Sigil

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Victoria Belmont Half-Elf, Bard, Level 3 HP: 23 / 23 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: G11 -> F13 Action: Class Feature (Note of Undeath) Bonus Action: Swarm of Rats Reaction: N/A

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Victoria wasn't aware that Kathryn wanted to dance. Even in the middle of mortal combat, it was rarely a bad idea to shuffle and tap in rhythmic step, letting one's body sway to the cadence of swords and fire; the Bard felt that it brought her closer to the application of practical spellcraft, from her profession's point of view. But Kathryn was no Bard, and she was certainly no Wizard. There was another reason for the sudden lift, and knowing what little she did of the tall and muscle-bound Knight, it probably had some direct, martial application. This didn't stop her from breaking into a cheshire grin about midway through the lift and hit the ground with a twirl, her boots clapping softly upon fitted stone and arms outstretched (just as soon as her sword cleared killing range from Kathryn, of course).

The lift gave her momentary elevation enough to notice something on the other side of the fire. A split second gave her a view of several small bodies, smashed and burned, with their living rodent brethren still crawling about their numbers. There was promise here. Victoria didn't quite come to a stop; rather she momentarily slowed her dance just enough locate a decent vantage point, and went for it. The Bard went low, moving to place herself in a position to put the rightmost fire barrel between herself and Cavendish, providing a more than fair amount of direct cover while still allowing some sight into the area beyond. From a crouch, Victoria lay her sword to the side and replaced it with her violin bow. A few dulcet notes parted the crackle of fire, smashing sounds, and labored breath of battle, building upon itself as Victoria sprinkled a mote of Necromancy into the tapestry pattern of the Weave, reaching out in front of her, between the Constable and herself.

Something answered her call.

Tiny creatures, recently discorporated. Smashed, tread upon, flesh burned mostly away. Bones clicked back together like horrid kernels of popping sorghum in a hot pan. Charred meat twitched and pulled upon itself, gathering former individuals together to act in concert with one another. Unlike the living rats which milled about aimlessly in their predetermined area, the dead ones surged forward with directed purpose. They were mindless, loyal, and (best of all) completely disposable. Victoria knew that they could not cause Cavendish any actual harm - it was fully beyond their ability being neither silver nor enchanted as a weapon - but they could attempt to distract the monstrous Constable.

When the first of the dead rats began to crawl up his legs, Cavendish indeed looked distracted.

@Remipa Awesome Kathryn's turn.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 1

Location: ??

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Deep within the shadows lay the prone, completely hidden form of the Guard stretched out his twitching, sensitive, rodent nose in the direction of his prey. His issued crossbow, a well worn but also well cared for device, bore a taut line and all the potential energy necessary to propel its ammunition through the soon-to-be corpse of its intended target.

Wait, no... <ahem> Behind the flaming barrel of pitch, the Wererat Guard bid his time, waiting for enough backs to be turned and/or the appropriate signal to occur for him to make his move. Until then, in stark contrast to the usual skulking about in the shadow to conceal one's self, the brightness and environment gave him cover until their devastating attack could be launched.

Check that: Mr. Wererat Guard found himself skittering through the trees off to the side of the fighting, a mighty internal shout of "Fuck this noise," clattering against the inside of his skull so loudly that he thought it might slip out into the audible world. Lots of things just died that were supposed to have the upper hand and he wasn't going to be next. That, and his boss had gone from confident despot straight to complete nutjob in the time it might have taken him to make a sandwich. It was time to think of himself and duck out of this situation.

No, I'm sorry - He was the established backup, and he was going to be the best Plan B he could be. This involved setting up behind impromptu murder holes in the places that their opposition would likely move next. There would be tripwires. There would be flaming oil. Spike traps. He would rain plague-infested rats upon them when they moved through an archway or large enough door. His crossbow would puncture ankles and slow them down in arduous personal agony while ...things... began to crawl all over them, nipping away tenderer parts of skin. Yes, they would see him again.

Watch out, he's right behind you! Salivating with anticipation as he sees his opportunity to clamp teeth down and make you like him. In fact, its what they should have done to begin with. It would have made for an interesting, if not particularly sophisticated, preemptive solution.

The fact is, no one in the party knows where he is, nor what he's planning. Good luck.

@Dragoknighte Marita is free to do what she needs to do.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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The dome of atmospheric condensation remained, seemingly closing off the ongoing fray from the rest of the world around. The screams from townsfolk, once perforating the stillness of the night, had come to an undramatic cease, only to be replaced by the wails of the captured doing whatever the could to free themselves before the monsters or the fire could claim them.

Evergreen and deciduous trees of around the town's central carfax stood in opposition to one another's coloration in the gloom of the evening, though made a little more similar when bathed in the light of aromatic pitch-fire (which had fully claimed one of their number in glorious conflagration at this point). If there was an upside to smoke and wall of unyielding blaze, it was that the field of conflict was now significantly warmer than the night would have otherwise allowed for the season.

Cavendish held his ground, his rat-ish features positively brimming with glee and/or anticipation as he surveyed the symphony of chaos, fire, and blood. His eyes lifted to the sky for a brief moment and arms outstretched as if to present a great feast to an honored guest in a high place. Eyes narrowed and smile faded a bit at Kosara drew upon her abilities to close the holes he bored into her flesh with his magic, but this was only a minor setback in the grand scheme. Live rats still milled about in his general vicinity, crawling over the dead ones. Living and dead, their presence made the ground hazardous.

The rightmost cage had one board missing - a good start but not enough to get anyone else out safely. The Halfling tavern cook, Daisy, hacked at the enclosure with the recovered short sword as best as she was able, but her blows did not carry much strength and were swung wildly. Nevertheless, she tried.

The other cage saw a little more progress. Cecily had the older man, Beppo, to his feet. He couldn't fit through the hole already made in their cage, but he might with just a little more effort. The lady was having difficulty keeping her elder upright, but she wasn't going to stop trying, from the look of things. The fisherman gave Baronfjord a knowing look as he came to help the young woman who had squeezed out with the wooden bar, stating with flat determination, "Nice day for fishin'." He focused his attention back on the bar next to where the Dragonborn and burlesque performer were making their attempts, resumed his low stance, and drove his fishing rod forward like a quarterstaff. The pole crashed forward into the wood, finally splintering it outward with an audible cracking sound. "Huah Hah!"

New Round

@Arty Fox Baronfjørd - Do what you do.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Cavendish

Location: A10

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A look inside Cavendish's thoughts might glean the following:

Of course the Dragonborn would scuttle off to assist the bait. It's what these kinds of people did. Predictable, really, even if it did cheat him out of a little fun. Looking at how horribly he was mangled, it wouldn't have taken much to finish him off. Cavendish wondered why might happen if a Dragonborn was made a wererat. Would he grow hair? Would their decidedly non-mammalian teeth develop lengthened incisors? Were fuzzy ears out of the question? Suddenly, the Constable wished to see if this would happen. Maybe he would save that one for last and try to answer some of his questions when he was in a better position to so so. So it was probably for the best that he lost line of sight with the draconic outsider. So many possibilities. But first, business had to be resolved.

Truly, the mind of an enlightened and well-adjusted individual.

The fire held within the confines of its liquidy boundaries, be they still spreading slowly but it wasn't enough to impair his ability to target his enemies any more than they could target him. And one seemed to be doing just that. The one with the mouth on her. "Celestial Blast?" he scoffed, still recovering from the hit. The same black, crackling energy that felled the Abomination before him flared in his eyes, streaking out in a pattern not completely unlike the Bard's demonstration of necrotic energy. Simultaneously, the same could be seen gathering in his free hand like a small, black, angry sun. Cavendish stared pointedly in the direction of Kathryn and Marita, an expression that could be best described as vindictive (as best could be fathomed on his rodent-esque features) growing on his face. When he let his twin Eldritch Blasts fly, it targeted neither the Cleric nor the Fighter. Both bolts of arcane energy flew solely at Kosara. "Why don't you ladies come closer?" he called over the crackle of the pitch-flames, taunting as if he hadn't a care in the world.


- Kosara has taken 18 points of Force damage.

- Several rats are dead and/or on fire, and the area to the north that is not aflame is still considered Difficult Terrain, with appropriate movement penalties.

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Guard 2

Location: ?

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Guard 2 continues to be out of sight, and possibly out of mind. Either way you slice it, he's doing a great job of not really being present in any discernible manner. I can see how it might get irritating. But here we all are. Except for Guard 2, of course. _{(Or is he?)}



@rivaan Kosara is up next. Please do what you can with what you have, and hang in there. Also, again do the tagging of me so that I can handle maps and such for the next round. Thanks.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Victoria Belmont Half-Elf, Bard, Level 3 HP: 23 / 23 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: F11 Action: Attack (X2 with rapier) Bonus Action: Class Feature (Harming Beat) Reaction: N/A

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"Next time," she had sworn to herself. And she meant it. Though, by the way things had turned out over the last few seconds, Victoria wondered briefly if continuing with this course of action was the smartest move. Once again, she had somehow found herself along the front line, or the nearest approximation of this staged yet chaotic battleground. This was not the place where she was at her strongest. But it was where she was located, and she might as well attempt to make a difference, no matter how minor when compared to the more direct combat ability of her companions.

Moreover, she couldn't help but notice their Cleric tanking for, well, their tank. If this was to prevent a direct attack before Kathryn could muster up a counter to the incoming grapple, then it was within both the Bard's and Marita's best interests to assist, until stronger arms arrived in melee. Still, the idea that she might be able to reach out with her motes of animating necrotic force to raise her porcine helper ran through her reckoning, even if it was futile. The link was severed and she knew it keenly. But that didn't mean there weren't other small, simple, and most importantly dead creatures which she could bring into her service. Just not right at this moment.

With as grim a smile as she could muster, Victoria moved her violin behind her and retook a side-facing fencer's stance. The silver enhanced blade of her slender sword struck out once more as she brought her body low into a lunge; as she rose she flicked the weapon outward from the successful, telling blow, like she was signing a great check mark upon a grisly contract. The blow would have proven fatal to a stout commoner or even a trained soldier, but the creature's infuriating resistance and sheer bulk of mass blunted the effectiveness of the attack. It was still better than her last attempt, though no less annoying.

Victoria's mellifluous voice sounded over the fire and row of battle, a sweet yet haunting vocalization of the first few bars of a recognizable funerary march. The beat thrummed heavily in the air, pulsing like the rhythm of a living heart. Yet it bore upon it no life-giving essence, but a curse upon the recently damaged. Where Victoria's sword marred flesh, corruption festered and bubbled to the beat of this march, spreading along the wound like necrotic ants tunneling from underneath its stolen skin.

The necrosis hurt the beast far more than her sword was able, to Victoria's satisfaction, and the Rat Abomination began to slow its movements. It even started to stoop lower, as if suddenly carrying a great weight.

@Remipa Awesome Kathryn is up. Good luck.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 1

Location: ??

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Another segment of time passed without the overt presence of the wererat guard. No unseen crossbow firing a bolt from the darkness, nor the flash of a blade in the night. Long gone or waiting for something specific, none but he might say. So as per the usual of this fight so far, Guard 1 is out of sight and not participating in the festivities.

@Dragoknighte Marita is up. Have fun.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Fog yet loomed thick and heavy over the makeshift arena which held the party and the deathly antagonists. To all perception it had gotten even thicker and heavier in the moments since their arrival, though this was as likely due to the spread of broader light and contrasting shadow giving an isolating effect in the night's gloom. And those fires had indeed gotten broader. Even aside from the most recent spillage, the existing dense, syrupy pitch had been spreading, bringing its fire to cover more area.

The tree closest to the blaze near the leftmost cage abruptly caught fire, its remaining autumn leaves going up like kindling. The smoke of it, and the pitch on the ground kept moving more or less upward, even if that which remained below was beginning to become cumbersome for those who desired to continue pulling untainted air into their lungs. Yet the smoke's presence had not yet interfered with ones visibility enough to make a difference in the ongoing fight - for either side.

With the downing of one of these Rat Abominations, Cavendish could be seen with a less obstructive view than ever, and from more angles. This too was a double-edged sword, as he had already set sights on targets and had proven his proficiency in ranged attack magic. What was more, even though the creature was down and its corpse burning up in the sticky, burning hell around him, the Wererat Constable was yet surrounded by swarms and swarms of what appeared to be common rats - many living and milling around, but just as many deceased and still, their bodies in various states of disrepair.

In the cage to the right, Lea had been able to use the shortsword to pry and hack away one of the damaged wooden slats. The cook from Neil & Bob's, the Halfling lady, Daisy, was pushed through the aperture (as she was the only one who could fit at this time) with the sword, that she might hack at their enclosure from the outside with a less restricted swinging arc.

In a similar showing of community members helping one another, the fisherman had moved his own chunk of damaged wood far enough to one side by levering his stout fishing rod, and with Cecily's assistance they were able to get the young woman employed by the Honey Barn to slip through. She immediately grabbed hold of the weakened bar and tried her best to yank back on it, to Madame L'Rose's immediate objection. "No! You run! You keep running!" she ordered, voice cracking with emotion. She didn't wait to see if the burlesque dancer heeded her words, instead moving to help another captive stand. This one was an older fellow who, were this a fair and just world, should have been at the talent show in the Farmers' Market, displaying his uncanny ability to cry upon command. It was unmistakably Beppo.

"Mornin'!" the fisherman insisted to the young lady who had just slipped through, jerking his head in a direction away from the fighting. He had stopped trying to lever the wood away, instead holding the rod like a quarterstaff and planting his feet about shoulder-width apart inside of his cage. He steadied his breathing and rolled his shoulders, assumed a low, combative stance, and brought surprising force to bear against their enclosure with a lateral thrust of his favored tool with a mighty, "Huah Hah!"

New Round

@Arty Fox Baronfjørd - You have been granted your one day extension. You are first up, at your leisure, sir.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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X2

Location: E10

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The creature didn't appear outwardly to be capable of processing thought nor emotion; nevertheless it might be inferred that it was not exactly pleased about its evening so far. One might especially have this feeling when it was very rudely shoved into a brilliantly burning barrel of mildly refined tree sap. Certain individuals possessing exemplary sensitivity might actually have sympathized when the barrel split open, partially engulfing the creature in sticky, liquid fire.

As a direct result of this, the flaming pitch spread out in a more or less circular pattern from its dumping point, meeting the nearby spillage from the other overturned barrel. _{(Will update the map at the top of next round.)}

The Rat Abomination, now fully aflame, showed the barest twinge of self-preservation as it awkwardly rose, shaking its limbs in an ungainly fashion before hurling itself, possibly foolishly, into the melee as it strove to fulfill its orders. Instead of specifically targeting the Tiefling, it contented itself to strike out at the closest living thing to it. As it stepped forward, the nearest living creature - was Victoria.

In its present state of disrepair, instead of attacking with closed, ham-sized fists, it opened its crudely reformed hands to reveal vicious talons at the end of its brutish phalanges. The fire it was engulfed within gave it difficulty with its aim but not its ferocity as it launched a wild, arcing swipe at the Bard's face. Victoria was able to easily twirl out of its way. The second attack was a little more successful, scoring a deep slash across her leathers but not penetrating the flesh below.

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Cavendish

Location: A10

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The Infernal utterances which issued from the Constable's rodent-like features continued right up until the point that the currently burning Rat Abomination launched a rather successful attack against him, followed by a very unexpected jolt of sideways lightning. This gave him a tiny delay. Then his annoyance could be readily measured, inhuman face or not. "Outlived your usefulness," he hissed suddenly.

Black, crackling energy corrupted Cavendish's eyes and spread across his face, leaving streaks of necrosis where it touched. As quickly as it formed, it retreated, seemingly gathering in a mass of ebon plasma in his free hand. Even this close to his attacker, the Constable possessed the fullest of confidence in his ability to strike with something ordinarily reserved for a much longer range. The energy traveled a tight arc from his raised hand, forking into two distinct plumes of arcane power before it slammed into the beast in front of him.

The thing, pieced together of anthropomorphized rodent parts, gave a hideous, inhuman wail and sank to its knees. Cavendish plunged his vicious looking shortsword into the creature's flesh, cutting off its cry into a dry, raspy scream, just before kicking it into the puddle of flame before him.

Cavendish's voice boomed with annoyed authority, "I'm through playing. Give the tall one a hug, and drag her into the fire! We're finishing this now." He looked from Kosara to Baronfjord and back again, plotting his strategy for the upcoming moments.

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X1

Location: B10

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If a thought was to be had in its final moments, it might have been anything. Cursing its nature, relief, freedom, fear; this was one of the great unknowable properties about a heretofore unencountered entity. What might be said with certainty was that the last thing to pass through its brain before expiring was the heat licking up from the sticky fire it was kicked into.


- Several rats are dead and/or on fire, and the area to the north that is not aflame is still considered Difficult Terrain, with appropriate movement penalties.

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Guard 2

Location: ?

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Guard 2 remains out of sight. Maybe he's just behind the nearest tree. Maybe he's far away, packing his stuff and getting out of town while he still can. Maaaaybe he's right behind you. However would you be able to tell?

Spooky, isn't it? Doesn't this build dramatic tension? Doesn't the notable absence beg for attention so hard you want to swat it in the face with a rolled-up newspaper? Hmm?



@rivaan Kosara, please end our round and tag me for the top of the next. Thanks!

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Victoria Belmont Half-Elf, Bard, Level 3 HP: 23 / 23 Armor Class: 15 Conditions: N/A Location: H9 -> I11 -> F11 Action: Object Interaction (recovering violin), Attack (X2 with rapier) Bonus Action: Reaction: N/A

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A dark sort of glee twinkled in Victoria's eyes. This dance of fire, magic, and steel started as a chaotic swarming of her party around creatures that proved to be far too powerful for any one of them to handle alone. Now they were displaying coordinated attacks to a specific end, and it looked like it was working. At first.

It was a grand idea, well reasoned and cleverly executed. The bravery of her team was obvious and well noted, the roles necessary were filled. It was a little clumsy, but effective. How were they to know that a lightning based attack was going to give them a second wind? The optimistic bent to her face left. She could not see past the flaring blaze in front of them to determine whether Cavendish and the other Abomination were likewise affected, but one could surmise.

The Bard herself generally saw her actions as best in a supporting role rather than as a primary protagonist, unless social functions were at the fore. As there was zero desire to engage in conversation with, or impress, the creatures in front of them, this aspect of her usefulness was moot. Her capacity for casting spells was her best contribution now, even if the well of her capacity to channel magic was running low. To that end, greatly desired to reclaim her preferred musical instrument and magical focus. So, while the others drew closer around their target, Victoria broke off and retraced her steps back to the fountain, dancing with practiced, twirling steps. She paused just long enough to snatch up her violin and bow with her free hand. A mote of attention was spent to attempt reestablishing contact with her animated companion, Morty, but sadly the poor, undead thing was beyond her ability to command. There was only one thing left to do.

She wielded her slim, silvered sword in the hand opposite the one which held her instrument, and it led the way as her dance-like steps drew her closer to the beast. Perhaps her blade, inlayed with the precious metal as it was, could bite where iron could not. The sword turned perpendicular to the cobblestone ground, before her face in quick salute before it plunged forward, its razor edge and deadly point seeking to impale flesh where it might matter. Unfortunately, no matter what performative efforts went into the attack, she was not the hardened warrior that always landed the telling blow. Her deft movements were not timed well enough to pierce the creature, who was still flailing to recover balance from being deposited roughly, almost atop the fire barrel. Whispers of the Grey Requiem were on her lips, ready to infuse her intended target with motes of necrosis. These fell silent with the unsuccessful attack.

"Next time," she swore to herself. "If I survive that long."

@Remipa Awesome Kathryn is up.

Avonshire - D&D Based Adventure

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Guard 1

Location: ??

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He is the wind, blowing about with no more than a whisper upon the trees surrounding them. That, or squatting like a toad on a stump, trying hard not to ribbit too loudly and alert others to his presence. OOH! Like a cabbage! A steamy, boiled cabbage that was left on a picnic blanket after the rain ruined their little get-together! Yes, Guard 1 is definitely somewhere, doing something, and boy-oh-boy is it ...ongoing.

Yeah, this guy is out of sight and not making himself known.

@Dragoknighte Marita is ready to roll. You're up.