Thirteen 2 session 11

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Summary

The group finds that the people from the camp have been taken to a cave where people cursed by Manitokeh during the war have gathered and are living. They send Lucas and Welemque to approach, covered by snipers just in case. They (mostly Lucas) are able to secure the release of the potential sacrifices after talking to their leader, Sister Elise, who has been trnsfprmed most completely into a snake person. After that, the party is able to retrieve the cannons, and hastily depart.

Session

Session date: 2022-03-13

In Game date: following on the same day as last session

Planning

<Narrator> Your camp has been raided while you were away, and you've found the trail where the other members of your parties have been dragged off. Taking what extra weapons you could find, you should be ready to head out to follow the trail.
<Narrator> Anything else before you do so?
<Lucas> (not for me)
* Grazer (~Grazer@lns5-pool7-088.adsl.user.start.ca) has joined #thirteen
* Svald (~Grazer@lns5-pool7-088.adsl.user.start.ca) Quit (Ping timeout: 189 seconds)
* Grazer is now known as Svald
<Pierre> (So we're all together?)
<Skalla> (yes, good to go I think)
<Hildie> Skalla, keep behind me.
<Svald> (yeah I'm good)
<Narrator> (You were before, unless you wanted to split up.)
<Pierre> (OK)
* Welumque is keeping a close eye on Lucas - very wary of snakey things going on.
* Skalla barks a laugh at that
* Hildie gives Skalla the "I'm serious" look.
<Skalla> YOu really should know better by now
<Hildie> I do know better. That's why I'm telling you. It's my job to keep you safe. I can't do that if you run off.
<Skalla> It my job to keep me safe, or not. Worry about the ones here who need it.
* Svald tries to tune out the party tolisten to the forest
* Hildie sighs.
<Skalla> Come on
<Narrator> (Roll me Investigate, folks)
* Skalla will have her rifle out and be on alert as well
<Svald> !4d3-6
<Hildie> Gods give me strength...
<Svald> !roll 4d3-6
* @Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 1 1 3 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Pierre> !roll 4d3-5
* @Lan-werk rolls for Pierre: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 3 2 3 3 ] for a total of [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 6 ].
<Welumque> !roll 4d3-5
* @Lan-werk rolls for Welumque: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 3 2 1 1 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-5
* @Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 2 2 2 3 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-7
* @Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 2 2 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-8
* @Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-8 ] getting [ 2 3 3 3 ] for a total of [ 11 ] which, after the modifier [ -8 ] totals [ 3 ].
<Narrator> You can follow the tracks pretty easily; it's a sizeable group and they're dragging people. The trail leads north, into the hillier terrain at the edge of the river valley, up into a little ravine carved by a currently dry seasonal creek.
<Skalla> okay - I want souts keeping an eye out as we proceed from here
* Hildie nods
* Svald nods
<Skalla> I dont want to get caught in an ambush
<Svald> I'll go
<Skalla> okay
* Svald closes their eyes to concentrate on the forest sounds around them, then turns into a crow :>
* Skalla blinks because I don't know if I've seen Svald do that before'=
<Skalla> uhh, okay, that's handy
* Pierre almost jumps back
<Hildie> Huh. Yeah, that's new.
<Svald> caw
* Svald flies up into a tree
* Hildie keeps her rifle ready and her eyes scanning the trees.
<Narrator> Roll me Notice, folks.
<Welumque> !roll 4d3-7
* @Lan-werk rolls for Welumque: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 3 3 1 2 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Pierre> !roll 4d3-7
* @Lan-werk rolls for Pierre: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 2 1 3 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* @Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 1 1 3 2 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-5
* @Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 2 1 2 2 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Svald> !roll 4d3-3
* @Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-3 ] getting [ 2 3 3 2 ] for a total of [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ -3 ] totals [ 7 ].
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-6
* @Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 3 2 1 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 3 ].
<Narrator> Lucas, Skalla, and Welumque, you can just barely make out smoke from what looks like a couple fires rising from a spot perhaps 100 yards up into the ravine. Svald, you can see the fires, and make out figures around them, under a natural overhang that looks to lead back into a cave.
<Lucas>
There's smoke up ahead
<Svald> (how many roughly)
<Welumque> I see it.
<Narrator> (Let's say you see eight total.)
* Svald flies back and turns back as they alight.
<Narrator> (But some are going in and out where you can't see, so there may be more.)
<Svald> I can see eight of them, but there may be more... There's a cave
<Skalla> oh goody
<Hildie> Hmmm...
<Skalla> I wonder if its similar to the last one
<Skalla> in terms of spirits
<Svald> It's probably where the hostages are being kept
<Skalla> I'm sure
<Skalla> if 'hostages' is the right term
<Hildie> We could set a trap. Try to lure them out somehow. Get some hostages of our own to trade.
<Skalla> Lucas your, uh....friend...there doesn't know anything about it, does it?
<Narrator> (He doesn't, no.)
* Lucas shakes his head
<Skalla> well...
<Skalla> I guess be on alert for spirits as well.
* Lucas will try to keep an eye out for spirits, as much as is possible anyway
* Skalla looks to Svald, Lucas, and Oshwę'da for that
* Svald nods.
* NPC1 is now known as Oshweda
<Skalla> Theres got to be more than 8 people to overpower everyone at camp, including Óhontekahèn:ta >.>
<Oshweda> I don't sense anything, other than...your friend's friend.
<Skalla> well, that's encouraging.
<Hildie> Good. Spirits and bullets don't mix.
<Hildie> What's our move, then, Skalla?
<Skalla> We could try Hildie's suggestion, but I don't really like to take hostages. We can't be sure its effective and we don't have a good way to secure them and keep them out of our way. If we can get close enough to capture, we can maybe get close enough to subsude them quietly, and retreat with captives if we have to, and try to negotiate from there.
<Svald> We are likely expected, though.
<Welumque> I agree with Skalla. Taking hostages, when we don't know what they want, is risky. We don't know what we're negotiating for.
* Skalla nods to them both
<Skalla> I'm open to other ideas. We coudl watch them for a while, but we don't kwo what they want with the others, so that coudl be risky too
* Pierre (Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc-01-65-92-225-196.dsl.bell.ca) Quit (Quit: https://mibbit.com Online IRC Client)
<Hildie> Yeah, i don't like leaving our people in there longer than we have to.
<Svald> I don't know. I'm not very good at predicting people.
<Skalla> we could send someone in to talk to them and keep them under rifle cover and see if we can figure ut what they *do
* want
<Lucas> I can try... I probably don't look like much of a threat, anyway.
<Welumque> Hmmm.
<Skalla> I wouldn't ask anyone to do it hough - and in this case I think Hilde and I are the best shots we have currently
* Hildie rolls her eyes.
<Hildie> You just can't NOT make yourself a target, can you?
<Skalla> Lucas, I wouldn't want you to go on your own.
<Skalla> what?
<Svald> What about with Welumque?
* Skalla chuckles again
<Skalla> I'm saying it *shoudln't
* be me, this time
<Skalla> keep up ;)
<Welumque> If Lucas goes, I'll go with him.
<Skalla> If Welmque is willing she would be be a great choice, but if she doens't feel comfortable then no
* Lucas nods
<Skalla> OKay
<Skalla> Svald - you looked over the area - where should we position folks?
* Svald will describe the layout of the campsite
* Pierre (~Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc-01-65-92-225-196.dsl.bell.ca) has joined #thirteen
<Narrator> You can find good vantage points, but you'll have to roll Stealth to get there undetected.
<Skalla> okay. Give us some time to get into place.
<Skalla> is there anywhere from those points that one of us wudln't be able to keep welumque in out rights?
<Skalla> (our sights)
<Hildie> (Can I invoke "Anything for a friend" to add to stealth to go help rescue our friends?)
<Narrator> (I'll allow it)
<Narrator> I'll say you can keep them in your sights from those vantage points.
<Skalla> (cool)
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-6
* @Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 1 2 3 1 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Skalla> (also I would likewise liek to invoke an aspect, either comfortable outdoorswoman or I look out for my people shoudl work)
<Narrator> (That works)
<Skalla> !roll 4d6-6
* @Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d6-6 ] getting [ 4 2 3 6 ] for a total of [ 15 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 9 ].
<Pierre> (4d3, not 4d6... :P )
<Skalla> (yeah wait :V)
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-6
* @Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 1 3 1 2 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 1 ].
<Narrator> While there are a few close calls, you both manage to get into position without being spotted.
<Narrator> (Okay, so Lucas and Welumque are approaching? What about Svald and Pierre?)
<Welumque> (just the two of us, I think)
<Pierre> (Yeah)
<Narrator> (Sorry, I meant are Pierre or Svald doing anything?)
<Narrator> (Just waiting is perfectly fine. :) )
<Svald> (waiting yes)
<Pierre> (Waiting)

Lucas and Welumque approach

<Narrator> All right. Welumque and Lucas, how do you want to approach?
<Lucas> (I would want to not surprise them - don't try to be too sneaky, just approach cautiously but openly.)
<Narrator> You head towards the campsite, seeing a half-dozen people gathered around a couple fires. They all take notice of you and immediately scramble for weapons, though they don't otherwise make immediate offensive moves.
<Welumque> No need for those.
<Welumque> We're not here for a fight.
<Welumque> (describe the people for us?)
<Narrator> It's a mixed group of natives and colonials in fairly ragged, patched clothing. All of them bear some physical manifestation of the touch of Missie Monnittokie (the Great Serpent spirit): patches of scaled skin abound, snake eyes...one man's left arm appears to be a large viper.
<Welumque> We're here to talk. Can we do that?
<Narrator> (What language are you using?)
<Welumque> (hhmm, what would make most sense?)
<Hildie> (Is there anything to indicate who might be in charge?)
<Welumque> (I don't actually have a list of what languages I speak, other than 'several')
<Narrator> (Not that you can see, Hildie)
<Narrator> (Okay, I guess the question is just your native tongue or a colonial one?)
<Welumque> (probably I'll start with Lexkweyok and then move to another language if that doesn't get a response. I'd start with a native language rather than a colonial one)
* NPC21 is now known as Snafling
* Snafling steps forward slightly.
<Snafling> (In Lexkweyok) Who are you? What do you want?
<Welumque> I am Welumque of the Chemames. I want peace with your people.
* Welumque looks over at Lucas, as if prodding him to introduce himself.
<Lucas> Lek’hwánwi... of the Lenawé Saawaki.
* Lucas says a bit cautiously.
* Snafling looks at Lucas.
<Snafling> You are welcome here, brother. Your friend is not.
<Lucas> I won't deal with you without her.
<Lucas> I trust her with my life.
<Welumque> I have no ill will for you. We merely wish to reunite with our travelling companions.
<Snafling> Companions?
<Welumque> Young one, don't think me a fool.
<Welumque> Bring them out. Show me that they are unharmed.
<Snafling> You're not in a position to be demanding anything right now.
<Lucas> What is it you want?
<Lucas> Why did you take them?
* Snafling looks aside at Welumque for a moment, then addresses Lucas.
<Snafling> They will be sacrifices for Serpent's child.
<Lucas> (does me mean my little friend? or do I know any other meaning of 'Serpent's child'?)
<Lucas> (he mean, rather)
<Narrator> (That would stand to reason)
<Lucas> Mm... I don't think that's necessary.
<Lucas> I have the Serpent's child with me - within me. I speak with its voice.
* Snafling narrows his eyes.
<Snafling> Liar.
<Lucas> I am many things, but about this, I am not lying.
* Snafling tightens his hand around the handle of the handaxe he's holding.
* Hildie takes aim at the axe.
<Lucas> Any harm you do to me, you also do to it.
<Welumque> Young one, there are many things you have yet to understand. I do not have time to teach them all to you, and neither does my mem here. We come for our people.
* Lucas holds his chin up, mustering every ounce of his former "touch me and your life will be over" energy.
* Oshweda is now known as Snuman
<Snuman> Wait. I know you.
<Lucas> You see what I once was, and what I am now.
* Snuman is older, wearing a very tattered blue military jacket.
<Snuman> You were at Whitestone. The prophet of the Great Serpent.
<Lucas> Yes. I am the Rattlesnake's bride.
<Snuman> My unit was wiped out. I almost died, too, but my eyes were opened and Serpent saved me...
* Lucas nods
<Lucas> I remember you as well.
* Snuman falls to his knees in front of Lucas and reaches for his hand.
* Lucas says, even if he very much does not. there were a lot of almost dead soldiers...
* Lucas extends his hand in a gesture of mercy.
<Narrator> (Yeah, he's just a random snekified colonist to you :P )
* Snuman takes Lucas's hand in both of his and bows his head to it.
<Narrator> Your snake friend takes that moment to show show himself, slithering from your coat, down your arm, to regard the man. There's general astonished murmuring among the sneople.
<Lucas> Rise, my child. We only wish to speak with your leader.
* Welumque takes a step back but doesn't take her eyes off Lucas.
<Snuman> (to the others) Go get Sister Elise.
* Snafling frowns, but turns and runs into the cave.
<Snuman> Why are you here, prophet? Is it time for Serpent to awaken again?
<Lucas> I'm here because I heard the call of the young spirit, and came to help it. My companions seek cannons, a more... earthly power. Our goals aligned in this case.
<Narrator> The halfling man returns, with a crowd of about eight more people with him. A ...creature, mostly snake, but with a pair of clawed, scaled arms, approaches and lifts the front of its body to about the height of a human. The whole of it's body must be almost twenty feet.
* Snafling is now known as Sister_Elise
<Sister_Elise> Rattlesnake's bride?
* Welumque tries very hard to keep her composure. Fortunately she's seen many things in her years.
<Lucas> Yes.
<Lucas> (do I recognize this... person... at all? or the name mean anything to me?)
* Sister_Elise says in a pleasant, if somewhat wary voice.
* Skalla takes a deep breath form her vantage point, as,,, whatever's happening seems under control for now, but will train her sights on that... whatever the fuck just came out o the cave
<Hildie>
<w> what...
<Narrator> (Doesn't mean anything to you. You know this *can
* happen to people touched by Serpent.)
<Lucas> I don't think we've met.
* Lucas says politely
<Sister_Elise> My name is Elise. My friends here call me Sister Elise, though I am no longer a woman of the cloth.
<Lucas> I see that.
<Sister_Elise> I offer you what hospitality we have. Why are you here?
<Lucas> You have some of our people, and we want them back.
<Sister_Elise> We have captives, yes. They are yours?
<Lucas> They are.
* Welumque lets Lucas take the lead here - seeing as they don't seem to listen to her anyway.
* Sister_Elise looks at Welumque.
<Sister_Elise> And who is this?
<Welumque> I am Welumque.
<Lucas> She is my guide and my protector.
* Welumque nods.
<Sister_Elise> Are you alone?
<Lucas> No. Others are with us, but we approached you alone because we do not want violence here.
* Sister_Elise looks around.
<Sister_Elise> There has already been violence, and violence, and violence.
* Lucas nods
<Sister_Elise> Our people are not welcome elsewhere, and, thus, others are not welcome here.
<Lucas> I understand what it is to be unwelcome. But it doesn't have to be this way.
<Sister_Elise> I do not believe you have the power to change it.
<Sister_Elise> What is, is.
<Lucas> If you choose to remain here, that is your own decision, of course.
<Lucas> If we can take our people and the cannons, we can leave you to your business.
<Sister_Elise> What guarantee do we have they will not return for vengeance?
<Lucas> We don't intend you harm - we won't tell anyone you are here.
<Lucas> Your secrecy is safe with me.
<Lucas> I have a lot of practice at not telling people things.
<Narrator> (Roll Rapport)
<Welumque> (both of us or just Lucas?)
<Lucas> (I guess she doesn't count as a spirit... trying to think if I have anything else I can apply here)
<Lucas> !roll 4d3-6
* @Lan-werk rolls for Lucas: [ 4d3-6 ] getting [ 3 2 1 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -6 ] totals [ 2 ].
* Sister_Elise regards Lucas coolly, then slithers closer to Welumque.
<Sister_Elise> And you, 'guide'? You will leave us in peace?
* Sister_Elise gets very close.
* Sister_Elise circles Welumque.
* Welumque nods slowly, trying to keep a clear head.
<Welumque> Of course. We respect that this is your place.
<Narrator> (Roll me Rapport as well)
<Welumque> (do I get a bonus for my Tolerates Different Strokes aspect?)
<Narrator> (Sure, you can invoke that)
<Welumque> (ok, what bonus does that give me then?)
<Narrator> (You spend a Fate point and you get a +2)
<Welumque> !roll 4d3-3
* @Lan-werk rolls for Welumque: [ 4d3-3 ] getting [ 1 2 2 3 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -3 ] totals [ 5 ].
<Welumque> (enh, average)
* Sister_Elise flicks her tongue out a few times, considering.
<Sister_Elise> Very well.
<Sister_Elise> Go retrieve their companions.
<Narrator> Several of them go to do so.
* Pierre (~Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc-01-65-92-225-196.dsl.bell.ca) Quit (Quit: https://mibbit.com Online IRC Client)
<Sister_Elise> (to Lucas) Why do you travel with these...people?
<Sister_Elise> You hear Serpent's call, as we do.
<Lucas> I hear it, but... it does not control me. I seek to work with those I have wronged, to make amends, to find a path to a future where we are not enemies.
<Sister_Elise> (To Welumque) Do you believe this goal to be possible? That you associate freely with one of our kind?
<Welumque> I have done so for a long time. We have all lost greatly, in the war and beyond. Why lose more?
* Pierre (Mibbit@bras-base-mtrlpq4396w-grc-01-65-92-225-196.dsl.bell.ca) has joined #thirteen
<Narrator> The others return, with the rest of your party. They are varying degrees of wounded, but all walking.
* Welumque goes over them to attend them, make sure they are well.
<Lucas> Thank you
* Lucas says to Sister Elise
* Snuman is now known as Ohontekahenta
* Ohontekahenta looks at Lucas and Welumque with concern.
<Ohontekahenta> Rattlesnake's Bride?
<Lucas> Mmm.
<Lucas> it's a long story.
<Sister_Elise> At the behest of the Rattlesnake's Bride, I am bid to let you leave, but you are all bound to secrecy regarding my people. Are we agreed?
* Ohontekahenta scowls.
* Ohontekahenta nods, after a long moment.
<Sister_Elise> Swear it.
<Ohontekahenta> Neither I, nor my people, will reveal your people to any others.
* Sister_Elise stares him down for a moment, the turns abruptly to Lucas and Welumque.
<Sister_Elise> Take them and go, and do not dawdle. You have until sunrise the day after tomorrow to leave our lands.
<Lucas> We will do so. I wish you well. And please... be safe.
<Welumque> Be well, Sister Elise.
* Lucas will turn and walk away, with our people.
* Sister_Elise and her people watch you go, still holding their weapons.
* Lucas lets out a deep breath once we're out of sight.
* Welumque trembles a bit, trying not to show it though.
* Hildie will try to quietly make her way back to the others.
<Lucas> Let's get everyone back to our campsite, so I can tend to the injured.
* Skalla will wait to move until our people seem to be safe

Regrouping, and getting the danged cannons

* Skalla will wait to move until our people seem to be safe
<Narrator> Skalla and Hildie, roll me Stealth again
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-8
* @Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-8 ] getting [ 2 1 3 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -8 ] totals [ 0 ].
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-8
* @Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-8 ] getting [ 2 2 2 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -8 ] totals [ 0 ].
<Skalla> (I'm less worried aboutb it coming back, tbf)
<Hildie> (Yeah, same)
* Welumque looks at them all when we get to a safe distance.
<Welumque> Take your oath seriously. There can be no mention of this.
<Narrator> I'll say you both manage it, but you manage to get scraped up in the process. You'll both take a 1-shift hit, but you can heal that in a scene.
* Lucas is quite quiet/subdued when we get back
* Hildie stumbles over, having tripped and fallen into a thron bush on her way back.
<Hildie> ...I fucking hate nature...
<Skalla> pfft
* Skalla says as she will make it back around the same time, leaning in a branch she is using as an improvised crutch
<Skalla> nature is rarely the problem, just the trouble we get outselves into when we don't respect it
<Skalla> ANyway - what happened?
<Skalla> I'm glad to see everyone is okay
<Hildie> Yeah, so, that was something you don't see everyday.
<Welumque> We have managed to retrieve everyone. And we shall never speak of what we saw to others.
<Lucas> I talked to their leader, and they agreed to let us go, as long as we're out of their territory by sunrise the day after tomorrow.
<Hildie> Are they interested in the guns?
* Skalla looks between Welemque and Lucas. "So we have a time frame and an agreement not to speak of....what exactly?"
<Lucas> They didn't say anything about them. I mentioned it but they didn't make any demands on that front, so if we can get them out in time, I don't see why we can't take them.
<Welumque> That power does not seem to be the one that motivates them.
<Hildie> Then we should get moving. It's gonna take a while to get them dug up and loaded.
* Pierre nods
<Skalla> alright
<Pierre> Is everything settled as far as dividing them is concerned, Mademoiselle?
<Skalla> I like to think it might be, considering we just recovered most of the Tsonnontouan party
* Skalla says with a look to Ohontekahenta
* Ohontekahenta scowls, sighs, and nods.
<Ohontekahenta> You have saved us twice over, it would seem.
<Ohontekahenta> You may take the cannons.
<Skalla> I'm not heartless, though I should be - if you allow Oshweda to assist us in recovering them more quicky, I will let you take one.
* Ohontekahenta nods.
<Skalla> Thank you.
<Skalla> then let's get to work
* Sister_Elise is now known as Oshweda
* Oshweda nods as well and will accompany you.
<Skalla> ( iassume this is going to be a lot of Oshweda, Svald (and Lucas?) moving dirt, and then Pierre rigging up something to help us get them up from the hole)
<Pierre> (Shall I make a Crafts roll?)
<Narrator> You can return to the cave to find no tidal snave, but a *very
* dead Tchuuoneega.
<Narrator> (Yeah)
<Pierre> !roll 4d3-4
* @Lan-werk rolls for Pierre: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 3 3 1 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Pierre> (As a Hopeful and Hardworking Immigrant, I think I'll throw on a +2 there.)
* Oshweda was brought along specifically because she's good with earth magic, so she's very helpful in uncovering them.
<Oshweda> I still don't like the feeling in here, though.
<Narrator> (Svald, care to roll me Will? Is Lucas also assisting?)
<Svald> !roll 4d3-4
* @Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-4 ] getting [ 3 2 1 2 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -4 ] totals [ 4 ].
<Lucas> (my priority would be tending to the injured, but if they're stable then I can help with the cannons)
* Skalla can move the body, at least - his people can come and take care of him however their way is
* Hildie will get the guards that are still uninjured and organize a watch.
<Narrator> (There's probably a fair bit to do there, so you can just tend to them.)
<Lucas> (ok)
* Pierre shudders, but focuses on his work as a way of coping
<Narrator> (Skalla, roll me Notice)
<Skalla> (does my bonus to wilderness contests apply here?)
<Narrator> (Let's say yes.)
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-7
* @Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 1 1 3 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 0 ].
<Skalla> (shoudl be a 2 then)
<Narrator> As you're about to move the body, you hear a hiss and just barely pull your hand back as a snake slithers out of the body's mouth to strike. It stares at you for a moment, then slithers away further into the cave.
<Skalla> (or maybe it is a 1 - I'm not sure if this is a new 'scene' or how the -1 shift pentalrty thing works)
<Skalla> whew. -_-
<Narrator> (You would mark it off your sheet as Stress. It doesn't do anything other than make it more likely you'll get more seriously injured if you take another wound.)
<Skalla> (ahh okay then)
<Narrator> In any event, Svald and Oshweda manage to move the rock and earth to reveal the cannons in amazingly good condition, considering. Pierre will have been setting up a system of braces, ropes, and pulleys to begin getting them out of the cave, though it's going to take everyone to do so.
<Skalla> (how many are there? I don't thkn we were ever entirely sure)
<Narrator> (Call it five. 4 medium ones and one a bit larger.)
<Skalla> (cool)
* Skalla is happy to help with the heavy lifting
<Narrator> (Folks who are helping, roll me Physique)
<Hildie> !roll 4d3-5
* @Lan-werk rolls for Hildie: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 3 3 1 1 ] for a total of [ 8 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 3 ].
<Skalla> !roll 4d3-5
* @Lan-werk rolls for Skalla: [ 4d3-5 ] getting [ 2 2 1 2 ] for a total of [ 7 ] which, after the modifier [ -5 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Svald> !roll 4d3-7
* @Lan-werk rolls for Svald: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 3 2 3 1 ] for a total of [ 9 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 2 ].
<Pierre> !roll 4d3-7
* @Lan-werk rolls for Pierre: [ 4d3-7 ] getting [ 2 3 3 2 ] for a total of [ 10 ] which, after the modifier [ -7 ] totals [ 3 ].
<Narrator> It takes a lot of effort, and not a little bit of cursing, to get the cannons out of the cave and onto the wagons, but you do manage it.
<Narrator> All told, it'll probably be around nightfall by the time you're all done.
<Narrator> (Though I suppose only Pierre is particularly inhibited by that :P )
<Pierre> (Sigh)
* Skalla will let the Tsonnontounan take one of the medium sized pieces

Hildie talks to Lucas about what happened

* Hildie collapses onto a rock near Lucas with a wince.
<Hildie> So... what happened back there? Who was that... lady?
<Lucas> Well... it's kind of a long story.
<Hildie> Sorry, if it's none of my business, you can say so.
<Hildie> I can be kinda nosy sometimes.
<Lucas> In the war, the Great Serpent touched many people. Including some who might otherwise not have been under its influence.
<Lucas> I don't know her - I don't know any of them, really. But they know me, and so I could have some sway over them.
<Hildie> They know you? How?
<Lucas> Because of who I used to be. The Serpent chose me and I... did its bidding during the war.
* Hildie nods.
* Lucas is quiet and maybe ... ashamed?
<Hildie> I've never met a soldier that was proud of everything they did in the war.
<Lucas> I wasn't really a soldier, but I was in battles. So I guess... that fits.
<Hildie> You don't have to be a soldier for war to hurt you. In fact, it's sometimes the ones who aren't soldiers that get hurt the most.
<Hildie> You're a good person. You help people. You've helped me.
<Lucas> Oh... I hurt a lot more people than I've helped. I don't know if I can balance those scales.
<Lucas> But I'm trying.
* Hildie puts a hand on Lucas' shoulder.
* Hildie sighs.
<Hildie> Listen, if you ever need to talk or... I don't know.... anything. I'm here.
<Lucas> Thank you.
* Hildie squeezes his should gently and then pushes herself to her feet with another wince.

Skalla talks to Lucas about what happened

* Lucas will wait until nightfall when things have hopefully quieted down, and then go talk to Skalla.
* Skalla is standing near the edge of camp, watching the stars
<Lucas> I probably owe you some explanation...
* Skalla looks down at him, and then will sit
<Skalla> Do you?
<Skalla> There's a lot of things happening here that I don't uderstand, and that I'm not sure I woudl even if you tried
<Lucas> well... you brought me here, you vouched for me...
<Skalla> I did. And you saved us here multiple times - in the caves, and then at the... camp, or village, there, you got everyone out safe
<Skalla> I dont think that means you 'owe' me
<Skalla> if means that so far my trust hasn't been misplaced
<Skalla> (it)
* Lucas is quiet for a moment
<Lucas> I'll try to make sure it isn't.
<Skalla> thank you.
<Skalla> Can I be honest, though? As a friend.
<Lucas> yes...
* Skalla nods
<Skalla> I accept that things here seems to have worked out for the best, and I *do
* trust you, but there are things thatmake me uncomfortable, and that I'm still... working through, maybe
<Skalla> I knew that people in the war had been touched by the Great Serpernt in different ways, and you know, peple alwsys *said
* they had been touched or claimed by it
<Skalla> I didn't believe it before, but maybe I was wrong?
<Lucas> If it helps at all.. it makes me uncomfortable too.
* Skalla smiles wryly
<Skalla> Not really, honestly
<Skalla> well, maybe a little
<Skalla> They seem to just want to be left alone, here. Do you know what it wants? Or your new snake buddy there
<Lucas> I think it just wants to live and be safe and grow, like any small child.
<Lucas> Maybe it just needs guidance.
<Skalla> that sounds like a big responsibility for you
<Lucas> Was I influenced by the spirit who was bonded to me, in the war? Yes, how could I not have been? But I made my own choices too, and some of them were... terrible. I can't say that I was only under the control of the Serpent. But maybe now I can guide this spirit in better directions. I have tried to put the past behind me, but it seemed here like...my best course of action was to look
<Lucas> back.
* Skalla nods slowly, processing some of that
<Skalla> we can
<Skalla> (bah)
<Skalla> we can't just leave everything behind. Time's not a straight line, that's what I was taught - things move in cycles
<Skalla> and maybe things were different with your peopel, but among mine - children need a family, a ng family to help shape them
<Skalla> we can only learn so much from just one person, right?
* Lucas nods
<Skalla> so I guess if you're going to take on this spirit, consider that it isn't somehing you shoudl do alone, okay?
<Skalla> otherwisw your kid might up a rebellious little handful like me ;)
* Lucas smiles a little at that
<Lucas> I will keep that in mind.
<Skalla> good.
<Skalla> if there's help I can give you, don't be afraid to ask.
<Lucas> Thank you.

Ohontekahenta talks to Welumque about Lucas

<Ohontekahenta> May I sit?
<Welumque> Of course, it's been a difficult day.
* Ohontekahenta sits.
<Ohontekahenta> I wanted to ask you what happened back there.
* Ohontekahenta says after a moment.
<Welumque> Do you think you really want that?
<Welumque> Or do you wish, instead, to be happy that all are well and safe, and that our mission is successful?
* Ohontekahenta considers that.
<Ohontekahenta> Your friend...is something to them. Something important.
<Welumque> Yes, that is so. Lucas saw much, in the war. Endured greatly.
* Ohontekahenta nods.
<Ohontekahenta> Was he a healer then, too?
<Welumque> You mean, before he was changed?
* Ohontekahenta nods.
<Welumque> He was just a child when the war started.
<Ohontekahenta> He's still a child. But that is not all he is.
<Welumque> No. Definitely not.
<Ohontekahenta> He's dangerous.
<Ohontekahenta> But I'm not sure to whom.
<Ohontekahenta> Perhaps himself.
<Welumque> I had a son, Pallinaque, who was killed in the war. He was no older than Lucas is now. His death - it rippled through my family, my clan. It changed everything.
* Ohontekahenta nods.
<Ohontekahenta> I am sorry for your loss.
<Welumque> Thank you. But my story is not about my loss.
<Welumque> Listen.
* Welumque says, perhaps almost chiding, though not harshly.
<Welumque> From time to time there are those who wonder, would it be better, if those like Lucas had also died. Or that we should kill them now.
* Ohontekahenta nods and quiets.
<Welumque> That the only way to forget the Serpent War is to slaughter those so touched.
<Welumque> You and your people have surely said such things, no?
<Ohontekahenta> Yes. Those among my people so touched are killed, or they flee.
<Welumque> When I see Lucas, and others like him, I do not see merely the Manitokeh. I see hope. A life not yet lived.
<Welumque> My son is dead. That cannot change. He has gone beyond, and when I shall see him again, we shall both be transformed.
<Welumque> But Lucas is here. Living a life. Trying to do good. And if I can help him, to lead him to a good path, is it not my duty to do so?
<Welumque> This is why I call him, and others, 'mem'. In my language, I am the shepherd - nutemekiset - and they are sheep.
<Welumque> I am a watcher. And think not that I do not worry about Lucas, or that I will let him get away with ... slipping back.
* Ohontekahenta nods.
<Welumque> Do you understand?
<Ohontekahenta> I do. I wish you well in your work...nutemekiset.
* Ohontekahenta pauses just a moment more, then rises and goes back to his people.

Oshweda talk to Svald about Magic

* Oshweda will approach Svald and offer her some water after you all get the cannons safely stowed.
<Svald> Oh, thank you.
* Svald accepts it gratefully
<Oshweda> You did well in the cave. Earth magic can be taxing.
<Oshweda> It's very set, and doesn't like moving.
* Svald nods.
<Svald> I am much more at ease with the air, the water, and the animals...
* Oshweda nods.
<Oshweda> Can I ask...where did you learn your magic? It's not like the other colonials I've met.
<Svald> well...
<Svald> Formally, in Stordam, I guess.
<Svald> But I don't really... practice, formally.
<Svald> Not anymore
<Oshweda> It's more a...conversation, with the world around you, yes?
* Svald nods.
<Svald> Yes.. yes!
<Svald> That's it.
* Oshweda smiles.
* Svald smiles back tentatively
<Oshweda> I thought so. Your orenda is strong. You practice as we do.
<Svald> Orenda?
* Oshweda frowns slightly.
* Svald looks worried, drawing back.
<Oshweda> There's not a great translation for it in your tongue. It means power, and skill.
<Svald> Oh...
<Oshweda> Also wisdom, and understanding.
<Oshweda> But these are all the same thing: orenda.
<Svald> I see, I think...
<Svald> I jsut try to, as you said, have a conversation.
* Svald sighs.
* Oshweda nods.
<Oshweda> And the world listens, and speaks back.
<Svald> Where I am from, people like me... aren't allowed to be like you. and there is not much listening.
* Svald says sadly.
* Oshweda looks over at Ohontekahenta.
<Oshweda> There is not always much listening here, either.
* Svald smiles a bit.
<Oshweda> I'll be going back with my people, but you should find a will-worker of my people to teach you.
<Svald> How... how would I do that?
<Oshweda> Asking, I suppose.
<Svald> If I get the chance, I will.
* Oshweda smiles.
<Oshweda> I am glad to have met you. It is good to know there are some like you among the newcomers.
<Svald> I'm glad to have met you too.
* Svald smiles again, still a bit shy but less tentatively.