[IC]Prologue 0.6: The Ancient Ruins

[Raiko]

The supplies are packed and loaded onto three of Eliza's llamas and the group departs early on Wednesday morning. Atauchi and Jackson leading the way, with Jackson's map having been marked up by Nayra. Husiy brings up the rear leading the animals.

According to the map, it is another sixty miles to the site of the ruins, tough going climbing though a landscape that is a mixture of grassy plains, hills,
valleys, and mountain passes. It is likely to be mid-afternoon on Friday by the time the ruins are reached.

The journey on the first day is enjoyable, hiking through spectacular terrain with views that stretch for miles. At one point the group spot a pair of magnificent Andean Condors circling overhead - a good omen as the birds are strongly associated with the Sun God in local mythology.

It is chilly at night in the highlands, with the temperature dipping below freezing even during late summer. It is fortunate that this little expedition is well equipped. The night passes by safely without incident however.

The Andean Highlands
Midday - Thursday 24th March, 1921

The morning of the second day passes much like the first, with the group making steady progress into the highlands. Then at around noon the peace is shattered by the sound of gunshots, probably from a rifle coming from some distance away, over the next rise. There are seven shots in total, then the quiet returns.

[Raiko]

OOC:   Do you fetch Larkin's crate of dynamite? Or leave it at Eliza's farm?

[Mr. Handy]

The first thing Amy does upon hearing the gunshots is to take cover. While the shots came from the other side of the rise, that doesn't mean that there isn't someone else on this side. Then she unslings her shotgun and keeps her eyes and ears open.

OOC,I think we should bring the dynamite with us.

[Silver Priest]

Marcus enjoys the trip as much as he can, which is not all that much. He's a city boy through and through, and he can't cope with this damn heat. There were some fantastic views, but it hardly made up for the hiking.

He's almost happy when he hears the gunshots the second day. Gathering his own rifle, he begins to move slowly and carefully to the next rise, where he could hopefully see what was going on.

stealth 60%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Marcus is not one to turn down more explosives either.

[Anatomist]

Dr. Sánchez readies his rifle and scans the area.

Spot Hidden 62%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   +1 on dynamite

[jp1885]

Also a city person, Cynthia doesn't appreciate the joys of the Peruvian countryside as much as she should, muttering under her breath about the intense heat during the day and the crippling cold at night. Nonetheless she has so far managed the trek without incident, despite her frail build.

The presence of the dynamite worries her. No doubt it would come in very useful, but Larkin and the kharisiri obviously planned to use it to blow up the remaining wards.

At the sound of shots, she loads her pistol and heads to Jackson.

"This could be a trap to lure us away. I'll go guard the ward, but we'll also need to guard the dynamite in case someone tries to reclaim it."

Pistol readied, she stands guard over the area where the ward is stored, scanning the area for anyone trying to sneak in to the camp. However she doesn't spot anything suspicious.

Spot Hidden 50,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Yes to the dynamite

[kabukiman]

Anderson is really excited, finally he will be doing something he likes: discovering ruins and ancient artifacts. He appreciates the landscape for it's beauty but gets bored after a couple of days.
When he heard the gunshots he gets his pistols. Seems the peace and quiet didn't last long.

[Zero]

Atauchi stoically moved to the highest point in his immediate area which he could discern and scanned the horizon with his binoculars. The sounds of gunfire could have easily traveled for many miles through this terrain and the man wanted to be certain before he recommended any sort of aggressive or evasive action to the group.

Spot Hidden (67%),[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Booyah, pass. What does he see?

[Raiko]

The Andean Highlands
12:10pm - Thurday 24th March, 1921

"I'll guard the dynamite," says John.

Jackson nods and those who are moving to the brow of the hill.

When they get there they can see a man crouching in the grass on the far side of the hill, about half a mile away. He is holding a rifle and is crouched over another person laying on the floor.

Through his binoculars Atauchi spots two other figures fleeing into the distance - they are probably almost a mile away, double the distance to the gunman and about to disappear over the next rise.

Atauchi cannot make out fine details at this distance, but the man with the rifle looks very upset. The person laying on the ground is covered in blood.

The ground between the brow of the hill and the man with the rifle is very exposed, other than occasional shrubs and a few large rocks there is little in the way of cover.

[Anatomist]

Seeing Atauchi peeking over the rim, Dr. Sánchez approaches Atauchi carefully not exposing himself.

What do you see Atauchi ? is it safe?

[Mr. Handy]

Amy holds her position, waiting until she knows more before she takes any action.

[jp1885]

Clutching her pistol, Cynthia cranes her neck to try and see what's happening, but nonetheless remains on guard.

[Zero]

Atauchi lowered the binoculars momentarily and glanced over in Doctor Sanchez's direction.

"Hay problemas. Veo que dos grupos, un par, tal vez atacantes, están huyendo. La otra pareja tiene uno que parece herido con un hombre armado parado sobre él. Podría ser un compañero. Parece molesto." he said in reply.

OOC:   As Sanchez is a Spanish speaker, I think it's more likely Atauchi would communicate with him in the language they have in common with the greatest skill.

OOC:   Translation: There's trouble. I see two groups, one pair, maybe attackers, are fleeing. The other pair has one who appears wounded with an armed man standing over him. Could be a companion. He seems upset.

[kabukiman]

Anderson is in the ground with his pistol to avoid been detected.

[Anatomist]

Atauchi lowered the binoculars momentarily and glanced over in Doctor Sanchez's direction.

"Hay problemas. Veo que dos grupos, un par, tal vez atacantes, están huyendo. La otra pareja tiene uno que parece herido con un hombre armado parado sobre él. Podría ser un compañero. Parece molesto." he said in reply.

<<Let's go and see, when the two 'attackers' are gone>> answers Dr.Sánchez in spanish.

He shoulders his rifle and starts walking towards the couple when the seemingly two attackers are gone over the far rim, if need be he will raise his hand sin the air to not threaten the troubled couple.

[Raiko]

OOC:   Anyone else walking down with Dr. Sánchez? Anyone staying concealed at the top of the hill? John, Cynthia and Husiy are out of sight behind the hill.

[Mr. Handy]

Amy, unable to understand Spanish, still doesn't know what's going on beyond the hill, so she stays hidden on this side of it for now.

OOC,Language(Spanish) roll (2% skill) to understand the conversation: [dice]0[/dice]

[jp1885]

OOC:   I think Anderson is lying low at the top of the hill isn't he? Or is it Marcus?

[jp1885]

Cynthia strains her ears to make out what's being said. She recognises certain words in Spanish, but is too far away to pick up exactly what's being said.

"They're talking in Spanish," she whispers to Amy. "But I can't make out what they're saying."

Listen & Spanish,Listen 50[dice]0[/dice]Language (Spanish) 41[dice]1[/dice]

[Silver Priest]

Marcus follows with Sanchez , keen to offer some support. He grips his rifle tightly, ready to raise it at a moment's trouble.