Some Stories Are True

[Thaco Deathsave]

Askari will wait to see how they react to Astrid’s questioning. If they seem fairly hospitable he will attempt to gain some info from the others that aren’t engaged with Astrid.

I am a traveler in this region, and I ran upon this group a while ago. Are there many different tribes in this area? Are there any territories I should avoid in future travels?…

Askari will try to gain as much information as possible about the surrounding region. He will provide some info about the region he is from if it seems it will help. He will not divulge anything that would put his people at risk, of course.

Spoiler: Random Roll

44

 

[MacConnell]

... Astrid... addressing the other group...

Askari will wait... will attempt...

Wrenn and Volki reiterate at a more convenient time anything not remembered about the nature of their indigenous kind. Shimadows are known to be sociopathic and hostile but not exactly psychotic. Were the party not confused as being another group of Shimadow with one stranger, this other group would likely have attempted an ambush instead of a parlay. Shimadow do not readily attack their own kind.

Though Astrid is Norikadian, they only see her as a tall Shimadow, very tall for being female. Her communication is passable enough if she keeps her questions simple. The others visibly demonstrate that they do not want to talk to Askari, even though he is fluent in the language. Tenuous conversation still affords the exchange of some vital information.

The twana (stick people) are made by the Amiradthae, the gray skinned Faethrins. The Shimadow consider such superstitions to be stupid, but they apparently affect other local tribes of "lesser" peoples. Like this keep, there are two more, farther East, in just as poor of shape that are decorated with the twana.

The other group finds it strange that the party was assaulted by other Shimadow, unless they had been paid in some manner to dissuade all comers, even then, they naturally would have given warning first. It is suggested that the Amiradthae may have some mystical power. They have never spoken with the gray people but they have fought a group before, losing one of their members in the conflict. They make a comment congratulating Wrenn on making use of one of their bows. They hate the bows, as Oorvid and Askari can well-attest to their effectiveness.

If no hostilities are initiated by the party, the other groups leaves peaceably, heading back to the East. On a good note, during the remainder of the time at the current location, none of the Amiradthae ever show.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: full wellness
Shirt: 33 - 3 = 30 - 3 = 27
Astrid: full wellness
Mantle: 24
Stones: 20
Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 61 - 6 = 55
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 45
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 57
Ularin Arrows: 22

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid)
whitish ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Bat Guano: 6 measures, {heat x2}
Bandy Feet: pair, (Confluence +2)
Beaver Incisors: pair, ??
black claw necklace: 1, ??
Hawk Feet: pair, ??
Jay Feet: pair, (Will +2)
Spider Claws: 5 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 5 sets, (Cohesion +2)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Goat Beard: 1, (Will +2)
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Viper Blood: 1 measure, {athleticism x3}
Viper Venom: 1, {toxicity x3}

(helps Askari or Oorvid)
Beaver Skull: 1, ??
Bandy Skull: 2, (Confluence +2)
Hawk Skull: 1, ??
Jay Skull: 1, ??
Teal Skull: 2, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 2, (Motility +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 5, (Strength +2)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Mend Leaves: 3 measures, {Mend x2}
Rend Leaves: 2 measures, {Siphon x2}
Flowers: 4 measures, {Restore x3}
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
name: Temnyy Veter
Rheini Village

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Once the other Shimadow group leaves, Astrid shares her thoughts with the group. "So here is what I can recall at this point: The Amiradthae, as those gray skinned people are called, are looking for some Yahdram treasure, and they are employing young Shimadows and superstitious decorations to keep other locals of the forests away from these keeps. Apparently the concentration of this search is back to the southwest of here where we met the most resistance. I am of a mind to head back that way to see what further interference we might cause to their plans. We do not even know if there is any Yahdram treasure. They could be chasing a myth."

OOC: 83

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Wrenn nods in agreement, "Whether or not there is Yahdram treasure, the other tribesmen we might find are likely to have more trinkets and talismans that might prove useful to us. I'm in."

OOC: 94+80 = 174 total

 

[MacConnell]

Normally prone to following, Oorvid tends to offer little in the way of party decisions, but something about this whole situation is bothering him enough that he voices his thoughts aloud.

"We have to be missing something here. I agree with the recollections spoken by Astrid, and that is what is bothering me. All of this effort to allegedly drive people away so that these Amiradthae can find some Yahdram treasure?"

"I am not buying it. Staging all of these areas and employing antagonists is going to have the opposite effect on the people most needed to to avoid. Look at us. This kind of behavior encourages us to investigate. Why not just collapse the tunnels?"

"Whatever these people are really looking for, I say they have already found it, and they cannot figure out what to do with it or it is something other than a treasure all together."

"Thoughts?"

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Askari ponders on the situation.

The thing that comes to mind immediately is the treasure is trapped or guarded and they’re trying to entice someone to stumble in there and take care of the problem for them. As far as it being something else all together, we simply don’t have enough information to guess. Given that the main force behind this isn’t benevolent, it would likely be bad for the whole area for them to succeed. Which leaves two absolutes; it’s definitely a trap, and we have little choice but to spring it. Most myths have their roots in the truth. That plus all this effort on their part means the chances are very high that something is there.

Spoiler: Random Roll

100!!! + 68 = 168

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Wrenn nods in affirmation, "Agreed. Something complex is going on here. I wonder if we couldn't try to capture one of the Amiradthae, and question them? We could use our abilities, whichever one of us is most proficient, to dull their mind, and make them susceptible to suggestion. It would need to be one of their leaders. I doubt a random encounter with one of their patrols would yield much information. What say the rest of ye?"

OOC: Random roll: 85

 

[MacConnell]

... Astrid shares her thoughts...

Wrenn nods in agreement...

... Oorvid... voices his thoughts aloud...

Askari ponders on the situation....

Having discussed the matter at length, it is decided that the situation must be far more complex than some simple treasure hunt. It is also decided that to return to the unexplored keep by way of the tunnels is probably a bad idea. Though it will take longer, the party feels that it is on better footing to go overland. Rather than attempt a direct approach through a forest of towering conifers, the group head back due south to find the pergola that had offered their original exit, then as due west as possible to stealthily approach the occupied keep.

Spoiler: Wariness

Askari: 40(perception) + 168(d100) = 208
Astrid: 32 + 83 = 115
Oorvid: 21
Volki: 35 + 50 = 85
Wrenn: 27 + 174 = 201

As the group begins their return trek, the wind which constantly blows from a westerly direction switches momentarily from the north and each person is certain a faint whisper is heard upon that wind before it switches back.

"Be careful young heroes."

Thinking nothing more of it, the walk south is uneventful. Counting time, the party spreads out and begins to communicate by gesture as the destination should be near. As Fortune would smile upon both Askari and Wrenn, Askari notes a patrol of archers to the party's right and Wrenn notes a sentry in a tree to the party's left. These are seen. It is deduced that there will be other in the immediate proximity.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: full wellness
Shirt: 33 - 3 = 30 - 3 = 27
Astrid: full wellness
Mantle: 24
Stones: 20
Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 61 - 6 = 55
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 45
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 57
Ularin Arrows: 22

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid)
whitish ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Bat Guano: 6 measures, {heat x2}
Bandy Feet: pair, (Confluence +2)
Beaver Incisors: pair, ??
black claw necklace: 1, ??
Hawk Feet: pair, ??
Jay Feet: pair, (Will +2)
Spider Claws: 5 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 5 sets, (Cohesion +2)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Goat Beard: 1, (Will +2)
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Viper Blood: 1 measure, {athleticism x3}
Viper Venom: 1, {toxicity x3}

(helps Askari or Oorvid)
Beaver Skull: 1, ??
Bandy Skull: 2, (Confluence +2)
Hawk Skull: 1, ??
Jay Skull: 1, ??
Teal Skull: 2, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 2, (Motility +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 5, (Strength +2)

(helps Volki or Wrenn)
Mend Leaves: 3 measures, {Mend x2}
Rend Leaves: 2 measures, {Siphon x2}
Flowers: 4 measures, {Restore x3}
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Spoiler: Discoveries

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
name: Temnyy Veter
Rheini Village

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions. Provide a random roll.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Using signs, without making sounds, Wrenn points to the lone sentry to left, and indicates his intention to snipe the sentry with a bow shot. Before doing so, Wrenn will augment himself, increasing his reflexes, and attempting to blend in.

Spoiler: Die Rolls

Augmentation: 65
Camouflage: 81
Bow Shot (by surprise): 66

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Being slightly less stealthy than a rolling boulder, Askari will be forced to stay back and hope Wrenn is successful. He will make a mental note to start picking up a ranged option.

Spoiler: Random Roll

91! +10 = 101