As soon as the spark is visible, Ricco hails the caravan party members, "Somethin' be happenin' up the road a bit!"

Perception 15-
3d6: 11 Mon April 19, 2004 @3:23 PM (CDT)

Ricco shouts, slamming one fisted paw into the nearby barrel stave. "They be lightin' the Stickman! Tryin' to be lurin' us out!"

.oO(If Ol' Riccoco be havin' the way to be snuffin' 'im out, he be havin' the will... That fire though... too much for a wee 'coon.)

Perception 12-
3d6: 4, 3, 6 (STUN: 13, BODY: 4)
Hearing Perception 12-
3d6: 2, 4, 5 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3)

Celeste looks at the burning object, however, it is not until she hears Wickersticks voice that she realizes what the burning object is. Paying no heed to his shouted warnings and muttering an unknown barbarian curse under her breath, she runs to the wagon and grabs the dead thiefs spirit cloak and runs down the road with the intention of snuffing the fire by wrapping the burning animate in the cloak. (Barbarian Code: No man left behind)
.oO(No more poison at least....How in the name of the gods did he get himself captured? )

[EDITED on Mon April 19, 2004 @8:35 PM (PDT)]

.oO(Well... There's an idea.)

OOC: Sorry my Savage Earth email wasn't coming through so didn't realize we had started again until I actually went to the website. On a happier note, my email is working again,

Lekchock starts to move forward with Celeste, more for her sake than the burning wicker man, until he hears Nuyok's orders. He stops and looks for a strategic location to plan an ambush of his own.

If the tree that Vagrant positioned himself in makes sense for defending Celeste and the stickman then he will do so. Otherwise, he'll move to a closer tree. Bottome line, he'll ready a bolt and watch for any movement around Celeste as she makes her way to rescue the wood pile man.

Grabbing the buckets left out for the picketed animals Beka runs off after Celeste. Her sword is with her but sheathed. Her goal is to run past and throw the water in a move-by.

.oO(And another.)

OOC: "Stay there! It's an ambush! Don't get killed for me!"OOC: As if.....

PER, 13-
3d6: 4, 4, 5 (STUN: 13, BODY: 3) Wed April 21, 2004 @9:38 AM (EDT)

Seeing the others already take off, Nuyok quickly...er...barks...to the others "Everyone else, stand your ground, as Will said, it's a trap. Anyone with a bow, prepare to cover Celeste and Beka."

Nuyok scans the area around the party, trying to account for each Yaraza.

Spirit Sense / PER, 13-
3d6: 3, 1, 6 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Wed April 21, 2004 @9:43 AM (EDT)

OOC: - Tom Hanks, That movie about Chicks Playing Baseball. (I know that isn't the real title, but it could have been.

Ricco breaks into a fierce grin and knocks an arrow, 'coon eyes peeled for the sight of any Yaraza.

.oO(It ain't be bein' your Betsy, Faliol, but it be doin' the trick!)

Perception 15-
3d6: 8 Wed April 21, 2004 @6:04 PM (CDT)

Fire Arrows! [When I see a Yaraza!]
3d6: 11 Wed April 21, 2004 @6:04 PM (CDT)

Cas sits herself up against one of the carts. "Don't worry about me. I'll keep a sharp eye out and maybe be able to spot movement to assist with defense."

Perception Roll 13-:
3d6: 11 Wed April 21, 2004 @11:45 AM (EDT)

Leckchock seeks better vantage, while Riccoco puts a slender arrow to his bowstring. They watch as Beka and Celeste sprint toward the burning manikin.

Nuyok's spirit sight picks out Yaraza hiding in the underbrush, trees, and behind rocks nearby. "Two on the left! Swords! Three on the right! Stars!" he shouts, trying to get out as much information as quickly as possible.

Beka streaks by, dumping the bucket of water on poor bound Will, who is already glowing a cherry red color and giving off volumes of smoke. The acrid smell of oil is detectable in the fumes. The bucket scores a direct hit on his midsection.

At nearly the same moment, Celeste dives forward, hitting the ground rolling. She neatly rolls over the burning manikin, covering him with the cloth. The light at the end of the trail dims quickly. Those with bows curse the loss of a good sightline.

Throwing stars whistle out of the sudden darkness near the two women. Only one finds its target, delivering a thin slash to Beka's neck that misses her artery by a fraction of an inch.

Hot on the heels of this attack, two more assailants leap from their cover. "Foolish girls!" He sneers. "You cannot see in the dark, can you?"

Celeste feels a hot slash across her upper arm as a Yaraza scimitar does its work.

"Idiots," mutters Brother Cadbury. He jerks the lumina from his neck and it glows like a firebrand in his hand. He puts his body into the throw and sends it arcing along the path. It lands a few feet from the melee, effectively putting a spotlight on the scene. "It'll only last a few minutes! Make them count!"

Those at the wagons can now see a pair of Yaraza ganging up on Celeste, who is doing her best to smother Wickersticks. She is oblivious to the waves of heat coming from the burning thing. One of the Yaraza has bandages on him from some previous fight. Riccoco smiles knowingly.

"Ha! Take that, ye Yarazakin murderers!" shouts the raccoon, and lets an arrow fly.
Vagrant aims and fires his crossbow at the same instant. It is impossible to tell whose missile does the trick, but the assassin clutches his throat and drops lifeless to the ground. A cheer goes up among the caravan as they realize these butchers are not invulnerable.

At the same time as the arrows fire, Konnur charges out of the darkness and into the pale blue circle of the priest's lumina. "This is for my brother, you Snakes!" He delivers a long roundhouse blow that looks as if he put every ounce of strength behind it. The defender twists so as only to catch the tip of it along his knee, but he is obviously crippled by the blow.

Hot on the heels of Konnur is the great bear, Angilak. His face is contorted in fury bordering on madness, and his normal elocution replaced by savage incoherent roars.

Leckchock advances stealthily through the trees. All the attention of the attackers is on the main path. The huge bear makes a great distraction. If he can just get around them... Sure enough, they are unprepared for the attack. The forest man comes screaming out of the trees, swinging his Hill Tribe axe. The blade thunks into the the Yaraza and cuts him down, lifeless.

Nuyok shouts, "Keep it up! They can only do so much at once! Keep them on the defensive!"

Riccoco's next arrow misses the third visible Yaraza.

Beka draws her sword and returns to the melee. Mindful of more snipers, she keeps low and near cover. She scans the shadowy trees, looking for more to emerge.

Vagrant curses, "Damn medieval technology!" and hurriedly reloads his crossbow.

Celeste finishes extinguishing Will. She cannot tell his condition in the mist of melee, but at least he is not glowing anymore.

From the wagons, Cas shouts, "Celeste! Save his head first! He said we can fix him if--"

Following Nuyok's advice, Umbra takes the battle more aggressively. She drops her bow and advances while drawing her slim sharp blade.

The third Yaraza shouts out a command to the trees, "Retreat! Fall back!"

Konnur brings his sword around screaming, "Not this night, you spiritless bastards!" Wielding his sword in a much more controlled fashion, he scores a light touch on the leader, who looks more annoyed than anything else.

OK. You have Celeste and Beka lightly wounded, two dead Yaraza, one wounded and two unseen.

Actions? Contingencies?

As long as I'm here, I'll kill a few Yaraza.

+2 with HTH Combat
To hit

+2 with DCV
(to not get hit )

Closest Yaraza is dead meat!

Lekchock will do a quick search of the area to see if he can find the ones hidden, he'll follow the retreat unless Nuyok tells him otherwise.

OOC: I have to go out of town unexpectedly, I'll be back Tuesday the 27th

Their tactics are those of cowards and in that, Cas expects about as much from them as she would from Ash. She will keep a casual eye on the main group and will focus her perception to the area around her. She is an immobile target and this makes her more likely a target than those with working limbs. Should any Yaraza come suddenly within her range, her, claws will be ready.

In the meantime, she has another plan that may help (and is too time consuming to write immediately before work).

Cas is rightly annoyed that she can't be drawing blood. She recalls in the back of her head, a melody from some distant scene. She raises her voice and sings as best she can so that her friends can hear,

"Woo, battle have found our fox family
Hold strong for we shall make it through
Keep blade tips high
and let arrows fly
and victory our battle shall do

Woo, battle have found our fox family
Remain strong and let not doubt intervene
Keep an eye on your foe
Give not in to woe
And our victory shall be seen

Woo, battle have found our fox family
Drive the bastards into the sea
Draw all of their blood
Bury them in the mud
And let victory rise up in we"

Beka snarles at her foe. "For Handle! For ALL!"

"We can't be lettin' 'em go now... Iffin' you can be gettin' your Lumina to them, Ol' Riccoco will be shadowin' along ready for the Flank."

Ricco turns to speak a brief moment in low tones with those near the Caravan Ring. He yells to the other group, "Be takin' the light! Don' be lettin' 'em go!"

If he has a shot (He can see in the dark), he'll take it. If not, he'll strap on the sword and move into the jungle. His hope is to harry the Yaraza from the side with bow and arrows. If the jungle foliage makes that impossible, he'll use his stealth to try and attack from an unexpected side.

If the rest of the group can continue harrowing them, they might not notice the deadly 'coon until it be too late.

Vagrant will continue firing bolts at any enemy targets he can see. He will keep quiet so as to not attract any visitors in his tree.

Nuyok will call out "Vagrant, keep an eye on the camp," and after a quick glance to make sure the Yaraza do not have extra support assaulting the caravan from behind, and check on Kor...

PER, 13-
3d6: 4, 1, 5 (STUN: 10, BODY: 2) Fri April 23, 2004 @11:40 AM (EDT)

Nuyok will head toward the closest hidden Yaraza, sword out, +1 DCV from Anticipate Movement, and once engaged, will use Detect Weakness (11-).

If the gloating Yaraza leader is near enough to where Celeste and the wickerman lie on the ground, Celeste will try a surprise move of rolling off the stickman and slashing upward with her falchion, hopefully getting him in the leg.

3d6: 1, 5, 4 (STUN: 10, BODY: 2) Fri April 23, 2004 @9:54 AM (PDT)
+2 swords (all to hit)

If he's not close enough, she will whisper to Will, "I can't tell how badly you are hurt, do you think you can return to the camp on your own?" If his response is negative, she will attempt to carry him back to the camp wrapped in the spirt cloak in order to get him out of the combat area and then return to the fight.

OOC: I've run the combat. I just have to write it up sometime tomorrow.

The strains of Cas' battle song ring out along the forest trail. The stirring verse impels the companions to greater fervor. Grim determination overcomes them.

The great bear Angilak finally reaches the fray. His huge axe swings around in a flashing arc, but the Yaraza leader nimbly avoids the blow. It's hard to tell if the bear just missed, or the assassin simply sidestepped it.

Nuyok calls out, "There are two on the right, running back this way. All wilderness folk follow!" He says this on a run, already moving into the jungle.

Leckchock takes to the brush again, in pursuit of the remaining Yaraza, who move nearly as capably through the thick foliage as him. Riccoco follows, saying, "You'll need some night eyes in there, Lekchock old feller!"

At this point, there are two separate combats going on.

Beka snarls and swings at the leader. Again he is not where the blow lands.

In quick succession, he is missed by Vagrant's next bolt, and the swords of Celeste and Umbra as well as Konnur. As they fight, they begin to understand what is going on. It's not so much that the assassin moves quickly, though he does strike like a snake. It's just that he seems to know where the next blow will land and moves so that he is not there. With uncanny grace and inhuman skill, he seems untouchable. "You move like sleepwalkers," he sneers, "This will be a simple kill."

Back along the path, Cas watches Kor of Kalador. The ugly man has taken his great bow in hand, drawn and aimed, but has yet to fire. He seems to be taking a lot of time to make his shot. Though she is by no means an expert with the bow, she is certain he is aiming too high. She is about to say something when, thwup! the great horn bow releases its arrow. Up it arcs into the trees. There is a muffled crack! from over the heads of the combatants, and a small but heavy tree limb drops into the middle of the melee. Though it does no real damage to the assassin, it does seem to break his intense concentration.

Suddenly, Angilak's axe cacthes the Yaraza leader across the arm. The blow is not deep, but the sheer force of it spins him around, hurling him towards Beka. The merchant warrior braces her legs and simply raises her sword to his heart height. He runs into her and slides up the full length, his face almost touching hers. "That was for Handle, you spiritless bastard," she says grimly as the light leaves his eyes.

Into the woods run the adept, the mutant and the beast. Though their adversary is skilled in jungle movement, more skilled yet is Lekchock. Riccoco is small enough to avoid some of the major entanglements, and Nuyok has the advantage of being in the path of the assassins. Scrashing through the forest as best as possible, Nuyok quickly finds himself face to face with the lead killer.

Shortly behind this encounter, Leckchock catches up to the trailing Yaraza. He leaps overhead and loopin his legs around a branch, swings downward, putting his whole body into a surprise swing. The Yaraza catches the blow against a metal stud on his bracer, but still is shaken.

Riccoco plants himself and fires his bow. The shot is difficult, with all the intervening leaves, and the arrow thunks harmlessy into the bole of a massive tree.

The trailing Yaraza swings a scimitar at Lekchock, but misses in his haste. Likewise, the lead Yaraza fails to strike Nuyok.

Nuyok's sword flashes out, but again, the uncanny skill of the Yaraza allows his adversary to sidestep the blow.

Back throught the forest, Lekchock's axe misses again. Fortunately, just as the Yaraza is poised to return the blow, a slender arrow comes whistling through the night. THe shaft runs right through a bright tropical flower, carrying it along and pinning it to the Yaraza's breast like some gruesome corsage. (Nice Crit Riccoco!) "That was for ol' Jareek, ye murderin' hooman!"

Ahead, the lead Yaraza's sword scores a hit upon Nuyok, slicing deep across the back of his hand. To his credit, the adept's self control keeps him from crying out from the considerable pain, but the sword drops from a suddenly nerveless hand.

Nuyok dives for the sword. Though he can see it plainly with his spirit sight, it cannot be safely retrieved in the face of his determined enemy. He goes to the defensive, hoping for reinforcements. Anticipating his opponent's moves, he thinks "Two can play at this game." It's one of the first things the Judge taught him.

The Yaraza hisses, "Fool! The Yaraza are trained to fight against such tricks! With the proper applicataion of power I can--"

"You can die now, ya know," Lekchock says to the Yaraza he has just cut down. The lead assassin crumples to the ground with the forest man's axe stuck in his torso. "Not so hard to hit, now are dey? Not when dey're tryin' like all get out ta hit some'un else." He smiles grimly at Nuyok. "Even up, now, True Eyes."

Riccoco comes trundling up, joining the others. "We better be helpin the others."

Nuyok will take a quick glance to see if either of these carry the book (doubt it, not the leader), and bind his hand temporarily upon return to the camp.

PER, 13-
3d6: 1, 1, 3 (STUN: 5, BODY: 1) Mon April 26, 2004 @1:01 PM (EDT)

Paramedics, 13-
3d6: 3, 1, 3 (STUN: 7, BODY: 2) Mon April 26, 2004 @1:01 PM (EDT)

All the caravan travelers rejoin now. The three who pursued the assassins into the woods come out looking triumphant, though Nuyok clutches a wounded hand.
In the middle of the path lies the Yaraza leader. Beka is trying vainly to remove her sword from his breastbone. He seems to have been skewered to the hilt, with two feet of Merikian steel protruding from his back. As the approach, Angilak says calmly, "Permit me to exercise my not inconsiderable strength, mighty warrior." He easily draws the sword from its grisly sheath and hands it respectfully to Beka.

Celeste is trying to help Will, who seems to be mostly burnt remains. Fortunately, his head seems mostly intact. He can even speak, saying, "Take me to the fox. If her hands are unskilled, she can help and direct others."

Cas meanwhile seems to be glancing with grudging admiration at Kor, who stands with bow at side, his head dipped in weariness? relief? prayer?

OOC: Shades of the stump-headed children.....
Celeste stands and brushes the dirt off. Sheathing the falchion, she picks up Wills head and holds it at arms length, looking at him directly as he continues to speak. "Please forgive my rudness in asking, but, "Do you feel pain at all?"

Tucking his head under her arm, she picks up the spirit cloak and giving a last glance at the bloody corpse in the path she heads back to the camp and Cas. "Actually, her hands are the most skilled, you would do well to have her put you back together when she is fully recovered."

OOC: Shades of the stump-headed children.....
Celeste stands and brushes the dirt off. Sheathing the falchion, she picks up Wills head and holds it at arms length, looking at him directly as he continues to speak. "Please forgive my rudness in asking, but, "Do you feel pain at all?"

Tucking his head under her arm, she picks up the spirit cloak and giving a last glance at the bloody corpse in the path she heads back to the camp and Cas. "Actually, her hands are the most skilled, you would do well to have her put you back together when she is fully recovered."

Cas shifts up and directs someone to where her tools are located and quickly sends another for the necessary wood... so much for using all of the 'capured' wood. "Are there any vital areas I should focus on first or should I make you new hands so that you can assist?"

Upon returning to the trail, and seeing combat is over, Nuyok will quickly look around to see who (other than himself and Will) is severely injured (Vagrant?).

PER, 13-
3d6: 3, 1, 1 (STUN: 5, BODY: 1) Mon April 26, 2004 @1:04 PM (EDT)

If anyone needs it, Nuyok will provide initial basic care unless others can take care of it, given his injured hand.

Paramedics, 13-
3d6: 6, 1, 4 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3) Mon April 26, 2004 @1:14 PM (EDT)

If there is anyone in imminent danger of loss of life, he will perform healing on them as best as he can, taking what extra time he feels he can afford - alternatively, if no one is severely injured other than Nuyok, he will take 5 minutes and work on his own hand.

PS: Healer, 15- (to be modified by the following adjustments: -4 for 8D6, +3 for 5 minutes (or just +1 for 1 turn, +2 for 1 minute):
3d6: 1, 4, 6 (STUN: 11, BODY: 3) Mon April 26, 2004 @1:14 PM (EDT)
Complementary: Paramedics, 13-
3d6: 3, 6, 4 (STUN: 13, BODY: 4) Mon April 26, 2004 @1:14 PM (EDT)
Healing, 8D6
8d6: 3, 1, 5, 1, 6, 1, 5, 2 (STUN: 24, BODY: 6) Mon April 26, 2004 @1:14 PM (EDT)

[Since the last healing he did was some hours earlier, presumably he can do another at this point, but probably only one.]

Ricco grins knowingly, eyes raking across the battlefield. "There. That be the better way o' it."

He was well-pleased with the end of the Yaraza. It was unfortunate that Wickersticks had taken the brunt of the Assassin's ploy to get the Caravan from their hidey-hole, but better he than Ol' Riccoco.

Only the cleaning up of the dead and the bandaging the wounded remained. Ricco blinked wearily, trundling over to Celeste's side. "Be good to give what ye be gettin' from these Yaraza-kin, Big Sister."

He bends a hand to aiding her as best he can.
"We be needin' a bit o' sleep before we be pressin' on, Miss Beka."

As he lies wearily on his make-shift bed, a single burning thought interposes itself on all else.

.oO(Where be that damnable book?)

Beka cleans her sword on the body of the Yaraza. "Many thanks Angilak." She then turns to take inventory of first her caravan and crew and then the others. Once everyone is accounted for and the wounded tended. She will help "circle the wagons" so everyone can get some rest. She will take the first watch (to the point of burning stun) so others can rest. She suggests we spend the better part of the next day recovering right here.

"Rest and recovering as much of the caravan as possible sounds good at this point. Plus it gives time for Faliol to return, hopefully with some horses to help with the caravan vehicles."

As Nuyok rests, "so Kor, what is your plan now?"

"Beka," Cas adds in to get her attention, "It is worse than that. I am the only one capable of driving the cart safely as well as the only one who can repair our friend. I cannot do both. I could try to carve and guide someone at the same time, or I could try and assist with getting others to carve, but they are both acquired skills and should be done with care."

"We don't want to get "ahead" of ourselves, the caravan goes nowhere until we've rested, so can you not work on Will's carving while resting?"

"I'm afraid woodcarving won't do the trick," says the eerily discorporated head. "I am made of woven sticks and twigs. I've spoken with Cas about this, and I don't think she has the manual dexterity to do the weaving. Her woodcarving is beautiful, but the result of long years of practice with her special tools."
Those of you who have never thought about it now realize that Cas' carving knives are very oddly shaped.
"Perhaps she could help me direct others? We've discussed the technique in the last few days."

"I don't know if this will be of any help, but I am fairly well skilled in tying knots of all sorts. It's not really too different from weaving...."

Riccoco listens to the talk from his make-shift pallet, unable yet to fall into slumber. The words about the Book of Yaraza flitting through his head. He rolls over, eyes glinting from the coming dawn from his spot, underneath the cart that holds his life among its wooden slats.

"Iffin' it be helpin' the lot o' you to be beddin' down, Ol' Riccoco will help... Now, be shuttin' the eyes!" It seems the irrascible 'coon is a tad bit grumpy...

"Though I have no skills to help with Will, anyone that can should do so, as some substantial repairs to Will will be necessary in short order, otherwise..." Nuyok trails off, feeling his point has been made. Nuyok will help to the extent he is able to.

"Nuyok," Cas says as she prepares to get underway. "Did the leader still have the book on him?"

"It was my understanding that the leader was in the clearing, and not one of the two we did battle with in the brush. I do not believe those two had the book, did anyone search the three others?"

OOC: Sorry, I tried to post this earlier, but my cable service was down.
After things have clamed down and you've had a chance to look around, none of the bodies bears the book nor any clue to its whereabouts.

Searching the bodies reveals:
5 scimitars, 1 of quality
3 throwing stars (They were running low on these things)
5 daggers, 2 of them are more utilitarian and knifelike, 1 is a honking big hunting knife.
Some Adalan coinage of little worth, maybe three dollars worth.
Flexible sandles
scraps of exotic studded armor
5 cloaks
A fine brooch of Merikian make, with the name, "Luna" inscribed upon it.Cas and Beka can identify this as having belonged ti Handle. He was trying to sell it in Adala.
A few inconsequential items which Konnur claims belonged to Drummel
A very nice ring on the hand of the leader.
a small thieves-style toolkit
a small bag of caltrops
a small folding shovel
3 Holy symbols(?) of green jade
some odds and ends such as light cord, whetsone, flint, etc.

Lekchock goes over to the looted gear, "Dat large knife look like it fit me jus' fine, if no one else mind. Assuming no one else objects, Lekchock picks up the knife testing the balance and weight of it. He seems more comfotable weilding the knife than he ever did with the small ax he got from Throne.

"Yeah dis do nicely."

After tucking the knife away in the strap of his loin cloth (assuming he's allowed to keep it), "What we gonna do 'bout dat book"

When Lekchock sees the talking disemboided head of the wicker man, he leaps into the trees drawing his weapon, only the fact that the rest of the party seems calm and some of thier laughter keeps the forest man from attacking the head out right.

As the group goes over the loot and discusses the book, a bedraggled, yawning 'coon joins them. The sound of money and the smell of spoils is enough to being even the sleepy, grumpy 'coon out of his bed.

"You be takin' the knife, Jungle Man. Be no complaints from this 'Coon. Ol' Riccoco be down a trident to these thrice damned Yaraza an' that curvy blade might jus' be doin' the trick..." He glances around to see if any object to him taking the scimitar of quality as spoils.

"It would seem anyone who has a need for anything in the stack should take it," gesturing toward Lekchock and Riccoco, "the rest we can pack up and take back for sale, if of value and if we can transport it."

"That folding shovel could prove useful," Cas says. "And despite how much I expect some of you to disagree with this. We should at least make an attempt to bury the bodies. We should respect the dead, besides, the last thing we need is the smell of more blood attracting something big."

"We need rest rather than to bury them, especially with what they did to Handle. We should haul them into the jungle a little ways away, and let that serve to distract other creatures in the area from us to them."

I will take the brooch and the ring and put them both on. (If no one objects.) "I agree about the bodies, they can be drug into the jungle to attract predators away from us."

Celeste will examine the scraps of armour to see if they can be utilized. She will take one of the daggers and the light cord, and then begin to haul the bodies off into the jungle.

[EDITED on Wed April 28, 2004 @12:35 PM (PDT)]

Vagrant glances at the spoils and will take interest in any items that have some age about them.

None of the tiems appears to be particularly old.

Couple quick questions to the GM:

1. Does Will have to be completely rebuilt before his arms could work? For example, people focused on his neck, left arm, and Cas carved a hand, would he be able to start using his left arm?

2. How much of him requires to be carved and how much requires weaving?

Cas begins laying out a plan. "We cannot be sure that the Yaraza are gone. Even if they are, there is at least one big spider thingy in the area and who knows what else. So we can't all sleep and we can't all work. Riccoco you have had a long day. Get some sleep as I'm going to need you in the morning. In fact, anyone who was injured should sleep."

Cas looks around at the people in the camp. "We need a volunteer for watch. I don't think anything else will happen tonight but we have come so far, that to take a risk at this point is dangerous. Celeste and at least one other person are going to need to work with me and Will here to get down the weaving that is necessary. Beyond that, I think everyone should get some sleep."

Cas will make sure to have someone recover the branch Kor shot down at some point. It would be a beautiful symbol to build part of Will from it.

1. A simple hand, arm, shoulder and neck will suffice. Will can help from there on.
2. None of him requires carving. Sticks might need to be cut to length, but that's about it.

Vagrant will volunteer for a watch, if needed.

Once everyone is accounted for and the wounded tended. She will help "circle the wagons" so everyone can get some rest. She will take the first watch (to the point of burning stun) so others can rest. She suggests we spend the better part of the next day recovering right here.

"I agree Cas, if the wickerman has no objections, using that branch to rebuild his body is an excellent idea."

What does Nuyok know of Will's survivability as a head? Can he be merely a head for any long time period? Just wondering what time frame to repair him will be necessary without risking him.

He can survive as a head for only a brief time. Maybe half a day. The more body that is added, the longer the time.

"So, it looks like our plan will be to haul the bodies off to distract predators, and while some rest, and others will guard and work on Will. Anything else?" Nuyok again makes sure no one else is particularly wounded, while nursing his own bandaged hand.

"I tink da shaman der be wantin' ta know wha happen' to dat book, we goin' after it o' not? If we are, rest may 'ave to wait a bit."

"I can't move enough yet," Cas says, "And after what I have gone through today, I'm not ready to sleep yet, though I'm feeling tired. I will sleep when others around me are rested and the sun is up."

"I am interested in finding the book as well, much may be learned from it, but unless someone has a clue as to its location, I do not see what we can do other than a general search of the area, perhaps for a camp of theirs."

"Demon Kings take the book. No one should have it, it will lead to nothing but misery. Everyone needs to rest now, we will weave what we can for Will for a few hours and then trade off."

Ricco listens to Miss Beka, but he can't help but think of the worth of such a book. When he rises, he plans to go over the tracks and see if he can't find a lead to where the Yaraza might have gone with the book before they attempted their little ploy to do in the Caravan.

I just finished posting to this effect. Riccoco awakens shortly before it is noticed that Nuyok and Lekchock have gone.

OOC: Ricco is going to try and take Angilak with him to track down the Yaraza and/or Nuyok and Lekchok.

Any way to tell how far behind 'we' might be?

Nuyok takes Lekchock aside, and quietly asks "You move the best of any of us in the jungle, and may have some idea which way they came from and may have been encamped - do you think you could safely do a general search for the book? It may be that they set it somewhere they could retrieve it, as opposed to a camp, given the gear they had when they attacked, but who knows."

"Dey could have put it where dey were last time I followed dem. I coul' try to sneak up, but dey eyes see true as yours. I'm willin' if you wan' me to try."

"I will help, certainly, after a bit of rest, but I doubt we have much to worry about, did we not get them all?"

"I'll do some lookin', even if derz someone der ta spot me dey don' know da area like me, I'll git away."

After some rest, Nuyok will approach Vagrant and quietly inform him "Lekchock and I intend to take a quick look for the book, we will be back soon."

"I too am interested in the book. Especially, if it refers to times in the deep past."

"If we find it, I should everyone will have time enough to peruse it, at least those of us in the original group from Tallon. I am sure Brother Cadbury would like to do so as well, but I am not sure letting him know we have it would be a good idea, given that he might be beholden to certain individuals that could make our possession of it...problematic. Thus, the reason for discretion in our search."

"I too am interested in the book. Especially, if it refers to times in the deep past."

Lekchock and Nuyok enter the deep jungle around their makeshift camp. The jungle skills of the forest man and the gifted sight of the city adept are employed to fullest capacity. The two move easily together, remembering the last time they were so isolated. These are not the sea caves under the pits of Throne, but they have their own dangers.
Soon they have left the camp far behind. The constant buzz and chatter of insect, animal and falling water fill the jungle with impenetrable noise.
OK, how are you planning on conducting your search? Give me your basic plan and some perception (or helper) rolls. You assume the Yaraza would hide the book securely, so finding it will not be easy.

Basically with Lekchock looking from above and Nuyok looking from below, the two will search where the Yaraza have been, focusing on the vicinity of locations of interest (any camp, near the stream, etc.). Nuyok will try to spot the book as something which may stand out somewhat from the purely natural environment around them, and see if Lekchock's tracking in the jungle can help focus the search areas, as well as any other suggestions Lekchock may have.

PER / Spirit Sense, 13- (taking extra time in important areas)
3d6: 5, 1, 1 (STUN: 7, BODY: 1) Mon May 3, 2004 @3:41 PM (EDT)

Concealment, 13- (if can be used to find hidden things)
3d6: 6, 2, 1 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Mon May 3, 2004 @3:41 PM (EDT)

In addition to full Spirit Sense, Nuyok will also operate Detect Traps in case they set up a trap in the vicinity of the book, frequently swapping that for Detect Hostile Intent and Detect Poison, the former to avoid harm to Nuyok and Lekchock and the latter to do a bit of preventing harm, either from poisonous beasts or poison traps, and for searching.

As necessary:
Detect Traps, 11-
3d6: 5, 2, 1 (STUN: 8, BODY: 2) Mon May 3, 2004 @3:41 PM (EDT)
Detect Hostile Intent, 11-
3d6: 4, 4, 5 (STUN: 13, BODY: 3) Mon May 3, 2004 @3:41 PM (EDT)
Detect Poison, 11-
3d6: 6, 3, 1 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Mon May 3, 2004 @3:41 PM (EDT)

I'll try to start where I came across them last time when I had to make a mad dash out of there, look for any signs of camp.

Tracking 14-
3d6: 11 Mon May 3, 2004 @7:26 PM (CDT)

Tracking 14-
3d6: 9 Mon May 3, 2004 @7:26 PM (CDT)

Perception 14-
3d6: 16 Mon May 3, 2004 @7:26 PM (CDT)

Survival 14-
3d6: 15 Mon May 3, 2004 @7:26 PM (CDT)

KS: Jungle 11-
3d6: 8 Mon May 3, 2004 @7:26 PM (CDT)

After about a half day of searching, you discover the remains of the Yaraza camp. Only someone familiar with tracking and jungle ways could hope to recognize it for such, though. They built no fire and cleaned the site very well.
There is no sign of the book, but hiding places abound. It would have to be someplace they could find easily, so it's probably not too far from the road.
OOC: I'll let you guys peek behind the veil, here. It is possible to find the book, but it will require a critical roll to discover in the jungle. It will also require at least the rest of the day. You can get another chance the next day, then two days later and so on. Rather than drag it out and let you discover this for yourselves, just tell me how long your characters wish to remain here and search.

OOC: We'll want to get back to camp and get underway, so I doubt we could search more than the remainder of the day (actually I didn't expect it was going to be this long! Does this mean the camp was pretty far away, or just took a while to find it, and would be "easy" to return to in the future?)

"Lekchock, let us take a look around here, and see what we can find, but otherwise we should get back to camp, and get underway. If we do not find it, perhaps we can mark this location somehow to enable us to find it in the future."

PER, 13-
3d6: 6, 6, 2 (STUN: 14, BODY: 5) Wed May 5, 2004 @3:47 PM (EDT)

OOC: Clearly Nuyok did NOT find the book

OOC: Actually most of the morning and day were spent rebuilding Will. It's harder than it looks. You'll probably want to wait until morning to move.
The camp was not too far away; finding it was the problem. The Yaraza were clearly no strangers to woodcraft. You could find it pretty easily. You're (especially Lekchock) also fairly certain you could find this spot along the road again, too. In case you should wish to return.

"but dis da jungle True Eyes, tings ain't gonna be like dis when we git back, no. We don' find it now, prolly never will."

Perception 14- (any bonuses for extra time?)
3d6: 12 Wed May 5, 2004 @3:24 PM (CDT)

OOC: Guessing making it by 2 doesn't cut either.

"I think I understand what you mean, it may be hard to find this spot again, but we do have to move on. What about making some sort of deep markings on some of the trees along the road, maybe on the back side of them so regular passers-by will not notice them?" If that's reasonable to do, and worthwhile to help find the location in the future, Nuyok will do so, perhaps with a spare blade of the Yaraza. The markings would not be a symbol of anything in particular, however.

With direction from Will, clumsy assistance from Cas, who has now returned to pretty much normal and deft, but inexperienced manipulation from Celeste, A makeshift arm and hand are made for Will. To their disappointment, there is no movement from the bits of wood and twig.
Will seems calm, but there is a tense overtone to his words, "The damage was great. I'll need more body before I can move. Please assist me. I am grateful to you for all you are trying."
Cas eventually needs to beg off for sleep, from which she will awaken refreshed and fully functional.
Celeste continues working, receiving some help from Umbra, who appears to have knowledge of weaving or spinning. Even Beka gives some helpful advice. You don't grow up in a cloth merchant's household without picking up some experience.
By midday, Will has two arms, and a torso. Still there is no movement and his voice is growing fainter. It's an odd sound. His voice grows no weaker, it just sounds as if it's coming from farther and farther away.
"Thank you friends. Please work upon legs. I beg you to finish me, even if it does not work."
Also, around late morning, after Cas and Riccoco awaken, you all notice that Lekchock and Nuyok have disappeared from the camp, possibly scouting.

[EDITED on Mon May 3, 2004 @8:51 AM (PDT)]

"You still cannot move?" Cas looks upset by this, "Well, no sense fretting about it. Lets get work done."

Assuming that there is nothing carving wise that Cas can do to help, she will focus on making some higher quality hands for Will. She suspects that the problem with Will is the crude job.

Seeing the problems the group is having with Will, Beka will abandon all former plans and work on helping the best she can to get Will back into shape.

As Wills voice grows ever fainter, Celeste says in frustration, "He is dying! Master Nuyok, is there nothing you can do to help him?" When no response is forthcoming, she looks around and finally notices that Nuyok and Lekchock are nowhere around.

OOC: I clap my hands three times and say, " I do believe in fairies....uh....animates.

Riccoco nearly swoons at the horror of the loss of Wickersticks. "It be too bad a thing Ol' Riccoco cannot be helping the rebuildin' o' the great Sticks." He stretches again while dripping a bit of water into his leather-padded, paw-like hands and running them through his facial fur and whiskers.

Strapping on his newly-claimed saber he announces, "Ol' Riccoco will be havin' a look abou' the path ahead. No doubt Nuyok an' the JungleMan be havin' eyes, but they not be like the eyes o' this 'coon." With that he moves away from the others and approaches Angilak.

Ricco moves up to the Great Bear and speaks in a hushed tone, making sure no others are close enough to hear. "That Book be worth a fortune an' Ol' Riccoco be the 'Coon to find it. A great Beasty like yerself may be comin' in handy iffin' there be some sort o' trouble or the Yaraza Bastards be hidin' it under somethin' heavy! You be wantin' to take a look abou' with Ol' Riccoco?"

The great bear rumbles, "We have lost only a small portion of our trading goods, but the cart is a complete and total loss of the uttermost degree. Replacement costs will have to be drawn from our potential profits in the Jewel."
He turns, "Eh? You wish to seek that wretched tome? What do you plan to do with it once it has been acquired? Are you prepared to risk the consequence of bloody war and bear the enmity of rabid cultists in exchange for profit? To whom will you sell it?"
He does not seem opposed to the idea, only curious as to the plan.

[EDITED on Wed May 5, 2004 @8:57 AM (PDT)]

Ricco waggles a finger up towards the hulking bear, "Don't be puttin' dessert 'fore the main course, Angilak. Once the book be in Ol' Riccoco's paws... Then we be figgerin' on the sellin'! Nuyok an' that Jungle Man be likely havin' a look right now. They be findin' it withou' us bein' there... There be no fair share o' the profits!"

"Sides... Who would know we be havin' it anyways? The Yaraza be dead an' no ghosts be left to do the tellin' o' the killin'."

"Very well, as long as the cargo to which the noble Sangiyok has entrusted to our vigilant care is secured and protected, we can perambulate the verdure in search of the scripture of the stones. We shall share all profits in two parts if we are successful in our venture, eh?"

After making sure that the boxes are well secured in the Hamilton Wagon, the two of you work your way into the jungle.

OOC: I'll tell you what I told the other searchers. The book is most likely well hidden, requiring a critical perception roll. Go ahead and send me one, along with any actions you think might increase your chances of success.

Go over the site of the battle with a fine tooth comb. Any search needs to begin here. Mostly looking for stuff that Ricco isn't already aware of. Where did the Yaraza bring Wickersticks from before they set him a light. Get a lead on that and go backwards from there.

Track
3d6: 12 Mon May 10, 2004 @10:47 AM (CDT)

PER
3d6: 13 Mon May 10, 2004 @10:47 AM (CDT)

Eventually, you all complete a full (though crude) body for Will. He has not spoken for some time, but you feel honor bound to see it through. Several times as her work falls apart in front of her Cas curses her clumsy fingers, wishing Will were made of something she could carve.
Still perseverence prevails and at last he is whole. The group stands back, waiting. Nothing.
Eventually, Celeste says, "Come on, woven one. Awaken!"
With no warning, Will suddenly sits upright. His head turns stiffly from side to side and his voice, back to normal strength, says, "That was a close one!"

"Hooray! Cas, you're terrific. Thank you Celeste! We did it!"

Celeste is momentarily taken aback as Will suddenly sits up. She says nothing but looks at Beka and Cas and smiles.

Vagrant watches from the base of a nearby tree as the stickman return to life and silently says, "Good job, girls, good job."

After Will has been re-animated, Umbra says, "I have been conferring with my employer, and he suggests that since so much of the day has been used for Will and for other pursuits--" She indicates the missing party members, which now seem to include Riccoco and Angilak as well as Konnur, Nuyok and Lekchock" --it is his feeling that we should spend the rest of the day repairing any equipment or tending any animals the Yaraza have damaged and begin at first daylight tomorrow. We would not make significant progress with the amount of day we have remaining."

Celeste nods her assent and rises to begin collecting any scattered equipment.

We should set watches from whomever is left.

"Let me have first nap and I'll watch the rest of the night," Cas says, "I hope that everyone makes it back here in one piece..."