Some Stories Are True

[Astrid]

Astrid stays back and on guard.

 

[MacConnell]

Askari is wary... take a chance....

As Volki... can only hope...

Wrenn... offers his hand...

Spoiler: Negotiate

Askari: 24(coerce) + 21(muddle) + 25(d100) = 70
Volki: 25 + 23(befriend) + 82 = 130

Astrid: 25(skepticism) + 24(clarity) + 50(d100) = 99
Hiroshi: 25 + 25 + 50 = 100
Oorvid: 23 + 23 + 45 = 91
Wrenn: 27 + 27 + 19 = 73

GM: Had the intentions of the two newcomers been anything other than genuine, only Volki could have fooled the party, and that by stroke of fortune.

The two explain that they are from an Ansylin village located what they were told was the Evening Shadow of the Dragon's Wing. The party understands this to be just within the Bakka-taerm Desert about a day's journey north of the Centrin village. Respectively, no one in the party is aware of the existence of the other village, though trade has now been established between the two during the period of exploration.

Having made multiple day trips into the desert, Askari and Volki explain that the idea of exploring a forest of giant trees, most as tall as 50 people, sounded much more exciting than rocks and sand. They had only been in the forest two days when chance encounter merged the parties.

The other four talk of the discover of, what they were told was called, the Chain of Keeps, ancient in constructed having existed longer than forest that now surrounds them. Conversation indicates that all six youth have met and are familiar with the elder Spiofthest who is simply called the Storyteller. To everyone's amazement, Askari says that the man speaks Ansylin when visiting his village. Hiroshi says the man spoke Centrin when visiting his village.

GM: On that Note: The default language for the party is now Shimadow instead of Spiofthest. The use of other languages must be indicated.

While the party gets to know one another, Oorvid finds a suitable, fresh stick and splits the end of it multiple times with his carving axe. He then jambs the smooth, clear stone (glass marble) into the end and tethers it on both sides with some gut string.

Once everyone is agreed to re-enter the tunnel to continue the current exploration Oorvid addresses the newcomers. "Well, might as well show you right away. We all have a particular talent that is ill-understood, feared, and publicly forbidden in polite society."

He puts his finger on the stone and it begins to glow with light. Askari is a bit taken aback but Volki almost laughs. With only about 10% of the general populace having such talent, it would seem a statistical impossibility for six individuals to find one another, but the talent seems to draw together those of like skill, defying statistics.

Because the process is unnaturally fatiguing, everyone takes turns illuminating and carrying the lamp. Returning to the room of entrance for the original four, there remains two unexplored directions, East and South. As one is as good as another, the party moves East. As the party walks, the wear of age is readily evident even though the tunnels were well-made, so is the evidence that someone has been recently cleaning them. The party has been walking for about three hours when, at one of the moments that the lamp extinguishes, faint light can be seen far up ahead. The light does not appear to be moving.

Approaching as carefully and quietly as possible, the light is natural, though faint for the late hour of afternoon and the depth of the tunnel. It is sunlight from the open trapdoor some four body length up. The access is made, once again, by a metal ladder. The tunnel continues on eastward.

Being as cautious as possible, everyone eventually exits, being glad to be out of the tunnel for a bit. The landing is another stone pergola as the one previously discovered. Near at hand, there is overt evidence of a campsite, though no one else can currently be seen or heard. Being late afternoon, whoever made the camp may be off setting game traps or foraging for food.

Spoiler: Character Data

Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Javelins: 4
Oorvid: full wellness
Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 15

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 1 brick, ??

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 4 measures, ??
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Rodent Tooth Necklace: 3, (Health +1)
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 3 sets, ??
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, ??

Coal: 4 bricks, ??
Bloodstone: 1, (Health +1)
curious stones: 2, ??
Dark Green Stone: 1 brick, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??

Flowers: 2 measures, ??

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP and improves in Shimadow by 2%, unless fluent. State intentions and idle actions. Provide 1 random roll.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Wrenn says, in a whisper, "Wow, for a bunch of deserted ruins, they sure do seem to attract a lot of visitors. We should hide, and try to figure out whose camp this is, and what their intentions are. To be honest, I am somewhat skeptical of having TWO friendly encounters in a row. We should be on our guard."

Spoiler: Random rolls

40, 76

 

[MacConnell]

Posting for @Osthelerin Hawke
Hiroshi nods at the wisdom of such suggestion. Since the trees, at present, cannot be climbed, he will look for hiding on the right flank of the encampment. He readies a javelin.

OOC: 61

 

[MacConnell]

GM: For benefit of the new players I am posting for the NPC separate from the main post.

Oorvid looks at Askari, the other muscle mass in the party, and quietly makes a statement as best he can, being poorly proficient in Shimadow. He is far from stupid, but speaking a third language makes him sound as such. "I not good hide. I stand here at campfire and wait."

He does now draw his carving axes but rests his hands on them, casually.

OOC: 75

 

[MacConnell]

GM: This is a bit out of place, but the other post was long enough.

OOC: 1 square = 1 hour of travel: 10 hours is the normal walking time in a day.

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Askari nods to Oorvid, kneels down, and acts as if he’s tending the fire. Thinking if the party is attacked, two obvious targets may distract the attackers from his hidden allies. Hidden from sight between the fire and his body, he keeps his hand on the hilt of his sword. While he’s doing this he will visually scan the campsite, while remaining alert; does it look like they left in haste (heard the party coming), or left a while ago, are there still belongings here indicating how many people plan to camp here?

Noticing that Oorvid is struggling with Shimadow, Askari will also pass the time by trying to help him with the dialect, though he himself is not overly fluent.

I am not good at hiding. I will stand here by the campfire and wait. Is what he tries to say, while smiling and trying to portray that he’s trying to help and not mocking Oorvid.

Spoiler: Random Roll

73

 

[Gigeaux]

Volki nods to Wrenn, also believing there’s no way they will meet another friendly group so soon. The odds are just too low. She silently scans the surroundings for decent hiding spot near the camp and attempts to make herself blend into the background. She readies her daggers.

OOC: roll56

OOC: roll69

 

[MacConnell]

Wrenn says... be on our guard

Hiroshi... hiding on the right flank...

Askari nods... hand on the hilt... scan the campsite...

Volki nods... decent hiding... readies her daggers.

GM: ROLEPLAY NOTE: Since Shimadow is now the default language. Italian is used for Ansylin. Latin is used for Centrin. Icelandic is used for Norikadian. Dutch is used for Orngaddrin, and Irish is used for Spiofthest.

Oorvid nods his head twice and mouths the same words that Askari says to him, deliberately attempting to improve his use of the language. He whispers back, "Orngaddrin is heel anders," then in Shimadow, "Orngaddrin is much different."

Spoiler: Hide

Stealth: Mind + Knowledge + Learning + Tactile + Motility
Shade: Essence + Adhesion + Mysticism + Psionics
Camouflage: Essence + Cohesion + Mysticism + Hermetics
Astrid: 25(stealth) + 24(shade) + 50(d100) = 99
Hiroshi: 24 + 26 + 50 = 101
Volki: 25 + 23(camo) + 56 = 104
Wrenn: 27 + 27 + 40 = 94

Spoiler: Active Search

Observation: Mind + Knowledge + Learning + Mercantile
Clarity: Essence + Cohesion + Mysticism + any but Aberrative
Askari: 22(observation) + 22(clarity) + 73(d100) = 117
Oorvid: 21 + 23 + 54 = 98

Poking around the fire, Askari digs up some embers. This campfire has been regularly used but not for quite some hours. Unnoticed before, there is considerable evidence that this site is being regularly used and that its occupants departed at leisure. Regular bedding areas can be noted from impression and discarded items of clothing and such are strewn without decorum. Whoever occupies this camp seems lazy.

Astrid moves to the right flank, close to Hiroshi. Wrenn moves to the far side of the fire, and Volki finds suitable concealment near the pergola. As Astrid and Hiroshi move, their visual imagery seems to darken, making them harder to see. As Voli and Wrenn move, their skin seems to blend with the environment.

Within the hour, careless voices indicate the approach of several people coming from the north. Chance favors the prepared in that no one chose that side for hiding. The language is recognized as none other than Shimadow, when nearer. When the lead of the wandering party is just in sight, they hold up hands in universal gesture of halt, indicating that there are others behind the lead two. They halt at the sight of the two bulky youths poking around their fire.

The young heroes can hear others of the Shimadow move through the trees as the two in the lead move toward Askari and Oorvid, gesturing violently and talking aggressively. It is too fast for Oorvid but Askari can understand they are saying things like: "What are you doing here? Get away from there! We are going to kill you!"

The Shimadow are young adults, not adolescents. They show some signs of battle exposure. It is not possible to determine an exact number but four in total are moving toward the campfire, while others can be heard moving East and West. The four have not yet readied javelins. They are still waving a universal gesture for go away.

OOC: Logistics: The approaching 4 are about 10 strides from Askari and Oorvid, making them about 25 strides from Astrid and Hiroshi, 15 strides from Volki and Wrenn, though from differing angles. Askari and Oorvid are in between Astrid, Hiroshi, and the approach.

GM: Reminder: Though it may at times seem a disadvantage, the attitude of the party has previously been agreed to refrain from ambush until first attacked. Maintaining this attitude is important to the plot and earns better reward.

Spoiler: Character Data

Askari: full wellness
Astrid: full wellness
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Javelins: 4
Oorvid: full wellness
Volki: full wellness
Wrenn: full wellness
Arrows: 15

Spoiler: Collections

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 1 brick, ??

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 4 measures, ??
Bird Skulls: 5, ??
Rodent Tooth Necklace: 3, (Health +1)
Songbird Talisman: 1, ??
Spider Claws: 3 sets, ??
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, ??

Coal: 4 bricks, ??
Bloodstone: 1, (Health +1)
curious stones: 2, ??
Dark Green Stone: 1 brick, ??
Dull, Gray Stone: 1, ??

Flowers: 2 measures, ??

OOC: Everyone receives 5 DP. State intentions and idle actions. Provide 1 random roll.

 

[Thaco Deathsave]

Knowing Volki can understand him and hoping the approaching party can not, Askari will say: Siamo quasi circondati. While playing it off as if he’s trying to communicate with the one talking.
If they show confusion, he will speak haltingly in Shimadow to cover his attempt.

We no mean harm, me and friend explore, look camp.

He does not immediately stand from the fire. If they attack, he will throw the found embers in the face of the closest one, and roll past him staying low. He is trying to create an opening for Oorvid to attack. When he roll past the first attacker, he will engage the second; attempt to deflect any incoming attack with his buckler and attack with his sword.

Spoiler: Random Rolls

91 (luck +78), 85, 66, .... 5 .. it was going so well lol