<DM> The cacophonous hooting continues, and is now interspersed with grunts and screeches. Sense motive. <Foster> |roll d20+1 <tafal> 20 | [d20=19] [+1=1] (Foster) <Vita> |roll d20+2 <tafal> 9 | [d20=7] [+2=2] (Vita) <Erias> |roll d20+8 <tafal> 22 | [d20=14] [+8=8] (Erias) <Fordran> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 4 | [d20=1] [+3=3] (Fordran) <Fordran> (way to start the night.) <Foster> "They sure sound happy about something." * Erias grimaces. "Bastards." * Vita looks vaguely puzzled <DM> (Sam?) <Erias> (does it seem to be predominantly from a particular direction?) <DM> (totally surrounding) <Sam> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 20 | [d20=15] [+5=5] (Sam) <Sam> (was pouring water for tea) <Vita> (Oh, mine was a 11) <Sam> "I have a bad feeling that we accomplished something for them." <Foster> "I'm going to speculate that they're celebrating finding us." <Erias> (* Erias spins his shortswords, Brotherhood-of-the-Wolf-style. Oh, wait, wrong character.) <Vita> "Why do I get the feeling that I don't really WANT to try and interact with these... animals?" * Foster turns towards the forest, and speaks loudly and slowly. <DM> Spot checks <Fordran> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 23 | [d20=20] [+3=3] (Fordran) <Fordran> (tafal, you are weird.) <Erias> "After they took that guy, I have to admit I'm sort of looking forward to this interaction." <Foster> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 20 | [d20=9] [+11=11] (Foster) <Sam> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 7 | [d20=2] [+5=5] (Sam) <Vita> |roll d20+18 <tafal> 35 | [d20=17] [+18=18] (Vita) <Vita> (I think I still have eyes on) <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 14 | [d20=11] [+3=3] (Erias) <Foster> "Attention, hooting masses! Please return our crew member, and we will allow you to retreat unharmed." * Sam takes a defensive and alert stance. * Erias eyes Foster appraisingly. * Foster turns on force shield, brandishes rapier clumsily. <Erias> (aside, conversationally) "See, _I_ know you're in a position to threaten." * Erias readies shield and mace if they're not out. <Foster> (responding in kind) "It doesn't hurt to go on the record as offering them a way out." * Vita looks at Erias and nods thoughtfully <DM> You see a wide, hairy humanoid, covered with reddish fur, wearing nothing but a loincloth, and wielding a spear. It has purple and yellow marks on its face. Its mouth protrudes somewhat, and you can see largish tusks inside its open mouth. It is hooting and screeching, with no attempt to concealment. * Fordran looks at Foster. "Where would they retreat to?" <Vita> "Wait a moment" <Fordran> (wookies~) <DM> Soon, you see over a dozen others coming towards you from all sides. <DM> (An upright ape, basically.) <Vita> Does the first one look different from the others? <DM> Not particularly. <Vita> Are any of them larger than the others? * Sam looks slightly pensive. <DM> Not particularly. * Foster concentrates for a moment. <Vita> (Damn, so much for Charm Animal) <DM> They filter in, stopping about 15' away from the edge of you. <Fordran> "...Oh." <DM> They stop hooting and screeching as they stop their approach. [[ "Whoo! Whoo! Yeah! Wooooooo!" ]] * Erias tries to get in between the most vulnerable party members and the most intimidating ape-things. * Vita moves forward and attempts to relate to them that they would really appreciate the return of the crew member (Wild Empathy) <Fordran> "What do they want?" * Foster addresses the crowd in general again. <Vita> (Should I roll it?) * Erias acts as if to speak, but stops to let Foster talk to them. <DM> (Vita, go ahead) <Vita> |roll d20+10 <tafal> 29 | [d20=19] [+10=10] (Vita) <DM> (Vita, what are you doing?) <DM> (Roleplay wise) <Vita> (working on that) <DM> (k) <DM> Apol flies over, hovering above a late straggler. <Apol> "Kumarti? Makumar enemy?" <DM> Some of the ones near Apol look up, confused. * Vita goes into a long, detailed pantomime complete with strange small hooting noises (which sound VERY odd coming from a gnome). She gestures as if to indicate someone being taken, frowns, and indicates that he was part of the group. <DM> They issue a series of growls and grunts at each other. [[ "Did that just say Kumarti?" ]] [[ "It did." ]] <Vita> (Since this is empathy I was thinking of threatening but I don't think that's really part of the spirit) * Apol sees the rest of the party, sees Vita's pantomime and flies to her. <DM> The ones directly in front of Vita look at her. * Vita also tries to get across that they have no quarrels with the apes, but they need their tribe-member back <DM> It growls and barks something. [[ "What is the little thing saying?" ]] [[ "We need the Spirit Speaker." ]] * Vita looks back at the apes, trying to judge their attitudes * Erias waits, watching the creatures warily, glancing at the other party members to make sure they're on guard. * Fordran eyes the group as well. <Foster> (to Vita) "I think I may be able to get the point across better." <Foster> (to the creatures) "My companion is trying to ask you to please return our comrade." <Apol> "Oh." * Vita looks at Foster, confused <Apol> "I broke him." <Fordran> "They speak Common?" * Sam continues to be on guard. * Vita looks at Apol, confused again <Apol> "I'm sorry. Bob never liked it when I broke things." <Apol> (confession time.) <DM> There is a collective gasp as Foster speaks. <Vita> (to Apol) "You.... you what?" <Fordran> "Broke... who?" <DM> A lot of them begin 'speaking' back, in growls and hoots and screeches. [[ "You speak our tongue? Are you sent by Kumar?" ]] <Erias> "You broke the sailor?" <Sam> "I would not consider this speech." <Apol> (to Vita) "I chased the makumar and they fell. I broke them both. I didn't mean to break the sailor." <Fordran> "Oh, no. Where are they? Are they alive?" * Erias blinks a couple of times. * Vita opens her mouth, closes it, and then looks at Fordran as he speaks * Fordran realizes something. "Makumar?" <Apol> "Kumarti *points to one of the others* told me that the one who took the sailor is a makumar." <Apol> "They are both really really broken." <DM> Some of the ones near Fordran hiss and growl at Fordran. <Vita> "Apol, which direction are they in?" * Fordran edges away from the ones near him. "What? Wait. Makumar... not with this group?" <DM> Further snarls, and banging of palms against chest. * Erias has a look of dawning comprehension. <Apol> "I don't think makumar are with this group. Kumarti put the pointy spear through the makumar." * Erias relaxes his weapon and shield. <Fordran> "Ah. I see. What about the sailor? We need to get to him, if he's still alive." <Foster> (to the creatures) "I can understand you, yes, but I know not of this Kumar." <Apol> (to Vita) "I think I came from that direction." *points* * Vita looks at Fordran, looks in that direction, looks over at Foster <DM> One of them steps forwards towards Foster a step. <Erias> "We need to find the sailor... after that we need to find the makumar. Perhaps they can help us with that?" <DM> It grunts a little, then points off into the jungle. [[ "You must be from Kumar. You are Kumar's people. We are Kumarti. Come." ]] * Foster lowers his weapon and relaxes slightly. <Fordran> "Let me guess... there's more than one makumar out there." <Foster> (to the group) "I am attempting to find this out. Give me a moment." <Vita> (Does Vita know what a makumar is?) <Fordran> "Right." <DM> (Vita: no) * Sam also relaxes a tiny bit. * Vita looks like she's itching to go off in the direction Apol pointed * Apol whispers loudly to Vita, "Vita, I don't know if we can fix the sailor." <DM> <Brynwylld> (muttering) "I guess we know what happened to the others." <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 22 | [d20=19] [+3=3] (Erias) <Foster> "He's asking us to follow him. I think it would probably be best for the rest of the crew to return to the beach and fortify the encampment. Please try not to shoot any of the Kumarti," Foster gestures to the assembled apemen, "they appear to be friendly." * Vita whispers back "We should probably double check..." * Sam looks a bit worried. <Foster> "Guessing from what Apol's mentioned, there's some sort of other creature about." <DM> The lead Kumarti hoots and grunts at Foster. [[ "Why do they not understand us? You speak only Kumar's tongue, and yet they understand you." ]] [[ "Are you a Spirit Speaker?" ]] <Erias> "I agree. There's no sense getting the rest of you into more danger." * Vita nods at the Kumarti and mounts Pup <Fordran> "I would rather that we not leave him lying out there in the forest." <Apol> "Oh yes, the makumar is all dark and has so many upperextremities." <Erias> "Yes. Let's get to him and get him back to the beach." <Apol> (pretend "upperextremities" is a draconic word) <Sam> "It sounds foul-tempered, whatever it is." <Fordran> "Many upperwha?" <DM> (Vita, the party is still entirely surrounded) <Vita> (I know, I haven't moved, just mounted) <DM> (nog) <Fordran> (flamestrike) <DM> (Energy Vortex, imo~) <Foster> (to the Kumarti) "There's a bit of a trick to it that my friends have not quite mastered. I suppose Spirit Speaker is as good a term as any." * Vita says to Foster "Can you explain to them that we want to go check on the sailor first?" <Erias> "Foster, we need to go to this guy. Little help? Otherwise, I can just fly there." * Foster nods, and addresses the Kumarti again. <Foster> "My friends would like to go see if the man that this 'makumar' being took is still alive. Would you go there with us first?" <DM> A Kumarti in the back (the one Apol was following) speaks up. [[ "I found the Kumarkin dead, crushed under the Makumar." ]] [[ "The sky lizard was there, killing the Makumar." ]] <DM> Some of the Kumarti hoot in agitation when he speaks. * Vita is looking pensive * Foster turns. "In that case, we should retrieve his body, and I would like to look at this Makumar for myself. I may be able to figure out what my people know it as." <DM> <Brynwylld> (to Foster) "This is a language?" * DM * Brynwylld shakes his head and sighs. * Apol flies to Fordran, "Upperextremities is like this but the makumar had four." *holds Fordran's elbow* <DM> The same Kumarti speaks up, and the other Kumarti part to let you through. [[ "I will lead you to it, its blood still nourishes the earth warmly." ]] <Fordran> "Four elbows?" <Fordran> "Arms with many joints? Like... a spider?" <Apol> "Well all of it, from here to here." (hand to shoulder) <DM> It raises its spear and walks in a loping gait back into the jungle. <Fordran> "Oh, four arms. Lovely." <Fordran> "I hope it doesn't use weapons." <Apol> "That's why it was so fast in the trees. So, I made it stop moving, then it fell. That's when they both broke on the ground." <Foster> (to the group) "One has agreed to guide us. We should follow." * Erias walks between the Kumarti. * Vita follows Erias * Foster falls in just behind Erias. * Sam follows. <DM> The rest of the Kumarti pack herd all the humanoids along with the party, forming a strange, hairy honor guard. * Fordran also falls in behind Erias. * Fordran hefts his shield and keeps it ready, scanning the canopy. <Erias> (Erias has the confidence of someone whose flat-footed AC is the same as their normal AC.) <DM> (heee) <DM> In about ten minutes of walking, the guide stops in a clearing and pronounces, "Gurgaa! Makumar!" [[ "Death! Makumar!" ]] * Vita scans the forest carefully, mentally making ranger-notes * Erias reaches for his mace, unsure what's being said. * Fordran turns to Foster. "...Gurgaa?" * Apol flys up and tries to find the first Kumarti. * Sam stands defensively again. * Fordran would stand defensively, but as he doesn't have Uncanny Dodge it doesn't really matter. * Vita scans the areas for tracks or signs of animals <DM> You see beyond it, a large, black-furred corpse, next to a pile of flat broad leaves. * Foster examines the creature. * Apol flies to the leaves. <Vita> (Hmmm, I guess that qualifies...) * Erias approaches the pile. * Apol talks to the leaves. "I brought them back. I am sorry." <DM> It's like a Kumarti, but about 9' tall, with two extra, smaller muscular arms under the normal ones. * Vita leans low on Pup's back, studying the Kumarti * Erias checks the pile of leaves gingerly. * Apol looks at Vita, "He is very broken. Is he dead?" * Fordran checks under the leaves. * Vita looks at Fordran <Foster> |roll d20+9 <tafal> 10 | [d20=1] [+9=9] (Foster) <DM> It's the poor red shir-- sailor. <Vita> (snerk) <DM> His neck is in an uncomfortable 150 degree rotation. <Sam> ("No! Not Ensign Louie!") * Fordran checks the alive-ness of the sailor and the makumar. * Sam grimaces. * Erias turns back to the others. "Apol, you were trying to help. We understand that." <DM> The makumar has a large gash in its throat. <Foster> "Well, that's ugly. We should do what we can for the sailor, even if it is only providing him decent burial arrangements." <Fordran> "He looks fairly dead to me, Apol." <DM> Already, insects have begun swarming the pool of cooling blood. <Apol> "Oh, so he *is* dead. I was hoping he was just broken." <Fordran> "And our unfortunate sailor's neck appears to be broken." * Fordran sighs, and mumbles a prayer to Pelor. <DM> One of the Kumarti grunts something to Foster. [[ "We will bring the Kumarkin with us, and the Makumar's head. As honored guests, you will have the Kumarkin's heart and brain." ]] <Fordran> "We should at least take his body back to the camp first. I don't know if it's safe to spend time out here digging a grave." <Foster> "Agreed." * Erias nods. * Vita sighs and nods * Erias picks up the corpse. "Let's go." <DM> One of the Kumarti picks up the sailor's body. <Erias> (er.) <DM> ^H^H <DM> One of the Kumarti approaches the sailor's body as Erias begins to lift it. <Sam> (go on erias, do the alpha male thing and stare 'im off!) * Fordran does have a scroll of Gentle Repose. You know, in case we want to rez a random NPC later. <DM> Another Kumarti wrenches off the Makumar's head, and holds it aloft, arousing a round of hooting. [[ "Wooooooo! Yeaaaah! Wooooo!" ]] <Foster> (to the Kumarti) "I'm afraid we don't have quite the same customs regarding the honored dead as you. If you would allow us to return him to our encampment on the shore, we will perform our own rituals." * Erias picks up one end of the corpse, allowing the Kumarti to pick up the other if it wishes. If it does not, he shifts the weight and picks up the whole body. <DM> More grunts and screeches. [[ "But he is Kumarkin, his flesh is holy!" ]] <DM> The Kumarti approaching the body stops, Erias, and looks at Foster in confusion. <Sam> "Competition in the wilderness is typically not merciful, yes?" <Foster> (to the Kumarti) "It is the custom among our people to return the bodies of the honored dead to their families after they pass." * Apol listens with interest. <DM> Some reluctant grunting. [[ "So you will give his kin his flesh. We understand." ]] <Fordran> (no, we can't <Fordran> (er, stupid wireless) * Erias picks up the body entirely. <DM> The Kumarti nearest Erias knocks his knuckles against his own forehead and backs away. <Fordran> (no, we can't barbecue him and have him for dinner. in his honor.) <Foster> (You have no idea) <Erias> (We probably don't want to) <Foster> "Let's return to the beach, and then go meet with the Kumarti leaders, shall we?" * Apol flies to Erias, "So munthrek take back the bodies of the dead? Does that mean I should get Bob?" <Sam> (i'm vegetarian anyway~) <DM> One of them nods at Foster, barks out some commands at the others, and all but 5 disappear into the forest. [[ "Yes. We will form honor guard. Return to home! Redfangs will be honor guard!" ]] * Vita blinks at Apol <Erias> "We bury our dead, Apol. It is our way of honoring them." <Vita> "I thought you said Bob was away or something, right?" (I forget, did I know that Bob was dead?) <Apol> "Oh. What if you don't honor them? Then do you eat them?" * Erias suppresses a twitch. <DM> (heee) <Apol> (not everyone knows that bob is dead, well more like Apol only mentioned something in passing) * Fordran chuckles a little. <Erias> "Eating your own kind is barbaric. That's something that animals do." <Vita> (ok, then that sentence stands) * Foster indicates that it is time to move on toward the beach. <DM> The five remaining Kumarti form a pentagram around you and march with you silently. <Apol> "I was told Bob is dead. I don't know if I can find him now." * Apol follows. <DM> You soon return to the shore camp <Apol> "Ah. Well, I'm not like Bob. Should I eat him then?" <DM> The sailors at camp are startled as the Kumarti appear, and raise their crossbows in alarm. <Vita> "Well, maybe someone else already honored Bob?" <Erias> "Uh... just a minute, Apol." <Apol> "Or someone else has already eaten him." * Foster quickly speaks to them. <Sam> "Please, Apol, this topic troubles me." * Apol thinks about that. <Foster> "Lower your weapons, we are with friends." <DM> They look alarmed, but lower their crossbows warily. * Erias approaches and lays the corpse near a tent or somesuch. <Erias> "There are two tribes of creatures here -- one friendly, and one vicious. The vicious ones took this man. These others are going to lead us to find them." <Foster> (to the rest of the crewmen) "I think it's probably best if you remain here. You all saw the thing with four arms. Shoot those. Try not to shoot the Kumarti, they seem peaceful enough." <Fordran> (four arms bad. two arms good.) <Erias> (wait, were all the sailors with us?) * Apol to Sam, "Ok, but I think you are right that competition in the wilderness is typically not merciful." <Foster> (a group of them) <Erias> (well, if we're talking to sailors who were with us, ignore my line.) <DM> The sailors look in alarm as the corpse is laid on the sand. <Foster> (to our unpronouceably-named employer) "You may stay here or come with us as you wish. The dangers are probably obvious at this point." <DM> (The sailors at the camp haven't seen the thing) <DM> (Brynwylld) * Foster was addressing the ones with us. * Erias puts the man's cloak over his body / face. <DM> <Brynwylld> "Mmm. You're going back with them?" <Foster> "Yes. I think they may hold the key to what's going on here." <Fordran> "I would expect that they would know their way around the jungle better than we would." <Foster> (Also, I want to know who this Kumar is, and if he rules heaven from his white castle in the sky) * Fordran looks over at the corpse. <Fordran> (/stab) <DM> <Sailor> (in the background) "Oh no! They got Röthemd!" <Sam> (gesundheit) <Fordran> (you bastards!) <DM> <Brynwylld> "Very well. We'll stay here. How many of our men do you need?" <Fordran> (depends on how fast they respawn) <Erias> (how many do you want to lose?) <DM> One of the Kumarti points out at the ship anchored offshore and grunts a bit. [[ "It is a house on the water, just as the Spirit Speaker said." ]] <Foster> "I think in this case, it's best if we go alone. Stay here and fortify the camp. These makumar are swift in the forest, but do not seem as capable on foot, if what Apol says is correct." <DM> (I built a 'rax on the boat) <Erias> "I agree. I don't want to risk this incident being repeated." <DM> Some of the sailors look relieved. * Erias states the obvious. "We will find these creatures and end their threat. We cannot allow innocent explorers to be attacked like this." <DM> <Brynwylld> "As you wish." He looks at the others grimly. "If you do not return in 3 days time, we come looking for you." <Foster> "As you say, as you wish." <DM> The Kumarti turn back towards the jungle, awaiting your movement. <Foster> (to the rest of the party) "When you are ready to depart again." <Fordran> "Ready." <Sam> "I am ready." * Vita nods at Foster <DM> The group enters the jungle again. <Erias> ("But not in the name of vengeance! For vengeance is a tool of a bitter heart. We will seek them out and destroy them in the name of justice. We will do this for the future, and for our children, and our children's children. And they will tell tales of the great -- hell, where did you all go?") * Erias folloes. <Erias> follows, too. <DM> As soon as you are out of sight of the beach, three of the Kumarti dart of silently into the jungle, returning and rotating out with the others every few minutes. * Apol follows Erias. <DM> They seem more cautious than when you first met them. <DM> They utter a few grunts to each other each time. [[ "Nothing." ]] [[ "Clear." ]] [[ "Safe." ]] [[ "Just birds." ]] [[ "A tiger, sated." ]] <Erias> "Did anyone take a good look at the thing's corpse? Does it climb, rather than walk?" <DM> After a while, all of the Kumarti come out of the jungle, and escort you again. They look less pensive. <Foster> "I would assume that given its extra arms and Apol's description of its movement abilities that it swings through the trees." <Apol> "It was fast in the trees. That is why I tried to make it stop moving. I always forget that not everything can stay in the air." <DM> Soon, the jungle thins out, and you arrive at a clearing at the base of a hill. Small huts fill the clearing, and smoke issues from some of them, including the largest one in the center. <DM> There is the smell of freshly roasting meat. <Fordran> (cue yub-yub music) <Sam> (/stab) * Erias gestures at the huts and looks at Foster. "The good ones or the bad ones?" <DM> The clearing is full of Kumarti. <Foster> "I think we're in good hands." * Vita makes a little half nod at Foster's statement but it looks like her mind is elsewhere <Fordran> (with Geico. wait. shit.) <DM> As you approach, a path clears towards the firepit near the center of the village. A Kumarti with fur so pale as to be nearly blond walks towards you. It is festooned with bones and shells and carries a twisted wooden staff. <Fordran> (to Erias) "He looks important." <DM> It gurbles something. <Erias> "Shaman or Chief." <DM> (Spellcraft) <DM> (If you have it) <Erias> (no ranks.) <Apol> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 25 | [d20=20] [+5=5] (Apol) <Apol> (great, wasted that one) <Apol> "Hi!" <Foster> "Greetings." <DM> <Pale Kumarti> "Greetings, O People of Kumar!" <DM> <Pale Kumarti> "We, the Children of Kumar, greet and honor you!" * Fordran blinks a little. <DM> The Kumarti hoot once, in unison. * Vita looks surprised <DM> Spot checks. <Fordran> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 6 | [d20=3] [+3=3] (Fordran) <Foster> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 19 | [d20=8] [+11=11] (Foster) <Sam> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 9 | [d20=4] [+5=5] (Sam) <Erias> |roll d20+3 <tafal> 6 | [d20=3] [+3=3] (Erias) <Apol> |roll d20+11 <tafal> 21 | [d20=10] [+11=11] (Apol) <Vita> |roll d20+18 <tafal> 27 | [d20=9] [+18=18] (Vita) * Vita looks less surprised, then looks surprised again * Erias glances at Foster, and prepares to talk if Foster doesn't. * Foster nods to Erias. <DM> <Pale Kumarti> "Join in our celebration of your arrival, as foretold by Kumar." <Foster> (I have a bad feeling about this) <Sam> (quietly) "Foretold?" <Sam> (see, when the white folk came to mexico...) <Fordran> (is Kumar a deity that i might be aware of?) <DM> (Try K:R) <DM> (@ Fordran) <Erias> "Greetings, Child of Kumar. We have come in search of the Makumar, to fight against them, as they have fought our people." <Erias> "We know not of your foretellings, but we will gladly join in your celebration if our own traditions allow it." <Foster> |roll d20+9 <tafal> 29 | [d20=20] [+9=9] (Foster) <Fordran> |roll d20+10 <tafal> 19 | [d20=9] [+10=10] (Fordran) <Fordran> (K:R roll) * Vita whispers at Fordran "Kumar?" * Erias is whistling in the dark. <Erias> (actually, that's a pretty poor use of the phrase, but I like the way it sounds.) <Fordran> (i'm glad erias is doing what he knows how to do well. and that's be him.) <DM> <Pale Kumarti> (to the crowd) "They come to fight the Makumar!" <DM> *cheering and hooting* * Fordran shakes his head ever so slightly at Vita. <DM> He bows low to you, and leads you to the firepit. <Vita> (how tall are these guys?) * Fordran bows. * Sam mumbles, "Just as long as we are not the food..." * Erias bows. * Vita dismounts from Pup, and bows * Sam bows hesitantly. * Apol looks at everyone and bows in the air also. <DM> The Kumarti spread out into their village and begin bringing assorted jungle fruits, roots, and roasted meat on wooden spits, as well as large-sized jars of unidentified purplish liquid. * Erias gives a quick helpless shrug at the rest of the party and follows. <DM> (Vita: Think Orangutang) * Foster follows along. * Vita brightens up as she dismounts Pup and realizes that at least she's not the short one <DM> (Er, so who's the short one?) <Erias> (Apol?) <DM> (Ah right) <Vita> (I think I'm taller than an orangutang) <Apol> (Apol is a full 21" now!) <DM> (Apes are Medium creatures..) <Apol> :p <Fordran> (dire orangutan?) <Vita> (Doh) <Sam> (i'm sure sam is 21 somethings tall, in some appropriate system of units) <DM> (Mmm... Scratch that, make them reddish gorillas, and be done with it.) <Vita> (nevermind) <DM> (Stats for Ape in SRD.) * Vita dismounts Pup and pouts <Vita> (Apol doesn't count, she can fly!) <Vita> (it) <DM> They have left you woven mats to sit on nearest the fire pit. * Foster sits down on one. <DM> When you arrive, they offer you the food and drinks. <Apol> (What if it's poisoned?! Oh wait...) <Sam> (lucky punk) * Fordran sits down and thanks them for the food and drink. <Foster> Feeling brave, Foster accepts, and then waits to see if there are any sort of ceremonial things he's expected to do before partaking. * Sam eyeballs the food, and selects something obviously not meat. * Erias accepts as well. * Vita sits down and sniffs cautiously at the food and drink <DM> Nah, they just kinda hand you the food and start passing it out amongst themselves. <Erias> (It's a gamble, but I know the diplomatic benefit of this sort of participation.) * Apol aims for the meat placed in front and just goes for it. <Foster> Right. I eat and drink. <Erias> Likewise. <Vita> (Survival roll to see if it's ok?) * Fordran also thanks Pelor for this providence. <Vita> (*grin*) <DM> From nowhere in particular, drumming and hooting start up in the village. <DM> (Vita: Sure!) <Vita> |roll d20+12 <tafal> 31 | [d20=19] [+12=12] (Vita) <Erias> (Just tell me they aren't going to provide us with alcohol and women the night before our noble battle.) <Erias> (I mean, I'm okay with the alcohol.) <DM> (It's a great honor, Kumarkin. Seed our people!) * Vita eats some of the meat and veggies, avoiding the drink and mushrooms <DM> Fort saves from those who drank the drink. <Fordran> |roll d20+8 <tafal> 24 | [d20=16] [+8=8] (Fordran) * Vita looks around and realizes that maybe she should have said something to the others <Apol> |roll d20+12 <tafal> 31 | [d20=19] [+12=12] (Apol) <Erias> |roll d20+17 <tafal> 20 | [d20=3] [+17=17] (Erias) <Foster> |roll d20+8 <tafal> 16 | [d20=8] [+8=8] (Foster) <Sam> (well, i didn't explicitly say sam was drinking...) <Erias> (; ;) <Fordran> "Ah... that's... got quite a kick to it." <DM> Foster gets a little tipsy after a second swig. <Vita> "Oh, guys, the drink is probably... *looks at Foster* ... nevermind" <Apol> (Dang, Apol can't get drunk!) <Fordran> "Probably what?" <Apol> (I mean, even if Apol *wanted* to get drunk. I guess Apol is just drunk with life.) <DM> The party goes on for some time. It is night by the time most of the celebrants are sated, and the moon has risen. * Fordran peers into the... cup? gourd? that he's drinking out of. <Foster> "I believe that she was about to say that the beverage is a fermented delicacy." <Erias> "Alcohol? Yeah." <Fordran> "I could have told you that." <Vita> "Yes." (after Foster) <Fordran> (*cough* *sputter* ...Smooooooth) <DM> (I like the disparate answers :P) * Vita shrugs and goes back to eating her meat <Sam> "I've been taught to avoid it." <DM> The pale Kumarti walks in front of the fire pit, and the drumming reaches a crescendo, then stops. The sounds of revelry die down. <Vita> "I generally avoid it when I'm wandering the wilderness..." <DM> Vita, they bring you some melon juice after you refuse the drink. <DM> It smells the same, but without the kick. <Erias> "Nothing like a little fire in the blood before a fight." * Vita nods at them with a close-mouthed smile * Erias quiets down when the Kumarti approaches. * Sam observes the pale one. * Vita drinks the melon juice <DM> He gurbles something again. <DM> Then he waves his stick over the fire pit, gurbling something else. <DM> (Spellcraft) <Foster> "There's nothing wrong with a bit of alchemical psychological reinforcement." <Apol> |roll d20+5 <tafal> 12 | [d20=7] [+5=5] (Apol) <Erias> (funny how Foster's vocabulary actually seems to _in_crease when he's tipsy.) * Foster turns his attention to the spellcasting. <Foster> (it's because he stops caring about not injuring your puny brains) * Fordran leans toward Erias. "What did he say?" <Sam> (hey! my brain is well within one standard deviation of the mean!) <DM> The smoke over the firepit puffs into the air into multi-colored sparks. <DM> <Pale Kumarti> "Heed the words of the Spirit Speaker!" * Erias leans toward Fordran. Quietly: "I'm not sure. Something about courage in a bottle." <DM> The sparks drift and settle into the smoke cloud, forming an image. <DM> It is a rough image, like a cave painting. <DM> The Spirit Speaker narrates as the painting coalesces and shifts. <DM> Crouched figures, reddish strokes of fur, trees. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Before Kumar came, we were not a people. We fought and ate and lived, but we were not." <DM> The sparks swirl, and a streak of flame lands among the reddish crouching humanoids. It is an upright stick figure, wreathed in green light. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Kumar came to us from the skies, across the deadly waters, on wings of fire." <DM> Groups of reddish furred beings, large black furred beings, surrounding the stick figure. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Kumar came to us, teaching us, filling our heads with his essence, us and those he called his hands, the Makumar." <DM> The greenish being, holding a tiny reddish stick figure, next to some sort of gray rock. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Kumar made a great thing, a stone of wisdom, and remade the first of us in his light." * Erias looks puzzled. <DM> The color specks swirl and dance, blurring the image. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Many generations passed. The children of Kumar's children were born with Kumar's gift; they did not need to be touched by the stone of wisdom." <DM> The specks resolve into a single, large black-furred, four armed figure, holding the green stick figure overhead. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "But the Makumar, jealous that their children were not so blessed, struck down Kumar, spilled his holy blood to the earth." <DM> The crowd has been silent the entire time. <Fordran> "Mm." <DM> The specks shift to groups of red and black shapes, mingling among each other, over many lumps of red and black. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "We, the Children of Kumar, knew that Kumar could not truly be killed, but that killing his flesh would turn Kumar from us. We fought the Makumar, and killed many." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "We killed almost all, but some escaped, some hid. And then they are many again. Children of Kumar have fought them for five generations." <DM> The specks resolve to a green glow, over a pale red stick figure. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "But Kumar spoke to the first Spirit Speaker, and foretold the coming of his people to help us avenge his flesh." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "When the Makumar are no more, Kumar will return to us, his children." <DM> As he stops his recitation, the specks swirl into the fire pit, and the smoke dissipates to normal levels. <DM> He sits down tiredly, showing some age. * Sam smirks. * Fordran ponders. * Vita thinks * Apol chews. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Destroying all Makumar is difficult, unless you destroy their Prime." <Foster> "Tell us of this Prime, please." <Fordran> (Makumar Prime: Hunters) <Erias> "Please tell us more about them, and about their Prime. We do not claim to be the vessel of your prophecy, but we will fight them for you." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "He is the strongest of them, ten times as strong, ten times as cunning, a silver demon." <Fordran> (Makumus Prime... until all are one) <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Bring me his heart, and I will weave magic to break all Makumar." * Erias nods slowly. <Fordran> "Where is this Prime?" * Sam looks at Erias, a question fairly obviously on his face. <Foster> "Were would we encounter this Prime, and what sort of defenses can we expect to have to combat?" * Erias shrugs at Sam. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Our bravest hunter has found their hidden villages; the Prime moves among the five of them to mate." <Fordran> "...Five." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "The Makumar are strong, stronger than Kumarti, but stupid, even those blessed by Kumar. But they stole the holy Stone of Wisdom, and defile Kumar's gift on those unworthy." <Erias> "Ah, but we need not visit all five... we just need to find the Prime?" <Foster> "Do you know where they keep the Stone of Wisdom?" <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Yes, just find the Prime. They do not fear discovery, they do not expect it." <Vita> "Is he also bigger than the others?" <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "He is the largest, and silver." * Vita nods <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "We know not where the Stone of Wisdom lies. It is like this..." He gestures something about 2 feet across and 1 foot tall * Sam makes a mental note to ask a question later. <Fordran> (cue Also Sprach Zarathustra) <Foster> "Does he move between these encampments with any regular pattern? It might be best to take him from ambush, away from his defenses." <Vita> "His movements through the woods should not be too hard to track, if he makes no effort to hide." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "We do not know. Gurran only discovered the village three nights ago, and returned to report, before he could be found." <DM> *villages <Foster> "Are you aware of any fortifications that the villages possess?" <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "They have none, they are dumb, the gift of Kumar is wasted on them." <Fordran> "Well, that's some good news." <Erias> "I think we can do this." <Apol> "Why did they take Rothemd?" <Foster> "Do you have any idea what sort of numbers they can muster?" <Erias> "Do we leave now, or wait until tomorrow?" <Apol> (That was to the Pale K) <Vita> (what time is it?) <DM> <Spirit Speaker> (to Apol) "The flesh of Kumarkin is holy. They would deny us our champions, and the flesh as well." <Fordran> "Are they active during the day or night?" <DM> <Spirit Speaker> (to Foster) "Gurran saw ten times ten in the first two villages, he did not wait to count the others." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> (to Erias) "It is said the Kumarkin fight best in the sun. The Makumar fight best just before dark." <DM> (Vita: Moon overhead.) <DM> (p.s. Kumarkin = you) <Foster> "Ah. I would assume, then, that he was not concentrating on counting combatants. How far from here are these enclaves?" <Erias> "Perhaps it is best to wait until shortly after dawn, then." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> (to Foster) "The closest village is less than half a day, by tree." <Erias> "...oh." <Fordran> "What about by foot?" <Sam> "A whole day, maybe?" <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Kumar could run faster than we could by tree." <DM> He shrugs. <Erias> (we've been out all day and into the night now, right?) <DM> (Yes.) <Erias> (We're fatigued as of dawn tomorrow, I think. We might want to get sleep before we do this.) <Foster> (Obviously) <DM> (Yeah, figured everyone was gonna say "Morning") <Vita> (yeah) <Foster> "In that case, I think it best that we rest ourselves, and venture forth in the morning." <DM> (We'll wrap this up as soon as you're done roleplaying and the party goes to bed.) * Fordran nods. <Erias> "I agree." * Vita nods * Apol clutches overstuffed tummy. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "We have prepared a hut for you, our honored guests." The crowd parts to show a newly-made hut. <Erias> "Um... thanks." <DM> It's big enough for all of you, and has its own firepit. <Vita> "We are, well, honored." <Foster> "You have our thanks." <Fordran> "Pelor shine his light upon you and your kin." * Fordran bows. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "If you want anything, there will be guards for you outside your hut." <Erias> "Thank you, Speaker." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> (to Fordran) "Who is Pelor?" <DM> (Religious war: go!) * Vita winces slightly <Fordran> "He is the God of the Sun." <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Oh, an ally of Kumar. Are you gods as well?" <Fordran> "Perhaps he lends you his power so that you fight better in the day." <Sam> (not saying it...not saying it...) <Fordran> (Ray!) <Sam> (but...but...) <DM> (Kumarti don't fight better in the day... he said you do.) <Fordran> (oh, scratch that) <Erias> "We are mortals. The gods lend us aid from above." * Fordran nods. "I am but a servant of Pelor." <DM> He seems a bit disappointed. <DM> <Spirit Speaker> "Rest well, Kumarkin." <Foster> "You as well." <Fordran> (we are so not twinking you, spirit speaker) <DM> He leaves. Aside from some gawkers and the guards outside your hut, everyone else goes about their business, including cleaning up after the party. <DM> <--Snip--> <DM> Recording logs. <Fordran> (flamestrike) <Sam> (ow, my face) <Foster> I made it through a day without melting a single face. The patch really does work! <Vita> hehe <Vita> brb * Vita has quit IRC (Quit: Chatzilla 0.9.70 [Firefox 1.5.0.1/2006011112]) * Sam needs to remember to ask that question.