Brief Recap: Last turn, the company met Chu-tek, hunter of a forest tribe. Chu-tek decided not to allow the company to pass through their section of the forest until Humphrey offered to retrieve their people, who had been kidnapped by slavers. Ghotu, Humphrey, and Mog went back for the slaves, while the rest of the party set out for Chu- tek's village.

Return to the Scene

It is many days journey for Humphrey, Ghotu, and Mog to return to where they saw the slavers. Mog, in the form of a crow, finds that the slaver gathering is still going on. He returns to Humphrey and Ghotu, who make camp in the plains.

"They are less than a day's travel west of here, in a large camp. Many hundred humanoids and human slavers are there, as well as many hundred slaves. The gathering looks nearly at an end. The auction block had few slaves left, and the bugbears looked ready to break camp and leave with the bulk of the slaves."

[The players are reminded: There were 3 parties that met at one spot-- one group of orcs with slaves who came from the north, one group of orcs and humans with slaves who came from the southeast, and one group of bugbears who brought no slaves from the southwest.]

Mog continues: "They camp with no bivouac nor fortifications, and I believe we can easily enter if we so choose. They do not seem to fear assault."

As Mog speaks, distant thunder is heard, from the west. More storms could be approaching. The three are reminded of the cold rain that assaulted them when they first entered the plains.

"Well," Humphrey says, "I suggest we discover who the commanders are for each group and we incite some sort of rebellion. In doing so, I must warn you both, I intend to use the crown. However, I understand its power much more now and I can shield the two of you from its effects. If Mog will enter the camp as an animal and discover who the commanders are, I will make us invisible and we shall enter each commanders tent. I will seize control of them and use them as puppets to accomplish our goals. Ghotu and Mog, you must act as my protection, if each of you agrees to this plan. What do you think? Did you see any wizards or other spellcasters? They must be neutralized as rapidly as possible."

Mog answers, "Mog saw no obvious spellcasters, though some of the half orcs may have that ability. There were so many in the camp, Mog was unable to check them all. The leaders seem to be each in a different tent. Mog believes these slaver groups do not trust one another. Each leader was surrounded by his own guards. They are preparing to break camp. We must hurry."

"Let us make haste then," Humphrey says as he spurs his horse into rising on its hind legs, staff overhead. "AWAY WE GO!!!" He yells, as he starts to gallop toward the slavers. [Note: He will stop a short ways away, so Mog can do his part.]

[I will post Ghotu's statement after I talk to Micah, hopefully tonight.]

* * *

The People of Chingachkook

By far, the most common emblem of Chu-tek's people is that of the snake. Chu-tek explains that their collective totem is Chingachkook the Great Serpent, whose twisting body represents wisdom about the twisting ways of the world. Bibi has heard of this tribe, but has never been to the village before.

The village is located in a clearing of the forest, with thatched huts and tree houses the most common dwellings. Many of the women go bare breasted, a practice not common among the other forest tribes. Those in the company are struck by the shortage of able bodied men. Chu-tek explains that their best hunters were lost to the slavers, both in the initial raid and in the rescue attempt. In all, nearly forty people from his tribe were taken. He and one other hunter, also in his late teens, share the duties of lead hunter now.

The party is given an empty hut to share (there are several) with a curtain inside that can be used as a partition. Bibi, Bronk, Blade, and Fyona find that the grass bedding is more comfortable than they would have thought, having been used to nothing more than a bedroll for the past several weeks. They also savor the taste of fresh cooked pig (except Bibi).

The next morning, they are awakened by a call throughout the camp-- signaling an unusual visitor. When they emerge from their hut, Bibi is greeted with the sight of one of the three Arch Druids--Aria, a middle aged female and second only to the Grand Druid himself. Aria is of average size and build, with her dark hair beaded into many strands similar to Bibi's own hair. When she sees Bibi, she smiles in greeting. [The two of them would have met the last time Bibi was in Dunore, and Aria was present when most of those events took place-- yielding of the Obsidian Stone, healing of Mog, etc.]

Chu-tek is there, and he welcomes Aria to the village. "You honor us with your presence, Mistress Aria. What tidings from Dunore?" Many people of the village begin to gather around the visitor.

Aria seems to pause for effect and to let attention settle on her. She spreads her arms and says, "I bring ill tidings. The Grand Druid has left the Wurld. He now sleeps in The Mother's arms. His eyes are now ever upon the Holy Moon, and no longer see the troubles of the Wurld."

Murmurs spread through the crowd. The Grand Druid had reigned throughout most of these peoples' lifetimes. This was ill news indeed.

Aria proceeds to give a holy rite, and the village participates. During the ritual, Aria speaks of the Grand Druid's journey ahead, and of the trials that remain on the Wurld.

* * *

Later that afternoon Bibi finds Blade and Fyona alone. "I must go to Dunore right away. I fear that the stone is no longer safe. I'm going to try to get some more information from Aria but then I must go. Will the two of you come with me?"

"Sounds good to me. I'm restless as hell and can't stay around here much longer. " says Blade.

***

That evening, Aria speaks to Bibi as she sits with Blade, Fyona, and Chu-tek, who insisted on preparing their meals. Aria says, "What brings you back to the forest, Bibi? The villagers say you travel to Dunore, and some even speak of a curse upon your companions. Is this true?"

Blade sighs in frustration. He was fine now that he was out if the presence of Humphrey, though he is very aggravated by the arrangement agreed upon without his consent. "Right, And the soooner we get to Dunore, lady, the sooner it will all be taken care of. We've already wasted a day here for nothing. We could have kept moving towards Dunore as the others freed the slaves, or even gotten the cure first, then all of us could have particiapated in the quest. Instead I get to sit around and sing campfire songs with Chu-Toy here and the other mudheads. I don't mind pointing out what an incredible waste of fighting resources you are squandering here because of silly tribal mumbo jumbo." he quickly adds, "No offense to your culture or anything Bibi. I mean I enjoy the topless women and all, but we are sort of in a rush."

"Blade here, is one of the afflicted. It is the same illness that brought me to Dunore last time. So, I'm sure the waters will help. I'm also thankful to be traveling there now so that I may pay my respect and celebrate the rise of the ascender. Who shall be our new great one?"

Aria answers, "I do not know who the next great one will be. Almost certainly one of the Archdruids, but the Smoke Ritual has resulted in other choices before. We shall have to wait and see.

"About the curse, Bibi. I thought when you brought your orc friend to us, he had been afflicted by the Ancient Race, the Githyanki. Was this not so? Please tell me all you know about this curse. What is the cause of it, and how long have you known about it? Chu-tek has said the curse had to do with a mage who traveled with you, the one who has gone back to free slaves. Who is he? What do you know about him? For we believe it was a mage who stole the Obsidian Stone from your father so long ago. That is the only way to explain how it ended up in the hands of the Guild in Galay."

"Probably was, " says Blade. "they are not to be trusted."

[question. Where is Bronk? Is he with our group or with the Operation:Free Mudheads, group?]

[DM ANSWER 73-5: Bronk is with Blade. Note that it is going to be a while, as the slavers were sighted a ways back. Many days at least. Ghotu, Mog, and Humphrey are the only ones on Operation: Free Mudheads.]

Posting Instructions: The forest is kind of dim, as it is pretty dense overhead.

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