Name: Todd Longfellow, Race: Human

Height: 5’6”, Weight: 130, Sex: Male

Archetype: Fighter

HP: 18 / 18, Mana: 0 / 0

Stats:

Physical: 4, Moxie: 2, Spiritual: 2, Luck: 2

Agility: 2, Magic: 2, Mental: 2, Energy: 3.

Relevant Skills: Physical - Suppress Vomit and/or Nausea, Ritual Circle

_________________

Todd watched Jax finish sprinkling water out of a glass bottle. The paladin took slow, measured steps as he closed a massive circle. Then, before the last drop hit the ground, Jax drew a symbol of a god in the air with a finger and muttered some words. He repeated the gesture and phrases, each time facing a different direction.

Todd struggled to hold back a yawn. Admiration for his friend rose as he completed the seventh version precisely the same way as the previous ones. Initially, Todd was interested, but he watched only to see if Jax made any errors after the third time. His friend had not, at least what Todd could detect. As Jax and Reggie were reviewing their latest sanctification, Todd glanced around at the other six circles surrounding the last one in the center.

"Will this really work?" Todd softly said as he inched closer to Mark.

"I'm not sure, but if Jax thinks it will work, then it's good enough for me." Mark quietly said. He looked slightly toward Todd and, under his breath, said, "If things go to plan, we won't be here in a few days to find out."

Todd felt something mentally tug at him. Thoughts of leaving a hidden army of undead, with several necromancers fighting for control, and what it would do to the people in the area sprouted in his mind. Closing his eyes tightly, he tried to banish the thoughts, but that mental twinge tugged at him. When he opened his eyes, he saw Henderson watching and taking notes on the ritual. With a sigh, Todd walked up to Jax and Reggie.

"How long will this hold?" Todd said.

"Depends. Some are permanent, others a few months." Jax said.

"Only a few months, how do you know?" Todd said. He looked across the woods, then the lengthening shadows. The knowledge of this only possibly delaying the undead by a few months made the nagging feeling intensify.

"Combat log, it shows successes and failures, with Reggie helping I get a bonus to the roll," Jax said.

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"Oh, I didn't…."

"Again, Lawful Good doesn't mean Lawful Stupid." Jax smiled and patted Todd on the shoulder. "I'm glad you care; who knows, maybe you'll come back to this world in the future."

Success! Moxie roll 3d10; 4, 4, 1; Zero Successes, Skill Moxie - Deceive failed.

Todd gulped and bit his lip to prevent himself from saying the first thing that came to mind. Jax noticed he paused, resting his hand on Todd's shoulder.

"Has it really been all that bad?" Jax said. A smile spread across the paladin's face.

Todd couldn't help but smile with his friend. Running through the past few weeks in his mind, he'd gotten used to being shorter than others, and a few of the better times came to mind.

"Alright, maybe with a clear way to exit, coming back to visit or adventure would be an option for us," Todd said.

"Excellent," Jax said. He looked away from Todd and spoke, "One more but this one will need us all to link hands."

Once everyone was grouped, Charisse, Jax, Todd, Mark, Reggie, and Henderson. Jax released Todd's hand and looked right at Tim. The necromancer in training locked eyes with Jax, then shook his head. Jax beckoned the man closer, and like a scolded animal, Tim slinked closer. When he was close enough, Jax stepped over to him, jerking Charisse almost off her feet, as he grabbed Tim's hand and pulled him closer. Todd took the other hand, and they reformed the circle.

"Even with questionable people and motives, the ritual just needs numbers, but hold onto good thoughts and intentions; it might help," Jax said. Then, he closed his eyes and lowered his head.

A wave of awkward rolled through the circle. Reggie lowered his head, as did Charisse and Tim. Todd looked at Mark, and he shrugged before lowering his head. Todd followed and tried to think of good thoughts.

Success! Spiritual Roll 2d10; 6, 8; One Success, Skill Spiritual - Ritual Circle gained 1 experience.

Skill Ritual Circle has reached Rank 1! Skill Points to next level, 10.

Synergy bonus +1 Success for 7 or more members.

A slight buzz ran through Todd, starting in his chest, then expanding outward to his limbs. As the wave rolled down his arms, he felt something from the hands of Tim and Mark. The wave broke when it met the outside energy and rolled back into his middle with more energy, almost crashing in the center of his chest and expanding again, this time causing his muscles to vibrate. He opened his eyes and saw an orb of white hovering in the middle of the circle. Tendrils of wispy vapors traveled from the center of everyone into the sphere.

Across the circle, Todd saw Reggie looking at the orb as well. Glancing around, everyone except Jax had their eyes open. Jax's lips moved slightly as he appeared to be mumbling something. Then, the vibrations stopped, and a feeling of warmth encompassed Todd. The orb in the center started lowering to the ground while increasing exponentially in size. Quickly enveloping everyone in the circle before it touched the ground, it expanded so fast he couldn't see the edge of it, white light and warmth surrounding him.

The light dimmed and started fading, taking with it the warmth, leaving Todd cold. The temperature wasn't chilly when they'd started the ritual, but like stepping out of a hot shower into a room, the difference felt chilly, causing him to shiver.

Gagging sounds as someone nearby throwing up replaced the shivering.

Success! Physical Roll 6d10; 7, 1, 7, 9, 10, 3. Four Successes; Skill Physical - Suppress Vomit and/or Nausea gained 4 Experience.

Skill points to the next level, 79

Todd swallowed once before he looked in the direction of the gagging. Tim was kneeling on the ground, emptying his stomach though nothing was coming out. Reaching into his backpack, Todd pulled out a water flask and offered it to the man. It took a minute before the man finished heaving and noticed the offering. He grabbed it with a brief word of thanks before he squirted a stream into his mouth and spat it out before handing it back to Todd.

"As the evil is expelled from you, may you reconsider times in the future when you choose to allow it back in," Jax said as he stood over Tim. "You may go, hopefully to your family to live the rest of your years. If I see you on the side of evil, then I'll send you to whatever gods you worship and let them sort you out." Jax offered a hand to the kneeling necromancer. "Please go in peace," He said with a softness that surprised Todd.

Tim took Jax's hand and stood up. The necromancer's eyes darted as he scanned Jax's face before resting his gaze upon the paladin's smile.

"Thank you, and may where you go, peace follows," Tim said. The man offered his hand to everyone who shook it. When he came around to Todd, he held out the water flask to the man and pulled out a bit of dried meat before he ran off into the trees.

"Should I make sure he doesn't follow us?" Charisse said. She started in the general direction the man ran off into. Jax shook his head and turned in the direction of the city.

"Na, the only danger he offers is the knowledge that we are coming, and I'm sure the king knows that his days are numbered already." Jax turned to the general direction of the city. "Let us finish this cursed quest."

Warmth and peace-filled Todd as waves of it emanated from Jax. He noticed that even Charisse didn't even glance in the direction of the former running necromancer. Thoughts of finally completing the quest given to them almost an eternity ago and returning home filled Todd with hope, or maybe it was the surety and confidence in Jax's voice.