Conversation continues for the rest of the meal.  Afterward, Xanthius shows you around the compound including the room where you will be staying.  The smaller building, their house, is heated and cooled by a system of stone vents connected to the forge.  You adjust the temperature in your room by adjusting the metal vent slats on both the incoming (warm) or outgoing (cool) vents.

For a frontier homestead, this compound is quite modernized and advanced.  Everything is based on stone, metal, or crystal in some way.  Camaran and his son are not just skilled with horseshoes and other mundane practical things, they are artists.  This is evident in the subtle carvings within the stone buildings, but moreso in the intricate metalwork stored in the larger forge building.

Even the stone wall surrounding the compound is a masterful combination of artistry and engineering.  It would take magic of significant power to breach the wall.  It undoubtedly does a fine job of keeping out the indigenous lifeforms of the jungle.

As the world rotates away from the local star, the ambient noise of the surrounding jungle subtly changes to night sounds.  Xanthius indicates that you have free reign of the compound except where doors are locked and tomorrow off to explore.  Then, if you decide to stay, Camaran will outline any chores and training he might have for you.

Xanthius is available for questions throughout the tour and at the evening time after dinner.

Cecil starts off by asking Xanthius for a tour of the compound and it's facilities.

Cecil finds himself some open space out of the way of everyone else in the courtyard and starts going through combat forms, strikes, footwork and works on his techniques.

after exercising for a while. Cecil cleans up, heads to his room and sleeps. in the morning he will go to Xanthius and ask if there are any interesting places nearby he thinks would be a good idea to check out.

Xanthius thinks for a moment then nods.  "There is a small waterfall nearby, just to the north.  It's a beautiful place and most of the time there are only peaceful animals there."

"sounds like a nice place. I'll check it out."

"Take whatever supplies you need from the house.  Our home is yours, Cecil."  With that, Xanthius heads out to the forge to help is father for the day.

Cecil grabs a spear, a water skin and something to eat and then heads out to the waterfall.

The waterfall area is very tranquil.  It isn't a very high one, only dropping a few meters, but it is a broad river.  There are numerous stones at the top and bottom of the falls that are broad enough for two or more people to stand on.  For those who choose to train here, they would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful spot.

The birds call to each other in the trees.  Bugs sing accompanied by the babble of the river.  A couple of herbivores drink upstream.  The air here is pure, unburdened by any of the smells of civilization.  The river provides a bit of moisture to the air, which is cool in the morning shade of the trees, but will likely grow much warmer given Xamador's proximity to the equator.

Cecil takes some time to just enjoy the view for a while. then he takes off his shirt and his pants, to keep them dry, and wades into the stream. He walks over to the waterfall and steps under it and tries to meditate. After a while of that he will walk over to the stones and practice his strikes while moving from one stone to the other to work on his balance, and foot placement. After a few hours he'll sit down, have lunch and enjoy the view once more.

As you practice, a number of creatures come and go to the river.  Most don't even acknowledge your existence.  One, a bear-like creature with bony protrusions all over vital areas, looks your way and sniffs before going back to fishing.  You've heard of these before, the great Arktos.  Human legends tell of these as one of the first animals humans met.  This one must be very young for adults are said to reach two stories or more in height.

Toward the end of your practice you hear trees crashing.  Something very large is coming through to the water.  Every now and again it cries out with a kind of mewling roar.  Whatever it is, it sounds like it is in pain or in some kind of dire straits.

Cecil is surprised by the Clamour of this beast he moves out of the river and to his pack. he puts his pants back on and grabs his gear. he then looks for a safe place to hide for a bit. A large animal that is panicking and in pain is very dangerous. running might attract it's attention and he obviously can;t stay out in the open because that will do the same.

[Private to Game Master: stealth check;
18:50, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 18 using 1d20+7. stealth. ]

The creature shambles out of the trees.  It is a long necked reptile on two powerful legs.  It's arms claw vainly at its head, which thrashes about.  It appears blinded, though its eyes look whole enough and un-wounded.  Without stopping or even realizing it, it crashes into the water right above the falls.

Moments later, a group of small creatures darts out of the trees with spears, arrows, and other weapons to harry them.  Their armor doesn't look primitive, though most of it is leather.  From this distance, they don't look all that threatening.  Likely they surprised the beast with a trap and have been harrying it to the river in order to kill it.

The beast thrashes around in the water at the top of the falls, then falls over them to the deeper pool a few feet below.  There it regains its composure and surfaces its eyes and nose.  For a minute it looks around, then it spots its pursuers who point and jabber in their tongue then try to hide back in the trees.  The creature surges through the water toward the shore, rising up out of the water in a powerful display of muscle.  It shakes the water from its back in an impressive shower then looks around again.  The small creatures freeze in their tracks.  The creature snorts and waits.

This was interesting. Cecil didn't currently have any idea what to do. The beast was powerful and looking for a fight, but heavily outnumbered and already wounded. The little critters with armor and weapons were crafty, but obviously outmatched in a straight fight. Their only hope had been that ambush which seemed to have failed. Yet if they break and run the beast will hunt them down and kill them. It looked like the next move would decide things one way or the other. If he showed himself now the creature would attack, but what would the small critters do? take the chance to escape? let Cecil and the beast fight it out and kill whoever was left standing? Or would they join Cecil and help take the beast down? Cecil only took that spear so without armor that beast could tear him up pretty badly if Cecil didn't take it down quickly. same thing for the swarm of little guys if they concentrated their assault on cecil and were willing to take some casualties to earn the victory.

the best bet right now was to wait. wait for one side to make a move and commit to it. then cecil would make his move...whatever that turned out to be.

It seemed that the little creatures had the same idea about flight.  The backed slowly, until the biggest of them whipped its head about, barked at the rest then panted himself in front of the beast.  The wounded creature snapped at him, but he rolled out of the way.  Frustrated, the beast turned to follow him.  Soon the dodging creature had the beast turned from his companions and they faded into the trees beside the river.

Their companion had sacrificed himself to save the rest.  Now he appeared to face the beast alone.

Cecil took this chance to strike. With the beasts attention away from him it was his best chance to make a big difference. Plus the little guy showed a lot of heart and valor in choosing to fight the beast alone. It was time to reward it's noble decision.
Cecil rushed out from his hiding place and came around behind the beast. Flanking it with the little guy. Cecil studied the creatures movements as it went after the little guy and made sure to stab his spear so that it would deal maximum damage as the beast moved into it.

[Private to Game Master: cecil is going to move behind the beast to flank it and then attack with sapphire nightmare blade.
attack vs flat footed if cecil can flank: 23
total damage: 27

08:49, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 4 using 1d6. punishing stance damage.
08:49, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 5 using 1d6. sapphire nightmare blade damage.
08:48, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 18 using 1d8+14. spear damage.
08:48, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 23 using 1d20+6. flanking full power attack.
08:47, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 23 using 1d20+12. concentration check.

]

The beast roars in pain as the spear drives deep into its flesh.  It whips its tail around into your chest and throws you back into the river [5 dmg].  You land in water deep enough to break your fall, but shallow enough that you don't have to swim back to shore.

Wiping the water from your eyes you see the small guy, he looks like a furry reptile with dog-like ears, slash the back of the beasts knee.  The beast stumbles and looks like its having trouble walking now, but it does manage to turn and swipe at the small creature, missing by a narrow margin.

By that time, the others realized they now had a chance against it and in order to save their bravest, circled the beast and began to harry it.  It was easy to see, though, that they were still out-matched.

Cecil is now committed to the fight. He gets up and moves to the beast again. but instead of attacking immediately he waits for the beast to make a move and then he thrusts once more, knowing that the clawed and powerful creature will now have a difficult time dodging his attack.

[Private to Game Master: using emerald razor attack which allows me to resolves my attack as a touch attack

emerald razor full power attack vs touch: 14
total damage: 20

18:20, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 1 using 1d6. punishing stance damage.
18:20, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 19 using 1d8+14. damage.
18:20, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Emerald razor full power attack vs touch.
]

The best steps forward and grabs one of the small creatures, but your spear immediately plunges deep into its flank causing it to drop its captive.  Blood gushes from the wound.

The other creatures step in with their minute weapons and poke and prod as they can.  A series of tiny wounds lace across the creature's legs.  You are the only one with the reach to hit at the arms.  If its mouth gets a hold on someone, they are dead given the sharp pointed teeth lining it.

The beast staggers this way and that, flailing but clearly no longer able to make a serious attack.

Seeing that the beast is near it's end Cecil steps forward and tries to flank the now severely wounded beast with one of the small creatures with a powerful two handed and well aim thrust tries to put the beast down and make it's end as quick and painless as possible. As wounded as it is letting it escape would only prolong it's suffering needlessly. but the creatures near death convulsions throw his aim way off...

[Private to Game Master: Cecil will make a single standard action attack to try and finish the creatue off and to refresh his maneuvers.

attack roll 12:02, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 8 using 1d20+7. power attack -4, flanking +2.

]

In its rage and pain, the beast manages to chomp down on the leg of one of the creatures.  It screams in pain as it is lifted into the air several feet.  The others attack as never before trying to free their companion.  At last they bring it done, the bravest climbing the beasts back and stabbing it through a templer membrane.

The beast gives one last grunt.  There is a horrible crunching sound and the creature in its mouth falls to the ground minus a leg.  Then the beast whimpers, falls over on its side, and lays still.  The little creatures do not immediately move and appear to be in shock.

Cecil moves forward over the beast and stabs his spear into it's heart just to make sure it is dead.

OOc: will do a coup de grace just to make sure.

The beast was dead before you stabbed it, but there is no doubt now.

On the ground, a few feet away, the little creature holds its stump.  It's wails of pain have died down some and it is definitely bleeding to death.  However, the other creatures have made a circle around it and face you, weapons out.

A quick glance beyond them shows you the road into town just through the trees.

Cecil puts his spear away and heads back to Xanthius and his father's compound. Leaving the little critters to tend to their comrade.

Xanthius sees you return and waves.  Then he does a double take and trots up to you.  "You okay?  You look like you've been in a fight.  Is the blood yours?"


XP: 500 for the encounter with the beast.