Flying Into the Great Unknown

[Deleted]

Mak turns to the others and quietly says, "It's a trap."

Then he turns back to the researchers and yells, "Well Met! Good company and information make decent trade commodities!"

Mak then moves behind one of his larger companions, out of the line of sight from the researchers and encants a spell of protection ((Barkskin, Lv.2)) on himself.

((Mak 42/42hp, AC 0, Barkskin 1/12 rnds, Spells remaining: 1st: 6/6 2nd: 4/5 3rd: 5/5 4th: 3/3))

[DM Bob]

Laahk can hear the man turn to the woman after the talk with Mak. "It's a trap."

She merely nods and wipes the crumbs from her face and dusts off her hands.

[Attilius]

The giant Scorpion nonthreateningly continues forward at a flanking angle to the duo...

[Probability Manipulation 16, rolled 18. (-72 PsP's)
Tries again... rolled 4 👍
-82 PsP's]

The scorpions four right side eyes then focus on the woman's mouth...

[Control sound 14, rolled a 1: If ANY sounds other than normal breathing come from her lips, HurK changes those vocal syllables into a VERY loud yelling:
"Hey everybody, I'm trying to cast a spell so get ready to scatter and duck!"
and hopefully ruin the verbal components to any spell she was trying to cast...
-87 PsP's]

[Deleted]

Assuming Laakh shares his intel, Mak calls out "Everybody stop!"

Looking to the psionic folks, "Someone Mindlink with me, keep me appraised of any intel we get from Laakh or otherwise. I'm going out there to defuse this. Everyone stay put please."

Mak jumps down off the Giant Scorpion Hurk, and starts dropping his gear as he walks toward the 'researchers'. Backpack, weapons, even his waterskins.

He approaches the two with his hands up and palms open. With a grin on his face he calls out to them. "Seems we both had the same instincts, I thought you all were going to ambush us. I've got no weapons, my companions are keeping their distance in plain sight. How about we talk this out instead of coming to blows? No tricks."

((Mak 42/42hp, AC 0, Barkskin 2/12 rnds, Spells remaining: 1st: 6/6 2nd: 4/5 3rd: 5/5 4th: 3/3))

[DM Bob]

The man simply laughs.

"THESE WASTES, THESE SCREAMING SANDS... THEY DO MUCH TO UNNERVE, NAY! UNHOOK ONE'S MIND, EH? RIGHT, DAY?"

She shrugs.

"COME. WE ARE SIMPLY COLLECTING SPECIMENS TO STUDY. OUR SIMPLE TRAP HAS CAUGHT SOME WONDEROUS CREATURES. SEE FOR YOURSELF!"

Laahk hears him state. "Go, move, move. Give our guests some room!"

She takes a few steps backward, matched by Reevrom.

You are welcome to look into the small pit if you wish.

[Deleted]

"I'm always interested in examining rare forms of life."

Mak edges closer to the pit to peer at the interesting creatures caught inside.

[DM Bob]

The small 2 1/2 foot circular pit is perhaps a shred over 3 feet deep. The sand has been shored up with water, blood or urine. Inside?

A small menagerie of extremely venomous critters. All fighting in a bizarre free-for-all. Almost a mini arena.

There's a golden scorpion fighting a crimson and yellow millipede easily 8x's it's length.

A sand krait and particularly hairy dune spider... the spider latched about the back and neck of the snake. Both have latched fang into each other; each have started twitching.

You look at the cage. The tools. At Reevrom who shrugs.

Day grins.

[Niachi]

Laakh Mindlinks to the druid.

<I'm here>

[DM Bob]

Laahk can have refocused and see the same. Especially if he decides to spend the PSPs. I'll let the roll hit success.

[Attilius]

HurK drops his sound modifying amplification power

[Deleted]

Mak looks up from the pit to Lady Day.

"I assume you're interested in the venom from these creatures? Are you looking for a specific effect or just the most potent of the mix?"

[DM Bob]

Reevrom smirks and bows deeply.

"WELL, YOU CAUGHT US RED HANDED! SIMPLY AN OLD TRICK TO DISTILLING, AN, UM... MOST POTENT UNGENT! PARDON ME FOR NOT BEING FRANK... SOME FROWN ON OUR PRACTICES. RIGHT, DAY?
WE HAVE SOME THAT HAVE HUNTED US BEFORE AND YOU TOOK US BY SURPRISE!"

She giggles. He carries on.

"NOW, WHAT ARE YOU DOING SO FAR FROM CIVILIZATION... YOU ARE NOT SLAVERS, I HOPE?!"

[Deleted]

Mak shakes his head. "No, not slavers."

He looks back to his party then back to the 'researchers'. "We were traveling with some Nikaal until our paths split. We're headed across this desert to one of the tribes. What about you two? This seems like a far distance to travel from Urik just to get some fresh venom."

[Attilius]

While Mak discusses, SorpiorK scans the duo, the pit and their tent...

[See Magic 19, rolled 3
-93 PsP's]

Bob any arcane aura's emanating from enchanted items (scrolls, spellbooks, potions, etc.) or continuing spell effects glowing faintly on or around the two?

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Kem gets to the agreed distance, behind HurK and ready to protect Yishka and Kleys if needed, keeping alert to the surrounding area

[OOC: I asked in case it was a stony barren, but no, just sandy wastes I believe]