"Don't worry! I'm sure it will save you for last. Everyone knows that dwarves taste like salt!" the elven bladedancer jokes.
In addition to Ieanna and Captain Kovak's, and some booted humanoid, three types of tracks are discovered.
There are smallish ape tracks
There are also some type of light bipedal lizard... flightless bird-like.
There are quite a few tracks crossing the path, that look to be that of lizardfolk.
"You recognize these Beautiful?" he grunts at the varisian girl.
You first notice movement on the far side of the ravine. Several of the tall trees are swaying, and short leafy branches rustling... likely monkeys or some critter. You then look directly down to the face of the cliff... something catches your eye dropping from what looks like a cave in the cliff face, and into the water.
Syndlara frowns as she looks around. "Well, apes and some sort of lizardman-thing...And I think we're not alone. Trees are swaying across the ravine. Probably monkeys, but I think there's something in the water too. It dropped out of that cave over there," she says, pointing out various objects.
Truk reaches for a handful of his iron spikes and watches the water carefully...
Gatherine bristled with a seething anger that made her puff up indignantly,brandishing both loaded pistols with a sneer.
All apes and monkeys must DIE.
Iolana shakes her head in response to Truk question.
"Nope, sorry. I know how to track, but am no nature's expert .Learned a bit of surviving in the wild while doing some explorations with.....well, with dad."
While talking, the girl gets more and more nervous along with Gatherine and Syndlara.
She draws her blade and waits in silence, watching the water and the trees.
Two hunched green-scaled humanoid emerge from the water.. downriver on the near bank. One immediately charges, the other raises a large spiked club and makes a throaty tongue-warbling cry "UNGUH UNGUHLAGLGLGLGLULUL!!!", and then charges as well.
As they approach, more lizardmen show themselves; standing tall in the fast moving river. They move toward you as well... waist deep against the current. They have considerable musculatures and frames... the force of the water barely seems to slow them.
"Natives", Truk grunts. "Don't let 'em split us up."
The hulking half-orc pulls the staff from his back and gestures for the lizardmen to 'bring it'.
Syndlara reacts quickly to the lizardmen's presence, drawing her blade and extending it toward her oncoming foes. She rises on the toes of her right foot, the left swiveling behind her, unextended from the knee, as she begins the opening step of her bladedance.
Str 12/Dex 13/Con 13/Int 17/Wis 12/Cha 14
HP 27/27
AC (lamellar armor) [Tot 20] [Touch 16] [FF 18] Dodge feat already included
CMB:+4 (+3BaB +1strength)
CMD:15 (+3BaB +1strength +1dexterity +10)
Fortitude save +5 (+4base +1con)
Reflex save +2 (+1base +1dex)
Will save +5 (+4base +1wis)
BaB+3
Initiative+1
Perception +7
Caster level check +11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(armor check pen. not included)
Climb +6 //Intimidate +7 //Knowledge Arcana +10 //Profession(Sailor) +5
Spellcraft +10 //Swim +7 //Sense Motive +5 //Survival +9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed 30ft/9mtr
+2 Scimitar [att+6 dam1d6+3 18-20/x2 type S]
Shortbow [att+4 dam1d6 x3 60ft type P] 17 arrows
Prepared Spells :Level 0(cantrips):Daze(will DC13);Acid Splash(1d3 acid);Light;Detect Magic
Level 1:Shocking Grasp x2 (4d6 elect); Magic Missile (2 bolts 1d4+1 each)
Level 2:Web (reflex DC15); Bull's Strength (+4 str)
Arcane Pool(1/2 magus level+int mod)[4]
Carrying 40lbs/light emcumbrance/check penalty -1
Iolana runs toward their smaller formation, while infusing her blade with more magic. At the end of this move she casts a ward against physical attacks.
"Help me Truk if you please."
Gatherine stared at the bipedal lizards with a hard squint,bewildered and somewhat disappointed.....Scalies?!
Initiative
She let Twinbellows dangle from her wrist on a weapon cord and raised Sneezy as they swept towards them.
A harsh grating voice calls out from behind one of the boulders on the other side of the river.
This is followed by the sound of ritual chanting.
Str 12/Dex 13/Con 13/Int 17/Wis 12/Cha 14
HP 27/27
AC (lamellar armor) [Tot 20] [Touch 16] [FF 18] Dodge feat already included
CMB:+4 (+3BaB +1strength)
CMD:15 (+3BaB +1strength +1dexterity +10)
Fortitude save +5 (+4base +1con)
Reflex save +2 (+1base +1dex)
Will save +5 (+4base +1wis)
BaB+3
Initiative+1
Perception +7
Caster level check +11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(armor check pen. not included)
Climb +6 //Intimidate +7 //Knowledge Arcana +10 //Profession(Sailor) +5
Spellcraft +10 //Swim +7 //Sense Motive +5 //Survival +9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed 30ft/9mtr
+2 Scimitar [att+6 dam1d6+3 18-20/x2 type S]
Shortbow [att+4 dam1d6 x3 60ft type P] 17 arrows
Prepared Spells :Level 0(cantrips):Daze(will DC13);Acid Splash(1d3 acid);Light;Detect Magic
Level 1:Shocking Grasp x2 (4d6 elect); Magic Missile (2 bolts 1d4+1 each)
Level 2:Web (reflex DC15); Bull's Strength (+4 str)
Arcane Pool(1/2 magus level+int mod)[5]
Carrying 40lbs/light emcumbrance/check penalty -1
The harsh words echo through the ravine...
"Grah crawmir darl glugar nir etradic,...hrachir barkol Vrar crawmir darl etradic huativog!"
Several of the lizard men slow and look at each other. "Yurna Captain huativog?!" A few of the more gruff ones look less shaken.
Mad Captain's wrath?
Gatherine started at the loud voice shouting in the Scalykind tongue she'd only heard kobolds utter and did an anxious dance.
....Bolka's perfect t!+#! How many things honestly live on this cursed rock?! she cried in exasperation.
Str 12/Dex 13/Con 13/Int 17/Wis 12/Cha 14
HP 27/27
AC (lamellar armor) [Tot 20] [Touch 16] [FF 18] Dodge feat already included
CMB:+4 (+3BaB +1strength)
CMD:15 (+3BaB +1strength +1dexterity +10)
Fortitude save +5 (+4base +1con)
Reflex save +2 (+1base +1dex)
Will save +5 (+4base +1wis)
BaB+3
Initiative+1
Perception +7
Caster level check +11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(armor check pen. not included)
Climb +6 //Intimidate +7 //Knowledge Arcana +10 //Profession(Sailor) +5
Spellcraft +10 //Swim +7 //Sense Motive +5 //Survival +9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed 30ft/9mtr
+1 Scimitar [att+5 dam1d6+2 18-20/x2 type S]
Shortbow [att+4 dam1d6 x3 60ft type P] 17 arrows
Prepared Spells :Level 0(cantrips):Daze(will DC13);Acid Splash(1d3 acid);Light;Detect Magic
Level 1:Shocking Grasp x2 (4d6 elect); Magic Missile (2 bolts 1d4+1 each)
Level 2:Web (reflex DC15); Bull's Strength (+4 str)
Arcane Pool(1/2 magus level+int mod)[5]
Carrying 40lbs/light emcumbrance/check penalty -1
Seeing the lizardmen advance through the thinned-out brush, Syndlara charges into the fray. Roughly three-quarters of the way there, she launches forward into a front aerial, long legs rolling skyward. Coming out of the aerial, she takes two steps and pirouettes, using the momentum of the turn to strike with her scimitar in a backhanded slash that cuts deeply into her target's scaly side.
Iolana charges alongside Syndlara, aiming at the same lizard.
Slashing just after the elf's movement so that her attack penetrates the enemy guard, already opened by blade dancer.
The lizardfolk warrior thought he was prepared for the charge of the two soft-skinned females, but it looks like he was caught watching with the ease they slice into him. He brings his spike-headed short spear down on Iolana, and tries to bite into her weapon arm as well. She avoids both attacks.
The nearby lizardfolk warrior charges with his spear - with the same tiny spikes radiating around the tip.
Most of the other lizardfolk move closer, some look reluctant to leave the water, some look reluctant to get anywhere closer to the mysterious voice of the Mad Captain.
Grunting in frustration at the girl's hotheaded antics, the hulking Truk lumbers up to the middling lizardman and takes a mighty swing with his staff.
M6
Gatherine strutted forwards the pair of lizards approaching them on land,raising Sneezy Dragon and firing the dragons breath cartridge she had stowed away in the muzzle,producing a brilliant tongue of flame.
Attk roll
Fire Dmg+ Deadly Aim
Truk'tosh's staff slams into the bash of the lizard warrior's scaly neck. It makes the choking sound of a crushed windpipe, and struggles to keep its footing.
Once the flash of Sneezy Dragon's flame clears, Gatherine sees that her weapon had misfired. Clumps of smoking matter still cling to the barrel.
My curse on you! The curse of DEEEEEEATH!"
Exclaiming in alarm,the she dwarf frantically shook the smoldering firearm,popping it open and dumping free the spent alchemical residue onto the ground in as much time as it would to take a pace forward.
She stitched hands as she saw one lizard thing make a beeline for Truk,weapons bared.She saw him smash it in its throat and stagger.She took the opportunity to take it down--raising Twinbellows and squeezing off a shot.
Attk
Dmg
Syndlara finishes her pirouette only to catch a grazing blow across stomach from the side. She kicks her right leg into an arabesque penchee, the leg going vertical as she leans forward and jabs at the injured lizardman, her blade slicing into his side again.
The voice echoes through the ravine again. The intensity behind the dark guttural words grows.
A massive ape comes from behind a cluster of boulders near the waterfall's runoff. A bipedal lizard the size of an Embeth hound trots out as well.
Then the source of the voice emerges from the mists of the falls. A skeletal and ghostly figure in a captain's garb... well over seven feet tall. The dark silhouette of a parrot sits motionless on his shoulder.
The Mad Captain steps atop the crag of boulders behind the raptor, and he continues his words while swiping at the air with his cutlass.
"Brahf fleurid gar frok veek schulnar. Yoril gla TRAKA fregreer, veek GAR sod bladda! Kay shtronk veek BRAF-GUTEEEEENAAARRRR!"
The reeling lizard warrior is spun to the ground, and appears to have been killed by Gatherine's point blank winging shot.
Syndlara's target goes down as well. His eyes fade staring at the intestine hanging like an ill-mannered tongue.
Iolana wheels around the lizardfolk warrior still standing. She gets a few steps short of directly opposite Syndlara before the scaly beast adjusts his stance. She lunges as he is about to swipe at her. He checks his swing and deflects her blade. He then jabs with his spiky spear, and barely misses.
The lizardfolk standing in the river see the ghost of the Mad Captain, and begin to back away. The are so locked in fear, they seem to have instantly forgotten they were in combat.
Truk takes advantage of the distraction, pulling a pair of iron spikes from his pack and hurling them at one of the lizardmen in the river.
Gatherine skipped a pace towards Iolana and Syn,squeezing off the remaining shot in Twinbellows at whichever lizardman seemed too stubborn to fall.
She reloaded with a snap of her wrist.
The iron spike slam into the lizardfolk warrior at the head of the group in the river, and sink deep into his hide. The first was enough to get his attention. The second interrupts what is clearly a call to retreat.
Gatherine's shot whizzes past her target.
Iolana keeps attacking her current lizard foe.
Str 12/Dex 13/Con 13/Int 17/Wis 12/Cha 14
HP 27/27
AC (lamellar armor) [Tot 20] [Touch 16] [FF 18] Dodge feat already included
CMB:+4 (+3BaB +1strength)
CMD:15 (+3BaB +1strength +1dexterity +10)
Fortitude save +5 (+4base +1con)
Reflex save +2 (+1base +1dex)
Will save +5 (+4base +1wis)
BaB+3
Initiative+1
Perception +7
Caster level check +11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(armor check pen. not included)
Climb +6 //Intimidate +7 //Knowledge Arcana +10 //Profession(Sailor) +5
Spellcraft +10 //Swim +7 //Sense Motive +5 //Survival +9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Speed 30ft/9mtr
+1 Scimitar [att+5 dam1d6+2 18-20/x2 type S]
Shortbow [att+4 dam1d6 x3 60ft type P] 17 arrows
Prepared Spells :Level 0(cantrips):Daze(will DC13);Acid Splash(1d3 acid);Light;Detect Magic
Level 1:Shocking Grasp x2 (4d6 elect); Magic Missile (2 bolts 1d4+1 each)
Level 2:Web (reflex DC15); Bull's Strength (+4 str)
Arcane Pool(1/2 magus level+int mod)[5]
Carrying 40lbs/light emcumbrance/check penalty -1
Having slain her target, Syndlara swings her vertical leg downward, simultaneously leaning backward and kicking off into a back handspring on her free hand. Bringing her blade to bear, she makes a series of feints that do more to distract the remaining nearby lizardman than any real injury.
The lizard warrior turns to follow Syndlara's movement, and turns her strike aside. Iolana then stabs him from behind to bring him down.
The lizardfolk warrior injured by the iron spikes barks one word, and the remaining warriors submerge. They begin to dart downstream. He glares at Truk'tosh before dropping into the water to retreat as well.
"Cowards!" Truk roars as the lizardfolk deftly swim away.
The hulking orc glances at the beasts, especially the big ape, curious if they were going to challenge him too.
And now what.....?
Iolana turns her blade toward the beasts and what looks like a ghost coming out form the waterfall.
The varisian girl is more worried for these new additions than she is glad for the disappearing of the lizards.
She asks her companions:
"What do you think? New enemies, allies or just passing by?"
"" Syndlara calls, starting after the lizardmen as they flee. After a few steps, she stops her pursuit. "But the dance was only beginning...." she pouts.
She looks toward the animals across the way as Iolana speaks, narrowing her sapphire eyes in scrutiny. "Oh! Hm. Good question. Perhaps the dance has only just begun, mm?"
"Heh...hehe....hahahaha....BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
The harsh voice raise in hysterical laughter that slowly fades away into a sound much more akin to sobbing.
At that sound, the ape makes it way back behind the boulder.
When it returns, it is leading what at first appears to be a very frail old man dressed in rags.
Closer up, he is clearly much younger, just terribly ravaged and thin to the point of starvation.
his dirty face is streaked with tears.
Truk holds his staff at the ready while keeping a close eye on the big ape.
"Another friend of yours?" he asks the ladies.
The elven bladedancer shakes her head. "Nope," she replies, before calling out to the now-visible man. "Hello there!"
Gatherine scratched at her braids under her hat,shoulders sagging in bewilderment.
....Today is just weird.