FROM THE OOC Thread:

Jalla is a Psion with a very Friendly Psicrystal (A normal, unawakened, SRD-style psicrystal). It would make it too easy on you all to say that she was a Telepath or even a Seer, so Jalla is a Kineticist. {You all should be able to have fun with that if you so choose.} She is a very confident woman, although she makes it clear that she is working for a group that calls themselves FEOP (Foundation for the Expansion of the Ophid Protectroate) From what you can tell and what you can find out, FEOP seems to be a straight up organization who draws money and power through finding ways to open up the wildlands of the Ophid Protectorate to the possibilities of resource management and colonization.

Jalla does not look strong, hardy, or even all that agile - although she does carry herself as though properly trained to be a proper lady. Her skin is near perfect in form, so she obviously hasn't had a life of hardship - or even adventuring - at all. She has brown hair with red highlights and it is worn up in a bunn whenever she is out in public. She has a wide Julie Roberts smile. Her eyes are green with a hint of rust colored flecks around the outer edge.

The two impressions that you do get about her are her ability to charm the pants off of almost anyone she makes eye contact with and her vast ability to know almost anything about the land and the people who dwell inside of it.

What you know about the territory toward which you are headed is that it is largely unexplored. The threats are primarily from untamed animals (packs of them), although the early scouts have indicated that there is a distinct feeling that an undeveloped ritualistic culture - perhaps incredibly dangerous - occupies the area.

Of the dozen scouts that have been sent in pairs into the land, only one of them has not returned alive. That one simply dissappeared into the night one evening; leaving his partner to return to the FEOP alone. It is this scout that returned without a partner who had the most wild tales to tell of an almost animalistic culture. It was this pair of scouts that was the reason the most recent pair of scouts were sent out to find the culture.

That pair returned with nothing to report. The FEOP has since determined that the culture is not an imminent threat - if it even exists at all. Most likely, it was the ravings of a pair of scouts who were affected by isolation and the deep woods. They simply couldn't handle the stress of the wild and psychologically broke down. The official position of the FEOP on the dissapearance of one of their scouts is that it was stress related. With the safe and uninformative return of the most recent pair of scouts - who were sent specifically to find signs of this animalistic and ritualistic culture - the FEOP no longer believes that the culture is a real presence.

You are now being sent into the land to find a suitable place for a base of operations. Once your presence has been able to hold a portion of the land for two weeks, Jalla is going to send a pair of scouts to find you and give a status report. Assume you have been able to hold your own, the first wave of colonizers will be sent to you, and they will be placed directly under your protection and guardianship. Their job will be to begin clearing the land of trees and searching for valuable mineral and crystal deposits.

Land that is fertile and capable fo sustaining farming is of high priority - even if it has to be cleared of forestry first. Land with evidence of minerals is of an equal importance. Finding the lost scout is a secondary mission which need not be accomplished, although Jalla has informed you that the FEOP would like this issue of the missing scout and the ritualistic culture closed permanently.

While it must be your secondary mission, there is a small reward for information indicating the scouts cause of death if he is dead. There is a lager reward if the scout can be returned alive. There is no reward for proof that the animalistic culture exists; although if it does, the FEOP has placed a substantial reward if their culture can be brought under your direction.

Jalla indicates that the FEOP has placed such a large reward because they do not believe it is out there. The size of the reward is simply to attract gold-diggers who would be willing to work hard for a promise that the FEOP believes they will never have to fulfill because the culture does not exist from the FEOP's perspective. Jalla has spoken to the scout whose partner disappeared, and she tells you that she is convinced that the events leading up to the dissapearance of the scout were not imagined, but real.

- - - - - -
GAME INTRO:

It was a beautiful day, just after sunrise. The air was still a bit crisp, but clean. A breeze blew in from the countryside, carrying with it the sweet smell of fruit trees in bloom. The sun had just peeked over the horizon, and for a few minutes it still looked gargantuan in the sky. After about ten minutes of climbing, the sun climbed high enough in the sky so that its rays were no longer bent by the horizon and it once more looked like its normal size.

Jalla had given specific instructions to meet her two escorts at a place called Derbenshire Farm. Once each member of the party had confirmed their desire to accept the position within the FEOP - at least on a temporary basis for now - she had sent written instructions with a messenger so that each member of the party would know precisely where to go.

As luck would have it, the Derbenshire was only about a half hour journey out of the city. The walk took everyone past several orchards - and the trees were in full bloom as the sweet smell in the air hinted. However, it was still months too early for fruit. Nuts and berrys would be the main course besides meat, roots, and tubers. Fruit and vegetables would come later in the growing season. If the two weeks went smoothly, there might even be the possibility of enjoying vegetables grown out of the party's own established gardens. If they survived, of course.

For whatever reason, Kess was the first to arrive at the farm. For whatever reason, fate had him slated first. He was greeted by two small female scouts. They introduced themselves as Dana and Teresse, and they informed Kess that they were one of the first scouts to go into the land that the FEOP has asked be shown to the party.

It wasn't long before a small party of adventures themselves arrived. Assim's hirelings had been waiting on him outside his dwellng place. They were nervous about adventure into such deep woods, but they were also excited enough that they didn't want to risk being left behind. Assim and Shahab managed to meet up with each other before leaving the city, and the four of them walked the half hour out to the Derbenshire. They were greeted with the knowing smiles of Dana and Theresse. They had all been expected.

Finn was the last to arrive. He certainly wasn't late, but he was last for whatever reason fate desired. He followed Assim and Shahab closely enough that Dana and Theresse spotted him walking as they arrived. Thus, they held of the general introductions until Finn was present.

Once they were all together, Dana made formal introductions. "As Kess already knows, I am Dana and my partner is Theresse. We have been assigned by the FEOP to serve Jalla's wishes in the matter of escorting your small band to the potential colonization site. If you don't mind, we can talk along the way. But before we leave, I have a note from Jalla for each of you."

Dana turned to Theresse, who unrolled a small scroll and began to read. "My brave and courageous band. Forgive me for not seeing you all personally. However, an issue has come up that I need to see to personally. I trust that Dana and Theresse have greeted you pleasantly. You have my assurance that theycan be trusted."

"Furthermore," Theresse continued to read, "There was supposed to be a fifth member hired into your band, however that member has recently come upon some unforeseen difficulties and is unable to make the journey presently. It is my hope that before too many days I will be able to send the last member. Rest assured, they will be joining you. They have gifts and talents to bring - gifts that you may find yourself needing in the long run. You will be fine for now, don't worry. But do expect one more to arrive late. I will send Dana and Theresse with the fifth one as proof that they are from me. Do not worry, I have my utmost faith in your most brave and courageous intentions and abilities until your whole party arrives. You will serve the FEOP well."

Theresse gestured to give the scroll to any member of the party who desired to read it and ensure that it was read properly. Once everyone who desired to examine the scroll had their chance, Theresse collected the scroll and rolled it up. Once she carefully placed the scroll in her backpack, Dana offered to continue.

"Theresse will take the last point as we move. We both know the way, so if for some reason we become seperated she can lead as well as I can. It'll take a day of good journeying to get to the border of the unexplored land."

As Dana began to move out, she continued to explain the lay of the land. She indicated that the FEOP would prefer the party to establish a secure base as close to the drop-off site as possible, because doing so would ensure that development and resource mining can begin efficiently. It would also help with communication if the scouts and messengers have less distance to travel.

Throughout the whole day, Dana was good about teaching anyone in the party with any kind of survival sense where the good water can be found. In fact, she even taught those in the party with the ability to find it where a pool of sweet water can be found. The small pool of water collects at the base of a hill with naturally growing tea and even a wild rice. The flavors from the roots of each of those plants helps make the water flavorful to drink.

After a full day of traveling on horseback (or cart as the case may be) - and explaining certain places that might be necessary for survival in the beginning, Dana informed the party that they have reached the border of the largely unexplored land. She suggested that it would be wise to camp now, and she and Theresse would explain what they know about the land in the morning. They also explained that in the forest the sunset occurs fast on account of the thick canopy above. That fact is important to remember. This forest is no place to be in alone once the sun goes down.

The following day, Dana and Theresse spent a few hours showing the party a few landmarks that they use and know. The land is not mountainous, but it does have a characteristic rolling hills mixed in with a few plateaus. The canopy is incredible dense throughout the whole of the forest, and even on top of a few hills the trees are so tall and thick that it is hard to see the sky. Finding direction sense will always be difficult, especially when the glare of the sun approaches the horizon - or worse - disappears for the night. The stars are difficult to spot even on the edge of the forest.

Dana and Teresse explained about some of the places of note. Each of these places are on the closest edge of the forest to where the party is being dropped off. The place name are not official, they are merely given the names by the FEOP scouts who came back and spoke of their findings:

1. Mount Solace - so named because it rises above all the other land in the forest. Regardless of where you are in the forest, if you always look for higher ground you will eventualy find yourself on this mount. It is on the southern edge of the forest.


2. Stepland - so named because it is a series of long flat plateaus that rise up gradually to Mount Solace. Although they are covered in dense trees, it would make for decent farmland if the Steplands could ever be cleared of the canopy for any length of time.


3. The Gorge - so named because of the deep path cut through the forest. Water coming off of Mount Solace and other nearby hills (on the opposite side as the Steplands) eventually collects into a strong river. The river has cut a gorge through the land that is hundreds of feet deep. On Mount Solace, the water is cool and refreshing before becoming the raging river at the bottom of the Gorge. The Gorge begins with a waterfall hundreds of feet high as the water collects down the slopes of Mount Solace before falling into the Gorge. The river disappears before exiting the forest as it turns completly underground. No scout from the FEOP has even been to the bottomof the Gorge, much less dared to follow the river underneath ground. There is no evidence that there is any breathable air should the river be followed underneath the ground. The rock walls of the Gorge do show evidence of mineral deposits, but they are difficult to investigate or harvest.


4. BnC Hill - so named because of the sheer number of Banana and Coconut trees that grow on one particular hill. Again, if the surrounding land could be cleared and sunlight be allowed to poke through the canopy, the land near BnC Hill could be cultivated for farming. The bananas and coconuts could potentially be used as a crop themselves with enough effort. BnC Hill is a days journey northwest of the Stepland - a bit further north then where Dana and Terese spent the prior night with the party.


5. The Dreampile - This is an unusual collection of rock formations about a half-day's hike east further into the forest from the BnC Hill. Although there are no clearly interesting mineral deposits, there are many caves - most of which are quite unexplored. Those FEOP scouts who journeyed in that area would stay in the safety of the caves overnight. However, each morning the scouts would always awaken having had disturbing - or just weird - dreams. Many of those dreams involved animals; badgers being the most common occurance within the dreams. The scout whose partner never returned claimed to have stayed within the caves of the Dreampile a few nights before the incident occured.

After spending part of the second day showing the party what little bit of the forest they can (and telling the party how to get to the places they don't have time to show them), Dana and Theresse indicate that they have to begin back towards the city. Before they go, however, Dana offers one final speech.

"Take this jungle seriously," she begins. "I have been in it, and a few times as long as you all will be staying. More often than not I have felt as though the forest had eyes and knew my thoughts. This is not just a place of trees and jungle creatures. This is a place that will get to you after a while. But above all else, it is a place that seems to like being pleased. The more respect I seem to take while being here, the longer I seem to be able to stay before the mental stress gets to me. I know it sounds strange, but this place seems ... haunted. Or maybe ... spirited ... is a better word for it. I don't know, but good luck. There are many neat places inside this forest. The question is whether or not you all can endure them long enough to make it worthwhile."

Theresse places a nervous hand on Dana's shoulder as she speaks - obviously a bit disturbed by thememories in her own mind as Dana spoke vaguely of her own memories. "We should be going. But do you have any final questions?"

Finn looks at Dana, "How does one respect a jungle?"

Dana turns and smiles, obviously amused by such a question. "I once thought like that. I don't know the answer completely - because sooner or later this place has seemed to always turn against Teresse and I. So I can't even say 'do as I do.' But I can say that the more I have tried to what makes sense and what is necessary instead of what I impulsively feel like - the better it has worked out in general. I don't know why that should make a difference, but it does."

Teresse adds, "Like was said earlier. This place feels ... spirited."

OOC: OK, NLF, you know I am not a smart man, and am an uneducated buffon, so forgive the next question, but Dana's reply made absolutely no sense to me.

Assim looks around the forest, taking in the lay of the land. His eyes are sharp as he analyzes his surroundings for anything that could be useful in a fight.

"Nope, no questions. Don't piss off the forest, and we hopefully we won't crazy"

Teresse smiles at Assim's forwardness. "In a nutshell."

“So, intent is more important than the act itself here ... interesting,” Shahab muses, a grin on his lips as he surveys the jungle around them.

"Yes," Dana replied softly to Shahab. "In a way. Intent eventually is always disclosed through action. So unless the forest can read your mind ... it will only know intent through action."

Teresse looks nervously back into the trees. "But sometimes I swear this place can read minds. And if you ask anyone who goes near the Dreampile at night ... it can certainly put thoughts into your mind."

“Well, wouldn’t that be fascinating, a forest that can read minds. Lucky for me though not everything can read minds, otherwise I’d never have any fun,” Shahab remarks with a wink.

“As if I need any more thoughts in my mind,” Shahab laughs, looking into the trees where Teresse is gazing.

"What do we know about the area where the last pair of scouts were?" asks Kess as he looks around.

"Seems like the kind of place we should be a little more cautious. I'm guessing it's somewhere near the dreampile?"

Shahab: Nothing of note happens in the forest where Shahab looks, other than the typical rustling of the woods on account of the breeze. Butthat certainly doesn't appear suspicious or even out of the ordinary.

All: Dana nods at Kess' conclusion. "Indeed. The closer you get to the Dreampile the more unusual the mental effects become. Don't get me wrong. The whole forest is capable of getting to you. But the area around the Dreampile actually gets into your head."

Dana pauses for a moment to think and adds, "But I'd go back. For a short time, at least." Teresse simply rolls her eyes at her associate.

Teresse speaks to Kess' first question. "The last pair of scouts were in the area of the Dreampile. They didn't see anything that hadn't already been reported. And they certainly found no evidence with respect to the missing scout. But yeah, itwas northeast of here up around the Dreampile."

"Right, well it seems the Steplands should be a priority for us, god grazing land right now and good soil for the colonizers." offers Finn.

"We need to make sure wherever we set up base takes advantage of the terrain as best as possible." He continues to look around, wondering if this spot would best or if a better, more easily defensible place might exist. "Also, what kind of predatory animals might we need to worry about attacking us? or for that matter, any savage forest folk that might harass us?"

Lordmonkeysama wrote:

"We need to make sure wherever we set up base takes advantage of the terrain as best as possible." He continues to look around, wondering if this spot would best or if a better, more easily defensible place might exist. "Also, what kind of predatory animals might we need to worry about attacking us? or for that matter, any savage forest folk that might harass us?"

"Agreed, but we are to set up a base of operations. The colonists will begin from our base and we will need to protect them. The first thing that will need to go in will be farms and that has the best farm land. We do need to find a defensible spot and survey any dangers as well, but that's why I think we should start with the StepLands"

"I agree that the steplands show promise as farmland, but i would perhaps suggest setting up closer to Mount Solace itself within the steplands. There should be plenty of wood there to work with, and good farmland, but also if it is higher up it should be more defensible also. We can also know that if we set up a town right at a mountain spring, that there is not likely to be anything upstream of us to taint or cut off our water supply. And the greater height of mount solace could potentially allow for a reservoir to be made that could supply everything below it, and if it is high enough even to provide a source of water in case of a fire."

He pauses here to consider for a moment.

"On the other hand, while wood is certainly plentiful there, it might be harder to find stone if it comes to that for building. Still, there should be at least some rivers coming from the mountain tops. It stands to reason that we could use those as transport for small boats or perhaps even barges up to a point. We could bring in any supplies from outside that we are not going to be likely to get from this area, and send any excess goods that we produce downstream. A simple crane to get the goods from one plateau to the next will hopefully not be too hard to set up. Of course, this isn't exactly something we need to worry about immediately, but they are all things to consider. I would say that settling in with a headquarters right on Mount Solace, overlooking farms on the steplands, would be my first choice."

“Indeed, the Steplands sound like a wonderful place to start, and as Kess says Mount Solace itself should be more defensible than anywhere else we’ve heard about thus far. I know I would like the height Mount Solace could provide to assist in defending any base we establish. Also, it seems to be central to everything one needs for a thriving community and is a rather prominent landmark by all accounts, easily found if one should get lost, hey Assim,” Shahab chuckles, as he slaps his fellow xeph teasingly on the shoulder.

"Me get lost? I'm not the one who wandered off the beaten path and got lost for two days cuz i thought i saw a wood nymph which turned out to be a centaur" he laughs jokingly. "I think setting up a base using Mount Solace as part of our defense is a solid idea, why don't we head out that way?"

Dana and Teresse nod as the party talks. Dana replies, "Well, we'll come and search for you on the northern side of Mount Solace overlooking the Steplands, then. We'll hopefully find you in a few days when Jalla's final recruit has made themselves ready. If we are assigned to come find you after the two weeks - asusming you didn't already come back - we'll look for you then, too."

Dana and Teresse give the group a few pointers how to get back to Mount Solace and genuinely wish them luck before heading back to the town.

With the party now on their own, they are able to head in the general direction of the Steplands. With the direction finding abilities in the party as a whole, the group is able to reach the base of the Steplands reasonably quickly. However, moving up the Steplands proves to be more difficult than originally thought - especially with a cart in tow. The horses and mules would have little difficulty finding a straight path or two up the rises between plateaus. However, the cart takes a bit more time and effort as they have to go back and forth across the face of the rises until they can find suitably sloped rises that the cart can handle. As the party gains the third level of the plateaus, they notice that the daylight is slowly slipping away. It is doubtful that they can gain another level of the Stepland before nightfall in the jungle. With a bit of luck, they might reach the top level of the Stepland by tomorrow evening.

As the party traverses the Steplands, they notice that the lay of the land is remarkably flat on each individual level of plateau. As Dana and Teresse indicated, the plateaus do appear to be natural places for farming should they be able to be cleared and perhaps irrigated a bit. There is a small amount of field stone among the trees and undregrowth on each plateau. The field stone is not valuable for anything except building. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that there is enough field stone on each plateau for a small house - much less anything larger.

Each of the plateaus is far wider than it is deep, which makes climbing up them generally quicker than going around the mountain. [I.E. the measurement of the edge of the plateau running along the circumferance of the mountain is far longer than the measurement pointing along the radius of the mountain - if that makes sense] As they move, they find evidence of fauna, although they don't actally see any. The size of the party and the speed at which they are moving easily allows the nearby fauna to flee and seek cover before being spotted. However, Assim's hireligs do manage to find a few patches of edible berries as they move, proving the land is capable of sustaining farming and allowing the party to findfood for the first day.

[OOC: Care to stop for the night, set up watches (or not), generally discuss whether to go the whole way up the Steplands before setting up camp, what to do with the cart, etc?]

“Thanks for the help ladies, I hope to see you both again soon,” Shahab replies with a grin, as Dana and Teresse head off.

********

“Time to stop for the night, I think,” Shahab suggests, as he begins looking in earnest for somewhere to set up camp as the light begins to fade. As he begins his search, he calls back over his shoulder with an amused voice, “So who wants first watch?”

"I'll take it" offers Finn. "Do we want to wander a bit or set up a bivouac to operate from?"

OOC: As I answer, do I need 8 hours rest to recharge my PP?