Prehysterical

The song suggestion now makes me wonder how SMART is going to squeeze "Terror Time" into the campaign at some point. Pirates of the Caribbean seems a good fit, or the Horned King's minions...

HP: 56/56 (+11) | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +1 | Stealth: +1 | Armor Class: 17 Kronk is more than happy to let Mulan take the lead. The man might be a bit of a coward, but he would follow her in, regardless. Besides, it seems like he might lose track of which way is "up" down here. He stops short when he hears the voice, surprised that someone so pleasant-sounding could be in league with Ursula. Wait... did he say his Sundial?! "Focus, Kronk! Your friends are depending on you!" "Friends, nothing! You're not going let Ursula show you up to be a big wuss, are you? Besides, Glut's in there and we've got a score to settle. He'll be a 'Glut-ton' for punishment by the time we're done!" At once taking his angel's advice and banishing both his inner angel/demon duo, Kronk straightens up. Twenty-four hours sounds like a ridiculously long amount of time... which means they're likely going to need every second. "Never thought I'd say this about a villainous death maze, but... yeah, let's get in there. Ursula won't catch us slacking! Oh, and let's use as much healing as we can to go as far as we can. If you get hurt, I'll see what I can do."

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 As they trudge along, Ghost begins to wonder about the desert tyrant. Was it normal for them to make so much noise? She could have sworn that they were ambush predators... Ghost's musings are interrupted by the ticking of the talismans onboard the crawler. Her skin crawls underneath of her wraps at the memory of the radiation burns healed mere days ago. She could so easily have lost her life in that cave, fumbling around for the corpse of the slaver. Now, she might have to do it again. Fighting anooba is one thing, but woodoo are game that require heavy weapons. As she considers the local terrain, however, a thought occurs to Ghost. "Do you have any blasting charges or mining explosives? Collapsing the entrance would be the easiest way to do it. It would also keep us away from the entrance. We have been fortunate so far. I do not wish to test our luck further."

HP: 56/56 (+11) | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +1 | Stealth: +1 | Armor Class: 17 Nobody in the group knew better than Kronk that Ursula was not unstoppable. Even the mightiest villains had to take a loss now and again. Just because that was true didn't mean that beating Ursula would be easy. Still, the confidence in Moana's speech and the others buoyed Kronk's own confidence. Once they were through the portal, Kronk tried to reassure Moana. "Hey, I'll try my best, cupcake. Getting in the way is kind of my job... and hauling things. And punching. Aaand healing." If anything, he seemed even more unsure than Merida. The helmet on his head allowed Kronk to breathe as if he wasn't underwater, but it still took conscious effort of will not to panic as he floats in the water. Sure, he would go swimming in the lake with his Junior Chipmunk Scouts from time to time, but now... Kronk was literally out of his element. At least his cardio was translating well underwater.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Ghost goes over a map with Akkit, outlining the paths being taken by the other clans. That information might be useful once they strike off on their own again. The Omlaut meet might also prove useful, but they would need to be in the area and have something worth trading.

Having calmed down a bit, Kronk lightly waves off Moana's offer. "I think... I think it's fine. He seems like a chill little guy. I guess if he wants to hang out, I can give him a chance. Thanks for being so understanding about it. Maybe the next tattoo will actually be for you." Realizing that much of his equipment would not survive their underwater journey, Kronk sets aside several of his adventuring and cooking supplies. While Merida discards the myrmidon helm on account of her voluminous hair, Kronk slips it on over his head. He always wears a little cap, so it doesn't cramp his style too much. As their time of departure nears, Kronk remembers something and taps lightly on Merida's shoulder. Three adventures in a row together... At this point, Kronk might as well start bringing snacks. "Uh, hey there, Merida." Kronk speaks in a low voice, more out of embarrassment than consideration. "Since we're going to be working together again, I just want to say... if I fall asleep during battle, go ahead and just shoot me with an arrow to wake me up. I'd... hate to be power napping while anyone's in trouble." The big man casts his eyes down, still ashamed after how their last adventure in the mines ended.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Thankfully, Akkit seemed reasonable in his expectations. Hopefully, the other half of the wreck would provide more profit. If so, the Jawas might be more inclined to share the wealth. After getting some food into her, Ghost has to take a moment to translate Sophic's slang. Once she parses the meaning, Ghost nods her understanding. While Aosa tries to circulate among the populace, Ghost climbs up to find Akkit. She sits down to lower her height and put the Jawa leader at ease before speaking to him in the Jawa Trade Language. "I have not had the chance to ask... How is Bruha doing? I have not heard any word of Clan Kekit in many moons. I worry sometimes. We all remember what happened to Clan Nkik." Ghost's gloved hand grips tightly around the haft of her gaffi stick at the thought. Clan Nkik From what little information I can parse, I think Clan Nkik was the name of the Jawa Clan wiped out by the stormtroopers in A New Hope when they were trying to frame the Tusken Raiders.

Kronk will be leaving the vast majority of his supplies at home. However, he will take the Orange Alchemy Jug just in case there is some niche application.

HP: 56/56 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +1 | Stealth: +1 | Armor Class: 17 Despite still being at surface level, Kronk still feels enough out of his depth with the current conversation that he remains silent. When Moana comes up behind him to get his attention, Kronk feels a small amount of relief. That relief swiftly vanishes in the face of confusion as a previously unknown tattoo on Moana's arm starts waving at him! He trusts Moana enough to extend his own hand for a shake, but the feeling of the ink figure crossing over onto his own skin is enough to cause Kronk to withdraw his hand as if bitten by something. Kronk stares, wide-eyed and gasping, as an intricate tattoo begins to cover his right arm. His forearm is soon covered with inky black jungle trees, their leaves sharp like razors, and angry jaguars burst forth from the canopy. From his elbow up, a mountain rises with a stone temple sitting at its summit. At the top of the pyramid, lounging like Emperor Kuzco on a lazy day, was Kronk's new companion. He looks at Moana uncertainly, at the very least thankful that it's not some magical curse. "Uh... Thanks, I guess? Does Maui do this kind of thing often?" Flexing his arm causes the trees in the jungle to shake, the jaguars to stir angrily, and the little ink man stands up to flex dramatically at the summit of the temple. I really hope this thing can come out, somehow, or else I really don't know how I'm gonna explain this to Papi... Kronk notices there is a small bit of writing arching over the top of the temple. Amazingly, it appears to be written in Quechua. He squints as he reads it aloud: "'Macho Picchu'... What does that even mean," the mountain of a man wonders in bewilderment.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Ghost remains silent, happy to let Sophic do the talking. There is nothing useful she can add.

Wow, that sounds especially useful for Kronk given his limited spell slots! Now he can dish out even more smites! I will be keeping that, then, and the 700 gp. That sounds like a perfect thing to explore in-character! To actually address your question, Kronk is mostly self-taught with some training from his Papi and his Junior Chipmunk training. I always fluff his divine magic as the universe basically handing Kronk a free ball for taking it on the chin for other people so much. (Btw, recommend watching The Emperor's New Groove at some point. It feels sooo different than a typical Disney movie. Love it or hate it, it's not generic.) That's what happens when you literally rip a good 12 minutes of the film out. (No seriously, that's real; go check that out. People used to be CRAZY about film lengths back then.)

Yeah, I'm going to wait until I know what a mage stone is before finalizing my decision.

Kronk isn't really that great with water, but maybe it might be useful for him to carry the sundial? If it's as heavy as Ursula says, Kronk should be able to carry it on his back no problem. The man is basically a two-legged taxi service.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Ghost holds up her hands, surprised by the sudden escalation of hostility between the other two. In Basic, she tries to defuse the situation. "We are all in agreement not to hurt our hosts. They have shown us hospitality and are no threat. However, it does seem that they are disappointed with the salvage. The well of hospitality may run dry sooner rather than later. We should not grow too comfortable with the sandcrawler as a shelter." The last sentence in spoken in a wry tone, as she knows that no one is truly comfortable with their accommodations. "Akkit may have information that we can use to find our way to one of your settlements. As long as we have a goal and a direction, I can find the path. If we can convince him to part with some tools or supplies, that will make it easier." Ghost pauses for a moment before suggesting, "Perhaps the field team might be willing to vouch for us. Had we not been here, the anooba would have easily killed them. Despite what others might say, Jawas do have a sense of gratitude." Hefting her borrowed blaster carbine, Ghost admits, "At the very least, it would be nice to have a rifle again. If I can hunt for us, that opens up many opportunities. Even a tarp or canvas would be helpful. If we can set up shade whenever we need to rest, we would be less reliant on the canyons and caves. As you have no doubt learned by now, predators seem to like those just fine."

HP: 56/56 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +1 | Stealth: +1 | Armor Class: 17 Before Kronk could answer, a familiar evil laugh made him sag in weariness. Oh no... He knew that voice... And there she was, the Queen of Mean, the Dealer of Poor, Unfortunate Souls... If she was here, then things must be really bad. Pete was one thing, but Ursula was on another level of vicious and manipulative. And of course she had to bring her fish cronies with her. As it turned out, bad didn't begin to describe it! Kronk watched with his jaw sagging nearly to the floor as Ursula's magic revealed the most powerful villains in the world in one room, conspiring to revive the Lord of the Dead... Wait... Where was Yzma?! All things being honest, Kronk wasn't the smartest cookie, but... why couldn't Ursula just move the Cauldron? That and half a dozen other questions ran through Kronk's mind, but if there was one thing he had learned from his years of being a henchman, it was to not open your mouth during a villain's monologue. Unfortunately, the Princess Academy didn't offer Minion Etiquette 101 and it showed. They had already hit the Heroic-and-Villainous-Witty-Banter stage of confrontation, which (usually) was two steps before complete breakdown in negotiations. Wait, scratch that. Mickey had already escalated to Physical Mockery. Time to step in before the tenuous truce snapped like a dragon's jaws. Getting down onto one knee, Kronk knelt beside Mickey and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "Hey, take it easy, little Mick. You don't work for someone like Yzma without learning to take a few insults. It's not worth you getting hurt, little buddy." Kronk looked up from comforting Mickey and met Glut's angry stare with uncharacteristic steel, an unspoken promise to repay violence in kind should it come to that. Looking over his shoulder, Kronk tried to console Eilonwy. "Even if we started running right now, can you breathe twenty thousand leagues underwater? I get that you want to get the Cauldron back, but we need to prepare." His gaze drifted back unfavorably to their atrocious "guest". "It's Ursula's game, and she makes the rules."

HP: 56/56 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +1 | Stealth: +1 | Armor Class: 17 Kronk had never met anyone who laughed so much and yet sounded so genuine! Mickey's positive energy resonated with him on a spiritual level. He found himself surprised by Moana's directness. Plenty of people had complimented his food, but very few had ever asked him to actually show them how to do it. It seemed natural in her case, though. She was surely used to an entirely different list of ingredients than what they typically used here at the castle. For his own part, Kronk wasn't really familiar with the tropical sea-faring diet. He personally knew the ocean as That-Place Where-Fish-Come-from and The-Infinite-Water-Where-You-Get-Lost-and-Die. "Oh, yeah, sure, uh, no problem. I'm always happy to help someone in the kitchen. Honestly, it's easier to bake down here than it is up in the mountains. The elevation difference requires several tweaks in the recipe to make it work and- Anyway, we'll keep it simple at first and then we can get into technical stuff. Maybe biscuits in a cast iron skillet would be a good place to start. Light and fluffy as a cloud when you do it right. 'A little pepper in the dough and you're good to go', as my Papi would say." While Mickey tried to disentangle himself from his well-intended misstep, Kronk glanced up and saw Rapunzel starting to shrink back. He understood that sentiment all too well. It was how Kronk had felt when Papi had taken him to a neighbor's barbecue. Papi had wanted him to sit down and listen to some "man talk", but Kronk had been a small child and horribly out of his element. It ultimately ended with him settling quietly on the edge and waiting for the get-together to be over. Kronk's lips had barely begun to part before he felt the unseen tine of his shoulder devil's pitchfork on his ear. He slapped at the sting as if it was a fly. "You don't gotta tell her nothing, big guy. Nobody gave us the heads-up when Merlin first called us. She's gonna figure it out for herself soon enough. Wouldn't it be nice to be one of the first people to know for a change?" "By that same logic, wouldn't it be nice if someone had warned us of what we were about to get into? We all know that she's a nice young lady. She hasn't done anything to deserve having that information withheld from her." An unheard raspberry was the devil's response. "That's just it: she hasn't done anything! Look at all these princesses! All of them waited on hand and foot by the servants here at the Academy! The only time they have to lift a finger to do anything is when they have to flip a page!" "I bet you wouldn't say that to Princess Merida." "...Quiet, you." Kronk brushed through yet another battle for his soul and gave Rapunzel an encouraging smile to welcome her. "I'm not gonna say too much, since I obviously don't speak for Merlin, but, uh... he's called you here because he thinks that you can help with something. Now, I know that saying 'evil is up to no good' is like saying 'the sun is hot' or 'mountains are tall', but there's been things going on that he has him recruiting people that he can trust. If you're here, princess, that means that Merlin trusts you with helping everyone great and small. It's kind of an honor, really... even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes," he reluctantly admitted. "And if you don't believe me, you can ask Princess Merida. She's been the one who really gets things done around here." Kronk looked at Merida and gave her a nod of respect.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Ghost listens with obvious curiosity as Aosa tries to explain the nature of interstellar civilization to her. What she describes almost boggles the mind. A city large enough to cover an entire world?! The towns on Tatooine already seem bloated enough. To not even see the sun... Her mind could not comprehend it. The Eyes are an immutable part of life, as much as the sand crunching under their feet. Small wonder that Aosa feels so out of place. The description of Sophic's fallen homeworld prompts a gesture of sympathetic grieving from Ghost. "I feel your loss. That is what happened to our people. Thousands of generations ago, this world was green and blue, like the worlds beyond. Water was everywhere and so was life. Then invaders came from the stars. Our world was but one in their empire. They made slaves of our ancestors, who suffered until the pain of living became worse than the fear of dying. The invaders were driven from our world, but they turned their superweapons against us in their loss. Our world was shattered and melted, the oceans hissing into steam and the land cracked and melted into glass. Our people had to hide underground for countless seasons. Only when the surface finally cooled did our ancestors have the chance to enjoy their freedom... but their world was changed forever." Ghost's hands move through a series of Sign, her fingers easing through a deliberate flourish and her voice taking on the reverence of a mantra. The words had been with her for her entire life, in the stories told by elders around the camp fire. "From our freedom came rage. From their rage came the end. From the end came glass. From the glass came the sand. From the sand came the desert. From the desert came Tatooine." Her hands become still and Ghost is silent for a moment, as if in a trance, before turning back to look at Sophic. "I pray that your people will find more success than ours did."

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Ghost is caught off-guard when Aosa refers to her as a fighter first and a woman second. That... feels good. Ghost is so used to it being the other way around. As the conversation reaches a natural lull while all of them contemplate the fates they had narrowly avoided, Ghost notices one of the urusai is not so focused on the buffet of carcasses available. With such a rare bounty, both male and female urusai have arrived to partake in the blood feast. This one particular male seems to regard this as a prime opportunity for trying his luck. Among the native species of Tatooine, urusai are an oddity. The females have the standard array of quadrupedal limbs and legs, but the males also sport an extra pair of smaller wings. It makes them easy to tell apart. Ghost watches as the opportunistic male rears back onto his flat tail and holds the rest of his body aloft while puffing out the blue waddle on his neck. Each wing sports a blue eye pattern that contrasts strikingly against the stark white skin of the wing's underside. This beast had been her clan's totem. To them, it was a survivor and a flamboyant symbol of masculinity. She has never liked the urusai. Not because they are scavengers, but because of their saggy skin and wattles, which even the females have. They look like old people to her. "Why do you come here?" So lost in thought, the question is out of Ghost's mouth before she even realizes it. She blinks and realizes that the thought is now out in the open air. "Not you two, I mean," Ghost hastily clarifies to them both. "Obviously, you had no choice. So often, I hear outsiders complain of living here. 'The heat is too much!' 'There's miles and miles of nothing!' 'Only thieves and murders live here!'" Ghost looks up past the Eyes, to the space beyond them. "I hear that there are worlds out there with so much water that you can drown in it. That there is more greenery than your eyes can see. Places where the heat of the desert has never touched." She looks between the two off-worlders, at a loss. "If such places do exist, and many consider this place so miserable, then why do they still come?"

HP: 56/56 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: +1 | Stealth: +1 | Armor Class: 17 Kronk sighed as he pulled a fresh batch of avalanche cake from the oven. Why did these heroic summons always seem to happen when he was in the middle of baking? "That's because you're always baking, doofus," his shoulder devil reminded him. "When's the last time you dished out some knuckle sandwiches? Or went to pump iron at the gym?" "Don't mind him, Kronk. Merlin has asked for you yet again. That means that he trusts you, Kronk's shoulder angel reassured him. "Considering that your boss is a maniacal madwoman, that's saying something! Everyone appreciates your help in the kitchen and on the battlefield." It was unclear how metaphysical concepts had an esophagus, but Kronk could still hear his shoulder devil gag on the very sentiment. Setting aside his mittens (which also served as a convenient way to banish those intrusive thoughts), Kronk looked over to Tiana working on her beignets. "Not trying to be a flake here, Tiana, but Merlin wants me over at the Mage Towers again. I'm sorry to leave you hanging, but something tells me that whatever this is about, it's more important than putting the ice frosting on this puppy. It's too bad... I was looking forward to seeing the look on Elsa's face when she got it." Putting his extensive cardio to work, Kronk hoofed it over to the meeting hall. As he walked in, the tall man found himself surprised by all the new faces present. It almost made him self-conscious, but seeing Merida reassured Kronk (to his surprise). It seemed like Merlin was calling in more help for all the evil shenanigans that seemed to be developing. Kronk smiled nervously and gave an awkward wave. "Uh, heeeeey. Sorry I'm late. Hope I didn't hold anything up. I was in the kitchen." Looking down, Kronk was reminded that he was, indeed, still wearing an apron. He had a bad habit of running off with these... Maybe invest in a battle apron? Ah, but any sort of blood stains would be impossible to get out... not to mention highly unsanitary. "If I had known there were going to be so many people here, I would have brought snacks." Embarrassment prompted a half-hearted chuckle. Once Kronk's eyes fell on Mickey, however, his awkwardness melted into a gentle smile. Such a cute little guy! Animals had always been so much easier to talk to than other people. Despite being more than twice Mickey's height and seven times his body weight, Kronk bent his knees to crouch down and talk to the mouse closer to his level. He extended his hand in an offer to shake. "Hey there, little mouse friend. Name's Kronk. You a wizard like Merlin? You certainly look the part."

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 "With the grenade," Ghost explains. "It made the battle so much easier. If the anooba had been at full strength, I fear what would have happened to the others. Not only that, but using your magic to bring it over. No one else could have done that. You have a gift. Is that why the slavers wanted you? Or did you keep it secret from them?"

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 While Ghost had grown accustomed to the smells of Jawas and their holdings, even she finds the stench difficult to stomach. She accompanies Sophic toward a position where she can watch over the entrance to the canyon. "Your quick thinking saved lives today. Probably all of us. Yours is a good and powerful medicine. I am glad to know you." Notably, Ghost chooses to communicate this in Basic rather than Tusken Sign.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Relief. Pure relief. Ghost's shoulders slump as the tension was finally releases. Thank the ancestors that beasts have sense! Most any creature knows that a potential meal is not worth death. Ghost begins sliding the rope harness back toward Sophic so that she can regroup from the others. Thankfully, it seems that she had been up high enough that the anooba had posed no threat. As she does so, Ghost looks toward Aosa and tells her, "Thank you. That grenade saved all of our lives. The ancestors smiled on me when our three paths crossed." Ghost's hands still on the rope as she realizes how that might sound. "...I am sorry. That was selfish of me. Far better if you had never been taken captive at all."

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 4/6 Feeling around herself, Ghost breathes a prayer of thanks to the ancestors that she didn't catch any shrapnel from the blast. She almost feels sorry for the shredded piles of meat that, only mere seconds ago, had been living and breathing creatures. Ghost shrugs off that pity and drops her gaffi stick. Now that the anoobas' numbers are thinned, there's no reason to block the firing line of the others. Unslinging the loaned blaster carbine from her shoulder, Ghost aims at one of the miserable survivors and fires. OOC Free action to drop the gaffi stick, move action to draw the blaster carbine, and fire at D6. The shot goes wide. Ghost chides herself mentally at letting the suffering of these scavengers affect her.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 25/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 5/6 OOC In Saga Edition, Withdrawing is a Move Action, so Ghost will get one more swing off before falling back to D9. She will swing at F5, the healthiest looking one. Ghost grits her teeth from the pain as an anooban beak-jaw clamps down on her leg. Pain is death. Fear is the mindkiller. Survive. Once Ghost translates the word "frag" to "grenade", she makes a wide sweep with her gaffi stick to buy her some room before falling back to the rest of the scouting party. She doesn't need to be told twice.

Female Tusken Raider Scout 3 HP 36/36, Condition Normal Damage Threshold 15 Defenses: Fort 15, Ref 18, Will 15 Force Points 5/6 OOC Charge from E9 to E6. Same rules as last turn. Down in one swing... The grenade must have done more than Ghost had given it credit for. More anooba are coming and fast. Someone needs to stem the tide. Those beaked maws will make short work of the Jawas should they close. With a fierce Tusken war cry, Ghost charges forward to add another skull to her tally.