Scene: The Village

[DinbinFanfoom]

As the party walks, the old man informs him that his name is "Mokdi" and that he is the prime elder of the small tribe of islanders. "Big wind very bad for travel on tall-raft and big-canoe, " Mokdi laughs, "but very good day after for fish!" After about 30 minutes of walking along the narrow but well-used trail, which has long-since moved away from the stream, you come to a large clearing in a small, sheltered cove on what you assume to be a western beach of the island or peninsula.

There are numerous thatched huts standing about, most raised up off the ground by a few feet on bamboo stilts with short ramps up to their doorways. You see villagers milling around, going about their daily tasks: hanging fish to dry, tending cooking pots, and scraping hides. When they notice your party walking with the other villagers, they stop what they are doing and stand, quietly, observing. They appear to be a tall, fit people. A few children go running through the open areas, presumably yelling for all to come and see the strangers.

Mokdi introduces you to a few of the older men and women in the village, some of which also speak smatterings of the "old tongue".

After the formalities, Mokdi turns to Damelon and asks, "You need eat?"

[Shiz]

"Yes. Eat and then tell us of men with sharp teeth."

[DinbinFanfoom]

"Yes. Eat and then tell us of men with sharp teeth."
Mokdi nods. He ushers the party over to a large, stone slab outside a modest hut. As they sit around it, they note that it approximates a comfortable table. Several villagers bring warm clay plates of grilled fish, shellfish in pastry and what seems to be some sort of rice-noodle. Looks like you arrived just in time for lunch. Mokdi digs in rather unceremoniously, and urges you to do the same. Not a lot of pomp and pageantry in this place, it appears.

"Sharp teeth..." the old man says, thinking. "Ah. Sharp-teeth we call 'Man-eaters'. Very bad."

Crashing and Damelon (Passive Perception >= 15) notice that there is a lot of work going on down by the water edge. There appear to be several very large rafts under construction on the beach. Labourers work to weave vines between huge logs. Mokdi notices you looking at the rafts. "We make rafts to leave this place. Not safe here now." he says, sadly.

[Shiz]

Damelon and Togar will fall to and eat.

[Lycos]

Sigurd eats and asks...

How long have you been here?

And why leave now? What has changed that you need to leave?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Sigurd asks...
How long have you been here?
And why leave now? What has changed that you need to leave?
"Mokdi's people have been here long time. From before Mokdi was made, seven-tens-and-two long-suns back. Always safe here, long time. But not now. Two long-suns back, more Man-eaters come. Raid our island. We lose many to Man-eaters." He pauses, his eyes misting. "Even my son, Paldi... They take him when he fishes in canoe. We hate man-eaters. Very bad!" Mokdi grows emphatic; it's easy to see that he's quite angry, but he regains control. "We no fish in canoe again. Only on water-side."

"From that time, always we go for water in two-person or three-person. More safe. Safe for a time... but then we hear thunderings. Thunder start..." he pauses and calculates for a moment, "...six long-moons ago. We are brave people, not afraid. At first. Just thunder! Our people see many storms. Not afraid. But..." he sighs.

"Then, one day, hunter see him. Big Thunder Man. Taller than biggest hut! Tall as tree!" he gestures for emphasis. "Hunter smart, run away. Big Thunder Man not see hunter."

"Then, three long-moons ago... more villagers... taken. Two-peoples go for water. Not return. Three-peoples hunt, not return. Maybe Big Thunder Man take them? Always we find broken trees where people gone. MUST be Big Thunder Man! Mokdi's people not sure what to do. Man-eaters bad. Man-eaters AND Big Thunder Man taking people bad, bad, BAD!" He shakes his fist vainly and puts his palm to his head, rubbing his scalp.

"So we think..." he sighs sadly, "...maybe we leave." He gestures towards the rafts. "We not build rafts in many, many long-suns. Hard work; take many long-moons. We not sure where go. Maybe find other island. Hard to say."

"We not have much for you, strangers. But you help Lamsi, so we happy." He nods respectfully. Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he raises his voice a bit, and very pointedly says, "Lamsi foolish not to go two-person or three-person for water, but Lamsi... has..." he pauses, looking for an expression, then finally taps his skull with his finger, "...strong head?" Another elder chuckles at the gesture, dispite not entirely knowing the words. He quickly translates to someone standing next to him, and Lamsi overhears. She glowers at Mokdi, behind his back, but then looks at her feet, embarassed, instead.

[Shiz]

Damelon scribbles in the dirt, showing what he knows of where we are relative to where the group came ashore.

"Can you give us a rough map of this land? It is an island? Where do the man-eaters live?"

[Asharad]

This is basically the type of place I grew up in, just on a smaller scale. Anything I can do to make myself useful and, whilst doing that, maybe gleam some information?

[Lycos]

Sigurd says, "Well, I wouldn't mind scrapping with those people again. It was fun. The only problem we have is that they disappear in this dense forest. We can't fight something we can't see."

[Asharad]

I am also curious as to how we get off this island.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Mokdi listens to Damelon's request thoughtfully. He turns to one of the younger men behind him and murmurs a sentence or two. The fellow scampers off into the hut and returns in a moment with a rolled up piece of some sort of paper made from beaten reeds. Mokdi hands it to Damelon, and helps him unfurl it onto the stone table-top.

"This is island." Mokdi says, indicating the obvious land mass in the picture. He points (to where you see "1") and says, "This is... your word... 'wreck' of tall-raft. This... (pointing to where you see "2") is village here. Man-Eaters..." he pauses, obviously a bit frustrated, and then drags his finger in a circle all around the island, "...are all places. Come in canoes. But... here..." he indicates a spot southwest down the shore from the village, towards the SW peninsula, "is where they make big camp. We not go there."

To Sigurd, he nods in agreement. "Man-Eaters move in jungle as we do. Quiet. Fast. Some very fast. Our people have..." he struggles to find a word and fails. He turns to a nearby warrior and gestures to him and says a few words. The young man holds out his bow. "...this." Mokdi finishes. "Man-Eaters have..." he struggles again, and then finally gives up and pantomimes a blow-gun. "Bad medicine strike. Make easy for Man-Eater to take two-person or even three-person. We not try find Man-Eaters... they find us."

Crashing is staying alert. He notes that the villagers are a bit more wary of him than the others... probably the face-paint, which might, from some angles, remind them of the 'Man-Eaters'. To allay their fears, the shaman offers Mokdi his services as healer. Mokdi seems genuinely thankful. "We have healers such as you, but different." he says. "We... have respect of healers. Important to village. We have man... sick. Has fever from eat bad shellfish. Lamsi take you. You help? Maybe... we take you from this place when we go... in some long-moons..." Interestingly, Lamsi nods in approval. She seems to be picking up the angle of the conversation. These people may look primitive, but they are not dumb, that's for sure.

[Asharad]

Happy to help! I'll go along and try to get the guy back on steadier ground

I'll unpaint myself too....for now.

healing:19
I don't know if I need the roll. If that doesn't do it, I'll probably just keep trying until I fix him, since there aren't any time constraints.

[Shiz]

Damelon intuits that if the map is drawn to some rough scale, the island is less that two days walk long. Is that right?

He points to the darker spots in the NE section and gives a questioning look.

How far from port were we when we wrecked again?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Mokdi speaks a few more words to Lamsi, who nods quickly in understanding. She beckons Crashing to follow her and she walks with him through the village center. As she walks, she points to herself.

"Lamsi." she states.

Then, she points at Crashing. "Noma?" she inquires. Then, "N...Name?"

[Asharad]

I'll smile, point to myself and say "Crashing."

Would an insight check help in order to gradually learn their language? I may ask her how long her people have been on the island, but I'm not sure how to express that (by which I mean which skill to use).

[DinbinFanfoom]

Damelon intuits that if the map is drawn to some rough scale, the island is less that two days walk long. Is that right?Correct. It would be about 30 miles across.
He points to the darker spots in the NE section and gives a questioning look.Mokdi intuits Damelon's intentions and thinks for a moment. "Big-hills. M... Mountains?" he says.
How far from port were we when we wrecked again?I don't think I stated, specifically... You were on a one-week detour from your normal route, however. So you likely are a week minimum + storm pushing off beaten path, by sailing ship.

[DinbinFanfoom]

I'll smile, point to myself and say "Crashing."

Would an insight check help in order to gradually learn their language? I may ask her how long her people have been on the island, but I'm not sure how to express that (by which I mean which skill to use).
Anyone know what skill learning a language might be? Insight? Or is there something specific? History?

Edit: The feat "Linguist" appears to be INT based, so I'm guessing it's an INT skill, not WIS. Probably "History", though "Insight" is described as the ability to "read between the lines", so I'm guessing you can still try to discipher her intent via it, though not necessarily learn the words of HER language.

Edit: OK. Give me an INT or history roll. +0 it is, in your case. :D

[Shiz]

I would go INT. Set it up as a long term skill challenge, non-failable skill challenge. after some number of successes, the language is learned at some rudimentary level.

[Asharad]

Ahh...I see what you are saying there...

[DinbinFanfoom]

I think I'll do something similar yes. Each time you want to understand what someone says, give me an INT roll and it'll be a chance to learn more. You'll never be proficient, but you'll get less of their language, and more of your own.

Lamsi leads Crashing to a large, low hut away from the water edge. It looks purpose-built for tending the sick... it's not as high as some of the others and it has several "rooms" sectioned off inside, each with a bamboo and cloth cot of sorts, raised of the floor. Only two have "patients" in them... one has an older woman being tended by a younger woman, and the other has a middle-aged man. He appears to be in discomfort, beads of sweat furrow his brow, and he groans.

Lamsi moves closer and kneels by the side of his bed. She talks quickly with him and then turns and looks up at Crashing.

"Noma Nauroki" she says, gesturing to the man, who looks towards the pair. Then she gestures towards Crashing. "Noma... Krashi?" she says, looking for confirmation that she hasn't offended. She speaks again to "Nauroki" and Crashing (INT 16 vs DC 15: success) gets the feeling that she has explained that the shaman is a healer, and is there to help. The man relaxes a bit. Crashing examines the man head-to-foot and presses gently on various abdominal locations.

Back at the table...

Mokdi and the rest of the party finish their meal. The elder says, "Again, we very happy for your help this day. We cannot have missing more person... very sad. It is Mokdi's people hope that we can make new village in safe place, but until those times, we be careful. We watch. You are great warriors. Are all your people warriors like you? Sometimes, we see tall-rafts and big-canoes come... much noise, come to our island, put things in sand... in caves... strange types, these raft-men. Sometimes come back, sometimes not."

[Asharad]

I'll point to myself and smile. "Noma Krashi"

Then: "Don' be worryin' none, Nauroki."

Then to Lamsi, "Back in mah village we have da same problem. We gets dem crawfish and when you eat dey tails dey taste soo good. Sometimes doe, daddy crawfish he pinces you, even afta he be in your belly."

I'll grab my pouch, sort through it, pulling out various odds and ends.

Then to Lamsi mostly, since the guy is a bit out of it," Sometimes dis take a bit, let's see how we do."

(healing=26)

"I tink that make him feel better. He's gonna need water."

I'll look around until I find some water, point to it, and then point to Nauroki and then to my mouth.

"Water. Make sure he gets as much as he want. He won be wanna no food, but lotta water."

[Lycos]

Mokdi and the rest of the party finish their meal. The elder says, "Again, we very happy for your help this day. We cannot have missing more person... very sad. It is Mokdi's people hope that we can make new village in safe place, but until those times, we be careful. We watch. You are great warriors. Are all your people warriors like you? Sometimes, we see tall-rafts and big-canoes come... much noise, come to our island, put things in sand... in caves... strange types, these raft-men. Sometimes come back, sometimes not."

Sigurd asks, "Have you seen what they have put in these caves?"

Pirates or something more evil than that?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Nauroki nods and takes the herbal concoction on his tongue. Within a few minutes, he looks a bit better (Healing 26: Success). Crashing knows he will be up and around in no time.

Lamsi observes Crashing's gesture and disappears briefly from the hut and returns with a small skin of water. She seems to understand what Crashing intended, and helps Nauroki by lifting his head and guiding the bottle to his mouth. He lies back, refreshed. His skin is no longer flushed with fever.

She is obviously impressed with Crashing's healing skill. She nods in approval and thankfulness, speaks a few more words to Nauroki, and steps towards the door, urging Crashing to follow. "Nauroki... feel... betta. Good! Good Krashi!"

As she and Crashing walk back through the town, she pauses and moves her arm in a big circle, encompassing all of the huts.

"Vill-age?" she says, haltingly. And then, gesturing up towards the party sitting in the distance, struggles to communicate something. She thinks for a moment, and then starts humming a simple yet beautiful melody. She sways a bit, and points back to the party sitting.

"Name?" she says, and hums again, as if to somehow clarify.

------------------

Mokdi turns to Sigurd.

"Not know. Sometimes big things." He holds his arms wide, about a yard apart. "Sometimes small." He holds his hands closer together. "Sometimes... shiny. Yellow iron. Sometimes..." he pauses, trying to frame a difficult subject in simple words, "...they make person dig. They put yellow iron in box, and box in sand. Then... they make digging man dead. Put in sand too. Strange. We stay away."

[Asharad]

As she and Crashing walk back through the town, she pauses and moves her arm in a big circle, encompassing all of the huts.

"Vill-age?" she says, haltingly. And then, gesturing up towards the party sitting in the distance, struggles to communicate something. She thinks for a moment, and then starts humming a simple yet beautiful melody. She sways a bit, and points back to the party sitting.

"Name?" she says, and hums again, as if to somehow clarify.

This seems like an insight check to me. (edit=13)
I'll use speak with spirits and try and see what she is saying.

So insight 17.

[DinbinFanfoom]

This seems like an insight check to me. (edit=13)
I'll use speak with spirits and try and see what she is saying.
So insight 17.
(Insight 17: Success) She seems to be asking the name of the musical member of your party. The one with the soothing voice.

[Asharad]

(Insight 17: Success) She seems to be asking the name of the musical member of your party. The one with the soothing voice.


I'll grin and point in his general direction.

"Ahh...noma Katie."

[DinbinFanfoom]

I'll grin and point in his general direction.
"Ahh...noma Katie."
Lamsi nods and repeats the word, "Kati". She seems to appreciate your attempt at her language. And suddenly, she appears to be a bit uncomfortable. She looks down at her very dirty clothing and fingers the rips and tears. She turns to Crashing and gestures with palms flat as if to say, "wait here". She turns and jogs off around behind a nearby hut and into another. Two minues later, she reappears, face washed and with a new, clean garment on. Aside from the bruised eye, it'd be hard to tell that she was nearly killed but recently.

"Thank, Krashi!" she says, and beckons him onward towards the party at the table. As they rejoin the group, Lamsi speaks quickly and quietly to Mokdi, who smiles and turns back to the rest of the crew.

"Lamsi say Nauroki better, thank to 'Krashi'. Krashi has big medicine, very good. Nauroki family be very happy also. Now Nauroki can build raft also."

Mokdi turns to speak with a few of the older ones, then back to the party after a minute or so.

"Mokdi people very happy with Warriors From Far. We simple people but... you must let us prepare celebration this night for you. We have many, many sad days. This happy day. Then, maybe you stay with us. Help us build big-raft. Or help us with Man-Eaters and Big Thunder Man. You help Mokdi people, Mokdi people give what they have for you."

[Lycos]

Mokdi turns to Sigurd.

"Not know. Sometimes big things." He holds his arms wide, about a yard apart. "Sometimes small." He holds his hands closer together. "Sometimes... shiny. Yellow iron. Sometimes..." he pauses, trying to frame a difficult subject in simple words, "...they make person dig. They put yellow iron in box, and box in sand. Then... they make digging man dead. Put in sand too. Strange. We stay away."

Gold! Nice, and a possible way off this island? This could be an interesting adventure. :D

[EricStratton]

"Can you mark where the boxes are?" (on the map)

[DinbinFanfoom]

Mokdi frowns.

"Why want box? Just box..." He shrugs, and pulls the map closer.

"We see tall-raft-men this place..." he gestures to the eastern shore of the island. "River comes out here. Near cave. Raft men go into cave with box. Come out, no box. Not so many raft men also. One time, long ago, when Mokdi small, Mokdi's fellow... what name... Sarnli? Sarnli and Mandoki! Sarnli and Mandoki go to cave... we not see again." He whistles low. "Cave bad, we no go cave place. Very bad."

He pauses for a bit and slowly moves his hand to the northwest section of the island.

"This place bad also. More bad. But, it across... valley. All is dead there. We see from other-side valley. Valley deep, very deep. Nothing cross. This good. Bad things up there."

[Lycos]

Mokdi frowns.

"Why want box? Just box..." He shrugs, and pulls the map closer.

"We see tall-raft-men this place..." he gestures to the eastern shore of the island. "River comes out here. Near cave. Raft men go into cave with box. Come out, no box. Not so many raft men also. One time, long ago, when Mokdi small, Mokdi's fellow... what name... Sarnli? Sarnli and Mandoki! Sarnli and Mandoki go to cave... we not see again." He whistles low. "Cave bad, we no go cave place. Very bad."


When was someone there last? Do you know?


He pauses for a bit and slowly moves his hand to the northwest section of the island.

"This place bad also. More bad. But, it across... valley. All is dead there. We see from other-side valley. Valley deep, very deep. Nothing cross. This good. Bad things up there."

What kind of bad things? Magic? Monsters?

[DinbinFanfoom]

When was someone there last? Do you know?
Mokdi rubs his chin and thinks.

"Long time." he says, finally. "Sarnli and Mandoki go there... more than five-tens of long-suns ago. Not come back. We not go in cave after. But Mokdi people see cave maybe... three-tens of long-suns ago? Long time."

What kind of bad things? Magic? Monsters?
Mokdi doesn't seem to know what "monster" means. He frowns.

"Do not know. We not go there. Place has bad... sky. Dark sky. Earth is dead. Grey. Sometimes lights. Strange lights. Nobody go there. Valley too deep anyway. No cross."

[EricStratton]

"Besides your wonderful selves is there anything *not bad* on this island??"

[DinbinFanfoom]

"Besides your wonderful selves is there anything *not bad* on this island??"If Mokdi catches the sarcasm, he doesn't let on.
"Fish. Fish, good. Weather, good. Trees, good. Sun, good. Children, good..." he states, sincerely, voice trailing off, as if expecting you to stop him. "Many good things when Mokdi people come here. Many things still good..." he says gesturing to the village around him. "but now, many more things bad. So this why we make big-rafts. Go other place. Make good again."

[Lycos]

We could fight to keep things good. *grin*

[DinbinFanfoom]

Mokdi seems pleased and nods appreciatively.

"Warriors From Far are mighty." he says. "Today you plan. Tonight, we eat. Dance. Be happy. Tomorrow... you keep things good. We help! This good? If good, Warriors From Far and Mokdi talk. Mokdi tell Warriors From Far all he knows of island."

[Lycos]

Mokdi seems pleased and nods appreciatively.

"Warriors From Far are mighty." he says. "Today you plan. Tonight, we eat. Dance. Be happy. Tomorrow... you keep things good. We help! This good? If good, Warriors From Far and Mokdi talk. Mokdi tell Warriors From Far all he knows of island."

Sigurd is grinning from ear to ear. "Yeah!" :mrgreen:

[DinbinFanfoom]

Sigurd is grinning from ear to ear. "Yeah!" :mrgreen:
Is that the concensus?

[Lycos]

Is that the concensus?

That's Sigurd's consensus. :D

[EricStratton]

Erik has nothing else to do. He nods, "That sounds like a plan."

[Shiz]

"I would definitely rather explore than build rafts."

Togar agrees.

[DinbinFanfoom]

That afternoon, Mokdi takes you on a tour of the village. He shows you the medical center (which Crashing visited earlier), a large community hall (that's one big hut!) and various other specialized structures. It appears this settlement has been here some time, and the people are hard-working and industrious. It has very little in the way of formal defense, however, with only a handful of warriors spread around the perimiter or in trees, watching for anything suspicious. This is a community of hunters and gatherers, not soldiers, that much is sure. All seem friendly, if a bit wary, quick to smile and wave, even though they don't understand a word you say.

Mokdi gives you more details on the island. The northwestern "bad" part, you come to understand, comprises a large zone of essentially "dead" land... very little seems to grow there, and the air is thick and cloudy and vile. At least, what the villagers can make out of it... a wide, deep, rocky ravine cuts off that section of the island from the green southern part. The villagers only go to the edge of the ravine occasionally while out hunting or scouting, they see no way to cross.

In the Northeast section, there are mountains (the blobs) that gradually rise out of the jungle. Again, the village has no real reason to go up there, though they are rumoured to be the home of some very large eagles.

Just south of the mountains is the "Valley of the Wild Ones". The villagers only visit the edge of this valley infrequently; they've reported seeing great shaggy beasts roaming there, albeit peacefully.

The Southeast shore is where the "Tall-Rafters" land. The latter have made many landings there, loading and offloading mysterious cargo for an unknown purpose. Though it has been a long time since any "Tall-Rafters" have visited the area, the villagers stay away.

The Southwest shore and peninsula are where the "Man-Eaters" have an outpost of sorts. Mokdi says the cannibals are marauders... they don't have much in the way of permanent habitations, they just sail around in their canoe fleets looking for good places to settle temporarily and... harvest. However, they have been seen transporting salvaged and stolen items in their canoes, but why and to where they take them, it is unknown.

The Big Thunder Man is a bit of a mystery, even to the villagers. The Man-Eaters are known kidnappers, but why and how this (alleged) large creature operates and takes victims is unknown, as it has been seen only once, though heard a few more times. It is thought to reside somewhere in the north/center of the island.

You are shown the area where the rafts are being built. They appear to be actually gigantic catamarans and tri-hulls, sophisticated and robust given the building materials they are made from. Three are in various stages of construction, with the keels for a fourth being laid out on the beach.

Mokdi and several of the other elders delegate responsibilities as you stroll about the village, and you can see that indeed preparations are being made in the central "square" for a grand feast and celebration for the evening. One of the larger, newer huts is being cleaned by a crew as well, no doubt to accommodate your group. Erik surmises that for there to be several huts empty, the village population must be... shrinking.

Togar, Sigurd and Damelon observe several of the villagers crafting strong hunting bows, which aside from the spear, appears to be the staple weapon of the inhabitants. Aside from small daggers, they see no evidence of swords or larger weapons anywhere.

Crashing notices that Lamsi doesn't stray too far from Mokdi or the party the whole afternoon. Mokdi, dispite his earlier good-natured teasing of the young woman, appears to be a sort of paternal figure to her. When KT stops to look at several village musicians who are practicing on drums and pipes, Lamsi practically hovers. She appears to be soaking up the nuances of the speech she hears between Mokdi and yourselves like a sponge.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Now would be a good time for you guys to decide what you want to do. Take some time to discuss your options amongst yourselves.

[Shiz]

For plot purposes, I think we spend the night here (extended rest) and then in the other thread we can figure out where to go next.

1) Treasure: investigate the cannibals
2) Mystery: investigate the barren valley
3) Other: Wild Ones

Regardless, we should plan on trying to leave on the lareg rafts Mokdi and his people are building. That seems our only way out.

Damelon voices his view that he and his group would probably like to rest the night. He also believes that it is likely the village will be attacked or at least scouted by the cannibals due to the fight over Lamsi.

What time of day is it?

Damelon and Togar talk to Mokdi a bit about strengthening defenses. They both know this is not a fighting tribe, but they give some tactical advice on where to have archers stationed so fire can be concentrated on likely avenues of attack.

[Asharad]

Tactically, Crashing suggests that if the raiders actually are cannibals they probably prefer to capture their food and then kill it when they are ready to eat as opposed to killing their food and then dragging it with them. It just tastes better that way, allegedly.

In any event from a tactical standpoint, the villagers might want to think about putting up fences and walls around the perimeter of the village that funnel the wild ones directly into the village center. Bunshed up like that they will be easier for village bowmen to pick off.

I'm going with my magnificent seven theme. Dibs on Steve McQueen mother****ers.

[Shiz]

Damelon is so Charles Bronson...

[EricStratton]

Wild ones != cannibals? I guess I'm a tad lost.

[Lycos]

James Coburn for me. You guys took all the good ones.

[Shiz]

Din, seems the consensus (3 votes in favor and 2 don't cares, nothing from KT yet) is going after the cannibals, specifically, trying to find this cave with treasure in it.

Not sure when this conversation would happen but after getting a chance to confer with the group, Damelon reports the consensus to Mokdi:

"First, we would love to help you build these rafts faster but none of us have any skill in that area so we would probably not help much. Most of us agree that the canniblas will attack you again soon. We would rather bring the fight to them. This will give you more time to build in peace.

"Additionally, if the canniblas have a treasure trove from looting passing ships, then that will help you where you where end up next, probably.

So, after a good night's rest, we will move south and try and engage the cannibals in some fun. All we ask is that you make room for us on your boats so we can sail away with you."

[DinbinFanfoom]

Wild ones != cannibals?
Correct. Wild Ones != Tall-Rafters != Man-Eaters

That is, while the cannibals DO loot, they aren't the "tall-rafters" who bring stuff ashore and tuck it into caves on the other side of the island. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

[Lycos]

*After the extended rest...*

Sigurd will address Mokdi after our extended rest. Mokdi, we need your help by providing us a guide to the following places, the place of the yellow steel, a place to observe the camp of the bad people (cannibals?), and to the place where we can find this Big Man. Who do you suggest?

And Mokdi, do you know where they produce their bad medicine for the blow gun darts that make people stop moving?

Mokdi, do you have any words of warning that you have for us before we go? Do you have any hints on where we can find where the yellow steel is buried?

[DinbinFanfoom]

The party spends the day deciding what they plan to do and watching the villagers scurry about preparing for the first party they've had in a LONG time. That evening, there is an abundance of good food and good company; many of the folk are doing their best to learn the tongue of the "Warriors From Far" and have picked up a few words here and there. Erik finds it interesting that what they speak seems to be a dialect of Common, not an entirely different language... there are a lot of similarities, and the syntax is nearly identical, but the terms are completely different. Not to mention the speed at which they speak it makes understanding difficult. Erik is sure they'll be able to better understand everyone after some more study.

The dancing and drinking (the rice wine is spectacular, Togar finds) carry on into the night. The dancers are lithe, graceful and enthralling; village musicians accompany them on drum and some sort of bamboo pipe. Mokdi seems intent on making a good impression, and he ensures that the party wants for nothing during the celebration; cups are always full and plates are never empty. Lamsi is ever-present too, and adorns each party member with a head-ring of flowers and a dollop of some sort of floral perfume. She seems no worse for the wear for the day's adventures, though a bruise is starting to form under her eye.

The party finally retires to a large hut that has been provided to them for the night, and they find framed cots of bamboo fitted with padded linen matresses stuffed with down. Very comfortable. The group chats briefly before nodding off.

In the morning, the party awakens and shuffles out of the hut, rubbing their eyes. The village is already hard at work, cleaning up and going about their daily chores. Some are already working on the catamarans too.

Mokdi walks up and arranges for breakfast to be served. As they wait, Sigurd tells Mokdi that they plan to first head to the eastern edge of the island to look for the yellow steel of the tall-rafters. Crashing (Insight) detects that Mokdi is a bit surprised, and maybe even a mildly disappointed. He is hiding it well, though. Sigurd finishes explaining that then they will address the Man-Eaters and finally Big Thunder Man. Mokdi seems a bit relieved. Sigurd then tactfully asks for a guide and Mokdi nods.

"Mokdi think you will need guides to these bad places. Jungle thick, trails hard to find."

He turns and begins consulting with another of the elders, a man named Gardri, when Lamsi, who has been hovering again, pipes up, excitedly.

"I take! I show!" she says, shaking Mokdi's shoulder, gently.

"Eh?" Mokdi says, startled. He turns to Lamsi. They jabber between themselves for a bit, and the party intuits that Lamsi is negotiating hard to participate. Finally, Mokdi throws his hands in the air and turns back to Sigurd.

"Lamsi say she show you. And nobody travel far like Lamsi. She is stronghead..." he rolls his eyes a bit, "...but she goes many places on island; places no persons go. Maybe we think this BECAUSE she has stronghead..."

If this renewed minor insult bothers her, Lamsi doesn't indicate, as she stands respectfully behind Mokdi, wringing her hands excitedly.

"...but Lamsi will go, if this good for Warriors From Far. We also send Darganti... he good hunter. Knows jungle good. Not travel far like Lamsi, but also smart... see danger, fight hard."

Mokdi gestures to a nearby warrior who another elder had been conversing with. Damelon notes that he's seen "Darganti" throughout the previous day. The spearman was one of the defenders around the edge of the village, but had also taken an interest in the goings on of the party. He was tall and well-muscled, with a faint scar on his right cheek that hinted at some past battle.

Mokdi next addressed Sigurd's inquiry about the "bad medecine".

"Bad medicine come from many places... all in jungle. Sometimes frog... sometimes tree... sometimes spider... Mokdi's people use sometimes when hunt, but not for hurt people."

Sigurd next asks about where they should head first.

Without hesitation, Mokdi gives instructions.

"Darganti and Lamsi take Warriors From Far to the east... will show you paths that go that way. Some paths not very good for far... we not go there these times. Mokdi know yellow steel maybe in cave by green stream that go to sea. It long time, but Mokdi remember marks on trees that maybe show way to cave."

[Lycos]

Great. Thanks Mokdi. :mrgreen:

I think from this point on, we'll get our stuff together and meet back up with Darganti and Lamsi at the same spot to head out. We'll eat something as well before we go. I'll ask Lamsi to bring food and water for us all for the trip. We'll head out when we have everything lined up and ready to go.

[EricStratton]

"Mokdi, are you sure you won't need Darganti? I don't want to take one of your better warriors from you if you'll need him here to defend the village," Erik will say or at least try to get his point across.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Mokdi speaks briefly with Darganti, who listens silently while staring at the Erik. At the end, he shakes his head, replies to Mokdi and then taps his spear-butt on the ground for emphasis. Mokdi nods and turns back to the party. As he begins to talk, Crashing sees Darganti looking at Lamsi out of the corner of his eye. KT notes that she looks like she's trying to cover mild annoyance.

"Darganti want go with Warriors From Far. Mokdi people think this good. You be back soon. Darganti say there many dangers in jungle."

[Asharad]

Ahhh...young, savage love.

It occurs to me we should go after the cannibals first. it would be embarrassing to return to the village, laden with gold, only to discover the villagers had all been eaten.

[EricStratton]

"Crashing, this is something that you could've brought to our attention YESTERDAY!" Erik exclaims.

[Asharad]

"Just occured to me. Besides, don't change our plan too much. One before da other, is all."

[DinbinFanfoom]

More discussion in the OOC thread, then?

[Lycos]

I was thinking that we scout out where the gold is buried. Since it has been there for so long, it should be fine to leave it there for now. We don't have to take it with us yet. Up to you guys. We can switch #2 and #1.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Mokdi, Lamsi, Darganti and the rest all look at each other, a bit confused, and then at the party, waiting.

[EricStratton]

Erik definitely won't say so in front of his hosts but he's really not all that concerned whether or not we'll come back with the gold to find the villagers eaten. Just that we come back with the gold. He also won't say so to his fellow adventurers. Nothing can bring down a political career like a good "You wanted to take the gold and leave the natives to be eaten by cannibals" scandal.

So instead he'll say, "Sure, stopping the cannibals first sounds like a good idea. Thanks, Crashing."

[Asharad]

"Just a thought, I'm good either way. I liked dis island, but not so much I want to sit around counting mah gold on it for da rest of mah life cause mah boat builders ain't here no more. But we can stick wit da plan."

[Lycos]

Sigurd says, "I'm ok with killing a few of those cannibals first." :D

We'll tell Mokdi that we are changing our plans to look over the cannibal camp first.

There's always time to go get the gold.


It's 1. Cannibals 2. Big Man 3. Gold

[DinbinFanfoom]

Mokdi, Lamsi and Darganti regard the party with amusement. Crashing swears he hears Mokdi mutter something to Darganti that sounds like "Which one you think is Blanche?", but can't be sure, and doesn't know what that might mean.

[Shiz]

Damelon sighs. "We are going to get to both eventually. We probably have to beat the sharp-teeth before we can take the gold anyway. I don't care."

[DinbinFanfoom]

Once the party comes to a (somewhat) unanimous decision to address the cannibal issue, they inform Mokdi. He seems pleased with the turn of events.

"Eaters have village on shore south of here." he says. Judging by the map you saw yesterday, it would be around 10-12 miles down the peninsula. Mokdi becomes very serious. "You Warriors step careful. Eaters good fighters... fast... quiet... little spears make feel strange, slow."

"Darganti and Lamsi will take you. Help you. Path goes south, near water-side. No walk water-side, though. Too easy be seen by Eaters. You ready?"

Mokdi and the villagers give you a couple days of provisions and waterskins, and Darganti and Lamsi move to lead the party south.

Any last questions to Mokdi?

[EricStratton]

Erik nods. "I'm ready to go."

[Shiz]

No questions from Damelon.

[DinbinFanfoom]

Lamsi beckons to you. "Follow" she says, and steps towards the jungle trail.

Darganti quietly intervenes, blocking her path with his large arm and spear. He shakes his head and grunts. "Ni, Lamsi. More safe." and moves in front of her, taking point on the trail.

Lamsi opens her mouth to protest, but then thinks better of it when she sees everyone watching. She falls in behind Darganti, bow in hand and ready.

As you move into the dense foliage, the last you see of the village is of Mokdi waving and smiling at the edge of the clearing.

Marching order?

[Shiz]

We seem to have a good scout so, Damelon proposes

Crashing (perception)
Togar
Damelon
Lamsi
KT
Eric
Sigurd

[DinbinFanfoom]

Lamsi turns to the forest again, but now it's Damelon's turn to head her off. He thumbs "get behind me" to her. Crashing, Togar and himself move past her, following Darganti. Lamsi looks ready to explode. At least until KT, grinning, issues the universal gesture of "after you!" and she seems to relent and even smile weakly. After Lamsi and KT walks Erik, with Sigurd bringing up the rear.

The jungle soon swallows the party.

[EricStratton]

The jungle soon swallows the party.
Well, it was a good adventure. Thanks, Din!

You guys want to do another one?

[DinbinFanfoom]

Well, it was a good adventure. Thanks, Din!
You guys want to do another one?LOL! :D