Prologue - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[Ikoma]

Lorelei, having learned her lesson, maneuvers to attack the remaining zombie with her blast. She had no desire to get any closer than she had to be, she was bleeding enough for one day.  Her blast strikes the zombie, which seems to be in the best condition of any of the zombies they have yet encountered... until it gets a faceful of fire.

Yemam tries to puncture the maggot in front of him (#2).  "Locke...did I mention I hate maggots."  His blade slides easily into the soft, wriggly flesh and an unearthly wail emanates from the mouth.  But it does not slack off its attack.  It misses.  It's partner does not.  [-4]  Yemam feels his leg stiffen as some strange magic in the things saliva moves into his blood.  (Fort save, DC 14.  Failure means you are completely paralyzed.  If you fail, you can take a new save every round against an ever decreasing DC (by -1 each round) to get some measure of control back.)

Ioan sees Adam's plight, and steps up behind him invoking Lesser Restoration.

Adam grunts a gesture of thanks to Ioan for the blessing.  His blood is no longer burning, but his skin begins to tingle and burn.  Then when he thought he could stand it no more the pain disappeared, and  all his hair stood on end.  If it wasn't for his helmet Adam was pretty sure his hair would look like the quills of a porcupine.  It was a queer and unhealthy feeling, but other than the hair was fairly sure the poison had run its course.

Adam turned his attention to the zombie in front of him.  Gripping his great sword he swung at the walking abomination.  He felt a small sense of relief as the blade bit flesh.  He could still fight - well.

Hassid spins into a new position quickly bringing his blade to bare with the foul creature facing Adam.  The first swing of the sword misses, but the second buries itself deep into the torso of the zombie.  The creature topples, almost pulling the blade out of his hands.  At the last second, with a wet tearing sound, the sword comes free and Hassid is prepared to face new foes.

Marius moves to G3 to better align his shot and yells out to Yemam, "Duck," and lets his arrow fly,  "Walking Dead.  Flying leather face.  Now Maggots.  Don't you know you're dealing with Marius.  Might as well pack and go home ... they never learn."  The arrow sinks up to the fletching into the same maggot that Yemam had already hit.  It writhes in obvious pain.  But it is almost impossible to tell if it is really, truly hurt or just bothered.

[Ikoma]

Yemam shakes off the poison flowing through his body and tries again to puncture the maggot in front of him.  The arrow sinks in and the slug continues its wailing, blood leaking over its translucent body.

The pair of dire maggot keep up their attack on Yemam.  They both sink their needle sharp teeth into his legs.  [-10 HP]

Ioan invokes Cure Light Wounds, and then reaches out and touches Lorelei with a polite (for him) "Here, Ma'am." (My records show that Lorelei is now completely healed.  If that's not the case, let me know.)

As the final zombie oozes to the ground Adam again surveys the battlefield.  All his companions are still standing.  He whispers a simple prayer of thanks.  Upon closer inspection he notices that Yeman is having trouble moving.  Having undergone an excruciating session with poison he was fairly sure he knew the source of the distress.   Raising his great sword he charges directly at the slug creature, slashing it deeply and causing it to add its sickening voice to that of its companion.

Hassid rushes to Adam's side in an effort to slice the maggots before them.  The combined might of Hassid and Adam succeed in cutting the maggot completely in half.  It quits its whining song as ichor and blood spill into the street.  The party is assaulted anew by a sickening stench.  (No game penalty.  Just descriptive text.)

Marius draws another arrow, aligns his shot, and lets it fly at the worm like creature still wriggling, it's teeth clutching Yemam's leg. "Get away from him you filthy thing," he shouts angrily.  "Locke, look out for him.  If he ever needed you it's now."  The arrow joins those already sticking out of the maggot.  The thing's voice also falls silent as it slumps to the ground, blood trickling from its numerous wounds.

Once again... quiet returns to the night.  No other things can be seen in the darkness... or heard.

((Take posting back over to the main thread.  We're almost done with this Prologue and ready to get into Act I.))

[unkabear]

Hassid looks to make sure that the fighting is in fact over before nodding to Yemam and Adam and turning.  As he walked to the horses Hassid drew a piece of cloth from his belt and cleaned his sword before sheathing it.

He approached the horses making cooing noises and calming them from the heat of battle.  The fight did not take long, but undead tended to upset the animals.  This time he did not hop up into the saddle as he suspected that he would only have to dismount again.  Only after tending to the animals did Hassid look to the others to make sure that none of them were further wounded.  It was a failing of his he knew, but if they had to track down the horses again then it would be a sore point with him for a long time.

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ioan takes his horse's lead-line and looks around...

"We need a place to rest. Maybe one of these buildings will work. Something with solid walls, no basement, and easily-guarded doors?"

[unkabear]

Hassid nods his head and speaks up.  "The closer we get to the center of town the weaker the undead.  Perhaps there is still a holdout that we could take advantage of there." he says as he leads the horses to the others.

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius runs over to Yemam, "you ok?"  He looks at the maggot and laughs, "told the filthy thing."

Marius walks around and plucks back his arrows, "broken, broken, broken, Hey got one."  After recovering his arrows he heads back toward the group.  "I agree we need to rest and wait for day break, perhaps the sun will shed some answers.  Besides," he looks around in fear," the shadows ..."

Retrive Arrow #1=63%
Arrow #2=91%
Arrow #3=85%
Arrow #5=46%
Arrow #6=21%

(ooc: looks like I got two arrows back)

[Yemam Silverman]

Responding to Marius, "Yeah...I think I'm okay...a bit hurt, but okay."

"I have to wonder what happened to the people of this town?"

[Adam Godson]

Adam agrees with the group that holing up in an abandoned building would be the best option.  A battered and wounded company will serve no remaining survivors in this village if they die also.  He works with the party to identify the safest and well protected building to comandeer for the evening.  He would also recommend that the horses also board in the building. 

The tingling in his skin has subsided, but his flesh has taken on a red reddish hue.  His hair is no longer standing on end and has resumed its normal position.  So far he's seen no physical affects of the poison.  Other than the tingling he feels fit for a man fighting zombies, huge maggots and flying heads.  He shakes his head and brushes some annoying hair out of his eyes.  Something will come of this, because they are in Ravenloft. 

He offers a small amount of healing to whoever wants it.  He approaches Ioan specifically as the cleric tends to care for others before himself.     

OOC- I have two cure light wounds available.  If nobody needs them Adam heals himself. 

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam notices Adam asking if others are hurt.  "I am in need of a little bit.  Those maggots dug into my flesh a few times and the last two hurt...but only if others are healed.  I can try to stay in the back and avoid the front lines."

Yemam then remembers the dead body in the road.  "Maybe we should inspect that...it might offer some clues as to what happened here."

[Ikoma]

The group begins the process of scouting for a suitable location to hole up for the night.  It truly does seem best to find somewhere safe.  Adam and Ioan do what healing they can.

Yemam hears it first.  The unmistakable sounds of combat.  Perking up his ears, he calls to the others to quiet what they are doing.  The noise seems to drift on the night fog.  It comes from the West, from the center of town.  When through the fog, as if sound has been amplified, you hear a voice, ringing clear and true, "By the power of the Light, you will NOT take this town!"

[unkabear]

Hassid took Yemams que and then hears it himself.  There was a bastion of life here and they were in need.  Hassid mounted his horse and called out "They will be in need" and helping to fight off undead was a quick way to gain confidence of the survivors.  Then he drove StarDancer forward with his knees wielding his Falchion ready to cut down more zombies.

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam jumps on his horse as well.  "I'm right behind you Hassid.  We need some friends in this dark and grim place."

(Carrying my bow to stay out of melee)

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius grabs his horse and follows, "cursed night."

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ioan mounts up and rides with the rest... mindful of the fact that Adam and Yemam still seem to need some help.

[allornothing]

Lorelei isn't far behind the guys with mounting her horse and riding off after their 'leader'. It quite obvious that the warlock needs some healing; blood pours from where shoulder meets neck. Her complexion has paled, and she's a bit less chatty as before. Something told her she'd feel much better just getting out of the streets.