Act I: An Inauspicious Start

[Yemam Silverman]

As Yemam waits for a reply from inside, you motions for Ioan.  "I am in need of healing friend, but please tend to Adam first.  My wounds are not mortal, his...well, they are close."

[Ikoma]

Now that you have time to look around, you can make out more details.  The store on the north side of the square with lights on inside has a sign "Bildrath's Mercantile".  The building on the south side has a sign that reads "Blood of the Vine".  But some joker has scratched and "N" over the "F".

Those tending to the body of the woman warrior can see that her gear is of the highest quality and her backpack is full.  Adam and Ioan would know that without the last rites, there is a chance she could rise as a zombie herself.

While Hassid sets out to recover the horses, Yemam approaches the door to the north... the closest.  But no matter how much he hammers on the door, it is not opened.  You do hear a man yell, "GO AWAY!  I open for no one after the sun has set!  Try the Vine!  If they still live."

But in the end, you do not have to knock at the southern door.  It opens tentatively.  A single head pokes out to survey the scene and then pops back.  Almost immediately after, five dirty and scraggly men come out and set to repairing the barricade.  Any help would be welcomed.  Additionally, anyone living is allowed into the tavern.  No matter how much begging you do, they will not allow the corpse inside.  You will have to do the last rites and leave her body for internment tomorrow.

[unkabear]

StarDancer cleared the barrier and loud were the hooves on the cobblestone as she galloped away from the town square.  Hassid knew that Adams mount only had but a minute head start, but a startled animal could make good time in such circumstances. 

It was a few blocks before Hassid encountered any undead.  A few zombies began to turn toward him as StarDancers hooves clanged into the crossroads.  Hassid guessed that they were shambling after the horse in question and it gave him heart as there was no fresh blood staining their claws. 

Hassid lowered his blade as he passed just within reach of one of the creatures severing its head from its body.  But he did not have time to stop for the others if he wanted to catch the horse.  The undead continued to follow him falling behind.  Their shambling was insufficient to catch up with the horse.  Even the faster ones fell behind as he galloped through the city.

Hassid began to use the undead as guide markers following their trail toward where the horse might have gone.  Soon he was even able to hear the hooves.

Hassid slowed StarDancer down so as to not make as much noise and took a turn down another lane trying to head the horse off.  By the sound of it she was cornered.  Hassid came in from a side road and found the horse defending herself.  She would soon be overwhelmed if she did not move.  But then all she had to do is run over the zombies to escape.  But such thought does not always come to one who is scared. 

Hassid came in softly approaching the creatures.  Rounding the corner he began to appreciate the situation.  There were eight undead surrounding the horse giving her a wide berth as she was rearing and taking wild swings. 

After a deep breath and a pat to StarDancer Hassid spurred her into a full gallop right at the gathering mob.  Hassid let out a high whistle as they approached and began to overrun the undead.  Adam’s horse was taken aback and Hassid would like to have thought that she understood what was going on as she turned to face the same direction that Hassid was going and leapt into the air.  She came down between two zombies who staggered back, though one was quickly put underfoot as Star Dancer quickly caught up to the other horse.

Hassid reached out and grasped the reigns of the other horse and took the lead.  He lead her at a gallop till they were almost out of town.  They were taking several twists and turns whenever Hassid spotted trouble and even had to take a few turns when they came out of doors to the side of roads.  When Hassid felt he was safe enough to slow down he did so as the noise was enough to draw the undead toward him.  Though if he had any inclination at least half the city was closing in on the outskirts of the town.

Hassid guided the horses back down the thoroughfare that he and the others had used earlier believing that it should still be cleared out after only a few minutes of time new residents shouldn’t have moved in.  He was right in this aspect as the walk was quiet.  The barricade was nearing completion, and there was no more gap for them to get through.  But as he had already had jumped the barrier before it was nothing to do so again.

Hooves cleared the barrier with great clearance as the robed man and two horses arrived again in the town square.  “Adam,” he declared, “I have return with your mount.  Now has anyone made arrangements for stabling them?”  He did not expect so, and hoped that the inn had a stable that was still somewhat serviceable and with a yard that was still well fenced.  But was prepared to secure one of the vacant buildings for to fortify if he had to he was not about to leave the horses alone in the square.

With practiced ease Hassid lowers himself from the saddle and patted StarDancers neck in appreciation whispering softly into her ear.

[Marius Ionescu]

With Ioan's blessed words, the fear from Marius mind leaves him.  He walks toward Adam and Ioan.  "I know we have to give our respect of the fallen and all that, but I would like to look at her gear.  Perhaps it would shed light as to who she was and what she was doing here? Or it will provide us with equipment we can use to ease our journey!"

Marius realized he may have spoken out of line, but he didn't care, nor did he make any effort to hide it.  Many a times, long ago, Life in the dark forests of Darkon had forced him and his dad to scavenge from the land, or those killed by it in order to survive.  He had seen his share of dark terrors, was even the instrument of one that one horrid night ... Marius' eyes show his pain, but he quickly removes the thoughts out of his head.  He looked at the woman and whispered softly, "Go.  Go in peace to whomever is in your heart," then walked over  to her backpack and began rummaging through her gear ...

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ioan and Adam bow their heads together, and each quickly offers rites of passage into the eternal world.

"Okay, we have to leave the body outside, and no matter where we put it, the undead can get it... except maybe the roof?"

"Oh, and Marius... be reverent with her things. Dire need, yes, but let's not look like highwayman... And if you find some token of who she was, who her kin was, save that out. We'll want to bury her with at least that tomorrow."

Ioan eyes the roof. Maybe Hassid, standing on a horse...

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius looks toward Ioan and smiles.  He understood his intentions perfectly, "of course my friend, of course."

[unkabear]

Hassid looked to the roof and thought about perhaps a few places outside of the square...just in case.

[allornothing]

"I'm not one for the details of undead beings, but we're sure she cannot come back as one of them? Perhaps that is one of the reasons they will not allow her inside?" Lorelei has joined the group finally, having taken a few very long moments to gather her thoughts. She had many a time dealt with death and undead, but not in such abundance.

[Yemam Silverman]

"Let see what we can do with her, but quickly.  I grieve for the loss of such a warrior as her, but we ourselves need to rest, and it seems these fine people offer us shelter.  Please...let us hurry."

[Adam Godson]

Adam was torn.  He knew he needed to rest and recover his spells.  That would be best for the party and for him.  However,  sometimes one had to look beyond the Self.  Although he had only fought with this woman for a few short moments he felt attached to her in a way he couldn't understand.  She was a warrior for the Good, a disicple of the Light.  She deserved better than to be abandoned to the night and whatever lurked in it.  

Adam understood the villager's concern about the corpse.  He would probably behaved similarly if he had experienced what it appears they had been experiencing for several month.  He could not make his concerns theirs also.  This was a personal decision based on what he felt was best and what the Way had taught him.  


"Friends, I will stand vigil over the corpse.  It goes against my spiritual sensitivies and training to abaondon her corpse to the night.  Let's rig some type of alarm that I can trigger in case the zombies return.  Perhaps a rope tied to some buckets or armor.  I can pul it if the situation warrants your presence."  

Adam begins arranging a location where his back is against the wall close to the door with the body laid out in front of him.  He takes a silk rope from his pack and fastens it to some pots and pans from the inn.  He set them on a table near the door.  He tests that a quick jerk will pull them from the table and create  a lound noise.  When he was sure the signal would work Adam sat in a chair with his back to the wall.  He pulled his greatsword from its scabbard and laid it in this lap.  He tied the string to the arm farthest from the door.    

"I am ready.  You may close the door.  I only aske that you come if I signal the alarm.  Sweet dream of the Path to the Father."

[Ikoma]

Marius finds several things of interest.  A beautiful set of full plate armor (magic), inscribed with a burst of light on the heavy steel shield.  A gorgeous long sword (magic).  An amulet that fairly glows with power.  A well-made cloak (magic).  Her backpack contains several odd item, rods about 8 inches long, an inch or so think.  They are some kind of paper tube, filled with... something... and wrapped in thick paper.  Some have a thick string coming off the bottom.  Finally, a leather bound journal, stamped with gold letters reading Bring the Light to My Children.

As Adam makes his decision, each and every one of you looks at him.  In your short time in this villa, you have crossed paths with over twenty zombies, not to mention two different types of 'improved' zombies.  Then there was the maggots and the flying heads and who knows what other horrors.  You can see Adam physical health.  If he stays outside, he will be dead before the sun rises, no matter if the rest of you dash out to protect him at every alarm.  You need look no further than the brave woman who lies dead to see how solitary figures fare even when others try to come to their rescue.

You don't have long to make a decision.  The tavern keeper is already looking about nervously.  As soon as the four men finish repairing the breach in the barricade, he will be locking up again.  And you may not be able to come to Adam's aid once that door is closed.

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam looks at Marius after he finishes looking through the warrior-woman's belongings. "Find anything useful, friend?"

Yemam then looks at Adam quizzically, then to the sky, then to Adam, and finally back at the sky.  "Yeah...I know...you won't let me forget that night will you."

Yemam walks over to Adam, "Care for some company and an extra set of eyes?"

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius examines the items, he grabs the journal and hands it to Adam.  Next he gathers the other items (paper tube, the rods) and hands them to Ioan, "perhaps you can tell what these things are my friend."  The armor he leaves alone, but takes a special interest in the long sword.

Marius draws his own longsword and compares it to the one he found, "this one is better than the one I currently own.  If no one objects, I can make excellent use of it and would like to keep it?  Of course if you object I would like a demonstration of how you plan to use it better then me."

"Now we just have to deal with the amulet and this rather well-made cloak?  First we should try to figure out what the items do, then decide who would most benefit."

Hearing Yemams words Marius looks to the group, "I don't think we can convince our warrior friend to part with the street.  And somehow I don't think I can change your mind either?  And you will need someone to watch your backs as well.  Guess I have to stay too."
(ooc: if no one objects Marius takes the long sword)

[unkabear]

Hassid quickly nails the doors shut on the horses hoping that they would be safe in a boarded up house.  He could trust StarDancer to do the right thing if they break in, but this was the best that he could do in such a short time.

When hearing Adams declaration Hassid places his hand upon Adams shoulder and says to him softly.  "You have performed the last rights and done what you could, but we cannot lose you to this damned village for the sake of a valiant fighter who has passed on."  Hassid then moved in front of Hassid so that he could look into the mans eyes.  "I have lived my life in situations such as this where the dead often rise; as noble an action that you are considering we must show concern for the living.  Come inside with us and save your strength, we shall avenge her and all others lost here in this accursed place.  But nothing will be gained with your death this night."

Hassid then patted Adams shoulder and looked toward Yemam letting him know with his eyes that this would not be a good course of action.  They would need any rest this night could offer and staying outside would only serve to sap thier strength.  Hassid then turned toward the tavern showing desire to enter in before the place was locked up.

Hassid answered Marius with a simple, "let us discuss this inside, it will soon not be safe even within the barricades."


(ooc if I were marius I would strip that gal clean and divide the spoils inside, preferably in a private room & I am not sure about the others but I am willing to hop on the railroad that Ikoma is laying before us and go inside.)

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius realizes the truth in Hassid's words.  Many a times dad told his the same thing, stop trying to be polite and get on with it.  More alike then we care to admit ... the thought once again enters his mind. 

He grabs the gear, walks over and nudges Adam, "after you," he say with determination in his voice.