Now that you are looking for them, you do see a few birds here and there. Small ones, tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand for the most part. They make a sound like 'chirrup' and flit between the stones. They ignore you, except to stay well away, as they hop about in their search for sustenance.

Once in awhile a larger bird can be seen drifting through the skies. The black-winged birds fly lazily, riding thermals and gliding through the air. One lands on a nearby pillar and watches you from its perch. Its curved beak clacks as it slowly opens and closes it, with one eye trained on you.

Scurrying around at ground level are small, furry mammals. Though they have four legs, they often pause to stand on two while they sniff the air. They have short tails and wide paws that they use to dig into the soft sand. They seem to be on the prowl for tiny insects. You see many of these as well. Six-legged black insects, no bigger than a finger joint, move in rough parades as they march from one place to another or around cracks in the rock. The little mammals barrel in, grab one, and stuff it in their mouths before running off. They are always fast enough to avoid the crawling counterattack that converges on their position.

There's no doubt Caddy is struggling. Her cheeks are bright red and her skin, paler than ever, is taking on the red hotness of a sunburn that will inevitably precede sun stroke if left for too long.  She does try and cover herself but shading the skin only causes further heating and dehydration - something that Anders is fortunately looking out for and she gratefully accepts the canteen and carefully (almost birdlike) sips at it.  Her body may be failing her, but her will is as strong as ever and despite wanting to slosh the water over herself, she focuses, takes another sip, and then hands the bottle back.  "Thank you, Anders."

At Kraken's suggestion, she focuses on the creatures around her hoping to find possible shade, maybe a trail or something useful to the party....

[08:38, Today: Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu rolled 4 successes, 3 threats using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 3a 2d ((4(A), 3(A), 3(A), 4(D), 7(D))).  - Knowledge (Xeno) - about the wildlife]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:42, Fri 02 June 2017.

In reply to Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu (msg # 61):

"No problem, just shout out if you need some more. I have food as well." He gives her a wink as he takes the canteen back. Looking around at the various wild life he adds "Won't go hungry with all these critters flapping and crawling around, catching them will be the trick though."

-
This message was last edited by the player at 08:09, Fri 02 June 2017.

Sensing Caddy wasn't doing so well, Kraken takes a knee by the Diplomat gesturing towards her feet.  "Do you mind if I check out your feet for blisters?  If you get a blister and it pops, you'll be limping the rest of the way.  Do you feel any pain or hotspots now?  If so, I can clean the area, then apply Moleskin to the area to reduce the chance of you getting a blister."

If Caddy allows, Kraken takes off the officer's boots for her, peeling off her socks and cleaning her feet trying to use a rage to clean rather than alot of their water which they were low on.  Checking for any blisters on her feet, toes or any redness that would indicate a blister forming Kraken looked for any trouble spots.  "Do you feel any pain when I touch your feet?  Any hotspots that have been bothering you when you walk?"

Once done with cleaning and applying Moleskin (or whatever the game offers like moleskin), Kraken will ask for a clean pair of socks and dress Caddy with socks and shoes.  "That should help." he offers.

OOC:
'Kraken' rolled 3 successes.  Medicine- Taking Care of Caddy's Feet.

Caddy concludes that the large bird is a scavenger. It is likely waiting for someone to die so that it can feast. The small birds are probably seed eaters and insectivores. The small burrowing mammals likely supplement their insects meals with seeds, fruit, and scavenged meat. The insects are clearly some sort of hive creatures. They are most likely territorial, and probably eat fungus and other insects. Sleeping on one of their hives would be a mistake.

These creatures live meal to meal, requiring little food and water. They are ideally suited to a rough climate with little vegetation. The shade must prevent leafy vegetables from growing, despite the moisture. The inanimate life around here must be mostly fungoid.

Caddy is a little (ok, maybe more than a little) mortified to have Kraken tend to her feet but after the initial hesitance, she allows the man to confirm the answers to those questions.   Her feet are apparently not too badly off though the angry tone to her skin imply blisters forming and the care and attention will have surely stopped what could have been painful blistering.   While he's taken doing that she'll distract herself by talking about the bugs and critters, "The larger birds are birds of pray while the smaller, see the shape of their beaks, are seed eaters.   The insects too would be seed and fungi eating - quite territorial and apparently hive minded.  Avoid their nests.   And the mammalian creatures... they're insect eaters and scavengers.  Nothing particularly dangerous to us though I'd keep an eye out for something bigger....." 

There is genuine gratefulness as Kraken re-boots her, "Thank you Kraken....  It is already feeling better!" 

In reply to Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu (msg # 65):

"And lets be off again. It would be good to find some more substantial type of accommodation if we are to be spending the night in the open." He takes up his position at the rear of the group as they move off again.

Anders Flown rolled no successes using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2d 1s 1p 1a 1b.  Perception.

-
This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Sat 03 June 2017.

Kraken felt sweat roll down his back as he watched Caddy whilst looking out for any trouble from the birds.  Despite her words the birds and mammals were fairly harmless, he was worried that something bigger might be on the way.  Prey always had predators.

The sun was cooking his eye's and he felt his head was cooking as well.  What he wouldn't do for a dip in a river or cool lake.  Listening carefully, Karken heard something and smelled something ... odd.

OOC:
Senses:  Smell and Sound.
'Kraken' rolled 2 successes, 3 threats.  1p 1a 2d 1s.  Perception.
3 threat I'll take as strain from the Sun cooking me.

Caddy is in the middle and still watching the creatures as they hunt and interact and such and keeping an eye out for a place of shelter as the sun continues to beat down on her, hot... draining... tiring.

[14:29, Today: Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu rolled 1 success, 1 threat using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1d 1c 1s 3a.  Keep her eyes peeled for a safety.  Threat taken as strain.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:32, Sat 03 June 2017.

Xyklo sets out to make sure that no Imperial threats sneak up on them in their vulnerable condition. However, the little arthropods are so interesting he soon stops to take pictures of them on his datapad. In mere moments he's forgotten completely that the team are in hostile territory!

OOC: So
18:02, Today: Xyklo Voozul rolled 1 failure, 3 threats using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1A 2D 1S ((5(A), 7(D), 8(D), 6(S))).
Go for it GM ;)

Forim falls asleep as the group pauses to look after the princesses feet.  He does not complain, or fall behind though.  Luckily, his flight suit is temperature controlled, so the heat is not affecting him as much as the others.

His fuge state does not allow him extra time to keep an eye out on their surroundings...


17:50, Today: Forim Luk rolled no successes, 3 threats using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1P 1A 2d 1s.  Rolling Perception.

Roger flanks the group of organics, patrolling alongside and keeping watch over them.  While they stop to rest, play with feet and the like, he lazily paces around their perimeter, occasionally looking around.

23:28, Today: B1-P3 'Roger' rolled no successes, 1 threat  using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1P 1A 2d 1s ((2(P), 4(A), 2(D), 3(D), 5(S))).

"This place is kinda weird, isn't it?  I wonder how it formed..." he spends a bit of time staring at the pillar formations and the fungal life forms.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 03:58, Sun 04 June 2017.

As the day goes on, mist rises. A thin curtain of cool water vapor suffuses the air, especially around your legs and feet. It makes it a little hard to see where you are going, but the cool damp is a pleasant change from the dry heat above.

The team continues slowly but carefully along the pathways of the maze, trying to find some place to get their heads down before it gets dark. They take turns at random, relying on their sense of direction to stay oriented. They turn down a long, fairly straight canyon. In the distance, you can hear the echo of rushing water.

They take a left down a Y-junction, some things seem off. Caddy notices a cave in the wall, but it seems to have been covered over by a mound of sand. It looks strange enough to give her pause. The nearby sand seems to have been scraped, as if that pile were amassed from nearby sources.

Kraken smells something odd. As they enter the canyon, the pungent smell of sulfur grows. Here and there throughout the maze it was present, but now it is stronger than ever. He also hears a few rocks tumbling from above.

You are about a third of the way down the half-kilometer canyon when you see a pile of stones ahead. It seems to have blocked the pathway, with suspicious precision. You pause in your tracks, suddenly ready for action.

You hear a ululating battle-cry echoing through the canyon, which is immediately joined by many other voices. Bursting from the sand, from behind the piled rocks, and from the sand-filled cave come the bearers. They are humanoid creatures with reptilian features; scales, clawed fingers, and wide mouths with needle teeth. They are holding crude but sharp daggers made of flint and bone, as well as bone cudgels with stones tied on for weight.

From above, you see several leaning over the edge of the canyon walls and waving pole-weapons. They seem to be preparing grenades and loading them into their atl-atls.

Anyone who scored at least 1 net success can roll either Cool or Vigilance. Anyone who did not must roll Vigilance.
Any Advantages can be used for Boosts. Any threats you have yet to assign are Setbacks.

At the sound of the voices, Roger suddenly straightens, his head jostling the bent antenna coming off his back.  His head looks back and forth, up and down, taking in the situation.
"We've got compannyyy!", Battle Droids have always been skilled with subtlety, and Roger is no different.

17:18, Today: B1-P3 'Roger' rolled no successes, 2 advantages using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1p ((10(P))).
Save one boost for possible action, pass one along to someone else.

Roger has his blaster half-raised, not yet committing to an action, or hostile gesture, "Orders, Commander??"

Anders had his weapon in his hand almost instantly, the sound of metal on leather the only indication he was drawing it. "Back against the side of the canyon." was all he said hoping they would be able to avoid the missiles from one group of creature on the rim.

Anders Flown rolled 2 success using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2a.  Cool - initiative.

-

16:55, Today: Forim Luk rolled no successes, 4 advantages using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 3A 3s.  Rolling Vigilance.

It takes Forim a few moments to react to the new threat...

Caddy was still considering the odd formation of sand when she heard the shouts, calls and was oddly unsurprised - which come to think of it she wasn't given the 'constructed' nature of the sand at the cave entrance.   Clearly they'd stumbled upon these creatures' territory and they were defending it!

"Orderly retreat!   They are defending the cave over there and we've come too close.  Maybe if we back away they'll not follow us!"

She tries to take her own advice and moves to the cover of the one side of the canyon (as suggested by Anders) and then with gun drawn, takes a pot shot at one of the creatures with the odd ranged weapons.

[23:50, Today: Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu rolled 4 successes using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 3A.  Cool.

23:57, Today: Caddanra 'Caddy' Manitu rolled 1 success, 1 advantage using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2a 1b 2d.  Pistol Fire.

1 Hit for 6 Damage.  Passing the Boost on to the next person to fire.]

Kraken was set back, shocked at the sudden attack by the hostile natives.  Drawing his pistol, Kraken looks about wondering what the rush of water sound was coming from, hoping a flash flood was not forthcoming.

OOC:
Think I'll be going last.  :(
According to your request, I changed the 3 strain to 3 setback initiative dice.

22:04, Today: 'Kraken' rolled 1 failure using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2a 3s ((5(A), 1(A), 5(S), 2(S), 3(S))).  Cool - Initiative 3 Threat = 3 Setback.

Xyklo barely notices the natives, the social mechanics of the local micro fauna have so captivated him. At Caddys sharp command he readies himself for combat as best he can though, a little embarrassed.

OOC: Net 1 failure 1 advantage on vigilance.

Initiative
Caddanra Manitu
Anders Flown
Throwers
Forim Luk
Roger
Strikers
Xyklo Voozul
Kraken

Six reptilian creatures leap out of the sand and attack head-on. They wield bone-knives and cudgels, and surround you even as you prepare for battle.

Meanwhile, above your heads are another six creatures. They are lighting old-fashioned grenade fuses and preparing to hurl them down amongst you.

We already have Caddy's action. Anders take your action
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:38, Mon 05 June 2017.

Maneouver: Draw
Action: Shoot
Maneouver: Move (2 Strain)
13:38, Today: Forim Luk rolled 3 successes, 3 advantages using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 3P 1A 1D.  Holdout + 1 advantage.
Net 11 damage + 4 advantages

Remember Anders - you get +1 boost from Caddy's advantage.

Id like to spend 3 advantages to have one of their grenades explode up there.
- If that does not fly, then Crit to kill another mook.  (if named: 13:47, Today: Forim Luk rolled 30 using 1d100.  Crit.
-  - Discouraging Wound: Flip one light side Destiny Point to a dark side Destiny Point (reverse if NPC).)
Ill spend the other advantage to pass a boost to the next character (Roger)

Forim draws his balster, then fires a series of quick red bolts into the savages above.  He is hoping to hit one of those grenades causing it to explode before death rains down on his companions...

Then he moves back as ordered, feeling the strain of the days march on his body.

As the first shot begin to fly Anders adds to the flurry with his own side arm. Aiming at those preparing the grenades on the ridge he fires several shots into the group.

Anders Flown rolled 7 successes, 2 advantages using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2d 3a 2p 1b.  Attack beasts on ridge.

Damage = 14

Advantages will add boost to my next check.

Shocked at the reptilian creatures, Kraken paused mentally as he took it all in, drawing out his Fusion Cutter, the flame came alive in his hand.  When one of them got to close, Kraken attempted to seperate hand from arm, thus de-limbing them in the process.

OOC:
Forgot, I didn't purchase a gun, using my Fusion Cutter on anyone getting to close to the group.  Move and Cut!
Melee: -  Fusion Cutter (Breach 1, Burn 3, Sunder & Viscious 3)
Damage: 9
'Kraken' rolled 4 successes, 1 threat

Anders fires ruthlessly into the grenade-wielding foes, blasting one and burning the scales of another. Caddy finishes the job, killing the second before he can throw his weapon.

The remaining throwers throw down their missiles. These clay balls have burning fuses which fizz and smoke as they burn. Some of the balls crack open on hitting the ground, revealing their payload; a fine black powder that stinks of sulfur and salt. As the fire reaches it, it burns like a flare.

Some of the grenades burst, sending hot shards of clay hurtling all around. Most of the Rebels dodge away from the small explosives, but Kraken is struck by some of the shards. The other lizardmen are invigorated by the chaos, throwing themselves into the fight with abandon.

The Force rolled 1 success, 2 advantages using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2p 1a 1D.  Throwers R: L.
7 Damage pre-soak.
1B to Strikers upcoming attack.

Forim blasts upward as he retreats. His blasts strike one of the creatures, causing it to stumble and drop its weapon. The bomb detonates up there on the ridge, throwing another lizardman from its perch. It screams a high-pitch warble as it falls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn6hhrX34Pw

Kraken severs the limb from the nearest creature. It collapses in horrible pain and shock.

Anders turns and provides some cover for some of the team when the pots explodes, before turning back and firing on any beasts still on the ridge. He looks for a richly decorated creature or the one directing the others.

Anders Flown rolled 2 successes, 2 advantages, 1 triumph using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 2d 3a 2p 1b.  Attack beasts on ridge.

Damage = 9

Advantages = boost to next character and identify lizardman leader
Triumph = Grenadier to drop grenade.