Manu nods once and takes off toward the sounds of fighting, wishing to get eyes on the situation before making any changes to their safety or plans.
Your group makes it's way to where the skirmish is coming from you see a dozen Gith surrounding a single female elf. The Gith have crude stone weapons and she is surely to die or something worse.
Manu will move forward on his init drawing his sword.
Davros winces as the sword cleanly cut's through the elf's body."The elf wasn't going to be of any use to us."
Davros readies his crossbow and aims for the nearest gith.
Davros arrow strikes true piercing one of the Giths hide and appears to stun it.
Tydus attempts to reduce the amount of opponents as efficiently as possible, even with surprise, 12 on 4 would be a difficult task...
Slumber - Psion
sleeping
sleeping
sleeping
sleeping
sleeping
5 of the Giths drop to the ground snoring immediately. A familiar ability you have seen Tydus use before with his crazy mind games.
Davros attempts to finish the kill and aims towards the stunned Gith.
Manu started off moving slowly and purposefully like a stalking cat toward the Gith but as the others decide the opening shots. Like a wagon he picks up speed beginning to run toward the gith like a locomotive. He strikes the Gith2 with all the momentum of his charge behind the blade.
The Gith that Manu swings is is cut in half with the magical blade almost as if he was cutting through butter!
(Stunned)
Round 1: [Gith Passives (Dodge - 14, Block - 11, , Parry - 11, Soak - 11)]
Elf - 16
Gith11 - 14
Gith4 - 13
Gith7 - 13
Davros - 12
Tydus - 12
Gith12 - 12
Gith9 - 11
Manu - 8
Gith3 - 8 (Stunned)
#######################
The elf looks a bit shocked seeing a Half-Giant, Mul and Halfling jump in and drop some of the Gith that were surrounding her but she takes advantage of the situation. She lashes out with her bone sword at the closest Gith near her (#11).
The sword harmlessly bounces off the Giths own ewapon!
##
Gith11, 4 and 7 see half their group drop in mere seconds and run into the hills!
##
Davro's bolt strikes true once again inflicting more wounds into the Gith3!
##
Tydus concentrates his mind again trying to end this fight quickly.
The three remaining Gith slump to the ground sleeping!
Gith9 see's his other Kin drop to the ground and runs for the hills as well!
Manu gains a deeper respect for the Mul's strength in The Way and he seems to have no limits to his mental slumber. Still he prefers a sword to fickle mind games that may backlash on the user if overtaxed. He begins butchering the Gith who sleep on the ground methodically before turning to the elven woman, assessing her to see if she intends to attack.
Tydus breaths heavy as he has used his powers 3 times this day already and is putting strain on his mind. "Best if we dispatch them quickly then bloody ourselves up."
The elf woman looks to the group still holding her sword in hand and appears to be nervous but she makes no action to attack the group.
"Who are you and why did you help me?"
Manu finished his butchery and turns toward the elven woman looking her up and down. "Tell us who it is that 12 Gith were attacking and perhaps we shall tell you who we are. I figured Jura Dai would travel in greater numbers to avoid such encounters."
The elf puts her sword away when she feels like she isn't danger from you trio and smiles gratefully.
"My name is Jengi and I am the daughter of the of the chief of the Jura Dai. Why are you traveling so close too our stronghold?"
Davros checks every body to make sure of their passing before whispering to Tydus. "Shall we pose as allies? We can even use the elf we killed earlier as bait."
"We are escaped slaves from Urik. We are trying to find water but have been only barely surviving the harsh desert. We saw the fight and decided to even the odds some."
The elf eyes Manu cautiously trying to gauge if he's telling the truth and notices the Halfling whispering to the Mul.
"What's your names ex-slaves?"
"Manu."
The Mul looks at the Elven woman, "I am Tydus".
He then nods to the Halfling, "My friend is right to whisper, if you are the daughter of the Chief, why are you out here alone and without an honor guard of some sort? Your story seems off..."
The elf blushes a bit.
"Well I was out here taking a nap when those filthy creatures attacked me. I must say I'm a bit embarrassed about the whole situation."
Manu scratches his chest idly. "Odd place to fall asleep. Dangerous too. You know where we can get water?"
Davros begins chuckling as he attempts to hide his smile under his hand. "Sleeping... why are you by yourself and why sleep here?"
The elf blushes some more.
"Personal reasons. You can come back with me to our stronghold and I can get you some water. My father will be pleased to know that I am safe and those who have saved me."
Tydus shakes his head in agreement, "Yes that would be helpful Jengi. Thank you".
Davros's mouth waters as he trails behind the group.
Jengi leads you to the stronghold. It's a short distance away from where you found her and when you see it in the distance it looks like a fortress of the ancients as best to describe it.
There are guards outside the main gates and they let you through after Jengi explains you are with her. The two towers (1 and 2) are surrounded by rubble and now stand only about ten feet tall, with no roofs.
The road past the two broken towers leads into the fortress. There are more guards at this entrance but they let you through with no issue with Jengi.
There are around 30 elves in the courtyard area as you pass through and she leads you directly to the great tower (10).
When you enter the great tower you are immediately escorted to the great hall of the tower. There were two sentries at the entrance. Inside the tower there are several dozen elves talking when you enter and they all stand quiet when they see their new guests.
Jengi approaches an older elf but still appears to be in very good shape and sharp features.
Father! After she greets her father she looks back to your group. "These fine adventures saved my live out in the barrens from a pack of Giths."
The chief just eyes your group.
Tydus gives his best grin and waits for the Chief to address the group, if worst comes to worst he will use his powers to cut their numbers but hopes it will not come to that. After all it would be suicide...
Davros unease is evident as his eyes jolt between the elves inside the tower.
The Tribe Leader greets each of you individually with the warrior clasp hand to forearm.
"Thank you for saving my daughter. But I have a question for you. Why were you so closer to our stronghold."
"There is an oasis near here but the water seemed... wrong. With few other options we began wandering hoping to find someone traveling with water that we could barter with. You see we are freed slaves and not so familiar with this area. That is when we came upon the sounds of battle. As for why we saved your daughter well, who trusts the Gith?"
He looks at Tydus curriously.
"Your freed slaves from Urik? We have no love for Urik as they have taken many of our kin as slaves and are just waiting for the right time to strike back!"
Manu remains quiet content to observe for now in this environment as things seem to be progressing. He idly looks about the tower chamber, taking in the place for where the Druid might be hidden. He also looks to see if he recognizes any of the elves from the caravan ambush.
"Do you have water? My thirst is great."
The chief motions toward one of the other elves and they bring you each a water skin.
"Where is your interesting little band of heroes headed to? We could supply you with enough food and water to make it a few days in the desert for saving my daughters life."
Manu doesn't need to pretend to be thirsty as he gratefully takes the waterskin from the elf and hesistanting only a minute to taste it with a slow sip for any hint that might show it is poisoned, begins to drink if there is no signs. When he has sated his thirst he wipes his mouth with the back of one hamfist and looks down at the chieftain. "Haven't given it much thought beyond away from Urik and slavers seeking to reclaim us. Are there any settlements nearby with need for freemen?"
"Rumors are that Kalak is dead and Tyr is now a free city. We havn't been there recently to occupied with Urik."
You do not see anywhere in the current area your in where they could be hiding someone.
"Perhaps Tyr then is a place we might find a way of life, though it will be a harsh trip without any water to make it there. Have you any advice you would share with us?"
Tydus drinks the water as well, "We have had a long harrowing journey, perhaps a night under a safe route along with water before we start our long journey?"
The chief grins.
"Of course. You may stay here the night but you will leave when the sun rises. Our tribe does not keep with outsiders but will make this exception for you three."
Manu nods, the words of Tydus accomplishing what might of arm could not here. "We respect this and will leave before the Dark Sun rises heading toward Tyr then." Manu waits to be dismissed, eager to have a little freedom to explore.
Tydus nods his head, "We thank you for the water, shelter and information Chieftain. We will abide by your wishes. You are quite right no Outsiders should remain".
The chief nods.
"My daughter will lead you out and where you can rest."
Jengi takes you all back out to the courtyard where you see around 30+ elves working and milling about. She points to an area where there is some soft ground and hay.
"You may rest there until sun rise and then the guards will lead you out of the fortress. Stay out of the fortress buildings." She heads back into the biggest building again where you just left after she leaves you.
Manu looks at the others silently not speaking but communicating much with his looks. His eyes travel to the small halfling and he gives a small nod to him. "I think I will see if any of these elves wish to have a spar or a drink with a gladiator before sunset. Perhaps we will speak of things. I will return here at sunset and hopefully we can all be ready to leave on the morrow."
Manu heads toward a group of elves in the courtyard looking for the toughest looking one to engage in conversation, hopefully drawing attention to himself and allowing a certain less noticeable bard to look around some.
A group of elves watch Manu intently as he approaches them. Their hands rest on their weapons as if awaiting the half giant to try something foolish and dare them to cut him down. One of the elves stands out a bit being taller and more muscular than the others.
"Just because the chief is letting you stay the night doesn't mean your welcome to join us here."
Tydus motions to Davos to head away for his "investigations".
In the meantime, the Mul will set up a small patch of hay (think Halfling scarecrow) within an article of the Halflings' clothing to fool those who do not look too closely at the group.
The half giant looks down on the muscular elven man not intimidated by the numbers or scowl they give him as if daring him to try anything.
"I do not seek your company. I was merely curious if any of your knew how to actually fight or if striking back at Urik is simply a dream. Have any of you actually struck against Urik?"
All the attention seems to be on Manu and the group of elves now. No one is paying attention to the little Halfling and Mul.
The elf scowls at Manu.
"More times than you can probably count to. You were probably once one of the guards of Urik and they turned on you perhaps you got to greedy or some other ill fate."
He spits on the ground at Manu's feet.
"I do not like your kind, stay away from us."
He turns his back to Manu.