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Post by DM Bob on Oct 1, 2020 14:58:34 GMT
As you reconvene upon the public silt docks mid morning, the hot wind brings a surprise from the west. Three gigantic raptors flying in a "V" approach the City State proper in the dust hazy light. A bit of a call goes up, the scattered denizens of Balic look up as if in unison. Not often does a creature like this, especially three, approach the City. Some templars call out for peace. They are expected.
As they make to fly over the city (a tad west of the docks) you can see each large bird carries a small rider. They are adorned in odd, shiny red & white armor and have full face covering, perhaps masks or helms. It's hard to tell from this distance, they're flying above even the arena's height, in fact, they're bee-lining for the sails that decorate the fighting pits. They also carry long, black lances or spears... you're pretty sure there's some additional ornamentation - it looks like red tassels or string towards the butt end. The huge birds are dark brown and have some dirty white feathering on the breast. As they pass, you estimate they have wingspans twice that of Kaz's height.
Your boat awaits.
You're loaded with wealth.
Laahk briefly feels like he's being watched.
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Post by Attilius on Oct 1, 2020 15:35:10 GMT
In all the years of training at the Cerebrum, has HurK ever seen or heard about flyers such as these? Maybe they're Reavers?
Speaking to Laahk, does the "watching" feel like psionic intrusion or maybe someone from the docs or buuldings beyond?
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Post by DM Bob on Oct 1, 2020 16:07:57 GMT
Laahk would know that this is his Sensitivity to Observation power triggering. [5 PSPs less.] He does not have an idea of where it comes from this time.
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Oct 1, 2020 16:19:34 GMT
Haadan chuckles "It would seem you've some admirers friend!" he says to HurK while boarding the Gambit. "I believe that we should stay aware and prepared for anything! We don't know who it is whom Laakh can feel viewing him" looking at Khuv "If Abez described the place, could you wormhole the entire Gambit?"
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Post by DM Bob on Oct 1, 2020 16:27:28 GMT
"I need to see it or have been there. Sorry, chap." The halfling holds his shroud closely as if contemplating hiding under it as he hops onto the deck of the Gambit.
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Post by Attilius on Oct 1, 2020 17:59:23 GMT
HurK looks down at the dwarf while keeping his back to Balic <knock knock...> upon mindlink connection:
<I'm sorry my friend but we're going to need your services for a bit today for communications. Please MENATLLY tell EVERYONE no more out loud discussion unless it's deep within the Gambit's hold. If we're being watched from the dock we can also be heard using the WAY. To make matters worse IF our spy has the Clairaudience power, they will be able to listen in on us anytime they like regardless of if they can see the ship or not. They just need to focus in on a "part of the ship" no matter where we are in the sea. That being said let's get under way immediately...
Second point of issue, please help Coden get in touch mentally with our new Mint contact "Aloysius". Please ask him if his templarate contacts can find out more about these three ROC fliers...> The giant pauses in thought...
<I'm sure you saw those long black lances they wielded. I'm no gladiator but if I had to guess, THOSE are for aerial combat. Maybe for fighting an even larger flying creature... My guess is House Tsalaxa has hired some outside help to either defend their future skimmer transport interests OR hunt down... ME, at least ME when I was that massive hawk when we attacked their skimmer fleet. Looks like the skies just got a little more crowded...> He looks at the dwarf with some concern and a nod.
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Post by Attilius on Oct 1, 2020 19:23:49 GMT
The half giant snaps his fingers
<They came from the west... west are the Ledopolis's. Can you also contact Wat, your house manager and Terika and ask them if they saw the 3 ROC's depart from either city or if they may have just flown over on their way here...>
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Oct 1, 2020 20:40:07 GMT
HurK looks down at the dwarf while keeping his back to Balic <knock knock...> upon mindlink connection: <I'm sorry my friend but we're going to need your services for a bit today for communications. Please MENATLLY tell EVERYONE no more out loud discussion unless it's deep within the Gambit's hold. If we're being watched from the dock we can also be heard using the WAY. To make matters worse IF our spy has the Clairaudience power, they will be able to listen in on us anytime they like regardless of if they can see the ship or not. They just need to focus in on a "part of the ship" no matter where we are in the sea. That being said let's get under way immediately... Second point of issue, please help Coden get in touch mentally with our new Mint contact "Aloysius". Please ask him if his templarate contacts can find out more about these three ROC fliers...> The giant pauses in thought... <I'm sure you saw those long black lances they wielded. I'm no gladiator but if I had to guess, THOSE are for aerial combat. Maybe for fighting an even larger flying creature... My guess is House Tsalaxa has hired some outside help to either defend their future skimmer transport interests OR hunt down... ME, at least ME when I was that massive hawk when we attacked their skimmer fleet. Looks like the skies just got a little more crowded...> He looks at the dwarf with some concern and a nod. Haadan settles in next to Lilim before tagging everyone aboard with the telepathic message <"No more speaking aloud, in case the observers are listening too"> Haadan lingers on Coden for a moment <"Do you believe that your Templar friend might know more about the mounted lancers? Would you like me to pass along the inquiry?"> Haadan tags Wat and asks <"Do you know anything of Roc's flying towards Balic?"> Haadan connects with the helm and gives the go ahead for full speed. |
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Post by DM Bob on Oct 1, 2020 23:19:45 GMT
Aloysius is not going to connect with anyone he doesn't know. Similar in mind is Terika, whose mentor is paranoid even in his advanced age of mental communique. Coden does not personally have mind link or similar powers (yet).
The elves express simple hand commands after you state silence.
Wat will simply tell you that, "Yes. Three large birds passed high this morning out of scorpion range from the west, but avoided town. Much of the populace is on edge especially after the recent giant attack."
Lilim will want to know if you wish to use her abilities at the cost of life force.
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Post by Niachi on Oct 2, 2020 2:25:42 GMT
Bob can you please link to the maps you posted of our Nibenay route? Otherwise we travel the known silt route towards the usual port closest to Nib?
General game plan while sailing:
Having spent formative years living under intense constant scrutiny while running with the Veiled Alliance in a hostile city, Laakh switches into full black ops mode. Assumes Tslaxa or their agents have constant eyes, ears, and mental intel on him from now on. He is now 100% mute. Avoids lingering near Lilim unless it's his turn to donate. When connected to Lilim he is even more distant, his psyche a locked box emitting nothing but PSPs for the ship. Playing 'hard to get' from her attentions and assumes she is likewise compromised. Uses intently vague gestures in response to any communication which can be read as ambiguous, so extra clarity required. You learn to know what eyebrow twitch means yes or no. Bits of elven sign language pepper his gestures, along with a couple of kreen hand signs picked up from the streets and cellars.
It takes a while and maybe an INT or WIS check to get what he is communicating, with bonuses to 'city' types who might know of subterfuge. On his watches (random, no set pattern) he will spend half his points on Danger Sense, All-Round Vision, Clairvoyance, and Blinking all over the Gambit in rapid response drills. He practices with the crossbow and encourages others to spar and sharpen their game. Constantly checks supplies of coin, food, cheese, water, weapons. Tries to shadow Abez on handling the rigging.
Checks with Druuso, once sober, on available ingredients for his poisons, and requests a supply of the strongest to be accessible by all in a secure place.
He is paranoid and utterly in his element. As for the Roc riders, he manages to convey to Huurk that shifting to some form which might have an advantage vs aerial foes is now preferred. This happens in a rather comical charade to lighten up the mood. He knows keeping morale up is key.
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Post by DM Bob on Oct 2, 2020 2:34:36 GMT
[OOC: I will always drop the maps on Obsidian Portal. Here's the link. darksunsouthtablelands.obsidianportal.com/maps/123385 The two X's are valid points to stop for the quickest aerial travel. You aren't in a skimmer, so you can keep a tad from the shore if you wish and it's probably smart to keep from any possible shoals or shallows. I know Haddan was planning on starting with Lilim. But if it does come to you switching instead of Coden or one of the others, tell me when... like a watch order. Since no one is engaging the roc trio, we can advance shortly.] |
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Post by Attilius on Oct 2, 2020 3:50:44 GMT
Hurk will take look out at the bow unless the twins call for his aid on rigging and sail setting.
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Post by DM Bob on Oct 2, 2020 3:51:12 GMT
So you head out of the port and towards the east and north. The wind whips, the dust billows as you let your sails grab the brunt of the wind. Druuso is left to man the rudder. You all help in various ways. Abez captains the craft with confidence; the elves work the rigging and sails; Khuv climbs the mast and looks about (when he's not sleeping invisible under his shroud); La'yor ponders what may have once floated here when it was once water as she takes any commands to help run the deck; Coden is top deck wondering what Fate had in store for him and Hurk... well, Hurks.
You exit the Estuary, with mountainous isles to your right and you pass all sorts of scenery that seems surreal with all the dust and silt. It cloys. Gets everywhere. Masks or linen is needed to cover the face. There is faint evidence of civilization to your left on occasion on the shores, but your once deckhand, now captain ignores them. Once you pass the mountainous isle - after an hour or two, ruins can be seen from shore to the left (north) just as four peaks are seen clearing the haze ahead and slightly to the right of you.
The ruins are of stone close to the shore, mainly large white half buried blocks. It's hard to focus on though through all of the silt.
[Still need to know what exactly Haadan wants to pump into Lilim as far as just the standard PSPs or if life is getting dropped in acceleration or added winds. Then I can give you a better idea of how far you get in this remaining afternoon.]
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Post by AthasianLaborer on Oct 2, 2020 4:41:32 GMT
... [Still need to know what exactly Haadan wants to pump into Lilim as far as just the standard PSPs or if life is getting dropped in acceleration or added winds. Then I can give you a better idea of how far you get in this remaining afternoon.] Yes, we've got healers aboard and we're all anxious about being watched, so Haadan will donate 15 hp (triple what the trip Ledo->Balic took) and however much PSP's Lilim wants. 1, 2, 3... Let's go! EDIT: Haadan would also make known his business goals for Nibenay. 1) Find Weapons cache 2) Find info on Agafari supply (likely a recurring transaction once supply necessities are known) 3) Find info on Bronze supply (seeking a recurring transaction) 4) Covertly revenge the Skysinger twins 5) Network |
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Post by Attilius on Oct 2, 2020 4:57:05 GMT
HurK keeps on HurKing (and bow lookouting) 🤣
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