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Message: <blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 6087292" data-attributes="member: 9255">JOHN PLAY“02 PLAY FOR THE MONEY”SEGMENT 40“UNDEAD OF METROL”Vult 11  996John Play’s senses are at full.  The howling has stopped.    He knows this to be bad.   That suggests they were alerting others that there are visitors to the city.  Once the call went out, it’s all about stealth and they are being at best watched, but more likely hunted.  But by what?   Being the Mournlands… undead and very dangerous.   The dwarves know it also.  Perhaps that is why Vondal yelps quietly as they turn the first corner.A long iron gate about waist high with a few twists and bends is here.  On the fence are dozens of tiny birds.  If Play remembers them correctly they are Corollax, tiny magical song birds once common in Cyre.  The current problem with these are they appear transparent….. ghost like.   “They may mean no harm.   Let’s leave them be.” Play suggests.  The dwarves agree and give them a wide berth.  Drumark studies them briefly but decides Play is correct.  They are ghosts.    The wonders of the Mournlands never end.As quietly as full plate dwarves can, the nine of them reach the end of an alley and peer out.  The buildings here are strange to look at.  One, the door and windows have shifted in a way to resemble a demon’s open mouth.  Another, possibly once a watchtower that would belong on the outer edges is instead build onto a square stone block of a building with no windows….. Perhaps a crypt.   Not a good idea in a land known for it’s undead.   Near the limits of their vision, there appears to be the remains of a temple to the Sovereign Host.   It and the building next to it seem to have annexes that reach out like arms or tentacles.   The other building has many sculptures and reliefs of dragons.“Any of these your bank?” Play says with a smirk.“You alright there Vondal?” asks Adrik.“Yes.  Just… preoccupied I guess.”“Best to snap out of it.  Need to be alert now.” Adds Balderk.“And quiet.” Finishes Play as he decides to step out of the alley into the open streets.   Silence.   There is a shift of air- hardly enough to call a breeze.   That is all.  They stick close to the buildings and move through the streets quickly.  As they near the large temple Drumark spots something in the building across the street.   He gives a short sound to alert the others.  They stop to see where he is looking.  Skeletons.   Their uniform suggests members of the Cyrian army.“Quiet.  They have not seen us.  They appear to be guarding that building.”  Play recommends.They do move quietly when suddenly Vondal gulps his breath and tries to hold it. His face changes color and even as Veit reaches over to quell it-  Vondal sneezes only as a dwarf can.   The skeletons turn and point.   “Oh that’s just great-  perfect.” Growls Play.Play moves out as he tries to position the large water fountain between him and the rushing forward skeletons.  Balderk runs as quickly as he can with Play and pulls out his Holy Symbol.  Drumark follows quickly. Veit pulls out a stick and moves to the edge of the building.   What spell to conjure?  Drumark’s husky dog rushes up to be with its master.  Adrik moves up waving his sword-  a fight!  Finally!  The skeletons rush forward to defend the city from scouts of Karrnath (at least in their minds).  Vondal pulls out his warhammer that is magically tuned to harm undead and rushes forward 9who wants to be last?).  Karson savors the moment for a bit then charges forward with a war cry.  Morrikane concentrates for a moment then pursues his brothers and family into battle.Play takes down one skeleton as Balderk begins to call out in a commanding voice that seems to rise above all other sound.  Two skeletons stop and move away from the dwarf as he steps up to the fountain.  Drumark attacks with his short sword.   He does a great deal of damage to the skeletal warrior.  Veit screams out some very colorful obscenities about undead and releases a fireball.   The green bead of energy fires from is stick and arches behind the skeletal crowd then explodes.  Play, Drumark and Snow White are showered by flaming pieces of armor and bone.   Most of the undead are destroyed in that one blast.  Snow White tries to attack one of the two remaining skeletons but misses.  Adrik rushes up and shatters a skeleton leaving just one.  This lone undead strikes Adrik solidly as he is destroying the prior skeleton.  Vondal rushes up but misses as Karson wildly and recklessly charges and his axe breaks off chunks of his rib cage and an arm.  Morrikane, a heavy combat tank, nearly reaches the battle.  Play moves in behind and attacks to finish off the skeleton.“By the beard of my Great Ancestors was that about?” exclaims Morrikane to Vondal.“I don’t know.   My nose itched!”  His nose does indeed look red and irritated.“We need to move on or at least get off the streets after that.   That explosion from the fireball spell may have attracted nearly anything.”“Let’s try the Church.” Suggests Balderk. “We should look at Adrik’s wound.”Play sprints up the stairs to the columns on the front of the massive building.  He stops and listens and looks beyond the dwarves below him.  He goes in.Vondal checks on Adrik’s wound.   It is not deep but the very air here can be disease ridden and healing is challenging at best.Drumark and Snow White watch the entrance to the church as the others check their gear waiting for Vondal to finish.  Balderk eyes him carefully.  He seems to have a stuffy nose which is odd.“Are you sick?”“No.  But it reminds me of my allergies. ““You are allergic to something common?” asks Play half amused.“The Cryan Pink Daisy.   But it only blooms in the late winter to early spring.   We should be fine.   It’s something else.”Balderk scowls thinking otherwise.  “Are we ready?”</blockquote>

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