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

[lancifolium]

Lily nodded, looking back down at her tea. She wasn't entirely up on the finer ins and outs of his family, but the ancient pureblooded legacy was at least one thing she had caught at school.

"Well, it was very useful knowledge the other night." She didn't know what else to say. Too much had happened in the last two days. She didn't like the idea of commending the dark arts for any reason, but Regulus had helped the group greatly with them. "Do you feel like you've recovered completely?"

[royal_venant]

"I knew what it would cost me," he said. Most of the Dark Arts took a certain amount of conviction to perform correctly. And there was always a price. Some of them balanced the ledger in more horrific ways than the spell Regulus had used the other night. He knew. But vanquishing an army of undead trying to destroy them first gave a person one hell of a reason to pay up when the cost could be localized only in the castor.

Regulus knew he could still turn around and keep walking. Let the awkwardness hang between them. Because what was Lily Evans to him? The answer was: the only person he'd known from home. Home. Whatever that had been for him. A face still far better than the Dark Lord's.

"I won't ask you to do any magic you don't want to perform," he said, filling in the awkwardness with debris to build that bridge again.

[lancifolium]

When he mentioned the cost Lily looked away from him and down towards the floor, her thoughts lingering on Severus for a moment, and the cost she didn't want to imagine him having paid as Regulus did, and probably had for a while. "Rest up while you can, word's coming about where we're meant to go next soon."

Venturing another glance at Regulus, she nodded. "Thank you." Lily paused for a moment, looking thoughtful, before she ventured the smallest smile imaginable, seeking to break the tension as well.

"You were brilliant, by the way." It had been completely terrifying, but he had succeeded in what he meant to do and helped them all.