This continues the previous thread, with another character omitted from the visiblity...

Kor is answering Nuyok's question:

"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?"

"Kor knows no where they camp. In fact, he has been mostly following your tracks caravans of Beka and Bergen. As for their tactics, Kor can only say expect treachery and surprise.
"Most of the Yaraza are normal. No worse nor better than Stone Folk or Sea Tribes. The sighted ones you face are known to Kor, however. Their leader is a snake named O'ratsu. He is sworn and bonded to returning the book to the land of Yara's brood. He was not the captain of the ship upon which Kor toiled, but he gave the captain orders. Some kind of witch warrior. Their band is fanatic, a brotherhood of zealots.
For several years their black ship has been plowing the Shattered Isles, seeking for the raiding party which stole their precious tome. They have sunk many vessels, but only recently have they found that which they sought. The Kislan ship put up a good fight, though. The Black Ship was breached and our section flooded and was left to drown. That was when Kor made his escape."

Umbra speaks up, "I have no wish to alarm anyone, but I would like to point out that Wickersticks the animate has been absent since the fight. Also, dear Cas seems to have been gone a long time..."

"I have noticed Wickersticks to be gone, but Cas...hmmm..." Nuyok will take a long scan of the area, while asking Kor "how many adepts are there of the Yaraza, rough estimates?"

"Kor can do more than estimate. Unless they have lost anyone, they are five in number.
"O'ratsu is the leader, as Kor has said. The others are Hachen, Yaru, Oyama and Kodachi. Of the others, Yaru is the most deadly. He claims kinship with Yara herself. The rest are skilled, but not so deadly as O'ratsu or Yaru. Kodachi is the weakest, a mere stripling."

"They are only 5 adepts in number? That is not a very sustainable group, is that why they have others as well, in hopes of maintaining their number? Can we expect that the non-adepts will be present and do battle against us?"

"Not all Yaraza are witches, just as not all Stone City folk are witches. There are only five adepts in the hunting party. As far as Kor knows, they were all that left the Black Ship to pursue the pirate. The land of the Yaraza, where there are other witches Kor presumes, is far away. The Black ship is far away. We face only a hunting party.
"Kor does admit that they are an elite hunting party of witches, but as far as Kor knows, there are but four under the command of O'ratsu."

"Ah, that explains it well. They are only five in number, no other support in the vicinity, that changes things significantly I believe. If we can coordinate to take out one or two quickly, we will be in a much better position to defend ourselves." .oO(...and to exact revenge...)

Looking around, "what are our combat capabilities right now? Kor, Umbra, Angilak, Beka, Celeste, Ricco, Vagrant, Lekchock, and myself, am I missing anyone? What of Brother Cadbury or the others?"

Konnur replies grimly, "Do not forget me. I wanted to attack them in the first place, if some hadn't stopped me."

Bergen says, "I'm not much for a fight. That's why I hire others. I can make a distraction or something.

Dashel remains silent.

Cadbury says, "If they have the Lost Book of Yara, then I'm in it till the end. It is priceless beyond words, beyond gold."

Bergen says, "Ha! Nothing is priceless. How much would Melvil or Boothia pay for it?"

"Pay for it? It is the birthright of humanity and its kindred spirits. It should be given freely to..."

Bergen smiles, "Ah, there is light in there. To whom? If that sheaf of paper was touched by the hand of the sympath Yara, then it contains the essence of her readings. If I remember my history, she was born in Boothia, but educated and read in Melvil. Who gets the book? Neither city has its own."

Cadbury considers. "It should go to Melvil. Those are the stones she read."

"Then Melvil goes to war."

"You're too cynical"

"And you're a dreamer," Bergen pauses, "Brother."

Looking around, "yes, Konnur, and of course, Dashel as well," Nuyok gives him the adept evil eye, figuring Dashel thinks he can shirk action on this. "Kor, as you expect the Yaraza will return to slay us, what will be your plan? Will you seek them out regardless, or fight with us? And Kor, where are the Yaraza from originally?"

Turning toward Brother Cadbury and Bergen, "I doubt we will find the book regardless. If..when the Yaraza return, they would not risk the book to our hands, probably stashing it in the jungle somewhere instead."

"Ey True Eyes, you want I should find da Vixen...and da strawman?" You can tell the last part was said with some trepidation.

"That depends, let me see what I can see," Nuyok continues his scan, "if I do not spot either of them, then definitely."

"I see nothing, Lekchock, I think you are right that you should see what you can find out about the missing."

Lekchock looks around where Cas was seen last and looks for tracks..

OOC: I'm at work right now and don't have access to my character so I can't remember what my skill rolls are. I'd tell you what I think they are but you'll have to look anyway so I won't be saving you any time )

Tracking: extra time for the first one just to get general direction
3d6: 13 Tue March 30, 2004 @1:16 PM (CST)

Perception:
3d6: 15 Tue March 30, 2004 @1:16 PM (CST)

"Cas? Wickersticks? Yoo Hoo!"
Beka is actively looking for them.

There is no sign of either by normal or enhanced sense. Neither is there any response.

Celeste looks back to the area where Cas stood while she handed the book to the Yaraza leader. "I think I know where Cas may have gone...."

Are you going to tell or do we have to guess?

Int 12-
3d6: 4, 1, 2 (STUN: 7, BODY: 2)

Still looking at where the Yaraza leader disappeared with the book, Celeste responds to Beka's query, "I could be wrong, but I have a feeling Cas may have gone after them to get her 'reward' for giving back the book." Turning to look at Beka she says, "She may be crazy, but what has she got to lose?"

OOC: Just a wild guess here.....that's all....

[EDITED on Wed March 31, 2004 @1:56 PM (PST)]

Vagrant dusts off his old police skills to search the area and, perhaps, deduce what has happened to Withersticks and Cas.

Deduction 8-
3d6: 2, 4, 4 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Wed March 31, 2004 @9:25 AM (CST)

From Vagrant's past life, he should be able to telegraph a crime scene to some extent. What skill would that be? Whatever skill it is, I'd like to put his experience into that. If it should be deduction then I'd put it in asap. 8- or less is a little low for much reliability.

That's certainly a valid use of experience. I'll update your HD sheet with the appropriate skill. Some day I'll send those durned things out...

Riccoco is neither alarmed nor surprised to find Cas and Wickersticks missing. The Yaraza be a crafty foe and one he's crossed steel with in the past. The Walking Faggot seemed to be a lonely player, perhaps moreso than a particular Raccoon from Raccoon Lake.

Cas was one crazy Vixen. Fight now. Give up the next time. These Hoomans (and Cas alike), change their feelings of revenge when the fight don't be lookin' so easy. Not Riccoco, though. And, not this Kor, it seems.

Ricco edged forward on his log, listening to the words of the newcomer quite closely, he glanced at Angilak sporadically, trying to judge the big Bear's mood. Finally, he speaks, "Ol' Riccoco be fightin' one o' the Yaraza. The Hooman be spoutin' somethin abou' bein' trained in the Way or somesuch. Ol' Riccoco be nickin' the bugger wit' his trident. Then, he be raisin' 'is hand, Ash-like. The pain come then... Like 'andle at the Lizard. The pain... was strong."

"Is anyone listening? You can plot revenge all you want but CAS IS MISSING!"

"I'm already tryin' to track da vixen"

Right Mr. GM?

... is on the job.

Kor seems to be out of strategic advice (being a lowly NPC).
Since the Yaraza have not yet attacked, and a couple of folks are missing, I would like to hear some ideas on how you will arrange defense and prepare for an attack.

Some salient facts to consider:

The Yaraza have usually attacked people who are separated from the group.

They can see in the dark and are really hard to surprise. They are not likely to wait for sunrise, which is now about four hours away.

Nuyok believes that they are unlikely to have any more poison, based on the amount Handle was carrying.

They will likely attack from cover with those little throwing stars. They are unlikely to do enough damage with these, so this will likely be a softening and confusing tactic before going in with swords. They cannot throw the stars from too far away.

They prefer to let monsters do their work for them and rarely attack a stronger force. It is unlikely they can contrive another bloodsucker attack, though.

They are fanatical and do not intend to let you leave the area alive.

They want to kill you here, where they have the advantage of cover. They will be unable to gain any surprise or cover tomorrow, after you reach the mud flats north of Black Lake. This is why they attacked your beasts.

If no one posts anything specific, I will assume you have encircled the party with animals and carts and have guards posted.

"We should finish setting up our defenses for the night, with a defensive barricade of carts and wagon. Everyone keep close, and we should arrange for those who can see in the dark, Brother Cadbury, Ricco, and myself, to be spread evenly around the camp to keep watch on our expected attackers. We should also spread out the heavy fighters, Angilak, Kor, Celeste, and Konnur, to ensure we do not have a weak spot. Any of the noncombatants, including Bergen, should be in the center of camp away from harm. Anything else?"

Vagrant offers, "I can perch in a tree and provide some fire from above."

"We should have at least two, if not four, on guard while the defenses are being strengthened. I will guard the approach from the trail."

"Agreed, but it should include those who can see into the jungle. Brother Cadbury, will you take one end while I take the other?"

[EDITED on Tue April 6, 2004 @7:12 PM (EDT)]

Vagrant will look for a tree that overhangs the trail. Vagrant will also keep an eye on any approaches to his tree from others if he is directly attacked.

The normally plucky 'coon is angry and feeling guilty. Faliol is a fair hand with his steel, but Betsy is his love and the Yaraza he went up against was an extremely skilled combatant. If they continue as they had previously, Faliol is likely dead and Jareek with him. The dread is feasting on Ricco like a plague, itself.

Still, self-preservations exists. Ricco will keep his sharp Night-Eyes alert while attempting to be posted near one of the tougher fighters (Angilak, Celeste, or both). After the carts have been put into position and the waiting begins he'll speak softly with those nearby.

"Ol' Riccoco be thinkin' abou' the poor fox-kit. Goin' off cocked be brave an' stupid. The Yaraza," he pauses to spit vehemently before moving on, "Be showin' the lot o' us the type o' snakes they be. Worse then Weasels. There bein' no doubt o' that..." His gaze furtively moves from scanning the jungle to look up the trail his friend galloped along not so long ago.

Ricco is armed witht he bow, armor, and extra sword from Fort Lizard. He isn't normally interested in the accoutrements of war... But, this situation is nothing less. He's been wanting Blood Debt since they came for the book.

Thinking of the book remiends him of the few times the Beasts of the caravan had been off. Cas grinning from ear to ear as the lot o' them were tippiin' Berry Ale...

.oO(Fool o' a Vixen... Should I be takin' the Bear an' go huntin'... No, best stay an' be livin'.)

nods her head enthusiastically.

.oO(Got nothin' here...)

Vagrant nestles himself snuggly in the tree.

[EDITED on Tue April 6, 2004 @11:53 PM (CDT)]

Vagrant was nestled all snug in his tree bed
While visions of dead Yaraza danced in his head

(sorry...)