BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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raixel
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BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by raixel »

Ssssildirac awoke in his bed in his father's nest-home to find his father standing over him, regal looking in his blue and green robes of state. His father stared down at him for a few seconds, then roughly grabbed the thin moss-covered rock that comprised Ssssil's bed and lifted it, dumping the young lizar out and on to the floor in a heap. He feels his snake companion, Hissssa, curl around his ankle in annoyance at the rude awakening.

"Ssssilidrac, egg of Hhhhssstar, spawn of Thhissta, first scion of the third house!" his father began, pronouncing Sssil's formal name. "Long have I stood and watched you grow from the egg of your mother. Long have I cared for you and taught you the meaning of the Great Hunt." As his father continues on with his ritual proclamation, it dawns on Sssil's still waking mind what the words are. His father was pronouncing him a true scion of the Third House. He was no longer a child in the eyes of his people, but a hsssir, an adult male, as long as he passes the test set before him. He has been years-late for this honor, as his father had thought him too weak to be considered an adult. But apparently his father decided the young lizar was ready now. Sssil realizes his father is still talking, and focuses his mind again on the speech. "This test I have set for you. Bring these goods crafted by the hands of our people to the land of the great trees, and bring back the gold metal or goods crafted in return. If you fail in this task, know that you shall be a member of the Third House, nevermore." After he is done speaking, his father steps back and his mother steps forward, holding Sssil's weapons and armor. Sssil stands as she ritually clothes him, pulling his studded leather over his head and placing his buckler on his arm and his short sword , hunting knife, and throwing axe belted at his waist.

"I am proud of you, egg of my being." his mother says as she clothes him. "With this armor and these weapons, you shall go forth on this task set by your father." Sssil sees his mother's nictating membranes slide across her eyes in an effort to mask the sadness he sees there. When she is done, both his parents step back and look at him.

"Now go." his father said while pointing at the door, where Sssil's pack and a bundle of trade goods sit tied in an easily carried configuration. "Go and do not return until this task is complete and you are a true hsssir."

Ssil feels Hisssa climb up his body and wrap comfortably around his chest under the armor in the specially crafted pouch lizar trackers carry their reptile companions in. Through the doorway, its brightly colored woven reed curtains that proclaim the lineage of those who live within fluttering in the morning breeze, Sssil sees the steps leading up to the domicile of the Third House. He hears lizar of other Houses going about their lives outside, as the RA orb has been in the sky for some time. Due to his status as a full grown-child, he sleeps within the main entry hall of the sleeping quarters to protect his family and younger egg-mates from intruders, as custom demands. To his left, he sees the entryway for the nesting-place of his parents and younger siblings, and to his right the kitchen and sitting area. Inside the kitchen, he can hear his three younger egg-mates playing and bickering over food. Although he might want to go say goodbye, he knows by the laws of his people he is not allowed to speak to any other members of the Ten Great Houses, including his own family, until his task is complete.

And we're off! As you leave, could you roll me a listen?
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Ssssil was pleased that the task of adulthood was apparently so simple. He wished it was more entertaining, but that was probably the nature of such a task. It seemed suspiciously easy. He slowly realised that he better keep a watchful eye as he travelled. Or better yet, make sure his pet and faithful companion Hissssa realised the importance of this trip.

He muttered a simple 'yes' to his father. To his mother, a deep 'thank you', and restrains his hands from redoing some of the buckles and reorienting the weapons. However, the do feel off and it will be his first task when he is out of sight. He is not sure if it is against custom to show emotion in return, and so he distracts himself by focusing on the pack, and overchecking the straps there instead. Once the mundane action has truly taken over his thoughts does he wear the pack, and nod enthusiastically to show he is ready.

Knowing that he is not allowed to bit farewells, he instead takes in the small details of rooms and the outdoors instead. They seem fresh again, as memories play in his head. And they already seem alien, as if his is already an outsider. He hopes he will come back successfully.

Well, he assumes that emotion must exist somewhere.


OOC: Listen check as request (1d20+5=21)
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by raixel »

Yeah, you can be as emotional as you want. I basically created the lizar as N lizardman that have a giant swamp empire with others of the CSB "swampy" races, as we discussed. They have emotions, but are also very big on ritual and form and not showing those emotions, especially males (think the japanese concept of inside face, outside face). Whether or not your char is irreverant of the stately ritual stuff and thinks it and the lack of showing emotion annoying is, of course, up to you. Basically it is not customary for a male in a ritual event to show an emotion. Females are given a little leeway, but still try to hide their feelings. BTW, feel free to make up your own lizar words and i'll add em to a thread im starting on here. Figure if I do it from the start, it wont be the difficulty im having with transcribing the sylvan dictionary, which is on my computer but not on here :). This note has gone on long. I will be starting an OOC thread after this post.

When he replies to his father, his father nods in return, and thanking his mother again brings her nictating membrane across her eyes as she tries to cover her sadness. His parents step back into the doorway of the kitchen to watch him leave, but Ssil wants to take a moment to examine the only home he ever has known, as if seeing it for the first time.

Looking around his home, trying to keep every single memory fresh in his mind, the young lizar sees the darkened doorway leading to the windowless sleeping chamber. He can see the outline of his parent's carved stone bed, as well as the smaller shapes of the beds of his three siblings. To his right is the kitchen, and the happy noises of his two younger brothers and one sister float out from there, as they have apparently just been fed. The room he is in is the formal entry way to his famiies' dewlling, and rich woven arachnae spun cloth hangs from draperies on the stone walls, the bright dyes a stark contrast to the pure white mud used as plaster to keep the walls from sweating in the heavy humidy ofthe afternoon. Woven reed mats cover the floor, their spicy scent bringing rememberence of his childhood to Sssil. Against the walls, on tiny blue swampwood carved tables sit sculpured representations of the glyphs of some of the great leaders of the Third House. When Ssil was very young, he used to wonder if his name would be carved in stone and set for all to see someday. A snapping noise brings him out of his thoughts, and he realized shis parents are waiting for him to leave, his father having clicked his teeth similar to a cleared throat but not as rude to let him know it was time to go.

Sssil steps through the gently waving reed curtain into the hot swamp sun. It was still early enough that the humidity hasn't risen yet, although Sssil can taste it in the air when he opens his mouth. As he passes the curtain, he sees his formal name-glyph painted on it under his parent's name, in the customary position for the firstborn who has not passed an adulthood test. As he stands for a brief second at the bottom of the ornate stone steps looking at the curtain and dwelling on the emotions of his leaving, his sharp tracker hearing catches the voices of his parents drifting out from the house, intertwined with the hisses and shrieks of his younger siblings at play.

"Thhissta, did we do right sending him out like this?", his mother's saddened voice comes drifting out from the small kitchen vent hole set high in the reed-and-mud plastered stone walls. "Most young kakkiss Children, or warriors-in-training go with a group of their peers for their hsssir test. I am afraid he will fail."

"Kacikkhss!" his father snaps in remonstration, although Sssil can hear a slight trace of well hidden sadness. "And where am I to find a kakkiss of 17 drikkssa mating-cycle, a lizar year to go with him? He is the oldest house scion to take the hisssir test for at least 200 drikkssa. He has had as much training as I can give him, and is as ready as he will ever be. His fate now is in his own hands."

"True, but he is so small...Like a kakkiss of 13 drikkssa. Perhaps we should have sent him with the younger group that just went out.." his mother replies.

"Chak! I will not dishonor him and our house in that way! To be weak is a dishonor enough. He will fail, or he will succeed, it is no longer in our..." His fathers voice is broken up by a loud hiss and squeal from one of his siblings, who has apparently started fighting with another. His fathers voice drifts off, as Ssil hears the sounds of wooden benches scraping as his parents stand to seperate the two young lizar.

Realizing nothing more can be gained from standing here, Sssil walks into the dusty main street where the Ten Great Houses stand. Lizar of servant rank, dressed in the simple but colorful pounded-reedcloth togas of their station nod to him as they pass by on duties for their assigned House, as well as a few members of other Houses who ignore Sssil when they see him standing there in his armor, a pack on his back. Behind him and to his left is the simple mud daub dwelling of the servants of his family and across the street, he sees the steps leading to the house-nest of the Second house. The Second house is larger than his family's dwelling, and their servant's quarters slightly better built.

But even the Second house is completely dwarfed by the building down the road a ways to his left. That is the Center of Governance where his father holds council with the other members of the Ten Great Houses, as well as the step-pyramid palace of the First house. Ssil can see guards standing in formation in that direction, their brightly dyed oitu-chitin armor and glittering weapons visible even at this distance. The guards are stopping all servants and checking any parcels they may carry, although as a member of a Great House, Sssil knows they wont stop him if he travels that way.

To his right are the lesser Great houses, getting smaller in size and opulance as they go down the road. Farther down that direction is the market intersection and the homes of the lesser ranked lizar, as well as inns and other services. He knows if he follows this road to the market and turns right, and then left a few blocks later he will eventually be at one of the city gates.

As he stands there looking around his home for what could be the last time, a shadow falls over him. He breaks from his reverie to see Jassk, one of the family servants, carrying a parcel to the steps of his family's dwelling. All Sssil knows of Jassk is that he is a lizar of 18 cycles, the son of one of the families who were so poor they live in the swamp outside of Makan in a crude hut built on stilts. Jassk has proven himself to be an intelligent and capable servant, and has always seemed to like Sssil.

"Merning, my Sshin" how a servant addresses a noble they work for ," Jassk says as he sees the young warrior.

Technically, even the servants of the Ten Houss arent supossed to speak to one on his hssir test, but either Jassk doesnt know that Sssil is on his test, or doesnt know he isnt supposed to talk to Ssil.

"On yer hunt, me sees. That be goodnesss." Jask speaks in the crude way of the poorest lizar, a habit even serving nobles for 5 cycles has not broken him of. The servant lizar waits, either fror Ssil to reply or to step out of his way, as it would be unseemly for him to pass a noble on the steps of their own house.

Sorry for the huge post. I just want to make sure that the flavor of the lizar comes across.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Ssssil nods to Jassk and gives a good natured hiss as an affirmative, while stepping out of the way. He puts his finger around his mouth, pinching them, and then points to the house. Best not to allow Jassk draw attention to himself, getting himself in trouble.

Ssssil is not surprised at his father's reaction, it is what he's long suspected and been all but told. The fact that Ssssil can find, eventually, anything he sets his mind to seems to not be cared about. The fact that Ssssil was never the strongest, and yet stood standing after long treks beside any warriors, despite any beatings they randomly administered, seems not to have been factored in. There is a structure and an expectation in this place that Ssssil feels no part of. Perhaps he can prove himself, and work to change that. It is a flight of fancy that quickly dies. Ssssil feels mentally lethargic about eventually leading, or trying to change people's minds. He prefers to follow the road, follow a trail, or follow a command. He knows this about himself. Once more, why is he expected from a quirk of birth to be anything other than what he is. Why isn't that valued?

Even these thoughts fade, as Ssssil concentrates on the road, looking for the best way to trave. He looks to Hissssa wrapped around his wrist, and gives a few speculative hisses to see if his friend wants to roam, or is comfortable where he is.


That's cool, I see the lizar have captured your imagination! Anyway, onwards! :D
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Jask nods at Sssil, as if realizing why he is standing there with his weapons and armor on and a pack on his back. The young servant winks, and silently reaches into his belt-pouch and pulls out a small object, which he presses into Sssil's hand before turning to carry his parcel up the steps and into the house. Sssil looks at the object in his hand and sees a small piece of circular bone about 2 inches across and a quarter inch thick. It is yellowed and smoothed with age, and has an unfamiliar glyph burned on one side, along with a hole bored near what Sssil assumes is the "top" so it may be worn on a thong. Not knowing what to do with it right now, the young warrior slips it into his pack for closer examination later.

As Sssil reaches inside his pack with the bone in hand, his fingers contact a small cloth bag he knows he didnt put in there himself. Dropping the bone iin the pack and pulling the unknown object out, he recognizes his mother's dye work and embrodery along the mouth of the small bag. It makes a comfortable heavy *clink* of money as he hefts it. His mother must have slipped it in here when he was sleeping. Stowing it away again to count later, Sssil turns his attention to his companion, Hissssa, who has curled around the lizar's arm to bask in the morning sun.

Hisssa responds to Sssil's question with a tendril of comfort, as he is happy to ride curled around his companion's arm and wrist while Sssil walks through the city. In Sssil's mind, the mental image of a snake hunting a fat rodent in the swamp comes to mind, followed by a snake dodging stomping lizar feet on a dirt packed road. That image is replaced by a feeling of concern for Sssil's thoughts of not belonging, and the mental image of a Sssil-looking lizar with a Hisssa-looking snake tracking game through the swamp, and a feeling of belonging.

The lively sounds of the market draw Sssil's attention in that direction, away from the stodgy and quiet nobles quarters. Hisssa feels the vibrations from the sounds of the market as well and becomes more insistant with his images of fat rodents. Ssil knows that there are vendors there that sell live and preserved food for reptiles, as snakes and other lizards are common as both pets and companions and he has fed Hisssa many times from there when he was forced to spend long periods of time in the city.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by beowuuf »

Ooh, presents!


Sssssil gives a hiss of agreement to the odd mental images in his mind, and and allows the snake to scent his fingers for a moment - something that seems to give the small serpent pleasure. The swamp, and the untouched nature of it - unless something has made the tell tail blemishes to show its passage - are a welcome rich place for Ssssil to sink in to at times.

Still, instead of hunting for food in their for his pet and himself, Ssssil realises the nature of his duty. He must go in to the chaotic and un-swamp like market to ensure his pet is fed, for an undistracted Hissssa is one that can, once more, save his life in the dangerous wilds.

Ssssil is already half way there before he realises that he cannot speak nor be spoken to. He hopes no one will think it rude if he simply takes what he needs, and leaves the money? Again, restrictive rituals to stop Sssssil and his friend from being who they usually are.


lol, ok, let's go and try not to mess up the market thing before we've even started!
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by raixel »

The prohibition against speaking only extends to those in the Ten Houses as well as their servants/employees. Commoners arent included. So you can talk to a commoner.


Hisssa's tongue tickles Sssil's fingers as the small serpent takes in his companion's scent, an emotion of comfort again wafting through the lizar's mind. For a second Sssil wonders what exactly it is the snake can sense with his tongue, as although lizar have the same forked tongue, over the milennia it has lost most of its ability to scent things on the air. If he had that ability, he would be an even better tracker and never have to return to the city. But he realizes that thinking of such things now is pointless, and puts the thoughts out of his head.

Sssil walks toward the entrance of the noble's quarters, the sun comfortably beating down on his back. The street is an ancient cobblestone road here, covered with a layer of dust and worn smooth by the passing of generations of lizar. The distant lively sounds of the market ahead of him stand in sharp contrast to the quiet of this neighborhood, with only the sounds of feet and quiet conversation, along with the sounds of fountains and chirping of birds and insects coming from behind the ocassional house, obviously a noble house's private garden, like the one Sssil used to play 'tracker' in behind his parent's house when he was young.

As Sssil reaches the emtance to the noble's quarters, he sees the ornate arch that marks the entrance to the quarter. Guards in brightly dyed chitin armor stand at the ready on either side of the road, making sure that commoners without a valid reason to enter are turned away at the gates. They glance briefly at Sssil as he passes, but ignore him, as it is obvious by his weapons and armor he is no commoner. As soon as Sssil steps through the gate, he feels a slight weight lift off his shoulders. Even though he is still within the city, he feels less confined here somehow.

Happily, he walks to the market square. Many beings mill around here, mostly lizar but Ssil also sees many of the other races of Zaangaard. A mantis-looking man in ornate robes is standing behind a booth selling what looks like kites made of giant dragonfly wings, and across from him a woman with a cobra's head has displayed bone flutes on a colorful rug. Hisssa's head sways as he tracks the movement of all the people walking around, then a picture of the rodent-salesman lizar that Ssil has gone to before appears in Sssil's mind. The booth of the rodent salesman is close by, and Sssil can hear him calling out his wares to passerby.

"Keep your snake friend fat and healthy with my rodents!" the salesman yells. "All grain-fed and tested for disease! Dont trust the life of your companion to the swamps!" As Sssil approaches, he sees the salesman standing there exhorting his wares, his booth behind him. On the booth are wicker cages, chittering noises coming from within, and on rack above, a row of dried and preserved rats are hung by thier tails. The salesman sees the young warrior approaching and guestures to him.

"Greetings, sa'ssshin! Have you come to feed your friend? One silver for a live, or 5 copper per preserved" he calls. Upon seeing the salesman, Hisssa lifts up his head and sways back and forth, before crawling up Sssil's arm to wrap gently around his neck. Sssil feels the snake's desire to hunt and kill rise as he stands there, and a mental image of a cowering rodent appears in his mind.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by beowuuf »

Ok, Trying to think if the 8 int 8 wis 6 cha Sssssil would be confident enough that's he's understood everything correctly. He's used to being considered a little slow and a little innatentive sometimes, and definitely doens't like to put himself foreward. He might just act like no one can speak should be speaking to him :D


Sssssil tries to recall the limits of his interractions with his fellows. He already feels as if he is outside of his people. Still, there would be disgrace if he fails such a simple seeming task before stepping food beyond the bounds controlled b ythe Ten Houses.

Ssssil steps forward to the seller, and comes up with a good compromise. He lifts up Hissssa, coiling the snake around his hand and holds him out. Smiling at his pet, and letting Hissssa greet the vendor. "Hungry?" he asks out loud to his pet, and lets the snake look closer at the wears. "Need me to buy you food?"

Sssssil then looked to the vendor, and quickly says, "Hsssir," then again mimes pursing his mouth with his other hand. As Hissssa strugles and twists on Ssssil's hand, Ssssil struggles to pull free a gold coin and an empty pouch. "Live, yes?" he asks to Hissssa, glancing nervously to the merchant.


Assuming the vendor makes it clear he can speak to Ssssil, then Ssssil will communicate that he wants to buy two - one for now for Hissssa ((that he will let go free and let Hissssa hunt, which might be some fun short sighted stupidity right there) and one to keep for a while in the pouch to let Hissssa hunt later (again, more fun keeping those two apart until it's time to eat.). So he might want some rodent food aswell, like a small bit of cheese, or soemthing.

I hope he doesn't get attached...


Also, noteto Ameena if she sees this - SORRY!
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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GAH I'M SO SORRY I APPEAR TO HAVE HIT EDIT INSTEAD OF QUOTE AND KILLED THIS POST :( PLEASE TELL ME YOU HAVE AN OFFLINE BACK UP :( -b.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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That's fine about the pricing, makes sense!


"Important task. Not mess up. People not always make themselves clear," explained Ssssil with as much dignity as he could muster. People always seemed to make so many assumptions when speaking, he was usualyl a beat behind them. Was that his fault? He was unsure if the store keeper really knew what he was speaking about, but did not wish to insult the man. Hopefully, if the lizar was wrong Ssssil would be able to get away with it. Noble servants would probably not tell tales. Ssssil forgot his concerns anyway with his pet's joy, and with his own facination with the cage the store keeper produced. Ssssil could barely keep from snapping up the deal, and watched with undisguised rapture as Hissssa hunted. Ssssil did not really need the mental connection he had formed with his pet to know how good the hunt felt, but he was glad of it. If Ssssil had accomplished nothing else in a day, Hissssa's happiness made Ssssil feel he had done something right, and he knew the day was not wasted.

Once more, Ameena shouldn't be reading this, but just incase she does SORRRRRRRY!


Ssssil has a flight of fancy, and realises that he actually has nothing of his own to give the people he will be meeting when he takes his goods. Not knowing if it is a good idea or not, he acts on unaccustomed whim and goes to purchase on, ensuring he gets a nice yet reasonably priced one, slipping it in to his pack. Surely other races would enjoy that sort of thing? Or at least it could be a gesture of welcomign them to make the return journey with their own goods?


I'll trust my DM to not make Ssssil spend all his money here :D


Pleased with his purchase, he decides that enough is enough. Before he is drawn in further, with the lure of money and daydreams on what might be, he should make off. He had been in the swamp enough to know that he has the necessities. Anything else would be luxury, or can be endured without.

Ssssil shuffles in to line, uncomfortable with the proximity of everyone. Soon he will be out in to the open though. Soon. Once more, he realises he needs to be careful with both his goods and his new possessions. He looks around to make sure no one is getting too close, and also that no one is paying him too much attention. He wishes he had thought to buy an oversized cloak to hide both his armour and his pack, pretending to be a hunchback lizar. Perhaps best he had not though of that before.


Perception cehck as requests (1d20=3). Apparently he's looking everywhere and so seeing nothing. Haven't added a bonus, sicne I see you are working outthe combined skills stuff right now.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by raixel »

Um. WHAT.THE.HELL? Are you seeing the same thing I am? If the page looks normal, youre not. Fortunately I left the page with my last post open last night and can go get it, hopefully.I'll save it and repost it if my last post is truly lost.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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See the edit of your post to find out why I'm an idiot :(
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Crap. Its gone cuz I hit reload twice trying to fig out wtf and killed my cache. Oh well. I could retype it from my notes, but as its mostly fluff...
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Damnit! But it was so good, it had snakes hunting in it and cages and guards with oitu-chitin armour and stuff. I can't find a way to trick my broser in to going back to the page either, it only kept the edited version, without the ability to undo.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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If anyone out there who reads this has a copy of my lost post in a cache or something, please PM it to either me or beo!
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Before he leaves the market, Sssil scents the smell of smoking meat. He follows the scent and comes across a lizar in hedge-magicians robes selling interesting contraptions. The hedge magician sees Sssil approaching and greets him warmly.

"Sa'ssshin, I have the perfect thing for you, as you look like one who travels." the young mage says as he guides Sssil to his booth. "Here, I have just perfected this magical smoking device. It smokes meat in a quarter of the time required by normal smokers, and doesnt leave a foul taste on the food."

The mage demonstrates the use of his device, which looks like a small grey soapstone censer carved with arcane symbols. THe mage places his finger on the censer and says "Skkaki", and little puffs of fragrant hickory-scented smoke pour out. Indeed, as he watches the piece of meat the mage has set up above the censer for the test, it appears to be drying from its raw form right before his eyes.

"It is also good to keep insects at bay, although it doesnt produce enough smoke to do much of anything else. One censer lasts for 5 uses and can smoke a total of 50lbs of meat, after which it must be recharged by summoning the energy of DES across scrapings of blackwood bark, then placing the bark inside the censer. Unfortunately, only a trained mage can do this. But I am always willing to recharge it for a small fee." the hedge-mage says as he clicks his blunted claws along the surface of the censer.

"For 2 gold, I can recharge this one for you right now. It could serve you well in your travels." the mage says as Sssil watches the test piece of meat shrivelling and becoming dryer.

So basically its a really really tiny eversmoking bottle. It cant produce enough real smoke to fill even a 5 foot square and basically has no use besides smoking meat. A perfect little gift!

Sssil knows that such small magics are commonplace in Makan, almost to the point of being worthless here. But the censer is pretty and would make a fine incense stone even if the flying beings have their own way of quick smoking meat. He nods agreement and hands over two gold coins. The mage smiles and again puts his finger on the censer.

"Dhaki" he says, then turns to Sssil with a serious look. "Remember those two words, Skkaki and Dhaki. They are the words used to turn it on and off. There are no refunds if you forget." the mage says sternly. Picking the censer up, he brings it over to a small table where he digs shreds of black bark out of a muslin bag tied to his belt. He chants myetic words over the bark before stuffing it in the censer like a wad of pipe tobacco.

"Here you are, sa'ssshin." he says while handing the censer to Sssil. "And remember, if you ever need any little magics, come to Thhralik's Oddities!"

As Sssil walks towards the city gates, he tries to look everywhere and nowhere at once. He hears a loud rumbling behind him and caught off guard, he is barely able to dodge out of the way as a wildly careening grahhssk-drawn wagon is heading right towards the main gates and the large mob of people there. He can hear the driver cursing the terrified beast as the wagon races past Sssil towards the throng, which has now started to panic and flee in all directions.

Due to your poor perception roll (7 total as your listen and spot happen to be the same) you have a partial action as the wagon passes you, 5 feet away. The wagon will reach the crowd in 2 rounds.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Ssssil vaguely knew of the practise to smoke meat. The taste was different, but he knew that the real purpose was to keep food preserved. Usually in the wild he simply killed and ate things as needed, however he had a mission now. He did not know the lands quite as well as he would like that he was to travel to, and certainly he did not have the time to tarry while catching fresh food all the time. Two gold pieces seemed a lot of money, but perhaps it was the responsible thing to do. Ssssil grinned and took the curious item. He could get great use out of it on his misison, and then give it as a perfect little gift to those non-hunters who needed it at the end of his journey. Afetr all, on the way back he could hunt and kill at his leasure. Hissssa would no doubt like that too.

Cool to the smoke thing!


Ssssil is shocked at the wagon trundles passed. He yells out at the crowd to watch out. When stopping beasts coming towards him, he's only ever done three things. Set a spear against then, dive out of the way, or entangle them. Ssssil's hands rumage around his pack for a tabglefoot bag - one of two he probably still has from his adventures - and then the lizar runs after the wagon. He throws the bomb towards the wagon's wheel, though it appears to sail off course almost instantly.

Cursing his ill luck, Ssssil can see nothing for it but to drop the pack he is carrying, and run directly under the legs of the beast and pull on one. It will hurt, but while Ssssil is not confident of his ability to pull the beast off course, he is confident of tripping the beast off course and slowly it down.


So that's the partial action as a move action to get the bad. First round to throw (and crit miss) with the tanglefoot bag, and then second round to jsut leap at the beast. He's not good at handling animals, and does think himself tough, so will simply try to trip it up and grab it like that around the legs than to actively steer or yank on its body to pull it in another direction. So second round a charge and a jump at the end. (Jump=18)
Attack roll for tanglefoot bag at wagon wheel (1d20+7=8)
Jump skill cehck for general suicidal plunge under beast's feet (assuming he can catch up and do it) (1d20+2=18)
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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The few slow-to react people in the crowd turn and look as Sssil yells to watch out. He can hear the screams begin as he throws his tangefoot bag. Unfortunately, he doesnt time the throw correctly, and the tanglefoot bag flies too fast, hitting the traces of the wagon instead of the wheels. The traces are enveloped in the explosive goo from the bag, the driver unable to use the reins at all. Now that the grahhssk doesnt feel the pulling of the reins against its harness, it speeds up slightly.

Realizing it is entirely up to him to stop it, Sssil runs like a swamp-deer for the wagon. Hisssa briefly pokes his head out of the reinforced armor-pouch to see where all the vibrations are coming from and just as quickly retracts it, an incredulous sense of fear washing through Sssil as he runs, lending him speed.

Had Sssil started level with the grahhssk, he never would had been able to keep up, but as he started running to throw his tanglefoot bag, he is able to get close enough to the beast to leap at it. He aims for the legs and misses, instead striking the creature solidly on its thin neck. The weight of the lizar landing on the grahhsk's neck makes it let out a screeching honk in protest and instintively rear up to lash out with its heavy legs before it topples sideways, throwing the lizar warrior free and causing the speeding wagon to splinter as the wagons momentum keeps it going foward, right over the top of the grahhssk, where it skids a few more feet before slowing to a halt 10 feet from the main concentration of people.

Sssil flies through the air and lands in a pile of crates a few feet from the road. He sees stars and has the breath driven out of him as he lands. When he is able to painfully draw a breath again, after what seems like an eternity of torture, he opens his eyes to see a mob of concerned people looking down at him.

You take 23 points of damage for that insane stunt you managed to just barely pull!

"You ok, sonny? I saw the whole thing. That was a very brave thing you did. Brave and crazy!" a lizar says. Sssil recognizes the speaker as the one-eyed lizar from the caravan yard. The lizar is also holding his pack. He must have picked it up as soon as Sssil dropped it. Many hands reach down to help Sssil to his feet, along with murmers of "Can you stand?, Is anything broken?"

Sssil stands in a haze of pain. It feels like he managed to bruise every single bone in his body, although nothing seems broken. The concerned faces of the lizar and others swim in his vision.

As he stands there trying to get his bearings, he feels a cool flicker against his cheek. Hisssa has pulled his head out of the pouch and is gently touching Sssil's muzzle with his tongue. The tracker feels a sense of concern, overlayed by a picture of a squashed snake and a sense of anger. Looking over at the wagon, he sees that the entire front of it has shredded apart, its cargo of fruit spread all over the road. The grahhssk lays torn to pieces under the wheels in a pool of blood, and the driver is being carried off on a stretcher with an obviously broken leg. But he is alive, still cursing up a blue streak about the loss of his wagon.

The one-eyed lizar nods when he sees Sssil wobbily standing there. "That was an amazing thing," he says again while shaking his head. He hands Sssil his pack back and says "That pack is pretty heavy. I wouldnt try and carry it far just yet. Why dont you come with me to the caravan yard and I'll see if I cant get a cleric to patch you up."

The one-eyed lizar seems friendly but gruff. When Hissa stretches his body out to scent him, the lizar holds out a hand for Hisssa to smell and laughs. "Always liked snakes, I did. Had me a snake when I spent time in the swamp. But I retired from that life about 18 cycles ago, now.

The crowd of people, seeing that Sssil is standing, is slowly going back to their original business. After a few more murmured words of thanks and admiring glances, he is left alone with the one-eyed lizar.

"You're a hero, sonny." he says. "Saved a lot of life here today. Why, I wouldnt be suprised if the Council wanted to give you a reward! Now, where did you say you were headed?"

Sssil notices that this lizar either doesnt know or doesnt care taht he's a noble. He contrasts this lizar's attitude with the lizar in the marketplace. No scraping or bowing or calling him 'sa'ssshin' every two sentences. He gets a sense of approval from Hissa, and a picture appears in his mind of the one eyed lizar and Sssil hunting in the swamp
.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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So let'sa see - do something with inventory, check, roll a crit fail, check, do something monumentally stupid, check, manage to luck that actually working and come out the hero despite everything saying that shouldn't happen, check. Oh, indirectly cause the death of something innocent, check.

Yup, guess I'm hitting the ground runnign as a player character :D



Ssssil had taken various beating a and injuries over his life, but this did feel particularly bad. Still, he was sure he succeeded where another person would have panicked and been trampled. It was all about not stopping to think, not stopping even when your body was screaming in agony, and most importantly not thinking.

He felt a little flushed at being regarded so warmly, especially since he thought it would be what anyone else would do. Of course, Ssssil tried to sooth Hissssa's feelings, thinking upon the backpack and indicating Ssssil would hjave placed his pet there first next time. Although really, Ssssil was probably the safer place to be. As long as he did not, as indicated, accidentally crush his friend.

"Hsssir test - outlands," said Ssssil quietly to the one-eyed lizard man. He nervously pointed out in to the far distance, perhaps realising exactly how long a trip he was to make. His ribs and back ached more already. The offer of resting for a moment, and of a healer, seemed a good idea. After all, he needed to protect the good he carried. That required him to be at his best.

Ssssil will try to work out if the lizard has any other intentions, however will assume not:
Sense motive on the one-eyed lizard man. (1d20-1=8)


"have time, will come," said Ssssil, shuffling all of his equipment back on to his pained body. "Thank you." Ssssil then rummages around in his brain for topics of conversation. Sadly, he is used to the peacefulness of the swamp, or the aninimoty in the chaos of his home. Hissssa usually requires no words, just easy thoughts. "So...18 cycles. What did you do?" he asks, realising the tales of the swamp are all that really interests him.


We're off to see the wizard! The wonderful wizard of Oz!
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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"Cmon, let me help you walk" says the old lizar. He gently grabs Sssil's arm and assists him along as they walk. The one-eyed lizar seems friendly, if a bit rough around the edges. He appears to have spent much time out of the city, and walks lightly, like one who has spent many years in thw wilderness.

Sssil notices people pointing at him and waving as he limps painfully along next to the one-eyed lizar. He also sees a young lizar in the dull orange robes of the city guard take off running from the guard post near the gates, a scroll poking out of his pouch. It is obvious he is going to alert the powers that be of the accident that has taken place here. When he sees Sssil, he slows down and approaches him.

"May I have your name and house, sa'ssshin?" the messanger asks. Unlike the one-eyed lizar, this errand boy instantly recognizes Sssil's rank. "I'm sure your House and the council would like to know of your heroism!"

I'm going to just assume you tell him to keep the story flowing. Feel free to retcon anything (or even lie about who you are) and I'll edit.

Sssil tells the boy his name, and the messenger pulls a reed-quill and the scroll out of his pouch and writes on it, before nodding his thanks and running off towards the nobles quarter.

The two walk quietly foor a few yards after Sssil's last question, then the old lizar speaks up. "So Sssildirac, huh? You're a noble on your hsssir test? I never had much use for nobles, with all their rules and pompousness. You dont seem like a noble. Thats what originally drove me to the swamp, ya know. The city, and all its laws and rules and crowds of people. Nobles like that stuff." He peers at Sssil for a second before continuing. "But you, you remind me of myself when I was young. You see, i was a tracker. I guarded caravans of goods going around Zaangaard, found things in the swamp. That sorta thing. But then I lost my eye to an angry couatl18 cycles ago ago, and I figured, SAR, I'm gettin old anyway. Now I own this caravan yard. Try and keep young fools from gettin themselves killed out there, and make sure people get the goods they need. But I do miss it. Names Hassta, by the way."

The two enter the caravan area to a pile of caravan goods sitting heaped in the center of the yard, and a young boy-lizar dragging a harness and chasing a madly shrieking grasshhk around the animal corral. A few wswamp-wagons sit in various stages of readiness, with theworkers lounging about nearby. They suddenly pop up and start working when they see the two entre.

"I swear, you leave for 5 minutes and all Chaos breaks loose. I told them to have that wagon loaded," Hasssta mutters to Sssil.

The caravan yard master's demeanor suddenly changes from the friendly old lizar Sssil met to a stern taskmaster as he surveys the yard, his one good eye gittering angrily.

"Hoy, you lazy bums! Whats this now? I told you to have these goods loaded by the time I got back!"" he shouts at the workers. "And Drakkika, stop chasing that poor grahhssk, you're not going to get that harness on it by scaring it into running! Come here, I need to talk to you!"

The boy stops chasing the grahhssk and nimbly hops the corral fence. As he approaches, Sssil can see a definite resemblance between his scale patterns and Hasssta's. Heappears to be about 7 cycles, and is dressed in minature wilderness gear.

"My grandson, Drakkika." Hasssta says proudly. "His mother is a caravan guard. So I raise him while she's away."

The boy approaches Sssil shyly, but when he sees Ssil's armor with Hisssa poking his head out of the pouch-hole by the shoulder, he becomes excited.

"Are you a tracker?" he asks in a chirping voice. "I'm gonna be a tracker like grandpa when I'm a hsssir! I saw you save the people! That was scary. Its too bad the grahhssk died. I like grahhssk. Do you like grahhssk?"

Hasssta holds up a hand to stop the flood of words. "Enough. I'm sure they'll be time later for Sssil to answer your questions, but he's hurt right now and needs a cleric. Would you mind running over to the temple of High Lord Makanassht? I'm sure they'll be happy to help out, after what Sssil did."

The boy nods and drops the harness before running off, obviously proud to be trusted with such an important mission.

Hasssta points to some crates set up as an obvious sitting area. A fat lizar in opulent arachnae silk purple robes is sitting there, looking around distastefully.

"We could sit over there if you want. Don't mind Thalisss. He's a noble who's going to be travelling with one of the caravans leaving now. Of course he's too good for us. Sent away as a 'diplomat', or so I heard. More like just get him out of the Tenth House's hair. Now, where are you headed? I might have a caravn goin that way. You could sign on as a guard, if you want." Hassta says.

The two lizar walk over to the scowling noble, who glances Sssil over, then ignores him. The only response Hasssta gets is a curt nod. Seeing that the two are going to sit, the lizar stands up and smooths his gown with fat ring-bedecked fingers.

"I will be wandering around by the courtyard. Its not like I can get any fresh air here with those beasts stinking up the place. Can we hurry up and leave please?" the fat lizar says in a whiny voice while pointing at the grahhssk-corral. He stumps off, cautiously picking his way through the yard, as if the packed dirt was made of grahhssk shit.

Hasssta shakes his head and motions to a crate. "Pull up a chair. I have 3 caravans leaving today, and one coming in. The reat of Thaliss' group should be here shortly." he says.

As they sit, a couple more beings enter the caravan yard. These two were none of the races of Zaangaard. One of them, Sssil knows is called an 'elf'. The other was nothing he had ever seen before. It was small, much smaller than Sssil, about the size of Hasssta's grandson. It was covered in reddish brown hair, much more tahn most of the sentient mammals Sssil had seen. Most sentient mammals only had the stuff sprouting from the top of their heads. This creature had it all over, except for on its black shiny nose. Where most mammals had their hair, this creature had two large triangular ears that twitched this way and thata s it walked, taking in sound. It looked for all the world like a bipedal swamp-jackal, the only creature Sssil could even come close to relating it to.

The two strangers approach the lizar, and the 'elf' bows formally. "This I waz tttold, thattt you are mazttter the carrravan?" it asks in barely passable Zaangaardian. This is the closest Sssil has ever been to a mammal, and he cant tell if it is male or female, as it has no pheremones. How on earth could these creatures tell when a female was ready, if she had no cycle scent? Perhaps they had some other way. Belatedly, Sssil realizes that Hasssta is having trouble puzzling out the heavy accent, and is looking to Sssil beseechigly for help.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Sorry this post was so late. I clicked 'send' last night. Then when I woke up this morn and turned on the comp, I got 'the submitted form was invalid', which I didnt notice last night. So I had to resend.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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That's ok, I seem to be averaging 1 and 1/2 days per reply! Speaking of which, reply later...have some chore to do plus trying to sneak in some game time with Ameena too
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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S'ok. I just noticed it cut a few sentences off the bottom anyway I need to retype. Heh Heh Heh. Guess who's in Makan?
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Ssssil hisses thanks for the help, although he is not really that unsteady on his feet. In the swamp you learn to shrug of many hurts or else things can come get you while you are recouperating.

Ssssil gives uncomfortable nods at the attention, though deep down it actually feels good to have what he can do so appreciated, instead of having comments on what he can't or isn't doing made. If only his parents could see. And upon seeing the guard, Ssssil realises that perhaps they can at least hear about it.

Ssssil fills in the guard on the details proudly. Only after the guard runs away does Ssssil get nervous. "Not done wrong, speaking to guard? Not said anything wrong? That how it happened?" he asked, anxiously.

Ssssil had apparently nothing to hide from the lizar, and so gave simple, non-commital answers to the questions. Though it was hard to disguise his own similar thoughts of much of what Hasssta was saying. Hard not to feel happy that someone else felt the same way, and that Ssssil wasn't lazy or foolish for wanting that life. "Ssssil, really," he said of his name.

Ssssil has nothing to say regardign the chaos, having had to organise nothing more than himself for so long. Younger siblings were understandably immune to such wrangling, and exempt from any attempts at organisation.

"Hello," he says to Drakkika, in what he hopes is a friendly manner. He does not wish to offend Hasssta, when the lizar seems so well disposed to Ssssil. "Yes, I track things. Good at tracking. Like your grandfather, it sounds like. Good to be a tracker, nothing but swamp around you, and prey in your mind." Ssssil is nervous at the adoration of the boy, and a little bewildered at the boy's lack of focus. "Grahhssk seem...good. Not had much to do with them. Seem...strong. Sorry one had to die to save people." Ssssil was relived when Hasssta came back.

"Not talk to him, if he noble," said Ssssil. "he won't talk to me." Ssssil hoped he didn't sound stupid to the old lizar. After all, he still had to ensure he did not mess up and dishonour his House. It was still ingrained. Yet, he felt embarrassed that it still meant so much, given this eye opening conversation. "I am going to land of Great Trees. Where fey live. Trade goods there."

Ssssil sits down as indicated by Hassta, not expecting acknowledgement and not dissapointed. It was even harder to not feel embarrassedfor being a noble when sitting beside someone so whiny. And yet Ssssil felt anxious that the noble did not suddernly decry him for not following the hsssr test correctly. The silk wearing lizar moving away made Ssssil relax. He touched Hissssa, partially for reassurance and partially to ensure his friend had forgiven him for earlier.

Ssssil sits in companionable silence with Hasssta, occasionally asking a question or pointing out something peculiar to the wagon trade that Ssssil had not been aware. The two new arrivals are strange, and immediately Ssssil regards them with a predatory gaze. Assessing their strengths and weaknesses as a species, assessing what makes them unique from himself and other animals and mammals he has tracked.

Of course, it's an unfortunate habit, and he realises he is doing it almost right away. He looks away embarrassed, keeping half an eye and half an ear on proceedings. It took him a moment to realise Hasssta was looking to him, and Ssssil's heart fell a little.

Realising he perhaps would need that perdatory nature, he stood up and gave a non-verbal head movement to the 'elf' and the other mammal. And meanwhile, he tried to coax his brain in to recalling any fact that could help so he could whisper them to Hasssta.


Knowldege (nature) check to try and recall details of elves to aid communication (including body language, gestures, words, customs) (1d20+7=11)
Aid another roll to aid Hasssta in figuring out what's being said and why. Sense Motive (1d20-1=3)

Yeah, so he will recall anything any non-skilled person knows about elves, and then even if <i>that</i> helps, the core 'aid another' check kidna falls flat. So yeah, cool to see (I assume) Westian and Ameena in the thread, and such a shame my character is responsible for having Hasssta stab them repeatidly in the traditional elvish greeting.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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You know what they say about assuming. It makes an ass out of u and me. ;) Al;though due to you thinking it was Westian, I actually changed my story a bit and contacted OB to ask if he would mind if Westian made a cameo. But no, thats not Ameena.

The old lizar laughs as the two walk over to the yard. "Youre asking me if you did anything wrong? Sonny, you just saved countless lives. You didnt do anything wrong!"

In the yard, the two sit comfortably, the annoying noble gone. Sssil's worries seem unfounded, as Hassta doesnt appear to be comparing him to the whiny Thalisss in any way. "The land of Great Trees, eh? The flying ones? I have a caravan headed in that generla direction, although not exactly to the place where the fae live. Youd have to split off after 3 days of travel. Ive seen you reaction times and skills, and if you are as good with those weapons hanging off of you as you are fast, I can have you sign on as a guard, if you want. Standard pay is 10 gold, 5 at start, 5 at the place where you would seperate from the group. You can sleep under the wagons, and will be expected to take turns with hunting to provide food. No pressure, though. Its just an offer."

The conversation is interupted when the elf and his companion enter and approach the caravan master. Hassta notes the gleam in Sssil's eye, but says nothing, perhaps recognizing the assessment as something common to all of those who have spent time alone in the wilds. As Sssil looks the elf over, he is shocked by the being's apparent fragility. Its face was flat, no muzzle to speak of, and the teeth he could see when it talked were those of a prey animal, not conical like his own. Its lips were turned up in an odd u shape, a feature Sssil dimly remembers as being called a 'smile', and used to show a sense of happiness or non-agression among humanoid mammals. Its skin appeared soft, easy prey for swamp insects, and as it spoke, it scratched at odd red lumps on its skin. After it was finished speaking, it dipped its head low. Sssil racks his brain for dimly remembered studies of mammal culture his parents forced him to endure, and remembers that the dipping of the head is a 'bow'. But he couldnt exactly remember what it signified. He knew it happened when mammals met each other. Perhaps it was a showing of the neck, to say 'you could bite me'. Sssil remembers seeing a similar expression among packs of swamp-jackals, where one would lay on its back and show its stomach as a form of submission.

But try as he might, the elf's accent was so thick, all that Sssil could tell was that the elf was looking for the caravan yard. But why, he had no idea. The elf seems to realize he isnt being uderstood, and tries again, speaking very slowly and making a concerted effort to be understood.

"Westian, I am, Ttthiz iz Growlgra."said the elf very slowly, first pointing to himself and then the odd dog-like being next to him. The dog like being remained silent, and Sssil reflected that its muzzle probably could not properly make the siblants required for Zaangaardian, and would be even less intelligable than the elf. "We zeeking, pazage to Zun Forest. Have a carrravan going zzhat way?" The elf punctuates his speech with hand gestures, first pointing to himself and his companion again, then to the caravan. At the blank look from Hassta, he sighs and looks to his companion for help. The dog man shrugs and mutters something in a growling speech. The two are looking around helplessly when Drakkika returns leading a purple robed acolyte, the entwined snake symbol of Makanassht embroidered in silver on his robes.

The cleric sees Sssil sitting there and rushes over. "I heard about what you did, sa'ssshin, and I would be happy to help. Here, take this." The cleric produces a small vial filled with water and whispers "Makanassht, great serpent. Grant me power in your name. ONVI" over the bottle, and a blue fog appears inside which slowly permeates into the liquid. He hands the flask to Sssil and nods. "Drink that, and it will at least cure some of your aches. I'm sorry I cant do more." he says.

I will update more tomorrow. Sorry to cut it off at such a weird point, but as I wrrote in OOC, I had a crap day. Feel free to try and interprate the elf again, or inform Hassta of what you know ;)
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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No problem, sounds like you had a paaaaaainful day! I'm actually happy with a once per two days posting anyway, being able to post quicker if either of us can :)

And aha, I see that it was growlgra and someone else was to be the cameos. I wondered why you were pre-empting the end of the game. I could get TPK happy :p Cool Westian's made an apperarance....aawwwwwwwwwwww. *mental note - OB relaised I couldn't kill him if he's in this game too, clever.
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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Ssssil tried to explain the strange customs of the elves and other races - as he understood them - to Hasssta. Ssssil did not like putting himself out too much, certainly not between some uncertain beings and someone who seemed to like him for the moment. Ssssil instead wondered if the dog-like creature, the one the elf seemed to communicate with, was perhaps the more intelligent of the two? Perhaps the elf was merely the interpretter. Ssssil decided he felt more comfortable trying ot speak to a creature who could easily be another denezin of the swamp. Ssssil was used to trying to trying ot be understood by such creatures. Not that this made him an expert, by any means. All animals had such complex thoughts and concerns until you understood their place in the world.


Ssssil will try some non-verbal communication with Gwowlgra, basic gestures of respect and coming in peace, gestural walking, coming, going, etc. Scored a 17 for the attempt, though a 3 to understand anything in return! :D Maybe Hasssta can aid another, and has a better sense motive for any replies.

Bluff check to try and communicate to the dog-like creature, then sense motive to attempt to understand it in return (1d20=19, 1d20=4)
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

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As Sssil moves in ways that he has learned from watching animals in the swamp, particularily mammals, he notices the dog man's ears perk up and the dog-man watches intently, his nose twitching. After a few minutes of this, it is obvious the dog-man understands. Growlgra gets excited and starts talking with his companion, who adds more gestures of his own and tries to equate the gestures with words. Finally, Hassta jumps up and says "I get it! You want to travel west!" The elf nods and says "Ayhh, zzat iz name. Wezzttt." while putting his mouth again in that 'u' shape. Sssil realizes the elf had been calling the direction by what the elf's language said it was, and filed it away for future referance.

Due to your high bluff rll, communicating basic concepts to mammals in gesture just got easier. You still have quite a bit of trouble understanding them in return, but they can understand you and through universal gestures such as nods can communicate 'yes' and 'no'. FINALLY Hassta made his roll. I intentionally gave him a high Innuendo (bluff), but he kept rolling dismally. Wasnt really expecting on this lil exchange to go on this long.

The cleric, who has been watching this whole thing says, "Hm. I see there is a language issue here. And, sa'ssshin Sssildirac, I think I have found the perfect way to repay you for your heroism! Let me confer with my superior. He is a noble of the First House, and should be able to authorize me gving you this, as thanks from the Temple of Our Lord on High, the Great Entwined Serpent." Beaming excitedly, the cleric rushes off, leaving Sssil holding his flask and everyone else looking mystified. It is obvious the elf understands Zaangaardian at least somewhat, as he again makes that 'smile'.

The group stands arund waiting for the cleric, watching the grahhssks meandering about their corral and the workers loading the caravan that will be leaving shortly. The elf jabbers in a language that sounds to Sssil like a combination of birds tweeting and grahhssk shrieks to his companion. A grahhssk shriek is something like a reptilian version of a lemur call Drakkika starts snickering when he hears this, but quiets at a stern look from his grandfather. After about 15 minutes of waiting, the cleric comes rushing back. He holds out a small oblong hematite stone. It is thin, and about two inches across. It has a thong of leather wound through a hole on the top, and anotherthrong through a hole at the bottom. He pushes it into Sssil's hands. Turning it over, Sssil can see two runes incribed on it. He knows one of them to represent the element symbol of Air, called OH. But the other is more esoteric.

The cleric looks excited. "I just created it a few days ago, with the grace of the Majecstic Serpent. Here, tie it around your neck snugly so it is right over your speaking-seed. voice-box or adams apple . Once you have done that, touch it and say 'OH EW'. But be warned, it only works for an hour. Then it must recharge for at least 12 hours. It gains mana from the air, so it would be best to not keep it stuffed in a bag.

not sure if I should stop here and allow you to experiment with it, or keep going, so Im gonna stop
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beowuuf
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by beowuuf »

Sorry, for some reason confused this post with the previous one where you were going to post again!
Drinking the healing potion (4d6=17)



Ssssil was glad that something had come of his prompting, although he quickly tried to retreat from fouc, using the drinking of the potion as an excuse (healing 17 hit points, woohoo!). He splashed some on sore areas, and drank the rest down fast. It was an amazing things that clerics could do, being able to cure poisons and heal wounds in the bink of an eye. Usualyl though, none were worth their weight in the swamp doing anything else. You tended to take more wounds defending them, and they used up all their magics healing themselves. Perhaps he had just had bad luck over the years.

However, it appears that no good deed goes unpunished, and suddenly Sssssil is in the spotlight once more. He quickly stashes the empty flask in a belt pouch and then prepares himself for the odd devise. Afetr the cleric has told him how to fit it , the lizar paws at it, shifting it so it is more comfortable. Nothing worse that waiting for food to come to a trap with an item poking you in the wrong place. He gives a small smile of encouragement, then realises it is himself he needs to encourage. 'Oh. Ew?' says Ssssil touching the device.

"Does it work?" he says quietly, looking left and right to the lizars around, and then nods even more nervously to the elf and canaine, not even saying anything to them. He looks to the beasts that will draw the wagon. "Work on them, too?" he asks shyly.

Ssssil, then looks to Hissssa. "I speak better now?" he asks quietly now with a toothy grin.


Recalling odd things, Ssssil fishes out the small coin-like thing he received from his mother. "Know what this is?" he asked the cleric, showing the circular bone piece with the hole to him.
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raixel
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Re: BEO's FUN FUN INTRO

Post by raixel »

You recieved the coin from the servant Jassk. But thats ok. I suspect Sssil isnt the brightest :)

Sssil puts on the device an activates it as the cleric instructed. He doesnt feel any different, but when he speaks he feels an odd buzzing against his throat. A voice sounding like Sssil, but remarkably tinny, as if he was speaking through a metal pipe, comes out of the device. It sounds like gibberish to Sssil, but the elf and his companion perk up.

"Yes, yes! I can understand you!" the elf says excitedly in his own language. Although Sssil's ears just hear the tweeting and chirping of the elf at first, the device begins to buzz aginst his throat and somehow the words distort and become perfectly spoken Zaangaardian. The blank look from Hassta though, tells him that he is the only one who can understand the elf's words. "You all still sound the same to me." says Hasssta

The cleric claps his hands. "Great! It appears to works perfectly! Having just created it, I wasn't sure of the concept, but Our High Lord of course wouldn't help me create something that didn't work!" He makes the symbol of the Eternal Serpent in the air in front of him and mutters a prayer of thanks. "This stone will allow you to communicate with any being that has a spoken language. Unfortunately, no, it wont work for a beast or a creature that communicates in other ways, such as scent or gesture." he tells Sssil.

Sssil shows him the small bone coin and he takes it. He turns it over in his hands and examines the inscribed symbol, before handing it back. "This coin is a charm made the swamp-dwelling lizar, by their uncultured shamans. If it is dipped in a poisoned or unsafe liquid, it supposedly will purify the liquid and make it safe to consume. But, I wouldnt trust their heathen and primitive magics. Only the grace of Makanassht can truly protect us." he says sternly, while again drawing the symbol of Makanassht in the air in front of him.

"Now, if there is noting further, I must return to my studies." He turns to Ssil. "Sa'ssshin, thank you again for your valor. May Makanassht guide your hunt." The cleric nods and walks off in the direction of his temple.

Hassta looks around. "Well, that was interesting. Wish I had me one o' those things. Maybe I should jump in front of a speeding wagon, too." he remarks teasingly. "Now, Drakkika, go harness up those grahhssk. Thaliss' caravan will be leaving for Kelt as soon as it's done being loaded. And dont chase them around this time!" The lizar boy nods and scampers off.

The caravn yard owner turns to Sssil and says "So, if you can understand them, could you do me a big favor and tell them the only caravan I have going west soon is heading to the human town of Viborg. It is the same as the one you would be guarding, if you choose to do so.. If they seek passage on it, it is leaving within 6 hours and will cost 4 gold, 2 if they furnish their own meals. It will be leaving around 3rd bell." 3pm. The time now is roughly 9am

The caravan going to Kelt has been loaded, and Drakkika is bringing the harnessed grahhssk into place. The large bipedal reptiles shriek and crane their thin necks to snap at their traces to proclaim their dislike of being in harness. After this is done, Drakkika runs to the gates of the yard and starts ringing a large brass bell hanging there. The people walking along the main road hear the bell and slowly start to clear a path for the caravan.

Sssil is suprised at the sudden bustle of activity when the bell tolls, as that is the signal for the caravan leaders to start to organize their guards and employees. Lizar who had been just lounging around in the large dirt yard start organizing their packs and checking their equipment. The warrior sees the bulky form of Thaliss waddling his way slowly over to a swamp-wagon that is slightly better built and more opulent than the rest, and the noble climbs inside with the assistance of a livery-bedecked footman of the Tenth House. After about half a bell of preperation, the drivers climb aboard and a call of "Sssha! Move on!" is heard. The wide wheels of the swamp-wagons creak as the caravan begins to move out of the yard and toward the city gates.
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