Chapter 3: Meeting The Natives

ELSPA and RYGNAR

The spirits begin to flicker and start to move in quickening, frantic circles as the sun sets. Eventually they tire and speed off into the night, descending beneath the waves.

Against the last dying light, you watch the black outlines of the sea and the islands war against the orange sky. You have to look twice, but you realize that among the islands you see the silhouette of ship on the water: a big, three-mast man-o-war. Its silhouette is positioned against the dark outline of the troglodyte island, making it very difficult to see. If it wasn't for the three spirits, you probably would have missed it entirely.

It is moving rapidly toward you.

FRICK, JARVEENA, MOSS, and YGNE

She Who Has Been Beyond the Reef surprises you that she has overheard your conversation. She tries to yell over the drums and the crowd, keen to deliver exposition:

"The Seven are the seven greatest warriors of our people! Anyone can challenge the Seventh, but only the Seventh may challenge the Sixth, and so on! None of the Seven have to answer a challenge from an outsider, but they rarely deny any challenge! If Lumia wins here, she will be the first outsider to become one of the Seven, and the first from Panitube in 10 years!"

ELSPA and RYGNAR

As you run along the beech the last light fades and jungle grows still. However, the silence is suddenly broken by thunderous drumming coming from the village.

Keeping an eye on the ship, you can see landing craft being lowered from the man-o-war, and six great black shapes take flight from its deck.

FRICK, JARVEENA, MOSS, and YGNE

The whole village watches as the two fighters trade blows. Jahenna's speed barely keeps ahead of the Seventh's power, dodging savage blows left and right. He pushes back further and further until she ends up in a tight spot, but when he goes for the killing blow, she pulls off a feat of astounding acrobatic prowess to reverse their positions. With his mistake made, Jahenna unleashes the power of her amulet, enveloping The Seventh in a great orb of fire.

The crowd gasps at the turn of events, but as she turns triumphant towards the villagers, The Seventh strides out from the flames, unharmed. He tightens his grip on his massive sword and prepares for another round when his face suddenly turns to the sky. Jahenna does the same, and a short second later, they begin to scream out a word you have never heard:

"JAKATTA! JAKATTA!"

"Pirates!" She Who Has Been Beyond the Reef yells at you. "We are under attack!"

You turn your head to see six dark winged shapes in the sky, and suddenly crossbow bolts rain from the sky, thudding into bodies indiscriminately.

ELSPA and RYGNAR

The village has erupted into chaos, as far as the sounds of it. You manage to make it to the base of the cliff stairs before the landing craft, which are still ~20 seconds away from the shore. There are 6 landing craft, each one loaded with 6 men. In addition, you've been watching the man-o-war turn its broadside toward the village.

ROUND ONE

1a. Frick, Jarveena, Moss, Ygne (in crowd at dueling ring)
1b. Elspa, Rygnar (on beech, 240 feet from dueling ring)
2. Six Winged Creatures & Riders (circling 50 feet above the dueling ring)
3. Pirates on landing craft (Hit the beech running on turn 3)
4. Environmental effects

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Near the beach:

1. 50 foot cliff
2. Thin stone stair
3. Crashing Waves
4. Watch Towers

Near the dueling circle:

1. Panicking crowd
2. Thatched-roof huts
3. Deep ravine criss-crossed with rope bridges
4. Thundering drums