>>5062211
>Sneak in: Send in a few scout ships and land the fleet boat by boat. Live off the land while trying your hardest to avoid being discovered by the locals.

I'd like to avoid getting into a political conflict until our foood supplies are decently filled.

>>5062254
Lono knows that getting into a conflict with the locals this soon is dangerous so he has several ranger squads scout ahead to lead hunting parties. Given the serious nature of contact a Squad Leader must be chosen to handle the hunting and foraging. Each of these potential leaders has experience on the Prison Island in dealing with these locals and will influence how the scouts behave.
>Nizax of the Muli Tribe, Expert Riverboat Captain and master of guerilla warfare.
Nizax was made second in common back on the Prison Island while Lono was scouting, but during his command a dozen crewmembers rebelled and had to be captured.
>Ebbi of the Illa Tribe, master druid with knowledge of woodland environments.
Ebbi’s knowledge of natural plants may prove useful in foraging in a strange land.
>Kasi of the Ponni Tribe, hunter and animal tracker.
Kasi is a skilled hunter and warrior, though they hold resentment against foreigners due to their comrade’s injury at the hands of The Archer.

(Next check in 3:20 pm est)

>>5062211
>Sneak in

>>5062273
>Ebbi

>>5062273
Lono chooses Ebbi to lead the rangers on their secret hunter-gatherer mission. Ebbi is of the Illa tribe, their druids are trained from childhood in all manners of the forest. Ebbi was always a bit... out there for the crew but Lono trusts their instincts.

Lono must now decide how many people to send to hunt and gather. More Rangers means more food that is desperately needed but it also increases the odds of being ound.

>Send in large crew of rangers (LARGE amount of food, 45% chance of getting caught)
>Send in medium crew of Rangers(MEDIUM amount of food, 30% chance of getting caught)
>Send in small crew of Rangers ( SMALL amount of food, 20% chance of getting caught, UNPOPULAR choice.)


(Next check in 10:00 am est)

>>5062671
>Send in medium crew of Rangers(MEDIUM amount of food, 30% chance of getting caught)

Just so we gain a decent chunk of food before we start interacting with the locals, assuming they aren't aggressive towards us.

>>5062826
>>5062671
Lono speaks to Ebbi

”Ebbi, go in with a moderately sized squad. Stay out of site and gather what you can. “
Yes, Captain.

Lono stays behind on the Fleet as he sees the squad of rangers go into the unknown.

With that handled, he must focus on something long delayed.

Bopha of the Chontou tribe led a rebellion back on the prison Island. It was short lived, but Nizax, Lono’s chosen deputy was injured and several prisoners were terrorized. Lono gave most of the rebels pardons but the ringleader must be held on trial.

Bopha of the Chontou, Warrior Caste, you stand accused of mutiny on the seas and attacking a comrade. Do you Admit or deny?

Bopha stands tied to a post on a wa'a kaulua , floating at sea facing the fleet at large.

“I admit to doing what needed to be done, when you WOULDNT. This ‘Captain’ would have us all starve for the sake of savages!”


How does Lono respond?

>Defending himself
>Focusing on Bopha’s crimes

And what tone does he take

>Calm
>Passionate.

Next Check in (2:00 pm est)

>>5062931
>Defend himself
>Calm
"I said we would find the not-island, and that it would be bountiful. Now, look where we are. Was I not right, Bopha?"

>>5062943
Lono calmly defends his postion

"I told you we would find food without bloodshed and we have. Look around, as we speak Ebbi leads the rangers to collect our bounty

The crord murmers from their boats in agreement.

Is their food in our stomachs now? Hot meat dripping down our faces rather than chewing on dried fish? You are like your meta-sister before you, full of words and promises.

Lono is thrown back by the reference to his meta-sister. She was elected the first peacekepper of all the tribes and this fleet was her crowning goal. Many felt she was selling empty dreams. A major reason he took the role as Captain of the Fleet was to prove them wrong.

The time for debate has passed. You admit to the crime, we must now deal the punishment [/b/]

>Execute Bopha ( very Unpopular)
> Sentence Bopha harshely (unpopular)
>Sentence Bopha leniant (popular, may encourage further rebellion)
>Pardon Bopha (very popular, popular, may encourage further rebellion)

Next check in (3:00 pm est)

>>5063038
> Sentence Bopha harshely (unpopular)

Mutiny on the seas would've led to the death sentence of this fleet. Be grateful that I am lenient in not taking your head.

>>5063038
>>5063060
>>5063038
Lono looks at this person, no, this TRAITOR and stews with rage. To let something so violent happen. To have those helpless villagers suffer, to just stand by and let... it was unforgivable.

As Captain of the Great Fleet, in the name of The Great Peace and by the power granted by The Axeholder that defends it, I sentence you, Bopha of the Chontou... to Salt and Blood!


The crowd jeers at this action. Lono was successfully able to defend his position but he hadn't done enough to villainize Bopha in the eyes of the fleet. Many see this action as harsh.

Bopha screams as they are tied to a small boat face down. They know what is coming.

Five strong warriors weave lashes of a coarse nut rope and bring them down on Bopha’s back with all their might. The mutineers skin shreds and bits of fat begin to creep through the flesh. The loose fibers of the rope dig into the wounds and leave constant burning irritation.

Soon Bopha begs for death, and the final phase of the punishment begins. The warriors grab all sides of the boat, and while Bopha is still tied down, they dunk it into the sea. The guilty party gasps and chokes. Salt water drowns their lungs and their wounds. Just as they are about to pass out, the boat is raised so they can breathe.

This process repeats several times, until Lono gives the word for it to stop. Bopha will be incapacitated for the remainder of the journey and the crew looks on at Lono with fear.

As Bopha is taken away a solemn silence fills the fleet, until the stoneharps sing the message that Ebbi has returned.

The Rangers come from the forest, undetected by the natives with baskets of odd fruits and a few small horn beasts. Not enough for a fleet feast, but for sure enough to keep the crew from starving.

While enjoying his first hot meal in weeks, Lono ponders what to do now. The mission was to venture into the unknown, collect the treasures of the seas and return them to The Island. Exotic fruit and animals are surely a discovery, but far from treasure.

They could try to venture further inland, to scout to see if this strange not-island has anything more of value. But that risks discovery by the locals. They could also take what they could from here and move on, either back home or further out to sea, though giving up such an opportunity for the unknown or to return home with little more than glory seems very unsatisfying.

>Explore deeper into the Not-Island.
>Take supplies and sail back to the homeland.
>Take supplies and explore the ocean.
(Next check-in 7:00 pm est)

Feel free to debate amongst yourselves and ask me qustions.

>>5063080
>Explore deeper into the Not-Island.

I would like to explore the oceans after this FYI.

Lono thinks about what he's done, what he's let happen, and he knows if they leave now it will all be for nothing
He calls for Nizax, who has become a trusted confidant.

Nizax, I've decided we're exploring this land . What are your thoughts?

It's risky, Captain, we don't know about the local politics and we already know of at least three conflicts active here. We could be moving into a crab's nest.

When I say something's decided , it's decided!

I'm sorry, captain.

Lono sees the shame in Nizax's eyes and cools down.

No, it's fine. The stress of this voyage is getting to me, we need to return home with something to make this worth it.

Nizax's eyes light up.

The Archer! They're weapons were made of something we've never seen before. Harder than obsidian but almost as sharp.

With something like that in the hands of the Axeholder, The Great Peace would be assured.

We don't know where it comes from though. It's hard enough I am guessing a quarry, but we can't just look for every rock on this...mass

We have the prisoners we freed, we can try to have them guide us to the source

Can we trust them? We have no idea what they may do now that they're in their homeland

They were all sent away as exiles. I doubt they'll be in a rush to be found out.

Then I would start with the Archer, they got those weapons from somewhere

Good, then all that's left is to figure out who to send.

Who shall lead the squad to find the material?

>Nizax of the Muli Tribe, Expert Riverboat Captain and master of guerilla warfare.
Nizax was made second in common back on the Prison Island while Lono was scouting, but during his command a dozen crewmembers rebelled and had to be captured.
>Ebbi of the Illa Tribe, master druid with knowledge of woodland environments.
Ebbi’s knowledge of natural plants may prove useful in foraging in a strange land.
>Kasi of the Ponni Tribe, hunter and animal tracker.
Kasi is a skilled hunter and warrior, though they hold resentment against foreigners due to their comrade’s injury at the hands of The Archer.
>Lono of the Ahi Tribe
Captain of the Great Fleet, an average sailor, warrior and navigator.

(Next update 11:00 am est. Sorry about the delay, lost my computer.)

>>5063392
>Nizax of the Muli Tribe, Expert Riverboat Captain and master of guerilla warfare.
Nizax was made second in common back on the Prison Island while Lono was scouting, but during his command a dozen crewmembers rebelled and had to be captured.

Let's make sure that there isn't any rebels in this group.

>>5063802
>>5063392
Nizax, I trust you more than anyone here. I want you to lead this expedition.

Sir, even after Bopha-

Bopha’s actions were their own, and I lashed them for it. You’re a credit to your tribe and The Island in general.

Understood, sir. How many squads should I take?

That’s a hard choice, more squads will be more effective, but also easier to notice.

>1 Squad: 20% chance of being discovered
>2 Squads: 40% chance of being discovered
>3 Squads: 50% chance of being captured.


Next check in (3:30 pm est)

>>5063945
>2 Squads: 40% chance of being discovered

>>5064031
Fuck it, I'll split the difference. Take The Archer and two squads deeper inland. Keep watch of them and have them lead you to the source of their weapons.[/b/]

What type of squads should I bring?

>Choose two. You may choose the same type more than once.

>Ranger Squad
Good at tracking, navigating and traveling. Moderate at best combat abilities.

>Warrior Squad
Good at combat of all types. All other skills moderate at best

>Druid Squad
Masters of knowledge of the natural world. Recognize plant and animal life and how to handle it. Very little combat skills

>Diplomat Squad
Horrible combat and tracking skills. Master negotiators and speakers.

(Next check in 4:15: pm est)

>>5064040
>2x Ranger Squad

They should be better at stealth than the rest.

>>5064040
>Ranger Squad
>Diplomat Squad

Won't get lost, can talk themselves out of trouble without accidentally dragging us into war.

Leaving things open for a tie breaker.

As is , first Squad is Rangers and secomd is tied between Rangers and Diplomats.

Feel free to ask any questions

>>5064222
I'm fine with this.

>>5064525
>>5064222
>>5064040
Take a squad of rangers and a squad of diplomats. They’ll move quickly , but if they get caught they can try to talk there way out of it.[/b/]

It will be done captain.

Some time later, Lono looks off as the Squads tak the Archer with them deeper into the woods of the island.

Back at the fleet, the crew works in shifts to preserve the food hunted and foraged. It will be needed for the journey home.

Suddenly a loud sound emerges. A young native, perhaps 14 or 15 has been spotted at the beach. They have been captured by several warriors .

Guret, one of the most trusted warriors in the crew , gives a report.

We caught ‘em tryin ta fish, cap’n. Guess we weren't as sneaky as we thought.

Fuck! Have the fleet move past the horizon, we’ll have to work out of sight from now on. Rookie mistake with the drying.

It happens to the best of us, no one will blame you. But we still need to know what to do with the little abégé?

>Put them with the other freed prisoners.
>Let them go.
>Kill them.

(Next check in 9:40 am est)

>>5064602
>>Put them with the other freed prisoners.

>>5064625
>>5064602
>>5064602
Put them with the freed prisoners, maybe we can learn something from them all being together.

The teen is dropped off in the boat where the rescued foreigners are held. The language is still unknown but the tone of voices show surprise rapidly turning to nervousness when the word “Anλātentūta” gets passed around.

Lono recalls these “Anyaten” seem to be the tribe that The Archer belongs to. Back on the prison Island, The Archer and these people fought viscously and bloodily.

Eventually one of the freed prisoners walks up to the listening Lono and speaks.

Freed Prisoner: Anerēλa le Ñāntari.
The words are foriegn, but the look in the eye and the fingers pointed to thee shore, tell the intent. They want to go home. Doing so would risk revealing the fleet to the locals, but to keep them here would make you no better than the prison island you freed them from.

>Let the rescued prisoners leave
>Do not let them leave
>Allow some prisoners to leave.

(Next check in 2:00 pm est. Sorry for the touch and go, Thanksgiving prep and all.)

>>5064725
I say we let them leave, what do you lads think?

>>5064725
>Do not let them leave YET. Try to communicate compassion.

Gonna Leave this open for debate for a few hours, maybe tie break at midnight or the morning, it's up to you

>>5064978
I'm fine with that. We'll let them go when we're ready to set sail ourselves.

>>5065141
>>5065059
>>5064978
>>5064905
>>5064905
>>5064725
(Next check in 2:00 pm est. Sorry for the touch and go, Thanksgiving prep and all.)

Lono looks down at the prisoner with pain in his eyes and tries to explain softly.

I’m sorry, but we can’t let you leave let. [/b/]

He walks away to his boat as the local prisoners begin to cry.

Guret sees this and speaks to Lono.

Ya did what you hadta do. We cant risk the fleet being found

I didnt rescue those prisoners, I just stole them.

When Nizax comes back with those weapon materials, we can leave in peace and return home

What I’ve seen here, what I’ve done here, I’m not sure *who* would be returning home.

The next week was tense as the entire crew waited for Nizax to return, all while staying out of site whenever possible. Finally, a signal comes from the beach.

Four foriegn warriors, each dressed in estranged armor made from that hard material, walk towards the fleet blowing horns.

As the boats get closer they see bound in vines are Nizax, several rangers and diplomats, and The Archer.

The apparent leader of these foreign warriors yells out.

Ri sū þō!

What does Lono do

>Attack!
>Meet them on the shore peacefully
>Write-in

(Next check in 3:00 pm est)

>>5065444
>Meet them on the shore peacefully

Well, this should be interesting.

>>5065590
Seconding. Let's go, lads.

>>5065627
>>5065590
>>5065444
Damn it! They got Nizax!
Guret rushes to Lono’s side.

What do we do Captain!

I have to go out and meet them, this is a mission of peace.

Woles, Captain! You can go out alone !

We have to be smart about this, to many guards and we may provoke them. They still have our people captured!

>Go out with just Lono
>Go out with 1 squad
>Go out with 2 squads
>Go out with 3 Squads

(Next check in 9:00 pm est )

>>5065821
>Go out with 1 squad

>>5065821
It's just four warriors, right? One squad should suffice.

>Go out with 1 squad

>>5065821
>>5065942
>>5066016
They only have four people, I’ll take one squad

Lono heads out to the shore alongside Guret and seven other Warriors. Their spears are not at the ready but are clearly visible.

Once on the beach, Lono opens his hands and greets the foreigners with a peaceful tone.

Good morning friends, we come in peace

The warriors tense a bit in shock as they hear this.

Nizax hurries to speak.

The Archer attacked the--
Nizax is punched in the jaw by one of the warriors, several members of Lono’s squad reach for their spears.

Hey, stop that!

The lead warrior speaks.

Ōrra ñi le mañāka ā riēþ!
Their strange weapon is pointed towards the captured crew members.

How does Lono respond?

>Try to gesture that if they give us back the prisoners, we will leave.
>Try to gesture that if they don’t give us back the prisoners, we will attack.
>Try to offer the prisoners we freed in exchange for the crew they captured.
>Attack!
>Write-in.

(Next check in 1:00 pm est)

>>5066336
>Try to gesture that if they give us back the prisoners, we will leave

>>5066336
>Try to gesture that if they give us back the prisoners, we will leave.

>>5066500
>>5066464
>>5066336
Lono points to the captured crew and gestures toward himself

If you give us our people...


Lono used his figures to immitate a boat across the wave.

We will go home.[/b/]

The lead warrior stands still, apparently thinking. Until finally they turn to one of their subordinates.

Anrūsa rāmāra. Anrūsa makerāon.

The leader stares at Lono and points to the sun then moves their hand down deliberately.

Liēþ anrūsa jaxāela.

The three soldiers beside the leader begin to tie up Nizax and the other crew, apparently, they are about to leave. The leader sits cross-legged and closes their eyes.

Guret looks on

By the Loa, we can’t let this happen!

I promised to handle this peacefully, we’re in no immediate danger so we won't attack first.

Kaipo of the Ahi clan, chief navigator, comes to give more counsel.

Captain, they could come back with a full army. We have to leave now, we have enough food that we can return home if we stretch hard enough.

>Leave the not-Island without your captured crew members.
>Send one or more squads to secretly follow the three foreign warriors
>Wait for the foreigners to return.
>Write-in

(Next check-in 9:10 pm est)

>>5066591
>Send one or more squads to secretly follow the three foreign warriors

>>5066591
>>Wait for the foreigners to return.

>>5066887
>>5067238
>>5066591
Gonna let some debate go thru on this one before doing a tiebreaker tomorrow , or whenever the tie breaks tonight

>>5067238
If we stay put, we risk being surprised by a returning military force and having all our people captured. These men with their strange armour and weapons are the ones who placed all those poor sods on that prison colony to starve or butcher each other, for all we know. Do we want to leave ourselves at their mercy, rely on their honour? I'm not saying we attack... But we should at least maintain our intelligence capabilities and ready to strike or flee.

>>5067442
We can just push off and leave a single boat to receive the prisoners and if they bring a war party then minimal losses.

>>5067539
Unless they bring to bear more unconventional weapons like longbows, or catch US by surprise with their own vessels or a guerilla force. If we don't have eyes on them, we have no idea what to expect from these foreigners.

>>5067541
Then we just go farther away from the Island

>>5067548
After losing several of our people unnecessarily?

>>5067554
Sending a squad to follow them on their own territory will make them aggressive. Have you never seen Pirates of the Caribbean?

>>5067564
Staying put and hoping a more technologically-advanced enemy with brutal prison colonies will treat us fairly, or not defeat us with their superior metal weapons will quite possibly lead to our capture and enslavement or genocide. Have you never seen a history textbook?

Just bantering. I respect your opinion as well, but I suspect we're in for a hostile first conflict.

>>5067577
You piece of shit. You know nothing of the Prime Directive! Your plan will have the greatest possibility of endangering us and sending that squad to die if they get caught!. Therefore guaranteeing war because we cant even understand them.

I respect your opinion too brother

>>5067373
I'll change my vote if nobody joins to break the tie, but I reserve my right to be insufferably smug if I was right.

>>5066591
>Send one or more squads to secretly follow the three foreign warriors
>Prepare the Fleet to leave if necessary
>Allow the prisoners freedom if they want it

It stands to reason that if they wanted violence, our men would be dead. So long as we don't start the bloodshed, some advanced recon couldn't hurt, especially if these warriors do decide to bring a warband back to battle us.

Also, now that our cover is blown, I'm alright with allowing the prisoners to do as they please.

>>5067881
This wins. Writing up now

>>5068010
>>5067881
>>5067238
>>5067238
>>5066887
I’ll send a squad or a few after the ones who just left, we can get much-needed information

Kaipo blusters.

Captain, that leaves us exposed to a massive threat. You see those weapons and armor, we could be wiped out! We must go now!

I’m not leaving our people behind. But I won't sit here like a doomswine ready for the slaughter either. Ebbi!


The young druid rushes to the captain’s side.

We need to have a squad of rangers going after those soldiers[/b/]

At their slow speed, that shouldn't be hard. How many squads?


>Send in large crew of rangers ( 45% chance of getting caught, 60% chance of major discovery)
>Send in medium crew of Rangers(30% chance of getting caught, 40% chance of major discovery)
>Send in small crew of Rangers ( 20% chance of getting caught, 30% chance of major discovery)


While the question is asked, Lono wonders if he should go or not

>Go with the rangers (we will play as Lono on this mission)
>Stay with the fleet (we will play as Lono back with the fleet.)

(next check in 4:00 pm est)

>>5068120
>>Send in small crew of Rangers ( 20% chance of getting caught, 30% chance of major discovery)
>Go with the rangers (we will play as Lono on this mission)

>>5068181
>>5068181
>>5068120
>>5068120
I’m going after them with a small band of rangers
Ebbi screams

Are you mad, captain, we cant risk you!

Which is why I’m going with a small crew. Something this important I need to handle myself.

And who are you putting in charge here?

>Kaipo of the Ahi Tribe. Head Navigator, advised to leave the Not-Island now.
>Guret of the Taya Tribe, former bodyguard to Chiefs and expert spearman. Wanted to attack the foriegn Warriors
>Ebbi of the Illa Tribe, master druid with knowledge of woodland environments. They are the only person available who has explored the Not-Island already, so if you leave them behind you won't have them to guide you.


(Next check in 7:00 pm est)

>>5068236
>>Guret of the Taya Tribe, former bodyguard to Chiefs and expert spearman. Wanted to attack the foriegn Warriors
Tell him its his turn to lead if we dont return.

>>5068484
Agreed.

File: pete-amachree-img-2021020(...).jpg (608 KB, 1920x1043)

608 KB JPG

>>5068548
>>5068484
>>5068236
Lono realizes he doesn’t return, that a worst-case scenario would happen. One that would require a warrior.

Lono walks to Guret, who is standing guard over the meditating foreign warrior.

I’m leading a team to follow the other warriors. While I’m gone, I want you in charge

Captain I think that’s pretty bego, but if you want to, it's your risk.

Lono puts his hand on the Spearmaster’s shoulder and smiles.

I trust you with more than my life. I trust you with theirs.

After gesturing toward the fleet, Lono moves into its anonymous mass ; avoiding the glare of the warrior left behind.

Ebbi is chosen as the strong second for the spy mission, as they know the most about the terrain from the hunter-gather missions.

The heavy armor and prison train slows down the not-islanders. Even though they had a head start, Lono and the Rangers are able to catch up relatively quickly.

The squad sees the foreigners exit from the brush and climb onto a road. The team follows from the ditches and brush to stay out of site.

As the sun begins to climb towards noon, the rangers follow along in this strange country. The road cuts through several wetlands, similar to those of the Muli river back home. The occasional small settlement cant be seen amongst the grainpaddies and creeks that line the road.

The road isn't a straight line, it intersects and criss corses with several others. Lono, Ebbi and the Rangers almost get lost following all the twists and turns.

The group almost loses track of their quarry until they turn a corner and hear a thunderous din.

Before you could see it, you could hear it.The loud sounds and spray of rushing river water flowing through an endless array of irrigation channels. Lono had heard of the idea, but only in stories told around the fire of the far flung future. Seeing them in person was like something made by the Loa’s.
After passing the equipment, the Rangers were almost blinded by the sun shining on the city proper. Sandstone, garnet and blue gems glittered through almost every surface. It was like the ocean floor had risen up and been given form.

Once you got close enough, you could see the city was made of countless small islands, linked together by bridges and channels. Some held houses, some held farms, but they all fed into each other like a massive machine. Large pillars of sandstone and garnate anchor the islands at set intervals, each getting larger and larger until a massive blood red complex exploded from the horizon.

Lono had been to a few cities back home, but this, this was something else.

Once in the city proper, the small squad of rangers is able to avoid detection by hiding in the various farms and paddies.

Eventually, Lono sees the caravan enter a large gem-covered building.

What do you do

>Explore the city
>Try to infiltrate the building
>Write-in

(Next check-in 10:00 am)

>>5068600
>>Explore the city

>>5068600
>Explore the city
Learn more about these strange people and their ways

Island city? Blood red building they lead captives into? Harsh with prisoners? Oh fuck, boys, these are the goddamn Aztecs.

Full update will come tomorrow but I am free to answer questions and take feedback tonight.

Let's call it an act break intermission

>>5068682
>>5068600
>>5068696
Shit! The building’s too secure. We’ll need to wait for them to leave again ..
Ebii spaks up.

If I may Captain, if they’re coming back to the shore, they’ll be taking the main road again. We can observe the city and catch up when they leave

Lono looks around. Surprisingly, no one seems to be looking around. It is like every person here is part of one organ. The farmers tend fields, laborers haul stone, it is as if life itself is just another of the city machines.

Don’t crowd together, fan out , stay within 20 anana of eachother

The crew faned out. Despite their strange clothing no one seemed to notice.

The city was larger than any of The Island, not even Kutha Mardika reached its levels. While the buildings near where the soldiers entered were heavily adorned, no one outside seems to wear any jewelry. Most people are wearing ponchos , like they do on Mount Nupruri back home.

In one block a strange furred beast is tied to sandstone bricks. They are furry and have a long neck with four hooved legs. Lono assumed it was a pack animal, like a large goat would be, but his eyes widened as a person climbed on top of the animal and had it pull the bricks down the street.

The most horrid display was what seemed to be a selling of people. The Laws of The Loa banned human property on The Island generations ago, but it seemed this land’s advancement stopped at the moral level. The people are bartering with small discs of the hard material the warriors used for their weapons. Several of the apparently richer bidders had the same material in buttons on their fancier ponchos.

One of these richfolk loses a bid and walks off angrily. Lono and the crew see the person is alone and unguarded, and as before, no one here seems to look at anything besides what they are doing at the time.

>Follow the rich bidder
>Stealthily rob the rich bidder
>Write-in

(Next check in 6:00 pm est)

>>5069334
>Follow the rich bidder
God I want to genocide these guys so bad. Let’s hope we have some nice clean blankets to share.

>>5069334
>>Follow the rich bidder

>>5069545
>>5069516
>>5069334
Follow them, on my mark.

The Rich Bidder walks through the dense roads. Angrily, chaotically, but with a purpose. The frustration of making this walk many times before.

They wind up at a small block moderately adorned with sandstone and garnet. It reminds Lono of Chontou villas he had seen back home on diplomatic visits with Papa Jubu.

The bidder enters the open frame door and a hail of angry shouts comes from the building. Two voices, maybe three intermingled in a massive conflagration.

The squad peaks through the window. The Rich Bidder is in an argument with another person, their less ornate poncho implies they are a servant, perhaps a slave. Scouts from the back of the house show that a small shed currently lays unoccupied and unguarded.

>Intervene in the fight.
>Rob the shed.

(Next check in 10:30 pm est)

>>5069516
Anon, these are densely-populated cityfolk with many domestix animals. THEY are the ones with immunity to transgenic disease, between the two of us. WE are the vulnerable ones.

>>5069700
>Just observe and explore
We are not moderators of these people's laws and familial customs, nor are we petty thieves. Maybe familiarize ourselves with their material culture, but take nothing.

>>5069700
>observe

(I'll allow it.gifpeg)

Lono whispers
Just observe, we're not here to intervene.

The squad continues to look on as the argument gets heated. Lono remembers when he stood by and saw The Archer murder someone back at the prison island. He gets a feeling of familiar dread as the voices raise even further, until...

SMACK

The Bidder knocks the servant to the groud with a slap and proceeds to beat on them in the ground, the squad looks on with winces as Lono signals for them to check the shed.

In the shed, the squad finds several clay jugs. Looking in them they seem to be various spices and preserved fruits, vegetables and meats. Several of the jugs are empty , but they are all behind full jugs, as if someone was trying to hide them.

A scout posted outside the door notices the Bidder leaving and tells Lono such.

>Follow the Bidder
>Stay in the house (where the Servant/Slave is)
>Write-In

(Next check in 11:30 pm est)

>>5069765
>>Stay in the house (where the Servant/Slave is)

>>5069765
>Follow the Bidder

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>5069765
>1 = Follow the Bidder
>2 = Stay in the house (where the Servant/Slave is)

>>5069765
>Follow the Bidder

File: 1620853943135.jpg (27 KB, 480x456)

27 KB JPG

HAHAHHAHAHAHA another stalemate

>>5069765
>Follow the bidder!

>>5069765
>>5069766
>>5069783
>>5069813
>>5069825
>>5069840
Follow them, come on

The squad fans out once more and follows the bidder. While it is difficult to all follow eachother without clumping, trained rangers have mastered all manners of the hunt.

Eventually the Bidder winds up in a small shack about 30 ananas from the building the soldiers were in. Lono recognizes the smell and sounds from his sister’s parties. This is a bar.

How many people should follow the bidder into the bar? The more people, the safer everyone will be if trouble starts, but the easier it will be to be discovered.

>Choose a number between 1 and 10.

Next check in (11:00 am est)

(I am going to use this moment to thank the new players who are joining us on this journey. I hope it is fun for you.)

>>5069862
Why are we invested in this bidder?

>Return to check on the servant and search his house for clues as to how these people operate, leaving only 2 people here to watch the bidder while we do so

>>5069892
Supporting

>>5069953
>>5069892
>>5069862
(Sorry about the lateness, bit of a cold coma I slipped into. Also It's kinda funny how the write-in was just to redo the last vote. Anyway...)


Ebbi, take a ranger and watch the bidder, the rest of us are going back to the house.

Are you sure we should split up here?

I’m with good people, I trust you all

Lono and the greater portion of the team double back to the house. After entering the door, they find the servant cleaning frantically. Once the team is noticed, the servant yells

Servant: Ma-ri?!

Looking at them face to face, you see they are young, 18 maybe 20 something, and they have a black eye.

Your response

>Attempt to communicate for them to stay quite
>Physically shush them
>Write-in

(Next check in 4:00 pm est)

>>5070378
>>Attempt to communicate for them to stay quite
Finger to the lips

>>5070510
>>5070510
>>5070378
Lono puts his finger to his lips . That and the site of several armed strangers gets the message to the servant pretty quickly.

With the situation contained, lono looks around the home. It seemed to be carved from sandstone, somewhat like the mudhouses he remembered the Taya tribe back home using. A small stove, several storage areas full of household tools and a somewhat luxurious bed are all visible. The servant crouches in fear and points toward the shed.

Servant: Ñarra anhūrūi tema kā!

They think we’re here to rob them.

Lono looks toward the scared person and thinks about the best course of action.

>Kidnap them.
>Return to Ebbi at the bar.
>Show them a sample of the hard material and try to ask where you can find some
>Write-in,


(Next check in 8:30 pm est)

>>5070684
>Show them a sample of the hard material and try to ask where you can find some

you update too fast QM. this is a slow board

(Understood, what type of update schedule would folks like to use? I am thinking 3 or 4 times a day at set times, but am open to feedback.)

>>5070742
1 or 2 times a day max. It leaves rooms for discussion, opportunity to vote, and gives you more free time.

>>5070763
(Sounds good, I will try this new method tomorrow.)

>>5070684
>>5070722
Lono pulls from his pocket one of the Archer’s arrowheads they took from before they were captured. He holds it in front of the servant and points at it.

Where can I find this?

The Servant doesn't understand the words, but fear drives the point home. They rapidly scramble to a bundle of cloth and presents a poncho.

Lono runs it over his hands and sees it has several buckles made from the material. tmay make for a useful disguise, but the language barrier still compromises any major acts of infiltration.

One of the Rangers speaks up.

Ranger: If their clothes have this material perhaps we can track down a clothing seller for their source.

That sounds messy, we have limited time and don't want to draw too much attention. We should probably try to meet back up with Ebbi at the bar.

>Keep searching the city for the hard material
‘>Meet back up with Ebbi at the Bar
>Write-in

(Nex check in 12:00 pm est)

>>5070841
>Meet back up with Ebbi
>Return the poncho

>>5070841
>>Meet back up with Ebbi at the Bar

>>5070841
>>Meet back up with Ebbi at the Bar

>>5071162
>>5070900
>>5070866
>>5070866
>>5070841
Lono looks at the poncho then down at the person shivering in fear. Discomfort floods him worse than any ocean could and he gently lays it down in front of the victim.

Let’s go.

A Ranger replies.

Shouldn’t we take--

Let’s go!

The rangers stare at this outburst then one by one, fan out of the home.

The walk to the bar is brisk and tense. Everyone can feel the stress of the mission getting to them. By the time they reach the drinking den, several are tempted to have a go themselves.

We enter one at a time. Don’t attract attention.

Lono is the first to go in and notices Ebbi and another ranger standing on opposite sides of the room. Patrons drink large vases of alcohol through straws. The Bidder is seen with several empty vases and is making slurring sounds to the bartender. Lono figures even if he did know the language not much would make sense.

Lono turns to the door when he hears someone come in. He expected another ranger, but who showed up was far scarier. The person was armed similar to the Soldiers back at the shore. With a large blade made of the solid material hung over their shoulder. They inch toward Lono

And walk past him to the bar.

Warrior: Anhamāri.

The tender takes out one of the vases and pours an opaque liquid into it. The Warrior takes the vase and sits on a bench carved into the stone, with their back facing Lono

Lono sees an opportunity.


>Instigate a Bar fight so one of the Ranger can snatch the sword from the warriors back
>Return to the main road and wait for the warriors from the beach to exit.
>Write-in.

(Next check in 6:00 pm est)

>>5071568
>Write-in.
Check if there's an opening to infiltrate or investigate the tower yet, to at least spy on why goes on there and what might be happening to our people

>>5071568
>Instigate a Bar fight so one of the Ranger can snatch the sword from the warriors back

It clear that the QM is trying to give us opportunities to take some shit to show that this expedition wasn't a complete failure, and you're aversions to actually take something valuable home with us is annoying me.

>>5072041
We aren't thieves, and creating such an impression is not ideal when this is first goddamn contact and they have hostages.

If QM is trying to railroad, that's unfortunate.

>>5072066
I believe you may have forgotten to vote.

And no railroading intended. It's why once you voted not to rob the bidder's house, the option didn't show up again when you returned.

That said, the intent is to give multiple opportunities for people with different playstyles to get what they want.
If someone likes stealing, even if they get outvoted in one installment, I will put a similar option down the line so they can try again. In the same way, violent and nonviolent options will recur and characters not picked to lead one mission will become options for later missions. ( As we saw with Ebbi and Guret)

>>5072066
Neither is them taking hostages a good impression, and we can reasonably expect that the authorities won't notice a couple things misplaced in a city this large.

Frankly, it isn't thieving for thieving' sake, we need shit to take back to the homeland to prove this expedition wasn't a bust, and knowledge of other foreign lands ain't gonna cut it on the political front. We need treasure and other wealth, otherwise the Taya are going to weaponized this perceived failure of the fleet against us, and we don't need that as we're trying to openly gain political control over one of their cities. It's a matter of future domestic politics.

>>5072165
Nah, I was this id and also >>5071998. I'm a phoneposter, but not a cheater. Only one vote from me.

>>5072194
Word will get out if people report that the distinctive-looking strangers with the foreign attire and armaments took their shit... And hostage-taking may seem legally justified to them, since we are invaders who freed their prisoners from a penal island and were still are skulking around their lands.

Maybe we can find a way to barter or trade for metal?

>>5072309
Ah ok then. So we are tied then. I will tie break tomorrow unless someone else chimes in. Feel free to ask the general for aide.

>>5072309
>hostage-taking may seem legally justified to them

So does slavery and violations of human rights, and the hostage-taking was done without knowledge that we freed their prisoners. Plus, they're giving us no strange looks even when we're standing right next to them, these people are very cosmopolitan, they wouldn't notice a difference between us and the other minorities unless they had extended contact with us.

And barter with what? All we have to spare are human lives, and I'm not about to sell our freed prisoners into slavery.

I am currently available to answer questions if any of that would help with this current debate

>>5072326
Do we have any trade goods, jewlery, or anything else to offer someone for soemthing metal?

>>5072326
Can we get treasure without resorting to banditry? Because I don't see any way we can do it otherwise since we already committed a diplomatic incident freeing their prisoners for moral reasons.

>>5072328
The squad at the time has several weapons, as well as dried fish made in the Ahi style.

The Fleet itself has several ships, rope, clothes, dried food, fishing gear, and other such equipment.

>>5072330
You could harvest natural resources not claimed by anyone or you could try to figure out a way to trade or be given something.

>>5071568
Knowing nothing of this story so far, I'm just gonna vote for the one that looks the most fun.
>Instigate a Bar fight so one of the Ranger can snatch the sword from the warriors back

>>5072784
ok writing up now

>>5072784
>>5072041
>>5071998
>>5071998
Lono remembers from nights out with his sister how easily alcohol can lubricate violence. A small spark, and the bar would erupt into chaos , and opportunity.

He walks to Ebbi and whispers.

We need to start a brawl here, take the sword when you can.

Ebbi nods and walks into the crowd, stumbling like a drunk. They teeter right into the bidder and knock their vase onto the floor.

: Jatūrelil!
The Bidder throws a sluggish punch and Ebbi easily grabs the arm, tossing the rich asshole into a group of patrons drinking on a table.

The table cracks and the bar erupts into a fury. Fists, legs, and arms tangle into in a mad dash. Several people head to the bar to steal booze.

Lono ducks from his corner and leans toward the soldier, only to find the warrior standing stoically. Their hand strikes like lighting and grabs a drunken patron by the throat. The Drunken flails like a gutted fish but the warrior keeps standing still. The warrior stars into the victim’s face as it turns purple , then black. The warrior lets go and a corpse drops to the ground.

A mob of three yell and rush the warrior

Anλātentūta!
With a flick of a wrist the sword is drawn and a throat is slit.

Two patrons stare in fear as their comrade bleeds out. One tries to run and is stabbed in the back for their trouble. With the sword embedded in solid spine, the Anyaten elbows their final target in the face.

A quick stomp to the neck brings the warrior’s kill count to four.

The Anyaten is focused and methodical. That let Lono yank the sword out the dead body while the killer was finishing victim #4 off.

He yells through the din of the brawl.

Let’s go!

Ebbi bursts through the door with Lono and the rest of the Rangers quickly catch on.

Separate and meet back up at the building they have our people at ! Now!

Lono and the rangers fan out from the bar, the stolen weapon kept hidden under Lono’s salt stained uniform.


~

Back at the bar, the Anyaten stands still amidst a nest of broken vases and bodies. Blood and beer pool around their feet as they get up, pour a drink and sit down on a broken bench. No one is left alive, and as they sip their beverage, they stare intensely at the hole their sword disappeared from.

>>5072894
~

Lono and the rangers slowly reassemble outside the center building they tracked the soldiers to. The Sun is approaching high noon and the Rangers can tell that they have a few hours at best before the foreigners return to the beach, assuming their word is being kept.

Lono is shell-shocked. That savagery, that bloodshed! It reminds him of when he froze back at the prison island, when he saw The Archer murder another prisoner. What demons have the Loa cursed this land with?

Lono is snapped out of his thoughts by Ebbi.

Captain, look!

A train of people are walking to the building, guiding several furry longnecks carrying satchels of unknown goods. The crowd is thick enough that one or two people could try to sneak into it with limited chances of detection.

On the other hand, the building may have other points of entry on its other sides, which may be an avenue for exploration.

>Try to sneak in through the crowd.
>Go around back
>Return to the fleet

(Next check-in 12:00 pm est)

>>5072895
>Try to sneak in through the crowd.

Though I wouldn't mind going back around.

>>5072895
>>Try to sneak in through the crowd.

>>5073313
>>5073185
>>5072895
Ebbi, you’re with me. Everyone else, check around back.

Lono and Ebbi sneak into the train, sword kept hidden under Lono’s cloak. The crowd is thick enough not many notice, and the brown to yellow skin tones of the people mean no one can tell a visual difference.

Soon their part of the rain came to the gate entry and a guard waves them through.

In the gate is an open courtyard, with empty benches and a small fountain. Many doors , hallways and chambers spill out from the courtyard. At the front of the train, an apparent leader yells and points to the left

Tēsa!

The train funnels in and passes through cramped quarters, eventually feeding into another antechamber.

This one is full of more furry beasts and has many vases, jugs, and crates of various goods. As the train feeds into it, the people begin unloading fruits and vegetables and stacking them into and on the crates. Someone passes Lono a large spikey gourd and he plays along, putting it in a large pyramid of similar gourds.

Looking around, there seem to be only two guards, in addition to the unarmed train leader.

>Try to sneak out into the rest of the compound
>Keep working with the other people
>Attack the guards
>Write-in

(Next check in 8:00 pm est)

>>5073537
>>Attack the guards

>>5073537
>>Attack the guards

>>5073537
>Try to sneak out into the rest of the compound

>>5073781
>>5073839
Hold up. What happened to acting without aggression?

>>5073887
dunno

>>5073537
>Try to sneak out into the rest of the compound

Oh wow a tie. Good votes everyone gonna give this some more time to stew before I have to kick in with a tie breaker

>>5073537
>>Try to sneak out into the rest of the compound

>>5073537
>>>Attack the guards

>>5073537
>Attack the guards
BLOOD

Lono and Ebbi continue to unload the cargo, the sun is high in the air, sweat drips, nerves rise. Lono is in a strange land surrounded by dangerous strangers he can't talk with. He is in charge of the greatest venture in his culture's history, his family and his Homeland rest on his shoulders and he just. Can't. Stop. Thinking. About that Archer killing someone.

He is full of tension, and like a bow string, all he needs is one pluck.

Jōma was that pluck. His shift was going longer than he wished, one of the Camels got sick and cost them an hour. The crew of slaves was fresher than usual and needed more prep. He just wanted to get home and go to sleep, he's been up for 16 hours straight. So when one of the slaves tripped and knocked over the entire spikegourd pile, he wasn't as nice as he was usually.

[red]Hey you, what the heavens are your doing![/red]

Jōma grabbed the slaves arm and was about to discipline them, when a sword came through their neck

____

Lono had never killed anyone before. Sure he heard Papa Kane's lessons about always being ready, but he was born in a time of peace, he was a talker , someone you wanted to get a helping hand from, not a killer.

The sound was what struck Lono first. It vibrated through the hilt and melted through the bones in his hand like a sea wave. What struck Lono second was the look. He stared right into the face of this stranger and saw a lifetime of potential, if love and loss and feelings, selling out until it dropped on the sandy floor.

Lono was so awestruck he didn't notice the other guard rushing toward him. Luckily Ebbi had more experience, a swift club to the head with a small hammer ended the threat and left the two Islanders surrounded by two dead bodies and a lot of scared foreigners.

The antechamber exploded in fear and chaos. Furnecks bleated and panicked, people ran in every direction, it was an explosion of life that only death can create.

Lono stands as still as a corosey, staring at the bloody sword.

What does Ebbi do?

>Try to escape the building
>Go deeper into the compound

And does Ebbi try to take Lono with them?

>Try to take Lono with you
>Leave Lono behind.

Next check in (12:00 pm est)

>>5074135
>Try to escape the building
>Try to take Lono with you

>>5074135
>Go deeper into the compound
>Try to take Lono with you

>>5074135
>Try to escape the building
>Try to take Lono with you

>>5074380
>>5074380
>>5074270
>>5074270
>>5074233
>>5074135
[blue!]Captain,we have to get out of here![/b;ue]

Lono stands still as stone.

Capt- Lono!
Ebbi grips the traumatized captain by the arm and drags them out, bodies blurring in the chaos.
The Ranger sprints right towards the exit, noticing several guards running to the conflaguartion while the various scared servants spill out.

Ebbi bursts through the gate with the Captain and heads out through the main city center. The father from this trouble the better. Taking Lono along is slowing them down however, and soon a guard notices Ebbi.

Mapēxte!

Ebbi runs with the still silent Lono behind. They know if they loop around back they could meet up with the rest of the rangers and perhaps get help escaping, or they could try to outrace this guard with Lono

>Try to run away with Lono
>Loop around to try to run away with Lono and the other Rangers.

(Nex check in 7:30 pm est)

>>5074930
>>Loop around to try to run away with Lono and the other Rangers.

>>5074973
>>5074930
Ebbi thinks for a moment about heading out of the city now, but they know they can’t leave their team behind. A quick turn left has them crawling through oddly desne ally ways before the two come out in what seems to be a slaughtering area. Strange beasts of all shapes and colors are beeing butchered while offal and blood spill on the floor. Ebbi makes a steady walk through the field then knocks down a large hanging neckbeast. Hopefully that will slow down the guard.

Ebbi loops back with the captain who is still in a sunned state.

Captain, Imma need you to talk to me now.

Back... we’re going back! No!
The captain freaks out and lets go of Ebbi’s arm, but a firm slap gets them to stay still.

are Lono of the Ahi! Chosen by the First Axeholder of the Great Peace to serve the people of The Island at home and abroad. Everyone you brought to this city believes in you. Show me you can believe in yourself!

Lono calms down a bit. He is obviously still feeling the aftershock but he is more clearly resisting the effects now.

you’re right ebbi, let’s get our people out of here.

The two dash closer to the building and see the other rangers circling around their rendezvous point.
Captain! One says.

We found a way in but left when the commotion started. They have our people imprisoned.

What does Lono do

>Try to break out the prisoners
>Try to escape the city.

(Next check in 4:00 pm est)

>>5076116
>Try to break out the prisoners

Fuck it, lets go.

>>5076116
>Try to break out the prisoners

>>5076116
>>Try to break out the prisoners

>>5076116
>>Try to break out the prisoners

>>5076471
>>5076230
>>5076137
>>5076133
>>5076116
Lono steps in front of Ebbi before anyone can speak.

These are our people. We need to rescue them

A Ranger speaks.

We saw them in a small dungeon with a skylight. We can scale the roof back towards them but after the commotion...

Stop. It doesn't matter the risks, we need to save them.

The team of eight crawls through the sandy bricks and curves of the complex, following the route the expert trackers scouted out. Several times they notice guards walking underneath, but a quick stiffening of the body is enough to avoid detection.

Eventually they come back up to the skylight and see Nizax in a small room. It is about six anana wide and they sit alone unbound. Lono smiles for the first time in an hour but the grin disappears as three figures walk into the prison.

They wear fine robes dyed red. Swords, very much like the one Lono stole, hang from their sides. Even though thor eyes cannot be seen, Lono can feel how cold they are from here. He gets flashbacks of the butchery at the bar and of The Archer at the prison island. His palms go cold and he breaks out in a sweat.

>Break in through the skylight now (STRONG CHANCE OF MULTIPLE FATALITIES.)
>Try to sneak in the complex (STRING CHANCE OF NOT RESCUING ALL THE PRISONERS)


(Next check in 9:00 pm est)

>>5077120
>>Try to sneak in the complex (STRING CHANCE OF NOT RESCUING ALL THE PRISONERS)

>>5077120
>>Try to sneak in the complex (STRING CHANCE OF NOT RESCUING ALL THE PRISONERS)

Just got caught up, what a ride this quest is. Sneaking will give us the ability to distract or split some guards in the event things do get bloody.

>>5077140
>>5077282
>>5077120
Lono stares at the three soldiers and grips his stolen blade. His thoughts turn to vengeance. Vengeance for the horridbly murders these... Anyaten committed, of the bloodshed they made him witness, of the death they forced him to commit. He can still taste the copper from the air, hear the sounds of the boness, smell the...

We.. We have to sneak around, it's ...too dangerous.

The Rangers look at Lono with stern gazes and nod. Together they walk around the skylight, but just before they pass over, Lono’s eyes meet with Nizax. Lono cannot tell if it is pain, or trust he sees.

They walk through a rainslant in the roof, dusty with dried particles. As they slowly slide down it, each grabs a hold of an archway in front of a window. One by one they squeeze through and sneak into a hallway.
A guard turns a corner, they are slow, lacking the calm killer’s grace of the Anyaten. Lono gribs the sword... and Ebbi grabs the guard in a choke hold. The guard flails before passing out.

Captain, if you wear their clothes we can pass for prisoners.

Lono is stunned at Ebbi acting without an order but the mission at hand proves more important. Lono takes the warrior’s clothes, and with some spare nutrope on hand, “ties” the seven rangers in a loosely held train.

Lono walks hastily through the halls, various servants pay him no mind, until a guard spots him and yells!

Nō tēsa!

The Guards points to the right and grabs Lono’s arm, in too much of a haste to talk.

The group is brought to a small antechamber where several of the Diplomats and Rangers are held. Before the guard closes the door, the rangers spring from their false bonds and grab the guard. A moment later the guard is gagged and left in the dungeon, with three diplomats and two rangers beeing freed.

Lono now has a dilemma, escape now with those they have freed, or stay here and try to free more people.

>Try to Escape (Moderate chance of casualties and/or recaptures.)
>Stay to try to rescue more people (severe chance of casualties and/or recaptures)

(Next check in 2:00 pm est)

>>5077516
Are these all of our people? If so
>Try to Escape (Moderate chance of casualties and/or recaptures.)
If not
>Stay to try to rescue more people (severe chance of casualties and/or recaptures)

>>5077956
(Yes they are all our people, except for the guard you tied up of course.)

Wait I misread.
This is not everyone that was captured, but everyone captured is one of our crew, we have not freed any foreign prisoners at this time. (Aside from the ones back at the fleet)

>>5077516
>>>Stay to try to rescue more people (severe chance of casualties and/or recaptures)

Hopefully we can free more crew than we lose.
We should also have the most capable ranger or Ebbi take the bound guard's weapon (if they were armed).

Where are the others?

Lono tries to be calm as he asks but his nerves bleed through. One of the Diplomats answers.

They put us in separate chambers. Nizax I do not know, and neither do I know where the Archer is, but a group of us was taken downstairs.

We have to keep going. Ebbi, take the guard's weapons and clothes

Already in my hands, Captain.

We’ll do the same prisoner trick, knowing where we are going should make us more subtle.

Lono and Ebbi stand up front dressed in the stolen clothes while the group is carried down holding nut rope and pretending to be tied up. As they reach the stairs, Lono sees an Anyaten come from another halfway and catch their eyes.

No words are exchanged. No screams to stop or surrender. Only a blade drawn and a mad spring of death.

Captain, take them down the stairs, I’ll hold them off!

Ebbi!

Lono has to be held back and dragged down the stairs by the diplomats as Ebbi charges at the trained killer.

_____

A quick stab with the guard's knife draws blood from the Anyaten’s cheek, but the ranger’s arm is held in a lock.

Ah!

Ebbi rolls backward, the same technique used to stop killsloths. With the swordwielder pressed against the ranger’s back, a quick bite of the hand leaves Ebbi’s foe unarmed.

Ebbi flails for the knife so they can do a reverse stab for the heart, but the Anytaen STANDS UP, lifting Ebbi mid-air while they are still in the grip. The next thing Ebbi sees (or rather, feels given their eyes were forced closed) was the floor smashing them into the face.

Ebbi’s eyes creep open as they see their captain and crew safely down the stairs, and they close them in peace for the last time.

SLHRRRRRK!

The Anyaten picks up Ebbi’s head. Closes the eyes in respect, and touches their forehead to Ebbi’s in what seems like a prayer. They pick up their sword in their left hand and begin the walk after their prey.

____

Lono feels numb as the crew hustles down the halls. In his heart, he knows Ebbi is dead but he has to keep composure for their disguise.

This way, captain.

The group of twelve come to another door. Closed from the outside but unguarded. A quick kick of five rangers knocks its seals loose.

Seven prisoners are inside. The only people missing from the crew (save Ebbi) are Nizax, the Archer, a Diplomat, and a Ranger. On the other hand, the crew is in a complex crawling with hostile forces.

Do you try to free the last remaining prisoners or do you try to escape?

>Stay here to free Nizax and the other two crew members. (High chance of casualties)
>Try to escape (low chance of casualties)

And do you move sneakily or with the force of thirteen rangers and seven diplomats?
>Sneakily (Lower chance of casualties, and lower chance of success
>Violently (Higher chance of success and a higher chance of casualties.)

(Next check-in 1:00 pm est)

>>5078443
>Stay here to free Nizax and the other two crew members. (High chance of casualties)
>Sneakily (Lower chance of casualties, and lower chance of success

I'll be real with ya, I don't know why we started killing people and intentionally sabotaging our first contact with people who didn't kill our captured men, but I'm not a happy camper about this diplomatic mess at all.

>>5079806
>I don't know why we started killing people and intentionally sabotaging our first contact with people who didn't kill our captured men

Agreed. I sort of suspect it's because the QM keeps petitioning people from the QTG to break ties, and they just pick an entertaining-sounding option at random.

>>5078443
>Stay here to free Nizax and the other two crew members. (High chance of casualties)
>Sneakily (Lower chance of casualties, and lower chance of success

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5079829
>>5079806
Rolling for casualties. The two options cancel out any modifiers so we lose however many people we roll.

And yes I have noticed the issues with the general shilling, I am stopping that now.

>>5079962
>>5079829
>>5079806
Lono looks around to his crew. Ebbi’s death is bringing back poor memories of the death of his mother. Every step he takes he risks losing another one of his people he seems almost frozen in..

Captain!

One of the freed diplomats speaks up.

My name is Kaialiʻi. I served with your mothers at the end of the tribal wars. Like them, every person who stands here puts peace above their own lives. Ebbi knew that and so do we. If one of us isn’t free, then none of us leave.

Lono looks around and sees every crew member nodding in union.

Ok then. We do this together.

The first step was to get distance between them and the Anyaten upstairs. Being hunted will make their disguises less effective. A quick scan shows there is a basement floor carved into the soil.

Once down there, the team fanned out into two groups. One led by Lono, and the other by a ranger. Covering much ground, Lono’s team found what seemed to be a strange ritual chamber.

A Ranger was set in a circle, odd runes were marked on their skin with red ink. Incense fumes were set in the circle giving off a smoke that made one light headed if you didn’t hold your breath. Lono grabs their stolen comrade and brings them a small portion of water from his sac.

Caaaptain.... The Archer, it was like they were posssed, they attacked the quarry *cough*

No need to talk now, we’re here to rescue you.

In the distance, Lono hears screams. The other team was found!

Lono leaves a ranger to guard the newly freed crewmember and rushes to the sound of the noise. What he sees almost makes him throw up.

Nine rangers and diplomats lay butchered like doomswine on the floor. The walls are stained with coagulating blood. In the midst of the carnage, two Anyaten stand, including the one Lono recognises from the bar. In the pile of bodies, Lono notices one Anyaten lays dead, three ranger’s knives in their back. A small victory, his team gave as good as they got.

How does Lono respond?

>Attack the Anyaten with 5 rangers and 5 diplomats. (High chance of casualties. High chance of defeating the Anyaten)
>Run Away (Low chance of casualties. High chance of escaping.)
(Going to experiment with not posting check in times. It seems their effectiveness was so-so.)

>>5079991
>Attack the Anyaten with 5 rangers and 5 diplomats. (High chance of casualties. High chance of defeating the Anyaten)

Fuck it, let's get this mess over with. Representative of the Great Peace? What an absolute joke, we just started another war.

>>5079991
>>Attack the Anyaten with 5 rangers and 5 diplomats. (High chance of casualties. High chance of defeating the Anyaten)
We cannot return to the expedition base camp (if they are still fine in our absence) with the news that we left our party in captivity. The Anyaten could be injured or at least winded so let's hit them before they can send for reinforcements or execute our captive brothers and sisters.

>>5080007
True, we foolishly threw it to the wayside earlier. I guess we'll have to unify the tribes against a common enemy now.

>>5081009
>>5080007
>>5079991
>>5079991
ATTACK!

Three Rangers take the lead . Lono charges with his sword behind them. They crash into a wall of pain.

One Anyaten lunges with a thin sword, it pierces a ranger's heart. The force of the charge brings the body forward and they land on their killer with a slam. The other Rangers see this display and dogpile on Thinsword.

The other Anyaten, the stonefaced one from the bar , sees the bodies piling on their comrade.
Stoneface’s hand juts out like a spear, and a ranger’s neck is caught like a fish. A diplomat tries to stop Stoneface from choking out their friend, but a dagger to the gut ends their heroism.

Take them down!

Every available hand rushes at Stoneface. The killer lets go of the ranger they are choking and turns toward the horde. A hail of quick blows from knees, elbows and fists brings down the attackers one by one, until Lono stands alone with his stolen sword.

AHHHHHHHH!!!!

Lono dashes to Stoneface and Stonface runs to Lono. But before they can meet, Thinsword attacks Lono and the remaining Ranger attacks Stoneface.


Everyone hits the ground, and the battle devolves into a blinding storm of blood, blades and limbs. A diplomat loses an eye, an Anyaten's finger is broken, Lono’s ribs are bruised. It’s a tempest of pain and chaos.

With Blood in his eyes Lono crawls from the fray, he sees Thinsword has done the same and is choking Kaialiʻi. A dead Ranger lies at their feet with a slit throat.

Lono picks up his stolen sword and with a single slash, cuts Thinsword’s hand.

AHHH!

The remaining rangers peel away from the floor and mob the fallen Anyaten. After a furry of sweat and tears, Lono and the crew stand next to two dead rangers, one dead diplomat, the corpse of Thinsword, and Stoneface starring them all down.
Lono aims his weapon.

Surrender! No one else has to die today!

Stoneface stares blankly, and for the first time since Lono has seen them, they show emotion. A smirk.

Stoneface drops their dagger to the ground and raises their hands.

What does Lono do now?

>Take Stoneface captive
>Execute Stoneface
>Disarm them and leave them here.

(Once again, trying the no check in time system. How are you liking it so far?)

>>5082299
>Take Stoneface captive

It's fine, I think.

>>5082299
>>Disarm them and leave them here.
With the stipulation that they are also bound and gagged off to the side like the guard in the cell. I worry that trying to herd this dangerous would-be captive while trying to free the others and escape the city in a time sensitive situation jeopardizes us too greatly.

No check-in's all right, QM. Quest seems to have slowed some anyhow.

>>5082824
While I mostly agree, Stoneface saw our face. Maybe they'll assume that their prisoners killed themselves trying to escape or something, but we cannot allow them to connect this breakout to the leader of the Great Fleet. Either he comes with, or he dies.

>>5083028
You've swayed me with your diplomatic point. At the same time, execution after a surrender like this seems wrong. It could also prove interesting to see an interaction between him and the Archer if we can get him back.

Switching support to
>>Take Stoneface captive

>>5082299
>Take Stoneface captive

>>5083268
>>5083241
>>5082311
>>5082299
With Stoneface’s hands up, Lono takes the nut-rope and ties up their prisoner. For real this time. With Nizax still on the upper floors and a Diplomat in an unknown location, the crew knows it’s on borrowed time.

We have a high-value hostage now, we can demand Nizax back.

Kaialiʻi speaks

All these dead, we’ll need to demand the bodies back for proper burial as well.

Don’t worry, the Loa won’t frown on us today, hoa.

The crew go back up the stairs, Stoneface being held at the point of their own sword.

The halls seem oddly empty, no guards or further Anyaten, finally the crew barges into the prison where Nizax was held and Lono’s face goes cold.

Five Anyaten stand by the bound Nizax. Weidling hammers, spears and weapons Lono has no names for.

One stands in front with a shining band on their head. Their robe seems more regal and flowing than the others. The wrinkles of their eyes remind Lono of Papa Kane. Oceans of blood are reflected in those eyes.

Give us back Nizax!
Lono puts the sword to Stoneface’s word, who seems to stifle a laugh.

The Master Anyaten raises a hand.


Antōrja.

The voice is calm like a mountain. But it isn’t peaceful. They speak with the ease of someone in total control, as if a horde of angry foreigners was as threatening as the breeze through their hair.

Two Anyaten untie Nizax and pass them over. Kaialiʻi grabs them gentle and lets the others attend to them.

Lono breaks out in a sweat , these assholes kill like animals, then act as gentle as sleeping goats?!

The Master jesures with an open hand to another door .

Le-lāsa ñāntari?

Lono thinks he may be going mad. Is this an... invitation?

>Walk through the door.
>Run Away (Low chance of casualties.)
>Attack the Anyaten (Extreme chance of massive casualties.)
>Write-In

>>5083996
>>Write-In
Hold our head high and release Stoneface to them to demonstrate willingness to be reasoned with. Then gesture to the Master that we will follow them to the room if the crew's safety and freedom is assured.

Then we can either comply or run.

>>5083996
>Walk through the door.

Fuck it, I'm game. Can't really make a bigger mess outta this now, can we?

File: tegaki.png (13 KB, 400x400)

13 KB PNG

>>5083996
>>5083996
Lono stares at the irritatingly calm leader and lowers the sword down.

Go. Before I change my mind.

Stoneface walks to rejoin his comrades, and when they turn to Lono, that same smirk is going strong.

The Masters gestures towards the door again and Lono responds with one of his own.

Can you put those down?

The Anyaten get the gist of the message and set their oddly crafted weapons down. They are complying but not out of fear. If anything, theys eem supernaturally confident.

Lono turns

Kaialiʻi. You’re with me. Nizax how are you feeling?

Like doomswine shit , sir but I’ll survive/

You’re in command of the crew here. Let’s see what these people want.

Lono walks to the door and the Master Anyaten follows, leaving behind the Anyaten in the dungeon.

Lono is taken through a hallway up further stairs until he comes up to what seems like a small apartment. Overlooking a balcony of the city are several benches and a table all covered in ornate rugs. A fireplace flickers and above it, a massive carving of a battle.

The Master walks to a collection of vases and passes two to Lono and Kaialiʻi. Before taking one themselves and sitting on the bench. From a compartment underneath the bench they pull out a stretchy flat material. On it a map is painted.

It shows a landmass something like an Island, except instead of water on all sides, its fourth end just just off the map. The other end goes forward until hitting a sea in which a small island is drawn.

The Master points to a spot close to the shore on the map then points out the balcony.

Þō.

The Master then pulls out a clay crayon, points at Lono and then at the map.

Ñāntari.

>Point out the location of your homeland, The Island.
>Refuse to point out the location.
>Point out a false location of your homeland.
>Write in

>>5085530
I don't know, how would you like to play this lads?

>>5086275
Our crew would almost certainly agree that their enslavement or deaths would be worth keeping their families on the Island safe. We should not willingly reveal our homeland until we are sure these people can be trusted, which after these events they may never be.

I was thinking of bluffing our homeland location by asking for a larger map, suggesting we were blown off course by a storm (our vessels would show that) and that we came from a prohibitively large distance away, such that we could only guess at where we came from relative to this land.
>Point out the false location of our homeland.

>>5086452
Sameposting, on reflection we should have asked Nizax if he had revealed anything under duress or torture. This guy was quick to throw us in front of a map after a bloody prison assault.

Gonna wait a little bit for

>>5086275
Thoughts.

Usually ok with single vote updates but since I know someone else was engaged I am holding back a bit.


You can also use such times to ask me any questions both about the current situation or general lore.

>>5086654
>You can also use such times to ask me any questions both about the current situation or general lore.

>Kaialiʻi speaks
>All these dead, we’ll need to demand the bodies back for proper burial as well.


Is the burial rite significant to all tribes of the Island in the same way? And what tribe is Kalali'i? Had the impression she was Ahi because she said served our mothers when she introduced herself to Lono.

Kalali'i is of the Ahi

The tribes all believe bodies must be processed to the Loa. Different tribes tend to have different methods and manners of doing it (for example The Ahi burial at sea) but a common thread is a material "digestion" of the body so it can be spiritually "consumed" by The Loa.

>>5086452
Yea, I'm fine with that. Support.

>>5086654
Sorry for delaying the update.

>>5087128
(It's fine)
The diplomat and captain share a look of concern before Lono take the crayon and points at himself

My home.

He points at a spot in the map and points to the South, far away from The Island.

The Master smiles, but Lono can’t tell if that should give him worry or relief.

Lelāñ!

The Master stands and raises their arms with a great laugh.

Ñāntari, ñāntari!

They walk back to the dungeon and the two Ahi follow.

The trio emerge at a tense standoff, the surviving crew staring down the relaxed Anyaten.

The Master pantomimes eating.

Jāllōhen
Kalali'i speaks up.

Our people lay dead on your floors!

Lono shares her pain, but he is focused on avoiding further bloodshed. He points out the hall and expresses sorrow.

We needs their bodies.

The Master’s smile curves in disappointment.

Le anxiēna. Janōññū!

The Anyaten walk out of the room. Over the span of about 20 minutes each corpse is wrapped in an ornate carpet and presented solemnly to the surviving crew.

The Master shows Lono a clay jar , it smells of salt and some unknown off-putting scent. The Master gives a solemn nod and points at the corpses.

I think it’s a preservative
Kalali'i screams.
We can’t pour unknown liquids on their bodies! They need to be returned to The Loa!

I can’t just let them rot here! I promise, when we finish, we will take them back and give Ebbi and all the rest proper rites.
We better.

Lono nods the go ahead and the servants begin coating the bodies. Half the crew looks away, the other half cries. The servants are chanting a song as they do so. But in hushed tones, as if holding back their emotions.

The bodies are rewrapped and carried to a chamber, the entire crew follows. The room is ornate beyond ornate. Shining yellow material coats the walls. Odd writing is braided into carpets which are hung from the walls . All around them, clay cubbies are loaded up with similarly wrapped bodies. Including two fresh one Lono believes are the slain Anyaten .

We should have a few rangers guarding them.

If we’re separated what could they do?

We can’t leave them alone with these strangers.

>Leave a few rangers in the crypt

>Take the whole crew with you to eat.

>>5087226
>Leave a few rangers in the crypt

I'm fine with either to be honest.

>>5087301
Supporting.

>>5087301
Supporting as well. It will give all of us some peace of mind. We should squirrel away some food for them on the way out.

>>5087392
>>5087392
>>5087364
>>5087301
>>5087226
Kaia, Hana. Stay here and watch

The two rangers nod in recognition and take up position in the center of the room.

We’ll be sure to bring you back something.
The rangers smile weekly at Lono’s attempt at levity.

The crew shuffles through the halls with the Anyaten and several servants until they come otu th main exit. Lono turns uneasily through the streets as they round the block and have their breath taken from their lungs.

The building... glows. It seems impossible but it does. Whatever it is coated in reflects every flicker and light of the sunset until it was like looking at the sky itself. It was long, stretching across multiple island blocks and connected by bridges. It’s roofs were covered in overflowing gardens, full of fruits and flowers that didn't look like they were from Earth. Fabrics of every color in the rainbow hung from its terraces and swung in the wind. The building they came from was a fortress, designed for matters of death. But this, this was a place to LIVE.

While walking through the gates Lono notices the guards here seem far from the elite Anyaten they faced . These guards are out of shape, inattentive and some may even be drunk? Lono averts his eyes when The Master catches him staring.


The outgate led into a wide atrium, the floor covered in many colored stones. In the center was a massive fire that a horde of servants moved back and forth from cooking and preparing an array of food. They would hustle the center to the edges, where a ring of clay benches held richly dressed people drinking and eating. At the head of the circle ,up a mighty staircase was the largest bench. In its center was someone dressed the most richly of all. Shining bands of material covered their head, neck and arms. A thick robe of many colors fell from their torso. The other people on This Great Bench were also dressed very ornate, but none as much as the figure in the center.

The Master walked ahead, and yelled to the center figure before pointing to Lono and the crew with a flourish.

Makerāon, Macēlne-lāsa!


The revelers suddenly stop their eating and drinking, and stare at the crew. The building goes still as death... and the Makerāon speaks.

[yellow] Jāllōhen! [/yellow]

The hall erupts into cheers! Food is gorged, drink is drunk and affection is publically displayed. The rangers and diplomats look around nervously as The Master ushers them to a bench directly below the Makerāon. Food and drink is brought to the bench and the drunken rich people start spilling out and dancing around the fire.

How does Lono have the crew react?

>Be on guard
>Relax
>Be Social
>Write-in

>>5088070
>Relax
>Be Social

Fuck it, might as well be sociable and enjoy ourselves. It's not like we'd be able to escape if shit goes tits up, and maybe we can salvage this disaster into something that won't make our fallen's sacrifice mean something.

>>5088070
>>Relax
When in Rome...

>>5088561
>>5088113
>>5088070
Lono looks at his crew's faces. Sweaty, dirty, holding back grief and trauma He knows they need a break as much as he does.

Relax, folks. That’s an order.

Taking the lead lono brings up a vase of bear and yells in a broken form of their language.

Hyahlloughain!

The revelers and Anyaten answer with drinks of their own.

Jāllōhen!

The crew mellows a bit as their bellies fill with violet meat and steamed puddings. Many laugh at the drunken dances of the most powerful people in this dangerous land. For the first time in what seems like a lifetime, Lono feels at ease.

The horns interrupt that moment of peace.

Soon the revelers run and flock indoors, screams that look like panic. The Makerāon is carried away into an upper hall. The Master Anyaten walks towards Lono swiftly but calmly and speaks with an urgent voice.

Li nō le

The Master stretches out their hand and guides Lono and the crew through a hall in the building, where several Neckbeasts are hitched. Part of Lono is nervous, but because he and the crew chose to relax, they go with the Anyataen without conflict
Keep calm everyone, follow my lead.

The Crew and Lono are hoisted on the beasts, each piloted by an Anyaten rider. Lono takes the lead with The Master.

The ride is swift. Even in the dark Lono can see the road they are on has been paved differently from the cobblestones of the blocks outside. They wind up foothills at the edge of what seems to be highlands, and once a plateau is reached, Lono sees what causes this panic.

An army, torches lit through the dark, coming from the shore. For whatever reason, the fleet is moving on the city en masse. It seems most of the crew is on this march.

The Master points.

Xiēn jē anþēŋŋeni.

Take us down there, we can make sure no one gets hurt.

The Master does not pick up Lono’s meaning in words but the intent is clear. The Neckbeasts trot down the hills and slopes until Lono, five Anyaten, and five crew members stand before the might of the fleet.

At the head is Guret. Spear held high.

Captain! Don’t worry, we’re here to rescue you!

Guret, calm down what happened.

They didn’t return with prisoners and you didn’t come back either, I had to act.

Lono silently curses Guret’s impatience and aggression before realizing he had been gone for longer than he realized. With the crew in the city, The Anyaten must not have seen a point in taking the prisoners back to the shore.

How does Lono respond? Note, the Anyataen can’t understand your words.

>” We freed the prisoners, stand down.”
>When I give the signal, attack.”
> “We broke into their base. We had losses, but we have an understanding with these people.”
>Write-in

>>5089260
>>Write-in
"It took us longer than expected for our safety to be ensured and delayed our return, but thank you for leading the crew in my stead. There can be no raid on this city as the Loa's kin must yet be peacefully returned from their catacombs. Come and tell me how are fleet fares." Turn around and gesture to the Anyaten using hand-to-chest and pointing to the fleet that they are our people and intend to keep the peace.

>>5089260
Support >>5089390
> “We broke into their base. We had losses, but we have an understanding with these people.”

Not gonna lie, part of me is tempted to really go with the war route, partly for the meme of it of burning down the not!Aztec capital down, but that does not line up with the values of the Great Peace that we're supposed to represent.

>>5089490
Yeah, tempting in a strange way lol. And we'd get the follow-up Not!Tenochtitlan meme of reporting that we brought down and probably razed the most expansive and populated city in the known world.

Just knowing of the Anyaten will be a big shock to Agana and the tribes (if they've managed to hold the Great Peace together better than we have so far).

>>5089390
Support. We can't win a war against these people, nor do we necessarily WANT to.

>>5089260
>>5090395
>>5090365
>>5089490
Guret, I appreciate your leadership, but everything is under control here. It took longer than expected to free our crew, but we can’t move on the city. Several of their remains are being held here.

Remains? They look around and see the scant few people still with Lono.

Then Ebbi?

I’m sorry Guret.

Lono sees what in softer people would be tears, but in the callus face of a bodyguard showed only as a mild flex of the cheekbones.

Under control you say.

We can’t speak the language but we’ve made a sort of peace with them for now. Set down the weapons and we can sort this all out.

Guret flexes even further.... then turns very slowly to the fleet.

Weapons down! Captain is secure!

Like a wave on land, archers spearhtrowners and axe users put their weapons at stand by, which in turn calmed The Master.

Trotting on their Neckbeast they point to the fleet and gesture with their mouth, in a tone of voice less enthusiastic that before

Jāllōhen?

Sigh. Yes thank you, some supplies would be welcomed.

Through the night and into the morning contact became stabilized. Food was brought out to the fleet, now camping in the brush between the shore and the city. To avoid escalation, Lono ordered the crew to stay on the far side of the woods unless expressly invited. The Master has been running back and forth from the city to make sure no errant mistakes start a war, and the remains of those lost were taken to the crew in a solemn Neckbeast dirge.

The Funeral was an odd affair. The first time every tribe would mourn together as one. Each of the lost were prepared in their custom and given a proper prayer to the Loa. As the Captain, Lono will end the ceremonies by lighting the Ahi diplomats bodies so their essense can rejoin The Great Womb.

The speech Lono makes will determine how he and the fleet deal with the foreigner s
>Aggressive
“They have killed our own and we must never forget. When the time comes, we WILL defeat them!”
This will lean Lono’s foreign relations with the Anyaten based on mistrust, suspicion and what he can get out of their interactions.

>Cooperative
“We have come here as strangers, and both we and them have lost. We must now forge peace.”
Lono will try his best to have the fleet work together with the people of the city for mutual benefit.


>Isolationist
“This is not our home, this is not our land. We should leave.”

Whether by fear or disinterest, Lono will work with the fleet to try to leave the Not-Island as soon as possible.

>>5090421
>Isolationist
This is a bad place, and the people in it are hostile, alien, worshipers of death and keepers of slaves. perhaps peace can be forged here someday... But their ways are not our ways, and vice versa. I'm not saying we NEVER interact with them or trade with them... But they will not be joining the Great Peace anytime soon.

>>5090421
>Cooperative

I think working with the will expose their culture to our values, which may end up helping them join the Great Peace soon rather than simple isolation. This is not to say that we will totally cooperate with them in all matters, just those we have a mutual interest in benefiting from.

>>5090439
I'm not saying that we assist them to point of offending our morals, but we should assist them to the point of showcasing our philosophy and morality. It'll make me feel better about the deaths of Eddi and our men if can effect some kind of change in them, even if it's small at first.

>>5090511
Supporting. It has a higher chance of getting us goods, such as the hard material, that we can bring back home to show a real success for our grand fleet. Just as long as we don't become too embroiled in this city's fate and forget to get some or all of our remaining fleet home soon to save Agana's hide.

Locking for cooperation. Writing update now.

>>5090730
>>5090511
>>5090439
>>5090421
Lono turns away from the shore and feels the salt and spray at his back. He feels home on his back. Part of him wants to just hit the waves and keep paddling till he sees his old village. Papa Jubu, Papa Kane, Mama Keilani, Mama... Mama Koa. But that time has passed, replaced with the terrifying potential of the future.

My People! We have come here and we have lost. Good people, irreplaceable people, in a conflict unnecessary. For this I have failed you and The Great Peace we serve. But I promise you this, should you continue to honor me with the status of Captain, I will dedicate my life to making sure they were not lost in vain. Ebbi, Keanu, Boupha, Chann, Oki, Bikki, Auta, Hastha, Nabah, Lahar, Kekoa, Alonna, Nakoa. These names shall go down in the history of all tribes as heroes in the eyes of the Loa.

The crowd cheers. They have been bound together by the blood of battle, thicker than the water of the womb.

I’m here to tell you, we did not come here as cowards or conquerors. We will work with these strangers, in good faith and in honor of peace, and together we will bring back treasures for the glory of our homeland!

The audience cheers again, but with lower volume showing some hesitation to the peace process.

With no words left, Lono torched the bodies of his people and returned their ashes to the Loa by scattering them in The Sea, the Great Womb.

__

The weeks after the funeral were both busy and boring. The Language barrier made even the simplest of communication tedious. The Archer remains in Anyaten custody, though they don’t seem to know about the other prisoners you freed from the Island.

Nizax said that the Archer led them to a quarry where the hard material could be seen, but instead of staying back, they Attacked the quarry and started a battle. They were captured without any casualties and brought back to the city.

Arbi, the ranger who was put in the circle of incense, doesn’t remember much from the time captured. Just odd voices humming in a strange tongue.

With the best of The Island's Diplomats in tow, Lono prepares for what will be the first major sit-down meeting with The Master Anyaten. What goal should he attempt to accomplish

>Try to gain access to the hard material
>Try to understand what is going on with The Archer
>Write-in

>>5092011
>Try to understand what is going on with The Archer

Metal would be very useful... But if we're committed to integrating these people into The Great Peace, we must understand the nature of their hostility.

>>5092011
>Try to understand what is going on with The Archer

But I want that hard material.

>>5092011
>>Try to understand what is going on with The Archer
Agreeing with the other anons.

I also just want to get our diplomatic corps prioritized on deciphering and learning the Anyaten language. It is crucial for achieving just about all of our goals here.

>>5092011
Lono stands uneasily amongst buzzing insects as he waits for The Master Anyaten to arrive. A meeting hall was made in a clearing in the woods, and the tents were doing little to ward off the various flies and gnats. Kaialiʻi stands to his left and Guret to his right. Diplomacy and Might literally sandwiching him, he thinks “your fathers would be proud.”

Guret speaks first.
So what’s your endgame with these kentis?

Something about The Archer doesn't sit right with me. They got sent to that prison for a reason, and when they returned here they attacked the people here first chance they got.

Kaiali’i chimes in.

A Tribal rivalry perhaps?

But then why are the other Anyaten holding them prisoner?

The conversation is interrupted by the Anyaten delegation. The master and two guards.

Anlāsi, Macēlne-lāsa!
LOno has picked up enough of the language to know that means Welcome. Macēlne-lāsa is what they call you all.

Anlahsi, Anyaten

Your accent is thick but The Master smiles.

Using crayons the Master gifted the crew for communication, Lono crudely sketches the Archer on some parchment and points

Do you know where they are?

The Master gives an emotionally negative grunt.

Ma anpīña!

The Master spits the word with venom.

Anpeenya?

Even through her butchering of the phrase The Mastr’s face grows stern in contention.

Ma Anrō Anλāten

This is getting us nowhere.

I think I can pick up that they were connected to the Anyaten somehow, but now they are an enemy.

Lono using the crayon to show the Anyaten being taken prisoner to the prison Island, and later the crew finding them. The Master’s tone shows this was accurate.

Now we’re getting somewhere.

How does Lono proceed?

>Request the return of The Archer
>Try to find out more about wh
>Write-in

>>5093205
>Try to find out more about wh

Yea, what the fuck did happen before?

>>5093582
wow missed that typo, should be

>Try to find out more about what The Archer did.

>>5093205
Lono stands up from the tent, they cant understand your words so you’ll have to speak emotionally.

Where is The Archer? What did they do?

The Master stares Lono down and then sighs.

With the crayon, he draws a grisly scene. The Archer killing what looks like countless stick figures. When they are done, The Master and Anyaten get up and wave toward the city.

Riēþ rā hāl nō kā.

Guret speaks up

I dun like this


Kaiali’i walks after the Anyaten.

This is our only chance, come on.

I agree. Let’s do this, Guret

The trio are presented with neck beasts and are escorted into the city proper, for the first time since the feast incident. Unlike that day, as they walk through the cobbles, everyone is paying attention to them.

The cavalcade stops in front of the fortress from earlier. The bad memories cause Lonot o break out in a cold sweat. Guret notices the breathing.

Captain, I’ve seen this before, let me

The Spearmaster places a calm hand on the captain’s chest.

Close your eyes. Keep my pace. Breath in. Breath out. Like the ocean.
The low words ease the Captain along. He begins to float with his breaths. In. Out. In. Out.

Thank, thank you , Guret.

You’re not the first to lose yourself after experiencing bloodshed for the first time. And you won't be the last.

As if on cue The Archer is brought in front of the fortress. The Master Anyaten stands over them and lifts an ornate sword above their head.

Xiēn jē mahāwrōn japīña- ANΛĀTA!
This is an execution! What does Lono do?

>Let The Archer be killed.
>Try to Physically Intervene
>Yell for them to stop
>Write-in

>>5094186
>Yell for them to stop

I mean, he did do this to himself, but I feel compelled to save his life. What about you lads, what do you think?

(Feeling a bit under the weather so next update will take a bit longer.)

>>5094678
>>I agree that we have some responsibility for him and his situation. We brought him (back?) here and his perspective could be valuable, so we should
>>Yell for them to stop

>>5096016
Sorry to hear, QM. Rest well.

>>5096027
>>5094678
>>5094186
STOP!
Lono’s hand seems to move on its own as he runs forward and implores The Master.
You don’t have to do this.
Jahāhhe. Lono has no idea what that means, but the facial expression screams ”This guy.”


Ñalta anerēλa mahāwrōn japīña.
Moans of disappointment spread through the crowd as The Archer is lifted from their knees and tossed towards Lono, still tied up.

Jakēwīkenrie āl.

What do we do with the sinting, now? Guret asked.
Take him back with the others we freed, I guess?

That raises a question Kaialiʻi said. What are we going to do with the rest of the prisoners?

>Offer to trade them to the Anyaten
>Release them to the Anyaten
>Let them go
>Take them with you in the fleet
>Write-in

>>5096134
>Take them with you in the fleet

We can release them somewhere that's not on the doorstep of this Captital City, surely?

>>5096161
Yes, yes you can. You didn't vote for that though n (you can change if you want .)

>>5096134
>We can release them somewhere that's not on the doorstep of this Capital City

Changing vote from >>5096161

>>5096161
>We can release them somewhere that's not on the doorstep of this Capital City

>>5096235
>>5096330
Supporting. I'm assuming we're setting them free eastward on the peninsula? We should tell them to stay the fuck away from the city then.

>>5096134
[b]We're letting them go, now. If we keep them against their will we're no better than than the Anyaten.[/b]


[green]We'll have to let them out away from the city.[/green] Guret said. [green]No use freeing 'em if they just get caught again.[/green]


Lono looks down on the Archer with a mix of fear, pity and disgust

[b] Well let's add then back in the mix.[/b]


With a look towards The Master, the trio returns to the woodland camp.


_____


At the Camp Lono collects the various prisoners and gestures that they are free to go. It takes a while to convey that they would be escorted away from the City. But the message finally gets through. Several run off on their own, a few agree to be escorted but some actually stand their ground and prefer to stay amongst the crew.


It's about three of them. How do you handle this?


>Deny their request

>Let them stay but put them to work

>Let them stay as honored guests

>Write-in.

>>5098628
>Let them stay but put them to work

They know Da Way.

>>5098628
>>Let them stay but put them to work

>>5098628
>Let them stay and put them to work

>>5098742
>>5099210
>>5099221
>>5098628
Lono looks into the eyes of the freed prisoners and sees years of pain. Who is he to deny their liberation through communion?

Any of the free captives who wish to join the crew can. They are to be trained in basic maintenance duties, and we must strive to master their language.

The three freed natives, smiled warmly as they were welcomed into the fold. The Archer chose to go with the group released away from the city.

___

With the matter of the prisoners handled Lono thought of trade at the next meeting. He brought up the strange hard material, the Anyaten made used. The Master seemed excited to talk about them, even if you couldn’t understand the words and they gestured that they would be interested in an exchange.

The Master drew a crude picture of a boat and pointed towards Lono, then to their own eyes.

>Let the Master see your boats
>Don’t let the Master see your boats
>Counter-Offer (Write-in.)

>>5099857
>Let the Master see your boats

I don't mind, these guys aren't shipbuilders after all.

>>5099857
>>Let the Master see your boats
Sure, seems innocuous. Though I fear he might want to buy them and I'm not sure about letting him have any so soon.

Also QM, do we have a sense for what crewmates have a positive opinion of cooperation since our speech? More in the case of whether any named character or member(s) of a certain tribe has voiced complaints than interviewing every individual person, of course.

They want to see the wa’a. Lono turned to Kaialiʻi for counsel.

Are you sure that’s wise, we could be giving away an advantage.

Gurt chimes in

And they might want to buy them.

I don’t mind them seeing it. We’ll see what they have to say.


Hyahchay.

Lono had picked up a bit of their language including the word for “yes” though his accent was strong.

The Master smiles and motions for the trio to wait. They mount their neck beast and in about an hour they return with several more guards. Lono looks at them, they carry the Anyaten weapons but they lack the eyes of death he saw in the ones at the fortress.

The group walks back through the woods and onto the shore, where Lono had arranged for a wa’a to be moored by some rocks.

When The Master sees it their eyes light up as if they saw a flying doomswine. The “Anyaten” pour over to the boat and immediately swarm it. They chatter rapidly amongst each other. The group keeps at their frenzy even once the Anyaten walks towards you.

They hold out to you a shiny yellow ingot. It seems to be the same type used for jewelry among the city’s elites. The Master points at the ingot and then at the wa’a.

Anñicālte

The Master wishes to trade the ingot for the boat!

>Agree to the deal
>Request more of the shiny metal
>Counter-offer (Write-in)

>>5100752
>Counter-offer

We don't need decoration, we wants Anyaten weapon-materials!

We want iron or bronze

>>5100071
Attitudes of Various Crew Members in regards to cooperating with the Anyaten. (As Lono understands them.)

>Guret of the Taya
Distrusts the Anyaten but is deeply loyal to Lono's commands.

>Kaialiʻi of the Ahi
Sees the Anyaten neutrally. As something that can be made into an asset but that can also be a threat.

>Nizax of the Muli
Has a history of suffering at the hands of the Anyaten. Doesn't like them at all but knows sometimes you have to do things you don't like for the greater good.

>Kasi of the Ponni
Hates the Anyaten deeply for the injured they gave to Fusa.

>Fusa of the Nupuri
The Archer wounded them critically. They were trained as a runner and might not be able to run again. They are in conflict between the logic of wanting to cooperate and their own pain

>Kaipo of the Ahi
Fucking hates the Anyaten and this journey in general, wants to go back home.

>>5100754
>>5100752
Lono hung out with his sister enough to know a scam when he saw one.

We want what’s in your weapons!
Lono points at the Master’s sword and gets a cold stare for a response. Then a smile. Like the one old Kōnane players give each other when they see another master across the board.

The Master thinks for a bit, then waves their hand.

Anxāra!

All around, Anyataen walk over and drop off shields, daggers, and swords.

When the pile is finished, enough weapons for ONE SQUAD OF EIGHT are laid before the captain. The Master points at the largest wa’a, also for eight people.

Anñicālte?

>Trade a squad’s worth of hard weapons for a Wa'a kaulua
>Reject deal.

>>5101923
>Trade a squad’s worth of hard weapons for a Wa'a kaulua

>>5101923
>>Trade a squad’s worth of hard weapons for a Wa'a kaulua
Only those we trust most should be allowed to hold them. If they want instruction on how to sail the wa'a we will need them to cough up the fancy weapons though, I think.

>>5103521
>>5102023
>>5101923
[b] Agreed. Take the boat ashore![/b]

The Master smiles as they walk to the boat with several Anyaten. They begin to haul it out the sand.
The commotion attracted Kaipo.

[blue]No, no,no. Captain these wa'a are sacred! Carved from dreamlog and dedicated to securing the future of The Island. You can't sell them to these savages![/blue]

[b] Securing The Island's future is what I'm doing. This material is harder than anything we have ever seen. Imagine the good it can do back home.[/b]

[blue]The ways of the Ahi have been sacred to our Coast to generations! Sharing them with -[/blue]

Kaialiʻi steps between the two men.

[green] Your captain gave an order. You speak of Ahi ways but ignore the Law of the Sea?[/green]

[blue] Ah, the littlest peacekeeper. I knew you wanted to be Koa but I didn't think you'd go so far as to hoʻomalimali her son! [/blue]
Kaipo's remark earns a slap from Lono.

[b] NEVER. Talk about my mother.[/b]

Kaipo crawls from the sand with his eyes low.

[blue] Apologies, Captain.[/blue]

Kaipo slinks away as The Master looks on with intrigue.

Once the Anyaten left it was time to assign the weapons

[b] When we get home these will be split between the seven tribes but for now, they'll have to go to our best people. An elite squad to handle the hardest tasks.[/b]

[green]Who will lead this squad?[/green]

>Guret, Warrior of the Taya
Distrusts the Anyaten but is deeply loyal to Lono's commands. A bit hot headed, they almost invaded the Anyaten when Lono didn't return.

>Kaialiʻi, Diplomat of the Ahi
Sees the Anyaten neutrally. As something that can be made into an asset but that can also be a threat. Skilled in diplomacy but very few combat skills.

>Nizax, Ranger of the Muli
Has a history of suffering at the hands of the Anyaten. Doesn't like them at all but knows sometimes you have to do things you don't like for the greater good. Very experienced but was in charge during a mutiny and was captured by the Anyaten.

>Kasi, Warrior of the Ponni
Hates the Anyaten deeply for the injuries they gave to Fusa. A competent warrior but unproven in leadership.

>Fusa, Ranger of the Nupuri
The Archer wounded them critically. They were trained as a runner and might not be able to run again. They are in conflict between the logic of wanting to cooperate and their own pain. Blessed with a tactical mind but currently unable to run.

>>5103702
>>Guret, Warrior of the Taya
Loyalty is most important. I knew Kaipo would become a problem child but as long as we babysit him it should be fine.

Happy New Year to all of you as well!

>>5103702
>Guret, Warrior of the Taya

Lono walks to Guret and looks them in the eye.

[b]You have guarded chiefs and Captains, but now I need you to guard a nation. Will you lead my elite guard?[/b]

[blue]I would be honored captain .[/blue]

With their new title, Guret quickly begins to practice with their chosen team of elite rangers and warriors. They are available to be called on whenever extreme measures are needed.

With trade established with the Anyaten, long term considerations need to be met. You also need to think about when to return home. You are already a bit behind schedule. You know the political situation back home could be made worse by your long absence but you also know that there may be benefits to staying longer on the not-Island

>Prepare to return home

>Stay on the not-Island for another month.