Just Say No to Identifying, Cadfael's "Prophecy"
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
"Sa'id, friend, I don't even know what I should be protected *from* at this point. Unless it's everyone of you and everything I see. What kind of protection do *you* have?" With that he will quietly roll up the scroll and store it back in the case in his pack. He remembers the queasy, filthy, feeling he got just reading the language on the infernal scrolls way back at the halfling camp what seems like weeks ago. He is not eager to have that feeling again, or, as Cadfael intimates, worse. He is not eager to go blind, or perhaps insane.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
I think we are just waiting on Dan now that Mission has released him.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Cadfael leans forward forcing Mission's fingers hard against his throat so that his words come out sounding strangled and choked by more than just his tears, "So you are against me as well, Mission. You set me free and condemn me for your son. You have done me no favors Mission, none at all. It seems your feet are still set upon Pelor's path, as they have always been."
Making no sudden movements he turns to face Mission, a strange smile on his face, "But where is Promise? Why, right where you left him, cradled in your lover's womb. Follow her call as you followed it before and you shall lead me to him."
"And what a time we will have! The halflings will line up for the slaughter. They were bred for death, by our hands or their own, it makes no difference. They are already dead though they may not yet know it. The undead will trip over their bodies and slip on their blood. There will be plenty of corpses for you, Sa'id, all their secrets left open for you to explore at your leisure. Garyth will have the opportunity to die for his country and Farron can finally scurry back home. And with all this joy and glory they call this place a pit of hell?"
His eyes shining he clasps Mission's wrist, "In 3 days time, Brother, Anilith will birth your son into the Light's Blood and your hand will grapple with living flame to keep his dagger at bay. And for me..."
A dark fire burns in Cadfael's eyes and he tightens his grip on Mission's wrist, his fingernails carving blood from the Monk's flesh, "I am marked with Light and Blood and all Gods welcome me to their breasts. For in me Pelor and Kor Garesh meet. I have safe passage through all places lit with Darkness and will bring True Light to Anilith to tear the babe from the False. Her guardians will let me through though the rest of you will find no path."
He releases Mission and jerks away from his hand, "Come then Mission. You've set the path with stone and now our blood must flow down it. Gods do not wait and it all takes place in 3 days time. 3 days is not so long and we MUST be in place or you will have made me suffer for nothing."
With renewed purpose Cadfael wades through the water, seemingly unaware of it and retrieves his shield. "Now then, Rennik, guide us to your people, guide Mission to his fate and guide me to my peace."
From: Dan
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
A quick change:
If Mission moves to strike me or keep hold of me I won't walk to my shield, but will release his wrist and finish the line standing where I am.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
That wasn't an answer. That was a riddle. Mission stills his annoyance and anger. Cadfael looked to have regained some of his verve, at least. Mission lets him move away from him.
Pelor and Kor Garesh-- sand and shadow. And they had his son. Mission didn't care which one he had to fight-- light and fire and darkness, what did they matter against Stone? Scorch it, smother it, it was still Stone. Unyielding, constant, powerful, supportive.
Sand take him, he was beginning to like the mages better than Cadfael. For all their magery, they at least spoke Common commonly. None of this riddling in the dark, theatrics built on hysteria. Sand. Cadfael would make a fair bard, if only he were more handsome.
Three days, if Cadfael was to be trusted. And for now, Mission does not see a way to retrieve his son without trusting Cadfael. So he will shake off the pain in his shoulder, and follow the priest.
Back to the Rope, Looking for H'rugda
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Cadfael and Mission are heading to the rope.
Does anyone have any other actions they want to take before I write the next turn? Please, everyone check in with at least a 'I go with cadfael and Mission'. Thanks. And good job guys.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
I go with Cadfael and Mission. :)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Before climbing the rope, Mission calls up to Rennick: "Are your hruda, or whatever, still hogging the air up there?"
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
A confused Farron will follow, silently.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Garyth's mind is spinning as he follows the group to the rope. What have they come to? Cadfael is going mad and Mission seems to be willing to sacrifice anything for his child.
Cadfael's words still stick in Garyth's mind. Can he really deny that his imagination hasn't often been stirred by stories of heroes who die for their countries? And, of course, if it should come to that, if the safety of Overlook, of Huss, should require it, he will gladly lay down his life. But is there really nothing else? No desire for glory, to be remembered in song?
No. Because if he should die out here, it's not likely anyone will be left to tell his story, to write his song. And Garyth has known that. If he dies out here, people may never know why. They may never know that he has helped him--if, indeed, he can accomplish that. But it is enough that he would have protected those who could not protect themselves.
That's why he's here.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
OOC: Farron or I should bring that shiny blue robe. :) Farron had dragged it up to the rocks, I'm just not sure he still has it.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Actually, Mission has that shiny blue robe. He killed the zombie, he searched the zombie, he took the nice looking robe. . .
Hands off, Greedy Greedyton.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
I thought one of the others claimed it.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
See, that's what I thought.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The Hole; more strife
Matt, is Rennik going up the rope to scout?
From: Matt
Subject: Rennik's thoughts
Madness. The party has descended into madness. One minute, they seek to kill one another, and the next they walk side-by-side as companions...
Rennik's brow furrows, but he does not release tension on his arrow. Could they be possessed by the dark god? Both of them? How else to explain it? One minute they sought to kill one another, and the next they had made peace. He started to make a silent prayer to Mielikki for guidance and protection... but caught himself. She had abandoned him, and would not give him aid.
Hearing Mission's question, he replies. "There is no way to know without looking, but I would assume they are still around. It has been only minutes since I saw them, and this is a good feeding ground."
He gets Garyth's attention as he gathers his equipment. "It seems we have two that bear watching... could you help me get across the water? I hesitate to ask monk or priest..."
(Would it be possible for Rennik to piggy-back on Garyth to the rope? Or would Garyth need to carry his stuff while Rennik swam beside? If the first way worked, he'd don his armor. If it wouldn't, he'd wait until they were above ground to don it)
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Rennik's thoughts
I am writing up the next turn.
From: Ty
Subject: Exiting the hole
With the air still charged with tension following Cadfael and Mission's confrontation, Rennik reluctantly puts his bow away, and asks Garyth to help him back over to the rope. Garyth picks up the halflings gear, and lets him rest one hand on his shoulder as he moves through the water. Once at the rope, there is a brief moment of panic when the rope appears charred, but the burns are only on the surface. Apparently the rope was far enough away from the fire to only sustain superficial damage.
Rennik, leaving all his gear other than the bow with Garyth, quickly climbs back up the rope.
From: Matt
Subject: Looking for H'rugda
After peering out of the hole, Rennik slides down the rope some and speaks to the others.
"The animals are scared. They huddle in the ruin of a building. It seems the darkness that fell was not just on us - and the beasts handled it no better. The adults are sheltering the children, but are afraid - not aggressive. Whatever they fear is far greater than they are, and they cower from it."
"We should be able to sneak past if we are careful not to appear threatening."
The should be safe from the h'rugda, Rennik imagines... but he fears their safety from themselves.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Looking for H'rugda
Rennik was right, Mission and Cadfael would need to be watched. The halfling's words had been a relief; at least someone was still sane around here.
When Rennik reports back, Garyth nods and thinks a moment. Leaving Mission and Cadfael alone together doesn't seem like a good idea, but in case the hrug'da attacked, they'd want the first couple of people up to be combat ready.
"Rennik, go up ahead and try to find a place to regroup where the beast will not be threatened. Mission, you go next, and help Rennik in case the beast decides we are untrustworthy. Farron, Cadfael and Sa'id will go up next, and I will bring up the rear." He looks from face to face. "Agreed?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Looking for H'rugda
"Agreed."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Looking for H'rugda
"Agreed."
With that, Rennik pull on his backpack, climb back up the rope and disappear out the top hole, slowly and cautiously, trying hard to remain unthreatening and off the H'rugda's radar.
(OOC: I'm assuming Rennik donned his armor, since he didn't have to swim)
Metric vs. British, Which Way Now?
Subject: Re: Looking for H'rugda
Mission nods, and follows Rennick up the rope.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Looking for H'rugda
Farron numbly nodds his agreement
From: Ty
Subject: Back in the jungle
Rennik moves swiftly up the rope and disappears through the hole. Mission climbs even faster, and doesn't use his legs at all, climbing with only his arms. In anyone else but the monk, it would look like showing off.
A few moments after Mission has gone through the hole, there is a high pitched whistle, and the wizards begin to climb. Cadfael follows, the glittering ring on his now bare left hand the only reminder of what has transpired in the last few hours. Finally, breathing a sigh of relief that they are all out of the hole and no one killed anyone else, Garyth climbs the rope.
Outside, the group gathers behind the clump of stones from a long collapsed building on the far side of the clearing. The H'rugda keep their distance, though the male looks at the group with wild eyed fear. Clearly, whatever happened when everything went dark has left the animals panicked. Something occurs to Farron, and he turns to Rennik with a question on his mouth. Before he can even ask, Rennik nods assent. "Yes. The swamp dragons are probably panicked too. The only difference is, when H'rugda panick, they hide their babies on go on the defensive. When swamp dragons panic, they kill everything within reach. If we go through the jungle, it will not be pleasant."
Everyone falls silent at that, and looks off in the direction of the mountain. Rennik finally says, "Nearly fifty miles of open jungle between us and that mountain. Every inch of it designed to kill you. People have crossed it before, and will do so again I'm sure, so it isn't impossible." He stops to spit, "But it is dumb. And it is what the tunnel collapse was intended to force us to do. We go where our enemy wishes us to go."
Mission shakes his head, and says simply, "I have three days to cross it. I will not stop now." He looks irritated when Cadfael chuckles at this. "Indeed, redoubtable monk. We'll none of us be stopped, will we? That's not the plan." The priest looks up once at the sun after speaking, then looks away.
[What now? You are fairly close to the map marker, if you want to try and find other landmarks. Also, you know pretty much where the temple is, so could just set off through the jungle toward it. It's entirely up to you. You can discuss as much as you like, but when you're ready, everyone check in with an action, please.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
:whine: Why can't I find the walkthrough and cheats for this dumb game?
:)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
(OOC- Ty, I'm going to be out of state attending a family wedding until next Monday. Sa'id, can you play Farron until then? I may be able to check in here or there, but nothing regular until next week.)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
OOC:
Sure. This will provide me with the perfect opportunity to pilfer the goodies you stole from those nice men we so obligingly slaughtered. ;)
But seriously, no problem. :)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Mission presses his wide brimmed hat over his head to shade himself from the sun's glare. After the dank sewer-hole, he has to squint for a minute or two until the world returns to normal.
Fifty miles. Three days. Like a little, rhythmic, mantra. Fifty miles, three days.
He will look around to see if there are any sink holes that may have been created by the cave-in.
What with all the quicksand and mudpits, it would not be an easy task walking through this jungle, much less running. Mission frowns. Otherwise. . .
Otherwise, he could abandon this lot of fools, and retrieve his son on his own.
And while he was wishing, why not wish for Promise safe in his arms right now, and both of them back in Bannock's Ire, encircled by the Mossground, and his redemption assured?
Right. That's what he was working toward. So no matter how many mosquitoes, swamp dragons, dead women, fallen knights, cursed halflings, and raging wereboars he had kill to get to that point. . . well, let them come on.
"Garyth, Rennick, Farron-- you are the only ones of us who have ranged weapons." He smiles apologetically at Farron. "Farron, it might be better for everyone if you gave your crossbow to me or Garyth-- not that you're not competant with it, I'm sure you are. But we may need your magery more than your crossbow bolts."
His tongue feels thick in his mouth as he admits that. But once said, it is a difficult thing to call compromise back. "Rennick, how effective would the bottles of. . . mage-fire that we picked out of the tower be against the swamp dragons?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Sa'id interjects: "Mission, if you think a crossbow would be of use, take mine, not Farron's. Farron is more likely to use his crossbow in battle than I am; if it comes to that, I'll be busy conjuring fire." With a wink and a grin, he adds: "...and I have more than enough fire to burn this jungle down. It might even make the climate more to my liking."
OOC: If Mission or Garyth wants it, Sa'id will willingly give his crossbow and bolts to either of them.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Stupid Americans. I mean, really. Miles? Who uses miles. I have absolutely no conception of how far a mile is. 50 of them *sounds* like a walk in the park.
I'm sure that the people of Overlook and the surrounding are use the metric system like everyone on earth who ISN'T on crack. I'd encourage Ty to remember this in future turns.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
50 miles is about 80 km. And however much I think that the metric system makes much more sense when doing engineering calculations, you would be surprised how many products in the world are made to AES dimensions. Also, it's been my experience that most people in the UK still know what a mile, a pound of weight, and a gallon are.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
50 miles is about 80 kilometers. I would remind Daniel that the metric system is a relatively recent invention, and that miles has a long and storied history going back hundreds of years. It seems more likely that a medieval culture is using a medieval measurement system like miles, yards, feet, inches, than a nice shiny modern one like metrics.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Garyth nods and accepts Sa'id's crossbow. "Thank you," he says. "Hopefully I won't have to make use of it." The expression on his face leaves no doubt what Garyth thinks the odds are of that, though.
He looks up toward the mountain, squinting in the light. Fifty miles. Through thick jungle. He sighs. Well, if they were going to make it in three days, they had better quit wasting time.
He looks over to Rennik. "Can you lead us to the temple?"
OOC: My proposed marching order, from front to back: Rennik, Mission, Sa'id, Farron, Cadfael, Garyth.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
"Yes. But as I said, it's dumb. Trying to trek 50 miles through this jungle in three days and hoping to emerge in fighting condition is like trekking across a desert with no water and hoping to put out a fire with your piss."
Then with a wry grin, "Not to say that it *can't* be done, of course."
"This can't be the only sewer. This was an ancient city, and the walls in the tunnel looked very strong. Other sewers must exist. These may be dry or filled with water - I don't know. But I think it might be worth taking another look at that map. If only to see if we can follow the course of *this* tunnel, and hopefully get back down into it at some point."
"As for mage fire and swamp dragons... you could try it, but I think it would only make them angry. Worse, if the moss on their snouts catches fire, their bite is even more likely to kill you. Then again, perhaps a burst of fire in their path might make them think twice about attacking. The best bet would be to get into the trees - attacking from range only if absolutely necessary."
"We should return to the map and decide our course from there."
(OOC: The marching order sounds groovy to me)
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Every second they spend talking about this is a second lost in which they could be travelling. Garyth's first instinct is to start marching. But if this journey has taught him anything, it's that his first instinct is not always to be trusted.
"I don't think we can afford to spend much time looking for other sewer routes. As you said, the walls looked strong; it seems too much to hope that we will find another hole. But it could make the difference between getting there and dying on the way. The marker is not far behind us, so the time we lose checking it again my be worth what we have to gain."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
"What are the odds that you can still read that map, Farron?" Mission swallows. Why does his throat taste like iron suddenly? "Does your magery last this long?"
He can't keep his eyes off the jungle leading east, and the mountain there. A mountain like those in his home, in Bannock's Ire. But not, somehow. There were no jungles in Bannock's Ire, and no dead cities. No--the mountains there weren't. . . malicious, like this thing in the center of the island was.
Mountain of Sand, that's what Kessel was.
And Promise lay beneath it.
Mission taps his staff on the ground impatiently. "Better informed than dead. Let's take another look at the map, and then move on."
OOC: Mission is fine with the marching order put forth. I think Garyth already has MY crossbow-- but if he wants to give it back to take Sa'id's that's fine.
To the Marker! No, Wait, to the Mountain!
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
OOC: Right you are, Scott. OK so Mission gets his crossbow back and Garyth takes Sa'id's.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Cadfael breaks in, "It is good to be under the sun again, I'm afraid we'll be seeing all too much false light soon. There is, however, no point in going back to the marker, it has served its purpose and I must serve mine. I'm anxious to meet my fate."
He tightens his shield and walks off into the jungle in the direction of the temple without looking back at the group, confident that the will follow and not caring if they don't.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Kind of need everyone's reaction to this event before I can write any more turns.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
This time I'm not casting Detect Evil, so I should be safe :)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
"I do not care if you die, priest. Go your way. Maybe your god will pry you from the jaws of a swamp dragon - or grant you a golden sun chariot to ride freely over the tops of these trees."
Rennik turns to walk back to the marker, then calls over his shoulder.
"When you die, be sure to scream loud enough for me to hear. It will brighten my mood."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
What had happened between the tower and the jungle to cause this darkness in Cadfael?
Garth's death at his hands. At Pelor's bidding, or as a tool of Mon Kada. Either way a difficult thing for a man to do. The darkness he'd accused Garth of-- maybe that shadow had found its way into Cadfael's heart.
Maybe what the priest needed right now was not harshness, or hardness-- but warmth. Not the warmth of Pelor's light, shed on all equally-- but the warmth of companionship. Of Blood, blood of friends, blood of those who chose to follow him.
What he needed, perhaps, was the faith of those he travelled with.
And that is the one thing Mission feels almost certain he could not give. He sucks in a breath-- the Path is not straight, neither is it soft. Trust, faith-- in this sand-taken follower of a Pathless god?
Or faith in a man who'd lost his way. Trust in the goodness of someone who was, despite everything, despite how he'd been used and abused by his own Pathless god, was forging ahead, trying to do his duty. To keep his feet on the Path, as best he could.
Mission would take what he could get. When they came out of this, when Promise was in his arms, he would take Cadfael to the Mossground. Well, he'd offer, anyway. And there, perhaps the priest could find the Stone to support his feet.
For now, though, there was the matter of bringing Cadfael back to sanity. Or at least back to the group.
Mission runs to get beyond him-- and to stand passively in front of him. He lays a hand gently on Cadfael's shoulder, and says, "It is a long road to the temple, Cadfael. Actually, from the looks fo things, it doesn't look like there's much of a road at all. It'd be nice, before we set out, to have someone with a big, sharp pointy instrument of some sort to clear the way in front of us, don't you think?" He nods with a grin at Rennick and Garyth.
If Cadfael continues walking, Mission will keep pace with him.
Insane Priests and Friendly Monks
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
OOC: The intrepid siamese mages will wait to see how this plays out.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
When Mission puts his hand on Cadfael's shoulder his free hand moves immediately to the dagger at his side. It is half out of its sheath before Mission's words give him pause. They stand there for a while, the monk with an easy and deceptively relaxed smile looking intently into Cadfael's eerily blank face.
Cadfael glances behind him, "The Halfling's big, sharp pointy instrument does not appear to be heading in the right direction." He smiles back at Mission, "Perhaps we should wait for him. If he cannot find a mountain I doubt that he can follow even my trail."
He rams his dagger back in his sheath and steps around Mission, "Come then Brother, most are not so lucky to know exactly when and where they will meet their fate. Considering all the trouble these Gods have gone through on your account we should not be late."
He takes two quick steps ahead of Mission and, to the monk's surprise, turns and raises his hand to grasp the man's shoulder. They stand as they did a moment before, only with their roles reversed. "Mission, though light cannot harm a stone do not forget that you are flesh. If the Blood of Light falls upon you your soul will burn away. It would sadden me if this were to happen to you..."
Cadfael lets his hand fall and continues into the jungle. With his back to Mission he finishes the thought, "After I've saved your son I want to kill you myself."
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Mission lets his grin widen, "Why then, surely, I shall die. But there's a long way between this jungle and Promise's safety-- let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Or everyone else. He can hear the mages breathing back in the clearing, hear Garyth shifting uncomfortably in his armor. Unsure, all of them, what to do with this lunatic.
No-- he realizes his mistake. These lunatics. The two of them. Cadfael and Mission. Lunatics. That's how the rest of them were bound to see him, joking lightly with Cadfael, as if his threat meant nothing.
But Cadfael's threat DID mean nothing. Who was Cadfael, or the Gods, even, to wrangle the Path? And so he treated Cadfael's threat lightly. The Path would stretch itself out as it ever had. Mission had only to keep his feet upon it, whether in life or in death.
He faces Cadfael squarely. "The Path will lead as it must. If I am to die at your hands, I will die. But I have your oath now that Promise will be safe before my death, and that is hope for me. Thank you, Cadfael."
I Feel Like We're Drifting Apart, Karl's Identity Crisis, Raja Breaks It Down
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
And be thankful this isn't being written by Farron's point of view or you'd likely have to be converting from leagues to mile or kilometers or whatever. ;-)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Back in the jungle
Farron, still confused, will stand around waiting for the rest of the group to decide.
From: Ty
Subject: where do we go now
K, guys. I need to know what everyone is doing. Mission just told Cadfael to wait for the group, Cadfael seems determined to walk through the jungle, Rennik basically said he was going to leave if somebody didn't get Cadfael under control, and the wizards are waiting to see what happens.
I need a direction before I can write a turn. :)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: where do we go now
I vote south.
Somehow, it always feels like I'm going downhill.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Cadfael wants to carry on through the jungle, but he is obviously moving slowly enough that if someone wants to go with him they could easily catch up.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Garyth looks back and forth between Rennik and Cadfael, watching helplessly as the two get further and further away. Finally he runs after Cadfael.
"Stop!" he shouts as he catches up with the priest. "Just stop here for a moment. Surely you must see that if you are to do your part, we must first reach the mountain. We are much more likely to get there if we can find a safer path. Just hold here while we look for one. You lose nothing but time, and precious little of that, by waiting, but if you go on ahead you could lose the opportunity to fulfill this destiny of yours."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Nero looks at Sa'id and shrugs.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: where do we go now
I knew Nero could be in two places at once, so to speak, but this is an amazing display of his power.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: where do we go now
OK, I knew this would happen eventually. S O R R Y !!!!!!
FARRON looks at Sa'id and shrugs. Nero continues to back slowly toward the horses.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Rennik has no time for zealot priests with death wishes. He will continue as stealthily as possible, keeping all caution, back toward the map.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Where do we go now?
Where do we go, sweet child
Where do we go now?
Now now now now now now now,
Sweet child
Sweet chi-i-i-i-i-ld... o' mine...
Rennik vs. The World
Subject: Re: where do we go now
OOC: Freaky death-mage wants to be a bard now?
Mission nods to Garyth gratefully, and out of the corner of his eye, sees Rennick continuing to move off toward the direction of the obelisk. Sand. The halfling was striking out on his own again. It wasn't enough that he'd been swatted around the last time, he had to go and do it again.
How does Rennick intend to read the map without Farron or Sa'id to throw their magery at the marker, anyway? Neither of the mages were moving, except to throw exacerbated looks around at everyone.
Desperate to keep them all together, he calls to Farron, "Farron, do you remember seeing any alternate entrances to the sewers the last time you read the obelisk?"
OOC: Ty, how far away is Mission from everyone else?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: where do we go now
[ooc-ty, Farron has a pretty good memory. Does he remember anything else that might be useful in getting this party headed in *some* direction?]
From: Matt
Subject: Re: where do we go now
(OOC: Good point, Scott. Rennik would have thought about the mages... d'oh)
Rennik glances back over his shoulder and realizes that no one is following. Cursed fools. He has half a mind to let them follow the priest blindly into the forest.
Their chances of survival are close to nothing without his ranger skills. Could he leave them to that fate? Could he let them stand around in indecision, wondering if they should follow a mad priest of a deluded god? Could he let the forest claim them for their foolishness?
He could, he feels. Certainly the priest and the monk. But the others relied on him to keep them alive in the jungle. He turns, and takes the few steps back toward the group.
"I question my place here. Am I the guide, or is the deluded madman who turned on us? If you are unclear, let me explain it in easier terms."
"You will DIE if you follow the PRIEST. You will DIE if you strike out on your OWN. The PRIEST is a MADMAN who feels he is immune to the horrors of the jungle."
"Now, he may well be. And that is great for him, that the gods feel like protecting their pawn. But YOU are not protected by his gods. Let him go! Let him go and see if his gods protect him! You cannot walk his path!"
He contains his anger, but stares in wonder at the fools.
"I know this land better than ANY of you, and I have no sense of how to proceed without a better look at the map. What chance do you stand?"
He sits on a nearby rock, and stares at them.
"Decide your path, and your guide, and rein in your priest if you choose. If not, feel free to stumble through these trees to your deaths."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: where do we go now
If Rennick truly knew this land better than anyone else, he would have certainly known about a dead halfling city on the outskirts of the jungle.
If he was truly familiar with his own land, he would have known that not even a day's walk down a clearly marked path, were the ruins of a civilization his ancestors built.
Were he truly half as competant as his pride led him to believe, he would acknowledge his shortcomings and work with them instead of biting at them whenever opportunity presented itself.
How much protection or guidance could such a fickle character as Rennick offer? At the slightest provocation, he is up and stamping off like a spoiled child, willful and angry. How different was he from Cadfael's god?
But Mission says nothing of that. Instead, he says, "Rennick, I have faith in Cadfael, if not Pelor. I believe that he knows where Promise is. I hope he does. For almost nine months, I have had no hope at all. I have walked the Path of Blood and Stone with _nothing_. No sense of my son, no hope of ever finding him. Not even dreams.
"Cadfael, for all his strangeness, offers me what I cannot refuse-- a path to my boy. In three days, he says, Promise will be born. I believe him, because I have started dreaming of him. I saw with Promise's eyes. I am closer now than ever before to Promise. And so I will follow Cadfael, no matter how insane the path.
"Because otherwise, there is no hope at all, that I can see. And I have walked that road long enough."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: where do we go now
"I did not see any other entrances to the sewers specifically marked. However, I did see that the sewer runs largely in the direction of the mountain." Farron replies. "But I'm not a guide and in the jungle it all looks the same to me. If one of you has a better sense of direction, perhaps working together we could stay on or at least near the sewer path as we head toward the mountain. If we come upon another entrance, all the better."
Saying this already makes him feel better. Less confused and directionless. And he remembers the promise he made to Mission just before all hell broke loose below. I will help him find his child, he thinks to himself. And with that heads over toward the monk and priest without looking back.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Rennik looks at Mission with a mixture of pity and condescension.
"He attacks you. You subdue him, and threaten him. He tells you what you want to hear, and like a H'rugda to a pit trap, you're willing to jump at the bait..."
He shakes his head.
"I apologize for having once assumed you an intelligent human, as rare as that trait is in your kind."
Then, looking to Farron, he simply laughs silently and shakes his head.
Fools. Mission, raised in a monestary. Farron, a university. Sa'id, the same. Cadfael, a temple. Garyth, safe within the walls of his town. What are they to know about the dangers of the jungle? Halfling tribes who live in the wilds, whose entire world revolves around the threats and dangers of the deep woods - they avoid the jungle. Elven rangers hundreds of years old, wise in ways no human would ever understand - they avoid the jungle. The other inhabitants of the island avoid even the forest, let alone the jungle.
And five humans raised and trained behind the security of walls and roof think to walk across it as if they were headed to their local tavern. They are ignorant of its dangers, not having seen them. They do not have memories of gorings, maulings and death by poison, tooth and fang. They do not have images of beasts killing the unwary with lightning speed, without even the opportunity to yell for help. They have no knowledge, and refuse to listen when they are told of their peril.
No matter. It matters little to him whether the monk or priest die grisly deaths - it would be for the best, in the long run, for the world. The weasel-mage chose his fate willingly, having been warned. But what of the others?
"What say you, Sa'id? And you, friend Garyth? Would you follow the madman through the woods as though he were a rabid dog, blindly blundering in a straight path toward some destination known only to his warped mind? If you choose that path, I fear for your lives, but I will not join you."
He pauses.
"The priest and the monk may be the death of you both, and that will weigh on my heart. But don't say you were not warned. They are headstrong and feel themselves unconquerable, more powerful than the jungle. They are fools. I will not travel with them unless they are willing to abide by my decisions in the wilds - which they have proven they will not. That refusal, or even hesitation, could mean the death of us all - and I will not die because of their stupidity."
"Make your choice. If you follow the madman, it will be the end of our travels together. I will return to my people and warn them of the growing threat in the mountain, and I will mourn for the loss of your lives."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Garyth steps in front of Cadfael and plants his feet. He speaks to the priest, but is loud enough that he obviously wants Rennik to hear as well.
"Listen! If we have learned nothing else in the past few days we should still know that we have strength and hope only together! We must ALL stick together or our enemies will surely pick us off one by one. Think! If we split up we are doomed to failure and death!"
From: Scott
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Mission chokes down his anger, and simply nods at the halfling. "I will not abide by any decision that will keep me from my son, Rennick. As you say, I am stupid and arrogant."
But I will find Promise.
"If our ways split here, than I am sorry, Rennick," Mission says, not insincerely. Because of all of them, Rennick probably _was_ the most capable in this wilderness. It _was_ foolishness to try this jungle without him. But foolish or not, Mission knew the Path.
And perhaps they would survive longer without the little savage snapping at them every moment.
He had been tolerable only once-- after his axe was broken. Mission bites his lip. He had retrieved the pike that Rennick carried in its place. Maybe if he hadn't brought such a poisoned weapon, Rennick's temperment would be more. . . tempered.
"Farron's advice is sound," Mission offers. "I trust the mage's memory of the map, just as I would trust the counsel you would give on this jungle, Rennick."
Rennik's Prayers, Lots of Internal Monologue, An Answer?
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Are Sa'id and garyth going to answer this?
I need to know what to do before writing the next turn.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Sa'id's gaze flicks back and forth between Rennik and Mission, but he doesn't speak until he notices a glaring ommission.
"No one has mentioned Elise." He lets her name hang over the party like a shroud before continuing: "She could destroy us all, but despite what has happened to Cadfael, his presence still shields us from the sight of Kor Garesh and his minions - including Elise."
Sa'id looks directly at Rennik. "If you leave us again, I suspect she will find and kill you. You seek to warn your people and I believe she will not allow that to happen. I think we can only hope to escape Kor Garesh now by remaining with Cadfael, mad though he may be. I don't wish to see you die, nor myself - but Mission saved my life twice and I have promised to help him save his boy. I believe that if we do succeed, Kor Garesh will be sufficiently delayed and his minions sufficiently confused that there will be time to warn Huss of the coming darkness."
"I believe you when you say attempting a trek through the jungle is madness, but I would rather be killed by swamp dragons than by Elise. Swamp dragons wouldn't take pleasure in rending the flesh from my bones as painfully as possible. Swamp dragons wouldn't sacrifice me to a murderous and vengeful god. If I die in the jungle, at least my soul will be at peace."
"I must go with Mission."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Rennik's attention snaps to Sa'id at his words, confused and angry.
"What do you know of this dark god's attentions?!? What about our mad priest shields us from anything?!? He is in the service of this dark god - he bears a ring of vile magery that does not blind this evil, but draws its attention!"
"Have we not just been set upon by darkness and madness? Were we not almost killed because they knew exactly where we were heading, and exactly what path we took? How has our closeness to this madman protected us from this god? What do you know, spellweaver? What knowledge do you keep from us?"
Before Sa'id has a chance to react, Rennik will push on.
"And what do you know of the she bitch? How would she know what I seek - does she read minds?!? Do they not *want* us to turn back? Do they not want us to run from the mountain? *Why else* would they put obstacles in our path, but to turn us away? If anything, I was attacked by the she-bitch because I moved *toward* the mountain, and found the map that would lead us to them. What would they gain in diverting their energy toward a fleeing adversary, when others are still forging forward?"
"And your ignorance of this jungle makes your decision even more laughable. I would MUCH rather a fight with Elise than a swamp dragon, or any of several other creatures in this jungle. Elise is a human, and can be beaten. She may be strong, she may be able to wield dark magics, but she is an adversary who can be fought head-on. A swamp dragon is not - nor are any of the poisonous reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants that can cause just as painful a death, without any hope of success."
"I can respect your life debt, though my soul mourns that you have bound yourself to such a one as this monk..."
Calming, he sighs heavily and shakes his head slowly from side to side. He speaks to the ground in the halfling tongue of his people, almost in prayer, but not to any one god in particular. It almost seems as though he is appealing to the forest, or the spirits of the plants and animals that surround him. It is not an appeal to any deity, but to the forces of the world.
"I know not what to do. I am empty, and my goddess has abandoned me with fools and madmen. The path forward reeks of death, and the path behind is treacherous. Evil has come to my people, and I am powerless against it. I have been beaten and my weapons broken, humbled before the world. I am a wolf set upon by predators, surrounded and protected only by blind, toothless cubs. What am I to do? How might I be like the river, or tree? How might I be like the wind, or rain? How am I to know my direction, my place in the world?"
Opening himself to his surroundings, he blocks out the humans, ignoring any words they may speak or pleas they may make. If they leave without him, he would scarcely notice and care even less. It is as though they have faded away, and Rennik is left with his thoughts and the wild.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: where do we go now
A turn coming tonight.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Did you guys get [my] email when it went out yesterday? It seems like the responses, especially Ty's, indicate that some of you may have missed it.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: where do we go now
[OOC: This email is entirely composed of internal monologue. It doesn't actually affect the game. I did get Mike's email yesterday.]
Sa'id listens to Rennik's angry words in dismay. The halfling's arrogance and narrow worldview had clearly blinded him to all logic and reason. His devotion to his people was admirable, but his mistrust of humans would likely be his demise.
The dark-skinned wizard's eyes flick over the rest of the group. Of them, Cadfael was mad, Rennik and Mission were single-minded and obstinate in the pursuit of their goals... Garyth at least had good intentions, and Farron was possessed of wit. But none of them, it appeared, could see the situation with the same clarity as himself. If Mission saved Promise, he would return to seclusion with his order to raise and safeguard his son. Cadfael would... Cadfael would most likely die. Garyth and Farron would return to Overlook and the former at least would aid in its defense. Rennik would be dead.
..leaving a lone, outcast necromancer to tell the Isle of Huss what was coming to devour it? To somehow convince the cities and towns to combine their forces against the undead and soulless, these blasphemies against the natural order of life and death?
Fools.
None of them even respected his power - with the possible exception of Farron. None of them paid any mind to the destruction he was capable of wreaking, and it was clear that few if any of them respected his intellect. They'd ignored his bluff in the tower, ignored the skeletons he had incinerated at the lodge, and only Mission had bothered to protect him in battle - but Mission must view him as a child, always needing to be followed around to make sure no one accidentally killed him. And for this he owed the monk his life, though he wasn't sure that the other man even cared about it beyond what aid Sa'id could lend in his effort to save Promise.
If only he could simply ride the waves back to Ammar, to the windswept sands of his homeland. Bid'di a'rooh, bas lasim... khara. But the darkness would not be confined to Huss. Gods were not so easily sated. For the thousandth time, Sa'id curses the entire pantheon for his mother's life, but now he also curses them for what they have wrought among the members of this small group.
His black mood is brightened somewhat by a flicker of hope in the back of his mind. He does have SOME respect for these strange people whose company he keeps. Mission, though single-minded, was noble. Garyth was brave. Farron was cunning. These three at least might TRY. If he could convince them. Perhaps if the world was able to rid itself of Kor Garesh, it might realize that it did not need ANY of the gods... The oppressiveness of his surroundings keeps true optimism at bay, though, reminding him that they would all most likely die before even reaching Anileth and Promise.
Shaking his head, he moves to stand with Mission, Garyth, and Farron.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: where do we go now
:applause:
From: Matt
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Yes, Mike, I did get your email. Rennik just has no interest in Garyth's words at the moment. To him, quite frankly, sticking together with Mission and Cadfael has become equated with failure and death.
I probably should have had Rennik acknowledge that Garyth spoke and then wrote off his words, but his reaction to Sa'id's totally out of the blue speculation about Cadfael took precedence. Oops! Sorry 'bout that.
I'm reaaally having trouble justifying Rennik sticking around with the group, though. We'll see what the spirits of the land have to say. o_O
From: Raja
Subject: Re: where do we go now
You just don't love us anymore.
Rennik's Int is just too low to see how right Sa'id is. ;)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Just as an aside...
That information about Cadfael and the Kor Garesh blindspot is a new entry into the public domain... no one knew about that yet. There was some evidence, but it had never been stated outright. That's why Rennik responded with such hostility - he didn't make the same mental leaps of faith that Sa'id did. Ty says that Sa'id could have figured it out with his high Intelligence, but he presented it to Rennik as a "duh, you should know this" fact... which made the halfling blow his top.
Just so you didn't think I was just being ornery. :)
Though I am curious how everyone else is taking that news... or processing that information.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Ah, but what you're forgetting is that Sa'id assumes his own word to be gospel for everyone else.
:-P
From: Raja
Subject: Re: where do we go now
..so you're supposed to believe him because he believes himself to always be right. :)
From: Dan
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Cadfael reaches the edge of the clearing and stops as though the trees were a wall. With trembling fingers he reaches out to touch a trunk and looks up through the canopy of branches, the sun casting a patchwork shadow across his face.
..."You will DIE if you follow the PRIEST"...
Cadfael grits his teeth to hold back the tears and presses his cheek against the wood. Damp enough that, should he lose control, he need not feel the wetness on his face to be reminded of it. So tired. Always reaching, clawing to stay at the surface, to stay aloft. Someone had fallen, hadn't they? He could see her falling from his arms, burning with fever. So fragile, laying there on the floor. He had felt that if he breathed to hard she might blow away... And yet, somehow it had been he who had shattered and was left with a handful of pieces that kept slipping through his fingers.
..."I have faith in Cadfael"...
Faith... No matter how he threatened and raged his faith still walked beside with him. He could still feel its lingering touch. Desperately he wanted to destroy it for all it had done. To burn it, to punish it, to -- What had it done? ... It was why he was here, it was hard as rock and demanded his blood! It kept his feet on the path to his fate. A fate *he* wanted no part of... but it mattered so to Pelor. Mission? Faces were blurring behind his eyes.
..."If I die in the jungle, at least my soul will be at peace"...
A pardon? Forgiveness? Or, perhaps reassurance that this path lead to a promise. What sins cannot be forgiven? Could the death of a man, a mother, could these be washed away? And, more dearly, could the breaking of a spirit be put in the past? He yearned to regain that trust, but perhaps he had lost it forever. Could he ever forgive Pelor for the wounds he had inflicted?
..."we have strength and hope only together"...
Kor Garesh, the Darkness was the only hope the Light had. Somehow there had to be room for both in his heart, he had to surrender to each. He was the key to the other, the fate of two Gods lay in his shaking hands. They had each set him up to fall and he knew in falling he was to take one with him. So much depended on him that his way had been set with golden and obsidion markers and despite it all he still felt lost.
..."I am empty, and my goddess has abandoned me with fools and madmen"...
How could he be filled with the strength of two Gods and still feel so hollow? Alone with no company but himself. It was not right! The Gods are just that, Gods. And two had staked their fates with him. With the power of two Gods behind him could he not choose his own path? Cut out in a direction of his choosing?
But no. All this talk of emptiness, Gods and madmen was nothing but the whisper of his pride whirling in his mind. And now, now he was too exhausted, to close to his purpose to hold on to that and Gods. The time had come to make his peace and set his pride on a new direction. It could not be left to eat away inside him, to lead him astray. He would be lost without him, he could see that now. Cadfael closes his eyes as a feeling of clarity settles in and waits for it to give him direction.
"Rennik!"
His heart beats faster. Very near to a panic Cadfael runs across the clearing. Where is the Halfling? There, in a stupor, mind closed to the world.
"Rennik," he says softly, kneeling before him and gently holding his face in his hands, "I need you. Your people need you. You were spared the visions I have seen, but Rennik, too many halflings have given their souls to only be members of a forgotten tribe. It has spread beyond the members of the Murrkat. Remember your cousin? A good man, a strong man, and lost to you. There is no home to return to. At least, no home beyond 4 walls. No home to hold on to. We have lived under Kor Garesh's spell for too long, though we did not know it. You are not here to hunt the wereboars, you never were! Your hunt is for their Master. Vengeance is not God's way, you know that. It is salvation that we are striving for. Promise be damned, he is not my child and merely a means to an end. But he must live for there to be any hope at all."
Cadfael's grip tightens on Rennik's face and the stink of sweat fills his nostrils. "Come back to me, I cannot find my way on my own."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Wow.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: where do we go now
Rennik barely hears the priest's words, but the basics of their meaning registers in the recesses of his mind. Still with a distant look in his eye, he looks up at the priest, studying his face, the darkened eyes, the haggard cheeks. The halfling cocks his head to the side, as an animal might, one that has seen a something totally out of its ken.
Slowly, he puts his hand on Cadfael's shoulder, gripping his armor and clenching his eyelids shut. Gritting his teeth, he speaks in the halfling tongue, words of sorrow and dismay. "My kin, lost. My goddess, lost. My people..." He looks up into the priest's eyes. "...lost."
Suddenly the faraway look in his eye focuses, and hardens. With lightning speed, he draws the dagger from his boot and presses it against Cadfael's throat, gripping the collar of his armor tightly with his left hand. (OOC: He will make every effort to keep Cafael's chest between the dagger and the rest of the party, blocking their sightline of his actions)
Still in the halfling tongue, he whispers, "Spinner of lies... offal of a dark god..." The mad priest may have fooled the monk, speaking the words he wanted to hear, convincing him to stay his hand. But Rennik harbored no delusions of the usefulness of the priest, the pawn of Kor Garesh. He would not be so easily duped.
A growl rises from the back of his throat...
From: Ty
Subject: An answer?
Rennik grips Cadfael's armor and holds his dagger to the priests neck. This rejection of the cleric's attempt to reach out seems to twist something in Cadfael, and his face goes dark. Rennik sees this, but does not move to withdraw his weapon. Blood is about to be spilled.
Both men hear only their own panting breaths, and something about the party's silence seems strange. Is no one going to even attempt to stop them from killing each other? Rennik looks away first, though the dagger never wavers from Cadfael's throat. When he does not look back at the priest, Cadfael risks a glance as well.
The rest of the party stands in silence, staring at a large gray wolf that has just entered the clearing. There is something about the creature that demands such attention. Certainly it has a regal bearing, standing without fear as it looks at the group. But mostly, it is the eyes. They are deep, and intelligent beyond the norm for such a creature. It does not turn away when it meets the eyes of on of the group.
Farron, who has lived on the island all his life, has never seen a wolf here before. He begins to speak, then stops with a puzzled look on his face. Sa'id, who has recently discovered that wolves make him nervous, stands very still. Garyth places one hand on his sword hilt, but does not draw the weapon. He looks at the creature with a mix of wonder and guarded caution.
Mission, who is familiar with the wolves that run the slopes of Bannock's Ire, recognizes this animal as something special. He drops to a squat, and holds out his hand making low clucking noises with his tongue.
But it is Rennik who is most affected. He begins a low hum in the back of his throat, and the wolf stares into his eyes and matches him with a low growl of its own. When the animal reacts in this way, tears begin streaming down the Halflings face. Only the most gifted trackers and huntsmen of his people were given an animal companion. It is a great honor, and a sure sign that the gods looked on with favor.
He begins speaking in Halfling, calling to the wolf. But the wolf sits down on its haunches, and continues to give Rennik only its haunting stare. The Halfling comes to a realization. This is the choice. He can cut Cadfael's throat and leave the others here to die. The monk is swift, but no one will be able to catch him here in the jungle. But if he does, it is the final rejection of his god. The one from which there is no return. And the wolf will disappear back into the woods forever. Will you be a hero? The wolf seems to ask. Will you walk this path so that no other Halflings must walk it in your stead? Or will you run? As you have been running since Lorria died. This last choice is offered to you.
[You guys will be going to next level after you camp. Matt had told me Rennik would take a wolf as his animal companion after taking his next ranger level. I am sneaking the idea in a bit early.]
From: Matt
Subject: Re: An answer?
Rennik stares at the wolf, holding silent communication.
Why now? What had brought the wolf now? Had it been his communion with the nature spirits? Had they answered his need? Mielikki had abandoned him, he was sure of it. She had left him at the mercy of the dark god, at the mercy of the she-bitch, vulnerable in her very bosom...
...or had she? Was she testing him? Was she bending him like a hurricane bends a tree, seeing whether he would snap, whether he could survive in this new, harsh environment? Had she left him alone with the she-bitch and the dark god to see how he would fare? To see if he was worthy?
The wolf's eyes simply stared back, impassively. But there is understanding beneath them, a primal wisdom born of hardship and years abiding by the laws of nature.
Nature knows no vengeance.
There is a poetry in the wolf's eyes. A balance. Survive, kill for food, fight when in danger. Protect the pack.
Are these humans his pack? If they are, he has been a terrible alpha. Or even a beta. He's been the lone wolf, forced to skirt around the edges of the pack for survival.
This wolf was sent by Mielikki, his goddess, his patron. To show him the way. To remind him of the laws of nature, the struggles, the hardships of the wild. And, above all, that even a lone wolf can survive in the jungle - if it has the will.
Will burned in the wolf's eyes. It had a bearing, a presence. Confidence radiated from it, and it showed no fear of the humans. No fear, and no animosity.
Rennik breaks eye contact with the wolf and stands, still holding Cadfael by the collar, keeping the point of his dagger at the priest's neck. With the priest on his knees, Rennik stands almost eye to eye with him.
"It is not my place to take your life, even though you suckle at the teet of dark powers. If the jungle wishes to claim you, it will."
With that, he shoves Cadfael with his full weight behind the push, sending him onto his back. With that, he resheathes his dagger, and walks toward the wolf. Standing before it, the animal's head reaches Rennik's chin.
Moving his head to the side of the wolf's, he sniffs twice, then once more. The wolf sniffs him back, then licks his face twice. Rennik turns to the group again.
"My goddess has sent her messenger. Her strength. Her aid. She wants me to continue, to aid you all in reaching the mountain, to help you find your way through her domain. I don't know why she asks this of me, but I no longer doubt her wisdom."
"Friend Garyth, you are right. We must stay together, as a pack would stay together, if we wish to survive. I was being foolish and impulsive, and I apologize."
"This group may well still die in this jungle. I have no way of ensuring our survival, just as the mad priest has no way of guaranteeing the unborn child's life. No matter what he may say."
He turns to Mission. "I still think you foolish and blinded by emotions, but you are a worthy and formidable warrior. We are not so much different, you and I, in both respects. We were friendly once, and I hope we can be again. For the good of the pack... the good of the group... I hope we can put our differences behind us." He adds with the beginnings of a lopsided grin, "At least, until we are well away from this jungle."
"Now," he hesitates for a moment, and the word 'spellweaver' springs to his lips, but he holds it. "Farron. What can you tell me of the direction we must head?"
Meet Tichenor, Some Rules Discussion, Tom's Group vs. Ty's Group, Another Hole, Levels!
Subject: Re: An answer?
:Bows humbly to the superior role playing of all:
From: Karl
Subject: Re: An answer?
Startled a bit at being addressed directly by the halfling, Farron is momentarily at a loss for words. "W-well," he stammers, "I can remember how the old buildings were arranged above the sewer tunnel, and I'm sure I can keep us above it as long as someone helps me with directions. Once I'm in the jungle I get turned around and can barely even tell which way we came from." He pauses a second, expecting some terse reply or some additional slur on his competence but none comes. "As I said before, the sewer tunnel heads in the general direction of the mountain, where we've said we need to go. If someone will help me keep my bearings in the jungle, we should be able to follow above the sewer and keep an eye out for any additional entrances."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: An answer?
Mission is glad that he kept his anger in check. He returns the halfling's grin, and clasps his forearm. His relief is visible, but he doesn't say anything, mistrusting his sense of humor to keep the fragile peace just made.
Instead he listens to Farron, and then looks to the sky. "How much time until dusk?"
OOC: What time is it?
From: Ty
Subject: Re: An answer?
At this point, it is still an hour before midday. A lot has happened this morning. :)
From: Karl
Subject: Re: An answer?
Boy! this is the longest day I remember playing. (Unless you count the months Nero and party spent in suspended animation running from the werewolves.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: An answer?
Yeah, lots of conversation and stuff, but little time has passed comparatively.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: An answer?
Garyth breathes a sigh of relief. He's not sure exactly what providence has smiled upon them, but the appearance of the wolf at such a tense moment seems too much for a coincidence. He says nothing, but smiles at Rennik and his new companion and waits to hear what Farron has to say.
OOC: Unless there's more conversation on the way, Garyth has nothing to add and will go along with Rennik and Farron's decision. He will propose the same marching order as he had before.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: An answer?
Same goes for Sa'id, except the bit about proposing marching orders.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: An answer?
Mission hitches up his backpack and clears his throat.
"We've got a good bit of light left. . ." and then he trails off, indicating the little eastward leading path in front of them with his staff.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: An answer?
Sa'id shrugs and smiles. "I'm ready. Hopefully between the five.. er, six... of us, we can keep Farron on course." He winks at the other wizard, but can't help glancing nervously at the wolf every so often. He'll keep his distance from it.
From: Matt
Subject: Re: An answer?
(OOC: Er, seven of us? Counting the wolf?)
Rennik will do his best to give Farron his bearings as best he can, from his own memories of the map to the tunnel entrance and basic understanding of the ancient city layout. If it will help, he will draw in the dirt what he can remember and consult with Farron as to directions and other landmarks he may remember. He will try to keep any condescension from his voice, but his attitude will be that of an adult to an astute child - as Farron knows hardly as much as a halfling child would about survival in the wilds.
As Farron and he converse, he will rub between the ears of the wolf, feeling the course hair between his fingers. He would need a name, Rennik decides. Tichenor... the word the elven rangers taught him meaning "unexpected providence." It was normally used when they found a pure spring to refill their waterskins or a field of meaty mushrooms to assuage the need for hunting, and it was a fitting name.
He speaks in the halfling tongue again to the wolf, "I will call you Tichenor, for you are surely unexpected and have brought me great comfort and relief in these troubled times. This is my pack, such as it is." The wolf responds to its name with a cocking of its head, and Rennik feels the animal understood what it will be called. "They may not be much, but perhaps a predator will see them as easier prey than you or me." With that he smiles, and pats Tichenor's head.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: An answer?
Right. Six non-Farron entities to keep Farron on course. Five humanoid non-Farron entities.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: An answer?
OOC-- Hey, how do you tell at what level your character can choose a new feat?
And a poll: At level 6, Mission gets to choose one of two bonus feats:
IMPROVED DISARM:
Benefit: You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when you attempt to disarm an opponent, nor does the opponent have a chance to disarm you. You also gain a +4 bonus on the opposed attack roll you make to disarm your opponent.
IMPROVED TRIP:
Benefit: You do not provoke an attack of opportunity when you attempt to trip an opponent while you are unarmed. You also gain a +4 bonus on your Strength check to trip your opponent.
If you trip an opponent in melee combat, you immediately get a melee attack against that opponent as if you hadn't used your attack for the trip attempt.
I'm leaning toward Improved Trip-- as I understand the rules, this would allow me to trip an opponent, (with the bonus applied to Improved Trip, Mission's STR would be 20), and then attack with Flurry of Blows-- two attacks.
And the opponent would be more vulnerable to attacks from other characters. . .
From: Matt
Subject: Re: An answer?
Wow, that's an interesting question. Um... well, your Str wouldn't go to 20, btw. You'd roll a d20 + Str bonus + 4 for your trip roll, is what it's saying. So essentially, instead of having a +2 mod to your trip, you have a +6 mod.
As to the trip/flurry combo, that's what's intriguing me. A flurry requires a full attack action, which prevents any other action that turn (aside from a five foot step). Then again, a successful trip in melee combat *doesn't count* as an attack, and offers an attack opportunity.
So, if it's not an attack, is it an action, thus nullifuing the "full attack action" possibility? Or would it be considered the first action of a flurry - which would then be replaced by a punch or kick, leading into the rest of the flurry? Or possibly it would be allowed under the 5 foot step rule, since a trip is really just a step, no? ;-)
I really have no idea. I'm curious as to Ty's ruling on this... or Tom's. Hrm.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: An answer?
Actually, what I was thinking was, 'Wow, with that +4 bonus maybe Mission _could_ trip Slash!'
:)
I'm still lobbying for a Tom's-group-vs.-Ty's-Group brawl.
Now that they don't have a magic-user. . . >=)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: An answer?
Well, Rennik's got a good track record against mages, anyhow. :-D
With his axe in top working condition, I think we could take them... once we all level up, that is. :)
From: Scott
Subject: Re: An answer?
Maybe Halla is just like a freaky cute paralell dimension type Paladin of Elise?
Oooh.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: An answer?
Hey guys, no turn from me today. My fever has now broken the 100 degree mark. If you don't here from me tomorrow, I'm still dead.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: An answer?
Actually, a monk DID trip Slash in a fight, and I'm sure he had that feat. Sadly, when Slash got back up, he hit that monk with a 53 point critical, and turned his head into a red chunky spray of goo.
I would not allow a flurry of blows in the same round as a trip. A trip is still an action, and can't be used with a full attack type action.
From: Ty
Subject: The jungle; looking for holes
Rennik and Farron spend some time drawing in the dirt, and picking out landmarks. For all his arrogance about his survival skills, Rennik is forced to admit that book learning may have its uses. Farron's memory, and his ability to re-create the map, is astonishing. When he is done drawing it out, it looks exactly like the Halfling remembers. Rennik orients himself above the tunnel, and facing in the direction of its path, and leads the party into the jungle. It is none too soon. Behind them, the party can hear the H'rugda beginning to get active again.
Rennik leads the way, his new companion at his side. There is a peace in the Halflings face never seen before by any of the group. Clearly, the animals appearance has settled something for him, and he has lost the nervous anger that had so defined him before. The group is glad to have him back. Even just a few hundred feet out of the clearing, Farron completely loses his sense of direction. If it were not for Rennik keeping him on track, he would quickly lose the tunnels path. Also, as the group travels, Rennik points out the hidden dangers of the place. Here, mud so soft a man can drown in it. There, a plant that is poisonous to the touch, and brings slow paralysis. The jungle is filled with so many bad things that it is easy to believe it was created by some foul intelligence rather than nature.
It is also hot. The temperature seems to rise with each step. Sweat sticks to the skin, and soaks clothing and hair. An hour after the party stops to eat, it begins to rain, and doesn't stop for several hours. The rain does nothing to lower the temperature, though it does wash off the sweat at least. The group takes to competing at the most creative curses to be hurled at the weather. Unfortunately, when the rain finally does stop, it is immediately missed, because the bugs come out. There are swarms of insects, all of prodigious size, and seemingly all bent upon stinging, biting, or sucking blood from the group. It is easy to see why even the Halflings do not try to live in the jungles of Huss.
On the positive side, and much to Rennik's amazement, not one swamp dragon crosses the party's path.
Farron stops the group from time to time when he believes they are near the location of one of the buildings on the map. He hopes to find another entrance to the sewers, but the group has no luck in finding one at first. Finally, when the daylight is almost gone, and Rennik begins to worry about where the group might camp, Farron stops them one last time. Everyone spreads out to search, and several people find old stones or other signs that a building used to be in this place, but it is the wolf that finds the hole. Rennik sees him digging at a spot on the ground, and when he goes to check, finds that Tichenor is working at a hole no more than six inches across and trying to widen it.
When he looks down into the hole, it is very black and deep. The edges of the hole are flat rocks, fitted together like cobble stones. It takes the group only a few moments to work the stones free and open a hole several feet wide. The sewer lies below. A torch is dropped inside, and the tunnel is revealed. It looks the same as the tunnel the group had been in earlier, but now the floor is visible. A narrow channel runs through the center of the tunnel, and in it dank water sluggishly moves, but on both sides is nice dry stone. Farron smiles, "Looks like a nice place to bed down for the night."
Mission laughs, then starts to cough. When he stops, Sa'id can still hear him wheezing. "Are you ill?" he asks. Mission considers, "My chest hurts. I had thought it was because of the damp hot air, but it's getting worse. To be honest, I feel a little dizzy, and it's hard to breathe."
[Check in with actions. You can camp in the sewers or on the surface. When the group finds the hole, it's about 6pm, and it's getting fairly dark under the jungle canopy. Mission failed a fort save (amazingly, everyone else made it), and has caught a disease from the jungle water he swallowed.]
From: Ty
Subject: addendum; leveling up!
Let me know what class you are taking a level in, and I will roll your hit dice. Matt, you have to take ranger now. J
If you are comfortable updating your own character sheet, go ahead and do it, just make sure to send me a copy of the sheet when you are done. If you need help with leveling up, let me know.
Feats, Mission Refuses Help
Subject: addendum; leveling up!
OOC: How do we know if our characters have earned the right to choose a new feat? (I looked in the open source for something, but it implied that if you have the prerequisites, you can take the feat, whatever it may be, and as many as you had the prerequisites for-- which can't be right, can it?)
Are you rolling for the new level hp, or are we?
From: Tom
Subject: addendum; leveling up!
Characters gain just one feat every three levels (at 1st level, 3rd level, 6th level, etc.) Humans start with one bonus feat, and some classes -- like fighters and wizards -- get bonus feats as part of their progression.
From: Ty
Subject: addendum; leveling up!
The feats are:
Garyth 2 (one of which is a bonus fighter feat)
Rennik 1 + animal companion
Mission 2 (one of which is a bonus monk feat) + slow fall 30'
Cadfael 1
Sa'id 1
Farron 1
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
"Do you have a blanket in your bedroll? Hot though it may be, it is best to be wrapped up when ill. I am not well-acquainted with curing such illnesses, however... but if it's possible, perhaps you should skip taking watch tonight." With this, he turns to the rest of the party. "I think Farron is right, we should camp in the tunnel. Perhaps we should even follow it on its course tomorrow rather than returning to the surface... but that is something we can discuss once our camp is set."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Mission looks concerned. "Something is not right." He coughs, and nods at Sa'id. "I have a blanket, yes."
He looks at the mage, a little alarm in his eyes. "This jungle is. . . not natural." He coughs again.
"I can't be sick, Sa'id. Sickness is illusion, and Veracity taught me. . . something."
He's rambling. Mission knows it. And so he swallows, and takes a deep breath. "It's not natural," he repeats.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Once they move into the hole, Mission will heed Sa'id's advice. He'll put on the robe that he picked up from the zombie for extra warmth, and will not volunteer for watch tonight.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
OOC: Yikes, if Mission got it then it must be a pretty hard core disease, since monks are supposed to be immune to normal diseases. Are Heal checks good against supernatural or magical diseases?
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
[OOC: I didn't know that... Wow.]
"I may be able to help a little bit," Sa'id says, "at least with the breathing." He looks as though he's about to cast a spell, but then, remembering Mission's aversion to magic, he pauses and grins at the monk. "Don't worry, it's harmless. I'm just going to try to cool the air around your head so you don't feel so stuffy. It should last about an hour." [Prestidigitation]
From: Ty
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
In this case, no. But Cadfael has a 3rd level spell that would help.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Mission shakes his head. "No, Sa'id. If anyone is listening for magery, I don't want to alert them."
He spreads his palms in apology. "I don't mean to insult you. But I'm not so sick that I can't abide a little warm air."
And underground, things would be cooler anyway. Mission peers into the hole and shivers. Blood be stone.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Sa'id quirks an eyebrow. "I understand your concernt, but I don't really think that's necessary. I had, in fact, planned to work a fair amount of magic both tonight and possibly tomorrow morning with Farron, investigating the magical nature of some of the items we have found. Like that robe, for instance, and a ring I found on the halfling cleric at the lodge."
"In light of your concern, though, I will speak of this to the others first to see if they share your view. I'm confident that the risk is negligble, but as we've seen, my words aren't always heeded around here." He says this last with a wink and then moves to talk to Farron.
[OOC: Sa'id will help the others set up camp -- preferably in the sewer -- before broaching the subject of massive amounts of identifying and disarming trapped spellbooks with Farron.]
From: Mike
Subject: Re: The jungle; looking for holes
Garyth is glad to see the hole, if for no other reason than to get away from the heat and the accursed insects. Hopefully this night will pass without trouble.
Hearing the exchange between Sa'id and Mission, Garyth interjects. "We're in enemy territory, Mission, and from all we can tell, they already have some idea of our position. We can't afford to have anyone at anything other than full combat readiness. I think you should accept all the help you can get." He glances uneasily toward Cadfael as he finishes, though he tries outwardly to pretend that he didn't. Given the... events of this morning Mission probably wanted nothing to do with the priest, and Garyth could hardly blame him.