Ordin didn't have any weapons with him and with his companion not there he couldn't signal him to attack the drowned thing attacking the boat.  For his part though, Ordin ran down to the end of the dock to possibly help the two men to the dock.

Is there rope that I can toss to them?

In reply to Ordin Oakbranch (msg # 11):

Should have included the scale.  Sorry about that.  Thanks for catching Zale.

Dock is roughly 50' long.  Ordin, consider yourself about 30' away from the boat at the start of the round.  Rez, you'd be the full 50.

Ordin, as you rush down the pier, you see a few coils of rope set up for mooring purposes.  The tow boat is also still moored to the last pole.  The rowers were not going to release until they were ready to shove off.

There is a rope tying the raft to the tow boat.  But that is in the water.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:27, Thu 16 Sept 2021.

This post is for Kozibi only...

For now...

There's a thick taste of bad-morning-after caking your teeth Kozibi.  Whether you indulged or not, there was a small party last night at Grat's Packets.  A bunch of fishermen gathered to have some drinks in honor of some dead woman named Salie something or other.  Though it was more just an excuse to drink.  And you were providing the entertainment.

You curled up beside the fireplace and woke when the girl who sweeps the floor in the mornings started tickling your face with the broom.

"Sorry," she said, still sweeping away as you woke up.  "But I have to get the floor swept.  Can you get up now?"

Lori, the woman who runs the Inn, gives you a tankard of watered down ale and a bowl of that Gombs stuff.  Crappy name.  Tasty though.

Lori watches you breakfast (well really, brunch) and looks around the room.  "They'll be here after the funeral.  But I doubt anyone will be in the mood for entertainment.  That bunch from last night were just lookin' to get drunk."

She refills your tankard with watered down ale.  She won't serve the good stuff until a few hours before sunset.  "So did you decide to settle down here in town?  I-"

Behind you, you can hear the sound of the front door opening.  Lori has some kind of bell set up to ring whenever anyone comes through.  She looks up, her business smile on.

"Wel.....come..."

Her business smile freezes.  You glance behind you.

Standing in the doorway is a halfling.  Or what's left of one.  He's been dead a while.  Like a long while.  One of his arms is torn off at the elbow.  One of his legs is crushed in and he almost topples over as he puts weight on it.

The zombie shuffles forward.  Then falls over when that bad leg finally goes sideways.

It's just laying there on the floor.  Then it starts to use it's hands to drag itself towars the girl with the broom.

Broom Girl stares at it.  Then at Lori.  Then at you.  Then at the halfling zombie again.

She starts to back up, hitting it with the broom.

Moving quickly along the dock as Ordin moves by his hands go together and begin to form what looks like a waterball. He throws it as hard as he can at the drowned man creature as his otter drops down and scurries behind him.

Kozibi opened one eye a bit, a frown marring his handsome features momentarily, as he was 'broomed'. He let out a small sigh but nodded, "Of course, my dear. Almost anything to make you smile." His melodious voice had a bit of an accent to it, which tended to make him either more attractive to some or more obnoxious to others.

He began to stretch as he moved upward. He did it such a way that might seem like he was putting on a show for people, but really he just liked stretching, full-body when possible. It felt so good.

He smiled widely at Lori when she provided him with sustenance and ale, even watered down. "You are a wonderful woman." However, as she spoke up about entertainment, he paused and swallowed what was in his mouth. "I can perform somber tales and songs as well, milady - if desired. I have an extensive repertoire to fit different moods, themes and styles." He didn't say it but the statement exuded 'well-trained'.

He paused with the mug halfway to his mouth as Lori trailed off and froze. He turned his to see what was the matter, gold hair swinging a bit. His eyes widened, then rolled. "Oh, how droll! You couldn't have waited until after breakfast to attack? Scoundrel! Barbarian!" This was all said without too much of a raised voice or note of concern.

He stood and stepped around the table, picking up and unsheathing his longsword from the chair next to where he'd been sitting, but not yet approaching the undead. "Hmm. The two of you should probably step back. As positively brave and fierce as you are, darling, that broom just will not do the trick. Allow me."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:58, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

In reply to Zale Morcant (msg # 14):

The ball of water whizzes through the air Zale, and strikes the Drowned Man squarely in the face.

He seems surprised by the impact.  His hands begin to flail and he drops, smacking his torso on the prow of the boat.

The rower who wasn't touch grabs his friend and starts to duck over the side.  Some of the pallbearers are reaching out to drag them out of the fray.

Ya'lls turn again please.  Thanks
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:05, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 15):

Broom Girl seems more than willing to leave it to you Kozibi.

The halfling keeps inching it's way towards her, oblivious to your resplendence.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:06, Fri 17 Sept 2021.

Kozibi mentally, quickly, reviewed the options available to him. Undead made things more difficult for him. He couldn't charm them, lie to them, intimidate them, and they wouldn't care one whit how well he could perform. But since there was - currently! - only one, and a barely-mobile halfling at that, he decided to just use his sword for the moment.

"If you're here to see me perform, I don't go on for another hour!" He stepped towards the halfling and took a slash at it - the metaphor of 'taking a stab' at something was mangled and lost in the moment.

16:52, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 20,6 using d20+2,d8+2.  Longsword vs Zombie!

If the creature is still alive, Zale presses his hands together as another ball of water forms. He releases it as it flies at the downed creature.

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 18):

Your sword thwunks into the halfling, sending bits of oogly goo about Kozibi.  The cadaver stops twitching.

Broom Girl swallows in a dry throat.  "I'm gonna have to get the mop."

From outside, you can hear someone shouting.  "Zombie in the fish market!"

There's apparently another zombie next door at the fish market.

In reply to Zale Morcant (msg # 19):

The second shot hits in almost the same spot you hit last time Zale

This time, the drowned man's head arcs back at an unnatural angle.  He slumps backwards and into the water.  He doesn't seem to be coming up again.

The pallbearers are dragging the rowers onto the shore.

Just as you all catch your breath, you hear someone shouting from back in town.

"Zombie in the fish market!"

The fish market is really the central warehouse where the town dries, smokes, and stores it's fish.  It's right up the hill from the docks Please see the Salt Lick map

You have knackered the Drowned Man.  So no need to hang around here if you don't want to.

With the drowned man sinking back into the water, Ordin turns at the call in the village.  Another zombie had arrived and was in the fish market.  "I need to get Dillo and my weapons.  I am useless without them," he said to Zale as he sped off towards the inn he was staying at.  It wasn't too far from the fish market either so he could be there in short order.

As he made his way there he reached out with his senses to see if there were any other undead in the area.

Detect undead. 60ft cone-shaped area.

Kozibi wiped his longsword off on the dead halfling's...well, calling them clothes at this point was an insult to outfits everywhere. He turned back to the woman and flashed a bright smile. "And the inn is safe once more! You are both very welcome!"

He didn't wait for applause, as he normally might, but instead back towards the door. "But more meaningful thanks will have to wait. I feel the somewhat unfamiliar urge to go help others in need."

He strode from the door at a brisk pace...but not too fast. He may exude confidence, but if there were actually more than one zombie, or a much more capable one than at the inn, he might get in over his head. It would be a calamity of epic proportions should his beautiful features be marred.

Taking a deep breath, he watches the drowned creature lying dead again. Zale makes sure everyone is okay in his own silent way and starts to head towards the fish market. He goes to grab anything of use like a meat cleaver in case it came down to it, the otter jumping up onto his shoulders. All Ordin gets is a nod from the fish man.

Bellinha, you can see why the villagers call this "Skeeters Pond".  You came out here to do your morning practice.  Doing it in the village always attracts a crowd of kids who stare at you like you've just announced you're about to give out free pancakes.

You finish and wipe your brow, waving at the ever-present swarm of gnats who are buzzing about your skull, looking for the slightest opening.

You pick up the small water skin and cool yourself.  Just a quick climb over the slight ridge that seperates the pond from the village, and you can head back to the Inn to get some breakfast.

That's when you hear someone shout out, "Zombie in the fish market!"

Zombie in the fish market?

Well isn't that a pisser?

You would need to head over the top of  the brown area and you could see down into the fish market.  From there, you would be about seventy feet away.  So at least two rounds to get there.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Mon 20 Sept 2021.

Ordin, you rush up the slope, heading in a northwest slant towards the inn.

You can see the fish market.  Two women come rushing out, screaming:

"It's the end days!"

"And I just put some biscuits in the oven and a zombie, bloody zombie shows up!  Isn't that just typical?"

You do your mystic druid-mystic-detecto thang and pick up two actually.  Both are inside the fish market and close to each other.

As you see the inn door, that bard steps out...

---

Kozibi, you strut out of the inn, lookin' fine, and you see that dwarf who's staying here.  He's coming running up towards the door you're egressing.

Across the way, two housewives are fleeing the fish market, screaming something about biscuits and zombies.

---

Zale, you scurry up the slope.  Two women are rushing out of the fish market, screaming about baked goods.

You can see Ordin rushing to the inn.  And some guy coming out of the inn.

But more importantly, because you are rushing towards the market, you can see the zombies.  Not zombie.  There are two of them.

The market is two areas.  The village warehouse is at the back.  You can see the stout wooden doors are still shut and barred, so it seems doubtful there are any zombies inside.

The front part of the market is a set of stalls and drying racks set up in a square.  In one corner is the communal oven the village wives use to bake bread each morning.  There is one main entrance into the square, but the stalls have low counters so it is easy to hop over them or lob something over them into the central square.

Inside the sqare, a fisherman is brandishing a cleaver, swinging it at two humanesque corpses shambling towards him.  He keeps glancing over his shoulder, trying to make sure the women are gone.

In answer to your question, there seem to be all kinds of potential weapons laying about Zale.  You can see a cleaver and some harpoons.  Also some fishing poles.

The stalls are open to both sides.  You can enter the square just by hoping over one or throw a water ball, etc. over them easily enough.  Your call.

Zale is within range for a ranged attack.  About ten feet away from the outside of the squre.  Twenty five feet away from the zombies.

Kozibi, you cannot see the zombies from the inn doorway, but you can rush over there.  It's about forty feet away to the outside of the square. Thanks
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:38, Mon 20 Sept 2021.

Kozibi hesitated for only a moment, but upon seeing the dwarf rushing towards the fish market, he gave a nod and put on his fiercest face. "Yes! To the fish market!" To the housewives he called out, "Have no fear, fair ladies! We will take care of these foul creatures for you!"

He followed after the dwarf, moving with alacrity, moving as far as he could but not in to contact with the zombies. He wanted to stay a bit back and lure them away from the townsperson. He called out to the zombies, "Come on, zomboys! Why settle for fish when you can have a rare steak?" And with a big grin on his face he dared them, "Eat me."

OOC: I suppose double-moving towards, and in to, the square, but not in to melee, staying at least 10 feet back.

Ordin ran up to the Inn doors seeing the well-dressed man coming out he called to him, "Hey you, there are two zombies in the fish market.  I am grabbing my weapons and will join you there, if you care to help."  This was all said in a huff as Ordin ran past him into the in and up to his room.

The undine once more forms a ball of water and throws it at the closest zombie with some hidden strength. He grabs a harpoon and backs away, gripping it.

In reply to Ordin Oakbranch (msg # 28):

The water ball strikes one of the zombies, forcing it back a few steps.

The other one swivels it's head at Kozibi's voice.  It seems to be taking you up on your invitation Kozibi as it starts to lumber towards you.

The fisherman takes advantage of the distraction and begins to scurry out of the market.

Ordin, you tear up the stairwell in the inn, soon reaching your room and your companion.

Distance wise:

Zale, no real change in your distance.  The zombie is about fifteen feet away now.

Kozibi, you quick timed it over. You can charge forward and attack the one shambling towards you if you like.

Kozibi smiled at the one zombie who looked at him, while managing to look mildly offended that he didn't capture the attention of both! However, he saw the local man able to get away and that made him smile. If he did nothing else today, he had saved the lives of at least three people! "Mum would call that a good start."

He knew the zombie couldn't understand him. It didn't matter. He stepped forward and swung the longsword in a flourishing arc at the undead - too much flourish, as it turned out, and not enough precision. He grimaced as his swing went wide.

22:02, Today: Kozibi Januson rolled 7,10 using d20+2,d8+2.  Longsword vs Zombie.

Bellinha stood rooted for a moment as she looked down at the fracas going on in the market.  There were zombies.  Real life...unlife?...zombies.

As tired as she was feeling, she began to run towards the melee.  Of course what she was going to do once she got there was racing through her head as fast as her feet were racing along the ground.

Zombies?  Seriously?  In Salt Lick?

Gripping the harpoon, Zale moves to get somewhat closer and throws it at the zombie he just hit! If he can he reaches out for another harpoon.

Now at his room Ordin pushed open the door and called to Dillo to follow.  Once Orin had his bow and arrows in hand he ran back down to exit the inn with Dillo closely behind.

In reply to Kozibi Januson (msg # 31):

Ordin, you and Dillo rush back out of the inn.  As you do, you see another zombie.  This one is shambling around the corner of the inn.

Bellinha, you rush over the crest of the hill.  As you do, you can see what appears to be more zombies.  Two are struggling up the lane by the Widow Parkins house.  Another is coming around the side of the inn.

Zale, the harpoon makes a satisfying thwunk sound as it thuds into the zombie.  The zombie cartwheels it's arms but falls backwards.  It is still twitching, as if trying to figure out where the harpoon came from and how to stand back up.

You notice there are two harpoons nearby as well as a couple of scaling knives and a cleaver.

Kozibi, your longsword...which like you is polished to a fine gleam...sails magnificently through the air, managing to avoid getting streaked with any zombie goo.

The zombie at you lunges forward at you. But you deftly, dare one say gracefully, step aside and prepare your next attack.

Okay.  Lots going on.

Ordin, you have a new zombie coming up on your left.  It is comring around the northeast end of the inn and is about twenty feet away at the moment.

Zale, you have almost killed the one in front of you.  You just happened to pick the one with the most hit points.  The next closest zombie is the one attacking Kozibi, about twenty feet away from your current position.

Belinha, the closest zombies to you are the two coming up from the direction of Widow Parkins house.  See below or Message 7 on the Adventurer's Almanac thread.  You are about twenty five feet from them.  As of yet, no one else has seen these zombies or you.  If you call out, Zale and Kozibi will both be able to hear you.

And Kozibi, you of course have a zombie on you.

That is five total zombies.  Zale has almost killed Z1.  Kozibi is fighting Z2.  Ordin and Dillo are close to Z3.  And Bellinha has Z4 and Z5 in sight.

Questions?
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:34, Tue 21 Sept 2021.