The dry season arrives, slowing the Mighty River’s current to a relative crawl. The four Seekers have had time to travel along and wish each of their tribes farewell, hopefully not for the last time.

The map given to them by the Dawnshore’s shaman--copied from an original onto a scraped animal skin--shows the relative positions of known tribes. The throst territory has been added.
Looking the map over under the thin sunbeams coming through the green canopy, three cardinal directions present themselves.

To the west, past the throst, are mountains which no one has crossed in living memory.

To the south, beyond the jungle, are supposedly lands without trees.

To the north lies the deepest parts of the jungle and the Mighty River’s origins. The area is said to contain a beast of great power.

Right now, everyone is at Irezegab’s tribe’s home on a small island in a lake where the river widens out for over a dozen miles.

The head Shaman of The People, Klabenagab, nods to his protégé Irezagab, indicating that he should open the feast.  The younger man steps forward and begins to beat the gong, knowing just the rhythm to boost the sound until it becomes ear-shattering.  After four fours of beats, he pauses until the echoes die, and then four heartbeats more, while the listeners become eager for a release.

Just as the anticipation becomes almost painful, he speaks, his strong voice carrying to the far corners of the hall.  "Hearken, People, of the tale of Darkwater and Ixotl, heroes, valiant warriors of the lizardfolk, and Grumbling Bear, amazing druid of the skin-walkers, and their battle against the crystal man."  He tells of the poisoned water that threatened the entire tribe.  He speaks of the journey by a group of The People, including Irezagab, in which the vile Throst were weakened, but ultimately the brave band was defeated, and only Irezagab survived.

He explains his hope when a troop from the Bear clan, also investigating the poison, attacked the Throst and was similarly rebuffed, and his unlikely friendship with the irascible Grumbling Bear as they bonded in their captivity.  Finally, he describes the brave assault by the combined forces of the Dawnshore and Broadskull clans, who finally defeated the Throst and released the now-inseparable friends. 

"Just as our ancestors owed great thanks to these lizardfolk, so unlike us and yet so similar in their love of truth and honor and family, I, personally, also owe a debt of gratitude to these fine warriors."  The shaman continues with his tale of how the group of four, along with other brave lizard warriors, continued up the river and finally slew the horrible crystal man and his vile, black tree that was fouling the river.  He describes how terrible the monster was, how many were killed, how his own healing powers were completely spent.  "Sadly, I had to shake my head when Grumbling Bear took a wound I feared was fatal, for I had spent all my magicks and had none left to give him.  Yet he attacked anyway, reckless of his own health, and finally brought down the crystal fiend.  He lay, bleeding, and I bandaged him as well as I could, keeping him alive, only barely.

"Finally, the sun rose, and with the dawn of a new day the spirits brought me the ability to pull him back from death.  He and our friends, Darkwater and Ixotl, and I were the only combatants left alive to greet the sun.  We destroyed the foul tree that poisoned the river and returned here, glorious and healthy once again."

After leading The People in cheers for Ixotl, Darkwater, and Grumbling Bear, the shaman takes his seat.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:06, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

 The map that Darkwater carries in his lap is an artefact of rare and potent strength, a thing that carries more power than all the chants and weavings of his peoples most capable shaman, a thing more precious than any spell-sung knife or prayer-strengthened coracle. It is knowledge, knowledge of the sort that is only ever taught in song, of the sort that is held only little less secret than the songs that teach the movement of the stars overhead and how they can be used to plot a journey from one place to another, even across land and water that has never been trodden before.

 The original is not portable, cannot be taken... It lies at the very heart of the God-home, the great hall in the heart of the Dawnshore territory... Each stone that represents a people or a place whose spirit is mighty enough to Name brought from that place to signify it in the eyes of the Gods in a journey that was often the work of many months. Each stone is carved with signs and symbols to teach or unlock the songs that tell of the place they hail from, each is set with offerings for the Gods of the people from whose lands they came to welcome there, to their place in the God-home - for the Dawnshore travel far, and it does not do to disrespect the God of a place in doing so.

 The scraped-hide is that of the greatest fangbeast taken that year in the hunt. The pigment that was used to mark it mixed with dirt from each territory in turn. Each mark was lain with song and prayer, to expiate the transgression of copying the image of the God-home.

 But here it is, nonetheless. It must be carried and it must be guarded and most important of all... It must be extended, so that the Gods may have their payment for their mercy and permission.

 Rising, as Irezagab sits the tall Dawnshore hunter raises his voice to be heard "And when we came to the Eversea once again, we were told of our fate. Seekers, we. Once, only Dawnshore were chosen as Seekers, chosen to cross land and water, fire and shade in the search of new land, new people. But Irezagab and Ixotl and Grumbling Bear stood for the People of the River. They faced the unknown in the stead of the Dawnshore Seekers who fell, and in so doing earned their fates. The Gods have spoken, our journey commanded. Come first light, we shall set out, we four. May our journey unite us as the river has united our peoples!"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

It was difficult at times to ascertain just how much Ioxtl really comprehended all that had gone on.

There were certainly times when he followed along easily, offered sound input or advice, and seemed as engaged in their tasks as he could be. And yet there were other times when his eyes seemed to unfocus, and he stared blankly into the distance inured to all that happened around him. Yet this was not the trance of some healer or wise man, but the unthinking stare of a feral beast.

It was this latter mood that had dominated most of the evening. He ate and drank in great amounts, and he certainly appreciated the music, but he seemed pensive in his own way.

When the speeches started however he seemed to come around, and he listened, and nodded in approval as as Irezagab and Darkwater delivered eloquent and inspiring speeches back to back.

When the cheering and celebration from the last one wound down, and eyes turned questioningly towards him to see if he would speak, he stood and rolled his shoulders.

"I have seen teeth, taken as war trophies..." he began in the silence, to the puzzlement of some in the crowds. "And I have seen scales, and hair as well. Even heads taken in battle." he added in his slow rasping baritone as he looked out, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"But when the rock men see us from far off, and they see that we carry the yellow knife of their people." he raised the bronze sword high above his head, where in glinted orange and red in the glow from the bonfires. "They will know that they are not masters of all lands, and that there are tribes that will stand against them." he raised his other hand to brandish the sword horizontally in both hands.

They. will. know. fear!" he roared out, then snapped his jaw twice loudly enough to be audible over the din before he slowly sank back down to where he had been seated before.

When the old Shaman had declared him to be one of their Seekers Grumbling Bear had every intention to decline.  It was no business of his what lay beyond the borders of known lands.  It may be that, in time, the Wepwawet would migrate there as they followed the herds, but until then his place was with his people.  He had been about to speak when something happened.  A breeze that no one else seemed to notice swirled around the shaman and the bonfires of the celebration flared, sending shadows dancing wildly across the assembled people.  It seemed the spirits had other ideas of where his place was.

And so his return home was brief.  He explained what had happened to the elders, bid his wife and children farewell once more, and called his companion, Baloo, to his side.  The young bear had been restless ever since he was left behind to watch over Grumbling Bear's family.  But now he was called to adventure alongside his dearest friend.

Now Grumbling Bear watched as The People feasted.  At first they were quite put off by his appearance.  He supposed they didn't have the same traditions or understanding when it came to skinwalkers.  But after listening to Irezagab tell the tale of the journies and battles they had shared his appearance seemed to no longer matter.

As the other Seekers each stood to speak only Grumbling Bear remained seated.  He had nothing worthwhile to add.  Not to mention he had to skill with words.  Even when caged alongside Irenzagab he hadn't had much to say at all.  So even when eyes continued down the line past Ixotl Grumbling Bear remained seated.  On the one hand he was a representative of his tribe, but on the other hand it would likely be better for him to appear rude than to open his mouth and be both foolish and rude.

Earlier Grumbling Bear had nodded in appreciation at Irezagab's kind words and now he looked to him again hoping that events would carry on without him needing to speak.

After three of the four Seekers conclude their speeches, each to rousing applause, the crowd turns to look at Grumbling Bear to see if he has words to add.  Irezagab knows that his friend is not comfortable speaking; when their eyes lock for an instant, the skinwalker gives the slightest shake of his head, and Irez realizes that he should step in.

He stands and raises a mug to draw the attention of the crowd.  "My friend Grumbling Bear is a man of action, not of speeches.  However, his companion Baloo," he indicates the large bear behind the druid, has told me a few words to say on his behalf.  He asked me to say..."  The shaman pauses for dramatic effect, and then bellows out with all the strength of his lungs, "'GRRAWWRRRAAAARRRAAAAWWRRR!'"

Irezagab waits for the laughter to die down.  "We thank you, representatives of The People, for this fine meal.  As you know, once we defeated the Crystal Man and his poisonous tree, the Shaman of Eversea named us four as Seekers, a term that carries power with his people, and with ours.  He charged us to extend the knowledge of the lands around us, to find other honorable beings and develop relations with them.  I am glad to join this quest, and I thank you for the gifts you have bestowed to help us on our way.  We leave tomorrow for the unknown, but tonight, we feast!"

The next morning, Irezagab joins with the other Seekers.  His head throbs with the effects of the previous night's alcohol, and he seriously considers using one of his healing potions to diminish the effects.  "So, what direction shall we start?" he asks the others.  "The legends of my tribe say that the land to the south is perpetual ice, but of course, that is not true.  The winters are long and hard, but there is still a summer, there.  I am concerned, though, about the ice giants.  To the west is the end of the world -- it is not clear that those mountains can be crossed, nor that there is anything beyond them.  I would say north, deeper into the jungle.  There will be a greater variety of plants to learn from, and more chance of encountering new friends.  But I will be glad to go along with whatever the group, Darkwater especially, concludes.  As the Keeper of the Map, he should have, I think, the deciding voice in this discussion."

If I don't get a chance to say so before we leave, the last thing I will do as we leave the lands of The People is to cast Guiding Star https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic...pells/g/guiding-star which will give me three days of knowing exactly how far we are from the place I was when I cast it.  Depending on how helpful it is, I'll do this every third day and use that information to help Darkwater keep his map accurate.  I give up Summon Nature’s Ally II for that day to do it, so I only want to do it if it really seems to help.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:22, Sun 07 Mar 2021.

 The words of the bear generate laughter from Darkwater - it's strange, hissing laughter and his jaw hangs open as he produces it, but from one of his kind that's as deep a belly-laugh as any of the skin-folk produce and he happily strikes the shaman on his shoulder as he sits in appreciation, after which he largely gives himself over to the meal before them, the revels that draw them together and the attraction of the sleeping-furs when all is done.

 Come the morning however, he's up with the sun to sing it into the heavens as the Dawnshore prefer to do, letting the first warmth of their patron know that it is cherished by its children and from there he looks to address the questions of the Shaman, taking on a serious, thoughtful tone as he replies "Always, in my furthest journeying I have followed the water. I was hatched upon it, spent my life in travelling it... It is a path where no other can be found, a guide when even the stars hide their faces from us. If we go North, as Irezagab has proposed there will be water to guide us. I speak in favour of his proposal."

Thankfully, Irezagab was able to read Grumbling Bear's intentions and drew the focus away from him.  He was able to relax as Irezagab began to speak but he suddenly had to look at Baloo.  Irezagab said that Baloo had asked him to speak for him.  Irezagab had a powerful connection to the spirits.  Perhaps that was how he was able to speak for-  Oh.  It was a joke.  He smiled as the gathered people laughed.  Irezagab certainly had a way with people.

Grumbling Bear might not have had a way with people, but he certainly had a way with food.  When the feasting began Grumbling Bear participated with the enthusiasm of three men.  Soft spoken or not, both he and Baloo left a trail of destruction in the assembled food.

The next day, true to his name, Grumbling Bear slept late and sounded decidedly grumpy when he was finally woken up.  His head was clear by the time the Seekers gathered to discuss their first step into the wilderness.  Irezagab laid out their options and Darkwater proposed a route.

"Animals return to familiar grounds.  This is their wisdom.  They are strongest in lands they know.  We are the same.  We know the river.  We know the jungle.  We will be safest and strongest there.  Best to face unknown enemies in known lands."

Grumbling Bear spoke in short, stuttering sentences, and, upon finishing, looked fatigued.

Now comes the morning of departure. Each of the Seekers---except Grumbling Bear--has a chance to see the sun’s new splendor. Perhaps some of them wonder how many mornings they will see. Irezagab calls forth a briefly sparkling light that settles to the earth. Irezagab can feel the mystic tendrils to that one spot of ground, now.

Planning to set out north, Darkwater consults his precious map, even though he knows what lies there. At least it will be a favorable start. He has travelled into their territory three times already but knows not what lies beyond.

Whether they would share such information, or for that matter whether they would welcome his three new companions, he was unsure.

Darkwater waits until some of Irezagab’s tribe have piloted them all across to the northeastern shore of the river, to tell the others what he knows of the tribe that calls itself “gnoll.”

From his description of hulking, furred humanoids with faces like dogs but only with feral grins, Irezagab and Grumbling Bear have both heard of them. Only what they have heard is not as favorable. Other, completely migrant human tribes have described them as slavers, who take humans prisoner rather than slay them. The taking of freedom seems more cruelty than kindness.

After three days travel north, the river narrows down to less than a mile and tumbles fiercely over rocks. The rubble of stone covers the shores, too, providing a climb that is not steep but does have treacherous footing.

if you wish to cast another Guiding Light here, you can

At last, that afternoon, the Seekers arrive at the southern edge of the gnoll’s territory. The canopy lurks lower than elsewhere, perhaps only forty feet. A fallen tree exposes a sunlit glade. Tracks neither lizardfolk not human mark the moist ground in places.

I was going to have everyone roll Survival tracking to see if you can determine where the nearby gnolls are before they find you first. You have had to beat a 13. ok, one of you should hit that, so to continue…

The tracks of four bipedal creatures with pug-like padded feet lead to the north: two large and too small. The tracks are mere hours old.

you can either keep following the river north right behind there 4 or go NE to avoid them, but go deeper into the territory. either case, now you can really make survival checks (normal ones, not tracking) as you go one way or the other. remember, you all don't have to have a full discussion at every turn. anyone can choose, if they want to.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:11, Tue 09 Mar 2021.

 The Gnollfolk dwell - according to Darkwater - amongst the forested hills out of which some branches of the great river begin, and they are a strange and dangerous people. Their neighbours are the jungle-folk - the Vanara - and they have long believed the Gnolls to be as much spirit as flesh, their unnatural cackling amidst the trees a sign of a death to come or ill fortune hunting.

 His own experiences among them began when he drank Vanara fire-brew and made certain boasts, which led to him going into their territory and establishing a friendship with one of their hunting packs (a friendship he seems slightly hesitant about detailing too extensively, although his crest goes up a little and he seems a touch shifty about the matter). Even though he has a good grasp of their language by now however, and a number of packs have traded furs and polished stone for lowland goods, he's quick to warn that there are still dangerous individuals amongst them with a taste for the flesh of outsiders.

 He looks a bit shifty at that point too, truth be told and whatever he's being shifty about is enough to distract him rather badly, it would seem.

 ---

00:20, Today: Darkwater rolled 10 using 1d20+9.  Survival.

 First roll of the game, natural one. A fantastic start. ^_^

My Survival skill is 12, so I am automatic to beat 13.  In PF a roll of 1 on a skill roll is not guaranteed failure, so if your skill is high enough that a 1 succeeds, you don't even roll.

Irezagab notices that Darkwater's mind is wandering, clearly concerned about something that he hasn't shared, and he is about to step on some fresh tracks.  "Darkwater, stop!" he calls out.  "Sorry.  I didn't mean to sound so harsh.  You were about to step on these," he says, pointing out the footprints in the patch of soft earth.

"Of course, The People know about the gnolls, them being so close to our own territory.  However, our attempts to trade with them have never been successful.  We have ended up with a hostile peace, where we stay out of their land; they stay out of ours.  Our only hope of traveling through their land without being attacked is to approach them openly, offer a gift, and ask to be allowed through."  The shaman lays down his longspear, faces the direction the tracks were headed, holds out both hands to show they are empty, and calls out, "We are Seekers, traveling in peace."  He hopes that such an unusual group will pique their curiosity enough that they look to talk rather than just attacking.

Assuming that you followed the tracks beside the river for a little ways before announcing yourself, since the original tracks were hours old.

Not more than a minute after Irezegab gives his greeting, four creatures step out from behind the tree-trunks to the north. Though tall, they hunch over, with black spots mottling their brown fur. One carries a flint axe and a shield, the two smaller one carry crude bows, and the largest one -- somewhat over seven feet tall -- grips a long, two-handed spear.

In a language that sounds more like a series of barks and growls, the obvious leader of the band says, "What are you doing in our lands, slivok?"

Darkwater understands perfectly (even the slur for lizardfolk), but everyone gets the gist of it. They do not seem pleased but are not overtly threatening.

Darkwater, assuming you want to make them friendlier and since you speak the language, you might converse with them how you want and roll a Diplomacy check.

Everyone can make a Perception check, along with however you decide to contribute to the situation.

 "I have had greater fortune... Perhaps they could smell the fire-brew, or perhaps it's simply the training I had as a Dawnshore. I know how to make many people at least know what I wish of them, even if we do not speak a language in common." Darkwater answers, eyeing Irezagab with the sort of vast patience that says more eloquently than words, 'I know', although if he was going to say anything else then he's stymied by the arrival of the four newcomers, towards who he turns as he too shows his hands to be empty of anything but claws, letting them get their fill of seeing him before he takes a pace forwards and barks and snaps back at them in a growling, harsh-edged yipping tongue.

 "We do not trespass lightly, hunt-mother. We are people of many tribes, who fought the poison-tree on the Great River together." he begins, indicating each of those with him in turn and speaking their names "They are Grumbling Brown One, Irezagab and Ixotl. I am Darkwater, who has traded with Shadda of the Hunting People. We look to learn the lands around us, so that another poison-tree will not rise unseen. We seek friends and allies amongst the other People."

 ---

 Diplomacy: 17.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:06, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

The Wepwawet had few interactions with the gnoll tribes and each one always ended in bloodshed.  The migratory nature of the Wepwawet made them an easier target for the beastly hunters and slavers and though infrequent, it was not uncommon for scouts or hunters to not return when traveling near gnoll territory.  Grumbling Bear had never seen one himself but he looked forward to the opportunity to get a little payback on behalf of his tribe.

When the tracks were sighted he eagerly offered his wisdom and expertise when it came to tracking and moving through the wilderness.  The other Seekers would notice that the jungle almost seemed to part to allow him passage.  Twigs did not catch on him, vines and roots did not stumbling him, and thorns and brambles seemed to bend to not tough him.  Not even the soft earth beneath him left a trace despite his impressive height and weight.

Unfortunately, it seemed that diplomacy was going to be the first plan they tried.  Grumbling Bear was a little disappointed to say the least and he tried to keep the open hostility out of his expression.  13 Bluff to hide hostility.  Baloo, on the other hand, had no such ability to hide hostility and, upon sensing Grumbling Bear's hostility his hackles rose and began making warning sounds.

"Down," came the sharp command from Grumbling Bear and Baloo obeyed, though confused.  The others were trying to resolve things peacefully and Grumbling Bear did not want to cause trouble despite his personal thoughts on the matter about how satisfying it would be to tear out the throat of the big one.  The wisdom of the bear was a double edged sword because sometimes it said that threats needed to be eliminated.  Grumbling Bear could be patient for the sake of the others.

Even though the big female that Darkwater is talking to doesn't seem to understand the details of what he is talking about, she does seem to recognize that there is an importance to what he says.

Irezagab lets his companion do the try at communication and glances around.

That's when he notices three more gnolls, armed with short spears, flanking the party from the right. They halt when they are seen.

The other three members of the party see the reinforcements, now, too.

The leader looks at Darkwater and laughs, in a mockery of human laughter. "Thought we would take slaves, but your eyes see so well." She pauses. "No need to fight. We will let you cross the river here and then we no longer find ourselves at odds."

The river here is just over a mile wide, speeding up some before it hits the rapids you just passed.

When Irezagab notices the three additional gnolls, he nods his head in their direction, just enough to draw the attention of his companions.  Once it is clear that the would-be ambushers have also spotted him noticing them, he gives up any pretense and just stares.  Meanwhile, he brings the incantation for Entangle to mind, ready to blanket the area.

The leader looks at Darkwater and laughs, in a mockery of human laughter. "Thought we would take slaves, but your eyes see so well." She pauses. "No need to fight. We will let you cross the river here and then we no longer find ourselves at odds."

Although happy at the thought of putting the gnolls' territory behind him, the shaman grits his teeth, knowing there is no way he would be able to swim so far, even if his companions could.  He remains silent, keeping an eye on the known gnolls and also looking for any additional ones, and lets Darkwater handle the conversation.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:33, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

 At her words, it's Darkwater's turn to emulate a Gnollish laugh, producing an eerily good emulation of the high, whippoorwill cackle that serves them for an expression of humour as he grins back at her, fangs on clear display in a polite (to a Gnoll) expression of threat as he snarls and snaps his way through the reply "We of the great water swim better than the hunting people, but it is tiresome to dry out our tools afterwards. I think that we will walk to the edge of your land, and you should walk with us to be sure we depart in peace. If, on our walk we see prey, then we may hunt together and test each others strength, then eat side by side. Unless you would prefer to test us here? Grumbling Brown One is rarely shy to wrestle."

 It's generally polite to demand, rather than ask when dealing with their ilk.

The leader looks Darkwater in the eye as he talks, and her uncanny expression gives nothing away.

After a momentous pause, she says, simply, "I like your thinking." She raises one clawed hand and shouts to the others, "Ready your weapons. We will travel with the strangers. And hunt!"

The others seem enthused and start half-barking in a fashion different from their laughs.

"I am Kalagdika, First Spear of the Urzig." None of the other gnolls introduce themselves; some are already scouting the trail ahead.

"Maybe we'll get lucky and have a human to hunt. A challenge, to catch, not kill." Kalagdika's lips ride up past her fangs.

Presuming you all do brief introductions--she seems at least polite enough to hear your names.

The travel along the river proceeds, as the dragonflies buzz across the hunting party's path and shrill birds call from unseen branches. The smaller gnolls, whom the Seekers now realize must be the males, chatter quietly among themselves as the day passes. The females remain silent though they seem to communicate with some combination of finger signals and ear positioning. Each of you sights spoor along the way, but none to indicate any animal of worthy size.

The setting sun, free from the canopy, colors the Mighty River in rich reds and oranges. Then, a single grunt from one of the scouting females draws everyone's interest. The Seekers as well as the gnolls gather over a large partial print, clawless.

"Now we split up. A single pug-mark of a shar-beast drinking signals little by itself. Return here after dusk, and we will do the same. Any catch will do, but if you are as famous as you say, we will surely eat shar-beast tonight." Kalagdika cackles and then follows, with her hunters, to where her scout points, off further north.

Ok, so this is Wilderness Lore, Tracking. I will give a variable bonus to anyone who thinks of some way to go about this that I have not. Ha.

Oh, a shar-beast, for a gnoll, means a jaguar. A large one.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:21, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

 Gnolls, Darkwater has learned do not like weakness... Indeed, they consider it a precursor to consumption in most cases, and so he holds her gaze for the long moment of deliberation, and then flicks his crest back down with one hand when she voices her decision (it pops back up again a moment later of course) before hissing "Well met, Kalagdika." and then glancing to the others before issuing a translation of what was just exchanged - more or less.

 "The leaders name is Kalagdika, she is first spear of the Urzig. She wanted to run us off, but they respect strength and I told them we would walk with them to the end of their territory and we would hunt on the way. If we bring down worthy game, we shall feast together.", although he diplomatically leaves out the detail about hunting humans, which he rather takes as a test on her part - albeit one she'd follow through on if the chance arose.

 When the track is found however, he's quick to approach it and stoop, running his fingers through the dirt nearby to judge its humidity and thus the age of the track then clicking his jaws once, for attention - his mood and manner serious as he softly hisses "Shar-beast. A thing half of spirit. It hears prey coming, strikes from ambush, always from cover. It will strike for the back of the neck if it can... And water does not dissuade it." before looking around at the others and considering them, "One of us, as bait. I will do it. When it strikes at me, you will look to bring it down."

 ---

02:30, Today: Darkwater rolled 31 using 1d20+12.  Tracking.
 Who has Favoured Enemy: Animals? This guy!

Irezagab has no delusion that this gnoll captain can be trusted.  He spends the time not looking for tracks for hunting -- that is left to the group's ranger -- but in keeping track of the gnolls he knows about and looking for additional gnolls waiting in ambush ahead.  He keeps a careful count of the gnolls in the group, to make sure he knows immediately if one peels off to go collect reinforcements.

So there are 7 of them, total.  Right?

When the group stops for a midday meal, the shaman moves to the large kapok tree that is causing the small clearing in which they have stopped.  "Oh!  This is interesting," he says, indicating some lichen growing in its bark.  Under a pretense of collecting some of the lichen, he puts his hand on the tree and communes with it.  "Magnificent Kapok, I greet you in appreciation of the shelter you provide us."  After acknowledgement from the tree, he continues "I know you can sense these beings in your comfortable shade," he mentally indicates the 7 gnolls, 2 lizardfolk, Grumbing Bear, and Baloo.  "I would ask you, towering master of the rainforest, whether there are others like these, those who walk on two legs and are larger than I, nearby."  Thanking the tree for the information, the shade, and just its presence in the world, he rejoins the others, putting the leaf-wrapped bundle of lichen in his pack.

When Darkwater proposes to place himself as the bait for the jaguar, Irez objects.  "Darkwater, we will need your fine skills with a bow to bring the beast down safely.  Surely one of our hosts could play the role of bait."  Speaking in the tongue of the lizardfolk, he adds, "They will just let the jaguar attack you while they attack us.  We are too few to split up that way."

Ixotl, despite being generally helpful where he could, was not a very talkative sort.

Why was hard to say. He had shown on occasion that he was willing, even eager to talk, and at other times he seemed absorbed in inner thought. The last few days had been one of these more introspective periods, and he reacted to the presence of the gnolls with a sort of wary appraisal. Beyond that, it soon became apparent that he did not understand any of what they were saying and relied upon the others for translation.

When the discussion fell to the hunting of the Shar beast, Ixotl stood with the yellow knife balance on the back of his neck, his hands gripping the hilt and blade respectively.

"I can be the bait" he offered in his rumbling hiss, breaking his silence. "My hide is thick, and I do not fear this beast."

Ixotl does have DR, and his hit points and AC are respectable if we are looking for a meat shield.

"No," Irez hisses a reply to Ixotl in the Lizard's language.  "They plan to attack the rest of us while you are fighting the jaguar.  We need you with us."  He turns to ask the gnoll commander to choose one of their number to have the honor, but sees that they have already left to the north.  "They obviously intend just to ambush us.  I'm sure they just want to wait until dusk because their night vision is better than ours.  We need to be somewhere that they don't expect."

 Since Darkwater doesn't actually carry a bow under normal circumstances, the deception isn't likely to be a successful one... But a degree of careful suspicion and caution around one another is natural when two peoples meet, and he doesn't seem to feel that it's something to bring up as they discuss matters.

 That said, as the tongue of the Real People is used, he happily issues a modest shrug and replies in the same language "Perhaps. But the Shar-beast is no easy prey and they rightly fear it. I have spent time with the Gnolls, and they can be treacherous but they respect strength. If we fail in the hunt, I would not be surprised to be attacked... But if we succeed? Why else are we here, if not to bring our peoples together?"

Grumbling Bear had both hunted and been hunted by jaguars before.  They were a cunning adversary and not one he would go out of his way to encounter.  But, if hunting one successfully could secure them safe passage through otherwise dangerous terrain, it may be worth the risk.  The only question was if the gnolls could be trusted.  As far as Grumbling Bear was concerned they could be trusted any further than he could throw their leader with one hand.  Their ambushers appearing only solidified his suspicions.

When they were revealed his ursine features began to become more pronounced and he made ready to rush them.  The wind was stolen from his sails when the situation dissolved and his features reverted to their normal, mostly bear state.  The numbers wouldn't have been in the Seeker's favor, but Grumbling Bear was confident they would have had the upper hand in ability.

"We can avoid some danger.  I can calm an animal's aggression.  If the gnolls attack, the jaguar may calm/"

"How best to hunt an animal I leave to you hunters.  Do we plan, at least, to make use of the beast's flesh and hide?"  Irezagab has no qualms with hunting for food and furs, but he dislikes the idea of hunting an animal for sport.  "And I am unconvinced that the gnolls plan a competition rather than an ambush when we're distracted, but I will reserve judgement as long as you promise to remain wary."  He nods appreciation to Grumbling Bear, who, at least, seems to see the real threat.

The shaman confirms that his Ward hex is active on Ixotl, and he says to the warrior, "Let me know when you think the Shar-beast is near, and I will have Skrou fly in and relay a Barkskin spell to you.  A little thrush should not distract the animal.  The spell will last for 30 minutes, so we do not have to wait for the last second."  Turning to the others, he asks, "So what is the plan?  Where should we attempt to set our trap for the animal, ideally somewhere that we can't in turn be snuck up on.  Where should the rest of us wait, while Ixotl is tempting the big cat?  We need to be close enough to be there right away, but far enough that our scent doesn't scare it off.  Up in a tree, perhaps?"

Irezagab's questioning of the kapok tree grants the shaman the assurance that there are no additional gnolls around.

Several of the gnolls, as they depart north, give Grumbling Bear a look, as if to make sure he will not charge them when their backs are turned.

Once they are gone, Irezagab has time to place his Ward on Ixotl and to voice his concerns.

Grumbling Bear shares that he can calm beasts.

It takes merely a half hour of Darkwater searching the ground to find another pug mark, further east. Not much longer after that, the group finds a wad of deer fur. Darkwater, aware that the shar beast licks the fur off its prey before it eats, posits it might have hidden the remains of a meal nearby, that it might come back for.

In any case, he suspects it is near.

Ixotl takes the lead now, after Irezagab casts Barkskin on him.

The rest of you are back in a thicket about forty feet back that gives a good watch on Ixotl's path, but not as wide a view as could be hoped.

The spotted beast detaches itself from the shadows of a thick branch 14 feet up and springs down at Ixotl. All of you can see that the shar-beast is not a typical jaguar. It is heavier and has hard, pointed ridges all around its neck, like a collar. Also, its dotted fur shimmers with an undulation of unnatural grays and blacks.

Need a Perception and an Initiative roll from you, Ixotl. Go ahead and roll an attack and damage, too. Along with a 20% miss chance for its mystical partial concealment. Anyway, that will expedite the first round.

Everyone else will be acting in-game after the shar beast and Ixotl. But you can post whenever. Say what you're doing and roll any combat rolls, but don't post more than once until everyone else has posted at least once.

If Ixotl doesn't post in the next day, I'll just switch focus to someone else. I will add rules on how to expedite combat in a new Rules thread, tonight or tomorrow morning.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:00, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

 The very concept of hunting an animal for sport is an odd one, as far as Darkwater is concerned... One hunts for meat, of course. For hides and teeth and bones, yes. One hunts to remove a predator that might otherwise harm your own, or that might compete with you for your own prey...

 But sport?

 The notion simply never occurs to him, and he instead takes on the practical elements of the Shamans challenge to think their way into this encounter. He permits Ixotl to take the lead after putting forth a few arguments against it (the main reason for his wishing to do so being that it was simply his plan and he is ill at ease putting another at risk in his stead) and beyond that, he lays out the basic pattern of having their 'bait' proceed ahead of them at a short distance as they move from point to point, Darkwater using his uncanny tracking skills to guide them to where the creature should be lurking in ambush.

 It rather goes without saying that as they scheme, he fills them in on the inherently semi-spiritual nature of their prey (which, quite aside from any augmentation it may have from actual spiritual abilities is more than justified by its 'natural' prowess), warnings which are only confirmed by the shadows clinging to the thing when it reveals itself and leaps.

 .
 ..
 ...

 But despite his warnings, when the Shar-beast appears even he's deceived, his loping charge thrown off by the shadows that see his claws flash through darkness instead of fur.

 ---

Would have been a good hit, but I rolled a 2 and missed due to concealment. Grr. ^_^

01:29, Today: Darkwater rolled 12 using 1d10+10.  Miss Chance (1-2).
01:29, Today: Darkwater rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  Charge and leap!
01:28, Today: Darkwater rolled 7 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

In spite of expecting it and planning for it, Irezagab is surprised when the beast appears.  He starts towards the melee, but then remembers his plan.  He reaches into the ether and draws from it a giant frog which attacks the shar-beast.

5-ft. step, then cast Summon Nature’s Ally II, summoning a Giant Frog as close to the combat as I can.
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/besti...mals/frog/frog-giant
The spell is a 1 round casting time, so I don't get a move action but I do get a 5-foot step.

To save you having to look it up:  This spell summons to your side a natural creature (typically an animal, fey, magical beast, outsider with the elemental subtype, or a giant). The summoned ally appears where you designate (I have 30-foot range) and acts immediately, on your turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions as you command.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:27, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Ixotl. Heavy, lumbering and arguably slow witted. They had endured his company for many nights now, and while not unpleasant per say, it had grown more obvious that he was unable to follow the more complicated conversations that occured between the more astute members of their group.

His ornamentation was lack luster as well, bland and practical. Even his the armor of  of many bones that hung about his neck to cover his chest lacked polish, paint it beads.

But when the Shar beast flew down from above, a shifting shadow among the greenery if the jungle, it reminded even Ixotl himself that his strength lay elsewhere.

The Broadskull hissed menacingly and seemed to puff up the moment before the two made contact, and then he exploded like an awaiting crocodile into a blue of incredible violence and brutality.

A two handed chop from above that was just a blue of full yellow, the snap of a full mouthed bite sunk deep to the rear ranks, and the savage thrashing that helped to cleave the shimmering flesh from bone and to pull the vitals loose from their moorings.

06:23, Today: Ixotl rolled 12,6 using 1d6+7,1d6.  Bite Damage + Bleed.

06:22, Today: Ixotl rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Secondary Bite (if needed).

06:21, Today: Ixotl rolled 20 using 1d8+12.  Two handed Longsword Damage.

06:19, Today: Ixotl rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  Raging Power Attack, Furious Focus.

06:17, Today: Ixotl rolled 5 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.

06:17, Today: Ixotl rolled 25 using 1d20+5.  Perception.
06:32, Today: Ixotl rolled 10,5 using 1d10,1d10.  Sword miss chance (1-2),  Bite Miss Chance (1-2).



This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Ixotl moved ahead to lure their target into the open while the rest of the Seekers hung back to ambush the ambusher.  When it finally appeared they all moved to Ixotl's aid.  At a word from Grumbling Bear, Baloo roared and charged, his teeth seeking the throat of the beast.  Grumbling Bear followed more slowly.  He still expected the gnolls to betray them and kept a wary eye on their surroundings.  But as he advanced his body shifted, the fur coat covering much of his torso grew thicker and the line between man and bear blurred further as he summoned the power of his Bear Totem to enhance his defenses.

18:37, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Baloo bite attack charge.


18:38, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 3 using 1d10.  Baloo miss chance.


18:41, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 14 using 1d20+9.  Grumbling Bear Perception.

The massive cat leaps down on Ixotl, who has just enough time to turn and face the direction the shar-beast is pouncing from. It catches him in the stomach with one rear claw and its bite lands firmly in Ixotl's shoulder.

rear claw crit: 15 damage after DR; bite: 22 damage after DR

Ixotl responds by swinging his metal sword at the shar-beast's underside. It connects, as does Ixotl's bite, ripping  into the cat's exposed rear haunch. Arterial blood spouts from the wound.

As Irexagab starts chanting, Darkwater and Baloo charge. The lizardfolk Seeker finds his bite going wide as he misjudges the shimmer of the great cat's fur.

Baloo closes and finds it difficult to land a bite as the creature thrashes and turns away from Ixotl to run away into the nearby undergrowth.

Attacks of opportunity for Darkwater, Baloo and Ixotl. The thing is bleeding badly and pretty injured, at least enough to dissuade it from sticking around.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:24, Sat 13 Mar 2021.

 Darkwater's unsuccessful lunge may well have carried him past the great Shar-beast, betrayed by the shimmer of its fur but it's also positioned him well to reverse direction in a heartbeat as his tail swings one way and his torso the other, the great muscular counterbalance letting him turn far more swiftly than a similar humanoid could match, swiftly enough that as the Shar-beast attempts to flee Darkwater is on it, leaping and bringing his claws to bear in an attempt to sever its throat.

 ---

03:26, Today: Darkwater rolled 9 using 1d4+5.  Damage.
03:26, Today: Darkwater rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  Attack.
03:26, Today: Darkwater rolled 8 using 1d10.  Miss Chance (1-2).

With blood literally in his mouth and a terrible bite wound that gaped between his rent scales, Ixotl pulled the bronze sword away streaming blood, only to use the momentum to bring the weapon around again.

Over his head the blade flashed down towards the shimmering neck of the jungle creature, propelled with inhuman force, his red stained teeth bared in exultation and pain.

08:58, Today: Ixotl rolled 16 using 1d8+12.  Longsword Damage.

08:58, Today: Ixotl rolled 7 using 1d10.  Miss Chance.

08:57, Today: Ixotl rolled 17 using 1d20+11.  Critical Confirmation.

08:57, Today: Ixotl rolled 31 using 1d20+11.  Aoo power attack w/ longsword.

Whatever antler-like growth that rings the creature's neck shatters under the swing of the bronze sword, and gore pours forth as the creature stills... and falls.

In fear that the creature might escape the team's clutches, Irezagab changes the image in his head of the summoned creature to be a goblin dog, the fastest of the creatures he can summon.  However, as the shaman finishes his incantation, the shar-beast falls dead to the blows of the two lizard warriors.  The now-useless goblin dog twirls for a moment, but then runs off in the direction that Irezagab suspects the gnolls will come from in their ambush.  The summoned creature has an instinct to attack his summoner's enemies, and with the absence of any obvious, it channels his suspicions.

Irezagab runs to his wounded comrade.  "This won't take but a second," he murmurs as he casts Cure Moderate Wounds on Ixotl.  (Assuming nothing surprising happens in the next round...)  Seeing that the barbarian is still wounded, he channels healing energy, taking care to exclude the shar-beast, just in case it still hangs on to life.  The entire group can feel their minor aches and pains disappear; and the tiny, insignificant scratches they got from running through the brush all seal up.

17:49, Today: Irezagab rolled 17 using 2d8+4.  CMW on Ixotl
17:54, Today: Irezagab rolled 4 using 2d6+1.  Channel healing energy  (Ick)

The goblin dog will only exist for 3 rounds, so unless the gnolls really are planning to ambush us, they aren't at any risk.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:01, Sun 14 Mar 2021.

On the one hand, Grumbling Bear was disappointed at how quickly the beast fell.  But, on the other hand, given the wounds it had inflicted in such a short time, it was a good thing it had been slain so easily.  It was also comforting to once again be reminded of Irezagab's connection to the spirits and the healing magics that he commanded on their behalf.  Grumbling Bear, though not eager to need that magic again, was glad to have it around.

Calling Baloo back to his side, Grumbling Bear approached the rest of the Seekers.  His Totem Transformation would last for the remainder of a minute but it was no hindrance to him outside of battle.  If not for the Shaman's healing the wound that he observed on Ixotl's shoulder would have left an impressive scar.  He wondered what the lizardfolk's tribe thought of scars.

Grumbling Bear had his fair share from injuries that either weren't significant enough for healing magic or had been sustained when magic wasn't available.  Some warriors took pride in their scars as signed of fearsome foes they'd overcome.  Grumbling Bear had mixed feelings on them.  True, the injuries hadn't killed him, but he was loathe to increase his collection of gambles with death.  He had his family to think of, after all.

"Your courage is inspiring, Ixotl."

It took the Broadskull the better part of a few minutes to calm himself.

His nostrils flared and he snapped loudly at the air, his eyes unfocused and distant. As he gradually returned to some semblance of normally he twitched oddly and the color seemed to drain from him, leaving him dull and anemic before he finally thanked Irezagab for his magics, and Grumbling Bear for his praise.

He leaned heavily upon the yellow knife, and seemed to see the fallen Shar Beast for the first time, and cocked his head as he studied it.

"This is the first Shar Beast I have ever seen. Had it come upon us as we slept, it might have killed me. It's strength will nourish us, and maybe it will give the Gnolls something to think on?"

 "That it shall. It is large, even for such a creature..." Darkwater observes, moving smoothly to where it lays and setting his hand on the beasts shoulder, in time to feel its last breaths pass its muzzle - and as he does so crooning the soft, fare-well song of a hunter offering proper respect to the spirit of the prey.

 It takes no more than a moment and then he's carefully examining the slashed pelt, hissing in dry amusement as he remarks "A spear would have been better than the yellow-stone knife cousin. As fearsome as it is, it is no weapon for hunting!" while looking back over his shoulder at the other lizardfolk - a posture that shows off some of his own collection of scars, several of which appear to have been treated with charcoal or some other material in order to make them stand out more.

The Seekers manage to make it back to the agreed-upon site along the river, carrying the slain shar-beast strapped to a piece of wood hung between two of your company's shoulders. Full night has arrived.

Kalagdika waits there, alone, by a fire she is tending. A dead deer lays nearby, already skinned and dressed.

The tall gnoll stands up and greets all of you. It is hard to see her expression, but in any event, she raises her hand and the other seven emerge from behind nearby trees.

"You actually managed to slay it. And yet all of you still breathe. Let us eat, and drink fire-water."

The deer tastes delicious; the shar-beast less so. The meet has a certain tang of sourness.

Kalagdika suggests four watches, with two of hers awake and on of yours.

Anyone who actually drank fire-water sleeps soundly. If you don't, I'll have a nightmare to describe later.

Assuming you agree on watches, we'll just go in the order you post in.

 Lizardfolk see well at night, their eye-shine a mirror of the moon and stars whose blessing lets them do so - but usually less well in the full dark under the thick cover of trees. Darkwater is however, an exception (or so it would seem) as he moves through the deepest shadows with sure footing and complete confidence, serving to guide the catch-pole as the four hunters return to the Gnoll-camp, where he flashes a toothy smile at Kalagdika - just enough to be a slight threat, not so much as to be impolite by her peoples standards - before explaining in snarling Gnollish "I tracked it to its hunting grounds, where it leapt for Ixotl, who chose to go ahead and draw it out. Between us, it fell swiftly."

 He's content to rest and likewise content to sit out the night-watch, settling as the fire-water is brought forth (likely a strong fermented beverage, since the only peoples who have mastered anything close to distillation dwell in the highest places, where they can set out beer overnight and skim off that which does not freeze - making as they do so a powerful medicine and valued trade good) and he offers his own pouch of salt for the meat, being certain to cut the brain, the heart and the liver of the Shar-beast five ways (one for each of them and one for Kalagdika) while saving most of the heavier bones (with the sweet, rich marrow) for the male hunters - their jaws better able to crack them open than the travellers, and the treat a rare one when there are womenfolk around.

 He goes drink for drink with the matriarch as they feast and is happy to take up his turn as a storyteller when the time comes to boast but once the fire burns down he lowers his voice and settles into a watchful state, save for quiet conversation with whomever is awake with him.

If I read your post above correctly, Ixotl still has 16 points of damage after the healing I've already done.  I didn't want to go more than two rounds without a response, but I'll cast CLW on him right away (before meeting up with them), saving the two remaining channelings.  I'll use one of those just before going to sleep, and I see that's enough to bring him to full.  I'll include any injured gnolls, if they want.

20:18, Today: Irezagab rolled 11,9 using d8+4,2d6+1.  CLW and channel.

Irezagab casts another, smaller healing spell on Ixotl, concerned to have him close to full strength before the gnolls drop their ambush.  Hearing nothing from the goblin dog, he suspects that their inevitable treachery is going to be overnight, rather than while they are distracted with the shar-beast.  Clearly our warriors took it down faster than the gnolls expected, so they missed their chance to spring their trap.

When the group does meet up again with the gnolls, the shaman gives no hint of judging the deer to be any less, at least to anyone not well versed in human sarcasm.  "Ahh, it's quite a, well, I wouldn't say an overly large deer, but quite a good size, yes, quite satisfactory."  As the group takes their meal, Irez is very careful to say his blessing over every portion; he thanks the Good Earth for providing them their sustenance, while casting Purify Food & Drink on every bit they consume.  He takes a few sips of the fire-water, but not enough to be intoxicated.

During the meal, Irezagab checks to see if any of the gnolls looks injured.  If he spots any, then before bedding down, the shaman will offer to do what he can for the wounds.  If any accept, he makes sure to include them in the 30' radius of his healing energy when he channels it for Ixotl's benefit.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:43, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Grumbling Bear smiled inwardly as he compared what the gnolls had gotten to what the Seekers had.  He wouldn't comment, of course, because he hadn't helped bring down the jaguar and so had nothing to reasonably boast about.  Never the less, it was satisfying.

He kept a sharp watch on the food as it was prepared, not even trying to hide his suspicions that the gnolls might try to poison them.  He was confident that they hadn't snuck anything by him into the food, but the fire-water they brought out had been prepared already.  They could have added anything to that and he had been ready to simply drink water until he saw Irezagab blessing everything with Purify Food and Drink.  Then he drank, but only enough to be polite.  Too much fire-water could make them vulnerable to attack.

He could see the wisdom in Irezagab's actions to win the trust of the gnolls, but there was also wisdom in at least one of them remaining suspicious.  Between him and Baloo there was plenty of suspicion and he was confident that the Seekers would not be caught unawares by the gnolls whenever they decided to betray them.  When it was his turn to be on watch he was just as wary of the other gnolls on watch with him as the surrounding jungle.

The party keeps watch throughout the night with their gnoll counterparts. Not only does no ill fortune find them from the forest: the gnolls also keep the peace.

Two more days and nights of marching next to the river follow, pretty uneventfully. Sometimes the males fall back to where Ixotl is and look at him with awe, saying some unfamiliar words to him that seem more likely praise than pejorative.

Blackwater converses with Kalagdika a bit on the road and longer when the cammfire is lit. He discerns she cares greatly for the other gnolls under her charge, for all that she growls loudly at them when they are doing things backwards.

The Mighty River runs slower this far up; its span is nearly two miles. The other two ever-competent females join those Seekers who are suited to fishing with spears or, in Baloo's case, with bare claws. The last night's supper pleases everyone well enough.

Kalagdika admits to Darkwater that she had been ready to give the order to attack twice, but that the Seeker's obvious might stilled her hand. She gets out something from her backpack while the firelight flickers under the bare night. She hands to Blackwater a spiralling piece of what looks to be rare yunika horn, tipped with a bit of jade, about a foot and a half long. If you should find yourself in gnoll territory again, present this and mention my name. This will assure safe--relatively safe--travel through our lands.

In the morning, Kalagdika says, "This is where our ways part. It has been pleasant dining on shar-beast. The northern marker of our territory is a large rock shaped like an owl." Without further farewell, she leads her band east into the thicker jungle.

Marching north as instructed, about mid-morning, the Seekers come to an anomalous piece of granite, some twenty feet in height. Having expected the boulder to resemble an owl in the same way clouds in the sky might resemble a dear, they find the exact opposite. Someone carved this. Signs of erosion--over how long a period cannot be said-- mark it, but the detail is remarkable. Its breast faces the direction they are coming from while its head is turned to face the west, as if trying to look over the western mountains.

The Mighty River curves northwest here while to the north and northeast, the deep, unknown jungle awaits.

Which direction do you want to bear?
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:43, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

Irezagab holds off on making any more potions during the trip, because he does not want to spend the magical energy that he might need when the gnolls attack in the night.  He wakes each morning, surprised to have slept through the night.  When the Seekers finally say goodbye to the gnolls, the shaman grudgingly admits that they were honorable and that the trip was a pleasant one.  "We should still be careful, though," he says to his companions, maintaining a low voice that will not carry.  "It may be that they actually honor the tradition of guest rights, but they will have no scruples of hunting us as soon as we have left their lands."

When the group reaches the owl carving, Irezagab is fascinated.  "Who could have made this?  It must be one of the ancient powers who made it, carved it with magic.  No person, not one even as strong as the strongest lizardfolk, could carve so precisely in solid granite -- after all, what tools can even cut such a stone?  And for granite to show signs of weathering like this takes several centuries, at least!  My people still lived in the cold South when this was made."

As the group stops to consider what direction to head next, Irez communes with the tallest tree nearby, asking it what sort of people live nearby.  He doesn't really expect an answer that informs him much, since trees do not really pay much attention to the animal kingdom.  However, he enjoys the steady, calm power that he feels from the largest trees.  He also asks if the wise old tree can remember when the carving of the owl was made, but he is not surprised that the tree barely even acknowledges the statue, and says that it has always been there.

"I am happy to let Darkwater continue to choose our path.  If we decide to stay on the river, however, perhaps we should spend a few days, once we are well away from any treacherous gnolls, to build some canoes.  Before I took my oaths as a shaman, I spent some time apprenticed to the master canoist of The People.  I can not craft a boat as fine as he can make, but I believe I have skill enough to make boats that will float reliably."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:48, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

 Darkwater makes a point during the journey of sharing a few words of Gnollish and the traders tongue (Lizardfolk, for the most part) with the other Seekers and the Gnolls, especially those who offer Ixotl their respect for his courage or have questions to ask of the others. Beyond that, he spends much time talking to (or possibly flirting with) Kalagdika and sharing tales of their wanderings, exchanging the odd friendly if blood-curdling threat and even telling her something of his previous journeys into Gnollish territory. At her admission, he leans in to admit to her that his companions were sure of it, and that they were not a little put out that no attack was forthcoming, since all their precautions were wasted - for his part, he's simply glad that there was no need to harm her or her packmates and that they will part as friends.

 It is perhaps unsurprising that his idea of fishing involves being in the water as well... This leads to a certain amount of horseplay, once full bellies are assured.

 When the gift is offered, he accepts it with no small ceremony and from his own pack takes a shard of squared-off crystal, polished by the work of countless hours and etched around its edge with tiny figures in coracles journeying, extending it back to her and showing her its use "These sunstones are traded from a distant people. When held to the sky and moved so, you can see the light of the true Sun behind the sun, and so will never fail to know your way." he explains, answering rare gift for rare gift and doing so with obvious pleasure - for what better way is there to seal a strong friendship?

 And when at last they part, he does so only after offering fare-wells by name to several of the males and both other females, and from there he sets a good pace, looking to cover ground swiftly enough to get them out of their territory quickly rather than risk an encounter that might spoil their previously good relationship.

 The owl though? That does make an impression upon him, and he walks around it with obvious awe until Irezagab speaks up, answering him with no less admiration for his knowing something of the possible secret "I have seen the serpent-folk, the Nagaji of the dry lands do work like this, but even for them it is a task of many moons and undertaken only for holy purposes. Granite cannot fall before claw or fang or bone but it bows to time and sand, to water and frost... Crystal sand is poured upon the stone and rubbed, and over time the stone abrades. Wood is placed in the hole and water poured over it, and in the night-frost it cracks and breaks... I travelled with their holy ones who came to the God-Home and spoke with the shamans there."

 But when asked about direction? He looks to the owl, then to the mountains and thoughtfully remarks "I would see what the owl sees. We would need to cross the river, but that is no hardship for us..."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:44, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

Grumbling Bear's caution at traveling with gnolls did not wane for even a moment over the days they spent together.  Until the very last moment he fully expected them to turn on the Seekers.  More than once while fishing (a perfect mirror of Baloo) Grumbling Bear missed his mark because his attention was split between watching the fish and watching the gnolls.  It was not until Kalagdika offered them a token that could give them safe passage in future excursions through gnoll territory that he was forced to admit that he had misjudged the gnolls.  It stung his pride and the knife was twisted when he approached Kalagdika at their parting to admit it.

"I misjudged you."  Only three words, but they were honest and clearly left a sour taste in Grumbling Bear's mouth.  Admitting his fault, however, was preferable to simply pretending he had done no wrong here.  His words spoken, he turned and lumbered off grumbling wordlessly to himself.

His mood had rallied by the time they reached the granite owl.  The carving was exceptional but Grumbling Bear had no context for the significance of its creation.  The Wepwawet did not work stone beyond simple tools and weapons.  They made no carvings and left no monuments to mark their passing.  Outstanding detail aside, the carving looked like so much wasted time to Grumbling Bear.  Its creation put food in no mouths, raised no children, and sheltered no elders.

While the others admired the statue, Grumbling Bear observed their surroundings.  They were still in gnoll territory and Kalagdika's band was likely not the only group in the area.  And a distraction like the statue would make the perfect opportunity for an ambush.

20:33, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Grumbling Bear Perception.

After making the decision to cross, both the ideas of getting free of gnoll lands and building a canoe seem reasonable. One day's march upriver, and a night spent of wary watches, brings the Seekers to a clearing where a massive tree has fallen.

Darkwater and Ixotl assist Irezagab gathering the wood and bark needed, while Grumbling Bear and Baloo keep watch. All that is spied is a haru--a lizard that leaps around on its two rear legs. Rare to find further south, a little tracking and hunting yields a good evening's meal, after the daylong effort of binding the canoe together with tough vines.

If someone knows more about canoe building, feel free to interject.

That night proves a difficult one to sleep through, with the prospect of crossing the river and heading into truly unknown territory.

The band sets out early in the morning, for those who wish to use it rather than paddling through the water themselves. Between the the current of the river and some rowing, it is easy to come aground on the shore directly across from the stone owl by noon.

Once they have used some rocks to sink the canoe into the river by the shore, to preserve it, the party sets out west.

Ixotl leads the way, slashing at the intermittent brush with his metal sword, while an every-watchful Grumbling Bear brings up the rear.

When the canopy infrequently breaks, a little scouting by scooting up trees reveals that the mountains grow larger very slowly, indicating they are some distance away.

It's a rough half-day of march, maybe six or seven miles. At last, setting up camp seems a good idea.

Everyone give me a Survival check for the travel and a Perception check for the night's watch.

08:13, Today: Irezagab rolled 16,25,21 using d20+9,d20+11,d20+12.  Prof Canoe, Perception, Survival

Irezagab likes Darkwater's plan to follow the owl's gaze, but not the necessity to cross the river to do it.  The shaman shudders to remember his own attempts to swim, years ago, when his band of friends had dared each other to plunge into the lake.  His skinny arms and legs seemed to get no purchase at all in the water, and finally one of the muscular boys had to pull him out.  It was not an activity he ever wanted to try again, and the river was far too large to hope for a location that a fallen tree could span it.  Fortunately, Irezagab is able to convince the other Seekers to spend a day making a canoe.

To prepare for the day's work, in his morning communion with Skrou and other spirits Irez takes the Mending spell, passing up for the day the ability to detect magic, and the spell saves him rework several times during the day.  To cut the necessary flexible strips of wood, he borrows Ixotl's metal blade.  After some experimentation and a moderate gash on his leg, he figures out how to use it to cut the thin strips that he needs to build the canoe.  The shaman smiles as he remembers Keltrabin, the tribe's master canoist, and his thundering shouts when Irez tried to use a flint blade in exactly this way.  That blade broke in two, but this blade is four-fours times stronger.

With the boat finished, the shaman channels healing energy to fix the cut in his leg, to remove everyone's splinters, and to ease their muscles sore from the unaccustomed work.  The next morning, the boat proves its worth and they cross the river successfully, their supplies and their shaman staying dry.  The others each take some of the passage swimming, as the boat threatens to swamp holding all four of them.  The big bear Baloo could swamp the canoe by himself, but he is able to get some rest by hooking his huge claws on the side occasionally and getting towed along.

When the group stops to make camp, Irezagab has a happy conversation with the tree creating the little clearing.  It is bright and alert, more so than any other tree Irez has ever communed with.  It actually has a name, which the shaman tries to reproduce out loud, but he is unable to make the necessary bird whistle noises.  He can feel the good humor and kind thoughts from the majestic tree when he tries, and he returns the pleasant thoughts fourfold.  Of course, Skrou is able to whistle the name perfectly, and both the tree and the shaman take delight in the tiny plant-spirit.

Refreshed by his encounter with the magnificent plant, Irez volunteers to take first watch.  Feeling unusually well, he is able to keep a sharp eye and ear for any unusual occurrance.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

 Darkwater admits freely to his lack of knowledge in the matter of making a canoe, although he's more than willing to turn-to with the careful gathering of long strips of bark suitable for the hull and gathering long, thin roots that can be split and braided into cord to lash the bark together where sufficient length cannot be found, after which he mostly busies himself with the preparation of oars using some of the carefully fashioned stone tools he travels with for trade purposes.

 For the river-crossing itself, he delightedly swims... Using the canoe only to carry his pouches and bags and savouring the crisp, cool water and the chance to truly move through it as he did the surf of his childhood.

 On the far side of course, he's serious and professional once again, recovering his things and moving to lead the way as he picks out their route with the experience of a veteran traveller and once more offers to take the watch at the darkest part of the night, his eyeshine brighter even than Ixotl's and seemingly giving him greater comfort once the sun has gone down.

 ---

18:53, Today: Darkwater rolled 27 using 2d20 with rolls of 13,14.  Survival, then Perception.
 22 Survival, and then 21 Perception.

 Darkwater has 30' Darkvision, by the by. ^_^

https://www.native-art-in-cana...birchbarkcanoes.html

The night passed uneventfully, though Darkwater was rewarded for his vigilance with a dance of moths under moonlight.

The next day, Irezagab said farewell to the friendly tree. The shaman also spent some time talking to other vegetation in the area. Which seemed of no import until, as everyone set off to the west, vines and grasses curled around Grumbling Bear's feet. They seemed to embrace more than restrain him, but it was enough to set Irezagab laughing.

All were glad for the bronze sword, as the underbrush got thicker and the canopy lower. Toward the afternoon, Ixotl kicked some unknown object as he proceeded. Further examination revealed a fuzzy brown fruit about a foot and length. Irezagab immediately recognized it as the fruit of the cupuaçu tree. A quick break followed, filled with ripping open the course husks to get at the sweet-tart inners.

During the short rest, Irezagab took the opportunity to thank the forty-foot high tree. The general plant conversation followed, but the tree told the shaman: Toward the fading sun, many are the flower hunters.

A bit of speculation followed in the next hour of hiking, with some solid guesses at what the tree had meant.

Finally, the eternal cover of trees gave way to a wide field where the only stands of tree were those of the rafflesia flower. The arm-long blossoms lent the landscape the impression of spattered blood.

To the left, about 300 feet southwest, stood a fifteen-foot long, eight or nine feet high, narrow piece of stone peculiar in its sharply rectangular shape, though it had splits and erosion at either end.

What had first looked like a short, brown hill in the middle of the clearing straight west resolved into something that looked much more organic. Flying shapes--of indeterminate size--crowded around and on it. What they were became apparent when one of the foot long, black-and-yellow creatures landed on a rafflesia not so far from the Seekers.

Now I would ask for Knowledge (Nature) checks... and a description of how you wish to proceed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:50, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

08:57, Today: Irezagab rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  K Nature
Having read up on rafflesia flowers (which are growing on the trees, they are not the trees themselves -- they are parasites and have no root or stem structure at all) I'm going to make a guess what they black and yellow creatures are.  If this is not where you were headed, feel free to edit my post.

The Seekers could smell the rafflesia flowers before they saw them.  Grumbling Bear had to hold Baloo back from charging in, as it smelled like the rotting meat of a days-old kill.  However, once they saw the huge blooms with the foot-long insects buzzing around them, Irezagab immediately hissed at Ixotl and waved to the others to back away quietly.  "Those huge flowers are the source of the smell.  There is not actually any rotting meat there, the flowers give off that scent.  Klabenagab, my master, believes that they carry that stink to attract flies which then carry their seed away."

He pauses but then realizes that he is lecturing so he gets to the point. "Those creatures, however, are not just buzzing flies, they are Giant Mellifera   and they have a sting that could pierce even Ixotl's hide.  They aren't usually aggressive unless their home -- that mound there -- is threatened, but a swarm of them could take down an entire village."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:35, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

 Darkwater has seen many lands and been amongst many peoples, but all live under the tyranny of root and branch. Where they go is determined by the routes between the trees, where they build is bound by the presence of the great trunks... The power of the sunset knife to challenge that dominance is something he could not have imagined before the weapon came into their hands and the arrogance of it - as well as the humility it causes - is greater than he can readily put into words.

 As they come through to the edge of the clearing, Darkwater raises his hand to signal that they slow and then, as Irezagab voices his wisdom it's to the backdrop of the Lizardfolk wanderer going down to one knee and looking about himself before nodding and then looking over his shoulder at the others proposes "Back away, twenty, thirty body-lengths. There we will make a small fire and carry it with us. That will produce smoke, and if we do not threaten the nest it will keep them drowsy and at a distance, so that we can pass safely. I wish to look more closely at that hill."

 ---

01:11, Today: Darkwater rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge (Nature).

The group followed Darkwater's plan and, soon, each had a burning brand of green wood. With the aid of a favorable wind, the smoke given off did make the bees more quiescent.

Approaching the honeycombed hive, covered with sleepy bees, the Seekers saw that it stretched fifteen feet high and was mounted on the south side of a great cylinder of the same height, and about six feet in diameter.

Closer inspection revealed that the cylinder was made of the same metal as Ixotl's long knife, only with a slight layer of reddish-brown patina.

In four bands, from three feet up to seven feet, strange marks ran from left to right. They resembled the unique stamps on Darkwater's tribe's pottery, only there were several dozen varieties. Inch-wide grooves run between each band.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:46, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

 The thought that the bands are things that can be moved... Is simply one that does not occur to Darkwater. The very concept of a machine of two closely-fitted moving parts is one that he has never seen in any of his travels, and his people are amongst the most sophisticated in all the world, as a result of their wandering (they cannot duplicate the secrets of other tribes of course, and it would be disrespectful to their gods to try, but merely knowing a thing can be done is a great spur to thought). The most advanced technologies he knows of are still things of muscle and bone...

 ...but that does not mean that he does not appreciate the impressive workmanship of the sunset-metal pole, his voice quiet as he wonders aloud (from inside his haze of smoke, since he has no desire to disturb the bees further) "If it is from its wood that the sunset knife was made, it is the strangest tree I have ever seen... But perhaps it is a carved fence-post of the same wood?"

 ---

We're pre-agriculture here. I think we're at the 'wedge, ramp and lever' level here. I doubt we even have the concept of pullies, so this sucker is sci-fi crystal-tech inscrutable. ^_^
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:18, Tue 23 Mar 2021.

Irezagab congratulates Darkwater on the success of his technique with the smoke.  "I had heard that smoke can make bees drowsy, but I do not understand why and I have never before seen it in action."  Once they are close enough, the shaman studies the strange structure with amazement.  He and Darkwater speculate on the bands.  "Oh, I see.  You are right, Darkwater, those bands are not just painted on, but are a separate piece that wraps the bigger object.  It is like a slipknot, where the knot circles the rope but does not close on it."

He studies some more, his face contorting.  "You don't suppose the Giant Mellifera, the bees, made this?  They do make a very regular, very precise honeycomb, so they do have some building skills, or at least instinct to build.  But I have never heard of anything like this.  And the material -- the same stuff as Ixotl's sword, I think.  How could bees do that?  It must be some sort of gift from the Earth, but is it meant for us, the bees, or someone else?  Would we bring dishonor if we try to use it?"  After some more thought, he adds, "Well, we know that the sword is very strong, so this should be, too.  We would not cause it any harm by touching it, inspecting it, maybe even climbing on it."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:44, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

When Irezagab felt the strange material, it was cool to the touch.

Further inspection of the mysterious marks on the cylinder revealed that several repeated themselves. One that showed up more than once was a horizontal line topped by a semi-circle, resembling a rising or setting sun or moon.

The grappling hook didn't have anything to latch onto when that was tried, but Irezagab was able to climb up by standing on Ixotl's and Darkwater's shoulders.

The top of the cylinder was ever so slightly convex, but not enough to worry about falling.

In the top center was a recessed section about eight inches in diameter. Within it was a bright green stone with a flat surface, intricately carved. The facets caught the sunlight and reflected it. In a word, the stone was beautiful.

When Irezagab tried to touch it, his fingers were stopped by some sort of solid air.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:32, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

With the borders of gnoll territory behind them, Grumbling Bear began to find the journey rather pleasant.  Traveling on a river, in or out of a boat, was always enjoyable.  Even when the canoe wasn't exactly built with someone of his stature in mind.  When he wasn't swimming alongside Baloo he would have to center himself and sit very still to avoid tipping the boat.

He didn't take to the water as naturally as Baloo did and so Grumbling Bear was not nearly as disappointed that the river was being left behind as the currently grumbling bear.  Moving inland, Grumbling Bear settled back into the rearmost position of the Seekers as they traveled.  Quick to offer a word of advice in regards to making their way through the wilderness, he was otherwise content to let others lead the way.

With the appearance of the bees and the pillar Grumbling Bear stood at a distance.  Smoke was a common solution to bees, he was happy to see that even their larger relatives were as easily affected.  While the others pored over the very unusual pillar, Grumbling Bear kept an eye on the bees so that the group wouldn't be caught off guard by them reviving.

As the lightest member of the group by far, it made sense that Irezagab would be the one to climb up the 15 feet to peer into the cylinder.  Impressed by how nimbly and easily Darkwater was able to climb up on to Ixotl's shoulders, he tried not to show any fear as he climbed up first the barbarian then the ranger, up to where he could look into the interior of the massive object.  He was almost disappointed that it did not lead down to some secret underground place of magic, but when he spotted the beautiful green stone, all his fears and other hopes disappeared.

He had to ask Darkwater to lift him a little further, and he was able to scramble up to sit on top of the cylinder.  Reaching out to touch the amazing crystal, Irezagab's fingers were stopped by some sort of solid air.  Somewhat belatedly, he remembered to cast Detect Magic, and he was not at all surprised to see that it was magic stopping him from reaching the crystal.  He looked to see if the object itself was magic, and the entire cylinder, and, just to be sure, the bees -- perhaps they have acquired some magic by living here for so long.

I have to say that posting in past tense makes this sort of post more awkward, where I describe what I am doing and wait for the GM to tell me the results.  Present tense seems more natural for that.  But at least we're not trying to use future perfect, which I've seen some users try to post in. 
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

Behind the strong magic field covering the recessed opening, the green crystal itself gives forth overwhelming magic: brighter than anything Irezagab has ever seen.

The pillar itself radiates a strong magic; the bees, none.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:15, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

Irezagab describes to the others what he has seen and learned, not even trying to keep the amazement from his voice.  "I propose that we spend the night and another day here, perhaps out of range of angering the bees.  I can take a couple of spells that might let me know a lot more about what this is or might be good for."  After getting some help down, the shaman communes with the oldest-looking trees in the area, so see if they can tell him anything about the pillar.

Assuming the others agree, I'll take Visualization of The Mind and Greater Detect Magic tomorrow.  What time is it, now?  Do I have time to brew a couple of potions?  I can only brew potions for which I have spells already available, but there are a few of those left that I have supplies for.

 "I think that it looks like a roof-post... There are peoples who build for themselves huts like this, raising a central post and then laying others around it at an angle to form a roof and lashing them to lower posts around it in a great circle... The mightiest of their people, and their Gods may have a home in which two such posts are linked by a great trunk to form a long-house." is Darkwaters speculation as the little band performs their simple investigations, the Ranger assisting Irezagab up - although he only offers one shoulder, with Ixotl providing the other, because the two are stood side-by-side, as each tops seven feet when stretched up to their full stature and that permits Irezagab to get high enough to use the rings on the pole to scramble on top.

 Once they've finished with their initial study he thoughtfully goes on to add "We can look in the morning, yes... But first, if this is a roof-post, perhaps it is connected to the other thing." as he indicates the squared-off stone, some distance to the south and, when the Shaman is down, leading a small expedition to study it.

The flat, relatively narrow, ten-foot-by-ten foot wall of light gray stone stands only about 80 feet to the southeast of the cylinder, facing it. As the Seekers approach, they see that the broken and eroded corner reveals some different kind of dark stone underneath.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:15, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

Moving a good ways from the clearing (and the bees), the party settles in for the night, taking watches as usual. Irezegab uses his time brewing potions.

On Darkwater's late-night watch, he hears a faint crunch of leaves a distance from the camp; but nothing further comes of it.

Roll Survival (tracking) if you want to go check the area the next day.

The next morning, the Seekers repeat their efforts with the smoking branches and the facilitation of Irezegab to the top of the cylinder.

Casting his spells, the shaman cannot quite discern exactly what styles of magic empower the crystal and the cylinder.

Irezagab is, however, able to determine their mighty function, through the use of his mystically expanded mind.

The green crystal allows movement from one location to another without passing through the lands between. In turn, the cylinder channels, extends and directs that power.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

 Despite the curiosity raised by the noise nearby, Darkwater remains on guard over his companions through the night until morning frees him to investigate, which he does quietly and without fuss as the others rose themselves for the day.

 ---

08:04, Today: Darkwater rolled 15 using 1d20+10.  Survival (Tracking).

 Meh. +2 if it's animals though!

Irezagab has been so focused on the cylinder that he completely ignored the wall to the southeast.  Having related everything he was able to glean about the former, he finally walks down to the wall and casts Detect Magic on that, as well.  Assuming symmetry, he then checks to see if there is a similar wall northeast, northwest, and southwest of the cylinder.

Irezagab casts his spell and finds that, whatever unknown enchantment might be on it, the wall's energies are an exact reflection of the cylinders.

This near, the shaman can see that peeking out from the weathered-away gray stone is a kind that is colored a dull blue. On closer inspection, the stone feels much like the bronze sword's blade: smooth as water and cool to the touch.

Smoking brand in hand--though it seems the bees have little interest in him this far from the hive--Irezagab paces a circle to look for remains of other walls. He finds none.

As Irezagab began to use Detect Magic, Grumbling Bear did as well.  His knowledge on the intricacies of magic was rather limited but there was a chance he might be able to glean something as well.  Nothing was immediately apparent to him, however so most of his time was spent keeping an eye on their surroundings and making sure the bees remained a non-issue for the duration of the investigation.  While he definitely didn't feel he had much to offer at the moment, the monument was something unlike anything he'd seen before and, as Seekers, was the exact sort of thing they were supposed to be looking at.

He continued to speculate as to its purpose as the investigation continued and then, on a whim, directed a Detect Magic at the ground surrounding the pillar.  It was possible that the structure extended beyond what they could see and if there was more to it then a fuller investigation may reveal additional details that the exposed portion might not.

I made the roll for you, Bear. Just remember in future to roll stuff in the same post you do it.

Staring at the ground for more than a minute, Grumbling Bear finally discerns a faint line from either side of the wall. Slowly he picks one side and follows that direction. The lingering echoes of an age gone by are not quite diluted in the circle he starts to walk along. His spell ends before he can be completely sure, but there seems to be a ring underneath the surface, eighty feet from and surrounding the cylinder, of which the wall is the only visible part.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:25, Thu 25 Mar 2021.

"Irezagab, you may want to see this."  Once Grumbling Bear had completed enough of his loop to be able to reasonably determine that circle likely continued on to connect at the other end he thought it was prudent to inform the more arcane inclined member of the group.  If this were a natural occurrence then Grumbling Bear might have something helpful to add but when it came to magic Grumbling Bear only knew enough to use his own magic, not enough to explain any of it to others.  He could, however, speculate.

"The wall seems to extend all around the pillar below the ground and still has faint traces of magic.  It's possible the pillar is part of a much larger purposeful structure.

Grumbling Bear had seen magic cast collaboratively by multiple spellcasters when the spell was too difficult for one.  The structure clearly employed secrets that they had no knowledge of.  Perhaps the structure had been designed to function as the conduit to allow a single caster, or perhaps even a noncaster, to employ specific magics on their own.

Off to the left, Baloo sat and contemplated how much honey those large bees must have accumulated in their hive.  He wanted to investigate but between Grumbling Bear's warning and the very large, very sharp looking stingers on those bees he decided it would be better to take a nap while his companion did one of the many incomprehensible things he seemed so fond of doing.  Well, he'd humor him and his new friends until they were ready to keep moving.

Irezagab trots over, a little bit cautious that Grumbling Bear is looking for a little payback on the prank with the vines last night, even though Bear wasn't actually tripped up by them as the shaman had hoped.  At Bear's speculation, Irez casts a Detect Magic of his own (Hey, it's a cantrip.  I can cast it all day.) and starts walking along the line of magic the druid found.

Once he realizes that it likely makes a giant circle, he sits down in awe of whatever the maker was or is.  "I cannot even imagine the power that went into this -- it is so far beyond what anyone in my tribe could do, and I don't even comprehend what it does.  I just know from the age and the scope of the thing that it is probably incomprehensible to our mortal minds."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:16, Thu 25 Mar 2021.

 Finding nothing (apparently) after some modest span spent searching for the source of the noise, Darkwater moves back to rejoin his companions and look over their efforts, glancing from shaman to shaman and asking - not without audible respect for their own gifts - "What have you found?"

Irezagab resigns himself to the idea that he does not have the skill or the knowledge to understand the magical construct.  "Bear, do you have any more ideas of what we might investigate?  I feel like I've reach the limit of what I can comprehend."

Then he looks back at the bees buzzing around and considers his potion ingredients.  "But I was thinking...  Honey is one of the important ingredients for my healing biscuits, and that's just from regular bees.  We have a few now, but you know you can never have too many healing biscuits.  I wonder if maybe honey from these bees will make a more powerful potion."

Irez looks at Baloo, "everyone can see that Baloo is drooling there, he must smell the honey, and I'm amazed how you have kept him from charging in there."  The shaman lapses briefly into a children's rhyme, "Isn't it funny how a bear likes honey..."  He shakes his head to get back to the matter at hand and turns to the whole group.  "What do you think about braving our way into the nest, to gather a little of that sweet?"

As Darkwater heads west into the clearing to pow-wow with Irezagab and Grumbling Bear, he notices that Ixotl stands on the north side, a glazed expression on his face: perhaps lost in thought as he sometimmes is.

Irezagab fills in Darkwater and proposes the honey-stealing plan.

Then a cascade of high-pitched laughter comes from somewhere up in the thick trees to the north. Actually placing where it comes from is difficult.

Everyone roll Perception checks.

As Darkwater, Grumbling Bear and Irezagab turn to face where the sound came from, they notice Ixotl draw his metal sword, scream loudly and charge at Darkwater.

Everyone can roll Initiative and put in their action for the round. After everyone has posted, I will, again, summarize what happens in the round.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:52, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

 Darkwater waits for Irezagab to acknowledge him (let alone actually start filling him in on what's been found) with the patience of someone who's used to traveling long distances in small coracle boats or spending several days just assembling a working lexicon to speak with a new people.

 This leaves him free to respond at the find of fae giggling from the treeline, the lizardfolk turning sharply to open his jaws and start to warn the others...

 ... Just in time to catch a face full of berserker, as Ixotl charges him screaming, the Dawnshore trader immediately falling back into a defensive posture.

 ---

 11:57, Today: Darkwater rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  Perception.
 12:41, Today: Darkwater rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

Irezagab sees the blank expression on Ixotl's face and thinks that it is not quite his usual lost-in-thought expression, that something might really be wrong.  When he hears the cackle and sees the lizardfolk attack his own brethren, he realizes that the barbarian has been enchanted somehow.  Hoping that he can avert disaster, he quickly casts Sleep on his erstwhile companion.


11:11, Today: Irezagab rolled 14 using 1d20+11.  Perception.
11:04, Today: Irezagab rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  Initiative
Casting Sleep, centered on Ixotl.

Grumbling Bear had begun to explain his findings and speculations to Darkwater when the laughter began to ring out around them.  Neither he nor Baloo liked the tone of the laughter and both their hackles raised as they turned to try and locate the source of the laughter.  The situation only worsened as Ixotl began to scream and, drawing his blade, rushed Darkwater.  His first inclination was that he had accidentally triggered some function of the magical structure they were in, but it had happened immediately after the laughter which made him have to consider that it was simply the influence of a malevolent outside force.

His eyes continued to scan the canopies to the north as he summoned the power of his Totem Transformation.  His already thick hair rippled and grew thicker and covered more of his body.  He was hesitant to tell Baloo to attack a friend as Baloo would not understand the need to incapacitate and not kill so he hoped he could find the source of the laughter instead.

As his body changed into a form even more suited for combat he shuffled closer to Ixotl so that he would be able to intervene if he was unable to locate the source of the laughter.

10:59, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Grumbling Bear Perception.  10:59, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  Grumbling Bear Initiative.

Ixotl's primal shout drowns out the now-fading laughter, as he throws himself forward in a sprint towards Darkwater. The barbarian manages to reach the trader before he can even react. Ixotl slices his bronze sword down--two-handed--in a blow strong enough to have separated Darkwater's right arm but that falls slightly short and instead merely cuts open a large wound in his shoulder.

Irezagab, forewarned by his deep intuition, calls down the spirit of slumber on Ixotl, but the lizardfolk is unaffected.

Darkwater belatedly starts to dodge, at least hoping that it will help if there is another swing forthcoming.

The Seeker's shaman then feels a strange sensation wash over his mind, trying to strip away his rationality.

Grumbling Bear stills Baloo but himself takes on an aspect even closer to a true bear. As he carefully approaches Ixotl, he scans the treeline and sees a two-foot-tall black form with thin red stripes and bat-like wings hiding behind leaves fifteen feet up.


Ok.

Since Darkwater's flat-footed before his Init camme up, Darkwater didn't start dodging 'til after the attack. Wouldn't have made much difference, Ixotl hit AC 29. That's 16 points of damage.

Then I rolled a nat 20 for Ixotl's save vs. sleep.

Irezagab, you get to make a Will save DC 14 or you will spend next round just babbling incoherently.

Grumbling Bear, the creature you saw is 50 feet north of where you are, in addition to being 15 feet up. You are currently the only one who can see it.

Since Ixotl is at the top of the round, you get to see him come out of his rage with a confused look on his face.

So just post in whatever order; we will keep the same initiatives, obviously.

Assuming that Grumbling Bear points, everyone can make a new Perception check at +5 vs DC 23.

16:32, Today: Irezagab rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  Will Save.
16:33, Today: Irezagab rolled 31 using 1d20+16.  Perception at +5


When Irezagab sees his Sleep spell's ineffectiveness against Ixotl, he worries for Darkwater's safety.  He knows how strong and dangerous the barbarian can be.  When Ixotl cuts a deep gash in the Ranger's shoulder, Irez regrets not having his more powerful heal spell available, since he had taken two new spells for investigating the cylinder and crystal.  Ah well, that's why I make potions.

Suddenly, Irezagab feels an assault on his own mind.  His training immediately kicks in and he shakes it off, then he looks to see the source of the attack, a horrible demonling some 60 feet away.  He moves towards the creature, wracking his brain for an effective strategy.  He is too high in the air to catch with an Entangle.  I'll have to summon some javelins; perhaps their poison will slow it down.  As he moves he pulls out a wafer with the essence of Protection From Evil captured within it, and swallows it down, barely chewing.

Move action towards Demon, Standard action of consuming Protection From Evil potion.  Readying Thorn Javelin for next round, but meanwhile keeping my long spear ready, just in case it closes with me and I get an AoO.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:47, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

 It's more or less automatic for Darkwater - as he feels leather and scale part under the icy lash of the dawn-stone blade - that he should turn, sway and strike, coming within a heartbeat of unleashing a flurry of claw-strokes upon Ixotl before the confusion on his friends features - not to mention his identity - register and he instead reaches out to delicately take the dawn-stone blade from the other lizard-folk man, hissing "Brother, what is wrong?"

 ---

 If he's not resisting, I don't think it's a classic disarm, but if I need to roll things, let me know.

"There."  Grumbling Bear points out the source of the laughter and frowns.  He could climb the tree, but the creature had wings and could easily get away.  He had to hope that Irezagab had some means by which to attack it.  Instead, Grumbling Bear turns to face Ixotl and Darkwater.  It didn't appear Ixotl was going to continue his attack, but Grumbling Bear stood ready and was going to intervene if Ixotl made an aggressive action.  Of course, the only way he could think of to intervene is to incapacitate Ixotl.  But at least he didn't intend to kill him which wasn't something he could say with surety about Ixotl's intentions.

Readied action to attack Ixotl if he attacks.
13:30, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 7 using 1d20+6.  Grumbling Bear Bite.  (RIP)
13:31, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 6 using 1d6+3.  Grumbling Bear Bite Damage.

Ixotl seems to have calmed and surrenders his sword to Darkwater. The barbarian sees the cut on the other lizardman's shoulder and apologizes. "I don't know why I did that."

As Irezagab nears the creature, he can finally see it through the leaves. Two feet tall, its taloned feet clutch the branch beneath it. Black scales cover its skin, with red stripes over its stomach and chest. Its two arms end in hands with overly long fingers. As to its head, it resembles nothing so much as hawk, only with a second, smaller beak below the first and a white, bony plate where its eyes should be.

As it notices that its hiding place is revealed, it moves to the end of the branch for all to see.

In the shaman's mind, in a voice that speaks in the human tongue and sounds exactly like his dear grandmother--long dead--he hears: Leave our land. We will cause you no further ill, though our powers are great.

Rez can go ahead and make a Sense Motive check.
Also, it is a free action if you want to repeat what you heard, so no one should feel like they have to wait for anyone else to post.

This message was last edited by the GM at 11:52, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

How is Sense Motive not a shaman class skill?
08:18, Today: Irezagab rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  Sense Motive
08:27, Today: Irezagab rolled 11 using 1d20+10.  Diplomacy.  Umm, oops.

Irezagab looks at the strange creature, trying to discern whether it speaks the truth or if it is just trying to disarm for a fatal strike, but just at a glance he does not have a strong conviction either way.  "The creature says that it will not cause us any further harm if we leave their lands," he relates to the others.  Meanwhile, he casts Thorn Javelin, dropping his long spear just as the first weapon appears in his hand, but he does not bring the weapon up into a threatening position.

He tries to speak to the creature, but the combination of such a strange creature and it using his grandmother's voice in his head has left him oddly tongue-tied.  "You attacked -- a mind-domination attack -- unprovoked!  We are Seekers, traveling in peace.  Why?"

The strange creature replies to Irezagab, the same way as it "spoke" before: You say you are Seekers. Yet this last day you have done nothing but linger near our food source. Its second, lower beak opens and closes several times but emits no sound you can hear. We are Tsinoke.

From what Irezagab can tell, this... tsinoke seems to be sincere. Of course, listening to his grandmother's soothing voice may be a part of that.

Anyone who actually has Knowledge: Arcana (if anyone) can make a check to see if you have heard of the tsinoke.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:48, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

Irezagab stalls, hoping to give his comrades time to eat a Protection From Evil wafer and possibly to get some healing magic on Darkwater.  Grumbling Bear has been quiet about his spell selection, but surely he has some healing magic available.  "This magical device," he indicates the cylinder, making sure his gesture encompasses the whole thing and could not be mistaken for just the bee hive, "it is new to us, and fascinating.  This is just the sort of thing we hoped to find as Seekers, and we have spent the day studying and pondering it."

He pauses for a moment to give that a chance to sink in.  He assumes that the 'food' in question is the bee's honey, but he remains vague, just to be sure.  "We are not thieves and would not take your harvest.  We were interested to try some, but only if you can spare a bit.  We would gladly trade for it."

What you call "the device" IS our food source. And you cannot take possession of it. Leave now. My brothers arrive.

And the Seekers notice flapping sounds as three more tsinoke, slightly smaller than the original, arrive and settle high in the branches.

 "If the shaman is to be believed, it was because you were compelled." Darkwater states, examining the dawn-stone blade for a moment and then wiping his blood from it before leaning back over to Ixotl and pointedly sliding it back into the leather-and-fur wrap it's carried in, then lashing it back down with the fussy care of a mother seeing her offspring off to their apprenticeship making sure that they have all their tools...

 ...before he pads over, clutching his shoulder to join Irezagab where he's talking with the creature that the shaman appears to be speaking with, raising his own voice to call out "We are Seekers, as my brother here has said. We came in peace, and would leave that way... Speak, if you would of the ill that lies between us."

"Perhaps the conversation can continue after we've moved back.  I imagine there are few interested in trading words with armed men who suddenly appear at their cook fires."  It wasn't a perfect metaphor, but Grumbling Bear figures it will get his thoughts across.  The tsinoke might be more willing to negotiate when the Seekers weren't camping out on top of their food source.  Moreover, their winged nature will make them troublesome foes regardless of their charm magics.  Discretion was ever the better part of valor.  Grumbling Bear calls to Baloo who bounds over before he tries to usher the rest of the Seekers away from the tsinokes' territory.

Despite Darkwater's natural desire to come to an amenable accord with these creatures, Grumbling Bear's observation toward getting off their land wins the day.

One tsinoke flies above the Seekers as they set off again west, but it peels off after only a few hundred yards.

The greater part of the day is still available for travel. Continuing west for several days, at their leisurely pace, exploring every nook, they come upon gentle, normal wonders, like a winding trail of blue and pink orchids that intersects with their path until the intrepid band comes to a tributary river.

As there original plan was to go north, they head that way. Of note, Baloo finds a normal hive of bees and takes all the honey for himself, at the cost of needing to dive in the water to escape the ensuing swarm.

The jungle stays thick on both sides of the river, so Ixotl's dawnstone weapon comes in as handy as ever. Three days of such travel finally leads to a thinning of the trees.

The sharp-eyed shaman notices three curling pillars of soft gray smoke not much further north. A cautious approach finds the Seekers at the south edge of where the river has widened into a lake, nearly an hour before sunset. A village stands on the northwest bank.

So now you three current PCs can discuss what to do and our new player can enter in some detail about how the tribe reacts to the newcomers, depending on the approach. I will dip in with little assists as necessary.

Over the next two days, Irezagab makes sure that the team is fully healed.  He even heals Baloo, who got a sting on his sensitive nose and one inside his ear -- the only places that the tiny bees could get through the bear's dense fur.  The shaman did manage to grab a little of the honey for the brewing of potions, but there are still herbs needed before he can complete any.

As the group approaches the strange village, Irezagab is wary.  Even though the encounters with the gnolls and then the strange flying creatures ended with no harm to either party, he feels that the world is a more dangerous and aggressive place than he used to think.  He turns to Darkwater and Grumbling Bear, "Do you see the cook-fire smoke there?  Either it's a small village or a very large traveling group.  Do you want to approach with stealth or just to walk up boldly?"  He never even considers avoiding the strangers; meeting new people is the whole point of the quest in the first place.

The Seekers knew that Grumbling Bear did not have any skill at interacting with people, seemingly more talkative with Baloo through nonsense growling than with his humanoid companions.  Grumbling Bear also knew that he wasn't good with people.  And so, since they set out on their journey, Grumbling Bear had been practicing a joke.  When alone on watch he would rehearse and in the silence of the march he would go over his word selection.

When the cookfires were spotted he knew the time had come.  For a moment he was obviously excited but calms immediately after as he prepars to make his joke.  He turns to Irezagab and speaks.  "I am known for my friendly and non-threatening demeanor.  Perhaps I should approach them."

His facial expression is equal parts expectant and nervous as he waits to see the results of his joke about his appearance.

The shaman's eyes open wide when his friend makes the declaration, and he struggles for several seconds trying to hold his mouth shut, not wanting to offend if the druid is actually serious.  Finally, he sees the twinkle in Grumbling Bear's eyes which confirms that it is not a sad and pitiable lack of self-awareness.  They both burst out with explosive laughter, Baloo and Skrou also joining in on the fun.  At Irez's prompting, Skrou performs a perfect but much higher-pitched imitation, saying, "I am known for my friendly and non-threatening demeanor," and they all burst into laughter again.

"Well, I guess any hope of stealth is gone," Irezagab says, gasping and wiping tears from his eyes.  "We might as well just walk up.  They will probably think us a traveling entertainment troop, and they won't be far wrong."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:23, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

A woman bald, scaled whited with clay and dressed in the skull of a massive crocodile holding a great two handed axe in a resting guard position stared unblinking at them. Having appeared from behind them behind a tree [Language unknown: "Iore sana lo? Nt ti out ec?"]

---

Spoiler for language Nagaji: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Who are you? Why are you here?"

---

she hissed as she spoke with a forked tongue. She sounded stern, but not hostile, as many warriors might presented with those they didn't recognize. She seemed to be asking a question in her hissing language.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

Irezagab turns with surprise, seeing the odd-looking woman for the first time when she spoke.  Some Seekers we are -- so close to potential enemies and we are fooling around.  I can only imagine what Klabenagab would say to me.  He holds his longspear to the side, mimicking the woman's ready but non-threatening posture.  "Greetings.  We are Seekers, coming to form a trading alliance and bonds of friendship," he tries, first in Common, and then in the language of the Lizardfolk.  He waits to see if she understands, and he hopes that, if she does not, Darkwater will be able to find a language they both know.

 It's rare for Darkwater to run into something that he absolutely cannot communicate with or come close to talking around (eventually) but he bows to the necessity and moves on with the group, pausing each evening to encode the details of their journey into a travel-chant that's easier to call to mind - as well as to treat his wound, which he tends to with the contents of a small charm-bag he's been carrying from the beginning, one which rarely seems to lack for contents and whose aid soon as the wound closing over, leaving an unusual, clean straight-line scar quite unlike anything caused by fang or claw.

 When the band spy the cook-fires, he speculatively announces "It can be difficult, to make contact with new people but the first rule is not to come unannounced. Be seen and give them time to see that you mean no harm, but also give yourself time to see how they respond.", only to give Grumbling Bear just a look of dry amusement before frowning at Irezagab, as if baffled by something he has said, asking "A travelling what?" because precious few people ever leave the lands of their tribe or learn of others*.

 But of course few people listen and fewer still care and then Ikshanahatya appears and Darkwater's already turning to hold up both hands, taloned yes but also empty as he moves smoothly between the others and the newcomer, hissing a soft "Be quiet a moment." at Irezagab then beginning - as he has so many times before - by touching his chest and hissing "Darkwater.", then indicating (with an open hand) each of his companions in turn, "Ixotl. Grumbling Brown One. Irezagab."

 ---

* Paleolithic. I think the whole idea of 'go around, meet people' we're doing is so novel that the Gods are making us do it. There probably aren't wandering troupes, although maybe bards go between villages of one people sometimes. ^_^

A language barrier is problematic to say the least.  Grumbling Bear's hopes that it was only he who didn't understand the woman's words, but it didn't look like anyone else was faring any better than he was at deciphering her meaning.  But, unlike earlier, when he'd had no spells to help the situation, this time Grumbling Bear had exactly the sort of spell this situation called for; Share Language.

He would have to cast the spell and touch the woman for it to take effect and he'd have to do so in such a way as to not be perceived as hostile.  Perhaps he should let his bear side temporarily fade away.  The idea put a sour taste in his mouth but it was very possible that this village had no traditions involving Skinwalkers and would find his unblessed form less threatening.

Sighing, he made the shift from his bear form to his fully human form.  He lost almost a foot and a half of height as well as a significant amount of mass as he became a man of average height whose most noteworthy trait was how not noteworthy he was.  Exceptionally average, he had no particularly defining characteristics.

Thus reduced, he began to cast his magic.  He took his time with it to make it clear he was not trying to gain the upper hand with some manner of surprise attack.  The magic was slippery being cast so slowly and it took more concentration than normal to make it work in addition to taking several times longer to cast.  But, anyone with any magical knowledge would be able to identify the spell Share Language.  As he cast he would walk until he had crossed half the intervening space between himself and the woman before extending a hand towards her.  Should she touch his hand the spell would activate and he would share with her the language of the Lizardfolk with her.

Once (if) she does so, he will speak.  "Greetings.  We are Seekers, coming to form a trading alliance and bonds of friendship."  Irezagab had better words than he, so Grumbling Bear thought it prudent to simply use what had already been said rather than fumble for his own words.

She seemed to understand  the sentiment of the litany of name and declared [Language unknown: "Tr nce ss ]Ikshanahatya Putri'Mahakosha."

---

Spoiler for language Nagaji: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"My name is Eye Striker Daughter of Great Venom."

---

She points to herself with her free right hand as she balances the axe on her shoulder with her left "Ikshanahatya" she repeats for clarity.

---

Spoiler for language Nagaji: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Eye Striker"

---

She watches Grumbling Bear suspiciously as he moves but close as he drew he'd gone from bear form which she might struggle to best in battle to human like which had soft flesh and no claws. She seemed to recognized magic but be surprised to be seeing it done by Grumbling Bear.
[Language unknown: "O inceon sesturndet illwi atiinebutess. I inon hiwecepo? wh? liev-cati?"]

---

Spoiler for language Nagaji: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"I don't understand your intention. Is this greeting? gift? scouting?"

---

Unsure what he wanted her to do she mimicked his action without magic and stuck out her hand towards him, watching him with those dark never blinking eyes.

----
Going to assume he takes this as an opening to touch. Once if he does.
----

"A strange gift, Grumbling Brown One. Traders? Where are your furs, hides, pots, baskets, tools? Do you trade in Magics? Do you know the laws of hospitality? Among Those Who Submit, harm none, do not even threaten, take only that which is given, leave when it is time to leave. Proud Those Who Submit show might through kindness to The Ignorant. Come Ignorant. The customary food kindness proceeds talk of trade. First kindnesses then trade." She walks towards the village moving past them.

----
Assuming they follow a few more Nagaji warriors appear from hiding and join the procession toward the village.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:21, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

 Darkwater, who had been conveying the basics of communication in a patient, build-up-from-simplicity fashion moves from naming to starting to set out a pantomime of sorts, oddly expressive and patently well practised in which he indicates his people and the act of travelling, getting well into the basics of their story when Grumbling Bear wanders past and the lizardfolk sighs heavily, then mutters in a sibilant, disgruntled sort of fashion.

 "I carry simple goods of trade, to show what may be had from friendship between peoples but we are Seekers, obedient to the Gods we journey to find new lands and new peoples." he explains in the lizardfolk that they now all share, agreeing readily "We shall come with you, and share food before more is spoken of." and moving to set action to words.

 En route, he murmurs to the other three travellers "I have done this many times, with many peoples, and the spirit of Horizonwalker guides me... I ask that you be more patient in future."

"Well, look at you, being all friendly and non-threatening," Irezagab says to Grumbling Bear.  He stands next to the skinwalker's human version to measure himself up, but he still falls more than a hand-span short.  "You, ahh, you don't have a still smaller form, do you?"  Irez has always been slight, and it was a source of embarrassment growing up.  Somehow, he never really felt small next to the Grumbling Bear in his huge bear form, but with his shrunken human form still taller, the shaman feels some echoes of his old childhood anxieties.  Oh, that's silly, you're not Irezonom Tiny Tiny any more.

He shakes his head and turns back to his friend.  "That spell you cast is amazing -- she immediately was able to speak in the Lizard tongue.  The spirits that lend me their magic do not offer me such a spell; perhaps I will chastise them for so glaring an oversight."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

As the village becomes more visible on the approach around the lake, it is noticeably larger than either Irezagab's or Darkwater's. Crossing a long pontoon bridge across the narrowest part of the the tributary feeding the lake, the party spies many more of the strange, snake-like humanoids going about the ordinary business of life: mending nets, cooking and dressing game. Several child nagaji see the strangers entering and focus their unwavering gazes on them.

One of the buildings is not built from wood but from stacked, irregular natural stones that fit together near perfectly. The effort involved in constructing such a monument beggars the Seekers' minds. Ikshanahantya explains that it is a temple to their god who dwells in the lake.

Ixotl's typical look of detachment is overcome by something like awe at it all.

The nagaji hunters lead the party to a wooden-and-vine thatched hut larger than the other ordinary buildings of the nagaji village.

One hunter ducks in and moments later emerges with a nagaji powerful in build and somber in bearing. Ikshanahantya explains the situation to him in their native tongue. The nagaji leader gestures with his hands for all the Seekers to enter. Though two hunters and Ikshanahantya enter behind them, this seems like only a token guard.

Inside the chief's hut stands a massive table with benches on three sides and an ornate wooden seat carved from a single piece of river-wood. Through a hanging bit of wide leaves--which presumably leads to the leader's living quarters--a female emerges, exchanges quick words with the Seekers' host and wanders outside. Ikshanahantya says she will be returning with food to welcome the wanderers.

The leader gestures for the newcomers to sit, and Ikshanahantya starts translating the leader's words of welcome.

08:29, Today: Irezagab rolled 17 using 1d20+10.  Diplomacy

You didn't tell us a name or title to use for the leader.  I'm going to assume she was introduced as Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa, which you can interpret as name, title, or both.  Since Irez wouldn't know the difference, he'll use the entire thing until instructed otherwise.

As he approaches the building, Irezagab struggles to remove the slack-jawed look on his face that has been present since seeing the temple.  When the leader emerges, the shaman glances at the other Nagaji for any formal gestures, and is pleased to see that there is no obeisance or any other such nonsense.  He nods politely towards the leader and accepts his invitation to enter.  He lays his longspear against the side of the building as a sign of respect (and a recognition of how awkward the long weapon will be indoors).  They don't seem like a larcenous bunch, but if it is gone when we come out, it's no great loss.  I'm terrible with it, anyway.

Irezagab notes how unsurprised the Nagaji are that one of their number can suddenly speak the Lizardfolk language.  A village this size must have trading relationships already, so they probably have had a lot of contact with other people.  Probably they have their own similar magic, so did not find it unexpected.  The fact that they seem so strange to me is a comment, not on them, but on how small The People really are.  Even while he is revising his own view of his own people, Irezagab tries to sense whether the leader's words of welcome are genuine or as phony as that of the gnolls.  It seems genuine, but, with the words coming through an interpreter, he can't tell for certain.

The shaman studies the leaves that form the barrier between the formal portion of the building and the private quarters.  They seem to be living leaves, which tells me that these people live in harmony with nature.  I like them already.  He looks around for the vines that connect the leaves to the outside, hoping that some bit of the living plant is within reach.

Skrou, knowing his role in any diplomatic effort, sits augustly on the shaman's shoulder without his usual fidgeting and poking.  Irezagab stands and takes a breath.  "We thank you for meeting with us, Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa.  The graciousness of your house is evident."  He pauses for acknowledgement, then continues.  "We are Seekers, a term that carries weight of tradition and ceremony.  We have been selected by our tribes to go out into the world, to learn of other peoples, and to greet them in friendship.  We hope, one day, to be able to call the Nagaji people our friends, and that you will think of us the same way."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:55, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

After a bit of conversation with the ranking noble  Ikshanahatya looks to the Seekers. "What is hardest to translate is our differing understandings of 'divine'. Our tribe, 'Those Who Submit' follow The Great Lady Parjanya, all mother, nourisher, protector, giver of rain. She is like your idea of 'god' immortal, powerful in magic, great beyond mortal reckoning, she is Naga, the Naga created the Nagaji race, though by our reckoning belief not race determines who one is. Those who believe in no one must be treated kindly as one would a child. In the house of the Great Lady Parjanya, as matriarch of the nobles Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa will determine Great Lady Parjanya's most likely opinion of this Horizon Walker who exists without existing and we may proceed from there. How do you know 'gods', how do I explain to those who are used to a Great Lady, they might not see but know she is real because others have seen and touched her, how do I explain 'gods'." She look thoughtful struggling to the limitations of suddenly knowing a second language but not being able to explain the vocabulary missing from another language. Still she smiled peacefully as fish, frogs, crayfish, squirrel, rabbit, boiled roots, custard apples berries, nuts, edible flowers, leaves and other simple dishes are brought forth. mostly in wicker bowls and baskets.

 For Darkwater, it is a pleasing thing to encounter more of a people he already knew - the Nagaji of his experience dwelt in the dry lands, far from bodies of water such as this one but their character seems the same regardless, a people pleased to dwell close to one another and to work in stone rather than wood and clay - the settlements of the Dawnshore Tribe certainly have nothing to match the concentration of the lake-town for scale - and it's in this line of thinking that he's occupied as they pass into the hut of the seniormost of the Nagaji there to speak with them, only for Irezagab to unexpectedly take the role of speaker from him, leaving the hunter to sigh heavily and settle himself down, listening for any indication of what passes between the serpent-folk as he resigns himself to remaining quiet rather than complicating the process of opening negotiations with a new tribe by adding a second voice to be translated.

With his good impression undoubtedly made, Grumbling Bear wastes no time returning to his true form.  Once more feeling comfortable in his own skin, Grumbling Bear began to smile as Irezagab made his own joke about being friendly and approachable.  He was feeling good until Darkwater made his comment.  Grumbling Bear's humor fades  How could Darkwater expect him to know something he hadn't been told?  Grumbling Bear didn't know all his skills and abilities.  But then he stopped that particular train of thought with a flush of shame.  Had he bothered to fully explain his abilities to the other Seekers?  Thoroughly chastised, he still supposes that the first meeting with another tribe was not the best opportunity for a pow-wow on everyone's talents.

With a word to Baloo to make sure he stays close, Grumbling Bear sheepishly follows behind the other Seekers and considers how just because someone is capable of acting they might not be the best choice to act.  He may have a degree of wisdom gained from the spirit of the bear but that apparently didn't stop him from being impulsive or having an inflated sense of pride regarding his abilities.  He would have to remember this particular lesson.  He was sure he would be thankful for the instruction later and so didn't try to fight the lingering embarrassment he was still feeling.

The repast goes beyond generous. After seeing that all are fed, the great noble before you indicates it is time to go elsewhere.

He leads the Seekers and Ikshana to the stone temple: the house of the Great Lady Parjanya. Turning back at the antechamber, the noble gestures the party inside. Within are decorations such as jewel-bedecked necklaces and painted scenes of a huge snake with a human face rising from the water.

At the far end sits an  altar of stacked stones on which sits a large bowl of water and a sun-metal dagger of the same material as Ixotl's sword.

Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa stands behind the altar, her great age showing in the lack of luster to her scales. Her slitted-pupil eyes stare hypnotically as each of the Seekers enter.

"The wide wanderers greet me in our temple," Matupri says, in perfect lizardfolk. She pauses and the silence stretches on until it is obvious she is waiting for a reply.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 03:12, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

 In truth, some part of the fault - if fault there is - is Darkwaters. He has so often spoken of his journeys and his encounters with other peoples that it has simply never occurred to him that he should be explicit in his experience in doing so, and beyond those abilities which are most obvious he's never really inquired as to the particular gifts of his companions (such as, for example circumventing the years he spent learning to communicate ideas with body language with a simple prayer).

 During the meal he does not make it clear that he understands something of Nagaji himself of course (so as not to detract from the importance of the prayer that was used), but he nonetheless speaks flatteringly of the food and its preparation, navigating the potentially tricky etiquette of doing so with the exquisite sense of someone who seems to know, ahead of time what actions or inactions will offend - which is of course, in fact the case through the happy intercession of his ancestor, Horizon-Walker - who in fact, is currently living comfortably in the fetish he's wearing around his wrist and whispering in his descendants ear-slit.

 "It is so, Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa and with us come the wishes of our peoples that the sun will always see those we meet as friends. We have travelled some few days from our lands after many tribes came together to overthrow a threat to all." he commences, after tipping his head to one side and exposing his throat, something which seems to serve the Dawnshore in lieu of a bow (which would rather protect it, instead) "And as we have come upon your people, we would ask the chance to come to know them better, and be known in return."

Irezagab listens with fascination to Ikshanahatya's description of their relationship with the Great Lady Parjanya.  As his own magic comes not from gods, but from a relationship with real spirits that the shaman knows personally, her explanation makes perfect sense.  Irez knows both greater and lesser spirits, and they are no less real to him than his friend Grumbling Bear is.  The idea of an even greater spirit who was the source of an entire people does not seem the least bit unexpected.

As each delicious dish is brought out, the shaman performs his usual blessing over it, including both a statement of gratitude a Purify Food & Drink spell.  However, he is quite a bit less fastidious about the practice covering every single morsel that is tasted by any member of the seekers, as compared to his behavior with the gnolls.  When a particularly delicious dish of salmon is devoured by the two bears and another platter is delivered, he does not bother to bless the additional one.

At a quiet point in the conversation, he points to the leaves that act as a curtain protecting the private chamber.  "Those are living plants," he whispers to the other seekers, "and they love the Nagiji who live here.  In my opinion, it speaks very well of these people of the Great Lady."

As they leave the hut, Irez grabs his longspear on the way out, but carries it more as a very tall walking stick than as a weapon.  When the group arrives at the temple, he worries about resting it against such a beautiful and obviously sacred building.  Finally he asks Ikshana where he can leave it, and he follows her instructions.

Irezagab is the last of the Seekers to enter the building, he is so busy gazing in awe at its construction.  He admires the similar construction in the altar, and almost misses the words of their ancient leader.  Mentally scrambling to catch up and then form a response, he is a little relieved when Darkwater jumps in.  He smiles at the ranger and nods slightly, making it clear that he agrees with the words.

Matupri responds: "Certainly, a celebration greets us all tonight, for your presence." The old nagaji continues to alternate her gaze from Seeker to Seeker, and at last to Ikshana. "But on to more serious matters."

"I have had a communion with Parjanya; one deeper than any I have had before. I have not even admitted this to our other nobles or the rest of the tribe because they could do nothing to affect it." Matupri pauses, and the walls of stone seem to press in like the stricture of an ancient cave.

"In deep dreams, I saw an ill sun--red as flame--rise in the west. The moon hung low in the north, black and bloated. Stars of twisted metal fell to the earth and slew beyond number." She takes up the metal knife from the altar.

"And now we have you, such travelers as come along once in generations."

Matupri gestures. "Come forward, each of you, and let us test the truth of my visions."

Ixotl--ever fearless--moves toward the altar. The old nagaji indicates a slicing motion with the knife and gestures toward the bowl of water. She offers the knife to him. He slices his hand and drips blood into the water. Surprisingly, though the droplets are red, the water remains clear.

Matupri shakes her head. "This is not your journey, brave lizardfolk."

Now the rest of you can approach (including Ikshana) in whatever order and react how you like to your characters' blood tinting the water an ever deeper blue.

Irezagab can sense the spirits swirling around the nagaji leader and around her ceremonial bowl.  He sees the alarm on Ixotl's face as she announces that this journey is not for him, but, observing the spirits' reaction to his blood, the shaman is not surprised.  He lays his hand on the lizardman's shoulder, "It was your path to bring us here, and we would not have arrived if not for your strength, but your destiny lies on another road."

Irez steps forward with no concern of how the spirits will react to his blood.  He knows that this is his path.  When the water in the bowl turns deep blue in response to his blood, he smiles with satisfaction, in spite of the pain in his hand at the new slice.  "We thank you for your blessing, Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa."

After the other Seekers and several of the nagaji test their fate by dripping blood into the bowl, Irezagab channels healing energy to prevent the cuts from leaving any sort of scar.

Ikshanahatya approaches the bowl among the Nagaji who attempt. Her omen is greeted with some murmuring mostly from the adolescent and young adult Nagaji who carry the largest or most weapons. If one could get over the Nagaji's apparent inability to blink it wasn't hard to tell Ikshanahatya wasn't well liked in certain circles but most seemed to have at least a grudging respect for her. One elderly and particularly massive, Nagaji seem delighted by this. He wore a string of claws and finger bones so long he had to loop it six times around his neck to wear it comfortably and leaned on a long stone spear with relaxed confidence.

Ikshanahatya looked at the foreigners, especially Irezagab who had been selected, with an appraising reverence. She offered no particular commentary, seeming neither surprised, nor frightened by her own selection, though there was a hint of meloncholy perhaps her already thinking about the implications of going on such a quest.

OOC: The big Nagaji is supposed to be Mahakosha her dad, a renowned warrior who's lived past his prime.

Baloo trundles after Grumbling Bear as his human begins doing one more of the incomprehensible things he was so fond of doing.  Baloo was willing to continue humoring him, though, as many of these incomprehensible things led to food.  This time was no exception.  Though the strangely shaped people were unusual, Baloo could find no fault in their ability to provide delicious food.  Both he and Grumbling Bear eagerly tucked in to the food, paying particular attention to the displayed fish.  Baloo would display some 'manners' but only as much as Grumbling Bear requested.  He ate like an animal, but did not create a mess in the process like one might expect.

The other assembled creatures made a great deal of the nonsense sounds that they were so fond of.  As best as Baloo could tell, only Grumbling Bear had the intelligence required to be able to speak sense.  They seemed to be enjoying themselves, though, so Baloo was willing to put up with their peculiarities.  Even Grumbling Bear seemed like he wasn't bothered even though he usually tries to avoid large gatherings.  Must've been because of the food.

As the meal draws to a close one of the people begins to speak, commanding the attention of everyone except for Baloo.  Baloo only begins to pay any attention when the person pulls out a knife.  Grumbling Bear doesn't seem bothered, so Baloo doesn't react, either.  Grumbling Bear has good instincts when it comes to noticing trouble, so if he didn't react then Baloo has no reason to be worried, either.

When the palm cutting began, however, Baloo looked askance at the goings on.  People were known for their incomprehensible things, but that was a bit more out of the ordinary than normal.  Baloo looks to Grumbling Bear to see his reaction.  Once more unbothered, Baloo is reassured.  These people are just more incomprehensible than others is the conclusion that Baloo comes to.  When Grumbling Bear rises to his feet Baloo follows.  He watches curiously as his human cuts his palm and allows blood to drop into a bowl of water.  Apparently that water wasn't for drinking.  It did turn a nice shade of blue, though.

It was a short trip, and Baloo was soon back where he had started and was once more snuffling about the table for hidden morsels that hadn't yet been eaten.

 Darkwater watches, measuring the weight of events before them and looking surprised when Ixotl is called forwards, although he does nothing to stall the broad-shouldered warrior and indeed, simply watches then offers him a dip of the head, murmuring in the hissing sibilances of the trade-tongue "There is a journey yet to undertake. Someone should carry word of the visions of Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa to our people... If one of the Nagaji were to accompany you, much might be accomplished of affirming friendship between our kinds." before lightly slapping him on the shoulder and wryly clicking his jaws to add "Besides, this will give you a chance to rest and grow stronger... For shame, brother, that you had a clear blow and I still have use of my arm!" with more fondness than actual anger, since he holds no hate in his heart for one who was simply the victim of an ill spirit.

 And then he moves forwards, after watching the others do so - less as one hesitant, and more as one standing protectively over them - to offer his hand across the basin, where he clenches it into a fist and with a soft hiss of discomfort, pierces the scales of his palm with his claws - infection not, on the whole being something Lizardfolk worry too much about - in order to let blood trickle into the basin as he hisses "From the people of the Dawnshore, to the people of Parjanya, in friendship."

With the water in the bowl now colored the deepest of blues, Matupri pronounces, "So, they are chosen." She pauses, then says, "Whether you seek north or west, the hopes of many lie with you. You should leave tomorrow. I have no idea how long before the visions sent me by Parjanya come to pass."

By now, the sun has set, and as the party exits the temple, they find a feast already in the making, with musicians beating drums and plucking sinew. Four hours of revelry follow before the hosts wind it down to allow their guests to rest.

The morning breaks brightly, and after some breakfast, the Seekers are ready to continue. They stand before Ikshana's father who solemnly wishes all of the travelers farewell, with a precious gift for each of them.

Mahakosha hands a jaguar-skin cloak to Darkwater.

A pair of boots of soft doe leather go to Irezagab, along with a small satchel of herbs.

He attaches a piece of amber--containing the fossil of an insect--to the side of Grumbling Bear's necklace, near his neck.

To his daughter, Mahakosha gives over a coiled length of the same strong, slender green vine so omnipresent in the village. She knows this most precious possession of his quite well.

Ixotl also says his goodbyes and hands the sun-metal sword to Darkwater. "In case you have need of it in some way unforeseen."

OK. The sword will serve well as a machete if nothing else.

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:30, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

Irezagab's eyes widen as he accepts the boots and the herbs from the Nagiji leader.  "I thank you deeply for this gift.  The beauty and wonder of your temple to The Great Lady Parjanya is matched only by grace and generosity of the people who serve Her."  He steps away with a slightly stunned look in his eyes, and stumbles slightly as he moves back to the group of Seekers.

The shaman locks eyes briefly with Ikshanahatya, who has joined the group, fascinated by her beautiful, unblinking gaze.  "I am so glad that you will be joining us.  You are very welcome."

 The lack of clarity regarding the temple-rite isn't something Darkwater's unused to - although he's rarely been the guest of quite such a significant one, he's led the way in contacting small tribes and bands of wanderers many times before this, and it's usually considered good form to placate their gods, spirits and ancestors in whatever fashion is most appropriate, however confusing that can be to outsiders.

 He channels that confusion into effort however, and while no musician (and a merely passable dancer) he does at least prove to be an excellent storyteller* (something that is little surprise to those who have travelled with him for any length of time), one whose gift for sweeping gesture and looming cliffhangers (usually associated with claims of tiredness or thirst that of course, he permits himself to be talked down from or have quenched with whatever is to hand) pairs well with the revelation that he does, in fact speak quite respectable conversational Nagaji - albeit in a dialect that no-one in the settlement seems to have heard before (and that, in fact he picked up in the drylands where the sand-workers shaped stone, such as he spoke of before).

 Beyond that? Well, he flirts with one of the larger, more Ophidian-seeming Nagaji guardswomen, but that's not particularly surprising at this point - mainly he makes an effort to keep an eye on his companions and smooth over any cultural rough spots that crop up.

 Come the morning, when he stirs (Wherever he finds himself stirring) he breaks his fast agreeably, changes the bindings on his hand and grits his teeth through the gifting-ceremony before answering "I came with few gifts that could match such a treasure... But... My mothers mother, the Healer, Summersun sleeps within the leather of this pouch. She will lend her knowledge to any who would seek to preserve health, for her joy was in the living." and unslinging the satchel from his shoulder to offer it to Ikshana's father.

 ---

 * +8 to Perform (Storytelling), in fact.

A small crowd of nagaji children listen intently to Darkwater's stories, along with many adults. These are obviously ones they have not heard. At the funny parts, it is admittedly strange to hear their hissing laughter.

The rest of the Seekers seem to enjoy that night, but not to excess.

The presentation of gifts the next morning doesn't put Darkwater off his poise: his return gift is accepted graciously. Irezagab's thanks are received positively, as well.

Hunters gather around the group after the ceremony and begin to give advice on the directions of travel. West, along along a minor stream, leads to foothills, the furthest of which are claimed by the "Stout Ones." In the area preceding that, the "Huge Ones" hunt creatures sometimes as large as they. The indication is that these "Huge Ones" stand twelve feet or more tall.

To the north along the tributary, some of the trees are said to be alive... and malicious. Further on into the depths live the "Short Ones", who also have a fondness for poison.

Oh bother.  A gift.  Not just a gift, but a gift on top of a large meal.  Grumbling Bear was already struggling to find the words to thank them for the food, and now he also needed to properly thank them for the gift of a magic item.  True they had some manner of significant prophecy which made it make sense for them to give gifts, but they'd also just met the Seekers and really had no reason to feed them and give them magic items.

When presented with his gift he mumbles a quick "Thanks," before fleeing and letting someone else take the lead in saying something more meaningful and appropriate.  Perhaps he would have felt more comfortable if instead of resembling snakes the Nagaji resembled bears.  Who could know.  He glances at Baloo, unbothered as always except by his constant appetite, and tries to emulate the same outward calm.

--

Grumbling Bear was restless.  That much was plain to Baloo.  He socialized well with others, but didn't like doing it for long periods of time.  It was as good of a time for them to go for a walk as any, but how to get Grumbling Bear's friends to come with them?  They weren't nearly as clever as Grumbling Bear and didn't seem to understand anything that Baloo said.  Granted, Grumbling Bear wasn't particularly bright, either, but as far as humans went he was pretty smart.  Baloo would figure something out to help his poor human.

--

Baloo was restless.  That much was plain to Grumbling Bear.  He was patient enough to sit through all the things he didn't understand, but he kept looking to the trees outside the village and was shuffling around Grumbling Bear's feet more than normal.  The others, Irezagab, Darkwater, and Ikshanahatya, seem to have the farewells well in hand, so Grumbling Bear wanders to the treeline with Baloo trailing behind before taking a seat against a large tree.  Baloo settles down next to him before resting his head in Grumbling Bear's lap.  Seems Baloo was just tired of being around strangers.

That was fine with Grumbling Bear.  By focusing and paying close enough attention he was still able to hear the discussion on their possible routes going forward.  He would give his input later once Baloo had a chance to rest and recharge.  Of course, Grumbling Bear was also enjoying the semi-solitude offered by a little distance.  He watches the other Seekers carefully for any sign that they needed his input, but unless they signaled him he would remain leaning against the tree and listening.

When Darkwater offers the nagaji leader a gift, Irezagab realizes that he should also have made such an offer.  He was so delighting in being a positive center of attention as a Seeker that he had started to feel that he deserved the bounty heaped upon him.

He adopts a more appropriate air of humility and makes an effort to rectify the situation.  "Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa, I hope I can give some small repayment for these generous gifts with information.  Perhaps you will find this tale as fascinating as we did, or perhaps you already know more than we were able to learn."  He continues with all the details of the strange cylinder and crystal that the group encountered, including the results of spells he cast.  He describes the giant bees and then the creatures the group encountered later, with their mind-controlling magic.  The only bit he leaves out is to say who was mind-controlled and whom he attacked, in order to spare Ixotl any shame.  However, it is clear from her glance towards the lizardman that the wise leader is able to infer the missing detail, and that she knows exactly why the shaman did not state it.

As the group departs the nagaji city, Irezagab is happy to join back up with Grumbling Bear and Baloo, checking to make sure that they are feeling well.  "I was a little concerned when you left without us, but I figured you were just feeling a little too much people and needed a bit of solitude.  I am glad you are well."  He clasps the shoulders of each of the bears in genuine delight.

Once the group is together, the shaman offers his opinion on where to head next.  "As always, Darkwater, I am happy to follow your lead in this.  I am quite interested in talking with these trees that the nagiji say are 'malicious.'  Of course, all trees are alive, and they all think in their own way, but I have never met one that is malicious.  Perhaps they are just misunderstood.  However, if you think that meeting the 'stout ones' is more in line with our mission, then I have to acknowledge the soundness of this judgement."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

Ikshanahatya locked eyes with her father. Neither spoke for a while

---

Spoiler for language Nagaji: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"A loan. I will return it in victorious reunion."

---

she spoke to deny objection. He smiled warily and wished her safe return. They thumped their chests at each other in the friendly way of warriors.

---

In the morning she is quiet withdrawn. She follows in sullen contemplative thought. "You wish to, talk to the malicious trees?" She asked baffled.

Irezagab smiles.  "I have a particular connection to plant spirits, and I talk to living plants all the time.  I especially like talking to ancient trees -- they are so serene, so accepting.  But ivy can be fun, as well -- it is like talking to a rambunctious, fun-loving child who likes to play pranks.  I have never known any plant to be malicious, but perhaps these will be different."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

 Sibilant laughter seems natural enough to Darkwater, and while there are more children listening he slants his stories towards broad humour - usually with lessons ensconced inside them, since that is what stories are for in his opinion... The purpose of such things is to convey ideas and morals more so than it ever has to transmit 'facts', which are rarely any such thing.

 Come the gifting though? Well... He will miss Summersun. Her laughter as she whispered medicine into his head and her generosity with the healers arts were as much valued by him as any magic in the pouch... But a gift was given and it had to be reciprocated, or what value he and his?

 His only moment of heart-stopping discomfort comes when Irezagab speaks up, and he's lightning-fast to law a clawed hand on the shamans shoulder and interject in fluent - if oddly accented Nagashi...

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"My companion has spent too much time with we Dawnshore. It is no trade, of course... Only a gift received and a gift offered, in mutual respect."

---

 ...and then removing his hand and nodding for Irezagab to continue.

 Come the choice of their way however? Well, Irezagab has voiced a preference and he has none himself, and so "These trees interest you and we have no strong need to go in one direction or another. Why not to the lands of these short ones then, and see what may be learned in their company?"

Darkwater leads the way north, the sun-metal sword slicing through the tall, riverside grasses with ease. Along the way, the Seekers have some success in hunting: two tapirs, with their strange-shaped noses, are brought down.

Over the course of four days, the river tributary on the left narrows before finally turning west. The "Small Ones" dwell, apparently, further to the north.

Travel even in daylight becomes darker as the canopy grows thicker. Kapok trees begin to show more often, and up to seven feet in thickness, towering up to beyond a hundred feet. Illumined by occasional shafts of sunlight, the ornate blossoms of blue and purple bursting-star flowers (passion flowers) drape in vines along the edges of the huge trees. Their sweet-and-salty scent pervades the air. The rustle of flights of sun parakeets provide a backdrop to the carrying calls of other birds.

Near sunset on the Seekers' second day of travel from the river's turning, the bronze long-knife in Darkwater's hand begins to vibrate. Looking around, the only unusual thing of note is a singular tree, shorter and squatter than the kapoks, of a kind even Irezagab can't identify. Vines as thick as the human's wrist hang all down the trunk. A couple of steps toward the strange tree, and the sun-metal sword starts to vibrate faster. Darkwater can barely feel it move, but the entire group starts to hear a high-pitched tone.

As all eyes are focused on this mystery, fallen branches snap off somewhere to the right.

Everyone make Perception checks. 12 or higher makes it, and you can act in the surprise round. 11 or lower and you'll be flat-footed, instead. Also roll Initiative. If you act, go ahead and post your (standard or move) action and do any rolls for your action.

Those who are able to turn in time see a brown lizard roughly thirty feet long bearing down on them, from perhaps fifty feet away. At first, it rushes forward on all fours, but as it closes it rears up on two feet. Cruel-looking spikes just from each of its forelegs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:40, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

14:27, Today: Irezagab rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  Initiative
I have +11 Perception so I automatically succeed.

Though fascinated by the strange plant, Irezagab has enough focus to spare to listen for dangers.  He hears something coming off the right and turns to see the giant lizard heading straight for the group.  He briefly considers an Entangle spell to slow it down, but it is so huge that the spell will probably not hinder it but might hinder the Seekers trying to get to it.  Instead, he casts Barkskin, and tells Skrou to deliver it to _____.  [_____ is whichever of the other four (counting Baloo) is closest to the lizard]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Irezagab is a friendly sort, understanding of his ursine companions' need for solitude.  While they both blame the other for stepping away from the village, only one can speak in a manner understandable to Irezagab.  "Baloo was feeling restless so I thought it best to get him some space," was much easier to understand than Baloo's exasperated chuffing.  Both of them, however, were in undeniably brighter moods as the village fell behind them as the seekers move into the forest.

When the unusual tree comes into view and the sun-metal sword begins to produce a high pitched whine, both Grumbling Bear and Baloo shy away from it, circling a short distance around the tree until the snapping of branches stops them in their tracks.

The appearance of the creature was startling, but entirely understandable.  The high pitched whine the sword was producing was likely disturbing all manner of creatures nearby and so Grumbling Bear's first step was to determine if the creature was actually hostile or simply startled and acting aggressive towards what it may perceive as a threat.

Baloo was bristling as the creature bore down on them but Grumbling Bear didn't yet command him to attack.  If he couldn't figure out the creature's intentions, or they were hostile, then he would summon his Bear Totem to prepare for battle.  Otherwise he would attempt to calm the beast before anyone got hurt.

04:50, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 20 using 1d20+9.  Grumbling Bear Perception.
04:50, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Grumbling Bear Initiative.
04:50, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Grumbling Bear Knowledge Nature.
04:55, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Grumbling Bear Wild Empathy.

The huge dinosaur hustles toward Grumbling Bear, the nearest Seeker, but does not quite make it close enough to attack. The bear druid is unsure of the dinosaur's exact breed. What he does sense is that it is enraged quite beyond what a humming piece of metal would enable. There would be no calming it. Grumbling Bear has time to quickly summon his Bear Totem.

Skrou swoops near to Grumbling Bear, brushing him as it passes.

Grumbling Bear now has barkskin

So ends the surprise round. Skipping the other two players because it's been 48 hours, and this is the second weekday.

Both GB and Rez get to act before the dinosaur in this round, so go ahead. Be aware the creature has 15-foot reach and is now 20 feet away from GB.

Irezagab gulps when he realizes how huge the creature is -- when he had first glanced at it, he had thought it was closer than it was, since his mind struggled to accept a lizard of such size.  He swallows the fear that makes him want to run and backs away slowly, keeping a tactical distance, as he summons a hyena directly behind the monster.  Once it arrives, it should be able to help the warriors by distracting the beast.

5 foot step away.
Summon Nature's Ally II (full round action) in a position that it will give flanking bonuses to the bears (and get one itself).

Ikshanahatya opens her jaw horrifically wide as if her jaw had broken steps through her movement using the momentum to whip her upper-body forward spitting and obscene quantity of preadolescent white acrid smelling fluid. True to name she aimed right at the things eyes. But aim hardly seemed to matter since she managed to coat everything within five feet of the creatures eyes. Locking it all together in a clotted mass.


OOC:
Sorry meant to post a I failed the check post yesterday.

16:11, Yesterday: Ikshanahatya Putri'Mahakosha rolled 3 using 1d20.  Perception.
16:12, Yesterday: Ikshanahatya Putri'Mahakosha rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

Today:
Move action to move forward.
Standard Full Action to spit venom (messed up the range in a previous OOC post it's 30ft effectively 35ft because of area of effect most of her feats modify this ability)

Unclear where she is she will take a 5ft step closer to the lizard if it's more than 20ft away (ie closer to her allies) if it's more than 40ft away let me know I'll have to do something else. 5-ft step + 30 ft range + 5ft radius makes that he maximum range.

The dinosaur and anyone entering the envenomed circle around it's face in the before Ikshanahatya's next turn:

• 4 acid damage (no save)
• are entangled (immobile; -2 attacks; -4 dex) (no save)
  The entanglement can be removed by either dealing 15 slashing damage to the spittle, or spending a full round action and passing a DC 15 strength or escape artist check.
• must make a DC 14 Fortitude save or be blinded for 1d6 rounds.

Technically these effects occur at the start of the dinosaur's turn.

10:33, Today: Ikshanahatya Putri'Mahakosha rolled 4 using 2d6.  Acid Damage (Virulent Venom).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Thu 22 Apr 2021.

OOC
OK, Ikshana

• Spit Venom is a full-round action
• and it's a ranged touch attack
• You can use Spit Venom, Virulent Venom and Viscous Venom at once, targeting the dino, but...
• Toxic Spray affects an area (like the grease spell), not a creature (and therefore would not require a touch attack)

So you have to pick: targeted or AoE.

Ikshana, I'll look over it again after the combat, but my ruling stands for now.

Ok, I know all that, and this is not a discussion. pick one:

1. AoE centered on a point at the outside of the 15' square the dino takes up (you don't have line of effect to its center, obviously).
   
2. ranged touch attack at the dinosaur

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:39, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

OOC: I was waiting for someone other than me and Irezegab to post, since I'd been the last one before the DM and then boom, everything happened at once!

 ---

 On the journey, Darkwater uses the dawnstone blade sparingly, despite its unquestioned power to hack through the undergrowth - a lifetime of experience instead causes him to move around living things rather than attempt to force them aside and the route he chooses is thus a winding one, for all that it rarely strays far from his chosen course...

 ...so it's something of a surprise to him when the weapons starts to hum in its scabbard, resonating with something in the vicinity and he's in the process of starting to draw it to investigate the phenomenon when his head snaps up and around and he shouts "Ware!"

 More or less automatically, he starts to move into the lee of a tree in the path of the creature, where he can hope to flank it as it charges.

 ---

It's not terribly relevant anyway. Darkwater will/will have moved instead of attacked (you don't get a full action in a surprise round anyway) and he'll be using a tree in the things general path as cover. His intention is for it to move past where he is (shielding himself from it with said tree for total cover) and then hitting it when it moves into his reach instead of taking multiple AoO getting close.

02:02, Today: Darkwater rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
01:58, Today: Darkwater rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Perception (versus animals).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Thu 22 Apr 2021.

Killian?

The beast cannot be soothed.  Grumbling Bear can't imagine what is causing it to feel such rage.  For a moment he considers using magic to be able to speak with it but enraged as it was he didn't think being able to speak with it would change anything.  Instead, he glanced at his companions.  Some wore armor, but none had the thick protective hide of a bear.  And none had the thick protective hide of a bear enhanced by a Barkskin spell.  Someone had to give the others an opening to close with the beast.  Seems that was his burden to bear.

With a bellowing roar echoed by Ballo, Grumbling Bear closes the gap between him and the dinosaur.  He watches carefully for attacks even as he knows he is courting them.  But with the beast focused on him the others should have time to get into position.  Plus, Baloo was following right behind him to back him up.

Baring their fangs, both Grumbling Bear and Baloo seek to hamstring their larger opponent.

20:46, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Grumbling Bear Bite.
20:46, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Grumbling Bear Bite Damage.
20:46, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Baloo Bite.
20:47, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 9 using 1d8+4.  Baloo Bite Damage.

The chaos of combat ensues.

Ikshana, seeing that the dinosaur is too far away for her to wield her longspear (and the beast's reach is further than that weapon) spits a globule of sticky, acidic venom at the foot of the towering creature.

Grumbling Bear pauses an instant to appraise the situation then charges in, trying to duck beneath one of the huge dinosaur's prominent thumb-talons. Though the sharp spike makes contact, it is unable to penetrate his now bark-like skin.

Baloo fails to successfully bit the surprisingly dextrous beast, but Grumbling Bear clamps his teeth down on the dinosaur's extended arm.

Irezagab takes a short step back and begins his summoning spell.

Before it can even act, the dinosaur finds itself contending with the venom. The acid sizzles into its hide. It manages to move its head away from the splash, and then claws at the tendrils sticking to it with both thumb-spiked hands, freeing itself. It retreats a few feet, removing it from the area of the venom.

Yes, I did indeed skip Darkwater for the first round of combat.
DW, go ahead and roll hit/damage for a single attack as you close in, flanking, with no AoO coming your way.
You can also post for the second round's actions, in which you can get a full attack.

The creature is flanked by DW and GB (and Baloo).

The dino is now 25 feet away from Rez and Ikshana. It takes up a 15 by 15 square, with 15-foot reach.

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:39, Thu 29 Apr 2021.

Irezagab completes summoning a hyena.  He knows that the small animal is not likely to be able to pierce the hide of the huge reptile, but he hopes it will distract the monster enough to improve the chances of his warrior companions.  The hyena appears and immediately attacks with a ferocious bits, but the sorcerer can not tell whether or not his summoned warrior was able to cause any injury.

Irez planned to use some healing magic, assuming the creature's horrible teeth would have slashed one of his companions.  Seeing that they have escaped any danger so far, thanks to Ikshana's acidic spit, the would-be healer instead takes another step back and casts Thorn Javelin.

22:28, Today: Irezagab rolled 16,9 using d20+5,d6+3.  Hyena Attack
I wasn't sure if this was enough to hit, but I suspect not.  Everyone meleeing, however, should now be at +2 for flanking.

 As the beast rushes in, Darkwater has a chance to take up a position on one flank of it and - with it powering past him - lashes out, aiming to try and wound the muscles of one of its great legs and lame the beast... Regardless of any success this may have, once it's 'caught' between himself and Grumbling Bear (for a given value of 'caught' that's rather akin to a piranha hanging off the end of a crocodiles tail) he hisses loudly and leaps, hurling himself up onto its thigh with the obvious intention of furthering whatever damage he managed to inflict before.

 ---

Working on the assumption that it's an animal (and I get my favoured enemy bonuses):

The AoO when it rushed past Darkwater was 24 to hit for 7 damage.
The full-round attack is three hits for 27, 19 & 29 doing 8, 6 & 7 damage respectively.

01:21, Today: Darkwater rolled 23,6,15,4,25,5 using 1d20+6,1d3+3,1d20+6,1d4+3,1d20+6,1d4+3.  Grr, snap, etc.
01:19, Today: Darkwater rolled 20,5 using 1d20+6,1d4+3.  Rarr, slash.

Grumbling Bear couldn't be sure if the spike failed to impale him because the dinosaur hadn't expected to be attacked by something so much smaller than him, because of the spell protecting him, or because of luck.  What he did know was that his rush had held the dinosaur's attention long enough for Baloo and Darkwater to get close enough to attack as well.  Now he had to ensure that the dinosaur's focus wouldn't stray from him so the others could fight to the best of their abilities.

He teeth had sunk satisfyingly into the beasts arm and though there was a significant size difference between them Grumbling Bear decides to bite down harder, bracing himself for the inevitable flailing of the appendage to dislodge him.  Seeking to join in on the fun, Baloo lunges for the arm as well to add his not insignificant weight to it as well.


06:09, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 23,20,19 using d20+6,d20+6,d20+6.  Grumbling Bear Full Attack.
06:10, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 9,7,5 using d6+3,d4+3,d4+3.  Grumbling Bear Full Attack Damage.
06:11, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 13,9,8 using d20+6,d20+6,d20+6.  Baloo Full Attack.
06:11, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 11,8,9 using d8+4,d6+4,d6+4.  Baloo Full Attack Damage.

Although Baloo's own attacks are ineffectual, he manages to bring the creature's arm down enough that Grumbling Bear can tear into it, ripping off pieces of tough-hided flesh.

Truly enraged now, the dinosaur can't quite pull up its arm, but does brings its other arm around, spiked-thumb first, at Grumbling Bear. The sharp point scrapes deep along the druid's chest.

OOC: 14 hp of damage

Irezagab's summoned hyena appears and darts forward, harrying the beast without actually getting a bite in. The shaman completes his second spell and stands ready with his mystical, thorn-like javelin.

Darkwater dives at the dinosaur's leg, causing substantial damage with his teeth and claws.

The creature is noticeably injured now but no less eager to fight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:56, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

Irezagab sees the giant lizard hit Grumbling Bear with a spike and prepares to send Skrou in with a cure spell, but he decides that it is not a terrible wound and there might be another, worse one before the battle is over.  I hope Bear at least is able to avoid the monster's ire, and let someone else take the next hit.  Instead, the shaman fires his spear, with such accuracy that it surprises even himself!  It penetrates the thick-skinned neck of the beast, and he can only hope that the poison it carries will have an effect.

Meanwhile, he looks beyond the dinosaur to see his summoned hyena take a bite at the beast, but the creature's huge tail has alarmed the hyena so muck that it tries for the tail and just misses completely.

18:27, Today: Irezagab rolled 21,5 using d20+3,d6-1.  Javelin.  BOOM!  Look at the shaman throw!
Any creature struck by the javelin must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 15, I think) or be sickened for 1 round.

22:05, Today: Irezagab rolled 7,8 using d20+5,d6+3.  Hyena attack
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Sat 01 May 2021.

 Digging his talons into the thing's thigh, Darkwater stretches his head up and sinks his jaws in again, hauling himself higher as he bites and tears into the creatures limb, looking to cripple it forcefully before it can turn its attention to sweeping him off.

 ---

 If it's an animal, that's 21, 17 & 26 to hit for 8, 8 & 7 respectively.

 05:15, Today: Darkwater rolled 19,6,15,6,24,5 using 1d20+6,1d3+3,1d20+6,1d4+3,1d20+6,1d4+3.  More grrring and snapping.

Grumbling Bear sees the spike coming his way and tries to twist out of the way.  He succeeds in that he isn't impaled by it, but it still draws a line of blood across his torso.  Pain flares in his mind and he clenches his teeth to keep himself from losing focus.  That blow had hurt him.  A lot.  But now he was all the more determined to keep the beasts attention on him.  He wasn't sure how well the others could handle such a blow as that as well as him.  And so, despite the pain, he forces himself to press the attack despite the natural inclination to shy away from such massive hurts.

21:17, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 12,26,8 using d20+6,d20+6,d20+6.  Grumbling Bear Full Attack.
21:20, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  Crit Confirm.
21:18, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 7,5,6 using d6+3,d4+3,d4+3.  Grumbling Bear Full Attack Damage.
21:18, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 11,20,18 using d20+6,d20+6,d20+6.  Baloo Full Attack.
21:18, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 10,6,8 using d8+4,d6+4,d6+4.  Baloo Full Attack Damage.

Ikshana rushes forward with her long spear, but the creature sees her coming and swings its right arm at her. Its deadly spiked thumb stabs her in her shoulder. Blood gushes out.

The nagaji finishes her approach; her spear glances of the dinosaur's scales.

Grumbling Bear and Baloo snap at the beast. Their claws strike home. The dinosaur seems to be slowing down.

Irezagab hurls his javelin with unerring accuracy. The beast is bleeding from multiple wounds.

The dinosaur lashes out at those in front of it. The magic of Irezagab's spell causes the creature to miss Grumbling Bear.

Its other claw-spike buries itself in Ikshana's chest and she falls!

Darkwater digs in with his claws and teeth and strikes home at an artery in the dinosaur's leg. It collapses, bleeding out.

OOC: Combat over. Ikshana dead.

 As the creature roars and topples, Darkwater leaps further up its body, clawing his way to the base of its throat to worry at it - until he catches sight of Ikshana and leaps towards her instead, scrabbling for the healers kit that he left in the hands of her chief and keening in dismay when he recalls the exchange of medicine for a gift he still has not unrolled or so much as examined closely.

"Noooo!" shouts Irezagab as he sees the Ikshana take a massive blow to the chest.  He felt guilty over his ridiculous pride in making a successful javelin throw.  I should be doing my job, keeping the warriors alive, not pretending to be one myself.  He channels healing energy over the entire group, carefully excluding the dinosaur, but he can tell that it is already too late for the nagaji.

He runs up to her and desperately casts a cure spell on he dead body.  He is startled to find that it is already cool to the touch, and he nearly botches the spell.  Fool!  She is not a warm-blooded creature.  Tears in his eyes, he turns to Grumbling Bear and casts a cure spell on him.  Seeing that his wound is not completely closed, he channels energy to the group once again before breaking down in sobs.  "I couldn't help her.  She was already gone.  I should have ..."

04:44, Today: Irezagab rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Channel energy.
04:56, Today: Irezagab rolled 7,6,8 using 2d8+4,d8+4,2d6+1.  wasted CMW, CLW, Channel.
Heal a total of 22 points on Grumbling Bear.  16 of that is on everybody, so we're all feeling healthy.

Try as he might, Grumbling Bear couldn't keep the dinosaur's attention on him the whole time.  Ikshana, seeking to creating an opening to exploit, accidentally made one for the dinosaur.  The spiked thumb punctured her chest and as Ikshana fell Grumbling Bear watched the light go out in her eyes.  She was dead before she hit the ground.  Healing magic, too late for the nagaji, fills the area and the pain in his chest fades some.  The other two Seekers move towards Ikshana, not noticing that she is beyond their help already.

Grumbling Bear finishes the beast off to end its suffering before returning to the group to receive the rest of Irezagab's healing.  His wound would not even leave a scar now.  He watches as Irezagab sobs over Ikshana's body and Baloo idles nearby.  Baloo's interest had vanished after he sniffed her body and confirmed she was dead.  Grumbling Bear was of a similar mind.  Death was a natural part of things.  But that wasn't a kind mindset so he decides to say nothing.  Instead, he places what he hopes is a comforting hand on Irezagab's shoulder.

As silence falls in the small clearing, barely audible, again, the bronze long-knife keens. It definitely gets louder each time Darkwater approaches the ancient, vine-draped tree.

Searching around for a place to lay Ikshana to rest in the ground--though Darkwater knows whether this is the correct custom--the Seekers discover half-hidden behind a crooked tree toward the edge of the clearing: three brown, head-sized eggs.

All of Ikshana's belongings appear to be of only personal value, with the exception of the coiled rope of vine hanging from her belt.

Upon further inspection of the dead dinosaur (particularly her mouth), she is indeed revealed to be a herbivore, which leaves enough meat to feed a village.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:28, Wed 05 May 2021.

 Darkwater is drenched in blood, but it takes only a moment to realise that none of it is his... Slowly, he uses a hand to set her in a dignified posture upon the ground and then takes her blanket for a covering, using it to hide her sightless, unblinking eyes from the heavens before issuing a low keening call and hissing a brief, ancestral benediction in what sounds like the tongue of her people.

 "Her kind were born of the spirit-serpents of water, and to water she will be returned." he hisses after a few moments, before looking spitefully up at the dead beast and emitting a low, angry snarl "Plant-eater. They can be dangerous, but it is rare for one to grow so enraged without display. I would know who has killed our companion."

Irezagab puts his own small hand over Grumbling Bear's huge, to let the druid know that his comfort is appreciated.  Finally, his emotions spent, the shaman hears Darkwater's blade keening again and stands up to investigate.  He starts by casting Detect Magic on the vine-draped tree which seems to be the trigger.

Very cautiously, he moves forward towards the tree and examines it, trying to ascertain whether the vines and the tree are parts of the same plant or two separate plants growing together, perhaps in symbiosis or perhaps as a parasite and host.  He tries to draw on his experience with similar plants to work out the relationship, but he doesn't have any particular insight.  Pointing out the interesting features he notices to Grumbling Bear, he asks whether the druid has any thoughts.  Finally, armed with their best guesses, he steps barely close enough to touch the vine, and he communes with it, first, and then with the tree, prepared all the while to make a hasty retreat if the vine turns out to be aggressive.

01:05, Today: Irezagab rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  K Nature.  Ugh.  I should have taken a 10.

With his detect magic spell, Irezagab sees a bright glow emanate, but it's coming from something beneath the vines.

As to the tree itself, all that the shaman is able to determine is that it is ancient, huge in girth and slow-growing.

His communion with the vine feels like he is awakening something that has long slept.

Slowly parting the vines, the Seekers see a rectangle of sun-metal set into the side of the old tree, about seven feet high and four feet wide.

Etched into the center of the metal is the image of a woman sitting cross-legged. Her two hands are stretched out to either side. Her right hand holds what looks like a stylized star, emphasized with white gems inset into the metal. Above her left hand is what looks like a fire, portrayed with deep red gems. Underneath her run several rows of pictographs that are indecipherable, except that they look like the ones etched onto the metal pillar the Seekers have already encountered.

The high-pitch humming sound in the area now seems to pulse back between the sword Darkwater carries and this newly discovered object.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:19, Thu 06 May 2021.

Elisaros had traveled for nearly a week. All she knew is that whatever she was searching for was beyond the furthest edge of what her tribe new. In this case, that meant crossing the lands of the halflings. Her tribe had an effective truce with them, and Elisaros had tried to communicate her non-hostile intent.

Not to their faces of course, but to the trees and shadows where they were surely hiding. Even now, she suspected a group followed her, but there had been no whooshing sounds of their darts.

She was pretty sure she was nearly through the area the halflings claimed when, of a morning, she heard the loud, enraged snarl of a huge animal several hundred yards away from her in the direction she was going.

What sounds like some sort of fighting ended quite soon, only to be followed minutes later by what sounds like a humanoid keening inarticulately before resolving into a not-quite-human voice declaring something in an unknown language.

Grumbling Bear waits patiently.  Grief cannot be rushed and there were no pressing matters at hand that would necessitate delaying its outpouring.  Vengeance, on the other hand, was a different story.  It was stone blade, honed slowly over time.  The longer one honed that particular blade, however, the more likely it was  that the crafter would cut themself on a blade meant for someone else.  Grumbling Bear wasn't going to stop Darkwater from working on his blade of vengeance but he would remain close to make sure Darkwater did not end up being the one hurt on that blade.

When Irezagab had no more tears to shed they both turn their attention to the strange tree nearby.  The tree and vines both felt familiar to him somehow.  Similar and yet different from trees he knew from back home.  He used that knowledge as well as Irezagabs insights to present his own conjectures as to the nature of the tree and the vines surrounding it all.

06:14, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Grumbling Bear Knowledge Nature.

"I do not know why the nagiji said that these trees are 'malicious.'  This vine, at least, just seems sleepy -- only just waking up."  The shaman waits a couple of minutes communing with the vine, to see it if wakes up any more.  Then he invokes his ability again to speak with the tree itself while Skrou flits around his head and chatters nonsensically.

09:36, Today: Irezagab rolled 26 using 1d20+13.  Perception to hear Elisaros approach
This message was last edited by the player at 13:23, Fri 07 May 2021.

Approaching the area carefully, going from tree to tree is the sorcerer. Her eyes narrow from beneath her hooded visage, hands clenched upon her spear. After a moment, she lowers her hand to her dino friend. It looks up at her and then its body slowly shifts and glows slightly before becoming one with her arm. Slowly, she moves around. She watches each of them, eyes narrowed. Lizardman. Human. And a big bear. A very big bear. Elisaros seems hesitant about approaching. Very odd seeing three of them together, all different tribes perhaps. Very odd.

heck I don't even see me hah!
10:59, Today: Elisaros rolled 35 using 1d20+16.  Stealth.

11:07, Today: Elisaros rolled 21 using 1d20+10.  Perception.

And then from near the eggs, something speaks as Eli steps out from behind the tree. She kneels down, looking at the eggs then stands back up. Her hood hides her face "Protecter." She keeps the odd bone spear towards the group "Probably has a mate." For a moment she looks at the eggs then back to the group "Who are you?" The woman lowers her hood revealing a timid looking human. She seems to have a strange look towards her. Those eyes seem lost. Perhaps blind but its hard to tell. Her long hair is tucked down behind her. Her arms are covered for now and she has a odd red colored tattoo across her face.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:11, Fri 07 May 2021.

 It's difficult to determine just how and why the sun-stone blade on Darkwater's back is thrumming since it's not been drawn or pointed at anything, but a process of elimination can help narrow things down - especially once the spell is cast - since the hunter is moving from respectfully arranging Ikshana's body and advancing on the corpse, studying its mouth and throat and then drawing the sun-stone blade to cut into its stomach, looking to see if it has consumed something which could explain its mad frenzy.

 ---

22:58, Today: Darkwater rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Knowledge (Nature).

Grumbling Bear instinctively bristles with the appearance of someone new.  Twice in a handful of minutes something had appeared out of the underbrush to confront them.  This one didn't seem to be innately hostile, though, so he settles back to let the more friendly of his allies handle the talking portion.

The woman was small, but that was in no way indicative of her strength.  She was clearly an able hunter as it seemed none of the Seekers had noticed her approach.  Still she didn't carry herself like a warrior so Grumbling Bear would speculate she either relied more on agility in combat or was perhaps a spellcaster of some sort.

Darkwater seems intent on investigating the dinosaur which means that Irezagab would be handling the talking.  Unless, of course, there was a language barrier in which case he imagined it would be a collaborative effort between the two of them.  Either way, it was probably best if Grumbling Bear just keeps an eye on their surroundings.  A third surprise would just be embarrassing for the Seekers.

21:00, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 13 using 1d20+10.  Grumbling Bear Perception.  ((God dammit.))
This message was last edited by the player at 04:00, Fri 07 May 2021.

Irezagab jumps in surprise.  He planned to look in to the eggs as soon as he had concluded that the plants were not a threat.  Looking in the wrong place!  He turns to the stranger.  She does not seem hostile, but if she is here to protect those eggs, then that could change in an instant.  There's no need to assume the worst, though.  "Welcome, stranger.  If you come in peace and friendship, we are very happy to meet you in that same spirit."

Perhaps they didn't understand her or maybe they don't care. Either way, it was either a male or female protecting their young and it seems they stumbled upon it. And killed it without mercy-of course she wasn't there. She keeps the spear out, watching the lizardfolk examine the creature and perform some sort of autopsy. Strange for a lizardfolk to do it but there has to be a reason....

"Male or female." Of course she doesn't expect an answer but she can hope for one. Eli just keeps protecting the eggs. A balance. But as she looks around, she sees something odd. Her eyes narrow and she steps forwards. Her hand goes to the odd metal statue, tracing it. It looks like her but not her and she backs away. Another trick? Perhaps they followed -her-? No, probably not.

The woman sits down near the eggs, hands on her spear and if anyone approaches, the spear gets stuck towards them-she doesn't know them but something odd is going on. Course something odd always happens in her life.

"Left them without their mother or father. It is not good." She doesn't seem like a druid but hard to tell what she is. Her eyes lock upon the shaman "Peace and spirit?" Her eyes dart to the dead dinosaur "Why did it attack besides getting close to its eggs? Get close, lashes out." For a moment she is trying to read each of them but doesn't get far. Bear. Lizard. Human. Definatly odd "Elisaros"

The tattooed stranger looks quizzically at Irezagab, and he returns her stare.

"Male or female," she says, not quite a question, and Irez is even more confused. Whom is she asking about, I wonder.  Maybe the huge lizard?  But she seems to be protecting those eggs, which I thought were the dinosaur's.  This stranger is more than I comprehend.

Before he can even formulate a reply, she continues, "Left them without their mother or father. It is not good."  Then she speculates that these ARE the dinosaur eggs, after all.  Perhaps her appearance near the eggs was just a coincidence after all.  She does seem to move with that stealthy gait that the best scouts have.  After a longer pause in which the shaman still can't seem to work out what to say, she introduces herself, "Elisaros."

Finally, a bit of conversation that I can understand.  "I am Irezagab, a shaman of The People.  My friends are Grumbling Bear and his companion Baloo, and Darkwater.  We are Seekers, looking to learn what surrounds our lands and to make friends and trading partners."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:17, Mon 10 May 2021.

"Seperate tribes working together. Odd." The tattooed woman tilts her head "What are these...Seekers? What do you seek? Answers?" Eli seems curious, glancing at the lizardfolk and bear then back to Irezagab "I seek answers." It seems it is hard for her to figure it out "Grumbling Bear, Baloo, Darkwater....traveling through the Little Ones lair." She seems hesitant for a moment but something about Irez intrigues her. The sorcerers moves towards the odd metallic icon "Seeker?" She points her spear at it.

 Darkwater looks up from the messy work of examining the body - and butchering it of course, because it would be ill-done to slay such a creature and not share of its meat and strength - and quirks his head a little at the gibber-gabber the mush-mouthed humans are offering back and forth, his crest giving a fastidious flick but otherwise remaining down, since although he can mostly make himself understood, he doesn't actually speak the language.

 Mostly, he keeps working, harvesting the corpse while looking to see if there was any other reason for its rage.

"We seek ..." Irezagab trails off, realizing that the answer wasn't as clear cut as he had thought it was.  "We seek answers, true, or just knowledge.  We wish to learn of the other beings in the world, to make friends, trading partners."  He turns towards the lizardfolk, "Darkwater, here, is our guide, the keeper of the map.  You might call him our leader, if we were to have one.  Perhaps he can give you a more satisfactory answer, but he does not speak human.  I will be glad to translate."

Irez catches Darkwater up on what has already been said, and then he translates anything that the two have to say to each other.

"Leader that no one understands?" The woman watches the human, no emotion. Her eyes go back to the odd metal area and she traces the picture. For a moment she is silent but she turns back to the man "Why?" Simple and to the point. Eli just seems interested  is all, but finds it odd to come across a odd band.

Irezagab smiles at her provinciality.  After all, was it not only a week ago that the shaman himself learned how much larger a city could be than anything he had imagined before?  And his own tribe calls itself simply 'The People,' a term he had never even thought to question until two months ago.  "He speaks very well, in his own language and in others, just not in human speech.  Fortunately, both Grumbling Bear and myself had already learned his language before we all met, and it has not been a problem until now."  He quickly translates both the question and his response into the Lizard tongue for Darkwater.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:35, Mon 10 May 2021.

 Looking up from where he's using the sun-stone blade to work over the enormous cadaver of the downed beast, Darkwater issues a short, chirping trill of amusement and uses his free hand to gesture to his mouth (well, jaws) and conveys - with a really quite surprising degree of facility at simple sound-and-gesture communication - that the mushy sounds of human speech do not come naturally to him, but that he understands something of what is being said, if it is done slowly.

 After that he asks four times - in sibilant Nagaji and barking Gnollish, resonant Grippli and crooned Vanarian - "Can you understand me?"

The sorcerer looks at Ire then towards the lizardfolk. Her eyes narrow and she gets all types of grunts from him. Her eyes leave the others and she stares at the odd metal glyph, not sure if he is even talking to her. Her eyes close for a moment and then open. Staring contects at the glyph. She then turns from it, holding the spear "Where you heading?"