This morning passed like any other morning in Woodhaven; you woke up, had some breakfast, maybe prepared spells, and went about your daily business. Noontime came and went, you hit up the Befuddled Bugbear for a sandwich and a drink, chatted with the locals for a while, and went back to the daily grind.
Then you heard something like a clap of thunder, followed by another similar rumble. Or maybe two more? It was hard to tell. Running out into the street, you saw chaos. Somewhere several blocks away, smoke was beginning to rise into the air. Screams could be heard, first from a distance but quickly spreading.
No sooner have you begun to wrap your head around the town's sudden frenzy than you notice Guard Captain Arriaga—the dwarven woman who leads the town guard and manages most of Woodhaven's daily affairs—walking briskly and pointedly toward you.
"You lot, there!" she says, pointing at you and a few other bystanders. "I've got a job for you. Something hit the city; I'm thinking at least two impacts. We don't know yet if it's natural or some kind of attack, but I've got to get the citizens under control before panic takes too strong a hold. I'm short-staffed as it is, and I still need someone to go check on the mayor at his estate. Since you seem to be the only non-guards who don't need immediate wrangling, I'm drafting the lot of you for the task. Here."
She pulls a folded piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to one of you.
"Give that to the man stationed at the north gate, and he'll give you a supply pack, in case you run into trouble. Exit through that gate and follow the footpath northeast. The mayor's house is just on the other side of the first hill; you can't miss it. Verify his status, secure the estate if need be, then report back to me. Now move!"
With that, she hustles in the direction of the screams and begins barking orders at the guards who have begun arriving in the area.
The mayor! Could he be injured? Does he already have legal representation? If not, then perhaps this whole disaster could constitute negligence on his part. Better get there before he has time to cover up the evidence!
Tolbert pats his pockets, making sure he has both his spell components and business cards, puts away his reading glasses, and takes off for the mayor's house.
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Cassidy nods her head in compliance and turns towards the mayor's house, stuffing some plants, which she had been examining before the impact, into her bag as she walks.
Always something ruining my sandwich! Garnult grumbles as he walks out of the Bugbear. Seeing the comely Dwarf asking for help Garnult's mood brightens Yah, lets go do that.
It's only a couple of blocks to the north gate, and the group of strangers arrives in short order. Woodhaven's heavy timber wall bears a large wooden gate, bordered on one side by a smallish tower atop which a pointy-eared guardswoman can be seen dutifully surveying the countryside outside the city wall. At ground level, a human guardsman with a polearm stands at the ready. Seeing you approach, he addresses the group:
"Ho there, what can I do for you folks?"
Tolbert steps forward, and produces a business card from his robes, along with the paper given to him by the Captain. "My good sir, Guard Captain Arriaga has hired me, Tolbert Musgrave, Esq., on behalf of the mayor, and I intend to make whatever use possible of my services. Here are my credentials. Oh, and these others are with me as well."
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Yer a sneaky git Musgrave. Garnult harrumphs under his breath
The Lady Dwarf Arriaga sent us to check on the Mayor, we be adventurers stopping in town.
The paper the Beetle there gave you should be for a pack of supplies. The Captain charged us with checking on the Mayor quickly during this crisis. Please be quick about it.
The guard raises an eyebrow at Beetle, but doesn't bother responding. Turning to the others, he seems to recognize Warren.
"Oh, it's you; Captain's got you on another errand, eh?"
He takes the paper, glances at it briefly, then nods.
"Oy, Tella! Open up the gate for these folks while I get 'em a supply pack. They're gonna check on the mayor and report back to Cap."
The woman in the tower begins cranking something and the gate retracts slowly into the wall, while the man below steps into the tower for a moment before emerging with a bandolier holding an assortment of flasks and vials, and a wand. He hands it to Warren.
"Wand should have 23 charges left, make sure you track any you use, though I hope you don't need any. This fella can tell you what's in it, but we keep it all labeled anyway."
"Thank you for the supplies. We'll be back shortly after checking in on the mayor; hopefully everything is fine up at the estate."
Garnult nods at the efficiency and professionalism of the guard. Of course, took a dwarf to whip them inta shape.
Let's be gettin goin.
The large wooden gate grinds back into place behind you as you leave the city. As advised, a footpath begins to lead to the northeast, winding between the trees. Far in the distance you can see what must be the hill to which Captain Arriaga referred; it looks like it'll be several minutes of walking to get there.
The name is Tarnhammer. Garnult Tarnhammer, forger of Father Torag. the grumpy dwarf says as he stumps along.
Warren hands the bandolier to Garnult.
Glad to meet you Garnult. I'm Connery, Warren Connery. I'm a hunter/guide by trade. Animals mostly, be they of the four legged or two legged variety.
I'll lead the way so please stay close. Once we get to the hill hang back a little so i can scout out ahead for trouble.
Unless something happens before the hill
You trying ta say I'm slow! Or that I caint handle trouble! Garnult says defensively. I'm the toughest damn two legger here!
Tolbert passes out a business card to anyone who will take one. "I'm Tolbert Musgrave, attorney at law. If any of you become injured due to today's events, I'll fight to get you the compensation you deserve from the city guard. You can count on it!"
I'm saying neither. You're as fast as I am and probably more hardy. What I am saying is we should stick together for safety until we get to the hill. I'll then get ahead to see if there is trouble and make sure we don't walk into it unawares and maybe see if we can surprise anyone making trouble.
Beetle, you sound like a man trying to make trouble where there is none, and would make excuses for the scum I return to prison. I've got my eyes on you.
Garnult warms to Warren immediately Well, then. That's settled. You'll do the scoutin. as Warren passes him Garnult says in a not quite low enough tone. I dun trust that Musgrave, seems weaselly.
"I sure hope we don't run into trouble. I'm Cassidy Montblanc, by the way. I wonder what we've landed ourselves in."
Reaching the top of the hill, the manor comes into view, about 100ft away. The footpath you've been walking continues to the front door, toward the left end of the near side of the building. Toward the right, a sizable hole can be seen in the roof. Additionally, you all hear a banging sound coming from about where the building is, but can't see the source.
It sounds like someone is in trouble in the house. Maybe they are trapped. Quick!
Warren begins running full speed to the house keeping an eye out for any trouble.
Hold up now. Your moving too durned fast, you ain't the tough one. Garnult says as his stubby legs struggle, and fail, to keep pace with Warren. He looks over his shoulder What're you people waitin on! An invitation!
Cassidy runs to keep up with Warren and Garnult, looking on either side of the path for danger.
As the party reaches the manor, it becomes clear that the banging is coming from behind the house, and everyone can hear muffled screams from somewhere.
Cassidy
Something2
Garnult
Something1
Beetle
Warren
"This does not look good. The banging appears to be coming from behind, let's go check what it is before entering the manor." Cassidy looks to see if the others agree to this idea, before running behind the house.
Git on then. Nothing holding this dwarf back! Garnult will follow with warhammer out and ready.
Cassidy and Garnult begin to advance, hustling around the west end of the manor.
The party hears another loud bang from behind the manor.
Tolbert follows the others, hustling to see what the noise is.
Warren runs to get to the back corner before Cassidy but does not go around it. I should end 10 feet in front of her if I have the movement from the run.
Warren dashes boldly forward, passes Cassidy, and comes to a screeching halt just past the corner of the house, directly in front of two sick-looking humanoids; each wears servants' clothing and bears multiple wounds around the head, neck, shoulders and chest.
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The rest of the party sees the above-described creatures step out from behind the house and swing their arms at Warren, luckily bouncing off his armor as he struggles to shift gears from running to self-defense.
Gotta cut em! Bashing won't do, won't do atall! Garnult hollers as he sees the undead. He prays Forgemaster! Take these defective beings out of existence! as he channels the power of Torag to destroy the undead.
"Be careful Warren!" Cassidy moves up to the undead, and pulls out her katana as she approaches, and then attacks.
Garnult moves forward behind Warren and releases a wave of holy energy. One shrieks loudly while the other only winces.
Cassidy advances to the zombies with a swing and a miss.
Then, a horrific humanoid figure emerges from behind the building. It's discolored, emaciated and wears a blood-soaked lounge robe. It approaches Warren with a wicked grin, yet even as it walks you can see it notice the rest of the party. Its eyes lock on Garnult.
Seeming to care for nothing else, he walks right past Cassidy, raising its clawed hands over its head as it goes.
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Cassidy tries to cut it down as it passes, but misses. Reaching its target, the robe-wearing monstrosity brings both arms down hard.
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Garnult leans to one side, dodging one claw but moving right into the other, taking a nasty slash down his shoulder.
To the party's horror, Garnult's body goes stiff!
You recognize this as a ghoul, an undead creature known for both its cunning and its ability to paralyze its prey.
Zombie1: 8/12
Zombie2: 10/12
Warren attacks the horror that attacked Garnult.
With a deft grace, Warren puts twin slashes through the monster. It's badly wounded, but still active.
Tolbert steps back and begins an incantation. "If I get out of this alive," he shouts, "I'll make sure your family receives just compensation, Garnult!" Then he pulls out his crossbow to ready another attack.
Beetle magically slicks up the ground from the front of his own toes to just past the monster, but it plants its feet solidly even as it turns a hateful glare to the man who just cut it.
Meanwhile, the servant-dressed creatures continue their sluggish assault.
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Flinging their limbs haphazardly, Warren and Cassidy easily evade them.
Garnult remains frozen in place, his muscles fiercely rigid.
3 rounds left
Cassidy strikes at the creature that just attacked her and shouts, "That creature is a ghoul."
Cassidy tries to finish off the ghoul in the bloody robe, but misses!
The monster then turns its attention to the man who put a pair of large gashes through it, and attempts to return the favor:
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Much like Garnult, Warren dodges one claw only to be hit squarely by the other!
Unlike Garnult, however, Warren manages to resist the paralytic effect of the ghoul's attack.
Something2
Cassidy
Garnult
Something1
Beetle
Warren
Warren tries to end the ghoul.
If the first hit drops the ghoul (which I think it will), Warren turns counterclockwise to the next zombie.
Beetle, help Garnult if you can
In a single fluid motion, Warren cuts the ghoul in half while simultaneously taking a chunk out of one of the zombies.
Zombie1: 8/12
Zombie2: 4/12
Tolbert loads his crossbow and fires at one of the remaining zombies.
without Precise Shot, against whatever cover they have
Beetle fires a wild bolt into the side of the manor.
Having recognized a present threat when Warren cut into one of them, the zombies now focus their attention on him:
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As Warren leans out of the way of one attack, the other smashes against the side of his head and he collapses to the ground with blood streaming from the wound.
Garnult: 2 rounds left
Zombie1: 8/12
Zombie2: 4/12
Cassidy slashes her sword at a zombie, aiming for the one that looks like it's taken the most damage.
Cassidy growls in fustration at her bad attack.
Warren's head wound stops spraying everywhere! Hooray!