Seeing Caitlyn approach the thorny brambles, Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun moves to her side, to share his observations

"Caitlyn, what you say about these brambles & thorns? I am unconvinced they are of natural origin, but whether they are from some mythical creatures, such as the Firmin or some Wyld ywosted barbarians, I just don't know... Coukt it be natural? I do not recall ever travelling this way before, maybe it does have a small region of fast growing plants? Sadly, my Dynastic education was sparse on the details of Eastward foliage."

(Adding a Teamwork bonus to the Academic Knowledge / Obscurity roll)

With that prompting, and some further back-and-forth discussion, Caitlyn and Cold soon recall pretty much everything there is to know about Firmin, the Needlemakers. The species' full description in Books of Sorcery 5 can be considered in-character knowledge, along with various other trivia.

Notably, firmin resin is sturdy enough to make weapons out of (which is probably the main reason sorcerers summon them), and can even be molded into armor, but is extremely difficult to repair or otherwise reshape after it solidifies. Flames hot enough to melt iron barely soften it.

If you just want to destroy the stuff, though, there's an apprentice-level alchemy procedure: moonlight focused through a magnifying lens, onto a splinter of orichalcum acting as a wick, will start it burning as easily as candle-wax, with a bizarre purplish flame that rises bright in the cold and damp, but gutters low and gives off unpleasant smoke when conditions are warm and dry. Injuries it causes resemble frostbite or acid more than conventional charring. Such flame almost never spreads to natural wood.

>>1092085
"Heheh, unlucky demons. So, are we killing them, or killing them AND making stuff out of their bodies?"

>>1091988
>rolled 3, 10, 10, 5, 6, 10, 6, 4
Palm-sized automaton slips through spiky hedges easily enough, and manages to locate the lost crate of supplies. Unfortunately, said crate hit something very solid and/or sharp at 100mph, apparently without the Stormwind Rider spell's usual cushioning. What used to be inside is widely scattered, and in poor enough shape that it's probably not worth the effort to retrieve.
Could possibly use the kingfisher to carry fragments back one at a time and reassemble them, if one of the team's sorcerers knows the Incantation of Effective Restoration? Sort of silly, given that there's still enough to go around, and none of the stuff in that crate was especially expensive.

>>1092346
>Could possibly use the kingfisher to carry fragments back one at a time and reassemble them
If she were feeling particularly whimsical, she supposes her familiar could gather fabric for a nest.

"The lost crate isn't recoverable" Spinel announces as her metallic kingfisher returns to her shoulder, earning an affectionate pat on its head.

>sinkhole
"Was... someone going to put our labor force to work?" the healer asks, unsure at her companions' hesitation. "This seems like an obstacle readily solved with hands and shovels. Unless you happen to know Raising the Earth's Bones as well, Cold?"

rolled 4, 10, 9, 10, 2, 1, 1, 6, 3, 9, 10, 1, 7, 2, 1, 2, 1, 8, 7, 3, 3, 8, 8, 1, 2, 5, 3, 3, 5, 9, 4, 6, 4, 6, 10, 7, 3, 5, 9, 3, 10, 1, 8, 2, 9, 3, 1, 5, 6, 7 = 253

---

Kisara looked around them, then looked towards her beastmen. And as she looked around at her people, her mind went back. Far, far back, to a time before Luna. A time before travels. A time when she was just a little girl, in a wandering tribe of beastmen. She thought of the memories she’s shared with all of these people. The times she’s played, frolicking in the dirt and grass, her tribe-mates chasing her through trees and mud. She tried to remember who was good at this sort of thing. Who was the best diggers, among all these beastmen that had followed her. She knew her family. So now all she had to remember was what they were best at.

For the record, rolling for appearance plus…something, with an attempt at a stunt to remember who was good at digging and such among my followers.

>>1092085
Caitlyn looks to her long time companion Cold. "With the right materials we could set all of these thorns to burn. It would probably be a nasty affair we would want to back away from, but should do the trick. It doesnt matter though, I dont have a lab with me."

>>1092466
>rolled 4, 10, 9, 10, 2
A few have one or two dots in Craft (Earth) - eager diggers from childhood, followed up with occasional day-labor hauling stones or shaping bricks during the tribe's time in Nexus. Could have them try carving a ramp, but they know enough to understand the potential risks of undermining an overhang with incomplete knowledge of the geology involved. Worst-case, if the walls collapsed, sliding debris might sweep across the entire floor of the pit, leaving no safe place to retreat to.

"Hello? Is someone down there?"
A voice from just outside the sinkhole, figure peering through the hedge - human, middle-aged, accent from somewhere a little ways north of Great Forks.
"I saw... or thought I saw, a tiny jeweled bird, carrying a soup-ladle much larger than itself, and followed it here in hopes it was an omen of some spirit's generous hospitality. My name is Jacques Lyle la'Rue."
You've heard that name before - famed throughout the Hundred Kingdoms as a designer of temples, palaces, dams, and bridges. In mechanical terms, Craft (Earth) 5.

Over the course of further conversation it comes out that his most recent patron took a competing bid from someone who turned out to be an agent of the Walker in Darkness. The resulting design, while impeccable in terms of physical solidity and superficial aesthetic appeal, had terrible geomantic consequences which seemed particularly inclined to extend along paved roadways. Mr. la'Rue barely managed to flee before the screaming started, and hasn't had a decent meal in days.

Cold turns to Spinel, hands outstretched in an apology.

"Forgive me Spinel, I am but a mere dabbler of many arts, the Occult being just one of them. Sadly, I am untrained in the use of that spell, having barely passed the rites of the Terrestrial Circle. No great Magi am I. But if goven time & access to your patience, I may be able to learn it eventually."

He looks to the voice above, recognising the famed Architect by sight. He answers in his own heavily accented Riverspeak

"Hark, is that the famed architect Lyle La'rue? Your name echoes greatly, beyond the Hundred Kingdoms domain & into the Threshold true. It is an honour to meet you."

"I am known by the moniker 'Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun', a mere trader of curios & dabbler in history. But my companions & I have befallen a trap of demonic design. These spike are more dangerous than they at first appear! I, for one, would greatly appreciate your wise mind being directed at assisting our escape."

rolled 5, 9, 7, 4, 8, 5, 10, 8, 2, 3, 4, 9, 7, 4 = 85

---

(OoC rroll Charisma + Presence + 10 what if's dice flto convice assistance from Lyle la'Rue)

"Why certainly, I'd be glad to lend my expertise - if you can give me your word you are not, yourselves, agents of the Walker in Darkness, that is. Initial assessment of the problem in exchange for lunch, perhaps, and then we can discuss whether fixed-fee, or shares in your endeavor's profits, would be a more appropriate payment structure?"

rolled 3, 9, 8, 9, 10, 4, 8, 3, 7, 8, 9, 2, 7, 1 = 88

---

(OoC roll Intelligence + Lore + 10 What if's dice for Cold to recall any info about Walker in Darkness

>>1092564
Ten Thousand Maws gives her best professional smile, though it shows some teeth. "Oh don't worry. I am Thousand Maws - you may have heard of my trading company. A simple architectural issue like this is not a particular problem in terms of *Payment*...

rolled 6, 3, 7, 4, 1, 10, 2, 2, 8, 8, 10, 7, 4, 9, 4 = 85

---

>>1092564

OOC: Cha 3 + Performance 3 + Stone of Humble Glory 5 | appearance 9

Caitlyn pulls a frosty cold beer from beneath her cloak and sharply opens it with a slight hiss before taking a long sensuous sip from it, letting the light of the sun glimmer off her gleaming figure while making a show of being deeply refreshed.
"It sure is hot out here. Would anyone else like a cold beer?" She asked, inviting all those nearby to gather around her, particularly one Lyle La'rue.

>>1092588
Woe will take a beer, and watch events unfold between the others.

Kisara also takes one, smiling.
“Thanks Caitlyn!”
She suddenly just hugs her, still smiling.

Cold signals for two of the large Wolfmen to assist as he grabs a cold drink from Caitlyn. With a deep draught he swallows it all before grabbing one of his trunks & hoist it over his shoulder

"Thanks for the drink Caitlyn, I am going topside to meet our celebrity crafter"

Cold then nods to the two large Wolfmen & lightly steps upon their open hands or them to give him a great heave upwards. Harnessing the power of his Exaltation, Cold feels the power surge to his limbs as he makes a mighty leap upward, clearing the pit & landing at the edge of the sinkhole. He puts his crate down & looks at Lyle la'Rue

"Well met! How fortunate you were wandering through this maze of thorns! How can we help each other?"

[OoC Cold activates leaps Strength + Athletics + Leaping specialty + 2 from assist x2 from Monkey Leap = 20]

rolled 5, 7, 3, 3, 5, 4, 1, 5, 4, 10, 2, 1, 1, 6, 4, 8, 4, 6, 7, 10, 7, 10, 5, 3, 2, 9, 5, 7, 9, 6 = 159

---

>>1092554
Spinel blinks. "No need to apologize for my own ignorance; you can hardly be expected to have every spell at your disposal."

>>1092564
>if you can give me your word you are not, yourselves, agents of the Walker in Darkness
"I give my word that we do not serve any Deathlord."

rolled 3, 10, 5, 3, 9, 8, 1, 9 = 48

---

Rolling Craft (Earth) for the ramp construction

rolled 2, 6, 4, 10, 2, 10, 5, 10, 8, 5, 8, 10 = 80

---

Ramp construction proceeds as smoothly as it plausibly could have, and you're back out of the sinkhole barely two hours after first falling in. Architect and meager remaining possessions weigh less than the lost cargo, so he's easy enough to bring along. You're still four hundred miles or so from "x marks the spot," but might be able to make it there before sundown if nothing else goes wrong.

Of course, there's also abundant reason to believe someone is actively encouraging things to go wrong for you, so it's time to roll for the next 5-hour interval of the navigation / tracking contest.

(Hey, if anyone’s wondering where I’ve been, my discord account got hacked. So, I’m not done with this. Just can’t get to discord for a while.)

rolled 3, 1, 10, 7, 3, 4, 6, 6, 1, 5 = 46

---

>>1092904
"Alrighty then, my fellow Chosen! Watch and be amazed as you are navigated to our next destination, courtesy of a certain Seeker." Seeker pats herself on her chest, and concentrates for a moment.

[Activating my Past Life background to add +5 dice to this roll, despite me not having any dots in Navigate. Assuming it's Perception, that's 8 dice total. I'll throw in two extra dice just in case I'm forgetting something; but don't count the last two unless I am.]

rolled 6, 6, 8, 1, 5, 6 = 32

---

[i/]Seeing the construction being completed, Cold scratches his bare chin as recalls the forms & regulations he had to oversee as his role as a tributary assistant to the reigning lord of the prefecture he was nominally assigned to when Thorns was alive in it's conquering frame of governance. He delves into one of his trunks that held his personal correspondence, within there were some rudimentary maps of potential trade paths as well as applications for a writ of prospecting, the odd scout reports & bandit confessions, all of which brought tidbits of rumor & knowledge covering vast swaths of the Scavenger Lands. With a few moments of revision, Cold searches for anything that may assist[i\]

[OoC Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun rolling Int + Bureaucracy to assist navigation + 3 extra dice]

>>1093293

Thousand Maws makes sure to re-update her information of where they *are* and *should be* - with the architect's help to narrow it down, and the information that out here the Walker is at least of some concern, as well as Cold's efforts, she begins her search anew.

She is, after all, VERY eager to get back on track. This is something *she wants*, if not just because someone else wants it a lot. Nothing will stop her from getting to it - not if she can help it.

(So….remind me where we are so I can refresh myself?)

(Oh, and if you want me back, send a message to cosmosendless8 that’s my alt.)

(My discord alt, for context.)

rolled 5, 7, 2, 6, 7, 3, 5, 7, 6, 3, 10, 10, 7, 6, 2, 9, 8, 1, 10, 7 = 121

---

>>1093440

JamesLeng 2024/06/26(Wed)09:06 No. 1093448 ID: cfc7cc
File 171941796670.png - (2.03MB , 956x761 , YAMIAJmap1.png )

>>1093445
You've arrived.

Through those last few dozen miles, trees got taller and denser, air thicker and more humid despite the higher altitude. Sun's near the western horizon as you stumble across the unmistakable sense of a geomantic wellspring somewhere underground. That stone plinth and adjacent stretch of overgrown flagstone roadway (possibly late Shogunate?) aren't part of the actual manse, but they do correspond pretty closely with its horizontal position.

The plinth is 10' high, and around eleven thousand square feet. Might be just enough space to set up all the remaining tents - bit of crowding is a small price to pay for such a conveniently defensible site - but those broad stairs leading down reek of bat guano.

rolled 9, 4, 10, 3, 3, 9 = 38

---

[/i]Cold Blooded in the Blaze of the Sun gently lands the mystical vortex upon the flat top of the ancient palisade, dissipating the summoned winds with but a touch of his worn travel boot clad foot to the flagstones. He looks around, planning where would be the best spot to set up camp while maintaining a defensive advantage before approaching both Kisara & Caitlyn [/i]

"Well, we have made it... not sure where exactly, but we [/i]are[/i] here at least. I am thinking if we try & get all our tents set up here upon this structure to give us some height advantage in case of a ground based assault, & setting up a double line of guards, one set & the other line roaving. We should probably scout out to a half mile or so around us as well. But first, I think set up our Pavilion & get a cup of tea into each of us!"

[Perception + War + 3 bonus to plan a strategically advantageous place to set up camp]

JamesLeng 2024/06/26(Wed)15:26 No. 1093457 ID: cfc7cc
File 171944081540.png - (339.92KB , 650x586 , jungleclean.png )

First thing the scouts find is a second stone platform, about half as tall (that is, 5' lower than the big one), ten yards away to the north. That's close enough most essence-users could jump across the gap, but not normal folks - though mere mortals might be able to climb over through trees. Swampy ground west of it.

rolled 2, 2, 2, 5, 10, 2, 6, 1, 2, 6, 10, 7, 5, 7, 8, 7, 2, 2, 2, 4, 10, 4, 4, 10, 2, 1, 9, 2, 7, 4, 6, 9, 9, 3, 9, 4, 6, 10, 6, 4, 8, 5, 4, 10, 6, 9, 3, 5, 1, 6 = 268

---

Five hours, 20m of passive regeneration- long enough for Spinel to have transferred another 5m into her familiar and to still be topped off herself when the group arrives. (Which leaves the bird with 10m for operation).

>>1093455
>"Well, we have made it... not sure where exactly, but we [/i]are[/i] here at least. I am thinking if we try & get all our tents set up here upon this structure to give us some height advantage in case of a ground based assault, & setting up a double line of guards, one set & the other line roaving.
"Claiming the high ground, while also securing what looks like the entrance to the site, seems prudent." the Twilight agrees. "Deny our competitors access, and secure an exit for when we explore below."

>We should probably scout out to a half mile or so around us as well.
"I can help with that."

Alighting on top of the plinth, the healer raises her hand, once more casting her metallic companion into the wind. Dispatching the automaton to scout the surroundings, looking for any more structures or well, anything notable or dangerous, really. (The Twilight doesn't offer particularly detailed instructions on this front: the avian has more dots in Survival than her and she trusts it to have better instincts on exploring a jungle). The group brought supplies, but a source of clean water would be good, as would keeping an eye out for sources of disease. (Dexterity 5 + Stealth 5) for the artificial kingfisher to conceal itself, and Perception 4, Awareness 3 (While Undetected +3), and/or Survival 1 (Tracking +3) seem pertinent for exploring.

> you stumble across the unmistakable sense of a geomantic wellspring somewhere underground
Spinel takes a moment to close her eyes and focus on the sensation. Is she close enough to discern the aspect? (Perception 4 + Occult 1+ demesne’s rating), possibly +1 if Kimbery-aspected, though that seems unlikely.

"Good judgment." Thousand Maws assesses of Cold's plan. "You seem like you have experience with this sort of thing. As a merchant, rather than a fighter, I'll ask you to share any security concerns that might come up. No matter how minor, please let me know." She gives a toothy grin, revealing her shark-like teeth.

"Alright, let's get things set up, everyone." She looks to the Twilight's creature. "Will that be all that's needed to do the scouting, or should we split the duties with others?"

>"Will that be all that's needed to do the scouting, or should we split the duties with others?"
"Flight and blending in are useful, but I'm a scholar, not a ranger. It would probably help to send someone with an eye for woodcraft or war."

"Ah, of course." Ten Thousand Maws brings a hand to her chin and thinks. "Actually, I think we have the perfect ally in that case."

She gives a glance over to where the Lunar and their followers are together. "Kisara! A moment!" Maws calls out to her, briefing her on the current issue at hand when she does come over.

"-So, since you're probably the best suited among us for this kind of task, I'd like to leave the sneaking through the woodland to you for now."

>>1093461
Two or three figures are lurking crocodile-like in the swamp, nothing but eyes and nostrils above the surface, just outside thrown-spear range from that lower platform.

Circling around the perimeter counterclockwise, your scout is caught by surprise when a bat suddenly emerges from that round hole in the ground and swallows the automaton assassin whole.

After a brief struggle, you now have a bat carcass - large enough the jeweled kingfisher could barely lift it! - to test for local respiratory or insect-borne diseases, and a flask with a sample of water from the bat's home cave. Said water is almost suspiciously clean, as if it'd been boiled and then poured through a fine silk filter-cloth less than an hour earlier.

>>1093462
Thanks to Sprawling Marsh Indulgence, Thousand Maws spots a flickering light a few hundred yards off in the opposite direction, which the jeweled kingfisher eventually confirms as a set of candles and small offerings around the base of a weathered stone statue.

Nobody else on the team can see even a tenth that far through dense underbrush at night. Properly thorough sweep of any significant radius around the camp could easily end up taking multiple days.

“Alright, ten! But ah…you’ll forgive me if I do something important at the same time.”
And she turns to her forces, and just speaks to them quickly.
“Cold’s in charge while I’m gone. We’ll see you when we’re doing scouting. Come on Luna, we got hunting to do!”
And with that, she skipped away.

rolled 6, 4, 8, 4, 2, 5, 1, 2, 4, 3, 10 = 49

---

"Hm, well, if everyone's got a job, I'll handle the extremely exciting work of being the lookout. But if you need me for something more active, come and get me."

Woe will climb onto whatever the highest point is in the camp and roll to be on the watch for anything unusual or dangerous.

[Awareness 3 + Perception 3. I'm rolling 5 extra dice in case there's something I'm forgetting, but if not, just use the first 6.]

Thousand Maws gives Kisara a grin. "No, no, go right ahead."

She then turns back to inform the Twilight of the thing she spotted, so the bird can check it out.

(Rolling 3 Wits + 3 Survival, and I just woke up so I’m too tired to stunt right now.)

rolled 2, 10, 2, 7, 5, 2, 8, 1, 5, 3, 10, 2, 10, 5, 1, 7, 1, 5, 1, 2, 10, 8, 3, 2, 7, 1, 7, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 4, 2, 10, 6, 4, 10, 9, 3, 6, 1, 8, 5, 4, 10, 5, 8, 4 = 261

---

rolled 1, 4, 2, 4, 3, 2, 4, 7, 10, 5 = 42

---

As they land Caitlyn openly asks "How long are we going to be set up here? We should consider improving the defenses of this site now that it's clear that we have enemies seeking to delay or halt our efforts."

She paces around the area a bit to examine the immediate area and explore opportunities to better secure the area such as thinning local foliage or even constructing barricades and abatis with the materials that effort provides.

-------[ooc]--------
Review and plan the defensibly of the camp site.
int 2 + war 3
Channel Compassion to best deter attacks and saving lives; for 5 successes

rolled 2, 10, 7, 5, 10, 9, 10, 6, 6, 2, 3, 2, 5, 9, 8, 7, 4, 5, 5, 1, 8, 6, 3, 3, 7, 6, 9, 1, 6, 9, 6, 5, 9, 8, 1, 4, 7, 8, 6, 2, 8, 5, 4, 2, 2, 8, 9, 8, 5, 8 = 289

---

>>1093511
>She then turns back to inform the Twilight of the thing she spotted, so the bird can check it out.
>>1093465
>which the jeweled kingfisher eventually confirms as a set of candles and small offerings around the base of a weathered stone statue.
Spinel updates Maw on the discovery of the... shrine? but declines further investigation for the moment. Her familiar isn't going to be a very effective nighttime scout with bats this large on the hunt.

>After a brief struggle, you now have a bat carcass - large enough the jeweled kingfisher could barely lift it! - to test for local respiratory or insect-borne diseases, and a flask with a sample of water from the bat's home cave. Said water is almost suspiciously clean, as if it'd been boiled and then poured through a fine silk filter-cloth less than an hour earlier.
Seems like a good idea to do that sooner rather than later, and with the camp still being assembled, it's too soon to sleep anyways, even if things are getting dark. She just has to find a someplace on the plinth to work where she's not going to be in the way of all the activity, and she can provide her own light, if needed.

I'm going to guess testing the bat counts as a variation on the diagnose action? So (Perception 4 + Medicine 5), Flawless Diagnosis Technique, 1m on anima-bright-enough-to-read-by if no one else sets up other light sources, and three successes with the Second Medicine Excellency. Willing to pay those costs twice if the water needs to be checked separately. (If she has to rely on Occult for testing via alchemical methods, she's got worse pools, but could channel Temperance).

>>1093545
Four hours later, Kisara has added a bat to her form library.
>>1093549
Ten foot high ledge makes for an excellent defensive position against a conventional infantry attack. More concerning possibilities are something coming up those stairs, or skirmishers shooting or throwing stuff from the tress.
Clearing all the trees within bowshot of the camp is probably not feasible. I mean, you could certainly try - you've got axes and people who know how to swing 'em - but it wouldn't be quick or safe. Even if successful, risks interference with the geomantic power supply of the manse you came here to plunder.

Moonfire Tribe's tents are each fifteen feet in diameter, and sturdy enough to provide useful protection against the sort of light projectiles you'd expect tree-climbing skirmishers to use, so first priority is probably getting those unpacked and set up. Ought to leave some space between each of the tents, though, for general accessibility, and so if someone sets one tent on fire it wouldn't spread as easily. There's only so much space atop the platform, though.

Draw a diagram of how you're going to arrange the camp.

Rolling Perception 2 + Awareness 1 with no stunts to see what I can scout out as I head back to camp.

rolled 2, 2, 6, 9, 8, 1, 8, 5, 6, 1, 9, 8, 6, 7, 8, 6, 8, 5, 9, 7, 10, 7, 1, 7, 5, 8, 2, 3, 7, 6, 9, 7, 3, 6, 3, 2, 6, 1, 10, 7, 2, 7, 5, 3, 2, 1, 5, 10, 1, 4 = 271

---

>>1094260
>rolled 2, 2, 6, 9
With the +1 from being focused on keeping watch, you successfully find your way back the camp, but don't spot much else of lasting interest. Echolocation is amazing, you can actually "see" the interiors of solid objects! Beetle larvae burrowing beneath a tree's bark are as instantly apparent as the spiderweb cracks of a shattered windowpane would be in broad daylight.

>>1094261
"Hm, see you're back, Kisara. How's being a bat?"