Chi no Taka nods as he thinks on the question from Coldtree. He conveys that since his stature already makes him ill suited for ambush or flanking, he hopes to become a much greater fighter, tuning his mind, body, and essence into a well-honed warrior.
He too will meditate upon previously unidentified items as the DWAC travel.
Lunnaya purses his lips and runs his tongue over his teeth. He works his mouth around a bit before speaking. "My ambition, if it could be called such, is different than the two of you. I want to bend the essence of life that I can feel around me in such a way that it obscures me from notice. I want to be able to come and go without detection, to whisper in my target's ear before I take its life, or not as may chose."
Coldtree: 22(alchemy) + 32(analysis) + 149 = 203
Uncommon Item: 20 days / 203 = 3 hours, success x 3 Chi no Taka: 22 + 22 + 88 = 132
Uncommon Item: 20 days / 132 = 4 hours, success x3 Lunnaya: 32 + 29 + 119 = 180
Uncommon Item: 20 days / 180 = 3 hours, success x 3
It takes three uneventful days to return to the Midway Mining Camp. During that time, each of the men meditates upon items to which he feels most attuned.
Coldtree is able to determine that the canine tooth necklace, if worn, could increase physical strength. The goat beard talisman, if worn, would augment mental discipline. Lastly, he determines that the chunk of coal can be used to enhance the manipulation of thermal waylines with regard to generating heat.
Chi no Taka is able to determine that the porcupine quill he located or the snake skull, if worn, will both augment the essence of cognitive and chemical sensitivity; additionally, the quill could be sacrificed to enhance the manipulation of chemical waylines with regard to toxicity. Lastly, he determines that the grayish black stone is, in fact, a lodestone. While this can be considered a cursed item for most, it can be sacrificed to enhance the manipulation of electromagnetic waylines.
Lunnaya is able to determine that the green stone is a Livestone and, if bodily carried, will augment physical strength. The stone with the orange streak is called Emberstone and, if bodily carried, will augment the essence of the physical being and mechanical sensitivity. Lastly, he determines that the white stone is called Milkstone and, if bodily carried, will enhance cognitive discipline.
GM:
Everyone comes to the realization that feathers and ores will be of little mystical use, but the ores may hold some monetary value for trade.
Upon arrival, Foreman Gebbrik makes time to receive the report and pay the DWAC their tenday wage. He is very interested in the symbol found upon two of the Deviard bucklers and takes the time to scribe it upon a piece of actual paper. Paper is manufactured in East Port and traded to other locations. Gebbrik suggests that if a buckler is to be carried, that one without a symbol be chosen. He conveys that he considers the items to be spoils and full value for their worth belongs to the DWAC alone. Negotiations can be done with the smith if the items are to be repurposed.
Coldtree gathers the Viper skull, snakeskin and enough of the leather from inventory to fashion a helm and takes them to the best craftsman in Midway. He wants a custom leather helmet covered in snakeskin and with the Viper skull displayed on his forehead. He negotiates for an appropriate price, using DWAC's reputation to bolster his effect.
70
OOC:
I'm wanting the helmet to still grant me +2 Cohesion. I'm picturing something like the image below that protects his skull without covering his face, and the chin strap to keep it in place. A short brim to keep the sun out of his eyes would be appropriate. The Viper skull would go where the H emblem is.
Posting for @Tellerian Hawke
Since Taka fights empty-handed, he takes two of the Deviard bucklers to the smith to see if he can have them made into bracers. He also conveys to the others that he would like the canine tooth necklace, to which he will add the peccary tusks. He wishes to keep the goat jawbone as a fetish to hang from his belt.
Lunnaya suggests that they see if the Master of the Hunt would be interested in some of the more exotic feathers, since he is also the leatherworker and dispose of the rest. With regard to the Deviard bucklers, he takes two to the smith to see if he can repurpose them into weapons, twin sabers. He would like to keep the Livestone and the remaining Porcupine Quill.
Speaking with Huntsman, as Coldtree conveys his helmet desires, the man suddenly exclaims his understanding. As it so happens, Gebbrik has a metal helmet of similar design that he wears when he is inspecting a new or spent mine. It will take a few days to manufacture the item and he will do so in exchange for two of the Deviard bucklers, leaving the DWAC with six.
OOC:
Quality Snake and Leather Helmet: hinder 10, deflect 12, soak 4, special Cohesion +2.
This protection only applies to the head.
Taka negotiates with the smith, who can readily convert two of the bucklers into bracers and will do so for an additional two bracers, leaving the DWAC with two. This will only take a day.
Lunnaya negotiates with the last two bucklers and his two weapons for the manufacture of twin sabers. It will take a few days and there is plenty of metal, but the labor cost an additional 100 shillings, which is less than half of the regular cost.
During the down time, Foreman Gebbrik comes to the men with no new pressing matters but says that it would be to the benefit of both this mining camp and the Kozzog if the DWAC wanting to attempt to negotiate on their behalf with the discovered Deviard. He warns that all passed negotiations have always failed and resulted in violence.
Each character receives 5 DP. State answers for decisions, any preparations, and provide a random roll with next post. Remember to record the mechanics for new items.
As the cost is trivial and the wait on new items necessary, each man has his tunic repaired.
Neither Coldtree nor Lunnaya is keen on the idea of negotiating with the Deviard. Each sees the opportunity as something more of a conflict in which the DWAC could see some reputation and financial gain. Chi no Taka disagrees with this mind set, finding it a bit too mercenary. He agrees to continue with the group until reaching the Kozzog Monastery where he intends to remain.
Having recently made the journey in return, the trip back to where the Kozzogs are located proves uneventful. Taka bids his former friends goodbye. Coldtree and Lunnaya move along to make camp away from the Monastery and make plans for spying on the Deviard.
Coldtree: full wellness
Harnin arrows: 17
Tunic: 52 Tehn: full wellness
Tunic: 52
Currency:
Standard Earnings: 360 shillings / 10 days
Shillings: 437
The path to the Titanium mine has been regularly traveled by the Kozzog since its recovery and the first three hours of walking are routine. There are some miners actively working. Communication is limited with the language barrier, they they acknowledge the two men as friends. It is expected that an additional seven hours will be needed to reach the inhabitation of the Deviard clan.
One the way to the destination, Lunnaya hears what he thinks is the sound of running water, coming from a short distance downhill. Careful approach by the two men reveals a tiny natural spring bubbling up from under the rock. A breeding herd of small mountain sheep are refreshing themselves. One is able to be taken before the herd spooks.
While time is taken to prepare the fresh game, it is Coldtree who indicates to Lunnaya that he sees some motion out in the scrub. He thinks other people are trying to close in.
Coldtree: full wellness
Harnin arrows: 17
Tunic: 52 Tehn: full wellness
Tunic: 52
Currency:
Standard Earnings: 360 shillings / 10 days
Shillings: 437
Coldtree looks at Lunnaya. He grits his teeth and sucks in a breath. A ripple courses through his exposed skin. He then flexes his hands and moves to his right away from the spring.
Lunnaya nods, draws his weapons, and begins moving to his left, uphill. As he moves it becomes more difficult to focus on him directly.
At the sight of the movement, several crudely attired Mhytres with reddish brown skin move into view. They make blowing noises like a goat and shake their rudimentary spears. The spears are adorned with strung bits of bone and stone so that they make rattling noise when shook. It is obvious that they intend hostility, even though their kind has never before been encountered.
In Midway, after Coldtree secures the helmet to his head, he decides to discard the Pliable Leather Tunic. The Hindrance is not worth the level of protection. He will sell it or trade it for credit to the leatherworker. I have adjusted his sheet.
Coldtree intends to circle around and attack from a concealed position. He will manipulate waylines to cause a wind to blow over the Mhytres and move their spear rattles to intimidate them.
Lunnaya mirrors his friend's movement, in the opposite direction. He intends to wait on the enemy to make first strike, using his talent to counter. He will augment his physical attacks with electric shock.
Half of the Medderins had already noticed Coldtree before he could attempt to conceal himself, but the pincer move of the two partners is still a most effective strategy, as the two can enhance the assaults of one another should they squeeze the position of the enemy.
The tactics is somewhat effective. The Medderins being a superstitious lot are prone to use the rattles on their spears in the thought of intimidating their foes. In this case, the freak gust of wind that only seems to blow right at the hand of the nearest Hazer, causes him to be momentarily confused. He balks in his step, causing the one behind him to bump into him.
Realizing that he cannot hide, Coldtree capitalizes on this momentary hesitation to strike.
When the Hazer falters in his approach and looks at his own spear, Coldtree hits him square in the chest, knocking the wind from him. The other three opponents move around to try to get into position to surround him. None, as yet has been able to attack.
When the first enemy reaches Lunnaya, his assault is much too slow. The spear is blocked with a counter blow slicing into the Hazer's abdomen, The repost cuts into his chest. The Medderin falls to the ground and rolls a bit down slope. The other three attempt to move into position to surround.
GM:
TIP:
As an enhanced, weaponless fighter, Coldtree's most effective strategy after initial contact would be to enhance his assaults with sound to cause more damage or with air to knock opponents away from him.
Coldtree: full wellness
Harnin arrows: 17
Tunic: 52 Tehn: full wellness
Tunic: 52
Currency:
Standard Earnings: 360 shillings / 10 days
Shillings: 437
