If they fall to a blade, that's all I need to know.
Suddenly Xavier's scimitar is in his hand. He examines the blade to ensure it was still sharp, then sheathes it again.
He stands, looking at Eretria, waiting for her to decide their next move.
"Bein' as it's a druid spell, might be a bit tough fer y' to learn."
Sami nods throughout the assessment, lost in thought. He grins at Eretria. A woman never likes to be ignored...sounds like my mother A sudden melancholy comes over him, but he pushes it aside to focus on the task at hand.
Then, I suppose we will wait for this Darc fellow to rise, yes? But, we surely can't travel at night...at least, it's not a good idea.
He leans down to fill his waterskin with seawater, then addresses the floating helm. Do you think that this large akata, this oracle, then created the Dark Road? Perhaps he is the key; destroy him and the Road goes with him.
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"They are clearly related to the dark road for sure...." She smirks slightly at the druid, "It may be a druid spell for you... but knowing how the spell works may assist in coming up with an arcane version... it is a divination I assume."
Just about any magic affects can be duplicated... I am sure knowing how he detects them will help us find our own means to do so....
"Sami is right... where is this Darc person?"
Luntz is more than willing to describe the spell to Eretria. It's a fairly basic divination; with his information, make a DC 16 Spellcraft check and you can learn it the next time a first-level spell slot opens up. (Given that you can take ten on the check, it's not an issue for you.)
Besmarial bobs up and down in the air uncertainly. "The aberrant oracle is not an akata. It appeared human at first, for its armor and clothing concealed its abnormalities--the tentacles about its waist, the mouths in its hands, and the unnatural color and consistency of its blood. (There may have been others, but as it also decayed far faster than a normal body would I had no time to examine it further. Even its skeleton rotted away quickly.) I describe it as an oracle because of its manner of casting spells."
From the depths of shadow of the lighthouse, a shuffling is heard as an unkempt, unwashed hulk of a man, limps into view. Black matted hair, still seems to hold stone and brick dust from his previous battle frames a weathered beaten tanned face. This face is criss-crossed with scars, some recent, reminders of battles past. Eyes red and bloodshot peer sleepily at you from under his black bushy eyebrows. He sniffs at the air, the intake is noisy into the broken and flattened nose. "Luntz, friends?" his gravel type voice speaks as much a statement as a question.
His hand plays over the dusty red leather handle of his worn flail of death, the viscous metal balls glisten in the light. He pauses, waiting for Luntz's answer. He stands lifting his head to his full height, muscles seem to ripple up and down his arm and chest, yet he seems to stand at an angle. Looking down, his right thigh is dressed in grey bloodied cloth, from the bottom edge of which seeps a crimson trickle, slowly down his leg.
He looks over the gathered faces, then one by one looks them up and down. His eyes stop at one man, (Sami), looking at the strength shown within, yet his face shows some confusion, as no weapon hangs by his side.
Then he moves on to the tall hooded man with a scimitar. He feels uncomfortable at the stare he feels comes out from the cowl, yet it does not show on his face, only in the movement of his hand as it clutches tightly on his weapon.
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Eretria's gaze drifts over Darc, settling on the wound at his thigh.
"...put the sword away Xavier...." She mumbles softly.
She steps forward offering the weathered man a bow as she smiles slightly, "...you must be Darc..." She begins her tone trying to sound as friendly as possible for the wary as she continues, "I am Eretria Whitethorne... are... are you still injured?"
Darc turns to look at the woman more closely, noting her feminine features and smiles his yellow teeth at her though his rough grin. "I Darc." He looks down at his leg and shrugs, "Gorrum's gift, no matter, sign I chosen." He looks back up from his leg at the woman, into her eyes, "No pity, not heal, you pretty, Lady Whitethun." He turns to stand by Luntz, confident his gods continue to look over him and protect him from a trip to see Pharesma.
Sami eyes Darc warily for several moments as he takes measure of him. His scales twitch visibly at the pious words, an expression of surprise. He's pious, then. I wish that I knew more of these gods of this land; I doubt they know much of mine, in return.
Greetings Darc, I am Sami, of the Nagaji people from a small village in the west of Tian Xia. You've been through much, it seems, but I hope that we can help you with these creatures and their "Dark Road.". Can you tell us anything of your own experience with the akata?
Xavier, not seeing much past the Half-Orc's race and Size and Flail simply pegs him for a warrior of some sort, but the usual smile that almost always graces his handsome face is gone.
He did NOT like half orcs. Matching the Half-Orc's impressive build his face shows no anger, but Sami recognises the steady calm of a focused warrior who is about to fight.
His hands stay clear of the Scimitar as Eretria instructed, not that it mattered
'Bet I'm faster than him'
Is this one supposed to come with us? We don't need him
Marcus doesn't take his eyes off the Half-Orc.
Then we find out what he knows and leave without him. Orcs are viscious, stupid savages and can't be trusted. Haven't you ever been to Belzken? Even if he's not evil, then he's an incompetent warrior. Let his whole party die. I've only ever seen blood and violence from these things Eretria. We don't need him.
Rashun is stunned by Xavier's words
"Turning down help so quickly is not wise. Neither is judging people on stereotypes. I have been treated worse by humans than any other race, and I am human. Should I resign myself to the most common actions that were committed against myself when I was growing up?"
Rashun then turns to Darc
"My name is Rashun. I apologize for my companion's statements. I for one welcome your assistance."
Marcus is a bit deflated by Rashun's words, I....all right. I will meet you on clean terms half-orc. Just so long as we understand each other. These are MY friends and I don't know you. Provide a good flank and I'll work with you. Should you turn on us in one of your race's berserk rages, I'll gut you from crotch to sternum before you can hurt anyone. Clear?
Rashun thinks to himself. "If he wants to play good city guard, bad city guard I guess he can be the bad one."
Sami stays close to Xavier, recognizing the stance of a practiced warrior on the ege of violence. He is slightly taken aback at the man's words. Orcs of any sort were few and far between in his homeland, and this Darc was the first one that he had ever seen. The Nagaji didn't travel much, even before their subjugation under the Tengus, so his people had little in the way of stories or experience with the orc race. Sami, and his Nagaji brothers, relied instead upon personal interaction to judge one's character, and he was willing to give Darc time to show his honor.
Sami reflected upon just how easy it might be for Xavier to turn that hatred upon him. He was, after all, just as different as Darc. Not for the first time, Sami considers himself fortunate to be in the situation he was in; he may have a nearly impossible mission, but he had stalwart allies that he could trust.
Darc's eyes narrow at the man they called, Xavier, as he sniffs the air. His gaze turns to the woman, who's influence seems to guide the warrior, even against his better wishes. Darc considers them both, "Wise, lady. Akata not difficult, but the other creature! Was Gorrum saved me to fight again. Listen to Luntz, he knows better."
His attention is taken by the other two, "Rashun, Sami." he nods his head in their direction, an acknowledgement of their presence. "Come to fight with Luntz and me?" he raises his fist in a salute as it crosses his chest, before hanging back down by the flail. "Bring flask salt water and your weapon." Looking at Sami once more his eyebrows rise, "You no weapon?"
It's coming on for evening. As you talk, Luntz goes into the lighthouse ruin and raises a large basket full of everburning torches to the top, then begins to put dinner together. Ambrosius drops off a few fish from the harbor, which the eccentric old druid expertly fillets and cooks.
Sami gives Darc a quick grin, his sharp teeth showing. I have my ways, Darc. Don't worry, I'll keep up. He secures his waterskin full of salt water and follows the group into the ruins for their repast.
Xavier broods for most of the evening. Keeping the odd eye on the half-orc. Satisfied that he was not going to lose it and kill everyone just now, he relaxes a bit.
He was annoyed that he'd made himself look like an ass to his allies, but he'd only been concerned for their safety.
They just don't understand.
Later he moves over to Eretria,
Sorry about before, I know that seemed unlike myself but most of my childhood was spent watching father repel orc raiders. My first kill was an orc and I have lost a relative and more than a few friends to thier race.
I will fight beside this half-orc if the group is willing to trust him, just know that until he proves otherwise I'll not leave you or anyone else alone with him. I do hope his human blood can redeem his background. In any case, I'll not confront him again unless provoked.
Darc spends the evening sitting outside the lighthouse as usual, watching for Akata activity and wondering what the gods have in store for the battle to come. He seems rather depressed, for it has been days since last his body was put to the test.
Rashun prays silently. Afterwards he goes through a few katas, but nothing strenuous. He wants to be ready when the time comes.
He then joins Darc in order to keep watch and to learn more.
"I am here to keep watch also if you don't mind me being here. I am anxious, yet nervous, due to the dangers we will be facing soon."
Sami spends much of the night taking turns at watch, as well. His body only needed a few hours of rest at most, so he filled in the spare time with going through the stances of his art, focusing on particular adaptations of the rigid, traditional moves that would allow him more freedom of motion against an enemy as unusual as the Akata.
Adaptation to one's enemy is the key to its defeat. I only fear that the style of these Akata is too chaotic for me figure out.
He fills in any other time with further discussions with Luntz, Darc, and Besmarial about the Akata; as if he's becoming consumed by the need to know about their new enemy.
During the night, a few creatures come out onto the breakwater. For those of you who haven't seen them before, they look like THIS, although the picture doesn't capture the many phosphorescent spots that cover their tentacles and bodies. They're about 3' high at the shoulder.
Wishing to see one up close, Sami rouses Luntz. Get your harpoon; we have company. He then makes his way to the breakwater, getting as close as he dare.
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"I can understand you have your reasons but we've just met Darc and he has done nothing to merit our mistrust yet... we can talk more about it another time though, if I am going to be of any use magically then I must rest now."
[ooc]She'll go to prepare to rest now, so someone will probably want to wake her up :P[/oo]
Can someone wake the others? They may also wish to see these creatures up close.
Sami looks across the water at the vile creatures, then motions for Luntz to get him the harpoon. After having Luntz show him the rudimentary use of the weapon, Sami hurls it across the dark waters and into the group.
Xavier having been woken by Lutz when he first went to get the harpoon has a slight chuckle at his friends throw. He reels the Harpoon in by it's teather.
Not my specialty but I'll see if I can spear us one.
-2 per range increment
Ha! Got 'im!
Darc is stirred by the sounds of harpoon games, raising an eyelid he peers at Sami and Xavier and their attacks on an akata. Seeing Xavier's strike at one of the creatures, his fingers start to play with his flail lying next to him. He mumbles to himself, "Not good.", his senses are on edge, although no discernible difference in his sleeping can be sensed. Only his open eye moves following the harpoon and its target.
Rahsun see Xavier's strike with the harpoon and is quiet impressed. A smile forms on his face.
Xavier's throw transfixes one of the akata. Instantly all of its spots flare a bright yellow-green, and it struggles to get the barbed spear out of its flank. Before it can do so, though, Sami and a cackling Luntz grab the rope and pull the creature towards the party.
As soon as it hits the water, the akata's struggles grow even more frenzied. The water around its legs is bubbling, it's flaring yellow-green like a strobe light, and all of the other akata back away from the edge. The seawater leaves massive burns on the beast's limbs. After a round, it ceases its struggling and collapses into the water, which continues to bubble and fume as the body dissolves away.
Throughout this whole process, none of the akata made a sound.
Well, that was wierd, see how quiet they were. I was hopin the thing would be alive enough to fight a bit so I could see how it attacked.
Xavier pulls the harpoon from what remains of the creature and stabs it into the ground, a bit dissapointed.
Xavier forgets his dissapointment at the beasts early death,
Ahh, well. At least I impressed everyone with that throw
He casts eyes at Sami, Rashun and Eretri...Where IS that woman? I'll have to do it again.
Someone should go wake Eretria from her sleep, she might want to inspect a fresh
one of these
Realising there may be an oppourtunity to see Eretria in her night clothes (or less) he promptly volunteered.
I'll go wake her
Sami watched the death in an appreciative silence, his eyes focused on the thrashing beast. He nods to Xavier with a grin as the man heads off to find Eretria, then he turns to Luntz. Do they never make any noise at all? What of the oracle? If he casts spells, he must make noise; did you hear him?
The other eye of the half-orc opens, "Enough, save strength, tomorrow battle hard. Attract too much attention to safe place." With more grace than he'd shown before, he stands. The dormant weapon at his side, is quickly and easily readied. The flail is then swung in arcs round his body, making figures of eight and perfect circles as the metal ball begins to move faster and faster. The air if filled with the whirring sound, as the deadly ball whistles through the air. Then after several minutes, sweat appears on Darcs face before the flail is brought to a standstill and rested. "Tomorrow we fight akata." he says with a forcefulness that comes from experience in this strange world.
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Eretria sleeps in rather conservative coverings, she groans softly when roused, lifting torso up from the bedroll as she mumbles groggily. "Hmm... wh.. whats going on?" Her hand immediately searches the ground around her for her dagger, if she was being woken in the middle of the night then likely they were under some sort of attack.
Besmarial observes the death of the akata without comment, and listens to the continuing conversation. "When I saw the aberrant oracle, it spoke Aklo, and cast spells normally. I have seen no indication of a connection between it and the akata; certainly, the akata seem to be no more intelligent or cunning than any other animal, while the oracle and the wolf-things that accompanied it were apparently of human-level intellect."
Sami nods at Darc's sage advice, and eyes the remaining Akata warily. He lets Xavier fill Eretria in on the details...he was sure that the human would enjoy that. He then nods to Besmarial. So, we must be prepared when we encounter intelligence, otherwise these things work like pack animals, and can be hunted in much the same manner. Very well; I will retire for an hour or two and then be prepared.
The rest of the night is uneventful. There's a moderate offshore breeze the next morning, making it somewhat muggy and warm. Luntz gets up, his joints creaking and popping, and lowers the basket of everburning torches back into the ruined tower. "So, gents and lady, yer wantin' to go find th' big 'un? I know yer in a hurry t'get up north, but iffin' y' clear out th' worst o' th' akata I can use magic t'make a raft for you, so's you can pole up th' Sellen--likely quicker 'n walking."
Eretria sleeps in rather conservative coverings, she groans softly when roused, lifting torso up from the bedroll as she mumbles groggily. "Hmm... wh.. whats going on?" Her hand immediately searches the ground around her for her dagger, if she was being woken in the middle of the night then likely they were under some sort of attack.
Somewhat taken aback by her beauty, Xavier lacks the heart to wake her.
It's allright, false alarm, go back to sleep.He lingers, but resists the urge to lay a hand on her head. Satisfied she was asleep again, he returns to the others and seeing the exitement is over, offers to take a watch and later, returns to sleep.
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Eretria stops grasping for her dagger, going back to sleep fairly quickly. Waking to join the others in the morning. Frowning as she hears the old druids words. Not only back on the water but on just a raft no less.... She paled a little but said nothing either way regarding that, instead she walked to their side of the breakwater to look at the creatures across. "Those are the akata?" She pondered what spell might most affective against them.
Sami nods to Eretria. Well, that was one of them; the saltwater made it into what you see now.. He glances at the others in the group and then to Luntz. I hope I' not judging their intentions incorrectly..
I think that sounds like the best option available to us right now, Luntz. We would appreciate your help. Can you show us to where the largest groupings of the these creatures are known to gather
Rashun realizes it is time to do what he was sent here to do and prepares himself.
After his morning preparations and weapon practice with his flail, during which he sings in Orcish a hymn to Gorum, he joins the others for breakfast. He silently eats, listening to the plans being decided and smiling at the glory to come.
"Darc an' th' rest cleared out the biggest nest I knew of. Now, th' giant one apparently came from one o' th' old places where folks lived, up north on th' slope where I don't go much. See, I don't much care t' get too far from th' light during th' day--too much can go wrong, even with Ambrosius watchin' out fer me. With you lot here, though, I'm feelin' a bit safer. I can take y' there, though. An' this time, we can go there straightaway, so's we won't be caught on a roof when th' next false man comes callin'!" He cackles.
Good. Let's get to it then.
Sami quickly nods his agreement, obviously excited to continue their quest to save worlds and, in so doing, his mother. He stretches muscles already well-warmed through his morning practice, then begins his mental preparations as the rest of their group get ready.