Operation Hamster - Zombies
You are all escorted into a backroom of the adventures guild. One that for the more sensative nose smells like pickles and lavendar, so was most likely a random storage room not to long ago. Nobody knows who the sponsor is for this operation, but two faces have come out. A very old adventurer wizard elf by the name of Jasper, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary Bookkeeper for the adventurers guild, Gnobert. The room along a large section of the wall has a map of Dragonier, with several areas circled, and one xed out. Gnobert is sitting at a table in the middle riffling through some papers. Jasper is in the back corner snoring.
Deak looks at the map and asks, "What's that X for?"
"I imagine it's a place that's been taken care of." Arisha says as she looks to the Wizard elf. "So where's one with the undead?"
Lucy stands on her tiptoes for a closer look. She blanches slightly at something she sees. "Dragonier?" she squeaks. Then she goes on in a more normal voice. "We're going to Dragonier?" She shoots a glance at Arisha. "They probably -all- have undead..."
Gnobert looks up and then hops up out of his seat. Offering a quick glare to Jasper, "No teleporting them until they sign the wavers." handing out a waiver to everybody. With the standard disclosure the adventurers guild is not responsible for your death or other change encounters, such as encountering a dragon lich. A glanc to the map, "Yep, for the moment. Bunch of skeletons, poor familes that were turned undead in a flash. There was even a wedding under way when it happened, poor souls." then glances to Lucy, "Yep to Dragonier, please sign this waiver."
"What's the waiver for?" Arisha says.
Gnobert offers quickly enough, "So your next of Kin, yourself, and others cannot sue the Adventurers guild. Basically it acknowledges that you understand the risks invovled with the adventurer you are about to partake in."
Arisha leans over to Gnobert....and holds out her left forearm...showing the burnmark of the scales of Vardama. "I am an Executor of the Grey Lady. THEY are my next of kin. And if you have any sense...you know of the Grey Lady's war against the undead. Take. Me. TO. THEM!"
Deak signs. Says, "Some attempt to disclaim financial responsibilty for fixing up whatever or whomever may get broken, I guess... Not like I rely for that upon the Guild anyway. Just broker the missions, provide transportation and pay up at the end. That's the standard deal, right?"
Lucy sighs dramatically. She looks up through her lashes at Gnobert. Then finally she takes up a quill. She dips it in ink. Then she signs her name with a series of precise yet flowing motions.
The waiver is taken and folded up and stuffed into the large Ork's mouth. He chews then 'bleahs'. "Kor sends me ta kill. I go and kill. If he sees fit ta take me life den wot do I care about it after me gone?" The large nostrils expand as he inhales and then rises up to his full height, or at least as much as the backroom allows him to. "Lets get go'in, I gots lots of war ta do today. I can do it here, or I can do it on them monsters, ya?"
Gnobert steps back and does a little eep, "I..." then dashes over to Lucy, "Excellent!" taking the waiver. Jasper is awake as the snoring stop, "Now this is a group of adventurers! That orc reminds me of a old friend, great warrior. At least until he decided to arm wrestle a kracken. Never did find all the pieces." up on his feet he walks over, "Ok shall we get going?" chanting as the air around him stirs, and suddenly the party is whisked away. Gnobert stares as he says in a weak voice, "But the waivers..." poor bookkeeper Gnome.
The party appears along a well worn trail at the bottom of a hill. The forest around them is nearly lifeless with the trees barely holding onto life. On top of the hill is a slowly traveling group of zombies. A couple of storm giant zombies, two more hill giant zombies, and about a dozen of what appear to be regular zombies. Jasper lets out a bah, "Losing my touch, wrong side of the hill. I have my own job to do while you take out the zombies." turning as he reaches out into his satchel and pulls out some arcane measuring devices. "Try to keep the fighting away from here. I am old, and this is delicate work."
"be prepared to defend yourself, or escape in any case." Arisha says to Jasper. "All right." And she draws her Khopesh. "Let's deal with these...things...shall we?"
The big Ork taps the odd quiver at his hip and a massive black bow is summoned into his grip. The many wheels and pulleys on it begin to groan and tense as he draws back the line and knocks an arrow. "Oy, lets see if we can get the ones in back first, right? Divide and slaughter."
Arisha says, "Just....get me to them. Everything else will work out in the grey lady's favor."
The zombies continue to march forward, very very slowly.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Astaren has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Astaren to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
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GAME: Deak has prepared hide from undead in a reserved spell slot.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 20.
It is now Baz da Ork's turn! Storm Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls weapon17: (9)+7: 16
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls 1d8+6: (6)+6: 12
As the bow creaks and groans the Ork takes aim and finally fires. Whistling through the night air the arrow is propelled from the great bow and drives right through one of the distant zombies, though does not down it. There's a grim chuckle as another arrow is produced and readied.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 15.
It is now Storm Giant Zombies' turn! Hill Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 15.
It is now Hill Giant Zombies' turn! Zombies is next!
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 12.
It is now Zombies' turn! Deak is next!
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 9.
It is now Deak's turn! Arisha is next!
GAME: Deak casts Hide From Undead. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15
Deak touches his holy symbol and mutters words.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now Arisha's turn! Baz da Ork is next!
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 20.
It is now Baz da Ork's turn! Storm Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls weapon17: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls 1d8+6: (5)+6: 11
Throoom, the massive bow groans again. Another whistling arrow cutting through the night, this time it spikes the zombie through it's head and drops it to the earth. Baz calmly readies another arrow, bending back the bow once more.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 15.
It is now Storm Giant Zombies' turn! Hill Giant Zombies is next!
The storm giants turn and look back to the group, and not seeing some individual narrow in on Baz and Lucy. Moving forward towards them. The hill giants quickly do the same, as do the regular zombies. Still slow, but now with a purpose.
GAME: Arisha refreshes spells.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 15.
It is now Hill Giant Zombies' turn! Zombies is next!
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 12.
It is now Zombies' turn! Deak is next!
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 9.
It is now Deak's turn! Arisha is next!
GAME: Deak casts Bless. Caster Level: 6 DC: 15
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now Arisha's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Arisha rolls weapon1+1: (4)+11+1: 16
Arisha uses the ward to sneak up on the closest storm giant undead and gets right within striking distance. 'WARD IS GOING DOWN!" She calls out before she tries to slash the giant in the leg....and barely slaps it. "This is gonna hurt."
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 22.
It is now Lucy's turn! Baz da Ork is next!
GAME: Lucy rolls weapon2: (2)+15: 17
Lucy stands in front of Baz (their height difference is such that she won't obstruct his view) and throws a dagger. It plinks harmlessly off of the a giant, but before it can fall to the earth it disappears, reappearing instantly in the gnome's hand. She draws her rapier next and rushes up so that Arisha isn't facing the huge undead on her own. But again she can't penetrate the creature's hide.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 20.
It is now Baz da Ork's turn! Storm Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls 6d6: (24): 24
As the zombies turn as one unit the Ork snorts and shrugs. Then lowers the bow, willing it back into it's magical container. Instead he raises his right hand and murmurs a prayer to Kor. A great font of light gathers in his upraised palm and he hurls it forth where it soars into a Hill Giant's head and explodes, maiming and wounding the massive zombie in a burst of searing flame.
GAME: Baz da Ork casts Searing Light. Caster Level: 6 DC: 16
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 15.
It is now Storm Giant Zombies' turn! Hill Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+24: (12)+24: 36
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+24: (4)+24: 28
GAME: Astaren rolls 2d6+12: (5)+12: 17
GAME: Astaren rolls 2d6+12: (7)+12: 19
The storm giant zombies turn each to Lucy and Arisha. Slaming their fists down into each. The hits leave an impact, but something is off. These are storm giants, but a lot of their normal massive strength is missing.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 15.
It is now Hill Giant Zombies' turn! Zombies is next!
The hill giants are not quiet as fast and are unable to get to their targets through all the little zombies in front of them, and simply let out groans.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 12.
It is now Zombies' turn! Deak is next!
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (15)+4: 19
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (5)+4: 9
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (19)+4: 23
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+4: (6)+4: 10
The zombies partially charge up to the group, nearly tripping over each other to get at the living targets. One of them even manages to land a hit against Arisha leaving part of its flesh on her.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 9.
It is now Deak's turn! Arisha is next!
GAME: Deak rolls Knowledge/Religion: (8)+11: 19
GAME: Deak spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY.
GAME: Deak rolls Channel: aliased to 3d6: (6): 6
Deak plunges himself into the center of the enemies and pulses with a soft glow of blue holiness. All the zombies are minorly affected. Certainly he has gotten some attention from them all. He calls out, "The giants are fake... assembled, not animated!"
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 7.
It is now Arisha's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Arisha rolls weapon1+1+2: (7)+11+1+2: 21
GAME: Arisha rolls weapon1+1+2-5: (10)+11+1+2+-5: 19
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+7: (9)+7: 16
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 22.
It is now Lucy's turn! Baz da Ork is next!
Arisha Takes the hits like a trooper, sugh is her hatred. However, finally she manages to slice open the leg of the Giant zombie and grins. "FACE the grey lady!" And the giant zombie falls to dust.
The storm giant falls to dust, leaving behind a corpse of a gnome child.
GAME: Lucy rolls 14-2: (5)+14+-2: 17
GAME: Lucy rolls 14-2-5: (15)+14+-2+-5: 22
GAME: Lucy rolls 1d3+10: (3)+10: 13
"This is horrible!" Lucy shrieks. "That family - it must have been a family of gnomes!!" She turns to face the next storm giant-shaped zombie. "But is it an illusion...?" She hurls her dagger and once again it bounces off. But this time when she recalls it she lets fly again, burying the blade in a thigh that is taller than she herself is.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 20.
It is now Baz da Ork's turn! Storm Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls 3d6: (15): 15
GAME: Baz da Ork spends ONE use of CHANNEL ENERGY.
Bringing his shield up Baz wards off the grasps of a few zombies. Then levels the bedazzled symbol of Kor upon them. A short intoned prayer sends a booming wave of celestial energy burning outwards from him. Following after the power summoned by Deak and combining to burn the smaller zombies to dust.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 15.
It is now Storm Giant Zombies' turn! Hill Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+24: (5)+24: 29
GAME: Astaren rolls 2d6+12: (7)+12: 19
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 15.
It is now Hill Giant Zombies' turn! Deak is next!
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+12: (11)+12: 23
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+12: (10)+12: 22
The storm giant that remains turns and smashes its fist in Arisha, it stare at her blank. The hill giants move up on Lucy, but their smashes land on the ground of each side of her. The zombies all get turned into dust from the fires of Kor.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 9.
It is now Deak's turn! Arisha is next!
GAME: Deak has prepared Cure Serious Wounds in a reserved spell slot.
GAME: Deak rolls CSW: aliased to 3d8+6: (18)+6: 24
GAME: Deak casts Cure Serious Wounds. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17
Deak watches as the holy fire of Kor dissolves the zombies surrounding him, then shouts, "Thanks" to Baz as he jogs over to Arisha, incanting a curative spell on the way, and depositing it upon her as soon as he can reach.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 7.
It is now Arisha's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Arisha rolls weapon1+1+2: (16)+11+1+2: 30
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+7: (18)+7: 25
GAME: Arisha rolls 1d8+1: (8)+1: 9
"Thank you, Arisha says to Deak before she goes after the nearby giant. She hasn't drawn her pistol once, but she does cut a gash in the giant's leg. "Fall you dust you abomination!"
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 22.
It is now Lucy's turn! Baz da Ork is next!
GAME: Lucy rolls 15: (18)+15: 33
GAME: Lucy rolls 10: (19)+10: 29
GAME: Lucy rolls 15: (5)+15: 20
GAME: Lucy rolls 10: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Lucy rolls 2d4+23: (7)+23: 30
GAME: Lucy rolls 2d4+23: (4)+23: 27
Lucy sidesteps to avoid being surrounded by zombie Hill Giants. IF that is what they truly are. Now with only one immediate threat she stabs it twice, once in the heart and once in the throat for good measure. She whips her rapier about in a flourish to clear it of any debris or ichor,
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 20.
It is now Baz da Ork's turn! Storm Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls 1d20+12: (9)+12: 21
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls 1d8+11: (1)+11: 12
With a roar the big Ork charges across the battlefield. Seeing how effortlessly the two women down their giant opponents he races into battle swinging up his ax. Then driving it into the hip of the Hill Giant before him. Then pausing and looking somewhat sheepish as it doesn't fall.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 15.
It is now Storm Giant Zombies' turn! Hill Giant Zombies is next!
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+24: (12)+24: 36
GAME: Astaren rolls 2d6+12: (4)+12: 16
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 15.
It is now Hill Giant Zombies' turn! Deak is next!
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+17: (17)+17: 34
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d8+12: (2)+12: 14
The storm giant continues to stare at Arisha blankely, her demands to die going on quiet literal deaf ears. Instead if lits its hands and slames them into Arisha again.
The hill giant gaints its proper footing as its drops to the ground, turning into dust, and revealing the corpse of a fully grown gnome. It slames its hand into Lucy with a blank stare.
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 9.
It is now Deak's turn! Arisha is next!
GAME: Deak rolls Melee+1: (17)+5+1: 23
GAME: Deak rolls CSW: aliased to 3d8+6: (21)+6: 27
GAME: Deak has prepared cure serious wounds in a reserved spell slot.
GAME: Deak casts Cure Serious Wounds. Caster Level: 6 DC: 17
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 7.
It is now Arisha's turn! Lucy is next!
GAME: Arisha rolls weapon1+1+2: (5)+11+1+2: 19
GAME: Astaren rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13
It's unfortunate that the Storm Giant uses it's fists to attack Arisha....which means Arisha takes the hit, but Arisha stabs Storm Giant in the arm. "FACE THE GREY LADY'S JUDGMENT!" And the Storm Giant falls to dust.
The storm giant dust to dust, and leaves behind the body of a female gnome.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Astaren advances the initiative order.
Round Six - Init 22.
It is now Lucy's turn! Baz da Ork is next!
GAME: Lucy rolls 15: (8)+15: 23
GAME: Lucy rolls 10: (13)+10: 23
GAME: Lucy rolls 1d4+15: (3)+15: 18
GAME: Lucy rolls 1d4+15: (4)+15: 19
GAME: Astaren removes the timestop.
Timestop by Astaren has left.
Deak rushes over to the dead gnomes and examines them to see if their wounds indicate any useful clues.
GAME: Deak rolls Heal: (1)+13: 14 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Arisha rolls heal: (5)+4: 9
Arisha turns and looks over the bodies of the gnomes. "Strange that....they changed to larger undead when they were changed."
GAME: Deak rolls Perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Baz da Ork rolls Perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Lucy rolls perception: (17)+14: 31
GAME: Arisha rolls perception: (9)+17: 26
Deak looks up, his examination rendering him oblivious to whatever's happening now, but says, they were killed by energy drain.
The giant Ork realizes it has a nose! A NOSE! By Kor it is stunned when it percieves this fact.
"This way....I think that's a village." Arisha says...pointing
Lucy reaches into her haversack. She rummages around for just a moment and then produces a pick, which she uses to dig out a wooden sign halfway buried in the dirt. She turns it over in her hands to examine it. "So many poor gnomes. It's true. All the stories are true. Dragonier is the worst."
"Until Heth is dead....we'll see more like this." Arisha says as she looks to Lucy. "All we can do...is lay them to rest."
The sign reads, "Welcome to the little Gnome Hamlet of: Gnomegedon."
There's a booming laugh from the big Ork as he peers over Lucy's shoulder. "A fitting name. So, what is left of our contract? How do we find who is responisble?" Fitting his battleaxe at his hip Baz peers around the night air. "If they were leaving the village, then where were they going?"
Lucy holds out her hand, and her dagger appears in it. "We should investigate," she says firmly. "Even if it isn't part of our mission. Even if they weren't gnomes...its the right thing to do."
"You make it sound like we weren't going to investigate, Lucy." Arisha says as she starts to walk her way to the village...
Jaspers voice can be heard behind you all, "Investigation? I can go get some backup if you want." offering a smile to the group.