Jimpy looks longingly toward the tree line. "Do you think there are more things like the little thing we ate, maybe big things that we could ride or train to do tricks or teach sign language or set fire or BUTTERFLY!" Seeing a brightly colored insect, Jimpy runs off into the trees, following it.
"By the gods..." Barrak shakes his head and gets up to keep an eye on Jimpy as he heads into the trees muttering to himself. "Won't do no good if our fire starter gets killed before we can get off this blasted island..." As he reaches the treeline he looks back at Ayla. "You coming? We're safer together and maybe the fool will get lucky and find us something we can use for a boat while he's wandering around in here."
As he reaches the treeline he looks back at Ayla. "You coming? We're safer together and maybe the fool will get lucky and find us something we can use for a boat while he's wandering around in here."
She stands up and starts running after Jimpy.
"Or maybe our friend in the trees will find him first. I noticed him about half-way here. I didn't want to say anything because I thought he might just be curious or making sure we left his territory, but Jimpy's running right back in. We need to hurry..."
Jimpy wanders after the butterfly, hurrying now and then to catch up to the brightly colored insect. "Hey guys! I think it's headed toward that hill. Or maybe it's looking for a friend! I had a friend once who exploded! Do you think the butterfly will explode? I saw an explosion once! Well, I actually caused it. It made a friend of mine explode. It was pretty."
Jimpy wanders after the butterfly, hurrying now and then to catch up to the brightly colored insect. "Hey guys! I think it's headed toward that hill. Or maybe it's looking for a friend! I had a friend once who exploded! Do you think the butterfly will explode? I saw an explosion once! Well, I actually caused it. It made a friend of mine explode. It was pretty."
"Whoa, Jimpy. No blowing up butterflies. If they are fiendish dire half-white dragon butterflies though, go ahead. Right now though, nothing that could be considered hostile okay? We're in someone else's trerritory right now, and while I can't see him right now, I know he is in the trees and watching us."
Ayla turns slowly and looks up into the trees, searching for what she knew was in the trees somewhere. She is staring so intently that she doesn't hear the sound of footsteps coming up behind you.
"A half-elf, a dwarf, and a halfling. Quite the trio, and skilled too, if the lady knew Shango was following you."
[i]As you turn around, you see a gnome in what looks like armor made from scales. Standing a few feet behind him are two cloaked figures, holding bows with arrows at the strings. What you can see of their hands and arms suggest the are not of human or elven descent, for a hard tan-colored shell seems to have taken the place of skin.
"Now, may I ask how you got past the magicks? Convicts cannot enter this area at all, yet you walk past the barriers like they were nothing."
Ayla finally turns around, a throwing knife in her hand, and gets ready to throw it. She stops when she notices the bowmen, though she keeps the knife at the ready.
Spot: 1d20-1=14
"Ooh, are you insects? Is the butterfly your friend? Are those bows handmade? Do you like puppies? I like fire! Burn, burn, burn, that's me! Who're you?"
"Nice job fire-loving halfling... Look gnome, maybe we got past your magics because they don't exist. What does it matter. You going to shoot us or not, cause if so my halberd and I will have to have a little chat with you. IF not we got better things to do than stare at your ugly mugs, like finding a way off this blasted island or finding a good strong drink."
Barrak places his hand on his halberd ready to draw it in an instant should he decide its needed.
"Aren't you interesting? A dwarf who is brash and outspoken is common enough, but to offer an alternative to fighting?"
He turns and looks at Jimpy the way an old man would look at an excited child.
"Such spirit in you, and you wouldn't care if you got off the island at all, would you? Perfectly content to live on this island, where one is rarely bored."
"The fact the magicks didn't keep any of you away means you are not guilty of the crimes you were accused of.. or that you were justified in your actions. I have been given permission to offer you an invitation. The only question now is if you will accept it."
"Yes! Definitely we will! It's always more fun to say yes! And why do you look at Ayla like that? Do you know her? Are you secretly related? Maybe she's your evil twin? Perhaps she has a strange birthmark that only gnomes can see? Is she invisible? Am I invisible?"
"Yes! Definitely we will! It's always more fun to say yes! And why do you look at Ayla like that? Do you know her? Are you secretly related? Maybe she's your evil twin? Perhaps she has a strange birthmark that only gnomes can see? Is she invisible? Am I invisible?"
"If she was invisible, why would I have said trio? I would have only seen you and the dwarf. We are not related, so she's not my evil twin, there is no birthmark that only gnomes can see, and you are not invisible. She just looks I someone I knew once, and that surprised me."
He stares at Jimpy with a grin.
"You certainly are not boring."
"Does the halfling speak for you all?"
"He speaks too soon. Just what are we being invited to?" Ayla turns back to the tree-line, trying to find this 'Shango' the gnome mentioned.
"A place for the others like you who are stuck on this island. We live in an ancient building, which resides in the side of a mountain, that we believe has been here since the island's birth. It is a safe haven against the other convicts and the creatures that live here, save a few incidents. The invitation is only offered once."
Ayla remains silent.
Barrak hesitates for a moment, his hand still on his halberd.
"2 questions for you. One, is there alcohol at this place of yours? Two, what happens if we refuse?"
Barrak hesitates for a moment, his hand still on his halberd.
"2 questions for you. One, is there alcohol at this place of yours? Two, what happens if we refuse?"
"We are in the process of making a brewery, you are not the only dwarf to ask about one. Should you refuse, you live on your own, and your knowledge of us will be forgotten."
Barrak visibly relaxes and looks to Ayla.
"If they will have a brewery soon, this sounds like the best place on the whole island we can stay. I'll go with the gnome and the daft halfling, what about you Ayla?"
Suddenly thinking for a moment he quickly turns to Jimpy.
"Don't you even think about starting any fires anywhere near their brewery!"
"I guess we can check it out. Jimpy? Let rephrase what Barrack just said. If it is not in a fireplace, don't set it on fire. Go ahead if you're attacked though."
The gnome grins, bowing slightly.
"This way, please."
He leads you deeper into the forest, and through the small spaces between the tree limbs overhead, you can see a mountain. Afer about a quarter-hour, you stand in front of a cliff. The gnome turns and chuckles when he sees your expressions. He walks over to the cliff and raps it hard with his knuckles. At first nothing happens, but then a rumbling sound shakes the ground, and the stone cliff-face shifts to one side. As light filters in, you see the mountain has been hollowed out and has many layers(with nets between them to catch any who may fall). Each layers has houses built into the stone, with dwarven stonework an obvious feature in it's creation. The gnome bows again, then straightens and spreads his arms wide.
"I am Seelie, and I welcome you to my mountain home, Argatha."
"Ooo! This is neat! Is it old? Are there rabbits here? Who's in charge? Can I be in charge? I think we ought to invade Peru!"
"Ooo! This is neat! Is it old? Are there rabbits here? Who's in charge? Can I be in charge? I think we ought to invade Peru!"
Ayla smiles at Jimpy.
"I think all those fire spells have gone to your head!"
"My head is on fire? Really? Fire hurts a lot less than I've been told by all those judges and constables!"
Barrak visibly relaxes and even smiles as he sees the mountain hideout.
"Finally, sensible people who live within the earth. Once the brewery is finished I think our new friends here will become my best friends."
Introductory Scene:
Once the canoe has faded over the curve of the sea, she finally turns and watches the antics of those cast from within the vessel. Some race to the darker shadows of the trees, one fool actually tries to swim off and catch the cloud canoe. Selyne can't help but laugh softly, even she knows better than to cast herself heedlessly into the oceans' waves.
Three of those upon the pale moonlit sand catch her attention. The smallest, (A child? she initially thinks from her lofty perch) capers and cavorts across the beach before being gathered up by a stout fellow, the man's heavy beard showing his Dwarven nature. The third person is the one Selyne watches most. She slips behind the trunk of her look out place, sure this other had spotted her. Such good eyes make this on a one to also watch in return.
As the trio walk cautiously into the jungle, Selyne wanders along above them, easily swinging from tree to tree as needs be with her 'portable' vine. When she see the trio settling into the lower branches of one tree she nods to herself and quietly settles in above them to keep watching. Garnering more amusement a one of the giant leaf eaters surprises them. Selyne keeps her distance as they fall asleep, making herself comfortable with her own ropes and such.
The encounter with 'Chomper' takes Selyne by surprise. Rising and swinging to a spot high above the scene after the scream wakes her, she frowns. The meat eating human is normally more careful when he attacks, the lithe other stranger is definitely one to be cautious of. Though Selyne nods when Chomper is finished with. The largish man was not being a direct threat to her but far too much hassle for her to try and have dealt with herself. Especially when there are always bigger carnivores to watch for.
When 'Bobo' erupts form his lake to take the dead Chomper Selyne just snorts softly. She'd already shared a descent kill with the big glutton of a beast not two days before. Watching the three quickly kill the small. make Selyne's mouth water and she slips away to hunt for herself.
When she returns it is in time to see the halfling scamper off after a large, bright winged butterfly. Selyne sighs, maybe the little rabbit person will end up being somethings lunch? Selyne is again crouching from the eyes of the lithe woman when the tunnel dwellers make themselves known, causing Selyne to crouch even deeper into the shadows of the trunk of the tree she is standing in. Watching warily, taking in the whole scene.
"I could help with the brewery! They need wood, right? I can burn down trees, they falls like this <pantomime tree crashing> BOOM! And they make such a lovely smell when they burn..."
As the Gnome leads the trio deeper into the forest, and through the gaps in the tree they can see a mountain. Eventually they come to stand in front of a cliff. The Gnome walks over to the cliff and raps it hard with his knuckles. At first nothing happens, but then a rumbling sound shakes the ground, and the stone cliff-face shifts to one side. The gnome bows again, then straightens and spreads his arms wide.
Skipping along through the high branches, Selyne keeps the focus of her interest easily in sight.
Perception: Take ten:10+10=20
Climb Skill: Take Ten:11+10=21
Stealth Skill:Take Ten:10+10=20
When they arrive at the side of the mountain, Selyne frowns, wrinkling her nose at the strange dirt livers antics. When the side of the mountain moves her eyes are popping wide even as she's dropping flat to crawl out along the tree branch for a better look at this.
While not enough to make her stumble out of her tree, the effort of the Gnomes has Selyne re-evaluating their status in the food chain.
Tsu Kaori was dumped unceremoniously on a sandy, salty beach, tied, gagged and blindfolded, she heard a thump coming from nearby, like a large something was dumped alongside her. straining her ears, Tsu manages to get access the Flint and Steel in her left boot, letting them fall on to the sand. Waht seemeed like a simple idea to her turned out to be far more complicated than she planned for, but eventually using the flint, she manages to cut the rope binding her hands. quickly taking off the blindfold and getting herself loose, Tsu waits a moment to let her eyes adjust to the bright sunlight.
The first thing she sees is Kiara, her animal companion, tied up and duped alongside her. Finding all her belongings still attached to Kiaras saddle, she quickly takes her Scimitar and carefully cuts Kiaras bonds. letting her friend a moment to be free to stretch and yawn, Tsu stops Kiara to get her equipment, donning her clothing and equipment, Tsu notices signs of recent activity on the beach, as if people had been here, but have gone.
"Well Kiara, whoever it was isn't here now, lets go and see if we can find some sort of cave that we can stay in for a while."
TSu stops to take a further look at the signs of recent activity.
"Hmm...Kiara, i think we will follow these tracks, it seems as though there are 3 of them, and they arent all the same either."
Survival: 11 + D20(6) = 17
moving slowly into the treeline, Tsu follows the tracks into the forest.
Tsu and Kiara follow the tracks easily. From the way one set go left and right wildly, you think there may be a child with the other two. You hear a rumbling up ahead, but all you find is a small open space between the trees and the base of a cliff. The tracks lead right toward it.
Marco stumbles along the beach, his stomach turning at every step. He feels a heavy throbbing pain in his head and his eye is bruised from the beating he took earlier.
He scrambles towards the forrest, where he bend over and throws up what seems like an endless stream of brown liquid.
He wipes his mouth in his sleeve and scans his surroundings. After a few second he drop his head and shake it.
”This has got to be the worlds worst hangovers” he says to himself with a sigh.
As he watches the desperate man swimming for the boat getting pulled under the water he swallows hard and turn towards the jungle.
”Only one way then.. he shrugs and walks into the jungle to find some kind of shelter.
Selyne lays prone, staring intently and watching the mountain move. She notes the three who've piqued her interest wandering into the darkness behind the Gnome, but she has no intention of following just yet. Walking into somewhere she's not sure of getting out again is not her idea of a clever thing to do.
Selyne relaxes in the morning sun, laying along the tree branch, easily staying in place with the use of her whip as 'stay ropes'.
Upon catching sight of another of what can only be more of the canoe people, this one seeming 'casually' in the company of some large-sh predator, Selyne's interest is again piqued. She stirs slightly and watches intently as the new woman and her 'companion', she muses slightly sleepily to herself, walk towards the Gnome hold.
"Ooo, do you have dinosaurs here that you ride? Do you have giant walking metal men who fight the dinosaurs? Can I have a pony? Can I have a dinosaur pony with wings and fire breath and sparkly horns and hoofs and a saddle and named Buttercup?"
"Ooo, do you have dinosaurs here that you ride? Do you have giant walking metal men who fight the dinosaurs? Can I have a pony? Can I have a dinosaur pony with wings and fire breath and sparkly horns and hoofs and a saddle and named Buttercup?"
Seelie laughs, shaking his head. "You actually want to ride one of those great beasts? Quite the brave one, I see. We do have some of the smaller ones to use as messengers in this city, but perhaps you would rather see the ones we use while scouting far away? I will send some one later to see if you want to see them, now I beleive we should find you quarters if you are to stay here." Behind you, you hear a faint rumbling and turn just in time to see the 'door' close.
You manage to find some trees that have either fallen or been pushed over. They make a sort of structure that you are barely able to slip into.
You manage to find some trees that have either fallen or been pushed over. They make a sort of structure that you are barely able to slip into.
After wandering for nearly an hour Marco finaly spots something he can use as a temporary shelter.
He slips through the trees and quickly tries to make himself comfortable, thinking it best to sleep to get rid of his hangovers.
Marco is teared from his sleep by some distant sound of an unknown creature.
He rubs his eyes and looks around disoriented. A thousand thoughts flies through his mind
This is even worse sober! Why am i here?
He looks at the fallen trees that have provided him shelter for the night.
well this is certainly not a durable solution. I need to find some proper place to stay if i am to get off this stinking island. Urgh, i can't think straight with my stomach complaining like this. Okay, food first, then a place to stay.
Suddenly he stop and gets a panicked look on his face. He quickly go through his gear and relax as he discover that none is missing.
He pack up his things and sets out to find some food.
Hide and move silently 1d20+9=28, 1d20+9=10
Survival 1d20-1=3, looks like he will go hungry today
Potential attack roll 1d20+11=17, 1d20+6=16
damage 1d6+5=6, 1d6+5=9
sneak attack 2d6=7, 2d6=8
Selyne stretches and flexes languidly upon her high branch. Content to relax in the warm morning sun and observe the large, beautifully coloured creature standing by the canoe woman's side.
Perception Check:1d20+10->[20,10]=(30)
Viewing the majestic stature of the beast she is sad that she hasn't come across any here on her island. Making friends with such a creature holds much more appeal than trying to snuggle up with 'Bobo' the lake lizard.
She giggles quietly at the thought of any one trying to make friends with most of the lizards around the island. The monsters being great big, stupid stomachs on legs; pretty much all of them. Assuming there aren't mouths full of dagger sized teeth between the admirer and the stomachs!
Unlimbering her whip, she deftly uses it to lower herself down onto a closer branch, though still careful to be quiet and stay well out of reach. The new animal appears to be 'friendly' with the canoe woman, but Selyne is still unsure as to how much the animal has eaten recently. Perhaps it's saving the woman for a snack?
taking note of the child's tracks, Tsu follows the tracks, keeping in mind that though these people seem like 2 adults and a child, she should never assume anything, sheathing her weapon and getting her wand out of her pack.
wand in her belt, she approaches the space between the trees with empty hands.
"Kiara, stay on edge, we may have to defned ourselves at a moment's notice."
knowing that Kiara probably can't understand much, Tsu always feels better talking to Kiara instead of treating her like a dumb animal, because on some level, Kiara is just as smart as her master.
Tsu makes sure to take note of her surroundings, there is no use in getting ambushed by cannibals, this island may be even worse than just uninhabitable.
"Look alert Kiara, look for any sign of ambush."
Selyne watches canoe girl and her critter stare about searching the scene. She sighs, surely they can see where the Dwarf, Hawk eyes and Rabbit boy have gone to? She slips her blow gun out and loads a dart into the end. Taking a breath and a bead on the mountain side that moved earlier she presses pert lips to the end and...
'Pffffwt!'
Aims for the broad side of the mountain.
Attack roll (Not sure of distance):
'Plink'
Tsu realises that Kiara has noticed something, and due to her previous command to Kiara, the tiger drops into a semi-crouch and growls in the general direction of the new scent.
Tsu clears her throat and speaks loudly and clearly in common.
"I know you are there, I do not know if you can understand me, or if you even care, but I do not mean you any harm."
giving her companion the command of desist, the tiger stops growling, but eyes off the direction as only a predator can.
"If you come out we may be able to talk, and you may be able to help me, im stranded here, and some shelter and company would not go unwanted. Animals can only say so much."
Tsu sits cross legged, facing the direction of the scent Kiara noticed and awaits patiently for a reply.
Selyne frowns. Canoe girl must be bluffing, she and her animal aren't even looking up into the tree where she's laying. As for animals talking, the idea makes Selyne's eyebrows kink in puzzlement. Roaring, crashing about, screams and other loud noises, yes. Actual word sounds, no.
Selyne loads another dart and fires at the mountainside.
'Pfffwt!'
Attack Roll:
'Plink!'
Tsu Kaori Listen Check: 1d20+9=16
Tsu hears the sound of something coming from the direction she was already heading. Not wanting to expose a native lookout and due to the lack of response she recived she decides that the best course of action is to head in the direction of the tracks of the 3 people.
"well if you don't want to talk, that is fine, but if you do, i will be heading over there, but dont sneak up on me, Kiara is not one for surprise meetings with strangers."
Tsu stands and brushes off the dirt and grass and starts to head off in the direction of the tracks she was following shortly before.
"Kiara, Come, Defend."
The canoe woman says, "well if you don't want to talk, that is fine, but if you do, i will be heading over there, but dont sneak up on me, Kiara is not one for surprise meetings with strangers."
She stands and brushes off the dirt and grass and starts to head off in the direction of the tracks she was following shortly before.
"Kiara, Come, Defend."
Selyne purses her lips in thought as the pair walk towards the Gnome mountain. First waiting until the pair have gone a good distance away from her perch (abut thirty odd feet if possible?), she flicks the whip free of herself with long practiced skill, then deftly flick/wraps it around the tree branch on which she stands up on. Then she simply steps off the branch, allowing the whips coils to act as a friction brake against the bark of the tree, slowing her fall into a graceful descent. She drops the last few feet and with a twist of her wrist has the whip unhooked off the tree and falling and wrapping around her arms and waist again.
As she again fastens the whips handle onto its wrist bracelet, Selyne drops into a comfortable crouch, her now empty hands resting on her thighs. Waiting for the canoe girl to stop and 'talk'. Though Selyne still keeps careful ears on the jungle behind her and careful eyes the actions of Kiara, the named predator in front of her.
Spot Roll
Tsu notes the noise behind her and before her companion can react, Tsu issues the command "Down, Kiara."
Tsu turns around to face whoever had just swung down from the trees, only to stand face to face with a 6 ft amazon.
"Hello, my name is Tsu Kaori, I seem to be stranded here, and a little local knowledge would be greatly appreciated. but firstly, do you know who went through here, there seems to be 3 people, one seems to be a young child."
Tsu motions for the stranger to come forward.
"Kiara, Down, Stay! Don't worry, Kiara isn't all that dangerous, just over protective."
Tsu scratches Kiara under the chin, knowing all to well that Kiara likes that alot.
The canoe woman turns at the sound of Selyne settling onto the grass and issues a command "Down, Kiara."
Looking to whoever had just swung down from the trees, she finds herself staring at a crouching 6 ft amazon.
"Hello, my name is Tsu Kaori, I seem to be stranded here, and a little local knowledge would be greatly appreciated. but firstly, do you know who went through here, there seems to be 3 people, one seems to be a young child." She motions for the stranger to come forward.
"Kiara, Down, Stay! Don't worry, Kiara isn't all that dangerous, just over protective." Tsu Kaori scratches Kiara under the chin.
Selyne frowns a little, still wary of Kiara, though known, it is still another large predator even if Tsu Kaori seems to have its measure. Selyne points to herself and says simply,
"Selyne." Her frown deepens a little more as her voice cracks from disuse, how long has it been since she's used speaking sounds? Her mind quickly refocusing on the important question.
"You follow the Dwarf, the tall sharp eyed woman, um, Elf? and the Halfling?" Selyne also points to the tracks that Tsu was following, then continues,
"I follow them from the cloud canoe that brought you here. They entered the mountain there." She again points to the great mass of stone.
Selyne stays wary, still keeping an eye on Kiara, though now the jungle behind her gets more attention.
Look:
Listen:
For just a moment, you catch a glimpse of some one or something in the trees. What ever it is moves away quickly and without a sound, moving east.