The Prologue (1941) - Part II

[jacemachine]

The GM sits behind his Screen upon which glossy images of the party are shown in full regalia, fighting against Nazis and cannibalistic natives.

The GM takes a swig from his bottle of blue Power-aid TM.

"All right," He says...

The party had traveled to this remote Guatemalan jungle village of friendly (and topless) villagers. The village itself was small, and it took no time at all for the collected group of the anti-nazi, occult-item hunting expedition to meet everyone in the village.

Except for the village chief, Poton'Onongtua.

Chief Poton is said to be in mourning within his large grass and stone hut. Behind the large skin of a black jaguar that hangs across his doorway, sobs can be heard with the breeze that cuts through the humid afternoon.

Chief Poton's daughter approaches. Her skin is smooth and youth is ripening upon her. With eyes as dark as her silky raven hair, she implores the group.

"forgive... my father. He does... not mean to... offend you. he grieves for the... loss of my ...brother." her English is passable. Her own sadness is apparent on her face.

The Village Shaman approaches from behind the girl. In a crisp British accent, they grey-bearded wrinkled man introduces himself.

"Good afternoon, good sirs and lady, I am Peter the shaman of my village and seer of many things." His gracious bow spoiled by his clothing of bright colors cloth and animal pelts. upon his head he wore a monkey skull fitted with beads and feathers and held in place upon his head with a leather strap tied beneath his wrinkled chin. "I see you have made the acquaintance of Koqo'palo, Chief Poton'Onongtua's only daughter. We are sorry for this shabbiest of greetings. My dear friend Mister Bones has explained to me your ordeals, and I promise you that this evening we shall slaughter many beasts and have a feast in your honor and to your good fortune." He smiled a broad smile... with one bottom tooth. "I however, will shy away from anything I'll need to chew, you see." A ragged wheezy laugh emitted from his lips as well as a rank stench that could only be his breath. "I assure you however that the villagers will see to your needs, and take you into their humble homes at nightfall. You won't need to be sleeping under the stars this evening, I assure you."

Already the sun was beginning to set in the sky.

"my... father has told me he will... greet you... tonight at... the feast."

[Nanshork]

Richard bows to the chief's daughter and addresses her with what is probably more respect than he has shown any of his traveling companions.  "We take no offense, I myself understand the pain that comes from losing family.  Thank you for welcoming us to your village."

He then turns to the shaman, raising an eyebrow after listening to his little speech.  "Peter eh?  I don't suppose that you're a real Englishman in this gods forsaken jungle?"

[jacemachine]

"Good gods, no. I learned to speak the kings English from quite a stodgy old missionary and his wife." Pete the Shaman said as he looked around at the group. "I knew that you would be coming, good sire & lady. I knew."

[ragincajun2288]

Pingo bows politely and then pulls Bones aside later when it seems inconspicuous. Making sure no one is looking he signs to him. -You know I cautious, always. Even here I feel danger upon us. Tell the others to not relax too much.

With that Pingo leaves the village to go to the spring he spoke of. He waits and sees if Eisen follows since he asked the way, if not he goes on alone. When he reaches the spring he hangs his belt and machete around a branch and lays his spear on a tree near the spring. He strips down, regardless of who may be around and enters the spring, not wading too far and begins rinsing himself off and washing his hair.

When he finishes he puts his loin cloth on and his straps across his waist and chest before continuing back to the village to rejoin his side at Bones. He would never leave the man for long unless commanded.

[Melblen_Cairn]

Getting to know some of the natives came easily to Rose. Between some of the natives ability to speak English and her rudimentary understanding of a related native dialect, she was able to communicate quite well. Helping with some of their daily tasks and assisting in treating some common maladies.

After the chief's daughter approaches and addresses the group, "A pleasure to meet you, I am sorry for your loss. I have lost some close to me so I can imagine your family's pain. How did your brother pass, if you don't mind my asking dear?"

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Eisen, calm and cold, bowed to the daughter and the shaman separately, and then started pissedly towards an open spot to lay out his equipment and clean out his gun. The entire time he'd been in this village, he cared only for the dis- and reassembly of his rifle, the upkeep of his equipment, and a quick wash and shave. Feasts seemed inappropriate for their urgency - after all, who knew how far down the river the damned Nazi boat had gotten? Where were they, ahead or behind? So many things bore asking, and Eisen was not in the mood to ignore it. He gave Richard a quick glance to communicate his agitation, and to read the man's own feelings, before unrolling his mat and taking apart his pack.

[Nanshork]

Richard meets Eisen's gaze and motions at him to be at ease.  These villagers are potential allies, or at least sources of information, and getting on their good side is in the group's best interest.

[jacemachine]

"my brother is not... dead... yet. i do not believe he is yet. he is lost to us anyway. he went down into the belly of the earth and has not...returned. gone now three days. we fear he is forever lost in the underworld." She says with a sad expression of acceptance.

"Yes, well. She is quite right. The chief's son Torkun went down into the sacred caves. Only his friend Balum came out. Balum lost site of Torkun after an attack by a sacred jaguar." Peter the Shaman explained. "Yes. Sad business."

[archangel.arcanis]

Mal will go sit next to Eisen. "Mind if I give you hand cleaning 'em? Betsy needs a bath too." He lifts his rifle slightly as if to remind Eisen who Betsy is.

[jacemachine]

The villagers busy themselves with the preparations for the feast, as the party goes about it's business. As the sun sinks the jungle takes on a more ominous feel-- the ever present chorus of insects are joined by hundreds of species of frogs.

Three large bonfires are built, and freshly cleaned and killed goats are spitted and placed at the fires for roasting. Soon the village is filled with the savory scent of roasting meat.

Peter the shaman approaches the group "If you will join me, I will escort you to the places of honor. Poton'Onongtua, the chief will be out shortly."

The place of honor, as it turned out, was a series of over-lapping mats of woven palm fronds. This area was beneath a well-made, but savage pavilion roof of thatching. The pavilion was joined by a series of similar mats, that join either side of the pavilion. These mats, along with the honorary pavilion encircled the largest of the bonfires, with ample space for villagers to pass between the mats to visit.

By the time the Chief finally made his appearance, the stars were in the sky above, and many of the villagers had taken their places.

Chief Poton'Onongtua was a portly, and short man. His skin was dark, but he did not have the layered wrinkles the shaman wore.

He wore a magnificent head dress made of bright jungle plumage and the bones of animals. He smiled at the visitors, nodding his head in their direction, but he looked hollow. He sat down at his place.

[ragincajun2288]

Pingo, cleaned and fresh from his wash, walks out with full gear and his loin cloth. His gait is confident and relaxed and the lines of his muscles were definite in the fire light. He takes his place beside Bones, crossing his arms, not eating, and casting a wary glance around him. He fingers the whistle at his neck, as if thinking he'll need to blow it soon to alert the others. Pingo sighs...he probably just needed to relax. He glances around, looking for strong drink.

[jacemachine]

The first course

A bowl of deftly woven leaves holds an interesting variety of interesting nuts, chopped fruits, seeds, and crawling beetles. The native who holds out the bowl to you smiles broadly, and grabs a chunk of fruit and a beetle up together, then pops them into his mouth. He chews in satisfaction, and smiles broadly again. “Oomb'popa.” The native tells you, or asks you. You aren't quite sure if it was a statement or a question.

Translation:

“Deeelicious!”

The first course is brought out to every PC as well as to the dining villagers. Peter the Shaman tells the group that there will be four courses to this feast, each more succulent than the one before. The natives watch the party members in anticipation to see if they will enjoy this food.

[Melblen_Cairn]

As the food begins to arrive Rose clasps her hands and murmurs a quiet grace to herself. Signing the cross just as the first bites are being taken.

Having been around native fare for a while now and after having to survive off of whatever she could find during her ordeal in the Jungle on her own the fare seems almost normal, so once the bowl reaches Rose she scoops a small bit of nuts and fruit along with a beetle and closes her mouth around them. With a crunch the bug gushes it's inside and mingles with the flavors of the fruit, in an interesting but none too unpleasant.

Nodding to the previous native she agrees and mimics his earlier expression, "Oomb'popa."

Not sure if I would require some from of check to see if she keeps it down or what. If so and she fails I will alter her reaction to it accordingly.

[ragincajun2288]

Pingo eyes the snack but only holds a hand out to refuse any. Not that he couldn't stomach it and the natives knew it too, he was one of them in a sense. Instead he keeps searching until he finds what he is looking for. A fermented drink made from the fruit of the jungle. Taking a gourd of it he begins to sip on it, the bitter taste of rotten fruit and ethanol sliding down his gullet. His eyes glance to the newcomer in the group, the female as she digs in and repeats the phrase. Delicious. Did she really think so or was she only being polite? Pingo continues to sip his liquor, waiting for another course to come out.

If you think Pingo's drinking too much after a while I can make CON or Fortitude saves if you wish. He plans on drinking. A lot.

[j0lt]

Dr. Loder's eyes bulge at the sight of live beetles being eaten.  When the bowl is passed to him, he grabs out a piece of fruit and a couple nuts.  "Oom Papa", his mouth stumbles over the unfamiliar syllables while he smiles uncomfortably.

[Nanshork]

Richard laughs at Dr. Loder's reaction and claps him on the back.  "Don't worry, it obviously won't kill you."  He seems to be fully relaxed for the first time that any of the group has seen him.  He grabs a handful out of the bowl without being picky and pops it into his mouth.  Swallowing with relish he says, "Oomb'popa, this reminds me of the jungles of Africa."

Despite his relaxed attitude, Richard's rifle is still within arm's reach.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Eisen was finally in clean garb, and looked to be in much better spirits than when he arrived. Freshly shaved, and with combed back blonde hair, he took piece by piece of the nuts and fruit with a cleanly, stern grace. He picked his food out of the basket slowly, and was glad none of his allies had dropped dead. Not that he expected the food to be poisoned, but he had become harder the last few days of trecking, and he hadn't quite gotten out of that cautious mindset. Despite that, he had noticed a blue, bright beetle in his handful of bits, and made it his first taste. "Hmm.... das schmeckt...." he muttered after an approving nod, finally saying in a loud enough voice to be properly heard, "Oom papa." He had little idea of what it meant, but since noone had corrected the doctor or the woman, he decided it was a positive statement.

[jacemachine]

Second course
Each on served upon a broad green leaf; roasted plucked parrots stuffed with grubs, red berries, and nuts. The birds retain their heads and feet, but otherwise look like chickens, or perhaps quail... except for the parrot beak of course.

The servings are brought around to each of the villages guests; clearly the largest of the birds. The rest of the villagers had plenty to choose from, and yet some were holding out for the next course.

(I won't for any sort of nausea checks on anyone, but if any of you feel like role-playing; feel free.

Tommy, if you plan on getting shitfaced this evening, I will much oblige you. I don't think that I will need you to perform any checks. Also, since you know Harrison Bones' original player [Frank] you may incorporate him into yours posts some if you'd like. He could act as a translator for you. I'll just yank him back anytime I need him.

Most of what I have planned for the evening are role-playing encounters.)

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Taking a hint from the villagers, Eisen aimed to pass on the bird; however, once it got to him, it looked to succulent to neglect. He took a small portion of  a bird, scooping a bit of grubs, nuts, and berries that he ate slowly as ever, watching the group. He stuck out, with his stoic nature, and yet seemed oddly to blend in with the natural way he took to the food.

[j0lt]

Loder gives a nearly audible sigh of relief at the sight of roast bird and digs in ravenously, even eating the grubs without hesitation.