Kairouni nodded immediately, a warriors word was their bond......a slight itch in her heart reminded her who these boys had most recently followed but she chose to ignore it.

Seri is not entirely successful in hiding her surprise at how quickly her shipmates (and Billy) accede to her suggested ruse.  She attempts to recover by translating Herim's words to Veridian (for everyone other than Kairouani), then concentrating in in a prayer to Trondro for Guidance (upon herself).

She smiles at Thea's spirit and her skill at tying off the false bonds, at Kairouani's determination and courage, and at what she recognizes as William's equally courageous willingness to take this leap of faith for people with whom he has little connection.  She responds to Billy's query in Veridian.

"I have but a small reserve of Trondro's primal magic left to me after our recent ordeal, and I plan to save it to either shield myself from a lethal blow or heal one of you, should you fall.  And I am no captain, Billy.  Yet I can also provide the signal.  My shipmates and I recall the deafening crack when the Horn of Plenty's mast shattered during Trondro's furious..." (Seri almost says 'glorious'), "... ah, furious storm.  I will never forget the sound.  Billy, I think you know it too.  I can call on wind and water to make this sound to signal our attack.  It may also confuse the slavers into thinking their own mast has broken and grant us a moment of surprise.  It requires no vocalization from me, only a wave of my fingers through these false bonds."

With that, Seri waggles her fingers to cast Minor Illusion, creating (much quieter) version of the sound of a ship's mast cracking, her suggested signal.

"Once the battle starts," she adds, "I may enter the water and attempt to pull the slavers in with me using the whips and lashes Trondro grants me."

(Seri also thanks Herim, Tsara and Mitombo in Olona, and translates for them whatever the group decide for the signal, breaking mast or otherwise)

Thea nods at these plans, and readies herself when she finishes tying the ropes. She stretches as she listens, trying to work out some of the soreness and kinks in her muscles. She listens intently, committing the plan to memory. Only somewhat though. If things go wrong, she can just improvise. Hopefully.

After everyone is done with all their long-winded talking, Thea pipes up once again with a few simple words "Let's do this." with that, she leads the way out of the tent, trying to draw as much attention to herself to as possible so as to distract the slavers from her companions.

'It is Seri's plan so we follow her.' William said rather matter-of-factly. He did not believe in common held opinion that age meant authority. He was never much of a figurehead anyway: he preferred to do his work in the background, unnoticed but for helping others to do their job. After all, the sign of a good shipwright, cook and surgeon was that no one could tell they needed one.

'But as it is Thea who is making the opening play, it's her call we act on.' He took his bow in hand and put a few arrows behind his belt for easy reach. He pinched some of the feathers on one of the more rougher cut arrows. He was long overdue for an upgrade of the smoke and barrel variety.

As Thea exits the hut, Herim hurries to push past her so that it doesn't look like the captured slave is leading the way. You all file out behind them into the morning sunshine that bathes the clearing, making the clear waters of the stream sparkle like silver. As you leave, Smiler touches Seri's arm to get her attention, and says,

"Be careful, sister. The awakening effects of the brew will wear off by evening. You will all need rest."

You become aware that a lot of people have gathered outside. The occupants of the other huts have emerged to stand on the banks of the stream to watch events unfold. To your left, a stout man in a tall feathered head-dress, whom you assume must be Sefo, is standing in front of the largest hut, surrounded by a group of men and women attired similarly to the three hunters who accompany you. From the west, a group of people approaches the village. Standing on a stone in the river is a grizzled islander with black paint across the top half of his face. He seems to be the one who made the announcement of Legati Belua's arrival. He is regarding the villagers with an undisguised air of superiority and contempt. 

Behind this man stands a Verdian noble, dressed in fine red velvet. He must be sweltering. As, you imagine, must be the two soldiers flanking him, wearing the distinctive curved steel helms of the Verdian marine infantry and heavy breastplates, and armed with long barreled muskets. Following behind them are five sailors. Four are carrying a chest borne on two poles which rest of their shoulders, whilst the fifth directs them.

There is a pregnant silence as the villagers watch the Legati step forward, accompanied by his islander with the black face. As he does so, all eyes turn to you. A party of strangers emerging from the shaman's hut, escorted by some of Maheri's hunting party. News of your presence has spread, but none had yet seen you, even Sefo, who turns along with the rest of the crowd to regard you.

It is Belua who regains his composure first. He speaks in Verdian and his words are translated by the supercilious islander.

"Sefo," he addresses Sefo whilst his gaze remains on this party of captives being led from the shaman's hut. One eyebrow is raised sardonically. "You anticipate my needs. What... interesting... merchandise you offer me." His eyes settle on Thea and he looks her up and down with an attitude that Thea has encountered all too often from men, especially those in positions of power and privilege.

Belua motions for the sailors to set down the chest and then waves them away. He takes a seat on the lid of the chest, his movements measured and poised. He may affect an air of insouciance and sanguinity, but it is clear to anyone with an eye for it that this man moves like a warrior. Balanced, precise, always in control. You get the impression that the rapier at his hip is not just for show.

He seems to be enjoying being the centre of attention, and makes no effort to hurry as he removes his gloves and sets them neatly next to him. 

"Sefo," Belua smiles like a viper. "Refreshments, if you please, for me and my men. We have walked far and worked up a thirst."

Sefo seems unable to take his eyes from your party. He looks mightily confused. Herim hands over the lead rope to Tsara and moves over to Sefo to speak urgently into his ear. As he does so, the chief glances at you several times, then nods once. He turns back to Belua, who still wears that dangerous-looking smile. 

"Legati," Sefo's voice is deep and authoritative. "You are welcome guests in our home once again. Of course, we will provide you with food and drink. We have these captives for you. Found shipwrecked by one of my hunting parties. You will find them strong workers. We want more than the usual price though, for such an exotic cargo." Again, the black-faced man translates.

Belua has produced a horse-hair fly whisk, which he is absently wafting near his face. After a pause, he taps the side of the chest with the whisk. "You will find ample of the usual goods in here, Sefo. What more would you have of me? These goods are not so much better than the usual fare. They look ragged and underfed to me."

"You know we fight to defend our home from outlanders, Legati. If you provide us weapons, swords and guns like yours, we can hold our islands and provide more captives to support your projects."

Belua considers, the amused smile still playing on his lips, as if he knows something no-one else does. "Very well, Sefo, we will provide you with weapons. You are an excellent business partner after all. Once we are rested and fed, we shall leave the chest for you, and take these goods back to our ship. Send some of your men with us and they will return bearing your weapons."

Sefo agrees to this, though you get the distinct impression that he had little choice in the matter. The Verdians are offered fruit and dried fish, and gourds of fresh water, which they gulp down greedily. The sailors take the opportunity to grab and paw at the women as they serve the food and drink, leering and laughing to each other and making obscene gestures. Belua eats daintily, flanked by his two steel-clad marines who appear not to have been given leave to eat. They stare sternly at everyone around them, gripping their muskets tight.

Once satisfied, Belua stands and pulls on his gloves, which is the signal for his party to depart the village. The sailors take on the duty of escorting the captives, and they eye Seri, Thea, and Kairouani hungrily. They seem to give Billy an extra wide berth though. There is something in his eyes that radiates danger, even though his hands are bound.

Herim has another hurried conversation with Sefo and then he and his two companions fall in behind you, the roped captives, along with two other men from the village. As they have been bid to follow the Verdians to the ship to collect the weapons, there is no need for them to hide to accompany you.

You are led out of the village to the west, following the stream.

Kairouani marks each of the sailors in turn as they do not show proper behaviour, but when their eyes meet hers she looks down at the sand as if intimidated by them.  There is no honour here among the foreigners, she sees no need to show any herself when later she rips open their throats....and the old one of The People who is with them will receive no quarter either.

William eyed the two soldiers that flanked the Verdian noble. Clad in steel and armed with muskets they posed the most danger once things escalated. He made a mental note to take the muskets for himself and a helm and breastplate if possible.

Do Belua, the marines or the sailors wear any kind of coat-of-arms, insignia, logo, or anything that could identify them?

Seri gazes serenely at Legati Belua with unblinking turquoise eyes as he wallows in his blasphemy.

Trondro's depths await this one.  Food for crabs and flatfish shall his flesh be.  May it yet transpire under today's sky.

And yet, she suspects that beyond being an unrepentant slave lord, Belua is also engaging in trickery or cheating of some sort.  Having already summoned her invisible Mage Hand in the hut, prior to departure from the village, she idly tries to use it to open the chest so all can see its contents (which of course will only work if it is not locked) - as if the lid is blown open by a sudden gust from the sea.

As she walks, Seri also attempts to gauge whether the elements of Trondro's divine magic which require only her hands (Shape Water or Minor Illusion) will be possible without giving away to the soldiers surrounding them the fact that her bonds are not truly restraining her.

Thea Oltineas

Thea struts forward at the front of the line, not even bothering to look back at her companions lest it be taken as fright. Because right now she is not scared. Not at all. This is all going to go fine. 

To add to the effect, she walks with an almost imperceptible spring in her step that gives the soldiers much to look at.

Her presence, however fake you think it may be, radiates out from her as she tries to draw as much attention as possible away from her companions. As the guards take her in arm, she looks up at them, batting her eyelashes. "Why are you doing this?" she asks innocently. 

Deception check: 8

Because of travel I won't be (realistically) able to post until Tuesday.
If needing to move things along, William will follow the lead of the others. The marines are his primary concern, perhaps trying to wrestle a musket away from them, though with exhaustion 2, that's not a smart plan. Regular attacks if nothing else.

Legati Belua's clothing is rich. Red velvet with puffed and slashed sleeves and silk stockings, but betraying nothing of his house or lineage. Perhaps his ornate rapier hilt would give some clue, but you are too far away to see it clearly. The breast plates are plain and show signs of previous action, but are well cared for not to show any rust having presumably been at sea for some time in the salt air. The sailors are clothed plainly in the familiar style of the Verdian navy, and are armed only with belay pins, which make effective short clubs. The clothes are worn but patched and relatively clean. In the condition of the clothing and equipment, William recognises the signs of a crew led by an effective captain. There is some level of discipline here, even if it does not extend to their treatment of the native women.

As a sudden gust of wind lifts the lid of the chest and flings it open, you see inside an assortment of iron pots, glass beads, and fabrics. These are the price of five lives in the Windward Isles.

In answer to Thea's question, the nearest sailor eyes her lecherously and grins. He makes no answer, but his meaning is clear. As Thea's show draws the attention of the men around you, Seri discovers that you are able to move her hands sufficiently to summon Trondro's magic, despite the false bonds.

Your path takes you upstream for a mile or so, then you turn right into the jungle, along a well-trodden path which leads up and over the low hill that separates the southern side of the island from the north. You are escorted along this trail for another hour, maybe two, it is hard to track the passage of time without clear sight of the position of the sun, before a shout from up ahead causes the sailors to pull you to a halt. 

You see two sailors running towards the Legati from the direction of your destination. They wave their arms and seem frantic. The separation between the Legati and his two musketeers, and your party, is such that it is not easy to hear what they are reporting to him. Assuming you strain to hear any clues...

Thea and William roll Perception.

Everyone else roll Perception with disadvantage. (Based on marching order).

This will be my last post until next weekend at the earliest.

Percerption: nat 1 because of disadvantage (2 levels of exhaustion)

Kairouni Perception- 9

As the sailors' sordid attention turns to Thea, a restless ocean breeze arises.  Not as violent, yet more persistent than the sudden gust which had blown the chest lid open.  It engenders legions of tiny ripples upon the surface of the stream and seems to whisper in Olona:

A storm comes for those who would confine our brothers and sisters and blasphemously deny anyone the freedom of Trondro's horizons...

(Seri casts Shape Water and Minor Illusion and uses her invisible Telekinetic Mage Hand.

She continues to focus on her magic as the procession loses sight of the village, but Minor Illusion accentuates the sounds of the surrounding jungle, adding disquieting and strange calls, as if from exotic, lurking predators.  Shape Water and her Mage Hand unobtrusively accentuate the splashing of water and mud along the stream to cause the boots and breeches of the sailors, soldiers, marines and Belua himself to become as soaked and soiled as possible while still seeming to be the natural result of their progress along the stream's edge.  Anytime one of them have to make a precarious jump or step, the Mage Hand (sudden gust) gives them an unbalancing shove (Telekinetic feat) to try to topple them into the muck (DC 14 STR Save).

(After all, for all her attempts at wisdom, Seri remains a teenager, maturity-wise, in elven terms, and she is feeling petulant).  Unfortunately, she is far too focused on being ornery, and on the Wave Father and His aspects around her to listen to hushed Veridian being spoken to the slave-lord ahead of her.

Seri's Perception at disadvantage:  8

A series of STR saves:

15, 17, 9, 16, 6, 6, 7, 11

22

As the mysterious winds and currents catch the soldiers and sailors at inopportune moments, some of them stumble and slip, cursing as their clothing becomes wet and muddy. The cursing is replaced by raucous laughter, however, as one of the sailors, nudged by the breeze, misses his footing on a rock and topples full length into the stream. He scowls as his companions double over in laughter at his misfortune, and bends to retrieve his cap from the water. He stalks ahead of the group in his sopping wet tunic, wringing out his cap as he goes.

Regardless of their resistance, or otherwise, to the playful wind, all of the Verdians are spattered with mud and soaked to the knees by the time you come to a halt and Belua, silk stockings ruined, confers with the men who have just come hurrying from the direction of the ship. Failing to overhear the content of the conversation, you only see that the men seem to be agitated, and Belua is clearly displeased at the news they bear. He looks round at you, secured by your ropes, and the five sailors surrounding you. He shouts a command to the sailors,

"Secure them to a tree. The prisoners and the three piztia.  Then three of you come with me. We will return for the goods."

'Piztia' is a derogatory name that the Verdian invaders use to describe islanders, meaning something less than human.

Without further ado, he hurries ahead, accompanied by the two steel-clad musketeers, his islander translator, and the two messengers. They are soon out of sight as the sailors look at each other and shrug, as ignorant as you are about what is happening. One of them takes one of your coils of rope that was slung across his body and motions for you all to gather round a large tree so that he can secure you to it. Two of them go to round up Herim, Tsara and Mitombo. The others stand around watching you and prodding with their makeshift clubs to make you comply faster.

I hate doing this but unfortunately I will miss things I'm afraid. I will keep the retrospective manipulation to a minimum, but in this case, the sailors took all your weapons and gear off you when you left the village, and they are carrying it. I should have said at the time.

Seri waits until the last possible moment (so Belua is well away), but before anyone is actually tied to a tree (or discovered to be falsely bound).

Trondro's persistent winds pick up, and and as Seri flicks her fingers, they whip into an abrupt cracking noise, like the sound of a ship's mast splintering which she had demonstrated earlier (Seri casts Minor Illusion).  The agreed upon signal to attack.  Louder than before, though not as loud as a real ship's mast would make, and hopefully not so loud as to alert Belua and those departing with him.

If her bonus action is available before combat is initiated, Seri attempts to use her invisible Mage Hand to shove/spill as many of the group's weapons to the ground - the ones which had been taken - so that her companions can grab them if they wish.  (DC14 STR Save if needed).

In Olona, as if to herself, then in Veridian to everyone, including the sailors:
"A storm comes for us all.  The Wave Father.  Not all here shall survive His wrath.  Do you not feel His breath upon your neck?  He is very close."

Kairouni is unsure Belua is far enough away yet but the signal is given....

Initiative- 6

( Shove attack on the nearest Sailor before combat if possible)

It's fine. Seems only logical that prisoners would be relieved of their weapons and gear.

The signal was given. It was go time. William shook loose the rope that was binding him by the hands and made a mad dash for his and the others' gear and weapons.

How far are our weapons and gear from us? That will decide if William will Dash towards them if further than 15 feet or if he will Disengage and run towards them. Might even Action Surge if needed.

Initiative: 9

STR save for the nearest sailor vs Mage Hand:

16

STR save for nearest sailor vs Kairouani's shove:

12

Five initiative rolls for the five sailors:

12

9

6

7

12

Initiative for Billy and the three islanders:

Billy: 14

Herim: 6

Tsara: 5

Mitombo: 9