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Story Hour
Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 6128358" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 18px">KOTS Part 12: The Dead Centre.</span></p><p></p><p>[sblock=Party Line Up]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 22px">The Hard Core Adventurers Level 2</span></p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8489125293/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8489125293_6178a97e2d_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a> </p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Through the door and down the discoloured stairs, this section of the catacombs seems somehow older; certainly less travelled. There’s a damp smell of rot and ruin in the air.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy, of course, and Gokan lead the way, their comrade’s wait on the stair.</p><p></p><p>There are a maze of passages ahead; from the foot of the stairs the wide passages head north, south and west- furthermore each of these corridors seems to branch at some point.</p><p></p><p>“A maze?” Jimmy whispers to his brother.</p><p></p><p>The pair move a little way in and then stop again to whisper.</p><p>“Look!” Gokan points down the north passage, at the floor a little way down the corridor.</p><p>“Ohh!” Jimmy murmurs. </p><p>There seems to be a dull white furze on the ground- illuminating the spot, but only slightly.</p><p>Jimmy peers around to look down the west corridor.</p><p>“Another!” The halfling whispers and points.</p><p>Gokan nods. </p><p></p><p>The pair watch for a moment, until…</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Down the Stair]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634793556/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8634793556_1c52662bb6_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“A shadow…” Jimmy hisses.</p><p>“What?” Gokan questions.</p><p>“Something just moved in front of the light. I…” Jimmy adds.</p><p>“Are you…” Gokan begins.</p><p></p><p>Clump.</p><p></p><p>A footstep.</p><p></p><p>“It’s coming…” Jimmy hisses.</p><p>“Trouble!” Gokan states, loud enough for his friends to hear, while drawing his axe and moving forward, down the western passage.</p><p></p><p>The other adventurers move down the stair and make ready.</p><p></p><p>Gokan moves quicker now, his eyes adjusting to the gloom, picking out details- two figures approach. Closer, the half-orc suddenly screams aloud, a guttural sound; coming in to view before him are a pair of shambling humanoids.</p><p></p><p>“Zombies!” Gokan hollers, and then his axes dance in his hands, and slice and cut- the first rotter falls, and then the second.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Zombie Rotters]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142734377/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8142734377_32fa72f96a_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142763548/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8142763548_ac0c6a725f_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Zombie Rotter</p> <p style="text-align: center">Minion Level 3</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680925883/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8680925883_8849c7079f_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Zombies!” Gokan calls again, as he squints ahead to see, something much larger approaches.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy is quickly to his brother’s side, “What’s…”</p><p></p><p>Out of the furze ahead staggers a large humanoid, perhaps an ogre, or at least it must have once been an ogre- now a great hulking zombie, its body torn and ragged in places with gory breaches in its flesh.</p><p></p><p>“Avandra!” Jimmy screeches and flings out his vicious dagger, the blade misses- and such a large target.</p><p>“Come on. Come on…” Jimmy worries, at last his blade reappears in his hand, he flings it again, this time burying it to the hilt in the zombie hulk’s capacious chest, the huge undead creature doesn’t falter, or indeed miss a step, it comes on…</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Zombie Hulk]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634841744/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8634841744_b491cb697f_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Zombie Hulk</p> <p style="text-align: center">Brute Level 8</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682037642/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8682037642_a315bca09e_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Braynz!” The Zombie Hulk hollers as it staggers forward.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Zombies!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634820152/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8634820152_a89c892ddf_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Suddenly the sound of movement, all around- from the myriad passages and openings that lead from the stair, the noise is heard by all- Jimmy and Gokan, and their colleagues still at the stairs.</p><p></p><p>“Make ready!” Sigur grumbles.</p><p>“Here they come!” Tonka concurs, while Ramm hefts his axe and grunts.</p><p></p><p>“Aaaargghh!” Jimmy screeches, lurching out of the darkness comes a smaller humanoid-sized zombie, the foul creature has a misshapen head and is surrounded by a cloud of buzzing flies, the smell of rot is almost overpowering. The creature flails at Jimmy, who at the last moment side-steps the blow…</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Tainted Zombie]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142763486/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8142763486_cd9ebf5cd2_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Zombie Tainted</p> <p style="text-align: center">Brute Level 1</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682037466/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8682037466_8f5ea224b1_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Phew, close. Jimmy frets.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Jimmy turns a certain hit in to a miss with a Second Chance.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>At the same moment the zombie hulk brings around one meaty fist and smashes Gokan down.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Info]</p><p></p><p>Gokan is bloodied, actually reduced to only 5 hit points by the Zombie Hulk’s Zombie Smash attack for 26 points of damage, which also leaves the half-orc prone.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Tonka moves forward, towards Gokan- “Hold the line!” The dragonborn hollers; from a side passage another zombie rotter lurches in to view- set to grab Tonka, he slices and the undead critter slumps to the floor.</p><p>“Bahamut preserve!” Tonka declares in a loud voice, the prone and bleeding Gokan grins up at the dragonborn, many of his wounds are healed in an instant.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Tonka to the rescue!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8633771473/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8633771473_b38c777371_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“Make way!” Sigur grumbles and stomps forward, the dwarf continues to mutter, his favourite three ghostly hands appear. The first grabs at yet another zombie rotter closing in on the adventurers- the undead creature’s head seems to melt in the spectral appendage’s radiant grasp, it expires. The second hand burns as it presses itself against the tainted zombie’s flesh, the foul-smelling undead creature menacing Jimmy. The last punches the zombie hulk in the face- burning a fresh cavity in the creature’s flesh.</p><p></p><p>But Sigur’s not done yet.</p><p></p><p>“Mighty Moradin hear my call!” The dwarf holds his magical rod aloft; he’s suddenly bathed in a glorious purplish holy light, which pulses once and then shoots out in fine strands, or rays, at the undead creatures surrounding him.</p><p></p><p>Yet another zombie rotter falls as the radiant light rays leave smoking holes in its torso, the tainted zombie and the hulk are likewise affected; the pair stagger backwards, desperate to get away from the light show. Their smoking remains stagger and sway, they’re still in the fight, but both are somewhat diminished by Sigur’s attack.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Sigur Strikes Back]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8633789971/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8633789971_e480638b6e_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>An arrow skims Sigur’s shoulder, the dwarf spies a sad-looking goblin further down one of the corridors, the goblin is grey and rotten, another zombie.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Goblin Zombie Archer]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634841230/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8634841230_20bde29d40_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center">Zombie Goblin Archer</p> <p style="text-align: center">Artillery Level 2</p> <p style="text-align: center"></p> <p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682038024/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8682038024_c628bef972_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>And yet more movement, the sound of moaning, groaning accompanied by the further flat slap of footfalls- more of the creatures approach.</p><p></p><p>“Hold the line!” Tonka yells again, as Ramm- disobeying orders rushes past the dragonborn and smashes his shield and axe in to the staggering zombie hulk. The large humanoid is pushed backward, unable to keep its feet, it falls, it thumps hard on to the cold stone floor.</p><p></p><p>Not dead yet, but clearly almost spent.</p><p></p><p>Ramm bellows, raises his sword and shield above his head and with snorts and grunts challenges the undead brute to fight him.</p><p></p><p>“I’m glad he’s on our side…” Tonka whispers at Jimmy, the halfling grins back.</p><p></p><p>Gokan is quickly back to his feet, thanks to a helping hand from Tonka, the action has passed him by somewhat- Ramm’s a little way ahead of him, the zombie hulk a little way ahead of Ramm.</p><p></p><p>The half-orc grins again at Jimmy and Tonka, clearly enjoying the challenge. He spits on his hands- takes a fresh grip of his twin axes, and hollering all the way charges back towards the zombie hulk, which is still struggling to rise.</p><p></p><p>THUMP!</p><p></p><p>Gokan’s axe smashes down in to the hulk’s head, the great brute goes still- halfway to its feet, a shiver runs through the creature as Gokan rips the axe free. He’s about to deliver another blow when the undead menace moans once- long and loud, a keening holler, and then collapses.</p><p></p><p>“Dead.” Gokan declares, Ramm nods.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy meanwhile scurries and dodges, still being menaced by the tainted zombie surrounded by its buzzing cloud of flies, the halfling gags and dry wretches as he gets in close to the undead humanoid, he stabs hard, a gout of black filth spews out.</p><p></p><p>The zombie turns to look at the rent, feels with one hand for the spot, and then seemingly bewildered puts its hand inside. All the while the foul undead stares blankly at Jimmy. The tainted zombie’s legs fold beneath it, it slithers down to the floor to squirm a while before finally expiring.</p><p></p><p>A second arrow flies out of the dark, another goblin zombie archer, the missile thunks in to Tonka- the dragonborn grimaces.</p><p></p><p>“Get him!” Tonka declares, and then following his own order heads back to the stairs and towards the offending zombie. Shuffling forward he encounters another pair of zombie rotters en route, the foul undead flail as they stagger towards him.</p><p></p><p>They don’t get close, the duo are suddenly bathed in crackling blue lightning as Tonka breathes out a fan of electrical fury. The zombie rotters complete a short but entertaining dance routine and then flop to the floor, all life gone from them.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- More Zombies]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8635228270/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8635228270_6d45b2e6b4_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>“For Bahamut!” Tonka declares, stabs the air with his longsword, and then rushes forward towards the offending zombie archer. The dragonborn warlord slams in to the creature and slices hard; the undead is cut but far from finished.</p><p></p><p>Sigur heads a little way in, so that he can see down both of the main passages, more zombie rotters move in to view, still coming at the adventurers from all directions. Three more ghostly hands spring in to being- the first pair hunt down a pair of rotters, punch and slap the undead and leave them on the floor. The last menaces the first of the goblin zombie archers, leaving a radiant stripe down the thing’s face.</p><p></p><p>The undead goblin is provoked, it hisses, notches another arrow and lets fly- Sigur yelps as the arrow buries itself in his right thigh.</p><p></p><p>“Damn your eyes!” The dwarf snarls.</p><p>“The archers next. Kill the archers.” Sigur adds.</p><p></p><p>Ramm nods and then does his duty; he charges forward and smashes in to the first of the bow-wielding zombie goblins, leaving the creature bent, broken and out of shape -although the hellish fire in its eyes has not gone out.</p><p></p><p>The great minotaur hollers and bellows some more, making it clear to the foul undead that Ramm is in for the kill.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- The dead keep coming]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634146289/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8634146289_ed3256af8a_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Gokan, noting that Ramm has the first goblin archer covered, turns face and rushes back towards the stairs and then beyond- down the northern passage. The half-orc lopes forward, axes at the ready, eventually speeds up and charges howling out his fury at the second bow-wielding goblin, already being menaced by Tonka.</p><p></p><p>Gokan smashes the undead archer down- both axes tearing and shredding the fragile goblin’s already broken body.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy too is on the move, the halfling heads further in to the chamber he’s in, the former residence of the tainted zombie. He shimmies around to get a better attack at the last goblin archer, which is still being menaced by Ramm.</p><p></p><p>He stabs hard, while still manoeuvring, and the last of the goblin archers is left sprawled upon the ground.</p><p></p><p>Tonka stares ahead, as yet another zombie rotter lurches toward him, the dragonborn smiles at Gokan, who nods back in an ‘after you…’ style.</p><p></p><p>The dragonborn takes a step forward, swings hard, and cuts the zombie rotter down.</p><p></p><p>It’s at this point that Sigur screams.</p><p></p><p>“Sodding Raven Queen!” Sigur cries, as a way before him the great zombie hulk clambers to its feet, and then grinning all the while shuffles forward towards the dwarf. </p><p></p><p>Sigur is of course alone in the corridor- the other four adventurers having been despatched to deal with the goblin archer menace.</p><p></p><p>A single ghostly radiant hand suddenly appears, rushes forward and somewhat feebly attempts to keep the hulk at bay; alas its burning radiant shove is not enough.</p><p></p><p>The hulk comes on.</p><p></p><p>“The hulk’s back up! The hulk’s coming!” The dwarf shouts, his words elicit strange looks and shrugs from his companions.</p><p></p><p>Sigur turns face and runs away a little- seeking to get plenty of distance between himself and the great undead brute.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Picture- Hulk Smash!]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8635277750/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8635277750_c2584a6eda_z.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>The adventurers are an organised bunch though, and the zombie hulk is slow- far too slow.</p><p></p><p>Jimmy and Ramm spy the brute as it passes the entrance to the chamber in which they stand- the pair shrug at each other, then Jimmy spins out his vicious dagger which thuds in to the zombie’s side.</p><p></p><p>Ramm rushes forward, around the corner as it passes on, smashing the hulk in the back, and sending it down to its knees. Gokan moving quickly and coming from the other side of the creature is suddenly presented with a kneeling undead ogre, for his delight.</p><p></p><p>The half-orc swings and almost decapitates the beast.</p><p></p><p>The hulk flops to the cold stone floor- dead again.</p><p></p><p>Ramm and Gokan hack.</p><p></p><p>The undead are vanquished- no footsteps, no moans, or groans. The fight is over.</p><p></p><p>[sblock=Encounter #12 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts]</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634204901/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8634204901_df01b71f69_c.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p><p></p><p>And so the guys are moving in to the Keep on the Shadowfell.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Encounter #12 The Dead Centre, starring-</span></p><p></p><p>Zombie Rotter (Minion 3) x10</p><p>Zombie Tainted (Brute 1) x1</p><p>Zombie Goblin Archer (Artillery 2) x2</p><p>Zombie Hulk (Brute 8) x1</p><p></p><p>1080 XP Level 5 Encounter.</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">PC XP</span></p><p></p><p>216 XP each for a total of 2023 XP in total (PCs Level 2).</p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 15px">DM Thoughts-</span></p><p></p><p>A nice moment when the Zombie Hulk got back up again but the PCs just made mincemeat of the encounter, the Hulk was smashed back down in a matter of seconds.</p><p></p><p>[/sblock]</p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045385824/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8045385824_b9d8e34957_o.png" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 6128358, member: 16069"] [CENTER][SIZE="5"]KOTS Part 12: The Dead Centre.[/SIZE][/CENTER] [sblock=Party Line Up] [CENTER][SIZE="6"]The Hard Core Adventurers Level 2[/SIZE] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8489125293/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8489125293_6178a97e2d_c.jpg[/img][/url] [/CENTER] [/sblock] Through the door and down the discoloured stairs, this section of the catacombs seems somehow older; certainly less travelled. There’s a damp smell of rot and ruin in the air. Jimmy, of course, and Gokan lead the way, their comrade’s wait on the stair. There are a maze of passages ahead; from the foot of the stairs the wide passages head north, south and west- furthermore each of these corridors seems to branch at some point. “A maze?” Jimmy whispers to his brother. The pair move a little way in and then stop again to whisper. “Look!” Gokan points down the north passage, at the floor a little way down the corridor. “Ohh!” Jimmy murmurs. There seems to be a dull white furze on the ground- illuminating the spot, but only slightly. Jimmy peers around to look down the west corridor. “Another!” The halfling whispers and points. Gokan nods. The pair watch for a moment, until… [sblock=Picture- Down the Stair] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634793556/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8634793556_1c52662bb6_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “A shadow…” Jimmy hisses. “What?” Gokan questions. “Something just moved in front of the light. I…” Jimmy adds. “Are you…” Gokan begins. Clump. A footstep. “It’s coming…” Jimmy hisses. “Trouble!” Gokan states, loud enough for his friends to hear, while drawing his axe and moving forward, down the western passage. The other adventurers move down the stair and make ready. Gokan moves quicker now, his eyes adjusting to the gloom, picking out details- two figures approach. Closer, the half-orc suddenly screams aloud, a guttural sound; coming in to view before him are a pair of shambling humanoids. “Zombies!” Gokan hollers, and then his axes dance in his hands, and slice and cut- the first rotter falls, and then the second. [sblock=Zombie Rotters] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142734377/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8142734377_32fa72f96a_o.png[/img][/url] [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142763548/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8142763548_ac0c6a725f_o.png[/img][/url] Zombie Rotter Minion Level 3 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8680925883/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8680925883_8849c7079f_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Zombies!” Gokan calls again, as he squints ahead to see, something much larger approaches. Jimmy is quickly to his brother’s side, “What’s…” Out of the furze ahead staggers a large humanoid, perhaps an ogre, or at least it must have once been an ogre- now a great hulking zombie, its body torn and ragged in places with gory breaches in its flesh. “Avandra!” Jimmy screeches and flings out his vicious dagger, the blade misses- and such a large target. “Come on. Come on…” Jimmy worries, at last his blade reappears in his hand, he flings it again, this time burying it to the hilt in the zombie hulk’s capacious chest, the huge undead creature doesn’t falter, or indeed miss a step, it comes on… [sblock=Zombie Hulk] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634841744/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8634841744_b491cb697f_o.png[/img][/url] Zombie Hulk Brute Level 8 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682037642/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8682037642_a315bca09e_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Braynz!” The Zombie Hulk hollers as it staggers forward. [sblock=Picture- Zombies!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634820152/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8112/8634820152_a89c892ddf_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Suddenly the sound of movement, all around- from the myriad passages and openings that lead from the stair, the noise is heard by all- Jimmy and Gokan, and their colleagues still at the stairs. “Make ready!” Sigur grumbles. “Here they come!” Tonka concurs, while Ramm hefts his axe and grunts. “Aaaargghh!” Jimmy screeches, lurching out of the darkness comes a smaller humanoid-sized zombie, the foul creature has a misshapen head and is surrounded by a cloud of buzzing flies, the smell of rot is almost overpowering. The creature flails at Jimmy, who at the last moment side-steps the blow… [sblock=Tainted Zombie] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8142763486/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8142763486_cd9ebf5cd2_o.png[/img][/url] Zombie Tainted Brute Level 1 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682037466/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8682037466_8f5ea224b1_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Phew, close. Jimmy frets. [sblock=Info] Jimmy turns a certain hit in to a miss with a Second Chance. [/sblock] At the same moment the zombie hulk brings around one meaty fist and smashes Gokan down. [sblock=Info] Gokan is bloodied, actually reduced to only 5 hit points by the Zombie Hulk’s Zombie Smash attack for 26 points of damage, which also leaves the half-orc prone. [/sblock] Tonka moves forward, towards Gokan- “Hold the line!” The dragonborn hollers; from a side passage another zombie rotter lurches in to view- set to grab Tonka, he slices and the undead critter slumps to the floor. “Bahamut preserve!” Tonka declares in a loud voice, the prone and bleeding Gokan grins up at the dragonborn, many of his wounds are healed in an instant. [sblock=Picture- Tonka to the rescue!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8633771473/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8633771473_b38c777371_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “Make way!” Sigur grumbles and stomps forward, the dwarf continues to mutter, his favourite three ghostly hands appear. The first grabs at yet another zombie rotter closing in on the adventurers- the undead creature’s head seems to melt in the spectral appendage’s radiant grasp, it expires. The second hand burns as it presses itself against the tainted zombie’s flesh, the foul-smelling undead creature menacing Jimmy. The last punches the zombie hulk in the face- burning a fresh cavity in the creature’s flesh. But Sigur’s not done yet. “Mighty Moradin hear my call!” The dwarf holds his magical rod aloft; he’s suddenly bathed in a glorious purplish holy light, which pulses once and then shoots out in fine strands, or rays, at the undead creatures surrounding him. Yet another zombie rotter falls as the radiant light rays leave smoking holes in its torso, the tainted zombie and the hulk are likewise affected; the pair stagger backwards, desperate to get away from the light show. Their smoking remains stagger and sway, they’re still in the fight, but both are somewhat diminished by Sigur’s attack. [sblock=Picture- Sigur Strikes Back] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8633789971/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8633789971_e480638b6e_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] An arrow skims Sigur’s shoulder, the dwarf spies a sad-looking goblin further down one of the corridors, the goblin is grey and rotten, another zombie. [sblock=Goblin Zombie Archer] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634841230/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8634841230_20bde29d40_o.png[/img][/url] Zombie Goblin Archer Artillery Level 2 [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8682038024/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8682038024_c628bef972_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] And yet more movement, the sound of moaning, groaning accompanied by the further flat slap of footfalls- more of the creatures approach. “Hold the line!” Tonka yells again, as Ramm- disobeying orders rushes past the dragonborn and smashes his shield and axe in to the staggering zombie hulk. The large humanoid is pushed backward, unable to keep its feet, it falls, it thumps hard on to the cold stone floor. Not dead yet, but clearly almost spent. Ramm bellows, raises his sword and shield above his head and with snorts and grunts challenges the undead brute to fight him. “I’m glad he’s on our side…” Tonka whispers at Jimmy, the halfling grins back. Gokan is quickly back to his feet, thanks to a helping hand from Tonka, the action has passed him by somewhat- Ramm’s a little way ahead of him, the zombie hulk a little way ahead of Ramm. The half-orc grins again at Jimmy and Tonka, clearly enjoying the challenge. He spits on his hands- takes a fresh grip of his twin axes, and hollering all the way charges back towards the zombie hulk, which is still struggling to rise. THUMP! Gokan’s axe smashes down in to the hulk’s head, the great brute goes still- halfway to its feet, a shiver runs through the creature as Gokan rips the axe free. He’s about to deliver another blow when the undead menace moans once- long and loud, a keening holler, and then collapses. “Dead.” Gokan declares, Ramm nods. Jimmy meanwhile scurries and dodges, still being menaced by the tainted zombie surrounded by its buzzing cloud of flies, the halfling gags and dry wretches as he gets in close to the undead humanoid, he stabs hard, a gout of black filth spews out. The zombie turns to look at the rent, feels with one hand for the spot, and then seemingly bewildered puts its hand inside. All the while the foul undead stares blankly at Jimmy. The tainted zombie’s legs fold beneath it, it slithers down to the floor to squirm a while before finally expiring. A second arrow flies out of the dark, another goblin zombie archer, the missile thunks in to Tonka- the dragonborn grimaces. “Get him!” Tonka declares, and then following his own order heads back to the stairs and towards the offending zombie. Shuffling forward he encounters another pair of zombie rotters en route, the foul undead flail as they stagger towards him. They don’t get close, the duo are suddenly bathed in crackling blue lightning as Tonka breathes out a fan of electrical fury. The zombie rotters complete a short but entertaining dance routine and then flop to the floor, all life gone from them. [sblock=Picture- More Zombies] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8635228270/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8635228270_6d45b2e6b4_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] “For Bahamut!” Tonka declares, stabs the air with his longsword, and then rushes forward towards the offending zombie archer. The dragonborn warlord slams in to the creature and slices hard; the undead is cut but far from finished. Sigur heads a little way in, so that he can see down both of the main passages, more zombie rotters move in to view, still coming at the adventurers from all directions. Three more ghostly hands spring in to being- the first pair hunt down a pair of rotters, punch and slap the undead and leave them on the floor. The last menaces the first of the goblin zombie archers, leaving a radiant stripe down the thing’s face. The undead goblin is provoked, it hisses, notches another arrow and lets fly- Sigur yelps as the arrow buries itself in his right thigh. “Damn your eyes!” The dwarf snarls. “The archers next. Kill the archers.” Sigur adds. Ramm nods and then does his duty; he charges forward and smashes in to the first of the bow-wielding zombie goblins, leaving the creature bent, broken and out of shape -although the hellish fire in its eyes has not gone out. The great minotaur hollers and bellows some more, making it clear to the foul undead that Ramm is in for the kill. [sblock=Picture- The dead keep coming] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634146289/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8634146289_ed3256af8a_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] Gokan, noting that Ramm has the first goblin archer covered, turns face and rushes back towards the stairs and then beyond- down the northern passage. The half-orc lopes forward, axes at the ready, eventually speeds up and charges howling out his fury at the second bow-wielding goblin, already being menaced by Tonka. Gokan smashes the undead archer down- both axes tearing and shredding the fragile goblin’s already broken body. Jimmy too is on the move, the halfling heads further in to the chamber he’s in, the former residence of the tainted zombie. He shimmies around to get a better attack at the last goblin archer, which is still being menaced by Ramm. He stabs hard, while still manoeuvring, and the last of the goblin archers is left sprawled upon the ground. Tonka stares ahead, as yet another zombie rotter lurches toward him, the dragonborn smiles at Gokan, who nods back in an ‘after you…’ style. The dragonborn takes a step forward, swings hard, and cuts the zombie rotter down. It’s at this point that Sigur screams. “Sodding Raven Queen!” Sigur cries, as a way before him the great zombie hulk clambers to its feet, and then grinning all the while shuffles forward towards the dwarf. Sigur is of course alone in the corridor- the other four adventurers having been despatched to deal with the goblin archer menace. A single ghostly radiant hand suddenly appears, rushes forward and somewhat feebly attempts to keep the hulk at bay; alas its burning radiant shove is not enough. The hulk comes on. “The hulk’s back up! The hulk’s coming!” The dwarf shouts, his words elicit strange looks and shrugs from his companions. Sigur turns face and runs away a little- seeking to get plenty of distance between himself and the great undead brute. [sblock=Picture- Hulk Smash!] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8635277750/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8635277750_c2584a6eda_z.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/sblock] The adventurers are an organised bunch though, and the zombie hulk is slow- far too slow. Jimmy and Ramm spy the brute as it passes the entrance to the chamber in which they stand- the pair shrug at each other, then Jimmy spins out his vicious dagger which thuds in to the zombie’s side. Ramm rushes forward, around the corner as it passes on, smashing the hulk in the back, and sending it down to its knees. Gokan moving quickly and coming from the other side of the creature is suddenly presented with a kneeling undead ogre, for his delight. The half-orc swings and almost decapitates the beast. The hulk flops to the cold stone floor- dead again. Ramm and Gokan hack. The undead are vanquished- no footsteps, no moans, or groans. The fight is over. [sblock=Encounter #12 Synopsis, PC XP & DM’s thoughts] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8634204901/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8634204901_df01b71f69_c.jpg[/img][/url][/CENTER] And so the guys are moving in to the Keep on the Shadowfell. [SIZE="4"]Encounter #12 The Dead Centre, starring-[/SIZE] Zombie Rotter (Minion 3) x10 Zombie Tainted (Brute 1) x1 Zombie Goblin Archer (Artillery 2) x2 Zombie Hulk (Brute 8) x1 1080 XP Level 5 Encounter. [SIZE="4"]PC XP[/SIZE] 216 XP each for a total of 2023 XP in total (PCs Level 2). [SIZE="4"]DM Thoughts-[/SIZE] A nice moment when the Zombie Hulk got back up again but the PCs just made mincemeat of the encounter, the Hulk was smashed back down in a matter of seconds. [/sblock] [CENTER][url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/40504969@N08/8045385824/][img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8045385824_b9d8e34957_o.png[/img][/url][/CENTER] [/QUOTE]
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Hard Core Adventurers- KOTS 20.06 The Cathedral of Shadows
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