PrP: Pickety Pickety

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The five of you have been contracted by the Explorer's Guild in Alexandria to assist a company of militia in the northern plains of Rune, who is currently at war with the Dranei. They've been setting picket lines, and over the last sevenday or so, several of the scouts have reported seeing something birdlike running around in the area ... and the last two nights, the picket lines have been bloodily attacked by these things. A rapid response from the soldiers prevented a more serious incident, as the creatures ran at the presence of a group force, but the report to the Explorer's Guild said that they looked like a demented rooster with bat wings. You're now in the camp itself, surveying the site of the attack.

Vroole didn't know that much about creatures yet, but damn if he couldn't pick one off at a distance if need be, so he looked around the site of the attack with more of a sterile kind of way of examining things, "Don't think I know what attacked them here... I should pick up some books on Exotic animals and beasties at some point."

Jal has the look of someone who slept well the night before, his cheeks are rosy with the cold and his eyes shine with a kind of restful alertness as he walks slowly along the line of the pickets, whistling softly to himself. "It seem strange," he muses idly to the others after a pause in his airy tune. "I wonder if it isn't the picket line they are attacking per se..."

Blue eyes shine in the bright glow of morning. Sunrise several hours old, yet the steel-framed form moves as much as a statue, ignoring dust and dew and rising heat of day. The angry rumble of the volcano in the distance barely draws a stir from the metal clad warrior; Thanix stirs briefly, neck turning to view the smoking mountain before returning to his readied stance, surveying from atop the ramparts. Heavy greatsword stabbed into the earth, he views the planes dispassionately; cold eyes whir as they survey, on watch for these things... Or the Dran, thundering in thei rush towards the fragile lines.

"A sample might assist your analysis," the larger Warforged remarks. "For identification comparisons if nothing else."

Amithil is pretty surprised that someone like her was picked to do a job like this. She follows along, in her *new* adventuring outfit. long-sleeved, white woolen undershirt and leggings, low black leather boots, a red silk vest with shining silvery trim, and a red woolen beret, twintails tucked into it. She follows along with the others, wrapping her dark green cloak around herself for the travel, but pulling it off as it warms up. She loooks, and listens, but isn't really having anything to say yet, still processing what she's hearing and seeing.

"Right over here ...." The young, fresh-faced soldier with a boyish, rounded look to him and a mop of black curls who accompanied you to the picket line is still wide-eyed as he, too, surveys the matted grass and bloodstains where something apparently happened. "It ... I didn't see it myself, I was further down the line, but it struck out of nowhere and ran as soon as reinforcements came, they said."

<OOC> Aldean says, "Perception, everyone who's studying the area of the attack."
GAME: Thanix rolls Perception: (1)+1: 2 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Amithil rolls perception: (10)+3: 13
GAME: Jal rolls perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Vroole rolls perception: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Nuanna rolls perception: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Aldean falls /out/. XD

Jal offers a lopsided grin to the young soldier, reaching up to smooth back his dark hair as a gust of wind tussles it. "Whatever they are, they are probably very territorial. Or, we might be setting up the line between where they live and something they need, like water, or mating grounds," he speculates idly. He's busy chatting away, making eye contact with those in the group.

‘’You paged (Amithil, Nuanna) with 'You two spot a set of bird like tracks running back away from the lines and the camp.’’’

Nuanna cocks her head to the side, "Well if we see them, I might have a chance to figure out what they are, I am pretty good with such things, but then I would have to catch a glimpse of them and sometimes that is hard to do, but it doesn't sound nice anyway." she shakes her head a bit and then glances down and nods, "Well they look to leave tracks like a bird." she mutters loud enough to be heard, seems the gobber tends to run off in the mouth at times. She does have her pistol out though.

‘’Amithil pages: Can I try to use nature knowledge to identify the tracks?’’

‘’You paged Amithil with 'Yes you can and that's a really good idea. +roll knowledge/nature’’’

Vroole shrugs to Jal, "Don't really know. Guess we will have to figure it out. Though if they do show themselves. I can pick them off, flying or running."

Thanix's gleam like quiet blue stones. Less focused on the immediate area, he instead surveys the distant horizon, a barely audible click heard as gears turn witin his neck. "Those are possibilities," the metal man muses-- otherwise immobile, even for the voice emanating from his steel faceplate. "It is possible these creatures are hunting, and taking what they view as easy prey."

GAME: Amithil rolls knowledge/nature: (9)+9: 18
<OOC> Amithil says, "oopsie"

‘’You paged Amithil with 'Territorial. Birdlike. Um. You've got a nasty feeling about what you're dealing with. That sounds like it could be a cockatrice….’’’

Amithil isn't entirely clear on what's going on here. She'd only just arrived in Alexandria and only started to get equipped when she got the call. But she's glad to try, so she tries, following, watching, thinking, taking it carefully. Better to remain silent, at least until she sees something. Pushing her cloak off, she squints, then she points, and speaks up. "I'm seeing birdlike tracks. Um. It could be something very bad, but I'm reluctant to say my guess because I don't want to raise a panic if I'm wrong."

<OOC> Nuanna says, "with the info and the sign of the tracks could I get a knowledge roll to try and id it?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Survival to track it, knowledge/nature to figure out what it might be."
GAME: Nuanna rolls knowledge/Nature+3: (2)+10+3: 15
<OOC> Nuanna says, "well at least get all the low rolls out of the way I guess."

‘’You paged Nuanna with 'Territorial and birdlike could be a couple of things, but leaving tracks on the ground makes you think cockatrice.’’’

Nuanna cocks her head to the side, "Something is making me think cockatrice, which could be bad, have to be careful, are we going to try and follow or wait till they come again?"

"What if we promise not to panic," Jal says, his smile still tugging at the corner of his mouth like an impatient child. "It may be good to know what the potential threat is, even if it doesn't come to pass." He pulls his bow off of his shoulder and tests the string, even as Nuanna offers her assesment. "Cockatrice? Don't they...turn people to stone or something?"

"Panic is irrelevant," Thanix intones matter-of-factly. "We are not designed to panic. Panic is something for smaller, fleshier, more emotionally intense creatures. And the reaon why is very odd as well. One would assume that having soft flesh turned into firmer stone an improvement. Motion-lock aside."

Amithil purses her lips tightly, and looks to Nuanna before nodding. "I thought the same thing. If I'm not the only one, then it's probably safe to say it. These aren't wild turkeys. If they are guarding territory, they won't stop." She then pauses to turn to Jal. "They're more likely to slow you down than to petrify you."

Vroole stone face might almost look like it raised an eyebrow as Thanix speaks. A son of Reos himself and an ardent believer in that, the stone man shakes himself a little, "I can see both side. But in all regards, disassociation from emotions completely could lead to a very dull existence... As to the bird's I was born of stone and gem, to return to such would not be a completely terrible end. Reos willing I am not broken up into little bits. That would be worse." 

Nuanna cocks her head to the side, "Doesn't answer if we are going off after them or not?" she looks at the tracks and then back to the others.

The guardsman is looking back and forth between the group, although his dark eyes widen as the mention of cockatrices is made. "C...cockatrices? That'd be really, really bad ... you're here to find and kill them, right?"

Jal blinks up at Thanix, his half-smile giving way to a full out laugh. "Remind me to make a song out of that. There's the kernel of something there..." He trails of musingly, then gives Amithil a bright smile. "Well. Slow is better than stone, I say. Shall we?" Pulling an arrow from the quiver at his back, he notches is to the bowstring and nods toward the tracks.

Amithil winces at Nuanna's suggestion, while taking a few moments to consider each of them. Nuanna, Jal, Thanix, Vroole, sizing them up once again. "Going toward their nest would bring things to a head quickly. If we do we should be prepared to fight right away."

Thanix considers-- though whether considering the quandaries of fleshy existence, tracking the creatures' tracks, musical lyrics, or whether being pulled apart is a terrible thing-- "That is correct," he answers the young guard. "Tracking the creatures does seem the most valid choice," he adds, "Though my stealthiness leaves much to be desired. I am not built for such."

Vroole nods himself, "Following the tracks would be more informative than waiting for them to attack again... We do not know how long they might do so. I'm placing my vote on expediting the situation through following the tracks."

Nuanna nods her had and then moves to examine the tracks so that she can follow them to their logical course.

GAME: Nuanna rolls survival+2: (1)+10+2: 13 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Vroole rolls survival: (20)+3: 23
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK."

The guardsman watches, waving behind the group as they set off in the direction of the tracks. Vroole's stone eyes spot without difficulty the breaking of grass and the bird-like tracks fairly running through the grass and off to the northwest; Nuanna quickly loses the trail and has no idea what Vroole is following. The day is clear and bright, with a chill wind in a wan sky.

It takes nearly an hour of following the tracks to begin to find clods of dirt lying around in the grass here and there.

<OOC> Aldean says, "Perception checks."
GAME: Thanix rolls Perception: (5)+1: 6
GAME: Jal rolls perception: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Nuanna rolls perception: (6)+12: 18
GAME: Amithil rolls perception: (19)+3: 22
GAME: Vroole rolls perception: (8)+7: 15

‘’You paged Amithil with 'There's a bug in the grass ... looks like a cricket ... that appears to be turned to stone.’’’

Amithil wraps herself with her cloak again since the group seems determined to track and resolve the situation immediately. She walks along as the tracking happens, but then stops and walks away from it a moment. She bends down, picks something up out of the grass, and holds it up. "A stone cricket. Be careful everyone."

Nuanna cocks her head to the side and isn't happy with herself about losing the trail, but then they are tracking something dangerous, so she has her pistol out and keeps her self-berating comments to herself.

Thanix slows his ground-eating stride to a halt. He glances over to Amithil, leaning forward and down. "...does it still move?" he asks in curiosty, sapphire eyes focused on the stoned insect. His gaze runs over the tiny creature, and he reaches out for it carefully. "One did not realize such things were made."

Vroole nods and is carefully watching the path, tracks and everything else. The note of a stone cricket lost in his concentration of making sure they are going in the right direction. PErhaps not looking up in this situation might be an advantage if they do run into these stone birdy things.

The item that Amithil is holding up is a perfect stone replica of a cricket, exact in every detail.

Jal seems to have decided that not talking at the moment may be his best bet. He eyes the stone cricket then shoots Amithil a curious look. His fingers, stained with ink from writing, still hold the arrow loosely in the bow he carries.

GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+3: (3)+3: 6

Amithil holds it out carefully to all who may want to examine it. "Moving? No. I can only believe it was once bug flesh, but stoned by the aura of a Cockatrice." Jal gets a knowing look. "You are larger than a cricket. You will resist it better. It will take more than its immediate presence to turn you to stone. This tells me we have gone in the right direction so far, at least."

‘’You paged Vroole with 'The tracks continue on, but the clods of dirt are interesting. They suggest something digging.’’’

Vroole shakes his head a little and nods, kneeling down to point something out, "Course we are on the right track... Here though is something. Like something was digging as well."

Thanix takes the stone insect into hand as delicately as he can. Three thick fingers split into five as his hand whirs and reshapes-- a form more readily capable of handling such a fragile object. "You are studied on such things," he remarks, staring at the tiny stone bug with abject fascination. "I am not familiar with animals that turn their prey to stone. Or anything around them to stone." A small compartment at his hip opens; he places the tiny insect into it for safekeeping, the hatch sealing shut with a click. "Do they only eat plants and seeds? Are they like chickens? Perhaps stone-eaters."

Nuanna nods her head, "Means we are close, be aware." she says and glances around, trying to watch for batwinged chickens to jump out at them.

‘’You paged Nuanna with 'Perception please :)’’’

GAME: Nuanna rolls perception: (20)+12: 32

‘’You paged Nuanna with 'Nice. A bit further on, your path will take you to the edge of a forest, and your ears catch a rustling up there.’’’

Amithil had considered keeping the stone cricket, but does her best to stifle a reaction when Thanix decides to take it. "I have read about them. They can be in groups as large as a dozen. Be alert." For good measure she stops to look around herself, looking for any signs of anything coming, before she goes on. "They are about half my height, but very light boned, like a bird of flight, but they don't fly gracefully."

<OOC> Aldean says, "If you're looking around you, roll Perception."
GAME: Amithil rolls perception: (18)+3: 21
<OOC> Thanix had a cricket. Distracted. :(
<OOC> Vroole following tracks himself. :P
<OOC> Aldean says, "KK. The tracks lead further on, into what looks to be the edge of a copse of trees. There's also some scrub brush around."

Nuanna cocks her head to the side and frowns, "I think I hear rustling up in those trees and brush." she says softly and then looks at the others, "Think they are there?" she asks.

‘’You paged Amithil with 'When Nuamma points it out, you hear it too.’’’

Amithil would make sure to be following at the rear of the group as they follow the tracks. Cloak on, head up. At the mention of rustling, she tenses up, and cocks her head to listen. "I could try to fire an arrow if we wanted to try to drive it out, whatever it is." she says, carefully bringing her bow out.

Jal lifts his bow with the arrow nocked to show he's also ready to shoot if needed. Though he does add, "I can throw my voice if you think it might help startle them. And that way they'll think whatever is approaching is coming from a different direction. If they haven't already seen us, that is."

Amithil looks to Jal. "The crow of a rooster could have a great effect, if you have the ability to imitate that."

As all of you continue following the tracks, you're finding more of these bugs ... a scrubby bush stripped of what's left of its berries ... and more clods of dirt.

Then ... all of you hear it. An angry *bwak!*, followed by another, answering one, and two ugly-as-sin bird-like things streak out from the copse of trees to one side. About two feet high, they look rather like a cross between a rooster and a bat, with wattles and combs and scaly skin ... and it looks as if somehow, the lot of you have managed to piss them off.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  ATTENTION  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
       Aldean has dropped a TIMESTOP!
       Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Aldean to instruct you further.
       For additional in-combat commands, please type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Nuanna rolls initiative: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 7 = Total: 23
GAME: Thanix rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 1 = Total: 6
GAME: Jal rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 21
GAME: You roll initiative for Cockatrice A: Roll: 2 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 5
GAME: Vroole rolls initiative: Roll: 5 + Bonus: 2 = Total: 7
GAME: You roll initiative for Cockatrice B: Roll: 13 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 16
<OOC> Aldean says, "Amithil, do me a favor and type: +init"
GAME: Amithil rolls initiative: Roll: 19 + Bonus: 5 = Total: 24
 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
 ---Init--Name----------------Notes--------------------------------------------
    24   Amithil             Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    23   Nuanna              Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    21   Jal                 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    16   Cockatrice B        
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    7    Vroole              Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    6    Thanix              Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    5    Cockatrice A        
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round One - Init 24.
     It is now Amithil's turn! Nuanna is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Amithil ended.
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK. Amithil. Whatcha doing? You've said you have your bow out."
<OOC> Amithil says, "I am dropping my bow and casting Shield"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   |E Lev| CHP | HP  | AC |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Amithil   |DAWN_ELF  |Wiz        |  2  | 11  | 13  | 11 | 11 | 2  | 1  | 4  |
|Jal       |HUMAN     |Bard       |  2  | 12  | 16  | 14 | 13 | 2  | 5  | 5  |
|Nuanna    |GOBLIN    |Inq        |  4  | 28  | 28  | 20 | 16 | 6  | 5  | 7  |
|Thanix    |WAR_GOLEM |Ftr        |  2  | 22  | 24  | 18 | 17 | 7  | 1  | 0  |
|Vroole    |WAR_GOLEM |Art        |  4  | 26  | 28  | 17 | 16 | 5  | 6  | 3  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAME: Amithil casts Shield. Caster Level: 2 DC: 16
<OOC> Aldean says, "Great. Pose it."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round One - Init 23.
     It is now Nuanna's turn! Jal is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Nuanna ended.
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nuanna."
<OOC> Nuanna says, "swift activate judgement destruction, move standing adjacent to as many of fellows as I can, at least Amithil probably right now, and standard, casting flames of the faithful."
<OOC> Aldean thumbs up. Cast and pose.
GAME: Nuanna casts Flames of the Faithful. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

Amithil freezes for just a moment when they come out. She looks, realizes they're actually male cocatrices, right here by her. She springs to action like a true adventurer starting out, dropping her bow and gesticulating, speaking strnage words to create a force shield in front of herself.

GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round One - Init 21.
     It is now Jal's turn! Cockatrice B is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Jal ended.
<OOC> Aldean says, "Jal. Whatcha doing? :)"
<OOC> Jal says, "Gonna shoot with my bow!"
<OOC> Jal says, "At Cockatrice A"
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK. You have your bow equipped in +inv, right?"
<OOC> Jal says, "I do!"

Nuanna blinks as they jump up, but she was sort of expecting that. She takes a deep breath, "I call on Reos to grant me the powers of Judgement, for your actions you, fiends shall receive destruction." she glows slightly for a moment and then she makes sure she is close up with everyone and then starts to cast a spell, a glowing red rune appears on the barrel of her pistol.

<OOC> Aldean nods. OK. What number is it in your inventory?
<OOC> Jal says, "3"
<OOC> Aldean nods. Type: +roll weapon3
GAME: Jal rolls weapon3: (20)+3: 23 (THREAT)
<OOC> Aldean says, "Roll the same thing again."
GAME: Jal rolls weapon3: (19)+3: 22
<OOC> Aldean says, "Oh. My. God. you are smokin' dude XD That's a critical hit. Roll double the number of damage dice."
GAME: Jal rolls 3d8: (12): 12
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round One - Init 16.
     It is now Cockatrice B's turn! Vroole is next! 
<OOC> Aldean says, "Having seen its brother take a nasty hit from Jal, our bard is about to have a special friend."
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+9: (11)+9: 20
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   |E Lev| CHP | HP  | AC |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Amithil   |DAWN_ELF  |Wiz        |  2  | 11  | 13  | 11 | 11 | 2  | 1  | 4  |
|Jal       |HUMAN     |Bard       |  2  | 12  | 16  | 14 | 13 | 2  | 5  | 5  |
|Nuanna    |GOBLIN    |Inq        |  4  | 28  | 28  | 20 | 16 | 6  | 5  | 7  |
|Thanix    |WAR_GOLEM |Ftr        |  2  | 22  | 24  | 18 | 17 | 7  | 1  | 0  |
|Vroole    |WAR_GOLEM |Art        |  4  | 26  | 28  | 17 | 16 | 5  | 6  | 3  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d4-2: (2)+-2: 0

"I've never tried to crow like roooooo--" Jal emits a strange vowel sound as they are suddenly set upon by the pair of 'trice. With his bow already out, he lifts and pulls the string back, arrow nocked near his ear. His eyes squint for just a second before he lets loose, the arrow making a hissing sound as it cuts the air and strikes the first cockatrice at the junction where one of its bat wings meets its body.

<OOC> Aldean says, "Jal, please type: +roll fortitude"
GAME: Jal rolls fortitude: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d4: (2): 2
GAME: You damaged Jal's Dexterity for 2 points. 2 total damage.
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round One - Init 7.
     It is now Vroole's turn! Thanix is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Vroole ended.
<OOC> Aldean says, "Vroole."
<OOC> Vroole says, "Swift action activating armor for +4 dex and Shooting with Frost Death Ray setting."
<OOC> Vroole says, "Are they within 30 feet?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "B is. A is not."
<OOC> Vroole says, "I'll shoot at B"
GAME: Vroole rolls 1d20 + 5: (3)+5: 8
<OOC> Vroole says, "well..."

It's amazing how different a pained squawk and an angry squawk can sound. The pained squawk comes from the one with an arrow buried to the fletching in its wing joint, but its brother flaps awkwardly off the ground and closes the distance in a hurry, nipping with its beak at Jal. It doesn't even appear to draw blood, but the bard will begin to feel joints and flesh stiffening and hardening. It makes it harder to pull that bow...

<OOC> Aldean says, "Yeah, that's a miss. Pose."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round One - Init 6.
     It is now Thanix's turn! Cockatrice A is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Thanix ended. 
<OOC> Aldean says, "Thanix."
<OOC> Thanix says, "B is within 20'?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Yes."
<OOC> Aldean says, "He's threatening Jal."
<OOC> Thanix says, “Move to engage-- draw greatsword, Power Attack."
GAME: Thanix rolls 1d20+6: (20)+6: 26
<OOC> Thanix says, "Threat."
GAME: Thanix rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11

Not having been watching till something is said and the bird things come running out, Vroole activates his armor, but doesn't get the death ray settled into the notch so easily and his shot goes wide, the bush just past the closes Cocktice is covered in a frost and ice.

<OOC> Aldean says, "Normal hit."
GAME: Thanix rolls 2d6+9: (9)+9: 18
<OOC> Aldean says, "You damage it. Pose!"
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round One - Init 5.
     It is now Cockatrice A's turn! Amithil is next!
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d6: (5): 5
<OOC> Aldean says, "Vroole, you're getting a friend."
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+9: (9)+9: 18
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d4-2: (4)+-2: 2
<OOC> Aldean says, "Vroole, make me a Fort save pls"
GAME: You damaged Vroole for 2 points. 26 remaining.
GAME: You roll initiative for Cockatrice C: Roll: 16 + Bonus: 3 = Total: 19
GAME: Vroole rolls fort: (12)+5: 17
<OOC> Aldean says, "Good enough."

Thanix meets the squawking threats and protests from the cockatrice with predictable certainty-- reaching back, the warforged detaches the metallic blade from his back, metal clamps releasing the weapon. "Alert," he intones, "Humanoids under assault. Engaging." Both hands wrap around the heavy blade, one absently reforming to its noral three-fingered shape. A flourish, then up high, and down--- blood spurts into the air with a scream of the monster's protest, and Thanix strides into battle smoothly behind the heavy blow.

<OOC> Vroole says, "actually what is the fort save for? is it a paralysis effect?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Dex damage that results in petrify if DEX drops to 0"
<OOC> Vroole says, "Trying to think if racial mods are added to that then."

Awkwardly, oh so painfully, the second of the cockatrices forces itself airborne -- kinda. Watching it try to fly with an arrow in its wing join is just ... nasty to watch, and these things aren't good fliers to begin with. Still, in its anger, manage to fly it does, and it goes after the metal thing with the frost gun, lunging to take a chunk from the stone creature.

<OOC> Aldean says, "You made it anyway."
GAME: NEW ROUND!
     Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 24.
     It is now Amithil's turn! Nuanna is next!
<OOC> Vroole says, "For future rolls and good for Thanix to know also."
<OOC> Amithil says, "I'm going to magic missile A"
<OOC> Aldean nodnods. I'd like to know mysel.
<OOC> Aldean nods. +cast and pose :)
GAME: Amithil casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 2 DC: 16
<OOC> Aldean says, "And: +roll 1d4+1"
GAME: Amithil rolls 1d4+!: (1)+!: 1 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Aldean says, "Try that again, dear, with a 1 instead of a !."
GAME: Amithil rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Amithil says, "sorry"
<OOC> Aldean says, "No worries. You damage it! Pose."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 23.
     It is now Nuanna's turn! Jal is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nuanna."
<OOC> Nuanna says, "will shoot at B, pbs"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Roll dem bones."

Amithil has that force shield in front of herself now, and watches the action going on around her. She sees our birdy friend going into the air, and decides that's a problem. So once again she's sayign strange words, and gesturing with her hands, before finally firing a missile from her fingertip, weaving it around her shield and toward the birdy.

GAME: Nuanna rolls ranged+1+1: (10)+8+1+1: 20
<OOC> Aldean says, "Hit, damage :)"
GAME: Nuanna rolls 1d6+1+2+1d6: (2)+1+2+(1): 6 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 21.
     It is now Jal's turn! Cockatrice C is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Jal."
<OOC> Jal says, "Another bow shot. Point-blank shot feat. This time on B, since he's on me."
<OOC> Aldean says, "One sec."

Nuanna takes stock of the situation and raises her pistol and fires at the cockatrice on Jal. She takes a second to raise it and then a flaming bullet leaves her gun to streak over at hit the bird thing.

<OOC> Aldean says, "If you do that, you will incur something called an Attack of Opportunity, or AoO for short. This means that the creature gets a free attack while you're reloading the bow."
<OOC> Aldean says, "You can avoid this by taking a 5' step backwards. This means that you are no longer 'threatened'."
<OOC> Jal says, "Ok! In that case, I'll use my turn to back up. Thanks!"
<OOC> Aldean says, "No need. 5' step back adn shoot?"
<OOC> Jal says, "Oh! Yes, please."
<OOC> Aldean says, "A 5' step back is a special move action."
<OOC> Aldean says, "You can take a standard and a move action in the same round."
<OOC> Jal says, "Great!"
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK. :) Roll."
GAME: Jal rolls weapon3 + 1: (17)+2+1: 20
<OOC> Amithil says, "would picking an item up work like a move action?"
<OOC> Thanix will check.
<OOC> Aldean says, "Yes. Dropping it's a free action, but picking it up is a move action that provokes AoO, meaning don't do it if you're in melee."
<OOC> Thanix says, "What he said."
<OOC> Amithil says, "so I *Could* pick up my bow and fire hypothetically, gotcha"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Go ahead, Thanix, but I'm pretty sure I'm right."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Yep!"
<OOC> Aldean says, "You're not threatened, so you don't draw AoO doing that."
<OOC> Thanix says, "You are correct: Picking up item-- Move Action-- Proves AoO"
<OOC> Aldean says, "IF you have a creature that is threatening you, meaning it's close enough to hit you, certain actions provoke AoO."
GAME: Jal rolls 1d8: (1): 1 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Aldean says, "Tink! You graze it. Pose."
<OOC> Aldean says, "It's looking pretty bad, BTW"
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 19.
     It is now Cockatrice C's turn! Cockatrice B is next!
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d6: (3): 3

From off to the side, there's another angry *bwakbwakbwakbwakbwakbwak*. Noisy things, but a third of these creatures, this one missing the wattles and comb, flaps awkwardly out of the trees some distance away and makes a beeline for Nuanna, dropping to the ground and waddling up to her.

<OOC> Aldean says, "OK. C made a double move and now threatens Nuanna."
<OOC> Aldean says, "That's its action."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 16.
     It is now Cockatrice B's turn! Vroole is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "B's going to try to take a chunk out of Thanix."
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+9: (1)+9: 10 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Aldean says, "OR NOT"

Jal stumbles backwards as the second cockatrice takes a chunk out of him with its beak, his joints already stiffening. That cockatice is, of course, repaid in turn by Thanix, and the hot blood that sprays across Jal's clothes earns a blink of astonishment from the young bard. Quickly his bow is up again, loosing another arros, but this one barely connects with its target, skimmin a wing and leaving a light gash.

Indeed, the spray of blood that scatters across clothing and metal plates alike is prodigious, and the squawk that greets it has tones like a seven year old schoolgirl in terror crossed with a chicken in its death throes. It tries to bite back, but the greatsword's gash hinders it, and it snaps uselessly.

GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 7.
     It is now Vroole's turn! Thanix is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Vroole."
<OOC> Vroole says, "5' step back and firing on the one attacking me."
<OOC> Aldean says, "KK roll it"
GAME: Vroole rolls 1d20 + 5: (7)+5: 12
<OOC> Aldean says, "Not good enough, sorry. Pose."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 6.
     It is now Thanix's turn! Cockatrice A is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Thanix."
<OOC> Thanix says, "Strike Cockatrice B. No PA."
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK. Don't roll crap."
GAME: Thanix rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9
<OOC> Aldean says, "I TOLD YOU NOT TO ROLL CRAP"
<OOC> Thanix says, "THANKS ALDEAN."
<OOC> Aldean <3
<OOC> Thanix fistshake!
        The hit bite fro the cockatrice near him has Vroole staggering back to shoot, the ground being hit near it and not the bird of course once more. 
<OOC> Aldean says, "Anyway. No, you miss. Pose."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Two - Init 5.
     It is now Cockatrice A's turn! Amithil is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "A's going to take a 5' step up adn bite at Vroole again. ^^"
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+9: (2)+9: 11
<OOC> Aldean says, "And fail at life."
GAME: NEW ROUND!
     Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 24.
     It is now Amithil's turn! Nuanna is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Amithil."
<OOC> Amithil says, "magic missiling A again, let's hopefully finish it"
<OOC> Aldean says, "K. +Cast and roll damage. 1d4+1"
GAME: Amithil casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 2 DC: 16
GAME: Amithil rolls 1d4+1: (1)+1: 2 (EPIC FAIL)

Thanix momentarily pauses at the clack of beak against metal. Thanix stares as the mutated rooster does its level best to peck through metal plate.

"Ineffective attack," he intones, somewhat sardonically. "... is silly."

The warforged slashes out with his weapon in a sweeping arc; the rooster squawks in terror, diving beneath the vicious blade, determined to break through metal with his beak. Soemday.

<OOC> Aldean says, "You still damage it some, but no, it doesn't kill it."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Pose."

Amithil keeps at it. She has spells left, so she keeps right on casting. Antoher one's coming so it'd be nice to finish this one off, so she fires another missile from her fingertip right at the same bird, arcane words flowing from her mouth, and powerful gestures moving in her hands and arms.

Meanwhile, the ugly, vicious creature that seems to have decided it wants stone for dinner flaps its wings in frustration and chases after its prey, lunging at the stone warforged with a razor-like beak. Its intent is, however, better than its aim, and it grabs only empty air.

GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 23.
     It is now Nuanna's turn! Jal is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nuanna. You've got a friend in C."
<OOC> Nuanna says, "5' step back shoot c"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Roll the bones, ma'am ;)"
GAME: Nuanna rolls ranged+1+1: (3)+8+1+1: 13
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nope, sorry. Pose."
<OOC> Aldean says, "And next time, Nuanna? No rolling crap."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 21.
     It is now Jal's turn! Cockatrice C is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Jal. You're still 5' away from it."
<OOC> Aldean says, "From B, I mean. What do you want to do?"
<OOC> Jal says, "I'mma sing to inspire courage in these lunatics."
<OOC> Aldean nodnods. Good call! At your level, that grants +1 to attack, +1 to damage, and saving throws against charm and fear effects.
<OOC> Aldean says, "Go ahead and pose it."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 19.
     It is now Cockatrice C's turn! Cockatrice B is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "C takes a 5' step up and bites at Nuanna."
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+9: (13)+9: 22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   |E Lev| CHP | HP  | AC |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Amithil   |DAWN_ELF  |Wiz        |  2  | 13  | 13  | 11 | 11 | 2  | 1  | 4  |
|Jal       |HUMAN     |Bard       |  2  | 16  | 16  | 13 | 12 | 2  | 4  | 5  |
|Nuanna    |GOBLIN    |Inq        |  4  | 28  | 28  | 20 | 16 | 6  | 5  | 7  |
|Thanix    |WAR_GOLEM |Ftr        |  2  | 24  | 24  | 18 | 17 | 7  | 1  | 0  |
|Vroole    |WAR_GOLEM |Art        |  4  | 26  | 28  | 17 | 16 | 5  | 6  | 3  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<OOC> Aldean says, "That'll hit ..."
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d4-2: (1)+-2: -1 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Aldean says, "And not hurt but please make me a Fort save."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nuanna."

There is a sound that begins, somewhere in the middle of the melee. It starts low as a low thrum, but quickly builds in intensity. As it does, it becomes apparent that it is Jal who sings it. It is composed less of words than sounds, or, if they are words, they are in a language no one speaks. They stir the blood, though hinting at the sounds of victorious battle and well-earned glory.

<OOC> Aldean says, "Nuanna?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Well, when she gets back I'll resolve."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 16.
     It is now Cockatrice B's turn! Vroole is next!
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+9: (5)+9: 14
GAME: Nuanna rolls fortitude: (5)+6: 11
<OOC> Aldean says, "And it misses Thanix again."
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: 'dexterity=4' is not a valid integer.
GAME: You damaged Nuanna's Dexterity for 4 points. 4 total damage.
<OOC> Aldean says, "Posing...Nuanna, the bite was mostly just a pinch but you can feel your flesh stiffen and harden."

More flapping of wings as the new one runs forward, chasing the gobber girl, and lunges at her with its beak. This time, it connects, but the mere pinch is far less disturbing than the feeling of flesh and joints stiffening, slowing her down. The other, meanwhile, dances back and forth,gyrating before its neck snakes out again. Alas, it has little better luck fidning purchase in metal than last time.

GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 7.
     It is now Vroole's turn! Thanix is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Vroole."
<OOC> Vroole says, "same as last time, hopefully I hit."
<OOC> Aldean says, "KK"

Nuanna shot at one of the bird things and missed and the one that she was fighting steps up and bites her. She blinks and shakes her head not looking so good.

GAME: Vroole rolls 1d20 + 6: (15)+6: 21
<OOC> Aldean says, "That hits! Damage."
<OOC> Aldean says, "You've got A on you right?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Er, you're targeting A."
GAME: Vroole rolls 2d6 + 5: (7)+5: 12
<OOC> Aldean says, "And it dies! Frostily. Pose it."
<OOC> Vroole says, "yeah and staggered if failing a fort roll."
<OOC> Vroole says, "or that"
<OOC> Aldean says, "It's very staggered."
<OOC> Aldean says, "It falls over dead."
GAME: 'Cockatrice A' removed from initiative list.
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Three - Init 6.
     It is now Thanix's turn! Amithil is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Thanix."
<OOC> Thanix says, "Same target-- Cockatrice B, power attack with greatsword."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Okie"
GAME: Thanix rolls 1d20+7: (14)+7: 21
<OOC> Aldean says, "Whap. Damage"
GAME: Thanix rolls 2d6+10: (4)+10: 14
<OOC> Amithil says, "how much time does a round take?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Dies. Pose it."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Six seconds"
<OOC> Jal hopes everyone is remembering their damage bonuses!

Third time is the chance or something like that as they would say, not Vroole, though, its more a matter of time really and as the gun settles into the to the nook and the bird misses it is flash frozen at point blank range. Tipping over frosty and quite dead now.

GAME: 'Cockatrice B' removed from initiative list.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
     Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Four - Init 24.
     It is now Amithil's turn! Nuanna is next!
<OOC> Vroole says, "Shoot actually forgot my own point blank and that, but mine died anyways."
<OOC> Amithil says, "ok I grab my bow and fire at C since it's the only one left"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Amithil. You only have one left, the one that's harassing Nuanna. It doesn't have wattles and combs.”
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK. You can do that, but because it is in melee combat and I do not think you have the feat Precise Shot, you will take a -4 to hit."

--Slice--. Down comes Thanix' blade, cutting a stroke in the ground. Across-- slashing just beneath the creature's feet. It crows and pecks and bites, tiny tangs of cere on metal doing ittle else than marring the finish. Slapping the creature back, Thanixtakes a step to retrieve his lost space, heavy blade swinging up in a vicious arc...

Another gout of blood and feathers fly, and this time the cocaktrice takes wing again-- in two pieces.

<OOC> Amithil says, "I don't"
<OOC> Amithil says, "so how do I roll it?"
<OOC> Aldean nods. OK. Look at your +inv. What number is your bow, and does it say Y under Equip?
<OOC> Thanix says, "+roll 1d20+ (Bonuses to hit-- Dex bonus and +! for song) -4."
<OOC> Amithil says, "it's in slot 1 and it is equipped"
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK. Type: +roll weapon1+1-4"
GAME: Amithil rolls weapon1 + 1 - 4: (19)+3+1+- 4: 27
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nice shot! You hit. Damage."
<OOC> Amithil says, "does the song affect this?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "Yes maam it does."
GAME: Amithil rolls 1d8 + 1: (6)+1: 7
<OOC> Aldean says, "Add 1 to your damage roll as listed in +csheet."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Yup, you damage it! It's still up, though. Pose a well-aimed shot."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Four - Init 23.
     It is now Nuanna's turn! Jal is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nuanna. You're threatened."
<OOC> Nuanna says, "will 5' step back and shoot again or try to since going to be harder"
<OOC> Aldean says, "OK."
GAME: Nuanna rolls ranged+1+1+1: (11)+6+1+1+1: 20
<OOC> Aldean says, "You hit :) Damage"

Amithil hears the music, singing, whatever you want to call it, and is inspired. She's running low on spells anyway, so she bends over to snag her bow from the ground, and goes to fire an arrow at the only target remaining. Ah, a female this time. Well, maybe this is the last of the group. Hopefully it is. Her lips purse very tightly, turning white as she does her best to get this hit right.

GAME: Nuanna rolls 1d6+2+1+1d6+1: (4)+2+1+(2)+1: 10
<OOC> Aldean says, "Woof. You definitely put a big bloody dent in it, but it's still up. Pose."

Nuanna is stiffening up a bit but she moves back and looses another flaming bullet at the one attacking her. It strikes soundly, but is still standing.

GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Four - Init 21.
     It is now Jal's turn! Cockatrice C is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Jal ."
<OOC> Jal says, "Since Nuanna backed up 5' do I still need precise shot to shoot without penalty?"
<OOC> Aldean says, "No."
<OOC> Jal will shoot! And keep singing! Which I can do...right?
<OOC> Aldean says, "Yep! Bardsong is a free action to maintain."
<OOC> Vroole says, "Just means if you are or not, no penalty of -4 to shoot."
GAME: Jal rolls weapon3 + 1 + 1: (2)+2+1+1: 6
<OOC> Aldean says, "You miss, sorry. Pose it."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Four - Init 19.
     It is now Cockatrice C's turn! Vroole is next!
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d20+9: (17)+9: 26
GAME: Aldean rolls 1d4-2: (2)+-2: 0
<OOC> Aldean says, "Nuanna, Fort save."
GAME: Nuanna rolls fort: (2)+6: 8

The song continues to rise and build, Jal's voice expertly weaving the melody into a climbing spiral of heroic achievement. His voice is crisp and clear, slicing through the morning air with all of the...well, with all of the ease of Thanix's sword cutting through a cockatrice. Vaguely hoping that salty taste in his mouth isn't cockatrice blood, he continues to belt out the tune, lifting his bow to nock and shoot another arrow. This one, however, flies wide of its intended target.

GAME: Aldean rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: You damaged Nuanna's Dexterity for 4 points. 8 total damage.

Bleeding rather thoroughly from Amithil's well-aimed shot, feathers and shaft sticking out of its side, and even more thoroughly from the flaming gunshot from the gobber's weapon, the final cockatrice staggers forward with an enraged *bwak!* and nips at her again. Again, it's little more than a pinch, but it does hurt, and the gobber's beginning to really slow down.

<OOC> Aldean says, "Likely."
GAME: Aldean advances the initiative order.
     Round Four - Init 7.
     It is now Vroole's turn! Thanix is next!
<OOC> Aldean says, "Vroole."
<OOC> Vroole says, "Shooting the last one on Nuanna and I have Precise shot as well as point blank."
GAME: Vroole rolls ranged + 4: (6)+5+4: 15
<OOC> Aldean nodnods. KK. That'll hit, damage.
GAME: Vroole rolls 1d20 + 7: (5)+7: 12
<OOC> Aldean says, "And you forgot the bardsong again :)"
<OOC> Aldean says, "And it goes down! Pose."
<OOC> Vroole says, "Naw I got it. +1 for that, + 1 for ppoint blank and +2 for dex add of armor."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Ah, kk. Helps me to break it out, but no worries. It's dead anyhow, pose killing it in a *bwak* and a blood explosion."
<OOC> Aldean says, "Free RP once Vroole poses."

Vroole having gotten his act together, turns his Icy death ray on the remaining bird. The thing freezes, an almost parody of frosty white covering the bird considering its own bite effect on Nuanna and the thing topples over and busts apart. "Filthy feathered beasties."

With the three critters dead, it's easy enough to see that they are, indeed, quite a cross between a demented rooster and a bat, but far larger than either one and quite ugly. The feet are three-toed and scaly, much like a roosters, and the third looks different from the other two, like the difference between a hen and a rooster.

GAME: You clear initiatives.
GAME: Aldean has cleared initiatives.
GAME: Aldean removes the timestop.
Timestop by Aldean has left.
GAME: You remove the timestop.

Amithil sighs once the thing dies. Deep heavy relief coming from her lungs. Waiting a moment to see if more are coming, it seems not, so she then just lets herself drop to the grass, and sits, then lays out flat. "Oh that was a stressful thing. It is difficult to have to decide quickly what to do with my bow, and what to cast or shoot at. No time for planning."

Nuanna shakes her head a bit and mutters, "Have to visit the temple later." she says and shakes her head again, the rune on her weapon fading.

The song that breaks from Jal's lips crescendos once more, then fades on a long note that continues as the last of the cockatrices flops in its death throes on the ground. Once it is over, he reaches up and uses the back of his hand to swipe at the blood that has splattered his face in the fight, smearing the red into the skin. "Well. Do we think there are more?" He cautiously approaches the bushes from which the mosters sprang.

<OOC> Aldean says, "Do you? Survival."
GAME: Jal rolls survival: (16)+2: 18

‘’You paged Jal with 'You're not completely sure, but you didn't see that many sets of tracks.’’’

Amithil chimes in from the grass "The males out number the females. I was hoping once we attracted the female out, it was a last resort situation. Though... now that I think of it, we may want to check for eggs or chicks, now that I really think about how the female came out later than the males." That gets her to sit up abruptly.

The throb and flow of battles slows, ends. Thanix' glittering blue eyes rake across the area, a swift survey over broken bodies and bloodied ice sculptures. The borad blade hovers in the air; he scans around for a long moment, finall reversing the blade, thrusting it to earth with a *shunk*. "I recommend caution," he says with the same cheer as one bespeaking the waether. Blood glistening from metal plate and iron armor, he watches cautiously, hard gaze surveying.

‘’You paged Jal with 'When you were following tracks to this place, it didn't seem like there were that many sets of tracks.’’’

‘’You paged Jal with 'You /likely/ got them all.’’’

‘’Jal pages: Gotcha. Thanks!’’

"My guess is we got them all. Only a guess mind you...but it isn't like there were tons of tracks." Jal peers up from the bushes and rolls his narrow shoulders. Framed by the sky, splattered in blood, he looks younger somehow. Smaller. "And yes. Let's check for a nest. Their attacks might have been as much about protecting eggs as territory."

"Very well," Thanix replies to Amithil. He jerks his sword up from the ground, reversing it to rest the blade at his shoulder. "If you suggest a recurring danger, it should not be allowed to continue." Nuanna shakes her head and nods, "I am ready to head back." she murmurs, not feeling the best.

Amithil gets up, and properly puts away her bow and arrows, wrapping herself with her cloak again. It's easi to get up and down when you're this low to the ground to begin with. "If they are already hatched they should be destroyed. If they have not... they are not a threat yet."

Armor powering down and gears under the plates quieting, Vroole looks a bit exhausted, sluggish even as if a rock creature could be said to ever not be such. It lasts only a moment as his mana energies recoup from the drain. He finally looks around and he is nodding, "I think we should take them back. Profit and for knowledge as well.. I wouldn't mind looking over one of them"

A panel opposite the first opens in Thanix' thigh; from it, he withdraws a worn, ratty old cloth, promptly taken to the thick length of metal blade in hand. "I still do not understand this theory of 'profit'," he explains, matter-of-factly. "Perhaps it is necessary for the Unforged, but we are self-sufficient. Aside from occasional use in formulating internal myomers, I do not see a use for it."

"Perhaps for some indeed... I am a seeker of knowledge and it is one thing that I know of that does not come cheaply. In experience and in monetary value... And so here I am. If I must accumulate money to acquire knowledge, then so be it." Vroole looks to the other War Golem as he explains his own view on it, "One day it will all be worth it. Or so I need to believe."

Amithil keeps a safe distance. If there are chicks well, small or no they'd still be bigger to her than they are to her much taller companions. "Profit is useful not only because it lets us buy food to survive, but it also lets us buy better equipment to be safer next time."

From his spot near the bushes, Jal suddenly kneels. "Oho!," he calls softly. "We've got a nest!" Carefully, gingerly in fact, he pulls up a nest of expertly woven twigs and, straw and dirt. Within, three large eggs are nestled. "I don't know what an internal myomer is, but a man needs coin to drink. And these..." he smiles down on the eggs, "...should definitely get us some of that." Clearly, they all have different priorities when it comes to spending money.

Nuanna shakes her head, "Welcome to the eggs. I am just ready to head back and get paid and see how much temple will charge to de..stonify me."

Thanix cleans his blade, running the old cloth along the simple metal with quick, practiced measures. "I see," he states, inner gears whirring quietly. "Damage assessment complete. No internal damage noted. Minor scratching along exterior surface. Target detection array in working order. Blade in need of sharpening." He ends with a satisfactory swish of his weapon, twirling it up and through the air before it reclamps to his back with a simple *clang*.

And a pause, as he glances over at uanna. "You do not appear to be very stony," he remarks. "However. I will carry you if needed until such time as we reach said temple."

Amithil walks over to Nuanna, the one companion she doesn't have to break her neck to talk to. "The effects should heal naturally over time, in the worst case, though I do understand wanting to hasten the process with assistance." she offers, happily spouting her book knowledge this whole trip apparently.

Nuanna shakes her head, "I can walk and move, I just...feel stiff." she mutters and shakes her head, "Will have to talk to Reos, I should have gotten a different judgement." she chuckles.

Thanix strides over to Nuanna, kneeling down with a creak of metallic joints. "Hopefully next time he will provide better guidance on the day's loading," he remarks, offering his arm. "I am prepared to assist. Will you accept or determine to move on your o?"

Nuanna nods, "Assistance would be taken" she offers.

"Acknowledged," Thanix remarks. With careful firmness, he shifts his weight to one side, leaning to take cradle the goblin. A smooth lift-- he hefts the small form with a mechanical ease; rising to his height, he shifts her in his grip, settling her weight upon his shoulder with a faint thrum. "My frame is not meant for long-distance carriage," he says apologetically. "I will proceed as smoothly in step as I am capable."