Konnur has been slowly advancing during his tirade and then suddenly breaks into a run. The Yaraza will certainly respond (and probably first, if they have good Danger Sense rolls). How do folks react?

Trail Map

NPC guidance:
Bergen: passed out in back of last wagon.

Konnur: Screaming and drawing at a run.

Drummel, Dead

Umbra, Uncertain, but hand reaching for weapon.

Dashel, Holding the horses and looking non-threatening

Arkis, Dead

Cadbury, Standing near Jareek, but still looking shocked

Wickersticks, unseen

Angilak, Looking ready to fight (Riccoco, you are not close enough to surreptitiously get your weapons from Arkis' body. He fell of the cart into the greenery.)

Kent, looking confused

Jareek, looking pretty bad, but not as bad as Handle.

Konnur seems determined to get himself and perhaps others killed. Although I have created a combat grid, THIS IS NOT A CUE FROM THE GM TO START FIGHTING. Some of you have determined not to fight, others may try to stop Konnur, others may wish to join in. The map is just so if fighting begins, We have a good reference to where everyone is. Please let me know if there is some gross mis-placement of your character.
Note also, the placement of Konnur is potential. He is running from the back to the front (left to right on-screen). He may not make it. Finally, all hidden Yaraza positions should be considered approximate. They are hiding after all.


[EDITED on Thu March 4, 2004 @3:16 PM (PST)]

[EDITED on Thu March 4, 2004 @9:44 PM (PST)]

[EDITED on Thu March 4, 2004 @9:45 PM (PST)]

.oO(Dis is not gonna end well)Lekchock will crouch ready to spring to the trees if any posioned blades come spinning his way.

try to stop him from reaching the Yaraza.

Provided I have already given Nuyok the things from Handle's pack.

OOC: I don't see a map link.....I have no idea where everyone is at this time

As Konnur starts yelling, Celeste will turn in his direction. She will attempt to stop him as he approaches her position, drawing blade and confronting. (Not fighting yet) Her back is turned to Cas and the Yaraza. She gives Konnur her fiercest Red Tide look. .oO(Gods of the Deep! How has this idiot survived this long? Stop him now before he gets everyone killed)If Konnur attacks Celeste , she will block as she will be trying to avoid killing him.
Presence
3d6: 3, 2, 2 (STUN: 7, BODY: 3) Thu March 4, 2004 @10:22 PM (PST)

[EDITED on Thu March 4, 2004 @10:22 PM (PST)]

OOC: Riccoco wanted to throw the sword into the area between himself and the Yaraza spokesman. If that was successful, Ricco must be on the ground where Arkis' corpse lays and not in the cart. If that is the case, can he grab the axe?

Or, are you saying he never through the sword when he declared the Blood Debt?

Let me know!

The Yaraza revealed himself quickly after Arkis fell. It is possible for Ricco to have scurried over and picked out the sword while Cas and Celeste were searcing the body, but this will negate the interchange you just had with Angilak, who did not run to retrieve his throwing axe.
I have also moved Celeste to the otehr side of the road, cloaser to Arkis. This should not affect her actions.
I'll update the map.

With falchion drawn and ready, Celeste will step out to block the raging Konnur, Konnur! Stand down!!!" she says in her fiercest Red Tide voice.

Armed with Angilak's throwing axe, Ricco will be looking for an opening against the Yaraza. The closest seems to be Y2. Well aware of their ability to blast pain from their hands, he'll be prepared for that (and will dive for cover if any of them do it while looking at him).

So, for now, hold. If it looks like he's got a chance to slip from sight, he will. If anything goes down offensively from the Yaraza towards the Caravan, half move towards Y2 and dodge, dive for cover. Otherwise, keep going, I guess.

With the yell!
"Faliol! Get Betsy, it bein' time for these bastards to be payin'!"

OOC: Me thinks I should start building a new character.

Nuyok will draw his blade, "stand" his ground (resting against the tree until he needs to do otherwise) and indicate the locations of the nearest Yaraza (top half of map) to those closest to him, so they are not attacked by surprise.

OOC: I am reminded of 'Westley' the farm boy from Princess Bride

Probably alone of all the Hamilton caravaners, Faliol understands Konnur's feelings...

He feels like doing EXACTLY the same thing, but he was hoping to talk with Konnur later about teaming up after reaching Tallon to come back here and kill these sick pinks.

Konnur will likely not live long enough to avenge his brother's death.

Faliol lunges for Betsy, using the cart to cover his back.

He will not attack one of the sick pinks unless they attack someone besides Konnur...

OOC: Any one want to take bets on how far Konnur gets before he dies?OOC: My money is on the Yaraza taking him out before he gets halfway down the gauntlet.

OOC: I think he should have to make a Dex check to see if he trips over his own stupidity.

OOC:

[EDITED on Sun March 7, 2004 @9:22 PM (PST)]

OOC:

[EDITED on Sun March 7, 2004 @9:20 PM (PST)]

OOC: Konnur doesn't type in all caps, deny the obvious, and call you a dummy. He is no way close in comparison to any ID-10-T I have encountered.

OOC: Konnur is simply thinking with his heart. Among this crew it seems par for the course, not idiotic.

Konnur screams his threats and charges up the road. Instantly, the hidden Yaraza whip their hands out and tiny stars of shiny metal slice through the air and foliage towards the maddened guard. Both find their target, cutting Konnur across stomach and chest. If he feels them he gives no sign. He is so fixated on the figure next to Cas that he does not even see Beka spring from the wagon and take him down in a flying tackle. In an instant, the caravan leader has pinned him. He struggles, but her hold is far too strong.
"What are you doing?!" he shouts, "Let me go!"
Celeste steps forward and orders him to stand down, but he is too far enraged to listen to orders.
Faliol has recivered Betsy, which happily is still strung (my assumption that he would have taken it with him to get Handle and not yet unstrung it.)
Cas looks in wonder at the speed with which the Yaraza leader has gone from mocking superiority to a combat crouch. It is almost as if the one pose were replaced by the other with no movement between. She doubts she could hit him even at point blank range. He is actually hissing, his face contorted with anger.

Most of the other NPCs are still uncertain what what to do, but they have at least had a phase to ready weapons just in case, and will not be caught flat footed. Some of them have moved toward cover. The wagons and carts and animals provide abundant amounts.

Most notable exceptions, Angilak looks ready to kill somebody, Dashel is just plain hiding.

Cas looks back at the encampment. She was not aware that the others were this high strung still. She watchs what is going on there and she hopes that people can find it to relax for a moment longer.

Nuyok will continue to maintain his rested position, noting the positions of the nearby Yaraza.

Beka continues to hold Konnur. She will be more than happy to roll over and use him as a shield if needed.

Ricco stands there still trying to pry Angilak's throwing axe from Arkis' corpse. (Unless he's already grabbed it. If that's the case, he's just standing there holding it, eyes flitting among the darkened foliage, hoping for sight of the hidden Yaraza.

.oO(Angilak be itching for a fight. With the way the cart o' Nipgin be lookin' might be best for Ol' Riccoco if the Bear be fallin' on the trip to Tallon.)

Celeste lowers the tip of the falchion to Konnurs neck, careful not to injure him (yet). "You think to win this fight? Or is it your wish to die? You are wounded and they never even showed themselves. You should consider that a warning." Bending low so only Beka and Konnur can hear, "Master Nuyok has exhausted himself trying to save your brother and the others. You owe him some considerable debt. Think on that before you raise your sword against them again for they are the deadliest of foes, and I do not think any will survive if we attempt to fight them here. This is their domain and we are but passing through."

Celeste lowers the tip of the falchion to Konnurs neck, careful not to injure him (yet). "You think to win this fight? Or is it your wish to die? You are wounded and they never even showed themselves. You should consider that a warning." Bending low so only Beka and Konnur can hear, "Master Nuyok has exhausted himself trying to save your brother and the others. You owe him some considerable debt. Think on that before you raise your sword against them again for they are the deadliest of foes, and I do not think any will survive if we attempt to fight them here. This is their domain and we are but passing through."

The Yaraza pauses while all of the hesitation and posturing continues, then with a snarl runs from the path, holding the book. Moving with that odd facility through the undergrowth, he is quickly swallowed by the foliage. The other Yaraza retreat similarly. The eyes of Brother Cadbury and Master Nuyok follow them for a while longer until they disappear even from spirit sight.
All watch in stunned silence, particularly Cas, who is left alone on the path. Suddenly Angilak snarls and buries his great battle ax in the bole of a nearby tree. He stumps away a few paces and silently fumes.
Konnur says to Beka, "They have gone now, Queen of Cowards. Let me up."*
The forest returns to normal, the buzz of insects fills the air, and birds call from distant glens. The survivors stand around looking at each other.
What now?

---

*If Beka does not let him up, he will struggle. STR roll:
3d6: 14 Thu March 11, 2004 @3:10 PM (PST)
EDIT: here is a roll that shows BODY
3d6: 1, 5, 3 (STUN: 9, BODY: 2) Thu March 11, 2004 @3:11 PM (PST)

[EDITED on Thu March 11, 2004 @3:11 PM (PST)]

"Cowards and fools go to the same demon king court." She let's him up but is ready for an attack from him.

Cas storms over to Riccoco and will slap him hard, hoping to knock him down. She will look at him for but a moment, the tears starting to swell up in her eyes and then she will turn away and head towards Handle's body rests. She will take a short moment to look at Faliol and Angilak with each disgust in her eyes.

When she reaches Handle's body, she will begin to dig a grave with her claws. She will snarl at ANYONE who tries to get within arms distance of her or makes any attempt to interfere with the process.

[EDITED on Thu March 11, 2004 @8:00 PM (EST)]

If Nuyok approaches Cas, he will see her flare with hostile intent. It is not a direct "I want to/will hurt Nuyok" more "Get away from me whoever you are if value your life" .

[EDITED on Thu March 11, 2004 @7:45 PM (EST)]

"Hey! Don't hit Ricco, he is one of us!"

Faliol turns to the retreating Yaraza, "You got your stupid book, now leave us be!"

He turns to Ricco and Celeste, his two closest friends in the caravan. "I gotta save Pops. I am sorry...doing this is killing me inside, but he is my sire and the last of my family... I don't have any choice."

Faliol slings Betsy over his shoulder and picks up Jareek. He walks over to Bergen's horse and places Jareek face down just behind the horse's neck. He grabs the reins... Before mounting, he turns to look at the others.

"I will return with help from Ft. Lizard. Then you can punish me as you see fit. The way I see it, I have to choose between doing what's right and saving my sire. I hope all of you will forgive me."

Knowing one of Bergen's crew and quite possibly some of Beka's may wish to stop him, Faliol mentally prepares for a possible challenge.

Lekchock will wait in the shadows of the trees watching everyone's reaction, ready if anyone decides it's his fault all this happened.

Konnur has risen to his feet but made no combat overtures. "So first, you are cowards, and now horse thieves. If Bergen perishes because of this, shall we add murders to the list?"

"You are not thinking, Konnur," says Umbra calmly. "I, too, thought to take Bergen to safety upon the horse. But he is too heavy for a horse to bear hima and a rider with any speed. The foxes may be light enough to bring help before the Yaraza return to kill us."

There is stunned silence to this remark. Her look of incredulity is plain, even upon her ebon face. "You don't think they will simply leave us, do you? People who would do that--" she gestures to where Cas is digging Handle's grave, "-- are fanatics pure and simple. We've touched their holy scripture thing. They killed an abbot and his wife. Will they balk at killing any of us?"

She turns to Faliol, "Take the horse, though I think you might make better time without your wounded kin."

"Fah! Do what you will. We cannot move from this spot. I will not leave while there is a chance Drummel may be avenged. Let them come. We shall find whether three feet of steel will still their zealotry."

(silence)

Angilak recovers his ax and his composure. His face, which was contorted with maddened fury, is replaced by a mask(?) of civility. "Faliol. Your plan, though motivated by sentiments of kinship, has a kernel of merit. As we stand, we are decidedly tactically disadvantaged. If you can return with military aid in a manner most timely, go with my warmest blessings and regard." He pauses.
"But know you this. If you vanish into that jungle and no aid is forthcoming, there will be blood between us. Your head I take as pledge of your return. If you do not fulfill your task, I will have that instead."

I'll leave some roomfor PC reactions before continuing with NPCs.

To Konnur, "Yes, I realize that by doing this I am a horse thief. So be it. This Vulpine, fighting for his life, saved me from a life of being a slave or worse. Then he gave me a home, food, shelter, and guidance even when he didn't have enough of those things for himself. He has a chance to live through this but only if I leave now and on Bergen's horse."

To Umbra, "Thanks for being reasonable. If Bergen should wake before I return, give him my apologies for stealing his horse."

To Angilak, "Thanks for taking that shot at Arkis. My fault Jareek got hurt cause we jumped the bastard. I was wrong about you earlier and do hereby apologize for being a jerk. If I do not return, it will be because something big and nasty had me for dinner."

To Beka and Kent, "The soldiers at Fort Lizard owe us one. I intend to call in our favor. Circle the cart and wagons, Beka. Don't try to straggle to Fort Lizard unless I don't appear with help in X days."

OOC: x - Not sure how long it will take, but Faliol doubles his time estimate of the one way trip

"Be well, Fox-kit. Don' be worryin' abou' the likes o' us. Be takin' the trail one step at a time!" He yells as Faliol gallops off. He stands there for a moment, waving with one paw, Angilak's throwing axe dangling at his side from the other.

After Faliol's form is lost into the overhanging jungle, Ricco turns and silently runs his masked gaze over his companions and walks towards Sangiyok's wagon. "We be havin' much to prepare an' who be knowin' how long we be havin' to do it in? The shittin' Yaraza be naught but killers. They be comin'. Handle be knowin' it an' Ol' Riccoco do to."

As he reaches the cart, he shakes his head at the battered cargo and slain beast of burden. He rounds on the group agian, "Be this the same folk that be fightin' agin all odds for them an' theres? Do you be fearin' these shittin' Yaraza so much? What good be livin' if it be bein' in fear?" he moves to stomp through the cluster of people and wagons, headed for the sword still stuck in the road.

"Angilak's fears concerning my not returning are groundless. I will be back, Ricco. Be safe until then."

OOC: Nobody else has anything to say to this, you yellow-bellied ground crawlers!

OOC: I assumed you were smart enough not to ask this of Cas directly. ^_^

Before dragging Arkis' worthless corpse off into the jungle for wormfood, Celeste will go over to where Ricco is pulling the sword out of the ground. "I do not think they will be returning Ricco, they got what they came for. Their leader also said they would hunt us down if we harmed their book in any way. We didn't. If they wanted to kill us, I believe they would have done it then..."
'OOC: On the other hand, I could be wrong.....

Nuyok will slump down next to the tree, continuing to rest after all his recent healing efforts. He will speak up to say "We need to get organized and to move. What is the status of our horses, carts, and wagons?" Looking toward Cas, "Handle will need a burial, which can be done while the rest of the caravan is organized. So will Drummel." Glancing toward Arkis, "as for him, toss him into the jungle."

After Faliol has ridden away, Celeste will heed Nuyoks suggestion and drag the corpse off the path, muttering barbarian curses at the dead man. Any useful things he may have had (sword etc. ) she will remove and toss into the wagon where she previously threw his spirit cloak. Taking Arkis' sword, she will walk to the place where Cas is frantically digging Handles grave and dropping to her knees will silently begin to dig using the dead adepts blade as a tool.

Enought ime has passed, that Cas will start to snarl, but upon seeing Celeste, Cas will stop. She will 'permit' Celeste to help her with the grave. She is sobbing uncontrollably at first but works to push back her emotion enough to talk.

"Why did Riccoco do it, Celeste?" She says. Her voice is broken, silent, and slurred from her crying, much to the opposite of Cas' normal self. "They were going to leave peacefully and offered to give me my memories back. But he ruinned it. Could he not see that we would have all died if he had struggled?"

She breaks down even more, "Like my last family. He KNEW Celeste! He wasn't using what Handle said. He knew. I don't know what happened to me when I was younger. This is worse than any punishment. Now I know they were killed. My entire family is dead and I can't even know their names or faces because he had to put blood on his sword."

Cas slows down for a moment looking at Handle's body. "I felt comfortable around him. I taught him how to handle the ox. And like Rath... I will forget him and what he meant to me."

Celeste continues to dig in silence for a few moment, then she rocks back on her heels and looks at the grief-stricken vixen, "I think that Ricco spoke from the heart when he swore blood debt on the Yaraza. He too, has lost all whom he cared for. With Handles death, he has lost yet another member of his new 'family.' You are a part of that family too Cas, and I do not think he wanted to see you hurt by these people as well, but he did not consider that there can be no victory against the Yaraza. Perhaps one could be overpowered by many people, but at what cost? But you will really need to speak to him to know the real 'why'."

As Celeste begins to dig again she continues to speak, "Ricco and Handle were two of a kind you know, he is taking Handles death very hard." She gives Cas a little smile, "Do you remember when Handle stole my breakfast at the inn in Fort Lizard? I though Faliol was going to have a fit! As for forgetting Rath, you haven't forgotten him yet have you? You won't forget Handle either, I will help you to remember, and when we get to Tallon, we will find a healer who can help you regain your lost past. This I swear to you Cas, as your sister and your friend."

"I had hope before the Yaraza made their offer," Cas says. She stops for a moment to consider, "I suppose I can hope for a little while longer. It just hurts more now. I'm prepared to pay any price. I just want to be... normal again. I'm tired of looking crazy, like some sort of Riven to the normal eye. And I want to be able to remember the moments that matter to me."

Faliol took his and Jareek's money pouches, but left the tent and other non-essential stuff in Kent's wagon.

Faliol uses his "Riding Animals" transport familiarity to know how to get the most miles, in the quickest time out of his borrowed horse. His plan is not to stop unless the horse needs the food/rest. He will not ride the horse to death, it might die on him to early, leaving them stranded. He will keep a blanket on Jareek and check his condition with Paramedics to sustain his life as long as possible.

If conflict occurs, Faliol will not stop, but perform a move by with his sword. He will not sleep or stop to eat. He will eat in the saddle.

Ricco mutters under his breath. He reaches up to gingerly rub at his smarting, black-fur-covered cheek. When Faliol goes for the horse, Ricco will go with him, 'guarding his back' if need be

.oO(By the Toad, what that be all abou'? Damn Vixen be slappin Ol' Riccoco for bein' loyal, now. Crazy!)

Celeste will help Faliol with Jareek and the horse if needed. As he prepares to ride away, she looks at him and says, "The wind be with you Little Brother..."

"Celeste, I have a good chance of making it to Fort Lizard. I am not going to stop for anything other than giving this horse a much needed rest. Try to persuade Beka to wait for help. If you move, you could stumble into something you cannot handle. Be safe, big sister."

Faliol gallops off, with a heavy heart.

Addressing the Faliol and Celeste, "It won't take much pursuasion Faliol. If we move, it will be toward Fort Lizard, so yo will find us upon your return." "Be well Jareek." she lays a hand on the old foxes head and turns to survey the parties. Addressing all who care to listen, "We may be able to move a bit if we reload what we can on to my wagon, use my ox and to horse that is well. The sick animals can walk behind." Finding Nuyok, "Nuyok, did you find an antidote? We need to treat these animals so they can work so we can move." Looking at Angilak, "Angilak, how is your cart? Is everything broken or can we salvage some and put it into mine. I wasn't very loaded so it might fit." To the other travellers, "I'm sorry, I really didn't take too much note of the rest of your goods, what can we repack and salvage?" To all, "Let's take an inventory and see what we can do to help each other get a move on. There's no point in sending out scouts to find a good stopping spot until we see if we can move at all. Let's have every head check their wagons, goods, animals and party and see what we can put together."

Did Nuyok find an antidote in Handle's possessions?

No antidote.
OOC: Sorry for the lack of posting. I've been way busy, lately.

"Beka, there was no antidote to be found."

After Faliol leaves the clearing, Vagrant eventually returns from the jungle. He approaches Beka. "Miss, assign me any duties you see fit. I am at your disposal."

Vagrant uncomfortably looks around the camp seeing he can think of anything that needs doing right this instant.