Talisi processes the words and grimaces, but its a grimace of acceptance that his words have merit.

"You two know this place better than I do so I'll defer to your judgement. Which ever path will be quicker is the one we should take; especially if we are traveling by foot. Only so much we can carry and only so far you can move, even at a slow pace, before travel starts to wear on you. I'm willing to risk a dangerous path if it will get us there faster without being foolish."

The two Xamadorians look at each other then Talisis begins a rapid fire conversation between them in Kradok.  Neither gets heated or angry, but they do seem passionate as they hammer out the details.

Finally Xan looks at you and takes a deep breath to clear the energy of the conversation from his mind.  "We've decided that through the jungle will be the fastest, even with what we may encounter.  The thistlings will be non-stop and will bog down the journey."

Talisi nods encouragement.  "Mokka."

Xan smiles.  "There is also the opportunity to rest about three quarters of the way to the coast.  An old stone outpost is manned and stocked along the way.  We can stop there and take a break.  That sound like a plan?"

"Sounds good to me. I'm ready to leave as soon as the rest of you are."

Talisi finishes eating while Xan takes care of the bill.  He never did explain where money would come from, but if the majority of the trip would be in the wild jungle, money likely won't be a concern.

Soon the three of you are leaving through the same gate you came in from Xan's.  Not long after, you pass the turn off to the Shariam homestead and continue deeper into the jungle.  Days pass with nothing but bird song and conversation to accompany you.

Talisi maintains conversation in Invaris, doing her best to learn the language along the way.  She improves steadily.

A week into the trip, the trail tapers off.  It is inconclusive what blazed such an obvious road this far in or why it ended so suddenly.  Xan just shrugs and Talisi shakes her head.  Neither seem to know.  As the group settles in for the night (watches having long been established), Xan holds out a hand for silence.

Through the gloom of twilight fading a strange low frequency buzzing sounds.  Talisi looks around and steps behind the two of you.

When the buzz is interrupted by a warble, Xan relaxes.  He turns to you.  "Do you want to see something interesting?"

Cecil enjoys the trip so far. It is a good change of pace from how he had started out as a freeman. Though he still worries about the bugs, cecil is pretty sure he has escaped them at least for now. "Sure. Does it have something to do with the noise?"

Xan leads the three of you to a clearing where some kind of ruckus is going on.  Out in the middle of the clearing, which is filled with sandy loam and the remains of some tall grass, a fight is going on.  The contenders are a much larger version of the rust cricket you saw when Xan was first taking you to his father's compound.  The other is some kind flightless bird on two enormous legs.

The bird has the cricket pinned, but not skewered yet.  The cricket is kicking out with its powerful legs, but cannot make contact with the more agile bird.
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:50, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

"Austoric."  Talisi's voice is a whisper as she points at the bird.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:51, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

Xan expands on Talisi's explanation.  "The Austoric is a giant flightless bird capable of some impressive speed.  They are omnivorous, but stick mainly to bugs.  The rust crickets are a favorite snack, though I think sometimes the crickets give the birds a bellyache."

Upon closer inspection, the 'wings' of the bird look to have a metal sheen.  They likely have some metal content and are used as a lure for the crickets.  Everything else about the bird is in greyscale colors.
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:51, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

"Have they been domesticated to help keep rust crickets out of settlements?" cecil asks as he watches the scene before him. The bird certainly was interesting. Keeping the cricket pined with it's powerful legs, using it's wings, not to fly, but to help keep it's balance as the cricket thrashed about was a sight he had not seen before.
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:51, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

Xan ponders the question for a moment then shakes his head.  "I have not heard of such.  The Austoric are powerful birds, but generally run from strangers.  I imagine it'd be difficult to train one.  Maybe from the egg."

Finally, the rust cricket is able to get some leverage.  It uses its powerful legs to spring into the air and shove the austoric back into a tree.  Maddened by the attack and driven by the lure of metal in the bird's wings, the cricket skitters forward before the bird can get to its feet.
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:53, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

"Xan!  We should help it!"
This message was last updated by the player at 18:53, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

The cricket lands on top of the bird and starts running its feelers over the wings.  The bird warbles in pain as the metal parts dissolve under the onslaught.

"Well, Cecil?  Your armor and sword won't be affected.  You up for helping the bird?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:54, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

Normally Cecil would let nature take it's course. If the bird can't catch prey or always chooses prey it can't really take down saving it now would be pointless. But their new companion wants to help it so Cecil obliges. He dashes forward and swings his crystal sword ahead of the cricket into what he believes it's intended path towards the bird is. IN the hopes of catching the cricket while it puts all of it's momentum right into the blade.

[Private to Game Master: Cecil will use emerald razor to make this attack a touch attack.

the final attack result is 10, but it's vs the creatures touch AC so it may still hit depending. the total final damage is 30. If Cecil can flank the cricket with the bird he will. Which would make the attack 12 vs flat-footed touch.


07:51, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 3 using 1d6. punishing stance damage.
07:51, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 27 using 1d10+17. damage.
07:50, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 10 using 1d20+6. Emerald Razor full -5 power attack.
]
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:54, Tue 05 Mar 2013.

The blade glances off the cricket's carapace and does no damage.  Focused entirely on the bird, the cricket continues its attack as described above. [Austoric - 8dmg]

Talisi rushes forward and with outstretched hands brings them together in a clap.  "SOUND BURST!"  A visible ripple sonic waves appears around the cricket's head shaking the bug.  It staggers from the energy of the spell.  [5dmg vs. cricket; stunned 1rd]

Xan splays out a hand and mumbles something.  A shard of sharp stone appears and leaps toward the cricket.  It punctures the side of the carapace and blasts out the back end.  [15dmg vs. cricket]

The Austoric rolls to its feet and circles the bug warily.  It glances over at the humanoids but either sees the bug as the larger threat or actually realizes that you are trying to help.  It keeps its focus on the bug.

Undeterred by his miss Cecil continues to press the attack. Watching the Crickets movements more carefully this time he waits for it to start an attack on the bird and then strikes just as it commits to it's move.

[Private to Game Master: Ok cecil will use sapphire nightmare blade

attack roll: 22 vs flanked flat-footed cricket
total damage: 28


14:04, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 2 using 1d6. punishing stance damage.
14:04, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 4 using 1d6. sapphire nightmare blade damage.
14:04, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 22 using 1d10+17. damage.
14:04, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 22 using 1d20+8. full powerattack vs flat-footed cricket.

]
This message was last updated by the GM at 15:58, Wed 06 Mar 2013.

The cricket rocks back from the damage dealt by the young warrior.  Part of its carapace is cracked and goop is oozing out.

It again tries for the bird.  With powerful mandibles it clamps onto a wing and starts to chew, all the while the feelers run over more of the bird's wings.

Successful grab; Successful chew - [9 dmg - Austoric]; Feeler weakens metal - [2 CON dmg - Austoric]

Talisi rushes forward with her warhammer and shield.  She swings down toward the creature's head attempting to knock it way from the bird, but only manages a glancing blow.  With her Kradok strength, however, it is just enough to dislodge the bug. [6dmg - Rust Cricket]

Xanthius again mumbles some words and throws a thin scrap of metal away from the Rust Cricket.  As the metal flies, it grows in size until it is the size of a small dog.  The rust cricket's feelers twitch in that direction and the creature's head turns.

Freed from the agonizing grip of the bug's mandibles, the austoric opens its beak wide and snaps it down on the cricket's abdomen.  There is a cracking sound as the carapace begins to give way.  [14 dmg - Rust Cricket]

making sure he and an ally are on opposite sides of the cricket Cecil moves to take full advantage of the groups assault. He attacks the cricket once again with a powerful two handed swing. Intent on finishing this fight.

[Private to Game Master: Cecil will make a single standard attack to regain his maneuvers.

attack: 22
total damage: 31

14:26, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 6 using 1d6. punishing stance damage.
14:25, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 25 using 1d10+17. damage.
14:25, Today: Cecil Bellic rolled 22 using 1d20+8. full PWR attack vs flanked cricket.
]

You circle the bug and find just the right angle.  Your weapon comes down and goes right through the carapace into the soft tissue below then out the other side into the ground.  Though not fully cut in half, such a sizable chunk has been taken out of the creature that it effectively has been.  It staggers to the side then collapses on the ground.  Its legs twitch a few times then lay still.  Its feelers continue to twitch long after the bug looks dead.