The Unseen Servant forums

On The Beach Trail
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Noon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

"If you only lost 3 friends taking on the hag, and 2 of you survived, I would say that you did pretty well. That salty bitch has been around here for far too long. You did us all a favor by eliminating her. I am curious why she would have a human baby with her in the first place though. I would think she would have just eaten the thing like she did everyone else who tried to parlay with her."

The phanaton looks crossly at Wes after he says they will be taking the baby back to her mother.

"I don't think so. You can take some of the meat, but we will be taking this baby with us."

The group that are watering and feeding the child looks up from their work and shake their heads in unison. They group together tighter, in case any moves are made against them. Their spokesmonkoon continues.

"Why yes, of course there is a dragon nearby. It doesn't come out very often, though. And usually only when it rains."

Actions?

Wes 19/34 3/6 first 1/4 second 2/3 third SWA: 6
Galanthas 2/12 0/1 first

Wes

Wes maintains his calm, not wanting to make the situation worse. "Where are you taking the child? And why are you taking her? Surely she'll be better off with her mother?"

The phanaton continue to pamper and coo over the tiny child, cleaning her up quite nicely.

"You have just admitted to us that neither of you know how to care for an infant. So, how can we allow you to keep her."

"We will take this child back to our leader to find out what should be done with her. He is very knowledgeable and will know how to handle something like this."

"It is possible that he will also want her returned to her proper mother, but we will be the ones who decide that."

Wes

"The child's mother is a short distance up the beach. She is in anguish for the return of her little girl. The best thing for this poor child is to take her there. Not to your chief. I know you mean well. But your choice is not the correct one. If you truly wish the best for this little girl, then you will return her to her mother immediately".

"You say that we are not qualified to take care of this little baby, because we are adventurers. I say that we are. We risked our lives to save her. We are her people. That is what humans do for their children. You mean well, I'm sure. But your plan is placing her poor life at risk. She needs to be with her mother and father. I would not presume to tell you how to care for a child of the phanaton. Why do you tell us how to care for one of our own?"

"If you are concerned about the baby's health, then come with us. Help us take care of her until we get to town. We would appreciate it. She surely needs all our help at this critical time. Please, help her return to her mother's embrace".

On The Beach Trail
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Noon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

The phanaton spokesman looks at Wes for a long time, staring directly into his eyes. Then the dozen or so creatures gather together in a tight circle for a quick private discussion, keeping the baby close to them the whole time. Eventually the speaker addresses Wes again.

"We believe you. We will join you in delivering the baby to her rightful mother. Lead the way, then."

After a few hand signals that you don't understand, two of their numbers bound back to the trees and disappear into the jungle. Two others continue tearing apart the dead carcass. The speaker nods his head, indicating that they are ready to move when you are. Galanthas watches it all, still wincing in pain from his vicious bite wound.

Actions?

Wes 19/34 3/6 first 1/4 second 2/3 third SWA: 4
Galanthas 2/12 0/1 first

Galanthas, not having understand a thing, interprets from their gestures that they're done and about to move and so gets ready as best he can to get back to town. "So, are we moving? My head aches."

Wes

"Very well then. I suggest we walk along the treeline. It's probably the terrain that all of us can make our best progress in"

"I should warn you. The magic that allows us to talk to each other will run out soon. I can cast it again a couple of more times, but I think we should save it until we need it. If there is anything you need to tell me, you should do so now."

Wes looks over at Galanthas. "As you can see, my friend here is injured. I'll tend to him, and then we can be on our way." He summons the power of The Shalm to heal the elf's wounds, though to little effect.

Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 2

After doing this, Wes quickly scoops up the few pounds of meat he harvested from Pterry and wraps it in leaves, stowing it in his pack as the group begins the last leg of the trip to Beachtown.

On The Beach Trail
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Noon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

The druid preforms his final healing ritual upon his elven comrade, though the outcome is not impressive. Wes wonders if something he has done recently has caused his growing favor with the Shalm to diminish.

He tells the phanaton that his speaking magic is about to end as he and Galanthas prepare to leave. Taking a share of the meet from dead Pterry, the tree dwellers allow the two as much as they like.

“Yes, yes. Take as much as you want! We are not unreasonable. You killed it so you should have first claim.”

“This creature has been around this area for a very long time. I remember seeing it when I was just a wee kit. It always seemed smarter to me than most others. I always wondered if it was different somehow. Like it had some special purpose for being here. I sense that you also had that feeling, yes? Oh well, that won’t stop us from eating it.” He says this with an honest smile before asking another, even more unsettling question.

“Why do some of your people still choose to slaughter us in our homes? What have we done to deserve that kind of treatment?”

Actions?

Wes 19/34 3/6 first 0/4 second 2/3 third SWA: 2
Galanthas 4/12 0/1 first

Wes

"What!?" cries Wes. "Where is this happening? The folk of Beachtown have been told of your peaceful intentions. It's not them, surely?" Is it the pirates along the river?"

As Wes waits for the phanaton's reply, he directs Galanthas to take a good share of Pterry's meat to take back to Beachtown.

Galanthas unsheathes his dagger and begins to take chops of Pterry's meat and put them into one of his bags. He'll wash it later. It'll be something for the folk back in town. He forces a smile and nods to the Phanaton as a sign of recognition and good will.

Seeing how they treat the baby, as if it were somewhat theirs, he says to Wes: "Just tell them that we found her a couple hours ago and that she's pretty bad despite us having fed her some smashed fruit and given her water. Lest they think we didn't take care of her... About the fact that she seemed appeased by my blood...", he scowls as he says those last words, well, don't tell them just yet. Maybe they'll turn mad and begin to hop around us like possessed devils.. He diligently keeps chopping hunks of meat from the dinosaur.

On The Beach Trail
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Noon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

Galanthas continues cutting the stringy meat from the corpse of the flying lizard, beyond ready to get back to town now.

Wes is astonished by the words of the speaking phanaton.

"It is a member of your town, yes. Or a former member, at least. It is happening out in the jungle, at the ruined temple complex. He kills our people by the hundreds. Why?"

Actions?

Wes 19/34 3/6 first 0/4 second 2/3 third SWA: 1
Galanthas 4/12 0/1 first

Wes

Wes is indeed astonished. "I've heard rumors of various things. A cleric did arrive at Beachtown then disappear into the jungle. Talk of a ruined temple out there somewhere. A mysterious invisible stranger warning of an attack on Beachtown. I didn't know this involved your people too."

Mindful that his magic is about to run its course, the druid does his best to reassure the phanaton. "Some of my friends may have more knowledge of the cleric and the temple. I'll talk to them and see if we can investigate further. We may need the help of your people to find the place. I know that the main trail out of the village is blocked by creatures we call vegepygmies, who almost killed several folk who went up that way."

"Now, my magic is waning. I have the means to cast it again, but I'd like to save my power in case we are attacked again. I'll use it again once we reach Beachtown."

"One last thing: my name is Wes. What's your name?"

Galanthas keeps chopping meat, then cleans his dagger on the grass and gets ready to go back to Beachtown once he sees the others turning in its direction. He follows along asking Wes about the conversation they had (which I read in its entirety, so no need to rp that ).

"What about the baby. Can I get her back in the basket?"

On The Beach Trail
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Noon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

While Galanthas bags up his meat cuttings, Wes finishes up his short conversation with the phanaton.

"It does indeed involve us, and we would very much like it if it could be stopped. We have done nothing to provoke such attacks, yet he continues to slaughter us at any opportunity."

"If you need a guide, I will volunteer myself. There shouldn't be anything too dangerous to face along the way, since we are on the safest side of the island, but there are a lot of large creatures wandering this jungle, so you never know."

The treeling doesn't seem to understand the vegepygmie comment, but he does nod when the spells waning is explained to him. He points up the beach and gathers the other phanaton around him, ready to finish the journey along with you.

"It is good to know you, Wes. And thank you for being concerned for us. You tall hoomans are a hard race to predict. I am called Chwee, and I speak for my little group here. Lead the way so we can get this child back where it belongs. Then we can discuss the nasty hooman at the temple."

As the group sets out again, Galanthas suggests putting the baby back into its basket. The treefolk seem fine with this, as long as they can continue to carry the child with them.

Actions?

Wes 19/34 3/6 first 0/4 second 2/3 third
Galanthas 4/12 0/1 first

Wes

"It seems they only trust themselves with the child, Galanthas. I think we'll have to allow them until we reach the village. Let's just focus on the safety of the baby."

Wes indicates to Chwee that they are ready to move off, and begins to walk along the treeline, trying to follow a line that keeps him on firm ground and away from bushes.

Galanthas reluctantly hands the basket over to the Phanaton, not wanting to screw the cordial relation that's been born after Wes' conversation with them (and being aware of his wounds!). Then he follows along the treeline back to town.

On The Beach Trail
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Afternoon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

The troupe sets out again up the beach towards town, the phanaton carrying the child with great care as they follow along. Wes watches the trees closely as they travel. He spots several more of the phanaton traveling along with them, moving silently through the tree tops. He wonders just how many of these creatures live nearby, thinking there could be hundreds more around that he cant see from the ground. The rest of the journey goes by uneventfully and in a few hours, you can see your destination up ahead.

A strange sight is spotted anchored out on the sea just off shore. It appears to be some kind of sailing vessel, though not one that either of you has ever seen before. It looks blocky and unseaworthy to the druid and his spellsword friend. The phanaton don't seem to be bothered by its presence.

The men tending the fire pit on the beach watch the group arriving. They appear glad to see more armfuls of fresh meat being brought into town. That excitement wanes quickly when they spot the phanaton traveling along with you. One of them quickly darts towards the Hi-Lo building as you approach.

Actions?

Wes 19/34 3/6 first 0/4 second 2/3 third
Galanthas 4/12 0/1 first

Wes

Once they reach the edge of the town, Wes addresses Chwee. He indicates that he's going to cast his drudical magic once again. "Here we are at the human town Chwee. May we take the child now? That man you see running to the building has gone to tell our leader that she is here. No doubt her mother will be here directly after that".

"She is safe now, and no further harm will come to her from the clumsy efforts of Galanthas and I". Wes chuckles at this point, then continues. "We thank you for your genuine concern about her and all the help you've given us, and her parents."

In turn, Galanthas waves his hand at the men by the firepit before the one running gets away and shouts "Hello there! We bring some more meat... and good news!" He tries to apply an optimistic tone to the delivery, smiling to the men, no matter how far they might be.

In a lower voice, he says to Wes "We have to we ready for whatever wierd thing that might happen here. Try to warn the Phanaton too, in case they have to go back to the forest... We don't want to start a war here." He tries to look as relaxed as possible.

Back At Beachtown
Godsday, 9th of Goodmonth
Afternoon, Hot, Sunny, Humid

The man at the fire waves Galanthas forward, though he still eyes the tree dwellers with suspicion. "I hope the good news is that its a boar or deer this time!" The man replies, only half joking. The runner does not stop.

The panaton seem to trust Wes, allowing him to cast his spell again so he can converse with them. All dozen of them look around cautiously at all of the things that are going on in town. They seem a bit skittish, even though they are entering town with escorts. Chwee continues to speak for his group, though they still seem reluctant to hand over the child just yet. He chatters loudly at the druids comment about their childcare abilities.

"We are glad that you didn't look down on us for wanting the child to be cared for properly. We care deeply for our own young, often risking our lives for their safety. I am no leader, but there are a lot of us who wish to dwell in peace with you hoomans."

"If you don't think it will cause alarm, we would like to present the child to her mother as a sign of goodwill between our peoples. Can you speak to them on our behalf? We really need all the killing to stop."

Actions?

Wes 19/34 2/6 first 0/4 second 2/3 third SWA: 8
Galanthas 4/12 0/1 first