Moving to flank the vicious native who held their friend and now attacks Torch, Aerys cries out "Feel my blade."
Gelik hops from his left foot to his right foot, then back again. Looking for an opening. He then darts into position, wailing the words to a spell loudly and ending with a shriek of punctuation.
Torch feels hope surge again, buoyed by Ralf's magic and Aerys' blade. He launches his own set of attacks in response to Umagro's, baring his teeth in fury.
Torch, newly healed, cuts Umagro badly, and is assisted by the elemental creature pummeling him, while Gelik knocks out one of the goons and Kamal summons the clinging vines to keep the man in the hopper contained.
Just Umagro and one of the thugs left then. Umagro attacks Torch viciously again for 12 points of damage, while the other man fires at Gelik for 4 points.
You are up again.
"You... shouldn't... have involved us... in your little war..." Torch grunts through gritted teeth as he cuts at Umagro again.
Aerys, her face set in grim determination, strikes at Umagro again. "May you madness end with the flow of your blood."
Ralf sends a lesser amount of healing at Torch.
boosted Lesser Cure:
Gelik cringes as the arrow slices across his body.
Yeah. I was just knockin' you losers out until you had to cross the line.
”Careful Torch!” Kamal yells rushing forward to assist his companion. Calling upon the power of nature, a green glow the color of verdant leafs surrounds the Mwangai guides hands. Moving up, Kamal gestures towards his earthen companion to attack Umagro again. Reaching the back of Torch who is furiously engaged with the leader of the group of dissidents, Kamal lays his hand on Torch, knitting the worst of the mans wounds.
N Small outsider (earth, elemental, extraplanar)
Init –1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +4
Defense
AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (–1 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size)
hp 13 (2d10+2)
Fort +4, Ref –1, Will +3
Immune elemental traits
Offense
Speed 20 ft., burrow 20 ft., earth glide
Melee slam +6 (1d6+4)
Special Attacks earth mastery
Statistics
Str 16, Dex 8, Con 13, Int 4, Wis 11, Cha 11
Base Atk +2; CMB +4; CMD 13
Feats Improved Bull RushB, Power Attack
Skills Appraise +1, Climb +7, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +1, Knowledge (planes) +1, Perception +4, Stealth +7
Under your combined assault Umagro goes down, and after that it is easy for you to take care of the rest of the insurgents and liberate a very grateful Ishirou.
Nobody is going to claim Umagro's belongings, so in case you are interested he's wearing a masterwork breastplate, two masterwork kukris (one of which is magical) and a magic amulet of some sort. From his men you can collect eight masterwork clubs and eight masterwork composite shortbows.
After peace is restored you can return to your preparations unless there is something you'd like to follow up.
Ralf tries to identify the amulet and kukri, using his focused trance.
take 10 on Spellcraft for 38
Gelik eyeballs the amulet. He isn't really interested in anything else. You fightery types go ahead and pick out what you like. Maybe we should give the rest to our new pirate chums. Aar...No, that's not right. Yaarr! That's a little better.
He then looks for some way to get to Ishirou (presuming he's still on the roof). Ahoy! Ishirou, how do you fare?
Dismissing his earthen companion, Kamal frowns at the body of Umagro. There are other ways to reach an accord, it does not always have to come to blood. Sighing, Kamal runs his tired eyes over the group members. We should return to the warehouse and take stock of our supplies. Even in a city as large as this it would slow our departure if we had to repurchase everything, and I fear that time is of the essence.
Torch does not look happy at the fight's end, and he kneels for a moment over the body of the rebel leader. "You tried to kill those who might have been your allies," he murmurs. After a moment's silence, he looks up at the others. "You're right. We should look at the warehouse. We should also be on guard - this was not accidental. Someone turned this man and his followers against us." He frowns, thinking back to what Ralf said, a strange sword he found on Smuggler's Shiv and a tattoo on a beautiful woman's back...
The magic items are pretty mundane as such things go, a Kukri +1 and an Amulet of Natural Armor +1.
Fortunately you managed to put out the fire before any serious damage was done, so preparations proceed apace, only with increased vigilance. As you are getting ready to leave, captain Kassata approaches you again.
"We don't really know what's out there, and it's become obvious that our competition will do all they can to stop us. I would hate to fall into an ambush, so I think we'll need a seasoned guide to give us an advantage. No offense, Kamal, but I think we need someone more experienced. There is a local holy man that the people here call the Tempest. He's supposed to be a reclusive and as volatile as his namesake, but he could be a key assett to us. Find him and persuade him to come with us, will you?"
Nodding thoughtfully, Kamal crosses his arms. No offense is taken Captain Kassata. I know of this man. He is well regarded as a guide but he is also... erratic. If we do not take up his service another group will and it would be our loss. His name is Nkechi and he is a holds a measure of Gozreh's power. I believe he lives north of here on the Bluffs. From what I recall he is a hermit. The best way to reach him would be by boat. If we approached at high tide we could make it there safely.
"Ahh, back to sea again, however short the journey, it will be good to smell the salt in the air." Aerys says as she tries out the new short bow and arrows she acquired. "Quite nice, well balanced." she says after an arrow whistles through the air and lands in the bark of an old oak tree.
Satisfied that there wasn't much damage at the warehouse, Gelik seems ready for bed-time. The more, the merrier, I say. Tempest, teapot, whatever. As long as I don't need to find this guy out in the wilderness, or row the boat, I'm good with it.
You manage to procure a small boat and approach the dwelling-place of the reclusive hermit. He has chosen an impressive abode. Jagged seaside cliffs of pale limestone tower over the rocky shore. Gulls weave overhead in the updraft, while from below rise the deafening echoes of the roiling surf as it beats against the rocks.
The waters are shallow here, and soon enough you are forced to leave the boat and wade (or more conveniently leave Gelik in the boat as you pull it to shore). As you approach land two giant crabs (although not as large as the one Pezock made into his home, only about three feet across) approach you from ahead.
Time to roll for initiative.
Ralf scratches his head. "Remind me -- why are we on a boat again?"
Init:
"Hermit, visit the hermit...that's why Ralf." says Aerys with annoyance and a shrug of the shoulders.
Hold! Kamal quietly states, raising his hands in a slow gesture. I may be able to convince the crabs to let us pass in peace. Focusing on the creatures, Kamal reaches for the inner spirit of each trying to sooth and calm the giant crabs.
"Hermit, visit the hermit...that's why Ralf."
"Oh right...makes sense," Ralf answers vaguely.
Gelik sits regally in the boat, arms crossed, his magnificent headdress perched just at the right jaunty angle upon his solemn brow. He then brightens suddenly. Hermit Crabs! How appropriate!
He seems disgruntled that Kamal wants to commune with giant, carnivorus vermin, but hey, whatever floats his boat. Gelik has always preferred to talk to mammals.
The crabs seem to be appeased by Kamal's gestures and sink back into the water, letting you wade ashore. There you find a conch shell horn haning.
Watching the crabs scuttle off into the surf Kamal smiles. It was good that not all conflicts had to end in bloodshed. Reaching the conch horn Kamal picks it up. I believe that we are to blow to the horn to announce our presence.
Smiling at 'Torch' Aerys says, "Hmm, that Kamal may be quite useful after all, saved blunting my edge on those shells, though the meat might have been quite tasty."
As you blow the horn nothing happens for a while. Then, after a tense wait, high upon a narrow ledge, a dark-skinned man appears. Dressed in nothing but a loincloth, his wild, knotted hair whips about in the wind. Shouting above the crashing surf he calls down, “Who are you and for what purpose do you seek me?”
Torch smiles in his usual ghastly fashion. "I'm not terribly excited about killing where it's not needed," he replies. "This works out just fine from where I stand."
At the appearance of the Tempest, Torch does not answer, well aware of how most people react to him a first meeting. He looks toward Kamal and Gelik instead.
It's probably better if Gelik handles it. I can provide an assist if necessary, but I'm better with animals then I am people. Kamal whisperers leaning in towards the group.
Gelik disembarks delicately, stepping lightly onto the driest land he can find. He looks up, adjusts his headdress, and then notices that everyone is waiting for him to say something. He smiles in realization, and puffs up his chest. He bellows as loud as he can, his voice dropping an impressive number of octaves so that it might carry further.
Oh wise and powerful Tempest! We are a group of explorers, bound for an adventure full of discovery and profit! We seek a lost city deep in the wilds, and come here to petition for your assistance as a guide and all-around advisor! You really do come most highly recommended by all of the buccaneers we consulted, and seem to be a snazzy dresser to boot! Oh most-high-up Tempest, won't you consider our lucrative proposal?
The hermit is impressed by Gelik's oratory, although he maintains a gruff demeanour. He clambers down the steep cliff to hear you out, leaving you to get a better look at him. Though he is still agile and muscular of form, Nkechi’s face and knuckles bear fine creases that show his age. Wind and sea salt have turned his dark skin rough and ashen, and his palms and soles are caked with white chalk from climbing the cliff face. He has long, graying dreadlocks and a scraggly beard, and dresses in nothing but a loincloth.
"Well, Pale ones, what is this adventure you are talking about?"
Aerys nudges Gelik in the back and whispering in his ear, "Go on, I think he likes you."
Of course he likes me, I'm a maestro. He turns from Aerys to Nkechi. I haven't really internalized the details, per se, but I understand that we'll be going someplace, to figure out how to go someplace else. A wicked old lost Azlanti city. A long journey, many miles, likely to be spiritually fulfilling. You'd fit right in as a member of the team, I can tell. Umm. He looks to hic companions. I could use a little help on the particulars. I'm more of the idea man; place names are not my strong suit.
“Cat got your tongue, eh? Well, I must admit that you make a good case, as well as showing an excellent taste in clothes, and you did get past my guardians. But in truth, I am skeptical of your abilities. At best you seem to me blissful incompetents. I doubt you even capable of finding your way back to town, much less through the jungle. But Gozreh
may have different ideas, and it may serve his purpose for me to accompany you. I am willing to accept your proposal if you first prove yourselves by completing two simple tests, one of wind and one of water. Of course, you may decline, but I must add that if you fear performing Gozreh’s simple tasks, there is no way you will survive the jungle.”
Ralf watches the discussion with great interest.
"Tests?" Torch interjects, unable to help himself. "What kind of tests?"
Aerys looks up at the recluse, her brow knits into a frown, before she nods at Torch's reply.
Well, you're certainly a savvy judge of character. I couldn't find my way back to town with a map and a compass. Most days, I have trouble finding my trousers. Of course, you might be surprised by our skills. We did survive a shipwreck on Smuggler's Shiv, which involved cannibals and a flying lizard monster, and other assorted horrors that all wanted to eat us. Yet, here we are! So, Gelik rubs his hands together. I vote for wind first, since I'm an expert at passing it and blaming it on nearby dogs.
Nodding solemnly Kamal agrees. Tests such as this were not unknown, but Kamal suspected there would be more to it then met the eye.
Nkechi affords you a wry smile. "Suit yourselves. The task of wind is a simple one. All Gozreh requires is a single complete feather from a humble stormbird. One such magnificent creature, named Chirok, lives but a day’s walk east. There, at the end of a peninsula, you’ll spot a lone promontory known as Gozreh’s Crest. The bird nests at the top of the cliff. Return when you have a feather."
A day's walk? Is that really necessary? Aren't there any closer tests? Gelik seems disappointed that there will be more exertion. He will grudgingly follow the group, assuming Torch knows which way east is.
As they're walking, Gelik mutters, Humble stormbird my pale hairless arse. Guaranteed ol' Chirok is fifty feet high and it tries to eat me.
For lack of a better idea you start trudging eastward. Soon enough the sky darkens and it begins to rain, but it causes you more discomfort than trouble. Finally you arrive at your destination. As per Nkechi’s description, Gozreh’s Crest sits at the very edge of the peninsula, an ominously scarred chunk of dark granite worn into a steep, wave-like shape by centuries of wind and rain. Its face catches the ocean, creating a natural wind tunnel that amplif ies the wind and creates howling updrafts.
Any plans about how you'd like to tackle this challenge?
"So Kamal, you are a native of the wilds, what do you suggest, how best to clip the wings of this bird? I mean, I've hunted birds for food, but not just a feather, seems strange to kill for just a small thing." says Aerys thinking hard but shrugs as nothing comes to mind. "So I guess it's camp time, but not hear in the howling winds. Let's find somewhere more sheltered."
Ralf scratches his head in confusion. "Not such a nice day for a walk, is it?"
"There are likely to be feathers in the nest, aren't there?" Torch asks, scratching his chin. "I'd like to think we could just climb up and take one without the bird being the wiser..."
Looking up, you realize you're facing a stiff challenge. The smooth, wind-beaten eastern face is impossible to ascend. Only the western face is jagged enough to allow for solid footing (Climb DC 20).
"What up there!" points Aerys, "It won't be easy. Have any of you got any rope. I have a grappling hook and some rope, but I don't enough to climb to the top." she looks at the climb, hoping to see an easier route.
Gelik cocks his head from one side to the other, looking dubiously at the jagged crest. Nope. He sits down and adds, I'll be right here whenever we're ready to go back. Nkechi can go pound sand, as far as I'm concerned.