[closed] INTO THE WOODS.
At Ramir's request, Hellboy has accompanied her into the jungle, looking for clues as to this rising cult of Ryba. It's dangerous stuff, cults, particularly when those cults have a penchant for sacrificial mutilation: missing villagers can only spell disaster for the recruits themselves down the line, so it's best to nip this in the bud as quickly as possible.
Hellboy is worried about the missing half of their team, but until the storm dies down, there seems to be no better way to pass the time than walking around in creepy jungles looking for possible cannibals.
THE RESCUE.
After Hellboy's warning and the necessary preparations, it's time to rescue King and Ramir -- and as many captured Nalawi as you can. The camp is by one of the largest estuaries on Pu'ulai, camouflaged by native flora and hidden in the shadow of the volcano Nalalona. The cultists have removed King and Ramir's magitek jewellery, but the tracking beacons are still active, making it easier to find them than without.
The well-hidden camp is creepy, filled with ramshackle tents and poorly-made effigies. There's a pool in the middle of it all, filled with brackish, murky water. Ramir, King, and a small number of terrified-looking Nalawi are all bound, kept on the far side of the camp.
The cultists are all dressed in hooded black robes, doe and stag alike. They are all without their Gifts, but that does nothing to temper their ferocity at intruders into their camp. Despite their diminutive size, they know the forests better than any ALASTAIR recruit, and are suited to blitz attacks on any would-be rescuers; they may pop out of the underbrush in small, seemingly endless waves. They also have sharp hooves and the stags' horns are dangerous, capable of goring anyone who doesn't get out of the way of a charge.
The cult is surprisingly large, so it may take some time to defeat them all. Whether you want to spare them or destroy them is up to you -- but it's clear that the cult has no plans for mercy whatsoever.
EXPLORATION.
Now that the cultists have been dispatched (one way or another), the camp is free to explore.
If any cultists are captured for questioning, they'll speak in gibberish and violently lash out at anyone who comes too close. The only thing they'll say that makes any sense is that Ryba is hungry -- Ryba the devouring one has eaten all the lesser gods in the world long ago, and now she needs more.
All around the camp are various effigies (poorly crafted from dried kelp), shark's teeth, and other junk of the sea. There are tents scattered around that may be explored; they are filled with mundane paraphernalia such as books, combs, and other trinkets of sentimental value. If one didn't look at the horrors outside the tents, it might be confused for a refugee camp.
The pool in the middle of the camp is filled with black water and disembodied Nalawi eyes, its concentrated magical energy more potent than even the water out in the ocean. There is a single doe in it, floating face down, the latest sacrifice before the cultists were interrupted; not dressed in their black robes, she is one of the missing villagers who was not so lucky. If she is turned over, it can be seen that her eyes have been gouged out.
The surviving kidnapped villagers are badly shaken up but have no answers as to what happened other than they were captured by what they refer to as a "death cult." Apart from some slight hunger and dehydration, none of them are injured. They're just glad to be alive, and ask to be escorted back to the Pu'ulai temple.
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epidemiology2016-05-09 06:34 pm
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You'd expect gratitude, but no, he's glowering. He's got the sort of face where that could easily be his resting expression, but given what he then says to the treetops in general;]
I could have handled them fine on my own.
[What a jerk.]
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She jumps down from the branch swiftly, and takes her pipe from between her lips, folding the other arm across her chest. Unfazed. He can be as annoyed as he likes. ]
I'm sure you coulda, but I was right there. Should I've just left ya?
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... You could have focused your efforts on other enemies not in my immediate vicinity. There's plenty of them running around.
[There honestly aren't, they've actually fallen into a lull with that group taken down.]
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[ Here's a cloud of smoke drifting straight for your face, Law. Why are men so ungrateful? ]
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Who even are you.
[Said flatly, like her presence is actively inconveniencing him.]
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Tsukuyo. Pleased t'make yer acquaintance, Stuck-up-san.
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You can go back to whatever you were doing up there.
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If you're sure you'll be fine on your own.
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[He says as a Nalawi cultist emerges from the bushes behind him silently.]
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[ She's just going to wait and see if he notices the Nalawi. If he doesn't, though, she'll stab their forehead with kunai. ]
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Law turns around just in time to spot the cultist and belt them in the gut with his sheathed sword, bowling them over hard enough that they probably got knocked unconscious. It's a very large sword.]
... I would have taken care of that even if you weren't here.
[He gruffly defends himself as he turns back to her. It's a lie but she doesn't know that. Probably.]
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[ It doesn't actually sound doubtful or mocking. She doesn't know if she really believes it, but for all she knows he really could have noticed in time. No point making a fuss.
Since it seems the coast is clear for now, she puts her pipe between her lips and turns to walk away. Keep scouting the area. See if anyone else needs help. ]
I'll see ya 'round.
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Yeah. Though I suspect you'll see me before I see you, Tsukuyo-ya.
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She glances over her shoulder, a smile teasing at the edge of her lips. ]
Probably. Don't be ashamed 'bout that. I was trained to.
[ Ninja training does it. ]