attack
damage
Figures; well, I suppose if he has to die, leaving a mystery behind as to how and where is within his style.
The shock of the lizardman's strike surges through Arana's body,an unladylike grunt forced from her mouth. Scrambling to regain her balance, her defenses once again in effect, her vibrorapier fending off the Tradoshan's probes.
Seeing an opening, Arana surges forward once again.
attack
damage
Zaelos will stay back out of harm's way as best he can while using his Force Sight to locate the Imperial officer. He will also instruct the Malaki to take him alive (Blaster set to stun, etc.) Should the officer try to flee, Zaelos will intercept and fire on him with his own blaster set to Stun.
Spitting blood from his mouth at the beast he knows the drop is certain doom. Knowing that at least the creature, cannot use it's dexterity to avoid his blow Karval tenses. From his limb left hand he drops the Vibro-dagger where it thrums on the ground.
Whilst he then raises the hand and grasps the glow-rod around his neck and shines it into the creatures eye hoping to dazzle it!
'This is it. This is life or death. The edge of a coin that we all walk, where heroes tread. If I perish here, I will be forgotten some insignificant speck.
If I succeed maybe then I will be regarded with some honour...maybe..' He thinks as the blood hammers against his skull, the pulsing seems to cause him to draw upon hidden reserves inside him.
He stabs down upon the creature with all his strength.
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FANTASTIC! The rest of you need to defer to the Discussion. I have posted a question about the game no one has responded too some time back.
I also posted a request from you the players and have only received one response.
If you guys could look at both posts I'd appreciate it.
Dodging your first shot the creature misses with its attacks. You shoot again and miss, this time though, the creature snaps at you causing 6 vitality. This will bleed over into wounds now I believe. You need to make a fort save to avoid going unconscious and then you get another attack.
Again the Trandoshan sneers at his injury. He attacks again hitting once more for 11 vitality. You are definitely wearing him down. Now it is a question of who will get worn down first, you or him? Your turn.
As the attack is going strong you take two shots at the officer. The first shot is a miss but the second catches the man in the chest dropping him unconscious.
The Malaki have a good first couple of rounds on the Trandoshans. One Stormtrooper goes down to the concentrated fire of the three Malaki shooters. One Trando that took one of the javelins then has it's head removed by one Malaki wield a cleaver, a massive sword meant for taking out the legs of much larger creatures. Another trandoshan succumbs to being swarmed by a volley of attackers.
The Trandoshans however, manage to collect themselves quickly and retaliate strongly. No casualties but they pushed against the Malaki quite fiercely.
In spite of this, your side still has a strong advantage and now the opposition's main leader is down. It is time for you and yours to press your advantage and try and take complete control before the Trandoshans start putting your people down.
In desperation you thust your blade deep into the creature. If fit of pain it releases you and recoils a moment. It takes the round to shake off the injury.
From the looks of it you are close. The beast is clearly hurting almost as much as you are. However, like you this beast is a warrior and seems intent on taking this fight to the end.
It has moved back one square and is just out of reach. If you chose to move after it you will be doing so across difficult terrain so you won't be able to get a full attack action.
The beast has not taken any action this round. Instead it seems to be sizing you up for it's next attack. It is now your turn, it is a large creature and it CAN reach you from it's position even though you can reach it. How do you respond.
Fort save DC 8[/ooc]
attack
damage
At this point, especially with a 1, Nichos is dead. What are the considerations/restrictioncs I need to be thinking about when making a new character?
Falling from it's jaws, the Mandolorean lands with a thump upon the hard mountainside. Keeping a low stance, Karval waits in a crouch, his eyes meet the creatures.
From his point of view there is a glint of respect in the creatures eyes, two gladiators facing each other. 'It doesn't have to be this way...' He thinks hoping his thoughts show in his eyes, or through the force. 'Join me, join my tribe. We will protect.'
He keeps his weapon low and his senses alert; with his free hand he holds it out. 'I heal you?' he whispers in the common language to the intelligent creature.
Remembering the Twi'lek tail language, and how he learnt it when he was young from the Ambassador upon Nar Shadda. His eyes flicker to see if there is any movements from the animal that may resemble that language. Karval tries to semi-placate the creature; but underneath that is a will of steel.
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He then opens fire on one of the Trandoshans trying to even the odds for his fellow tribesman.
Arana has begun to get a little angry at her failure to take down the Trandoshan intruder.
Piroutteing around a clumsy overhead slash by the lizardman, she darts in and attacks.
attack
damage
crit confirm
You miss wildly as the severity of the situation is getting to you. The creature seems to realize that it has an advantage. It attacks again hitting you for 6 wound points.
You are unable to calm the beast. It seems very intent on continuing the fight and takes your passive behavior as an opportunity to attack. It snaps twice at you dealing a total of 23 vitality and no wound damage this time around. It fails to grapple you.
Even though it has a reach greater than yours, since it has to touch you to attack I will permit you one attack but you have to move in to full attack next turn.
Your team pushes their advantage against their foes. You pop off two shots against one stormtrooper straining him a good deal. Your fellows with blasters take him down. Three more trandoshans drop.
The trandoshans retaliate and finally take casualties from your side. One female gets her throat slit by a trando claw and another male gets gutted by two trandoshan swords.
Regardless, your team is holding strong and your pretty sure the battle is won. It is only a matter of damage control now. Make sure to keep the win from being too costly.
There is one unchanged stormtrooper. Everything else is in melee. If you shoot into combat, be sure and apply a -4 penalty. There are 5 trandoshans left, they are all struggling.
With a well placed shot, you run the trandoshan through it's neck and it drops unconscious. You have won the fight. The Trandoshan is only unconscious not dead. How do you wish to resolve this?
fort save DC 11
Nichos forces himself to stay conscious as he takes one last final shot, staring the creature down as he does so, showing no weakness.
attack
damage
His moments hesitancy mean that he is slightly slow in forcasting where the creature will attack, however his natural reflexes and training mitigate this weakness (compassion).
He moves in closer to the creature.
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Standing triumphantly over the supine lizardman, Arana breaths deeply. Her initial instinct is to finish the intruder, but after a deep breath she decides otherwise.
With a sharp whistle learnt from the Malakai, she summons some of those on guard duty. While waiting for the others to arrive she divests the Tradoshan of its weapons and pack, if it has one. If it has a pack, she investigates its contents to see if she can determine its purpose here.
The final blaster shot Nichos made zipped past the beasts head missing completely. The creature felt victory at hand leaped onto Nichos doing 9 wound damage. At this point the injuries he suffered were too great to endure more. He let out a groan as he dropped unconscious. The very last thing he heard was the beast howling it's victory and then he became one with the force.
The Story of Nicho the brave Chiss....The End.
The final trooper goes down and the three shooter Malaki drop their blasters, draw their weapons and join the melee.
The Trandoshans are overwhealmed and are reduced to one warrior. The remaining warrior fights desperately but to no avail. On the following round, the Malaki descend on him and finish him quickly no further casualties.
You are victorious. Ragni returns after ditching the beast. You only took two losses from your entire team and took down nine trandoshans four stormtroopers and managed to capture the leader alive. Very, very, well done. You will be commended for sure.
The victorious hunters approach you filled with vigor. They await your instructions.
The beast meets your attack with his own two bites. Though you struggle with your agility, your sudden proximity throws the beast off it's game enough where it not only misses with both attacks, but it stumbles a bit and slides down to even ground with you.
It no longer has high ground advantage. It has missed both attacks scoring a critical fumble on it's second. It is now your turn. You feel victory could be possible.
Other Malaki come over to investigate your whistle. Seeing the trandoshan they bind him quickly.
They allow you to take his gear. He has a padded vest, vibrosword, a vibro dagger, a hold out blaster, a trandoshan combat glove, a commlink, field ration, a case containing 18 vials of a strange purple liquid a shock stick, a temporary use personal cloaking device, it's half charged, a lot of tanned Malaki flesh, two energy cells, a multitool, a secondary toolkit, a medpack, a glowrod, a sedative solution projector containing a substance similar to but faster acting than chloroform, there is enough in the projector for 4 shots. A small audio, video, recording device, a few wireless bugging devices. That's about it.
The Malaki drag the prisoner off to their pens to hold him.
He glances over the dead corpses littering the campsite before turning his attention to his tribe. "OK our hunt is finished. We need to return home now. Tie up our prisoner and strip him completely. Also strip each one of the bodies of all their gear and clear the campsite of all traces of our combat here as this Imperial's friends will no doubt come looking for him soon. Be sure you gather our fallen comrades for a proper burial at home. As for the rest of these Trandoshan corpses, we can find a place to leave them for the wildlife."
As the tribe members start to carry out his orders, Zaelos slips into a Force trance looking for any nearby signs of Imperial presence.
Ducking a blow, he rolls from the creature and their eyes lock as he plunges his blade in. The dagger stabbing at it's vitals; 'Sorry.'
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;
Arana bows to the Malakai who assisted her "Thank you"
She then gathers the lizardman's possessions and drags them into the shadow of one of the storage huts. Then she checks out the area she first noticed the intruder. Once there she checks for tracks
Survival
then checks for any of the wireless bugging devices that may have been installed
Perception
then she will check if he tampered with any of the food stores nearby
Perception
Once finished all of that, she will return and finish her tasks with the animal she was working on.
Animal Handling
Your force sight is vague at best but you get the impression that the empire is aware of this valley and this was one of many scouting parties that precede an invasion force. This is only speculation.
The Malaki carry out your orders, they prepare the two dead to be a feast for animals as is Malaki tradition. The Malaki respect they eat the animals and when they die their bodies are are fed to the animals.
They approach you ready for your order to return home. The biggest Malaki has the officer over his shoulder.
Your first attack scrapes the scales. The second blade strikes deep. As you speak your apology, the beast's eyes close, it loses it's grip on the wall and falls to the base of the mountain. You have won the battle and your trophy is a few simple climb checks away. Well fought. Now give me five climb checks to retrieve your trophy.
The food stores are intact and you do not find any tampering and though you search, you do not locate any bugs.
Returning to your duties, you are clearly distracted by the days happenings.
It is a strangely appropriate that he died this way. The beast had 6 vitality left. One good shot would have knocked it out or at least drove it off. Defense 14 was the number to beat. Really great work though. You started this fight so strong and did well for a non fighter.
As the party heads out, a thought occurs to him. He points at the prisoner, "Make sure he does not regain consciousness and blindfold him as well."
The slow thoughts roll through him as he moves to the edge and looks down at the dead beast. He treats his injuries and takes a sip of water waiting as his wounds quickly knit together.
Then he climbs down the mountain slowly and carefully, once his fatigue has worn off.
Once down there, Karval tries to retrieve any mane for use as a stole. The teeth as a necklace and as much meat as he can carry.
Afterwards Karval will get together all his equipment, find a cave to spend the evening then try to smoke some of the meat to attempt to preserve it. Then it's back to looking for the crystals, in the morning - by which time his Mandolorean healing will have kicked in and he'll be fully fit.
After unsatisfactorily finishing her duties with the animals, Arana drags the Tradoshan's possession back to her creche. Once there, she investigates his comm and surveillance equipment , trying to determine the frequency he was using, so as to eavesdrop on any subsequent communication.
Knowledge (Technology)
She then leaves the rest of the equipment for later inspection. Except however, the tanned Malakai hides. She carefully places them in a pack and then visits Taggard.
"Greetings Taggard, I defeated a Tradoshan spy near the animal paddocks. In his possession were these hides of your people. I would do them honour and put them to rest. Can you guide me in this? "
They do as you command. It takes a day and a half to return. You return to the granaries and your hunters begin filling the one with what food they brought.
You and Baruk, the Malaki carrying the prisoner, can report to Taggard your findings when your ready.
You take the time to heal and then climb down to the corpse. You retieve teeth and the head of the beast. This takes up the rest of your time to look for the crystals to prepare the rest of the corpse.
Ultimately your hunt is over. You slew a mighty foe are will likely receive great recognition for it. The creature was borderline huge size so you really took down quite the enemy, you have the crits you made to thank for that. It is time to return home with your prize.
Give one more spoilered post and then you will be reunited with the rest of the party.
You find no frequency on the comm.
When you bring the hides to Taggard he nods. "I see. The presence of this trandoshan is unsettling. We have been hidden in this valley for over a year and this is the first time we've seen one of our enemies here willingly. I have sent out scouts in response."
Taggard takes the hides. "I will show you what we do with our dead." First Taggard takes you out to the ritual areas where the hides are prepared, almost like you would prepare a feast and they take care to remove impurities and even season it a bit. They then say a prayer that they rest in and acknowledge their accomplishments. Then remorse they could not accomplish more.
Then they take the hides to the animal pens and feed them to the animals. Taggard looks to you. "This is how things our. Life is more important than death. Once someone dies, they are regarded as worthless to the people and their corpses are fed to the animals just as the animals die to feed us. It is only fitting it be this way. I understand other races have elaborate means of remembering and mourning the dead and see the bodies as prescious and even waste resources on build a place to put the body. This is a pointless waste of time and resources for someone who is no longer of use. Their bodies are used to better the tribe and to lessen the strain on resources, not the other way around. This is our way. Outsiders take it as "inhumae" but once the soul has left the body, it is gone and the body is worthless. That is all there is to it." After the preceding Taggard returns to business.
Once Baruk has acknowledged the orders and heads off with the prisoner, he heads over to Taggard's hut. Once he has been greeted by one of the guards , he asks softly "Have any of my off-world friends returned yet? I need to speak with them and Taggard immediately."
'Well I have another week, although I should check out the Ruins soon, as soon as I find this Force crystal.'
The next morning though he spends the day looking for the Gurnap's lair, trying to see if it's got any young. 'I cannot let them starve, plus they could be useful for the tribe.' Thus he tracks th creature trying to find the lair
However if Karval cannot locate the Gurnaps lair, or there is no young there. Then using his datapad and make-shift tools, the Mandolorean will try to spend a day or two crafting a scanner and jewel data-base to help in his search.
Then he spends the next 4 days climbing and wandering the hills and mountains desperately searching for the crystals, scanning and analysing what rocks he is able to find.
Arana says to Taggard after his explanation on their death rituals "You time is much appreciated, Taggard, I can see the wisdom in your people's rites. " she pauses then continues "On the subject of mortality, has there been any word on how my friends fare out in the wilderness?"
Taggard nods. "Just your friend Arana. She's out by the animal pens. She captured a Trandoshan scout sneaking around the pens. She's very skilled. How was your hunt?"
You are unable to find the lair. You do manage to find a crystal formation. You harvest some crystals and now it is is time to head back. With the trophy and the added time you will have four days to return back and it takes two. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO SEARCH THE RUINS.
"None have returned yet. There is still time left and these quests we have work to do. The Trandoshans shouldn't know of this valley. One of them is here, this is a bad thing and we need to look into it and consider relocating our base. When your friends return, you will know it. Taggard gets back to work.
Arana returns to her creche and continues to investigate the Tradoshan's possessions, trying to determine where it came from and what it was trying to accomplish.
Search of equipment Perception
Invesigation of tech Knowledge (Technology)
You return to the main base with your trophies. The Malaki see you approach and move out to meet you. One is dressed in robes comes up to you. "I am shaman Makdi. You are the first to return. There are still three days left and you bring many great trophies. Come. Much has happened since your departure.
Tagard nods. [b]"I am going to issue the evactuation order and call back our scouts. We will wait until the two week period for the trial by your companions to be complete. We cannot wait any longer than that. I will get my people packing. In the meantime get some rest and help my people." He dismisses you."
The best you can tell, the trandoshan may be attempting sabotage.
Karval returns and a grand ceremony takes place. Taggard comes out to greet him. The rest of you are brought as well.
Karval is brought before Taggard and the head shaman. The head of the beast and the crystals are set on a display alter. There is a murmur of surprise when they see the skull.
Taggard's eyebrows raise. "A Gurnap? Well done. They are an extremely clever clever beast and proud warriors too. You choose your foe well."
Taggard steps back and the Shaman steps forward. The ceremony precedes as the shaman raises each trophy for all to see. He then addresses the group gathered. "This hunter has succeeded in his hunt. He fought a deadly Gurnap along the mountainside in it's own territory. A glorious and trying battle. To also have returned bearing a force crystal. This man is of great worth to the tribes of Malakai!" The people cheer.
The Shaman steps back and then Taggard steps forward. "This Malaki has show his worth. As a warrior and a provisioner. As a tactician and one who is guided. Therefore, I offer him the status of Kadubaton!" The gathered cheer.
Taggard turns to congratulate you. "Congratulations on your victory. You have obtained our highest military rank. However, celebrations will have to wait. We have pressing matters. Take some time to rest. Your new responsibilities will come in handy soon enough. For now we will wait for the rest of your men to return."
A lot of bustle is going on for the next few days. Taggard is too busy to see any of you just yet. In the meantime you help the Malalki pack supplies and move gears and break down huts and other prefab shelters. Scouting parties return from their excursions. You also haven't had a moment to rest either.
@Arana: You are aiding the Malaki in herding the animals and preparing them to carry the gear and other equipment.
@Zaloes: You are aiding the hunters and such in preparing the food for transit and making sure there is enough.
@Karval: You are put right to work organizing the men. You haven't yet been told what is going on beyond evacuation.
None of you have had a chance to really talk with one another in this time.
Finally the trial time is up.....but no sign of Nichos or Janitor. The day ends and the trial group dismantles.
Karval, Arana, and Zaloes you three are finally together but again, no Janitor and Nichos. The shaman has stated the worst has befallen your friends and to accept their loos as part of the trials you've survived.
You can know role play with each other.
Since his return there has been a certain tightness around Karvals eye, a tension that weighs heavily upon him. 'I hope the others are alright.'
Taggards praise he takes with aplomb and joy, Karval wanted to honour the tribe and with the force crystals he has. 'Pity I could not tame the beast though.'
The Mandolorean is shocked and gratified by the honour, profusely thanking the others - in a manner that seems slightly alien to the gruff warrior. During the celebrations he catches the eye of Arana and nods, with a slight quirk of the lips.
Following days are so busy, with little time to himself or even to let his thoughts crystalise. Efficiently he organises himself and the peoples of the tribe. 'We are leaving. Why?'
Finally he meets with his companions, but the news hits him like a bullet and he physically slumps. "Janitor and Nichos!" he says softly his voice wavering. "I'm the only one to survive?" He looks forlornly to Arana and Zaleos.
Arana's heart swells with pride as Zaleos and Karval receives his due; but is troubled that Janitor and Nichos have not returned.
Upon hearing the news that neither survived, she has a hard time fighting down the feeling of injustice that would take her new friends away from her at this time; that she was here safe in the village while they had to fight and die in the wilderness alone. She was alone by herself many times back on Dathomir, close to death; she knows what they went through in the final moments. Ultimately, she takes a deep breath, knowing that this was the Malakai way, not too unlike that of her own people. She would honour the memory of her fallen friends through her deed and actions.
To Karval's statement, she says brokenly "You acted bravely and boldly as the Malakai demanded, as I'm sure Janitor and Nichos did."
When word of Janitor and Nichos' fate was delivered, you saw and felt the warring emotions from Arana as the lines of force around her darkened perceptively. Finally though they faded to normal as she regained her composure.
"Thank you. They will." Karval nods sternly, trying to regain composure; "They both will."
Looking around at the camp and the sudden packing, preparing for a move. "Did something happen whilst I was away?" he asks knowing his own news, though important, could wait.
Zaelos tries to hide the news of the deaths of both Nichos and the Janitor from his face. Though his race was incapable of shedding tears, the others could easily see he was taking the news hard.
I...I never realized how much I relied on Nichos' wisdom and guidance. How will I gain wisdom from him now? I must be strong...especially for Arana's sake.
He lays a hand on Arana's shoulder. "Easy there, my friend. Nichos and Janitor live on, both in our hearts and in the Force."
He gives Karval a hearty handshake. "Truly, you are a great warrior! I wish we had time to truly celebrate this victory, but events outside intrude here." He pauses trying to compose himself. "During my hunt, we ran into an Imperial scouting force. We captured the officer leading them and killed the rest of them. When I brought this news to Taggard, he ordered the relocation of this camp." He sighs, "I fear we may need to return to Danaten Station soon."
As you catch up for a moment, a Malaki curior messenger approaches you. "Taggard wants to see you as soon as you can. Also, you are free to interogate the prisoners. Taggard believes you are better suited to this than any of the Malaki as you know better the questions to ask."
The messenger bows. "Taggard has sent a another space traveler to see the prisoner too. Taggard says he will wait for you to talk to the prisoners first so you can get what you can."
With that the messenger runs off.
While walking to the prisoner pens with the others, Arana says to Zaleos and Karval "I found a Tradoshan sneaking around the animal pens and subdued him, that has something to do with the camp relocation as well."
"I have some experience with getting information out of imperials, perhaps we should swap prisoners?"
Karval nods grimly; 'Mourning lost friends is always tough. Nichos was always about business, so clever, I will not despoil his memory with inefficency.'
Turning to Arana as they walk to the jail room; "This bodes ill. Both the Imperials and the Trandoshians coming, certainly we need to move." There's a wicked glint to his eyes; "Whilst we can leave behind booby-traps."
"I can be quite intimidating, when needs be." He flexes his imposing form. It's easy to forget with Karval's lithe grace that he is so powerful. "Oh, I found an out-cropping of Force-crystals. And fought a Gurnap... which nearly threw me off the mountain."
Zaelos' nods grimly. "Yes, if the Imperials are invading Malaki we need to find out who is behind the orders and why they are invading NOW!" He nods in reply to Karval and then his mouth drops open in shock, "Force Crystals? Here??"
"I think so, I am not strongly attuned.... but I used my datapad, brains and tried to feel them out. The only ones I got are with Taggard now." Karval says stoically. He enjoys the reaction to that more than the praise for felling the beast.
"So we talk to the Imperial now." Karval looks around to see if there are any camp-fires with cooking stoves. 'Bathing my hands in animals blood would provoke a reaction.' he smiles inwardly to himself.
When you arrive at the interrogation pens, you have to stop and blink, trying to reconcile what you see with you have gotten used to the last few weeks. Standing beside a beat up speeder bike is a givin wearing a greased stain flight suit and utility vest, looking as if he belonged more in a repair shop or bar on Coruscant than anywhere on this planet. He looks up, and after a brief examination of each of you, "Good, let's get this done; I have too much to do to be standing around." He turns to head into the pens before stopping, and turning back, "May as well get them out of the way. I am Na'soth, pilot, mechanic, and all around roustabout."
"I am Karval de Longinous," he says in an even tone, looking to see if the chap has heard of him from his arena days. "a fine day stranger. How do we find you here?" he wonders openly.
"Crappy ship, major system failure, me not requiring pesky little details like pressurization and air to function. Managed to land what remained of the hulk, kept the bike, let the Malaki have the rest, been here ever since, going on one, two years, somewhere in there."
"Hmmm...interesting tale there." Zaelos comments. "I am Zaelos Buerlon. Pleasure to meet you, Na'Soth. I would like to hear more of your tale, however you have every reason to be in a hurry, I fear. Any help you can provide us would be greatly appreciated."
'One...two years? That's quite a time. He must be tough.' Brushing his long pale hair from his eyes, Karval nods to the man. "We are Malakai too. Off-worlders, like yourself. Sorry to hear about your ship."
Karval looks towards the custody area; "We are to talk to the prisoners, assess the danger to the tribe and ensure their safety."
"Wasn't my ship; the owner was nice enough, I suppose, as far as cheap space captains go, but he clearly didn't understand the first thing about the business he was trying to survive in. Had the fortune of being killed in one of the explosions rather than dying the slow, painful death that would have awaited him otherwise. And yes, time does seem to be of the essence. Emperor what's his name seems to have found the planet, though I'm a bit surprised at the presence of the Trandoshans; always thought the guy was trying to do everything he could to put any and all nonhuman races down."
"I am Arana Niss. " Arana says "Two years among the Malakai...you must know their ways quite well by now?"
"Their higher beliefs are no more and no less foolish than anyone else's, but I've found their day to day work ethic to be refreshing. But time is wasting; which prisoner were you planning on interrogating first?"