Wrenn nods in agreement, drawing his bow, and resting an arrow on it, without actually putting tension on the bow string. Wrenn knows that prolonged tension on the string will decrease its useful life, as will dry firing the bow without an arrow.
Hiroshi says, "Good idea. And also, besides the lamps, we should get these fireplaces going."
Hiroshi will step outside for a few minutes, and gather small limbs and twigs, as well as a few larger limbs, if he can find any. The idea is to gather enough burnable materials to get the fireplaces going, at least for a short duration.
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 - 2 = 18 Hiroshi: full wellness Oorvid: full wellness Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18
Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
coal: 52 bricks, ??
GM said:
... The next room is very large, appearing to once have been used as a combination greeting feasting area... There are fire places along both side walls, two sets of stairs leading upward in the back, and an open doorway.
The open doorway leads into what was once a kitchen and storage area...
Like Astrid, Oorvid ignites a few of the lamp wicks. Hearing Hiroshi and seeing his movement he interjects dissuasion. "Wait! No fires. It is too warm and the smoke will be seen for some distance outside. We do not want to draw undue attention to out presence."
Small denizens of the forest have occupied the abandoned building, but nothing seems to have ventured very far from the main opening to the outside, total darkness being undesirable even to animals that can see well at night.
Since no other suggestion was made for direction, Oorvid suggests sticking with the same level and to examine the kitchen, next, before heading up either stairs.
The greeting area still contains its dining tables and other such fare; and though they are much less weathered than the doors, they are no longer in a usable state. The stone dishes of all varieties are perfectly functional, with a few broken shards from having been inadvertently damaged by some wayward varmint. The oil lamps are also stone and can be removed from their mounts, if desired.
The doorway to the kitchen never contained a door but was probably covered with fabric that has long since rotted to a pile of debris upon the floor. The kitchen has the same type oil lamps. Oorvid hols up a hand before too much activity occurs in the kitchen, but it is Wrenn who notices the most interesting anomalies. Oorvid points out a definitive print of a person in the doorway of the back exit from the kitchen. Wrenn discloses evidence that the lamps have previously been lit, and the kitchen facilities appear to have been used.
A narrow hall exists behind the kitchen, the open back door of the structure providing some light. There are stairs at either end of the hall, one ascending, one descending. Tracks of people appear to have used both stairs but have not exited the building.
Oorvid muses quietly aloud, "If these people did not enter the building by either outside door, how did they get in here? Which way do we go?"
OOC:
Each character receives 5 DP. In addition to intentions, if any specific item is desired or sought, include it in the your next post.
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 - 2 = 18 Hiroshi: full wellness Oorvid: full wellness Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18
Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Saddened by his friends' fading interests, Oorvid tries to bolster their focus and lend some encouragement, but he does not really know what to say. Hoping to prevent abandonment of the whole exploration idea, he offers a suggestion.
"Down to me gives more uncertain possibilities. Up has a fixed amount of space. We know its limit. I think we should go up."
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 - 2 = 18 Hiroshi: full wellness Oorvid: full wellness Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18
Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
coal: 52 bricks, ??
With a big sigh if disappointment, Oorvid grips one of his axes in his right hand and palms an illuminated stone in his left as he leads the way up the stairs, certain that the others will follow even though none has spoken for some time. Being fairly early in the day, there is enough light coming through the window slits that personal illumination is not needed. Oorvid secures his stone in a pouch for later use, if required.
Moving as quietly as possible, as stone steps do not creak, upon reaching the top of the stairs, the party finds itself at the end of a long hallway. Faint sounds and voices of people can be heard coming from within the level. Multiple doorways can be seen, all on the inside wall, and another set of stairs leading up is at the other end of the hall.
Wrenn and Hiroshi, who have been behind him the whole time, albeit lost in their own thoughts, both react silently to the presence of voices, their countenances shrinking in concern, their eyes darting to and fro... Wrenn points to his feet, and then begins to wear a look of concentration. His intention is obvious; he is going to manipulate waylines in an attempt to muffle the sound of his footsteps. Discerning what his friend is up to, Hiroshi attempts to do likewise.
Astrid collects herself from a daze and words to Oorvid "Apology Oorvid, I did not mean to ignore you friend. I was lost in thought." She readies her sling.
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 - 2 = 18 Hiroshi: full wellness Oorvid: full wellness Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18
Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Try as they might, neither Hiroshi nor Wrenn can determine a manner to manipulate mechanical waylines in order to dampen sound. They are certain it is possible, but the particulars yet escape them. None the less, the party is able to move forward without detecting any change in the sounds coming from the second doorway.
The first room was empty. Oil lamps are lit in the second room and extremely pale people are moving about the room, as yet unaware that they are being observed. Wren is the one to recognize that these people are the same tribe as he is, Shimadow, but he gestures emphatically that they will not be friendly.
It would require a great deal of luck to be able to fire an arrow into the room at a target, as the current angle to the doorway does not allow much view. Any further movement will likely reveal the party to the newly discovered enemy.
GM:
Hiroshi and Wren would have to have acquired at least 1 rank in the Aberrative skill in order to dampen sound.
Knowing that combat is imminent, Wrenn draws his bow and makes ready. He will shoot one of the Shimadow with an arrow, having charged the stone tip with electrical energy. Hiroshi will prepare to throw one of his stone-tipped javelins, charging his with heat.
Astrid charges her bullet with sound and instead aiming for a target simply aims in the middle of the room attempting to disorient the targets so that her companions might better handle the targets.
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20 - 2 = 18 Hiroshi: full wellness Oorvid: full wellness Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18
Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 50 measures, ??
Beetle Carapace: 1, max value 40 marks
White Silk: coverage 12%, max value 12 marks
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Surprise favors the prpared. Oorvid waits just outside the doorway, wielding both axes and covering his ears with his fists for the upcomming pulse of sound. Coordinating, Wrenn and Hiroshi both become exposed at the same time, both have no choice but to target the same opponent. Astrid whizzes her stone through the doorway, over the croutched Wrenn. to collide with an adjacent wall.
Range bonuses are negated for first launch due to cover. Wrenn: 11(launch) + 16(accuracy) + 15(clarity) + 84(d100) + 163(surprise) = 289 Hiroshi: 10(launch) + 19(accuracy) + 12(clarity) + 84(d100) + 68(surprise) = 193
The arrow from Wrenn and the javelin from Hiroshi both strike the target with incredible effect. Even though he would have resisted the mystical assault, he falls backward, loses consciousness, and continues to bleed out. At that same instant, the stone from Astrid collides with the wall emmitting a piercing pulse. Unfortunately only two of the four enemies happen to be within damaging range and one is already unconscious.
The remaining three Shimadows yell something banal and move to engage Wrenn and Hiroshi who are visible, unaware of the waiting Oorvid or the addition of Astrid.
OOC:
Excellent preparation strategy. Bonus award of 7 DP.
