Blaze gives Doc a withering look "Clearly. My problem is there wasn't full disclosure regarding the dangers of this mission and we were put in harms way because somebody is apparently in a hurry. Not sure about you, but its been my experience that ancient relics tend to lay way there are for hundreds of years unless somebody disturbs them, hence why they're ancient."
Cort moves to stand next to his hot-headed friend. "Easy Sunny, I'm as angry at these damn monkey bites as you are but there's a story to all this and I'd like to hear it." Cort leans close to whisper, "That said, I'm not following Valorious to a damn deathtrap on our salary. If his story isn't good, we have some things to discuss among the squad." The man sat down and settled in to listen, his steely gaze settling firmly on their employer.
Allowing Blaze's comments to wash over him as though water off a duck's back - Robert starts his tale while Sifuso continues his ministrations to the squad.
"How much of Sargavan history do you know? I do not speak of the recent times, but of that which came before. Even before the Shory sailed the sky in mountains made to fly. There was a civilization known as the Ghol-Gan"
He rummages inside his bag for a moment, before pulling out the book found after the fly encounter "Not much is known of them apart from that they were Cyclopean, but as their empire spanned much of the southern lands they must of held great power. I believe that this book (holding it up) has survived from those days to this" he hands the book around to the squad.
The clasp that had held the tome shut has been unlocked, so you are able to open it easily. Most of the book is written in a script that none of you recognize - however there are faded illustrations on some pages. A cyclops on a throne. A chariot drawn by huge bestial wolves. The entrance to an underground structure flanked by statues.
"Musangi and I have been searching for fragments that have survived since that time in this jungle. For a while it seemed a fool's errand, but we recently gained hope. A native half dead with jungle rot stumbled free of the undergrowth. He was not long for this world, but lived long enough for Musangi to hear his story. We believe he found a remnant, and that is what we have set out to find."
"Who all knows of this remnant, and who would want to stop us from finding it?"
"We got tah figure a watch schedule tha accounts fer tha wounded an heals whoever is gonna be on watch."
"I ave had better days mahself!"
"Go on with yer story. Please!"
Robert shakes his head "I know not of any other that is aware of the vault we search out. The native who brought the map did not give any indication."
Musangi adds "From your description of this shaman's spirit mask I suspect he is of the Bandu tribes - slavers that are known to live in the deep jungle. Of what has drawn his ire I am not sure."
"Well I am wounded but I remain standing so I suppose I can go on first watch." Cort quickly sized up everyone else. "Since Biter was in the jungle following the shaman he's unhurt, so he can have second, and Greens over here seems fine so I suppose he can have third." The blonde man looks uneasily aruond him. "I admit I'd like more than one set of eyes on every watch but I suppose it's all we can manage right now. I'll begin, continue the story Vankerman, I'll be listening" Cort treks out a bit, keeping within easy earshot, and attempts to hide himself as he circles the camp.
Fascinated by Roberts tale SEntis listens intently. This world is so much bigger than I had thought when I was wanderng by myself...and now I find myself part of it instead of apart from it...
When his turn to handle the book comes Sentis flips the pages slowly and with great care. Look! Wolves! Surely this is a good sign. Although Id rather see them run free then be bound as such. So Robert,if I may? This is purely an expedition to seek proof of these...Ghol-gan? Or did the native with the map have more to tell of? Is there artifacts as Blaze suggests? Is it possible that these Bandu have already found what youre looking for and dont want us having any part of it?
...Glad they put me on 3rd watch so I can get a good nights sleep and be able to heal a couple of my brothers tomorrow...send Gozreh gives us a night of peace...
"The Ghol-Gan predate the Azlanti and their time was during the Age of Serpents. Who knows what could be found if we rediscover one of their ruins." there is a hungry lustful twinkle in Robert's eyes as he speaks. "The native we found was not long for this world in our presence, he passed almost as soon as he gave up the location, and this"
With a flourish, Robert throws an amulet into the air above the fire - his jaw tightening for a second as it hangs motionless in the air slowly turning in a circle. The talisman has a circular head to it - one side of which is decorated by an eye, while the other is of a fanged maw. Extending below the head is a two inch notched protrusion not unlike the teeth of a key.
"Despite if others have found the ruins, this should open ways that yet remain closed"
His eyes widen at the sight of talisman...Amazing! How far are we from these ruins? We are going to need a couple of days at least to rest and heal before continuing on.
Darkbiter isn't entirely convinced that digging up something that ancient is particularly a good idea, but since it seemed likely that someone was bound to eventually anyway, he simply listens to learn what he can so that he can deal with any problems that arise as adeptly as possible.
Being unusually introspective for a moment....
"Mah mentor used tah say not every locked door is tah keeps things out."
Robert reaches out his hand and the 'key' zips back into his possession.
Musangi adds "The place that was spoken of lies two days trek from here - however we would cross into Pazoko territory on the first day. We must hold our accord with them tomorrow and see what toll they require of us"
...Id almost forgotten about the Pazoko...why do I think this is just going to get worse?...
Would Sifuso share his tale now? Would someone also ask him if theres anything we should know about the Pazoko?
Sifuso finishes tending to the expedition and takes a place close by the fire. "I do not know of the place you seek fundi but the jungle is vast and there are still large parts untouched by humans."
"My tale is far less grand, and with more sorrow. We used to be a village of three families, living inside of yet untouched by the jungle's dangers. However two weeks before tomorrow was when the demons first visited us. We did not know what they were then as they did not make themselves known to us."
"Over the course of a week, members of our village would suddenly get up and walk into the jungle without saying a word. We tried to follow but could not find them. Eventually is was just myself and another remaining."
"When he took his walk I managed to track his path and followed him into the jungle. After two hours of travel we came to a small clearing, of which the picture is burnt into my eyes."
"A group of red-skinned devil creatures were in the clearing, I watched as my tribe-mate walked into their midst and calmly sat down before they slit his throat. As he bled out on the ground, the creatures started to hungrily tear into his flesh - stuffing themselves as though pigs in a trough" his voice quavers as he recounts the story.
"I could not stay, I ran back as fast as my legs could carry to the village. I have stayed here since, fearing their return to take me"
Cort shivers as he watches the fores, now suddenly paying much more attention to flashes of red, which turn out to be flowers and mud. Killer demons taking entire villages... just when I though this trip couldn't get any better. He shivered in his blue cloak, the jungle air suddenly seeming far cooler. "Which direction were these devils?" the man asked, making a note to keep special watch in whatever direction the old shaman indicated.
Kaavel listens quietly to the stories. He could not believe what he was hearing whatever these things were they needed to be stopped.
"This trip just keeps getting better and better, foul jungles, some crazy shaman and now some sort of devil-demon flesh eaters." He leans over to Cort, keeping his voice to a whisper that only he can hear."Think your right, this isn't worth our current pay"
"It appears that we will have to deal with the demons before we do much else. They are probably bothering the Pazoko as well, and taking care of these things may get us in good graces with them."
Knowledge local
"Sounds familiar like a scary story heard as a kid."
"Biloko, evil cannibalistic fey, definitely a problem that needs to dealt with."
Cort's head snaps up as Darkbiter speaks. "Whoa, whoa my jungle friend. These creatures may be a menace, but it seems to me that the damage is done here." Raising an arm to the older villager, "This man's the only one left and we can freely move him to another area, I don't see much worth in hunting down these dark creatures without adequate pay or cause." Taking off his hat and waving it for emphasis the young swordlord begins pacing. "Sure perhaps the lizard people will be grateful, but some sort of nasty fey, out of our way and in the middle of thier own little section and ecological niche of the jungle? Doesn't really seem like anything we need to get involved in. Might as well hunt down the lions because they'll hurt the gazelles, had we been here earlier I would have been glad to help but now the solution is to move on toward our objective and hope we avoid the eyes of these... things."
The horror of the old mans story completely washes over the fact that Sentis isnt even sure what he's getting paid for this 'work'.
Between the elders story and Darkbiters confirmation these fey are a threat to us. I for one do not wish to be on watch by myself; where I could be charmed to walk to my death without any of you even knowing it. Any of the porters unhurt will have to share the watch with us. We'll need many eyes to make sure no one wanders off. Why hasnt the grandfather left this village yet? And why did he think we were these devils? Do they appear as normal people?
"Your pay for killing these things is being allowed to leave this jungle alive. We will eventually have to deal with them, and I would much rather deal with them on our terms instead of their terms."
"What talk is there of me leaving? I am an old man and will die soon, I would rather do so in my home." Sifuso states with intent.
"Before we decide to charge off and right the wrongs of the jungle, I'd like to know how large a group of these demon fey are out there. If its a whole village worth, I don't think we stand a chance." He shoots an accusing look to Vankerman "Unless your pretty toys can do more than kill plant life and unlock doors"
"I did not stay to count" adds Sifuso.
Those that care to look at Cpl Valorious see that he has drawn a blanket around himself and is still shaking.
I think we've all heard enough for now. Let the wounded and those of us on later watch get some sleep now and we can discuss this more tomorrow while we wait on the Pazoko.
With that being said Sentis finds an empty hut close to the fire and tries to get some sleep...
Grusk searches for cover and/or concealment options he can use during his watch for the night....
Maybe the thatch roofing of a hut or something similar!
Stealth check
Perception for his watch
"Im fer finding a hole tah crawl intah an realize survivin tha night is not a given!"
"The small Biloko are territorial and are never found in large groups or very physically threatening. So as long as we take care to protect ourselves from their mind attacks, we should be fine. But we will have to wait to see if the Pazooko know anything more I suppose."
After suggesting that everyone stays close to the center of the village where they can keep an eye on each other, Darkbiter will take advantage of the huts and use them as cover to watch for any signs that the Biloko try to do anything tonight.
For my watch -
"You guys enjoy takin watch, I need a good night's sleep and then some" With that Blaze goes to lay down, his scimitar close at hand in case trouble arises.
hope you are preparing as many clw as possible! ;)
"Ah def'nitly ain't get'n paid 'nough fer this s%~~." Doc grumbles. ""Ah'm takin' mahself off watch rotation t'night, boys. Ah got wounded t' tend to an' supplies t' brew. Ah'll still be up most'a th' night if any o' ye need anythin'. I'll keep a cookpot goin next'a th' other stuff. Grusk, try not t' eat my pot o' tanglefoot glue again, eh?'"
Doc stomps off to set up the med tent. Throughout most of the night he can be heard telling the injured to quit being babies and brewing up terrible concoctions of one sort or another.
The night passes slowly, but without incident. The jungle seems to sense your tension and is eerily quiet.
Upon morning, you see most of the camp up and about. The porters are continuing to tend to those of them that are injured. However you do not see Cpl Valorious at all.
Darkbiter immediately starts searching for tracks as he watches for trouble.
Nobody saw anything?
Drink couldve weakened his mind to the point that he was an easy target for these Biloko...such a shame...I hope we can find him in time...
Sentis sets out to help with trying to find the Corporals tracks
-
-
Darkbiter and Sentis find no tracks, but notice the curtain on the hut the corporal commandeered is still drawn.
Reckon he's still sleeping?
Comfortable with Darkbiter watching his back Sentis will approach the hut and draw the curtain to one side peering in.
-
Sentis peers into the Corporal's hut and sees that he is still in bed. He is constantly shaking and you see that the bedroll he is lying on is soaked through with sweat.
Oh no! Help!! Musangi!!
Sentis moves into the hut and starts removing Icy's clothes looking for an untended to injury.
I bet he had a botfly sting that he never told us about...damn proud man is going to kill himself out here...
Sentis checks Icy's body but cannot see any other signs of illness or any open wounds.
No botfly larva like I thought. Which is either good or bad
Looks like hes gotten malaria. Shouldve used my bug repellant Icy.
-
Cort watches, wishing he had more healing skills. I may not like the bastard but... by Shelyn he's just incompetent he doesn't deserve this. He continues to watch the other huts. "So the bugs did this to him? Not even the big ones?" Cort shivered, he needed to learn more about this jungle so that he could keep himself alive without these people if he had to.
assume watch the entire night, so sleeping a bit today.....
Did need a spare clw if available!
assume watch the entire night, so sleeping a bit today.....
Did need a spare clw if available!