Those of you who were planning on paramedics ore detailed examinations realize the wisdom of Faliol's plan. There is no way to do any kind of medical help, even the briefest, without being overrun. Gathering up the fallen as gently as possible, the party beats a fighting retreat. Handle and Vagrant lift Nuyok, while The massive Rath cradles Beka in his many arms, the lower pair carrying and the upper pair shielding.
It is difficult at first. The plants are not only behind you, but seem to be springing from the jungle along the path. You quickly catch up with Kent and Jareek. They got the cargo and the all-important draft animals out of harm's way then stopped to wait. When you get there, you find them fending off a small tree, which the combined party makes short work of.
The next hour is nightmarish. The wounded are piled on the back of the wagon. Celeste and Handle do their best to aid their fallen comrades while the occasional tree-beast head strikes from the darkness, causing the animals to rear and pull.
Nuyok quickly recovers; it seems that beyond his foot, he mostly had the wind knocked out of him. His ribs will be a little sore and he can move the foot.
Beka is in worse shape. She eventually comes to, but is weak from blood loss. Though none of her wounds were deep, she has enough cuts and abrasions to have caused some pretty fair bleeding. This is stopped and bandaged. From the way she winces, she is probably pretty bruised too.
After about two hours of bumpy slippery travel, during which the wagons bog down twice, you seem to be finally clear of the tree things. There is time to slow down and assess what really happened. Scouting around, Faliol finds a ledge of stone up a sharp slope that seems to afford some shelter from the omnipresent rain. The company takes advantage of the respite to compare notes and make plans...

OOC: Happy Halloween, several weeks late. This encounter was originally planned to begin about then, but PBP games are way unpredictable. Tweaking aside the GM screen, the idea behind the encounter was to limit visibility and information to give the classic "haunted house" feel. Too bad illness and job pressures slowed down the pacing. :/
Anyway, as a belated Treat, I have edited the visibility of the previous thread to give everyone lurker status. Anyone may read the entirety. It took all evening to run and write-up three combats, so we all deserve our nickel's worth.

Cas might know some things that will act as either pain killers or something that will allow the wounded to act a little bit more operable. Here's hoping for high rolls:

KS: Roots and Herbs 13-
3d6: 11 Mon November 18, 2002 @1:07 PM (EST)

If you are serious about this, it means an hour or so of hunting the surounding jungle on all fours with a lantern. You might want to wait a bit to see what the company's short-range plan is...

OOC: Quite a harrowing experience, thanks Keith!

Nuyok will strip off his other boot, look irritated, then ask "Anyone have a spare set of boots? [Pause] Oh, and what happened?"

In addition to checking himself out, Nuyok will also take a look at Beka to gauge the severity of her condition.

"Sorry, I am not carrying any spare boots. Rath could fashion you some Spinedog slippers?" I walk out of the Adept's swatting range.

"What happened, you ask? We were attacked by giant carnivorous plants with lousy taste. You see, one actually looked like it enjoyed chewing on poor Ricco... Wet raccoon, ugh...." I make a face that shows extreme disgust.

I look at my once, handsome tail. Now covered with plant ichor, twigs, and mud. I feel like crying, but manage only to sniffle, "I cannot go to Adala with my tail looking like THIS!" If I trim all the fur that is matted with goo, my tail will resemble a rat's, and that is something that must never be allowed to happen.

.oO(I can just hear the jeering now...There goes Faliol the rat-tailed fox! GRRRRRR)

Celeste will motion the sodden Faliol over to her side. Pulling the oil flask from her bag, she will pour a small amount into her hand and work it into the largest matt. The tree sap (pitch) dissolves under the application of the oil, leaving behind oily though unmatted fur. She will hand the flask to Faliol, "Save enough that I can re-edge my sword," (holding up her thumb and index finger to indicate a small amount) "the rest is yours. If we are lucky enough to find a source of hot water, the oil should disperse leaving behind a shiney tail." Celeste winks at Faliol as she says this and casts a glance in Cas' direction.

I accept the bottle from Celeste. I gingerly turn the bottle in my hands as I process her words.

"This oil will melt the goo leaving my tail well-conditioned and manageable?" Realization strikes, I begin to hop around uncontrollably. "Thank you, big sister! I will indeed save enough for your falchion plus I will replace that which I use when we hit civilization!"

My confidence restored, I can't help but say, "Look out Adalian ladies, Faliol and his tail are coming to town!" With a salute towards Celeste, I move off to try her miracle tail restorer.

I hope that an ember from the fire doesn't land on Faliol....POOF! Followed by much screaming...

You should be safe, you have about as much chance of starting a fire in these conditions as a Titanic passenger who couldn't catch a lifeboat...

OOC: image of a fox doing the Daffy Duck "Woo Hoo" bounce suddenly comes to mind

Celeste smiles at Faliol's visible relief. She rubs the remaining oil over the spots of sticky tree sap on her hands and then sets about cleaning the falchion as best she can until Faliol returns....oO(I wonder if this land has 'gizers' like those in the Shattered Isles?
)

[EDITED on Tue November 19, 2002 @12:09 PM (PST)]

Cas takes the boots off her feet, "I'm not sure how they will fit you but feel free to use them. I only wear them when I don't feel like getting my paws dirty so you are welcome to use them for now."

OOC: The KS: Roots and Herbs is for whether I know of anything in this area, I'll to the gathering much later.

Cas' boots don't have a chance of fitting Nuyok, unless he wanted to chop off the ends of his feet. Even then, they'd be a tight fit.

Woundwort would be the most useful herb to find, it basically gives bonuses to healing. The most likely place to find some would be the exit of an underground river, out of direct sunlight. Only here can it be cool and dark enough.
Also, Easeroot would be helpful for pain. Easeroot can be found most anywhere the ground is boggy, usually near a weedy pond or slow-moving stream.
Finally, Dreamleaf can ensure a good rest for the wounded, but requires an infusion. You need fire and boiling water.

Any details on Beka's condition?

Spirit Sense, 13-
3d6: 4, 3, 5 (STUN: 12, BODY: 3) Tue November 19, 2002 @3:49 PM (EST)
PS: Healer, 11-
3d6: 1, 3, 6 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Tue November 19, 2002 @3:49 PM (EST)
Paramedic, 8-
3d6: 4, 6, 3 (STUN: 13, BODY: 4) Tue November 19, 2002 @3:49 PM (EST)

Rath is kneeling in the mud cradling Beka's form while she rests. He looks at Nuyok with fear in his eyes, "You can help her right Nuyok? I mean you are a healer right?"

"Rath, I will do what I can, but it will take some time. Given the severity of her wounds, I cannot guarantee it will work, but I will try my best."

Beka is wounded the worst by far. You can only tell this by examining her spirit. Your meager paramedics only tells you that she has "owies".
She will need healing. For your reference, here are the modifiers.
You have 8 dice. You need to eventually double her Body score.
If you use all 8 dice, you can return 8 body to her. If you use less dice, you cannot heal her as effectively. You have good odds to reach the number with 8 dice.
To roll your 13- healing with 8 dice is 9-. You can take more time if you want. If you don't succeed the first time, you can add with a second roll, but the second roll must use the same number of dice and take the same amount of time.
1 Phase +0
1 Turn +1
10 Minutes +2
1 Hour +3
5 Hours +4

If you do decide to try a healing, tell me
1. the number of dice
2. the amount of time you will spend.

Then roll 3d6 for activation and xd6 where x=number of healing dice.
Finally, it will cost you 1 long term endurance per die.

I thought you might like some insight into your healing ability. Basically, every spirit has a default or template, the setting that makes it what it is. Injuries, illnesses, mental diseases and such are deviations from the norm.
Your healing ability makes the spirit want to resume that template. I can't easily describe what your prognosis is, since it would use non-medical, non-twentieth century terminology. Doubtless, the educated of the Savage Earth will have developed a new terminology, but I haven't devised a vocabulary. If someone asks you specifically what is wrong, you could say something along the lines of, "The morphic resonance of her blood is deficient, making the sub-animic rythma of her heart less palpitate." Or something like that.

Thanks for the info. I assume that since there isn't a Concentrate limitation on the Adept powers, that I can engage in minor conversation while performing things like Healing?

BTW, do you have to double their current BODY score to Heal or their total BODY score?

Intending to take a hour for this process, Nuyok will position himself and Beka comfortably, as sheltered as possible, gather his composure, and begin to access his spiritual power over morphia in an attempt to restore Beka's vitality.

Manipulate Morphia - PS: Healer, 13- using 8D6 (-4) and taking an hour (+3), thus 12-
3d6: 5, 2, 6 (STUN: 13, BODY: 4) Wed November 20, 2002 @10:10 AM (EST)
If complementary, Paramedics, 8-
3d6: 1, 1, 1 (STUN: 3, BODY: 0) Wed November 20, 2002 @10:10 AM (EST)
If successful, Heal 8D6
8d6: 3, 1, 5, 2, 3, 1, 2, 2 (STUN: 19, BODY: 6) Wed November 20, 2002 @10:10 AM (EST)

Provided that isn't successful (not sure about the paramedic roll and BODY count), Nuyok intends to try again, but certainly will see what's going on in an hour in case that's not an option (feel free to roll for me if the times comes up and everything's status quo).

Normally, you would have been 1 shy of your skill roll and 1 Bod point shy of doubling her (original) Body. However, if you may remember from examining your mentor's body (3 on PER roll), I am extremely generous with natural threes. Therefor, I will spot you the two pips

EDIT: Soryy folks, that was supposed to be visible to Nuyok only. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

[EDITED on Wed November 20, 2002 @9:03 AM (PST)]

OOC: Sweet!

Celeste will stand guard while Nuyokk tends Beka's wounds. When he has finished, she will move off to bind her own, leaving a much relieved Rath to protect Beka and the Adept.

"here, I got these sandles at the fort. they at least will give you a little protection."

I will look at his wounds when I give it to him, " you need any help with those gnawed places, there," pointing at his leg.

Nuyok thanks Handle, but gestures dismissively about his own wound (not in a negative fashion toward Handle, but rather as to the severity of it).

So, how bad off is Nuyok?

Nuyok is dying.

No, just kidding. Nuyok is fine, not even very winded. I posted you as being faily tired since you had been through a strenuous combat , KO, and fight jsut previously. You are down 8 LTE, which is about the equivalent of 90 minutes of moderately high activity, say power walking.
I treat LTE very simply. You regain 5/hour.

Very funny Actually, I figured he was tired between travel, fighting, and the 8 LTE healing, but I was wondering about his foot, if his boot was eaten, but the rPD avoided any BODY damage, or if he was in need of anything more than a minor bandage for bruising, etc.

Your foot will be OK. It was a two wounds of 2 each. With a successful Paramedics roll, they will each be reduced to 1. Wounds of one go away after 10 minutes.

Basically, its scratched and banged up and bandage. It will be tender for a few days, but only in a role-playing sense, not a game mechanic sense.

I can't remember if anyone has ministrated to it, but that should be done. It DOES need to be bandaged.

OOC: Handle's Sandles? Aren't you clever? : D

And I just figured out your name, "...I want to be a part of it...that old...Nu...Yok"
probably too clever for my own good. : )

OOC: I'm the rhymin' Adept Glad you liked the name, thought it was pretty creative - Vagrant with his weird knowledge of bygone times was all over it

I thought it was quite clever considering we are running amuck on what used to be the 'eastern' seaboard, and many seem to take their names from old locals. 2 points for you for the easter egg.

OOC: Alright, 2 points, think I'll jack up my COM!

I forgot to tell you, at midnight those two points turn back into.....uh.....um...........nevermind. >^..^< just think Cinderella

All through the harrowing journey, I kept thinking we had forgotten something. Nuyok's over there...Rath's accounted for...Where is Cas?!? There she is... Nope, everyone is in sight.

By the Stones, what had I forgotten? Then it came to me...

"PEACHES!!!"

I jump up and run over to the wagon to check the last spot that I had seen her in, "Peaches! You in there somewhere? We didn't leave you to the mercy of the plants, did we!??"

Where is that chinchilla!?!

A groan sounds from inside Beka's pouch. As you watch, a furry little head peeks out, rubbing it's eyes ruefully. The chinchilla looks around with a severely annoyed look.
"What is all the noise out here? Can't a chinchilla get some rest? While you were all off playing in the mud, I had to save Beka. Those teeth are difficult to saw away, you know. One of them would have cut her whole head clean off if I hadn't been there."
She brandishes her tiny, slightly bent sword and looks up at Beka. "That's eight you owe me, I'm sure."

[EDITED on Mon November 18, 2002 @5:54 PM (PST)]

.oO(That is one lucky chinchilla. Could have been crushed if Beka had landed on her...)

"Sorry to have awakened you, tiny warrior. You did a good job keeping that tooth away from Miss Beka. I am glad that you are safe and sound."

.oO(I hope Cas doesn't gobble the little chinchilla as a midnight snack...)

Riccoco is tucked into a corner, sprawled out lazily. Finally, he speaks up, "What might the plans o' the caravan be, now? Riccoco be thinkin' givin' those walkin' veggies a wide berth be the best plan of all. This 'coon for one, be glad we all made it out still breathin'. Even so... We still be needin' to get to Adala."

"We definitely need a plan, what are our options for circumventing the tree-beasts?" Looking over at Beka, "We'll need her input as well, once she's up to it."

I listen to Ricco and Nuyok talk about a plan. I try and come up with a suitable answer...

Keith, don't know which roll you would prefer, so I will make both.

Caravan Routes of Merikia, 11-
3d6: 10 Tue November 19, 2002 @6:08 PM (CST)

Caravan Guide, 11-
3d6: 13 Tue November 19, 2002 @6:08 PM (CST)

Speaking very somberly, "When the Barbarians killed Sei, Darku, and Belrick, we set camp and waited until the rest of us had healed enough to move onward. If we set a camp, I can get some herbs to help deal with Beka's pain. We could try hunting for some meat, and we hopefully, will give those things enough time to move onward."

Forgot to add an INT roll for anything else I might think of
3d6: 12 Tue November 19, 2002 @7:17 PM (EST)

[EDITED on Tue November 19, 2002 @7:17 PM (EST)]

"Even after the hungry bark be movin' on, we still be havin' that big tree to saw through..." Ricco shifts, glancing towards Faliol. "Did Faliol not say there be another route, Adala way iffin' we trek back over that river?"

Shaking his head, the old 'coon tucks his legs up under himself and rests on his ample haunches, "Riccoco, iffin' there be time could build a skiff or three and use the river to be takin' us south. Don't mistake. The skiffin' have dangers all their own."

Cas looks like she is mentally conflicted and possibly arguing with herself, "I don't know of another path, but I'm adament about camping for a full day or more. This is Beka's wagon and I think she should have a say. She might be angry for losing a full day sitting instead of going ahead, but she might have a better decision. I'm sure I can help bring her to with these things but I'm going to need time."

"Since a river crossing and sailing by skiff are out due to river conditions, I do have some suggestions. Until Beka recovers, Trader Kent is in charge as lead caravaner." Noticing the looks this generates, "He is the second ranking merchant. It is customary. If we were in battle, Nuyok would decide..."

"Mr. Kent, these are my recommendations. First, we need to find a defensible spot to hole up while I, and maybe one other, go scouting for upto a full day. While the scouting party is gone, Cas can possibly find her plants from around the campsite area and adminster them to Beka. I intend to find one of the old trails used by the fort's trailblazing team that leads around the fallen tree on the downslope side. This shouldn't be too difficult since the trailblazing team doesn't always clear the same path each time. During the daylight, it shouldn't be too hard to avoid the killer plants."

I await Kent's (and everyone else's) input.

[EDITED on Wed November 20, 2002 @6:59 AM (CST)]

I shake my head slowly, "The river will be raging for 3 to 5 five days after rains like this, making a crossing impossible. Skiffs would be too dangerous."

Not meaning to sound too harsh, I clap the 'coon on his back. "You feel very at home on the water, don't you, Ricco? I envy you, I sink like a rock tossed into a pond..."

Those are both appropriate skills to use. I'm even going to ignore your rolls since just having the skill can give you the answer you need.
Going back over the river will be impossible for at least 3-5 days.
The best course of action would be to find a defensible place where you can hole up and go out scouting for a day. A single scout (or perhaps 2) could search for a new path around the fallen tree. It would probably be best to search downslope toward the inlet where the ground is more level, but that's up to you.
You are aware that a trail is certainly possible to find. The trailblazing team from the fort doesn't follow exactly the same route every time and there are often remnants of older trails.

All the above were only suggestions, of course.

I will incorporate the info in a post.

"I assume we will remain here for at least several hours. I will take some time to try and restore Beka to health."

"As a further note, this act of healing will exhaust me, especially in light of our earlier fight, so I likely will be unable to travel far on my own if we decide to move in the next several hours."

play theme (200k)
Nuyok begins examining Beka. His fingers run over her body, concentrating on the wounds. All though he is engrossed in his actions, he seems aware and can even answer questions. After a few minutes, amazing things begin to happen. All blood loss stops. He begins gently closing wounds with his fingers, and they stay closed. After he has closed all cuts, he begins tracing them very slowly with his fingers. Rent flesh mends and heals behind them, leaving tender fresh skin, unblemished by wound. Beka's breathing slowly becomes less labored and more relaxed. After an hour, the adept sits back, sweat beading on his brow. He exhales a long sigh; the look on his face is probably the most emotional you have seen on his normally controlled visage.
Slowly he gathers himself and looks around. "That's all I can do for her. The rest will have to heal naturally. She will be able to travel. Beka, you may still be sore for a week or two, but you are in no mortal danger."

He leans back against the sheltering rock and closes his eyes.

"Oh, that feels much better. I am so tired. Thank you Nuyok! Rath are you here? I must sleep..."

"Peaches?..."

"Is everyone else alright?..."

"Stupid trees, aren't supposed to have mouths..."

Seeing that Beka has regained consciousness and is now sleeping comfortably, "Rath, please, if you don't mind guarding Beka and Nuyok for a while, I need to tend to some of these scratches. I will be back in a moment."
Celeste smiles at Rath, she is relieved that Beka will be allright now. Gathering up a spare lantern and her pack, she will move off a distance, for privacy's sake. Celeste will examine the worst of her wounds at this time. She will bind the area with bandages and attempt to cover the bandages with her bodice, probably not very successfully as it covers more than Bekas clothing, but not much more.
Paramedic Roll 12-
3d6: 6, 5, 5 (STUN: 16, BODY: 4) Thu November 21, 2002 @1:31 AM (PST)
Eventually, Celeste returns to the campsite. She moves a little easier than before. Bandages are plainly visible around her mid section. She sits rather stiffly and appears very tired.

OOC: Okay, so maybe I'm infected or something!

"I will guard them." While Rath is guarding he will tend to his own wounds also.Paramedic 12-
3d6: 14 Thu November 21, 2002 @6:32 AM (EST)
He doesn't plan on sleeping at all tonight, worried about Beka or an attack. Just in case he's a CON rollCON 13-
3d6: 18 Thu November 21, 2002 @6:32 AM (EST)

OOC: So I fall asleep before I even start to bandage myself...Stupid dice

Wow, the dice gremlins are busy today. What has probably happened is that the wounds are contaminated by sap. The sap is sticky and difficult to clean, so you are doing almost as much damage to them by cleaning them out.
BTW, each of you has another roll to make. Unless I am mistaken, you each have two wounds. Paramedics made be rolled on each of them. You may take extra time.

Good Luck. I am sending you the symbol of Chthon*, Disciple of Morphia to help your healing.


Technically, when used for healers, the symbol is red, but this will do...

*Pronounced "Thone"

[EDITED on Thu November 21, 2002 @8:44 AM (PST)]

2nd paramedic roll 12-
3d6: 5, 6, 6 (STUN: 17, BODY: 5) Fri November 22, 2002 @1:28 AM (PST)
After spending several minutes trying to remove the sap from the first of the deep torso wounds (DEEP HURTING) Celeste will just bind the wound and hope for the best until they reach the fort or Adala.
Con Roll 18-
3d6: 2, 3, 1 (STUN: 6, BODY: 2) Fri November 22, 2002 @1:28 AM (PST)

[EDITED on Fri November 22, 2002 @1:36 AM (PST)]