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Following Weasel and Cassia up the alleyway, she's reassured that there is at least one other person behind her. They'll get you before they get me, sucker. Spotting the walker at the end of the alley, she quickly tries to peek past it and see if there are more.

MECHANICS

[SHOW]

Perception check: 11
Boooo. :(

Liviana follows close to Cassia, the guard's presence helping the princess feel safer. As the lone walker is mentioned, she says, "So once we get past that thing, what's the plan? Just checking each store for any supplies?"

"Guess so," Weasel whispers, glancing over at Cassia. She catches his gaze and replies: "I think we're past the point where looting stores is an issue with me," she assures, haughtily.

Elene

[SHOW]

You see no other walkers.

"We should aim for the ones that could have anything made of leather or metal, no point in wasting time checking them all," Marcus adds in response to the princess. "We can always come for more supplies later, if we need them. For now, we just need something to protect our skin from their claws." And then some well-earned rest.

"I hope so. You're certainly right about them seeming strong." Athena says realising that the possible demise of the search party isn't the best thing to think about regarding morale in the inn.

"Then we should try to see which one of these shops is a tailor, or a tanner of some sort," Liviana says. There had better be one. I'm ready for a good night's sleep. And maybe this whole thing will blow over tomorrow. Hopefully.

Out at the channel, the group converses. "Course, we gotta deal with this guy first," says Weasel, eyeing the decaying walker with interest. It stands a few feet from the edge of the boardwalk, idly standing there, still unaware of the huddled humans at the mouth of the alleyway.

In the Gilded Mare, the orc nods, turning to the laborer as the man speaks. "I mean, they went out to get the medical salve, found Guthrik, and got back in one piece. I think they can handle the barracks," Burtin says, optimistically.

"Yes we do," Marcus nods to Weasel, before turning to Elene. "Did you see anything else out there?" he asks, to which she shakes her head. "Very well, then I will deal with this." Keeping his makeshift weapon in hand in case any other creatures decide to show their ugly heads, Marcus rushes forward and attempts to shove the creature into the water.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Stealth check: 2

Bull Rush on shitty zombie cunt:
Attack: 10 vs Fortitude = ??
Hit: push shitty zombie cunt into the water

Pseudo-Encounter 2

The decaying creature turns at the sound of Marcus' rushed footsteps along the creaking boardwalk. It lets out a screech as it spins toward him, its fetid claws grasping. The ex-soldier slams into it, though with not as much force as he intended. The walker screeches again as it falls to the deck, managing to rake the man hard before slamming forcefully against the wood panels underfoot.

Go: Everyone

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Marcus: Fails Stealth roll, fudges Bull Rush, prones Walker.

Boardwalker: Rakes Marcus for 6 physical damage, ongoing 3 necrotic damage (save ends).

Status

[SHOW]

Liviana (22/22)
Elene (25/25)
Redros (24/24)
Weasel (?/?)
Marcus (23/29) || Ongoing 3 necrotic (save ends)
Cassia (31,31)
Boardwalker (-0/??)

Redros sees Marcus struggling with the monster and grits his teeth. He needs to act before Marcus is struck further, rushing from his position. In the back of his mind he calls to the waters of the canal, the water itself responding with fury as it rises up beyond the boardwalk behind the beast, curving through the air in a great wave as Marcus connects with his fist, the wave scooping the zombie up and sweeping it into the water of the boardwalk, leaving the ground stained with water. With the beast in the water, Redros turns to Marcus to examine his wounds.
"Are you alright Marcus? If you need the salve, we can return."

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Move to the walker.
Tidal Spirit Shot on Boardwalker: 20(1d20) +4 = 24

As the wave rises up from the channel at the woodsman's primal command, the zombie is pulled from the boardwalk and cast over the railing where it sinks. Almost immediately, the channel is once again is like glass, its surface marred only by a few ripples from the slightest patter of rain overhead. The group of you notice at once that the water looks very strange, however: an almost translucent, green color. The brine spray left behind on the boardwalk emits a strange scent that you notice as well.

Marcus' wound is on his left upper arm, toward the inside. At a brief look, the walker's nails had managed to tear through the fabric and break the skin underneath.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Boardwalker is thrown off, ending the pseudo-encounter.

Marcus takes 3 necrotic damage then auto-saves.

Marcus winces in pain as he takes a look at the wound. "I think I will be fine for now, but I will be keeping a close eye on it," he responds to the woodsman. "Thanks for the help. Now we should get indoors, before more of them spot us. Can you make out the signs? Are any of them tanners? Armor smiths?" He tries to look himself, hoping that their luck will turn around a little and they will find something useful.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Perception check, to try to read shop signs (and look at wound): 13
Heal check, to see if wound is similar to Cassia's or the injured basement man's: 15

Redros looks down the street at the request of the man, his own eyes perhaps a bit more used to the dark than his, though he does understand that without one eye it is harder to see.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Perception Check to look at the shops down the boardwalk in the darkness: 8(1d20) +9 = 17

"You're probably right. We probably shouldn't be sending the Princess out on these sorties though. If anything happens to her we could end up in deep water," Athena says. I do hope she isn't dead. I rather liked her.

Cloth would do us little good, we might as well try our luck with the other. Marcus motions for the others still in the alleyway to join himself and Redros near the water. Hopefully they will agree.

As Marcus rushes forward, Liviana is taken by fear and slight confusion. What in the world does he think he's doing? She breathes a slight sigh of relief as Redros steps in and the creature falls into the canal.

The princess hesitates forward as Marcus motions for the rest of the group. "Real nice spectacle just then, she says to the man. "Perhaps you should have explained what you were planning to do first. But whatever. That's in the past now. Anyways, find any potential shops?"

"A clothier and a miscellaneous goods store. The clothier won't help us much, but the other one may have something of use," Marcus says, ignoring the mild scolding. I didn't involve you for a reason, princess. Be happy about that. "We should move quickly, before more of those things show up," he finishes, before beginning to make his way towards the Curios shop.

Redros shakes his head.
"Neither are of much use, unless you are looking for dresses and knickknacks. We may find a small blade in the craft store, but not much more. We should move on."

"Hm, you may be right. We can come back to it if we don't find anything better, but so far that is the best option," Marcus responds, before beginning to head up the street. Hopefully we need not venture too far to find something useful.

Cassia and Weasel follow Marcus further down the channel's boardwalk, the former sticking close to the princess. Up ahead you can see the next two buildings -- one appears to be some sort of fancy bookstore judging by the sign, and the next, a high-class tannery.

"That's assuming the Royal Family is still alive," Guthrik says to Athena. "Who knows? Maybe she's the only one. But regardless, you're right. She has no need to be putting herself in danger."

"And there we have it: a tanner's. Hopefully it isn't taken over by those things," Marcus says, beginning to make his way towards the building.

"Hopefully there's actually finished pieces in there and not just tanned hide. WE don't got the tools or time ta be makin' our own stuff." Elene says, stepping close to Marcus' heels.

Redros smiles and seems to perk up slightly.
"Ah. Leather I know how to use. Let us hope there is plenty left over, or his tools. Perhaps I can make some lighter armor for us with those. I say that whatever risks are inside, it will be worth it to gather some protection."

"The bookstore may have some leather as well," Liviana says as she spots the sign. "A store that fancy would most definitely have leather-bound books. Though who knows how much available leather would be lying around, but at least we know that's another potential source."

"I suppose that all depends on how much of the city, or the island, is like this. Hopefully it hasn't spread too far and the army will be here soon," Athena says mostly just thinking aloud.

Creeping forward down the boardwalk, you are free from the walkers' immediate presence, but you make out a few dark figures along in the distance. "I'll keep an eye on them out here," Cassia whispers as she stands guard, looking northwest down toward the near-stationary figures.

The storefront looks well-intact, with no windows busted and no sign of looting. "Guess those wannabes haven't hit this part of the channel yet, yeh?" The chubby thief slides his hand along the door, tapping it lightly as he goes. "Don't think there's any booby-traps, I guess."

In the Gilded Mare, Burtin replies to Athena. "I heard someone earlier tell of seeing a few of the palace guards, but they looked to be quite overwhelmed," the man says, looking downward. "I just hope for the Princess and our city that the Royal Family made it out of there. There's got to be hidden ways out of it, you know? Like the old tales."

Marcus watches Weasel check the door, baffled that he thinks a tanner would trap the place. I am sure he must do this so often it comes as second nature. When the man gives the all clear, Marcus nods and opens the door.

Marcus checks the handle, trying to see if the door is locked.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Thievery check to see if it is locked: 9

"Well it isn't opening," Marcus states the obvious, as the others look on. "It may be barred or locked, I cannot tell. If one of you is good with locks I suggest you try checking, otherwise we will need to look for a new way in." There must be someone inside if the entrance has been sealed. Hopefully they are not part of those bastards who lured those creatures to us.

"Weasel or Elene seem to be the most qualified in that," Liviana says as she walks over. "But let's see if there's another way inside if it is barred."

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Perception to find another way inside: 15(1d20) +10 = 25

Looking up at the second story, Liviana spots the windows. Pointing up at them, she says, "If we can't get in through the door, someone could try climbing up there and prying the windows open."

"Well if anyone can hold their own against the creatures, the palace guards can. If only this inn had a hidden passage way," Athena laughs. "That'd be useful."

Elene slides up to the door at the mention of her name, trying the door for herself.

MECHANICS

[SHOW]

Thievery check to see if it's locked or barred: 1(1d20) +10 = 11

Fucking natural 1's.

Elene

[SHOW]

The door seems barred, given Marcus' words, but is possibly locked as well. You can't tell for sure.

Isdren stalks up at the mention of the palace guards. "I wanted to be one when I grew up," he says, uncharacteristically tenderly. "I really hope they made it through. Them and the Royal Family." Drozga snorts at Athena's words. "Just the basement, that's it. Though that would be quite neat if there were more to it."

"I always dreamed of being part of the Royal Family. Maybe if things had turned out differently for the both of us, you'd be guarding me," Athena says to Isdren, winking at the young man.

"I still can, right?" he says, feigning a smile despite his disappointment. "Though you'd need equipment from the armory the Watchman had mentioned. You're just a boy with a knife otherwise, kid," Guthrik scolds.

"Well if the others return with it I'm sure he'll make quite the guard," Athena says, shooting Isdren a smile.

Seeing Elene fail to open the door as well, Marcus turns his attention to the window pointed out by the princess. He jumps up and grabs ahold, pulling himself up. Once on the eave he peers in, hoping that whoever is inside is friendly and still living.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Stealth to climb quietly: 11

"Seems t'be both locked and barred. Not entirely sure, though. I can try to get through." Elene whispers, taking out her improvised lockpick, the miniature arm, and attempting to jimmy the lcck.

MECHANICS

[SHOW]

thievery check: 11

Fuck you, roller.

Marcus

[SHOW]

You make a mild amount of noise climbing up, but nothing too loud. Looking in, you can just barely make out the contents of a bedroom from the moonlight streaming in. The dim shapes of a simple bed, dresser, and desk are visible.

Elene

[SHOW]

You spend almost a minute or so trying to jimmy the lock. Try as you might, however, the mechanism doesn't seem to budge from your attempt.

"I'm sure we can use more of those," Guthrik says. "Danger around every corner here, it seems. I should have stayed back in Serranak." Isdren merely blushes and does not reply to Athena.

Marcus attempts to open the window.

As the ex-soldier slides the window open, a figure from the dark within charges up to him with a panicked shout, slamming its booted foot into Marcus' frame. The heavy kick slightly winds him, making him lose his balance.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Dark Figure: Charges, bull-rushes, hits.

Marcus needs to make a saving throw to recover his grip and balance on the eave.

Despite the unexpected ambush, Marcus' powerful core manages to grasp onto the window-frame and hold him in place. He coughs, sucking back in a breath. Cassia gasps as she looks up, and Weasel palms his blade. "Stay away from me, you dangerous cunts! I won't say it a third time!" the figure cries out, a deep, male voice. He has retreated further back into the bedroom, but you can tell he is holding some sort of weapon -- a broom or some sort of rod.

"I don't know who you think I am, but I'm not them," Marcus says, as he leans back towards the window. "If you mean those bastards from the next street over then I've a bone to pick with them too. I'm just here for some protection against the dead that walk the streets. Now will you let me in before those things hear us?" he says, doing his best to sound civil and not pissed that he was almost kicked off the second story. Those shitheads have been busy, it seems.

Mechanics

[SHOW]

Diplomacy: 12