Too Young to Retire

MacConnell · Oct 31, 2020

Tellerian Hawke said:
Merin says, "... I say we skip Bridgetown; (we) can stop for a night or two in Boga City..."

Due to the necessary direction of travel, Bridgetown cannot be avoided altogether, but the two men restrict themselves to a night's sleep without visitation. The journey from the conflict on the river to Boga City takes seven days.

Merindell: 31(perception) + 34(analysis) + 50(d100) = 115
Sheldon: 44 + 64 + 50 = 158

During the early part of the journey, the two cross paths with a younger party of Evipau, who quickly assess the foolishness of engaging the two travelers and move along. Somewhere about halfway between Bridgetown and Boga City, the two are ambushed, but it is not by any indigenous tribe. It is by a never before seen creature, lying in wait specifically to assault whatever may pass by.

Cockatrices: 143(hide) + 10(bend light) + 60(d100) = 213

Merindell: 213 - 115 = 98
Sheldon: 213 - 158 = 55

Cockatrices: 68 + 60(d100) = 128

Merindell: 42(readiness) + 33(avoidance) + 34(analysis) + 50(d100) = 159
Sheldon: 25 + 44 + 64 + 50 = 183

Cockatrice: 40(dose) + 60(d100) = 100

Merindell: 41(conditioning) + 75(bolster) + 50(d100) > 100
Sheldon: 27 + 44 + 50 > 100

Merindell:
damage: 213 - 159 = 54 + 98(surprise) = 152% * 4 = 6, Body: 10 - 6 = 4, hurt
Surcoat: 74%
Tunic: 56%
Sheldon:
damage: 213 - 183 = 40 + 55(surprise) = 95% * 4 = 4, Body: 10 - 4 = 6, hurt
L-Tunic: 53%
A-tunic: 59%

Catching each man unaware and in an unprotected location, each hooded viper strikes hard and sinks its fangs. Fortunately, each man is conditioned well enough to resist the venom, but the snakes do not let go, they continue to clamp down and pulse their bite.

Called a cockatrice by some and a hooded viper by others, the strange snakes are about twice as long as either man is tall; and though camouflaged in coloration like other vipers, they have an array of colorful feathers around the swollen part of their neck, hence their name.

Animal:
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 7 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}
Feather Talismans: 2, ??
Lizard Claws: 3 sets, ??
Ram's Horn: 1, ??
Boar Tusk: 1, ??
Lizard Teeth: 1 pouch, ??
Bird Skull: 1, ??

Mineral:
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}
Curious Stones: 7, ??

Ores:
ingots: 5, ??

Plant:
dried herbs: 10 measures, ??

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. Provide 2 random rolls with the next post.

Tellerian Hawke · Nov 2, 2020

Merin will attempt to drain the life from the snake that is clamped upon him. He will also try to grab it by the head and wring its neck, the way one would normally kill a chicken.

Wring: 94+72 (166)
Drain: 100+68 (168)
Wow, my dice are HOT today!!

MacConnell · Nov 7, 2020

Tellerian Hawke said:
Merin... drain the life... to grab it by the head and wring its neck...

Reflexively, Sheldon will attempt to disengage himself from the exotic snake and to mystically intoxicate it.

Merindell: 33(aggression) + 41(accuracy) + 75(bolster) + 166(d100) = 315 + 100(attached) = 415
Sheldon: 25 + 44 + 64 + 72 = 205 + 100 = 305
Cockatrices: 68 + 83(d100) = 151 + 100 = 251

Merindell: 42(readiness) + 33(avoidance) + 34(analysis) + 166(d100) = 275, avoided
Sheldon: 25 + 44 + 64 + 72 = 205
Cockatrices: 29 + 38 +10 + 83 = 160

Merindell: 43 + 52 + 168 = 263
Sheldon: 82 + 61 + 100 = 243

Cockatrices: 160

Cockatrice: 40(dose) + 100(d100) = 140

Merindell: 41(conditioning) + 75(bolster) + 168(d100) > 140
Sheldon: 27 + 44 + 100 > 140

Merindell: Body: 10 - 6 = 4 + 6 = 10, recovered
Surcoat: 74%
Tunic: 56%
Sheldon:
damage: 251 - 205 = 46% * 4 = 2, Body: 10 - 4 = 6 - 2 = 4, hurt
L-Tunic: 53%
A-tunic: 59%

Cockatrice1: damage: 415 - 160 = 355% - 38(contortion) x 2 = 279% * 2 = 6 - 1(skin) = 5 x 4(head) = 20, Mind: 10 - 20 = -10, unconscious, incapacitated.
damage: 263 - 160 = 103% * 6 = 6, Essence: 10 - 6 = 4, dying

Cockatrice2: damage: 305 - 160 = 145% - 38(contortion) = 107% * 10 = 11, Mind: 10 - 11 = -1, unconscious
damage: 243 - 160 = 83% * 6 = 5, Mind: -1 - 5 = -6, unconscious

In an impressive display of strength, Merindell pulls the head of the viper free from his own body and squeezes until the creature loses consciousness, almost killing it, additionally draining more life with a mystical assault that recovers all of his own previous damage.

Sheldon whirls his entire body in a circle, slinging the snake off and to the ground with enough force to render it unconscious; however, the viper is able to cause more harm by pulsing its bite before being dislodged. The physical assault is augmented by a mystical alteration that causes the blood of the viper to become toxic to itself.

Sheldon sits and clamps his hand to the bite on his neckline. "Ouch!"

Animal:
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 7 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}
Feather Talismans: 2, ??
Lizard Claws: 3 sets, ??
Ram's Horn: 1, ??
Boar Tusk: 1, ??
Lizard Teeth: 1 pouch, ??
Bird Skull: 1, ??

Mineral:
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}
Curious Stones: 7, ??

Ores:
ingots: 5, ??

Plant:
dried herbs: 10 measures, ??

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. Provide 1 random roll with the next post.

Tellerian Hawke · Nov 14, 2020

Merin will attempt to aid Sheldon in ridding the poison from his body. Afterwards he will examine the serpents, to see if there is enough skin to be useful to a leatherworker, and to ascertain any proclivities.

Aid Sheldon: 75
Examination of Serpents / Look For Proclivities: 77
Random roll for anything else that might happen: 92(+59) = 151

While all of this is going on, Merin will stay acutely aware of his surroundings, keeping a watchful eye out for any other serpents, or anything else out of the ordinary.

MacConnell · Nov 18, 2020

Tellerian Hawke said:
Merin will... aid Sheldon... examine the serpents...

Sheldon waves Merindell off. "It is not the venom. I can tell that had no effect on me. I can augment my healing quite significantly, but I will still need to rest for a bit. We should go ahead and make camp...

What a weird looking snake. I think it is called a cockatrice because of those feathers around it head, but I thought they were a myth. I will take it easy, but I can still help with preparing those things."

Sheldon: 60(medicine) + 54(restore) + 75(d100) = 189
Time: 60 days / 189 = 8 hours

Merindell: 44(AP) + 34(analysis) + 77(d100) = 155 - 80 or 60(difficulty) = 75
Sheldon: 63(AP) + 64(empathy) + 77(d100) = 204 - 80 or 60 = 124

Having a much more difficult time cleaning the viper than the injured Sheldon, after being able to salvage only 75% of the hide for use, he passes the carcass over to allow his friend to collect the rest. The collected hides provide a total of 70% coverage of skin. Additionally, Sheldon is able to milk the snakes of their venom, even though they are dead. He keeps it and the feather, handing over the fangs to Merindell.

Merindell: 31(alchemy) + 34(analysis) + 77(d100) = 142
Fangs: 40 days / 142 = 7 hours, success
Sheldon: 60 + 64(empathy) + 77(d100) = 211
Feathers: 40 days / 211 = 5 hours
Venom: 5 hours

Merindell is fascinated by the difference in skill sets of the two men. Combat is more the forefront for him, but Sheldon excels at commercial skills. The venom is particularly suited to Sheldon's skill in manipulating chemical waylines, but the fangs and feathers harbor very beneficial proclivity for both.

While holding the fangs or having them close to his body, Merindell feels more mobile, his whole concept of movement more fluid. Sheldon feels the same thing from the feathers.

GM:

cockatrice fangs: 2 pair, (motility & cohesion +3)
cockatrice feathers: 2 sets, (motility & cohesion +3)
cockatrice venom: 2 measures, (toxicity x4)

The wary diligence proves unnecessary as the rest of the day and the night are peaceable. Not only is the rest undisturbed, but the remainder of the journey to Boga City as well. Arranging to arrive early in the morning, the men hear the strains of laborers working on digging the canal system even before they can see them. As with the last visit, they are greeted by a gate clerk who is unarmed, albeit soldiers are in the vicinity and bowmen are on the walls.

Merindell: full wellness
Surcoat: 74%
Tunic: 56%
Sheldon: full wellness
L-Tunic: 53%
A-tunic: 59%

Animal:
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 7 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}
Feather Talismans: 2, ??
Lizard Claws: 3 sets, ??
Ram's Horn: 1, ??
Boar Tusk: 1, ??
Lizard Teeth: 1 pouch, ??
Bird Skull: 1, ??

Mineral:
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}
Curious Stones: 7, ??

Ores:
ingots: 5, ??

Plant:
dried herbs: 10 measures, ??

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. Provide a random roll with the next post.

Tellerian Hawke · Nov 18, 2020

Merin smiles, and waves at the clerk, approaching him in a friendly manner.

Merin says, in Centrin (68% Fluency): "Greetings, and pleased to meet you. What a wonderful morning this is. We would like to enter your fair city."

68

MacConnell · Nov 21, 2020

Tellerian Hawke said:
Merin... says, in Centrin...

Sheldon integrates the cockatrice feathers into his clothing as the two men travel. When arriving at the gate of the city he simply says to the clerk, "Happy Hunting."

The clerk is a Centrin man and responds to each man before engaging in the technial questions of his office. Learning that the men are merely passing through but would like to acquire some information, he gives direction to the city's library and suggests trying to speak with Eldridge Hendelson, the librarian, directly.

Sheldon asks about all the digging and if the city is under some war preparation. He is pleased to learn that it is a canal system for better transport of goods around the city and has nothing to do with any imminent danger.

Inside the library, the din of noise from the bustle of the city is significantly muted. The rooms are well lit with glowing glass globes. The glass was procured from Asylim, the only place that makes it. The light is magical in nature. Merindell and Sheldon know this but the general populace does not.

Eventually word reaches the librarian and he comes to speak with the two. He is a lavishly dressed, Centrin man of about 50 cycles. Everything about him is in immaculate order. He greets the two men and introduces himself. He then confesses to remembering a previous visit because of the rarity of an Amiradthan to do so.

"How may I help you gentlemen?"

Merindell: full wellness
Surcoat: 74%
Tunic: 56%
Sheldon: full wellness
L-Tunic: 53%
A-tunic: 59%

Animal:
Cockatrice fangs: 2 pair, (motility & cohesion +3)
Cockatrice feathers: 1 set, (motility & cohesion +3)
Cockatrice venom: 2 measures, (toxicity x4)
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 7 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}
Feather Talismans: 2, ??
Lizard Claws: 3 sets, ??
Ram's Horn: 1, ??
Boar Tusk: 1, ??
Lizard Teeth: 1 pouch, ??
Bird Skull: 1, ??

Mineral:
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}
Curious Stones: 7, ??

Ores:
ingots: 5, ??

Plant:
dried herbs: 10 measures, ??

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. Merindell improves in Centrin by 2%. Provide a random roll with the next post.

Tellerian Hawke · Dec 11, 2020

Merin also incorporates the fangs into his belt, in a similar manner to Sheldon.

Merin bows politely, and says, "We are looking for detailed maps, histories, and journals pertaining to the Dragon Claw mountains. Also, we'd like to see any paintings or drawings pertaining to scenery and/or wildlife in that area."

72

MacConnell · Dec 12, 2020

Tellerian Hawke said:
Merin... "... maps, histories, and journals pertaining to the Dragon Claw mountains. Also... wildlife..."

Eldridge nods and directs the two men to follow him. He leads them into the same back room visited before to use the map mounted on a table for reference as he speaks.
"Other than a map, I have very little information on this part of the land. This thinner area here above the Ka-ard'taerm may offer some pass but the desert is a dangerous place to travel and not just because it is a desert. The northern part is called the Bakka'taerm. It is rocky crags and fissures. A legend tells of a hidden people who dwell there, calling them the People of the Sun. Another tells of lizards who walk as men."

"A few expeditions have been sent to the desert, but neither of those legends has ever been confirmed. I do know of some friendly communities along the Windy Coast, which may offer a way to sail around this ridge line that juts into the ocean, but only the Norikadians who trade with them would have an ocean worthy vessel. These Norikadians are reported to live beyond the claw."

"The Kingdom of West Cove has ocean worthy vessels but that is becoming a hostile environment with the rise of a religious fanaticism. Our Trade Commissioner, Zaelostrymiran may know more. He is like a walking history book, but he is away at the moment, where I have no idea nor when he will return."

"I pride myself on the information that we keep here, but it is woefully inadequate with regard to your current endeavor. Anything else I may help you with?"

Merindell: full wellness
Surcoat: 74%
Tunic: 56%
Sheldon: full wellness
L-Tunic: 53%
A-tunic: 59%

Animal:
Cockatrice fangs: 1 pair, (motility & cohesion +3)
Cockatrice feathers: 1 set, (motility & cohesion +3)
Cockatrice venom: 2 measures, (toxicity x4)
Jackal Canines: 8 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Dew Claws: 7 pair: (Strength +3)
Jackal Hearts: 8: {+strength x 3, +athleticism x 3}
Quillion Quills: 2: (Health +3), {toxicity x4}
Feather Talismans: 2, ??
Lizard Claws: 3 sets, ??
Ram's Horn: 1, ??
Boar Tusk: 1, ??
Lizard Teeth: 1 pouch, ??
Bird Skull: 1, ??

Mineral:
Slickstone: 1: {- heat x2}
Curious Stones: 7, ??

Ores:
ingots: 5, ??

Plant:
dried herbs: 10 measures, ??

OOC:

Each character receives 5 DP. Merindell improves in Centrin by 2%. Provided a random roll has not been used.

Tellerian Hawke · Feb 9, 2021

Merin inquires as to whether or not there is anyone in town who can work leather at a similar level to that found in Southroad Fair.

He also mentions to Sheldon that, since we're here in such a resourceful city, perhaps we should pause to make a little coin? Doing things like gathering hard-to-find supplies, etc. Someone is always hiring scouts to do such things. Merin suggests visiting the nearest tavern, and having a look at the postings on their hire board.