The Summit Road Campaign Thread

Vishal indeed opens his mouth to say something, "Taran. Please. We need your input. You're vital to this. I understand you're getting nervous. Do you want something to do with your hands while we talk?" 

"N-No, Es-, I m-mean, V-vishal.. I... I'll b-be fine..." Taran says, looking anything but fine.

Discord Sleight of Hand (8)

Everyone sees as Vishal maneuvers his hand so the grass bracelet falls and he pockets it before Vishal says, “Okay. I lost my bracelet and I know you think even better when your hands are kept busy. I’m here for you though.” He gives Taran a reassuring smile before turning back to face the guides and saying. 

“Juhaan is able to knock people out with some magic. And when it comes to a straight fight I can outline them and make them easier to hit. If given a minute I can identify anything. Including the crystal. It can tell me exactly how it works.” 

Sirkashtai nods. "I am a mobile fighter. I can move quickly and strike just as fast. Obviously I have the ability to mind link as a kalashtar. I also have a small globe that can create some light, or very bright light once a day. It could be useful for a distraction or if we need to get the momentary attention of someone or light up an area." She holds up her hand, and a simple silver ring with a black stone appears briefly on her finger, then vanishes. "Should I die, my soul will enter this ring. If the ring is captured by the Inspired, my soul will be able to depart it."

Diamond smiles. "I've got some developed psionic ability-enough to keep myself safe and hit from far away. I can also knock people out, or subtly alter their emotions. I know the Inspired's methods and generally how the Unity operates, including soldier training, hanbanali setup, et cetera, although my information may be a bit outdated-but the Inspired don't change how they do things much within the space of years. Their plans are the kind of things that change over centuries. I've got a well of knowledge on the Dreaming Dark specifically as well, although that one's less complete. I've also got some skill with illusion, and can make myself look like just about anyone, although it's an illusion and wouldn't stand up to close examination."

"We kill people!" River coos in the voice of a young girl, holding her sword up.

 Sitting cross-legged near the makeshift table, Druhdaar has listened intently to the whole thing without reacting sofar. He seems to be lost in his own thoughts, but his eyes flickering between the different people present show he's following the planning. He finally stands up and stretches.

" Okay, so we take out the water soldiers first. Good. "

He pulls out a rope from his pack and starts coiling it into a large noose.

" Let's go catch us one, then...! "

** OOC: Druhdaar is apparently offering to use Snare if necessary. **

Another of Sirkashtai's half-smiles appears. "Perhaps we develop a full plan before beginning. Wouldn't want to tip our hand too early. Taran, how long will you require to make the basilisk's breath poison. And what are the rest of this group's abilities?" She looks at the rest of you.

A small grin had flitted across Taran's face at Vishal's antics, but the question brought him back to the discussion.

"U-um, a-about two h-hours Es- I mean, um, M-Miss Sirk-kashtai." He'd say, "Th-the j-juices need to ox-oxidize a-and I'll n-need to mix up th-the oil." He'd begin fidgeting and trembling at the next part though.

"I-I'm n-not, w-well, um, I-I sh-shouldn't s-say that, um, I-I d-don't have magic, or ps-psionics. I-I'm quick, a-and a tr-trained medic under M-Master Lu-Lukaan, I-I know the w-wilds and how to st-stalk and hunt. I can sh-shoot, I-I can f-fight..." Taran would withdraw, hunching his shoulders, "F-Father m-made s-sure I was g-good at k-k-killing p-p-people." He'd say quietly, hoping Mister Druhdaar wouldn't notice.

Sirkashtai gives Taran a firm look. "You are Taran. I am Sirkashtai. He is Diamond," she says evenly. "No titles. Like I said, we are equals. What can the rest of you do?"

When asked Bout her abilities, River charges a blast of dark energy from her sword and fires it at the ground. She then begins to chirp and clap happily at the ensuing dust.

Vishal chuckles at the bird before saying, "I have psionic abilities as well. And can magically heal if we need to on top of what we already said. I can disguise as well and consider myself okay at a majority of skills and combat. Taran is also amazing when it comes to medicine. Caelius possesses an impressive array of magical abilities including shooting out cold and poison." 

 Druhdaar finishes tying off the knot on his rope and groans. 

" And no matter what that kid says, " he points at Taran, " ... he can handle a fight.  His father was a mean' un, if that explains anything. So. I'm ready, now... " 

As he notices some of the eye rolls and the stares around him, he adds half-heartedly: 

" Okay: I can talk to animals. And I dig big holes. Like so: "  the druidic monk spreads his fingers wide and a piece of the cave ground opens up in front of him. After closing his fist, the earth rolls back on itself.

He then gives their guides a blank, steady look, before saying, almost reluctantly: " I also can punch people. Or kick them.  Or whack' em with that big stick, over there... I can also drink quite a lot, but I've sworn it off before this mission. " the druids frowns slightly at the mention of this newly enforced sobriety, then he gives Sirkashtai and Diamond a small, mournful nod and goes back to checking his knot. 

Juhaan

Nodding while listening to the others and their abilities while he takes mental note of them he decides to be a little bit more... direct. "Yes, well. Like I said, I'm best at infiltration and information gathering. I can befriend someone before they know it or making them see illusions. I can also.... change my appearance like you Diamond... except mine isn't... an illusion, let's say. The voice would still give me away. " Juhaan seems a bit uncomfortable sharing that. "If push comes to shove, I can try to cast a sleep spell or pushing them away form me but at a steep cost: everyone would hear it in 300ft. Other than that I can interrupt someone from using the verbal component in an arcane spell or simple from shouting... What else? Some psychic damage, but not a lot. And I can make a spell that will keep you laughing so much you will end up in the floor rolling." he shrugs "That's it..." he seems a little bit more serious "Don't like much martial fighting if I can help it."

Diamond nods. "Okay, so we all know what we can do. Let's get planning." He smiles. "The basilisk's breath will be useful. If we attack at night, we can hopefully ambush the two scouts alone. Then paralyze the stone soldier on guard with either the mucus or the breath, and attack while they're asleep. The more off guard we can get them, the better." He stretches. "So let's start figuring out details."

While the group begins to plan, River nudges Vishal's hand with the top of her head and coos softly, looking up at him with needy-bird eyes.

Vishal smiles down at her and starts to pet her head. “There you go. You’re the best bird ever River. And we’re all counting on you for this. But we know you can do it.” As he gives a pep talk to River he quietly sends a message via telepathy to Taran.

As the conversation wound down, Taran turned to begin doing what he needed to do, before freezing for a few seconds.

 
Taran will turn and look at Mr. Druhdaar, before heading over to an empty corner to make his Basilisk Breath poison. That would take two hours, it was important to get that done first, and not cause a drag on the team. He could talk to Mr. Druhdaar later.

After he was done, and the vial safely stored, he would begin oiling his new armor and checking his crossbow. This was a stealth mission after all and he didn't want a stray creak or twang to give away their position. Then he oiled and sharpened his blades. And checked his compartments.

He was avoiding the issue. Trailblazer Ranari had lectured him about that. He wasn't supposed to do that. He was supposed to confront things.

Taran was trembling like the light glittering off a fast flowing river when he finally approached Mr. Druhdaar. "U-Um, M-Mr... M-Mr Druhdaar, um, I-I n-n-need t-to t-t-talk to you, i-in p-private... um, b-but o-only if-if you a-aren't busy, i-it c-c-can wait if y-you don't have t-time, of c-course."

Druhdaar, who had also just finished checking his gear and was in the process of leaving the cave anyways to take a walk into the surrounding woods, merely acknowledged Taran's request with a steady, deadpan look and one of his non-committal grunts: the thing could have expressed agreement, amusement, surprise or straight annoyance... Taran could never be sure, even after being around the surly druid for a number of weeks before they'd both joined the Guides.

In any case, the bearded druid simply nodded as he made his way towards the exit. 

Eariler, before Taran leaves the group:

The group continues to plan for a while, before finally finishing and splitting up to do their various prep. As Taran moves to start on the poison, Sirkashtai joins him. "Might I assist?" she asks with a smile.

River continues to coo and starts up a little birdsong as Vishal pats her head. She seems almost like a puppy, the way she enjoys his attention. After a few moments, her beak opens and Vishal's voice comes out.

"I am River and I am useful, I have value, and I will keep trying my best."