“With DM approval
Kirrish checks over the kank and his fallen herd members.
The thri-kreen hunter then takes a look at all these tracks.
Kirrish points to the dead kanks and says to his temporary almost-clutch mates: "Order: No eat. Get sick." He pantomimes eating, then grabbing his throat, reeling as if poisoned. He gestures to the still-living kank. "Statement: Kank make thick water eat eat, keep with clutch. Wind walker talk talk, take with clutch."
He studies the tracks as best he can, but quickly gets confused in them. He has to go back and study them more carefully.
Oops!!! edited above post.
"Ayy, Mul....reckon ye can cobble me up one or two bone shortswords?
Wink wink...."
"....hrrrrmmmmmm....."
Encourage Zuko and Faindriac to “examine” items found at the kank site for magic/psionic qualities.
The burnt-ochre sun begins to ascend as your search progresses. The kank skitters away, terrified by the large group of strangers.
Unfolded, the parchment is an overland map. Based on tiny notations and fingerprint gouges, your best guess is that you are within several days walking distance of Raam.
“With DM approval
The burnt-ochre sun begins to ascend as your search progresses.
In the morning.
Slept. Fed. Happy. His first free morning in recent memory, once his morning wood is satisfied (take that, Shenker, ED), Aso chews on the last few chunks of elf meat that he had stashed in his dreadlocks and begins to hum a familiar song completely off-key. He wraps his elf shirt around his groin like a diaper, throws his club over his shoulder, and hoists his elf skin umbrella for a gradually widening circular stroll around the encampment.
Looking over the tracks and the dead kanks, Skarsnikt comes to the dispiriting realisation that he doesn't know even the most rudimentary things about tracking, animal handling or wilderness survival. He decides to latch onto the aaracockra and the other kreen, as they seem to possess the necessary skills. The rest of the day, he follows them around, observing them without saying much.
Issiki looks at the parchment in puzzlement.
"Excuse me, what is this?" he asks MalaKi.
MalaKi shows Issiki (and anyone else showing interest) the map. “It seems that we are a couple of days from Raam. Whether that is to close or to far depends on your point of view,” says MalaKi with a flat voice and a wry grin.
"Does it locate any oasises, or wells, or such necessaries on the way? I'm working up a thirsty."
Faindriac welcomes the conversation about the found items. Though he remains superior, he discusses any subject the others wish politely and respectively. He declines to detect psionics on any items, at first hinting about weariness and saving his remaining strength, but finally admitting (in a superior tone) that he has specialized in the focus and control of matter and energy, and not in sensing psychic emanations.
He observes intensely all that goes on around him. Noting those who seem to fall into teams, both easily and/or warily, and marking those who do not seem to mind interacting less, cautiously, with the others. But does not take any other actions regarding the others at this point.
He declines to mention his mystic skills to anyone yet, not wanting to give away his full abilities to his new acquaintances,.. yet. But if he manages to acquire one of the 2 pouches, he begins slowly gathering bits of flotsam that might work as components for his spells. Different bits of colored sand for his 'Color Spray', etc.
He also is loath to expend any of his spells, even his cantrips, which require no material components, as he currently has no way to renew them! So he decides to save them in reserve for an emergency, and he begins to contemplate how to go about acquiring another spell book. He even begins to contemplate how to turn elf-skin into parchment, and what he would use for ink,...
Issiki looks even more confused when the humans start rambling about places and distance. he can't make head nor tail of the squiggly lines and dots on the parchment.
Holdrus will take the Carrikal(essentially a battleaxe) and the tortoise blade to arm himself, in addition to the Bone dagger that the Aso handed him. A bit of protection and 2-weapon fighting all rolled into one!
Bringing the list of gear over to this page.
The Items marked with XXX are claimed by Aso and Holdrus.
Suggestion: Oasis could dangerous dangerous. Long-ear sand walkers catch all here oasis once. Not know who......oasis. Could eat clutch. Could sell clutch. Not things trade water, either. Hunt long-ear sand walkers. Chase quarry, eat hearts, drink blood. Or steal water, watch die. That good good.
He takes out some of the weird tattoo skin patches and looks at them. Not being secretive, just taking it out and looking at it to see if it's something he remembers. Anyone else can take a look if they ask politely. He chitters quietly to himself and runs his finger along the edge of the patch, feeling the elf skin's texture.
"Ayy, Mul....reckon ye can cobble me up one or two bone shortswords?
Wink wink....""....hrrrrmmmmmm....."
I don't think we have any more time to make weapons now but at first opportunity I will. For now arm yourself as best as you can. Maybe 2 clubs or a club/dagger mix will get you through the next fight.
We also need to figure out who can use our ranged weapons and get them outfitted with them. A few arrows or bullets at an opportune time can turn the tide in battle.
Agreed.
"If this one says 'no' to the oasis, then I say 'yes'." says Issiki forthrightly, pointing at Kirrish. "It's alright for you, but we need water."
Suggestion: Oasis could dangerous dangerous. Long-ear sand walkers catch all here oasis once. Not know who......oasis. Could eat clutch. Could sell clutch. Not things trade water, either. Hunt long-ear sand walkers. Chase quarry, eat hearts, drink blood. Or steal water, watch die. That good good.
Aso strolling back under the elf skin umbrella replies: "L... l... l... let's go make m... m... m... more umbrellas." He points in the direction the elves have traveled.
"If this one says 'no' to the oasis, then I say 'yes'." says Issiki forthrightly, pointing at Kirrish. "It's alright for you, but we need water."
Kirrish tilts his head, shakes it. A scent like burning swamp cabbage wafts from his glands.
Indignant declaration: Little one no *think* with little head. One oasis, long ear sand walker *drug* little one, *sell* little one. What new oasis do? Giant? Druid? Long ear sand walker? Killers? This one say 'kank give liquid eat eat'. Little one no *look* kank, no *take* kank, no *try*. Little one *ignore*. This one need water like any in clutch. This one want water. This one not want *eaten* or *sold* running to water no *think* ahead.
Suggestion: Hunt long ear sand walker, get they water. Go city dweller wall house, get water. Go oasis- water? death? Sand only?
Aso strolling back under the elf skin umbrella replies: "L... l... l... let's go make m... m... m... more umbrellas." He points in the direction the elves have traveled.Suggestion: Oasis could dangerous dangerous. Long-ear sand walkers catch all here oasis once. Not know who......oasis. Could eat clutch. Could sell clutch. Not things trade water, either. Hunt long-ear sand walkers. Chase quarry, eat hearts, drink blood. Or steal water, watch die. That good good.
Agree: Dirty little one think right. No get other chance: hunt now, long ear sand walkers not drink water ahead we kill they.
Zuko examines each of the items in turn, trying to determine if they contain any magical properties.
Radik awakes in the same position that he fell.
Judging by the postion of the sun, he notes that it is once again time to renew his eldritch pact. Kneeling, he traces the intricate scarring on his chest. The face of a stern, yet beautiful woman materializes in the sand. Searching around for a sharp implement, Radik finally finds a tiny piece of flint. Using the flint, he slices an inch-long cut into the palm of his hand. As the blood drips into the waiting mouth of the sandy visage, tendrils of greyish-violet smoke rise from the sand, pouring into Radik's eyes, nose, and mouth. After a few minutes, the massive gladiator rises, his mottled skin crackling with energy.
Picking up his makeshift club, he strides toward the group of assembled ex-prisoners. He speaks to no one in particular, in a voice reminiscent of grinding stone.
"What are you waiting for?"
It sounds more like a statement than a question.
Indignant declaration: Little one no *think* with little head. One oasis, long ear sand walker *drug* little one, *sell* little one. What new oasis do? Giant? Druid? Long ear sand walker? Killers? This one say 'kank give liquid eat eat'.
Hey....you know how get liquid eat eat out of the kank? I'll try, hell. Any all of ya know how to buddy wuddy that kank? I don't.
Hrrrrrrmmmmmm.....The thri kreen seems to think they can feed us someway's."
"hrrrmmmm......just call me kanksucker......hrrrrrmmm....."
Agree: Dirty little one think right. No get other chance: hunt now, long ear sand walkers not drink water ahead we kill they.
"Plan good. We drinks elfses blood, eat elfses meat. Then travel to city."
"Does it locate any oasises, or wells, or such necessaries on the way? I'm working up a thirsty."
Either they are not marked on the map, or there simply aren’t any.
as he currently has no way to renew them! So he decides to save them in reserve for an...
He takes out some of the weird tattoo skin patches and looks at them. Not being secretive, just taking it out and looking at it to see if it's something he remembers
The tattoos do not appear to be tribal markings, nor do any of them appear to relate to each other. As you rub them, one of the markings moves a little under your digit.
cobble me up one or two bone shortswords?
I don't think we have any more time to make weapons now but at first opportunity I will.
Agreed.
"Hrmmmm....okay, now...I'm moving out...hrmmm..."
"I'm up way head of you loud people purposelike."
With that Schenker trots off in the direction of the upturned container, bone shanks in each hand, leaving a well kicked trail behind him in the sand.
Aso trails a little behind twirling his slightly lopsided macabre umbrella like a little dandy.
burning swamp cabbage
As Zuko pans about, examining the items with the aid of his elemental patrons, a few of the items begin to smolder, tiny flames capering about, as if attempting to garner his attention .
While the flames are not especially bright, there is definitely a trace of something magical about the following items:
- Faindrac’s Psicrystal
- The elven tattoos
- The small Fruit
- The two clay tiles
Faindriac takes his turn at examining the map with no comment. But when the discussion between the short one and the Thri-Kreen begin to grow as heated as the sand they stand on, he deems it time for him to speak up.
"If I may," He interjects, still leaning on his new staff. "From my point of view, you are both essentially correct. We need to find water, and we have all agreed to participate in the punishment of our former captors. It is unlikely that they are much better supplied than we are, and I doubt they expect us to still live. I believe that the element of surprise gives us the advantage. IF we can catch the fleet-footed little,... Anyway, I suggest that we follow them as best as we are able. They have to be headed towards water, and probably to rejoin their tribe after that. I would prefer to visit my vengeance upon them before they are reinforced. After that,..." He shrugs.
"We also need shelter and supplies. Raam is certainly not my first choice to visit, but it is certainly better than here. However, we will first have to catch the elves. Then we will have our justice, and possibly something to trade in the city as well."
"What are you waiting for?"
Faindraic nods in agreement. "Indeed. Shall we proceed? I will do my best not to slow us down. Though I might also point out that some of us," He indicates Zuko and himself, "will need a serious rest soon if we are to continue to contribute our full potential to the hunt."
The list of gear:
The Items marked with XXX are claimed.
If nobody wants it, Aso grabs the shortbow and 11 arrows. Shit i keep forgetting I'm small! I can't
Please cross out stuff you have and correct any errors.
While I work up a description of the box area, here’s a quick rundown of the harsh realities of desert funtimes:
You have enough meat / fluids to get you through the end of day 2 (today). Being Athasian, you are used to some extreme climates, and you have the kank to provide enough sustenance to spread around the group if you go lean (assuming you get around to befriending it). That still going to leave you with the need for a gallon of fluids each per day; provided you aren’t running or doing something extreme (I’d lesson it, but the kank needs water too). Go without water for a day plus con score, and you start taking nonlethal damage.
Again, this desert isn’t intense as Athas goes, and you are somewhat acclimated, so we’ll stick to the “very hot” instead of “severe” heat category, meaning daytime travel will net you nonlethal damage from heatstroke every hour of travel .
I think Malaki took the bone shortsword; I wanted it but he took it.
I think Malaki took the bone shortsword; I wanted it but he took it.
Since it's hot, just wanna go the 1/2 mile, and juke out at night?
Again, this desert isn’t intense as Athas goes, and you are somewhat acclimated, so we’ll stick to the “very hot” instead of “severe” heat category, meaning daytime travel will net you nonlethal damage from heatstroke every hour of travel .
While loathe to leave anything of value behind, it is likely the elves simply could not reconcile carrying this stone strongbox with the need to travel at speed. Formed of basalt polygons, the box lies overturned (top down), gradually absorbing the warmth of the new day. The lid, cast aside and sticking upright half out of the sand, lies a short distance away.
Can I upend the thing?
Str check=r10+1=11.
Can I upend the thing?
As the inquisitive Shreker flips over the strongbox, searching for more supplies, there is a sharp snap, followed by a spray of liquid from the container . The elves have left you a present!
Failure:
Contents: