D&D: The City of Shaldra~Zin

[Grimsvald]

The second undead that Jaks targeted was stronger than the first. It wasn't stronger by much, but it was enough. The creature continued to cling to life after the rapier was pulled out of its body. It fell to the floor with a wet thud and a groan.


The undeath rolled over on to the ground so it could face Jaks. Green blue smoke poured from its wounds. It didnt hold an angry or sad expression on its face, rather indifferent. It reached out towards Jaks with one hand and the blue green smoke escaping its wounds changed direction.


The smoke washed over Jaks face and he could feel it trying to invade his body. He could feel pressure in his nose and pulling at his lips to open his mouth. There was a whisper in the air, "Yes, it feels good to kill doesn't it? Don't be afraid. Accept this truth."


Then the creature died.


Dorric and Adrora had no trouble hidding from the undead masses. The creatures don't seem to be actively looking for anything. They are just casually fleeing the city. No one moves more than a walking pace.

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak turned to Kelter and his new ally. "Lets go find Jaks. Who know's what he's done." Jameak looked at the storm of souls and horde of undead and began rushing back towards the house. "How hard is it really to not do anything?" Jameak called upon his knowledge of the arcane and religion, trying to understand how this could have happened.


[dice]22408[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

Kelter followed Jameak with his sword drawn. He was looking for any excuse to cut these undead down. He hadn't trusted them from the beginning and it looks like he was right.


Jameak remembered them talking about a portal to another plane of existance. He remembered that Gilda wanted to open it so that let more lost souls through to our world. Some how Jaks and Gilda must have succeeded. There are many ways to do this, but Jameak cannot tell which method was used without being there to see it happen.


As the cleric, paladin and possibly the fighter ran down the road, they passed an ally. A large rock was hurled from this darkness between buildings. The rock just missed Jameak's head, passing just before his eyes. Before the stone could stop tumbling across the road another hurled from the shadows. This second one hit Kelter in the chest armor.


"Would killing them really slow us down that much Jameak? Just a few on our way back to Jaks?"

 

[Naxtaroth]

Dorric looked around, attempting to see if the walls on either side of him had enough nooks and crannies in them to where he could climb up to the rooftops. It was a strategy he and Adrora had done many times when hunting. She'd slink along on the ground while he fired arrows from the trees. Perhaps, if he could get up there, the two could do the same thing here. He didn't quite know what was going on, but he did know that his fight or flight response was in overdrive and he was prepared to fight if it came down to it.


(Not sure if perception or investigation would come into play when he's looking for footholds so I rolled for both. I also went ahead and rolled an athletics check for if he succeeds in finding footholds.)


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[Yesman]

The rogue blew out from his nose and waved his free hand, trying to disperse the smoke.


[dice]22413[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

Dorric is unable to find a clear path up the sides of these buildings. They are smooth and new stone with no pipes, divets or ledges to use. Incestigating further he understands the the buildings themselves may have stairs up to the second floor. If he used these stairs he could easily use a window to get to the roof tops.


Jaks easily pushes away the spirit of the undead. The pressure leaves his nose and the claws stop trying to pry open his mouth. The blue green smoke fades away in the air.

 

[Yesman]

Jaks shook his head. "That was weird," he muttered.


As he moved behind the next zombie, his free hand drew a dagger. Positioning himself, Jaks thrusted with his rapier as his dagger aimed for the undead's neck.


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[Naxtaroth]

Seeing no footholds and not wishing to break into someone's house, Dorric decided that he would stay on the ground. He peeked out of the alley to survey the situation. Seeing the casual pace of the robed entities and their seemingly harmless attitude toward those around them, he calmed down a bit. Putting the arrow back in its quiver, he stepped back into the street with Adrora, neither concerned with remaining hidden as they headed once again in the direction of the forge.

 

[Grimsvald]

Jaks rapier passes straight through the undead enemies back without making purchase. This wasnt the first time Jaks had thrust his weapon into emptiness so there was less comfusion. Infact experience took hold. As he tore his weapon away he turned the blade and let the blade slide its way out. What ever hole this creature had in its chest just got a little bigger.


The lack of collision in Jaks initial attack offset his footing causing the dagger to miss its mark. Unlike the rapier, Jaks could not redeem this attack while withdrawing the small blade.


The undead turned around to face Jaks. Then it swung its fist in a wide punch. Somehow the attack made it past Jaks guard. The fist slammed into his jaw with a cracking sound. (4 damage)


Dorric and Adrora had no trouble walking among the undead. As long as he left them alone they would leave him alone. The real threat he would face are the spirits flying through the air. They sought after a host body as if their lives depended on it.


A green blue spirit would swoop down to attack Dorric, but it failed. The creature passed right through him and back into the air.

 

[Yesman]

Jaks shook his head, momentarily stunned, but turned back again and made another attack


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[Naxtaroth]

Dorric stopped in place as the strange light passed through him, shivering a bit as it exited his body. Upon closer inspection of the bodies around him, he realized that some of them were the bodies of dead people. He carefully made his way through the horde, keeping an eye on the lights around him. He didn't know what they were, but he definitely didn't want to find out what else they did. He hadn't quite picked up on the fact that they were spirits entering and possessing bodies, but there was something about the lights that put him on edge. At this point, Talion's Forge was a bit ahead, just barely out of range of Dorric's vision.

 

[Redsirrah]

"No Kelter, these aren't suits of armor with souls, these are real human bodies. I don't know whats going on, but we have to hurry. Maybe we still save people. Either way, we need to find that damn-" The rock in front his face cut him off. Jameak reached for his tome, but cursed its presence in Shaldra-Zin. A thought crossed his mind. "Kelter, you're a fellow man of god. After we deal with whatever is in this alley, I need your advice on the effectiveness of prayers." Jameak readied a Javelin and peered into the darkness of the alley.

 

[Chayliel]

Talion followed his new allies down the streets, ready for any kind of combat. His sword was still gripped in his right hand and rested on his shoulder. He looked around for any of the undead he could let stain his sword, and was caught off guard by the rocks being thrown at them from the alley. He popped his shoulder up and brought his left hand to his sword to get a two handed grip on it. He spoke to his friends with a smirk on his face, "Well friends. It seems you are men of the gods, I would hate to see you hurt in a fight amongst the dead. It is against your faith to hurt one another. So please, allow me." Talion looked through the alley and tried to see movement, reaching into his belt and pulling out one of his hand axes. He let his sword drop with his left hand holding onto it and reeled his axe back in his right, readying himself for a split second reaction.


(On my mobile... Still figuring out how to roll the dice.)


[dice]22442[/dice]

 

[Grimsvald]

---Morgue---


Jaks' rapier snags on the enemies black robes ripping them, but doing no damage. The creature lunges at Jaks unexpectedly. The rogue's dagger only glances across the enemies face as he passes by. As soon as the undead passes Jaks he swings full circle. Cold boney knuckles crash against Jaks jaw again. (6 damage)


It looked like this damage might put the rogue on the ground. It was just dramatic enough to rouse the hisband from his sorrowful inactivity. Still trying the man picked up his knife and desperately ran at the undead. He screamed and plunged his weapon into the creatures guts.


The husband managed to kill the creature, but green blue smoke rose up from the wounds in the corpse and attacked. The husband fell to the ground screaming and clawing at his face until he had unwillingly consumed it. Then he was still.


---The open streets---


Dorric wasn't quite at the Talion forge, but he could see three men making their way away from the forge. He sees a cleric, fighter and paladin progressing toward a dark alley way.


---The Alley Way---


Kelter was slightly confused on where Jameak stood on the idea of killing these creatures. "Ah, I am an old man. Never short of advice." He took a deep breath and continued into the darkness with his guard up. "My first piece of advice would be to kill these walking corpses quickly so that we can get to Jaks aid."


Jameak and Talion can see something moving in the darkness but they cannot keep track of it. Oddly moving undead cloaked in black robes hide within the dark alley, heaving what ever they can find on the ground as weapons to deter the warriors.


A glass bottle ricochets off of Talions armor and shatter on the ground behind him. A small stone hits Jameak in the face (1 damage)

 

[Naxtaroth]

Dorric and Adrora weaved through the undead, being careful not to startle or upset any of them. He kept an eye to the sky for any more of the blue-green lights. As he approached the group of three, he noticed them heading toward the alley. He hadn't seen them coming this way from the forge, so he paid them no mind and simply walked by, Adrora at his heels. As they passed behind the group of three, Adrora's fur bristled and she let out a soft hiss. Dorric took notice of this and stopped, noting that the panther had frozen in place behind the three men and was staring intently past them at whatever lay in the alley beyond. Despite his half-elven affinity for seeing in dim and dark places, the men were blocking most of his view and he couldn't quite make out what Adrora was so hostile toward. He crouched down, softly stroking behind her ears. "What is it? What do you see?" She let out a low, predatory growl and arcane energy trickled through his body as he willed himself to understand what Adrora was trying to say.


(1 level one spell slot used to cast Speak With Animals on himself to speak with Adrora, 2 level one spell slots left, 10 minute duration with no concentration necessary)


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[Yesman]

Jaks caught his footing from the second blow, barely avoiding a fall. He wondered if he had become slower today or if the zombies were somehow quicker now. A sound snapped Jaks back into the present and he looked up just in time to see the husband, on the ground, inhaling the smoke that poured out of the undead. Without saying a word, the rogue approached the still man with his weapons.


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[Grimsvald]

---The Alley---


Adrora wouls inform Dorric of 10 figures lurking in the darkness. 8 in black robes, but 2 in average village garbs. They hold rocks and bottles, ready to throw them at anyone who enters the alley.


---Morgue---


Jaks easily killed the husband where he layed. Small whisps of green leaked from the open wounds, but they didnt even have the strength to climb up the rogues steel blades before fading away. Unlike the undead, this man screamed in pain when killed drawing attention.


Only 3 undead remained in the building with Jaks. All of them stand between him and the door. After the scream all 3 undead turn to face Jaks.

 

[Naxtaroth]

Dorric shook his head and stood, addressing the three men in front of him. "So, what's all this? My friend here seems to think there's some dangerous figures in that alley." At just that moment, one of the docile undead brushed past him. He pointed to it, attention still focused on the men in front of him. "And what the hell are those? Not even five minutes ago, I entered the city and everything was normal. Was on my way to purchase some arrows from the local smith and strange lights began flying from one of the buildings down there, all these slow-moving figures pouring out with them." He had no intentions of helping the group since his time in the wilderness had taught him that the tough flourish and the weak perish. These men looked like they had this handled. However, he was quite confused by the entire thing and wanted some answers. Adrora slunk behind him, fur still bristling as her attention remained on the figures in the alley.

 

[Grimsvald]

---The Alley---


Kelter continued to walk forward and kept his eyes on the threat. He replied without turning to face Dorric, "This is the dead spilling back into the world of the living. We will be putting them to rest." Then with one hand he pointed to Talion, "That's the blacksmith. So you won't have much luck buying arrows till he's done."

 

[Chayliel]

Talion heard the man from behind them and smiled when he brought up being in need of a blacksmith. After Kelter introduced Talion for him, he spoke, "Owner of Talion's Forge for Real Men! However we are a bit busy as of the moment. I'll get you your arrows after we let the undead rest eternally once more." Talion turned back towards the alley and walked towards it, just a step behind Kelter. He gripped one of his throwing axes and threw it into alley with his strength, aiming for hopefully a headshot. He then gripped his sword and continued.


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[Yesman]

Looking up from the man he had just murdered, the rogue nearly let out a groan. He did not want to deal with these right now. He forced himself up and started brainstorming. This was not the first time he had ever been outnumbered. His mind raced until it fell upon a certain memory, one from he was still staying at the Shaldra~Zin inn. He had found (stolen) a spellbook and had memorized several spells as well as cantrips. He closed his eyes and began reviewing what he remembered when he felt something in his off hand. Dropping his dagger, Jaks looked down and, to his surprise, saw that he held something like fire. He grinned and threw it at the center zombie (I am assuming that the three zombies are lined up side by side. If they are in a vertical line to Jaks, Jaks aimed for the closest zombie.)


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[Grimsvald]

As soon as the fire bolt left Jaks hand it began to dissipate. The spells form fell apart before it could cross the room. It looks like he would need more practice. It may even leaving him to wonder if he forgot a part of the spell.


The 3 undead charged across the room to attack the rogue. The first two attacked predictably and were easy to dodge, but they proved to be worthy destractions for the third undeath. His fist seems to come out of nowhere. It is a direct hit to Jaks' chest, slightly winding him. (5 damage)

 

[Naxtaroth]

Dorric bent down to Adrora, whispering to her. "I want you to see if you can sneak behind those two over there. I'm going to shoot one and I want you to attack the injured one if they start coming towards me." Adrora immediately began slinking low, trying her best to blend in, but the street wasn't crowded enough to provide the cover she needed. Dorric hoped that maybe in their docile state, the two undead just wouldn't notice her. As she moved, he took out his bow and knocked an arrow, letting it fly free to the undead that Adrora was right next to.

Spoiler

Dorric HP: 33/33


Adrora HP: 16/16


Ammunition: 19 Arrows left


Spell Splots: 2/3 Level 1 left


Movement: Adrora moves up to 50 feet to position herself behind one of the 2 closest undead. Dorric barely moves, simply turning and backing up just a tad so he is positioned in the mouth of the alley, facing the street.


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[Grimsvald]

---The open streets---


As Adrora neared the undead he began to watch her. When she closed in the last 15ft he stagger back in fear and prepared to run. Before his first frantic footfall Dorric's arrow planted itself firmly in the creature's head.


The undead's head snapped back and it slow dropped to the floor as it took its next three steps. Adrora gnarled on the undeads leg for a moment, but the taste of chemically treated corpse meat didn't agree with her. She withdrew with a look of concern on her face and she began to drool.


The second undeath near Dorric immediately fled in fear. Quickly putting 50ft between it and Adrora, which was already 25th from Dorric.


---They alley---


Talion's ax flew aimlessly into the dark alley. With a cracking sound the fighter may gain the impression he stuck something down. As his eye focused at the source of the sound he would see his weapon cleaved into some barrels. Suddenly a large bottle would be hurled over the barrels hitting Talion on the chest. Shards of glass cut the fighter's neck and cheek. (4 damage)


Kelter grumbled and slowly treads towards the ally with his guard up. "It's abominations like you that killed everyone I know. I am going to take my time getting into that alley after you, but if you are there when I get there, you better pray for mercy." As he stared into the nearing darkness he thought about his oath of vengeance to get his blood boiling. ~I will live at the edge of darkness fighting back evil so that others may live a life of peace.~ He thought. A bottle of wine flew past Kelters head crashing on the ground behind him. A lucky miss.

 

[Yesman]

Jaks cursed and waved his rapier to ward off the undead. He moved back several steps before turning around and sprinting down the stairs, back into the morgue. Once at the bottom, the rogue flattened himself against the wall, slowed his breathing, and waited, listening for footsteps.