Coldtree listens intently to Gebbrik and replies in Orngaddrin, "Of course. You can trust us to handle this matter and to be discrete. Let us know where we should start looking and we will take it from there." After Gebbrik departs, Coldtree motions T&T in close and says, "My friends, it is reasonable to think that if those women are still alive, they are suffering as we speak. Let us make all haste to rescue, or avenge them."
Gebbrik nods twice, with deliberation. "My best guess is to follow the main road east in the direction of East Port and looks for signs. I cannot see an entire caravan vanishing without evidence of its demise. I have no way of knowing what or where is may have incurred trouble. I only know that it is three days late."
With very little to go on, DWAC takes to the mission at first light, gathering necessary provisions for travel and proceeds by foot eastward on the main road. The miners are not really much of a talkative lot early in the morning, so while a few wave, no one engages the men in any attempt of a conversation, making the departure efficient and easy.
During the first day of the journey, Taka happens to stumble across the path of three large ants, which can no longer pose anything other than a trivial threat. The ants are quickly overcome and their useful parts collected.
Late into the afternoon, nearing the point where it would be desirable to rest for the evening, Coldtree notices a few rockland sheep grazing and is able to fell one before the remainder scatter. As the men are cleaning the kill, Tehn notices the approach of potential hostiles and motions to the others. Preparing to receive hostiles, mutual awareness is made between the DWAC and a group of 6 people.
Possibly having been following the small herd of rockland sheep, the other group is composed of young Aedamans, having, decorated, reddish brown skin, clothed in rudimentary skins, and armed with stone tipped javelins.
OOC:
Each character receives 3 DP. THERE IS NOT AN OPTION FOR SURPRISE. STATE FIRST INTENDED ACTION AND PROVIDE REACTION ROLL AND ACTION ROLL.
Taka will stimulate his strength, allowing his muscles to expand and swell. He will draw his sword and rush toward the nearest Aedeman. On his way, he will muddle his foe's mind, and follow that up with a sword strike.
Taka wishes that his sword were bigger, but for now, the Harnin shortblade would have to suffice.
Seeing the six men, all are men, Taka instinctively recognizes the kinship of bloodline, though he has not before encountered his father's people since infancy. He speaks one word, "Kinamin."
Little is known, by others, of the hostile tribe, except for their propensity for war. It is rumored that despite the statistics against it, the men of the tribe tend to outnumber the women 4 to 1. The women and children are stationed in a temporary camp while the men look for kills, sometimes wandering more than a day from the original location. Random encounters will always be with men and will always be hostile. The real fear of this people is their innate ability to bend waylines to their will.
This particular party appears to be comprised of young men about the same age as DWAC, perhaps a little younger, readily armed with stone tipped javelins. The encounter occurs at a distance of about 20 strides.
Coldtree only has to move forward a short distance for the headhunters to be within his range to affect them. Taka, with his longer strides, outdistances both Lunnaya and the Kinamins. Checking up at the change in range, all 6 Kinamins launch javelins at the same time Coldtree attempts to heat one of them.
Shortly after Coldtree stops and heats one of the enemy, the lot of them launches a javelin, each, all from about the same range to their targets. While stroke of luck causes none to come near Taka, Coldtree is not so lucky, but is saved from damage by his tunic. Lunnaya is barely grazed, the stone tip not even affecting his garment.
Not needing to move any closer, Coldtree is able to heat his opponent a second time, as his two friends close to melee, but is still unable to subdue him. Taka slashes his sword across the torso of one simultaneously altering his mind. The man is significantly injured but falls unconscious due to the manipulation of his mind. Lunnaya is unable to effectively attack his opponent but does some harm by mystically generating a damaging pulse of air on the man's ears.
OOC:
Coldtree is 15 strides from his two opponents, one of which is majorly burned. Both seem intent on physically reaching the man despite the injury to the one. Taka is engaged with a single opponent, while Tehn is still facing two.
Seeing that the combination of attacking both the mind and the body simultaneously seems to be a winner, Taka repeats the process on his current opponent.
Taka and Tehn both slash with their bladed weapons as they begin to bend mystical and mechanical waylines, respectively. Neither is able to make contact with his enemy. The Kinamins attack bare handed. Taka is unaffected by the blow but the double team on Lunnaya is able to pummel a little pain.
Coldtree generates heat on his determined first target, managing to incapacitate him. He also has time to launch another assault against his second opponent, causing him some harm as well. The second opponent closes to melee but is unable to cause physical harm.
Taka and Tehn are both able to do some harm by manipulating their desired waylines but not enough to take down an opponent.
Coldtree and Taka are now engaged in melee with a single opponent, each. Lunnaya appears to be in some trouble, still fighting two.
OOC:
Each character receives 3 DP. STATE NEXT ACTION AND PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE ROLL.
Coldtree will keep his hands up for defense, and kick at his opponent's knee. He will maneuver to where he can see one of Lunnaya's opponents, and manipulate waylines to Heat the Kinamin to help his friend out.
