Quest #15 "Taking Down Captain Bing"

[Bluehorse]

Monocar

The big man thanks the clerics again and stands up, adjusting his sword to the side and picking up his axe with a grin. "Yeah. Luthar! Let's go smack some wood! The big man tromps off towards the treeline.

[tkrexx]

Lightfinger clears his throat.

A-hem, He begins, and the party can expect prattling. If we're about to set traps, I should know where they will be located, and what sort to look for. It's pushing dusk and I have an hour to get back to the village, some few minutes to conceal myself, and another hour to return. I would, if possible, avoid any defensive constructs set in place. Also, tho my initial reaction to the "clicker" we collected from the deceased pirate was negative, in the current situation this device would allow me to announce myself as a "friendly" if I find myself in a predicament. I'm not so concerned with the predatory insects, as I can wrap my cloak about myself. If nothing happens by midnight, I will likely return.

[OGRE MAGE]

Emancipation
The Pavilion
Earthday, The 4th of Goodmonth
Early Evening, Hot, Humid, Ridiculously Buggy

The two clerics help the huge fighter with his wounds, bringing him back up to near full health. They save the last of their spells just in case something goes terribly wrong out here.

Investigating the pavilion a little closer, the group finds that it doesn't seem to have been used recently, though they do find a familiar name scratched into one of the support posts inside. "Krystal Was Here" is carved in the common tongue about 5 feet up one post. No creepy crawlies are seen in the rafters, but plenty of flying insects need to be killed or shooed out of the building before the walls can be rolled down.

The rangers find ample amounts of dead branches nearby so they collect a small pile of wood and brush to burn throughout the night. They also spot one weak trail that heads into the jungle directly west of the buildings position, though the tracks there look to be well over a week old by now. The jungle has already reclaimed most of that recently cut path. Alordan gets to work setting up trip wire warning systems at both ends of the trail, hoping that will work to alert the group if anything comes in too close.

Before heading off to revisit the last village, Lightfinger reluctantly asks Chauncey for the bush clicker back. He reminds Alordan that it would be nice if he could be informed of the location of any natural traps between the two clearings.

Actions?

Luther R3 18/26
Lightfinger T4 19/19
Talaris C1 9/9 1/3 first
Monocar F3 29/31
Chauncey MU3 16/16 CL, DM, RM 0/2 first 0/1 second
Lerrick C1 8/8 1/3 first
Alordan R3 18/18

[ravenn4544]

Alordan takes the trip wire and puts them about 10 yards down all 3 trails that enter the clearing. He'll use any scrap items from the ogres, the group, or the surroundings that could jingle or clang or bang to provide an audible warning. He'll let all of the others know where they are.

"Does anyone have a shovel? We need to bury these ogre bodies before it attracts the hungry creatures in the jungle"

[OGRE MAGE]

The ogres were encountered in the last clearing, about an hours walk to the south. And, you already pulled their bodies into the jungle and hid them.

the bodies of the ogres are pulled into the jungle, well away from the clearing. Mountaincar revels in carrying one of the bodies all by himself, still enjoying his exaggerated girth for the time being. After a short time, the bodies are hidden well out of site.

[ravenn4544]

Doh. I didn't pick that up at all. Do you happen to have an updated map?

[OGRE MAGE]

Sure!

Maps are all right here:
viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

You are currently at the spot labeled Pavilion, about half way to the slavers camp. (according to the info you got from Wes)

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey studies the graffiti carved into the post. He did not trust Krystal, truth be told, but he almost feels a gnawing pang of something that might be pity for her and her fate at the hands of the slavers according to Wesley. He wonders fleetingly if any of the others survived.

Leaving the others to securing the area, he takes it upon himself to direct activity and suggests dropping only some of the inner panels to decrease the amount of bug clearing work to be done. As soon as they're able to create a space, he settles in to get some rest. Though he doesn't let on, he is nearly exhausted from the mental strain of the rapid-fire spell casting. Disrupting the weave through sheer will-power is rather taxing. He falls asleep clutching his spell book with the intention of rising early to study. "I'll take the last watch..." he says, blearily, as he drifts off.

[Bigtaff]

Talaris

The half elf finds a quiet corner to do some meditation and prayer to Pelor.

[kruk]

Lerrick finds a tree to rest against and slow begins to meditate as well

[Urson]

Luther

When the wood-collecting is done, Luther and Monocar return to the clearing. Luther kindles a fire near the door of the pavilion, so that the smoke will keep out the insects.

Knowing Monocar's endless appetite, Luther finds a rotted log and breaks it open, selecting several juicy-looking grubs. Here, try these. They taste like the inside of a gnome's boot, but they're perfectly edible.

[kruk]

Lerrick stops meditating at Luther's comment to Monocar, raises and eyebrow and smiles, then return to praying to Pelor.

[OGRE MAGE]

Emancipation
The Pavilion
Earthday, The 4th of Goodmonth
Night, Hot, Humid, Ridiculously Buggy

After preparing as best they can before darkness sets in, the group collects a nice pile of wood to burn. Luther gets a small fire going to smoke out the last of the bugs as the party settles in for an overnight rest. Lightfinger takes his leave to spy on the last encampment that you passed. He doesn't return.

About an hour after nightfall, something strange is heard near the trail to the south. It sounds like one short blast on some kind of horn, and it is definitely close. A second similar lone horn blast is barely audible over the normal jungle noise. This time it sounds like it is coming from much further south, likely form somewhere near the last camp you just passed. There are no indications that Alordans traps have been set off and no other unusual noises are heard coming from outside of the pavilion. Lightfinger still doesn't return.

Actions?

Luther R3 18/26
Lightfinger T4 19/19 (Missing)
Talaris C1 9/9 1/3 first
Monocar F3 29/31
Chauncey MU3 16/16 CL, DM, RM 0/2 first 0/1 second
Lerrick C1 8/8 1/3 first
Alordan R3 18/18

[Urson]

Luther

Luther opted for a mid- night watch, so he's sleeping, snoring like a sawmill.

[Bluehorse]

Monocar

Looks rather dubiously at the grubs.Is this where they get the saying russel up some grub? it is! he then closes his eyes and pops one in his mouth, making a dicusted face as he chews it up. He looks like he is going to gag but then perks up. mmm... taste like chicken!
Hey! Everyone! Luthar found food! Have one! without warning he shoves one to the mouth of an unsuspecting Chauncy. Slimey but satisfying!

He then offers one to everyone in turn.

When watches are being divied out, MMM shrugs. I'm feeling kinda wound up anyway, I can take first watch."

Some time later. Hey, anyone awake? Shouldn't Lightfinger be back by now? then he hears the horn blasts. that ain't good... hey guys... I don't think we are alone... maybe we need to start waking up and get ready... Monocar's animal brain starts to kick in and he begins at their campsite more as a defensible position.

[ravenn4544]

Alordan wakes at the noise. Is there light from the moon to see by? “Do we put out the fire and hide or assume they now we are here and light more and stand our ground? We should think of an escape route also - the river? If we get separated recommmed following the river south”

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey stirs awake. "What is it, Monocar? Would you like to feed me another bug? It did not taste like..." he says, testily, before sensing seriousness in the fighter's tone. He listens intently for a moment to the jungle noises for any repeat of the horn blast described, then, when the rangers and others are roused, suggests a plan. "They must not know we're here, otherwise, why alert us to their presence? Perhaps it is just a routine signal of some kind. I propose we quietly slip into the jungle just far enough to observe the clearing and wait to see what transpires."

[OGRE MAGE]

Emancipation
The Pavilion
Earthday, The 4th of Goodmonth
Night, Hot, Humid, Ridiculously Buggy

After hearing the horn blast, Monocar alerts the others that they may have a problem. Stumbling out of the large structure in the darkness, the group looks around for any intruders, but they don't hear or see anything out of the ordinary.

Alordan cant see a thing out here in the near complete darkness, so he asks the two clerics to help be his eyes in the dark jungle. They move around the clearing to check his early warning systems, but none of them appear to be tampered with or sprung.

After almost an hour passes, the bug bites become nearly unbearable, so the group decides to go back to sleep. As they head back inside, the half-elves spot a very small figure moving into the clearing from the southern trail. They don't hear him, but they do notice that the tiny figure purposefully moves around the tripwire on that trail.

Actions?

Luther R3 18/26
Lightfinger T4 19/19 (Missing?)
Talaris C1 9/9 1/3 first
Monocar F3 29/31
Chauncey MU3 16/16 CL, DM, RM 0/2 first 0/1 second
Lerrick C1 8/8 1/3 first
Alordan R3 18/18

[Bluehorse]

Monocar

Looks over at the small figure. His mind working quickly on what to do, remembering his childhood days of playing capture the fort with his friends. Everyone circle that way around the hut while i go straight on. If it is Lightfinger,
No worries, if it is something nasty, you guys can flank while I keep it distracted. obviously, he's not making a suggestion as he draws his sword and strides forward.

assuming a moment for the others to do whatever and MMM to walk a little closer.

Monocar stands about 2/3 of the way and assumes his companions are getting into position. Lightfinger?
That you? I was worries the skeeters carried you off.

[tkrexx]

Lightfinger sighs in relief.

Monocle! He breathes, Rouse the others, quickly. We need to move!