Morgrim followed close behind his sister, holding the flame high above the palm of his hand to light the way forth. He watched the creature recoil from Dalgura's divine radiance with a sombre expression.

"This bodes ill for what we will find in the clanhold. I fear for Helda and her kin."

Well, that answers that question, Arnan thought to himself as Dalgura's prayer revealed the zombie for what it was. The scout was impressed by the power that the cleric wielded, having never seen its like before.

He turned to Morgrim as the Dwarf voiced his concerns over what they might find at the clanhold. "I suspect that some of your people fell during the first onslaught -- victims of surprise and uncertainty at what they were seeing, much as was the case just now with me. But you Stout Folk are nothing if not stalwart in defense of your holds, and I suspect that we shall find Helda and an iron-hard group of survivors grimly standing firm against this . . . threat."

"But as for the here and now, we need to deal with what is beyond the inner door of this cabin. Has anyone yet determined whether silvered weapons are required in order to do hurt to these creatures?"

Kira watched Dal and when their fears were confirmed, her usual little smile faded and she chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully while the others spoke.  The sounds from the other room made her shudder and she was just glad they weren't coming after them.

"Much as I hate to say it, easiest thing would be to burn 'em all.  Just set this place a'blaze and none of us get hurt," she said then gave a little shrug.  "Of course that means we don't have a warm place for the night and future travelers won't either," she added pragmatically, figuring they weren't going to go for her idea.

"The cold is as much a threat as the dead, if not more so. We're better off to run them out and keep the shelter above our heads."

"As for silver - well, I suppose there's only one way to find out."

Morgrim turned and beckoned Thane to follow.

"Come on, big boy. Lets go crack some heads."

Morgrim leads the way toward the doorway the dwarf zombie fled through, drawing up just outside of the adjoining room for a quick peek. Inside, six dwarf zombies mill about in a sparsely furnished room outfitted with several bunk beds and a few footlockers. One of the zombies growls when it makes eye contact with Morgrim, but the undead monster seems unable to draw any closer.

OOC: Zombies are about 20 feet from the doorway.

Zombies, 6
AC: 8
HP: 22/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   20/20    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Dalgura   15   17/17    1      13
Hengar    12   22/22    1      NA
Kira      14   15/15    1      NA
Thane     18   22/22    1      NA
Morgrim   15   19/19    1      13


PCs are UP!

This message was lightly edited by the GM at 21:55, Mon 28 Aug 2017.

Slipping along behind the guys, Kira watched as they snarled and thought about how they didn't much like Dal's goddess' power.  "Can you maybe keep them stirred up and they sort of take each other out trying to get away from you?" she asked Dalgura.

---

Just tossing out a suggestion before anyone gets closer.  Of course, wish I could use that last roll that was readied as I have a feeling when I roll again it won't be as nice.  :P

Dalgura shook her head at Kira's question as she readied her weapon.  "Once attacked they will no longer be frozen in place and I don't remember in my studies that they fight each other."

Dalgura nodded to the others.  "I'm ready...I'm ready to bash them or show them Sharindlar's radiance.  I cannot think of them as Dwarves any longer.  The only hope they have will be to destroy them and saying prayers for them.  Then perhaps the Gods will let them rest.  The Gods will know it wasn't their fault.  They need to be put to rest.  It won't be easy but they deserve to rest."

Dalgura let the others advance into the room first since her spell had a range of 60'.  Dal had debated on whether to use the warhammer immediately but knew she could easily swing it into her hand if need be.  She had done it with her regular weapon often enough.  She would hold it as secondary.  First she would call upon Sharindlar to send her radiance at the closet one and hoped it would help.

Sacred Flame:  range 60'  target makes a dex sav throw or take 1d8 radiant damage.  Gains no beenfit from cover for the saving through.  If they fail the save:  Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 3 using 1d8 with rolls of 3.  Show zombies the light!

Arnan looked thoughtful when Dalgura said that the zombies would no longer be held at bay by her magicks* once they were attacked.

"Mayhaps we should cut down one or two at a time, and let the others continue to be held in thrall by Dalgura's magicks until we are ready to deal with them," he suggested.

Since no one seemed to know whether silvered weapons were needed to effectively fight these creatures, Arnan elected to use the arrows with the silvered points. With us fighting in such close quarters, it's not like I'm going to lose any arrows that miss, he thought, not that I'm planning on missing. These shambling creatures don't look to be especially agile.

Arnan positioned himself a little behind Thane, but in a position where he could target the zombies without putting the Luskan in the line of flight of his arrows.

"May as well get to work," he remarked calmly, much as if he were discussing a bird that had just flown by, or mayhaps a cloud formation. He targeted the same zombie that Dalgura had just now attacked with her magicks that brought down a column of sparkling, radiant light upon the creature.

---

OOC:

Move: Arnan will move so as to position himself in a spot behind the front-line combatants, but where he has a clear line of sight/line of fire (not sure what the proper phrase is for bow-and-arrow shooting -- "line of fire" doesn't sound quite right) on the zombies.

Action: 15:22, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 16 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 9. Ranged Attack v. Zombies (AC 8). Hit!

15:23, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 5 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 2. Damage (Longbow).

Note: Arnan is attacking the same zombie that Dalgura previously attacked.

* From Arnan's (IC) point of view, Dalgura's Channeling Divinity is magicks. :)

Thane hadn't witnessed what a cleric could do to undead creatures before, so he was surprised when Dalgura's divine "attack" caused the zombies to collectively retreat to the further room in the hunting lodge.  "Let me get up front," he told Dalgura as the priestess cast a beam of light at one of the zombies, pressing past her and stopping abreast of Arnan.

The burly fighter hurled a throwing axe at the nearest zombie, perhaps even the very one that Dalgura and Arnan had already attacked.  Thane then readied his flail for what he thought would be an inevitable counter-attack.

---

Move into position (at the front of the party)
Attack closest Zombie
21:02, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 21,7 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 16,4.  Throw Handaxe at nearest Zombie (AC 8). Hit for 7 slashing damage (steel)

"Right beside yyyrrroooaaah!!!!" Morgrim's promise tapered off into a roar as the druid surged forward beside Thane and landed on all fours, a wolf the size of a pony with fangs like daggers and eyes that gleamed in the half-light of the lodge. A ball of flame continued to hover atop his paws as he awaited the zombie's inevitable counter attack...

Bonus action: Shapechange, dire wolf
Action: Readied attack on any Zombie to close in melee range.
Hits AC 23 (pack tactics) for 12 piercing damage.
Zombie must save DC 13 strength or be pulled prone.

22:24, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 23 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 18,17.  Attack.
22:24, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 12 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 5,4.  Pack tactics.

The party advances on the mob of dwarven zombies milling in the lodge's bunkhouse. Arnan, Thane and Dalgura combine their attacks against the zombie that fled through the door, but are unable to bring it down. Having been attacked, the zombie regains its abject hatred of life and strikes out at Thane, bashing the warrior with a heavy fist.

Meanwhile, Morgrim and Hengar combine against another, the pair defeating their foe.

Behind these, the other zombies growl lowly and look for an exit. Finding none, they back themselves into a distant corner and continue to growl and moan.



OOC: Thane was hit for 5 points of damage.

Zombies, 6
AC: 8
HP: 7/22 (Thane), 0/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22, 22/22


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   20/20    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Dalgura   15   17/17    1      13
Hengar    12   22/22    1      NA
Kira      14   15/15    1      NA
Thane     18   17/22    1      NA
Morgrim   15   19/19    1      13


PCs are UP!

Turning away from his kill Morgrim leapt to Thane's defence, crashing into the zombie battering the warrior and striking it down.

Action: Attack hits AC 25 for 8 damage

07:40, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 8 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 3,2.  Damage.
07:40, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 25 using 2d20+5 with rolls of 2,18.  Pack tactics.

Kira moved in with Thane and Morgrim, doing her best to work with one or both of them.

---

07:07, Today: Kira rolled 21 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 16.  Attack on Damaged Zombie.
07:08, Today: Kira rolled 4 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 1.  Damage on Damaged Zombie.
07:09, Today: Kira rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Sneak damage as zombie is engaged by Morgrim or Thane.

Pathetic damage rolls ... absolutely pathetic!

Edit to add for first round of attacks:

16:11, Today: Kira rolled 8 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 3.  Silver Rapier.  BARELY HIT!
16:11, Today: Kira rolled 4 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 1.  Poke.  SERIOUSLY?
16:11, Today: Kira rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  Sneaky Poke.  SERIOUSLY?!?!

The die roller officially needs kicked in the nads!!
This message was last edited by the player at 21:13, Wed 30 Aug 2017.

Thane gaped in astonishment at the huge wolf creature that the diminutive Morgrim had morphed into.  Had the beast not started attacking the zombies, Thane would have considered it a threat, even though Dalgura had already told the party of Morgrim's special ability.  Thus was the fearful reputation of Dire Wolves!

"Nnnngh!" Thane exclaimed as he took a hit from the wounded zombie.  It was taken down before he could counterattack.  "Uhhh, thanks?!?  Since you're so handy, stay close by!" he told the beast, then strode forward to engage the next closest Zombie in melee combat...

---

Move into melee against nearest Zombie.
Attack with silvered flail.
12:31, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 19,6 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 14,3.  Melee vs Zombie (AC 8) (silvered flail). Hit AC19 for 6 damage (silver, bludgeoning)

Thane will use his Protector fighting style for the benefit of whomever steps up to fight adjacent to him.  ["When a creature that you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll.  You must be wielding a shield."]  He can only do this once per round, since it is a reaction.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Wed 30 Aug 2017.

In reply to DM Shard (msg # 29):

Arnan came very close to pissing himself when Morgrim suddenly disappeared right in front of him, and in his place stood a huge dire-wolf. The outdoorsman had spent all of his adult life battling such beasts, and to have one standing so close to him made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Arnan was unsure whether the beast was still Morgrim, somehow . . . but from the looks of things, the wolf was, at the very least, an ally.

Arnan was pleased to see that an attack against one or two zombies released only those monsters from the thrall of Dalgura's magicks. That was how he had understood the cleric's explanation, but it was good to see that the theory held true when put to the test.

That certainly makes this fight more manageable, he thought to himself.

Keeping Dalgura's comments in mind, Arnan shot an arrow at the zombie that Thane had just attacked. The shambling creatures did not seem to have the wit to try and avoid oncoming arrows and wore no armor, so Arnan felt confident in his shot. As expected, the arrow struck its target with a solid "thunk".

---

OOC:
Action: 14:56, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8. Ranged Attack v. Zombie (AC 8). Hit.

14:57, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 7 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 4. Damage (Longbow).

Note: As referenced in the post, Arnan attacked the zombie that Thane had previously wounded.

Hengar steps into the room and focuses his attention on the zombie Kira had previously peppered with arrows. He slashes his axe and tears savagely into the creature's mid-section.

OOC: Hit for 8 points of damage.

Dalgura still stayed in the back since the zombies could still see her and she could still see them.  She was glad to see that the group was working well together.  She saw that Kira had moved in between the better Dalgura raised her holy symbol and again petitioned Sharlindar.  "Oh Mighty Sharlindar, please shed your radiance once again and show these poor souls that they can once again be put to rest.  Let your radiance guide them on the journey."

Later, when Dal would look back on these encounters, she might realize that her prayers and petition to Sharlindar could have been worded better.  Dal knew that her Goddess loved her and she loved her brother, even though he chose another for whatever reason, and felt that Dal and her companions would be triumphant with Sharlindar's blessing.  That was probably a good thing since she was sure Sharlindar was still shaking her head in confusion from her last conversations when Dalgura almost died.

Sacred Flame:  range 60'  target makes a dex sav throw or take 1d8 radiant damage.  Gains no benefit from cover for the saving through.  If they fail the save:  Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 2 using 1d8 with rolls of 2.  spread the radiant love ?  :).

Morgrim bites into one of the wounded zombies and shakes it to death, eventually tossing it aside in a broken heap. Meanwhile, the rest of the party focuses their attacks on other zombies, the room now a roiling cauldron of activity as bunks get overturned and smashed, zombies fly this way and that, and through it all, the adventurers pressing the advantage.

One zombie gets smacked around pretty good, at the end of which, Arnan skewers it with a well placed arrow. By all accounts, it should be dead, but it rises from death yet again, its undead fortitude refusing to allow it to just die.

Zombies face off against Morgrim, Hengar and Thane. Thane parries away the zombie's advances and helps protect Hengar against a second attack, but both the druid and barbarian are scuffed up in the fray.

Meanwhile, Dalgura attempts to scorch a zombie with radiant light, but the battle is moving too quickly and none of the zombies will hold still long enough for it to be effective.


OOC: Morgrim and Hengar are hit for 5 points of damage each. I accounted for Thane's protector fightng style on one attack against Hengar.

Zombies, 6
AC: 8
HP: 0/22, 0/22, 1/22 (Thane), 14/22 (Hengar), 22/22, 22/22


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   20/20    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Dalgura   15   17/17    1      13
Hengar    12   17/22    1      NA
Kira      14   15/15    1      NA
Thane     18   17/22    1      NA
Morgrim   15   19/19    1      13       Dire Wolf (AC14, HP: 32/37)


PCs are UP!

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Fri 01 Sept 2017.

"Why are these things here?" Thane exclaimed as he warded off the attacking Zombie.  "Do they just happen or something?" he called out, his voice sounding disgusted at fighting things that by all rights ought to be dead.

For his part, Thane stood his ground and smashed the zombie to his front solidly on the head, hoping to put it down for good...

---

Move: None
Attack: Wounded Zombie
13:29, Today: Thane Harkensen rolled 14,6 using 1d20+5,1d8+3 with rolls of 9,3.  Melee vs Zombie (AC8) (silvered flail). Hit for 6 damage
Other: Use Protector fighting style to benefit Hengar.

The dire wolf tears through the ranks of the zombies, barrelling them aside and tossing their broken bodies about like rag dolls. As one falls, it turns on the next, rallying to Hengar's side and dragging the dwarven dead back to the grave.

Action: Attack Zombie (Hengar), hits AC 15 (pack tactics) for 15 damage.

15:18, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 15 using 2d6+3 with rolls of 6,6.  Damage.
15:18, Today: Morgrim Ironhammer rolled 15 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 10,6.  Pack tactics.

Kira worked with the others, finding an opening and giving a good jab in hopes of helping these poor beings find their final peace.

---

14:28, Today: Kira rolled 21 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 16.  Silver Rapier.
14:28, Today: Kira rolled 8 using 1d8+3 with rolls of 5.  Damage.
14:28, Today: Kira rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Sneak Damage.
Total of 13 damage!
*pets die roller*  See.  We can get along!!  =o)

In reply to Kira (msg # 39):

Dalgura was stubborn as a...well Dwarf...and she held her ground and called on Sharlindar once again.  "Mighty Sharlindar.  We have sent some to their eternal rest so that you can re-educate them but there are still more.  I shall not give up.  I know that you shall not either.  Use me as your conduit and channel your radiant energy through me so that I may show these Zombies your might and what they COULD have had.  Let them go back to eternal rest and be troubled no more."

Dalgura really did feel sorry for the Zombies.  They could not talk, an internal Hell in Deal's opinion, and they could not be the Dwarves like they used to be. She pointed to a zombie and sent a blast at it.  "Please Sharlindar, it would be awesome if they stood still long enough for your radiance to hit...Amen."


Sacred Flame:  range 60'  target makes a dex sav throw or take 1d8 radiant damage.  Gains no benefit from cover for the saving through.

If they fail the save: Dalgura Ironhammer rolled 6 using 1d8 with rolls of 6.  We shall not give up - radiant dam to zombies.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Fri 01 Sept 2017.

Hengar swings his axe again, this time cleaving into one of the zombies with ease.

OOC: Hit for 5 points of damage
This message was last updated by the player at 22:35, Fri 01 Sept 2017.

Arnan had the luxury of being able to see the entire battle, instead of worrying about a foe that was right in his face. As he looked onl he saw both Thane and the Dire Wolf whom he supposed was Morgrim -- at least after a fashion -- each strike down a zombie.

Kira went after one of the creaures with her rapier and inflicted what looked to be substantial damage. Arnan aimed his next arrow at Kira's target, and let fly.

He looked on in astonishment as the arrow struck something -- a metal buckle, mayhaps -- that sent it flying off to hit the wall behind his target.

"Bollocks!' he growled.

---

OOC:

Action: 19:53, Today: Arnan Aldwynne rolled 8 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 1. Ranged Attack v. Kira's Zombie (AC 8). Miss.

I think that I have just edged you out in the crummiest dice roll competition, Kira.

Thane delivers what should be a final blow to a dwarf zombie, causing it to fall to the ground...only to rise yet again! Kira wastes no time and darts forward, jabbing her rapier into the thing's neck, causing it to stir no more.

Morgrim, in dire wolf form, continues to shred through zombies, viciously tossing another aside with a firm head shake.

Dalgura lights up a zombie with radiant fire and Hengar follows up the attack with a battle axe slash across the same creature's mid-section.

In the ensuing chaos, Thane is unable to get a good bead on anything, bunks crashing this way and that and his companions leaping over and through the fray.

One zombie attacks Hengar and another advances on the dire wolf, both scoring minor hits in the resulting melee. Were these intelligent foes, they would either flee or sue for peace, but being the mindless things they are, the two continue to fight on, lashing out at the beacons of life they now spite.


OOC: Hengar is hit for 5 points of damage, Morgrim is hit for 4 points. I accounted for Thane's protector fightng style on one attack against Hengar.

Zombies, 6
AC: 8
HP: 0/22, 0/22, 0/22 (Thane), 0/22, 11/22 (Hengar), 22/22 (Morgrim)


PC        AC    HP    Insp  Spell Save  Conditions & Notes
Arnan     14   20/20    1      NA       AC 16 w/ shield
Dalgura   15   17/17    1      13
Hengar    12   12/22    1      NA
Kira      14   15/15    1      NA
Thane     18   17/22    1      NA
Morgrim   15   19/19    1      13       Dire Wolf (AC 14, HP: 28/37)


PCs are UP!