Abomination! (Part 2)
The golem leads you over the valley to the edge of where the river meets the woods. There's a huge house there, at the top of a hill with a massive barn beside it that seems to be missing its roof. The golem points to the house, and the barn and it's hand wavers.
"MASTER."
After a long moment, Telamon says hesitantly, "I... don't suppose that just burning the place to the ground without going inside is an option, is it? That house looks like the setting for those penny dreadful tales where ghosts eat the unsuspecting fools that disturb them..."
During the conversation ..er...attempted conversation..with the Flesh Golem, Ignis grew quiet and inclined his head, watching the creature thoughtfully. It seemed as if its intention and nature was clear but..still.
He eventually simply shakes his head and mutters something to himself before looking more sharply as the creature gestures back to the village and begins to lead the group on. Once the house is reached and the golem indicates it...Ignis frowns, his heart sinking abit.
"I hope I'm wrong about what I'm starting to think but I'm getting a bad feeling about this.. I'll not be one to accuse falsely but I hope we haven't been given the run around in hopes we'd get into a fight with this creature and solve this 'Masters' own problems..."
He strides forward, hand on blade and looking ready to move right in but pauses as he hears Telamon and turns towards him. "...No..probably not."
Randolf looks up at the house on the hill, his shaggy red brows furrowed angrily. He grips his wand tightly, puffing up his burly chest. "Aye, I found meself thinkin' the same thing," he says. "But... I dinnae think Elder Vern lives up -there-." He glances back over at Telamon. "There could be innocent people in there," he says. "We have tae go in an' see exactly what we're about." Tapping his wand against his palm, he sketches a quick pattern. "Re ex re su scutus!" he incants. Flicking the wand out grandiosely, a ring of silvery-blue hexagons whirls out from him, locking into place briefly before vanishing in a flash. "Besides. I'd like tae give this -Master- a piece o' my mind. Followed by me boot tae his arse."
Telamon sighs heavily. "I was afraid you'd say that." He makes two gestures, murmuring soft words, bringing his hands close to his chest. A shimmer of starlight wraps around him for a moment, before fading again. Squaring his shoulders, he looks to Randolf. "Where to first?"
GAME: Randolf casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15 GAME: Telamon casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15
The golem doesn't seem inclined to want to follow you, but rather hangs back and watches you as you discuss your options. Though the creature's face doesn't hold much in the way of expression, you get the impression that it's actively afraid of the house and its accompanying barn. By silent agreement you head enmass toward the barn, leaving the golem behind as you head toward it's doorway. The latch is undone and its easy to slip inside but... You almost immediately wish you hadn't.
There's contraptions and /things/ all over the place. Including some kind of gnome's dream machinery taking up the middle space. Bodies line the walls on beds. Some fully put together, others... not. Bits and pieces are missing. It's a horror house of bodies being built and the horror of it is fully realized when you recognize that most of the bits of body were clearly /not/ dug up out of graves but in fact seem... fairly fresh.
GAME: Telamon rolls fortitude: (18)+1: 19 GAME: Ignis rolls fort: (12)+9: 21 GAME: Randolf rolls Fortitude: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Telamon rolls Perception: (13)+7: 20
Telamon gags, loudly, and somehow manages NOT to lose his dinner. He stares at the ceiling for a moment, hand clamped over his mouth, before closing his eyes and taking a shallow breath. "Gods and stars," he mumbles. Then he pauses, cocking his head. He swallows, and whispers, "Randolf. Ignis," before pointing to one of the horse stalls. "There's something in there."
"This is.."
Words escape Ignis as he stares at the horrifying scene in front of him. He is clearly quite stunned and for what passes for a few moments seems as if he is out of his depth. He manages to draw upon some internal foundation within him to steady himself while asking, "These bodies are not the work of grave robbers! The villagers didn't mention missing people, did they??"
At Telamons words, Ignis turns towards the stables and his blade is drawn in a clean swift motion as he turns towards the stalls and takes a step forward.
GAME: Ignis rolls perception: (12)+0: 12
Randolf turns white as milk under his beard as he beholds the terrible vista before him. His hefty middle gives an angry-sounding gurgle, and he gulps hard. "Oh, blessed Reos, raise up Yer hammer an' defend us," he mutters hoarsely. He gives himself a stern shake looking up at his companions. To Ignis, he says "Nay lad, I dinnae think they did. But... these could be travelers from anywhere. Poor souls." Telmon's warning turns his gaze to the horse stalls. He scowls dourly, lifting his wand. -He- can see in the dark just fine, but he strikes up a softly glowing blue-tinted orb on the tip of his wand. "Re ex re anos lumina!" His grip tightens as he edges a bit closer. Then hops up on tiptoes. Then settles back down on his feet with a growl. "Damn it, I cannae see -over- the bloody thing!"
There's a hoarse sound from within the horse stall. It's got in fact a rather tall door, and some chicken wire strung over the top portion. The door gives a little thump right next to Randolf. "H-elp." Says a hoarse voice. "Please!" The voice comes a second time, a mere whisper of noise really, but Randolf is right next to the door. Which is locked on the outside. "Help!"
Well that's all Ignis needs to hear. His previous flabbergasted look had turned into more muted confusion at not seeing anything and now rising righteous anger at this whole situation. He strides forward for the door to examine the lock and if there's a way to hack it off or otherwise force the door open. "We're here. Hold tight." He offers the voice as he pauses and looks over it all and then towards the others, "Shall we?"
Telamon looks around, helplessly, before just standing with Ignis in front of the door. He doubts whoever's in the stall is in any condition to fight, and he's trying -- perhaps futilely -- to block any sight of the horrors spread across the tables there. "I knew I should've bought that bottle of whiskey yesterday. I'm going to need it when this is over."
Randolf's eyes get wide as he hears that cry for help. "Beards o' me fathers!" He trundles forward, looking over the stalls. He reaches up to grip the padlock, giving it a sharp tug. "Hang on there, friend, we'll get ye out!" He takes a step back, fumbling around in his hip satchel. Out comes a rolled strip of vellum that he unfurls with a snap of his wrist. He holds it up high, clearing his throat. "Re ex re klematis ankyo!" The words written on the vellum flare a bright gold, before turning into sparkling dust that blows away, leaving a blank page. At the same time, the padlock clicks open of its own accord. Nodding his head, he reaches forward to haul open the door. "Once we get this Master dealt with, first round's on me, laddie," he says to Telamon.
GAME: Randolf used a Scroll of Knock.
Inside are... children. Which macabre sense really. You hadn't seen any smaller flesh golems being made on your way in and suddenly you're very /glad/ for this. Instead there are seven children of varying ages locked in this horse stall. The oldest, the boy near the door is holding another boy who's much younger. He's almost old enough to be an adult, but he's small for his age. He looks at you and starts shaking the other kids out of their stupor. "Thank you." He says it over and over and the other children wake up to look at you with wide terrified eyes and hope.
GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Randolf rolls Perception: (8)+6: 14 GAME: Ignis rolls perception: (20)+0: 20
Ignis sighs with relief as the door is open and the children are revealed, but he quickly cuts his gaze to the side and then turns towards the barn entrance, uttering a quick warning, "Someone's coming." to the others. He steps forward, putting himself in front of the small group and the recovered children while frowning darkly, "Any ideas, do it quickly."
Telamon is a bit dumbstruck by the children. Why are.. okay, no, let's not think about it. Let's NOT. It's almost a relief when Ignis warns that someone is coming. "Maybe it's the golem?" he offers hopefully, although he follows that up with, "If it's not, I think 'carving people up to assemble into horrid crimes against nature' is still a capital crime in most civilized places..."
Randolf draws in a deep breath as the wee ones are revealed. "Och, you poor bairns. Not tae fret now, we'll get ye out o' here safely." He looks over his shoulder at Ignis' warning. With a growl he turns, putting his back to the kids and lifting his wand defensively. His other hand reaches to pull the axe off his belt, and he squares his shoulders. "Oh, I'm goin' tae -paste- that sheep fucker," he growls. He holds himself ready for whatever might be coming.
What one might /not/ expect to see is a gnome of rather short stature wandering in somewhat aimlessly into the barn. So absorbed into his own thoughts is he that he doesn't even notice you as he heads toward the big machine in the middle of the room to start fiddling with it. There's suddenly a low hum in the room and he mutters to himself. "No storm, no storm, no good. Need lightning in the skies for this to work. Have to make my own storm. It'll be so good. All my little creations come to life! Yes, yes! One storm, one golem!"
Oh. No. This just won't do. Ignis just sort of stares and then quietly thanks Daeus for how pre occupied the gnome is less he attempt something on them while the children are vulnerable.
"Quickly!" hisses Ignis to Telamon and Randolf, "Usher the children out of here, out of danger while he's distracted. Let me get try and get his attention until they're in the clear and then join me."
Smuldur gasps aloud at the discovery and points. "Trained attack children!" What could possibly be more insidious?! A few wide-eyed glances from some to paralyze all with good hearts! All while their fiendish compatriots devour all opposition to the bone, consume their gold, and even their dwellings around them! While giggling with glee!
That's his experience with children, at least.
Telamon has never really wanted to -hurt- someone before, so this is quite a first. But Ignis makes a good point. The children have to be protected. He forces a reassuring smile onto his face and turns to the kids. "Come, friends. The stars are beautiful this evening, and I think my friend Ignis here is about to seriously wallop this gnome in the name of Alexandros and the gods of Light."
Randolf grunts softly. He -so- wanted to fight this guy. But Ignis is right, the children need protecting. He opens his burly arms wide, chivvying the little ones while keeping his gaze locked on the gnome. "Right, c'mon now children, quiet as mice!" he mutters under his breath. He keeps his wand and axe at the ready, -just- in case the opportunity for a blasting and/or hewing presents itself.
The gnome looks up at Smuldur's gasp as the group of children start making their way - quickly - for the exit. The gnome flips a switch and the whole contraption begins to glow as he glares at the group of you. "What are you doing? I need those! I've been feeding them for weeks trying to get them to grow into useable parts!" He glares at the children who move - faster - running in fact to scurry out of the barn. "GET BACK HERE!"
"Well, you've wanted to burn something, right?" says Ignis towards Smulder, "Let's go burn something.."
With that, Ignis turns and starts striding in the direction of the contraption and the gnomish....fleshcrafter? He grimaces, just trying to figure out what has possessed the gnome to attempt these experiments but ultimately ends up calling out, "Hey! It's supposed to be in the nature of the soldiers of Daeus to give an epic challenge or speech or something but I'm afraid I didn't do to well in those--"
The gnome is ignoring him and yelling and now the contraption is glowing. "..Hey!"
Well the time for any sort of speechifying, no matter how corny, and he goes into a run, heading for the gnome and his place at the controls with full intention on roughly grabbing him and yanking him from it if able to.
Someone said the magic words! Smuldur's eyes alight, even before Torchie is freed from his loin-sack and sparks to life. Fire bad? Maybe for others.
"Move, my friends!" Telamon sweeps the children towards the door, flicking an icy stare at the ranting gnome. He can't help it. He snarls something in gnomish that would probably get his mouth washed out with soap -- it's fairly offensive.
The children escape outside, and the gnome hits another lever that causes the hum to reach fever pitch. The whole thing sparks with lightning and that sparks out in turn along the ground to the bodies which... twitch. The gnome laughs and his wide eyes stare at you with madness inherit. "I felt the call! I felt the need to build and I BUILT! For the glory of darkness! For the one who came into my dreams and to this! THE REALITY OF MY DREAM!" He cackles madly and steps back from his machine even as lightning arcs over the huge machine.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (55): 55 GAME: Smuldur rolls disable device: (4)+3: 7
Sparkly! Electicity is not nearly as awesome as FIRE! but it still lights up. That makes it almost as good. Also, levers! Buttons! So many moving parts. "I fix!" A gnome made it so it's obviously broken. Smuldur adjust things by poking at buttons with Torchie and yanking or pushing levers with his other hand.
Randolf turns as the last of the children are safely seen outdoors. He rounds on the gnome, eyes wild and his beard bristling. "Felt the call? FELT THE CALL?!" he roars. "You sick sack of week-old -ogre shit-! Those are -children-, ye bastard! These -people-!" He snaps his wand up with a snarl. "Ye want a storm, do ye?! HAVE SOME O' THIS! RE EX RE INCARDO LEVINTAS! HAH!" He snaps his wand out, and a blast of lightning erupts to crackle straight at the mad reanimator!
GAME: Randolf casts Lightning Bolt. Caster Level: 5 DC: 17 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (41): 41
The lightning bolt arcs toward the gnome and rather than hitting him hits the machine he's standing next to! The one that poor Smuldur is fiddling with. The machine gives a horrid whirling sound and all the bodies twitch again, this time rolling over and... beginning to move.
Randolf gapes as he sees what his most powerful spell has wrought. "... oh, piss up my -arse- ..."
GAME: Ignis rolls melee: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
"For Daeus' sake!" yells Ignis in furious frustration as he lunges forward and snatches up a fallen beam of wood suitable enough to both lift and be dangerous. Trying to attack the machine with a sword is..probably not a good idea with the sparking electricity and flying lightning bolts.
A moment later and he's swung, bringing it around like a large club to..ineffectively shatter it against the controls, sending splinters flying everywhere and Ignis looking dumbfounded once again at the results of his efforts.
Once the children are safely outside -- "If you see a big green guy, leave him alone. He won't bother you." -- Telamon whirls to face the gnome and the machine. The barn's missing roof makes his eyes flick to the calm, glimmering stars, and that seems to cool his temper. Deliberately, he gestures in a circle over his head, and several tiny stars fall from the skies above to strike at the machine -- hopefully it's too fragile to take too many hits.
GAME: Telamon spends ONE use of MINUTE METEORS.
The bodies are up and moving now. A couple falling over due to lacking limbs to keep them upright. The gnome laughs. "THEY AWAKEN! Kill these simple fools my golems! Kill them all!!!" He points at you guys and then sort of hides behind the machine-like contraption lest another lightning bolt be directed toward him.
GAME: Smuldur RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 8 temporary HP GAME: Smuldur rolls melee+2+1: (18)+7+2+1: 28 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d100: (70): 70 GAME: Smuldur rolls 1d4+strength+2+1 fire: (1)+2+2+1 fire: 6
Fire! Smuldur saw that hit the whatchamahickeydoodad! What's better than fire?! MOAR FIRE! He cackles. Snarls. Slobbers. Then he starts hitting on the thing with Torchie the Magnificent.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 2d6: (10): 10 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20: (6): 6 GAME: Randolf rolls 5d6: (23): 23 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10
Randolf ducks, lifting his axe-wielding arm to ward off a shower of debris as things start exploding all around him. Then, those golems flicker with electricity and start to rise. He bares his teeth in an enraged snarl at the gnome. "Simple? SIMPLE?! GO DRINK YER MUM'S PISS, YE DOSS CUNT! HRAAAGH!" He turns his attention back to the golems, lifting his wand. "RE EX RE INCARDO LEVINTAS! YEARRRGH!" SHRRZZZAPP! Another lightning bolt arcs out, coiling around three of the golems. Their eyeballs bug out and pop as their flesh cooks, and their stitching pops. They slough off down into piles of steaming gore. Randolf whips his wand to face the others. "WHO ELSE WATS SOME?!" he roars. He is in a -towering- fury.
GAME: Telamon casts Snapdragon Fireworks. Caster Level: 2 DC: 15 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (2): 2 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20: (12): 12
It's a good thing that Paladins are known for their powerful wills and sense of self and great conviction because one could be liable to have extreme self doubt and shattered confidence what with the wild flailing that Ignis does as he hurriedly brings his sword around in a wild swipe for the approaching zombie. And misses entirely. Given that the zombies are not necessarily of the 'run at you terrifyingly' kind ..this is particularly frustrating though it only serves to fuel the paladins anger that much more.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12
Telamon begins gesturing, threads of silver light forming in his cupped fingers as he speaks sibilantly. Then he releases what he's been shaping: a tiny dragon of silver and blue light, that streaks into the machine with a loud bang and a brilliant, beautiful silvery flash -- which causes the machine to topple over. "Ware the tree!" he adds, -after- it falls.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12
The gnome lets out a horrified shriek as the tower collapses on him and pins him to the ground. His abominations wildly swing at the paladin Ignis and Smuldur to little avail, and he himself wiggles in futility to free himself from his entrapment.
GAME: Smuldur rolls melee+2+1: (10)+7+2+1: 20 GAME: Smuldur rolls 1d4+1d6: (2)+(1): 3 GAME: Smuldur used a Alchemist's Fire. GAME: Randolf rolls Melee: (4)+4: 8
Smuldur turns to the undeaded trying to smack him and growls back at it. When in doubt, use more fire... so he pulls out a fragile vial of inflammable liquid. And the outside of it bursts into flames. He then smacks the thing with it, but the burst of flame is not nearly as rewarding as he expected. Maybe it was a dud?
Randolf steps in to assist Ignis, rearing back with his battle axe and delivering a mighty swing! -So- mighty, in fact, that the momentum spins him in a circle. Which has the unfortunate side-effect of making him miss his slow-moving target. "Gyah!"
GAME: Ignis rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d10+3: (5)+3: 8 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d10+3: (8)+3: 11 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20: (16): 16 GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (3): 3 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20: (5): 5
Oh yeah. -This- is how to fight.
Inspiration seems to return to our wayward paladin and in a move of flash sword play he whirls his family-blade around in a twisting attack that rips through the zombie that is the source of his ire one way and then back again sending ichor bits of body flying along the arc of his flashy strike. A sigh of relief escapes Ignis as the zombie falls in twain and Ignis turns, looking for another and failing that, the gnomish mastermind.
GAME: Telamon spends ONE use of MINUTE METEORS. GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+5: (16)+5: 21
Well, the machine's down but the zombies are still in play. Telamon decides to try and assist Smuldur -- Ignis is well armored and Randolf's helping out there. A gesture, and another barrage of tiny meteors walks -past- the zombie, causing a curse to fall from Tel's lips. His last snapdragon does better, exploding in the zombie's face. "You all right?" he calls to Smuldur.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10
The one undazzled zombie punches Ignis in the face - hard enough to rock the man backwards. A solid retribution for having downed one of its own kind.
GAME: Smuldur rolls melee+2+1: (12)+7+2+1: 22 GAME: Smuldur rolls 1d4+strength+2+1 fire: (1)+2+2+1 fire: 6
Where pure fire doesn't work, Torchie's Brilliance shall succeed! Smuldur bonks the zombie, delivering Torchie's Wrath and down it goes. Even better, it's on fire. Even betterer(?), more stuff is catching fire?! "Haha! Torchie win!"
Randolf grunts as he gets his balance back under him. He ducks another spray of fire, then hops up on tiptoes, almost making a perfect C shape with his body as some debris goes flying. "Beards o' me tapdancin' -fathers-, enough is ENOUGH!" He hops a step back from the zombie and lifts his wand. "RE EX RE UR EKISOS! HAH!" A trio of blue orbs burst from the tip and fly in a helix pattern at the zombie, strobing brilliantly as they impact!
GAME: Randolf rolls 3d4+3: (5)+3: 8 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d20+6: (7)+6: 13 GAME: Ignis rolls 1d10+3: (9)+3: 12
Telamon immediately runs over after Smuldur smokes the zombie, and proceeds to vigorously stomp out the hay, keeping it from getting too far out of hand. He looks at Smuldur apologetically. "Sorry. But... I don't think we want to give these poor souls a crematory pyre without proper blessings." His eyes shift to the pinned gnome. "Although it would serve that one right..."
The blow was powerful, nearly took his head off, but Ignis recoils and rebounds from it rapidly, moving fully into the flow of combat.
Around once again comes Ignis sword as he turns towards the next and hopefully final zombie. This strike isn't nearly as flashy as the previous one. It seems his moment of inspiration has left him ..but fortunately it is enough as the sword lands home and the zombie drops, falling to the ground from the violent strike. He then reaches up towards his face and grimaces, "Ow.. Was that ...a half-orc zombie? Gods!"
Randolf looks around as the last of the zombies falls. He snorts a breath through his nose, holstering his battle axe with a firm nod. "You a'right there, laddie? That one got a good lick in on ye," he says to Ignis. After making sure that all his comrades are well, he turns his attention to the gnome. He stalks forward, his hand white-knuckled around the grip of his wand. "As fer -you-," he snarls. He sets his shoulder to the toppled contrap-ta-tron and heaves, shoving it off the gnome with a roar. "Yer comin' with -us-." As the gnome starts to gibber a protest, Randolf steps in. He cocks his fist back and drives it square into the gnome's face, dropping him like a sack of potatoes. "Shut up, ye gobshite." Muttering and snarling angrily into his beard, he digs into his hip satchel for his Adventurer's Guild Standard Issue 50' of hempen rope, using it to bind the gnome up. "Right. Shall we, mates?"
It's not difficult to free the gnome, and the children outside are sheltered around the golem he made. The one that shouldn't be as smart as it is. It seems happy to see you cart him out bound and ready to be turned over to the athorties though he stands protectively between the gnome and the children.
The gnome claims every minute that he was being driven mad by things whispering designs into his ears long into the night. That some force /drove/ him to create his monstrocities. It doesn't matter. He'll pay for his crimes either way.
As for the children, they're relitively fine. They find homes in the village or in Alexandria proper. The golem... Disappears into the night. Probably never to be seen again. It's not evil, but it was made by evil, and it knows it. Maybe some day it'll return, but it feels safer in the wilderness where men will not judge it.
Perhaps that's for the best.
-End