Norajia  gives Vorrik a big smile, but leaves other to puzzle over his useful intelligence, as she draws a pattern in the dust with her toe.

"Interesting, outlaws or at best mercenaries behind us, and in front outlanders."

He looks forward and behind and then says "Can we make a pace that will put us all together at once?"

"With Waha's luck they will hate each other more than want to interfere with us."

"Horses!" Lemak spits.



"That seems like a good idea.  We travel forward at a slow pace (if all our mounts can manage it) and try to adjust so that both groups reach us at about the same time.  Unless the two groups are working together.  Then we are out of Luck."

You are able to take a path to the southeast such that the two groups converge at around the same position as you.
As you resume your migration, the north and southwest groups abandon their efforts and stealth and ride in your direction.

You note with some dismay that the familiar way that they fall into formation means that they are probably part of the same band... on the other hand, you have maneuvered so that they are not surrounding you, if that was their original plan.

Vorrik's description of the group seems mostly accurate:
From the group approaching from the north, two are on zebras and the third is on a sad looking bison. Seeing their pitiful state adds to your appreciation of Thangar's care of your beasts during your absence.
The five figures from the southwest also begin to trot toward and converge on your position. Two are on horse, on one sable, one on high llama.
All the mounts appear mangy and in poor health; apart from being underfed they look under-cared for; with the exception of the bison, their coats knotted and filthy, as if these riders treat their beasts as commodities and not as partners in the covenant.
The riders themselves don't look much better, wearing dirty furs and ill fitting combinations of attire from the various homelands of Dragon Pass. One of the horse riders wears a soiled but mostly intact Lunar uniform.
The final figure is unmounted but is as tall as some of the steeds. It moves quickly on foot, it's long muzzle and curved tusks identifying it as an Uz--either a huge dark troll or a smaller great troll.
They are armed with a mixture of javelins, clubs, shields and leather armor. The Llama and Lunar wear linothoraxes. The Uz wears only a bronze helmet and loincloth, and carries a huge mace.

Mabwe casts his eyes over the gathered group, disgusted at the way they obviously treat their mounts, these outsiders who know nothing of the proper ways. But then his gaze moves past them to look generally about.

Norajia also studies the pursuing group(s) (but with a slightly more sympathetic expression on her face than Mabwe has.

"I would have suggested telling them we ride at the call of the Great Spirits of the Plains" she says quietly "But it looks like only the Bison is Wahano"

As the two groups approach, Lemak has his dagger-axe ready in his hands, in case they attack.  Seeing their ragged state, he sits straighter on Lobber, hoping to look more imposing and threatening.  Prouder.  The Uz looks dangerous though.

He has a quick look to see how the lizard is taking in the two groups approaching them, and then tries to discern if the two groups have any reaction to the lizard among them.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:44, Mon 21 Dec 2020.

The llama rider appears to be the leader. He doesn't look Praxian but is some kind of outlander. He speaks in Tradetalk.
"Well, well, well, what have we here?
Trespassers, that's what it looks like to me. What do you think, Kresh?" he asks the troll.
The troll says nothing but licks his lips.
"Kresh here, he don't say a lot, he talks mostly with his club, ain't that right Kresh?"
Kresh just keeps licking his lips.
"Heh, yeah. You lot look real pleased with yerselves with yer fancy beasts there and overgrown newtling, but between that hill over there and this, uh, this rock over here, this is the territory of the Kuldaral Gang."
The non-Lunar horse rider, an older toothless man with a scraggly beard, says "But boss, I thought you said our territory was where we caught them newtlings last week."
"Shut up, you! You'll have to excuse Darnast there, he gets a bit confused on the local geometry. So, where were we, oh yeah, you are trespassing and you gotta pay a little toll, ain't that right, Kresh?"
...
"Anyway, lessee here, I'd say a fair price for our trouble and to remind you not to do it again, ehm, I could use a replacement llama (I'll even leave you this one), the bison for its coat and meat, and the little lizard for Kresh here. Plus, uh, a peek at whatever you're lugging along.
Otherwise things could get a little rough. Whaddya say?"
The outlaws subtly adjust their positions as if they are ready to fight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:31, Mon 21 Dec 2020.

Lemak is mildly surprised he gets the gist of the llama rider's babble.

He looks to the others and says, in his basic Tradetalk, "Let's kill the man who talks much."

Tuari says in Praxian using a friendly tone, "You little sister why do you ride with these men? They are not Wahano and your bison deserves better than riding with these horsemen.  Come join Ondina and I as brother and sister should." he pats the enourmous bison on the shoulder.

Norajia rolls her eyes and adds (in Praxian) "Look past the 'little' part, Bison, and it's a good offer."

"Be a hero with us at the Block instead of a lost soul haunting the Dead Place"

"Eh, what's he goin' on about?" the leader asks the Praxian.
She seems uncertain, making eye contact with Tuari and then Norajia for a moment and then staring at the ground.
"Yer with us, Belina, and don't think they'd welcome you back to yer tribe."
She looks again at Tuari.

Mabwe speaks up taking his queue from the others "The Great Spirits have sent us. If you want this winter to end, and don't want the Red Moon to rain down Chaos and burning rocks on our land then join us."

"If you want your name to be sung around the fires, to be counted amongst those who aided us in carrying out Waha's, Storm Bull's, Little Brother's and the White Lady's designs to save this land, then join us."

"If you want your name forgotten though, to be counted as just another outsider who fell before us, then stay with these foreigners and fall. When your spirit is used up I may then let it free... maybe."

Lemak frowns.  It seems the others have not chosen combat.  He speaks again, but this time in Praxian, to the bison rider.  "The gods sent us on this task.  The Wastes are under threat and we have only about a week to stop it.  We will not surrender to this wetlander.  How often do you see braves of different tribes riding as one?  We were called by the gods.  Join us.  To ride with horses is shameful."

Tuari gives a brief laugh "To me everyone is little Norajia, except perhaps Mabwe. He turns to the Bison rider "Belina is it, I offer you the protection of my clan and should you prove yourself a place for you and your herd."

Kuldaral, the llama riding bandit leader does not seem to like the way things are headed.
"Take them!" he cries out.

Belina pulls her bison back, head low and not joining the fight at the moment.

The outlaws attack, but you are ready for them. 

<Please tell me your statement of intent and if you can add strike ranks that would be helpful.
We won't count hexes but refer to this general layout


Z1 and Z2 are the two zebra riders, B is Belina the disgraced Bison rider, K is the leader Kuldaral and the troll icon is Kresh the troll, H1 and H2 are the two horse riders (lunar deserter and other).>
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:37, Wed 23 Dec 2020.

Norajia casts a spell in the diertion of the troll, but the butterfly image that flies between them is very feint

<OOC Cast Sleep  backed by 2MP at the troll
16:41, Today: Norajia rolled 1 using 1d100.  POW resistance Roll for Sleep on Troll.
16:39, Today: Norajia rolled 33 using 1d100.  Spellcasting Roll (for Sleep).
Let's hope he has really low POW, really low >

Kicking Lobber forward, Lemak heads for the leader Kuldaral, raising his dagger-axe to attack, unless the zebra riders are fast enough to obstruct his path or threaten him from the flank, in which case he swings at the zebra rider in his way.

<OOC:
16:17, Today: Lemak rolled 60 using 1d100.  Dagger-axe attack at SR 5.  Just misses  :(
16:20, Today: Lemak rolled 39 using 1d100.  Dagger-axe parry.  Success.>
This message was last edited by the player at 08:22, Thu 24 Dec 2020.

Mabwe raises his paw and a bolt of blackness shots from it to one of the horses (H1) in the hopes of making it harder to ride, with luck throw its rider or even bolt!

Almost immediately after that the Morokanth's skin seems to darken and take on a rougher earthy look as he steps forward to meet the leader and swings wildly at the human. His claws then also seem to darken and almost grow a little.

His Beast side is seeming stronger in this fight than the Man in him, his swing misses and catches the strap on his shield which breaks and falls from his arm to the ground.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:22, Thu 24 Dec 2020.

Tuari spurs Ondina forward driving between the two zebra riders, he drives his lance at the one on his right and parrying the one to his left.


20:36, Today: Tuari rolled 76 using 1d100.  Shield parry 90%.
20:20, Today: Tuari rolled 5 using 1d20.  Hit Location.
20:19, Today: Tuari rolled 22 using 1d10+1+6d6.  Lance Damage 1d10+1+6d6.
20:18, Today: Tuari rolled 46 using 1d100.  Lance Attack 75%.

<OOC: whew, I think I got it all...>

Combat Round 1

SR1 the Lunar horse rider thrust his kopis into the air with a cry in his hateful language.
Translucent red tendrils seem to pour forth from the blade and whip past the troll, striking the dragonewt on the head and penetrating his skull. "Klanth and utumna" lets out a hideous gasp and topples to the ground, motionless.
The Zebra rider on your left prepares to hurl a javelin at Tuari. Thangar lets loose an arrow from his composite bow. 
<11:05, Today: Secret Roll: Gargle rolled 19 using 1d20.  location of Thangar's crit.11:03, Today: Secret Roll: Gargle rolled 2 using 1d100.  thangar at sr2 on Z2.>
The arrow whistles through the air and hits Ramanos the outlaw zebra rider in the eye, the arrow tip protruding through a weak spot in the back of his leather cap. He falls from his saddle, dead. Thangar looks at his bow with delight and nocks another arrow.

SR2 Power flows from Norajia and an image of a butterfly darts over to the the huge troll, landing on its nose. There is a smell of lilacs and the troll crashes to the ground, snoring loudly.

SR3: Tuari drives Ondina at the right zebra rider (whose partner has just been killed) with his lance; although there is not enough distance to mount a proper charge, he strikes the rider bringing his own considerable strength and size to bear. The zebra rider brings her spear up to block the attack and is partially successful, the lance striking her in the leg and penetrating her leather greave.

Mabwe raises his paw and a bolt of blackness shots from it to one of the horses (H1) in the hopes of making it harder to ride, with luck throw its rider or even bolt! The shot connects with the animal and a wound appears on its forequarters, it grunts in pain. Perhaps because of this its rider's sling stone flies wide of Vorrik. 

SR5 Lemak swings his dagger axe at Kuldaral the llama riding leader but the vicious sweep misses the target.

SR6: Kuldaral swings his broadsword on Mabwe, who is unable to scramble out of the way. The well aimed blow is slowed by both the magical protection and Mabwe's thick hide, but still cuts through for 3 damage.

Lonthela the zebra rider drives her spear at Tuari, who blocks the spear with his shield. The spear penetrates into the shield and is jerked from the rider's grasp, the shaft hanging from the shield. (Parry will be reduced to half until you take a round to remove the impaled spear).
   
SR8 The lunar horse speaks an incantation and pale red light shoots toward the troll. It murmurs and blinks its eyes, and begins rising to its feet.

SR11 Vorrik sees the opportunity to attack, he hopes, without offending Norajia and thrusts at the troll, hitting it in the right arm; black blood drips from the wound but the troll retakes its feet by the end of the round.

Belina the Bison rider throws a javelin at horse 1, but the shot goes wide.
She drives her bison away from the melee and cries out in Praxian "I am sorry, there can be no redemption for me."

<OOC Round 2 intention >

Norajia leaps to the ground to attend to Klanth and Utumna
This message was last edited by the player at 14:00, Sun 27 Dec 2020.

Mabwe's wounds start to close as he attempts to parry the next blow he expects from the leader. He then swings his paw in a vicious counterattack trying to knock the disgusting outsider from his mount.

Tossing aside his lance and shield Tuari draws his sword and engages the zebra rider he remains oddly quiet.



23:25, Today: Tuari rolled 27 using 1d100.  Sword attack 95%.
23:25, Today: Tuari rolled 8 using 1d8+3+1d6.  Broadsword Damage.
23:26, Today: Tuari rolled 14 using 1d20.  Hit Location.
23:27, Today: Tuari rolled 40 using 1d100.  Broadsword Parry.

Round 2
From the northwest the sable rider, who had held back, charges at Thangar with his lance, will arrive at SR 10.
Belina rides off for a distance and turns, observing the battle.

SR1
Thangar lets loose at the charging figure on SR 1 and 6. His first shot is rushed and goes wide.
SR4
The troll swings his huge club at Vorrik; the blow is savage. Vorrik partially blocks the blow with his damaged shield but behind the shield bones crack under the force. Vorrik gasps and is incapacitated. The troll roars in triumph.
A dark glow wraps around Mabwe's injured leg, which stops bleeding.

SR5
The remaining zebra rider has readied a second spear. Noraji dismounts and approaches the felled dragonewt.
His head is twisted to the side and his tongue is hanging out. He blinks stupidly. You think healing might help his injury and make it harder to kill him, but probably only time will heal his fractured mind, if that is possible. You can cast heal by the end of the round (only heal 3 is needed).

Lemak slashes at Kuldaral with his dagger axe. Kuldaral parries with his broadsword, and the weakened blow does not quite penetrate the outlaw's vambrace.

SR6
Kuldaral attacks Mabwe with his broadsword. Mabwe swats the blow away.
Mabwe attacks Kuldaral with a savage slash of his claw. The bandit brings his broadsword up just in time, but the claw nevertheless penetrates deep through the vambrace of his left arm. The limb hangs useless but the outlaw is still in the saddle. 

Thangar lets fly another shaft at the nearing sable rider striking him in the leg.

SR 7
Seeing the opportunity to finish off a weakened foe, the lunar horse rider slings at Vorrik, unworried about throwing into melee or possibly hitting their troll comrade. The shot goes into the air missing everyone.The other horserider throws a javelin at Vorrik, unworried about throwing into melee. The projectile hits the hapless sundomer in the thigh and he collapses, overcome by his wounds.

Sr10
The charging Sable rider attacks Thangar with his lance. Thangar is unable to dodge the lance which rips through the right leg of the diminutive impala rider, dumping him on the ground.  

Tuari attacks the remaining zebra rider; unable to dodge the blow, Tuari's broadsword bites through the stiff leather armor through flesh and tendon of the right arm. The hapless rider again drops her spear, somehow staying in the saddle, and attempting to disengage.