Erro also sits back and reclines in the shade and ponders Darion's question, taking a long draw from his pipe, letting the smoke trail out of his mouth as he turns it over in his head. "I think the Yuan-ti are different. They know and revel in their monstrosity. Just look at their naming conventions-- the higher your form the more monsterous your title. They are a true enemy of Man." He reflects on the pirate slavers they encountered earlier, and on the many corrupt nobles and rulers he knows from back home, "Man can certainly grow as dark, but we can always know the way back. There's evil in every man, but there's also good. The Yuan-ti face no such struggle, and that I think is their core weakness. There's no adaptation; no growth. You can always count on the snakes to take the most treacherous and evil, miserable course, and that makes them ultimately predictable, as tricky as they like to think they are. It is good you sent them back to the Abyss where they belong."
He takes another long draw and puffs out, "It's a good question though. Perhaps sometimes we can wind up being worse than them because sometimes we don't even know we're monsters. They are at least aware of it. A monster who is a monster is one thing... but a monster who fancies himself a hero? That's quite another." What is fighting like this doing to us?" He offers Darion a draw from the pipe.
The morning passes slowly for Darion and Erro who chat with one another while nursing their hangovers. They do make idle conversation with soldiers that pass by and most appear to be in good spirits. Some of the Dom-Eko soldiers who you guess are a bit green seem to fall into two camps. Most are fully in support of the war due to the need to protect their loved ones but some appear to be fearful. One in particular almost mindlessly answers your questions and appears to have a slight twitch. When you see it you react causing him to make up an excuse of duties to perform and he rushes off. You think of following but your throbbing headache makes your body protest. After a full lunch and some rest you feel your headache lighten and the sun no longer causes pain. You can't help but notice the humming and singing from the soldiers after Ellis' performance. It seems to have boosted morale and made the day pass much quicker than the morning. You spend the rest of the afternoon aiding in the supply chain carrying crates and urns. After about an hour Rawk flies over and sulkingly steps in next to the both of you helping pass things down the line. It's simple but tiring work and as the sun moves lower into the sky you are pleased when Faelar announces the work for the day is complete two hours ahead of schedule.
Ellis spends his morning in a group of tents that have been repurposed into a triage area. He sings a few melodies to the injured soldiers lifting their spirits and casting a few restorative spells to aid the healing process. Before he leaves a collective chorus of hums can be heard from the soldiers who enjoyed the songs. Tempest gives Ellis a thankful nod and says, "You've helped more than any of us could. Many people have the ability to heal the body, few can heal the soul." Ellis takes the lunch break to setup on the elevated stump Faelar has been shouting on and many of the Dom-Ryn and Kainui soldiers gather near in preparation of what's to come. Ellis takes a quick draft of his drink and begins to sing. Familiar with the tune, some of the soldiers join in while the others listen. Ellis puts on a splendid performance while the soldiers eat and just like those in triage the soldiers resume their duties humming and singing to their favorite tunes. Ellis spends the remainder of the afternoon traveling from station to station singing and helping move supplies.
Rawk takes off into the air passing over the gate and landing near the catapults with Jaron's group. She easily lifts the heavy beams of the catapult while the others work to investigate and disassemble it. Using the surviving parts of both catapults you successfully build a third functioning one that you take apart and separate into pieces that can be carried by a smaller number of soldiers. You also are able to safely transport the remaining 3 sacks of poisonous vials without threat to any of the villagers. After moving the last sack Jaron turns to Rawk, "Thank you. I don't know if we could've done that without your help. There was a decent chance we might've died attempting this but seeing what it did to the yuan-ti, I think this could save a lot of lives on our side." Spurred on from the morning's success Rawk tries to help in expediting the supply chain. Unfortunately, her strength and speed act as a detriment and cause a bit of a delay due to supplies being delivered out of order. Frustrated but not discouraged Rawk settles on standing in line with Erro and Darion slowly but methodically passing the supplies down the humanoid conveyor line. Faelar's announcement along with the lack of incoming supplies break the monotony and you happily exhale for a day's work well done.
Darion would take a cautious puff on Erro's pipe, coughing then handing it back with a little smile of thanks "I don't know," he answers Erro "Perhaps the fact we are worried about it keeps from being monsters?"
Throughout the rest of the day, Darion would remain quiet and subdued, not really noticing any differences between the soldiers.
Ellis would have joined the others after he was done, listening and nodding in agreement with what Darion said. He is glad to know that his songs actually are helping everyone out and making them happy during times like this.
Erro or Darion can make a perception check to see if they spot the soldier.
You sit down around on stumps eating a hard earned meal and your bodies, though sore are less stiff than before. The headaches disappear and the sober reality of an approaching battle sinks in. You feel a mix of relief, hope and fear as you contemplate how the battle may go. Darion, Ellis and Tempest know that the battle could be an arduous pain staking one if the yuan-ti booby trap every corridor and room, but also know that such a task takes time, which should work in your favor. Erro and Rawk's imaginations run wild thinking of the temple and what it could hold. Overall you feel a strange sense of peace about it, knowing whatever challenges you face, you will face them together. "At least this should be the end of things for a while."Tempest says showing his thoughts aligned with everyone else's. "We've been through so much, accomplished things I thought were unimaginable, now we must see this through to the end. Thank you, for believing in me when we were in the pit."
Erro- You are so focused on your food that you only see a sea of soldiers in front of you. They all seem to blend together and the food smells so good. After a couple glances you return to your food and eat merily.
Ellis had heard Tempest, nodding back as he thought to when they were in the pit. "Of course. Thank you all for bringing me along in the pit and helping me, despite the handicap I had." he said back, thinking that he probably would have stayed in that pit and ended up a slave or a sacrifice if the others hadn't insisted on helping him even with his injury back then.
Rawk listens to the others talk and sits quietly. She was excited and worried about tomorrow. She knew they should win but she didn't want anyone, especially her friends or her father to get hurt. She wished it could all be over now and that they could be eating in Dom-Gar together instead of here, that everything would be alright but it wasn't. She ate her foot quietly and would leave the group to go to sleep early saying, "As long as we are together, we'll be alright." You can't tell if she is saying that to reassure herself or to encourage the group.
Tempest points out a tabaxi and half-orc among the soldiers from Dom-Gar. "Pottery Shard and Zilla seem to be doing alright. Lomar stayed behind with Daner to help protect Dom-Gar with Elia." Kanush chimes in, "Although I can't confirm for the last few weeks, it seems the goblin camps nearby have been less aggressive. Perhaps Mung is to credit for that." Afternoon fades to evening and as you sit, eat and converse you slowly find your way to your tents and eventually find rest. Your bodies, still tired from the work of the day and the previous battle, make your dreams short and few. There's a subtle coolness to the air that settles in over the night and it's refreshing in the hot jungle heat. You awaken to the annoying familiar horn and can see many of the soldiers ahead of you on packing. Faelar's voice echoes through the village barking orders and encouragement to hasten the process. Within an hour the massive army is prepared to march and you bid farewell to the village of Dom-Eko. Jaron and Kanush join you in formation and you discuss plans. "We have the materials packed for one catapult. It will only take us 30 minutes to assemble and then we can launch the poison into the temple to kill as many as we can before we attack. When you escaped did you exit through the front or through a separate way?" Jaron asks
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Darion nods at Jaron's question "We all managed to get out through a back entrance. I had been wondering if we could send a group through there, to launch some sort of surprise attack - but I worry that they well have fortified that route, and be expecting an attack. Mind you, with Fenthasa dead, if we are lucky, perhaps in the chaos they might overlook it. It is still a huge risk though. If we get it wrong, it could prove to be a death trap..."
Robyn perches on Darion's shoulder, and gives a mournful squawk at the thought of a death trap.
"That could be an advantage. My father and I may be able to scout ahead if you can tell us where the exit was in relation to the temple." Rawk suggests.
“Hmm, both Fate and Luck seem to be with us. Sounds like it could be a job for us. Perhaps we could attack from both sides at once? Though, I don’t like the stories that you have told me about this place…”
Ellis nods, thinking back to when they were at the temple. "That back entrance was through a riverway leading into the temple, so you should be fine as long as you don't touch the water. I remember that the dock where the boats we took to get across was somewhat close to the sleeping quarters where we killed the one, so who knows what Fenthasa might have done with that area though." he then would have said back as well.
Erro also sits back and reclines in the shade and ponders Darion's question, taking a long draw from his pipe, letting the smoke trail out of his mouth as he turns it over in his head. "I think the Yuan-ti are different. They know and revel in their monstrosity. Just look at their naming conventions-- the higher your form the more monsterous your title. They are a true enemy of Man." He reflects on the pirate slavers they encountered earlier, and on the many corrupt nobles and rulers he knows from back home, "Man can certainly grow as dark, but we can always know the way back. There's evil in every man, but there's also good. The Yuan-ti face no such struggle, and that I think is their core weakness. There's no adaptation; no growth. You can always count on the snakes to take the most treacherous and evil, miserable course, and that makes them ultimately predictable, as tricky as they like to think they are. It is good you sent them back to the Abyss where they belong."
He takes another long draw and puffs out, "It's a good question though. Perhaps sometimes we can wind up being worse than them because sometimes we don't even know we're monsters. They are at least aware of it. A monster who is a monster is one thing... but a monster who fancies himself a hero? That's quite another." What is fighting like this doing to us?" He offers Darion a draw from the pipe.
The morning passes slowly for Darion and Erro who chat with one another while nursing their hangovers. They do make idle conversation with soldiers that pass by and most appear to be in good spirits. Some of the Dom-Eko soldiers who you guess are a bit green seem to fall into two camps. Most are fully in support of the war due to the need to protect their loved ones but some appear to be fearful. One in particular almost mindlessly answers your questions and appears to have a slight twitch. When you see it you react causing him to make up an excuse of duties to perform and he rushes off. You think of following but your throbbing headache makes your body protest. After a full lunch and some rest you feel your headache lighten and the sun no longer causes pain. You can't help but notice the humming and singing from the soldiers after Ellis' performance. It seems to have boosted morale and made the day pass much quicker than the morning. You spend the rest of the afternoon aiding in the supply chain carrying crates and urns. After about an hour Rawk flies over and sulkingly steps in next to the both of you helping pass things down the line. It's simple but tiring work and as the sun moves lower into the sky you are pleased when Faelar announces the work for the day is complete two hours ahead of schedule.
Ellis spends his morning in a group of tents that have been repurposed into a triage area. He sings a few melodies to the injured soldiers lifting their spirits and casting a few restorative spells to aid the healing process. Before he leaves a collective chorus of hums can be heard from the soldiers who enjoyed the songs. Tempest gives Ellis a thankful nod and says, "You've helped more than any of us could. Many people have the ability to heal the body, few can heal the soul." Ellis takes the lunch break to setup on the elevated stump Faelar has been shouting on and many of the Dom-Ryn and Kainui soldiers gather near in preparation of what's to come. Ellis takes a quick draft of his drink and begins to sing. Familiar with the tune, some of the soldiers join in while the others listen. Ellis puts on a splendid performance while the soldiers eat and just like those in triage the soldiers resume their duties humming and singing to their favorite tunes. Ellis spends the remainder of the afternoon traveling from station to station singing and helping move supplies.
Rawk takes off into the air passing over the gate and landing near the catapults with Jaron's group. She easily lifts the heavy beams of the catapult while the others work to investigate and disassemble it. Using the surviving parts of both catapults you successfully build a third functioning one that you take apart and separate into pieces that can be carried by a smaller number of soldiers. You also are able to safely transport the remaining 3 sacks of poisonous vials without threat to any of the villagers. After moving the last sack Jaron turns to Rawk, "Thank you. I don't know if we could've done that without your help. There was a decent chance we might've died attempting this but seeing what it did to the yuan-ti, I think this could save a lot of lives on our side." Spurred on from the morning's success Rawk tries to help in expediting the supply chain. Unfortunately, her strength and speed act as a detriment and cause a bit of a delay due to supplies being delivered out of order. Frustrated but not discouraged Rawk settles on standing in line with Erro and Darion slowly but methodically passing the supplies down the humanoid conveyor line. Faelar's announcement along with the lack of incoming supplies break the monotony and you happily exhale for a day's work well done.
Darion would take a cautious puff on Erro's pipe, coughing then handing it back with a little smile of thanks "I don't know," he answers Erro "Perhaps the fact we are worried about it keeps from being monsters?"
Throughout the rest of the day, Darion would remain quiet and subdued, not really noticing any differences between the soldiers.
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
“Perhaps you are right. I suppose that is a comforting observation.”
“Do you remember that twitchy fellow from this morning? Do you think we should check on him? Was it just his nerves?”
(any checks to do on that guy? Or is the opportunity passed? Also assume Erro is fairly tired)
(That is exactly how Rawk would feel.)
Rawk would fly off to her tent for a minute to pout then remember how well the morning went and come back out to eat with the group.
Ellis would have joined the others after he was done, listening and nodding in agreement with what Darion said. He is glad to know that his songs actually are helping everyone out and making them happy during times like this.
Erro or Darion can make a perception check to see if they spot the soldier.
You sit down around on stumps eating a hard earned meal and your bodies, though sore are less stiff than before. The headaches disappear and the sober reality of an approaching battle sinks in. You feel a mix of relief, hope and fear as you contemplate how the battle may go. Darion, Ellis and Tempest know that the battle could be an arduous pain staking one if the yuan-ti booby trap every corridor and room, but also know that such a task takes time, which should work in your favor. Erro and Rawk's imaginations run wild thinking of the temple and what it could hold. Overall you feel a strange sense of peace about it, knowing whatever challenges you face, you will face them together. "At least this should be the end of things for a while." Tempest says showing his thoughts aligned with everyone else's. "We've been through so much, accomplished things I thought were unimaginable, now we must see this through to the end. Thank you, for believing in me when we were in the pit."
(Whoops. Forgot to post!)
”Now, where did that little fellow get off to?”
Perception: 7
”Ah, who cares!?”
“Now what was I doing again?”
Erro- You are so focused on your food that you only see a sea of soldiers in front of you. They all seem to blend together and the food smells so good. After a couple glances you return to your food and eat merily.
Ellis had heard Tempest, nodding back as he thought to when they were in the pit. "Of course. Thank you all for bringing me along in the pit and helping me, despite the handicap I had." he said back, thinking that he probably would have stayed in that pit and ended up a slave or a sacrifice if the others hadn't insisted on helping him even with his injury back then.
Rawk listens to the others talk and sits quietly. She was excited and worried about tomorrow. She knew they should win but she didn't want anyone, especially her friends or her father to get hurt. She wished it could all be over now and that they could be eating in Dom-Gar together instead of here, that everything would be alright but it wasn't. She ate her foot quietly and would leave the group to go to sleep early saying, "As long as we are together, we'll be alright." You can't tell if she is saying that to reassure herself or to encourage the group.
((Sorry, am on holiday at the moment so not really able to post properly))
Darion nods at Tempest's words 'a strange place to forget new friendships! How have the other escapees been faring, does anyone know?'
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
(All good.)
Tempest points out a tabaxi and half-orc among the soldiers from Dom-Gar. "Pottery Shard and Zilla seem to be doing alright. Lomar stayed behind with Daner to help protect Dom-Gar with Elia." Kanush chimes in, "Although I can't confirm for the last few weeks, it seems the goblin camps nearby have been less aggressive. Perhaps Mung is to credit for that." Afternoon fades to evening and as you sit, eat and converse you slowly find your way to your tents and eventually find rest. Your bodies, still tired from the work of the day and the previous battle, make your dreams short and few. There's a subtle coolness to the air that settles in over the night and it's refreshing in the hot jungle heat. You awaken to the annoying familiar horn and can see many of the soldiers ahead of you on packing. Faelar's voice echoes through the village barking orders and encouragement to hasten the process. Within an hour the massive army is prepared to march and you bid farewell to the village of Dom-Eko. Jaron and Kanush join you in formation and you discuss plans. "We have the materials packed for one catapult. It will only take us 30 minutes to assemble and then we can launch the poison into the temple to kill as many as we can before we attack. When you escaped did you exit through the front or through a separate way?" Jaron asks
Darion nods at Jaron's question "We all managed to get out through a back entrance. I had been wondering if we could send a group through there, to launch some sort of surprise attack - but I worry that they well have fortified that route, and be expecting an attack. Mind you, with Fenthasa dead, if we are lucky, perhaps in the chaos they might overlook it. It is still a huge risk though. If we get it wrong, it could prove to be a death trap..."
Robyn perches on Darion's shoulder, and gives a mournful squawk at the thought of a death trap.
Portents: 10, 17
Do you like my Boots of Flying?
"That could be an advantage. My father and I may be able to scout ahead if you can tell us where the exit was in relation to the temple." Rawk suggests.
“Hmm, both Fate and Luck seem to be with us. Sounds like it could be a job for us. Perhaps we could attack from both sides at once? Though, I don’t like the stories that you have told me about this place…”
Ellis nods, thinking back to when they were at the temple. "That back entrance was through a riverway leading into the temple, so you should be fine as long as you don't touch the water. I remember that the dock where the boats we took to get across was somewhat close to the sleeping quarters where we killed the one, so who knows what Fenthasa might have done with that area though." he then would have said back as well.
Erro furrows his brow, “….Ummm, why can’t we touch the water? What happens if we touch the water?”
"Your arm probably becomes a snack for whatever horrors the Yuan-ti keep in there!" Darion replies cheerfully!
Do you like my Boots of Flying?