GM Mowque |
Paq nods, obviously processing all of this new information. Silently he leads the way, guiding a blind and faltering Sevak. Every moment on the streets is a deadly danger even before he transformed. If Iskassala heard that a spirit naga was int he city and attached him to it....He hurried faster.
Paq often bends over, sniffing the foul mud between alleys. Judging by smell, darkness and noise, they are headed into the heart of the slums. Finally Paq pauses saying, "They are in here, an old temple."
Carefully Paq leads the ex-druid up the stairs, which he can sense are old and chipped marble, some of the slabs missing, no doubt to brace some other, newer building.
They step inside to a cool room of some type, a slight breeze int he space.
"So you follow us?" It is the voice of the older male ratfolk from the hut. "You who take the form of a spirit naga....Explain yourself."
Sevak can hear the breathing of one other and smell....herbs and incense.
Sevak Paradesee |
Bitterness rises in Sevak's heart as Paq leads him. He had done the only thing he knew to save his life, the lives of the ratfolk, and the lives of the nagaji. But now, he realized he had likely only made things worse for these ratfolk, for Iskassala would hear of what he had done, and she would know he had violated his exile. Her wrath would be terrible, and likely the ratfolk would suffer from it.
Were even his intents to do good twisted to evil now?
Sevak starts slightly at the older ratfolk's voice. He takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out, steeling himself for whatever came next.
"You now know the full truth of what happened to me at the shrine," Sevak bitterly replies. "That form is the reward of my folly, my cowardice, my failure, the mark that when I thought I had to choose between death and darkness, I feared death more."
He bows his head in shame, words tumbling from his lips as he continues, "I had not taken that form since I paid so much for it, for I feared what might become of me were I to use it. But when those nagaji came... I saw no other way to avoid bloodshed but to terrify them with it. But now I see I may have only brought more trouble upon your heads. For Iskassala cast me out for this, and when she hears of one who took the form of the spirit naga... I fear she shall hunt you to find me."
He slowly raises his head, speaking the words he felt he had to say. "If you wish to turn me in... I will not resist. Perhaps her wrath will be spent upon me, and you be left in peace for your part in my capture. It would be a just end for this fool, who should have chosen death before the touch of evil."
Obviously I'd rather they didn't take this offer... but at this point, Sevak does not put a lot of value upon his own life. It's one of the things he's going to have to recover from in the future.
GM Mowque |
There is a long pause and Sevak can hear his life hang in the balance. When it is broken, it is not the old ratfolk or Paq but a different voice, a lighter, even older voice. A female voice.
'Do you know what that thing was, that you slew in the jungle?" Her voice is laced with herbs, both known and unknown. It is like an exotic perfume and the stuffy air of the old temple is made refreshed and vigorous.
When Sevak hesitates, she goes on, 'It was a Esipil Sahkil, an evil outsider. They are drawn by disturbances in the natural balance, looking to feed on such things and distort them even worse. In slaying it, you remove an evil, no matter how petty from this world."
"That is why I agreed to let you meet my son." A slow exhalation from the 'old ratfolk' Sevak had met in the shack. If he was her son she must be...ancient was the kindest word he could think of.
"I think you have proven to me that you need healed. Will you accept our help, no matter how hard or foreign it seems to you? Rakitan has said you are desperate but desperation is not enough, not on its own. You need to have faith and hope."
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak's breath caught in his throat for a moment. Could they truly still be offering help after what he had done?
He swallows, struggling for words for a moment. He answers the easiest question first. "I had not known what that creature was," he slowly states, "Though I had feared it was some sort of evil. It claimed there were more, and I worry for the jungle."
He pauses for a long moment before answering the second question. "I have not tasted hope since my folly at the shrine, and my faith in the naga has been destroyed with none to replace it. All I have to offer is my determination," a brief, bitter grin flashes across his face, "The only thing I still own. I will accept your help, do whatever you ask, so long as it does not aid darkness--which thing I think you would never do."
GM Mowque |
The old ratfolk woman sighs and says, "All actions contain some darkness, no matter what we do. From the humblest peasant to the mightiest naga. But the reverse is also true and all actions contain light. Even your former Mistress in all of her arrogance and malice does some good. One example may be bringing you here. That may serve many int he future."
A thoughtful pause then, "You must go to the Sacred Spring." With practiced ease she tells where it lies, deep in the jungle. It is unknown to the ex-druid but he believes, with Paq's help,t hey could find the way.
"By telling you this, I have risked much. It is sacred to our people and has been kept hidden for many centuries. You would be the first nagaji to set foot there."
'Go there and await what fates the gods allow you. It is as much as any can do." Sevak hears the shuffling of feet and suddenly a presence close by. The aroma of herbs and incense intensifies.
A frail furry hand rests on his head, "I give you my blessing." A brief pause then, 'Your orchid...it smells pleasant."
Sevak Paradesee |
"And I give you my thanks, for what they are worth," Sevak replies, carefully rehearsing the directions in his mind to commit them to memory.
He hesitates a little before adding, "The orchid... is a memory of happier times. And perhaps, if I can overcome some of my faults, a sign of what may again be."
Another pause. "And you may rest assured I shall hold this knowledge sacred. I will never reveal it to another."
GM Mowque |
The ratfolk steps away and says, voice a hair brighter, "Your faults are not as black as you may think, nagaji. Now go, you are in danger as long as you are in the city." Quickly they are hustled deeper intot he temple then out some back door.
Paq whistles approvingly, 'Nice set up." Then they are in the street again, heading out. "So, that went well." Paq says to Sevak, voice tight. 'I think you impressed her."
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak barks a short, bitter laugh. "Let us hope I live long enough to meet her expectations, then. Now, have we a plan for leaving the city? I rather doubt we can use the same way we came in."
GM Mowque |
Paq exhales sharply and pulls Sevak into a corner in a smelly alley. 'I had planned to just walk out, one sick nagaji isn't so hard to get out. But apparently we kicked a hornets nest. In the last few minutes I have noticed at least two squads of soldiers looking for us. Won't be easy."
The ratfolk grunts, 'There is always one way, the sewers."
Sevak Paradesee |
"Well, I shall scarcely be able to see how unpleasant the surroundings are," Sevak jokes with a weak grin. "Lead on, my friend. I have no desire to die, nor to shed nagaji blood."
GM Mowque |
Paq lets out a sigh and says simply, "I hate sewers."
He leads Sevak down a few alleys and then tells him to crouch down. They half roll half crawl through a tiny hole in the street. A noxious putrid reek wafts out of it. Together they crawl down the hole, the smell growing stronger and stronger, making even Sevak's useless eyes water.
Then they fall into a brick lined passage half full of water. Sevak smacks his head on the low roof until he learns to crouch. The water is thick and...lumpy.
"trust me, you are lucky you can't see it." Paq says and leads the way. Sevak's hands, on the slick slimy walls let him keep up rather easily with the ratfolk.
For awhile they trudge in silence through the stink of the sewers. Finally Paq says, 'It is pitch-black, if you want to know. Can;t see a thing. You are right, it is terrible." The joke is a bit barbed, but Sevak can tell the ratfolk is on edge, like he usually is in tight spaces.
More time passes, more sloshing through horrid seweage and more slimy tunnels. Several times Paq curses and they backtrack, 'You nagaji can't even design a good sewer system. Why is it all curvy and full of dead ends. If you ever go to Goka, check out the sewers. They are straight and well-designed, perfect corners. Sewers worthy of criminals. This is just barely controlled swamp."
They press onward.
Roll Perception
Sevak Paradesee |
I thought ratfolk had darkvision?
"I certainly do not plan to remain in Nagajor, so it is possible I may someday visit Goka," Sevak replies, his tone somewhere between serious and joking.
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak draws his fang-blade. "Something is here!" he whispers urgently to Paq. "It is in the water!"
Sevak Paradesee |
"It's in front of you!" Sevak keeps his voice quiet but urgent. He readies his shield, senses straining for more hints as to the creature's identity.
Is there room for Sevak to move up next to it? If not, could he squeeze in between Paq and the creature?
Sevak Paradesee |
"Get behind me!" Sevak hisses, suspecting that pushing ahead of Paq would simply put them both in greater danger.
Okay, not doing anything else for this round.
GM Mowque |
Before Paq can move Sevak can hear a mass surge forward and attack the ratfolk. "It looks like...a giant grub?"
Then battle ensues and Sevak can hear teeth snapping at flesh.
??: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Grapple: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Then there is a yelp and a splash as it sounds like the beast tackles Paq into the fetid water.
Sevak Paradesee |
"Paq!" Sevak cries out. He dares not slash blindly, for fear of striking his friend instead of the beast, and so he fumbles about with his shield hand, searching for a target before attacking.
Not sure if I need to roll something here?
Sevak Paradesee |
Or does he have a clear enough idea of where to strike that he doesn't need to do this?
Sevak Paradesee |
All right.
Not knowing how long Paq might have, Sevak slashes at where he thought the monster was.
Fang-blade slash: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Miss chance (high is good): 1d2 ⇒ 1
Blind-fight re-roll: 1d2 ⇒ 2
GM Mowque |
Sevak's blow hits the creature, while it is busy grappling Paq. The ex-druid can feel soft nearly gooey flesh give way under his blade.
Sevak can hear Paq take a breath of air and try to break his way free of the clutching creature.
Break grapple: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
By the sounds of it he fails and is tossed back under the surface of the sludge.
The creature, a giant grub?, lunges at Sevak, obviously worried about his blade.
bite: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
It misses, hardly able to commit due to the struggling ratfolk locked in combat with it.
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak feels like he should cry out, grab Paq, something... but the best he can think of is just to kill the creature more quickly. And so he slices in its direction again with his blade.
Slash: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Miss chance (high is good): 1d2 ⇒ 1
Blind-fight re-roll: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Uh-oh...
GM Mowque |
Sevak slices again, but this time instead of the squishy flesh of the grub he hits something more solid. Paq cries out in pain, 'Idiot, watch where you swing that thing!" The rest of his complaint is drowned out as he is re-dunked in the water.
Grub Attack!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Again it misses, Paq's thrashing throwing it off.
Nice job, Paq doesn't have THAT much HP
Sevak Paradesee |
Poor Paq... I've been curious about Paq's stats... but I kind of like not knowing them. :D
Sevak bites back a retort, shame swelling in his heart at the thought that he might be the ratfolk's death here. Grimly he presses on, aiming a bit higher this time, silently praying to any goodly god that will listen to guide his blade.
Slash: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Come on, don't hit Paq: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Please don't hit Paq: 1d2 ⇒ 2
But in his concern for hitting Paq, Sevak completely misses both of them.
GM Mowque |
Sevak's blade misses and digs deep into the brick tunnel, gouging out a spray of mortar. The blade is wedged.
Str Check DC 12 to get free
Paq again tries to escape the grub's clutches.
grapple Break: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
The ratfolk fails but the grub, content that Sevak is no threat, focuses on him.
Gnaw: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 6 = 8
Whew
Sevak Paradesee |
Cursing under his breath, Sevak lunges forward, aiming to grab the grub-thing himself and pull it off of Paq.
Grapple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Can he find it?: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Blind-fight re-roll: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Seriously, Sevak?
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak grits his teeth against the pain and makes another attempt.
Grapple: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Can he find it?: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Blind-fight re-roll: 1d2 ⇒ 2
...Seriously. The same roll.
Sevak Paradesee |
Unfortunately, Sevak isn't much without his magic, as has been pointed out before.
Sevak hasn't a clue where he would find Paq's bag--was it on him? Thrown into the water? Well, he might search for both at once.
He shifts around, using his feet to try to feel for the pack while he again grabs at the grub-thing.
Come on Sevak, roll higher this time: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Miss chance: 1d2 ⇒ 1
Miss chance 2: 1d2 ⇒ 2
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak strains to pull the creature off of Paq, thinking that the seeing ratfolk might have better luck stabbing the creature than he would.
Grapple to help Paq get ungrappled: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Finally, a good roll! Hopefully Paq's still conscious enough to benefit from it.
GM Mowque |
Sevak manages to blindly wrestle Paq free, by forcing open the gnashing jaws of the worm-like creature. Paq writhes free, scoops up the pack and pulls out a knife. Even as Sevak grapples it, the ratfolk stabs the grub with a knife, Sevak can hear the blade slide home.
Almost instantly the creature seizes up and starts to shake. With gentle force Paq pulls Sevak back as the beast lashes and splashes. In a few moments it stops, and silence reigns.
"That was my last dose, too." Paq says, breath sharp and shallow. "You owe me.."
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak pants for a moment, adrenaline still surging through his system. As his nerves settle, he feels around the wall until his finds his sword, and, after a couple of tries, pulls it free, then sheathes it.
"I owe you a great deal, Paq, and likely will owe you more before this is done," Sevak replies. "But perhaps I might provide you some small assistance now, if my skills have not entirely left me. Let me see if I can still at least use my wand."
He fumbles around in his pack for a while until he finds it, then focuses on carefully going through the motion and word to activate it on himself.
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Sevak smiles as he feels it working. "Here, Paq, touch me so I can find you."
As soon as he feels the ratfolk's touch, he waves the wand over Paq a few times.
CLW 1: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW 2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
CLW 3: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
He pauses, tilting his head uncertainly. "Do you need more, Paq? If not, let us continue swiftly. The scent of blood will work through the stench of this place eventually, and may well draw other creatures."
GM Mowque |
The ratfolk shrugs under his touch. 'I'm fine, let's go."
Together they thread the tunnels.
Sevak Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15
They get lost and spend hours in the muck, retracing their steps. Just before Sevak is about to give up hope, Paq finds an exit. They rush out, heedless of where they ended up. Even if it leads into a naga throne room...
The roar of the ocean fills Sevak's ears. "We are near the beach, they must pipe the waste into the ocean. Jungle is that way. Come on, you need to help me find a place to sleep." The ratfolk guides Sevak's steps.
Sevak Paradesee |
"We should walk where the waves wash the sands. It will hide our tracks," Sevak says.
He guides Paq on how to find a good place to camp. Just going to take ten on this given my luck recently, so Survival 23
"In the morning, we shall have to find the landmarks leading to the spring."
GM Mowque |
Clever
"It will also wash off this slime.." Paq says, sniffing.
After walking through the waves, they re-enter the jungle. With Sevak's help they camp in the lee of a massive fallen trunk. Inside the wood is dry and aromatic, a nice change from the sewers.
The night passes without incident although Paq spends hours drying their equipment. Finally he wakes Sevak saying, "The sun is up. Let's go."
For hours they walk into the jungle, using the landmarks given to them. With the jungle guides help, they make good progress and even paq's mood seems to be getting better. The sun is warm on Sevak's scales and the jungle is calming, as usual.
Then Sevak feels the humidity increase and the whine of insects.
"A stream." Paq supplies, 'Slow moving though."
'We'll have to cross it." he sounds worried, "Only way across looks to be an old crumbling log. Either that or swim but gods know what lives in the water."
Sevak Paradesee |
"As much as we both could use a bath, the jungle's waters are rarely safe," Sevak agrees. "Describe the log. Perhaps I might be able to guess how well it shall support our weight. If it seems too unsafe, we might be able to find something else in the surrounding jungle."
Sevak Paradesee |
"Perhaps I can cross on hands and knees?" Sevak suggests. "That will be less precarious, yes?"
Sevak Paradesee |
Sevak considers a moment. "Go first," he says. "Then tell me when you are ready."
He waits for Paq to give the all-clear, then carefully half-crawls, half-climbs across.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
GM Mowque |
Paq skitters across, his climbing soon drowned out by the steady wash of the river. Sevak climbs up, the old bark crumbling under his hands and feet. He has to dig in with claws to keep his place, but keeps his balance. Soon he is on the muddy far shore, and Paq pats him on the back. "Like you were born to do it."
Perception and Survival please
Sevak Paradesee |
"The jungle, at least, is familiar to me," Sevak replies, not-quite deflecting the praise.
He keeps his ears open as he stands, always wary in the jungle. It may be more home to him than anywhere else, but that only means he knows its dangers.
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
Survival: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Sevak Paradesee |
I know :D
"Run!" Sevak shouts, pushing the ratfolk ahead of him as he suddenly races forward.