"Are you certain you're going to be able to pull them from far enough away?" Velyra gives the gnome a skeptical look as they walk. "My magic is fairly loud, I know from experience how well it attracts them."
Silthras smiles and laughs, "Aren't we all?" he says before his smile softens and becomes more wistful. After a moment he continues. "More seriously...yes. Yes I am."
"An elf. Elirion. A friend and mentor -- friend only, sadly, though not for want of trying" he says, his smile broadening, "Somehow she was resistant to my undeniable charms. Yet I know she takes lovers -- just not her students it seems. Too ethical, most likely."
He glances around around the walls of their shed, then out the windows before continuing. "She went missing. A year or more ago, I am told. She likes her comforts, so that's not really in keeping -- she sends people to investigate, never goes herself. I got word she had been seen here. Now it seems that the message was garbled" he says, shaking his head.
"So...well... now I have some vague promises of further help from Sybil, and four villages that seem to need help...I doubt I will get the former without doing the latter."
"Are you certain you're going to be able to pull them from far enough away?" Velyra gives the gnome a skeptical look as they walk. "My magic is fairly loud, I know from experience how well it attracts them."
Usul chuckles and says “We can create any sound.” He then snaps his fingers a few times in repetition as the sounds of thunder, a scream, laughter, a crash... all quietly appear near them. Going in to the building and leading Muad out he says “and we can do it while riding with no problem.” He then pauses and says seriously “Muad here must also be lifted up! He may be fast and soft to the touch. But climbing is not one of his skills. And we cannot leave him behind.
"If you're that confident." Velyra says with a shrug, unconvinced. At Usul's insistence that the dog be taken inside as well, she nods once more. "Of course. As I said, we can tie the rope around him and lift him up. We can probably do that with you on his back so long as you can tie a good knot quickly."
After retrieving the ever loyal Muad, Velyra and Usul make their way to the town's eastern entrance. Passing through the plaza containing the apothecary, they would notice the number of undead in the area has dropped to around ten, and none seemed to be too concerned with the building in question anymore.
Retracing Usul's path coming in, they follow the path north and make it to the eastern road undetected, successfully exiting the town. Though Usul leads Velyra back to the spot he had left his companions, when he arrives he finds them missing.
To the west, the sun has begun to dip below the horizon.
"Maybe she's investigating something that she doesn't trust other people with." Kal says with a shrug, "in any case, I hope Sybil is able to help you find her after this."
Seeing their Gnomish companion accompanied by an unfamiliar face, he'll nudge Silthras and point. "Looks like our little friend is alive after all. Hopefully with good news for us." He extracts himself from their hiding space and leaves the storage shed, walking out to meet the two approaching. "We were beginning to worry about you, how does the town look?"
Seeing the unmistakable form of the gnome and his dog, Silthras cautiously emerges from their shack. He checks out the new companion as he moves forward.
"So...complications? We waited for you to distract them...instead you made friend?" he says. As he gets close, he bows slightly, "Silthras Greyhame, and this..." he says, turning back to the knight, "...is Kal...knight, and -- I assume -- gentleman. And you are?"
Velyra gives the two additions a quick once over before glancing at the setting sun. With a slight panic beginning to show in her eyes, she makes a quick slashing motion with her hand, "Velyra Arnketh. Introductions must be kept short, we need to move now. Come with me."
(assuming they follow)The elf will turn on her heel and immediately start back towards the town, explaining the plan she and Usul had come up with along the way. After they reach the town outskirts once more, she'll search for a nearby building they could suitably hide in.
The first stars begin to appear in the sky with the arrival of dusk. Your party is able to reach the first building Usul had come across earlier without problems. The door has been busted in, but it provides an easy place to hide, and for certain has no undead in it. There is another building of the same kind on the north side with the door still on the hinges, though it hasn't been searched yet.
A reminder of this house: "Standing on his toes to peer inside the window, he would see a simple abode with few furnishings. Consisting of a single room, containing a bed, desk, some shelves, and a chest at the foot of the bed. On the opposite wall, you can see the door has been busted off of its hinges. Clothes, gear, and random objects are strewn across the floor - indications of a struggle. The chest at the foot of the bed is closed, and you can see it is secured by a simple iron lock."
If you wish to search for buildings deeper in town to hide in, I'll do a group stealth check(for group checks, only half need to succeed).
Any final preparations before we start the excitement? ;)
Silthras looks dubiously around the room, "At least the undead aren't like an army -- they don't loot and burn. There's something for people to come back to, if we ever find a way to stop them" he says.
In preparation, he utters a few words in a language full of gutteral sounds, and brings one fist to hist chest in what seems like a salute. As he does so, the room cools slightly and an icy layer forms across his armour and then quickly disappears. The only hint of it's continuing existence being the cold, and a slight mist that forms around him when he is still.
He then concentrates for a brief moment, before ensuring his shield is properly set and his weapon or wand are accessible, before gesturing to the door. "Shall we?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the team finalizes their plans, and scouts from the building, Usul can’t really resist, and sends his invisible mage hand over to the chest holding his thieves tools to try to pick it open ((13)) while he listens to the others prepare.
((that’s pretty low...)) if it fails he just internally sighs and pulls the mage hand with his tools back, and pretends as if nothing has happened.
"I suppose if things go south, holding the entrance won't be too difficult."Kal says, hunkering down with the others. Once their plan is set into motion, if he can, he'll prop the door up on the frame to somewhat close the opening.
Once everyone is ready, Velyra gives a solemn nod, then walks out into the crossroad and casts Thunderwave, quickly retreating back into the home. "Go Usul! Remember, don't get cornered!"
Usul, mounting on Muad, rides out into the street, Dib riding on the dog’s head. At the first smell of undead Dib wrinkles his nose and quickly disappears into Usul’s cloak. Usul then starts riding Muad around in circles acting as if he were in a Rodeo, and having a grand ‘ol time. Pointing his fingers into random directions to cause illusionary sounds appear. Once the undead start to gather he waits until they are almost too close, giving the others a bit of a fright, before jetting off at full speed ((80ft per round)) in the direction away from the apothecary, continuing his finger gun illusions, and circling, but never stopping, when necessary to keep the undead close.
———— queue montage ————
Once the amount of time they had discussed passes, as he finds himself well away from the Inn, he puts his heels into Muad to race to the Inn as quickly as possible, leaving the undead stumbling around in the dust.
The air splits open with a thunderous crack as Velyra casts her spell, echoing briefly between the buildings. She hurries back to the home they had chosen, with Kal propping the broken door against the frame to provide cover. Carrying Usul, Muad trots out onto the street, prepared to sprint at a moment's notice. An eerie silence follows. Half a minute passes.
A few of the undead lumber out from between the buildings, growling as they slowly close in on the gnome and his mastiff. Seconds later, a cacophony of low moans can be heard as a massive hoard approaches from the western road. A much smaller, but still substantive group of the walking dead stumbles up the street from the south, while very few can be seen coming from the northern road. Random sounds pop off around the crossroad, thunder, screams, laughs, drawing the zombies in. As one of the undead stumbles close, swiping at the gnome with a rotted fist, Usul ducks under the blow while Muad jets off down the north road, dodging the few that stand in his way. The groups of undead combine into one hoard, groaning as they shamble after the gnome.
After a minute passes, the crossroad has cleared, and the rest of the party slips out of their hiding place and heads south, towards the apothecary...
Usul(you thought you were done making decisions. ;P)
As you ride through the unfamiliar town, occasionally creating illusionary sounds, you begin to wonder if there is simply no end to the undead numbers. The horde behind you continues to grow in size as you pass more and more, some getting uncomfortably close as you come around a corner or dodge around a building. With adrenaline pumping through your veins, you aren't quite certain how much time has passed when you come to another crossroads, a little over half a dozen residences and buildings spread around you. You take a moment to take in your surroundings.
To the west(a path which seems to circle back towards the town center), five of the undead shuffle towards you. To the east(leading to the eastern outskirts), a larger group approaches, almost completely blocking the path. To the north(leading further north, eventually to hitting the town outskirts), a few stand in your way, but not so much that you couldn't easily slip past them. The ever growing horde growls hungrily behind you, closing the distance as you consider your next move...
"map"
Velyra Kal Silthras
To Velyra, this is the most quiet and empty she's seen the town since she's arrived. A few the walking dead can be spotted as you move quickly down the road, either trapped in buildings, or so badly damaged that they can do little more than crawl. Your group quickly arrives in the plaza containing the apothecary, without another creature besides yourselves in sight...
Looking at the horde surrounding him, Usul will start North hoping that heading out and then looping back in will give his companions enough time to get to the Inn, as well as pulling the horde far enough away that when he jets into town he should have enough of a gap between them and his destination.
As they enter the plaza, Kal moves towards the apothecary, giving the door an experimental shove. "We needed something in here, right?"If the door doesn't budge, he'll slam into it with his full weight to try and force it open.
"Are you certain you're going to be able to pull them from far enough away?" Velyra gives the gnome a skeptical look as they walk. "My magic is fairly loud, I know from experience how well it attracts them."
Silthras smiles and laughs, "Aren't we all?" he says before his smile softens and becomes more wistful. After a moment he continues. "More seriously...yes. Yes I am."
"An elf. Elirion. A friend and mentor -- friend only, sadly, though not for want of trying" he says, his smile broadening, "Somehow she was resistant to my undeniable charms. Yet I know she takes lovers -- just not her students it seems. Too ethical, most likely."
He glances around around the walls of their shed, then out the windows before continuing. "She went missing. A year or more ago, I am told. She likes her comforts, so that's not really in keeping -- she sends people to investigate, never goes herself. I got word she had been seen here. Now it seems that the message was garbled" he says, shaking his head.
"So...well... now I have some vague promises of further help from Sybil, and four villages that seem to need help...I doubt I will get the former without doing the latter."
Usul chuckles and says “We can create any sound.” He then snaps his fingers a few times in repetition as the sounds of thunder, a scream, laughter, a crash... all quietly appear near them. Going in to the building and leading Muad out he says “and we can do it while riding with no problem.” He then pauses and says seriously “Muad here must also be lifted up! He may be fast and soft to the touch. But climbing is not one of his skills. And we cannot leave him behind.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"If you're that confident." Velyra says with a shrug, unconvinced. At Usul's insistence that the dog be taken inside as well, she nods once more. "Of course. As I said, we can tie the rope around him and lift him up. We can probably do that with you on his back so long as you can tie a good knot quickly."
Usul: 14
After retrieving the ever loyal Muad, Velyra and Usul make their way to the town's eastern entrance. Passing through the plaza containing the apothecary, they would notice the number of undead in the area has dropped to around ten, and none seemed to be too concerned with the building in question anymore.
Retracing Usul's path coming in, they follow the path north and make it to the eastern road undetected, successfully exiting the town. Though Usul leads Velyra back to the spot he had left his companions, when he arrives he finds them missing.
To the west, the sun has begun to dip below the horizon.
"Maybe she's investigating something that she doesn't trust other people with." Kal says with a shrug, "in any case, I hope Sybil is able to help you find her after this."
Seeing their Gnomish companion accompanied by an unfamiliar face, he'll nudge Silthras and point. "Looks like our little friend is alive after all. Hopefully with good news for us." He extracts himself from their hiding space and leaves the storage shed, walking out to meet the two approaching. "We were beginning to worry about you, how does the town look?"
Seeing the unmistakable form of the gnome and his dog, Silthras cautiously emerges from their shack. He checks out the new companion as he moves forward.
"So...complications? We waited for you to distract them...instead you made friend?" he says. As he gets close, he bows slightly, "Silthras Greyhame, and this..." he says, turning back to the knight, "...is Kal...knight, and -- I assume -- gentleman. And you are?"
Velyra gives the two additions a quick once over before glancing at the setting sun. With a slight panic beginning to show in her eyes, she makes a quick slashing motion with her hand, "Velyra Arnketh. Introductions must be kept short, we need to move now. Come with me."
(assuming they follow)The elf will turn on her heel and immediately start back towards the town, explaining the plan she and Usul had come up with along the way. After they reach the town outskirts once more, she'll search for a nearby building they could suitably hide in.
"Ah!" Usul says, realizing he'd not introduced himself. He then holds out his arms and says "Usul Harj. Nice t'mee'cha!"
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
The first stars begin to appear in the sky with the arrival of dusk. Your party is able to reach the first building Usul had come across earlier without problems. The door has been busted in, but it provides an easy place to hide, and for certain has no undead in it. There is another building of the same kind on the north side with the door still on the hinges, though it hasn't been searched yet.
A reminder of this house:
"Standing on his toes to peer inside the window, he would see a simple abode with few furnishings. Consisting of a single room, containing a bed, desk, some shelves, and a chest at the foot of the bed. On the opposite wall, you can see the door has been busted off of its hinges. Clothes, gear, and random objects are strewn across the floor - indications of a struggle. The chest at the foot of the bed is closed, and you can see it is secured by a simple iron lock."
If you wish to search for buildings deeper in town to hide in, I'll do a group stealth check(for group checks, only half need to succeed).
Any final preparations before we start the excitement? ;)
Silthras looks dubiously around the room, "At least the undead aren't like an army -- they don't loot and burn. There's something for people to come back to, if we ever find a way to stop them" he says.
In preparation, he utters a few words in a language full of gutteral sounds, and brings one fist to hist chest in what seems like a salute. As he does so, the room cools slightly and an icy layer forms across his armour and then quickly disappears. The only hint of it's continuing existence being the cold, and a slight mist that forms around him when he is still.
He then concentrates for a brief moment, before ensuring his shield is properly set and his weapon or wand are accessible, before gesturing to the door. "Shall we?"
Cast Armor of Agathys
Bonus action: Use sorcery points to restore spell slot.
As the team finalizes their plans, and scouts from the building, Usul can’t really resist, and sends his invisible mage hand over to the chest holding his thieves tools to try to pick it open ((13)) while he listens to the others prepare.
((that’s pretty low...)) if it fails he just internally sighs and pulls the mage hand with his tools back, and pretends as if nothing has happened.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"I suppose if things go south, holding the entrance won't be too difficult." Kal says, hunkering down with the others. Once their plan is set into motion, if he can, he'll prop the door up on the frame to somewhat close the opening.
Once everyone is ready, Velyra gives a solemn nod, then walks out into the crossroad and casts Thunderwave, quickly retreating back into the home. "Go Usul! Remember, don't get cornered!"
Usul, mounting on Muad, rides out into the street, Dib riding on the dog’s head. At the first smell of undead Dib wrinkles his nose and quickly disappears into Usul’s cloak. Usul then starts riding Muad around in circles acting as if he were in a Rodeo, and having a grand ‘ol time. Pointing his fingers into random directions to cause illusionary sounds appear. Once the undead start to gather he waits until they are almost too close, giving the others a bit of a fright, before jetting off at full speed ((80ft per round)) in the direction away from the apothecary, continuing his finger gun illusions, and circling, but never stopping, when necessary to keep the undead close.
———— queue montage ————
Once the amount of time they had discussed passes, as he finds himself well away from the Inn, he puts his heels into Muad to race to the Inn as quickly as possible, leaving the undead stumbling around in the dust.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
The air splits open with a thunderous crack as Velyra casts her spell, echoing briefly between the buildings. She hurries back to the home they had chosen, with Kal propping the broken door against the frame to provide cover. Carrying Usul, Muad trots out onto the street, prepared to sprint at a moment's notice. An eerie silence follows. Half a minute passes.
A few of the undead lumber out from between the buildings, growling as they slowly close in on the gnome and his mastiff. Seconds later, a cacophony of low moans can be heard as a massive hoard approaches from the western road. A much smaller, but still substantive group of the walking dead stumbles up the street from the south, while very few can be seen coming from the northern road. Random sounds pop off around the crossroad, thunder, screams, laughs, drawing the zombies in. As one of the undead stumbles close, swiping at the gnome with a rotted fist, Usul ducks under the blow while Muad jets off down the north road, dodging the few that stand in his way. The groups of undead combine into one hoard, groaning as they shamble after the gnome.
After a minute passes, the crossroad has cleared, and the rest of the party slips out of their hiding place and heads south, towards the apothecary...
Usul(you thought you were done making decisions. ;P)
As you ride through the unfamiliar town, occasionally creating illusionary sounds, you begin to wonder if there is simply no end to the undead numbers. The horde behind you continues to grow in size as you pass more and more, some getting uncomfortably close as you come around a corner or dodge around a building. With adrenaline pumping through your veins, you aren't quite certain how much time has passed when you come to another crossroads, a little over half a dozen residences and buildings spread around you. You take a moment to take in your surroundings.
To the west(a path which seems to circle back towards the town center), five of the undead shuffle towards you.
To the east(leading to the eastern outskirts), a larger group approaches, almost completely blocking the path.
To the north(leading further north, eventually to hitting the town outskirts), a few stand in your way, but not so much that you couldn't easily slip past them.
The ever growing horde growls hungrily behind you, closing the distance as you consider your next move...
"map"
Velyra Kal Silthras
To Velyra, this is the most quiet and empty she's seen the town since she's arrived. A few the walking dead can be spotted as you move quickly down the road, either trapped in buildings, or so badly damaged that they can do little more than crawl. Your group quickly arrives in the plaza containing the apothecary, without another creature besides yourselves in sight...
Looking at the horde surrounding him, Usul will start North hoping that heading out and then looping back in will give his companions enough time to get to the Inn, as well as pulling the horde far enough away that when he jets into town he should have enough of a gap between them and his destination.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
As they enter the plaza, Kal moves towards the apothecary, giving the door an experimental shove. "We needed something in here, right?" If the door doesn't budge, he'll slam into it with his full weight to try and force it open.
"Yes, but quickly. We don't have much time left." Velyra says, positioning herself to help force open the door with a well timed shove.