Barega landed near the wagon and winced as his bones reknitted themselves into those of a halfling once more. His shoulders ached from the unaccustomed use in sustained flight, but he was in good spirits. It was a sort of profound religious experience, to be carried along by the wind in this way. If I keep this up, I will have large succulent muscles there, like the bird-men of the deep desert...
The others approached him with questions.
"Ah, I am glad you made it out so intact!"
...
"There was some light traffic on the road, but I did not see any obvious threats nearby. Certainly I did not see a pack of Ogo's hunters closing on you."
...
He stretched his shoulders, "unfortunately, it will be several hours before I can do that again. I am exhausted, and only just learning the technique. I will look for the hunters tomorrow."
"I think I can manage these pack animals, but when we pass other travelers it may be better if one of you is driving, and I am out if sight."
"We might take turns sleeping inside the wagon today? Then at least some of us will be rested enough to watch tonight."
Barega climbed up onto the wagon. "Let's see about some food." He rummaged around in his pack and took out some of the lion meat and some salt, and began preparing a meal.
Once they were a decent distance from the city gate, Gbaji ducked inside the wagon and removed Kornugard from his cramped compartment so he didn't suffocate. Gbaji laid him out and tried his best to make him comfortable among the trade goods.
Everyone seemed to be feeling better now they had made it out of Urik. Gbaji worried slightly about the possibility of pursuing elves and halflings, but at least the immediate danger was past. The farther out into the desert they travelled, the farther they were from Hamanu's reach. And that could only be a good thing, elves and cannibals notwithstanding.
Gbaji found Barega's transformations fascinating. He wondered what it must be like to soar in the sky like a bird. But the others seemed unfazed by it and Gbaji didn't want to look silly by asking, so he shyly kept quiet. At least the druid brought some good news that they didn't, so far, seem to be being pursued.
He thanked Ala'a as she placed a healing prayer upon him. Then he grinned. He hadn't chosen these companions, but they seemed to work well together. And despite the danger, they had tweaked the nose of a sorcerer-king and lived to tell the tale. It was certainly a lot more interesting than carrying bricks.
He smiled at Ala'a. "You know," he said, "You're alright." He gave Valsavis a friendly slap on the back as he went past to check on Kornugard.
Yes on both accounts. You should see for miles but there may be some specific land feature that would hinder that view.
Here's the ruling on 'create water':
Any spell that produces food or water only creates 1/2 of the result, and in the case of cantrips/orisons can only be cast 1/day (but may be cast as 1st level spells).
I think most caravans on Athas travel during the day but this assumes that they have some sort of protection from the sun/heat. They may also 'wait out' the hottest part of the day (siesta anyone?).
More questions?
Game on!
To Barega, ”It is good that we are not being followed, although those elves were surely carrying a message pertaining to our movements. That ability to shift into a bird, I have never seen it’s like, but it will no doubt prove useful over the course of our travels. I agree that we should take turns resting inside the caravan. Magical healing doesn’t do much for our fatigue, unfortunately.” Valsavis voiced no complaint as Ala’a channeled her healing energies through his body. He was pleased to see all of his more grievous wounds as nothing more than faint white lines.
Almost having forgot about the preserver, Valsavis rushed to help Gbaji set him up to a more comfortable place in the bed of their wagon. He lingered over the older man, This is all because of you… Korgunard. You wanted to become a paragon of good and a catalyst for change for the good of Athas. But you were betrayed. We all were. I wonder what lies in wait for us in Tyr? After a long moment, Valsavis finally jumped down out of the wagon. He resumed his march, keeping his eyes on the road both ahead and behind. Glancing at the halfling, Valsavis silently counted the moments until Barega could take to the skies once more…
Valsavis' thoughts were cut short as Gbaji's meaty slap caused him to stumble a few steps. He immediately spun on the man, but the words finally registered and his angered retort died on his lips. "Yeah, thanks. You... You remind me of someone I used to train with in the pits at Salt View. He gave me this." Valsavis gestured to the finely made wide hide belt at his waist. "He was a good fighter." The words felt strange on his lips. He couldn't remember the last time he had spoken so easily with someone he had barely known. He looked at Gbaji's back a moment longer as he went to check on Korgunard, then once more turned his gaze to the road.
"Nice belt. Is it magic?"
"Yes, it grants me the ability to perform feats of strength beyond the realm of possibility of normal men."
Gbaji nods. "I've heard of such things. Impressive - no doubt we will be requiring your strength soon."
Woo hoo, we're getting some conversations! :)
Remember that you can embellish almost anything. Do the kanks smell? Do they make any noise? Is the road bumpy? How hot is it? What did you find among the trade goods? Any of your wounds festering yet? Have you come across any wildlife? Did Ala'a ditch that silly half-elf costume? etc. etc.
But none the less, conversations are good. :)
I'm traveling tonight but should be able to recap and move things along.
Game on!
Lalali: You 'threatened' to post now a few times but so far nothing...
Guys: I'm on the road and won't back at my desk until Wednesday. I may be able to post tomorrow but I'm not sure at this time.
Game on!
Ala'a smiled at Gbaji's compliment. He was as slow as a mekillot, but strong as one, and proving to be more loyal - she didn't think she'd have to worry about losing a leg when she turned her back. Come to think of it, the little cannibal wasn't half bad, either, although he had licked his lips once or twice when she was binding the others' wounds ... Still, even the suicidal human had fought well underground, and Korgunard's words had seemed to calm him somewhat.
And what had her mother always said? A slow companion is the best companion when running from a hungry klar.
Turn 017 is up.
Read the OOC.
if you guys don;t answer my OOC questions, I'll have to make some assumptions.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
@Barega: I was going through the posts and I realized that I did not answer you about the 'cook kit'. You can go ahead and assume that you have these 'minor items'. I don;t have the character sheets posted anywhere but most people have them on thse boards
Gbaji felt uncomfortable when he saw the survivors from the raided caravan. He knew what the smart thing was to do - leave them to make it (or not) on their own - but he looked at the ragged children and felt a stone weight in the pit of his stomach.
"Ala'a," he said uncertainly, "Isn't it nomad custom to help those lost in the desert? I don't like leaving them like this."
No enemies on the road.... probably. Gbaji knew this wasn't time to get complacent. Even if the agents of Hamanu weren't actively trying to kill him, plenty of other desert denizens would be happy to do the job for free. "We need to work out who's going to be on watch, and when. I can see alright in the dark, I don't mind taking the next one."
1. Klak, klak, klik, klik. Klak, klak, klik, klik. Barega caught himself being lulled into a sort of trance by the repetitive sound and motions of the Kanks. He shook himself awake, and scanned the horizon to keep himself alert. He agreed with the elf -- this was no way to travel. The notion of beasts bred for docility and weakness of spirit sickened him. But it seemed that none of the others had much skill with at directing the animals, so he resigned himself to this novel, if somewhat unpleasant, experience.
He noticed the ragged band of humans in the distance, approaching on foot. He called to Valsavis inside the wagon, and attempted to signal to Ala'a who was ranging about.
"Look there, along the road. Do you see them? They will pass us soon, probably on their way to Urik. Best they do not spread tales of meeting anyone other than the merchant. Such as me. I will go within. You can direct these kanks for a time, just hold the harness like this. Yes, very good."
Barega ducked into the wagon and concealed himself behind a stack of leather sheets. As the other group neared, he strained to listen to the conversation. Listen to these selfish creatures. It is the way of the world, that the weak falter and are consumed by the strong. In this way, the most potent of spirit is distilled into the next generation, and the population is made stronger. To coddle these now would only weaken their whole. It is known. Surely it is known to these folk, who have distorted the mechanism to distill weakness into their captive Kanks. Perversity. It is no wonder that these folk and their lands are so easily enslaved by the defiler-kings...
2. As the sun was sinking into its crimson berth, Barega consulted with Ala'a. "What do you think of that?" He indicated a crag of rock a ways ahead, jutting out of the earth a quarter mile from the road. "I think we can make it there before the night predators are out in force, and it is large enough to shield the wagon from casual observation... I will disrupt our trail through the sand as best I can, and perhaps none will bother us for the night."
"We should also set up some kind of watch through the night. I need some sleep; wake me when it is my shift." Barega returned to the wagon. He dragged Korgunard into the concealed compartment, but left the cover slightly ajar and covered it with a crumpled leather sheet. He then dug himself into the pile of leathers again, and promptly fell asleep.
Heeding the wisdom of Barega's suggestion, Valsavis pulled himself from the shade of the wagon and took up the reins in the drivers seat for a time. He strained his eyes against the setting sun to see the blurred forms of travelers on the horizon.
"Yes, it looks like we're about to have company." Valsavis quickly fished around in his pack for his cloak, and re-donning it. Pulling the cowl low to obscure his face, he addressed the woman in a gruff tone, "Urik is still about a half a days ride. You say you were attacked? By who?"
After her reply, he looked to Ala'a to gauge her reaction to their claim of attack and whether or not they were worth helping. Valsavis had experienced both great joy and crushing sorrow traveling the roads of the wastes, so he neither felt pity nor contempt for these struggling families.
Valsavis agreed with Barega's suggestion of a campsite. He gave it a once over, checking for any kind of sinkholes or natural hazards.
After his search he began setting up camp, unrolling his bedroll and setting up his mess kit over the fire. After that was done he helped Gbaji unload Korgunard, using whatever spare clothes or supplies from the wagon to make him as comfortable as possible.That done, he turned to the discussion of setting a watch. Looking to the half-giant, "I could use the break. Wake me after you're ready to bed down and I'll take the second shift."
Gbaji waited for the response from the ragged travelers.
OOC: I changed my mind midway and forgot to update the text. I wanted you guys to catch up to them but then realized that it would make more sense for them to travel to Urik. Final decision is that you were both traveling in opposite directions when you met.
IC: Pulling the cowl low to obscure his face, he addressed the woman in a gruff tone, "Urik is still about a half a days ride. You say you were attacked? By who?"
The woman's heart sank. "Half day? We need your help. Can you spare water for my children?"
One of the men answered Valsavis, "Attacked. We were part of a larger party but the thri-kreen were vicious. They took our dead and supplies. I think they spared us because they'd had their fill." He pulled out a chathka, "This is all we have to show for our battle... and our lives."
"Please sirs, our families are looking to establish ourselves in Urik. We are hard-working and gifted in leather crafts. Can you at least give us water?"
Gbaji looked at the children again, and made up his mind. "Here," he said, handing over his (giant-sized) waterskin, "Let the kids have some of that. Kreen, you say? How many, how far?"
Gbaji looked at the children again, and made up his mind. "Here," he said, handing over his (giant-sized) waterskin, "Let the kids have some of that. Kreen, you say? How many, how far?"
A couple of the kids lost their natural fear of the half-giant and lunged for the water but cooler heads prevailed and their mother slapped one of them. The kid lay sprawled on the sand and the other boy cowered for a second.
The woman cautiously approached Gbaji, thanked him, and turned to the rest of her family. "We still have half a day of walking so we all share. Understand?"
The man thanked Gbaji, "You're a kind man. I owe you. My name is Tarish; please see me when in Urik. There were about 10 12 kreen. We took down a couple. They just attacked from the desert, took as much as they could carry and moved on. The attack happened about two days west of here."
He looked towards Urik, "Any caravans coming our way?"
Surprised when the others looked to her for guidance, Ala'a hesitated before weighing in on what to do with the desperate humans. On her own, she would probably have avoided them altogether ... They did have plenty of water, but didn't need the attention a dozen grateful humans would bring.
"I, well, do you ..." she said, before her stumbling was cut off by Gbaji handing over his waterskin.
As it always did, the need for a quick decision spurred her creativity.
"Yes, yes, of course, we will share with you enough water to make it to Urik's gates. Our master, the trader Marek, tells all of his caravans to be generous to those in need. Although small, Marek's trading coster is one of the most successful in Urik. Look him up when you arrive in Urik, thank him for his generosity and provide him with equally generous rates on the goods you produce. You will find few truer friends than Marek."
Ala'a continued to talk up Marek's good graces, good looks and shrewd business dealings as she helped Gbaji hand out water. By the time they get to Urik, I want Marek's name to be the only thing they remember ...
~~~~~0~~0~~~~~
Ala'a nodded at Barega's suggestion for a campsite and watched with approval as he obscured their trail.
"Go ahead and sleep Valsavis, I'll take the middle watch,"Ala'a said. "My eyes see better in the dead of night. The light begins creeping in early this far out in the desert, so you should be able to see better by the time I wake you for the third watch."
Removing her cross-dressing disguise, Ala'a prepared to sleep, scooping out a shallow depression in the sand near the rocky crag and checking for spiders, snakes and blood-sucking cactus. She kept her armor on and set Ash-Caller in easy reach nearby along with her bow and quiver of arrows.
@Barega: spells should be fine' I'll update them in the recap.
@Ala'a: I was going to say get well but you already posted.
@Lalali: We're still here waiting for your participation. You're getting 'pass' because you were kind enough to let us know but get playing here! :)
Ok, I need input from everyone here...
CARAVANS
According to Dune Trader there are 7 major house with an average of 30 caravans each. So (without counting minor houses and the elven tribes), this gives us a total of approximately 210 caravans! That's a lot!.
Assuming 1/2 of them are NOT on the roads but are resupplying, getting goods, getting ready, etc, that still leaves over 100 caravans on the road.
Now look at the roads, not too many of them and a good guess means that there should be approx. 15 caravans between Urik and Tyr! So on a 6 day trip, you would meet over 2 caravans per day.
Now my Athas doesn't have that much 'traffic' and I'm being generous with having half of the caravans NOT on the roads.
How do you interpret this? Are my numbers off?
Thoughts?
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"Er, yeah, Marek - great guy!"
Valsavis smirked as the kids clamored for first dibs on Gbaji's waterskin, but his face went cold when the woman back-handed the child. An image of Nikolos beating Shrasa for being short on the day's wages flashed in his mind. "There is wisdom in your words, but do not strike that child again." The man growled, tense like a jhakar ready to pounce.
Valsavis considered the man's words. Kreens... We never had any trouble with any roving packs of them when we traveled the Ivory Triangle. What do I know about thri-kreen...
He watched silently as Ala'a handed over the large amount of water. "Yes, seek out Marek."
Valsavis looked to Ala'a, but what she said made sense, so he gave her a silent nod and went to lay down in the hollow he had dug for himself.
Valsavis smirked as the kids clamored for first dibs on Gbaji's waterskin, but his face went cold when the woman back-handed the child. An image of Nikolos beating Shrasa for being short on the day's wages flashed in his mind. "There is wisdom in your words, but do not strike that child again." The man growled, tense like a jhakar ready to pounce.
It was the woman's turn to cower now but she excused herself, "Kind sir, I know my boys. They would have squandered the water on the sand and we so need it. They'll drink as well."
The men, women, and children drank some but wisely saved the water given to them. They were nervous, as if not believing their good luck, and slowly left the group.
Knowledge nature DC=10: they hunt in packs (6 to 20)
DC=15: they are nomads and will take only what they can carry (not 'wealth')DC=18: they love elf meat (Ala'a knows this automatically, every elf child was scared by the 'kreen when they were young and some elves specialize in being the best thri-kreen slayers. It's an honor to wear chitin armor made from killed kreen.)
I'm not worried about hand-waving all of that; you'll meet a caravan when it promotes roleplaying. I was just wondering in general terms what your 'individuals Athas' looked like with regards to frequency and number of caravans.
Game on!
word problem
I'll recap (probably not tonight) but definitely tomorrow.
Watch order will be: Gbaji, Valsavis, Ala'a, Barega, and Lalali.
Game on!
, Valsavis
I'll add skill bonuses later at home but I don't think it will matter...
Is there a reason you've done the watch order that way? Because it is not at all like we described. The order I proposed, which the others seemed to agree with, was:
1st watch: Gbaji
2nd watch: Ala'a
3rd watch: Valsavis and Barega (Lalali wasn't included, mostly because she hasn't been posting).
OK, no problem. I looked at the posts above and got that order but no problem. We'll use yours.
, Valsavis and Barega
I'll add the bonuses later.
If there's a lesson here, it's please make things explicit for a 'slow' GM.
Recap soon
No problem, and I on rereading my post comes off as more pissy than I intended. The joyous obscurity of electronic communication. :)
@Ala'a: No worries; I really do have very thick skin and I always assume the best. I know the writing/reading medium can be challenging with regards to true communication.
OK, Turn 018 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Barega watched the surrounding sands as well as he could in the starlight, and listened to the desert quiet and the faint breeze. He sniffed, but could only smell the low fire. He kept an eye on the possibly-rabid human as he crept around the site, though the old preserver seemed to have largely cured that one's affliction.
These folk were strange, certainly, but not like he had expected. None of them had murdered another yet. They seemed dedicated to the Preserver's cause. They were certainly resourceful, as Korungard had said. Maybe this would work. He hoped it would work...for an age, the keepers and the people had struggled just to delay the death of the world. But not since he was very young, had he really believed anyone might be able to reverse it. And now Korgunard brought this small hope...
He froze. A bell? He felt a faint tugging at his mind, dangerously subtle. He quickly looked around, but did not see anyone. Other than the human, wandering off into the night with a strange gait. Enspelled...
Barega scurried to where Ala'a was sleeping and gently kicked her awake. "Sorcery. Don't follow the bell. Human follows it.", he whispered.
He looked to the sky and began chanting softly.
Barega scurried to where Ala'a was sleeping and gently kicked her awake. "Sorcery. Don't follow the bell. Human follows it.", he whispered.
Gbaji woke up startled at seeing the halfling bent over the female elf but not catching what he had just said.
That's fine. I was just assuming I could only do one per round.
Ala'a rolled to her feet, Ash-Caller in hand and free of its scabbard even before she had opened her eyes.
She shook her head, clearing the cobwebs, as she tried to process Barega's words. Sorcery ... bell ... human following ...
"Valsavis. Damn it. Gbaji, come with me. Barega, wake Lalali and keep an eye on Korgunard - we don't know what, or how many, are out there," she said.
With that, Ala'a moved off in the direction Barega had seen Valsavis take, eyes scanning the darkness for movement.
"Huh, wha..?" Gbaji shook his head to get the sleep out of it. "What is it, are the 'kreen attacking?"
Valsavis was studying the grounds along the outskirts of their camp, checking for tracks when he froze. He quickly crouched low, scanning the darkness, swearing to himself that his mind was playing tricks on him. It couldn't be... But yet, despite trying to shake his head to clear his clouded thoughts, he did indeed hear it. Singing. More specifically, Shrasa's singing...
"She laughed, he cried,
As the blade fell,
Fear not for wrong or right,
Just hush, sweet prince,
Come hither now,
Embrace the dead of night..."
The fact that this was no song he could recall his sister ever singing failed to register with the enthralled slayer. All thoughts of safety for himself and the others fled his mind as he ambled over to the source of the enchanting lyrics. Shrasa, you're alive... he thought to himself, but the only audible sound that passed his lips was a low throaty moan of rapture.
When Ala'a didn't answer, Gbaji grabbed his crossbow, loaded it and followed after her.
ooc: Alright, I was waiting for Valsavis.
Tonight, I'll roll some dice and figure out what's happening.
I'm assuming that Valsavis picked up a burning branch from the fire and is using it as a torch as he wanders off.
What are the rest of you doing for light (if anything) as you step away from the campfire following Valsavis?
OK, so Valsavis with torch, Ala' and Gbaji with low-light vision going after Valsavis while Barega hangs back at campsite with Lalali (campsite being illuminated by campfire).
Let me know if I get this wrong (you know the 'slow GM' bit). :)
Game on!
Turn 019 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
@Barega: I think you're right. let's wait for your actions until this 1st round is resolved.
@Gbaji: It's OK. No biggie.
@everyone: Just a friendly reminder that I'm looking for a bit more descriptions of intended actions and results. I don't need essays but a paragraph would be nice. By the time you write a couple of sentences of the action and a couple of sentences of the intended result, your paragraph is written.
If you all feel rushed by the 24 hours turnaround time, then let me know. I'm fine with taking these scenes at a more leisurely pace and doing two rounds at a time.
Game on!
Valsavis walked slowly towards Shrasa's voice, humming along with the soft eerie tune. The others watched as he stepped closer to the waiting belgoi, but then his steps faltered. Shrasa... Singing? That's not possible. Shrasa is dead. I held her lifeless form... My tears soaked her blood-matted hair. She is not singing. This... This is a trap! Valsavis stopped walking altogether, seeming to shake himself awake. "Ungh... What-?" Spotting the humanoids closing in, he snapped to full awareness. "Attack! We're under attack!"
Holding the burning branch aloft, he quickly drew his obsidian blade, bellowing at his attackers. "You will die for what you've done!"