Ala'a recognized the pale-skinned humanoids for what they were almost immediately - her mother had sung her many songs of the psionic cannibals, whose bells could fascinate the unwary.
Belgoi! she spat, although it came out twisted into the tongue of fire. "Uvisst!"
Glancing over her should at Gbaji, she pointed him to the left flank, where he'd have a clearer shot, then raced to the right, her feet taking her in a wide arc before rushing in at the farthest of the belgoi. Ash-Caller sang its deadly song as she whipped it toward the creature's exposed flesh.
The creature twisted away from the flickering bone blade, but Ala'a reversed course, redirecting the razor edge of the sword toward the belgoi's unarmored leg. The blade bit deep, severing muscles and arteries and sending dark red blood pumping into the sand.
Ala'a cursed as the creature twisted away from her attack, the bone blade passing within an inch of its unarmored flesh. She brought her shield up, ready for a counterattack as she plotted her next move.
Good turn.
Turn 020 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
ROUND 1
GBAJI HITS BELOGOI 4 FOR 13 HP
ALA'A HITS BELGOI 1 FOR 13 HP
VALSAVIS DEMORILIZES ALL FOR 3 ROUNDS
BAREGA STARTS CASTING CALL LIGHTNING
, miss
, miss
, hit, critical?
, no
, miss
, miss
Barega watched the fray unfold as he whispered to the air, coaxing it into a state of tension that raised the fine hairs on his arm. He did not know these creatures, but he noted the effect that the creature's claw had had on Ala'a. They seemed quite venomous, perhaps moreso even than the formidable serpents of the jungle.
He looked about for indications of a flanking force behind, but did not see any. And then his spell was finished, and he felt the elevated energies in the air awaiting his request. He looked back to the fray and chose his target. A narrow bolt of lightning fell incongruously from the starry sky and grazed one of the creatures.
A cold smile graced Valsavis' lips as the humanoids broke off from him to assail the others. His hunger for blood far from sated, he made his way around the belgoi attacking Ala'a, keeping just out of reach of it's debilitating claws. Crouching low, he approached from behind, stabbing his blade upwards into the cold blue flesh.
+
Valsavis tripped over a dead root, stumbling slightly as he made his attack, causing his blade to miss it's mark. Frustrated, the slayer cursed loudly.
Valsavis tripped over a dead root, stumbling slightly as he made his attack, causing his blade to miss it's mark. Frustrated, the slayer cursed loudly.
Actually, AC is probably the weakest thing on an otherwise pretty tough opponent. Their AC=13 so your 15 hits.
Game on!
Ala'a gasped as her muscles seemed to turn to jelly from the venom. She switched tactics, spinning into a dance that would allow her to use her momentum to power her blows, while keeping her shield in position to block any more claw attacks.
Feinting low with a sweeping kick, Ala'a swung her body around, whipping Ash-Caller around in a slashing strike that sliced deep into the shoulder of the nearest belgoi.
Actually, AC is probably the weakest thing on an otherwise pretty tough opponent. Their AC=13 so your 15 hits.
Excellent, in that case allow me to amend my previous post.
Valsavis tripped over a dead root, stumbling slightly as he made his attack, but his blade still struck home, sinking deep with his full weight behind the blow. Valsavis couldn't believe his luck and let out a hearty laugh, flashing a wild-eyed smile at Ala'a as blood spilled over his knuckles and down his forearm, dripping to stain the sand.
Sorry for the long break!
I´m still in the process of moving house and only have totaly crappy internet. Everythings on ice atm.
Adding to that we both got the flu this week.
However, technic guy comes tomorrow and next week life should go on and we should be able to continue normaly.
Again excuse the break here and thanks for sticking around!
@Lalali: thanks for the update.
@all: I'll recap tomorrow after I hopefully get a post from Gabji.
Game on!
Gbaji took a quick look at the battlefield. Two of the enemies wounded and with their fighting spirit diminished by Valsavis' threats. Two faced him but so far he'd avoided their attacks. But Ala'a was looking weak after taking a nasty scratch. They needed to wrap this up as quickly as possible. Time for the rolling boulder!
Gbaji dropped his crossbow and swung a meaty fist at the face of the nearest belgoi, hoping to knock it down so he could get to the one next to it.
Turn 021 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
ROUND 2
GBAJI KILLS BELGOI 4
ALA'A HITS BELGOI 1
VALSAVIS KILLS BELGOI 1
BAREGA LIGHTNING ON BELGOI 2
, yes
BELGOI 2 AND 3 WITHDRAW TO SOUTHWEST
Hey guys I've been bedridden for the past 36 hours with a stomach thing so feel free to bot Valsavis as needed as I'm not sure when I'll be posting again.
Hey guys I've been bedridden for the past 36 hours with a stomach thing so feel free to bot Valsavis as needed as I'm not sure when I'll be posting again.
Get well soon. I usually have more time to read/write when I'm at home but I understand if you're just not feeling it.
We'll be here.
Game on!
If I had any other affliction, I would agree with you, but whatever I've got is making everything register in slow motion. My brains feel like mush.
Valsavis grimaced as the belgois made their escape, "You think you can just leave after taunting me with thoughts of Shrasa!? I think not." The flaming branch in his left hand struggled to stay lit as he sprinted after them.
1. Barega cursed as the creatures fled into the night. It would be dangerous to leave something like this unfinished. And then he grinned as the rabid human bellowed and gave chase -- quite spirited, that one. He watched closely, trying to catch a glimpse of the creatures in Valsavis' torchlight as the human ranged about.
Aha! With a yelp of triumph, Barega gestured wildly and spoke a few crytpic syllables, and pointed at the creatures. There was a burst of faint electrical activity, and when it subsided the Belgoi were illuminated by a pale blue glow. The light was dim, but more than enough to make them easy targets in the darkness. The creatures looked at one another with concern and chattered furiously.
2. After the immediate threat had passed, Barega swifly moved to examine Ala'a's wound.
"There is still poison here. Eat this, and let me help." He approached the elf cautiously, not knowing how well this would go over... he handed her an exotic jungle fruit , telling her "this will help with the weakness." Ala'a was momentarily wrong-footed by the cannibal's apparent generosity, and in accepting the fruit was caught flat-footed as the halfling suddenly launched in as if to bite her... but by the time she had recovered and was about to fry the little bugger, it was over. He had retreated again, spitting venom sucked from the wound onto the sand.
He then began to clean the wound and apply a foul-smelling salve from his pack.
As the sky lightened in the east and the winds began to stir, Barega stated that he needed some time to meditate on the days events, and then moved off and sat in the sand for some time, as if in a trance.
When he returned, he again approached the elf and told her that he could cleanse some of the venom. Chanting softly, he touched her wound again. Instead of the cleansing fire she expected, she felt a crisp, cleansing breeze flow through her, and some of her strength was restored.
He then moved off to examine Korgunard once more.
Gbaji also didn't want to belgoi to escape. He didn't like users of poison. In the arena it was considered the lowest form of dirty fighting. He sprinted after the nearest belgoi, ready to give to a battering.
If there is no craziness on the next day and you wind up "fast forwarding" a few days, and/or in terms of preliminary options for planning: I will change the spells to this for the following day(s). Barega can scout as a bird for 5 hours per day, use the Eagle Eye to briefly scout at some other time, use the Cloak of Shade during the hottest 5 hours of the day, stretch the water with Create Water, and conceal the campsite at night with Pass without Trace and Hide Campsite.
Depending on what you do or don't do, there may be an encounter this day.
Don't worry about subsequent days, I will let you know how much in the future you need to post actions for.
Right now, it's this day.
BTW, I'm out of town and won't be back home until tomorrow. I plan to recap tomorrow night so please get your posts and actions.
Questions?
Game on!
My run speed is 80', not 120'. That should still give me enough movement to catch up to the fleeing belgoi.
Ala'a grinned with satisfaction as Valsavis cut down the wounded belgoi. She wasn't surprised when the two survivors turned tail and ran.
Not so fast, you cannibal bastards, she thought, her weakened legs still more than capable of running down the short-legged creatures. Whipping her sword around in a tight arc, she slashed at the slowest belgoi, Ash-Caller carving a signature in blood.
As the sun rose, Ala'a kneeled in the sand east of their camp, singing a low song to the fiery orb rising into the sky. She felt the sun heat her battered muscles and her heart felt full, on fire with the spirits favor.
The following morning, Gbaji wakes, rolls out of his bedroll and has a short walk in the dawn to take a leak beyond the camp. He finishes his business, strolls back into camp, casts an eye over Kornugard in the back of the wagon to ensure he isn't deteriorating, and then grabs some rations. He nods to the others.
"We did alright last night. We seem to work well together. How's the wound?" he asks Ala'a.
Later, he talks to Barega as they are packing up the campsite. "Your nature magic... It's powerful stuff. Changing shape, lightning, I've never seen anything like it. Do you talk to the land spirits, is that how it works?"
Turn 022 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Valsavis watched with interest as the others went through their morning rituals. He simply relieved himself in the sand off to the side, before going through an elaborate routine of stretches taught to him by Xaynon. The half-elf claimed all the big-time fighters in Raam used the same routine, since a pull or strain in the middle of a match often meant death, or worse. Gnawing on a hunk of dried and salted flesh of an animal he couldn’t identify, Valsavis nodded his agreement with Gbaji. ”Aye, those fists of yours do some damage. Were you well known in Tyr’s pits?” He realized the stadium of Tyr was quite large and certainly not considered a ‘pit’, but this was an artefact of Xaynon’s teachings. They all fought in pits, no matter the size or grandeur.
After packing up his things he did what he could to cover up their tracks, before making to check on the old preserver as well. His ears perked up as Gbaji inquired about Barega’s abilities. Being curious about them as well, he listened in.
As soon as Barega transformed and broke the news, Valsavis realized that if they didn’t figure out a plan of action quickly, they would be surrounded and vastly outnumbered. With a sneer, ”Hamanu’s hunters behind and an entire caravan of House Stel ahead. I guess now would be the time to choose: would you prefer to be crushed and eaten, or skewered and enslaved?” Looking to Ala’a, ”Well, we’ve already proven we can take Hamanu’s men, but not while also dealing with Stel. Any ideas?”
As the outriders approached, Valsavis pulled his cloak tight and his cowl low. His hands grasp the hilts of his blades in a white-knuckled grip. He waited for Ala’a to take the lead, hoping their plan would work.
Gbaji laughs good-naturedly at Valsavis' question. "I won my share of bouts, but I know I wasn't the best either. Luckily I never had a death match with the real killers. I was never a favorite of the crowd, either. Not pretty enough. Maybe you should give it go instead when we get to Tyr, the gladiators are free men there now. You could impress some of the ladies in the audience with your charm.
"Nah, I was mostly is group fights. Fighting with you lot reminds me of some of those days. It wasn't all bad. Less complicated, anyway..." Gbaji trails off, lost in his memories.
"Crap!" Gbaji balled his fists. "Any chance we can just fight our way out? How many are there?"
Gbaji watched impassively as the rider shouted down. His arms were folded, but in his big hand he had palmed a fruit that would give him extra strength in a fight , ready to gulp it down if things turned violent. Like the others, he looked to Ala'a to do the talking, but was ready to unleash the Scary Face should it prove necessary.
"I'm feeling better - still strong enough to run circles around you mekillots," Ala'a said in response to Gbaji's question, softening the comment with a forced grin. Truth was, she still felt like she'd been down with a fever for a month, but she wasn't about to show weakness in front of her new companions.
"Cover Korgunard, quickly! And let me do the talking,"Ala'a said, a plan forming in her head.
Retrieving her satchel, she quickly flung the sulphur-colored templar's cloak around her shoulders and adopted an imperious stance, as if ordering the others about.
Ala'a glared coldly at the crodlu rider making demands.
"Would you like to rephrase that question, merchant? Perhaps something along the lines of 'How may honorable House Stel be of service to one of the King's emissaries?'" Ala'a said, her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.
"As you can see, we've been attacked. I lost two half-giants and my other scout in an attack by belgoi last night. The fugitives we've been tracking from Urik lured them out, using the cannibals against us," she said, motioning to Gbaji and Barega when she mentions her surviving servants.
"These traders were camped nearby and lost several of their own," she said, indicating Valsavis and Lalali. "We've been able to commandeer water and supplies to continue the hunt."
Leaning in toward the man, she adopted a conspiratorial tone.
"A rival of mine is about a day behind. Whichever of us brings the fugitive back will find considerable favor in the Lion King's court," she said. "We plan to follow the fugitives' tracks west, into the desert, but if you happen to run into my ... friend ... you might mention that we were headed east, into the mountains."
Reaching into the group's stash, she pulled out a handful of ceramic pieces and held them up to the rider. "Your service to Urik is most appreciated."
Gbaji smirked - she was always inventive, that Ala'a. If this worked out, she'd put Hamanu's templar off their trail and send House Stel on their way, all in the same breath.
ooc: Yeah, nicely done.
I wanted you guys to interact with a trader caravan and now you ruined it! :)
Just to paint a truer picture... the templar party is still hours behind and probably losing ground if they continue with the halflings...
I'm out of town but will recap tomorrow. However, you can assume that the ruse worked and you have dealt with the House Stel caravan successfully.
Just so I now, how many hours will you travel out to the desert (it's currently noon). Will you camp out in the desert or head back to the road?
Questions?
Game on!
1. Frowning as the potent poison seemed resistant to his spells, Barega took a moment to focus himself, and then began chanting again, in a stronger voice.
Barega looked suspiciously at the half-giant, but did not sense any guile there. He nodded toward the large rock jutting from the sand, behind which they had parked their wagon.
"The land is wounded, but it lives still. See how this rock refuses to yield to the waste surrounding him? His spirit is very strong, and stubborn; he will hold out for another age yet. He sees the importance of our task, and lends us his aid, shielding us from the road and smiting those... creatures, with sudden thunder."
"I have followed one such as that, but in the Wind rather than the Rock. He has led me far and wide, and shown me much. It is a great joy to be lifted up by him, as the birds are." He stopped, as if that answered the question.
He looked up at Gbaji. "You may be too heavy."
2. Barega, winded from his long flight, panted as he described the Stel caravan and also the Templar's party several hours behind them.
At Ala'a's instruction, he ducked into the wagon and dropped the lid on Korungard's secret compartment, and then covered it with some of the leathers in the wa gon. He stepped out just in time to see the outrider approach and address the group.
3. As Ala'a tore into the Stel outrider and Barega began to see the direction of her gambit, he studied the ground, as if examining it. He bit into his lip, his sharpened teeth drawing blood. When Ala'a indicated her "scout", he looked up at the outrider and barred his teeth in a nasty, wet grin. He mumbled animatedly in the halfling tongue, pointing at the sand. "Our quarry escapes, while this herbivore delays us. Take one of his legs to supplement our stores, and let us be on our way!"
When we're out of sight of the Stel, Barega will open Korgunard's compartment back up and then put Cloak of Shade on the PCs. When we are ready to turn and move back toward the road, he will put Pass Without Trace on... can I put it on the kanks? Plus Ala'a. Whoever's walking. Then Barega will follow and try to disrupt the wagon's tracks as we go back toward the road, for as long as he can without getting too far behind.
A couple of things.
I noticed that we really took the story-telling up a notch and everyone is getting involved in back-and-forth roleplaying, which is great. If you take the time to read the recaps, you'll see the difference. So well done everyone!
Lalali should be back in full swing in the short term as well so another player will only enhance this.
@Barega: I'm not taking into account the sunlight effect as long as you are traveling with some sort of cover, which you are, so pick something other than Cloak of Shade.
Pass without Trace is helpful but only usable for 1/creature per level and I don't think it works with a wagon so you'll have to tell me know how you want to use it. On whom? When to start? When leaving road to head west? Other?
Cover tracks can be done and it adds a +5 to the difficulty of tracking your party. However, you move at half-speed when doing this so 10' for a halfling. That would cut your movement rate to 1/3 (8 miles per day instead of 24) so keep that in mind. Let me know when, where, and for how long you will 'hide tracks'.
Questions?
Recap tonight and, unless I hear otherwise, I'm assuming that you head out west into the desert and camp out there for this night....
Is that belgoi tribe near by?
What about the 'kreen that attacked the two families...
The elf smiled, "These traders were camped nearby and lost several of their own," she said, indicating Valsavis and Lalali. "We've been able to commandeer water and supplies to continue the hunt."
Leaning in toward the man, she adopted a conspiratorial tone.
"A rival of mine is about a day behind. Whichever of us brings the fugitive back will find considerable favor in the Lion King's court," she said. "We plan to follow the fugitives' tracks west, into the desert, but if you happen to run into my ... friend ... you might mention that we were headed east, into the mountains."
Reaching into the group's stash, she pulled out a handful of ceramic pieces and held them up to the rider. "Your service to Urik is most appreciated."
Surprised by the offer of coin, the rider was quick on his feet but refused to take the coin offered. His tone changed as he addressed a templar of Hamanu, “No need for that ma’am. House Stel has always been a close ally of the King of the World. I would be of service in any way possible but lying to Hamanu’s templar is not in my work description. If you want, I can have you speak with our caravan master and you can deal with him.”
He turned and looked at the ponderous wagon moving towards them, the stench of the mekillots threatened to overwhelm them. “Would you like me to ask the caravan master to talk to you?”
Gotcha.
I think camping out in the desert is OK. Barega doesn't care, he can always just fly away. :)
How many kanks do we have? I was thinking 2 (though, I don't know why I think that). So I was thinking: pass without trace on Ala'a (who's walking) and the kanks (who are walking), and not necessary on the other guys (who are in the wagon). I guess it would also work if there are 4 kanks, but not if there are 5 or more. Maybe it's worth casting anyway, since the DC depends on the number of creatures leaving tracks, right? Can't hurt.
I was thinking to cast the spell and start trying to hide the tracks once we stop going into the desert, and start going back for the road. To give the impression that we went out into the desert and got lost or disappeared or doubled back, or something.
I'll take Longstrider instead of cloak of shade. That will get me up to 40' move (because of that fast moving alternate racial trait). The wagon is moving at 30'?
So how about: (whenever we do it) I will use pass without trace and longstrider and then drop behind the wagon, trying to cover its tracks. I'll do that for an hour, after which the wagon will have gone 3 miles, and I'll have tried to cover 2 miles' worth of tracks. Then I'll walk normally and catch up after another hour. Or better yet, hustle and catch up after ... 12 minutes (closing that mile at 80-30=50=5mph instead of 40-30=10=1mph, 5 times as fast)?
That way, the trackers would have to circle out at least 2 miles to find the "easy tracks". That should slow them down pretty good, if they miss the "harder tracks" check.
If we're not going to turn back toward the road until tomorrow, I will do this for the last hour or so of our travel this evening instead (since I have the spells?).
...
As the sun dipped nearer to the horizon, Barega handed the reins of the Kanks off to one of his companions. "I need to take a look around. Hold these for a few minutes." He mumbled inhuman sounds to himself and looked up into the darkening sky, staring up into the distance for several minutes. Then he recovered.
...
As they stopped for the night and began to unburden the kanks and think about lighting a fire against the cold, Barega looked around at the surrounding sands with interest. "Let me see if I can coax these sands into providing us with some concealment for the night", he said, reaching into a belt pouch and removed a few curious items. "I will return in a few minutes."
"I can spare a few minutes to speak with your master," Ala'a said. "Perhaps he has some news of the roads to the south that could be of use. I also have some weapons from my fallen guards that I might try to trade for something more useful - with no one to wield them they merely weigh down the wagon. If you and your men will carry them for me I will have my servants begin the march to the west - they move so slowly, I do not wish to lose any more time."
Ala'a motioned to the rest of the group to pack up and get moving, then gestured to the crodlu rider to lead her back to the mekillot wagon. As long as I stay outside, I should be fine, she thought. And if things do go south, it wouldn't be the first time I've had to outrun a crodlu ...
Retrieving the rest of the group's stash of ceramic coins, as well as some of the more valuable weapons they'd taken from their defeated foes, she went to see what the merchant had to trade.
OOC:
@Barega: there are two kanks. However, the Pass Without Trace would NOT hide the wagon's tracks so I don't think you could do it. If you were all walking without a wagon then it would be different.
I had forgotten your 30' movement and with longstrider, you could easily catch up to the main party. So this is something to do if no wagon is involved (future?).
The eagle eye is good and I'll take that into account.
The 'hide campsite' is also good and it seems that you would not need to post guards if that spell is used. Please confirm.
@Ala'a: You are not derailing my plans. My plan is to tell a decent story where the players are engaged and we have that so don't worry. It's my job to make that story seamless and continue to provide interesting scenarios/situations for you guys to act.
"I can spare a few minutes to speak with your master," Ala'a said. "Perhaps he has some news of the roads to the south that could be of use. I also have some weapons from my fallen guards that I might try to trade for something more useful - with no one to wield them they merely weigh down the wagon. If you and your men will carry them for me I will have my servants begin the march to the west - they move so slowly, I do not wish to lose any more time."
Ala'a motioned to the rest of the group to pack up and get moving, then gestured to the crodlu rider to lead her back to the mekillot wagon. As long as I stay outside, I should be fine, she thought. And if things do go south, it wouldn't be the first time I've had to outrun a crodlu ...
Retrieving the rest of the group's stash of ceramic coins, as well as some of the more valuable weapons they'd taken from their defeated foes, she went to see what the merchant had to trade.
The caravan came to a halt as Ala'a was led by the outrider to meet the caravan master. Staying far away from the mekillot maws, the elven woman waited while the crodlu rider dismounted and entered the wagon. A few seconds later the wagon's doors opened again and a veritable entourage stepped out. They were led by a burly mul, arms almost as thick as Gbaji's.
The mul bowed to 'Hamanu's templar', "Good day to you ma'am. I'm sorry to hear of your attack. I understand that you wish us to take some weapons back to Urik. Did you want to sell them or merely for us to carry them back?"
The entourage was happy to be able to step out of the cramped wagon. A half a dozen traders approached the wagon. The barrage of questions soon followed.
Squinting his eyes, Valsavis searches the half-giant's face, "My charm, eh? I think you may have taken one too many blows to the head." He laughs at this, surprised at how easily it came.
Valsavis took in Barega's words with great interest, "The rock refuses to yield to the waste, you say? I guess in our case, we are the rock, refusing to accept this shell of a world - this miserable existence we call 'living'." His words were draped in bitterness.
Valsavis' jaw clenched when Ala'a so nonchalantly referred to them as her servants, but he quickly calmed himself. Her plan is a sound one and possibly our only way out of this mess.
Valsavis quickly took up the role of servant, rummaging through the caravan to retrieve some of the more valuable weapons for Ala'a, but also to ensure Korgunard was still concealed, then began leading the wagon off the road to the west. He watched intently as Ala'a went with the crodlu rider and tensed as the small army of men poured out of the rolling fortress. His gaze focused particularly on the burly mul, and it was with great effort that he returned his gaze to the open stretch of desert in which they were headed.
---
Questions for the rest of the group...
Questions for the rest of the group...
ooc: I didn't think that the caravan (guards and lowly traders) was going to leave their 'templar master' by herself so I figured that they would hang around until she talked to the caravan master.
Besides you're only bluffing to eager traders that want t make a buck. You can't screw that up, can you? :)
We can make Ala'a sweat some as she sees that some traders just bypass her and start 'trading' with the rest.
But I'm OK either way so just let me know what's going on and I'll adjust. However, it may look suspicious if traders don't trade and the templar is left by alone by her guards.
Game on!
Gbaji blinked under the barrage of questions. He wondered what to reply, as he knew he wasn't clever with words like Ala'a. So decided he'd go with a simple approach to discourage further discussion from the traders.
"My mistress does the talking. I have nothing to say to you," he growled. He cracked his knuckles one-by-one - pop, pop, pop - and glowered with his best Scary Face on.
"I was hoping to trade them for something more useful in the desert - with no one to wield them, these weapons do me little good. Although you might be able to return them in Urik for a reward," Ala'a said.
Frowning, she realized she had no idea what the weapons were worth. Well, they're worth less than nothing weighing down the wagon ....
"They are well made, but I'd be willing to part with them cheaply, if you are interested," she said, leaving herself at the mercy of the mul merchant.
Ala'a kept right on talking as the mul considered her offer.
"As for me and my task: I am Indira, a humble servant of King Hamanu, may his talons envelop the world," she said, making a show of bowing as she did.
"My men and I are chasing down a motley crew of mages and thieves. A mix of races but of unmistakable evil - their dark looks merely reflect the foul deeds they have committed. You would know them if you saw them," she said, trying to bluff her way through without providing any concrete details.
"Unfortunately, the other templar who follows is scarcely better than our prey. A conniver and cheat, he's sacrificed far more deserving servants of Hamanu in his selfish quest for status. I've heard he's the bastard son of some House Tsalaxa trader. Probably set on selling out Urik to those dishonest crooks. I won't even sully your ears by speaking his name. Be wary, if your paths should cross. His honeyed words will only bring you ill."
Excellent stuff.
Turn 023 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
1. Barega yawned and looked around in the pre-dawn light. Happy to notice that they were all still alive, he paused for a moment to offer a silent prayer of gratitude to the spirit of these sands, and then began his morning meditation. He listened to the wind, attempting to discern the pattern it held for him today...
He then paused to pray over the water skins in the wagon, drawing some of the scarce moisture from the morning air to partially replenish their stores.
2. Barega described the scene to the group.
"You should see them out there, roaming aimlessly in the glare of the sun, the Ogo clinging to the backs of the giants like juvenile apes looking for milk! I congratulate you on this ruse, elf -- with some luck, perhaps they will die in the wastes."
He paused at that. "Oh, how I would like to make it happen! But I think our task is too important to bear the delay it would entail."
3. Barega asked the others to avoid stepping into the area for a few minutes. He climbed down from the wagon and began to try to make sense of the confused tracks in the sand.
Good roll and roleplaying; here's some info.
No corpses left or any edible products. It looks like about a dozen or so kreens. These bands usually hang around their 'successful' hunting territory. This happened about a day or so ago.
Valsavis rose with the others, giving himself a stretch before relieving himself and going through the motions of his morning limbering routine.
He smiled along with Barega, happy to know that the elf's ruse had worked and that the group had one less threat to worry about, at least for the time being. "As much as we'd all enjoy it, we can't kill them all. It's unfortunate that they have quickened their pace. Let us concentrate on the road ahead - the road to Tyr."
As their wagon approached the scene, Valsavis jumped down, ensuring his cloak was open at the front, his blades within easy reach. He scanned the immediate environs, and, once no threats were discovered, turned his attention to the ground, looking for any tracks to tell them who did this, how long ago it happened, and how many attackers there were. He voices his discoveries to the others, "Some money here. Food and water too. Weapons and trade goods."
Just some clarification because I'm confusing everyone (including myself).
The 'edible' stuff found is bread, flour, and other grains. There is no 'meat' left. BTW, my kreen are carnivorous.
Game on!
Bah, I thought you said edible!
So I think from the timing, it is unlikely that this is the caravan whose survivors we met a couple of days ago. But it could be likely to be the same band of thri-kreen. Is that right?
Can Barega tell which direction the kreens left in afterwards?
I'm trying to think of a way to sick them on the templar, but not coming up with anything. (maybe Lalali has some kind of suggestion or compulsion or something. I don't know anything about pathfinder psionics.)
Ala'a rose the next morning feeling better than she had in days. The belgoi poison seemed to be gone from her system and they were miles from Urik. There had been some close calls ... but they'd made it through, thanks to her quick tongue. She smiled as she said her morning prayers. Her brother Tsu'uto would be proud.
************
"At least they aren't on our backtrail," Ala'a said when Barega brought news of the templar and hunters to the west. "If they get closer, we'll deal with them. Until then, let's keep our eyes on the road. I'm sure we'll find plenty to keep us busy."
************
Thri-kreen. Wonderful, Ala'a thought when Barega made his pronouncement. Looking around, the lack of bodies made sense. She shivered - she'd encountered thri-kreen once or twice before, and the hungry stares had been worse than the time she'd accompanied her brother in a brothel in Tyr.
"How close are they, Barega? We can't outrun them with Korgunard and the wagon. And if we have to fight, I'd rather do it on ground we choose, rather than walking into an ambush," she said. She glanced around, noting the ruined wagons. "If we made a stand here we could arrange these wagons for cover, funnel them into a space that allows us to gang up on them."
The idea wasn't entirely comfortable - she didn't like to think about being confined behind makeshift walls, unable to run. But open terrain favored the hunters, not the hunted.
ooc: It could be the same band of kreens. The kreens appear to be to the west (open desert).
Kreens love elves (and not in a fraternal way). Kreens have a hunter mentality. Kreens don't sleep much. But kreens are practical too.
Kreens are pretty iconic in Dark Sun and I would be a bad DM if I did not give you a chance to experience kreens. :)
It's mid-afternoon. I need to know:
a) loot found (take? if so, what?)
b) what to do next (travel? where? how?) (make camp? how?)
Questions?
Game on!