Cormorant can still do nothing but wait. Britta, however, does not have to be able to move to mystically assault one of the Katalians, and she targets the nearest to her with electrocution. She chooses not to cause any visible component, not wanting to draw undue attention back to herself. Cina will target the enemy who had taken down Britta. She expects that he will engage her, anyway. Kuwaia knows that she is outmatched but must continue to fight as best she can. Sprthnt realizes that he is barely standing. Without directly looking, because he is on the ground within his peripheral vision, Sprthnt want to stab his javelin into the opponent at his feet, even though he is focused on the other from Cormorant to once again use sulfur to heat him.
The uninjured Katalian engaging Kuwaia flicks out his carving knife but only manages to snag her tunic. Though the knife does not make contact, the continued mystical corrosion causes further harm. Kuwaia is seriously injured but still standing. Kuwaia swings her right sword in an upward motion, making a slight cut on the Katalian’s chest, her first drawn blood on him. The second opponent on Kuwaia sees that Cina is still fully able to fire arrows and leaves Kuwaia to rush the archer, instead. He is faster than she, but is only able to cut her thin leather tunic, not flesh. She is not able to fully resist the corrosion, this time, and takes some damage.
The third standing Katalian is faster than the injured Sprthnt and closes with him. He slashes out with his carving knife, but Sprthnt is protected by his tunic. His clothing, however, has no effect upon the chemical manipulation, and Sprthnt goes to the ground with his insides burning. Though he cannot move, Sprthnt is still conscious and completes his mystical assault, dropping the Katalians to the ground, right on top of him. A few seconds after that one falls, Britta releases her electrical charge upon the only enemy that she can see standing, which happens to be the one fighting Kuwaia. The Katalian has no idea why such is happening to him. His body convulses uncontrollably as he falls to the ground.
Kuwaia and Cina are the only two people in this conflict who are still standing, but both are injured and moving poorly. The problem is that the situation is yet resolved, since none of the Katalians is unconscious and all can still make use of their Bending talent.
Kuwaia flexes her well developed musculature in frustration. Her speed is not helping her because this enemy is faster, but her weapons are not suited to the employment of strength. If she survived, she intended to investigate a heavier option. Not knowing who is responsible for mystically assaulting her opponent, she is no less grateful for the fortuitous turn. She whirls her right blade in her hand to turn it point down as she stabs the fallen katalian to kill him. Not wanting to risk breaking arrows, Cina quickly grabs on of Sprthnt’s javelins and begins making sure these Blighters are dead. Being particularly tuned to a less than acceptable necromantic talent, Sprthnt intends to siphon the life from the enemy laying across his body. Not really able to move, Britta will again electrocute any one of the Katalians that she is able to see. Cormorant lays still, concentrating on continuing to breath.
Time seems to slow with everyone being hurt or worse. It is difficult to concentrate on anything other than the pain, especially as adrenaline starts to fade. It takes Cina another ten seconds to retrieve the javelin and stab it into the throat of two of the enemies lying near her. She deliberately does not stab the one lying across Sprthnt, not wanting to risk killing him in the process. In the same amount of time, Kuwaia manages to stumble over and slash her sword across the throat of the one she had been fighting. She and Cina both try to move to the mext enemy. It feels like trying to wade through water.
About a second later and a second sooner than Sprthnt, the Katalian laying across him attempts to leech away his life. Even with him no longer having the physical conditioning to resist, his mental and mystical abilities are more than enough, and the Katalian has no chance at leeching the life of Sprthnt. Over the next 16 seconds, Sprthnt siphons almost all of the headhunters remaining life and restores himself to full wellness. The side effect is that he is now ravenously hungry and will need to eat within the next hour. Fortunately the party is carrying trail food.
Another Katalian lying near Sprthnt, who has not yet been sees Cina moving toward him and uses his talent to attempt another corrosive assault on her. It is not strong enough; and in two more seconds’ Cina stabs him through the neck with the javelin. Only the one on the ground near Cormorante is still conscious, at this point, but Britta manages to reckognize that he has turned his head toward the approach of Kuwaia and electrocutes the life from him before he can mystically assault her. All threats are eliminated.
Kuwaia and Cina, who can both still move, will accelerate their own recovery then help the others. Sprthnt, who is now fully recovered, will also help the others and then gleen the field of battle. Cina looks at Sprthnt, seeing that he is fully recovered and asks, “What did you do? How are you fully recovered?”
Sprthnt looks at her and flattens his lips. “This must stay within our group. I have a necromantic talent that I do not like to use, but sometimes it becomes necessary. Unlike our other options, this one cannot be done without physically touching the target.”
Once the three who can move help each other and Cormorante and Britta, the injuries that would have taken seasons to heal will be recovered in a matter of hours, with only the minimum of scaring to indicate that they ever existed. Sprthnt then immediately begins to consume some of his trail food as he searches through the belongings of the enemies. Since Katalians are not known to be cannibals, the foodstuff they were carrying is confiscated, especially items that are not meat. Sprthnt continues to eat his own food as he continues to search.
He discovers one small pouch of dried herbs, two small pouches of dried flowers, and three small pouches of unknown seeds. He can see that each of the seeds is different. Five of the six were adorned with teeth strung from a necklace. The one who did not have a necklace had a fetish of a pair of bird feet. He discovers six stones, two of which are the same. The other four are different.
Cormorante: full wellness
Tunic: 57
Britta: full wellness
Tunic: 58
Arrows: 18: ularin
Sprthnt: full wellness.
Tunic: 59
Kuwaia: full wellness
Tunic: 53 - 2 = 51 - 2 = 49
Cina: full wellness
Tunic: 58
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18: ularin
Coins: 3113 clams
wallaby hide: 40 cover: 32 value
bliss: 1: ??
tranquility: 9: 2 per measure
coal: 6: {heat x3}
amberstone: 1: {compulsion x3}: 20 clams
azurestone: 3: 20 clams
emberstone: 4: {compulsion x2}: 10 clams each
firestone: 1: (Health & Confluence +3): 50 clams
grapestone: 3: 20 clams each
ruddystone: 2: 10 clams each
shadestone: 1: 20 clams
sulfur: 6: {heat x 4}{Ionize x 4}
aluminum: 1: {electrocute x3}: 5 clams
chromium: 1: {compulsion x3}: 10 clams each
manganese: 1: {leech x3}
nickel: 2: {electrocute x4}: 10 clams each
molybdenum: 10: {compulsion or electrocute x4}: 15 clams each
zinc: 1: {restore x3}
Da’Roneh Village
Land’s End Pass: Tranquility Cluster
Artisan Caravan: Vyerbluth: Caravan Master
Salt Caravan: Mishka: Caravan Master
OOC:
Each of the characters receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide 2 random rolls.
Sprthnt gives the plant materials to Cina to see if she and Kuwaia can identify any of them and their usefulness. He will divide the other items between him and Brenda to see what they can learn. Cina will also look at the pouch of dried flowers already in the party’s possession to see if she knows them. Cormorant will gather timber for a cookfire. All of this is done while the party slowly walks into the cluster of trees to make camp. Cormorant will then set out snares for fresh game.
Kuwaia does not have enough mystical talent to determine the proclivity of any of the unknown items, but she can recognize that the dried herbs are Mend Leaves. The others, however, are able to identify everything else. The first pouch of dried flowers is Tranquility, of which the party already carries nine measures. The second pouch of flowers is called Berserker. One measure, when mixed with food or drink, will negatively affect the one consuming them, increasing strength for one hour but decreasing mental faculties, possibly causing a berserker rage. Despite the negative potential, this powder is a popular narcotic, discretely sold by nefarious traders, and a source can be located in major cities and most larger villages. The unknown pouch of dried flowers that the party is already carrying can still not be recognized.
The first pouch of seeds is determined to be Deadly. One measure, if eaten or ground into powder and mixed with food or drink, will negatively affect the one consuming them, possibly causing death. As such, they may still be sold in various discrete markets. If held in hand by Kuwaia or Cina, a measure will enhance the mystical effectiveness of the Impede task by x3. The next pouch of seeds is determined to be Helplessness. One measure, if eaten or ground into powder and mixed with food or drink, will negatively affect the one consuming them, possibly causing paralysis. Death is unlikely. As such, they may be sold in various discrete markets. If held in hand by Cina or Kuwaia, a measure will enhance the mystical effectiveness of the Impede task by x3. The last pouch of seeds is determined to be Serenity. One measure, if ground into powder then ingested by any means or mixed with food or drink, will decrease physical attributes while increasing mystical clarity. This peculiar substance, despite its negative potential, is a popular narcotic for it causes a state of euphoria with vivid dreams. It is considered valuable to Diviners, and its use kept highly secret, as the one who uses the substance may be temporarily paralyzed. The augmentation will last for one hour. If held in hand by Kuwaia or Cina, a measure will enhance the mystical effectiveness of the Impede task by x3.
The first set of teeth belonged to a boar. If bodily carried by any member of the party, the talisman will augment overall wellness (Health +3) and the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence +3). The bird feet belonged to a Macaw. If bodily carried by any member of the party, the talisman will augment personal interactions (Persona +3) and the impetus for the physical function and intellectual cognizance (Cohesion +3). The second set of teeth belonged to a jackal. If bodily carried by any member of the party, the talisman will augment physical strength (Strength +3) and the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence +3). The third set of teeth belonged to a wolverine. This talisman will augment willpower (Will +3) and the inexplicable reason for autonomous life (Adhesion +3). The last set of teeth belonged to a cheetah. This talisman will augment mobility (Motility +3) and the impetus for physical function and intellectual cognizance (Cohesion +3).
The two identical stones are Firestones. These are bright, red and opaque with flecks of semi-translucent yellow running through them. If bodily carried by any member of the party, a stone will augment overall wellness (Health +3) and the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence +3). The next is a translucent, yellow and orange stone, called Daystone. It will augment personal interaction (Persona +3) and the impetus for physical function and intellectual cognizance (Cohesion +3). It may also be sacrificed to enhance the mystical effectiveness of the Compulsion or Enthrall tasks by x4. The next is an opaque green stone with streaks of semi-translucent lighter green running through it, called Jade. It will augment physical power (Strength +3) and the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence +3).
The next stone is a striated stone of mixed streaks of black and white, called Onyx. It will augment willpower (Will +3) and the inexplicable reason for autonomous life (Adhesion +3). It may be sacrificed by Kuwaia or Cina to enhance the mystical effectiveness of the Frostbite task by x4. It may also be sacrificed by any member of the party to enhance the mystical effectiveness of the Insulate task by x4. The last stone is dark blue and opaque with flecks of semi-translucent orange running through it. It will augment physical movement (Motility +3) and the impetus for the physical function and intellectual cognizance (Cohesion +3).
Cormorante produces two common harvesters in his snares. Though the head sized birds do not provide much for fresh meat, they are excellent fare.
Cormorante: full wellness
Tunic: 57
Britta: full wellness
Tunic: 58
Arrows: 18: ularin
Sprthnt: full wellness.
Tunic: 59
Kuwaia: full wellness
Tunic: 53 - 2 = 51 - 2 = 49
Cina: full wellness
Tunic: 58
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18: ularin
Coins: 3113 clams
wallaby hide: 40 cover: 32 value
berserker: 1: 10 per measure
bliss: 1: ??
deadly seeds: 1: {Impede x3}: 10 per measure
helplessness: 1: {Impede x3}: 10 per measure
serenity: 1: {Impede x3}: 10 per measure
tranquility: 10: 2 per measure
coal: 6: {heat x3}
amberstone: 1: {compulsion x3}: 20 clams
azurestone: 3: 20 clams
emberstone: 4: {compulsion x2}: 10 clams each
firestone: 1: (Health & Confluence +3): 50 clams
grapestone: 3: 20 clams each
ruddystone: 2: 10 clams each
shadestone: 1: 20 clams
sulfur: 6: {heat x 4}{Ionize x 4}
aluminum: 1: {electrocute x3}: 5 clams
chromium: 1: {compulsion x3}: 10 clams each
manganese: 1: {leech x3}
nickel: 2: {electrocute x4}: 10 clams each
molybdenum: 10: {compulsion or electrocute x4}: 15 clams each
zinc: 1: {restore x3}
Da’Roneh Village
Land’s End Pass: Tranquility Cluster
Artisan Caravan: Vyerbluth: Caravan Master
Salt Caravan: Mishka: Caravan Master
OOC:
Each of the characters receives 5 DP. State nominal actions and intentions and provide 2 random rolls.
Sprthnt keeps the wolverine teeth and the jade and disposed the magpie skull because it is of no commercial value. Kuwaia selects the jackal teeth and the onyx and disposes of her hawk feet and the parrot feet. Britta keeps the boar teeth and the daystone, puts her ruddystone back into party inventory, and discards her parrot skull. Cormorant keeps the cheetah teeth and the macaw feet and disposes of his lizard claws, his teal skull, and his songbird skull. Cina keeps one of the firestones and the twilightstone and discards her prickler quill, rooster feathers, jay feet, and turkey vulture feet. The other stones are carried for the sake of their monetary value. The other teeth and feet are discarded. The harvesters are cleaned and cooked. Their feathers and feet are discarded because such simple items will no longer be needed. The next day, the party will continue to move southward.
Four more days of following the foothills of the Dragon’s Spine takes the party through desert sand and around the southern tip of the mountain range and into another cluster of trees. These are not the scrub acorns from within the Pass, these are fruit bearing palms. It is readily evident that the ocean is within half the distance of the southern horizon. During the journey, a cluster of shrubbery is discovered to be useful as Soothe Herb and 7 measures are collected. Cina locates another measure of Berserker Leaf and Britta discovers another Jade and a brick of Chromium which contains 7 ingots.
About the midpoint of the trip, the party sees another group coming from the south, following the shadow of the foothills just like the party. Once they are close, they are recognized as one of the two common Headhunters. Though they are a tribe of Mhytres, Medderins are not civil and are not even categorized as people by the general populace. They are short, the color of mahogany wood, and muscular, with long hair but little body or facial hair. Patterns of gray and white made from various clays are painted on their arms, torsos, and faces. They are clothed in simple garments and armed with small axes. They will not be friendly. They quicken their pace to close with the party, readying their weapons as they move.
Cormorante: full wellness
Tunic: 57
Britta: full wellness
Tunic: 58
Arrows: 18: ularin
Sprthnt: full wellness.
Tunic: 59
Kuwaia: full wellness
Tunic: 53 - 2 = 51 - 2 = 49
Cina: full wellness
Tunic: 58
Arrows: 20 - 2 = 18: ularin
Coins: 3113 clams
wallaby hide: 40 cover: 32 value
berserker: 2: 10 per measure
bliss: 1: ??
deadly seeds: 1: {Impede x3}: 10 per measure
helplessness: 1: {Impede x3}: 10 per measure
serenity: 1: {Impede x3}: 10 per measure
soothe: 7: {Identity x2}: 1 per measure
tranquility: 10: 2 per measure
