jakarta
You are awakened by out-of-place noises. Snaps and rattles and hushed conversations in unfamiliar voices.

A group of 6 dark clad men enter the courtyard. Your night cages surround the courtyard. You sleep here and shelter here when it is too cold or rainy for the outdoor display pits. Even here, you cannot escape the eyes of the visitors. They come in the courtyard and taunt you.

These men smell of fear and blood and sewage. Their scents are not all unfamiliar. Some have visited often in the past weeks when the zoo was open. They should not be here after closing.

The others are taking notice of them, chattering and howling and hissing at the intrusion. Some of the others cower in corners or behind food troughs.

One of the men is carrying a net-sack filled with fishy-smelling birds.

The men gather closer to the cages of the dire ape and dire wolverine, the "northern wolf-bear" they call it. The blood on them...it is from the guard that sometimes give extra peanuts and bones... and the feeder woman who delivers the treats with the tablets "hidden" in them. You like those people...or at least hate them least...and these men smell of death.

One pulls out a long smooth branch with markings. She chants strange sounds like almost like a birdsong, then stamps the ground with the branch.

A wave of light crosses the ground from the branch to you, filling the compound.

It is suddenly quiet. All the animal sounds have stopped. All around animals are scratching their heads and rubbing their brows.  Then several whispered "what?"s  and surprised grunts and sighs.

You are surprised that you understand when the "What is happening?"s and "Why can I understand you? Oh, did I just speak?"s start up.

These men have done something to you. But why? What is their intention? Should you trust them?

That did they do to the guard and the feeder?

What will they do to you?

The men have...tools... they cut open some of the locks. Other they open with keys.
Did they kill the guard and take the keys?

They open the doors. They stand in front of you...unprotected. Some are very nervous. Others are downright scared of you. Their hands hover near weapons.

The one with the branch...pole? Staff?  Steps before the two largest animals.

He begins speaking gibberish. It takes you a moment to start actually listening. You can only pick out a few human words...words you have heard several times... (underlined)

Bothers, rejoice.
We wear the label of  ape  lover we wear as a  bad ge of honor.
Keeping  animals  captive is  stupid. Bare  witness to the liberation of these  down trodden  monkeys  and  bear s.
Once our  no ble cause’s  penu l t imate action forces a referen dum  on  animal  rights and  cit izenship,  situ ations will improve for  you .

---
Ape...bad...animals..stupid bear...down..monkeys and bears...no peanut ...dumb..animal...sit sit you...you.

(first come-first serve on the reactions to being told you get no peanut because you are dumb and should sit. )

 https://forums.giantitp.com/showthre...e-from-the-Zoo 
 https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/?id=2947840 
Don't Care
paddyfool
Sentience dawns in Don’t Care’s mind like a great wave, flooding it with turmoil. This does not improve his mood.

DC’s eyes narrow to slits as these foul-smelling strangers that seem to have harmed his friends invade his territory. Their mixture of insults and gibberish does not improve his mood.

He rushes them, hissing out the following words while releasing a pungent stink from his anal glands:

 ” Moto ya makolo mibale ya zoba, longwá na ndako na ngai!”

  Foolish two-legs, get out of my home!   

He swings at the one with a stick who talked so rudely with one great clawed paw:

- - - - -

Charge and attack:

To hit:  (1d20+10)[ 29 ] 
Damage if hits:  (1d6+6)[ 9 ] 
jakarta
"He's dead, Jim." says racoon #1 as it is covered in red spray.

Racoon #2: "What do we do?"

Racoon #3: "What ever HE tells us to do!" she says as she points to the giant wolf-bear.

Racoon #4: "What do you want us to do, BOSS?"

Racoon #5: "Yeah, Boss!?!" They call out to their new leader.

Racoon #6: *Crunch, Crunch, Gobble...* as he stuffs the remaining kibble into this cheeks.

-----------------------
Penguin 1: "Hang on boys! It's going to get rough."
Penguin 2: "With What? We don't have hands!"

----------------------
What is the Ape reaction?
Johel
Msia rose to his full height and eyed the puny human.
Nothing unusual here about one of them coming to lead out of the cage.
Putting meaning on his words was a new experience but the tone was different from the one used by the guards.

The guards that these humans just killed.
Probably. There's the blood stench at least.
Situation was confused. Msia was confused and he didn't like being confused.
So he decided to test the visitor, just so this whole situation would get a bit clearer.

On his two legs, chest puffed out, head high and muscles tightened to appear as menacing as he could, Msia advanced on the human.
He didn't scream but let out a low, rolling growl while staring down at the intruder, looking out for a reaction.
Johel
Sense Motive  (1d20+1)[ 17 ] 
Intimidate  (1d20+3)[ 5 ] 
jakarta
Will saves:

1:  (1d20+1)[ 15 ] 

2:  (1d20+1)[ 21 ] 

3:  (1d20+1)[ 7 ] 

4:  (1d20+1)[ 9 ] 

5:  (1d20+1)[ 9 ] 

Int checks

1:  (1d20+1)[ 6 ] 

2:  (1d20+1)[ 12 ] 

3:  (1d20+1)[ 6 ] 

4:  (1d20+1)[ 16 ] 

5:  (1d20+1)[ 2 ] 
jakarta
As their leader was just killed, and you (Msia) are growling, most of them seem afraid of you, and the one furthest away drops his hold on the bag of birds and draws a sword.

----
Baboon 1: "Do we have a boss?"

Baboon 2: "Him, but do what the other sone says too."

Penguin 3: "I'm good with that org chart."

Penguin 4: "Can you untie this?"

Puffin: "I don't have fingers either."

The puffin and one penguin start pecking at the tie on the net.

----
The humans look at each other and the dire animals in confusion.

Either dire animal my respond next.

Edit: I'm intending for the players and Gm to share control of the "minor" party members, with the players exercising more of the tactical control and myself adding comedy comments and "cleaning up" story or tactical details.  I'll follow your leads on their personalities.
Johel
 Drawing the sharp stick. Right.
So they are afraid but that one might wanna rumble.
Alright...

Msia let a low growl while advancing slowly toward the human with the sword, bumping into any other human in his way. 
 
 Msia : 
   Dire Ape   - 35/35 hp
AC 15 - touch 11 - flat-footed 13
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6
Grapple: +13
Claw : +8 melee (1d6+6)
Bite : +3 melee (1d8+3)
Rending : melee (2d6+9) 
 "-You might want to drop that thing before I shove it up your ass..." 
 Which, for the humans, sounded something like : "Okolinga kobwaka eloko wana liboso nakotya yango na mokɔngɔ na yo"
Not very helpful but then Msia wasn't the treehugger who might need help here. 
jakarta
Int/stupidity checks.

1:  (1d20+1)[ 5 ] 

2:  (1d20+1)[ 17 ] 

3:  (1d20+1)[ 2 ] 

4:  (1d20+1)[ 12 ] 

5:  (1d20+1)[ 5 ] 

Sense motive

1:  (1d20+1)[ 3 ] 
jakarta
Well, ape ammo!

2 of them take Attacks of oppurnnity with hidden daggers as the big ape bumps into them, and then the really dumb one with the sword charges.

1:
to hit:  (1d20+2)[ 3 ] 
crit:  (1d20+2)[ 19 ] 
dam:  (1d4+1)[ 5 ] 

2:
to hit:  (1d20+2)[ 14 ] 
crit:  (1d20+2)[ 12 ] 
dam:  (1d4+1)[ 5 ] 

3:
to hit:  (1d20+4)[ 17 ] 
crit:  (1d20+4)[ 7 ] 
dam:  (1d6+1)[ 6 ] 
jakarta
Under the circumstances, either player may respond.

Baboon 1: "OH, they did NOT!"

Penguins : "Oh boy..."

---
Hey Johel; could you add your AC to your mini sheet under your portiate, please?
Johel
 Well he had tried to prevent a conflict the proper way. The way gorillas do : by showing off. It hadn't worked.
The first dagger missed. The second found purchase into Msia's leather while the sword cleaved into his torso.
That... made him mad. 
 
 Msia : 
   Dire Ape   -  24 /35 hp
AC 15 - touch 11 - flat-footed 13
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6
Grapple: +13
Claw : +8 melee (1d6+6)
Bite : +3 melee (1d8+3)
Rending : melee (2d6+9) 
 "-Oh you naked chimps have done it now !" 

Teeth barred while extending his large arms, Msia tried to claw at the first human that stabbed him/
In nearby cage, both baboons started to get very excited, which prompted the ape to add in a powerful roar.

 Msia : 
 "-These three are mine to kill !" 

------------------------

 In my turn : 
Full Attack
2 claws, reach 10 ft :  (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 
Damage :  (1d6+6)[ 9 ] 
If it hit, then automatic  Rend (Ex) 
 A dire ape that hits with both claw attacks latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an extra 2d6+9 points of damage. 
Damage :  (2d6+9)[ 13 ] 
Johel
(The second claw attack that I forgot)
Claw, reach 10 ft :  (1d20+8)[ 21 ] 
Damage :  (1d6+6)[ 11 ] 
paddyfool
DC’s hissing reaches a higher pitch, like a particularly furious 12 foot kettle.

 ”ba bimi pona koboma biso. Bozua bango!”

 They are out to kill us ! Get them !  

He lashes out at all in his range.

The raccoons get a bit louder and upset too, as they debate whether to fight or run. If anyone goes too close they’re in for a nip in any case.

- - -

OOC:

Whom doth yon idiot with the sword charge at? If it was DC, then he’ll have triggered the rage condition, so please add 2 to all attack and damage rolls.

Targeting sword dude first in any case, full attack on anyone in range:

Slash one to hit:  (1d20+8)[ 9 ] 
Slash one damage:  (1d6+6)[ 8 ] 

Slash two to hit:  (1d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Slash two damage:  (1d6+6)[ 8 ] 

Bite to hit:  (1d20+3)[ 4 ] 
Bite damage:  (1d8+3)[ 9 ] 
jakarta
You slice his torso open and lungs and guts spill out. the corpse collapses.

("2 claws " means you roll attacks for each, and then damage for the ones that hit. Rend is bonus damage if both hit and the body gets torn apart. This guy is dead just from the claw attack. You can finish your full attack on different targets.)

---
Baboon 1: " 'These 3...', does that mean we should kill a different one?"

Raccoon 1: "Should we get 'em, Boss?"

Penguins: "Eww."
Johel
(The teeth attack)
Teeth, reach 10 ft :  (1d20+3)[ 10 ] 
Damage :  (1d8+3)[ 4 ] 
jakarta
 
 Originally Posted by Johel 
 (The teeth attack)
Teeth, reach 10 ft : [roll0]
Damage : [roll1] 
 

We are typing over each other a bit.

These are ac 11 humans with 6 HP.

And J just posted again, so I'll post this and then read his.
jakarta
Paddy: the humans attacked the Dire ape.

Misa and DC just killed one apiece, including the one who charged.

The remaining raiders will now decide if they are dumb enough to fight or dumb enough to run away.

 (1d20+1)[ 13 ] 
 (1d20+1)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20+1)[ 7 ] 
Johel
 Walking through the pile of bloody organs, Msia back-handed the second idiot. The one that had tried (and failed) to stab him. This probably broke the man's neck while the claw half-decapitated him. He prepared to burry his teeth into the third opponent, the one with the sword... but there already was some kind of giant badger trying to do that. So yeah... Not going to stick his head between a bear and its meat. Instead, Msia turned toward the baboons. 
 
 Msia : 
   Dire Ape   -  24 /35 hp
AC 15 - touch 11 - flat-footed 13
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6
Grapple: +13
Claw : +8 melee (1d6+6)
Bite : +3 melee (1d8+3)
Rending : melee (2d6+9) 
 "-You guys can get out of this cage ? If yes, come behind me and watch my silver back. I cut their meat, you got to eat it. How does that sound ?" 

------------------------

 OOC : 
Ok, sorry.

Given the rolls, I'll assume that :
 
 the first claw killed Human#1 (the one with the dagger that hits Msia) (rolled 26 for 9 damage) 
 the second claw killed Human#2 (the one with the dagger that missed Msia) (rolled 21 for 11 damage) 
 the teeth missed Human#3 (the one with the short sword that hits Msia) 
 

If Human#3 was hit on a 10, then 4 damage probably didn't kill him.
But then, since DC rolled an 11, we can reckon that DC got to him right after and finished him.

If the baboons can do so without getting attacked, they can fall in behind Msia :
The Dire Ape can survive getting stabbed 8 more times if needed.
With his 10 feet reach, he can make attacks of opportunity on any human trying to get him in melee.
Given that he rolls to hit at an average of 18 and inflicts an average of 9 damage, none of these guys has a high enough AC to really threaten him :
Most will die instantly, some might survive while being wounded and the very lucky ones might even not be hit.
Having the two baboons behind him means they can finish off whoever get close enough but they aren't in danger themselves.
jakarta
One attacks DC
 (1d20+1)[ 4 ] 
Crit
 (1d20+1)[ 16 ] 
 (1d6+1)[ 7 ] 

And the other 2 run, provoking an aoo, one from the ape, the other from DC.
Johel
 
 Originally Posted by jakarta 
 One attacks DC
 (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 
Crit
 (1d6+6)[ 9 ] 
[roll2]

And the other 2 run, provoking an aoo, one from the ape, the other from DC. 
 

Claw, reach 10 ft :  (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 
Damage :  (1d6+6)[ 9 ] 
jakarta
Let's see how DC's AoO turns out, and then we will add up...er...subtract opponents. That might be the last one.

Edit: the cages are all open. The apes and raccoons begin to venture out.
paddyfool
Claw of opportunity:

To hit:  (1d20+8)[ 21 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+6)[ 9 ] 
jakarta
Let's see... 3..5..6 looks like you got them all.

You can talk to each other and work out any dominance/leadership issues.
You may also work out ncp/follower dynamics.

Penguin 1: Can someone let us out of this net, please?
Johel
 Covered in blood, most of it not his own, Msia was only now feeling the full effect of his wounds. Breathing heavily, it turned around, letting the baboons feast while he assessed the situation. Nearby, the odd-looking bear had just finished mauling another human, whose last pained moans were dying. The beast looked fierce and Msia wasn't sure he could take it. Not at his best. Certainly not right now, when wounded. The ape avoided looking at the odd bear too long, so as not to provoke it. Also, he could swear he had heard the thing speak earlier. Maybe he could attempt something ? 
 
 Msia : 
   Dire Ape   -  24 /35 hp
AC 15 - touch 11 - flat-footed 13
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6
Grapple: +13
Claw : +8 melee (1d6+6)
Bite : +3 melee (1d8+3)
Rending : melee (2d6+9) 
 "-The fighting is done for me.
Is it for you ? Or are we going to have a problem here ?" 
 Msia turned to the two baboons. One was an old timer, the fur whiten by the seasons, the stare alert and prudent. The other was... well it was a baboon. Definitely not as bright as the other, though obviously far more... let's go with brave, for lack of better term. 
 
 Tichaona 
   Baboon   - 5/5 hp
AC 13 - touch 12 - flat-footed 11
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +3
Grapple: +2
Bite : +2 melee (1d6+3) 
 
 Mohapi 
   Baboon   - 5/5 hp
AC 13 - touch 12 - flat-footed 11
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +0
Grapple: +2
Bite : +2 melee (1d6+3) 
jakarta
The racoons are looking back and forth at the dire beasts, waiting for one to blink or something.

*Munch Munch*

One racoon has scavenged a bag of popcorn from somewhere and silently offers some to the raccoon next to him.

The younger baboon, cautiously reaches for some human liver to munch on. The older is watching the great animals for its cues.

The penguins alternate between watching and trying to peck out of the net. They happen to be directly between Msia and Don't Care...and would rather be somewhere else.

The female racoon starts going though the pockets of the corpse nearest her.

Edit:
If source material is desired:
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raccoons 

Edit: fixed a form/from.
paddyfool
Don’t Care eyes the big ape.  ” No trouble from me. I want to know what happened to us… it was like a light went off in my head, and I see you were changed in a similar way. I propose a truce between all of us who can speak. And perhaps an alliance, against any more of these gibbering two legs that may attack us.” 

After that speech, he starts to remove the netting from the penguins.
jakarta
Short penguin: "Your terms are acceptable."
 
Johel
 Looking down, one arm extended in front of him, palm down, Msia took a defering posture. 
 
 Msia : 
   Dire Ape   -  24 /35 hp
AC 15 - touch 11 - flat-footed 13
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6
Grapple: +13
Claw : +8 melee (1d6+6)
Bite : +3 melee (1d8+3)
Rending : melee (2d6+9) 
 "-A truce it is then. Since the hairless chimp waved his stick around, my mind is indeed brighter than I am used to. The world both clearer and blurrier. Much like how one sees differently between night and day. It is unconfortably blinding yet it reveals much more details to my eyes. I bear the name of Msia, which was given to me by those who pulled me away from the mountains when I was barely as big as this one..." 
 He nodded to young baboon, who did not raise his head, busy as he was stuffing his face with human liver. His older companion answered the silent prompt, taking the hint with ease. 
 
 Tichaona 
   Baboon   - 5/5 hp
AC 13 - touch 12 - flat-footed 11
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +3
Grapple: +2
Bite : +2 melee (1d6+3) 
 "-You are talking of Mohapi. As for me, Ô Large One, I answers to Tichaona. We both hail from the World's Roof, though not from the same tribe. And the Angry One is correct : we experienced something similar to what you just described. Though the origin eludes me for now, it is likely the Ôu-Mans you punished are responsible. Searching their bodies for clues before running is the wise thing to do, as it doesn't seem they left anyone to notice our escape any time soon. But I would advi S e against too much delay." 
 "-Then we are in agreement. What shall we call "the Angry One" ?" 
 Msia looked back at Don't Care, a glint of amusement in his eye. 
jakarta
(ooc: English teacher conniption: AdvICE, sounds like ICE. Collective or uncountable noun. "My advice is....a piece of advice.  AdvISE, said with a "Z" like "ad-vEYES". That is the verb. "I advise you to.....". I have a PowerPoint and worksheets on this somewhere...)

Medium penguin, whispered to the puffin: "Fluffy. We should call him Fluffy."
Johel
 
 Originally Posted by jakarta 
 (ooc: English teacher conniption: AdvICE, sounds like ICE. Collective or uncountable noun. "My advice is....a piece of advice.  AdvISE, said with a "Z" like "ad-vEYES". That is the verb. "I advise you to.....". I have a PowerPoint and worksheets on this somewhere...)

Medium penguin, whispered to the puffin: "Fluffy. We should call him Fluffy." 
 

(Ow, that's a good one ! Thank you and sorry : English is only my third language.)
jakarta
(Advice/Advise is one of the tricky ones.

Joke shared with me by an Indochinese ESL teacher: What do you call someone who speaks two languages?  Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages? Trilingual. What do you call someone who speaks only 1 language? American. )

Female raccoon, pulling out a coin from the body she is searching, "Owe...shiny... bicentennial."
paddyfool
 ” You can call me what you like, I really don’t care. The hairless ones seemed to call me  “Honeybadger don’t care!”  or sometimes just  “don’t care!”  but I don’t know what they meant by that.” 

DC looks around.  “Anyway, we should get moving… this may have been our territory for some time, but I think there is much to learn and find in the wider world.” 

- - - - -

(There are actually quite a lot of monolingual people here in England as well. Easy to get away with it when so many other people speak a version of our language. I’m not one of them, but my family were the kind of people to travel the world; it’s different for those who hardly leave the country, or if they do, only to go on package holidays to tourist spots where it’s easy to get by in English and/or to other English-speaking countries.)
jakarta
Heading out of the primate and bears area, you pass the "armored animals" exhibit.
A turtle, a pangolin, and an armadillo look up at you with big sad eyes.


You have to go through the gift shop on the way out. Is anyone grabbing anything?

Penguin: "Look guys!". He is wearing a pink t-shirt with an image of himself and his flock.
paddyfool
The raccoons hit the snack section and go on a bit of a sugar high.

DC looks at some soft toy replicas of himself in bafflement for a moment, then heads for the exit, staying alert for anyone outside.
jakarta
The Raccoons and penguins grab Zoo branded Hippies, and stuff them with food and model animals.
paddyfool
As DC turns from the display, one stuffed toy falls down and as it hits the ground, says in a recorded voice “Honeybadger don’t care”.

DC shreds it to pieces, and inspects the soft stuffing and electrical parts with a frown.

 ”What do these words mean to them, I wonder?”  he murmurs, before continuing on his way to check the exit.
Johel
 Msia has a snear of disdain for the other animals that fall prey to their lust for cheap trickets. Then he stops briefly in front of a specific shelf. Here lies a plush of a baby rhinoceros. Same as one he had once received when he was but a baby, just arrived at the zoo. The thing had, over the year, be lost to many cage cleaning. But he still had the memory of it and something inside him made the huge gorilla reach for the shelf and grab the plush. He then also grabbed a kid's backpack and stuff the plush inside. 

---------------

 To the question of Don't Care, Tichaona wonders too.
To learn the language of the Ôu-Mans might be useful.
But where to begin ? 
jakarta
Is anyone releasing the armadillos?

Edit: If not it's fine.

Exiting the Zoo, the lights of the city are bewildering.

A mix of gas and candle street lights line the cobbled streets and sidewalks. The windows of the various buildings are either dark or lit from within. Some of the carriages have their own lanterns.

The whole place smells of people and horses and dogs and cats and rats and garbage.

There are a few screams from the people, but none are near you. If you don't seek them out, you can avoid them.

Around you the obvious places are:

A)A tall glass gilded building with a similarly sized building under construction next to it. There don't seem to be any workers. (Donkey Kong)

B)A large temple with spires and buttresses. (Sanctuary)

C)A park filled with trees. (The park)

D)A river-like stream flowing into a brick lined cave. (Sewar crawl)
Johel
 The trees were good. They always had been, offering protection from the rain and the wind, hiding the troops from most predators and providing food. And so Msia was tempted to go there. But he wasn't alone to make the decisions. Don't Care might have another idea. And so far, with his wounds, the ape trusted more in number than in himself. And they needed more information about the forest's size. 
 "-The forest looks nice. Though the trees are sparse, we could hide in there and, if lost, climb in it to decide where to go. In fact, I suggest to send Mohapi up there..." 
 Msia pointed to the highest tree. 
 "-... and report what he saw. This way, we won't be blind... which we will be if we follow that underground river. But by the same token, we could send Mohapi up that weird thing..." 
 Msia pointed the skyscrapper. 
 "-...which will offer an ever better view. But who knows what dangers there might be there ? So I suggest the tree first and, if we still lack direction, the weird thing.
What says you, Dontcare ?" 

 
 Originally Posted by jakarta 
 Is anyone releasing the armadillos? 
 

(Well they said nothing so no reason to think they are sentient. We are still different species. Freeing them would be the same as a human breaking out of jail and stopping to let out a cat because it looks sad. For some of us, it would even be like freeing a meal)
paddyfool
 ”I am more inclined to venture underground and out of sight. But we can explore the forest first before we dig about the cave if you prefer,”   concedes Don’t Care, as he has a strong impression he’s the only one equipped for digging.
jakarta
Mohapi: " Climb tree. Look around. Alright ."
The baboon lopes off in the direction of the park, about 60 ft away, and goes right up the nearest tree to start looking around.

" What's that one looking at? " inquires the puffin as it hovers up to Msia's eye level.

 "Pen Seals. Pen Seals. $(&amp;#)_ want Pen Seals?"   A human woman is entering the plaza from the east, calling out as she stumbles towards you. She is hunched over and carrying a stick.

Edit: She is 60 ft away.
Johel
 A lone old female isn't really a threat. So Msia didn't react. 
 "-We keep an eye on her but seriously ? There's two-hands of us and only one of her. If need be, she won't run far or scream very long. We can afford to wait for Mohapi to get down." 
jakarta
*Clink Clink*

"Pen seals.  Pen seals."

*TAP TAP TAP*

As she totters forward she strikes the ground in front of her with her stick, and rattles something in her other hand.

*Clink Clink*

"Pen seals.  Pen seals."

*TAP TAP TAP*

She slowly moves forward.

:Edit:
I'm dealing with a weather situation. There is a storm (organized rotating tropical depression/gale) parked off the coast in the Bay of Bengal. We are getting hit by windy rain bands causing spot flooding and a lot of downed lines.  There is also enough moisture that we will defiantly be getting pop-up thunderstorms as soon as the sky clears a little. Also, by mid next week we may be getting the remnants of the tropical storm (Kristine) now hitting the Philippines. Basically, my monsoon season has gone into extra innings.

 https://zoom.earth/storms/98b-2024/ 

If I disappear for a few days, I'm just dealing with the weather and associated connection problems.
paddyfool
Don’t Care moves slowly and quietly out of the woman’s way, his gaze moving from her hunched over head to her stick.

- - - -

OOC: can we see her face at all?
jakarta
She is looking around, but doesn't seem to see any of you.

She is wrinkly for a human. Like the ones that come alone and throw treats to the pigeons as much as to the monkeys.

She keeps rattling short yellow sticks in the tin she is holding and tapping the ground ahead of her with her long white stick, while babbling about the seal pen.
Johel
 While the old crone was getting closer, Msia snorted loudly. 
 "-Alright, this one isn't a threat. Not sure if she isn't blind. Let's take some cover by the tree where Mohapi got up. If need be, we can climb and hide. Otherwise, it's still better than to stay out there in the open." 
 This being said, he started moving, Tichaona on his heels. 
jakarta
"Ehh? Sorry, I don't understand Elven. Are there elves around? or was that gnomish?" the old woman asks, turning towards the gorilla. Of course, none of you understand any of this.

The primates start towards the trees.
Johel
 Ad the old Ôu-Man keep babbling, Msia stops paying attention to her. Arriving near the tree where Mohapi had climbed, he looked at it closer, searching for a way to get up there if needed while also assessing the height to have a good idea of how long it could take him to climb. 
 
 Spoiler 
How high is the tree ?

 If it is less than 150 feet : 
Taking 10 to climb.
Msia have +14 so that's a 24.
15 feet per round so about 1 minute to get up there.

 If it is more than 150 feet : 
Waiting at the base of the tree for Mohapi.
But if he isn't back in 5 minutes, Msia will go up there to fetch him.
 
jakarta
As the dire ape joins the baboon in the tree, the smaller ape points in the direction the old woman came from...

"There are a lot of metal men on horses  coming this way.

In the small forest there is one clearing there with large stone men. I don't think they are living.

And other there is another clearing with a large fire."
Johel
 Metal is bad. That's what the Ôu-Man used to make cages and sharp sticks. It was hard to bend and near-impossible to break : he had tried once for a whole day against his cell's bars. It went nowhere. With Ôu-Mans clad in metal coming, it was going to be bad. Msia was confident he could take down a good dozen of unarmed humans without having so much as a scratch. But he still felt in his flesh what happened when you gave them metal sticks. So if their skin was protected in a metal shell, he wouldn't win this fight. Sometimes, a retreat was the better part of valor. 
 "-Don't Care ! We have company ! Ôu-Mans in metal !
The forest isn't very large. And there's fire. You were right : to the underground river we go !" 
paddyfool
Don’t Care smiles a grin full of teeth.  ”Let’s be on our way then.” 
jakarta
Some de-climbing, scrambling, and running later, you are at the "river cave".

The cave as bars of metal blocking it, but one bar has been bent away. It looks like something large moving upstream escaped some time ago. The missing bar provides enough space that even the largest of you can squeeze though.

The cave is lined with stone and brick. The floor varies between brick, cobbles, and that gray unnatural rock that humans can bring in buckets, make into whatever shape they want, and then turns to hard rock when it dries. (concrete). There are grates and pipes of various shapes randomly placed throughout the tunnel.

The tunnel is about 20 ft wide and tall, with 5 ft paths along either wall. There is a channel of water about 5 ft deep in the center, but only a thin stream of water is currently flowing. The tunnel slopes gently down hill. There are sconces regularly spaced on the walls, but no torches occupy them.

You can see some light in the distance.

You hear hooves approaching the plaza behind you.

What is your order entering the "cave"?
Johel
 "-We cannot see a thing in there. Don't Care, you sure about this ?" 
 The ape positioned itself at the end : though wounded, he could still cover the rear. 
jakarta
*KRACK*
*jiggle*
You have no idea what he did, but one pinguin is now glowing blue (candle light within 5 ft of the flightless bird.)
paddyfool
 ” Let’s keep quiet and make some distance before these metal-wearing humans see that,”  hisses Don’t Care, and putting actions to words, he goes to inspect the light at the end of the tunnel.
jakarta
(...is just a freight train coming my way
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh5S3OxiE-s  )

Running down the tunnel, splish splash, clickity click of claws on damp concrete, pitter patter of trailing raccoon feet, the dire wolverine notices but perhaps don't care about the tiny glowing beady eyes watching from the pipes, grates, and recesses of the tunnel. Watching and the following along.

The tunnel isn't homey. Artificial. Smelling of sewage, mold, rats, and the insects that feed on such things and aren't worth eating. *Squish* Oh, you'll have to  not  lick that paw for a while....

You come to the light to discover that it is a beam coming though a grate. A street light is directly above. The light shines down on an intersection in the tunnels. Ahead and to both sides you see similar shafts of light in the distance.

The following rats stop and mostly dive into recesses behind you.

To the left you hear soft music and chanting.

To the right you hear a bubbling noise.

Ahead the water gets a bit deeper and you don't hear anything.
Johel
 "-I don't know for you but I am NOT a good swimmer. So going away from the water might be the right choice here. The left side ?" 
paddyfool
 ”Agreed, the left side. But let’s go quietly,”  suggests Don’t Care, casting a slightly puzzled look at the glowing penguin as he does so.
jakarta
The tunnel is just wide enough for the two dire animals to walk side by side, if desired.

What is your marching order? and roll move silent/stealth checks.

As you near the next light shaft the chanting and music becomes clearer.
Johel
Msia stays at the back, covering the rear so the smaller animals can fit between him and Don't Care.

Hide  (1d20-2)[ 5 ] 
Move Silently  (1d20+4)[ 18 ] 
paddyfool
Don’t Care takes the lead

  Hide  - (1d20+3)[ 22 ] 
  Move silently  - (1d20+3)[ 4 ] 
jakarta
As you approach the chanting gets louder, as does the music. The a reddish light come from around the bend.

Suddenly, it is as if your nose stops working. The scent of the tunnel disappears. While it is initially shocking, you soon realize that other more subtle scents are present. Humans, herbs, ash, burning lamp oil.

You know that there are at least 5 humans around the bend, and they have a fire.

Assuming you approach, what is the plan? Stalk, Blitz, or just walk right in?
paddyfool
Drawing to a halt as he smells the humans, Don’t Care hisses at the others, a little louder than he meant to, a stern instruction to  ”Zele awa!”  (Wait here!)   and goes to take a closer look himself.

EDIT

OOC thought; if we ever do level up, the most natural fit for DC would probably be a  https://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#druidVariantDruidicAve  nger]Druidic  Avenger [/url], as that can really fit with needing to get a handle on rage. Somewhat less OP than the normal Druid as well.
Johel
 Injured as he is, Msia doesn't question the order and stay put.
This will probably be enough too for the baboons to comply.

Just in case, the Dire Ape taps on Tichaona's and Mohapi's shoulders before whispering. 
 Msia : 
 "-If the badger calls for it, I'll charge. If this happens, I want you right behind me, ready to cover my rear and flanks. Five Ôu-Mans aren't much to worry about if we can take them one by one." 
jakarta
Don't Care walks into the light...

On the right side of the room is one human in a brown robe keeling before a niche in a wall. In the niche is a large mask that is white on the left side and  black  on the left. This human is the one chanting.

In the middle of the room is a human standing strumming along with the chanting on a lute. He is looking right at you and has an look of concern but not hostility.

At back of the room is a human seated at a table arranging stacks of feeding machine rounds of various colors. There are also bits of glass on the table.

To the left of the room are 2 humans holding knives... Throwing them at a round thing on the wall....which has several knives in it already.

The room is about 40 ft across and has a vaulted ceiling. there is a ring of stones with a fire in it at the center of the room. Lanterns float in the air providing comfortable light.

The one with the lute continues to play, and without looking away from you says something soft yet clear. The others stop their activities and look at you.
paddyfool
DC looks around, eyeing the knives in particular for a second, as he pauses at the entrance.  Talking to that last human seemed possible to some extent for us, perhaps I’d better try again. Best be polite as I’m on their territory.  
 ” Losàko! Nkombo na nga Honey Badger Don’t Care. To okoki kobenga Don’t Care, soki olingi,”  he declares, speaking slowly and clearly as one might if talking to a child or an imbecile, and watching warily for their reaction.

Translation:    Hello, my name is Honey Badger Don’t Care. Or you can call me Don’t Care, if you prefer  

- - - -

OOC: did you mean to say that the mask being prayed to is white on both sides?
jakarta
OCC:  Yeah, that should have been black on one side.  I edited the post.

IC:

The humans look back and forth at each other in confusion.

The one with the lute addresses you, but it is nonsense. The tone seems friendly.

The one who was chanting says a few words to the others, and they step back as to let him handle it.
He starts to chant again, a different chant, while moving his hands in a pattern...

Any response, or are you going to let him do what ever it is the is doing?
paddyfool
Don’t Care watches the gestures carefully as he replies with even slower, simpler speech, pointing a clawed foot first at himself and then at the humans to try and illustrate his meaning.

 ”Ngai Don’t Care. Yo?”

 Me Don’t Care. You?  

- - -

OOC: Not intervening yet, as all DC sees is words and gestures. Ready action if attacked: charge attacker
jakarta
The robed man continues has chanting....
he seems to come to a finish and points at the floor in front of Don't Care.

A shaft a light beams down from no where, and a glowing silver badger appears. It looks up at Don't Care, and the back over it's shoulder at the human.

Does this trigger a hostile reaction, or a conversation dialog?
paddyfool
Don’t Care blinks in confusion at the appearance of the much smaller silver creature.

 ”Okoki koloba?”  Can you speak?   he asks.
jakarta
The human speaks to the badger. The badger seem unsure...but growls the badger equivalent of a greeting to you.

Then if growls in another way and stomps its front paw... As if asking if you are making a territorial challenge or want to fight over food.
paddyfool
DC huffs in offence, then grudgingly greets the silver badger back, indicating that no, he is not interested in starting a fight. While idly considering how far he could bat the smaller beast with his forepaw, if it came to it.
jakarta
The badger says something to the human, who then responds.

The badger responds with gestures which could indicate a mating invitation or an invitation to share a burrow.

There aren't that many non-hostile expressions in the badger version of "burrowing mammal".
paddyfool
DC blinks, then signs agreement, before signing the equivalent of “this side is mine”, before slowly backing off down the tunnel, watching the humans warily until he is out of sight and back with the others. Assuming they don’t follow or try to stop him, he then suggests to the others:

 ”Let’s head back a little way and then talk about what I’ve seen.”  

- - -

OOC: sorry to monopolise the game for a bit there! Always a hazard when splitting the party.
Johel
 Msia grunted in agreement : not like there was much else that could be done. The Dire Ape followed DC and the others. 
 Msia : 
 "-So what's this all about ? Is there a way forward ?" 
paddyfool
 ”There are a group of five rather unusual humans up that corridor.  They did not seem hostile, although two had knives.  A third was capable of a rather strange thing - he made a small silver badger appear out of the air in what may have been an attempt to communicate with me. A fourth was the one we heard singing some form of bizarre mating call, and the last was playing with strange objects.

Through communicating with the badger, I claimed this part of the tunnel as our territory and left them to their stretch of it.   
jakarta
OCC: I'm waiting on you guys to do something, though if you indicate you are holding position for a while something will happen.

IC: You might notice that there are a couple hundred small glowing pairs of eyes behind you in the tunnel...watching...
paddyfool
 ”Maybe we should investigate that bubbling noise next… hm. It seems we have an audience?  DC stares coldly back at the hundreds of little glowing eyes.

- - - - -

OOC:   As Dire creatures, the two of us of course have Darkvision, although the menagerie accompanying us do not. Do we see anything of the critters the eyes belong to ? 

Apologies, I stand corrected - we have low light vision (I was mixing up my games)
Johel
 The eyes were numerous indeed but Msia shrugged. 
 Msia : 
 "-If it's only rats, we can probably ignore them : back in the cages, they were thieves, waiting for the night to steal the scraps of food we had left. They never bothered us too much and I never minded them scuttling in the darkness. Let's just keep going and ignore them. They can watch all they want as long as they stay back." [/QUOTE]


(OOC :  Msia has Low-Light Vision  so it can see thanks to the pinguin who had the blue light. But he doesn't have Darkvision and so cannot see in total darkness)
paddyfool
 ” Indeed, let them watch. I’ll take the lead again,”  suggests DC, and heads quietly off to s see what the bubbling sound is.
jakarta
As you approach, the rats fade away into the pipes and grates until you pass, and then resume trailing your...flock? herd? troop? as you recross the intersection heading towards the bubbling sound.

*Bubb, bubble, blub, blubble, pop, bubble* you hear echoing though the tunnel.

Snaps and crackles join the sounds as you come to a larger chamber.

There is a fire with a large black pot half as tall as the very tall humanoid woman stirring it. She is taller than a human by half a body, and her robe and apron are tattered and her gray hair is unkept and frizzy. Her pot bubbles and moaning vapors rise from it before dissipating.

She is not alone. 2 swat green humanoids with pig-like snouts and tusks stand on either side of her.

Behind them is a very large covered pot sitting on unlit firewood and tender.
Well, it  was  unlit.
One of the green guys touches off the tinder with a torch just as you enter.

A panicked rasping begins, and you hear a plea, "Help! Sssshe'sss cooking me! Pleassse, don't let the witch cook me!"
It is in your new language!

The woman points at you. You aren't sure what she says to her companions, but you understood the human word "dinner" in there.
Johel
 "Dinner" with a pointed finger, just as somebody is screaming for help from a pot... that cannot be right.
Msia is at the end of the file but he muscles his way to the front so as to have a better look... and offering a better look too.

Puffing himself as big as he can, rising on his two legs, the Dire Ape starts growling, pounding his chest a few times for good measure. 
 
 Msia : 
   Dire Ape   -  24 /35 hp
AC 15 - touch 11 - flat-footed 13
Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +6
Grapple: +13
Claw : +8 melee (1d6+6)
Bite : +3 melee (1d8+3)
Rending : melee (2d6+9) 
 Msia : 
 "-Your word, Don't Care !" 
 
 Spoiler 
OOC :
Msia tries to scare the trio while assessing their attitude, hoping they'll talk a bit more and that he'll pick up a word or another.

If Don't Care give the order to attack OR if any of those three creatures try to attack, Msia will advance to the nearest green humanoid (orc ?) try to claw at it (+8 melee, 1d6+6 damage).
Msia is a tall Large creature and so he has a reach of 10 feet. So unless the green humanoids also have such reach, they'll be exposed to an attack of opportunity if they try to come in melee.

Sense Motive :  (1d20+1)[ 20 ] 
Intimidation :  (1d20+3)[ 11 ] 
 
paddyfool
 ” Dinner is cancelled!”    roars DC and surges forward, charging at the large humanoid.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 

  Initiative  - (1d20+3)[ 4 ] 
  Attack  - (1d20+10)[ 15 ] 
  Damage  - (1d6+6)[ 9 ] 
 

 ”Msia, open the pot!”  he loudly suggests on his way to try and tag the hag.

- - -

OOC: DC seems a bit slow on the uptake as it happens
Johel
 Opening the pot ? Well, ok, that's a strange command for battle but the badger must have his reasons. So Msia will do just that. If the way is clear... which he can clear by breaking skulls.
The Dire Ape screamed at Tichanoa and Mohapi : 
 Msia : 
 "-You got that ? We advance to the pot. You watch my back then open that thing when the coast is clear." 
 
 Tichaona 
   Baboon   - 5/5 hp
AC 13 - touch 12 - flat-footed 11
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +3
Grapple: +2
Bite : +2 melee (1d6+3) 
 
 Mohapi 
   Baboon   - 5/5 hp
AC 13 - touch 12 - flat-footed 11
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +0
Grapple: +2
Bite : +2 melee (1d6+3) 
 
 Spoiler 
OOC : Sticking to the plan.
Msia advances toward the nearest orc.
If the orcs tries to attack, they will come in reach of Msia before being able to hit and so Msia will do an attack of opportunity.
If the orcs don't move, Msia will advance toward the orc closer to the pot and hit it as soon as he can.
Both baboons are instructed to follow Msia, guarding his back and flanks.
If the opportunity is there, the baboons can try to flank Msia's opponent but only if there's no other visible danger.
Once they reach the pot and no immediate danger is there, the baboons can open the pot.
 
paddyfool
Largely forgotten by the others, the penguins and puffin watch warily from the door while the raccoons sneak around the side B of the room in the wake of DC and Msia, waiting for one of the antagonists to turn their back.
RandomLunatic
Hearing voices she make out clearly, Anna's heart leapt.   "Isss anybody out there?  Get thiss lid off!"   She coiled and lunged the top of her prison, making it ring with impact.

((I'm assuming there's some kind of latch or clamp so the lid can't just be pushed off.))
Johel
 Msia : 
 "-Working on it !!" 

((OOC : Still there, Jakarta ?))
paddyfool
 
 Originally Posted by Johel 
  Msia : 
 "-Working on it !!" 

((OOC : Still there, Jakarta ?)) 
 

OOC: Johel, Jakarta hasn’t logged in since the 6th of November. (You can see forumites’ last date logged in if you click on their profile picture). I think this makes us officially on hiatus. But I’m planning to keep an eye out for if/when this returns in any case :)