edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
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Post by edsan on Mar 8, 2009 14:36:57 GMT -6
It is clear to everyone, whether they have any familiarity with following tracks or not, the nature of the footprints on the dust. There appear to be 3 trails, all barefooted and one larger than the other two. Two sets are headed in the direction you are facing while a third is returning. This third set appears to be more spread out and deeper, as if the person who made it was running instead of walking. Trinesh will now start actively searching for traps and secret doors as the group moves out. Noted. The party will have to reduce it movement rate for Trinesh to have any chance of success. I will wait until we have posts from at least half the players (so far we have 2) before assuming the party continues down the path and posting what happens/what they see.
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Post by makofan on Mar 8, 2009 21:51:02 GMT -6
Ouippuo will watch the rear for surprises while the others discuss the meaning of the tracks
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suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
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Post by suushih on Mar 8, 2009 21:57:03 GMT -6
At some point in the warehouse, Do'olnar will acquire strips of cloth. Hopefully, that's trivial. Using water from his flask, he will wet his and tie it over his face. The other strips, he will distribute to his companions.
Looking at the tracks, does he see slave blood? The size and width of the tracks is concerning. Is there anything in the tracks that suggests a saurian entity (e.g., a tail?). An ahoggya would leave four prints. Tribes of these lived near his former home. It could just be a large man or possibly a pe'choi. If it were a shen though, engaging it in this cramped space would be suicide. He had seen shen sailors and soldiers. The massive sentient lizards were designed for combat!
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Post by noisms on Mar 8, 2009 22:24:49 GMT -6
"Seems clear," Teregash grunts. "Two slaves went this way. One was killed. The other came running back. So whatever did the killing is still ahead of us. Let's find it and kill it." He makes ready to move forward, shield and axe at the ready.
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sham
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 385
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Post by sham on Mar 9, 2009 6:51:45 GMT -6
Hredarru nods at Teregash's assumption. "Running indeed. Did he drop anything? The fleeing one appeared to keep his wits and run in a straight line back from whence he came while holding onto his torch or lantern..."
Turning to one of the slaves, "Cast your light above us, into the rafters, if you would." Hredarru wants to see if anything obvious might be lurking above.
I will also begin searching more intently, along with Trinesh. I'll keep a cautious eye fixed to the ceiling as well as we proceed.
Specifically I would like to see what clues might be spied before we get to the exact location to which we are headed; items dropped, other footprints, blood as mentioned.
"Whatever frightened the fleeing slave did not give chase. Robbers would have left the scene, something else might be resting after a fresh meal."
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edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
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Post by edsan on Mar 9, 2009 9:04:24 GMT -6
The slaves obey Hredarru even as the party continues. The held lantern lights reveal now with some more detail the tops of the crate piles, some standing over 3 man-heights tall.
To Hredarru's eyes there appears to be nothing out of the ordinary in the recesses above.
* * * * *
The party doesn't walk much before the wavering circle of light from the lanterns shows something down the path.
A hole.
A roughly circular hole, wide enough for 3 adult men to fall into simultaneously, seems to impede further passage. From this distance you cannot discern any more detail or guess how deep this aperture is.
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Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 9, 2009 9:57:30 GMT -6
"Who has rope? Teregash feel free to move up." How high are the crates around the hole? Would it be possible to climb over a crate and get around the hole? Are there any bloodstains, body parts, clothing items or other debris in the area of the hole? What about the dust in the area?
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edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
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Post by edsan on Mar 9, 2009 10:03:44 GMT -6
"Who has rope? Teregash feel free to move up." How high are the crates around the hole? Would it be possible to climb over a crate and get around the hole? Are there any bloodstains, body parts, clothing items or other debris in the area of the hole? What about the dust in the area? The party is standing about 30ft from the hole. From this distance you cannot make enough enough details to get answers for any of the above.
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Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 9, 2009 10:10:18 GMT -6
"Let us move forward carefully, so that we can exam this hole and the area around it."
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Post by spudcld on Mar 9, 2009 10:18:27 GMT -6
"No rats in the larder, eh" a small laugh escapes Hrahyosh. He pulls down his mask and takes a deep smell of the air. "Yes Trinesh, we should be very careful in our approach." He looks at Teregash as he steps up into Trinesh's spot and smiles. "Hopefully, time to fight, eh?" Unless there are no other ideas, we can slowly head for the edge of the pit.
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suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
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Post by suushih on Mar 9, 2009 10:26:37 GMT -6
By the hole, what's the smell? Cloaca Maxima?
Please describe the edges of the hole. Does it look chewed? Are there marks as of chisels? Any fecal matter?
"Entering the tsuru'um is dangerous. I would argue that we should set a trap. Who- or whatever it is will return."
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Post by makofan on Mar 9, 2009 10:27:20 GMT -6
As Ouippuo is in the back, assume he just goes along with what the party is doing. He will speak up if he has a problem or insight
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Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 9, 2009 10:36:58 GMT -6
Trinesh draws his dagger. Does he smell anything? Musty cinnamon, sewage, etc? Trinesh motions for quiet. Once everyone is silent does he hear anything? Trinesh moves to within 20 feet of the hole slowly and quietly scanning the entire time.
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sham
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 385
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Post by sham on Mar 9, 2009 11:41:40 GMT -6
Hredarru keeps his vigilant eye scanning the areas around and above the hole while his mates are focusing on the aperture itself. The fighter will follow the slow approach to the hole without leaving the marching order, provided the group continues moving forward.
In a hushed tone Hredarru notices "No robber digs large tunnels such as this, no ordinary robber, that is."
Once close enough to the hole Hredarru wishes to look for scratches or dragging marks on the floor. The hole seems overly large, as if the booty was some large object, or not man-made at all.
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edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
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Post by edsan on Mar 9, 2009 13:50:14 GMT -6
OCC: I had to go to wikipedia to find what the hell that meant. As the party approaches the gaping hole, no sewer-scent or whiff of cinnamon assaults your nostrils but those sniffing the air there is more humidity here. Nearer to the aperture you now discern droplets of a dark-red substance scattered about the edge of it and what appear to be fragments of very old wood strewn about. The edges of the pit are likewise made of wood and not of adamantine or stone. On the top of the jutting and planks is a veneer of what is either paint or light cement which might have given the illusion this section of the floor was like the rest of building's ground when it was still whole. A once-concealed trapdoor perhaps? As you take all this in, Hredarru notices something on the top of the crates to the right of the party, which stands about 20 feet off the ground. It is big, larger than a man, dark and it has clearly moved. (successful Perception roll). Edit: If Hredarru chooses not to act upon this information I'll just move things foward.
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suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
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Post by suushih on Mar 9, 2009 15:05:10 GMT -6
OOC: It's now a good day! Oblivious to the menace from above, Do'olnar takes one of the lanterns from the nearest slave, gets on his knees, and looks closely around the hole. Is there a ladder going down? Perhaps gouges in the stone that can be used for the same purpose? The age of the wood suggests that this has been here for some time. With the lantern down low, can he now see where the trapdoor or whatever it was caved in? How far down can he now see? "I would think that such private entrances to the tsuru'um are not that uncommon. This could have been hidden storage or even a hidden route to the docks for special items."
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edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
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Post by edsan on Mar 9, 2009 15:47:15 GMT -6
OCC: well, you've asked for it... Do'olnar inspects the hole and has just enough time to discern there is no stair, when something massive crashes into the wood crate on his left sending splinters of wood and the dust of ages flying everywhere. Whatever is is it came close enough to rustle Do'olnar's clothing, but miraculously he remains unscathed. The rest of the party has a better view of the monstrosity that jumped from somewhere above and nearly collided with the sorcerer-priest from Haida Pakala. It is a great six-legged thing armored with a dark carapace of iridescent greenish tones. It has two powerful-looking mandibles that emerge from its head like a pair of scimitars. Tekumel is known for the variety and girth of its insectoid inhabitants, you have all seen creatures that rival or surpass the Terran elephant beetle: But this mammoth bug, larger than any of you, is like something out of the legends. The fact it missed its quarry, landed and broke trough a surface of wood seem to have affected it not at all. It's multiple limbs have a solid grasp on the ruin it made of the container and it stands sideways, turning the head to and fro in mechanical motions as if noting down the position of every human in sight. All the while it hisses and clicks menacingly. "Kkkrrrt!!! Kkilt! Kklit! Kklit!"
Statements of intent please. We are now in Combat Rounds. Mechanics Initiative: Party 3, Creature 5 Creature @ Do'olnar (7 on d20) misses
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Post by spudcld on Mar 9, 2009 15:54:13 GMT -6
Hrahyosh in Pechani "It's Clobberin Time!" Hrahyosh would try to make himself aware of Teregash and make an attach that would not block or interfere with his. Trying to flank the beetle and attack it in between the armored plates separating the head from the rest of the body.
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sham
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 385
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Post by sham on Mar 9, 2009 18:41:53 GMT -6
Just as Hredarru notices the movement in the shadows above, he calmly begins to tell his fellow sell-swords to not make any sudden movements...before he can do so he notices the deceptively quick lunge of the dark mass through the air...
"Watch Out...Duck!"
Hredarru, momentarily taken aback by the velocity and sheer mass of the silent predator readies his shield and attempts to get between the bug and Do'olanar. One misstep and the sorcerer will be sent careening down that pit. How did he slip past me so quickly? thinks Hredarru. A few steps forward should place the fighter between the crouching, unsuspecting Do'olanar and the beetle-thing.
Shield at the ready Hredarru braces and moves toward the crawling menace, looking for an opportunity to strike.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2009 18:42:50 GMT -6
If she can, Issa will attack with her spear. I think it's too far away if it's at the front of the group. So if she can, she'll clamber up onto a crate to get a clear view of the monster and instead use her sling. If she can't do that, she'll turn about and watch to make sure they are not surprised by any more critters drawn to the noise.
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suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
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Post by suushih on Mar 9, 2009 18:44:40 GMT -6
hate it when I'm right! ... yes, as he had heard, the weight of perhaps two men, strong, armored, and voracious ... attractive irridescence As his companions were trying to get around its mandibles to attack the creature's vulnerable parts (were there any?!), Do'olnar casts an illusion of another dlaqo beetle in front of this one. probably should have told his companions that he could do this ... ahh well, perhaps they wouldn't react too poorly
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Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 9, 2009 18:47:08 GMT -6
Trinesh backs away from Do'olnar as best he can and will watch the surrounding areas to make sure nothing else sneaks up. If the fight starts to go badly, Trinesh will look for the opportunity to back strike the beetleoid.
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Post by makofan on Mar 9, 2009 21:44:37 GMT -6
Ouippuo awaits developments
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Post by noisms on Mar 9, 2009 22:48:49 GMT -6
Teregash doesn't bother waiting. He lunges forward, swinging his axe at the beetle, disappointed it isn't a human being.
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edsan
Level 5 Thaumaturgist
MUTANT LORD
Posts: 309
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Post by edsan on Mar 10, 2009 0:34:29 GMT -6
Given the position of the enormous arthropod and the gaping hole in the ground only two persons at a time can attack it in melee. Teregash and Hrahyosh, the more reckless of the group, take the available positions before any others and attack it.
While they do so, Issa's spear crosses the air but bounces harmlessly from the creature's armored carapace.
OCC: since spears can be thrown I'm assuming Issa would take the opportunity to toss hers, as she had a clear shot even from her ground position.
Hrahyosh's morningstar is as ineffective as Issa's spear but Teregash' axe bites into some softer spot and produces both a spray of yellowish-green goo from the creature's body as well as a clear hiss-click of discomfort.
Meanwhile Do'olnar, with Hredarru covering him, begins to gesture and mutter strangely to no apparent effect. (failed Sorcery roll)
Trinesh swift scan of the surrounding area reveals no other menace.
The slaves boys immediately flinched from the apparition and took a few steps back, to where Oippuo stands surveying the scene.
(It seems until the creature is somehow forced to move only Teregash and Hrahyosh will be able to melee with it. Others will have to resort to missiles or magic.)
MECHANICS Hrahyosh @ Creature (6 on d20) misses Teregash @ Creature (21 on d20) Hits - Dmg 6 Issa @ Creature (11 on d20) misses
Next round. Statements of intent.
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Post by noisms on Mar 10, 2009 1:49:46 GMT -6
Teregash presses his attack, praying that the beetle's yellowish blood would satisfy Chiteng.
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Post by trineshhissanmarin on Mar 10, 2009 2:10:42 GMT -6
Trinesh continues to scan the area, dagger in hand. If he can, he will back stab the creature. He also studies the way the creature moves and acts for future use.
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suushih
Level 3 Conjurer
Do?olnar Pretast?ta
Posts: 51
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Post by suushih on Mar 10, 2009 2:13:33 GMT -6
no more useful spells ... perhaps they could hurt it enough to scare it away
Was there anything in the broken crate or nearby that might make a useful projectile? A cloth bolt that he might use to cover it's head would be even better? Weapons of opportunity please? He is NOT going to throw his dagger unless he thinks that he can send it whirring into its mouth.
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Post by spudcld on Mar 10, 2009 2:35:48 GMT -6
Hrahyosh continues pressing his attack.
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sham
Level 6 Magician
Posts: 385
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Post by sham on Mar 10, 2009 6:07:12 GMT -6
Satisfied that Do'olnar won't be pushed into the pit, Hredarru takes a moment to steady the lantern-boys. The fighter wants to make sure the pair doesn't spook and run off with our light source.
"Hold up those lamps, boys! We've got some beetle-slayin' to do!"
From his position between the melee and the pit, Hredarru scans again for moving shapes on the crates, and below, in the pit.
As soon as the beetle exposes a flank or moves out from amidst the shattered crates, Hredarru will spring to the attack.
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