Through the Looking Glass

[ArcaneDesperado]

Samaa looked to Raalk as he tried to communicate with the Farrow.

We've moved about thirty or so of them. There are a few of the male warriors unaccounted for. Thankfully most have been able to flee, all the young ones have been moved to safety.

She looked over Raalk silently for a moment regarding his statement on futility. Finally she spoke her gaze showing a bit of disappointment. Her voice was firm and direct.

I will not flee while there is still a chance to prevent this fire from spreading. If not controlled this could reach the Genasi village. It could spread up river or further in to other settlements. Crops and other food sources lost. Thousands of animals displaced. It could cause other larger ones to panic. They could stampede villages causing other sorts of damage.

The Dragonkin looked away from the Trollkin long enough to cast another spell to cause the water to form and attempt to drench the nearby trees and hinder the ability for the fire to take hold on the wet wood and leaves. Samaa then looked back to Raalk.

If you need to leave, then go with the remaining Farrow and try and check them for injuries.

 

 

 

Edited March 17 by ArcaneDesperado (see edit history)

[Thot]

 Raalk Gremweld

Lady Samaa's answer wasn't at all what Raalk had hoped. "(Primordial) Have you ever fought the Judows ? The one I met was powerful, very powerful indeed ! If he comes here, or if there are others like him, I cannot guarantee your safety, My Lady. I will help and stand guard, but I urge you to make haste, and not do anything rash please ! (/Primordial)" And while he set to Fly and Create Water as much as needed, he also kept a lookout for any potential incoming foe, especially in the direction he had come frmo.

 

OOC

HP : 39 + 1 (Fast Healing) = 40

Effects : Protection from Evil (6 mns); Fly (6 mns)

 

Actions this round:

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Swift action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	1		2

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Samaa looked to Raalk again for a moment.

I dont not need to have fought the Judow to be able to see that there are innocents in trouble. Powerful or not. Many that are less powerful than me. Certainly less powerful than the Judow. Would I stand aside and let it through because I might die? Then all of those less than me would most certainly perish as well. At least if I stand as a shield there may be others that find safety in the time I stand in the way. What good does my life mean if I stand by and allow destruction to flourish where I may offer some comfort or protection?

Raalk would be able to create water through the rest of the duration of the fly spell. Between himself and the others creating the water, they would slowly be able to get the fires under control and keep the overall spread of the blaze taking over the jungle area. There would be no further sign of the Judow.

 

 

 

[Thot]

  

Raalk Gremweld

Seeing Lady Samaa's determination, Raalk yielded and helped as best he could - which was not unsignificant - but he prayed to Marinus and the Titans several times that the Judow didn't come upon them. His mission was more important than the lives of all those around here, Lady Samaa's included if it came to that. Could he resolve himself to abandon everybody ? He wasn't sure at all, and hoped he didn't have to make that choice.

Thankfully, it didn't come to that, and as things started to settle down, he conferred again with the Vayemniri "(Primordial) It is over now. Do you want to check on the escapees, or is there some other task that should take precedence ? I am neither familiar with this environment nor with those people, so I will follow your lead. If possible, most of all I would like to hear how this all started. (/Primordial)" because the Trollkin suspected the Judows to have an agenda, and while he wanted no part in it, he may have little choice at the end of the day if they controlled the area he was to go through.

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects :

 

Actions this round:

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Standard action : -

 

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	1		2

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Samaa, Vanora, and the other Genasi would do their best to gather the Farrow refugees.

For now, all we can do is make sure we help the injured and make sure the fire is contained. Trying to get this many into the Genasi village would cause chaos.

She signed.

As for how this started? Its the Judow. Their existence is to sow chaos. Fear. Wickedness. Maliciousness. It was likely random and just because they saw them with their guard down. They will slink back into the shadows as quickly as they came out with their spoils: Death and sorrow.

The Dragonkin shook her head.

My experience with them is limited. Not much more than yours. But I have heard enough from the Genasi.

Samaa finally sat down on the soft jungle floor exhausted from all the casting.

This is the closest I've heard of them coming to a main Genasi village in awhile. Given the target was the Farrow's settlement, but if the fire had gotten to the village...

 

 

 

[Thot]

 Raalk Gremweld

"(Primordial) It may be as you say, that it was pure chaotic opportunity. But they seemed more organized and purposeful to me than just that... (/Primordial)" The Oracle answered politely to the dragon-blooded woman, but he was dubious. On the other hand, he had had just one, very limited contact. Anyway, so long as he could cross the swamp, he wouldn't mind too much.

"(Primordial) When was the last time they ever came this close to the Genasi village ? And have all encounters with them ended in bloodshed like this one ? (/Primordial)" Raalk wasn't worried very much about the Genasi and the fire. If the jungle had been ablaze, they had enough resources to protect themselves. About the Judow's fould magic though, he wasn't so sure. Probably some balance had been found over time, he guessed.

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects :

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Swift action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	1		2

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Samaa nodded a bit.

The Judow only know bloodshed and chaos. One could say it comes from their ancestry, but that would be giving an excuse to their actions. And there is no justification to their evil. They are smart. They attack in militaristic fashion. It is the closest thing to order they understand.

She breathed a bit again as she gathered herself both mentally and physically . Finally she would push herself back to her feet.

This however is not your fight. You have other things to accomplish.

Samaa looked over at Raalk for a moment.

We should get back mounted and fly back to the village.

With that she would head back towards the dinosaur. It was a bit over stimulated from the recent events and would require her a bit of work to get it calmed down enough to ride again. Thankfully despite everything it was trained well enough that he hadnt decided to fly off on its own.

 

 

 

 

[Thot]

 Raalk Gremweld

Turnng his head left, then slowly right, then left again, Raalk sighed in fatigue too. Everywhere was chaos and destruction. Not despair, though, thanks to their help, limited though it may have been. Perhaps it would still count. He rose along with Samaa, and looked at her back.

"(Primordial) I have other things to accomplish, that is correct. In the Red Sands Desert. I am to find Lord Razorback, or die trying. (/Primordial)" he replied to the unasked question of the Sorceress.

"(Primordial) Given this attack, do you think I will be able to cross the Nico Swamp ? I must, if I am to reach my destination. (/Primordial)" and as he asked Samaa that question, there may have been the subtlest hint at more in it. But the moment was fleeting with all the danger around them, and the Oracle didn't dwell on it. He grabbed the dinosaur's reins and handed it to her, then climbed onto its saddle.

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects :

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Swift action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	1		2

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

The Judow are likely to keep more to the East once you are further up river. They arent well known to frequent the Nico region. Things can always change, but I see no reason for them to chase you.

Samaa mounted the creature and positioned it to take flight once again.

The village however will likely provide some sort of aid to the refugees now here. Vanora may become otherwise occupied.

She paused for a moment.

Perhaps I can see if they may allow me to provide you an escort instead. I have no gotten out of the village in a bit. And I can not lie, that your expedition for Razorback intrigues me. Perhaps it is something about my dragon ancestry that call.

 

 

 

 

[Thot]

Raalk Gremweld

Both news from Lady Samaa sounded good to Raalk, and despite his frightening meeting with the Judow before, he felt uplifted by her words.

"(Primordial) May Marinus hear you, and the way to the Red Sands be clear. And if you are allowed to come, I would be honored to travel with you. Perhaps we can see Desero's hand in our meeting. (/Primordial)" the Trollkin said as he double-checked he was properly harnessed.

Looking at the wreck of the village, and thinking of Vanora's duties around here, he added softly "(Primordial) Meanwhile, plenty of other events will happen here. Or are happening all over the world. It is hard finding and doing what really matters. (/Primordial)" thankfully his duty was clear, but the world was so vast, and he was only a tiny cog in it, if a proud and dutiful one...

"(Primordial) Do you require the Elders's leave to be allowed to leave the tribe ? You must be considered as one of theirs, and subject to their laws, right ? I can talk with them if you would like me to. I have already told Elder Eiche my purpose. (/Primordial)"

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects :

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Swift action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	1		2

 

 

Edited April 7 by Thot
Added "hook" (see edit history)

[ArcaneDesperado]

The next few hours in the village were a bit chaotic. Dealing with refugees and the fire that had occurred from the Judow raid. Some of the Genasi were a bit hesitant on the larger influx of outsiders but most were happy to help given the common enemy. Vanora had quickly gotten wrapped into the leadership role of organizing much of the medical care and feeding. Thankfully there was little lack of fish from the river's bounty.

After a while Samaa would make her way back to find Raalk.

"I've spoken to Vanora in one of the few moments of reprise she had managed during all this. We may take one of the mounts if we wish and push it to fly as far as it will allow before its territorial instincts want to make it turn back. We can set down and make the rest of the way to the swamp on foot. We will have to walk a bit more on foot than if we took the boat, but we will make better time in the long run."

She shifted slightly to show the large container at her side. The water elemental from before splashed around inside the glass.

If we leave now we can probably get far enough to make a camp still before it gets dark.

She motioned back towards the aviary

 

 

 

[Thot]

 Raalk Gremweld

While he was no great healer without his magic, Raalk tried to support the welcoming effort and the incoming Farrows as best he could. He had fought the Judows as well, and they had a common enemy indeed. So when Lady Samaa came to him while he was finishing applying balms and bandages to a young Farrow boy, he expected to hear about war parties or the like, not about a departure at once.

"(Primordial) My duty calls elsewhere indeed, but is it alright to leave right now with the village in such a state ? I am not such a coward as to flee as soon as the weather turns to storm. Unless you think I am the cause of the danger perhaps ? But I can't make such a boastful claim, I am no that foolish. (/Primordial)"

As the young Farrow left his ministrations, the Trollkin looked around. Dozens and dozens of wounded or frightened people. A couple more with some fight still in their eyes. Would that be enough ? On the other hand, would it make any difference if he mingled in their fight ? Certainly not...

"(Primordial) I would talk with Vanora before leaving, even for a very short while. And if we do, then yes, let's favor speed, I agree. (/Primordial)" At the least, he wanted to make sure of her mindset before leaving. And he owed it to her to say goodbye, at least.

 

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects :

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Swift action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	1		2

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Samaa shook her head a bit.

No, no one believes you the cause of this. This is just how the Judow operate. They will disappear into the jungle again for weeks, before deciding to show themselves again. Likely with another cowardly ambush. It could be further into the jungle, it could be further down river. It should be Farrow again, it could be the Mantis-people, or a different group altogether.

She glanced down towards the main village square and what would have been likely the council building.

Vanora is with the Genasi elders and the surviving Farrow tribe heads. It will likely be awhile before she is free again. She sends her apologizes, but she also understands that this isnt your land. And you have other pressing goals.

The dragonkin motioned at the elemental again.

She did give me your little friend here. So I think she is fine with the matter.

 

 

 

[Thot]

 Raalk Gremweld

The Trollkin looked toward the council building with a look of regret, but he understood that Vanora had very urgent duties to see to. And he had already spent much more days on this part of his travel than he was really comfortable with. He had needed the rest, and the Genasi support, of course, but he felt it was time to move onward indeed.

"(Primordial) Alright, you've convinced me. Then let's not waste more time. My package has been ready since we arrived here, so I need only a couple of minutes to go and pick it, and we can fly again one of those beasts thanks to you. (/Primordial)"

The Oracle looked at the little elemental fondly. "(Primordial) I hope we'll be able to release it soon, and that it will convey my gratitude. It belongs to this place, I guess ? It is not to come with us all the way to the Red Sands, right ? it would be anathema to it, I can't do that... (/Primordial)".

 

OOC

HP : 60

Effects :

 

Actions this round:

Free action : -

Swift action : -

Move action : -

Standard action : -

 

 

Already Cast :

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Slots	7	6	4
Cast	1		2

 

 

[ArcaneDesperado]

Samaa smiled, wiggling a clawed finger at the jaw.

We'll be able to release it before the swamp or there itself. I'm sure it'll decide when it wants to leave.

She turned her attention back towards the aviary.

Let us get things ready to go.

 

Samaa readied the beast quickly. Much of the saddle gear was already attached and ready to go. Finishing with the bit and bridle, she mounted with her bag already tucked inside a saddlebag.

Once Raalk was mounted she promptly shifted the pteranodon and snapped the reins to have it take flight.

Soaring over the jungle canopy and river was met with a welcome cool breeze as the sun began to set.

They would get several hours upriver before the sun threated to outpace them with its decent behind the mountain range to the west.

Finding a small clearing area by the riverside, Samaa would circle the creature a few times as they slowed their flight and came to set down. The gentle sound of the river's movement replaced the rushing wind of their flight.

I can see fairly well at night, but I think we're going to get as far as we can tonight. The pteranodon's night vision isnt the best. And its just safer. If you want to look for wood I can start setting up the rest of the camp?