Alyx was, of course, curious about the tags and the numbers. Why did some go up while some went down? What determined the pattern? Was there a manual or machine around that could tell them that, and more? He frowned slightly, knowing they likely wouldn't get a lot more answers - and that was much of how life went in that day and age. So much lost, and not all should be recovered anyway.

The animal noises were...a bit disconcerting. On the one hand, it was cool to see animals usually. On the other hand, what if there were giant-sized hungry predators? Not so much fun. And the chewed hole was odd and a little disturbing.

"...stars?"

He glanced at Sylvia and then at the pathways. He hesitated a long moment. Then finally he gave a shrug. "I mean...I guess one way's as good as another? Until it's not."

The party starts to move to the right, with no sun its difficult to get one's bearings, so there's no way to know which cardinal direction they were going. Alyx looks up reflectively to look for stars and can just seem to see some passed Azhanti's light, but they are up there. The group tries to move as quietly as it can in case there are large predators around, but Azhanti and Sylvia both make obvious noises. The good thing is, or maybe its a bad thing, nothing seems to know they're there. A large bird, roughly the size of a cat, lands on a branch above you. It's plumage is a vibrant splash of color and doesn't look like any bird you've ever seen. It cocks its head to one side and then the other to eye the group for a few moments before it flies away screeching into the darkness.

This goes on for about an hour, and everyone is starting to get tired from the oppressive humidity and heat and suddenly one of the stars flashes to blinding levels and shines down on the party. A voice in Androfan calls out, "
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:41, Thu 18 Apr.

Sylvia froze, and glanced up at the bright light, before glancing around at the others.

"Anyone understand that?" she muttered, hopefully quietly enough that the voice above couldn't hear it.

OOC:
Sylvia wants to get a feel for the voice's tone -- is it angry? warning? happy? etc -- Sense Motive check result: 21
13:05, Today: Sylvia rolled 21 using 1d20+4 ((17)).

Alyx saw the light and frowned. He needed to keep his head in the game, stay focused. It was potentially extremely dangerous down here.

The bird was...very pretty and colorful though.

He shook his head at Sylvia's question, "Not I."

"I don't yet...."  Ocean says as she casts a spell to comprehend languages.  "I do now!"  She adds as she listens in.


(OOC - Casting comprehend languages)

Moonlight just kept back and protected the group from behind.
Not a spell I have remembered at the moment.

Was his simple answer.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Sun 21 Apr.

Mephis looks to Ocean "Does that let you know what it said or do we need to ask it again?" he tries to shield his three eyes while getting a look at whatever it was that spoke to them.

OOC: What is the voice like? Is it robotic sounding? Masculine? Feminine? Guttural?

"Machine language; Androfyn.  It says we are being hunted." Azhanti chimed in; she sounded troubled, "I ... I don't understand by what.  But it said that there is an escape hatch 400 meters ahead...."

She pursed the lips slightly, whitening them.  "I ... I think that we should listen to them." as she started forward, a sense of dread running through her and sending chills down her spine.  She started to push forward in the direction that had been indicated by the voice.

"You speak the language of the machines?" she said, clearly perturbed, then looked around at the surrounding jungle. "Hunted....?"

With a brief nod, she moved after Azhanti. Her eyes began crackling with electrical energy, and small arcs of lightning slowly crept down one arm and gathered into her hand. "Could be a trap, but we should check it out. Let's move."

OOC: Casting shocking grasp and holding the charge.

"Mm..hmmm" Azhanti nodded affirmatively to Sylvia's question about her knowing Androfyn, "Just like on Io; they spoke it there, too,.."

The traces of bioluminescence flared in her veins as she summoned Blinky again, "Yknil'b!"  The diminutive blue-skinned mutant urged her summoned companion to lead (and light) the way, "Go! All the way to the hatch, Blinky!   Four-hundred metres.... Light the way!"

---

[OOC:  Summon (Monster III) Blinky again...  and have him scout the 'path' ahead to the hatch...]

Sylvia listens to the voice for information from a very human like voice.  Coming from some obvious technology, Alyx isn't quiet sure of the tone of the voice, though it does sound masculine. The group seems hesitant as Blinky is called forth. This time, much like above ground, bits of leaves and twigs from the surrounding plant material fuse to form her current favorite summon and he starts to move leading the charge to potential safety. A growl, some what reminiscent of a cat, causes the local wildlife to suddenly go silent around the group and a pair of slitted eyes reflect back green light from just outside the lit area of Azhanti's light stone.

Let's go ahead and get this skill challenge going. Each person can roll three different skills and I'll put it all together in one post. If anyone fails all three, the threat will catch up to them. The DC is 17.

Alyx tried to catch a glimpse of what it was, either with his eyes or his mind. If he could see it, see what it looked like or how it moved, he might be able to figure out what it was. If he could figure out what it was, he might know a bit about how it hunted - WHY it hunted - so they could evade it or get away. Or throw it off their trail with stealth, evasion, shadows, cover, whatever they could find along the way.

But...as was usual...Alyx was very little help, if any at all.

OOC: Yup. Zero successes, even a Nat 1 on 1 roll. Cool.

15:00, Today: Alyx rolled 10 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 1.  Perception (maybe with echolocation - see what it is).
15:00, Today: Alyx rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7.  Knowledge Nature - What IS it? How does it hunt?
15:01, Today: Alyx rolled 13 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 6.  Stealth - let's throw it off our trail.

Ocean decides that the whatever it is knows they are here...so what is the harm in boosting everyone's morale in preparation......Doing so she starts to dance while moving and sings along with it.  The song she focuses on even is something she learned to help soothe the beasts seeing if it will help calm the beast.  But to help out she grabs Azhanti's hand and tries to get her to join her in the song and follow her dance steps to speed ahead.

Performance: Dance - 15
Performance: Sing - 23 (using this one to help Azhanti out.
Diplomacy - 26 (+4 if pheromones count, +3 if they are attracted to Ocean)

(OOC - Bardic performance for Inspire competence for the +2 to skill rolls.  too bad does not apply to her as that would be three passes

20:36, Today: Ocean rolled 26 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 14.  Diplomacy +4 (Pheromones), +3 if they find you attractive. – 26

20:36, Today: Ocean rolled 15 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 4.  Perform Dance. – 15

20:35, Today: Ocean rolled 23 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 11.  Perform Sing. – 23)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Sun 28 Apr.

Moonlight being at the back of the group lifts himself up into the air and looks around trying to spot where the creature is coming from and what it is.  His nature skills to understand how it hunts and how to turn the hunter into the hunted.
He is using his fly skills with his nature skills and his good perception.  This should keep him away from the creature but also allow him to pick up and help any of the group that gets left behind.

OOC:
17:32, Today: Moonlight Dalesong rolled 24 (26 with bard adjustment) using 1d20+9 with rolls of 15.  Perception. – 24
17:30, Today: Moonlight Dalesong rolled 21 (23 with bard adjustment) using 1d20+10 with rolls of 11.  Know nature. – 21
17:29, Today: Moonlight Dalesong rolled 22 (24 with bard adjustment) using 1d20+9 with rolls of 13.  Fly. – 22

As Moonlight passed all the skills.  He is at the back and has flying movement of 50ft.  Carry Medium 116 or Heavy 175.
Can I pick Alyx up and fly up and out the way if he the only one that fails?

If not Moonlight will fly up and stay to protect Alyx with his bow to fire at the creature and draw it away.
We also have Moonlight casting Guidence on Alyx as an option?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Wed 24 Apr.

As Sylvia moved forward, she kept an eye on the wall, looking for patterns that might suggest that there was a gap behind it -- much like the place where they entered from. She also pondered what they'd seen and heard of the creature, trying to figure out what kind of hunter it would be (and how to best out-pace it). She was careful not to touch anything with her hand even as she ran, as it was still crackling with an angry aura of barely contained electrical energy, and she gave some thought as to how to best utilize this should push come to shove.

OOC:
Knowledge:Engineering, Knowledge:Nature, Spellcraft check results (not including the bonus from Ocean's Bardic Performance): 27,14,13
15:38, Today: Sylvia rolled 27,14,13 using 1d20+13,1d20+7,1d20+9 ((14,7,4)).

Even with Ocean's assistance, that's one success and two failures.

Azhanti surged forward, following Blinky.  The constructed blink dog flickered down the accessway as it loped along.

She strained her ears and eyes to keep them focused while bolting.  When the growl sounded close by, the diminutive blue-skinned mutant dipped her shoulder to drive her momentum forward, but to also try to throw anything trying to track her off, even while she tried to cudgel her brain to think how to best handle agressive predators.

---

[OOC:  Let's try... Perception, Bluff, and Handle Animal ... most of Azhanti's skill bonuses are +5 or less; so, all of them will require a better than average roll (at least without Ocean's bardic inspiration...):

  17:21, Today: Azhanti rolled 6,13,16 using 1d20+5,1d20+10,1d20+5 with rolls of 1,3,11.  Perception/WIS, Bluff/CHA, Handle Animal/CHA (TN 17):  dice don't fail me now! – 6,13,16

Any bonuses from Ocean (or others) are not included (yet).  One Nat '1' (you aren't alone, @Alyx!), and without Ocean's +2; she'll also fail all three checks.]

With the news they are being hunted Mephis looks for a solid path through the undergrowth and then heads off at a run, Holding up his shield and moving his blades along with him to carve away excess leaves and vines.

When he looks over his shoulder he sees that some of the party has fallen behind. He's become a bit protective of the little group of outcasts he's joined and is not about to leave them. He turns and plants his feet with his shield in front of him and shouts to the creature "Hey You there! you want a piece of us! Why don't you come over here and chew on this!"

OOC

22:44, Today: Mephis rolled 26 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 15.  Intimidate. – 26

22:43, Today: Mephis rolled 10 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 4.  Athletics. – 10

22:43, Today: Mephis rolled 15 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 7.  Perception. – 15

Well at least I didn't fail the intimidate...

Moonlight drops in beside Alyx.
I think you need some help with dealing with this creature.  My skills and experience with hunting creatures may help you.
We don't want you to get left behind now do we.  Read my thoughts it will be quicker.

Moonlight goes over what he learned about the creature in his head so Alyx can use the information himself.

OOC:
So if Alyx reads Moonlight thought he gives his 24 Know nature roll.
Note:- I thought that this fitted nicely with the fact we both used the same skill Know nature.
Alyx and Moonlight have communicated using his telepathy like this a few times in the past.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:20, Thu 25 Apr.

The party turns and starts running. Then all hell breaks loose as birds scream and fly out of the trees in a cacophony of noise as a large cat comes launching out of the underbrush. Alyx is stunned by the shear size of it until Moonlight shakes him out of his stupor to run. It is larger than a horse and has thick black and orange stripes running vertically across it. How such vibrant colors could disappear into the green foliage is remarkable, but for now, its dagger sized claws paw at the ground.

The party splits as the land around them isn't flat. Alyx tries many avenues of escape, but each one only slows him down. An errant branch snaps him in the face  as the cat roars in triumph just before Moonlight saves the mutant from being caught by telling him just when to dive out of the way of a huge paw swipe. Meanwhile, Ocean uses her former life to dodge and distract as she moves through the foliage as she comes across a struggling Azhanti. She just barely keeps the cat from catching the diminutive mutant that's almost mouse like to the feline's senses, but twists an ankle in the process.

Moonlight had taken to the air and was sailing easily to get away, but then one of the startled birds flies right in his path, scratching in its terror before squawking and flying away. . Meanwhile, Sylvia rushes off in another direction as she is forced to the left. A fallen tree suddenly appears through the foliage and she's moving to fast to avoid bashing her shins on it. . Azhanti just can't find anywhere to get away to as the cat slashes into her, but then is distracted by a the animen Ocean as it peels off . Memphis calls to the large cat which is more that happy to chase after him as it roars to the attack. All he can do is turn and run and gets a large swipe across his back for his hubris..

The party arrives at a small clearing against the wall that holds a circular door frame with the door open.  the voice calls out as everyone runs through and then the door rolls into place. The cat can be heard roaring in frustration as it claws at its meal denied. As everyone sucks in the air about them from their exertion, the smell of animal waste assaults the senses as the bleating of goats fills the room. You all find yourselves in pen with maybe 12 or move goats that are twice the size of a normal goat. They calmly look at each person before they dip their heads to eat off the ground or from pans that are attached to the outer walls.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:31, Tue 30 Apr.

Alyx was a bit on the slow side compared to some, which certainly didn't help matters for him. Plus, apparently, he just was not good at running away! He let out an involuntary cry of pain as he took a smart blow, "Ow!"

Everything he tried just seemed to lose him time or make things worse. If it wasn't for Moonlight's timely telepathic guidance, he probably would have been done for. He sent a 'thank you' message to the Elf's mind. He was too out of breath and focused on running to say anything physically.

When a voice and door help them escape further predatory attention, Alyx leaned against the door, gulping in air greedily, trying to get his breathing, and heart rate, back under control. And breathing through his mouth was helpful, apparently, as he didn't catch as much of the wonderful smell around them.

"...hello...goats....pleased...to meet you..."

Slow by nature (and due to her rather small size), Azhanti seemed at a disadvantage in this game of (literal) cat and mouse.  She sprinted as fast as her short legs would carry her, but the huge (at least from her perspective) feline was much faster and more adept in this environment.

Azhanti gasped in pain as the big cat's claws raked her blue-skinned back, slicing through her black t-shirt.  The sharp claws bit deep into her skin and fluorescent-tinged blood welled up through the wound.  Only timely intervention by Ocean allowed her to wriggle free and bolt towards the portal.

Glancing over her shoulder, the diminutive blue-skinned mutant urged her companions, "Go! Quick ... through the door..."  She stumbled through the circular door, virtually tripping over the threshold.  Her breathing was ragged from the exertion and Azhanti found herself on her hands and knees, unable to stand with her legs burning and trembling from the sprint (and the near death experience).

Once the pain from her claw marks on her back set in, Azhanti gingerly try to turn and stand.  But failing that, simply slumped to her knees and warily regarded the chamber, the door, and the goats.  Another small holding pen... she noted glumly.

[Language unknown: "Isolpl?"] she called out tentatively in the language of machines that the voice had been addressing them in.

In reply to Mutant Master (msg # 163):

Once through the door, Sylvia looked around the room with wild wariness, seeking out any additional threats; she spun as the door slid shut behind them, trapping the group in the room with the goats. For a second she considered trying to zap it with her energized, sparking hand, but the sound of the humongous dire cat outside killed that thought as surely as it would have slaughtered her -- had it caught her. Which, because of the warning they'd been given, it had not. After a moment of thought, the electrical energy coiled on Sylvia's hand sputtered, then dissipated, leaving behind only the faint smell of ozone.

As the adrenaline wore off, Sylvia slumped, and her hand -- now entirely back to normal -- dropped to gently caress the purple, blue, and black marks forming all along her legs, where she'd run almost face-first into that fallen tree trunk. After another moment of thought, Sylvia forced herself straight.

"Everyone make it?" she asked, and began hobbling around to make sure that no one had been left outside in their mad rush to safety -- or more accurately, she mused, relative safety. "Time to regroup. We didn't lose nobody, right?"

Memphis takes up the tail position and passes into the door after everyone else makes it in, holding his shield up as he backs in case the cat managed to follow them. "I don't think we lost anyone but the critter took off a piece of me." he gestures with one of his floating blades at the bleeding gash on his back. "If anyone can patch that up, I'd appreciate it. Probably wouldn't have been hurt so bad if we just grouped up and put the beast down."

Alyx shook his head and calmed himself. He took in a deep breath, focusing. There was a soft blue glow on his wounds and the sound of...someone placing a bandage over them it kind of sounded like. The wounds lessened and he breathed a bit easier.

He glanced at Mephis. "Mmm...the only way I currently have to...'heal' someone," and he made air quotes around the word 'heal' with his hands, "would be to transfer some of your wounds to myself and then heal myself."

When they get there and into safety, "Son of the biscuit that hurt."  Ocean says as she pulls out her wand and uses it to heal herself before walking up to Mephis and using her wand on him as well.  "Hopefully this helps."

(OOC - Using two charges, down to 15 but will have to double count.  If I recall it max heals as not in combat if you need me to roll let me know.  Either way 9HP healed on each.

Comprehend language still up.)