A koan for Kara

[turtledunn1191]

((Sense Motive, before post

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+6:	(11) + 6	Total = 17

))

[Corwyn]

After briefly talking with Khirszat, Kara gets the distinct impression that this is not a man who has all of his pages in a row. He is obviously full of himself and so confident in his own powers that he believes he will inevitibly win the 'Game of Swords' and therefore rule the world. He speaks of death and causualties as if he were talking of rodents and not men. The mage seems to swing between moods wildly and without preamble. A man as unpredictable as he seems to be is dangerous enough, add to that the power that Khirszat weilds through his magic, and it is frightening at best.

[turtledunn1191]

I have a score to settle in the Desert. Revenge for my mentor. My fight alone. But, if you could help me, I could certainly help you... she frowns, looking at all of the blood on the sand. What kind of army is bieng led?

[Corwyn]

Alright then Kara, we shall head for the Sword with tomorrow's dawn, Khirszats says, leaning back in his chair, swirling the wine in his glass as he looks around at the river oasis. A fine place to rest and prepare, the mage seems pleased with himself, as if he had selected the location personally.
The Sword of Wisdom, I have learned, Khirszat lectures, had made its way to Ocean City, in the hands of a young soldier. It is told that the soldier had rescured the Princess of Ocean City from some foul captors and brought her home. In all chivalrous modesty, the boy declined reward and instead took allegiance to the King of Oceania. He now leads a group of soldier through the central mountains. The boy intends to circumvent the normal trade routes and approach the great western city of Tashagang from a new route. It is suppossed to be a two-fold message from the king of Oceania, both presenting trade ultimatiums and demonstrating the one kingdom's freedom from the constraints of the established route. Khirszat seems bored and uninterested in the details of the strange mission, as if annoyed that Wayfinder would be used in such a fashion or that he would have to describe it. The mage makes a face as if he tasted something bad, but with some effort he continues, The soldier and his small force are blazing a trail through hostile terrain, finding passage through the many enemy ambushes for the larger force behind them. The large force does not concern me. Once I control Wayfinder, I will have no difficulty elluding them. It is the smaller force, perhaps a dozen men, who surround Wayfinder. If they are strong enough to travel in that region, despite the hostile terrain and enemy presence, we will find them to be a fair match. The magic-user is relieved to have gotten past the debriefing of information and takes care to summon a small feast, which he invites everyone present to partake in.
There on the sandy shores of the shimmering blue oasis waters, in the dappled sunlight that filters through the flourishing desert flora, nine men and women sit at a lavishly decorated table, feasting on a magnificent meal. For a time, the only sounds are those made by cutlery against place and the occasional murmer necessary to keep plates flowing around the table. Appropriate food and treats are also summoned for the animals and Kara's exotic steeds revel in the repast that is often denied them in the desert lands.
Slowly the sun descends and Khirszat causes decorative candelabras and sconces to appear, floating in place, illuminating the table. Some of the warriors have excused themselves, prefering to congregate away from the magic user or else to keep watch on the horizon, but a few still sit at the table, drinking spiced wine and partaking of sweet pastries and fruit cocktails.
Khirszat looks at Kara from across the table and sighs softly, I had feared that the mage who travels with Wayfinder would keep me too occupied to properly deal with the others, but now I feel bolstered in your presence. I am sure you and your men are strong enough to deal with the soldiers while I handle the upstart mage.

**Free actions. Do you do anything at the campsite before going to sleep? A watch is easy to set with so many people. Khirszat casts a rope trick for himself, but does not invite any one to share it with him.**

[turtledunn1191]

Why don't you all take rest. Kara proposes to the soliders We will take all the watches tonight, to make it up to you... she turns to her cleric, if they accept. She mouths her message "Detect Magic", wanting to know if the mage has left any spell down here.

[Corwyn]

The two archers shrug at Kara, and then proceed to set up a simple camp site for themselves. They pay no further heed to their fallen companion other than to strip him of his gear and then set the body down wind from their bedrolls.
Once Khirszat summons his pocket dimension and vanishes inside, Therous looks at Kara and spreads his hands, I wasn't kidding when I said I was burnt out. I couldn't tell you if my right arm was enchanted right now. The cleric speaks with a somber voice, but his expression is much more relaxed and his posture is proud. The priest had not expected to be able to effect, let alone destroy that water elemental, and the more he learns about the mage, the more pride he fills in his knowledge of Apollo to be able to do such a thing. Still, he goes on, I was watching him pretty close, and unless he did anything during the fight, I don't think he cast more than that feast and a couple of simple cantrips to pour wine and such. Though I'm sure he can see and hear us if he so chooses. Therous glances back at the place where the mage had vanished from, shrugging.
Twain volunteers to take first watch and Samus goes to check on the animals. When the ranger returns, he waits to hear the full story of Kara's encounter with the wizard before explaining his own absence. I spotted some familiar looking tracks. As you know, my twon sister dissappeared in this desert a long time ago. I thought I found her tracks. Samus' expression is one of deep sadness and his tone is forlorn and pained, though it is obvious that the ranger is trying to disguise his emotion. After I followed her tracks for a while, I was attacked by a strange creature, it was tough, but I defeated it. His words are strained, as if it pains him to even speak them. Once I was strong enough to travel again, I followed my sister's tracks again. I was afraid for her when I found that creature's tracks mingled with hers. Then I found a cave where it looked like she went in and never came out. The creature's tracks were all over the place. I did not find any sign of her inside. Samus stops there, turning his head. The ranger suddenly finds on of the horse's to be very interesting and goes over to the animal, combing its mane and withers with a heavy brush.

**Free actions. The night will pass without further event, your people watch all night. Do you do anything besides sleep?**

[turtledunn1191]

Kara nods. She lets the man have his peace, as she thinks his words over. She turns her back to the spot where the mage disappeared to, and pretends to be poking the fire. Instead she scribbles the message to her troops. "Be ready to depart in four hours" is written in the sand. She makes sure all read it, before wiping it out.

She then moves over to Samus, both comforting him, and alerting him to the escape time. She then gathers wood and kindling, to keep the fire going all night. She does this untill the four hours have passed.

[Corwyn]

**Do you attempt to move silently? If so, make your check. If you attempt to take all of your animals, it will be considerably harder to move silently. You have camels and horses here, as well as Stomper, Slasher and Stepper. If you take only your steeds and one mount more for each cohort, you'll be leaving behind 6 camels. Only Univene favors fighting from horseback, the others are fine without mounts, except that the daily distance covered will become reduced and everyone will need to shoulder their own packs, plus carrying water will be more difficult with less pack animals.
I assume you take all three of your mounts. If so, Make a Move Silently for yourself and 3 more to aid your steeds Move Silently checks.
Of course you could just attempt to walk away without trying to be quiet, if you want.**

[turtledunn1191]

Kara motions to Wen. Kill the two allies. QUIETLY! she whispers, as she examines the rest of the party. She ties rags over the hoofs of the beasts, and has Samus lead them quietly out into the desert, before having him circle around. Kara takes two handfulls of sand, and goes into the supplies. She douses the enemy supplies in the grit, and gathers their own. She refills all the water they will be able to carry, before slashing the other skins. Then, she checks in with Wen, to see how the killings went. Next, she goes to the remaining animals that they arn't taking (they are taking Kara's and one mount for each member) and quietly kills them. Her sabotage done, she lights the bonfire under the mages rope (which she had been building the previous hours), and mounds Slasher, and leads the bandwagon out.

((MS

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+1:	(13) + 1	Total = 14

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+1:	(9) + 1	Total = 10

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+10:	(3) + 10	Total = 13

Dice Roll:

(as this is an older post, these rolls are interpreted by the older (more basic) dice roller code)
d20+1:	(2) + 1	Total = 3

))

[Corwyn]

Samas and Kara make quick work of the unnecessary animals while Univene coldly murders the two archers in their sleep. Samus has little difficulty preparing the remaining animals for quiet traveling and Twain helps him manage them as they head out.
Once Kara has the bonfire properly situated beneath Khir'szats magical rope, she departs swiftly, following Samus' lead circling around to the east and north before heading back towards the west. Armed with her newfound knowledge of the location of one of the Swords, Kara's goal of the central mountains suddenly seems all the more wise.
Therous reminds her as they travel in the dark, that mage will have little trouble tracking us, no matter what pains we take to hide our trail. He can summon food and water with a gesture, so the desert is not our ally in this right now. Our only hope is to beat him to Wayfinder. Armed with that weapon, he will be no match for us.
Univene scowls, sitting back in her saddle, bah, we can take him. Now that his little archers are dead, he'd fall to my lance. I don't know why we aren't just waiting for him to come out of his hole so we can slay him at dawn.
Samus silently leads, choosing their direction and leading the group west, as per Kara's original goal. Twain and Wen ride close behind Kara, occassionally looking over their shoulders as if expecting to see Khirs'zat any second now.


**Free actions. The animals and the party (save Samus) are well rested from your time at the oasis and could easily march through the night without penalty. Sometime after noon (should you simply travel at normal speed all night) they will tire and will soon need to start making Fort saves against a forced march. **