Niamh nodded at Chang Jun's assessment. "I don't know how much water we have, but we should spare some for this. I have some herbs, yet, not sure if enough for all of these, but some," she replied.

Niamh has Healing 12- and maybe a little something else but she can't rely on it, yet.

After 5 minutes of searching, Marduke returns with enough cloth to serve as bandages, and 2 intact waterskins.  he says in his broken Kothic.

Niamh started pulling out her stash of healing herbs and set aside two or three for their group, but was willing to use the rest in this attempt to heal Satabus. As she was finishing setting up her materials, Marduke came back with two new waterskins.

[Language unknown: "Ithic traconill, t ee caet veneaunte ro but onswhipro ulone ver ioecom, ted est ietaneai i one deras astestnde, redndeter. T seho, tertheshe etven allni i wa,"] she said to the large barbarian, giving him a tight-lipped smile and nod at his efforts.

She looked at Chang Jun and gave him a nod. [Language unknown: "Ngrito?,"] she asked, ready to start as soon as he was. [Language unknown: "Riarev oftrfo tithi vorwe ousameall ponoad hifi strhas-dinort iv ith icbeec andterill ss ni k,"] she went on, making sure he understood her intent.

She gave a nod to the others as soon as Chang Jun was ready and went to work...praying as she did so. The spirits of her ancestors and the earth needed to watch.

21:54, Today: Niamh rolled 12,13,11,14,8,10,6,9,14,7 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6.  Healing (Paramedics) (12-).
21:56, Today: Niamh rolled 14,11,13 using 3d6,3d6,3d6.
21:57, Today: Niamh rolled 9,10 using 3d6,3d6.
Thats 10 successes and 5 failures with just her Healing skill. Might take less depending on how many herbs we had available, would use them early until we ran out. Also, possibly less if Chang Jun rolls well.

Under Niamh's directions, Marduke got a fire going nearby. Looking for a pot for boiling water, Marduke liberated Satabas's helm and turned it over. So long as the seams held, it would make a serviceable pot.

00:30, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,1,1.  Survival 12-.

Chang Jun picks up the herbs Niamh has left and quickly separates them and helps ready them for use. When Niamh was ready Chang Jun nodded, "Agreed."


OOC: Rolls
To help ready the herbs - Succeeds by 2 on both.
08:20, Today: Chang Jun rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,4,4.  Herbalism 11-.
08:19, Today: Chang Jun rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,5,1.  Apothecary 11-.

To assist Niamh's work
08:21, Today: Chang Jun rolled 9,16,10,7,11,11,15,12,11,10 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6.  KS: Khitai Healing 11-. 6 success on KS skill and 3 failed if needed.

08:21, Today: Chang Jun rolled 8,14,8,8,10,10,14,9,17,7 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6.  Paramedic 11-. 7 Successes 3 failed

Guess wee will see how things go now.

Tiberio begins to unsaddle and inspect the horses, looking at hooves, legs, and listening for the beat of the heart.

Clearing an area to put the saddles and make an area where any could, if an attack came, lie down.

It was still midday, he needed to find a brush and begin looking to comb the mane and tails as well as find some sort of ration they could eat.Maybe be that the under lining of armor from the fallen could be used to cover the horse at night.

Tempestas needed to be kept warm, his exertion, the sweat of it needed to be removed.

Whether the Zamoran had anything to contribute was yet to be seen, his eyes did wander in her direction in some interest, also to keep aware of her activity, or lack of it.

While the Vanir tends to the fire and heats water in the prince's helm, Niamh and Chang bend to the difficult task of stabilizing Satabus.   The pair are able to cut the straps holding the prince's breastplate to his chest and then slowly, carefully lift it free, also drawing the broken blade from his body.

The bleeding is severe now that the wound is open.  Niamh calls for more bandages which Marduke has prepared in plenty.

Trying to hold the wound closed with pressure proves fruitless, the lifeblood flows between the Pict's fingers as she searches for the source of the bleeding.  Furiously Chang mixes the dried herbs in the makeshift pot and begins to soak strips of cloth.

The pallor of Satabus' face is gone ashen by the time the Pict locates the problem.  She calls for a heated blade!  Chang's cloth is laid on the wound to numb the area and to aid the blood to clot.  A precious minute later the metal tip glows hot and the stench of burnt flesh stings the air (as does a cry of pain from Satabus' lips).

Marduke aids to hold the prince still now, a few bandages into is mouth to ensure he does not bite his tongue.  Niamh and Chang find two more spots to cauterize before they agree that the wound can be closed.  The arrow heads prove less difficult, though the one in the prince's thigh bleeds strong until the pair of churgeons can stem the flow.

After nearly an hour it appears the prince will indeed live.  Some color has even returned to his cheeks.

"Incredible," Marcian whispers.

The handmaiden appears pensive, "When will he wake?"

Water is pressed to Satabus' lips, his body reacts, accepting the liquid, choking, then gulping more.   Shortly afterwards his eyes open.

As the prince's color starts to return, Narduke says to Niamh

The Zamoran  met his gaze, he paused, then returned to brushing and checking the horses. His hands smoothing down the hairs along back and rear legs.

Though he was aware of her movement, it was when the sound of pain and the remarking of Marcian that he stopped and moved to the scene of the activity, now taking it in and all that was being.. had been done.

The Prince would live.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:33, Fri 20 Mar 2020.

Niamh was exhausted as much by the mental strain as by the actual physical effort. While it was not heavy lifting, it was meticulous and exacting. She idly wondered if this man was the kind to hold slaves. The truth of it probably something she wanted to ignore.

Still, he was a means to an end. Everything, now, was done out of pragmatism and necessity. If helping this man would increase her chance of living, then that is what she would do.

She took in a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh as she finished, easing back on her heels, as she wiped her brow with the back of her wrist. She hand were covered in the man's blood, but he would live. "Thank you, Chang Jun," she said, her voice tired but sincere.

She closed her eyes and nodded slightly at the sound of Marcian's voice, glancing at the handmaiden when she asked her question. She shrugged at the woman. The shaman had no idea. His loss of blood was staggering. That she had stabalized him was a blessing from the spirits.

She gave Marduke a weak smile at his compliment and nodded at his assertion. "His will to live is, indeed, very strong," she said quietly.

As water was pressed to Satabus' lips, he reacted well enough. The fluttering open of his eyes a mild surprise, but a good one. "Apparently, now," she finally replied to the handmaiden's previously unanswered question.

Chang Jun sat back and crossed his legs, willing himself to relax. A smile crept onto his face at Niamh's words. "It was an honor to work beside you Niamh."

In his homeland such would be unheard of, women were not allowed to practice healing save for as midwives. Let alone be warriors such as Niamh, but he had never held much with the idea and his time in these barbaric lands had only proven his beliefs.

Taking a piece of the remaining cloth he wiped his hands clean before taking a handful of sand and scrubbing as much remaining blood from his hands as possible. He then handed a second piece of cloth to Niamh beforre he began boiling more water to finish cleaning their hands.

Leaving Marcian the handmaiden takes Niamh's place at Satabus' side, "Satabus, can you speak?"

The prince's eyes are unfocused at first, uncertain, only managing a weak, "Who?"

"It is I," the woman lowers her veiland revealing her face for the first time, "Neferet". Uncovered now you recognize her Stygian complexion, the ugly bruise from Asander's blow bright upon her cheek.

"What now?" disbelief and anger grips Marcian until he moves to see the princess's face fully, "Gods, it is!  But how?  How is this possible?"

Neferet ignores her soldier's question for at the sight of her Satabus seems to will himself to focus.  He grips her arm in his mailed fist as best his weakened condition allows.  His voice is not strong, if any care to hear his words they would need move closer.

"Neferet!  Ishtar be praised.  Forgive me, I could not..." he chokes on tears "The asshuri hounded us but Amunet and I eluded them briefly as we entered these ruins."

"Gods if we had known!"

"We sheltered here, swearing to a last stand, dying together if it was our fate and so it seemed when the asshuri found us.  I charged them, tried to draw them away from her but they pulled me from my horse.  When still I refused to surrender their leader stepped forward and drove his blade into me."

The memory seems to shock Satabus, he looks down expecting to see a broken blade still in his torso but finding only bandages.  But there is a chill in his eyes as he meets Neferet's gaze once more.

"I swooned from the pain and the sound of Amunet screams, only briefly, and as I awoke a...chittering...cackling arose from the rubble all around us, as if from some dark nightmare.  The asshuri were confused, they hesitated, turned...and then they began to die.  Amunet reached me as it began and we held each other watching in horror as the demons of this cursed place descended upon us all."

"They were like men but they were not men, ghastly in form carrying an awful stench.  Lean were their bodies topped with faces of pure horror, long fangs and distended jaws, with eyes red and burning.  Their clothing was nearly rotted from their frames.  They tore into the Shemites with their bare hands, bit at them with jagged teeth, and stabbed them with rough-bladed swords.  They pulled the horses down as well to meet the same fate and tore at the dying flesh with gore-streaked claws and teeth."

Satabus' face reflects the terror of his mind as he relives the events while relating his story.

"Amunet helped me to my feet but I could do little to defend us against such horrors.  The creatures focused more on the asshuri who fought or tried to flee in terror.  When their full attention finally fell upon us there arose a fearsome bark in their midst.  The largest of the monsters stepped forth, a huge club in his hands.  In his gaze was a fierce, evil cunning the like of which I have never seen."

"At his command the creatures fell back and let him approach.  He stood over us, regarding us with his terrible eyes, before suddenly striking Amunet sprawling and senseless upon the ground.  I fell with her, still holding her hand, barely conscious from the impact as the demons surged around and over me.  They pulled her from me, took her.  They took her!"

He is overwrought with sobs for a moment before choking out,"What ghastly fate awaits her?  My love, my Amunet!"

Anyone with an appropriate KS may roll to see if they recognize the creatures Satabus describes.

Those without an appropriate KS may make an INT roll at -4 to see if they have heard of any rumors or legends.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:32, Wed 25 Mar 2020.

Chang Jun continued to quietly clean up as he listened to the prince's story. He had never heard of such creatures, but it was apparent from the number of bodies and the look on the princes face that something had decimated the asshuri.

09:51, Today: Chang Jun rolled 12 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,2,5.  Int roll (12 - 4) 8-.

Marduke listened with rapt attention. Despite his courage, his fist tightened on his weapon haft as he heard the horrific description of the attackers. He swallowed that fear as he realized they would soon face these unknown horrors when they rescued Amunet.


09:39, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,4.  Int check 8- (12-4).


He started looking for signs of where the creatures must have emerged, but could find nothing.

09:43, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 15 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,4.  Perception 13-.

09:43, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 14 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,5,3.  Tracking 12-.

The area is awash with criss-crossing of footprints, making it nearly impossible to follow.  The Vanir is able now to recognize the strange, misshapen prints made by inhuman feet and that old and new tracks can be found far and wide in the immediate vicinity.  There is no doubt the demons lay claim to these ruins.

Unfortunately he is unable to discern a direction for the creatures.  The search would need continue.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:50, Sat 28 Mar 2020.

The words came out... as they would from a man grievously injured, the Aquilonian moved closer to hear what was said, for the moment laying his shield aside so he might fit in closer.

The recounting of the story, clearly it had different effect on each person gathered to listen. Of all the words spoken, Tiberio could not know what others weighed more than others. In each description Tiberio heard corruption, rot, disease, blackness. There was one remedy that cured all of those afflictions.

It could be that, many had many paths to choose. Or many chose the same path.

The day was waning and an account of what they had at hand needed to be taken to form a plan.

It seemed certain going under these ruined streets was at hand.

Tiberio began to cast his eyes about for what was at hand. His left hand again reaching for his shield and returning it to it's comfortable place, while standing and yet, marking each in turn for their actions.

13:22, Today: Tiberio rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,6.  INT roll at -4  rumors / legends 8-
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Thu 26 Mar 2020.

Niamh gave Chang Jun a grateful look and nod at the comment and wet cloth he offered. The blood on her hands was a mix of dried and still wet blood, the stickiness of it cloying to her skin.

She had no idea what type of creature he spoke of as what he described was like nothing she had heard of despite her fair bit of knowledge on creatures of the outer dark. Perhaps this was something local to this place. No matter, it was concerning in the extreme.

She glanced at Syssiah as she spoke, the harshness of her words brutal and cutting. Her eyes narrowed, unsure of where she obtained such deep loathing. It was Neferet the others had mistaken her for, not Amunet. The veil revealing the similar look between the two women.

"Syssiah, that is not helpful," she said, chastisingly. "We have a decision to make and this place is clearly cursed," she went on, the later comment directed at the larger group.

"If these beasts or demons were as you say, we would be no match for them in our condition," she added. "We are still pursued and need to keep moving."

09:09, Wed 25 Mar: Niamh rolled 18 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,6,6.  KS Denizens of the Outer Dark 11-.

Hot and cold, I suppose.

Pain creases Satabus' face at the lash of the Zamora's words.  Neferet's own eyes burn in anger which Niamh's soft rebuke does little to extinguish.  Marcian goes so far offer  warning to all, "Have care for your slave's tongue!  Many have been lashed for less than..." but Neferet's hand stays any further threats as she rises to face Syssiah, then looking over the rest.

"We are not in Khoraja," she reminds her loyal soldier before turning to Tiberio.

"You claimed to desire allies and have amply offered service in finding my betrothed.  Greater than any of the mercenary ranks which marched with us this fateful day." Marcian spits in disgust at the mention of the swords-for-hire while Neferet promises,  "Should we ride from these bedeviled ruin now and safely reach Khoraja I will personally see each of you are rewarded with an arms-length of gold and no less."

"But know that though I may one day sit as queen," her gaze washes slowly over each of you, finally resting on Marcian, "Satabus and I are joined by political allegiances with my homeland rather than of the heart.  In truth, it is my twin sister Amunet whom the prince loves and she him.  Amunet joined me when I was first sent to Khoraja, taking the place of my handmaiden, and when the attack fell did exchange garments in the hope that a handmaiden might slip away where a princess would not.  Few in Khoraja have seen Amunet's face or know of our relation and less of her bond with Satabus."   Neferet's gaze bores into Marcian who bows his head in silent promise to maintain this secret.

Satisfied the princess breathes deeply, steeling herself perhaps, before offering, "Understand then that should we ride without knowing Amunet's fate it is to abandon not only Prince Statbus' true love but also a princess' brave sister.  Yet if instead your wench is correct and Amunet is kept for some ill purpose, if there is any opportunity to snatch her from such fate...then should we pass the palace gates with her in our number I will ensure you are bathed in riches."

From her demeanor it is clear to Neferet's will is strong yet the concern for her sister run deep.

"Anything!" Satabus adds hoarsely, "Rescue Amunet and but name the price and it will be yours."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:07, Sat 28 Mar 2020.

The horse master does not turn away from the eyes of Neferet, he meets them and holds them.

His words take a moment to utter after the hoarse declaration of the Prince.

"If it can be done, it must be started now. We need fire.

Can the Prince be moved? Or are we left here at least one night or more?

Where were you traveling, how long from here would it take? Where are the nearest loyal forces?"

Who moves and what they do as they move is of great interest to the Aquilonian.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Sun 29 Mar 2020.

Niamh takes in a deep breath and releases a heavy sigh. "She is no slave, nor wench. She presents herself as such as a guise. She is a Zamoran freewoman taken from her home," she replies to the handmaiden, her eyes landing on her olive skinned companion. The inflecton as she contemplated revealing what little she knew of the woman.

She tried to remind herself that these people were not responsible for her slavery as she held her tongue. Part of her wished to tell them to shove their riches up their arse, but she was not in her lands and she would need allies and wealth if she was ever to return. If they would even take her back...

She glanced at the rest for some type of consensus before she looked back to the pair, once more. "We will do what we can, but we are few and fatigued and with some of us wounded, already," she replied, conceding their situation as something they would be hard pressed to avoid, anyway.

She nodded at Tiberio's comment. "Yes, fire cleanses and protects against many things, including evil spirits," she offers. She did not recognize the things the prince spoke of, but certain things held true in dark realms. "They seem to feed on fear, as well. Understand that when and if they come," she offered.

"He can, if we are careful. His wounds will reopen if we hasten too much," she added at his question. "A night of rest would help. Several would be better," she said, but knew the answer would not be popular nor realistic.

She looked around for a means to carry or drag him so he would not have to ride or walk. "If we could create a travois, or if we dare return for that cart...," her voice trailed off, not liking the latter idea even as she said.

Marduke grunts "Many tracks. Which way take her?" He looks at the ruins from which the prince claimed the creatures emerged. He seeks tunnels or passages into the earth, for surely that is where Amunet was taken.....


00:47, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 11 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,3,4.  Perception 13-.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:47, Sun 29 Mar 2020.

"Help me," Satabus offers his arm to Marcian, Neferet moves to the opposite side and soon the pair have the prince standing shakily on his feet.  Satabus grits his teeth against the pain of his wounds as he rises but the bandages of the Pict and Khitai hold.  Still it is clear Niamh's caution against reopening the prince's wounds are well spoken.  There is little chance can can accompany the search for Amunet.

"There," he points, "toward that jut of fallen column.  They passed to the right of it and out of my sight."

Neferet places herself under Satabus' arm to better bear his weight but only with the help of Marcian.  Even without his breastplate the armored noble is a mighty load for most to bear (Marduke not included).

Marduke searches the indicated area and soon finds signs of recent passage.

01:27, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 13 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,4,4.  Perception 13-.

01:27, Today: Marduke the Red rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,3.  Tracking 12-.

Knowing where to look Marduke recognizes the misshapen footprints mixed with tracks of sandals and a pair of drag marks, likely from Amunet's feet as she was brought along unconscious.  He cannot guess their number for it seems the entire group must have left this way, more than two score he feels certain.  It may still be challenging if they pass over stone or ancient cobble but the Vanir is confident he can follow them across a dusty track with ease.

+2 Tracking to follow trail
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:58, Wed 01 Apr 2020.

The time to become organized and marshal what resources could be found or improvised.

Making / finding a defensible position, giving the Prince as many ways to defend that position as possible.

Should a healer stay behind, in the defensible position and preserve the health of the Prince and others if they are attacked.

Fire. Brands, torches, any flammable liquids, including any perfumes or oils.

Marcian has the option, stay and guard the Prince or come and aid in the liberation of the Princess' sister.

Any salt in the supplies or ground peppers, food and water should be placed in the Prince's position.

A litter needed to be constructed and preparation for injuries, upon return of those that sought to brave the ruins.

Of the horses, Tiberio does not speak, those that traveled over the mountain pass into Shem, the eating of.., Tiberio would want to avoid that, until absolutely necessary.
The horses remain tied up.

On the answers to his questions about where they were traveling, what forces might be nearest and where, the horse master still waited.

The thought that the Old Man could help in this situation, did cross the Aquilonian's mind.

You have only the food found upon the battlefield but there should be ample to leave for the Khorajan's.  If you do not return within hours, a day at most, then likely you will not return at all.

Tiberio sees little in the way of usable wood for a litter.  The occasional scrub that finds purchase in these cursed ruins is of no use here (though it may help in the construction of torches).
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:33, Sat 04 Apr 2020.