Some Stories Are True

Gigeaux · Jul 19, 2021

Volki will focus on healing up, helping the others heal and checking out the dead snakes. Then she will check out the surroundings carefully to be sure there is nothing harmful or helpful nearby.

73,76,83

Thaco Deathsave · Jul 19, 2021

Askari will assist the others in their efforts.

I guess we should head south from here, since we can go no further west.

78 & 49

MacConnell · Jul 20, 2021

Tellerian Hawke said:
Wrenn... help... examine...

Gigeaux said:
Volki... healing... checking... check...

Thaco Deathsave said:
Askari will assist...

Askari: 25(medicine) + 26(restore) + 78(d100) = 129
Astrid: 39 + 22 + 78 = 139
Hiroshi: 21 + 30 + 73 = 124
Oorvid: 21 + 32 + 67 = 120
Volki: 31 + 28 + 73 = 132
Wrenn: 28 + 29 + 67 = 124

With the advent of cumulative medicinal aid, injuries that would have taken Tendays to heal now only require a few hours.

Volki: 31(observation + 32(enhanced smell) + 76(d100) = 139, success

Only being hurt, not injured, Volki, after receiving aid, moves about the tiny 3 stride by 3 stride room that has only been made smaller by the debris that has blocked two of the paths and closed off the ladder port. She notices a particularly smooth path that the vipers had been taking into the debris and discovers a large hollow that contains several eggs. Lifting out one of the eggs, she can feel the movement inside of it. It is late term and the babies are about to hatch. Knowing no good can come from allowing the eggs to cultivate, she retrieves each one. When she is about to stomp them, she pauses.

Wrenn, with similar talent in Hermetics, shares the same instinct. The dead vipers and these eggs, so that they can be destroyed, need to be removed from this tunnel system. There is no telling what amount of trouble could come or what might be attracted to the stench as the things decay. Knowing that their current mission is not pressed for time, the party elects to backtrack for safe camping.

Askari: 26(butcher) + 21(analysis) + 49(d100) = 96 - 80, 40(difficulty) = 16, 56
Astrid: 39 + 23 + 49 = 111 - 80, 40 = 31, 71
Hiroshi: 23 + 30 + 71 = 124 - 80, 40 = 44, 84
Oorvid: 23 + 30 + 83 = 137 - 80, 40 = 57, 97
Volki: 35 + 24 + 83 = 142 - 80, 40 = 62, 102
Wrenn: 28 + 24 + 71 = 123 - 80, 40 = 43, 83

No one yet has deft enough skill to skin one such viper and reclaim its skin, though everyone is certain they would prove valuable if anyone could. The skull, itself, seems fascinating and is really no difficulty to collect and clean when a little Bending is involved, but only Volki proves capable of collecting a measure of blood and milking the dead viper for a measure of its venom. Viper meat does not seem edible and is discarded. The four skulls are retained along with one measure of blood and one measure of venom.

Askari: 25(alchemy) + 21(analysis) + 78(d100) = 124, success
Skulls: 20 days / 124 = 4 hours, fail
Astrid: 39 + 23 + 78 = 140, success
Coal: 20 days / 140 = 4 hours, success
Hiroshi: 21 + 30 + 73 = 124, success
Gray Stone: 10 days / 124 = 2 hours, success
Oorvid: 21 + 30 + 73 = 124, success
Skulls: 20 days / 124 = 4 hours, success
Volki: 31 + 24 + 73 = 128, success
Venom: 20 days / 128 = 4 hours, success
Wrenn: 28 + 24 + 67 = 119, success
Feathers: 10 days / 119 = 3 hours, success

Given the time of a peaceable camp, between Astrid and Volki, all collected items are able to be identified, even those beyond the base talent of the others. Everyone feels an affinity with any stones, teeth, or claws. Askari and Oorvid are both drawn to bones. Volki and Wrenn are drawn to feathers, hair, and herbs. Astrid and Hiroshi are specifically drawn to metal.

The next morning, returning to the previously discovered, partially collapsed, room, is routine. Moving southward, which is the only direction to go, the party moves cautiously for what should have taken about 3 hours but takes four, instead, to find another 3 x 3 room with a metal ladder in its center, topped with the familiar trapdoor. The only other tunnel from this room leads West. Checking the trapdoor, it appears that something heavy had been laid across it from above, but it may be moveable.

Askari: Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt.
Time: 30 days / (129 + 132 + 124) = 2 hours
Shirt: 40 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 37.
Astrid: Body: 10 - 2 - 3 = 5, injured. Motility: 1 - 3 = -2, still mobile.
Time: 50 days / (139 + 129 + 132 + 124) = 3 hours
Mantle: 30 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 26.
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt. 165 - 150 = 15% * 4 = ~1 x 4 = 4. Body: 8 - 4 = 4, injured.
Time: 60 days / (124 + 129 + 132 + 124) = 3 hours
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 56.
Javelins: 3, stone: 3 ularin
Oorvid: Body: 10 - 2 = 8, hurt. 165 - 141 = 24% * 4 = ~1 x 4 = 4. Body: 8 - 4 = 4, injured.
Time: 60 days / (120 + 129 + 132 + 124) = 4 hours
Tunic: 68 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 65
Volki: 165 - 134 = 31% * 4 = 1 x 4 = 4. Body: 10 - 4 = 6, hurt.
Time: 40 days / (129 + 132 + 124) = 3 hours
Tunic: 50 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 46
Wrenn: Body: 10 - 3 = 7, hurt.
Time: 30 days / (129 + 132 + 124) = 3 hours.
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 9

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 5 ingots, {shock x3}

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 9 measures, {heat x2}
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, (Cohesion +1)

Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Goat Beard: 2, (Will +2)
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Songbird Talisman: 1, (Persona +1)
Viper Blood: 1 measure, {athleticism x3}
Viper Venom: 1, {toxicity x3}

Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, (Strength +2)
Teal Skull: 1, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 4, (Motility +2)

Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Emberstone: 1, (Confluence +2)
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)
Milkstone: 2, (Will +2)

Mend Leaves: 3 measures, {Mend x2}
Rend Leaves: 2 measures, {Siphon x2}
Flowers: 4 measures, {Restore x3}
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
Rheini Village

OOC:

Bonus awarded for remembering to further search the room after combat ended. Everyone receives 7 DP. State nominal actions and provide a random roll. State in a post if a character is keeping a particular augmenting item. Items that enhance Bending do not need to be listed on individual records.

Thaco Deathsave · Jul 21, 2021

Not liking the idea that the door might’ve been blocked intentionally, and moving past it would put someone at their backs, Askari will climb the ladder and take a moment to check for signs of recent activity and listen. If nothing immediate is detected, he will attempt to force the door. If he does detect someone, he relay the information and wait.

18 & 36

Tellerian Hawke · Jul 27, 2021

Wrenn tries to augment Askari, affecting his strength (to help lift the gate) and his senses (to detect if anyone is nearby.)

31, 75, 64 (added extra roll for good measure)

MacConnell · Jul 27, 2021

Thaco Deathsave said:
... Askari will climb...

Wren is confused momentarily but realizes that he cannot bend waylines in such a manner to do exactly what he is thinking. His augmentation is more mental than physical, though the results seem physical. He realizes that he can augment locomotion and prowess, which would be beneficial during combat situations.

Askari climbs the ladder and finds that he can bounce the trap door a little bit but realizes that, in no way, it he ever going to force it open.

Seeing the door bounce, Oorvid climbs up beside Askari, and both men push on the trapdoor. It moves farther. It sounds like whatever has been laid or fallen across it moves with the force but it too heavy to show aside.

Oorvid says, "Take a deep breath and let us try this again." He then repeats it as best he can in Ansylin.

When Askari takes a deep breath, Oorvid reaches over and touches him. A surge of adrenaline, the like of which has never before occurred in him, rushes through his system. His skin ripples like he has seen it do on Oorvid, as it immediate follows coursing through Oorvid.

The two men hit the door again and force it open, shoving aside a small tree that has definitely been placed across it. If it had fallen naturally, the pergola would have collapsed, and the door would never have moved. The pergola is fully intact.

As the party exits, more of those stick figures that the other Shimadow called, twana, are hanging about. These contain pieces of fur, feather, and bone and appear more sinister in nature.

Askari: full wellness
Shirt: 40 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 37.
Astrid: full wellness
Mantle: 30 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 26.
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 56.
Javelins: 3, stone: 3 ularin
Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 68 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 65
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 46
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 9

41 marks: currency
Aluminum: 5 ingots, {shock x3}

Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2}
Bat Guano: 9 measures, {heat x2}
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2}
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, (Cohesion +1)

Bandy Feathers: 1, (Strength +2)
Goat Beard: 2, (Will +2)
Heckling Jay Feathers: 1, (Will +2)
Songbird Talisman: 1, (Persona +1)
Viper Blood: 1 measure, {athleticism x3}
Viper Venom: 1, {toxicity x3}

Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, (Strength +2)
Teal Skull: 1, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 4, (Motility +2)

Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Emberstone: 1, (Confluence +2)
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)
Milkstone: 2, (Will +2)

Mend Leaves: 3 measures, {Mend x2}
Rend Leaves: 2 measures, {Siphon x2}
Flowers: 4 measures, {Restore x3}
Tranquility Flowers: 1 measure, {Identity x3}

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
Rheini Village

OOC:

Everyone receives 5 DP. Everyone improves in Spiofthest 2%. Decide is the party will investigate the area or follow the tunnel West. Provide a random roll whether used or not.

Tellerian Hawke · Jul 28, 2021

Wrenn says, "We should poke around here, first. I don't like the idea of having an unknown quantity at our backs. Let's check the pergola, and the immediate area. I'll check the north perimeter."

Wrenn goes about 10 paces north, seeing what there is to be found. On his way back, he will give the pergola a once-over.

27
(91+11) = 102

Thaco Deathsave · Aug 3, 2021

Askari will nod to Wrenn and check around the other side of the pegola. He will also take a moment to examine some of the twana.

36, 91 + 40(luck) = 131

Gigeaux · Aug 3, 2021

Volki nods as well. “I will check the west perimeter.” As she slinks into the shadows.

90+luck45=135, 72, Volki also kept a viper skull

MacConnell · Aug 3, 2021

Tellerian Hawke said:
... Wrenn goes...

Thaco Deathsave said:
Askari will... check... examine...

Askari: 31(perception) + 21(hearing) + 36(d100) = 88
Wrenn: 28(observation) + 38(smell) + 27, 102(d100) = 93, 168

Askari: 26(alchemy) + 21(analysis) + 131(d100) = 178

The preliminary search reveals no viable information. Wrenn cannot even locate a definitive game trail. He stops, on the way back, to look at the whole scene from a different perspective. It dawns on him why there is such a lack of anything notable. Whoever took the time to block and conceal the trapdoor, without damaging the pergola, did so at some considerable time passed. The forest as covered what signs would have been left, and the tree itself has started to decay. Askari and Oorvid actually broke two of the limbs when they managed to push it aside. He estimates that it has been about half a Cycle (year) since the way was blocked.

Having no luck searching the area, Askari cuts one of the twana loose from its hanging to give it a more thorough examination. Compared to the first ones seen, these were constructed with more skill. They are more geometrically indicative of a person, and the pieces of hair and bone on them cause a distinct sense of uneasiness. He discards it unceremoniously when finished.

The party spends several hours, mostly listening and watching, but nothing disturbs the peace. Even songbirds seem to avoid the immediate area, which is strange.

The only real choice is to re-enter the tunnel system and continue to the West. If the pattern already observed holds, this path should lead to another Keep, not a pergola. The subterranean room only confirms such opinion, as the ladder in the center of the room is shorter and four paths lead from the center of each wall. The lamp stick of the party is not needed as the ones placed in each corner of this room have been illuminated. Someone is definitely using this area. The trapdoor is closed. No sounds are heard from above.

OOC:

Party is at the bottom, left-most, drawn square.

Askari: full wellness
Shirt: 40 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 37.
Astrid: full wellness
Mantle: 30 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 26.
Stones: 20
Hiroshi: full wellness
Tunic: 60 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 56.
Javelins: 3, stone: 3 ularin
Oorvid: full wellness
Tunic: 68 - 1 - 1 - 1 = 65
Volki: full wellness
Tunic: 50 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 46
Wrenn: full wellness
Tunic: 59
Arrows: 9

41 marks: currency

(helps Astrid or Hiroshi)
Aluminum: 5 ingots, {shock x3}

(helps all characters)
Ant Stingers: 4, {toxicity x2} (helps all)
Bat Guano: 9 measures, {heat x2} (helps all)
Spider Claws: 3 sets, {toxicity x2} (helps all)
Spider Fangs: 3 sets, (Cohesion +1) (helps all)

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

(helps Askari or Oorvid)
Bandy Skull Talisman: 1, (Strength +2)
Teal Skull: 1, (Cohesion +2)
Viper Skull: 4, (Motility +2)

(helps all characters)
Coal: 7 bricks, {heat x3}
Slate: 1, {sound x2}
Emberstone: 1, (Confluence +2)
Lodestone: 2, {shock x3}
Livestone: 4, (Strength +2)
Milkstone: 2, (Will +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}

Bat Colony: 2
Chain of Keeps Tunnel System
Rheini Village

OOC:

Everyone receives 5 DP. State intentions. Provide a random roll whether used or not.