Bronwyn can't help herself and she burst into giggles. "It's never an actual shower, Squeak. That's just a figure of speech when one gets lots of presents at once but they're only ever handed to the person, or maybe placed on a table. Never thrown or dropped. Besides, the monkeys pelleted me with fruit. It was not a shower."
”Relieved. This one had been wondering about that custom, but had assumed well-padded packaging were encouraged to be used, to avoid contusions and bruises,” Palisade chimed in.
Glaring at their three Warforged companions, she said, "I hope you three appreciate being made of metal and wood right now."
”Humbly. Indeed, this one does thank the Creator-Goddess daily for it having been made superior to the multitude of mammalian species,” Palisade replied piously.
The old lizard simply stated, “We not want more trouble.”
Palisade took position a couple strides before Lady d’Deneith and one step to her left, quite willing to let her continue the dialogue she had begun while Palisade used its presence to make it clear offering the woman any sort of physical violence would not be appreciated.
”Humbly. Indeed, this one does thank the Creator-Goddess daily for it having been made superior to the multitude of mammalian species,” Palisade replied piously.
Mei'Vi couldn't even take offence. Right now she'd pray to the Creator Goddess all day if it meant turning her skin bug-proof.
The old lizard simply stated, “We not want more trouble.”
Bronwyn smiled brightly, "Of course. We don't want any trouble either. It's nice when folks can agree so readily." She paused as the full implication of his words sank in. "Wait, more trouble? Who gave you trouble?"
The old lizard simply stated, “We not want more trouble.”Bronwyn smiled brightly, "Of course. We don't want any trouble either. It's nice when folks can agree so readily." She paused as the full implication of his words sank in. "Wait, more trouble? Who gave you trouble?"
The old lizard answered With a broken common full of hissing sounds, "The blackscale remember us who is bossy in the jungle."
A couple of the other lizards neared the old one; one of them was wheezing audibly with part of his rib cage sunken in.
Their leader asked, ""Where you go?"
Mei'Vi couldn't help feeling bad for the injured croc-men. Also, she recognized an opportunity to make friends and get help.
"We're going to a temple, one that the blackscale won't want us in. If we heal you, can you help us get to it without accidentally going through the wrong territory?"
Motioning to Palisade, she said, "Can you help that one before his ribs pop through his chest?"
Squeak looked thoughtful. "Are you that bothered? I understood the cumulative damage was small enough that your biological healing systems would repair the damage at about the same rate as it was caused. If you are particularly troubled, I suppose I could put together a repellent."
Squeak stayed quietly ready to assist, but carefully noted the physical characteristics of their opponents in case of a fight. 'Logically the tail would be the best. It looks as if, like many lizards, they keep their fat store there. Slow roasted over an open fire, drizzled in honey... Bronwyn might like that.'
Motioning to Palisade, she said, "Can you help that one before his ribs pop through his chest?"
Palisade considered the matter for a few moments, weighting the advantages and disadvantages of using some of its magic to aid these native creatures. The advantages won, and the 'forged nodded its head.
"A reasonable request. Confident. This one has never treated reptiles before, but it has found out during the war that most creatures are remarkably similar under the skin." It stepped forward, sheathed its sword and took out its healer's kit. "Declaration. This one will offer you healing for the purpose of making you more amenable to hearing us out and offering us what information and assistance is deemed relevant. Clarification. This one is willing to expend up to two healing blessings. Other patients will have to make do with mundane care. Commanding. This one would appreciate if you fell in line with the ones in most immediate need for medical aid in the front and be prepared to promptly summarize the nature of your medical emergency to facilitate efficient treatment."
"The blackscale remember us who is bossy in the jungle."
Bronwyn nods sympathetically, "We heard that the Blackscale tribe were unnecessarily violent. It's sad that they would even attack another lizardfolk tribe."
When Palisade gave his long list of instructions, Bronwyn helped by giving a summary for the lizardfolk, "Please form a line. Most hurt in front. We can help."
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"A gross simplification." Squeak complained. "The true nature of our existence is the magic, not simply the physical chassis that the magic happens to animate."
He slowly walked towards the lizardmen "If you would like to know more I am happy to explain how we work. We truly are an incredible creation of..."
He trails off, slows and stops.
"Palisade." he said quietly "Do you realise these poor primitive folk have never even had the opportunity to hear about the Creator Goddess?"
"It sounds as if we share an enemy." Squeak offered to his companions "Perhaps we should enquire as to who to fight these enemies, as well as if they desire us to do so. Additionally, perhaps one of us should attempt to learn a few useful phrases? We could share supplies as a means of building trust."
Squeak indicated the supplies he and 162 are carrying "I couldn't bring the cellar with us, obviously, but I do have a nice selection of wines and spirits. I also have some cheeses that frankly I am concerned will need to be eaten soon, given my refrigeration technology is simply not coping with this humidity." He sighed again "I'm also concerned some of Bronwyn's hair products may be the worse for wear. And this jungle truly is difficult to move through. Thank goodness for 162, or we may have had to leave the sewing machine behind! Or worse, the laundry equipment! Possibly even" he shudders "The largest of my cast iron skillets."
This last was of course hyperbole - under no circumstances would Squeak have left his precious skillets - forged from the chestplate of one of the fallen - behind, even if he had to forego the collapsible bathtub'.
"Palisade." he said quietly "Do you realise these poor primitive folk have never even had the opportunity to hear about the Creator Goddess?"
Prompt response. Indeed, unit Squeak. This one would like to take this opportunity to speak of the Creator-Goddess's many wondrous feats and wise words as its hands work to mend the wounds of these native creatures," Palisade replied, examining the sunken ribcage of its first patient. "Diagnosis. High probability of a blunt force trauma, resulting in broken ribs and possible internal bleeding. Lack of bloody foam at the lips suggests a lung was not pierced by a bone shard, however. The severity of the injury reaches the threshold of magical intervention."
The 'forged put the palm of one metallic hand over the injury, murmuring the words of a prayer. "... section 13, paragraph 2... in the event of a work-related injury... liability form... sick leave on half-pay..." grey light flashed under its palm and the 'forged leaned closer to inspect the result. "Pleased. Due to the grace of the Creator-Goddess, you have been healed, patient number one. Caution. It is difficult to gauge the exact level of effected healing without opening your chest cavity to perform a visual examination. Suggestion. Avoid strenuous activity for a period of three days and get plenty of rest. May the Creator-Goddess go with you. Patient number two, please approach..."
Action 3
Mei'Vi was liking the sound of these Blackscale less and less. "Tributes? What kind of tributes? Is Armaekrixner a person?"
"Do you know what's at that temple? Have you ever seen it?"
Action 1:
Squeak looked thoughtful. “Are you that bothered? I understood the cumulative damage was small enough that your biological healing systems would repair the damage at about the same rate as it was caused. If you are particularly troubled, I suppose I could put together a repellent.”
Bronwyn stopped and glared at Squeak, "Of course I'm bothered! I'm not scratching myself raw for my own pleasure." She throws her hands up in the air, "Finally! Thank you! Repellent, definitely repellent."
Action 2:
Action 3:
Careful of small lizard.”
Bronwyn listened respectfully to the elder lizardfolk. When he was finished she asked, "Is the small lizard another tribe? The ones who like to poison? Or an actual small lizard?"
She looked thoughtful, "Would the Blackscale accept tributes from those not lizardfolk? Like, from us? Or would they just attack first?"
And I wanted to see how Bastion got in the spider-eating rat conversation. What did it think about Palisade's creation? :)
Action 2:
We'll assume that 'wordly' Squeak knows Draconic. :)
Squeak, please remove one of your languages from your PC sheet and add Draconic.
Questions?
Game on!
Action 3
Mei'Vi nodded as she absorbed the information. "Do the Blackscale have guards set up around the temple? Are they organized? Or do they just live nearby? Is there a direction that is best to approach it from, or a convenient secret entrance only you know about?" She didn't expect much from that last one, but hey, a girl can hope.
One of the bolder ones ventured a question in its native tongue, “Are those real heavy,
stones or porous, light stones? Does it tire you to carry this much weight around?”
”Your bodies are made of bone, meat, fat, blood among other things. Their combined weight can be quite considerable. Query. Does your body feel heavy for you? Explanation. Your bodies were designed to support yourselves. Piously. Additionally, this one is filled with the love of the Creator-Goddess, making all burdens bearable,” Palisade replied.
He saw his kin being healed and bowed in thanks; he added, “Careful too. Children of Rhashaak lurk within temple, and the blackscales have caged great jungle beasts.”
”Subject, Rhashaak,” Palisade chimed in, recognizing the name. ”A black dragon of some renown. Referred to as “fiendish”, although it is not clear from context if the beast has ties to the Sea of Fire, or if it has won the moniker for its power and zeal in defending its claimed territory.”
Skunk nodded. 'I must admit to surprise, but the pain must be terrible. My synthesised skunk spray should help, though.' "Certainly, I will mix some when we next stop."
"As per section 4, subsection 3, paragraph 7." Squeak intoned in agreement.
Is Palisade going to use stealth? :)
Or maybe 162 will use stealth?
All kidding aside, you may be able to scout it.
Questions?
Game on!
From your conversations with the lizardmen you understood that the temple is NOT overgrown with jungle vegetation. It is within a 'clearing'; going from inside to outside: temple, dirt or barren ground, light underbrush, and heavy underbrush.
They said that the front entrance was guarded and that there were huts (big and small) as you approach the temple towards its entrance (they only know of one entrance).
More questions?
Game on!
Action 1
Mei'Vi had a thought. "How do the Blackscale look different from you? Is it just the colour of their scales? Are there other differences?"
Action 2
Mei'Vi. Mei'Vi. Mei'Vi.
As she did every day, Vi started her day with her quiet mantra, reminding herself who she was. Reaching hands to her face, she felt the high cheekbones, the pointed ears, the burn scar - yep, she was still the elven explorer, Mei'Vi. At least for now.
After all, today was the day. They were not far from the temple now. She had studied their acquaintances carefully yesterday, and spent the evening sketching them in her book. So, this morning, it was time to test her changeling skills yet again.
Removing most of her clothes, Vi stood unselfconsciously and closed her eyes. Concentrating on her mental image of a Blackscale lizard-folk, she began to change.
The skin was easy. She couldn't make actual scales, but creating texture to her skin that looked like scales wasn't hard. It might not pass being touched, but it was good enough.
Next was the face. Many changelings started with the general form, but Vi found it easier to get the face first, then work down. The bones of her skull actually shifted under her skin, bone and cartilage lengthening, creating a snout. Her hair retracted into her head, her eyes narrowed, her nose flattened, her lips disappeared. There wasn't much she could do about her teeth, though.
Running her hands over her new face, Vi was pleased with the result. Next, the body. Her skeleton shifted, hips widened, shoulders broadened, and her fingers became stubby but strong-looking. The muscles of her legs thickened, and her fingernails became claw-like. Her glutes bunched, and she tried to lengthen them into a tail. However, that attempt was in vain. She didn't have the necessary bones to support a tail, and the best she could do was a misshapen lump at the base of her spine. Oh well, I guess I'm an amputee. She adjusted the skin there to look like scar tissue.
Finally ready, she opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. "What do you think?" she asked the others.
Action 1:
“Blackscale will escort you to front door to temple for offering.”
Bronwyn looked at the lizardfolk questioningly, "Escort us to make our offering or escort us to be the offering?"
She was liking the sound of the small lizardfolk less and less, "Do you have any advice of how to spot the small lizard if they're being sneaky to poison others? Do they have a favorite place to hide? I don't want to have traveled all this way only to die from a poison dart out of nowhere."
Action 2:
Bronwyn balked at the smell of Squeak's repellent as he approached her. "Is that a joke, Squeak? I wanted to repel bugs, not every living thing in Eberron." She hesitated as she weighed which was worse, being scarred from bug bites or smelling like Squeak's repellent. She reluctantly allowed Squeak to proceed with applying his concoction. "So help me Squeak, if this doesn't work and you've made me smell like a septic tank for no reason..."
Then she turned towards Vi and smiled sweetly, "Surely there's also enough for Vi. She also expressed her dislike of bug bites earlier. You wouldn't want bugs to bite your partner and give her some rare jungle disease. Think of the future of your restaurant."
"So help me Squeak, if this doesn't work and you've made me smell like a septic tank for no reason..."
Palisade turned to Squeak. ”Unit Squeak. This one assumes this reaction means Lady d’Deneith would not accept this particular recipe for use as the anti-arachnid lip balm. Realization. There is an issue with using strong smells to repel invasive insects if said smells should at the same time not be offensive to humans. Suggestion. Perhaps a honeypot approach could be used? Create a sweet smell that attracts insects’ attention, then apply it somewhere near Lady d’Deneith but far away enough that the insects’ presence would not be offensive to her.”
Finally ready, she opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. "What do you think?" she asked the others.
Palisade observed the newly transformed Changeling closely before nodding its head. ”Admiration. Companion Vi Olaro, your transformations are as convincing as ever. Observation. So scale colorings hold significance to these creatures you are choosing to emulate? If so, an inadvertent choice of color or pattern might draw attention to you.”
Well, DM? Not sure if lizard-folk is pushing what she can do. Is it good enough to pass for a local?
Yes, however...
You can mimic a lizardman (like the ones you have met) but you can't mimic someone you have not yet seen.
Another issue is size; you must remain 'medium' while poison dusk lizards are 'small' and blackscale lizards are 'large'.
So once you have seen 'them', you could become a 'tall' poisondusk lizard or a 'short' blackscale lizard.
Funny. I am running this for the girls at home and Isabella is playing a changeling and she decided to become a 'little runt' blackscale lizard...
Questions?
Game on!
Finally ready, she opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. "What do you think?" she asked the others.Palisade observed the newly transformed Changeling closely before nodding its head. ”Admiration. Companion Vi Olaro, your transformations are as convincing as ever. Observation. So scale colorings hold significance to these creatures you are choosing to emulate? If so, an inadvertent choice of color or pattern might draw attention to you.”
Vi nodded her newly-heavy head. "You're right," she said, her voice coming out in a sibilant hiss. "I was going for Blackscale, but I've never actually seen one. I was hoping the description I got from the guys yesterday would be good enough, but I don't think it is. Also, they're bigger than I can get. Unless I pretended to be a runt, or a child."
Shaking her head, she said, "This should get me close. What if I pretend that I'm bringing you as prisoners, as tribute? Might that work?"
I'm reading some Eberron novels and they're really good.
Angie (and others), take a look at this changeling spy from Aundair as he goes through changing his 'faces'. The book does a great job portraying his internal struggles with identity. Good stuff.
-------------
General Jad Yeven stood before a mirror in his apartments, stripped to his plain breeches. Tall, soldier-straight, with a sculpted face—the face of a leader. Strong, well-defined muscles covered his chest.
“Who are you?” he said. “Jad Yeven, you’re dead.” He let the general melt away. Fine blond hair grew out from the general’s severe cut, and he let a day’s growth of beard follow. Tanned, weathered, and handsome. Still strong, though not as muscular as Yeven.
“Darraun Mennar. You’re dead, too.” He had found a body on the battlefield that bore a passing resemblance to Darraun, and tinkered with it to cement the resemblance. Had Rienne found the body?
Darraun melted away. Hair darkened to a tawny brown, and spilled down a slender back. Round and soft—the face, breasts, and hips. Not too shapely—the body of a soldier.
“Caura Fannam.” She stared for a long moment at her face in the mirror. “You weren’t around long enough to die,” she said. “You were very kind.” Her eyes burned as Caura melted away.
“Too kind. You cared too much. Nothing is permanent, and no one lives forever. Remember that, or you will suffer.” Short—as short as possible, but broad, strong. A dwarf, male again, with brown skin and black hair. Muscles like polished marble.
“Auftane Khunnam, damn you. You started all this. All those months you spent with Janik and Mathas and Dania—” His voice broke at the sound of her name. A paladin of the Silver Flame, Dania had sacrificed herself to destroy a rakshasa, a demon that had possessed Janik’s wife—the wife of the man she loved. A year later, thinking of it made a knot in his chest, a feeling he couldn’t quite understand. Such a sacrifice made no sense.
“And you repayed their kindness by stealing the torc from her lifeless throat and disappearing,” he whispered, leaning close to the mirror.
“I did my job,” he retorted, stepping back. “I didn’t let emotion get in my way.” He snorted, and Auftane melted away.
“Haunderk Lannath.” Taller again, sandy hair, white skin. He put every freckle in place and found the perfect shade of amber for his eyes.
“You were born for this, trained your whole life to be a spy. You belong to the Royal Eyes. Do your damned job.” Haunderk’s face dissolved.
“Who are you?” The voice came from a face that was between faces, as pale as Haunderk’s but longer and thinner.
“Aunn. My name is Aunn.” With some effort, he shaped his face until it had no shape. Colorless eyes stared out from a blank field of gray skin. White hair fell in tangles over smooth shoulders.
“This is my face.” He stared long and hard at the unfamiliar visage, so blank, as if it were waiting for features to be impressed upon it. Waiting for an identity. “Who are you?” he whispered.
He straightened and began to change. “You’re a spy, damn it—an elite agent of Aundair’s Royal Eyes. You have a job to do. Ugly work,” he said, “so you need an ugly face.” Tall and strong. Weathered skin, tan and hard. Dark hair covering a muscular chest. A thick neck, then up to the face. A nose crooked nose from being broken in many brawls. A wide mouth, then a thick beard that went too far up the cheeks. A shaggy mane of dark hair. Then the eyes—the eyes always needed the most attention.
“Pitiless eyes,” he said. Pools of liquid metal formed in his blank white eyes, dark and hard as steel. “No fear, no mercy.” For just an instant as he looked in the mirror, he saw the Traveler—the divine changeling, the great trickster. She wore the face of a half-elf with short red hair, bathed in silver light, and her mouth was bent in a half-smile.
“Who are you?” He didn’t know if the voice was his or the god’s.
“Kauth Dannar,” his ugly face answered. “A mercenary during the war, now a drifter, a thug, and an adventurer. Get out of my way.” He struck the mirror with the back of his fist, sending it crashing to the floor. It exploded in shards of glass, and Kauth Dannar strode out of the room.
------------
and some more goodness...
----------
The changeling was dreaming—he knew that much, but the knowledge did nothing to help him navigate the chaos. A jumble of identities, names and faces and personas, stumbling through one unlikely crisis after another. At last he stood in his true form in the awesome presence of a goddess.
“The Traveler,” he said. “Bless your ten thousand names.” But the Traveler wore the face of his paladin acquaintance of recent months—a tall half-elf with short red hair and blue-gray eyes—and she glowed with an argent radiance like the Silver Flame of the Thranes.
“Who are you?” she asked him.
“Auftane Khunnam,” he said, and he was a dwarf, all black and brown and sturdy, strong.
“Who are you?” she asked again.
“Haunderk Lannath.” Human, sandy hair, scheming.
“Who are you?” “Darraun Mennar.” Prying, planning, blond.
“Who are you?” “Caura Fannam.” Poor Jenns. Compassion, care.
“Who are you?” “Baunder Fronn.” Simple, stout, stupid.
“Who are you?” “Vauren Hennalan.” Brave, honorable, prig.
“Who are you?” “Natan Durbannek.” Another dwarf. A killer.
“Who are you?” “Aurra Hennalan.” Mischievous elf.
“Who are you?” There were so many, and the Traveler seemed unwilling to accept any answer he gave.
“Who are you?” He awoke, sweating and shaking, panic racing through his veins. He was in a swaying bunk in a pitch-dark cabin, and he couldn’t remember where he was or—most importantly—who he was supposed to be. He put his hands to his face and felt his features: male, human, thirties. Aboard an airship. Who was with him? Kelas?
No. Janik and Dania? No. Haldren? Closer, but no. Gaven, of course.
Real memories started taking shape in his mind, crowding out the confused memory of his dream. His most recent dwarf persona, Natan Durbannek. Helping to capture Gaven in Stormhome, and then helping him escape. Piloting the airship from one end of the island to the other, which made him tired just to remember it.
What in the world had he done? He had revealed himself to Gaven and Rienne, tripling the number of people in the world who knew that he was a changeling. And why? Had it been essential for his mission?
He tried to roll out of his bunk and ended up in a heap on the floor. He curled inward, clutching his head. What was his mission? What in the Traveler’s ten thousand names was he doing here?
“Make it solid,” he whispered. This was not like him at all—he had never in his thirty years questioned a mission or lost his grip on an identity. He struck his head against the floor and reverted to the training disciplines of his youth. “Who are you?” he said. “I am Au—Au … What the blazes is my name?”
Finally ready, she opened her eyes and looked in the mirror. "What do you think?" she asked the others.Palisade observed the newly transformed Changeling closely before nodding its head. ”Admiration. Companion Vi Olaro, your transformations are as convincing as ever. Observation. So scale colorings hold significance to these creatures you are choosing to emulate? If so, an inadvertent choice of color or pattern might draw attention to you.”
Vi nodded her newly-heavy head. "You're right," she said, her voice coming out in a sibilant hiss. "I was going for Blackscale, but I've never actually seen one. I was hoping the description I got from the guys yesterday would be good enough, but I don't think it is. Also, they're bigger than I can get. Unless I pretended to be a runt, or a child."
Shaking her head, she said, "This should get me close. What if I pretend that I'm bringing you as prisoners, as tribute? Might that work?"
So what are we doing...
Option a) Vi (the lizard) tries to scout ahead and get a layout of the temple and surroundings;
Option b) Vi (the lizard) goes to the front door with her prisoners/tribute.
Any other options?
If no decision is made, I'll roll for it...
Pattern hummed. “Truth is individual.”
“What? No it’s not. Truth is … it’s Truth. Reality.”
“Your truth is what you see,” Pattern said, sounding confused. “What else could it be? That is the truth that you spoke to me, the truth that brings power.”
She looked at him, his ridges casting shadows in the light of her spheres. She’d renewed those in the highstorm last night, while she was cooped up in her box of a wagon. Pattern had started buzzing in the middle of the storm—a strange, angry sound. After that, he’d ranted in a language she didn’t understand, panicking Gaz and the other soldiers she’d invited into the shelter. Luckily, they took it for granted that terrible things happened during highstorms, and none had spoken of it since.
Fool, she told herself, flipping to an empty page in the notes. Start acting like a scholar. Jasnah would be disappointed. She wrote down what Pattern had said just now.
“Pattern,” she said, tapping her pencil—one she’d gotten from the merchants, along with paper.
“This table has four legs. Would you not say that is a truth, independent of my perspective?”
Pattern buzzed uncertainly. “What is a leg? Only as it is defined by you. Without a perspective, there is no such thing as a leg, or a table. There is only wood.”
“You’ve told me the table perceives itself this way.”
“Because people have considered it, long enough, as being a table,” Pattern said. “It becomes truth to the table because of the truth the people create for it.”
OK, sounds like Option a).
Vi: try and get a scouting post and stealth rolls if you can.
I'll move this along later today.
Questions?
Game on!
Vi moved cautiously through the jungle towards the temple. Even though she was disguised as a lizard-folk, she was the "wrong kind" of lizard-folk. If possible, she wanted to suss out the situation without being seen.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
As Vi approached her friends, she gave a little bird-whistle that they'd developed as a signal. At least, she tried to, but it turned out that lizard lips were ill-adapted to whistling. After trying a few times, she ended up giggling at the ridiculous sound it was making, and alerted them to her presence with laughter instead.
Squatting down in the clearing, Vi took a stick and sketched out the layout in the dirt, explaining what she saw. "If those huts are occupied, there are definitely too many to fight. And if I arrive with the four of you chained up, I don't think anybody will buy it. Me, versus three huge warforged? It'll look suspicious. Maybe we should wait for dark?"
"Tactical analysis," Palisade said once Vi had briefed them and had helped Palisade draw a crude map of the area on the ground with the blade of a dagger. "We need to secure access to the temple building. Temple has only one obvious entrance. That entrance will no doubt be guarded. Campsites for both species of lizardfolk are within clear field of view of the entrance, and well within bow-shot."
"Possibility exists that the guards will be less active during nighttime, particularly if it has been a long time since anyone has tried to challenge them - unlike Warforged, mammals seem to lose their focus performing such mundane tasks. Same should apply to these lizard-creatures. Observation. It is possible that the individuals used to guard the premises are rotated on a regular basis, thus alleviating the sense of security and futility sinking in. Further observation. If the temple is of particular importance to the creatures, standing guard over it may be seen as a honor, further motivating the guards to remain observant."
"Possibility also exists that the premises will not be lit by fires during night, making covert approach more manageable. Problem. We do not see well in darkness, and the jungle will prove a most formidable obstacle for stealthy movement if we do not see where we step. Considering the close proximity to reinforcements, any stray sound would be risky. Including any sounds of combat with sentries."
"Perhaps..." Squeak allowed. "We would need to contain the smell so as not to attract creatures from further afield. This mixture contains repellent to a large number of species, as well as Aloe oil and lime extract, to help protect and moisturise Bronwyn's skin and protect against the horseradish, onion and garlic causing damage."
He looked to Palisade "I remember Corporal Johannim saying he had to lie face down in a ditch full of excrement for three days when injured. He said the smell faded after a while, as he became used to it, but the taste never went away." Squeak nodded and turned back to Bronwyn "Thus I have been careful to flavour this one pleasantly. It is relatively non-toxic, though it should have a strong stimulant effect. It is very, very important that it does not get in your eyes. I believe the pain may be considerable. I suggest we provide you with some form of eye protection - protecting you from the oil and also protecting you from any insects that seek to attack your most vulnerable areas."
Squeak considered, then raised points quickly "What are our rules of engagement? If they have fires, potentially we may be able to trap and burn them all. I am not sure if lizardfolk have noncombatants. We may also be able to make a distraction to draw some off. We do not know how well they see in the dark, but many reptilian animals are cold blooded, and do not perform optimally in cold weather."
Just quickly - we could also release the ape to provide a distraction.
Action 1:
Bronwyn's eyes continued to widen as Squeak thought out loud. "My hat is just fine for the facial area. I'm not allowing your repellent on my face or near any of my orifices. Even as it is, I'm questioning my sanity for allowing you to apply such a foul smelling substance to the rest of me. Although I do appreciate the thoughtfulness of using aloe and lime."
Action 2:
Bronwyn was not one for tactical discussion as she bored easily. At some point in the conversation she asked, "Can't I just fireball both their camps? That would be both destructive and act as a distraction."
She was quiet for a bit again before offering, "That caged ape could also be an option. If we free it, it would probably take revenge on those who imprisoned it." She turned to Palisade, "You negotiated well with monkeys before. I'm confident that you could again should the need arise."
I hope things went well.
Welcome back!
Just in time for a planning session. :)
Turn 021 – How to Enter a Temple
Just recapping...
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
She was quiet for a bit again before offering, “That caged ape could also be an option. If we free it, it would probably take revenge on those who imprisoned it.” She turned to Palisade, “You negotiated well with monkeys before. I'm confident that you could again should the need arise.”
"Agreement. Individual monkey number two did prove peaceful coexistence between us is possible," Palisade said, nodding its head. "This one does also agree that freeing the captive would be a good first step to secure success in future negotiations, and the creature inside does seem both formidable on its own, considering how securely it is caged, and eager for its freedom. Freeing it should provide a powerful distraction that might allow us to slip inside the temple proper."
I'm fine allowing you to attempt this.
I'll probably require a stealth and a lockpick roll.
Questions?
Game on!
Vi nodded. "I can do that. Do we go now, or under cover of dark?" She thought about it a moment, then added, "I can make myself look a bit beat-up, and go pretending that I've been taken as servant or slave, maybe they'll believe that it's my job to feed the beast, or something like that."