Badr slams down 20 ceramic. "I'll match her stake. What say you, Akiya? You have my word that we'll defend this caravan or die trying."
Bug's antennae were twitching in the direction of the pack animals and their wagons. She made an irregular rapid clicking sound for a few moments.
Sienna looks at Badr with a nod, then nods to Darzus as well. "Look, you should be paying us for our skills, but consider this a show of good faith and trust. You're a businessman, this is a free investment! If the caravan doesn't succeed, some of your losses are covered. If it does, you pay us back but you still got the benefit of our skills on the road."
She sighs slightly and says, "If you're not interested, we can find someone else, of course. But you're a noted businessman, you have a solid reputation, and we all stand to get what we want out of this."
Akiya's eyes light up for a brief moment when he sees the coins. But, he quickly recovers. "The coin, and him." He points at Rilkus. "As collateral. If you betray me on the trek to Makla, I will keep your coin, and declare the mul my escaped property"
Badr nods grimly. "Very well Master Akiya, we will not betray you then. With the desert's blessing, we will all survive this journey."
Badr moves to inspect the caravan. He carefully looks over the cargo and other mercenaries.
Rilkus looked at the dwarf with hard, cold eyes. ”I will not betray you. But I am not beholden to the actions of others. I only speak for myself. And I will *never* be a slave again.”
He looked over the dwarf as he said this, and put the heavy load of water down with a thud. At that moment he looked more than willing to be rougher with the dwarf that he was with the water. Rilkus looked anything but amused.
Akiya's guards do not understand a word Rilkus says, but his tone does not hide any of his intent. They grab their swords and spears, ready to strike. An upturned finger from the dwarf freezes them in place. He scowls for a moment, and at it almost looks as though he'll order them to attack. But, then, he bursts into laughter "You have a fierce spirit... a spine of steel!" He hooked his finger, and the guards put their weapons away. "If you defend my property as fervently as you defend your freedom, I can be sure my property will be secure. You're hired! All of you! For the price we agreed upon."
He points to the barrel "Put that in the cart, we leave in two hours."
Sienna is about to speak up, but with the situation resolved - at least, mostly to satisfaction - she nods and lets Akiya pocket the money.
"All right, folks, let's find our places in the caravan," she says.
She sidles over to Rilkus and helps him to stow the water barrel.
Rilkus nods and slaps Sienna on the back.
Bug crouched next to Darzus, mostly still save for antenae and mandibles. She was continuing to make that faint, high pitched chittering sound.
Badr helps lug the barrel to the cart. He then spends the next two hours assisting the other caravan members. While doing so he attempts to learn names, origins, motivations, etc.
The guards appear to be unfazed by the new additions, although a few of them take an interest in Sienna--especially after they learn she can cook. They give Bug a wide berth, and stare daggers at Darzus and Rilkus. They do not trust the pair, for different reasons, no doubt. Few elves are trustworthy in the desert wastes, and Rilkus has shown to be aggressive about his freedom. Still, preparations are completed without incident, and, soon, they are ready.
The sun has just begun its downward journey when Akiya gives the order to move. He mounts his cart and slaps the reigns while the guards flank the crodlu and wagon. With a massive heave, the beasts step forward and the cart lurches to roll across the hard-packed street. The guards march, leading the crodlu along, and the cart trundles past the safety of the northern gates and into the wastes of Athas.
For hours, the cart marches through the blistering heat, ever northward while the blazing red sun sinks closer to the western horizon. Shadows stretch east, and the air begins to cool, before Akiya orders a halt for water and food.
The sun sits low on the horizon, a burning blot of blood staining the western sky as the guards rush to start a well-shrouded fire. They freeze, however, as the earth begins to shake... Bug and Badr sense the danger just in time to keep Ninshabur's servants from falling to the earth as five hooked muscular arms burst from the hard-packed soil and a toothed maw latches on to one of the crodlu, almost instantly devouring it. The guards rush to pull the other beasts to safety, while Akiya curses at the delay, heedless of his own imminent demise.
This beast is a dust digger, a foul, mutated beast of the Tablelands. It has a voracious appetite, and hunts by making pits for prey to fall in to. It's large enough to swallow even a giant whole.
Sienna is polite with the various guards but slightly reserved - she is happy to engage in idle banter, to talk about old traveling stories or listen to people's plans for their future, but she refrains from getting too close to anyone too quickly. Still, she's a good cook, even if it is just barley flatbread with prunes, or grape leaves in olive oil wrapped around grain.
In the heat of battle in the midst of the desert, there is no time to hide or to delay. Sienna uncorks her waterskin and pours a handful of water into her hand, then throws it up into the air where it sprinkles down over her new companions.
"Let the blessing of rain refresh and renew you," she intones firmly.
Now that everyone is fighting for their lives out in the desert wastes, she seems to have lost any reservations about revealing her true calling.
Badr will double move around the north of the beast in an attempt to flank with the others. "Let's bury this thing in the desert where it came from!"
Bug knew well the dangers of the wastes. This thing would destroy the wonderful car'van if it wasn't killed.
She knew it wasn't her place to make those decisions though. Her cord was held. Her place was here. She stood firm.
Rushing forward towards the beast, Rilkus glared daggers at it. He wasn't used to fighting such creatures. Hell, he wasn't used to fighting in general. But he wasn't going to die here, and he wasn't going to embarrass himself by fleeing from his duty. He said that he would defend the caravan, so defend he would. With all of the strength born from his mixed heritage and a life time of hard physical labor, he roared as he brought his fist down onto what he thought was a soft spot for the beast. It was hard to tell, but it seemed like it worked.
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Badr: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Bug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Darzus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Rilkus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Sienna: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Antagonist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
In the heat of battle in the midst of the desert, there is no time to hide or to delay. Sienna uncorks her waterskin and pours a handful of water into her hand, then throws it up into the air where it sprinkles down over her new companions.
"Let the blessing of rain refresh and renew you," she intones firmly.
A cooling mist falls from the sky, soothing burned skin and chapped lips. The water steams on baking sand and skins alike, and a light fog fills the air. It's a good sign, a blessing, to have water appear like that. It means bounty will come soon. Ninshabur's servants feel invigorated and calmed by the mist, as though the horrors of the wastes cannot touch them now.
Perhaps the mist is why Rilkus is emboldened to attack. Rushing forward towards the beast, Rilkus glares daggers at it. He isn't used to fighting such creatures. Hell, he isn't used to fighting in general. But he's not going to die here, and he isn't going to embarrass himself by fleeing from his duty. He said that he would defend the caravan, so defend he will. With all of the strength born from his mixed heritage and a life time of hard physical labor, he roars as he brings his fist down onto what he thinks is a soft spot for the beast. It's hard to tell, but it seems like it worked. Rilkus feels the hard armored plates over the creature's rubbery flesh crack beneath his fist and the beast roars in pain.
Badr uses the conflict as a distraction and slinks through the crowd to position himself precisely for the next blow.
The monster thrashes on the sand, swinging at Badr and Rilkus. Badr ducks beneath the wild blows. The beast is dumb with pain, and swings blindly. But, one slams on Rilkus' leg. He feels thick tooth-lined puckers sink into his leg and rip small pieces from his thigh!
With but a thought, Darzus summons a chilling ice that crusts over the creature. The thing shudders as though its life is sapping from its flesh, but it flexes quickly and the ice crusting shatters.
Bug stands besides the caravan, blandly looking at its fellows' struggles.
Dust Digger attacks Rilkus
O.O that missed?!
Dust Digger attacks Badr
miss
Everyone has Bless
Sienna moves up through the churning sand to stand beside Rilkus. She lashes out with her shortspear, probing at the creature's defenses in an attempt to keep its tentacles busy and give Rilkus an opening for another mighty blow.
Rilkus stumbled as his leg was slashed open. But the most? It was a sign, surely. A sign that everything would work out. And then Sienna jabbed at the creature, causing it to reel back to defend itself. It was the opening he needed. Using his wood-covered arm to swat away a tentacle, the Mul delivered another punch...on the same spot he had just battered moments before. If it wasn’t already injured, it certainly was now.
Assuming that Rilkus has moved into flanking position, Badr will sneak attack the dust digger.
Badr: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Bug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Darzus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Rilkus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Sienna: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Antagonist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Sienna moves up through the churning sand slide to a stop, beside Rilkus. She lashes out with her shortspear, probing at the creature's defenses in an attempt to keep its tentacles busy and give Rilkus an opening for another mighty blow. Despite stumbling because of his slashed leg, he readily seizes the opening Sienna creates. Using his wood-covered arm to swat away a tentacle, the Mul delivered another punch...on the same spot he had just battered moments before. If it wasn’t already injured, it certainly was now. His fist connects with the beast and he feels more of its shell shatter with the blow!
The beast howls in pain, and Rilkus knows that it cannot take many more of these. It thrashes in agony, throwing off Badr's aim. But, its wildly flailing tentacles catch Rilkus again on the back, tearing a chunk free from his back. It is a small price to pay for the damage he has caused it.
Strikes at Rilkus
strikes at Rilkus again
hit
O.O THIS IS THE LEAST-GRABBINGST GRABBY CREATURE EVER IN THE WORLD
miss
Attacks Badr
attacks Badr
Bug was blasted by the debris kicked up around Darzus, but only turned her head away slightly while she continued to watch the battle.
Sienna steps back slightly and flicks a few droplets of water from her fingertips across Rilkus' scarred and torn back. Strangely, the cool water seems to have more effect than just a momentary diversion from the heat - it's as if the water seeps into his wounds and dulls the burning pain, quenches the fire of ragged skin and soothes the pulse that pushes against his straining muscles.
Badr, flanking with Akiya, slashes again at the beast with his dagger.
Badr: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Bug: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Darzus: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Rilkus: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Sienna: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Antagonist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Sienna steps back slightly and flicks a few droplets of water from her fingertips across Rilkus' scarred and torn back. Strangely, the cool water seems to have more effect than just a momentary diversion from the heat - it's as if the water seeps into his wounds and dulls the burning pain, quenches the fire of ragged skin and soothes the pulse that pushes against his straining muscles.
Badr, sensing an opening, slips beneath the flailing tentacles of the sand-beast with a quick dive. With one, precise strike, he thrusts his dagger up, deep into the beast's hide. Blood rains down on his from the wound, coating him int he slick fluid. The beast roars in agony one final time and then collapses to the sands, dead.
The guards waste no time cheering for the beast's demise. Rather, they draw their swords and quickly begin carving the beast up into steaks for the cookfire.
Sienna gently lays her hand on Rilkus' back and says, "I need to help cook the meat, but please, let me tend to your injuries later when we make camp."
As good as her word, she takes up a small obsidian cutting knife and helps with hacking away the usable meat from the creature, wrapping it up for storage and later cooking.
Rilkus nodded. ”Thanks.” It was a word to be used sparingly. It was a word that spoke of debt, some would say weakness. But it was a powerful word as well. Regardless of its connotations, Rilkus meant it when he said it.
Badr uses his dagger to cut open the gullet of the dust digger. ”Sometimes they swallow useful things.”
Akiya gathers Ninshabur's servants about him while his guards tend to the crodlu. "You handled yourselves well. Wouldn't mind hiring you permanently."
After she finishes her part in butchering the beast, Sienna makes a quick round to see to the injured. Scuffs, punctures, slices - it makes no matter, she has a quick and critical eye and she attends to anyone who's wounded, whether by the beast or by the environment.
Badr wipes the gore off of his blade and then responds to Akiya. "We're at your service until we reach the Smoking Crown."
Bug watched the aftermath, her hands idly playing with a puzzle box. She was glad for the strength of this new hunter-pack. The waste was a dangerous place. The only way to survive was to be more dangerous and work together.
Akiya grunts at Badr's words. "You are at that. You are at that." He barks orders to cook the meat and prepare for a short rest before moving on.
Rilkus walked over to bug. He stared at bug in the eyes. At length, he finally said "You were given to us for a reason. I am going to pretend you can understand me. If you ever see me punching something, or something trying to eat me, you help me. Got it? Because I'm not carrying water around for you if you are just going to sit there staring. Nod if you understand."
You ត្រូវបានគេផ្តល់ឱ្យ to us for a មូលហេតុ. I am នឹង to ធ្វើពុត you can យល់ me. If you មិនធ្លាប់មាន see me វាយអ្វីមួយ, or អ្វីដែលកំពុងព្យាយាម to eat me, you help me. បានទទួល it? ពីព្រោះ I'm not ដឹក water នៅជុំវិញ for you if you are គ្រាន់តែទៅ to sit there សម្លឹងមើល. ណូដ if you យល់.
Bug raised her chin almost she was looking up (though her strange eyes made it possible that she was looking pretty much anywhere). Her hands stopped fiddling with the puzzle box. She made a short series of clicks and chirps. Then she crouched low to the ground.
"Yes, I see you, softskin. You are very strong and I like you. No, I will not eat you. You are not water. I thank you for protecting this caravan. I do not understand where you want me to sit, so I will sit here. I hope that is right."
By lifting her chin, Bug is offering Rilkus her neck, where her carapace is weakest. It is a sign of respect or submission.
Sienna, meanwhile, is busy preparing the chunks of meat from the dune horror.
"Badr!" she calls out to the knife-man. "Come over here a moment, would you?"