Happ seems genuinely unhappy to be leaving, as Dru and Dale start to talk, he seems to reconsider for a moment, but as soon as Brady starts uttering not so veiled insults, his face gets annoyed and his expression sets.
"I will be sure to note your objections in my report." He says with a scowl.
"I am glad you are able to see about Juliet." He adds, "The site can't be too far," He points off in the direction he indicated earlier. "There. You can almost see the light now."
Indeed, you can just start to make out the faintest of glows off in the distance, barely visible as the evening shadows begin to descend.
"Like I said, doesn't seem more then a day out. She and six of the others. If they still live, I can only assume they're out there."
He glares at Brady again, before continuing. "But the rest of us, we will finish packing, and securing the sight, this evening, and head out tomorrow."
He barely gets the last words out, when a shrieking cry echoes out of the surrounding jungle. A shriek all too familiar from the last time you were here... the charau-ka!
The lone man, standing on the guard tower, starts yelling and pointing towards the breach, before he is forced to duck... as a hail of stones pelt his position, and he drops out of sight with a fearful wail.
Already in the long dusk shadows you see simian shapes moving through the hole in the palisade, as the few remaining workers flee back into the camp in panic.
-- Round 1 -------------
Monty, Tad <--------- We are here!
monkey business!
Dale, Brady, Dru, Faliana
Tad and Monty are up!
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Monty is the quickest to react... unfortunately, perhaps a little too quick, as he rushes to meet the incoming charau-ka before the rest of his companions can join him.
The first thing he will realize is that not all of the attackers are charau-ka, there seem to be a number of other primates attacking with them, mostly small apes and monkeys... all of them riled to a killer frenzy with the charau-ka.
The second thing he notices, is that, isolated alone as he is, many of them converge on him! Two feral baboons move in on one side, fangs bared and lashing out. Both of them score long gashes on his arms, despite his defensive style . At the same time, two more charau-ka move with exceptional speed to flank him, screeching in hate! The first waits for the second, before they both slam crude wooden clubs down on him... one after the other.
All four of them seem intent on ripping the vanaran apart!
-- Round 1 -------------
Tad, Dale, Brady, Dru, Faliana <--------- We are here!
-- Round 2 -------------
Monty (-19)
monkey business!
Party is up! (Monty will process last)
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Dale flips his mop of hair up out of his eyes as he hears the screeching, and sees Monty being brave/foolish/suicidal. Ah crap, there goes Monty again, trying to get killed. I better try to save him again.
"Quickly now, better man the wall.. and save Monty!" Dale charges ahead and pulls out a black bomb, shakes it violently, and tosses it at the yellow charau-ka. "FOUR!"
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Faliana stands back not entirely certain if she should join in the conversation with Happ. When the man finally comes to a decision about leaving in the morning, she gives a sigh. After Brady's words there's not much of a chance that she could change the man's mind.
The screeches send shivers down her spine as they resonate with the dark memories of the last time she'd heard them. Faliana takes a second to turn to the scholars and porters. "Get back and away from the walls! If possible get into the dig site, they probably won't follow you in there! Hurry!"
She turns around just in time to catch sight of Monty getting club horribly. With loud slightly aggravated shout she starts rushing forward, pulling out her longspear on the way. Passing the other side of the tree line, she speaks in a quieter voice, "You promised! ... and anyways Tad isn't always going to be there to save you!"
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Dale hurries forward, drawing a prepared explosive and lobbing it at one of the charau-ka. The bomb crashes into the ape-man's shoulder and smashes open, unleashing chemical flames all around, none of which splash on Monty at all, despite standing right beside it. The little primate however, is not so lucky, as it screams in pain and thrashes about, as the flames spread. It is thus totally distracted when Tad moves in beside Dale, and lobs a flaming missile of his own, that strikes the same target, just as it manages to get clear of the first fires... it still stands though, and howls in pain and anger, as it launches itself at the little grippli, club swinging with surprising quickness, and its teeth gnashing at his face. Despite the suddenness of the attack, Tad manages to avoid the worst of it, only one swing of its cudgel catching him as he dodges the others . Brady and Faliana hurry in to try to defend the little cleric, but are too far back to do more then close.
Drusilla moves as quickly as she can to aid Monty, hopping down onto the top tier of the nearby excavation to swing at the other charau-ka's legs. It manages to leap nimbly over her weapon from its higher perch, screeching at her in defiance. Monty takes advantage of the distraction, as he staggers back from the onslaught and lashes out at the same ape-man. His new quarterstaff connects with two solid cracks across the creature's shoulder and back, which just seems to make the creature angrier.
The two baboons are not so willing to let their quarry get away from them, and they both press forward, sharp fangs biting at the vanaran. Still reeling from the earlier onslaught, it's all Monty can do to deflect the first set of fangs, and he has no chance versus the second, as the animal tears a large chunk of flesh from his shoulder, narrowly missing his throat .
The charau-ka is not willing to back off either, and howls as it swings its club two more times. The first blow goes wide, but the second hits Monty across the temple, and the old monk is sent spinning in place, before he collapses to the ground .
Screeching in triumph, the ape-man then steps over Monty's prone form, and snaps its long fangs at Dru, the suddenness of the bite surprising her, as it clamps its teeth on her helmet hard enough to put a small dent in the metal and ring her bell a little.
-- Round 2 -------------
Tad (-6), Dale, Brady, Dru (-3), Faliana <--------- We are here!
-- Round 3 -------------
Monty (-31, prone, dying)
pink baboon, green baboon, yellow charau-ka (-16), red charau-ka (-14)
Party is up!
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Well, that didn't go as I'd planned. Sure I was angry, but my words were meant to... I don't know... raise his hackles a bit. Inspire him to rise up to the challenge, not run away in anger. Guess that's why I'm not a diplomat.... Brady is barely able to process his thoughts on his bungling of the negotiations with Happ when the attack hits, and he can worry about it no longer.
At least this is what I am good at, is his only thought as he turns and runs to engage them.
He summons a bit of his past training in using his fists, then takes a quick step to the side before attempting to deliver a punishing blow to the baboon in front of him.
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Dale watches the trashing of monkey's (good and bad) and grits his teeth and swallows the lump in his throat. He draws out his personal vial of 'Don't die' goodness (shield) and drinks it down before stepping forward and drawing out that fine yellow wood club he received. "I'm coming, lets not get ourselves killed here, I'll try to help Monty in a moment!"
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As Monty goes down Faliana's face goes flat in shock for a second before Fritania's usual look of one part scorn two parts playful coy takes over. In her deeper sultry voice, the spirit comments, I thought it bad that my great-granddaughter was interested in a man, but it turns out he's an idiot as well. Lovely. Welp, not much else I can do about that, but try saving his ass."
In one smooth motion, the former dancer slithers forward and brings the longspear in her hands around to strike at the Charau-ka standing over the vanaran.
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Dale decides to take a more physical approach, as he quickly imbibes an extract then steps into range of the raging charau-ka attacking Tad. At the same time, Brady steps away from the same foe, and brings one powerful fist down on one of the baboons, as it tries to chew on the downed Monty. The primate barely gets out a startled cry, before it falls to the ground. Its companion immediately turns on Brady, leaping at him, its long sharp fangs taking a chunk of flesh before the man can step away.
On the far side, Faliana goes to the defense of her vanaran friend, thrusting her longspear at the other charau-ka. The point sinks in deeply, sending a shower of blood dripping down on Monty at its feet. Drusilla, in the excavation, brings her morning star around a second time, and manages to follow up Faliana's blow with one of her own, despite the wall of dirt in the way. The ape-man falls to the ground on top of Monty's prone form, the two of them laying there in a tangled heap.
Tad manages to bring his holy symbol to bear, despite the angry charau-ka trying to split his skull open, and sends a wave of healing energy outwards. The soothing warmth of Sarenrae washes over everyone, healing the minor wounds on both Dru and himself... but also momentarily stopping the worst of the bleeding on the seriously injured Monty. The old monk's eyes open to the familiar sight of the sky overhead... but the not-as-recently-familiar feeling of another furry body laying on top of him... and certainly not the salty taste of blood in his mouth that is not his own.
Over by Brady, the baboon that he just knocked out of the fight suddenly starts and trashes about on the ground as well, as it scrambles back to it's feet with panicked grunts... clearly not liking whatever just happened to it and intent on trying to get away from whatever caused it!
The first charau-ka suddenly starts screaming demonic curses, as Tad heals the others, and lays into the little grippli with renewed vigor. This time, Tad is unable to avoid any of the blows, as blow after blow rains down on his head, and teeth tear at his flesh.
-- Round 3 -------------
Tad (-16), Dale, Brady (-5), Dru, Faliana <--------- We are here!
-- Round 4 -------------
Monty (-26, prone)
pink baboon (-3), green baboon, yellow charau-ka (-16)
Party is up!
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Dale's eyes take in the scene as the angry monkey men thrash, club, and bite the 'locals'. He looks at his spindly arms and his little wood club and decides he'll be more help with his spoon. He draws it out, now dual weilding a spoon and club combo. "Here you go Tad, hopefully this tides you over a bit til help shows up!"
He swings the wooden spoon down on the grippli's bloodiest of wounds with a slight thud.
"MMM SOUP!" Giggle!
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Monty groans in pain and shoves the body off him.
Thanks whoever did that... I'm getting really to familiar with unconsciousness...
He takes an assessment of his situation and realizes that standing up will probably be to dangerous. Keeping this in mind, he rolls back past dru as she climbs out of the pit, plopping himself down with his back against the wall with a wince.
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Fritania clicks her tongue as the healing washes over the baboon and brings it back to life. Extracting the spear from the demon thing in front of her, she flicks it's blood off and then whips it around to stab into the monkey fleeing from her. "And just who said ya could run, ape? Ya picked ta wrong spirit for that! Ha!"
Done with that she takes a second to talk out loud. "Hey Fali yar monkey boy is alright, ya can stop panickin' and show me how to use this thin' properly... What do ya mean 'stop talkin' out loud?'... That's better, thank ya dearie." She twirls the longspear around in her hands moving much quicker than before. Before lashing out at the other demon creature targeting the slimy, tongue-using frog man.
The first baboon's attempt to flee do not even make it past the conception stage, as both Faliana and Brady make sure it stays out of the fight. Brady then follows up that effort by nimbly weaving around the second baboon, and slugging it so hard, it falls to the ground to join the first.
As Drusilla clambers out of the excavation pit to rejoin the fight, Monty rolls into it to take a breather from the beating for a moment.
Satisfied that Monty is safe, Faliana turns to try and drive the last remaining charau-ka off of Tad as well. Unfortunately, she can't quite get a bead on the quickly moving ape-man, as it dodges her spear with ease. Seeing this, Dale reassess his plan to attack with far less skill at such activities. Instead, he digs out his spoon, and gives Tad a little healing of his own. Tad, for his part, continues calling on the healing warmth of the sun, stepping back from the onslaught and channeling once more. This time, it does not appear to be enough to help any of the opponents.
The last remaining ape-man, turns on Dale with fury, though he seems to be flagging somewhat, as his never-ending shrieking is little more than a angry grunts and labored breathing. Its club blow however seems to get turned aside at the last moment by an invisible shield of force surrounding the alchemist... which only angers it more!
-- Round 4 -------------
Tad (-9), Dale, Brady (-2), Dru, Faliana <--------- We are here!
-- Round 5 -------------
Monty (-23, prone)
yellow charau-ka (-16)
Party is up!
Between Drusilla and Brady, the final charau-ka is quickly dispatched. The sudden chaos in the encampment fades, though out in the jungle you can still hear the occasional primate howl.
Slowly, the few remaining archaeologists and laborers start to poke their heads out of where they'd been hiding, all of them with worried frowns on their faces.
Happ Volts appears as well, shaking his head. "See, that's why we can't stay." He mutters. "We don't have the men left to defend against those, and I'm sure there's more just waiting to descend on us."
He is holding a small leather satchel, which he shoves at Drusilla.
"Here, this was all that Juliet left behind." He says. "I hope you can find her and bring them to her. I'm sure she wouldn't mind you making use of some of it, if you needed."
"If she's even still alive." He adds, glumly.
The bag contains mostly paper notes, as well as a small circular prism of some sort.
He then turns back to the other archaeologists and gets them all back to packing, with renewed motivation, intending to be ready to head out in the morning.
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Monty pops out of the pit with a groan and holds up a palm to Falinia.
Don't say it. I already know. That was stupid even by my standards. I don't know what came over me.
He pulls his wand out of his pack and holds it out to Tad with a wry grin on his face.
Tad my boy, would you mine patching a old nincompoop up? I swear, I must be going senile... feel free to take a patch for yourself, you wouldn't have been that close if I had given it half a moment's forethought.
He turns to Falina again and grins.
And for your information wise grandmother, I happen to be a astoundingly capable and well mannered idiot. Also a grateful one that my ass is still attached thanks to your efforts.
He gives a hoot and a wince.
One does not train out a couple dozen years of experience after a couple weeks after a revelation. I'll pick it up eventually... never to old to learn.
Included in the notes in the satchel, is an unfinished report, dated almost two weeks prior.
The light from deeper in the hills remains steady. It seems like some sort of beacon, and as each night passes I think it’s warning us of some danger, or asking for help. I know, a light can’t communicate like that, and it must sound like the heat is finally getting to me, but I’m going to take a small team into the hills to investigate. I’ll leave Happ in charge here; I don’t plan to be gone long.
Juliet Dias
The sun is just going down where you are, and you can see the light everyone speaks of, off in the distance.
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Brady rifles through the papers left behind by Juliet, trying to get a sense for what all is there.
"In his defense, Dru, he'd only be hindered by armor." Brady nods at Monty. "His movement should be sufficient to avoid most blows."
He holds up the prism from the bag. "Anybody have an idea what this is for? Dale?"
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Faliana's face does a record breaking turnover as soon as Monty's head starts to crest the rise. As her face turns dark and stormy, she starts advancing on the vanaran. He stops her just as she is getting her mouth open. She stops after he says his bit and pauses for a second before releasing her anger with a small sigh. "I'm more glad you didn't get killed, though I hope this time you have learned your lesson! ...and enough said about that. How are you feeling, no poisons or other nasty things?"
She walks up to Monty and Tad watching to see if there was anything else she can do to help. When Monty starts addressing Fritania, Fali pauses for a second, before rolling her eyes and saying, "Fine, but be nice." Fritania takes control.
"Hmm, I agree on the 'well-mannered' part but so far I haven't seen anything to prove the capable, much less 'astoundingly' so." Plugging her ears, the spirit leans in, continuing in a whisper, "And you're going to have to do that before you get my approva..." Midway through the last word, the woman jumps, almost as if someone shouted at her.
"Fine, fine, I'll play nice." Fritania turns back to Monty and with a sniff, comments, "I'll admit you did a passible job at being a local guide last time... But more importantly, you can show me your gratitude by not getting yourself killed and causing my Fali grief!" The woman then gives one of her high tinkling laughs, clapping the man on the back, before getting cut short.
A few seconds latter a peeved Faliana glares out into the forest. "Ugh, I swear that woman does not know the meaning of 'restraint'!"
After a few seconds of calming breathing, Faliana looks out to the forest and notices the light. "Hey, look over there, is that what I think it is?"
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Monty leans on his staff and looks at Falina with a cheeky grin.
I've dealt with worse. There was a tribe that tried to have me boiled in my youth for daring to try and marry the chieftains daughter.
He shrugs.
It was for the best in the end. She just wanted me for my tail.
For a moment he gives a big grin to try and get a laugh, but realizes that maybe Faliana really is concerned for him. Plus what the spirit said... His face takes on a more serious look, and he places a hand on Faliana's shoulder and smiles.
Don't worry, I'll try and show you, and your grandma more appreciation in the future. I think the lesson has finally gotten through this thick skull.
He looks out at the light that she points out and nods.
That... certainly looks like it. I feel we better move quickly.