Chapter 5: Breaking Tusks

Oct 25, 2023 7:36 am

Panuaku

Between the four of you, you are able to catch up to and fell all three rams.

"Hah! We'll dine well tonight!" Panuaku rejoices once the hunt is over. "A good hunt. And you did well. My sister chose well when she made you head scouts!"

She opens her satchel and emties it content on the ground in front of you. "Hope this helps you in the fights to come."

On the ground you see several items. Inbetween coiled up rope (200 feet in total) you see a professional fishing tackle, a blowgun and a small container containing 20 darts for it. Inspecting closer you realize that 10 of the darts are silver and the last 10 is from cold iron (metal in itself is rare among the following, so this is indeed a great gift).

Oct 25, 2023 8:13 am

Koram grins, "Thank you, Sister. This weapon will be a boon for us." He bends down and picks the contents up, checking with his fellows if they feel keen on sporting the blowgun. If they do not, he will tuck it away on his belt and store the darts safe and close - one could never know when a fiend weak to such metals might spring its head.

Nov 1, 2023 10:22 am

As you get furhter into the spring months the sun starts earlier and earlier. A clear crisp morning as you start reconnoitering the hilly area you find yourself in.

You round a corner and youcan see something in the distance. Coming closer, you eventually realize it's a man lashed to a rock in the hills. His skin is badly burnt. You believe him to be dead until you can hear a quiet sob from him. The man is in obvious pain. You cannot see anyone else about.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Artesia

WhtKnt

Nov 1, 2023 4:45 pm

Artesia cannot stand to see anyone in pain. She approaches the man to see if she can help.

Nov 1, 2023 7:49 pm

Igbork meanwhile scans the area. Who or whatever bound this man may still be around

Rolls

Perception - Scanning the area - (1d20+9)

(6) + 9 = 15

Nov 2, 2023 8:52 am

Artesia walks closer, while Igbork holds his distance. He tries to get an overview of the area, and while he cannot see any people he do se sign that people have been here. The remains of an old campfire isn't even smoking anymore that signs that they've left at least a day ago.

The tied up man is badly hurt, he should probably be dead long ago, but is holding on with pure willpower. Seeing you he looks up and shows you a bloody grin. "Heh. Pakano know you!" he says weakly. "The hate he has for you burns stronger than any flame."

He coughs and sputters, the words taking all his energy as his head bops forward and his eyes close. Artesia is quick to adminster first aid. She is able to stabilize the man who is clearly from the Burning Mammoth following.

Rolls

Artesia: Medicine (Wis) - (1d20+9)

(10) + 9 = 19

Nov 2, 2023 9:21 am

Someone was here, but left at least a day ago. Did the Burning Mammoth manage to cut us off? Igbork says while he scans the area

Pakano... Did his pride poison his soul so that he in fact allied with our enemies? Did he do this to this man? Maybe we can ask him later Igbork says

Nov 3, 2023 11:07 am

When you are certain there are no enemies about, and it's not a trap Artesia expends one of her healing spells to bring the man back to consciousness.

Seeing you, he instictively grabs for his weapon. When he don't find his weapon, he crawls away from you. "No suffering you can put me through that Pakano hasn't already done."

Nov 3, 2023 11:58 pm

"Why? Why did he do these things to you? Did you so grievously wound him?"

Nov 4, 2023 6:38 pm

The man coughs. "I refused to kill one of our own. Pakano accused one of our young scouts of stealing from him. I defended him, and he made us fight, but when I won and refused to take the killing blow, he went incensed," he pauses to take a big sip of a waterskin Artesia has shared with him.

"I don't know how long I have been out here. If it wasn't for your help..." the man goes quiet and starts sobbing.

Artesia puts an arm on his back. "You are safe now," the cleric says.

Nov 5, 2023 2:15 am

Koram sighs, "You made an honorable choice. Just as Pakano perhaps has lost his way, perhaps you have found your own path. We will not force it upon you, but should you desire to rest and heal, we may allow you to seek permission to accompany our Following. You would need abide by our customs, but I assure you we would require no such fights to the death."

Last edited November 5, 2023 2:15 am

Nov 5, 2023 10:44 am

Igbork shakes his head. Pakano has always been a hot-headed young man but he has never been cruel.
If you are done resting we'd like to know where the Burning Mammoths are planning to go and why they chose to attack us now... But rest first...

Nov 7, 2023 8:55 am

The man nods and looks at Koram with a grateful look. "I was part of a forward scouting party," he replies to Igbork. "Ivarsa ordered us to get ahead of you and set up traps."

"She told us the story of how your following stole the Primordial Flame from us, and doomed us to fight the demonic hordes alone."

Nov 8, 2023 8:51 am

Koram nods slowly. "We have heard stories too, of times long ago, but who's to say what truths lie where. What matters most is who we are today, and how we plan to act for the future." He steps forward and extends his hand to the man. "-a future that is better than either of our Followings have described the past, I should hope."

Nov 8, 2023 10:49 pm

Igbork nods along. He has nothing of value to add to Koram's wise and compassionate words

Letsua

Nov 9, 2023 8:24 am

Letsua

The man introduces himself as Aklep. Eventually you make your way back to the following, and it has become evening by the time you are back. As you bring a tired, limping Aklep into the camp you can hear murmurs and talk as they see him.

Eventually Letsua comes walking over to you. "What is this. We do not have the capacity to take on prisoners."

Nov 10, 2023 5:22 am

"No prisoner," Koram says, "-a guest. He was beaten and left to rot in the weather by one that was once ours." He gives Letsua a knowing look, clearly she would know this was Pakano's work. "His wounds should be cleaned and he should be fed. Then, if he wishes to leave, I would ask he be allowed to do so, as was my word to him. Of course, I defer to the Elders in this matter, but please know my mind." He bows his head respectfully.

Letsua

Nov 10, 2023 10:02 am

Letsua

Letsua's eyes narrows as he looks Aklep over. "Very well. I trust your judgement," he finally says and nods at you. Then he turns his attention to Aklep. "I am Letsua of Otter House. Welcome to the Broken Tusks. If you behave yourself you will find a home here."

Nov 15, 2023 12:53 pm

You find yourself back into hilly terrain, and you arrive at a particularly treatcherous stretch of rugged hills. It is a foggy day, which only adds to the irritation. The fog has barely started to dissipate in the evening as the sun sets. You are about to set up camp for the night when you notice a light in the distance. It looks like it could be a campfire.

OOC:

As you pass through this hex, the rugged hills adds a day to pass through it so you will not be able to return to your following this night.

Nov 16, 2023 6:14 pm