The Caravan has made itself as defensive as possible. The beasts and wagons are arranged for maximum cover, a fire has been built and Cadbury, Nuyok, and Riccoco are making sure that at least one of them is on guard at all times. [anyone else see in the dark?]
The plan seems to be to wait at least until morning and then decide wether to continue on and abandoned the trade goods or wait for aid from Fort Lizard, which may take 2-4 days.
Will Wickersticks has not returned as of yet.
An hour or so after sundown, Bergen awakens, seeming refreshed. His wounds have been healed by Master Nuyok. He at first seems upset by the loss of his horse, but relents when he is assured that Faliol is of trustworthy character.
Speaking of the pack animals, Most recover shortly before Bergen. Whatever poison they had appears to be non-fatal. Kent's horse is still dead of poison (Nuyok declares it to have been of a different kind) and wounds, of course, but the other animals wounds are minor enough for light duty. If you can make it over the hill tomorrow, it should be easy enough to cross the mud flats. Angilak propses to Bergen that he lend his horse to the merchant in return for transporting his cargo. The well-packed cargo seems to have survived largely intact, much to Ricco's relief.
Later, after the sun has set, Brother Cadbury hastily but quietly alerts the others, in whatever activities they were performing (sleeping, most likely).
"Hsst! There is someone out there, watching. He's back along the trail a ways. He is armed with a bow."

"Is the bow strung and arrow nocked?" Beka whispers.

If it is...
Beka rolls out of bed, grabs sword and takes cover ready to fight.

If the stranger is simply carrying the bow and it isn't "on full automatic" she will roll out of bed, keep her sword ready and call out, "Come in to the light if you wish to share the fire. Just do it slowly, we've already had our share of adventures for the day."

Nuyok will stealthily take cover behind a wagon and observe the stranger.

Stealth, 13-
3d6: 5, 2, 3 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Thu March 18, 2004 @10:10 AM (EST)

PER, 13-
3d6: 3, 2, 3 (STUN: 8, BODY: 3) Thu March 18, 2004 @10:10 AM (EST)

OOC: Er., actually I think Nuyok's Stealth roll is 12-

Celeste moves out of the light of the fire and into the dark of the jungle where she can observe the stranger enter the camp area and block the strangers exit/retreat if all hell breaks loose.

Stealth
3d6: 2, 2, 1 (STUN: 5, BODY: 2) Thu March 18, 2004 @2:32 PM (PST)

Cas will move over to where the animals are located but of course when in Rome...

Stealth 14-
3d6: 11 Thu March 18, 2004 @9:43 PM (EST)

The party is hastily, yet quietly alerted, with people gathering their weapons and getting to places of decent cover.
The stranger, however, makes no attempt at matching your stealth. Though as he gets closer, he obviously walks close enough to one edge of the path to dive for cover in case of violence. He halts about thirty yards away, and addresses the caravan in a voice low, but , "Ho, the camp! Kor has seen your fire. Kor means no harm; may he approach?"

Provided Nuyok's sight does not reveal anyone else, he will simply say "Yes."

"Yes, you are welcome if you mean no harm."

The figure cautiously aproaches the shielded light of your small fire. He passes the graves of Handle and Dremmel, and glances at them, giving an almost existential shrug. Almost as if he were expecting something of the sort.
As he gets closer his features resolve to reveal a short but very broad man. Thought he cannot stand higher than 5 foot 8, his back and shoulders are immense, covered with knots of muscle. They are far out of proportion for the rest of his body (though not riven so). His hair is a dirty blonde and his eyes a greyish blue. For weapons, he bears a short knife and a truly massive horn bow. A quiver hangs over his back. The bow is strung, but not drawn.
For clothing, he has little more than a loincloth and belt, plus wrapped knee-high leggings.
He steps cautiously into your camp, looking carefully at all assembled.
"Kor is my name. Kor is on the trail of killers and slavers. You look as if you have known death today. Have you a tale for Kor?"
Any who make perception rolls notice a few more things. First, his back is covered with long-healed overlapping scars of beatings and whippings. Second, his eyes flick briefly to the covered pot of leftover stew from your dinner.

Without any specific directions from Beka, Vagrant has found a place to rest outside of the main group of people. Vagrant eyes the man briefly as he enters the camp. His crossbow is available but not utilized in some agressive way.

Lekchock will stay back on the outskirts of the camp watching the massive man enter the camp, looking for any signals from Nuyok.

Yes, we have known death today. Cas is our storyteller, if she is up to it. We lost a good friend and others lost a brother. We have enough food if you would like. Cas, are you well enough?

Cas returns from checking on the animals, her face is still quite somber, "I apologize Kor for normally my ability to weave stories are equal to Beka's ability to pull a profit. Unfortunately the story is too knew to tell it well. However, since you asked I will tell you brief."

Cas sits down and looks at the fire. "We are on our way to Tallon and in seemed that others were heading our way and wished to travel together. What no one knew is that among them was a liar and a thief. He had stolen something from a group of barbarians. They killed a good friend and an acquantance. When his theft was uncovered, we took what was stolen from his dead body and returned it."

The fire dances in her eyes as she remains staring intently at it. "There are details, which most would not mind filling in should you wish to ask, but that is the basic story as it stands."

"Was this stolen thing a book?
"If so, Kor thinks our feet may walk the same road for a time." His voice is level, but there is a deadly intent behind the words.
"What know you of the Yaraza?"

Nuyok steps forward with a suspicious look in his eye, "We know they have a deadly intent when set on a task. Why do you ask?"

"Kor seeks them out of blood vengeance, but frankly Kor is on a fool's path. They have subtle powers like unto those of the Stone City Folk. How is it that they left you without one side or the other being destroyed? The Yaraza neither ask nor give quarter."
He looks at the camp layout.
"May Kor sit in your camp? Kor has been walking a long time."

Feet perched on a fallen log, Riccoco watches the newcomer as he speaks with his companions. His mind wanders between worry for Faliol, relief for the status of their cargo, and anger at the Yaraza.

.oO(At least this Hooman be strong to do what be right.)

Nuyok gestures, "You may sit. As our caravan leader said, you may eat as well."

To everyone in the party, Nuyok obviously intentionally has not mentioned the book.

Once Kor settles in, Nuyok will prop a foot up on a nearby log, arm across his knee in a rest position, and continue "The Yaraza do seem powerful, indeed, what quarrel do you have with them, and why do you think you can oppose them?"

Kor gratefully accepts the seat and the now-cold stew.
"Quarrel? Quarrel implies that the other side will argue. O-rachu, that snake who leads them, is not the listening or dealing kind.
"Kor's thanks for the food."
"Kor was a slave of the Yaraza until very recently. For five years Kor has done their work while they scoured the seas looking for their sacred scripture." His face barely contains disgust.
Their black ship has sunk many vessels of the Shattered Isles, and always have they had to console their failure with slaves and booty. Never did they find it until just a few months ago. Or was it weeks? Kor has lost track of the moon."
He sighs a tired sigh. "As for opposing them? As Kor said, he is on a fool's path. Folly is the handmaiden of death, and vengeance is their altar. Kor is strong, he is a hunter. He is as relentless as his quarry. But to answer truthfully: there are some things a man must do to remain a man."

After Kor says his peace, Nuyok looks around to the others in the caravan, to gauge their thoughts on the situation, but already knowing his own feelings and that of others such as Faliol, Nuyok gestures toward the graves Kor noticed earlier, "the Yaraza have slain our companions, and at least some of us would seek vengence against them as well, but only with planning against such strength as they have."

"Whether you plan vengeance or not is without point. The Yaraza will not let you leave this jungle alive. You have seen. You have heard. Above all, you have witnessed who and what they are. None see the face of the Yaraza and live. In freedom, that is.
"They are vipers, the lot of them. They will not cleave to bargains with less than themselves."
He pauses. "Kor is uncomfortable refering to you as strangers or enemies. May Kor have your names, so he can address you as comrades in arms? If you would have him. Stand beside Kor in this and all he knows is yours to ask."
Go ahead and introduce yourself if you wish, particularly if you want to present yourself in a particular manner. However, in the interest of dispensing with a week's worth of introductions, unless you indicate if you wish to refrain from telling your name, we can assume you have given it.

"I am Nuyok, an adept. Surely you did not plan to take them on by yourself, did you? Did you have at least a plan?"

"If they will attack again, we need to know what you know. I think you can count us as comrades in arms. They have taken what is precious from us," indicating the fresh graves, "and we wish to give it back ten-fold."

"Kor had no plan, Friend Nuyok. Kor has been tracking them, hoping for something that would show a vulnerability. Something that would give Kor an edge."
He glances at the Lumina on Nuyok and Cadbury.
"Kor's mother was Stone City born. Kor knows of your ways. Is one or both of you a... Master? This would be good, for the Yaraza are not. They have Stone City writings, but they have no Stones. They know the smaller, easier skills, but not the great ones of Mastery."
Cadbury looks thoughtful, "Do you mean to say that they know no Greater Devotions? They are not Masters?
"That would explain why none of them had anything about them that was enhanced. No spirit cloaks, spirit weapons, nothing." His mood looks a little brighter, but some of the caravan travellers still look puzzled.

"Kor, I have the ability to heal. Though they may lack the Greater Devotions, such as healing or certain more permanent abilities for physical enhancement, they still have many abilities which are effective in combat, such as examining your morphia for weaknesses to strike, temporary enhancements to resist damage, and many abilities to sense things such as traps, poisons, or others' ill will toward them. We likely will not be able to surprise them in any way, eliminating one large potential advantage. I see no way to face them but for direct conflict, and they will be tough opponents. Kor, do you know where they reside? Are there Yaraza which are not adepts? I know of no hereditary passing-on of spirit sense or devotions, so how do they maintain their membership?"

To all the caravaneers:
"I plan to be ready for an attack from the Yaraza. We know od their book and I believe Kor when he says they will not let us live with this knowledge. I do not think any of us will make it to the fort alive if we do not ready for a fight. Who is with me?"

"I think we are all in agreement that we are still at risk from the Yaraza and must be prepared. Brother Cadbury, Ricco, Lekchock and myself seem best suited to watching out for them, and should be positioned and scheduled for such. In the meantime, we should continue to gather everything and either fortify our position or attempt to move toward the fort to save time in help getting to us...if it is coming... I would prefer the latter."

Cas stands up from her spot at the fire, "You are welcome to my seat, Kor." Cas rises and walks towards the edge of the camp. She will be sure to pick up a lantern. "I'm going to take a short walk."

Cas is going to take a walk to where they found Handle's body. She intends to have a moment of reflection and take some bark from the tree he was tied to. Then she will return back to camp.

Am I have any encounters getting to the said tree?

OOC: Sorry, I misread your post as returnng to where Handle was laid, not where he was found. I thought you were only travelling a few yards and didn't respond.

Cas, you take the lantern and walks off into the darkness of the jungle. Very quickly you are alone. The sounds of the caravan are quickly swallowed up by the buzz of insects and the distant sounds of larger wildlife. It is an arduous walk to where Handle was found, but you make it there without incident. It takes you longer to find where he was tied, but the fallen tree from which he was suspended in the river still has a few scraps of leather cord attached. It is quick work to carve a good sized chunk from it.

While you are returning, still far from the camp, you suddenly have the prickly feeling you are being watched...

Cas will stop walking for a moment. She will look at a couple of areas where she suspects there may be someone hiding. A smirk cracks on her face. "I had hoped for things to go differently but I was wrong. You need not worry about me, I know who is responsible for what took place and hold no ill towards you."

She will turn and continue walking. She is nervous about those in the forest for she does not know what their intentions are. She does, however, not hold any hostile intentions to any in the woods.

Cas, there is no response to your entreaty. Perhaps you were wrong? Starting to move slowly, again you have the feeling you are being watched, perhaps stalked. It suddenly occurs to you how very far away you are from your companions.
The lantern gives weird illumination to the thick foliage. Is this the way you went? You don't remember crossing a stream like this. And that rock is surely big enough to have been memorable...
You take a deep breath and mentally retrace your steps. You realize where you made your mistake and begin backtracking. Sure enough, after a short time, you find a familiar landmark and are again on the right path. Nevertheless, the brief time in which you were lost has left you uneasy, as if it were a metaphor for your own mind.
Still the thought of your companions back at the campsite is comforting. Just as you are contemplating this, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you are barely able to twist asied as a horror drops from the trees above. It is not a Yaraza fighter at all, but some kind of forest spider, the size of a large dog. It actually brushes against you as it drops. It hits the ground in a crouch, as if ready to spring. Its wet mandibles are bared and its many eyes reflect your lantern in a dozen points of red light.

Cas is both relieved and distressed with the attacker. She very much expected to see the Yaraza and is glad that, if it was them out there, that they are not attacking her. However, in that this is not the Yaraza, it is not something that can be reasoned with. Cas knows that this is a fight, Vixen versus Arachnid. But unlike an Arachnid, Cas has the ability to think her situation through.

Cas has one thought before she slips fully into her fighting instincts. She lunges at this spider while she lets out a cry of the same volume and magnitude as she did in the mansion of Ash. Knowing that her friends will be aware of her situation, she can devote her full attention to survivalShe will use her claws and slash and swipe at this thing to rip it apart. Her one concern is the mandiables and will try her best to avoid them.

Cas, you leap at the spider, claws bared and slashing. The thing seems to have unbelievable reflexes however, and despite your best efforts, its mandibles rake across your face and neck.
Your claws deliver a return strike of equal or greater effect, but already you know with sickening certainty that the mandibles were covered with a poison. You suspect this spider is a species called a tranq, who's venome is a powerful soporific. You continue to fight, though your muscles seem weaker and less responsive with every passing second. The spider is also faster than you are, and though you manage one more strike, it seems to be avoiding you quite well by retreating to the trees.
Finally, you realize you can no longer rise from your combat crouch. The legs just won't unbend. The spider descends, places its mandibles against your torso and...

[edited because I ran the combat incorrectly. You'll be happy to know this eliminated 10 points of body damage you would otherwise have taken ]

[EDITED on Fri April 2, 2004 @8:32 AM (PST)]

10 Less Body is always a good thing. Thank you very much.

As the stranger steps forward into the camp area, Celeste listens to his words.

AK: Shattered Isles 11-
3d6: 1, 1, 6 (STUN: 8, BODY: 2)

Celeste steps quietly out from cover and observes as the stranger speaks to Beka. She says nothing.

[EDITED on Wed March 24, 2004 @11:50 AM (PST)]

His speech patterns and hair/eye color mark him as being of Kalador (Kamlak's tribe). He has none of Kamlak's bombast, however.
His physique and scars scream "long-time galley slave" to you. For him to have that many muscles and that many scars indicates he is one tough survivor SOB.

Well, I'd imagine Celeste would be familiar with that particular fate for a captive. Kor may not be too happy about her presence.....

Perception 12-
3d6: 1, 2, 1 (STUN: 4, BODY: 1)

Noticing the scars on Kor's back, Celeste is reminded of her own former tribes treatment of galley slaves.

[EDITED on Sat March 27, 2004 @4:48 AM (PST)]

OOC: You notice they look disturbingly like...scars. If this man were a slave to cruel and evil creatures I could understand them but since...oh wait