Lenelle paused, thinking about that a moment;  involuntarily, her eyes went to Sprinkle, as she remembered the priestess getting swallowed.

And her mouth opened briefly, in horror, as she contemplated worse than that.  She busied herself, checking her gear, trying to still her imagination, while grasping there was an even greater threat than Baleful...

But though it would be some time, before she grew conscious of it, the menace of a demon-god engaged her in a way the dragon alone had not.

Simon paused, as the head started speaking again, while he was stuffing it into his pack.

"Now that is of interest! Are the Yuan-Ti planning a ritual? Or will they simply trick Baleful into killing in the the god's name? Or is there some other plan?"

”The Yuan-Ti wait with the patience of a serpent beguiling the unwary bird. They will rebuild their empire on a mountain of corpses for their dreaded god, Merrshaulk.”

"A subtle plan. Kill everyone to awaken your slumbering god. Another reason to rid the world of Baleful...then I suppose we can consider the Yuan-Ti?

But that will be a discussion for another day."

He had been distracted by the presence of Sskrik, but slowly the words of the Yuan-Ti Abomination sunk home.

"I know where to go."

He said, staring at the Warlock and his talking head with lidded eyes. He'd seen such magics before, the Matriarchs of his Village used similar techniques to converse with their Elders. An enemy though?

No, focus.

"The Abomination ssssaid he restssss in the village of my people...."

He sounded miserable.

"I will lead the way."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:47, Thu 01 Sept 2022.

"I'm sorry, Sketh," said Tara.  "Tell me if there's anything I can do for you, all right?"

In reply to Seth Sskith (msg # 278):

"We will bring all our force to bear on behalf of your people, by friend." Telric said, nodding grimly.

"It all dependssss on how the Matriarchssss responded to hisssss coming."

Sskith intoned solemnly.

"Factionsssss divided. Some might have resssisted, some might have welcomed him asssss their new God-Maekrix."

He exhaled a sharp blast of air.

Complex, in other words.  Divisive, for Seth and his folk...

Stepping nearer to the reptilian ranger, Lenelle said "You must lead us here, Seth.   There is no question.  We need you to assess what has happened, and help us understand the feelings of your people.   Discernment will serve better than any hasty thinking, in trying to deal with this in the best manner we can."   

Seth led the group through the beginnings of Lizardfolk territory. He guided them safely around a nasty bog full of quicksand. They saw the black wooden masks, now aware that they denoted loyalty to Baleful Blackfang thanks to whispered reminders from Simon’s shrunken head. The masks bothered Seth especially, as they foretold dissension among his people.

Halfway through their trek through the muck, they stopped for a short rest. They avoided hostile encounters, so they hadn’t exerted any energy beyond marching or any spells. The group only stopped long enough to eat, plan, and relieve themselves. Lenelle sensed a pulse in her Sending Stone.

Telric stayed on watch while Lenelle got the call. He looked around, adjusting his goggles and making sure nothing snuck up on them.

On realizing the incoming communication, Lenelle reached into a belt pouch, and placed her fingers on the stone.  She'd not thought about the items since the defeat of the Hags.

She expected Pockets, but Skye and Sundos still had theirs, far as she knew.  Hopefully, it wasn't any bad news...

Answer the call.

Hey, Princess. The Baron sent his forces to meet ya in Lizardman territory.

Not bad news at all!   She said to the others:

"Remember how we were promised the aid of the Baron's forces?   According to Pockets, it's been made good on.  They're awaiting us in the lizard folk's territory."

Sskith said nothing, for there was nothing to say. He did not know who this Baron was, or why his men were important. All he knew is that he would dread what he found. Absentmindedly, he stroked his Echo's head and waited.

"That is good news! Mister Stuart is a man of his word!" Simon says, patting the horn hanging on his shoulder.

"Lead on Seth, we may survive this after all!"

Lenelle nodded, then glanced to the silent Seth, thinking a little further.  Most of which she did aloud:

"You know, initially, it was thought the lizard folk were serving the dragon.  Or at least that a particular tribe of them were.    But the truth is more complex, more nuanced, than that.   We need to tread lightly, and let Seth's knowledge of his folk inform our decisions.  We cannot let the presence of the Baron's men change that."   

Stuart seemed an honorable, decent man.  But the Baron was anything but. And his feelings about lizard folk were clearly on record.

"I do not know, anymore."

Sskith said as he led them onward.

"The Matriarchssss, they do not always  ssssee instinct to instinct. I had thought they were done assss slaves pretending to be Mastersssss. Blackfang may not have given them that choice."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Thu 15 Sept 2022.

"Perhaps we can persuade them to seek their own destiny," said Tara.  "It's not like Blackfang is some immortal god.  We hurt him before; we can do more, this time."

The party debated these thorny questions as Seth led them toward the Matriarch’s village. As the Ranger guided them onto a lightly worn trail, they all heard a thunderous BOOM, followed by a screech. Then, the pained cries of what sounded like a dozen humans…

Lenelle didn't hesitate;  about to run in that direction, she halted briefly, casting invisibility on herself, and then sped off toward the sounds of destruction and anguish...

Telric also headed off in the direction of the noise, but once again releasing his drone to cling to his shoulder. His arcane cannon once again releasing its shielding energy.

OOC-
14:42, Today: Telric Televentor rolled 8 using 1d8+2. Temp hp in a 10' radius.

Sskith began running, his Echo at his side.

Tara hurried as well.  Perhaps they'd be in time to save someone...

"That isn't good! Nimbus! Fly up and tell me what you see." Simon sends the spirit-raven into the air before following his comrades toward the start of the next battle.

"Lenelle!" he shouts, "Let us know where you are...somehow!"