Corpse Run
Log Info
- Title: Corpse Run
- Emitter: Jinks
- Characters: Seyardu, Paenitia, Lysos, Karasu
- Place: Alexandros Wilderness, On the Road
- Time: Monday, August 09, 2021, 6:31 PM
- Summary: The mourners seek to employ a group of mercenaries to escort a wagon ferrying remains from Vardama's temple in Alexandria to the remote Verrat family estate beyond the gnomish settlement of Happy Valley. Whirr the Coachgolem will drive the wagon and its cargo. Interested parties should gather at the city's gates at sunrise and bring their own supplies for the journey. Seating will be available in the wagon but those with sensitive noses may wish to come prepared with a mount of their own! Paenitia, Lysos, Karasu and Seyardu turn out to escort the body. The trip is long but not uneventful. As night falls they are attacked by a giant grasping hand, and a giant vulture, both rotting. The adventurers manage to fight them off and deliver their cargo, but there are quite a few unanswered questions, and the recipients seem interested in them vacating asap.
- Encounters:
- (1) CR5 Aritficer wargolem as Whirr, Friendly
- (1) CR6 XP2400 Giant Vulture (CR3) with a Zombie-template
- (1) CR ? Crawling Hand, Giant.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-= Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Lysos 5'6" 105 Lb Human/Tsuran Female Dark eyed tsuran girl. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Karasu 5'9" 125 Lb Kobold, giant Male Clearly a man of Xian decent with dark hair and eyes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Noteable NPCs -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Lady Verrat Halfling Female An ancient, barefoot Lucht in fancy dress. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Jinks 3'4" 39 Lb Gnome Male A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The ground is wet in the shadow of the city's walls and early travelers have already deformed the road through the gates into shallow puddles and divots. The men and women of the watch remain alert and on task in spite of the temporal proximity to shift change. The taunting aroma of fleshly-baked breads plays on the air, spilling out from some not-so-distant shop.
At a staging point where several assorted groups mill the coachgolem already waits, seated on the driver's bench with reins in their lap. They hunch forward, arms on knees, and their face is a long, etched-brass beak like plague doctor's mask with mismatched eyes of pearl and amethyst. A voluminous traveling cloak devours the golem's frame with their wiry hands and forearms of clockwork almost disappearing entirely into overlong sleeves. A long staff decorated with some manner of artifice sits on hooks behind the driver's seat.
The wagon has seating for four more; a second person on the bench with the driver and three on the bench opposite the wagon's cargo. Speaking of the cargo; an unremarkable woodplank coffin (sized for a human) sits ready to be escorted to its new internment site. It's secured in place by heavy iron chains to keep from sliding about in transit. Bundled canvas is crumpled on the bed of the wagon after shifting off the coffin coming from the mountain temple to and through the city's northern gates.
Seyardu was one of those who had shown up at the request. While wishing to take part just in case, she owes much to the Vardaman temple, and any chance to repay that in some manner was not to be turned down. So when the small caravan was to be on its way, Seyardu was part of those present, adjusting the saddle on the swiftclaw that they had brought with them.
"No Ramirez, do not step in the mud. We escort, you must look beautiful." A high-pitched, feminine voice carries across the staging area. It's a Red Knight, upon an Ivory Charger.
'Ruaaaah...' The Ivory Charger, a horse-sized peacock that is half gypsy-andalusian horse, and wholly a hippogryph, drawls out a squawk that sounds much like a complaint. He does not like to be muddy. He does like to be beautiful, yes.
The Red Knight is a dark-skinned Lucht with curly black hair, that hands in ringlets from her head and shins. She's completely concealed in rusty red armour, and a white, stylized mask of a smiling man's face.
She, they, have many weapons, and the pair rides up with the Dark Lucht saluting the golem, "Hola! I am Sister Paenitia Snapdragon del Haranna, Knight of the Pillar, Paladina of Tarien, and I will be the outrider today. You want us in the front or the back?"
She leans a little, lowering her voice, "the back is better if you do not wish to see Ramirez's tail the whole journey."
Lysos is not the greatest equestrian. In fact, were she asked, she'd fully admit that considering her own luck, a broken neck would very likely loom in her future. But when it was suggested she could ride in the cart with the to-be-interred, the suggestion was met with a very firm 'nope, no way, no how.' Which is how she found herself on the back of the most placid, unremarkable, unflappable horse one could possible find when she raches the appointed time and place at the city gates. Being that the horse appears to be half-blind, and more than half-deaf, it's very likely she got a hell of a bargain on it too. THat being said, there's nothing wrong with its sense of smell... despite her best efforts, it absolutely refuses to get too close to either the swiftclaw or the hippogryph.
Karasu, whom has no love of horses (nor they love of him), and no fear of corpses, rides in the cart alongside the body. It is not perhaps the most comfortable ride, but he does not seem perturbed by it in any way. Quite to the contrary, he seems if anything more at ease than normal. The raven on his shoulder is a silent vigial whom accompanies him and seems quite appropriate to the scene.
"Whirr?" It's not exactly a question but there's a rising inflection and an imitation of distant birdsong that makes it seem so. The brass head bobs in its inspection of the approaching trio.
Whether through design or not, Whirr has adopted many affectations of the birds she resembles. Her head tilts, cocking to one side, or turns to regard individuals with one eye at a time. Her internals are a well-oiled clockwork and issue very little operational noise-- but there is the subtle sound of metal sliding against metal when her torso moves. The golem's voice is feminine with a vibrato and distant quality that makes it seem like an echo playing from around the corner.
"Back is fine," she answers the greetings simply, bouncing up to sit straight. The brass beak pokes heavanward and swivels, the golem craning her neck to see if any more are coming from the city. Dipping when Karasu climbs aboard the wagon. "Sooner we go, sooner we finish."
"Ah, peace on your nest, Dame Paenitia. If there is one I would trust for travel on the road, it would be yourself, and Ramirez." She greets to the Lucht after clambering onto her mount. "Peace to you as well, Karasu, and, Lysos?" She continues after looking to the others. "Will you be alright on the road?" She asks, unsure of the horse. "If that is the case, I will be behind. The sooner we go, yes, once we are all prepared."
Ramirez tilts his head, examining the bird-golem, then clacking his beak at her. Karasu's raven gets a chirp, of sorts, if one imagines the sound being both much deeper and louder.
"Okay. We take the back. Hola! Friend Dragon, and the Unlucky Mage, it is good to see you both." Paenitia says cheerfully, guiding Ramirez to the rear of the wagon. She gives a nod to Karasu as well.
"Oh, I'll be fiiiiine," Lysos assures Seyardu, closing her fist in a gesture of great confidence.. which turns into a wave at Paenitia, and then a more tentative one at Karasu. After she snugs up the laces pulling the collar of her cowled cloak more secure, she picks the reins back up off of her saddle's pommel and tugs. And tugs again. She huffs, then gathers herself for another tug.. but by this time the tuft of grass that had her horse's complete attention is gone and the beast finally aggress to ramble forward. "See? Nothing to it!" she says with a toothy smile.
"Peace on you and yours." Karasu intones formally to the sith-makar, nodding in equal politeness to Paenitia, and finally Lysos. He glances only once at Lysos' mount, but says nothing of its quality. Instead he settles himself in the cart with his companion who crows once in the manner that ravens have of greeting.
The coachgolem slides to the center of the driver's bench when Karasu takes a seat at the back of the wagon, lifting the reins loosely in one hand and turning the amethyst eye towards Seyardu quizzically. She's likely waiting for affirmation that the Sith is now ready to depart.
A loose flock of gulls pass overhead and heading inland. Perhaps summoned by the talk of Lysos' luck, one manages to leaves an offending splatter on the shoulder of her traveling clothes before passing on its way.
With an affirmation from the cleric the golem issues a noise that's part call, part eerie, ululating steamwhistle and jostles the reins. The two dark, massive draft horses set into motion. They move carefully through the traffic around the gates but are inspired to greater speeds when the bodies thin.
- * * *
"Be on guard. Earn pay for escort. Then return to city intact and alive." Whirr begins speaking without preamble, turning to look away from the road at her passenger (and those riding alongside the wagon) shortly after the city's walls are out of sight. Once there are fewer people to overhear.
"Expect no trouble but body is from Warrior Hall. Unknown why. Family petitioned to have returned. Said man was lost. Did not know of death until now. Many years after." Her head jerks back towards the road, cocking to one side. "Strange."
Lysos is... unperturbed by the bird's gift, calmly reaching a hand across her body and under the shoulder of her clock to give it a good whack, knocking some of it off. "Some people say it's good luck when that happens," she says to no one in particular before giving her horse a soft 'hyah!' and shaking the reins a tad. It just plods along. She falls silent as Whirr explains a little bit about the background of the job, and she can't help but glance at the wagon again, at the casket across from Karasu. "Creepy," is the adjective she offers.
GAME: Seyardu rolls knowledge/religion: (18)+5: 23 GAME: Lysos rolls knowledge/local: (11)+4: 15 GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/local: (17)+9: 26 GAME: Paenitia rolls knowledge/military theory: (13)+9: 22
The catacombs of the temple in Alexandria are divided into three halls. The Hall of the Warrior is the most heavily-guarded of the catacombs, patrolled regularly by priests and paladins.
"That is strange that the report was so late." Seyardu agrees from the back. Having been plodding along at a decent pace. "Especially one so... questionable, not to speak ill of the deceased. I would think the Vardamans would prefer to keep them in said hall. We may need to ask those who are asking for the body afterwards, just in case."
Paenitia makes a click-clucking noise and Ramirez marches behind the wagon. At a walk, it's a slap-clop, slap-clop as he alternates taloned front claw and rear hoof.
"The Grey Lady has three chambers. The Hall of the Warrior the most heavy guard, the Chords, Lancers and Mourners patrol much." She rocks easily from side to side in her saddle, "there may be more to this."
Her large shield is attached to saddle, she wears her buckler and her bow is close at hand. The Red Knight occasionally looks behind, but largely keeps her eyes to either side of the wagon, seeking ambushes. "That is a good idea, Friend Dragon."
"I feel like... asking people why they do creepy things is a road that usually leads to... creepier things," offers up Lysos, jerking on her reins to pre-emptively keep her old horse from being distracted by more stuff on the side of the road. It's not exactly an objection.
"Little was known of body. Kept by mourners in Warrior Hall. Unknown why. Perhaps mistake?" The golem bobs her head, repeating facts as much for her consideration as the other's. She turns reaches beneath her bench and adjusts a bundle, then pivots again and confirms the complex staff of artifice is still hanging in place and ready to be snatched.
"Mourners say family investigate. Locate body after many years. Petition. Receive approval for return. Perhaps safe. Many years, still resting." Her head swivels and cocks, pearl-eye minding the coffin for several beats.
"Rest they do, unless it the Day of the Dead or the grand-daughter, she is marrying the wrong man." Paenitia says cheerfully, leaning to the side to watch the golem, and the coffin. "The walk around, is not expected."
"We should expect this here? Do the Mourners or the family say we cannot open the lid to pay respects, while the sun is up?" She sounds both serious and deeply amused, "It would not be the first lively walker I have seen."
Karasu remains silent, a darkly clad sentienal overlooking the casket. Yet when it is suggested that the body might be some manner of undead he makes a small movement of his hand to ward off evil. "Let the Gray Lady watch over us." He intones quietly, his expression serious. One might realize then that he wears the symbol of that self-same goddess on his personage.
"Lack of knowledge makes it more concerning, but it may be simply a family wishing for the body back." Seyardu sighs. "That being said, I understand the wish for a guard for this endeavor. It would be much simpler if the dead were burnt. Much safer, prevents disease and predation. And more difficult for any necromantic magics to be used, just in case."
Seyardu blinks, glancing to the box. "I would rather not if we do not have to."
The coffin is old but has been well-tended by the mourners. The smell of decay of subtle and almost entirely masked by incense. The lowest portions of the coffin are only slightly discolored by moisture. A few small, dark spiders occasionally crawls out from between the planks to inspect this new, bright world, but there's no other obvious sign of vermin.
Whirr continues to drive, eventually turning both eyes back towards the road. At the notion of opening the coffin the golem doesn't respond. The cargo is chained in place and opening it would require some doing short a crowbar or similar tools.
"We likely cannot stop to check while we are here. But once we reach the place, I understand taking a look, though it may be unpleasant. We should make sure the mourners did not overlook anything, and that it will cause no trouble being handed over." Seyardu suggests after squinting at the box and Karasu.
Karasu offered a short look to Seyardu, and to the others in general. "I will not allow for the disturbance of this body in its travels unless at actual need. Satisfying ones curiosity is not need." His short words are echoed by a reproachful caw from his raven, but he ignores it.
"My vote.." Lysos offers up, readjusting her position in the saddle just a little bit, "is to trust the mourners know how to do their job. Because they're the experts." She pauses. "But that's just me. If.. uh.. we decide to look at it later... just let me be far, far in the back."
"Ha ha, okay, we meet him on his terms then. It no matter." Paenitia laughs, content to ride along behind and watch.
Whirr isn't much of a talker and seems content to spend her time driving in silence, appearing almost a statue until the two massive black draft horses need to be course-corrected. The team is healthy and well-trained, setting a steady pace trotting through the countryside.
The trip remains largely uneventful. The road is well-traveled but the merchants and caravans you pass along the way are harmless and make no moves to arouse suspicion. Many are cheerful and wave or call greetings as they near.
There is an event of note near midday; off the road, a camp of nearly a dozen plains people (and a like number of horses) stand and turn to regard the wagon's passing. They're far enough into the fields to be out of earshot and make no move to approach but Whirr still plucks the staff from behind her and shifts towards the edge of her seat.
The nomadic group is behind a hill and out of sight for more than half an hour before the coachgolem relaxes and sets the weapon back onto its rack. She drives the wagon for another hour before breaking late for the midday meal. Just as a precaution. Whirr leaves her place on the bench to feed and water the horses, having no use for a meal herself.
Everyone notices a single buzzard circling overhead, its shadow drawing a circuit around the small caravan.
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (18)+4: 22 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18 (Ramirez Perception) GAME: Lysos rolls perception: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (11)+3: 14 GAME: Karasu rolls perception: (13)+6: 19
A second glance at the carrion bird reveals that it's actually very, very high up and MASSIVE. Only appearing to be a relatively normal size due to its distance.
Paenitia goes on alert every time the golem does so, and kept a long watch on the nomadic group. Once they are a few hours in the past, the Red Knight relaxes somewhat.
'Ruaaaaah!' Ramirez squawks, looking upwards, drawing his Mistress' attention. She follows his gaze.
"Yes. That is the large vulture. He would challenge you greatly, Brave Ramirez." She keeps an eye on it, in case it gets lower.
Lysos doesn't seem overly concerned about the nomads... instead she seems to be content to just ride along, occasionally struggling to keep her ride going and on course. An attempt to secure the horse's reins to the back of the cart did not... end well... so she had resigned herself to dealing with the struggle whenever it came up. The vulture, when she sees it, gets a bit of squint.. and the tsuran does her best to not be directly underneath it, though its hard to tell at the height it soars at.
With the group passed and a short break made, Seyardu dismounts and stops for a small meal of dried meat and bread, with tea offered to the others present. Most of her food was to be offered to the swiftclaw, who had a much larger ration of much less dry meat. Though the buzzard overhead makes the silver sith-makar look up, squinting for a moment.
"Something is overhead, is it attracted to the smell of the body?" She suggests.
Karasu does not eat, or partake of the tea. His raven however lifts its head at the sight of another bird in its territory and caws harshly. A sound that is echod by Rameriez, or perhaps slightly preceded by it. Like Paenitia, Karasu comforts his companion, rubbing a hand through his feathers and looking skyward briefly. "He is larger than you by a fair amount Wuya."
Whirr joins the others in looking up as she sees to the wagon team though she offers no remark.
The vulture seems content to complete a few more circuits before banking lazily to fly north and west. It's almost as if the bird left after being noticed but perhaps that's simply coincidence.
Once the horses have had a rest and been refreshed the coachgolem climbs back into her driver's seat and readies to resume the journey. She doesn't rush anyone to finish their own respite but her unblinking stare is more than enough to indicate she's ready as soon as everyone else is.
"The old woman'd say that thing's a bad omen," Lysos comments, letting her gaze drop only after the wretched bird has departed, quickly repacking her own things after the brief rest-stop. "But I think everything to her was a bad omen," she adds, another grin.. before it drops when she has to trudge after her horse. After the brief retrieval delay, she, too, is ready to go.
"Well, it seems to be gone, but that does not feel comforting. We should be on our way quickly, I feel." Seyardu sighs, closing her flask and stowing it so she could hop back on the swiftclaw. "I am ready to go, if the others are."
Karasu's eyes follow the bird with some suspicion. For the moment however there is nothing to threaten their caravan and since he never stopped to partake of anything to eat, nor even to rise from his seat he is more than ready to be on his way. Wuya at his side flaps his wings as if to take off, but Karasu stops him with a few outstretched fingers and the raven relents soundlessly.
"I only know the little ones, they come in groups, and follow the ones about to die." Paenitia says, much like Karasu, keeping her eye on the skies long after the vulture has flown out of sight. "Anyhow know."
She strokes the neck of her hippogryph, "thank you for seeing. Do not despair, maybe the challenge happen yet."
The tea was nice, but she was too alert to really enjoy it.
The caravan returns to the road, refreshed and alert after a pair of curious encounters but the road is long yet.
- * * *
The fork towards Happy Valley is several hours at your back and the sun is well into setting when you find the smaller, overgrown road into a hilly region Whirr has marked on her map as Verrat lands. The path is obvious in spite of not being nearly as heavily used as the main road, with a carved stone marker recently washed and free of moss or creeping vines. A light drizzle has begun to fall.
Whirr slows the wagon and sits higher in her seat to take greater care on the path. Green, leafy trees and brush close in and the road winds around a hill ahead, obscuring any sign of the estate buildings. She's already taken a mana-lamp from the pouch under her bench and set it onto a high hook behind and to her left where it issues a soft-pink glow. It's twilight on the open road but the darkness deepens between the hills and natural flora.
GAME: Karasu rolls perception: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (9)+4: 13 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14 (Ramirez Perception) GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (9)+3: 12 GAME: Lysos rolls perception: (2)+6: 8 <OOC> Paenitia has Low-Light, as a halfling <OOC> Paenitia says, "Ramirez has Darkvision, Low-Light, 60'" <OOC> Seyardu says, "Darkvision 60 ft and low light" <OOC> Lysos has activision. <OOC> Karasu is human so. >.>"
Paenitia and Ramirez are both still on edge even this late in the day. That coupled with their keen eyes pick out an old, fleshy-looking grey boulder behind a small copse of trees and some brush at the edge of the road.
"Ramirez, hold." Paenitia says, unusually quiet. She typically shouts her commands, presumably so her companions know what she's up to. "Whirr, Friend Dragon, all, look over there, at the copse of trees."
She's changing her buckler for her large shield, and points a guantlet, "See the boulder, grey, but maybe it is the flesh tone too? Be prepare. I do not think this is a thing we can talk to."
Now she's pulling out a lance.
"I do not believe it is a way marker, is it?" Seyardu asks as she slows down slightly, already strapping on her own shield. "Someone may be expecting us, or someone else, and I do not wish to pass by to determine which."
"You are welcome to determine if it is a threat, but one of us should remain with the corpse in case it is a distraction." Karasu's words come as his raven draws his attention to the conversation. He may or may not have closed his eyes restfully for a moment. "I will remain here unless at need."
Lysos looks over in the direction indicated by the lucht knight.. and of course sees nothing. She squints, but even that doesn't manage to bring about an ability to see in the dark. "I'm not sure it's a great idea to wander away into the dark.." she offers, her voice hushed. "Maybe this is something we shouldn't bother."
Whirr's beak swivels left, then right, affording each eye an opportunity to inspect the indicated obstacle. She again plucks the staff from behind the bench but takes it this time in both hands and thumbs a portion of the shaft. There's a pop and hum as little blue arcs of miniature lightning play at the staff's head, near the greatest bulk of cobbled artifice. She issues a low, trilling coo to steady the wagon team.
The glow of the mana-lamp plays through the vegetation of the copse and into the shadows beyond. It certainly looks a grey boulder but there are odd, dark rents and it seems... soft? Perhaps it's a trick of the lighting?
The pitter-patter of a lazy rain continues, the temperature slowly dropping as the sun descends and shadows deepen.
GAME: Paenitia rolls stealth: (18)+9: 27 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17 (Ramirez Stealth) GAME: Seyardu rolls stealth: (18)+1: 19 GAME: Lysos casts Invisibility. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18 GAME: Lysos rolls stealth: (16)+5+20: 41 <OOC> Karasu is in the cart so >.> <OOC> Stealth Synergy: Lysos 43, Paenitia 27, Ramirez 23, Seyardu 17, Karasu 0 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20 (Buzz's Perception) GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27 (Handy Perception)
"Hmmm." Paenitia tilts her head, looking up at the rain, listening to the patter, the rattle on her hat. She glances at Whirr, the cart, then the others, "Maybe we sneak by. I keep Ramirez close to the Grey, his feathers, muffle sound. You hide behind him, you will not be seen. All advance slow, steps in the mud, we might be quiet it does not awake."
Instructions given, she nudges Ramirez. He carefully walks forward, spreading his wings a little to provide a greater noise buffer.
Lysos gives herself a small shrug... mouths a few word silently to herself, then dismounts. Well, stumbles out of the saddle might be more accurate, but at least she keeps her footing. She takes a moment to draw energy to herself, then traces a vaguely eye-looking shape in front of her and utters, "Obscurio." And she vanishes. The reins of her horse are, of course, conspicuously floating ahead of it.. but maybe if there is an ambush ahead, the ambusher isn't too smart.
The Lucht and her mount take point, positioning themselves to try and shield the group from whatever might be hiding beyond the trees. Things seem to be going well, with most sounds lost in the quiet noise of the rain falling and the wind blowing.
Then there's a noise from where almost all eyes are surely focused; an awful, meaty tearing sound and the snapping of bone.
There are no foes in sight, but a good chance something is coming from around that boulder. Untrained mounts will be a challenge to control, likely to throw their riders. There is a small circle of normal light surrounding the wagon, forth feet, beyond that it's dim. Those fortunate to see in low light can see further, those that can see in the dark, well they can always see ... something.
<OOC> Seyardu says, "I guess I'm going to move up to behind Ramirez, cast bless, sign something to Karasu" GAME: Seyardu casts Bless. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14
"Something makes the noise from beyond the boulder north from here." <handspeech>
Seyardu signs, dismounting the swiftclaw. "Celestial mother, guide our hands and our thoughts, to keep this group safe." She offers to those present in prayer, bolstering their spirits against the gloom of the night. <draconic>
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+4: (13)+4: 17
Karasu rises from the wagon, trying to get a good look at what's approaching the wagon. He pulls a dagger from somewhere in his sleeve and throws it at the noise that he can sense, but the lack of visibility means that the dagger goes wide and his expression tightens in concern.
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27 (On Ramirez) GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6+7: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Jinks damaged your companion for 12 points. 20 HP remaining. GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+14: (19)+14: 33 (Grab attempt)
An oversized, scrabbling hand tears from the shadows and into the glow of the mana-lamp. Torn flesh drags behind it like some macabre cape and thick, puss-mixed blood dribbles down from its severed wrist. It leaps, horrifying and nimble as it covers the distance between the copse and Ramirez in a blink, wrapping around the front of the mount and squeezing hard.
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (20)+11: 31 (THREAT) GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (7)+11: 18 (Confirmed) GAME: Jinks rolls 4d6+14: (19)+14: 33
The top of a tree explodes in a crash sending water, leaves, and twigs across Lysos and Seyardu and, just as suddenly, the sorceress' haggard mount explodes in a shower of gore. The horse is no more, crushed beneath the weight of a grim, oversized and animated vulture corpse.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon3: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+7: (8)+7: 15 (Ramirez CMB)
Paenitia was paying too much attention to sneaking. She's taken off guard, and so is Ramirez, by the forms rushing out of the dark. He's grabbed, squeezed, and whinnies anxiously in pain.
"Ramirez!" The Red Knight cries, turning with her lance, stabbing at the thing, "You fight me! You leave my man alone!"
The tip goes wild. Ramirez bites and claws, he is not the hugging sort, too macho. He is not good at escaping them.
GAME: Lysos casts Grease. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17 <OOC> Lysos says, "Yes. Away from the vulture. I like 0,19" <OOC> Lysos says, "Ramirez should have a +10 to resist grapples, and +10 to checks to escape grapples now."
Lysos doesn't react at first. One moment she's holding reins.. the next moment they are torn from her hands and she's suddenly splashed. It takes amoment to realize what she's been splashed by. Her unseen eyes go wide, her mouth opens... and she gags. Next thing she knows she's on her knees, scrambling away, wild eyed and looking for safety. Looking for friends. Seeing others being swarmed by the gods only know what. Her eyes fix on Ramirez, then.. the hippogryph's brightly coloured plumes drawing attention. It takes a few shakey breaths, but Lysos manages to gather enough of her wits to reach forward, rubbing her thumb against her fingers like one might if they were greased up, and utters, "Lubricatum!"
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (18)+7: 25 (Whirr Death Ray, zap Hand) GAME: Jinks rolls 3d6+3: (9)+3: 12
The wagon-pulling team of two is surprisingly calm as combat explodes around them. They shake their heads and nicker, stamp and shift, but they do not run.
Whirr stands in her seat, bracing as her staff's hum becomes a whine and then explodes in a brilliant bolt of blue lightning that arcs across the field and slams into the giant zombie-hand grasping at Ramirez. Puss boils and pops and the smell of rot gets worse.
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Channel divinity! Targetting everything here." GAME: Seyardu rolls 3d6: (7): 7 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+6: (18)+6: 24 (Buzz save vs Channel) GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+3: (12)+3: 15 (Handy save vs Channel) GAME: Seyardu damaged Paenitia for -7 points. 48 HP remaining. GAME: Seyardu damaged Ramirez companion for -7 points. 27 HP remaining.
Just as she was on her feet she saw the two nearby creatures, a large bird that crushed the horse, and a hand that was grappling with Paenitia. She raises her own hand to her breastplate, offering a prayer which sent healing energy to the harried hippogryph, and the undead creatures assaulting them. She draws her warhammer, charging at the bird to beat it away from the mount, but it seemed too late for her healing to do much.
Seyardu's mount was relatively smart, but not trained for battle. At the signs of the horse nearby being crushed, they are quick to sprint back down the road, back to where the handlers trained it to go.
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Karasu sets fire to self!
Karasu pulls a round glass bottle from his sleeve next, throwing it toward the bird and narrowing his eyes when the bottle explodes against a tree instead, setting it ablaze. At least now there is light to see the creatures by now.
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+14: (14)+14: 28 (Handy maintain grapple) <OOC> Paenitia says, "yes, Ramirez's CMD is 20+10: 30 now" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (17)+11: 28 (Buzz chomp Sey) GAME: Jinks rolls 2d6+7: (10)+7: 17 GAME: Seyardu rolls fortitude: (3)+8+2: 13 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d100: (5): 5
The grasping hand squeezes, threatening to crush the life out from Ramirez while Paenitia watches on. Something changes, though, quite suddenly, and with a 'squik' the hand squeezes and slips to the ground, landing with fingers-splayed and palm flat.
The decaying bird presses towards the Sith-makar cleric, snapping with a powerful beak. The flesh is missing from half its face, revealing a worm-filled socket where an eye should be. Large patches of feathers are missing. It smells awful.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon3: (8)+8: 16 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12 (Ramirez Bite) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+7: (10)+7: 17 (Ramirez Reflex)
"Thank you Friend Dragon!" Paenitia calls out, feeling the divine power flowing through her, and more importantly, healing brave Ramirez. He's suddenly covered in grease! This is a surprise.
A good surprise! So slippery now, the giant peacock-andalusian slips free of the strange, repulsive, grasping hand. "Much thanks!" The small knight calls to Lysos.
"Now you ... become more the dead thing, for lay hand on my Ramirez!" Paenitia taunts, and thrusts. She misses.
Again.
Ramirez, taking a cue from his Mistress, also misses. With a bite, with a talon swipe. He connects with his left, tearing a hunk out of the fleshy member.
As the flesh tears back, an acrid puss shoots out. This, also misses, keeping with the theme. Where it lands, it hisses and sizzles on the ground. "Beware the strikes! There is splash back."
GAME: Lysos spends ONE use of TOUCH OF DESTINY.
Lysos is getting a little bit better at compartmentalizing. Later she'll probably break down and cry. And there will be nightmares. But for now.. she carefully moves forward, not quite trusting in her invisibility.. who knows what the dead can see.. and gets behind Seyardu. She calls to the Sith, to let her know she's there before reaching forward and touching the cleric's back.. a word spoken in the Tsuran dialect, and a moment of clarity is imparted upon her. Then Lysos calls out, "Ser Paenitia! Can you give me a clear angle on the... hand... thing?"
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13 (Whirr Death Ray on Handy) GAME: Jinks rolls 3d6+3: (9)+3: 12
The brass beak glints between the pink glow of the lamp and the orange-red glow of the burning tree. It works the mechanism of the shaft once more to charge the weapon, then releases a second blast at the reanimated hand. Fingernails blacken and crack, two popping off entirely to reveal blistering flesh beneath.
GAME: Seyardu rolls weapon21: (8)+0: 8
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+2+3d6: (8)+2+(13): 23
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+3: (1)+3: 4 (EPIC FAIL) (Vulture Will Save DC13)
The worm filled skull of the vulture snaps at the cleric, and while she tries to dodge, the beak digs into her shoulder, tearing open a large wound before she can steady herself. She brings her mace down on the skull of the undead creature, the metal head crackling with divine energy that the cold iron weapon does not want to contain, leaving it to move to the path of least resistance, the body of the bird. And the blunt metal object still hurt itself.
GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+4: (20)+4: 24 (THREAT) GAME: Karasu rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14 (Confirmed) GAME: Karasu rolls 1d4: (3): 3 GAME: Karasu rolls 2d6: (3): 3
Karasu takes more careful aim this time, by light of the first alchemical fire that burns beside the bird that had attacked and viciously murdered the horse. This time the glass bottle contacts with the bird, setting the thing ablaze.
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (13)+11: 24 (Handy Punch Ramirez) GAME: Paenitia rolls ride+5: (4)+6+5: 15 (+5 to counter ACP, Mounted Combat to Dodge - Fail) GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6+7: (3)+7: 10 GAME: Handy damaged Ramirez for 10 points. 17 HP remaining. <OOC> Jinks says, "Grab check" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+14: (9)+14: 23 (Handy Grab - Fail) GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (3)+11: 14 GAME: Karasu rolls 1d6: (1): 1 (Alchemical Fire Damage on Buzz)
The ambulatory hand is larger than Paenitia, bigger than Lysos. Even rotting, half-cooked, and twitching it presses on attempting to squeeze the life from Ramirez. It pivots using its meaty thumb as a leg and claws with the four disgusting fingers remaining. It tears fresh wounds into the hippogryph.
The animated vulture corpse is powerful but slow, awkward. When it tries to snap another piece of the Sith-makar the cleric is easily able to push the attack away with their shield.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Lysos asked for a 5' step back, so I could full attack, then do that, give her a clear shot, yes?" GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon3: (3)+8: 11 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (17)+5: 22 (Ramirez Bite) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (9)+5: 14 (Ramirez Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+3: (4)+3: 7 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+7: (13)+7: 20 (Ramirez Reflex)
"Thing! Away!" Paenitia stabs at the giant, grabby, rotting hand. Her lance deflects off a fingernail. The middle finger, how appropriate.
Ramirez lashes out, his sharp beak tearing a hunk out of the massive limb. Bone is exposed.
>SPLURT!<
The great white hippogryph is ready, and dodges the splash of puss. He keeps walking back, putting space between him, making an opening.
"Lysos my friend! Shoot now!"
GAME: Lysos casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18 GAME: Lysos rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11 (Ranged Touch) GAME: Lysos rolls 1d20+6: (13)+6: 19 (Ranged Touch) GAME: Lysos rolls 4d6: (15): 15
Lysos's veil drops as she utters, "Flambo!" In that moment she is standing, hand outstretched towards the disembodied giant hand. Two beams of white fire flash out.. one misses, scorching a line in the dirt off to the side, but the second momentarily connects her with the creature.. and then punches a hole through it. It falls back, charred, twitching, curling into itself in an almost insect-like fashion.
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18 (Whirr Death Ray) GAME: Jinks rolls 3d6+3: (9)+3: 12
When the hand falls, blackened and still, Whirr turns and levels the staff over the back of the wagon. She braces one foot on the bench and leans to avoid Karasu. The crack of electricity slams into the vulture zombie and blasts away withered feathers and rotting meat.
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Channel divinity! 3/6 left" GAME: Seyardu rolls 3d6: (13): 13 (DC13 Will for half by Undead) <OOC> Seyardu says, "will for half! and 13 for everyone present" GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20 (Buzz Will save)
Seyardu heard the shouts, and felt the presence behind her stepping back, so she stands her ground. A hand reaches her breastplate as the mace is dropped, and then raised outwards, mmore of the healing magics from before emanating outwards, mending the worst of Ramirez's wounds, and her own.
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27 (Buzz on Seyardu) GAME: Jinks rolls 2d6+7: (3)+7: 10
Watching the bird burn, Karasu glances toward the giant hand to be sure it is down before returning his attention to the buzzard. He's ready to attack it again, but holds his hand for the moment, uncertain if using the last of his weapons is wise.
The vulture's rotting insides are slowly spilling out from its many wounds as brackish sludge. Flesh sloughs as it moves and bites the Sith again.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Charge, +4, no AC penalty to me, Ramirez gets a -2 AC, and a single attack too." GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon3+4: (7)+8+4: 19 (+4 Charge) GAME: Paenitia rolls damage3: aliased to 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5+2: (16)+5+2: 23 (Ramirez Bite, +2 Charge) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+3: (6)+3: 9 <OOC> Paenitia says, "nice. Both max"
"Ramirez! Charge!" Paenitia calls.
Ramirez turns on his hooves, digs his talons into the muck of the road, and launches himself at the vulture. It is bird on bird! Bird-Horse on Bird-Zombie. His eyes glow red in the dark, 'Ruaaaaah!'
This will be glorious! Yes.
It is more... gorious. As the peacock-andalusian tears the breast right out of the vulture while Paenitia puts her lance through its eye. They keep going. Through it. An explosion of rotting entrails, moldy flesh, and puss.
"Ahhh!" The Red Knight says. 'RuaaaAAAHH!' Ramirez caws.
These are not victory cries, though victory is had. It is down, dismembered. They're wearing it.
And so things go suddenly quiet once more after less than a minute of frantic battle. Slowly, the sounds of rain return to the road.
Whirr turns cautiously where she stands on the wagon, scanning the wilds for signs of additional attackers. The staff she holds occasionally popping or issuing a hissing complaint when a raindrop lands along the charged metallic shaft.
Seyardu's arm was torn into again as it had just closed up, and the sith-makar winces. Though the beak is torn forcefully away by the lucht-knight's charge, and she exhales, looking around and finding no immediate threats.
"And thiss, is why corpses are burnt." She says tiredly. "My thanks, Dame Paenitia. You, Lysos, Karasus and Whirr, are you all alright?" She asks, glancing to the scene and already wiping off her arm after stowing her dropped weapon.
Lysos turns away from the burning hand, satisfied, and perhaps it was enough to steel herself against the reality of the creatures that attacked them. Then, as Paenitia and Ramirez charge, her eyes follow them.. and the end result suddenly reminders her of the opening stages of this battle. The horse she was just starting to get along with. She even almost had a name for it. And so, in response to Seyardu's query, Lysos promptly goes pale, turns, and vomits. So. Much. Gore.
Karasu nods once to the question. He strokes Wuya with his fingertips and turns toward the golem. "We should be on our way before we are attacked again." The dark-haired man looks at Lysos, waiting a moment for her to collect herself and then offering his hand to her to help her into the cart. "Come, you can sit beside me."
"Ah... ah. I do not feel to call 'ole' for this win." Paenitia says, wiping... everywhere. Fortunately, she does not become nauseated. Throwing up while wearing a mask is even more embarrassing and unpleasant. Ramirez, likewise keeps his wings partly open, flicking them to try and flap the gore off. At least he's greased, it's sliding off him better than the little knight.
"Yes, we should go. This may be the bird we see earlier, it seem the right size. There may be more surprise and ambush ahead."
Lysos pulls a kerchief out of one of her pockets to wipe at her mouth, and then at some of the horse remains on her face.. when she pulls it away, she stares at it for a moment. Her shoulders shake, and for a moment it looks like she might start... well, something. But she takes a deep if shakey breath, looks up at Karasu's words.. then nods, taking his hand and rising, then stepping into the cart. She does NOT look at the casket.
Whirr agrees, retaking her seat and bracing the staff against her construct thigh and shoulder as she takes up the reins. The brass beak bobs at the bench next to her, too, if Lysos or Seyardu are loathe to take a seat in the rear with Karasu and the grim cargo. Once everyone is up and settled she sets the cart to moving.
- * * *
The Verrat estate is not much further back from the road after following bend around the hill. Hedgerows barricade the family's four acres to the south and west, with woods far behind the house enclosing the grounds to the north and east. A wall of worked stone and iron bars reinforce the natural perimeter with a wide set of gates sitting open in anticipation of your arrival.
The main house is two floors and equal parts wood and decorative, carved stone, with tall, dark windows and large pair of sturdy-looking doors at the end of a cobblestone path. There's a small cabin of far simpler make behind the main house as well as a modest stables to the side of the driveway. The grounds are well-kept but lack overly ostentatious decoration; you see no statues or topiary.
Crossing through the open gate triggers some manner of spell and a pleasant, crystal-clear chime fills the air to announce your arrival.
By the time the cart nears the stables the manor's front doors are opening and releasing a quartet of individuals into the night. An ancient, barefoot Lucht in fancy dress leads the procession adjusting tiny wire-framed spectacles at the center of a wrinkled face dotted with age-spots. He has the bearing of a house functionary and the urgency of a man with one foot in the grave. A pair of women, a bronze-skinned Acanian and a tattooed Aesir, wear the kit of house guards and no-nonsense expressions. One, the Aesir, is small to the point that she might be elf-blooded and the other is of a more-average build with a ghoulish scar taking a good portion of her upper-lip.
Between the two guards is the lady of the house, beautiful and cold, regal and imposing. She wears a midnight-colored mourning dress with a high, flared neck and longsleeves. Her black hair is in a single underhand braid that drapes over her left shoulder and beneath her piercing, dark eyes, her face is obscured by a black silken veil. Her hands are clasped before her, wrapped in patterned lace gloves.
GAME: Seyardu casts Create Water. Caster Level: 5 DC: 13
Seyardu unsummons and resummons her sleeves in the process to have non blood soaked clothes.
GAME: Paenitia rolls diplomacy: (4)+7: 11
"Hola Madame," Paenitia says, riding around the side of the wagon. She's washed off, with Seyardu's assistance, and Ramirez is cleaned up somewhat as well. They still look bedraggled, yet fantastic, in the magical sense. One does not often see a giant white peacock with a tiny rider every day.
"We arrive and deliver the burden. The Mourner Whirr, explain. The journey was not the dull one, but we prevail."
With the rest of the trip taking course uneventfully and more comfortably after she sat down on the front bench, Seyardu is still completely awake. And once they reached the building, she hops off the front.
"Peace on your nest, we were sent to deliver what was requested, and I would offer my condolences, but hope it will bring you some closure and comfort." She offers in greeting.
Lysos has had time to compose herself. To a certain extent. The nightmares will come, but later. For now... she can keep a brave face on. There's a job to complete. And so when they are escorted into the manor, Lysos is looking more or less normal. If a bit pale. And quiet. And at least enough of her normal self remains for her to manage to whisper, "Creepy" to herself and anyone next to her when the interior is revealed.
"No mourner. Driver," corrects Whirr, cocking her head at Paenitia. It's an honest mistake given her garb and insight on the job. Still, it might just be that the coachgolem after works for the temple.
The halfling comes to a stop before the group, wringing his hands and waiting for the Aesir to step forward with her lamp. Apparently dissatisfied with the pink hues of the wagon's light. When he's lit in the warm glow of the oil-fueled flame he clears his throat and offers a shallow, stiff bow. "Contracted employees, heroes," he italicizes his flattery, "your work is completed. My lady and the whole of House Verrat thanks you for your successful execution of your duties. I have a stamped and signed note of completion I will provide you; delivered to the Vardaman temple it will see you paid in full. You have brought our wayward son home to us." The words are grand but somewhat hollow; obviously rehearsed and offered from rote. There's a faint, vaguely-patronizing smile offered to the knight atop her noble steed before he hands a scroll up the the guardwoman, who in turns steps forward and offers it to Whirr.
Meanwhile, Lady Verrat continues her advance at a slower, steady pace, seeming to almost hover as she moves around the side of the wagon and towards the rear. Her eyes are locked on the coffin in an intense, unblinking stare; she pays no mind to anyone else in the vehicle. The bodyguard stays in her shadow, silent and alert, with one hand on the pommel of a curved sword and the other holding a dark umbrella forward and over the noble. When the lady stands at back of the wagon she'll raise one hand slowly, cautiously extending it to rest of the wooden planking.
"Theodore," she breathes.
GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (12)+7: 19 GAME: Paenitia rolls sense motive: (9)+10: 19 GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+13: (16)+13: 29 Bluff)
The house guards are vaguely hostile, and so's the halfling (but in a less-violent, more-I'm-better-than-you kind of way). The lady is staggered by the return of the body. As if she thought it would never happen.
"We mean no harm with our presence here. Apologies for our current state, but an encounter during our journey left us more than a bit battered." She offers those present. "Be careful on the roads, as there are dangerous creatures nearby."
"The chains can be undone, if you are ready to receive it."
Lysos hesitates a moment.. if asked, she'd admit that one of the last things she'd want to do is leave the relative comfort and safety of the wagon in these environs. But.. she doesn't want to impede retrieval of the casket, either. And then a thought has her eyeing that casket somewhat suspiciously, and taking a few steps away from it once her feet are on the ground.
Paenitia eyes the house guards. Her mask smiles for her, such a wide, wide smile. She gives them a little salute, touching gauntlet to hat. "Regards."
Turning to Whirr she asks, "Are we to make sure it get inside, or only to see it off the wagon?"
She gazes around, checking the sky, "Friend Dragon is correct, something try to stop us. Be wary."
"I believed... he was lost to us," the lady speaks, lifting her hand away only to set it back down for fear the coffin might vanish from sight. She blinks and a tear of relief rolls down from her eye to fall behind the veil. When the house guard lightly touches her elbow she steps back, accepting the umbrella, sniffing, and delicately placing the back of her wrist to dab her eye. "Yes, yes. To the crypt. Take all care. Theodore... he is returned to us." She steps again to move out of the way and both of the hard women move, one taking the back and the other mounting a wheel-spoke. The two work in unison and quickly loose the coffin before hoisting it delicately. They move down the driveway and past the stables, Lady Verrat close behind.
The halfling smiles again but all warmth has fled as he stands in the soft-pink glow of the mana lamp, he gestures behind the wagon and towards the gate as the rain spatters against his spectacle lenses. "The house is secure. Your way out is the same as you came." He dips another shallow bow.
"You would have us return out into the night, where we were just attacked?" Seyardu asks, looking to the others and shaking her head. That was what one did when they were unsure. "Very well. Peace on your nest, and take care. If we are to leave, the sooner we are on our way, the better."
"Yes Friend Dragon, we go." Paenitia turns Ramirez around, moving closer and leaning down. She whispers to the silver Sith'Makar, "I suspect problem, perhap the bothering of the dead. I trust the road more. To stay, some mishap may happen we are called to deal with."
Louder, she says, "We should leave them to their mourning. They are not accepting guests, that is clear."
"Strange," Whirr echoes an earlier sentiment, turning the scroll over before tucking it into the sack beneath her seat. She bobs her head from the house-lucht to Seyardu to Paenitia to the gate. The eerie steamwhistle-call issues and the reins are jostled, pulled to one side to set the team turning. "Tarp will keep you dry. Be on guard. Pay is earned for escort. Return intact and alive."
The soft-pink glow of the mana-lamp lights the road as the travelers head back into the night.
Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m7qtahm0hyq
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
19 Lysos 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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19 Seyardu 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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11 Karasu 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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11 Handy
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8 Buzz
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6 Paenitia 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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