Zhirrzh watched, fascinated, as the two octopi spoke in unison.
    "Damn," Zhirrzh had mumbled, "I don't believe it."
    As the first octopus approached him, Zhirrzh felt his heartrate suddenly quicken as he realized what it was the creature wanted to do.
    Now, looking directly at the approaching octopus, Zhirrzh speaks out so that the others can hear him over his chronocom.
    "They have apparently demonstrated another option for us to break the communication barrier. My impression is that it is some form of touch telepathy. The leader is approaching me, unarmed, and it seems it intends to try to use it to communicate with me."
    Zhirrzh swallows and mentally forces his heartrate to slow. "I'm going to let it."
    Brenon sees the Octupi dismount and approach Zhirrzh. Brenon remains as concealed as possible within the Explorer. His cross hairs trained on the Leader in case there is any trickery.
    Kah'liss watches the scene unfold 30 meters away. He takes the picture in and speaks to Brenon. "Interesting evolution for an environment such as this.  An octipi evolution suggests great water, as it's inherent land speed and defenses would be far too slow to achieve survival long enough to great a tool based society. In this desert environment, I would have to conclude that they are either wanders, or perhaps a radical climate shift has occurred recently."
        He continues to watch the encounter.  The latest twist elicits a comment, "Some form of Psionics, whether telepathy or mind control reliant on touch.  Such biological knowledge could make the Bio Company that taps this facet first, wealthy beyond avarice. "  He then remembers his place in the here and now as Zhirrih comments over the channel, "Yes, it does seem to help break the communication barrier.  But, will Zhirrzh speak the thoughts of the ambassador in our language, or merely repeat their thoughts in their language. And does it not beg the question that perhaps it is merely mind control, and then we will lose one of our more experienced fighters?"
    Brenon slowly looks up from his rifle and gives Kay'liss the 'eye'. Not saying a word, Brenon tries to relay via facial expression..that now was not the time to discuss 'Tool Based Societies & The Evolution Of Octupi'....
    Kahliss continues talking for a little longer before he sees the Evil Eye ... he ooohs and shuts up, pretending to casually return to his business....

    Telgar watches the Octopus creep up to Zhirrzh, keeping his hands by his sides and makes all his movements very slowly.  He doesn't want to startle the natives.  He does stay ready to draw his pistols at any moment in case of trouble.
     The Octopus creature slithers up to Zhirrzh, eyes locked on his. He makes a few gestures with his tentacles, but the meaning is lost. Telgar watches carefully, ready to draw his pistol if need be. The Octopus leans his large head forward, allowing the tentacle jutting from the back of its neck access to the back of Zhirrzh's head. The tentacle probes the back of his neck a moment. Zhirrzh tries to relax, formulating a plan of attack if this is some kind of trap.
    A very sharp sting. The tentacle penetrates Zhirrzh's neck at the spinal column. Zhirrzh begins to reach for his sidearm as the tip of the tentacle stabs into the fatty tissue surrounding his spinal cord. Zhirrzh feels a wave of dizziness overcome him, and he staggers to readjust his footing. Just as Telgar puts his hand on his pistol, Zhirrzh speaks.
        "Wait," he says, the initial wave of dizziness gone. He still feels a slight sting where the tentacle has pierced his skin, but it only serves as a slight discomfort. "I can understand it," he concludes.
    Brenon focused the scope to get a crisper image; Zhirrzh and the Octupi stared at each other for a moment and Brenon watched in awe as the Octupi made began moving it's tentacles about Zhirrzh's neck.... It was doing something to Zhirzzh's neck, then suddenly Zhirrzh's footing looked confused, disoriented, as if he were about fall..... the pain was etched accross Zhirzzh's face. Brenon took quick aim of the Octupi and aimed straight at it's bulky head...he slowly exhaled, placing his trigger finger in position...he began to slowly apply pressure....scratch one squid head.
    "Wait!" Brenon heard over his Comm Unit...."I can understand it!" Brenon immediately took his trigger finger off and watched the scene before him.....
    Zhirrzh, his feet steady once again, seems to stare off into nothingness as he communicates with the octopus. After a moment, he speaks.
    "Greetings Athru Sea People's Bane, I am Zhirrzh. The one next to me is Telgar Voronwe. In the moving structure behind us are, Brenon Moroue, Raleigh Thoms, and Kah'liss."
    Zhirrzh again is silent as the octopus apparently replies.
    "We are searching for four more of our kind that disappeared here."
    A look of hope passes across Zhirrzh's face.
    "You found one who looks like one of us? Which one of us?"
    "The Vrusk?"
    Zhirrzh pauses for awhile, then continues.
    "What was the Vrusk called?"
    "Was the Vrusk male or female?"
    "Did the Vrusk talk of any others that were traveling with it?"
    "Is there anything you can tell me about the Vrusk?"
    Zhirrzh shoulders visibly sag.
    "He's Ul-Mor and I'm not, right, I understand. Can you take us to the Vrusk?"
    "Well, have you encountered any other creatures like us?"
    Zhirrzh's fists clench in apparent frustration.
    "No, we have no need of additional food and water at this time. Thank you."
    Suddenly, Zhirrzh pauses and straightens his shoulders once more. "Wait, you said join right? If we join the Ul-Mor, will you be able to tell me about the Vrusk?"
    "How do we join the Ul-Mor?"
    "What is the Ritual of the Quickdeath?"
    "I need to tell the others what you have told me. Please give me a moment."
    Zhirrzh pulls himself back to the here and now.
    "Team, they are called the Ul-Mor. The one I am still in communication with is called Athru Sea People's Bane. The others are Fonn-Ar the Warrior, Arkadas the Red, Thurad Sandy Back, and Kahai Long Rider. They are a nomadic race that live in the desert and the surrounding wastelands.
    "He told me that they found a Vrusk near death in the wastelands, but by their law, they could not share food and water because it was not Ul-Mor. However, they allowed the Vrusk to join their tribe. They say it is now Ul-Mor. More than that, they won't say. All I get is 'The Vrusk is now Ul-Mor. You are not Ul-Mor.' They won't even answer the simplest question about it.
    "We can find out more about the Vrusk and even be introduced to the main tribe, but we'll have to join the tribe. He says that involves something called the 'Ritual of the Quickdeath.' Athru won't give me any details about it though. All he'll tell me is that all Ul-Mor males reaching adulthood must pass this ritual, as well as non Ul-Mor wishing to join the tribe. They're not very forthcoming with information unless you're Ul-Mor."
    Zhirrzh pauses. "What do we want to do and what do you want me to tell him?"
    Brenon lowers his aim. 'Damn' he thought, this was an odd scenario. "I hate this place", Brenon said aloud. Then thoughts to himself, 'It goes against everything I've learned........talking squid riding dinosaurs, this planet had one messed up evolutionary cycle, one that would make Darwin roll over in his grave.' The thought played about his mind for a bit til he
finally let it go and slipped back into reality....
    Reality....
    Brenon raises his wrist to speak into his ChronoComm."...well..., I don't like it but this might be our chance to find out what happened to the other expedition and save one of it's members.... it's also a chance to learn more about two species, one of which is aparently intelligent and can communicate via telepathic means.... all of which I'm sure our boss, Streel would find most interesting...   Zhirrzh, if we decide to take this route, I need three questions answered, "One, I NEED to know the details of this 'Ritual of the Quickdeath',if need be, tell him we may join but we want to know more about this. Two, Once joined to the Ul-Mor, may we keep possession of our gear? Our gear being our weapons, food, and transportation. And Three, I'm a little confused, Arthru says they could not provide water or food to the Vrusk because he was not Ul-Mor, yet, he just asked if we'd like additonal food and water..."
    "Last question first," Zhirrzh responds. "He did ask if we need food and water. He thinks that his race is the only race that can survive in this harsh environment. His condition for receiving food and water is that we join the tribe. Their law will allow for nothing else."
    Brenon replies to Zhirrzh's comment on the QuickDeath Ritual, "OK, well, if this Vrusk was on the verge of death as they say, and HE passed this ritual, then I'm sure any of us can in our condition. After you find out about the gear get back with me.......Brenon out"
    "Thank you," Zhirrzh says in reply to the questions the Ul-Mor answered. "Team," Zhirrzh announces, "they say we are allowed to keep our gear after we join the tribe. Also, I was able to pull a little more out of them about the Ritual of the Quickdeath. It seems that all young Ul-Mor must perform the ritual as well as  non Ul-Mor wanting to join the tribe. Several Ul-Mor take the test at the same time. He stressed that teamwork is of absolute importance to defeat the Quickdeath. The Quickdeath is apparently a creature. He says it's very quick, and very deadly. We'll have to defeat it in order to join the tribe."
    Brenon winces and shakes his head at Zhirrzh's answers to his questions, he liked the idea that the gear would remain theirs...and not be absorbed into the Ul-Mor... But he really didn't like the idea of QuickDeath, they'd already seen several 'QuickDeaths' of their own since planet fall; Pirates, Worm, Pirates, Sand Sharks. No they didn't need another QuickDeath. Was it worth the risk, risking the entire crew in order to salvage some information on a potentially previous team.... No Brenon didn't think so, and the fact that it was a Vrusk even made it more so less appealing. Then again, there was this growing yearning to know whom this Vrusk is....and if he was part of the previous expedition.... Decisions.....
    Brenon ponders for a moment, "Zhirrzh, ask Arthru if we will be permitted to use our own weapons against the Ul-Mor, or will we have to resort to their tactics? Using spears, rocks and what not?"
    "Right," Zhirrzh answers. He falls back into the mind-link, feeling it easier to move between the two forms of communication. "Athru, are there any restrictions on the weapons we will be able to use in defeating the Quickdeath?"
    After a moment Zhirrzh once more focuses on the outside world. "Brenon, we're not limited in the weapons we can use."
        'Oh...' Brenon thought to himself, 'These primitives had obviously never seen a beam weapon or the damage it can inflict....' He stole a quick look through a pair of magnigoggles, Nope, they are carried primitive weapons.... Well, his group would rip this Quick Death a new hole...
  Telgar breaks his silence and speaks into the chronocom, "I feel up to it if we decide to do this.  Could be advantageous to have a tribe on our side.  'Sides, we can probably learn a great amount of information from these folks about this planet, and as we all know, that means a bigger paycheck when we get back.  What's your thoughts?"
    Brenon listens to Telgar give his two cents.... Brenon nods his head. 'this might make for some good bonding time and lift
the teams spirit a bit. Zhirrzh, tell Arthru we would like to join his tribe..........tell him...... we'll take on this ritual of the QuickDeath...."
    Zhirrzh quickly informs Athru that the team would be honored to join the Ul-Mor tribe and that we welcome the Ritual of the Quickdeath.
    Raleigh throws the Explorer in gear and drives it forward slowly till they are within a few dozen feet of the others. Exiting the cab, he joins Zhirrzh and Telgar.
    Telgar gives a welcoming look at the team when they arrive; now feeling more comfortable.  He looks back at the Arthru/Zhirrzh combo for instructions on what to do next.
    Zhirrzh concludes the conversation with Athru. "He says that he is pleased. He says we must remain at least 100 meters behind the group, as we are still not yet Ul-Mor. We are going back to the tribe to announce the Ritual, and then they will lead us to the Ritual site, which seems to be across the Burning Lands near the Oasis where we rested."
    Kahliss watches the whole proceedings with mixed feelings of trepidation and excitement.  The opportunities to watch the customs of a tribal cultural from within the culture itself were worth their weight in gold-pressed latinum.  Moreover, they could learn greater information about this harsh planet from natives whose knowledge spanned several generations.  Wanders where the best source of information.  A virtual treasure trove, were the minds of these savages.
    Of course, to delve into this resource required passing a custom known as the Quick Death.  A not very pleasant experience, from the name alone. His mandibles stop in an open expression. Of course, there had been one human tribe that at referred to the sexual encounters as the Little Death.  Perhaps this was a similar activity.  The thought of how Male Octipi, Yazarian, Human, and Vrusk would accomplish that goal was just as frightening as the original image of being torn apart.  He visually and audible shakes at the newest possibility.  Judging from the reactions of the  others, He was going to have a chance to add the 'Quick Death' to his list of experiences.
    In the meantime, he updates his list of 'encountered' floral and fauna with the Octipi.  As he does so, he passes across the unfilled entries.  Most had simple descriptions of what the equivalent base creature might be.  The small snakes were not surprising, not the insects .. it was the four toed, medium sized mammal, that traveled in number that did surprise him.  Deserts were not the sort of location one encountered that sort of creature.  Whatever could fit that description, and survive here, must be one powerful creature.  He then continues to the end of his entries and adds the new one for the Octipi...
    Brenon pulls Kay'liss aside, "I want you to do a full medical workup on Zhirrzh, look for anything perculiar. Just wanna make sure he's got a clean bill of health and didn't catch anything from that Arthru character....let me know how it goes."
    Kahliss nods and takes his medical equipment to where Zhirrzh is.  During the trip, he spends as much time as he can, checking and rechecking Zhirrzh for any non-host genetic markers that might indicate a parasite or controller.  He also carefully examines the breech point, curious as to the obvious oddity of an organic device that managed to break the skin for direct neural contact and then seal immediately after removal.  His newest findings join the rest of his findings on his notepad.  Streel would certainly enjoy this place, with its host of evolutionarily unique organisms.
    Kahliss looked up, to scan the desert expanse. This was home ... what a sad thought.  Why couldn't he have remind a laboratory technician for his clan. In such a short time, he had gone from a respectable job in a major corporation, to king of the next sand dune.  In all likelihood, he was going to die here.  Pirates, Sand worms, Sand sharks, Octipi on Raptors, Quick Deaths ... what next, a 50 foot tall Tarantula?
    I want to go home...
 

    The party of Ul-Mor start off and head south. Giving them 100 meters head start, the Explorer pulls behind them and follows at the slow pace. Travelling through the evening, it is apparent the Ul-Mor need to soon develop motorized transportation. At the rate of nearly 30 kilometers a day, they are careful to treat their Loper mounts well and not overburden them. It is obvious they develop strong bonds with the Lopers, probably due to the close communication with the mind-link.
    Kah'liss finds no parasites or anomolies around Zhirrzh's neck. The mind-link did leave a small hole in the back of his neck, but a bit of anesthetic and Kah'liss cleans it up just fine.

[Random Encounter Roll]
    Evening   d10 = 2
        ENCOUNTER
                Who is affected? d10/2 = Zhirrzh

    During one of the breaks of the evening, everyone piles out of the Explorer to stretch and get the blood flowing again. It's a large Explorer, but it's still pretty cramped with all of the gear. Arkadas the Red rides up and says they will move once the Lopers have rested a bit and heads back to the group. Someone checks the Poly Vox (which the Ul-Mor agreed to keep on Arkadas so it would learn their language) and sees that it is still grinding away to break the language barrier between the two parties.
    Zhirrzh finds a comfortable rock to sit against. Just before setting himself down, he sees a cross between a snake and lizard spring from a small burrow in the sand, striking at the Yazirian.

[DieRoll Zhirrzh]
    Check for Surprise
        Intuition Check d100 = 75 FAIL
        Zhirrzh is Surprised.

    Zhirrzh is surprised by the snake, which lauches at his leg. Before he can draw his pistol, the snake attacks. It's a pretty large creature for a snake, extending about 1.5 meters in length.

[DieRoll Burrower Snake]
    Base Column +5
        Roll = 12    COBALT    3 damage     SKEINSUIT absorbs 2
        Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 43

[Turn 2]
Roll for Initiative
Zhirrzh d10 = 1 + IM = 6
Snake d10 = 1 + IM = 9
    Snake has initiative

[DieRoll Snake]
    Base Column +5
        Roll = 98    MISS

[DieRoll Zhirrzh]
    Base Column = +2
        Point Blank +2
        Adjusted = +4
            Roll = 62     MISS
            Roll = 94    MISS
            Roll = 45    YELLOW    6 damage

    Zhirrzh fires three quick rounds at the creature, striking it once. The snake lurches again at Zhirrzh, as the rest of the team grab their weapons and rush to assist. Zhirrzh feels a dull sting at his leg where the snake bit.
Zhirrzh takes additional 5 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 38

[Turn 3]
Roll for Initiative
    Team d10 + IM = 18
    Snake d10 + IM = 17
        Team has Initiative

[DieRoll Zhirrzh]
    Giving a deep Yazirian yell as he feels the poison flowing through his veins, he takes aim again at the snake...
  Base Column = +2
        Point Blank +2
        Adjusted = +4
        Roll = 62    MISS
        Roll = 24    BLUE  15 damage

    The burrower snake slumps to the ground as Zhirrzh's second shot digs deep into the creature's body. Zhirrzh grabs his leg and grunts in pain. "Kah'liss, this damned thing has poisoned me!"
Zhirrzh takes additional 5 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 33

[Turn 4]
    Kah'liss acknowledges and rushes to the Explorer for the Medkit. He quickly scrambles to Zhirrzh.
Zhirrzh takes additional 5 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 29

[Turn 5]
    Examining the wound, Kah'liss quickly uses the Medscanner to see what kind of poison, infestation, or infection the Yazirian has contracted. Everyone watches anxiously as the Vrusk tends to the nasty bite marks that are oozing a pale green fluid. Zhirrzh growls loudly, fighting against the pain. Several Ul-Mor are riding quickly to the party, Fon-Ar the Warrior leading.
Zhirrzh takes additional 5 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 24

[DieRoll Kah'liss]
Medical Diagnosis
    Column +3
        Roll = 39     PASS

[Turn 6]
[DieRoll Kah'liss]
Medical Treatment: Poison
    Column +1
    Zhirrzh's current STA +1
    Adjusted +2
        Roll = 56    FAIL
        1 dose Antitox used.

    Kah'liss' Diagnosis reveals the antitoxin needed and he quickly injects the Yazirian with the required hypo. Zhirrzh begins panting and frothing at the mouth. After a few moments, Kah'liss shakes his head. "The Antitoxin did not neutralize the venom." He glances to the others, a grim look on his face. "I do not know what more to do. More Antitox will have no effect." Kah'liss scrambles through the medkit and begins preparing a second hypo. "If the poison runs through his body and kills him, a hypo of Staydose will keep him at a level of subsistance," he explains quickly, noting with disdain the continuing degrading condition of the Yazirian. "I can then perform more extensive medical treatment. Raleigh, Biocort while I prepare the Staydose!"
    Raleigh, not believing the scene that was unfolding before him, immediately responds to the Vrusk. He rummages through the medkit and administers first aid to the Yazirian.
Zhirrzh takes additional 5 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 19

    Brenon curses. "No f_cking way!!! Not like this....not like this..." He drops to his knees and pulls the Yazirian up, giving Zhirrzh his knee as a pillow. "Hang in there, Zhirrzh," he pleads, "you're stronger than this." Brenon grinds his teeth and looks away angrily. All of the firefights, all of the near deaths he and Zhirrzh had been in....It could not end like this...
    The party of Ul-Mor ride up, bringing their Lopers to a quick halt and coughing sand into the air. Fonn-Ar and the two other Ul-Mor quickly dismount. Looking at the body of the snake and then at Zhirrzh, they begin squeaking in their language hurriedly. One of them digs into a satchel on his mount.

[Turn 7]
[DieRoll Raleigh]
Medical Treatment: Wounds I
    Roll = 15    COBALT    12 points healed
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 31
    1 Biocort used
 
    "Good, Raleigh, very good," Kah'liss congatulates, finishing up the hypo of Staydose and focusing attention again to the Medscanner. "His vital signs are still bad...heart rate up...blood pressure up...the poison is still flowing through him. My fear is the venom will attack and paralize the heart."
    Not like this. This was not fair.
    One of the Ul-Mor pushes through the crowd and stops at Zhirrzh. He carries a small vial and empties its contents, a white pasty salve, onto the wound on Zhirrzh's leg. Kah'liss immediately moves the scanner to the wound, pushing the Ul-Mor's tentacles out of the way. Before anyone can argue, Kah'liss explains quickly. "What they use may be poison itself to our bodys. I need to make sure it is okay." After a few seconds of scanning the salve, he nods and moves the Ul-Mor's tentacle back. The two bow faintly to each other, and the Ul-Mor continues to rub the salve in, flailing its other arms around and chirping in a seemingly ritualistic manner.
    Before everyone gets their hopes up, Kah'liss speaks. "The salve is of common organic compounds, probably herbal. It will not cure Zhirrzh. The poison is already flowing through his veins. It may relieve some pain but will not cure the problem at hand."
Zhirrzh takes additional 5 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 26

[Turn 8]
    Kah'liss keeps a keen eye on the medscanner as it reports the vital signs of Zhirrzh. Through small blood samples he keeps an eye on the potency of the venom. There is not much to do but wait the poison out. He studies the reports of the medscanner precisely and fully, and finally speaks. "The venom is losing potency, but it is still very deadly to Zhirrzh. I do not believe it will kill him, but it is still entirely possible. I am going to perform addition treatment on him. I would rather wait until the venom has dissipated, as I do not know how the drugs will react to the poison. But he is very weak, and I think it the best choice to administer further treatment."
    "Do what you think is necessary, Kah'liss," Brenon growls, trying to comfort Zhirrzh as best he can. The Yazirian moans weakly, his eyes roll to the back of his head. "Just don't let him die."
    Kah'liss nods and applies further treatment.
[DieRoll Kah'liss]
Medical Treatment: Wounds II
    Base Column +3
    Roll = 25    GREEN
        10 Stamina healed
1 Biocort used
1 Anaesthetic used

Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 36
Zhirrzh takes additional 5 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 31

[Turn 9, 10, 11]
    The team waits, giving what comfort they can. The Ul-Mor has retreated after performing its healing ritual, allowing the team privacy to handle the situation. They too have done all they can.
Zhirrzh takes additional 15 Stamina to Poison.
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 16

    "The poison has dissipated," Kah'liss announces. "Zhirrzh will be fine. He will obviously need rest; he's had a lot pumped into him the past few minutes." He looks to the corpse of the snake. "I will cut the venom sacks from that creature and analyze it. Perhaps I can come up with an Antitoxin that will be more effective if we are unfortunate enough to encounter one of these beasts again."
    Zhirrzh is placed gingerly into the Explorer and in minutes both parties are off again, leaving the near death encounter far behind...

Day 7 on Volturnus.

Random Encounter Rolls
    Day - d10 = 8
    Evening - d10 = 7

    Everyone else heals 1 Stamina as the day is spent relaxing under the what shade can be found. At Sundown, the party continues its southernly route, encountering nothing out of the ordinary this day. Kah'liss and Raleigh perform work on Zhirrzh and try to increase his vitals..

[DieRoll Raleigh]
 Wounds I on Zhirrzh
    Base Column +X
        Roll = 88    YELLOW    3 points healed
    1 Biocort used
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 19

[DieRoll Kah'liss]
Wounds II on Zhirrzh
    Base Column +3
        Roll = 58    WHITE     No effect
        1 Biocort used

Day 8 on Volturnus.

Random Encounters
    Day d10 = 6
    Night d10 = 10
 
    More medical treatment....
[DieRoll Raleigh]
 Wounds I on Zhirrzh
    Base Column +X
        Roll = 96   YELLOW    3 points healed
    1 Biocort used
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 22

[DieRoll Kah'liss]
Wounds II on Zhirrzh
    Base Column +3
        Roll = 41    YELLOW    5 Stamina healed
        1 Biocort used
        1 Anaesthetic used
    Zhirrzh's current stanima = 27 + 1 for relaxed day = 28

    A few of the Ul-Mor ride up to you. Thinking it is nothing more than another break, you are surprised when they want to mind-link. Brenon links with them and they explain that you are near the Ul-Mor camp. You are not permitted in the camp and must remain here. They will inform the Ul-Mor that you are going to undergo the Ritual of the Quickdeath and the group will be accompanied by others to witness the event. The Ul-Mor take off towards their camp.
    Using magnigoggles, you can see a camp of perhaps 200 Ul-Mor or more about 1 kilometer away. There are many makeshift shelters and herds of Lopers about. Nothing appears permanent and it is obvious that the Ul-Mor are a nomadic race. Looking around, who could stay in one place in the desert for long anyway? Surely the resources in one area is quickly drained.
    After a half day of waiting, the Ul-Mor ride back to you and inform you it is time to embark to the 'Place of True Warriors', where the Ritual of the Quickdeath is held. In addition to the original party of 30 Ul-Mor you encountered, another group of perhaps 100 Ul-Mor join in the journey.
    Continuing to remain 100 meters behind, you travel back to the Oasis, only this time the journey takes 4 days.
 
Day 9 - 12 on Volturnus.
    {{{ Telgar no longer suffers from the wounds penalty - Woo Hoo!!! }}}

[DieRoll Raleigh]
 Wounds I on Zhirrzh
    Base Column +X
        Roll = 88    YELLOW    3 points healed
    1 Biocort used
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 31

[DieRoll Kah'liss]
Wounds II on Zhirrzh
    Base Column +3
        Roll = 87    WHITE     No effect
        1 Biocort used
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 31 + 1 relaxed day = 32

   Day 9 roll
[DieRoll Raleigh]
 Wounds I on Zhirrzh
    Base Column +X
        Roll = 40    BLUE     9 points healed
    1 Biocort used
    Zhirrzh's current Stamina = 41 + 1 relaxed day = 42

    To conserve Biocort, Kah'liss elects to perform no more treatment on Zhirrzh and let nature take its course.

Day 10 - 12  relaxed day Zhirrzh current Stamina = 45
 

    You arrive at the Oasis and for the first time are allowed close to the Ul-Mor, as you all share in the Oasis and its cool refreshing water. The Poly-Vox has finished studying the Ul-Mor language and you can now speak without barrier. They say that when you are ready, they will lead you to the Place of True Warriors, which is across the Burning Lands. Since it is too dangerous to travel long on the Burning lands surface, Athru explains that the Ul-Mor have extensive knowledge of the many underground caverns in the Burning Lands. One such cavern leads underneath the Burning Lands and comes out in the desert, where the Place of True Warriors lies.
    The journey would be a few hours east into the Burning Lands to where the cavern entrance begins. The caverns are dark and twisty, so you are allowed to stick close to the Ul-Mor party as they lead you through them. However, your vehicle will not pass through the caverns, so it will be necessary to take only what you need for a three day journey, and the weapons you will face the Quickdeath with. Should you survive the Ritual, you will come back here and have the Explorer....

=============================================================
Referee's Notes

If asked, you are told the Vrusk was not at the one camp Athru led you to. The Vrusk is staying at a different camp.
In speaking with Fon-Ar the Warrior, he tells you that their party was an advance guard of the Ul-Mor. They are heading East to relocate camps in this area. There are several Ul-Mor tribes in the desert. They all get along and consider themselves all collectively as part of the "One", which is in all things.