Chapter 2: The Land of Sulan

[quozl]

Yuan-Cheng covers his mouth with his hand (to motion her to be silent) and points to the gate where the others are coming in. (Can we hear them from where we're at?) When she looks, he makes a dash into hiding.

DM response: I'll make a reaction roll for you soon. Waiting a bit for Jaali's response. As far as you know the islanders have never seen a halfling, so it might be best if he stays hidden.

PS - when you say "the others" do you mean Teruk and his 2 loyal men who are behind you, outside the stockade to the south east? No, you can't see them but they were coming in about 5 rounds, and you could call for their aid.

If you mean Maju and Tanja and co, you can't see them, at all. They are across the other side of the village, on the other side of the muddy creek.)

[mTeasdale]

Jaali will definitely stay hidden. Did he manage to cross the palissade yet ?

Maybe Yuan-Cheng can just gently knock her unconscious ? Your call quozl.

[Longman]

The reaction from the young woman to the highly uncharismatic monk's gesture is...

(sound of 2d6 falling)

...she drops her gardening tools and runs north along the fence line, in silence.

Yes, Jaali is also inside the pallisade. He and the monk can now move up behind the warrior's ceremonial house. It is very close to you.

I need actions from the other group now.

[Woe]

If Maju doesn't sleep the crowd, I'll kill the burly one!-- creatively, of course. I want to see what Maju has planned.

[quozl]

"Jaali, we may have trouble. A young woman saw me. She ran off and did not make a sound but she may be bringing trouble our way."

Then we will sneak up to the warrior's house and take a peek inside.

[MevlyTM]

Maju regards the larger (burly) warrior and says in Salayan, "Obviously, you are sympathetic to Teruk here. Otherwise you would have sounded the alarm to the ogres already. So perhaps you should help him now. We think that we can defeat the ogres. I propose that you take us to the ogres as prisoners. Teruk and his warriors can hide in the village and keep watch over us to help if we need it. If we defeat the ogres, then you will have helped us take the first step to free your village; you might ultimately be regarded as a hero of your people. If we are unable to defeat the ogres, then we will be destroyed, and Teruk and his men will sneak back into the jungle; you can say that you had captured us, having recognized that we were dangerous, and that you are still obedient to Ishakt. You might even be rewarded. For either result, there's no risk to you."

[Woe]

Having no idea what Maju said to the burly one, Kanya does her best to look goodly and heroic.



Seriously, Kanya is going to do nothing other than her best to support whatever nonsense Maju is feeding the villager, which is probably some goodie goodie story about saving the world starting with this village, right here, right now. I struck out trying to find heroic poses for Wonder Woman and Supergirl, and found a decent Xena one before I thought to search for Ventress being (shudder) good.

[Longman]

Teruk isn't with you, Maju. He's over the other side of the village with 2 other men, as a back-up force for Jaali and Yuan-Cheng. He hasn't come inside the village yet. Everything else you said checks out.

The response to Maju's speech is a disaster (natural 2 on 2d6). Only his high charisma saves it from being directly hostile. Sorry, this is just bad dice spoiling a good plan.

The man listens for a moment to Maju's idea and then points back out into the jungle. "I do not know who you are, but your ideas are foolish! Go back into the jungle! The ogres and the witch-doctor have done enough harm already. They have powerful magic, they can summon giant snakes! My daughter is a prisoner now, too, up in the old temple. And so are a few other young folk! They say they will leave us alone, once they have whatever it is they are looking for under our own temple. Tell Teruk to steer clear until then! Go away!

Of the 4 who were at the gate, another man is nodding in agreement. An old woman looks over her shoulder to makes sure you are not being observed at the gate. The other woman who was there takes her basket of food and runs away, northward. Everyone looks scared of trouble.

Meanwhile, the two sneakers approach the rear of the warriors building. There is no one nearby to you and you have not been seen by anyone else. Jaali takes a peek inside the long dark hall through a rear window and can see it is full of tribal weaponry and ornate shilds, and other ceremonial objects. There are 3 chests that could be the one mentioned. There are 2 men near the opposite door, just inside the building. They do not look like skull warriors, just ordinary Sulan men. There is no one else inside. One of the chests in the rear of the hall is probably close enough to sneak to, without being seen by the 2 men (making a stealth roll). The other 2, there's no chance, even with a really good roll.

If you (J and YC) want to call on Teruk and his 2 men, you can throw a rock back into the jungle to the east. That was the signal for them to advance and climb over the pallisade to be near you. They are not nearly so sneaky as you, however.

Some weapons hanging up on a wall...

[MevlyTM]

Teruk isn't with you, Maju. He's over the other side of the village with 2 other men, as a back-up force for Jaali and Yuan-Cheng. He hasn't come inside the village yet. Everything else you said checks out.

Sorry - Apparently I'm still having trouble figuring out who is where...

The response to Maju's speech is a disaster (natural 2 on 2d6). Only his high charisma saves it from being directly hostile. Sorry, this is just bad dice spoiling a good plan.

The man listens for a moment to Maju's idea and then points back out into the jungle. "I do not know who you are, but your ideas are foolish! Go back into the jungle! The ogres and the witch-doctor have done enough harm already. They have powerful magic, they can summon giant snakes! My daughter is a prisoner now, too, up in the old temple. And so are a few other young folk! They say they will leave us alone, once they have whatever it is they are looking for under our own temple. Tell Teruk to steer clear until then! Go away!

Maju says, "We don't wish to cause trouble for you or your people. You do seem to be a very wise warrior and leader. I'm sorry to hear of the fate of your daughter. Still, you must know that evil cannot be bargained with. When Ishakt has what he wants, he will either destroy or enslave your village. Perhaps you could just show us the ogres so we can tell if we are able to overcome them. If we're successful, we may ultimately be able to free your daughter and bring peace and prosperity back to your village."

The speech is really a ruse presented for the benefit of the others present. While talking, Maju covertly casts Charm Person on the burly warrior.

OOC: Bad dice are always a thing. Too bad - I thought it was a good plan too.

[Longman]

The burly man - whose name is Akuli - ponders what Maju has said.

Despite your bad grammar, weird attire and peculiar manners, I find myself in complete agreement with you, outlander. We should definitely rid the village of these incomers, regardless of their terrifying ability to summon huge snakes simply by throwing sticks onto the ground. If there is anything I can do to assist you, let me know...

The other two Sulani people present turn to look at him, a bit perplexed. Both decide to make a hasty exit, heading north. You better be right, Akuli, says the old woman to him as she leaves. Or we are all going to suffer.

You may all take actions. Akuli is a 0-level fighter who might be persuaded to throw a spear, but you might think of other uses for him too.

PS - save vs spells target number: 17. roll: 3. Not all dice are bad.