Some Stories Are True

Astrid · Jul 10, 2020

"My connection to the elements is raw and far from tame. I don't think I am great at feeling things like Wrenn would be." Astrid shifts her pose. "For me my power feels like a raging storm at sea, threatening to overturn me every time I use it. I have gained a small amount of control in the past few years, but even still."

Astrid sighs. "One time during a thunderstorm I went out in the middle of the night when everyone was asleep and just stood there marveling at the lighting as it streaked across the sky. Then lightning struck a tree nearby the core of the tree burnt while the outside was protected it from the weather." Astrid produces a small wrapped object and pulls it out revealing a piece of charred wood "This is what it feels like i could become if I ever lose control. Spiders are a silly fear, for to become like this wood that burned at the center of the tree. It looked like a pair of eyes starring at me through two knots."

Astrid shakes her head and re-wraps the the charred piece of wood. "Sorry, I... " her mouth dry she retrieves her water skin and takes a drink. "Perhaps the skull holds some power or perhaps your belief that it holds power will cause it to do so. I am not the best to talk about such things. Perhaps we should be going."

Tellerian Hawke · Jul 10, 2020

Astrid said:
"...or perhaps your belief that it holds power will cause it to do so."

Wrenn smiles, "Oh, the energy is there, make no mistake. We can debate over the source of it, but not its presence. All of us can tap into that energy in various ways, with varying degrees of success. And I believe that this energy is present in all living things, whether or not those creatures can make use of it like we can. And I believe that's why Oorvid senses what he does about the skull. I think wearing the skull WILL have an effect; Oorvid is spot-on with his observation."

Hiroshi sighs, "Well, let's discuss it as we walk. Astrid is right, we should get our lazy butts in gear, and keep moving."

Wrenn chuckles, nodding in agreement.

MacConnell · Jul 11, 2020

Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Oorvid: full wellness
Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 1 = 19

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??

The party debates philosophy in a friendly manner has they walk, each having a bit of a different perspective on how things are and how they function. The specifics are not nearly as important as the existence. Oorvid continues to fondle over the rodent skull as the group travels.

ecology + analysis + d100 => 60 + (rarity *20)
Oorvid: 10 + 18 + 85 = 113
Time: 10 days / 113 > 1 hour, fail

Despite his fascination and his effort, Oorvid discovers nothing about the skull other than his own superstition or belief.

By late afternoon, as half the water supply has been depleted signaling the party's need to return to the village in the morning, a chance discovery dramatically changes those plans. Almost missed due to the growth of the forest to reclaim what was once manufactured, a long abandoned stone structure is discovered as well as a small water-filled quarry where the stones must have been originally cut.

Walkiing around the structure, which has collapsed in a couple of places where trees now grow, reveals the quarry and the knowledge that the outer wall of the structure is only about 100 by 100 strides, square. Vegetation as grown back over the edge of the quarry and enough debris must have collected to make the water dark. A little examination reveals that the water smells and tastes fine.

Oorvid says, "This looks like a keep, something the Orngaddrin would build, but we always stick to the mountains, not the forests, and how long would it have had to be here for trees this size to grow up where the wall has collapsed?"

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP.

Astrid · Jul 12, 2020

"I know little of Orngaddrin building, but this is quite interesting. What would cause them to build here and more importantly why would they have left it to ruin? I don't recall any stories of a fort out here." Astrid expression sours "If we explore it, we can't tell the adults about it. My adopted parents might be quite upset that we did something foolish, but we can't just not check this out right?"

MacConnell · Jul 15, 2020

Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Oorvid: full wellness
Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 1 = 19

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??

Astrid said:
"I know little of Orngaddrin building... What would cause them to... have left it to ruin?... we can't just not check this out right?"

OOC:

Posting on behalf of Tellerian Hawke, per text message.

for Tellerian said:
Wrenn conveys his thought about the age of the structure based upon the size of the major trees that have grown in two corners of the outer wall and the water filled quarry. "Is it older than the forest?"

The question is rhetorical, of course.

"We definitely have to explore this! We should camp for the night by the quarry."

OOC:

Posting on behalf of Osthelerian.

for Osthelerian said:
Hiroshi says,
"This has to be from before the Sundering. The Storyteller said there used to be one race of people who got into a war with the gods. I figured it was just a story, but maybe not."

Oorvid looks at Astrid. "It stands to reason that we would build from stone, we meaning the Orngaddrin, not us, since we tend to live in the mountains.

He laughs at himself. "Across the bay, we had masons who would hew the stones for the buildings. My father, of course, was a smith. Most Orngaddrin seem to be smiths or masons. We trade for everything else."

As the light of the day fades quickly within the shadows of the forest, the empty waterskins are refilled and suitable sleeping sites are chosen near the quarry. The forest sounds much the same as the Spiofthest village, at night, and sleep comes quickly and with it dreams. Dreams which are not one's own, like the Storyteller's tale come to life. A happy people, a time of clearing and building, a time of trade, a time of departure, then the return of the forests, and the end of the vision is longer than everything else combined. This keep has been dormant from civilization for 100s of cycles.

The morning light brings an even greater desire to explore, but perhaps some food first. There seems to be plenty of wildlife, all going about its regular activity. Oorvid quietly washes his face in the pool, then rubs his empty belly, looking out into the trees.

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP.

Astrid · Jul 18, 2020

"Vid de sju hälarna" Astrid shouts. "Osthelerian where have you been and how did you find us." Astrid quickly realizes she had already drawn her sling and had charged one of her stones on reflex. Her eye reverts back to its normal pale amber color.

Vid de sju hälarna = By the Seven Hells. Not sure there are seven hells in this world, and not sure why seven came to mind, but it did. This is Swedish of course. I assumed only some of the other players could even speak Norikian?

Next Morning

"Next time we need to bring rations of some sort. Not that I don't mind hunting that is. Shall we split up and look for small game, or do we go for something a bit bigger?" Astrid starts to look for nearby tracks, but can't find any. "Eh whales are more my prey of choice."

Rolled 14. for w/e random roll you mentioned and 26 for tracking something. Rolls are already going about right for me ><

MacConnell · Jul 18, 2020

Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Oorvid: full wellness
Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 1 = 19

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??

Astrid said:
Astrid... "Next time we need to bring rations... split up... something a bit bigger?"

GM:

Oops, I forgot to include 'Hiroshi' when posting on behalf of Osthelerian. I have edited the previous post.

Oorvid pulls a piece of jerky from a pouch and waves it. "I think you mean more rations. In case this ancient keep turns out to be interesting to explore and takes a few days, I was actually thinking we may want to cure some fresh meat on our own. We should set out some snares. I bet animals use this pool for drinking, then we can try some tracking. I think, no whales, though, Ha. Ha."

OOC:

Posting on behalf of Tellerian Hawke:
Wrenn says, "Good idea on the snares, but we should not split up. I cannot see us doing much good for tracking, anyway. We would probably do better hiding and waiting."

OOC:

Posting on behalf of Osthelerian:
Hiroshi pulls some line from a belt pouch. "I will set some snares over here, then hide over by that tree."

The theory of a well known watering hole turns out to be a sound one for the denizens of this wood. By stone, by arrow, and by snare, each youngster is able to collect a suitable rodent; but for one snare, the varmint is not so easily attainable. It makes a squealing noise as its leg is caught and draws everyone toward its location, just as it turns and chews through the line to free its captured leg. This particularly unpleasant fowler is now even a bit more foul and thumping its hind foot while staring down the semi-circle of friends who are, as yet, each 3 strides distant.

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. Provide a random roll for reaction and one for initial desired action.

Tellerian Hawke · Jul 20, 2020

OOC:

Posting on behalf of Osthelerin (Hiroshi) as well as for Wrenn:

Wrenn says, "Not sure how tasty these varmints are, probably not very. But I know one thing: I don't want to get sprayed. Let's put this thing down, before things get messy."

Hiroshi nods, and prepares to help put the creature down.

Hiroshi says, "You slow it, I'll stick it."

OOC:

Wrenn will use Muddle on the fowler, while Hiroshi throws his javelin.

Muddle = 65
Javelin = 81
Wrenn Reaction = 88
Hiro Reaction = 44

Astrid · Jul 24, 2020

Astrid's green eye begins to like the top side of a tornado as she lets loose a stone from her sling.

Reaction 69, Sling 73, Sound 94

MacConnell · Jul 25, 2020

Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Oorvid: full wellness
Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 1 = 19

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??

Tellerian Hawke said:
Wrenn says, "... Let's put this thing down..."

Hiroshi says, "You slow it, I'll stick it."

Astrid said:
Astrid... lets loose a stone...

Oorvid sucks in a deep breath and launches one of his carving axes.

Readiness + Speed + Clarity + d100
Wrenn: 11 + 16 + 15 + 88 = 130
Astrid: 10 + 19 + 11 + 69 = 109
Hiroshi: 10 + 18 + 9 + 44 = 81
Oorvid: 17 + 10 + 18 + 67 = 112
Skunk: 17 + 21 + 0 + 77 = 115

hindrance - reaction => 0
Wrenn: 200(bow) - 130 = 70
Astrid: 200(sling) - 109 = 91
Hiroshi: 100(javelin) - 81 = 19
Oorvid: 100(axe) - 112 = ~0
Skunk: 100(spray - 115 = ~0

GM:

The nature of the spray and the position of the party is such that up to 2 people can be affected. From left to right, facing the skunk, the members are Wrenn, Hiroshi, Oorvid, and Astrid. Hiroshi and Oorvid take the spray.

Only heat and sound may be applied by extended touch, not Muddle. I have defaulted Wrenn to the use of heat for this first assault.

When a random roll yields a result greater than 89 and additional roll may be made and added to the previous. This represents "luck." I used 94 + 73 for Astrid.

bending + various + d100
Wrenn: 19 + 14(heat) + 65 = 98
Astrid: 19 + 9(thump) + 167 = 195
Skunk: 0 + 38 + 80 = 118

Hiroshi: 109conditioning) + 11(clarity) + 81(d100) = 102
damage: 118 - 102 = 16% * 8 = 1
Mind: 8 - 1 = 7, dazed

Oorvid: 16 + 18 + 67 = 101
damage: 118 - 101 = 17% * 8 = 1
Mind: 8 - 1 = 7, dazed

Skunk: 17(conditioning) + 77(d100) = 94
damage: 195 - 94 = 101 * 2 = 2
Mind: 2 - 2 = 0, unconscious

damage: 98 - 94 = 4% * 2 = ~1
Body: 2 - 1 = 1, hurt

Launch + Accuracy + Clarity + d100 +/- range
Oorvid: 17 + 10 + 18 + 67 = 112 - 0(short) = 112
Hiroshi: 10 + 18 + 11 + 81 = 120
Astrid: 10 + 19 + 11 + 73 = 113
Wrenn: 11 + 16 + 15 + 65 = 107

Readiness + Avoidance + Analysis + d100
Skunk: 17 + 21 + 0 + 77 = 115
damage: 120 - 115 = 5% * 10 = ~1 - 4(deflect), ineffective

The skunks reacts first by swinging its hind end around and releasing a noxious spray from its rear. The liquid happens to catch both Hiroshi and Oorvid. Reflexively reaching up to wipe his eyes, each young man still releases his throw. Oorvid narrowly misses the skunk with his axe. Hiroshi strikes the skunk but not with enough force for the javelin to penetrate the hide.

Astrid grips the stone in her hand momentarily before setting it to spin while Wrenn reaches up to to touch the stone tip of his arrow when aiming. Both narrowly miss the target but when the stone strikes the ground it dissolves, resounding with a loud piercing tone. The arrow thuds into the ground, the shaft igniting in flame, the green vegetation within a stride browning with the released heat. The skunk convulses and falls over. It appears to still be breathing but is, otherwise, not moving.

With the instinctive nature of making use of bending waylines, both Hiroshi and Oorvid need only to think of ridding themselves of the burning stench for it to happen. Reflexively manipulating chemical waylines, the skunk spray becomes nothing more than water, but it will take a few moments more before full cognizance returns from its inflicted damage.

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP.