he rode in, a king

[groundrules]

HONEY, WE’VE GOT VISITORS

Sa-Hareth-brand Cassandra tries to flag the future, gets left on read. True story — and then, the dead come. His offer neglected, a desperate Unhalad resorts to sieging the farmhouse in search for the mirror that was previously on the Imperious.

He’s in for disappointment, while the party prepare for... house guests over the early-morning 16 June to 17 June period.

Around 3:30am (16 June) of a storming night, those who are awake or sensitive to the supernatural may hear the winds and fleeing rats whisper that something comes. At 3:45am, Karsa’s wards around the farmhouse set off, briefly shrieking. Within minutes, Unhalad’s undead infiltrate the farmhouse, with one slight creature first entering down the kitchen chimney. A small faction of undead remain on the roof, while a swarming majority circle the farmhouse. Throughout the night, they attempt to break in through doors and windows, making slow progress. They are warier of the forest-facing back entrances. The attackers comprise droves of undead, some clearly only recently converted in haste. They are weaker for it.

Over time, the undead drip into the farmhouse. They lack the coordination for a concerted effort. Attempting to exit within the first three hours of the siege will prove disastrous, as too many undead wait outside. The undead will seek a mirror, being first and foremost drawn to Winnie, who carries a similar item on her person. Fox and Five will also be of interest. Fox can escape attention by discarding the shards. Any character that was bound to Anurr’s tree still bears the lingering marks of Anurr’s undeath is especially perceived as an enemy. Regulus enjoys the same treatment, given his extensive recent stay with the free people. The undead will savagely wreck the house in their hunt, striving to kill those in their path. They can be slain regularly. The older, "properly" summoned undead (identifiable because of their clear state of rotting) should be incinerated or severely amputated to avoid further resurrection. Because of the overwhelming number of undead, it is best to keep lean, mean and mobile within the house. Karsa joins the farmhouse around 6am. She’ll teleport in, but the density of undead outside will prevent her from teleporting out safely. Alongside three party volunteers, she reinforces some of the wards, decelerating the advance of the undead. Her group will also throw away any of Unhalad’s markings (salt and ash) out of the house and into the inner garden pond.

Come sunset (16 June) Unhalad himself will ride outside of the farmhouse, holding distant vigil over the hostilities with his retinue. On his arrival, unbound farmhouse animals will flee into the forest. Unhalad will be recognisable because of the immensity of raw power he emanates — a feeling of great and overwhelming despair and hunger. Options to evacuate the chaos include sneaking out, fighting the undead, calling on reinforcements from any local allies, or holding position until around 8am of 17 June, when Unhalad’s last-minute forces start to disintegrate because of the haste in which they were summoned. The minority of Unhalad’s forces that were summoned back alive with the appropriate diligence will not break down and will need to be banished. The free people will not intervene, unless they are called in.

If you’ve made it this far into Sa-Hareth’s worst hazing ritual, congratulations. A few more days of crud to go. Over the next few days before the 21-22 June departure, characters will have to make do with their shattered lodgings and dearth of supplies, or can seek sanctuary back in Sa-Hareth. Any money spent on accommodations will have to come out of the travel fund. You're on your own, kids. The animals can return from the forest, and the free people might spare some food and water, gifted to those who stood out during Anurr’s trials. The Anurr cultists of Sa-Hareth could also part with a few provisions for their good friends, Xie Lian and Xiao Xingchen. To opt out of the event, have characters out of the house on the night of the siege. It will be difficult to re-enter. The OOC plotting floor is yours!

FARMHOUSE LAYOUT

Comments

[royal_venant]

“There’s quite a lot outside,” Regulus pointed out. Bottle-necking the undead so they had to come in one at a time seemed to be working for now. Going outside sounded like a death wish.

Regulus waved off Xie Lain’s concern, he was fine, all things considering.

“I’ve been here a few weeks. I was stuck with the Forest people for about a week before Karsa found me. How long have you been here?” There was no undead at the moment, so might as well chit-chat.

[scrapgege]

"I know, but they're not strong enough to do much arm to me. And that'll be fewer of them coming in."

Alright, so not so new arrival, but with all the comings and goings, plus the trials, somehow Xie Lian had missed him.

"I arrived on the ship. Maybe two months ago, I think?"

[royal_venant]

"So you've," Regulus nodded at the decapitated undead, "been dealing with them this whole time?" Regulus was still trying to piece together everyone's timeline of events.

[scrapgege]

"Well, they've been around, but they've never attacked us like this before."

Xie Lian didn't look too disturbed by this.

"Their leader holds the town down by the sea, and everyone there seems kind of used to having those undead guards shuffle around. We moved out of the town because there was a bit too much scrutiny on us."

[royal_venant]

Regulus cast Xie Lian an inquisitive look, because he hadn't expected to run into someone so relaxed about facing an army of undead.

"So," Regulus looked around. "Why did things suddenly change? Did one of us thoroughly piss off the leader?"

[scrapgege]

"Well... technically, he was trying to kidnap us and steal out abilities, so us escaping did piss him off a bit. But there's actually two undead factions here, and they don't like one another, and both of them asked us to help them... and we declined both, and I think it made him mad that we decided not to come willingly so he decided to take things into his own hands, so to speak."

Being around the undead was, in fact, a regular occurrence for Xie Lian even before coming here, although most of them were less aggressive than those.

"Maybe one person individually also pissed him off, but I think it's more our little group refusing to be manipulated for his own end that angered him. Now... we need to protect the barricaded rooms as best as we can, so the people who can heal stay safe... And I should see if there's any food we can salvage, at least."