DM-Camris' SECOND DARKNESS Part 1 and 2: Children of the Void (Inactive)

Game Master Camris

Oh, did I forget to mention you all made Level 5?
Roll your hp in Discussion!

Dot.

One of the newest arrivals to Clegg's camp, the small-- only in stature-- Shoanti with the golden hair was by far the most prickly. Word from those that had seen them arrive was that she came with Zane and a couple of mages in tow, and while the story had not come from her, it was said that they came from the tower on the island before it was overrun by Akata. That there was no tower after that was also a story that was not told by her. There was no love lost between her and Clegg, that much was obvious. However, that was not something that she held against those who worked for him.. Much.

She was a Shoanti of the Hawk Clan, as evinced by the tattoos that could be seen on her arms when she was rarely uncovered, and her weapons were finely made. A shortsword, shortbow, and daggers were what she carried, and employed when she needed to. Her personality was bigger than her stature, and she employed it well. Notably, she did not participate in any of the hunts for the Akata, but was one of the first to fight when the alarm sounded in the nights-- and she seemed indifferent about the Skymetal. When it was commented on within her hearing once, her response was a cryptic, "I have lost more here than greed can replace."

Almost overlooked at the camp is a pale woman with somewhat unkempt blond hair. Dressed in leather armor, she looks very unhappy to be stuck on the island with the rampaging monsters and when not having to defend the camp, collect starmetal or attempt to capture the akatas, she skulks in her tent.

If asked, she replies that her name is Elizabeth and she came to the island to investigate the starfall at the behest of the Cyphermages but got separated from her group when the strange creatures attacked. She managed to find Clegg's camp and was pressed into service. Not having any other choice, she helps until she can get back to the mainland.

When trouble occurs around the camp, there is almost assuredly a heavily-armored half-orc nearby. Though Rezol usually has his helmet on, the few times he's seen without it have proven him to have a flat, unattractive face and rough-looking tusks jutting up from his lower jaw. Besides just being ugly, he is massive, standing a foot taller than most of the people there, and being nearly twice as wide. Though no one can really tell under the armor that he seems to refuse to take off, one can assume that he is just a mountain of muscle.

His face is usually calm and uninterested in the goings-on around him, his eyes show his emotions clearly - and never more clearly than when he is sparring with others, getting into scuffles, or generally being a ne'er-do-well. The holy symbol of Gorum that hangs from his belt probably says all that needs to be said: Rezol is a loud, rambunctious mercenary who takes his situation better than most. He's not pleased with his situation, and he's very loudly informed anyone who would listen of that when he's been drinking, but it doesn't stop him from doing what he's told.

When not getting into fights, sparring with any willing opponent, or doing work around the camp, the Gorumite can be found sharpening his greatsword or doing maintenance on his armor.

Here's a picture of Rezol.

You notice a rail-thin, powder-white figure with sky blue hair who seems to always hold back for a moment, as if studying what's happening before stepping forward to act, usually after drinking some concoction or other (that you sometimes see him preparing in the morning). Once he starts acting, however, he moves with a swiftness of body and mind that's rather impressive.

After a few encounters, it becomes clear that his pauses are a result of him studying the creatures that attack, learning their weaknesses and figuring where best to strike..... and you realize that as soon as the combats end, he turns the same calculating, analytic gaze back on Clegg and his lackeys.

While not unfriendly, he seems slightly aloof and uncomfortable in conversation, far preferring playing riddle and puzzle games than talking about himself or the situation -- though he'll easily slip into lectures about various "interesting" topics. He seems very interested in the Skymetal, though it seems more from an interest in studying it than any actual greed.

The next three in days go by in a blur; Morning and evening, you have to be on alert to fight off surges of the 'void zombies' as the cyphermage wizards have named the victims of the Akata bites. The process is tiring and it is hard to thing through the fatigue.
In between fights defending the camp Zincher insists you go out to bring in more Skymetal. Despite you combing the crater, all you find are scraps.
You find an average of one pound of Skymetal per day. If you succeed on a Sleight of Hand roll, you can possibly keep half of it for yourself secretly.

Okies!

The tall slender man with the air of a scholar carries a bit of an edge to him, as if one formerly accustomed to academia had taken on a life that quite often resulted in violence. Zane watches the members of Clegg’s enclave carefully, intelligent eyes calculating the impact of every occurrence. Clearly one of the leaders of the contingent of tattered refugees that came from across the island, the wizard spends time leading forays into the wild, defending the camp or in the presence of hid paramour, Samaritha the ciphermage.

Zephram slips several small pieces of skymetal into the small hidden pockets of his clothes, partially for later study and partially just to keep it out of the hands of the crimelord.

Sleight of Hand (conceal objects): 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 12 + (1) = 23

Dahlia is an oddity among Zincher's men. For starters she's very light on her feet, especially for a Dwarf, though he short legs limit her mobility. Secondly she only fights side by side with Zincher's, parting ways as soon as she can upon returning to base. When asked what he business is she mumbles something about repaying a debt before continuing with whatever she was doing. The Dwarven style axe she carries never leaves her side and her hand involuntarily moves to the hilt whenever Zincher or his cronies are close.

What's even stranger about her is the Shoanti tattoos covering but her arms, and presumably also he torso but those aren't visible under her clothes. To any familiar with the designs they mark her as a honorary member of the Sklar-Quah or Sun clan, and also show her honorifics, marking her as 'daughter of stone' and 'bear's bite'.

Moving casually, so as not to attract the paranoid attention of Clegg Zincher, Zane and LizArdoc arrange things so they happen to sit together with Dahlia, Samaritha, Zephram and Rezol for a (half baked) meal as the sun set. They also happen to be just out of earshot with the other Zincher minions.

I sense you have much to speak of.

While she may be very difficult to approach-- something that she recognized and encouraged-- she did make it a point to talk to everyone in the camp at one point or another while she was there. Even when being civil, there was a simmering anger underneath the surface that she barely bothered to contain. The mood of the camp was her interest, and she tried to steer it carefully.

While she did maintain the morale to some degree; more so that she kept it from falling too far, exhorting the inhabitants towards cheer did not suit her at all. Subtlety may have been beyond her, but she was going to try anyway. To the ones that were faltering, she was the back that their eyes saw when they were looking for a way to follow. To the courageous, she was the guide that aimed their energy. Brief words, a look and a nod were her tools. If the individuals of the camp started to look more to her than Clegg, so be it.

The rare departure from her grave and driven mien came when she met Dahlia. For all of her loyalty to Clegg, there was a kindred spirit in the camp, and only there was any notable difference. Upon discovering that she could speak the tongue of the Clans, there was a bit more of a thaw in her demeanor. It was like a brief break in the clouds of an overcast sky-- fleeting.
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Slowly wresting the control of your camp from you, Clegg.: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Or, she would, if the dice would roll higher. :p You sneakies and your subtleties..

Liz nods to the assembled group before her. I reckon that we all have something in common; that we are all fed up with Clegg and how he has been running this camp. Something Zane has discovered is that Clegg is under some kind of magic spell and has been wandering out by the cliffs for some reason. I think it would be a good idea to check this out, since if someone is messing with Clegg, then that probably means bad things for us no doubt.

Rezol grins wickedly behind the mask of his helmet, nodding. "Yer right, lass. 'at sounds like a right solid plan. Pro'lem is, I ain't much fer sneakin' about. Ya need me t' keep watch while ya follow 'im? Maybe rough some fellas up?" the Gorumite asks as quietly as he is able, and even through the armor, the others can see he's thoroughly enthused at the idea by his body language.

The final piece of the puzzle falling into place, Zephram bursts, "That's it!". He then quickly catches himself and leans in, continuing in a much lower, and more appropriate tone, "His night trip to the cliffs must be where they are renewing his enchantment... Whoever they are, the last bit in a frustrated tone.

He then nods at Liz's suggestion, "I'd love to join in the figuring out where he's going... I'm pretty sneaky myself, and usually pretty good at figuring out what's going on."

Liz nods to RezolI am a fair hand at sneaking so myself and Zephram can check to see what is up with you standin back a ways would be helpful. Once we see that the way is clear, we can give you the go ahead to advance.

Rezol's shoulders sag almost imperceptibly, but he nods. "I can handle 'at. I don' know how much ya'll need me muscle, but it's there if ya have us o' it."

Dahlia seemed somewhat hesitant to speak, "Wherever he goes, he vanishes in one of the nooks and crannies of the cliffs. The strange thing is, there are no beasts there, or if there are they leave him alone during those trips." Her accent was odd, a mix between Dwarven and Shoanti.

If she managed to somehow fix whatever magic was affecting Zincher that would be more than enough to repay her debt and she could get out of this hellhole.

Odder and odder. If he has some special protection against those beasties, then it would be very useful to us. So will we be trying to follow him tonight then?

"Then whatever it is may have either eliminated any possible threats or are somehow controlling the Akata and anything else between here and their meeting point." Zane muses.

Zephram nods at Zane's comment, a thoughtful expression on his face, "If it is a matter of controlling the beasts, that makes this even more interesting... And dangerous. Might just be they've figured out how to repel them.. which would be an incredibly useful thing to know how to do."

Liz ticks off points on her fingers, outlining a plan for everyone 1.Follow Olegg asap and find out where he is going and who he is meeting. 2.Find out if the beasts are being controlled and repelled. 3.Get off the island.

Having come to a cautious understanding, your informal association watched and waited, doing nothing to attract attention from the rest of Clegg's men.

After sunset fell and the usual guards take their places, fending off Void Zombies...

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Rezol catches Zincher stealing out of the camp, and alerts his conspirators. "Oi, le's do this," he encourages them, his posture upright and excited as he gestures for the others to follow the crimelord.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Liz notices as well and nods to the others. Right, time to put a stop to this. Liz will head out ahead of the group sneakily.

Zephram says, "Sounds like a plan," and follows Liz, trying to keep quiet and hidden while looking for threats.

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19