"And your tooth," Douena adds sagely.
"We're glad to have you back, and we'd do it all again if we have too."
Seeing the business at hand is taken care of, "Very well, now that that has been taken care of, I am curious. What brought you here into the middle of the jungle? Only to bring back your friend? And now that you have, I would gather your next objective is to bring about justice against the Consortium? It seems an odd direction to be going to hunt them down." He looks to them all, awaiting clarification.
"No, not at all," Douena looks at the elf in mild surprise. "I have no intention of ever meeting anyone from the Aspis Consortium again if I can help it. I'm certainly not going to go looking for them."
Mahjik grins his familiar smile at Sasha, and mentions quietly - as not to disturb proceedings - "Wise man doesn't kiss and tell. But I can tell you that I found a friend to my other obligations in this world. It isn't much, but anybody trying to chase us will find themselves a little bit inconvenienced when in Kalabuto."
"No, not at all," Douena looks at the elf in mild surprise. "I have no intention of ever meeting anyone from the Aspis Consortium again if I can help it. I'm certainly not going to go looking for them."
"Then I gather you've accomplished what you've set out to do and now you all plan on returning to wherever it is you hail from? If that is not the case: What is your further purpose?"
"We care little to nothing for or about the Aspis Consortium. As Douena said, we want nothing to do with them. We have other business to attend to and we will see it through."
"I'm sorry," Douena says, giving the painted elf an apologetic look, "but we've promised to keep our plans secret. Any time people find out about it, they start trying to kill us. Basically there's this thing that everyone wants, and I'm not sure why. Because they think there'll be treasure, I guess. Which is why the Aspis people attacked us in Kalabuto and why Jask got kidnapped in Eleder."
"Well, they really only found out once," Lorenz says. "It's just that the same people keep sending people to catch up to us and kill us. We think they're with the Aspis Consortium, but there's a couple other groups they might be from, too."
"Doesn't change Douena's point, though," Sasha adds.
Lorenz shrugs. "I suppose not. Still, assuming they are from the Aspis Consortium, having one more person, who happens to really dislike the Aspis Consortium too, would be a help to us."
"That is true. Maybe we could tell him about the bad part and see if he still wants to come with us.
Douena pulls a face. "The bad part," she tells Tar'kanas, "is that we were forced to agree to work with very unsavory people: an oppressive government that supports slavery and a bunch of arrogant jerks that are responsible for blabbing our secret around in the first place."
"She means the Pathfinder Society."
"Actually, I meant how our destination is probably inhabited by evil vampire snake people."
"I thought that was the only interesting part."
Finding it a bit surprising the curious little gnome possessed such fury, "It appears as if you are all caught between two entities that would equate to a spider and it's web. I'm afraid I know very little of this 'Pathfinder Society'. But if the Consortium are after you, then I shall accompany you. And if they find you, then I will find them. And if I am unable to locate my fellow tribe member, then I shall do what I can to aid you against these villains. From what I know of these humans, they are determined. And they shall learn that the Ekujae are as equally determined." He deadpans. "Regardless whether or not they were behind your friend's death, it sounds as if you both are traveling the same direction. Eventually, you will meet again."
Douena ponders Urza's words a moment longer. "Do you think there are good vampire snake people?"
"Are there more of you?" Mahjik queries the elf, "I mean, aren't there more of you trying to find your missing tribe's man?"
"No. There is but me. While it is important to find him, it is equally as important to protect our tribe. With the Consortium threatening, we need all we can to protect our land. It is understood by my people that this is the way it must be."
"I've not heard tales of good vampires of any kind. I don't see why a vampire snake-man would be any different. But if we keep on our path, you might get the chance to ask one personally."
"See, Douena?" Lorenz says. "Good things can come out of this. By good, I don't necessarily mean good vampires, but interesting or exciting things like asking a vampire if there are any good vampires..." He trails off, uncertain of his words.
"Like you'd ever let me talk to a vampire," Douena grumbles. "You'd just want to kill it, like my riding lizard and Big Flappy."
As the talk continues of some form of vampire creature, "If your business here is settled," he addresses the group, "I suggest you collect your things and prepare to depart." Turning to Entelu, "Thank you for your willingness to help, friend. I hope to return one day and tell you of the success of my endeavor." He gives a slight bow of his head.
Grabbing his pack and his bow, "If there is nothing else, we should move," he tells the others.
Pezock turns and stares Tar'kanas in the eye. "Who put you in charge?" he says, his own eyes narrowing. "We go when we decide to go."
He turns away from Tar'kanas and draws his sabre. Pointing it out in front of him, he proclaims, "Onwards to adventure!" He then takes up his standard marching pace.
Tar'kanas looks to the tengu with a raised eyebrow, the faintest of grins forming before he returns to the task at hand. "Untari, nyesa." The cheetah rises on all fours and falls in step behind Tar'kanas.
"That last vampire we met didn't seem very talkative. Maybe the next one will be. I'll try to restrain Lorenz just in case."
"I guess we're back on the trail of adventure." Urza helps to tidy up before following.
"Shokambe!" Douena calls. "Is Pezock going the right way?" She leans closer to Jask and pats his/her hand. "Are you all right for traveling?" she asks earnestly.
"That depends," Shokambe replies as carefully puts his latest carving away in his pack. "He's currently heading back towards the lake. If you wish to search for site of that treasure map, then he's going the right way. If you wish to continue directly towards your final destination, going east from here would be the better choice."
She leans closer to Jask and pats his/her hand. "Are you all right for traveling?" she asks earnestly.
Jask takes a deep breath and nods. "The physical weakness is not going to go away without magical intervention, so I'm simply going to have to make do. As for how I feel mentally... Well, I don't want to hold us up. And perhaps being active and getting back into the thick of things will help me adjust. So yes, I think I'm all right for travelling. Thank you." S/he smiles at Douena.
"Pezock!" Makoa calls out. "Which is better, the treasure of a lake or of a city?"
"Both!"
"They both can't be better than the other, that's not how it works! If we get to the city before the second group wecan get that treasure and then come back for the lack!"
"That's true, Pezock," Douena calls after him. "Remember, we're the only ones who know about the lake treasure, but there's all kinds of people after the city treasure. If we find the city first, we can always come back for the lake, but if we go to the lake now, someone might beat us to the city! So you can have both, but only if we go to the city first."
Pezock stops and turns around slowly. "Hmmmmm..." He ponders for a moment. "Good point." He looks at Shokambe. "Lead the way, Guide!"
"Thank you," Douena runs up to clasp Entelu's hand before the party leaves, "for bringing Jask back! Have you made new bodies for many people? Were they all ... all right afterward?"
Entelu places his other hand on Douena's. "You're most welcome," he says. He leans in and continues more quietly, "To be honest, Jask is the first. I'm afraid not many people go for the reincarnation option. Most seek out a priest who can raise the original body as well. However, in my youth, I met a druid who had been reincarnated. A human originally, but had become one of your kind, a gnome. I never enquired whether he had been male in both lives. It never occurred to me. But he was male as a gnome. At any rate, he seemed perfectly well adjusted." He leans back again and lets go of Douena's hand. "Best of luck on your journey."
Jask approaches Entelu. "Thank you from me as well."
Entelu nods. "You're welcome."
Entelu places his other hand on Douena's. "You're most welcome," he says. He leans in and continues more quietly, "To be honest, Jask is the first. I'm afraid not many people go for the reincarnation option. Most seek out a priest who can raise the original body as well. However, in my youth, I met a druid who had been reincarnated. A human originally, but had become one of your kind, a gnome. I never enquired whether he had been male in both lives. It never occurred to me. But he was male as a gnome. At any rate, he seemed perfectly well adjusted." He leans back again and lets go of Douena's hand. "Best of luck on your journey."
"Well, of course he would," Douena responds cheerfully. "Gnome is an undeniable upgrade." She leans a little closer and whispers, "You did a very good job for your first time. I never would have guessed!"
Traveling, Douena divides her time between Pezock at the front with Shokambe and wherever Jask is walking.
Mahjik grins to himself, amused at the little gnome's earnest antics. He marches with Ishirou, "I'm pleasantly surprised by the most recent developments. I've not really imagined it possible - but the Mwangi is full of surprises, it seems."
Makoa bows -a rare event- to Entelu before leaving. He had seen Nature's strength yet again, and was humbled by it's might.
He walks along behind Douena, occasionally growling playfully at something only he can see.
Tar'kanas and Untari walk alongside Shokambe up front, keeping a watchful eye out.
Urza tries to hover around Jask without appearing to hover around Jask. Just walking kind of casually.
Shokambe takes you northeast from where you were, across more open plains of grass. "We will go this way until we reach the Korir river," he says. "Then we will follow the river north. Most of the remainder of our journey will be along the river."
It continues to rain for much of the day. While unpleasant, it does help stave off the worst of the heat. The sun does come out in the evening, just in time for it to start to set. It is right around that time also that you spot the Korir river up ahead. It's a wide a river, its current rushing southwards, splashing over hazardous rocks. "The fishing here can be good," Shokambe says, "but I would advise staying out of the water. The current is hazardous."
There's a small copse of trees just up ahead and Shokambe suggests setting up camp by them. "We will need to be vigilant on watch in this area," he says. "We are out of Sargava now and not far from the city of Mzali. The Mzali do not like foreigners. They patrol this area regularly, and will attack first and ask questions later."
You have only just started to set up camp when Shokambe's words start to sound like prophecy, as in the distance to the southwest, you see many figures rise out of the grass, raising bows to fire on you.
Order: Pezock, Mzali Warriors, Alton, Mahjik, Ishirou, Makoa, Shokambe, Lorenz, Urza, Jask, Tar'kanas, Untari, Douena, Sasha.
"Excitement at last!" Pezock yells. "Charge!" He moves forward, drawing his sabre. However, other party members in the way means he doesn't quite achieve the charge he was hoping for.
Of course, his movement forward does make him a nice target for the attackers' arrows. Six of them aim at him, while the remaining fire at party members further back.
-- hit
-- miss
-- miss
-- miss
-- miss
-- miss
-- hit
-- hit
-- miss
-- miss
The distance helps ensure most of the arrows miss, but one whizzes across the side of Pezock's neck, drawing blood, and two manage to find Ishirou.
Alton squawks loudly and flies up to the top of one of the trees.
Next Up: Ishirou, Makoa, Shokambe, Lorenz, Urza, Jask, Tar'kanas, Untari, Douena, Sasha, Pezock, Mzali Warriors, Alton.
"Why? Just why?" Mahjik sprints after Pezock, but slow enough to take the time to focus inner ki along his body.
Ishirou sighs and begins moving, too, spreading out to the west and reaching for his katana as he goes.
Next Up: Shokambe, Lorenz, Urza, Jask, Tar'kanas, Untari, Douena, Sasha, Pezock, Mzali Warriors, Alton, Mahjik, Ishirou.
Growling in frustration, Makoa starts running toward the nearest foe.
Shokambe pulls out his mace and also moves forward, but only so far. Then he waits.
Lorenz grabs his bow, moves up a short distance and fires at the attackers.
-- hit
Lorenz's arrow flies high through the air, past Mahjik and Makoa and comes down straight in the chest of #10 (the one on the far east). The warrior stumbles back a bit, but doesn't quite fall.
Next Up: Jask, Tar'kanas, Untari, Douena, Sasha, Pezock, Mzali Warriors, Alton, Mahjik, Ishirou, Makoa, Shokambe (subject to readied action), Lorenz.
Urza moves to H54 and casts Magic Missile at #10
Urza's bolt zips across the plain and straight into #10's face, sending the warrior sprawling backwards onto the ground.
Jask takes a deep breath. "Now we really find out how much of me is still here," he says to Douena. She moves forward a short distance, the raises her arms and intones a spell . A glowing dagger appears by #9 and swipes at it.
-- miss
Unfortunately, the startled warrior ducks away from the strange blade.
Next Up: Douena, Sasha, Pezock, Mzali Warriors, Alton, Mahjik, Ishirou, Makoa, Shokambe, Lorenz, Urza, Jask.
Tar'kanas moves up not to far from Pezock, pulling out his bow as his goes and addresses his feline companion. "Untari, laanila! Fa mailwa, sa omealw!" He tells her as he draws an arrow and fires.
Untari sets herself, a low growl escapes from within as she awaits to strike.
"Jask!" Douena shouts as she runs past him/her. "Do you understand Elven now? Wait... did you before? Lorenz, shoot another one! Pezock, don't get so far ahead of me!" She taps Lorenz on the leg as she rushes toward the front lines.