The Prince Behind The Sand - TRUE SANDBOX HOME BREW (Inactive)

Game Master Jeremy Packer

Kaaras nods to his two companions, responding in a hushed tone.

"I understand both of your concerns. However, your fear is speculation only right now. Until further evidence is brought forth, I wish to believe them. We have an opportunity here to settle this with as little bloodshed as possible. I wish to talk with Bratto further, we have no immediate reason to distrust him."

The druid looks to his ranger companion.

"My friend, they may not be working with gnolls, not yet anyway. And we may be able to stop that from happening. Or at least find out if and why they are working together."

They are probably working together...

"I have a few ideas depending on what information we learn inside. Please trust me on this, we have little time to discuss anything before they change their mind."

I have no idea what I'm doing. But I suppose this is better than nothing. Gotta start somewhere right?

"Gadrick, if you wish you may remain behind, it might be a good idea in case it is a trap. You could go get help if we do not return in a bit. It is your decision my friend."

Please don't be a trap

Kaaras then moves to the side of the cliff, grabbing hold around Adaar and riding him to the top.

In a whisper response to Atajinn.
"Next time you do the talking. I'm better with animals! No more disappearing! What do you know about these formians? And I think you're confusing Adaar with a bear. He does not even like bees."

Do I know anything more about formians with that previous roll or would I need another one?

No disappearing? Harumph... We coulda sorted all this out before we got here. Oh well. Let's see if I can help us get out of this mess.

Atajinn whispers back to Kaaras.

"From what I understand in my vast vault of informative information, Formians are like humanoid locusts that colonize and destroy until it's time to move on. I doubt they have any real motivation other than to feed and expand with little concern for the lives or territories they consume. Unless you're planning on serving up snake steaks with hero sauce, I think we should all run before it's too late. Eeeee!"

Gaddrick looks at the top of the cliff, at Karaas and then back to the top of the cliff.

"Nah. You misunderstand me. Our numbers are too small to divide ourselves. Besides, I have short legs, there's open desert and very few alleyways and very few taverns to start brawls in for cover. I can get myself out of quite a few jams, including raspberry, but it would take the whole pantheon to get me anywhere in one piece out here if things got ugly within. I just want to make sure we know how bad things will be during our escape.

How tall do you figure that cliff is?"

Oh my Lady, I've got a bad feeling about this, but if you'll guide me, I'll try to keep my feet on the path.

Can I take 10 on a climb check (for a total of 11) to get up the wall successfully?

Unless you refuse the assistance from the workers there is no need for for a check. If you refuse you can take 10 or 20 as normal.

Dahrani will refuse assistance from a potential enemy because he is stubborn. I will take 10, and if that's not enough, I will take 20

Dahrani begins to slowly climb the cliff wall on his own, refusing assistance from the formians.

"I can make it up this cliff wall just fine on my own. Just need to be careful about it.

"Well I suppose I should try as well."

Don't tip your hand to these creatures. If they think you're less than you are, it might play to your advantage down the line.

Gaddy puffs himself up like he's about to do battle with the cliff. He marches over to it and proceeds to attempt to make himself look like a worse climber than he actually is.

Gadrick shrugs and heaves a slightly dramatic sigh.

"I guess I shall require assistance."

The group carefully climbs up the cliff, refusing the aid of the formian workers. The formian workers step back then turn to return to their positions. They quickly move down the other side of the cliff, returning to their work expanding the area.

You see an area being cleared by the formians. Some kind of expansion and fortification. There is no real sign of the gnolls, though inevitably they are somewhere nearby. Probably hiding down the hole to the north.

You are all now on the cliff. To climb down there is no need for a check. You can take 10 or 20, get aid from each other, or the formians.

The hole mentioned is the grey square, which leads underground.

I think we had a miscommunication. I probably wasn't clear in my earlier post. I didn't refuse help. I was trying to make it look like I couldn't climb up by myself well and then I stated I'd require assistance

Can we see Bratto?

Atajinn moves quietly along the ledge to the north to get a closer look and attempt to spot any hidden critters as well as the exact location of the trap Bratto mentioned.

Kaaras walks up the edge and calls down to the formian leader.

"Bratto. It would appear my companions are uncomfortable with closed in spaces. If it is not too much trouble, could we talk here?"

Bratto turns to address Kaaras.

"Your safety was promised my friends, but alas, negotiations require trust. I will trust you I guess."

Bratto turns to each of his two associates and then looks down the hole to the north. As Bratto heads toward the rise where Kaaras awaits, two additional warriors climb out of the hole. The first brings out a wicked barbed spear and hands it to Bratto. Then the warrior returns to his companion and they take up guard positions at the hole. The two associates return to working with the other workers.

Once Bratto has reached the top of the rise, he again addresses the group.

"Now Kaaras and friends, I hope this shows my motives are genuine."

Bratto is now armed with a spear.

Kaaras smiles genuinely.

I can not believe that worked. Now what?

"You have my gratitude Bratto. I apologize for the lack of trust from my friends, they are not as comfortable with the many inhabitants of this land as I."

He looks back at the group for a moment with a face full surprise before facing Bratto again and taking a non threatening step forward.

"You wanted to know what I could offer in exchange for peaceful travels through the area? For starters, I could act as a liaison for you and the surrounding peoples to improve relations and potentially set up trading if you are interested. Otherwise I am willing to listen to your needs and see if there is anything I may be able to help with."

Kaaras looks up to Bratto with sincere interest, awaiting his response.

Bratto begins to make a low clicking noise. His expression is soft and when he leans his head back that this odd sound is the formian version of laughter.

"Such an interesting offer you make. You wish to work as a taskmaster for the colony? This will require some consideration."

His expression quickly returns to blank though.

"As for what we need, that is simple. We need to expand the colony. To do this we need food and territory. Are you able to provide this Kaaras?"

Kaaras, can you update you and Adaar's positioning on roll20? I doubt you're talking to Bratto from behind Adaar, and I'd like to position my character accordingly.

Updated my placement on roll20

The druid thinks for a moment.

"While I can not make any immediate guarantees, I can look into finding you suitable territory that will allow you to expand and safe travel for the surround traders. As for food, that depends on what you are looking for. Forgive my ignorance but I am not familiar with the formian diet."

Please don't be people...

Repositioned myself as well.

Don't regret these choices. Bloom guide and protect me.

Gaddy puts away his sling staff before taking a few steps forward so as to be off to the side and only a short way behind Karaas.

Atajinn retreats back quietly to rejoin the group.

He then whispers to Kaaras via his Message spell using his best Formian voice impression.

"The colony must grow. To grow, the colony hunt. To hunt the colony must expand. This is how we live. This is how all life lives to some extent. Your travelers are our prey."

"I think these guys ate our missing travelers, Kaaras. Not very nice at all! Please don't let them eat me!"

Bratto does not seem to notice Atajinn

Bratto's face contracts into what seems to be an awkward smile.

"Kaaras my friend, we are predators by nature. We consume nearly anything living. Animals, beasts, even men."

Bratto turns slightly back to the entrance, then comes back.

"Kaaras, it sounds to me that you have no real authority in this, and you seem to think that you can limit the colony to a certain territory. If you wish to save your travelers from being prey, either move your travelers from our path or provide an alternative."

"Now Kaaras, you have indicated that the travelers do not wish to take a different path, so I ask what alternative do you wish to offer?"

"I can offer assistance in finding a new food source. Either by helping set up trade with the surround people or locating a better hunting ground. If neither suffice, my friends and I will take our leave and do what we can to turn away future travelers."

Bratto nods.

"You wish to help negotiate trade? I would be open to such negotiations, but until they are set up we still need food."

"Alas Kaaras, at this time no such agreement can be made. I offer you the chance for safe return here for further negotiations. Those who travel with you here will share that safety. More than that I cannot agree to."

Bratto steps back and bows slightly. He then turns and begins to climb down the hill.

Kaaras bows back respectfully before turning back to the group, addressing them in a hushed tone.

"Well, that went better than expected. And now we have the opportunity to bring trade to the area. Atajinn? Where are you? I'm going to need your help on that, you have much more sense for that sort of thing than I do. Now, we should leave here before we overstay our welcome. Unless anyone objects?"

He looks to his companions for responses.

Atajinn feels his invisibility spell wearing thin and dismisses it abruptly behind Karaas. He whispers a reply back through his message spell.

"What?! I've been here the whole time. You should get your eyes checked, Karaas, honestly. I'll be happy to tell you all about my trade negotiation tactics on our way back to the oasis. Let's get outta here!"

He begins walking away from the hive as quickly as he can.

"I'm certainly not happy with leaving these creatures be, but I understand we were outnumbered in this encounter. I hope that we return one day to remove this threat to our people."

Dahrani let's out a sharp whistle and Kaepora takes off to begin scouting ahead.

Gaddy adds softly to the group.

"Well, let us discuss details and misgivings further afield among ourselves. We've several days of travel ahead. Better in private than in whispers."

Kaaras calls for Adaar to follow and nods to Gadrick as he leads his companions away from the hive and back the way they came, towards the oasis.

"Dahrani, my friend. Are you sure you are not just upset about them working with gnolls? If we have the opportunity to have peaceful relations with these formians, should we not try that before more harsh actions are taken?"

He thinks for a second.

"I do agree though. Should negotiations fail, the expansion of their hive could easily endanger many more lives. We must handle this matter carefully."

"I do not hold faith in anyone willing to work with the gnolls. I am also weary of a creature that holds no regard for intelligent life."

The group travels two days back to the oasis. The trip is quiet and uneventful.

After the group travels a safe distance from the hive. Assuming nothing bad happens.

Atajinn pipes up the conversation after a few miles with a wide smile.

"So Kaaras, you know I was joking when I suggested we could "talk" to those bugs, right? The only trade they are interested in is world domination. We almost ended up as food ourselves or worse... SLAVES!! I'll do the talking from now on for sure but no more bugs, ok?"

He waves his hand slightly in a familiar fashion. Small rocks begin to float up in the air only to suddenly fly off in random directions softly landing in sand a short distance away.

Cast Mage Hand

"I think if we really want to stop traveler's from coming to harm on the road we'll have to be a lot more subtle and maybe start with a smaller threat. One we can handle on our own. How about checking out those meddlesome elementals Jaal warned us about?"

Kaaras nods in agreement with Atajinn.

"Sounds like a solid plan Atajinn. But first I'd like to let the spirit know what we have discovered. Maybe it will have some information about the formians we can use should we encounter them again."

The druid steps away from the group and out towards the location where the spirit first appeared. He looks about the oasis for a moment before taking a relaxed stance, clearly waiting for something.

The day winds down and the sun begins to fall and the group settles in to stay the night. A cool breeze picks up and the cook fire that Gadrick and Dahrani build smells good.

As the shadows descend, soft splashing sound can be heard and soon the familiar shape of the guardian spirit can be seen walking out of the pool.

"Kaaras, Atajinn, Dahrani, and Gadrick. How wonderful to see you again so soon. And looking no worse for wear I see as well. I assume that means the rumors of attacks that I heard were mere exaggeration."

The spirit settles in on the shore and lays down, as a hunting dog may lay next to his master's hearth. The usual stench is more mild tonight as the wind blows the smell away from the group. The glint of intelligent thought and curiosity it still there though.

"I wish that was the case. The attacks are real, Formians have established a hive near the area and are expanding. They also appear to be working with gnolls, but we are not sure of that, or why."

He takes a seat not too far from the spirit and Adaar coils up next to him, his head resting near the fire.

The spirit guardian lifts it's head.

"Formians, interesting. And what adventures you must have had driving them off. Tell me of these deeds.

We probably would've all died if we attacked that hive. There were so many of them! I wonder if this spirit actually wants to help us or is just looking for entertainment?

Atajinn stands up with fervor and begins to tell a tale...

"O' stupendous furry four legged spirit! Let me tell you of the greatness of our deeds! oh ho ho!"

He whispers a simple incantation to begin. Prestidigitation

"We traveled many days out in the blistering desert sun only to be set upon by scores of alien bug-like creatures, a Formian ambush! We sprung to action immediately. Dahrani and Kaepora flew into battle, tearing and slashing this way and that...

Blue streaks scar the air momentarily as Atajinn waves his hands around then claps them together in a ball.

"Adaar slithered between two assailants and crushed them to death with his immensity!" Finally Kaaras split the skies with shrieks of thunder and lightning... CRASH! ZAP! Nothing left but smoke and cinders. The battle was won!"

A small orange and blue firework explodes over the group for dramatic effect. After a few moments of silence, Atajinn sits back down and speaks plainly to the spirit.

"You must be very happy knowing heroes like us! Such an honor indeed!"

Gaddy watches Atajinn with mild amusement.

Never trust a thing he says to not be embellished...

Still, I suspect by "driving them off", the spirit meant by force of arms and his story does involve a lot more force than we actually applied. Now, where does one go about getting a small army?

The spirit perks up more.

"The great and mighty heroes! It is indeed an honor to know those that have crushed this evil menace and made our friends safe. What will you do, now that these formian terrors have been eliminated?"

The spirit looks eager as it awaits the plan.

Kaaras lets out a small sigh.

"I apologize spirit, my friend Atajinn likes to exaggerate. We merely fought off a scouting or hunting party. The hive very much remains a threat. Unfortunately their numbers are too great for us to do anything about currently."

The druid sips a small amount of water from his skin.

"However, we were thinking about checking on the elementals that seem to be causing a stir."

The spirit lowers its head again, seeming to think for a second.

"Well, even great heroes need to know their limits I guess."

The spirit remains quiet for a second then shakes its head as if it truly was the canine it appears to be.

"Now what of these elements you seek? What do you know of them? If they are causing trouble, it would be in all our interest to put a stop to them.

I wonder why we're still here talking to this hyena?

Atajinn perks up for a moment in response to the spirit dog.

We know almost nothing about them at all! Isn't that exciting!? We should get going and find out... No need to keep bothering you with such troubles O' great spirit. I'm sure you have lots of important guardiany things to do.

He mutters something barely audible to himself while packing his things. Several rocks float harmlessly at Kaaras, bouncing off his head and shoulders before landing in the sand.

Mage Hand

The spirit smiles slightly, revealing a rotting grin.

"You are a curious little man Atajinn. Your excitement is admirable though. I wish you luck in your journey."

The spirit stands and begins to return to the pool from which it came.

Please give me individual Sense Motive checks. PCs only, no pets.