CHAPTER 12c: Across Motter's Realm

[shaidar]

Saiph

Eyeing the giant birds, the diminutive humanoid sidles up to the cover of Denslow's larger frame.

[Norjax]

Gam’A Zone, Motter’s Realm 352D/81 (Late Afternoon)

Denslow starts to approach the remains but Podo stops the treant with a word of caution. The large fungoid shifts 15ft to the right and watches for any response from the perched birds.

OOC: In this desolate environment and broad daylight, you aren’t able to hide from observation.

Max and Urlando observe the vulture beasts with their weapons at the ready. The ten-foot-high black birds have a ring of orange plumage around their necks and two thin antennae swept back on their heads. They continue to watch, occasionally twitching their necks.

Kurot focuses on the carcasses lying on the ground near the hollow outcrop. They appear to be the remains of wasteland animals, dead for some time, picked clean by scavengers. Their condition makes determining the cause of death impossible.

Silvestri positions his rifle, prepared for an attack. Saiph looks to Denslow for comfort.



Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Point Recovery - 355D]:

Denslow – 42/42 [16/16]
Silvestri – 60/60 [12/14]
Kurot – 50/50 [6/15]
Max – 28/28 [15/15]
Anton – 43/43 [11/11]
Saiph – 25/25 [3/11] Glowburned AGL 11
Podo – 63/63 [14/14]
Urlando – 75/75 [17/17]

[greyarea]

Denslow shrugs a beach at Podo. Look, all of the remains are meat. We veggies have nothing to fear. But perhaps we should show caution. Are those birds meat or some kind of artificial being?

[GrapeApe]

Podo

"I can't say and as much as those rocks might make a good temporary shelter, I agree, let us leave this area of death."

Feeling somewhat safer from Denslow astute observation, Podo begins to retreat away from the birds slowly, keeping his eyes on them and his fingers on his spear.

That is a great pic Norjax, did you draw that?

[shaidar]

Silvestri

"Perhaps moving on is the right thing. Kurot, can see you anywhere worth heading towards through your spyglass?"

[Norjax]

That is a great pic Norjax, did you draw that?

I did, thanks!

[shaidar]

wow I didn't realise that you did a bunch of the pics you post. very cool

[greyarea]

Max takes out his spyglass (I keep forgetting that he has one) and zeros in on the “vultures” to see if he can make out more detail. He also sweeps it across the structure itself to see if anything about it raises his hackles.

Usually them birds aren’t the killers, they just clean up after. What’s killin’ them folks who get close to that structure?

[Norjax]

wow I didn't realise that you did a bunch of the pics you post. very cool

Thanks. Some are better than others.

---

Max focuses in on the carrion birds using his spyglass. Their feathers are shiny black, and the orange plumage has an almost fungal appearance. Their eyes are dark, beaks are ochre, and the twin antennae are something one would find on an insect.

The hollow mound formations appear artificial in some areas but rock-like in others. The entire surface is black and pitted, providing an anchor for the gray lichen patches. The walls of the outcrops are less than 6-inches thick and Its hard to see inside the shadowed interior.

[shaidar]

Silvestri

"Are we going to investigate further, or move on? If we stay to investigate then one of us could approach the birds while the others are ready with their ranged weapons."

[greyarea]

Denslow says, Since all of the corpses are meat, perhaps one of the plantients should go first, while the others cover. I vote for Podo to go.

He looks around to see if anyone finds that humorous. He sakes his leaves in a "never mind" gesture and lumbers towards the carnage slowly.

[doppelganger]

Urlando

You have a point, man. It don't look like those bug birds eat trees or mushrooms. It's up to you guys though. He looks at Denslow and Podo.

Those rocks don't look like natural. I don't want to get too close to those bug birds in order to see it though.

[Norjax]

GrapeApe is on vacation until Saturday.

I will act for Podo but not contribute to decision making.

[Zhym]

“We’re looking for the Knights, right?” asks Kurot. “So unless we think they’re inside those holes behind the vultures, maybe we should move on to wherever we think the Knights are.”

[Anton_E_Gregor]

Hopefully those birds aren't eating something elses leftovers. Let's get out of here before we find out and go find those Knights.

[Norjax]

He looks around to see if anyone finds that humorous. He sakes his leaves in a "never mind" gesture and lumbers towards the carnage slowly.

The majority wishes to move on. Does Denslow still investigate?

[GrapeApe]

Podo

Caught a little break while the wife is taking a nap and I have wifi.

"Most assuredly the knights aren't inside there but we have been wandering for days and haven't found any trace of them. This seems to be the only landmark in the area that might provide for a decent shelter and I'm not sure how many rations everyone has left but perhaps there are some eggs inside or we can catch some of those birds to eat. Setting up a camp for a day or two and smoking some jerky could be an idea that pays dividends later on... or I can share my plant pellets if you would like one"

Podo advances with Denslow to cover his back, about 10' diagonally to his right flank, hopeful that he is correct about the carrions being meat eaters.

[greyarea]

Go gettem, plant dudes, cheers on Max. He watches Denslow and Podo approach with anticipation.

[Norjax]

Gam’A Zone, Motter’s Realm 352D/81 (Late Afternoon)

You delay departure, allowing time for Denslow and Podo to approach the ebony formation and investigate. Both proceed with caution, keeping an eye on the vulture-beasts and the shadowed holes in the hollow mounds. They reach the undefined perimeter where the carcasses lie and confirm them to be the remains of five small wasteland animals.

Denslow crosses the perimeter without incident and stops a few feet away from the artificial rocks. Podo monitors the strange carrion birds, which loom menacingly above them but appear indifferent to their presence.

Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Point Recovery - 355D]:

Denslow – 42/42 [16/16]
Silvestri – 60/60 [12/14]
Kurot – 50/50 [6/15]
Max – 28/28 [15/15]
Anton – 43/43 [11/11]
Saiph – 25/25 [3/11] Glowburned AGL 11
Podo – 63/63 [14/14]
Urlando – 75/75 [17/17]

[greyarea]

Denslow examines the carcasses briefly to see if an immediate cause of death is apparent. He tastes the ground with his root to see if he can tell if it appears toxic.