Flying Into the Great Unknown

[Attilius]

HurK gently pat's the little halfling on the back "Nicely done Mak and thank you for the rest spell."

The giant crosslegged sits and stares off into the buried cities direction in thought.

"Yiska, Cap, know anything about this elf or a tribe that uses flame tattoos? Or ever seen or heard of that brambleweed walled town near twin glowing peaks or a steaming lake?" he asks

[DM Bob]

Yiska shrugs.

"Tattoos are common enough among my people. Some shamans of the flame get markings such as that."

Abez agrees. "I have ink, a lot of escaped slaves get other markings over old brands too. But most elves don't last long as captives... so I'd second Yiska's guess... assuming they mean anything personal to begin with."

Does Mak add the details for the whole group? If so, I may expound slightly.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- I fought some gladiators at the Arena that were tattooed and marked but I'm not sure if I recall any like that - Kem says

[Deleted]

Mak shares the details of his divination with the group.

((Assume he does so unless I specifically say otherwise during the casting.))

[Attilius]

HurK breaths a long loud sigh and a chuckle "Well Laakh, at least we now know who keeps scrying on you."

The half giant turns his lotus sitting position to the newest members of the group. "We once... shall we say, helped relieve some cargo from three House Tsalaxa silt skimmers near Ledo island some months ago. It just so happens that fleet was commanded by none other than Nisid of Draj, the right hand of Yarsha: THE HEAD OF HOUSE TSALAXA. Those two flint tomahawks she carries are definitely magical as I watched her fend off and cut down a fiery phoenix elemental one of our sun priests summoned. The small impish man? that's Nisid's Defiler necromancer arcane backup, complete with bone-through-his-nose and white and black skull face paint. He giggles A LOT but it's the type of crazy laughter that gets under your skin. Besides turning allies invisible, he launched lightning blasts and force bolts at me and was able to cast some speed enhancement spell on the crew during their retreat. Man that guy was ugly! Nisid also had some muscle with her: some REALLY wicked archers who put the hurt on me and a young BRAXAT with them... Anyway, THAT'S who we're dealing with here. They want payback and hired those two elves to hunt us down..."

[DM Bob]

Yes. That description that Hurk gives matches the details from the vision.

darksunsouthtablelands.obsidianportal.com/characters/nisid-of-draj

darksunsouthtablelands.obsidianportal.com/characters/nisid-s-defiler-shaman-lackey

[remie]

Kri-kcht waits for an appropriate moment when there is silence.

"¤°¥ There was, shortly after the Cloud Ray attack Kri-kcht told you about an elf assassin who tried to kill most of the pack Kri-kcht was travelling with. The elf had flame tattoos. Fled the murder scene right on time. Probably
the same elf. Kri-kcht wants to kill him slowly.
( he makes a gesture of slitting someone's throat)
Kri-kcht thinks the town was called Malka. @#"

[Attilius]

Apr 30, 2021 7:19:55 GMT -12 remie said:

Kri-kcht waits for an appropriate moment when there is silence.

"¤°¥ There was, shortly after the Cloud Ray attack Kri-kcht told you about an elf assassin who tried to kill most of the pack Kri-kcht was travelling with. The elf had flame tattoos. Fled the murder scene right on time. Probably
the same elf. Kri-kcht wants to kill him slowly.
( he makes a gesture of slitting someone's throat)
Kri-kcht thinks the town was called Malka. @#"

HurK nods then asks "HOW did he almost kill your pack Kri-kcht? Elemental fire magic, psionics, defiling magic? What did you see him DO?"

"Anyone know where this Malka is?"

[DM Bob]

Details he might remember...?

- Silencing magics on a coin.

- Invisibility.

- Flaming obsidian sword.

- The half giant he was with was almost mentally dominated.

- Might have used a magic or psionic power to evade attacks.

You know, stuff you can't easily forget.

Hopped a wall in Malka to make his escape. Kri-kcht would know it's a few days west of Urik, close to the Ringing Mountains. Mak would have an idea of that distance if you wish to look at the world map. www.digitalwanderer.net/darksun/?fbclid=IwAR35bXagG3JQ9mVBSXxlp_fxGwgaEU5E8zWf0qwsb9bE_c52zgBFCR7ppho

[Attilius]

"Sounds like a serious adversary. We'll have to be extra vigilant until he AND Nisid is dealt with..."

HurK asks getting up and dusting himself off.

"Everyone ready to find Kri-kcht's buried city?" He'll secure all his gear to his pack before getting naked again, then focus his energies and turn into a massive 36' Sand scorpion (Color: the earth and/or sand before them.) He'll lower his body and allow everyone to climb aboard, then begin traveling North East at a comfortable speed.

[Metamorphosis 17, rolled 3
Power Manipulation 17, rolled 14
PsP usage: -26]

[Deleted]

Mak is good to go.

[Niachi]

Laakh boards the scorpion and Rejuvenates.

"Onwards. Think on your most lethal ways. Then double them."

[DM Bob]

Since the larger scorpion movement rates are slightly less than a kank... given the size and load, I'm going to kank movement of 16 unless you press or lose passengers.

This also means the elf and kreen can keep up on foot if need be.

The evening's rest would've been horrible, if not for the druid's restorative magics. The sand here is flat. The wind howls, seemingly getting louder with every few steps. Traveling North-west still means the wind cuts into you left side... it is not completely to your back.

Imagine this. 120*F heat. Screaming winds with quick, high altitude clouds - thin and starved. Occasional flyers, but way north and very high up when they're spotted. Flatter white star dunes. Scattered cacti and plenty of small golden scorpions... mini versions of Hurk's form. There's the rare rock or larger plant... any living have a severe tilt to the east. You prop the banner off Hurk's back, wishing you had a proper howdah or wagon to shield you from some of the elements. The pennon flaps strongly in the deadly, dry wind. The pale scorpion, while probably hard to see from the air? Is about as big as it gets for an arachnid on Athas (one hopes).

While you make a good pace, the desert is vast.

And proficiencies, hunting or contacts to be made during the trip? OOC: I will work out more details later tomorrow. I have an early memorial service and lunch to attend and best luck means I post before dinner Chicago time. Otherwise, it'll be a bit later.

[ascieszl]

Let's go!

[DM Bob]

The miles go on. Thankfully no large predators or even medium types are sighted. You might be scaring them off with your sheer size...

Or it's too early and bright out for the real threats to surface.

After a standard ten hour's march, Hurk is going to need twice his usual ration of water for the day. Camp is struck? Pitching a tent is going to be nigh near impossible with nothing to break the wind. There is no sign of civilization yet, or even a break in the scenery.

As it gets darker? You learn why they call it the glowing desert. The sand glows lightly, softly. It also gets cold quickly...