Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 5721738" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">A band of clouds moving between the high peaks shrouded the green moon, the slender curve of the silver moon provided only the most minimal light. The white light glimmered across Erevan’s pale grey tresses, giving the elf’s hair the otherworldly appearance of liquid silver.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Make ready! More of the creatures are coming.” Erevan called down to his companions and turned to see three more ghouls clambering up onto the slate roof of the neighboring building. The elf’s almond shaped eyes widened in horror and he drew arrows with fluid speed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Even to the elf’s enhanced vision, the unnatural creatures barely appeared as outlines of dark space marginally cooler than the night air. His first arrow flew harmlessly between and passed the blurry images. I need more light, Erevan thought.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><em>“Liet!”<mage cantrip: Light> </em></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">shouted the elf as he made a throwing motion with his arm. The elf felt the energy of the simple enchantment rise through his arm and fly from his fingertips. In a moment, a ball of yellowish white light burst at the roof’s edge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Erevan cursed that it had not landed upon the face of one of the creatures as was his intention. But the sudden burst of light did give the creatures pause and the halted their advance for a moment as the harsh new light ignited in their darkvision.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Orcass.” Duor muttered staring up at the rooftop where the light shone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Erevan get away from there!” called Alaria. Her hand went to the crystal orb in her pouch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> “</span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><em>Yaix ar Yomarus, benfica Faerantha urmu</em>”. <cleric spell: Light> Haelan chanted near her and the área of the héroes was encompassed by a soft golden glow, like the coming light of dawn.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"> The dwarf Kurn was running to the barricade and sprinkling it with the powdery contents of a large pouch.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Hurry! Hurry! Make ready, friend Duor!” the russet bearded dwarf called.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Duor returned to the doorway where the all but spent pail of burning pitch laid. Only enough to light one more bolt, Duor noticed with disappointment. This had better work, he thought.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Back away, make for the square!” commanded Sergeant Borsem. He and the townsman, Bret, began making their way back to the switchback to the lower town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Festus followed, backing away with a knocked arrow, awaiting the other companions’ retreat before he would fully flee.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The dwarf fighter, Kordun waited for his brother to throw the remains of the pouch’s contents on the barricade and then the two of them raced back down the road, pausing some thirty feet behind the daelvar priest and mage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Coerraine cursed himself for dispelling his protective field. The paladin would not be able to summon Celradorn’s grace in such a manner til the following day. The Redstar Knight waited until the dwarf had nocked a smoldering dart into his hand crossbow and then they too moved away from the barricade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The odor fell upon them again. Thankfully, the residual effects of Haelan’s blessing kept the smell from overpowering any of them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Then, to the horror of all present, more ghouls began to crawl around the bend up the road from the barricade. Two. Then Four. Ten? More!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Yeh said there were twelve!” Duor protested loudly to Borsem. The Bridgetower guard made no reply.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">They moved slowly. They snarled and howled and ‘laughed’ in that maniacal sound. Some climbed over each other as they came. Some jumped up onto the wall of the building next to them and slowly crawled along the wall itself. All had the sickly grey flesh and long purple tongues licked fang-filled maws. Some were still in the tatters of villager clothing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Alaria noticed, with disgust, that two still have the shredded remains of brown cowls around and small stone amulets on chains around their necks…the poor “survivors” of the smith god Dunric’s shrine further up the mountain, no doubt.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Haelan, come on. We need to regroup.” Alaria said calmly. It was all she could do not to bolt in panic herself at the increasing numbers of undead that rounded the bend and made their way toward the barricade. With expert training, she steadied her mind in preparation to conjure the powers of the Ihs Repahl.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The Hilltender stood, now resolute in his goddess’ power, all trace of insecurity and fear had left him. He seemed to be concentrating and refused to take a step back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“C’mon yeh idiot hairfoot!” said Duor. “Dwarven ingenuity will win the night. Save yer prayers fer later. Lest yeh wanna be a bushy-toed candle.” The dwarf gripped the halfling by the shoulder and shook him from his place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Haelan looked annoyed but did begin moving back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Erevan had taken Alaria’s advice and was bounding along the rooftops back toward the switchback. The rooftop ghouls were given chase at full speed. Thankfully, the fleet-footed elf maintained his perfect balance while the creatures scrambled and slipped, knocking slate tiles free that crashed loudly to the ground below. He was well ahead before turning to face them on the last building before the road curved back and down to the lower village.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Two arrows left his bow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">One bolt stuck with enough force to send one of the scrambling ghouls near the edge of the roof down upon the sharpened stakes of the barricade below. It was not dead…or, well, destroyed (it was already ‘dead’, technically speaking)…but it thrashed and howled unable to free itself from the impalement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The other struck the leading ghoul in the shoulder but did not deter its advance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">With the howls and thrashing of the impaled ghoul, the rest of the now quite large group of carnivorous undead surged forward. Several fell upon the still living creature, others tore with claw and fang into the recently defeated ghouls. Two landed upon the corpse of the townsman Ferdrik and ate hungrily, fending other would-be feeders away angrily. The bulk of the creatures bounded, climbed and clamored over the barricade with their bulging bloodshot eyes firmly fixed on the still living flesh on the road before them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Now, Duor! Now!” Kurn cried.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“A little magical fire would help too. If you would, boss lady.” Duor said offhandedly to Alaria. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The magess caught his meaning, though she expected the wooden furniture that comprised most of the humble fortification would take some time to catch. With a casual thought and flick of her finger a single dart of flame shot toward the barricade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Duor, who had been puffing patiently on the smoldering bolt on his crossbow, took aim and fired the flame-tipped bolt. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The dart and the flicker of magic fire struck the barricade simultaneously and the entire wall of stakes and furniture and bodies erupted into a veritable wall of fire!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Alaria, indeed all of the companions, reflexively jolted at the (unexpected for several of them) burst of flames and heat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Ghouls shrieked and flared around. Even the ones on the body of Ferdrik ignited in the rush of fire. They whirled and capered and rolled around on the ground as the cursed fire ate into their undead bodies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">A few of the creatures attempted to leap over the flames, arriving scorched and smoking on the companions’ side. The bulk of the creatures were writhing in the cleansing fire. A total of four of the creatures were crawling slowly toward the heroes. Their advance was halted as their twisted minds attempted to gage if the living flesh before them was assailable or if they needed to lick their burning wounds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“HOOHOO! Let’s hear it for ‘dwarven ingenuity’!” laughed Festus.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Alaria, again, found the satyr ranger’s apparent delight to be distasteful. They were, quite obviously to the R'Hathi, far from safe.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Not so fast, satyr.” Kordun said solemnly. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">As if in response to the dwarf’s comment, the flames subsided. Much of the barricade was still on fire, but the “wall” of fire had diminished greatly to show a half dozen ghouls still waiting on the other side, halted before the flames.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Firestone powder burns bright and hot, but very quickly.” The dwarf explained.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Which is why…” Kurn said. “we have a back-up. If you would, friend Festus…when the rest of the creatures begin to approach.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Four ghouls before the barricade, six behind. The ones in front of the companions howled down the road in defiance and began to bound forward.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Ehm. Ya think they’re close enough to the flames?” the satyr said, now sounding nervous.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“That would seem to be my part.” Said Haelan self-assuredly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The halfling took a single step forward to stand between all of his friends and the rapidly approaching four ghouls. He did not raise his mace, nor his shield, but instead grabbed the silver chain that hung around his neck and withdrew the amulet engraved with the pinecone symbol of Faerantha that normally hung beneath his short green tabard. He held it aloft and the amulet and halfling himself seemed to pulse with holy power.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Begone ye foul boils upon the Hill. Affronts to the Harvest Mother, all. Ye cannot assail Her power. BEGONE!” the daelvar intoned. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The whole area around the companions again filled with the scent of pine trees and honey, summer rain and fresh wheat bread. A golden glow glimmered in an instant about the cleric, his raised amulet, indeed the very air. The glimmer became a flare and Haelan stood in defiance of these atrocious creatures, a three-and-a-half foot tall ball of golden sun.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The charging ghouls skidded to a halt, cowering from the divine energies swirling before them. The holy light burned. The celestial odors assailed their deviant senses. It was pain. It was an inner fire that assaulted their darkened souls. It was HOLY!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">All four of the ghouls raced with all speed back toward the significantly less painful fires of the barricade. There they cowered, trapped between the scorching flames and this divine honey-colored sun.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Haelan stood immobile. The blazing grace of the Hill Mother flowed through him. He was enwrapt in Her divine bosum. Haelan knew, beyond knowing, that he would never falter in the face of the undead again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Um. Now would be good, goat-butt.” Duor said in quiet awe to the satyr who stood beside him with a small clutch of red gemstones in the pocket of his sling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The satyr, broken from his own awe, “Huh? Oh right. Right!” The satyr swung his sling several times, the simple leather thong whirling into a blur before he released one of the straps and a handful of small red crystals flew with exacting purpose onto the dwindling flames of the barricade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">There was a moment for doubt that the crystals had made their mark as they clattered down among the burning wood. But, only a moment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">The entire barricade, the trapped ghouls ‘turned’ by Haelan and the ghouls who’d yet to dare the fiery mound exploded into a ball of fire. The likes of which Alaria could recall seeing only once, in a demonstration spell by her master, some time ago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Burned and burning, scorched and blackened wood and limbs of grey flesh flew in all directions. The force of the blast knocked in the boarding on the two buildings closest the barricade. Hair and tabards, beards and cloaks blew behind the companions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Haelan was sent flying back from his hairy feet. The daelvar priest was halted, or more accurately ‘caught’, against the stalwart thighs of the paladin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Alaria was knocked back to be caught by the dwarf, Kordun, who smiled broadly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“And that, friend Festus, is dwarven ingenuity.” Said the russet-bearded Kurn with a smile to rival his brother’s. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">For a moment the companions stood, staring spellbound at the remains of their assailants. Then, a melodic if somewhat strained voice came down to them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"></span> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">“Ehm. That is indeed impressive, but…A LITTLE HELP UP HERE!?” Erevan called.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 5721738, member: 92511"] [FONT=Verdana]A band of clouds moving between the high peaks shrouded the green moon, the slender curve of the silver moon provided only the most minimal light. The white light glimmered across Erevan’s pale grey tresses, giving the elf’s hair the otherworldly appearance of liquid silver. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Make ready! More of the creatures are coming.” Erevan called down to his companions and turned to see three more ghouls clambering up onto the slate roof of the neighboring building. The elf’s almond shaped eyes widened in horror and he drew arrows with fluid speed. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Even to the elf’s enhanced vision, the unnatural creatures barely appeared as outlines of dark space marginally cooler than the night air. His first arrow flew harmlessly between and passed the blurry images. I need more light, Erevan thought. [I]“Liet!”<mage cantrip: Light> [/I][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]shouted the elf as he made a throwing motion with his arm. The elf felt the energy of the simple enchantment rise through his arm and fly from his fingertips. In a moment, a ball of yellowish white light burst at the roof’s edge. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Erevan cursed that it had not landed upon the face of one of the creatures as was his intention. But the sudden burst of light did give the creatures pause and the halted their advance for a moment as the harsh new light ignited in their darkvision. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Orcass.” Duor muttered staring up at the rooftop where the light shone. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Erevan get away from there!” called Alaria. Her hand went to the crystal orb in her pouch. “[/FONT][FONT=Verdana][I]Yaix ar Yomarus, benfica Faerantha urmu[/I]”. <cleric spell: Light> Haelan chanted near her and the área of the héroes was encompassed by a soft golden glow, like the coming light of dawn. The dwarf Kurn was running to the barricade and sprinkling it with the powdery contents of a large pouch.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Hurry! Hurry! Make ready, friend Duor!” the russet bearded dwarf called. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Duor returned to the doorway where the all but spent pail of burning pitch laid. Only enough to light one more bolt, Duor noticed with disappointment. This had better work, he thought. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Back away, make for the square!” commanded Sergeant Borsem. He and the townsman, Bret, began making their way back to the switchback to the lower town. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Festus followed, backing away with a knocked arrow, awaiting the other companions’ retreat before he would fully flee. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The dwarf fighter, Kordun waited for his brother to throw the remains of the pouch’s contents on the barricade and then the two of them raced back down the road, pausing some thirty feet behind the daelvar priest and mage. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Coerraine cursed himself for dispelling his protective field. The paladin would not be able to summon Celradorn’s grace in such a manner til the following day. The Redstar Knight waited until the dwarf had nocked a smoldering dart into his hand crossbow and then they too moved away from the barricade. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The odor fell upon them again. Thankfully, the residual effects of Haelan’s blessing kept the smell from overpowering any of them. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Then, to the horror of all present, more ghouls began to crawl around the bend up the road from the barricade. Two. Then Four. Ten? More! [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Yeh said there were twelve!” Duor protested loudly to Borsem. The Bridgetower guard made no reply. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]They moved slowly. They snarled and howled and ‘laughed’ in that maniacal sound. Some climbed over each other as they came. Some jumped up onto the wall of the building next to them and slowly crawled along the wall itself. All had the sickly grey flesh and long purple tongues licked fang-filled maws. Some were still in the tatters of villager clothing. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Alaria noticed, with disgust, that two still have the shredded remains of brown cowls around and small stone amulets on chains around their necks…the poor “survivors” of the smith god Dunric’s shrine further up the mountain, no doubt. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Haelan, come on. We need to regroup.” Alaria said calmly. It was all she could do not to bolt in panic herself at the increasing numbers of undead that rounded the bend and made their way toward the barricade. With expert training, she steadied her mind in preparation to conjure the powers of the Ihs Repahl. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The Hilltender stood, now resolute in his goddess’ power, all trace of insecurity and fear had left him. He seemed to be concentrating and refused to take a step back. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“C’mon yeh idiot hairfoot!” said Duor. “Dwarven ingenuity will win the night. Save yer prayers fer later. Lest yeh wanna be a bushy-toed candle.” The dwarf gripped the halfling by the shoulder and shook him from his place. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Haelan looked annoyed but did begin moving back. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Erevan had taken Alaria’s advice and was bounding along the rooftops back toward the switchback. The rooftop ghouls were given chase at full speed. Thankfully, the fleet-footed elf maintained his perfect balance while the creatures scrambled and slipped, knocking slate tiles free that crashed loudly to the ground below. He was well ahead before turning to face them on the last building before the road curved back and down to the lower village. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Two arrows left his bow. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]One bolt stuck with enough force to send one of the scrambling ghouls near the edge of the roof down upon the sharpened stakes of the barricade below. It was not dead…or, well, destroyed (it was already ‘dead’, technically speaking)…but it thrashed and howled unable to free itself from the impalement. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The other struck the leading ghoul in the shoulder but did not deter its advance. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]With the howls and thrashing of the impaled ghoul, the rest of the now quite large group of carnivorous undead surged forward. Several fell upon the still living creature, others tore with claw and fang into the recently defeated ghouls. Two landed upon the corpse of the townsman Ferdrik and ate hungrily, fending other would-be feeders away angrily. The bulk of the creatures bounded, climbed and clamored over the barricade with their bulging bloodshot eyes firmly fixed on the still living flesh on the road before them. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Now, Duor! Now!” Kurn cried. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“A little magical fire would help too. If you would, boss lady.” Duor said offhandedly to Alaria. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The magess caught his meaning, though she expected the wooden furniture that comprised most of the humble fortification would take some time to catch. With a casual thought and flick of her finger a single dart of flame shot toward the barricade. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Duor, who had been puffing patiently on the smoldering bolt on his crossbow, took aim and fired the flame-tipped bolt. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The dart and the flicker of magic fire struck the barricade simultaneously and the entire wall of stakes and furniture and bodies erupted into a veritable wall of fire! [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Alaria, indeed all of the companions, reflexively jolted at the (unexpected for several of them) burst of flames and heat. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Ghouls shrieked and flared around. Even the ones on the body of Ferdrik ignited in the rush of fire. They whirled and capered and rolled around on the ground as the cursed fire ate into their undead bodies. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]A few of the creatures attempted to leap over the flames, arriving scorched and smoking on the companions’ side. The bulk of the creatures were writhing in the cleansing fire. A total of four of the creatures were crawling slowly toward the heroes. Their advance was halted as their twisted minds attempted to gage if the living flesh before them was assailable or if they needed to lick their burning wounds. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“HOOHOO! Let’s hear it for ‘dwarven ingenuity’!” laughed Festus. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Alaria, again, found the satyr ranger’s apparent delight to be distasteful. They were, quite obviously to the R'Hathi, far from safe. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Not so fast, satyr.” Kordun said solemnly. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]As if in response to the dwarf’s comment, the flames subsided. Much of the barricade was still on fire, but the “wall” of fire had diminished greatly to show a half dozen ghouls still waiting on the other side, halted before the flames. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Firestone powder burns bright and hot, but very quickly.” The dwarf explained. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Which is why…” Kurn said. “we have a back-up. If you would, friend Festus…when the rest of the creatures begin to approach.” [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Four ghouls before the barricade, six behind. The ones in front of the companions howled down the road in defiance and began to bound forward. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Ehm. Ya think they’re close enough to the flames?” the satyr said, now sounding nervous. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“That would seem to be my part.” Said Haelan self-assuredly. The halfling took a single step forward to stand between all of his friends and the rapidly approaching four ghouls. He did not raise his mace, nor his shield, but instead grabbed the silver chain that hung around his neck and withdrew the amulet engraved with the pinecone symbol of Faerantha that normally hung beneath his short green tabard. He held it aloft and the amulet and halfling himself seemed to pulse with holy power. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Begone ye foul boils upon the Hill. Affronts to the Harvest Mother, all. Ye cannot assail Her power. BEGONE!” the daelvar intoned. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The whole area around the companions again filled with the scent of pine trees and honey, summer rain and fresh wheat bread. A golden glow glimmered in an instant about the cleric, his raised amulet, indeed the very air. The glimmer became a flare and Haelan stood in defiance of these atrocious creatures, a three-and-a-half foot tall ball of golden sun. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The charging ghouls skidded to a halt, cowering from the divine energies swirling before them. The holy light burned. The celestial odors assailed their deviant senses. It was pain. It was an inner fire that assaulted their darkened souls. It was HOLY! All four of the ghouls raced with all speed back toward the significantly less painful fires of the barricade. There they cowered, trapped between the scorching flames and this divine honey-colored sun. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Haelan stood immobile. The blazing grace of the Hill Mother flowed through him. He was enwrapt in Her divine bosum. Haelan knew, beyond knowing, that he would never falter in the face of the undead again. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Um. Now would be good, goat-butt.” Duor said in quiet awe to the satyr who stood beside him with a small clutch of red gemstones in the pocket of his sling. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The satyr, broken from his own awe, “Huh? Oh right. Right!” The satyr swung his sling several times, the simple leather thong whirling into a blur before he released one of the straps and a handful of small red crystals flew with exacting purpose onto the dwindling flames of the barricade. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]There was a moment for doubt that the crystals had made their mark as they clattered down among the burning wood. But, only a moment. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The entire barricade, the trapped ghouls ‘turned’ by Haelan and the ghouls who’d yet to dare the fiery mound exploded into a ball of fire. The likes of which Alaria could recall seeing only once, in a demonstration spell by her master, some time ago. Burned and burning, scorched and blackened wood and limbs of grey flesh flew in all directions. The force of the blast knocked in the boarding on the two buildings closest the barricade. Hair and tabards, beards and cloaks blew behind the companions. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Haelan was sent flying back from his hairy feet. The daelvar priest was halted, or more accurately ‘caught’, against the stalwart thighs of the paladin. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Alaria was knocked back to be caught by the dwarf, Kordun, who smiled broadly. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“And that, friend Festus, is dwarven ingenuity.” Said the russet-bearded Kurn with a smile to rival his brother’s. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]For a moment the companions stood, staring spellbound at the remains of their assailants. Then, a melodic if somewhat strained voice came down to them. [/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]“Ehm. That is indeed impressive, but…A LITTLE HELP UP HERE!?” Erevan called.[/FONT] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
Top