The Dead Rise! - Slumber

General Summary

Undead still plague many places across Pandora and Malen knew that kingdoms reward well those who have been stepping up to cleanse this plane of evil. Gathering his friends, Yohannes Morrah and Arcturus in Traders Cusp, they headed out by foot southward toward the sleepy town of Slumber.
Arriving into town, it did not take long before skeletons came into view. Slumber town square was littered with bodies and body pieces of citizens that had already fallen to the skeletons. It seemed that the attack on Slumber had gone unnoticed for some time. While they were figuring what to do, a bolt of lightning streaked through the sky and struck the ground. A moment later, another bolt. Then another. It was obvious this was not an act of nature but one of magic. They preceeded into the square, ready to fell some skeletons. Malen recognized these as a particularly annoying type of undead that explode when they are destroyed. Unfettered by the fear of bone shards becoming embedded in their flesh like shrapnel the party began busting up bones. Once all skeletons were turned into shattered pieces, the source of the lightning was revealed in the form of a homeless looking humanoid who called himself Plays-With-Squirrels. Deciding they could use the help, Plays-With-Squirrels joined the party and directed them toward the villa.
Arriving at the noble villa, the regional home of Witch-Queen Runa, the party found a catfolk militia attempting to fight back zombies. Two zombies had already started climbing up the building, attempting to reach the windows and gain entrance inside. Calling out to the adventurers for help, the catfolk militia informed them that there were citizens inside seeking shelter. The party went to work. Malen once again recalled information to help the party stay safe. The zombies must have been related to the skeletons because once destroyed, they exploded. If given the chance, these zombies were of the brain eating variety. One poor catfolk was unable to fight one off and became grappled in its bite. The catfolk suffered as Yohannes Morrah proceeded to axe his way through the front door, chasing the zombie who had made it inside the building. Thanks to quick thinking of Plays-With-Squirrels, the last zombie was encased in an orb of water making it an easy target for Arcturus.
The catfolk who remained alived begged the adventurers to assist at the watchtower as citizens had also been hold up there and the militia had been mostly unsuccessful in fending off the undead. Heading straight to the watchtower the party once again found catfolk engaged in combat with zombies. These zombies, however, had a special quality that made them more challenging. Relying once again on the knowledge of Malen, the party did their best to evade the spell attacks spewing forth from the zombies mouths. Arcturus and Plays-With-Squirrels were not blinded by the Glitterdust but Yohann took some damage from a Frost Fall spell. Thankfully, the zombies did not survive long and the party didn't get to learn what other spells were stored in the mouths of these zombies.
Willow, the catfolk Groundskeeper, who was present, thanked the party profusely for their intervention. She promised them that Witch-Queen Runa would reward them handsomely for their service and offered them a room at the villa for the night and a hot meal. She also reminded them of Witch-Queen Runa's offer of a seat on her council to any who would help clear these undead from The Black Realm. Plays-With-Squirrels excitedly headed back to the villa to await his first council meeting. Malen also retired to the villa, interested but hesitant in the offer, wanting to speak with the Witch-Queen first. Arcturus took a room for the night as well and @Yohann went his own way back to The Verdant Expanse.

Rewards Granted

Loot:
285gp
[300 gp] potion/oil of cat's grace (CL 3)
[700 gp] arcane scroll of invisibility, greater (CL 7)
[4,500 gp] wand of alter self (CL 3)
[375 gp] arcane scroll of heroism (CL 5)

Experience:
Plays-With-Squirrels (ECL 7): 832 XP = 0 (Exploding Skeletons) + 438 (Apocalypse Zombies) + 394 (Spellgorged Zombies)
Malen, Arcturus (ECL 5): 1,513 XP = 325 + 625 + 563
Yohannes Morrah (ECL 3): 1,800 XP = 375 + 750 + 675

Alignment
Yohannes Morrah shifts to:

Show spoiler

N5/E7

Report Date

29 Oct 2022

Primary Location

The Havens

Secondary Location

Slumber

Related Characters

• Arcturus
• Malen
• Plays-With-Squirrels
• Yohannes Morrah

Dungeon Master

Runa (ECL 14): 6,300xp/9,750gp/5dt