Knock Down (Part 3)
The last task that you must complete before the dungeon will open for you is that you must build a community and teach it to defend itself. As luck would have it though, you have such at hand. Namely in those you so recently rescued. Some of them it seems have decided to stay in Alexandria, and have picked out a plot of land which they intend to use to build themselves a home here. Thus your task is to defend this small group of sith-makar as they work the land and also to teach them how to defend themselves should the need arise. Which given the location of their new home is going to be a necessity. The land is just off of the Felwood after all, a place known for its danger, but the sith are certain that with love and attention that it can be as much home as anywhere.
Thus you find yourselves on the edge of the Felwood, watching the sith-makar as they build ramshackle homes with what little skill they possess. Watching as they clear brush and work around the trees so that their new home has a natural feeling to it while also providing them with the space they will need for crops and other such things that a small community needs for survival. Frankly it's clear that they have little idea what they're doing, but they're doing the best they can. They are if nothing else; survivors, and it's lending itself well to this newest struggle.
Sargon assembles a few of the smaller ones and tries to instruct them in use of a staff. "This may seem a simple weapon," he says as he spins one slowly in his hands, at a speed intended to demonstrate. "But it can be used to defend and attack, and they are easy to find." He holds it up to block. Then then jabs forward one side. Then he finally swings the other side around in a hooking blow, taking a step forward each time. "Now you try," he hands the staff to one of his students and watches.
Merek has on his black attire, with a longcoat, while he makes his way to assist the sith-makar in the building. He seems content with that while he takes a drink of water which he has with him.
GAME: Merek rolls knowledge/engineering: (20)+7: 27
"You-are-not-alone. There-are-many here of the People, of allies-of-the-People. The Empress hass sseen to this." Kuumvu sits with some of the scaled, speaking with those whose caste are, or are closest to the speaker-caste, the shaman-caste. He wears his Am'sheri regalia, and his tail lashes serpentine, excited. Gestural.
“The man there is ssimilar to our warrior-caste," of Sargon. "He will sshare words-and-weapons. I am sso glad to be able to sshare-words-with you all," he says. And, slaps his thighs. "This-one is Kuumvu, as the ssound of the drums, of the keeper-caste."
Sargon pauses in his teaching when Kuumvu starts his speech. He gives a tiny headshake to the one he gave the staff to. Now is not the time to practice after all. Now is the time to learn more.
It's a long day, and a hot one at that, and as it nears the evening somehow the heat hasn't tapered off at all. Even so it's been a good day. There are young sith-makar eagerly learning how to use a staff from Sargon. People being organized into a workforce by Merek whom quickly realizes that the sith are trying to build individual shelters where it would be wisest to build a single one that can act for all of them - to start with in any case. Meanwhile the older sith-makar and those that are speaker-caste - Kuumvu quickly realizes that /none/ of them are shaman caste at all - listen to his words as eagerly as the young learn how to defend themselves for the first time.
"We are grateful to sshare wordss with you sser. It hass been long ssince we were even able to sshare wordss without rissk." Others nod. Everything here seems muted. Even the play of the youngest sith whom are watched over by their elders like hawks watch prey.
No one really takes time to relax, and the moment a sith is told what to do even the littlest sith-makar hops to it. At least until the evening and then as if finally let loose the youngest of the sith-makar break away to go splash in a huge pond that had been the major draw to this land. Watching them play eases something in every sith standing there to watch them.
Merek seems content, as he watches the sith-makar all play about, his gaze drifting that way. He settles back to relax a bit also, as he looks up to the sky also.
There are buildings--and they are the armor of a structure. They are its physical strength. The weapons, its defense. Yet among the People, the Fire is its heart. Kuumvu stands among others, building a Fire--small at first, and then roaring, larger and larger until it resembles a dragon's flame.
"It is-good-to-sshare words again. This-one...When we leave our tribess, to form new-tribes, we retain our-caste. New tribes are formed from-caste: from warriors, from hunters, shamans, sspeakers, crafterss, keepers. Even-though you did-not-choose to be among Thosse Who Fasse Outwards, this-keeper proposes that you are-now tribe. Ssargon, warrior-caste of the ssoftskins, and Merek, crafter-caste of the ssoftskins, are allies-of-the-People, are here to help-you in thiss journey."
"That there-are-no sshamans among you consserns this-one. We musst ssend-to-the-tribes, and ask them to lend from their casstes. This is-difficult, but not impossible, and they-may esspect such a request. If we esspress to them, they-will understand." What new tribe has no shaman caste?
Sargon rubs his chin. He approaches Kuumvu and asks, "Can we not -teach- one to be a shaman?" He nods at one of the older Sith rescuees. "How fitting if one of their own becomes their shaman."
"We have sshared wordss with one another." The one that speaks looks at their companions and they nod. "We are tribe. We have ssent out for a sshaman casste, let it be known in Alexandria. Perhapsss one will fit here." They nod.
One of the sith-makar glances toward Sargon and he gets a grin (is it a grin it's hard to tell with sith). "One doesss not /become/ casste. One /isss/."
Meanwhile the children are play and... one of them screams suddenly and all the sith-makar are suddenly at attention, looking for the source of the scream. It takes only a second to realize why. There's... tentacles coming out of the water and one of them has lashed out to strike said sith-makar down.
The keeper Kuumvu reaches up, to rub at his scales. "Ssa...One chooses caste when one learns of onesself, when one firsst opens ones-eyes and ssees the Truth Beyond Ssmoke. It iss...it is how you knew you wisshed to train your form, and protect otherss. Among the People, thesse drives are part-of-the-sso--sss--"
The keeper is on his feet. Uncurling, and snake-like. "The People will look-to the warrior-casste to defend and direct them, Ssargon." He looks to the man, meeting his eyes with a fire'd intensity. "You are that to-them, right-now. The hunter-casste here are your sscouts. The warriorss, defenderss. The sshamans may call upon the sspirits, the crafterss know defensses and sstructures. Warrior! We are to you!"
Merek looks to the source of sound, while he takes a moment to move to the water, so that he can walk into it and try his best to make for the sith-makar so he can protect them also.
Sargon rushes for the edge of the lake and then leaps in. He has his arms outstretched in a passable dive and immediately begins swimming for the commotion.
Kuumvu looks on in uncertainty as the softskin warrior leaps into the water. But, warriors know?
They must.
The keeper looks behind him then, his hands reaching for a pair of clubs, a pair of drumsticks. He spins them against his palm, and begins to beat a heavy, heart-felt rhythm. A heady rhythm, reminiscent of deep waters, and hearty adventures!
"And they went into the ssea, now--went into the ssea! They were losst, then found--"
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Merek casts Sanctuary. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14
Merek makes his way to the sith-makar, so that he can put a hand upon him also to protect them, while he takes a moment to keep away from whatever it is that the creature is trying to do also.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (19)+10: 29 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (6)+10: 16 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (4)+5: 9
The creature's tentacles wrap around the poor sith-makar that had been in the water and the youngling falls limp. The other tentacles attack others, Merek, and Sargon though the latter is missed both times. Meanwhile the sith-makar look on in dumb silence, uncertain what if anything to do about the attack. They've never been in combat before. Nothing where they've been allowed to defend themselves.
GAME: Stena rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (5)+10: 15
Seeing people grabbed by tentacles is enough for Stena to make a move, post everything going haywire. She rushes towards one, swinging her axe in an effort to cut it!
"...wait, what?" she asks, glancing over her shoulder at the others.
GAME: Sargon rolls weapon0: (12)+9: 21 GAME: Sargon rolls weapon0: (14)+9: 23 GAME: Sargon rolls 1d8+7: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Sargon rolls 1d8+5: (1)+5: 6 GAME: Kuumvu rolls knowledge/nature: (8)+7: 15
Sargon has made it to the youngling. "To protect your own, you must fight!" he howls at the other Sith. The Oruch tugs briefly at the tentacle. Then he balls up his other fist. "But only venture into terrain where you are at a disadvantage, if there is no alternative." Using his grip on the tentacle for leverage in the absence of proper footing, he pulls himself closer as he punches it.
Kuumvu beats the drums. He looks on, uncertain what to do as the creature thrashes and hauls at those in the water. But--he scowls, wracking his brain--
--and comes up with nothing. "I've heard no sstories--but we have warriorss among uss, kin! Listen to their words!" he cries, and the drums intensify.
GAME: Merek casts Corrosive Touch. Caster Level: 3 DC: 15 GAME: Merek rolls melee: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Merek rolls 3d4+3: (5)+3: 8
Merek lifts up a hand while he shifts them both into dragon's claws. He then places them upon the tentacle which is on the sith-makar, while he calls upon acid to work its way onto the creature while he maneuvers.
GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (13)+10: 23 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+10: (12)+10: 22 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+11: (3)+11: 14 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11
The creature lets loose on those attacking it like their attacks have insulted it somehow, and heavy blows are dealt to all. Merek actually jumps in front of the kid, allowing his own body to be struck and rescuing the kid from the grasp of the creature entirely. Stena is nearly knocked entirely out of the water by the blow she's dealt in fact.
Meanwhile the sith have taken up song of their own. An old remembered tune to boister warriors in combat. A song that reminds their warriors of who they are. It's Sargon's and Kuumvu's words that do it of course. Reminding them that this is theirs to defend now. The warriors shoulder their weapons and wade into the water intently.
GAME: Merek rolls athletics: (8)+1+2: 11 GAME: Stena rolls athletics: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Sargon rolls athletics: (3)+9: 12 GAME: Sargon rolls weapon0-2: (17)+9+-2: 24 GAME: Sargon rolls weapon0-2: (18)+9+-2: 25 GAME: Sargon rolls weapon0-2: (16)+9+-2: 23 GAME: Sargon spends ONE point of KI POOL.
Bleeding and battered, Stena lays at the water's edge from the force of the impact, eyes blinking. Concussed.
"...nggh?" She wobbles, waving her axe menacingly. Or it would be mancing if she didn't look like she was about to topple over.
GAME: Sargon spends ONE use of STUNNING FIST. GAME: Sargon rolls 1d8+11: (2)+11: 13 GAME: Sargon rolls 1d8+9: (2)+9: 11 GAME: Sargon rolls 1d8+9: (6)+9: 15 GAME: Aftershock rolls 1d20+8: (9)+8: 17 GAME: Kuumvu rolls 1d8+5: (8)+5: 13 GAME: Kuumvu casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14
Sargon can't keep his head above water. But rather then show the slightest concern at being unable to breathe, he instead targets the creature's main body, now revealed in all its monstrous glory. Summoning his inner power he lashes out with series of powerful punches.
Kuumvu rushes towards Merek after the man leaps in front of the youngling. It doesn't take the keeper long to hit the water, to call upon the Song, and grab the child--all in a chaotic, angry rush. Water runs from his scales, his clothes, and his tail lashes serpentine behind him!
GAME: Merek rolls athletics+2: (18)+1+2: 21 GAME: Merek casts Cure Serious Wounds. Caster Level: 5 DC: 16 GAME: Merek rolls 3d8+5: (23)+5: 28
Merek moves up from the water, while he takes a moment to chant a few words with Celestial, then he places a hand upon Stena as the holy plane energies make her better, while he looks about a bit.
The sith hit the water like a wave, all of them crying out in draconic war cries that they remember from their blood. They are warriors at heart, but their bodies had forgotten for so long. Now in the rush of saving this child, and battling this creature they have remembered. They attack the strange creature in numbers and quickly it goes down. It was of course... mostly dead anyways.
A great cheer goes up for the warriors, and for the adventurers who saved the children from this strange meanance, and the sith drag the oddity from the pool of water for dinner. There is song to be had, there is a great fire to roast it upon. You are invited to stay for the celebration.
Kuumvu grasps the child, and hauls it from the water as the warriors fight. The keeper can only keep up the song, to lend his strength, his heart to the war that warriors lead and defend.
In the end, he stands near Fire, throat open and wide--a crying out to the olden times, the Fire and ancestors. Of war and tribe and pride!
Stena's healed. This leads her to giving her head a shake. "THE HELL DID YOU DIVE IN FOR?" she says to Sargon, annoyed with having been caught off guard with that.
"Kid's okay?" she asks a moment later, halting.
Sargon looks mildly surprised at Stena. "Yes, he should be fine. With any luck, stronger for the experience."
Merek makes his way from the water, while he nods a bit to all.
And the party lasts all night long.
-TBC