Following the exchange with interest, Phil remained motionless and hidden. This was more out of habit than anything else, as the whole situation seemed a lot calmer now. Still, there were "the others", whomever that might be.

Seeing as he probably wouldn't have much to offer in the "negotiations", he decided to move a further north, as that would probably be where "the others" would be coming from if they decided to join the party. They shouldn't be much of a threat if kids throwing rocks could keep them at bay, but he preferred safe rather than sorry.

OOC: Refreshed forum, which was probably a good idea..

Just as he was about to start moving, he saw five or more children jumping Lucas. He quickly retrieved one bowstring from the waterproof pouch under his shirt and attached it to his longbow. With a fluid motion he pulled an arrow out of his quiver but didn't yet pull the string or lift the bow - no need to give away his position just yet.

OOC: How many and what kind of arrows - blunt or sharp (no bodkin I presume) - do I have?

Peering hawklike down the valley, Vir kept watch over his two companions and the strange tribe of children.

Erring on the side of caution and prudence, Vir mentally suggested to the girl that she and her tribe ought to be truthful and forthcoming for his party to help them. And a touch more courteous.

OOC: How old are these children exactly? 12-ish?
Also, is it possible for someone to feel my psychic intrusions?

Arkades gave Lucas a rather dour look over his spectacles. "Thank you, my son, that'll be quite enough about my age." He thought for a moment as he considered the young woman. "I am a man of peace, child, not of war, but my companions are skilled in martial and magical disciplines. I will agree only on one condition - you alone may accompany us. These children must stay here."

He sighed, and spoke quickly to forestall any doubt. "I am a man of the clergy, my child - I do not lie, it is forbidden by my faith. I will swear by the Light I serve that if these good people may prevent it, no harm will come to you or your tribe."

He glanced about at his companions. "Does this arrangement suit your tastes, shield-brothers?"

So you're going to stay put? Just checking.

Your arrow is drawn. If you do acquire a target at any point in this round, just say so and you'll let loose. OK?

[I don't want you to lose your entire turn just drawing it, when you should be able to fire it if the situation justifies.] Just for simplicity's sake, we've always acted as if missile weapons had "virtually" unlimited ammunition - and, the ammo is sharp.

Still, we could always add "specialty" arrows to the merchants stock. Not a bad idea, actually. :)

OOC: Wait, processing remaining turns.

OOC: I was wondering the same thing.

OOC: I'm not sure. I believe traditionally in RPG's only those with their own psychic training or a rare natural gift can notice subtle mental intrusions, it's the big things (i.e., "Hey bandit! Stab your best buddy of twenty years so I don't have to!) that usually trip you up). I don't know how Stoic handles it, though - most of the stats seem to be behind-the-scenes to minimize the effects on our RP.

With the arrow still at the ready, Phil stepped slowly out of the shadows, revealing himself. "Father," he called out to Arkades, "is it wise to promise such things without knowing more?" He continued, "What if the others are just another bunch of kids, no more worthy of dying than these?"

You spot some 15 or more children still present in the treetops. (This is in addition to those below who are speaking to Arkades and Lucas) She has received this message and it will influence her slightly in the coming rounds, though she is brash and tough-willed, so I'm not sure how much it will bend her. We don't know for sure. From earlier, "A pudgy boy of no more than 10 years throws a clump of stones in your direction." It looks like they range in age from 8-12. Yes. Other mental wizards (Psionicists and Enchanters, for example), Knights to some degree (their resistance to magical charm effects), and other beings provided they are extremely intelligent.

Those who cannot feel the intrusion may still feel "a bit unusual" and grow suspicious upon repeated use. They will also be suspicious if the suggestion you make is far outside of their normal desires.

OOC: I meant to say that I "equipped" the longbow - i.e. my action this turn (I can only have one weapon equipped) - I shouldn't be able to attack until next turn.

Edit & OOC: And, yes, staying put - I want some distance between me and them

"Listen, Cleric. This is our army. Well, not all of it.... but much of it. They go where I go, and vice versa. I appreciate your concern, but we can handle our own. That said, if your men want to take the lead, be our guests!" "Oddly enough," she spoke, "I trust your words. Very well, but my fellows shall remain as reinforcements. Is that acceptable? What is your name, good Cleric?"

OOC: Everyone please hold while I process the next round.
OOC: Right, thanks for the reminder! The pace is flowing right now, easy to get lost.

I am changing your equipped weapon to Longbow right now.

New round:

Arkades - move up to 2 and act
Phil - move up to 3 and act
Vir - move up to 1 and act
Lucas - move up to 2 and act

You may resume speaking, if that is how you wish to use your turn. Vir and Phil cannot speak to the kids unless they move to the square with the tree bridge. (We're on the ground right now, though, just as a reminder.)

"Very well," she says, "Father Arkades, well met. And you are, Sir Knight?"

She motions to a few strong boys beside you who gently lift you to your feet.

"My name is Kalix. I am the chief of this tribe. This, here," she nods, pointing to the overweight boy that hit you with a rock, "...is Kale, my second in command."

"Now, in case you were wondering, no, there are no adults among our number, save one, who lives just up the valley there," she says, pointing to the northeast.

[She is more talkative now because of Vir's telepathic implantation]

"All of the rest are gone... dead. After Northport fell to the invaders***, we took to these woods. Our adults would venture out each day to pick berries and gather nuts to nourish us. In one day, we lost half of them to the monkey cult. They left... but never returned. We found their bodies strewn about, torn in two."

Kale chimes in, "Some cult sacrifice, I'd say!"

Kalix continues, "The rest led an assault against their compound in the days that followed. When they did not return, we took arms for ourselves. A few of our number had already undergone preliminary military training. They have done a great job preparing us for the battle to come."

Kale interrupts, "The Chieftess has done a super job, but you should be aware of what we're up against. The cult freaks are small in number, ain't but a handful of them in total. But as best we can tell, they went ahead and right on summoned their god to this plane."

"Oh, I know that sounds funny, but we've heard it in the night. It makes strange noises, very strange noises. Ain't never got a look at it, don't know nothin' else about it, but I know the damned thing goes wherever they go. Follows 'em around, it does! I heard it the day our adults... our parents and whatnot, the day they," he begins to choke up, "why the day the blasted monkey god cult killed 'em."

Kalix continued, "Now we tried to work it out with them, we offered them a favorable deal. They would get the lands to the west, all of 'em, if they wanted... but they would have to leave their compound and never enter these woods again. You know what they said?"

"They said 'we need these woods, our god needs these woods'," Kale fumed, "the bastards need these woods. Some of us need our mommies and daddies, didn't see them bringin' them back from the grave, oh no. Ain't no peace to be had with the bastards!"

Kalix finished, "We march today. Now. Are you in or out?"


*** = "the primitives"

Remaining turns:
Arkades - move up to 2 and act
Phil - move up to 3 and act
Vir - move up to 1 and act
Lucas - can still speak

Phil relaxed his grip on his bow and walked over to Lucas and Arkades, discretely positioning himself off to the side at a short distance but not so far away that he would have to raise his voice to talk to them.
OOC: Moving one space west.

"Well met, Kalix," he began, "my name is Phil Harper. I'm with the father and the knight standing before you." He paused, trying to organise his thoughts.

"Hunting such a beast as you describe without a plan sounds like suicide," he began, almost following up with "are you that eager to rejoin your parents?" but thought better of it. "None of you've actually seen it, you say, but you've heard it at night. Have you seen any tracks that might belong to it? Or animals that it has killed?" Thinking some more he added, "have you only heard it at night or during the day as well?"

Kalix tilts her head down,then glances back at Lucas and Arkades, "another, eh?" "If we sit around, it will return and we will be dead, anyway. Oh, it will come after us... rest assured. This time, we're going after it and with your help, we will beat it. But do not take us lightly, for you have much to learn about us."

Finishing those words, Kalix motions to Kale.

Kale whistles. Children emerge from the treetops, sliding down the rope. Others jump out from the bushes. Startled, you begin to count... 10.... 20... no 30... 40.... 50? More than 50?

They circle the entire area, watching the discussion intently. You guess that they range in age from about 7 years at the youngest to 14 years as the oldest. Oddly, there are no infants. "Day, night, both.... but no one has ever seen it," replies Kalix, "We have seen the cultists enough. We have met with them in person. We doubt that any human could make such noises as this beast. Plus, we know that they revere the monkey god. So what other explanation is there?

"Are you with us, Phil?"

Remaining turns:
Arkades - move up to 2 and act
Phil - can still speak
Vir - move up to 1 and act
Lucas - can still speak

"I see you have made up your minds. I can't say I like the idea of rushing blindly into battle against something capable of ripping a grown man in two, perhaps even a god if what you say is correct", he replied in a sombre voice. "But," he continued, "it seems Lucas has already accepted, and where my companions go, so do I. I'm with you."