Action 1:
Zeljka was still feeling more unsteady on her feet thanks to being affected by that stupid centipede. She waited for Min to cross before attempting the crossing herself.
Zeljka was a few steps in when she leaned a little too far to the left. In trying to regain her balance, she overcompensated causing her raised right foot to miss the plank when she brought it down quickly. She began to fall...
You can't really fall according to the rules if you are walking across something that is at least 1-foot wide so you won't fall.
Just entertain us with an 'almost fall' scene and then cross. :)
Questions?
Game on!
Nsizi considered leaping the gap over the gate, but his weakened condition convinced him that it wasn't a good idea. He nimbly walked across the board first, then waited on the other side in case anybody needed a hand.
Action 1 cont'd:
To keep herself from falling off the plank and plunging to the ground below, the half-orc managed to twist her body to the left as she fell but ended up face planting into the wood. She laid prone for a few seconds with the air knocked out of her lungs. Very slowly, she began to move. Keeping on her stomach and hugging the wood with both arms and legs, Zeljka inched her way forwards across the make-shift bridge because she no longer trusted her footing. All I need is to get slivers from the wood. Knowing my luck, they'd be poisoned.
Once he realized that she wasn't in danger of actually falling, the sight of Zeljka wriggling across the board made Nsizi smile. She looked like a huge, grey ombufibi - the kind that children caught and raced across sticks.
The board rocked under her weight and she let out a sound that could only be described as half-grunt, half-squeal. Darting a hand out to steady her, Nsizi ended up grabbing a handful of collar, startling her and nearly tipping the both of them over. Outright laughing now, the Bas'o, who was outweighed by the half-orc at least twice, if not thrice, pulled with all his might. With a lurch and a half-leap, they ended up in a tangle on the other side of the board. The board, unfortunately, didn't fare as well and ended up on the ground below them.
As they picked themselves up, Nsizi looked up at the half-orc and said, still laughing, "Apologies, Bibi Imbaba, I am not laughing at you. It is just....you looked like..." His sides started to ache, and he managed to say, "Big ombufi..." Unable to continue, he bent over, laughing hysterically, holding his aching sides.
"Bibi Bufi?" the half-orc asked with a frown, unsure how she should react.
This put Nsizi completely over the edge. Rocking on his haunches, he held on to the side of the walkway as if for dear life, and gasped for breath.
By the time he finally managed to calm down enough to speak, he explained. "In the language of the Bas'o, an ombufibi is the little crawling animal, that turns into the habha," he mimed a butterfly with his hands.
"Caterpillar," supplied Alleria, who had watched all this with a smile. "They become butterflies."
Nsizi nodded his thanks. "But Bufi has several meanings. It is the big axe, for cutting the ironwood tree. But also it is the night-bird, with large eyes, respected in our culture for silence and the swift-strike." he was starting to laugh again. "I mean no disrespect, not at all, but it suits you very well."
tag Zeljka
Nsizi looked carefully at the man, trying to figure out what, or who, had killed him.
Akosua had made her way cautiously over the plank, swaying and inching along, a little better than Zelkja, but hardly enjoying the experience, never having been one who was able to dance about the rigging.
Once in the tower, after listening to Min's assessment of the books she plucked one from the pile tucking it away for later, knowing her own taste for melodramatic easy to devour adventure fiction. I have known long since my taste for fiction leans towards cheap and cheerful, and my sisters are not here to mock me for it.
She examined the corpse and note with care, calling upon her goddess for guidance, but still failing to uncover anything of note, her talents leaning towards sickness rather than injury.
"I would say this note does not help us, still seems likely to be part of a ploy. In truth I am surprised either tribe have writing, I thought their interaction with Pridon's Hearth so small they would have no need for or it, nor the chance to pick it up."
"No need to assume they're illiterate simply because they didn't make off with The Annotated Voyages of Roderigo," Min smirked, placing that volume in a stack. "You'd be surprised the people who've learned rudimentary Taldane, if only to tell the civilized explorer to go back where he came from and leave them alone. "
"What bothers me," she went on, getting up off her knees, "is that these people seem to have been taken completely by surprise. How long would it have taken to bash in those front doors? Surely they wouldn't have collapsed on the first blow. By a bunch of halflings, no less!"
"Why would the commander have been in bed? Wouldn't he have run down to the courtyard to repel the invaders? That other poor woman missing her head, why would she still have been sitting doing paperwork? We should have found all the bodies in the courtyard; at best, one or two who tried to flee or barricade themselves in defensively when their comrades fell. This looks like a stealth attack ... or an inside job. What if they only broke down the doors when it was all over, to lead us astray about what happened or cover for whomever helped them inside the fort?"
Action 1 cont'd:
Zeljka quickly untangled herself from Nsizi and scrambled to her feet. She was not in the best mood as everything in this fort had revealed weakness in her rather than strength...the missed trap, being poisoned by a bug, and now embarrassed by a piece of wood. The scowl was thoroughly entrenched on the half-orc's face when the Bas'o man's laughter filled the air. Zeljka listened intently to Nsizi speak as well as to his tone. Finding his laughter infectious and no malice in his words, the slayer's frown melted away and was replaced by a rare grin. Slapping him on the arm which knocked him a little sideways, she said "It is good to laugh. You have reminded me it is possible even when your heart is heavy. For that you have my thanks."
Action 2:
As they entered another grizzly scene, Zeljka became subdued as she studied the room trying to determine what had happened. As Min and Akosua looked at the books, the half-orc went over to the lump in the bed to see if she could tell anything.
The half-orc agreed with Akosua's thoughts on the note. "Why take the time to write a note when your actions speak loudly enough? My concern is the mention of humans wrecking the river. What could this Fort have been doing to ruin a river?"
Min's summary of her concerns resonated with the slayer. "I don't know of any militia who wouldn't fight back if their post was threatened. All people will fight when their home is in jeopardy. But we've also found signs of lizardfolk and not just halflings. Could they be working together?"
tag everyone
Zeljka collected the items found. "These keys may come in handy."
He was in his nightclothes, appeared to have been placed back in the bed after being killed, and killed with some sort of slashing weapon.
IC:
There is a faint call for help coming from underneath this room. Feeble thumping is coming from the trapdoor covered by the fallen bookcase.
Min jumped at the thumping coming from beneath her feet. "Maybe someone did manage to hide from the attackers," she suggested quietly, "or maybe they only want us to believe they're the lucky survivor." Rolling up her sleeves and placing her gloved hands precisely after evaluating the size and composition of the piece of furniture, she applied a surprising level of strength to lifting the bookcase off the trapdoor.
Try as she might, Min's efforts were not enough to move the bookcase.
From underneath the trapdoor, a feeble voice speaking in Polyglot continued to ask for help...
Zeljka went over to help Min try and move the bookcase. "It may take us all to move it but let's see what I can do first."
In the ferry line, won't be able to post until at least ten pm pdt.ndizi will help open the door. Will ask in polyglot if person is harmed or in danger as they work on door.
The trapdoor will be opened with three PCs helping out.
I'll wait for Nsizi and Akosua to post and then recap, but probably tomorrow.
Questions?
Game on!
Akosua set her stance wide, said a brief prayer for guidance, and grew taking hold of the door and heaving with all of her might, unfortunately her grip slipped and she went flying over backwards to land in an undignified heap and shrink back down,
"Well I suppose if one is to be a fool they might as well be a giant fool!" She declared smiling ruefully as she rose, dwindling back down to size, and rubbing her posterior before she moved back to assist in more mundane fashion.
Slapping him on the arm which knocked him a little sideways, she said "It is good to laugh. You have reminded me it is possible even when your heart is heavy. For that you have my thanks."
Rubbing his arm ruefully, Nsizi said, "That it is, Bibi Bufi."
Why would the commander have been in bed? Wouldn't he have run down to the courtyard to repel the invaders? That other poor woman missing her head, why would she still have been sitting doing paperwork? We should have found all the bodies in the courtyard; at best, one or two who tried to flee or barricade themselves in defensively when their comrades fell. This looks like a stealth attack ... or an inside job. What if they only broke down the doors when it was all over, to lead us astray about what happened or cover for whomever helped them inside the fort?"
Nsizi nodded - Min made some good points. "Yes, there are truths in your questions. This commander was not killed in bed, I believe, but place there after. I am not sure what killed him - something slashed, and there is much blood. Why put him back here? Why are the vidogo only in the holy room? Many questions still."
He looked at the dead man one last time, in case he'd missed something.
From underneath the trapdoor, a feeble voice speaking in Polyglot continued to ask for help...
Surprised at hearing his own language, if in a different dialect, Nsizi called out, "Are you hurt? Is there danger? "
tag voice
"Well I suppose if one is to be a fool they might as well be a giant fool!" She declared smiling ruefully as she rose, dwindling back down to size, and rubbing her posterior before she moved back to assist in more mundane fashion.
The sight of the enlarged kuhani tumbling almost set Nsizi laughing again, but the frightened sound of the voice below sobered him again. "We are coming to you. Stay back from the trapdoor."
tag voice.
There was no room for the Bas'o to help with the lifting, so he stood back and readied himself to help whoever was below, or defend his friends if need be.
I'll recap later today and move this along.
Turn 022 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Nsizi could see that the vidogo was badly fatigued and dehydrated, probably hungry as well. Motioning the others back, he set his waterskin on the floor and backed away.
"We mean you no harm," he said in polyglot. "I am Nsizi, of the Bas'o tribe. We had no part in what happened here. We are only looking to help, and for answers. Perhaps when you are ready, you can help us understand what happened here."
tag Muhdzuzi
"If he was trapped when the bookcase fell," Min reasoned quietly, keeping her words in Taldane, though she understood Polyglot, "he must have been here when the fort was attacked. Looting in the chaos, perhaps?"
"We mean you no harm," he said in polyglot. "I am Nsizi, of the Bas'o tribe. We had no part in what happened here. We are only looking to help, and for answers. Perhaps when you are ready, you can help us understand what happened here."
Clearly distressed the halfling took up the offer and gulped some water down. His eyes never left the newcomers, his weapon still in defensive position.
In between gulps, he continued in speaking in the native tongue of the area, "I was here when the lizardmen attacked. And became trapped."
Although he already suspected the answer, he asked, "Where are the others? The soldiers and my people."
tag?
_____________
FYI: I will usually wait for at least 2 people to post before answering for NPCs to keep the thread from being monopolized by one person. I understand that we are all in different time zones.
The trapdoor is the only way into this room.
Zeljka could see that the halfling was dehydrated. She wondered how long he had been down there. She was about to toss her waterskin to him when Nsizi gave him his. She wasn't familiar with the language being spoken and so she passed along some questions for Nsizi to ask.
"Nsizi, please ask him these questions...How long has he been down there? What were the Song'o doing at the Fort? How did the lizardmen get in and no one fought back?"
And, why would the lizardmen want to make the Song'o look guilty of attacking the Fort?"
And, why would the lizardmen want to make the Song'o look guilty of attacking the Fort?"
Min shrugged. "Perhaps it was merely a fortunate coincidence the Song'o were here of which the lizardfolk chose to take advantage. But would we be any less surprised if it were the lizardfolk fluent in Taldane than the Song'o?" she turned to ask Akosua while waiting to see how the halfling would respond.
The Bonuwat cleric watched Nsizi nodding approval and moved forward setting her trident down, casting a brief spell of guidance and saying,
"Nsizi is right," before gesturing to herself, "I am Akosua, a healer. We mean you no harm and seek only answers. I am sorry, but we have found none of your people living and a number dead, let us hope some escaped. Please will you tell us what happened as best you can?"
At Min's question Akosua nodded acknowledging the point, "I am surprised, I had thought them isolated tribes, but perhaps that is not so true."
The halfling looked from one face to the other. He din't quite understand what they were saying but was glad for those that spoke his tongue.
His throat no longer parched, he answered, "I have been here for five... maybe six days."
He looked down when he heard of his people, "Our party spotted the lizardfolk coming towards the fort. We came and warned them but no one spoke the tongue here so I don't think they understood the threat."
He gulped some more water, "They, the lizardfolk struck fast. Soldiers fought back but were cut down. I ran to the commander and hid below. I don't know how it all ended."
He then asked, "What will you do with me?"
tag?
"Will you ask him what he wishes done Nsizi? Best if he will accompany us to clear his people name I think. I am hoping this was a small party of his tribe, I assume the whole is much larger?" Akosua said frowning while she kept her body language calm and friendly.
"Will you ask him what he wishes done Nsizi? Best if he will accompany us to clear his people name I think. I am hoping this was a small party of his tribe, I assume the whole is much larger?" Akosua said frowning while she kept her body language calm and friendly.
Nsizi nodded. "We will do nothing with you, my friend. You are free to go, if you like. If you choose, we would be happy to have your help as we finish looking into what happened here. We can help you bury your dead, or take them back to your tribe." Looking to Akosua, he said, "The Bibi Kuhani thinks you should come back with us to town, to tell your story. The bosi of the town seems fair and honest. But we will not force you, if you do not wish."
Later...
After it was decided that the vidogo (would accompany them/would part ways), they opened the north door to finish exploring the upper level.
Zeljka handed the note left on the commander's body to Nsizi. "Ask why this note would be left? Do the Song'o believe the river is being ruined?"
They were 'colonials', not necessarily white, and colonials are very proud and haughty and rarely learn culture from the 'native savages'.
IC:
The halfling was clearly scared. His past week was a trying one for him. He accepts staying with the party to inspect the fort. He was going to address Nsizi but decided to try his common, "I no fight. Only hunt. Maybe."
He looked at the note and did not understand. He turned back to Polyglot, "Only the tribe elder knows how to write and she was not here."
He suddenly became worried, "Is she here? Maybe she came looking for us?"
Thinking she, more or less, had a handle on the halfling's dialect Akosua switched to clearly annunciated polyglot,
"We have seen no sign of an elder, but if she does come please let her know we are not enemies quickly - I would not want blood spilled over a misunderstanding. Are you hurt in the body at all? I can help if you are..." she paused, "Also have you encountered any "Gozreh" worshippers recently?"
Once their conversation came to an end Akosua smiled at Zeljka, "Perhaps I might take the lead for a time, you seem to have been taking the brunt for a while - along with Nsizi - He Who Must Taste Good."
She gave Muhdzuzi reassuring smile and lead the way to the upper level, provided Zelkja had no objections.
Nsizi asked, "How many of your tribe came here with you? Had you dealt with these mgeni, these colonists, before? What of the lizard-face mjusi? Do you fight them often? We still have much to learn here, for the facts are puzzling."
Once their conversation came to an end Akosua smiled at Zeljka, "Perhaps I might take the lead for a time, you seem to have been taking the brunt for a while - along with Nsizi - He Who Must Taste Good."
Nsizi let out a bark of laughter at this, then winced as it hurt the self-inflicted wound in his chest. "Yes, word of my tastiness has come even to this place, no doubt on the wings of the savannah flies that would often feast upon me."
The halfling dusted himself off, "No, I am fine but what about my hunting mates? We were six and we were chased to the fort by the lizardmen. The soldiers here. They did not believe us..."
He looked at Nsizi, "Normally we keep to ourselves and the lizardmen also good neighbors but big fight with boggarts. They lost territory and seem to be aggressive."
He shook his head, "I have heard of human village on the coast but have not seen it myself."
No, it's a response to whether he's been to the colony (Nsizi's question). Did I misinterpret that?
Turn 023 is up.
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, Akosua
, hit
I think that is it so far.
"We have found two of your people dead, let us hope the others went into hiding... But I would prepare for the worst," Akosua said, her tone sympathetic, but firm.
"Once we have finished our search we will help you deal with their bodies by the customs of your people, but for the moment let us seek out any immediate dangers."
Akosua staggered staring at the shaft in her chest and swaying on her feet for a moment before steeling herself dropping her trident and chanting a spell. The faint glow of healing magic upon her hand she ripped clear the shaft forcing her palm against the wound and restoring her flesh,
"Well this one is not so friendly."
Restored the bonuwat advanced to the base of the structure shield raised over her head.
In a smooth, practiced motion, Nsizi reached over his shoulder and pulled the spear from its place on his back. Tossing it slightly upward, he shifted his grip and cocked his arm back. Taking a breath to aim, Nsizi realized this would be a long shot - the strange frog-man was further than optimal, and had the advantage of height.
Still, he was more likely to hit with the spear than his sling. Taking another breath to steady himself, he threw the spear straight for the frog-thing's chest.
The shaft of the long spear wobbled in flight, as they always seem to, but it struck true. The amphibian stumbled on the watchtower roof, the long spear lodge in its hip. Unbalanced by the weapon and pain, it dropped from sight.
Even though she was much better at up-close melee, Zeljka was also fairly decent with her crossbow. Unslinging the weapon and loading a bolt, the half-orc planned to repay arrow with bolt.
The slayer was still feeling the after-effects of her encounter with the centipedes and found it more awkward to aim and shoot her weapon than usual. She watched the bolt fly towards the humanoid frog but didn't have high hopes for it hitting considering frogs were typically agile.
Min waited to see if the frog-man was felled or cowed by Nsizi's spear....
Min waited to see if the frog-man was felled or cowed by Nsizi's spear....
So is that a delay, a readied action or what?
I need to know everyone's actions so I can act for the NPCs on their initiative turn(you'll notice I'll lump all the NPCs together for ease of PBPing). You won't always know what the result was of someone going before you since I may not be online to tell you.
In this case, the frogman is not downed by the spear.
Questions?
Game on!
Seeing that the frog-man was going to live to attack again, Min followed Muhdzuzi back into the commander's bedroom, just inside the door. "Get out of the open!" she urged the others to follow. "If we don't let him pick us off easily, we may draw him out where we can reach him."