In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 29):

The beetle heads forwards at a canter. The broo notice the sudden movement and begin trotting to investigate. Madzeg slings a stone at them but it goes wide of the mark.

Verzeg urges the beetle as fast as it can go, skittering across the rubble and stunted grass.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 31):

The bettle's legs become a blur as they propel the insect and its load forwards.

Spotting prey the broo begin to give chase in earnest, they begin slinging stones of their own but none hit the mark. The river comes into view and a group of humans working at the shore but they are not close enough to render aid if the broo catch up.

Reaching the river bank the beetle scatters the human workers who run in fear from such a monster. The broo take encouragement from this and redouble their efforts. Soon they close in on the trollkin and advance weapons in hand.

5m away a large fishing boat sits in the river, the crew all fled. It is held to the bank by a single line and a boarding plank runs from it to the shore. The broo are some 20m away.

Verzeg ushers the kin aboard and turns to defend the gangway, channeling them so they can't get at his friends.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 35):

One broo charges at the gangplank, the other two hurl their javelins. They both miss Verzeg and stick into the side of the fishing boat.

(OOC: You have 1 MR before the broo reaches you)
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:27, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

Verzeg snarls defiance at the broo and readies himself to receive its onslaught.

(OOC: Can I have statement of intent? The broo is at the end of the gangplank unless you are casting a spell before it arrives.)

In reply to Adrian (msg # 38):

Verzeg summons his magic and sends confusion into the minds of all three broo. They stand gaping at the boat and each other but no longer approach or have any hostile intent.

(Tick POW for a gain roll)

Verzeg has no pity for broo. With murderous intent he closes on them and attacks them one by one.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 40):

Verzeg approaches the broo one by one and strikes them all with quick, vicious blows. In a matter of seconds two broo lie on the floor and the third stands screaming while clutching at the bloody and heavily bleeding stump of an arm. The other trollkin pour down from the boat with weapons ready to strike at broo.

After the last of the broos is hacked down, Verzeg ushers his kin back to the riverside to wash their weapons. Wary of disease, he doesn't bother looting them.

He looks about for the human crew of the boat and lowers his weapon.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 42):

Initially there are no humans to be seen but now the sounds of fighting have calmed down they start to appear out of hiding. Eventually they pluck up the courage to approach the trollkin by the ship.

With a bow a scruffy boatman talks to Verzeg, his tradetalk is quite good but heavily accented (if he knows he would say Holy Country). "Thank you for killing those beasts. We would like to reward you but have nothing really to give, we haven't even been out to catch fish yet today so can't give you any food. Could we transport you on the boat somewhere?"

Verzeg does a bow that he learned from some humans he met but it's kind of lopsided, trollkin being averse to taking their eyes off someone that might strike them.

He lifts his visor and says "I am Verzeg Black Beetle, beloved of Gorakikki and lay member of Zola Fel." He leaves out his unfortunate association with Zorak Zoran. "My kin and I would like to cross the Great River to where we will find safety. Could you take us to the other shore? I have learned some of your ways and will not offend your spirits."

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 44):

"A ride across the river is the least that can be done. Zola Fel will look kindly upon you for destroying chaos in his realm. When we get to the other side I will ask the priest to gift you the river eyes spell." He motions the trollkin onboard. Another man trots across and begins helping to cast off the boat from the riverbank.

Verzeg carefully shepherds the beetle onboard and once there he gets it to fold in its legs with taps of the beetle-goad. After that he explains what's happening to the other kin.

"As I said earlier a boat will take us across the mighty river to the other bank. Now, I know some of you may be scared but boats are not nearly as dangerous as they look. Think of it as a bridge that moves. When we get to the other side we can hunt for a bit of food and rest. Now, listen to the boatmen when they ask you to do things, they know what they are doing to make the boat's magic work and we don't want to get in their way. It's probably best of you sit quietly until we get to the other side."

With that he motions for them to sit in locations where they won't interfere with the crew. As a lay member of Zola Fel Verzeg asks the river to be kind to his family, their possessions, the boat and its crew as well as himself. He thinks carefully to think of anything he's left out of his prayer but it seems to cover the basics. He makes a note to make a sacrifice to the river god when he has a chance.
With that done he takes his place on the boat and waits for the boatmen to cast off.

Before the boatman leaves he leads the trollkin to a small hut, barely visible in amongst the reeds. Sitting in the door is a small, old man. The boatman gestures to him and says "This is Koolata, he is our priest to Zola Fel." He makes a short bow to Koolata, "These darkmen saved us. A gang of goatkin were going to attack our homes but they killed them. I told them I would ask you for a reward."

Koolatabeckons the trollkin over, "Sit my friends and tell me your tale, then I will decide what reward you may get."

Verzeg ambles over and translates for the assorted kin, gesturing for them to sit also "he doesn't seem to intend us any harm. Hoomans act differently when their angry." He adds.

With that Verzeg tells their tale simply and plainly, not having enough guile to hide any facts.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 48):

Koolata listens carefully, he nods and tuts and clicks his tongue as the tale is told.

"Your tale is one of sadness although I believe not uncommon among your folk. You have served Zola Fel well by keeping the chaos things from them. As a reward I will grant you all the spell of River Eyes. I will summon the spirits and you may learn it tonight."

"Thank you venerable Koolata" says Verzeg meekly, overwhelmed with such gratitude. It never fails to impress him deeply when beings treat the enlo with the respect due another creature. His upbringing usually leads him to expect only a temporary cessation of abuse when he carries out a task well.

After a night battling the weak spell spirit all now have the River eyes spell. (I guess you've got enough INT to spare for it).

The following morning you are given a meal of fish roe and warm bread with some weak beer before Koolata waves you off as you head on your way.

(You are by the blue cross on the south side of the river, west of Ogre Island).


This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:41, Thu 16 Apr 2020.

Verzeg squints at the horrid aching light and says to his friends "right, let's get under cover before it gets too bright. Soon everything will be looking at us and we can't have that."

He urges the beetle forward and starts looking for a good and unoccupied defensive shelter.

In reply to Verzeg Black Beetle (msg # 52):

A short walk of about 800m brings the trollkins to the ruins of a settlement. One building has mostly erect walls and a roof, there is also a cool dark cellar. The only signs of life are 20 or 30 rats, which the trollkin busy themselves catching and eating. It seems an decent place to hide from Yelm's angry face.

While not exactly happy about there being only one entrance and exit, Verzeg is quite pleased with a sturdy cellar as he'd resigned himself to staying in the open for the day. It's too bright for him to see much outside but the terrain looks interesting with many ruined structures.

He waits until the kin have full tummies and gathers them together.

"Well, we've made it over The Big River! However, we can't be unwary, for all we know there are Uz over here too, or maybe other things we don't know about. Tonight we'll stay here and you can rest. Some of you can forage the beetle while the rest keep watch and you all take turns to rest, I'll head out to have a look around. We have to find out where this Smalltown is and wandering around in a big group will bring down nasties on us."

He looks about and thinks before adding "so this is how we'll do it. At least half of you must be in armour at all times and I don't want any fighting or bullying while I'm gone, we've left all that behind and now we're going to have a new life where no one needs to be frightened of each other. We're going to have our own Upright Land. If you see anything while I'm gone I want you to bring the beetle in and hide, I'll be careful coming back and you can tell me all about it then."

"Now, when we get to this place we have to see if there's anyone there and whether to make friends, fight or find somewhere else. Remember we're only little and there's a lot of things we can't fight. However if it's like what I heard about then only other little things should be there. I met a duck once and he wasn't much bigger than the smallest of us, but he was really smart and could swim like a fish, so there might be ducks or things like that there already. We don't want to blunder in and make enemies, after all, as far as anyone knows we might be like the Uz."

He looks at all of their faces, looking at the fatigue etched in their features from the unaccustomed long trip above ground. Even the stay at Danzar's holes hadn't really let them rest as it had been too unusual to let them relax. That makes him think.

"When we get settled I'll see if we can contact Danzar again and see if he's all right. He had some tough magic so I think he should be okay, and after all he still owes us some wages! But to be honest I worry about him, especially if the Uz know where his hole is. Now it's time for me to catch a rat or two myself and then sleep. If anyone has any questions or advice, I'm keen to hear it."