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Chapter 0: The Weeping Dragon
It began raining this morning, lightly at first, almost a relief from the slight heat, but it soon became a heavy downpour which has lasted all day. Even traveling parallel to the road under the canopy of trees offers scant protection from the weather. The moss on those trees tells you the road is taking you north-west, but direction is an afterthought at the moment, the search for shelter is foremost in your mind.
You have been on this road for what seems an eternity, placing one foot in front of the other in an almost mindless motion. It is a struggle to remember the details of yesterday's journey, let alone the events of last week. This newest group you find yourself in numbered over twenty some days back, as you glance around at the other five souls that escaped that bloodbath, you count yourself fortunate to have escaped the horde that crossed your path.
Night has fallen, the pale light of dusk almost fled, and yet you can see something bright in the sky far ahead. The road you are following emerges abruptly from the forest, immediately splitting in two. A partially overgrown signpost points right to 'Sandpoint'. Someone must have loved this town once, what remains of the faded lettering on the sign is written in a flowing and friendly style, almost as if inviting you to enter. At last, possible shelter.
Staying to the scant cover of the darkening forest, you can see a bridge far off down the left hand fork in the road, away from Sandpoint, and to the right you can see the outskirts of the town itself. There you can see the source of the light seen earlier, a bright and flickering orange light seems to be coming from the middle of the town. Of more immediate note are the two human-shaped figures stood motionless by the bridge leading in to the town itself.
Fatigued after the long trek, Azmerai leans on his halberd and looks ahead at the town. He drops his box as silent as possible and looks ahead.
Wary he grips his halberd in a ready stance and looks at his comrades to discern their next move.
Sniffing the air he doesn´t notice anything special and spits a big glob of ooze at the roots of a tree.
Shomari hesitates at the edge of the trees. He readies an arrow but doesn't yet draw his bow.
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It was crazy to join such a large group. That only attracts their attention. Maybe if the group had some place to defend the numbers would be a plus. But not out on the open road. Just more mouths to feed and more movement to attract attention.
Lilith's wet cloak caught on her leg almost tripping her into the mud again. This brought her thoughts back to the present. In her fatigued state her mind seemed to wander, which was dangerous. Where was she? looking around she noted her surroundings and her condition. She was hungry, wet, and cold. There were 5 others stumbling forward with her. Only 5? Its was nearly dark and with the setting sun it was growing colder. Shelter was critical. They could die in this wet cold as easily as to the attacks of the undead.
They were in the woods under dripping branches of trees. She let her vision take in more of the area. The road was there, and a signpost. And further the walls of some city. And the light of a fire? If they could make it to the fire maybe they could at least dry out and get warm. And maybe others would be there too. But would the fire draw the undead as well as the living?
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Seeing the creatures at the bridge her keen elven eyes allow her to pick out enough detail to know that they are undead and she quietly shares this with the group. That bridge seems to be guarded by undead. Could this town be some sort of undead stronghold? I have not seen the mindless undead guard anything these past 6 months.
And that inviting glow? Something big is on fire. Likely an entire building, maybe buildings. Sand point was a wooden town after all. But with the rain it is unlikely its an accident. That would mean someone set that fire...
Azmerai looks at Lilith and strokes his chin. He clearly defers to her bigger brain. Must be connected to the pointy ears. "We attack, maybe silently. Could help us attack in town. Maybe trick, so that other gnashers think town is in gnasher hand. Maybe worth lookie lookie? Could have people alive in town. Could have stuff we can use."
Polonius had been walking for days before he found this group. He had long since washed down the last of his meagre rations with rain water collected in one of his potion flasks.
He looked out into the darkening night and sighed deeply. These past months had been a seemingly endless struggle of fear and desperation and he had thought long and hard before approaching the group. He had seen a lot on the road, they all had of course. But the Moaners were the worst.
Something had happened to them, something he didn't fully understand. But in their animated state all they wanted to do was feed. He had seen the behaviour before but never in sentient creatures - only at the bottom of a flask and a strong magnifying glass.
The Hungry behaved like a plague - a virus - with a single imperative to propagate itself. In his efforts to save his beloved Amelia he had studied illness of all kinds. Yes he could set a bone and stitch a wound - that was easy - but understanding how a virus behaved and how to stop it, was simply beyond him. And that's why she had died. because he failed.
His tortured mind is brought crashing back to the present by Lilith's warning.
Undead yes. But guarding? I'm not sure - perhaps. They are chained to the bridge but maybe it's as a warning, or maybe they even keep the Moaners out somehow - I mean I can't see a barricade. Either way, that fire is big and could threaten the whole town.
He checks his gear and finds it sadly lacking.
I don't know if we have much choice but to enter anyway. There might still be supplies inside and I don't think any of us are doing so well at the moment.
Azmerai looks approving to the small one next to him. Then he points to the bridge and says:"Left one my gift to Sararae. You can kill other?"
Polonius looks up at the hefty half-orc with a raised eyebrow. He then casts his glance to the halfling, lurking in the shadows beside the road, keeping a sharp eye out.
This world is made for the half-orc and hobgoblin. It's a cruel place made only easier by the strength of one's arm. And mine are pretty thin!
I've had to burn down a few Moaners to get here. But I certainly can't do it quietly. he smiles, thinking about his bombs and once more remarking how easy it was to turn a medical concoction into an instrument of death - with the proper knowledge and application of a few house-hold items of course. There was a certain irony to that and again, somehow perfect for this New World.
Perhaps that's a task best carried out by our new halfling friend. Turrey, isn't it? he asks.
Azmerai arranges his chest close to a tree. He looks at the others:" Arrows no good against gnashers. Need go in and cave head in with steel!" He ponders for a moment. Then he nods to Polonius."Fire also good! Or magic!"
@Shomari: they are about 100 ft away, you know from experience that your eyes can't pick out heat from that distance so they could still be living.
@Lilith: yes, you recall that there's at least one other major road coming out of Sandpoint, so there's bound to be another bridge around somewhere.
Turrey had tried to stay in Magnamar for months, but in the end food was too scarce and zombies too plentiful. It was scary to leave behind the places he knew, but staying would've been a death sentence.
As the long day fades toward night, Turrey's wet calloused feet have been dragging more and more on the muddy road. He chuckles to himself at the thought that he had made common cause on the road with a hobgoblin and a half-orc. Interesting times, indeed! Could you have ever convinced me a year back that I'd be *reassured* by the presence of those brutes? It's funny how the rules have changed.
Turrey's musings are cut short as he spots the zombies -- and once again feels the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. Only two for now, that's not terrible, he tells himself. And these *interesting* allies make the odds better...if their clanging and clomping doesn't attract more.
Hearing Lilith and Polonius' conversation, he replies, "Yes, Turrey Butterhill..." He seems lost in thought for a moment, thinking with pride about how (for a short, golden while) he was 'Brother Butterhill, Acolyte of Desna'. But there's nothing but a silent hole now where my connection to the Tender of Dreams had been, so 'Turrey' it is.
"I agree that they don't seem to be guarding Sandpoint...but Polonius, how confident are you that they can't come this way either? It looks to me like something's preventing them from crossing the bridge. I suspect a few of us should creep closer to learn more."
To Polonius and Shomari, "I suspect the three of us are the quietest of the bunch. Shall we circle around, through those woods? If they're truly chained we'll hoot twice, to signal to start shooting them. If it seems they're only prevented from getting *in* to Sandpoint, we'll hoot twice. At that point any Azmerai and anyone else who's willing can advance, and we'll come in from their flank. Sound reasonable?" As reasonable as *anything* is in this messed up, upside down world, anyway?
Turrey looks at the zombies, then down at his aching legs, and then back at the zombies again. Shrugging his shoulders, he says, "I reckon I could go either way. I'm so very tired I'm tempted to just take these two on. I think we should be able to, working together."
Azmerai looks at the little halfling and the elven lady and ponders:"You decide. I help. But other bridge maybe also gnasher! Then we walked, are very tired and still have to fight!"
Come on. Polo says. If it's to be done best it is to be done quickly. Azmerai, if you head forward with Len and Lil supporting. Turrey, Shomari and I will creep up to attack from the right. Let's get out of this rain...
Your stealthy approach appears to be working, the zombies are oblivious to your presence it seems, they remain fixated on the flickering light above the town.
As you sneak closer you get a better view of the area around the bridge.
Now you are closer, you can see the zombies each have a rope tied around one ankle. The rope is tied to a wooden pole that has been driven in to the ground near the bridge.
Azmerai would pick up his chest, tie it to his back and remember...
His father and the belt. Because he didn´t find enough. Because his father had been spit upon. Because his father loved the power he felt when beating his son. Azmerai would charge and declare Rage in the first round.
I'll process all actions once everyone has posted.
Polo draws upon his natural reserves of arcane magic and produces a small globe of flame in the palm of his hand. Then, in a habit he has picked up over the years, closes one eye to aim and hurls the ball of flame at one of the zombies.
Creeping closer, Turrey is too focused on his immediate foes to notice either the tracks or the sounds behind them.
A dagger in each hand, his heart races as he pads up behind the moaners as quietly as he's able. With the element of surprise he manages to get two quick slashes with his daggers. The first, spills some fetid intestines partly out of the moaner's belly while the second shaves a slice off its leg.
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Shomari sees that the creatures are chained, and jogs up, slashing at one with his sibat.
Azmerai steps in and hacks a chunk out of the first zombie, it barely has time to turn around before the orb of flame from Polonius engulfs it, lighting it on fire. The smell of burning, rotten flesh washes over you. Amazingly it takes a lurching step towards Azmerai and raises its arms to swing, when suddenly there is a crackle as Lilith's spell drives into its chest, causing positive energy to pulse outwards and evidently destroying something internal, as the zombie crashes in to the mud, still burning and lending a macabre red cast to the surroundings.
Turrey dashes in against the other zombie, with two quick cuts. Attracting its attention long enough for Shomari to arrive and make his own attack. It raises its fist, groaning and baring blackened teeth as it stoops in to grab Turrey. Fortunately Lenneth's slingshot arrives just in time, making a crunching noise as it smashes against the back of its head. It keels over, barely missing Turrey as it falls.
There is a silent pause, broken only by the crackling body still afire next to you. Suddenly three more zombies appear ar the edge of the woods where you were just hiding. They see you immediately and move to attack. It's difficult to make out with the now dwindling flames, but there might be more movement behind these three.
Azmerai points to the town:"Fire good side. Or fight at bridge?"
Everyone get across the bridge. It's s choke point, they won't be able to surround us. If there's too many, I'll burn the bridge! Polonius shouts, trying to make himself heard above the rain and moaning.
He makes his way hastily across the bridge, keeping an eye out for any Moaners on this side.
Turrey nods at Polonius' logic and scampers over the bridge, keeping the moaners in his eye as he does so.
Azmerai stands guard at the bridge, offers his hand in support and waits till everyone else has crossed the bridge. Thankful for his halberd he uses it to catch a bit of breath. Then he thinks of something and uses his halberd haft to rearange the gnashers corpses so that it makes it a bit more difficult for the gnashers to reach them. He tries to discern if there are just 3 or even more.
The bolt of energy cast by Lilith strikes the lead zombie in the face, but the mass of scar tissue and exposed bone in its jaw seem to dissipate the energy without effect.
The gnashers, six in total, finish emerging from the forest. In their haste to get at you, the first falls over the burned corpse Azmerai moved to block the end of the bridge, which results in them jostling each other to try and get past and instead becoming tangled up. You have bought some time, but not much.
There are two large buildings to your right, several small ones to your left and a couple of streets to run down. Night has fallen properly now, and without a local light source you are unable to view any signs on the buildings. Visibility, due to darkness and the continuing heavy rain, is very poor.
The fire appears to be deeper towards the centre of town judging from the light you can still see above the buildings.
Azmerai looks at his exhausted companions and just says"Fight or flee? Maybe one house closer to fire made safe hole? Wanted oil for fire to keep warm, but maybe gooder here. Maybe help burn bridge!" And nods to his chest on the back.
As the first of the zombies stumble on the bodies, Polo grabs one of his flasks of liquid, pours in a tiny pinch of powder and hurls it at the zombie in the middle of the pack.
He waits anxiously to see if the bridge catches alight
Shomari falls back slowly across the bridge, weary from the past days' struggle. He scans the area behind them, looking for a safe place to fight from. Picking the closest of the small buildings, he goes quietly to the door, pushing it open and looking inside.
Turrey scampers toward the buildings as quickly as he can. Seeing Shomari checking one door, he decides to check another.
"I'll see if this one's open -- and if it seems like a reasonable place to hide or defend ourselves."
Azmerai hefts his halberd ready to slash
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Suddenly very aware that he, Lenneth and Azmerai are facing a bridge full of zombies and at best a ghost town behind them (at worst a zombie infested hell-hole), Polonius shouts up at the human woman;
Lenneth, we can't get separated from them, come on! he then turns to the huge half-orc;
Azmerai, if the rain doesn't wash it out the fire should hold them. We have to move into the town and find shelter, somewhere we can defend better than here. I don't think your halberd is finished for the night!
Hoping against hope that his bomb will catch and the resulting fire would destroy the rest of the following zombies, or at least slow them down, he scampers after Shomari and Turrey.
Actually Azmerai will be last to leave. He will wait for Lenneth and especially Polonius to leave as he is twice as fast.