Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
There are just enough horses for everyone to ride to the exit of the sea cave. Ailward rides with Sir Ghal. As the group of riders sets out from Carnell, the people of the village cheer them on, hoping for victory. Hoofs thunder up the trail, as you lead the way. Lady Pendour and her two Galas of Inanna joins the other riders on the trail. Aureus leads the way with Angus and Syndra right behind the hutaakan rogue.
The trail is easy enough to navigate even in the dark. The pale moon, Novan, is full in the sky while blue Lithe is waning and the sky is clear, which revels the infinity of stars. The air is cool and a strong wind drives westward across the cliffs looking out over the Karmine Sea. You keep an eye on the sky, looking for rooks that might ambush you from above.
Angus quickly overtakes Aureus and Syndra laughs as she pushes her horse to keep up with the Harqualian centaur. Aureus doesn't push her own horse, as she's not that good a rider.
Once at the sea cave, you can see the defenders have been hard at work to try to prepare for the horde's arrival. Angus, Maur and Phar make note of a strange defender among the soldiers of Carnell. He, you think, is a small reptilian humanoid dressed similar to Phar but more plain. He wields a fine spear and bows to Lady Pendour when she arrives.
"I come to defend Carnell from evil," the creature says. "Your husband relied on my guidance once, and I hope to help you now, fine lady."
"You- you're the one they call the Stump Sorcerer, aren't you?" She replies.
"Indeed, while I am not much of a warrior, I will lend my magic to this fight," he stands and looks at Angus with interest. He smiles and nods to Phar. "I am Scarborax. Adherent of the Sun."
"I am glad to have your aid," she replies.
There seems to be a debate as to where to place the palisades that Angus suggested be built. There are only three of them. Angus has ordered them to one place but Wieland tries to tell him that Maur told him to them here and here and here. Once the ordained champion arrives on the scene, being forced to ride on an old, heavy horse, he insists that everyone should listen to them as will be a fight in his element. Aureus just rolls her eyes and makes sure she has enough arrows and that her blade is sharp.
"We should not be trapped too far into the cave," Sir Ghal insists. "What about the rooks? They could hit us from behind!"
"Wouldn't they want to gather with the undead?" Lady Pendour asks.
"They would give up their aerial advantage if they restricted themselves to flying through that tight passage," Sir Ghal points to the narrowing of the cave. "No, if was me, I'd hit us from behind."
"Sir, that would assume they know we're going to be here," Wieland says.
"I would rather be prepared for anything," the knight insists. "This Tarrak is a powerful cleric, correct?" He looks to Sir Quinn and Maur for an answer.
Then, a horn sounds from deep in the earth. The blast of noise is an eerie note that sounds like death.
"The time for debate is over, I think," Lady Pendour insists as she and her Galas get off their horses. "Master dwarf, I trust your instincts in this matter."
The lookouts that Maur handed whistles to begin blowing them even though the horde hasn't come into view yet.
A large three-legged sconce for four lit torches are placed as near to the three barricades as possible without it being in the way. The scone can hold three torches that can be grabbed and it has a large central torch that can be lit. Angus and Maur quickly come to agreement as to where to place the palisades. It will have to do.
The sound of feet on stone resounds in the cave. There are groans and wails rising up out of the darkness from the back of the cave. The horde has arrived. Maur's deep darkvision can see that there are zombies in the lead. Many zombies. Considerably more than he and the others saw while sneaking past the horde in the deep cavern. Twenty zombies, at least.
Everyone rushes to their assigned places. The members of the militia move slowly and look very afraid. Wieland tries to reassure them but even he looks worried. Sir Ghal is resolute and considers fighting from horseback. Ailward and the other casters have just enough time to climb to the elevated position before the first line of the undead come into view with those with darkvision.
The horn sounds again, and again. This time it is closer. The zombies continue to move forward, relentless, unyielding. Maur can see that each of them wears the trappings of an acolyte of Malotoch. It seems this "Lord" Tarrak is easily displeased with those that fail him.
"How many," Wieland whispers to Maur.
OOC: If you haven't already, roll initiative.
The trail is easy enough to navigate even in the dark. The pale moon, Novan, is full in the sky while blue Lithe is waning and the sky is clear, which revels the infinity of stars. The air is cool and a strong wind drives westward across the cliffs looking out over the Karmine Sea. You keep an eye on the sky, looking for rooks that might ambush you from above.
Angus quickly overtakes Aureus and Syndra laughs as she pushes her horse to keep up with the Harqualian centaur. Aureus doesn't push her own horse, as she's not that good a rider.
Once at the sea cave, you can see the defenders have been hard at work to try to prepare for the horde's arrival. Angus, Maur and Phar make note of a strange defender among the soldiers of Carnell. He, you think, is a small reptilian humanoid dressed similar to Phar but more plain. He wields a fine spear and bows to Lady Pendour when she arrives.
"I come to defend Carnell from evil," the creature says. "Your husband relied on my guidance once, and I hope to help you now, fine lady."
"You- you're the one they call the Stump Sorcerer, aren't you?" She replies.
"Indeed, while I am not much of a warrior, I will lend my magic to this fight," he stands and looks at Angus with interest. He smiles and nods to Phar. "I am Scarborax. Adherent of the Sun."
"I am glad to have your aid," she replies.
There seems to be a debate as to where to place the palisades that Angus suggested be built. There are only three of them. Angus has ordered them to one place but Wieland tries to tell him that Maur told him to them here and here and here. Once the ordained champion arrives on the scene, being forced to ride on an old, heavy horse, he insists that everyone should listen to them as will be a fight in his element. Aureus just rolls her eyes and makes sure she has enough arrows and that her blade is sharp.
"We should not be trapped too far into the cave," Sir Ghal insists. "What about the rooks? They could hit us from behind!"
"Wouldn't they want to gather with the undead?" Lady Pendour asks.
"They would give up their aerial advantage if they restricted themselves to flying through that tight passage," Sir Ghal points to the narrowing of the cave. "No, if was me, I'd hit us from behind."
"Sir, that would assume they know we're going to be here," Wieland says.
"I would rather be prepared for anything," the knight insists. "This Tarrak is a powerful cleric, correct?" He looks to Sir Quinn and Maur for an answer.
Then, a horn sounds from deep in the earth. The blast of noise is an eerie note that sounds like death.
"The time for debate is over, I think," Lady Pendour insists as she and her Galas get off their horses. "Master dwarf, I trust your instincts in this matter."
The lookouts that Maur handed whistles to begin blowing them even though the horde hasn't come into view yet.
A large three-legged sconce for four lit torches are placed as near to the three barricades as possible without it being in the way. The scone can hold three torches that can be grabbed and it has a large central torch that can be lit. Angus and Maur quickly come to agreement as to where to place the palisades. It will have to do.
The sound of feet on stone resounds in the cave. There are groans and wails rising up out of the darkness from the back of the cave. The horde has arrived. Maur's deep darkvision can see that there are zombies in the lead. Many zombies. Considerably more than he and the others saw while sneaking past the horde in the deep cavern. Twenty zombies, at least.
Everyone rushes to their assigned places. The members of the militia move slowly and look very afraid. Wieland tries to reassure them but even he looks worried. Sir Ghal is resolute and considers fighting from horseback. Ailward and the other casters have just enough time to climb to the elevated position before the first line of the undead come into view with those with darkvision.
The horn sounds again, and again. This time it is closer. The zombies continue to move forward, relentless, unyielding. Maur can see that each of them wears the trappings of an acolyte of Malotoch. It seems this "Lord" Tarrak is easily displeased with those that fail him.
"How many," Wieland whispers to Maur.
OOC: If you haven't already, roll initiative.
