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week five
WEEK FIVE
!run, run, run
As the party has been advised to rest for a few days before heading back out to their journey, on the third night of their undisturbed peace in the bunker, they may be beginning to feel that it really is safe down there. And for the most part, it is. Is everyone sleeping soundly? Or is someone awake when a faint tink followed by a hiss can be heard…?
Characters will awaken to the sight and smell of a canister of gas having been tossed into their bunker from the hidden opening above. Whoever's up there, they intend to force you out of your safe haven like a bunch of unwanted gophers from someone’s lawn.
The gas that leaks from the canister will spread throughout the bunker slowly but surely — characters will need to be swift about waking everyone up and escaping out of the bunker. Take what you can carry, and fast! The gas is an acidic, pungent substance that causes eyes to water and vision to blur; it also obstructs the air ways, if too much of it is inhaled — symptoms may linger for multiple days, in that case.
Once you’ve made it outside, you’ll be able to identify your attackers: some of the teenagers you encountered two weeks ago are among them, and this seems to be the rest of their camp, their parents, friends, and comrades. The survivors' party is vastly outnumbered, and the raiders that have come are actively hostile: the party will have to fight their way to an escape, and it’s not going to be a bloodless struggle on either side.
The good news is that while there are many enemies, they are regular humans armed with the same makeshift weapons you’ve all had to make do with. Fighting your way through them shouldn’t be impossible… if you’re willing to do what’s necessary.
It will soon become apparent that the entire mission will be at risk if you stick around trying to subdue every opponent — though simultaneously, it’s also impossible to regroup with the entire party. Looks like you’ll have to split up just to survive…
Characters will awaken to the sight and smell of a canister of gas having been tossed into their bunker from the hidden opening above. Whoever's up there, they intend to force you out of your safe haven like a bunch of unwanted gophers from someone’s lawn.
The gas that leaks from the canister will spread throughout the bunker slowly but surely — characters will need to be swift about waking everyone up and escaping out of the bunker. Take what you can carry, and fast! The gas is an acidic, pungent substance that causes eyes to water and vision to blur; it also obstructs the air ways, if too much of it is inhaled — symptoms may linger for multiple days, in that case.
Once you’ve made it outside, you’ll be able to identify your attackers: some of the teenagers you encountered two weeks ago are among them, and this seems to be the rest of their camp, their parents, friends, and comrades. The survivors' party is vastly outnumbered, and the raiders that have come are actively hostile: the party will have to fight their way to an escape, and it’s not going to be a bloodless struggle on either side.
The good news is that while there are many enemies, they are regular humans armed with the same makeshift weapons you’ve all had to make do with. Fighting your way through them shouldn’t be impossible… if you’re willing to do what’s necessary.
It will soon become apparent that the entire mission will be at risk if you stick around trying to subdue every opponent — though simultaneously, it’s also impossible to regroup with the entire party. Looks like you’ll have to split up just to survive…
if you chose beach...
In the chaotic departure from the bunker, Shoko Ieiri, Leontuzzo Bellone, Vinsmoke Reiju, Henry Creel, Sigewinne, and Gojo Satoru make their escape towards a nearby shoreline, losing their pursuers in the coves and rocky structures that lead to the sea.
Supplies are likely scarce due to the hastened way everyone was forced to leave: securing food and water will be among the first necessary tasks. On this piece of shoreline, there are a number of small piers and abandoned nets, not to mention driftwood that can be sharpened into spears. That’s right, this team will have to play a 🔥FISHING MINIGAME🔥 to secure their food. There are also small tide pools where shellfish may be collected, but crabs are aggressive and may pinch any errant fingers.
Water, on the other hand, is harder to come by. There are no fresh water sources nearby, so either the endless salt water will need to be processed somehow, or… everyone will begin to feel the effects of dehydration. Delirium, lightheadedness, and worst of all, chapped lips.
Places to rest will be... rustic and wild, to say the least, but there are a number of pits that would be suitable for making campfires, if enough material is found to feed the flames.
Characters on the beach will also discover that there are a number of traps hidden in the sand, rusty and clearly human made. They seem to be intentionally hidden among the terrain, and judging by the blood rust on them, they’ve been in use for some time.
Sigewinne is caught in one of these traps, badly injuring one of their legs. The trap is fashioned to be similar to a bear trap, and will take collaboration to be freed from.
Nearby zombies have caught on to the fact that this is a hunting ground of sorts where humans occasionally get stuck in these traps — therefore, they’re prowling around further up the beach in scattered groups, distracted and listless until the sounds of traps going off draws them sprinting towards the party. Given the nature of the minefield of traps, one wrong step while running away could mean the end! It might be better to stand ground and fight….
Of this group, no one is infected.
Supplies are likely scarce due to the hastened way everyone was forced to leave: securing food and water will be among the first necessary tasks. On this piece of shoreline, there are a number of small piers and abandoned nets, not to mention driftwood that can be sharpened into spears. That’s right, this team will have to play a 🔥FISHING MINIGAME🔥 to secure their food. There are also small tide pools where shellfish may be collected, but crabs are aggressive and may pinch any errant fingers.
Water, on the other hand, is harder to come by. There are no fresh water sources nearby, so either the endless salt water will need to be processed somehow, or… everyone will begin to feel the effects of dehydration. Delirium, lightheadedness, and worst of all, chapped lips.
Places to rest will be... rustic and wild, to say the least, but there are a number of pits that would be suitable for making campfires, if enough material is found to feed the flames.
Characters on the beach will also discover that there are a number of traps hidden in the sand, rusty and clearly human made. They seem to be intentionally hidden among the terrain, and judging by the blood rust on them, they’ve been in use for some time.
Sigewinne is caught in one of these traps, badly injuring one of their legs. The trap is fashioned to be similar to a bear trap, and will take collaboration to be freed from.
Nearby zombies have caught on to the fact that this is a hunting ground of sorts where humans occasionally get stuck in these traps — therefore, they’re prowling around further up the beach in scattered groups, distracted and listless until the sounds of traps going off draws them sprinting towards the party. Given the nature of the minefield of traps, one wrong step while running away could mean the end! It might be better to stand ground and fight….
Of this group, no one is infected.
if you chose forest...
In the chaotic departure from the bunker, Haru Okumura, Soujuurou Shizuki, Mark Grayson, Suzuha Amane, Ninety-Nine and Hella make their escape towards the denser part of the forest, losing their pursuers in the cover of tall trees and thick bushes.
Supplies are likely scarce due to the hastened way everyone was forced to leave: securing food and water will be among the first necessary tasks. In this section of forest, wildlife does seem to be teeming thanks to the time of year, with mule deer and small foxes scampering about. The game is quick and clever here, and much more difficult to approach and catch than the horses everyone encountered a while back. Without someone skilled in hunting or trapping, the party will likely begin to suffer from the effects of starvation. Sluggish movement, and increasing desperation to eat anything that might be edible.
As for forage-able plants, there aren’t many. Several berries and leaves in this area seem to be mildly poisonous, which will cause any particularly desperate campers an unpleasant surprise if they try their hand at tasting them.
The small mercy of this area is that there’s a small freshwater creek, which will provide some relief from dehydration — though it’s far too shallow to submerge oneself in any capacity.
Places to rest will be... rustic and wild, to say the least, but there are a number of pits that would be suitable for making campfires, if enough material is found to feed the flames.
Characters in the forest will also discover that not only is there normal wildlife here, but there is also infected wildlife. During one of the nights while camping, the group will be ambushed by an infected bear and a single cub. That’s right, this party will need to defeat a 🔥ZOMBIE BEAR BOSS FIGHT🔥 to stay alive.
During the ambush, Haru Okumura is mauled by a swipe of one of the bear’s paws, severely injuring them.
As with the other infected, it seems only the bites of these creatures cause a transmission of the virus, so characters will need to be very careful about not getting bit. The claws are fair game, with paws rated E for Everybody. Better time those dodge rolls!
Of this group, Soujuurou Shizuki is infected.
Supplies are likely scarce due to the hastened way everyone was forced to leave: securing food and water will be among the first necessary tasks. In this section of forest, wildlife does seem to be teeming thanks to the time of year, with mule deer and small foxes scampering about. The game is quick and clever here, and much more difficult to approach and catch than the horses everyone encountered a while back. Without someone skilled in hunting or trapping, the party will likely begin to suffer from the effects of starvation. Sluggish movement, and increasing desperation to eat anything that might be edible.
As for forage-able plants, there aren’t many. Several berries and leaves in this area seem to be mildly poisonous, which will cause any particularly desperate campers an unpleasant surprise if they try their hand at tasting them.
The small mercy of this area is that there’s a small freshwater creek, which will provide some relief from dehydration — though it’s far too shallow to submerge oneself in any capacity.
Places to rest will be... rustic and wild, to say the least, but there are a number of pits that would be suitable for making campfires, if enough material is found to feed the flames.
Characters in the forest will also discover that not only is there normal wildlife here, but there is also infected wildlife. During one of the nights while camping, the group will be ambushed by an infected bear and a single cub. That’s right, this party will need to defeat a 🔥ZOMBIE BEAR BOSS FIGHT🔥 to stay alive.
During the ambush, Haru Okumura is mauled by a swipe of one of the bear’s paws, severely injuring them.
As with the other infected, it seems only the bites of these creatures cause a transmission of the virus, so characters will need to be very careful about not getting bit. The claws are fair game, with paws rated E for Everybody. Better time those dodge rolls!
Of this group, Soujuurou Shizuki is infected.
rendezvous
It won’t be easy to find each other again after getting separated so suddenly, especially not after both groups have likely sustained several injuries. Straying further than five miles from each other will still have the bracelets sending a potent burning sensation through your arm, so perhaps you ought to use the bracelets as a compass to get an estimation of what direction you ought not to go.
Due north of the shoreline and forest, though, there is a lighthouse overlooking a small touristy gift shop and gas station, who’s height might be useful as a landmark for the groups to travel to.
The inside of the lighthouse provides decent shelter, with ample room inside for the small ragtag team to each have a place to be alone, but the howl of the sea breeze, and the unending crashes of the waves against the cliffside may make sleep less than restful. In fact, being alone in here might be scarier than the outside. Worst of all, from the looks of the darkening gray sky, a storm might be coming soon.
Reuniting might still prove even more bittersweet than the first time the party split. Take what you can from the available gas station snacks and tourist shirts, and treat whatever wounds possible… because there’s unfortunately not the same amount of time to rest and recover as there was in the bunker, which is now a distant relic of the past. They're closing in on their destination, however they might feel about it.
Due north of the shoreline and forest, though, there is a lighthouse overlooking a small touristy gift shop and gas station, who’s height might be useful as a landmark for the groups to travel to.
The inside of the lighthouse provides decent shelter, with ample room inside for the small ragtag team to each have a place to be alone, but the howl of the sea breeze, and the unending crashes of the waves against the cliffside may make sleep less than restful. In fact, being alone in here might be scarier than the outside. Worst of all, from the looks of the darkening gray sky, a storm might be coming soon.
Reuniting might still prove even more bittersweet than the first time the party split. Take what you can from the available gas station snacks and tourist shirts, and treat whatever wounds possible… because there’s unfortunately not the same amount of time to rest and recover as there was in the bunker, which is now a distant relic of the past. They're closing in on their destination, however they might feel about it.
iii
Reiju isn't sentimental by nature. She lacks a certain delicate touch, and for that reason she's largely kept her distance from those who've suffered irreversible bites. There are bigger compassionate souls among their number.
Consequently, she doesn't mean to happen upon Mark in the middle of her scouting the lighthouse's interior. Having said that, she doesn't turn on her heels to leave right away, nor does she cower at his tone.]
Are you occupying this room? . . . If you'd prefer to be alone, I can go and let the others know.
no subject
The ticks are just getting substantially louder now, which is why it's a surprise to see Reiju here — enough of one to make him deflate, go from snapping to sullen. ]
I... I don't know. [ Weird answer, but that's what emotional whiplash will do, when your justified anger suddenly no longer feels justified. ] I'm, um.
[ His voice softens as he looks right up at her from his position on the floor. Even if his words are bitchy, at the heart of it, he's just a scared kid. ]
... You can stay if you want. People can come up here if they want. [ A mutter: ] Not like I own the place.
no subject
In spite of all the reasons swirling in her head, Reiju steps forward—deeper into the room with her arms folded as she glances around, like she's taking in the scenery, before her gaze lands on Mark again. It's true that anyone can come up here. Nobody in this group has ownership of the lighthouse. The opposite also holds true: There's no reason to stay, either.
"I'm, um." Maybe those words are what did it for her.]
What were you going to say earlier?
no subject
At least until she looks back at him. Doesn't leave. Asks him, and,
he folds his hands in his lap, turning them over one another. Nervous, and like doing that will help him in some way, even when it's nothing more than something to do. ]
... I don't think I want to be alone. But maybe I should be alone, if that makes sense. But I don't... want to be. [ Will being alone make him lose his humanity that much faster? But he's killed even more people now; is it safe for him to be around others? But—
He tries to meet Reiju's eyes but finds himself giving up, shoulders slumping as he stares at the floor instead. ] I don't think I even know what I want anymore.
no subject
[He's just rationalized that he should be. That part, she can sort of understand.
Her mind made up, she strides the rest of the way over to where Mark is sitting, stopping with a respectable gap between them so as to give him space. She claims a seat for herself on the floor, legs drawn up with her arms looped around them, and cranes her head toward him.]
What makes you think you should be?
no subject
I don't want to hurt people. And it feels like that's all I'm doing lately. [ He's been able to get the blood off of himself by now, so when he spreads his hands helplessly, it's not like there's anything actually on them. ] I wanted to help, to complete the mission, to save lives. But if I can't even do that, then why am I here?
[ It could be just about this. Or maybe it's more existential... either or. ]
no subject
Then her gaze flits down to his hands as they spread. They're clean at a glance, but she knows better. She's certain that she caught a glimpse of him when the party was fleeing the bunker. There are some things that will always linger, and guilt is one of those things that will never wash away. It's a shame, because Mark seems to care.]
You're here, because you were selected from a pool of candidates. [At the end of the day, that's really all it is.] Are you afraid that you'll attack us next?
no subject
Yeah.
[ He answers her anyway, even if it comes out in an exhale, chest tight and heart starting to ache. Yeah, he's afraid that that's what's going to come next. ]
I'm here because I was selected... we all were. We all had something about us that meant we could help. I'm strong, I can fly, but if I just end up using that against everyone else then what good am I? [ He brings his a hand up to his head, palm pressed into forehead, fingertips pressing into scalp. ] I don't know how much longer I can hold out.
no subject
Any one of us could have been bitten that day. [She straightens her neck to study a nondescript corner of the room.] But you've managed to make it this far. You're as good enough to be here as the rest of us.
[Whether he loses himself tomorrow or next week, that won't change.]
Do what feels right, and let us worry about what comes after.
no subject
So when Reiju speaks again there's a flinch, shoulders jerking in surprise before he slowly lowers his hand. Looks at her again. Tries to impress on himself: there are others here, and that's what's important. What she's saying is important, because in this moment, she's the only anchor he's got. ]
What feels right... [ He says it to himself at first, a quiet mutter. Isn't that what he's always tried to do...
A puff of air, like some of the weight is off his shoulders, like she's given him permission. ]
I'll have to keep that in mind. I... Thank you. [ And, after a moment, a little smile. ] You guys'll be fine. You'll make it.