|
Post by xerxez on Sept 17, 2023 18:06:47 GMT -6
COMBAT!!!!
A strange creature shambles out of the upper deck structure as Balesh descends the gangplank towards his friends, holding his blade as if he means to attack them.
N'rasa and the porters can see the hideous being from the tomb side, while Mi'kimu, Mohammad and Vortumoi look up to see it appear at the starboard side, moving it's hands in arcane motions.
The party is not surprised...
Sadly, though, the creature (and Balesh) have gained initiative (3 over 2) and this allows the weird creature to cast another spell as well as for Balesh to attack one of his companions.
By random determination MOHAMMAD IS ATTACKED BY BALESH (obviously under some mental domination)--
Fortunately Balesh rolls an 11-- Mohammad sidesteps the singing blade!
However, to the amazement of Mohammad and Vortumoi, a "Demon Warrior" materializes from nowhere in front of them. It cannot attack this round.
Vortumoi shouts "Shen Warrior! Mi'kimu, Mohammad kill it!"
Mi'kimu sees nothing of the sort, however....he feels his companions hallucinate.
The monster and Balesh having taken action, you may all act, except Balesh who is under mental control!
Vortumoi and Mohammad failed save vs. spells....
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 17, 2023 18:38:36 GMT -6
P.S.--- I wish to state here unequivocally that the S'su is the most difficult of Barker's races to conceptualize or try to draw! Lots of scrubbed attempts!
|
|
flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
|
Post by flightcommander on Sept 17, 2023 19:22:59 GMT -6
Mi'kimu at first observes the pirate appearing to surrender, then watches as Ba'lesh approaches and suddenly attacks Mohammad, then hears Vortumoi's command — but sees no "Shen Warrior" and wouldn't know one if he saw one.
Mi'kimu simply points at the thing on the deck of the vessel and shouts, "It deceives us! Fi'ru, loose your spear!" Hopefully Fi'ru can throw that far — if obviously not, he probably wavers and does nothing.
Mi'kimu lunges at Ba'lesh, attempting to subdue him.
[OOC — ie tackle the beloved sea captain, not slay him.]
|
|
|
Post by scottenkainen on Sept 17, 2023 21:36:32 GMT -6
N'Rasa was not rushing across the bridge first, but she would dash across as soon as someone else did too. So she was one of the first people to reach the ship. As Balesh approached with his weapon out, she looked back, thinking there must be new opponents behind her! She attempted to move out of his way, unaware of his change in loyalty. ((UGH - I didn't see the last three posts. I will revise this tomorrow.))
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 17, 2023 21:48:10 GMT -6
Mi'kimu at first observes the pirate appearing to surrender, then watches as Ba'lesh approaches and suddenly attacks Mohammad, then hears Vortumoi's command — but sees no "Shen Warrior" and wouldn't know one if he saw one. Mi'kimu simply points at the thing on the deck of the vessel and shouts, "It deceives us! Fi'ru, loose your spear!" Hopefully Fi'ru can throw that far — if obviously not, he probably wavers and does nothing. Mi'kimu lunges at Ba'lesh, attempting to subdue him. [OOC — ie tackle the beloved sea captain, not slay him.] Fi'ru takes aim with his spear and hurls it up at the vile ceature--it strikes swiftly, and with great force, piercing the monster through--a wretched cry like an angry hive of bees immersed in water issues forth! It does not fall but greenish colored ichor spews from the wound, a grievous wound. Mi'kimu lunges for his brother but slips on the moist stone ledge and Balesh sidesteps the grab. Vortumoi lets loose a spell towards the strange beast-- a small pair of glowing hands, open and grasping suddenly appear in front to the priest--they suddenly grow in size and fly towards the sorcerer on the boat-- suddenly seizing it around the neck and beginning to choke the life from it. With gasping noises it clutches at the glowing hands, in vain! With a gurgling croak it collapses to the deck and lies still. In that moment, the "Shen"-- a large hulking Reptillian warrior- blinks out of existence, and Balesh feels his mind suddenly clear and his will free again! Luck was with you!
The creature was 2+3 H.D....I rolled 11 H.P. for it.
Fi'ru rolled a natural 20 for his attack! He could not follow it with an instant kill but with +1 STR bonus he did 7 damage-
To grant a percentage chance to Mi'kimu to subdue and hold Balesh I averaged his STR, INT and DEX, arriving at a 64% chance -- great odds but the warrior rolled a 92!
Vortumoi cast a spell called the Hands of Kra the Mighty, the creature failed to save with a 3, and took a 6d6 damage...quite deaded!
Upon the death of the sorcerer, his illusion spell was dispelled as was his Control Person power.
My "boss" fared poorly but them's the dice! By now the swimmer has been carried down the river away from the cave-- and the other pirate decides to take his chances there as well-- he's far enough away that before you can catch him he too plunges into the river and begins to swim away, slipping his armor in the water! The boat is yours!
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 17, 2023 21:50:22 GMT -6
N'Rasa was not rushing across the bridge first, but she would dash across as soon as someone else did too. So she was one of the first people to reach the ship. As Balesh approached with his weapon out, she looked back, thinking there must be new opponents behind her! She attempted to move out of his way, unaware of his change in loyalty. N'rasa arrives to find Balesh back in his right mind and all enemies vanquished, as described in the immediately preceding post
|
|
|
Post by scottenkainen on Sept 17, 2023 21:58:57 GMT -6
((SIGH))
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 17, 2023 22:43:36 GMT -6
I think your illusion was a real game changer in this last encounter! What are player actions concerning the boat? Vortumoi informs you all that the creature upon the deck is a Grey S'su... it's presence on a human vessel and interacting with the Shrine in any capacity is highly unusual as they are highly inimical to man and his allies, being one of the displaced races who were on Tekumel even before the Ancients according to some legends....
|
|
flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
|
Post by flightcommander on Sept 17, 2023 23:00:35 GMT -6
Mi'kimu grasps Fi'ru warmly by the arm — "You have played a part in a great victory, young warrior! I promise you a celebration! Come with me now back across the bridge, we must help the porters across quickly!"
Before they turn back, Mi'kimu quickly nods at Vortumoi — silently acknowledging his Lord's killing blow against the weird S'su. Then he darts off to help the porters.
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 17, 2023 23:06:34 GMT -6
Mi'kimu grasps Fi'ru warmly by the arm — "You have played a part in a great victory, young warrior! I promise you a celebration! Come with me now back across the bridge, we must help the porters across quickly!" Before they turn back, Mi'kimu quickly nods at Vortumoi — silently acknowledging his Lord's killing blow against the weird S'su. Then he darts off to help the porters. FI'RU: "Master, I am humbled and honored. I will gladly feast in celebration! Nothing could taste as good as this fresh air and daylight, though! The last time might have been an illusion, but we are at last free of the Underworld!" He goes with you to gather the portage.
|
|
flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
|
Post by flightcommander on Sept 17, 2023 23:36:30 GMT -6
"We have overcome a great challenge, but our fate remains on the knife's edge, boy — keep your wits now more than ever. Grab my axe from the porters once we're across, you've seen me wield it."
Hopefully Mi'kimu and Fi'ru are able to return quickly with the porters to the dockside, so that we may load everything aboard and leave this place.
|
|
|
Post by dtspurrier1 on Sept 18, 2023 8:36:43 GMT -6
MOhammad quickly helps, thankfully the combat has ended. He helps loading the goods to leave. He does comment, " we do need to come back here one day and free these slaves"
|
|
|
Post by makofan on Sept 18, 2023 9:24:56 GMT -6
Yikes!
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 18, 2023 9:41:50 GMT -6
Balesh and Mi'kimu can easily pilot the vessel as a team.
As the party is loading the treasures of the tomb, a look below decks reveals, aside from various supplies:
four bunks
a heavy, strangely shaped chair covered in the strange, molted skin of the alien S'su,
rolls of fine carpet
various bronze slave collars/chains
and a small chest.
Also, hanging upon narrow wall prow-ward on a chain is a brass symbol--Mohammad is shocked to see it is the double serpent standard of the slavers who took Dakota!
VORTUMOI: "The S'su sleep in chairs such as these. This one has been here awhile- the place smells like a cinnamon shop. The arrangement between our S'su and these slavers is nothing new. I wonder--"
He unrolls a carpet and a roll of cloth is discovered inside, covered with heavy wax and bound up tightly with waxen cords.
Vortumoi draws his dagger and sticks it into the bundle...a greenish powder spills out.
Vortumoi: "Zu'ur! Mere possession of it carries Imperial sentence of death--an incurable addiction which becomes fatal in but a short time...it is sometimes used to make certain unfortunate slaves pliant and obedient when their use nears an end. We'd best ditch this boat as soon as possible and walk back to the rendezvous."
The chest is easily broken into and inside it is more gold! 75 Golden Kaitars and 12 fine jewel stones of various sorts that all appear quite valuable.
Also, the two daggers upon the S'su's corpse are of remarkable make--they should not be thrown overboard with the monster.
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 18, 2023 9:43:43 GMT -6
"We have overcome a great challenge, but our fate remains on the knife's edge, boy — keep your wits now more than ever. Grab my axe from the porters once we're across, you've seen me wield it." Hopefully Mi'kimu and Fi'ru are able to return quickly with the porters to the dockside, so that we may load everything aboard and leave this place. Fi'ru hands Mi'kimu the axe...
|
|
|
Post by dtspurrier1 on Sept 18, 2023 9:59:41 GMT -6
Mohammad comments, "one of the slaves, a woman, my betrothed, Dakota was kidnapped by slavers. The double serpent standard is there slaver mark. I cannot leave here and now need to enter the temple to find if she is there and rescue her."
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 18, 2023 12:22:48 GMT -6
Mohammad comments, "one of the slaves, a woman, my betrothed, Dakota was kidnapped by slavers. The double serpent standard is there slaver mark. I cannot leave here and now need to enter the temple to find if she is there and rescue her." The note you found on the cultists who were slain by the Frog Demons mentions a slave named "D"--likely Dakota as she is described as an Outlander. If the note is accurate, Dakota is likely still in Jakalla as the note mentions her being brought near "High day"-- the Hri'hyal festival yet many weekss away. B., Revered Priestess of the Emerald Light:
Our rituals have been successful, but alas, we require more slaves.
You know where to send them- I am sending three of our Circle back to you to help you make preparations and proper selection.
Send the ten we agreed upon earlier, but also bring the Outlander who came to us by way of the Encircling Serpent... D.
You know the one, lovely and defiant.
We have sweet balms here to quell her rebel spirit and cause her to quite enjoy what is in store for her.
But wait until the High Day nears...that leaves you weeks to perform your rites as the Moons come into their proper paths.
V.
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 18, 2023 12:23:17 GMT -6
Also, the note was never actually delivered....
|
|
|
Post by dtspurrier1 on Sept 18, 2023 13:54:56 GMT -6
Mohammad rereads the note and for a second stops, " hmm before making a rash decision it looks like this note was not delivered. Which means Dakota might be still in Jakalla and this evil god festival where she will sacrificed is a few weeks away. " Mohammad shows the note to his new friends. He continues, " this is the main reason I came with the group by boat."
|
|
flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
|
Post by flightcommander on Sept 18, 2023 21:50:30 GMT -6
Mi'kimu tosses the two S'su daggers into the chest with the gold and jewels and directs the porters to stow everything someplace safe but easy to get to, so we can disembark quickly.
"We'll dump this ... thing ... overboard once we're underway," he says, gesturing with disgust towards the creature. "Any last preparations? If not, I say we get underway!"
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 19, 2023 15:39:18 GMT -6
Under Mi'kimu and Balesh's ministrations, the boat is readied and slips it's mooring, taking flight upon the river. No sign of the escaped pirates is seen as you all drift down this tributary which joins the great river which leads back to the City Half As Old as the World. There is no need to recount your subsequent march through the jungle back to the ruined tower up river--Vortumoi commanded the boat run aground at a likely shore and left abandoned--no questions or stop that way. The zu'ur was thrown overboard. A relatively restful evening is spent in exhaustion at the tower--sometime in the early morning, the boat which dropped you here three days ago returns. *********** By noon you are back at the House of Vrimeshtu in the Dark Flame Clanhouse, awaiting your payment. Servants have bathed you all, given you tunics and fresh oil for your faces as you are led to the place you first dined with Vortumoi and his uncle. The Fat Lord welcomes you back and bids you sit for a meal as his accountant brings to you your share, in Kaitars, of the tomb treasures. A large sack is set down, clanking and jingling. VRIMESHTU: "Welcome, tus'mi'kang...(the Tsolyani pronoun for "You" which signifies specifically "You of Martial Victory")...Vortumoi has told me of your adventure, and how nobly each of you conducted yourselves. You have done my Clan, and myself, a great service. You will be remembered for future endeavors. You have won great reward. Before you are paid and we enjoy this meal, let us drink a toast to your valor, and remember your fallen porter and of course, mighty Karunaz, who has gone to his Shadow Gods. All praise to his memory." A servant passes through, filling your cups...the Fat Lord lifts his cup in the air... Yet all of you have had N'gallu wine before, at home, on the ship that brought you here, and in this very hall. All of you notice, holding it before your lips, something in the odor that stifles the sweetness..and given your unease about your ultimate "payment" after Karunaz'z warning...you suspect you know why. WHAT DO YOU DO?
|
|
|
Post by makofan on Sept 19, 2023 18:47:29 GMT -6
Balesh stands up "Before I impart the mighty knowledge of the strange device we found to our esteemed leader Prince Vortumoi, I drink a toast to our great patron, who rewards his followers' fairly and faithfully, with an eye to the future". He raises his glass in the air, but des not drink yet
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 19, 2023 18:49:37 GMT -6
GM Note: I will leave this open until everyone has a chance to share how they will respond.
This is the final encounter in this adventure, pardon my placing you in such a perilous place!
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 19, 2023 19:00:03 GMT -6
Balesh stands up "Before I impart the mighty knowledge of the strange device we found to our esteemed leader Prince Vortumoi, I drink a toast to our great patron, who rewards his followers' fairly and faithfully, with an eye to the future". He raises his glass in the air, but des not drink yet Vortumoi seems pleased. "Oh Mighty Warrior, our priests stand ready to gather your knowledge at a convenient time this very day...we have the orb waiting in a chamber of the Temple and they will be standing by as you operate the orb. The strange manner in which you came by this knowledge would make other magical means of extracting it fruitless. But, will you not drink?" The Fat Lord smiles the smile of a Zr'ne, and in the light of the chamber oil lamps holds the aspect of a demon to you...
|
|
|
Post by makofan on Sept 19, 2023 19:14:54 GMT -6
Balesh definitely needs to see how the others react
|
|
flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
|
Post by flightcommander on Sept 19, 2023 23:29:54 GMT -6
Mi'kímu, stalling for a moment, dares to speak. "Lord Vrimeshtu, the names of the gods of my people must be seldom spoken here in Jakalla. But before I drink I must give praise to Iona'ála, our goddess of fair trade winds, whose quiet voice — like wind in the rigging — surely guided us on our watery journey and led us back to safety."
[Mi'kímu here pauses to sing a somewhat overlong lyric in the atonal mode typical of Nuorab song. His sailor companions would recognize it as a forlorn entreaty to the goddess, mostly sung before swordfish hunts, battles at sea, or certain death.]
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 20, 2023 0:32:47 GMT -6
Mi'kímu, stalling for a moment, dares to speak. " Lord Vrimeshtu, the names of the gods of my people must be seldom spoken here in Jakalla. But before I drink I must give praise to Iona'ála, our goddess of fair trade winds, whose quiet voice — like wind in the rigging — surely guided us on our watery journey and led us back to safety." [Mi'kímu here pauses to sing a somewhat overlong lyric in the atonal mode typical of Nuorab song. His sailor companions would recognize it as a forlorn entreaty to the goddess, mostly sung before swordfish hunts, battles at sea, or certain death.] Vrimeshtu, caught off guard, obviously, shifts impatiently on his cushions upon his dais, but maintaining his best semblance of courtly hospitality, chuckles nervously...pretending great joy at Mi'kimu's song. As the warrior sings, all of you cannot but help feel something is about to happen.....
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 20, 2023 0:43:23 GMT -6
I will give our other players an opportunity to announce a reaction and tomorrow night I will update this post! Great roleplaying so far!
|
|
|
Post by dtspurrier1 on Sept 20, 2023 6:53:19 GMT -6
"Lord Vrimeshtu, the names of the gods of my people must be seldom spoken here in Jakalla. But before I drink I must give praise to Belkhanu , goddess of travel for bringing us here to safety. " Upon doing so mohamadd in his prayers casts " detect evil". He does not drink yet
|
|
|
Post by xerxez on Sept 20, 2023 8:49:02 GMT -6
"Lord Vrimeshtu, the names of the gods of my people must be seldom spoken here in Jakalla. But before I drink I must give praise to Belkhanu , goddess of travel for bringing us here to safety. " Upon doing so mohamadd in his prayers casts " detect evil". He does not drink yet Disguising his casting as a priestly prayer, Mohammad is successful in the spell-- however, it being a very general sort of spell, it's basic effect is to alert Mohammad that evil alignment is present in this room. It is normally most useful when used upon objects like the Spider Door you encountered in the tomb or, say, a scroll you might find. However, evil is present in this room!
|
|