Underfed Returns!

It was not easy going. A drawn out, running fight versus the undead has tapped your resources and you've made it along the ruined road across the city, gaining considerable time in your efforts, according to your injured eaglerin guide, K'nap, as you stop to rest briefly against a low-laying ruined foundation.

Victor stands as the others sit. He needs only remain still to rest. He turns his head slowly to survey the surroundings. "I wonder if that battle was a precursor to when we come upon our quarry. Our tactics seemed to work well against undead."

Asmli, for his part, seems plenty inclined to sit, although he does nod at Victor. "I thought we were told there is no way we can fight what's leading that caravan."

"You can try," squawks K'nap, "but it's a bad idea and we'd die." The bird shakes itself off, wincing at the injured wings missing feathers. Turning towards the others, they give a nod. "Gained ground, getting closer. This has been... difficult." Boy, he can say that again. A Dragon, mantis people bands, undead... and that is not even getting into the fact that you're in the desert.

Victor looks at K'nap dubiously. "Then what choice do we have? Subterfuge?" He glances around at the party. "Some sort of distraction, perhaps? Some of our group can cause a distraction while the others complete the mission. For the distractors it will no doubt require the greatest, final sacrifice." He looks at K'nap expectantly.

Asmli folds his arms across his chest, tapping his foot. "What sort of road are they traveling on, and how long do we have to beat them there? Far enough in an advance, and a badly constructed road...." He seems to be already startnig to think.

"We know their destination, a place controlled by the Dianond emperor, a bandit king who controls the elements. Your instructions were, as we recall, to only destroy the so-called 'Agony Matrix'. We needn't die to end it, but we do not want the Charnish noble to secure the protection of the Emperor, either..."

K'nap shrugs his shoiudlers, nodding, "We are on their roads."

"We're on the roads they're going to take?" Asmli squints into the desert sun behind him, shielding his eyes with a hand. "How long have we got, do you think?" He starts to peer closely at the roads and the ground beneath them.

GAME: Asmli rolls knowledge/engineering: (2)+6: 8

GAME: Asmli rolls perception: (10)+3: 13

"We know their general destinaton and a good idea of where they will meet with the diamond emperor's men, replies K'nap, "but not their actual path. We could be on roads they used but then we could also not be. We know they excavated the matrix near to here, however." He lets out a whistling sigh.

Victor listens closely. When K'nap is done he turns to look at their surroundings - not their immediate surroundings, but the horizon. "Then do we need to locate them first? Perhaps we should find higher ground."

While K'nap is talking, Asmli walks the road, uncovering it here and there, pushing at it with a booted foot, then uncovering more. Suddenly, he pauses, and scuffs at the side of the road with the toe if his boot. Scuff scuff. He leans down and picks something up, and flips it into the air with a meaty hand. "Got somethin'." The something glints copper in the desert sun. "What do you make of this?" He holds the something out, which proves to be a copper coin depicting a floating fortress.

"It's a big desert. Higher ground only helps so much, but there are many fortresses and old ruins lingering within. No doubt they keep themselves to their shade for the humans within, their master not so much." He lets out a sigh, then turns towards Asmli and squints down at the coin in his grasp. "Charnese money? They were here, then?"

Victor studies the coin. "Perhaps it is a clue." He glances at K'nap, "If the Agony Engine was unearthed near here, this coin could explain how it came to be here." He glances back at the ruins. "And perhaps it explains what happened to this settlement."

"Guess so," Asmli nods to K'nap. "We hit this road behind them, then?" He grumbles something colorful in khazad. "All that busting ass for nothing." He flips the coin again, looking around, to see if they left tracks that are still readable. Which way did they go, and how long ago?

GAME: Asmli rolls survival: (18)+5: 23

"Mmmn. These ruins are old, far older," admits K'nap. "We do not know the /exact/ site of the excavation, though. Perhaps, if we are extra lucky, we will not find it and be consumed by the spirits of teh restless dead slain by it, however." He glances over his shoulder back towards the ruins. "One brush with the undead is enough for this lifetime! Ha!" He then nods down the road. "WE should get moving. I believe we are getting closer to them, though, for obvious reasoning!"

"Yeah. Let's get going." Asmli looks up and down the road, trying to orient himself. "Uh, which way?" He stares up and down the road, face already flushed.

Victor takes a few steps down the road in the direction indicated. Then he seems to remember something - perhaps how many times he's proven to be wrong today - and stops to wait for K'nap.

"...mmmn," says K'nap. "WE should find shelter. I know of a tower, some ten miles from here. If we go there, we will have some high ground, and also a safe place to rest for the night, but it's a good four hours from here. We should get moving."

And with that, K'nap waerily begins to push their way along the dunes.

"All right. If we're to march, best be off." Asmli still seems to have energy left in him, despite the red face, and sets off in the direction K'nap indicates. Stump stump stump.

GAME: Asmli rolls fortitude: (19)+7: 26

GAME: Victor rolls fort: (8)+6: 14

Three hours pass.

Three hours hours of marching. Three hours in the evening in the desert isn't fun, but it beats doing it during the day when the full weight of the sun is brought to bear. It's getting close to dawn by the time you reach the ruined tower. Oh, sure, it's definitely a tower, but it's sure seen better days. It's battered, half collapsed. Half that spire is definitely on the ground, but what's left, at a glance, seems stable enough and still will offer both some elevation and some protection.

The sun is already starting to rise and beat down on you.

GAME: Asmli rolls knowledge/engineering: (7)+6: 13

Asmli looks up at the crumbling, beaten tower, then nods. "Beats cooking in the armor," he squints up at the rising sun. "Not much shelter, but better than nothing. I'll be wanting some shade, though."

Victor nods in agreement. "Shelter would seem a good idea." He takes a few steps inside the half of the tower still standing, peering up to inspect it from the inside. "If we had some scrying ability this would be a perfect vantage point."