Episode 1: The Salvaged Job

Coda senses that his shapeless servant drifts into the room. Unfortunately, no one can see what it is doing, but one imagines that it is looking around.

Cursed or infused with necromantic magic, the bodies of the deceased become animated and mindless. Some necromancers forces zombies to do their bidding through willpower or their own evil magics, but without a leader zombies will pursue and kill anything that comes into their vicinity, often taking the most-direct route to their quarry.

As Kalis considers the nature of zombies, he crosses the threshold into the room. There is a rattling sound, and the hundreds of bones start to quiver and shake against the stone floor. Now comes the sound like the waterfall of cascading dust, and the bones start to draw into themselves, forming into seven distinct piles.

The piles grow as bones link up with each other, tibia to femur, to hip, to spine. Ribs link together and fuse to sternum, clavicle and scapula secure humerus, radius and ulna draw forth the tiny bones of the hand. Finally, a skull rolls up to crest the now-fully-formed skeleton.

Seven skeletons stand there for a moment, then as one they turn their heads in your direction and begin walking towards you, arms outstretched for a cold embrace.Map

The discordant melody hums through the air, and Coda's arcane words carry along with the tune. The skeleton's lower jaw chatters and it lifts its hands to its head as though trying to drown out the sound in non-existent ears, then it turns and skitters away from Kalis.

The retreating skeleton, turning its back to Kalis, is unprepared for the quarterstaff that smashes through its shoulder and neck. The skull separates from the body, and with a clatter the bones seem to lose the dark forces that bind them and fall to the floor.

The fiery bolt explodes against the other skeleton's ribs, causing it to stagger a bit. It remains standing and still intent on Kalis, even as the sorcerer retreats from the room.

Maenor calculates the speed and direction of the skeleton to time his holy radiant flame, but the impact from the Fire Bolt wasn't factored into the equation as the skeleton is stalled by the impact, and the sacred fire spills onto the floor.

Daniel finds it difficult to get past the press of bodies in the hallway, and lacking any ranged weapon decides to draw his rapier and remain where he is to guard the flank.

The skeletons amble forward to fill the space left by Kalis. However, the foremost skeleton reaches the threshold and stops, jawbone agape. It reaches for Coda, but does not take a step beyond the doorway. The other skeletons behind press in, but seem unable to get past, and the entire bunch remains by the door.Map

The door reverberates as something knocks upon it repeatedly for a few seconds. The skeletons in the room do not seem interested in the noise, but two in the back of the group turn towards the door at the sound.

The lead skeleton shatters as the bolt explodes in flame against its sternum, scattering bones back into the room.