ooc: Ok, lets see the kitsune's skill check. Oh and btw I forgot to sasy that you found this with the perception check earlier.

Kitsune went over to wake the 2 while you went to the boat to find something serviceable as a container for water. Unfortunately the barrels were all shattered, save for the lower 3rd of one of them was still intact and could hold water so that was consolation news.

The sounds from the group proceeded much as you had expected it to. An initial outburst, followed by angry shouting, followed by silent attentive muttering, followed by a high pitched outcry and vocal objection, then a deep voiced scolding, and finally silent muttering again.

You look up to see a sullen tengu girl stop over to you while the kitsune gave you a thumbs up (influence success, bonus xp) then went back to discuss some more with the kingpriest.

Hana said nothing to you, filling the empty containers with water while you prepared the shelter (you were surprised to see the bottle of wine not broken. Packing it wisely, in the center of the bag surrounded by the softness of your clothes,, had done the trick). While doing so, you found something peculiar lodged into the helm of the ship. A fist sized scale of some sort, probably from when the ship collided with the exalted.

The kitsune approached the 2 of you, helping Loki a lot less to walk than he had done the previous night. Between your salves and Hana's healing magic, he was looking a world better.
-"Irfan, you are our only hope it seems. It is a responsibility I never expected to place upon you, and I'm sure a burden you never wanted to carry, but alas here we both stand, doing what must be done..." he looks you straight in the eye in all seriousness. "Here, take this sword-" he hands you the most beautiful weapon you had ever see. It was hefty to be sure, but sleek and graceful, simple yet captivating. "<Purple-there is little this sword can't cut but I pray you never be given cause to use it. And even if you do, use it only if absolutely necessary, only if Hana's life's in danger. Do not sell it or lose it. If you can't afford the ship parts we need you may use it as capital for a loan, and only if you're absolutely sure they won't lose it, but Do. Not. Sell. It.</Purple>" he pauses dramatically to make sure the point reaches home, and then he unexpectedly embraces you. "May your path be clear, your step be swift, you sight be true, and my your skies laways be blue," he recited what sounded like a tribal charm or something for safe travels. He pulls you back then, takes another good look in your eyes, a good sturdy thump on both shoulders, "Godspeed man," and sends you on your way.

You were barely 3 steps out when "Oh and 1 more thing...If you let anything happen to Hana, know that I will survive this. I will look for you to the ends of the earth. And I will, find you."

ooc: You gain 1 scale, 1 ? sword, the bottle of wine isn't broken. You lose all trail rations, hot weather outfit, torches, bottles, canteens, wine/water flasks (correct?). Hana can create water so do you still take some with you?
 canteen,
To surmise, the group that's staying has a total of : 8 flasks water, 1 canteen, 3 waterskins, 1/3 barrel of water, 30 torches, 20 trail rations, 1 Hot Weather Out.

I understand the confusion. Corrections/Clarifications, we need 1 canteen(2 if squimmish) since create water is now a cantrip, we still need a device to collect it in(a mug or bottle cap would do if we wanted to be munchkins) That reduced the need to refill every sip, and have some spar room in case something happens and Hana becomes incapacitated. The hot-weather outfit should go with us since we will be without any form of shade,(whoever has the smaller fortitude save should use it, but it's sized for me so that probably the best way to use it.) I wanted to leave the explore's outfit(at least in a significant enough part to count as all) since it has small parts like scarfs and wide hats that at least provide some protection from the sun when moving out in it, I've always found sun's rays to be more a penetrating heat that affects me even after dark. It's better then nothing, and probably would be better used by Hana.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oddly the Hotweather outfit seems to be missing from my equipment list, Give this to Hana since it doesn't stack with my survival skill.

Mechanically that leaves the explorer's outfit which has the hats, it's better then nothing if they do have to go out during the day, I'll just make do with a Dilettante’s outfit (also has hats).

Hana is free to grab a canteen for herself from the pile(realistic option) instead of sharing one, Canteens are just a fancier waterskin. She can use her own water skin if she had one. ? Canteen/Waterskin.

Lets keep 2 torches, torches are useful, and I can't burn things like Loki. -2 Torches.

The Sealord's wine is (trade good) expensive, but I'll probably let the kitsune have one to down (bluff to lie about having more.) So Hana can refill it before we leave. +1 bottle of water, -1 bottle of sealord's wine.
Irfan rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Influence -1 wound, Bluff wine.

The Wine was packaged in a hay, in a box. bucket, +1 bucket of water.

Literally the worst case scenario is a local poisonous critter that survived but is too small to realize the scope of the exalted poisons someone.

I need to speak, because that sword is seemingly a hazard to irfan, if expensive and if he isn't proficient. It's emergency funds at best to him, but i guess a magical weapon can be self-proficient if epic.

Seems to be about 3-5 days worth of water depending on the barrel before rationing, we should probably take 8 of the trail rations with us, which can save us time moving. Them starving a day or 3 won't matter, and if we aren't back in 6 days they are going to die of thirst long before hunger after that. 12 and 8 Trail Rations, that is 4 nights we can push on a bit father instead of scavenging.
 1 blanket per group by necessity.

That Scale is a big deal, also who knows about it is a big deal. It's almost a ominious object due to it's being a part of a exalted and what that could entail both in getting hunted down by a kingpriest or exalted, or being warped by an exalted. If that the assumption that it takes a piece or conduit to become a kingpriest usually, is common knowledge. Irfan would want to hide that if possible, both in fear of what it could do and fear of what others would do, but it's the kind of thing you you don't get rid of without some thought either.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Irfan begins to object when Loki passes the sword to him, it's a simple masterpiece, every working meaningful and effective with no embellishments. Regain his focus, "I had some training in cudgels before I left, but was always told that using a weapon without proper training is a good way to lose something. I'll use it, but only when normal means fail."
(.5 Bab, +0 Str, -4 proficency +1 masterwork, +?-1 enchantement)

~~~

In fact, at our first break we will have plenty every hour or two to refill and breath, I'll try to pass the sword to Hana, she can't be much more inept with it then I am, and I won't have to drop my staff,and it will be at hand if we need it. I'll pack it away when we get within sight of town to avoid attention.

Heck she is probably proficient in it by RAW, since it isn't a very useful thing to trade out. Tengu in this game don't seem to have the same racial fixation on swordplay though, and she could have claw proficiency instead, or something homebrewed or just to lower their Race Points.

"Here, I can't really use this and it's for your protection. I can defend you better with my staff unless a bizarre creature appears. So it would be better for you to carry it, and use it to defend yourself if needed, or as a mirror if we get separated. If it is needed, you can hand it to me." Presenting the sheathed sword to Hana after she refills his canteen.

If she declines, he offers his mirror instead.

Irfan also pulls out 10 ft of rope (uncut) from his pack and ties it to his waist, leaving a (6) ft tail he tucks back into the rope belt. If she asks, it's incase of a sand blizard so they don't get seperated.(pun'g does those sometimes right?).


Thats all the preperation work i can think of. Little else to do but play the travel montage, maybe answer a few of Her questions she thinks up during the day when we stop.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:27, Thu 04 July 2019.

Many hours pass. Noon comes and goes. The tracks were fading but still traceable. You could only hope your luck would hold this way. And all that time you get nothing but silence from Hana. She was so silent, being smaller and making less of an impression on the sand, you would have thought she wasn't behind you if you didn't know any better. You didn't dare look back left you found her glaring daggers at you, and you felt making eye contact right now would make the situation even more uncomfortable. 'And I gave her that big-ass sword too' that stray thought suddenly had you conjuring up images of the little tengu plotting and getting ready to stab you in the back. Any second now. Any second.

Your paranoia set your nerves so much on end that, when there was a sudden movement behind you -the first to break the monotony for so long- your first reaction was to turn swiftly around, your staff held defensively in front of you. 'Huh?' only to find empty space. Nobody.

There was a swooshing sound. You look above to see the tengu flying/floating several dozen feet off the ground and fighting to stay aloof. She was looking intently at something out in the distance, straining to make it out. "Hey, what's that?" she asks you, pointing up ahead.

You look, ^{01:16, Today: GM, on behalf of Irfan, rolled 22 using 1d20+6 ((16))} and you couldn't quite make it out from this distance or elevation, but it looked like a wide deformation in the path ahead. Right in the middle of the path of where the tracks were leading (unless they radically altered their path ahead).

Hana lands back down, heavily winded. Seems like flying wasn't something that came naturally nor easy despite being, technically, a bird. "It looked like a hole or something. Is it suppose to be there?" she explains.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:21, Thu 04 July 2019.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Nj...tlion%2Bhole%2B2.jpg

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No.

Unless something just happened to collapse the roof of the undersea in the past few days right where this caravan passed through.

It could be a new oasis created by the Lonely One, or it could be the result of that new?crazed exalted, surely there aren't two of those things running around the desert unknown. That said we might be the first to see it and live thanks to her brother..

 It simply too big to be any of the normal creatures, though there is this one tiny(diminutive) vermin that does something similar, but even even the monsterous ones are only big enough to go after a dog or camel at most. Whatever did this could and probably did go after the whole caravan at once."

Many hours pass. Noon comes and goes. The tracks were fading but still traceable.

"Lets get a little bit closer so I can observe it better from the ground while we break for dinner. It probably came after us after it ..ate attacked the caravan, but lets take some time to make sure it's moved on before we go around it." Why the bloody sands would a Exalted be munching on things, weren't they supposed to be immortal, surely it didn't get any pleasure out of the hunt, could it just be a glutton? Exalted weren't supposed to care enough to notice lower beings, but maybe a town or caravan was big enough to appear as food to this one...

Irfan enters a long pause with a frown on his face


 or was it something else. Ironia had designed the skimmers with the desert creatures in mind, it appears as a unappetizing wind to most of the underground inhabitants, and was much smaller then the caravan... the only noteworthy thing about it was it's magical components. Could someone have been transporting a shipment of magic dust(crystals?) out this way, the fort was out here afterall..

Irfan rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  Trade Routes Magical shipment? (or probable caravan goods we established (mostly) smugglers use this region of the desert)


Sgt Bilko, excellent movie, must watch even if it's a cult classic of a sort. While no where near accurate in details or overall story to my experiences, still personifies my feelings, elements, and reasoning behind things I encountered in the army. I wish someone had made me watch it before i enlisted, and told me this what to expect. I don't thing any none-combat solider can't relate to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:21, Fri 05 July 2019.

ooc: Sgt.Bilko is actually a tribute to the TV series called The Phil Silvers Show (who's main character was sgt.Bilko). It's in black and white but I am telling you, to this day, it still brings me to tears with laughter. I highly highly recommend you watch it on youtube or download it from a site, or torrents, heck I think they even sell it on DVD or something. Not every episode is a masterpiece, but most of them are. You should definitely watch it.

The town ahead was called Saraj, founded by a middle son from one of the merchant families from Cruilla, trying to get out from the shadow of his family and start out on his own no doubt. He must've failed because it was still a small little place, off the main trade routes, not really famous for anything, the kind of place whose name you don't hear being dropped in conversation. Once however, you did hear that some...well nothing in Arcania is shady, but some business that the founder would prefer stayed on the down-low, was going on up there. Mind you that had simply been speculation by a pair of merchants at the tavern that had exhausted other topics and were just coming up with theories on why anyone would go to do business there, especially low to mid sized caravans. Purely out of a mixture of boredom and curiosity, you had checked the logs and indeed caravans did go there more often and in size that didn't warrant merit. And with normal, everyday shit, like consumables and utilities for the residents there. When you had chatted up a merchant that actually goes there he had left you with an enigmatic response something about sometimes the patron being happy is more important than the customer being right or some sttuff.

As you approach the hole you realize it's a crater. A really big crater, at least 15ft radius and just as deep if not deeper. Inside you see a hodgepodge of broken wagons, dead camels, dead humanoid bodies and other...stuff, sacks, barrels, chests, you name it, all in there. They weren't grounded to a pulp though, in fact some of the stuff looked in surprisingly good condition (all things considered).

"Should we go down there and check to see if there's anyone alive? They may need our help," Hana said uneasily and very concerned. The sight was horrible and she wanted to look away, but she just couldn't, so her instinct was to fall back on an adult for guidence.

The heavy tracks of the caravan abruptly end at the edge of the crater, 'Looks like I found out what happened to it' but on the other side you notice heavy drag marks up the side of the crater then a small trail, only 1 set of footprints, leading beyond. They were fresh, possibly made earlier today, leading in the same general direction the caravan had been on, but you'd have to get closer to make out any details.

As you look more closely into the crater, you notice a 2nd, smaller crater (5x5 at most), right in the epicenter. And...was your eyes playing tricks on you or did you notice a bit of movement in the mess down there near the smaller crater? Maybe the wind just blew something over?

So my guess at the scale was off then. I'd need a knowledge check to know more here.

"No, even if there was, I'm not sure I'd throw them a rope. See that hole in the center spot towards the center, whatever did it is still there. stepping backwards directly away from the pit a healthy distance without taking his eyes off it. Pulling Hana back if need be, I'll try to give the place 50ft of space from where the slope starts, and circle around to the tracks.

 ( this guy seems to be headed in the same direction as before, but i think i need to keep checking north ever hour or two to keep on the direction the caravan was heading instead of trusting the feet)

Look over there, the wagon tracks go in, but only one pair of feet come out and those feet left the rest here. Anyone else who was here is sun-baked bait for scavengers now.


Yes there are probably useful things down there, probably expensive stuff to, but it's not safe.

Please please don't be untrusting helpful stupid.

If Irfan sees something burrowing at them he throws a flashbangs back the way they came, as far as he can (40 ft, maybe 50ft depending on incremental level ups). Whatever it is, it probably uses blind or tremor sense to track prey, and flashbangs have a strong enough sonic component to deafen.


https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pm...rowingTheDistraction

ooc: The wagon tracks didn't go in. They ended abruptly where the edge of the crater starts. There are drag/climb tracks on the other end of the crater then smaller tracks leading away from the crater.

BTW, kudos for playing the Neutral Lawful aspect. +100xp for sticking to character.

"Huh?" Hana looks at you aghast at what she was hearing "B-But, what if they're still live? I saw movement down there. How can you be so heartless?!" she protested as you started pulling/dragging her away while she dug her heels in.

You hear more movement down in the crater, this time accompanied with a faint groaning. "See! I told you!" she pulls free and takes a running jump into the crater, gliding down beyond your view.

A few moments later you hear, "KIYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

For being a weak realist with a goal, and a clock hanging over his head? Didn't feel like a alignment decision, anyone still there has massive sunburns at the least, not including whatever damage they took to incapacitate them, and probably lack of eating or drinking judging by the unopened equipment.

Can't see what trouble she got into, Very important to see what to know how to react, KIYAA could mean anything from chopping wood, to a battle cry, to horror, to some Tengu phrase.

Irfan moves to the rim to get a better look, fearing the worst, and unsure which item to ready. The rope would be a good bet, but there was nowhere to anchor it, so he would be lucky to pull the little birdfolk out by herself. The staff would only get him trapped too, and if he missed his firecrackers(flashbangs) he could do more harm then good.



Zombie grabbed her -> Call out to" use the sword", Throw rope
Sand Monster -> Throw Flashbang, Yell at her to fly if possible, pull out rope
Decaying/vermin infested body -> Throw Rope
Grabbed by Sand monster -> Get in there with Staff

Gotta be the worst, scavengers moving a body around given the illusion of life. Too macabre? I don't really have a filter, but I understand other people have limits, like my sensitivity to pain imagery. Movie "May" was horrible, but only because of the glass cuts scene, not the corpse composite boyfriend.



Not sure the purpose of re-interating about the wagons, Irfan assumes the pit was either opened underneath them, or they rolled into the pit unaware and it filled in the tracks behind them. He is pretty sure the wagons in the pit are the track makers, not that some wagons flew out and went away from the pit leaving the tracks. They obviously didn't go around, and making a wagon roll backwards without turning is a mighty find trick.

I think Initiatives I rolled while suck-key will fit here. Hana is surprised and Irfan is taken aback by her stupidy caring.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Sun 07 July 2019.

ooc: btw the crater is much larger than 15ft radius. More like 15 meters radius, curse you imperial measurement system

You run to the edge of the crater, staff in one hand, flashbang in the other, rope at the ready in your mouth, and freeze there like a man on a cross as it takes a couple of seconds for your mind to compute what it's eyes were telling it.

Hana was standing there, looking away from something. That something was a young man, long blue hair down to his heels, looking very groggy and disoriented as if he'd just woken up. Oh and he was as naked as the day he was born.

"Uh, um-" the little princess tried to sneak a peek at him from the corner of her eye (yup, still naked, absentmindedly scratching himself) then looked away even harder "C-Could you, please, um...put some clothes on please? I-I'm sure you can find some-some somewhere over t-there," her voice was trembling and even more high pitched than usual (and that's really saying something).


The young man looks around confused, "Huh?" then looks down at himself as if only just realizing he wasn't wearing anything. His reaction wasn't one of shock or embarrassment or anything nearing Hana's outburst, it was almost a shrug really. "Is that funny looking man with you?" he asked her as he nodded in your direction then started looking around for some clothes.

Irfan shakes his head. No not happening.


It didn't work.

At a loss at how to react to this developement, he defaults back to his previous objective. Thats right the danger. He throws the rope from his pack at towards Hana. Besides the visual assult, the man didn't appear to be a immediate threat, how he got there wasn't as important as that he was.

"Atleast Tie the rope to your waist if your going to jump into this thing, " Irfan shout to Hana. He was relieved and upset, she could have atleast thought first before diving into danger. It's not like he could have stopped her, and what good is trying to save someone just to die together, an extra minute would't have mattered that much at this point.

And as far as someones go, he didn't look like soneone that had been trapped in the desert overnight, let alone days.


My immediate meta game reaction is conjured or construct. Lack of modesty is a advance learned behavior in most humanoids. Seems very suggestable but that could just be the situation.

This is the last time i make a character with 5 outfits in your games...

15 meters = 48 ish feet = 10 game squares in radius. Thats half a long rope.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Sun 07 July 2019.

"-so you're saying you weren't working for the caravan master?"
Hana was safely standing next to you, out of the crater, questioning the young man behind the wagon as he got dressed.

-"No. I don't even know where in the world I am, or how I got here," he answered. Then there was a grunt, like someone forcing down a shirt too small for his size. He stepped out from behind the wagon. Nothing really stood out about him, _{human, average height, weight, build, no markings, no tatoos,} save for his long long hair, and the way he was fidgeting with it did seem to indicate he wasn't too fond of it himself, ^{waving around, blocking his view, being a nuisance}. The clothes were just whatever he threw on that he could find that fitted him. Could easily pass for a peasant. "I just know I have to hurry and meet someone...it...it's very important, I must hurry..." now he started to come out of his mellowness, grow more focused and agitated as he looked around for a way out of the crater. And not seeing any easy ways out. "Could you pull me out please?" he held out his hand, waiting for a rope.

-"Well...where do you need to meet this person? ^{Irfan, don't be rude, give him some rope.}"
-"I...I don't know..."
-"Well, what is this person's name?"
-"^{...I don't know}"
-"Okaaay, well what is this person like?"
-"I don't know"
With each question his eagerness deflated, replaced by fear and uncertainty.
-"Well what-"
-"I DON'T KNOW! What is going on? I should know who they are but I don't! I-I don't know who I am, what is my name?!" he falls to his hand and knees and is now in outright hysteria. Hana looked very concerned.
-"Are you sure you're ok?"
-"I can't remember anything-" he looks up and replies with a pleading expression, as if hoping she had the answers "-I just know...that person is calling to me, even right now. And I must go to them..."

Irfan was not impressed, whatever it was, was clearly hysterical. But wouldn't you be too if you knew nothing, well it obviously knew some things, like words and how to use stuff. He doesn't like any of this, but it's Hana's mission so he throws the rope again, "Focus on what you do know, this call coming... Could it be in that direction? pointing the way perpendicular to the path the caravan had gone, testing to see what it knew.


Hana isn't going to abandon it without a headache, So Irfan pulls out a cloak from his dwindling supply of clothes, and hands it over once the stranger is up.

Turning to Hana, he (slightly beratingly) addresses her, "If your done playing in the sand, Your brother is waiting on us and I'd much rather not spend the night next to this pit."


None of this answered the question of where did the sand monster go or why it was playing dead.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Mon 08 July 2019.

Hana avoided making eye contact with you, but neither was she rebutting your claims.

The young man climbed out but still looked just as distraught "...No, no I can't say that it does. I...I can't really say it's pulling me towards any direction. I just feel it in here" he puts a hand on his chest.

-"Oh, so you're lost" Hana concluded.
-"W-Well, I wouldn't say-"
-"Yes it does, admit it. It's ok, no need to be embarrassed, I used to get lost all the time when I was little."
-"Err-"
-"^{Oh where are my manners?} My name is Hana Furnariidae, I'm from Pintherast-" she did a little curtsy. "-and until you get your memory back why don't you come with us? We're heading to the nearest town. Who knows, maybe you're from there and it will trigger your memories or you'll find someone who recognizes you. In ether case it'll be safer to travel in greater numbers."
-"I guess" he couldn't really argue with that logic.
-"It's settled then!"

"Oh but we can't go around calling you "hey you". Until you get your memories back what should we call you?"

ooc: What sand monster?

The one that is bound to have created the pit, surely it wasn't just a natural sinkhole that sunk the caravan. Something had to have caused it, surely it couldn't have been what they were transporting exploding.

Just a tad bit paranoid, a tad. The earth and sky spinning like the world is just the inside of giant dryer has that kind of effect on you. Also the sands outside the walls of the cities is a dangerous place. Strange and mysterious things happen there, everything is suspect.

Irfan is can be quite a bit colder, I'm trying to channel hope and logic with Irfan, and happiness and emotion with Liv.

Irfan winced as she started introducing herself, then sighed internally with relief as she failed to mention her title. The girl may think with her heart, but she still had presence of mind it seemed. With a few years under her belt she might make a halfway decent noble.

He didn't like the suspicious circumstances of their new companion, but he wasn't going to turn down a extra pair of hands but that didn't mean he had to arm those hands either. For now it was best to watch him to see what kind of strangeness this was. To top it off Hana wanted to name him like some kind of pet. Stepping in to the conversation, he offers "If you can't recall one, we can call you Horst till you can or you find your own name."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Tue 09 July 2019.

ooc: Assuming that a monster created the crater is not what's confusing me. It's "the monster is playing dead" part that's confusing me.

Also, wasn't Irfan suppose to be this bright eyed youth with wonderlust, wanting to see and explore the world?

Hana wrinkled her nose at that, "Nah, that sounds too much like horse. How about...Hor'us?"
The boy mulled the name over for a bit, as if savoring it, seeing how he liked the sound on his tongue, then finally nodded satisfied, "Horus...I like it."
-"Ya taaa, then it's settled! Please to meet you Hor'us," she smiled with delight and shook his hand with both of hers.

-"^Ugh, yeah."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:45, Fri 12 July 2019.

Well it seems the monster has either left, or not reacting to things entering or exiting it's little trap, so it's playing dead since irfan assumes that extra pit at the center is a sign of habitation.

Just he is just a little traumatized here with recent events. He thinks logically, but he is hopeful and always looking ahead to new sights and experiences he is concerned about staying healthy enough to travel and not getting saddled with responsibility like he is here. Stuck babysitting a rebelous teenager while trying to get help for a noble. He is going to try to minimize his risks and think things through.

 Liv is the opposite, she thinks emotionally(or as best as i can manage) and dwells on the good things in her present and past. Less likely to consider things beyond how does this affect my friends and family. She is going to make mistakes, sometimes for the best.


Irfan notes the first bit of real reaction from the man, and promptly harumphs to get Hana's attention, "I'd like put some distance between us and here before nightfall, if you two can talk while we walk if you want."


Stupid complications, I can't very well leave Hana alone with a unknown stranger to go scavenger for food, or not feed him. -3 trail rations that day.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Tue 09 July 2019.

ooc: I said there's a smaller crater in the center, 5x5ft, not a pit. But I feel like I'm just splitting hairs at this point so I'll just drop it.

You traveled for several more hours before Hana started to show signs of fatigue. Traveling at night wasn't as bad in the desert as it was in mountains as you had recently learned, but you thought it prudent to call it a day and break anyway.

Eating trail rations instead of scavenging left you free to get more rest and keep an eye on the newcomer. You took turns with Hana to keep watch, not trusting this clueless boy to watch yours and Hana's helpless bodies just yet.

2 things happened that night.

The 1st thing, you woke in the middle of the night, sweating and panting hard, having just had an extremely vivid dream. It felt extremely important, but for the life of you you couldn't recall what it was about. The memories of it were slipping so fast from your mind. It was like trying to hold onto water with your bare hands. No matter how hard you tried it still somehow managed to drip through your hands.

You have gained(?) the Prophetic Dreamer feat. https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats...s/prophetic-dreamer/

The 2nd thing, when you woke up the next morning, Horus had this ridicules hairstyle. He had been very irritated with his long hair so...he found a solution it seems.

When Hana woke up you saw her struggle not to burst out in a fit of giggles.

Only way i can see that working is if it(hair) was boundled up around something or he had some kinda gel. Not a braiding expert, but that looks like it would take some measure of skill points to get it tightly packed and layered on top of each other. At least some pins or bones to hold it in place.


Irfan couldn't contiain a snicker, nor a sniggle, not even a giggle or two with a snork. The absurdity of it was so out of place with the stress of the last few days, the irony it'self was quite humorous.


If questioned about his humored vocalizations, he attempts to downplay them  the after effects of a silly dream.

Irfan rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Survial Check on weather Just another day in the desert? or possibly some rain or even thunderstorms? or dust storm? (insects, birds, clouds, Color of sunrise/set)



Packing up camp, "Soo, did you remember anything, or maybe realize anything last night Irfan inquires rather indifferently, hoping for some insight into the mystery man, but glad he was contributing, in this case to Hana's well being in one fashion or another.




OOC:"Also Hana, today there will be much running for life or falling down waterfalls, eitherway make sure you stretch out before we begin."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Mon 15 July 2019.

Ooc: He just tied it in knots...over and over again.

Recovered 1 more wound.

Horus seemed oblivios, even somewhat perplexed by your and Hana's behavior, not really getting it.

Your meriment soured significantly though as you took stock of the weather. It would rain today. Not a storm or a flash flood or whatever, just typical short desert rain. That was good for someone who didn't have water but also very bad because monster activity greatly increases, especially those who were typically averse to the scorching sun. Water was a rare comodity and everyone wanted it. And those who didn't wanted those who came out for it

The worst was the dreaded desert ooze. It came out only when it rains (or near a large pool of water) for both the moisture and the other creatures.

"No, not really, just a dream" Horus answered when you asked him if he hadcremembered anything.

Ooc: Any recommendations you want to give Hana on which spells to prepare? BTW I'm changing the rules to instead of taking penalties when both vigor and wounds go down to only when wounds go down. However I'm thinking of ether doubling the penalties or making them happen at shorter increments.

In character, not a clue. is she a cleric or oracle?

Meta wise, a 3rd party damage cantrip (anvil sparks would be nice), endure elements and cure light are probably the most in character.  Cause fear is probably her best combat option, but is kinda mean. Pathfinder hates lv1 and 2 spells, durations are often bad for almost no effect.

Oozes he could deal with if he had the time, and supplies (which he didn't). They would just have to avoid any if they encountered any, luckily they didn't need to stop at any ponds thanks to Hana.




Travel slower today, with intent to make survival checks, enjoy the cooler breeze and make more perception checks.

Feel free to roll for me to save time.

Irfan rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Survival check daily food/travel, would prefer to take 10.

Ooc: You have no idea, you never asked her.

I meant the request to be a general one like "prepare 2 offensive/protection spells for combat, we may encounter trouble".

The rain is dangerous because it makes oozes come out anywhere they were dormant, not just oasese/ponds. Can't take 10 on survival.

I need you to roll 1 fortitude, 1 will and 1 Perception check for me.

As you continue traveling in the general direction of where you believed to be the town (the trail long gone, especially with the coming rain) Hana and Horus really got into the swing of chit chatting about nothing.

"So, do you think maybe you were one of the hired help on the caravan?"
-"I dunno."
-"-and you just hit your head when the monster attacked it-"
-"Maybe, I guess"
-"-guess it's a good thing we found you when we did-"
-"Yeah, I'd imagine
-"-can you imagine what would've happened if you went off on your own and walked into town naked^*giggle*"
-"Ugh, _{e heh ha haa} ^.^; ^{*nervous laugh, sweatdrop*}"
-"Why is your hair blue?"
-"Dunno. Why do you have feathers?"
-"...huh?"

The rain was a welcome reprieve for them. It took the sting off the heat, though it did make it more humid. There was no real need for shelter since the dampness evaporated almost as quickly as it came.

You started seeing a lot more black spots  on the horizon, monster activity no doubt, and thus made sure to steer well clear of them.

As the hours dragged on so did the shape of the landscape a bit. It gradually transitioned from a sandy desert (with dunes and such) to a more rocky, cracked wasteland. Small, isolated hills and mountains would mar the previously featureless plain. At one point, not far from one such rocky mount, you thought you had found the town you were looking for, but upon arriving closer you realized it was just the ruins of some old settlement. It was not an uncommon sight in the desert. Very few settlements (such as Cruilla) could boast permanent residency in the unhospitable land of Arcania.

Your disappointment however was very short lived for as soon as you turned away from the sight of the ruins to your original course, there, out in the distance, far yet as clear as day, the unmistakable walls of a town. There was human activity, coming and going, you could even see sandskimmers parked right outside between palm trees like camels at an auction. And not a moment too soon, what with nightfall approaching, out in the open on a rainy day.

It annoyed you that the enthusiasm wasn't shared by the 2 kids in tow. Probably too distracted yattering on about nothing when they should be conserving their strength.v

(Not modified by wounds atm, I believe i went from -1 to -2 at 84% )
Irfan rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Will check.

Irfan rolled 21 using 1d20+6.  Perception.
Irfan rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Fortitude check.

(Yes, but other monsters would be attracted to water sources, literal deathtraps right for the next day or two.)

There was no point in trying to talk sense into either one of them, so he merely mentioned and pointed the town at out to the pair. Trying to pick up the pace a little more, and asking Horas "So what are your plans when we get to the town, we need something for our friends and will be returning the morning after we locate it."

~2-4 days on foot, i'd say 3 to get to the town. and this old settlement gives a good directional indicator of which way to return. On camel we might make it in a 2 day round trip.



A nagging suspicion that Horas might draw unwanted attention as 'stolen' property lingers in the back of Irfan's mind, but there wasn't anything to do about it since his most notable feature was nearly impossible to cover. Maybe he would be allowed to cut it back, and he might be able to find some dye but now wasn't the time for such things.

Hana was thrilled when you pointed out the town, she even started outpacing you as she hustled eagerly.

Horus on the other hand just stood there confused. "Errr, what town?"

You felt a bit annoyed at this. Yeah sure, it was far and shimmering a bit (it's a fucking desert, everything shimmers from the heat) but how can he not notice an entire town?

You looked back and forth from the town and Horus in bewilderment. Mirages were simple things like the appearance of water or dunes/rocks/hills, basically a reflection from surrounding terrain. A mirage couldn't possibly be something so complicated as a town unless it was reflecting a nearby town (which same difference at this point).

"All I see is just a guy waiting for us" Horus reiterated, adding to the confusion.
-"What do you mean Horus-san? How can you not see the parapets and winged statues on the walls?" Hana gives him the same bewildered look as you. "The sun must've gotten to him Irfan-sama, I'm sure he'll be fine once we cool off in the public bathhouse right over there"

Horus, being told by two people his eyes were wrong, starts questioning himself and, lowering his head, starts trudging along to catch up to you two.

Horus's words turn a spark of panic into a moment of realization, too detailed to be a random mirage, and having a man at it's center. Either this was some reflection of what they were individually seeking, or some form of illusion. He didn't know if it was a good intentioned or a malicious lure, but it something in the vastness of the desert. Irfan slows his step, "Hana, I think perhaps Horus is right, or at the very least seeing something other then what we are. Someone or thing may be using magic to draw us closer, so keep a keep a open mind that what we see may not be be the truth." he doesn't change his direction though. If someone was willing to use magic like that just to attract them, then who knows what else they might do if ignored.