Perception
3d6: 2, 4, 1 (STUN: 7, BODY: 2) Wed February 25, 2004 @11:38 AM (PST)
Or Intelligence, whichever....

At Riccos statement about Yaraza and Assassins, Celeste quickly looks at Drummels body, the fallen Jareek, and the dead and ailing animals, and.....

Waiting for you to acknowledge my most excellent roll of the dice Oh Wise One.

[EDITED on Wed February 25, 2004 @11:42 AM (PST)]

Dead, River? Nuyok, Ricco needs your help! Adepts? They would never hurt...

What?

Adept killers? Assassins? That's just wrong. If it's true, they deserve... well, whatever we can do to them. First the Sanctuary, now this."
His face shows no mercy.
"What could they want? Why are they so bloodthirsty?"

... what connection you are trying to make. Yaraza seems to be the name of the people behind all the attacks, but you still no no more of them from personal experience.

I was trying to ascertain from what you said earlier, that the word sounded familiar.....even though Celeste may have no personal exerience....I thought perhaps there was something possibly dredged up from memory, especially with the other tribal names with similar endings....no biggie....

"Tell me where Handle is, is he alone?," Nuyok asks impatiently.

As the caravan members converge on his position, Riccoco leans heavily against Faliol and blinks back his fatigue. "Ol' Riccoco jess not big enou' to carry Ol' 'andle... 'ad to be leavin' 'im."

He pushes away from Faliol as if to lead the party back the way he had came. He makes a daring attempt and begins to topple over once more.

Gently ushering Ricco to sit down beside Jareek, Faliol says, "Are all raccoons as determined? You did good making it back in your condition. You have done enough, let the rest of us pitch in. Pops has been poisoned... Watch over him for me, Ricco?"

Faliol walks over to Nuyok/Celeste/Beka and whispers, "I think they are using Handle as bait, like they did with Drummel. They wanted Ricco to bring us this message about Handle being Gator bait. When we go to save him, they will either slaughter the rescuers at the river or finish off the wounded here. Classic 'divide and conquer'. The only way is to beat these spineless bastards is to jink left when they think we run right. I say we do what they expect, charge off to save Handle and then loop back here and catch them hopefully unawares."

Ricco refuses to stay sitting and follows Faliol when he goes to join the others. He whispers urgently. "There be more to be tellin'. 'andle be real bad. Ol' Riccoco pulled him outta the drink, but he be on death's door. We must be gettin' to him now to be savin' him." He looks back and forth between the Beasts and Hoomans.

"The Yaraza... They be sayin' some folk..." He pauses and glances over his shoulder at the other folk going about their business. "Some one stole a thing from them. They be wantin' it back an' will be goin' ta killin' for the takin'."

Ricco takes a very deep breath to steady himself. "First though be the 'andle. We be needin' ta be goin' now. Ol' Riccoco did a bit o' hidin' him. He be knowin' the way back. Someone big be needin' ta help."

Responding quietly, "You may be right, Faliol, but what choice do we have, we need to help Handle.... They have had something stolen from them, I understand, and they are adepts, I would say that Arkis is our suspect..."

I am going to gather those with my caravan, (the Untouchabloe Trio plus 6 ).
"Arkis said he gave chase but he didn't. I think he might be our problem. We need to go see if we can save Handle but I don't want anyone else to get hurt to save someone who might already be dead. Ricco, what exactly happened? What do you guys think we need to do next?"

Ricco gathers with the others of the Hamilton Caravan, perching on a handy seat (wheel, stump, rock... whatever) and grabs for someone's drinking skin. He takes a deep breatha dn winces, poking at his thigh wound. "Things be a bit fuzzy, Miss Beka. Ol' Riccoco be pokin' about a ways ahead o' the rest o' ya..." He pauses, wincing again, and reaches up with a leathery-padded paw to ruffle the fur about his forehead.

"There be an apple... Then the Jungle Pink. Yaraza he be sayin'. Toutin' the lot o' us as bein' Defilers an' Infidels. Somethin' be stolen." Ricco pauses, taking another long swig of the water. "We be fightin'. Nasty quick, the bugger be. He be rasin' his 'and, Ash-like, an' Ol' Riccoco be seein' nothin' but black for a time."

"When this 'coon be comin' round, he be lookin' this-a-way. No belongin's. No Tri-sticker. No horn o' the Porky." He shakes his head sadly. "Nothin' to be bein' done but follow the stream. A hard goin' it be. Then, Ol' Riccoco be findin' the 'andle. Tied to a tree. A Biggun, layin' across the stream an' rerooted, it had. They tied 'im up good, by the wrists, leavin his lower 'alf floatin' in the stream. He be cut up good with skin-deep cuts... Pinkin' the water for scavengers 'e be sayin'."

"He talked some as Ol' Riccoco be cuttin' 'im free. 'e be bein' too heavy for Ol' Riccoco though. Nothin' to be doin' but 'idin' 'im. Went for hel'... Nothin' but that to be done." The 'coon folds over, his back heavily bent and grabs his knees. "Nothin' to be done... nothin'..."

As Ricco relates the events, Celestes face darkens at the mention of Ash. When he pauses, she looks at the members of the caravan who are still closeby. "We have to go now...it might already be too late. Ricco, I will carry you if you are unable to travel quickly, show us the way." With that, she stands as if to leave.

Ricco perks up at Big Sister's adamance at action. "Ol' Riccoco be needin' a blade or a bow. He be leadin' the way to the 'andle straight-a-way!" His words and exuberance don't seem to math the grimace and slowness of his standing, though. His heart is in the right place, but it's doubtful he'd be much help in any sort of fracas.

Somewhere about the camp there must be an extra shortsword or long knife (perhaps Handle left his stuff behind when he went to the Potty room), Celeste will find something and give it to Ricco. She offers him a hand up. "Just a moment Ricco, we will be needing more bodies for this." She walks over to where Arkis stands (sits?). Standing with her feet planted and arms folded across her chest, she looks down at the spirit-cloaked figure, "What about you Barbarian? There are folks who think this has something to do with you. Are you willing to lend a hand to finish it>" She leans in close and says something only Arkis can hear.

"Your 'friends' are all dead. Konnurs brother is dead, and at least one of my friends is dying, maybe another. If you have something under that spirit cloak of yours that those people want and are willing to kill for, I will personally feed you to the 'gators if Handle or any of these other folk die because of it." She pokes him rather forcefully on his chest as she says this. "Just so you know, I don't have any qualms about killing adepts." With that, she turns on her heel and walks back to Ricco. "I will carry you Ricco, but we will be slow coming back. I'm ready if you are."

Arkis returns your stare with a steady eye and does not back up when you poke him. "If I have anything to hide, it's nothing like the history written on your face. We Kislan have never feared the Red Tide, and I'm not going to be the first." Despite his posturing and bravado, he is definitely rattled.

At the mention of Kislan Celeste stops, turns back to Arkis, after a long hard look she says through gritted teeth, "You're right, I'm not hiding anything. And you're not a bit like any Kislani that I've ever known, though you dress the same. They must have disowned you, I can only guess why." She pauses a moment, "I meant what I said, if Handle dies and this comes back to something you have that belongs to those assassins, you're dead." She does not wait for any other response from him.

Celeste takes little time in speaking to Arkis. She pokes him on the chest several times as if to emphasize something. With that, she turns on her heel and walks back to Ricco. "I will carry you Ricco, but we will be slow coming back. I'm ready if you are."

Vagrant watches the exchange between Arkis and Celeste and meanders over to him.

"I can't imagine what she told you in that whispery tone but I will tell you something. Crossing her or any of her friends will get you dead. At first, I can't say I liked that about this world..." Vagrant leers in a bit, "...but it is growing on me."

With that he moves over to Beka's group, "Beka, I'll stay or go. Your choice. I'll lend my bow and my hand to help out however you need."

The exchange between Arkis and Celeste is brief. As she turns to leave, Arkis seems to be saying something to her. She whirls back around to confront him and a dangerous silence ensues. Eventually she responds and then returns to the group around Ricco, not looking back in the direction of the other barbarian.

I'll extend your initial tracking roll, but I'm giving you the option of rolling your own stealth roll before I advance you. Just one of the many services we offer here at the Savage Earth.

Also, I haven't removed you from the main visibility, since People are posting side posts all over the place, but cosider yourself removed from the main narrative.

BTW, Have you posted your hdc file for Leckchock yet?

Of course I did, what you think I'm some kind of slacker or something jeez
Yeah I figured that I missed the whole "They are adepts" thing. Really unfortuate actually...So for my next character I think I wanna play...Stealth 15-
3d6: 12 Wed February 25, 2004 @7:59 PM (EST)

You track them for a time through the forest. After a while, you get the hang of how they move. They do not use the trees like you do; they just seem to have an uncanny knack for finding the easiest path. You become assured that they cannot move so quickly as you through the thickestparts of the jungle.
Their path leads parallel to the main road, up and up the last big ridge. Near the top, you discover a rocky overhang that gives an excellent view of the previous territory. There are even gaps in the canopy below where one can see bits of the road the party has traversed.
OOC: Leckchock has no way of knowing this, of course, but adept sight would be able to pierce much of the foliage, particularly if the observer had a good idea of what to look for.
You do not go onto the overhang yet, because you see your quarry. A group of five warriors huddle together under a tree, back from the edge of the overhang. They appear to be having a discussion.
From your perch in the trees, you can see them easily enough, but you will need to get closer to hear what they are saying. Do you wish to risk it?

No I don't, since I know what they are, but since Lekchock doesn't, yes he would move forward to try to hear what's going on...How would you feel if for my next character I played a giant Badger?

The forest man creeps forward, keeping within the branches of the great jungle trees. Soon he is less than a dozen yards away and can hear them conversing. The five of them are crouching in a loose circle. Their bodies are smeared with ash, leaves and sap, making effective camoflage. They are lightly armored, theough each bears a pair of swords and a number of pouches. They have cloaks, but they are belted behind their waists. THeir accent is thick and strange, but intelligible.

Y1: "--eturned before we could finish. But with the animals pinned, we can pick them off at leisure."

Y2: "I dislike this. One of them at least is like a shennoku, a forest ghost. They also have other Sighted among them. Our quarry is definitely there."

Y3:"And yet you did not recover the sacred text. The Kislan pirate still lives."

Y1:"The pirate hides with great skill. Still, we will be successful. The poisons the youth had on him are quite potent. They cannot move. Their greed will hold them here."

Y3: "Enough. What of the masked beast you fought, Karu?"

Y4: "Yes, is he dead?"

Y5 (Karu): "He could not have survived the fall. It is sixty feet to the floor below [he gestures at the edge of the overhang, where you can see Riccoco's trident lying]. Even were he spared, there is nothing he could tell them. Only the youth knows our quest, and he is surely bled by now."

Y3: "Very well. Our next move is to wait until nightfall. They cannot move their wagons without animals and we must eliminate them before they reach the mudflats you saw on your long scout. Brethren, steel yourselves. Not all of us will survive. Some of them are warriors of great skill. One of them is m arked as the savage Red Tide, and others are Sighted. Nevertheless, the spirit of Yara compels our sacred honor. The Book of Yara will once again belong to the Ya---Wait!"

The leader (Y3) swivels his head and faces your direction. He points. "The Shennoku! We are revealed! Slay him!"

Actions? Options?

I'll run/swing as fast as I can away, taking to the tops of the trees hopefully out of range of their thrown weapons. I'll move through the thickest part of the jungle which will slow them more than myself.

.oO(What dey talkin' 'bout? What is a Kislan? Gotta make it back ta Tru Eyes let 'im figure it out)

They swivel as one, reaching for small leather pouches at their belts. Not waiting to see what comes next, you drop and swing around the bole of your spy tree. The forest at the top of the ridge here is not as thick as you would like. However, the canopy below the overhang would give nice cover.
Steeling your nerve, you make a mad dash along a great limb which sticks out into the void below the overhang. Behind you, you can hear the shouts of the Yaraza and the staccato "thump-thump-thump" of their thrown weapons sinking into the wood inches behind your pounding feet.
Finally, with a "whoof" of effort, you propel yourself out over the edge. At the last second, you grab a thin whip-like branach of the main limb and hang on as it dips you down below the level of the overhang. From there it is a mad scramble down the vine-netted cliff face and into the cover of the thinnest branches below. A couple more of the odd little trhowing stars they use slice through the leaves around you, but you manage to avoid them until you get down into the thicker foliage.
Dropping to the ground for cover, you realize that speed is of the essence. Through a combination of tree-paths, foot-paths and even occasionally the road itself you come to the makeshift encampment.
BTW, nice new illustration. Are you going to change your avatar?

At a lull in the action, Will Wickersticks sidles up to you and whispers, "I am not particularly useful in combat, so I was of little help. I cannot apologize for that. Those who cannot fight should not be expected to needlessly die. However, those who weild weaponry with skill should be expected to do otherwise. Yon Arkis was not chasing the Yaraza. He was fleeing them. I cannot judge him poorly given my own actions, but I thought as leader of your group, you should know. Your Master has enough on his mind."

As Nuyok is being updated on Riccoco's findings, a cry comes from Bergen's wagon. "Master! Healer! Come quickly! Mister Bergen is failing! I fear he is dying!" Though her expression is difficult to read, the note of distress in Umbra's voice is unmistakeable. Even Konnur looks up.

Cas looks extremely serious as she finishes getting the oxen calmed down. With the news from Riccoco she puts her hands to the side, "We will need someone to fight should attempting to rescue Handle be a trap. We also need someone to fight remaining at the camp. Whoever goes to get Handle, I will escort them,"

Cas seems to have a sudden, puzzled look on her face. She examines the camp and everyone here, the injured and the those who are fine, "I don't know why, but I feel like I have done this once before."

We have dead, we have sick, we have dying, we have injured, we have those who are fine. Can we get a brief synopsis of who is in what state? I'm starting to get confused with all these NPC's. ^_^

Whos who or what, who do I like and who do we need to kill?

Nuyok will quickly respond to Umbra's call, and examine Bergen, seeing if he is poisoned, and binding his wounds, as necessary, or if more is needed, he will do that.

Detect Poison, 11-
3d6: 3, 1, 3 (STUN: 7, BODY: 2) Thu February 26, 2004 @10:02 AM (EST)
(if this fails, he will try again while examining and binding wounds)
PS: Healer, 14-
3d6: 2, 6, 6 (STUN: 14, BODY: 5) Thu February 26, 2004 @10:02 AM (EST)
Complementary: Paramedics, 13-
3d6: 6, 4, 5 (STUN: 15, BODY: 4) Thu February 26, 2004 @10:02 AM (EST)

How much time did Nuyok take, to offset penalties?

Those were just an initial check on his condition, and what was wrong with him (note, no roll of Adept Healing power, as didn't know what his condition was, to know whether to do it). If it appears to be nothing more than being poisoned like Jareek, Nuyok intends to do the same treatment.

Bergen is deeply wounded, as well as poisoned. He may require healing, if he is to survive the actions of the poison. Umbra looks at you with appealing eyes. "Is there aught you can do, Master? The others treat you as a healer. Have you that skill?"

"Umbra, I will do what I can, but I can only treat him wounds, not his poison." Quietly to Umbra, "I will need you to watch Arkis to make sure he does not cause any problems while I am healing."

Nuyok check with Ricco for the time it should take them to get to Handle and back, and use his available time on Bergen (presumably 1 minute or 5-10 minutes?), but also based on how long it appears he can hold out (based on his previous examination of him).

PS: Healer, 14- [-4 for 8D6 Healing; +1 if he can take a turn (i.e., 11-), +2 if can take a minute (i.e., 12-), or +3 if can take 5-10 minutes (i.e., 13-)]
3d6: 3, 3, 3 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Fri February 27, 2004 @11:16 AM (EST)
Complementary: Paramedic, 13-
3d6: 1, 2, 1 (STUN: 4, BODY: 1) Fri February 27, 2004 @11:16 AM (EST)
If successful result, Healing, 8D6
8d6: 2, 2, 1, 6, 2, 3, 4, 2 (STUN: 22, BODY: 8) Fri February 27, 2004 @11:16 AM (EST)

Depending on available time, Bergen's condition, and whether the above was sufficient for success, Nuyok may try again, but will be virtually tapped out for healing for about an hour, leaving enough END to get around and fight a bit.

Those of you in the camp need to let me know what your next actions are.

So far:

Riccoco, Vagrant, Cas and Celeste are going after Handle.

Faliol wants to take Jareek by horseback to Fort Lizard, but he will need to beg, borrow or steal Bergen's horse to do so. He also said something about going off to rescue Handle, but circling about. Which?

Nuyok is torn between needing to stay here and treat the wounded/poisoned or going off to find/treat Handle. Which? (see below)

Beka seems to think she and Nuyok should stay. (based on a non-visible interchange with the GM). The last time all the skilled fighters ran off, the reuslts were disastrous for the caravan, and now there are wounded to be concerned with.

If I do not hear differently before my next log-in, I will go with the most logical courses of action. (i.e. my own nefarious choices)

Nuyok and I should stay

Faliol nods, "Very well. I will say this only once - I think they let Ricco escape so that we will all go charging off to rescue Handle. I think they will attack here once the rest of us leave. But Handle is a friend and we don't abandon friends. So I will come with you and help Jareek afterwards. If there is an afterwards."

Faliol hands Ricco his sword, "Betsy wants the blood of these monsters. Almost as much as I do... Let's get our friend back."

He starts off in the lead, an arrow nocked and ready.

"As I recall, there is an extra sword in the caravan supplies, which I had used briefly and Ricco should be able to use."

"It appears I am needed here for the wounded, and hopefully those of you going can recover Handle for me to heal as well. Brother Cadbury, would you be able to accompany them to lend your spirit sight to help them from being trapped?"

Brother Cadbury nods his head and says, "Arkis can fulfill that task," he looks at Bergen and Jareek. "If things go ill, my calling is here." He makes the sign of Prometheus.

Sorry, I posted the party break-ups before your post arrived.

Nuyok just shakes his head, and makes sure Beka lets everyone know that Arkis is not to be trusted, and to watch him if he appears to look overly long at something you cannot see.

Shortly after the others have left, Leckchock comes into the camp, dropping from the trees and hitting the ground at a run. Although he is not winded, he has obviously been travelling hard and fast. His face bears a look of alarm.
Visible in the camp are:
Beka, Nuyok, Jareek (wrapped in Beka's Wagon), Konnur-standing guard over Drummel's body, Will Wickersticks who is talking with Brother Cadbury, and through the open door of the big wagon you can see Mister Bergen being tended to by Umbra.

Handle, Faliol, Cas, Vagrant, Riccoco, Celeste, Dashel and Arkis are nowhere to be seen.

(Beka and Nuyok, you know that Dashel is doing a perimeter sweep.)

OOC: Is Nuyok done tending to Bergen at this point?

OOC: Just finishing up. Bergen's wounds have been closed and the gross physical damage is mostly healed. The poison still runs through his veins, though.

Nuyok looks toward Lekchock, and moves toward him as he sees his apparent alarm. "What is going on?"

Beka echos Nuyok, "What's going on?"

"Dey right behind me, dey lookin' for some sacred text, say da pirate took 'em. Dey know 'bout my people, but dey talk funny...Dey know you got da sight too Tru Eyes"

"Any pirate amongst us other than Celeste? What about Arkis? I say we confront Arkis, demand the text or the opportunity to look through his belongings, including on his person, to resolve the matter with him one way or the other."

Carrying Riccoco, who gives directions, Celeste leads the party back into the deep jungle. Eventually they come to a large stream which cascades down a series of rocks and cataracts. Riccoco indicates that if you follow this stream upwards, it will lead to Handle's hiding place. You pick from rock to rock, over dead fallen trees and occasionally into the rushing water itself. It is easier than hacking the thick jungle foliage. Eventually, the 'coon recovers to the point where he can move for himself, though he has a bit of a limp still.
Finally, he leads you to a pair of great boulders, leaning cathedral-like against each other forming an arch. the arch is covered by limbs and huge sheet of bark, which Riccoco placed there. Working swiftly together, you clear the debris. The space inside is actually quite small. Lying there is the body of Handle. There is a brief shocked silence, and then you pull him out into the open air.
Each of you has to look, has to know, but there is no mistake. He does not breathe; his heart is still and his body pale and cold.

He is dead.

Cas will pick Handle up in her arms. She cares not about stains of blood. Her face is saddenned but she does not weep. "We should get him back to camp. I will not leave him to the wilderness. We will find a nice spot for him and I will dig..." Cas stops for a moment. She looks to Faliol with an unusual glance. Then she sniffs back a sob and smiles. "We have others that depend on us. Lets go back."

.oO( Kelia. Why did I want to say that I will dig Kelia a proper grave? )

Ricco beats his fist against the side of one of the massive rocks. "No!... Should have brought him along... Too late!" The borrowed blade slips from his numb fingers and he slides to his knees, gripping the rock. Desparately holding to it as if it embodies his sanity and Will to carry on.

"All this killin'... For what? What?!"

Celeste stands momentarily looking at Handles body. Finally, not realizing she had been holding her breath, she sighs heavily. As Ricco collapses, she kneels beside him and holds the saddened 'coon close. "Ricco, if you had tried to bring Handle along, like as not, you might both be dead now. You did the right thing by coming back to get us." Looking up at Vagrant, "Cas is right, there is no need to stay now, let us take him back to the others. I can carry him if you will help Ricco"Not sure how big Handle is acutally, but it seems like he might be a bit much for anyone else to carry down this mountain. "Cas, Faliol, lead us out of this gods forsaken place." Celeste stands and gently taking Handles lifeless body from Cas, "Let me take him Cas, we need your sharp eyes and ears for the journey back." She wraps his cloak about him and lifts him over her shoulder (fireman's carry) to better negotiate her way down the mountain.

From Cadburys statement, I assume Arkis came with us, yes? If not, disregard the following
Celeste has said very little to Arkis during the trip out. As she lifts Handle up, she gives a look to Arkis that seems to say, "You and I have unfinished business".

[EDITED on Fri February 27, 2004 @2:09 PM (PST)]How odd, only the last action of this post shows unless I click on the 'show all' button....weird...

[EDITED on Sat February 28, 2004 @10:54 AM (PST)]

Cas stares at her empty arms as Celeste lifts the body up into hers. Cas looks at her paws and turns them over to look at the back side. After a very quiet pause she puts her arm down and looks at Celeste into her eyes. The light in her eyes ripple from the water that forms, despite her best efforts to hold it back. She sniffles and rubs her fox nose with the fur of her paws. After the silence has sunk in she speaks. Her voice is serious but the distant emotions of saddness seep in, "I would not trust my eyes that well right now."

Cas looks at the ground where Handle's body had been resting, "These eyes see a grave. One that I dug with my own paws."

Cas moves her eyes back to Celeste, "But what bothers me, and what I will need to figure out back in the camp. Is whose grave this was. I was too heartbroken when Darku was killed to help bury him or any of the others."

Cas looks around and finds that the others are waiting on her, "My apologies. We must get back to camp." She will begin walking towards the others and will keep her eyes open and her ears sharp.

Perception 12-:
3d6: 11 Fri February 27, 2004 @6:00 PM (EST)

[EDITED on Fri February 27, 2004 @6:02 PM (EST)]

Looking at Cas' tearful countenance, Celeste touches her shoulder with one hand and gives a gentle squeeze, "Cas, when this is over, we will find that memory for you,and others as well, one way or another." Taking one last look around the area, "All right, let's get out of here."

Vagrant stands silently. Considering himself still an outsider he says nothing but watches the others as they mourn their latest fatality. At Celeste's request Vagrant puts away his crossbow and helps with Handle's body down the mountain.

Under his breath but obvious to Celeste he says, "My old world rules and laws be damned. When I find those responsible for all these deaths I will bring them to my own justice!"

"James, please keep your crossbow out and ready. I can carry Handle down the mountain, but Ricco may need help before we get back to the camp. Once we are down the hill, we can take a few moments to fashion a litter with his cloak...that is...if we are not attacked." Celeste gives a grim smile, "As for 'justice', I will be right by your side when the time comes." She pauses a moment before starting down the hill, looking at her spirit-cloaked friend, "Handle was a bit of a thief you know, do you think he might have been the one they were looking for? Is it possible he had what they wanted?"

Vagrant helps Ricco as best he can. He stops in his tracks at Celeste's question on Handle actually *being* the cause of all this rather then a casualty of it.

Resuming his coarse he says with some confidence, "Regardless, Celeste, there is justice to be had and we will not stop until then."

"Yes, you have the right of it there..." Celeste turns and starts down the mountain .oO(Justice...)

Celeste stands momentarily looking at Handles body. Finally, not realizing she had been holding her breath, she sighs heavily. As Ricco collapses, she kneels beside him and holds the saddened 'coon close. "Ricco, if you had tried to bring Handle along, like as not, you might both be dead now. You did the right thing by coming back to get us." Looking up at Vagrant, "Cas is right, there is no need to stay now, let us take him back to the others. I can carry him if you will help Ricco"Not sure how big Handle is acutally, but it seems like he might be a bit much for anyone else to carry down this mountain. "Cas, Faliol, lead us out of this gods forsaken place." Celeste stands and gently taking Handles lifeless body from Cas, "Let me take him Cas, we need your sharp eyes and ears for the journey back." She wraps his cloak about him and lifts him over her shoulder (fireman's carry) to better negotiate her way down the mountain.From Cadburys statement, I assume Arkis came with us, yes? If not, disregard the following
Celeste has said very little to Arkis during the trip out. As she lifts Handle up, she gives a look to Arkis that seems to say, "You and I have unfinished business".

"Ricco, if you had tried to carry him, you would never have made it. There would be three deaths instead of two. You did exceptionally well just making it back to us. By the way, where is Lekchock? I hope these bastards haven't taken another..."

Not waiting for a response, Faliol heads back. He wants to run, but doesn't. They need to stick together.

Ricco finally stands, gripping the borrowed sword tightly. He glances back upstream, pondering his lost trident and other belongings. The others were right. They had to get back. Limping, but better rested, Riccoco moves up to scout ahead along with Faliol.

They'd best be careful, the Yaraza were very dangerous.

OOC: Maybe we can make it back to camp before the GM notices....

The rescue party returns to the caravan. They come hacking their way out of the undergrowth, their faces drawn and sad. Celeste bears the body of Handle in her arms. Nuyok looks up from where he has finished tending to Bergen and can tell from where he stands that the body is lifeless. Nevertheless, Celeste presents it to him and the Master does an examination. The whole group bow their heads as Nuyok gives a slow negative sign.
Faliol looks at Nuyok with a questioning look that plainly references Jareek. Nuyok points towards Beka's wagon, and Celeste begins to take Handle in that direction. The whole party freezes at the sight they see.
Arkis has taken advantage of the crowd's attention toward their fallen comrade and made directly for the stricken fox. He is on top of the wagon, kneeling over the elder vulpine with a knife at his throat.
"No sudden moves, now," he says calmly, though he looks more than a bit nervous, perhaps frightened. "And no one reach for a weapon..."

Slowly, Celeste gently lays Handles lifeless body down. Looking at Nuyok and the others, she sighs, "Take care of him." If looks could kill, Arkis would be dead beyond hope. "Arkis, I will remove my weapon, I will not draw it. Slowly she unbuckles the strap to her falchion and lets it fall to the ground. She has no other weapons on her person. "I was not born to the Kislan, but I lived there long enough to know this is not their way. What honor is there in threating an old sick beast who never did you harm? If you want a hostage, take me, and by my own honor, I vow to go willingly and retract my earlier promise, I will make no attempt on your life.".oO(I would not think of depriving the Yaraza of that priviledge.)

"Honor? You wear that face and talk of honor. You threaten me for the last hour and talk of honor. Stay where you are, Red Tide. No harm will come this old one's head if you do exactly as I tell you." He shifts his position a little to gain a better grip.
"In fact you'll be saving your own lives, as well as his. The Yaraza are after me. Bergen has a horse over there that can travel along the road faster than the hunters of Yara. You just release his harness and send him over this way. I can make that fort you spoke of in a day. If you make no move to hinder me, I'll give you my word that he will be left with whatever healer they may have there. If not, I'll cut his throat right here."
He notices the reaction that some have to his promise. "Don't roll your eyes. You were right, I am sighted. I can read your hearts. I'll know if you try anything sneaky before you even move. I pledge my word. You may think me faithless, but I've given you no promises I have not kept. Have I lied to any of you?"
Umbra responds, "Maybe, maybe not. But that horse belongs to Bergen. If anyone is taken to the healer upon it, it shall be he."
Arkis replies, "With that fat merchant upon the horse, the Yaraza will be upon me before the crest of the hill. No, this old one can't weigh more than ninety pounds, if that."

The three of you independantly see something happening in the jungle beyond Arkis. There is at least one, and possibly more, persons moving through the jungle in a stealthy manner. They appear to be encircling or at least flanking the party.
It's really little more than a suspicion at this point.

Leckchock, you are certain you see at least two Yaraza.

Ricco watches past Arkis, little 'coon mind racing.

.oO(Whatever it be, a threat... No doubt. Arkis be havin' to turn to be seein' it. When he doess... Ol' Riccoco be ready.)

Ricco will try to edge froward and be prepared to whip his sword at Arkis. I know it's risky, but you have to take advantage of the opportunities given you.

So, to recap, as soon as he (Arkis) looks at this new threat... Ricco will half-move forward and throw. Or throw from his position, whichever is better for him at the time!

Ricco's grip tightens on the borrowed sword.

.oO(It cannot be... We be makin' it all the way, carryin' the 'andle. This be happenin'. Mayhap, Ol' Riccoco can be slippin'... No. He be havin' the sight o' the Masters.)

The 'coon takes a quick breath and listens to the exchange, the sword still gripped tighlty in his paw.

Cas is furious, "No Arkis," she says with her claws unable to be tossed aside. "If you leave we all die. You will surely let others die as well. It is clear that the Yaraza want you. You will not leave even if it costs the life of your hostage. No one can control me, no one can tell me what to do here in the jungle. This is my jungle and my friends. You are better off letting him go and hoping that the Yaraza let you live for if you try to escape..."

Cas looks dead serious in her eyes as she speaks these last words, "I WILL kill you personally. Be reasonable or be dead. This is your choice."

.oO( And please pray that if you try to kill your hostage that Nuyok can save him in time. )

Crossing her arms, Celeste stands her ground, "All right Arkis, two of ours have died and how many of your friends are dead because of this thing you carry? Perhaps, you should at least let these others know what it is that Jareek and Bergen and the rest of us will be dying for as well. * *

**Evil Overlord Gambit

Is Jareek conscious at this point????

The whole reason Faliol came on this doomed caravan was to protect Jareek.

He had failed - utterly.

Now Jareek was as good as dead, unless...

Faliol turns to Angilak and his eyes cut towards the axe...

Faliol walks until his is directly opposite Angilak, with Arkis between them. "There is only one thing worse than having Pops die. That is having Pops die and letting his killer ride to freedom. That will NOT happen." Faliol nocks an arrow, but waits a moment before aiming at Arkis...

Attempting PRE attack to break his cover.

"Go ahead and slit his throat. You will simply be ending his suffering. You will wish for the luxury of a quick knife thrust. We will surge over you like an incoming tide. EVERYBODY LISTEN UP! We take Arkis alive! The Yaraza will learn what amateurs they are in the infliction of pain. I am going to tie you up and burn your feet in hot coals. I am not going to let you die though you will beg me till your voice is raw with the need to die..."

OOC: Since Faliol is directly opposite Angilak, Arkis should have a difficult time seeing both of us at once. Angilak might be able to get a clean shot with that throwing axe. Keith, Faliol does believe that Jareek is dead if Arkis leaves with him...and he is telling the truth about the hot coals.

Nuyok somberly looks over Handle's body, and slowly shakes his head.

.oO(Handle was a worthy companion, and this is yet another bad loss. Even more so since he may have been able to help me back in Tallon...)

Nuyok rises slowly at Arkis' action, and calmly approaches closer to Arkis, bearing no weapons and saying nothing.

.oO(Not another one!)
Beka has tears in her eyes as she turns to see Arkis threaten the old fox.

With no wepons in her hands she walks to where she can be seen and heard, "I don't think you should do that." she says simply. "If you do, we will all be on your trail as well as the Yaraza. We will team up to hunt you down. You will not like the outcome, this I promise."

"We owda time, dey back, least two o' dem are. Pree sure da other's out der too. You too late Pirate, no chance now but ta give up wha dey want."

OOC: What a very LARGE avatar.....

OOC:

It happens so quickly that afterwards, no one can agree on the order of events. When the event is over, Arkis lies dead with a bear's throwing axe a raccoon's trident, and a fox's arrow buried in him. Unfortunately, Jareek's throat has been slit.
Before anyone can stop her, Cas is atop the body of Arkis, finishing the job with her bare paws.
Nuyok springs forward to gather Jareek. Faliol looks on in utter anguish as the healer turns his attentions toward the elder fox. It does not look good.

Man, beasts don't negotiate!

Being as Cas is already there and satisfied with avenging Handle's death, she will quickly begin searching his body for anything that could be what the Yaraza are after.

Riccoco says as he trundles (limping) over to the wagon. "The brown Pink be havin' the right o' it. We be havin' company!" Climbing atop the wagon, Riccoco retrieves the borrowed weapon once more. These zealots have as much to pay for as Arkis did.

"Ricco, don't let Cas give up the whatsit until we have an antidote."

[EDITED on Tue March 2, 2004 @6:18 PM (CST)]

Nuyok will move to initially treat Jareek's wound, to stop the blood and enable him to prepare healing for Jareek...provided Lekchock's warning does not foreshadow an ability to do so. While treating Jareek, Nuyok rapidly fires off "Quick, someone help me with Jareek, and Celeste, check Arkis for the stolen item, and if you find it, go with Lekchock to return it to them, if they are here."

Initial wound stoppage:
PS: Healer, 14- (15-, if XP have kicked in)
3d6: 6, 2, 4 (STUN: 12, BODY: 4) Tue March 2, 2004 @2:19 PM (EST)
Complementary, Paramedics, 13-
3d6: 3, 3, 3 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Tue March 2, 2004 @2:19 PM (EST)

Provided Jareek is still alive and has a chance, Nuyok will attempt to heal him, taking only as long as can be risked (1 phase? 1 turn? longer if stabilized?):

PS, Healer, 14- (15- if XP kicked in) (-4 for 8D6; +0 for 1 phase (10-/11-), +1 for 1 turn (11-/12-))
3d6: 2, 3, 1 (STUN: 6, BODY: 2) Tue March 2, 2004 @2:24 PM (EST)
Complementary: Paramedics, 13-
3d6: 4, 6, 6 (STUN: 16, BODY: 5) Tue March 2, 2004 @2:24 PM (EST)
Healing, 8D6
8d6: 3, 1, 1, 6, 6, 2, 1, 5 (STUN: 25, BODY: 7) Tue March 2, 2004 @2:24 PM (EST)

Rapidly moving his fingers over Jareek's wound, tracing the path of the blade, Nuyok slumps over with the effort, having little energy left after all his attempts at healing in such a short period. Resting, Nuyok will whisper "did he make it?"

While Cas is checking Arkis' body for the stolen item, Celeste picks up her falchion and buckles it on. She stands over his dead body, "You should have trusted my 'honor', as I said, I would make no attempt on your worthless miserable life. However, I cannot speak for my family.
Cas, as soon as you find what he was hiding, we go with Lekchock, and hope this is the end of the killing." Celeste will remove Arkis' spirit cloak while Cas is checking the body, and toss it into the wagon. "No use wasting a perfectly good cloak" she says with a grim smile, "Well, at least after the rents have been repaired and it's washed."

Presumably Arkis' spirit cloak will be of no value, as he likely held the ley line, and there's no way to recover/transfer that, yes?

OOC: In the words of Ed McMahon, "You are correct, sir."

Faliol drops Betsy in the mud and dives down beside Jareek. "Tell me how to help..."

Paramedics 12-
3d6: 16 Tue March 2, 2004 @6:09 PM (CST)

"Pops! Hang on! I am soooo sorry! I thought we could drop the bastard before he....before...."

OOC: Ricco threw the borrowed sword. He doesn't have his trident cause some mean and nasty GM took it while he was killing off all of the poor 'coons friends.

OOC: Yeah, I was wondering about that, thought you might have recovered it when you recovered Handle...