"Hold on Bucko's hold on I'm sure there's a mutually beneficial solution that we can work out where nobody loses.."
Mel sheathes her sword and steps out off the water..
"Someday I have to learn me some of that there language" she mutters
"Send a beneficial blade up it's arse and let's call it a day. Either that or give it Hake's address and they can work it out."
Shaso doesn't see a good way out of this so he makes an offer to the snake thing.
Mel listens in growing frustration to the gurgling conversation.."What did ye tell it..and can it speak anything else other than Aquan.." she asks in a somewhat petulant tone
The half-orc stays in the back on the beach watching the strange conversation while holding her cutlass at the ready. She also puts the decanter into her backpack for "safekeeping".
The naga narrows its eyes at the apparent confusion in the ranks and the willingness to simply "delay" the situation...
In very clear common she counters, I want the halfling now. If I return to my people empty handed I will not get a second chance.
Sooty snorts loudly in derision, but keeps his peace for now.
Quillin grins maliciously, "A halfling for the jug. I think we can manage that." Gazing at Pfarna he frowns, "Um, where exactly is the halfing?" Discerning Pfarna's lost look, the gnome whistles back Smudge to go reconnoitering.
Smudge can see the jungle near where the "bar" is but can't see too much movement at the moment. [Not the best perception check this time around] I'm not sure its clear that the halfling is running (not sure Pfarna/Sooty have mentioned it per se) but Smudge can't see him, for now.
"Sorry Capt'n, but the halfling has flown the coop. We didn't realize he'd be important."
"Brigh's Bronze Balls!" the gnome curses. "What was the last thing I told you? 'Keep your eyes on shorty'! Fekkit! Well, let's get looking. Can you track him, Shaso?"
Sorry, I grabbed the cauldron. Figured that was what was important. Lets see if I can find him.
Survival(Track): <-- maybe?
To the naga, "We will look for the halfling. You may join us. If you harm anyone else we will not help you."
"Which way did he go? I will try to track him."
to aid Pfarna.
full health
Fervor 4/4 remaining
Blessings 3/5 remaining
5 at level 0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Purify Food and Drink, Light, Mending
4 at level 1: Obscuring Mist, Read Weather, Comprehend Languages, Air Bubble
2 at level 2: Aboleth's Lung, Track Ship
Mel looks relieved when the Naga speaks in a tongue she can comprehend.."Oh you want him..no prob.." she bites her tongue as Sooty admits the subject of the conversation got away
"Yes we had best go and find him then..." she says and heads off to the bar looking foe clues as to where the little ..person..might have gone.
Perception to track
Shorty's eyes widen and almost he almost chokes before he can sputter out, "Wwwwhat? What is this? What is in it for us to help this bloody snake? Let me repeat m'self: " His words rise to almost a roar.
Mel gives Quill a look as she passes him "Going t' have trouble with that one" she says quietly "best you sort him out now Quill"
Pfarna looks back at the grumpy dwarf:
We are not righting wrongs. We are eliminating future problems. We have the decanter. I would rather the halfling not try to take it back. This eliminates two problems. The halfling coming after us and whatever that fish woman is.
Quillin elbows the dwarf. "Who's helping? I'm just getting rid of a sneaky little rat of a halfling. Remember that we need seven more crew. It won't hurt if we put on a little demonstration of how we handle uncooperative types."
"Demonstrations don't pay in gold..." Sooty grumbles. He falls in line, apparently somewhat mollified.
The naga looks around at the few remnants of sailors scattered on the beach and up at the bar's overlook, I will return. Bring the halfling to the beach and I will be here. With that she dives into the water.
The group makes its way back up to the bar, its rundown shack of a building, and the area around it...
Shaso breaks into a jog, following the trail, trying to make speed without making too much noise.
Quillin rolls his eyes as the nature priest suddenly dashes off. "Should I assume he's found the trail?" the gnome deadpans to the others.
Looking his bird in the beady black eyes, Quillin addresses his familiar before shooing him off. "Smudge, go keep an eye on the fool."
Mel pauses momentarily as the others head out then follows along.
"I thought Halflings were supposed to be Masters of stealth" she quips as she notes the obvious trail.
DM
Pfarna follows close behind the warpriest. Decanter now stored in her pack and her cutlass in her hand.
Survival:
Perception:
I will follow closely behind Shaso.
Sooty stays in the rear to keep an eye on the group's collective back.
Perception
Mel keeps a sharp look out and listens intently as they make their way through the brush
Quillin chases behind moving with some speed considering his short legs, but not quite as fast as his mates. Smudge stays up front scouting out the path ahead.
The group heads along the trail for some 10/15 minutes until Shaso brings the group up short as the various jungle fauna starts to thin into a rock ridden flat that seems to lead to a short cliff. The sound of water rushing obscures the groups movement. All of you see the halfling in question kneeling at the lip of the river, seemingly contemplating his next exhausted move.
Group block is up. No surprise.
Sooty pulls a tanglefoot bag off of his bandolier as he approaches the halfling. He prepares to throw it if the little bugger moves. "You stay right there shorty!
"Here, kitty kitty! Here, kitty kitty!" Smudge squawks as he perches above the big cat.
"Yeah, I wouldn't move." With a squint, the gnome hocks a loogie into his palm and tosses it at the cat.
It is plain to everyone at this point that Quillin just pegged a large black panther. It seems unamused, and uninterested in leaving...
Shaso turns his attention from the halfling to the panther. "Is this cat a friend of yours?"
Pfarna moves over next to the halfling.
Unless you want to become panther food, give me your spell equipment.
Mel stalls a moment as Shaso, Pfarna and Sooty approach and draw weapons on a very surprised and obviously chagrined halfling. He seems almost ready to contemplate a response when the large panther rushes through the brush right at Quillin...
Crit
Confrim
Grapple?
The panther closes the distance in a blink of an eye, the large jungle cat issuing a snarl as it bounds to the wizard and promptly snatches him up with powerful jaws. The gnome is practically lifted of his feet as knife sized teeth dig into his torso and the cat thrashes him down with a heavy thud, clearly uninterested in letting the wizard go.
Pfarna quickly moves over to protect the captain stabbing at the panther.
Attack:
Damage:
If the attack hits (which clearly it will not), then:
Intimidate:
Quillin shrieks as the panther leaps on him, "GEt it off!@" In a desperate final act he attempts to cast a spell.
Seeing the big cat, he had been wary. Shaso knew how quickly they could kill a man. As it attacks the gnome, he springs into action. As he draws on the power of his goddess, one of his picks develops a frosty sheen. He closes with the panther and attacks with a savage cry.
full health
Sacred Weapon 3/4 minutes remaining
Fervor 4/4 remaining
Blessings 3/5 remaining
5 at level 0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Purify Food and Drink, Light, Mending
4 at level 1: Obscuring Mist, Read Weather, Comprehend Languages, Air Bubble
2 at level 2: Aboleth's Lung, Track Ship
Mel closes with the combat crossbow in hand and fires a shot into the melee.
However her care to to hit her comrades translates into burying the bolt in the soft ground of the jungle floor
"Ye bunch of idgets! Pharasma's cold teats, kill the thing!"
Pfarna charges at the large cat and its engrossing activity with Quillin presents an opening (it loses its dex and its a big cat...its AC is a little compromised when eating people...) The half-orc lands a solid blow which open a heavy gash on the creature.
Get it off! A shocking display of color erupts from the gnome and panther in question promptly drops the wizard on his ass as the creature seems stunned.
Shaso follows up with good measure and sinks his pick into the stunned panther. Despite all this the creature is alive and standing but seems incapable of responding though it is already shaking its snout as though to clear the "cobwebs" from its senses.
Mel's bolt goes wide despite the sudden de-escalation of events.
duh..my system was playing up yesterday and I posted in a hurry.. without realising that I had only rolled a d4 for my combat check..
Rerolled properly
and..no change there then..lol
The gnawed on gnome quickly scoots out of the way cursing cat, crew and everything else nearby and then belatedly casts a warding spell as he keeps an eye on the halfling.
Shaso continues to fight the cat, attacking with both picks in rapid succession.
Sooty moves until he is about 15 feet away from the halfling, "Let them sort out that cat, you stay right there."