Kit runs a hand along her hair and considers. She has little stake as these men do, but her time with Shank had given her reason to join in their cause. His restlessness had made them both uneasy and Kit was more than a bit tired from her constant concerns, as well as other reasons. Turning her glance towards Shank, she canted her head and twisted her mouth. "Good plan?" She asks, not really sure what qualifies.

Shank listened but his fatigue was clear as he yawned and only after Kit spoke up did he realize they might be talking to him.

"If there's a fight to be had with the Frog King and another one likely with the kobolds, I think we should start with the area patrolled by the snake-men. It seemed to have quite a bit of what we might need and starting there shouldn't jeopardize the other locations. But I could be wrong and focused more on detection rather than another concern."

He was tired and ready for this damned curse to be gone...

"We need to avoid a fight with the kobolds if we can," D'Amboise replies to Shank, "but if we must they will undoubtedly prove easier prey than these snake-men.  I'd rather come to their leader from a position of strength, not bloodied and battered from a hard fought battle as we would if we took on the snake-men."

"You raise a good point," the priest nods at Thatch's words.  "Undoubtedly there are many conflicts between those who dwell here.  Perhaps our aid will be the price of what we seek ?"

He grins broadly.  "Any good soldier likes to get paid for risking his all !" he informs Kit.

"Besides, the kobolds may be allied with the snake-men or at daggers drawn."  D'Amboise shrugs.  "We won't know until we can parlay."

"Aye.  We can always fight later after bein' peaceful; much 'arder to be peaceful after ye slaughter a few."

"Easy to be peaceful when you've slaughtered a lot, though !" D'Amboise grins at his Dwarven friend.

"Though after the battles we've been in ... perhaps that is not a matter for jest."

"Trick to pick correct Abbil." Kit says, a hand raising to her chin in thought, before she uses it to cover her mouth in a yawn. "Natha bwael abbil orn xxizz, ka dos shlu'ta inbau mina ulu telanth. " She adds more to herself, narrowing her gaze as she tries to recall something about the previous days excursions that could help. It all seemed hostile and she can't help but doubt the hope of finding an ally among them, but there is always hope.

The priest smiles briefly at Kit, nodding his head. Although he cannot understand what she is saying it seems kinder to acknowledge her than to press the point.

The party discusses courses of action until it is time to eat. The captain smiles at the return of the scouts, and inquires of D'Amboise what their next course of action is expected to be.

Shank nods his head in agreement. "I see your point. We can't all go around trying not to be seen..."

He smiles at the use of Kit's native language and the other's response.

"I will follow your lead. Or, perhaps it is better said, I will lead you where you decide to go." His grin spreads even further.

In reply to Shank (msg # 431):

Thatch does try to understand what Kit says in her native language but alas just nods and smiles moving on to the subject, being at full strength against the kobolds would be best for thier numbers will be like ants, week in power but devastating in numbers.  I am sure making peace will not be easy but possible if we present a very strong case and keep an eye on our backs we could get something out of it.

The snake men, they will be a tough fight all over, I would like to try the lead with the Kobolds first.

Laughs, Shank OK, we will let you know where we want to go and you lead us with Kit's help then Ovo and D'Amboise will me our muscle and I'll do my best at supporting everything.

At diner Thatch awaits D'Amboises reply before mentioning anything.

D'Amboise reiterates the group's priorities for Captain Jenni Redclaw's benefit, listening to whatever advice she has to offer.

"First we would talk with the kobolds and their leader, perhaps ally ourselves with them ... do you know if the recognise if not respect the black flag of parlay ?"

"If not, and we find ourselves in battle, then we must hold our blows and try to subdue, not kill them - at least they might respect that we have spared their lives and then be prepared to listen to us."

The Captain and her crew know nothing of the Kobolds or their temple. The other tribe of mongrel men might, thought they would probably want a favor in return for any information.

In reply to The Dreamer of Worlds (msg # 434):

Softly asks, Mongrel Men helpful but yea favors can be interesting, wonder what kind of favors they would be interested in?

The priest muses.  "Aye ... it might be worth our while to talk to the Mongrel Men, if their counsel will assist us.  As long as the price is not too high."

"Nothing ventured ..."

"Captain, can you make introductions on our behalf or did my friends here already meet with the mongrels while Kit and I were off scouting?"

"Our next regular trade meeting is in a few days, that would be a sound time to make introductions Shank," she replies. "We send out some men to meet them half way, you can go along..."

In reply to The Dreamer of Worlds (msg # 438):

Smiles, Shank a good thought and yes, could another of our group go as well. Only two so as to not make it too many or or is that too much to soon?

A few days, that could get us time to prepare in case an unlikely attack happens while we wait or if we end up stirring to much trouble once we go looking.

"You could all go, if you wished..."

"Mebbe we should all go . . . so as to not split us up, in case we can act immediately from the meetin'.  Plus, if things go sideways . . . "

Ovo's voice trails off, but his intent is clear.

In reply to Ovo Goldenshield (msg # 441):

With a bit of excitement in his voice, that would be great if we all can go, you do not meet Mongrel Men or women everyday.

Looks to Ovo, very true on both points, and I agree.

So, in the mean time, we need to get our plans in order and possibly help around here, chuckles though sometimes our help is not the help one looks for.

Kit sniffed, wrapping her arms about her middle and nodding to the plan.

"Good. Good. Stay close to others. Good plan." Kit says, pleased that they will not be separating. Though Shank and herself met with no trouble, that didn't mean the trend was to follow. She shifted, pivoting from one foot to the other and crinkled her nose in some slight discomfort, then relaxed.

"Thus far we've only offended the Amazons," D'Amboise points out to Thatch with a broad grin. "There's still an entire underground city that don't yet wish to kill us on sight !"

The priest is very much in agreement with Ovo and Kit about sticking close to one another.

In reply to D'Amboise (msg # 444):

Chuckling yea, we seem to be slipping up if the whole underground city does not want our hide, coin or avoiding our service.

Well, I can use a dayor two to study up on my spells, but in the mean time, let;s gather all the info we can abou the activities of these city dwellers.

There patrol frequencies, and where they do it for all the known races/groups here.

If we can get any type of head count in numbers/strength, plus any prea arranged loyalties.

Like, that arena - who runs the fighting pit they have.

What we know of the frog king, the snake men, kobolds, bugbears andy any others including the Amazons.

Shank listened and then spoke, "We should all stay together unless it will delay us significantly. Each day we wait is another sleepless night for me. I have had some relief of late but I don't know how long it will last. Study if you must, but let's get on with this meeting as soon as we are able."

The priest nods at Shank's words.  "Need we delay ?" he asks Thatch.  "Days of study will not give us insights as to what favour these Mongrel-Men might ask of us - better we meet with them first and if then we must retreat and make our plans anew then so be it."