[Game Thread] Freedom

[Admin Chuck]

Big'un seems to be holding up well to the strains of a life of slavery, in relative terms. Certainly he is not suffering quite as badly as some of the others. With confidence in Lanina's words the half giant has managed to keep the animal side of him under firm control, even while getting lashed for no other reason than the guard felt like it. Big'un knows that he and Lanina will get free somehow, it's not something to be thought about right now, but something to be held onto, something that gives him the ability to keep walking, to keep carrying bricks, to keep from ripping the face off of the next guard that whips him.

Closed in the hut with the others, ignoring the smell of thri-kreen musk and listening to the only person he currently cares about in this world Big'un remembers the months spent with Nazar Kol. He recalls the atrocities he committed simply because he was told to, and realizes slowly that he would rather be a slave than go back to that life. He doesn't much understand what 'Nina is saying about magic, but does get the gist that she can somehow get them more water.

Confusion enters Big'un's eyes as he watches Lanina stumble and slur her words. He hadn't ever seen her like this before, and concern rises to the surface of his slow thoughts. With surprising grace and tender care the half giant catches the elf as she falls and gently lays her on the ground. Big'un hears her steady breathing and realizes that she is simply exhausted, so he lays down protectively next to her and is soon also asleep.

[mountainbound]

After the conversation of the second night dies down, each of you quickly falls asleep, exhausted from the day.

You wake to the smell of cookfires at the canteen. Slaves are huddled in small groups all over the pens, gobbling down their meager breakfast as quickly as they can – before the signal to begin the day’s labor is given, or someone comes and takes it away. Many are still in line for the kitchen, looking worried that they won’t get their breakfast ration and waterskin in time.

The morning Adhani begins to sing over Tyr, signaling the call to mediate, so you know it won’t be long before it’s time to work. Luckily you were up early and got your food in time.

As Maunek attempts to hand Basha his water ration, a loud voice grates over his shoulder. “Oi, you! Yeah you, Kreen-fart! I’ll be taking that, and your breakfast.” A big mul from the back of the kitchen line strides forward, obviously thinking he has a better chance of stealing his food today than getting served. Who better to steal it from then two scrawny newcomers?

Head covered in tattoos, he looks upon the scholarly Raamite and tiny wilding with disgust. “You’ll both be dead in a week, so no use in wasting good food on your miserable guts. Hand over your waterskins, and the bickkies too!”

You’ve seen this mul smacking others around during the short few days you’ve been working on the ziggurat. He’s the leader of a gang of toughs that hangs out in one of the shanties on the opposite side of the pens. In moments, a bunch of his cronies are near him, leering at the halfling and Maunek. Some of them hold improvised weapons: a piece of cloth wrapped around a rock, a club made from a scaffolding post, “brick” knuckles, etc. The guards haven't made their appearance yet, and the templar never shows until after the Silent Hour, so it's the best time for roughing up newbies.

DM's Note There are two dwarves, two humans, and the mul gang leader assembled around Basha and Maunek. You can bet your last ceramic piece that if you give this mul your food today, tomorrow he’ll expect it. Though not immediately present, the rest of the party is close by and sees this happening. We are still waiting on Dravor’s dehydration roll.

[Admin Chuck]

Big'un sees the group of bullies step up to the halfling in his 'crew' and decides that something ought to be done about that. Considering that he has been that kind of person before Big'un has something of an understanding as to how their mind works, and knows that only a show of greater force will deter them from taking whatever they want.

The half giant casually strolls over to put himself between the mul and halfling, making a big point of looking down on the mul the others hear him speak for the first time. His voice is deep and rumbly, seemingly having to work its way up from his toes. "Mmmm you boys gonna wanna find yer sport som'ere else." This is followed by an solid cracking of his knuckles, paired with a flexing roll of his very broad shoulders. "Afore ya get hurt."

[zebedee]

Upon waking, Basha had groaned loudly, but had clearly been greatly helped by Lanina's healing touch. He had not had the chance to thank her the night before, as she had collapsed. He had looked to thank her as the sun came up, but she was still sleeping her exhausted sleep. Instead, he took a moment to gather his thoughtsTaking 20 on "Concentration"... retroactively :), letting his training help him focus on what he can control, and letting go of what he cannot.

He is still feeling the effects of his dehydration, and is glad to accept the water offered to him by Maunek. He is touched by the half-elf's sacrifice, and he smiles at the man. "Kakzim, his arms wide. Thanks to you, Maunek."

He is interrupted by the mul and his gang, and is paralyzed for a moment with indecision. Then Big'un arrives.

Basha takes the opportunity presented by the half-giant to quickly scan his surroundings for anything he could use as a weapon - preferably something he can throw, or a scrap of cloth he can make in to a sling.

[Birched]

Artek stands up immediately. His wounded arm throbs as he uses it to push himself up, and he sneers a bit from the pain. He's in a terrible mood and still mightily pissed off at Maunek, but he's been listening to the chat in the shack, and it's clear that he's got a better chance of getting help from the folks he spent the night with than from anyone else. He's got no more professional interest in interacting with Basha, seeing as his profession has changed from military envoy to slave, but he has nothing against the wildling either.

And he'll be damned if he's going to spend the foreseeable future being pushed around.

He's been silent all night, and he doesn't open his mouth now. Instead, he focuses his mind. Time to teach these idiots a lesson: 'don't mess with us.'

He steps up so that he'll be just close enough to affect the gangsters, but still protected by Basha and Maunek, and focuses his mind once again in an attempt to using 'demoralize' power
cost is 3 PP, and he successfully uses his surge without damaging himself (roll linked at end of post); 40' radius, DC 17 will, 5 min duration
affected individuals ('enemies') become shaken.shake his opponents' confidence.

rolls

[zebedee]

As tensions mount but don't yet break, Basha crouches suddenly. With one hand, he snatches a scrap of burlap he spies on the ground. With the other, he gathers a handful of stones. He stands back up, and tucks most of the stones unceremoniously in his loincloth. One he slips in to the burlap and begins to swing around, testing its weight and balance.

[Elucidus]

Lanina runs up beside Basha, picks up a larger rock and takes a defensive stance. "I don't think you want to be doing that. It wouldn't be in your best interest," she says trying to be diplomatic, but letting her anger get the best of her.

Rolls 14 on both diplomacy and sense motive.

[ShadowcatX]

Maunek smiles at the Mul and his allies, pulling himself up to his full height. "Fighting amongst ourselves is in no one's best interests. It will just make it harder to get through the day, for all of us."

OOC Diplomacy 9 And that's why I prefer relying on DC checks.

[zebedee]

Basha looks around in surprise at this sudden demonstration of unity from the random gathering in the hut. But he sees that the tide of this potential battle has turned, and he grins a feral grin at the mul leader. "The Edrak and the Jondrak at Maraka, yes?"

[mountainbound]

The mul is so bent on harassing Basha and Maunek that he suddenly has to crane his neck to see Big's huge frowning face directly over him. With perfect precision, Artek times his psionic assault, and penetrates the gang leader's mind at the very moment that Big cracks his rock-like knuckles.

You can see the whites of the mul's eyes, and he looks bloody well scared. It's everything he can do to not turn and bolt, but he instead takes a slow step backward, out of the shadow of the menacing half giant. It's then that Lanina comes forward, speaking calming words. Maunek, bolstered by the show of support, also tries his hand at diffusing the situation.

The mul takes another step back, a scowl on his face. "Oh lookie here! We got the whole Kreen family coming out to protect their own. Give me a break! C'mon boys, I can't stand the stench of 'em!" He turns tail and heads off toward the cantina, knocking food out of other slaves hands and pushing to the front of the line. You can't help but notice several other slaves snicker at the mul having to stand down. A few shout "Kreens!" but you're not sure if it's in support or derision. In any case, you've just cost the mul some prestige, and you can be sure he won't forget it.

Something else you can't fail to notice: the two dwarves who were backing the mul up... they haven't gone anywhere. They're like two hairless squares of solid muscle, and upon closer inspection you see that they are identical twins. When the mul turns tail, it seems like these dwarven brothers see an opportunity to gain some status in the pen, perhaps even to usurp the cowardly mul as leader of one of the slave gangs. And one of the brothers is not as little as he used to be. In fact, the "dwarf" on the left is now almost as tall as Big, and in his hand he holds a stolen stone-worker's hammer. The weapon is similarly re-sized to match his uncanny height. He growls at Big, stomping his enormous foot in the dry dirt of the pens.

His smaller twin is even quicker, and bolts forward toward Big, scooping up two great handfulls of sand and sending them straight into the half-giant's face. The last thing Big sees, before he has to shield his eyes, is the enormous, hammer-wielding dwarf prowling toward him.

Combat Notes Big: DEX check DC 12 or you are blinded for 1d4 rounds. Large-sized dwarf AC 15 Small-sized dwarf AC 17

DM's Note From sleeping several nights in the Thri-Kreen musked shanty, you really do stink.

[zebedee]

Basha is not about to stand by while the... friends? who came to his defense get attacked. He steps around Big's side to get a clear shot, then snaps his wrist and launches a stone from his improvised sling. It is a remarkably accurate shot, considering, and impacts with the smaller dwarf with astonishing force.

Combat details: Attack roll 22 (I forgot point blank shot in the dice thread) Expending psionic focus on Psionic Shot, total damage is 11 (I forgot the Strength bonus and point blank shot), 12 if Inspire Courage is already up. Feel free to edit post and damage if you feel the psionic focus is lost by failing dehydration check! AC 14, 14 touch, 11 flat-footed HP 29/32

[Elucidus]

Lanina sees the two dwarfs getting agressive. "Well if we are gonna do this." She says under her breath. She looks up to the sky, her eyes closed and face calm like a person who looks up in the rain enjoying the feel of the drops on their face. A bubble quickly builds over her head and as she opens her eyes and looks back at the dwarves the bubble burst spraying the entire area in a light she cast Bless (+1 Attack, +1 Save vs Fear (morale))cooling mist.

Combat AC 12, 12 touch, 10 flat-footed HP 20/23 *Blessed 1/3

[ShadowcatX]

Maunek locks eyes with the enlarged dwarf. His voice drops to a near whisper, but becomes authoritative. "You don't want to do this. You're out numbered, and we have a magic user on our side. Please, back down, there's no reason for us to fight. We're all slaves here."

OOC Psionic suggestion on the enlarged dwarf. DC 17 (18 if you're giving us focus). HP 21, AC 12 (10 flat footed), PP remainig 13.

[Elfman6]

Thron had wisely gotten into line earlier than the others, survival being more important to him than contemplation. It hadn't helped him much as many slaves seemed to have a similar idea to him. Apparently he was not the only survivalist here...That would actually make things tougher for him.

The usual sound of threats and intimidation reaches his ears as he receives his small allotment of water and dry bread which, inexplicably, still managed to have small vermin crawling in it. At the very best they are a bit of meat. At worst, I'm introducing parasites into my body. The half-elf watches them for a moment before taking a bite and chewing slowly as both bread and vermin crunched between his teeth. Not the worst tasting thing I've ever eaten I suppose. Thron looks at the bread again with a shrug, but before he can take another bite he feels the impact of something both solid and strong. The sky is very blue today the half-elf thinks to himself from his new position of prone.

Thron picks himself up and shakes his head as he regards the mul shoving his way to the front of the line. "Stupid half-breed" he mutters to himself as he turns away and discovers the earlier source of intimidation he had pointedly ignored. He isn't sure whether to be amused or annoyed that the people he was currently sharing a shelter with had been the source of it. Apparently the dwarf and his overly large kin have a few choice words to share though... He takes another bite of dry bread and chews, wincing as the hammer-wielding dwarf takes advantage of a possible opening created by his kin. What was that giant's name? I honestly don't know.

"Step left big guy! Unless of course you enjoy hammers to the face" he calls out from the forming sidelines. It is the least he can do to help. I suppose I should help, but druidic magic is not exactly unrecognizable. Better to be hated for this than tortured and killed for Kalak's amusement. He pops the last of the bread in his mouth and chews. It was going to be an interesting day.

[Birched]

Artek holds his action, waiting to see what happens with all the sudden movement. There are definitely more things he could do to help... but soon guards would come. And possibly reinforcements, which it would probably be good to know about.

His instincts as a soldier tell him that someone should probably be watching the situation around the situation. He takes a step back and perception roll: 19does so [link].