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

[somebadnews]

[ Five stiffens as she gets closer, but doesn't move away. Trying to pretend he doesn't notice what she's doing while obviously being bothered. He's filthy, who can tell? ]

No. I don't know. [ He was... sleeping. ] I was told Archeval and Lan Wangji had a hand in it.

[ And he's not asking those two. He turns towards her, curious if she'll give him a real answer if he asks. ]

Where were you?

[soulsrob]

[She frowns at him] Sleeping? Through all that? [She touches the back of her hand to his forehead. Is he sick?? Binch, what's wrong with you.]

Me? Oh, here and there. I apparently make quite good bait, seeing as these monsters seemed fixated on me in particular. My legs are killing me though. [honestly now that the adrenaline's calmed down, she can really feel the ache in them and she makes a face of discomfort.]

[somebadnews]

[ 'Magic-induced' sleep. That's what's conveyed in the weary expression he makes after her question. He has no comment, because he doesn't know what's going on with him. It feels a bit like someone is trying to tear him apart from the inside out, but it's something he's getting used to.

If he were thinking more clearly, maybe he would have moved away when she touches his forehead instead of his too-slow reaction to turn his head, but it'll occur to him later. ]

I thought they were leaving you alone. [ That the whole thing where she has no soul and is too much like them. There's obviously more of a story there. He thinks about it for a few more seconds, then lifts an eyebrow when it occurs to him. ] ... Was it-?

[soulsrob]

They do. [She has no doubt that if she ditched the mirror they would've started ignoring her entirely again.

But then he clues in on what the actual problem is and she nods solemnly as she fusses over his clothes and his hair, rustling through her pockets until she can grab a handkerchief and start cleaning off some of the blood.]

Indeed. In the absence of the mirror he wanted, I suppose he went after this one. [She sighs a little.] You are all quite lucky that I enjoy your company over my own self-preservation, and that my curiosity for this mirror is stronger.

For a given value of enjoy, I suppose. [She smiles, like it's a joke.]

[somebadnews]

[ Must she? Five tolerates her fussing for a time, if only because he's barely functioning as it is, and what she says next is sufficiently distracting. It's not the first time he's wondered if that mirror had the same connection to the undead.

He finally holds up a hand to signal for her to stop. ]

You still have it?

[soulsrob]

Of course! [She didn't pat at her pocket where it still laid on her person, not wishing to draw attention to it.]

I'm afraid to say it, but if they'd decided to throw me out or tried to forcefully take it from me, I would've left and sold you all out.

[There's a slight smile as she says it, like she might be joking, but he tilts her head to regard Five curiously.]

Would you have gone with me, if I asked?

[somebadnews]

[ He doesn't doubt that she would have. Why she would, over a random item he lifted from a vault, now that he doesn't know. Is it something about it that keeps her from letting it go?

It seems like a strange time to ask about his loyalty, but she might have just said that to get a reaction. ]

Assuming we could outrun all the undead chasing us over a haunted mirror?

[soulsrob]

[She laughs a little and nods]

Yes! Let's say I could get us both away from them. Consequence-free.

[somebadnews]

[ He gives her a look. How hypothetical is she being, really. ]

That depends. If you had to choose between me or the mirror?

[soulsrob]

[She immediately pouts]

Oh come now, is that fair? [She tilts her head one ways and then the other, considering]

If I had to choose, I think I'd choose you. The mirror is interesting and curious, but people are always more so. The mirror can possibly only do one or two things for me, but people can do so much more.

[somebadnews]

[ Well, she had to think about it, but he'll take the compliment. Considering she just implied that she'd be willing to leave the rest of them to die for the mirror.

'One or two things' she says. ]

It's nice to know where I stand.

[soulsrob]

Slightly more useful than a mirror. [She smiles and pats her shoulder, as if that's some kind of consolation]

But I suppose we don't have to worry about that right now anyhow, thankfully. No one tried to throw me out or anything! I'm not terribly surprised. Everyone can be so sentimental at times.

[somebadnews]

[ She doesn't have to tell him. They'll even knock you out and hide you under a desk after you... do whatever it is he did. He's pretty sure he was hallucinating back then, so he's still sorting it out. ]

Why throw out perfectly good bait? [ Her words. ] They don't know any better.