A Stitch in Souragne - La Rue des Tristepas

[steveflam]

Goren is a little out of breath after arriving above. He assesses the situation and when able, begins concentrating as he grasps his
Holy Symbol. He moves to within the proper range of his next action , which is to cast a spell at both Men in White!

Goren casts his last 2nd Level spell, a Domain spell at that. HEAT MEAL!

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Thank you," gasps Lucien between breaths as Warden Sarosse opens the passage to the roof -- where he and Goren behold the bizarre combat! The Man in White reveals his horrific visage... and while Lucien is disgusted by the sight, he is decidedly unimpressed.

"Your theatrics are as pathetic as your breathing, monsieur," he taunts. "Difficult now, isn't it?" Focusing his will, he lets his eyes view tiny eddies in the currents of time around him. The afterimages and beforeimages would daze or sicken most people, but for Lucien, they give him a better idea of when to strike at his foe.

______________________________
Move action: Done for the round.
Standard: Spend 1 power point to manifest Offensive Precognition. Lucien gains a +1 insight bonus to attack rolls for the following 4 rounds. Force Screen is still active.

[Guzrath]

Vincent feels stabs of pain all over. These foul smelling creatures hurt, a lot. Biting back a stab of pain from a fresh wound, he looks around him, trying to figure out what to do, his mind racing and going through the options.
He can't keep on taking these painful hits and his other options are out of reach.
He goed over his original plan. As far as he understood, these Zombies "explode". The problem is that they might coming after him when they start to shows signs of explosion and he has learned quite quickly that these undead have no problem with speed.
The next best thing is making sure they can't run as fast. The plan is simple, make sure they can't use their legs. The problem however is to know what will be enough. These are, after all, not living breathing things and the don't feel pain.
He curses out loud for his own stupidity, his plan wouldn't work, they would probably run just as fast without their kneecaps or feet.

Suddenly he changes direction quickly and sprints away from his pursuers. "Let's see what they can do".

OOC: Tumble 25 to move away without an attack of opportunity.
Vincent is going to run a large circle around the church (might take some rounds) and he will choose obstacles over which to jump. Of course he will keep an eye on his pursuers, making sure they pursue him. The final plan would be to arrive at his chest with a head start where he might open it and take out some necessary things.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Vincen's tumbling gets him out of the zombies' reach and around them effortlessly. However, the second he looks back, he sees something unpleasant. The only comfort is that it is not, all in all, unexpected; the zombies are loping after him, falling into a smooth run without trouble. The one who has injured him thrice now is in the lead, stitched mouth working hideously as it tries to grin.

Behind him, Vincent can hear the Voodan Belhomme shout something.

(OOC: Listen check, DC15.
At the end of this round, you are halfway around the Temple. The zombies are currently ten feet behind you because they ran around obstacles rather than jumping over them.)
_______________________________________________________________________________

Goren feels the power of Lathander welling up inside him and then erupt, striking the two hateful enemies. The Man In White facing off against the armoured Knight shows no sign of feeling the magic, but his companion twitches and looks down at his sword with shock.

It is this tiny motion that saves the Man In White from being struck by another of Zumba's bullets, though he does jump and whirl around most amusingly. He chokes and coughs furiously at Lucien's barb, but does not reply.

A flash of motion -- the Knight and the second Man In White exchange blows once more, and the crafty old man manages to bat the assassin's sword aside with his gauntlet while lunging at his foe.

"Spite!" the Man In White snarls while backing away, silver blade whirling to keep this unexpectedly tough enemy off of him.

(OOC: Man In White #1 fails his save against Heat Metal and is starting to feel discomfort. Man In White #2 also fails the save against Heat Metal and starts to feel the heat. Zumba misses his target; the old Knight does not, and deals another 7 damage to his opponent.)

The first Man In White, the one who shot the beast-creature, whirls around again. From the frantic motions of his hooded head, you believe you can deduce that he is having second thoughts about this venture. "Geh..." he coughs. "Geh...!" He gulps, swallows convulsively and manages to scream five words so you can all understand them: "Get me out of here!"

The Man In White duelling the Knight hesitates -- then snarls angrily, turns, and runs away.

"Knave!" the Knight shouts. "Coward! Stand and fight!" He hacks at his fleeing opponent and sets off after him. Black blood stains the roof, but the Man In White -- no, make that Men In White -- continue to run. The direction they're headed makes no sense; they are not trying to get to the door. Instead, they're headed for a slender chimney, which casts a thin shadow onto the roof.

(OOC: The Men In White are running! Man In White #1 takes an Attack Of Opportunity from the Knight for an additional 8 damage, but he is still running. The Knight is in pursuit, so where are all of you?)

DM corner:
Belhomme: A-okay!
Goren: -11 hp.
Lucien: A-okay!
Man In White #1: -4 hp. Crisis of Breath.
Man In White #2: -21 hp
Old Man: -5 hp
Sarosse: A-okay!
Vincent: -30 hp
Zombies: 3 A-okay and chasing Vincent
Zumba: -12 hp.

[steveflam]

How far is Goren from both Men in White?

[Guzrath]

The blood is pumping through his veins and "leaking" from his wounds. Vincent has not even heard the man call to him. He is already halfway around the church and they are still behind him. He hopes for a fence, just to see what happens. He checks his pockets to check if his key is still there and is happy when his fingers find it.
Vincent keeps on running.

OOC: Listen 7
How much distance will he have when he arrives back at his starting point. How much time would he have to do something on the spot?

[Ail]

Zumba charges at the men in white, the most wounded one, and tries to trip him.

OOC:
Rock, I've decided to recast my action. For a trip attack, it is an unarmed melee touch attack. I leave here the dice I rolled earlier, although the bonuses may be different now (I mean, they really are: it's +5 - 2 and I don't know if charge's +2 applies here). You may either take the natural 8 or ask me to reroll.

Since Zumba has the Improved Unarmed Strike feat, does he suffer an AoO?

Attack: 1d20+6 → [8,6] = (14) (including -2 for Shaken and +2 for Charge)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2906756/
Damage: 1d6+2 → [3,2] = (5)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2906757/

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Not so fast," says Lucien as he chases after the Men in White. He had expected only one, not two, but the figure who is clearly choking on the aftereffects of the pearl is the one giving the orders.

Trying to get nearer to Zumba so that his ally is not injured by what's about to happen, Lucien extends his hand, releasing another scintillating barrage of razor-sharp crystals at the two Men in White.

__________________________
Move: Close in on the Men in White.
Standard: Spending 4 power points (I believe that's 16 used today) on Swarm of Crystals, targeting (if possible) both enemies but no allies: 4d4=6 slashing damage; 15-foot cone, no save. Ugh, terrible roll. I guess Lucien was being extra careful.

If there's no way to hit the Men in White without hitting an ally, Lucien will skip the attack and run as a full-round action to try to get ahead of them.

[steveflam]

Goren runs after the men in white as well. Calling upon his deity, he begins chanting and moving his hands and fingers in intricate patterns.

Goren casts Light of Lunia. It will only take effect next round, but the range is quite good and if I read it right he can expel his 2nd Light in the same round.

[Ail]

Goren runs after the men in white as well. Calling upon his deity, he begins chanting and moving his hands and fingers in intricate patterns.

Goren casts Light of Lunia. It will only take effect next round, but the range is quite good and if I read it right he can expel his 2nd Light in the same round.

Yes, I think so. I love that spell (and related family)

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Goren can feel the power of Lathander flowing through him. All can see a silvery light grow around the Cleric - a light not unlike that of the moon. (Goren, Listen check DC10.) The power builds and surges, ready for release. Other power is also at work; thin wisps of smoke rise from the Men In White as their swords visibly develop a dull glow and something under their clothes is apparently heating up. Those who look carefully can see their robes smouldering here and there as Goren's previous spell continues to bedevil them. (Both Men In White take one damage from the effects of Heat Metal.)

Lucien's slashing crystals fly true, tearing through green and white fabric and spilling blood. Red blood, black blood, it all flows the same and splashes the roof of Ezra's temple. The Man In White already struck by the pearl cries out, gags and falls to his knees while clawing at his constricting throat.
"Spite!" the other Man In White curses -- and he drops his sword to pick up his companion and sling him over his shoulder, all without breaking stride.

It is probably this which thwarts Zumba's attack; one moment his feet and fists are flying to stove in the crumbling Man In White's ribcage, the next his target is plucked up and out of his reach like a child. (Since the Men In White are in full retreat-mode, Zumba does not suffer an AoO this time.) Two silver swords, identical to the one he took from the scene of the last battle, lie at his feet, however.

"Cowards!" the armoured Knight shouts again, hacking at the one Man In White still on his feet. The blade strikes true, more black blood splashes the roof -- but your enemy runs on without looking back. The Knight almost slips on the blood, halts and has to lean his hands on his knees, the sound of laboured breathing escaping his helmet. (The running Man In White takes an additional 5 damage.)
"This is not the end!" the running Man In White howls. He leaps into the chimney's shadow -- and is gone as if he were never here, taking his companion along. Only the spilled blood serves to prove they were ever there...
____________________________________________________________________________

Down on the ground, Vincent spots what might well be his salvation; a small vegetable garden, currently being tended by what appears to be an acolyte. Or you're sure the girl would be tending the wilting veggies, if not for the distraction provided by sudden explosions and now the appearance of some foreigner being chased by zombies. The native girl casts one look at the oncoming horror, screams and runs for the gate to the wooden fence surrounding the garden.

A fence...! It is easy enough for Vincent to vault over this minor obstacle and run on through the vegetable patch, but the zombies are not as lucky. One of them tumbles over the fence and lands in a melon patch, where it flails weakly for a moment. The other two do not fall, but hit the fence and are briefly halted. Vincent can build up a nice little lead while the zombies are still smashing their way through the barrier, the one on the inside stopping to help his companions through -- and then they all halt and look up towards the Temple.

Some silent discourse seems to pass between the grey-skinned trio, and then they turn away from Vincent, away from the garden, away from the terrified Acolyte trying - unsuccessfully - to hide behind a banyan tree, away from the Temple and towards the swamp. Slowly at first, but rapidly picking up speed, the trio dashes for the fetid mud and ooze of the heat-stricken swamp.

DM corner:
Belhomme: A-okay!
Goren: -11 hp.
Lucien: A-okay!
Man In White #1: -11 hp. Crisis of Breath. Gone!
Man In White #2: -33 hp Gone!
Old Man: -5 hp
Sarosse: A-okay!
Vincent: -30 hp
Zombies: 3 A-okay and on the run.
Zumba: -12 hp.

[Ail]

Zumba looks around, glad to see his friends up there and the menace gone... at least for now. He thanks the armoured knight profusely and then counts the heads again.

"Vincent! Where is Vincent?" He runs worriedly to the edge of the roof, trying to use the height as an advantage to spy the form of his companion.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Lucien curses angrily in Mordentish, "Die and die again, coward!" as his foe -- and a twin? -- escape. He then bends over and catches his breath, the exertion of the last few minutes finally being felt as the rush of adrenaline fades. "Zumba, are you..."

Hearing Zumba's anxiety about Vincent, he says, "He was all right, though he was hurt -- we all were by..." It's at this moment that he finally realizes he's been healed of his injuries! "Goren...? Well, thank you, monsieur." He sees the extent of Goren's own wounds. "But you need attention as well." He then looks to the older priest who had been battling. "And you, good sir, what is your name? I take it you helped Zumba here. What do you know of the fiends we just battled? Clearly, they dressed in the garments of Ezraite priests." He looks over to Warden Sarosse* for her insights, too, then he strolls over to the chimney to examine the area for clues.

_________________________
DAMMIT! He got away! Waaah!
Lucien is looking around the chimney shadow where the men disappeared. Spot check (1d20+11=23)
*If Sarosse is on the roof with us. She guided us up, but I'm not sure if she went beyond.

[Guzrath]

Vincent easily jumps over the fence followed by an "Excusez moi madame" as he runs forth covered in blood. Looking back he sees the zombies stumble over the fence, apparently having some problem with obstacles. At first he is happy at the distance he can put between him and his pursuers, but then the pursuing stops. As they look up at the roof and even seem to communicate with eachother, he slows his run, looking back surprised, looking up at the roof and then looking back at his old pursuers. When they suddenly turn away from everything and everyone, going in the direction of the swamp, Vincent feels and inkling of disappointment in the anti-climax. This wasn't really what he expected.

With his breathing heavy and his body in pain from the suffered wounds, Vincent recklessly moves into action again, turning the tables. He pursues the trio, even yelling at them "hey!!" to attract their attention, but he keeps his distance not wanting to get caught between the three of them.

[steveflam]

Goren frowns at the sound he hears from the swamp. Souragnien "I ........try water spell and I am hear big rain boom .... uh thunder? Then,, now I make Light Lunia and hear again. This no is a normal
happen.. Divine magic not right? Work wrong?"

He pauses and looks at Lucien. Souragnien
"I ,,,,, no bad health. Others more importantly and better for battling than I is. I save spells in case need. White men shall is burning , Heat Metal better than I thinking as only thinked had swords, HA!"