Krac readies the catapult best he can and fires
waits for the heavy machine to be reset and loaded, fires
again his companions load the machine and he fires
He says while the machine is reset This looks very tiring for all
and he fires again,
For a final time before they rest, he fires the clunky machine
splash
splash
splash
splash
twang...snap...thud
The last shot results in a broken rope and Gunser again loses it, but thinks he can track it. It went in the same direction as the last batch.
Once repaired the last 5 bundles splash down in the lake Gunser reports.
That leaves 2 off somewhere, and a third about 100 yards short of the lake.
Its not me, honestly!
Krac waits for the catapult to be repaired.
Once it's inspected, loaded and wrenched back, he fires
After surveying its distance while it is reloaded, he fires when ready
Again he helps load and set the catapult, then fires
Taking turns prepping, knowing he is getting close to the end of this task, he fires another round.
Finally, the last of the gold is bundled and loaded, the catapult is set to fire and Krac releases the lever,
Walks over and stands by Mizaru.
Mizaru the warrior would you be willing to help me learn to fight a bit better over time? I could teach you other things in return.
Mizaru nods, bowing his head to Varin. "It would be my honor to help you improve your skills. No payment is required—but if you are willing, I would appreciate learning more on how to defend against magic. I do not understand it and am often unprepared against it."
So where to? Off to the nearby ball, the far away balls, the lake or the halfling. Those two Nat 1's are going to make your timing tight...very tight.
This I could try to teach you. Defending against magic is complicated. It depends on the magic. For some magics it is your body resisting the magics attempt to change it. For others it is best to just get out of the way. But for what I think are the most insidious you must fight them off in your mind. There are many ways to do this if you wish we could speak on them now? But the best way to get better at fighting off mind attacks once you have learned a few defenses is to practice against them. Once we are out of this place we could work on it with a simple dazing cantrip if you wish.
[Ooc] Have you seen Varins cha??? That's just because of how ugly he is eewwwww lol. And yay rp time. I have got to get more combat options lol [/b]
"I think I've got the best idea where those other two went, and I expect I can carry them both. I'll go after them, and meet you lot by the lake. Fair enough?"
"That would be . . . good. It has been some time since I have trained with another. I will have to think of what I want to improve first, but I will take you up on your offer if we leave this place. When would you like to start your physical training?" The vanara inspects the half-orc's body. "I have some ideas of what might suit you but it is best to see where you stand first."
To Gunser he says, "It might be unwise to go alone if we truly are being hunted. Someone should go with you."
I also believe we should stay together. As for what I know I know simple weapons and the falchion as well as the great axe. I was schooled in what my people use before I left them to thier deaths and stupid war.
"I'll not forbid any to come with, but it's not me what's hunted. And I feel them off-casts are my fault, it was my idea, usin' the trebuchet, and here it is, gainin' us nothin' at all. Sad thing to look back, and realize it'd been the same, if you weren't there."
"Oh, and are we carryin' the netfish? Or castin' him into the lake as a herald?"
You said you would free me if I cooperated! The halfling yells at Boneyard
"Much as we'd like to throw you in the lake, we'll release you when we get our things back from your friend. We'll carry him. Let's go."
Readies himself to head out with the others
Sounds good.
The Next morning, after an uneventful "night" our heroes venture out of the cave, with a tied and gagged halfling in a bag of holding.
Gunser slowly leads the way stopping every so often to get his bearings, occasionally asking for help figuring out a direction. By Mid-day he accounces that he thinks in a few more hours they should be in sight of one, or both bundles.
The terrain has begun to get a little more desolate. Patches of dead grass here and there, the ground is no longer perfectly flat either.
"At least they might not be too hard to spot out here." Boneyard screens his eyes and looks for any sign of the bundles.
Mizaru eyes the ground suspiciously. "We should stop to eat and recover our strength."
Krac inspects the grasses.
sure nature or heal
"What are you looking at there Kracow? Something about the grass?"
"Heeey! You've really got something here Kracow! Good eyes!"
Mizaru who is warrior whaile we walk do you wish to learn about the various mental defenses?
Varin looks to mizaru as they walk waiting on an answer.
Mizaru nods. "That would be beneficial to me, Varin," he says. "And you do not require to speak to me with my title. It is usually only for formal occasions, introductions, and speaking with strangers. Those who are familiar with each other need not mention their rank though it is deemed as polite."
As the group continues on, Boneyard yanks a handful of the grass and begins eating it.
"You some sort of circus geek, then, Mister Pyke? Eatin' grit and nails and such? If you're after cleanin' your teeth, a bigger twig might serve you better."
"No Gunser, this is rare minstrel grass, supposed to be a great boon to those of us with the blood of both men and elves running through our veins. Besides, not all of us were wise enough to prepare with magical rings such as you bear. I'm hungry."
Mizaru peers at the said herb Boneyard is eating.
"Oh, the wisdom weren't mine. Ring is a gift, and darn useful for a travellin' fella like m'self. Foun' it in a fish on my birthday..." Gunser slow-burns a wicked grin, then a chuckle.
Varin nods in understanding. As they walk along he begins to speak.
First and the in some ways simplest and yet hardest to master is the Tower of Iron Will. What you seek to do in this is to harden Your mind in to an impenetrable wall and fortress. You will hold up to the front of your mind a memory of something you believe in and think will never fall. Hold and cleave unto this image until nothing else is in your mind. Give it a try.
Looks at the grass boneyard is eating.
Know nature
Profession apocathry
Heal
"That may be difficult," Mizaru says, "but I shall try."
The vanara looks at the ground and tries to think of a memory he can trust. His mind has been clouded and twisted by his experiences in the Spire of Nex and he is unsure if what he remembers is sincere.
Then, he remembers: a forest. Nighttime and a warm body next to his. He doesn't know who it is or what is happening, but he feels that he is alive. That he survives. Raw, primal emotion that tells him he exists and that he will continue to exist and that raw existence was something that was different from his body, that it was something in itself and that was him and he feels both freed and intimidated by that thought.
The details are hazy, but that feeling, that conviction he felt. He can trust that. He focuses, brow burrowing when he supplies details that may not have happened—sounds of the forest, the grass beneath him—things that may not have happened, but that feeling was enough.
Everyone who looks at what boneyard is eating closely realizes that it is a poisonous grass, and he has no idea what he is talking about.
Just then Boneyard bends over and vomits all over the ground. Sickened for 10 minutes
Maybe I was wrong...
the others, having time to think while boneyard pukes his guts out realize that this particular grass only grows in places where the land has been poisoned.
We should stop and eat. Pushing further right now will only weaken us.
If the others agree to stop Varin will whip up a meal using what he can from everyone's supplies. And whatever Mizaru can find if he's willing.
As he cooks he looks at his mask and begins to question it.
Hmmm once he has iron will whag do you think mind blank or burning mind? Two different defenses for two different types of mental assault. And what spells should we go after next? Anything you want to learn?
The vanara nods, agreeing with Varin. He finds a nice patch of ground and takes out some rations from his backpack then begins to eat.
Varin nods in thanks. Then turns to his mask.
Well your supposed to be my advisor you gonna help here or not? Would Yggdrasil not want this to be done? To save others from needing healing or is this a blood issue?
I think that we should learn to stop others from harming our friends. Defenses are good, but sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Perhaps we should learn to harm evil, before it harms us. We are a tree without thorns right now. We need some thorns.
I agree but we don't have many good options for that yet. You know that as well as I the types of spells we use don't lend well to that but we shall see what comes our way and that is why I can put things to sleep...
Krac comes back from inside his wandering mind to see Bone eating grass.
Nature
He's not positive but he doesnt think that is a good idea.
How are we doing in finding the lost bags? Close or still a ways away?
For all this magic I have on me, Krac thinks, what I wouldn't give for some food. He tries in vain not to think of roasted gnome.
What is there to eat around here? Something roasted would hit the spot.
Survival
Kracow thinks that grass looks pretty tasty...but he still thinks it is a bad idea.
Let's cook us up some dragon?
Wow, I'm really starting to sound like a goblin.
Varin begins cooking some dragon steaks and using some of his rations supply and things donated by others as the fixins.
"I could have sworn that was magical grass. You guys are sure its poisonous? Maybe I just didn't have the preparation right." Boneyard's mouth waters as the dragon steaks cook. He also failed to remember packing real rations.