The 2nd Fleet: Journey to the Edge of the Known World — IC

[Namelessjake]

"Aye, in these woods we should assume everything wants to kill us until it proves otherwise," Ko agrees with Raj, the dwarf unhooking his hammer from his belt.

"That might be a bit rash, but we should be cautious," Zemi says, watching the strange creatures as they move slowly about the area. "If our plan is to get inside the tree, we could probably do it without being seen - though there could be more inside too," she adds.

[ratwizard]

Zima's brow furrows at the suggestion. "This might be their home, or what passes as a sacred place for them. It would be a great injustice to force our way in, especially with little cause or need at the moment. Perhaps the folk of the sea may seemingly desire to hunt us, but we cannot — and must not — assume such of these people. They deserve to at least be made known of our arrival should we want to investigate further. Otherwise, I ask that we observe them from afar, and provoke no trouble."

So soon do they manufacture the need to kill or trespass, even before they know a single thing about this strange, exciting people, she thinks. This could not have been the manner in which the Guild approached our people of Kandoras. So... calculating. And subversive. The seer shakes her head. Could it?

[Fialova]

Caoimhe finds the camping experience on the hill surprisingly peaceful. Though their position within the unknown forests of an even more unknown land is worrying to an extent, she feels like she has returned home being here, where all of her ancestors originated, and where the nature is so abundant, unlike the numerous sprawling metropolitan areas of Voreld. She does her best to stay close to Zima during her oft-disturbed sleep, not wanting to cause her any undue worry by rolling too far from her beloved.

In the morning, as the tree grows closer, Caoimhe's eyes grow wide with excitement. So this is one of the great trees of old. What our ancestors felled and carved into great ships, if the stories we were told were true. How magnificent to see one in person! What must it be like inside that cave? she thinks, as the entrance to within comes into view. Her thoughts are distracted, however, when the strange wood-like beings come into view.

"We are strangers in this land, so it is unlikely they'd see us as safe visitors without some way of alleviating their worries. Fortunately, Zima here should be able to do just that with her unique skill," she says, turning to the woman and moving closer. "You can do it, enaid. They will listen to you, I am sure of it," she whispers, firmly squeezing her lover's hand as she does so.

[ratwizard]

"They will hear me, yes," Zima whispers back, returning Caoimhe's pulse of her hand with one softer, less sure. But will they truly listen?

"Ilmoto," she says, turning toward her friend. "What are your thoughts? You were there when my people were found. I value your insight."

[BartNL]

"By the time we discovered your people we were cold, hungry, terrified, or dead." Imoto replies to Zima. "Some of us believed establishing contact would secure the expedition, seeing as how your people had managed to survive below the land. Other's believed it would be the expeditions downfall, after all, not being careful enough had caused the loss of so many lives. The first group was right, though it was a matter of luck or calculated risk at best." Ilmoto sighs, and rubs his temple with his metal hand. "I am not against this plan, though I still believe caution is in order. If we lose you, we lose our best medium to establish verbal contact. Let's take it slow and try to find out how they communicate with each other first. We can then try to mimic their customs of sharing foodstuff or items to show good faith before trying to talk." Ilmoto gives Zima a half smile. " And who knows, seeing as how these tree dwellers seem to only live inland, we might already have a common enemy in the fishmen."

[ratwizard]

Zima smiles as she listens carefully to Ilmoto's counsel. "Perhaps we can provide a peace offering, once we establish what it is that they might value. You are right — we have no need to rush into this. Whether our organizations are here to establish research or industry, I believe that we can all agree that can only happen under a mutual understanding with the indigenous populace."

She peers around, thinking. "What say we find a vantage point? We have many hours before sunset, and still days more of supplies."

[Fialova]

"Just how close must we be for you to properly communicate, enaid? I know we have done so at various distances, but do you know the furthest you could approach and still reach them? We should aim to not get too close for first contact, lest they view us as an approaching threat," Caoimhe responds, feeling pride in her lover's resolve on this matter, but not small amount of fear for her - or all of their - safety. It is important we observe and make contact, yes, but with caution. 

[ratwizard]

"A stone's throw or closer," Zima estimates. "With the difference in language and far more, I must rely on both sight and sense for them to understand me, and for me to understand them."

She frowns somewhat. "Unfortunately, that should make me an easy target for bow, or bola, or spear, should they not trust my words. For all of our safety, I would not come that close unless we can all but guarantee a lack of hostilities, or unless we otherwise have no choice."

OOC

The racial telepathy feature has range 5, so 25 feet.

[Namelessjake]

"Observing sounds like a sound course of action Zima," Zemi says. "We're here to learn after all."

"Then I suppose, for now, we hurry up and wait," Ko says, taking a seat on a moss covered rock and pulling out his pipe which he begins to pack. "I don't know about you Raj? But I'm getting paid whether we do anything or not," he says, looking to the other non-Explorers' Guild member of the expedition.

OOC

Barring any interruptions or other significant developments, how long would you like to hang back and observe for?

[Scratcherclaw]

"I do not know about you, my friend, but I think this prolonged observation is deserving of hazard pay," Raj says back to Ko, a sly smirk spanning across his face. He leans against a tree, looking to the guild members with a tilted head. Surely they can do it if they harbor such excitement about just observing. People watching is only enjoyable near the bazaar, with a refreshing, and strong, cocktail. 

[ratwizard]

Zima settles in for a long wait, taking out the set of intricate binoculars rescued from the watchtower ruins. She places the silver device to her eyes, watching, waiting.

OOC

Let's call it two hours from a vantage point that is close enough to watch, but far enough to be out of their immediate patrolling or whatever they're doing.

[Namelessjake]

You settle down and begin to observe the strange plant like creatures from your vantage point on the edge of the foliage. Over the next couple of hours their behaviour appears to remain fixed, as some patrol the area and others stand guard. Those on patrol seem to stick to set routes, never deviating from them, whilst those in fixed positions seem to stand as still as the great tree itself, with only small offshoots of leaves and twigs blowing in the wind.

After nearly two hours of watching, the routine is interrupted as you spy a new reptilian animal, about the size of a dog. The creature breaks from the foliage at the edge of the clearing about 300 feet from your location. Cautiously, it makes its way towards one of the lakes nestled amongst the great tree's roots, however as it does so it is spotted by one of the patrolling plant creatures, whose behaviour changes instantly.

Moving quickly, it drops down from the root, its gnarled wooden spear at the ready. With a quick thrust it ambushes the animal which lets out a cry of pain as the spear is driven through its torso. As the beast slumps to the forest floor, its attacker removes its spear with a sharp tug before casually finding a path back up on to the root where it returns to the spot it noticed the animal, before it resumes its patrol.

[ratwizard]

"A vigilance most uncanny," Zima comments, her eyes through the binoculars. "They simply dispatched that little lizard creature as if it were a morning routine." She frowns. "No doubt due to this great tree's presence, I'd have to imagine. Whatever value it holds — a domicile, a holy site, perhaps — they will most likely see us as an immediate threat."

OOC

Do any of them seem to have rotated in or out on their patrols? Possibly going to or coming from a break?

[Namelessjake]

OOC

You have witnessed no shift changes or changes of any kind to the postings and patrol routes.

[Scratcherclaw]

Raj watches in slight horror as the living plant quickly brings an end to the lizardhound's life. "If they did that to a creature that poses no threat, then I shudder to imagine what response we might provoke." He shakes his head, frowning at the swift death of the oddly cute creature. Maybe there will be more. If dogs are any indication, table scraps may be the key to taming such beasts.

"Now, I am no scholarly type, but... I am left unsure if these things even bear the same intelligence as us," he says uneasily. "They seem almost autonomous, more akin to those dwarven constructs my benefactors have paid handsomely for."

[ratwizard]

"They do seem quite alien in their manner," Zima admits. "But sentience can present itself in different ways. Perhaps there is a means to test such questions..."

Mechanics

Could I theoretically try and use Mage Hand or Far Hand to steer a bucket of treats or a bag of something toward these guys? The range is 5 — can't tell if that also limits the initial casting, or how far you can move the hand also.

[Namelessjake]

OOC

So the definition of range in 4e is; "The maximum distance that an effect can reach. Range is often expressed as a number of squares."

The sustain for Far Hand also suggests it has to stay within the 5 square radius, so I'm inclined to rule the same for Mage Hand.

Sustain Minor: You either move the target to a square within range or manipulate it.

Not a fun answer, sorry.

[ratwizard]

Zima sighs, checking her bag, realizing she has underprepared.

"I have not brought the reagents needed to perform a prayer, one that would allow me to send a basket of gifts or food a considerable distance as tribute to these strange beings. Instead, I can only to speak with them in proximity, and perhaps use my power to offer them such things without drawing too close. Though, this comes with the risk of them attacking anyhow."

She sighs, looking out once more at the tree-like figures, wondering where they fall upon the line between sentience and wild-mind. It couldn't be that... the tree itself is alive... could it?

OOC

I didn't bring Arcana ritual reagents unfortunately so I can't Tenser's Floating Disk some goodie bags in.

I have Telepathy 5 and Mage Hand / Far Hand (range 5) and that's about it. Any other ideas are welcome!

[BartNL]

"Out of luck, my reagents are a bit more, ehm, on the explosive side. Great gifts too, but maybe not as a first introduction." Ilmoto says to Zima.

[Fialova]

"I'll leave the decision to you, enaid," Caoimhe responds, at her lover's conundrum. There is danger in approaching, but there will always be danger. We are here, so she is not alone to face it should there be a fight. But what if it is futile? This place is too different from our home, it is hard to say. "No matter what, I will be there to protect you. If you think we should approach, then I will come. My people are from this land, so perhaps they will recognize in me something as well, which could help you."

[Scratcherclaw]

Raj shrugs as the scholarly types seem to be at a loss for how to proceed. "I have a hunch that these creatures would just stab a gift basket anyway," the Serranborn says bluntly, remaining uncertain in their sentience. "We could always, say... toss a stone their way and see how they react."

 

[ratwizard]

Zima frowns, the pressure of the decision coming down hard upon her mood. In a desired setting, there would be great care and efforts taken to ensure as peaceful a meeting as possible. Watching mannerisms, understanding motivations, providing gifts as tribute. Making sure not to encroach past boundaries seen or otherwise. That is what should be happening here, and yet neither myself nor these tree-kin have such a luxury. In the time it might take to perform this research, build this trust, another group — she eyes Raj, only realizing she is doing so after a moment — may take drastic and disastrous action that could unilaterally destroy and and all goodwill to be earned with these people.

She closes her eyes a moment, sighing deeply. No. If there is one to make this impossible decision, to contact a people when they may not even want to be contacted, it is myself. Only a Kandoran can truly understand this.

"We shall approach them," Zima commands. "Keep our posture gentle, hands empty and visible, step slow and certain. I will mind-speak to them should we reach a possible distance. I will tell them we seek no harm, only knowledge. But I need you all to agree on one point." The seer turns to the rest of you, her eyes set hard into her soft face. "We must not harm them, under any circumstances. If they attack, we retreat. Yes?"

[Fialova]

Worry fills Caoimhe's mind as her beloved speaks her plan. So much risk, and yet, if she believes it possible, I will always follow her. She steps forward, clasping Zima's hand in her own, saying, "yes, of course. We will approach as friends, and leave in peace if that is what they want." She moves to stand next to the woman, turning to face the rest of their group, eager to hear everyone else's responses. 

[Scratcherclaw]

Raj sighs as the idealistic explorer is seemingly set on her plan of action. Perhaps we will get a lesson in the funeral rites of these plant creatures. An up-close learning experience these excitable guild members would clamor for... He shrugs to the others, putting his hands up in apparent surrender.

"Very well, it seems there is no swaying you otherwise. But if our lives are threatened, retreat may not be the only option," the Serranborn says blunt, keeping a hand on his sheathed dagger. "The Wanderer had poisonous, ensnaring vines that seemed to act on their own accord as well. If these beings are related, they may halt any retreat."

 

[ratwizard]

"We cannot approach every new people on this land as if they are hostile and deserving of the blade or rock," Zima says quietly as she begins to step forth from their prepared cover. "They deserve a chance, the same that my people were given."

She lifts her hands and begins to slowly approach the treekin further up the weaving roots of the giant tree.

OOC

My goal is to get close enough to use Telepathy 5 to speak to them.

[Namelessjake]

Zima steps forward out of your cover in the bushes and heads towards the closest of the strange plantlike creatures, which happens to be holding a sharp wooden sword. Sensing the Kandoran seer, it turns towards her and begins to assume a hostile stance, as the others had before with the intruding animal, however Zima is able to get close enough to use her ability before it attacks.

Map

[ratwizard]

Mechanics

Telepathy 5!

"Wait! We seek no harm. We only want to learn. Please, stay your blade," Zima pleads of the creature, hoping desperately it can intuit her words and respond with anything other than violence. She places her hands up, palms outward, toward the treekin, nodding at those behind her to do the same.

[Namelessjake]

Zima

"Intruder! Away!" Comes the reply, the creature continuing to take another step towards you, its weapon still at the ready.

[ratwizard]

"Okay! Okay! We will," Zima mind-speaks to the treekin, hardly believing that they can truly communicate. She backpedals abruptly, hands still raised, signaling behind her for everyone to do the same. "We only come to speak, and to listen. What is the name for you? For your people?"

[Namelessjake]

Zima

"Leave! Intruder!" The creature continues taking steps towards you as you back up.

[ratwizard]

"Please, listen to me," Zima pleads, doing her best to keep the panic out of her mind's voice. She continues at-pace, backpedaling as the treekin approaches. "I can ensure this place — your tree, your home — is left alone, by us, and by the rest of my people. But all I ask is patience and understanding. I promise you, we will not hurt you, and we will retreat. We are doing so now. All I ask is to speak with one of your kind who can grant us audience. On safe ground of your choice, and away from here."

[Namelessjake]

Zima keeps backing up as the creature approaches, forcing the rest of you back further into the foliage. Despite this retreat, the creature appears to be getting more aggressive in its movements, drawing the attention of some of the other creatures near the base of the tree.

Zima

"Away! Leave!"

[ratwizard]

"It's not — it's not working," Zima whispers to her companions. "It says little, only 'Away! Leave! Intruder!'" She swallows hard, the lump in her throat not going away. We have made enemies with every new people we've come across, the seer realizes. A hardened land, breeding hardened folk. But could not one say the same of the Kandorans? It was all so... different, with us. I... I must be doing this all wrong.

She breaks from her thoughts to the danger growing nearer, more aggressive. "Let us draw them away. They may grow less territorial, and more pliable." Her backpedal becomes a side-step, her feet picking up pace as the creature bears toward them.

[BartNL]

Ilmoto shows the creature his empty hands, while following Zima's movements. Where we are from, open hands are a universal symbol of peace and good intentions. It better understands our good intentions, or I'll have to scorch this creature.

[Scratcherclaw]

Raj smirks at Zima's telepathic findings, almost feeling vindicated in his initial observations. "As I once said, I don't believe they possess the same intelligence and nuance as ourselves. Their primitive vocabulary should suffice as more proof," the Serran man says, joining the telepath in making for a retreat. It's a blessing that they did not attack us on sight. Perhaps not autonomous, but not far off.

[Namelessjake]

Increasing the pace of retreat seems to abate the creature's anger though it continues to pursue your for another 80 yards or so, as those at the rear of the group forge a path back through the undergrowth, until it seems to suddenly stop. It returns to a more casual stance and turns to walk back the way you came.

"That must have been far enough for it," Ko says, pensively running a thumb and forefinger through his beard as he watches the treekin return to its post.

[BartNL]

Ilmoto looks around for a tree or rock to mark that this is the 'save distance' from the giant tree.

[Namelessjake]

Ilmoto

You spot a distinctive looking tree with a hollow that would serve as a memorable marker.

[Fialova]

"It is okay, enaid," Caoimhe says to Zima, sensing her stress at the situation and attempting to quietly reassure her. "You did the right thing, trying to reach them. They simply did not want to be reached. We have left unharmed, so all is fine. Do not worry yourself," she continues, hoping the words will reach her. 

Turning to the others, she asks, "did anyone else find it strange how abrupt its change in demeanor was? It is possible there is some maximum distance from the tree they are able to travel, or at the very least consider 'theirs'. There must be something special about it to them, perhaps as a home, or even an elder member of their species."

[Scratcherclaw]

Raj shrugs at Caoimhe's question, watching as the plant creatures return to their previous behavior. If that is the case, then they will not mind if the land beyond their tree is harvested. Surely there is an herb or spice or exotic fruit nearby. He grins, imagining the untold riches that may be accessible without the local inhabitants even seeming to care. "Strange, indeed," the man says, keeping a watchful eye on those in the distance.

OOC

Was only the one guardian pursuing, or were others visibly beginning to converge too?

[Namelessjake]

OOC

Early on others seemed to be starting towards your position, but you would have lost sight of them as you backed up into the forest.

[ratwizard]

"Do not insult their intelligence," Zima insists of Raj, her forehead blushing at the exertion and embarrassment, and now, frustration. "My abilities have limits. No Kandoran has set foot on these lands, much less tried to communicate with whatever kin may inhabit them. It may simply be that I cannot speak with them the same way I can between ourselves. We don't know anything, yet."

The seer lets Caoimhe's words calm her, closing her eyes for a moment and nodding. She stays quiet a moment, letting the others discuss, while she reflects further. We have made our presence known, and they rejected it. It would be foolish to persist, and potentially ruinous for everyone. And yet, we still have no insight into what this tree may represent, or even what these folk call themselves. I need to find a solution. The next expedition sent may not be as concerned about diplomacy or preservation.

[Fialova]

"We do know, at least, that they are extremely territorial, though, so best we do not approach again," Caoimhe says, still holding her lover close to comfort her. "Perhaps something else will aid us in learning how to better communicate with them. For now, though, we should stay outside of whatever perimeter they seem to have. Maybe we can search nearby, or circle around the tree to see if there are similar guardians posted on all sides," she continues, curious to find out more about the behemoth before them. If not on all sides, it could be that we are near a significant portion of its root system, or even some manner of culturally-significant location to them, she thinks, pondering the strange creatures and their aggressive behavior.

[BartNL]

Ilmoto marks the tree with the insignia of the explorer's guild. And then makes a quick sketch of the tree in his notebook.

[Scratcherclaw]

"So do their abilities," Raj mutters to himself, cracking a self-assured smirk. Strange to feel so defensive over... plants. "I recall this rather daft novel that had a chokehold on the men and women of Crescent Bluff for a time. The specifics are not important, largely banal, however... I do recall a concept from it." He rubs his chin in pseudo-intellectualism, thinking back to the contents of the novel. 

"Some kind of shared sense of mind and thought across members within the same group. No individuality, yet linked for some higher mission." He pauses, chortling at the inanity of the plot. "Of course in that novel, the Archbishop was the villain trying to make himself a new god... But I digress. Perhaps these people share that trait."

[ratwizard]

Zima runs a finger across her lips as she ponders Raj's words. "In Peregozupale, the city I am from, many of the seers engaged in something not unlike what you speak of. A shared consciousness, a weave of united thought that connected us all together. In our case, it was typically done in moments of silent prayer, and — obviously — we joined and left those sessions with our individuality and minds intact. And yet for those moments, it was as if we were one being. Thinking, believing, seeing, acting... as if one." She pauses, the memory a rush for her psyche. Almost as if on cue, her hallucinations embolden for a moment, the phantom images of faceless seers gathering around her in a tight circle. She dismisses them with an errant wave. This Raj fellow may be a materialist, and no friend to our research, yet his mind I cannot deny is keen. A boon for the moment, a danger for the future.

"It is not so strange a possibility," the seer finally admits. "And yet still, such a mind must be housed somewhere. But where? In this great tree? In its branches, its trunk? Or beneath, in its roots?"

[Namelessjake]

"Fascinating," Zemi says, enrapt by Zima's words. "Though as in the case of your prayers, it could be possible that there's no mind at all. At least not a physical one," she adds.

"Mind or no, I don't think those twigs will be too happy about us poking around inside that tree," Ko says, looking to the seasoned members of the explorer's guild who seem to have fallen into the role of expedition leaders.

[Fialova]

Caoimhe listens with great curiosity as Raj explains the details of the book he'd read, reminded of Zima's tales about her own experiences in her home city, just as she begins to describe said experiences. "If these beings do all act with a shared consciousness of some sort, or at the behest of some sort of greater mind, then perhaps - if we are able to locate it - we could appeal directly to the source rather than to the individual beings under its control. Though to do so we'd need to be able to approach closer to investigate, and I am not sure we will be able to do so safely."

She turns to face the great canopy once more, marveling at its height and breadth, and at the mysteries it poses to them. "We should take the time to scan the entire perimeter. There may be unguard portions of the roots, some sort of cavern beneath, or perhaps even some sort of structure or monument. We have thus far only seen a fraction of what this forest giant has to offer, we may find the answers we seek elsewhere within its root structure." How old must something this large be, and how did it come to gain its guardians? Perhaps we can uncover the answers.

[ratwizard]

"A wise idea, my beloved. I hold great reluctance to harass these tree-kin further, but I fear it is in both of our interests to discover more about them — even if we must be persistent beyond welcome."

She frowns, wishing there were other methods than trespassing. "Perhaps there may yet be a way to draw nearer, past their vigilant guards. Or perhaps, we might find evidence of their ways by studying the area beyond their protected glade. Hunting grounds, paths trodden, other structures — created or grown."