Once more stymied by magic's complete failure to allow someone to speak other languages easily, she shrugs and moves on.
Having tongues be 4th Cleric /3rd Mage always seemed harsh. It does, however, force the potential for a bunch of amusing situations where a sitcom level of misunderstandings can occur.
Saving Luther’s Privates
Godsday, 2nd of Harvester
Early Morning, Humid, Warm, Misty
With some help from Chauncey's uncharacteristic generosity, the group is allowed peacefully through both of the southern settlements without incident. Daisy and Grimm both recognize a few of the natives, but with little means of communication, all they can do is act friendly and move along on their way.
It becomes clear that the natives who have escaped the clutches of MommaPamma and her charming ways want nothing to do with going against her now, even if they believe there is no permanent escape at all. Though their ability to recruit these folks is minimal, there appears to be no interest whatsoever to join up with the group to fight against such a dangerous foe.
It is about mid morning by the time the group makes their way to the third clearing along the river, the one which formerly held the communal pavilion and some smaller huts. This time they smell smoke from a cooking fire when they arrive, and spot a single figure sitting in front of recently reconstructed hut. From a distance, it appears to be their lost friend Amun, though Luther is nowhere to be seen.
In front of Daisy is a golden ring and a potion bottle with a heart on the cap.
In front of Darklin is a long bow and a dozen arrows.
In front of The Knife is a Gnomish made short sword and a dull purple stone. In front of Chauncey is a pair of decretive metal bracers.
In front of Keg sits a very nice looking longsword that feels cold to the touch.
In front of Feanol rests a shiny silver ring.
In front of Wes rests another potion with the word Poly etched into the glass In front of Elnaerel is a strip of brown cloth that looks like a headband and a sling with a dozen stones.
In front of Liam sits a plain leather bag and a potion bottle with an F on the cap.
In front of Grimm rests a crossbow.
In front of Yrias sits a pair of fine leather boots and a massive 2-handed sword.
In front of Wake is a very nice looking mace and an unmarked potion bottle.
In front of Maag sits bastard sword and an unmarked potion bottle.
"Amun!" cries out The Knife happily. "I knew you'd turn up eventually. Sometimes you're far too brave for your own good. I hope you haven't forgotten about our little promise, have you?"
Liam tries to be friendly towards the natives but knowing his linguistical limitations, he doesn't bother speaking. As they continue on down the river and come across the odd native-ish looking woman, he hangs back to listen to the interaction between here and Knife since they seem to know each other.
Keg also steps up to Amun. I was wondering where you got to! What is going on around here? Gotten any news why these folks have left or been kicked out of the other village.
Grimm looks perplexed when he sees the warrior standing up and eating like nothing has happened. He cautiously keeps his distance and looks around, his new crossbow in hand.
Elnaerel let's other do the talking this time. She hasn't never seen Amun before.
Yrias
The bearded cleric folds his arms across his chest, looking at Amun inquisitively. "Hm... How is it possible that, after what happened, you stay here like you were on a camping trip? What happened, Amun?"
Amun looks calmly at the party approaching, some of them with their weapons drawn.
She makes a slow movement and appears to be going for her giant jagged sword....
...but no, turns out she was just pressing her hand to her side, obviously in some pain - a broken rib, most likely.
She approaches the party and greets them, answering TK first.
"No friend, I did not forget our promise. It is very good to see you again, gnome." She lets a smile slip.
After greeting the other ones as well she sits down again, and you can see that she's very tired.
"I followed Luther through the light but we were both captured, by the hellish flame and her devil son. I...we...I got away and ran past the guards, to get you - to get help. We were no match for the demon, even though Luther would never let his son rest, would not leave the fight. They chased me for...I don't know, a very long time. I had some memory of that part of the island and started travelling back to you. But I had to avoid the path, because the guards were after me."
She pauses for a while.
"They are over there." She points. "We were in a cave near the waterfall, in the middle of a village. Might be a full day's travel, I lost track of time."
To Keg:
"I don't know if some natives have been banished? I met some of them during my way here, not all of them are hostile. I think the demon tortures them, maybe using them as sacrifices."
Ever the shadow, Allissa whispers to Wes. "Ah, the cave. It seems like it's been years, right? Is there any way to tell if she has been charmed? The whole 'I got away thing' seems rather...me, don't you think?"
She speaks up. "The main village is a few hours away, but there is another outpost before then. Powstap's."
The thief then quiets herself as others who know Amun better deal with this situation.
Once it is established that Amun is peaceful. Darklin moves forward to greet her.
Amun, it has been a while since I saw you last. It is good to see you still among the living. What can you tell us about Momma? Habits schedules when she is off guard or sleeping? Anything that will help us finish this and get Luther back.
All things are possible through Magic.
Darklin Sylvanas- Fighter/Magic-User - Big Shiny Island (1E)
Sai Eranthor - Cleric / Fighter/Mage - Hedge's Greyhawk Adventures (2E)
"Aye, you're right. I'd just about blocked that cave from my memory. Well, the good news for Luther is that he's got a lot more space than we had in there. And the good news for us is that at least we know he's alive."
Wes nods at Alissa's suggestion that Amun's escape sounds suspicious. "It might not be that she's charmed," he says quietly. "Momma could have just let Amun go so that we know exactly where Luther is. Then she can count on us going straight to the cave."
Jernau35 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:07 pmWes "It might not be that she's charmed," he says quietly. "Momma could have just let Amun go so that we know exactly where Luther is. Then she can count on us going straight to the cave."
LiamI agree... I think it is best we scout that area as best we can first. watch the movements from the treeline or something.
Wake starts talking to no one in particular "Drawing a large force to the cave, what is her plan? How will she get out if there is trouble? A backdoor? Magic? Why would she even be in the cave if she can cause a cave in. This is a trap, but she will have a way to see the group entering the cave. How do we figure out how she is watching and defeat it? Chauncey any ideas?" The last three words seem very hard for Wake to say.
Last edited by gurusql on Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
gurusql wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 3:55 amWake...This is a trap, but she will have a way to see the group entering the cave. How do we figure out how she is watching and defeat it? Chauncey any ideas?"[/dialog] The last three words see very hard for Wake to say.
Chauncey considers Wake's odd tone for a moment, but can discern no reason for his seeming difficulty in speaking. "I really wouldn't know. Perhaps she has a crystal ball? Or a simple peep-hole. Or a charmed native keeping her informed. At least she can't track us using the stones now," he says before turning in Wesley's direction. He stands there in his jorts and his pointy hat, looking somewhat ridiculous while talking of serious matters.
"Perhaps she wants us to know where she is because she doesn't fear us and wishes to lure us into her presence. Or perhaps this is misinformation, and she isn't really in the aforementioned cave. We shall, I suspect, have to play it by ear," he says.
Hearing the concerns of others approaches Amun. "Amun we are all glad you were able to escape. You called her a flame, did she reveal herself in a different guise than others saw her in the village? Also did you take anything from the cave when you fled other than yourself, and you may want to check to see if anything was placed in your gear without your knowledge. I ask this because we have become aware of this creature using charmed items to track people. She had given out several to people in our group. It might be wise to make sure you didn't acquire one while in her presence."
I will let this dialog play out for a while longer.
I think the next step discussed was finding Powstap, so once you are ready to proceed to the next settlements, just say the word and I will advance the action.
Amun addresses everyone who has been talking to her, while receiving the healing boon. She was either really injured or she's a very good actor, because she straightens up and bends her back and arms in a "wow it doesn't hurt that much anymore" fashion.
"It was not a woman. The man child called her "mummy" but it was a dark figure, a shadow, with a roaring demonic voice. The boy, Mor-tar, he also spoke the demon tounge."
To Wake
"No, she cannot be locked into the cave, she moves through the fire, coming and going as she pleases. She is no woman, she is a demon thing."
Feanol's words obviously strikes a chord.
"No she cannot possibly have planned this. Luther and I were lucky, we moved at the same time. Momma was gone in the flames, I threw gravel in the bastard boy's eyes and Luther bested him, pushed him to the cave floor. The boy was furious! The guards impaled me. No, it's not possible, it cannot be."
She removes her backpack and empties it on the ground before her.
"They let me keep my things? No. No, the boy was in a hurry and he simply forgot about it. I saw how he removed the weapons from Luther! It must have been an oversight."
Amun is ready to follow the party wherever they decide to go. She will point directions as well as she can.
