The Untamed Wilds: Caravan Campaign

[MacConnell]

Welcome to my Parlor

Since Tor will have difficulty fitting through the narrow opening, he volunteers to go first. He puts the shield aside, preferring to go with two swords in these close, cramped quarters. "Who said we were afraid of anything?" he barks, "The reason your ravagers are dead is because we do not rush ahead blindly like fools." Tor nods quickly to Merin, pointing at the ground. Then he attempts to use Way to make his swords shed light, as he scans the floor, walls, and ceiling for signs of possible traps. Merin follows Tor's silent suggestion, using Way to detect for traps that are hidden or obscured from visual detection.

Due to the number of bats pouring into the room, Merin cannot see Tor well enough to determine his gesture. Ducking down to leave his shield seems to help, as the bats are mostly up high. Seeing Tor stoop, Merin follows suit, thinking that is what he wanted. When Tor causes his sword to glow, the bats attempt to avoid colliding with him.

Sheldon also crouches down and moves up to enter the anteroom behind Tor. Indigo, who seems to be mostly ignored by the bats, notices Turtle flee and moves off after him. Once outside, the bats taking higher to the air and no longer pose a problem, allows Indigo to calm the bear.

Tor gestures again when Merin crouches down, and Merin shakes his head, indicating he does not detect anything untoward.

GM: Everyone takes a few bites from the bats, but none of them are serious. The bats have all emptied out by the time Tor tries to enter the next room, allowing him to move faster.

Tor and Sheldon enter the other room.

​

The female does not rise to her feet. An array of various bowls of powders and trinkets lie at her feet. A small fire burns in front of her.

Mere paarlar karane ka svaagat, hai kaha makkhee makadee. I do like to talk. I get no opportunity after they become mindless Ravishers.

Shadows play about the room, unnaturally, making it seem darker than it should be and determining specifics difficult.​

 

[Kwargrow]

Bolo grumbles about wanting to drag that bitch out with way, but San-Bolo follow Merin and Tor to keep them from facing the bender alone, still holding hands.

Outside Turtle still snaps at the bats, fueled by anger more than hunger now. The ones he catches he drops broken to the ground so that he can lunge after more.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

OOC: Internet is down at my office. Posting this via my phone. No color / formatting; please edit those in, if you have time. Tor talks in purple, Merin talks in blue.

Tor says,
"Talk? If you like to talk, why then do your so-called Ravishers attack without thought? You won't receive very many visitors if your minions kill them all, or scare them all off."

Merin adds,
"So, you are the poisoner of minds. No doubt, you do so in order to achieve complete obedience, which in turn, ensures your complete control. But such power comes at a cost; well-trained, free-willed, free-thinking minions might have protected you better, rather than walking so blindly into our ambush. Some of them might have even been good conversationalists. But I guess we'll never know now, will we? So, you want to talk? Let's talk. Why not start by introducing ourselves, you first. Tell us a little about yourself, and why you're so shy..."

Tor snorts.
"And give us one good reason why we shouldn't kill you, here and now."

 

[MacConnell]

Conceptual Perceptions Noted

The female leans her face toward the fire slightly, giving more visibility to her dirty face, and smiles an overtly vulpine smile.

Ha! I am not the least bit benevolent. I am purely selfish. I will not deny, but most others are too, they believe the lies they tell themselves to ease their petty consciences.

I did not make my Ravishers as you so suspect. I will not turn you. I will collect you and use you after you have turned. Perhaps I am immune or I have the ability to cure myself; either way, as you can hear, I am not as they are.

My name is irrelevant. I once lived in Boga City, but I did not like their rules. Here, there are no rules, only agreements. Once the ravishing takes hold, even agreements are no longer necessary. They kill, and they eat and they bring me gifts. They never attack me.

Sannit and Bolo enter the smaller anteroom. Indigo leaves Turtle now that he seems calmed and begins returning as well.

 

[Kwargrow]

OOC: Assuming San-Bolo heard what she said

San-Bolo move to get a good view of the woman without getting too close, still holding hands and unembarrassed by the physical connection. Bolo has no weapons in hand, but Sannit still holds his axe. Both are relaxed but alert. Neither stands in front or behind the other.

Sannit says, "Is this some sort of challenge, and if we fail we become like them?"

Bolo says, "If you have any useful information, you should share it quickly."

If the bats leave the mouth of the cave, Turtle won't follow them. He will go back inside and keep watch, munching on a few bats. He hopes he can draw some strength from eating these little things.

 

[MacConnell]

The Anteroom

OOC: Assuming San-Bolo heard what she said

GM: Due to the closeness of all areas, any normal volume of speech can be heard from either room. Whispers would be difficult to conceal.

San-Bolo move to get a good view of the woman without getting too close, still holding hands and unembarrassed by the physical connection. Bolo has no weapons in hand, but Sannit still holds his axe. Both are relaxed but alert. Neither stands in front or behind the other.

OOC: Sheldon moves some to his right and Merin-Tor move left to allow more room as San-Bolo enter. The anteroom appears to be about 3 paces by 3 paces square. A dark tar-like substance on the far right from where the Seekers entered indicates where the bats must have originated, though their specific hole cannot be seen because of the playing shadows.

Sannit says,

"Is this some sort of challenge, and if we fail we become like them?"

Bolo says,

"If you have any useful information, you should share it quickly."

The female stands sliding back a stride, not in a threatening or alarming way but as if she is changing the range of her focus to see everyone at once.

This is no puzzle or riddle. I have provided you with useful information. I am patient and confident of my knowledge but not foolish enough to challenge all of you in such confinement. The statistics alone indicate such failure.

GM: The bats take to the sky and fly away. Turtle re-enters the main cave and begins munching on fallen bats as Indigo enters the anteroom, sliding around Sannit to be nearer Sheldon, her swords ready in each hand.

OOC: Note: The female does not have a bone tied to her hand. This is just a really good image.

 

[Kwargrow]

Sannit frowns at the woman. "Well, Irrelevant, when you say 'they kill, they eat and bring you gifts, they never attack you', are you talking about the people or the bats?"

"What did you do in Boga City?" Bolo asks and concentrates to attempt to sense the bender's motives.

Turtle thinks these bats taste pretty good.

 

[MacConnell]

Continuing the Conversation

Sannit frowns at the woman. "Well, Irrelevant, when you say 'they kill, they eat and bring you gifts, they never attack you', are you talking about the people or the bats?"

The female cocks her head to the side.

The people, the bats are just bats, not much for thinking beyond instinctual behavior.

"What did you do in Boga City?" Bolo asks and concentrates to attempt to sense the bender's motive.

[sblock=Sense Motive]Effectiveness = Essence + Mind + Cohesion + Knowledge + Personality + Collegiate + Aberrative + Academic
Bolo = 47 + 93 + 11 = 151
Resistance = 63 + 22 = 85 fail

GM: The female exhibits very little motive. It is difficult for Bolo to put a term to what she senses, but it seems the female enjoys observing violence.

[/sblock]
[sblock=GM Tip]The easiest way for Bolo to improve this skill is to increase Cohesion.[/sblock]
The female widens her eyes as if surprised by the question.

Hmm. No one ever asked me that, before. I pedaled spices, herbs, and fresh mushrooms from a food cart stationed in the Codex. If you have not been to Boga City, the Codex is the term for the cross-shaped passage area that runs through the middle of the city between the districts. All carts are relegated to that area and are not allowed in the districts.

By the way, since it is daylight, the bats will be returning soon. They normally feed at night. They only flew out because I disturbed them.

 

[Tellerian Hawke]

Merin is using Way to attempt to detect toxins on the party members. His hunch is that if the Bender has been feeding the toxins to the bats, the party members might already be infected through the little bites they suffered when the bats were swarming through the cave.

Tor says, "You obviously use toxins of various sorts to 'turn' the tribesmen into 'ravishers.' Why do you do this? Do you have no basic respect for life? And for your edification, I tell myself no lies. I am a flawed being, with wants and desires, yes. Some of them are self-indulgent, yes, though I would hesitate to go as far as to say selfish. I have no qualms about sharing my good fortune, and helping others in need. I don't neglect my own needs, but this is not selfishness. It's individuality. Nothing more. Your heart is ruled by anger, and your claim of non-benevolence and total selfishness is rhetorical nonsense, an excuse to justify your own insecurities and shortcomings. Are you so ruled by hatred, as to be blinded to your own depravity?"

While he is saying this, he is watching her closely, lest she try to kick up the powders towards us. One hostile move will cause Tor to charge.

 

[MacConnell]

Merin is using Way to attempt to detect toxins on the party members.

[sblock=Detect Toxin]Effectiveness = Essence + Mind + Cohesion + Knowledge + Will + Collegiate + Aberrative + Academic
Merin = 50 - 46 - 50 (unfamiliarity) = -46
Time = 46 seconds

GM: In 46 seconds' time, Merin is certain he detects no toxins within any of the people. The only toxin detected is being carried by Sheldon, which he remembers was collected from the dead assassin.

[/sblock]
[sblock=GM Tip]The best way for Merin to increase this skill is to improve Cohesion.[/sblock]

"You obviously use toxins of various sorts to 'turn' the tribesmen into 'ravishers.' Why do you do this? Do you have no basic respect for life? And for your edification, I tell myself no lies. I am a flawed being, with wants and desires, yes. Some of them are self-indulgent, yes, though I would hesitate to go as far as to say selfish. I have no qualms about sharing my good fortune, and helping others in need. I don't neglect my own needs, but this is not selfishness. It's individuality. Nothing more. Your heart is ruled by anger, and your claim of non-benevolence and total selfishness is rhetorical nonsense, an excuse to justify your own insecurities and shortcomings. Are you so ruled by hatred, as to be blinded to your own depravity?"

The female snorts.

You are so dull and single minded. I told you plainly that I did not make the ravishers nor will I turn you but your prejudice prevents your comprehension. I am not angry nor do I understand hatred, but I have tired of this unidirectional conversation, although the small girl, there, did surprise me with her question.

Ha! I hear the bats.

GM: Everyone immediately senses danger and the sound of the bats returning can indeed be heard.

OOC: Combat Sequencing: NPC = 23 + 37 - 54 = 6 Bolo = 23 + 30 - 35 = 18 Sannit = 02 + 55 - 37 = 20 Indigo = 27 + 46 - 40 = 33 Merin = 46 + 39 - 42 = 43 Sheldon = 66 + 45 - 43 = 68 Tor = 59 + 68 - 36 = 91

The female is extremely quick. Despite being prepared, before anyone can think to react, the female throws a powder drawn from a pouch at her waist while turning to run farther back into the room. The powder ignites in a mighty explosion.
[sblock=Generate Explosion]Essence + Mind + Confluence + Knowledge + Will + Collegiate + Aberrative + Academic + Manipulate Way
Heat = 65 + 55 + 20 (powder) = 140
Sonic = 65 + 52 = 117
Light = 65 + 98 = 163
Resist Heat:
Sheldon = 49 + 96 + 57 = 202
Tor = 42 + 70 = 112
Merin = 49 + 50 = 99
Indigo = 45 + 94 = 139
Sannit = 42 + 72 = 114
Bolo = 43 + 65 = 108
Heat Damage:
Sheldon = 140 - 202 = resists
Tor = 140 - 112 = 28% * 21 = 6, Body 10 - 6 = 4, hurt
Merin = 140 - 99 = 41% * 21 = 9, Body = 10 - 9 = 1, severely hurt
Indigo = 140 - 139 = 1% resists
Sannit = 140 - 114 = 26% * 21 = 5, Body = 10 - 5 = 5, hurt
Bolo = 140 - 108 = 32% * 21 = 7, Body = 10 - 7 = 3, severely hurt
Resist Sonic:
Sheldon = 49 + 11 = 60
Tor = 42 + 51 = 93
Merin = 49 + 92 = 141
Indigo = 45 + 71 = 116
Sannit = 42 + 90 + 61 = 193
Bolo = 43 + 86 = 129
Sonic Damage:
Sheldon = 117 - 60 = 57% * 17 = 10 - 6(motility) = 4, Mind = 10 - 4 = 6 slowed
Tor = 117 - 93 = 24% * 17 = 4 - 6(strength) = 0
Merin = 117 - 141 = resists
Indigo = 117 - 116 = resists
Sannit = 117 - 193 = resists
Bolo = 117 - 129 = resists
Resist Blindness:
Sheldon = 51 + 97 + 89 = 237
Tor = 39 + 95 + 02 = 136
Merin = 49 + 65 = 114
Indigo = 46 + 62 = 108
Sannit = 44 + 41 = 85
Bolo = 45 + 98 + 47 = 190
Light Damage:
Sheldon = 163 - 237 = resists
Tor = 163 - 136 = 27% * 17 = 5 - 4(motility) = 1, Mind = 10 - 1 = 9
Merin = 163 - 114 = 49% * 17 = 8 - 4(motility) = 4, Mind = 10 - 4 = 6, slowed
Indigo = 163 - 108 = 55% * 17 = 9 - 7(motility) = 2, Mind = 10 - 2 = 8
Sannit = 163 - 85 = 78% * 17 = 13 - 8(motility) = 5, Mind = 10 - 5 = 5, slowed
Bolo = 163 - 190 = resists[/sblock]

OOC: Sheldon: Mind = 6 Tor: Body = 4, Mind = 9 Merin: Body = 1, Mind = 6 Indigo: Mind = 8 Sannit: Body = 5, Mind = 5 Bolo: Body = 3

The explosion knocks Sheldon back into the wall, slightly dazing him, though he seems to have been unaffected by the heat. Tor, Merin, Sannit, and Bolo are all damaged by the heat, but Merin seems to have caught the bulk of it. No one other than Sheldon is dislodged by the sonic blast, but Tor, Merin, and Sannit have all been temporarily blinded by the sudden flash.

As the fiery blast continues through the entrance to the anteroom, the bats divert from their re-entry and turn instead to fly back out into the open again.