STAR WARS: An Ill Wind
Session 09

[Day-Lin's player was again absent.]

EXT. ALGUS

As darkness descends upon the community, the air grows cool and moist, and finally rain begins to fall... a soothing noise for some. It falls in shifting grey curtains, soaking into the bare earth of the colony compound and pattering from one layer of jungle greenery to the next. Here and there, lightpoles cast their circular glows on the wet buildings and rough streets. Four of them are set at the corners of a fenced-in paddock, where nerfs huddle together for warmth and protection from the tropical rain as they drowse.

The illumination ends at the fence that separates civilized land from the untamed jungle. The greenery catches the distant light here and there, shrouding the depths in night's black. And then something else appears amid the darkness: a pair of eyes, glowing like red coals.

The engineer Avirida is awakened from troubled sleep by a scream of animal terror somewhere nearby.

The female Jedi snaps awake instantly as well, roused by her special awareness.

Pira rolls to her feet silently, casting mental awareness outward even as she moves in body to the window, her lightsaber unlit in her hand.

<OOC> Kelly says, "It did sound like an animal, not a person."
<OOC> Avirida says, "This is supposed to reassure me? ;)"

Though she has to lean over the slowly rousing Wookiee to do it, Pira gets a look out the window. Rain is falling thickly, and there seems to be some kind of commotion over by the paddock. Lights are coming on in the other buildings as well.

Harukuk growls grumpily.

<OOC> Pira says, "What should I roll for a force sense check?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Sense. Plus, heck, perception."
<OOC> Kelly is really tempted to adopt an almost White Wolfie system for Force use.
Pira rolls 4 dice: <2> 1 3 2

Avirida freezes, stiffening on the floor rather than sitting up - eyes wide and staring into the darkness. Then she eases, very slow, up and around to peer out the window without blundering into the Jedi.

Simple, panicked minds are all Pira can touch. Something is among them, something unknown and terrible.

<OOC> Pira says, "Can we go out the window? Or at least, can a Jedi?"
<OOC> Pira says, "Or is it too small?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Bit of a squeeze, but both you and Avirida are petite enough to manage. Possibly a bit more squirming if the latter wants to follow."
<OOC> Pira checks with Avirida to make sure we don't run into each other :)
<OOC> Kelly says, "It has a bug screen, though."
<OOC> Harukuk doesn't expect he'll be able to, though. ;)
<OOC> Kelly says, "You'll have to kick that out or something."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Figure it's a little over a meter square."
<OOC> Avirida don't wanna go out there! :)
<OOC> Sabriel wonders why adventurers prefer the window instead of the door for their exits.
<OOC> Kelly says, "Usually the GM has something unpleasant waiting at the door."

Pira kicks at the screen, unwilling to take the slower path through the house.

The screen is meant to bar insects, not Jedi, and is easily batted out of its frame.

Avirida stares at Pira momentarily as the screen is batted out - not in surprise at the kick, but at that she'd want to go out there. Then again, she is a Jedi.

Harukuk looks somewhat dubiously at Pira, and goes over to the door to listen at it for a moment.

In another moment, Pira has hoisted herself up and out of the window, head first. She lands cat-footed, ready to act.

<OOC> Pira says, "With my luck it's going to be the local equivalent of a fox in the chicken coop :)"

Avirida checks to make sure of her blaster, and moves to follow the Jedi, with one glance back in the dark at where Harukuk... might be.

Other figures are starting to emerge from buildings, though by more usual exits. No one seems to be quite sure what's going on, but several start running toward the nerf pen, where the shrieking and thumping continues.

Pira casts about for the epicenter of the disturbance, her saber still unlit in her hand. After a moment, she sprints towards the nerf pen.

Through the door, Harukuk can hear someone moving around in the hallway. He has a moment's warning only before Tavis Drenner bursts into the guest bedroom, eyes wide with fear. "It's back!"

Harukuk gets his bowcaster, and emits a whurf of acknowledgement.

The scene that greets Pira is one of bedlam. Pale and spindly nerfs run to and fro within their paddock, trying to get away from *something* in their midst. Their eyes are wild with terror and their shaggy manes fly as they whirl and spin, stampeding every which way. Some are already smashing up against the fence, and as she approaches, it gives way.

The young Jedi finds herself in the path of the nerfs as they pour out of their pen, trampling the wet dirt into churned mud under their hooves.

Pira instinctively moves in harmony with the Force, trying to dodge and vault over the nerfs as she makes her way towards the invader.

<OOC> Pira hopes this roll is better than the last one :)
<OOC> Kelly says, "Me too. :)"
<OOC> Pira says, "Which should I roll for?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Dodge." Pira rolls 4 dice: <4> 2 5 2
<OOC> Kelly says, "This isn't something where the Force really aids you, except as CP, FP, etc. That would just be too munchkin, to get your dice added to every action."
<OOC> Pira nods. That was mostly for color :)
<OOC> Pira figures Jedi try to be in harmony with the Force when doing critical actions.
<OOC> Pira says, "Are Avirida and Harukuk behind me?"
<OOC> Avirida should be. Is dreading nerf trampling. ;)

Somehow Pira makes it through the stampede unscathed as nerfs brush by her on all sides, their creamy hides close enough to reach out and touch. One yearling almost bounds right into her, but she dodges neatly and then the way before her is clear again.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Avirida, you need to dodge too, if you're heading into it. Or you can hang back. They're scattering around the buildings."
<OOC> Kelly says, "By the way, I'm treating nerfs as basically horses + deer + sheep."

Avirida, near on the Jedi's heels, is equally faced with the stampede... but not nearly so graceful.

Avirida rolls 3D+1 dice: <6> 2 1
You paged Avirida with 'Yay, wild die.'.
Avirida rolls 1 die: <2>
From afar, Avirida forgot :)
<OOC> Pira says, "Hey, don't downgrade yourself until you see the roll :)"

Fortunately, the stampede is starting to spread out and scatter as they have room to run. Avirida is clipped by one nerf, spinning her around but just dazing her for a moment, as the others rush past into the night.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Your daze is as much 'wow, I didn't get killed'. :)"

Avirida catches herself so well as she can, looking half-reflexively about for the Jedi as the fact of her own survival starts to catch up with her.

Pira moves towards the shape in the pen, thumb moving to the activation stud on her saber but not yet pressing.

Orders are shouted over the noise of rain and panicked nerfs, and some of the colonists begin running after them, trying to catch them and calm them down.

Harukuk exits from the house, bowcaster in hand.

In the time it took for Pira to get there, the 'Ghost' has apparently already made its escape. Lying on the muddy trampled ground on the far side of the paddock is the bloody remains of a nerf - or about half of one, rather. The fence on that side is intact; whatever it was must have come over the top.

The lukewarm rain continues to fall, plastering Pira's hair to her neck.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Perception roll, please."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Avi, you too, as you arrive on the scene."
Avirida rolls 2D+1 dice: <6> 5
Avirida rolls 1 die: <6>
Avirida rolls 1 die: <2>
<OOC> Avirida says, "Go, wild dice :)"
Pira rolls 4 dice: <2> 6 6 1

As she comes running up, Avirida sees the edge of the jungle seem to... flicker. Then leaves and vines are pushed aside and settle back into place, around something not seen.

Looking down at the body, Pira sees the tracks, untouched by hooves that dared not come close. They are clawed and quite real.

Pira examines them, seeking to discover which trail leads away from the pen and which in.

Avirida doesn't look down... whether that's good fortune or bad would have to wait. "I think it went that way," she says aside to Pira, watching the jungle's edge.

Two paths, one approaching the fence, the other leading back to the jungle. The latter is smeared and streaked as if something was being dragged along.

Pira casts a look back, looking for Harukuk. "We should track it now, before the rain destroys the trail."

As Harukuk joins his comrades, the hunter also makes his appearance. Bogan would be bare to the waist except for his blast vest, which looks hastily thrown on. He carries his long blaster rifle at the ready. Barefoot he is as well, though baggy pants preserve his modesty.

Avirida says, "It only just got under cover," to Pira, still focused on that flickered part of the forest. Just like a curtain in any civilized settlement.

Bogan laughs derisively. "Go in there after it, at night? Bloody 'ell, Jedi, even I'm not that crazy."

Pira gives him a cool violet eyed look, and starts towards the jungle edge. "As you see fit, Ser Bogan."

<OOC> Pira says, "That "there is no fear, there is the force" mantra sometimes leads to anti-Darwinistic behavior, I must say :)"

Within the glow of the paddock lights, rain shines silver as it falls, already starting to wash the blood into the torn-up grassy mud.

Bogan stares after Pira in disbelief and a touch of anger, then looks to her friends. "Well? Are ya gonna stop 'er from gettin 'erself kilt?"

Harukuk rumbles something that sounds like an agreement of the idea of hunting a dangerous animal at night.

Avirida says back to Bogan, "It seems to me that I heard that sentiment someplace else recently." She ruffles her free hand through her short hair. "Remember the Federation prisoners, Captain? Surviving crazy suicidal situations seems to be the Jedi stock in trade." And she turns and starts to follow Pira.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Boy, if only Day-Lin was here. :)"
<OOC> Pira giggles. He'd be saying some things, I bet :)
<OOC> Avirida says, "No kidding :)"
<OOC> Pira figures she wouldn't bother with a light, if Jedi can fight blind...
<OOC> Pira says, "It'd only serve as a beacon for the Bad Thing :)"

Pira asks Avirida in a low voice "What did you see, and where?"

Bogan curses under his breath. "Fine then! If I find anything left of ya, I'll give it a decent burial!" He turns and stalks off, leaving Harukuk alone by the mutilated body.

Avirida answers back, quietly, "Something... strange. Then fronds settling back in place." She gestures to direct.

The section of jungle indicated is at the end of the second trail.

Harukuk rumbles something stock, and follows Avirida and Pira, bowcaster in hand. ["I've got a bad feeling about this."]

<OOC> Avirida was waiting for that line ;)

Pira reaches the edge of the forest and stands still, rain sparkling on her closed eyelids as she reaches out, seeking the ferocious creature they pursue.

Back at the torn-down section of fence, some of the colonists are starting to sort things out and lead exhausted nerfs back to their pasture. Bogan's protocol droid stands there as well, having come to see what all the fuss is about. Rain cascades over its dull brown finish as it turns its yellow eyes to its master.

Bogan brushes past, still cursing. "Bleedin' stupid amateurs..." The droid watches him go, then turns its softly glowing gaze after the few now making their way into the jungle.

<OOC> Pira says, "Foreshadowing, the sign of quality literature :)"
<OOC> Kelly beams.
<OOC> Avirida laughs.
Pira pages: Should I roll again, or are we still under the last roll and I don't sense much?
Pira pages: She's mainly trying to make sure it's moving, not lurking in ambush :)
You paged Pira with 'You don't sense anything right in front of you, waiting to rip your face off, no.'.

Pira says to Harukuk "Kashyyk is a jungle planet -- can you see well in the dark? And you, Avirida?"

<OOC> Kelly says, "Book gives no bonuses. Slightly better than a human's, perhaps, but not significant."
<OOC> Pira thinks that most humans do well once their eyes are adjusted -- Amazon natives regularly hunt in the dark, and they don't carry torches.

Harukuk shrugs and says something non-commital.

Avirida answers warily, "On board ship, I can." But that's all straight lines and regular shapes, isn't it.

Pira looks back into the jungle, frowns, and says reluctantly "I suppose we should get our packs, then. We may be trailing it for some time."

<OOC> Kelly says, "That was AWFUL rash for Pira. I think the jungle fever's getting to her. :)"
<OOC> Pira giggles.
<OOC> Pira says, "No, she's just very... straight-line. And she only knows this by theory, remember :)"
<OOC> Pira says, "And the theory is, the sooner you start trailing a creature, the faster and easier you can find it."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Going to leave anyone here while you go back and fetch?"

Avirida eyes the leaves equally warily. "Should one of us stay here?" she asks.

<OOC> Avirida beats Kelly. :)

Water continues to pour from the skies, soaking all of you to the skin (or fur).

<OOC> Kelly waters Avirida. ;)
<OOC> Avirida groans. [This is a joke between the GM and the player. Don't ask. :) ]

Pira says "I will, if you will gather my pack for me."

Avirida hesitates, eyeing the jungle for a long moment, then nods and turns to start back toward their hosts' home.

<OOC> Avirida is planning to fit the screen at least temporarily back in place, too.

Pira calls softly "Bring my cloak and belt as well, if you would."

Harukuk follows Avirida back, grumbling a bit at having to hunt in the dark and the rain.

During Avirida's absence, the rain slackens and finally stops except for a few widely-spaced drops. From within the jungle, however, the sound of falling water continues.

<OOC> Pira realizes that they may have to camp out :)
<OOC> Harukuk reads a bunch of "Blair Witch" parodies on on-line comics, then suddenly looks suspiciously at Kelly.
<OOC> Kelly looks innocent.
<OOC> Kelly says, "Seriously... I hadn't even considered that angle. :)"

As Pira stands on the edge of the jungle, physical reality matches the feeling she's had since she landed. She is engulfed in a sea of life, that grows and buds and squirms and crawls and hunts... and dies, for that too is part of the Force. Her head could slip below the surface with nary a ripple.

With the unfamiliar rainforest pressing close, Pira hears again the words of her Master in his smooth bass voice. "Just as the Force has two sides, so does it have two aspects - the Living Force and the Guiding Force. You must strive to remain in balance between the two. Be mindful of the future, even as you live in the present."

<OOC> Harukuk didn't really think so, but for a moment...
<OOC> Pira says, "Damn you, Harukuk :)"
<OOC> Avirida laughs and laughs.
<OOC> Kelly says, "Darn it, I'm trying to have a Moment here."
<OOC> Pira claps. Nice, Kelly :)
<OOC> Pira says, "Very genre, too!"

So real is the memory, the sense that her Master is with her, that Pira almost expects to see him leaning against a nearby tree, looking at her with those dark eyes and smiling that enigmatic and serene half-smile.

Pira feels, for a moment, a Padawan again, and adjusts her grip on her lightsaber, the silvery casing a close match for her Master's.

The moment passes, as Harukuk and Avirida return with their gear and Pira's as well.

<OOC> Kelly says, "I think it's obvious where Pira gets it. ;)"
<OOC> Pira says, "She practiced the enigmatic violet-eyed look in front her mirror for ages, growing up :)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Plus, Samuel L. Jackson is just so damn cool."

Fortunately for those who prefer not to get wet(ter), the survival gear includes plast ponchos (in Navy blue, of course). Even one sized for a Wookiee.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Pira, you might want to think about a glow rod too. Your life sense will help you a little, but there's so damn MUCH of it here."
<OOC> Pira nods.
<OOC> Pira says, "Do the ponchos have arms/arm holes? She wants her hands free."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Arm slits, yeah."
<OOC> Kelly says, "But you have your cloak, ne?"
<OOC> Pira nods. Which I figure is made out of a keen water resistant fabric :)
<OOC> Kelly says, "Probably something silklike, but treated with nifty-keen Republictech waterguard, yup."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Ugh, what's the word? Veda cloth. That's it. (That's what most of the Senatorial costumes seem to be made of.)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "And yes, I know it means something else. As usualy, George prolly thought it sounded cool."

Pira buckles her belt into place and shrugs into her pack, her cloak folded into a pad and used to cushion the straps.

Avirida simply takes advantage of the poncho. Blue standing out against green doesn't seem to worry her, or maybe it just hasn't occurred.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Dark shiny-wet blue. Dark shiny-wet green. At night. I don't think it's an issue."
<OOC> Avirida laughs.

Pira unhooks a glow rod from her belt and snaps it on, dialing it down to cast a dim light, just enough to reveal the trail.

It's hard to see through the dense undergrowth, even with the light, but the tracks are deep in the damp mossy earth. Easy enough for even a Jedi Knight raised on Coruscant to follow, for now.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Pity the Ghost of the Jungle couldn't just take a transport tube or a sky taxi, mm?"
<OOC> Pira smirks.
<OOC> Harukuk says, "You don't leave a trail in a sky taxi."
<OOC> Kelly says, "No, but you can call traffic control and... aw, never mind. :)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Tracking: Urban vs. Tracking: Jungle. ;)"
<OOC> Avirida laughs.
<OOC> Kelly says, "I do need perception rolls once you get more than a dozen paces on, though. Tracking if you have it."
Pira rolls 4 dice: <2> 1 2 6
Avirida rolls 2D+1 dice: <3> 4
<OOC> Avirida is a city girl. ;)

Pira follows the tracks, casting glances down then around to watch the dark jungle. She tries to look as smooth and confident as if she had always done this.

<OOC> Pira says, "Pira was six or seven before she was taken off-planet and understood that there were something not-city."

The trail is clear at first, and Pira even remembers to walk alongside it so as not to foul it with her own prints. As the group moves further into the jungle, the blackness thickens to an almost tangible thing. The sky far above, what little can be seen of it through the trees, is still a leaden overcast. Only the glow rods provide illumination, and those are dialed down.

Even at night, however, the jungle is not silent. Soft trills and cackling calls can be heard over the steady patter and trickle of rain still making its way to the forest floor.

Avirida glances from side to side far more often than she does down at the trail, unnerved.

<OOC> Pira wonders if Pira's theorectical knowledge includes the fact that if you can hear little animals, the big predator isn't likely near...
<OOC> Kelly says, "Hah."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Okay, another set of perception rolls."
Avirida rolls 2D+1 dice: <5> 6
Pira rolls 4 dice: <5> 3 1 3

As the trio makes its way through the pillars that hold up the vaulted canopy, there is a rustling in the undergrowth ahead and to one side of the trail.

From afar, Pira doesn't wanna overplay force sense, but she'd definitely be using it wherever possible in this particular trek in the dark. Can I just make it a standing note and have you notify me when you think she should be able to use it?
You paged Pira with 'Got it.'.
Pira pages: I don't wanna overshadow Avirida and Harukuk by going 'force sense!' every two minutes.

Pira stills and casts the dim glow of the light towards the underbrush.

The glow rod's beam falls on a seemingly ordinary bush... except that bushes don't normally move. Suddenly, something bursts from cover and streaks past the party, off into the darkness, squealing. All they get is a glimpse of brown fur in light and dark patches on a round body.

The squalling "keeEE keeEEE!" fades into the distance, as the other jungle noises gradually return and humanoid hearts settle back into their usual locations.

Pira says "I trust it was only running from us."

Avirida takes a deep breath. "We didn't get bitten," she offers.

<OOC> Kelly says, "IOW, you basically just flushed an alien bush pig. :)"
<OOC> Pira giggles.

Pira starts forward again, the light flashing on the trail of muddy and bloody claw marks.

Harukuk rumbles annoyedly.

Pira casts a look over her shoulder, quirking a brow at Avirida for translation.

Avirida offers to Pira, "He's annoyed," and keeps following.

The trail continues, and thus so does the search party, perhaps against the better judgment of some of its number. The tracks remain clear. Perhaps a half hour has gone by since entering the forest of the night.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Tyger, tyger."
<OOC> Pira says, "The good thing is, the hunter is still back at the village, so if our friendly beast has just circled back there's someone there :)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "And... another set of rolls, please."
Pira rolls 4 dice: <4> 6 1 6
Avirida rolls 2D+1 dice: <6> 6
Avirida rolls 1 die: <3>

The group comes to a stream burbling through the jungle, its banks thick with ferns and exposed tree roots. The rocky bed looks only about knee deep, but the current is swift from the evening's rain.

Sharp eyes pick out the deep tracks on the far bank, with gouges where claws slipped before finding purchase.

Pira eyes the water warily and shrugs her pack from her back.

Pira digs a cord out of it, and says "Captain, do you want to go first?"

Harukuk nods at that. He eyes the depth, and carefully begins to wade into it.

No jaws close on the Wookiee's furry feet, no slippery rocks give way and pitch him into the stream.

Avirida peers across at the roots on the far side as the Wookiee crosses, trying to find a stable-looking way up.

Pira starts to mouth "Wait..." but it's already too late.

The roots seem to provide ample handholds for Harukuk to climb the far bank.

Pira lets the coil of cord dangle, and says diffidently "I thought a safety line would be wise?"

Avirida says "It probably would, at that."

As Pira and Avirida discuss how to proceed, and Harukuk waits on the far bank, all become conscious of a change: all the noises except for the babble of the stream have ceased.

<OOC> Pira wonders what Jedi curse words are...
<OOC> Kelly says, "This very bad. When drums stop: bass solo."
<OOC> Pira shrieks! I know that line, where is it from?
<OOC> Kelly says, "It's a joke's punchline, spoken by the native guide."
Pira pages: Does force sense tell me anything?
You paged Pira with 'Roll Sense+Per.'.
<OOC> Avirida groans. :) Pira rolls 6 dice: <2> 4 5 6 1 3

Avirida looks around uneasily, scanning the leaves for any... flickers.

Pira unsnaps her lightsaber from her belt, surveying the silent green-black warily.

The Force is also quiet, as if waiting for something. Something that approaches now, with murder on its mind. Something hungry.

Harukuk looks around warily.

And it's on the far bank...

<OOC> Kelly says, "Harukuk, PER roll."

Pira says "Captain! It's coming towards you!"

Harukuk rolls 2 dice: <6> 6
Harukuk rolls 1 die: <2>
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Well, that's not bad..."

Even as Pira shouts her warning, Harukuk sees a disturbance in the brush ahead. He has just enough time to brace to meet the charge as something pounces at him, jaws open and claws out.

From afar, Pira wonders if it would be out of bounds to jedi jump the stream. It seems very movie-like :) Or is there too little clear space?
You paged Pira with 'There's space, but you'll be right next to Harukuk and whatever he's fighting.'.

Avirida ignores safety ropes. It's not possible to aim and not hit the Captain at this distance, in the dark, at this range and that little distance between him and the... thing; even before her heart switches from fluttering to pounding, she charges into the water.

In fact, that first pounce misses and the predator goes flying past, almost pitching into the stream before it digs in and turns, hissing, to face its prey. It's vaguely feline, with fur that shows bands of grey and black in the glow rod beams.

<OOC> Kelly says, "It apparently wasn't expecting a sidestep."
<OOC> Kelly says, "That is, I rolled utter crap for its attack."
<OOC> Harukuk was going to dodge, but okay. :) Well, considering I'm better in hand-to-hand than at range, and am also fierce and fuzzy, I'm going to try to punch out the kitty.
<OOC> Kelly says, "Okay, go ahead and roll."
Harukuk rolls 5 dice: <3> 5 1 5 6

Pira pauses at the edge of the stream, judging the space on the far bank, then plunges into the rushing water behind Avirida.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Avi, Pira, you're both charging in rather than carefully wading. Give me Running checks."
Avirida rolls 2D+1 dice: <5> 5
Pira rolls 2 dice: <3> 6

Uttering a hunting cry of his own, Harukuk lashes out with a long furry arm. His fist catches the predator right in the side of the head.

You paged Harukuk with 'Roll damage.'.
Harukuk rolls 5 dice: <4> 4 3 1 6
Harukuk pages: 18. Not quite as good, but about average.

Both of Harukuk's companions manage to keep their footing in the treacherous stream. Pira almost falls, but catches herself on one of the exposed roots and pulls herself back up.

For a moment, Harukuk would swear he saw the thing's eyes roll up... then it simply topples over to one side and lies there amid the ferns, out cold.

<OOC> Kelly says, "This has got to be the world's most incompetent jungle cat."
<OOC> Avirida laughs.
<OOC> Kelly says, "It rolled a FIVE on FOUR Strength dice to soak. Including a 1 on the WD."
<OOC> Kelly says, "Damn, your Captain's more dangerous than the wildlife."
<OOC> Pira shrieks with laughter.
<OOC> Harukuk rolls over laughing!
<OOC> Sabriel grins. Never underestimate a Wookie. :)
<OOC> Kelly says, "It's mortally wounded."

Avirida pulls herself out of the stream... and just looks at the beast. Then over at Harukuk.

Avirida says, "One of these days I'll learn not to get worried."

Harukuk squints over, looking at the cat. He rumbles something. ["The question is, is this the 'ghost'?"]

Pira releases her grip on the root and scrambles up the last bit of the bank. She eyes the limp body.

Avirida says "That's a very good question."

Pira says "The question...?"

Standing over the cat, Pira senses... startlement? Then nothing, as the unlucky predator draws a shuddering breath and expires.

Avirida says "The question is, is this the 'ghost'?"

Pira pokes at the edge of a claw mark with her boot. "We can see if the paws match this."

Harukuk pats the cat almost regretfully on the head as it dies, uttering an ironic benediction.

From afar, to Kelly and Avirida, Harukuk recites a Wookiee axiom about the most important part of hunting is choosing the right prey.

<OOC> Kelly says, "I believe the human version would be, 'Some days you get the bear...'"

Avirida nods to Harukuk, slow, and ruffles a hand through her humiliatingly short hair.

<OOC> Pira considers taking a level in Wookiee with her next set of points
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Actually, the way SW works is you get a language roll (if you want) and if you make it by enough you get like a mark to know it permanently."

Even a brief comparison is enough to show the tracks were not made by the dead beast. The shape and number of pads is different. And there's something else: when one studies the prints, rather than simply following them, it can be seen that they come not from four feet... but two.

<OOC> Kelly says, "Harukuk, going to do anything special with your kill or just leave it for the scavengers?"
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Hmmmm. Good question."
<OOC> Harukuk says, "I can't think of anything to do with it, though if we're going to leave it, we should keep moving. We don't know how big the scavengers around here are. ;)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Heave it off the trail (probably not into the stream), maybe."
<OOC> Pira says, "Before the Death Beetles come!"
<OOC> Kelly laughs.
<OOC> Harukuk nods. "Something like that, yes."
<OOC> Kelly says, "mmm, Death Beetles."
<OOC> Avirida eeps :) [See discussion in session 08 about what might be at the bottom layer of Kashyyk... mmm, Death Beetles.]

After taking a moment to move the body off the trail into the brush, the party shoulders their packs and continues on. Rainwater still trickles down from the tree canopy, though that is lessening as well.

Avirida keeps an even more unnerved watch on the green.

The path winds around the bases of trees and at one point skirts a seemingly ordinary patch of bare ground - which, as the searchers wave their glow rod beams over it, seems to have a rather mucky consistency.

Pira crouches down, examining the patch curiously.

<OOC> Kelly says, "It's quicksand, or close to it."
<OOC> Pira says, "Cool :)"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Is someone going to tell the city Jedi not to play with it?"
<OOC> Avirida dunno what it is. :)
<OOC> Kelly smacks his head. The blind leading the blind...
<OOC> Kelly says, "Harukuk probably doesn't either. D'oh!"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Anyway."
<OOC> Harukuk says, "Don't find much quicksand on cyclopian tree branches."
<OOC> Kelly says, "I think you mean colossal. Unless they have one eye. ;)"
<OOC> Pira says, "Nah, it also means superhuge."
<OOC> Harukuk has heard "cyclopian" as a metaphor for "huge." Particularly in regard to ruins, oddly enough.

Pira moves on, gliding through the gloomy dark.

Eventually, having followed the trail for over an hour of cautious walking - and somehow managing to not lose it, despite their lack of experience with such things - Pira, Harukuk and Avirida emerge into something like a clearing. A very long clearing, like a swath carved through the jungle. There's grass and a few tall trees stretching toward the heavens, but nothing like the lush growth they just stepped out of.

<OOC> Pira says, "How big is it? Ie, small enough to be caused by a fallen tree, or much larger than that?"
<OOC> Kelly says, "Much. A couple of dozen meters across."

To their left, the broad 'highway' continues out of the range of their glow rods. To the right... the clouds have begun to break up, and silhouetted against the starry black sky is a great brooding mountain, its gentle slopes rising high above the jungle flatland.

Pira frowns. "Strange."

<OOC> Kelly says, "Harukuk, give me a KNO roll."

Avirida leans her head back to peer up at the mountain. "Don't those come in groups? Like denting sheet metal."

Harukuk rolls 2 dice: <5> 2
Harukuk pages: 7. Unfortunately, the high strength and good ship skills come out of Know and Per.

Something about this seems vaguely familiar to Harukuk, tickling maddeningly at the edges of his thoughts.

As the group strains its eyes, the suggestion of another rounded slope emerges from the murk next to the first.

<OOC> Kelly says, "You've seen photos of Hawaiian mountains/ranges? By day, that'll be what it looks like. By night, they're just big, black, eroded shapes."

Harukuk frowns for a moment, scratching the fur on his chin.

Harukuk posits something in Wookiee.

Avirida translates, "He thinks it could be a volcano."

Pira says "Not active, I hope."

Harukuk shrugs somewhat helplessly.

<OOC> Kelly says, "No one mentioned it back at the colony."
<OOC> Sabriel eyes Kelly.
<OOC> Kelly looks innocent. Totally.
<OOC> Pira swats.

Pira searches around for the continuation of the claw-trail.

Avirida glances over to it. "I hope," she seconds, and sighs before resuming her scan.

The tracks go off to the left, away from the mountain and its little brother.