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[Tiruin]

Spoiler: Explanation for very short OP (click to show/hide)

This is a continuation of empfan's RTD. Here.

Mostly all of the basics are from empfan himself. I am running it as a continuation.

You and your friends explored the sewer one day to look around for loot to feed your family with whatever you could find to sell. While searching around you found an odd tome. It seemed to pulse with a dark essence.  It is a dark tome of Necromancy, a grimoire if you will. The language is almost incomprehensible on first look, but as you and your friends come closer and you pick it up, a sudden shadow looms over you, and a demonic wraith comes out of the shadows.

You and your friends were about to run, when it stops you in your tracks "I AM THE OWNER OF THE GRIMOIRE..." the wraith says in an icy tone. "YE WHO HAVE FOUND MY GRIMOIRE, I GIVE YOU ALL MY POWERS, USE IT AS YOU WISH, FOR GOOD OR ILL. YOU CANNOT GO BACK, IT IS DONE AND I SHALL MENTOR YOU, HE WHO TRIES TO LEAVE THIS PATH DIES WITH THIS FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE". And with that it a sudden darkness engulfs you and your friends.  Everything becomes numb as the wraith appears to transfer its knowledge of this ability. When it does, you all collapse and pass out, to wake up a few mere minutes later.  Inside your head you hear its voice."IT IS DONE.  I SHALL GUIDE YOU ALL TO YOUR NEW PATH." the wraith says.  With this you begin your stories.

Most of this is from the original OP. With Lore and the rest a continuation on my part.

First RTD. Let's hope I don't botch this. 

Once more I see the rays of dawn. Once more I see the cities of man. Once more I rise from within my slumber. Once more I awaken, and I remember.

- Excerpt from Beyond the Aether


The Ages pass, civilization thrives, knowledge is gathered, and much is uncovered. Magic is kept secret, only known for it's more common purposes.

You are a normal person within the world. A mortal, a commoner of variable profession and skill. Your life may or may not have been as how you've willed it to be. Yet, for better or for worse, it is all about to change.

The Catalyst has been uncovered, a grimoire of an ancient Wraith. His chosen apprentices have gone throughout the world, free to bend reality to their will, one step at a time.

Though, there are forces within and beyond the world that seek to change it, whether for good or naught, it is hard to tell. Nevertheless, the drudges of everyday life goes on for the masses, but the spark of hope has now been revealed. For those who wish to delve into it's secrets, they have the whole world as their playground.

For whichever path the wielders take, destiny shifts in the balance.

Spoiler: Character Creation (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100
Name:
Gender: Male or Female
Race: Only the normal Dwarf fortress races, please.
Backstory: Everyone has a story to tell, certainly you do too.

Inventory: -

Companion/s: -

Do not put anything under the Inventory or the Companions slot. Do not change the Health.

Every character will start out with basic clothes, unless otherwise specified.

Spoiler: An Example of an In-Game Character Sheet, after some time... (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100 25/25 (Combat Pragmatist)
Name: Guardsman
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Backstory: The Guardsman grew up in an unforgiving environment -the streets of the urban metropolis. Picked up at a young age by one of the Council Guardians, he was trained as a protector of the realm until he was accepted into the military defense forces. A man of stern will and a stout character, he is blindingly loyal to his liege or whomever holds the seat of power in the city or town he is stationed in.

Inventory: Copper Chainmail ; Iron Hauberk and Helmet ; Iron Broadsword ; Grey Tunic ; Hemp Fiber Pants

Companion/s:
Watchdog "Reyn"
Health: 25/25 (Vigilant) | Trained)

Spoiler: Mock Combat & Format of a normal turn structure. (click to show/hide)

Turn ?: First Contact

Perimeter of the City

Guard the place. Admire surroundings.

It was night. There were crickets chirping in the distant underbrush, livening up the setting with their harmonious melody; soon quieted by the sound of leather boots passing through the high grass. A man strode, cloaked in a dark grey fabric, his arms swung freely by his side as he moved across the plain and he walked as if in peace with the world. His companion trotted joyfully by his side as he turned his head upwards to gaze at the sky, it was perfectly black; other than the luminescent glow of Luna - the silver moon in her full beauty.

"Another beautiful night, eh, Reyn?"

The watchdog barked in reply as he continued along the unbeaten path, enjoying the cacophany of sounds that echoed around him. The presence of natural life was one thing to keep his mind off the goings of the day.

Reyn nudged her master's leg to get his attention and stiffened up, growling. The Guardsman looked where his faithful companion indicated and spotted about three dark figures moving west of him in his peripheral vision. It doesn't look like they've noticed.

Subtly turn around and then attack once they think they've gotten the upper hand.

The Guardsman bent down to comfort his pet, silently muttering in her ear, "It's going to be ok, gal. We're ready for them." The dog simply stares behind him, directly at the creeping shadows before turning back to the trail quietly.

Reyn leaps to the side while issuing a loud yelp, tumbling back into the tall grass. A streak of cackling energy passing by her. The Guardsman turns around to face his assailants and receives the same blows. He staggers back as two streaks of dark energy rebound on his chest plate and dissipate into the ground. Standing firm, he can see those cowards where they stand. Three men cloaked in shadows, stand in the middle of the dirt road with arms outstretched. They begin to enter the melee.

"Damned Shades."

Health: ?/? ; ?/? ; ?/?
Inventory: ?

Health: 100/100 10/25 (Combat Pragmatist)

Inventory: Copper Chainmail ; Iron Hauberk and Helmet ; Iron Broadsword ; Grey Tunic ; Hemp Fiber Pants

Companion/s:
Watchdog "Reyn"
Health: 20/25 (Vigilant) | Trained)

Attack! They shall not kill Reyn with impunity! Strike those [EXPLETIVE REDACTED] down!

Reyn shall examine the enemies.

The Guardsman draws his sword and holds it firmly with both hands, he can hear his ally get back up and tilt it's head to the side, as if contemplating the situation. Reyn then sniffs the air, and releases a loud bark in their general direction.

"Come at me, ye sons of filth and decay! I am but a lone man. Face me like the curs ye are!"

With a warcry, the Guard runs at the first foe, beating the distance between them in seconds. Finishing with a leap, he finds his sword plunging headfirst in the centermost shade's head, it's blade passing through shadow and flesh alike. The being wails in pain before the Guard and is silenced by his boot, kicking off the corpse and freeing his blade for another strike. Reyn lunges forward from it's sprint and bites off part of another shade's lower body, leaving behind pieces of torn fabric and oozing black liquid. The remaining shade counters by issuing a kick to the canine, grazing it's side.

The two shades retaliate in fury, wailing with utter hate from the loss of one of their own. The shade that was bitten quickly bends down and lifts Reyn up by the neck. The dog whimpers as it tries to struggle free, but to no avail. As it's ally busies the Guardsman, getting another fist in return; the shade lifts poor Reyn high into the air and buries it within it's partly ethereal body. Only the cries of the animal are heard before silence overwhelms the area. The sound of another body dropping to the ground is heard afterwards.

Health: 15/30 ; 25/30 ;
Inventory: Black Cloak ; Torn Black Cloak

Health: 100/100 10/25 (Combat Pragmatist)

Inventory: Copper Chainmail ; Iron Hauberk and Helmet ; Iron Broadsword ; Grey Tunic ; Hemp Fiber Pants

Companion/s:
Watchdog "Reyn"
Health: 0/25 Dead

That didn't just happen. SMITE THE OTHER TWO! Avenge Reyn!

If they do die, return to city and prepare report.

The Guardsman turned at the sound, and upon seeing Reyn's body - lifeless yet intact - he regains strength in his cause and clears his mind of doubt. As if in slow motion, he draws his blade up and hurls it at Reyn's killer. The blade flies true, for even if it wasn't designed for such an act, it seems propelled by the force of Vengeance and Justice himself.

The Shade's cackling is stopped abruptly by the blade embedding itself in it's head, and falls to the ground with the pommel protruding. The edge of the sword pierces through and keeps the body at a strange diagonal angle.

The Guardsman then turns about and delivers a swift groin kick to his last foe. Before the shade could regain balance, the man is upon it with his gauntleted fists. His cries of rage and fury are lost to the night.

. . .

Minutes pass, and the Guardsman checks the field for any other signs of life after claiming back his blade. Nothing. He bends down to pick up his friend's body with both arms, to prepare it for the burial it deserved, for she was his closest friend short of his fellow guards from back in the city.

He closes Reyn's eyes before speaking in a solemn tone, "We must warn the people. The veil has been broken once more."

An Owl was heard, hooting in the night.

Battle Ends

The action results are defined by a six-sided die roll:
[1]: Epic Fail. Your efforts only worsened your situation. This may carry on to the future if not in the current time.
[2]: Fail. Your skills or luck were insufficient.
[3]: Meager success: The situation didn't improve by as much as you have intended.
[4]: Success: Your efforts were sufficient to achieve your goal.
[5]: Epic Success: Your skills and luck have combined to ensure your success.
[6]: True Success OR Overshot: Your efforts were more than required for the goal's completion, and your luck is such that unfortunate side-effects may happen.

If at any time something threatens a player, that player may make a roll to avoid the threat.

For each action, any number of rolls may be made, as determined by the GM.
Primary causes for multiple rolls include, but are not limited to:

* Actions explicitly composed of multiple actions
* Actions that imply other actions that are not declared free

Modifiers are mostly applied to the armor/weapons or magical bonuses that characters learn while traversing the land in their adventures. If a character has an ability, it will be hidden in acronyms. If certain modifiers are attached to held objects (i.e. Weaponry), and an action is made without the weapon, the bonus (or detriment) will not be added in the roll.

Each successive dodge roll during a turn, unless it is a dodge against the same object or character, will get a -1 bonus.

    If you are Stunned, Dazed, or otherwise receive a temporary penalty to overall or individual rolls, this penalty lasts until your next action is resolved, and not through the whole turn.
    If you receive a long-term effect that has the potential to alter itself, you get an Effect Resistance roll immediately after your action is resolved to determine the spread and consequences of the effect.
    If you are Unconscious, whatever penalty you receive will not reduce your roll score below 2, unless stated otherwise.
    If you receive a mortal wound but are not killed outright, you need to pass a roll to dodge Death at the end of every turn. Only bad rolls here will provide penalties to survival rolls.

    You can spend your turn to help another player achieve his goal. If your roll is higher, it is taken as the success roll for the action.
    You can also spend your turn to botch another player's action. If your roll is higher, its opposite is taken as the success roll for the action.
    In both cases, individual player rolls determine what happens to the players in the course of the action.

Spoiler: Battle, Damage and Armor and others (click to show/hide)

*Damage System: Two d6 dice a rolled, for attacker and defender respectively. Difference in value against Health: 1=5 2=10 3=15 4=20 5=25| 0 means nothing happens and both sides deliver another attack, if not interrupted by other events or actions and until one side takes damage. For numbers of 6 or over, some unusual events may occur if using magical attacks. If using physical attacks, then a random status effect occurs (i.e. Bleeding, Stun, Negative to next rolls, loss of arms or limbs...)

*Armor system is independent of the above, having it's own hitpoint system, which works as an additional 'shielding'. It is marked in green to the side of a character's Health, if any. Armor must be bought (see below), or Smithed.

*In Smithing, three rolls will be made to indicate what type of armor will be made and it's quality, specifically: {Number of items made}, {Quality of Armor/Weapon}, {Material of Armor/Weapon}. Smithing can only be done in Smithies by one possessing knowledge of how to Smith. NPC Smiths can be persuaded to create items for you, for a price, of course.

*Dodging will only be used upon first strikes in combat, or upon being ambushed. The latter will use a stealth roll, and if successful, a bonus to attack/any existing special abilities.

The first strike in battle, and in reality, has a deciding factor on how the battle will be played, generally.

Suppose we have the Guardsman, ambushed by...let's say a bandit.

1vs6 - Guardsman takes 25 damage, but as this was the first roll, he gets a negative modifier from being ambushed by the skulking cur.

d6 will happen for whatever effect may occur.
*In a battle, any creature heals 5 Health Points if they choose not to act. A normal battle action can extend to, but not limited to: attacking, casting an Offensive spell, or fleeing. Players can choose to Defend which still promotes the 5 healing and has a 25% chance of a +1 to the next defense roll. If a Player idles (one who cannot post an action in a battle), Defend is the natural option selected for them, no matter the situation. Equipped weapons will be used, and a d6 roll will be made on their choice on said weapon. 'Defend' pertains to the general notion of the word.

-If a character is armored, denoted by a green bar next to the health, then this promotes the healing even if said character makes an attack/offensive spell that turn. This is one of the benefits of armored troops. {As long as the bar still has 'health' in it, this rule will not cease to activate.} Armor regenerates just like health, but never at the same time. Health must be filled first for armor to regenerate.

Ex: 70/100 0/50 Action: Attack - no health regeneration occurs
     70/100 5/50 Action: Attack - health regeneration occurs

*For every battle turn, there will always be two sides: An attack phase and Counter-attack phase.

*On buying items, a d6 roll is made. If it is 4 or below, generally no item will be found. If a 5 or 6, then you will get an item.

*A player's and NPC's inventory are limited to 5 items. A Companion's inventory is limited to 2 items.

Spoiler: Companions (click to show/hide)

Companions are a vital addition to any Necromancer/Magic user's arsenal, working under their command for or against their will, if any. They act as secondary characters, generally, but have their own mechanics governing them.

Every Player starts out with 100/100 health. Companions are determined by a d6 die, with attributes varying from the action of the Player and the current surroundings.*

*Temperament is one roll that determines a Summon's or Creation's (If Sentient, usually Higher forms of Spirits) attitude toward it's summoner, basically.

1< - (-1 to all non-combat acts and unusual surprises ahead)
1 - Unfaithful (-1 to all non-combat acts)
2 - Reluctant (50% of -1 to all non-combat acts)
3 - Neutral
4 - Subservient (50% chance of a bonus trait)
5 - Follower (Bonus trait)
6 - Honor-bound (Bonus traits - 2 or more)
6> - Loyal (Bonus traits - 2⁺ and a health bonus)

Where traits can be either beneficial or detrimental, according to the roll of summoning/reanimation.

*Know that, if a minion's temperament/control is being tampered with too much and it has the trait of 'Sentient' at least, it will begin to grow suspicious, and will react accordingly.

Every viable Companion may, or may not have other attributes attached to them. If not ordered by their master, they will always act to follow/attack/defend in the current situation.

A good baseline are humans. Mundane creatures, any human will not have Health lesser than 25.

Spoiler: Helpful Terms (click to show/hide)

These specials are but a few effects on those unlucky enough to get a difference of 6 in a battle roll. Subject to edition.

Stun - 50% chance of not acting in battle, is negated after two battle turns or if not attacked prior to stunning or after being struck.
Laceration/Bleeding - Another d6 die for attacker and defender follows, the difference selects the result. This effect negates any regeneration even if defending/fleeing is acted upon. Acts in the following manner:
1 - Grazed [-2 HP per turn until end of battle- will resume upon next battle unless healed]
2 - Light Bleeding [-4 HP per turn until end of battle - will resume upon next battle unless healed]
3 - Bleeding [-6 HP per turn until healed]
4 - Heavy Bleeding [-8 HP per turn until healed, requires a heal roll of 3 or more or third party aid]
5 - Very Heavy Bleeding [-10 HP per turn until healed, requires a heal roll of 4 or more or third party aid]
6 - Decapitation [-10⁺ HP per turn until healed, requires a heal roll of 5 or more or third party aid]
Fear - -1 to the first roll, 50% of activation on proceeding rolls until shaken off, normal d6 applies to recover.

Mechanics borrowed from Sean Mirrsen's RTDs as well as lawastooshort and Gatleos' RTDs.


So, basically, free world where players can turn the future to their own wills. Mostly everything is discovered as you go through the world.

Good luck, may discovery lead you onwards.

[Tiruin]

~~Characters~~

1.

Spoiler: IronyOwl ; Shalla Halfdark (click to show/hide) Gender: Female Race: Human Backstory: Shalla was the daughter of a windmill owner, which meant she was too poor to not work but too affluent to go shovel muck all day. As a compromise, she mostly split her time between helping out with the mill, so as to be useful, and trying to improve her education and refinement, so as to be both useful and refined, which her parents hoped would allow her to squeeze into a political marriage with someone slightly more affluent than herself. She figured a brief stint in the sewers would both allow her to claim a hint of experience as an adventurer, adding a bit of mystique and excitement to her eventual marriage proposal, and give her a break from learning to appear learned, which would lessen her desire to hang herself. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

2.

Spoiler: Sinpwn ; Adil Borushdumat (click to show/hide) Gender: Male Race: Dwarf Backstory: Adil was long ago a novice engraver at a small dwarven outpost close by until it was overrun by honey badgers. He was one of the ones that escaped, but had to sustain himself by scavenging the sewers, as it turns out above ground towns don't have much in the way of stone to smooth. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

3.

Spoiler: HmH ; Ima Erifithili (click to show/hide) Gender: Female Race: Elf Backstory: Ima was captured by a human warlord as a child during the human raid on The Wood of Rainbows, a small and long-forgotten elven outpost in a unicorn-filled forest. She escaped in her fifty-third year of slavery with a group of other elves; they traveled through deep jungles and traitorous marshes into another human kingdom, the one where citizens were treated equally regardless of their race. Once their trek was over, they split up and began their new lives as free citizens... though by no means rich citizens, of course. Ima was luckier than most of other escapees: she managed to become an apothecary's apprentice. Today, she was tasked with collecting high-quality pigtails - and the best pigtails there were grew on concentrated dung-water deep in the sewers, so Ima decided to go there with the first party of adventurers she saw. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

4.

Spoiler: Talarion ; Leon Jyos (click to show/hide) Gender: Male Race: Human Backstory: Leon was born to a merchant, and as such travelled a lot when he was younger. When he came of age, he began his own trading career with funding from his father to get started. For the past few years, he has been working in this town/city/village. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

5.

Spoiler: antlion12 ; Tyver Thornos (click to show/hide) Gender: Male Race: Dwarf Backstory: Tyver was a rouge working alone. He did some adventuring work around town mostly killing bandits and returning lost items. (or not) He has gained a small amount of notoriety in Blackmarsh and was always interested in gaining power for himself. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

6.

Spoiler: Caellath ; Enidri Verace (click to show/hide) Gender: Male Race: Human. Backstory: A very calm and young weapon and armorsmith of a small family which saw its business get thrown to the dirt due to the constant flow of dwarven-made equipment, the boy decided to cast away his old name and find him a new one after his last living relative, his older brother, withered and died in the nameless' early to mid teens. After a couple of years living of what he could get with odd jobs, he is finally ready to give the finishing touches in his self-made equipment and leave his rotten husk of a house, intent on following the plans he had been nourishing and training for since he heard various travelers tell stories about how the dwarven nobles were extremely unbearable and susceptible to a multitude of Unfortunate Accidents. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

7.

Spoiler: adwarf ; Zakroff Alzar (click to show/hide) Gender: Male Race: Human Backstory: Zakroff grew up as a pick-pocket, and a thief trying to earn a living where he was forced to live underneath a makeshift hut of sticks, and rotted planks. He seeks power, and wealth, but not for personal gain, instead he wants to get back at the people who aim to gain power just for themselves. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

8.

Spoiler: kisame12794 ; Cog Anrizkalur (click to show/hide) Gender: Male Race: Human Backstory: Born in Blackmarsh, Cog was orphaned at a young age after his parents were killed by bandits. He was taken in by an old necromancer who taught him about the dark art. He is traveling in search of other necromancers in order to learn more. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

~~Waitlisters~~

1.

Spoiler: Spinal_Taper ; Sigoth of Urqwan (click to show/hide) Gender: Male Race: Dwarf Bio: Sigoth came from a long line of talented cooks, specializing in dairy. This ended however, when his family was taken from him for some bizarre experiment by the forts overseer. He, however escaped, in a goblin's sack. When his general worthlessness was discovered, he was dumped into the nearest human town, where he was adopted by a low-class family and rose as one of their own. Times were hard, and the local magistar stuck a deal with a necromancer. The traitorous wizard slew the ruling class and their guard, then begun to slaughter the townsfolk, wanting to rebuild his shambling legions. Sigoth and his adoptive brother escaped the slaughter, then swore an oath of vengeance against the necromancer, and went their seperate ways to find him. Inventory: - Companion/s: -

~~Turn List~~

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Trial and Error
The Dead Walk
Field Trip!
A Heart Breaking Reunion
A Dance with Death
Blood Splitting Confusion
A Parting of Ways
Travel's Interrupted
Warm Welcomes All Around
Hateful Mercs and Bloody Snakes
Bravely Ran Away
Learning and Cravens
Innovation
A Shift of Hands
In the eyes of the Commoners
Revelations upon Revelations
Telltale Events
Awaiting Memoria
A Chance Encounter
Mobility
Ominous Consternation
Ideas
Not Dead
Warping Reality
From Within
A Brief Reprieve
Trials
Discovery

[Tiruin]

Lore

Locations	Beastiary	Races	Magic
Eastern Regions Spoiler: The Seaport, Gin (click to show/hide)     "Caelondia, the Eastern Tradeport and a melting pot of cultures and races, originally began as an outpost of the ancient Grey League, a human civilization. In that time, magic was abundant and known by the masses. Due to it's close proximity to the sea, an earthen tower was crafted by hand and by magic from the side of a mountain as a symbol of the League's power in the Second Age: The Age of Alchemy. As the years passed, the tower passed to the hands of the lords that ruled the region for a centuries, gaining it's own independence at the start of the Third Age: The Age of Storms. Today that tower still stands as the centerpiece of the city founded around it, immediately recognizable to any ship that approaches the rocky coast. The city, now called Gin, that has sprung up around it has almost been carved out of the side of the mountain it rests on, and by the end of the Alchemic Age, its population has grown beyond the city's ability to cope, leading to a schism in power from those in the nobility, those in the magistocracy (or those who wield magic) and those in the mercantile guilds, with the city's lower members turning into servitude of others to compensate for the growing economy. The cramped districts, joined to each other by a network of bridges, are built almost on top of the others, creating sectors held above other buildings with only wooden supports to separate them. The narrow streets of the Lower Docks have an almost labyrinthine quality, and the Docks themselves make as a maze for tradeships, warships and the local marketplace.     A complex sewage system stretches from far under the city, encompassing all four gates following the cardinal directions of the area. Sewage travels through a strange barrier field erected from the mage tower and flows out to sea via the Lower Docks. Due to it's distance from the main city, many unscrupulous citizens find themselves in the sewers as 'treasure seekers' and such, for not everything thrown down there is trash. The Sewers are also known as a refuge for criminal gangs and as a slaver hub, for no records from the structure of Gin show the entirety of the system underneath it, and those who learn it's ways prosper from their knowledge.     Slavery, it seems, is neither illegal or against any law passed within Gin's borders. For near any of the four gates are depots where slaves are shown off to any passerby and travelers by salesmen of varying race. In the night, the Ginean guard have no trouble keeping away any dangers to the city, yet rumors abound that even with the constant patrols and reinforced curfews, disappearances are common for those who choose to travel the city past midnight, the appearances of 'Snatch Thieves' are also cause for speculation for the large population for this Port. However, this is how things are done in Gin, and the locals would have it no other way." –– From Histories of the Land: Tales of the Traveling Sage Spoiler: The Noble City, Caelondia (click to show/hide)     "Caelondia was founded by pioneers from across the Tranquil Sea. In time, the City became a center of trade and learning, advancing in the art of aesthetics and architecture. Caelondia's unique position was due in part to its monopoly over the Ferric Mines, a prodigious prize gifted to them as a token welcome from the Dwarven race, the city is famous for it's well made Steel and those who know how to smith them. This monopoly not only provided the Caels with a source of valuable trade fodder, but it also uncovered deeper paths into the more misunderstood fields of magic - specifically, the art of Scrying, for the mines themselves have abundant clusters of crystal gems along with metals." –– From Histories of the Land: Tales of the Traveling Sage; an Excerpt	Spoiler: Wisp (click to show/hide)     It is known that many undead keep an intangible life link with their masters, prohibiting them from summoning or reanimating more than they can handle and thus, breaching the pact of magic. As despite the popular notion that undead are beings brought back to life, every form is inhabited by the basic spark of life - the Wisp.     An incorporeal spirit, these beings inhabit two worlds: That of the Aether, and that of Dreams. Both worlds have no effect on the nature of the Wisp living in the area, but only provide them with what they can do and who they can contact in each. Generally, Wisps are one of the building blocks of life, being part of the spirit in energy form.     It is the thought that these creatures have sentience of their own, one which proves true for all Wisps and go far enough to say that their personality is what determines each Wisp from others. In the physical realm, this determines what a wisp can bring along from it's origin, whether it be knowledge of healing, growth or magic.     Wisps are almost always neutral in nature to sentient life, preferring contact with such. In the physical realm, wisps are light enough to 'fly' on air, being a liquid, yet heavy enough for it's presence to be felt. Spoiler: Shade (click to show/hide) "Not that sort of Shade, you idiot." --Interview of a Guardsman     The Shade, as currently known, is termed such due to the process of it's creation. Firstly, it is not a natural creature of the mortal realm, but a creation or a mixture of one from one of the others and of it's host - generally, sentient living beings. Dark magic or a hostile Wisp are the only known methods in spawning a Shade, shifting and moulding a creature's essence and physical nature to it's own will and desire.     The result, is a being of both worlds. Physical in the sense that it can hold, wear and apply force, and unnatural in the sense that it is also a Spirit. The term 'Shade' is associated with the meaning of "What once was", as the host is generally humanoid but lacking anything that resembled it's former self.     It is known that Shades are usually non-magical in origin, with the hosts being those too weak or inept to wield magic. There are rumors of mages being possessed by their own summons, turning into Shades themselves, yet this only occurs in desperation. The process is yet unknown and knowledge thereof is found lacking.	Spoiler: Undead (click to show/hide)     "Undead are not really a single race of creatures, although often treated as such. Almost any dead creature can, by a sufficiently skilled necromancer or one knowledgeable in their arts, be reanimated or summoned and rise again in undeath with the aid of a spirit. Undead are for the most part unnatural constructs, though some are said to have semblance of sentience from their past lives, most obey whoever created them without question or thought. A great mystery concerning this 'race' is in how constructs are sustained without continuous effort from the necromancer. An undead creature does not require constant attention of the necromancer to command and sustain, but only enough energy to form or create their own source, usually manifesting in the form of a Wisp, or leeching off from the regenerative essence of their owners." –– From The Shifter: Notes of the Traveling Scholar	Spoiler: Necromancy (click to show/hide)     "Necromancy is a special mode of divination by the evocation of the dead. Ever since the beginning of time, it has been practiced; known to stretch from the realm of the Aether, to the Ever-life and to the Dreamworld, as a Necromancer can speak with the dead both in vocal or mental terms. The fundamental structure lies on what is termed as Wisp, a mundane 'spirit': where the term spirit may refer to any sentient being's essence after death, or a creation that thrives in the ever-life; both pertain to the same creature and meanings are regardless. The Wisp functions as the core of all Spiritual art, with other 'undead', as is the term, being governed by their personal essence (bodies of the recent and long deceased)... ...However, a Necromancer can only control as much as his own life force permits, that of which is only known and can be known by elders of the lore itself... ...The practice of Necromancy has no true baseline as it's founding date. What is known is that...The Society of the Crypt functioned as the first formal practitioners of Necromancy, with their leader adopting the sobriquet of  Lightbane. Ever since recorded time, the leadership of the Society has not been known to shift, leading to the idea that Lightbane has never lost power as the head. Though, in the Second Age, he was betrayed after a large revolt for the cult felt he was growing too powerful, and trapped his soul in a grimoire, taking the sacrifice of one of their best Necromancer-Captains along with about a hundred acolytes... ...as spirits or undead are not naturally part of this world, their summoners must take heed that loyalty is not to be expected from any creature, dead or risen, unless the summoner can find a way of 'welcoming' the being. Usually, most 'undead' are content with a sacrifice of sorts, as the life force of said sacrifice is converted as the bond between this plane and the next... ...radical use of the dark arts are susceptible to chaotic events unfolding in this mortal plane; from empowered natural calamities to rifts existing between realms... ...reason on why Necromancy was destined to be a hidden art, for there are known to be otherworldly entities that are bent on the domination of this mortal plane, as destiny has no repercussion here, life flourishes and actions carry their own consequences." –– From The Tome of Magicka: An Old Page

Undergoing Edit.

[Caellath]

Verace:

"I would be willing to part with these materials in exchange for assistance - if I was able to find more of them in the process of dealing with the task at hand, seeing as it would not fare me well if I was left with nothing of quality to work with. As for the 'tricks', I am interested in them, for I shall not let the name of the Verace familly of smiths perish while I still draw breath. I accept your deal under these terms."

Accept the deal under aforementioned terms.

[IronyOwl]

Briefly head to apothecarium, see what they have available.

[HmH]

Pick up the torch, follow the footprints.

[Talarion]

"What sorcery is this?!" Leon cries as he steps back slightly. He looks at Ast for a moment. "Ast, get that stuff off you..." With a wary eye at the hole. Try to sense any magic behind this... attack?

[Sinpwn]

Head to the location of the Mass of Flesh. If it is under attack by guards/Mercenaries/Bandits, give the mass of flesh better control over its form so it can grab its attackers and pull them in. If it is a fellow necromancer, attempt to peacefully diffuse the situation.

[kisame12794]

Enter stage right.

[Tiruin]

Turn 15b: Awaiting Memoria

((Basically, another catch-up turn for the waitlisters. These 'b' turns will always happen for them.))

Along the rows and columns of houses, deep in the town of Blackmarsh

Enter stage right.

The sound of leather boots echoed on cobblestone-paved road and across the lane. The man looked around him to check for anyone awake at this time of night. Oil lamps flickered in the chilly night breeze, no person nor animal could be seen.

Cog is reminded of his days under the tutelage of his mentor, a Necromancer. This was all it took for him to believe that the old magics are still alive and breathing in this modernized world, filled with ideological zealots and mercantile warriors. Those days, it was easy to wield power like a broom and sweep out the vermin that infested the area, easy to play with the strings of life and death, only to be taught by the laws of reality that not all dreams are those of benevolent design.

Walking up the road, a sign creaks in the distance. Cog narrows his eyes after hefting his pack. "Ye Olde Graveyard", it is written in bolde lettering. A queer name for the area. Nonetheless, this seems to be the best place to start searching. Necromancy thrived on the manipulation of the essence of life, and what better way to find suitable bodies but for a place built for bodies?

Tonight was going to be different. Blackmarsh, a seedy town of thieves and muggers had a new visitor.

Spoiler: kisame12794 ; Cog Anrizkalur (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Backstory: Born in Blackmarsh, Cog was orphaned at a young age after his parents were killed by bandits. He was taken in by an old necromancer who taught him about the dark art. He is traveling in search of other necromancers in order to learn more.

Inventory: -

Companion/s: -

Spoiler: IronyOwl ; Shalla Halfdark (click to show/hide)

Health: 80/100 (Eri's Deal)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Backstory: Shalla was the daughter of a windmill owner, which meant she was too poor to not work but too affluent to go shovel muck all day. As a compromise, she mostly split her time between helping out with the mill, so as to be useful, and trying to improve her education and refinement, so as to be both useful and refined, which her parents hoped would allow her to squeeze into a political marriage with someone slightly more affluent than herself. She figured a brief stint in the sewers would both allow her to claim a hint of experience as an adventurer, adding a bit of mystique and excitement to her eventual marriage proposal, and give her a break from learning to appear learned, which would lessen her desire to hang herself.

Inventory: Mound of treasure (+3 buying modifier for 7 turns) | Blue staff of the Ancients
(+3 to all magic rolls | Unidentified | Unidentified)

Companion/s:
Undead Hippo
Health:40/40 (+10 Healing Aura, heals those around it)

Undead Human "Hound"
Health: 40/40 (can use misc. heavy items around area, adding to combat roll, used via
action)
Inventory: Giant Tombstone (+3 combat modifier)

Undead Skeleton
Inventory: Sacrificial knife (+1 combat modifier)
Health:40/40

3x Necromancer Apprentice'
Health: 50/50 ([Necromancer A 20/20] [Necromancer B 10/10] [Necromancer C 20/20])
Inventory: Basic Robes | Basic Staves

Spoiler: Sinpwn ; Adil Borushdumat (click to show/hide)

Health: 90/100 (+1 to all dark arts for 3 and above rolls)
Gender: Male
Race: Dwarf
Backstory: Adil was long ago a novice engraver at a small dwarven outpost close by until it was overrun by honey badgers. He was one of the ones that escaped, but had to sustain himself by scavenging the sewers, as it turns out above ground towns don't have much in the way of stone to smooth.

Inventory: Black Robe

Companion/s:
Undead alligator
Health: 40/40 (+1 Combat modifier, mountable)

Mass of Flesh
Health: 25/25 (Corrosive)

Spoiler: HmH ; Ima Erifithili (click to show/hide)

Health: 90/100 (+1 to looting and raiding | +1 to rolls involving clouds)
Gender: Female
Race: Elf
Backstory: Ima was captured by a human warlord as a child during the human raid on The Wood of Rainbows, a small and long-forgotten elven outpost in a unicorn-filled forest. She escaped in her fifty-third year of slavery with a group of other elves; they traveled through deep jungles and traitorous marshes into another human kingdom, the one where citizens were treated equally regardless of their race. Once their trek was over, they split up and began their new lives as free citizens... though by no means rich citizens, of course.
Ima was luckier than most of other escapees: she managed to become an apothecary's apprentice. Today, she was tasked with collecting high-quality pigtails - and the best pigtails there were grew on concentrated dung-water deep in the sewers, so Ima decided to go there with the first party of adventurers she saw.

Inventory: Iron Cutlass (+1 combat modifier)

Companion/s:
Demonic Bat
Health 10/10 (Life drain, regenerates and can gain more health via sucking out a creatures
life force)

Undead Swarm of Fish
Health: 40/40 (can walk on land, can shroud themselves in darkness for +1 to dodge | Smokescreen)

Undead Barracuda
Health: 30/30 (Flight)

Spoiler: Talarion ; Leon Jyos (click to show/hide)

Gender: Male
Race: Human
Health: 50/100
Backstory: Leon was born to a merchant, and as such travelled a lot when he was younger. When he came of age, he began his own trading career with funding from his father to get started. For the past few years, he has been working in this town/city/village.

Inventory: Brusher's Pike (+1 attack roll, roll for bleeding effect, 5=decapitation)

Companion/s:
Horde of Rats
Health: 40/40 (Equipped with a Fear spell)

Ast
Health: 70/70 (Sentient | Inconspicuous)
Inventory: Steel Battleaxe | Metal-reinforced leather armour

Spoiler: antlion12 ; Tyver Thornos (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100
Gender:male
Race: Dwarf
Backstory: Tyver was a rouge working alone. He did some adventuring work around town mostly killing bandits and returning lost items. (or not) He has gained a small amount of notoriety in Blackmarsh and was always interested in gaining power for himself.

Inventory: Copper Pike (+1 attack)

Companion/s:
Undead Dog
Health: 40/40 (+1 combat modifier | Sentient)
Inventory:
Dark Linen Cloak

Spoiler: Caellath ; Enidri Verace (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100 10/10 (Can use Body Magic w/ -1 modifier | Forren's Deal)
Gender: Male
Race: Human.
Backstory: A very calm and young weapon and armorsmith of a small family which saw its business get thrown to the dirt due to the constant flow of dwarven-made equipment, the boy decided to cast away his old name and find him a new one after his last living relative, his older brother, withered and died in the nameless' early to mid teens. After a couple of years living of what he could get with odd jobs, he is finally ready to give the finishing touches in his self-made equipment and leave his rotten husk of a house, intent on following the plans he had been nourishing and training for since he heard various travelers tell stories about how the dwarven nobles were extremely unbearable and susceptible to a multitude of Unfortunate Accidents.

Inventory: Copper Mail ; Valuable Materials

Companion/s:
Healing Wisp
Health: 10/10 (Sentient | Can absorb nearby flames to temporarily increase healing powers
and to permanently increase health)

Spoiler: adwarf ; Zakroff Alzar (click to show/hide)

Health: 90/100
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Backstory: Zakroff grew up as a pick-pocket, and a thief trying to earn a living where he was forced to live underneath a makeshift hut of sticks, and rotted planks. He seeks power, and wealth, but not for personal gain, instead he wants to get back at the people who aim to gain power just for themselves.

Inventory: -

Companion/s:

Venerable Knight
Health:75/75 (Sentient|Wreathed in flame|Distrust)
Inventory:
Longsword

Spoiler: Global Bonuses and GM Notes (click to show/hide)

Global Bonuses:
Blessing of Lightbane; Crand's Folly
Notes:
> A roll of [6] may be a major success!

> GM sincerely apologizes for a lack of a turn this merry day, as even though GM does love to typr down a good story, it seems that the GM has broken the wall of text again (Still, an opportunity to improve). Anyway, hope this turn would serve well as a good time to catch up!

> As this is the first turn post in the new thread, GM would like to say the following:

-All rolls are hidden within acronyms, so as not to disrupt your adventurer's pleasure.
-There are hidden mechanics. Don't worry, these won't directly kill any of you.
-Triple Rolls are present. Generally to the player's benefit, as the GM sees it.

>The GM shall refer in third person, to keep up with the current writing stance.

> Nothing else of note. Other than this. Note.

Comments, suggestions and criticisms are appreciated.

[kisame12794]

"Good to be home. I almost missed them."
Search the graves for a relatively recent burial.

[adwarf]

Zakroff nodded his head to the knight before asking, "What is the name you were bestowed?"

--- Undefined Amount of Time Later ---

Zakroff goes in search of a library, and of those who could give him information on corrupted officials, current news, and such

[Tiruin]

Turn 16: A Chance Encounter

[6]


Caelondia's Lower Sector

Head to the location of the Mass of Flesh. If guards, bandits or mercenaries, are attacking it, give the mass of flesh better control over its own form, allowing it to grab its attacker(s) and pull it in. If it is a fellow necromancer, attempt to diffuse the situation peacefully.

Adil dropped into a crouch, holding onto the edges of the pit for support as he clambered down into the dark hole. With a leap, the Dwarf landed safely at the bottom, his boots and legs covered by the liquid. Soon after, he hears the clinking of bones above him and smiles as he is joined by his undead reptilian friend. Touching the surface of the liquidated pus, it seems like it receded from his touch.

Did the Mass of Flesh know friend from foe?

Nevertheless, the journey through the tunnel is easy and quick, with the liquids giving extra traction as the Dwarf and Alligator glide through. Adil closes his eyes for a moment and focuses on the entity in his direction and releases his thoughts out onto it. A moment of silence is felt, then a mental scream comes from the end of the tunnel, followed by what sounded like an explosion and a warcry.

Moments later and the two arrive at the whole scene, seeing the Mass of Flesh interlocked in a duel with a well-armed Mercenary.

Faint dust clouds linger around the area.

Adil senses a void in the energies nearby. There is a Necromancer, but it's magical vibes seem familiar. Almost just like his own.

~~

He looks at Ast for a moment.  With a wary eye at the hole. Try to sense any magic behind this... attack?

"Come out coward! Fight me where I can see you!" Ast cried, ready to swing his axe if any movement was spotted.

Leon cast him a quizzical look. "Ast, get that stuff off you...wait, no. Too dangerous. Let me help." The Necromancer held up a hand and furrowed his brow, gesturing at his newest companion. A spark of energy lights up at his fingertip and streaks through the air, coiling around the mercenary and creating an aura on his armor. The man glows a brilliant blue as globs of liquid seem to seperate themselves from the armor, falling to the ground and emitting a hissing noise.

The power of the spell costs both Leon and Ast a few snatches of pain, but it was worth it as it seems that was no ordinary acid. (-10hp to both)

The ground shakes again and then explodes in a hail of dust and liquid. Ast grits his teeth in anticipation as the dirt cloud clears, seeing a faint silhouette in the darkness of a many-armed creature.

"Taste mine Axe!" he cried, launching forward before looking at what the entity is, unfortunately becoming entangled by about three or four ropy strands of what seems to be course flesh that try to drag the mercenary back into the hole. Ast shouts a warcry and stands firm, his armor padding and reflexes stopping any additional damage from passing through.

"What sorcery is this?!" Leon cried as he stepped back. This was no ordinary attempt, magic must be involved, the man mused to himself.

Attempting to feel the surroundings using his powers, Leon does not notice any magical traces whatsoever, but through the dust, he could make about two figures, of which one was obviously his ally.

Then, somehow, two more figures appear in the darkness. One shaped as a human, while the other being indistinguishable.

~~

Accept the deal under aforementioned terms.

The sound of hammers meeting steel echoed through the night; the clang of iron and the beating of metal. With every strike, they sang in harmony; with every note, they rhymed: the beating of two hearts and the breathing of two men.

Enidri could feel the warmth of the fire coursing through his veins after wiping the sweat away. The hearth was stained with a mixture of water, ash and sweat. but he was a Smith, and an adept at that! The lessons taught to him earlier by Forren proved invaluable, and may still prove valuable in the future. Whenever the occasion may call.

Forren put down his hammer and tongs after securing the harnesses and finishing the minor details. "Your plan is finished, better than I expected! I hadn't a guess as to why you requested for those unused materials in the stockroom but it worked!"

"Aye. They are beautiful."

Set before the two, and the Wisp, lay a set of Medium armor, with hints of underlying plate near the hinges. Adjacent to it was a halberd, part of the shaft being the recycled material. Forren lifted his hammer and swung it directly at the halberd's tip.

With a loud clang, the hammer blow glanced away and into the wooden table, creating a large dent.

"Hm, I think I am regretting my-...No matter. Enidri Verace, last Smith of the Verace family, I send my blessing with you in whatever path you take; whether for ill or naught, may my token gesture be of aid to you."

Enidri picked up the two items, wary of the mail still on his shoulders and packed his things. He'd bet daylight was shining outside and customers may be waiting. With a friendly shove from Forren, he was thrown outside and into the streets -a bit too far, as he hits his head on one of the nearby lantern poles.

Rubbing the affected area while suppresing another bout of swearing, the young Smith notices that the moon is still high up in the sky. A cloudless night, but he could've sworn that all that work might've passed the night away.

Checking back in the Smithy, the whole place was shrouded in natural darkness. Thanks to the light of his wisp, coals of the forge and the labor signs on the heath were not present anymore. Forren was gone, and it seemed he was now on his own. Other than the loud shriek coming from the Cemetary, nothing else was of note.

Back to the streets of Caelondia.

Forren's Deal - Completed

Earlier

"I would be willing to part with these materials in exchange for assistance - if I was able to find more of them in the process of dealing with the task at hand, seeing as it would not fare me well if I was left with nothing of quality to work with. I shall not let the name of the Verace familly of smiths perish while I still draw breath. I accept your deal under these terms."

Forren smiles as the deal is debated and agreed upon. The smile increases in size when the word 'Verace' is uttered. "Well met then, a fellow smith of a noble family will not go wanting under my eye!" he said with a hearty laugh.

"As for the 'tricks', I am interested in them."

"When you get as old as me, you'll know a lot more things than what may appear."

The two trudge back to the Smithy and start working furiously. Time passes without doubt, well invested in ways that only a Smith could understand.


Nat's Cove ; North of Gin

People are on the other end of the trail, obviously. Pick up a torch and follow the footprints, with my bat scouting ahead. When the bat sees anyone, put the torch aside and sneak closer to get a look at them.

Ima gestures downward to the shoreline and the Barracuda swiftly follows the pointer, using it's fins to glide downwards in an aerial spiral, imitating one of the sea birds so as not to draw suspicion from any onlookers. With a command, the Barracuda goes off to the waves, joining the swarm of fish just waiting under the glassy water, silently following unseen with their master.

Casting an eye around, nothing could be seen other than the occasional driftwood and seashell illuminated by the lights. Ima walked over to one of the torches and pulled it free from it's bindings. It could easily be used as a staff, if not for the flame burning off one end and being about a foot shorter than she.

Whistling in a low tone, Ima sees her bat glide overhead and on watch as she follows the footsteps on the barren beachfront. A few steps later, and with the bat moving forward, Ima comes upon a multitude of rocky outcroppings that towered over the sand and sea, partly mixed with the water and on closer inspection, partly embedded in the land creating a natural cave mouth, as it seemed to appear. As Ima moves on to investigate the cave, she hears the sound of something being slung at her! The object hits the bat, which was hovering a few meters away in front of her, causing it to fall in a tangled heap, luckily doing no damage. From her viewpoint, it looks like a net has been cast over the unlucky companion and anchored by stones.

The Elf then throws the torch into the calm water nearby, extinguishing the only light source, other than the moon. She tries to hide behind one of the many rock structures about. But before she can make a move, she feels a hand slide over her mouth, then an arm keeping her from escaping by the neck. Her hands come instinctively to her defense and try to free her from the grasp; while weaker and obviously at a disadvantage, the grappling move leaves ample space to escape if done correctly.

"I'd like it for you not to move, ma'am. You have about two netcasters aimed at you and my blade at my side. Not mentioning everyone else."

Her assailant was obviously male, judging by the deep, suave tone of his voice, a cultured male at that, though his breath did smell of rum.

"Rano, light that torch."

The light was back again, coming from her left and revealing the field to Ima. To her right, she could see the partly concealed faces of five people, their weaponry hidden by the rocks. To her left, a man clad in an embroidered leather tunic with a cape and a longsword was  holding a torch. Strangely, it was the same torch doused in saltwater. One of the men on her right comes out of hiding and shows his haul, the bat.

"I see we've got a foreigner. Nobody has bats for pets, unless you visit the blackmarket and I don't see any seal on this one. Who are you, what led you here." It was the same voice behind her, calm and accented.

Nat's Cove

Fourth Month, Seventh Day, Storm Age

Tranquility, serenity, peace.

The words me and my people allude to this wonderful area. It is said that many travelers speak highly of this elusive patch of land located far off to the north of Gin, as if it was made for a tourism depot and nothing else. Their ignorance is astounding.

Many slaves have found this area to be a viable place for safety from their captors in their escape. The waters act as their shield, causing any ship bigger than a rowboat to turn away lest they be smashed upon Nat's teeth or turned about by the currents. It is said that this place was tainted or blessed by some supernatural forces for an Age ago. Spirits that would walk the land prowl about, specifically in the catacombs. And I am called by my dear friend for this task, whether danger or peril will show it's face.

No matter, this night, I shall find out for myself if the rumors are true.

_{Note: Rano should bring the kegs along. Not to be bothered.}

In the dimly lit areas of Blackmarsh

Zakroff goes in search of a library, and of those who could give him information on corrupted officials, current news, and such

"So...Now that tensions are over, may I ask you one more thing?" Zakroff said, eyeing the Knight's armor.

After quite some time and silence, he nodded and said, "Alright. I'll take that as a yes. What is the name you were bestowed?"

The Knight did not move, or act in anyway. The only evidence that the Knight had done anything was the same sound that echoed from the helmet. "Pallas."

"Your name is Pallas?"

"..."

. . .

After mutually and intuitively agreeing to move out of the place, Zakroff checks his topographical map, stored in the confines of his memory. He recalls the direct path to the local librarium, past a few taverns and stalls and around the corner of a Magic Guild. The two figures move through the night after a silent agreement on where to go -mostly on Zakroff's part.

Passing the corner, Zakroff hears the familiar unsheating of a blade behind him and turns to face the Knight, who now appeared just like any ordinary Knight -without flames. Pallas points ahead using the tip of it's blade before resheating it, and Zakroff leads the way without a word.

Moving past an alleyway, the rogue spots about four or so figures lurking nearby but do not decide to act yet. They may just be the regular homeless folk or a wandering thief or brigand, the two types were quite indistinct in Blackmarsh.

Unfortunately, the librarium doors are locked and barred by a long metal chain and supported by a wooden outer beam.

Strangely, it seems that time had been passing slower than Zakroff knew. The moon was, and is, still at it's apex in the sky. At least the city wasn't bustling with the usual morning rush though.

~~

Go to the graveyard

"Tha's it. Move away."

With a shrug, Tyver exits the backwater tavern before he could get the owner any more irate. Looking up, the moon was at full view in the cloudless sky. The stars above provided a beautiful scene, mixing with the yellow light cast by the lanterns.

"Wait, you didn't fight him? I really loved to see a fight from my new master!"

Tyver turned his head to look at the dog. "We're moving to the Cemetary."

"Ohh, the Cemetary. Reminds me of my first fight, in that place, with those people..."

The Dog keeps on with it's verbose story until Tyver signals for a stop at the entrance of the Cemetary.

Ye Olde Cemetary
Hundreds served, not one was disappointed

Curiously, the sign that hung by the entry gate looked much like one of the old tavern's doorstops. This one had a bit of childish scrawl written under it.

"So are you going to raise a few dead people? Maybe combine one or two there? Oh, oh, I know! Go deeper in any awaken the Nobility! That would garner better options! Wait, no. They're all just corpses..."

A heavy mist pervades the deeper parts of the Cemetary.

~~

Search the graves for a relatively recent burial.

The human inspected a torn down marker and smiled. "Good to be home. I almost missed them." He could feel the energy of the area, exuding a foul feeling around as he stepped across another grave. It wasn't wise to defile them all at this moment.

Cog passed another one of those broken down tombstones, muttering to himself the incantations needed by his former mentor. The good corpses were deeper in, as the old ones were usually placed near the entrance so as not to be forgotten. Common knowledge around there, really.

"A misty place, how much better for my work!"

Stumbing across an ornate tomb with it's gate hanging precariously open, Cog inspects the area if this was truly the one. The gate was new and well-oiled, there was the lack of weeds or any plants growing nearby, the stone seemed pretty new and the surrounding graves were of older quality. Perfect.

Coming nearer, the human sees the only problem to this tomb. First was, the reason for the opened gate was still present. Second was, the being was inside the tomb and it didn't look like it was alive. Third, the epitaph on the wall by the gate signified the tomb as a cenotaph.

Before Cog could move over to another grave, an ear-splitting wail comes from the empty tomb. A sigil lights up by Cog's side, his last protective ward taking the effect and keeping him safe, though being lost in the process.

Falling on one of the nearby gravestones, Cog looks up to see about three ghouls coming from the gateway, seemingly frail but famished. Most of their garments and appendages are obscured by the mist and light.

Spoiler: Ghouls (click to show/hide)

Health: ?/? , ?/? , ?/?
Inventory: ?/? , ?/? , ?/?

~~

Briefly head to Apothecarium, see what they have.

"I'll be heading to the Apothecarium then."

Eri withdraws her hand and clasps both behind her back. "Very well, know that my offer still stands as long as you stay within our Guild Halls. Goodnight, Apprentice." she said before moving away.

Left to her own devices, Shalla strides down one of the many passages in the Guild while thinking about what to do. For all it's looks on the outside, the whole place seemed bigger on the inside. Whether due to architecture or perspective, it was hard to tell.

Finally, she comes upon an ornate wooden door with the crest of the double snake embedded in the middle. Coming inside, she smells many different odors of plant mixture and scented oils. Looking around, the Apothecarium was  designed much for more than a place of service: there was a stack of scrolls and flasks on one of the nearby tables. Open books and anatomical references lay strewn about near the far wall and there was more than two skeletal models hanging around.

"Welcome, -Shalla Halfdark- to the Apothecarium. What is your request?"

The voice came from right above her, but there was only a lit candle that hung right above the doorway upon further inspection.

"Where are you?"

"Above you, Shalla. What is your request?"

The candlelight then lifted itself up from the burning wick, revealing a clearly copied form of light that was nearly inconspicuous in the background. A Wisp.

"What...do you have?"

"Well, Basic scrolls of vocal healing, a few medical poultices, boiling water, common antidotes, heated needles, rare antidonts, blood sterilization formulas, Wintersnap Ale -for clarity...The latter half of what I mentioned are off-limits though. Just give the general name of what you'd need."

"Ahh, it looks like you've had quite a bit on Ruffy. I wondered where that smell was coming from, the old warding error?"

"Seems so."

". . .I know I shouldn't be doing this, but I don't like seeing cheap wards killing off people."

The Wisp floats around the human's head, moving slowly in a concentric motion, then quickening downwards, enveloping Shalla in it's lumination.Afterwards, the Wisp returns to it's original placement, upon the candle.

"There you go. A token gift, if you could call it that."

Spoiler: IronyOwl ; Shalla Halfdark (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100 (Eri's Deal | +1 to Magic Resistance for 4 turns.)
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Backstory: Shalla was the daughter of a windmill owner, which meant she was too poor to not work but too affluent to go shovel muck all day. As a compromise, she mostly split her time between helping out with the mill, so as to be useful, and trying to improve her education and refinement, so as to be both useful and refined, which her parents hoped would allow her to squeeze into a political marriage with someone slightly more affluent than herself. She figured a brief stint in the sewers would both allow her to claim a hint of experience as an adventurer, adding a bit of mystique and excitement to her eventual marriage proposal, and give her a break from learning to appear learned, which would lessen her desire to hang herself.

Inventory: Mound of treasure (+3 buying modifier for 6 turns) | Blue staff of the Ancients
(+3 to all magic rolls | Unidentified | Unidentified)

Companion/s:
Undead Hippo
Health:40/40 (+10 Healing Aura, heals those around it)

Undead Human "Hound"
Health: 40/40 (can use misc. heavy items around area, adding to combat roll, used via
action)
Inventory: Giant Tombstone (+3 combat modifier)

Undead Skeleton
Inventory: Sacrificial knife (+1 combat modifier)
Health:40/40

3x Necromancer Apprentice'
Health: 50/50 ([Necromancer A 20/20] [Necromancer B 10/10] [Necromancer C 20/20])
Inventory: Basic Robes | Basic Staves

Spoiler: Sinpwn ; Adil Borushdumat (click to show/hide)

Health: 90/100 (+1 to all dark arts for 3 and above rolls)
Gender: Male
Race: Dwarf
Backstory: Adil was long ago a novice engraver at a small dwarven outpost close by until it was overrun by honey badgers. He was one of the ones that escaped, but had to sustain himself by scavenging the sewers, as it turns out above ground towns don't have much in the way of stone to smooth.

Inventory: Black Robe

Companion/s:
Undead alligator
Health: 40/40 (+1 Combat modifier, mountable)

Mass of Flesh
Health: 25/25 (Corrosive | Mentally Sentient | )

Spoiler: HmH ; Ima Erifithili (click to show/hide)

Health: 90/100 (+1 to looting and raiding | +1 to rolls involving clouds)
Gender: Female
Race: Elf
Backstory: Ima was captured by a human warlord as a child during the human raid on The Wood of Rainbows, a small and long-forgotten elven outpost in a unicorn-filled forest. She escaped in her fifty-third year of slavery with a group of other elves; they traveled through deep jungles and traitorous marshes into another human kingdom, the one where citizens were treated equally regardless of their race. Once their trek was over, they split up and began their new lives as free citizens... though by no means rich citizens, of course.
Ima was luckier than most of other escapees: she managed to become an apothecary's apprentice. Today, she was tasked with collecting high-quality pigtails - and the best pigtails there were grew on concentrated dung-water deep in the sewers, so Ima decided to go there with the first party of adventurers she saw.

Inventory: Iron Cutlass (+1 combat modifier)

Companion/s:
Demonic Bat
Health 10/10 (Life drain, regenerates and can gain more health via sucking out a creatures
life force)

Undead Swarm of Fish
Health: 40/40 (Landwalker | Can shroud themselves in darkness for +1 to dodge | Smokescreen)

Undead Barracuda
Health: 30/30 (Flight)

Spoiler: Talarion ; Leon Jyos (click to show/hide)

Gender: Male
Race: Human
Health: 45/100
Backstory: Leon was born to a merchant, and as such travelled a lot when he was younger. When he came of age, he began his own trading career with funding from his father to get started. For the past few years, he has been working in this town/city/village.

Inventory: Brusher's Pike

Companion/s:
Horde of Rats
Health: 40/40 (Equipped with a Fear spell)

Ast
Health: 50/70 (Sentient | Inconspicuous)
Inventory: Steel Battleaxe | Metal-reinforced leather armour

Spoiler: antlion12 ; Tyver Thornos (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100
Gender:male
Race: Dwarf
Backstory: Tyver was a rouge working alone. He did some adventuring work around town mostly killing bandits and returning lost items. (or not) He has gained a small amount of notoriety in Blackmarsh and was always interested in gaining power for himself.

Inventory: Copper Pike (+1 attack)

Companion/s:
Undead Dog
Health: 40/40 (+1 combat modifier | Sentient)
Inventory:
Dark Linen Cloak

Spoiler: Caellath ; Enidri Verace (click to show/hide)

Health: 90/100 30/30 (Can use Body Magic with a -1 modifier | Adept Smith)
Gender: Male
Race: Human.
Backstory: A very calm and young weapon and armorsmith of a small family which saw its business get thrown to the dirt due to the constant flow of dwarven-made equipment, the boy decided to cast away his old name and find him a new one after his last living relative, his older brother, withered and died in the nameless' early to mid teens. After a couple of years living of what he could get with odd jobs, he is finally ready to give the finishing touches in his self-made equipment and leave his rotten husk of a house, intent on following the plans he had been nourishing and training for since he heard various travelers tell stories about how the dwarven nobles were extremely unbearable and susceptible to a multitude of Unfortunate Accidents.

Inventory: Copper Mail ; Medium Steel Plate and Helm ; Tempered Steel Halberd

Companion/s:
Healing Wisp
Health: 10/10 (Sentient | Can absorb nearby flames to temporarily increase healing powers
and to permanently increase health)

Spoiler: adwarf ; Zakroff Alzar (click to show/hide)

Health: 90/100
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Backstory: Zakroff grew up as a pick-pocket, and a thief trying to earn a living where he was forced to live underneath a makeshift hut of sticks, and rotted planks. He seeks power, and wealth, but not for personal gain, instead he wants to get back at the people who aim to gain power just for themselves.

Inventory: -

Companion/s:

Venerable Knight, "Pallas"
Health:75/75 (Sentient|Wreathed in flame|Distrust)
Inventory:
Longsword

Spoiler: kisame12794 ; Cog Anrizkalur (click to show/hide)

Health: 100/100
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Backstory: Born in Blackmarsh, Cog was orphaned at a young age after his parents were killed by bandits. He was taken in by an old necromancer who taught him about the dark art. He is traveling in search of other necromancers in order to learn more.

Inventory: -

Companion/s: -

Spoiler: Global Bonuses and GM Notes (click to show/hide)

Global Bonuses:
Blessing of Lightbane; Crand's Folly
Notes:
> A roll of [6] may be a major success!

> Implementing a +5hp regeneration in combat per turn, if not acting to fight (defense is considered a rest).

> Took long to make the turn, thinking antlion12 did not act. Mistake on my part.

> Pretty crazy rolls. Someone had a stroke of three sixes!

> Sorry if I keep on alternating from present to past tense in grammar.

> Know that, a 1 or 6 may not have current effects in the present turn time. But those rolls may have a continuing effect in later turns.

Just like Reality! Nothing goes wrong in the exact instant! Watch your 1's everyone!

> Nothing else of note. Other than this. Note.

[adwarf]

Investigate the men, they could be doing evil, and may have information I need.

[Spinal_Taper]

Character sheet
last one was a wee bit of a placeholder.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Name: Sigoth of Urqwan
Gender: Male
Race: Dwarf
Bio: Sigoth came from a long line of talented cooks, specializing in dairy. This ended however, when his family was taken from him for some bizarre experiment by the forts overseer. He, however escaped, in a goblin's sack. When his general worthlessness was discovered, he was dumped into the nearest human town, where he was adopted by a low-class family and rose as one of their own. Times were hard, and the local magistar stuck a deal with a necromancer. The traitorous wizard slew the ruling class and their guard, then begun to slaughter the townsfolk, wanting to rebuild his shambling legions. Sigoth and his adoptive brother escaped the slaughter, then swore an oath of vengeance against the necromancer, and went their seperate ways to find him.