D&D: The City of Shaldra~Zin

[Grimsvald]

It was quite some time before Jaks saw one of the undead shambling by him in the hallways of the catacomb. They halfheartedly searched for him and before the rogue had a clear chance to escape they left. It's clear they they would rather flee safely than hunt him down. Within 15 minutes the morgue was emptied.

 

[Grimsvald]

As Kelter walked into the alley, the undead panicked and gave an all out assult. A bottle skipped across the ground by Talion. It was still wet with wine and slipped from the enemies hand. 2 more bottles wizz past Jameak. One far to the right and the other far to the left, but a third bottle cracked him in the shoulder. The weight of a half full bottle of strong booz did surprising harm. (6 damage ) the alcohol seeped into Jameaks wounds making it burn.


For a moment you could hear them scrounging around the stone cobble ground for more ammo. Fleshy fingers rubbing themselves raw inside crates and barrels searching for one more thing to throw. Finally the cracking splintering sound of Talion's axe being pulled out of a barrel's side. Kelter's eyes went a little wide as he realised the escalation in danger. The axe went end over end in slow motion. Then a wet thud.


The axe cleaved through Kelter's shoulder armor and bit into flesh. His knees went shaky and the old man fell down. Not dead, but caught off guard and in pain. He slowly made his way towards his feet, gritting his teeth. "Bastards..." a word so masked by growling and blood behind his teeth, noone could tell what he said.

 

[Grimsvald]

Instead of entering the death trap of an alley way and the ambush surely set up for them Jameak stands back. He reaches over his shoulder to pull free a javelin. Quickly he lets it loose towards the one which hurled the ax into Jameak. The alcohol burns Jameak's eyes causing his attack to miss.


Talion rushes forward and shoulder rams the stack of barrels with an undead behind it. The barrels fall down onto the creature pinning it to the ground. If this creature cannot find its way out from beneath this wreckage Talion's next attack will be an easy one.


Kelter was bloody and angry. He ran in a path that shadowed Talion, but he quickly turned left before the barrells. He ran behind a stack of wooden creates where he found 2 undead hidding. Kelter planted his feet and let the momentum of his run pass through the twohand sword he holds. As the weapon swung he said "I bring light to the darkness!" Thunderous energy built in his body and released upon delivery of the attack.


The twohandsword cut deep into one of the undeaths, stopping only because the creatures spine caught the blade. Then there was a heavy silence before the boom of a thunderous smite. The boom of thunder for 300ft. The effects echoe out for 15 feet around Kelter. The creates expode beside Kelter, as does the undead creature stuck on the edge of his weapon. The undead beside him is slammed into the wall then thrown 10 feet into the street towards Jameak.


Now that Talion and Kelter had destroyed the blockage there was a clear path into the alley. The rest of the undead feel cornered. Instead of cowering they attack. 3 attacking Talion and 3 attacking Kelter.


They attacked together like a wall of cold flesh. Two undead hopelessly slap their hands against Talions armor. The 3rd lands a hit. (3 damage) but Talion is able to retaliate cutting the creature down for good. The three that attack Kelter are easily dodged. Then Kelter cuts one of them down to their knees.


Suddenly the alley is filled wall to wall by green smoke. The spirits of these dead attempt to infect Kelter and Talion. Kelter tightens the grip of his weapon and bursts with residual thunder energy that pushes the green smoke away from them.

 

[Naxtaroth]

Dorric turned around to face into the alley, gazing into it and focusing his arcane energy to pick out an undead, marking it as his quarry. Breathing in slowly, he took a shot at this undead. Adrora skulked up behind him to watch his back from any possible threat in the street.


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Bonus Action: Hunter's Mark cast on an undead.


Dorric HP: 33/33


Adrora HP: 16/16


1/3 spell slots left


18 arrows left


Movement: Adrora to Dorric's back

 

[Yesman]

Jaks slid down the wall and let out a sigh after he was sure that the zombies had left. As he went back upstairs, he tried not to think of the couple he had just murdered, but rather on staying alive and meeting up with the rest of the group. First thing first, find something to patch himself up with.


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[Grimsvald]

The target of Dorric's quarry died harshly. Upon impact its head snapped back and it crumbled to the ground. A few of the undead stumbling through the streets begin to rush away from the ranger.


---The Morgue---


Jaks figured out that there should be medical tools in the clean up room. He was able to find some medical gauze and tools, but unsuccesfully used them to bandage his wounds. Luckily his attempts didnt cause him any further harm, unluckily they did nothing to aid him.

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak clutched his face and screamed a prayer, healing what he could. He threw a javelin at one of the undead attacking Kelter.


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[Grimsvald]

With Jameaks face burning and his efforts to avoid hitting Kelter, the javelin was off course. The weapon clanked and rattled its way down the alleyway. Non of the undead even turned their heads to watch the javelin go by.

 

[Yesman]

Jaks growled in frustration and was about to get up and leave when an idea hit him. He had failed to cast a firebolt before against the zombies, but he was able to conjure up flames for a moment. Ransacking the house (he'll blame the undead afterwards), he found half a bottle of liquor on the husband's desk. Taking it, he went over to the man he had murdered and cut a piece of the man's shirt off, stuffing the cloth into the bottle so that only part of it stuck out. With the bottle in hand, Jaks took a peek outside to assess the situation.

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak let out a cry of frustration and drew his Holy symbol. "GET BACK! AWAY FROM HERE!" He yelled, brandishing his holy symbol like a torch or a blade.


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[Grimsvald]

Jaks peeks out from the morgue to see several undead and possessed townsfolk walking their way out of town. He can hear small battlea being fought down every street. Then Jaks heards a thunder clap only 200ft to his left.


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Jameak is unable to read the power levels of these beings. He understands their decaying fleshy exterior, but the spirits strength hidden within that meaty cage remains mysterious. Regardless his holy symbol lashes out with divin energy hurting 2 enemies equally. (11 damage total) both of the undead waver, but neither falls.


The two monsters in front of Kelter attack together. One kicks him in the knee bringing him down. The second lands a solid punch to Kelters jaw. The old man is looking beat, but he refuses to yield. He leaps up from his kneeling position and thrusts his sword into the stronger foes gut. Kelter rips his weapon out of the creatures side and it falls to the ground seeping green smoke.


The two enemies in front of Talion attack wildly. The fight simply steps backwards and they both miss. His heavy sword drops from his shoulder and cleaves into the shoulder of one enemy in front of him. Once the blade made purchase Talion put downward pressure on the weapon with both hands. The creature fought it with all the strength it could, but Talion slowly forced his blade through the collar bone and two ribs. There was crunching and muffles screams from the creatures still stitched together lips.


When the green smoke of the dead hit Kelter and Talion they were unable to fend it off. Kelter was thrown back as if he were hit by a run away cart. Gasping and trashing he tried to cling to life. 1 more hit from any creature would put him unconcious.


Talion breathed in the smoke and coughed. His throat burned and scratched all the way down. He stumbled back and leaned against the wall trying to spit it out. The feeling went deep into his gut and rested there. (2 damage)

 

[Naxtaroth]

Seeing his quarry meet its end, Dorric continued to let his arcane energy flow, marking one of the two remaining undead. He knocked another arrow, letting it fly, Adrora still behind him, keeping a keen eye on the undead scrambling away in the street. He saw the men in front of him step back, choking a bit and that's when he noticed the green smoke pouring toward him. It was on him before he could think to turn and run.


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Bonus Action: Hunter's Mark moved


Dorric HP: 33/33


Adrora HP: 16/16


1/3 Spell Slots left


17 Arrows left


Movement: None

 

[Grimsvald]

Despite the on coming green storm, Dorric's arrow made its mark. The undeads head didnt snap back or even look effected. The arrow pierced the creature's eye and it slowly swayed back and forth before slumping over against the wall.


The green smoke invaded Dorrics body with a hateful ferocity. (4 damage) it felt like someone was pouring fire ants and boiling water down his throat. It filled his gut and then his lungs. He was drowning in it, instinctivly trying to cough it up like liquid.(3 critical damage).


Dorric begins to have a horrible memory, but it is a memory not his own. He remembers being in a large white wood city. He feels like he lives here. Its known and named for this magical white wood. Ash...something. He's young and he doesn't care for the significance of the name.


It was a beautiful day, but for some reason Dorric feels dread looming over him. Then it happens. The cry grows dark. Gold coins begin to rain from the sky. At first people cheer. Quickly that turns to screams. Buildings materialize out of no where. Walls form directly on top of people, stone forming in their lungs and veins. Marble replacing flesh where the two things try to occupy 1 place. Everyone is trying and there is no way to run. He looks to his mother and relizes he simply holding onto a hand that extends from a tavern wall. Her sad face was plastered on the side of the building like a wanted poster.


He felt his body begin to stiffen. He heard his own crying far away. The rest of the tavern was forming on top of him. Soon he would be dead. He feels his soul pulled towards the dark clouds in the sky.


The memery fragments. He sees himself walked through nothingness beside thousands of others. Trugding, tired and hopeless. Then he remembers staring down at rotting cold hands. Then he sees an arrow flying down an ally way. He feels his head snap back and his body go slack. A sad anger of being robs of life yet again.


He feels himself pulling towards the sky again but he fights it. He launches himself towards the source of the arrow. Thats when he sees himself. Dorric comes back to reality having seen the life of the green smoke that attacked him. Now a piece of that spirit lingers within him


Talion struggles to over come a similar vision. Within his mad, frantic struggle he swings his weapon and just so happens to cut down his already weakened foe. The enemy beneath the barrels had slowly been crushed by Talions armored weight. There were no foes left to kill. But now a collective sadness hangs over the party of adventures who still dont know each others names. They feel a connection in their souls that they cannot explain.

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak moved to help Kelter but was overcome by the green smoke, and couldn't help but breath in the smoke. He bent over coughing and tried not to fall down.


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[Yesman]

The rogue jumped at the sound of the thunder. Last time he had heard a loud sound in a city of undead, the sound had lead him to a fight as well as friends. Perhaps it will go well for him this time as well. Keeping the bottle of alcohol in his hand, Jaks snuck pass the shambling undeads towards the booming sound.

 

[Grimsvald]

Jameak fell onto all fours. His vision went blurry but the pain faded away. Instead he felt full of energy. His skin tingled so much it itched. (2 damage) The cleric slammed his fist down on the stone ground, unable to controle the adrenaline surging through him.


When he slammed down his fist he heard the rattling of chains. The blur faded away and he could see his hands were massive. He was shackled like a prisoner. For possibly the first time, this cleric felt evil at his core. He knew he committed horrible crimes and he was happier for it. He loved to murder more than he loved to eat...and he ate a lot.


He stood to his feet and saw a reflection in the glass, a half-orc covered in scares. On either side of him were city guards transporting him from one prison to another. Thats when the sky went black. Gold began to rain. The guards became distracted.


Buildings began to form and confusion set in. Every paniced except for this half orc. This was a moment of potential. It was a gift from a god he didnt even pray to. He didnt have to understand what was going on to understand its lethality.


He grabbed one guard by the neck and held him still while a wall formed on top of him. Unfortunatly his hand was caught in the effect. With a scream he ripped himself away from the wall, leaving the limb behind. He ran from the second guard. A tavern began to form around him while he ran.


A window formed just jn time for the orc to crash through it and roll into the streets. The guard became destracted by a small crying boy who had just watched his mother die. The guards kind heart became his death. A part of the building formed around him, crushing his body.


Jameak could feel the convicts sense of excitment and joy. He ran towards the city exit and nearly made it. Suddenly he felt a horrible pain in his gut. A spear, many spears. Slowly an armory formed around him and a weapon rack forms in front of him.


His soul sucks into the sky. He finds himself walking among the masses in the void between planes of reality. Then the memory of waking in a new body that was small, frail and female. Finally the memory of holy energy killing him for the second time.


Jameak gasped and returned to reality feeling like he hadnt been breathing for much too long. He felt a seed of wickedness planted deep inside his soul. A part of that bloodthirsy orc had become part of him.


____________________________________


Jaks easy finds the rest of the party near the alleyway. The undead along the way seemed to be hidding from him just as much as he was sneaking past them.

 

[Yesman]

Upon reaching the alleyway, Jaks stood a distance off, just far enough to not get caught up in the fight yet. He wanted to help but at the same time didn't want to get pulled into another brawl. Looking around, he searched for a way to get on the roof of the buildings as that would provide him with a safe spot to look down into the alley.

 

[Grimsvald]

Similar to when Dorric looked for a way onto the rooftops, Jaks realizes the only way up is through the inside. If he wanted to gain access to the roof tops he would need to enter the building, go up the stairs, then exit through an attic window.


Before Jaks could even begin this process Talion would strike the final alley way enemy dead. The amount of undead stumbling through that streets had dwindled down to a handful and townsfolk began to come out of hidding.

 

[Yesman]

Jaks sighed in relief upon seeing his friends safe. Turning around, Jaks decided to try picking off some of the zombies trying to escape. He placed the bottle he had been carrying on the ground and pulled out his bow and and an arrow


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[Redsirrah]

Jameak stood, a javelin ready and hate burning in his eyes. As he realised the fight in the alley had ended, he blinked, wiped his face and stared at his hand. He felt his anger and hate had been shoved into him, or was it already there? "Is everybody ok?" His eyes turned to Jaks "What in the name of everything unholy did you do?"

 

[Yesman]

Jaks, still looking towards the direction that he had released those arrows, lowered his bow and sighed. "Kelter was right," was all the rogue could croak out after a second. "The girl made a portal, just like she said she would. What she didn't say was what would happen afterwards, to her people and to others." He stiffened his face and turned around, presenting a emotionless mask. "The couple, wife and husband, both of them were killed by the spell. I managed to close the portal but the damage had already been done."

 

[Grimsvald]

Jaks first arrow catches an undead just beside its shoulderblade. The creature tumbled to the ground escaping the second arrow by chance. By the time the 3rd arrow was loosed the wounded creature had scurried behind some cover.


Kelter battled against the spirit invading his body, but ultimately failed to keep it out. It slithered through his veins like a sly and wicked serpent. There is a part of the paladin's heart warmed by hate. His oath of vengeance resides here. That wicked serpent curls up on it like a warm rock and slumbers.


Kelter struggles to his feet and coughs. He was too beaten and tired to gloat about being right. "Whats done is done. In time I will hunt down every last one of these wretched beast, but for now. I need time to recover." The twohand sword is sheathed and the old man looks for a place to sit down.


He gets frustrated after only a few seconds. Every crate, barrel and seat around them was destroyed in the fight. "Weren't we going some place? Didn't we hire those thugs to make sure we didn't end up like..." he motions to his bloody body, "...well, this?"


The paladin heals himself (+8hp) then walks over to Jaks and lays a hand on his shoulder "At least I know of one cloaked dagger I can trust." The hand glows slightly gold and Jaks is healed. (+6hp)

 

[Redsirrah]

Jameak considered Jaks words, but was distracted as a pulse of anger and hate coursed through him. This time, he didn't fight it. "She tricked me. I created a zone of truth, and she still tricked me." Jameak drew his mace. "When I find that girl I will make sure she's alive so I can personally beat her to death for what's she's done." He felt the anger and realized that something was very wrong, but couldn't help but appreciate it a little bit. He reached into his scholarly studies to try to figure out what that smoke actually did.


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[Yesman]

Jaks tried to keep the guilt from showing in his voice and face


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[Grimsvald]

Even though Jameak has never seen anything like this before today, he understands it. He saw and felt what happened from both perspectives.


The smoke was actually the otherworld spirit, which possessed the corpse. When the corpse was destroyed the spirit launched out to seek a new suitable host. It chose the one who had destroyed his previous host. The spirit clawed and riped its way into their bodies trying to find a way to stay alive. Although most of the spirit died a fraction of it remained and that fraction has inplanted inself in the hosts soul. These are now sporitual parasites.


Jaks is adept in his ability to lie. It is impossible to read even the smallest stitch of evadence from his expression. No one will know of the truth unless he willingly tells it.