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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.
no subject
And then very suddenly, things get disorienting—because they do move, but not in the direction she expects. There’s other hands scrambling at her as they go up, and for a moment alarm bells are going off in her head as someone’s brushing against her shortened arm before she realizes—Mark, right. He’s up, he’s okay, he’s helping, even if the urgent maneuvering of three airborne bodies is hard to parse at first. He's strong and capable, and surely they can turn this around two-against-one.
A wordless yell of frustrated exertion comes from her even as he shouts at their enemy, begins pulling at them. Suzuha tries to help in disentangling herself from them, kicking and shoving now that she’s got the support of Mark gripping her tightly. She’s managed to hold onto her gun through this quick rush of chaos, but firing with the three of them in such a close scramble would be a terrible idea in the best of times, and their streak of bad luck would surely only compound it.
She feels herself getting jerked forward as Mark yanks at their enemy with great force—an agonized scream comes from them and she can’t be sure why in the thick of things, but she knows she needs to get them to let go of her. She swings her gun, whipping it against their skull in an attempt to daze that seems to succeed; the hand clawing tightly at her shoulder suddenly falls slack enough that they can’t cling to her any longer to fight against Mark’s relentless force. They are pulled away and Suzuha finds herself once again missing having a second hand as she scrambles to try to stabilize herself against Mark, feeling off-balance with the sudden absence of their foe.]
no subject
It's not over, because there are still so many of them down below. Their supplies— Their group— Everything's a chaotic mess and it's all that Mark can do but pant as he hovers in the air above it all, suddenly too winded from this whole thing, feeling beaten and broken and like he should have been able to do more but—
Suzuha tries to find her grip against him and it brings him back to reality. Now that it's just the two of them with a moment of respite above the fray he can adjust his hold on her, try to get her into something more comfortable, less frantic. ]
I've got you. I've got you, I've got you, I've got you...
[ His words come out in quick breaths as he brings them a little higher — no stray ankle-grabbing or sneak attacks this time, just. He needs a moment to breathe. And after that moment, after looking down at the carnage below them, taking in stock Suzuha's wounds, his own exhaustion, the way everything has devolved so inexplicably fast, he looks down at her. Searches her eyes.
We have to go, she'd said, and, ]
Do you, [ gulps down another lungful of air. Fuck, ] want to go now?
[ She was right. She probably knows better than he does. ]
no subject
She can’t help but assess the situation playing out around them either, though. The foe they’d just dropped writhes on the ground beneath them and clutches at a mangled arm, but she can’t spare the attention there for long. Their comrades are still fighting, most now pushing outward in multiple directions to escape the continuous press of their enemies. Enemies which are far more numerous than she would have expected.
Her gaze snaps back up to Mark. He sounds exhausted—looks it too—and is sporting injuries of his own. Maybe if he hadn’t gotten sick, they would have had more of a chance to fight back. With him, and Ninety-Nine, and Gojo, and—all of the incredibly capable fighters they’ve got on their side, maybe they could eke something out, but…]
We can’t win this fight. [Is that an answer? Because no, she doesn’t particularly want to leave this as is. She knows better, though.] Not without a huge cost.
[They can’t afford to pay it, nor would they be willing. You have to know when to pick your fights and when to run. This is a clear case of the latter.]
We have to go while we still can.
[Said a little firmer, unwavering. Make the decision and follow through with it quickly. That’s how these things worked.]
no subject
He subconsciously tightens his grip on Suzuha, pressing her to him. He is not going to let go of her. He is not, not ever.
We can't win this fight, and his gaze snaps back to her. Nevermind everyone below — some of theirs are breaking away. He just has to trust in that, because as his body is telling him right now, there's only so much he can actually do. As Suzuha is essentially telling him right now, too. He could at least fly off somewhere, set her down away from all of this and jump back into the fray, but what would that even accomplish?
Mark hesitates. Sighs. All of this, and for what... He tried to save some of these kids, and for what...
He dips his head. ] Yeah, okay. [ Lifts it back up. Straightens his posture in mid-air. Holds Suzuha to his chest, makes sure she is not going anywhere. ] We'll go.
[ And above it all he starts making his way towards the dense patch of trees that make up the forest proper — because surely, in there, they won't be followed. ]