Hun gives immediate chase, catching up to the rockling he had just pierced. The kobold delays his next attack just enough to give Mr. Thicc a chance to arrive and continue to passively distract the injured enemy.
The duo then delivers one more attack each, finally being able to achieve what the artificer had intended from the beginning. Hun pierces some sort of tendon, incapacitated his target but otherwise keeping it alive. The construct then hits another rockling hard enough to force it into unconsciousness. (Geonid#7 takes 11 magical piercing damage and is DEFEATED; Geonid#1 takes 7 force damage and is DEFEATED.)
Before the last geonid can escape, Kairus lets loose another well-aimed crossbow bolt. The creature shrieks in pain as the projectile inflicts a nasty wound to its soft bits, but manages to maintain itself upright for now. (Geonid#6 takes 12 piercing damage.)
Rhogal then tries to put an end to the fight by calling on his trusty spores, but they do not find purchase on the rock creature.
(@MuggsHill: Just to be clear, by reaction I am assuming you meant opportunity attack, and not the trigger for a ready action.)
Being so close to victory, Krodhen does not want to simply watch as the last geonid runs away. The paladin sprints and overtakes the fugitive and prepares himself to strike at the last foe should it try to run past him. For now, however, he holds steady.
Yulmiath is less patient. He catches up to the last geonid and slices it in two. The static energy continues to build around the dragonborn and, in his rage, Yulmiath lets it loose on the next geonid who happens to still be breathing. Hun watches as the enemy he carefully incapacitated bites the dust. (Geonid#6 takes 18 slashing damage and is DEFEATED; Geonid#7 takes 2 lightning damage and is DEFEATED A SECOND TIME.)
Thankfully for the kobold, the geonid Mr. Thicc knocked out is still alive.
WE ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE. YOU MAY DO AS YOU WILL.
As the last geonid falls, Yulmiath can spot no more foes to fight and let's his rage subside. Taking a moment to take in his new form, he flexes a few of his new found muscles.
"Yes, yes, very impressive, Mr. Yully."Hun states with a touch of bite to his tone. "Now if we're just about done wholesale killing everything that's not at least edible, I suggest we exit the immediate chamber 'fore we cook to death. Mr. Thicc-"He turns to the construct. "Take up the one that's still breathing at least. Perhaps then we might yet salvage this mess."
With a dutiful salute, Mr. Thicc scoops up his target, cradling like a wee babe on his way out into the tunnel, and by extension away from the immediate heat zone. Hun lingers, if only to further examine the rest of the bodies, hopeful yet of finding another survivor among the fallen. Failing that however, he'd set about riding the proverbial struggle bus quite possibly in his taking along one of the corpses for a closer examination in greater comfort away from the heat.
Once at a decent distance from the heated chamber, Hun set about lighting a torch and wedging it in the stone wall, and setting about treating the Geonid while awaiting the others to fall back. Only once they did -- or at least Kairus had done so, would he look to the Triton with a tired look. "You know I've given it some thought, and.. it's a long shot. But you remember the mud creature from last time? Well, way I figure, these things might be able to understand that tongue at the very least. The one you conversed with the other 'n all that. Worth a shot at least. So when it wakes up, we're gonna need to have some words with it. "
While Yulmiath relishes on his newly-attained physical prowess, Mr. Thicc is ordered to transport the surviving geonid toward the entrance of the cave. It is not long before Hun follows the construct dragging his own geonid, albeit a dead one. Stopping somewhere in the middle of the main tunnel, the kobold and construct decide to light a torch so they can examine their rocky patient right then and there. He hopes that Kairus might be able to communicate with the geonid eventually.
Anyone exploring either the west- or east- facing tunnels would simply find that they too wind back into the main tunnel connecting the lava lake to the cave's entrance. There seems to be little of interest here apart from the geonids and the colorful rocks they kept. The latter might be worth a few trades back in Ahoyhoy, but the Snackers doubt they'd sell for much elsewhere.
By now, Yulmiath has shrunk back to his normal size and Rhogal's staff is no longer magically hardened. Nonetheless, both the dragonborn and the dwarf still feel somewhat inspired by Kairus' earlier words should they feel the need to channel that inspiration into a practical task over the next few minutes.
(OOC: If anyone has purposefully lingered in the lava lake chamber, please roll another CON saving throw.)
Caught mid-flex and mid-self-admiration session, Yulmiath slowly deflates back to his original size.
Giving himself an ocular once over, he shrugs, putting the loss behind him.
"Guess real gains only come from hard work."
Poking around the cave a little longer, he gives the remaining geonid bodies a physical patdown in case anything had been hidden on their roughly spherical stone bodies.
Kairus would definitely seek out some cooler place. Even his curiosity got cooked in this heat and retreated. So, he showed Yul thumbs up (he liked his work too) and followed Hun and his prisoner.
"Let's try it!" Shooting these "rocks" left a mixed feeling - on one hand, it was like "shooting the rocks", literally. But on the other... These were creatures and probably even sentient. The latter part he was about to establish. Thinking back to the mud creatures, he modulated his voice emphasizing the heavier "earthier" elements of the language and said in Primordial: "We did not want to attack, we did not come to kill. We are searching for the black stone snake your kind took from another cave. Do you know where it is?" It was a bit too "straight to the point" but again, the rocks did not look like they could be easily befriended. Could they be bought? "We might exchange it for something else too if you wish,"tried he some preemptive bargaining.
Seeing Kairus about jump the proverbial crossbow, as well his own administrations proving less than effective on the alien body, Hun gives Mr. Thicc a look and sharp gesture, signaling the construct to hold the Geonid firm. "Just a sec, Young Blue. Gotta wake the patient first."He requests while pressing and sliding some button on his Yklwa, switching out the blade once more for a nozzle type bit, and hosing the geonid down in his patented healing foam.
--> Cast (1st level)Healing Foam on Geonid, restoring 9 hp.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yulmiath and Rhogal linger in the large chamber for a while longer. They both seem to be getting somewhat used to the heat, at least for now. The dragonborn begins to search the fallen geonids more closely but the observant dwarf notices his companion is not being as thorough as he probably should be. Hence, the druid takes it on himself to give corpses and the chamber a second look over. Rhogal doubts at first when Yulmiath claims that there is nothing of values here besides the colorful stones but, eventually, the druid has to agree. The statuette the undead snakes are looking for must be in another cave.
Meanwhile Krodhen explores some of the adjacent tunnels just to confirm the group is not missing anything.
Back in the main tunnel, Hun comes to the conclusion that the geonids' anatomy is, as he feared, too alien for him to derive any useful information based solely on a quick field study. When Kairus mistakes the mention of one geonid being alive as the same thing as it being conscious, Hun quickly fixes the issue by enlisting Mr. Thicc and then magically healing the rock hermit. The geonid snaps awake but finds itself unable to move.
Kairus repeats his introduction and questions. The creature proves to be more intelligent than the group had perhaps given it credit for. It immediately understands its own situation and seems to value its life enough to reluctantly cooperate. Speaking in harsher tones of the Primordial language the triton is familiar with, the creature communicates that they were simply defending their cave from armed intruders, and denies having the statutte the bard is looking for or knowing where it may be. Kairus is wise enough (passive insight) to believe what the creature is claiming, though he doubts any other group of rocklings would be any less aggressive than the one the Snackers just defeated.
The creature is not attempting to escape but it is clearly hoping the conversation is over.
The talking rock could think whatever it wanted, but Kairus was not done with it just yet. He continued in the creature's harsh Primordial, translating back to the group what he learned. "Do you know all the other of your kind here? Do you all live together or are there different..." he was not sure how to describe their potential community, "rock formation"? "...tribes, groups families? Do you all live here or are there other caves? Which of the tribes would go outside to search for valuables?"
Kairus was keeping tone friendly but firm and listened to the answers carefully.
On leaving the cave, Yulmiath gives the interrogation of the remaining geonid a wide berth. No point too many folk asking too many questions or setting the thing on edge with too many of its aggressors crowding around. Instead the dragonborn heads over to Eeyal if she was still outside the cave, giving a little wave in greeting.
"My assumption is there might be other caves for us to go exploring in around here, not just this one," jerking a thumb towards the cave entrance they had just left.
"Assuming that the others maybe involve a bit of climbing to get up to them. Care to point out the route?"
(OOC - Assuming that 1) Eeyal is there and 2) they point out the climbing route, Yully will observe and try to gauge whether there are any ways to make the route easier. Ropes are a given, but maybe pitons as footholds or areas where rock has or is likely to give way. Survival - 11. If still there, he will also spend his BI before it runs out, 3 unless it already has...)
Most of the exchange is clearly lost to Hun, but he'd wait patiently for the Triton's inevitable translations alongside Mr. Thicc. I thought then occurs and prompts him to stage whisper a command word to medallion, causing the eyes of the skull to faintly glow in the dark. With its magic at play, an impromptu experiment begins with him trying to see if the surface thoughts of the pair -- each given a moment's focus -- might translate to common. And if it works... well, he wouldn't probe any further either which way.
"Don't forget to ask'im if you hadn't already on how we might approach his kind in the future for a more peaceful, uh... reception. As there's a material in their humble abodes that I do need to scavange whenever we visit them! Or, uh... ugh... I guess it'd be more like I'd 'like to'. But if its gonna be a hassle, uh.... oh! Ask them if they'd be willing to barter too!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Kairus continues to question the sole geonid survivor while Hun experiments with his medallion of thoughts. Kairus does not necessarily pick up every word shared by the creature, but he does understand more than enough to keep the conversation going. The creature says: "No. Every group independent. Own its cave. Every tribe scavenges, searches, hunts."
Hun picks up surface thoughts related to the asked questions: "Families work on their own. Will they attack other caves?"
Kairus follows up with additional questions proposed by the kobold. The hermit grumbles and pouts, but continues to answer with short sentences: "Bring gifts. Bring food. Ask to enter before invading."Hun hears thoughts on the same lines: "We like shiny rocks and metals, but dine on meat."
Now outside, Yulmiath strikes a conversation with Eeyal. The guide is glad to see the barbarian after hearing worrisome battle roars from inside the cave. "There are seven other known geonid caves. This was just the first of them. There is no telling which one might house the treasure you seek."She points to the other side of the lava river flowing down the volcanoes: "The nearest one is right across the hot river. We can reach it today if you'd like, but we'd need to find a way across the magma. Or we can move north on this side of the lava river until we reach the ocean. We can then navigate through all the rising steam on the canoe and meet land again on the other side of the lava river delta. Finally, we'd walk back south on the other bank and reach the second cave. This obviously would take more time but it's safer."
Noticing that the dragonborn is eager to climb, she add: "A third cave is on the other side of the volcanic mountains on that side, facing east. We'll have to climb up and then down to reach that one, but the lava river is still between us and the climbing spot."
Yulmiath runs his chin, "Lava sounds like a bad time and we maybe don't want to hang around this cave too long after they're done chatting. Let's stay this side of the river for now and maybe get a look at this lava river on the way?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"We did not know. And tried."Kairus was genuinely sad but what's done is done. "So, meat, rocks and metal. Maybe your shining polish will do the trick next time. A pity, though. The snakes were sure these are the caves to the south-east and we are in the right one... Guess, we have to check another nearby. Peacefully! Maybe take our prisoner with us? To present us properly?" He looked at the "rock". "Would you wish to come with us?" The prisoner probably had no saying in it but it never hirts to ask. "So other families don't get hurt and maybe for you to join another group? Also,"he felt like it was a good time for introduction, "let me introduce myself. My name is Kairus. What would you like us to call you?"
At some point during the conversation, Hun pulled from his bag some torn parchment and crude charcoal pencil to start taking notes. Notably the Kobold seemed unconcerned of the Geonid's discomfort or that of Kairus, but merely jotted it down for future reference.
"... Hmn... I suppose taking them along could serve as an intimidation tactic at the very least, as they can recount the battle. Though again, hopefully it won't come to that." He said assuringly to Kairus at the next given lull in conversation. "One last thing. Ask them what they even do with the metal and ores they take. And if there's any obsidian deposits they don't mind us, eh... tapping for a bit. I still need to finish Mr. Thicc's core and a sizeable chunk of obsidian would go a long way!" He affirms, expression brightening at the prospect tinkering.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Kairus/Blue: The geonid is not going anywhere with you if it has any say on it. From its perspective, you walked into their cave and murdered its family when they tried to defend their abode. No persuasive intent can change that unless, of course, you are taking the geonid as a prisoner. The creature is grieving, it is not thinking of immediately "replacing" its family or home (Hun can confirm this based on surface thoughts).
The geonid reluctantly offers its name. It is something clearly only meant to be pronounced in the Terran language, but Kairus' closest translation of it comes out of his mouth as "Thrud". The creature does not answer the questions about accompanying the party, instead simply saying: "Let me be."
"Feed them" is the answer given to Hun's question on metals and ores once the bard translates it. He then indicates that obsidian can be found in the southern tip of the island and repeats his previous request: "Free me."
Outside, Eeyal tries to clarify what Yulmiath meant: "Staying on this side of the lava river on the way to what? Do you mean to follow my suggestion of walking north on one bank of the river and then back south on the other, after canoeing around the delta where lava meets the sea? If so, you are right in saying we'll need to prepare for the heat."
Hun gives immediate chase, catching up to the rockling he had just pierced. The kobold delays his next attack just enough to give Mr. Thicc a chance to arrive and continue to passively distract the injured enemy.
The duo then delivers one more attack each, finally being able to achieve what the artificer had intended from the beginning. Hun pierces some sort of tendon, incapacitated his target but otherwise keeping it alive. The construct then hits another rockling hard enough to force it into unconsciousness. (Geonid#7 takes 11 magical piercing damage and is DEFEATED; Geonid#1 takes 7 force damage and is DEFEATED.)
Before the last geonid can escape, Kairus lets loose another well-aimed crossbow bolt. The creature shrieks in pain as the projectile inflicts a nasty wound to its soft bits, but manages to maintain itself upright for now. (Geonid#6 takes 12 piercing damage.)
Rhogal then tries to put an end to the fight by calling on his trusty spores, but they do not find purchase on the rock creature.
(@MuggsHill: Just to be clear, by reaction I am assuming you meant opportunity attack, and not the trigger for a ready action.)
Being so close to victory, Krodhen does not want to simply watch as the last geonid runs away. The paladin sprints and overtakes the fugitive and prepares himself to strike at the last foe should it try to run past him. For now, however, he holds steady.
Yulmiath is less patient. He catches up to the last geonid and slices it in two. The static energy continues to build around the dragonborn and, in his rage, Yulmiath lets it loose on the next geonid who happens to still be breathing. Hun watches as the enemy he carefully incapacitated bites the dust. (Geonid#6 takes 18 slashing damage and is DEFEATED; Geonid#7 takes 2 lightning damage and is DEFEATED A SECOND TIME.)
Thankfully for the kobold, the geonid Mr. Thicc knocked out is still alive.
WE ARE NOW OUT OF INITIATIVE. YOU MAY DO AS YOU WILL.
As the last geonid falls, Yulmiath can spot no more foes to fight and let's his rage subside. Taking a moment to take in his new form, he flexes a few of his new found muscles.
"CHECK THIS OUT! I'M SUPER RIPPED!"
"Yes, yes, very impressive, Mr. Yully." Hun states with a touch of bite to his tone. "Now if we're just about done wholesale killing everything that's not at least edible, I suggest we exit the immediate chamber 'fore we cook to death. Mr. Thicc-" He turns to the construct. "Take up the one that's still breathing at least. Perhaps then we might yet salvage this mess."
With a dutiful salute, Mr. Thicc scoops up his target, cradling like a wee babe on his way out into the tunnel, and by extension away from the immediate heat zone. Hun lingers, if only to further examine the rest of the bodies, hopeful yet of finding another survivor among the fallen. Failing that however, he'd set about riding the proverbial struggle bus quite possibly in his taking along one of the corpses for a closer examination in greater comfort away from the heat.
Once at a decent distance from the heated chamber, Hun set about lighting a torch and wedging it in the stone wall, and setting about treating the Geonid while awaiting the others to fall back. Only once they did -- or at least Kairus had done so, would he look to the Triton with a tired look. "You know I've given it some thought, and.. it's a long shot. But you remember the mud creature from last time? Well, way I figure, these things might be able to understand that tongue at the very least. The one you conversed with the other 'n all that. Worth a shot at least. So when it wakes up, we're gonna need to have some words with it. "
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
While Yulmiath relishes on his newly-attained physical prowess, Mr. Thicc is ordered to transport the surviving geonid toward the entrance of the cave. It is not long before Hun follows the construct dragging his own geonid, albeit a dead one. Stopping somewhere in the middle of the main tunnel, the kobold and construct decide to light a torch so they can examine their rocky patient right then and there. He hopes that Kairus might be able to communicate with the geonid eventually.
(@Ori: Please roll a medicine check.)
Anyone exploring either the west- or east- facing tunnels would simply find that they too wind back into the main tunnel connecting the lava lake to the cave's entrance. There seems to be little of interest here apart from the geonids and the colorful rocks they kept. The latter might be worth a few trades back in Ahoyhoy, but the Snackers doubt they'd sell for much elsewhere.
By now, Yulmiath has shrunk back to his normal size and Rhogal's staff is no longer magically hardened. Nonetheless, both the dragonborn and the dwarf still feel somewhat inspired by Kairus' earlier words should they feel the need to channel that inspiration into a practical task over the next few minutes.
(OOC: If anyone has purposefully lingered in the lava lake chamber, please roll another CON saving throw.)
(@Lerus: Oops! Knew I forgot something! Here ya go boss!)
-> Hun's Medicine: 6.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Caught mid-flex and mid-self-admiration session, Yulmiath slowly deflates back to his original size.
Giving himself an ocular once over, he shrugs, putting the loss behind him.
"Guess real gains only come from hard work."
Poking around the cave a little longer, he gives the remaining geonid bodies a physical patdown in case anything had been hidden on their roughly spherical stone bodies.
Investigation - 8
He's also sure to pick up five or six of the shinier rocks from the cavern.
Yully's CON Save: 14
Kairus would definitely seek out some cooler place. Even his curiosity got cooked in this heat and retreated. So, he showed Yul thumbs up (he liked his work too) and followed Hun and his prisoner.
"Let's try it!" Shooting these "rocks" left a mixed feeling - on one hand, it was like "shooting the rocks", literally. But on the other... These were creatures and probably even sentient. The latter part he was about to establish. Thinking back to the mud creatures, he modulated his voice emphasizing the heavier "earthier" elements of the language and said in Primordial: "We did not want to attack, we did not come to kill. We are searching for the black stone snake your kind took from another cave. Do you know where it is?" It was a bit too "straight to the point" but again, the rocks did not look like they could be easily befriended. Could they be bought? "We might exchange it for something else too if you wish," tried he some preemptive bargaining.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Rhogal takes a look around for the statue that the rocky ones had taken.
Investigation: 17 BI: 6
Con Save: 17
Extended Signature
Seeing Kairus about jump the proverbial crossbow, as well his own administrations proving less than effective on the alien body, Hun gives Mr. Thicc a look and sharp gesture, signaling the construct to hold the Geonid firm. "Just a sec, Young Blue. Gotta wake the patient first." He requests while pressing and sliding some button on his Yklwa, switching out the blade once more for a nozzle type bit, and hosing the geonid down in his patented healing foam.
--> Cast (1st level)Healing Foam on Geonid, restoring 9 hp.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Yulmiath and Rhogal linger in the large chamber for a while longer. They both seem to be getting somewhat used to the heat, at least for now. The dragonborn begins to search the fallen geonids more closely but the observant dwarf notices his companion is not being as thorough as he probably should be. Hence, the druid takes it on himself to give corpses and the chamber a second look over. Rhogal doubts at first when Yulmiath claims that there is nothing of values here besides the colorful stones but, eventually, the druid has to agree. The statuette the undead snakes are looking for must be in another cave.
Meanwhile Krodhen explores some of the adjacent tunnels just to confirm the group is not missing anything.
Back in the main tunnel, Hun comes to the conclusion that the geonids' anatomy is, as he feared, too alien for him to derive any useful information based solely on a quick field study. When Kairus mistakes the mention of one geonid being alive as the same thing as it being conscious, Hun quickly fixes the issue by enlisting Mr. Thicc and then magically healing the rock hermit. The geonid snaps awake but finds itself unable to move.
Kairus repeats his introduction and questions. The creature proves to be more intelligent than the group had perhaps given it credit for. It immediately understands its own situation and seems to value its life enough to reluctantly cooperate. Speaking in harsher tones of the Primordial language the triton is familiar with, the creature communicates that they were simply defending their cave from armed intruders, and denies having the statutte the bard is looking for or knowing where it may be. Kairus is wise enough (passive insight) to believe what the creature is claiming, though he doubts any other group of rocklings would be any less aggressive than the one the Snackers just defeated.
The creature is not attempting to escape but it is clearly hoping the conversation is over.
The talking rock could think whatever it wanted, but Kairus was not done with it just yet. He continued in the creature's harsh Primordial, translating back to the group what he learned. "Do you know all the other of your kind here? Do you all live together or are there different..." he was not sure how to describe their potential community, "rock formation"? "...tribes, groups families? Do you all live here or are there other caves? Which of the tribes would go outside to search for valuables?"
Kairus was keeping tone friendly but firm and listened to the answers carefully.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
On leaving the cave, Yulmiath gives the interrogation of the remaining geonid a wide berth. No point too many folk asking too many questions or setting the thing on edge with too many of its aggressors crowding around. Instead the dragonborn heads over to Eeyal if she was still outside the cave, giving a little wave in greeting.
"My assumption is there might be other caves for us to go exploring in around here, not just this one," jerking a thumb towards the cave entrance they had just left.
"Assuming that the others maybe involve a bit of climbing to get up to them. Care to point out the route?"
(OOC - Assuming that 1) Eeyal is there and 2) they point out the climbing route, Yully will observe and try to gauge whether there are any ways to make the route easier. Ropes are a given, but maybe pitons as footholds or areas where rock has or is likely to give way. Survival - 11. If still there, he will also spend his BI before it runs out, 3 unless it already has...)
Most of the exchange is clearly lost to Hun, but he'd wait patiently for the Triton's inevitable translations alongside Mr. Thicc. I thought then occurs and prompts him to stage whisper a command word to medallion, causing the eyes of the skull to faintly glow in the dark. With its magic at play, an impromptu experiment begins with him trying to see if the surface thoughts of the pair -- each given a moment's focus -- might translate to common. And if it works... well, he wouldn't probe any further either which way.
"Don't forget to ask'im if you hadn't already on how we might approach his kind in the future for a more peaceful, uh... reception. As there's a material in their humble abodes that I do need to scavange whenever we visit them! Or, uh... ugh... I guess it'd be more like I'd 'like to'. But if its gonna be a hassle, uh.... oh! Ask them if they'd be willing to barter too!"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Kairus continues to question the sole geonid survivor while Hun experiments with his medallion of thoughts. Kairus does not necessarily pick up every word shared by the creature, but he does understand more than enough to keep the conversation going. The creature says: "No. Every group independent. Own its cave. Every tribe scavenges, searches, hunts."
Hun picks up surface thoughts related to the asked questions: "Families work on their own. Will they attack other caves?"
Kairus follows up with additional questions proposed by the kobold. The hermit grumbles and pouts, but continues to answer with short sentences: "Bring gifts. Bring food. Ask to enter before invading." Hun hears thoughts on the same lines: "We like shiny rocks and metals, but dine on meat."
Now outside, Yulmiath strikes a conversation with Eeyal. The guide is glad to see the barbarian after hearing worrisome battle roars from inside the cave. "There are seven other known geonid caves. This was just the first of them. There is no telling which one might house the treasure you seek." She points to the other side of the lava river flowing down the volcanoes: "The nearest one is right across the hot river. We can reach it today if you'd like, but we'd need to find a way across the magma. Or we can move north on this side of the lava river until we reach the ocean. We can then navigate through all the rising steam on the canoe and meet land again on the other side of the lava river delta. Finally, we'd walk back south on the other bank and reach the second cave. This obviously would take more time but it's safer."
Noticing that the dragonborn is eager to climb, she add: "A third cave is on the other side of the volcanic mountains on that side, facing east. We'll have to climb up and then down to reach that one, but the lava river is still between us and the climbing spot."
Yulmiath runs his chin, "Lava sounds like a bad time and we maybe don't want to hang around this cave too long after they're done chatting. Let's stay this side of the river for now and maybe get a look at this lava river on the way?"
"We did not know. And tried." Kairus was genuinely sad but what's done is done. "So, meat, rocks and metal. Maybe your shining polish will do the trick next time. A pity, though. The snakes were sure these are the caves to the south-east and we are in the right one... Guess, we have to check another nearby. Peacefully! Maybe take our prisoner with us? To present us properly?" He looked at the "rock". "Would you wish to come with us?" The prisoner probably had no saying in it but it never hirts to ask. "So other families don't get hurt and maybe for you to join another group? Also," he felt like it was a good time for introduction, "let me introduce myself. My name is Kairus. What would you like us to call you?"
If needed Persuasion: 18
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
At some point during the conversation, Hun pulled from his bag some torn parchment and crude charcoal pencil to start taking notes. Notably the Kobold seemed unconcerned of the Geonid's discomfort or that of Kairus, but merely jotted it down for future reference.
"... Hmn... I suppose taking them along could serve as an intimidation tactic at the very least, as they can recount the battle. Though again, hopefully it won't come to that." He said assuringly to Kairus at the next given lull in conversation. "One last thing. Ask them what they even do with the metal and ores they take. And if there's any obsidian deposits they don't mind us, eh... tapping for a bit. I still need to finish Mr. Thicc's core and a sizeable chunk of obsidian would go a long way!" He affirms, expression brightening at the prospect tinkering.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Kairus/Blue: The geonid is not going anywhere with you if it has any say on it. From its perspective, you walked into their cave and murdered its family when they tried to defend their abode. No persuasive intent can change that unless, of course, you are taking the geonid as a prisoner. The creature is grieving, it is not thinking of immediately "replacing" its family or home (Hun can confirm this based on surface thoughts).
The geonid reluctantly offers its name. It is something clearly only meant to be pronounced in the Terran language, but Kairus' closest translation of it comes out of his mouth as "Thrud". The creature does not answer the questions about accompanying the party, instead simply saying: "Let me be."
"Feed them" is the answer given to Hun's question on metals and ores once the bard translates it. He then indicates that obsidian can be found in the southern tip of the island and repeats his previous request: "Free me."
Outside, Eeyal tries to clarify what Yulmiath meant: "Staying on this side of the lava river on the way to what? Do you mean to follow my suggestion of walking north on one bank of the river and then back south on the other, after canoeing around the delta where lava meets the sea? If so, you are right in saying we'll need to prepare for the heat."