The Yogi and The Bear - Chapter 6

[Bitom]

Rhokti seems used to getting the blowoff by humans who do not know him, and does not take offense. He also seems to have resolved whatever inner argument he was having. Once one gets over the fact that he is half monkey, other things become apparent. He is dressed in worn travelling clothes with many pockets and pouches. He carries an old and ornate staff, to the top of which are tied several gourds and other things that rattle as he moves. And on his shoulder perches a true monkey, who has been ignoring her master and staring at the new Brahmin the whole time.

When the group gets busy again, Rhokti pulls out another surprise to those unfamiliar with the Hengeyoki, he becomes a monkey. His clothing and equipment, including the staff vanish as if never there, and he is nothing more than a small, furry primate leaping from corrupted tree to corrupted tree ahead of the party.

[TetNak]

Shamad extends his arm toward Rhotki, giving him the opportunity to ride upon his shoulder. "If we are all ready, let us continue." He turns toward Ghanji and nods, "Let us make some headway for the rest of the day, and then we will make camp, and the brahmin can give us what prayers he can." Shamad's mood seems slightly improved, now having the blessing of another brahmin.

[Vardaen]

Azora offers his name and a respectful bow to the Brahmin. "I shall continue my role as compass." The group, with its new member can speak more on the road. Both the stranger Vivec and the Harbingers of Doom know that standing around in one place here isn't a good idea.

The rest of the day sees a great deal of headway made. Between Azora's uncanny direction sense, Ghanji's jungle skill, and the new man Vivec's affinity for both travel and water you make excellent time. Today is the first day since you entered the swamp that you feel like you might actually have a chance at getting to your goal before your food runs out. Many many miles are covered. The group is strung out in single file for nearly a quarter mile at one point and everyone is on edge because of it, but eventually gathering back up you find your way through the briars the mud the nettles the thorns and the twisting angry vines that hang from all the trees. Once more Ghanji steers you away from the smell of rotting fruit, and the tell tale sings of a Vermin Vine.

Night sets in, and you push on just long enough before becoming disoriented by the darkness. Rhokti hops from Shamad and calls on the power of his blood to summon you another shelter. It is the first time that Vivec has witness to such a thing, and while he can perform many a miracles there is something to be said for what Rhokti can do. From under the swamp rock errupts in a slow rising mound. Broken in places the stone hut has windows and a door. The group just plods inside as if this is normal for them. Once inside you find stone shelves that serve as beds, a fireplace with flame already lit, and the Brahmin can see a spirit like servant, nearly invisible that moves around aiding those that need its stewardly aid.

Ghanji drops his gear and collects the food. "We need water, and we need our rations purified. I figure we have one more day before we reach the outskirts of Mahanaga. We should expect heavy Yuan-ti patrols, traps, and an increased danger level, if such a thing is possible." He changes from his armor, hangs it by the fire to dry and helps Sujata. The Devapala has stopped caring so much about changing in the same room as everyone else. She now changes in the corner, and when it comes to needing privacy, she has Ghanji hold up a wide bed roll to shield her from the eyes of the rest of you. Ghanji willingly aid her in this rather riskey act.

[od]

As Ghanji mentions water the Brahmin wanders to one of the windows and opens it to the outside world. Touching the stone just beyond the opening he chants briefly calling out to the few uncorrupted water spirits in the area. When his chant ends he pulls his hand back inside and lets the water of the newly formed spring cascade in a waterfall down past the window. "This water is clean, normally it would remain so forever...but in this place I doubt it will remain long after this hut fades away." Heading to one of the stone benches he sits down. "If you gather all of your food together I can cleanse it for you, and heal what wounds you have received in the past few days," Vivec finishes, waiting for the group to respond.

[Bitom]

Rhokti oots and resumes monkey form, climbing up with pazi to the small shelf over the fireplace that he favors. He says nothing more and curls up to sleep immediatly.

[Brennor]

Azora trudges wearily along with the group. It is surprising that such a bear of a man can be weary, but weary he is.

As the shelter is formed, the man with his strange armor and stranger sword makes his way through the newly formed doorway. His black blade, streaked with silver, is layed upon the stone slab in the corner, nearest the door, as his pack is set beside it.

He brushes his hands through the long stubble of his head, coming away with mud. Surprisingly, the quiet man's hair is the same length as Ghanji's.

He sits down, pulling his sack up and pulling contaminated rations from within, gathering them up into a pile and bringing them to the central table.

[TetNak]

Shamad nods to Azora, "A good idea, let us all get our rations together so the brahmin can pray over them." Shamad empties his pack, which is covered with dried muck, and places the rations he has left for the brahmin. He then unstraps his armor and throws himself in a hammock, idly looking over to Ghanji holding the blanket for Sujata. He says nothing, simply closing his eyes and hopefully falling to sleep.

[Vardaen]

The rations are piled up, but first the new Brahmin Vivec proves his friendship with a cool clear spring of water that is formed just on the windowsill. Ghanji finishes helping Sujata and places his rations on the table. "Thank you very much Vivec, we ran out of clean water this morning and our food is going rancid as we speak." Ghanji fills his water containters and drinks from the spring heartily. Everyone is able to fill their containters and drink from the spring as well. Having run out of drinking water today you are truely blessed to have met Vivec when you did. Toranoshi enjoys a drink and then climbs up into the highest bed and goes to sleep without another word. Sujata joins the others, drinking and offering her rations for blessing and cleaning. She also sits next to Shamad and speaks to her cousin. "Cousin, perhaps some of these items from Hamin would be better used in the hands of our new friend?" She draws out the Prayer Book, and string of beads taken from among Hamin's things."

[Brennor]

Azora waits for the others to fill themselves from the spring and then moves over to it. He drinks more water than the spring than he has in the entirety of the last week, splashing some over his face in the process. After his drink is finished, he proceeds to fill his waterskins.

After getting all the water he can carry, he reapproaches the table that the food has been conglomerated on. Sitting down at the table, he waits for the Brahmin to purify the food.

[od]

Once the rations are piled up before him Vivec once again calls out to the spirits of the area asking for their blessing over the food before him. His chant is low and much quicker this time, his prayer much less powerful for the simple task of cleansing the food. as his work finishes he looks in Sujata's direction, curious about the items she refers to.

DM

I'm not sure how much food is there, I assume 1 casting of purify food and water is enough, if it requires a second I'll do that too.