Some Stories Are True

[Tellerian Hawke]

Maka nods in agreement. Then he goes over to Wrenn, whom is also quite alive, to see what aid he can render.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

Maka = 97(+40) = 137
Wrenn = 57

 

[MacConnell]

Spoiler: Negotiate

Astrid: 43(coerce) + 75(d100) = 118
Star: 44(coerce) + 48 = 92

Maka: 43(skepticism) + 137 = 180

Spoiler: Mystical Assault

Oorvid: 31(bending) + 42(siphon) + 66(d100) = 139 (6)
Star: 44 + 34 + 87 = 165 (6)
Wrenn: 64 + 25 + 57 = 147

A1: 147 - 63 = 84% * 3 = 3
A1: 165 - 63 = 102% * 6 = 6 (max is 4)
A6: 139 - 66 = 73% * 6 = 4

Spoiler: Combat Data

A2: Body: 10 - 4 = 6, hurt.
Mind: 10 - 12 = -2, unconscious.
A3: Body: 10 - 4 = 6, hurt.
Mind: 10 - 12 = -2, unconscious.

Spoiler: Render Physical Aid

Astrid: 42(medicine) + 42(restore) + 75(d100) = 159
Time: 60 / 159 = 9 hours, 4 minutes
Maka: 31 + 42 + 57 = 130
Oorvid: 25 + 43 + 66 = 134
Time: 100 / (159 + 134) = 8 hours, 12 minutes
Star: 33 + 34 + 87 = 154
Time: 40 / 154 = 6 hours, 15 minutes
Wrenn: 48 + 31 + 57 = 136
Time: 110 / (130 + 136) = 9 hours, 56 minutes

Maka has a mind of his own. Though he hears both Star and Astrid, he makes his own decision with regard to current events, uninfluenced by either, but he decides to allow the Amiradthae to run, since it is his nature. Oorvid and Wrenn are both in bad shape. If a situation were to soon arise that would require them to be up and moving, something more must be done than simply accelerating their natural healing process. Hating the lack of options, Astrid drags one of the incapacitated enemies over to Oorvid, since he would be too heavy to move. Maka drags Wrenn to one of the unconscious enemies, nearest him. Astrid has reached her own fallen target by such time.

As Oorvid touches the fallen foe, he says, “Moge je essentie een vrediger bestaan vinden in het volgende leven,” which is to say, "May your essence find a more peaceful existence in the next life.”

When the two escapees have fled through the front opening, Oorvid, Star, and Wrenn are all standing and in functional condition, if not actually well. Reflexively, each member of the party looks back toward the kitchen to see if anyone has come down the stairs. While looking, a single Amiradtha dressed in better clothing than any previously seen stands in the western portal that would lead to the stairs on that side of the room. He pumps both of his hands forward in a double gesture for peace and speaks in simple Shimadow. “Peace. I am not here to fight. We try to prevent others from coming here, but you, I think, are not afraid. Come. I show you what we find. Come.”

He gestures and begins to move away.

Spoiler: Character Data

Astrid: Body: 10 - 4 = 6 - 2 = 4, injured.
Mantle: 24 - 1 - 1 = 22
Stones: 20
Oorvid: Body: 10 - 10 = 0 + 4 = 4, injured.
Tunic: 61 - 6 = 55 - 1 - 1 = 53
Wrenn: Body: 10 - 11 = -1 + 3 = 2, injured.
Tunic: 57 - 1 - 1 = 55
Ularin Arrows: 22 + 15 = 37
Star Wolfess: full wellness
Jerkin: 40 - 2 = 38
Shirt: 20 - 1 = 19
Maka: full wellness
Ularin Arrows: 10

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid)
whitish ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Bat Guano: 5 measures, {heat x2}
Bandy Feet: pair, (Confluence +2)
Jay Feet: pair, (Will +2)
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 5 sets, (Cohesion +2)

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

(helps Star & Oorvid)
Bandy Skull: 2, (Confluence +2)
Teal Skull: 2, (Cohesion +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 6 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)

(helps Maka & 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: Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal action and intention. Provide a random roll.

 

[astarte]

"Who are you sir and how can we be sure you ain't leading us into a trap?"

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Astrid will attempt to analyze the intentions of the Amiradtha as she speaks. "You should have considered speaking, first. It would have saved many of your people and more of your hirelings. If we come with you, we will keep our weapons."

OOC: 75

 

[MacConnell]

"Who are you...

Astrid will...

GM: Reminder: Though healing is increased, Astrid, Oorvid, and Wrenn are still injured.

Spoiler: Negotiate

Star: 44(coerce) + 28(muddle) + 50(d100) = 122

Spoiler: Analyze Motivation

Astrid: 41(deduce) + 75(d100) = 116

The Amiradthan man does not respond to Star. Perhaps he can say more in Shimadow than he can understand. He motions once more as he disappears from sight around the corner. Astrid does not get the impression that the party might be walking into a trap. Oorvid shrugs and flexes his hands around his carving axes as he motions with his head for the others to come along. He quickly follows after the departing Faethrin.

Heading up the stairs, Wrenn or Maka could have easily shot the former enemy in the back, but that would not be in their nature. As the party tops the flight and begins moving down the hall of the second floor, the Amiradtha continues down the hall, motioning for the group to follow. There is no one in the rooms that are passed, but it is readily evident that this Keep has been used for quite some time.

There are other Amiradthae on the third floor. They nod an acknowledgement to the party, making a gesture of peace. None makes any threatening moves or reaches for an arrow, though all are armed with their usual bows. Other than the usual bows, several are equipped with a much superior recurve bow. Their attire also speaks of greater experience and formidability, though all seem rather calm at having strangers in their presence.

The party is lead into one of the four rooms without any of the usual furniture. The floor has been meticulously tiled and a pattern has been formed in the room’s center. The tiles are colored differently than the remainder of the room and form a very smooth circle. There is writing etched into the circle and stains of blood upon the floor.

An Amiradtha, who appears to be about twice the age of any one of the party and is obviously in charge, introduces himself and speaks in Shimadow. “You explorers are not to be so readily deterred from your investigation of these Keeps. We were the same, until we found this and tried to keep others away. It must be something from the time of the Yahdram. We do not understand it.”

He pauses for a bit pointing to the stains that the party had already noticed. “We discovered something quite by accident. When we arrived, one of our injured members laid on the floor, placing a bloody hand on one of the tiles. Some creature that looked like a Shimadow child but with larger eyes and claws upon its hands, appeared in the circle. It instantly began to devour our injured friend. We managed to kill the thing, but it disintegrated after a few minutes of being dead, leaving its rudiments of clothing behind. We considered breaking the tiles to destroy the circle, but we were concerned that something terrible might happen if we did.”

Spoiler: Character Data

Astrid: Body: 10 - 4 = 6 - 2 = 4, injured.
Mantle: 24 - 1 - 1 = 22
Stones: 20
Oorvid: Body: 10 - 10 = 0 + 4 = 4, injured.
Tunic: 61 - 6 = 55 - 1 - 1 = 53
Wrenn: Body: 10 - 11 = -1 + 3 = 2, injured.
Tunic: 57 - 1 - 1 = 55
Ularin Arrows: 22 + 15 = 37
Star Wolfess: full wellness
Jerkin: 40 - 2 = 38
Shirt: 20 - 1 = 19
Maka: full wellness
Ularin Arrows: 10

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid)
whitish ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Bat Guano: 5 measures, {heat x2}
Bandy Feet: pair, (Confluence +2)
Jay Feet: pair, (Will +2)
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 5 sets, (Cohesion +2)

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

(helps Star & Oorvid)
Bandy Skull: 2, (Confluence +2)
Teal Skull: 2, (Cohesion +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 6 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)

(helps Maka & 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: Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal action and intention. Provide a random roll.

 

[astarte]

"I think it's a portal to another reality; I wonder what else than these humanoid monsters is there. Sir, can you show us the rudiments of clothing of this being?"
If the man can't understand Star Wolfess, she'll repeat the request in the most simple words she can.

Spoiler: Roll

26

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Though she has never seen anything of the likes of the design on the floor, based on the previous conversation, Astrid suspects that powerful bending is somehow involved. She gets down on her knees and examines the circle and its marks, hoping to decipher some meaning from them.

OOC: 75

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Maka raises an eyebrow in concern, but says nothing. Wrenn nods, as if agreeing to a statement, though nothing but silence has passed between them. Wrenn goes down to his knees also, and tries to help Astrid with her examination.

Maka says, in Shimadow, "This thing is not only bad, but also extremely dangerous. It calls unknown creatures from other places. I knew men in my village who were adept at calming and training wild animals. Perhaps the creator of this circle had that talent, and wanted to call and train fiercer creatures, to do his bidding. If so, the intended use of this circle is malevolent. Destroying it would be a good thing. Such a device destroys the natural order of things. The things it calls are likely to be from the spirit realm. A man should leave spirits where they are. Disturbing spirits which are at rest never results in anything good."

Spoiler: Random rolls

Wrenn: 95(+80) = 175
Maka: 42

 

[MacConnell]

... Star Wolfess...

... Astrid...

Maka... Wrenn...

Spoiler: Decipher

Astrid: 41(investigate) + 75(d100) = 116
Oorvid: 27 + 93 = 120
Wrenn: 45 + 175 = 220

The Amiradtha who was doing the talking, easily agrees to the request and simply gestures at Star and then points to the scrap of cloth, unceremoniously crumbled in a corner of the room. The rag was a very crude tunic of cotton, something with which one might actually dress a young child. It harbors no clues as to its previous owner, except for stains of blood from when it was killed.

Oorvid, due to the remaining significance of his injuries, does not get down on the floor, but he does walk, slowly, around the circle to see if he can figure out anything. None of the three can sense anything mystical about the circle or its marks, but this surprises none of them. It is only possible to sense such things in a power that is equal or lesser in magnitude. Logically, if a creature was teleported into the room, the circle must hold a standing node.

Though more desirable information cannot be deciphered, Wrenn suspects that there is some significance to the bloody handprint upon one of the tiles. An injured Amiradtha must have touched that particular spot to the further detriment of the group; after all, life is believed to be contained within the blood. Oorvid speaks slowly and simply to match his limited proficiency with Shimadow, “I agree with you. I think this is a Yahdram manufacture. It may be a gateway between worlds but can only go one direction, here. The Orngaddrins, my tribe, tell of legends of the Yahdram bending reality. Their power did bring the War of Heaven.”

Spoiler: Character Data

Astrid: Body: 10 - 4 = 6 - 2 = 4, injured.
Mantle: 24 - 1 - 1 = 22
Stones: 20
Oorvid: Body: 10 - 10 = 0 + 4 = 4, injured.
Tunic: 61 - 6 = 55 - 1 - 1 = 53
Wrenn: Body: 10 - 11 = -1 + 3 = 2, injured.
Tunic: 57 - 1 - 1 = 55
Ularin Arrows: 22 + 15 = 37
Star Wolfess: full wellness
Jerkin: 40 - 2 = 38
Shirt: 20 - 1 = 19
Maka: full wellness
Ularin Arrows: 10

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid)
whitish ingot: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Bat Guano: 5 measures, {heat x2}
Bandy Feet: pair, (Confluence +2)
Jay Feet: pair, (Will +2)
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 5 sets, (Cohesion +2)

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

(helps Star & Oorvid)
Bandy Skull: 2, (Confluence +2)
Teal Skull: 2, (Cohesion +2)
waterfowl skull: 2, ??

(helps all characters)
Coal: 6 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)

(helps Maka & 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: Each character receives 5 DP. State nominal action and intention. Provide a random roll.

 

[astarte]

Star Wolfess will very carefully inspect the standing node and the bloody handprint, watching out to not accidentally touch any of them. After that (if nothing happens) she'll look upon the bloody rag of cloth she's still holding in her right hand. "Maybe my mentor Vittero could sense something from it and the blood thereof. He's the most powerful bender I know." she says before putting the small tunic under her belt.

---

rolls:
27 (inspecting)
67 (avoiding touching any part of the portal)