ProfPotts' Serpent's Skull PBP

Game Master Alexander Scott

"Anyone up for taking point?" She grins at the others and flutters her eyelashes.

Tony grins and bows.

Stealth: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

With a chuckle at the other's antics, Aerodus regathers his belongings and continues on. South west!

"May I see?"

'Certainly!' Gelik replies, blowing on the fresh ink a moment to help it dry, then passing the journal across. He seems to have captured the scene well... especially the look of embarrasment on Shisa's face (or so it seems to her)... although, the humour of the situation aside, Gelik appears to have included estimated measurements, little arrows describing the motion of the trap, and other such details so as to give a quite comprehensive overview of the trap's design and functioning.

"Nice work Master Gelik. Now, since I happen to be the subject of said work, I do think a royalty is in order.. say, hrm... ten silver per showing. Since you saved my life, for which I am grateful, I'm giving you my discount rate. I do think that is fair don't you? After all, I did take all the risk to demonstrate the trap, don't you agree? You do? That's excellent. Pleasure doing business with you."

Taking back his journal, Gelik grins when he spots Shisa's 'endorsement', and replies,

'Well of course, my dear... Naturally I cannot speak for the financial transactions of the Society, but I'm sure the powers-that-be will be happy to compensate you for the risk of your experimental testing just as soon as my work is published... I believe a flat payment is more traditional than royalties... but, as I said, it's something you'll have to take up with those who hold the purse-strings,' there's the briefest of pauses, then the gnome adds, in the most casual manner, 'They'll probably just take it out of the balance of what you owe for the standard consultation fees generated by my advice and aid to you during our time together... sage knowledge... spellcasting... I don't keep track, but you know, the usual...' he winks...

"Anyone up for taking point?"

"I can hardly resist my lady love. I'll take a turn then."

True to his word, Tony takes his turn when, after treking down the path for another hour or so, there's a 'snap - swish!' sound and the swashbuckler is unceremoniously janked into the air by his ankle! Thinking quickly, and knowing what to expect, Tony manages to twist at the last moment, pushing himself to the side just enough to avoid the spikes set into the tree of the latest trip-snare... (Tony's upsidedown by his ankle, ten feet up, but managed to avoid taking damage from the spikes. As before a DC 22 Strength of Escape Artist check for Tony to free himself... or he can await help...)

'No, no, no!' says Gelik, hands on hips as he glares at the slowly swaying swashbuckler, 'That's no good! I need an untriggered trap, so that I can illustrate a before and after...'

Taki starts to laugh again... then abruptly stops, putting her hand on Aerodus's arm...

About thirty feet down the path two figures emerge from the undergrowth either side: each one is a hulking, well-muscled, human male, of Chelish descent, but deeply tanned, their near-naked bodies adorned with ritualistic scars and tattoos (particularly pentagrams). Their teeth are filed to sharp points, and they stare with wild wide-eyed looks... both men hold light wood and hide shields, one has a rusty and pitted cutless tucked into the waist of his loincloth, the other holds a wooden club edged in what look like sharks-teeth. Both hold three javelin-like spears in their shield hand, and each wears an amulet of what appears to be a red pearl on a leather thong, around his neck. The two men exchange a glance, then the one with the cutlass calls out,

Backing behind Aerodus, Taki calls out in reply,

'Uh, chaps?' Gelik mutters, 'Not to be alarmist or anything... but there's another two of those brutes behind us...'

A glance confirms the gnome's words - thirty feet or so the other way down the path are two more of the Thrunefang cannibals - both with shields and javelins, one carrying an old handaxe, the other what appears to be a broken sword...

Slowly, carefully, Gelik readies his (gnome-sized) longsword and buckler, and hisses towards Tony,

'Stop messing about and get down here, Nedraid!'

Suddenly all four of the cannibals start yelling near-inhuman cries as they charge, each one wild-eyed and foaming at the mouth...

And... that would be Initiative and declared actions, please!

Shisa lets out a genuinely friendly laugh at Gelik's speech. "Well played Master Gelik. For now, I shall stand humbly in awe of your quick thinking." She returns his wink with one of her own and ruffles his hair in passing to take her spot near the front.

All goes well until Tony is yanked from in front of her to be suspended in like manner. She's about to say something to him, but cuts herself off at the appearnce of the two men down the path in front of them.

She listens to Taki and the others talk in their strange language and her hand grips her bow, arrow at the ready. Something in the tone of Taki's voice raises the hairs on the back of her neck. Her suspicions are confirmed as they men start yelling and runningt toward the party.

She draws the bow, sighting on the one with the jewelled pendant and lets fly an arrow.

Improved Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Attack (bow): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

After she lets fly the arrow Std, she quickly drops her bow free and shrugs out of her pack, holding it by the straps in her left hand, prepared to use it to smack the first person near her. She'll draw her short sword as quickly as she can to fight move.

Hope I did that right.. still learning.. May bleed into round 2 drawing the sword and such.

As the human anchor now becomes the human coconut, Aerodus will let loose a sigh, and prepare to catch another falling rogue.

As the cannibals call out Aerodus will announce:

If possible would like to have drawn his sword/shield before they come charging in (in which case move would be to get himself between them and Taki/Shisa/Gelik as much as possible), else...

And as they charge, Aerodus will try and position himself between the oncoming barbarians and the remainder of the party. Adding his own order to the others "Don't stray from my side Priestess! Can any of you get him down?" With a quick head jerk towards Tony.

Initiative: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Move: Draw Longsword (Two handing it since no shield out yet)
Standard: Brace for a Charge Ready to swing when they come into melee(If they havent already hit) else if they are in melee, Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Confirm? 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Crit: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

If only we had a spear...

Suddenly, Tony found himself in the exact same trap that had snared Shisa! Realizing just in time, he twisted aside to avoid being impaled by the spikes. But now he was left dangling in mid air about to suffer the indignities of comments from his companions; especially after he teased Shisa so much...

He tries wiggling free...
Escape Artist: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
...and by good fortune just managed to find the trick of slipping out of the noose and down to the ground again.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Tumbling when he hit the ground, he rolled to his feet to take no damage.

Brushing himself off, he grinned at Shisa and said; "There milady, that's..." But he trails off as they all stare down the trail at the newcomers.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Tony will draw his sword and hold his combat scabbard in his left hand.

If the guys in the back need a hand, he'll move back there; if not, he'll tumble to flank one of the enemy in front and attack.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17 for a possible 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 impaling damage.

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

With a mental image of Yipper of hiding in the tree until this is over Marik urges the little dinosaur into the air. Seeing the cannibals in front of the party charge Aerodus, Marik will turn and cast Color Spray at the two coming up behind us. (Will save DC:15).

She draws the bow, sighting on the one with the jewelled pendant and lets fly an arrow.

Oops, need to clarify since they both have pearls.. attacking the cutlass bearer.

If I manage to hit while flanking, add 1d6 ⇒ 3 to the damage.

As Aerodus calls out to the cannibals, Marik sends Yipper to (relative) safety, Shisa readies her bow, and Tony slips from the trap... and looks stylish doing it too! (In fact, he makes it look so easy, it's hard to imagine why Shisa had such a hard time with one of the things...) ;)

'Well... good,' comments Gelik upon witnessing Tony's impressive, and acrobatic, escape, 'can't have you monkeying about all day...'

Seemingly already chanting arcane words and turning, even as the cannibals charge (almost as if he knew the moment it was going to happen), Marik's fingers flip open the pouch at his belt, pulling forth a pinch of multi-coloured sand which he casts in an arc before him. For a brief moment the sand swirls, animated, around his gesticulating, outstretched, hand, then a swirling vortex of clashing colours blazes forth, engulfing the two cannibals charging from behind the group... The colours last only a moment, but leave in their path the two cannibals, both collapsed a dozen feet from Marik, their pupils shrunk to tiny dots as they stare, senseless, and drool into the mud... (Marik's spell KOd both of 'em!)

Facing the other two cannibals, Shisa finds that the muscular, charging, men provide excellent targets... as long as she can just hold her nerve and loose the shot... Taking a deep breath, Shisa fires, sending the shaft straight and true - it imbeds deep into the cannibal's shoulder... Amazingly the man doesn't miss a step, simply reaching up to snap off the protruding part of the arrow (without even looking at it), casting it aside as he draws his rusty cutlass and charges on... Backing a step, Shisa drops her bow and draws her sword in preparation for the onrushing man's assault... (manipulating a pack and drawing a weapon are both Move actions: since it's much better for Shisa to be armed with a (non-improvised) weapon if attacked in melee I went with that; truth be told I'd not have enforced her to be still wearing a pack in any case...)

Just as the charging, cutlass wielding, crazy-eyed, foaming at the mouth, cannibal gets close enough to Shisa to take a swipe, Tony dives forwards, smoothly drawing his trust blade even as he rolls under the man's guard, coming up on one-knee behind him, and thrusting forth the tip of his sword... There's a brief moment when Shisa thinks she's been killed, as warm blood splatters across her... but a couple of blinks later and she's witness to the cannibal standing, arm still raised for a killing blow, his wide, crazy, eyes staring down at Tony's blade sticking up out of the top of his stomach. As Tony pulls free his sword, the man topples to one side like a felled tree to lay, unmoving, in a rapidly expanding pool of his own blood...

Meanwhile, Aerodus has calmly drawn his sword as the cannibals charge. As Shisa's arrow and Tony's blade take care of the one, the paladin swings a mighty two-handed blow at the other - like something from the sagas, his blade slices through flesh and bone, cutting cleanly through the onrushing man's neck (and verily, like unto a hot knife through butter... forsooth...)! The cannibal's charge ends abruptly as his decapitated body sinks to its knees, then keels over, the head once attached to it bouncing on a little further until it comes to rest in the mud...

'Well... good,' declares Gelik, blinking a little in surprise at how quickly the 'fight' (is it still technically a 'fight' if they never get to roll attacks?) is over. Sheathing his gnome-sized sword, he shrugs, 'lucky bastards... I would have been all over them...' he winks...

Shisa mutters as the charging canibal snaps her arrow as if it were a mere inconvenience. Her muscles tense as her body prepares to get hit, yet again, and feels the warmth of blood spray over her. Not feeling any pain, she Looks down to see the tip of Tony's sword a finger's breadth from her own armor. "Cutting it a bit close aren't you, Tony?" she asks with a grin.

Catching the other canibal fall headless at Aerodus' feet in her peripheral vision, she turns to fight the two coming down the path to their rear. Seeing them both laying there dazed, she shrugs and walks over to ensure they don't rise again. "Makes this easy enough. Nice work Marik," she says in a very cold voice that's devoid of emotion.

She calls out to Aerodus hoping to distract him for just a moment, "I think I saw something over in the trees to your left." then turns and drives her sword into the chest of the first one she comes to.

Coup de grace:

Damage (str + mstr qual swd): 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 = 6
flank: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Auto-crit.

BEGIN THE HEART HARVEST! /Antipaladin

Shisa, Masterwork is +1 hit not dmg. And I believe Coupdegrace is max damage crit + sneak

As the blade cleaves the cannibal's head from his shoulders, Aerodus whispers "If only you had listened, go swiftly with her mercy."

Seeing the battle end as soon as it started, he flicks the blood from his blade before sheathing it. Taking a quick glance around him asks "Are any of you hurt?" Before hustling over towards Marik and his bloodless victims.

As the Songstress calls out for possible danger, he will take a quick glance over his shoulder hoping to spy what she is looking at; before returning his gaze towards their incapictated foes.

If Aerodus can actually see Shisa preparing to coup de grace will tackle her to prevent the striking of a lethal blow. Will provoke an AoO

CMB: 1d20 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 3 = 26 Flying Paladin Tackle!
Confirm? 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 *Shakes fist at sky*

As he launches himself into the air he shouts "Songstress, NO! There has been enough needless bloodshed this day!"

Shisa, Masterwork is +1 hit not dmg.

You're right. Thanks :)

Correction (Using same dice rolls):

Damage: 1d6 + 1 = (4) + 1 = 5
Auto-crit. (x2 for shortsword)
flank: 1d6 = 4

Ok, now that I've re-read the crit rules and such.. (I'm an idiot sometimes.. :) Need to roll crit damage..

Correction (Using same dice rolls):

Damage: 1d6 + 1 = (4) + 1 = 5
Auto-crit (x2): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
flank: 1d6 = 4

So.. If I did this correctly..

5 + 4 + 4 = 13 points?

So.. If I did this correctly..

5 + 4 + 4 = 13 points?

Yup, that's correct... if Shisa gets to land the blow...

PvP - that means I can't be blamed when people die, right? ;)

Hmmm... Okay, it looks like we'll be needing fresh Initiative rolls from those wishing to participate in or prevent the ol' 'Texas justice system' in action... Shisa's declared action is her coop-de-gracy, Aerodus's is his flying tackle (charging Bull Rush) which (as he pointed out) will provoke an AoO from Shisa (if she wishes to take such a thing). Tony and Marik can do stuff too... in fact, I think it's fair to give Marik an extra standard action before anyone else, if he wants it, due to his being Forewarned of the grisly events about to transpire...

Sorry to derail. If I die, does that mean I get rezzed by a croakamancer into a ghouladin? Or that Taki will eat me?

Initative: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Shisa will refrain from skewering a rushing tin can.. purposely anyways..

Since no-one else has posted, I'll assume they're both keeping their heads down and not getting involved... I hate it when mum and dad fight!... ;)

Seeing what Shisa is about to do, Aerodus charges forwards... but just a moment too late. Shisa's sword plunges (fatally) into the chest of the first unconscious cannibal a moment before Aerodus hurtles into the elf-blooded woman, the impact taking her off her feet and sending both rogue and paladin sprawling in the mud...

Turning from cleaning his blade, Tony catches the motion as Aerodus tackles Shisa.
"What on earth are you two doing? There may be more of these... things out there! Keep it down!"

"These people need saving! Not to be slaughtered like some fettered lamb!" Picking himself up from the mud pit. Shakes fist at dues ex mud pit! and offering Shisa a hand back up.

"Nobleman, can you bind him before he wakes up?" Nodding at the sleeping savage.

For response to Tony: "She is slaughtering those helpless men!"

Exasperated, Tony goes over to the ones still alive and ties them up with some ships cordage we salvaged along the way.

Climb Or whatever skill is used with ropes nowadays.: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Tony arches an eyebrow at Aerodus.
"I do hope, Sir Knight, you aren't too dissappointed if they decline your kind offer of salvation? They did charge us with bare steel after all; we may be forced to do as Shisa did."
He sighs a bit as he looks down on the degenerates.
"I suppose the effort must be made though. Did you want to try to talk to them before proceeding on?"

"Those most oft in need of salvation, are those that do not want it." Aerodus quotes from his lessons. "But if he is too far gone, or unwilling to try and save himself..." Aerodus sighs "I will pronounce judgement."

Aerodus figures he is quite possibly the highest being of Law on the island. Or at least the MOST lawful character.

"I would ask of him what has occurred in their village since the priestess left their kind, perchance we can garner some knowledge along with a saved soul."

Hearing the sounds of running steps approaching, she continues to drive her sword into the downed man. She looks up in time to see Aerodus launch himself at her. "What the.." she begins to say something as his weight slams into her.

Letting go of her sword, she leaves it sticking in the cannibal so it will not accidentally stick one of them as she is unceremoniously sent sprawling in the mud.

She picks herself up, blatantly ignoring Aerodus' offered hand, as her hands subconsciously grab onto the hilts of her daggers. "Are you crazy!" Yes, I'm killing them. So what! That's what they intended for us, in case you didn't notice,"

As Aerodus and Tony begin their debate, she yanks off her pack and pulls out the shackles once used to bind Jask. Throwing them none-to-gently towards Aerodus, she says, "Here, better than rope. You watch him, I'm not. I hope you're happy."

Slipping back into her pack, she storms up the trail to retrieve her sword and bow, mumbling as she goes.."...self-righteous.. arrogant.." Most of her words are lost and intermixed with phrases in Elvish.

She stops and turns long enough to pull the key to the shackles out of her pouch and flips it to Tony. Without a word (ok, maybe with several better left unspoken), she retrieves her weapons and begins heading down the trail in the direction they were heading. She pauses only long enough to pull one of the red pearl necklaces from the corpse bearing her sword and slips it over her head as she goes.

She stops just far enough away to find a bit of solitude and hopefully a chance to calm down so she can concentrate on the trail ahead.

Shaking his head while Shisa walks away If only she knew...

After ensuring that the bonds containing the 'prisoner' are secure, Aerodus will sit him up and shake him awake. Once awoken, he will wave Taki over and whisper to her "Please translate if I say something odd priestess" and then takes the time to look the prisoner in his eyes, before taking a breath and:

If he accepts, Aerodus will announce his intentions towards the party in common.

Climb Or whatever skill is used with ropes nowadays.: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

No roll needed if he's incapacitated - you set the DC to escape at 20 + your CMB when you tie him up (which gives him the pinned condition). If 20 + his CMB is still lower than that DC then he can't escape at all, even by rolling a natural 20.

Gelik observes the post-skirmish 'discussion' with uncharacteristic silence, whilst Taki remains just a little behind Aerodus, looking to the paladin's lead...

Once the prisoner is awake (although a Heal check... or just waiting a couple of rounds for the spell's effect to wear off... would probably work better than shaking him to get that result... just saying...) he scowls at Aerodus... and Taki, lurking behind the armoured man... After the paladin has said his piece, the cannibal spits, and replies...

Stepping a little out from behind Aerodus, Taki chimes in with...

The cannibal looks about to say something more... but then just scowls, glances over towards his comrade's decapitated body, and remains in a stoney silence...

Walking a pace or two from the prisoner, Taki shakes her head,

'Thrunefang only know Mother Thrunefang... big boat ideas very confusing... and others not as smart as Taki!'

Looking thoughtful for a moment, the young local girl steals a glance at Shisa, then says... almost apologetically,

'Taki... could... use witch magic to make brother Chulla friendly... not that Taki would ever use witch magic like that on Aerodus!' she steals another (somewhat guilty) glance towards Shisa...

Tony tied him up, setting his Escape DC to 24.

Unphased by his first rejection and nodding at Taki's words, Aerodus will continue to make his arguement.

Removing his gauntlet, and drawing forth a dagger will hold it in his hand in front of the prisoner. Slowly and deliberately he will draw the blade across his palm drawing blood. Is there a way I can... say only deal a point of damage to myself? else I'll roll damage here

Damage 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

As he touches the open wound with his mailed fingers, he will invoke the power of the Inheritor.

LoH: 1d6 ⇒ 2 Well crud, will use another if neccesary
1d6 ⇒ 5

Shaking his head at Taki's offer of sorcery. "There is no point unless he wants it." Then after mulling it over a moment. "Unless there is something one of you want to ask of him." motioning towards the party.

Sorry to hold up the party for Aerodus.

If you tied the prisoner up, I hope someone grabbed the mastercrafted shackles and key.. heh

Shisa looks over her shoulder as the others begin talking to the prisoner. Shaking her head in dismay, she steps off the path to find a place of concealment where she can watch both the party and the trail.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Aerodus can make his demonstration by only doing a point of damage to himself and only using one Lay on Hands.

Listening to Aerodus's words, and watching his demonstration, the captive cannibal... suddenly bursts out laughing!

... he retorts in Infernal, obviously amused...

Taking Aerodus a little to one side, Taki quietly says,

'He think magic is woman's work...' she explains, '... killing is man's work...'

Shisa notes nothing out of the ordinary (yet...) as she keeps watch...

With a heavy sigh, Aerodus will sheathe the dagger, and stand before walking over to the rest of the party.

"I intend to use him as our messenger, that we will brook no further intrusions from the Thrunefang tribe. Do any of you have suggestions?"

"I intend to use him as our messenger, that we will brook no further intrusions from the Thrunefang tribe. Do any of you have suggestions?"

Shisa steps out onto the trail and approaches just close enough to be heard. "Yes. Kill him. Don't let him tell the other cannibals just how many there are of us, or where we are. It's really for the best. If you can't.. I will."

Having said her piece, she turns around abruptly and steps back into the brush to keep her eyes on the trail.

perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

At the songstress's quick words before she disappears out of sight, Aerodus's brow furrows in deep thought. "While he does seem to be an unrepentant, he was going to say something more." He perks up and quickly turns towards Taki with a plan: " Priestess if you use your magicks to make him friendly... then he should be able to answer without being blinded by his... prejudice?"

"Yes. Kill him. Don't let him tell the other cannibals just how many there are of us, or where we are. It's really for the best. If you can't.. I will."

Gelik shuffles his feet,

'I can't say I'm in favour of outright murder, no matter how savage this brute may be. Do what our paladin wants, or leave him here, but killing prisoners makes us litte better than them...' glancing up he adds, 'Tony, Marik... what do you both think?'

" Priestess if you use your magicks to make him friendly... then he should be able to answer without being blinded by his... prejudice?"

'Um...' Taki thinks for a moment, then shrugs, 'Taki not sure - just make brother Chulla like Taki... not sure about anything else... Taki very new witch!' she smiles apologetically, and pets the snake coiled around her arm...

Tony frowns in thought.

"Well sir knight, though I do not believe your plan will succeed, I do believe we have to make the effort. So if you want us to wait for your messenger to come back, perhaps we could with Shisa's help make these roadside traps 'Command detonated'; under our control so to speak."

Well, I don't think releasing him is going to do anything more than alert the tribe that we are here, something they would have found out about anyway. We are far enough away from our camp that I don't think that would be endangered by making the effort."

I may be shattering Aerodus's 8 int planning cap but..

"What say we have the priestess work her trick, ask him what he was going to say earlier, and then we send him on his way? I don't plan to sit here waiting if they return Especially if they bring the whole tribe, but hopefully they will know we are a powerful force that is not to be taken lightly. And... maybe we will have planted a seed of hope that may bear fruit. But.. we will probably need to take a different route back towards camp once we finish the search for the 'Nightvoice'."

If no objections.. Will ask Taki do to the above, and.. then untie the guy, and tell him to go tell his Chieftan "We do not seek conflict or bloodshed with your people, but we will not stand for hostility towards our own."

At Aerodus's urging, Taki kneels by her fellow Thrunefang ('brother Chulla') and proceeds to utter her primative incantation... a moment later, the man smiles (baring his own filed-to-points teeth) and Taki steps back as Aerodus unties him...

'Taki ask him what he didn't say before,' the young witch declares, then does so, translating Chulla's answers for the non-Infernal speaking in the group...

'Brother Chulla say he was going to insult Aerodus,' explains Taki, 'but saw body without head and thought better of it...'

After another brief exchange in their tribal tongue, Taki continues,

'Brother Chulla say hunter returned to camp with big boat man captive several days ago... but after hunter talk to Klorak, Klorak say no feast... then strange things happen. Same hunter found dead outside camp, although he never left again, and big boat woman now with big boat man and staying with Klorak under Klorak's protection. Big boat woman tell Klorak about Aerodus and friends... Now brother Chulla say that big boat man and big boat woman go into Caves of the Mother to visit Mother Thrunefang... and Klorak says they must be allowed to do this...'

Taki frowns,

'Speak-speak of brother Chulla make no sense... Klorak eat big boat people, whole tribe have big feast and celebrate! Sometimes throw big boat people down to Mother Thrunefang, but not allow them to "visit"...'

At the mention of a ship wreck survivor giving up the party's existence, Aerodus will pose to the gathered people: "The only one who knew we survived the wreck was....the ship's navigator was it not? We thought him lost to the jungle... but it looks like he survived."

Asking Taki: "Can you have him describe the man and woman?"

"Or... whoever it was that dragged us ashore." Said Tony darkly.
"We never did establish who did that."

Shisa sits quietly in the brush having found what she hopes is a good spot. After a while, she decides to go see what the others are doing. Stepping from the trees, she walks over, catching the last of the conversation between the men.

"What about the captain? We didn't see his corpse either.. nor that of his whore."

She shoots the native a murderous glance and continues with more than a trace of anger in her voice, "Well, I see you didn't kill him.. yet. You will in time, trust me," she says. Seeing the tribesman unfettered, she raises an eyebrow. "If you're going to leave him free, I'll reclaim my shackles and key..or..we chain him to a tree and leave him..but I'll keep the key."

Scratching his chin, Aerodus muses "But why save us... only to alert the natives to our presence?"

WHOOPS, totally forgot about the shackles. Then again... Aerodus's perception+Sense motive checks are notoriously low.

Noticing the shackles in question lying on the ground, Aerodus will retrieve them, hand them over to Shisa, before sighing: "You may be right... but I hope that we will be able to avoid it"

Scratching his chin, Aerodus muses "But why save us... only to alert the natives to our presence?"

Casting an inquisitive glance at Aerodus, she sighs heavily. "Have you forgotten how odd he was acting the last few days before the wreck? The whole crew noticed. Perhaps he felt guilty and saved us only to relapse into his strange behavior and now wants to kill us. Or perhaps," she muses aloud, "it wasn't the captain that pulled us from the ship. But if not him, then who?"

Retrieving her key were it too, landed on the path, she replaces both key and shackles into their respective places, checking on her gourd to make sure Aerodus' unprovoked attack did not break it open.

She looks again at Aerodus and speaks softly, Aerodus, I know you don't want to..and truth be told, neither do I. I'm a jewel thief not an assassin, but sooner or later, we're going to have to kill this guy. Maybe not today, or this week, but soon. Gotta love Bogart He'd do it o us then put us in a pot for later. I for one, have no desire to be his dinner guest."

We going to go black & white on this one? Out of all the cannibal filled islands in the world, she had to shipwreck onto mine.... "We'll always have Smuggler's Shiv".

"Can you have him describe the man and woman?"

Taki nods, and relays the request to Chulla, before translating his response...

'Brother Chulla say big boat man old... not old like Malikadna, but older than most Thrunefang live. He say he big strong man, with big beard. Chulla say big boat woman very thin, and pretty...'

"Or... whoever it was that dragged us ashore... We never did establish who did that."

'I've been thinking about that,' Gelik offers, one hand rubbing his chin as he ponders, 'didn't you find the remains of the first officer on board when you went exploring? Is it possible he brought us to shore, then returned to the ship for some reason... only to get killed by those sea-scorpion things you fought?'

"What about the captain? We didn't see his corpse either.. nor that of his whore."

'What mean "hor",' Taki asks, innocently...

Chulla sneers and takes a step forwards, hands tightening to fists at his sides, when Shisa casts her venomous glance at him... Stepping in front of the heavily-muscled cannibal, Taki places her hand on his chest and talks to him quickly, in a quiet voice, not letting up until his eyes finally move away from the agressive half-elven woman... ('cos, you know, Charm only makes him friendly to Taki... ;) )

"Aerodus, I know you don't want to..and truth be told, neither do I. I'm a jewel thief not an assassin, but sooner or later, we're going to have to kill this guy. Maybe not today, or this week, but soon. He'd do it to us then put us in a pot for later. I for one, have no desire to be his dinner guest."

It's Taki's turn to cast an angry look as she scowls at Shisa,

'No have to kill Taki family!' she exclaims, 'Aerodus kill Klorak the Red, kill Malikadna, then Aerodus new chieftain!' turning away from the elf-blooded rogue, Taki pouts and adds, '... stupid Shisa too skinny for pot anyway...'

Chulla glances between Taki and Shisa, then speaks quietly to Taki. Turning to Aerodus, Taki says,

'Chulla not know what to do now... Should Taki send him with Aerodus's challenge to Klorak?'

Meeting the native's glare, Shisa refuses to avert her gaze, but rather stares directly into his eyes in challenge. Her right hand grips the hilt of her dagger as she shifts her weight slightly, ready to spring back if need be. She doesn't relax until Taki's gibberish seems to calm the man down.

Shisa grins at Aerodus' reference to her singing ploy while on ship. "Remind me sometime, and I'll show you just how this half-elf can really sing," she says with a wink. "As for vaults, let's just say I'd rather not go back to Corentyn anytime soon. I really have no desire to end up on a slave galley." Her voice is very serious at the later statement.

"As for their Cheiaxian heritage, I can see the resemblance to some of the archheathens.. pointy teeth and all. Save them if you must, but I pray that we too, do not become part of a sacrifice while trying to get off this forsaken island."

Turning to Gelik, she states, "Yes, the first mate was on ship. I was not able to tell what killed him, but he died fighting. It's his shortsword I now carry. It was still in his hand."

She looks at Taki and grins. "At least being skinny has its advantages. As for what whore means.. ask Aerodus. I'm sure he'll fill you in."

With that, she spins on her heels and heads back into the brush to keep watch, calling over her shoulder as she does, "Don't forget the rest of the pearls. They are kind of unique." Bow in hand, she fades back into the brush.

stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

"If that is the case, then he was a brave man. Saving those that were unable to fend for themselves, while battling those kraken spawn creatures. May the Inheritor bless his soul."

At the mention of whores Aerodus will quickly change the subject to the challenge. "If you can Priestess, how does this 'challenge' work? Is there some sort of ritual that needs to be done?"

Tony shades his eyes and gazes down the path.
"So, are we blocked from proceeding to the wreck then?"

I think we can carry on.. just want to make Aerodus is not setting himself up for failure.. blasted paladin oaths and all that.

"If you can Priestess, how does this 'challenge' work? Is there some sort of ritual that needs to be done?"

Taki frowns, then shakes her head,

'Taki never see before... but think Aerodus just pick fight with Klorak and kill him... easy!' she glances to the charmed native and adds, 'If brother Chulla tell Klorak that Aerodus challenge him, then maybe Klorak come looking for Aerodus... or maybe he fight Aerodus on own to look strong in front of Thrunefang... Klorak not too bright...' she grins... :)

"So, are we blocked from proceeding to the wreck then?"

Taki exchanges a few words with Chulla, then shakes her head again,

'Taki not think so - hunters sent to check traps, see if you big boat people got caught, after thin big boat woman tell Klorak about you... may be more hunters on path... not sure... but Thrunefang don't go to where the little men are... little men very dangerous...'