"Had I a greater understanding one way or the other I would add. But I am guessing about the totem. I disagree with you all but you could be right."
"So who will lead us through the jungles? I am going to need guidance in there."
Vik steps forward after Milhar speaks. "I'll lead. I can track through these jungles and try and find this place. I'll need someone to spot for trouble while I'm doing it though, and don't be stepping in front of me please, it disturbs the tracks when you do that."
While working in the trench, the brief contact with the young woman brings out a sort of unusual and rare emotion from the big Ulfen. Watching her depart invokes what would best be described as a crush.
Where I come from, we revere our totems. If we were in my land if you touch a totem you would find yourself in an event that would be best called a ring of death. All the tribe's warriors would circle the offender and would engage one on one battle till the offender was killed. I do not wish to engage in an activity like that right now.
"I can spot along with another. While it is not my strength, the dark of the jungle hides little from my eyes."
The healer nods at Vik. "Good I'll get some bandages and the like from the infirmary and then I am ready to leave. Unless there are other things I should bring?"
The healer nods at Vik. "Good I'll get some bandages and the like from the infirmary and then I am ready to leave. Unless there are other things I should bring?"
Yep, a healers kit can easily be gathered from the infirmary. Full 10 uses too.
Cheers
The group stands looking into the jungle. As the day lengthens, the tempeature rises and an uncomforable humidity can be felt pervading teh tropical air. Sweat beads on foreheads and begins to trckle down the small of thier backs as the temperature climbs on the exposed beach. The usual breeze that has been blowing in off the water isn't present today, and as a consequence, the sand flies and midgies that have been kept in teh shelter of the jungle have also ventured onto the beach and are swarming around the campsite and those gathered near the totem. Their irritating bites are merely adding to teh discomfort of the morning.
As the group stands watching the totem, trying to determine the best approach to this situation a disturbance deep in the jungle again sends a flock of colourful pterodons screeching into the sky. hey wheel overhead, circling the jungle and beach and calling out harsh warning cries and bleating challenges to whatever it was that disturbed them. In front of the totem though, all is quiet.
Will save DC14. If you fail
A feeling of great fear seems to grip the hearts of those entering this place. The jungle is overwhelmingly menacing, hiding dangers of unspeakable horror within its leafy confines and making people jump at the slightest nooise or movement. (suffer the shaken condition while in the jungle. Effective for a day. This is powerful totem magic, somthing casters can learn to use with the right training)
Survival DC 12
The tracks of a large number of humanoids can be seen in the area of jungle floor near the totem. It looks as if maybe 15 or so people stood here and waited for some time. The older tracks are hard to follow, as if som care was taken to conceal them, but the recent tracks, maybe less than 5 hours old, are hurried and all head deeper into the jungle. The trail seems easy enough to follow at this stage
Spot, Spot, Spot, Spot (1d20+4=22, 1d20+4=7, 1d20+4=22, 1d20+4=10)
(oops! It's perception now, right. Please add +4 to all those rolls and another +2 for sight and sound. Thanks!)
Keeping a close eye on the jungle and on Paera, Bo-dan tries to stay as vigilant as possible but is sometimes somewhat distracted by the possibility of threat to her beloved.
survival checks 1d20+6 for 8 checks (till about 2 in the afternoon) totals 14 25 25 10 16 23 23 10
Vik starts looking for tracks to follow.
Given the misgivings of the majority of the group, and Viks adament refusal to approach the sacred totems, the small party enters the jungles edge some distance from the campsite and the warning totems.
The air under the canopy of trees quickly cools but maintains its high humidity. As the big Ulfen begins to cast around for signs of his quarry, he sniffs and gets a worried frown. "There'll be a storm later today. I can smell it in the air". Despite the added urgency of this warning, it still takes the party some time to pick up the trail of the "grey ones".
After spending nearly an hour in the jungles near the beach edge, Vik finally lets out a cry of success. He has found a trail leading from the camp, deeper into the foliage and away from those still toiling at their preparations. As teh group presses forwards, the sounds of the jungle come to life. The screeching cries of pterodons and bird like reptiles can be heard higher in the treetops. Smaller animals crash though the undergrowth, seemingly fleeing from the blundering steps of the five as they press onwards. Occasionally they come across signs of bigger creatures in this forboding place. The odd broken branch, the indentation of a large print and once the remnants of a smaller animal obviously killed the night before. It's broken bones and remnant skin was being picked over by some small Compies, bu the little reptiles fled at the groups approach.
After an hours trekking Vik swore loudly, his colourful language sounding loud in the confines of the green tapestry surrounding them. "I have lost the track. We hold here till I can pick up the trail again"
While the Barbarian move carefully around the area, the others spanned out to keep a guard over his trained eye. It was Bo-Dan who noticed they were being followed. A deeper shadow, some 30 feet from the group suddenly took on teh appearence of a human like shape. The half elf blinked in surprise whne she realised that whatever was standing there had been there for a while and it was only now she had realised it. The monk was about to say something when Vik cried "I have them again. Someone had tried to conceal the tracks but it would seem they are in too big a hurry to truly worry.". His voice distracted Bo-Dan momentarily and whatever or whomever had been watching them was gone. Not even a leaf moved wher it had been standing. An ominous boomin rolled hrough the air, the sound of distant thunder coming in from the oceans.
"If those rains come, I will lose these tracks" comes the warning from Vik as the big man again starts to move.
Paera slipped her hood off, wiping the sweat from her brow. She found herself actually looking forward to whatever rain was coming, despite the trouble it might bring. "Hope they're getting barrels ready at the beach." She turned to the others with a wry grin. "Hey, think these Grey Ones will give us shelter before the storm hits?"
Paera stopped herself from looking back to try and spot whoever was trailing them. "So...do we let him know we've seen him and keep moving or wave him over?" Her question was directed more at Vik. She wasn't very familiar with dealing with isolated tribespeople, and the Ulfen was the closest among them to that description as far as she was concerned.
"do we need to seek shelter? I would guess Vik that after you picked up there trail that that is the true direction they are travelling in and we should just keep that heading. It is what I would do."
Milhar struggles to keep up with the humid conditions, the constant barrage of new animals, plants and strange surroundings assaulting his senses.
"I do not like this island. Yet." He murmurs when the party stops.
Algret is quiet, her focus on keeping the pace and keeping her eyes open. From time to time she reaches out mentally to the doll in the pack on her back.
Algret
The little doll is quiet within teh pack. As the dwarfs mind reaches to it, he gets the sense that the doll is also reaching out, though for something different. The priestess gets the slightest hint of a snese of power, ancient beyond the years of living creatures, but lying in wait, dormant and subdued. It is only the barest sniff of the dolls thought patterns, like the faint trace of forge smoke as one first enters the great halls of her clan. The feeling from teh doll is not fear, more anticipation, or maybe awe.
"If our 'shadow' had meant us any harm, I'm sure it would have befallen by now. They are probably more worried about us. I suggest we continue to make our way to the village while Vic is still able to follow the trail. I would also advise that we keep our hands as far away from our weapons as possible and make no threatening moves or gestures. We are here to make peace after all."
"Milhar and Bo-dan speak with wisdom. We should carry on while I still can follow the trail, but we about an hour and a half before the storm rolls on. If we can't find their village by then, then we must find some sort of shelter and hope the tracks don't get washed away. Yes, do not go for weapons, or make to sudden movements unless a strong need to do so, but keep weapons close since we do not know what else is out here besides the "greys". We shall move on, if one of us spotted them then they seek to learn more about us. Since that one did not stay visible they could just be trying to get a hold of our temperament, and intentions if they witnessed what happened on the beach the other day. But enough talking, let us continue before the tracks get to cold."
"No shelter then."
At Vik's words the group again heads into the jungle proper. It is Algret who first notices they have climbed a significant height, her dwarven blood letting her know the altitude change. Obviously they had trekked up the side of the hills near their little cove. An hour after Bo had spotted their follower, they crested a ridge of volcanic rock that had thinned the jungle somewhat. This bare rideline provided them with a partial view of the island above the canopy of the jungle. Behind them the green blanket of foliage stretcehd down to the little bay. They could barely make out the ship from this distance, but could clearly see the roiling black cloud front of a massive tropical strom moving in from that direction. Even now the winds that foreshadow those tremendous acts of nature were beginning to stir the trees around them and tossing the long hair of the girls around their faces.
Of greater import was the view of the small valley that now lay before them. They could make out the cutting through the trees that heralded a stream or small river running through the jungle from one of the steeper hill regions. A long tract of grassland ran parallel to the river for a small section and all the group could clearly see the villiage that stood in the clearing. For a few brief seconds it seemed to shimmer, as if a veil of gauze had been draped across it and concealed it from view, but then it appeared again. Vik looked around, taking his bearings before speaking again "I put us as maybe twenty minutes from the village, if the jungle isn't too thick. Now we know where it is I won't need to be so slow in following ....."
The big Ulfen stops midway through his sentence, looking over the shoulders of the others who were watching him. As they turn to see what he is looking at they are confronted with the sight of 6 very large humanoids standing behind them where previously only jungle had existed.
They were all male, of that there could be no mistake. Their massively muscled frames gleamed with sweat over a greyish green skin. Tribal tattoos, each a unique pattern of swirls and rasied ridges marked the left sides of their chests and their lower lips. The bones of animals had been pushed through noses and ears, and brightly coloured feathering and plant material adorned their hair. All of them were armed with spears, tipped with bronze heads and some had necklaces adorned with copper coins similar to the one Vik had found when first arrived on the island.
"Orks" whispers Paera, who had seen their kind once while travelling on an airship in the Tienese lands.
The orks stand silently watching, their weapons held in their hands ready for action, but not threatining at this stage.
Paera had pulled her hood back up, trying to keep her hair under control in the growing winds. She was thinking of how they were going to approach the village now that they had found it when Vik alerted them to their unexpected company.
Knowledge(local): 24! (hoping experienced traveller will let me remember anything useful)
After muttering that these were orks they were facing, she racked her brain, trying to remember if she had heard anything about whether or not they were ever known for having peaceful tribes. They weren't attacking at least. Yet.
"No sudden movements," she whispered. Keeping her hands away from her sword for the moment. Her mouth had gone dry, and she couldn't think of anything these people would possibly understand.
She glanced at the others and raised her right hand, palm outward. She nearly said "Hello." before catching herself. Who knew what "hello" could mean in their language?
Paera (specific info)
The orc tribes of the pirate Isles are not much different to the ones of the mainland on the southern and northern continents as far as you are aware. They seem to be able to keep themselves hidden far better than their mainland cousins however, something that brings about much specualtion from those that owuld hunt them. The Varisian pirate Princes that are trying to control these islands have plenty of trouble with the tribes, as their bigger ports and towns tend to negatively impact island environemnts very easily. Unfortunately for the Varisians, they have very little luck in rooting out the problem becasue they rearely find their villages. You seem to recall hearing something about magic veiling their lands, but it was only vahue and you never truly understood the concepts. The guy was drunk and you were lifting his purse at the time, so your mind was on other things.
When they reached the of the crest Bo-dan breathed deeply and took a deep breath, sighing in contentment at the natural vista before her. Training her keen eyes (1d20+8=18) (+2 for sight & sound) on the village she tries to pick out all the detail that she can.
As the wind played with her hair, causing wisps to dance about her face the young monk seemed to pay them no attention. Perhaps her impressive powers of concentration allowed her to ignore them, or perhaps it was some small concession her her part to something chaotic. She smiled at Paera though, Bo-dan had always thought her lover looked so cute in her hood.
When the tribesman reveal themselves behind her she turns calmly, not surprised or disturbed at all. Silently she praises their incredible stealth, it showed much training and discipline. She considered what little she knew of the Ork folk. She had never seen an Ork before but she had always been curious. As her eyes move over their still and heavily muscled forms, Bo-Dan tries to perceive which of them might be the leader (Sense Motive?).
First looking to her well traveled heartmate Paera and then any of the others in case they have anything to say, Bo-Dan makes her best guess as to who the leader may be and takes a single step forward as she speaks "Do you understand the Common (?) tongue?" "Or Elvish?" this last spoken in the language of her Elvin forbears.
Lost in thought over the wonders of the doll, Algret is drawn from her reverie by Vik's halted sentence.
'It's never good when he stops like that.' she thinks.
As the young monk slowly turns, Algret follows with her eyes, surprised at the sudden appearance of the large humanoids. Thier stealth was indeed impressive.
'Let's see if they have any other friends out here,' she thinks focusing her mind and calling to the earth around her.
She keeps her hands away from her weapons, a calm expression on her face.
Bo-Dan
With her keen elven eyes, Bo Dan picks out the movement of a few humanoids in the village. They seemto be wandering aimlessly, not carrying anything or completeing chores. Something that catches her eye is the lack of children in the village. With a settlement that big, there should be some little ones running around, though perhaps their parents had them under shelter for when the storm was going to arrive.
Algret
As the subtle vibrations of Algrets innate power radiates out from her feet, she gets the sense of all those around her. Her companions she can place easily, particularly the familar presence of the hulking Vik. His aura brings her comfort and strength. The others she knows, but not with the familiarity of her long time companion.
The six orcs are a presence that is seemingly strong with the earth. Their bond is far stronger to the natural element than her other companions, but certainly not as strong as that of a dwawrf or deep gnome. It was a curious thing to again feel the presence of those with an affinity for the earth.
Of greater import to the dwarven Priestess was the presence of two others on the extreme range of her senses. They were further behind this group, concealed beyond visual range by more foliage and a small spur of rock. One of those in particular radiated a strong bond with the earth. It was as if the rock were more willing to embrace its presence.
From her pack, a feeling of joy and wonder suddenly invaded her mind. The little companion doll had sensed everything Algret had through their shared bond. The dwarven women felt for sure that if the doll could talk, it would have burst into delighted laughter at the feeling.
As Bo-Dan was peering at the village, some of the others may have noticed a slight frown crease her forehead, as if she saw something that concerned her somewhat. With the arrival of the Orks though, the telling of what she saw would have to wait a bit.
Milhar turns back to the orks and lets the others take the lead.
Milhar turns back to the orks and lets the others take the lead.
Taking a moment, she marvels at the doll's feeling of joy, a quick mental smile at the wondrous creature.
She drops her voice, low enough that only her allies can hear.
"There are two more of them, hidden further back. One of them shares a strong connection with the earth, a druid perhaps. We need to be careful"
"If they choose not to answer, then perhaps they would be happy for us to carry on down to the village. They do not seem hostile."
Milhar carefully looks over the group of orks and tries to see the hidden figures.
But he is unable to see past his own nose.
Standing up Vik speaks "We mean you no harm." He then whispers to the party "I may not be the best to speak here. Most tribes view strength as a pure challenge at the least. I will follow your lead and offer my view if needed."
After Vic speaks, Bo-Dan adds her part, then waits for a response.
The Orcs stand impassively as the group seems to debate amongst themselves. It is only when they are addressed directly that they respond. The biggest of the orcs steps forwards when Vik speaks, obvioulsy ignoring the others around the Ulfen warrior. The creature lifts a hand and points at the big man, then speaks in a gutteral parody of the common tongue "You come wid us. Big Juju man wanna talk ta you'se lot". The words sound almost commical, tumbling out from between thick lips and across the protuding tusks. However the warlike nature of the orks certainly curbs any urge to laugh.
As the big ork gives the word, the others move to surround the group, though they take no hostile actions. The two who fall to the back cast a quick glance towards the village before casting their eyes further abroad, obviously watching the back trail for danger
Sense motive DC 12 (there's a -2 penalty on sense motive for the orks as you are unfamiliar with their nature). Anyone can make this roll
The orks in general seem tense but certainly not hostile towards you. The furtive glances they seem to give towards the village would indicate it was the source of their worry.
Perception (if looking at the ork group) DC 14
As the orks move to the rear, closer to the village, some of them begin tracing the patterns of their tattoos and scars, as if in a ritual. It almost reminds you of the warding signs the passengers of the ship sometimes make when Vik passes too close, or when they heard about the Bugbear
Perception DC18 (if looking towards the village at the time. Can't do both perceptions btw)
AS the orks surround the party and the newly enlarged group dissapears behind the rocky spur, a single figure emerges from a hut and walks to the centre of the village. It stands looking towards the ridgeline, its massively muscled form rigid and unmoving. For the briefest of moments it almost appears as if another form is superimposed upon it, something bestial and shadowy. Then it is gone from your sight and the party is behind the ridge
The orcs lead the small group back down into the jungle and around the spur of hill they had previously climbed. No sign of the other two that Algret mentioned earlier can be seen nor heard, again testamount to the ability of these creatures in the jungles.
They trek for maybe ten minutes as above the jungles the sound of rolling thunder becomes more frequent and the slashing white light of lightning falls ever closer between those thunder claps. The first heavy drops of rain begin to fall, smacking into teh thick canopy above the junlge floor with a noise like slapping sails. The sound of the wind drives through the jungle and all other noises seem to disapear as the creatures of the forest take shelter from the torrential downpour that is about to engulf the island.
Just as the rain begins to increase and spatter its way to the group below, the orcs lead the party into a cave complex surrounded by what appears to be an obsidian pillar split in half by some titanic force. The black larva glass has runes of red carved into its face, and they glow with a faint light that seems to grow stronger as the rage of the storm around them increases in intensity.
Inside the cave, a small fire burns warmly and the smell of cooking meat comes to the party. It is a delicious smell, when all that they have had to eat in nearly two weeks is fish and dried hard tack. The orcs move to areas of bedding and other locations and begin to seat themselvs and divest themselves of their wepons and carry sacks. It is only now that they are in the cavern and out of teh jungles do any of teh party realise they were wearing cloks and boots. The material of the items seems hard to focus on, as if the eye is forced to look elsewhere, and the sounds of the orcs is distinctly muffled in here compared to even the soft footfalls of the two half elves.
A voice, old and dry like the rustle of autumn leaves, speaks from the entrance of the cave "Welcome to my home travellers. Make yourselves comfortable and avail yourselves to the meat of the Ridged Thunder Horn. My people have already eaten this day and you will be with us at least until this tempest abates"
The voice belongs to an ancient looking orc, dressed in tthick leather armour died with teh natural greens and browns of the jungle. A number of fetishes and bone pendants hangs from his neck and wrists while he carries a long spear tipped with a glowing obsidian point. At his side, a younger orc stands holding his left arm, as if supporting the ancient orc. This one is like the others, only much younger and with less tattoos.
The old man speaks again, his common very refined in comparison to teh orc who addressed you earlier. "We have much to discuss, and I wish to start by asking you what manner of evil it is your ship has brought to my island that could bring my village to ruin in teh three days I have been gone". The question is asked quite calmly, but the hint of iron in his voice speaks of anger witheld, and for the briefest of moments his eyes gleam deeply with power.
Paera
As Paera was entering teh cave she glanced at teh obsidain pillar. At this angle it looked nothing less than the split hoof of a goat or pig. With an exited start, the rogue realised it was the cleft rock of which the torc mentioned.
Paera looked back and forth between the orcs and Vik curiously, but kept quiet and decided to follow his lead as the tribesmen led them along. Okay, this is either going really well or very very badly...just have to wait and see...
Her eyes widened almost comically when something caught her eye as they entered the cave, and she quickly tried to compose herself. Oh wow. Oh wow! This was certainly not the time to talk to her comrades about it though.
She was caught completely off-guard by the elder's well spoken common, and tried to hide her surprise for fear of offending him further.
"W-what happened to your village?" She doubted anything they brought to the island could possibly drive these warrior from their home. Surely one bugbear would be no match... She gave the others a brief glance, and decided that it would be wisest to tell him the truth rather than try and cover anything up. They couldn't afford to anger him further.
"If we brought trouble...we did not mean to. We were fleeing from a war, and we had to restock our supplies to continue our journey. We didn't know we had one of the invaders who drove us out hiding onboard. He was a bugbear...he got away, and we don't know where he is, but that is the only evil we know of that has come with us. We're sorry about intruding...I mean, we saw the totems and we figured it was a warning to keep out, and we were going to respect that, but there are more of us who came inland earlier to try and find food and supplies. We hoped to talk with you, to ask for your permission to search your jungles for them."
Sense motive DC 12 (there's a -2 penalty on sense motive for the orks as you are unfamiliar with their nature). Anyone can make this roll
** spoiler omitted **Perception (if looking at the ork group) DC 14
** spoiler omitted **Perception DC18 (if looking towards the village at the time. Can't do both perceptions btw)
** spoiler omitted **...
"We seek only to provide for those under our protection. We are not your enemies"
Milhar nods at the old ork's welcome and pulls out a waterskin, then he moves to get some food from the camp fire for his friends.
When he returns with three thick platters he puts one before Vik and one before Algret. The other he keeps near himself.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, especially as our ship has been on poor fare for days. I am Milhar. By what may I call you Sir? and how may we help ease these problems you speak of."
As Paera speaks, the orks around the cave stir and mumble to themsleves in their own tongue.
Speaking Orcish
They appear to be insulted that a woman would speak for the group
The ancient orc holds his hand up to them and they quickly become quiescent again. At the mention of the bugbear, the old man seemingly slumps into the arms of the young orc beside him.
"Ah, It is worse than we feared then". He beckons for the boy to move him closer to the fire and takes a seat on a flat stone seemingly placed here for such a purpose. The young orc gathers a blanket for the old orc and covers his shoulders, despite teh warmth of the cavern.
The old face looks up at teh visitors with a lok of resignation. "My people are unequipped to deal with the abilities of ones such as the bug bear. If I had been present, then perhaps I may have been able to help, but I was off observing these friends of yours that you seem so concerned about."
He seems less angry now than he is resigned. As Milhar sits with the food and asks his question, the old orc smiles. " A name is a powerful thing human. I shall reserve mine for now, but you can call me Orrklashra for now. It means guardian in my tongue and would describe my roll here adequately"
"I am aware you mean no harm, yet harm you have brought. I have spoken t your hlafling friend, and provided her safe haven through this jungle to return a harvest of the great lizards to your tribe on teh beach. We asked only to be able to access our stores of the fish you have been helping yourselves to for past few days. It would serve none of us well for your group to stay longer than necessary."
He casts his eyes around the orcs gathered here and sighs "However, you have brought with you a danger that we cannot defeat. The goblins and the orcs have been at war for eons, and the ways of the mind that the bugbear uses is a great weakness to my people, just as our totems are weaknesses to them. We knew something had happened the moment you entered the jungles. My totem should have prevented any from entering those forests for the entire length of that beach. Our power here must have failed for the magic to have been so weakened."
"It would seem your actions have doomed my people despite your best intentions." his look is accusatory, but still no true anger can be seen in the lined face.
"How can the bugbear be stopped and how can I help? The fault may lie with us bringing the creature but that horde attacked our city and those evil creatures are masters of hiding and manipulating. They bring out the worst in people when they can, so I would like to see this danger ended for once and all."
*
"Perhaps I can help look into the weakness of your totems. I am close to magic, it is my blood and maybe I can help there too? Orllkshara"
*
"Lastly we can talk to our Captain, but I am sure he will be happy to supply fish, since he sent us to talk with you for food."
*
Milhar also wanders about looking to see if anyone needs healing or attention, he can bring this to The Guardian's attention and Algret's, if he can help.