Apologies for my absence! I was on vacation and the internet was considerably worse there than I expected, but I'm back and will be getting caught up today!
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While the others start making plans for what items to acquire for the swamp, they can see Zika and her ghostly companion off to the side, arguing. Zika hasn't made any moves to get any more equipment so far (not that she could afford it), and others can overhear phrases from the argument like, "Be serious, you can't go. It's cursed!", and "Mrs. Khos's son would never-" "Maybe you should go haunt Mrs Khos's son, then!", and "Did you even hit anything with that bow?" "Well, no, I-", and of course the inevitable collapse of the father's will in the face of his daughter's stubborn insistence, where he sighs and says, "Just promise me you'll be careful." to which she replies that of course she will, even if that isn't necessarily the truth.
"I'm small and have very little luggage." Zika offers to Basil, trying to keep herself from being an inconvenience. They didn't have a car, and while her wings would have no problem with such a long flight, she both didn't want to arrive exhausted, and didn't want to miss out on getting to know any of the others more. "I can do some scouting when we get close, too."
Zika moves a bit closer to Belladonna, drawing her bow and firing an arrow towards the remaining goblin. She watches it soar through the air with a combination of anxiety and excitement.
Zika's father moves between her and the goblin, should the shot miss and it come looking for retribution. His expression is stern, but his eyes betray the deep fear he feels at the possibility of harm coming to her.
Zika continues moving in the direction of the goblins, looking forward to getting to try out her new bow.
Zika's dad double-moves, scouting out for more goblins and where his daughter has gotten off to.
Zika's father takes more swings at the remaining goblin, muttering some fey curses at it as he does so.
Hearing Edie call out, and seeing the goblins before her already mostly laid to waste, Zika latches onto the opportunity for her to be of more use, and slinks away from the rest, moving quickly to catch up with the tiefling (and get there before her father notices).
At the sight of the goblins, Zika starts pulling back on the string of her new bow. "Okay," she says to herself, "You've got this. Just like the targets back home." Feeling nervous, she begins to hum an old Fey lullaby to herself, as she draws back the bowstring, when the spirit of her father appears before her. "What are you-" he starts to ask, seeing her holding the bow, before he follows her eye line towards the goblins. Furious, now, he says only "We will discuss this later." before launching himself at the creatures.
Zika grins, grabbing the items from her cart and tossing them onto herself before chasing after the Dwarf. Her small legs moving fast, she looks up at the slim human beside her , saying "What do you think it might be? Are there dire rats in places like this? Maybe assassin vines? Oh oh, what about flytraps?" She says, thinking of things she's seen in the old country.
Zika feels immense pride with herself for being able to cobble together what she needs (and within her budget, too!). Adventuring was something she'd been researching, been dreaming about, and finally being in the store and picking up the items that would enable her to do so were making it feel real. She thought that if he were able to see past what she were actually doing, her father would also be proud of her - her foresight and preparation, how frugal she was being. It was one of the few times so far that she had truly felt like an adult. Frowning at the Blue Light Special announcement, she begins making her way towards the checkout. "Gross. Fizzy drinks." She mutters. "'Restorative agents', yeah, plus all the chemicals that they don't tell you about." She begins placing her items on the conveyer belt. "Processed magic. Unbelievable. This whole thrice-damned country."
Sorry about that! I had surgery a few days ago and the recovery is taking a bit more than I expected.
"Okay." Zika says to herself, putting the bow and quiver over her shoulder, checking them off her list mentally, and doing some quick maths. "200 for the bow... half off... with the quiver... I still have 30 gold left... wait, that's not right." Opening her pouch, she looks over the coins that represent the last of her inheritance, the only remnants of the money she escaped the old country with. "40 left." She sighs, wishing it was more, but pleased that it should be enough...
"No time to waste!" She exclaims, rushing down another aisle, and knowing that her father would be reappearing soon. Her only hope was that she'd already be outside in the parking lot by the time that happened.
Zika had never set foot in the K-Mart before, and wouldn't have now if it weren't for the fact that she was desperate - and that it was closing. She walks past a display of "As Seen on TV" junk, like a small gelatinous cube to clean the floors of your apartment. "Down with capitalism," she mutters, remembering living in the forest commune with her family not too long ago. Sometimes it felt like yesterday, other times it felt like it had happened to another person. "Now, now," A voice calls out from behind her, "You're much too young to be so cynical.... Even if you are right." Rolling her eyes, she turns up an aisle abruptly, hoping to lose the spirit following her, even though she knew it wasn't possible for her to. While he claimed to be as powerless about their attachment as she was, she wasn't sure that was really the truth. "Dad, I told you to give me space," she hisses, "I need girl stuff. It's weird having you here." A few seconds of silence pass, long enough where she starts to wonder if he has actually gone, when she hears a sigh. "I understand," his voice calls out sadly, already beginning to fade. "You're... growing up so fast. Call me when you're ready." Zika tries to push down the pang of guilt, and pretends to look through clothes until she's certain he's gone, before breaking out into almost a sprint down the aisles, knowing she wouldn't have a lot of time before he would grow bore and pop back into this realm of existence. She makes her way to the other end of the store, heading right for sporting goods. Spotting what she wants nearly immediately, she forgets the feeling of disappointing her father, and picks up the composite longbow, looking down the sight as she draws the string back. "Girl stuff," she says to herself with a grin.
Have really enjoyed the visits to Boston too. Found a great restaurant that had a piano player that would lead the room singing old songs. Lots of fun if you aren't shy! The place closed though after a fire. I think the name was Jacob Wirth. Oh man, yeah, Jacob Wirth was awesome, it was such a bummer when they had the fire and had to shut down shop.
And Zika, Mass? My step-daughter lives in Boston. We visit in the summer.... (late spring maybe) Oh cool! How do you like it? I've been in Boston for about... 9 years now.
Massachusetts to Florida to Illinois to Pennsylvania and back to Massachusetts for me.
TIL how widespread Five Guys is. I thought it was a much smaller chain. Can't find your CS. What college did you attend? Your shop? Band? Maybe you performed somewhere and I was there drinking heavily? Sorry Keeyan, I updated my alias! I'm pretty flexible on which school it was, and I'd have been going for just Liberal Arts stuff so we could have always met in a Gen Ed kind of thing. But I am also definitely good with you knowing me through my music, I like the idea of you being really drunk at a show.
Five Guys > In-N-Out This is accurate.
Pure coincidence! The alias actually predates the Zika Virus coming to the US.
Takesh is now Zika - sorry for the late name change! And I already have background skills as well. Possible Connections
Fighting Style
Thanks very much! Here is my submission of a Vanara Gunslinger (Musket Master). I tired to go easy with the Background and not write a bunch (especially since we'll just be shanghaied anyway) but I can gladly tweak or expand it.
I think part of the problem is the nature of what we are as characters, not innately being the type to be very interested in exploring things, or unraveling mysteries, or in some cases having the mental capacity to be adept at it. I've been very much enjoying it and would prefer not to see it go, but I will admit that it has sometimes been more difficult than I'm accustomed to to balance between "What the character would do" and "What moves things forward".
Oh man that sucks - hope you're feeling better!
Zika shrugs and does as the other two are doing, with a wide grin at Glom-Glom.
Zika picks up the blade and smiles an unnervingly wide grin, filled with crooked and yellowed teeth. She slices it through the air a couple of times, getting a feel for it. "Zika Skyblade." She announces, satisfied. "Ready battle." With a sense of curiosity, she watches Glom-Glom as he puts his own key in the box, uncertain of what the other Goblin will be receiving.
Is the sword considered a rapier for the purposes of Weapon Finesse / Focus? I assume certainly not for Piercing Grace since a long sword is more of a Slashing weapon, but I figured I'd ask about the others.
Zika thinks about what she wants, for a few seconds, and then finally decides that she would like a sword. If they would have to go outside again to face the big monsters, she would like to be prepared. Thinking hard about it, she turns the key in the lock.
As the Hobgoblin reads the scrolls and the Ratfolk approaches the rods, Zika moves over to the chest, giving it a sniff and inspecting the sides. Pushing her key into the appropriate slot, she nudges Shattertooth "Open box."
Zika cocks her head at the painting. "No goblin." She points out, as if it were some large revelation. Tearing her eyes away, she turns to the others. "Why us here? Drawing show power belong to nature monsters or town monsters. No chosen people in drawing." Not actually expecting an answer, Zika takes a couple more glances at the mural and then continues walking down the hallway.
Zika holds the disc up to show the others, scratching her head as she does. "Not key." She frowns. "What this do?"
"Should gone before." Zika mutters, watching Glom-Glom. Once he finishes, she walks over, picking up the pen and holding it in a closed fist as though it were a dagger she was stabbing the page with. Without much finesse, she scrawls a pitiful looking "Z" on the page.
Zika frowns. "Why? Have two keys. Not need three yet." She points to the doors. "Maybe danger inside. Die before having to write." Pointing to herself and Glom-Glom, she continues. "Better be dead than in paper."
I have a rank in Craft (Woodworking) from my time served on a ship. How many Nat 20's in a row would I have to roll to carve a key out of a piece of a tree?
"Elves." Zika spits on the ground. "Glad book stole thoughts." With a frown, she looks between the doors and objects. "Not keys." She points out, scratching her head. "Maybe..." Trailing off, she looks at the inkpen, and at the inkpot, and at the book for a few seconds before speaking again. "Maybe make picture key? Make picture open door?" She shrugs. "Maybe enough magics. Gods will know."
Zika sniffs around on the floor for several seconds and explores the small room while the bigger people look at the book. As she moves around the room, she examines each door in detail, and then the other items - still keeping a safe distance from the book. After a couple minutes of exploring, she returns to the group with a grunt. "Colours match." She remarks. As her statement is met with looks of confusion, she rolls her eyes. She points first to the golden inkpot, and then the door with the gold bands. She then follows suit with the silver feather and silver door, and of course, book with the bronze door. "Maybe returning items. Like returning symbol plates. And dead bones."
Zika watches the others get closer to the book without moving forward. To Narissth's question she does little more than shrug. "Maybe yes, maybe no." She replies, but doesn't move any closer, and stares warily. While not as panicked as Glom-Glom, she is clearly unsettled by the possibilities. "Picture book?" She asks hopefully.
With a shrug, Zika touches hers as well, and then takes a slight jump back, unsure of what will happen.
Zika feels even more encouraged upon seeing the marks on the large rock door, and begins jumping up and down with excitement. "Symbols." She exclaims, pointing out the flame and mountain images. Already suspecting what she would find, she wiped the vines and dirt away from the other circles, anticipating seeing the symbols for air and water. "On right path." She announces, moving to the side of the rock. "We go inside." Pausing, she looks at the size of the door, and then down at herself, and then over at Shattertooth, expectantly.
Zika nods. "Cave seem best." She starts making her way towards the cave, looking behind her only briefly to see if the ratkin and hobgoblin are following.
"Getting dark. Find place safe." Zika climbs down into the trench and begins moving towards the cave. "Cave might be home someone. Might be safe."
Zika nods to Shattertooth, and looks curiously to the crow to see if it gives any reaction as they begin walking to the north.
Zika isn't as familiar with these types of plants as Glom-Glom, making her wonder how far away they all were brought here from. Still, something more pressing was bothering her. "Where creature go?" She asks quietly, looking around the forest nervously. Being unable to see or hear it meant the possibility of ambush.
Zika shakes her head at the bird. "Should better care of talking bones." After pacing for a few seconds, she nods to Shattertooth. "Zika agree. Better die fighting." She looks to Glom-Glom for confirmation, and then begins to walk through the sand towards the forest.
Zika looks up and down the beach, and sees only sand, and looks towards the forest, and sees only trees. She looks to the sky, and sees the crow. She stares at it for a few seconds before speaking. "Bird." She says with a chastising manner. "You know things. Where bones?"
Zika stares up at Shattertooth. "Skull need more bones?" She questions. Looking towards it, she has to agree with the hobgoblin. "Half-warning useless." She frowns, looking at the skull. "Stupid elf. Skull given Glom-Glom. Not even know where find more bones."
"Zika hope more here. Rusted dagger not same sword Zika used to. No spells, too." She folds her ears back. "We go?"
Zika starts to comply but then thinks for a moment before shaking her head. "Wait... Gods see all. May has purpose later." She tucks the materials into her bag, and walks closer to where Shattertooth is investigating the altar, though still keeping a reasonable distance. "What is?" She calls out. "Dangerous? Magicks?"
Glaring at the larger Hobgoblin but being too nervous to say anything in response, Zika waits as the others in turn use their keys on the chests. Narrowing her eyes, she follows suit. She first picks up the charcoal and parchment, unsure of what to do with them. "Goblins not write." She says, with confusion. Looking to Glom-Glom for confirmation, she holds them up. "Why gods give tools make writing?"
Zika's ears curl in apprehension as she approaches the bottom of the stairs, and she's happy when Glom-Glom takes the lead. The lights that come on do little to alleviate her worries, as she sees the size of the room, and the chests that match the keys each of them is holding. She scans the ceiling, looking to see if the bird followed them , before returning her attention to the corner, and noticing the pedestal. "Big house." she says, softly, not wanting her voice to echo too loudly through the chamber. "Someone big plan. Much time." Curling her ears further inward, she looks to the others, especially Narissth. "Zika still think gods. But why gods bring rat? Gods favour goblins."
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