EVENTS

- Ready ?
- Ready !
Zendae and Osquallo touched simultanously the magic stone, and were immediately taken off by the cosmic teleportation forces, as a jiff out of time between canopy and bark, trough a fire ring.

They retrieve awareness of their body in the middle of a thick and toxic fog that instanly assaulted them. But in this lethal place was yet settled a camp, the one of Pei-Ruz, a infamous zorai.
The two matis sheeted themselves with invulnerability and enjoyed that short respite to inspect the area. They found easily what they were looking for : in a big cage, a kipesta was detainee. The specimen was even infected, sweating Goo between all its scales. « So the clue gleaned by Osquallo was right » thought Zendae, « this marauder leader also knows how to capture a kitin alive ».
Having seen what they wanted to see, they used a stone similar to the first to come back to Haven in order not to die from the reek.

The hamazan was thinking for a while. Among all bark she did founded only two examples of kitins capturated. Now at Pei-Ruz place and the former one at the masters of the Goo camp. Asking one or the others would definitly be tedious. They'll laught at them or claim for galling amends, and furthermore dealing with them would be diplomaticaly compromising.

All of a sudden her face enlight  –  a idea.
- Let's attack masters of the Goo camp !
- What ? Like that ? Wonder Osquallo.
- Don't worry, just a lightning assault, to kill the kipesta within the cage ! Then we'll spy those zoraii to find out how they proceed to capture another kipesta, explained Zendae so excited.
- Aaah sil !

The camp of masters of the Goo wasn't far to the north, and was well garded. Kamiste foragers know to stand away from bellicose patrols. But those zorais did'nt wary very much about two matis. Those last went close enought to be able to establish a magic link with the jailed kipesta. By chance it was at the border of the camp. Zendae and Osquallo were shamming foraging while waiting for the patrol to reach the other side of the camp.

- Now ! Hissed Zendae between her teeth.
She and the sigisbae stood up, and gathered all their offensive power to establish a destructive link with the captive kitin. This one started soon to writhe in his cage, suffering the effect of magic poison.

[OOC] my own translation of the anim's text [/OOC]

"Kill them !"

The order roared by Bo-Qung Fao, the chef of the tribe, was however not necessary. Yet, a angry horde of Elite guards rushed in direction of the two reckless ...

Meanwhile, inside the camp, Bo-Qung Fao raved in front of the enclosure : he could just notice the death of his specimen ...

Folded in half and holding their belly, it took the two Matis several minutes to retreive their breath. Not only because they had to run all along Lost Valley to evade from the boosted guards, but also cause they couldn't keep laughing after the successful trick.
- ha ha ha, did you see that ? they reacted faster than a group of ybers you strick right in the middle of !
- Yes incredible, I even seen some of them throwing us spells in heavy armor at a impossible distance. Thankfully you make good jewels set !

After recovering from those emotions, the Hamazan explained her plan :
- It won't be that easy for the Masters to get a new kipesta. As we noticed before while spotting, it's not a Kipesta from the Void, but a much smaller one. They'll had to prepare a expedition.

Indeed, Atysian entomologyst had classified specimens of this size as "Incensed Kipestas". In the Jungle you may find them in the Knoll of Dementia or Grove of Umbra.
- Let's already check their possible spots for capturing, I have my own idea.

Osquallo and Zendae strode through both areas, considering best criteria for the Masters of the Goo.

Kipestas were barely in the Knoll. Most of them on the tableland after the gradient, but specimens already to big. Only a isolated place at North Est of the area, one of those headland in a shape of a Kipee head, was hosting "Irritated Kipestas". They were little smaller than the one Masters owned, but still the possibility that it growns in cage or that we find the right size at another season. To get there the Master would have to cross North of Haven Est to West. The headland was still not far.

In Grove of Umbra you find kipesta more easily. The ideal place, reachable quickly for the Masters, seems the Sly lake. At "the real Sly Lake", to borrow the term Fey-lin used one day at a common white Kitins hunting. It was a piece of water at the bottom of a rift in the bark, South Est of Min Cho. Many Kipestas were there, incensed ones among them.
To get there the master would have to cross Haven to the South, going along border with Maiden Grove, keep going Est of cities of Intuition, passing by Birds of Omen, before finally arrive in the Grove and this small hidden lake.

- I think they'll rather go to the Grove. Going to the Knoll would make them passing by Compagny of Eternal tree then Bighorn mountain. The Southern road is more discreet and the hunting more easy.
- What if they get it hand over ? Thought Osquallo
Zendae make a face
- It that case our plan would fail. What I wish is to see the capturing, and even grab the mean of capturing if there is any.
- We could also keep a eye on their hunter, known as Fai-Cu Len, suggested the Matis.
- Hihi yes, good idea, he doubtless will be part of the expedition. You can handle that ?
- Sil.
- I'm going to tip off my sisters Yanee and Thalys, to get in position in Haven. We will monitor access from the Demon's crossroad and the other way to the Company. Knowing their possible destinations give us an advantage, we won't have to follow them too closely, but rather waiting for them hidden at the place. I'm also sending a message to the forest. Ser Erminantius invited me to contact Serae Boreale if necessary.

Serae Boreale,

We met each other at the meeting for studing and slaughtering of Kitins from the Deepth. Ser Erminantius remind me to call after you if needed. We are going to spy Master of the Goo. It's possible that we may charge their hunting expedition to steal their mean of capturing living kipestas. In that event may you come as reinforcement ? With some quick and discreet warriors from your relation, or better, female warriors ?

Laye Filae,
Zendae des Amazones Matis

As soon as the Izam was sended, Zendae met her sisters and gave orders to detect the Master's expedition departure, while Osquallo prepare himself to monitor the hunter while he was outside the camp.

It remained only to wait for a move from the Masters. Zendae was confident about auguries, the Goddess appears favourable.

[OOC] Translation of Boreale text. [/OOC]

The izam had landed near Boréale, and stretched its leg where a message had been attached. As the Matis unhooked the message, she gave some seeds, freshly extracted from the Bark, to the bird.

She promptly passed the doorstep of the Guildhall and, taking something to write her answer, she sat before a small worktable to write.

Deles silam, serae Zendae!
 
I've just received your missive and from your choice of words, I understand that there is an urgency to answer. Of course, you can rely on me to continue the current inquiry by your side!

For the good and the safety of the Kingdom, I make a point of being at your disposal as soon as you'll request it from me. But I am naturally reluctant, and you understand why, to lay into allies of the Karavan!
 
I’ve shown the consistent work that you and Ser Erminantius have done on the subject of the kitins detained by the tribes. I hope that I can rely on the help of some friends, but they are already busy with the building of the Observation Camps and other tasks for the service of the Crown, especially the hunt of the Kitins of the Depths which are haunting the Kingdom of our Karan. Jena only knows if they will make it on time.
 
Please, give my greetings to your sisters and to ser Osquallo.
 
Jena Aiye! Stevano Aiye!
 
Boreale

She rolled the letter and knowingly left on the worktable the one she had received from the serae Zendae, so that everyone in the Guild would know about it. She smiled while thinking that curiosity was a powerful ally. She hoped that this would be proven once more...

Walking round and round inside his tent like a caged kipesta, Bo-Qung Fao, Chief of the tribe of Masters of the Goo, growled furiously:
"What do you mean, 'impossible?'"

Fai-Cu Len, the hunter, answered with his usual calm tone, insensitive to the thundering tone of his leader: 
"Yui, impossible. Our usual trapping location is filled with kitins because of the nearby mounds. So, unless you prefer to wait for the Zoraï people to strike there in order to cleanse the place, I say again, it's impossible."

In a sudden outburst Bo-Qung Fao hurled insults and objects, deftly avoided by the seasoned hunter. Finally, after a moment, that would seem interminable to others, a calm was realized. In a relatively calm voice the quick tempered chief spoke again:
"Good. So we need a Plan B. Because there is no question of waiting to set up our usual tactics. I refuse to be the laughing stock for another day! Between Pei-Ruz, who brazenly taunts us, the Black Circle who inquire if we want the help of one of its patrols, and the homin harvesters and hunters eyeing the barren pen, I see the mocking faces."

The wise hunter chose not to answer.

"Fai-Cu, we need a new kipesta quickly. We need to even the playing field! Track... Explore... Think! I want a perfect plan tomorrow!"

The Zoraï briefly bowed and left without a word. He ran to the Diplomatic Outpost at Demon's Crossroads, crossed the Haven of Purity into the Cities of Intuition and through the mazes to arrive in the northwestern part of the Grove of Umbra.

***

The next day, Fai-Cu Len returned as planned to camp with a supple swagger. He spoke a long time with Bo-Gung Fao inside his tent, where, this time, no outburst took place. Shortly after, the whole camp was in turmoil.

At nightfall, a group of seven members of the Masters of the Goo, with the hunter Fai-Cu Len leading, took the road to the Grove of Umbra with a heavily loaded cart.

This is no Poetry thought Naema, although it was a poetry of a different kind as she wiped the kitin blood off her sword. Huffing and puffing after killing wave after wave of kitins with loyal guildies to server her king, it was a poetry of 'battle'. She knew they didn't all pledge loyalty to him, but she was able to rally support for the overall cause of eradicating the Kitins from her homelands from her guildies. She was thankful of the hours upon hours of kitin killing she went through now which made her muscles lean and limber, able to quickly move and slash kitins for a long period of time. After all, she did not earn the title 'Kitin Mass Murderer' for nothing which she wore proudly. For her it was an honor to serve the Matis. Even her daughter Nemana has become a Matis Vassal although a half Tryker girl. Even though Naema was not a Matis Vassal herself, she felt the loyalty to her guild was satisfaction enough to repay such friends. Even if it sacraficed her fame with her people, and others sought out titles for it.

While walking amongst the trees after the great battle of Knoll of Dissent where they destroyed the Terminator Kitin with other Matis loyals and soldiers, she reflected on rumors the Matis were taking things into their own hands in this Kitin of the deep invasion. No time to wait for the other nations she felt. This is what 'I'm talking about, lets do this!' she thought. She heard rumors Ser Erminantius was making efforts to study this kitin threat further and other nations were trying to either interfere, or trying to learn more about it. She felt proud of her people again even though she could not be at the meetings.

After discussing this with the Matis soldiers in the camp, one blurted out a rumor of a Kipesta killed in a camp far away in the Masters of the Goo camp in the Jungle.

"Kipesta?" another soldier asked? "What does that have to do with anything? Kipestas are killed every day."
"yes, but this one was one they had in a pen, a Kitin of the deep, maybe even infected. You can not trust anyone who experiments with the goo I tell you, especially if they have a Kitin of the deep!
"Nonsense! Nobody knows how to catch a Kitin! Besides, are not Masters of the Goo friendly with the Karavan?"
"Oh, you need to go on vacation more! Of course they know how. Many diggers have complained over a shooki ale about how they were attacked by this tribe, even accusing them of keeping secrets, personally, I'm thankful they are on our side...."

Naema took this to heart, as she though about it, she knew she would find nothing out from the Masters of the Goo. Then a light flashed in her head! She knew working her fame up with the Black Circle was not in vain since she knew they were friends with the Masters of the Goo and would go down and try to find out more from them. (She didn't even think about the Anti-Kamis who were also friends with the Masters of the Goo, because they would be impossible to talk to. They were so Isolationist where they put their camp, and secretive). From the Black Circle she knew she would get a straight answer. The Masters of the Goo even seemed too quiet for her....
Maybe they were keeping a secret....?

"They better not be infecting Kitins of the deep with goo" she thought. That would be a disaster!
She decided to go talk to her friend Be'Marrell Brermen, he was a fellow hunter whom she went way back with in the Grove of Umbra. They had many good times hunting Najabs, and Gingos with, even once took down Maniah together once. Be'Marrell is detatched enough from the Black Circle tribe enough to tell it to her straight she thought, 'I will go ask him what he knows."
She set off to investigate for herself...

(OOC: all this was review with the animation staff )

Osquallo was going back to the camp to get ready for the spying of the hunter.

- He is himself a hunter thus he will be Attentive, I am going to have to play it finely.

Not to burden itself and stay silent the matis took only his two daggers and a light armor with decorated of some more solid part.

- The well sharpened daggers, the well attached armor, the well prepared homin! On the way, I do not have to disappoint the Hamazan!

The matis left the camp to go to the camp of Masters of the goo?
Arrived in the lost valley he perceived far off the hunter go out of the camp and go of a fast step to the haven of purity,
He hurried in his turn by following the cliff to remain hidden by the landscape.
The hunter slows down once at the heart of the haven of purity to avoid kitins and predators, hiding from a kincher here,
Waiting for the crossing of a pack of torbaks by her
Quickly progressing through the jungle but with a caution testifying of its experience and his skillfulness,
Indicating him perfectly for the mission among whom the hamazan and the matis thought of it invests.
Osquallo had not many problems to follow him the way being sure, the hunter taking care to set off with least possible obstacle.
- He in the air to have an idea in mind, he moves forward as if he knew where to go - says to himself the matis by trying hard not to make noise and not to be seen.

Arrived at the border of the cities of intuition Fai-Cu Len stopped and hid behind a tree to allow to pass a couple of homins, heavily armed,
Apparently making a delivery for the kitins observation camp.
Leaned in a tree the matis waited that homins passes, having believed to recognize one, he did not wish to be discovered if they came to greet him.
It is under eyes amused by a yubo that Osquallo had a blow of furtive eye in the direction of the hunter and seeing him leaving, sending a smile to the yubo and going back on the hunter's way.
Fai-Cu Len continued its road advancing cautiously while bypassing carefully patrols of the black circle even if it's means wasting time,
as if being seen by members of the circle could can put its mission in danger.
Come to a kitin mound, Piercing the bark as an abscess, the Hunter threw a quick glance to verify the presence of Incensed kipestas .
He then walk around the Kipees mull, to came back at Sly Lake which he also inspected the vicinity.
Finally, he stopped further from a Grove, observing a group of bandit that it was far from their camp and watched a mound.)
- We shall have to move the camp, I don't trust this place anymore since kitins digs a hole there! And if a whole army gets out of it?
- Hmm if at least that took away the apprentices Bounty hunter...

Following what both bandits were starting to discuss a moment the presence of kitins around.

Leaving his hiding place and slowly carefully the Hunter walked to the bandits.
The matis found refuge behind a tree enough big to hide him, and while it tried to understand the conversation,
He felt the curiosity to prick him at the level of calfs.
In its biggest shame the little yubo, met previously, had managed to follow him too and to attack him by surprise,
Although the reinforcements of his boots are enough has to hold the incisors of the Unwelcome visitor.
Fai-Cu Len and bandits exchanged a few Word after which they accompanied him to their camp.
He had a long discussion with a third bandit visibly better dressed and better equipped than the other two.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to break free, the matis waved carefully his foot, while the Hunter left the camp by displaying a satisfied appearance.

Osquallo posted a grimace when he rested the foot on a twig which broke clear, followed itself a whistling and shock rises when the arrow crash in the tree.
The matis congealed and the time stopped one moment, then the silence broke whereas the yubo nibbled energetically the arrow.
Fai-Cu Lan, noticing that it was only yubo, about going back on its road in the direction of the grove of umbra.
He arrived, without other interruption, in front of the mound where fussed a group of incensed kipesta.
The hunter observed them a time then restarted where from it had come.
The matis considering that it had finish his mission made off discreetly to return directly to the camp to inform Zendae about it,
she was suprised seeing the marks of teeth on the new boots of the sigisbae and went away by laughing when he explained to her.
- Hahahaha! Well we have to be ready for the next step. - she asserted in going into her tent to get ready.

After some steps the Hamazan stopped and by having a look by above her shoulder says by smiling roguishly:
- You should take care of your boots, we had to go far to hunt these materials.

The Archer pulled his bow back and was about to let his arrow fly when he saw the Wombai perk his ears up and scamper off quickly. He gave a puzzled look about why that just happened when he heard it....squeak....squeak...Squeak....Squeak...SQueak....SQUEak..... SQUEAK....SQUEAK...!

He recognized a cart of some kind comming down the road. He wondered who it was. As the people came forward, he recognized his old hunting aquaintance Fai-Cu Len. They used to hunt together many cycles earlier, and he was happy to see him again.

"Fai-Cu! How have you been?"

Fai-Cu was startled and looked nervous. Be'Marrell Brerman saw him mutter somthing under his breath to his companion on the cart, so was wondering what it was they were talking about, but he just decided to forget about it. Fai-Cu Len greeted him, but did not get off the cart even though Be'Marrell offered him to share a beer and Bodoc Jerky with him.

"Oh, thanks for your hospitality my old friend, but you cannot possibly have enough to satisfy my men also for there is 7 of my men too"
"Well perhaps, but let me offer you a little bit for the road you travel anyways, i have enough."
" Oh, thank you, we will accept your offer of hospitality, but we must be going on our way." He said nervously.

Be'Marrel Brermen thought something seemed suspicous, 'after such a long time you would think we would spend more time together,' he said to himself.

"Where are you headed?" he asked. Fai-Cu Len said "oh just out for a hunt is all, This cart is to bring back our prey, you know how it is. We came prepared."
"Well ok my old friend, here's some jerky and its good to see you again! Travel Safe!"

Strange, Be'Marrell thought to himself, they seemed to be headed in the direction of the Anti-Kami camp. He never saw Fai-Cu Len hunt over there. He always felt the Black Circle and Masters of the Goo and Anti-Kami were up to no good. He shrugged.

As he turned away he heard a noise in the Brush,
.....was Fai-Cu being followed?

The small troop of seven Masters of the Goo went directly to the camp of the Spleen Busters. A loud argument began, shouts heard, threatening weapons were brandished. Then the tensions calmed down and peace was back.

"Let's go!" shouted the hunter Fai-Cu Len.

Under the attentive and discreetly admiring gaze of the bandits, the Masters of the Goo resolutely approached the mound close to the camp of the bandits and began killing the kitins living there one by one. The leader of the bandits then smiled a satisfied smile and welcomed Fai-Cu Len with open arms into his camp like an old friend.

Indifferent to this sudden change of humor, the hunter, assisted by his journeymen, began to unload the contents of the wagon into the long narrow passage located just behind the camp. There the Masters of the Goo erected high barriers, built a large enclosure across the entire width of the passage, its entrance turned away from the camp. Finally, a wide net of coarse fiber was spread on the ground inside the fence.

The hunter contemplated the work for one moment, apparently satisfied.

"This is much farther than the usual place, are you sure you can manage to attract the prey that far?" began one Masters of Goo.

"And the enclosure is less discreet than the natural dead-end off the hidden lake" added another.

A glaring look from the hunter made them regret their remarks.

"Be ready, I'll go get it."

Obeying  without a word, the six Masters of the Goo left the passage using the entrance opposite the bandit's camp and divided up on both sides of the wall, crouching hidden behind a latticework of boughs.

Time passed.

Suddenly, the ambushing homins finally saw Fai-Cu Len running back to them, constantly taunting an enraged kipesta that was furiously chasing him. They waited until both had entered the narrow passage then sprang from their hiding places to block the entrance with their bodies.

Seeing the way blocked in front of him by an unexpected obstacle, the kipesta sensed the trap and abruptly turned back, only to discover the entrance was blocked by six homins. Furious, he prepared to force the passage and send flying the bipeds who dared to attack him. But the homin barrier was already moving slowly, continuously casting well adjusted fear spells. Frantic, losing all sense, the unfortunate prey obeyed its instincts and fled those visions of terror, rushing straight ahead into the trap.

As  soon as the kipesta had entered the enclosure, Fai-Cu Len stepped deftly out of it and closed the door, attaching it solidly to its post.

"Now, quickly!" he roared.

Then, before the kipesta could manage to escape, the fear spells changed to stun spells, then to sleep spells. Soon the prey collapsed on the ground, incapable of resisting the flood of magic any longer.

The small troop opened then the hatch and entered the fence. Catching the edges of the coarse net spread on the ground, they carefully bundled up their prey before the magic wore off.

"That's good work -- Bo-Qung Fao will be satisfied.  Transfer it to the cage on the wagon and let's go back home!"

* * * 

A  few hours later, the pen in the camp of Masters of the Goo was again holding a kipesta. This one did not yet show sinister shades of purple, but no forager nearby doubted that it was only a question of days...

Zendae took again the Izam pen. Writing letters and other reports were tought not appanage of the Hamazans, but during the eight years of exil which had followed second swarm, her preceptress Ateande leverage this time to inculcate her this kind of abilities.



Ser Erminantius was definitely the closest matis Noble from her sorority. Sure he'd
appreciate their matis fervour as much as their fresh temper, and sure was it on purpose that he closed his eyes for their religious tendencies, which would be doubtful for any Karavan activist.



Zendae was reminding the event. Osquallo who was camed back from his spying to raise alert. They had to hurry cause the master seemed to take action immediately. Hopefully this wasn't far from Hamazan's village.



Hunters were so focused on capturing that it was'nt very difficult to observe them. And, hidden behind a bush, all her sens keened to pierce the master's secret technique, she felt almost disappointed when she realized how they proceeded.

- "No unknown device, nor altering substance", she muttered to Osquallo hidden beside her. "Just ... a setup and ... common sense".



To say true, what disappointed the most the Hamazan girl, was that she did'nt find herself the way of capturing. Why, before seeing it with her own eyes, would have she thought that this plan was impossible to achieve ? This question make her meditate.

OOC : this is a translation of Erminantius post
----------------------------------------------------------------- --------

Erminantius was reading the letter he'd just received from the Amazon.

The report was short and simple... "simple", it was the word that keep on turning in Erminantius mind. It was so simple and so efficient, he was telling himself. Sometimes one makes a mountain of a problem, and simplicity comes to resolve it.

"Capture a kitin of the depth alive to study it",
The fact looks simple and obvious to Erminantius' eyes, but many homins had laught at him, or replied "if it's so simple, why does nobody have already achieve it ?"
But a handful of matis fellows had follow him for this goal, and know the thing seems quite simple. We only need to setup it well.

A narrow place.
A net.
Mentalists.
Kitin preys.

And few other things also...

Erminantius took his pen, thinking it was the right time to summon a new meeting for the searching group. So he invited his friends to meet each other and talk about next steps from the last discoveries.

The young female Matis warrior dropped her sword, then dropped to her knees, bowed her head then started crying.

"We fought so hard!" she thought. Why have they returned?

She slowly looked up at the mound constructed by kitins of the deep at knoll of Dissent in the forest. It brought sorrow to her heart. A feeling of despair emanated from her that she could not get rid of. Even all of the Kings soldiers have left! Where were they now?
The kitins of the deep have returned, several types running all around attacking homins. Maybe not as many as before, but still, they were very aggresive.

"I thought our solution of planting Rotoas trees on the mounds would work for sure! Those thorns on the roots were a sure solution, and very nasty!"
But apparently they were not. What other solution did the Matis have now?

She was very sceptical of the rangers because she was scared of termites in her forest. But she heard reports of it helping in other areas of Atys, so she comptemplated it for a while.

'If it is the only solution, and it seems to be working, then why should I be opposed?' After all, the rangers helped her out so much In the Starter camp where she first recieved her training. They meant to help us to defend ourselves, not be sinister to us.
If they did something that got out of hand, then all homins would help out to protect against the threat she started to believe. They only meant good for homins.....

Naema left the knoll of dissent to reflect upon her people and the Rotoa tree, the beautiful flower that so adorned her apartment, and why it wasn't working on the kitin mounds. It had such thorny roots! It was so hard to keep alive as a house-plant. She wanted another so bad to nurture.

She wanted to know more about Ser Erminantius's research also because she wanted to help, but alas, she was not a vassal nor a noble. She decided to keep on helping the Matis in any way possible if they wanted help.

In the mean time, she decided to keep a wary eye upon the Masters of the Goo. This idea kept creeping inside her for some reason....'A goo weapon....? What can we craft with Goo...?'

She tried to dismiss it, but she was Matis after all

"I must learn more!" She thought.....

Naema decided to keep a secret journal...she would take notes of anything she learned about making weapons out of Goo.

(OOC this information will be continued under forums/Roleplay/Of Goo and Weapons)