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Gama Master :  Character Details| ScratchPad| Dice Roller| Game Map| The Cast |
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| Gama Master : Character Details| ScratchPad| Dice Roller| Game Map| The Cast |
=========================================================== Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Apollo hefted one of the buggem bodies onto his shoulder. A black ooze gushed out of one of its wounds and stained Apollo's armor. Pepsi hefted the other buggem onto his shoulder. They didn't seem quite as heavy as you would expect a creature that size to be. Solomon had to use some of his bandages to patch up Farmer Gooselin's abdomen to prevent his lower intestines from spilling out all over the forest floor. Then he and Skeeter lifted his body carefully and carried it together. The trip back to the horses took about 10 minutes, going slowly because of the extra weight and the thick foliage. As you cleared the tree line, you spotted a group of travellers, three humans, walking up about 100 yards away. You're standing at the horses where Dylan is waiting with them. Solomon squints and thinks he recognizes one of the travellers as Phebe, a wandering healer that is a good friend of Darla Lockhart. There is a boy with them, and a stout man. Pepsi thinks he's seen the man quite a few times, a professional hunter, Redmond Jacoby. OOC - I'll let the new players describe and introduce themselves. It is very likely that everyone has at least heard of each of the other characters, if not known them. Basically via rumor or personal knowledge you'd each know what was posted in the character background thread. This message was lightly edited by the GM at 20:23, Mon 26 Feb 2007. =========================================================== A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- Upon seeing the horses boy sprints to them. Once there he nods to Dylan and then pats and rubs the horses muzzle and mane. Reaching up on tip toes to do so. Smiling, boy searches his pockets fpr something that the horses might like to eat. Maybe a couple of crumpled flowers. This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Wed 09 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- "Something has happened." Phebe stops and motions to Redmond as her eyes fall upon Team Alpha, keenly piercing the distance between. A couple of seconds is all she needs to take in the bodies, both human and buggem. "There are casualties." Phebe starts making her way toward Team Alpha, not far behind the sprinting boy... This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Wed 09 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon waved to the people coming up the way. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- Phebe approaches Solomon and the others with a friendly yet concerned look. "Well met, young Solomon. You all seem to have had more trail trials than we. What has happened?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce looked up at Phebe. "We ran into this creature" indicating Buggem 1 "that had Farmer Gooselin in its grasp. When we called out to it, it ran away and led us into an ambush. It killed the farmer, and its compatriots injured X and me. We were just going to Farmer Gooselin's so that his family would be able to pay their respects. I'm guessing that then we'd have Dylan return to town with the horses and the two bodies of the 'Buggems' as Farmer Gooselin called them. while we tried to track the two remaining creatures to deal with the threat." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X suggests, "Pierce could definitely use some healing." Then X looks anxiously down the trail as though he is ready to get back to the hunt. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy will circle around Pierce and look at the buggem. Reach out and touch the jaws and legs. Then look around at everyone. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- Phebe looks the group over, and regards Pierce and X with a gentle yet penetrating gaze... "It seems that you both could use some healing. May I serve you, as the Lord enables me?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- "Hi." Apollo gives a small salute with his index finger. He smiles despite having to carry a large arthropoid on his back, "Name's Apollo. Sorry, I'd shake your hand, but I'm a little preoccupied right now. Plus I don't want to get any bug guts on you." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X clearly looks uncomfortable with Phebe's offer. "I deserve no favors from any gods. Don't even believe in them. I'll try to take care of this myself." He pauses. "But thank you. I appreciate the offer. If I'm really hurt, maybe I'll trust that lightning won't strike me, but not right now." He begins to bandage his own wounds. [Private to GM: X will make a restore hit points check (on himself) with his treat injury skill while Phebe is treating Pearce. I finally received the D20 Modern from Amazon, so I'm reading through it to make sure I understand how things work.] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy mimics the motions of Apollo's salute, then squats down near X. Just out of arm reach, to watch X's self-administered medical skills. This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Thu 10 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pirece nodded. <blue"Please do."</blue> =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- After Skeeter helps with farmer Gooselin's body, he waves to the new group of people arriving, "Hey All!" Skeeter approaches each of the newcomers and greets them. He finally approaches the young boy, nose twitching and tail flitting about nervously, "So, what's your name? I don't recall seeing you in the community. I'm Skeeter." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- Xavier Ashe typed:X clearly looks uncomfortable with Phebe's offer. "I deserve no favors from any gods. Don't even believe in them. I'll try to take care of this myself." He pauses. "But thank you. I appreciate the offer. If I'm really hurt, maybe I'll trust that lightning won't strike me, but not right now." He begins to bandage his own wounds. Phebe sighs, but she looks fondly at X, as a loving mother would look at a wayward yet favored son... "My child, if God doesn't exist, then why fear the lightning? And as for deserving, we are all rebels against Him, so who among us deserves anything but eternity in Hell?" "But thankfully, this is still a day of grace and mercy, not yet of judgment. When you perceive yourself in need, then ask... and ye shall receive." Pierce typed:Pierce nodded. "Please do." "Come then, my child, and let us pray for the Lord's mercy together. As I pray, give your thoughts to Him, and focus upon lifting up your wounds and your need for healing to Him." Phebe gently puts her hands upon Pierce, and bows her head in prayer. "Sovereign and Merciful Lord, we pray for Your healing grace for this child, to Your glory and not our own. Thank You for loving us, wayward children that we are. Help us from the heart to follow You more faithfully day by day, as our Lord and our Savior. In the Holy Name of Christ Jesus... Amen." [Private to Pierce: What is Pierce thinking during the prayer? Send me a PM, telling me his thoughts then.] As Phebe finishes praying, Pierce's wounds rapidly heal, and he feels himself whole and healthy again. OOC: Pierce is now at full HP. However, as the wounds close and fade away from Pierce's body, similar wounds simultaneously break out upon Phebe's body. Similar... yet it is evident that the wounds upon Phebe's body are partially healed. The pain of the wounds is evident in the corners of Phebe's eyes, the set of her jaw, the slight trembling of her hand. However, her voice is calm and peaceful, and her expression is one of tenderness. "'Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.'" "The Lord heals you. May your wholeness be used to serve Him, as well as the needy world around us." This message was last edited by the player at 10:17, Thu 10 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi dumped the load he carried with the other buggems. He gave a quick at each of the new comers, almost as if he were assessing their abilities, wondering if the might be able to survive out here. He spoke not but made his way to the injured Kael. He looked upon his friend for several moments without moving, as if he were trying to decide his course of action. He then began to remove items from Kael. Some he tucked into his belt or a pouch, others he placed into his pack. Once he was done with his task, he then walked to the horse Kael had been riding and removed the pack that had been strapped on to the animal. He carried the pack to his own mount, where he removed his own pack. Within moments, he had both packs lashed to his animal and was ready to ride again. He strode to Solomon and whispered something to the tall dark haired man. Then returned to his horse and mounted the creature. [Private to Solomon Sheperd: Take what you think you can use from his gear. Even if he makes it, he wont need it any time soon. ] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- Skeeter typed:He finally approaches the young boy, nose twitching and tail flitting about nervously, "So, what's your name? I don't recall seeing you in the community. I'm Skeeter." boy jumps a little at the body twiches of Skeeter, tring to track all movement, eyes wide. Impulsively reaching out to touch Skeeter's fur. "I'm boy, you work with blackhand. You very fast, climb. Play with others, funny. Help loomhand. Wha'cha do'ng?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon winced as Phebe healed Pierce. He'd been planning to get to that. He'd just wanted to get out of the woods first. He walked over to X. "I can take care of your wounds if you'll let me." He leaned closer so that only X would hear, "No favors from anyone. We're a team. Its what I'm here for and it won't take long." [Private to Xavier Ashe: How much are you down? My first roll got two points, my second another 2, my third got 7. And Solomon does not mention anything about God. That is of course, if you let him. More damage later might be harder for Solomon to heal and this is how he improves his ability anyhow. He came along as a healer, not a preacher.] [Private to Pepsi: Good suggestion. The extra food and water might come in handy. Other than that, I think I've got what I need.] This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Thu 10 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce was a little startled when Phebe started praying for his healing. He knew that she was religious, but hadn't expected that. When she was done, he simply said, "Thanks." [Private to Phebe Irpeel: Quick question, does Pierce know that his mind has been read? Things going on in Pierce's mind: When Phebe first starts praying, he thinks "Edgar would get a laugh outta this religious stuff." Then there would be sadness because Edgar had died. This would be followed by a little anger at Edgar, "Why didn't he tell me?" Followed by the images of a stooping eagle and a crescent moon.] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon looks drained from his psychic healing of Xavier. He's a shade paler and doesn't look quite as fit as he did. Several PM's... [Private to Pierce: I rolled to see if you detected the telepathy. 19:32, Today: Secret Roll: Gama Master rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Will save DC20 to detect telepathy. So no, Pierce doesn't know it happened. Nice RPing there too by the description of his thoughts.] [Private to Phebe Irpeel: On telepathy. First you have to make a Power Activation roll, which is 1d20+Level, DC5, which I see looking at dice roller that you did. Second, you have to make a ranged touch attack DC 10 + 1/2 target's level which in this case is 11. I will assume you made that this time since it's already happened. If you had missed on that roll, you could try again 6 seconds later (1 round) without having to reroll the power-activation roll. You can continue to make telepathy attack rolls each round all you want without having to re-roll activation, but if you stop using it, and then use it again, it's a new activation roll. Lastly, the target gets a Will Save DC20 to detect your telepathy attempt. I rolled for Pierce and he didn't detect it.] [Private to Pepsi: All that Kael had in his backpack was several days worth of rations and a canteen of water. Grumble, no one did a very good job of coming up with their equipment. May bite you guys in the butt, but hey, not my problem. Heheh.] [Private to Solomon Sheperd: The healing you did drained 3 CON points temporarily. They will recover one point per night. The loss of CON reduced your max hit points (and current HP) by 6 HP temporarily until the CON points are restored. After 1 night they'll go up by 3 hp, then 2 more nights to go back up to full. It also reduces your Fortitude saves by 2, which goes back up as the CON heals. After seeing this in use I may adjust the number of points it heals. Seems like a pretty stiff penalty for what you get out of it. ] [Private to Xavier Ashe: You "took 20" which takes 20 minutes, and gives you a 20 on your roll to Treat Injury. Your DC was 15, but you have a -5 to the roll for doing it on yourself, which makes the DC 20. So you made the check and healed 2 HP worth of damage.] This message was last edited by the GM at 19:05, Thu 10 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X thanks Solomon. "You are very kind and generous with your talents. I do have some minor skills in treating injuries myself, but your talents far exceed mine, and I am thankful." X appears shocked by Phebe's acquisition of Pearce's wounds. "Mada'am, I would never let you heal me if that means knowing you would take my wounds upon yourself. I do not hurt the gentler sex. That's how I was raised, and that's how it must be." [Private to Solomon Sheperd: To answer your question, X was only down 7 points. He was able to heal 2 by himself, so it looks like Solomon helped him with about 5 points. The hit points are actually indicated on the left above the portraits, so you can check at any time.] [Private to GM: I noticed that X's hit points weren't raised to the left. Perhaps just an oversight or did I misunderstand something?] This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Thu 10 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi sat upon his horse and listened to the exchange taking place. When Xavier made his comment about the gentler sex, he groaned aloud. "Get real Xavier. This world we live in is hell. There is no such thing as a gentler sex. If you can't take care of yourself then you end up dead. The things that make you dead don't care if you are a man or a woman or both rolled into one." He paused for a second to give Xavier time to look at him then added "What are you gonna do if one of the gentler sex buries three or four inches of steel in your belly? Out here it can be kill or be killed real fast. And some times you dont have time to think about the choices you have to make. Kill or be killed Xavier, it might do us all good for you to remember it." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X responds, "I speak of manners, sir. Diplomacy and etiquette, I hope, are not as yet dead. To be honest, I don't know what I would do in such a situation. We shall see whether instinct or etiquette take over, I suppose. If I am ever threatened by one of the female persuasion." He pauses. "But of course, Phebe is no threat. Here, it would be me taking advantage of her. That I cannot do." He pauses once more and shakes his head. "And I pity you, sir, if you do not believe there is a gentler sex...or if you have not been raised to believe as much." He looks over at Phebe and says, half jokingly, "If you ever need help fighting off these ruffians, just let me know." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon wiped a bit of sweat off of his brow and gave X a smile to reassure him that he was okay. Though he looked somewhat weakened, he still seemed a healthy as a horse. "Well, I am the healer's apprentice. I'm sure one day you'll get the chance to bandage me up. But as long as we're working together towards a goal, there's no charge, and no favors. I'm just doing my job." Turning to the others, he said, "So gentlemen and lady," he emphasized with a nod to Phebe, "we have Dylan to tend the horses and a fresh trail to follow. Our dilemma has been solved. We can exchange pleasantries as we follow the trail of the other buggemses." With that, he began to head back into the woods. [Private to Xavier Ashe: I hadn't noticed that HP counter on the left. Nifty idea. I'll remember that next time. Thanks X.] [Private to GM: Okay. It's up to you. I had actually thought that the Con points would be gone an hour each, not a day each. Just my faulty memory. But whatever you deem appropriate. I'm easy.] [Private to Pepsi: Sorry Pepsi. I forgot to mention the woods earlier. With Dylan here, we don't have to take the horses to the Gooselins just yet. We can follow the Buggems' trail.] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X follows Solomon. "Let's go while the trail's still fresh." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- "Um..." Apollo thumbs in the direction of the buggem corpse on his back. "Forgetting something? =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded at Apollo. "Put the Buggem on the horses and then we can follow the trial." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi grumbled about something while he was dismounting. Within moments, he had caught up with the others headed back to the clearing. "Hold up. Don't go running back in there. I was lucky to find any markings before with the way this crowd tramples around, jumping up and down all over the place. This is what I do so I expect you all to listen to me when I tell you something. If I say stop that means I want you to stop right then. If I say wait that means I want you to wait right where you are until I tell you different." he instructed mater-of-factly. "Don't take that the wrong way. It's just the way it's got to be. I can't track something with all of you running around. I surely can't sneak up on anything with you all right on my back. We'll move into the forest to where I stopped tracking them. You wait there for me to scout ahead. When I feel it's safe to bring you forward, I will come back for you. Don't follow me or try to help out in any way unless you hear me yelling for you. That would mean I need you in a very large hurry." he added. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded. "That makes sense, although perhpas if you took another persom with you just in case." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- boy typed:boy jumps a little at the body twiches of Skeeter, tring to track all movement, eyes wide. Impulsively reaching out to touch Skeeter's fur. "I'm boy, you work with blackhand. You very fast, climb. Play with others, funny. Help loomhand. Wha'cha do'ng?" "Hmmm...A boy and his squirrel. This should be interesting!" Skeeter grinning broadly. Skeeter turns to the group and asks, "Before we turn the horses back to town, has anyone examined the creatures yet for other phyiscal abilities it might have? I do have some skill and natural talent in these matters. I could do a quick inspection so we know what we might be dealing with." Skeeter approaches one of the creatures and begins examining for physical signs of defensive and offensive abilities. (OOC: Skeeter rolled 21 using 1d20+11. Buggem examination (Know: Life Science)) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi was not so self reliant that he would not listen to a good idea. He nodded at Pierce then looked to Solomon and said "That would be you." He then moved across the opening and sliped into the forest. Withing seconds, it was as if he had vanished. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce typed:Pierce was a little startled when Phebe started praying for his healing. He knew that she was religious, but hadn't expected that. When she was done, he simply said, "Thanks." Phebe gives him a gentle smile and nod. "Anytime." Rather than being a superficial response, Pierce gets the clear impression that she really means it. [Private to Pierce: No, Pierce didn't detect it this time. BTW, Phebe isn't consciously trying to read Pierce's mind... but when she does empathic healing, she often also picks up not only the other's wounds, but their thoughts and emotions as well...] Xavier Ashe typed:X appears shocked by Phebe's acquisition of Pearce's wounds. "Mada'am, I would never let you heal me if that means knowing you would take my wounds upon yourself. I do not hurt the gentler sex. That's how I was raised, and that's how it must be." Pepsi typed:Pepsi sat upon his horse and listened to the exchange taking place. When Xavier made his comment about the gentler sex, he groaned aloud. "Get real Xavier. This world we live in is hell. There is no such thing as a gentler sex. If you can't take care of yourself then you end up dead. The things that make you dead don't care if you are a man or a woman or both rolled into one." He paused for a second to give Xavier time to look at him then added "What are you gonna do if one of the gentler sex buries three or four inches of steel in your belly? Out here it can be kill or be killed real fast. And some times you dont have time to think about the choices you have to make. Kill or be killed Xavier, it might do us all good for you to remember it." Xavier Ashe typed:X responds, "I speak of manners, sir. Diplomacy and etiquette, I hope, are not as yet dead. To be honest, I don't know what I would do in such a situation. We shall see whether instinct or etiquette take over, I suppose. If I am ever threatened by one of the female persuasion." He pauses. "But of course, Phebe is no threat. Here, it would be me taking advantage of her. That I cannot do." He pauses once more and shakes his head. "And I pity you, sir, if you do not believe there is a gentler sex...or if you have not been raised to believe as much." He looks over at Phebe and says, half jokingly, "If you ever need help fighting off these ruffians, just let me know." Phebe gives a gentle smile. "I thank you... although the battles I fight are in a different arena." "And please... don't hesitate to 'take advantage' of me, should you find yourself in need of healing. I am here to serve. And the Lord heals me of the wounds I receive from others sooner than you might expect. I'll be whole again in a few hours." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomons shrugged apologetically to Pepsi. "Sorry Pepsi. I just figured that since the trail started at the clearing and that's a ways into the forest, we'd go to the clearing and you can track from there. We've all been through here at least twice already. I think we all understand that walking on your trail makes it harder for you to track. Even a village boy like me." He smiled. "I wouldn't have gone farther than the clearing without someone tracking." He followed Pepsi into the treeline, though not nearly as enigmatically. This message was lightly edited by the player at 21:28, Fri 11 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- Skeeter typed:Skeeter approaches one of the creatures and begins examining for physical signs of defensive and offensive abilities. boy looks on as Skeeter performs his invasive autopsy. boy is most fascinated by the buggems jaws / teeth / manibles / pinchers. Tries clicking them togther and see how they work. Then removal for his collection. boy then stays by Skeeter and asks, 'was tha't?' evrytime something new is pulled out, 'was tha't?' cut open, 'was tha't?' prodd'd, 'was tha't?' examin'd, 'was tha't?' =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- Apollo sighs, he walks up to the horses, "Sorry 'bout this." With one heave he transfers the buggem from his back onto the horse. Standing up to his full height he stretches his well developed back and neck. While flexing his biceps to alleviate a developing cramp he smirks, "Now that's a lot better." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce waited for word from Pepsi and Solomon. He looked around just to make sure that there were no other buggems creeping up on them. He waited patiently for Skeeter to get done with his examination. To Phebe, "So are you guys the second group that sarge was going to send out? Any other word from town?" To Apollo "So about how heavy are these critters?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- Apollo shrugs, "Not too much. Uh, though I am stronger then I look." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Skeeter determines that this creature is some type of digger. It should be able to dig fairly quickly through the earth. The mandibles and the claws of the creature are quite sharp, and sturdy. They could probably be fashioned into some type of weapon given a need. Pepsi picks up on the trail of the buggems where he left off. He follows the trail, moving slowly, for about 200 yards through the trees. Then the trees fall away to reveal a corn field. The tracks continue on into the corn field. Pepsi follows them a ways more, and they suddenly end about 100 yards into the corn field. Where they stop there are clumps of fresh dirt in sort of a pile. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond, who has been hanging back, frowns and looks at the buggems. He glances at Phebe and boy, looking uncertain for a moment, and then turns to those members of the original group that are still looking around. "I was just heading back into town, but you guys sound like a little help couldn't hurt. Need an extra hand?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded. "I'm certain that we could use any help offered. These look to be tough bugs, and there's no telling how many more we'll run into. But I expect that the others will also want to have a say in the decision." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi backed away from the fresh soil slowly. Once he had placed aprroximately 25 yards between himself and the spot, he motioned for Solomon to join him. Once his sibling had done so, he said "Go quickly and get the others. It looks like they went underground over there." He indicated the mentioned spot by pointing his bow at it. "Bring the group to the edge of the field. Keep them in the woods though. I will be there waiting. This can get dicey quick. If we try to follow them underground, we will most likely be in tight spaces and have very little room to move. On the other hand, I have been in a few tunnels that seemed huge." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon nodded to Pepsi and ran back to the others. As he burst out of the treeline, he said, "This way. It appears that they have gone underground in the cornfield. Let's move to the edge of the field. But let's not move into it until Pepsi has had a chance to finish searching for tracks." With that, he turned and headed back into the forest towards the clearing and beyond to the field looking back occasionally to make sure the others were following. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- PM [Private to Skeeter: After hearing about the corn field you're pretty sure you could skirt the edge of the forest area and arrive at the place Pepsi was at, taking the horses, if you choose to. Whether or not that's a good idea is up to you.] I'm going to need to know who plans to go where Pepsi is and who intends to do something else? Also after everyone gets where you are, what is your plan of action? This message was last edited by the GM at 17:47, Mon 14 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy looks at Skeeter, looks to where Solomon emerged from the treeline, looks back at Skeeter, looks back to the treeline. To Skeeter, "oooh, burrogh. Find mor, y'u take apart, make soup." boy scrambles over to Redmond, "they join us now?" This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:58, Mon 14 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce went over by Solomon. "Let's go. There's no telling how many of those things there are." To Boy, "Well, we'll see about soup later." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- "So, Dylan make sure the Sergent knows what's happening and where we are going. It's probably too dangerous to keep the horses here. Otherwise they would end up as food for the buggems." Skeeter waves to Dylan and then looks towards boy. "Ready boy?" Skeeter grins broadly and heads towards the forest and the clearing and meets up with Soloman at the edge of the field. His short sword is drawn and ready waiting for a signal from Pepsi to enter the field. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X silently follows the others out to Pepsi and waits for further instructions. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce typed:To Phebe, "So are you guys the second group that sarge was going to send out? Any other word from town?" Phebe shakes her head. "We were headed back, after making sure the recent quake didn't damage the crater wall trail." Phebe moves to check on Kael. After a time, she shakes her head slightly, and bows her head briefly in silent prayer. Solomon Sheperd typed:Solomon nodded to Pepsi and ran back to the others. As he burst out of the treeline, he said, "This way. It appears that they have gone underground in the cornfield. Let's move to the edge of the field. But let's not move into it until Pepsi has had a chance to finish searching for tracks." With that, he turned and headed back into the forest towards the clearing and beyond to the field looking back occasionally to make sure the others were following. Phebe nods and follows to lead her support. As she sets out, she murmurs, "... and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field..." This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Mon 14 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi gave Soloman a few moments to clear the area then fell back to the tree line himself. He studied the area, looking for anything he could use to his advantage if another encounter with the creatures. The open field all but prevented an ambush except at the very edge of the woods. He ruled that option out as waiting for the buggems to return this way was not what he wanted to do. Nor did he really want to go digging up their tunnels and chasing them underground. They would have the advantage down there. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond frowns, looking across the field. "Any idea how deep those tunnels go? If we could collapse them, we could flush the buggems out." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond Jacoby typed:Redmond frowns, looking across the field. "Any idea how deep those tunnels go? If we could collapse them, we could flush the buggems out." boy steps up, "I volentier, sneak ahead, a little bit" holds finger and thumb just slightly apart, "look around, come rite bak. Need one spotter. Do this while brands made for tunnels and pairs pick'd" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X scratches the stubble on his chin. "Call me reckless, but I think we should just go straight in there. I'll take the lead, if you want, although I don't particularly care for dark places." He leans down and pokes his head into the cave entrance. "If you collapse these things, you may also kill the hostages...er, victims. Besides, I feel like we've wasted too much time already. They could be injured or incapacitated. Hell, they could be buggem food right now with how much we've been dilly-dallying out here." He takes a deep breath to rein in his escalating voice and calmly waits at the cave entrance for any nods of approval. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded. "I agree with X. There are two kids missing and one or two search parties. If they are being held by the buggems, we can't collapse the tunnels and we should probably move quickly. . . ." He moved to join X going down the tunnel. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- (OOC: I'm not sure about this "cave entrance." All I read was "The tracks continue on into the corn field. Pepsi follows them a ways more, and they suddenly end about 100 yards into the corn field. Where they stop there are clumps of fresh dirt in sort of a pile." I haven't read anything else about an entrance or a tunnel. They could be burrowing for all we know. Or maybe it's a trap and there is no tunnel, just a bunch of buggems standing around blending into the corn field like chameleons.<S>) Solomon looked over at Pepsi, he asked, "You didn't find any more tracks while I was gone did you? They didn't burrow to some other point and then pop up again trying to lose us did they? If not, I agree, we should dig up the tunnels and go after them. I don't like it, but I don't see any other options." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- Phebe considers the scene before her with a look of inward concentration... [Private to GM: Any telepathic impressions? Any precog impressions? Etc.?] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- (OOC: Thought it might be based on a PM that we missed when they went to search without us. I think we need GM clarification. What is it exactly that we're looking at?) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- "Agreed. I think we should go in." Skeeter's tail begins twitching more wildly as they prepare to enter the tunnel. (OOC: the PM was to me that the horses could be brought with us to the field, but my repsonse was to let Dylan take them back to town as they would be left only with Dylan and could end up as bug food). =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- OOC: First there is no cave. Secondly, Pepsi would not have let Xavier go to the spot in question. He specifically sent Solomon back to get the rest and bring them to the edge of the forest so no one would trot right up to the place where they had dug in (and yes, they burrowed into the ground so there is no open hole) Pepsi silently sat there waiting for the others to join him. He heard them from the proverbial mile off. They crashed through the woods like a heard of rakox. He grimaced as they arrived. Xavier walked toward him, as if he were going to continue into the field. Pepsi extended his bow to block the mans progress. "That's far enough." he said in a whisper. After all had stated their desire to go after the buggems, Pepsi said "I want you all to understand what we might be getting into. That's not an open tunnel out there. At least the entrance is filled back up. If they do that behind them when they dig then we will be a long time getting to where they are going since we would have to dig it out behind them. If they don't and we just have to dig the entrance out then that's better. It still doesn't mean it's great. We are probably going to be in tight spaces with no room to fight or move. That's not a good thing when you are fighting for you life against a creature that seems to live underground. I know people are missing but lets face it, there is a very good chance they are dead already. If we charge in like maniacs then we might just be dead too." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond nods, thoughtful. "Captives, hm? Complicates things. They'd need to have somewhere to sleep and such - I can't imagine they'd stay in single-person tunnels. If the burrowing stays close enough to the surface, I might be able to follow it until it stops." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- " captives need air, may-bee holes lead to sirface for them to breathe." This message was last edited by the player at 13:43, Wed 16 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- "My misunderstanding then. Why don't we search for a more permanent opening to their tunnels then. Maybe we can project where the tunnels are based on the burrowed holes left behind or at least the area their tunnels might cover." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X's brow crinkles in disdain when Pepsi blocks his way with a bow. The scar on his cheek almost seems to glow as he frowns and stares at the bow. Yet he does not pass. He turns to the others, rubbing the stubble on his chin in thought. "I agree with Skeeter. We need a better entrance. I think we go back to the original plan and go to the farm to look for clues. I don't much care for dark and cramped tunnels anyway." He raises his arms outward some as if to catch the sun's rays. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon looked up at the sun, then back at everyone, "Well, farmer Gooselin can't point us to the clues that he might have, but perhaps his family can. They should be notifed in any case. This is probably their field. They'll probably know about any caves in the area and perhaps they'll know why farmer Gooselin called the creature 'Buggems' as if by name." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy reaches for a few ears of corn, stuffing his pockets with a few. Walking back through the trees boy collects some leaves and pesters Skeeter for names. [Private to Skeeter: Pssst..let's have a look see around, quiet like. Be back befor they notice.] [Private to GM: boy plans to fade from th egroup and scout around the edges of the corn feild for signs of buggems, signs of water for buggems, or unusual human or animal sign] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- OOC - There is no cave. There are 2 piles of fresh dirt, about 100 yards into the corn field, where the tracks of the buggems ended. There has been no mention of any caves or underground passages by me. Sorry for the confusion. I thought that the plan was to take Farmer Gooslin's body back to his place, but then Skeeter said something about sending all the horses off with Dylan, so are you carrying his body by hand or keeping one of the horses or sending his body back to town with Dylan? Farmer Gooslin's is about an hour hike away. Lastly, I'm going to be on vacation starting tomorrow morning. I will not be able to respond to posts until we get back sometime Sunday evening at the earliest. Hopefully by then you guys will have a plan. :) [Private to Phebe Irpeel: You must have a visual target to use Telepathy on. Precog isn't going off.] [Private to boy: You don't find anything unusual that hasn't already been discussed.] This message was last edited by the GM at 18:50, Thu 17 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X mumbles for a moment as though speaking to someone not present. "I stick with my original plan. Let's go to the farm. I can hike for an hour in the sun." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon chuckled a bit in good natured fashion as X changed his mind again back to the "original plan," seemingly claiming credit for its origination as he did so. It was good that he was pragmatic, and Solomon took his comment for humor. (OOC: As for Farmer Gooselin's body, it was on a horse I believe as we were preparing to take it to the Gooselin farm. We wanted to follow the trail though first, so once we got the body loaded, we went back to follow the tracks. Skeeter was the one who told Dylan to take the horses back after most (or all) of us had tromped off into the woods. Solomon for instance thinks that Dylan and the horses are still waiting on them. Solomon's gear is on the horse, and maybe plenty of other's gear as well since we hurriedly dismounted and ran after the buggems in the first place. If we have to make a decision, I'd rather have the horses waiting on us. We're not done with them yet. If that's not possible, perhaps Dylan will have the forsight to unload the equipment that we brought out here to use and leave us at least one horse that way one of us doesn't have to carry Gooselin's dead body. If he went back to the village, then he's taking horses loaded down with Kael's unconscious form and a couple of Buggems bodies (and maybe our equipment.)) Solomon looked over at X with a smile, "I agree, only I'd prefer that we take the horses rather than hike. After all, Farmer Gooselin's body is with the horses and we can take his body to his family. Once that is dealt with, maybe we can fnd these bug-creatures." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- When Solomon made the comment about finding the buggems later, Pepsi raised an eyebrow. "Planning on coming back to see what we can see Solomon?" he asked. "I was thinking that maybe someone should stick behind in case they decide to surface again. I'm probably the least likely to get caught doing that so I suppose that would fall to me. I have got a plan in case they need luring out. Think you might could bring me back something? Something alive that can be tied up and staked out where we could watch for those things to come eat?" he asked. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- "We could bring you Kael," X jokes to Pepsi. Then he seems to realize the inappropriateness of the joke and drops his head. He pats Solomon on the shoulder, thanks him again for the healing, and says, "Great. Let's go with your plan." (OOC: I think my previous post gave the wrong impression about X. The intent wasn't to make it sound like "his" plan; it was just confirming the plan he proposed a few posts before the GM clarification. X's annoying/charmful personality (depending on how the PC's perceive him) leans more toward giving others credit obsequiously and making jokes, even though he speaks before he thinks at times.) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- (OOC: Actually, I was thinking that going to the farm was the plan as laid out by Sarge. The rest of the "plans" we have kind of come up with together, with different people contributing different thoughts and pieces to them. So it's difficult for me to attribute any "plan" to any one person. We've worked together amazingly well for a committee, I think.) Solomon smiled at X and then back at Pepsi, "Definately. We're not done with these creatures yet. Those kids may not be dead yet and in any case, these creatures pose a threat to Cedar Valley. We're just gathering some intel and picking our battles. We don't even know how many of these things there might be down there. The whole thing stinks of an anthill. If there are bunches of them and we can't stop them, we'll have to warn everyone. But one piece at a time. First we deal with Farmer Gooselin and find out what we can from his family, and then we'll 'borrow' some livestock to use as bait. So, if you want to stay here and keep an eye out, we'll take care of all that. If you see them move and have to follow them, leave us a sign and a trail to follow. Redmond here can probably follow it. We'll try to be quick about it." Turning to the others, he said, "Does anyone here know the Gooselin family well? One of us should break the news gently before riding up with his body. If no one here knows them well, I can do it." (OOC: GM: Does the Gooselin family go to the church? If so, then Solomon would probably know them. Could you tell me a bit about the family?) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- (OOC: I'm back! Yes, I also think we are doing pretty well for a committee.) Pierce nodded at the other's suggetsions. "If the creatures can tunnel quickly like Skeeter thinks and the evidence suggests, digging after them will likely prove futile. I agree that most of us should procede to the Gooselin Farm and that Pepsi should stay behind if he wishes. Although I think a second person should also stay with him just in case." Pierce shrugged his shoulders at Solomon's question. "I don't really know them, but people seem to accept taking bad news from me a bit better than from others." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon Sheperd typed:(OOC: Actually, I was thinking that going to the farm was the plan as laid out by Sarge. The rest of the "plans" we have kind of come up with together, with different people contributing different thoughts and pieces to them. So it's difficult for me to attribute any "plan" to any one person. We've worked together amazingly well for a committee, I think.) (OOC: Yes, I agree. I should have used the word "suggestion" instead of "plan." X realizes it is Sarge's plan and X's motivation would be to do exactly as Sarge wanted without claiming credit himself.) "Since I'm new to the community, I don't know him," X responds. "But we may be able to dispense with pleasantries due to the dangerous nature of this situation and the current possible hostage situation. I'm sure they'll understand." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond nods. "I can stay behind with Pepsi to keep watch. It is best, if the buggems come up out of those holes, that we see where they went to." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- Before leaving boy goes to Redmond and reaches down to lift Redmond's leg. Without Redmond allowing this it is clear boy cannot lift the foot. If allowed, boy examines the tread of Redmond's boots / footwear or the foot itself. Gives a nod, waves good bye to scamper after the othewrs. boy marches on the crater wall side of the group and watches for unusal track / sign. Occasionaly if there is a good tree for practice, he will loose a shot and scamper after misses, or retreive arrow from target. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon nodded a thanks to Redmond, saying, "Just remember that we'll need to be able to find you if you move." Turning to Pierce, "Why don't we tell the Gooselin's together. We'll need to break it to them gently. I think it would be better than riding up with his body draped over a horse." Pierce didn't know them and Solomon didn't know how to react to his assertion that people seemed to take things better from him. [Private to Pierce: Hey Pierce, I didn't want you to think Solomon was dismissing your offer. He just thought that two was better than one and that in case Pierce's claim was mistaken, he should be there. Solomon does have a level of Charismatic Hero and a fairly high Diplomacy modifier. So he's pretty decent at these things, in addition to the experience in breaking bad news to people from being with his father, the Reverand. Well, that and he might know them from the church.] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded in agreement with Solomon. "That sounds good. We should probably use the buddy system if we split up. Nobody goes anywhere alone." [Private to Solomon Sheperd: Pierce has two levels of Charismatic hero, and has the harmonious pheromone mutation. So with humans he has a pretty good bonus for interaction. heh heh heh. (Not that it does much against the buggems)] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond is slightly confused when boy attempts to lift his foot, but does so. Understanding dawns as boy looks at the bootprints, and he nods. "If we have to start moving, I'll scratch arrows into the trees every so often." He nods to the folks who are heading off. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi and Redmond stay behind and everyone else walks alongside with the horses to Farmer Gooselin's farm (a few people can actually ride there). The ride/walk takes an hour. As you approach, Solomon and Pierce break away from the group and head over to the farm first. The farm seems devoid of life. No livestock anywhere, not even a bird singing in the trees. Nothing. Pierce and Solomon approach the front door of the main house. They knock on the door. No one seems to be home. No one is answering. After a short while and seeing that no one is answering, the others approach the farm and are within hearing distance to Pierce and Solomon. Besides for the main, two-story house, there is also a barn, and a chicken pen with a hen house. . . . After the others have been gone about 30 minutes, Pepsi and Redmond hear some scratching/digging noises coming from the corn field in the direction of where the piles of dirt were. I wasn't sure how close you wanted to be, if you are within 30 feet you see the buggems digging out of the ground, otherwise the corn blocks your vision. I'm going into combat mode for you guys. Let me know how far away you intended to be from the dirt mounds. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- ((OOC: We were, I believe, planning on staying as far away as we could without losing sight of the dirt mounds. So yeah, just within 30 ft. Also, how many buggems? Just the three?)) Redmond crouches low in the corn, watching the buggems dig out. Hopefully, they won't notice him and Pepsi... ((OOC again: Ah, crap. *shakes head* Got a 13 on my Hide check. Redmond is really better at sneaking than hiding.)) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- There are 2 buggems digging out of the ground. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce looked around carefully, and drew his sword. He muttered to Solomon, "This doesn't look good. I think we're not going to find many answers here at all. Let's do a quick look around and then head back to Pepsi and Redmond." He nodded to Solomon for him to open the door. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy checks around for tracks / sign. Then climbs up onto the roof and surveys the crater-scape. Any carrion birds circling anywhere? [Private to GM: Trying to figure the advance of the buggems. They are meat eaters and if new to the valley, then with the feild and this farm is there a line I can trace back further to a crater edge?] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X inspects the barn, alert for any signs of danger and his rapier at the ready. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- "What was the last we heard from them? Does anyone know?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- Skeeter hangs out near the front door keeping one eye on boy and another on the surroundings with short sword at the ready. Responding to Apollo, "I haven't seen farmer Gooselin in some time. He's always bringing something by Oxarm's shop to be sharpened or repaired." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi nodded to Redmond as they noticed the creatures clawing back to the surface. He quietly pulled an arrow from his quiver. He laid the wooden projectile across his bow and slipped it onto the taught bowstring. He cast a side glance at Redmond before returning his full attention to the creatures as they pulled themselves from the ground. He carefully held up a finger to hold Redmond from any actions. Pepsi had ruled out a sneak attack. This was more an information gathering mission than an assault. If they creatures put them in a situation where they had to attack then they would either do so or flee. If not, they would follow them to where ever they went. Pepsi wasn’t sure but these things seemed to be more than just your run of the mill animals. They way they had killed the farmer told him that these things might be intelligent creatures, or at least above animal cunning. If his suspicions were correct, this could be a very bad situation. They would have a species on their hands who seemed very hostile to mankind. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- The two buggems apparently do not notice Pepsi and Redmond, and they start heading out through the corn field, in the direction of Farmer Gooselin's. --- X checks out the barn. There are lots of farming tools and hay in there but no livestock. The chicken pen has been broken into from one side where the fence is busted. Boy climbs on top of the house and looks around. [ Private to boy: About 100 yards behind the barn in a little wooded area you can see a rather large dirt mound, about 20 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter, with a hole in the top of it. There are some tracks, strange ones you can't recognize, around the dirt mound and heading that way. You don't see any birds at all. ] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- When Pepsi holds up one finger, Redmond nods. Silently, he draws a two pairs of brass knuckles out of his pocket, sliding one on each hand, and watches the buggems. When they start moving, he makes a 'forwards' gesture to Pepsi, and starts following the buggems as quietly as possible - which, given how large he is, is actually pretty quiet. At which point an unpleasant thought occurs to him - the others went in the same direction that the buggems are now heading... =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce went into the house and started looking around. He looked to see if there were any rooms that might have had signs of a struggle, and maybe places where someone (or something!) might hide. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy walks on the roof to the front porch, lays flat and sticks his head over the edge to look, upside down, at the front door. "pssst, skeeter. lookey here." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X checks around the barn and goes to see what boy has discovered. (OOC: I'm assuming he can see boy--and Skeeter?--near the strange mound only 100 meters away since X is already at the barn, but if not, then X searches around the barn to see how the animals might have gotten out.) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- Xavier Ashe typed:X checks around the barn and goes to see what boy has discovered. (OOC: I'm assuming he can see boy--and Skeeter?--near the strange mound only 100 meters away since X is already at the barn, but if not, then X searches around the barn to see how the animals might have gotten out.) [Private to Xavier Ashe: [ Private to boy: About 100 yards behind the barn in a little wooded area you can see a rather large dirt mound, about 20 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter, with a hole in the top of it. There are some tracks, strange ones you can't recognize, around the dirt mound and heading that way. You don't see any birds at all. If joining boy on roof, boy points ]] This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Wed 23 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X follows boy's pointing to see what he is pointing at. (OOC: Sorry, thought boy was searching around the mound, not on top of the roof.) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- Nimbly climbing up to the roof of the house, Skeeter looks towards the clearing in the woods that boy is pointing to. Skeeter whistles and says, "That's the biggest ant hill I've ever seen! Come on boy, let's get the others and let them know! Skeeter deftly climbs down the house and walks into the front door of the house calling, "Pierce! Boy has seen something just inside the woods beyond the barn. We should go check it out." When Pierce arrives, Skeeter begins explaining, "boy saw something that can only be described as a giant ant hill. It's just on the other side of the barn. We should go get X. I think he went to check out the barn. By the way, where's everyone else? I know Pepsi and Redmond stayed near the cornfield to keep a lookout." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi slowly moved forward and followed the Buggems. He took pains not to close on them and to make sure the creatures did not spot him. He motioned that they should skirt around the area where the Buggems had tunneled back out as to avoid any nasty suprises that might leap out and try to carve them like a side of beef. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi and Redmond follow the buggems for about an hour. As they are nearing Farmer Gooslin's main house, Pepsi and Redmond see the buggems dart into the trees behind the farm. It is now 2 pm, everyone is roughly in the same area (in or near Farmer Gooselin's farm). This means that the non-Pepsi group has had a chance to check out the house pretty well, and the barn, but no moves have been made to investigate the "ant hill" (although you all know it is there, about 100 yards behind the barn). No one was found inside the house. No sign of a fight or stuggle either. One thing interesting, however, was that one of the walls in the basement is caved in and there is a tunnel leading into the darkness there. Nothing else particularly of interest was found but I didn't think people were going through drawers and chests and such so as far as items go, the house hasn't been thoroughly ransacked. At this point, everyone can notice that a group of riders on horseback are approaching the farm. There are four of them. They are about a quarter of a mile off. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- As Khari approached the Gooslin farm on the sway-backed mare, he began feeling the unpleasant, but familiar, twist of anxiety in his gut. He had been suprised when approached by the Seargeant to go on this mission, since he did not realize the Seargeant even knew who he was. Khari always tried to stay in the background, not making any waves, just making his silly little gizmos and fixing stuff for folks. Apparently word got around that Khari had a knack for figuring things out, and that's why the Seargeant had tracked him down. In any event, here he was, on an old horse, with people he did not know very well (he never got to know anyone very well). He would much have prefered to walk with his feet on the ground, since he was not much of a rider and unsteady seats made him a bit nervous, but the Seargeant insisted. He liked being outside anyway, and as long as he had his Tool Bag (which currently jangled comfortingly at the mare's side), he figured he'd be OK. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce left the house cautiously. He didn't want to alert the makers of the tunnel to his presence. He thought it likely that the culprits were buggems, considering their known ability to tunnel, but didn't want to jump to any further conclusions. As he exited the house, he gestured to Skeeter and the others. Quietly, "We need to be quiet. There's a tunnel in the house. No telling how well whatever it is can hear. Any other news?" As he spied the newcomers, "We better warn them of the trouble." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon looked around at everyone. He looked over the the group riding towards them and back, "The whole town needs to be warned. I think we should send Dylan back to the town to warn the Sarge what he's seen out here so the sarge can organize a search for more of these 'ant hills.' We need to make a decision. I think we should go into these tunnels to save who we can and find out if there's a queen and kill her if we can. If we don't this whole valley might be overrun. It'll be dangerous. But this is what we came for." He looked around to gauge everyone's reaction. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- Keeping voice low, "That's awful to hear. The Gooselin's were taken from within their house. As far as news, there's just the large mound of dirt with an opening at the top. Kind of like an huge anthill. Boy is still up on the roof keeping lookout. X was searching around the barn. Redman and Soloman were keeping an eye on the corn field. Can't tell who the riders are yet, but your right. We should at least warn them of the danger." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- As he got closer to the farm, and saw people there engaged in some sort of activiy, the knot in Khari's stomach wrenched even tighter. Meeting new people meant he'd have to talk to them, and talking was something he usually tried to avoid. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce approached the newcomers and flagged them down before they got too close to the house. "We've got a problem here. Sarge sent us to check into some strange goings on, and we've found some pretty disturbing things. Farmer Gooselin was killed by some kind of giant bug-thing he called a buggem. We checked out the farm, and found a tunnel leading into the basement; it looks to be connected to some kind of large pit about a hundred yards back of the house. If any of you are planning on heading back to town, you better give sarge the warning and have him mobilize the people. Looks like it could be pretty nasty." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy while looking at the new comers from the porch, "skeet'r ?, how deep kan buggems dig, and why dig ?, y not build above ground ?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X is shifting from foot to foot in anticipation. "I think I'm going to go into that tunnel in the basement. If they are holding anyone for any reason, time is not on our side. Anyone else with me?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- Jiro brings the horse to approach the group, swings down from the mount, looks at Pierce bowing from the waist, keeping his staff always in his left hand and an odd blow slung across his back "Jiro", looking then to the farm interesting, what plans have you made?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- Apollo cracks his knuckles, "Right Xavier, I'm with you." He looks over the new arrivals with satisfaction, "Good to have you on board everybody. With any luck we'll be able to take care of the Buggem problem soon." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari dismounts his old mare, and retreives his Tool Bag from the horse's side. He approaches the others and begins the painful task introducing himself. " 'Lo...'Y na'e is Khari Saldeen. T' Seargent ask 'e to go here." The first part done, Khari wipes a bit of saliva from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. "C'n I see that tunn'l too? 'Aybee so'thin 'bout its 'struction will be usef'l" He nervously twists the top of his Tool Bag, and the clink and clank of the tools inside reassure him with their presence. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded to Jiro and the newcomers. "Good, gald to have you with us. These buggems are pretty nasty. We just looked around, and haven't really decided yet. The tunnel's in the basement, I'd recommend not going there by yourself." He glanced at the others who had been at the house. "I agree that we need to move quickly, however, we have to rmemeber that Pepsi and Redmond were watching the field. I think if we're going in there we need everybody Sarge sent us." OOC: Has Dylan already left? If he has, do the newcomers have someone to return the horses to town that way we can send additional word to town. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- OOC: No, Dylan is still with the horses outside. Also Pepsi and Redmond are present (they had approached from the corn fields). =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- "Then I suggest that we send Dylan back with the horses and wrn Sarge. While he's doing that we can go into the tunnel in the basement and see where that leads. Sound good?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, back in the woods, Redmond looks over at Pepsi, whispering to him. "Should we follow the buggems, or warn the others that they're here?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari unslings an oddly constructed crossbow. It has a wooden stock, but the rest of it seems put together with random pieces of pipe and metal. I looks effective however. "Ready..."he states with determination. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- To boy, "Don't know how deep the tunnels go, They are pretty big and the area they cover is pretty big given the opening in the house to the mound in the forest." Looking at Solomon, "Yes. Going through the tunnel in the house might be the best bet to sneak in. If they're anything like ants there will be more activity around the dirt mound if that's their main tunnel." Skeeter waives and greets the new comers. "Why don't we send the horses off to town with Dylan and a message to the Sarge and start rounding everyone up and head to the tunnel in the house. It's getting a bit dangerous to split up like this." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded his agreement with Skeeter. He slung his short bow and pulled the short sword. Right before entering the house, he grabbed a piece of jerky from his pouch and wolfed it down. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon nodded as well. He was glad to see that everyone was on the same page. He went over to the horses and untied his gear, placing it on the ground. A few seconds later, he had rearranged the gear between saddlebags and backpack and was lighting a lantern on the ground. Beside him on the ground was a substantial amount of kite string wound around a short wooden rod. Once the lantern was lit, Solomon checked the hood on the lantern to make sure that it opened and closed smoothly and picked up the bundle of string. Hefting it in answer to questioning glances, he said, "We can tie it off in the basement so we don't get lost. Hopefully." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- Apollo prepares to leave, "Yeah, don't worry. We'll just take a quick peek if things get out of hand." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- Jiro raises his staff level and gives it a slight twist, the staff breaks into three pieces, the centre piece suspended by chains, "lets get this over with." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari sets his Tool Bag down by a nearby tree, and camoflauges with a few loose branches. He figures it will be safer out here, and he won't have to make a decision to drop it to move quickly. He states his intentions briefly and to the point. "Goin' inside." He heads into the house and down to the basement to examine the entrance to the buggem tunnel. He takes his time to look for any clues that others might have missed. He also tries to draw on everything he has read or learned about tunnels and the critters who build them. (OOC: 16:40, Today: Khari Saldeen rolled 26 using 1d20+9. Search Check. 16:39, Today: Khari Saldeen rolled 13 using 1d20+9. Knowledge (Physical Science). 16:39, Today: Khari Saldeen rolled 13 using 1d20+4. Knowledge (Earth&Life) check.) This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Mon 28 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Phebe Irpeel ----------------------------------------------------------- Phebe continues observing these unfolding events, looking and listening rather than speaking, yet ready to lend a helping hand as needed. She greets the newcomers with a warm and gentle smile and nod, but remains silent for the time being. Whether her quietness is a reflection of spiritual calm, emotional grief from loss (and further potential loss) of life, physical discomfort from absorbed injuries, some other source, or some combination of the above, is not immediately evident. Her eyes regard the tunnel thoughtfully... [Private to GM: Questions: (*) How well does Phebe know the Gooselin family? (*) Does Phebe have any previous experience with buggems? What does she know of them? (*) What does Phebe know of the other party members (old and new)? (*) Any empathic/telepathic/precog impressions of any kind (either from party members, buggems, victims, or whoever)? (*) How long has it been since Phebe healed Pierce? Has she recovered any HP yet?] This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Mon 28 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- "Let's go," X says, and he leads the way into the tunnel. His rapier is held forward, both to poke at anything out of the ordinary and to ward off any sudden attacks. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded. "Let's go!" He kept the sword ready for action. To Khari, "If you have something for hand to hand, I'd recommend you keep it handy. Ranged weapons probably aren't going to be much good in the tunnel." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari listens intently to Pierce's advice, then nods, re-slings his crossbow and pulls a wickedly sharp handaxe from his belt. He starts into the tunnel after the leaders, carefully examining what he can see of the tunnel's interior surface. (OOC: BTW, who has the light source?) =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by boy ----------------------------------------------------------- boy climbs back up to the roof of the house and removes his bow, arrows and all his possessions, excepting his machete. boy adjusts and tighens his armor, and climbs down after wrapping his stuff up and tucking the bundle in the chimney. boy then runs to the barn and looks for a spade or shovel. Then boy runs back to the house and heads for the basement hole. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari Saldeen typed:(OOC: BTW, who has the light source?) "Sorry, but I have rope, you have had time to search, any lanterns of candles in the farm?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- Apollo smirks, "I don't suppose anyone has a mutation to shed some light?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- Solomon Sheperd typed:A few seconds later, he had rearranged the gear between saddlebags and backpack and was lighting a lantern on the ground. Beside him on the ground was a substantial amount of kite string wound around a short wooden rod. "Sorry, any other lights?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X, exasperated, turns back. "The farmer's got to have some light somewhere. Let's find it." He goes in search of a light source and, once finding it, will return to the tunnel entrance. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Leaving the buggems, Redmond heads over to the farm. "Hey, guys, we may have a slight problem. Those buggems you chased into the field just went into that big anthill out back. Should we maybe do something about that?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- Patting himself down, "Um? sorry I left the explosives in my other vest, feel free to find a shovel and start digging" looking over the group "We have light and we are equiped, a second light source would be handy though", Jiro will look though the kitchen and bed rooms. [Private to GM: grab any light source a light, tinder box or the like, and a knife(prefably large, dagger), forgot to put one in.] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Gama Master (GM) ----------------------------------------------------------- X and Jiro go to search for a light source. Several are found. There are two lanterns, and two flash-lights. The flash-lights are very rare, pretty much an artifact, but you have heard of them before and they are simple to operate. Jiro also finds a dagger. Who is holding what light sources? From what I can tell you have three lanterns, and two flash-lights. I will make up a marching order because I think it would take too long to sort that out via posting. Is anyone NOT going into the tunnel? [Private to Phebe Irpeel: (*) How well does Phebe know the Gooselin family? Not very well, they didn't make it into town much and of course Phebe wasn't in town much either. (*) Does Phebe have any previous experience with buggems? What does she know of them? She knows that they sometimes have a "leader" breed that is very intelligent that controls the "worker" buggems. She knows they live in underground caves that they can create themselves (they tunnel). Some of them have the mutation of gas generation which lets them use different types of gas, some poisonious, etc. They generally are not smart enough to have weapons but the "leader" breed of them would be. They do have very deadly claws and a deadly bite and they are pretty tough creatures. If allowed to spread, they could potentially kill off a town like Cedar Valley, as there will be no game or livestock alive (not to mention attacks on people). Oh yes, and one more thing. They implant their embryos in living creatures to gestate and grow, and when the young buggems finally hatch it kills the host. (*) What does Phebe know of the other party members (old and new)? You know them all by reputation. You would generally know that they are young, pretty talented people. Solomon you probably know pretty well since he spends a great deal of time at Darla Lockharts. (*) Any empathic/telepathic/precog impressions of any kind (either from party members, buggems, victims, or whoever)? You have to specifically use telepathy on a visible target that is within range, are you using it on the party members? I ask because you have to make a psionic power activation roll and that always has a 5% chance for "feedback". Precog will kick in any time you are in danger (immediately before then). Empathy is pretty much a social type skill. You do sense the fear in the party members about going into the tunnels. (*) How long has it been since Phebe healed Pierce? Has she recovered any HP yet? It was almost 2 hours ago so you've healed 2 hp since then. ] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- Jiro moves twoards the front three piece rod at the ready, looks into the hole expectantly adjusting his eye sight for the darkness "Do these critters have a weakness that we know of?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari picks up a lantern, though he eyes the flashlights with great interest. He lights it, and peers again into the hole. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X says, "Make sure you keep the path ahead lit very well." [OOC: X will not be carrying a light source because he needs both hands free.] =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- "Let's have one flashlight in front and one behind. I'll take a lantern if no one else wants one. Skeeter, you want a flashlight?" If he carries a lantern, Pierce will light it, but keep the flame low to save on fuel. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- "It may be an idea to conseve the flashlights just incase the lanters get wet, and we don't know how long they will last." "One lantern near the front and back and one in the middle, flaslights in between but off, Just a suggestion" Jiro locks his staff together again and starts the prod the ground ahead, "Can't be too carefull these days." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi joined the group without speaking to anyone. Redmond had said everything that needed saying and nothing could be added to it. He looked over the new comers then turned his attention to what was being discussed. It was only a matter of moments when he realized the group was planning to venture into the tunnels which had been found under this house. It took no longer to realize which party member had voluneteered to be the first into the hole. He cast a long glance at Xavier then shook his head twice before turning and walking to Solomon. "I get the feeling we are walking into a bad situation here, Solomon. We don't know where these things go. We don't know how many buggems there are. We don't know if they know we are coming. And if we go charging in like raiders hitting a defensless settlement then we are just asking for some pain." he said in a low tone. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- "Good point, we maybe 'hitting a defensless settlement', could you inform Farmer Gooselin of that". Jiro turns back to the tunnel again. This message was last edited by the player at 08:17, Wed 30 June 2004. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond sighs as Jiro speaks. "Listen before you speak. That's not what he said. If we go charging in LIKE raiders attacking a defenseless settlement, we're going to get chewed to pieces. Because the buggems AREN'T defenseless." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari took his lantern and moved quietly to the back of the group, taking the last position...not because he was afraid, however. During his solo explorations of the local valley, he had several occasions do defend himself, and even when things got a little hairy, it always turned out ok. Except for the odd fact that when he returned home, invariably, one of his gadgets would break or he'd cut himself with a knife or something. Fate correcting itself he guessed. No, he was not scared. In fact he was quite excited at the prospect of learning about new things. Those buggems must have an interesting life cycle, like ants or bees he supposed, and that gave him an idea... "Ha'e ya thought 'bout killin' t' queen? I't 'ight cause t' bugs ta be co'fused. Course, ya gotta git to her firs'. If we run in quick-like, 'fore the fightin' bugs can reac', 'aybe we c'n git in t' queen's cha...cham-m-m-mber 'n block it off." Having almost done as much talking in the last minute than he'd done all last month, Khari used the back of his sleeve to wipe the saliva off his chin, then massaged his aching jaw. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce tried to settle things down before they got too heated. "Redmond, do you and Pepsi have any recommendations on how to proceed? We were sent to find the lost kids and the other search party. We stand the best chance of finding them if we move sooner rather than later. Everyone, if we sart fighting among ourselves the buggems will have an easier time of dealing with us. Let's try to keep all of the infighting to a minimum, OK?" OOC: diplomacy roll for humans: 22, skeeter: 16. Not one of my better rolls. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Skeeter ----------------------------------------------------------- "Pierce is right. We shouldn't be arguing." Skeeter examines the tunnel opening for width and height to see how many persons can fit across. "Maybe we should enter in by twos, unless you think there's not enough room for two to fight in?" looking towards Pierce, Xavier, Apollo, Solomon, and Redmond. "Should we send the sneaky guys ahead to search? I know boy is a good sneaker and I'm pretty good myself. Or do you think we should put defenders up front if we get into a fight?" =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- "Since these 'defenseless' Buggems have already killed a man in cold blood right in front of us--a member of our community, nonetheless--I have no problems charging in and killing every last one of them." He turns to Skeeter. "Because my fighting skill is based on fast movements and dodging, I prefer a wide berth. But I do have other methods of fighting besides my rapier...although I reserve them for emergencies. Besides, they're less...glamorous than a straight fight. As for sneaking in, even a good 'sneaker' must remember he's walking straight into their natural habitat. I think force of arms is called for." That said, he walks directly into the cave, hoping someone with a light source follows. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Apollo ----------------------------------------------------------- Apollo follows after Xavier, "Chatting about this won't get us anywhere. If we find ourselves in a bad situation we'll handle it like last time. These things go down when you hit 'em hard enough, just like anything else." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Xavier Ashe ----------------------------------------------------------- X smiles. "Perfect way to put it, Apollo." =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pierce ----------------------------------------------------------- Pierce nodded at X and Apollo. He followed along, ready to deal with the buggems. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Khari Saldeen ----------------------------------------------------------- Khari, no stranger to being ignored, shrugs his shoulders and follows the others. He keeps his lantern held high to provide good light for the leaders, and constantly scans the tunnel sides and the yawning darkness ahead. He tries to discern a common theme to the tunnel construction, thinking to himself, Now where would ants store food...down below the main hole, or off to the side somewhere? He figures the queen bug is somewhere deep underground. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Jiro ----------------------------------------------------------- Jiro shrugs and thinks to himself Took their time, the kiddies have probably been rolled in sugar and served as sweets while this has been happening. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Pepsi ----------------------------------------------------------- Pepsi stood there looking at Xavier for several seconds before speaking. He seemed to be trying to control himsef. When he finally spoke, it was in an even and level tone. "I really don't like that guy." he said. He then turned his attention to Jiro and said to the new comer "And I'm not crazy about you either." He then turned and headed into the tunnel, placing his bow across his back and drawing his sword. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Redmond Jacoby ----------------------------------------------------------- Redmond shakes his head, already having second thoughts about this. At least my weaponry isn't constrained by small spaces... He follows the others into the tunnel, with a slight frown. =========================================================== Re: Team Alpha - Act 1 Scene 3 - A Chance Meeting by Solomon Sheperd ----------------------------------------------------------- (OOC: Sorry guys, my Hard Drive crapped out on me. It took me a bit to find the problem and fix it. But I should be good now. Khari, sorry, I'm not ignoring you. Solomon mentioned that we should go after the queen already. That was back on Saturday our time. He was pretty much ignored then too. So he has just moved on to more immediate problems. Like light and the dangers that will likely be encountered upon entering the tunnels. I chalk it up to us posting frequently and having to select what we respond to.<S> ) He looked over at Pepsi and nodded. "I know what you mean Pepsi. My thoughts too. We don't know the territory and it's possible that these buggems can bring down tunnels onto us. I say that we move as quietly as possible and if we encounter resistance, we take it out quickly. If just one gets away from us, it could warn all the others and we don't know how many 'others' there are. But Dylan is warning the town. We're just going after the queen and any eggs. If we get a few of them along the way, great." He turned to face the others, "There is a chance that we won't make it out of here. If you aren't willing to take the chance, now's the time to back out. As we move in, as the people in the front get injured, rotate back and Phebe and I will help out as much as we can. We should have a scout to warn us of trouble ahead. I'll take my turn at the front too," he said patting the rapier at his side. "At least that's my two cents." He looked around at the others to gauge their reactions. =========================================================== |