Alis shakes her head. "Thanks, but I've got her, honest. I'd rather have your bow and eyes at the ready in case we run afoul of any other cannibals. That was impressive marksmanship you displayed, Priyya - I can't match that."
Taking up the map of Reaver's Shiv, Priyya adds a note showing the location of the ambush for later reference.
"By the by," she looks at both of you, "if we see any more giants, I want for either myself or Lureene try charming one of them like we did that berserker. Well, before he got spooked... We need more intel, and it seems pretty clear to me with all the traps we've found that Ieana is either a master trap-smith, or more likely she charmed herself a guide of her own."
Priyya looks slightly dissatisfied. "I wish my arrows hit harder. I've heard there are arrows that are fell to specific types of creatures. I'm of a mind to load up a quiver full of those if I can ever find some for sale THEN you'll see some devastating archery."
"Hmm," she thinks for a moment, casting her gaze down at the dainty rapier, and clockwork crossbow on her baldric, "I know how you feel, trust me..."
"If-"
No.
"When we reach Port Eldarion, I want to investigate the possibility of obtaining some more of those elemental crystals like the one Felmor has on the sword from Kassen's crypt. Something like that would certain help to close the gap."
Mal's eyes narrow on Alis, then shift to the others presence, as if looking for something, then settle once again on Alis. The whole time there is an unanswered question in them. You're surprised when he responds in a calmly quiet tone, though frustration is plainly evident, "Let me make sure I understand what is going on here. You think my tactics back there were not only stupid, but you think that was some kind of macho-woodsy display? That i was wasting my time with that opponent and putting you all in danger?"
His voice has been climbing slowly, and he takes a calming breath, crossing his arms to keep his hands busy before he continues. "That," and hebgestures to the fallen opponent with his chin, "was not 'easy' for me. The time i took in the fog was not me playing some game. I had to draw out the necessary power to be able to do that. While i was doing so, i tried to use my position and that of Little Sister to cut off his approach to the rest of you. Obviously I miscalculated what he would do. I thought he would try to follow you through the fog... he surprised me by bypassing me altogether."
He takes another look at Lureene, then at Priyya. "I don't take lightly what she does. And you seem to believe I go out of my way to have her drop everything to fix my needless actions. You asked why Larathiel put me on this team. A time or two I've asked myself that same question. But think about this. She DID put me here, and I have to believe it was intentional. Which means it was because of my strengths and drive to succeed. Believe that. As much as you believe me stupid, arrogant, foolhardy, or too bullish, she believes in my abilities. Believes in them enough that shebputbmebin this group to guide and protect her own kin. And even if I didn't realize the gravity of hat decision on her part, I would still take this mission deadly serious... it's what i do."
He pauses for another calming breath, "Now, if you have better ideas than I do on the field, I'd be happy to hear them in the moment when I can do something about them instead of - as you say - needlessly endangering someone i also think is worth saving."
He then waits for Alis's response, obviously thinking this sort of conversation is important enough to stop what they are doing.
I actually thought that dropping the fog and forming a wall with Mal/Tal was the smart way to play it, and I just want to make sure I understand the motivation behind the speech of your DMPC.
"I don't know Mal... maybe it wasn't your intent to endanger us, maybe you didn't understand what had happened to that berserker when he released me. Only you can know those things, I'm not about to try and read your thoughts." Alis sighs, and her tone softens seeming less commanding and more concerned. "To be frank, it scares me when you let your wild side take you like that. I never know if you are just going to get lost in it and never come back, if I'm going to find you tearing out my throat if I make a sudden move."
"So no, I'm not really sure what your strategy was back there. I don't even fully understand the abilities that you and Larathiel employ. However, I do know that yours abilities are far more primal than hers are right now. Mal, she's about a hundred years older than us. It's not even been 20 years since her father adopted Alexis and I and we've never really been that close."
"I have no way of knowing if the way you are right now is just a part of the training your company goes thru or if this is something else. I'm not entirely sure if I should want to find out either. I don't know if Lara sent you along with me to make me tougher, to encourage you to temper your instincts with reason, or simply because she thought it would be a funny prank to play on the both of us. Still, she's never had much of a sense of humor so I'd like to think she had a specific purpose in mind on both counts. Otherwise, why not just send someone like Arion, Tiniel, or Miss Nell with me instead? After all, it's not like I was supposed to end up in the jungle itself..."
She frowns and looks with concern at Lureene as she begins rambling again. "Anyway, I suppose we need to tend to matters here at hand. I don't imagine our fight was so stealthy that others couldn't have heard it."
"And Mal," she says, pausing as she helps Lureene take a few steps, "I don't doubt your fighting ability or your determination. Just bear in mind that not all of us can contribute to a fight the same way as your marine unit. The way you are used to fighting with them... we can't match that — at least Lureene and I can't. You might need to rethink some of your strategies to account for the fact that we aren't all rough necks. For some of us, turning the enemy to our side or defusing a fight, like Lureene tried, is the best contribution we can make. It can be a powerful benefit too, don't be too eager to dismiss it..."
Priyya lapses into silence, thinking about the dressing down to which, unfortunately, she was witness. She was hard-pressed not to jump to Mal's defense, but is that because of logic, or loyalty, or desire? In the end, she said nothing because she wasn't in their chain-of-command. In that military relationship even tendering her opinion could be seen, rightly so, as unwanted interference. But the conflict remains for Priyya, whether to speak or not, because she was dragged unwittingly into the exchange. She reflects on what was said of her...
"I hate that we're always having to depend on you like this especially, when it could have possibly been avoided."
Priyya considers the battle. She doesn't know what went on in the fog bank but she was glad for the possible cover it provided. She recalls staring at the archer on the hill, anticipating how many others might be up there with bigger things to hurl down at her - like boulders.
Yes, if there had been more of them, that cover would have been quite welcome."...it's an abuse of Priyya's station to have to keep asking a Surya-ka-Vahaak to step away from their fight to keep healing others like this all the time."
Priyya assesses herself. I would rather be in a fight than supporting one but if victory is obtained, do I have a right to want a larger measure of the glory? And, in this fight at least, I was delivering more justice than healing. Still, Alis is clearly talking about more than just this battle.
She sighs inwardly. No matter how much Priyya would rather avoid it, she considers the rest of Alis' words.
"...Sasha isn't the only woman here who fancies you as mate... It's an abuse of her heart to let yourself and those she cares about get torn-up and hurt without need."
Just recalling the comment causes Priyya to blush furiously with a mortifying pang of embarrassment.
I'd like to think she meant TEAM mate but comparing me to Sasha's idea of being Mal's mate... and then mentioning my heart... well...Why did you go there of all places, Alis?
Priyya steps away from the discussion as inconspicuously as possible. She keeps an eye open for trouble, scratches Talvyra's ears, and compliments the big cat on her bravery.
Priyya considers the battle. She doesn't know what went on in the fog bank but she was glad for the possible cover it provided. She recalls staring at the archer on the hill, anticipating how many others might be up there with bigger things to hurl down at her - like boulders.
Yes, if there had been more of them, that cover would have been quite welcome.
[ REAVER'S SHIV: Map | Position (016) | Overland Rules ]
With little else left to be said, Mal proceeds to scout the top of the cliffs while Priyya covers him with her bow.
Atop the cliffs he finds a large albeit cleverly-built hunter's blind overlooking the ambush point, and a stake that has been freshly pulled from the earth — no doubt the manual trigger for the snare that caught Alis. Outside, there are deep footprints leading straight back from the cliff where it appears that the berserker must have begun running to haul their prize up and away.
Within bowshot, and just visible thru a thin area of the trees, another small river leading away to the south is visible. The ranger is able to make out what appears to be an over-sized canoe pulled up on the bank with foot prints leading to and from that general direction. Based on the tracks in the area, he concludes that this is some sort of look-out point, and a strategic one at that. Looking to the south and north from the top of the cliff, he can see the entirety of the mile-long gorge cutting thru the plateau on which he and Priyya stand.
Just as he is about to head back down, something else of interest catches his eye. Outlined against the last rays of the setting sun, he makes out two giants sneaking north along the eastern cliff. They keep looking over their shoulder to the south. The two disappear thru a break in the jungle perhaps a quarter-mile south of the ambush point seemingly oblivious to the grim hunter watching their every move. Based on their leaner builds and the manner of their dress, it appears to be a pair of adolescents, a male and a female.
Once the two are out of sight, he motions for Priyya to come out from behind the hunter's blind and the two return to where Alis and Lureene are down below. He finds that the two have taken the down-time to tend to their hunger and thirst, their appetites a bit better now that the island is beginning to cool down.
For her part, Lureene's attention is a bit better and she doesn't keep nodding off as frequently, but she still seems to have the attention span of a child, her concussion obviously still affecting her.
"There's a canoe sized for giants pulled up along a creek to the west. Definitely a permanent look-out point of some sort so I'd expect additional scouts at some point depending on their rotation."
"One other thing," he scowls with annoyance, wiping sweat from his brow. "I spied a couple more giants, male and female, teen-aged I'd guess, that were sneaking along the cliff just south of here on the eastern side. They looked like they were more concerned with being followed from the south and only risked a few glances at the lookout point. Pretty sure they didn't see Darkmane or I, she was in a blind up top. Anyway, they disappeared thru a break in the trees heading east."
Stealth Checks, take 10
Survival Checks
Perception Checks
Lureene looks across at her sister and gives her a big hug. ”Thank’s Sis for the food, it was delicious! I hope I did not eat everything we had, I am really hungry for some reason, and my head is pounding still. I hope it stops hurting as it is really distracting.” She looks around and notes it is getting dark, which causes her to yawn mightily, stretching her wings out.
Once Mal and Priyya have returned to the group, she asks them, with a note of plaintiveness, ”Are we going to return to camp now?”
Priyya smiles slightly at Mal's assessment. "I suspect our teen giants were sneaking off for a little 'alone' time. Guard your eyes when you scout or you may become more versed in giant anatomy than you care to be."
Alis notices Lureene's gaze drop from her face to her chest as she giggles a bit. "Hey! My eyes are up here, sunshine."
Not waiting for the pseudo-succubus to quit snickering, Alis asks, "Mal, about how far have we come today?"
When the big man's reply comes back as, 'about 10 miles, maybe 12,' she gives a soft whistle.
"So we're talking at least three hours back tonight, then another three to return to where we are right now in the morning..."
She gives Lureene a dubious look before grabbing her arm as she almost falls off the boulder where they are sitting.
Well, guess maybe I'll have to pretend to be a pillow after all...
"And if it rains again and the trail gets any colder, and someone finds our handiwork here... Priyya, what's your opinion on us–" the words practically stick in her throat, "roughing it for tonight? I don't think El's in any state to travel that far even if we carried her."
"I think our best option is to find as safe a spot as possible around here to bivouac. Heading back defeats the purpose of having come this far and won't do Lureene much good. And we better get off the trail and head a pretty good distance away from here. When they find these bodies, all hell is going to break loose up here. If we're very lucky, they'll blame it on Ieana."
She thinks for a moment, "That one fellow seemed to smell Lureene. We've got to lose our scent somehow... maybe by going along a stream or something."
Priyya and Mal look at the map of Reaver's Shiv together and a 'Hmm' that sounds more like a growl or a grumble rumbles from Mal's chest. "There's that creek to the west of the blind, but you don't find a canoe unless you travel by water. Look, if the map's right it runs all the way to the sea, right past where Gelik's got a potential lighthouse marked."
He green eyes continue scanning, and he points to the top of the cliff just southeast of where you are now. "It looks like there must be another spring right near here, right where those cannibal youths went."
"The same ones looking for some 'alone time' as Priyya put it, huh?"
Mal nods.
Lureene struugles to focus on the conversation, but her vision is still quite blurry, and her head keeps pounding This is like a hangover right, but I don't remember drinking anything... so she rubs her temple instead, and murmers softly, "Maybe we should follow them anyway, after all if there are undead here, then the giants would not stay outside of their village, right? Why does it seem so far now?"
"Well, the threat of undead doesn't seem to be stopping our two young lovers at all. In fact, it makes me curious if they know of a good hiding spot where we be safe. As for following Ieana's trail, I'm good to keep on going, although I'm worried about the head injury you took, El."
"Like I said this morning, I planned for a long day. We don't want to stay on this trail for any longer than we have to. We're too exposed here and those teens would have spotted us if we hadn't stopped."
A sudden thought occurs to the hunter and he turns his cold, green eyes to Priyya. "'Sneaking off for alone time', huh? If we're going to have to fight a whole village of giants, it would be better to thin the herd when we have the advantage, Darkmane. If they are headed to an isolated spot right now the so much the better if it's someplace they know others won't look."
Alis looks about to object to the idea on principle but stops for a moment to consider Mal's point.
Killing two lovers in the act is beyond vile, but they are cannibals. Cannibalism is a blasphemy against all the gods of civilization, especially Súmalya. Mal's right too, they almost certainly have us at the disadvantage in terms of terrain and numbers, and Lureene does need a place to rest...
"Priyya, Lureene, what are your thoughts on Mal's suggestion?"
Lureene closes her eyes and rubs her temple, stifling a yawn. "I think Mal is right, we should check out this hiding place and see if it would make a suitable resting spot. Plus if they are indeed in the act of love, then it should be a simple manner to eliminate them." She pauses, then an idea comes to her, "Maybe I can charm one of them as well, they may know where Ieana and Kovack were headed." It occurs to the others, there may have been some short term memory loss here.
Alis perks up at Lureene's suggestion. "Actually, you and I could each charm one of them. That way if one them them resists, perhaps the other one will still back us..."
"Works for me. And if you can't control them, we kill one or both."
"Well, if we do attempt to charm them, remember that just because we might suddenly become good friends doesn't mean they won't care about you inserting sharp objects into their lover. Pretty sure that will break any charms Lureene or I are have yet mastered..."
"I'm pretty sure their un-charmed lover isn't just going to stand around while we borrow their significant other. If we can't control both then there is going to be trouble. I don't see a way around that."
Lureene nods to the Surya-ka-Vahaak, "Yes, I agree with you. It only takes one to raise the alarm, especially if Ieana told them about us beforehand. Still, we do have the element of surprise, let's not waste it..."
While Priyya and Talvyra bound up the cliff like goats and Alis follows with a bit more care in the moonlight, it takes Mal and Lureene a good bit longer to make their ascent with the big man having to catch the shaky wizardess more than a few times during the climb.
Once all of you have made it, it's only a short distance to a break in the trees where a creek does indeed bubble up from a generous spring that rises from the plateau. A number of monkeys, and other inhabitants flee back to the trees at your approach, and somewhere you hear one scream out briefly in terror as it is mauled by a waiting predator. That sends King Tut into a panic and he clings tightly to his mistress' chest rather than perching on her more exposed hair or shoulder.
After about half an hour, Mal gets your attention and points to a trail on the south side of the creek. The overgrown jungle path leads to a small clearing where a partially collapsed hit, sized for a giant, stands on the banks of the gurgling stream. It is from there that you can hear the urgent grunting and moaning of the two cannibal youths still engaged in fornication, none the wiser to your presence. From Mal's hand signs, you discern that they must be inside.
The hut itself seems to have been made from a combination of driftwood, and tree trunks, with a roof of wide leaves and strips of rotten canvas sail. The front door to the hut hangs partially ajar. Dozens of bones and skulls — quite obviously of human origin — decorate the hut and the surrounding area, each bearing numberous nicks and scratches.
Perception Checks
Stealth Checks
Survival Checks
you can hear the urgent grunting and moaning of the two cannibal youths still engaged in fornication... they must be inside.
As you get closer, suddenly the girl hisses urgently to her mate saying something none of you save Alis understand. Gritting her teeth, she points to Priyya and holds a finger to her lips then looks to Lureene and nods for her to get ready.
A moment later, the two naked youths emerge, the boy first, holding a gladius, and the girl behind him holding a tattered hide over herself in one hand and what looks to be a human-sized shortsword in the other, that she holds like a dagger.
Calling out to them in the native tongue of Malatesta that she noted the others speaking earlier, their heads snap around just in time to meet the gazes of the two tiny blondes. Instantly their shoulders relax and they stand up straight, seemingly relieved. After a while, Alis waves to Mal and Priyya to come out of hiding. The two giants tense a bit at the more dangerous look of the darkmanes, but it seems a simple matter for the princess to convince them that you're ok.
When the two of them head back inside to quickly get dressed, Alis turns to the rest of you and says, "Well that went well. Apparently this is some sort of sacred site to their clan commemorating a great battle over an 'ancient foe'. Not sure how ancient it can be since the ships lost in Malatesta's assault on Port Eldarion wasn't even a century ago but... Anyway, normally no one from their clan comes here let alone enters because of superstition. An ideal make-out spot for these two, but they assure me that no one else knows about their trysting spot."
"Alsooo, they wanted to know if we are with the other two newcomers. It seems that a bossy human woman in green robes, and an older man with a scruffy face were escorted to their village by one of their scouts just yesterday. Klorak, their chieftain, even gave the woman quarters in a tower there, although they aren't sure what happened to the man. I told them that we were, but needed to get a bit of rest for the night before continuing and that directions for in the morning would be appreciated."
Smiling broadly, the motions for Priyya to get the map out and points to the spot where Gelik had a lighthouse marked. "The boy said that their village is on the promontory by the bay on this corner of the island, at the end of the trail. His lover was quick to make sure we understood to stay on the south side of the bay though since apparently there is an 'evil spirit' they all fear that lives in a giant tree on a hill to the north of there. She also warned to make sure we don't step in any of the traps along the way. There's ones at most of the trail intersections, one as you approach the bay, and another two as you go south and then west along the trail we were on just a moment ago."
After a few more moments, the lovers reemerge, now dressed and ready to leave you in peace. In the moonlight, you can see that they are deeply tanned, and have decorated their bodies with scars, particularly pentagrams. Their teeth have been filed to sharp points, and their wild-eyed expressions hint at mental instability. You can also make out that they seem a bit deformed, perhaps due to excessive inbreeding and isolation over the long years.
As a loud scream splits the night air, the ugly girl cringes a bit and tugs on her mate's arm. Setting his jaw, the lean boy points towards the south-east and begins talking which Alis translates as he goes. "Across the crab-claw-shaped water, a single tall mountain is sacred to their people. Red Mountain, they call it. A devil lives there to whom they make frequent sacrifices for protection. Animals usually are the sacrifices, but at least once a year, someone of our size. He says the sacrifices protect the giants, but he and the girl do not think we would enjoy the same protections. Anyway, if the Red Mountain Devil is already awake and hunting, they say they should leave before Klorak the Red, their chieftain, or Malikadna, their tribe's witch, note them missing. Apparently, the chieftain is the only one allowed to father children, so the boy is taking a great risk going against him."
As the two shift their weight from foot to foot, their lust-induced bravery diminishing, Alis turns and asks, "Did we have any other questions or requests for them?"
Diplomacy (Attitude Adjustment) DC 9
helpful
[ REAVER'S SHIV: Map | Position (017) | Overland Rules ]
Lureene is having trouble following the conversation, as the pounding in her skull has increased. Still, she focused on what 'Lis has told her about the situation. One thing she found interesting of note was the fact Kovack was no longer with Ieana. Maybe she no longer needed his protection, or possible he has served her purpose already...but what could it be?
Then inpiration struck her. She motions for Alis to ask the two giant youths, "Ask them when the next human sacrifice is scheduled to take place, please."
Alis and the giants converse for a few moments, and she replies, "Apparently at the next full moon, so about three weeks from now or so. Although, they obviously need to have some humans to sacrifice first. Apparently at Ieana's suggestion, Klorak sent some scouts to search the island to see if there were any other survivors..."
Lureene starts at the news, "Ohh I hope Sash and the others are OK...let me check on them now..." She then establishes a link with Grak, asking him the status of the camp and everyone therein. Assuming they have not been discovered yet, she instructs the others to hunker down and hide out as best they can.
Priyya observes drily, "Well that was thoughtful of her."
When Lureene tries to communicate with Grak, she finds that she can't sense him. It's like he isn't there.
Lureene looks up at the others, "Ummm, I think we have a problem here. I cannot sense Grak at all."
Thru the throbbing in her skull, Lureene vaguely recalls a brief bit of conversation from earlier...
"Mal, about how far have we come today?"
"About 10 miles, maybe 12."
Her eyes suddenly go wide as she realizes she's never been this far away from Grak before. Although she had never really given it any thought, it suddenly dawns on her that–
Oooh lightning bug!
"Uhm El, you still with us here?"
Shaking it off, Lureene realizes that it's entirely possible she's traveled beyond the limits of the range at which she and Grak can communicate.
Did he get unsummoned too?
Lureene smiles weakly, "Well, I think I just passed beyond the range where we can communicate mentally." She glances worriedly in that direction, "At least I hope that is all it is.".
Lureene sighs, "So the bottom line is, they could be captured or dead already and I would not know about it." She glances back to the trail, "Hmmm, if they were captured then the scouts would have to head back along the trail right? Maybe one of us should watch it, just in case."
"Little sister and I can do that. We should keep a look-out for what happens when those bodies get discovered anyway. Provided Alis wants to stick around here."
Alis bites down on her lip at Lureene's discovery. Looking over her shoulder, she says, "Well, hopefully Sasha is being watchful enough to notice if anyone is coming... Do we have any more questions for these two? Priyya, Mal?"
"See if you can find out how many giants are in their camp at any time and about how many are in their tribe total. We need to know what we're dealing with here."
The giants scrunch their faces up a bit at the question but ultimately shrug their shoulders. Alis translates, "Besides the chief and the witch, there are as many in the camp at any time as a person has fingers. The whole tribe is a couple more than a person's fingers and toes put together... I guess they aren't very good with numbers."
"No questions here. Just wondering what's at that lighthouse and how we can bring it down on Ieana's head."
"Hmm, if there is a lighthouse, that may be our best chance for getting off the island..." Not trusting that Priyya wasn't speaking figuratively, she smirks and chides, "Priyya, I swear by all the gods, if any lighthouses get knocked down, you can forget about that little land grant we talked about."
"Besides," she winks, "aren't the members of your order supposed to be bringers and protectors of light? Wouldn't want to go getting you in trouble with your goddess now, would we?"
With that, Alis inquires as to the nature of the tower and if they know what Ieana is doing there. However, the two simply shrug, explaining that she hasn't been there long and they've been tending to other duties. They really only know about it from others gossiping about Klorak giving her space inside the special tower.
Other than that, it seem the chief purpose for which the tower gets used is as the village shrine and the chieftain's palace — the shrine being on the main floor, and the chieftain living higher up.
Lureene shrugs, after yawning once again. Clearly expending this much mental effort was tiring her out. "I wonder if we can track Kovack down. He might be able to shed some light on Ieana here. If he has been taken prisoner by the giants, then he should be thankful for us rescuing him."
"Hmm, if there is a lighthouse, that may be our best chance for getting off the island..." Not trusting that Priyya wasn't speaking figuratively, she smirks and chides, "Priyya, I swear by all the gods, if any lighthouses get knocked down, you can forget about that little land grant we talked about."
Priyya stares at the princess, answering breezily, "I can hardly be held responsible for spontaneous acts of Divinity. Towers collapse all the time... it's a crazy world."
"Besides," she winks, "aren't the members of your order supposed to be bringers and protectors of light? Wouldn't want to go getting you in trouble with your goddess now, would we?"
She grins, "Actually, you are mistaking me with the -ka-Vahaak. They embody Alita's protective aspect. My job is destruction. I guess you can kiss your lighthouse goodbye, Princess. Besides, why would you want off this wonderful island?"
"Besides, why would you want off this wonderful island?"
Lureene mutters under her breath, "Because some of us have beaus who are NOT on this island paradise!"