Sykala soon finds herself on the business end of a half-dozen drawn bows as six Ekujae emerge from the jungle around her.
Ixius is with Sykala (if she doesn't mind).
Ixius is with Sykala (if she doesn't mind).
Also in Elven:
The elves listen and one that you have not seen before speaks in a commanding tone, "You show us the defiled corpses of our people. Denied burial, they are unclean. You are now also unclean."
What's going on with Petrune? I assume that Fippin, Keliwyn and Baas are still with him.
Fippin is still ready to plunge his sword into the mage. If he has his spell book on him or anything else that looks useful- scrolls, staff etc.. I demand he hand them over. If he has none of that we can see him to the river. What modes of transportation are left?
What's going on with Petrune? I assume that Fippin, Keliwyn and Baas are still with him.
Fippin is still ready to plunge his sword into the mage. If he has his spell book on him or anything else that looks useful- scrolls, staff etc.. I demand he hand them over. If he has none of that we can see him to the river. What modes of transportation are left?
"You're not taking my spellbook, halfling," says Petrune. "You might as well kill me as try because I'll be dead without it.
He nods in the direction Sykala and Ixius took and then grins, "Besides, I think you're going to need me alive soon."
Tarren and Ixius:
Rolling her eyes at the Ekujae's words she turns to lead them to the bodies, "Follow me and I will show you."
Tarren and Ixius:
** spoiler omitted **
Tarren and Ixius:
"Send our people out from that place of death and desecration. Remove those offenses to our deceased kin placed around your camp. We shall see. You will have our answer tonight."
Tarren and Ixius:
Tarren and Ixius:
** spoiler omitted **
Back at the camp, Esteban and Hurg are continuing to patrol the ground nervously. Carlus has gotten back to work on The River Queen, complaining about all his help having been driven off. Petrune is standing around defiantly predicting that the Ekujae will attack any minute and you will need his protection so you better keep your hands off.
Tarren and Ixius:
** spoiler omitted **
Sykala stalks back into camp and right up to Petrune, "You want live? Go take heads down. Burn. Ekujae here tonight. May kill. May not. Not know." She than turns to the others, "Need free slaves. They help. Bring good word." She looks unhappy but resigned about going back down into the tunnels.
Sykala stalks back into camp and right up to Petrune, "You want live? Go take heads down. Burn. Ekujae here tonight. May kill. May not. Not know." She than turns to the others, "Need free slaves. They help. Bring good word." She looks unhappy but resigned about going back down into the tunnels.
Petrune smirks at Sykala and begins gathering up the heads. He does so cheerfully.
Sykala stalks back into camp and right up to Petrune, "You want live? Go take heads down. Burn. Ekujae here tonight. May kill. May not. Not know." She than turns to the others, "Need free slaves. They help. Bring good word." She looks unhappy but resigned about going back down into the tunnels.
"I will do it."
Ixius goes back into the tunnel to set the slaves free.
Fippin stays behind and keeps an eye on Petrune, while he gather up the heads. Hopefully, Keliwyn and Baas are all with him.
Sykala stalks back into camp and right up to Petrune, "You want live? Go take heads down. Burn. Ekujae here tonight. May kill. May not. Not know." She than turns to the others, "Need free slaves. They help. Bring good word." She looks unhappy but resigned about going back down into the tunnels."I will do it."
Ixius goes back into the tunnel to set the slaves free.
Five slaves, four of them alive, are chained together in one stretch of the tunnel. Petrune had his zombies slowly kill the other one to lure you into the tunnels.
In another place, seven slaves are chained to a tunnel near the corpses of two guards. These guards tried to stop Petrune from taking the tunnels over after he slipped down here. The slaves, now confident that no one is going to return, are attempting to tear the spikes that hold their stretch of chain out of the ground.
Once freed, the slaves are suspicious but grateful. The exit the tunnels as quickly as possible and begin to dash towards the jungle despite their obvious discomfort in the light.
Fippin stays behind and keeps an eye on Petrune, while he gather up the heads. Hopefully, Keliwyn and Baas are all with him.
Petrune makes like he's going to toss a head to Fippin for laughs but stops himself out of fear that he'll have to listen to another lecture.
Keliwyn is reluctant to leave the sight of Petrune, but helps with the slaves once they are above ground. As they walk off, he turns to Fipping, out of ear shot of the necromancer. "I don't know. I still don't know what to make of all this. Clearly, Aspis was digging for gold on the backs of the ekujae, and then Petrune decided to act in his own interest on the backs of everyone. Am I missing anything?"
I think you're right, but I'm getting sick of keeping an eye on him. I think we should turn him over to the Ekujae- he whispers.
You see Esteban abandon his guard post and slip into the station house. He seems furtive.
Any other plans before nightfall at Nightfall Station?
Fippin didn't make his.
Sykala sees Esteban slip into the Station House but doesn't notice anything suspicious.
Anything else that you want to do before nightfall?
Are the Ekujae around? Can we turn Petrune over to them? Let's get a big angry band of them over here and explain to them that this is the guy who's been animating them into zombies and using them as slaves.
Sykala gathers the party as the remaining consortium are busy, "We make plan so go away if Ekujae attack. Yes? These people make enemies they face now. Stay tunnel? Go river? I escape by fly or swim away. You not fly, need other way." She pauses for a moment, "We try talk first. Ekujae not seem like listen much though."
So you are expecting an attack from them?
I think you're right, but I'm getting sick of keeping an eye on him. I think we should turn him over to the Ekujae- he whispers.
"Well, whatever we do with him," Keliwyn says, "we certainly shouldn't let him study his spell book tonight."
As the party talks, Esteban comes out from the Station House and walks straight to the workshop where The River Queen is being prepared. He sees you and smiles and waves then heads into the workshop.
I think Esteban is a little antsy to get out of here. Let's go see if the boat is in working order.
And now that everyone is together.
Fippin looks at Petrune.
But first. Baas hold him. Keliwyn tie him up and I'll gag him.
Fippin still keeps his sword ready to run Petrune through if he tries any funny business.
Fippin looks at Petrune.
But first. Baas hold him. Keliwyn tie him up and I'll gag him.
Fippin still keeps his sword ready to run Petrune through if he tries any funny business.
Sykala nods her head, "They very angry. Maybe slaves...heads...good enough, maybe not."
I think Esteban is a little antsy to get out of here. Let's go see if the boat is in working order.
And now that everyone is together.
Fippin looks at Petrune.
But first. Baas hold him. Keliwyn tie him up and I'll gag him.
Fippin still keeps his sword ready to run Petrune through if he tries any funny business.
When Baas approaches Petrune, Petrune hisses, "If you touch me, you'll be on your own when they come ... And they will come."
Esteban and Hurg walk quickly from the workshop to the Station House. Esteban smiles and waves again. Hurg tucks his head down.
Carlus stands at the door of the workshop watching them, shakes his head, and gets back to work on The River Queen.
Petrune sneers.
Any more actions before nightfall?
Fippin doesn't give a crap about what Petrune says and with the rest of the party standing nearby he asks Baas to secure the wizard and gag him.
If we really need you will untie you.
Fippin doesn't give a crap about what Petrune says and with the rest of the party standing nearby he asks Baas to secure the wizard and gag him.
If we really need you will untie you.
Done. Petrune is bound and gagged. Baas strips him of a couple of wands.
Esteban and Hurg walk slowly and awkwardly back to the workshop. Esteban looks like he's about to smile and wave but Hurg elbows him.
We drag Petrune with us to the workshop
"Esteban. What are you up to?"
Esteban steps out of the hold of The River Queen. "Up to? I ... we ... aren't up to anything. Are we Hurg? Nope. Not up to anything."
Is the River Queen operational because staying here for the night doesn't seem like it will be safe. I hope you aren't planning on trying to leave without us. That would be a stupid thing to do, as you know full well you'll need our help during the return voyage.
Is the River Queen operational because staying here for the night doesn't seem like it will be safe. I hope you aren't planning on trying to leave without us. That would be a stupid thing to do, as you know full well you'll need our help during the return voyage.
Carlus answers, "I TOLD YOU! IT WILL TAKE MORE TIME!! I need at least two more days."
He seems frustrated.
"Alright, Esteban, you know full well you're not getting out of here without our help. What are you up to now?" Keliwyn asks as he takes a long drink from a bottle of spirits and makes a point of making eye contact with Carlus.