Please say YES!
Please say YES!
I believe you got 5900 for your loot - you spent 4000 and the 1900 left over went onto the cash you already had.
Yeah boy we $till pimpin!
The delighted Benzo shakes everyone's hand.
Untrained diplomacy at +1, if he does well maybe he nails a hongi with Te Heuheu when he gets around to him, otherwise he just "pumps his hand vigorously" with a two-handed grip
The delighted Benzo shakes everyone's hand.
Untrained diplomacy at +1, if he does well maybe he nails a hongi with Te Heuheu when he gets around to him, otherwise he just "pumps his hand vigorously" with a two-handed grip
Benzo enthusiastically takes the tohungas hand and shakes it vigorously...Perhaps a little too enthusiastically. As he pumps the tohungas arm there is an audible crack and the elderly gents cries out in pain
Aue! My arm! The tohunga winces in pain and clutches his arm. Rangi steps foward with a look of concern but the elderly armorer brushes him away
"See, that's powerful makutu. Make a little fulla like you strong enough to beat up an old fulla like me..."
The tohunga pauses for effect and, seeing Benzo's horrified face, bursts out into peals of laughter
"Don't worry about it son. All that steel you're going to bring me is worth a sore arm, eh?"
Here's the lowdown
While worn, a Sihedron medallion grants its wearer a +1 resistance bonus on all saving throws. Once per day, as a free action, it may be commanded to bestow the effects of false life on the wearer. Placed on the neck of a dead body, a Sihedron medallion preserves the body indefinitely via a gentle repose effect.
False Life is pretty boss - You harness the power of unlife to grant yourself a limited ability to avoid death. While this spell is in effect, you gain temporary hit points equal to 1d10 + 1 per caster level (maximum +10).
Izzat the caster level of the amulet or the horny green hunk whats wearin it?
Vizigog gloats over his shiny new baubles whilst a bright red Benzo apologizes profusely to the grinning Te HueHue.
The tranquility of the tohunga's grotto is suddenly shattered by the sound of shouting and running feet. Rangi stands warily as a young boy bursts into the glade. He stops and stares wide-eyed at the two adventurers before running up to te huehue and babbling excitedly as he tries to catch his breath.
The wizened old tohunga laughs and slaps the boy on the shoulder "Calm down now Hedges, what is it?"
The boy jumps from foot to foot in excitment "Koro! The chief is back! Kuia says you should come quick!"
The smile drops instantly from the tohungas face. He sighs and staggers to his feet "You fullas seem to be somehow mixed up in this business with Woodenhead and the rebels, yeah? Maybe there's gonna be war between our people and yours? Better come see what you're up against eh? Come on Hedges, let's go see if Te Ngarahu has picked up any more skulls"
With a nod to Rangi the old savage heads off down the trail, hand in hand with his grandson.
"Oh boy! A real-life Savage Chief! I gotta see this!" Benzo scurries off along the path after the tohunga.
Vizigog stuffs his loot into a sack, casts a quick glance around the now abandonded grotto and sidles over to the pile of unsold tikis and charms. As he bends down to examine them he hears a noise from the cave mouth.
"Just like Tohunga said, if you're interested in any more of our makutu then just bring us more steel, yeah?" Rangi wanders over to the pile of loot and packs the items carefully into a Waka Huia.
"Better go after your friend, eh? Those Horis get all worked up when our warrior come back from a hunt, they might mistake him for a nixie and mess him up, eh? I gotta pack up the taonga, I'll catch up in a bit"
Vizigog flashes a toothy grin and slinks off after Benzo
Vizigog soon catches up with Benzo and the tohunga who are standing at the side of the main toroughfare of the village. Groups of villagers line the path looking expectantly towrds the edge of the terrace.
Suddenly a loud conch blast shatters the silence
AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Hedges jumps up and down excitedly in the middle of the street, hooting and hollering
"They're here! They're here!"
Over the edge of terrace a rider approaches blowing on a huge horn..
AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
A great cheer rises from the gathered villagers...
AWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
okay!
Recap
Having defeated Nualia and ending her plans for Woodenhead's destruction the adventurers learned of an ancient Thassalonion ruin lurking beneath the town. This ruin contains a powerful and mysterious artifact known as a Runewell, a device that feeds on the wrathful emotions of the townsfolk above. The runewell, and the creatures that guard it, must be dealt with before they break out of their prison and threaten the town.
Two of Nualia's henchmen were captured and are currently being held by the adventuers: Lyrie, a Thassalonion expert and Tsuto, a local ne'er-do-well who worked as a go between for Nualia and the corrupt leader of the town, Kreed. Whilst Tsuto seems to have had a breakdown as a result of his ordeal, the adventurers still have his journal which contains damning evidence that may be the downfall of the logging magnate.
Having been escorted back to the savage settlement of Ruapekapeka for questioning, the adventurers rested a while, regathering their strength and awaiting the return of the savage chief, Titokowaru.
On his return, they met with the chief and were sent back to Woodenhead with a message of peace and friendship. Escorted by the Half-Aisimaar/Half-Half-Orc, Knight Rua, and in the company of Marsden, a Missionary, and the sheriff Baleson, the journey was uneventful until they reached the ancient savage ruin of Parihaka.
As they approached they were ambushed by the savage rebels of Upoko Kino. In the ensuing battle the sheriff was betrayed by one of his own men, Bruce, who wounded him severely and made off with Tsuto's journal. Fortunately Benzo was able to capture and subdue him before he escaped.
Faced with wave after wave of enemies, Rua challenged the chief of the rebel tribe, Hikioi, to a duel to decide the battle without further loss of life. After accepting the challenge the remaining warriors herd the adventurers towards the ruins of the ancient fortress where Hikioi awaits.
Having subdued the backstabbing deputy and his would-be captors, Benzo watches from the bushes, planning his next move.
Ko assured you that he would find a way to follow you to Woodenhead. However, you haven't seen any sign of him since you left the village.
Benzo creeps up to the edge of the clearing, he is not observed by the rest of the savages who are herding the adventurers towards the ruins on the hill. The priest, Marsden stands over the body of the sheriff, refusing to budge
"This man is at deaths door! Lord of light I cannot leave him here for the crows"
The savages are unmoved by his entreaties and haul him away bodily
"Lord forgive me! I will return! Lord be with you brave sheriff!" he cries as he is dragged away
The savages move away into the forest cloaking the hill and Benzo is left alone with the corpses of the fallen.
".....little warrior......I see you there.......come closer.....please....." A faint and pained voice calls out
With a grunt of pain, the sheriff shifts his body to face Benzo, fresh gouts of blood spurting onto the grass as he does so. He stares at you through a mask of pain, his eyes pleading.
"....please...."
Benzo hustles over, keeping low to the ground and keeping an eye out for observers. He scoots down next to the bloodied Sherriff.
"Don't worry boss, I got th' journal back from that weasel Gary! And I got HIM too, he's all trussed up in th' trees back there... probably having a kip, I gave him a jab right on the Third Cyadic Meridian."
He forms a Crane's Beak with one hand and taps at the air.
A bloody foam is forming at the corner of the Sherriff's mouth.
"Take it easy chief, a drop of the ol' pot. CLW will have you back on your feet in a jiffy!"
He reaches into his back and produces... an empty flask!
"'Rastil's whiskers!" he blabs, topknot standing on end.
"Uh, okay chief, you're gonna be just dandy..."
He fossicks around again and produces a leather bundle which, with trembling hands, he unrolls... a Healer's Kit!
Untrained Heal Check at +3 with +2 bonus from using the Kit...
This kit's got 7 uses left...
Benzo hustles over, keeping low to the ground and keeping an eye out for observers. He scoots down next to the bloodied Sherriff.
"Don't worry boss, I got th' journal back from that weasel BRUCE! And I got HIM too, he's all trussed up in th' trees back there... probably having a kip, I gave him a jab right on the Third Cyadic Meridian."
He forms a Crane's Beak with one hand and taps at the air.
A bloody foam is forming at the corner of the Sherriff's mouth.
"....gods be praised....here I was...'bout to waste my last breath...asking you to...track that som'b@$!+ down.....'
The sherrif grimaces in the approximation of a smile
Untrained Heal Check at +3 with +2 bonus from using the Kit...1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Whatever technique Bruce used, it has almost certainly done for the Sherrif. The two wounds are deep and ragged, arcing up from his kidneys to almost meet at his spine. He has lost a lot of blood and is pale and cold to the touch. You are amazed he is alive, let alone able to speak. The priest must have given him some healing to keep him going but it appears to be wearing off.
"Benzo.....I'm done for.....I know it.....You're a good man.....I wish I could have....got to know ya......'
His eyes roll back and he slumps onto his back, for a moment you fear the worst,but, one ragged breath later, he shudders, raises his head and stares you right in the eye
"Little pardner...if I'm gonna go meet my maker....I gotta know you're gonna see this through to the end.....This Kreed.....he can't be allowed to exploit the...people of Woodenhead...any more.....You're gonna bring himto justice fer me....ain't ya? "
With a grimace of pain he reaches a bloodied hand into his jacket
".....I want you to take this.....to my chief deputy.... llewellyn.....tell him what you learnt...about the angel girl and the rest....you can trust him...only him..."
He wrenches at something under his jacket and draws out his fist
"....Benzo.....If I'm gonna...die...I need to know...someone is....gonna look after my town....my people....when I'm gone.....If the last thing I do....is deputize you....then...by the gods....I can rest in peace....'
The sherrif thrusts an object into your palm and closes your fingers around it
"....please...Llewellyn is.....right clever but...he ain't half as...brave as you...he's gonna need your help....will ya do it...fer me...."
You open your hand to find a blood smeared metal badge in the shape of a star...
Tears well in Benzo's eyes and the edges of the deputy's badge bite into his palm as he squeezes it.
"Sheriff Baleson! By the Holy Buddies I swear, I'll see justice done!"
He rubs at one leaky eye with the heel of his hand and sniffs as Baleson coughs out his last.
Benzo gently closes the dead man's eyes, but because he's a hobbit his hand is too small to do both eyes in one smooth movement like in the movies, so he does them one at a time and for a brief moment the dead man appears to be winking.
Benzo sighs.
"I sure wish ol' Master Strokebeard was here to tell me what ta do..."
Benzo fastens the deputy's badge to the inside of his robe where it won't reflect light while he's sneaking around.
He moves quickly back into the trees and shadows the war-party up towards the fort, fearful for the fate of his companions...
Stealth check at +15
Tears well in Benzo's eyes and the edges of the deputy's badge bite into his palm as he squeezes it.
"Sheriff Baleson! By the Holy Buddies I swear, I'll see justice done!"
The sheriff lets out a great sigh and rests his head back onto the bloodied soil
"...gods..watch...over you...son....one day...you'll...be....a.......great.....sh....r....r......r....fffff...."
He rubs at one leaky eye with the heel of his hand and sniffs as Baleson coughs out his last.
Benzo fastens the deputy's badge to the inside of his robe where it won't reflect light while he's sneaking around.
He moves quickly back into the trees and shadows the war-party up towards the fort, fearful for the fate of his companions...
Quiet as a mouse, Benzo makes his way through the wooded hillside. As he approaches the summit the sound of savage voices gets louder and louder. The forest thins ahead and Benzo sees a great crowd of savages, at least a hundred, standing in a group, chanting and yelling. He crouchies behind a crumbling stone wall at the edge of the clearing and peers over to take stock of the situation.
I'm kind of imagining their sigil as these glowing hands coming together in a righteous fist-bump
Vizigog casts a regretful eye over the bodies of the unlooted fallen.
"There must be at least 400gp worth of tikis on the dead savages. The tourists will snap them up like hotcakes. Perhaps I could slip away and..."
His reverie is broken by a thump from the butt of a savages spear.
"Move your skinny ass or I'll ram this up it!"
Vizigog scowls and allows himself to be herded up the hill with the others.
Vernon seems visibility agitated, clearly worried for the Professors safety
"He's a crafty old bugger. I'm sure he's magicked himself outta danger. But still...."
Lambert, still in ape form, has climbed up onto Baasa's back.. They mutter and gibber at each other happily. Vizigog gets the feeling they are enjoying this. The savages, seeing the devastation the great beast wrought on their comrades, keep a respectful distance, spears and javelins at the ready.
Rua walks at the front of the party, seemingly without fear. His wounded companions limp along behind him, casing nervous glances at the surrounding warriors and the ancient stonework that looms out of the forest.
The forest thins ahead and opens into a wide clearing surrounded by ancient ruins. The remains of stone tower lay broken and fallen across the hilltop. Near the shattered base of the tower stand at least a hundred savage warriors standing in a semicircle. In the center of the group is a mounted figure. As you approach you recognize Hikioi sitting astride a huge and imposing creature, an Axe-beak. This creature bears little resemblance to Titokawaru's proud and glossy mount; it is filthy and disheveled and looks half starved. It shifts suddenly as you approach; Hikoi drives his spurs hard into it's flank to bring it back into line.
Rua strides forward into the circle to confront the rebel chief
"Hikioi, you think yourself a great chief, sitting tall on a Manaia as if it was you right. But your mount is as weak, filthy and degenerate as you are.
You come here to Parihaka, where once great Te Rauparaha reigned, but, where he commanded armies, you lead nothing but a band of brigands and petty thieves.
You think yourself a cunning tactician, yet your strategy has done nothing but shame to your people and brought the wrath of the Pakeha down upon us.
You are a fool. You are a disgrace. You are a mad dog and it is time to put you down"
The warriors laugh and jeer at this but Hikioi's face darkens noticeably
"Shut you lying face, freak! You runt! Your mother should have drowned you when you were born! You think your white skin and golden eyes make you Turehu? By the time Te Rauparaha was your age he had tasted the blood of a hundred men and led an army of thousands. What have you achieved Rua Tamahunga? Your people hate and fear you. They send you out into the forest as far from thier sight as they can. Your smug, self satisfied talk may impress your Pakeha friends, But I am no fool. You call me a mad dog? Better a dog that a white turd!
Much hooting and hollering ensues. Hikoi waves for silence
"Your great chief Titokawaru thinks the Pakeha will be our salvation, that our best chance for survival is to trade and work together with them. I say he is a fool. We will crush the Pakeha and take what is theirs. With their weapons and armour, our warriors are worth 10 of theirs. Leave the forest ot the Rewera, our future lies elsewhere. The Pakeha will be our slaves! We will burn their cities, rape their women and feast on their corpses! You world is dead Rua Tamahunga, and soon you will be too!"
A great cheer goes up. Rua grits his teeth
"Very well, enough talk! Will you come down off your mangy steed and fight fair, or do you fear to fight me man to man."
Hikioi laughs
"Maybe if you were a man I would. But you are nothing but a bug to be squashed!"
He urges his mount forward aiming his spear at Rua's heart, but he manages to dodge the blow as the Chief thunders past.
The crowd cheers, but some seem unimpressed with this show of poor sportsmanship
Rua, moving slowly in his heavy armor, moves up to slash at the legs of the great bird with his Naginata. His blade finds its mark and digs deep into the flesh of the beast
The bird bucks and rears but Hikoi manages to keep it under control. With a kick of his spurs he drives it forward at Rua again.
Rua steps back to avoid the beak of the Manaia but stumbles into the reach of Hikioi's spear, taking a raking blow to his shoulder.
Rua thrusts again at the beast's flank but Hikioi manages to steer it out of the way to flank him. His great spear thrusts at Rua's side and somehow finds it's way between the stone plates under his armpit.
With a grunt, Rua pulls himself off the spear and staggers out of reach. He is bleeding heavily and his pale white skin seems to have gained a ghostly pallor.
Hikoi mocks the injured warrior
"All that fancy armor's a liability once you're on the ground, eh noble knight? Where are your ancestors to protect you now, freak?"
Hikoi charges again, Rua manages to gather his wits enough to step aside and lands a glancing blow on the birds leg.
The beast lets out a scream and struggles against its harness. Hikioi struggles for control as the great bird bucks and heaves. With a great cry it manages to turn its head around to snap a its rider. Hikioi leans out of the way and loses his grip, falling to the ground with a crash. The Manaia, free from its tormentor, makes a break for the forest. Reaching the edge of the clearing it quickly disappears from view, the sound of its cries and the sound of it's passage slowly fading as it makes its escape.
The surrounding warriors mutter amongst themselves, this is not a good omen.
Hikioi struggles to his hands and knees, reaching for his fallen spear.
Rua, clutching at his wounded side, moves forward, his weapon ready.
"Now Hikioi, let us end this with honor, man to man"
Hikoi screws up his face and screams "YOU ARE NO MAN!"
He scoops up a handful of dirt and throws it in Rua's face. As Rua staggers back, blinded, Hikoi leaps to his feet and drives his spear into Rua's exposed neck, thrusting down into his body. Rua drops his weapon and clutches at the spear. Hikioi twists it cruelly and a gout of blood spurts from Rua's mouth. He falls to the ground and moves no more.
The crowd stands in silence, this is not an honorable victory.
Hikioi throws his hands in the air " I won! The Turehu was a lie! The ancestors favour me! The Pakeha will fall!"
Some muted cheering. The older warriors mutter amongst themselves.
The victorious chief turns to the adventurers to gloat
"Your champion is dead. You are at my mercy. By tradition I should let you go free, but, well, I'm not a big fan of tradition... I think I'm gonna eat you instead."
He saunters up to the quivering cleric
"This one looks nice and tender, I think we'll start with him"
He scoops up a handful of dirt and throws it in Rua's face. As Rua staggers back, blinded, Hikoi leaps to his feet and drives his spear into Rua's exposed neck, thrusting down into his body. Rua drops his weapon and clutches at the spear. Hikioi twists it cruelly and a gout of blood spurts from Rua's mouth. He falls to the ground and moves no more.
Benzo drop a bullet into the pouch of his sling staff and creeps around to a position of vantage...
I rolled it up last night. Things might have been very different had Rua not had his Moa killed in the ambush...
Will the green-skinned mountebank prevail or will he end his adventuring career as a great appetizer, but an average second course? Stay tuned...
Eustace's mouth feels dryer than a monks habit as he looks about the menacing crowd of savages. Did they really mean to carve up his beautiful body for their evenings repast?
Looking toward which way the crowd is leaning Vizigog will attempt to move as close to Baasa as he can...
Roll for sense motive on crowd!
I rolled it up last night. Things might have been very different had Rua not had his Moa killed in the ambush...
The nearest Warrior to Vizigog licked his lips almost idly and the ManOrc struggled to recognize wether or not it's a subtly cruel taunt or force of habit.
Acting quick takes a step (at least 5feet!) closer to the giant Ape and covering his mouth in not-entirely feigned terror, he muttered under his breath a few mystic words...
Hells gift to me, the skills to know,
the Devils words, his voice to throw!
Vizigog casts GHOST SOUND on Rua's corpse...
Aue! Aue! Hikioi you bring maruaaitu to your tribe! Aue! You lack of honour shames your ancestors, so that they turn their faces in shame from you, leaving you in the darkness of nightmares! Those that share your whare will know no pleasure and grow fat and limp like Kereru!! Aue! Hikioi, dog, may the sun hide it's light from you!
For effect he emphasizes with that scary *voooomvoomvoomvoomvoomvoomvoom* noise
Before waiting to see if anyone has been taken under by his cunning pantomime, Vizigog immediately casts CHARM PERSON on Hikioi...
"SIM SIM SALABIM!"
Some of the surrounding warriors seem taken aback at this but Hikioi just laughs
"Neat trick, Pakeha. I like a bit of fight in my food!"
Hikioi appraises the man-orc frankly
"Hmmm, a bit scawny, probably quite tough. Might have to keep him in the umu for a couple of days..."
Hikioi appears lost in thought...
"SIM SIM SALABIM!"
Hikioi seems stunned for a second then a wide grin spreads across his face
"Aw, you're classic, eh? Show me another trick and maybe I'll eat you last!'
Roll for sense motive on crowd! 1d20+5
It's hard to get a feel for the crowd. Their manners and customs are quite alien to you.
Whilst the majority of the crowd are laughing along with Hikioi you notice some of the older warriors are deep in discussion, casting occasional glances at the fallen body of Rua.
You take step closer to the great Ape. Baasa seems strangely placid, you would have thought that with all the blood and excitement around he would be up to his elbows in spines by now.
Hikioi seems stunned for a second then a wide grin spreads across his face
"Aw, you're classic, eh? Show me another trick and maybe I'll eat you last!'
"Aw, you're classic, eh? Show me another trick and maybe I'll eat you last!'
Eustace's eyes sparkle with pink electricity as he realises his new found spell has enthralled the Chief entirely.
"Noble Hikioi, please dont disregard the sacred traditions of your people on our account. Please, the eating of us will only result in belly ache, I myself am one 16th sub-hades demidevil, and thus make for poor vittles." He beams his fanged smile around to the onlooking warriors like some mountebank lighthouse.
"Why anger the gods over something so trivial, why upset your devout tribesmen with further blasphemy? Why, already it would seem doubt is spreading though your iwi, like pubic lice through a chelaxian knockshop. Look, thither to yonder warriors," He points to the aforementioned old buggers whispering about Rua, "they question the mana of a fellow so eager to throw aside the creed of tradition in aid of a cheap victory, but who are they to dictate the right and wrongs of your choices oh mighty Hikioi? Who are they to tell one so wise of the hows and whats of the flow of mana? Are you not master of your domain, your tribe and your spirituality? Show them that you have no fear of the gods, that you are mightier than the maketu dictated by stuffy whare dwellers. Show them that you have transcended the tangibility of mana..." Vizigog pauses, all eyes are on him and yet he still manages to stretch his unholy grin even wider so it almost literally reaches from immaculate ear to equally immaculate ear. "..show these warriors, how you can put a bun on your head!"
"..show these warriors, how you can put a bun on your head!"
The chief looks amused "A bun,eh? We ain't got any buns but I'll get Uncle to chuck some damper in the umu when we put down the hangi."
He turns and scans the crowd of warriors
"Uncle, where are you? We got any flour? This joker wants me to put some damper on my head! "
With nary a rustle, a familiar figure steps out of the undergrowth
" Sorry chief, we ain't got any flour"
The druid, Uncle, giggles to himself.
"These fullas want me to put a bun on my head to show my warriors I'm not afraid of tapu."
Uncle snorts derisively
" Aw, everyone knows that Chief! Remember when you got everyone to put their shoes on the table and the we got the ladies to cook us up a feed when they were on the rag? Nah, nobody doubts you don't give a f*ck about tapu, boss "
Hikioi considers this for a moment
" Aw, but this fullas called me out. What am I gonna do? Disappoint him? Nah Bro, I can do better than putting a bun on my head! How would you like to watch me eat the flesh of a god? "
Vizigog holds the gaze of Hikioi for a long moment, and the beddazzled chief feels a sense of drowning in those strange red eyes, a sense of an an overpowering presence, crushing all breath from him till only a black consuming fire remained.
"You're not gonna eat him..." The strange halfbloods voice echoed long in Hikioi's mind
"You're not even hungry anymore. You and your mates are gonna go back to where you came from and leave us be. This party's over."
Vizigog pats Baasa on the long pillar-like arm and smiles amicably to the ensorcelled Chief.
"And you leave him too, he goes to his gods, not to you." Said Vizigog, gesturing to the fallen body of Rua. Again the strange voice reverberated in Hikioi's mind like the echo of a lovers whisper.
"You're not gonna eat him..." The strange halfbloods voice echoed long in Hikioi's mind
"You're not even hungry anymore. You and your mates are gonna go back to where you came from and leave us be. This party's over."
"But I really want to. I gotta show these fullas that the Turheu was false. If I eat him then I'll destroy his mana forever..."
Uncle throws a suspicious glance at Vizigog
""Hey, this c*nts put a f*cken makutu on you boss!"
Hikioi seems confused..
""Nah, nah. He's a good c*nt. Look at him.."
Hikioi stares into the eyes of the maleficent mountebank
" Hang on, weren't you the fullas that broke into my Pa and did in my other Turehu?
Uncle grabs Hikioi by the shoulders
"That's right Boss, these are the fullas we've been trying to track down! You got all excited when you saw the Turehu and forgot about them. You gonna let them f*ck you over again?"
Hikioi screws up his face...
With a sneer Hikioi draws an evil looking dagger
"Enough chitchat from the ordeurves, time for the main course."
"Enough chitchat from the ordeurves, time for the main course."
Suddenly a murmur runs through the crowd. A young warrior cries out
"Boss, Boss he said something! The Turehu! It wus real quiet, but I heard it! He said "I give up, Do it"
Hikioi moves to stand defiantly over Rua's body
"It lives! Excellent! You're nothing but meat now, dog. Everything you've ever done, all your hopes, your dreams, I'm gonna turn them into s&~+!"
He calls over his shoulder
"Hey uncle, do ya reckon you could keep him alive long enough so he can watch me eat his liver? Bring me my cloak too, it's got real cold all of a sudden"
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
"what the fu..."
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
A deafening clarion seems to emenate from the earth itself
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
A cold chill decends across the hilltop. The sky darkens.The moas seem nervous and skittish
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
Between the bursts of noise the faint sound of tribal drums can be made out, slowly growing in volume and intensity. The earth vibrates in time with the ghostly rhythms.
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
Someone screams: "The Turehu!" A hundred heads snap around to focus on the corpse of the fallen warrior
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!!
A fine veridian mist seems to coalesce about the body. The shifting haze begins to take the form of monstrous human figures, reaching and clawing at Rua's body.
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
The limp body is jerked into the air! The spirits grow in number and intensity and swirl about the body in frenzied spirals
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
The tribal drums reach a crescendo. The sky is black. The swirling forms hang frozen in the air for a moment and then disappear into the body through its lolling, gaping mouth
A pulse of force blasts out from the body which falls limp to the ground. Hikioi is blown off his feet and lands heavily 10 feet away. Staggering to his feet he bleeds from dozens of wounds, each seemingly made from a different weapon.
With a cry of defiance, Rua jerks to his feet. Locking eyes with the terrified Hikioi he protrudes his tongue menacingly and slowly draws the spear from his chest and casts it to the ground.
"You were right about me Hikioi. I am no man"
Rua dances menacingly towards the cowering chief. His features blur, it seems the faces of a hundred warriors are superimposed over his. Each movement is followed by a series of afterimages; he steps forward, a hundred legs step forward with him. He raises his hand high in the air in a gesture of defiance, it seems a hundred arms follow it.
"This was foreseen. You will die in this place and I will take what is mine by right" Rua's speaks with a voice not his own, a proclamation spoken by the tongues of a hundred ancient warriors
Hikioi screams as Rua approaches. He makes a frenzied thrust with his dagger but it is plucked out his hand by an unseen force and flies off into the undergrowth
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
Rua reaches assumes a warriors pose his left hand fluttering in front of him whilst his right reaches back, seemingly clutching for something. Suddenly, there is a green flash, and an ancient, fearsome looking mere is in Ruas hand. He raises it high above his head....
BRRRRRRRAAAAAWWWWRWRRRMRMRMMRMRMMMMM!!!
..and brings it down on the skull of the quivering Hikioi. Rua turns to face the shocked and silent crowd brandishing the bloodied scalp of his victim...
.
.
.
.
.
Quickly gathering his wits and assessing the situation Uncle begins a chant
"Turehu! Turehu! Turehu!"
Teh surrounding savages join in, nervously at first but soon with genuine enthusiasm and rapture
"Turehu! Turehu! Turehu!"
The sky lightens, the drums fade way, warmth returns to the world.
Rua stands in front of the baying crowd, a man once more.
"It is done"
He throws the bloodied scalp into the dirt and falls to his knees.
"This was foreseen. You will die in this place and I will take what is mine by right"