CHAPTER 8: Back to the Gam'A Zone

[shaidar]

Silvestri

"These guys are trouble. They only care about themselves. They are tired and hungry and want our food and are prepared to take it from us."

[greyarea]

Think we can avoid them? Otherwise, I can offer them a few of my apples... concludes Denslow with an evil wink

[Urson]

Belial

Belial has been knuckling along, glad of the casual pace. At first, he doesn't notice the strangers. When he does, he sheds his pack and takes to the air, flapping off toward them. He's keeping his weapons stowed for the moment.

[Zhym]

"I'm pretty sure I can avoid them," says speedy Kurot.

"Should we convince them that we are too much trouble to bother with?"

I saw 7 of the 32 arrows claimed, so please add 25 to Kurot's sheet.

[Norjax]

...

Think we can avoid them?

Your group is burdened with carts and cargo, they are moving light.

In game terms, your group's move is 15. The trio most likely moves at 25-30. You will not be able to outpace them.

As Kurot stated, some of you can avoid them if they ditch cargo and slow-moving members.

...

[greyarea]

Well, just some avoiding them means we give up this loot. I say we just add whatever they're carrying to our piles here, and continue on once we've taken care of business, replies Denslow.

[shaidar]

"I can try making one of them doubt we're worth it, but they may resist and realise something is up. My power is going to expire before they reach us"

[Scythius Equinus]

Frank Rock

Harumph, we are more than they, we can handle ourselves, they may be hungry and desperate, but i aint worried...

The expression on Frank's face is almost comical in it's forced casualness...

[Ardak2000]

Bruce Lee Mk. VII

"We'll be ready"
He casts about for a resonably defensible position within the terrain nearby.
Is there anywhere nearby that will give us terrain advantage?

[shaidar]

Silvestri gets out his newly acquired rifle, finds a spot on the wagon to rest it on and settles down, lining up the dwarf in his sights.

[Norjax]

...

Bruce Lee Mk. VII
Is there anywhere nearby that will give us terrain advantage?

Bruce scans the surrounding terrain of the Long Route, but sees no terrain advantages in proximity to your current location.

...

[Urson]

Belial

Belial banks left and turns to the north, flying at a comfortable pace.

[Mimdalf]

Blixx

Blixx gets next to Silvestri and checks the action on his rifle. "I am sure glad you are with us, and thanks for healing me back after the fight."

[shaidar]

Silvestri smiles

"Thanks. No worries about the healing, what are friends for, after all"

[Ardak2000]

Bruce Lee Mk. VII

Finds a place behind the wagon providing adequate cover, and readies his pistol.

[Urson]

Belial
As he flies, Belial climbs to about 150 feet and accelerates to half his maximum speed.

[Zhym]

Kurot considers the hit and run tactic again, but he doesn't know yet what the new enemies are packing. So he waits for a scouting report.

[greyarea]

Denslow prepares himself for long range combat. "I might need something longer range than these apples," he considers as he does so.

[quozl]

Ron secures the animals.

[Norjax]

...

The Long Route, Day 98 out of Loge Thantos, Day 8 out of Hagalton

You take up a defensive posture and wait for the trio to approach your position. Belial changes his flight path and vectors north, out of the area. You are not sure what your companion is up to, but he does not appear to be in a hurry.

The trio stops, 80 yards away, apparently assessing the situation as they talk among themselves. A couple of you produce spyglasses to get a better look.

To the left is a bare foot, blue-skinned dwarf with bright yellow hair. He sports a large beard with heavy curls and wears a loose-fitting, gray robe secured by a leather harness. Clutched in his left hand is a sort of whip that sparks occasionally as he drags it across the ground.

In the center is a late middle aged man with sunburned pink skin and wild red hair mixed with white strands. He wears ragged clothes, is bare foot and clutches an ink-black staff with a shiny, glass-like surface. This man subtly nods while the others speak.

The man on the right is the best dressed, having shoes and a maroon, belted long-sleeve shirt. His skin is a dark, coffee brown and his black hair is fixed into thick braids decorated with bone beads. He repeatedly tosses a small bag into the air, seemingly to amuse himself. He is joined by two small companions that were not noticed before. The two diminutive, one-eyed monkeys with white and orange fur move quickly and orbit around the dark man’s legs, chattering back and forth.

The strangers just stand there as if waiting for an action from your group. They are dirty, tired and somber.

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Points]:

Belial – 41/57 [9/9]
Bruce – 49/50 [11/12]
Blixx – 37(0)/44 [5/13]
Denslow – 40/42 [16/16]
Frank – 63/63 [13/13]
Kurot –50/50 [15/15]
Ron – 57/69 [15/15]
Silvestri – 60/60 [9/14]

...