~~~ IC ~~~

::Lan has done everything that he can for An and left Maria to tend to him, and Vasili has gone off to meditate on his actions or some such, leaving Lan, Martel, and a still tired and sore Budi to the mid-morning meal... afterwards, the second three ordeals should prove to be just as distressing::

::eats cheerily::

::tries to eat despite distress::

::the food is a decent mixture of various kinds of meats with a few different vegetables and grains thrown in for vitamins... you sit at a long wicker table out in the open, a bit higher than is comfortable for you...

Oww.

the etyri near you try to make small talk, but don't seem to be asking you anything of too much substance::

::lan chats it up pretty cheerily for a guy dreading being dropped from a 100' tree.::

::is a specialist at smalltalk::

So, what is the verdict about AN?

Yeah, he looked pretty bruised. ::shakes head:: shoulda dodged, that boy.

How much internal damage?

He's stable for now. I'm going to take a closer look later, and possibly administer some elixir if I'm worried.

He bruised easily. More so than I had expected. He always seemed to handle himself..carry himself ...I thought that he would do...

::An Etyri near you tilts his head:: Bruise easily? The human absorbed enough shock to kill nearly any of our kind, and only to see his outer leathery coating change coloration.

::Turns to the Etyri:: He's a very stubborn man. Many Humans are. It is often our way.

You have certainly an interesting method of overcoming ordeals

::grins:: I think I'll be going the less direct route.

Very strong willed. Prehaps single-minded

Yeah, but he's got to start thinking outside the Box. you do too Budi. As does Vasili, for that matter.

I dunno. Jumping out of harm's way seems sorta inside-box-ish, to me. ::shrugs::

Or landing when the storm hits, or taking off when threatened.

((What is the episode number))

((a billion))

((16.5 I believe))

((Emailed. 20.A))

((I'm about three logs behind on the site... appreciate it))

::goes back to chewing on his veggies and oats::

::if you hadn't noticed before, you all realize that there don't seem to be any children present, currently, though they were around the day before::

Still, I think that I got off easy compared to AN.

::surmises that..... it's a schoolday, whereas yesterday was the weekend? Or that there's something military gonna go on soon. Or, we're considered a bad influence.::

::the meal passes, and back in the hovel An finally returns to consciousness, and a marginally smaller load of pain, to see Maria sitting by his bedroll looking worried::

::assumes they sent the kids away in case we end up killing ourselves::

Will you still love me when I'm purple? ::tries to grin::

Did someone arrest that Vorax that ran me over?

::smiles:: I've seen you all shades of blood red, and with another you being born out of your back... purple's nothing

You mean the vorox of your stubbornness in the face of overwhelming force? No, I think you need him to carry your suitcases or something

I call him Charlie

Oh yeah, I've always wanted someone to carry my suitcases.

But his full name is Sir Efram Charlie Pumpersmith the Third.

::grins:: You sound like you can eat at least, and you'd better after what you went through ::hands him a basket of food culled from the meal outside::

::takes it and slowly sits up::

::it's not pleasant, but your organs all seem to be in the right place::

So are you going to be able to get out and watch me get tortured just as badly by our new friends?

Good. Definately, by the way, if they pick up rocks, run!

Oh, thank you for that wisdom, great sage.. your life experiences enlighten us all

Watch your tone or I'll vomit up an organ at you.

I'll school you in the art of entrail fencing.

No, Lan left specific instructions that I was not to allow you to vomit up any organs until he can check you again

Well, you gotta do what the doctor says.

::is hearing just enough of this for it to set him off his food both because of the tone and the subject matter::

::gets up and does some knee-bends, right over there::

::and light stretching::

((they're in your cabin far away from where you're eating))

((sorry if that wasn't clear))

((::has exceptionally good hearing?:: ))

::gets up and stretches anyhow::

((Lan Maningzhoue - Perception 4, Observe 5... nope))

::anyway, long story short, the meal is over and everyone gathers for the next round of ordeals::

::gathers::

::working off nervous energy in a variety of ways.::

::smoking cigar::

::the elderly etyri woman waits for your attention, and again begins her narration:: Though we are of the sky, the air can not provide everything that we need, and we must also learn to walk on the ground...Within the forest we are at a disadvantage, as the trees often press in close; we find it harder to fly away and our enemies can move in close; in the open our eyes will see them from great distances...

::nods neutrally::

Yet within the forest are many things we need. This herb, for example ::she pulls out a fairly distinctive leafed plant:: is a great healing medicine for our people, which it is worthwhile to brave the forests to find... For the ordeal of the forest, please enter the nearby woods and find more of this plant for us, being mindful that many predators move in the shadows

::comes forward and takes the plant, examines it for a moment. nods:: Alrighy....

::casts about for a likely stick with which to beat off said predators::

::as he heads toward the forest::

::you are led for about a ten minute walk to the edge of the nearest forest, and your guides and those townsfolk and friends who followed you wait at the edge of the wood::

::muttering:: Hrm. I bet I could rig a superior salve for transdermal application::

Alright, then. I'll, see you all in a bit. Hopefully.

want a gun?

((you don't have your weapons currently))

::chuckles:: A flamethrower in a forest?

((hehe! nm!))

::looks wounded:: I DO have pistols you know.

((while Lan considers the best preparation for the herbs, please make me a Wits + Herbal Remedies Lore roll to remember everything you can about the plant and how to find it))

#everything I can remember about the plant and how to find it#

Lan rolled 2 20-sided dice: 10 18

((want to spend a wyrd to make that a crit?))

((Woot! Sure! ))

((right then.. 10 VPs on that))

Good luck

::lan steals into the undergrowth, scouting his herb steadily. Keeping an eye out for likely sticks to batter would-be predators with. Moving pretty adroitly for a city boy, yanno::

::as lan thinks about the herb he remembers that he actually did a freshman paper on it and other local flora, suggesting its use in industrial accidents on Leagueheim.. he dredges up virtually every detail on where to find it, how to prepare it, what herbs increase its potency, and where those grow in relation to the herb::

::he also remembers the strange Grail predators that feed on the herbavores that include it in their diet::

::muttering under his breath:: I don't taste like chicken. I don't.

((pradators: we don't eat... CHICKEN.))

::this information is useful when Lan notices that the main path through the forest is leading straight to a tumbled den on a slight rise that he recognizes as a keth fox burrow... now how does one deal with keth foxes again?::

::finds a likely meadow to harvest the stuff-- get the potent leaf tips, and all, and then the cyralis, to increase the uptake of... hello! What's that big hole in the ground?::

((Perception + Survival, with the +10 for your previous success and a +2 for being a native, please.. and would you like to spend another Wyrd to accent high?))

((I shall be liberal with the Wyrd.))

((roll it))

Lan rolled 2 20-sided dice: 8 13

((okay.. lessee... your target was 24, that's +5 VPs auto for going over the highest successful possible roll.. the 13 on an accent is +6.. so that's a nice little +11 success))

::Lan, you see, has a certain sort of faith that the Creator provides. Especially out some place like this::

::Lan, in his experience in the Severan jungles remembers many such situations, and his memories about the herb in question allow him to quickly pinpoint a ground dove nest that could be spooked to run in all directions and lead the foxes on a wild hunt::

::if, you know, he wants::

::at the first sign of trouble from foxes in question, and/or when it seems he'll have to stray too far from it to be able to get back and spook it in a hurry::

:: he will. Spook it::

::the plan goes off without a hitch, and Lan happily ranges about the territory quickly gathering up the herb, its synergistic brother herbs, and anything else he see that will be a nice addition to his medicine bag... a half an hour after he went in, Lan wanders from the forest looking like a marine jungle sniper, completely draped in twined strands of medical plants::

I love this planet. I'm moving back.

Well, you look festive.

::chuckles:: So, Milady, do you all usually make tinctures? Or dry these?

Eh. not enough of the local herbs smoke up well.

Bah! If the Creator had meant you to smoke plants, you'd have been born with a fire rea.... er. Nevermind.

::bends forward and squints at Lan's cover:: My! I thought that was some strange human camoflage... you collected all of that? My! Well, what did you learn?

::To the others standing by:: OK. Now, I'm bit bitter. That was way too easy.

Would you have wanted to wander into a dark alien forest full of unknown predators looking for a single plant that looks like any other plant?

Mmm. Learn? ::takes a nibble of something else he was planning on rememorizing the taste of anyway:: I'm reminded that this is where I was born. I think I understand it better than when I left it too.

Wel, put that way... ::Applauds:: Well done.

::spits out the herbiage daintily:: Yours is a planet it's a priviledge that you share with is, Milady.

Well.. okay then.. that took a bit less time than I expected, but we can move on... please follow me down towards the river

::follows on down'"

::follows along. An here?::

::follows::

::to An solicitously:: Feeling ok?

... considering?

::you all wind around back into the foothills and along the edge of a cliff until you hear the sound of rushing water, and soon come upon a small river flowing from a large waterfall that drops a dozen yards or so off the rock wall:

::there seems to be quite a bit of water, cold water, coming down at high speeds, but you can make out some rather solid rocks that protrude from the rock face... natural formations would have long eroded, so it's likely that ...

they're deliberate additions by the etyri.. somewhat in the style of a recreational rock climbing wall.. except underneath an amazing torrent of water::

Wow. That is beautiful...

The four main challenges are ever present in the lives of the etyri, but sometimes it is the rare challenge that we are most unprepared for. A sudden rainstorm can be worse than the strongest wind for a flyer...

::wonders how the locals added the features under the water::

::looks skeptically at the thing when it crosses his mind somebody could try and climb it::

The ordeal of rain is to climb to the top of this cataract through the pouring waters

::raises eyebrows:: Wow.

::looks up, grimly, nudges An:: told you it would be my turn soon

Hmmm...you figured it out Maria?

Yeah.. I think I can make it

You wopuld have to be half lizard to cling to thoise rocks while wet.

::Notices Maria:: But I know that you can do this, my lady.

I expect that the freezing coldness will be the real problem.. the rocks look rough enough still to maintain a grip

Gloves might be a wise Idea.

Claws.

Well, here goes I guess... ::begins to undo her shirt, stops:: Budi, I'd appreciate it if you'd look away, after your earlier comments

Hey... ::taps her on the shoulder::

Yeah?

::Laughs:: You are such a funny lad...woman.

::leans in and give her a quick peck:: Good luck.

::smiles:: thanks .. and I was serious Budi

Hrm.

If... I wonder if... ::casts about, wondering if he could pull some sort of alchemical hoopla to revv a body's metabolism for a minute or three::

Try and... ah. Keep your diaphragm tense. It helps generate body heat... ::scratches his head::

::Looks a bit shocked:: Alright. I will do as you ask ::turns around::

::finishes removing her traveling clothes down to her black and crimson undergarments... while she doesn't have the carefully maintained erotic curves of Lan's "girlfriend", she is a fine figure of a young woman.. and has...

I wonder...if you wait, will the "storm" let up?

an athletic tone that puts Malena to shame... even with several obvious scars that look like sword wounds::

::Mumbles to himself:: I'm the only one that she chastised

::elbows Budi:: That's because you're so seethingly macho, my friend. ::whipsering::

::claps Budi on the back:: She's dating An, Lan has a girlfriend, And I'm married to the church.

::walks into the water with only the slightest of hesitations:: Wow, that's cold water ::moves underneath the flow:: really cold water

What?

Nothing Lan. Watch the trial.

::watches concerned... thinks warm thoughts::

An, you're familiar with standard field treatment of hypothermia?

*grin*

::looks to lan:: Yeah... um... not really.

::is being perfectly serious::

::stands for a few moments trying to adjust her metabolism to the cold temperatures::

## Endurance + Stoic Body ##

NPC rolled 2 20-sided dice: 16 7

Direct body heat transfer. If she thinks she can make it, you should be there. Anybody got spare covering to contribute?

Up there, I mean.

::seems to reach a rhythm with the water, though she still shivers obviously through the pouring water::

::after another moment of psyching herself up, grabs a handhold and begins to pull herself up the falls::

I mean. Seriously. Somebody needs to do it. And ::glares at the deacon:: apparently I have a girlfriend.

Tell me what is going on. I can't watch.

## Dexterity + Vigor, +2 for previous success, spending Wyrd to accent high ##

NPC rolled 2 20-sided dice: 20 1

((Now that's a roll. ))

##spending a wyrd to make that a critical success instead of a failure##

##accented high 19 = 9 VPs, x2 for crit, +1 for high goal number = 19 VPs##

((heh))

She seems to be doin allright.

::and then there's a moment where An's incredibly hot girlfriend, drenched wet in her underwear, is moving sinuously up a waterfall like a ballet dancer doing some kind of salmon routine::

::helps/drags An topside if getting topside on foot looks feasible::

::and Budi isn't allowed to watch::

Hello. What is happening?

::and An is not yet in the spawning pool, damnit::

Nothin. ::grin::

She's climbing. Doing just fine.

No description?

Nothin to describe. *grin*

::after the moment when everyone probably doesn't want to do much but just watch, An and Lan manage to scramble up a game trail in time to reach Maria as she carefully leaves the upper part of the cataract::

::makes sure not to drool::

That was exciting, I guess

No water dropplets clinging to flesh rippling over well toned muscles?

::takes maria's clothes with. Dries her off with said clothes and some of An's.::

Probably not.

You guys are not my friends

Nothin to see here. ::obviously paying not the least bit of attention to Budi::

She did very nipples...I mean good.

::helps with the drying::

::after maria is dried off and re-clothed, and Lan is sure she's not suffering any ill effects from the climb, you guys head back down the trail to the rest of the group::

Nipples?

Nothin

Hrmh. Impressive feat metabolically, Maria. ::flatly sincere::

So what did you learn, woman human?

::puts his arm around her as he walk down:: ::quietly:: You should do that wet climbing thing more often. ::grins::

::thinks for a minute, still clinging to An like a sexy, still damp body-heat steeling eel of some sort:: I'd have to say umm... I think that maybe ... hmm... sorry... I'm obviously better at physical tests...

::supresses a chuckle::

Would it be too trite to say that while it's a good idea to land during a heavy rain, the strong know that the safest position is to fly above the stormclouds?

::nods after a moment:: Sounds fair to me

Can I look now?

Oh, yeah, go ahead Budi

::Turns back around::

From the description from these guys, it sounds like you flew to the top, my lady.

Well.. Hazat ladies are supposed to be good at sports.. and I had this several week period not too long ago where exercise was the only thing to pass the time in my 10 foot wide cell ::gets kinda gloomy and depressed again::

You honor the emblem of your family. ::Bows::

::hugs tight to her::

We are still some time away from that of the final ordeal.. please take a few hours to rest. We will bring you the afternoon meal and call your last for the final challenge

::looks at the others, and counts on his fingers::

Its me Lan.

Er, oh! Right. ::bonks himself on the temple::

Sorry. Had my mind on...

Making salves.

::laughs and rubs his hands up and down Maria's arm creating heat friction::

Yes, that must be the answer. Salves. ::Puts his arms around the necksof his friends and begins walking toward the hut::

So. Who wants to comment on a priest of the celestial sun, CHALLENGING the sun itself?

What?

That's true. That did cross my mind. I'm not sure, it's challenging, so much as, the challenge of.

Yanno? ::shrugs. Just making conversation::

::time passes, those of you stretched, banged up, or frozen in your ordeals can rest up, Vasili is still out meditating on his combat, Martel gets to worry about his challenge, and Lan has plenty of time to play with his new plants:

Fine. Give me details. A play by play, if you will...

::takes a nap till they come to get him::

::goes looking for some oils to fix the active ingredients in::

((i think that was the social equivilent of "ummm...No."))

((:-)))

::around two or so they bring you lunch... then you'd estimate about two hours before sunset, just as the sun's rays are coming down fast and hard in the manner that crushed roadways to a halt on more populous worlds... they show up to escort Martel to the last challenge::

::yawn and stands:: I'm ready.

::gets up and leaves behind the herbs::

Good luck Martel!

::grins at An:: I'm sure I'll be fine.

::stands on a high spot overlooking the forest, but not the wind-swept peak that Budi was on this morning:: Like the rain, the sun is another challenge that many etyri do not notice until it is upon them... for much of the day it is above us, shining down and lighting the map beneath us on the ground, letting us hunt and avoid danger... yet inevitably it shifts, its brightness on the same plane as our flight... those etyri that must fly towards the west can not even find the ground-based obstacles that can protect you humans... they must fly into a blinding, radiating glare, knowing that to close their eyes while flying is to plummet to the ground

The ordeal of the sun begins! Stare into the sun until it sinks beneath the trees, as if you had some mission to the west for which you could not wait

Umm..::puts on his sunglasses::...ok.

::sits, with his hand on his cheek, watching the comfortingly shaded sun::

::indeed, the sunglasses help... but the refracted light of the afternoon sun is painful to stare directly into, even through glasses::

::shades a bit with his hand too::

::there you sit for onwards of two hours, until the world becomes little but a bright green, pulsating dot::

This CAN'T be good for my eyes.

((perception + observe roll))

Man. That's not good for his eyes.

Martel rolled 2 20-sided dice: 3 4

((so whats my TN on that?))

::there seems to be something waggling closer to Martel's face than the horizon... a hand with two fingers extended... no.. three... yeah.. probably three?::

How many fingers?

I'm guessing 3 fingers?

Guessing or knowing?

Guessing.

But I am pretty sure.

Ah, well, the ground is big.. guessing's generally good enough to keep from falling

You are finished. What did you learn?

Eh. If I was actually flying. I woulda probably used this. ::holds out compass::

Looking down doesn't hurt so much.

::shrugs:: I guess it is a human thing. we tend to meet challenges head on, as opposed to trying to find ways to circumvent them.

interesting

Not saying it is the best way mind you, only that it tends to be OUR way.

((must leave for work really soon))

((Yes, sleep))

Good enough for me... perhaps more etyri could benefit from this human tendency to go ever forward and learn the necessary things to make this strategy work for them...

Our village declares you honorary adults in our nation, and trustworthy as far as such things go.. tonight we shall feast, and tomorrow we will discuss the wisdom that you seek from us!

~~~ OOC ~~~