Quest #29 “Raiders of the Lost Obelisk”

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

"I am glad for the warning," Avaala says. "I might have gone to investigate this kind of sound otherwise." Momentarily, he adds, "But I agree with Chauncey. If it were truly a person in distress, they would be dead by now. This jungle does not tolerate weakness. Let's just keep going." And keep going he does, following Luther carefully, his staff at the ready.

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Village?
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Mid-Late Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Picking their battles carefully, the group decides to leave the ooze, the commotion in the temple, and the new crying noises alone for now so they can stay focused on the mission at hand. Wes listens for a moment before they depart, certain that this is not the same creature they fought earlier. Chauncey suggests they move on, so that is exactly what they do.

Luther and Bonnie lead the way through the ever encroaching foliage of the side trail, the thief noticing how much the vegetation has grown over since the last time she was here. The heat and humidity of the waning afternoon mixed with the constant onslaught of insects makes for unpleasant travel, but at least the party isn't attacked by anything worse than bugs along the way. After a couple more hours of uninterrupted hiking, the group starts to notice the jungle opening up in front of them, possibly nearing the northern edge of the large native clearing. If Bonnie's tale is true, and if Chauncey's estimations correct, the area they seek is only about a mile or so back towards the south.

Paul looks the area over, still mimicking what he sees Cealwyn and Luther doing. He takes out his water skin and drains the last few swigs into his mouth. "Damn, all this exploring is thirsty work. I don't suppose any of you know of a nice cool stream nearby where we can fill up on our water ration, eh?"

Actions?

Bonnie AC5 17/17
Luther AC3 30/30
Wes AC7 34/34 first 5/6 second 4/4 third 3/3
Chauncey AC8 18/26 CL, DM, RM first 2/3 second 1/2
Mr. Wrenly AC7 4/4
Avaala AC8 12/12 CL, DM, RM first 2/2 second 1/1
Treasure AC2 12/12 35%MR
Cealwyn AC3 17/19
Paul AC6 7/7
Grimm AC5 10/10
overall map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

[Jernau35]

Wes

With their destination so close, Wes decides it's time to confront the elephant in the...jungle?

"I'm afraid I have some serious news to tell you all. Back there at the temple, I spoke to Chwee, the phanaton who originally asked me to stop Gorman. He said he and the rest of the phanaton are grateful for what we did".

"However, he asked why we were travelling with Bonnie. He said that she was an ally of Gorman and that she had attacked them on his behalf on more than one occasion. He wanted to know why we had allowed her to live."

"I told him that Bonnie had helped us defeat Gorman. I explained that it was possible that Bonnie was under the influence of Gorman's magic when she did those things. Chwee replied that it was also possible that Bonnie is evil and does these things freely. He suggested we're just turning a blind eye because she helped us out of her own self-interest."

"In a nutshell, our association with Bonnnie is on the brink of causing very serious problems, both for us, and for Beachtown. Chwee says that if we continue with her, the phanaton will not harm us, but they will also no longer help us from here on. He also mentioned that factions within their society would use this to create broader problems with which to attack their current leader.That obviously won't be good for Beachtown."

Wes looks at Bonnie. "As you may have guessed, the promise not to harm us doesn't apply to you".

[Karaunios]

Grimm crosses his arms. "We need the Phanaton as well as the Indijuns to put aside their differences and ally themselves with Beachtown, so we all remain on the same side against any danger... like the Stoneguts, new Gormans, new pirates or whatever."

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey frowns. He looks from Wes to Bonnie.

At first silent, he suddenly pulls a copper coin from his component pouch and holds out both hands, the coin in one of them, displaying it to the group. He closes both hands and when he opens them, the coin has transferred to the other hand. "Lettora della men-tay," he says, then turns his back to the group and stands still, as if concentrating.

OM, see PM.

[Urson]

Luther
Luther holds his peace for now. He keeps a close eye ion Bonnie, watching her reactions.

[Paladin]

Cealwyn Blackthorn

The ranger absorbs these revelations in silence. Every time this woman's name is mentioned, it is associated with betrayal or subterfuge. He chuckles and sends Bonnie a sidelong glance. "You seem to have a real talent for making friends," he remarks.

Political ties and conflicts between factions on this island are obviously a more tangled web than he'd have guessed.

[Monsieur Rose]

Spotlight: Bonnie

She listens to Wes's announcement and raises her brow a few times during. She stands quietly for a moment, a bemused smile on her face. When Chauncey casts his spell, she merely rolls her eyes.

"Yes, Cealwyn. It seems I do." She notes with a dry wit. "Thank you, Wesley, for letting me know of my standing with the Phanatons. The wounds their spears left in my back confirm it. I'm sure you did everything in your power to dissuade them from that notion."

"It's clear that they have no talent for subtlety, but it's interesting to hear their potential for treachery." She shakes her head and continues. "I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed a similarity between myself and Krystal. Both of them. Contrary to common opinion, not all female elves look alike. And in proper society, aren't expected to atone for each other's sins."

"I've told my tale. One can both work with pirates," She looks at Paul " Or be the same race as foes," She glances at Grimm "And still be working for the good of others. Things aren't always black and white. Only backwood savages or lesser creatures think that way."

"I'm not going to refute each point of what I can only assume was a garbled translation of a conversation had by a single person. But I do agree that the Phanatons, and the natives, should be handled carefully. What do you suggest?"

[Karaunios]

Grimm looks surprised. "Krystal? Who's Krystal? 'Both of them'? There were two Krystals?

But, anyway, I haven't ever been attacked by any Phanaton, be it from the back or from the front. They seemed pretty sofitiscated beings for what Wes could tell me from their conversations. I hardly see them as treacherous or primitive."

[OGRE MAGE]

Back In The Village?
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Mid-Late Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Before they go any further, and with no answer for the thirsty trainee, Wes drops a verbal bombshell upon Bonnie, stating that his friends in the trees don’t trust her anymore than he does. Cealwyn listens to it all, wondering how thick the internal webs go in this group, while attempting to stay supportive.

Chauncey stops walking, suddenly enthralling the others with a quick slight of hand trick he learned years ago before turning his back to the conversation so he can concentrate fully on his magic.

The pretty elf takes it all in stride, by now becoming used to the constant barrage of negativity directed towards her. Again, she explains herself succinctly, making valid points about loyalty and a possible case of mistaken identity. But in the end, she doesn’t overreact at all, instead inquiring how the rest of the group thinks they should proceed with the issues at hand.

Grimm asks about the aforementioned Krystal or Krystals before offering his opinion. Paul stores his empty water vessel and shakes his head at the exchange. “If none of you trust her, why did you let her come along in the first place?” He looks around the area, knowing all too well the dangers that might lurk beyond every tree in this jungle. “I’m not sure this is the best place to hold a lengthy conversation about morals, or anything else.”

Actions?

Bonnie AC5 17/17
Luther AC3 30/30
Wes AC7 34/34 first 5/6 second 4/4 third 3/3
Chauncey AC8 18/26 CL, DM, RM first 2/3 second 0/2
Mr. Wrenly AC7 4/4
Avaala AC8 12/12 CL, DM, RM first 2/2 second 1/1
Treasure AC2 12/12 35%MR
Cealwyn AC3 17/19
Paul AC6 7/7
Grimm AC5 10/10
overall map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477

[ChubbyPixie]

Chauncey turns back around, suddenly. "There! I will hear no more talk of nor allusions to Bonnie's supposed treachery, please! For there was no treachery. Of that I am certain," he says, regarding the group levelly. "How do I know? I have sussed out the truth through the ingenious application of magic. Bonnie, you have no need to further explain nor defend yourself."

"Now, as it has been established that Bonnie is 'one of us,' as it were, the question remains - how do we proceed given the stated hostility of the Phanoton towards her? We need the help of the Phanoton, it is true. Yet abandoning Bonnie is not an option in these circumstances. It would amount to a death sentence. They must be made to understand that an attack on her will be considered an attack on us all," he says. He looks at Bonnie. "I do wish your Hat of Disguises were still intact and functioning."

[Urson]

Luther
The New Guy's right. This is no place to have this discussion. Let's push it off the fire until we've found at least one of the obelisks

He tosses his own partially-full waterskin to Paul. The river's that way- but it's a mile or more. Have some of mine- but leave me some.

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes' eyes narrow when Bonnie calls the accuracy of his translation into question. "You can call my wits into question as much as you like. And no doubt you will. But the power of Obad Hai does not 'garble' anything."

When Chauncey tries to decree Bonnie's innocence by fiat, Wes shakes his head firmly. "No. I'm not going to accept that. This has gone far enough. Again and again we're required to take on trust a woman who is trusted by no one. The Indijuns put her to death. The Phanaton want to kill her on sight. Even Gorman didn't trust her".

"Chwee told me that the Phanaton are in our debt because we killed Gorman. And here they are turning their backs on us - because of this! Galanthas, Monocar and Gilbert gave their lives back there. And you want to throw away that sacrifice, for your own convenience. It's not just going to cost us. It's going to cost Beachtown dearly."

"You want to go to war with them? An attack on her is an attack on us? Instead of a friendly people who know the jungle inside out, you want have arrows and spears behind every tree each time you leave Beachtown? This is their land. I'm telling you now, that's a fight you won't win".

"Unless you're planning on wiping them out by magic? Just like Gorman did, eh?"

"I'm telling you right now. I'm not raising a single finger against the Phanaton over this. Obad Hai strike me down if I do!"

"And nor will he look kindly on those who do".

When Luther proposes pushing on, Wes nods. "Of course. You're right." Addressing the whole group, he says. "I asked Chwee to ask his people if they would give us until tomorrow to make our decision about Bonnie. So we do have a little time. And I have a proposal." He looks at Bonnie.

"If you are willing to try, I can use my magic to allow you to speak directly with them. Tell them whatever story you wish. That you are neither Krystal, nor Krystal, nor Brufrig nor Jack. Explain, apologise, offer recompense, whatever gets you out of the hole this time."

"Of course, I can't promise that they'll believe you. They may live in trees in the jungle. It doesn't make them stupid. Or backward. Just different. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you".

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala, having carefully listened to all sides, including Bonnie's, which he managed to keep from laughing at, actually steps alongside Wes. "Chauncey," he tells his friend. "I would like to know what magic you possess to make you so certain that this.... person.... is telling the truth." He nods his head toward Wes. "Wes has the right of it. Everyone she has had contact with has been betrayed and sought to kill her for it. And all we ever manage to do is let her doubletalk her way out of trouble every time. Even when her so-called partner, Krystal, died, the only thing that interested Bonnie was where Krystal's magical items were. We let her divert blame onto others, usually the dead, and accept that, maybe, this time, she is telling the truth."

"Now we are expected to believe that the Phanaton, who don't seem to have any trouble discerning between you and I, or anyone else in this company, cannot tell Krystal from Bonnie. And failing that, she casts doubt on Wes' abilities. Wes saved all those who fell but did not die in the temple. Are we going to doubt his skills now? These are all diversions to let her slip a noose once more. I will not forsake an alliance with what is likely the most populous group on the island because we choose to be blinded by her pretty words."

Avaala looks at Bonnie once more. "No," he says. "I can accept that once, maybe even twice, a person will have to compromise their morals to survive. But this isn't the case here. This is a repeated pattern of behavior. She cares nothing for anyone except herself and ALL of us are expendable to that one, single, calling. At the first sign of trouble, she will do whatever she needs to survive and the rest of us be damned."

[OGRE MAGE]

Paul continues to look around nervously before walking closer to Chauncey and Luther. He accepts the water from the bear-man, pouring a few sips into his empty container before handing it back with sincere gratitude.

“Bonnie has never crossed me, so I will side with decision of our leader. As I said, this jungle is not a good place for long discussions.”

Almost on cue, a loud screeching is suddenly heard overhead, coming from somewhere above the treetops.

[Urson]

Luther
Luther's primary focus has been on Bonnie, trying to appraise her reactions. When he hears the noise, he snaps to alertness. Get under the trees! Back against the trunks!
He brings his bow up and ready.

[Paladin]

Cealwyn Blackthorn

"I know hardly any of you," Cealwyn says bluntly. I won't speak against her." At the sudden screech, he readies his bow and presses himself flat against a tree, eyes up and roving to either side.

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala silently curses the timing of the screeching. "Hold on," he tells Treasure as he moves quickly under the foliage and puts his back to a large tree, as Luther suggested.

[Jernau35]

Wes

Wes takes cover against a tree too. He tries to identify the screeching, wondering if he has heard anything similar before.

[Karaunios]

Grimm runs to a tree and tries to take cover. The big-headed dwarf not wanting to drop the subject even in this situation: "Cealwyn. We barely know each other, true, but you saw me risking my life to take that village from the pirates. That should tell you something about my intentions." Then reason gains ground and he decides to stay silent.