Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
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redwarrior
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2649
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:07 am
- Location: Sumner, WA
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Connak will also examine the look, to see if he thinks he could open it, should the need arise. Though I will not attempt to do so now. Well, Friends, do we accept these creature's hospitality? If so, we should rest in shifts.
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
City of the Sleestaks, Beneath the Barren Wasteland
Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Ten. Night? April 5th, 912 CY
In the guest chambers of the City of the Sleestaks, Sheriff Yul peers through the bars at the desolation of the Hours of Mystery.
His silver eyes coolly observe the ornately adorned reptilian guards stationed at the gate to the north (S19, S20).
Their bulbous, lidless eyes are ever-open but their bodies rest in a quiescent torpor as if gripped by some weird state of hibernation.
At Yul's feet, Ko-Nan and Connak examine the great juggernaut of a lock on the portcullis. The iron bolt holds a single keyhole on its broad face, like a cyclops' eye.
Finver takes first watch and nourishment. Having also begun this morning at the expedition to the lost ruins of the Forbidden Vale, Draupadi and Mungo succumb to exhaustion at last. Maskelyn too sleeps fitfully.
Fiefo the ratman approaches the bars at the back of the chamber. Unlike the others, these cannot be raised.
His sharp rodent eyes squint into the darkness...
...and spies the shape of a warm figure in the cold blackness beyond. It suddenly approaches Fiefo, emerging into the light!
He whispers, "Are they gone?"
Actions?
Map Detail:
One square = 10 feet. PCs are purple. Sleestaks are green. Altrusians are orange.
PC Status:
PC Magic:
Player Resources:
Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Ten. Night? April 5th, 912 CY
In the guest chambers of the City of the Sleestaks, Sheriff Yul peers through the bars at the desolation of the Hours of Mystery.
His silver eyes coolly observe the ornately adorned reptilian guards stationed at the gate to the north (S19, S20).
Their bulbous, lidless eyes are ever-open but their bodies rest in a quiescent torpor as if gripped by some weird state of hibernation.
At Yul's feet, Ko-Nan and Connak examine the great juggernaut of a lock on the portcullis. The iron bolt holds a single keyhole on its broad face, like a cyclops' eye.
Finver takes first watch and nourishment. Having also begun this morning at the expedition to the lost ruins of the Forbidden Vale, Draupadi and Mungo succumb to exhaustion at last. Maskelyn too sleeps fitfully.
Fiefo the ratman approaches the bars at the back of the chamber. Unlike the others, these cannot be raised.
His sharp rodent eyes squint into the darkness...
...and spies the shape of a warm figure in the cold blackness beyond. It suddenly approaches Fiefo, emerging into the light!
He whispers, "Are they gone?"
Actions?
Map Detail:
One square = 10 feet. PCs are purple. Sleestaks are green. Altrusians are orange.
PC Status:
Connak: Cat-Man Fighter/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19
Draupadi: Human Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 34/34, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 26/26
Finver Karstlander: Dwarven Fighter 3: Move 6", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/39
Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Mungo: Mole-Man Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 34/34, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Sheriff Yul: Robot Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 31/38
Draupadi: Human Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 34/34, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 26/26
Finver Karstlander: Dwarven Fighter 3: Move 6", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/39
Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Mungo: Mole-Man Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 34/34, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Sheriff Yul: Robot Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 31/38
PC Magic:
None currently
Player Resources:
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Draupadi
ZZZZ...
ZZZZ...
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Bluetongue
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 3023
- Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:30 am
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Sheriff Yul
Tries to keep his attention on looking through the grill at the front into the great cavern, expecting to see some physical threat of dangerous creatures. He certainly doesn't expect the more timid approach and question to Fiefo. He stands watching but slowly his system runs down to a sleep mode if needed.
Tries to keep his attention on looking through the grill at the front into the great cavern, expecting to see some physical threat of dangerous creatures. He certainly doesn't expect the more timid approach and question to Fiefo. He stands watching but slowly his system runs down to a sleep mode if needed.
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Startled by the unexpected whisper, Finver spins to face north on his heels towards the voice from the back of the chamber. He creeps north towards it answers back in a nervous whisper, "Who's there? And how did you get on that side of the bars? Are you a prisoner, or are we all prisoners here to those reptiles?"
Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
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ChubbyPixie
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 6295
- Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:07 am
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Fiefo examines his feelings at this seemingly bad sign - another mammal locked in this cage, but finds no surprise there. He sighs.
"Yeah, they're gone," he says, "Let me guess - you came in here for Mystery Hour and they never let you out? I knew it. We're trapped like... well, you know."
"Incidentally, last time I saw someone like you - a literal lifetime ago - it was because we were being hunted by them. Not nice guys. What's your story?" he adds.
"Yeah, they're gone," he says, "Let me guess - you came in here for Mystery Hour and they never let you out? I knew it. We're trapped like... well, you know."
"Incidentally, last time I saw someone like you - a literal lifetime ago - it was because we were being hunted by them. Not nice guys. What's your story?" he adds.
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redwarrior
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2649
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:07 am
- Location: Sumner, WA
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Connak is startled by the appearance of this new creature, but he seems much more natural than the lizard-insect creatures. While cautious, he is not hostile and will listen as his companions talk to him, exploring the area that he clearly didn't explore enough the first time around.
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ravenn4544
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 8417
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Konan studies the silence for a bit. He watches for any threat before making space to rest. He isn’t aware yet of the figure to the north - otherwise he would be interested in violent intent considering their last encounter.
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
City of the Sleestaks, Beneath the Barren Wasteland
Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Ten. Night? April 5th, 912 CY
The Hours of Mystery have descended upon the City of the Sleestaks.
Through the eastern bars of the 'guest chamber,' Ko-Nan and Yul gaze out into the great cavern beyond.
Nothing stirs save the squeaks of winged vampire-vermin from beyond the reach of the crystalline witchlights. The ornate Sleestak guards (at A) seemingly sleep on their feet!
Draupadi, Maskelyn and Mungo also sleep as Connak examines the padlock on the eastern portcullis. Then his sharp ears, and those of Finver, overhear an unexpected whisper from the back of the chamber! The catman and the dwarf investigate, finding an ape speaking with Fiefo through the bars!
He is not like the ape-men they know, coarse hybrids of man and beast. This being appears entirely simian, but acts and sounds entirely like an educated man!
Fiefo says, "Incidentally, last time I saw someone like you - a literal lifetime ago - it was because we were being hunted by them. Not nice guys. What's your story?"
"I'm so sorry," the cultured beast replies with sincere regret. "Let me guess... Gorillas. Those man-like brutes! Please accept my apologies. My name is Ambrose. I and my Chimpanzee companions were on an archeological dig in the Forbidden Zone when we were surprised by ghastly ghoul-like creatures. That's the last thing I remember. I woke up here a few days ago."
Ambrose looks at Fiefo and Connak, "Please forgive my forwardness, but were you two in some sort of an accident? Or did the Sleestaks experiment on you, like they did this poor fellow back here?" he points toward the shadows behind him.
Finver says, "Who's there? And how did you get on that side of the bars? Are you a prisoner, or are we all prisoners here to those reptiles?"
Ambrose smiles at Fiefo, "Your pet human can speak!"
Pleased by this entertaining oddity, he asks Fiefo and Connak, "Are you ventriloquists? It's rather well done. Look at how you dress it up: in apes' clothing! Have you trained it to juggle?
"And yes, I am a prisoner. I can't be sure but I believe those of you on that side of the bars are only prisoners whilst all the Sleestaks dream."
Actions/Replies?
Map Detail:
One square = 10 feet. PCs are purple. Sleestaks are green. Altrusians are orange. Ambrose is brown.
PC Status:
PC Magic:
Player Resources:
Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Ten. Night? April 5th, 912 CY
The Hours of Mystery have descended upon the City of the Sleestaks.
Through the eastern bars of the 'guest chamber,' Ko-Nan and Yul gaze out into the great cavern beyond.
Nothing stirs save the squeaks of winged vampire-vermin from beyond the reach of the crystalline witchlights. The ornate Sleestak guards (at A) seemingly sleep on their feet!
Draupadi, Maskelyn and Mungo also sleep as Connak examines the padlock on the eastern portcullis. Then his sharp ears, and those of Finver, overhear an unexpected whisper from the back of the chamber! The catman and the dwarf investigate, finding an ape speaking with Fiefo through the bars!
He is not like the ape-men they know, coarse hybrids of man and beast. This being appears entirely simian, but acts and sounds entirely like an educated man!
Fiefo says, "Incidentally, last time I saw someone like you - a literal lifetime ago - it was because we were being hunted by them. Not nice guys. What's your story?"
"I'm so sorry," the cultured beast replies with sincere regret. "Let me guess... Gorillas. Those man-like brutes! Please accept my apologies. My name is Ambrose. I and my Chimpanzee companions were on an archeological dig in the Forbidden Zone when we were surprised by ghastly ghoul-like creatures. That's the last thing I remember. I woke up here a few days ago."
Ambrose looks at Fiefo and Connak, "Please forgive my forwardness, but were you two in some sort of an accident? Or did the Sleestaks experiment on you, like they did this poor fellow back here?" he points toward the shadows behind him.
Finver says, "Who's there? And how did you get on that side of the bars? Are you a prisoner, or are we all prisoners here to those reptiles?"
Ambrose smiles at Fiefo, "Your pet human can speak!"
Pleased by this entertaining oddity, he asks Fiefo and Connak, "Are you ventriloquists? It's rather well done. Look at how you dress it up: in apes' clothing! Have you trained it to juggle?
"And yes, I am a prisoner. I can't be sure but I believe those of you on that side of the bars are only prisoners whilst all the Sleestaks dream."
Actions/Replies?
Map Detail:
One square = 10 feet. PCs are purple. Sleestaks are green. Altrusians are orange. Ambrose is brown.
PC Status:
Connak: Cat-Man Fighter/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19
Draupadi: Human Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 34/34, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 26/26
Finver Karstlander: Dwarven Fighter 3: Move 6", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/39
Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Mungo: Mole-Man Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 34/34, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Sheriff Yul: Robot Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 31/38
Draupadi: Human Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 34/34, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 26/26
Finver Karstlander: Dwarven Fighter 3: Move 6", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/39
Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Mungo: Mole-Man Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 34/34, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Sheriff Yul: Robot Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 31/38
PC Magic:
None currently
Player Resources:
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Draupadi
ZZZ...
ZZZ...
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Maskelyn
No, mama- I don' like squirmy mushrooms....Zzzzz
No, mama- I don' like squirmy mushrooms....Zzzzz
FA FO
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ChubbyPixie
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 6295
- Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:07 am
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
"Er... yeah, you could say I was in an accident, all right. Got put back together with this," says Fiefo, tapping on his terminator eye. "Don't remember much of it, frankly."
"Where we're from all the humans speak, believe it or not, and ah... Connak, can you juggle? I never thought to ask..." he continues, then "Who's is that back in the dark? I can't quite make him out."
"Where we're from all the humans speak, believe it or not, and ah... Connak, can you juggle? I never thought to ask..." he continues, then "Who's is that back in the dark? I can't quite make him out."
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Bluetongue
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 3023
- Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:30 am
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Sheriff Yul
After watching the gate but seeing little, the cyborg goes to check on Mungo who seems a quite but inventive guy.
After watching the gate but seeing little, the cyborg goes to check on Mungo who seems a quite but inventive guy.
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redwarrior
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 2649
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:07 am
- Location: Sumner, WA
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Connak nods in agreement with Feifo. It is true. Where we come from, many races have speech and intelligence. I take it that it is not true where you arrived from? What can you tell us of our hosts, and why have they imprisoned you? What goes on at night that they feel that they must lock us up or protect us?
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Finver nods his head attentively listening to Connak's questions and abruptly adds one final question: "Ya, ya, but what kind of experiment did the Sleestaks peform on your cellmate?" He strains his eyes peering through the bars and probes the shadows behind Ambrose with infravision preparing himself for a terrible discovery.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
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ravenn4544
- Rider of Rohan
- Posts: 8417
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am
- Location: Pennsylvania
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Konan keeps watch with a quiet eye through the east gate.
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
City of the Sleestaks, Beneath the Barren Wasteland
Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Ten. Night? April 5th, 912 CY
In the subterranean City of the Sleestaks, all is still.
Sheriff Yul leaves the locked portcullis to check on Mungo the mole-man and inadvertently awakens him. "Huh? What? Is it morning?!"
The pair hear a voice they don't recognize at the back of the chamber.
"Humans? Speak?! Come now. What could they possibly have to say? You're all part of some traveling circus, aren't you?" Ambrose scoffs at Fiefo and Connak's earnest claims.
Through the bars, Connak asks the civilized ape, "What can you tell us of our hosts, and why have they imprisoned you?"
Ambrose replies, "I'm afraid there's not much to tell. I've only known them as their prisoner. The cold-blooded brutes aren't particularly kind. And they won't say why I'm being held."
Connak says, "What goes on at night that they feel they must lock us up or protect us?"
"In truth? Nothing that I have seen. I don't think they're protecting you. I think the Sleestaks lock up visitors at night so they don't wander about while they're hibernating."
Fiefo asks, "Who is that, back in the dark? I can't quite make him out."
Finver adds, "...what kind of experiment did the Sleestaks perform on your cellmate?"
Neither ratman nor dwarf can see anyone in the shadows behind Ambrose. "Something dreadful, I'm afraid. Do you have a torch?"
"I do," Mungo smiles as he leans in with his ingenious lantern helm and illuminates the prison cell (34) revealing more bars beyond, and something horrible within! (S21)
An Altrusian, malformed, misshapen and diseased, not unlike the monstrous abomination-Sleestak they saw by the underground lake! It lies forlorn and anguished.
"The poor wretch is in agony," says Ambrose ruefully. "I don't know what they've done to him. Or what they'll do to me!"
Actions/Replies?
Map Detail:
One square = 10 feet. PCs are purple. Sleestaks are green. Altrusians are orange. Ambrose is brown.
PC Status:
PC Magic:
Player Resources:
Forbidden Island of Xygax the Wizard, Land of One Thousand Towers
Day Ten. Night? April 5th, 912 CY
In the subterranean City of the Sleestaks, all is still.
Sheriff Yul leaves the locked portcullis to check on Mungo the mole-man and inadvertently awakens him. "Huh? What? Is it morning?!"
The pair hear a voice they don't recognize at the back of the chamber.
"Humans? Speak?! Come now. What could they possibly have to say? You're all part of some traveling circus, aren't you?" Ambrose scoffs at Fiefo and Connak's earnest claims.
Through the bars, Connak asks the civilized ape, "What can you tell us of our hosts, and why have they imprisoned you?"
Ambrose replies, "I'm afraid there's not much to tell. I've only known them as their prisoner. The cold-blooded brutes aren't particularly kind. And they won't say why I'm being held."
Connak says, "What goes on at night that they feel they must lock us up or protect us?"
"In truth? Nothing that I have seen. I don't think they're protecting you. I think the Sleestaks lock up visitors at night so they don't wander about while they're hibernating."
Fiefo asks, "Who is that, back in the dark? I can't quite make him out."
Finver adds, "...what kind of experiment did the Sleestaks perform on your cellmate?"
Neither ratman nor dwarf can see anyone in the shadows behind Ambrose. "Something dreadful, I'm afraid. Do you have a torch?"
"I do," Mungo smiles as he leans in with his ingenious lantern helm and illuminates the prison cell (34) revealing more bars beyond, and something horrible within! (S21)
An Altrusian, malformed, misshapen and diseased, not unlike the monstrous abomination-Sleestak they saw by the underground lake! It lies forlorn and anguished.
"The poor wretch is in agony," says Ambrose ruefully. "I don't know what they've done to him. Or what they'll do to me!"
Actions/Replies?
Map Detail:
One square = 10 feet. PCs are purple. Sleestaks are green. Altrusians are orange. Ambrose is brown.
PC Status:
Connak: Cat-Man Fighter/Thief 2/3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 19/19
Draupadi: Human Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 34/34, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 26/26
Finver Karstlander: Dwarven Fighter 3: Move 6", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/39
Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Mungo: Mole-Man Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 34/34, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, Lantern
Sheriff Yul: Robot Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 31/38
Draupadi: Human Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 2, HP: 34/34, Spells: 4/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl
Fiefo LeBratt: Rat-Man Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 1, HP: 26/26
Finver Karstlander: Dwarven Fighter 3: Move 6", AC: 2(1), HP: 31/31
Ko-Nan: Human Barbarian 3: Move: 12", AC: 4, HP: 32/39
Maskelyn: Gnome Illusionist 3: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 14/14, Spells: 2/2 1st lvl, 1/1 2nd lvl
Mungo: Mole-Man Cleric 4: Move: 9", AC: 7, HP: 34/34, Spells: 1/5 1st lvl, 4/4 2nd lvl, Lantern
Sheriff Yul: Robot Fighter 3: Move: 9", AC: 5, HP: 31/38
PC Magic:
None currently
Player Resources:
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Draupadi
"ZZZ..."
"ZZZ..."
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Maskelyn
Maskelyn snorts loudly, waking up. Huh? Wha's going... He wanders over to where the others are chatting with Ambrose.
Maskelyn snorts loudly, waking up. Huh? Wha's going... He wanders over to where the others are chatting with Ambrose.
FA FO
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Bluetongue
- Ranger Lord
- Posts: 3023
- Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:30 am
Re: Chapter 10: Secret of the Sleestaks
Sheriff Yul
His curiosity provoked, he follows Mungo to the next cell and peers in.
Strange that the Altruisian is kept here not free like the others. Can the malformed Altruisian speak and tell us anything?
"This dream time of the Sleestaks. How long does it last?" he asks Ambrose. The chimpman is a prisoner but no experiment s have been carried out in him. What can he tell us of his captivity?
His curiosity provoked, he follows Mungo to the next cell and peers in.
Strange that the Altruisian is kept here not free like the others. Can the malformed Altruisian speak and tell us anything?
"This dream time of the Sleestaks. How long does it last?" he asks Ambrose. The chimpman is a prisoner but no experiment s have been carried out in him. What can he tell us of his captivity?