Graded [Falcrum Village] For Whom The Bell Tolls

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interactions: saxon conman2163

Gawain gave a salute to the romans as they welcomed him to the investigation group. He then turned and gave a half bow to the Doctor Mord, Kellum, Chisato, and the little girl. It was difficult to decide if this little girl was lucky to survive or not. On one hand she had been spared what ever horrible death the people had suffered, but she was also now alone in a village full of dead that most likely included her family. Whatever you would call it, since she was still alive then they would have to make sure she stayed that way.

Hearing that they would need to go into the well, Gawain moved over to the edge and looked down. Having Darkvision meant that he wouldn't suffer as much as the others, but that would only solve his sight problem and not his allies. "While Kellum goes and collects materials I can go down and scout ahead. I can see a bit better in the dark then the average person. That just leaves the question of how do we get down there?"

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

The legionary backed up at the little girl's warnings slightly spooked. Lucius looked down into the well and upon hearing the impact of stone upon stone shrugged. He turned to the legionary closest to the well. "Look through the surrounding houses and gather any candles and lanterns you can find. Bring them to the church." He looked at the other shieldless legionary. "You'll stay up here too. Protect the girl and the doctor." The legionary nodded. He turned back to Chisato and Kellum. "It'll be safer with one of my men up here with them." He turned to the rest of the legionaries near him. "You lot go gather wood for torches. One of you look for oil or pitch to soak the wood with as well. I'll look for rope to get down easy." Lucius took off to find a length of rope. If he had enough he would braid and knot it together at intervals of a few feet to make it even stronger. It wouldn't be good to have some poorly made rope snap on them half way down.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Kellum walked around, returning with 9 lanterns that he had managed to gather. After several minutes he set them down on a nearby table outside the church. Looking over, he saw the knight lean over the well. "I wouldn't do that; whatever did this liks the darkness. You would probably be safer up here." Kellum stated as he placed his hands on his hips and joined the knight over at the well. The sun, however, was starting to reach the early evening, though there were still a few hours before it was going to set.

As Gawain looked over the ledge, he could see the stone floor at the bottom of the well. The drop was certainly only 20 ft deep, though there wasn't much else to look at. By now, he wasn't sure what this whole thing was. The only thing they had to go off of was some plague, which was the original news that reached them. But, when they arrived, the whole village was picked clean, and the residents seemed to have all been eaten except the girl in the church's beam of light.

As the legionaries would start gathering materials, they would find some tar in several houses and plenty of material to make torches with. They would also note that there were more rats within some of the rubble and in a few corners of the village. If they looked closer, they would note the rats were like the ones outside the village; there were no visible wounds on the rats.


As Lucius went off to go find some rope, he would have to check several homes. As he checked the fourth home for the rope, he found some; however, that was not the only thing he found. In the house that was still standing, there was a giant hole that was on the ground. There were scratch marks all over the stone floor though they were small markings, probably from some animal.

After a bit, Kellum attached one of the lanterns to his hip as he walked back over to the well and took a deep breath. Chisato passed off the young girl to the legionary that was going to be staying behind. The doctor and the other group could head back into the church if they so wanted. But that would probably be the safer place to be once night fell.

"Well then, are we all ready?" Chisato inquired as she looked around at the group. Now that the rope had been secured, it was a time when they were ready to throw it over the ledge and descend or they could try and see where the tunnel in the house led, depending on what they wanted to do.

Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interaction: saxon conman2163

Gawain peered over the edge as Kellum stated it would be safe up top. "It looks like it's only about twenty feet deep, nothing that seems to be hanging around the entrance. " he replied but stayed up top until the legionaries were done searching for what they needed. "If this was an actual disease that killed the people and something else came through and picked them clean it could get difficult. I am rather resistant to most diseases so if some sort of the plague is lingering down there I will be the last to notice. If any of you start to feel sick it would be wise to call out immediately".

Waiting for the legionaries to return, Gawain eyed Kellum as the man fixed a lantern to his waste. He then moved his gaze to Chisato and finally to the other legionaries. If this was a disease that could kill so many people, would these humans be alright? If they were lucky it would be a creature that the disease originated from. If that was the case then he could plant himself in front of the creature and keep it away from the humans. Shaking his head and clearing his mind he nodded to Chisato, "Ready" he stated. Moving over to the rope he would cast it into the well and start to climb down into the hole.

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

Lucius rooted through the unburnt buildings liberally. Thankfully he found no bodies as he searched but as he entered the first house he immediately was greeted by a large hole in the stonework that was the foundation of the building. He frowned as he squatted closer and checked the markings on the stone floor for a moment. He finished examining them and then left the house in search of rope in others. It took him a bit of time and effort but eventually he was able to return with a long braided rope. As Gawain snagged the rope without and tossed it into the well he frowned once again. "No, no, I'd be happy to give you the rope no need to worry about it." Lucius grumbled under his breath as he checked the location of the sun and noted that it was beginning to get dark out. He sighed. "A moment. There is a hole in the stonework of that house over there-" He paused and pointed toward the home. "With scratch marks similar to these-" He now pointed towards the scoring on the well stones. "All over the edge of the hole. Now, I am all for descending into the dark unknown horror fest however it strikes me that the other point might also be a valid entry into whatever nest of Pluto's hellspawn is down there. Your choice. I'll follow either way." He crossed his arms but the comment was directed at Chisato and Kellum specifically and not Gawain as he was already climbing down. He collected a lantern and attached it to his hip and then picked up an unlit torch from where the Legionaries had assembled them. He gave quick orders to his men in latin and they started lighting up the torches with Lucius' flint and steel. When they finished he retrieved the firestarter and prepared to delve into the dark. If Chisato and Kellum followed Gawain down he would go with them.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Kellum looked over at the knight as he started to theorize about what had happened here. "Well based on what we found this doesn't seem like a disease, so I think we don't have to worry about that. Everything here looks picked clean, none of the food was touched let alone the armor and clothing on the remains." Kellum pointed out as he scratched the back of his neck trying to piece the whole thing together. He hadn't heard of a disease that could eat people or things in a manner such as this.

Chisato now joined the group over by the well as she placed her hands on her hips. "Well, then I doubt there is anything to really worry about, though we are losing daylight. If this thing does come out at night then we had better get to the bottom of it before it spread yeah?" She suggested looking around before looking down the well herself for a moment. She looked up as Lucius returned with some rope which was then taken from him immediately. Causing her to cock an eyebrow at the knight as he threw it over the ledge.

"What did you say you found a hole in one of the houses?" Kellum inquired as Lucius mentioned the hole in the foundation of the house. Looking up at the sky for a moment he shook his head, there weren't a lot of clues around. Though he figured once they were underground more things would come apparent to them. Kellum was about to speak to the knight when he realized the knight had already descended down into the depths.


Shaking his head as he looked at Lucius, "Well, we could always split up I suppose if you want to take your legionaries down the other hole. We can try and meet up down there or we can all go down the well and try and find our way to that hole once we are done down there." Kellum suggested with a shrug of his shoulders.

"That could work I suppose, though we still don't know what we are dealing with to say the least," She pointed out tapping her fingers against her arm at they continued to debate the next course of action.

Gwain would reach the bottom in no time, looking around in the limited light it looked like a rock tunnel. Though with the well here there should have been a water source here for the town. But it looked like it had all dried up, he could either go forward or turn around and go the opposite way.

The walls themselves were slick to the touch, and the tunnel was only 10 ft wide and 10 ft in height said from the hole from the well. Compared to the area above it smelled damp down here, Skittering could be heard every now and then as he wasn't the only thing that found its way down into the tunnels.

A moment later Gwain was joined by Kellum who slid down the rope and then Chisato as she wrapped her arms around her. The cave was cooler compared to the village above. Though as soon as the small group had entered the tunnel, there was a loud roar from the way behind them. Though it didn't sound like an animal, much more like something erupted, in the darkness, small white lights moved and it looked like thousands of them. As the skittering echoed through the tunnel and above up to the surface.

Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interactions: saxon conman2163


Upon entering into the well and reaching the bottom one thing was rather obvious, what ever had happened to drain the well was not natural. The place he stood should have been full of water, and yet not even a drop was left. Another confusing layer added into this growing mystery. Carefully he drew his sword so that it would be at the ready, and he turned his head to give a nod to the two adventurers as they descended down into the well. The next question they would have to ask was do they go forward or backwards?

That question was answered for them as some sort of rumbling roar echoed from behind them. Gawain spun to face the noise and raised his shield against what ever unknown threat was about to hit them. Instead he was greeted with the sound of skittering. White lights thousands of them were rushing towards them and he braced his bones for whatever tide was about to hit them. "Looks like we are about to find out what killed the villagers." The skeleton yelled to be heard over the chaotic noise.

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

Lucius shrugged at the suggestion from Kellum and shook his head. "I'll come down with you. No sense in splitting the party up at this rate. Besides we'll be safer in a pack against whatever is down there." At a second though he had himself and his Legionaries pick up a second torch to come down into the tunnel with. They wrapped the pitch covered heads with cloth and tucked them into their sword belts. Lucius reached out and put his torch to one of the Legionaries nearby and it came to life with a crackle and hiss, then he moved to the well side. He waited until the pair went down the well and then he and his legionaries followed. It wasn't long before the roar rolled through the tunnel as he came to a stop and his men fanned out. The three who came with him with lit torches dropped them to the ground where they hissed against the cool stone. With the light in front of them they locked shields in the passage and prepared the pilum they carried to throw. (Preparing for combat, reminder that they have 1 durability left on their shields). In the meantime Lucius drew his arm back and tossed his lit torch down the long tunnel in an effort to see the incoming things. He then lit the second torch with one of the dropped torches after smoothly drawing it from his belt. There was a rasp of iron on leather as he drew his gladius. "Da mihi Iuppiter animos." He prayed as the skittering echoed towards him.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Kellum watched as the legionaries were now down the tunnel with them. From a glance, the group could tell that it was naturally made, though that still didn't explain the lack of water. When the roar happened, the legionaries quickly moved into action as they dropped some of their torches down in front of them. As he looked at the other end he saw a torch tossed ahead of the group into the darkness. As the torch soared through the air into the darkness, the white lights moving toward them were revealed.

The light showed rats, thousands upon thousands of rats were coming their way. Though a few of the rats that the light fully illuminated died on the spot. The other moved around the edge of the light that was created, though now the party knew what was coming towards them. As they reached the edge of the party rats stopped just out of range of the light and scurried around the area.

"Wait are you telling me rats did this?" Kellum inquired as he looked at the group with a dumbfounded look. He glanced over at Chisato who had a look of disgust on her face though, one could probably call it fear as well. Though he found it strange that the rats died when exposed to the light, which was probably why they hid down here and where were candles all over the village houses. "Well I can't say that I saw that coming, though I suppose that explains of the light," he pointed out as he tried to peer down the path.
View attachment 1042997

"Right they don't seem to like it, see how they are avoiding the torch Lucius threw?" Chisato inquired as she pointed down the path. Though it was too dark for most of the party to see, Gawain could see there was a path that the rats had created further down.

Chisato slowly moved herself to the center of the safe zone as that was the furthest away from the rats that she could get without climbing back up. Kellum smirked a bit as he saw his companion rather uncomfortable compared to her normally calm demeanor. Turning to look at the other members of the group, "Should we try and find where they came from? It could lead us to the source of all of this," he suggested looking at the group.

Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interactions: saxon conman2163


In all honesty rats was the most logical conclusion to what had happened to this place. The crops picked clean, the claw marks, and the whispers of a plague. All tell tales signs of an infestation of the deadliest kind. Luckily the romans were prepared and set up a defensive line of light that stopped the rats. Still as the group pondered what to do Gawain relaxed a little bit. It didn't look like they would have to cut through this swarm, at least not yet. While it was best to stay on guard he didn't have to be at the ready every second.

"We should press forward. Pas the swarm is likely where we will find our answer. Although considering how many rats there seem to be then my guess is were looking at one hell of a brooddmother waiting for us on the other side, or worse. Something that can command a swarm rather then them acting out on there own hunger." If Gawain had flesh he would have been sure to have goosebumps. Chisato's discomfort was one he would have echoed while he was still alive. He never liked rats, just acknowledged that they were useful in dealing with bodies. Luckily in his current state most rats would hopefully ignore him, no meat to chew on after all. Although these were likely magical rats and who knows, maybe they liked to chew on bones.

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

The Legionaires put away their pilum for the moment and each grabbed their spare torches. Lighting them up with the torches from the ground and picking the other torches up they started advancing forward. Lucius advanced forward with his sword held behind them. "Forward unto the breach." He was surprised to learn the deadly rats had devoured the village and not some phantom Nosoi they had no way to see, but he remembered several times seeing rats in odd enough places that he thought it made sense. If they died in the light it would explain the houses and scratch marks too. The legionaries and their centurion would push through to the horde holding their torches up. They threw their spare torches down the tunnel to see if they could see more but otherwise held the light aloft to push back the creatures.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Kellum looked over at the knight as he seemed to have the same idea that he did. "Well, I guess we have no choice but to press on, we can't be certain that these rats won't go to other villages. I think we have seen the damage they can do and we don't even know how long they took to kill the people here," Kellum pointed out as the knight mentioned the broodmother, though he was hoping that there wouldn't be such a thing.

"Right, I doubt a broodmother is here," Chisato chuckled nervously as one of the rats tried to bite her but as soon as the light full showed the rat it died instantly. She quickly shivered as she saw the rat and jumped slightly closer to the group. A split second later she cleared her throat. "I'm not scared of rats..I just wasn't quick enough to react," she retorted nervously as Kellum smirked and shook his head. Then Lucius made his decision as well.

"Well I guess that makes it easy, though lets keep our torches and lanterns alight," Kellum suggested as the group started to move forward down the tunnel in the direction the rats had come from. As they moved further, the rats moved out of the way as the light approached them, allowing them to move forward. Several more loud booms were created as the rats shot out of the walls further down the tunnel, making more holes and pouring into the area.

The rumbling shook the tunnel a bit, causing the group to stumble even though none lost their footing. Revealing the tunnel was slightly unstable and the rats were not helping that stability at all. For all they knew the village could collapse right on top of their heads if it came down onto the tunnel.


"Right, I think that our cue to leave right guys?" Chisato chuckled nervously as she pulled on Kellum's armor trying to get him to agree with her. To which he simply patted the top of her head to which she pouted and crossed her arms letting out a sigh.

"The sooner we find the source the better off we are going to be," Kellum pointed out as the group turned down the tunnel that the first group of rats that poured out of. As the light reached them they started to retreat back the way they had come. As the group pushed forward they came to a large chamber that led to a stone bridge, instead of water being under the bridge there was a lot of bones and they looked like human bones as the rats scurried across the remains.

Kellum stopped as he looked over the ledge, "What is going on here? The town didn't look like it had that many people living here based on the number of buildings. Could they have gone to other towns?" He inquired looking at the group.

Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interaction: saxon conman2163


Gawain nodded in recognition of Kellum's agreement to the plan, even the romans were wanting to push forward. That just left poor Chisato who was obviously uncomfortable around rats. However her vote was outnumbered and the skeleton doubted she would want to be left behind. His gaze shifted to one of the suicidal rats as it leapt forward only to be felled by the light of the torch. These things were certainly creepy. Best to stick with the torch light then. As they moved through the cave Gawain made sure to keep towards the front while still being protected by the light.

Once they reached the stone bridge he felt a tinge of disgust in the back of his mind. No wonder there was no water in the well, the river was likely blocked by the bones of the dead. If anything it was probably best there was no water, it would have been tainted by the uncountable number of bones and whatever rotten remains the rats had left. "Don't forget, there were plenty of bone piles up on top as well, these remains were brought from somewhere else. My guess is it wasn't rats that brought them, at least not the rats on their own." As he spoke his eyes searched the darkness trying to see anything that might be useful.

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

"Not sure if you've ever seen the amount of spawn a rat can have, but if even a tenth of the rats we see here have been breeding and infested with some sort of magical enhancement, who knows how many could be down here." There were already hundreds in evidence. The Centurion found himself wondering for the umpteenth time whether the pay was worth it right when the walls started to shake. "We were always running on borrowed time with our light sources but this makes it more urgent." The Centurion and his men picked up the pace and advanced quicker. He sent a quick prayer to Pluto for the souls of the accursed bones he was crossing and begged the forgiveness of the dead. He had no need for a malignant Lemure to haunt him for the slight to their bones. Without a proper burial he shuddered to think how many must exist in the river of bones they were crossing. He risked a glance back at the rest of the group. "Who knows how far this spring flows. If they dried it out it might reach for leagues around. Underground rivers can be finicky that way. Either way I wouldn't fall in." He stated as he continued forward behind his men.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Kellum looked at Gawain as he spoke, "Well, that would seem to be the case though that doesn't explain how far they have spread. We only know of this time for all we know, they could be on both sides of the border. For all week now, there could be miles upon miles of tunnels," He pointed out to the knight as he looked back over at Chisato, who looked disturbed and creeped out due to all the collected bones.

"I think you are right; however, these rats do not act like normal ones. They act like someone is controlling them or something," Chisato theorized as she moved closer to the group. As Gawain looked around as the group reached the island in the middle of the sea of bones, he would see someone or something appear from the darkness. A cloaked figure dropped from the ceiling as he let out a loud crackle that echoed throughout the cavern.

The man looked up; he had peppered hair that was pulled back. The robe itself was as black as night, glancing at the Roman and then to the Gawain. "Ah, more fuel for the masterpiece hmm. YES. YES. YES. We encourage it, yes you will all be a good food source. Come join us! JOIN US!" The man shouted as he stood up and slammed a mace on the ground as several plumes of rates erupted from the ground encircling the man and then the party with the lights of the torches and lanterns created, keeping the rats at bay.


"Uh, who is this guy? Chisato!" Kellum inquired and looked to his companion as she used her weapon form. Readying himself and waiting to see what the others were going to do next.

Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interactions: saxon conman2163


The knight nodded as Kellum added on to his thought. "Yes it is likely that is the case. What ever we are dealing with required quiet a bit of coordination." it only made sense then that Chisato proposed someone was behind this situation. If it hadn't been for his previous adventures he would have questioned how sick minded someone would have to be to do this. At this point he was coming to except that no matter where he went, people would go mad with power and use that power to hurt others. Those others usually being unable to defend themselves and would end up either slaughtered or a pawn in an evil game.

The fact that the potential mastermind of the rat problem appeared just after the possibility was mentioned seemed too convenient, as if the fool was waiting for an introduction to make his appearance. He made a noise that sounded it sort of like a hiss of annoyance at the plumes of rats. A ratmancer was an annoyi9ng idea. "Romans, on me. We have a monster to slay" he said as he marched forward towards the enemy but not straying from the light.

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

Whoever the dark figure in front of him was Lucius found himself regretting that they had not brought more legionaries. He cursed quietly and shouted a simple command to the legionaries in front of him. "Impetum!" He and his men moved forward into range with the man. Then they would tossed their torches at him in an effort to use the light and break the spell on the rats. Afterwards they all three threw their pilum, trying to aim for the man in the center of the rats. For Lucius' part he drew the lantern he had grabbed from the surface and held it aloft in an effort to keep the dark back. He had no wish to become part of whatever hellish pile the dark ratmancer was trying to create. If any of the rats were pushed his way he would attempt to defend himself by slashing them with his gladius. "Damned ratmancers, always causing trouble." He muttered to himself.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Kellum looked at the others as they were moving into their positions. Though the whole ratmancer thing was strange, he had never heard of someone being able to do that before. To him the world was still full of surprises even after all the years he had spent in this world. He glanced over at Chisato as she nodded her head in return.

A second later, the woman was gone and a halberd was sticking out of the ground. Grabbing the halberd Kellum looked back to see the knight and the Romans started to advance on the man. "Just remember to keep yourselves in the light!" Kellum warned the group as he looked down at his lantern, which was still good for a little bit longer. He then started to advance along with them.

When the roman threw their spear the rats formed a wall and blocked the pilums that were thrown at them. When Kellum reached the man he used Yapparkuni as he went to go in for the slash the old man moved much faster than he should have been able to. He simply smacked the halberd away with enough force that cause Kellum to step off balance.

Spoiler: Cooldown/Abilities Used

• Weapon Form - Transformation E, Magic E, Spell Duration F - Transforms into her halberd form. Transformation Lasts for 1 hour or until the user cancels the ability. Refer to transformation skill above to see stats and relevant skills when in weapon form. - Grade E - 1 Post Cooldown
• Yapparkuni - Fighting Style [Living Weapon, halbard] F (Blight F (Poison) - The user delivers an attack which deals poison damage to the target. It must be within melee distance. - Grade F - 0 Post Cooldown

notes: Combat has begun 3 A per round.
Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interaction: saxon conman2163


If Gawain could have blinked, Chisato turning into a halberd that was then weilded by Kellum would have made him blink. That was taking personal connections to one's weapons to a new level. Still the fact that Kellum went in for an attack meant that Gawain would be able to move as well. Making sure to stay within the light Gawain advanced passed the romans and quickly towards the ratmancer. He watched as the romans spears were blocked by a wall of rats and as Kellum's strike was deflected away from the ratmancer. Spped was not Gawain's forte, however he did have brute force. "Strike one. Death" the skeleton said as he raised his sword and brought it down towards the ratmancer. The strength welled up in his bones as he put the force behind it. The ratmancer could defelct a normal strike, but could he deflect one with a decent amount of force behind it.

Spoiler: Ability used

• Strike One: Death: Super Strength F, Athletics F: The user draws within their well of strength to unleash a strong blow against their target while using their own athleticism to reduce the chance of possible self harm from exertion. Grade F, 0 post cool down, Strength = 200 ibs

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village tunnels
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

Lucius cursed as he watched the pillars of rats easily block the pilum that were heading for the enemy vermin bender. Seeing that the pilum were ineffective and having no other real option the legionaries drew their swords and began to attack with thrusts at the ratmancer. Behind them Lucius made an effort to hold the lantern higher and cast more light around. The last thing they really needed was for the light to fail and be taken by the rat horde behind them. He would also advance on the enemy weaponizing the rats and attempt to get a strike in with his own gladius. At the end of the day the situation was not really tailored to his or his men's kind of fighting style.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Kellum watched as the knight went forward as the ratmancer sent up a wall of rats which acted as a barrier the knight punched through the wall sending rats flying backward. Though where the rats would have eagerly muched on flesh the knight in the group seemed rather unharmed and unfazed by the possibility of death. This time as the ratmancer held up his mace and smacked the ground as the grounded opened up beneath the feet of the group separating everyone.

As the ground shook and now the group was split into three sections with Gawain still in melee range with the rat mancer. Lucius' legionaries attacks hadn't penitrated the wall itself but was able to hit the ratmancer as he slammed his mace down. "I think if we are going to beat this ratmancer we are going to need to find a better light source!" Kellum called out as he was now separated from the other two looking around for something they could use.

If Lucius were to look around he would notice there were some barrels at the far end of the room. Though what was in the content of these barrels was still very much unknown to the group. During the rupture of the ground which left Gawain fighting the ratmancer the barrels could be seen some kind of liquid was seeping from a small crack.


Meanwhile the rats started to swarm the edges of the now three platforms. The bones seemingly sinking into the sea of rats as many of them were clawing their way onto the platforms only to be repelled by the light of the torches and lanterns.

The ratmancer summoned another wall of rats to separate him and the knight as he readied himself for the knight to punch through the rats once again. However the old man looked calm from what the others had seen if not a bit crazy.

"Hmmm yes, yes! Come to me my rats, this world shall know the peace! Come to me my children!" The man shouted as he was them warmed by rats as they left his face open the rats started to solidify into armor. Kellum looked around for anything that he could use, before the rats had swarmed the new trenches from the man, he had seen no bones in there. So the legionaries and Kellum could make their way back to the center platform where the knight and the ratmancer were fighting.
notes: Combat has begun 3 A per round.
Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[Dante Verren]

Gawain
Interactions: saxon conman2163


There was a sense of satisfaction rats were sent flying from his strike, but it was matched by the disappointment of the ratmancer managing to avoid the blow. He also noted that the rats were leaving him alone for the most part. That meant his theory that his lack of flesh was not appealing to them. For once being a skeleton was working well for him. While it meant he was likely not a target for the rats they would still get in his way. It also looked like this ratmancer wasn't a fool. Instead of facing them as a group the old man had summoned ore rats separating them into three groups. Ratmancer and Gawain in one group, the romans in a second group, and Kellum in the third group.

While the rat wall that appeared before him was annoying what really pissed off Gawain was the crazy old man's words. The ratmancer called these creatures his children and yet he was using them as a defensive wall and a suit of armor? That pissed the skeleton off. "Strike One, Death" He swung another blow at the rat wall but did not finish there. "Strike 3, Devastation!" Using the first blow to punch a whole in the wall, He aimed his devastation at the ratmancer. If the cretin wanted to use his children as a shield, Gawain would aspire to show him how feeble it was.

Spoiler: Abilities Used

• Strike One: Death: Super Strength F, Athletics F: The user draws within their well of strength to unleash a strong blow against their target while using their own athleticism to reduce the chance of possible self harm from exertion. Grade F, 0 post cool down, Strength = 200 ibs
  
  
• Strike 3: Devastation: Super Strength D, Athletics F: The user draws within their well of strength to unleash a strong blow against their target while using their own athleticism to reduce the chance of possible self harm from exertion: Grade D, 2 post Cool down, Strength = 1 ton 0/2 Cooldown

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village tunnels
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

The lack of oomph to come out of the attack by the three legionaries and their allies was quite problematic. It was disheartening to see that very little seemed to be effecting the little critters that the absolutely insane verminologist was using as a wall. The large cracks that suddenly formed in the ground and separated them all from each other was quite troubling though. Lucius cast around the cavern to check on the other to find they were fine, but Kellum was right. They needed to find a large lightsource. If they could kill off the rats then the little ratmancer wouldn't have anything to throw at them, or at least Lucius prayed to Jupiter that would be the case. He had been told once of a deity the greeks worshipped, Arimanius, who favored rats as his chosen animal. The Centurion sincerely hoped that killing this many of the vermin wouldn't bring his ire. Casting about the cavern Lucius spotted the barrels stacked up at one end. Conveniently they were leaking something as well, though he couldn't tell what at a distance. Lucius would attempt to make his way across the room to the substance while shouting to Kellum and pointing to the barrels. "There! Light those ablaze!" Meanwhile the legionaries continued their course of attack. If Lucius got close enough he would attempt to light the barrels by throwing the lantern at them.

 

[saxon]

Kellum & Chisato
​

Gawain's attack was once gain met with a wall of rats, though this time around his sword went through as he heard a howl of pain from the ratmancer. The tip of his blade was red with blood. The ratmancer looked down at his arm as blood trickled down his forearm. "What, you harmed me? But these rats, these rats provide me armor!" The ratmancer screamed as it echoed through the cavern and down the corridor the group had come from.

In retaliation the wall of rats dropped as he swung his mace around striking Gawain's armor, though the skeleton would notice that the attack hurt a lot more than it normally would have as he was sent off his feet and off into the sea of rats below. "Yes, yes mister knight the rats will feast on you nicely I think!" He shouted as he turned his attention onto the next closes group as he hopped off his small island as Kellum dropped into the pit as the rats moved away from the light created by his lantern.

When the ratmancer approached Kellum the rats that acted as armor fell off and died on the ground due to the contact with the light. To which the ratmancer looked down and howled with disgust as he swung his hammer around. Kellum taking advantage of the howl moved to engage the man. As his halberd met its target the man let out a howl as the hammer came around with more force knocking him up into the air and crashing against a wall of the rat made cavern knocking the air out from him.


Meanwhile now that the ratmancer was now back in the dim light the rats scurried to him once again forming some kind of rat made armor. "Yes, yes my pretties, I promise you will get to eat more once we kill these pests." The man promised as he started to move towards Kellum. Lucius on the other hand was free to move toward the barrel that he had spotted.

As he got close enough to toss a torch at the barrel, he didn't have enough time to look away as the barrel exploded causing splints of wood to shoot everywhere. The flash was so bright that it had blinded everyone in the room friend and foe. Though thanks to the light the rats in the room were now all dead and the ratmacer was rubbing his eyes.

Spoiler: Cooldown/Abilities Used

• Yapparkuni - Fighting Style [Living Weapon, halbard] F (Blight F (Poison) - The user delivers an attack which deals poison damage to the target. It must be within melee distance. - Grade F - 0 Post Cooldown

notes: Combat still in effect 3 A per round.
Gawain Armor C => D, knocked back 20 ft
Kellum F grade armor destroyed, knocked back 20ft

Mentions: conman2163 Dante Verren

 

[conman2163]

Lucius Gallicus​

Location: The Ryke, The burnt village tunnels
Mentions: saxon Dante Verren

Lucius fell to his knees as he tossed the torch with a final effort after having crossed the cavern. It seemed like that if whatever this was did not create a great ball of light to kill the rats they were doomed to die down here in darkness swarmed by the terrible creatures. He watched as the torch soared through the air and flickered for a moment before hitting the ground. Flames flared instantly and the brilliant explosion blinded him as his eyes tried to adjust to the terrible light. He was rubbing his own eyes even as the ratmancer did, but he did have time to shout to his legionaries who had been temporarily stunned. "Quick, kill him now!" The legionaries were half blinded so they waited until their vision cleared a few moments later and advanced upon the man, stabbing at him with their gladius.