ONE LAST HOPE (closed)

[chewbacca71]

Kobolds

The remaining four kobolds, seeing that they were outnumbered, gave in to their usual cowardice. Crying in terror, they rushed towards Amber. She agilely moved out of the way as the kobolds ran into the forest. Amber looked over at Kyle to see if he wanted her to pursuit them. Kyle shook his head no as he bent down to claim his used arrows from the bodies of the corpses. The four kobolds were far away from the adventurers when they realized that they were not being followed. Stopping to catch their breath, they sat down on the ground. Lookihg around them, they saw they were not too far away from the shelter of a small cave. Making for it, the kobolds were able to rest in the relative comfort of a stone cave as they licked their wounds.

 

[chewbacca71]

Jevram

Jevram held the ogre at arms length with his levitation spell. He sent another electric shock through the creature, watching as its limbs twitched in pain. "This Skibep is what I expected you to have been able to do. I trust that you fully understand what I expect of you now. I will not allow you to be deficient in following my orders again, is that clear? " Jevram heard a ardent grunting from the ogre, the best it could manage under the pain.

"Good, then I will let you live. At least for a while longer. Have your men checked all the houses to make sure that no one is hiding. ......Excellent. Then we can begin. " Jevram waved one of his cleric assistants over to his side.

"You know what you have to do. I want as many successful conversions as possible. As always, any souls that will not survive the transformation get stored. Good, I will now go back to Grimwall. I have work to finish there. "

With a whistle akin to calling a dog, Jevram calls Quisalt to his side. "Let us go back to Grimwall. Your companion may stay here until the conversions are finished. Then I want Cedon and Skibep brought back to Grimwall. " Quisalt kneeled down for Jevram to climb on his back. He quickly sprung into the sky, beating his wings rapidly on his return to Grimwall.

 

[chewbacca71]

The cleric

The dark cleric nodded to his master as he turned back to his work. He had been more successful in that last village than even he had expected. His master was very happy with the conversions that had been made. There had even been an unseen bonus that could play out big in the future.

He turned back to the beaker on his table. All the ingrediants had been added a few days before. The fermentation process was almost complete. He watched as the formula turned to the telltale green color that meant it was complete. Stephan was not sure how Jevram had figured out this potion, but it was highly successful. Grabbing the overlarge flask, Stephan brought it out of his tent.

He walked over to the stockades that the Ogres had hastily erected. He was always amazed at how well this creatures would take orders . He expected them to be as chaotic as their basic nature, but when faced with orders from a superior; they carried it out to the letter of the law. He spoke to the two guards that were at the door in the front of the stockade. "Get me one of the prisoners. Now. "

Stephan watched as a scrawny teenager was brought out. The youth soiled himself in fright as the ogres dragged him to Stephans tent. The ogre obediently tied the youth down to a table on the far side of the tent. The ogre held the boy's mouth open as Stephan pored the foul concoction down his throat. Stephen stepped back to see what happened.

 

[chewbacca71]

Stephan

Stephan watched as the boys spine arched in ways that nature never intended. Frantic cries escaped the boys lips as the potion fused through his body. Then the blessed sound of silence cracked the barrier of noise. Stephan rushed to the boys side, putting his head on the boy's chest. Aha, no hearbeat noise.

Stephan stepped back again as he remembered that the conversion is faster in some than in others. The body of the boy stiffened for a second , trying to break the bonds. A soulrending howl escaped the creature thusly imprisoned to the table. A purtifying stench erupted from the creature as it sought to escape. Stephan signaled for the nearest Ogre to smack the creature on the head.

Holding its nose, the large humanoid moved to comply with its order. It had learned not to hit too hard, since it had accidently killed one of the creatures before. The scars on its back were mute testimony to the pain the ogre had suffered for that transgression. The creature lost consiousness to the sound of a large hollow thump.

Stephan approached the table after waiting a second to make sure it was not a ploy. These creatures suffered from rudimentary intelligence and a sharp natural cunning. This was a new creature that the potion had created. They had already had the potion produce a lot of zombies , a handful of ghouls and a few other creatures. But a ghast was a new one to be sure.

Stephan signalled for the ogre to release the prisoner. He explained to the thick witted brute that this creature was to be kept seperate from the others. The ogre nodded its shaggy head as it carried the ghast from the room. Stephan was happy that his master had thought to have many different cages made for the creatures so that they could be seperated. Once conversion happened, most of these creatures descended into a mindless yammering for live flesh. But they were not against taking a chunk out of a fellow zombie if the need arouse.

Stephan waved for the second ogre guard to go get another prisoner. There was plenty of potion that had been made to subdue the whole village. The conversion would give these pitiful creatures a purpose in the new world that Jevram proposed. Smiling gleefully, Stephan watched as a young women was brought in next.

 

[chewbacca71]

Kyle

Kyle rallied the Clan back together. He checked them for wounds, but other than some bruising everyone was ok. Kyle sent them back to pack up all the stuff they had dropped to enter the fight. After everyone was set, they started down the path towards Briwelk.

They arrived at the town around evening. The molten ball of yellow that was the sun was setting behind the mountains. Long shadows of darkness were encrouching around the town. Kyle and the others felt a sense of dread at the eerie quiet of the streets.
They checked the first few houses on the outskirts of town. They found no people, but plenty of blood stains. Grouping closer together, Kyle made the decision to find a place to stay for the night. He sent Austin out to find them a suitable place to stay. The halfling bucked up his courage as he grabbed his dwarven companion to go with him.

 

[chewbacca71]

Austin and Bragin

As the two companions walked in the town, they nervously fingered their weapons. They had yet to encounter a live person, but that made it worse. There was tell tale signs of battle all over the town. There were a few homes that showed signs of fire damage as well as many smashed window panes and broken doors. More ominous still was the lack of dead bodies even.

The sun was fully down behind the mountains when they came upon an inn that Amber had described to them. They walked into it, making sure there was no danger lurking . They saw more signs of struggle as well as a broken barricade on the second floor landing. Austin was satisfied that there was more then enough room for them here at this inn.

They walked back to the others and brought them to the inn. Bragin could see that there was a track of tears on the side of Ambers face. He realized how hard this must be for her, to see her town destroyed. He wondered if they had passed her house at all. Once they arrived at the inn, Kyle had them move there supplies up to the second floor. He had Devin and Bragin fix the barricade since they did not know what they were up against.

Thrush had argued that they might be better off in the woods at the outskirts of town. Kyle considered this for a moment before deciding that it might be better to have solid walls around them instead to help protect them. He set up a two man rotation for watch. He paired Devin up with Thrush, Bragin with Amber and Austin and himself. He felt that it was better if they were more vigilant than more rested.

 

[chewbacca71]

Relthane

Relthane's sleep was haunted by the sounds of screaming. He had been as quiet as he could in his hiding place to keep from being detected. But at times he wanted to yell for the screaming to stop . For as long as he lived, he would never get that sound out of his head. Luckily on the second day of his hiding, the noised had quieted down quite a bit.

Relthane was grateful for the cessation of the noise, but was sure that it meant that the city was destroyed. He had not heard the crackle of flame or smelt the miasma of smoke , but he was sure that the lifeblood of the city was drained. The people was what made the city, not the stone buildings or the glass windows.

He had carefully rationed his food, so that at the end of the third day he still had some remaining. Deciding that it was now or never, Relthane left his hiding place in the wall. Pushing the stove away with his arms Relthane was able to get out of the chasm in the wall. He slowly walked to the windows and looked out of them.

He detected no movement at all. Nor was there any sound to be heard. He quickly wolfed down the remaining food to give him some strength for the journey. He gathered up some food from his house as well as taking a few flasks of water. Using a blanket as a sack, he placed all these essential items in it. He reached back into the wall and took out his armor and his fathers sword. Then it hit him, that the sword was now his since he was sure his father was dead. Holding back a tear, he put on the armor.

After belting on the sword, he used a piece of rope to tie the blanket sack onto his back. He took another look out the window before leaving the house. Slinking down dark alleys, Relthane was able to make it to the doggate. The gate had been destroyed in the attack, its broken leaves flapping in the breeze. He moved quickly through the gate and was able to safely make it to the treeline. Taking out a handmade map that his father had once made, Relthane set course for the town of Briwelk.

 

[chewbacca71]

Devin and Thrush

Devin leaned up against the doorway looking out the small pane of glass. He had been strangely silent since they had come into town. Not that he was of a garralous nature, but in the past he had at least talked. Devin was preoccupied with his thoughts of the village. What had caused such destruction and yet had left no bodies behind. Kyle had talked to Amber on a number of nights as they came closer to her village, but she did not give him much information. It was worrying to Devin that she was unwilling to say more.

Thrush stared off into space for a moment. He felt his blood quicken as the spell was burned into his memory. At least for a day it would be. He turned the page on his spellbook preparing to look at the next one. He looked up and saw Devin. He often wondered what went on in the large humans mind. He was often impressed with the passion that humans typically displayed. Their outward vivaciousness was a balm to a calm soul like Thrush. But Devin was a throwback to a more quiet human. Thrush studied his companion for a moment before turning back to his spellbook.

 

[chewbacca71]

Amber and Bragin

Amber pushed restlessly towards wakefullness. It was encouraged by Thrush's warm hand on her shoulder. She looked up into his violet eyes as he smiled in her direction. "Time to awaken young one. It is your turn for watch. " Amber sat all the way up , pulling her blanket closer around her.

She walked over to the window, looking out on the silent village. Not a noise could be heard , even the wind was hushed. She looked down as Bragin sleepily bumped into her leg. She smiled as he stammered his apology. "It is no problem, my friend dwarf, I myself have a hard time waking up most times. If you want, I will keep a watch out this window if you want to take a check downstairs. "

Amber was not suprised when the dwarf needed his agreement. He walked to the head of the stairs and listened for a moment. Hearing nothing but the sound of his own breathing, Bragin moved the barrier out of the way. It was a tough thing for one person to do, but dwarves were known for their stubborn strength.

 

[chewbacca71]

Bragin

Bragin pulled the barrier back into place behind him. He wanted to make sure that they were safe up there in case something happened to him. That was one of the things that kept him in the Clan of the Bear. They all had each others back no matter what happened. In this uncertain world, finding someone willing to defend you at the drop of a hat was important. He had found four such people with his friends.

As with most dwarves, Bragin had found it hard to trust outsiders. Especially as different as a group as the clan. But they all worked off each others strengths and augmented each others weaknesses. He did not fear anything when he was a part of the team.

He tried to keep his movement silent as he walked down the stairs. The creaking of the stairs was slightly quieter than a banshee with a toothache. He reached the bottom of the stairs , relieved that the inn floor was built stronger so that it did not make noise. He pulled the axe from the sheath on his back as he checked the dining area.

Nothing was different than when they had arrived at the inn. Satisfied that all was well , he went to the door. They had taken the time last night to bar the door with two strong pieces of wood. From where he stood, he could see that the two pieces of wood were still keeping the door closed. He was about to walk up the stairs when he heard a noise in the back storeroom.

He tried to remember if they had checked the back storeroom or not when they had arrived. He was not sure, since they were in a hurry to find a place to hole up for the night. He walked to the door, put his ear against it. He could hear nothing coming from the other side. Damning his overactive imagination , Bragin turned to go back up the stairs. He was thrown to the ground when the door burst outwards.........

 

[chewbacca71]

Bragin

Bragin hit the hardwood floor with a heavy thump. His naturally hard head kept him from any serious damage, though the floor got the worst of the encounter. Coming up to his knees, Bragin shook his head to clear the cobwebs. Quickly realizing that he should not be on the floor, Bragin stood up as he turned around. He almost wished he did not.

Five humans were making their shuffling way towards him. Their arms were outstretched in a parody of comfort as if they wanted to hug him. He noticed the extremely long fingernails on their pale hands. Hideous wounds on the sides of their heads leaked puss onto the floor. His mind searched for what these creatures were as he backed away from them. Faking a run to the left, he swerved back right and bolted up the stairs.

Luckily for him, the creatures were very slow to react and had just started up the stairs when he had reached the barricade. He fumbled with the edges of the barricade as he tried to move it out of the way. His imagination supplied the smell of their fetid breath on the back of his neck. Ignoring the splinters that dug under his fingernails, he continued to try and move the barricade.

 

[chewbacca71]

Amber

Amber heard the loud thud from the bottom floor. She wondered if the dwarf had tripped over his beard looking for the last barrel of beer. Deciding that it was more sinister than that, she moved to the stairs. She was able to look down the stairs, noticing that five figures were moving towards Bragin. She turned back to the room running over to Kyle to wake everyone up. Devin was the first one to become consious, since his sleep had been troubled since they went on this quest. Strapping on his sword , he followed her to the barricade.

 

[chewbacca71]

Devin

Looking over the barricade, Devin could see that Bragin was not able to get it out of his way. Devin used his long arms to reach over the barricade and pull the dwarf over to safety. His great muscles strained as he placed the dwarf on the ground. "My god Bragin, you need to cut down on the sweet rolls. You almost were too heavy for me to lift you."

Devin moved out of the way as a whitened hand reached over the barricade. The creatures were tall enough that they could see over the barrier. Devin moved back from the barricade to get away from the sheer stench of their pustulent flesh. The other members of the clan were finally all awake, coming up as a group behind him. The creatures blindly pushed against barrier, driving small bits of wood under their unyielding skin.

 

[chewbacca71]

Amber

Standing with the others , Amber waited for Kyle to decide what to do. With the creatures this close to her, Amber felt a strange revulsion come over her. She also felt a burning sensation on her upper chest. She reached into the crease in her chain mail armor and pulled out her holy symbol. It was hot to the touch, with a faint light emanating from it. Realizing what this meant, she turned to the others. "Um, guys we have a problem. These creatures are undead. "

 

[chewbacca71]

Kyle

Kyle swallowed hard as he digested this newest information. "Undead, you said Amber? We have not run into undead before in our line of work. Normally we just have to take on living creatures. I am at a loss as for what to do . Thrush, what do you think?"

 

[chewbacca71]

Thrush

Thrush was more familiar with the undead, having lived a longer lifespan than the humans. Being an elf had its advantages. "Kyle, it seems that these are Zombies. They are really a low level type of undead, not very powerful. We could probably defeat them with brute strength but wounds sustained in battle with them are harder to heal. Zombie are very suseptible to fire and also to the powers of a cleric. Between Amber and myself I am sure we can take care of this threat. All of the rest of you can sit this one out. "

Thrush walked closer to the barrier. "Umm excuse me Devin, can you move so I can get closer to these creatures? " Devin looked sheepish as he moved out of the way. Thrush looked over at the five creatures. They were still mindlessly throwing their bodies at the barrier. The barrier was starting to come down with the sheer force of the undeads will.

"Amber, I want you to take out any holy water that you have in your pack. I will probably not need your help with this, but I want you ready just in case. Everyone back away. This could get messy. "

Thrush pulled a small pinch of ash from his pocket and threw it over the barrier. He chanted some words in a loud voice, his inflection rising as he spoke. Suddenly a ball of orange-red flame erupted from his hands, sailing across the barrier. The three zombies in front were immediately aflame, their bodies burning like tallow. Their tortured bodies fell to the floor, their souls finally resting as their flesh dissolved into ash.

The two zombies in the back, showing at least a small muster of self interest, had moved back as the fireball formed. They were struck in the back, flames trailing from their hair and the rags of clothes still on their leperous bodies. By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, the semblence of life in their hollowed out bodies fled. Their cadavers hitting the floor with a gratifying sound.

Thrush clapped his hands together in delight as he turned back to the others . "Well, so much for those zombies. We will not have any trouble from them. My fireball spell took them all out. Please, hold you applause for now. I want to go back to sleep. "

 

[chewbacca71]

Austin

Austin was amused to see Thrush acting like this. The elf was usually so concerned with his image as a wise elf, that he never took the time to live life. Austin walked over towards the barrier. "Devin, can you give me a hand? I can't see over the barrier. I want to take a look at these zombies, or at least what Thrush left of them. "

Austin said thank you as Devin lifted him up to see the descent of the stairs. Austin wrinkled his nose as the acrid smell of the charred flesh wafted over the barrier. Then something else caught his attention. As Devin put him back down , Austin turned to the group. "Ummm, guys we have a problem. The stairway is on fire and its working its way up. "

 

[chewbacca71]

Kyle

Kyle moves towards the barrier but had to step back as smoke started to billow up over it. He coughed as he pulled some fresh air into his lungs. "Shit, this is not good. We need to get out of here. Devin, Bragin I need the two of you to smash out those windows on the opposite side of the stairs. Make as much room as possible so we can fit out that way. Thrush , I need you to cast a levitation spell on Austin. Amber , pass me the rope out of your pack. "

 

[chewbacca71]

Devin and Bragin

The two men moved towards the wall. They pulled out their weapons and smashed out the panes of both windows. They then used their weapons to destroy the wood between the windows. They were able to make a space big enough even for Devin to fit through. They stepped out of Kyle's way as he walked to the opening.

 

[chewbacca71]

Thrush and Austin

Thrush grabbed out his spell book. He did not use this spell often so he had to reread it to refresh his memory. He took an eagle feather out of his pack and put it on top of Austins head. Chanting a fast progression of words, Thrush put his hand on the feather. The feather disintegrated, the pieces falling into Austins hair.

Austin looked Thrush in the eye as he reached his hand up to brush out the ashes. Wait a minute, how was he looking at Thrush from this angle? Austin looked down and saw that his feet were over a foot off the ground. He was floating on air. He took Thrush's hand as Thrush led him to the hole in the wall. "Ok Kyle, what do you want me to do? "

 

[chewbacca71]

Kyle

Kyle took one of the heavy duty arrows out of his quiver. He knotted the rope around the arrow, hoping it would not be too heavy. He leaned out the hole in the wall and shot his arrow onto the roof on the building next door. The arrow struck true just a little lower than what he had wanted. He turned back to Austin.

"Ok my little thief, I want you to grab onto the rope and shimmy across. You should be light enough that you will not pull out the arrow. Once you are across, tie the rope onto the balcony on the second floor. That way we can all use the rope to get out of here before we are all killed in this fire. Now get out there. "

 

[chewbacca71]

Austin

Austin grabbed onto the rope as he tried to get used to his light body. He pulled himself hand over hand to the opposite roof. He grabbed the edge of the roof and pushed himself down to the balcony. He reached up and untied the rope then retied it to the railing of the balcony. He yelled back for Kyle to pull on it to make sure it was secure. Seeing that the rope was secure, he pulled out his short sword and went to check out the room that the balcony was on.

 

[chewbacca71]

Kyle

Kyle spoke to the others. "Ok, Bragin I want you first. That way if there is any problem in the other house, you can gain us a foothold. Thrush I want you next then Amber. Of course Devin, I want you to last as usual to help cover our tail. Now lets get out of here." Kyle looked to the stairs as even more smoke billowed up. He was concerned that they might not all make it before the fire was all the way upstairs.

 

[chewbacca71]

Austin

Austin did not find anything on this second floor. He poked into closets and checked doorways, but nothing jumped out at him. Relieved that it was all clear, he started down the stairs. He reached the bottom. He looked both ways before he started to walk towards the door...........His sight went dark as he was hit over the head..........

 

[chewbacca71]

Bragin

Knotted muscle was the only evidence of the strain for Bragin to make it across the rope. He quickly moved over and jumped down onto the balcony. Pulling the axe from over his shoulder, he walked into the room. "Austin, where are you? Stop playing games you silly hobbit. Call out to me so I know where you are. " Bragin heard a large thump from the first floor. He tightened the grip on his axe and ran for the stairs.