Previously,

The group traveled to Africa with the goal of seeing the world freed from the threat of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.  After having joined part of the Gathering of Heroes, they assisted in defeating both the Horseman of War in the Congo and the Horseman of Pestilence in southern Africa.  This was not without peril as they encountered many dangers, including Death itself in the northern Tanzanian region of eastern Africa.

After returning to the previous region of eastern Africa, they encountered fouled water and food which they interpreted as signs of Famine.  They also had their first definitive encounter with demonic slavers from the Phoenix Empire, and believed that an impostor Death, a fake Vrryl, and a murderous Erin Tarn, may have been one in the same being.  The group now needs to decide what to do next.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:08, Fri 06 Nov 2015.

At the usual evening strategy pow-wow, following the day's discussion with Sophes, Vrryl and Jessica, Mika reiterates the basic plan they devised for tracking down Famine. "We form 3 teams of 4, each with abilities to move at a decent pace. Each team will head in front of the main group in three distinct directions along the supposed path of Famine's side-effects. If any team encounters a fork in their path they can split up if they feel it is safe to do so and continue along. Each team would then move out about 100 miles from the main group before returning and reporting back what they encountered, at which point we would adjust our path accordingly. While the scouts are out the main group will pick a target destination within 3 hours travel and make for that so everyone can meet at the same place."

"When at all possible communications should be kept to a minimum to avoid detection by Phoenix Empire troops. Each team should simply check in every 15mins, if they find anything of note or plan to split up or deviate from the current path. With the ranges involved we may need some higher powered radios for those without magical means to communicate, does anyone have long-range radios? Alternatively, Jessica may be able juryrig something to that effect hopefully"

"Another thought is that everyone should keep a close eye on any water or food stuffs you are carrying, if you find they've suddenly spoiled or been putrefied let the others know. Could be we're closer than we think. Any one have any additional input?"

Sophes keeps his silence and nods occasionally while Mika is talking.  When she finishes he speaks, "I would suggest we keep an immediate reaction unit on hand.  While we are looking for Famine it may be we are being lead into a trap.  The fake Vrryl and Erin Tarn should warn us of that.  This way if any scouting parties are hit the IRU can move with speed to that location to help out."  He looks around at the others, "Remember folks as bad as Famine is it does us no good if the Phoenex Empire starts causing troubles while our attention is focused elsewhere.  Keep your head on a swivel and report all suspect activities.  We have no way of knowing what is going to be important until it happens."

Vrryl sits next to Mika, wrapped in cloak, his pale eyes drifting across the faces of mortal and supernatural alike, who listen intently as the demigoddess lays out the plans to hunt the next Horsemen. Each of them had arrived at this point in time, and this spot, to help eradicate an enemy who's destiny was to destroy the world. A destiny that these beings would see denied. The Four Horsemen… now Two… perhaps no longer capable of complete global ruination, still a threat that needed removing with due prejudice.

The plan was simple… locate, deliberate, eradicate. Each with its own set of challenges, made more so by the unpredictable nature of the environment. It was the first of these steps that was now being presented to the small army… locate one, or both, of the remaining Horseman.

Sophes speaks. The crowd continues to listen. The chiang-ku flinches ever slightly at the idea a malevolent creature is acting in his name; as happened before, it could pose difficulties down the road. He has held this same skin for a very long time now, and had grown rather fond of the human appearance and story he'd crafted. Perhaps he'll investigate the trickster further when the Horsemen threat had concluded.

He leans over, whispering quietly to Mika. "Ask those with flight to step forward, then split the four teams evenly. Three out, one in reserve to rest and act as Sophes' reaction unit. If we can't make four, then we can work with three."

Mika asks for any volunteers who either fly, have fast mounts, or themselves can move quickly to step forward so that the scouting parties can be arranged. She then works with Sophes to create a number of teams for the demon search.

Sophes will work along side Mika and Vrryl to suggest the following teams:

Team 1: Jessica - Sir Thorpe, Merc, Knight

Team 2: Mika - Merc, Merc, Knight

Team 3: Sophes - Merc, Merc, Knight

Team 4: Sir Galahad - Merc, Merc, Knight

(OOC- stole these from Brett's post!)

After calling out the teams Sophes will wait to see if there are any issues.  He will also let the group know that the IRU will be Sir Galahad's team and those not suggested will remain with the main body and prep for Famine.

After the teams are sorted Mika suggests the directions each team should take once they are ready: Mika's team will take the east vector search, Sophes' team on the west and Jessica & Thorpe straight north.

With the details for scouting being worked out, the temporal wizard makes his way to a young Ley Line Walker. "Katrina, I would like to gather the other casters, and start discussing a magical strategy for what we might deal with facing Famine. Could you help pass the word, please?"

Vrryl, Katrina, Erin Tarn, and others remaining in the camp spent time during the day discussing strategies of how to find and prepare for Famine. Specifically, they discuss various reconnaissance strategies, the effectiveness of Millenium Tree weapons, the effectiveness and creation of Fire Globes, and what other magics might be useful against Famine.

Vrryl works on gathering PPE and plans to create a magic scroll of Anti-Magic Cloud in case it is necessary.

The scouting groups returned later that day with no news of Famine, though Jessica and Sir Thorpe encountered one of Death's monstrosities.  The lack of news is palpable within the camp, with uncertainty hanging in the air.

Upon returning, Mika excuses herself for some solitude and magical clairvoyance.

Sophes will look around at the group a little dejected at their lack of success during the day.  He will turn to find Mika gone and will locate Vrryl and ask, "Where was the last location of evidence pointing to Famine being in the area?  Perhaps we should take some time to investigate if the signs are just a false trail or see if there is something more at work here. There must have been something we missed, coming up empty from today's recce shouldn't have happened."

Vrryl can be found near his tent, crouched over a book he's been writing in. He looks up and blinks at the Undead Slayer.

"Why not?" the dragon asks.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:18, Fri 15 Jan 2016.

About an hour later Mika returns from her meditations, finding Sophes and Vrryl discussing the results of the day's search and plans moving forward. The elf sits down cross-legged  near the magic camp fire between her two companions, and waits for a lull in the discussion. "Well I have some potentially new information to add; had another vision as it were. Unfortunately it's good news with a heavy topping of bad news... I think I saw Famine, or at the very least it wasn't Death, but the scene was elusive and vague so I couldn't make out any markers. But it wasn't with Death, so that good, but it was with a bunch of demon-like shapes of all kinds."

Mika pauses briefly, and tilts her head in thought, recalling the vision, "And there was more with the demons; I saw Abkii. We were fighting together against a horde of the things near a lake; a town was under siege. I fear the Phoenix Empire may prove to be a factor in the coming battle. That's not what we want to hear, but knowing this could give us another avenue of investigation by looking for signs of a demon army's passage.That and a lake."

"Can you recall the shape or size of this lake?"

"I was only on the shore of this lake, and there was a settlement there in which we were fighting. You could see across it, and there were mountains rising up beyond the far shore. Beyond that I couldn't make out much... I suppose I may be able to recognize the village or whatever it was if I saw it." Mika responds, partially lost in thought as she continues to recall the vision.

Suddenly she snaps to focus. "Oh, one more thing... I think our shapeshifting friend may be back in the picture. I, ah... how to put this delicately... well, I saw you get your throat torn out," Mika stammers, looking at Vrryl. "By a big, talking wolf... but I'm not so sure it was the real you, if you know what I mean. The wolf's voice was familiar, but I couldn't place it. I'm thinking we should devise some method to verify each other's identities, at least us and Jess... just in case."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Thu 21 Jan 2016.

Sophes silently broods as he listens to Mika's retelling of her vision. He shifts a bit as if in discomfort with the idea of anyone taking the shape of his comrades.  After Mike is finished he speaks, "While I am frustrated with our lack of success today I believe your vision will give us some direction in the days to come.  This lake is our best lead yet, and I am hoping it can be found near by.  Is there a body of water we have not yet scouted nearish to us? And would this shape-changer share the knowledge of anyone he took the shape of?"

"There must be a few lakes scattered about that we haven't encountered yet, but we may also want to make a more thorough effort to scout the shoreline of that massive one... what did Victor call it again?... Lake Victor or something, seems awfully convenient if that's the name though, or he could just be joking," Mika smirks and then shrugs off the pondering.

"As for our shapeshifting friend, he's proven quite crafty in the past. It certainly knows quite a bit about us, but how deep that knowledge goes I cannot attest to. We also cannot rule out the use of psionics to glean information, though with this group I find that somewhat unlikely. Such an adept at transformation could be in the form of an insect though and simply observe us now and again. Perhaps some sort of code phrase or signal, communicated telepathically in a safe location, that we could use in the future if identity was in doubt. Otherwise you could try tickling me on my sides, just above my hips... get me every time, though when I think about the real or fake me may attack you regardless in that situation."
This message was last updated by the player at 21:18, Thu 21 Jan 2016.

Sophes snorts at Mika's intended joke.  "I think I would rather wrestle Famine."  For me you can just ask me to activate one of my tattoos.  I don't think the shapechanger would be able to do that."

"Unless said shapeshifter also has magic tattoos," Mika counters. Though she said it mostly to be contrary, but idea of magic tattoos opened up a new train of thought, "Of course IF said person did have magic tattoos we would at least know they were not Atlantean, correct? I mean I had heard you cannot be transformed by any means, so shapeshifting wouldn't work I presume."

Sophes nods and mentions, "While others can use tattoos, my kind cannot be transformed by any means.  It should be hard to replicate me exactly."

"Harder to replicate me." the temporal wizard quips.

"Then let the three of us confirm each is who we say we are. And we can come up with a quick identifier each time we meet up. We'll grab Jessica afterwards, and get her confirmed, then widen our circle."

Mika bites her lip momentarily before replying, "Yes, I'm afraid it's somewhat easier than done. I don't think there is a simple magical or psionic methods of identification, at least not one that couldn't be fooled. Perhaps some trivia bolstered by telepathy and/or empathy scans?"

Vrryl looks to both companions. "I'll go first. Ask of one tattoo you know I possess."

"The Tree Climber... it would be ridiculously unlikely anyone else would have such a tattoo," Mika replies.

Sophes grins, "Ask me the funniest place I jumped from.  Only those who know me would know that.  Mika if you are not sure ask Vrryl."

Mika looks quizzically between Sophes and Vrryl, "I suspect there's a good story there, so what is the funniest place you've jumped from?"