Round 4, initiative 8
As her foe goes down Natalyah spins around and drives her short sword across the neck of the last zombie. The magic dagger follows after but slices only air.
"Amisi, get back!" she snaps as to Amisi as she steps up beside the wizard .
Amisi's spell fails, Quetza turns on the remaining zombie scoring a hit that does not quite finish it. Cutlass disengages and starts a summoning.
Natalyah steps up and lays the last zombie low. Helga burns the plant some more with Alchemists fire and then Setebo's feral form rips it to shreds.
Fight over.
In my case it provides a +1 circumstance bonus on attack rolls against thetarget of my challenge for my allies as long asI threaten it/
I'll try and put a revised map up later today
"That was ... fun!" Helga laughs. "Well done Setebo, you have the beserkergang in you! Is anyone injured?" She goes around quickly retrieving the spent arrows - even broken arrows, as the arrow heads can be used to make more.
Natalyah delivers a final thrust with her dagger through the downed zombie to make sure it stays down, before she rises to her feet and starts to undo the straps to her buckler. She takes the shield and throws it forcefully before Amisi. "There, take it! If you're so intent of charging into battle, you should carry it", the half-elf snaps at the wizard. "Take this as well. Use it to prick whatever creature weak enough not to rip your heart out within 5 seconds!" she continues and throws the star knife into the ground next to the buckler.
"What do we do now? Should we set off to the lighthouse and burn it down? Or why not see if the savages have a village and run head first into it? Because following a simple plan doesn't seem to work, does it?!" Natalyah shouts and throws her hands up into the air.
Shrugging off Natalyah's outburst as something "not to get involved in" Caithan sheathes his sadly bloodless blade adn goes about the task of retrieving his arrows and pulling the dog off his kill.
"That was ... fun!" Helga laughs. "Well done Setebo, you have the beserkergang in you! Is anyone injured?" She goes around quickly retrieving the spent arrows - even broken arrows, as the arrow heads can be used to make more.
"Helga Evadottir Alfchild, you have a strange idea of fun."
Setebo sounds exhausted."I...I am wounded." Setebo opens his armor revealing the bleeding holes where the tendrils pierced him.
"The plant was aiming for our firebrand but I was in the way I think." Setebo prods one of the holes and winces as he pulls a bit of tendril free.
Setebo is pointedly not looking at Amisi.
"Helga, do you know what happened? What is beserkergang?
"It is when a warrior falls into the trance of battle, when rage and joy fill them and they become a being possessed by the spirits of war, or by their totems. Berserkers often seem immune to harm, and deal terrible blows to their foes - they are often warriors of legend." Helga's eyes sparkle as she talks excitedly.
Helga places her hands on the strange being's wounds and sings softly.
Healing: hit points
"Well I amm clearly not immune to harm. Thank you Helga" Setebo smiles as he brushes the frozen blood from his now healed skin.
Setebo will examine the remains of the plant, the plant-people, and the clearing for anything of interest.
Setebo
The clewaring holds little of note.. a trail leads off to the north west from the northern edge but otherwise there is nothing of interest.
Setebo** spoiler omitted **
"The bodies, the plant. Do we want to burn them?
Setebo seems less tired now.
"Think that might be a tad unnecessary at this point Setebo." Caithan says prodding the plants burnign remains with a boot. "Well that was a bloody mess. Now then, where to next? Torching the light house or taking on an army of cannibals?" Caithan smiles broadly. "Or did we have a slightly more sane plan in mind?"
Natalyah shoots Caithan a cold glare clearly not amused by the cavaliers jape. "We're out to find a new camp, unless you have forgotten. It' clear that we're not going to find it here. We move on. Quickly. This battle may attract more of those savages, or worse."
She takes some of her frustration out on one of the zombies with a kick before moving onward.
Quteza had taken the blows soundly and Atzi was minding to him during the commotion and heated shouting from Natalyah. She too had been furious at first when Amisi had ran into the fray but that was only because she put Quetza at risk to defend her, nothing more. She smirked at Caithans before adding her own comment to the mix. "Burn the remains, just in case the plant has seeds that remain and can take root or the juju beasts for that matter. Then if no new enemy comes calling soon, I say we set up traps for the cannibals. Namely setup traps on the trail we crossed, because it is time they knew they do not own this island and that they best tread lightly."
Seeing that Quetza wasn't too badly injured, Atzi moved to recover her two shortspears from where they stabbed into the ground from her poor throws. "I say we use the spiders venom and coat the traps, that way we can weaken them and make it easier to kill their tribesman." If anyone gave her a shocked or quizzical look, she would look back levelly with a tinge of fury touching her normally serene eyes. "If we plan on surviving then you best realize its us or them and I for one plan on destroying them. Not lets burn these and move on."
"Yes, the natives will come running toward the place of the walking dead where the plant they fear lives ... actually, like the spiders, this place could be relatively safe. However, the edge of the escarpment is probably better."
Helga takes some time to examine the remains of the plant and the bodies of the fallen.
Perception:
Atzi smiled at Helga's words. "We are like a shadow, and until they learn to look over their shoulders when they walk through the jungle. They will never know we are right behind them." With her last shortspear slung back on her back she moves to light a torch and burn the remains to ash once Helga was done doing what she was doing.
Updated map of the current situation
The bodies hold nothing of interest..two are obviously sailors and the third is one of the savages
b][/smaller] If anyone gave her a shocked or quizzical look, she would look back levelly with a tinge of fury touching her normally serene eyes. "If we plan on surviving then you best realize its us or them and I for one plan on destroying them. Not lets burn these and move on."
Setebo raises an expressive eyebrow to Atzi.. "Forgive my ignorence but why must it be us or them? We know nothing about them. They may be afraid, they may be defending their home against invaders. You have said that your goal is to leave this island. If you wish to leave and they wish us to leave then we have the same goal....perhaps a way could be found."
QUOTE="Amisi"] Amisi tries to avoid Natalyah and rather tries to have Setebo between them.
"I didn't mind to disregard a plan - someone shouted fire would be good. I will stay well back next time."
To Amisi: "You did a foolish thing by rushing in. It nearly cost us both out lives. Do you see this blood? It is mine. The plant sent tendrils into my body while I was protecting you. I pulled them out with my bare hands. If I had not been here this would be Atzi's blood or Cutlass's or the good lady there's. We triumphed today in spite of this wound but that will not always be the case. Next time I may not be able to reach you in time or withstand the injury I take on your behalf. So please, please friend Amisi stay back, listen to those who are skilled in fighting. There is more than enough blood soaked into this island. There is no need to add yours."
"Well said Setebo. Now clean yourself off man you'll terrify people being covered in blood and stalking the forest like that."
b][/smaller] If anyone gave her a shocked or quizzical look, she would look back levelly with a tinge of fury touching her normally serene eyes. "If we plan on surviving then you best realize its us or them and I for one plan on destroying them. Not lets burn these and move on."Setebo raises an expressive eyebrow to Atzi.. "Forgive my ignorence but why must it be us or them? We know nothing about them. They may be afraid, they may be defending their home against invaders. You have said that your goal is to leave this island. If you wish to leave and they wish us to leave then we have the same goal....perhaps a way could be found."
Atzi shakes her head sadly, as much as she wanted to agree with Setebo's words. She could not. "When we first encountered them they attacked us, we did nothing to provoke them. Yet they come howling like enraged monkeys and stabbing us with spears. I do not think they wish to leave this island, many ships pass by this place. If the lighthouse does exist then why haven't they used it?" She pauses thinking on how many of the feral tribesmen they had slain, was it five or six now?
"They also outnumber us, at least we continue to find them. So that tells me they're tribe has built a village and thoughts of leaving are unimportant to them."
As she moved to burn the bodies she paused and looked back to Setebo her fury gone from her eyes as she said simply. "The next time we encounter them, perhaps we should leave one alive and you can ask them what they want."
"Indeed, if war they want, war they shall have," Helga nods agreement. "I have the spell of understanding tongues, I can try and talk to them if you wish. If they can and will help us, all to the good, but if they seek our deaths then death they can have."
Unlike Atzi Natalyah has no problem disagreeing with Setebo's words. "Keep your ignorence to yourself!" she snaps at the barbarian. "Did they look afraid? You can join forces with Amisi when she storms into their village. Ask them if they have a boat we can borrow. Or maybe a long ship with a few dozen crewmen while your at it", the half-elf continues with ill hidden sarcasm.
"Well said Setebo. Now clean yourself off man you'll terrify people being covered in blood and stalking the forest like that."
"Aye Captain!"
Setebo sets about repairing his sartorial distress.
To Atzi & The mysterious heavilly armed stranger. (you are going to have to tell me your name sometime Natalyah.)
"I fear I was unclear. I do not think they want to leave but rather that they might want us to leave. This is their home. We do not belong on this island. Perhaps they see us as invaders, they may not know we cannot leave on our own. This could all be a misunderstanding. They fear us, we fear them. Soon blood calls for blood and everyone is dead. Perhaps even if they hate us they would see that helping us to leave quickly is in their best interest? Perhaps..."
"Well said Setebo. Now clean yourself off man you'll terrify people being covered in blood and stalking the forest like that.""Aye Captain!"
Setebo sets about repairing his sartorial distress.
To Atzi & The mysterious heavilly armed stranger. (you are going to have to tell me your name sometime Natalyah.)
"I fear I was unclear. I do not think they want to leave but rather that they might want us to leave. This is their home. We do not belong on this island. Perhaps they see us as invaders, they may not know we cannot leave on our own. This could all be a misunderstanding. They fear us, we fear them. Soon blood calls for blood and everyone is dead. Perhaps even if they hate us they would see that helping us to leave quickly is in their best interest? Perhaps..."
"Perhaps it makes little difference at this point. They'd hardly believe any benevolent intent from us now having put a few of them in the ground. Besides, sounds as if we have a consensus to wipe out unknown peoples here. We have more important things to concern ourselves with. Such as how do we get those people where we need them? How do we better defend the camp? And where on this damnable island can I get a decent glass of Wiscrani Brandy?" Caithan looks around as if expecting to find a pub.
To Atzi & The mysterious heavilly armed stranger. (you are going to have to tell me your name sometime Natalyah.)
Unknowlingly Setebo hits a nerve and Natalyah's eyes darken. "I do not fear them! Do you understand?!" the ranger shouts and waves a finger at the barbarian. What ever patiance still lingered in the half-elf is swept away as she continues. "They're degenerate natives and will remain so. We are not going to try and talk to them. We are not going to seek them out. If any of them cross our path we will kill them. Is that understood?!"
]
"Perhaps it makes little difference at this point. They'd hardly believe any benevolent intent from us now having put a few of them in the ground."
Setebo ponders this..."...Well perhaps there is something we could do to apologize for that. A price or a task. At least we would be talking. But you are right it may be too late. I still think we should try."
"I do not fear them! Do you understand?!"
Setebo looks confused. "Why not? I fear them." Setebo walks to the first zombie and pulls out the javelin he threw into the plant-man. It squeeks, the same sound an axe makes as you pull it from a badly split log. Setebo holds up the weapon. "Their swords are poor but this is a fine tool to kill with. I would not like to see a dozen or even half that many armed with a few of these each. Not as good as your blades or your bow or your star knife but they will serve. If nothing else by talking to them we might get close enough that they will choose their poor swords over their fine javelins. However there are no savages here," Setebo looks at Natalyah. "so we should focus on what we can do."
"Helga is right this seems a good place. It is even open to the sky so Quetza should feel more at home."
"That doesn't surprise me. I don't care if they have javelins, axes or siege engines. We're not going near them, do you understand me?!", Natalyah spits. She has long since lost the control of the volume of her voice. "None of the savages that's seen us have lived to tell about it, and that's how it will remain."
"Are you really that stupid or naive that you think they can be reasoned with?! Or anything else on this god forsaken island? We would have been better off if we left you hanging in the spider webs."
"That doesn't surprise me. I don't care if they have javelins, axes or siege engines. We're not going near them, do you understand me?!", Natalyah spits. She has long since lost the control of the volume of her voice. "None of the savages that's seen us have lived to tell about it, and that's how it will remain."
"Are you really that stupid or naive that you think they can be reasoned with?! Or anything else on this god forsaken island? We would have been better off if we left you hanging in the spider webs."
Setebo stares at Natalyah. Her insults seeming to vanish into his dark eyes. "Perhaps I am stupid to think that people might react with fear, hatred and violence when confronted with something they do not understand. Perhaps I am naive to think that calm understanding can prevail. Perhaps" here Setebo's voice takes a tiny bit of an edge. "it would have been better to have left me to die, and if you had then perhaps, you might have been quick enough and strong enough to save Amisi. But what is done. I am here, how you react is your concern."
Setebo waits for Natalyah's reply. He stands loose, arms at his sides. Not quite in a fighting stance.
Rolling his eyes at what was a pointless display Leaving the dog to chew happily on a leg he stepped bodily between the two.
"Enough!" He turned his head as to keep them both in his steady glare. "We are not here to commit genocide. Nor are we here to discuss treaties with cannibals likely more interested in our heads. We are here because Gozreh saw fit to hurl us here. Our goal is to survive. I will not begrudge a desire for peace or a bloodthirst born of fear for ones life. But if you two would rather bicker by Desna's wings I'll give you both the pummeling of a lifetime and haul your broken carcasses back to civilization myself! Are we clear?"
"Can we keepthe fighting down to quiet shrieks of rage?" Helga asks sarcastically. "We can only deal with one half of the island's monsters at a time when the come to find out what is making the noise."
"Sorry captain....Sorry..Sorry" Setebo's shoulders slump and his knees sag. "Work to do...Work to do..."
Setebo rapidly begins to gather up his dropped weapons. He makes eye contact with no one.
It is now mid morning..you have some time before the noon heatwave to search for a suitable campsite
Atzi shakes her head at the suggestion of using the clearing as a campsite. "I'd rather set traps and move on. We are much to close to where they travel and i'd rather not wake to a hundred spears descending upon us. No, let us trap their paths and take the back ways until we find a place further from them. The less traveled the better." As she surveyed the sky she squinted in the bright light and took a deep breath as she felt the noon heat starting to kiss her skin.
"We travel south, hard and fast. After all the shouting there isn't much more we can do to announce ourselves and the next savage we find we will take alive."
Seeing Setebo in that sad state Atzi moves to him and stands in his path, once she stops him she makes him look up. Once he does she says quietly. "Ignore Natalyah's words, she wants only to leave this place and the longer we remain the more angry she has become. She has great strength but her anger gets the best of her, so do forgive her and do not let yourself be beaten so easily. You are a strong person Setebo and in the short time I have been near you, I can easily say I would trust you with my life and today you saved Amisi. You have nothing to be ashamed of..." Without waiting for a reply Atzi turns away and begins moving south. Hard and fast, before the heat sets in.
Quetza gives an annoyed huff as he rubs a wing across his ears, why were so many soft skins so loud? As Atzi begins heading through the jungle he gives a pleased rumble and stretches his wings. A moment later he takes flight and flies swiftly south after her.
To Atzi "I owe both your band and the Captain my life. It is not my place to cause trouble.
Argument left behind and gear gathered Setebo sets off after Atzi. The savages saber helping to clear a path for the others.
Setebo keeps a special eye out for very tall trees or nice flowers to brighten up camp.
It is said that you find what you want to find, and when Natalyah searches Setebo's words for an insult she does just that. However, before she can respond in kind Caithan breaks in followed by Helga. Natalyah gives the captain and the barbarian a dark look but the half-elf bard's words seem to have an effect on the ranger.
"Fine", she murmurs now realizing that she's been making alot of noise. Embarrassed she curses herself for loosing her temper but mostly she curses the damned freak that caused it. "but keep your lapdog on a leash", she adds in a childish urge to get the last word.
She works quickly as she helps to set up some traps, eager to get moving again .
"but keep your lapdog on a leash"
Survival rolls please..
Survival rolls please..
Survival:
1d20+6
It takes you about an hour to find a suitable camp spot..close to the cliffs on the southern edge of the plateau where a waterfall plunges over the edge to the bay below.
"This is a good place," Helga approves, "defensible, clear air, fresh water."
"Just as many bugs as everywhere else." Caithan chimes in smashing a massive mosquito before it got him.. "Should we head back and start getting the others moving?"