CH 3: Pulp Adventure!

[Breila]

(Yes, that was my question. I had a mental picture of us coming out of the underbrush seeing a trail kind of running left to right)

[JadedDM]

Following the trail a bit, those with infravision can clearly see what appears to be a large statue of some kind of inhuman head. The head has large teeth, pointed ears, and perhaps most interesting--a third eye on its forehead. The statue is weather-beaten and clearly ancient, and a few vines have started growing over it.

[Jenara]

"Interesting..." Arei comments, describing the statue to those who can't see, "This would appear to be what we are looking for..?" Looking at the Kohen she makes sure the group hold their postion.

[JadedDM]

"Fascinating!" Dalaim says, approaching the statue. He shrugs off his pack, searches in it and pulls out a book and some ink and a quill. He quickly starts jotting down notes in the book as he circles the statue, observing it carefully. "But hardly what we are looking for. A single statue in the middle of the jungle is hardly 'ancient ruins,' now is it? But it does mean we are probably getting closer. Hmm, hmm, quite interesting. I've never seen this image before in any of my studies of ancient human civilizations."

[Jenara]

"Ahhh, with all due respect I believe you misunderstood me." Arei responds, I mean't is this the type of thing we are looking for, thus showing the way as you have stated." She bows gracefully.

[Breila]

Ouragana had followed Dalaim. While he sketches the statue, she bends to the ground and tries to find if there is anything man-made around it, like a foundation or walls that might be overgrown. If she needs to push away vegetation, she will use her dagger, not her bare hands.

[Nuke]

Val, no so interested in a big rock, keeps her eyes peeled for any visitors. "Let's keep moving, it'll be daylight soon."

[JadedDM]

The only thing of interest Ouragana finds is a broken arrow. It appears to be quite primitive with a head made of stone.

Dalaim finishes his note-taking and closes the book with a snap. "Your orc friend is quite rude, but technically correct. Let's move on, see what else we can discover." He places the book back in his pack.

[Jenara]

"Agreed. We should adopt the same order as before." she moves back to the trail, still addressing Daliam. "Do you expect to find more like this? Or are you unsure?"

"Eyes open, keep alert." she says to the group.

[JadedDM]

"Of course," Dalaim says as he falls back in line. "The reports from Scragsplitter's men said they actually found what appeared to be a small city--or what was left of it."

[Breila]

Ouragana steps back into line, too. "I have found a broken arrow with a stone tip" she informs the group. Turning to Val, she asks her: "Could you please secure it to my backpack, so we can move on quickly?"

[Jenara]

"A small City? That would be a good find." She comments walking in the lead while waiting for Val.

[Nuke]

Eager to get underway, Val sticks the broken arrow into Ouragana's backpack. "OK, we go"

Val starts down the path, moving slow, looking ahead.

[JadedDM]

The party continues on ahead, down the path. It will still be a little longer before the sun comes up. The night air is cool and wet. The jungle itself seems intimidating in the darkness, even for those with infravision.

Ironically, it's one of the humans who firsts senses that something is wrong. Jocelyn realizes that things have become too quiet. The ambient wildlife sounds have faded. Glancing around, even in the darkness, she sees a humanoid figure, crouching in a tree about thirty feet away. She also can make out that the figure, which seems to have a deer-like head, is holding a bow and is pulling back an arrow on it. And it is aiming right for the party!

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Party Surprise Roll (1d10): 9, not surprised

Jocelyn makes an Alertness check (1d20): 5, success. Jocelyn automatically wins initiative in the ambush round.

(OOC: Horizon gets to go first, then the enemy, and then we begin Round 1.)

[HorizonsDream]

"Shit," Jocelyn says as she pulls out her sling and quickly lets one of her stones fly into the trees.

Hit Roll (7-6=1, miss)