Session Six: The Return of the Old Ones...?
[2024/08/09 15:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay, last one to the table gets a -5 penalty to all rolls
[2024/08/09 15:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: Are my logs right, our last game was 11th July?
[2024/08/09 15:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: we literally finished in the crypt, divvied up the treasure....
[2024/08/09 15:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: Wait...
[2024/08/09 15:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: I didn't put the very last one up. You met Porhorin, and he got you to fight some creatures to return his necklace of prayer beads.
[2024/08/09 15:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... I got to dig for the missing log later, but, you all remember Porphorin, right?
[2024/08/09 15:23] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Hmmmm, there was some camping and.... did we got attacked by wolves again recently?
[2024/08/09 15:24] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: creatures.... ogres? gnolls maybe?
[2024/08/09 15:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: We'll go with "you kicked three gnolls asses".
[2024/08/09 15:25] Alicia Frakture: /me nods
[2024/08/09 15:25] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Kicked the balls, scored a gnoll
[2024/08/09 15:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: and we'll assume you gave Porphorin his prayer beads back
[2024/08/09 15:26] Sonja Bikergrrl: No one is particularly injured (it's coming back, the tiger savaged one to deff)
[2024/08/09 15:26] Alicia Frakture: indeed
[2024/08/09 15:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay, with that bare bones reminder of what happened last time... GGGGGGRRRRREEETTTTTTTIIINNNGGGSSSS Adventurers, other players get sober DMs who have a clue, you get my mental incompetence aggravated by my drinking shandy.
[2024/08/09 15:27] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: I have little use for prayer beads that aren't made from gemstones or the rare metals.
[2024/08/09 15:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: Porphorin: "This one thanks you for the recovery of this ones' prayer beads."
[2024/08/09 15:28] Alicia Frakture: Leesha nods respectfully
[2024/08/09 15:28] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "How'd you meet these fuzzy bandits in the first place?"
[2024/08/09 15:29] Sonja Bikergrrl: Porphorin: "Now we may continue your journey, but please remember, this one can't help you in combat, this one must maintain Erit Agge.
[2024/08/09 15:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: Porphorin: "This one was travelling to meet you. This one met those three, and has told you of the angry words exchanged and the stealing of the beads."
[2024/08/09 15:30] Alicia Frakture: That's the part I Um.. I don't get why were you travelling to meet us?
[2024/08/09 15:30] Sonja Bikergrrl: Tiger takes a bite out of the fallen foe... walks away, doesn't seem to like it much.
[2024/08/09 15:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: Porphorin: "To meet you, Leesha. Not anyone else."
[2024/08/09 15:32] ɗίηα ωíƖɗę ღ (kitten.venus): /me floats down to pet the tiger and glides through the air playfully while still paying attention
[2024/08/09 15:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: Tiger looks up as Dina flies down. He sits to watch Dina closely, stretching up ever so slightly to look at her intently
[2024/08/09 15:33] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben rolls her eyes a bit at that comment but doesn't mention it, instead clambering back on top of the highest point on the wagon to look around, keeping watch.
[2024/08/09 15:34] Alicia Frakture: Leesha smiles hearing how He was coming to meet her. She remembers him mentioning it but to hear it again fully is nice. She then looks and sees Dahlia."Be careful he could munch you with like one bite."
[2024/08/09 15:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana to Debben: "That one is a kook..."
[2024/08/09 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Porphorin: "The striped one isn't hungry, yet, those are wise words, even in play, such a one could cause harm."
[2024/08/09 15:35] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "So are we," she shrugs. "It's like we're collecting them sometimes."
[2024/08/09 15:35] Sonja Bikergrrl: Joan: "Does.... this happen a lot? I'm sure my travels were much quieter."
[2024/08/09 15:36] ɗίηα ωíƖɗę ღ (kitten.venus): /me "I'll be careful but it's a friendly tiger...at least I hope so"
[2024/08/09 15:36] Alicia Frakture: I don't know about a lot, but it has been happening more often
[2024/08/09 15:36] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana looks at Joan, then, nonchalantly, looks to the north east, scans the sky intently, shrugs. "We seem to live eventful lives."
[2024/08/09 15:38] Sonja Bikergrrl: So... moving on?
[2024/08/09 15:39] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: What time of day is it?
[2024/08/09 15:39] Sonja Bikergrrl: Before midday. It's still early.
[2024/08/09 15:40] Alicia Frakture: Then moving on. I will break out trail rations, because I don't think I can cook while we are on the move
[2024/08/09 15:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: It's an uneventful hour.. or two... until you finally....
[2024/08/09 15:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: ...come to what looks like a great wooden gateway. Two upright poles supporting a weathered plank of wood, with a single name carved into it: HOWANDALAND. On the other side... BRITAIN
[2024/08/09 15:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: Still moving on? Other than that, there's not a great deal of things here.
[2024/08/09 15:43] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: just a free-standing gate to mark the border?
[2024/08/09 15:43] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: No... guards?
[2024/08/09 15:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: So it would seem, yes.
[2024/08/09 15:43] Sonja Bikergrrl: No guards, or even guard house
[2024/08/09 15:43] Alicia Frakture: Onward and upward I guess
[2024/08/09 15:44] Sonja Bikergrrl: On we go! Its' noticeably warmer from the usual, and the day is getting hotter as the sun climbs. About an hour later, that's when....
[2024/08/09 15:44] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Ok
[2024/08/09 15:45] Sonja Bikergrrl: A bunch of black guys carrying spears and wearing simple hides as clothes step out from some bushes. Three on one side, three on the other... Oh, and three behind.
[2024/08/09 15:46] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Well, what have we here? A green skinned one... a stone one? A little one... an old one.... and only one of you a human? What is this?"
[2024/08/09 15:46] Alicia Frakture: Just blinks in confusion
[2024/08/09 15:49] Alicia Frakture: HEY Who you calling little
[2024/08/09 15:49] Sonja Bikergrrl: One of the other guys laughs. "And, all women?"
[2024/08/09 15:49] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "What master do you serve?" she asks, looking at how they're definately surrounded. Anyone in front?
[2024/08/09 15:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Master? What master? We don't have a master." The guys look at each other in some obvious confusion. (Other than the ones at the sides, diagonally, not really, no)
[2024/08/09 15:53] Alicia Frakture: Your ruler I think she means. Who is in charge?
[2024/08/09 15:53] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben considers, looking to check if everyone is aboard and getting ready to grab the reins.
[2024/08/09 15:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's pearly smiles all round. "Oh, you mean king! We have king. He rules us. You're ruled by Lord British, still? Are you his loyal subjects?"
[2024/08/09 15:57] Alicia Frakture: I'm gonna leave that to others to answer
[2024/08/09 15:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: Dahlia? Debben?
[2024/08/09 15:58] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: ( was the king we know Lord British?
[2024/08/09 15:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Yep.)
[2024/08/09 15:59] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "I have had some dealings with the Lord British," Debben admits, mostly keeping the sound of regret from her voice.
[2024/08/09 16:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Good! Good! King Akulali is friends with Lord British, so, we are friends too! You'll stay with us tonight. Where are you going, anyway?"
[2024/08/09 16:02] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: ( Do we know this name?
[2024/08/09 16:03] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Nope. This place is unknown to most; people tend not to travel far as a rule.)
[2024/08/09 16:04] Alicia Frakture: *What time of day is it?
[2024/08/09 16:05] Sonja Bikergrrl: (By now? Getting on. Late afternoon, early evenin.)
[2024/08/09 16:06] Alicia Frakture: Leesha looks around."What do you all think?"
[2024/08/09 16:06] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "We were taking trade goods up to the town," she answers, reciting the name of the town they were heading to.
[2024/08/09 16:06] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "We'll need to camp soon, certainly"
[2024/08/09 16:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: "We just finished a hunt. It was good hunt, we have plenty! You come stay with us tonight."
[2024/08/09 16:09] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "What'd you bag?"
[2024/08/09 16:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: The two guys talking to you turn aside and say something quickly in some language or other. Four other guys, holding poles slung between two, step into view. You can see deer, and a few rabbits. There's been a good hunt, indeed.
[2024/08/09 16:11] Alicia Frakture: Leesha look impressed."Sure, why not."
[2024/08/09 16:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Good! So we are friends, yes?" The guy steps closer, looking from one to the other, trying to figure who is "in charge", finally he just puts his hand forward.
[2024/08/09 16:12] Alicia Frakture: We are visitors, we can see about building to friends
[2024/08/09 16:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Are you sure that's what you want to say? In medieval settings, it's considered impolite to not be friendly.)
[2024/08/09 16:14] Alicia Frakture: *Okay.* Friends it is.
[2024/08/09 16:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: He takes a hold of your wrist.
[2024/08/09 16:16] Alicia Frakture: Leesha looks down at his hand on her wrist
[2024/08/09 16:16] Sonja Bikergrrl: He waits for you to take his....
[2024/08/09 16:17] Alicia Frakture: *Oh like a handshake kind of thing* Leesha takes hold of his wrist
[2024/08/09 16:17] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: ( so you can feel that there's no blade up the sleeve
[2024/08/09 16:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a chorus of "Aaaahhhss" all around as he shakes your hand. "Good! Good! Feast tonight, and, there may be a dance too! You are our guests!"
[2024/08/09 16:18] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Technically... none of them wear sleeves. Or even tops, come to that, mostly.)
[2024/08/09 16:18] Alicia Frakture: Sounds good :)
[2024/08/09 16:19] ɗίηα ωíƖɗę ღ (kitten.venus): /me watches partially hidden as best she could watching the big people prepare for dancing
[2024/08/09 16:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a sudden eruption of curses and shouts of alarm from the ones in the back, and spears are raised. "My friends! You are being stalked by a tiger!"
[2024/08/09 16:19] Alicia Frakture: no no no. that Tigers our friend
[2024/08/09 16:19] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "Oh, that's Leesha's tiger. She's been adopted, you see."
[2024/08/09 16:20] Sonja Bikergrrl: "...you are friends with a tiger???"
[2024/08/09 16:20] Alicia Frakture: Leesha nods.
[2024/08/09 16:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: There's a lot of jabbering talk back and forth, and the spears are lowered warily as he waves his hands down. "Friends with a tiger! We have not heard such a thing."
[2024/08/09 16:22] Alicia Frakture: It's a brave new world
[2024/08/09 16:23] Sonja Bikergrrl: "Well... I guess.. friends...." He waves his arm and shouts a few orders, the hunters all form lines. "We go to the village now, not far!"
[2024/08/09 16:24] Alicia Frakture: Leesha grabs some extra wold meat from the wagon, to give to the tiger
[2024/08/09 16:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: The tiger dashes forwards and bolts it down. I take it we're going to follow the hunters?
[2024/08/09 16:25] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: It would be unfriendly to say no
[2024/08/09 16:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... the hunters start singing songs. You don't understand the words, but, it's melodic and seems to draw you along with the urge to sing. Before an hour is up, you see a collection of crude huts, surrounded by corrals, animal pens, fields of various crops. Similiarly dressed people are at various tasks, and you see a big guy wearing what looks like a leopard skin, with an old man beside him.
[2024/08/09 16:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: "My sons! You bring back a feast. And... you bring back guests!"
[2024/08/09 16:29] Alicia Frakture: Leesha waves hello politely
[2024/08/09 16:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: The apparant king smiles as you come close. The elder one, who must be their shaman or witch doctor, wanders over, looking at you closely. Especially Debben, Leesha, Katana, but doesn't say anything. The king says to Debben: "I think I have something for you in my hut. Come see when you're ready."
[2024/08/09 16:35] Alicia Frakture: Leesha looks at Debben and the others, before keeping an eye out for any surprises directed at teh tiger
[2024/08/09 16:35] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "What do you call this town, kind hunters?" She pauses, looking at the king with... surprise. He is a human, yes? "Um, thank you. I'll be sure to make time for it."
[2024/08/09 16:37] Sonja Bikergrrl: They're all humans, all with very black skin. Rather more muscley than the usual humans you meet, and of course speaking a different language. Definitely humans, as far as you can tell otherwise. "Name? No name. It where we live, no need name!"
[2024/08/09 16:39] Alicia Frakture: *Okay can you clear something up? Very black skin. Like Drow black or um..."
[2024/08/09 16:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: you asking him, or the DM?
[2024/08/09 16:40] Alicia Frakture: *The DM*
[2024/08/09 16:40] Sonja Bikergrrl: Black skin as in drow, I guess? Except completely unaffected/unfazed by the sun.
[2024/08/09 16:41] Alicia Frakture: So more an ink black. Got it*
[2024/08/09 16:41] Sonja Bikergrrl: I guess? Black as in black person.
[2024/08/09 16:42] Alicia Frakture: *okay*
[2024/08/09 16:43] Alicia Frakture: Leesha looks at the others to gauge their reactions to the new environment
[2024/08/09 16:46] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben is a bit freaked out, but not enough to actually pull her weapon. Her thumb does seem to keep brushing her spear and rifle to confirm their positions, though. "No name? What do other groups of people call yours, then? Just, 'the people of King Akulali' ?"
[2024/08/09 16:47] Sonja Bikergrrl: The man looks at you for a while, then starts laughing. "I forget, you from Britain, always want to name things. This land Howandaland, we, Howandalanders. I guess this village Howandaland village? We know who we are, we happy as we are."
[2024/08/09 16:48] ɗίηα ωíƖɗę ღ (kitten.venus): /me is still mostly hidden watching the interactions of all the big people with great interest wondering when the dancing will begin
[2024/08/09 16:48] Alicia Frakture: Good to know, and nice to meet you."She says smiling
[2024/08/09 16:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: Akulali: "Go get settled, relax, take it easy.. we feast in hour, maybe two."
[2024/08/09 16:50] Sonja Bikergrrl: (It's a good time to check for anything you might need, or, to study any books you may have.)
[2024/08/09 16:51] Alicia Frakture: Leesha is making sure I have the wrench some extra meat for the Tiger and has some time for meditation
[2024/08/09 16:53] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Debben will recharge her Dreamnoir Ritual since this seems a good time for it, and double check all her material components.
[2024/08/09 16:53] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: ( a 7 banked. Hmmmm. )
[2024/08/09 16:53] Sonja Bikergrrl: not the worlds' worst
[2024/08/09 16:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: Porphorin lays out two mats in the hunt. "This one and Leesha will meditate."
[2024/08/09 16:54] Sonja Bikergrrl: You also got three books
[2024/08/09 16:55] Sonja Bikergrrl: to gain anything from them, you'll need to study 'em
[2024/08/09 16:57] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: True, but I don't want to keep the king waiting forever either.
[2024/08/09 16:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: As it gets dark and the stars start to appear, Katana gets back to eyeing the north eastern sky
[2024/08/09 16:57] Sonja Bikergrrl: okay... Debben to the King!
[2024/08/09 16:57] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: did he say to come alone?"
[2024/08/09 16:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: no, but, he only said it to you
[2024/08/09 16:58] Sonja Bikergrrl: although, Leesha is meditating with Porphorin...
[2024/08/09 16:59] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "Arlgith. Katana, Dhalia, I'm about to go talk with this king."
[2024/08/09 16:59] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana drags herself from staring at the sky and goes along with you, although, with a degree of distraction.
[2024/08/09 17:00] Sonja Bikergrrl: Akulali: "Some little folk passed by last week, one said to give any little folk that passed by this..." He passes you a scroll.
[2024/08/09 17:01] ɗίηα ωíƖɗę ღ (kitten.venus): /me "meeting a king, that must be very important"
[2024/08/09 17:02] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "Hmmm. Another one of these," she gives him a deep nod of the head. "Thank you for carrying this important message. It means a great deal to me." No harm in thankful flattery.
[2024/08/09 17:02] Sonja Bikergrrl: He waits, expecting you to read it, a bit like a kid who was entrusted with a vital task
[2024/08/09 17:07] Sonja Bikergrrl: did we lose Debben?
[2024/08/09 17:08] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: ( ack )
[2024/08/09 17:09] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: She goes ahead and unfurls the scroll, carefully glancing at the first line, then slowly reading through the remainder of it.
[2024/08/09 17:09] Sonja Bikergrrl: (Written in Dwarvish): "This is a note from Gorek Gerden. I've asked the tribal elder to pass this note on to any dwarves that follow. These folk are simple and friendly, you may rest safe here. We are the Arbek Admun party, heading North West, on the trail of the Jaden Flatrun party. These folk are generous and trade fairly."
[2024/08/09 17:10] Sonja Bikergrrl: Akulali: "It is good news, little friend?"
[2024/08/09 17:11] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "indeed it is. Advice on where I might head next, and appreciation for your people's kind ways." She refurls the scroll, carefully placing it to it's case (if provided), and then offering it back to the king. "For the next little one who may come by."
[2024/08/09 17:12] Sonja Bikergrrl: The king nods happily and puts the scroll back.
[2024/08/09 17:13] Sonja Bikergrrl: Back to Leesha?
[2024/08/09 17:13] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: Sure
[2024/08/09 17:14] Alicia Frakture: Leesha continues in her meditation. Usually she is flat on the ground so the mat feels nice
[2024/08/09 17:14] Sonja Bikergrrl: Half way back, Katana stops, frowning. "Okay... I got to check... can you not see that?"
[2024/08/09 17:15] Sonja Bikergrrl: (That's to Debben and Dahlia)
[2024/08/09 17:16] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: She pauses, and looks around again, inspecting the stonework first, then the woodwork, and then the people.
[2024/08/09 17:17] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana points to the sky, to the north east. "There...." (Perception check, +2 bonus. Roll under your intelligence or wisdom, your choice which, on d20)
[2024/08/09 17:19] Sonja Bikergrrl: (I.e., under 16 for Debben, under 17 for Dahlia)
[2024/08/09 17:21] Sonja Bikergrrl: Debben, d20
[2024/08/09 17:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: well, Debben sees nothing out of the ordinary :)
[2024/08/09 17:22] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "The moon?"
[2024/08/09 17:22] Sonja Bikergrrl: Dahlia, though... sees it
[2024/08/09 17:24] Sonja Bikergrrl: The stars to the north and west seem a little... displaced. The patch of sky seems to be an oval of distortion, almost like it's a giant lens. And, quick on that realization... the creepy sense that something is looking -in- from -outside-... except... you are outside. How can something be outside outside?
[2024/08/09 17:25] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana: "...just tell me you see it too..."
[2024/08/09 17:26] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: "Where?"
[2024/08/09 17:27] Sonja Bikergrrl: Katana looks from Debben to Dahlia. "...You see it...?"
[2024/08/09 17:31] ɗίηα ωíƖɗę ღ (kitten.venus): /me "I see it ...."
[2024/08/09 17:31] Sonja Bikergrrl: And on the cliffhanger of just what that is... we better leave it there :)
[2024/08/09 17:32] Sonja Bikergrrl: whatever could this mean....
[2024/08/09 17:33] Alicia Frakture: It means you sky gawkers are messing up Leeshas meditation!!!
[2024/08/09 17:33] Alicia Frakture: Kidding
[2024/08/09 17:33] Sonja Bikergrrl: indeed :)
[2024/08/09 17:34] MidnightMinion Cyberstar: the God Above who Gazes, one of the secret nameless gods that Debben seesm to venerate?
[2024/08/09 17:34] Sonja Bikergrrl: Interesting question, how will you find that out?
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