(088) The Undervaults

[mushgnome]

Boggs casually puts his hand down his own trousers, to help the caveman feel at ease. In fluent and polite caveman-talk he says, "Hello cave friend. How you do? Meesa Boggs the Dwarf. Can you show us the way back to the surface? Trade you shiny-shiny." Boggs rummages in his pockets for a suitable item to barter and finds his signal whistle. "Look! Beautiful dwarf musical instrument. Very loud. You impress your friends!!"

[acodispo]

Brother Walfried does his best to appear non-threatening & even manages to force his stern face into something resembling either a grimace or a smile.

He listens to Boggs' communication with the caveman with bemusement.

[flightcommander]

Morin rummages in his pack and produces a roast partridge, and an apple. These are graciously offered to our host, with gestures to mime eating, and fingers pointed upwards to indicate our desired destination.

[waysoftheearth]

The caveman stands stock still a moment, while long-disused neurons struggle to connect, then grunts and comes back into motion. He pulls the hand out of his nether region and unconsciously flicks away a blot of dislodged smeg as he takes a loping stride forward, reaching out with the same smelly hand. "Gimme dat!" he snorts (in a little know dialect of Cave-Ee), snatching the whistle from Boggs . He holds it close to his face, sniffing, shaking, listening, and nibbling it to ascertain its use or edibility. "Shiny," he eventually agrees with disappointment, and unceremoniously drops it upon the floor as he stride over to grab the roast fowl from Morin. One sniff, then he stuffs half the bird into his gob and proceeds to deconstruct it in a manner most unbecoming...

Reaction check 2d6=5 (negative!) but adjusted +1 for the interesting looking whistle, and +1 for the food, makes 7 (uncertain...)

[acodispo]

Brother Walfried looks on, somewhat aghast, and resists the urge to ask what's happening.

[mushgnome]

"Yes, yes, all for you. Eat-eat. Now you help us? Show us the way up to surface?" Boggs asks hopefully.

[waysoftheearth]

I believe the convention is that if you get an "uncertain" reaction result, you need to up the ante in order to warrant a further check. E.g., M&M p6 <<An "uncertain" reaction leaves the door open to additional reward offers, but scores under 6 do not>>. Otherwise Cavey remains indifferent to you...

[mushgnome]

Alas Boggs has nothing edible to offer. What do the other players think about a "take us to your leader" tactic? Or should we count are blessings the caveman wasn't hostile, and move on? Any other bright ideas?

[waysoftheearth]

Well... he hasn't got to Morin's apple yet. Maybe that's the "prize"?

[flightcommander]

Indeed, Morin buffs the red fruit to a warm shine and presents it, with attendant drama, to the caveman.