Everlife Merchant/Middle Class District
We head to the Noble District, wary of the roving gangs. The walls to the Noble District never breached, and we are able to get the gate open and lock it behind us.
Everlife Noble District
We are met by a group of gang members, the Bear Paws. A group of 14 surround us. They ask for the food we are hauling, claiming to have sick and injured. Simon tells them that the sick and injured are welcome to come to the Spire for food. They smile menacingly and tell us that they will pay a visit, and let us continue.
We make it to the Spire. We are met at the door by Sarah, one of many refugees. When we climb the Spire many people are afraid, upset, and starving. We calm the crowd and speak to Master Albrect Johnson, the de-facto leader of the spire. He helps us hand out food for the people.
He takes us further up the Spire. We see the infirmary, filled with over 200 injured and dying. Master Johnson tells us that healing supplies are limited, and many have died of their wounds.
He tells us more about what happened. As Maud told us, 4 months ago the undead attacked from the Necropolis. The city guard were sent to face the Undead, as well as a large detachment of Clerics.
Somehow, the wall fell, and the entire undead army swarmed into the city, overwhelming the guard and slaughtering the citizens.
While the undead spread into the poor quarter, the Merchants, upper class, nobility, and some of the clerics fled the city. The poor and criminals fled the undead and entered into the Noble District. The gangs took over, predating on the poor, wounded and sick. There are 8 gangs, the strongest of which is the Wolf Claws, led by a real piece of work named Tyronnius.
We find out though most of the guard was killed, one of the Captains named Michael survived, though he is dying of his wounds in the Infirmary.
We speak to Michael, poisoned and badly injured. He tells us that six months ago, there were scouting reports of undead to the west. It was largely ignored, as the city was sanctified against undead.
When the undead massed outside the city four months ago, the Nobles planned a large counter attack. They sent the guard and a large group of clerics to the gates near the Necropolis. He was there when the wall fell. A group of 4 masked men from within the city took some sort of explosive to the walls, and sundered them. This corresponded to the Nobles and their entourage leaving the city on the other side. It seems likely that the Nobles destroyed the wall themselves, to distract the undead and have them mass into the city, rather than pursuing them.
Michael warns us that a group of ghouls and ghasts were also among the ranks of undead, controlling the zombies and skeletons. They poisoned and mortally injured Michael and slaughtered his men.
Michael begins to fade, and we are in danger of losing him. Simon and I both use our healing magic to save him, even though Pelor calls to Michael. The Gods of Retribution and Knowledge deny that call. Michael is saved, though still quite weak.
Then we hear a call come up from Rodney, the boy that contacted us via mirror flash. The Bear Paw clan had arrived. Michael gets into his uniform, a set of plate mail and an enchanted sword. Simon, Bale and I provide some muscle for Michael as he meets the leader of the Bear Paw, Augustus.
Michael explains that Tyronnius and Augustus are not the real names of these criminals, but they took these ancient names of leaders when they took over the Noble houses. It makes them feel powerful. He also tells us that Augustus was once a simple commoner, not a criminal. Desperation forced him to form his gang.
Michael stares down Augustus, who is stunned to see Michael seem in much better health. As Augustus is a symbol of law and order, it reminds him and the others of how things were before the walls fell. They retreat, intimidated, but Michael tells us that it is likely Tyronnius and the Wolf Claw will find out and they will come in force.
We return to the Infirmary for Michael to rest, and I spend time healing as many of the injured as I can with healing magic.
The city was sanctified against undead, but no longer. Is there a way to sanctify the city again? In addition, how do we protect the remaining people in the city from the living and the dead?