OOC: Before I post (sorry for the sudden absence--I left in a rush and forgot to notify earlier. I also assumed that most of you would see the notice in the OOC thread for WSNQDY) I'd just like to clarify where Na is, and who she's with. She has very little to say to her fellow raiders, but has a strong interest in leaving the prime, and would therefore be more interested in the PC's group.
Game: Blades of Git'riban : Primal State
[Na is still with her own troops right now, but can appear on the Fume any time.]
"And Kith'rak Kirath, my beast as you name him, has a name... "Nah'Mizh'Aar".. I would like to see him addressed as such.."
and with that she strokes the Wyvern under its chin...and looks at all gathered to make sure they all understand..
... And so after their meeting and reports, the Git'ribani settle down in the officers' quarters in the lower deck of the Fume. That is except for Ii'Jyka'Vaar, who stays with her wyvern. Gib offers her services as a telepath to aid Ii'Jyka in bonding the beast. She can serve as a medium between the knight and the drake. The three stand atop the Fume for a long time before Ii'Jyka'Vaar mounts Nah'Mizh'Aar, and flies around the fleet's formations.
[DM - the last dragonriding check stands as a natural 1. EvilDM warning, nat 1 is not always 'epic fail' sometimes it's 'epic strange'. So, you roll a natural 1 just as you re-encounter other githyanki ... ;p Anyway, gimme another dragonriding check for your 'training' with Gib.]
Xykk't [zAIk-t] is small for a duthka'gith, only coming up to Ar'dru's breastplate. She is smitten with Ar'dru Cha'rir, having heard reports of his recent exploits and battles, including his part in their shared battle. She is not shy about her desires. There is one among her warriors, a young duthka'gith with stubby knobs for 'wings', who glowers when Xykk't and Ar'dru talk.
Ya'shenn finds herself resting with Gy-Nath and the other Git'ribani. Gy confides in her that he had been running dangerously low on power towards the end. She notes that all of his injuries have self-healed, and he admits to disintigrating a pillar of the stone gazeebo upon arrival. He invites Ya'shenn to meditate with him, to recall and analyze the events of the rrakkma. [Yes, he's inviting her into his mind. Gy is primarily a kineticist,(Ftr 6/Psion 12), so more powerful than Ya'shenn is, but as a telepath he pales in comparison.]
Du'minh talks with K'tch and Sark'ja. K'tch, as a member of the Esoteric Order was trained to spy on the graith, posing as a traveling performer, of type depending on the local culture. He had been part of the pre-Incursion groundwork on the world of Ia-Na. Once the Incursion was well underway, he was recalled back to the Astral. He was to undergo more training, traveling the planes. He just sort of ended up in Sigil among his travels, where he heard of Vlaakith's fall. Sark'ja, on the other hand, is Git'ribani born and bred. Her parents were githyanki Emissaries, having been both outcast for various crimes before meeting each other in Sigil. She had spent much of her youth between Git'riban and the decks of various spelljammers of the gith pirates. Still, she always considered herself githyanki and carries herself as such, though her speech is so full of planar cant she practically sounds like a Hiver. Her friend Kitiir sits alone in silence, maintaining her gear.
....
Na'rai oversees what repairs can be made to the damaged skiffs, including the one that rammed the gazeebo. It is the damaged skiffs that slow the strike force down, for even the brigs could have outrun the wyverns in the air.
Na'rai finds herself in a conflict over the githyanki from Sigil. One the one hand, she owes her life to the dragonrider and the warrior with the heavy flail, but on the other she has orders to limit contact and therefore inadvertant sharing of information, between her warriors and non-Heartforce githyanki. It was through a color pool controled by the Heartforce that the Siver Eyes moved the information about Hlondeth. Her squad was chosen to acompany the intel, and see its results before reporting back. That a party of githyanki had come via planar portal to the same place at the same time is a strange coincidence that begs further investigation. Na'rai is torn between not seeing the Git'ribani, 'porting over and thanking them, and subtilly trying to pump them for information.
....
Kirath faces a number of options concerning the upcoming raid on Assam. The city does not lie along normal paths of travel for the githyanki, so it may have been some time since it was raided last. This could mean better prepared defences. It is perfectly acceptable to attack farms and fields instead of the city itself, since starvation could claim more casualties than githyanki swords in the longer run. Normally githyanki wouldn't kill farmers, since their toil brings more bounty to raid again later, but this case is different. The point is to make the graith hate abiding in the region simply because it is where it is.
The graith MUST know that the githyanki attack them because of Oryndoll, since Emissaries have been sent.
....
[There, I think I left the door open for everyone to do a post PLEASE CHECK IN.]
....
[* BoG'r note on Emissaries -]
* Githyanki do not believe in the sanctity of messengers. Too often messengers can become prisoners or casualties anyway, so the githyanki don't even pretend to make a promise of safety, and expect none in return. A githyanki Emissary is therefore an outcast, one who cannot return to her own people. Githyanki outcasts in general are called Emissaries, but an Emissary in the traditional sense is a githyanki who willingly accepts exile in order to deal with graith for some critical reason. An Emissary might deliver a message, then deliver the point of her sword knowing she can never return to the children of Gith, or she might live among the graith for many years.
'Emissary' is often synonomous with 'exile' and even 'traitor'. A githyanki who has lost her honor through crimes or failure may regain it as an Emissary, delivering one last message to a graith nation on behalf of her queen. Some Emissaries are hunted, and it is a point of honor for any githyanki to get to slay an Emissary from one's own warband. Githyanki of other warbands are usually not under any obligation to do so. Emissaries are considered graith, or nearly so, and remain exiles for life. Only in rare circumstances, such as a full pardon by Queen Vlaakith herself, could an Emissary return to githyanki society. *
(OOC:seems u need high skill levels to compensate the crappy comp-roll-results we seem to get here on the boards)
Ride check for the Wyvern training.
[ ... an un-natural 20 ;p Good enuf, I just didn't want your last roll to be that 1. Of course if you had rolled another 1, evilDM would have an evilgasm
EDIT : I will post again this week. too late here now & I have to work tomorrow.]
[Yea, seems BogR strikes non-stop, lower then 10 and crits, thats all we get... sigh]
... And so after their meeting and reports, the Git'ribani settle down in the officers' quarters in the lower deck of the Fume. That is except for Ii'Jyka'Vaar, who stays with her wyvern. Gib offers her services as a telepath to aid Ii'Jyka in bonding the beast. She can serve as a medium between the knight and the drake. The three stand atop the Fume for a long time before Ii'Jyka'Vaar mounts Nah'Mizh'Aar, and flies around the fleet's formations.
Does that mean she is not at the debriefing? how can i gather info then if i am not allowed to be there?
... And so after their meeting and reports, the Git'ribani settle down in the officers' quarters in the lower deck of the Fume. That is except for Ii'Jyka'Vaar, who stays with her wyvern. Gib offers her services as a telepath to aid Ii'Jyka in bonding the beast. She can serve as a medium between the knight and the drake. The three stand atop the Fume for a long time before Ii'Jyka'Vaar mounts Nah'Mizh'Aar, and flies around the fleet's formations.
Does that mean she is not at the debriefing? how can i gather info then if i am not allowed to be there?
Can i, during the travels, do some gather info rolls then instead?
Kirath paces back and forth in his quarters. Tactically it would be a more sound idea to destroy the fields and farms of the graith. There would be few if any gith casualties if he chose that route. Where would be the honor and glory in destroying peasants and children? But if the defenses of Assam are too formidable he would throw away githyanki lives needlessly.
He sends for the leader of the gityanki scouts (OOC is there such a position in the fleet? If not I will adjust my post)and says "I want you to do a covert sweep of the graith seetlement of Assam." "Note any defenses we will be facing." "Your intel will decide our course of action so make haste"
Sighing the warlock says to himself "I will not let myself cave to the hubris that doomed the Copper Ring!"
Though very fatigued, Ya'shenn is not very likely to complain about a direct request from a kith'rak she has elected to follow. The psion agrees (of course) and takes up a meditation position that would probably look uncomfortable to some passing graith. She makes a few polite inquiries concerning which of the psionic traditions/schools/approaches the kith'rak is most familiar with; the composition of their informal warband has not provided many opportunities to talk shop with another psion.
It is not very difficult to make the mental link with the kith'rak, nor is it difficult to enter a meditative state -- though it does require some effort not to allow that particular mental state to turn into sleep.
~My own powers are all but exhausted for the moment, the Band of Amber psion replies to Gy-Nath's earlier statement, agreeably but also somewhat dryly.
While she shares her knowledge of the group's recent rrakkma, it is perhaps not overly difficult for Gy-Nath to discern that the psion is somewhat... guarded when it comes to some of her personal thoughts or emotional reactions to events. A substantial quantity of concern (and anger) is present in regard to Mudshow's lyrics, and while she attempts to mind-share the torture chamber faithfully, her psyche recoils from it more than once. Not being sure whether Gy-Nath is conversant in Qualith -- though it seems unlikely even for another psion -- she of course provides translation of the ghaik writings that the group encountered. Predictably, given that Ya'shenn possesses healing ability, the kith'rak can easily sense Ya'shenn's frustration that she was not able to help Ha'kan'a more by purging the venom from his body in the first place.
While she does not attempt to probe in an intrusive manner, the psion asks to be filled in on occasions when members of the rrakkma band were separated.
~Captain, I remain very... concerned... about what may be happening in Git'riban even now, while our group appears to be marooned on this Plane. It is not overly difficult for me to envisage various scenarios which would allow... our Enemy... to attempt to cause the entire district to implode. Unfortunately, it is also easy to imagine this band returning to Git'riban only to find its inhabitants mazed or flayed.
Ya'shenn does not add, of course, that at least some githyanki would probably not mind if the entire district were dealt with via fire and sword.
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
Ii'Jyka'Vaar keeps Nah'Mizh'Aar attentive with her singing and keeps him also focussed by her intimidation techniques.. (wont roll, just background logic)
Ii'Jyka asks "Sister-duthka'gith Gib, if there is anything I can do in return for the training favor you have done.. then please tell me so, so that I can return a favor.." she says this with considerable strain, as she might feel uncomfortable telling a Duthka'gith thats she equals her as a full blooded sister, but she makes an effort to show she does appreciate the gesture of assistance and does not think less of a half blooded Gith just because she was born in this way (diplo roll, the strain of her contradictionary logic showing in her subtleness, lol.)
"I also wish to ask you if you know anybody in this fleet who has access to a Crystal mask of Dread?, as I think this kind of item will greatly help me in keeping my Wyvern in check.."
"I also need some decent lances to wield from my mount.." she says as an afterthought..
An item such as the one you seek might be availabe where we are returning to. For now your skill will have to keep the poison drake in check, though I will provide what aid I can. As far as returning a favor, having you call me 'sister' is more than enough payment, Gith'ees.
Ii'Jyka whinces internally at the answer given to her by Gib, but smiles and reminiscenses about her own predicament of "pureness"...
"Will you ride with me when we attack Assam? maybe you and sister Yashenn can team in the communications between us all?..."
[ooc: is she not to big/ heavy set, that the Wyvern could hold me and her as 2nd "less armored rider"?]
"Perhaps. Kirath has given orders that Assam and the surroundings be scouted out before the raid. This is prudent, though it does delay our return. I will propose we use your wyvern, for it would be less likely to alert the graith than the sight of a skiff in their skies. "
[ooc: is she not to big/ heavy set, that the Wyvern could hold me and her as 2nd "less armored rider"?]
"Yes, agreed, i will ask Yashenn what her thoughts are about staying in contact psionically, and we can discuss who could be best to ride with me as 2nd rider, if at all anybody will do so.."
[cue: enter Zimmy ]
[Hey, she's meditating at the moment. She might not be available to help with that right away. If the group hasn't yet slept, she's also almost completely drained of psi-power.]
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
[Yea well, i thouht the initial training of the Wyvern and your meditation could go simultaniously, then when u finish, you can help me further with the beastie ]
To not have the fleet slow down on long running flights, Ii'Jyka trains the Wyvern to latch onto a Skiff without trying to attack it, or to damage it..she trains extensively with her mount to land on a moving vessel and to jump of it, and when landed to actually lay low so that they dont catch to much wind...
(several ride checks to see how i can hop on and off a skiff...)
After several meager attempts, she finally gets the hang of it, and lands the Wyvern smoothly on the back of a random passing skiff, touching down gently and latching on without even shaking up the skiffs movement.. she seems pleased then with the training, and decides to seak out Yashenn to talk about the possibilties of communications
Recognising Xykk’ts obvious signals but unsure as to her true motives Ar’Dru chats pleasantly with her, swapping war-stories from the incursion and discussing tactical theory. He listens intently to her answers, not prying for information but speaking directly and plainly, not flirting by any means, simply interested in what Xykk’t has to say.
She is obviously a capable warrior given her command so he treats her as an equal, something which most of his companions (apart from Du’minh) may not have seen before. Ar’dru is curious about the tattoos that she bears and will ask about them if it seems polite to do so.
Ar’Dru pays conspicuously ignores Xykk’ts warriors unless she introduces them - in which case he will deem them worthy of his attention and will politely enquire as to their background and their role within the warband.
Checks below if necessary
"We're making a better world. All of them, better worlds." - Anonomous Harmonium Officer
"Gib, sister dragonling, have you any idea if there is access to magic items that give any dragon the breath weapon of a true dragon once? by use of a potion?..It would be good to use such if we raid this city called Assam.." [For DM: Dragon's Draught, Magic Item Compendium]
Na'rai takes the time to rest and clean her things before considering whether or not--or rather, how--to handle the coincidences that have taken place. Being highly suspicious of the whole affair, she decides that it is best to face the issue with a clear head and as little physical distraction as possible. Caution never hurts when dealing with possible spies or mind-slaves, and the chain of events give Na every reason to suspect that someone or something has been compromised in one or both groups.
As soon as she can, Na teleports over to the bridge of the Fume and takes stock of the situation.While she resolves to speak to the other warband's apparent leader, she first observes the plans for the attack on Assam and decides it is best to make her influence felt in the Apocolyates' battle plans. She asks to speak with Kirath, or the nearest githyanki to him in the chain of command to get a breifing on the situation and the fleet's current plans. She also asks after Gy-Nath's whereabouts, though she makes an effort to make this seem like a casual reuest.
As Kirath is waiting on the reports from the scouts. He hears from some of hi sub-commanders that Na'rai wish to speak with him. He wearily makes his way to the heavily armed Jade. "You wished a debriefing Sister Na'rai?"
"The current situation is that we are preparing an assault on the graith settlement of Assam. I have sent out scouts to determine the defenses of the city. If the defenses seem overly formidable. I am mulling over the option of laying waste to the farms and outlying districts to maximize damage to the graith while limiting our casualties. I loath going with this option as there is no glory in attacking farmers and peasants but it will accomplish our goal without wasting gith lives.
"I would appreciate your insight if you have an opinion on the subject. As I am not arrogant enough to rebuff the advice of wise commanders"
[DM - Assuming a time-jump here of a few hours. Everyone has rested. Also, rather than have the PCs scout out Assam, DM will assume NPC scouts will do so and return with reports. This is more to move things along again than for any other reason.]
Gy-Nath ascends from the lower deck of the Fume up to the command center on the flight deck to represent the Git'ribani. He greets Kirath and Na'rai formally, but then says something very stange.
"You have heard those githyanki who have accompanied me call me 'Kith'rak', and it is indeed a title I have held, but in this case I no longer have claim of command over them. Our raid upon Illithid House is over, the cause for my command is done. It is now up to each gith individually to decide how they will aid you in this next endevor. I can no longer claim to speak for the entire group. I will act as a messenger, though, and relay your words to them if need be. I would suggest you speak with each in turn though, brother Kirath, if you desire their aid."
"In the meanwhile, I can only speak for myself and offer my own opinions, now untained by concern for those blades under my command. If you would consider my words, Kirat, then I say only this; consider your aims. Do you wish to bring maximum harm to the graith of Assam? Or do you wish to impose upon them terror of githyanki blades? In the longer timeframe, starvation may well kill more than our blades could in this one span. Burn the farms and you will bring greater suffering for a longer time, but the graith of Assam may well offer more prayers to their harvest gods than fearful curses directed at us"
"Is there knowledge of what Temples are situated within the city of Assam?, if there are any martial churches, i think a concerted attack on the fields and a bombing run of sorts on these churches would show our might, and also constrain their ability to return fire, and demoralize the local populace.."
"Gy-Nath has right in his tactical decision, but this does do us a silemma, in that our honor does not see such raids as sufficient.. my proposal is that we do a two-prongued attack, one to demoralize the populace and one to break any retaliatory power..."
she then steps back to let the others ponder her "attack" on any one's honor, whilst still seeing the sound tactical logic of Gy-Nath's proposal.
Tar'geel, advises caution, "We will know more of the lay of the city and surrounding settlements when the scout-skiffs return." He also points out that whether they decide to attack farms or or the city itself, they have already spent all their alcemical firepower.
"Yes, blades will serve, but we have rested, and my duthka'gith do not lack fire." Xykk't replies. "I have eight duthka'gith, myself and two others with spells, at your orders, commander." She bows to Kirath (though interestingly, Gib is standing right next to the warlock at the time).
While they await the word of the scouts, the commanders continue talking and debating. Gy-Nath is mostly quiet after his initial input, which gives Na'rai a chance to talk with him. They discuss the recent raid, and tactics for raids on cities in general. Na'rai steers the conversation back to the recent raid on Hlondeth .... [ Make sense motive / bluff rolls with your next post, Wei]
[ Du'minh is assumed to still be on the lower deck, but it is a short ladder trip up to the flight deck (actually, command deck since the Fume is the flagship of the strikeforce. He can attend at any time. If he does, the other Sigilan githyanki may come up as well. He need not attend to know everything that goes on anyway, since a dc12 listen check at the bottom of the ladder will reveal all.]
[ Ya'shenn can be on the lower deck, with option to attend or listen as per Du'minh. However, as she is a natural clairvoyant, Gib may have asked her to take a skiff and join the scouts. The skull allows her to use her "3x per day" powers for free, and extends their range. Ya'shenn could therefore stay very high up, or hidden in a cloud, and psionicly spy on the the city. There are a few other clairvoyants in the strikeforce. I will leave it up to Zim to decide whether Gib asked Ya'shenn to take a skiff or not.]
Ar'dru is above, with Xykk't and the other duthka'gith. [ Az said he might have something to contribute, so I'm assuming he's on the command deck.]
Ii'jyka'vaar is at the commanders' debate. Suddenly, she realizes the wyvern is gone. A few minutes pass before he returns, a dead goat in his bloody jaws. "Hungry." he gulps it down, making a bloody mess on the floor. Xykk't and the duthka'gith chuckle. "More. Ground. Hungry? Hunt?"
Ii'Jyka'Vaar smiles when the Wyvern makes a mess, in such a non-political fashion, so innocent and without agenda, if but all creatures were such...
"Yes, Nah'Mihz'Aar, we will hunt.."she says, to the Wyvern (in draconic), and then looks at the rest assembled and says "I will use this opportunity to scout also and feed him ", with that, she moves towards the door after having given the group sufficient time to reply..
Ar’dru listens quietly to the discussion going on before speaking. “If your desire is to make the graith fear the People as they rightly should then the scale of our attack is of no matter. A creature does not simply fear a dragon for its size, he fears it because he is painfully aware that he is completely inferior in every respect and is continued existence relies on the dragons whim. Those we are facing are not true warriors so honourable battle would hold no glory regardless. I agree that temples are a valid target and a number of them should be attacked, however, I would also recommend attacking other buildings – private homes, slums, guard posts and orphanages as well as individuals on the streets. The attacks need not cause much damage but a single room full of mutilated priests or children and not an attacker to be found is more terrifying to a commoner than a frontal assault on a guard-post. The idea that no-one is safe, that an untouchable foe can pick them off at will for reasons unknown, will fester in their minds, breeding fear and discontent within the city. A rash of arsons or tainting the drinking sources with corpses might also be effective in achieving our goals yet leave the potentially useful farmlands free of damage. We need only leave enough victims crippled but living to reveal our identity should we wish to use our reputation to coerce the graith in the future. In this way we need not waste our time on this settlement nor risk our warriors being dragged down by the overwhelming numbers of the barbarians while still breaking their spirit.”
"We're making a better world. All of them, better worlds." - Anonomous Harmonium Officer
The others hear Ya'shenn's feet on the ladder as she ascends to join the rest of the group.
Once invited to provide her report, the psion provides an extensive -- rather exhaustive, actually -- description of Assam and its immediate environs. Assuming that she is able to obtain parchment and ink, the psion takes the time to draw an updated map, mainly for the benefit of those githyanki (and duthka'giths) who have not had the pleasure of raiding this graith settlement previously.
She takes particular care to describe the castle and tower and their defenses (indicating which areas of Assam are known to be scrying-proof), noting that it appeared to have been built in response to previous githyanki raids, as well as providing what she had been able to determine with regard to guard patrols.
"The graith of Assam have made an effort to ready defenses against githyanki raids, and appear to have some understanding of the capabilities of the People, at least in a general sense. They have hired at least one mage of some power, along with apprentices, a fact which may explain why so many areas are warded against remote viewing. Their thoughts are much preoccupied at present with the likelihood of attacks by the unliving -- apparently the People have raided them in such a fashion recently." She provides such description of the weapons -- mainly axes and heavy cleaving weapons -- and preparations the townspeople have against such attacks as she was able to obtain.
"While these barbarians expect future raids, I am not entirely certain whether the Emissaries that were sent recently successfully delivered their message -- not even after examining the surface thoughts of the graith themselves. After having been raided before, one might think that being visited by a Githyanki would be perceived by these savages either as a fearful threat or at least with much enmity. I would like to respectfully inquire whether it is certain that the Emissaries were able to contact the graith of Assam."
Though she does not say so outright, Ya'shenn wonders if perhaps the Emissaries decided to simply flee into the wilderness of this benighted Prime world without completing their mission first. She also wonders if anyone had kept a clairvoyant or arcane eye on the Emissaries, for that matter. On the other hand, if the Emissaries had traveled entirely in secret and only delivered their message to Assam's leadership, there might be nothing at all in the minds of the average townsperson.
"If there remains significant doubt that the graith were recently contacted, it would be..." the psion smiles thinly, "...polite to inform them of their error in living within tentacle-reach of Oryndoll. Assuming that the barbarians persist in this error, I concur with my companion Ar'dru in suggesting that the water sources should be poisoned to the extent practical, if we are to discourage them from resettling the land. In the longer term, perhaps it would be worthwhile to contemplate salting their fields, or even allowing the unliving to overrun this area. It would certainly keep human farmers elsewhere, while discouraging illithids from having anything to do with the place at the same time."
[The description of Assam and its environs is quite long; I guess I'll post it on the OOC thread. Assume that Ya'shenn provided this (exhaustively) to the group.]
[Incidentally -- Sense Motive on Gy-Nath, if you don't mind, Azure. He abdicated rather suddenly, no?]
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
Ii'Jyka stands impatiently whilst Ya'shenn drones out the boring tactical information, even though she is interested in the tactics, she has severe irritations at the speed that this meeting is taking place.. her frustration evident in the fact that she grinds her fists around the hilt of her hammer, holding it in 2 hands but not in a way to use it offensively..
[Sense Motive whilst she awaits all the talk to finish]
(can someone kill the person that made this new "layout/ text and such"?, its getting on my nerves.)
With the scouts' report delivered, the debate among the officers continues. Tar'geel contines in his caution, "We haven't sufficient forces to attack any well-defended strongpoints. Eight duthka'gith and two score githyanki blades do not make an army capable of successfully assaulting the graiths' tower." "Perhaps you are right, Tar'geel, but your cowardice in this situation does you little credit." Xykk't replies with a sneer. "Your insults, halfbreed, would lead me to draw blade upon you if they did not come from a mere beast." It is obvious to the Git'ribani that there is a great deal of tension between the two blocs present here. Morover the two sarth have personal emity between them. It did not show itself during operations, indeed in the heat of battle it had seemed that the entire force worked as one without hesitation. It can only be hoped that when they attack Assam, the githyanki and duthka'gith will re-unite. Gy-Nath, ever the Unifist, attempts to re-direct the debate back to the matter at hand, "I believe my companions Ar'dru and Ii'jyka'vaar have made very valuable contributions here. A multi-pronged attack would be more difficult for the graith to respond to. Each arm of the attack would be weaker, of course, and we would have to choose our targets carefully. I suggest that one group attack the horse-drivers outside of town, slaying the guards and horses to reduce their mobility, then going on to burn one of the herdsmans' corals or farms to disrupt the graiths' food supply. A second, stronger party should attack one on the temples to convey our distain for their misguided faith in Powers. A third force should either engage the graiths' response or perhaps attack one of the gathering places of the graith, like a tavern." "I personally like sister Ya'shenn's suggestions," Gib contributes, "Though poisoning water sources and raising zombies are not in our current power to do. Though we have only known each other a short time, I have trust in the double-edged mind's abilities. Mentally dominating a number of graith could prove valuable, especially since it appears the Emissaries' message has not gotten through to the population in general."
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
Ii'Jyka'Vaar goes into her own mind and searches if she has any recollection of the powers being named have any sicnificant knowledge in her mind..
Seeing the plans taking shape Ar'dru nods in agreement "I will take part in the raid on the temples unless the raid leader believes that my abilities can be better used on the horse traders. I should also be able to provide rapid support and a diversionary presence for other groups once my primary objective is completed. A few clerics dropped from height should also help to dampen the towns spirits."
"We're making a better world. All of them, better worlds." - Anonomous Harmonium Officer
It is Tar'geel who speaks, "Hrmm, if the temples and the caravans are attacked simultaneously, than it is the temples that will draw a graith miltary response. Inside of town. First reports recieved. An expected target by githwarriors, since there are already two destroyed temples. A stronger force to attack the temples, with a back-up force to deal with their response. Meanwhile, a second, smaller force slays all the horses of the caravan outside of town. This act both decreses the mobility of the plainsmen, making their life more difficult, and deals a psychological blow, that we consider them, their gods, and their horses, as equally beneath us." "I suppose you'll be in charge of killing horses, Tar'geel" "Actually, I was going to suggest that your duthka'gith, the Sigilans, and the Jade attack the temples, while I would wait with most of my warriors for the graiths' response before we attacked from the air." Tar'geel smirks, "Besides, if I wanted to slay dumb beasts with my own blade, I needn't go to Assam." "Ha! But in all seriousness, charred horseflesh is delicious, and the hold on the Darkflame is empty." Xykk'y replies, "Hold off the reinforcements until you're sure we need you. From my reports, The Sigilans include a Rish-i-chal, among other strong warriors. Between my duthka'gith, the Sigilans, and the Jade, I believe we can handle whatever response to the attack on the temples the graith manage to muster. If we don't need you, fill as many holds as you can with horseflesh. We will fly high in the cold to keep it fresh on the way to Starmantle." Tar'geel eyes Xykk't strangely. He knows that she is trying to subtily compromise his honor, but her suggestions have such merit that he cannot gainsay them. So he says nothing. [(Evil)DM: By the way, the PCs are Git'ribani, NOT Sigilans. The githyanki here do not appreciate the differance, and somebody should set them right. If none of the PCs do, one of the NPCs will. Who it is who does so will determine the manner in which it happens.]
[I'll kick that door in + DM: what info on my Know-check?] Tar'Geel, It seems you cannot distinguish between Git'ribani and Sigilan, "we" are of the previous, most Graith are of the latter, i would be much more satisfying for all of us if u would account us by the Git'ribani "titlement".. Ii'Jyka'Vaar says whilst planting her heavy armoured boot on the floor with emphasis, and giving a slight nod to Tar'Geel.. And I, for that matter, am Tu'narathi... and there is another who goes by such a titlement, and whith that, she nods to the psion... (crap dice as ussual, edit to build on the latter of Zim's post)
The psion's expression is one of visible distaste at the thought of being referred to as either a Sigilan or a Git'ribani. Despite everything, the psion still has a good deal of civic pride, and thinks of herself as 'of Tu'narath' -- never mind that that city effectively no longer exists. Ya'shenn does not really like to be compared to those githyanki who never saw the inside of a varsh'isk in their lives, and who were brought up hardly speaking proper Githyanki at all. However, given that the psion has recently fought alongside native-hatched Git'ribani, and that Ii'Jyka'Vaar has already spoken, she says nothing.
She listens to the topic at hand, however, and recalls a particular detail. "Those caravan guards may not be completely harmless, either; the graith there too are alert to the possibility of githyanki raids."
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
Ar'dru snorts at being referred to as a 'Sigilan' but leaves the ignorant statement uncorrected, simply lowering the two speakers in his esteem.
"We're making a better world. All of them, better worlds." - Anonomous Harmonium Officer
As the group continues to discuss strategy, the psion's eyebrows knit together as Ya'shenn realizes that these githyanki (and duthka'giths) are substantially more resource-constrained than anticipated. She re-inks her pen and makes several annotations to the map of Assam and environs.
Additionally, she makes a mental note to 'forage on the enemy' as opportunity presents itself.
[If it hasn't been provided before, assume that Ya'shenn shares the locations of all significant food stores both within and near Assam, including which are suitable for a githyanki/duthka'gith diet.]
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
Kirath listens thoughfully to the banter and exhange of ideas between the commanders and the newcomers. He chuckles to himself at how quickly the force breaks down into faction lines so quickly after battle has ceased. Kirath clears his throat to get the attention of all the relevant parties. "I agree with Gy-Nath about hitting the temples. I also agree we should take out the drivers athough I think only small force should handle this . I however also think we should strike the mage and his apprentices as well. We all know how quickly the might of magic can turn a battle. "As far as the composition of each striketeam I am open to suggestions."
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
Kirath looks around the room meeting each githyanki eyes with his own before saying slowly.
"Why I understand some of you may see my choice of which of the graith temples as no challenge. Our mission here is too inflict the most damage with the fewest losses so I propose that we attack the Temple of Chauntea.
Kirath then scans the room looking for any signs if discontent with his choice.
Ii'Jyka'Vaar looks with disdain back at Kirath, but says nothing.
Stroking the head of the Wyvern, she turns around and then moves to mount the wyvern and fly off...
"Why I understand some of you may see my choice of which of the graith temples as no challenge. Our mission here is too inflict the most damage with the fewest losses so I propose that we attack the Temple of Chauntea.
Kirath then scans the room looking for any signs if discontent with his choice.
Ya'shenn, predictably enough, looks mildly pleased with the decision. But not smug. That would not do.
BoGr Guide to Missile Combat:
1) Equip a bow or crossbow.
2) Roll a natural 1 on d20.
3) ?????
4) Profit!
Ar'dru shrugs before beginning to prepare for the raid "No matter, I do not expect the graith to possess any warriors worthy of the title."
"We're making a better world. All of them, better worlds." - Anonomous Harmonium Officer
Kirath looks around the room meeting each githyanki eyes with his own before saying slowly.
"Our mission here is too inflict the most damage with the fewest losses so I propose that we attack the Temple of Chauntea.
Gib bows, "So it shall be, commander."
The githyanki get their gear ready for battle (which does not take long, for a githyanki's battlegear is always ready). They then assemble once again on the command deck. Tar'geel and a chosen task force transfer to the other brigs, and make ready to kill and collect as many horses as they can (after the guards have been dealt with, of course). The wounded have been transferred to the damaged skiffs, and they are to continue north escorted by a few fully manned and operational skiffs. The rest of the task force can catch up quickly afterward.
Ha'kan'a, however, refuses to go, and injures a healer who was too insistant. He transfers, via skiff, over to the Fume. He standson his remaining leg, leaning on the hilt of his greatsword. He never had a scabbard for it, but several other injured githwarriors had donated their blades' shieths, and made a strangely chaotic and stitched-together holder for Ha'kan'a's over-sized sword. He is still pale, and shakes a bit now and then, but in his eyes is a fierce fire, and though he is no longer mobile enough for battle, he bosts that he has been learning how to fire a tripple heavy crossbow.
The other native Git'ribani, Sark'ja and Kitiir, have joined the rest on the upper deck. Kitiir glares at the masked Jade warrior, Na'rai, with intensity. No one on the deck is at all surprised, then, when Kitiir chanlenges her.
"You! You stole my kill, and worse, made a liar out of me. I promised that ghaik that it had more pain coming before it died."
"When I came on the scene, it was escaping, and you were not in a position to stop it." Na'rai's voice is as emotionless as her mask.
Kitiir clences her teeth and looks almost as if she will strike. "Nonetheless, you made a liar out of me. Just stay out of my way on this raid, and if you insult my honor again you'll be metting my shiv."
"Thank you, for explaining my plight, Kith'rak Kirath, however, the party is not mine to command, I am merely present to adress a matter of honour.." and with that she steps back and in front of the Wyvern and reaches out to gain his attention, to keep him occupied and not snapping at others in the Fume