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Hearing the suggestion at an illusion Prizm gets visibly excited.
"Oh! Let me! I have just the thing, and they don't make noise! That's just what makes it the perfect choice of an illusion."
Before he casts his spell, the gnome asks the Baron and Count to inform the porters of his intent.
The illusionist wrinkles his nose and waggles his fingers while smiling in a slightly wicked way.
"إنشاء النمر الأسود"
Upon completing his spells a large jungle cat with fur as black as night stalks out of the brush close to what Prizm believes is the alpha macaque.
Silently the stalking predator looks to pounce.
Meanwhile - Prizm gives Bert a knowing nod.
...
Then addressing the party.
"Did you know - panthers are common in many jungles and tropical rainforest. They are also common on islands, and are reported from densely forested areas in the southern lands but the spotted leopards are generally more common than the black panther that I created there. It is also a little known fact that their natural predator is a Bronco.
Also, do like the way I made the jet in his fur reflect the hues of blue that makes it appear more flaxen?
You do know what flaxen is don't you? I could give you an overview...!"
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The stealthy dodo notices his friends nod toward him and gives a single wink of his tiny beady eye.
Bert scurries over behind the large jungle cat, and gently kicks some undergrowth to draw the alpha monkey's gaze toward his pending doom.
...
Once the monkey notices the predator - the cat makes a massive pounce at his soon to be monkey meal.
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The alpha macaque screams, running to the edge of the camp and perching itself on a fallen log, yelling and screaming and throwing a rock at the panther, calling for his companions.
As the macaques rush and gather from around the camp, the alpha squeals again and bounds off into the forest and the others follow, crying and screaming.
"Well.." the Baron speaks after the monkeys are gone. "Perhaps not the nicest method, but it cleared out the camp without killing any of them," he nods at the Pathfinders. "Good job."
The porters seem slightly disappointed, but not offended, and continue with the meal, followed by packing up the camp and pushing back onto the trail.
As the day starts, the hunt is back on, but later in the afternoon the expedition comes upon a narrow pass and must re-consolidate for a time.
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There is a shout from the porters midway through the day as their mounts are harassed by what appears to be a feral wolf. As the party rushes toward the shouting, the report of gunfire sounds and the wolf runs into the woods, obviously wounded.
The wolf runs past Max, his rapier grazes it, sending it off balance and tumbling into a bush. The smooth latin rhythms of the maracas and the hot, beleaguered breaths of the party are the only sounds heard as they part the undergrowth to see their trophy...
...claimed by Bert, performing his victory dance.
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Prizm notices the mother viper and throws his hands up to the porters nearing the nest motions for a halt. Then frantically waves to route the caravan around the clutch of young snakes muttering the words “vipers…. Snakes…. Poison”
Speaking in the language of magic he intones.
” التحدث مع الحيوانات”
yumkin tahdiat sadiqay , 'ana fa'ay - w yaeni 'annak la darar , wa'ana sadiq l alkarima . wasawf nata'akkad min 'an alrrijal la yadurruk 'aw alshshabab alkhass bik . yrja faqat la taeidd ealayha - alqiam bdhlk w sa'atrak lakum w 'aqrabayikk bed albid min lawazim ladayna.
reroll
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Jy het gekom tussen my en my jong! Ek sal julle almal verslind!
As the snake hisses its words, that only Prizm can hear, it bursts from the brush into the center of the porters, snapping at them.
At the same time, miniature versions of the beast burst from the brush near the elephant, biting at the elephant and Phoenix.
Elephant
Phoenix
Both miss, but the elephant seems startled.
Turn Order (Surprise Round):
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Phoenix watches closely as Prizm attempts to ... communicate? with the creature, a flash of puzzlement on her face quickly fading to a look of respect.
When one comes from the brush and attempts to take a bite at her she will react with force just the same.
Phoenix draws her cold iron Kukri and attempts to slash at the young vipers (going for the one diagonal to her).
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Phoenix is unable to make contact with the tiny viper as it hisses at her.
The elephant lurches and the mahout falls from it, rolling onto the ground away from the beast and then diving for cover in the trees. The Baron and Count (and Valore) grab onto the sides of the howdah at it rocks on the back of the nervous animal.
The Count screams down: "Calm this elephant before we get knocked off, or WORSE!"
The Baron yells, holding tight: "Protect the porters from that beast!"
Turn Order (Round 1):
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Speaking the dialect of the pachyderm Prizm tries to calm the massive beasts
"Ola gwo fella ! Yo se koulèv jis ti kras ak maman yo ap pwoteje yo . mòde yo pa ka jwenn rive kache epè ou ak pwazon yo, yo pa kapab koze domaj ou kòm kè ou a twò fò!"
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The elephant does not yet seem calmed.
As Max approaches, the snake strikes out .
...and is easily deflected by Max, who takes the opportunity to stab it as he moves in, though the snake dodges his second blow easily. It now seems entirely focused on Max.
It lashes out quickly.
...and misses.
The tiny vipers bite Phoenix and the elephant.
...taking an ineffective bite on it.
...and missing completely.
Turn Order (Round 1):
Poncho
Prizm
Max
Giant Viper (-11)
Adorable Baby Vipers
Bert (Hiding with Poncho)
=> Phoenix
=> Valore
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As Valore slides down the elephant, the giant viper strikes out, seeing just another threat.
...but misjudges the speed that Valore drops, snapping on only air.
Phoenix can't quite hit the small creatures, but makes a much better target than the frightened elephant.
The Baron and Count are holding tight to the howdah, but seem to be losing their grip.
Active Effect: Inspire Courage (+1/+1)
Turn Order (Round 2):
=> Poncho
=> Prizm
=> Max
Giant Viper (-11)
Adorable Baby Vipers
Bert (Hiding with Poncho)
Phoenix
Valore
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The giant viper take a rapier hit, followed by the magic missile, leaving it barely writhing. It strikes out at Max as it loses balance and falls..
...but isn't able to make contact in its staggered state.
The vipers, unaware of their mothers fall, approach Phoenix and Poncho, one triggering Poncho's ready.
...miss.
Active Effect: Inspire Courage (+1/+1)
Turn Order (Round 2):
Prizm
Max
Giant Viper (UC)
Poncho (Awaiting attacks)[/b]
Adorable Baby Vipers (Green may be dead)
=> Bert (Hiding with Poncho)
=> Phoenix
=> Valore
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With the flank and the skewer, the baby snakes are defeated, though the one on the rapier still has life in it.
After a few moments of combined effort, you all are able to relax the elephant and reorganize the porters, who while stressed, seem no worse for wear.
The Count still clings to the side of the howdah, panting and cursing under his breath while the Baron stands, smiles, and waves down at you.
"Thank you for protecting the porters! I would feel terrible if any of them were injured due to my expedition."
He climbs down and converses with the porters, making sure they are alright to continue.
Prizm finds that the momma snake is just barely under while the living baby is quite injured. The porters and the Baron both seem to have respect for you taking care of them.
"Only a few hours down the trail and we'll be able to find the stream we followed when we were ambushed by the tiger," the Baron says as he returns to the party. "We'll split off from the hunting party there and go and find the beast."
The Count nearly eats dirt as he climbs from the elephant in a huff. "After all of that, you still want to go for the beast? Well, I'm not going into the jungle on some goose chase like that. I'll proceed to the next camp and wait for you lot there."
The Baron shrugs, unconcerned. "Suit yourself."
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The caravan stops at the stream as was promised by the Baron. He pulls some items from the porters and readies his musket, approaching your team. "All by foot from here on out. Keep your eyes up - I don't want to lose any of you to an ambush by the beast."
Once you are ready, he will begin leading you down the stream, sticking to the muddy sides when possible.
After an hour of walking, the jungle opens up into a wide grassy clearing bisected by a shallow, burbling stream. In the center of the clearing lies the partially eaten carcass of a gaur. Its throat has been torn open, and the grass all around the dead bison is covered in dried, sticky blood.
Looking over the carcass, the Baron nods confidently.
"This is where we ambush the beast. This is a fresh kill - it's sure to return for it tonight." The Baron pulls off his pack and unwraps it, revealing portable hunter's blinds, machans, that he explains and then points to the nearby trees. "We'll get these set up so we can watch from above - prevent it from getting the ambush on us. We should have a few hours though, no rush."
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There are two blinds to set up and two good trees for it roughly 40ft from eachother. Each can hold 3 medium creatures. The Baron will climb into the Easternmost - let me know how you would like to distribute the rest of yourselves and if there is anything else you would like to do before nightfall.
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Bert puts one wing over his eyes and shakes his small feathered head as Prizm makes a racket.
Lifting his little bird foot he holds one toe over his beak and glowers at the gnome.
"b-errrrt......."
Looking over to Valore, he offers a small beady eyed look that could almost be conceived as an apology.
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As night falls, the jungle grows quiet.
"Shouldn't be long now..." the Baron mutters.
REROLL
From the darkness comes a familiar voice - Count Matsanda.
"Bomande! I can't get around in this forest. Come help me!"
Rumble in the Jungle: Round 1
=>Valore
=>Bert
=>Poncho
Max
Phoenix
L
Prizm
Bomande
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Poncho smiles "Nonsense, Señor Proust! I have enjoyed our conversations! I am simply restless. It is a...how you say...force of habit? I tend to drum when sitting still. Waiting quietly in this blind has been an exercise in self control"
Upon hearing the Count, he cringes, turns to the sound of the Count's voice and sighs.
"So much for paciencia."
He draws his shortbow and scans the surrounding area.