A change in scenery... (Glowing Desert)

[Niachi]

Laakh detects life... multiple bodies. They seem to be moving relatively quickly. All are on the other side of the wall.

Not enough detail, so he detects again at 40 yards, 180 degree scan, Power manip:
Life Detect: need 16, Bob rolls. Power Manip: need 14, rolled 6.

He will softly call out numbers, species, and positions a he finds them, using concealed hand signals when possible.

[Deleted]

Mak laughs at the challenge from the wall and calls back his reply. "Only a fool tries to keep a druid from tending an oasis. The land itself vouches for me. Violence will see your watering hole run dry within a week. Provide hospitality and I'll look to your ill and injured."

[Attilius]

HurK does his best to look peaceful and nonthreatening with his light orb and white flag

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

"I agree, these are probably escaped slaves, or just an independent village," says Pallia. "They may think we're raiders, or agents of Balic."

"Difficult to engender trust. But if they could just kill us and take our things, why didn't they? Either they can't, or they don't want to. And either presents an opportunity for us to negotiate."

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Maybe they know that appearances can be deceiving and want be sure before they can get wiped out before even be able to open the gates - nodding - I agree, but trading what? Lately we are just trading to be honest, and if they're raiders, ex slaves or something like that, they'll be looking for weapons, armor, money or something useful, like perhaps, our clerics' healing abilities.. And who tell us that once in, we won't be able to leave?

[Attilius]

May 5, 2021 17:42:41 GMT -12 Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP] said:

...And who tell us that once in, we won't be able to leave?

HurK does his best to stifle a chuckle

[DM Bob]

Laahk detects 32 souls as you walked towards the gate. By the time the voice was heard? 48.

A stout, short man stands at the gate.

It may be a dwarf...

...but not like any dwarf from the Ledopolus'. This one? Savage. He wears what looks like a dark, colored ghillie suit. Mismatched feathers coat his body, festooned to either a cloak or hide armor. A satchel of bone javelins is strapped across his back. A large wicked bone pole axe is held in his gloved hands. A mass of similarly bedecked and like-sized defenders mob behind him.

Some scurry up the towers for a better look. Some wear avian skulls as helms. Many carry datchi clubs. A lot have spears or poleaxes similar to the self proclaimed leader. Javelins, knives and hatchets are spotted as well.

51, 52, 54 are counted now.

"THE STONE, SHE WATCHES US WELL. OUR VILLAGE AIN'T GONNA BE SULLIED BY THEM NOT OF THE BLOOD, UNNERSTAND, DROO-ID? GET YEH MOVIN' AND WE MIGHT NOT KILL YEH NOW!"

Growls and catcalls of agreement are had behind the odd dwur.

[Attilius]

Hurk tiredly sighs then speaks so that only his team can hear
"I've got a few more miles in me, let's leave them be and continue on..." he asks

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Kem looks at the sky first, then to those in front, in visual search of someone who doesn't match within the variety of the crowd before turning to HurK and agreeing

[OOC: What should I roll?]

[DM Bob]

Well, they all look odd; strung out. All seem to be dwarves (there is no other race to be seen). There are some women in the mix as well. All are heavily armed and similarly camouflaged.

Imagine living in a place this loud... all the time. Given the number of feathers, skulls and like, there seems to be some animosity towards birds.

Perhaps their water source causes them to be a target for such savage aerial visitors. Living under constant threat and hearing this cacophony every day and night? This is the perpetual price for their freedom.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

[OOC: Thank you. It makes sense I suppose, opposite elements.. Dwarves (earth) vs avians (wind), as the latest are the only able to see it without walls in between. Luckily we don't have any Aarakocra in the party!]

[DM Bob]

This begets one essential question. Do you leave going around the west side of the town (Edge side) or the east side of town (Gate side)?

[Attilius]

HurK leads them Wall side INTO the wind
"They'll have a hard time shooting anything at us with the wind in their faces..."


Once they're out of dwarven wind-hindered shooting range, HurK disrobes once more and packs his gear
"Everyone keep your eyes open for the next two hours. I'm running us out of here and won't be looking to our flanks and rear..."
Looking to the two elves and half-elf "You may want to run a bit ahead of me since I'll have this light orb and you can see in the dark?"


He morphs into Super Scorpion for everyone to get on. He'll keep his light orb in his mandibles as they travel.
HurK will push himself for 90 minutes : If he can run, he'll run, if not, jog. (-120 PsP's and he's tapped out from his personal reserve).


Within the 60-90 minute mark, If they come across or see any good defendable rock out cropping or a natural break from the wind like a large sand dune, he'll head to it to make camp.

[DM Bob]

A hour of travel passes...

...only to stop at a gigantic cliff drop. And by drop, it's hard to tell how far down it goes at this light. Definitely a further fall than the one near the ruins of Bodach to the silt. But by how much?

You can see cliff face beyond you, slightly to the left (west). The makes you think that you might be able to skirt the edge to the west come day. Otherwise to the east (right) you see nothing but edge.

Cries of a raptor can be heard through the chill screams of the windy night.

[Deleted]

Mak gets on Hurk's back once he's transformed. He mumbles a quick prayer of restoration over Hurk. ((Dispel Fatigue, Lv.1 Priest Spell Compendium))

"Lets get a good way out before setting up camp. I don't want the poisoner or the dwarves visiting us tonight."