Taran would grab the paper, and the chain necklace, double check that the bones really were from an animal then meet back with the group and show them what he found.
"I-I-I th-th-think," he takes a deep breath, "I-I th-think our b-best op-option is to f-find Tiem. H-He m-might know m-more. A-At the v-very least w-we c-can re-recruit his help."
"Well," comes a voice from the edge of the clearing. "If that's not an entrance, I don't know what is."
Turning, you see a dromite with pale blue skin and nearly white eyes eyeing you all. He wears leather armor studded with ice, and has a quarterstaff in hand that with a faint blue shimmer around it. His stance is cautious, if not downright unfriendly, and he looks ready for a fight. "So why're you looking for me?"
"Wh-what c-could w-we d-do to c-convince you th-that the Tr-trailblazer s-sent us?"Taran asks, hand near his crossbow. "A-Also, h-how c-can w-we tr-trust you a-as well."
River's beak opens up and Trailblazer Ranari's voice comes out.
"It happened about two days ago. We're giving them time in case they just had to go silent to stay incognito in enemy territory, but if they don't return in a week, we're sending you after them. If they've been captured by Lord Sulatesh, we need you to break into his Kintam and rescue them...or release their souls, if that is your only recourse. You'll be in enemy territory looking for the guides. If it turns out you have to break into the fortress, I would suggest looking for malcontents among his soldiers to help. Sulatesh's practice of torture disturbs some of his soldiers, and a few of them aren't reassured by his explanation that it's necessary."
Druhdaar grunts and adresses the insectoid creature with a serie of clicking and buzzing sounds.
**translated from Dromite** :
" There is a logic for This One being cautious.
There is a logic of These Others being cautious and / or offering help as well.
Considering options:
a)we're riedran spies trying to befriend you and you're still working for Adar,
b) we're Summit Road Guides trying to befriend you and you're still working for Adar,
c) we're riedran spies trying to befriend you but you've now also turned and are working for the Inspired,
d) we're Summit Road Guides trying to befriend you and you've now turned and are working for the Inspired.
Processing... *more clicking sounds*
We can now eliminate option c) because otherwise there would be no need for this conversation.
We can also eliminate option d) because riedran forces already have captured guides and there is therefore no further need for spying / inflitration / faked cautiousness in this manner on the part of This One, indeed straight-up elimination would be more relevant in such a case and This One shows no direct aggressive intention sofar.
Which leaves us with a) we're working for Adar or b) we're working for Riedra, while This One remains faithful to the Path of Light.
option a) creates a common cause and the need for instant alliance: validated.
option b) suggests we are faking friendliness to lower your guard and seduce you into trusting our intentions.
Yet there are two main problems with option b): firstly, if we do work for Riedra we already have gathered enough information / achieved other results from our recent succesful attack on / capture of This One's guide companions. Second, if a fake show of friendliness is what troubles This One, This Other One will be willing to open a mutual contest of strength right now so as to dissipate any confusion as to an attempt at casual, yet faked friendliness. "
Switching back to Common, the bearded giant concludes:
" Get it, Frosty ? In clear: I'll be happy to kick your chitinous butt if that helps aliviate your fears. Otherwise, better come clean and try a bit of trust, for a change. You got three seconds... Time's a-wastin' ! "
The druid bares his teeth at the Dromite warrior in a mirthless grin.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV) " Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII) " Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr) " This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
Tiem rolls his eyes. "Threatening me in no way reassures me of your honest intentions, and I have had the last week to think of reasons why the Inspired might send Thousand Eyes after me. There are several large flaws in your logic, not the least of which is a highly naive assumption that the Inspired will ever be satisfied." He relaxes his stance ever so slightly. "All of that being said, the higher probability is that you're here to help, but there really is no way of truly confirming it without a telepath. The fact that your kalashtar was able to activate Likashtai's message is a point in your favor, but such things can be faked. Indeed, I think the best course of action would be for us all to proceed on a limited trust basis, in which we share information, but...watch our backs." He cocks his head. "So, you are a rescue mission sent after we fell out of contact?"
"I was on a foraging mission," Tiem says cooly. "By the time I got back, there was just the wreckage. From what I could tell from the fresh tracks, it was six water soldiers. They got Likashtai in the tent, Roiin out in the woods, and Liira by the campfire. They left on a sled towing their bodies. From what I could tell, the guides were alive when they were taken."
Taran turns his gaze towards the stone River is holding, "Sh-She said K-Kashtai w-would d-deliver her f-final m-messages." Taran said.
"Sh-she said th-that most of th-them were asleep when the a-attack came. W-was Liira o-on w-watch?" He shakes his head, "I-I-I d-d-don't w-want to a-assume, n-never mind. D-Do you w-wish to h-help us rescue th-them?"
Tiem's stance tightens upon Taran's explanation, and he bows his head for a moment before looking up. "Liira was on watch, yes. She always took first watch so she could write the report for the day 'before sleep and that damnable dream dulled the memories', in her words. And yes. It would seem the option that has the highest chance of our rescuing as many guides as possible and keeping the Inspired from learning as much information as possible would be for us to ally. You all have the numbers, while I have the information." He sweeps a look over you all. "Despite your more than adequate tracking and investigating skills, I estimate that without me and my information and scouting capabilities, your chances of success at infiltrating the Kintam and successfully rescuing or releasing the prisoners will be halved at the least. In addition, on my own, my chances of completing the same task is even smaller. Therefore, despite our inability to fully trust each other, I believe that allying is the best possible course of action."
When Vishal lets go, the stone's light goes back to blinking.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Seeing River Taran gives up and follows Mister Juhaan to check out the campfire in the center of camp for anymore clues.
Investigation 21
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Taran and Juhaan search the campfire area and find:
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran would grab the paper, and the chain necklace, double check that the bones really were from an animal then meet back with the group and show them what he found.
"I-I-I th-th-think," he takes a deep breath, "I-I th-think our b-best op-option is to f-find Tiem. H-He m-might know m-more. A-At the v-very least w-we c-can re-recruit his help."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Well," comes a voice from the edge of the clearing. "If that's not an entrance, I don't know what is."
Turning, you see a dromite with pale blue skin and nearly white eyes eyeing you all. He wears leather armor studded with ice, and has a quarterstaff in hand that with a faint blue shimmer around it. His stance is cautious, if not downright unfriendly, and he looks ready for a fight. "So why're you looking for me?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Dromite friend!" River jumps up, suddenly not very sad anymore. "Elements Align. crr Are you crr Tiem?"
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
"Yeah," the dromite says evenly. "I'm Tiem. Now why are you looking for me?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"We are *crr* Guides. *crr* Rescue."
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
"Convenient." Tiem says simply, not relaxing his stance.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Wh-what c-could w-we d-do to c-convince you th-that the Tr-trailblazer s-sent us?" Taran asks, hand near his crossbow. "A-Also, h-how c-can w-we tr-trust you a-as well."
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
River's beak opens up and Trailblazer Ranari's voice comes out.
"It happened about two days ago. We're giving them time in case they just had to go silent to stay incognito in enemy territory, but if they don't return in a week, we're sending you after them. If they've been captured by Lord Sulatesh, we need you to break into his Kintam and rescue them...or release their souls, if that is your only recourse. You'll be in enemy territory looking for the guides. If it turns out you have to break into the fortress, I would suggest looking for malcontents among his soldiers to help. Sulatesh's practice of torture disturbs some of his soldiers, and a few of them aren't reassured by his explanation that it's necessary."
Dungeon Master - LSoL
Kaori - Battlemaster Fighter 5 / Paladin 2 (Kenku) - TSR
Cherna Godhari - Grave Cleric 4 (Human) - TW
Breena Mahi'ai - Divination Wizard 8 (Halfling) - WoE
Sharyn Savonath - Open Sea Paladin 4 (Triton) - PoPI
Zephyr - Four Elements (Revised) Monk 4 (Air Genasi) - IO
Takeshi - Mercy Monk 6 (Protector Aasimar) - TBW
Avrui Sirsash - Genie Warlock 2 (Wildhunt Shifter) - WotBS
Druhdaar grunts and adresses the insectoid creature with a serie of clicking and buzzing sounds.
**translated from Dromite** :
" There is a logic for This One being cautious.
There is a logic of These Others being cautious and / or offering help as well.
Considering options:
a)we're riedran spies trying to befriend you and you're still working for Adar,
b) we're Summit Road Guides trying to befriend you and you're still working for Adar,
c) we're riedran spies trying to befriend you but you've now also turned and are working for the Inspired,
d) we're Summit Road Guides trying to befriend you and you've now turned and are working for the Inspired.
Processing... *more clicking sounds*
We can now eliminate option c) because otherwise there would be no need for this conversation.
We can also eliminate option d) because riedran forces already have captured guides and there is therefore no further need for spying / inflitration / faked cautiousness in this manner on the part of This One, indeed straight-up elimination would be more relevant in such a case and This One shows no direct aggressive intention sofar.
Which leaves us with a) we're working for Adar or b) we're working for Riedra, while This One remains faithful to the Path of Light.
option a) creates a common cause and the need for instant alliance: validated.
option b) suggests we are faking friendliness to lower your guard and seduce you into trusting our intentions.
Yet there are two main problems with option b): firstly, if we do work for Riedra we already have gathered enough information / achieved other results from our recent succesful attack on / capture of This One's guide companions. Second, if a fake show of friendliness is what troubles This One, This Other One will be willing to open a mutual contest of strength right now so as to dissipate any confusion as to an attempt at casual, yet faked friendliness. "
Switching back to Common, the bearded giant concludes:
" Get it, Frosty ? In clear: I'll be happy to kick your chitinous butt if that helps aliviate your fears. Otherwise, better come clean and try a bit of trust, for a change. You got three seconds... Time's a-wastin' ! "
The druid bares his teeth at the Dromite warrior in a mirthless grin.
' Rogues Will Be Rogues ' (Circle of Fives Admission Rules, § 6 par. IV)
" Put It Down. Now. Or Be Sorry. " (D. Khar-Errendis' Reported Tips For Curing Soul Ailments And Assorted Bad Behaviours, v. LIV p.XIII)
" Tween thisThy and yonThou, shall I prove to Thee that these art what thou dost see ? " (Grimoire of The Great Pananthyr)
" This One has said enough. Now, we fight. This way please ?" (8th Grade Bronze Disciple Raulnar Drohjo, Way of the Open Palm)
Tiem rolls his eyes. "Threatening me in no way reassures me of your honest intentions, and I have had the last week to think of reasons why the Inspired might send Thousand Eyes after me. There are several large flaws in your logic, not the least of which is a highly naive assumption that the Inspired will ever be satisfied." He relaxes his stance ever so slightly. "All of that being said, the higher probability is that you're here to help, but there really is no way of truly confirming it without a telepath. The fact that your kalashtar was able to activate Likashtai's message is a point in your favor, but such things can be faked. Indeed, I think the best course of action would be for us all to proceed on a limited trust basis, in which we share information, but...watch our backs." He cocks his head. "So, you are a rescue mission sent after we fell out of contact?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Y-Yes," Taran says, still keeping his hand near his weapon, "C-Can you t-tell us any-anything about th-the attack or wh-what you've l-learned since?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"I was on a foraging mission," Tiem says cooly. "By the time I got back, there was just the wreckage. From what I could tell from the fresh tracks, it was six water soldiers. They got Likashtai in the tent, Roiin out in the woods, and Liira by the campfire. They left on a sled towing their bodies. From what I could tell, the guides were alive when they were taken."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran nods, "Wh-who is K-Kashtai?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
"Likashtai's quori spirit." Tiem raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran turns his gaze towards the stone River is holding, "Sh-She said K-Kashtai w-would d-deliver her f-final m-messages." Taran said.
"Sh-she said th-that most of th-them were asleep when the a-attack came. W-was Liira o-on w-watch?" He shakes his head, "I-I-I d-d-don't w-want to a-assume, n-never mind. D-Do you w-wish to h-help us rescue th-them?"
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)
Tiem's stance tightens upon Taran's explanation, and he bows his head for a moment before looking up. "Liira was on watch, yes. She always took first watch so she could write the report for the day 'before sleep and that damnable dream dulled the memories', in her words. And yes. It would seem the option that has the highest chance of our rescuing as many guides as possible and keeping the Inspired from learning as much information as possible would be for us to ally. You all have the numbers, while I have the information." He sweeps a look over you all. "Despite your more than adequate tracking and investigating skills, I estimate that without me and my information and scouting capabilities, your chances of success at infiltrating the Kintam and successfully rescuing or releasing the prisoners will be halved at the least. In addition, on my own, my chances of completing the same task is even smaller. Therefore, despite our inability to fully trust each other, I believe that allying is the best possible course of action."
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Taran nods in agreement
Taran Cragshollow (Summit Road)