Underfed (part 2)
After a few hours spent in Tashraan accumulating the gear for your desert rush, you've set off with the eaglerin guide into the scorching heat of the desert. Following their head and travelling at dusk, the temperatures are soon dropping enough to be more comfortable, but you've little time to stop and enjoy it /or/ the desert scenery. You're on the clock. The mummy may not need to resrt, but its caravanners do and while its likely to push them to their limits (or perhaps past them) it is taking a far safer route than you are. Off the desert roads you go, deep into the sea of sand.
It is rugged, rough travelling on foot and deeply unpleasent.
Brandur isn't particulary pleased about anything, but he manages to keep any complaints to himself and simply exudes an air of irritability that hangs off him much like the sweat. The heat doesn't seem to bother him much, however and he spends most of his time up front in the vanguard, speaking with his guide about local dangers, terrain, fauna, and possibly places to set up an ambush.
Jeirath did not care for heat. However, his love and appreciation for gold and daring crusades vastly outweighed his disdain for the heat and sand.
He had arrived ahead of most of the group, but was soon united with them. After introductions were made and his preparations complete, he was off through the sands. He had some spare white cloth he brought for the occasion. A portion was wrapped around each foot, to keep sand from getting into his footwear. The other was wrapped loosely about his head, shielding his face, head, and neck from the elements - all except those eyes which were admittedly sharp.
On the suggestion of a Tashraan merchant, Seldan has traded his usual robes for a desert outfit, one that is simple and keeps the sun off his fair skin. There is a better than even chance that he will find himself with a sunburn before all is said and done, but at least the breastplate is covered. He slogs along largely in silence.
Echo has arrived in his usual outfit. Apparently he doesn't think he really needs much help to hide, and the usual items he has will be sufficient. Either that or he has some serious faith in Eluna.
Victor stands with arms crossed, as still as a statue aside from the occasional ripple of his cape. He waits patiently while the others prepare. Then he seems to remember something. "If anyone would like, I can cast a spell that will allow you to withstand the heat better," he offers.
GAME: Victor casts Endure Elements. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Victor casts Endure Elements. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Victor casts Endure Elements. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Seldan used a Potion of Endure Elements.
GAME: Victor rolls survival: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Jeirath rolls survival: (12)+1: 13
GAME: Seldan rolls survival: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Echo rolls Survival: (11)+3: 14
The good news is that all of you are doing a decent, if imperfect job, of keeping your bearings. You're all fairly sure you're on the right path. For the time being. Your guide seems to think so too. He occasionally takes to the air, zipping from point to point before returning to you.
"The good news is that we're making good time," he tells you after several hours trek, "The bad news is that we're approaching the canyon."
That's one of the reasons this route is rarely taken. The canyons present an inherent obstacle to caravans that would come this way, what, being canyons and all. An expanse of rocky, craggy and sandy dunes and drops is indeed becoming visible. "The ground is not as solid as it would appear. I suggest you tether yourselves since, you know, /you can't fly/." The eaglerin ruffles his wings. He's showing off.
"Silly groundlings. In any case, this is where it starts to get difficult. It's only going to get more so."
Seldan looks up at the egalrin, his eyes narrowed. "Showoffs end up in sandstorms," he mutters under his breath and into his facial covering, but pulls from his pack a length of silk rope. He'll at least take the warning seriously.
Looking considerate, Echo nods before pulling out his own silk rope to help tie everyone together with.
Victor trudges along with the others, studying the terrain as they walk through it. He ties the rope around a wrist. "Do we need to worry about any predators?" He scans the walls of the canyon briefly. "Or bandits?"
Jeirath opts to tie his share of the rope around his waist, instead of his wrists, so that both of his hands can be free. He keeps his head on a swivel, and doesn't open his mouth to speak out of fear of being the one who gives away their position to any potential ambushes. Nevertheless, his hand rests on the hilt of that rapier at his side.
So.
The canyons.
Rocky and unpleasent, you begin moving along more teacherous and craggy ground. You work your way down, down, down the sloping hills, stumbling each several times. Even the most graceful of you isn't perfect and some of you are, well.. golems.
Pushing down, you begin to cut across the canyons, taking hours off your trip. The eaglerin, at one point, grabs a length of rope from you and flies upwards to secure it to one of the cliffs. Having someon who can climb with you is going to make this a *Whole lot easier*, but it does mean the rest of you still have to climb.
GAME: Jeirath rolls athletics: (12)+-1: 11
GAME: Victor rolls athletics: (19)+8: 27
GAME: Echo rolls Athletics: (13)+3: 16
GAME: Seldan rolls athletics: (17)+0: 17
GAME: Brandur rolls Athletics: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Nasrin rolls Athletics: (10)+-2: 8
Jeirath wasn't the best at climbing, as it wasn't something he had a lot of experience in... basically none. However, his physical gifts seem to have helped somewhat... that or the climb was made so easy that it shouldn't have been a problem for even someone in worse shape than him. Once to the top he draws a deep breath and shakes his head. He wasn't anticipating a canyon-climb on this trip... and will be thankful to not have to do it again. He wipes some sand and particulate from the headwrap around his face.
Victor digs his fingers into cracks in the wall, climbing up as steadily as if ascending a ladder. He pauses occasionally to turn his head and survey the canyon from each new vantage point.
Echo was nearly bringing up the year, being one of the stronger types he was making sure to try to get Nasrin to keep up among others as he climbed, keeping his speed careful and making sure if he has to pull on her by the rope. Best things to do there, after all. And if he can't find hand holds? Make them by punching probably!
It takes a while.
Even with the eaglerin leaving ropes for you, it still takes time to climb, especially since not all of you are especially skilled at it.
Still, you reach the top and see... more canyon. Quite a lot of canyon, actually. Still, proceeding through it isn't going to be a problem for now. You pick your way across the side of the canyon and make your way down the rugged, sloping next side of it, finding yourself greeted by a slow moving trickle of water running down its side. It's a good chance to refill your canteens, amongst other things.
Jeirath doesn't hesitate in taking the opportunity to refill his canteen. He even fills his flask, too - both containers having long since been emptied. He removes the wrap around his mouth to take a long drag from the canteen. "Ah.... nothing like hot sandwater to refresh one's self when trekking through this godsforsaken place." The pause gives others time enough to fill their canteens, and he refills his once more to top off what he drank away.
Victor turns to look the way they came. He turns back to look at what is ahead. Then he peers up at their guide. "Do you have any way of knowing where our quarry is? How far they have reached, and if are still on schedule to intercept them...?"
Echo shakes his head, "No, but we should continue. Our guide is best at this. We have to find this battery and gain it or destroy it. I would prefer to gain it so we can find ways to disrupt it's influence personally."
Jeirath chimes in as he goes about reconcealing his face. "One thinks that this so called battery should just be destroyed, and be done with it. These things are not to be trifled with..."
Victor says, "Remeber, our primary goal is to capture the battery. Presumably for study. Only if that proves impossible are we to destroy it."
The eaglerin's beak hangs open for a moment as he admires the vistas and the water.
"We're on target, assuming the speed of the caravan is what we assume it to be. We should be able to track it along the crumbling road when we have the chance. Understand, transport through the desert, evne on road, is not swift, to say nothing of the danger of raiders and the sandstorms. If they make it to the Diamond Emperor's people, we are in trouble, but... we should have time at the rate we're moving compared to them, at the ground we're covering compared ot them. They have to take a mor circuitous route to avoid certain...hazards."
The eaglerin whistles, sharply.
"I say destroy it, for waht its worth. You do not want any government, even your own, to have such a thing. The temptations it brings, as seen by your planar disjunction cannon, may be too much to bear."
"But that is a decision for you to make. Your Alexandria matters not to me but it may to you."
Jeirath nods at Victor. He speaks through his veil with a slightly subdued voice. "One did not imply it would not follow the employer's wishes. One simply wanted to express ones distaste for their preferred outcome." He looks to the Egalrin then and nods. "This one agrees."
Edinaz climbs slowly, being sure to make sure he refills his water. "I would prefer to destroy it entirely." A Korite? Never.
Echo refills his canteen, then shrugs, "Both options are valid. I was saying we could maybe reverse the magics at Eluna's temple, or find ways to stop it."
Victor says, "I suppose we should decide when the time comes," Victor says. He walks to the edge of the slope and looks down. "The next leg of our journey looks much like the last."
Jeirath nods. "This one wants to be done with this so he can collect his reward and be on his way. This whole thing smells of disaster, and this one does not wish to contribute to said disaster." Without waiting, he treks on.
GAME: Jeirath rolls perception: (9)+8: 17
GAME: Edinaz rolls perception: (16)+9: 25
GAME: Victor rolls perception: (20)+6: 26
GAME: Echo rolls pERCEPTION: (2)+7: 9
You move down along the creek, passing by the cacti and sparse shrubbery that exists along side it.
Before long, you've reached the end of it and have another ascent coming up. The eaglerin passes by another catci and stretches his wings, getting ready to take off, to fly up and deposit the rope...
... when the cacti /snatches his wings/, tearing into one with its spines. Yes, it's moving. All of you see it just as its about to happen, leaving you able to react in time to assist.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Whirlpoopin' has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Whirlpoopin' to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Whirlpoopin' advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 23.
It is now Saguaroi's turn! Jeirath is next!
GAME: Jeirath rolls reflex: (3)+7: 10
GAME: Whirlpoopin' rolls 4d6: (18): 18
GAME: Edinaz rolls ref: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Victor rolls reflex: (13)+4: 17
GAME: Echo rolls Reflex: (14)+4: 18
So that cactus is moving. It rises up, taking a more humanoid shape as it brings its 'arms' together and ponts them at the gathered souls. It's spines /fire/ at you as it vigorously shakes its body, spearing each of you in multiple places with terrible, barbed cactus spines.
IT is very.... /very/ bloody and painful.
The eaglerin has staggered to the side, screaming in pain. Screeching? His wing is badly damaged. Uh oh...
GAME: Whirlpoopin' advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 20.
It is now Jeirath's turn! Echo is next!
GAME: Jeirath rolls 1d20+6+1+1: (12)+6+1+1: 20
GAME: Jeirath rolls 1d6+1: (2)+1: 3
Jeirath is in a bad bad way. Spines cover his body, and nearly every spot on his body that has a spine protruding from it is starting to show a bright red color from the blood seeping through. "Ughh.... grrrunngghh.... this one is injured." His brows furrow and he dashes forward despite this, and he thrust his rapier into the Cactus-beast... the blade not managing to go very deep but it seems to have still hit its mark.
GAME: Whirlpoopin' advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 17.
It is now Echo's turn! Victor is next!
GAME: Echo rolls 1d6: (5): 5
GAME: Whirlpoopin' advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 6.
It is now Victor's turn! Edinaz is next!
GAME: Victor rolls ranged: (12)+5: 17
GAME: Victor rolls 4d6: (19): 19
Victor raises his hands, fingers together and thumbs spread to form a triangle. He chants and a bolt of fire streaks out to sear into the monster. Almost before it fades he rushes to stand opposite from Jeirath, hoping to distract the monster from his injured comrade by providing it another target - namely himself.
GAME: Whirlpoopin' advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 6.
It is now Edinaz's turn! Saguaroi is next!
GAME: Edinaz rolls 1d20+11: (20)+11: 31
GAME: Edinaz rolls 1d20+11: (15)+11: 26
GAME: Edinaz rolls 2d8+10: (12)+10: 22
Edinaz sprints up the hill towards the angry cactus, poking out quills like a porcupine and drawing his swords as he goes. He marks his arrival with a nasty downward strike, causing a gout of water to splash him in the face. "I'm going to drink your lifeblood!" ...there's a pause as he takes a breath. "Maybe with a nice slice of lime."