THE SACRED IDOL OF THE KURABANDA

Background Reminder:

The Kurabanda build their villages in the branches of the bachanda trees in the forests of Volturnus. These huge trees often reach a height of 200 meters. The trunks of bachanda trees have a diameter of 15 meters. The trees produce large, flat branches, beginning at heights of ten meters or more. These branches can be as much as 5 meters wide, and form a kind of natural highway far above the forest floor. This is fortunate, for the bachanda trees also produce thorny vines around their bases of such density that travel across the forest floor is literally impossible.

The Kurabanda build their villages in the branches of the bachanda trees. They themselves are natural climbers, vine swingers, and leapers; they are very well adapted for this kind of forest existence.

Introduction:

You fly safely to the Kurabanda village.  You are met by a party of 10 Kurabanda warriors.  They escort you immediately to Chief Auramada, who remembers you and greets you warmly.

But he is a proud chief used to being in charge.  At last, he asks, "Why do you come here among the Kurabanda?"

He asks for food to be brought as he awaits your answer.

Desiraye will address Auramada respectfully when he asks of their visit.  "It is a very serious problem that has arisen that threatens every race on this planet.  We have just come from the Ul-Mor and enlisted their help to fight against a race of beings that looks to destroy every living being on this planet.  We are going to everyone we can to try and muster an army to fight them.  We seek you and your people's help to fight alongside us.  Will you help us Auramada?"

The chief appears offended.  "The Ul-mor?  They were are sworn enemies.  What problem could threaten every race?  What is a planet?  Our tribe does not take orders from outsiders."

Desiraye starts again to try and answer Auramada's questions on his tribes understanding of things.  "Let me try and explain a little more Auramada.  The proiblem I speak of comes from a different place.  That's like when the Red Devil Pirates attacked your tribe members.  They were outsiders trying to take from you your freedom and well being, basically your forrest.  these 'outsiders' I speak of now are much worse than the Red Devil Pirates that attacked you!  They not only want to destroy what your people have worked so hard to builbut, everything else that has been done here.

We know that the races do not get along with each other but, if a war party isn't put together, there will be no more forrests for the Kurabanda to live in or even any Kurabanda left!  The other races face the same perils from their lands as well.  that's why the Ul-Mor have agreed to put aside their differences as being sworn enemies to fight along with us!  You would be in command of your own tribesmen Auramada."

Chief Auramada scratches his chin.  "I know of these forests more than anyone.  You seek to instruct me?"  He calms down a bit and says, "So these are like the demons from the stars?"  He thinks as though meditating.  "Yes, I see it clearly.  The gods are instructing me in this matter."

There is some whooping among the other Kurabanda as they think their leader is receiving some divine link.  He obviously does not want them to think he is ignorant of anything affecting their tribe.

After some consideration, in which you sit in silence and wait, he says, "Chief Auramada has decided.  It is much that you ask of us. The Ul-Mor were our enemies long ago. The Edestekai are no friends of ours. Yet you suggest we should trust them as allies in battle. No sane chief would accept such a proposal.

"There is, however, one way for you to get what you want. That is to retrieve the Sacred Idol. For he who holds the Sacred Idol is chosen by the gods to lead the Kurabanda in battle.

"The Sacred Idol was stolen many years ago by a demon in the form of a large bird. It was taken to the Demon's Temple in the forbidden area. If you go there and bring back the Sacred Idol, I and all my people will do as you ask.  It will be expressed as the will of the gods if you are able to retrieve it."

He sits smugly and waits for your response.

S'Krllk stifles a gasp at the mention of a large bird. He had once viewed an ancient communication concerning the life of a bug in which the climax featured a similar creature apparently feeding on something vaguely like himself.
But perhaps there are no clever ants on this planet to create such a situation, and they will be safe.

Frisky agrees with S'Krllk's assessment.  "My friend and I have inbred fears of ornithological creatures.  Yet we will get this idol to you to show you--and the gods--of our devotion to this cause to aid the Kurabanda."

"Then you must hurry," the chief says, "if there are but 10 days left."

Auramada offers you a guide to the "forbidden area" and such food and other assistance as the Kurabanda can provide.

He explains that you should not use your jetcopter.  Flying over the area is extremely dangerous; this is one of the reasons the area is forbidden. All Kurabanda who have tried to hang glide in the area have been killed by the Wind of the Demon, a strange disturbance of the air which upsets any type of flying device.

He introduces you to your Kurabanda guide, a pleasant fellow named Kulamonda, for your journey on foot through the forest.  It will take you two days' travel in each direction.

"How did I know this wouldn't be easy. Two days in, figure 1 day there, two more going back out. Thats 4-5 days at best leaving only say 5 more days to rally the rest of the planet. Do you think there will be enough time?"

Frisky says, "Have faith, friend.  There are three Vrusk here in our party.  That's all we need to accomplish anything!"

Lerku says, "Well, if we're going, we should leave right away."

Desiraye stands, "Then we must leave immediately is right!  Let's go through our gear and see what we need to take with us."

Desi heads for the jetcopters and takes out he gear and begins to go through it.

Personal gear:
Laser Rifle
- [10] 20 SEU Clips
- [1] 100 SEU Backpack [60]
- [1] power light
Maser Penetrator
- [5] 10 SEU clips
Stunstick
2 Kg's of TD-19
1 incendiary grenade [taking x1]
6 tangler grenades [taking x2]
5 frag grenade [taking x2]
7 doze grenade [taking x2]
1 rope (15 meters ea.)
1 pr. sungoggles
1 all weather blanket
1 bottle vitasalt pills
1 all-weather blanket
1 pair of omnoculars
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Thu 08 May 2008.

S'Krllk manages to get over the shock of facing the giant bird in time to wonder if the giant bird is a giant bird. Between the Kurabanda's proclivity for symbolic representation (i.e. "the Wind of the Demon") and the possible proclivity of the ominvox for translation to symbolics rather than literals, perhaps what is meant is not ornithological in nature at all.
Besides, to catch a thief it is necessary to identify the thief. Proper identification of a culprit is extremely important to S'Krllk, for personal reasons. Therefore, he will attempt to elicit a description of the "giant bird" from any available location while attempting to avoid stepping on any Kurabanda toes, or the cultural equivalent thereof.

"It does not sound like much time," Becka reasoned, "but we aren't left with many choices.  I suggest we hustle."  She smiles and organizes what remains of her gear.

Kri'lik takes his pack off and looks through his gear as well. After a bit he is satisfied that he has everything he might need given the current situation. "Looks like I'm all set." Looking at the forest about them and thinking on the hike ahead he says. "This will be an excellent opportunity to put my environmental skill to use." Checking to see that his compass and other navigational tools are functioning properly professor then begins talking with the guide about the upcoming trip. The aged Vrusk seems almost a bit excited.

"This sacred idol...sorry to be practical but how big and how heavy is it?  And what in the hell does it look like!?"