Eyes go wide when Malick comes tearing out of the cave, pulling aside the hiding vines and nearly bowling over the leading man. They take the defensive immediately, not sure what to make of the dark-skinned maniac.
vs 18
vs 18
vs 18
Standing stupidly for a moment the savages exchange glances, the aggressive man loosing his grip on the joker's throat. One tribesman asks, "Gorilla?", with more than a little quiver to his voice. Malick nods slowly, giving an exaggerated quake of fear. They each shake off the tension and move together toward the open crevice.
vs 19
vs 19
vs 19
vs 22
vs 22
vs 22
Waiting for the sign from Malick, the massive cat, Lavi, and Belor creep out the twin passage with an intent to attack from behind. The men turn at precisely the right time to leave the druid exposed, menacing feline standing by defensively. One hunter points a gnarled finger at Malick, declaring him a liar!
Nagl Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Malick Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
These fighters are wearing very basic clothing, armed with short spears and rusty and broken scimitars strapped to their belts. They hoot and holler bloodying their knuckles by wrapping them against the stone wall several times, dragging their tongue across the wounds. "A fine trophy!", one savage hisses while eyeing Lavi.
Belor moves around the tribal to start setting up a flank and readies an action to attack the tribal with his quarterstaff when the flank is complete.
A fine meal!
Lavi takes a few slow steps forward, snarling and growling to draw the mans attention, waiting for Belor's signal.
Kororinda appears from the shadows, his eyes sparking. He makes a gesture with his hand and unleashes a spark of electricity at a tribesman.
Savagery abounds. Moving through the tunnel, the barbarian's axe is swung mightily at his opponent as he enters into a rage, steps forth, and takes great pains to butcher his opponent.
In the blink of an eye everyone bursts into motion. The druid rotates fast to bring himself up on the wild man's flank. He exchanges glances with his feline companion and throws a sidelong strike with his quarterstaff , meeting with only air. Giving Belor a smirk he neglects his back. In an instant Lavi is upon him and he is saved from the first massive bite by sheer luck. Spinning to meet the lion he dodges a couple powerful swipes but one hits home scoring deep the man's belly .
Juggling his equipment, Malick draws his short sword with great agility and gives an apologetic salute to the betrayed looking man. Turning to regard this new threat the poor native left outside the cave looked badly outmatched. Deftly striking out like a coiled viper Malick makes the man heave from side to side to avoid the plunging blade. The native shows his rite as a warrior, though, keeping steady resolve and readying his own weapon in retaliation.
Inside the humid cave Nagl and Kororinda storm toward the front to trap and end the hunters. The first native inside probes ahead for signs of an advantageous arena but was only met with the toothy roar of a half-orc. Eyes dancing with lightning, Koro lights the hall from behind Nagl with a bolt of crackling energy . Thrusting it forward the bolt bounces between the stone at a dizzying speed and collides with the lead warrior's chest . In a single motion the man reels from the shock and rebounds to strike past the orc toward the darkness further behind him.
vs 12
Nagl closes the ground between them quickly, letting loose a savage roar that echos through the cavern. He matches the savagery in his roar with his overhand chop . The stitched leather rags around the native's body stood no chance of weathering the blow, leaving him a crumpled, lifeless heap against the wall.
The other man inside the cave steps out to assist his surrounded comrade, that man shifting around himself. Seeking revenge for the sword strikes, Malick finds himself juking from side to side, his cohort mimicking his strikes but aiming for the top of Lavi's head.
vs 18
vs 14
Malick is light enough on his feet to evade but he winces when he sees a crimson line drawn across the lion's back. The poacher squeals with delight and kicks out to land a solid boot across the stumbling lion's jaw before retreating to a defensive hold. The two remaining men entirely unaware of their battered friend in the cave and the certain death that stalked outward toward them.
This island!
Lavi snarls at the new opponent and lashes out in retribution.
Always proactive, Nagl's heavy breathing ends shortly and he surveys the bodies.
"We should find their camp. Strike at night. Small attacks. Rush in, rush out before seen. Best way to kill larger force. Don't know island? Learn island during attacks. Change own camp often. Kill or be killed. Could be wrong. Doubt am."
As an afterthought he begins checking their bodies for signs of life and possessions. Points out the living. If any: "We should crush skull."
Koro nods. "Gozreh's teeth, you're a savage pragmatist, Nagl, but I agree with you. These fellows will show no quarter, and this island is, I fear, somewhat small. Belor, perhaps you and Lavi can track them. Do we know how many they are in total?"
|
"Gruk may have a sense of the numbers, if he is willing to revisit those times in his mind."
"Gruk said their camp is some twenty miles from here, near a lighthouse of sorts. Don't think we can just pop over there for a look-see though. Gonna have to balance getting us safe and fed with seeking them out, unless we split up the group, which would not do us any favors."
"Maybe we move in here, and back track their path to here. Could we erase their trail, and then revisit it once we feel more collected? We either heal them or end them, but we should not wait much longer on either."
Nagl looks at Kororinda like he just announced that through experimentation he discovered pine cones make poor toilet paper. "Three." He points at each body with each next word. "One. Two. Three." Koro can catch a glimmer of a smirk as the large man turns his back to Koro to look through the woods. There's no sense motive check needed to figure out that the half orc may have just made the first joke you've heard from him.
"Sensible to kill first. Twenty miles is close enough to read in a day. Don't want to strike each night or we will fall into a trap. Must keep random patterns. Often strike stragglers. Not always. Must stay unpredictable. Kill them when they leave camp to make waste."
He looks at Malick as he speaks the next line. "It can wait a few days while we set up camp. Maybe scout trip will show us we don't need to be horror in the night, too. Best not to take risks unless have to."
Lavi nuzzles his head against Belor.
I'm dead. They killed me and I'm dead and it's your fault. I told you they were gonna get us killed.
"You're not dead Lavi, you're fine. Stop crying. I think we're a few days from stalking and assassinating an entire tribe of snake people twenty miles away. We need to worry more about what's on this side of the island. Can't do much combat if we don't know the land ourselves. Our first order of business is getting everyone and everything here."
He shrugs "Can always kill later if they come this way again. Still a good plan but no rush."
|
|
"Mebbe we tidy up a bit before we bring in the crew. Find some place for the bodies and what have you. Once we bring our goodies over we might want to track down some food. Everyone more or less sane and intact?"
"Did you see any local animals that might enjoy a meal on yer walk yesterday Kororinda?"
"I think the bodies add flavor but if you insist. I'm going to look for some magical healing berries, I think a couple of us could use them. I'll keep my eye out for more nasties while I'm out."
"Oh yes, Malick, there's a rather large snake around here. We can feed at least one to that scaly fellow." He notices Malick eyeing the scimitar. "I can fix that, possibly," offers the sorcerer.
Koro turns to Nagl. "They were planning to attack the beach party in a few days. We should move. I don't think this place is safe either."
It's unfortunate that the new homestead was scene to a bloody fight before its first night but thus is life on the island. It starts to become uncomfortably warm in the jungle, causing sweat to well up beneath the folds of armor. Taking what could possibly be useful, three damaged scimitars and three matching red pendant necklaces, the bodies are unceremoniously placed in shallow graves a respectable walk from the cave. Belor uses the time away from the cave to forage for a couple handfuls of bright red, plump berries. The gore is able to be covered by kicking some dirt over top of it leaving the stone entrance just as unremarkable as when you arrived. When Gruk speaks next he unintentionally exudes mental waves of satisfaction. "Great thing you have done. With my hunters dead I am free to travel. I must find my tribe". Seeing the confusion brought on by mentioning his tribe, presumably wiped out by the serpent worshipers, Gruk elaborates. "Apprentice and family escape. He may help me take true form". The sizable primate moves about the cave, eating from the walls and giving details and directions about where he thinks his apprentice has taken shelter."More ally for coming battle", Gruk reasons, sounding more like a request than a statement. He also gives mention of a gigantic swath of berries growing from sizable, thorny bushes near the fork of the river, four miles south. When talk arises of travelling to the cultists camp Gruk interjects, "Evil tribe called Thrunefang number in thirties, maybe more with snake beasts. Rough land between us, take a full sun to arrive".
"Perhaps we can go feed that snake, and then all of us can go set up camp with Gruk and his apprentice. It's one more ally, and it is more central than near the Jenivere--we won't get boxed in at the end of the island." Kororinda pauses to flick dust off his banner.
"What say the rest of you? I am a mere sorcerer," he says, smiling.
|
|
"From Gruk's description might take five or six hours to reach his apprentice, not counting time to head back to the beach and gather everyone up. This assumes they want to come with. If we keep pullin' in different directions we are gonna end up like those three, outmatched and wormfood."
"Can we move everyone today?"
Belor feeds the magical fruits to Lavi and the lions wound almost immediately close up.
"Maybe I should have paid more attention to the shamans magic lessons... I'd rather not do any more fighting today. I'm magiked out and Lavi is still hurt. We don't have enough people to search for lost tribals and grab the others at the beach, and they'll no doubt wonder where we've got to if we don't return soon. A scouting mission might not be out of the question, however. I'd like to know what's west of where we landed in case we get pushed that way. If we go after the apprentice we won't get back till morning IF everything goes perfectly."
"I think we should move everyone today, Malick. Belor, I have magic to spare, but I agree, let's get everyone moved, in a group--and armed and as quiet as possible. We need only one scout--perhaps Nagl can do it."
"Scouting alone not smartest decision. Maybe lion can join? Go alone is dangerous unless everyone close behind."
Nagl lends a hand to Malick's diplomacy attempt by staying out of it.
The gorilla keeps a stern face, "Gruk not be among friends for very long time", looking down to examine his massive black hand, front and back. "Also been like this for very long time", his eyes lock with Malick's, "I trust you, friend Malick, I go with you for now". He looks around as if he had things to gather up before the journey and lets out a content snort when he's ready. Everyone in like mind, the hour-long trek to the beach begins.
Belor: 17
The trip back takes the party past familiar territory and a few new places , as well. Using an old, partially overgrown game trail takes the group down a large hill horizontal to the ground, until the trail spills into a small gully. Looking up the tallest trees stand a hundred feet above you with ease, though there are no trees in this natural valley. Beneath your boots is a tough mossy canvas that lends itself to being walked on. The way is easy through here and is a welcome relief to blindly trampling over thorny plants and stinging insects. Slowly a gradient of light green specks the air in the valley, like twinkling crystals suspended by the lightest breeze. With no vision of the trail that brought you here, the green padding underfoot now spreads up the thirty foot embankments on either side of the party, displaying patches of other colors; lime greens, radiant purples, and most stunningly, sapphire blues. Rather mesmerizing and beautiful the display of natural growth ends abruptly as the hills flanking you drop low and become level with the forest floor. The sound of the ocean lapping at the beach echoes through the trees and the salty smell of the ocean blows in your faces. It isn't long before you find the shore and then your makeshift camp.
Walking close to the treeline Nagl nearly steps into a snare trap that'd been positioned just at the edge of the foliage. Powered by a large, flexible palm nearby it would surely have sent the heavy orc feet up. Sasha, the fiery redheaded assassin or associate of assassins, had mentioned that she would work on trapping the area for food and enemies. When approaching the small gathering of sacks and logs the sound of a poorly played lute can be heard. Shortly after Gelik's voice joins the strings in their off-key strumming, "Tomorrow will take us away far from home - No one will ever know our names - but the bards' songs will remain", followed by a cluster of plucking strings that could be heard as either a lute solo or the beating of a feline with a lute. Having Gruk wait behind a short distance, hidden away, you approach the camp and hail the others. When Gelik comes into sight he is sitting on a small upturned log, indeed holding a lute of questionable condition. "Look what washed up! As soon as I shake the dust off these fingers you will be in for a real treat!", he continues to waggle his fingers but you aren't convinced those movements are actually correct.
Jask approaches from toward the water with a smile as big as his outstretched arms. He welcomes everyone back and seems to maintain good disposition along with Gelik. "Master Gelik plans to give us a grandiose display of talent and culture to rally our spirits!", Jask explains with a joking wink and nod behind the halfling's back. "Sasha is setting a few more snares in the jungles where we agreed were best, the woman has true determination or maybe she just likes traps", Jask shrugs and changes the subject, "I apologize for being blunt but what is the plan?", his face hardens but more to give the question its deserved weight than to penetrate for answers. "It's unfortunate that two potential allies have fled into the wilderness but we've been talking here, the three of us, and we agree that we aren't going to find a way off this rock by camping on the beach. There are obviously people living here and that likely means boats or outside communication by trade or even magical means. None of us are sick or injured and the longer we wait to trek elsewhere the higher chance one of us will be, or worse".
|
|
”Excellent! You will be thrilled to hear that we found a guide today. He is not what you might expect, but he’s likely less odd than most of this island. He’s a shaman trapped in the body of a gorilla. Locals had been tormenting him but he escaped. His apprentice is further inland, and since we are all anglin’ to be helpful and survive he has offered us refuge there.”
”I gotta say Gelik, I was worried at first about you settling into this mess. Bein’ clean seemed futile, but I saw today that throwin’ away our culture and civilization can take us to some dark and unwholesome places.” ” I shant compare ye to the radiant sun for fear your pride would burn me, but your efforts warm us all, and take us to sunnier moods.”
”You are in such fine spirits now! Freedom of body and freedom of mind are bound together then it seems. Perhaps we will find some adventure on this island once we find a bit more comfort. This island seems ripe with mysticism and adventure, perhaps your divine powers and insight will help us cut through the fog,” ”and find our way into some heavier pockets!”
”You have done a fine job jury riggin’ that forest. Pasts hardly matter on this island, and you have stepped into the present with zeal. We bumped into and over some locals couple hours past, they were making chatter about coming down here for a lil’ afternoon snack tomorrow.” ”Might be some of these traps a make a fine present for them with us gone.”
Belor was used to traveling alone and wasn't much interested in socializing with the party. He does take a moment to commend Sasha's trap making skill.
"We found a new home, it wouldn't feel the same without your traps. We do need to move now if we want to make it there before dark. Any of you write elvish?"
"Sasha, Gelik, Jask--" Koro pauses and continues, rueing his words. "Malick and Belor are speaking delicately so as not to raise alarm, but we run the very real risk of being attacked by a vicious tribe if we stay here. We intend to join with his apprentice in order to strengthen our numbers. We don't have much time, and I'm afraid we can't search for Aerys or Ishirou...I can only hope they can fend for themselves. Let's gather up what we can...and perhaps we can make the camp look occupied--leave a fire going, and make up some bundles that look like sleeping people.."
Gelik pauses his plucking at the mention of Gruk, turning to the others bewildered, "A gorilla is it? It.. it speaks to you and tells you these things?". He hops off his stump and lays down his lute, "I, uh, don't know about following a talking gorilla into the heart of a jungle". He wrings his hands plaintively but Jask steadies him with a firm hand upon his shoulder.
"We should trust our friends here", Jask opens a hand toward your party. "It certainly sounds odd but they have each proven to be strong of body and mind". Gelik nods nervously, reassuring himself more than agreeing with Jask. "Truthfully, I'm just happy to have a horizon to point our sails at, it is maddening to be so doomed with so little sway over our fates", Jask confesses. "Perhaps this shaman will have magical methods of sending messages or transportation!", Jask says to Gelik in an attempt to bolster his resolve.
Sasha's arrival comes shortly after your own, bounding into camp with the enthusiasm of a child. Tentatively, Gruk comes forward to meet the others. He is clearly self conscience about the condition of his body, cradling his stump closely and keeping his eyes down. Taking great care to express clearly who he was and his intent, everyone is touched by his mental influence. The awestruck trio seemed to empathize with Gruk more than distrust him, letting loose a few curses at the sadistic cannibals. Sasha in particular is enamored with Gruk, rarely taking her eyes off of him and staying only an arm's width from him.
Jask looks sickened after the shaman concludes, "I worry for the lives of Ishirou and Aerys if these are the monsters we share residence with. I am not usually a man of violence but I fear these men would have our throats in the night and thus we cannot hold our hands against them". Sasha agrees with exuberance though its possible she'd delight in the chance to kill anything with permission.
With the talk of an attack looming everyone agrees to pack up and move elsewhere. It takes 1 hour to rig the camp with a burning fire and fake campers and be ready to move out, about 1:30 PM.
"It just so happens that both of our resident Elvish speakers have taken to walking the wilderness. What are ya' asking for, exactly?".
His face visibly brightens and his mouth comes agape, "OH! I almost forgot my lute! Thank you, thank you, sir! Though, really you are only helping yourself for you would have missed out on my greatest piece yet!". He scurries to gather up the pitiful instrument, "Your poetry isn't dreadful you know. Not quite to my pedigree but for a man of the sea, not dreadful". He gives you a sly grin, his usual rude banter slightly more playful.
"I agree with you, brother, having the irons lifted was a key act in my turn-around. I was a broken man but I am once again bold and bright, alive to carry the light of life and goodness". He frowns when you joke about acquiring wealth. "I am not one to put such faith in wealth and I hadn't painted you as one who would, either.".
She matches your demeanor when talk of fighting begins and blushes when you compliment her technical prowess. "This whole mess hasn't really put a damper on you, I like that. It's sort of inspiring ya' know?", she takes off with a twirl and cute wink that she probably does to anyone remotely interesting. Her trot takes her right back to Gruk's side looking as if she would hold his good hand if she could.
"We could leave our friends a note in case they come back, but not in common. Our options are to return to the cave, go after the elves, or wait here and ambush the natives that are to come tomorrow."
"I would choose none of those, Belor--move past the cave and head further toward's Gruk's apprentice. The cave is a known place for the tribespeople. We have more hours of daylight to make headway towards him. As for our shipmates, I would not waste time looking for them--save for one reason; they could be used as hostages to make us hesitate if there comes another attack."
Kororinda grimaces at the amount of supplies others carry, in comparison to his less than mighty frame. He balances his banner and ponders.
"Searching and moving are one and the same. If we look for them in the direction toward Gruk's apprentice, it's also toward the tribe's camp. Looking for them toward the small part of the island--well, I doubt they are there, and in any case, tribespeople didn't go that way. Except for that fellow we slew. I think. So, can we do this, Belor? What say the rest of you?"
|
|
|
|
"The two that left this morning headed to west. Gruk's account of the island tells us that the west tapers off a bit, and is not connected to the areas south, where we might run into the cannibals. Might mean that they get cornered, might mean they get overlooked when we start heading down cannibal avenue. I favor pushing toward the apprentice, and the cave follows the same path. We can call the trip the the cave the test run for our endurance, and push on from there?"
"We have trapper. Should trap cave in case tribe comes to investigate. Everyone learn how to disarm in case we are split up. Find apprentice. Kill tribe still in plans for future." He chuffs. "Obviously I not fond of old man but maybe we try to keep him from being dead if we can. I will look for trail."
To Jask, he asks "You see anything of note while us gone?"
Not following trails very far, Nagl will look, as he said, for trails that the two may have made to get a general sense of where they may have been heading.
Once we're headed out, Nagl will trail blaze. "Be alert. Jungle has more than tribe." His weapon remains more or less at the ready.
"Ach, they headed west? They'll run out of island that way. Nagl, you're right--he's better alive and on our side--and he will be. Damnable fools."
Koro swats at insects and does his best to keep up with the more able-bodied castaways.