...chattering and snapping branches or twigs."
"We go," Alba repeats, hefting her pack, glaring over her shoulder at Mel. "So eager for dead blood, you, perfectly wise advice you ignore?"
"Does anyone else think the disembodied voice is giving good advice?" Aevarr asks aloud? "As fun as fighting phantoms has been, I'd rather not become one..."
Lothos lands for a moment, apparently only able to fly in a short burst. "Towards the sun, east....let’s just go east....now." And he starts that way, cause, well he ain't waiting.
Mel says to Alba, "There's a difference between retreat and run away. A retreat is calculated so you don't get hit in the back while you're doing it." So that he's facing and watching the direction of the noise as he grabs up his things with his one free hand and makes to run off with the others.
And so the intrepid adventurers begin running as fast as they can for as long as they can heading east, trying to outpace the restless undead that is now pursuing them...
GAME: Korrani rolls con: (6)+con: 6 GAME: Korrani rolls constitution: (2)+2: 4 GAME: Korrani rolls constitution: (11)+2: 13 GAME: Korrani rolls constitution: (20)+2: 22 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6: (4): 4 (Subdual damage) GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6: (1): 1 (Subdual damage)
GAME: Alba rolls constitution: (10)+1: 11 GAME: Alba rolls constitution: (16)+1: 17 GAME: Alba rolls constitution: (8)+1: 9 GAME: Alba rolls constitution: (5)+1: 6 GAME: Benthus rolls 2d6: (6): 6 (Subdual damage)
GAME: Lothos rolls constitution: (13)+2: 15 GAME: Lothos rolls constitution: (20)+2: 22 GAME: Lothos rolls constitution: (16)+2: 18 GAME: Lothos rolls constitution: (7)+2: 9 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6: (4): 4 (Subdual damage)
GAME: Mel rolls constitution: (8)+2: 10 GAME: Mel rolls constitution: (19)+2: 21 GAME: Mel rolls constitution: (11)+2: 13 GAME: Mel rolls constitution: (2)+2: 4 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6: (6): 6 (Subdual damage)
GAME: Aevarr rolls constitution: (16)+1: 17 GAME: Aevarr rolls constitution: (7)+1: 8 GAME: Aevarr rolls constitution: (13)+1: 14 GAME: Aevarr rolls constitution: (16)+1: 17 GAME: Benthus rolls 1d6: (2): 2 (Subdual damage)
Lothos runs, and runs, luckily, he doesn't carry a ton of gear. He also is fairly fit, if a bit weak muscle wise. Eventually he will tire, but he does keep running.
Mel is panting a bit, breathing hard as he dashes off with the others, but not willing to slow down. He's in pretty good shape, so .... And he's done forced marches before; he's no stranger to the feeling of numbness in his thighs. He's managed to repack his gear while moving, having stuffed the javelin in his hip-quiver reluctantly so he can use both hands. "I think we're away from that, yeah?" he asks. Luckily, the rest seems to go without incident. He's very stiff in the shoulders by the time they return, though!
Korrani makes a run for it with the others. A reverse advance made in haste. She's still tired from the lack of sleep between her shift and the sudden attack. Obviously she's spent too much time enjoying the high life in fancy inns, because the marathon sprint leaves her legs and lungs burning as she pants raggedly.
Aevarr is not used to retreating quite so fast and through such troubling terrain. That, with his injury from the wraith leaves him rather winded and tired when they do finally reach the dawn.
The light of dawn comes as a welcome respite for the group for those that were chasing them have stopped. The faint, hollow groans of frustration can be heard from the pursuing undead as they watch their prey bask in the morning sun. The shamble swiftly towards the darkened areas of their surrounding and wait silently for another unsuspecting group to come their way.
The recently recruited patrol group head back to the city and report their findings of their patrol. Caleb doesn't look happy with the information, but he does not look surprised either. He doesn't offer much of information to the group, instead thanking them for their efforts and informing them that their pay is waiting for them outside.
While the city and the people who have taken an interest with this troubling development ponder on what to do next, an army of undead slowly creep into the darkened areas of its outskirts...
(End of plot... for now)