The Seven

Good thing I already had to write this :)

Summary:
The party was all at a festival called the week of remembrance for various reasons. Marcus arrived for a ritual that the church was going to perform with several relics. As the service were commencing two cloaked figures, a brute of a man and a woman, disrupted the event and stole said artifacts. To cover their escape they turned an untold amount of people into undead to cause chaos, and slip out unnoticed by the guard. Marcus was paired up with a stranger that was slated for execution by the church to help him recover the relics. Malphas was this man, with him and his paladin guard, Lysander, they chased after the two. In their pursuit they gathered several people who seemed willing to help. A gnome monk Eldobik his gnome friend Tixhin, a Half-elf ranger Bacta, and a very odd old wizard Nornin. These people helped them get out of the city and track down the two who were attempting to flee in airships. The Venetores chased after the thieves downing the airships, but all five of them died in the process. The party splitting up, half traveled to the last airship finding a horde of undead. They held their ground, till the appearance of a ghostly bone dragon. At which point Malphas used a strange magic to get Bacta and Marcus to safety, staying behind to do what he could. When the party gathered back up at camp and returned all they found was the area decimated, covered in ash, and Malphas's two swords on the ground. Bacta found a trail left by several elves and two humans, and they continued their chase. Eventually, they found the two thieves and the elves that accompanied them. The woman, who was revealed as the necromancer, Killed the paladin Lysander and ordered the elves to capture the party for a sacrifice to an entity she called father. While she teleported to a newly arrived airship the second ship set down to retrieve the prisoners. Malphas, somehow survived the undead with only a scorched and useless arm. Charged out of the trees with six tendrils of shadow extending from his back and a single downward stroke he launched hundreds of feet skyward to the escaping airship. Eldobik attempted to talk the elves out of their hostilities but were clearly under some mind altering effect, and the party was forced to kill them. Some sort of magical battle occurred on the airship leaving three elves who had plummeted to the ground along with one of the stolen relics and a black crystal.

Now the party is left with an airship, that the wizard might have just broken, to continue the quest for the relics.

Eldobik - Marcus looking surprised gives a shrug. Gathering up the paladin Lysander, he begins the trek home.

all - Searching around the ship, you find a stool next to a small table is a key ring with several keys on it. After several attempts you find the right key for the shackles. Tixhin, hip deep in a crate, starts tossing metal components out. Wiggling out and upright with a smile he holds a indistinguishable metal part from the others. He quickly runs off into the back.

hello there, my name is Niv Fazor Nornin. I’m never home on a sunday. The old man pats the halfling on the head before he turns and walks out of the room and heads back to that stool they found. He groans loudly as he sits dovn.

Beeton - you are all too familiar with the symbol as you saw it several times before being locked in the crate.

All - Moments later you hear a slow whine and the airship engine kicks on.

All - The same moment that Eldobik stumbles, Bacta's dagger gives off a flash of light. Eyes rolling Bacta collapses to the floor. suddenly the ship lurches into the air, you hear Tixhin from above deck, Whoops, she seems to be working again.
With that the vessel gains altitude quickly stopping hundreds of feet from the treetops. You can hear Tixhin's feet pounding across the deck. Soon he is below, he opens his mouth to speak, but pauses noticing Eldobik's predicament, My word what did you do? He pries his eyes away long enough to spot Bacta on the ground, I do say what is happening down here?

Eldobik - You can feel Bacta slightly twitching in your grasp, but does not respond. His cheek turns an angry red from your backhand. After several minutes his eyes slowly open looking confused.

All - The now conscious Bacta seams dazed, his eyes are unfocused darting around wild. Tixhin quickly pulls a vial from his satchel popping off the lid he wafts it below Bacta's nose. After several moments his eyes clear and his movements steady.

Bacta - You awaken to Eldobik and Tixhin standing over you. Your nose stings with every breath and one side of your face burns. The two look at you with concerned faces.

All - Tixhin corks the vial storing it back in his bag, I wonder Ink do you know whose disciple he is? Though, it sounds like we have more questions than answers. On the bright side, we have a fully stocked ship. She isn't the most powerful, but she is fast. From my calculations we could make it to Finngard or Zigan, any preferences? he awaits for a destination patiently with a beaming smile.

All - Tixhin shrugs, I'm not sure we can follow at this point. Their heading would be directly to the lost lands. I assume they intend to throw off any pursuit by changing course to Zigan or Finngard. Looking for some time at Bacta his eyes suddenly brighten, Well we have the shield, you have that nifty dagger and Malphas's swords. Eldobik has a few things as well, if we headed to my lab in Zigan we might be able to identify some of these... Maybe get some answers before we finally decide what to do? Tixhin looks like a child ready to burst with excitement, but poorly containing it, eyes wide hoping for some support to his proposal.

All - Tixhin moving fingers rapidly and mumbling to himself finally looks up, four hours at cruise, two at full, and one if we push it. looking a bit concerned, on second thought forget about pushing it, bad idea.

Full burn is 35 mph if you were wondering.

All - Tixhin with excitement in his eyes, It is amazing, but I could probably upgrade it. These old ships are severely lacking. he turns a bit dour looking concerned, Do we really want to just hand that over to the holy empire before we find out anything about it? We were looking for the other two... could be useful in the recovery of those as well. You can easily tell he adamantly wishes to learn all he can about the shield, But, I will differ to the group should everyone be in agreement. Defiantly should set down well out of sight of the city, if we do go back, and we should be on the lookout for dragon riders. In two days they will have called in several units to patrol.

Bacta - Your knowledge of these types of ships serves you well, you find a hidden compartment with several small boxes containing different ship aliases. One of them sticks out, that of a merchant vessel, the name is currently left blank on the paperwork.

All - Tixhin assumes that everyone is in agreement and jots down the name, Well we're the new sky fairing crew of the Preta. If we are going to get this thing moving anywhere I think you'll all need to learn a few bits. He leads you on a tour of the ship explaining things to the group on the operation of the ship.

Roll a D20+(Wis or Int modifier, whichever is greater)

Wisdom

Eldobik & Beeton - you grasp the lesson well, soon you are able to operate most of the ship without too much trouble. Tixhin nods at you approvingly, as we go I can cover basic maintenance of the ship.

Bacta - No matter how many times Tixhin explains the ship to you, everything seems to confuse you more than you were before. After a frustrated sigh, he leads you down below deck near the back of the ship to a small room. Inside is a stove, cabinets and a few pots, Well, this is the last thing I have. Can you cook by chance?

All - After the lessons are over Tixhin pulls a book from his bag, So we need someone to operate the ship while the other two keep an eye out. I think I should take inventory of what we have here. As it is dark out we can move now to the city, or wait until morning?

Fyi: If anyone was wondering Nornin climbed into one of the magic crates and is fast asleep.

All - Tixhin nods, I'll lower the Preta and we can drop the anchor. We will continue in the morning. Bacta if you could follow me for now. He turns and goes to some boxes below deck.

Bacta - Tixhin's friendly demeanor washes from his face, I'll be frank, we need to disguise you. I have noticed you trying to hide that Elven heritage of yours, but you could pass as a Zigan elven worker. Not glorious mind you, but it wont raise any questions unlike... he trails off just looking at your clothing, have you been to Zigan before? The box he opens has some plain, rough, workers clothing inside.

Bacta - Tixhin looks impressed, this might be to our benefit. After assisting in the outfit selection he steps away cataloging the cargo.

Beeton - you are able to find a outfit, though a bit mismatched.

You recall a pair of merchants that you helped some time ago, Reidar Blackendbeard and Ixion Flavius. The dwarf Reidar is a partner in the Flavius crafted goods, They primarily sell dwarven crafts but use Ixion as the face of the company being he is human. Given that you probably saved their company, they are most likely to be a favorable choice.

All - You easily coordinate lowering the ship together. With the ship secured, you all settle in for the night. In the morning you awake to Tixhin running through a ship checklist. With a satisfied nod he starts the engine begins the short trip to the city. The trip, though relaxing, is strangely uneventful. Other than birds you have not spotted any patrols or signs of activity. As you approach the city of Thanos you easily spot that the city is not right. From your vantage point you can see mobs aimlessly roaming through the streets. The gated entrance nearest to you sits agape one of the doors, broken from its hinges, rests awkwardly between the wall and the ground. Your ship slows Tixhin digs out a spyglass, I don't think this is good.

All - Tixhin shrugs to Eldobik, Looks like the large groups are sometimes chasing down individuals in the streets. scratching at his chin, I am unsure what this could mean, but I presume it has something to do with those monstrosities we dealt with. If that is the case, that would mean there are a few thousand down there.

Bacta you sense that there is undead present.

Awesome !

All - Circling the city several times you are able to grasp the dire situation. The undead have nearly overwhelmed the city, you observe several people who are cought by the horde witnessing their gruesome demise, only for them to join the unholy mob minutes later. The worst of the city is the Cathedral. All the doors and windows are blocked, but the entire building is swarmed by undead trying to break in. Tixhin looks appalled, This cant be right. There is no way something can spread like this naturally.

Everyone roll perception checks (Beeton gets a temporary +2 to this roll.)

Beeton - You can see that the bell tower has a ladder leading down into the cathedral. You are unsure if anyone injured would be able to make it out this way, but it gives you access into the building.

Bacta - you spot a curious sight, as the undead hoard against the building some zombies are starting to climb on top of the others.

All - Tixhin ponders over the suggestions, The ship could potentially carry a few hundred people. How we will get them onto the ship I am unsure of though. Getting the ship to the roof is not an issue, but the street. He points at the steadily growing hoard around the building, I think the street is out of the question.

All - you successfully create a rope ladder, and Tixhin positions the ship near the bell tower. Looking at the hoard below Tixhin shudders, Do be careful, maybe scout out beforehand?
please let me know who all is descending the bell tower.

Beeton & Eldobik - The ladder leads to a small landing, The only way to continue is a spiral staircase leading further into the Cathedral. After several rounds you come out into an unlit silent hallway branching to your left and right.

Both the spiral stairs and ladder are old, but very well constructed and maintained.

Bacta On over watch of the zombies you observe them slowly massing on the building, you figure they may reach the roof in anywhere from an hour to a few hours. The pile up is not coordinated, the progress is rather slow.
If you would like to attack you can... with the mass of zombies you wont miss.
If you would like to stay on over watch, please roll Perception and Insight(only if you don't attack)

Bacta - Observing for several minutes you notice a pattern. The undead are dragging away bodies of town guards, in addition to any that seem to be armed, or armored. The remaining dead eventually rise and join the growing mass below. You are unsure what possible use the undead could have for those dragged away, but you do notice that none of the zombies swarming the building have any real weapons or armor.

Eldobik - You strain to listen and can only make out an extremely subtle droning hum. You can only catch slight moments of the sounds, and you are unsure of which direction they come from.

Beeton & Eldobik - You call out... no response returns, save for the nearly imperceptible droning hum from before. The hallway extends to the left and right which do you choose?

Beeton & Eldobik - You hear tap tap tap echo down the halls. tap tap tap d20 perception

Beeton - You are unsure but you feel like it is coming from the right hand path. Listening carefully to the familiar sound, you recognize subtle scraping sounds between taps, someone inexperienced is trying to pick a lock. Quite poorly I might add.

Perception

Eldobik - In addition to the metal scraping, you hear slight curses under ones breath followed by the tapping.

Eldobik & Beeton - You slip down the hallway passing several unmarked doors. The eerie dark hallway painfully amplifies every sound. After 100ft the hallway turns left. The sounds of the mumbling lock picker is quite clear.
Assuming you will peek around the corner.
Eldobik - you can clearly see 50ft down the hallway a man crouched over fiddling with the locked door.
Beeton - you can't quite make out details but you spot the shadow of a man near the door.
You both hear his audible sigh as he slumps against the door, Lord Azezel, why do you test me so? for the time being it appears he has delayed getting the door open.

should you wish to proceed in stealth please roll a check.

Eldobik & Beeton - The man bolts up at your voice, poorly attempting to look inconspicuous. He begins to stutter, Br..br..brother I .. uh.. he pauses for a second seeming to think over what you have said, Safety... on the roof? Wait, are you from outside? not a member of the Clergy? He remains at the door peering down the dark hallway trying to spot the speaker.

Eldobik - You can just overhear him mumbling to himself, Bossy bastard isn't he. Lord have I not had a trying enough day? he slowly works his way down the far wall of the hallway, hand against it for guidance. Soon as he is able to see around the corner his stern expression relaxes when he spots you. He quickly glances down the hallway from the direction he came, clearly he is fearful of something. Standing some ten feet away, you can easily make out his shabby features. He wears the plain brown robes of a general member of the Clergy. His hair is short and black, standing just under six feet tall, he gives off an easy going vibe but his dark eyes have a certain sharpness to them, Well, lets get out of here. He makes a sweeping motion with his hand shooing you back the way you came. He remains on the far wall at the corner waiting for you to move. He doesn't seem to be aware of Beeton (to your knowledge)

Eldobik & Beeton - He appears confused, people? All the prisoners were killed hours ago. I was trying to escape through the dungeon. On that thought, I recommend we leave. He looks frightened, If they find you we'll all be killed. As if summoned by his words the subtle hum grows until you can clearly hear it echo in the halls. You can make out the voices from the hum as they drone onward through their ominous dirge. The mans eyes widen in terror, Quickly, it's almost over. This is bad, Lord if you ever did care about me let there be the fastest dragon alive on this roof. He appears torn between running and not leaving you behind. His eyes scream their fear as they dart down the hall.

please add a stealth roll (I'm assuming the whispering is to not be overheard by the man)

Eldobik & Beeton - Giving the two of you a raised eyebrow he shrugs, Oh that, just your run of the mill summoning of lesser denizens of the Skaamor. Beeton you have heard the word Skaamor uttered in reverence by the cultists before. Though, I don't think we should be around to greet them.

Beeton & Eldobik - With a resigned sigh, Milady, one of them walked through the undead catastrophe to get here, and I'm afraid your little companion... pausing for a moment he holds his hand out measuring both your heights. He composes himself and continues, Your friend is all too correct. Even if we could collapse the church I fear it will be too little to late. I doubt anything we do can stop, or even slow that thing.

You feel the floor beneath your feet rumbling.

Beeton & Eldobik - Flying up the stairs the three of you are dogged by the rumbling. Growing more violent you hear the mortar and stone grinding in protest against the strain. Your deepest fear sets in, the building could actually collapse. The man easily spots the ship hovering just over the roof, seizes the rope. With an agility you didn't think he had in him he ascends hastily onto the Preta.

Beeton in the panic you can only notice that several cracks form in the stone as you climb your way out of the tower.Bacta - After some time of waiting you hear a low rumble, and shortly there after see buildings begin to shake. Smaller buildings nearby crack, collapsing under the strain. Moments later, you spot your two companions, and a brown robed man, stumble onto the roof heading for the ship. Tixhin gasps sprinting across the deck and into the control room.

All - Mere moments after you start your ascent with violent cracks and pops, the roof finally gives in. Several pockets first appear then the majority of the center gives way. Tixhin steers the ship away from the collapsing building. Pieces of the building drop into the crowd of zombies below, and a large ornamental statue breaks away smashing scores of zombies as it lands. Still pulling away from the building the rumbling soon stops. Halting your drift Tixhin eventually pokes his head out, That was a close one. I'm glad you guys made it out of there. Letting everyone catch their breath for a second, Well, where do we... He trails off looking back at the church, What is that thing? Drawing your attention you all see a single winged creature hovering over the church. Out from the caved in roof you spot a second creature then a third. Soon near twenty creatures swirl around the roof with more pouring out by the second. Some of them dive into the zombies tearing into them, feasting. Near a hundred creatures you eventually loose track of numbers. With a shriek then turn several diving at your airship. Tixhin turning into a dead run to the helm screams out, Guns, Use the rotary guns!

Bacta - You remember seeing something similar in a book. They are said to be Odi, creatures born of hate, and when someone bears hate long enough it gives birth to an Odi in the realm of shadow.

Mounting the rotary gun it whines as it spins up, unleashing a hail of bullets. Spraying into the sky you manage to cut down 4 of the creatures.

Eldobik - All you can recall is they seem to be some kind of creature of shadow and hate.

Your gun kicks up cutting into the lead of the swarm, you cut down 7 of them.

Beeton - hopping onto the nearest gun, it roars to life, aiming for the bulk of the swarm you cut a swath through 81 creatures.

All - Tixhin guns the engines sending the ship lurching forward. Shouting for the helm, Keep them off us. Just in time for swooping at the ship. None of them manage to reach any of you, but several tear into the ship leaving gashes in the side and flank of the hull. Three of the Odi legs twist out of their bodies as they land on the deck. They move and start gnawing on the suspension cables connecting the hull to the balloon. More of the creatures pour out of the collapsed roof with no end in sight. The man you brought on board begins chanting hands quickly drawing out arcane symbols in preparation for some spell.


You can continue to fire your gun (same rolls D20 and D100) or if you choose to attack the Odi that have landed (All three are within a normal movement range each at a different cable.)

Eldobik - Getting the hang of the rattle of the gun as it unloads, you cut down 71 creatures in blaze of fire.

Bacta - Your bolt strikes true lodging in the monsters head. In a blast of smoke it vanishes your bolt dropping to the deck of the ship. Tendrils of smoke twist and contort wisping away in the direction of the cathedral. Echoing in its wake you hear a dark chuckle.

Beeton - Quickly stalking up behind the creature you appear to remain undetected. It's difficult to discern a weak point on the creature. The form of the thing does not appear to be as one, but a collection of shadowy pieces warping and shifting endlessly together. Striking at what you assume is the heart, you feel no resistance as your blade enters. Suddenly its form bloats and breaks blasting you with its smoky form. A dark laughter surrounds you, feeling your chest tighten as it threatens to overwhelm you. Roll a Charisma Check

All The man finishes his chanting energies swirl around him. Opening his hands he releases the spell, a sphere of energy radiates out from him striking dozens of creatures in its wake. The magic begins to take hold, nearly every creature in range is effected. Lights begin to pop off like fireworks as the creatures are transformed into chickens. The third and remaining creature on the deck drops down now a chicken that is roaming the ship. The man looking around confused scratches at his nose, That... was not supposed to happen. Reaching into his robes he retrieves a small book. He begins flipping through the pages mumbling to himself. Finally gaining speed the ship begins pulling away from your pursuers.