Sierpinski stands, makes a sign in the air, and points a demanding finger at the horrid thing. "I compel you to answer! What are you, and what do you seek?"

---

12:26, Today: Sierpinski rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Cast a spell: Speak with dead. I may ask one other question, assuming this works on animated corpses. Nothing keeps the corpse in question from moving or being moved/destroyed before then, of course.

Uri hadn't brought his lute up here with him, but he can work without it.  He points to the young orc with the drums and counts out a beat, then starts singing:

"Give 'em an axe with lots of flash in it,
They might dodge but you can bash and kick,
Give 'em the old hack and slash, 'til they can't see through the blood in their eyes,
That's how   Raz'ul mangles 'em, and you should be so wise."

Uri rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  Arcane Art.

Gania is inspired!  Heal 1d8 damage and take +1d4 forward to damage

(Spout Lore: 13:30, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 13 using 2d6+2 ((5,6)).)

Wow! So that's what a reaper was! Istvan knew something useful about things like that...!

The reaper charged at Gania even as Harlin's arrows pierced its back. They barely seemed to phase it. The reaper dug a necrotic claw into the barbarian's side even as Gania struck it with her sword. The blade sliced its torso in twain, sending the creature flying backward through the air. Right toward Harlin.

Despite its physical form being sliced in half, however, the spiritual shadow that enveloped it kept the two pieces from separating too far. It was still in a single piece as it was flung toward Harlin.

Seeing how the dark spiritual blanket kept the physical aspects from separating sparked a memory in Istvan's memory. He had heard of such creatures before, but they were called "skeletal specters" in those tales. He knew physical weapons were not nearly as effective against them as magically imbued weapons were.

Even as all of this was happening, Uri's music was flooding the battlefield with his magical tune. Gania could feel the effects of her recent wound already beginning to heal. Likewise, Sierpinski's spell was compelling the creature to answer his questions even as it was locked in deadly combat. Its dark aura turned to speak to Sierpinski even as its physical form absorbed the blow of arrows and blades.

In a slow raspy voice, it hissed its unwilling replies. "I am a pawn of the great eldermagesssss! We seek to finally avenge the ancestors and bring this city to its kneesssss!"

What do you do?

---

Istvan
You essentially know that normal weapons will only do half damage. A weapon imbued with a magical aura (not merely a magical weapon) would do full damage. How do you know this?

Sierpinski
What are you
A reaper pawn of the three eldermages.

what do you seek?
To avenge the ancestors by somehow bringing Travisi to is knees.

Uri
Your arcane arts worked perfectly.

Harlin
Your arrows hit, but now you have a reaper about to crash into you. You'll need to Defy Danger if you wish to avoid taking damage.

Gania
You sliced the creature in half and knocked it back, but it did not actually split in half as one might expect. And it dug its unholy claws into you in the process. But Uri is using his magic to aid you!

Take d6 damage, armor counts. Then heal 1d8 damage and take +1d4 forward to damage.

Harlin grimaced at the news. Non-magical weapons were what he had.

But for now, he back-pedaled. He was pretty sure being engulfed by the thing would lead to no happy endings.

Defy Danger 8. stumble, hesitate, or flinch: the GM will offer you a worse outcome, hard bargain, or ugly choice.

13:11, Today: Harlin Greenarrow rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Dex).

Sierpinski blinked, apparently surprised that the spell actually worked on the creature. Then he looks puzzled as he speaks commandingly to the creature again before the spell wanes. "Wait! This city actually has knees. How do you intend to bring it to its knees?"

Istvan and Gania did a job for Cardinal Glasha of the church of Olalla (a.k.a. the thieves' guildmaster of Vierna) one time and he paid them in books and scrolls he couldn't figure out how to fence. Istvan read 'em all... The bit about "skeletal specters" was in Collected Tales and Folklore of the Hinterlands, in "Tale 58: How Clever Rania Tricked the Necromancer"

Uri continues his song, but focuses its magical effects on Harlin this time.

Uri rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Arcane Art.

Harlin takes +1d4 forward to damage, and the next time someone aids him it will give him +2 instead of +1

Harlin stepped nimbly to the side and avoided the oncoming threat. Unfortunately, to get out of the way, he had to step in the way of Mayor Ploth Krag and Daggerthroat Iron-beard. Both of whom were intending to strike at the foul reaper themselves. Instead, the reaper sailed past and struck a serving cart, sending cooked meats sprawling across the floor.

The reaper rose up from where it had crashed, hovering, and grabbed at the spear that had been lodged into its chest cavity outside. To Sierpinski it answered, "The eldremagesssss. They created a trap. They-" The reaper pulled the spear out of itself without so much as a flinch. "tapped into the power of the world-thread and will use it to slice Travisi in twainnnnn!"

With renewed vigor, the reaper thrall rose several feet higher into the air and launched its spear toward Sierpinski. The mage who's magic had forced it to divulge secrets that should not have been shared. And in the same fluid motion as its throw, it propelled its body toward Istvan in a reckless charge.

What do you do?

---

Harlin
You avoided damage, but also prevented the nearest NPCs from immediately joining the fight. Still, Uri's magic is now flowing into you. Take +1d4 forward to damage and get +2 if someone Aids you.

Sierpinski
How do you intend to bring it to its knees?
The eldermages plan to slice Travisi in half with the power of the world-thread.

Also, there is a spear flying toward you.

Istvan
The reaper is barreling toward you through the air with the intent of ending your life.

Uri
Another solid performance. The reaper seems to have barely noticed your presence.

Gania
Same as before. If you haven't already, take d6 damage, armor counts. Then heal 1d8 damage and take +1d4 forward to damage.

Harlin tries to get out of the way of his allies, leaving him with a narrow opening for a volley.

Volley. 8. Take the damage penalty for a net of 5, halved for 2. If someone aids me, it's 11 damage, halved to 5.

16:11, Today: Harlin Greenarrow rolled 6 using 1d6.  Damage penalty.
16:10, Today: Harlin Greenarrow rolled 11 using d8+2+d4.  Damage+cat+Uri.
16:09, Today: Harlin Greenarrow rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Volley (before any Aid).

As the reaper sped toward Istvan, his personal sense of time slowed down. Wait, he realized, weapons with a magical aura? That's me. That's my thing. Of course it's attacking me. I'm MISTER Weapons With A Magical Aura. That's my middle name, full name "Istvan Weapons With A Magical Aura Vanoson." Soooo I should probably do that now. I'd do a full-blown duel if I was only at full health. As it is... fine, I'll steal some more health...

Istvan tried attacking...

((16:07, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 1,4.  soul-siphon this damned thing.

16:08, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 1 using 1d8 with rolls of 1.  rolling for damage to the damned thing.

Istvan gets a 7 on his attack, and/but does ONE point of damage...

I don't suppose I killed it? Because I get more health from my soul-siphoning attack if I kill it...)

Sierpinski ducked desperately out of the way and then tried to cast a spell to increase his cover. Flecks of shifting color began to detatch from nearby surfaces, and past themselves over the mage's body, making his outward color match whatever (other than him) anyone looking his way expected to see.

---

14:24, Today: Sierpinski rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Cast a spell: invisibility. Sierpinski is invisible. He can't cast spells while this spell is ongoing. This comes after the spear attack, which I don't think I get to just say he dodged.

With the Reaper turning its attention to Istvan, Uri decided to do the same.  Unfortunately he had just gotten to the verse that he always had trouble remembering, and he stumbled rather badly in his performance.

Uri rolled 5 using 2d6+2.  Arcane Art.

Gania staggered away from the grip that seemed to drain life from her. If not for Uri's magical enoucragment she might not be able to continue. She took a moment to recover and she switched her sword for the serpentine glaive. The barbarian wasn't as well versed in the nature of magic and had hoped it would affect the undead creature.

Ready to rejoin the fight and fire blazing within her, Gania moved to intercept the specter spear before it reached Sierpinski. "Mozerat!" she yelled and angled her strike to push the monster towards the dervish, trusting him to be ready with his blades.

09:41, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 4,3 using 1d6-1,1d8.  Damage, Inspiration heal.
09:43, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 1,8 using 1d6,1d8.  Conquest hack. for a total of 11

09:46, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 4,1 using 1d10+1,1d4.  Glaive damage to specter.
+2 if Mozerat helps out after the forceful attack

09:51, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Aid Sierpinski to defy danger?
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:56, Sat 27 July 2019.

The spear that was headed toward Sierpinski struck with a thud, but it was unclear if it had hit its mark. For Sierpinski disappeared from view entirely, thanks to his magic spell. The mage was safe from being further targeted for the moment though, so he only had to worry about getting caught in the crossfire of battle.

As the reaper thrall lunged toward Istvan, Harlin's arrow struck its shoulder and threw the undead slightly off balance. A clawed hand that was about to clutch Istvan's throat merely grasped his shoulder instead. Its lipless mouth seemed to almost smile with sadistic glee. The duelist could smell the rot in its breath. But the reaper's vile expression quickly faded as it realized Istvan had made a well placed soul-siphoning strike of his own.

Gania stepped in a moment later with her serpentine glaive and caused the reaper to fly forcefully backward, away from Istvan and toward the dervish. Mozerat was waiting with three of his swords drawn and pointed toward the reaper. The undead creature landed on his three blades like a duck on a roasting skewer. Its shadow-clad skin flickered and began to whisp away like smoke. Its flesh crumbled into rotten chunks on the floor. Just as the magic was leaving it entirely, the reaper threw back its head and let out a horrific death wail.

"ReeeeAAAAAHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh!"

Unfortunately, this was at the exact moment that Uri's music faltered. His sound-based magic mingled into the death wail and seemed to amplify it. Everyone in the room couldn't help but clutch their ears as the sound resonated out into the night. The adventurers knew in the pits of their stomach that the death wail was a call for aid.

More would be coming soon...

What do you do?

---

The reaper thrall was defeated! But it called out for help with its dying breath. More reapers will likely show up at your current location soon.

Sierpinski
You are correct that you don't "get to just say he dodged." Sounds like you tried to Defy Danger with Dex though. Feel free to roll for it if you don't want to automatically take 1d6 damage. 10+ and you take no damage, 7-9 and you roll 1d6 twice and take the lower result, 6- and you take 1d6 damage. Armor counts. No Aid from Gania though since she never said how she was aiding you. Sorry. You get +1 to the roll from Gania's Aid.

You are currently invisible.

Harlin
Nobody aided, so just the 2 damage was dealt.

Istvan
Take 1d6 damage. Armor counts. Then heal 1d4 damage. It was sooo close to dying from your strike, but not quite.

Gania
Your attack with Mozerat finally killed it off. The glaive didn't seem to be any more effective against it though, aside from having reach. It is a magic weapon, but its attacks aren't magical in nature. Also, I didn't count your Aid roll since it was never mentioned how you were aiding Sierpinski in avoiding the spear thrown at him. I'll tell you the "danger, retribution, or cost" from your Aid roll in my next post.

Uri
Add XP if you haven't already! Your botched Arcane Art seems to have accidentally amplified the reaper's call for help.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:00, Sat 27 July 2019.

(21:08, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6.  taking damage.
21:08, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 1 using 1d4 with rolls of 1.  healing damage.

Istvan takes 5 damage (after armor).
Istvan gets 1 point healed back (woo).

Dice hate Istvan and he doesn't even get any new xp.

Istvan starts with 9, ends up losing 5, getting 1. Istvan has 5 hp.

Istvan is sad.)

"I'm... I'm wounded," said Istvan. "...Some more."

As Sierpinski vanishes, the spear whips past the point where he had recently been visible. There's a ripping sound and the wizard flashes into full visibility again, only this time on the floor and looking the worse for wear.

---

12:36, Today: Sierpinski rolled 4 using 2d6.  Defy Danger (Dex) against thrown spear. Fail. Mark experience.
12:40, Today: Sierpinski rolled 6 using 1d6.  Damage from spear.
Spell Defense: end an ongoing spell and subtract its level (1) from the damage. 5 damage. 8/17 remaining.

"Good work." Gania praised the dervish before taking stock of the rest of the group, and the gathered citizens. "I hope this was sufficient entertainment for now." She gestured at Sierpinski and Istvan, grimacing as the movement pulled on her own wound. "There will be more coming and we'll need healing before fighting again." She looked from the priest to the major and back.

10:28, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 11 using 2d6.  Parley - healing to fight on.

Normally Uri would be happy to play some soothing music to help his companions heal their wounds, but after that last mistake he is hesitant, and waits to see if the priest will take care of that instead.  In the meantime, he racks his brain, trying to recall any legends that involve heroes fighting death spirits, which might help him to identify another vulnerability of theirs.  Or something that will repel them before they even need to keep fighting.

Uri rolled 7 using 2d6+1.  Spout Lore.

When Gania insinuated to the mayor that the party could use some healing, Ploth looked to the high priest at the table and gestured with her head for him to help the adventurers. The priest of Gantinara, Dogran Skullcracker, rushed over to help those who seemed most in need. Twessa also rushed over to help those with less serious wounds.

"Thank you for your assistance," Mayor Ploth said. Her voice sounded a bit rushed. "I do not think we should dwell here long. That sound the reaper made... It means more are on their way. We should take shelter. Or at least find a more defensible location."

Just then Mr. Talon the scoutmaster returned to the room with a worried look on his aven face. "Madam mayor. I am afraid we have a situation. The reapers. They are in a frenzy outside. I have never seen them act this way before. Or this many of them. I fear for the safety of the city. There are even reports of The Three being spotted..."

Mayor ploth's face sunk. Whoever The Three were, their presence obviously worried the mayor quite a bit.

While all of this was going on, Uri searched his memories of relevant tales. The only one that was semi-relevant that came to mind, however, was the tale of Enchantress Milliaka. She was in a town being besieged by all manner of undead that were being controlled by an evil necromancer. The sheer numbers were overwhelming, but her allies managed to pull through when she found a way to sever the connection between the undead and their leader. The enemy's group cohesion went into chaos when the undead became freed.

What do you do?

---

Everyone currently below half HP heal 2d8 from the high priest's magic. Everyone currently above half HP heal 1d8 from Twessa's healing.

Uri
I told you something interesting, but it’s on you to make it useful. How do you know this story about Enchantress Milliaka?

The spear must not have struck Sierpinski, because he's able to recover quickly once he's helped up and allowed to catch his breath.

One he's feeling hale again, he re-weaves his spells. He creates a telepathic bond between himself and one of his allies and then retreats into invisibility, though not without a noticeable aftereffect.

"I'm ready to move from here," says an empty spot in the air. "I don't know how the 'world-thread' can pose a danger to the city, but if we hope to prevent it we'll probably have to get into the thick of things."

---

11:06, Today: Sierpinski rolled 13 using 2d6+2.  Cast a spell: Telepathy. Target: Whichever other PC wants the link.
11:06, Today: Sierpinski rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Cast a spell: Invisibility. This casting draws unwelcome attention to Sierpinski or puts him in a spot. The GM will tell me how.

(14:21, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 8 using 2d8 ((4,4)). Istvan gets 8 HP back and is now at 13.)

"'The Three?' Whom are The Three?" Istvan asked.

"I enjoyed it." Gania replied "But more will be tricky. If you have a place in mind lead us there." Still holding the glaive, she asked no one in particular "Would catching one help?"

She straightened as the priest's magic closed most of her wounds and removed fatigue. "Thank you." she bowed her head to him and the major.

16:00, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 13 using 2d8.  Healing.

"If we can kill one of the Three, will that settle the swarm?"

One probably won't be enough, Uri says to Harlin.  If the Three are the commanders, or whatever, then probably any one of them would be enough to keep the things coming.  If we can take out all of them, cool, but it sounds like that's probably easier said than done.  But maybe there's a way to, I dunno, disconnect them?  Sierpinski, do you think you could pull off a spell like that?

If pressed, Uri will tell the others about Milliaka's relevant exploits.  It was a tale he had only learned fairly recently, swapping tales with the merchants in a caravan that had taken him on when they happened to be traveling in the same direction.  He hadn't had a chance to learn more about Milliaka since then, but it was certainly on his to do list.