Dave confirms the weather when we broke off: Yes, thunder rumbling in
the distance. Skies are darkening. Occasional flashes of lightning...
Nijehl> And we can be caught in a flash flood over here, Dave?
Or there are places were we can shelter, like high ground?
Varjeela> And I believe Huff says the rain is not dangerous
to us?
Dave Black> The massive carved stone is the highest ground around.
Mawth> OK shall we head for the head? :-)
Varjeela> So if the waters rise, we stand on the stone, avoiding
the teeth? OTOH: we left the boats quite a way back, didn't we? Huff, will
the rain make returning to the boats difficult?
Dave Black> You will all notice that Huff, although familiar
with the rock, does not wish to climb atop of it. "No," says Huff, "Unless
rain for long time..."
Varjeela> Well, that's all right, then. How far is it to these
other rocks?
Dave Black> Huff suggests, "Maybe we use stalks of swamp grasses
to make shelter beside Skull Rock?"
Varjeela> This sounds like an excellent idea to me: I would
prefer to stay dry if possible!
Dave Black> "All other rocks between here and Endless Lake",
replies the baboon.
Varjeela> If you could show us how to do this, Huff, and we
help as we can..?
Dave Black> And so Huff begins breaking off stalks of nearby
swamp grass and arranging them in bundles. He asks someone to start tying
them into bunches with more swamp grass,and Nijelh and Varjeela do so.
Dave Black> In no time flat you've got three or four such bundles
made. Huff says that you'd probably need 5 or 6 more.
Nijehl> To Varjeela: "Do you think that the rest of the statue
lies around, perhaps underground?"
Dave Black> And another rumble (somewhat louder than the previous)
thunders across the delta
Mawth> Mawth stands very still, helping not at all...
Nijehl> Points at Mawth. "Is he ok?"
Varjeela> Glances at him, assumes he's in communion with the
spirits, and carries on tying things up.
Varjeela>(to Nijehl) Mawth is a shaman, remember: he can see
and hear things we can't. Let's get this shelter made, and then perhaps
he can tell us what he has learnt. But I agree that we should keep an eye
on him. I'm sure he knows what he's doing, but spirits can be aggressive.
As for the rest of the statue, from what Huff says there seem to be more
large sections between us and the sea.
Nijehl> "Oh yes, and he will protect us if spirits attack us,
right? Yes, let's finish it off before it starts raining". "If we find
something, do we have to tell the lunar authorities. I mean..... well.....",
returns my attention to Mawth, very preoccupied.
Varjeela> yes, the whole idea is to tell the Lunars, so they
give us large amounts of money.
Dave Black> A lean to is beginning to take shape.
Varjeela> But OTOH, Huff said there would be "Woe" if these
items were rejoined. Do we trust the Lunars with it?
Nijehl> "What if we sell it to someone else.... perhaps the
Sages. They might pay more for it.... I don't like the idea....", still
watching Mawth, really preoccupied by his expression now.
Varjeela> (Still keeping an eye on Mawth as we work: is he OK?)
Whoever we tell, I think the Lunars will find out soon enough. We may as
well get the cash. I'd like to find out what the potential problems are
before we tell the Lunars where the thing is, though.
Nijehl> "Yes, that is what I meant. I know that the lunars have
evil magics to make evil things. I heard that they have a bat that can
eat a whole town in one bite. What if....", another glance at Mawth.
Nijehl> "I am not sure he is ok.... shall we try and wake him
up. He seems to be standing but sleeping."
Varjeela> Mawth looks like he's in trouble? In spirit combat?
Dave Black> The shaggy Bison Rider (who has no Bison) says,
"I don't trust the Lunars. Let's not tell them unless we have to. Must
be someone else around who would pay for the information..."
Mawth> He doesn't seem to be in conflict but he does seem preoccupied
Nijehl> Gets up and moves a bit closer to Mawth, examining his
expression. "I don't like it Varjeela. Can you do something for him?"
Varjeela> If Mawth is simply chatting to a spirit, I say we
let him do so. But I'll keep watch on him rather than building. If he seems
to be in trouble, I'll try to lead him away from the rock.
Nijehl> "I will continue to help with the shelter. You take
care of him."
Varjeela> Anyway, on the subject of trusting Lunars: we did
come here under their sponsorship. Using their maps, and with the promise
of their cash.
Nijehl> I move back to the bundles, but still keep an eye on
Mawth, just in case something happens. "Yes, but it does not mean that
we must find something for sure, if you know where I want to get to."
Varjeela> Agreed. But suppose we sell this information to, say,
the Sages. How long do you think it would be before they sold it on to
the Lunars?
Nijehl> "Let's face it. Do you really want to hand over something
that might help them consolidate their hold on Pavis? Do you really want
that?" A touch of anger in his voice.
Varjeela> Nijehl, if you didn't want to do that, why are you
here?
Nijehl> "Well, there might be other persons interested in buying
the information. Someone might pay well for it, to remain where it lies
, for example!"
Varjeela> That was the whole point, remember? We find Feroda
for them, we get paid, they use whatever magic it may hold.
Nijehl> (hehe.... now would I tell you!!!) "Well, for the money.
But these last few days, I was putting some thought to it. What if, after
they get what they need... from the rubble, from the city, from here...
they send the Bat over. I would be rich, and probably moved away from Pavis.
But what of my brothers and sisters? What would happen to them?"
Varjeela> No, think about it. If this, whatever it is, strengthens
their grip on Pavis, they would have no need to send the Bat. They only
send that to places that are a threat!
Nijehl> "And what if it is one of the dwarf statues. I once
heard at Gimpy's that they do build statues like that. Perhaps, we can
sell it to the Flintnail's cult. Are they on good terms with the lunars?"
Nijehl> "Oh...so it exists?!! It is not just a rumour to scare
people...", sits back quietly.
Varjeela> Nijehl, your family and mine are only in danger in
Pavis while there is conflict there. If the Lunars hold Pavis firmly, there
will be no conflict and no danger.
Dave Black> "Time to go..." you hear Mawth say earnestly all
of a sudden..
Mawth> " Something is on its way very fast towards us... Head
to the rock"
Nijehl> Really worried, rushes for the rock.
Varjeela> If you say so, Mawth. Come on, everyone, that sounds
urgent. (Checking that Mawth looks OK, and helping him if needed)
Mawth> He looks very distracted, looking about vaguely and muttering
under his breath
Varjeela> Mawth? Is it hostile? (If he says it is, using my
Find Enemy spell)
Mawth> "Hunting"
Nijehl> (is the shelter ready?)
Varjeela> That sounds hostile! Casting Find Enemy, wishing I
had time for magical protections. Forget the shelter, Nijehl, that will
only protect us from rain.
Dave Black> A multi-coloured bubble appears about 20 spearlengths
towards the river from the group. You see Mawth's corporeal body suddenly
stiffen...
Nijehl> Seeing Varjeela casting, I curse under my breath, and
pull out my dagger.
Varjeela> Oh. *** delay! Forget the spell, I hardly need it!
How big a bubble? Is it flying? Get up on the rock. Being above it may
give us some protection.
Dave Black> It's about 2 feet by 2 feet and constantly changing
shape.
Nijehl> I climb up quickly, avoiding the mouth area, then help
the others up.
Dave Black> Mawth, after stiffening, slumps to the ground.
Dave Black> The amorphous blob turns its attention to the group
and begins advancing.
Nijehl> "What is that?"
Dave Black> Another peal of thunder rents the air.
Varjeela> (to Nijehl) Gorp, I'd guess. Never seen one, but I've
heard about them.
Dave Black> When Mawth stiffened and fell to the ground Varjeela
and Nijehl would've picked him up and dragged him to the rock. As everyone
scrambles back to the rock the blob advances.
Varjeela> Can we get him up onto the rock, and in the middle
of the group? Remind us who's here, and able to fight? The Bison rider?
Joss? Who else?
Dave Black> While you try to do this the shaggy Bison Rider
bellows his battle cry and launches himself towards the approaching thing.
Varjeela> OK.... Anyone want any spells up? Shimmer, Strength...?
Nijehl> "A short sword...", I reply to Varjeela.
Varjeela> Cast Shimmer on Nijehl and myself, unless he objects.
Then cast Strength on myself. Then get my staff ready for combat, keeping
between Mawth and the Thing.
Dave Black> I know this is anti-climactic but I would like to
stop here so that I can get set to deal with the coming battle.
Varjeela> Fair enough, Dave, this is about to get hectic. I'll
be casting Strength and Shimmer on all who enter melee.
Nijehl> No Dave.... but do I have some poison with me (not that
I will use it in this fight, but wanna check)
Varjeela> Dave, what do I know of Gorp? Is this one? I'll tell
the rest all I know as I cast spells.
Dave Black> You somehow doubt this is a Gorp Varjeela.
Mawth> If Mawth wakes up, he will try to stiffen the others'
defences and engage the creature in spirit combat if he feels up to it
( I don't think he has the ranged spells to engage in distance spell attacks...)
Varjeela> Not a Gorp? OK. If Mawth wakes, she will ask him what
it is, and whether a Dismiss Magic might help. That's it for me. Try to
defend the rest of the group, basically. And save some MP for Healing.