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"Drink...eat worm, good for your health." The fading words greet the party's ears as they venture off. They wave off off the liquid fortification. Soon they arrive back in the city. Determined they arrive at the library shortly after the fourteenth bell of the day. (2:00 pm)
Several of the tribes man are admiring the magical kettle. Talking in Tulita amongst themselves. A conversation in Tutilan breaks out among a couple men, the conversation begins to get a bit aggressive as they look a the kettle then back at Chell. Tulita: Blonde hair shamaness give great gift. She like rising sun, brings warmth, and good harvest. Worthy of two chickens and goat for marriage. We make strong sons."There's a hardy slap on his back by his friend. "No..no..she is mine, not yours. We have a dozen strong sons. I give her three spears, 6 chickens, a hen, and two goats." An argument breaks out.
"Drink...eat worm...drink good for you."
He passes the jug with the worms in the bottom around one more time. "We need...all ...help we can gather...drink." He thrusts the jug at Sorrin again. "Worms good...like burn like fire."
The warrior stops his ritual dance. "Milliauka knew how to fortify or slow shark bite curse." He frowns and the thought of the loss. "I will lead a band to unite other Tulita. Meanwhile, I send small group to the fort to retrieve body or bones of Milliauka." He waves towards the city. "Mokoli Ail'i knows of a woman, who may know how to cure shark curse, she and Milliauka have met and shared knowledge. She hides within the great scroll and tome building. They call her Dinetta." His left eyebrow raises high, "Unwillingly Chosen...or..." He lets his voice trail off.
As Mokoli Ail'i dances around chanting his folktale he announces, "Tutila no longer own land....forced to pay rent to greedy landlords...and toil under cruel taskmasters on plantations. Our totems were lost, but now we find and reunite to stand firm." The motions towards Fort. "Dragoons may have taken....perhaps kill Milliauka....but we now go and return his bones before the shark comes." He looks towards the the jungle and the outskirts. "Others I will lead to parley with Tutila to join forces and be whole once again."
He then goes about tell a great folktale to his tribe and guests. "Long ago, long before the strangers came to their lands, a tribe of Tulita turned to the worship of a shark idol they called Dajobas. Embodying the fierce nature of the shark and the urge to destroy and consume all, Dajobas was born of their prayers. He quickly claimed a wide following among the more warlike clans of the Tulita. The sahuagin also bowed to his power, and before long the shark god claimed all the Razor Coast as his dominion. Bloody ruin ruled the waves and shores for over a decade. The senseless slaughter wiped out whole tribes and entire peoples drowned in their own blood." "Only years later, after countless massacres and wars of attrition, a group of powerful shamans among the Tulita banded together and called upon older ocean spirits to stop the horror of Dajobas. The Whale, the Dolphin and the Turtle rose against the shark god and cast him so far out to sea he would never harm their people again. Since then, Dajobas has waited." "When the strangers arrived, their massive ships weakened the other spirits of the seas greatly. The newcomers hunt the Whale to near extinction, they chase the Turtle from his beaches, and their enormous fishing nets drown the Dolphin. With the other spirits dwindling, the Time of the Shark returns – and with it the dark god Dajobas." "Tonight is the blood moon, tonight we must rise up and meet the Shark, or die trying. The dark message must end."
Then when Astri with her dramatic flare presents the Jawbone the mighty warrior leader's eyes glass over. Even the strong can become emotional. Taking a deep breath to steady his hands he grasps the relic and holds it high so all can see. A great whoop goes out. "The Turtle protects us, and returns our spirit." He dances around in a ritualistic manner for all to see. "The Whale shall guide us and the three gods will reunite the Tutila tribes for battle."
When Chell displays her magical gift the elder speaks clearly, "Blonde hair brings us mighty gift from the dolphin to help us fight against hunger." He places his hand on the cauldron, "The Tutila hunger no more!"
The elder man takes a ladle full of stew and eats it. He grins widely. "Mighty gift...much thanks." He motions to a few others who come forth and begin to serve the meal. A few grumble bellied children watch jostle for a place in line.
"Raven hair you have jawbone?"
she says bringing the pot forward. "This, I think, should help alleviate the burden you bare. Its a magical cauldron capable of feeding almost 40 people a day all three meals or many more if they only one. It isn't much but its all we could come up with in a day." A hush befalls the Tulita when the great cauldron gift is presented to them by the cleric. All eyes are on the cleric. "Magical food to fill bellies? A skeptical look crosses Mokoli Ali'i's face. "Show me." His brow raises as he peeks warily over the edge of the pot.
"It's a replica...a fake! Hang the usurpers...lets cook 'em."
The kids giggle when CHell shakes involuntarily shakes. Chell thrusts the bottle towards the others. Eyes squinted tightly. "You have Jawbone?" Mokoli Ali'i asks. A level of excitement grows in the crowd.
"Drink...drink. Eat the worm." The clan gathers around. "You have any luck with task?"
Prior description of Outskirts:
Struggling against disease, famine, and aggressive predators, some of these proud people cling to life with the strength of their ancestors – even as their gods turn away. Others are beyond hope. More than half the Tulita population has been enslaved and toils under the backbreaking yoke of the plantations. Many of the rest – brothers, fathers and sons – take berths on whaling ships, leaving their loved ones to struggle in the Outskirts. Those left behind hope to make enough gold to buy back their family’s lands. Those who depart rarely return, as slavers posing as whalers lure gullible natives aboard before making a beeline for Carcass’ festering markets. Their orphaned families persist in the Outskirts, filled with hope, anger and despair in equal measure. The little girl beams as Astri pays her some attention. She giggles with excitement when her heroine wiggles her fingers and the doll has fiddle. The little one begins to imitate the gesture when the others get the group moving again. -----
"You come back...good to word," Mokoli Ali'i comments. A grim look is on his face, "We hear, but not see, Millliauka...the Kamaau, high shaman, was hung in Fort Death.
"Elder Nakuaka use to spend most time in council or with dragonsmoke. Heard dragonsmoke harder to get now but he searches desperately. Proud Tulitan healers and using medicines uses clean poisons out of his body." He inhales the air from the seawater. "Mokoli Ali’i lives beyond the outskirts with a band of brother's seeking to hang on to old ways." He shakes his head, "He tries not to loose faith in the wale, dolphin and turtle for they are older than other gods. This god Quell wasn't wetspot on sheet when the natural order began." He raises his hands palm up, "Mokoli Ali'i searches for something in town, it was lost to us, he and his warriors search but me not see them, only heard that news."
The man takes the gold coin and chuckles. He slaps you on the back the nods his understanding. 'Good...thank you."
Torgue blasts the man tow more times, his knees wobble and he face plants the ground unconscious. There is loud roar of appreciation of a good fight. ------
RD 7 Being on the receiving end of the the punches has the fighter looking ragged, he steps to his right and has another combination to the face. ; ;
RD 6 The brawler punches away at torgue, ; ; Landing two more hits.
The two punches land hard.
Whack and the beer gut, ; ;
RD 4 The two punches hit the warrior, who spits out blood from his jaw. He growls in a tribal language and sings away. ; ; The right upcut rocks the drunkard, conf crit: ; His head jerks back.
RD 3: Warrior Taking to more punches the warrior steps to the side and pummels the drunkard, ; ; "I need this more than you..." A glint of fury is in his eye. I believe both punches land since you have no armor on. You can have amulets and rights though.
RD 2: warrior The tutila takes one big shot and he counters with a left - right combination, ; ; He chuckles with glee as both punches hit the drunken slob. Knuckles crack as the jaw is rocked.
The ringmaster finally announces the next fight: "We aim t'please at the Skull, we even let the the Tutila's fight 'ere and our local drunks. this should be well....it's gonna be something of fight...the last time we had Torgue he... well passed out mid-bout, but we all had a good chuckle with that fight. Though a couple beat the crap out of the drunkard for the money they lost. I gauged his drunkenness tonight and he should be able to make it few rounds." He loughs, "Then we have the savage form the outskirts, a primal rage runs through him."
RD 1: Warrior The warrior comes out and removes his shirt, he has several tribal tattoo, he flexes his muscles in an attempt to get the crowd going but it seems to fall flat. He moves across the ring to slug Torgue, ; His left hand jabs at Torgue's face, hitting it solidly.
"Guess th't'll be decided on where'd ya want me artwork." He grins. "give ya a fiery burst of passion wit one on th't left tit or perhaps a bit of foot stompin' pride on that right thigh."
"Aye womon, ye be wantin' dat vie-oh-lin tatoooo tod'y" the greeting comes from one of the artists at the Native's Delight, "Eyes hears you sawin' like a banchee da udder dai." As usual the place is crowded with people waiting for tattoos, or just shooting the shyte drinking and smoking.
"I hear much...lots disappear...maybe people like you sold into slavery. Maybe not, me not know. Not many come out here like you...some, but not many unless they go to big plantations." He motions back to the massive plantations int he distance. "I see what I can learn, you see what you can help with then we talk again." He looks at Sorrin, "I know drunken captain and place you speak of." "Barnacle bad place priestess, look close." He stands and give a short bow but his eyes never leave your face.
His chin resting on his knuckles, he listens with great intent. "The Jawbone not bad, no create undead. Jawbone out most sacred relic." He grimaces at the thought of undead, "That is evil working against us, more treachery from the infiltrators or worse." He reflects for about a minute then tells you, "About a month ago, a newcomer stole Tulita peoples’ most sacred relic. Mokoli’s men caught a glimpse of him. He short, half-Tulita/halfforeigner, short-cropped hair, and wearing leather armor with black lacquered rat skulls dangling from the shoulders. no see after that, no track down."
He nods at Torgue's explanation. "How do you know about missing relic, the Jawbone of Kaho Ali’i? What have you heard?" He appears a bit edgy. "A thief stole the scrimshaw Jawbone of Kaho Ali’i, which tells the story of the Tulita as a people and which legend claims belonged to Whale itself. When the jawbone was lost, so too went the past and future of the Tulita."
sense motive DC 15: He seems guarded as if there is more to the lost relic he has not spoken.
"They hunt in outskirts...always moving." "Commandant, he be lethal like cobra, never trust, no honor. Dragoon's too busy to look for kidnapped Tulita, too busy to help against dragonsmoke pushers."
"He most definitely is, Bonegnaw was angry at Garreg for selling him out. There appears to be some kind of schism happening, if I had to guess. A group of thieves unsurprisingly backstabbing each other. I plan to inquire how the interrogation of the Gnoll is going with the Commandant tonight, after dinner." "You friend with the cobra? Break bread with?" He eyes you cautiously.
"Falken is legendary pirate and thief, but he no slaver, and he no kill if you surrender, always heard he liked to rob only can't steal from fat merchant again if he dead." He stops briefly before continuing, "Has he stolen... yes, had he killed... yes, has he done bad things ...yes. He not friend but he no foe unless he kill Tulita ." "Nightslink new group in last month...bad men, rob, steal, kill from Tulita. If you want to truly help put an end to this gang of thugs is extorting ships supplies – cordage, sailcloth, and the like – not to mention food out of poor Tulita families." He goes on to describe two recent stranger that have appeared, "The first stout with a long beard braided into six blood-soaked tips, dressed in a red and white striped shirt; the other slender with a crooked nose,
"Garegg usually at Barett's Barnacle." He shrugs at the mention of the "Ring." "The Ring is crime group...thieves...hush hush. He may be, me may know who is connected."
His eyes sadden, "It be true Nakuaka's lost way and his mind is clouded by dragonsmoke." He shakes his head. "You taking down Bonegnaw do much good since his is major supplier, but the local seller Garegg remain." He pauses, "That remaining link must go. Can you help rid us of this blight?"
"Wise words. You," he looks around and motions, "...and your friends are different from other imperials. That be good." He smiles as he sees Chell playing with the children. He actually starts to laugh as water is poured over some of the children. They of course, shriek and try to hide form the bath.
He nods and listens to your stories. You can sense he is pondering this strange situation. Thinking.
Speaking in common so all understand. although he acknowledges your efforts in learning and speaking their tongue. "I am Mokoli Ali'i, and these men, work to wrestle our land back from the the usurpers." He motions back to 10 warriors that are standing in the group. "We welcome you and bid you well...friend." he offers another round of the clear beverage as he sits on the dirty ground bidding you all to do the same. "We seek only what was stolen from us. today you returned some to us. Your deed honorable. Thank you."
Most of the Tulita actually speak common...or broken common at least. Since Astri spoke Tulita they replied back in their tongue. "Mololi Ali'i and his warriors live a bit farther way, but he is nearby." After about 30 mintues an imposing Tulita warrior, proudly bedecked in feathers, struts up to the group. "You risk life to save prisoners?"
There are many slaps on the Torgue's back as he finishes his beverage and other is handed to him. The drink is strong and has slight pinecone taste but is remarkable clean on the palate. Several children tug on Chell's robes, they are dirty but remarkably all smiles right now.
Anyone who speaks and understand Tulita: conversation:
You learn Millliauka...the Kamaau, r high shaman, was imprisoned for inciting violence. "He be hung soon...or worse." Is the general sentiment. In fact, the Tulita fear this and are restless. They look somewhat oddly at you when you speak about their rituals and being fascinated with them. Although bringing back 20 prisoners your group sis greeted in high regard and you are offered shells, and sacred beverages that you swear has a wiggly worm in the bottom. There is much excitement when you all escort back 20 freed slaves. Man people offer clear beverages with little wiggly worms in it. Soon the are is rejoicing with your deeds of valor as told by the freed Tulita.
By now all the captives are aboard the ship. All those except a few who are armed to defend the ship are now tucked into the hold to avoid getting injured and to stay out of the way. "Snatched from home...waylaid." Most are eager to get home.
You do get two of the elves and four of the tulitains are who grateful and willing to listen to job opportunities.
Tulita: "White woman speak language? good, good we from outskirts around Port Shaw. most stolen from home or field."
"Something bigger will take several days to complete, we can begin tomorrow or the day after." he offers.
The inkmaster finishes the tattoo on Bri's leg, "30 gold." The depth and character of tattoo looks quite real and will certainly be a surprise to an invited guest. Especially if Emmy curls around the other thigh and moves...LOL. After a couple of hours the group is ready to continue on towards the Tides...
"h'rd they got in a bit of scrap wit a sailor. Sailor kilt 3 dogs and 4 Salty Dogs before getting himself arrested down near the Tides." You gather this Salty Dogs is a gang and they have actual dogs with them. Another fellow interrupts, "Shyte git yer facts right it was 5 dogs and 7 Salty's...Rickard got 'imself away though, swore to pull the lever fer the noose, when they hang 'em high." A third patron cheerfully adds, "Luv a guud hang'n haven't had one in two blasted weeks." Another thing you notice is folks come here to socialize not just get tattoos, there are mostly regulars in the parlor all of who have tattoos of various sorts.
The inkmaster nods, several patrons glance over at the exposed thigh, as the man applies a cool wash. He drafts a faint image of the Emmy that curls around the thigh, it's head with little fangs resting at the upper inner thigh. He rhythmically taps the flesh apply and base of brice green, then he adds a layer of celadon, and dark sea green for shadow, with emerald making up the dangerous face for the serpent.
"I've many inspiring tattoos endowed with great pow'r." He nods at the broken Tulita then repeats his statement slowly in tutila so Astri can follow his words.
"Magical tattoos? Oh we are totally getting some of those." When you arrive at Native's Delight it is jammed pack with customers and folks simply loitering around telling stories. There are quite a few tutila in parlor and several are actually the artists. "Wh't can I do you for?" The accented voice of a man asks. He has cut breaches that extend to his knees and a creamy white colored linen shirt that is open to his trimmed belly. His dreadlocks extend well past his shoulders. His chest shows a school of dolphins that appear to move with as the light hits.
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